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Abbott Elementary & Always Sunny in Philadelphia Crossover Images Tease Comedy Worlds Colliding
Logistics sector key to Qatar’s green economic transformation
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On an X account where she shared occasional selfies, life updates and memes, Sara Mason, 26, posted about a man in a motorcycle helmet being outside her home the night of Dec. 18, less than 20 minutes before police were called to the scene. "Trying not to be scared suburban white woman about the dude waiting outside of my house for a .... While now? Wanting to speak to my brother while wearing a motorcycle helmet (drive in a car)," she posted at 9:22 p.m. Within a minute, she added, "He like left but will probably be back. Anyway." Mahomet police were called at 9:41 p.m. to the residence on Riverside Court, where they discovered Mason, who was pronounced dead at the scene; and her mother, 61-year-old Janis Mason, and brother, 23-year-old Caleb Mason, who both died a little later after being taken to Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana. It does not appear that Sara Mason recognized John R. Lyons, 24, the man police suspect in the triple homicide. Lyons fled to suburban Chicago, where he was killed in a confrontation with police in Berwyn. Champaign County court records indicate that in June, Lyons filed a lawsuit alleging Caleb Mason had harmed him in some way and requesting compensation in an amount between $15,000 and $50,000. Mahomet police Chief Mike Metzler said Lyons knew one of the victims. Police reports thus far have not included details about whether Lyons was wearing a motorcycle helmet. However, on Thursday, Dec. 19, far-right political pundit and streamer Nicholas Fuentes posted that an armed individual who arrived at his house late Wednesday night wearing a motorcycle helmet had "committed a triple homicide in southern Illinois." "Last night an armed killer made an attempt on my life at my home, which was recently doxed on this platform," Fuentes wrote. He said the killer broke into his neighbor's home in Berwyn, where police said Lyons broke in and killed two dogs while attempting to evade arrest. Fuentes posted multiple clips of footage from Ring security cameras that show a man in brown pants, a blue coat and a white motorcycle helmet who is carrying a firearm and crossbow. In the footage, the man gets out of a car while wearing a motorcycle helmet and appears to ring the doorbell and knock on the front door, then attempt to gain access through multiple entry points. The only audio in any of the clips is while the man is at the front door and apparently says "Yo, Nick." Timestamps on footage Fuentes posted indicate the events around his home in Berwyn beginning at 11:29 p.m., about one hour and 50 minutes after police were called to the home in Mahomet. About 10 minutes later, at 11:38 p.m., Berwyn police responded to a report of a man with a gun.(BPT) - The holidays are almost here! It means parties and events, hustle and bustle ... and figuring out what to buy for everyone on your list. Sometimes it's hard to get inspired with great ideas that your nears and dears will love at a price you can afford, right? The good news? Inspiration + savings are covered this year. One of the top gifts of Holiday 2024 is technology, and there are a lot of deals out there right now. Done and done! Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. Top trending stories from the past week. News, Sports, and more throughout the week. The week's obituaries, delivered to your inbox.Calls for government to legalise 'natural Valium' after King's encounter with ceremonial calming drink during trip to Samoa By PADRAIC FLANAGAN Published: 17:47 EST, 30 November 2024 | Updated: 17:54 EST, 30 November 2024 e-mail View comments Campaigners are calling on the Government to legalise a substance dubbed nature’s Valium after it apparently won a royal seal of approval. King Charles was seen sipping ceremonial drink kava – which is said to induce a calm, euphoric state – during his visit to Samoa in October, though it is banned in the UK. The substance was outlawed in 2003 due to links to around 30 cases of liver damage in Europe, including one death. It is also banned or restricted in Australia, Canada , Germany , Japan and Switzerland. But Dr Simon Geller, from the Kava Coalition, says it is time for the UK to ‘take the lead’ in reinstating the drink for its health benefits. He said: ‘If it’s safe enough for the King, isn’t it time to reconsider its prohibition for everyone else?’ Made from the roots of the kava plant, it is drunk in the South Seas for medicinal, political and cultural purposes. It is also used to treat stress, anxiety and insomnia. Campaigners are calling on the Government to legalise Kava as King Charles was seen sipping the ceremonial drink in Samoa in October Kava, which is an outlawed substance in the UK, is said to induce a calm, euphoric state Made from the roots of the kava plant, it is drunk in the South Seas for medicinal, political and cultural purposes. It is also used to treat stress, anxiety and insomnia Japan Canada Germany Share or comment on this article: Calls for government to legalise 'natural Valium' after King's encounter with ceremonial calming drink during trip to Samoa e-mail Add comment
No. 17 Iowa St beats Wildcats 29-21 for first 10-win season, moves to cusp of Big 12 title gameMainstream Energy Solutions Limited has said that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is one of the enablers of organizational growth which will enhance national growth. It also identified human capital development as a veritable strategy to advance national development It reaffirmed its commitment to CRS so as to assist its host communities enjoy human capital development and infrastructural growth. According to a statement by the Head, Corporate Communications, Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, Olugbenga Adebola, on Sunday, it also identified quality and accessible education as the bedrock of societal development and that it provides a platform for human capital development. It explained that being alive to its CRS, and recognizing the pivotal role of education in national growth as well as the importance of human capital development, its philanthropic arm, Mainstream Foundation, commissioned the newly renovated and equipped Madaki Primary School in Zungeru, Niger State. Adebola said the gesture is a remarkable display of the company’s corporate social responsibility strategy. He stated that this maiden intervention project showcased the foundation’s determination to revolutionize the socio-economic landscape of the community after the takeover of operations at the hydropower plant. He explained that the Madaki primary school was built in 1990 and like many public primary schools had been plagued by infrastructural decay. He, however, said Mainstream Foundation’s intervention has breathed new life into it. According to him, at the commissioning ceremony, dignitaries such as the representatives of the emir of Kagara, the Emir of Minna and the Local government Chairman of Wushishi were all present to witness the transformative work carried out on the school. The Chairman, Board of Directors for Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, Col Sani Bello (Rtd) at the occasion emphasized the importance of education in shaping the future. He stated that “times are changing, and only the educated can take part in changing the future.” He urged the stakeholders to ensure children remain in school. The Executive Secretary of Mainstream Foundation, Mr. Siraj Abdullah, reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to community development. He said: “We assure the Chairman and the people of the community that this work given to us will not stop until it is achieved.” He thanked the civil project team of the Foundation and acknowledged the hard work put into making the inauguration a reality. Adebola said: “Mainstream Foundation’s intervention in the school extends beyond improving the infrastructure and providing furniture as the teachers have also been earmarked for training to provide holistic teaching and learning improvement. This approach underscores the foundation’s dedication to creating a lasting impact. “As Mainstream Foundation continues to transform the landscape of Zungeru, its focus on education, environment, health, and community empowerment serves as a shining example of responsible corporate citizenship. “With projects like Madaki Primary School, the foundation is rewriting the narrative of community development in that geographic corridor.”The endangered Geoffrey’s spider monkeys that dangle high in the rainforest canopy are elusive and hard for scientists to track. So biologist Jenna Lawson hid 350 audio monitors in trees across Costa Rica’s lush Osa Peninsula to spy on them. The devices recorded the sounds of the forest and surrounding countryside for a week, collecting so much data that Lawson could have spent years listening to it all. Instead, she fed it into artificial intelligence systems trained to instantly recognize spider monkey calls and detect where the animals traveled. One of the world’s largest acoustic wildlife studies when Lawson began the project in 2021, it revealed troubling findings about the health of a treasured wildlife refuge. | More of this AI-assisted wildlife surveillance is “urgently needed” as some 28% of all plant and animal species are now at risk of extinction, according to a paper published in the academic journal Science this summer. Researchers from Dutch and Danish universities showed that machine-learning techniques can “handle huge amounts of data and uncover sound patterns, allowing for faster, cheaper, and better ecological studies” that can aid in biodiversity conservation. But many technical challenges remain. Tech giant Microsoft’s philanthropic AI for Good Lab announced this month it is hoping to answer some of those technical challenges with a new kind of hardware and computing system for eavesdropping on the planet’s wildest places. “Those remote places are also the most important places on the Earth from a biodiversity perspective,” said Microsoft’s chief data scientist, Juan Lavista Ferres, in an interview last week by video call from Colombia, where a research team was preparing to test the new approach. Powered by the sun and energy-efficient AI computer chips, the devices can run for years rather than weeks without human intervention. And they can regularly transmit their data online via low-Earth orbit satellites. It’s called Sparrow, short for Solar-Powered Acoustic and Remote Recording Observation Watch. Pablo Arbelaez, director of an AI-focused research center at the University of the Andes, said a first Sparrow test will happen in a jungle preserve along Colombia’s largest river, the Magdalena. Eventually, the researchers hope to get a better idea of how deforestation—and efforts to reverse it—is affecting the population behavior of jaguars , blue-beaked paujil birds , spider monkeys and other endangered species. Another project closer to Microsoft headquarters will monitor forests in Washington state’s Cascade Mountains. By late 2025, Lavista Ferres plans to have devices on all continents, from remote corners of the Amazon rainforest to gorilla habitats of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. That will then be “open-sourced” to make it accessible to a wide body of researchers in real time, but with measures to obscure sensitive location data. “What we don’t want is these devices to ever be used for poachers to understand where the animals are,” Lavista Ferres said. It was a concern about encroachments on Costa Rican spider monkey habitat that led Lawson, then at Imperial College London, to undertake her ambitious bio-acoustic study three years ago. She persuaded landowners to let her place recording devices on their properties outside Corcovado National Park, a jewel of Costa Rica’s decades-long efforts to preserve biodiversity by encouraging wildlife tourism. “She basically realized the spider monkey is in a really critical situation,” said local environmentalist and bug scientist Jim Córdoba-Alfaro. On a follow-up visit last year, he and Lawson trekked across a private reserve with an Associated Press reporter to observe the monkeys and check on the audio monitors. Compared to the charismatic capuchin monkey and the notoriously loud howler monkey — both commonly seen or heard throughout Costa Rica—spider monkeys are far more wary of humans and the changes they bring. “They’re the most sensitive of the primates that we have here,” said Lawson. “The spider monkey would be the first animal to leave when there’s signs of trouble. They would be the last animal to come back once forests are restored because they need mature secondary and primary forest to be able to survive.” The Royal Society of London in March 2023 published Lawson’s findings of what the audio monitors revealed: the spider monkeys weren’t going anywhere near paved roads or the plantations harvesting palm oil and teak wood that bisect the region’s protected national parks. That meant government-designated wildlife corridors meant to extend their range through and beyond the Osa Peninsula were not working as well as designed. She came back to present those conclusions to local officials. After hours of searching, a troop of spider monkeys appeared—peering down at the humans who found them. Within moments, they were on their way again—extending their lanky arms and prehensile tails to grasp at trees and propel themselves across the canopy with spidery acrobatics. Unattended acoustic detection of animal sounds is valuable not just in rainforests but in a wide variety of ecosystems, according to the Science paper published earlier this year. For example, it could help sailors avoid colliding their ships with large baleen whales heard to be passing through a shipping channel. Lavista Ferres said there are still numerous challenges to overcome, from humidity that can fray jungle monitors to elephants in African savannas unintentionally knocking them off a tree. Lawson said using the audio monitors to capture the spider monkey’s distinctive whinny enables biologists to study a larger area at lower cost, but also provides a truer account of how the monkeys behave without scientists following them around. “We’re reducing our influence on their behavior,” she said. “And also—they don’t want us here.” —Matt O’Brien, AP technology writer
Where’s Pedro Moreno’s Pardon?Women will for the first time make up a majority of state legislators in Colorado and New Mexico next year, but at least 13 states saw losses in female representation after the November election, according to a count released Thursday by the Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics. While women will fill a record number of state legislative seats in 2025, the overall uptick will be slight, filling just over third of legislative seats. Races in some states are still being called. "We certainly would like to see a faster rate of change and more significant increases in each election cycle to get us to a place where parity in state legislatures is less novel and more normal," said Kelly Dittmar, director of research at the CAWP, which is a unit of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. As of Wednesday, at least 2,450 women will serve in state legislatures, representing 33.2% of the seats nationwide. The previous record was set in 2024 with 2,431 women, according to the CAWP. The number of Republican women, at least 851, will break the previous record of 815 state lawmakers set in 2024. "But still, Republican women are very underrepresented compared to Democratic women," Debbie Walsh, director of the CAWP, said. From left, House Maj. Whip Reena Szczepanski, D-Santa Fe, Rep. D. Wonda Johnson, D-Church Rock and Rep. Cristina Parajon, D-Albuquerque, talk July 18 before the start of a special session, in Santa Fe, N.M. By the most recent count, 19 states will have increased the number of women in their state legislatures, according to the CAWP. The most notable increases were in New Mexico and Colorado, where women will for the first time make up a majority of lawmakers. In New Mexico, voters sent an 11 additional women to the chambers. Colorado previously attained gender parity in 2023 and is set to tip over to a slight female majority in the upcoming year. The states follow Nevada, which was the first in the country to see a female majority in the legislature following elections in 2018. Next year, women will make up almost 62% of state lawmakers in Nevada, far exceeding parity. Women in California's Senate will make up the chamber's majority for the first time in 2025 as well. Women also made notable gains in South Dakota, increasing its number by at least nine. Four of South Carolina's Sister Senators, from left, Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, D-Walterboro, Sen. Mia McLeod, I-Columbia, Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, and Sen. Penry Gustafson, R-Camden, stand in front of the Senate on June 26 with their John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage award in Columbia, S.C. At least thirteen states emerged from the election with fewer female lawmakers than before, with the most significant loss occurring in South Carolina. This year, the only three Republican women in the South Carolina Senate lost their primaries after they stopped a total abortion ban from passing. Next year, only two women, who are Democrats, will be in the 46-member Senate. No other state in the country will have fewer women in its upper chamber, according to the CAWP. Women make up 55% of the state's registered voters. Half the members in the GOP dominated state were elected in 2012 or before, so it will likely be the 2040s before any Republican woman elected in the future can rise to leadership or a committee chairmanship in the chamber, which doles out leadership positions based on seniority. A net loss of five women in the legislature means they will make up only about 13% of South Carolina's lawmakers, making the state the second lowest in the country for female representation. Only West Virginia has a smaller proportion of women in the legislature. West Virginia stands to lose one more women from its legislative ranks, furthering its representation problem in the legislature where women will make up just 11% of lawmakers. Many women, lawmakers and experts say that women's voices are needed in discussions on policy, especially at a time when state government is at its most powerful in decades. Walsh, director of the CAWP, said the new changes expected from the Trump administration will turn even more policy and regulation to the states. The experiences and perspectives women offer will be increasingly needed, she said, especially on topics related to reproductive rights, healthcare, education and childcare. "The states may have to pick up where the federal government may, in fact, be walking away," Walsh said. "And so who serves in those institutions is more important now than ever." November 7, 2024: Trump Victory Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.HII's Ingalls Shipbuilding Undocks USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000)It’s that time of year. You saw family for Thanksgiving and now you have to see them again for Christmas. You bought something for yourself on Cyber Monday, but still have to buy something for the people in your life, whether they deserve it or not. Money is going out the door. All you really want to do is walk down a snowy sidewalk, all relaxed and wearing a scarf like they do in Netflix or Hallmark rom-coms, but you’re too harried. No doubt about it, the lead up to the holidays stressful. Well, we’re here to help. This is a short, curated list of things that we like and find cool — and we think that you will, too. And if it gives you some ideas and makes your life easier, even better. was the movie of the summer here at , and the movie dropped on Blu-ray, DVD, etc on Dec. 3, with all the usual bonus fixins. But in a nod to the franchise’s roots and heyday, also put out a fully functioning VHS tape version of the movie exclusively from Walmart. The packaging has a “limited edition” note as one of those round little stickers from the era and features artwork by poster artist . The bad news is that the VHS version, which was priced around $60, is already out of stock. The good news is that it’s already on eBay (where it’s now an instant collector’s item and selling for around $100). With phones in everyone’s hands, many feel like the need for watches is obsolete. Wrong. This just makes watches more of a statement and more of a personal expression than ever before. Enter Citizen. Citizen’s collaborations with Disney includes watches with an eye for the geek collector, like the Wolverine and Deadpool offerings, and more subtle items that let your nerd out in more stylish ways. The popular has glow-in-the dark detailing highlighting the hand, eyes and markers, which is a very popular element in the Citizen line. We like (on sale for $337.50), which also takes good advantage of luminous opportunities (check out the hands as lightsabers and the little X-Wing at the bottom of the face). At the top of our list, however, is the (on sale for $262.50), which features the iconic “With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility” phrase on the back of the case, and the ($318.75) with a blue dial with web designs and red accents. Whether you play them or display them, records are back like it’s the 20th century. And they are great gifts. If you want to be current, there’s the vinyl (one red and black, the other blue and yellow) that features pop songs from the movie. But Disney also re-issued music from the 1960s era of the Merry Marvel Marching Society and the animated series , the latter with its fun Jack Urbont-composed theme songs for Captain America, Iron Man, Hulk, Thor, and Namor. The vinyls sell on for $14.98. For those looking for something more expansive (and more expensive), check out the . It features John Williams’ score from and , each as two-LP sets. There is also a poster from each film and a map, all packaged in a neat satchel-looking box. We hate snakes, but we love this one. $299.98. Yes, this year we’re recommending actual postage stamps. But what stamps these are. Timed to the 50 anniversary of the role-playing game, the USPS put out a set of . You can get a sheet of 20 for $14.60. (If you’re feeling fancy, there are also options for such items as a pressing sheet, first day of issue envelopes, framed stamps and more.) It all comes after D&D saw a massive resurgence in the last few years, partially thanks to , which featured the game. , written by Frank Miller and drawn by David Mazzucchelli, is one of the seminal Batman stories. It’s been reprinted many times, but never like this: through Mazzucchelli’s original art. from IDW’s line that showcases the original art of key comics and creators, is the art book of the year, whether you’re a Bat-fanatic or an aficionado of the sequential artform. The book is a massive 14 x 21 inches, reproducing the artist’s pages in their original size, and uncolored form. The museum gallery-worthy art would cost a few million to own in its entirety, but this is only $150. Have someone that needs an exclamation point of an art piece for their place? And wants to show their love of Star Wars? And want to immerse themselves in the hyperfocus of building? Then look no further than Jabba’s Sail Barge set ($499.99) from Lego’s Ultimate Collector Series. The 3,942-piece set is in the top 10 biggest Star Wars Lego sets of all time, and it’s a beauty. The sides fold down, the sails lift and the interior brings to life with a cockpit, prison cell, armory, kitchen and entertainment room equipped with Jabba’s bed. It also comes with 11 minifigs – Jabba the Hutt, Princess Leia, Bib Fortuna, C-3PO, Max Rebo, Kithaba, Vizam, Wooof, Gamorrean Guard, Salacious Crumb and R2-D2 with a bar table accessory. And there’s a display stand along with an information plaque. Alternate idea: A different sail ship hit Lego stores last week and is aimed at a different collector, this one less galactically-minded. It’s a 3,011-piece set replica model of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s The Endurance ($269.99). The majestic ship features three towering masts, 10 full sails, a flying red ensign flag and intricate rigging. A detailed multi-level deck, connected by stairs, has removable sections for access to port and starboard cabins and the ship’s steam engine. There’s also four detachable lifeboats, a chained bower anchor and a ship’s wheel that operates the rudder. It too, comes with a display stand. A great stocking stuffer idea: Star Trek coffee mugs from . Even better, a gift set that pairs the mugs with Star Trek-themed coffee. The company run by founder Ethan Terra, producer Kyle Newman and publisher Lukas Kendall, has a “black sunshine”-glazed Klingon mug, the “denim-dipped” Starfleet Command mug, a “midnight with plum” glazed Enterprise mug, a Vulcan sky-colored Vulcan salute mug, and a teal and rose white colored Voyager mug, which go for $42.99 each. Paired with Star Trek blends — Vulcan Vanilla, Captain’s Choice, Klingon Raktajino, Borg Blend, Federation Roast, and Janeway Coffee Black – the gift sets are $55.99. (The company also has Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles coffee and mugs as well.) THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day More from The Hollywood Reporter
Taking money out of politics by dipping deeper into the public purse
Australia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere — or even there?Profit-taking pulls KSE-100 index down by 1,509 points KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) witnessed a sharp decline on Tuesday as selling pressure, driven by profit-taking and uncertainties surrounding the futures contracts rollover week, pulled the benchmark KSE-100 index down by 1,509.61 points or 1.33 per cent. The KSE-100 index closed at 112,414.81 points, after trading within a range of 2,742.07 points. The intraday high reached 115,036.49 (+1,112.08 points), while the low touched 112,294.42 (-1,629.99 points). The total trading volume for the index stood at 352.68 million shares. Despite opening on a positive note and briefly crossing the 115,000 mark, profit-taking erased earlier gains. Analysts attributed the downturn to several factors, including pressure from futures contracts rollover, political uncertainty over government-PTI negotiations, a weak rupee, declining global crude oil prices, and institutional selling in overbought stocks. Ahsan Mehanti, an analyst at Arif Habib Corp, remarked, “Profit-taking was observed amid pressure from futures rollover and uncertainty surrounding government-PTI talks. Weakness in the rupee, falling crude oil prices and institutional selling acted as catalysts for the bearish activity.” Ali Najib, head of sales at Insight Securities, noted in his post-trading commentary, “Profit-taking and value-hunting behaviours influenced the index’s movement. While the market showed optimism early in the session, investors adopted varied strategies throughout the day, leading to a 1.33 per cent decline in the index.” He highlighted that in the first half of the session, investors engaged in profit-taking ahead of the year-end, while others resorted to value hunting in the latter half. Key stocks such as FFC, MARI, MCB, HUBC and Engro faced significant selling pressure, collectively dragging the index down by 851 points. On the other hand, UBL, DAWH, SNGP, TRG and PSEL added 354 points to the index. Maaz Mullah, an analyst at Topline Securities, pointed out the day’s volatility, stating, “The KSE-100 index oscillated between an intraday high of 1,112 points and a low of 1,629 points due to profit-taking and bearish sentiment. By the close of trading, the index had shed 1,509 points, or 1.33 per cent, to settle at 112,414.80.” He explained that concerns over rising leverage positions and increasing borrowing costs heightened investor risk perceptions, prompting portfolio trimming. The impending December contracts also added further pressure, resulting in cautious and selective trading. Trading activity remained robust, with 879 million shares traded and a turnover of Rs54 billion. WTL led the volume chart with 127 million shares traded. Among the 100 index companies, 21 closed higher, 78 ended lower, and one remained unchanged. Top losers during the day were PKGP (-9.98 per cent), KOSM (-5.33 per cent), PTC (-5.05 per cent), MUGHAL (-4.83 per cent), and CNERGY (-4.57 per cent). Top gainers were PGLC (+10.03 per cent), SNGP (+6.35 per cent), TRG (+4.86 per cent), APL (+3.46 per cent), and DAWH (+3.30 per cent). The biggest contributors to the index’s decline were FFC (-335.8 points), MARI (-191.48 points), MCB (-143.86 points), HUBC (-110.23 points), and ENGRO (-68.76 points). Conversely, UBL (+155.80 points), DAWH (+82.00 points), SNGP (+61.76 points), TRG (+37.35 points) and PSEL (+16.83 points) helped offset the losses.
Earlier this year, Steve Cohen laid out his principles as the owner of the New York Mets, saying it was a “philanthropic” endeavor, in an interview with CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin . “I don’t care about the cost side,” Cohen said, adding: “If I can make millions of people happy, how cool is that? I actually do it as a civic responsibility.” That attitude helps explain how outfielder Juan Soto ended up agreeing to the richest-ever contract in baseball on Sunday, and among the most lucrative signed by any professional athlete in the world. The deal for Soto, who's 26 and from the Dominican Republic, comes to $765 million over 15 years and includes a $75 million signing bonus and has the potential to increase to more than $800 million, according to MLB.com . What’s especially notable about the contract is that none of the money is “deferred” — meaning it must be paid each year that Soto is on the Mets’ active roster. Besides the dollar amount, the lack of deferrals is what makes Soto’s contract even more eye-popping than the $700 million deal signed just last year by Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani: $680 million of Ohtani’s deal will not be paid until after 2034. For Soto, it means taking all the money up front. “It actually makes little sense why (Soto) would get such a big contract without deferrals,” Nathan Goldman, an associate professor of accounting at North Carolina State University, said in an interview with NBC News. Given the hefty combined personal income tax rates — approximately 15% for the wealthiest residents — levied by the city and state of New York, Soto’s ultimate payout will be somewhat diminished. Yet Soto retains the potential to earn even more money: According to MLB.com , he can opt out of his contract after his fifth year with the Mets if he believes he can command higher sums on the free market. However, the Mets can override that opt-out by increasing his annual salary by $4 million a year, from $51 million to $55 million for the final 10 years. And Soto’s contract does not include the amount the Mets and Cohen will have to pay to satisfy Major League Baseball’s luxury tax. Though ostensibly designed to create a more even playing field between large- and small-market teams, deep-pocketed owners like Cohen have not flinched at paying that penalty to acquire the most coveted players. The simple answer to unlocking Soto’s contract may simply be Cohen. Despite regularly carrying some of the most expensive contracts in baseball this century — including a $340 million deal signed with shortstop Francisco Lindor in 2022 — the Mets have been thwarted time and time again, including crushing losses in the playoffs and World Series. The team is nearing the 40th anniversary of its last championship. The outlook seemed to change five years ago, when Cohen, a longtime hedge fund manager, purchased the team for $2.4 billion. Cohen has been an unusually accessible owner, meeting with fans on multiple occasions and often weighing in on social media . More importantly: Cohen, worth as much as $21.3 billion according to Forbes, has been among the most profligate owners in baseball since he took the reins of the team. According to data from Spotrac, a website that monitors sports spending, the Mets have held the largest annual payroll since 2023. A separate index from TheScore.com that tracks payrolls versus teams’ approximate revenues shows Cohen may actually be operating the team at a loss. Despite the annual ratcheting of payrolls, the winner of the World Series has often been unpredictable. But the baseball gods have been notoriously cruel to the Mets, despite their outsize spending. After crashing out of the first round of the playoffs in 2022 with a roster full of veterans, Cohen blew up the team and traded for prospects while loading up on another set of expensive free agents. But that team still only tied for second in the National League East Division this year and barely made the playoffs. While they nevertheless made it to the National League Championship Series, they were ultimately bested by the Los Angeles Dodgers, who went on to win the World Series in October. Yet over time, payroll does seem to equate to winning — belying the infamous “Moneyball” approach to spending efficiently on under-used players. With Soto’s contract, it seems Cohen will not be denied again. According to reports, the New York Yankees, baseball’s long-running big spenders, offered Soto only $5 million less than the Mets. But despite making the World Series this year, the Bronx Bombers have faced roster turmoil in recent years , while continuing to employ a manager, Aaron Boone, now loathed by many fans. Ironically, Soto is coming over from the Yankees, where he was traded in December 2023. Soto is entering his peak years and continues to draw comparisons to the hitting legends Ted Williams and Barry Bonds. That combination of youth and potential helped clinch the salary record. Another key to Soto ending up with such a massive contract was simply timing. He took advantage of a year lacking in other mega free agents and was able to command a premium on the open market. It’s possible Soto’s contract will be surpassed in just one year. Analysts say Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who finished sixth in MVP voting last season, is expected to command massive numbers when he enters free agency after the 2025 season. Even if no one ends up reaching or surpassing Soto’s figure, MLB will continue to lead all professional sports in titanic deals for contracts, for one simple reason: Unlike the NFL and NBA, it doesn’t have a salary cap. According to Michael Ginnitti, Spotrac’s founder and managing editor, “Baseball’s luxury tax system ... allows billionaires to spend billions on their team if they choose.”
After nearly three months in office, the outlook for the Paetongtarn Shinawatra government is likely to be influenced by several anticipated new stimulus proposals that are expected to be revealed in unison. The National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) last week forecast a Thai GDP growth rate of 2.3-3.3% in 2025, with an average of 2.8%. Despite a more promising outlook for next year, the NESDC warned that household debt is soaring, coinciding with concerns from the business sector that the government needs to improve in a number of areas to achieve the growth rate projected by the planning agency. STILL WAITING Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, president of the Thai Hotels Association, said the government has yet to effectively stimulate economic growth as expected. He said the tourism industry next year should continue to be a major driver of GDP with 40 million foreign tourists expected to arrive, while growth in other industries may remain stagnant. Mr Thienprasit said there are gaps that could be filled to increase the number of arrivals and spending by tourists, such as promotions during the low season that include attractive programmes and campaigns. Regarding the hospitality sector, he said the government could support the market during the low season by increasing the budget available to organise governmental and public sector meetings and conferences across the country. Foreign investment should also be accelerated, including large projects such as the proposed Land Bridge and the development of comprehensive entertainment complexes that include casinos, said Mr Thienprasit. He said the government's initiative to lure technology investment to Thailand is a good idea, as data centre projects would help create jobs and business opportunities. With the government's priority the 10,000-baht handout aimed at lifting domestic consumption, Mr Thienprasit said the outcome of the scheme remains unclear when compared with investments in major infrastructure projects. He said it would be more productive and practical if the government instead worked to ease the debt burden of many Thais, as this would eventually increase people's spending power. HURDLE ON THE HORIZON Exports will continue to play a key role in driving Thailand's GDP next year, but the country needs to ensure products labelled as made in Thailand are actually produced by Thais, said Tanit Sorat, vice-chairman of the Employers' Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry (EconThai). If these goods are produced by Chinese manufacturers, this may negatively affect the export sector, he said. This could become a serious issue if Chinese companies try to avoid the higher tariffs US President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to impose on Chinese products by exporting goods to the US via Thailand, Mr Tanit said. A close examination of goods that are produced, processed and packed in Thailand both for domestic sale and export may be required to ensure the products were actually manufactured by Thai companies. "They may be made by Chinese entrepreneurs in Thailand," he said. "We don't know whether this will become an issue, which could cause the Trump administration to launch retaliatory measures against Thailand." Trump announced he would impose tariffs of 10-20% on all imported products, with tariffs of between 60-100% on goods imported from China, according to media reports. Thailand and other countries, especially those that have a trade surplus with the US, are likely to face tariffs of 10-20%, said Mr Tanit. The new US foreign trade policy will likely have a limited impact on Thai exports to the US, he said. EconThai believes exports and tourism will continue to drive the Thai economy next year. A glance at growth forecasts from various state agencies led Mr Tanit to predict a rate of 2.9% next year. "Our economy is growing, but its growth rate will be lower than those of neighbouring countries," he said, adding Southeast Asia is expected to grow by 4-5% in 2025. He applauded the new government for its stimulus efforts. "The 10,000-baht handout should help the economy somewhat as it indirectly helps some businesses to maintain their employment," said Mr Tanit. CHAMBER UPBEAT ON GROWTH Sanan Angubolkul, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said he believes Thailand's GDP will grow by 3% in 2025, based on the NESDC forecast, as the economy gradually recovers next year. The fiscal 2025 budget was already approved, so the implementation of various policies, including government stimulus measures, will be able to proceed smoothly, he said, helping to drive the economy forward during the coming year. Thai exports were affected by baht strength earlier this year. The value of exports for the first nine months of 2024 tallied US$223 billion, up 3.9% year-on-year, indicating the export sector continues to be a key driver of the economy, said Mr Sanan. Officials expect Thailand will start to register more investments in new S-curve industries, propelling the export sector and GDP growth next year. The tourism sector is projected to fully recover in 2025 as Thailand recorded more than 30 million foreign arrivals during the first 11 months of 2024, which represents 85% of the target of 35 million arrivals set for 2025. If the government can accelerate the promotion of Thailand's soft power through various events and position the country's festivals on the global calendar, he said it will help raise awareness among foreign tourists, attracting high-income tourists to visit or live here. This would increase tourism revenue and create jobs, improving income distribution, said Mr Sanan. In terms of consumer spending, the government already started disbursal of the fiscal 2025 budget and implemented various stimulus measures. In addition, the government's recent debt relief measures should help generate liquidity in the economy, he said. Moreover, the government needs to accelerate efforts to attract foreign direct investment into Thailand by leveraging the opportunities presented by Trump's foreign trade policy, said Mr Sanan, which could restore confidence among both Thai and foreign investors. SOURCE OF INSPIRATION Chak Reungsinpinya, head of research at Maybank Securities (Thailand), said the brokerage is feeling more bullish and hopeful regarding Thailand's economic future following recent discussions with Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira. According to Mr Chak, the finance minister said some policies are short-term but much-needed, including the cash handout and debt restructuring schemes addressing the economic slowdown. "Mr Pichai emphasised the need to maintain fiscal discipline and expects the budget deficit to fall below 4% of GDP in the fiscal 2025 budget, keeping government debt-to-GDP below 70%, compared with 65% now," he said. Mr Pichai also said the investment budget must exceed the deficit level, meaning that current expenditure needs to be financed solely by government receipts. Over the longer term, tax reforms are needed to help close the fiscal gap, said Mr Chak. "This includes potentially lower personal and corporate income taxes, but higher value-added tax with excess government receipts going towards low-income earners via social programmes," he said. Following the initial 10,000-baht handout in October, Maybank expects Thai GDP growth to reach 3.4% in the fourth quarter of 2024, bringing full-year growth to 2.6%. The brokerage maintained its 2025 GDP projection of 2.8%, with public investment and public consumption remaining the key drivers. "We are mindful of risks to growth from rising trade barriers, especially if the US trade policy targets exporting nations that are closely integrated with China's supply chains," Maybank said in a research note, adding consumer indebtedness need to be reduced to a more manageable level for private consumption growth to recover. "The authorities are planning to implement debt restructuring programmes to address household debt, but these will take time to take effect and support consumption." Prakit Siriwattanaket, managing director of Merchant Partners Asset Management, said the government recently introduced policies to address persistent problems such as high debt levels, in addition to short-term stimulus. In his view, increased government budget disbursement is the main reason Thai GDP exceeded the market forecast of 2.7% in the third quarter this year. "The government deserves credit for increasing budget disbursement from 50 billion baht in August to 89 billion in September. This is what prior administrations wanted to do, but could not accomplish," said Mr Prakit. He said the market expects the Bank of Thailand's Monetary Policy Committee to further trim the policy rate in December to spur economic growth. UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT Amonthep Chawla, chief economist at CIMB Thai Bank (CIMBT), described the 3% year-on-year GDP growth in the third quarter recently as unexpectedly strong, exceeding the bank's forecast of 2.2%. According to the NESDC's latest data, public spending and domestic consumption exceeded the bank's expectations. Foreign tourist arrivals aligned with the bank's forecast and remained a key driver of Thailand's economic growth, he said. Following the NESDC's announcement of third-quarter results, CIMBT's research centre is revising its growth forecasts for 2024 and 2025. The centre is also awaiting updated economic data from the central bank. However, Mr Amonthep said the bank does not expect the country's growth rate for the fourth quarter to reach 4% year-on-year, citing the central bank's assessment that weaker purchasing power among low-income groups, particularly vulnerable and agricultural households, will weigh on economic performance. He said the second phase of the government's 10,000-baht cash handout is unlikely to significantly boost economic growth in the final quarter, as the target beneficiaries, primarily elderly individuals, are expected to spend conservatively. "Initially, we planned to revise our GDP growth forecast for this year to 2.6-2.7% from 2.3%, but the new projected figures are likely to fall just short of 3%," said Mr Amonthep. Thitima Chucherd, head of economic and financial market research at SCB EIC, said the centre plans to slightly boost its 2024 Thai growth projection to 2.6% from 2.5% following the NESDC's third-quarter report. EIC predicted third-quarter GDP growth of 2.6%, aligning with forecasts by other research houses in a range of 2.4-2.6%. The government's various stimulus initiatives, including the second phase of the cash handout programme, are expected to contribute 0.6-0.8 percentage points to growth. As a result, the country's GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2024 could potentially reach 4% year-on-year, noted the research centre. For 2025, Ms Thitima said the Thai economy is expected to face greater challenges, particularly from potential changes in US foreign trade policies under the new administration, which could negatively impact exports in the second half of the year. As a consequence, Thailand's economic growth next year may fall below the current projection of 2.6%, noted EIC. She said EIC is awaiting further details on the implementation of stimulus packages and US economic policies before making final adjustments to its forecasts. Surrounded by leaders and members of coalition parties, Ms Paetongtarn, centre, makes a point ahead of a meeting to discuss the controversial Koh Kut border issue and referendum bill at Government House on Nov 4. Chanat Katanyu Tourists and locals make their way around Chatuchak weekend market in Bangkok. Nutthawat Wichieanbut A woman collects plastic bottles to be sold for recycling. A CIMBT economist believes the second phase of the state's cash handout is unlikely to significantly boost growth in the final quarter, as the target beneficiaries, primarily elderly individuals, are expected to spend conservatively. Apichart Jinakul
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Andrej Stojakovic made 11 free throws to help craft a team-high 20 points, freshman Jeremiah Wilkinson had his second consecutive big game off the bench and Cal ran its winning streak to three with an 83-77 nonconference victory over Sacramento State on Sunday afternoon in Berkeley, Calif. Wilkinson finished with 16 points and Rytis Petraitis 13 for the Golden Bears (5-1), whose only loss this season was at Vanderbilt. Jacob Holt went for a season-high 25 points for the Hornets (1-4), who dropped their fourth straight after a season-opening win over Cal State Maritime. Seeking a fourth straight home win, Cal led by as many as 12 points in the first half and 40-33 at halftime before Sacramento State rallied. The Hornets used a 14-5 burst out of the gate following the intermission to grab a 47-45 lead. Julian Vaughns had a 3-pointer and three-point play in the run. But Cal dominated pretty much the rest of the game, taking the lead for good on a Petraitis 3-pointer with 14:50 remaining. Stojakovic, a transfer from rival Stanford, went 11-for-15 at the foul line en route to his third 20-point game of the young season. Cal outscored Sacramento State 26-17 on free throws to more than account for the margin of victory. Coming off a 23-point explosion in his first extended action of the season, Wilkinson hit five of his 10 shots Sunday. The Golden Bears outshot the Hornets 47.2 percent to 43.1 percent. Joshua Ola-Joseph contributed 10 points and six rebounds, Mady Sissoko also had 10 points and Petraitis found time for a team-high five assists. Holt complemented his 25 points with a game-high eight rebounds. He made four 3-pointers, as did Vaughns en route to 18 points, helping Sacramento State outscore Cal 30-21 from beyond the arc. EJ Neal added 16 points for the Hornets, while Emil Skytta tied for game-high assist honors with five to go with seven points. --Field Level Media(The Center Square) – The University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents has recommended a number of new and revised policies for its institutions, such as a commitment to institutional neutrality, the prohibiting of DEI tactics, and a mandatory education in America’s founding documents. The University System of Georgia (USG) is made up of Georgia’s 26 public colleges and universities as well as Georgia Archives and the Georgia Public Library Service. “USG institutions shall remain neutral on social and political issues unless such an issue is directly related to the institution’s core mission,” the board’s proposed revisions read. “Ideological tests, affirmations, and oaths, including diversity statements,” will be banned from admissions processes and decisions, employment processes and decisions, and institution orientation and training for both students and employees. “No applicant for admission shall be asked to or required to affirmatively ascribe to or opine about political beliefs, affiliations, ideals, or principles, as a condition for admission,” the new policy states. Additionally, USG will hire based on a person’s qualifications and ability. “The basis and determining factor” for employment will be “that the individual possesses the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities associated with the role, and is believed to have the ability to successfully perform the essential functions, responsibilities, and duties associated with the position for which the individual is being considered.” Beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year, the school’s civic instruction will require students to study founding American documents among other things. USG students will learn from the Declaration of Independence, the United States Constitution and Bill of Rights, the Articles of Confederation, the Federalist Papers, the Gettysburg Address, the Emancipation Proclamation, and Martin Luther King Jr.’s Letter from Birmingham Jail, as well as the Georgia Constitution and Bill of Rights. When reached for comment, the Board of Regents told The Center Square that “these proposed updates strengthen USG’s academic communities.” The recommended policies allow a campus environment “where people have the freedom to share their thoughts and learn from one another through objective scholarship and inquiry,” and “reflect an unyielding obligation to protect freedom, provide quality higher education and promote student success,” the board said. The board told The Center Square that it proposed strengthening “the requirements for civics instruction” with the inclusion of “foundational primary sources” because of higher education’s duty to students. Colleges and universities “must prepare [students] to be contributing members of society and to understand the ideals of freedom and democracy that make America so exceptional,” the board said. As for ditching DEI, the board explained that “equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of USG.” “The proposed revisions among other things would make clear that student admissions and employee hiring should be based on a person’s qualifications, not his or her beliefs,” the board said. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER The Board of Regents also said it wants to “ensure [its] institutions remain neutral on social and political issues while modeling what it looks like to promote viewpoint diversity, create campus cultures where students and faculty engage in civil discourse, and the open exchange of ideas is the norm.” USG’s Board of Regents recently urged the NCAA to ban transgender-identifying men from participating in women’s sports, in line with the NAIA rules, The Center Square previously reported.INDIANAPOLIS — It was just a 10-yard completion, easy to overlook in the wake of a record-setting rushing day and easy to dismiss as one of just 11 pass attempts throughout the Indianapolis Colts’ 38-30 victory Sunday against the Tennessee Titans. But Anthony Richardson’s third-and-8 pass to wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. just after the two-minute warning in the fourth quarter was pivotal to holding off the visitors’ late rally. If the Colts were forced to punt in that situation, a defense that had allowed touchdowns on three consecutive drives — of 70, 55 and 71 yards — would be back on the field with tremendous pressure to prevent the game going to overtime. Richardson was cold and out of rhythm. He’d been sacked on his most recent pass attempt — on third-and-9 with 6:51 remaining — and he hadn’t gotten a pass off since throwing an incompletion intended for wide receiver Josh Downs at the 11:20 mark. With the dual-threat quarterback and running back Jonathan Taylor combining for 270 of Indianapolis’ single-game franchise-record 335 rushing yards, Richardson had not completed a pass since the 8:33 mark of the third quarter, and he was just 1-for-2 in the second half. Still, he was calm and composed on the crucial third down — hitting Pittman on a simple out pattern to move the chains and keep the clock moving. When the Colts finally did punt the ball back to Tennessee, there were only three seconds remaining for the Titans to work with, It was a forgettable play in the grand scheme of the game, but it was also the most recent evidence of the 22-year-old quarterback’s ability to raise his level of play in the clutch. He’s 3-2 as a starter since taking the role back from veteran Joe Flacco, and the other two victories featured game-winning touchdown drives in the fourth quarter. “I think that’s a special trait — obviously as a young player — that he doesn’t flinch in those times, to lead those comebacks,” Colts head coach Shane Steichen said. “Obviously, the (New York) Jets, the New England (Patriots) game, I mean, those are big-time drives to go win games. “You want that out of young players, especially (when) you see the veteran guys do it around the league all the time, but to do it as a young player speaks volumes of the person that he is.” Despite Richardson’s up-and-down season, Indianapolis has maintained steadfast belief in his potential. Even when he was benched for Flacco, the organization repeatedly stated it was not giving up on the quarterback as its future leader. There’s still plenty of work to be done. Richardon has completed just 47.7% of his passes, and he’s thrown 12 interceptions in 11 starts. His rushing ability again was evident Sunday, and he’s set franchise single-season records for a quarterback with 499 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. And he has proven his big-play ability with a league-leading 14.4 yards per completion. The Colts still believe improved consistency will come with increased reps, and they hold out hope the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft can still become the long-term answer at the game’s most important position. For now, Richardson’s late-game heroics offer the most compelling argument in his favor. “I think it’s just me just playing all the way until the clock hits zero,” Richardson said of his mindset. “I never think about fourth quarter moments or anything like that. I just try to play until the game’s over. And it just happens sometimes that most of it happens in the fourth quarter. So I just try to play through the whistle and just play through the whole game.” After rushing for 218 yards and three touchdowns against the Titans – both the second-highest single-game totals of his career – Taylor has been named the AFC Offensive Player of the Week. It was a major bounce-back performance after Taylor’s unforced fumble just short of the goal line cost the Colts dearly in a pivotal loss against the Denver Broncos a week prior. “It’s always exciting to see that dude just do what he does,” Richardson said. “It’s fascinating, honestly, just to see him hit a gap and just take it to the house. It’s just amazing, especially thinking about what happened in the Denver game. It honestly like wiped my mind. I wasn’t even thinking about it until people were talking about him coming back and having the game he did. “It’s like ‘OK, that’s the type of player he is, the type of person he is.’ He always wants to do better for the team and for himself. And just to see him do that and get what he did on Sunday is just a blessing.” The Colts officially signed right guard Mark Glowinski to the 53-man roster Tuesday after he’d been called up for game day in each of the past three weeks. Guard Antonio Mafi was re-signed to the practice squad after being released from the 53-man roster Monday.
The City of Boston says its X account will stay alive while it gains a presence on Bluesky , a social media platform that has attracted millions of users following President-elect Donald Trump’s victory in early November. “The City maintains a presence on multiple communications platforms to reach constituents,” a city spokesperson told the Herald on Saturday. “We are not deleting our presence on other platforms as we establish new accounts on Bluesky to meet the surge of activity and local interest there.” Critics accused the city of “running away” from Elon Musk’s “toxic” X platform after announcing it had created a Bluesky account last week. “Hey Boston, we’re here!” officials wrote in their first Bluesky post, the day before Thanksgiving. “City teams are building accounts and making moves to make Bluesky our home. Stay tuned.” The post included links to various departments that had already created Bluesky accounts including the Streets Cabinet , Parks and Recreation , and the Public Health Commission . Bluesky had gained 1 million new users in the week after Trump’s reelection, as some X users, mostly liberals, looked for an alternative platform to post their thoughts and engage with others online. Despite Bluesky’s growth, X reported that it had “dominated the global conversation on the U.S. election” and had set new records. The platform saw a 15.5% jump in new-user signups on Election Day, it said, with a record 942 million posts worldwide. Bluesky has referenced its competitive relationship to X through tongue-in-cheek comments, including an Election Day post on X referencing Musk watching voting results come in with President-elect Donald Trump. “I can guarantee that no Bluesky team members will be sitting with a presidential candidate tonight and giving them direct access to control what you see online,” Bluesky said. Bostonians Against Mayor Wu , an X account critical of how the city is being governed, posted about the Bluesky development around 5 p.m. on Friday. As of 4 p.m. Saturday, the post had gained nearly 900,000 views. “The city of Boston announces it is ditching @elonmusk’s X and moving all of their accounts over to X’s rival platform,” the post read. Thousands of critics responded to the post, slamming the city for adding Bluesky to its social media repertoire. Former Herald sports columnist and current podcaster Gerry Callahan chimed in: “Elon Musk: We will allow ANYONE to speak. No censoring. No shadow banning. No collusion with the government. Democrats: Sorry, not for us.” The post even caught the eye of conspiracy theorist Alex Jones , who has 3.4 million X followers. “This is what cults do when they are exposed and in total collapse,” Jones posted on X late Friday night. “They run and hide from reality. This is the last stage of a failed ideology’s death. As Jesus said ‘let the dead bury the dead.’” Mayor Michelle Wu has sparingly used her @wutrain X account since Musk took over the platform. She posted a link to her Bluesky last Sunday, days before the city announced its account. In an interview with Commonwealth Beacon in January 2023, Wu said she’d stop using X as often as she did during her mayoral campaign as the platform became “an increasingly difficult place to share information and have civil dialogue over important issues.” “I’ve experienced this platform becoming more and more toxic over the last year,” Wu said, “and it’s a direction that makes it a less productive use of my personal time to reach constituents about local issues.” The Associated Press contributed to this report.