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niceph 25 Pep Guardiola claims three-quarters of the Premier League want to see Manchester City relegated over financial irregularities. But the City boss has vowed to stay on and lift the club back to the top even if they are sent all the way down to the National League. Guardiola ended speculation over his immediate future this week by extending his contract, which had been due to expire at the end of the season, through to the summer of 2027. That has given the club some stability at a time of great uncertainty as they fight 115 charges related to alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations. City have denied all wrongdoing but their punishment if found guilty could be severe, with demotion even a possibility. Guardiola has strongly defended the club in the past and is happy to continue doing so. The Spaniard said: “I don’t enjoy it, I prefer not to be in that position, but once it’s there I love it because, when you believe in your club, and the people there – I believe what they say to me and the reasons why. “I cannot say yet because we’re awaiting the sentence in February or March – I don’t know when – but at the same time, I like it. “I read something about the situation and how you need to be relegated immediately. Seventy-five per cent of the clubs want it, because I know what they do behind the scenes and this sort of stuff. “I said when all the clubs accused us of doing something wrong, (and people asked) what happens if we are relegated, (I said) I will be here. “Next year, I don’t know the position of the Conference they are going to (put) us, (but) we are going to come up and come up and come back to the Premier League. I knew it then and I feel it now.” The immediate priority for Guardiola, who said his contract negotiations were completed in “just two hours”, is to arrest a run of four successive defeats in all competitions. Yet, ahead of their return to action against Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, the champions continue to grapple with a lengthy injury list. Mateo Kovacic is their latest casualty after sustaining a knock on international duty that could keep him out for up to a month. On the positive side, defenders Nathan Ake, John Stones and Manuel Akanji could feature and Jack Grealish is also closing in on a return after a month out. Much to Guardiola’s frustration, Grealish was called up by England for their recent Nations League games, although he later withdrew. Guardiola said: “I want the best for Jack and I want the best for Jack with the national team but the doctor said to me that he was not ready to play. “I know (England) want him but they have 200 players to select from and Jack was not fit. He had to recover from many things.” Kyle Walker played for England against both Greece and the Republic of Ireland despite limited game time since suffering injury in the October international break. Guardiola said: “If he is fit I like him to play in the national team. It is not a problem, don’t misunderstand me. “Kyle has a dream to make 100 caps for the national team. Do I want to cancel this dream? Absolutely not. “But if you are not fit, if you cannot play here, you cannot play for the national team. It is quite obvious.”MINNEAPOLIS — For 15 years, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nicholas Kristof has turned the traditional "holiday gift guide" into a philanthropic mission, highlighting organizations that champion health and education. He's helped raise more than $1 million for the nonprofit Reach Out and Read. For its Minnesota chapter, this additional funding comes at a crucial time. According to the Minnesota Department of Education, only 46.5% of third graders in the state are reading proficiently. At over 300 clinics across Minnesota, babies and young toddlers are getting more than a lollipop for going to the doctor. They get free books on every well visit thanks to Reach Out and Read. "The books that they're giving out at these visits might be the only books that these kids have in their home," said Kristen Hoplin, Executive Director of Reach Out and Read Minnesota. "Literacy is absolutely a health care issue," said Dr. Gigi Chawla, Chief of Pediatrics at Children's Minnesota. She believes so much in the program she also serves as its state medical director. Chawla says she and other doctors use the books to gauge a child's development. "Seeing how kids can transfer objects from one hand to another. How they are opening up a book," said Chawla. She says doctors are also studying the interaction between parent or caregiver and child. "That's actually the most important part. We really want to make sure that parents recognize that that is how they can start that interaction with their child and cultivate that social and emotional intelligence," Chawla said. "We know that kids that are read to early and have books in their home and are sharing books, they have higher language scores. Early on they go to school more ready to learn," Hoplin said. Reach Out and Read Minnesota has a catalog of diverse books that physicians can select for their patients. Chawla says they serve as both mirrors and windows. "Kids and families should see themselves as the star of a book as the star of their own story and windows as it gives you a context of which to see a whole new world," Chawla said. She says the program is changing lives. "It gives people a context for making up their own stories, telling their own stories and it cuts across all races, all demographics," Chawla said. Reach Out and Read Minnesota distributed close to 300,000 books across the state over the last school year. Funds raised over the holidays will help them serve more of Greater Minnesota. Click here to learn more. Derek James anchors Saturday and Sunday evening newscasts and contributes stories during the week on "The 4."

SAN RAMON, Calif., Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CooperCompanies (Nasdaq: COO), a leading global medical device company, today announced financial results for its fiscal fourth quarter and full year ended October 31, 2024. Fourth quarter 2024 revenue of $1,018.4 million, up 10%, or up 7% organically. Fiscal year 2024 revenue of $3.9 billion, up 8%, or up 8% organically. Fourth quarter 2024 GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.58, up 38%. Fiscal 2024 GAAP diluted EPS of $1.96, up 33%. Fourth quarter 2024 non-GAAP diluted EPS of $1.04, up 19%. Fiscal 2024 non-GAAP diluted EPS of $3.69, up 15%. See "Reconciliation of Selected GAAP Results to Non-GAAP Results" below. Commenting on the results, Al White, Cooper's President and CEO said, "Fiscal 2024 was a great year for Cooper having achieved record consolidated revenues, including record CooperVision revenues, record CooperSurgical revenues and record non-GAAP EPS. We look forward to continued success in fiscal 2025 and thank all of our employees for driving these results." Fourth Quarter Operating Results Revenue of $1,018.4 million, up 10% from last year’s fourth quarter, up 9% in constant currency, up 7% organically. Gross margin of 67% compared with 65% in last year’s fourth quarter driven by price and efficiency gains. On a non-GAAP basis, gross margin was similar to last year at 67%. Operating margin of 19% compared with 15% in last year’s fourth quarter driven by SG&A expense leverage and stronger gross margins. On a non-GAAP basis, operating margin was 26%, up from 24% last year. Interest expense of $27.0 million compared with $26.3 million in last year's fourth quarter. On a non-GAAP basis, interest expense was $25.6 million, down from $26.4 million. Cash provided by operations of $268.1 million offset by capital expenditures of $139.9 million resulted in free cash flow of $128.2 million. Fourth Quarter CooperVision (CVI) Revenue Revenue of $676.4 million, up 9% from last year’s fourth quarter, up 8% in constant currency, up 8% organically. Revenue by category: Revenue by geography: Fourth Quarter CooperSurgical (CSI) Revenue Revenue of $342.0 million, up 12% from last year's fourth quarter, up 12% in constant currency, up 5% organically. Revenue by category: Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Results Revenue of $3,895.4 million, up 8% from fiscal 2023, up 9% in constant currency, up 8% organically. CVI revenue of $2,609.4 million, up 8% from fiscal 2023, up 8% in constant currency, up 9% organically, and CSI revenue $1,286.0 million, up 10% from fiscal 2023, up 11% in constant currency, up 5% organically. Gross margin of 67% compared with 66% in fiscal 2023. Non-GAAP gross margin was 67% compared with 66% in fiscal 2023. Operating margin of 18% compared with 15% in fiscal 2023. Non-GAAP operating margin was 25% compared with 24% in fiscal 2023. Cash provided by operations of $709.3 million offset by capital expenditures of $421.2 million resulted in free cash flow of $288.1 million. Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Guidance The Company initiated its fiscal year 2025 financial guidance. Details are summarized as follows: Fiscal 2025 total revenue of $4,080 - $4,158 million (organic growth of 6% to 8%) CVI revenue of $2,733 - $2,786 million (organic growth of 6.5% to 8.5%) CSI revenue of $1,347 - $1,372 million (organic growth of 4% to 6%) Fiscal 2025 non-GAAP diluted earnings per share of $3.92 - $4.02 Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share guidance excludes amortization and impairment of intangible assets, and certain income or gains and charges or expenses including acquisition and integration costs which we may incur as part of our continuing operations. With respect to the Company’s guidance expectations, the Company has not reconciled non-GAAP diluted earnings per share guidance to GAAP diluted earnings per share due to the inherent difficulty in forecasting acquisition-related, integration and restructuring charges and expenses, which are reconciling items between the non-GAAP and GAAP measures. Due to the unknown effect, timing and potential significance of such charges and expenses that impact GAAP diluted earnings per share, the Company is not able to provide such guidance. Reconciliation of Selected GAAP Results to Non-GAAP Results To supplement our financial results and guidance presented on a GAAP basis, we provide non-GAAP measures such as non-GAAP gross margin, non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, as well as constant currency and organic revenue growth because we believe they are helpful for the investors to understand our consolidated operating results. Management uses supplemental non-GAAP financial measures internally to understand, manage and evaluate our business, to make operating decisions, and to plan and forecast for future periods. The non-GAAP measures exclude costs which we generally would not have otherwise incurred in the periods presented as a part of our continuing operations. We provide further details of the non-GAAP adjustments made to arrive at our non-GAAP measures in the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliations below. Our non-GAAP financial results and guidance are not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for comparable GAAP measures and should be read only in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. To present constant currency revenue growth, current period revenue for entities reporting in currencies other than the United States dollar are converted into United States dollars at the average foreign exchange rates for the corresponding period in the prior year. To present organic revenue growth, we excluded the effect of foreign currency fluctuations and the impact of any acquisitions, divestitures and discontinuations that occurred in the comparable period. We define the non-GAAP measure of free cash flow as cash provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. We believe free cash flow is useful for investors as an additional measure of liquidity because it represents cash that is available to grow the business, make strategic acquisitions, repay debt, or buyback common stock. Management uses free cash flow internally to understand, manage, make operating decisions and evaluate our business. In addition, we use free cash flow to help plan and forecast future periods. Investors should consider non-GAAP financial measures in addition to, and not as replacements for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. EPS, amounts and percentages may not sum or recalculate due to rounding. (1) Charges include the direct effects of acquisition accounting, such as amortization of inventory fair value step-up, professional services fees, regulatory fees and changes in fair value of contingent considerations, and items related to integrating acquired businesses, such as redundant personnel costs for transitional employees, other acquired employee related costs, and integration-related professional services, manufacturing integration costs, legal entity rationalization and other integration-related activities. The acquisition and integration-related charges in fiscal 2024 were primarily related to the Cook Medical acquisition and integration expenses. The acquisition and integration-related charges in fiscal 2023 were primarily related to the Generate acquisition and integration expenses. Charges included $2.9 million and $8.4 million related to redundant personnel costs for transitional employees, $0.7 million and $4.5 million of professional services fees, $1.4 million and $1.4 million of manufacturing integration costs, $1.5 million and 1.5 million of inventory fair value step-up amortization, and $0.7 million and $4.1 million of other acquisition and integration-related activities in the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2024, respectively. The twelve months ended October 31, 2024 also included $0.7 million regulatory fees. Charges included $7.5 million and $21.9 million related to redundant personnel costs for transitional employees, $6.5 million and $16.2 million of professional services fees, $2.9 million and $6.5 million of manufacturing integration costs, $3.1 million and $5.0 million of legal entity rationalization costs, $0.9 million and $2.7 million regulatory fees, and $0.6 million and $5.0 million in other acquisition and integration-related activities, in the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2023, respectively. (2) Charges include costs related to product line exits such as inventory write-offs, site closure costs, contract termination costs and specifically-identified long-lived asset write-offs. Charges included $2.3 million of write-offs of long-lived assets and $1.7 million of other costs related to product line exits in the twelve months October 31, 2024. No charge related to product line exits was incurred in the three months ended October 31, 2024. Charges included $3.4 million and $7.9 million of site closure costs related to the exit of the lens care business, $0.4 million and $1.1 million of other costs related to product line exits in the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2023, respectively. The fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 also included $9.8 million of intangible assets impairment charge associated with the discontinuation of certain products. (3) Charges represent incremental costs of complying with the new European Union (E.U.) medical device regulations for previously registered products and primarily include charges for contractors supporting the project and other direct third-party expenses. We consider these costs to be limited to a specific time period. (4) Charges represent the costs associated with initiatives to increase efficiencies across the organization and optimize our overall cost structure, including changes to our IT infrastructure and operations, employee severance costs, legal entity and other business reorganizations, write-offs or impairments of certain long-lived assets associated with the business optimization activities. Charges included $1.5 million and $10.6 million of employee severance costs, $1.0 million and $4.1 million related to changes to our IT infrastructure and operation, and $0.4 million and $2.9 million of legal entity and other business reorganizations costs, in the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2024, respectively. The twelve months ended October 31, 2024 also included $0.7 million of other optimization costs. Charges included $1.4 million and $11.3 million of employee severance costs, $1.4 million and $1.9 million of legal entity and other business reorganizations costs, and $0.3 million and $5.9 million related to changes to our IT infrastructure and operations, partially offset by $0.2 million and $0.4 million of other items in the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2023, respectively. (5) Amount represents an accrual for probable payment of a termination fee in connection with an asset purchase agreement in the second quarter of 2023, which was paid in August 2023. (6) Amount represents the release the contingent consideration liability associated with SightGlass Vision's regulatory approval milestone in the first quarter of 2023. (7) Charges include certain business disruptions from natural causes, litigation matters and other items that are not part of ordinary operations. The adjustments to arrive at non-GAAP net income also include gains and losses on minority interest investments and accretion of interest attributable to acquisition installment payables. Charges included $1.5 million and $5.9 million of gains and losses on minority interest investments, $1.4 million and $5.5 million of accretion of interest attributable to acquisition installments payable, $0.6 million and $1.5 million related to legal matters in the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2024, respectively. Charges included $1.6 million and $6.3 million of gains and losses on minority interest investments, and $1.3 million and $4.6 million related to legal matters in the three and twelve months ended October 31, 2023, respectively. The twelve months ended October 31, 2023 also included $1.1 million of other items. (8) In fiscal 2021, the Company transferred its CooperVision intellectual property and goodwill to its UK subsidiary. As a result, we recorded a deferred tax asset equal to approximately $2.0 billion as a one-time tax benefit in accordance with U.S. GAAP in fiscal 2021 as subsequently adjusted for changes in UK tax law. The non-GAAP adjustments reflect the ongoing net deferred tax benefit from tax amortization each period under UK tax law. Audio Webcast and Conference Call The Company will host an audio webcast today for the public, investors, analysts and news media to discuss its fourth quarter results and current corporate developments. The audio webcast will be broadcast live on CooperCompanies' website, www.investor.coopercos.com , at approximately 5:00 PM ET. It will also be available for replay on CooperCompanies' website, www.investor.coopercos.com . Alternatively, you can dial in to the conference call at 800-715-9871; conference ID 2026064. About CooperCompanies CooperCompanies (Nasdaq: COO) is a leading global medical device company focused on improving lives one person at a time. The Company operates through two business units, CooperVision and CooperSurgical. CooperVision is a trusted leader in the contact lens industry, improving the vision of millions of people every day. CooperSurgical is a leading fertility and women's health company dedicated to assisting women, babies and families at the healthcare moments that matter most. Headquartered in San Ramon, CA, CooperCompanies ("Cooper") has a workforce of more than 16,000 with products sold in over 130 countries. For more information, please visit www.coopercos.com. Forward-Looking Statements This earnings release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements relating to guidance, plans, prospects, goals, strategies, future actions, events or performance and other statements of which are other than statements of historical fact, including our fiscal year 2025 financial guidance are forward looking. In addition, all statements regarding anticipated growth in our revenues, anticipated effects of any product recalls, anticipated market conditions, planned product launches, restructuring or business transition expectations, regulatory plans, and expected results of operations and integration of any acquisition are forward-looking. To identify these statements look for words like "believes," "outlook," "probable," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "could," "seeks," "intends," "plans," "estimates" or "anticipates" and similar words or phrases. Forward-looking statements necessarily depend on assumptions, data or methods that may be incorrect or imprecise and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Among the factors that could cause our actual results and future actions to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements are: adverse changes in the global or regional general business, political and economic conditions including the impact of continuing uncertainty and instability of certain countries, man-made or natural disasters and pandemic conditions, that could adversely affect our global markets, and the potential adverse economic impact and related uncertainty caused by these items; the impact of international conflicts and the global response to international conflicts on the global and local economy, financial markets, energy markets, currency rates and our ability to supply product to, or through, affected countries; our substantial and expanding international operations and the challenges of managing an organization spread throughout multiple countries and complying with a variety of legal, compliance and regulatory requirements; foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations including the risk of fluctuations in the value of foreign currencies or interest rates that would decrease our net sales and earnings; our existing and future variable rate indebtedness and associated interest expense is impacted by rate increases, which could adversely affect our financial health or limit our ability to borrow additional funds; changes in tax laws, examinations by tax authorities, and changes in our geographic composition of income; acquisition-related adverse effects including the failure to successfully achieve the anticipated net sales, margins and earnings benefits of acquisitions, integration delays or costs and the requirement to record significant adjustments to the preliminary fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed within the measurement period, required regulatory approvals for an acquisition not being obtained or being delayed or subject to conditions that are not anticipated, adverse impacts of changes to accounting controls and reporting procedures, contingent liabilities or indemnification obligations, increased leverage and lack of access to available financing (including financing for the acquisition or refinancing of debt owed by us on a timely basis and on reasonable terms); compliance costs and potential liability in connection with U.S. and foreign laws and health care regulations pertaining to privacy and security of personal information such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) in the U.S. and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements in Europe, including but not limited to those resulting from data security breaches; a major disruption in the operations of our manufacturing, accounting and financial reporting, research and development, distribution facilities or raw material supply chain due to challenges associated with integration of acquisitions, man-made or natural disasters, pandemic conditions, cybersecurity incidents or other causes; a major disruption in the operations of our manufacturing, accounting and financial reporting, research and development or distribution facilities due to the failure to perform by third-party vendors, including cloud computing providers or other technological problems, including any related to our information systems maintenance, enhancements or new system deployments, integrations or upgrades; a successful cybersecurity attack which could interrupt or disrupt our information technology systems, or those of our third-party service providers, or cause the loss of confidential or protected data; market consolidation of large customers globally through mergers or acquisitions resulting in a larger proportion or concentration of our business being derived from fewer customers; disruptions in supplies of raw materials, particularly components used to manufacture our silicone hydrogel lenses; new U.S. and foreign government laws and regulations, and changes in existing laws, regulations and enforcement guidance, which affect areas of our operations including, but not limited to, those affecting the health care industry, including the contact lens industry specifically and the medical device or pharmaceutical industries generally, including but not limited to the EU Medical Devices Regulation (MDR), and the EU In Vitro Diagnostic Medical Devices Regulation (IVDR); legal costs, insurance expenses, settlement costs and the risk of an adverse decision, prohibitive injunction or settlement related to product liability, patent infringement, contractual disputes, or other litigation; limitations on sales following product introductions due to poor market acceptance; new competitors, product innovations or technologies, including but not limited to, technological advances by competitors, new products and patents attained by competitors, and competitors' expansion through acquisitions; reduced sales, loss of customers, reputational harm and costs and expenses, including from claims and litigation related to product recalls and warning letters; failure to receive, or delays in receiving, regulatory approvals or certifications for products; failure of our customers and end users to obtain adequate coverage and reimbursement from third-party payers for our products and services; the requirement to provide for a significant liability or to write off, or accelerate depreciation on, a significant asset, including goodwill, other intangible assets and idle manufacturing facilities and equipment; the success of our research and development activities and other start-up projects; dilution to earnings per share from acquisitions or issuing stock; impact and costs incurred from changes in accounting standards and policies; risks related to environmental laws and requirements applicable to our facilities, products or manufacturing processes, including evolving regulations regarding the use of hazardous substances or chemicals in our products; risks related to environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) issues, including those related to regulatory and disclosure requirements, climate change and sustainability; and other events described in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including the “Business”, “Risk Factors” and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2024, as such Risk Factors may be updated in annual and quarterly filings. We caution investors that forward-looking statements reflect our analysis only on their stated date. We disclaim any intent to update them except as required by law. Contact: Kim Duncan Vice President, Investor Relations and Risk Management 925-460-3663 ir@cooperco.com THE COOPER COMPANIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliation Constant Currency Revenue Growth and Organic Revenue Growth Net SalesQatar tribune QNA Doha The Doha Forum is a leading global platform for addressing contemporary international issues, and one of the largest international platforms for diplomacy, dialogue and diversity. The Forum annually brings together a selection of heads of state and government, policy makers, opinion leaders, as well as representatives of the private sector, civil society, non-governmental organizations and the media from around the world. The Forum aims to discuss global challenges and provide innovative and implementable solutions, thus enhancing international cooperation and contributing to the formulation of effective future policies. The Doha Forum was established in 2000, when it was launched by HH the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. It is held annually in Doha with significant local and international participation. The Forum’s organizing committee determines an annual slogan for each of its sessions, under which fall many dialogue and discussion tables and sessions that serve its objectives, which focus on launching a dialogue on the critical challenges facing the world, enhancing the exchange of ideas and policy-making, and presenting applicable recommendations. Over the years, the Forum held 21 editions, the first of which occurred in 2001. It was organized by the Gulf Studies Center at Qatar University in cooperation with the Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industry under the name of the “Democracy and Free Trade”. It was attended by 500 participants representing many official, academic, research, media and cultural circles from 30 countries, in addition to international and regional bodies and organizations. The previous editions of the Forum discussed many issues and topics such as geopolitical alliances, international relations, the financial system and economic development, defense, cybersecurity, food security, sustainability and climate change, global transformations, technology, trade and investment, human capital, inequality, security, cyberspace governance, defense issues, international organizations, civil society and NGOs, and issues of culture and identity. Given the great success achieved by the Doha Forum during its rich history, including the Enriching the Economic Future of the Middle East Conference, and continued in this manner for several sessions, becoming once again an independent event in itself, discussing urgent economic issues, and exchanging ideas and visions regarding the future prospects of the Middle East and Mediterranean region in the economic field. In the seventh edition of the Doha Forum, its name was changed to the Doha Forum on Democracy, Development and Free Trade, and a large group of issues related to the Arab world took center stage in the seventh and eighth editions, including politics, development, security, free trade, information, culture, education, modern technology and globalization. Issues on the roles in economic growth and democratic change in the region were also discussed, in addition to visions about the present and future, global stability and security, development projects, modern trends and future transformations, common markets and others. During the ninth edition, the features of the separation of economic and political issues began to appear clearly in the discussions and sessions of the Forum, as the Doha Forum on Democracy, Development and Free Trade and the Enriching the Economic Future of the Middle East Conference were held in parallel to one another. The Arab Spring revolutions topped the discussions of the 11th and 12th editions of the Forum and conference. The 16th edition saw the Doha Forum separate from the Enriching the Economic Future of the Middle East Conference once again, and discussed ways to achieve regional and global stability and prosperity in light of the major challenges facing the world in the fields of defense, security, economy, energy, and civil society issues. The 17th edition was held in May 2017 under the theme “Development, Stability and Refugee Crisis”, and the 18th edition was held in December 2018 under the theme “Shaping Policy in an Interconnected World”. During the event, the Doha Forum launched a new visual identity under the slogan “Diplomacy, Dialogue, Diversity.” The slogan was designed to enhance and unify the Forums identity and strengthen its global presence and reputation in policy formulation. The Forums organizers said the new slogan reflected Doha Forums efforts to establish itself at the forefront of global policy making, foster vital dialogue, and benefit from the diverse backgrounds and expertise of its participants and speakers. In December 2019, the Doha Forum held its 19th edition under the slogan “Reimagining. Governance in a Multipolar World.” During the event, the Doha Forum launched the youth edition, established in cooperation with the QatarDebate Center, to involve young age groups in decision-making, discuss the Forums themes, and submit their recommendations to it. The number of participants in its activities at that time exceeded 3,000 people from various countries around the world. The “Doha Forum: Youth Edition” held its third edition in November 2023 and will launch its fourth edition on December 5 in cooperation with the QatarDebate Center. This edition is in line with the main theme of the Doha Forum by focusing on five key areas, including geopolitics, emerging technologies, security, and cultural diplomacy. The new edition seeks to provide a space for young people to present new visions and drive positive change. Due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the Doha Forum held its two editions for these years in virtual sessions that included a group of senior policymakers, experts, and researchers to discuss a number of pressing global issues. Following the COVID-19 pandemic that struck the world, the Doha Forum held its 20th edition in March 2022 under the title “Transforming for a New Era” and discussed the various geopolitical changes that occurred in the world that year. In December 2023, HH the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani inaugurated the 21st Doha Forum under the theme “Building Shared Futures,” with the attendance of more than 4,000 participants, including more than 270 speakers from 120 countries, who contributed to more than 80 sessions over the course of the two-day event. HH the Amir also presented the Doha Forum Award to Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Philippe Lazzarini. The 21st Doha Forum highlighted four main themes: international relations and security, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, economic development, and sustainability, through 18 main sessions and 35 side sessions. The Doha Forum is considered one of the most prominent major events in the field of contemporary international affairs, and since its launch about a quarter of a century ago, it has cooperated with many local, regional, and international bodies in organizing discussion sessions, workshops, meetings, round tables and lectures throughout the year to discuss pressing issues and urgent challenges in the region and the world, as it hosts officials and experts in various fields from all over the world, and the forums organizers are keen to discuss pressing issues in the world and enhance dialogue by selecting figures who express all the ideas presented, which facilitates reaching results that help decision-makers deal with solutions to these problems. Over the past two decades, the Doha Forum has established its position as an interactive global dialogue platform for the localization of development, security and stability in the world, as Qatar has gathered through previous editions the experiences of many opinion and policy leaders, global experts and activists, and came up with perceptions and visions that draw a road map to solve global crises and challenges. The State of Qatar’s hosting and sponsorship of the forum’s activities and editions also affirms the wise leadership’s keenness to engage the world in raising its crucial issues, strengthening regional and international cooperation, diagnosing the current situation, and proposing solutions to address them, especially with regard to issues related to combating extremism, role of women, fair distribution of wealth, protection of human rights, elimination of violence, containment of terrorism, and examining the best means to confront the growing threats and challenges facing human societies, which cannot be confronted by individual methods or policies. The Doha Forum is in harmony with the foreign policy of the State of Qatar, which adopts the principle of dialogue in resolving issues, conflicts and crises, and embodies the distinguished international position occupied by the State of Qatar in the network of international relations, and its superior ability to provide open and appropriate arenas for dialogue and exchange of ideas in search of solutions to various global challenges. The outcomes of the Doha Forum have contributed to drawing lines and indicators and preparing work programs for diplomatic moves capable of addressing contemporary problems and challenges, and paving the way and the ground for finding the best solutions to the issues and crises that trouble the world and threaten the lives of millions to cross humanity to safety based on the belief that the common future of humanity depends on stability, security, and the right of all to exist.The forum aims to discuss global challenges and provide innovative and implementable solutions, thus enhancing international cooperation and contributing to the formulation of effective future policies Copy 06/12/2024 10

Webb telescope: Universe expanding at unexpected rateArsenal delivered the statement Champions League win Mikel Arteta had demanded as they swept aside Sporting Lisbon 5-1. Arteta wanted his team to prove their European credentials following some underwhelming displays away from home, and the Gunners manager got exactly what he asked for. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard got their continental campaign back on track in style following the 1-0 defeat at Inter Milan last time out. A memorable victory also ended Sporting’s unbeaten start to the season, a streak of 17 wins and one draw, the vast majority of which prompted Manchester United to prise away head coach Ruben Amorim. The Gunners had failed to win or score in their two away games in the competition so far this season, but they made a blistering start in the Portuguese capital and took the lead after only seven minutes. Declan Rice fed overlapping full-back Jurrien Timber, who curled a low cross in behind the home defence for Martinelli to finish at the far post. Arsenal doubled their lead in the 20th minute thanks to a glorious ball over the top from Thomas Partey. Saka escaped the clutches of his marker Maximiliano Araujo to beat the offside trap and poke the ball past advancing goalkeeper Franco Israel for Havertz to tap home. It was a scintillating first-half display which completely overshadowed the presence of Viktor Gyokeres in Sporting’s attack. The prolific Sweden striker, formerly of Coventry, has been turning the heads of Europe’s top clubs with his 24 goals in 17 games this season – including a hat-trick against Manchester City earlier this month. But the only time he got a sniff of a run at goal after an optimistic long ball, he was marshalled out of harm’s way by Gabriel. David Raya was forced into one save, tipping a fierce Geovany Quenda drive over the crossbar. But Arsenal added a third on the stroke of half-time, Gabriel charging in to head Rice’s corner into the back of the net. To rub salt in the wound, the Brazilian defender mimicked Gyokeres’ hands-over-his-face goal celebration. That may have wound Sporting up as they came out after the interval meaning business, and they pulled one back after Raya tipped Hidemasa Morita’s shot behind, with Goncalo Inacio netting at the near post from the corner. Former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards fired over, as did Gyokeres, with Arsenal temporarily on the back foot. But when Martin Odegaard’s darting run into the area was halted by Ousmane Diomande’s foul, Saka tucked away the penalty. Substitute Trossard added the fifth with eight minutes remaining, heading in the rebound after Mikel Merino’s shot was saved, and Gyokeres’ miserable night was summed up when his late shot crashed back off the post.

Sam Darnold sensed the backside pressure as soon as he dropped back with Minnesota trailing by four points late in the fourth quarter in Seattle, so he moved into a safe space in the pocket and did precisely what the Vikings would prefer him to do with the game on the line. He threw the ball down the field to Justin Jefferson. The perfectly placed throw near the sideline beat double coverage for a 39-yard touchdown that put the Vikings back in front with 3:51 remaining in a 27-24 victory over the Seahawks on Sunday. “It was a great call,” said Jefferson, who had 10 receptions for 144 yards and two scores, all season highs. “I’m not going to say too much about that play, but something went on where me and Sam were on the same page, and he found me and we went up.” The Vikings were understandably coy about the context around the go-ahead touchdown , when Darnold made a difficult on-the-run pass just over cornerback Tariq Woolen that Jefferson deftly twisted to catch next to his backside hip so he could shield the ball from late-breaking safety Julian Love. Darnold saw Love's shoulders initially shaded inside just enough to believe he couldn't retreat fast enough to prevent Jefferson from getting the ball. Jefferson also applied some improvisation to his route that Darnold clearly and properly read during the play. “I want those guys to have some freedom in those moments,” coach Kevin O'Connell said. “We do a lot of things with Justin and Sam, seeing the coverage and then with some route opportunities to get to at the line of scrimmage, and I think those guys have just gotten so comfortable with that stuff.” Darnold's long-delayed breakout performance under O'Connell has been one of the stories of the NFL this season, one that wouldn't have unfolded as neatly for the third overall pick in the 2018 draft without such synergy between him and his superstar wide receiver. If the Vikings (13-2) win their last two games, they will not only be NFC North champions for the second time in three years but also get the No. 1 seed and the lone first-round bye in the NFC for the playoffs. “Every single game we’re finding different ways to overcome adversity, overcome the different stuff defenses have thrown towards us," Jefferson said. “Sam has done a great job being a leader.” What's working The pass rush was strong, with Andrew Van Ginkel recording two sacks and pressure leading to both interceptions of Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith. The Vikings were credited with eight hits on Smith. What needs help The Vikings converted only three of 12 third downs, their second-worst rate of the season. Stock up Theo Jackson, who saw significant playing time at safety with Harrison Smith out, had the game-sealing interception with 49 seconds left. Stock down Tight end Josh Oliver has played 47% of the snaps the last two games, his two lowest usage rates of the season. He dropped the only pass he was thrown on Sunday. Injury report The defense ought to get a big boost this week with the expected return of the 13-year veteran Smith from his first absence in two years when he was sidelined at Seattle with a foot injury. Linebacker Ivan Pace, who has missed four games on injured reserve with a hamstring strain, is also on track to be back with his return to practice. Backup defensive lineman Jalen Redmond, who didn't play against the Seahawks because of a concussion, has made progress through the protocol, O'Connell said. Backup cornerback Fabian Moreau, who was inactive at Seattle with a hip injury, will continue to be evaluated throughout the week. Key number 13.6% — That's the third-down conversion allowance rate for the Vikings over the last two games, with Chicago and Seattle combining to go just 3 for 22. The Vikings rank second in the NFL in third-down defense at 33.7% for the season and also rank second on fourth down at 36.7%. Up next The Vikings host Green Bay on Sunday, with the kickoff moved to the late afternoon showcase spot on Fox. If Minnesota loses to the Packers, the Lions will clinch the NFC North and the Vikings would open the playoffs on the road as the No. 5 seed at best. Even if the Lions were to lose at San Francisco on Monday night, the Vikings would need to win at Detroit on Jan. 5 to take the division title. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Dave Campbell, The Associated Press

The 18-team conference had three of the top-four teams in the AP poll this week — No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 4 Penn State. A one-loss Indiana team is ranked 10th but is still very much a contender to make the playoff, given how many Southeastern Conference teams have three defeats or more. Indiana's rise has been perhaps the Big Ten's biggest story this season. Much of the spotlight was on newcomers Oregon, Southern California, UCLA and Washington, but aside from the top-ranked Ducks, that foursome has struggled to impress. Meanwhile, the Hoosiers won their first 10 games under new coach Curt Cignetti before losing at Ohio State last weekend. Oregon beat Ohio State 32-31 back in October, and if the Buckeyes beat rival Michigan this weekend, they'll earn a rematch with the Ducks for the Big Ten title. And it's entirely possible another matchup between those two teams awaits in the CFP. Dillon Gabriel has quarterbacked Oregon to an unbeaten record, throwing for 3,066 yards and 22 touchdowns in 11 games. But don't overlook Iowa's Kaleb Johnson and his 21 rushing TDs, and quarterback Kurtis Rourke has been a big part of Indiana's improvement. Penn State's Abdul Carter has eight sacks and two forced fumbles and could be one of the top edge rushers drafted this year. Oregon (11-0, 8-0), Ohio State (10-1, 7-1), Penn State (10-1, 7-1), Indiana (10-1, 7-1), Illinois (8-3, 5-3), Iowa (7-4, 5-3), Michigan (6-5, 4-4), Minnesota (6-5, 4-4), Washington (6-5, 4-4), Southern California (6-5, 4-5), Nebraska (6-5, 3-5) and Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) have already reached the six-win mark for bowl eligibility. Michigan State (5-6, 3-5) and Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5) can join them. There may not be many firings in general at the top level of college football. The prospect of sharing revenue with athletes in the future might lead schools to be more judicious about shedding one coach and hiring a new one. Who should be most worried in the Big Ten? Well, Lincoln Riley is struggling to stay above .500 in his third season at USC. Purdue is 1-10, but coach Ryan Walters is only in his second season. Maryland's Mike Locksley has been there six years and his Terrapins are 4-7, but this was his first real step backward after guiding the team to three straight bowl wins. Cignetti has shown it is possible for a coaching change to push a previously moribund program to some impressive heights in a short amount of time — but the improvement has been more incremental at Michigan State following Jonathan Smith's arrival. Sherrone Moore wasn't a completely unknown commodity at Michigan after he won some massive games in place of a suspended Jim Harbaugh last year. But in his first season completely at the helm, the Wolverines have declined significantly following their national title a season ago. The Big Ten is home to one of the most dynamic freshmen in the country in Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith. He has 52 catches for 899 yards and nine touchdowns. Highly touted quarterback Dylan Raiola has teamed up with fellow freshman Jacory Barney (49 catches) to lead Nebraska to bowl eligibility. Ohio State is on track to land the Big Ten's top class, according to 247 Sports, but the big news recently was quarterback Bryce Underwood flipping from LSU to Michigan. If the Wolverines do in fact keep Underwood in his home state, that would be a big development for Moore.

Throughout the last three months, 39 analysts have evaluated Nike NKE , offering a diverse set of opinions from bullish to bearish. In the table below, you'll find a summary of their recent ratings, revealing the shifting sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the previous months. Bullish Somewhat Bullish Indifferent Somewhat Bearish Bearish Total Ratings 11 7 21 0 0 Last 30D 0 1 0 0 0 1M Ago 6 4 9 0 0 2M Ago 1 0 2 0 0 3M Ago 4 2 10 0 0 Insights from analysts' 12-month price targets are revealed, presenting an average target of $85.72, a high estimate of $110.00, and a low estimate of $70.00. Experiencing a 2.77% decline, the current average is now lower than the previous average price target of $88.16. Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis The perception of Nike by financial experts is analyzed through recent analyst actions. The following summary presents key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets. Analyst Analyst Firm Action Taken Rating Current Price Target Prior Price Target Jonathan Komp Baird Lowers Outperform $105.00 $110.00 Jim Duffy Stifel Lowers Hold $75.00 $79.00 Joseph Civello Truist Securities Lowers Buy $90.00 $97.00 Jay Sole UBS Lowers Neutral $73.00 $80.00 Adrienne Yih Barclays Lowers Equal-Weight $70.00 $79.00 Ike Boruchow Wells Fargo Lowers Overweight $90.00 $92.00 Alex Straton Morgan Stanley Lowers Equal-Weight $74.00 $80.00 Krisztina Katai Deutsche Bank Raises Buy $84.00 $82.00 Lorraine Hutchinson B of A Securities Lowers Buy $90.00 $95.00 Tom Nikic Needham Maintains Buy $84.00 $84.00 Cristina Fernandez Telsey Advisory Group Lowers Market Perform $80.00 $93.00 Ike Boruchow Wells Fargo Lowers Overweight $92.00 $95.00 Michael Binetti Evercore ISI Group Lowers Outperform $97.00 $105.00 Krisztina Katai Deutsche Bank Lowers Buy $82.00 $92.00 Cristina Fernandez Telsey Advisory Group Lowers Outperform $93.00 $96.00 Alex Straton Morgan Stanley Lowers Equal-Weight $80.00 $82.00 Adrienne Yih Barclays Lowers Equal-Weight $79.00 $81.00 Jay Sole UBS Lowers Neutral $80.00 $82.00 Lorraine Hutchinson B of A Securities Lowers Buy $95.00 $100.00 Matthew Boss JP Morgan Lowers Neutral $73.00 $77.00 Tom Nikic Needham Announces Buy $84.00 - John Kernan TD Cowen Lowers Hold $73.00 $78.00 Piral Dadhania RBC Capital Lowers Sector Perform $80.00 $82.00 Joseph Civello Truist Securities Raises Buy $97.00 $83.00 Adrienne Yih Barclays Lowers Equal-Weight $81.00 $84.00 John Kernan TD Cowen Raises Hold $78.00 $71.00 Robert Drbul Guggenheim Lowers Buy $110.00 $115.00 Krisztina Katai Deutsche Bank Lowers Buy $92.00 $95.00 Matthew Boss JP Morgan Lowers Neutral $77.00 $80.00 Cristina Fernandez Telsey Advisory Group Lowers Outperform $96.00 $100.00 Piral Dadhania RBC Capital Lowers Sector Perform $82.00 $85.00 Michael Binetti Evercore ISI Group Lowers Outperform $105.00 $110.00 Jay Sole UBS Raises Neutral $82.00 $78.00 Joseph Civello Truist Securities Lowers Hold $83.00 $85.00 Lorraine Hutchinson B of A Securities Lowers Buy $100.00 $104.00 Randal Konik Jefferies Raises Hold $85.00 $80.00 Joseph Civello Truist Securities Maintains Hold $85.00 $85.00 Alex Straton Morgan Stanley Raises Equal-Weight $82.00 $79.00 Piral Dadhania RBC Capital Raises Sector Perform $85.00 $75.00 Key Insights: Action Taken: Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Nike. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company. Rating: Gaining insights, analysts provide qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of Nike compared to the broader market. Price Targets: Understanding forecasts, analysts offer estimates for Nike's future value. Examining the current and prior targets provides insight into analysts' changing expectations. Understanding these analyst evaluations alongside key financial indicators can offer valuable insights into Nike's market standing. Stay informed and make well-considered decisions with our Ratings Table. Stay up to date on Nike analyst ratings. All You Need to Know About Nike Nike is the largest athletic footwear and apparel brand in the world. Key categories include basketball, running, and football (soccer). Footwear generates about two thirds of its sales. Its brands include Nike, Jordan (premium athletic footwear and clothing), and Converse (casual footwear). Nike sells products worldwide through company-owned stores, franchised stores, and third-party retailers. The firm also operates e-commerce platforms in more than 40 countries. Nearly all its production is outsourced to contract manufacturers in more than 30 countries. Nike was founded in 1964 and is based in Beaverton, Oregon. Nike's Economic Impact: An Analysis Market Capitalization Analysis: The company's market capitalization surpasses industry averages, showcasing a dominant size relative to peers and suggesting a strong market position. Revenue Growth: Over the 3 months period, Nike showcased positive performance, achieving a revenue growth rate of 6.6% as of 30 November, 2024. This reflects a substantial increase in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the company achieved a growth rate higher than the average among peers in Consumer Discretionary sector. Net Margin: Nike's net margin surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 9.41% net margin, the company effectively manages costs and achieves strong profitability. Return on Equity (ROE): Nike's ROE excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 8.31% . This signifies robust financial management and efficient use of shareholder equity capital. Return on Assets (ROA): Nike's ROA stands out, surpassing industry averages. With an impressive ROA of 3.07% , the company demonstrates effective utilization of assets and strong financial performance. Debt Management: With a high debt-to-equity ratio of 0.86 , Nike faces challenges in effectively managing its debt levels, indicating potential financial strain. Analyst Ratings: What Are They? Within the domain of banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their work involves attending company conference calls and meetings, researching company financial statements, and communicating with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically assess and rate each stock once per quarter. Some analysts will also offer forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue to provide further guidance on stocks. Investors who use analyst ratings should note that this specialized advice comes from humans and may be subject to error. Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now? Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. Click here to stay ahead of the market . This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up for our daily newsletter to get the day's biggest stories sent direct to your inbox Chris Kamara has sent a fresh message following the news that he will be working together with Jeff Stelling once again on Boxing Day as part of Amazon Prime Video's festive Premier League coverage. He will update Stelling on the Nottingham Forest game against Tottenham Hotspur throughout the afternoon as part of their Every Game, Every Goal show. The much-loved and...7.0 earthquake off Northern California prompts brief tsunami warning

December 23, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudanese Sovereign Council head Abdel Fattah al-Burhan called on the United Nations to take action against violations of Security Council resolutions concerning the arms embargo on Darfur. On September 11, the UN Security Council maintained the sanctions regime imposed on Sudan in 2004, including an arms embargo on all parties in the Darfur conflict and travel bans and asset freezes on individuals who violate the resolutions. On Monday, Burhan met with the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, who has been visiting Port Sudan since Saturday. Foreign Minister Ali Youssif also attended the meeting. In a statement, the Sovereign Council said Burhan urged the UN to “take action regarding the non-implementation of Security Council resolutions to stop the entry of weapons into Darfur and to halt the attack on the city of El Fasher.” Burhan called on the international community to take “decisive and deterrent action” against countries supporting the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The Security Council has not yet considered Sudan’s complaint against the United Arab Emirates for allegedly providing weapons and military equipment to the RSF via Chad. Sudan has also filed a similar complaint against Chad with the African Union. Burhan affirmed Sudan’s commitment to working with the UN to develop a shared vision for the future and stressed Sudan’s commitment to protecting civilians from RSF abuses. He called on the UN and the international community to pressure the RSF and condemn its violations “more strictly and clearly.” The RSF has been accused of committing atrocities throughout the conflict, including genocide, mass killings, forced displacement, rape, torture, and enforced disappearances. The army has also faced accusations of conducting airstrikes on civilian targets. Burhan further stated that once citizens return to their homes and villages, a political process will be launched, and elections will be held for the people to decide their political future without external interference. In a press statement, Lamamra said the UN is engaged in and encourages a negotiated solution to the Sudanese crisis. The UN seeks to help the Sudanese overcome this ordeal, expedite a return to normalcy, and focus on reconstruction and development, he added. Lamamra said the UN is working to shorten the duration of the war and reduce casualties. He also affirmed the UN’s readiness to cooperate with Sudan to solve the crisis.