Next U.S. ambassador Hoekstra 'easier to do business' with: former envoyBeirut, Nov 25 (AP) Israel's military launched airstrikes across Lebanon on Monday, unleashing explosions throughout the country and killing at least 12 while Israeli leaders appeared to be closing in on a negotiated ceasefire with the Hezbollah militant group. Israeli strikes hit commercial and residential buildings in Beirut as well as in the port city of Tyre. Military officials said they targeted areas known as Hezbollah strongholds. They issued evacuation orders for Beirut's southern suburbs, and strikes landed across the city, including metres from a Lebanese police base and the city's largest public park. The barrage came as officials indicated they were nearing agreement on a ceasefire, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Security Cabinet prepared to discuss an offer on the table. Airstrikes kill at least 12 Massive explosions lit up Lebanon's skies with flashes of orange, sending towering plumes of smoke into the air as Israeli airstrikes pounded Beirut's southern suburbs Monday. The blasts damaged buildings and left shattered glass and debris scattered across nearby streets. No casualties were reported after many residents fled the targeted sites. Some of the strikes landed close to central Beirut and near Christian neighbourhoods and other targets where Israel had issued evacuation warnings, including in Tyre and Nabatieh province. Israeli airstrikes also hit the northeast Baalbek-Hermel region without warning. Lebanon's Health Ministry said Monday that at least 12 people were killed in the strikes in the Tyre province, adding to the more than 3,700 people in Lebanon who have been killed since Israel launched its invasion two months ago. Many of those killed since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah have been civilians, and health officials said some of the recovered bodies were so severely damaged that DNA testing would be required to confirm their identities. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Lebanon's Health Ministry says the war has displaced 1.2 million people. The latest round of airstrikes came weeks after Israeli ground forces invaded southern Lebanon in early October, meeting heavy resistance in a narrow strip of land along the border. The military had previously exchanged attacks across the border with Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group that began firing rockets into Israel the day after the war in Gaza began last year. Lebanese politicians have decried the ongoing airstrikes and said they are impeding US-led ceasefire negotiations. The country's deputy parliament speaker accused Israel of ramping up its bombardment in order to pressure Lebanon to make concessions in indirect ceasefire negotiations with Hezbollah. Elias Bousaab, an ally of the militant group, said on Monday that the pressure has increased because “we are close to the hour that is decisive regarding reaching a ceasefire”. Hopes grow for a ceasefire Israeli officials voiced similar optimism Monday about prospects for a ceasefire. Mike Herzog, the country's ambassador to Washington, earlier in the day told Israeli Army Radio that several points had yet to be finalized. Though any deal would require agreement from the government, Herzog said Israel and Hezbollah were “close to a deal". “It can happen within days,” he said. Israeli officials have said the sides are close to an agreement that would include withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and a pullback of Hezbollah fighters from the Israeli border. But several sticking points remain. Two Israeli officials told The Associated Press that Netanyahu's security Cabinet had scheduled a meeting for Tuesday, but they said it remained unclear whether the Cabinet would vote to approve the deal. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing internal deliberations. Danny Danon, Israel's UN ambassador, told reporters Monday that he expected a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah to have stages and to be discussed by leaders Monday or Tuesday. Still, he warned, “it's not going to happen overnight”. After previous hopes for a ceasefire were dashed, US officials cautioned that negotiations were not yet complete and noted that there could be last-minute hitches that either delay or destroy an agreement. "Nothing is done until everything is done," White House national security spokesman John Kirby said on Monday. The proposal under discussion to end the fighting calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. The withdrawals would be accompanied by an influx of thousands more Lebanese army troops, who have been largely sidelined in the war, to patrol the border area along with an existing UN peacekeeping force. Western diplomats and Israeli officials said Israel is demanding the right to strike in Lebanon if it believes Hezbollah is violating the terms. The Lebanese government has said that such an arrangement would authorise violations of the country's sovereignty. A ceasefire could mark a step toward ending the regionwide war that ballooned after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250. The lack of a ceasefire has emerged as a political liability for Israeli leaders including Netanyahu, particularly while 60,000 Israelis remain away from their homes in the country's north after more than a year of cross-border violence. Hezbollah rockets have reached as far south into Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers died fighting in the ground offensive in Lebanon. The Israeli military said about 250 projectiles were fired Sunday, with some intercepted. A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, the strongest of Iran's armed proxies, is expected to significantly calm regional tensions that have led to fears of a direct, all-out war between Israel and Iran. It's not clear how the ceasefire will affect the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Hezbollah had long insisted that it would not agree to a ceasefire until the war in Gaza ends, but it dropped that condition. While the proposal is expected to be approved if Netanyahu brings it to a vote in his security Cabinet, one hard-line member, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, said he would oppose it. He said on X that a deal with Lebanon would be a “big mistake” and a “missed historic opportunity to eradicate Hezbollah”. If the ceasefire talks fail, Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi said, “it will mean more destruction and more and more animosity and more dehumanization and more hatred and more bitterness”. Speaking at a G7 meeting in Fiuggi, Italy, the last summit of its kind before US President Joe Biden leaves office, Safadi said such a failure "will doom the future of the region to more conflict and more killing and more destruction”. (AP) PY PY (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
The Miami Dolphins need help at edge rusher, but reinforcements could be on the way. Coach Mike McDaniel announced Monday that Pro Bowl linebacker Bradley Chubb and third-year pass rusher Cameron Goode begin practicing this week after their 21-day activation windows were opened. “They’ll be out there practicing on Wednesday,” McDaniel told reporters . “That’s never lost on teammates when you have an extensive injury that happens in-season so then you are finishing the season rehabbing. “The offseason program, they’re watching them rehab. The beginning of the season, they’re watching them rehab. While everyone’s on vacation, they are here rehabbing. So it’ll be exciting to get their windows started and they’ll be practicing on Wednesday.” Chubb tore his ACL in Week 17 last season against the Baltimore Ravens , ending a career year with 11 sacks and six forced fumbles . Goode, a 2022 seventh-round pick, suffered a season-ending knee injury in Miami’s Week 18 loss to the Buffalo Bills . “I think just from a team standpoint, any time you have, like I said, guys that are sacrificing day in, day out, right in front of you, just having them to start practice; that in itself, beyond the players but the people, you inherently don’t take as much for granted when you’re out there watching them go through it and been fortunate enough to be for all the teammates that will be out there with them,” McDaniel said. With just 1.8 sacks per game, the Dolphins rank 29th in the league. Chubb and Goode’s return could help an edge-rushing unit that combined for only nine sacks through 12 games . Uncertainty at Cornerback The Dolphins faced a tough Thanksgiving Day loss, entering their 30-17 defeat to the Green Bay Packers without cornerback Kendall Fuller (concussion) and losing both Cam Smith (shoulder) and Kader Kohou (back) during the game. Fuller, who suffered his second concussion of the 2024 season during Monday Night Football against the Rams, hasn’t played since Nov. 11. However, head coach Mike McDaniel expressed optimism for Sunday’s game following discussions with Fuller and the medical team. As for Kohou and Smith, their status remains uncertain. McDaniel provided updates on both players: The Dolphins barely hold onto playoff hopes but can right the ship at Hard Rock Stadium this weekend against a New York Jets team that has lost nine of the last 10 games. Wednesday’s injury report will give us a first look at which of these five defenders will be available for Week 14.Beloved Sydney make-up artist dies age 27
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Geode Capital Management LLC increased its holdings in The Hackett Group, Inc. ( NASDAQ:HCKT – Free Report ) by 4.4% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 700,253 shares of the business services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 29,699 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC owned 2.54% of The Hackett Group worth $18,399,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in The Hackett Group by 4.6% during the second quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 244,516 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $5,311,000 after acquiring an additional 10,725 shares during the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank raised its position in The Hackett Group by 18.0% during the 2nd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 8,419 shares of the business services provider’s stock valued at $183,000 after purchasing an additional 1,283 shares in the last quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC lifted its stake in The Hackett Group by 24.8% in the second quarter. Aptus Capital Advisors LLC now owns 154,193 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $3,349,000 after acquiring an additional 30,631 shares during the period. Rhumbline Advisers lifted its position in shares of The Hackett Group by 1.6% in the 2nd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 38,946 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $846,000 after purchasing an additional 608 shares during the period. Finally, Isthmus Partners LLC raised its position in shares of The Hackett Group by 1.1% in the 2nd quarter. Isthmus Partners LLC now owns 164,195 shares of the business services provider’s stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 1,763 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 78.12% of the company’s stock. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research analysts recently issued reports on HCKT shares. Craig Hallum upped their target price on The Hackett Group from $30.00 to $32.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. Roth Mkm boosted their price objective on The Hackett Group from $29.00 to $30.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, November 5th. Finally, Barrington Research restated an “outperform” rating and set a $28.00 price target on shares of The Hackett Group in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, The Hackett Group presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $30.00. The Hackett Group Price Performance Shares of HCKT opened at $30.87 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $851.80 million, a P/E ratio of 25.30, a PEG ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 1.00. The Hackett Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $20.23 and a fifty-two week high of $32.83. The company has a quick ratio of 1.51, a current ratio of 1.51 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.18. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $29.79 and its 200 day moving average price is $26.47. The Hackett Group Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 3rd. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 20th will be paid a $0.11 dividend. This represents a $0.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 20th. The Hackett Group’s payout ratio is currently 36.07%. The Hackett Group Profile ( Free Report ) The Hackett Group, Inc operates as an intellectual property-based executive advisory, strategic consulting, and digital transformation company in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Global Strategy & Business Transformation, Oracle Solutions, and SAP Solutions. Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than The Hackett Group How to Buy Cheap Stocks Step by Step Buffett Takes the Bait; Berkshire Buys More Oxy in December REIT Stocks – Best REIT Stocks to Add to Your Portfolio Today Top 3 ETFs to Hedge Against Inflation in 2025 The How And Why of Investing in Oil Stocks These 3 Chip Stock Kings Are Still Buys for 2025 Want to see what other hedge funds are holding HCKT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Hackett Group, Inc. ( NASDAQ:HCKT – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for The Hackett Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for The Hackett Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .The Philadelphia Eagles ruled wide receiver DeVonta Smith out for Sunday night's game at the Los Angeles Rams due to a hamstring injury. Smith did not practice all week and will miss his second game of the season and just the third of his four-year NFL career. He was inactive in a Week 4 loss at Tampa Bay due to a concussion. Smith, 26, leads the Eagles with 41 receptions and four touchdown catches ands ranks second with 516 receiving yards in nine starts this season. The former Heisman Trophy winner has 281 catches for 3,694 yards and 23 scores in 59 games (58 starts) since the Eagles drafted him with the 10th overall pick in 2021. NFC East-leading Philadelphia (8-2) takes a six-game winning streak to Los Angeles (5-5), which has won four of its last five games. --Field Level Media
iPhone 17 Air may ditch these 5 Pro features to achieve its ultra-thin designCalifornia will revive its own subsidy programs for electric vehicles if Donald Trump guts US federal tax breaks for such cars, the state's governor said Monday. The president-elect has said repeatedly he would scrap what he called the "electric vehicle mandate" -- actually a $7,500 federal rebate for anyone who purchases an EV. Gavin Newsom, who heads the solidly Democratic state and has pitched himself as a leader of the anti-Trump political resistance, said Monday California was not "turning back" towards polluting transport. "We will intervene if the Trump Administration eliminates the federal tax credit, doubling down on our commitment to clean air and green jobs in California," Newsom said. "We're not turning back on a clean transportation future -- we're going to make it more affordable for people to drive vehicles that don't pollute," he added. "Consumers continue to prove the skeptics wrong -– zero-emission vehicles are here to stay." If Trump scraps the tax credit, California could revive its own Clean Vehicle Rebate Project, which ran until November 2023, granting rebates of up to $7,500 for people buying battery-powered cars, a press release said. California leads the nation in electric vehicle adoption, and is the single biggest market in the country, representing around a third of all units sold in the United States. State figures show that more than two million so-called "zero emission vehicles" -- which include fully electric vehicles as well as plug-in hybrids -- have now been sold in the state, with one-in-four new cars in that category. On the campaign trail, Trump was frequently hostile to electric vehicles, which he has linked with what he calls the "hoax" of climate change. He vowed repeatedly that under his watch the United States would become "energy dominant," chiefly through expanded oil and gas extraction. For many in California, such pledges are anathema, with the state frequently battered by the tangible effects of climate change, from huge wildfires to droughts to furious storms. Newsom -- who many believe has White House ambitions of his own -- has positioned himself as a bulwark against the feared excesses of an incoming Trump administration on issues from climate change to immigration, vowing to be a check on its power. With 40 million people, the sheer size of California's market has for a long time helped set the national tone when it comes to pollution standards for automakers. Rather than make two versions of the same vehicles, Detroit giants have willingly adopted California's tougher rules on emissions and efficiency for nationwide sales. That de facto standard-setting power has angered Republicans like Trump, who say -- on this issue -- states should not be allowed to set their own rules. hg/aha