PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The trifecta for holiday shoppers is almost here: Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday are all just days away. The big box stores are offering big deals as usual, but as you're shopping this holiday season, remember to shop local and shop small as much as you can. You'll get a personal experience, find unique items and you'll be putting money directly into your community. The owners of Vault and Vine , a gift shop, florist, and café, are on pins and needles as we move into the official holiday shopping season. "Nervous because for a lot of small businesses, Small Business Saturday is make or break for an entire year," said Vault and Vine co-owner Diana Baye. "If we don't do well during the holiday season, we don't make it to January." So to draw shoppers in, small businesses are offering deals. "We're offering double loyalty on Small Business Saturday," said Baye. That means 10% back on your purchase that you can spend any time. Plus, you get unique items, many of them handmade, you can't find anyplace else. "Three-quarters of all retail businesses in Center City are independent. They don't have locations in other cities. They're not the brands that you would find at a mall," said Clint Randall, Vice President of Economic Development of the Center City District . And to shop at a great cluster of small businesses, just head to Dilworth Park for the Made in Philadelphia Market . "It's called Made in Philadelphia for a reason, right? Every single vendor in that Dilworth Park market is a Philadelphia vendor. There's, I think, about 50 of them," said Randall. "A lot of them are already doing, you know, 'Black Friday sales,' which will then become, you know, a Small Business Saturday sale, and they're there through the whole holiday season." Baye's message to people who shop only at national big box chains? "If everyone keeps doing that, that is going to be your only option. There will be no small businesses. There will be no variety," she says. And eventually, Baye warns, "Those low prices that you enjoy, eventually they go up because they're the only game in town." And shoppers in Center City have their pick of stores to choose from. The Center City District says the number of retailers has increased 15% over the last five years and about 83% of all storefronts are occupied.Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney says Canada didn’t live up to its values on immigration over the last few years as it allowed more people into the country than it could absorb. Carney, who is currently a special adviser to the Liberal party, made those comments during an event in Ottawa held by Cardus, a Christian think tank. Carney says Canada let newcomers down by admitting more workers and students than it could provide for, including with housing, health care and social services. Earlier this fall, the Liberal government announced a plan to significantly reduced its immigration target for permanent residents and to dramatically scale back the number of temporary residents in Canada. Those changes came about after a period of strong population growth that led to mounting criticism of the Liberal government’s immigration policies. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged that the federal government did not get the balance right on immigration after the COVID-19 pandemic.
BARAMATI: Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister and NCP president Ajit Pawar on Saturday won from his traditional Baramati assembly constituency by defeating his nephew and NCP (SP) candidate Yugendra Pawar by more than one lakh votes. The 65-year-old politician, thus, settled the score with his uncle Sharad Pawar (83), inflicting on him the first-ever defeat in this family bastion. Though Sharad Pawar himself was not in the fray, the high-stakes contest was being seen as a battle between him and Ajit. Ajit Pawar, who parted ways with his uncle last year and was seeking an eighth term from this seat in Pune district, polled 1,81,132 votes while Yugendra Pawar polled 80,233 votes. He, thus, defeated his younger brother Shriniwas' son by 1,00,899 votes. Five months ago, Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP) had triumphed in Baramati in the Lok Sabha elections, with incumbent MP and Sharad Pawar's daughter Supriya Sule defeating Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra by a margin of 1.5 lakh votes. Both the NCP factions did not leave a single stone unturned during the assembly campaign, and even Sharad Pawar's wife Pratibha Pawar and Sule's daughter Revati were seen campaigning for Yugendra, while Ajit Pawar brought his mother on stage during his concluding rally in Baramati. While Sharad Pawar told the people of Baramati that they needed a new leadership, alluding to Yugendra Pawar whom he described as a highly-educated candidate, Ajit cautioned people not to fall prey to the "emotional pitch" by the senior Pawar. The deputy chief minister also highlighted his development record in the area, and vowed to make Baramati "the number one tehsil in the country". After Saturday's results, Ajit Pawar, who along with several other NCP legislators sided with the BJP-Shiv Sena government in 2023, could claim to be the real political heir of his estranged uncle who founded the NCP in 1999. Sunetra Pawar, now a Rajya Sabha member, thanked the people of Baramati for reposing their faith once again in `Dada' (elder brother in Marathi, as Ajit is fondly called). Sharad Pawar, 83, started his political career in Baramati where he contested his first assembly election in 1967, and so far, he or a candidate backed by him had never tasted defeat in the constituency. Following the split in the NCP in 2023, Ajit Pawar managed to get the party name and symbol from the Election Commission of India, forcing the Sharad Pawar faction to rename itself as NCP(SP) with a new symbol -- 'Man Blowing Turha'. With his party winning 37 seats (out of the 59 it contested) so far and leading on four seats, Ajit in a post on X on Saturday evening said, "Our victory today makes our shoulders heavy with the huge responsibilities the people of Maharashtra have bestowed upon us for the next 5 years. We shall spend every moment working to fulfil their aspirations. We shall not spend a single moment speaking against anyone, we will speak only and only for the development of Maharashtra and the welfare of its people."
4. Report Suspicious Activity: If you encounter any suspicious activity or receive an empty parcel with fraudulent intentions, report the incident to your local law enforcement agency or the relevant authorities. By reporting such incidents promptly, you can help prevent others from falling victim to similar scams.
Under the new policy, Tencent Video members will be limited to a certain number of devices on which they can simultaneously log in to their accounts. Once the limit is reached, users will be prompted to remove a device before they can log in on a new one. This change is expected to affect users who share their accounts with family members, friends, or even sell their login credentials to others. By enforcing stricter device login restrictions, Tencent Video aims to deter such activities and ensure that subscribers abide by the terms of service regarding account usage.Fans will have one more chance to watch Cam Ward orchestrate the nation's No. 1 offense when No. 13 Miami plays No. 18 Iowa State in Saturday's Pop-Tarts Bowl at Orlando, Fla. Ward, the fourth-place finisher for this year's Heisman Trophy and a likely top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, confirmed earlier this month that he will play. He told Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders in a viral video that "you're going to see the best thing that ever happened in the Pop-Tart(s) Bowl. ... Them 'Canes baby." Of the teams that didn't make the College Football Playoff, Miami and Iowa State are the highest-ranked programs playing each other. It is their first meeting. "The intensity will be high. Both teams really want this," Miami coach Mario Cristobal said. "And the competition and the caliber of athlete and player on the field is going to be awesome. "So, it means a lot to (us). And I'm sure it means a lot to Iowa State as well." Said Cyclones coach Matt Campbell: "It's certainly a great opportunity for Iowa State football. And we have great respect for everything they stand for." The Hurricanes boast a high-powered offense that ranked No. 1 in the nation in points (44.2) and total yards (538.3) per game in the regular season. Ward, a transfer from Washington State, set multiple single-season school records, throwing for 4,123 yards and 36 touchdowns while completing 67.4 percent of his attempts and tossing seven interceptions. Ward's top receiver, All-American Xavier Restrepo, hasn't said whether he will play in the bowl game, while running back Damien Martinez, a fellow senior also expected to be drafted, has announced that he will. The 'Canes enter with a 10-2 record -- only the second time in 20 years they recorded double-digit wins in the regular season -- but lost two of their final three games, at Georgia Tech and at Syracuse, and consequently a spot in the Atlantic Coast Championship Game. That largely was due to their defense, which surrendered 42 points in the final three quarters against the Orange and 271 rushing yards to the Yellow Jackets. Iowa State (10-3), which doesn't have any reported opt-outs, won 10 games for the first time in school history, reaching the Big 12 Championship, where it lost to Arizona State 45-19. Its other losses were a one-point home defeat to Texas Tech and a 45-36 setback at Kansas. "Obviously, I think you're in unchartered territory for Iowa State football," Campbell said of winning 10 games. "Anytime you've got a chance to put an exclamation point on some of those things, it's powerful." Campbell said the senior class is "maybe one of the most special groups we've coached here," adding, "to send them out the right way would be great for Iowa State football." Rocco Becht has completed 59.3 percent of his passes for 3,235 yards and 22 touchdowns with nine interceptions. Wide receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are the first duo in school history, and the only pair nationally this season, with 1,000 yards each. Carson Hansen and Abu Sama III each rushed for more than 500 yards. Iowa State's defense allowed only 21.5 points per game -- the Cyclones are 6-0 when giving up fewer than 20 -- and is highlighted by defensive tackles J.R. Singleton and Domonique Orange, as well as defensive backs Beau Freyler and Malik Verden, the team's top two tacklers. The Cyclones intercepted 14 passes and recovered eight fumbles. "They're really explosive on offense," Cristobal said. "And they've always played great defense. ... Very disciplined, very hard-nosed, very tough and very physical." --Field Level MediaAs conflicts escalate in various regions around the world, one of the key dynamics that often emerges is internal discord among anti-government forces. Recent expert analysis has revealed a significant likelihood of infighting among these factions, potentially leading to a dramatic shift in the battlefield situation.
However, despite the potential benefits of a Trump 2.0 administration for policy implementation, analysts also caution that there are still challenges and uncertainties that lie ahead. The political landscape is constantly evolving, and public opinion towards Trump remains divided. The prospect of increased partisan tensions and opposition from Democrats could impede the progress of Trump's agenda and lead to gridlock in Washington.
Professor Guo Tiancai Responds to Being Called "Guo Wheat" – Farmers' Greatest ApprovalOur community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info The increasing burden to employers in the form of national insurance was discussed in a motion at the final North Lanarkshire Council meeting of 2024. With the UK Government’s October budget increasing employer contributions to 15 per cent, and reducing earning thresholds, SNP councillor for Kilsyth Denis Johnston presented a motion at full council. This highlighted that the council faced an additional cost of around £11 million which was likely to impact many organisations including those providing education, health and social care services, while the total cost in Scotland would be in the region of £750 million. The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now. Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7. The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you. Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android It also called on the council to agree that a rumoured £300 million provision to Scotland was insufficient, that it was unacceptable for the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, to withhold notification of the final position until her spring statement, three months after the Scottish Government would set its budget, and called for the council leader and finance convener to write to the chancellor. The council’s SNP group tabled an amendment from finance convener Andrew Duffy-Lawson (Motherwell North) who thanked the SNP for bringing this debate to the meeting. He then praised the UK Labour government for making record investment in Scotland, promising a prosperous future for its residents with the largest payment to the Scottish Government since devolution began and a pay increase for the lowest paid. However he added that investment requires funding, then highlighted the SNP’s track record of rejecting tax raising measures without proposing viable alternatives. Referring to his own experience working in the charity sector, he acknowledged that the changes to national insurance would create a burden but the services highlighted in the motion depended on well funded public services, before highlighting assurances from the Chancellor that support would be in place to assist with the increased national insurance. In the final vote of the year, the amendment won out over the motion with 34 votes to 23 with seven abstentions. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .
Texans get visit from longtime foe Derrick Henry when the Ravens visit on Christmas DayThe allure of Chinese manufacturing lies in its cost-effective production processes and vast supply chains. Many businesses, including retailers and supermarkets, turn to China for manufacturing their products due to the competitive pricing and flexibility it offers. As a result, a substantial number of products sold in global markets are manufactured in China, even if they are labeled as imports from other countries.
Why the world needs digital diplomacy now more than everDespite falling behind, Leverkusen refused to back down and continued to press forward in search of an equalizer. Their perseverance paid off as Aránguiz found the back of the net with a powerful strike from outside the box, leveling the score and setting up a tense finale to the match.
In conclusion, the safe return of Bu and the apprehension of the suspect X mark a significant milestone in this case. The cooperation between law enforcement agencies, the community, and the media played a crucial role in achieving this outcome. The authorities remain dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of all individuals and will continue to uphold the rule of law in the pursuit of justice.Miami of Ohio and Colorado State will try to overcome notable transfer-portal defections during Saturday's Arizona Bowl at Tucson, Ariz. Miami (8-5) enters the game without its top two wide receivers Javon Tracy and Reggie Virgil after the duo elected to play elsewhere. Tracy, a redshirt sophomore who caught 57 passes for 818 yards with seven touchdowns, is moving on to Minnesota. Virgil, a junior who tallied 816 yards on 41 receptions with nine touchdowns, is bound for Texas Tech. "It's kind of insane, to be honest," Miami coach Chuck Martin said. "We'll lose some real good kids in the portal, but we'll also gain some good ones. It's just crazy. "In some ways, it stinks, but in some ways, it's fun, too. We're looking at a lot of some good ones." Miami has also lost two cornerbacks, including sophomore Raion Strader to Auburn. Strader had 53 tackles with two interceptions and a team-best 17 passes broken up. Will Jados, a redshirt junior offensive tackle who started 38 games for Miami, is transferring to Texas Tech. Colorado State (8-4) also lost its two top receivers in the portal. Sophomore Caleb Goodie committed to Cincinnati and sophomore Jamari Person remains undecided. Goodie caught 21 passes for 436 yards with four touchdowns, and Person had 36 receptions for 386 yards and a touchdown. Another sophomore, linebacker Buom Jock, also is in the transfer portal after he led the Rams with 100 tackles. "They lost a couple receivers in the portal, just like us, so they've adjusted, just like most teams in the bowl season have adjusted to the team that they have available," Colorado State coach Jay Norvell said. Redshirt sophomore Armani Winfield, who had 37 catches for 338 yards and two touchdowns, is the top available receiver for the Rams. Miami's leading receiver entering the game is fifth-year senior Cade McDonald (49 catches for 606 yards and three touchdowns). Miami won seven straight games before losing to Ohio in the MAC championship game behind sixth-year quarterback Brett Gabbert, who has completed 57.6 percent of his passes (204 of 354) for 2,737 yards and 21 touchdowns. Gabbert has been prone to throw interceptions, with 11, including one against Ohio in the conference title game. He did not throw an interception in a 30-20 victory over Ohio earlier this season. Keyon Mozee is Miami's featured running back with 1,073 yards on 170 carries with four touchdowns. Matt Salopek, a sixth-year linebacker, leads Miami with 113 tackles. He is the first player in program history with four 100-tackle seasons. Colorado State won six of its last seven games -- committing only seven turnovers in that span. Senior running back Avery Morrow has 956 yards on 166 attempts with nine touchdowns. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, a redshirt sophomore, has thrown for 2,475 yards while completing 207 of 335 attempts (61.8 percent) with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Chase Wilson, a fifth-year senior linebacker, has 91 tackles this season, three for loss. --Field Level Media
Miami (Ohio), Colorado State take adjustments into Arizona BowlAMD Stock Takes Flight on Anticipation of Next-Gen CPUs and GPUs
Mozambique President-Elect Wants to Restore Investor Confidence After Unrest
THE TIMING COULDN’T have worked out better for Ireland’s political parties. A general election round the corner, and lo and behold! A €14 billion Apple has fallen from the magic money tree. The first €3 billion of the sum was transferred to the Irish Exchequer earlier this very month, with billions more to come before the end of the year. Just before the Budget in October, Finance Minister Jack Chambers said the extra cash would be invested in a variety of infrastructure projects, including housing, energy, water and transport. The official spending plan was meant to be approved in early 2025. But where’s the fun in that? The decision to call an election before Christmas, rather than allowing the government to run its full term until early in the new year, means the pot of gold is now up for grabs. That’s why we’ve asked all of Ireland’s major political groups how they would spend the Apple tax money – here’s what they had to say. On housing, €4 billion will go to the Land Development Agency (LDA), the state body tasked with getting affordable homes built on state sites. €2 billion will also go to a new ‘Towns Investment Fund’. €2.5 billion is to be spent improving Ireland’s creaking electricity grid, while €3 billion is to go to Irish Water for similar reasons. On transport, €3.6 billion will go to the slightly vague area of ‘the improvement of transport networks countrywide’, while €2 billion will go towards improving digital technology in the healthcare system. The party wants most of the Apple money to go into housing. Part of this will go into extending two grants for first-time buyers: the Help-to-Buy grant will be increased from a maximum of €30,000 to €40,000 until 2030; and the First Home Scheme will be extended to second-hand homes for five more years. Another part of the money for housing will go into increased building. While €4 billion will go on various energy, water and transport projects. The party said it will give a more detailed plan for the allocation of the funds ‘within 100 days of taking office’. Sinn Féin’s premier idea for the Apple tax money is to start an ‘Equality for Communities Fund’. The money would be allocated on the basis of the Pobal Index, the national deprivation index. The funds would be used for the likes of sports facilities, arts facilities and public spaces. It also said slightly over half the money, €7.6 billion, would be used to build affordable housing. Other key areas the money would be spent on include €2 billion in health, €2.5 billion on a renewable energy fund and €1 billion on redress for Celtic Tiger-era housing defects. Like many parties, housing features heavily in Labour’s plans for the Apple tax money. €6 billion would go towards setting up a new state construction company, which would be developed through the LDA. €1 billion would go on works, such as developing water infrastructure, which would make the land suitable for development. On the climate front, €1 billion would be reserved for offshore wind, while €2.5 billion each would go towards a National Retrofitting Plan and then to developing large-scale transport projects. Finally, €1 billion would be set aside for modernising the health service, such as by digitising records. Approximately €7 billion will go towards major transport projects in urban centres. The party has suggested that this could include the likes of a Luas tram line in Cork. This would be part of a €10 billion transport plan, with the remaining €3 billion coming from unidentified ‘other sources’. The focus would be on major infrastructure projects, such as Metrolink, Luas extensions and heavy rail projects. As mentioned, the €14 billion would be split between housing and climate measures. The party told : ‘50,000 affordable purchase homes and 25,000 affordable rental homes would be delivered’. On the climate side of things, the party said potential projects would include ‘investing in State-owned renewable energy’ and additional grants for retrofitting and solar panels. “Infrastructure, Infrastructure Infrastructure,” leader Peadar Tóibín wrote on X, formerly Twitter, recently, adding that Ireland is “creaking at the seams”. Key areas aligned with those identified by other parties – housing, transport, energy and health. Similar to Labour, PBP wants to use the Apple tax money to set up a state building company. An indication of the scale envisaged is indicated from their comparison to Ireland’s two biggest private housebuilders, Cairn and Glenveagh. “[They] build less than 2,500 homes a year – we need tens of thousands,” the party said. “Funded with the Apple tax revenues, such a body can easily access the land, finance and labour that are needed at scale to directly build at least 35,000 social and affordable homes per year.” The group has not given a detailed breakdown on the Apple funds. Richard O’Donoghue, one of Independent Ireland’s TDs, said in a recent Dáil debate that the Apple tax money should be used for infrastructure, specifically highlighting the lack of affordable housebuilding.