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ITV I'm A Celeb viewers baffled by 'problem' as Dean McCullough 'changed' after Coleen Rooney commentThe slump in the number of people heading to the shops during Boxing Day sales signals a return to declining pre-pandemic levels, an analyst has said. Boxing Day shopper footfall was down 7.9% from last year across all UK retail destinations up until 5pm, MRI Software’s OnLocation Footfall Index found. However, this year’s data had been compared with an unusual spike in footfall as 2023 was the first “proper Christmas” period without Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, an analyst at the retail technology company said. It found £4.6 billion will be spent overall on the festive sales. Before the pandemic the number of Boxing Day shoppers on the streets had been declining year on year. The last uplift recorded by MRI was in 2015. Jenni Matthews, marketing and insights director at MRI Software, told the PA news agency: “We’ve got to bear in mind that (last year) was our first proper Christmas without any (Covid-19) restrictions or limitations. “Figures have come out that things have stabilised, we’re almost back to what we saw pre-pandemic.” There were year-on-year declines in footfall anywhere between 5% and 12% before Covid-19 restrictions, she said. MRI found 12% fewer people were out shopping on Boxing Day in 2019 than in 2018, and there were 3% fewer in 2018 than in 2017, Ms Matthews added. She said: “It’s the shift to online shopping, it’s the convenience, you’ve got the family days that take place on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.” People are also increasingly stocking-up before Christmas, Ms Matthews said, and MRI found an 18% increase in footfall at all UK retail destinations on Christmas Eve this year compared with 2023. Ms Matthews said: “We see the shops are full of people all the way up to Christmas Eve, so they’ve probably got a couple of good days of food, goodies, everything that they need, and they don’t really need to go out again until later on in that week. “We did see that big boost on Christmas Eve. It looks like shoppers may have concentrated much of their spending in that pre-Christmas rush.” Many online sales kicked off between December 23 and the night of Christmas Day and “a lot of people would have grabbed those bargains from the comfort of their own home”, she said. She added: “I feel like it’s becoming more and more common that people are grabbing the bargains pre-Christmas.” Footfall is expected to rise on December 27 as people emerge from family visits and shops re-open, including Next, Marks and Spencer and John Lewis that all shut for Boxing Day. It will also be payday for some as it is the last Friday of the month. A study by Barclays Consumer Spend had forecast that shoppers would spend £236 each on average in the Boxing Day sales this year, but that the majority of purchases would be made online. Nearly half of respondents said the cost-of-living crisis will affect their post-Christmas shopping but the forecast average spend is still £50 more per person than it was before the pandemic, with some of that figure because of inflation, Barclays said. Amid the financial pressures, many people are planning to buy practical, perishable and essential items such as food and kitchenware. A total of 65% of shoppers are expecting to spend the majority of their sales budget online. Last year, Barclays found 63.9% of Boxing Day retail purchases were made online. However, a quarter of respondents aim to spend mostly in store – an 11% rise compared with last year. Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays, said: “Despite the ongoing cost-of-living pressures, it is encouraging to hear that consumers will be actively participating in the post-Christmas sales. “This year, we’re likely to see a shift towards practicality and sustainability, with more shoppers looking to bag bargains on kitchen appliances and second-hand goods.” Consumers choose in-store shopping largely because they enjoy the social aspect and touching items before they buy, Barclays said, adding that high streets and shopping centres are the most popular destinations.
Former NHL player Paul Bissonnette attacked during altercation at Scottsdale steakhouseCompanies embracing artificial intelligence (AI) are pulling ahead of competitors, with Bridgeline ’s HawkSearch reporting new customers each week, IBM finding open-source AI users seeing higher returns, and MIT research showing advanced AI adopters outperforming industry peers. However, a Q4 loss at Bridgeline highlighted the sector’s uneven growth path. Bridgeline Reports AI Growth Despite Mixed Q4 Results AI-powered marketing technology firm Bridgeline reported that HawkSearch, its AI-powered search product, drove significant growth in 2024, despite posting a quarterly net loss of $432,000. The company launched five new AI products under its HawkSearch brand and noted new customer installations nearly every week throughout the year. The company rolled out a conversational search feature powered by generative AI, as well as smart tools for analyzing PDF content. “HawkSearch is the leader in AI-powered product discovery,” Bridgeline CEO Ari Kahn said in the release. “This year we nearly doubled our sales contracts and had better than 103% net revenue retention for HawkSearch.” Total revenue for Q4 reached $3.9 million, up slightly from $3.8 million in the same period last year. The company reported signing 83 new license sales in fiscal 2024, adding $2.1 million in annual recurring revenue. Bridgeline enters 2025 with what it calls the largest sales pipeline in company history, driven by growing demand for AI-enhanced search capabilities among eCommerce and B2B customers. Companies See ROI From Open-Source AI Companies using open-source AI tools are seeing better returns on their investments than those that don’t, according to a Dec. 19 IBM study . The global survey of over 2,400 IT decision-makers found that 51% of companies using open-source AI reported positive returns, compared to 41% of those not utilizing open-source AI. The study indicates a growing shift toward open-source adoption, with 48% of companies planning to leverage these tools in 2025. Despite ongoing economic uncertainties, 89% of organizations plan to maintain or increase AI investments next year. Nearly two-fifths of those increasing spending expect to boost their AI budgets by 25-50%. “Companies continue to rapidly advance their AI strategies, with no sign of slowing down,” Maribel Lopez , of Lopez Research , who collaborated on the study, said in a release. “They are leveraging hybrid cloud strategies and open source to drive AI innovation.” The research revealed that companies are focusing their AI investments primarily on IT operations, with 63% of respondents citing it as their top priority, followed by data quality management at 46%. MIT Study Links AI Adoption to Higher Company Performance Companies with advanced AI capabilities tend to perform better financially than industry peers, according to research released by MIT ’s Center for Information Systems Research . The study of 721 companies found that organizations in the two highest stages of AI maturity reported above-average financial performance, while those in earlier stages performed below industry averages. Only 7% of surveyed companies were at the the highest “AI future ready” stage, where AI is embedded in decision-making processes. Most enterprises remain in early development, with 28% in the experimental phase and 34% building pilot programs. “Enterprises can use the MIT CISR Enterprise AI Maturity Model to assess their current capabilities, identify gaps and create a roadmap for improvement,” Stephanie Woerner , MIT Sloan principal research scientist and MIT CISR director, said in the release. The research team, led by Woerner, Peter Weill and Ina Sebastian , developed the model based on survey data and interviews with executives at nine companies. Their findings suggest enterprises should take decisive action in developing AI capabilities, regardless of their current stage.
TEHRAN – Dey 9 falls on December 29 this year, marking the end of the 2009 post-presidential election unrest in Iran. On this day, Iranians from all walks of life gather in Tehran and other cities across the country to demonstrate their support for the Islamic Republic and reject foreign interference in Iran's internal affairs. “The 9th of Dey was a day when our dear people displayed such greatness that it astonished the world,” remarked Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution. He continued: “The most powerful governments in the world, even with their best efforts, cannot bring a hundred thousand people to the streets of their cities in just two days. For tens of millions to come out across a country, even under government orders, would signify an exceptionally strong government.” The events leading to Dey 9 began after Iran’s election headquarters declared Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the winner of the 2009 presidential election. The two main opposition candidates, Mir-Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, rejected the results, alleging electoral fraud. They called on their supporters to protest, sparking months of unrest. While the Iranian constitution allows peaceful and authorized protests, Western-based Persian-language media amplified doubts about the election results, fueling riots. Foreign operatives were reportedly sent into Iran to destabilize the country. Despite the escalating unrest, Mousavi and Karroubi refused to dissuade their supporters, prompting Ayatollah Khamenei to label the events as "sedition." Dey 9 is considered an "epic" due to the sheer scale of pro-Islamic Republic rallies held that day, which overshadowed the earlier protests and effectively brought an end to the unrest. Investigations revealed that claims of election fraud and the subsequent riots had been premeditated. As protests continued, some foreign-backed rioters escalated the situation by damaging public and private property and attacking religious values. On Ashura Day, a significant occasion marking the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shia Imam and grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), some demonstrators insulted religious symbols, deeply offending the Iranian people. Ashura holds profound significance for Iranians and played a crucial role in rallying public support for the Islamic Republic, both during the Islamic Revolution and the events of 2009. Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted this connection, saying: “Just as during the Revolution, Muharram aided the people, and Imam Khomeini said that blood triumphs over the sword, Ashura also played a pivotal role in creating the enduring epic of Dey 9.” The unrest subsided following the massive rallies on Dey 9. Mousavi and Karroubi were placed under house arrest on charges of inciting public unrest and threatening national security. “There are few nations in the world that trust their government as much as Iranians trust the Islamic Republic,” Ayatollah Khamenei said, praising the Iranian people’s unwavering commitment to the values of the Islamic Revolution. Dey 9 serves as a reminder to Iran’s adversaries that the Iranian people stand firmly with their government against foreign plots and pressures. Security is a cornerstone of Iran’s development and the well-being of its citizens. With strong public support, the Islamic Republic has built robust intelligence and security systems to neutralize threats before they materialize. Despite being situated in a volatile region, Iran is among the most stable countries in the world. It has even assisted neighboring nations in safeguarding their security and national interests against foreign interference. The Iranian people deeply value this stability, attributing it to the efforts of the Islamic Republic. Today, Iran remains a symbol of resilience and strength in a challenging geopolitical environment.None
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Biden opens final White House holiday season with turkey pardons and first lady gets Christmas tree WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has kicked off his final holiday season at the White House, issuing the traditional reprieve to two turkeys who will bypass the Thanksgiving table to live out their days in Minnesota. The president welcomed 2,500 guests under sunny skies as he cracked jokes about the fates of “Peach” and “Blossom.” He also sounded wistful tones about the last weeks of his presidency. Separately, first lady Jill Biden received the delivery of the official White House Christmas tree. And the Bidens are traveling to New York later Monday for an early holiday celebration with members of the Coast Guard. Formula 1 expands grid to add General Motors' Cadillac brand and new American team for 2026 season LAS VEGAS (AP) — Formula 1 will expand the grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a federal investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti, who has since stepped aside. The 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is retiring from international soccer U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is retiring from international soccer. Naeher is on the team’s roster for a pair of upcoming matches in Europe but those will be her last after a full 11 years playing for the United States. Naeher was on the U.S. team that won the Women’s World Cup in 2019 and the gold medal at this year's Olympics in France. She’s the only U.S. goalkeeper to earn a shutout in both a World Cup and an Olympic final. Bah, humbug! Vandal smashes Ebenezer Scrooge's tombstone used in 'A Christmas Carol' movie LONDON (AP) — If life imitates art, a vandal in the English countryside may be haunted by The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Police in the town of Shrewsbury are investigating how a tombstone at the fictional grave of Ebenezer Scrooge was destroyed. The movie prop used in the 1984 adaption of Charles Dickens' “A Christmas Carol” had become a tourist attraction. The film starred George C. Scott as the cold-hearted curmudgeon who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve who show him what will become of his life if he doesn’t become a better person. West Mercia Police say the stone was vandalized in the past week. Megachurch founder T.D. Jakes suffers health incident during sermon at Dallas church DALLAS (AP) — The founder of Dallas-based megachurch The Potter's House, Bishop T.D. Jakes, was hospitalized after suffering what the church called a “slight health incident.” Jakes was speaking to churchgoers after he sat down and began trembling as several people gathered around him Sunday at the church. Jakes' daughter Sarah Jakes Roberts and her husband Touré Roberts said in a statement on social media late Sunday that Jakes was improving. The 67-year-old Jakes founded the non-denominational The Potter's House in 1996 and his website says it now has more than 30,000 members with campuses in Fort Worth and Frisco, Texas; and in Denver. At the crossroads of news and opinion, 'Morning Joe' hosts grapple with aftermath of Trump meeting The reaction of those who defended “Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for meeting with President-elect Trump sounds almost quaint in the days of opinionated journalism. Doesn't it makes sense, they said, for hosts of a political news show to meet with such an important figure? But given how “Morning Joe” has attacked Trump, its viewers felt insulted. Many reacted quickly by staying away. It all reflects the broader trend of opinion crowding out traditional journalist in today's marketplace, and the expectations that creates among consumers. By mid-week, the show's audience was less than two-thirds what it has typically been this year. Pilot dies in plane crash in remote woods of New York, puppy found alive WINDHAM, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say a pilot and at least one dog he was transporting died when a small plane crashed in the snowy woods of the Catskill Mountains, though a puppy on the flight was found alive with two broken legs. The Greene County sheriff’s office says Seuk Kim of Springfield, Virginia, was flying from Maryland to Albany, New York, when the plane crashed at about 6:10 p.m. Sunday in a remote area. Officials believe the pilot died from the impact. The surviving dog was hospitalized, while a third dog was not located. The flight was connected with a not-for-profit group that transports rescue animals. Warren Buffett gives away another $1.1B and plans for distributing his $147B fortune after his death OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Investor Warren Buffett renewed his Thanksgiving tradition of giving by announcing plans Monday to hand more than $1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations, and he offered new details about who will be handing out the rest of his fortune after his death. Buffett has said previously that his three kids will distribute his remaining $147.4 billion fortune in the 10 years after his death, but now he has also designated successors for them because it’s possible that Buffett’s children could die before giving it all away. Buffett said he has no regrets about his decision to start giving away his fortune in 2006. Pop star Ed Sheeran apologizes to Man United boss Ruben Amorim for crashing interview MANCHESTER, England (AP) — British pop star Ed Sheeran has apologized to Ruben Amorim after inadvertently interrupting the new Manchester United head coach during a live television interview. Amorim was talking on Sky Sports after United’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich on Sunday when Sheeran walked up to embrace analyst Jamie Redknapp. The interview was paused before Redknapp told the pop star to “come and say hello in a minute.” Sheeran is a lifelong Ipswich fan and holds a minority stake in the club. He was pictured celebrating after Omari Hutchinson’s equalizing goal in the game at Portman Road. A desert oasis outside of Dubai draws a new caravan: A family of rodents from Argentina AL QUDRA LAKES, United Arab Emirates (AP) — A desert oasis hidden away in the dunes in the far reaches of skyscraper-studded Dubai has drawn a surprising new set of weary world travelers: a pack of Argentinian rodents. A number of Patagonian mara, a rabbit-like mammal with long legs, big ears and a body like a hoofed animal, now roam the grounds of Al Qudra Lakes, typically home to gazelle and other desert creatures of the United Arab Emirates. How they got there remains a mystery in the UAE, a country where exotic animals have ended up in the private homes and farms of the wealthy. But the pack appears to be thriving there and likely have survived several years already in a network of warrens among the dunes.GoFundMe for paralyzed former Staten Island Rep. Michael Grimm surpasses $700K
Tennessee-Based Company Will Have Exclusive Rights to Produce a Range of Merchandise, Including Tents, Chairs, Soft-Sided Coolers, and More, for Jackson State University FRANKLIN, TN / ACCESSWIRE / November 25, 2024 / Logo Brands, Inc. is thrilled to announce its newest 10-year strategic partnership with Jackson State University, marking the company's first HBCU Strategic Partnership. Under this agreement, Logo Brands will have exclusive rights to manufacture, produce, and distribute officially licensed Jackson State tents, chairs, tables, soft-sided coolers, stadium seating, throws, and inflatable sports balls to retailers nationwide. Beyond these categories, Logo Brands will continue to offer a diverse range of products, including home textiles, totes, and drinkware for the Tigers. Maggie McHugh, VP of Strategic Partnerships and Marketing, Logo Brands, shared her enthusiasm for the partnership. "Jackson State University boasts a rich history of resilience and a steadfast commitment to excellence. As one of the nation's premier historically Black colleges and universities, JSU is renowned for its impactful research and dedication to community uplift. We are thrilled to partner with the university to offer a diverse range of products that students, faculty, staff, and fans can enjoy for many years to come." In addition to the Logo Brands e-commerce website , Jackson State licensed products will be available through major retailers such as Sam's, Follett, Walmart, Fanatics, Costco, Hudson News, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Academy. This partnership with the Jackson State Tigers represents a significant milestone in Logo Brands' strategic partnerships, underscoring the company's commitment to supporting HBCUs. "Jackson State University values this historic partnership with Logo Brands. I have worked with Maggie for years, and this opportunity to continue growing our brand and expanding the market with quality and story-telling products is very rewarding," says Kamesha Hill, Director, Auxiliary Enterprises. "We look forward to the partnership and the opportunity to continue to share the history of our great institution, Jackson State University." About Logo Brands: Logo Brands is a leading manufacturer of officially licensed products for over 800 colleges and leagues, including the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, MLS, and NASCAR. The company's extensive product range spans outdoor lifestyle, indoor living, and on-the-go categories, with more than 900 different product lines in its history. Founded as a family business in 2000, Logo Brands began by shipping tailgate chairs from a garage just outside of Memphis, Tennessee, and now operates its headquarters in Franklin, Tennessee. Contact Information Aubree Gardiner Communications and Social Media Manager (615) 236-2693SOURCE: Logo Brands Copyright 2024 ACCESSWIRE. All Rights Reserved.