Pakistani police arrest thousands of Imran Khan supporters ahead of rally in the capitalAll-Star starting pitcher Max Fried, Yankees reportedly agree to 8-year, $218M dealPH to achieve UMIC status in 2025
NoneDolphins beat Patriots to win third in a row, set stage for Thanksgiving vs. Packers
Notre Dame puts losing streak in past, turns focus to Dartmouth
Arsenal thump West Ham to go second, Kluivert bags penalty hat-trick for BournemouthShoppers bemused as Easter eggs hit shop shelves before New Year’s Eve
BEIRUT (AP) — Syria’s embassy in Lebanon suspended consular services Saturday, a day after two relatives of deposed Syrian President Bashar Assad were arrested at the Beirut airport with allegedly forged passports. Also on Saturday, Lebanese authorities handed over dozens of Syrians — including former officers in the Syrian army under Assad — to the new Syrian authorities after they were caught illegally entering Lebanon, a war monitor and Lebanese officials said. The embassy announced on its Facebook page that consular work was suspended “until further notice” at the order of the Syrian foreign ministry. The announcement did not give a reason for the suspension. Two Lebanese security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly, said the suspension was ordered because the passports belonging to Assad’s relatives — the wife and daughter of one of his cousins — were believed to have been forged at the embassy. Assad’s uncle, Rifaat Assad — who has been indicted in Switzerland on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity — had flown out the day before on his real passport and was not stopped, the officials said. The U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported Saturday that 70 Syrians, including former army officers, were handed over by a Lebanese security delegation to the security forces of the new Syrian government, led by the former insurgent group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS. Three Lebanese judicial officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the report. Regional countries have been quick to establish ties with Syria’s new rulers. Delegations of Libyan and Bahraini officials arrived in Damascus on Saturday on official visits. HTS leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has largely succeeded in calming fears within and outside of Syria that his group would unleash collective punishment against communities that supported Assad’s rule or attempt to impose strict Islamic law on the country’s religious minorities. However, in recent days, sporadic clashes have broken out between the HTS-led security forces and pro-Assad armed groups. The country’s new security forces have launched a series of raids targeting officials affiliated with Assad and have set up checkpoints in areas with significant populations of the Alawite religious minority to which the former president belongs to search for weapons. There have also been ongoing tensions and clashes in northeastern Syria between Kurdish-led forces and armed groups backed by Turkey. Many Kurds have viewed the new order in Damascus, which appears to have strengthened Turkey’s hand in Syria, with anxiety. Ankara sees the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces — a key U.S. ally in the fight against the Islamic State group — as an affiliate of its sworn enemy, the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, which it classifies as a terrorist organization. The U.S. State Department said Saturday that Secretary of State Antony Blinken had spoken with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to “discuss the latest developments in Syria.” “Secretary Blinken emphasized the need to support a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political process that upholds human rights and prioritizes an inclusive and representative government,” the statement said, adding that they “also discussed the shared goal of preventing terrorism from endangering the security” of Turkey and Syria. On Saturday, hundreds of protesters convened by Kurdish women’s groups participated in a demonstration in the northeastern city of Hasaka to demand women’s rights in the new Syria. Perishan Ramadan, a participant from Hasaka, said the new government “is worse than Bashar” and that its leaders are Islamist extremists who “don’t accept any role for women.” While the country’s new leaders have not attempted to impose Islamic dress or other conventions, it remains to be seen what role women will have in the new order and whether they will hold political or government positions. "Women must be present in the new constitution for Syria,” said Rihan Loqo, spokeswoman for the Kongra Star women’s organization. "... Women’s rights should not be ignored.” ___ Associated Press writers Hogir Abdo in Hasaka, Syria, and Ellen Knickmeyer in Washington contributed to this report.THIAROYE-SUR-MER, Senegal (AP) — Biram Senghor regularly goes to pay his respects at a military cemetery in Thiaroye, a fishing village near Senegal’s capital Dakar, bowing in front of a different grave each time. The 86-year-old has no way of knowing which grave belongs to his father, M’Bap Senghor, one of likely hundreds of West African riflemen who fought for France during World War II but were killed on Dec. 1, 1944 by the French army after demanding unpaid wages. In this cemetery where they are supposedly buried, all the graves are anonymous and the exact location of the remains is unknown, as is the number of victims. The true scale and circumstances of the killings remain unclear as Senegal commemorates the 80th anniversary of the massacre on Sunday, threatening to reignite smoldering tensions between France and the former colony. “I have been fighting to get answers for over 80 years,” said Biram Senghor. “(French President Emmanuel) Macron cannot do what the other French presidents before him did; France has to repent.” The West Africans were members of the unit called “Tirailleurs Sénégalais,” a corps of colonial infantry in the French Army that fought in both World Wars. According to historians, there were disputes over unpaid wages in the days before the massacre and on Dec. 1, French troops turned on the unarmed African soldiers and shot them dead. For decades, French authorities tried to minimize what had happened in Thiaroye. Reports by the French military shortly after the massacre determined that 35 West African soldiers were killed in response to a “mutiny.” Other reports by the French army mention 70 deaths. But today, many French and Senegalese historians agree the true death toll is likely in the hundreds, with some speaking of almost 400 soldiers killed, based on estimates of the number of riflemen present at the camp on the day of the massacre. On Thursday, Macron officially recognized the events of Thiaroye as a massacre for the first time in a letter to Senegal’s President Diomaye Faye, which was seen by The Associated Press. “France must recognize that on that day, the confrontation between soldiers and riflemen who demanded their full legitimate wages be paid, triggered a chain of events that resulted in a massacre,” read Macron’s letter. But many historians dispute the idea of a confrontation between the French soldiers and the riflemen. “What happened on December 1st was the execution of unarmed soldiers,” said Martin Mourre, a French historian and author of Thiaroye 1944, History and Memory of a Colonial Massacre. He points to the fact that no weapons were mentioned during the trial of the African riflemen accused of mutiny and the absence of any injuries among the French soldiers as evidence that no confrontation took place. In his letter to the Senegalese president, Macron did not mention the number of soldiers killed. The controversies and unknowns about the massacre are in part due to a lack of transparency by French authorities regarding the military reports and testimonies. In 2014, French President Francois Hollande handed over the European nation’s archives on Thiaroye to Macky Sall, then-president of Senegal. But historians say that key documents, including ones indicating the site of the mass graves and the number of West African soldiers present at the camp on the day of the massacre, are still missing. It is unclear if France holds such archives or if they even exist. Macron’s office and the French foreign ministry did not respond to requests for comment. Additionally, very little was done by the Senegalese authorities under former president Sall to allow historians to delve into the historical documents. “The archives remained inaccessible until this year, for obscure reasons,” says Mourre. Mamadou Diouf, a Senegalese historian who heads the commemoration committee for the Thiaroye massacre this year, says Sall did not show much interest in the subject in order to avoid diplomatic tensions with France. But Senegal’s President Bassirou Diomaye Faye, who was elected in March in part on a promise of redefining Senegal’s relationship with the former colonizer, has vowed to regain control of the historical narrative on Thiaroye. His administration has organized major commemorations of the massacre from Dec. 1 to April 2025 across the country. “The authorities' goal behind the major commemorations is to make Thiaroye part of Senegal’s national story,” said Babacar Ndiaye, political analyst at the Wathi think tank, which focuses on political and economic issues in West Africa. “It will be talked about a lot on television, in the press and most importantly on social media,” he adds. “This will reach a younger audience who might know little about the events of Thiaroye.” The 80th anniversary of the massacre comes as France’s influence is declining in the region, with Paris losing its sway in its former West African colonies. French troops have been ousted in recent years from Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso after years of fighting Islamic extremists alongside regional troops. Earlier this week, Chad, one of the last countries in the region in which France had maintained a large military presence, ended a military cooperation agreement with Paris. France still has around 350 troops in Senegal, mainly in a supportive role. Asked about their continued presence, Faye suggested it is not be something the Senegalese would want. “Historically, France enslaved, colonized and stayed here,” he said. “Obviously, I think that when you reverse the roles a little, you will have a hard time conceiving that another army — of China, Russia, Senegal, or any other country — could have a military base in France.” ___ Associated Press writer Sylvie Corbet in Paris, France, contributed to this report.
The huge salary Aussies need to buy a house - so is it any wonder why our birth rate is declining?
Saudi Arabia’s investment initiatives in non-oil sectors such as infrastructure, manufacturing, tourism, renewable energy, and logistics would create vast opportunities for companies in India said top officials of Dubai based Blue Ocean Corporation, which provides products and solutions to its clients across MENA region and Indian sub-continent. Indian manufacturing sector would also gain from the supply chain requirements of mega-projects, which will need components, materials, and goods sourced both locally and globally thus enabling Indian suppliers, manufacturers to establish long-term partnerships with Saudi entities, they said. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the Red Sea Project, a multi-billion-dollar plan aimed at developing a world-class tourism and commercial hub along the Red Sea coastline will create orders and jobs for Indian construction and technology companies , they added. “Indian businesses are now presented with a golden opportunity to strengthen their ties with Saudi Arabia as both countries aim to capitalise on the wave of economic development sweeping through the Middle East,” said Sathya Menon, Group CEO of Blue Ocean Corporation in a statement. “As India’s economy continues to grow, its alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 will be crucial in shaping the future of trade, investment, and industrial collaboration in the region,” he said while speaking at the International Procurement and Supply Chain Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “The dynamicity of the current business landscape underscores the need of a robust supply chain, reminding us how important it is to get adapted to both challenges and opportunities, “ said Maraee AL-Qahtani, Deputy Minister of Supply Chain, Ministry of Health, KSA and the Chief Advisor of the International Procurement and Supply Chain Conference, Riyadh. “Saudi Arabia’s investment initiatives in non-oil sectors are creating vast opportunities for global partnerships and the IPSC plays a critical role in strengthening this partnership by bringing together global leaders to share best practices, innovations, and strategies that can optimise supply chains and drive greater efficiency,” said Abdul Azeez, Group Chairman of Blue Ocean Corporation. Published - December 20, 2024 12:05 am IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp RedditUK Defence Intelligence has issued an update on the Russo-Ukrainian war, focusing on the large-scale Russian missile attack on Ukraine during the night of 12-13 December. Source : UK Defence Intelligence update dated 28 December on X (Twitter) , as reported by European Pravda Details : The update noted that Russia had used strategic and tactical aircraft and ballistic missile systems during the attack. In addition, UK intelligence reported that Russian Black Sea Fleet ships had launched Kalibr missiles while loitering munitions had been used from numerous launch sites. In total, Russia used about 90 missiles and 180 attack drones in the attack. Russian forces targeted Ukraine's critical infrastructure and also aimed to suppress Ukrainian air defences by saturating them with loitering munitions. Quote: "It is highly likely Russia has chosen to take time to build stocks between strikes and then launch in larger, less frequent strike waves, rather than the more frequent smaller attacks conducted earlier in the year," the update said. At the same time, UK intelligence stated that Russia retains the capability and stockpiles to use missiles and drones in smaller numbers "as a punitive measure, with little or no warning". Background : Support UP or become our patron !
Arbor Battery Innovations to Present Revolutionary Lithium-Ion Advancements at AABC 2024Cerity Partners LLC grew its holdings in Post Holdings, Inc. ( NYSE:POST – Free Report ) by 46.6% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 30,562 shares of the company’s stock after buying an additional 9,711 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC owned 0.05% of Post worth $3,538,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in POST. EULAV Asset Management raised its stake in Post by 26.0% in the 3rd quarter. EULAV Asset Management now owns 164,600 shares of the company’s stock valued at $19,052,000 after acquiring an additional 34,000 shares during the period. Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board bought a new position in shares of Post in the third quarter valued at about $369,000. Braun Stacey Associates Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Post during the 3rd quarter worth about $23,089,000. Natixis Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Post by 13.8% during the 3rd quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC now owns 141,767 shares of the company’s stock worth $16,409,000 after buying an additional 17,229 shares during the period. Finally, Empowered Funds LLC acquired a new position in Post in the 3rd quarter valued at about $323,000. 94.85% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on Post from $120.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, August 5th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on Post from $120.00 to $116.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Post from $118.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 6th. Finally, Evercore ISI boosted their target price on shares of Post from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, November 18th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Post currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $124.17. Post Price Performance Post stock opened at $120.54 on Friday. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $113.03 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $110.40. The firm has a market cap of $7.05 billion, a PE ratio of 21.37 and a beta of 0.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.66, a current ratio of 2.36 and a quick ratio of 1.56. Post Holdings, Inc. has a one year low of $83.73 and a one year high of $121.07. About Post ( Free Report ) Post Holdings, Inc operates as a consumer packaged goods holding company in the United States and internationally. It operates through four segments: Post Consumer Brands, Weetabix, Foodservice, and Refrigerated Retail. The Post Consumer Brands segment manufactures, markets, and sells branded and private label ready-to-eat (RTE) cereals under Honey Bunches of Oats, Pebbles, and Malt-O-Meal brand names; hot cereal; peanut butter under the Peter Pan brand; and branded and private label dog and cat food products under Rachael Ray Nutrish, Nature's Recipe, 9Lives, Kibbles 'n Bits and Gravy Train brand names. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Post Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Post and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
Read Christina Hendry's full tribute to her uncle Alex SalmondBy HALELUYA HADERO, Associated Press Workers at seven Amazon facilities went on strike Thursday, an effort by the Teamsters union to pressure the e-commerce company for a labor agreement during a key shopping period. The Teamsters said the workers, who voted to authorize strikes in recent days, joined picket lines after Amazon ignored a Sunday deadline the union set for contract negotiations. The union called it the largest strike against the company in U.S. history, although Amazon said it did not expect the labor action to impact its operations. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters claims it represents nearly 10,000 workers at 10 Amazon facilities, a small portion of the 800,000 workers employed in the company’s U.S. warehouses. The union hasn’t said how many workers would participate in the strike or how long the walkout would last. “Amazon is pushing its workers closer to the picket line by failing to show them the respect they have earned,” Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien said in a statement. The strikes happening Thursday are taking place at seven delivery stations, which are run by contractors who drop off of packages to customers everyday. They include three locations in Southern California, and one each in New York City, Atlanta, Georgia, and Skokie, Illinois, according to the union’s announcement. The biggest warehouse affiliated with the Teamsters is located in the New York City borough of Staten Island. In 2022, thousands of workers at the warehouse, known as JFK8, voted to be represented by the nascent Amazon Labor Union. Workers then choose to affiliate with the Teamsters this past summer. The National Labor Relations Board certified that election to unionize, but Amazon has refused to bargain on a contract. In the process, the company has filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the labor board. At the other six facilities, employees – including many delivery drivers – unionized with the Teamsters by demonstrating majority support but without holding government-administered elections. Under labor law, companies can recognize unions without elections being held, but the practice is rare, said John Logan, director of labor and employment studies at San Francisco State University. Amazon workers in more locations are “prepared to join” the fight, the Teamsters said, noting that employees at the Staten Island warehouse and at a company air hub in California also have authorized strikes. When asked about the strike Thursday, Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel said: “What you see here are almost entirely outsiders, not Amazon employees or partners, and the suggestion otherwise is just another lie from the Teamsters.” “The truth is that they were unable to get enough support from our employees and partners and have brought in outsiders to come and harass and intimidate our team, which is inappropriate and dangerous,” Nantel said. Amazon has said it does not consider delivery drivers like the ones on strike to be its employees. Under the company’s business model, the drivers work for third-party businesses, called Delivery Service Partners, who deliver millions of packages daily. Amazon has accused the union, which says it represents some of the drivers, of “intentionally” misleading the public. “This is another attempt to push a false narrative,” Nantel said. But the Teamsters have argued Amazon essentially controls everything the drivers do and should be classified as an employer. Some U.S. labor regulators have sided with the union in filings made before the NLRB. In September, Amazon boosted pay for the drivers amid the growing pressure. Shares of Amazon.com Inc. rose more than 2.4% by midday Thursday. Extra News Alerts Get breaking updates as they happen. Be civil. Be kind.10-man Botafogo wins its first Copa Libertadores title
SAN JOSE, Calif., Dec. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nutanix, Inc. (“Nutanix”) (Nasdaq: NTNX), a leader in hybrid multicloud computing, today announced its intention to offer, subject to market conditions and other factors, $750 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2029 (the “notes”) in a private placement (the “offering”) to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Nutanix also expects to grant the initial purchasers of the notes an option to purchase up to an additional $112.5 million aggregate principal amount of the notes within a 13-day period from, and including, the initial issuance date of the notes. The notes will be unsecured senior obligations of Nutanix. Interest will be payable semi-annually in arrears. The notes will mature on December 15, 2029, unless earlier converted, redeemed, or repurchased. The notes will be convertible at the option of holders, subject to certain conditions and during certain periods. Upon conversion, the notes may be settled in cash, shares of Nutanix’s Class A common stock or a combination of cash and shares of Nutanix’s Class A common stock, at Nutanix’s election. The interest rate, initial conversion rate and other terms of the notes are to be determined at the time of the pricing of the offering. Nutanix intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to (i) repurchase a portion of its outstanding 0.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2027 (the “2027 notes”) concurrently with the pricing of the offering in separate and privately negotiated transactions with certain holders of its 2027 notes (the “concurrent note repurchases”) effected through one of the initial purchasers of the notes or its affiliate, acting as Nutanix’s agent, and (ii) repurchase up to $200.0 million of shares of Nutanix’s Class A common stock in privately negotiated transactions with institutional investors effected through one of the initial purchasers of the notes or its affiliate, acting as Nutanix’s agent, at a price per share equal to the last reported sale price of Nutanix’s Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on the date of the pricing of the notes (the “Share Repurchase”). Any such Share Repurchase would not reduce the amount available for future repurchases under Nutanix’s existing share repurchase program. Nutanix intends to use the remaining net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including working capital, capital expenditures and potential acquisitions. From time to time, Nutanix evaluates potential acquisitions of businesses, technologies or products. Currently, however, Nutanix does not have any understandings or agreements with respect to any acquisitions. The terms of the concurrent note repurchases are anticipated to be individually negotiated with each holder of the 2027 notes participating in the concurrent note repurchases, and will depend on several factors, including the market price of Nutanix’s Class A common stock and the trading price of the 2027 notes at the time of each such concurrent note repurchase. Certain holders of any 2027 notes that Nutanix agrees to repurchase may have hedged their equity price risk with respect to such 2027 notes and may, concurrently with the pricing of the notes, unwind all or part of their hedge positions by buying Nutanix’s Class A common stock and/or entering into or unwinding various derivative transactions with respect to Nutanix’s Class A common stock. Any repurchase of the 2027 notes, and the potential related market activities by holders of the 2027 notes participating in the concurrent note repurchases, together with the repurchase by Nutanix of any of its Class A common stock concurrently with the pricing of the notes, could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of Nutanix’s Class A common stock, which may affect the trading price of the notes at that time and the initial conversion price of the notes. Nutanix cannot predict the magnitude of such market activity or the overall effect it will have on the price of the notes or its Class A common stock. No assurance can be given as to how much, if any, of the 2027 notes or the Class A common stock will be repurchased or the terms on which they will be repurchased. Neither the notes nor the shares of Nutanix’s Class A common stock potentially issuable upon conversion of the notes, if any, have been, or will be, registered under the Securities Act or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction, and unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, such registration requirements. This announcement is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy any of these securities and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation, or sale in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale is unlawful. About Nutanix Nutanix is a global leader in cloud software, offering organizations a single platform for running applications and managing data, anywhere. With Nutanix, companies can reduce complexity and simplify operations, freeing them to focus on their business outcomes. Building on its legacy as the pioneer of hyperconverged infrastructure, Nutanix is trusted by companies worldwide to power hybrid multicloud environments consistently, simply, and cost-effectively. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding Nutanix’s financing plans, Nutanix’s ability to complete the offering, the timing and size of the offering, the concurrent note repurchases and the Share Repurchase, Nutanix’s intended use of the net proceeds of the offering. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to, whether Nutanix will be able to consummate the offering, the final terms of the offering, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions with respect to the offering of the notes, prevailing market conditions, the anticipated use of the net proceeds of the offering of the notes, which could change as a result of market conditions or for other reasons, and the impact of general economic, industry or political conditions in the United States or internationally. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of the words “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions by Nutanix’s management that, although believed to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain and subject to a number of risks. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated or predicted by Nutanix’s forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to other risks detailed in Nutanix’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2024, and the risks discussed in Nutanix’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Nutanix undertakes no obligation to revise or update this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof, except as required by applicable law. © 2024 Nutanix, Inc. All rights reserved. Nutanix, the Nutanix logo, and all Nutanix product and service names mentioned herein are registered trademarks or unregistered trademarks of Nutanix, Inc. (“Nutanix”) in the United States and other countries. Other brand names or marks mentioned herein are for identification purposes only and may be the trademarks of their respective holder(s). This press release is for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes a warranty or other binding commitment by Nutanix. Investor Contact: Richard Valera ir@nutanix.com Media Contact: Lia Bigano pr@nutanix.comWASHINGTON, Dec 19 (Reuters) - A senior White House official on Thursday said nuclear-armed Pakistan is developing long-range ballistic missile capabilities that eventually could allow it to strike targets outside of South Asia, including in the United States. In his stunning revelation about the onetime close U.S. partner, Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer said Islamabad's conduct raised "real questions" about the aims of its ballistic missile program. "Candidly, it's hard for us to see Pakistan's actions as anything other than an emerging threat to the United States," Finer told the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace audience. "Pakistan has developed increasingly sophisticated missile technology, from long-range ballistic missile systems to equipment that would enable the testing of significantly larger rocket motors," he said. If those trends continue, Finer said, "Pakistan will have the capability to strike targets well beyond South Asia, including in the United States." His speech came a day after Washington announced a new round of sanctions related to Pakistan's ballistic missile development program, including on the state-run defense agency that oversees the program. Sign up here. Reporting by Jonathan Landay; Editing by Leslie Adler and Jonathan Oatis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tabAston Villa march on in Champions League after beating RB Leipzig
LANSING, MI – Legislation that would significantly increase weekly unemployment benefits in the state is headed to the governor’s desk. Michigan lawmakers on Tuesday gave final approval to the bill that would increase the maximum unemployment benefits a person could collect from the current $362 a week to $614 a week by 2027, an increase of nearly 70%. The legislation would also restore the maximum number of weeks a person could collect unemployment from the current 20 weeks to 26 weeks, a period that aligns with most states in the U.S. The bill now awaits Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s signature. It passed the House and Senate largely along party lines, with all Democrats in favor and a few Republicans supporting it as well. Related: Payments to Michigan’s unemployed would increase by 70% under Democrats' plan Michigan’s unemployment benefits haven’t increased since 2003. The increase would not only account for inflation but also bring the benefits in line those offered in neighboring states, said state Rep. Jim Haadsma, D-Battle Creek. “Unemployment benefits are not a permanent solution, but they are a lifeline for people who find themselves out of a job through no fault of their own to get back on their feet,” Haadsma siad. “From the gas pump to the grocery store, families across Michigan are coping with higher costs, but families without a stable income are struggling the most. “It’s not right that hard working folks who lose their jobs through no fault of their own are left to struggle.” The benefit cap increases would be phased in over a three-year period, increasing by $84 every year until 2028, when it would increase again based on inflation. The bill would also increase the maximum dependent cap from the current $6 to $26 over that period Unemployment benefits come from the state’s Unemployment Trust Fund, which employers pay into. Business leaders have previously expressed concern about the financial burden the increases will put not only on employers but also the fund. State Rep. William Bruck, R-Erie, said Tuesday the bill will result in a “major cost increase” for employers around the state. He said unemployment isn’t meant to be a living wage, and that increasing it removes some incentive for a person to find a new job. “I’m not against individuals making more or getting more money, but when it comes to the unemployment, unemployment is not meant to be a living wage,” Bruck said. “It’s not meant to be an amount that someone can function on and not have to worry about getting another job. It’s there for a purpose. It’s there for a bridge, a short bridge, to get them from job A to job B, and we should not be putting more costs on employers in order for those individuals to get from job A to job B.” Michigan previously let workers collect up to 26 weeks of benefits, but that was cut to the current 20 weeks in 2011 under former Gov. Rick Snyder.TEHRAN- Ten feature-length documentaries will be competing in the international section of the 18th edition of Iran International Documentary Film Festival Cinéma Vérité, the organizers have announced. “Glass, My Unfulfilled Life” directed by Rogier Kappers from the Netherlands, “Gingerbread for Her Dad” by Alina Mustafina from Kazakhstan and “Return” by Katja Fedulova from the Czech Republic are among the highlights of the lineup, IRNA reported on Saturday. “Glass, My Unfulfilled Life” follows Rogier, a man in his fifties who seemingly has it all: a city apartment, a countryside home, two delightful pre-teens, a bike, and a van. Yet, beneath this facade of contentment, he grapples with a persistent sense of unfulfillment. Determined to pursue his passion, he embarks on a journey to learn the glass harp and realize his dream of becoming a street musician. This documentary comedy explores the unpredictable nature of people’s aspirations, filled with unexpected twists and turns along the way. "Gingerbread for Her Dad" follows three generations of women from a single family as they journey from Kazakhstan to Poland in search of the grave of the man who connects them—a man who lost his life during World War II. Throughout their journey, they mend fractured relationships and confront the lingering traumas of the post-colonial Soviet era. "Return" is about Mumine, a strong woman in her mid-30s whose husband is arrested as a political prisoner. As she cares for their four children, she embodies the struggles of the Muslim Crimean Tatar community, which has faced persecution throughout history. Alongside her is Maye, another resilient woman navigating the harsh realities of life under occupation. While they uphold traditional roles, both women show remarkable dedication to their families and culture. The film highlights their strength and dignity, but also their moments of deep vulnerability as they confront the emotional toll of their circumstances. The festival will also screen “Love Me A Little Bit” directed by Tommaso Cotronei from Italy, “At the Door of the House, Who Will Come Knocking” by Maja Novakovic from Serbia and “Yalla, Baba!” by Angie Obeid from Lebanon. "Love Me A Little Bit" delves into the impact of Western oil multinationals in Nigeria. The film follows Richard, whose life is a constant struggle for survival as he navigates a harsh routine: fetching water, siphoning diesel from pipelines to sell by the roadside, attending school, studying in a dorm, and repeating the cycle. Set against the striking landscape of Bosnia and Herzegovina, “At the Door of the House, Who Will Come Knocking” explores the inner, intangible dimensions of life through a contemplative lens. The film follows an elderly man living in isolation, capturing the poetic rhythms of his daily routines through dreamlike visuals. Surrounded by majestic mountains, a warm burning stove, and the companionship of animals, he finds solace and comfort in his simple existence. "Yalla, Baba!" follows Mansour Obeid, who made the journey from Lebanon to Brussels with friends 42 years ago. Now, his daughter, filmmaker Angie Obeid, invites him to recreate that trip together for the first time. As they travel, they encounter bullet-riddled walls in Bosnia and the haunting remnants of communism, while a now-impermissible route through Syria symbolizes a changed world. Their journey is filled with both serious discussions and lighter moments, enriched by the surprise company of two hitchhiking girls. Documentaries from Iraq, Palestine, Spain and Chile will also be screened in this section of the festival. The 18th edition of Cinéma Vérité, Iran’s major international festival for documentary films, will be held in Tehran from December 8 to 15. The Documentary & Experimental Film Center (DEFC) is the organizer of the event. The festival tries to express the relationship between reality and truth through documentary films. This year’s edition of the festival will have several sections including the national competition, the international competition, the Martyr Avini Award, “Gaza, Palestine, Resistance,” commemoration ceremonies, and other programs on the sideline. SAB/
'Fergie Asked Me to Join Man Utd on Christmas Day - I Turned Him Down for West Ham'
A New York Police officer and an innocent bystander were both shot after a suspect who is on lifetime parole allegedly robbed multiple stores on Tuesday. A New York City Councilman says a Queens judge showed a "stunning lack of judgment" when he freed a career criminal who then shot and injured two people, including a police officer, on Tuesday, and then was killed by officers during an exchange of fire. Democrat Councilman Robert Holden is urging Mayor Eric Adams to demand the resignation of Queens Criminal Court Judge Edward Daniels for freeing 57-year-old Gary Worthy in August without bail for assault and burglary charges, per reporting from the New York Post . Worthy was already on lifetime parole for firearms possession and more than a dozen priors, including murder , robbery, burglary and narcotics possession, according to the NYPD. Adams, a Democrat, appointed Daniels to the bench in April this year. GEORGIA SENATOR SEEKS DEATH PENALTY FOR LAKEN RILEY'S KILLER, CALLS ON ATTORNEY GENERAL TO STEP IN Councilman Robert Holden speaks during a Veterans Day breakfast celebration at Gracie Mansion in New York City on Nov. 9, 2023. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) "Mayor Adams called Judge Daniels one of the best and brightest and said public safety is a prerequisite to prosperity," Holden said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital. "Yet Daniels’ decisions have shown a stunning lack of judgment. Denying requests to detain someone with Worthy’s violent record does not reflect the integrity we need in our judges. Mayor Adams must act swiftly to remove the judge he appointed before more violence occurs." DANIEL PENNY DEFENSE CALLS FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST TO WITNESS STAND: ‘THE CHOKEHOLD DID NOT CAUSE THE DEATH’ Fox News Digital has reached out to the mayor’s office and the Office of Court Administration for comment. Worthy engaged in a shootout with officers who were responding to reports of armed robberies in Queens on Tuesday, according to authorities. Gary Worthy held up two local businesses, shooting and injuring a NYPD officer and an innocent bystander. (NYPD) A pair of officers attempted to approach the man in the Jamaica neighborhood of Queens, telling him to stop, but the man began to run and fired one shot at an officer, hitting the officer in the thigh, police said. The officer, Rich Wong, fired back, killing Worthy. Officials said Wong is expected to survive. A 26-year-old woman was also hit in the leg during the shootout but is expected to survive, police said. Worthy had been arrested less than a week prior for alleged narcotics possession and resisting arrest but was later released from custody. He was also wanted for three other gunpoint robberies this year, police said. Adams said the handling of Worthy's previous charges marked a failure of the city's criminal justice system. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "While we are grateful that they will recover, we are also angry that a repeat offender who previously pled guilty to manslaughter and had 7 arrests since 2021 was free to commit two robberies tonight and ultimately shoot two people," Adams wrote on social media. Fox News Digital’s Christina Shaw and the Associated Press contributed to this report. Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital breaking reporter covering crime, political issues, and much more.AT&T's CTO told his US team there wouldn't be "one-for-one" employee seating upon the full return to the office next year. AT&T will also stagger its 5-days-a-week RTO mandate as more office space is constructed. Some teams could see their full in-office return pushed back if construction doesn't finish in time, the CTO said in a memo. AT&T Technology Services employees in the US won't have "one-to-one seating" when they begin returning to the office 5 days a week in the new year, the company's CTO wrote in a new memo. Advertisement The telecom giant's chief technology officer, Jeremy Legg, detailed how the new in-office policy would be implemented across his US ATS team in a Wednesday memo obtained by Business Insider. AT&T's fully in-office requirement for US ATS employees will begin a phased rollout on January 6 and is expected to be fully implemented for most teams by March 3, the memo said. Advertisement "Our purpose at AT&T is connecting people to greater possibility," the CTO wrote. "We firmly believe that working together, in person and in proximity to our peers, is the best way for ATS employees to fulfill that purpose." Legg oversees AT&T's technology organizations for business, consumer, IT and cloud, data and analytics, security, network architecture and AT&T Labs, and new product development. The ATS team includes roughly 10,000 workers in the US. AT&T told BI that organizations within the company have the flexibility to determine the right approach for their teams based on business needs and many are staggering the return of employees. Advertisement The memo comes after BI first reported that AT&T was tightening its return-to-office mandate from three days a week to five full workdays. Legg said in the email that the company understands that not every employee can be on-site every single day due to "travel, vacations, or other reasons" and "leaders will work with employees to provide the needed occasional flexibility." Although several expansion projects are underway in Atlanta and Dallas, Legg said AT&T "will not offer one-for-one seating per employee" and the company "will observe capacity vs. demand and make adjustments" as needed. Advertisement Legg's memo said that teams assigned to AT&T's Atlanta-area locations will be notified if their full return-to-office date is delayed as construction on additional space progresses. Several employees have told BI that workspace capacity has been a challenge, even with the prior hybrid schedule arrangement. Employees told BI it's common for workers to end up sitting in the hallways or working in the cafeteria to avoid running afoul of the company's attendance-tracking system. Advertisement One employee said their office has more than 1,200 people assigned to it, with roughly 150 desks available. "I know returning to the office 5 days a week is a significant change for some," Legg said in his memo. "By coming together in person, we can strengthen our connections, foster a vibrant culture, and achieve our shared goals." Read the full memo Dear ATS U.S.-Based Management Employees, Our purpose at AT&T is connecting people to greater possibility. We firmly believe that working together, in person and in proximity to our peers, is the best way for ATS employees to fulfill that purpose. By fostering in-person interactions, we can form stronger relationships, build trust and enhance our collaboration, innovation, and overall effectiveness as a team. Full-Time Office Presence in 2025 That's why l'm asking all employees with Full Time Office designations (NFTO, MFTO CFTO) to return to the office full time, with staggered starts based on management level and office space availability. FTO employees in ATS will work in the office full-time, 5 days a week according to this schedule: January 6, 2025: All U.S.-based supervising level 4s and above February 3, 2025: All U.S.-based supervising level 3s and above in all locations except Atlanta and Alpharetta 1 March 3, 2025 2 : All other U.S.-based management employees in all locations except Atlanta and Alpharetta 1 1 Construction of additional space is underway at Lenox, with an expected readiness date between April and June. As construction progresses, employees in Atlanta and Alpharetta will be notified when it's time to work in the office 5 days a week. 2 Construction of additional space for ATS teams is underway at Dallas Headquarters and at 2900 West Plano Pkwy. Employees in these locations will return to the office March 3 if the space is ready. If completion is delayed, we will communicate further instructions to affected teams. As we stagger the return to 5 days per week per the timeline above, FTO employees should continue to be present in the office 3 to 5 days per week. There is no change in expectations for Future Office Workers or virtual workers. We periodically review the needs of the business and may occasionally change an employee's office designation based on those needs. Fostering Collaboration Between now and early first quarter 2025, we will be working with Global Workplace Services to align teams to neighborhoods on each of our campuses. Even with employees working full time in the office, we know that not all employees will be in every day due to travel, vacations, or other reasons. We will not offer one-for-one seating per employee. We will observe capacity vs. demand and make adjustments working with Workplace Services as needed. Flexibility and Accountability We know employees occasionally need to work remotely for various reasons. Leaders will work with employees to provide the needed occasional flexibility. This balance between flexibility and accountability is essential to maintaining our high standards of performance and collaboration. Senior leadership will review overall presence trends via How and Where We Work presence dashboards. With this data, we will work toward improving things like seating, availability of amenities, and parking options. Next Steps The How and Where ATS Works SharePoint site is your definitive source of information on returning to the office full-time, including campus and neighborhood information as it becomes available. It is currently being updated to reflect the changing expectations for our organization. Supervisors can also answer questions. We are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved. Additional Thoughts I know returning to the office 5 days a week is a significant change for some. As we outlined during Analyst and Investor Day, we have tremendous momentum in growing this company the right way. That momentum will accelerate when we reap the benefits of faster collaboration and innovation. By coming together in person, we can strengthen our connections, foster a vibrant culture, and achieve our shared goals. Your dedication and commitment to excellence are the driving forces behind our success. Thank you for your continued hard work and support. I look forward to seeing you all in the office and working together to create an even brighter future for ATS. Jeremy If you are an AT&T worker who wants to share your perspective, please contact Dominick via email or text/call/Signal at 646.768.4750. Responses will be kept confidential, and Business Insider strongly recommends using a personal email and a non-work device when reaching out
Canadian men win RAN Sevens tournament, qualify for World Rugby Challenger SeriesCanada thumped Trinidad and Tobago 38-0 to win the Rugby Americas North (RAN) Sevens on Sunday and qualify for World Rugby’s second-tier Challenger Series. The tournament-favourite Canadian men outscored their opposition 169-0 over five matches in a first step back up the rugby sevens ladder since being relegated from the elite HSBC SVNS circuit in June. The top four teams from the three-event Challenger Series will face off against the bottom four from the HSBC SVNS at the SVNS World Championships May 3-4 in Carson, Calif., in a promotion/relegation playoff. “I think it’s just about continually building,” said Canada captain Elias Hancock. “We know what we’re capable of. We’ve shown it at times. It’s just time to get back to that place where we know we belong.” Prior to relegation, Canada had been a core team on the top sevens circuit since 2012-13 and lifted the trophy in Singapore in 2017. The Canadian men finished eighth at the Tokyo Olympics. Trinidad had plenty of the ball in the first half of Sunday’s final at Larry Gomes Stadium. But Canada, helped by several penalties, scored first with Hancock touching down under the posts for a try converted by Thomas Isherwood. Matt Oworu, beating two defenders, added another converted try for a 14-0 lead at the break. Cooper Coats added a converted try early in the second half. And Hancock, Jack Shaw and Noah Bain added late tries after Trinidad lost a man to the sin-bin for two minutes midway through the second half for an infraction off a Canadian kickoff. Earlier Sunday, the Canadians defeated Jamaica 26-0 in semifinal play and the Cayman Islands 38-0 in the quarterfinal. Trinidad and Tobago made it to the final — for the first time since 2013 — with a 19-7 comeback win over Mexico. Jamaica defeated Mexico 12-0 to finish third. Weather was a factor during the three-day tournament in Arima, some 30 kilometres east of Port of Spain. After enduring 30-plus C heat and humidity Friday, their final Pool A game against Barbados was abandoned Saturday due to a storm. On Sunday, the Canadians played the Cayman Islands in a downpour and the skies opened again at halftime of the Jamaica game. Alex Russell, Josiah Morra, Coats and Hancock scored tries against Jamaica for Canada, which led 12-0 at the break. Thomas Isherwood added three conversions. Morra and Hancock each scored two tries against the Caymans and Ethan Hager and D’Shawn Bowen added singles for Canada, which led 19-0 at the half. Canada added four conversions. Canada, which blanked Guyana 29-0 Friday, dispatched Bermuda 38-0 Saturday and was leading Barbados 10-0 when the game was halted in the first half due to heavy rain and high winds. While play eventually resumed, the interrupted Canada game was ruled a scoreless draw. The Canadian men are coming off a disastrous 3-36-0 HSBC SVNS season that ended with a 22-14 loss to Spain with relegation on the line. It was a 29th straight defeat. After being relegated, coach Sean White’s team fell short in an Olympic repechage tournament in late June in Monaco, finishing fourth after losing 26-0 to eventual winner South Africa in the semifinals. The Blitzboks went on to claim bronze in Paris. The 13-man roster for the RAN 7s includes six players who were part of the relegation playoff in Madrid: Hancock, Isherwood, Morra, Coats, Oworu and David Richard. Morra, Coats and Oworu joined the sevens team from Bucharest where they were part of Kingsley Jones’ Canadian 15s squad for test matches against Chile and Romania. The Canadian men are scheduled to play in an invitational men’s sevens tournament taking place at B.C. Place Stadium alongside the HSBC SVNS Vancouver stop in February. The Canadian women left Sunday for Dubai and the opening stop of the 2005 HSBC SVNS season. The Olympic silver-medallist Canadians open play next Saturday against Japan before facing Brazil and Olympic champion New Zealand.