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sports photography The 2024 fire season cost Oregon emergency response agencies nearly $350 million, and the state leaders are struggling to find a way to cover outstanding bills. Gov. Tina Kotek announced Tuesday following reporting from Oregon Public Broadcasting that she’ll call a special session of the Legislature on Dec. 12 to appropriate at least $218 million from the state’s general fund to cover remaining fire costs. Lawmakers will already be at the Capitol for committee hearings during that time. More than half of the $350 million in outstanding debts will eventually be covered by disaster relief funds from the federal government, according to a news release from Kotek’s office, but the state wants to pay those owed as soon as possible. Rep. Pam Marsh, D-Ashland, explained that it’s about ensuring state agencies don’t burn bridges with private contractors who stepped in to help with fire prevention or response work this year. “We contracted with people, and we are obligated to pay them, and we will want many of those people to bring their machines, their aircraft, their bodies back next fire season,” Marsh said. Nearly 2 million acres burned this summer and fall — more than three times the 10-year average — mostly in eastern Oregon grass and shrub, with about 25% of it in forestland, according to the Wildland Mapping Institute . More than one-third of all acres burned have been on private land, and about 62% was on federal land. At least 42 homes and 132 other structures were burned. President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to withhold federal wildfire reimbursements to California as a form of political gamesmanship. Asked whether Kotek is seeking more money to prepare for potential federal withholding, Anca Matica, a Kotek spokesperson, said it’s not part of the current issue being solved by the special session. “The state needs to pay its bills as expeditiously as possible,” Matica said in an email. Kotek declared a state of emergency in response to wildfire threats and invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act a record 17 times. This mobilized structural firefighting resources coordinated by the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office to local communities. The state fire marshal is on the hook for more than $200 million of the $218 million owed by the state to contractors. Incoming House Republican leader Christine Drazan of Canby expressed frustration in a news release that Kotek did not talk with her or her peers before announcing the special session, but she said Republicans are willing to work cooperatively to solve the funding issues. Drazan lost the 2022 gubernatorial race to Kotek, and the two frequently butted heads in the House when Kotek served as speaker and Drazan as minority leader. “Evidently, the Governor will be communicating via press release rather than a phone call. That is her prerogative,” Drazan said. “Despite this bizarre approach to leadership, Republicans welcome the opportunity to solve this problem by ensuring the people who work to protect Oregon communities during wildfire season are paid for their service.” The Department of Administrative Services, responsible for tracking spending, did not respond to a request for a list of outstanding payments from the wildfire season by Tuesday afternoon. Fire agencies already got $47.5 million from the Legislature’s Emergency Board in September to cover some outstanding costs, and the Oregon State Treasury rejected the Department of Forestry’s request for a $60 million loan last month, according to reporting from Willamette Week. Wildfire protection and response costs in Oregon are generally split between private and public forest and range landowners and Oregonians via the state’s general fund. Costs for 2024 were projected to be about $136 million. “Fighting wildfires of the magnitude we saw this season required a tremendous level of resources that even wildfire experts couldn’t foresee,” said House Speaker Julie Fahey, D-Eugene, in a statement. GET THE MORNING HEADLINES. SUBSCRIBEBrazil’s Bolsonaro planned and participated in coup plot, police report alleges

Titans coach says WR Treylon Burks recently had surgery to fix partially torn ACLHegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the SenateTrudeau, Carney push back over Trump's ongoing 51st state commentsNone

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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / December 27, 2024 / SPETZ INC. (the "Company" or "Spetz") (CSE:SPTZ)(OTC Pink:DBKSF) is pleased to announce that it is arranging a private placement offering (the "Offering") of up to 5,000,000 Common Shares, at a price of $0.10 per share, for gross proceeds of up to $500,000. In addition, Spetz is proposing to settle an aggregate of $445,645.89 in accounts payable to arm's length parties by way of the issuance of 4,456,458 shares for debt at an issue price of 0.10 per share (the "Shares for Debt Transactions"), and is negotiating the restructuring of certain outstanding debt, in the aggregate principal amount of $1,017,673, consisting primarily of convertible debentures that have become due, as further described below (the "New Debentures"). The Company has been working on the foregoing initiatives for the past several weeks and believes that they are in the best interests of the Company. The Offering Spetz intends to close the Offering shortly. The proceeds from the Offering will be used for general working capital purposes and to seek additional business opportunities that will create value. Spetz does not anticipate any insider participation in the Offering, or the creation of a new insider or control person as a result of the closing of the Offering. No finder's fees or other compensation will be paid in connection with the Offering. Shares for Debt Transactions The Company is proposing to settle an aggregate of $445,645.89 of current payables to arm's length parties by the proposed issuance of a total of 4,456,458 shares, at an issue price of $0.10 per share. Spetz does not anticipate the creation of a new insider or control person as a result of the closing of the Shares for Debt Transactions. The closing of the Shares for Debt Transactions is anticipated to close concurrently with the Offering. New Debentures Spetz is working to issue new convertible debentures in the aggregate principal amount of $1,017,673, replacing primarily the principal amount of outstanding convertible debentures that have matured and are currently due and payable by Spetz. The principal amount of the new debentures would be convertible into units of the Company ("Units"), at a price per Unit of $0.20, with each Unit comprised of one (1) Common Share and one-half (1/2) of a common share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each whole Warrant would be exercisable for one Common Share, at a price of $0.40 per share, for a period of 24 months following the issuance of the Warrants. The New Debentures would be outstanding for a minimum of 18 months following the closing in order to allow Spetz to execute its business. Otherwise, the New Debentures would be unsecured obligations of the Company and bear interest at a rate of 12% per annum. Assuming conversion of the entire principal amount of the New Debentures, the Company would issue an aggregate of up to 5,088,365 Common Shares and up to 2,544,182 Warrants. The Company believes that the Offering, the Shares for Debt Transactions and the New Debentures are in the best interests of the Company, and the foregoing have been approved by the independent directors of the Company as well due to the fact that the completion of the proposed transactions, taken as a whole, would result in the issuance of more than 100% of the currently issued and outstanding Common Shares of Spetz, on a fully-diluted basis. Accordingly, as a result of the potential significant dilution of the Common Shares, the Company intends to issue the securities contemplated in the Offering, the Shares for Debt Transactions and the New Debentures without securityholder approval in reliance on the exceptions outlined in Section 4.6(2)(b) of CSE Policy 4, as the Company is in serious financial difficulty. The Company has explored several avenues to secure additional funding in order to continue ongoing operations and to service its outstanding debt obligations. To date, the Company has been unable to secure any such funding due to challenging capital markets conditions for venture issuers and the Company's current debt obligations. The Company recently secured some interim relief (see press release dated November 29, 2024) wherein the board of directors waived their compensation and the current holders of the outstanding secured debentures agreed to extend the maturity date from October 31, 2024 to December 31, 2024. The Company currently does not have sufficient funding to continue as a going concern, and therefore, if the proposed Offering, the Shares for Debt Transactions and the New Debentures are not completed, and no alternative arrangements are secured, there is significant doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. The Company's independent directors have also determined that the Offering, the Shares for Debt Transactions and the New Debentures are in the best interests of the Company and reasonable based on the Company's current financial circumstances in order keep the Company solvent. The Company's independent directors have determined that neither (i) seeking shareholder approval for the Offering, the Shares for Debt Transactions and the New Debentures nor (ii) a rights offering to existing securityholders on the same terms as the Offering would be feasible to complete, based on the Company's immediate liquidity requirements. All securities issued pursuant to the Offering, the Shares for Debt Transactions and the New Debentures will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day after the closing of the Offering, the Shares for Debt Transactions and the New Debentures, respectively. Completion of the Offering, the Shares for Debt Transactions and the New Debentures is subject to a number of conditions, including, without limitation, receipt of all regulatory approvals, including approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. None of the securities issued in the Offering, the Shares for Debt Transactions or the New Debentures will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"), and none of them may be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state where such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. About Spetz Inc. Spetz Inc. is a multinational technology company that operates Spetz, a global online, AI-powered marketplace platform that dynamically connects consumers to nearby top-rated service providers in around 30 seconds. Spetz is available in the USA, United Kingdom, Australia, and Israel. The Spetz vision is to reinvent how people around the world connect to services in their moment of need. Connecting them immediately with the top-matched service provider for any need, anytime, anywhere. Spetz Website: www.spetz.app Spetz Investor information: https://investor.spetz.app/ Company Contacts: Investor Relations Email: Investors@spetz.app Phone: 647-956-6033 NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE, NOR THEIR REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDERS HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements Certain information herein constitutes "forward-looking information" as defined under Canadian securities laws, which reflect management's expectations regarding objectives, plans, goals, strategies, future growth, results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities of the Company. The words "plans", "expects", "does not expect", "scheduled", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", "projects", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements to the effect that certain actions, events or results "may", "will", "could", "would", "might", "occur", "be achieved", or "continue" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management as of the date hereof, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. When relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, the Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, as forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties and should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not the times at or by which such performance or results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. SOURCE: Spetz Inc. View the original on accesswire.comThe Senate approved the Investments and Securities (Repeal and Enactment) Bill 2024 for its third reading on Wednesday. The passage followed the consideration and adoption of recommendations presented by the Senate Committee on Capital Market, chaired by Senator Osita Izunaso (APC, Imo West). According to the committee’s report, the bill, once enacted, will designate the Securities and Exchange Commission as the apex regulatory authority for Nigeria’s Capital Market. The proposed legislation is designed to align with global best practices in investments and securities. Its objectives include safeguarding the integrity of the securities market, preventing market abuse, insider trading, and other fraudulent trade practices while ensuring fair and lawful operations. The committee’s report stated, “Despite its revolutionary impact at inception, the existing law now requires substantial updates to keep pace with the evolving financial markets and global regulatory frameworks, thereby making it more appealing to local and international investors. “The proposed legislation will foster significant growth in the capital market, drive diversification, and create a conducive environment for investors in Nigeria’s capital market. Related News FG pledges to tighten fintech regulations NASD urges compliance with SEC rules Capital market operators get new registration requirement “It aims to address modern financial malpractices, reinforce investor protection through robust regulations against market abuse, and insider trading, and enhance governance standards for publicly traded companies.” The bill also proposes a regulatory framework for digital currencies and fintech activities, including oversight of blockchain and cryptocurrency transactions, to integrate innovative technologies into the capital market. Further provisions include a clear delineation of roles among regulatory bodies to enhance transparency and reduce overlaps, thereby improving the SEC’s operational efficiency. Support for the introduction and regulation of diversified financial instruments such as derivatives, Exchange Traded Funds, and other advanced products to deepen the market and meet diverse investor needs. Measures to drive growth and diversification in the capital market, contributing to economic expansion and job creation. Following a clause-by-clause consideration, the Senate passed the bill for a third reading.

KUWAIT CITY, Nov 23: Kuwait Telecommunications Company – stc, a world-class digital leader providing innovative services and platforms to customers, enabling the digital transformation in Kuwait, approved an amendment to its Articles of Association during its Extraordinary General Meeting as part of its sustainable strategy to foster a thriving work environment. The amendment to Article No. 17 allows the Company to utilize its treasury shares as stock options that can be exercised by employees. The action aims to empower employees and encourage them to excel further within their roles, while also serving as an additional benefit that can attract top talent from the local market. Introducing the employee stock option plan aligns with stc’s strategic approach to strengthening its workforce and building loyalty amongst its employees. The program will be implemented once approved by the Board of Directors, followed by obtaining the approval during the Company’s Annual General Meeting. stc indicated in a statement that the Board of Directors aims to strengthen the relationship between the Company and its employees, inspiring them to continue innovating and progressing within their respective fields. Considering that employees will become shareholders in the Company through the stock option program, stc believes that employees will be more driven to achieve new milestones. Aside from its existing employees, the stock option program is set to attract new talents through this additional benefit that will be provided by the Company. The amendment to the Article of Association comes under stc’s ongoing commitment to enhance its human resources policies by adopting global best practices in enhancing workplace environments. stc expects the stock option program to foster a stronger sense of ownership among employees, creating a deeper alignment between their individual goals and the Company’s overarching objectives. By providing employees with the opportunity to become shareholders, the program will further reinforce their commitment to stc’s success and drive long-term value creation for all stakeholders, including employees, shareholders, and customers. The announcement of the stock option program came in a disclosure released by stc on Boursa Kuwait, confirming the approval of the use of treasury shares as well as the introduction of the program during the EGM. The amendment stated that the Company will be permitted to sell or grant its employees all or part of its shares through the stock option program in accordance with the regulating rules approved by the general meeting of shareholders. It is worth mentioning that stc was ranked the number one ideal employer of choice for engineers and IT professionals in Kuwait according to Universum’s custom research in comparison with 19 of the strongest brands in Kuwait. The recognition serves as a testament to stc’s progressive approach to fostering a dynamic and innovative work environment.Costa Rica Will Host the International Collective Photography Meeting E•CO/24: Water StoriesIRVING, Texas (AP) — A rape allegation against rapper Jay-Z, whose company Roc Nation has produced some of the NFL's entertainment presentations including the Super Bowl halftime show, won’t impact the league's relationship with the music mogul. “We’re aware of the civil allegations and Jay-Z’s really strong response to that," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday after the conclusion of the league's winter meetings. "We know the litigation is happening now. From our standpoint, our relationship is not changing with them, including our preparations for the next Super Bowl.” A woman who previously sued Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 when she was 13 years old, amended the lawsuit Sunday to include a new allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault. Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, said the rape allegation made against him is part of an extortion attempt . The 24-time Grammy Award winner called the allegations “idiotic” and “heinous in nature” in a statement released by Roc Nation, one of his companies. The NFL teamed up with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2019 for events and social activism. The league and the entertainment company extended their partnership a few months ago. Kendrick Lamar will perform the Super Bowl halftime show at The Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on Feb. 9. Roc Nation and Emmy-winning producer Jesse Collins will serve as co-executive producers of the halftime show. Beyonce, who is married to Jay-Z, will perform at halftime of the Baltimore Ravens-Houston Texans game on Christmas. “I think they’re getting incredibly comfortable with not just with the Super Bowl but other events they’ve advised us on and helped us with,” Goodell said. “They’ve been a big help in the social justice area to us on many occasions. They’ve been great partners.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

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PVH Stock Falls After Holiday Outlook Falls ShortListen, I know is ~technically~ supposed to be all about for your loved ones or splurging on a spendy appliance while it's at its lowest price of the year. But hear me out: with earlier sunsets and frigid AF weather, now is the perfect time to make some , too. And considering that so many of ? Yeah, I rest my case. The race is officially on to find all the happening now—and our editors are working overtime (no, literally) to bring you all the latest and greatest finds. Right now, days before Black Friday, DTC darlings like and , not to mention mega-retailers like and , have major clothing discounts for the taking, . Related Stories As one of our editors' absolute , Abercrombie is always when it comes to Black Friday shopping. From November 27 through December 1, shoppers can take 25% off sitewide, plus an But if you're a myAF Member (it's free to ), you can start shopping deals now. There's nothing worse than getting a brand-new pair of shoes, only for them to be SO painful to walk in. That's why I love ALDO's selection of loafers, heels, boots, and more—they're outfitted with special "Pillow Walk" insoles that makes them actually comfortable. Bonus: you can shop (plus free shipping!) this Black Friday. The iconic athleisure brand known for its whisper-soft sweat sets and stylish workout sets is currently offering — —for Black Friday. Naturally, the most sought-after deals are selling out fast, but I managed to find a few pieces in stock in most sizes—like a pair of high-waisted leggings and a major faux leather puffer. When it comes to variety, few retailers are doing it quite like Amazon. There are literally of Black Friday fashion steals happening during Amazon's Black Friday sale (which runs ), including deep discounts on Levi's denim and platform suede slippers. And did I mention free two-day shipping for Prime members? This Black Friday, Anthropologie is giving shoppers an . I'm partial to the brand's impressive array of funky statement jewelry, but I also spotted deals on cold-weather essentials like snuggly sweaters and holiday party dresses. PSA: I found during the brand's Black Friday sale. You can also on over 1,000 styles, from luxe cashmere-wool coats to sleek bodysuits. When your office outfits need a lil' refresh (AKA always), check out Banana Republic Factory's Black Friday sale. The brand is offering . And if you have a Gap Inc. credit cart, the sales get even steeper, with an extra 30% discount stacked on top. Score designer at a discount thanks to Bloomingdale's Black Friday sale, which is offering an extra . Below, I've highlighted some of my top budget-friendly picks including studded Sam Edelman flats and a cozy sweater in 100% cotton. Just in time for holiday gifting szn, —I'm talking everything from trendy shoulder bags to classic totes and small leather goods like wallets and card cases. If you need me, I'll be upgrading my loungewear collection with all things soft and snuggly from Cozy Earth this winter. Right now, the brand is offering (plus free shipping over $50) for Black Friday, including a pair of pajamas that made —score! Step up your shoe game with Dolce Vita's 6 Days of Dolce, featuring discounts of . Plus, take during the brand's Black Friday sale . At DSW, save like Nike and Reebok during the brand's early Black Friday sale. What's more, I found deals of up to , including the viral Mini Bootie. Add code at checkout for an extra 30% off select items. Stars like Sofia Richie, Selena Gomez, Kylie Jenner, and Meghan Markle have all been spotted in Eberjey's stylish pajamas. Save on celeb-loved sleepwear (and a bathrobe from Oprah's Favorite Things list) from November 24 through December 2 with code . Everlane is one of the best places to shop for for high-quality basics, and you can save during the brand's current Black Friday sale, which runs through November 27. But if you wait to shop until November 28, the discounts get even steeper, at up to 70% off—that is, if these best-selling pieces are still in stock. at Franco Sarto's Black Friday sale. The brand is slashing prices on everything from slingbacks to sandals, but I'm partial to the gorgeous selection of leather boots. Halara's trendy and affordable activewear has been all over my TikTok feed lately, in no small part due to Taylor Swift wearing the brand's pleated buckle skirt at Coachella this year. Now, you can —yes, including the famous skirt—at Halara's Black Friday sale. Editor-loved activewear brand Lululemon is still being hush-hush about , but I dug through the We Made Too Much section to bring you the very best pieces, like and the ever-popular Everywhere Belt Bag. Save on everything from essential denim to gift-worthy leather bags at Madewell's Black Friday sale. The brand is currently giving shoppers —that includes sale items, which means you can stack discounts for maximum savings. Mango is kicking off the Black Friday savings with up to including workwear, coats, accessories and more. Plus, get free shipping on orders of $220 or more. The brand behind some of , Mazin Jewels, is hosting a Black Friday sale. on all kinds of stunning baubles. Once the sale begins, all of these Blondie-approved pieces will all be available for under $50(!). Spoil yourself (and your loved ones) with fine jewelry from Mejuri. The brand's Black Friday sale is offering —just create a free Mejuri account to enjoy these discounts. Beginning November 29 and running through December 2, shop almost . That includes statement jewelry, stacking necklaces, earrings, and more. I keep finding sooo many of my favorite trends at Mint Velvet, from eye-catching holiday outfits to quality wardrobe staples. From November 27 to December 2, you can , so you can thank me later when your new wardrobe gets you tons of compliments. TBH, *so* many of our editors love Negative Underwear's ridiculously soft loungewear sets—which is why we were stoked to find out that the brand's Black Friday sale . Shop between November 28 and December 2 to save. Nordstrom has thousands of Black Friday deals to choose from at . I even spotted rare markdowns on coveted pieces, like a pair of Hoka Bondi 8s and the TikTok-viral SKIMS bodysuit. "Thanks, I got it on sale"—you, after shopping Reformation's Black Friday deals. Save 25% sitewide through midnight on December 2—and yes, that includes celeb favorites like Zendaya's cashmere sweater, and Kendall Jenner's mini skirt. From wedding guest dresses to trendy going-out tops, Revolve is my #1 . And although the retailer hasn't dropped any Black Friday deals (yet!), I found some fun finds in its clearance section. During Saks Off 5th's Holiday sale, you can like coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and sweaters when you use the code at checkout. Complete your new outfit with a pair of ultra-strong Sheertex tights, on sale now for Black Friday. You from simple sheers to playful polka dots, plus enjoy free shipping on your order. Ahead of SKIMS' official Black Friday offering, I spotted lots of lingerie and loungewear at a major discount in the brand's sale section. Save . I know Spanx is famous for its shapewear, but the brand has tons of clothing options that are perfect for the office. Before Spanx drops its official Black Friday deals, shop these . Spendier items like designer boots are one of the best things to shop during Black Friday, so I highly recommend checking out Stuart Weitzman's outlet to —just use the code at checkout . Snag at Sunglass Hut's Black Friday sale—including top brands like Versace, Ray Ban, and Burberry. From November 22 through November 28, Uniqlo is offering , like down parkas for under $100 and layering essentials starting at $15. Don't sleep on Walmart's fashion department. The mega-retailer has sooo many affordable (and adorable) finds on sale. From November 25 through December 1, you can at Walmart's Black Friday sale. at Zappos' Black Friday sale, plus apparel and outerwear. IMO, the best deal is on the ultra-popular Hoka Clifton 9 sneakers, since they almost never go on sale. Related Stories Lauren Gruber is an associate commerce editor at Hearst Magazines, where she writes for publications like , , , , , and more. She has over four years of professional experience covering a variety of lifestyle topics from home to fashion, with an advanced background in beauty and fragrance. When she’s not researching the most worthy Prime Day deals or hands-on testing all the latest perfume launches, Lauren is probably hanging out with her cat Serafina or flexing her AMC A-List membership at the movie theater. You can find her previous work at , , , , , and .

Benchmark indices on Wall Street scaled new peaks on Wednesday after comments from Fed Chair Jerome Powell ahead of the policy announcement on December 18. Share Market View All Nifty Gainers View All Company Value Change %Change The Dow Jones closed above the mark of 45,000 for the first time, the S&P 500 added 0.6% to close near 6,100, while the Nasdaq Composite outperformed, gaining 1.3%. The tech-heavy index is now 1.3% away from the 20,000 mark. All seven big-tech stocks ended higher, sending a Magnificent Seven-linked ETF to gains of 62% so far for the year. The Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund also ended at an all-time high, a first since July. Stocks surged after Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that the US economy is in "remarkably good shape." Powell also said officials can afford to be cautious as they lower rates toward a neutral level — one that neither stimulates nor holds back the economy. He spoke at the New York Times DealBook Summit in New York. “We view this as slightly hawkish — but stopping well short of challenging the market’s growing confidence that a December cut is the base case, which has been our view all along,” said Krishna Guha at Evercore. One of Powell’s favorite barometers of the economy — the Beige Book — showed economic activity increased slightly in November, and businesses grew more upbeat about demand prospects. Treasury 10-year yields declined four basis points to 4.18%. French bond futures held onto earlier gains after far-right leader Marine Le Pen joined a left-wing coalition to topple the government, setting the stage for further political wrangling that has weighed on the nation’s assets for months. “The current market environment is clearly ‘risk-on’,” said Steve Sosnick at Interactive Brokers. “Yet the evidence shows that someone has been buying insurance against a 10% correction in the S&P 500, even though — or perhaps because — we haven’t seen one in months.” “We remain tactically bullish into year-end given the positive macro environment, earnings growth, and a Fed that remains supportive of markets,” wrote JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s Market Intelligence Team led by Andrew Tyler. “It is sensible to play the market’s momentum and see low pullback potential until mid-January,” they said. A Bank of America Corp. indicator that tracks sell-side strategists’ average recommendations remains at its highest level since early 2022, in neutral territory, but much closer to a contrarian “sell” signal than a “buy.” In commodities, West Texas Intermediate fell 2% Wednesday as tepid US economic data undercut OPEC+’s progress on a deal to keep output constrained. Gold was little changed early Thursday after two daily advances. (With Inputs From Agencies.)

As a daily Chromebook user, here are my must-have accessoriesWASHINGTON (AP) — The House on Wednesday passed a $895 billion measure that authorizes a 1% increase in defense spending this fiscal year and would give a double-digit pay raise to about half of the enlisted service members in the military. The bill is traditionally strongly bipartisan, but some Democratic lawmakers opposed the inclusion of a ban on transgender medical treatments for children of military members if such treatment could result in sterilization. The bill passed the House by a vote of 281-140 and will next move to the Senate, where lawmakers had sought a bigger boost in defense spending than the current measure allows. Lawmakers are touting the bill's 14.5% pay raise for junior enlisted service members and a 4.5% increase for others as key to improving the quality of life for those serving in the U.S. military. Those serving as junior enlisted personnel are in pay grades that generally track with their first enlistment term. Lawmakers said service member pay has failed to remain competitive with the private sector, forcing many military families to rely on food banks and government assistance programs to put food on the table. The bill also provides significant new resources for child care and housing. “No service member should have to live in squalid conditions and no military family should have to rely on food stamps to feed their children, but that's exactly what many of our service members are experiencing, especially the junior enlisted,” said Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Ala., chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. “This bill goes a long way to fixing that.” The bill sets key Pentagon policy that lawmakers will attempt to fund through a follow-up appropriations bill. The overall spending tracks the numbers established in a 2023 agreement that then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy reached with President Joe Biden to increase the nation’s borrowing authority and avoid a federal default in exchange for spending restraints. Many senators had wanted to increase defense spending some $25 billion above what was called for in that agreement, but those efforts failed. Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., who is expected to serve as the next chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said the overall spending level was a “tremendous loss for our national defense," though he agreed with many provisions within the bill. “We need to make a generational investment to deter the Axis of Aggressors. I will not cease work with my congressional colleagues, the Trump administration, and others until we achieve it,” Wicker said. House Republicans don't want to go above the McCarthy-Biden agreement for defense spending and are looking to go way below it for many non-defense programs. They are also focused on cultural issues. The bill prohibits funding for teaching critical race theory in the military and prohibits TRICARE health plans from covering gender dysphoria treatment for children under 18 if that treatment could result in sterilization. Rep. Adam Smith of Washington state, the ranking Democratic member of the House Armed Services Committee, said minors dealing with gender dysphoria is a "very real problem." He said the treatments available, including puberty blockers and hormone therapy, have proven effective at helping young people dealing with suicidal thoughts, anxiety and depression. “These treatments changed their lives and in many cases saved their lives,” Smith said. “And in this bill, we decided we're going to bar servicemembers' children from having access to that.” Smith said the number of minors in service member families receiving transgender medical care extends into the thousands. He could have supported a study asking medical experts to determine whether such treatments are too often used, but a ban on health insurance coverage went too far. He said Speaker Mike Johnson's office insisted upon the ban and said the provision “taints an otherwise excellent piece of legislation.” Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, called the ban a step in the right direction, saying, “I think these questions need to be pulled out of the debate of defense, so we can get back to the business of defending the United States of America without having to deal with social engineering debates.” Smith said he agrees with Roy that lawmakers should be focused on the military and not on cultural conflicts, “and yet, here it is in this bill.” Branden Marty, a Navy veteran who served for 13 years, said the loss of health coverage for transgender medical treatments could prompt some with valuable experience to leave the military, affecting national security because “we already struggle from a recruiting and retention standpoint.” He also said the bill could regularly force service members into difficult choices financially. “It will be tough for a lot of them because of out-of-pocket expenses, especially enlisted members who we know already struggle with food insecurity,” said Marty, the father of a transgender teenager. “They don’t get paid very much, so they’re going to be making a lot of choices on a day-to-day, tactical level.” Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, said his team was not telling Democrats how to vote on the bill. “There's a lot of positive things in the National Defense Authorization Act that were negotiated in a bipartisan way, and there are some troubling provisions in a few areas as well,” Jeffries said. Overall, 81 Democrats ended up voting for the bill and 124 against it. On the Republican side, 200 voted for the bill and 16 against. “It’s disappointing to see 124 of my Democrat colleagues vote against our brave men and women in uniform over policies that have nothing to do with their intended mission,” Johnson said. The defense policy bill also looks to strengthen deterrence against China. It calls for investing $15.6 billion to build military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. The Biden administration had requested about $10 billion. On Israel, the bill, among other things, includes an expansion of U.S. joint military exercises with Israel and a prohibition on the Pentagon citing casualty data from Hamas. The defense policy bill is one of the final measures that lawmakers view as a must-pass before making way for a new Congress in January.

As we reported last month, OpenAI has finally launched SearchGPT , which is essentially a search engine developed by OpenAI that uses artificial intelligence to find and combine the best results from the web. And with the latest ChatGPT update for iOS, it’s now easier to use SearchGPT. ChatGPT app adds SearchGPT extension to Apple Shortcuts The latest version of the app for iPhone and iPad adds a new Apple Shortcuts integration, which lets users create shortcuts to open SearchGPT. With this shortcut, you can open a new conversation in the ChatGPT app with SearchGPT enabled. It’s worth noting that shortcuts can be added to the Home Screen or even triggered by Siri. While ChatGPT has always sort of been used as a search engine by some, OpenAI has made specific upgrades that provide the sort of features we’ve all come to expect from search providers like Google and Bing. Here’s how OpenAI explains it : ChatGPT can now search the web in a much better way than before. You can get fast, timely answers with links to relevant web sources, which you would have previously needed to go to a search engine for. This blends the benefits of a natural language interface with the value of up-to-date sports scores, news, stock quotes, and more. ChatGPT will choose to search the web based on what you ask, or you can manually choose to search by clicking the web search icon. OpenAI has partnered with news and data providers so it can provide real-time information, and package it in new dedicated designs for specific content types. With iOS 18.2, which will be released to iPhone and iPad users in December, Apple is adding ChatGPT integration to Siri . The update will let users interact with the OpenAI chatbot directly from the Siri interface, and the same applies to Writing Tools. Paid ChatGPT users can also benefit from the extra features by logging into their account in the iOS Settings app. As for the new shortcut, it’s available with the latest version of the ChatGPT app that you can download from the App Store. It’s worth noting that SearchGPT is currently exclusive to ChatGPT Plus and Team subscribers. Read also ChatGPT for macOS now works with third-party apps, including Apple’s Xcode iOS 18.2 beta adds ‘Upgrade to ChatGPT Plus’ option in the Settings app OpenAI brings its lifelike ChatGPT advanced voice feature to the Mac iOS 18.2: All the new features, release date details, moreThe Pittsburgh Steelers will look to move on from their upset loss against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12. One of the biggest moments from the game came in the fourth quarter on the Steelers' second-to-last drive, when they decided to put backup quarterback Justin Fields into the game on a third-and-six with the lead. Rather than using Fields to run the clock out with under four minutes remaining, Pittsburgh chose to take a deep shot to George Pickens that fell incomplete. Barry Reeger-Imagn Images After the play, the Steelers punted, and the Browns went down the field and scored the game-winning touchdown with under a minute remaining. On Tuesday, coach Mike Tomlin was asked about the controversial play call and defended the decision with an honest take. "We felt good about it, to be quite honest with you," said Tomlin. "It was a weighty moment. It was third-and-medium. They had 11 guys within five yards of the line of scrimmage. We had GP matched up on a corner not named Denzel Ward. That feels like more than a 50-50 ball to me, and so we were comfortable with that decision." Related: Steelers Look to Rebound in Crucial AFC North Matchup Obviously, if the play had been successful then the discussions surrounding it would be very different, but deciding to put Fields (whose speciality is running) in the game to make that play over Russell Wilson is still a confusing choice. Although the Steelers do still sit at first place in the AFC North after the loss, they're just a half-game ahead of the Baltimore Ravens for the top spot, meaning they have very little room for error in the coming weeks. Related: Steelers Face Power Rankings Following LossDaily Post Nigeria Tinubu, ka zama mai rikon amana – Limamin Legas Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Hausa Tinubu, ka zama mai rikon amana – Limamin Legas Published on December 27, 2024 By Kabeer Bello Babban Limamin Masallacin Juma’a na Lekki, Lagos, Ridhwan Jamiu, ya yi kira ga Shugaba Bola Ahmed Tinubu da ya kasance mai rikon amana da adalci ga al’umma a koda yaushe. Shugaba Tinubu ya halarci sallar Juma’a a Masallacin Juma’a na Lekki tare da sauran masu ibada ranar Juma’a. Wannan sallar Juma’a ita ce fitowar Shugaban kasa ta farko a bainar jama’a bayan ya dakatar tarukan da aka sbirya yi saboda hadurrukan da suka faru a wasu sassan ƙasar. Limamin ya kuma yi kira ga ‘yan Najeriya da su kasance masu gode wa Allah a lokacin ni’ima da kuma haƙuri a lokacin jarabawa. Limamin ya yi addu’o’i don samun nasarar Shugaban kasa wajen jagorantar Najeriya zuwa ga zaman lafiya, tsaro, da kuma ci gaba. Related Topics: Jihar Legas Masallacin Juma'a Don't Miss Falana SAN ya nemi diyyar mutanen da su ka rasu a turmutsitsi You may like Gobara ta babbake sashen kasuwar ‘yan katako a Legas Offishin FIIRO ya kama da wuta a Legas Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media Ltd