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TORONTO — Canada's main stock index rose Thursday, helped by strength in energy and utilities stocks, while U.S. markets moved lower ahead of reports on the labour market on both sides of the border. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 38.86 points at 25,680.04. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was down 248.33 points at 44,765.71. The S&P 500 index was down 11.38 points at 6,075.11, while the Nasdaq composite was down 34.86 points at 19,700.26. Friday will bring the monthly jobs reports in both the U.S. and Canada, which markets will be eyeing for clues on upcoming interest rate decisions by central banks, said Kevin Headland, co-chief investment strategist at Manulife Investment Management. The U.S. Federal Reserve has several key data reports coming before it makes its own decision on Dec. 18, said Headland, including inflation. Markets are currently leaning toward a quarter-percentage-point cut from the Fed, he said. But “there’s a lot of data for them to digest before the announcement.” The Bank of Canada’s decision is next week, and Headland said markets seem to think there’s a good chance the central bank could cut by an outsized half-percentage point. “In my belief, the bank is trying to front-run the mortgage renewals that are coming due over the next year or so, to just avoid some of the bigger hits to discretionary spending,” said Headland. “There’s no reason for them not to continue rate cuts unless there’s a surprise tomorrow.” Canadian bank earnings continued to roll in on Thursday. CIBC saw its profit rise while its provisions for loan losses dropped. TD also saw its profit rise, though its adjusted earnings were lower as the bank continues to work through the fallout from its anti-money laundering deficiencies. Meanwhile, BMO’s earnings were a miss on analyst expectations but the bank said it expects loan performance to improve in 2025. So far, there haven’t been any major surprises from bank earnings overall, said Headland. Bitcoin continued its meteoric rise, briefly breaching US$100,000 for the first time after U.S. president-elect Donald Trump tapped crypto advocate Paul Atkins to head the Securities and Exchange Commission. “US$100,000 is definitely a psychological threshold,” said Headland. “I guess time will tell whether it can remain at that level,” he added. “If we’re getting downside pressure to risk assets, I would assume that Bitcoin and other companies will be swept up in that negativity.” But for now, the surge is indicative of the broader positive momentum markets have enjoyed since Donald Trump’s election, said Headland. The Canadian dollar traded for 71.24 cents US compared with 71.09 cents US on Wednesday. The January crude oil contract was down 24 cents at US$68.30 per barrel and the January natural gas contract was up four cents at US$3.08 per mmBTU. The February gold contract was down US$27.80 at US$2,648.40 an ounce and the March copper contract was down a penny at US$4.19 a pound. — With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) Rosa Saba, The Canadian PressVancouver, BC, Dec. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FOBI AI Inc. (FOBI:TSXV) (FOBIF:OTCQB) (" Fobi ” or the " Company ”) announces that it has applied to its principal regulator, the British Columbia Securities Commission (" BCSC ”), for a partial revocation order (the " Partial Revocation Order ”) of the ongoing failure-to-file cease trade order (" FFCTO ”) ordered by the BCSC on November 1, 2024, in order to complete a non-brokered private placement offering (the " Proposed Offering ”) of 56,114,400 units of the Company (the " Units ”) to a single subscriber (the " Subscriber ”) at a price per Unit of US$0.04 for aggregate gross proceeds of US$2,244,576 on a prospectus exempt basis. Each Unit is comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (a " Unit Share ”) and one common share purchase warrant (a " Unit Warrant ”), each of which is exercisable for the purchase of one additional common share in the capital of the Company at a price of US$0.06 per share for a period of two years from the date of the closing of the Proposed Offering. The proceeds from the Proposed Offering will be used to file the outstanding continuous disclosure documents of the Company, cover essential expenses, and subsequently apply for a full revocation of the FFCTO within a reasonable time, among other things. The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Proposed Offering as described in the table below. 1.Includes certain amounts payable in U.S. dollars converted to CAD using Bank of Canada exchange rate of 1 USD to 1.4386 CAD on December 24, 2024. 2.US$100,000 converted to CAD using Bank of Canada exchange rate of 1 USD to 1.4386 CAD on December 24, 2024. 3.Based on proceeds of US$2,244,576 using Bank of Canada exchange rate of 1 USD to 1.4386 CAD on December 24, 2024. On closing of the Proposed Offering, the Subscriber is anticipated to hold 19.99% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company. The applicable disclosure required under National Instrument 62-103 - The Early Warning System and Related Take Over Bid and Insider Reporting Issues will be included in the press release of the Company announcing the closing of the Proposed Offering. The exercise by the Subscriber of Unit Warrants will be prohibited if such exercise would result in the Subscriber holding 20.0% or more of the issued and outstanding voting securities of the Company. Completion of the Proposed Offering remains conditional on the grant of the Partial Revocation Order by the BCSC, approval of the Proposed Offering by the TSX Venture Exchange (" TSXV ”), and the execution of a subscription agreement, among other things. The Company anticipates filing (i) audited annual financial statements, management's discussion and analysis, and related certifications for the year ended June 30, 2024 (" Annual Filings ”), within 45 days of the closing of the Proposed Offering and (ii) interim financial statements, management's discussion and analysis, and related certifications for the three months ended September 30, 2024, including certifications thereto (" Interim Filings ”), within 15 days of the filing of the Annual Filings, at which time the Company intends to apply for a full revocation of the FFCTO. About Fobi Founded in 2017 in Vancouver, Canada, Fobi is a leading AI and data intelligence company that provides businesses with real-time applications to digitally transform and future-proof their organizations. Fobi enables businesses to action, leverage, and monetize their customer data by powering personalized and data-driven customer experiences, and drives digital sustainability by eliminating the need for paper and reducing unnecessary plastic waste at scale. Fobi works with some of the largest global organizations across retail & CPG, insurance, sports & entertainment, casino gaming, and more. Fobi is a recognized technology and data intelligence leader across North America and Europe, and is the largest data aggregator in Canada's hospitality & tourism industry. For more information, please contact: Forward Looking Statements/Information: This news release contains certain statements which constitute forward-looking statements or information, including statements regarding the terms of the Proposed Offering, the Partial Revocation Order, the intended use of the proceeds of the Proposed Offering, the time to complete the Annual Filings and Interim Filings, and other statements characterized by words such as "anticipates,” "may,” "can,” "plans,” "believes,” "estimates,” "expects,” "projects,” "targets,” "intends,” "likely,” "will,” "should,” "to be”, "potential” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may”, "should” or "will” occur . Such forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, some of which are beyond the Company's control, including, without limitation, market competition, the impact of general economic and industry conditions, competition, stock market volatility, BCSC and TSXV approval conditions, and the ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources. Although the Company believes that the expectations in its forward-looking statements are reasonable, they are based on factors and assumptions concerning future events which may prove to be inaccurate. Those factors and assumptions are based upon currently available information. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results or events and cause actual results or events to differ materially from those stated, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: Fobi not receiving approval of the TSXV with respect to any future issuances of securities as required; and changes to volatile exchange rates, market conditions, market competition and other economic and market factors. This forward-looking information may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the business of the Company and market conditions. As such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements, as no assurance can be provided as to future plans, operations, and results, levels of activity or achievements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this document are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Trading in the securities of the Company should be considered highly speculative. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to achieve all or any of its proposed objectives. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Governments are responsible for managing public funds on behalf of citizens. Reporting to Parliament holds them accountable for how they use these funds, ensuring they are spent as authorised and intended. Parliamentary oversight ensures that spending aligns with approved budgets and policies. It allows lawmakers to evaluate whether funds are being used effectively and whether the government is delivering on its commitments. In short, reporting to Parliament ensures that public funds are used responsibly, equitably, and in a way that serves the public interest, safeguarding the principles of good governance. The Coalition Government did not use $246million from the 2023-2024 budget, reveals the fourth quarter appropriation statement that was tabled in the last sitting of Parliament. Out of a total budget of $4,339,870,709, only $4,093,786,247 was used. Some of the key spending figures are: • Ministry of Women, Children and Social Protection used $190,420,548 from its total budget of $200,184,606. • Ministry of Health and Medical Services was allocated $453,685,400 and it used $384,981,776. • The Ministry of Education utilised $500,460,418 from its total budget of $505,364,643. • Ministry of Public Works, Meteorological Services and Transport used $85,419,642 from a total budget of $98,296,042. • $51,693,533 was allocated to the Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry and it ended up using $52,619,306. • Likewise, Fiji Roads Authority with a budget of $387,586,121 ended up using $405,815,419. • Peacekeeping Missions also bust its budget with an allocation of $56,955,690 and usage at $60,414,605. • Miscellaneous Services was allocated $456,143,989 and used $428,683,738. Virements in 2023-2024 budget The Coalition Government vired $103,556,434.72 in the 2023-2024 budget to pay for items that needed funding, reveals the fourth quarter appropriation statement that was tabled in the last sitting of Parliament. Virement in government budgets refers to the authorised transfer of funds from one budgetary allocation to another within the same fiscal year. Virement allows governments to respond to changing priorities or unforeseen circumstances during the fiscal year. Also, some departments or projects might not utilise their allocated budgets fully due to delays or reduced costs. Instead of letting these funds go unspent, virement allows their reallocation to areas with higher demand. Virement ensures that reallocation of funds happens in a transparent, authorised manner and complies with financial regulations and oversight mechanisms. $4,834,835.00 was vired towards Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration which used the money as lease payment for the Maritime Essential Services Centre and peacekeeping missions. The $4,834,835.00 was initially allocated for construction of the executive office and administration block ($1,400,000), Biosecurity Authority of Fiji – capital grant ($200,000), purchase of specialised equipment ($150,000) and financial software upgrade ($4,000,000). Ministry of Multi-Ethnic Affairs and Sugar Industry was given $2million for cane access road program – this amount was initially budgeted for Grant to Provincial Councils ($1,000,000), iTaukei Land Development ($500,000), Vanua Leadership Allowance ($100,000), and Workers Compensation ($100,701). $1,181,100 that was allocated for re-opening of overseas mission ($500,000) and refurbishment of overseas missions was diverted towards Water Authority of Fiji for its Urban Water Supply and Wastewater Management Project (ADB). $36,017,102 was sent to the Fiji Roads Authority for its capital grant. Part of the $36million came from budgetray allocations that were meant for refurbishment of Ba Mission Hospital ($351,239), construction of Lautoka Aged Care Facility ($250,000), Child Help Line ($20,0000, Welfare Graduation Program ($176,000), Women’s Plan of Action ($192,174), Completion of Fiji Barefoot College ($120,588), construction of walkway – CWM Hospital ($1,000,000), upgrade of Labasa Hospital – interior ($3,000,000), construction of new rehabilitation hospital – Tamavua ($1,500,000), refurbishment of Savusavu Hospital ($200,000), upgrade and maintenance of urban hospitals and institutional quarters ($800,000), purchase of equipment – urban hospitals ($500,000), purchase of bio medical equipment – urban and sub-divisional hospital ($3,000,000) and purchase of medical equipment – dental equipment – urban and sub-divisional hospital ($900,000). $50,360,027 was needed for public-private partnership (PPP) for health and the virements came from original allocations that were made of establishment of Public Works Department ($3,050,000), non-commercial obligation for Energy Fiji Ltd ($6,000,000), Higher Education – Level 7 with minimum cut off mark ($4,473,608), new Savusavu market ($1,017,000), completion of Govind Park – Ba ($3,245,000) and completion of Lautoka swimming pool ($2,769,000).HOPE Qatar Centre for Persons with Disabilities celebrated the completion of 18 years with a three-hour cultural extravaganza that brought on stage over 100 students with intellectual and physical disabilities who left the audience in awe. Students studying at HOPE Qatar, representing 19 different nationalities, converged at the Awsaj Academy auditorium in Qatar Foundation’s Education City this weekend in front of an audience comprising Qatari and expatriate communities, Bangladesh ambassador Mohamed Nazrul Islam, Indonesian ambassador Ridwan Hassan, Indian embassy first secretary Eish Singhal, parents, and other well-wishers. The celebration was based on the theme ‘Beats Across Borders’ and conducted on a day after the International Day of Persons with Disabilities was celebrated across the world. The performance by the students included dances from across different countries including India, Bangladesh, Romania, Africa, Spain, Egypt, Portugal, Philippines, Indonesia, England, and Ireland. Students in the 3-25 age range danced to various popular tunes often bringing the applauding audience to its feet. The students were also accompanied by HOPE Qatar staff members in some performances. The faculty also performed a medley of dances including Tinikiling (Filipino), Dabke (Arab), and Kalbeliya (Rajasthan) reflective of the diversity among the team consisting of representatives from over 16 countries. A solo song by Arth, a student, was received with a standing ovation from the audience for his soulful voice and rendition. A special award ceremony honoured 19 differently-abled HOPE Qatar students who had transitioned into the mainstream schools during the previous academic year. The class teachers of such students who transitioned were also given certificates of appreciation. Founder and chief mentor Dr Rajeev Thomas said the annual events enhance the confidence of the students, and also ensure they learn essential social skills while practising and performing. “A heightened sense of discipline, and systematic learning is required by each participant to be able to co-ordinate all the movements and steps needed for such a show, and it becomes more challenging when children with special needs are involved. “The team at HOPE Qatar has consistently enabled these children to demonstrate to the society that if given the right opportunities at the right time, children and youth with disabilities can achieve great success in their lives.” Dr Thomas also called upon the educators, lawmakers, parents and the general public to come together to ensure the creation of support systems that are essential for individuals with disabilities to thrive in the community. Bangladesh ambassador described HOPE Qatar as one of his favourite places in Qatar. “I am constantly surprised that each year the team comes up with something more than last year. It is such events that helps the individuals with disabilities to demonstrate their abilities in spite of their challenges,” he added. Indonesian envoy said the event has proven that individuals with disabilities have the potential, and wherever they are given an opportunity, they will shine. He recounted how his own daughter studying at HOPE Qatar has shown tremendous progress in her studies and has cleared the open schooling examinations and is gearing up for further studies. “As we as the family and community grow to accept out differently-abled children, in addition to facilitating their academic, social and emotional learning, we will also become more optimistic as we follow their development and growth to become their best selves,” he said. Singhal, who represented Indian ambassador Vipul, commended the efforts and enthusiasm shown by the students on stage. He applauded the HOPE Qatar team for integrating the children with such efforts, patience and enthusiasm. Gabriella Galatanu, a Romanian national and mother of Stefan, a student, spoke to the audience about the developments in her son’s life after joining HOPE Qatar. “With a heart filled with gratitude, and great appreciation for this incredible school and its staff, I acknowledge that Stefan my son has been a part of this community since 2019, and these years have been nothing short of transformative for him and our family,” she said. “As a parent, I always wanted an environment where he would not only learn, but also would feel included, feel understood, and also celebrated for who he is as a person. HOPE Qatar has provided exactly that and helped him to grow socially and emotionally, and nurtured his social skills in such a way that brings us so much pride,” she concluded while thanking the teachers for their patience, understanding and attitude of never giving up. Related Story QNL to lead transformation as IFLA Mena Regional Office QND celebrations begin at Katara
Kylie Kelce Proved That Belt Bags Are the Ultimate Holiday AccessoryIt’s been decades in the making. On Friday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the European Union (EU) and Mercosur, the South American economic bloc comprising Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, had struck a major trade agreement. The deal, which would create a free trade area covering more than 780 million people, came over vocal opposition from France and still needs to be approved by a qualified majority of EU member states and by a majority in the European Parliament before it goes into effect. What are the economic and political implications of this massive trade agreement? And what hurdles remain before it can be finalized and implemented? Our experts freely exchange their insights below. 1. Why is the deal moving forward now? On the one hand, this agreement has been in process for a long time, so at some point, the EU just has to move forward, and a fresh start with a new European Commission is a good excuse and as good a time as any. On the other hand, it’s hard to ignore that the main opponent of the agreement, France, is in a weak position politically, as is Germany, and that the portfolio structure of the new Commission gives von der Leyen more power to advance her priorities. Therefore, there is likely an element of “striking while the iron is hot” to the timing of the agreement. — L. Daniel Mullaney is a nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center and GeoEconomics Center. He served as assistant US trade representative for Europe and the Middle East in the Office of the United States Trade Representative from 2010 to 2023. Both sides clearly felt the global circumstances made the deal even more important for their respective interests. From an EU perspective, it’s about having new destinations for EU exports if President-elect Donald Trump raises US tariffs and the Chinese economic slump continues. More broadly, it’s a win for the EU’s longstanding approach to economic security: instead of using economic coercion, the EU prefers to use the attractiveness of its single market to secure bilateral deals on market access. But this approach has become less and less fashionable, including in the EU, so von der Leyen felt the months ahead were the last chance to get a Mercosur deal ratified. But its passage is still far from certain. — Charles Lichfield is the deputy director and C. Boyden Gray senior fellow of the Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Center. The deal is moving forward now in large part because the negotiations have produced a text that most parties believe they can live with; the deal is “ripe,” so to say. But three other factors have been influential in why the deal is being signed right now: The most vocal opponent of the deal, French President Emmanuel Macron, has been politically wounded, perhaps mortally, by the collapse of Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s government, although it remains to be seen whether he can marshal a blocking minority in the European Council. Von der Leyen is in a strong political position, and she knows there will be opposition, so she might as well get this done early in her term. This also allows her to give a gift to the country she knows best—Germany—which looks to the Mercosur countries as a valuable market. The Commission is well aware that it needs to be seen as engaging with developing countries, and it needs to bring them on as economic and political partners, especially as relations with the United States could become difficult. If you see this as, in part, a signal to Trump, you are probably right. — Frances Burwell is a distinguished fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Europe Center and a senior director at McLarty Associates. The current geopolitical landscape—marked by rising global protectionism and economic uncertainties—has created momentum for finalizing the deal. Both blocs view this agreement as a strategic move to bolster economic ties and secure a stronger position in global trade. — Abrão Neto is a nonresident fellow with the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center and a former secretary of foreign trade of Brazil. 2. What are the pros and cons for Mercosur members? For Mercosur nations, the agreement unlocks significant access to the European market, a major importer of key Mercosur exports, such as food and critical minerals. It also positions these economies to attract greater investment, driven by the EU’s stringent criteria. On the other hand, the influx of European manufactured goods will challenge Mercosur industries to modernize, digitalize, and boost efficiency to stay competitive. — Valentina Sader is a deputy director at the Atlantic Council’s Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center, where she leads the Center’s work on Brazil, gender equality, and diversity, and manages the Center’s Advisory Council. The agreement improves market access for Mercosur exports, reduces costs for importing essential inputs and machinery, attracts foreign investment, and fosters economic growth and job creation. However, local industries might face heightened competition from EU manufacturers, and there is concern that EU-imposed environmental and sustainability standards could disproportionately affect Mercosur producers, potentially offsetting some benefits. — Abrão Neto 3. What are the pros and cons for the EU and EU member states? Improving trade integration with a significant part of the Western Hemisphere will be a useful diversification of the EU trade portfolio, as US-China and US-EU trade relations shift to a potentially more disruptive period with the incoming US administration. The other side of the coin is that providing agricultural market access to Mercosur has been very controversial, particularly in France (whose government is weakened, perhaps only temporarily, by political challenges from the left and the right). Some of the “sustainability” practices in Mercosur countries have also drawn controversy. So while this may be a wise economic choice, it could trigger significant political backlash. —L. Daniel Mullaney The pros are clear. In addition to better market access terms to Latin America for EU goods, the bloc hopes to access the critical minerals available in the ground in Mercosur countries and stymie China’s increasing influence in that sector. The cons are supposedly a glut of cheap Argentine beef and Brazilian bananas. But there are tough quotas in the deal, including a limit equivalent to one Mercosur steak per EU citizen per year. So European farmers’ objections are not entirely justified, although the complaint that they have to follow more constraints (on emissions and the use of fertilizer and pesticides) than Mercosur farmers do is probably more reasonable. —Charles Lichfield This agreement has the potential to bring serious economic benefits to the EU in terms of new markets. In 2023, the EU had a slight trade surplus vis-à-vis Mercosur, and certain European countries had a significant surplus. Germany’s surplus was nine billion euros, Belgium’s was three billion euros, and even France had a two-billion-euro surplus. These countries are all in a position to benefit from the Mercosur arrangement. But in every trade deal, there are winners and losers, and clearly some of the losers in France, especially the farmers, are very powerful politically. It is also true that critics of Mercosur have ignored some of the provisions in the deal that answer their concerns, such as a ban on imports of hormone-fed beef. In this partisan environment, the economic advantages of the deal may be cancelled out by the political disadvantages. The signature today will only exacerbate the anger of those in Europe who believe the Commission acts in its own interests and fails to protect the interests of European citizens. While the German government and mainstream parties may support the EU-Mercosur arrangement, there are many in that country who feel left out economically and who are likely to see this as another reason to vote for a Euroskeptic party. Thus, while the agreement brings many economic benefits, these might be outweighed by the political costs. —Frances Burwell 4. What do the next steps look like for the deal? The process involves legal scrubbing, translation into multiple languages, formal signing, and ratification by national parliaments in both blocs. While this agreement represents a historic milestone, significant political and stakeholder debates are anticipated, presenting challenges before full implementation. — Abrão Neto In the EU, the next steps are a likely challenging process of approval from the member states and consent by the European Parliament. The debate over the positive and negative aspects of this initiative will play out very publicly among relatively new actors in the EU institutions and member states. In the meantime, France’s and Germany’s political challenges may or may not endure. Fasten your seat belts and pass the popcorn! —L. Daniel Mullaney Further reading
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The scenarios for the 49ers to make the playoffs are complicated and unrealistic . What I’m asking the 49ers to do in Sunday’s game with the Bears is simple and achievable: Show some pride. This might not be a team that can compete for the championship (or even make the tournament) but that doesn’t mean anyone should roll over. This isn’t the NBA, after all. No, in the NFL, there is still plenty to play for, even if the season’s original goals have gone up in smoke. Sunday is the perfect spot for San Francisco to get right. They’re facing a Chicago team with a rookie quarterback, a head coach in his first game, and the general stench of chaos around them. Don’t get me wrong, the Bears have many admirable qualities, and they can absolutely win Sunday’s game, which should be called the MiseraBowl . But surely the Niners — for all their faults and fumbles — aren’t as bad as these guys. Right? Say what you will about the Niners (I’ve said it all by now), but at least they’re not possibly starting former Seahawk special teamer Travis Homer at running back Sunday—no, they’ll have rookie Issac Guerendo in the backfield. And while Bears fans wondered if interim head coach Thomas Brown (who was promoted to offensive coordinator 17 days prior) would fulfill his new gig from the booth, the Niners haven’t dealt with coaching-from-the-booth issues for over a year. And instead of wondering if their quarterback is “the guy” to stake the franchise, like the Bears with rookie Caleb Williams, the Niners are trying to figure out how much to pay the quarterback on whom they’ll stake the franchise. That’s totally different! But, hey, the Niners will be at home on Sunday. That has to count for something. Ok, the margins between these two teams might be tighter than initially expected, but this Niners’ season still matters. If not the quixotic quest for the playoffs, then as a testament to quality for players and coaches and a momentum starter for the 2025 season. “Just flush the things that have happened. Don’t worry about what has happened in the past,” George Kittle said this week. “Flush it, try to be your best self, and just move forward because we still have a lot of great players on this team that can all make really special plays. And all it takes is a spark to get the boys going, and then after that, we’ll see what can happen.” This is the beauty of the NFL — every game has meaning, even if neither team should have any interest in actually playing the game. And for all the conversation around the Niners tanking for a good draft pick, wouldn’t it be better to pull it together and play — for the first time all season — some solid football final weeks, making the Seahawks and Cardinals — who need a playoff berth more than the Niners — sweat until the very end, and put a dent in the notion that this team’s stock is in a tailspin? This is a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league, after all. Lesser teams have earned more reputation from less than what is being asked of the Niners. Draft picks? That can all be sorted out in the spring. And it’s not like the Niners need to position themselves for a quarterback at the top of the first round. (We saw how that worked out last time.) No, the Niners need both quality and quantity this upcoming offseason. They’ll need to build up both lines and their defense with young and cheap players. But this team isn’t tearing things down to the foundation—this isn’t a full-on rebuild. No, call it a restructuring. It’s one part a penance for trying to run back the same team that went to the Super Bowl in 2023, another, the natural autophagy of a football team. It’s a crucial offseason, no doubt, and wouldn’t it be better if the Niners entered it with a reason to believe they are still a team to beat in the NFC? The Niners built a stars-and-scrubs roster and were decimated by bad injuries to those stars. They played with fire and were burned. After a season as disappointing as this one, the Niners have to prove that their window of contention for that long-sought sixth Lombardi Trophy is still open. That this team isn’t done, even if this season is. Beating the Bears won’t reverse this campaign’s trend or give the Niners a leg up in 2025, but losing to Chicago certainly wouldn’t help the cause. Whatever lie the 49ers need to tell themselves to get up for this game needs to be said. The Niners’ best might not be all that great anymore, but it’s time for that best to show itself. Great players and teams are self-motivated, after all. Consider this the 2025 preseason, folks. What the Niners do on Sunday and in the final four games of the season will give us a great hint as to what we can expect next year.Freiburg survives late onslaught to beat Wolfsburg in Bundesliga thriller
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Teoscar Hernández agrees to three-year, $66-million deal with the DodgersSouth Korean authorities seek warrant to detain impeached presidentAfter welcoming her fourth child in March, that during the eighth month of her pregnancy, she was "diagnosed with a massive blood clot in my brain." The "Wonder Woman" star shared a photo of herself breastfeeding her then-newborn baby and , which began, "This year has been one of profound challenges and deep reflections, and I've wrestled with how, or even if, to share a personal story." "At the end, I decided to let my heart guide me," Gadot continued. "Perhaps this is my way of processing everything, of pulling back the curtain on the fragile reality behind the curated moments we share on social media. Most of all, I hope that by sharing, I can raise awareness and support others who may face something similar." The "Snow White" actress then disclosed that in February, which marked her eighth month of pregnancy, she was diagnosed with a blood clot in her brain. Gadot detailed her symptoms, which included enduring "excruciating headaches that confined me to bed, until I finally underwent an MRI that revealed the terrifying truth." "In one moment, my family and I were faced with how fragile life can be," she wrote. "It was a stark reminder of how quickly everything can change, and in the midst of a difficult year, all I wanted was to hold on and live." The 39-year-old, who is married to film producer Jaron Varsano, wrote that at the time, they rushed to the hospital and within hours, she had undergone emergency surgery. "My daughter, Ori, was born during that moment of uncertainty and fear," she shared. "Her name, meaning 'my light,' wasn’t chosen by chance." "Before the surgery, I told Jaron that when our daughter arrived, she would be the light waiting for me at the end of this tunnel," Gadot added. "Thanks to an extraordinary team of doctors at and weeks of dedicated care, I made it through and began the road to recovery. Today, I am fully healed and filled with gratitude for the life I’ve been given back." Gadot shared on March 6 in an Instagram post that she had given birth to Ori, and wrote at the time that although pregnancy "was not easy," she "made it through." Gadot shares three other daughters with Varsano including Alma, born in 2011, Maya, born in 2017, and Daniella, born in 2021. "The journey has taught me so much. First, it’s vital to listen to our bodies and trust what it’s telling us. Pain, discomfort, or even subtle changes often carry deeper meaning, and being attuned to your body can be life saving. Second, awareness matters. I had no idea that 3 in 100,000 pregnant women in the 30s+ age group are diagnosed with CVT(develop a blood clot in the brain). "It’s so important to identify early because it’s treatable. While rare, it’s a possibility, and knowing it exists is the first step to addressing it. Sharing this is not meant to frighten anyone but to empower. If even one person feels compelled to take action for their health because of this story, it will have been worth sharing." In a follow-up comment on her post, Gadot added: "Giving birth is a miracle, a testament to the strength and resilience of our bodies and spirits. But it also demands so much from us, reminding us to care for ourselves as fiercely as we care for others. As we celebrate Hanukkah, a holiday of light and miracles, I reflect on the personal miracle I was granted. My daughter, Ori, is a constant reminder of resilience, hope, and the strength we carry within. My wish is that we all find our light, experience our own miracles, and continue to advocate for our health and for one another 💛 Happy Hanukkah, and may this year bring us all health, strength, and light."
Carl Hull to Retire as Executive Chairman SAN DIEGO, Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Maravai LifeSciences Holdings, Inc. ("Maravai” or the "Company”) (NASDAQ: MRVI), a global provider of life science reagents and services to researchers and biotech innovators, announced that Carl Hull will retire from his position as Executive Chairman of the Board and that the Board of Directors has unanimously elected R. Andrew Eckert to succeed him as Chairman of the Board, effective December 5, 2024. Carl Hull founded Maravai in 2014 and served as Chief Executive Officer, assuming the role of Executive Chairman in October 2022. "Leading Maravai has been the single most rewarding experience in my career. I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished together over the past 10 years,” stated Carl Hull. "I extend my sincere thanks to Trey Martin, our CEO, the rest of our leadership team and to the dedicated employees across the world who enthusiastically serve our customers and their communities every day. I am excited about the company's future prospects and am confident that Maravai has the team, the talent, and the technology to deliver on its long-term objectives.” "On behalf of the entire Board, I thank Carl for his incredible commitment to Maravai since he founded the Company in 2014.” said Constantine ("Dean”) Mihas, Board member and Co-CEO of GTCR. "I congratulate him for his distinguished career and deeply appreciate his vision and unwavering service to building Maravai and positioning the company for long-term success. He has been a model of corporate leadership and integrity in our industry and beyond, and we wish him well in his well-deserved retirement." Mihas continued, "We also want to welcome Andy as our new Chair and Board member. Andy is a healthcare industry veteran with extensive experience as an executive officer of several healthcare companies. He brings deep knowledge of operations, strategic planning, product development and marketing to our Board and has valuable corporate governance insight gained from having served as Chief Executive Officer and Director of publicly held companies. We look forward to leveraging his impressive executive experience to help guide Maravai to achieve significant scale.” "I'm honored to join the Board of Directors at Maravai, a company dedicated to innovation to help our customers improve human health,” said Eckert. "I look forward to contributing to the success and transformative impact of this remarkable organization while concurrently driving long-term shareholder value." About R. Andrew Eckert Mr. Eckert is a Senior Adviser to Permira, a global private equity leader. Prior to Permira, he served as CEO of Zelis, a healthcare payments and cost containment business. Before Zelis, he served as CEO of wound care leader Kinetic Concepts, Inc. (KCI) from 2017 until its sale to 3M in 2019. Prior to joining KCI, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Valence Health, an emerging leader in value-based healthcare, until its sale in 2016. Andy previously served as Chief Executive Officer of TriZetto, a leader in payer information technology (acquired by Cognizant), and as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CRC Health Group, a leading behavioral health treatment provider (acquired by Acadia). Earlier in his career, he was Chief Executive Officer of Eclipsys Corporation from 2005 to 2009, and Chief Executive Officer of SumTotal Systems from 2002 to 2005. Andy began his career at ADAC Laboratories, including four years as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer until its sale to Philips Medical Systems in 2000. Andy has served on several corporate boards and is currently the Chairman of Kipu Health, Lead Director at Fortrea (NASDAQ: FTRE), and a Director at Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE: BDX). He was Chairman of Varian Medical Systems for seven years until its acquisition by Siemens Healthineers in 2021. He has a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering and a Master of Business Administration, both from Stanford University. About Maravai Maravai is a leading life sciences company providing critical products to enable the development of drug therapies, diagnostics, and novel vaccines and to support research on human diseases. Maravai's companies are leaders in providing products and services in the fields of nucleic acid synthesis and biologics safety testing to many of the world's leading biopharmaceutical, vaccine, diagnostics and cell and gene therapies companies. Forward-looking Statements This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that statements in this press release which are not strictly historical statements constitute forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements related to the expectation that Mr. Eckert will help Maravai achieve scale and drive long-term shareholder value, constitute forward-looking statements identified by words like "plan,” "will,” "expect,” "may,” "anticipate,” or "could” and similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated, including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties described in greater detail in the "Risk Factors” section of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-looking statements, and therefore you should not rely upon them. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views and we do not undertake to update any of these forward-looking statements to reflect a change in its views or events or circumstances that occur after the date hereof except as required by law. CONTACT: Contact Information: Deb Hart Maravai LifeSciences + 1 858-988-5917 [email protected]
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Jake Evans scored for the career-high fifth consecutive game and the surging Montreal Canadiens beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2 on Sunday night. Christian Dvorak, Joel Armia, Brendan Gallagher and Alex Newhook also scored to help the Canadiens win for the fifth time in six games. Sam Montembeault made 21 saves. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get the latest sports news delivered right to your inbox six days a week.Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president and the third American leader to visit India during which a village in Haryana was named Carterpuri in his honour — has died peacefully at his home in Plains, Georgia surrounded by his family, the Carter Centre said. Carter died on Sunday aged 100. He was the longest-lived president in US history. “Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian,” President Joe Biden said in a statement mourning his loss. Carter is survived by his children — Jack, Chip, Jeff, and Amy; 11 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife Rosalynn and one grandchild. “My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love. My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honouring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs,” Chip Carter said. In his statement, Biden said over six decades, with his compassion and moral clarity, Carter worked to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil rights and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless, and always advocate for the least among the people. He saved, lifted, and changed the lives of people all across the globe. “He was a man of great character and courage, hope and optimism. We will always cherish seeing him and Rosalynn together. The love shared between Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter is the definition of partnership and their humble leadership is the definition of patriotism. We will miss them both dearly, but take solace knowing they are reunited once again and will remain forever in our hearts,” said Biden and First Lady Dr Jill Biden. President-elect Donald Trump said while he "strongly disagreed" with Carter "philosophically and politically", he also realised that he truly loved and respected "our country, and all it stands for". "He worked hard to make America a better place, and for that I give him my highest respect. He was a truly good man and, of course, will be greatly missed. He was also very consequential, far more than most Presidents, after he left the Oval Office,” Trump said. Carter was considered a friend of India. He was the first American president to visit India after the removal of emergency and victory of the Janata Party in 1977. In his address to the Indian parliament, Carter spoke against authoritarian rule. “India's difficulties, which we often experience ourselves and which are typical of the problems faced in the developing world, remind us of the tasks that lie ahead. Not the Authoritarian Way,” Carter said on January 2, 1978. “But India's successes are just as important because they decisively refute the theory that in order to achieve economic and social progress, a developing country must accept an authoritarian or totalitarian government and all the damage to the health of the human spirit which that kind of rule brings with it,” he told members of parliament. “Is democracy important? Is human freedom valued by all people?... India has given her affirmative answer in a thunderous voice, a voice heard around the world. Something momentous happened here last March, not because any particular party won or lost but rather, I think, because the largest electorate on earth freely and wisely choose its leaders at the polls. In this sense, democracy itself was the victor,” Carter said. A day later at the signing of the Delhi declaration along with then Prime Minister Morarji Desai, Carter said at the heart of the friendship between India and the US is their determination that the moral values of the people must also guide the actions of the states, the governments. “The United States gave the world an illustration of a new form of government, with a new relation between the citizen and the state — a relation in which the state exists to serve the citizen, and not the citizen to serve the state,” he said. “India experimented with creating political unity from overwhelming human diversity, enabling people of different cultures and languages and religions to work together, both in independence and also in freedom. Yours is an experiment whose success the world is celebrating anew,” Carter said in the Ashoka Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhawan. According to the Carter Centre, on January 3, 1978, Carter and then First Lady Rosalynn Carter travelled to the village of Daulatpur Nasirabad, an hour southwest of New Delhi. He was the third American president to visit India and the only one with a personal connection to the country – his mother, Lillian, had worked there as a health volunteer with the Peace Corps during the late 1960s. “The visit was so successful that shortly after, village residents renamed the area 'Carterpuri' and remained in contact with the White House for the rest of President Carter’s tenure. The trip made a lasting impression: Festivities abounded in the village when President Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002, and January 3 remains a holiday in Carterpuri,” the Carter Centre said, adding that the visit laid the groundwork for an enduring partnership that has greatly benefited both countries. President Carter understood that shared democratic principles formed a strong foundation for a long, fruitful relationship between the US and India. It is, therefore, no surprise that the two nations grew steadily closer in the decades after he left office, it said. “In fact, since the Carter administration, the US and India have worked closely on energy, humanitarian aid, technology, space cooperation, maritime security, disaster relief, counterterrorism, and more. In the mid-2000s, the United States and India struck a landmark agreement to work toward full civil nuclear cooperation, and bilateral trade has since skyrocketed,” the centre said. "In 2010, the first US-India Strategic Dialogue took place in Washington DC, launching what President Barack Obama called 'an unprecedented partnership'. The arc of US-India ties from the Carter administration to the Biden administration is one of increasing cooperation in both depth and breadth. There are many areas of mutual interest — particularly trade and defense — where successful collaboration has fostered interdependency between the two countries,” it said. Ronak D Desai, Partner and India Practice Leader at Paul Hastings law firm, said Carter's presidency marked a pivotal moment in US-India relations. After the strain caused by the Nixon administration's infamous “tilt” toward Pakistan during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1971, Carter understood the critical importance of re-engaging with India as a democratic partner in a rapidly evolving global order. His visit to India in 1978 was not merely symbolic but a substantive effort to rebuild trust and establish a framework for dialogue rooted in mutual respect and shared values, he said. “While Carter’s presidency was often viewed through the lens of domestic challenges, his contributions to US-India relations were transformative," Desai said.
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