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mnl168 ph Gov’t has realistic economic programme, clear vision to growth, improved living conditions - minister

NEIL Gray was right to take a government limo to a star-studded film premiere because the movie featured drug and alcohol addiction and was therefore government business, John Swinney has insisted. The Health Secretary took a ministerial car to Cameo Picturehouse in Edinburgh on August 15 this year to attend the opening reception of the city's Film Festival - which included a screening of the new Saoirse Ronan film, Outrun. 3 John Swinney has rallied behind Neil Gray after his Edinburgh Film Festival visit Credit: Andrew Barr 3 The health secretary attended festival's opening gala which featured a screening of Saoirse Ronan's film Outrun Credit: Getty 3 Mr Gray has been criticised recently for using government cars to visit football games Credit: Alamy But the First Minister claimed that this was still “government business” due to the film’s themes of addiction. He said: “He was attending a film which is addressing the issues of drug addiction , alcohol addiction and mental health and wellbeing and therefore relevant to his portfolio interests as cabinet secretary of health.” Mr Gray attended the glitzy premiere alongside his wife - despite holding the health secretary role and the fact culture secretary Angus Robertson was also there. He was appointed as the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care in February this year, having previously been the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy from March 2023 to February 2024. Read more Politics stories FREEBIES ROW Under-fire SNP minister under MORE pressure over trip to glitzy film premiere GENDER MUDDLE John Swinney says men can't get pregnant despite SNP lawyers arguing opposite He held the post as Minister for Culture, Europe and International Development between January 2022 and March 2023. Despite leaving his ministerial culture post, Mr Gray’s film attendance was listed as a “culture” engagement. And the SNP leader’s defence of his minister was labelled “desperate” due to social media posts from Mr Gray which showed he wanted to see the film due to its links to Orkney , where he grew up. On X/Twitter, the minister said in December last year: “Cannot wait to see this! Most read in The Scottish Sun BUS BEAST Kilmarnock fan famous for foul-mouthed post-match rants exposed as paedophile SICKO CAGED ScotRail worker caught in vigilante paedo sting at train station jailed CASH VOW Nurse cancels £30k Scots fairytale wedding after 'rose-tinted glasses come off' DOORS CLOSED Major outdoor retailer with 13 Scots branches to shut 2 sites before Christmas “Brilliant that @amy_may’s stunning writing, Orkney’s scenery and a Screen Scotland supported production will be featured at Sundance, a premier international film festival.” Deputy Scottish Tory leader Rachael Hamilton blasted the Nats. She said: “This is a desperate defence from John Swinney of his Cabinet colleague. Moment Scottish Tory leader Russell Finlay pours pint before necking it in Glasgow “He knows fine well that there was no justification for Neil Gray to be at this event and is clutching at straws. “Taxpayers are sick and tired of the SNP taking them for a ride. Honest John should have had the decency to be upfront with the public over Neil Gray’s behaviour, instead of giving this absurd response.” It comes after Aberdeen fan Mr Gray came under flak for taking government cars to four Dons games as a guest of the SFA and SPL.World News | Warren Buffett Gives Away Another USD 1.1 Billion, Plans for Distributing His USD 147 Billion Fortune After His DeathChina is increasingly uncomfortable about and finds the growing cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow unnerving, Kurt Campbell, the US deputy secretary of state has said. He was leaning into a growing debate among the US’s security partners in Asia on whether China supports the decision of to fight for Russia against Ukraine. It is said the North Korean troops are now inside Russia. There are also doubts in the Japanese foreign ministry that China supports North Korea’s dispatch of troops. Officials say China has largely been silent over the issue, and may be worried that the military collusion in Ukraine will help an American drive to form a network of alliances with South Korea and Japan in east Asia that Beijing already views as aimed at curbing its power. In a rare olive branch China has told Japan it intends to remove a buoy it installed inside Japan’s exclusive economic zone near the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. Although the step is small, the islands are a flashpoint between Japan and China, and it is seen as symbolic of an effort to encourage those inside Japan that do not want to be drawn into a US-led conflict with China. In a recent seminar at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington thinktank, Campbell said: “The topic that is becoming increasingly uncomfortable for Chinese interlocutors is the DPRK [North Korea] engagement with Russia. “In some of the discussions we have had it seems we are informing them of things that they were unaware of with regard to DPRK pursuits, and they are concerned that Russian encouragement might lead the DPRK to contemplate either actions or military actions that might not be in China’s interests.” He added: “China has not weighed in directly to criticise Russia but we do believe that the increasing coordination between Pyongyang and Moscow is unnerving them.” But analysts differ on whether there is a substantial fissure between China and Russia. Dennis Wilder, a former CIA assistant director for east Asia and Pacific, said: “The radio silence in Beijing on this subject is staggering. There is not a word in the Chinese press either about the strategic agreement made between Russia and North Korea in the summer, or about sending troops. “How does China explain what is going on and how do they ignore internationally the fact that their client state is now fighting in Ukraine? The Europeans are going to be upset and they are not going to be upset at the North Koreans, but with China. “If Russia goes down the road of nuclear assistance to North Korea this will bolster the Americans’ alliances in east Asia and maybe create a true Nato so President Xi Jinping is in a very very difficult spot.” Adm Samuel Paparo, the commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, said at the Halifax security forum on Saturday that the relationship between Russia, China and North Korea was having a “certain transactional symbiosis”. He claimed: “ and Russia in return will probably provide missile and submarine technology for North Korea.” He added he thought China had provided Russia with 90% of its semiconductors and 70% of its machine tools to rebuild its war machine. Andrew Shearer, the director general of Australia’s Office of National Intelligence, was also sceptical about the extent of China’s unease. “The idea of driving wedges between Putin and Xi is pretty fanciful and if we do not face up to the reality that Putin is only still in the war in Ukraine today due to China’s military, diplomatic and dual use support we are not going to fashion effective strategies.” The doubts about China’s attitude are mirrored among observers in Japan too. Prof Emi Mifune, of the faculty of law at Komazawa University, said: “There is no way that China did not know what Russia was planning. China cannot afford to see Russia lose against the west, and if Russia wins it helps set up a propaganda advantage and precedent for China in seeking to control Taiwain.” She pointed to the May 2024 China-Russia summit as a significant moment when China extracted concessions from Russia, including over Chinese access from the Tumen River to the Sea of Japan. Prof Hideya Kurata, of the National Defense Academy of Japan, believes Beijing’s position is one of neither approval or disapproval, but one of discomfort. He has been highlighting how the conflict has to be seen in the context of North Korea’s decision to abandon efforts to reunify the Korean peninsula. He said that starts with tactical nuclear weapons, extends to intermediate-range ballistic missiles targeting Japan, intermediate- to long-range missiles targeting Guam, and intercontinental ballistic missiles that could target the US mainland. He said he did not believe the US had medium-range nuclear weapons on land or at sea in the region that would act as a deterrence to North Korea.

As open enrollment for Affordable Care Act plans continues through Jan. 15, you’re likely seeing fewer social media ads promising monthly cash cards worth hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars that you can use for groceries, medical bills, rent and other expenses. But don’t worry. You haven’t missed out on any windfalls. Clicking on one of those ads would not have provided you with a cash card — at least not worth hundreds or thousands. But you might have found yourself switched to a health insurance plan you did not authorize, unable to afford treatment for an unforeseen medical emergency, and owing thousands of dollars to the IRS, according to an ongoing lawsuit against companies and individuals who plaintiffs say masterminded the ads and alleged scams committed against millions of people who responded to them. The absence of those once-ubiquitous ads are likely a result of the federal government suspending access to the ACA marketplace for two companies that market health insurance out of South Florida offices, amid accusations they used “fraudulent” ads to lure customers and then switched their insurance plans and agents without their knowledge. In its suspension letter, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) cited “credible allegations of misconduct” in the agency’s decision to suspend the abilities of two companies — TrueCoverage (doing business as Inshura) and BenefitAlign — to transact information with the marketplace. CMS licenses and monitors agencies that use their own websites and information technology platforms to enroll health insurance customers in ACA plans offered in the federal marketplace. The alleged scheme affected millions of consumers, according to a lawsuit winding its way through U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale that seeks class-action status. An amended version of the suit, filed in August, increased the number of defendants from six to 12: — TrueCoverage LLC, an Albuquerque, New Mexico-based health insurance agency with large offices in Miami, Miramar and Deerfield Beach. TrueCoverage is a sub-tenant of the South Florida Sun Sentinel in a building leased by the newspaper in Deerfield Beach. — Enhance Health LLC, a Sunrise-based health insurance agency that the lawsuit says was founded by Matthew Herman, also named as a defendant, with a $150 million investment from hedge fund Bain Capital’s insurance division. Bain Capital Insurance Fund LP is also a defendant. — Speridian Technologies LLC, accused in the lawsuit of establishing two direct enrollment platforms that provided TrueCoverage and other agencies access to the ACA marketplace. — Benefitalign LLC, identified in the suit as one of the direct enrollment platforms created by Speridian. Like Speridian and TrueCoverage, the company is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. — Number One Prospecting LLC, doing business as Minerva Marketing, based in Fort Lauderdale, and its founder, Brandon Bowsky, accused of developing the social media ads that drove customers — or “leads” — to the health insurance agencies. — Digital Media Solutions LLC, doing business as Protect Health, a Miami-based agency that the suit says bought Minerva’s “fraudulent” ads. In September, the company filed for Chapter 11 protection from creditors in United States Bankruptcy Court in Texas, which automatically suspended claims filed against the company. — Net Health Affiliates Inc., an Aventura-based agency the lawsuit says was associated with Enhance Health and like it, bought leads from Minerva. — Garish Panicker, identified in the lawsuit as half-owner of Speridian Global Holdings and day-to-day controller of companies under its umbrella, including TrueCoverage, Benefitalign and Speridian Technologies. — Matthew Goldfuss, accused by the suit of overseeing and directing TrueCoverage’s ACA enrollment efforts. All of the defendants have filed motions to dismiss the lawsuit. The motions deny the allegations and argue that the plaintiffs failed to properly state their claims and lack the standing to file the complaints. The Sun Sentinel sent requests for comment and lists of questions about the cases to four separate law firms representing separate groups of defendants. Three of the law firms — one representing Brandon Bowsky and Number One Prospecting LLC d/b/a Minerva Marketing, and two others representing Net Health Affiliates Inc. and Bain Capital Insurance Fund — did not respond to the requests. A representative of Enhance Health LLC and Matthew Herman, Olga M. Vieira of the Miami-based firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, responded with a short message saying she was glad the newspaper knew a motion to dismiss the charges had been filed by the defendants. She also said that, “Enhance has denied all the allegations as reported previously in the media.” Catherine Riedel, a communications specialist representing TrueCoverage LLC, Benefitalign LLC, Speridian Technologies LLC, Girish Panicker and Matthew Goldfuss, issued the following statement: “TrueCoverage takes these allegations very seriously and is responding appropriately. While we cannot comment on ongoing litigation, we strongly believe that the allegations are baseless and without merit. “Compliance is our business. The TrueCoverage team records and reviews every call with a customer, including during Open Enrollment when roughly 500 agents handle nearly 30,000 calls a day. No customer is enrolled into any policy without a formal verbal consent given by the customer. If any customer calls in as a result of misleading content presented by third-party marketing vendors, agents are trained to correct such misinformation and action is taken against such third-party vendors.” Through Riedel, the defendants declined to answer follow-up questions, including whether the company remains in business, whether it continues to enroll Affordable Care Act clients, and whether it is still operating its New Mexico call center using another affiliated technology platform. The suspension notification from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services letter cites several factors, including the histories of noncompliance and previous suspensions. The letter noted suspicion that TrueCoverage and Benefitalign were storing consumers’ personally identifiable information in databases located in India and possibly other overseas locations in violation of the centers’ rules. The letter also notes allegations against the companies in the pending lawsuit that “they engaged in a variety of illegal practices, including violations of the (Racketeer Influenced & Corrupt Organizations, or RICO Act), misuse of consumer (personal identifiable information) and insurance fraud.” The amended lawsuit filed in August names as plaintiffs five individuals who say their insurance plans were changed and two agencies who say they lost money when they were replaced as agents. The lawsuit accuses the defendants of 55 counts of wrongdoing, ranging from running ads offering thousands of dollars in cash that they knew would never be provided directly to consumers, switching millions of consumers into different insurance policies without their authorization, misstating their household incomes to make them eligible for $0 premium coverage, and “stealing” commissions by switching the agents listed in their accounts. TrueCoverage, Enhance Health, Protect Health, and some of their associates “engaged in hundreds of thousands of agent-of-record swaps to steal other agents’ commissions,” the suit states. “Using the Benefitalign and Inshura platforms, they created large spreadsheet lists of consumer names, dates of birth and zip codes.” They provided those spreadsheets to agents, it says, and instructed them to access platforms linked to the ACA marketplace and change the customers’ agents of record “without telling the client or providing informed consent.” “In doing so, they immediately captured the monthly commissions of agents ... who had originally worked with the consumers directly to sign them up,” the lawsuit asserts. TrueCoverage employees who complained about dealing with prospects who called looking for cash cards were routinely chided by supervisors who told them to be vague and keep making money, the suit says. When the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services began contacting the company in January about customer complaints, the suit says TrueCoverage enrollment supervisor Matthew Goldfuss sent an email instructing agents “do not respond.” The lawsuit states the “scheme” was made possible in 2021 when Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act in the wake of the COVID pandemic. The act made it possible for Americans with household incomes between 100% and 150% of the federal poverty level to pay zero in premiums and it enabled those consumers to enroll in ACA plans all year round, instead of during the three-month open enrollment period from November to January. Experienced health insurance brokers recognized the opportunity presented by the changes, the lawsuit says. More than 40 million Americans live within 100% and 150% of the federal poverty level, while only 15 million had ACA insurance at the time. The defendants developed or benefited from online ads, the lawsuit says, which falsely promised “hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars per month in cash benefits such as subsidy cards to pay for common expenses like rent, groceries, and gas.” Consumers who clicked on the ads were brought to a landing page that asked a few qualifying questions, and if their answers suggested that they might qualify for a low-cost or no-cost plan, they were provided a phone number to a health insurance agency. There was a major problem with the plan, according to the lawsuit. “Customers believe they are being routed to someone who will send them a free cash card, not enroll them in health insurance.” By law, the federal government sends subsidies for ACA plans to insurance companies, and not to individual consumers. Scripts were developed requiring agents not to mention a cash card, and if a customer mentions a cash card, “be vague” and tell the caller that only the insurance carrier can provide that information, the lawsuit alleges. In September, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss the claims. In addition to denying the charges, they argued that the class plaintiffs lacked the standing to make the accusations and failed to demonstrate that they suffered harm. The motion also argued that the lawsuit’s accusations failed to meet requirements necessary to claim civil violations of the RICO Act. Miami-based attorney Jason Kellogg, representing the plaintiffs, said he doesn’t expect a ruling on the motion to dismiss the case for several months. The complaint also lists nearly 50 companies, not named as defendants, that it says fed business to TrueCoverage and Enhance Health. Known in the industry as “downlines,” most operate in office parks throughout South Florida, the lawsuit says. The lawsuit quotes former TrueCoverage employees complaining about having to work with customers lured by false cash promises in the online ads. A former employee who worked in the company’s Deerfield Beach office was quoted in the lawsuit as saying that senior TrueCoverage and Speridian executives “knew that consumers were calling in response to the false advertisements promising cash cards and they pressured agents to use them to enroll consumers into ACA plans.” A former human resources manager for TrueCoverage said sales agents frequently complained “that they did not feel comfortable having to mislead consumers,” the lawsuit said. Over two dozen agents “came to me with these complaints and showed me the false advertisements that consumers who called in were showing them,” the lawsuit quoted the former manager as saying. For much of the time the companies operated, the ACA marketplace enabled agents to easily access customer accounts using their names and Social Security numbers, change their insurance plans and switch their agents of record without their knowledge or authorization, the lawsuit says. This resulted in customers’ original agents losing their commissions and many of the policyholders finding out they suddenly owed far more for health care services than their original plans had required, the suit states. It says that one of the co-plaintiffs’ health plans was changed at least 22 times without her consent. She first discovered that she had lost her original plan when she sought to renew a prescription for her heart condition and her doctor told her she did not have health insurance, the suit states. Another co-plaintiff’s policy was switched after her husband responded to one of the cash card advertisements, the lawsuit says. That couple’s insurance plan was switched multiple times after a TrueCoverage agent excluded the wife’s income from an application so the couple would qualify. Later, they received bills from the IRS for $4,300 to cover tax credits issued to pay for the plans. CMS barred TrueCoverage and BenefitAlign from accessing the ACA marketplace. It said it received more than 90,000 complaints about unauthorized plan switches and more than 183,500 complaints about unauthorized enrollments, but the agency did not attribute all of the complaints to activities by the two companies. In addition, CMS restricted all agents’ abilities to alter policyholders’ enrollment information, the lawsuit says. Now access is allowed only for agents that already represent policyholders or if the policyholder participates in a three-way call with an agent and a marketplace employee. Between June and October, the agency barred 850 agents and brokers from accessing the marketplace “for reasonable suspicion of fraudulent or abusive conduct related to unauthorized enrollments or unauthorized plan switches,” according to an October CMS news release . The changes resulted in a “dramatic and sustained drop” in unauthorized activity, including a nearly 70% decrease in plan changes associated with an agent or broker and a nearly 90% decrease in changes to agent or broker commission information, the release said. It added that while consumers were often unaware of such changes, the opportunity to make them provided “significant financial incentive for non-compliant agents and brokers.” But CMS’ restrictions might be having unintended consequences for law-abiding agents and brokers. A story published by Insurance News Net on Nov. 11 quoted the president of the Health Agents for America (HAFA) trade group as saying agents are being suspended by CMS after being flagged by a mysterious algorithm that no one can figure out. The story quotes HAFA president Ronnell Nolan as surmising, “maybe they wrote too many policies on the same day for people who have the same income or they’re writing too many policies on people of a certain occupation.” Nolan continued, “We have members who have thousands of ACA clients. They can’t update or renew their clients. So those consumers have lost access to their professional agent, which is simply unfair.” Ron Hurtibise covers business and consumer issues for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. He can be reached by phone at 954-356-4071, on Twitter @ronhurtibise or by email at rhurtibise@sunsentinel.com.Ending 'Trickle-Down' Vaccine EconomicsQueen Mary 2, the world’s only ocean liner, at sea Cunard Logo (PRNewsfoto/Cunard Line) Queen Mary 2, the world’s only ocean liner, at sea Cunard Logo (PRNewsfoto/Cunard Line) VALENCIA, Calif. , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- For more than 180 years, Cunard has championed the restorative power of ocean travel. New ground-breaking research conducted on Cunard's flagship, Queen Mary 2, confirms that just five days at sea can positively impact various cognitive abilities, such as memory, logical reasoning, perceptual abilities, and problem-solving, demonstrating that Cunard's Transatlantic Crossing significantly benefits mental and emotional wellbeing. In a first-of-its-kind neuroscience study, the results revealed that Cunard's Transatlantic Crossing, combined with their program of enriching experiences, can increase cognitive abilities by 26%, making travelers more alert, focused, and resilient. The study, conducted by Human Understanding Agency, Walnut, involved 40 guests from around the world embarking on the iconic Transatlantic Crossing from Southampton to New York . Researchers used biometric tools to measure cognitive and physiological changes before and after five days at sea. The results were remarkable, showing notable improvements in memory, problem-solving, attention, and overall emotional well-being. Key findings included : Dr Jack Lewis , a neuroscientist, commented on the findings: "What stands out for me in this study is how neatly all the pieces fit together. The passengers' time on the ship clearly reduced their stress levels based on subjective and objective measures. The main stress hormone, cortisol, is well-known in the science research literature to interfere with various cognitive processes. So, the boost in memory and logical reasoning capacity identified in this study is likely to be attributed to the stress-relieving impact of ocean travel. This, combined with the amazing array of stimulating activities onboard the world's only ocean liner, allows the passenger's brains to unlock their full potential." Beyond the study's cognitive findings, Cunard's unique offering provides an unmatched sanctuary for relaxation and renewal. From captivating lectures by world-renowned experts as part of the Cunard Insights program to personalized wellness treatments, each element of the voyage is thoughtfully designed to foster well-being. This is all complemented by Cunard's celebrated White Star Service, ensuring every moment aboard is distinguished by personalized attention and elegance. Katie McAlister , President of Cunard, added: "This study reinforces what we have always known - a Cunard voyage is much more than just a holiday. Our thoughtfully curated enrichment programs, bespoke wellness experiences, world-class dining, and renowned White Star Service combined with the opportunity to unwind and embrace the serenity of the ocean leave our guests feeling refreshed, inspired, and reinvigorated." For more information about Cunard or to book a voyage, contact your Travel Advisor, call Cunard at 1-800-728-6273, or visit www.cunard.com . For Travel Advisors interested in further information, please contact your Business Development Manager, visit OneSourceCruises.com , or call Cunard at 1-800-528-6273. NOTES TO EDITORS The neuroscience study was conducted by Walnut Unlimited. 40 guests traveling on the Queen Mary 2 from Southampton to New York on October 18, 2024 , took part in the study. Two tests were performed on either the day before or the first day aboard and another 5-6 days later towards the end of the sailing. The study used a combination of self-report and biometric measures to monitor psycho-physiological reactions using a neurofeedback device to measure and record the natural electrical activity of the brain and a Galvanic Skin Response Recorder (also known as GSR) to measure and record the natural electrical resistance of the skin. Further images can be downloaded here: https://we.tl/t-2jeggkkNxP About Cunard Cunard is a luxury British cruise line, renowned for creating unforgettable experiences around the world. Cunard has been a leading operator of passenger ships since 1840, celebrating an incredible 184 years of operation. The Cunard experience is built on fine dining, hand-selected entertainment, and outstanding White Star service. From a partnership with a two-Michelin starred chef, to inspiring guest speakers, to world class theatre productions, every detail has been meticulously crafted to make the experience unforgettable. A pioneer in transatlantic journeys and round world voyages, destinations sailed to also include Europe , the Caribbean , Alaska , the Far East and Australia . There are currently four Cunard ships, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth , Queen Victoria and new ship, Queen Anne , entered service in May 2024 . This investment is part of the company's ambitious plans for the future of Cunard globally and will be the first time since 1999 that Cunard will have four ships in simultaneous service. Cunard is based at Carnival House in Southampton and has been owned since 1998 by Carnival Corporation & plc. www.cunard.com (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK). Photography Photos are available in our image library, Asset Bank: https://cunard.assetbank-server.com/ Please note, once directed to the page you will need to "Register for an account." Your request may take up to 24 hours for approval to access the library of assets. You will be notified via email to complete your registration. Social Media Facebook: www.facebook.com/cunard Twitter: www.twitter.com/cunardline YouTube: www.youtube.com/wearecunard Instagram: www.instagram.com/cunardline For additional information about Cunard, contact: Jackie Chase , Cunard, jchase@cunard.com Cindy Adams, cindy@mgamediagroup.com About Walnut Unlimited Walnut Unlimited, blend scientific expertise - neuroscience, data science and behavioural science with the very best of quantitative and qualitative research to understand human decision making. They work with some of the world's best-known brands - unlocking human understanding to drive better, human centred decisions, that will bring people closer to brands and bring about positive behaviour change. About Dr Jack Lewis Dr Jack is a neuroscientist dedicated to making brain science accessible. His research on sensory integration and brain function has been published in leading journals, and he's authored bestsellers like Sort Your Brain Out as well as The Science of Sin. A seasoned broadcaster, Dr Jack has hosted Secrets of the Brain and appeared on BBC, Sky, and Discovery. As a speaker and consultant, he shares neuroscience insights to inspire audiences and drive innovation across industries. Passionate about STEM, he bridges science and storytelling to engage the widest possible audience. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/neuroscience-study-aboard-cunards-queen-mary-2-reveals-cognitive-benefits-of-slow-travel-at-sea-302315764.html SOURCE Cunard

Lamar Jackson takes on Philadelphia's top-ranked defense when the Ravens host the Eagles

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Noneakinbostanci/iStock via Getty Images Standardized performance (%) as of September 30, 2024 Quarter YTD 1 Year 3 Years 5 Years 10 Years Since inception Class A shares inception: 11/30/10 NAV -0.15 7.01 2.72 4.78 8.29 1.60 -0.39 Max. Load 5.5% -5.62 1.05 -3.00 2.81 7.06 1.03 -0.79 Class R6 shares inception: 09/24/12 NAV -0.14 7.33 2.94 5.04 8.57 1.92 -0.91 Class Y shares inception: 11/30/10 NAV -0.14 7.23 2.96 5.05 8.56 1.85 -0.12 Bloomberg Commodity Index 0.68 5.86 0.96 3.66 7.79 0.03 - Total return ranking vs. Morningstar Commodities Broad Basket category (Class A shares at NAV) - - 28% (40 of 109) 53% (47 of 100) 53% (52 of 96) 22% (18 of 63) - Click to enlarge Calendar year total returns (%) 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Class A shares at NAV -16.04 -16.80 11.59 4.49 -12.18 4.20 7.75 18.87 7.84 -3.44 Class R6 shares at NAV -15.77 -16.44 12.02 5.04 -11.87 4.45 8.00 19.10 8.13 -3.27 Class Y shares at NAV -15.88 -16.60 11.79 4.88 -12.02 4.48 7.89 19.23 8.01 -3.15 Bloomberg Commodity Index -17.01 -24.66 11.77 1.70 -11.25 7.69 -3.12 27.11 16.09 -7.91 Click to enlarge Expense ratios per the current prospectus: Class A**: Net: 1.40%, Total: 1.64%; Class R6**: Net: 1.14%, Total: 1.19%; Class Y**: Net: 1.15%, Total: 1.39%. Click to enlarge Performance quoted is past performance and cannot guarantee comparable future results; current performance may be lower or higher. Visit Country Splash for the most recent month-end performance. Performance figures reflect reinvested distributions and changes in net asset value (NAV). Investment return and principal value will vary so that you may have a gain or a loss when you sell shares. Returns less than one year are cumulative; all others are annualized. Index source: RIMES Technologies Corp. Had fees not been waived and/or expenses reimbursed in the past, returns would have been lower. Performance shown at NAV does not include the applicable front-end sales charge, which would have reduced the performance. Class Y and R6 shares have no sales charge; therefore performance is at NAV. Class Y shares are available only to certain investors. Class R6 shares are closed to most investors. Please see the prospectus for more details. Click to enlarge Manager perspective and outlook The Bloomberg Commodity Index delivered a gain for the third quarter. After a global growth scare in July and early August, commodities recovered in September as the US Federal Reserve (Fed) lowered interest rates and China implemented a series of large monetary and fiscal stimulus actions in an effort to revive its stagnant economy. Within the Bloomberg Commodity Index, three of the four primary sub-complexes provided gains. Precious metals led results as slower growth, falling interest rates, a weaker US dollar and ongoing geopolitical tensions led the price of gold to a series of all-time highs during the quarter. Agriculture also closed the quarter with gains due to a September rally triggered by the weaker dollar and negative weather effects on coffee and sugar production. Similarly, a September rally in industrial metals helped copper, aluminum, nickel and zinc recover from early quarter losses as China’s policy stimulus efforts turned the tide. Energy declined as the sub-complex was simultaneously hit by apparent concerns that slowing growth would reduce demand and fear that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) would reverse voluntary production cuts, leading to oversupply. Performance highlights The fund provided a gain but underperformed the Bloomberg Commodity Index due to tactical positioning. Strategic precious metals were the largest contributor to absolute return due to strong gains in both gold and silver. The Fed’s 0.50% cut in the federal funds rate, combined with a 4% decline in the US dollar and China’s policy stimulus, helped gold reach record highs. However, the fund underperformed the benchmark primarily due to a strategic underweight and a tactical underweight in gold, despite a strategic overweight in silver. Gold is the largest holding in the fund and the benchmark. The fund’s strategic underweight is mostly a function of the benchmark rebalancing annually while the fund rebalances monthly. As gold prices have risen without what we would consider a significant pullback or correction, the benchmark’s gold weight has continued to increase while we have systematically paired backed the fund’s gains, thus managing its gold weighting. Strategic agriculture was the next largest contributor to absolute return due to gains in coffee and sugar. Coffee was the top-performing commodity across the full universe as hot and dry weather affected coffee producing countries, first in Vietnam and recently in the world’s largest producer, Brazil. Sugar had a double-digit gain in September, which moved its year-to-date return back into positive territory. Brazil’s hot and dry weather disrupted sugar production as heat and low humidity sparked a major outbreak of cane field fires. The fund’s agricultural exposure outperformed the benchmark mostly due to a strategic overweight in sugar and a tactical overweight in coffee, along with a strategic underweight and tactical net short in wheat. Strategic industrial metals added to absolute return as gains in August and September overcame July’s losses. Copper and aluminum were notable contributors to fund results. Both metals benefited from China’s September announcement of 11 major monetary and fiscal policy actions to support its housing market and consumer spending. The fund’s industrial metals holdings outperformed the benchmark due to strategic overweights in copper and aluminum, while tactical underweights in both metals offset some of the positive effect. Strategic energy was the largest detractor from absolute return as all six underlying exposures had double-digit declines for the quarter. Signs of economic slowdown have weighed on oil prices, compounded by OPEC announcing it will begin to reverse output cuts in December. Refined products were the largest detractors as supply is rising amid weaker demand. The fund underperformed the benchmark’s energy exposure due to tactical overweights in oil and refined products, whose losses more than offset relative gains from strategic underweights in oil and natural gas. Gross performance attribution (%) Quarter Year to date Since inception (annual ized) Agriculture 0.96 -1.61 0.18 Energy -3.58 -1.64 -0.55 Industrial Metals 0.55 2.05 -0.38 Precious Metals 1.79 4.32 0.22 Tactical Positioning -0.90 0.80 0.24 Cash 1.37 4.13 1.24 Total 0.18 8.07 0.95 Returns are gross of fund expenses; net returns will be lower. Cash represents fund collateral used to support derivative positions. Click to enlarge Portfolio positioning The fund entered October with a total net exposure of 90%, down from 91%. Tactical underweights in agriculture and precious metals remained in place, but to a reduced degree. Energy transitioned from a net overweight to a net underweight. The net overweight in industrial metals increased. The tactical underweight in agriculture decreased as sugar and cotton moved from underweight to neutral and we reduced underweights in corn, soymeal and wheat. Tactical energy experienced the largest changes as oil, gasoil and heating oil all moved from overweight to underweight, while an overweight in gasoline was reduced and the tactical natural gas position remained underweight. Within tactical industrial metals, copper moved from neutral to overweight, aluminum transitioned from underweight to overweight and the tactical long position in zinc increased. Within tactical precious metals, gold was neutral, and we maintained the underweight in silver. We will rebalance the fund strategically and tactically again next month per our usual monthly cadence. Unlike more passive or index-based strategies, this once-a-month rebalancing increases our flexibility to position the fund according to prevailing market conditions and avoid concentrating risk in any one asset. Click to enlarge Sector weights vs the Bloomberg Commodity Index (%) Fund BCOM Agriculture 26.15 32.66 Energy 26.38 28.32 Industrial Metals 20.22 16.25 Precious Metals 18.74 22.77 Click to enlarge ** Net = Total annual operating expenses less any contractual fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements by the adviser in effect through at least Feb 28, 2025 and contractual management fee waivers in effect through at least Jun 30, 2025. Unless otherwise specified, all information is as of 09/30/24. Unless stated otherwise, Index refers to Bloomberg Commodity Index. Asset allocation/diversification does not guarantee a profit or eliminate the risk of loss. The Bloomberg Commodity Index is designed to be a liquid and diversified benchmark for the commodity futures market. It is a rolling index composed of futures contracts on 19 physical commodities traded on US exchanges. The index was known as the Dow Jones UBS Commodity Index Total ReturnSM prior to July 1, 2014. An investment cannot be made directly in an index. About risk Commodities may subject an investor to greater volatility than traditional securities such as stocks and bonds and can fluctuate significantly based on weather, political, tax, and other regulatory and market developments. Commodity-linked notes may involve substantial risks, including risk of loss of a significant portion of principal and risks resulting from lack of a secondary trading market, temporary price distortions, and counterparty risk. Changes in the value of two investments or asset classes may not track or offset each other in the manner anticipated by the portfolio managers, which may inhibit their risk allocation process from achieving its investment objective. Derivatives may be more volatile and less liquid than traditional investments and are subject to market, interest rate, credit, leverage, counterparty, and management risks. An investment in a derivative could lose more than the cash amount invested. An investment in exchange-traded funds (ETFs) may trade at a discount to net asset value, fail to develop an active trading market, halt trading on the listing exchange, fail to track the referenced index, or hold troubled securities. ETFs may involve duplication of management fees and certain other expenses. Certain of the ETFs the fund invests in are leveraged, which can magnify any losses on those investments. Exchange-traded notes (ETNs) are subject to credit risk of the issuer, and the value of the ETN may drop due to a downgrade in the issuer's credit rating, despite the underlying market benchmark or strategy remaining unchanged. Short sales may cause an investor to repurchase a security at a higher price, causing a loss. As there is no limit on how much the price of the security can increase, exposure to potential loss is unlimited. By investing in the subsidiary, the fund is indirectly exposed to risks associated with the subsidiary's investments, including derivatives and commodities. Because the subsidiary is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, the fund will not have the protections offered to investors in US registered investment companies. The Fund is subject to certain other risks. Please see the current prospectus for more information regarding the risks associated with an investment in the Fund. The opinions expressed are those of the fund’s portfolio management, are based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice. These opinions may differ from those of other Invesco investment professionals. Click to enlarge This does not constitute a recommendation of any investment strategy or product for a particular investor. Investors should consult a financial professional before making any investment decisions. Note: Not all products available at all firms. Financial professionals, please contact your home office. The fund holdings are organized according to the Global Industry Classification Standard, which was developed by and is the exclusive property and service mark of MSCI Inc. and Standard & Poor’s. Click to enlarge Morningstar Source: ©2024 Morningstar Inc. All rights reserved. The information contained herein is proprietary to Morningstar and/or its content providers. It may not be copied or distributed and is not warranted to be accurate, complete or timely. Neither Morningstar nor its content providers are responsible for any damages or losses arising from any use of this information. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Open-end mutual funds and exchange-traded funds are considered a single population for comparison purposes. Had fees not been waived and/or expenses reimbursed currently or in the past, the ranking would have been lower. Rankings for other share classes may differ due to different performance characteristics. Before investing, consider the Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. Visit Invesco for a prospectus/summary prospectus containing this information. Read it carefully before investing. Click to enlarge Click to enlarge Original Post Editor's Note: The summary bullets for this article were chosen by Seeking Alpha editors.

Oregon beats San Diego State, improves to 7-0We’re sure Santa’s got great taste, but in case he needs a little help, we’ve rounded up 15 perfect pieces of jewelry to make your holiday sparkle. This year’s trends include bold gold creations that are sure to stand out, and crafted to stand the test of time, Colorful gems in rich hues are also on our wish list, with elegant emeralds leading the pack. And though we’re currently singing “Let it Snow,” we wouldn’t mind seeing some luxury pieces with floral motifs in our stocking. HANG LOOSE: Irene Neuwirth Tassel Earrings in 18-k Yellow Gold with Emerald and Sapphire Beads String together your holiday look with dazzling, dangly drops made with vibrant gemstones. DOME SWEET DOME: London Collection Dome Ring in 18-k Yellow Gold with Emeralds A shapely band with an evergreen stripe of princess-cut gems works from day to night. LOVELY LAYERS: Marlo Laz Birth of Venus necklace in 14-k Yellow Gold with Aquamarine, Tourmalines, Garnet, Citrine, Opals and Diamonds This Botticelli-inspired gold chain dripping with gems is absolutely goddessworthy. CUTE AS A BUTTON: Pomellato Pom Pom Dot Earrings in 18-k Rose Gold with Diamonds Riffing on a heritage necklace from the 1970s, these earrings give a cool-girl twist to classic studs. WRIST CHECK: Rolex Platinum Day Date 40mm Glacier Blue Diamond Dial Warning: Jaws may drop when unwrapping this bejeweled Rolex. HOLLY JOLLY: Reza Triptych Ring in 18-k Rose Gold with Spinel and Emeralds Your days will be merry and bright with this festive design trimmed with serious stones. PEACHES ‘N’ CREAM: The One I Love NYC Pendant in Platinum and 22-k Yellow Gold with Topaz (Chain Sold Separately) The contrast of this imperial stone surrounded by platinum creates an ethereal aesthetic. MAKE A CAMEO: Francesca Villa Dew Drop Earrings in 18-k Yellow Gold with Iolite and Diamonds The Peace Garden collection includes 1960s Japanese cameos surrounded by diamonds for modern splendor. SPLIT DECISION: Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Split Ring 18-k Yellow Gold A ring version of the cult-classic Elsa Peretti cuff is sure to please both sides. WRAP STAR: Tabeyer Oera Bracelet in 18-k Yellow Gold with Red Jasper, Madeira Citrine, Diamonds and Sapphires This coiled triple-wrap bracelet brings its own arm party to the holiday party. NECK AND NECK: Chanel Bouton de Camélia Choker in 18-k Yellow Gold with Diamonds A splendidly stylish choker showcases the house’s signature Camélia flower. BIG DROP: Retrouvai Balloon Magna Drop Earrings in 14-k Yellow Gold with Emeralds Go green and gift these bold jewels mixed with beautiful stones. EMERALD CITY: Sorellina NYC Nomad Pendant in 18-k Yellow Gold with Emerald and Diamonds This mesmerizing, one-of-a-kind creation will keep heads turning. GARDEN CENTER: Jacob & Co. Fleurs De Jardin watch in 18-k rose gold with diamonds, sapphires and tsavorite A botanical timepiece works double time as a portable greenhouse for nature and art lovers alike. DOUBLE TROUBLE: Van Cleef & Arpels Perlée diamonds duo ring in 18-k yellow gold and diamonds Golden beads entwined with diamonds give twice the sparkle to an everyday staple.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan's defense of the national championship has fallen woefully short. The Wolverines started the season ranked No. 9 in the AP Top 25 , making them the third college football team since 1991 to be ranked worse than seventh in the preseason poll after winning a national title. Michigan (6-5, 4-4 Big Ten) failed to meet those modest expectations, barely becoming eligible to play in a bowl and putting the program in danger of losing six or seven games for the first time since the Brady Hoke era ended a decade ago. The Wolverines potentially can ease some of the pain with a win against rival and second-ranked Ohio State (10-1, 7-1, No. 2 CFP) on Saturday in the Horseshoe, but that would be a stunning upset. Ohio State is a 21 1/2-point favorite, according to the BetMGM Sportsbook, and that marks just the third time this century that there has been a spread of at least 20 1/2 points in what is known as “The Game.” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore doesn't sound like someone who is motivating players with an underdog mentality. “I don’t think none of that matters in this game,” Moore said Monday. “It doesn’t matter the records. It doesn’t matter anything. The spread, that doesn’t matter.” How did Michigan end up with a relative mess of a season on the field, coming off its first national title since 1997? Winning it all with a coach and star player contemplating being in the NFL for the 2024 season seemed to have unintended consequences for the current squad. The Wolverines closed the College Football Playoff with a win over Washington on Jan. 8; several days later quarterback J.J. McCarthy announced he was skipping his senior season; and it took more than another week for Jim Harbaugh to bolt to coach the Los Angeles Chargers. In the meantime, most quality quarterbacks wanting to transfer had already enrolled at other schools and Moore was left with lackluster options. Davis Warren beat out Alex Orji to be the team's quarterback for the opener and later lost the job to Orji only to get it back again. No matter who was under center, however, would've likely struggled this year behind an offensive line that sent six players to the NFL. The Wolverines lost one of their top players on defense, safety Rod Moore, to a season-ending injury last spring and another one, preseason All-America cornerback Will Johnson, hasn't played in more than a month because of an injury. The Buckeyes are not planning to show any mercy after losing three straight in the series. “We’re going to attack them," Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer said. “We know they’re going to come in here swinging, too, and they’ve still got a good team even though the record doesn’t indicate it. This game, it never matters what the records are." While a win would not suddenly make the Wolverines' season a success, it could help Moore build some momentum a week after top-rated freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan. “You come to Michigan to beat Ohio,” said defensive back Quinten Johnson, intentionally leaving the word State out when referring to the rival. "That's one of the pillars of the Michigan football program. “It doesn’t necessarily change the fact of where we are in the season, but it definitely is one of the defining moments of your career here at Michigan.” AP Sports Writer Mitch Stacy in Columbus, Ohio, contributed to this report. Get alerts on the latest AP Top 25 poll throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/college-football and https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll

How to Watch Top 25 Women’s College Basketball Games – Friday, November 22ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Michigan's defense of the national championship has fallen woefully short. The Wolverines started the season ranked No. 9 in the AP Top 25 , making them the third college football team since 1991 to be ranked worse than seventh in the preseason poll after winning a national title. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Lakers look to ramp up defense with return to physical playAston Villa’s disallowed goal would have counted in England – Unai Emery

Arne Slot celebrated Liverpool's against by saying the Spanish giants had become a "pain in the a--" for the club after ending a 15-year winless run against the reigning European champions. Second-half goals from and -- and both failed to score from the penalty spot in the second half -- sealed a the win for that maintained their 100% winning start to the Champions League and moved Slot's side two points clear of second-placed . With Liverpool failing to beat Madrid in their last six meetings, including Champions League finals in 2018 and 2022, Slot said it was important to finally beat the 15-time Champions League winners. "You know how special it is to play against a team that has won the Champions League so many times," Slot said. "They were a pain in the a-- for Liverpool for many years too. It is a big week and it is pleasing to see. "I think it is always good to win a game and especially a big game like this, you know you face so many quality players. "But this is such a strange and different set up in the Champions League and it is difficult to judge how important these wins are. "If we meet them [Madrid] in the last 16 and then we are able to beat them it would be a bigger statement." Despite now having a five-point cushion in the top eight, which will guarantee a place in the round of 16, Slot said it is too soon to know whether Liverpool have done enough to seal qualification. "I didn't have schedule in terms of amount of points I wanted," he said. "You want to implement the playing style as soon as possible. That is not difficult because it wasn't that different to Jürgen's [Klopp, his predecessor]. It is great to see not only the starters but the players coming on are doing as we expect. "If before the season I had counted points for this point in the season I wouldn't have done as much as we have now." Liverpool face in a crucial clash at Anfield on Sunday with Slot saying it is "too soon" to assess the extent of injuries to and . And the Liverpool manager said he will be backed by his family for the City clash after a visit from the Netherlands following his summer arrival from Feyenoord. "They took a few days off school to be here," Slot said. "They will here for Man City but it will not influence the game! "To have family around, it is always a good thing, because you don't have to be focused for 24 hours ... 18 hours maybe!"

Ustby, Donarski lead No. 16 North Carolina women over Villanova 53-36 in Battle 4 Atlantis semifinalA train is due to arrive at the nation's busiest railway station five years late. Login or signup to continue reading After years of delays and disputes, the first service using a new fleet of intercity trains is due to pull in to Sydney's Central station shortly before 11am. The train left Newcastle at 8.21am on Tuesday - about five years after the first sets were originally due to enter service in NSW. The Korean-built trains were too wide to fit through some tunnels, too long for some platforms and faced opposition from the Rail, Tram and Bus Union due to plans for drivers to monitor platforms using CCTV, reducing staffing requirements. An agreement was eventually reached with the union after a long dispute with the former coalition government and modifications were made locally beginning in August 2023. Transport Minister Jo Haylen said it should not have taken so long for the trains to enter service, but they were finally taking passengers along the Newcastle and Central Coast lines. Passengers along the Blue Mountains, Illawarra and South Coast lines will have to wait a while longer, but Ms Haylen said it would be worth it. "These state-of-the-art trains will make travel between Sydney and our regional cities safer and more comfortable," she said. The trains are due to replace rolling stock that entered service almost five decades earlier. Early renders of the trains featured "NSW TrainLink" branding, which is being abolished as its operations merge with Sydney Trains. Sydney Trains chief executive Matt Longland said getting the trains on the tracks was an incredibly complex project. "But we are pleased we have been able to work with the unions to locally modify these trains and get them into service," he said. "The Mariyung trains are quieter and roomier and will provide our passengers with a much improved and more comfortable travelling experience for decades to come." The electric trains, also known as the "D Set", have been given the name Mariyung after the Darug language word for emu. They will feature artwork from Indigenous artist Leanne Mulgo Watson. Australian Associated Press DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Get the latest property and development news here. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. WEEKLY Follow the Newcastle Knights in the NRL? Don't miss your weekly Knights update. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!

Abdullah scores 21 off the bench, Boston University defeats Howard 69-62