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Caitlin Clark honored as AP Female Athlete of the Year following her impact on women's sports Caitlin Clark has been named the AP Female Athlete of the Year after raising the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented levels in both college and the WNBA. She led Iowa to the national championship game, was the top pick in the WNBA draft and captured rookie of the year honors in the league. Fans packed sold-out arenas and millions of television viewers followed her journey on and off the court. Clark's exploits also put other women's sports leagues in the spotlight. A group of 74 sports journalists from AP and its members voted on the award. Other athletes who received votes included Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and boxer Imane Khelif. Clark’s only the fourth women’s basketball player to win the award since it was first given in 1931. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.
Smart homes might get more connected next year with new Shelly smart devices that feature an absolutely massive claimed range. The 11 devices are part of Shelly's line of Wave devices that support the Z-Wave Long Range specification and are supposed to release sometime in the first half of 2025. The Z-Wave specification is meant to extend the connectivity of smart home devices that are connected to your home Wi-Fi network without piggybacking off other devices like Amazon 's Sidewalk IoT network. It also is supposed to forgo pulling down too much cellular data. The technology is found in many of the best smart home devices and smart home hubs . According to Shelly, the ZWLR can support up to 4,000 devices on a single network and should "co-exist" on the same network as a Z-Wave node. The devices mostly appear to be entry and light-based, though it includes a smart plug. “With new devices featuring support for ZWLR, Shelly is helping break down smart home connectivity barriers, empowering homeowners, security installers, and commercial property owners and managers with unmatched range, scalability, and energy efficiency to redefine their automation experience,” said Leon Kralj, CTO of Shelly Group in a press release. ZWLR has existed since 2020, with more products coming slowly coming online in 2020. The certification is supposed to remove the need for a mesh network with multiple repeaters. Instead, everything connects directly to a central node. It has a line-of-sight wireless range of 1.5 miles (at full power). We have to imagine that is true in a wide-open plain, but in the city with obstructions it might be half of that. That's still a massive range for connectivity. Presumably that extended range could let you turn lights on or open blinds before entering your house. Shelly did not provide pricing for these Z-Wave products but it did note that these products are supposed to be compatible with older Z-Wave products and networks. However, a Z-Wave hub built on the Z-Wave 700 or 800 series platform is necessary to take advantage of the 1.5-mile range. More from Tom's GuideMTN Group has announced key leadership changes in major markets in a move to strengthen succession planning, improve operational execution, and advance its ambition 2025 strategy. The reshuffle, according to the telco, is intended to reinforce the company’s focus on digital and financial inclusion across its markets. In a statement on Wednesday, the group operating in over 20 countries disclosed that Mitwa Ng’ambi, currently the Chief Executive Officer of MTN Cameroon, will become the CEO of MTN Côte d’Ivoire effective March 1, 2025, succeeding Djibril Ouattara, who is taking early retirement. MTN expressed gratitude for Ouattara’s significant contributions, stating, “We thank Djibril for his significant contributions to MTN, including his leadership of MTN Congo-Brazzaville.” To ensure a seamless transition, Ouattara will support Ng’ambi during the handover period, the operator said. Ng’ambi, who has over 15 years of telecom experience, previously served as CEO of MTN Rwanda. During her tenure, she led the successful licence renewal and listing of the company on the Rwanda Stock Exchange. MTN highlighted her transformational leadership, noting, “Mitwa’s experience and track record will add impetus to the growth and turnaround of MTN Côte d’Ivoire.” Wanda Matandela, currently the Chief Commercial Operations Officer at MTN South Africa, has been appointed as the new CEO of MTN Cameroon, also effective March 1, 2025. Matandela joined MTN in 2018 and played a key role in turning around the enterprise business. MTN emphasised his strong background, stating, “Wanda’s strong commercial and stakeholder management experience will be invaluable as he builds on the high impact and energy created under Mitwa’s leadership.” Related News MTN pays N200bn monthly in VAT — Tax committee Mastercard, MTN to digitise one million African SMEs Rural base station operations cost 35% more – Telcos In another strategic shift, Mazen Mroue, MTN Group’s Chief Technology and Information Officer, will take on the additional role of CEO of Digital Infrastructure (Infraco) starting January 1, 2025. This new role will encompass Bayobab’s mobility and fibre businesses, as well as executing MTN’s data centre strategy. MTN underscored Mroue’s suitability for the role, stating, “His strong technology and operational experience, combined with his track record of delivery, positions him well to fulfil this dual mandate.” The changes come as the current CEO of Bayobab, Frédéric Schepens, leaves the group immediately. MTN acknowledged his contributions, stating, “We thank Frédéric for his contributions and wish him success in his future endeavours.” MTN Group President and CEO Ralph Mupita expressed confidence in the company’s internal leadership pipeline, saying, “These appointments reflect the strength of our internal talent and reinforce our commitment to delivering on our digital and financial inclusion goals.” He also stressed the importance of maintaining operational execution across MTN’s markets. The leadership changes align with MTN’s Ambition 2025 strategy, which focuses on accelerating growth, enhancing infrastructure, and expanding access to digital and financial services across Africa.
MtoZ Biolabs Launches High-Sensitivity Quantitative Phosphoproteomics Service to Advance Cutting-Edge Biomedical Research
New law will change cars forever as automakers are forced to install ‘chime’ alarm in all vehiclesresident-elect Donald Trump met with moderator Kristen Welker for his first televised broadcast network interview since his win in the November presidential election against Vice President Kamala Harris. As the U.S. and the rest of the world prepares for Trump’s return to the White House in January, there is much discussion about what the President-elect plans to do once he takes office alongside his Vice President, J.D. Vance. In the sit-down interview, which took place on Friday, Dec. 6 and aired on Sunday, Dec. 8, Trump covered a range of high-profile topics, including his plans related to abortion, immigration, tariffs, and his controversial Administration selections. He also spoke about his foreign policy plans. Here are some of the key topics Trump spoke out about in his televised interview as he prepares for his second presidency. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned in 2022, Trump has often applauded himself for the ruling. Throughout the 2024 election, abortion played a large role as the Trump-Vance ticket went head-to-head with Harris and her VP pick, Tim Walz. Trump argued he would not sign a federal ban on abortion when elected, while the Harris-Walz ticket argued that Trump would further restrict abortion rights if re-elected. When asked whether he would restrict abortion pill access, Trump told Welker: “I’ll probably stay with exactly what I’ve been saying for the last two years. And the answer is no." This comes after Vance tried to seem more moderate on abortion in the vice presidential debate, Standing on the podium, Vance said that the Republican party needs "to do so much better of a job at earning the American people’s trust back on this issue where they frankly just don’t trust us.” Welker asked Trump, who was convicted during a high-profile earlier this year, whether he plans to pardon Jan. 6 rioters when in office. Trump stated that he will give “first day” consideration of whether he will pardon people convicted of crimes related to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. “We're going to look at individual cases, but I'm going to be acting very quickly," he said, adding that he'll be looking at this his "first day" as the “people have been in there [jail] for years.” Amid reports that political figures who could be in Trump’s crosshairs, the President-elect spoke out once again against the Jan. 6 committee, including Liz Cheney, saying: "For what they did, honestly, they should go to jail." Trump defended his controversial pick of Fox News host Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense, a selection that has been marked . “He's a very smart guy,” Trump told Welker, saying he had confidence Hegseth would be confirmed by the Senate. “I’ve had a lot of senators call me up to say he's fantastic.” He also defended his pick of as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), who has been deeply critical of the FBI in the past. In an interview last year with former White House Chief Strategist and right-wing agitator (conducted before Bannon’s incarceration), Patel said he “will go out to find the conspirators not just in government but in the media.” When asked by Welker if he will fire current FBI Director Christopher Wray, who still has three years remaining in his 10-year term, in order for Patel to take charge, Trump said he is “not happy with him.” “It would sort of seem pretty obvious that if Kash gets in, he’s going to be taking someone’s place,” Trump continued. Trump continued to defer to Patel and his pick for Attorney General, Pam Bondi, when pushed by Welker to say whether he will go after his political opponents, including investigator Jack Smith, saying he wants Bondi to do “what she wants to do.” Trump was also asked if he has plans to direct Patel to go after President Joe Biden, to which the President-elect said, “I’m really looking to make our country successful; I’m not looking to go back into the past... Retribution will be through success.” He stated that he would not appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Biden, something he proposed on , “unless I find something that I think is reasonable.” He also called out Biden’s recent choice to after previously stating that he would not, saying: “I always knew he was going to give him a pardon.” Trump will be the oldest U.S. President by the end of his term—and , particularly when it was Biden going head-to-head with Trump. When Harris took over the race from Biden, she to the public, in which her physician said she “possesses the physical and mental resiliency required to successfully execute the duties of the Presidency.” The Harris campaign called on Trump to be equally transparent about sharing his medical records, but he did not do so during the election. The most recent medical report publicly shared by Trump was featured in a post, which included a screenshot of a letter from Dr. Bruce Aronwald, sharing little detail but saying the former President was in “excellent health.” Welker asked Trump if he plans on releasing his full medical records, rather than just a letter. “I would and I think anybody should,” he said, before adding: “Sure, I have no problem with it.” On wider matters of health care, Trump continued to express his dissatisfaction with Obamacare, but did not elaborate on a moment in his September with Harris, in which when Trump was asked whether he had a plan for health care reform, his answer was: “I have concepts of a plan.” “Obamacare stinks,” he said on . “If we come up with a better answer, I would present that answer to Democrats and to everybody else and I’d do something about it.” Trump has caused much discussion with his on all products imported from America’s trading partners: Mexico, Canada, and China. When Welker pointed out that experts have said such tariffs could impact the prices of a range of imported goods, from cars to electronics, Trump defended his idea. “I’m a big believer in tariffs. I think tariffs are the most beautiful word. I think they're beautiful. It's going to make us rich,” he said. When asked if he could guarantee the tariffs would not impact pricing for the average American he said: “I can’t guarantee anything, I can’t guarantee tomorrow.” Trump emphasized that immigration will be one of the first things he will begin working on when he returns to the White House. Throughout the campaign, Trump promised a slew of new policies regarding immigration, including mass deportations, ending birthright citizenship, and reinstating the “ policy. Trump doubled down on some of these policies, arguing that he will be focused on deporting migrants who came to America illegally and have criminal records first, but that eventually the aim would be for all illegal immigrants to be deported. “Well, I think you have to do it... it’s a very tough thing to do. But you have to have, you know, you have rules, regulations, laws. They came in illegally,” he said. “The people who have been treated very unfairly are the people who have been online for 10 years [waiting] to come into the country.” When asked by Welker about mixed immigration families—some whereby the parents might be in the U.S. illegally but the children are there legally—and if the plan is to deport the families together, Trump said, “I don’t want to be breaking up families, so the only way you don’t break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back.” On the topic of Dreamers—undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally by their parents—Trump said he was willing to work with Democrats on a plan, and that he wants to see them remain in the country. “We're talking many years ago, they were brought into this country many years ago, some of them are no longer young people, and in many cases, they become successful,” he said. “We’re going to have to do something with them.”
Prime Minister Meets Iraqi Parliament Speaker Over Bilateral Relations, Regional Developments( MENAFN - EIN Presswire) Small Arms and Light Weapons Global market Report 2024 - Market Size, Trends, And Global Forecast 2024-2033 The Business Research Company's Early Year-End Sale! Get up to 30% off detailed market research reports-for a limited time only! LONDON, GREATER LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM, December 19, 2024 /EINPresswire / -- The Business Research Company's Early Year-End Sale! Get up to 30% off detailed market research reports-limited time only! The small arms and light weapons market has seen prominent growth in recent years and is expected to continue on this upward trajectory. The market is set to grow from $13.09 billion in 2023 to $14.01 billion in 2024, resulting in a compound annual growth rate CAGR of 7.0%. This growth momentum is chiefly attributable to a rise in disposable income, emerging market growth, an increase in urban warfare, domestic violence, military expenditure, and the prevalence of drug trafficking and terrorist activities. What is the expected market size and growth of the small arms and light weapons over the next few years? The small arms and light weapons market is anticipated to witness steady growth in the foreseeable future, expanding to $17 billion in 2028 at a CAGR of 5.0%. The growth in the forecast period can be credited to an uptick in defense spending and military modernization programs. For insights into the global small arms and light weapons market, request a sample report: What is the key driver for the growth of the small arms and light weapons market? Increased defense spending globally is expected to fuel the growth of the small arms and light weapons market over the forecast period. With ongoing conflicts and rivalries, countries around the world are pumping more money into their defense sectors. The seventh consecutive increase in global military spending was recorded in 2021, where total expenditure edged up to $2113 billion in real terms, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute SIPRI. To pre-book the full report, follow this link: Which key industry players are driving the growth of the small arms and light weapons market? Major companies propelling the market include Smith & Wesson Brands, Inc, Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc, General Dynamics Corporation, SIG Sauer, Inc, Heckler & Koch GmbH, FN Herstal S.A., Colt's Manufacturing Company LLC, Raytheon, Thales Group, GLOCK Ges.H., and many others. Presently, the advent of polymers to make light weapons and ammunitions, design upgrades and modularity for military-style weapons, the use of 3D printing technology for producing small arms, and other similar trends are attracting a lot of market interest. How is the small arms and light weapons market segmented? The market segments under consideration in this report are categorized into: - By Type: Small Arms And Light Weapons - By Action: Manual, Semi-Automatic, Automatic - By Caliber: 14.5 mm, 9 mm, 12.7 mm, 5.56 mm, 14.5 mm, 7.62 mm - By Firing Systems: Gas-Operated, Manual, Recoil Operated - By End-User Sector: Law Enforcement, Military & Defense, Civil & Commercial How is the small arms and light weapons market distributed regionally? In 2023, Asia-Pacific emerged as the dominant region in the small arms and weapons market. Western Europe, on the other hand, is projected to experience the fastest growth in the global small arms and light weapons market during the forecast period. The regions taken into account in this report include Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East, and Africa. Browse Through More Similar Reports By The Business Research Company: Land based Defense Equipment Global Market Report 2024 Smart Weapons Global Market Report 2024 Light Weapons Global Market Report 2024 About The Business Research Company Learn More About The Business Research Company. With over 15000+ reports from 27 industries covering 60+ geographies, The Business Research Company has built a reputation for offering comprehensive, data-rich research and insights. Armed with 1,500,000 datasets, the optimistic contribution of in-depth secondary research, and unique insights from industry leaders, you can get the information you need to stay ahead in the game. Contact us at The Business Research Company: Americas +1 3156230293 Asia +44 2071930708 Europe +44 2071930708 Email us at ... Follow us on: LinkedIn: YouTube: Global Market Model: global-market-model Oliver Guirdham The Business Research Company +44 20 7193 0708 email us here Visit us on social media: Facebook X LinkedIn Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above. MENAFN18122024003118003196ID1109009425 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. 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I t was a day of reflection, celebration and inspiration as the Combermere School honoured its students’ achievements for 2023/2024. Under the theme Continuing the Tradition of Excellence, the school held its annual speech day and prize-giving ceremony, at the campus on Friday, celebrating academic excellence and sporting achievements, even as it looked forward to a future of continued success. Ryan Brathwaite, chief executive officer of Ticket Linkz and Hackleton Construction, himself a former Combermere head boy in delivering the feature address, reminded students that excellence is not determined by privilege, wealth, or social connections, but by “character, ability, and commitment to values”. Making it clear that “excellence is not perfection” but “a commitment to constant growth,” Brathwaite urged students to embrace challenges, learn from their failures, and constantly strive to become the best version of themselves. “Excellence is who we are, but it is evident in all that we do,” Brathwaite said. “Combermere is more than just a school; it is a tradition, a legacy, a family. Today, we reflect on the theme of Continuing the Tradition of Excellence , and we are reminded of the profound responsibility we all share to carry this theme forward.” Chairman of the school’s Board of Management Captain Rev Al Walcott in his welcome remarks spoke of the importance of celebrating the hard work and dedication of students. He, however, reminded the students that their achievements, thus far, are not the end, but rather a foundation for even greater success. You Might Be Interested In Ross University opens Barbados campus UWI supports innovation for regional growth St George Secondary closed next week “It is a time of celebration where we honour the students who have worked extremely hard in developing their academic careers,” he said. “I pray that this will not be the end of your endeavours to reach high academic standings but a platform upon which you can continue to build and build towards developing a life of achievement, value, and success.” Principal Robin Douglas reflected on the students’ achievements of the past year. In his principal’s report, he highlighted the school’s academic achievements for the 2023-2024 year. At the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level, Principal Douglas stated that the school offered 23 subjects and had an overall pass rate of 82 per cent. Notably, 15 per cent of students earned Grade l passes, while 37 per cent achieved Grade ll passes. Furthermore, he said, subjects such as Industrial Technology, Physical Education & Sport, and Theatre Arts achieved a perfect pass rate of 100 per cent. At the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) level, Combermere achieved a 94 per cent overall pass rate across 26 subjects. Out of 45 units offered, 36 had pass rates above 80 per cent, with 21 of those units receiving 100 per cent passes. In addition to academic triumphs, Combermere’s sporting achievements for the year were a source of pride for the entire school community. The school dominated the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Athletic Championship (BSSACC) 2024, emerging as double champions. They also performed admirably in netball, cricket, and football. Looking ahead, Principal Douglas said, the faculty will continue to prioritise the growth and development of students, striving to provide them with the tools they need. “Combermere School continues to move forward with the mission to facilitate student achievement to their greatest potential,” Douglas said. “We will ensure that the tradition of excellence at Combermere is emblazoned upon the fabric of the Barbadian spirit, that it continues its contribution to society in this new world. . .” Before the ceremony began, the school’s Steel Orchestra played a selection of popular hits creating a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere that had the audience tapping their feet in rhythm. There were a number of other performances by students, including dance and song.
Manmohan Singh died on December 26, 2024, at the age of 92; he will be remembered as one of India’s greatest leaders. Not only was he the first Sikh to be Prime Minister, he was also the architect of sweeping economic reforms that transformed India into a global player. During his 10 years in office from 2004 to 2014, he had focused on policies designed to lift people out of poverty and boost the economy’s standing in the world. Liberalization under Singh exposed the world to India, and India to the world, enabling the country to fight for her place as a major economic player. Singh, who was soft-spoken and principled in his leadership, influenced economic growth beyond the realm of the economic. He used these welfare schemes — some of which bettered the lives of millions — to convey his commitment to social justice. Another key achievement of his government, which exists till today, is the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) that assured the rural poor atleast 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every rural household. Singh rose through the political ranks after assuming the post of Finance Minister in 1991, a period of massive economic turmoil for India. Devaluation of the rupee, reduction of import tariffs and foreign investment were the thrust of his initiatives, laying the foundation for the transformation of India’s economy. He was instrumental in India’s shift from a closed economy to a more open economy connected to the global markets. During his two terms in office as Prime Minister, Singh oversaw a number of landmark achievements, including a strong economy that had an average growth rate of approximately 9% each year between 2005 and 2008, in his first term. His style of leadership involved building consensus and working within coalition governments that had to accommodate many different political interests. Yet, Singh’s second term was plagued with several allegations of corruption and the scandals thus raised overshadowed few initial successes, and led to the Congress party defeat in the 2014 elections. Manmohan Singh’s global dealings also more than a little shape his legacy. He promoted peaceful and diplomatic ties — particularly with Pakistan and China. Under his leadership, there were efforts to engage Pakistan for possible commonality, but this was thwarted on many structural levels through incidents like the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Singh’s approach emphasized collaboration and cooperation over confrontation and this was reflected in his priority of ending conflicts through dialogues. One of the landmark achievements of his regime was the 2008 Indo-US nuclear deal, which changed India’s foreign policy posture, laying the foundation for civilian nuclear relations with America. Singh also helped establish BRICS — the grouping of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, held up the rising powers of the developing world where much of the economic growth in recent years has been taking place. As news broke about Manmohan Singh passing away, political leaders and citizens expressed their tributes. Describing Singh as one of the “greatest leaders” of the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that the former prime minister’s contribution to make a difference in people’s lives was “substantial”. Leaders spanning the political spectrum have praised Singh’s insight, humility, and dedication to the country, underscoring his national influence on Indian politics. In a nation that has changed significantly since he entered national politics in the 1990s, Singh’s legacy is both long-lasting and complex, not least due to the controversies that clamoured around the last years of his political life. His long-term vision of an India which is economically prosperous, but socially inclusive is going to guide many generations of leaders and policymakers who come after jego. Manmohan Singh passed away around the age of 91 and most people remember his prime ministerial role as a crucial period for India. Ultimately, Manmohan Singh moved the needle through both his policies and the collective psyche of a nation from which even at age 92 he has yet to be able to rest. As India looks back on his legacy, may his values of economic reform, honesty, and diplomacy be adopted by all those who take on the mantle that he successfully wore.Uwill Founder & CEO Michael London Named Innovator in Healthcare
Shohei Ohtani wins 3rd AP Male Athlete of the Year award, tying Michael Jordan for 1 shy of recordA few days ago, the Brazilian model Ana Paula Consorte, who is in a relationship with the soccer player Paolo Guerrero shared with her followers that she was admitted to a hospital due to a diagnosis of pneumonia. This news generated concern among his fans, who have been attentive to his state of health. After causing great concern among his followers, Ana Paula Consorte He reappeared on his social networks to share family images for Christmas. The model showed off with Paolo Guerrero after having gone through a complicated situation regarding his health, since he had pneumonia. The publication of Ana Paula Consorte Before Christmas, Ana Paula Consorte has decided to show his progress in health and deny rumors of an alleged breakup with Paolo Guerrero by participating in a Christmas photo session with the footballer and his three children. Through his Instagram account, he shared a series of images in which he is seen with a renewed appearance, in addition to dedicating emotional words to his loved ones. “FAMILY, a seven-letter word that means everything,” was what the Brazilian wrote in the Christmas publication. These images have reassured her followers, since the influencer went through a difficult time when she became ill with pneumonia. Ana Paula Consorte and Paolo Guerrero pose before Christmas and with their children. Photo: Instagram Internet users were quick to send their best wishes to the family. Warrior Consort who will reportedly spend the holidays in Brazil. Users celebrated the family union and expressed their wish that it last over time. Likewise, they praised how good they look together, highlighting the harmony they project as a family. What had happened to Ana Paula Consorte? On December 22, Ana Paula Consorte He posted a moving video on Instagram, where he outlined the challenges he had faced in recent weeks. The model reported that she was admitted to a hospital due to a diagnosis of pneumonia, which led her to be undergoing treatment and away from her children. “High fever, cough, vomiting, not being able to walk, there we went to the hospital for the third time and, to my surprise, a diagnosis: pneumonia. End of the year, being with my family, enjoying my children, nephews, brothers, my parents is so important and, suddenly, STOP. Soon me? There are 3 children and a fast life, I love being active and feeling good, but my body forced me to stop,” she mentioned in her social media post. In a recent video shared by Ana Paula Consorte the model documented her stay in the hospital, where she was seen chatting via video call with her children and other family members. However, what caught the attention of her followers most was the notable absence of her partner, Paolo Guerrero, in the images she published. Join our entertainment channel
Headed South for Winter? 5 Tips for Snowbirds About to Take FlightMetLife Investment Management LLC Has $538,000 Stake in Maravai LifeSciences Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRVI)
Ana Paula Consorte shines with Paolo Guerrero after suffering from pneumonia: “Family”Stock indexes drifted to a mixed finish on Wall Street Thursday, as some heavyweight technology and communications sector stocks offset gains elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 fell less than 0.1% after spending the day wavering between small gains and losses. The tiny loss ended the benchmark index's three-day winning streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.1%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.1%. Trading volume was lighter than usual as U.S. markets reopened following the Christmas holiday. Semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, slipped 0.2%. Meta Platforms fell 0.7%, and Amazon and Netflix each fell 0.9%. Tesla was among the biggest decliners in the S&P 500, finishing 1.8% lower. Some tech companies fared better. Chip company Broadcom rose 2.4%, Micron Technology added 0.6% and Adobe gained 0.5%. Health care stocks were a bright spot. CVS Health rose 1.5% and Walgreens Boots Alliance added 5.3% for the biggest gain among S&P 500 stocks. Several retailers also gained ground. Target rose 3%, Ross Stores added 2.3%, Best Buy rose 2.9% and Dollar Tree gained 3.8%. Traders are watching to see whether retailers have a strong holiday season. The day after Christmas traditionally ranks among the top 10 biggest shopping days of the year, as consumers go online or rush to stores to cash in gift cards and raid bargain bins. U.S.-listed shares in Honda and Nissan rose 4.1% and 16.4%, respectively. The Japanese automakers announced earlier this week that the two companies are in talks to combine. All told, the S&P 500 fell 2.45 points to 6,037.59. The Dow added 28.77 points to 43,325.80. The Nasdaq fell 10.77 points to close at 20,020.36. Wall Street got a labor market update. U.S. applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week , though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years, the Labor Department reported. Treasury yields mostly fell in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury slipped to 4.58% from 4.59% late Tuesday. Major European markets were closed, as well as Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. Trading was expected to be subdued this week with a thin slate of economic data on the calendar. Still, U.S. markets have historically gotten a boost at year’s end despite lower trading volumes. The last five trading days of each year, plus the first two in the new year, have brought an average gain of 1.3% since 1950. So far this month, the U.S. stock market has lost some of its gains since President-elect Donald Trump’s win on Election Day, which raised hopes for faster economic growth and more lax regulations that would boost corporate profits. Worries have risen that Trump’s preference for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , a bigger U.S. government debt and difficulties for global trade. Even so, the U.S. market remains on pace to deliver strong returns for 2024. The benchmark S&P 500 is up 26.6% so far this year and remains near its most recent all-time high it set earlier this month — its latest of 57 record highs this year. Wall Street has several economic reports to look forward to next week, including updates on pending home sales and home prices, a report on U.S. construction spending and snapshots of manufacturing activity. AP Business Writers Elaine Kurtenbach and Matt Ott contributed.HYDERABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Dec, 2024) National and international veterinary experts, along with progressive farmers, have underscored the urgent need to establish a Livestock Breeders Forum and initiate research to protect the country's indigenous animal breeds. They highlighted the importance of adopting sustainable artificial insemination techniques and modern technologies to genetically improve animal breeds, thereby boosting milk and meat production and forming alliances to enhance . Addressing the closing session of the two-day Livestock Breeders Forum organized by University (SAU) Tandojam in collaboration with the Higher Commission, Minister for Syed Sardar Ali Shah stated that there remains significant potential for support in the livestock sector. He suggested exploring partnerships with neighboring countries to acquire animal breeds and recommended that grants for improving livestock quality be provided directly to farmers. Opposing agricultural taxation without sufficient facilities, the minister called such policies inappropriate. He also praised University for its proactive efforts and pledged to advocate for increased support the . Secretary of Universities and Boards, Muhammad Abbas Baloch, emphasized the importance of initiatives like this forum to address critical issues and urged institutions to facilitate direct connections for farmers. SAU Vice Chancellor Dr. Fateh Marri highlighted the economic potential of and livestock, asserting that these sectors could outperform industries in driving economic growth. He stated that a 6% annual increase in productivity in and livestock could reduce poverty by 50% over the next decade. Dr. Marri called for a shift in research focus toward improving quality and productivity rather than just increasing the number of animals. Secretary of , Moeenuddin Siddiqui, recommended fostering breeds through research and exploring livestock export opportunities, particularly to countries such as . He advocated forming a collaborative involving the , academia, research institutions, and farmers to strengthen the livestock sector. Speaking virtually the , Professor Emeritus Dr. Mushtaq Ahmed Memon highlighted the reliance on modern in global livestock advancements and urged veterinary professionals and experts to seize the numerous opportunities available in the field. Chairman of SIDA, Qabool Muhammad Khatian, acknowledged the substantial work underway in 's livestock sector and stressed the need for institutions to enhance research aimed at improving local breeds. Progressive farmer Nazoo Dharejo proposed extending such programs to rural areas to maximize their benefits for small-scale farmers. Minister for Social Welfare Mir Tariq Ali Talpur, addressing the second session, recognized the significant role of livestock in addressing economic challenges in underprivileged areas. He encouraged universities, the livestock sector, and progressive farmers to provide guidance to locals, especially , who play a vital role in the livestock economy. The forum included technical discussions led by prominent experts such as Dr. Syed Ghiyasuddin Shah Rashdi, farmer leader Ghulam Akbar Dars, Syed Zarar Haider Shah, and Dr. Parshotam Khatri. Contributions leading researchers, including Dr. Jan Muhammad Mari, Dr. Chandra Kumar, Dr. Aqeel Ahmed Memon, Dr. Ghulam Bilal, Dr. Mubarak , Dr. Seema Baloch, Dr. Saeed Ahmed Soomro, and others, enriched the sessions with valuable insights and findings. Key recommendations arising the forum included adopting advanced genetic technologies and artificial reproduction programs to enhance local breeds, improve disease resistance, and increase productivity. Suggestions emphasized increasing genetic diversity, minimizing inbreeding, and expanding breeding services to goats, donkeys, and horses. Measures to prevent the premature slaughter of calves through collaboration with district administrations, departments, and educational institutions were also proposed. The experts recommended promoting the local production of soybeans to meet livestock protein needs and called for strengthening embryo transfer laboratories and genomic facilities to develop high-quality breeds. Subsidies for sex-selected semen and embryo transfer technologies were suggested to ensure wider adoption of these advancements. Participants also urged the to invest in research, farmer training, and awareness programs while formalizing the sector through livestock keeper registration. The forum concluded with a strong commitment to leveraging innovation, collaboration, and policy support to unlock the immense potential of 's livestock as a of economic growth.