BUCHAREST, Romania — Romanian lawmakers on Monday voted narrowly in favor of a new pro-European coalition government led by incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. The move could usher in an end to a protracted political crisis in the European Union country following the annulment of a presidential election by a top court . Parliament approved the new administration in a 240-143 vote in Romania’s 466-seat legislature. The new coalition is made up of the leftist Social Democratic Party, or PSD, the center-right National Liberal Party, or PNL, the small ethnic Hungarian UDMR party and national minorities. It caps a monthlong period of turmoil in which far-right nationalists made significant gains in a Dec. 1 parliamentary election, a week after a first-round presidential race saw the far-right outsider Calin Georgescu emerge as the front-runner. “It will not be an easy mandate for the future government,” Ciolacu, whose PSD party topped the polls in the parliamentary election, said in a statement Monday. “We are aware that we are in the midst of a deep political crisis,” he said. “It is also a crisis of trust, and this coalition aims to regain the trust of citizens, the trust of the people.” Romania’s 16 ministerial positions will be shared among the parties, which will hold a slim majority in the legislature. It’s widely seen as a tactical partnership to shut out far-right nationalists whose voices found fertile ground amid high living costs and a sluggish economy. Ciolacu, who came third in the first-round presidential ballot despite polls indicating he would win the most votes, has served as prime minister since June 2023. After parliament’s approval, President Klaus Iohannis swore in the new government and warned the new Cabinet that it’s entering a “difficult new period” in which “for many Romanians, there are major concerns.” Romania was plunged into turmoil after Georgescu’s surprise success in the presidential race, after allegations of electoral violations and Russian interference emerged. Days before the Dec. 8 runoff, the Constitutional Court made the unprecedented move to annul the presidential race. “We go through complicated times, but I think we all learned from mistakes of the past,” Ciolacu said. “I hope that together with my colleagues in the coalition, we’ll find the best solutions to get past the challenges we have in front of us.” Ciolacu said that the new government would aim to quickly organize the rerun of the presidential election in which the new coalition has agreed to put forward an agreed-upon pro-European candidate. Cristian Andrei, a political consultant based in Bucharest, said that the new government made up of the same political parties will likely embrace “soft populist” rhetoric such as economic patriotism, anti-austerity, and a peace solution in neighboring Ukraine to counter the rise of far-right populism. “This will be a way to answer the concerns of many Romanians who voted for populists ... but will not solve the fundamental problem of trust,” he said. “The only decisive factor now will be who and how convincing the pro-European candidates will be against this popular revolt.” George Simion, the leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, which came second in the parliamentary election, said that all lawmakers from his party on Monday would vote against the Ciolacu government. In 2021, the PSD and the PNL also formed an unlikely but increasingly strained coalition together with UDMR, which exited the Cabinet last year after a power-sharing dispute. McGrath and Ghirda write for the Associated Press. McGrath reported from Warwick, England.Bryce Thompson scored 17 points and achieved a milestone as Oklahoma State defeated Miami 80-74 on Friday afternoon in a Charleston Classic consolation game in Charleston, S.C. Thompson made 6-of-14 shots from the floor, surpassing 1,000 points for his career at Oklahoma State (4-1), which also got 15 points from Marchelus Avery. The Cowboys won in large part thanks to their impressive 3-point shooting (10-for-22, 45.5 percent). Oklahoma State backup guard Arturo Dean, a Miami native, posted eight points and one steal. He led the nation in steals last season while playing for Florida International. Miami (3-2) has lost two straight games in Charleston, failing to take a lead at any point. They will play on Sunday against either Nevada or VCU. The Hurricanes on Friday were led by Nijel Pack, who had a game-high 20 points. Brandon Johnson had a double-double for Miami with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Matthew Cleveland scored 11 points and Lynn Kidd and Paul Djobet added 10 points apiece for Miami. Miami, which fell behind 7-0 in Thursday's loss to Drake, got behind 9-0 on Friday as Abou Ousmane scored six of his eight points. Oklahoma State stretched its lead to 18 before settling for a 43-27 advantage at the break. Pack led all first-half scorers with 10 points, but Miami shot just 29.6 percent from the floor, including 3-of-13 on 3-pointers (23.1). Oklahoma State shot 48.4 percent, including 8-for-15 on 3-pointers (53.3 percent) before intermission. The Cowboys also had a 14-8 edge in paint points. In the second half, Miami closed its 20-point deficit to 55-42 with 12:12 left. Miami got a bit closer as two straight short jumpers by Kidd, trimming the deficit to 73-62 with 3:25 to play. The Hurricanes cut it to 77-70 on Pack's 3-pointer with 34 seconds remaining, but the Cowboys hit their free throws to close out the win. --Field Level Media
As Double 12 approaches, it's the perfect time to consider upgrading your headphones for an enhanced listening experience. When it comes to selecting the perfect pair of earbuds, sound quality should be at the top of your list of priorities. Among the myriad of options available in the market, the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Series stands out for its exceptional audio performance, innovative features, and sleek design. In this article, we will delve into why the Galaxy Buds3 Series is the ideal choice for music enthusiasts seeking top-notch sound quality.
Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Georgia's only president, died Sunday at his home in Plains, Georgia, at age 100. His death comes a year after the passing of his beloved wife Rosalynn Carter, prompting an outpouring of tributes from Georgia's political leaders and community figures. Why It Matters Carter's death marks the end of an era for Georgia and American politics. As the state's 76th governor and the nation's 39th president, the former president's legacy encompasses both his political achievements and his extensive humanitarian work through the Carter Center, significantly impacting Georgia's standing on the national and global stage. What To Know Carter, born in Plains, Georgia, in 1924, served as president from 1977 to 1981. His journey from a peanut farmer to the White House exemplified his commitment to public service. After his presidency, he established the Carter Center in Atlanta with his wife Rosalynn, focusing on human rights, democracy, and health initiatives worldwide. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for his humanitarian work. Following a series of hospital stays, Carter began hospice care at home, opting to spend his remaining time surrounded by family and friends. Rosalynn, who was also in hospice care at their Georgia home following a diagnosis of dementia, died in November 2023. What People Are Saying Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens said in a statement: "Today, Atlanta mourns Georgia's only President. My heart goes out to the entire Carter family here in Atlanta, across Georgia and our nation. I am so proud that President Carter's legacy will continue to endure here in Atlanta through the Carter Center." Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms said on X: "Simply put, President Jimmy Carter was a good man. He was the epitome of a servant leader, changing the world and setting the highest example of what it meant to honor God, family, and country." Former Georgia State Representative Stacey Abrams said on X: "President Jimmy Carter lived a life of courage, fortitude, kindness and grace. He was a giant who never saw anyone as smaller than himself... Jimmy Carter built homes, saved lives and tended to souls." Georgia Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock said in a statement: "President Carter was one of my heroes. His leadership was driven by love, his life's project grounded in compassion and a commitment to human dignity... Well done, good and faithful servant, well done." Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff said in a statement: "President Carter's lifetime of work and dedication to public service changed the lives of many across our state, our country, and around the world... The State of Georgia and the United States are better places because of President Jimmy Carter." Georgia Tech posted this message on X : "The Georgia Tech community, the nation, and the world have lost a towering yet humble, hardworking man of faith who devoted decades to enhancing democracy and freedom, improving health, and preventing and resolving conflicts at home and across the globe." Georgia Congressman Buddy Carter said on X : "President Carter was an amazing Georgian and a firm believer in Christ. Today, he goes to be with his beloved wife, Rosalynn, in Heaven." Rapper and Atlanta activist Killer Mike said on X: "As a Georgian, Southerner and Advocate for who deserve the dignity of decent shelter i am honored to say I have known a 'Good Man' who truly made a difference in a wicked world." What Happens Next Public observances will be held in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., followed by a private interment in Plains, Georgia. The Carter Center announced that final arrangements for President Carter's state funeral, including public events and motorcade routes, are pending and will be released by the Joint Task Force-National Capital Region.The world of badminton is not only captivating due to the fierce competition on the court but also because it often intertwines with personal stories that tug at our heartstrings. Zheng Siwei, known for his exceptional skills and tenacity on the badminton court, has recently made headlines for a different reason - his heartfelt plea for marriage to his longtime partner Huang Yaqiong.
NORMAL, Ill. (AP) — Wenkers Wright ran for 118 yards and two touchdowns and No. 13 Illinois State knocked off North Dakota for the first time, 35-13 in the regular season finale for both teams Saturday. The Redbirds are 9-2 (6-2 Missouri Valley Conference) and are looking to reach the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2019 and sixth time in Brock Spack's 16 seasons as head coach. Illinois State opened the game with some trickery. Eddie Kasper pulled up on a fleaflicker and launched a 30-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Loyd to cap a seven-play, 70-yard opening drive. Simon Romfo tied it on North Dakota's only touchdown of the day, throwing 20 yards to Nate DeMontagnac. Wright scored from the 10 to make it 14-7 after a quarter, and after C.J. Elrichs kicked a 20-yard field goal midway through the second to make it 14-10 at intermission, Wright powered in from the 18 and Mitch Bartol caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Tommy Rittenhouse to make it 28-10 after three. Seth Glatz added a 13-yard touchdown run to make it 35-10 before Elrichs added a 37-yard field goal to get the Fighting Hawks on the board to set the final margin. Rittenhouse finished 21 of 33 passing for 187 yards for Illinois State. Loyd caught eight passes for 121 yards. Romfo completed 11 of 26 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown with an interception for North Dakota (5-7, 2-6). Illinois State faced North Dakota for just the fourth time and third time as Missouri Valley Conference opponents. The Redbirds lost the previous three meetings. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballFrance's Macron announces fourth government of the year
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As Nani's career progressed, he faced his fair share of challenges and setbacks. Injuries, loss of form, and changing dynamics within the footballing world tested his resolve and resilience. Yet, true to his character, Nani never wavered. He continued to fight, to adapt, and to evolve, constantly striving to improve and make a meaningful impact both on and off the pitch.Cavite awarded SIPS status for peace
ESPN reporter Laura Rutledge's husband's adorable reaction to her NFL Live outfit Laura Rutledge wore a chic outfit - which no one loved more than her husband He left a simple yet adorable comment under her series of Instagram photos READ MORE: ESPN fans declare reporter Laura Rutledge 'hottest woman on TV' By EMILY LEFROY FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 22:59, 21 November 2024 | Updated: 23:00, 21 November 2024 e-mail View comments Fans have declared her a must-watch on TV - and no one agrees more than Laura Rutledge's loving husband. The 36-year-old looked stunning while reporting from the ESPN headquarters for NFL Live on Wednesday night, posting a series of pictures of her eye-catching outfit. The former Miss Florida wore a black fitted turtleneck with a long metallic silver skirt, finishing off her sleek look with some sateen-finish thigh-high boots. She wore her long, blonde, wavy hair half up, with most of it over her shoulders, and paired the look with silver accessories. Laura's comment section was met with a wave of messages from admiring fans - but no one more in awe of her than her loving husband, Josh Rutledge. The former Boston Red Sox infielder left a simple, but effective, comment on the three images: three love-heart eye emojis. Fans chimed, sharing their own admiration of for the reporter's style. 'Wowza! You look beautiful, Laura. Love your style,' one fan gushed. The 36-year-old was in Bristol, Connecticut at the ESPN headquarters for NFL Live, posting a series of pictures of her outfit 'That skirt and those boots,' another enthused. 'Had a chance to catch the show, you were looking extra gorgeous today. The fit was on point,' chimed in another. 'You look incredible as always, especially loving the hair,' someone else added. Josh, 35, isn't shy when it comes to showing his love for his wife, often leaving loved-up comments on social media. The couple have been married since 2013 and share two children. Their eldest, daughter Reese, is five and their son Jack turned one in May. In October, the blonde beauty showed off her gorgeous figure while sporting a matching leather blazer and skirt. Laura had taken a trip to Tuscaloosa to provide coverage for the face-off between Alabama and Missouri, which saw the Crimson Tide winning 34-0 against the Tigers. The reporter took to her Instagram following the game to show off the chic look she opted for during the college football game. The former Miss Florida wore a a black fitted turtleneck with a long metallic silver skirt, finishing off her sleek look with some sateen-finish thigh-high boots She wore her long, blonde, wavy hair half up, with most of it over her shoulders, and paired the look with silver accessories The couple have been married since 2013 and share two children. Their eldest is a girl, Reese, is five and their son Jack, turned one in May Laura's comment section was met with a wave messages from admiring fans - but no one more in awe of than her loving husband, Josh Rutledge The beauty let her curled blonde locks fall down her back and threw on a gold necklace to tie her look together. The series of shots that saw her in game-day mode were captioned: 'Sweet Home Alabama.' Laura left fans swooning as she showcased her enviable figure in a brown leather jacket, which she paired the blazer with a matching skirt and a pair of chic white heels. In addition to giving fans all there is to know about college football as a SEC Nation host, Laura has become known for her gorgeous looks and made showcasing her style on social media a weekly affair. Boston Red Sox Share or comment on this article: ESPN reporter Laura Rutledge's husband's adorable reaction to her NFL Live outfit e-mail Add commentAfter the huge changes, what does the future hold for Hollyoaks? It could be brighter than everVATICAN CITY—Religious communities are increasingly seeking to invest in companies that match their faith values and ethical concerns, but experts say the financial market lags in providing the appropriate options. A conference in London on November 11 and 12 sought to bridge that gap by bringing together financial service industry experts with Anglican and Catholic leaders, who represent dioceses and congregations all over the world and an estimated portfolio of $1.75 trillion. “What we are seeing is that there’s increasing interest from religious organizations, not just Catholic, but also other Christian denominations, to make sure money is indeed managed in an aligned way with their faith,” Peter Hugh Smith, chief executive of London-based CCLA Investment Management, told Religion News Service (RNS) in an interview. CCLA, a London-based organization that manages funds for the Church of England and other religious charities, hosted the conference. The Mensuram Bonam Summit, from the Latin meaning “for good measure,” was named after a document published in 2022 by the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, which laid out guidelines for Catholic companies and investors seeking to invest their money for good. The document, inspired by Pope Francis’ teachings, followed dozens of regional guidelines issued by Catholic bishops’ conferences around the world and suggested a practice of “engagement” with investment companies and, when necessary, to offer a faith-based perspective to “enhance” their portfolios. Only if these two methods failed, the document called for Catholics to “exclude” investing with those companies. While Muslims have created sophisticated methods to promote investment in Shariah-compliant funds—ones that aren’t, for example, involved in pork, tobacco or alcohol—Christians lack similar resources. “I think people of faith are becoming more aware that they actually do have a choice with where they invest their money, and not a very good choice at the moment, and that’s what we’re trying to fix,” Smith said. “Just generally, the industry is not servicing that demand particularly well,” he added. To achieve this goal, the conference focused on educating financial services providers about the demands and concerns of Christian and especially Catholic investors. Mensuram Bonam listed 24 ethical questions Catholics should ponder before they invest, including abortion, the environment and social issues. “We’re continuing down a road of education to try and inform financial advisers that there are other things besides the financial return on investment,” said the Rev. Séamus Finn, an expert in faith-based and socially responsible investing and a priest of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, speaking to RNS. Finn noted that even among Catholics there are diverging opinions about what should disqualify an investment, citing different positions on the death penalty or on animal rights in different regions of the world. But most Catholics agree on core issues of the faith, he said. “It’s important that you feel that through the money that you’re investing, what you are building is a better and a more sustainable future on the planet for your grandchildren and for those who are marginalized, the poor and the thousands of migrants that we have crossing the world every day with barely enough to survive,” Finn said. The conference was supported by US firms and organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, Catholic Investment Services and CBIS Catholic Responsible Investments, as well as other organizations in Europe. Cardinals from the bureaucratic offices at the Vatican, the Roman Curia, attended the event, as well as Jean-Baptiste de Franssu, the president of the Institute for Religious Works, commonly referred to as the Vatican bank. Plagued by financial scandals in the past, the newly reformed Vatican bank has made an effort to set itself as an example of transparency and efficiency for Catholic institutions, which are often led by clerics with limited understanding of financial issues and are dependent on outdated reporting and budgeting systems. Claire Giangravé/Religion News Service via AP Finn said he hoped the conference would also “get the Vatican to be more proactive on this front” by sharing best practices and would “encourage those who have been afraid of doing any of this because they don’t feel like they’re experts in the area of finance, that there are ways to start, and there’s plenty of help out there.” Participants at the conference looked for a middle ground between Christian concerns about where to invest their funds and the practical reality of needing financial returns. “Our point is that you can invest ethically, and it will not affect your return,” Finn said. “There are companies out there who want to do good and want to do right.”
New Delhi, Dec 29 (IANS): E-commerce company Snapdeal has managed to cut down its loss to Rs 160.38 crore in FY24 from Rs 282.20 crore in FY23. Apart from this, the company's Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation (EBITDA) loss declined by 88 per cent to Rs 16 crore in FY24. It was Rs 144 crore in FY23. The reason for the reduction in the company's loss is the decline in expenses. The company's total expenditure in FY24 was Rs 540.76 crore. It was Rs 687.93 crore in FY23. The employee benefits expenditure of the company in FY24 declined by 48.5 per cent on YoY (year-on-year) basis to Rs 158.4 crore. It was Rs 307.53 crore in FY23. During this period, the company's advertising expenditure was reduced by 23.5 per cent on YoY basis to Rs 70.37 crore. Snapdeal's operating income increased by 2.1 per cent to Rs 379.76 crore in FY24 from Rs 371.96 crore in FY23. Market services have the biggest contribution of Rs 252.55 crore to the company's revenue. However, it decreased by 9.6 percent on YoY basis as compared to FY23. The company's enablement income increased by 14.8 per cent year-on-year to Rs 103.36 crore in FY24. The company's income from other items has increased 8 times to Rs 23.85 crore in the last financial year. According to the stock exchange filing, Snapdeal has reduced its stake in Unicommerce. The company had raised Rs 33 crore from the secondary sale of 3.4 per cent stake during May-June 2024 ahead of the IPO and Rs 81 crore from the sale of 9.2 per cent stake under the offer for sale in the IPO that came in August 2024. Snapdeal is one of India’s leading e-commerce platforms. Founded in 2010, Snapdeal focuses on the value commerce market in India and has served more than 10 Crore online shoppers over the past 14+ years.NORMAL, Ill. (AP) — Wenkers Wright ran for 118 yards and two touchdowns and No. 13 Illinois State knocked off North Dakota for the first time, 35-13 in the regular season finale for both teams Saturday. The Redbirds are 9-2 (6-2 Missouri Valley Conference) and are looking to reach the FCS playoffs for the first time since 2019 and sixth time in Brock Spack's 16 seasons as head coach. Illinois State opened the game with some trickery. Eddie Kasper pulled up on a fleaflicker and launched a 30-yard touchdown pass to Xavier Loyd to cap a seven-play, 70-yard opening drive. Simon Romfo tied it on North Dakota's only touchdown of the day, throwing 20 yards to Nate DeMontagnac. Wright scored from the 10 to make it 14-7 after a quarter, and after C.J. Elrichs kicked a 20-yard field goal midway through the second to make it 14-10 at intermission, Wright powered in from the 18 and Mitch Bartol caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Tommy Rittenhouse to make it 28-10 after three. Seth Glatz added a 13-yard touchdown run to make it 35-10 before Elrichs added a 37-yard field goal to get the Fighting Hawks on the board to set the final margin. Rittenhouse finished 21 of 33 passing for 187 yards for Illinois State. Loyd caught eight passes for 121 yards. Romfo completed 11 of 26 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown with an interception for North Dakota (5-7, 2-6). Illinois State faced North Dakota for just the fourth time and third time as Missouri Valley Conference opponents. The Redbirds lost the previous three meetings. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football