Matthew Hooton: What it will take for things to be looking up in 2025
Fast Casual Restaurants Market In US size is set to grow by USD 65.2 billion from 2024-2028, demand for innovation and customization in food menus to boost the market growth, Technavio
Topa, Stewart, McKenzie, Sulser reach deals ahead of tender deadlineTESCO has revealed plans to open 150 new locations over the next three years in a convenience store blitz. The Tesco Express expansion will create more than 2,000 jobs , while some stores will benefit from longer opening hours. The majority of sites will run from 7am to 11pm, but the supermarket giant is aiming to have some open from 6am to midnight. Kevin Tindall, managing director at Tesco UK, said the chain had signed leases for many of the new shops, but that they were looking at housing estates, new-build tower blocks and high streets with a lot of footfall. The news came as Britain’s biggest grocer yesterday marked the 30th anniversary of Tesco Express by opening a shop in Burnt Oak, North London — on the same street the very first Tesco was set up in 1929. Tesco this week cut prices on 200 everyday items such as bread, milk, and chicken in its Express stores, and continues to offer Clubcard discounts. READ MORE ON TESCO But it does not offer its Aldi Price Match in the convenience shops. Critics including Which? have argued customers at smaller shops are disadvantaged by the higher prices. But Mr Tindall explained that most smaller stores charge a premium as they are hit harder by costs, especially in London where rents are high. And he said Tesco was continuing to create jobs despite the “challenges of extra costs from the Budget”. Most read in Business There are now 2,074 Tesco Express stores and 808 larger superstores. Rivals Sainsbury's , Morrisons , and Asda have also committed to opening new locations. A miniature giant GAMES WORKSHOP, the maker of fantasy miniature figurines and the Warhammer franchise, is nudging its way into the FTSE 100 after its shares rocketed to a record high yesterday. The niche hobby business is now valued at £4.5billion, more than B&M Bargains or Sports Direct owner Frasers Group . Its shares yesterday rose 17 per cent to £137.90 each after a brief statement that its profits would beat forecasts of £120million. Shares have risen by 38.5 per cent in the past year. GOOD WEEK: RYAN McDonnell, boss of LIDL, the fastest-growing supermarket, which has returned to profit after the cost-of-living crisis. BAD WEEK: ADRIAN Mardell, boss of JAGUAR, criticised for a ridiculous rebrand and its new advert that does not feature a car.
Prominent homebuilder donates $1M to New College for baseball field
The Dallas Cowboys are shutting down CeeDee Lamb for the rest of the season after the star wideout played through a shoulder injury for nearly two months. Lamb initially sprained the AC joint in his right shoulder on Nov. 3 but has not missed any of the Cowboys' first 15 games this season. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Spokeo used data from Knight Frank's Wealth Report to visualize what it takes to be in the top 1% in select nations across the world. Click for more. It takes $5.8M to be part of the 1% in the US. Here's where in the world wealth is more achievable.Inclusive governance essential for national unity, says Minister Gurung
Second Half Financial Partners LLC raised its position in Broadcom Inc. ( NASDAQ:AVGO – Free Report ) by 1,245.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,247 shares of the semiconductor manufacturer’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,080 shares during the quarter. Second Half Financial Partners LLC’s holdings in Broadcom were worth $388,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AVGO. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL boosted its position in Broadcom by 80.5% in the 1st quarter. Gamco Investors INC. ET AL now owns 897 shares of the semiconductor manufacturer’s stock valued at $1,189,000 after buying an additional 400 shares during the period. Bamco Inc. NY grew its stake in Broadcom by 13,754.9% during the 1st quarter. Bamco Inc. NY now owns 23,969 shares of the semiconductor manufacturer’s stock worth $31,769,000 after purchasing an additional 23,796 shares in the last quarter. Mount Yale Investment Advisors LLC increased its holdings in Broadcom by 1.8% during the 1st quarter. Mount Yale Investment Advisors LLC now owns 2,372 shares of the semiconductor manufacturer’s stock worth $3,144,000 after purchasing an additional 42 shares during the period. Earnest Partners LLC raised its position in Broadcom by 11.8% in the 1st quarter. Earnest Partners LLC now owns 208 shares of the semiconductor manufacturer’s stock valued at $276,000 after purchasing an additional 22 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Caxton Associates LP boosted its stake in shares of Broadcom by 5,434.5% in the 1st quarter. Caxton Associates LP now owns 47,486 shares of the semiconductor manufacturer’s stock valued at $62,938,000 after buying an additional 46,628 shares during the period. 76.43% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Broadcom Price Performance Shares of NASDAQ AVGO opened at $164.23 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.02, a current ratio of 1.04 and a quick ratio of 0.94. The company has a market cap of $767.05 billion, a PE ratio of 142.68, a P/E/G ratio of 1.94 and a beta of 1.17. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $173.70 and a 200 day moving average price of $160.62. Broadcom Inc. has a 1-year low of $90.31 and a 1-year high of $186.42. Broadcom Increases Dividend The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 30th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, September 19th were given a dividend of $0.53 per share. This is a positive change from Broadcom’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.53. This represents a $2.12 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.29%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, September 19th. Broadcom’s payout ratio is presently 184.19%. Insider Transactions at Broadcom In related news, insider Charlie B. Kawwas sold 15,950 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, October 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $181.44, for a total value of $2,893,968.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 737,330 shares in the company, valued at $133,781,155.20. This represents a 2.12 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink . Also, CEO Hock E. Tan sold 150,000 shares of Broadcom stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $172.94, for a total value of $25,941,000.00. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,181,910 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $204,399,515.40. This represents a 11.26 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold a total of 311,080 shares of company stock valued at $53,540,590 in the last ninety days. 2.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several analysts recently weighed in on AVGO shares. Rosenblatt Securities reduced their target price on shares of Broadcom from $2,400.00 to $240.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, September 6th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Broadcom from $170.00 to $200.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, November 4th. Benchmark reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $210.00 target price on shares of Broadcom in a research note on Friday, September 6th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Broadcom from $200.00 to $210.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Friday, September 6th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Broadcom from $176.00 to $180.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, September 6th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-four have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $192.79. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on AVGO About Broadcom ( Free Report ) Broadcom Inc designs, develops, and supplies various semiconductor devices with a focus on complex digital and mixed signal complementary metal oxide semiconductor based devices and analog III-V based products worldwide. The company operates in two segments, Semiconductor Solutions and Infrastructure Software. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AVGO? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Broadcom Inc. ( NASDAQ:AVGO – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Broadcom Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Broadcom and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Oxford Instruments ( OTCMKTS:OXINF – Get Free Report ) and Everspin Technologies ( NASDAQ:MRAM – Get Free Report ) are both small-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, earnings, institutional ownership, risk, profitability and valuation. Volatility & Risk Oxford Instruments has a beta of 0.82, indicating that its stock price is 18% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Everspin Technologies has a beta of 0.9, indicating that its stock price is 10% less volatile than the S&P 500. Valuation and Earnings This table compares Oxford Instruments and Everspin Technologies”s revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Institutional & Insider Ownership 44.7% of Everspin Technologies shares are owned by institutional investors. 6.1% of Everspin Technologies shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term. Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Oxford Instruments and Everspin Technologies, as reported by MarketBeat. Everspin Technologies has a consensus target price of $9.00, indicating a potential upside of 41.51%. Given Everspin Technologies’ higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Everspin Technologies is more favorable than Oxford Instruments. Profitability This table compares Oxford Instruments and Everspin Technologies’ net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Summary Everspin Technologies beats Oxford Instruments on 8 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks. About Oxford Instruments ( Get Free Report ) Oxford Instruments plc provide scientific technology products and services for academic and commercial organizations worldwide. It operates through three segments: Materials & Characterisation, Research & Discovery, and Service & Healthcare. The company offers atomic force, electron, and Raman microscopy; deposition tools comprising plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition, chemical vapour deposition, inductively coupled plasma chemical vapour deposition, atomic layer deposition, and ion beam deposition systems; and etch tools, including inductively coupled plasma etching, reactive ion etching, deep silicon etching, atomic layer etching, and ion beam etching systems. It also provides low temperature systems, such as dilution refrigerators, high field magnets, and cryostats; optical imaging products, including cameras, confocal microscopy, and 3d and 4d visualisation software; nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) products comprising NMR spectrometers, TD-NMR research, QA/QC analyzers, and rock core analyzers; and X-Ray sources, tubes, and power supply products. Its products are used in various industries, such as advanced manufacturing, agriculture and food, astronomy, automotive and aerospace, bio imaging and life science, chemical and catalysis, energy generation and storage, forensics and environment, geology, petrology, mining, metals, alloys, composites, ceramics, pharma, photonics, polymers, quantum technologies, semiconductors, microelectronics, and data storage. Oxford Instruments plc was founded in 1959 and is headquartered in Abingdon, the United Kingdom. About Everspin Technologies ( Get Free Report ) Everspin Technologies, Inc. engages in the manufacture and sale of magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM) products in the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, Singapore, China, Canada, and internationally. It offers Toggle MRAM, spin-transfer torque MRAM, and tunnel magneto resistance sensor products, as well as foundry services for MRAM products. The company provides its products for applications, including industrial, medical, automotive/transportation, aerospace, and data center markets. It serves original equipment manufacturers, contract manufacturers, and original design manufacturers through a direct sales channel, and a network of representatives and distributors. Everspin Technologies, Inc. was incorporated in 2008 and is headquartered in Chandler, Arizona. Receive News & Ratings for Oxford Instruments Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Oxford Instruments and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
Empowered Funds LLC Buys 2,546 Shares of PCB Bancorp (NASDAQ:PCB)
Abacus Life Announces Closing of Public Offering of 12,500,000 Shares of Common Stock
NEW YORK , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape - The global seafood market size is estimated to grow by USD 150.04 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 13.55% during the forecast period. Rising consumer awareness about healthy nutrition is driving market growth, with a trend towards growth of online retailing in seafood industry. However, depletion of sea species poses a challenge. Key market players include Aker BioMarine ASA, Austevoll Seafood ASA, Clifton Sea Food Co., Cooke Aquaculture Inc., Djibah Seafood SARL, Grayton Seafood Co. LLC, Kangamiut Seafood AS, Kings Seafood Group, Lee Fish , Lee Fishing Company, Marel Group, Mida Food Distributors Inc., Motor City Seafood Co., Mowi ASA, Nueva Pescanova SL, Pacific Seafood Group, Phillips Foods Inc., Seattle Fish Co., The Deep Seafood Co., and Trident Seafoods Corp.. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Market Driver The seafood industry is a significant source of protein for consumers worldwide. With increasing awareness of health benefits, per capita consumption of seafood continues to rise. Price remains a key factor, with fresh and frozen options available for various budgets. Tourism and hospitality sectors heavily rely on seafood for culinary experimentation and value-added fish products. 3D printing technology and product innovation are trends shaping the industry, offering personalized textures, flavors, and appearances. Alternative protein sources and seafood substitutes are gaining popularity due to ethical concerns and environmental impact. Lean fish like cod, salmon, tuna, tilapia, and crustaceans like shrimps, lobster, and crab, are popular choices. Certifications from organizations like the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and Marine Stewardship Council ensure sustainability and traceability. Brexit and the EU transition period may impact seafood imports and exports. Health advantages of seafood, including omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, make it a crucial component of a balanced diet. Administrative authorities and seafood farmers work towards addressing environmental issues and ethical concerns, such as the use of anabolic steroids and toxic chemicals. Consumers prefer lean, sustainable, and ethically sourced seafood, driving demand for certified products. Seafood cuisines and restaurants offer diverse culinary applications, with pork-based foods facing competition. The global growth of e-commerce has been driven by the widespread availability of the Internet and the convenience it offers. In 2020, e-commerce sales in the US accounted for 21.3% of total retail sales, up from 15.8% in 2019. This trend is fueled by the ease of shopping, product discovery, and attractive pricing and personalized offers. For seafood suppliers, online retailing presents new opportunities to expand sales, reach broader markets, and enhance customer relationships and profitability. Manufacturers and distributors can increase their product visibility across regions by establishing an online presence. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges The seafood industry faces several challenges in providing high-quality, sustainable, and affordable protein sources for consumers. Price volatility, driven by factors like tourism and hospitality trends, impacts the industry. Innovation through 3D printing technology and culinary experimentation offers solutions. Product personalization, focusing on texture, flavor, and appearance, is a growing trend. Alternative protein sources and seafood substitutes, like plant-based options, address ethical concerns and environmental impact. Lean fish like cod, salmon, tuna, tilapia, shrimps, lobster, and crab offer health advantages with omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. Sustainability through aquaculture techniques, certifications, and traceability initiatives is crucial. Brexit and the EU transition period impact seafood imports and exports. Organized retailers and food businesses cater to diverse diets, including pescetarian foods and vegetarian alternatives. Ensuring a balanced diet, seafood cuisines, and restaurants continue to innovate, while addressing concerns over anabolic steroids and toxic chemicals in fish. Administrative authorities and seafood farmers work together to address environmental issues and fishing activity. Per capita consumption remains high, with convenience seafood items gaining popularity. Pork-based foods face competition as heart benefits of fish are increasingly recognized. The depletion of fish stocks due to overfishing is a significant concern for both the ocean ecosystem and the livelihoods of millions of people. Overfishing occurs when the number of fish taken exceeds their ability to reproduce, leading to a decrease in the exploitable portion of the stock. This not only hinders the stock's maximal productive capability but also negatively impacts the ocean ecosystem. Furthermore, overfishing affects the social and economic well-being of coastal communities who depend on seafood as their primary source of protein and income. With billions of people relying on fishing for their livelihoods, it is crucial to address this issue and ensure sustainable fishing practices to maintain a healthy and productive ocean ecosystem. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This seafood market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Fish 1.2 Crustacean 1.3 Mollusca 1.4 Others 2.1 Offline 2.2 Online 3.1 APAC 3.2 North America 3.3 South America 3.4 Europe 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Fish- The global seafood market experienced significant growth in 2023, with the fish segment leading the way. The expanding preference for fish as a high-protein alternative to meat is a key factor fueling this growth. The number of meat eaters is on the rise, and consumers are increasingly aware of the health benefits of fish, which includes omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins like D and B2 (riboflavin). The American Heart Association recommends incorporating fish into one's diet at least twice a week. Consequently, fish is the most preferred type of seafood, driving the growth of the fish segment and the global seafood market as a whole. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The seafood industry is a significant source of protein for consumers worldwide, providing a wide range of flavors, textures, and appearances. Seafood is a staple in tourism and hospitality industries, enhancing culinary experimentation and product innovation. The price of seafood can vary greatly depending on the species, availability, and location. 3D printing technology is being explored to create seafood substitutes, offering alternative protein sources for ethical and environmental concerns. Lean fish like cod, salmon, and tuna are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and offer health advantages for a balanced diet. Sustainability is a priority in the seafood industry, with organizations like the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and Marine Stewardship Council promoting sustainable aquaculture techniques. Shrimps and other seafood items have numerous culinary applications, and value-added fish products cater to personalized preferences. The industry continues to innovate, addressing concerns of ethical sourcing, environmental impact, and consumer demand for new and exciting flavors. Market Research Overview The seafood industry is a significant source of protein for consumers around the world. With the growing awareness of health benefits associated with a balanced diet, the demand for seafood continues to rise. Seafood offers unique textures, flavors, and appearances that make it a popular choice for culinary experimentation and product innovation. However, the industry faces challenges such as price volatility, ethical concerns, and environmental impact. The use of 3D printing technology and alternative protein sources like plant-based seafood substitutes is gaining popularity to address these challenges. Sustainability is a key focus area, with certifications from organizations like the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and Marine Stewardship Council ensuring responsible farming practices. Seafood is a staple in tourism and hospitality industries, with shrimps, salmon, tuna, cod, tilapia, lobster, and crab being popular choices. Fresh and frozen seafood items are available, catering to different consumer preferences and convenience. Brexit and the transition period of the European Union (EU) have impacted the seafood industry, with administrative authorities and organized retail operators implementing traceability initiatives to maintain transparency. Seafood cuisines and restaurants offer a wide range of dishes, from traditional pescetarian foods to vegetarian diet options. However, concerns over anabolic steroids and toxic chemicals in seafood production persist, highlighting the need for stricter regulations. Lean fish like cod and salmon are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals, making them a healthy addition to a balanced diet. Fatty fish like tuna are also known for their heart benefits, particularly DHA, which is essential for brain health. Aquaculture techniques have evolved to ensure sustainable farming practices, with a focus on reducing the environmental impact of fishing activity. Per capita consumption of seafood varies globally, with some countries consuming more than others. In conclusion, the seafood industry offers a rich source of protein and unique culinary experiences. However, it faces challenges related to price, ethics, and sustainability. Innovations in technology, product development, and farming practices are essential to meet the evolving demands of consumers while minimizing the impact on the environment. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Type Fish Crustacean Mollusca Others Distribution Channel Offline Online Geography APAC North America South America Europe Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio
WASHINGTON (AP) — A lead organization monitoring for food crises around the world withdrew a new report this week warning of imminent famine in north Gaza under what it called Israel’s “near-total blockade,” after the U.S. asked for its retraction, U.S. officials told the Associated Press. The move follows public criticism of the report from the U.S. ambassador to Israel. The rare public dispute drew accusations from prominent aid and human-rights figures that the work of the U.S.-funded Famine Early Warning System Network , meant to reflect the opinion of unbiased international experts, has been tainted by politics. A declaration of famine would be a great embarrassment for Israel, which has insisted that its 15-month war in Gaza is aimed against the Hamas militant group and not against its civilian population. U.S. ambassador to Israel Jacob Lew earlier this week called the warning by the internationally recognized group inaccurate and “irresponsible .” Lew and the U.S. Agency for International Development, which funds the monitoring group, both said the findings failed to properly account for rapidly changing circumstances in north Gaza. Humanitarian and human rights officials expressed fear of U.S. political interference in the world’s monitoring system for famines. The U.S. Embassy in Israel and the State Department declined comment. FEWS officials did not respond to questions. “We work day and night with the U.N. and our Israeli partners to meet humanitarian needs — which are great — and relying on inaccurate data is irresponsible,” Lew said Tuesday. USAID confirmed to the AP that it had asked the famine-monitoring organization to withdraw its stepped-up warning issued in a report dated Monday. The report did not appear among the top updates on the group’s website Thursday, but the link to it remained active . The dispute points in part to the difficulty of assessing the extent of starvation in largely isolated northern Gaza. Thousands in recent weeks have fled an intensified Israeli military crackdown that aid groups say has allowed delivery of only a dozen trucks of food and water since roughly October. FEWS Net said in its withdrawn report that unless Israel changes its policy, it expects the number of people dying of starvation and related ailments in north Gaza to reach between two and 15 per day sometime between January and March. The internationally recognized mortality threshold for famine is two or more deaths a day per 10,000 people. FEWS was created by the U.S. development agency in the 1980s and is still funded by it. But it is intended to provide independent, neutral and data-driven assessments of hunger crises, including in war zones. Its findings help guide decisions on aid by the U.S. and other governments and agencies around the world. A spokesman for Israel’s foreign ministry, Oren Marmorstein, welcomed the U.S. ambassador’s public challenge of the famine warning. “FEWS NET - Stop spreading these lies!” Marmorstein said on X . In challenging the findings publicly, the U.S. ambassador “leveraged his political power to undermine the work of this expert agency,” said Scott Paul, a senior manager at the Oxfam America humanitarian nonprofit. Paul stressed that he was not weighing in on the accuracy of the data or methodology of the report. “The whole point of creating FEWS is to have a group of experts make assessments about imminent famine that are untainted by political considerations,” said Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch and now a visiting professor in international affairs at Princeton University . “It sure looks like USAID is allowing political considerations — the Biden administration’s worry about funding Israel’s starvation strategy — to interfere.” Israel says it has been operating in recent months against Hamas militants still active in northern Gaza. It says the vast majority of the area’s residents have fled and relocated to Gaza City, where most aid destined for the north is delivered. But some critics, including a former defense minister, have accused Israel of carrying out ethnic cleansing in Gaza’s far north, near the Israeli border. North Gaza has been one of the areas hardest-hit by fighting and Israel’s restrictions on aid throughout its war with Hamas militants. Global famine monitors and U.N. and U.S. officials have warned repeatedly of the imminent risk of malnutrition and deaths from starvation hitting famine levels. International officials say Israel last summer increased the amount of aid it was admitting there, under U.S. pressure. The U.S. and U.N. have said Gaza’s people as a whole need between 350 and 500 trucks a day of food and other vital needs. But the U.N. and aid groups say Israel recently has again blocked almost all aid to that part of Gaza. Cindy McCain , the American head of the U.N. World Food Program, previously called for political pressure to get food flowing to Palestinians there. Israel says it places no restrictions on aid entering Gaza and that hundreds of truckloads of goods are piled up at Gaza’s crossings and accused international aid agencies of failing to deliver the supplies. The U.N. and other aid groups say ongoing combat, looting and insufficient security by Israeli troops make it impossible to deliver aid effectively. Lew, the U.S. ambassador, said the famine warning was based on “outdated and inaccurate” data. He pointed to uncertainty over how many of the 65,000-75,000 people remaining in northern Gaza had fled in recent weeks, saying that skewed the findings. FEWS said in its report that its famine assessment holds even if as few as 10,000 people remain. USAID in its statement to AP said it had reviewed the report before it became public, and noted “discrepancies” in population estimates and some other data. The U.S. agency had asked the famine warning group to address those uncertainties and be clear in its final report to reflect how those uncertainties affected its predictions of famine, it said. “This was relayed before Ambassador Lew’s statement,” USAID said in a statement. “FEWS NET did not resolve any of these concerns and published in spite of these technical comments and a request for substantive engagement before publication. As such, USAID asked to retract the report.” Roth criticized the U.S. challenge of the report in light of the gravity of the crisis there. “This quibbling over the number of people desperate for food seems a politicized diversion from the fact that the Israeli government is blocking virtually all food from getting in,” he said, adding that “the Biden administration seems to be closing its eyes to that reality, but putting its head in the sand won’t feed anyone.” The U.S., Israel’s main backer, provided a record amount of military support in the first year of the war. At the same time, the Biden administration repeatedly urged Israel to allow more access to aid deliveries in Gaza overall, and warned that failing to do so could trigger U.S. restrictions on military support. The administration recently said Israel was making improvements and declined to carry out its threat of restrictions. Military support for Israel’s war in Gaza is politically charged in the U.S., with Republicans and some Democrats staunchly opposed any effort to limit U.S. support over the suffering of Palestinian civilians trapped in the conflict. The Biden administration’s reluctance to do more to press Israel for improved treatment of civilians undercut support for Democrats in last month’s elections. ___ Sam Mednick and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed to this report.Fantasy Basketball Waiver Wire Week 9: Herb Jones remains roster-worthy despite potential scoring regression(BPT) - Tech gifts are consistently some of the most popular presents to give and receive during the holidays. In fact, according to the annual Consumer Technology Holiday Purchase Patterns report , a record 233 million U.S. adults (89%) will buy tech products during the 2024 holiday season. But with so many devices out there, it can be hard to decide on the perfect option for the loved one on your list. A tablet like the new Fire HD 8 from Amazon offers the versatility of an all-in-one device, with access to streaming, gaming, video chatting, reading or writing all at your fingertips. Fire HD 8 also features a vibrant 8-inch HD display and lightweight, portable design, for high-quality entertainment on the go. Plus, Fire HD 8 comes with three new AI features that can help you get the most out of your tablet experience. Check them out below and learn how they can help you with daily tasks this holiday season and beyond. 1. Meet your personal writing assistant Do you struggle with writing a heartfelt message or finessing a tricky email? Fear not! Writing Assist is here to help. Writing Assist works as part of your Fire tablet's device keyboard and compatible apps, including email, Word documents and social media. In just a few taps, you can transform your writing from good to great. Try Writing Assist's pre-set styles to turn a simple email into a professionally written note. Or, you can ask Writing Assist for grammar suggestions to make your writing more concise, or elaborate on your ideas. You can even "emojify" your writing to add more fun and personality. 2. Learn more in less time Say goodbye to scrolling through pages of information. The new Webpage Summaries feature allows you to learn pertinent information as quickly as possible. Available on the Silk browser on Fire tablets, Webpage Summaries provides quick insights on web articles. In a matter of seconds, this feature will distill the key points in an article or on a webpage into a clear, concise summary of what you need to know. 3. Get creative with your device wallpaper With Wallpaper Creator, you can easily add a touch of creative flair and customization to your tablet's home screen. You can choose from one of the curated prompts to get started on creating a unique background. Or, if you're ready to let your imagination run wild, type a description of what you'd like to see. For example, you can ask for an image of a tiger swimming underwater or a watercolor-style image of a desert landscape in space. Wallpaper Creator will then turn your vision into a reality, delivering a high-resolution image that you can use as your tablet's wallpaper. Celebrate an AI-powered holiday season Writing Assist, Webpage Summaries, and Wallpaper Creator are now available on Amazon's new Fire HD 8 and other compatible Fire tablet devices, including the latest Fire HD 10 and Fire Max 11 tablets. To learn more, or to order a new Fire tablet this gift-giving season, visit Amazon.com .