baccarat game app
ESPN ranks Braves behind only Dodgers ahead of MLB’s winter meetingsLas Vegas Grand Prix Puts Luxury on Overdrive and Delivers High-Octane HospitalityAn archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on
Dive deep into true crime cases and follow the latest headlines with HuffPost’s Suspicious Circumstances newsletter. Sign up here . Rebecca Mandel said she first met Oren Alexander and his twin brother Alon Alexander at a nightclub in Manhattan’s trendy Meatpacking District when she was 18 in 2009. From then on, she’d regularly run into the brothers at various high-end restaurants, clubs and social gatherings; Oren was already making a name for himself in the luxury real estate market though he was only in his early 20s and would later attribute his success to living the lifestyle of the wealthy clients he hoped to attract. One night in 2010, at the same nightclub they’d first met, Mandel and the twins struck up a conversation, and Alon insisted on buying her a drink, according to a lawsuit she filed earlier this year in New York . Though it was her first drink of the night, she said she quickly began to feel physically and mentally impaired. Then the twins urged her to come along to a party they said their friend was hosting at an apartment in Chelsea, the lawsuit said. When she walked into the building, Mandel knew something was wrong. “The hallway was silent,” her complaint read. “There was no music, no voices, nothing that would indicate that a party was being held at this location.” Angry about being misled, Mandel attempted to leave what she now realized was actually the brothers’ apartment, the lawsuit said. Just stay and hang out a little bit, they told her, according to the lawsuit. She agreed and walked in — and then the brothers allegedly held her down and took turns raping her. Mandel is one of more than 40 women to come out with similar accusations against the twins, now 37, and their older brother, Tal Alexander, according to testimony by an FBI agent reviewed by HuffPost. Three other women have also filed civil lawsuits, then earlier this month, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office charged the twins with criminal sexual battery, while federal authorities in New York’s Southern District announced an indictment against Oren, Alon and Tal Alexander on sex trafficking charges. In a 12-page memo arguing they shouldn’t be released on bail , federal authorities alleged that for nearly two decades, the three Alexander brothers worked together and relied on their substantial wealth and connections to traffic and rape dozens of women, often drugging them and sometimes involving other men. Meanwhile, Oren and Tal rose to the highest levels of the luxury home market, representing CEOs and celebrities like Kanye West and Kim Kardashian in multimillion-dollar deals, while Alon became an executive in their family’s private security company, Kent Security. All three brothers are currently in a federal detention facility in Miami as of Monday while the twins await a pretrial conference and Tal awaits extradition to New York. Multiple attorneys representing Alon Alexander did not respond to HuffPost’s requests for comment, but a lawyer for Oren, Susan Necheles, told HuffPost that the three brothers are not guilty of the charges against them. “Oren Alexander is innocent,” Necheles said. “The evidence will show that neither he nor his brothers ever committed a crime.” Deanna Paul, the attorney representing Tal Alexander, also said he is innocent in a statement to HuffPost. “We will continue fighting to prove that Tal did not commit a crime,” Paul said. According to prosecutors, the sexually violent behavior began when the brothers were high school students in Miami in the early 2000s, and continued as they moved to New York. “Start to think about reputation you want out there,” Oren allegedly messaged Tal in 2021. “We are on top of the game and only thing can bring us down is some Hoe complaining.” As the brothers grew up in North Miami Beach in the early 2000s, their behavior was an open secret, Curbed reported earlier this year. In a yearbook from Michael Krop Senior High School, obtained by NBC affiliate WTVJ, a quote attributed to Oren described his most memorable moment as “riding my first choo-choo train.” In their memo, prosecutors referenced the yearbook as him bragging about gang rape. “To me, it shows this is a pattern of conduct that has gone on for over a decade, really,” Carissa Peebles, an attorney representing one of the alleged victims, told WTVJ. In one instance, a woman told the Wall Street Journal that she was 14 when she was raped by a group of boys including Oren and Alon in what they allegedly called “running a train.” North Miami Beach police reportedly investigated the incident, but no charges were filed. Upon graduating from college, the brothers each moved to New York City, while maintaining a home in Miami. Federal prosecutors said it was at this point their “serial sexual violence only escalated.” According to lawsuits and charging documents reviewed by HuffPost, they continued to meet women — now via exclusive social events, nightclubs and dating apps — and allegedly lured them into situations where they were sexually assaulted. Multiple women alleged scenarios like Mandel said she’d faced after running into Oren and Alon at the Meatpacking District nightclub in 2010: invitations to non-existent parties that instead led to being trapped. In New York, Tal and Oren quickly rose to fame and recognition as real estate brokers at Douglas Elliman. In 2011, Oren made Forbes’ 30 Under 30 list for real estate, and in an interview with Business Insider a year later, he opened up about his early ambition. “I knew who I wanted to be and to get there I had to be selling big product,” he told the outlet. “It’s the only way to get recognition. Otherwise, you’re just another real estate broker.” Tal and Oren’s clients included investor Leon Black , Steve Madden and Kanye West and Kim Kardashian. I n 2019, they made headlines for representing hedge fund CEO Ken Griffin in his record-breaking $238 million purchase of a New York City penthouse. However, Griffin’s lawyer later said the brothers “publicly touted (and grossly overstated) their role,” Business Insider reported . Eventually, the two split from Douglas Elliman, forming their own firm in 2022 they called Official. A press release at the time touted their $7 billion in sales and plans for the company that they described as an “ultra-high-end global property firm and lifestyle brand.” What had allegedly been an open secret exploded into the public eye in March, when Mandel and another woman, Kate Whiteman, filed lawsuits against Oren and Alon. Whiteman had been an acquaintance of the twins since 2008, and in May 2012, Oren asked if she’d be spending Memorial Day weekend in the Hamptons, her complaint said. She said she was, and later as she was out with her friends at a Hamptons nightclub, Alon saw her — then grabbed her by the hand and led her into a black SUV where Oren was waiting, the lawsuit said. Frightened, Whiteman repeatedly asked the brothers where they were going as the driver sped off. Whiteman recalled the twins refusing to answer her question, and instead smirking at one another until they arrived at the castle owned by Ivan Wilzig, a musician who was known at the time for throwing wild parties at the property. Wilzig is also named in the lawsuit; an attorney listed as representing him did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment. According to Whiteman’s lawsuit, the twins grabbed her from the SUV and led her into a room inside the garage and told her she needed to change into a sarong. Whiteman attempted to escape by running to the stairs leading up to the house, but a security bouncer employed by Wilzig caught up with her and dragged her back into the garage, the lawsuit said. The brothers allegedly forced Whiteman to change, placed her phone and other belongings into a locker and led her into a large bedroom. Whiteman was then sexually assaulted and raped, the lawsuit said. And, it alleged, she was far from the only victim. Over the next months, another woman, Angelica Parker, also filed a lawsuit, accusing Tal and Alon of raping her at Oren’s home in 2012. Brokers left the brothers’ firm , and media reports suggested the FBI was looking into the mounting accusations against them. On Dec. 11, federal authorities in New York made a shocking announcement: All three brothers had been arrested, and they were accused of a sex trafficking conspiracy and sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. Tal was charged with an additional count of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion. In a separate press conference, Miami-Dade prosecutors announced three more sexual battery charges against the twins, citing incidents involving different alleged victims in 2016, 2017 and 2021. According to federal prosecutors, the brothers on multiple occasions paid for the transportation of women to stay at high-end locations like the Hamptons and Tulum, where they then raped them. In a group chat between two party promoters and Tal entitled “Hamptons Hot Chicks,” the older Alexander brother arranged for women to stay at the family’s property in the Hamptons, prosecutors said. He allegedly told the promoters, “Lol guys were going to have a lot of fun.” One of the women, referred to only as victim 2, was then raped by Oren, according to prosecutors. In a WhatsApp group chat entitled “Lions in Tulum,” the brothers and other men arranged to transport multiple women to the Mexico beach town in 2016, discussing splitting the cost of lodging, flights and providing drugs such as “coke, shrooms, and G,” prosecutors said. One unnamed man in the group chat wrote, “Lol. It’s gonna be hard to get girls up to your standards,” to which Oren allegedly responded, “Just warn him ur boys are hungry.” To which Tal allegedly said, “Girls look fresh.” Prosecutors also said the Alexanders leveraged their wealth and status to silence the alleged victims. In one instance, federal prosecutors said Tal and Oren filed a police report, accusing a woman who they’d allegedly sexually assaulted of harassment. Tal also threatened the woman with a defamation lawsuit if she did not stop telling people about the assault, prosecutors said. Paul addressed prosecutors’ accusation in a statement to HuffPost, saying “Filing a police report or defamation lawsuit is not a crime. Neither is illegal and neither amounts to witness tampering.” Another woman who met Oren through Instagram in 2017 told authorities in Miami-Dade County that she was raped by him after a dinner date, according to an arrest warrant. She recalled not having control over her body, but she mustered enough strength to cry and express her displeasure, the warrant said. “Stop it, we’re having great sex. You’re ruining it,” Oren allegedly told her. Over the following months, the woman confided to her sister and friends about what happened, according to the arrest warrant. Word spread and apparently reached Oren’s ears. In early 2018, Oren messaged the woman telling her, “Nothing happened,” according to the warrant. “If you keep talking about it, I’m going to ruin you,” Oren allegedly told her. At a Dec. 11 press conference announcing the charges, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Damian Williams said he expects more victims to come forward and added he didn’t believe the Alexanders acted alone. “We’ll continue investigating, as long, as hard as it takes to get to the bottom of the full scope of the conduct,” Williams told reporters. Since their arrest, one of the alleged victims cited by Miami-Dade prosecutors went on to file a lawsuit against the twins. Identified only as Jane Doe, the woman said she met Alon in fall 2016 through Bumble and they engaged in a casual relationship. According to the lawsuit, she traveled to Miami to celebrate New Year’s Eve that year, not knowing that Alon was also there for an unrelated trip. After finding out they were in the same town, Alon invited the woman to meet him at a luxury condo for a barbecue and pool party, even sending her photos that appeared to show people enjoying the event, her lawsuit said. But when she arrived at the unit, she was allegedly met by only Alon, Oren and another man, Ohad Fisherman, who is also named in the lawsuit. (Fisherman’s attorney did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment but denied the allegations to The New York Times . He was also charged with sexual battery and turned himself in this week.) According to the woman’s lawsuit, the twins then “engaged in a demonic discussion about which brother would be the first to rape” her, and she was allegedly held down by Fisherman while Oren and Alon took turns raping her as they ignored her pleas to stop. In a statement to HuffPost, Doe said she never thought she would have the courage to come forward, and for a long time, she felt like her voice would never be heard. She said that now, knowing that her story is being acknowledged gives her hope — not just for herself, but for others who may have felt silenced or powerless. “If my decision to speak out encourages even one person to share their own truth, whether it’s about these brothers or anyone else, then this effort will have been worth it,” the woman said. “No one should have to carry this burden alone, and I hope this serves as a reminder that justice starts with a single step forward.” Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone. Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can't do it without you. Can't afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all. You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest — we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you. Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all. Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages. Need help? Visit RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Online Hotline or the National Sexual Violence Resource Center’s website . Related From Our PartnerSnow pants are highly technical pieces of apparel. They’re designed more for practical outdoor use than they are for earning style points. For those who like to get out and about in the winter season, you’ll need a quality pair to keep you warm. They use waterproof exteriors along with insulated interiors to protect your legs from wet snow and cool temperatures. The best pair is the THE NORTH FACE Sally Pants . Their thick exterior protects you from the wind and snow and their DryVent ventilation system releases excess body heat. There are three types of snow pants . The most common type resembles your everyday pair of pants. Aside from the technical materials, the main difference is that they have a looser fit than normal pants. Snow pants are ideal for maximum mobility when skiing or snowboarding. Some bibs resemble overalls. They have an upper body portion connected to the pants and use straps to go over the shoulders. This gives you more protection from the elements, but it slightly restricts your movement. Then there are one-piece snowsuits, which have a coat and pants in a single slip-on piece. The best material used to make snow pants is polyester. It’s durable, water-resistant and inexpensive. Polyester is the material that makes up the bulk of a pair of snow pants. Many manufacturers will add nylon for even more long-term strength. There’s also elastic, which is used in ankle gaiters and some waistbands. Gore-Tex is another material used in many outdoor products like snow pants because it’s completely water-resistant. Snow pants are sized differently than normal pants. Instead of using numbers, they use small to large distinctions. This makes it easier because they’re sized more generally than your everyday pair of pants. Most brands go from XS to XXL, but some include more variations, such as large long and large short. This way, you can customize your fit based on your body type. Other brands will use inseam measurements if you know exactly how long you’d prefer the pants to be. Boot gaiters are sections of fabric that provide more security around the ankle. Walking through snow can cause your socks to get wet. This is not only uncomfortable but can also affect your body’s temperature. Gaiters use elastic to wrap tightly around your ankle while the exterior of your pants goes over your boots. Some pants have a reinforced seam and patches on the pant leg to prevent wear and tear around the ankle. This will also protect your ankles from bumps and bruises while on the slopes. Baggy snow pants are the best choice if you’re snowboarding or skiing. With more room between your legs and the exterior fabric, you can comfortably wear a pair of insulated tights underneath. Baggy pants also allow for more freedom of movement. With skiing, especially, you’ll need all the flexibility your legs can get. Loose-fitting pants will prevent seams from ripping too easily as well. Professional snowboarders and skiers who focus on tricks will exclusively wear baggy snow pants to give them more mobility. While snow pants are designed to keep you warm, sometimes, the heat can cause sweat to build up around your legs. For this reason, some pants come with built-in ventilation systems. These specially designed vents are woven into the pants and release excess heat. The vent is usually on the rear waist area. This positioning makes it discreet to the naked eye. Also, your coat will cover it most of the time, which prevents any cold air from entering from the outside. Women’s snow pants cost $30-$260. A. GORE-TEX is known for its waterproofing, but the ultra-tight weaves and thick fabric make it windproof as well. A. Most snow pants have two sets of pockets on either hip. They are usually sealed using zippers to keep your belongings protected. THE NORTH FACE Sally Pants What you need to know: These high-quality snow pants from North Face use thick materials to keep you dry. What you’ll love: The pants have a snug fit around the knees with a slight flare at the ankles. There’s a DryVent to prevent your legs from sweating and Heatseeker Eco insulation to protect you from the elements. There are zippered pockets, a belt loop around the waist and boot gaiters near the ankles. What you should consider: The waistband is not as adjustable as other pants. Arctix Insulated Cargo Snow Pants What you need to know: Arctix has the most customizable snow pants with a large selection of colors and sizes. What you’ll love: Key features include boot zippers, three pockets, an adjustable waistline and an O-ring for keys. There are 20 color options, such as Blue Night, Rose, Green Camo and Plum, alongside 45 size options. There are tall, long, short and inseam measurement size types. What you should consider: With all the sizing choices, finding the right one will be more difficult. Columbia Arctic Omni Heat Snow Pants What you need to know: The Omni Heat snow pants are highly insulated to offer the most warmth. What you’ll love: These pants use nylon for excellent durability on the outside. The interior has reflective Omni Heat technology that keeps the heat from leaving the pants. There’s an adjustable waist strap on the inside, zippered pockets at the hips and near the leg, plus a double snap closure at the waist. What you should consider: Some reviewers recommend buying a size up. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.
The Louisville Cardinals host a ranked team for the second time this week when the No. 9 Duke Blue Devils pay a visit on Sunday, and the Cardinals hope for a better outcome in the teams' Atlantic Coast Conference opener. Louisville (5-3) has lost two straight, including an 86-63 thrashing at home by No. 23 Ole Miss in the SEC/ACC Challenge on Tuesday. The visiting Rebels shot 56.7 percent and dominated inside with a 48-26 edge on points in the paint. Tuesday's game was the first for coach Pat Kelsey's team without Kasean Pryor, who suffered a season-ending knee injury against Oklahoma in the Battle 4 Atlantis championship game. The 6-foot-10 senior wing, a transfer from South Florida, was a key player early on for Louisville, averaging 12 points and 6.1 rebounds per game and blocking eight shots in seven games. Pryor is the latest Cardinals player to go down with an injury. Before the season started, the school announced center Aly Khalifa and guard Kobe Rodgers would redshirt due to injuries. Then just two games into the season, Aboubacar Traore broke his arm and Koren Johnson injured his shoulder. Traore is expected back this season, but Johnson announced earlier this week that he would also redshirt this season and undergo surgery. Besides the injuries, the Cardinals are also struggling to hit 3-point shots, a key facet to Kelsey's offense. Louisville entered Saturday 340th nationally in 3-point shooting percentage at 27.3 percent and seventh nationally averaging 31.6 attempts per game. Despite the woes, Kelsey told reporters after the Ole Miss loss that he doesn't plan to change his offense, adding that he believes in his players. "The percentages even themselves out," he said. "This has happened before. I just don't want our guys to lose confidence, because I really, really believe in them. They'll bounce back and be better on Sunday." The Blue Devils (6-2) won their SEC/ACC Challenge game on Wednesday, beating No. 2 Auburn 84-78 in Durham. Duke overcame a 13-2 deficit to get the Quadrant 1 victory on its resume. Coach Jon Scheyer's team shot 50 percent from the field and committed just four turnovers. It was just the 14th time in program history the Blue Devils had four or fewer turnovers in a game. Freshman Cooper Flagg, a preseason All-American and a contender for national player of the year awards, leads the Blue Devils in scoring (16.6 ppg), rebounding (8.6 rpg), assists (4.1 apg) and blocked shots (1.4 per game). He scored 22, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out four assists in the win against the Tigers, but it was another freshman who stole the show. Isaiah Evans came off the bench to score 18 points and hit 6 of 8 3-point shots. The guard averages 9.4 points per game but has only played in five games and has yet to play more than 17 minutes in a contest. Scheyer told reporters after the win that Evans provided a "special moment" when his team needed a lift. "To have that amazing courage to come into this game and do what he did -- I'm not sure if I've ever been a part of something like that in my years here," Scheyer said. --Field Level MediaMACON, Ga. (AP) — Myles Redding returned an interception 25 yards for a first-quarter touchdown and Whitt Newbauer threw a four-yard touchdown pass to start the fourth quarter as No. 7-seeded Mercer beat No. 10 Rhode Island 17—10 on Saturday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * MACON, Ga. (AP) — Myles Redding returned an interception 25 yards for a first-quarter touchdown and Whitt Newbauer threw a four-yard touchdown pass to start the fourth quarter as No. 7-seeded Mercer beat No. 10 Rhode Island 17—10 on Saturday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? MACON, Ga. (AP) — Myles Redding returned an interception 25 yards for a first-quarter touchdown and Whitt Newbauer threw a four-yard touchdown pass to start the fourth quarter as No. 7-seeded Mercer beat No. 10 Rhode Island 17—10 on Saturday. Mercer advances to the FCS semifinals for the first time and will face No. 2 North Dakota State, which beat No. 15 Abilene Christian 51-31. Redding swooped in front of Hunter Helms’ intended receiver for his seventh interception of the season with 3:33 left in the first quarter, tying him with teammate TJ Moore for the most in the nation. Rhode Island got a 17-yard field goal from Ty Groff as time expired in the first half and took the lead late in the third quarter when Helms connected with Marquis Buchanan on a 56-yard touchdown for a 10-7 lead. Senior Dwayne McGee set up two fourth-quarter scores for the Bears, slashing through the right side for a 33-yard gain to give Mercer a first-and-goal at the Rhode Island 10. On third-and-goal from the 4, Newbauer found Adjatay Dabbs for the go-ahead touchdown. After the Bears twice forced the Rams to punt in their own half of the field, McGee ran 40 yards on first down to give Mercer a first down at the Rhode Island 25, setting up a 24-yard Reice Griffith field goal for the game’s final score. McGee finished with 114 yards on 21 carries and CJ Miller added 81 yards on 10 carries for Mercer (11-2), which remained unbeaten in seven home games. Helms finished 22 of 33 passing for 266 yards and Buchanan caught 11 passes for 119 yards to lead Rhode Island (11-3), but the Rams managed just 46 yards on 26 carries on the ground. — 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 AdvertisementBitcoin: Empirical Evidence And Fundamentals Call For Higher Prices
The Washington Commanders released 2023 first-rounder Emmanuel Forbes on Saturday, cutting ties with another high draft pick from the previous regime. All of previous coach Ron Rivera's first-rounders — including edge rusher Chase Young in 2020, linebacker Jamin Davis in ‘21 and wide receiver Jahan Dotson in '22 — are now gone. Forbes never showed progress to the new staff led by coach Dan Quinn and was a healthy scratch twice this season and did not play in two other games during which the 23-year-old was in uniform. 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.
The New York Times published its first crossword puzzle on February 15, 1942, in the Sunday Magazine, created by Charles Erlenkotter and edited by Margaret Farrar. It was the first major newspaper to introduce a crossword puzzle at the time. Since then, the NYT has launched several popular games, including the Mini Crossword in 2014, followed by Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and Tiles. In 2022, the NYT released the highly popular Wordle, followed by Connections and Strands. NYT Strands is the newest addition to the NYT puzzle lineup. This daily game features fresh themes each day, where players are tasked with uncovering all the words on the grid, including a special Spangram that spans two sides of the board. NYT Strands December 24, 2024 – Hints, answers, Spangram Having trouble solving today’s NYT Strands puzzle? We’re here to help with some easy hints to fuel your curiosity even more. Plus, we’ve got today’s answer waiting for you – just keep reading. Today's NYT Strands puzzle theme The theme for today’s Strands is “Who on earth ...?''. Hints for today’s Strands Below, we’ve shared the hints, answers, and Spangram for today ’s NYT Strands puzzle. The hints may give away part or all of the Strands, so proceed with caution. Scroll down to continue: Hints The first word is the cheerful foliage adorning the holiday spaces. The second word is the elegant tree that moves like a dancer in the breeze. The third word is the serene stream that murmurs as it winds through the forest. The fourth word is the verdant crown, perfect for a poetic victor. The fifth word is the powerful current that shapes the earth beneath. The sixth word is the sweet, tangy pop of sunshine encased in a small rind. NYT Strands December 24, 2024 – Hints, answers, Spangram Spangram for today ‘Naturenames’ is the Spangram for today’s NYT Strands puzzle. Today's Strands’ answers: The first word is holly. The second word is willow. The third word is brook. The fourth word is laurel. The fifth word is river. The sixth word is clementine. What are NYT Strands and how to play the game? Strands is a puzzle game that blends elements of Connections, Spelling Bee, and classic crossword puzzles. Players are given 48 letters arranged on a 6 x 8-inch grid, along with a daily theme. The goal is to solve the Spangram and uncover all the theme-related words. To play, connect letters on the grid to form words by dragging your mouse or fingers (on a touchscreen) in horizontal, vertical, or diagonal directions. Start by identifying the central theme word or Spangram, which will help you understand the puzzle’s theme. In addition to the Spangram, you must also find other words related to the theme hidden in the grid. Once you’ve uncovered them all, the puzzle is complete. Tips for solving NYT Strands puzzle Identify the theme words: Fill in the grid with the theme words. Once found, they will be highlighted in blue and won't overlap with each other. Find the Spangram: Identify the Spangram, a key part of the puzzle that connects two opposite sides of the grid. It encapsulates the theme and may consist of two words. The Spangram will be highlighted in yellow once you’ve located it. Take advantage of hints: Pay attention to off-topic words for clues. For every three non-theme words you uncover, letters will be highlighted to give you a hint toward finding a theme word, without directly revealing it. Also Read: Wordle today: Clues and hints for December 24 2024It's time to take a look at the " Dogs of the Dow ." Are the highest-yielding stocks of the Dow Jones Industrial Average ( ^DJI -0.28% ) index undervalued, fantastic buys -- or did their prices fall and dividend yields soar for scary reasons? Stock Dividend Yield Year-to-Date Total Return Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E) Average among the 30 Dow stocks 1.4% 38% 35.0 Verizon Communications ( VZ -0.42% ) 6.3% 20% 18.4 Chevron ( CVX -2.57% ) 4.1% 11% 17.4 Amgen ( AMGN -0.64% ) 3.3% (0%) 35.5 Data found via Finviz.com and YCharts on Dec. 5, 2024. How last year's Dogs are faring in 2024 All three of these names were among the 10 highest-yielding Dow stocks at the start of 2024 , though only Verizon parked in the top 3 at the time. Only two of last year's Dogs of the Dow have outperformed the index itself in 2024. Walgreen Boots Alliance (NASDAQ: WBA) was the highest-yielding Dow stock in January. The pharmacy and convenience store conglomerate has fallen 66% since then and has lost its seat at the Dow Industrials table. Generally speaking, the Dow has recently become less dividend-focused. The list of index components didn't change from August 2020 to February 2024, but three new names joined the list in the last 10 months. The highest dividend yield in the group of newcomers is 0.7% for paint store giant Sherwin-Williams (NYSE: SHW) . The softest dividend from the now-former Dow members was Intel 's (NASDAQ: INTC) 1.5% yield -- now entirely paused. Using the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF (NYSEMKT: DIA) as a proxy for the Dow, the index's dividend yield fell from 1.8% to 1.4% year to date. These recent trends look unfavorable for the Dogs of the Dow strategy. Can the top three yielders on today's list turn the tables in 2025? Verizon is all about the dividend Verizon always pays generous dividends, as do most of the leading names in large-scale telecommunications. With modest revenue growth, massive hardware installation and maintenance costs, and $150 billion of long-term debt, it's no surprise to see Verizon share lots of surplus cash profits with its shareholders. Beefy dividends quickly become the main investor attraction as telecom giants mature. The lion's share of Verizon's recent returns were indeed generated by the dividend payouts. The stock's total return of 20% in 2024 shrinks to 13% if you only look at price gains. I often think of Verizon (and similar stocks) as an alternative to savings accounts or certificates of deposit. If you're looking for robust cash payouts and don't plan to sell the stock any time soon, you can shrug off Verizon's weak stock market performance. From that perspective, hypermature cash machines with slow stock charts might be just what an income-seeking investor needs. However, I don't expect market-beating returns from Verizon in 2025. If you care about the stock price, it's probably better to leave Big Red alone and find better investment ideas elsewhere. Chevron is another pure income play Energy giant Chevron is a surprisingly similar story. Chevron's top-line sales are down 2% in 2024, and operating cash flow is 1.7% lower. But the dividend budget is up by 5% over the same period, and Chevron still had enough cash flow to reduce its share count by 3.7% via buybacks. Like Verizon, Chevron is saddled with a huge burden of legacy business operations and an overwhelming need to try new ideas. In the energy sector, that means researching renewable energy sources , even if that effort undermines the company's core competency of producing and distributing fossil fuels. Also like Verizon, I would consider buying Chevron stock only if I craved generous dividend payouts above all else. This stock's 11% returns would drop to 6% without the dividend boost. Amgen looks risky, even at a discount Can the biotech industry tell a happier tale? I'm not so sure. Drug developer Amgen has lagged behind the broader market this year, with a sharp drop in November . And that plunge was inspired by some unfortunate news. Leaked data from an important drug trial showed poor results, raising questions about the obesity treatment's approval prospects and about the transparency of Amgen's data reports. This is not my wheelhouse, and some of my fellow Fools with deeper expertise in the healthcare market see Amgen's crash as a buying opportunity . Still, I find the company's haphazard data reports troublesome. Is Amgen hiding other weak trial results in hidden spreadsheet tabs, or was this error an honest mistake? I don't know, and would prefer to find out from the sidelines. Even the largest and most solid names in this sector can be incredibly volatile, and drug development projects can't be slam-dunk wins until very late in the process. Amgen might be a buy if you have a rock-solid understanding of the science behind the headlines. Most investors are probably better off leaving this unpredictable Dow Dog alone despite a temptingly low stock price.
REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Icelanders voted to elect a new parliament Saturday after disagreements over immigration, energy policy and the economy forced Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to pull the plug on his coalition government and call an early election. This is Iceland’s sixth general election since the 2008 financial crisis devastated the economy of the North Atlantic island nation and ushered in a new era of political instability. Opinion polls suggested the country could be in for another upheaval, with support for the three governing parties plunging. Benediktsson, who was named prime minister in April following the resignation of his predecessor, struggled to hold together the unlikely coalition of his conservative Independence Party with the centrist Progressive Party and the Left-Green Movement. “My expectation is like, something new going to happen, hopefully," said Hörður Guðjónsson, voting in the capital, Reykjavik. “We always have had these old parties taking care of things. I hope we see the light now to come in with a younger people, new ideas.” Iceland, a nation of about 400,000 people, is proud of its democratic traditions, describing itself as arguably the world’s oldest parliamentary democracy. The island’s parliament, the Althingi, was founded in 930 by the Norsemen who settled the country. Fierce weather in the sub-Arctic nation threatened to hamper some voters getting to polling stations on Saturday, with heavy snow blocking roads in many areas. The weather could also delay the delivery of ballot boxes to counting centers after polls close at 10 p.m. (2200GMT). Voters are choosing 63 members of the Althingi in an election that will allocate seats both by regional constituencies and proportional representation. Parties need at least 5% of the vote to win seats in parliament. Eight parties were represented in the outgoing parliament, and 10 parties are contesting this election. Turnout is traditionally high by international standards, with 80% of registered voters casting ballots in the 2021 parliamentary election. A windswept island near the Arctic Circle, Iceland normally holds elections during the warmer months of the year. But Benediktsson decided on Oct. 13 that his coalition couldn’t last any longer, and he asked President Halla Tómasdóttir to dissolve the Althingi. “The weakness of this society is that we have no very strong party and we have no very strong leader of any party,’’ said Vilhjálmur Bjarnason a former member of parliament. “We have no charming person with a vision ... That is very difficult for us.” Despite the electoral headwinds, Benediktsson expressed confidence that his Independence Party could emerge on top. “It was an uphill battle for my party, initially, but as we moved on into the election campaign, I think things started to turn our way and I feel that this will be a very exciting election day,” he said. The splintering of Iceland's political landscape came after the 2008 financial crisis, which prompted years of economic upheaval after the country's debt-swollen banks collapsed. The crisis led to anger and distrust of the parties that had traditionally traded power back and forth, and prompted the creation of new parties ranging from the environment focused Left-Green Alliance to the Pirate Party, which advocates direct democracy and individual freedoms. “This is one of the consequences of the economic crash,’’ said Eva H. Önnudóttir, a professor of political science at the University of Iceland. “It’s just the changed landscape. Parties, especially the old parties, have maybe kind of been hoping that we would go back to how things were before, but that’s not going to happen.” Like many Western countries, Iceland has been buffeted by the rising cost of living and immigration pressures. Inflation peaked at an annual rate of 10.2% in February 2023, fueled by the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While inflation slowed to 5.1% in October, that is still high compared with neighboring countries. The U.S. inflation rate stood at 2.6% last month, while the European Union’s rate was 2.3%. Iceland is also struggling to accommodate a rising number of asylum-seekers, creating tensions within the small, traditionally homogenous country. The number of immigrants seeking protection in Iceland jumped to more than 4,000 in each of the past three years, compared with a previous average of less than 1,000. Repeated eruptions of a volcano in the southwestern part of the country have displaced thousands of people and strained public finances. One year after the first eruption forced the evacuation of the town of Grindavik, many residents still don’t have secure housing, leading to complaints that the government has been slow to respond. But it also added to a shortage of affordable housing exacerbated by Iceland’s tourism boom. Young people are struggling to get a foot on the housing ladder at a time when short-term vacation rentals have reduced the housing stock available for locals, Önnudóttir said. “The housing issue is becoming a big issue in Iceland,'' she said. Danica Kirka reported from London. Jill Lawless contributed to this report from London.Narin An leads with a 64 in the wind as Nelly Korda struggles in LPGA finale NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Narin An handled the windy conditions with a hot putter on Thursday, making four straight birdies around the turn and finishing with an 8-under 64 for a one-shot lead in the CME Group Tour Championship. Canadian Press Nov 21, 2024 3:29 PM Nov 21, 2024 3:35 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Nelly Korda tees off on the first hole during the first round of the LPGA CME Group Tour Championship golf tournament Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Naples, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris Tilley) NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Narin An handled the windy conditions with a hot putter on Thursday, making four straight birdies around the turn and finishing with an 8-under 64 for a one-shot lead in the CME Group Tour Championship. At stake for the 60-player field is a $4 million prize to the winner, the largest single-day payoff in women's golf. Nelly Korda already has won more than that during her sterling season of seven wins. Now she faces an eight-shot deficit over the next three days at Tiburon Golf Club if she wants to end her year in fitting fashion. Korda, coming off a victory last week, couldn't make amends for her three bogeys and had to settle for an even-par 72. She has come from behind in four of her victories, and still has 54 holes ahead of her. But it has made the task that much tougher. Everything felt easy for An, a 28-year-old from South Korea who has never won on the LPGA and has never cracked the top 10 in any of the 16 majors she has played. “Today my putt really good,” An said. “The speed was good and the shape was good. I just try to focus a little bit more.” She had a one-shot lead over Angel Yin, who shot 30 on the back nine, including an eagle on the par-5 17th hole that most players can easily reach in two. Former U.S. Women's Open champion Allisen Corpuz and Marina Alex were at 66, with Lydia Ko leading the group at 67. Despite the wind so typical along the Gulf Coast of Florida, 27 players — nearly half the field — shot in the 60s. “It's a good head start for the big ol' prize we get at the end of the week,” Yin said. Whoever wins this week is assured of breaking the 17-year-old LPGA record for most money earned in season. The record was set by Lorena Ochoa in 2007 at $4,364,994, back when the total prize money was about half of what it is now. Ochoa earned $1 million for winning the Tour Championship in 2007. The opening round followed a big night of awards for the LPGA Tour, where Korda officially picked up her first award as player of the year, which she clinched earlier this month . Ko was recognized for her big year, highlighted by an Olympic gold medal that put her into the LPGA Hall of Fame. She regained plenty of focus for the opening round on a course where she won just two years ago. “The course isn't easy,” Ko said. “I set a goal of shooting 3 under today, and somebody shot 8 under. I was like, ‘OK, maybe I need to make a few more birdies.’ It's a course that can get away from you as much as you can shoot some low scores, so I’m just trying to stick to my game plan and go from there.” Also in the group at 67 was Albane Valenzuela of Switzerland, already celebrating a big year with her debut in the Solheim Cup and her first appearance in the Tour Championship. She made a late run at her first LPGA title last week at Pelican Golf Club, and kept up her form. And she can see the finish line, which is appealing. “I everyone is looking at that $4 million price tag,” Valenzuela said. “I try not to look too much at the result. I feel like in the past I’ve always been stuck on results, and ultimately all I can do is control my own round, my own energy, my own commitment. “It's the last week of the year. It’s kind of the bonus week. No matter what, everyone is having a paycheck.” ___ AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Golf It's getting harder to stay on the PGA Tour. Here's why Nov 21, 2024 3:41 PM Major winners Jason Day and Cameron Smith trail by 2 after 1st round of the Australian PGA Nov 20, 2024 11:16 PM Canada's Hadwin enters RSM Classic to try new swing before end of PGA Tour season Nov 20, 2024 3:35 PM
Jesse Eisenberg believes 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' hurt his career
Jesse Eisenberg believes 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' hurt his careerIs Colgate-Palmolive Stock Underperforming the Nasdaq?
LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Tahj Brooks ran for a season-high 188 yards and three touchdowns in the final home game for Texas Tech's all-time leading rusher, and the Red Raiders rolled to a 52-15 victory over West Virginia on Saturday. Texas Tech (8-4, 6-3 Big 12) kept alive faint hopes for a bid in the Big 12 championship game by winning at least eight games in the regular season for the first time since 2009 under the late Mike Leach. The Red Raiders scored at 50 points for the second week in a row and had a resounding response to consecutive home losses. “It was a big deal for us to play well at home,” coach Joey McGuire said. “Our last two home games, we’ve had incredible crowds that had great energy, that had our backs and we played really, really bad. We were embarrassed.” Garrett Greene threw an interception and lost a fumble on Terrell Tilmon's strip sack in the final three minutes of the first half as the Mountaineers (6-6, 5-4) raised more questions about the future of coach Neal Brown by falling behind 35-3 before the break. Behren Morton threw for 359 yards and two touchdowns, including a 31-yarder to Caleb Douglas to put Texas Tech in front 42-3 early in the second half. Josh Kelly had 150 yards receiving. “I don’t think the first half of football defines who they are, who they are as individuals, who we are as a team,” Brown said of the Mountaineers. “Not pleased with that.” McGuire, who will have his third winning record in three seasons, called timeout with 5:57 remaining and his team leading 45-15 to take Brooks out of the game. Brooks was mobbed by teammates as the crowd gave him a standing ovation. Brooks ran for at least 100 yards in all 11 regular-season games he played, breaking the single-season school record of 10 he shared with Byron Hanspard and Bam Morris. Brooks pushed his career total to 4,557 yards in his first home game since breaking Hanspard's 1996 school record of 4,219 yards two weeks ago at Jones AT&T Stadium. Two of Brooks' TDs came on 2-yard runs from direct snaps, and the other was a 37-yarder when he stumbled on a cut but stayed on his feet and bounced off defensive back Ty French. Brooks has 17 TDs rushing this season and 45 for his career. Brooks set up one of his short TDs with a 30-yard catch. Jahiem White ran for 124 yards with a spinning 21-yard touchdown for West Virginia, and Greene had a 15-yard scoring toss to Rodney Gallagher III. Greene threw two picks. West Virginia: A perfect season on the road in the Big 12 ended with a thud. The Mountaineers were 3-0 away from home in conference before allowing 29 second-quarter points followed by another TD just 2:12 into the third. Texas Tech: Tight end Jalin Conyers, one of Brooks' fellow seniors playing his final home game, made up a for a dropped pass in the end zone with a juggling, diving catch for 18 yards to set up Morton's 1-yard scoring toss to Mason Tharp. Conyers, an Arizona State transfer, also had a 2-point conversion run on a swinging gate play from the PAT unit. Both teams are eligible for bowl games. At game's end, Texas Tech's fate for a spot in the Big 12 title game was still up in the air. ___ 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-footballWorld leaders gather as Notre-Dame reopens with a 'merci' to those who saved it from fire
Championing Aviation Safety: Riadel Manzano Advocates for Better Support for Aircraft Mechanics 12-23-2024 07:50 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Erase Technologies, LLC We need to inspire young people to enter this field and provide scholarships, mentorships, and accessible pathways for them to succeed. Senior Aircraft Mechanic Pushes for Industry Reform and Workforce Development With over a decade of experience in aircraft maintenance, Senior Aircraft Mechanic Riadel Manzano is raising her voice to demand better support for aviation mechanics and safety systems. She calls for industry reforms and increased resources to address the growing challenges faced by mechanics in a rapidly evolving field. "Air travel is projected to double by 2040," Manzano stated, referencing data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). "We need to ensure that the people maintaining these aircraft are equipped with the tools, training, and support to meet this demand safely." Manzano, an advocate for workplace safety and continuous education, highlights the strain on aviation mechanics due to outdated systems, supply chain disruptions, and limited access to advanced training. "Aircraft are becoming more complex with the rise of hybrid and electric technologies," she explained. "Mechanics need ongoing training to stay ahead, but many don't have the resources or time to get it." She also emphasizes the importance of workforce development. According to the FAA, the U.S. faces a shortage of certified mechanics, with a projected 13,000 additional technicians needed by 2041. "This isn't just an industry issue-it's a public safety issue," Manzano said. "We need to inspire young people to enter this field and provide scholarships, mentorships, and accessible pathways for them to succeed." Manzano is particularly passionate about creating opportunities for women in aviation. She actively mentors young women through STEM programs, showing them the possibilities in this underrepresented field. "Women make up less than 3% of mechanics in the U.S.," she noted. "We need to change that by showing that everyone has a place here." She also advocates for modernizing tools and technologies used in maintenance. "Smart diagnostics and augmented reality systems could revolutionize how we repair aircraft," she said. "But we need airlines and manufacturers to invest in these innovations and ensure mechanics are trained to use them effectively." To amplify her efforts, Manzano calls on airlines, trade organizations, and policymakers to collaborate on workforce and safety solutions. She also plans to host workshops at schools and local communities, aiming to spark interest in aviation careers among young people. "We're at a critical juncture," Manzano concluded. "If we invest in our mechanics and safety systems today, we're not just ensuring the future of air travel-we're protecting the lives of everyone who relies on it." About Riadel Manzano Riadel Manzano is a Senior Aircraft Mechanic at Skyline Airlines, based at LaGuardia Airport. A resident of East Williston, NY, she is an active member of Women in Aviation International and the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association. She is passionate about aviation safety, workforce development, and inspiring the next generation of mechanics. For more information, visit Riadel Manzano's website at https://www.riadelmanzano.com/ Media Contact Contact Person: Riadel Manzano Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=championing-aviation-safety-riadel-manzano-advocates-for-better-support-for-aircraft-mechanics ] City: East Williston State: New York Country: United States Website: https://www.riadelmanzano.com/ This release was published on openPR.LEWISBURG, Pa. — A former marketing director for the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau created a fake marketing company to funnel nearly $870,000 into his bank accounts and used the bureau credit card to pay for a monthly subscription to a sexually explicit website depicting nude children and adults, according to state police in Milton. Timothy Dowhower, 42, of Conley Road, Lewisburg, also is facing unrelated charges, filed earlier this year, in connection with the alleged sexual assault of an underage girl. The business case charges, filed Friday, include four felony counts of theft by deception, theft by unlawful taking, criminal use of a communication facility and unauthorized use of an access device. The charges were filed by state Trooper James Nestico, of the Milton State Police Barracks, in the Lewisburg office of District Judge Jeffrey Rowe. Dowhower was arraigned Friday morning in front of Rowe. Bail was set at $870,000 unsecured and he remains in jail. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 11:30 a.m. Dec. 19 in front of Rowe. The headquarters of the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau relocated last spring from Kelly Township to the former Montandon Elementary School in Milton. State police reported that Andrew Miller, the former executive director of the visitor's bureau, notified state police in June that Dowhower was using a company credit card to pay for a monthly subscription to a sexually explicit website. Dowhower also paid himself more than $800,000 between 2018 and 2024, using bureau funds through a private limited liability company for marketing work never performed, police said. According to court documents, Miller told police he had been going through previous business expenses made by Dowhower following his arrest. He discovered a monthly charge of $184.65 to a sexually explicit website since March 2023. When Miller accessed the website through Dowhower's log-in information, the website displayed numerous photographs and videos of nude children and adults, police said. Miller told police Dowhower charged $2,860.45 to the bureau's credit card from February 2023 to April 2024. He pulled monthly statements from the credit card, which showed that Dowhower had also attached invoices from the website each month, police said. Dowhower had written "daily off-site backup scheduled and managed remotely" and "computer monitoring backups/repairs" on the invoices, police said. Miller told police Dowhower had been paying a marketing company about $150,000 every year since 2018. Dowhower had suggested hiring an outside marketing company named Logical Destination LLC to do online marketing. The bureau paid $868,619.59 between 2018 and 2024, police said. It was later discovered that Dowhower owned Logical Destination. A check within the Pennsylvania Department of State's Business Search database showed the company address was the same as Dowhower's address, police said. Dowhower had the checks mailed to a mailbox at the Lewisburg UPS store, police said. Dowhower's estranged wife and son both confirmed with police that Dowhower had a business named Logical Destination LLC. His son said he had been with his father when he deposited these checks, police said. Board members of the bureau said a percentage of the money should have been used to run ads on social media, but the data showed those ads had not been activated. Google Analytics did not indicate that any website traffic had come from paid ads, police said. The board hired a private firm, Cornerstone Discovery, to conduct an expert review of their marketing, analytics and advertising. The company reported that "no campaigns or monetary purchases associated with Logical Destination could be found," police said. Nestico obtained a search warrant on July 2 for all of Dowhower's and Logical Destination's bank accounts. The account was created on March 23, 2018. The first check deposited into this account was from the bureau in the amount of $35,000 and the final deposit was made on Feb. 21, 2024, police said. Every check deposited into the account, with the exception of one written from Dowhower's personal account, came from the bureau, police said. After a full review of the monthly statements, it appeared no money was being spent on marketing for the bureau, police said. A majority of monthly purchases were made to Amazon, retail stores, restaurants, DoorDash, gym memberships, debit cash withdrawals and checks written out to Dowhower for cash. A large sum of this money — more than $600,000 — was paid to an Apple credit card account, starting in 2019, police said. Nestico obtained a search warrant for the Apple card and revealed the account was made under Dowhower's name on Aug. 20, 2019. The payment history data provided and every payment amount to the Apple Card totaled $603,874, police said. It also showed that every payment was made from one Susquehanna Community Bank account with associated routing and account numbers, police said. The investigation found that Dowhoer used a company credit card issued solely to him to make purchases unrelated nor authorized by his employer. The visitors bureau's board of directors issued a statement Friday indicating the new charges came after a thorough investigation by the Pennsylvania State Police, prompted by visitors bureau leadership, following an internal review of vendor relationships related to marketing services following Dowhower’s departure from the organization earlier this year. The internal review raised questions about the legitimacy of some marketing services paid for by the visitors bureau, the release said. "The board takes its role as financial stewards very seriously," board Treasurer Amber Guerrero said. "When these irregularities were discovered, we acted immediately and decisively to protect the organization and ensure accountability." As a result of this incident, the visitors bureau has taken steps to enhance its internal processes, including implementing stricter financial oversight, dual-authorization policies and board-supervised procedures for adding vendors, the release said. On April 4, state police in Milton were contacted by a caseworker from Union County Children and Youth indicating that a 16-year-old girl wanted to report being sexually assaulted by Dowhower, police said. All but one of the alleged incidents occurred in Union County, according to the charges. The girl said the assaults started in the summer of 2022 when she was 14 and continued until 2023. She said that on 10 occasions, Dowhower would allegedly get her alone at various locations, including a hotel in Lewisburg, and sexually assault her, police said. The most recent time in 2023 resulted in the girl pulling away and Dowhower becoming angry. When she tried to get away, he allegedly grabbed her, police said. “She physically began fighting against him, kicking, hitting, scratching, biting,” police said. “Eventually he let her go and began saying everything was over.” Dowhower’s estranged wife told police she believed Dowhower had been grooming the girl by buying her gifts. She said their relationship always seemed inappropriate, according to court documents. Dowhower posted the $200,000 cash bail in that case. No court dates are scheduled yet for the sexual assault charges.
Washington Commanders release 2023 first-round pick Emmanuel ForbesInside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug useFederal DEI spending explodes under Biden-Harris administration
Woolworths scrambles to refill shelves ahead of Christmas after reaching deal with union picketers to end strike READ MORE: Breakthrough in Laos methanol poisoning cluster By SAMANTHA LOCK and ADRIAN BLACK FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: 15:14 GMT, 7 December 2024 | Updated: 15:14 GMT, 7 December 2024 e-mail View comments Major Woolworths distribution centres are set to reopen after the supermarket giant struck a deal with its workers' union, ending a long-running warehouse worker strike. A group of picketers blocked access to the Dandenong centre in Melbourne 's southeast earlier on Saturday but operations could resume in a matter of hours after the company and the union struck a deal. The United Workers Union denied the picketers were affiliated with the union and later confirmed workers across three warehouses in Victoria and one in NSW had voted to accept a revised offer after striking for 17 days. The union said more than 1500 workers and their families had been forgoing pay while on strike to improve wages 'to be treated as human beings, not robots ,' they said. It also heavily criticised a 'Woolworths framework', an algorithmic worker performance management program that the union said monitored pick rates and put employees at risk. After months of negotiations, the union said it had secured wage increases above the rate of inflation and a new clause would be added to workplace agreements 'that ensures that the workers will not be disciplined for the speed that they can work at'. 'Today, warehouse workers at Woolworths have saved Christmas ,' union secretary Tim Kennedy said in a statement on Saturday. 'But more importantly, they have challenged one of the most significant threats to worker safety and wellbeing as we enter a new AI-surveillance era of work ... and they have won.' Woolworths and striking warehouse workers have reached an agreement to allow distribution centres to get back up and running just ahead of Christmas The warehouse workers had setup picket lines blocking temporary workers and supply trucks effectively holding the supermarket to ransom as they were unable to stock shelves 'The new enterprise agreement won by workers breaks the link between measuring the speed of their work and automatic punishment if they fall behind - a system that effectively attempted to treat Woolworths warehouse workers like robots,' a spokesperson said. Woolworths said its four warehouses would be back to full capacity as soon as possible. 'We are pleased to have endorsed offers for new terms and conditions and a competitive wage for our team at our four distribution centres that have been subject to indefinite industrial action over recent weeks,' chief executive Amanda Bardwell said. The supermarket giant said it was focused on getting its products out of the distribution centres and restocking empty shelves. 'Turning back 'on' such a large part of our supply chain will mean it will take some time for our stores to look their best and we'll be ramping up as much as we can to get products to the stores where they're needed most,' Ms Bardwell said. More than two weeks of industrial action has emptied thousands of supermarket and bottle shop shelves in Victoria, NSW and the ACT and cost the supermarket chain at least $50 million. On Friday, Woolworths celebrated a court victory, with the Fair Work Commission finding the union had been unfairly negotiating with the supermarket giant, describing protest picket lines outside its distribution hubs as 'unlawful'. Melbourne Woolworths Share or comment on this article: Woolworths scrambles to refill shelves ahead of Christmas after reaching deal with union picketers to end strike e-mail Add comment
- Previous:
- Next: baccarat odds
