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Real Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini was quick to back Vitor Roque after the team’s draw with Rayo Vallecano last time out. The Brazilian did not score in the match, and has only managed four goals all season, but has still reportedly attracted interest from Palmeiras . Yet Pellegrini seems happy with Vitor Roque who is currently on loan from Barcelona . “He is a young player who is starting his career. He is 19 years old, so we cannot demand from him the experience that a footballer with more games under his belt has,” he told reporters. “He spent the 90 minutes running, trying to create opportunities. He caused the penalty, had a cross-field chance that he failed to convert and a one-on-one with the goalkeeper and as he gains confidence, he will also improve his precision in finishing inside the area. He is a player in full growth who brings us a lot.” Palmeiras are said to be prepared to spend 20 million euros on Vitor Roque but it’s not known if the youngster would be interested in returning to Brazil. Relevo are now reporting that Tottenham also scouted Vitor Roque during the match, suggesting he is also a target for the north London side.I'm a Celeb's Coleen Rooney says 'I can't' as viewers make winning demand
( MENAFN - Daily News Egypt) Egypt's Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Rania Al-Mashat, and Japan's State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Fuji Hisayuki, signed agreements for development financing worth $234m. The agreements, encompassing both grants and concessional loans, aim to support the Egyptian budget, promote private sector growth, improve small-scale farmers' livelihoods, and renovate the Egyptian Opera House. The signing took place during a celebration marking 70 years of development cooperation between Egypt and Japan. A key component of the agreements is a $230m (35bn Japanese yen) financing package designed to support Egypt's budget. This funding aligns with national efforts to ease economic pressures and advance structural reforms. It will also encourage private sector investment, enhance the business climate, promote competition, and support economic diversification, including the green transition. Al-Mashat explained that the Development Policy Program is designed to bolster Egypt's budget and structural reform efforts. It also seeks to stimulate private sector investments through improved competitiveness and business conditions, as well as the promotion of green initiatives. The policy development program with Japan is part of a larger framework of negotiations with international partners to increase fiscal capacity. Al-Mashat stated that this partnership with Japan is a critical element of the national structural reform program. Al-Mashat noted that, in the context of the agreement with Japan, the Egyptian government has implemented various structural reforms to improve the business climate and encourage private sector activity. Beyond the budget support, the agreements included grants worth $4.3m. One grant, valued at 180m Japanese yen (approximately $1.17m), is earmarked for the renovation of the Cairo Opera House. This aims to enhance the infrastructure of the National Cultural Center through the development of equipment and services in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Another grant, worth 500m Japanese yen (approximately $2.3m), will benefit the Ministry of Agriculture, under the Economic and Social Development Program. This grant will be used to expand affordable agricultural mechanisation technology, which will reduce operational costs, increase agricultural output, expand cultivated land, and improve living standards for farmers, particularly low-income and vulnerable groups. Al-Mashat noted that these developments marked a significant phase in the history of Egypt-Japan relations, strengthening mutual cooperation and highlighting the strong partnership established since 1954. MENAFN18122024000153011029ID1109009836 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
The National Police Association (NPA) has endorsed Kash Patel to serve as the FBI director in President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration, citing his “extensive career in national security, law enforcement, and public service.” Patel, former chief of staff to the Department of Defense (DOD), deputy director of National Intelligence, and deputy assistant to then-President Trump, was announced as Trump’s FBI nominee on November 30: Establishment federal law enforcement officials and Democrat politicians immediately protested Patel’s nomination, with former FBI deputy director and current CNN analyst Andrew McCabe calling it “a terrible development for the men and women” of the agency. California Senator-elect and longtime nemesis of Patel, Rep. Adam Schiff (D), demanded that the Senate “reject” his nomination: Despite the meltdown from certain officials, the NPA said Friday in a news release that Patel has “demonstrated his unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law, defending justice, and protecting the American people.” The nonprofit organization said: Throughout his distinguished career, Kash Patel has consistently prioritized transparency, accountability, and the safety of our nation. As a federal prosecutor, he worked alongside law enforcement to dismantle international drug trafficking organizations, combat violent crime, and bring dangerous offenders to justice. His tenure as a legal liaison to the Joint Special Operations Command further illustrates his ability to operate effectively in high-stakes environments, forging critical partnerships across federal, state, and local agencies. Going on to cite Patel’s “expertise in counterterrorism and intelligence,” the NPA argued that the Trump nominee is the “ideal candidate to restore faith in the FBI’s mission and ensure it remains a steadfast ally to our nation’s police forces.” “We firmly believe that Kash Patel’s appointment as FBI Director will mark a pivotal moment for law enforcement and public safety across the United States,” the group stated. “His leadership will bring a renewed focus on collaboration, ethical standards, and the relentless pursuit of justice.” Inside the Pete Hegseth Confirmation Battle with Matt BoyleThe bye week was like a breath of fresh air for the Ravens, who are entering a three-game stretch in 11 days.NASA says ‘High risk’ Goddard project had unrealistic launch schedule
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A former publicist for actor Justin Baldoni alleges that his current publicity team conspired to harm her and steal her clients, in conjunction with their efforts to allegedly launch a “smear campaign” against his “It Ends With Us” co-star, Blake Lively. In a filed in New York Supreme Court on Tuesday, Dec. 24, Stephanie Jones and her agency Jonesworks accuse Baldoni’s publicist Jennifer Abel of breach of contract, claiming she violated her employment terms by setting up a competing firm and stealing documents and clients out from under Jones. It also accuses Abel of defamation, according to a copy of the . Jones’ suit, which was first by The New York Times, comes days after filed by Lively with the California Civil Rights Department against some of the same defendants, alleging Baldoni sexually harassed her on set and then engaged in a retaliatory campaign facilitated by Abel and crisis communications representative Melissa Nathan. Nathan is also named as a defendant in Jones’ complaint, along with Baldoni and his company, Wayfarer Studios. Lively’s allegations have across the industry. Her complaint has also put the role that crisis PR firms play in the spotlight, with many online reexamining some of the negative headlines surrounding Lively during the promotional tour for “It Ends With Us.” Jones represented Baldoni and Wayfarer Studios from 2017 to August of this year. Abel worked for Jonesworks from 2020 to August. Several of Abel’s text messages and emails, which the suit said were obtained via a subpoena of Jonesworks, were cited heavily in Lively’s complaint. The film “It Ends With Us,” an adaptation of the popular Colleen Hoover novel, was released in theaters in August. Lively portrays heroine Lily Bloom, while Baldoni plays her abusive romantic partner, Ryle Kincaid. Baldoni also adapted and directed the project. According to Jones’ suit, in August Baldoni “began to fear that the increased attention being paid to him and the Film would cause reports of allegations about his on-set misbehavior to come out.” Nathan and Abel subsequently began “to formulate a no-holds-barred strategy to discredit and suppress any potential revelations about Baldoni’s on-set behavior” without Jones’ knowledge or approval, the suit alleges. “Behind Jones’s back, they secretly coordinated with Baldoni and Wayfarer to implement an aggressive media smear campaign against Baldoni’s film co-star, and then used the crisis as an opportunity to drive a wedge between Jones and Baldoni, and to publicly pin blame for this smear campaign on Jones — when Jones had no knowledge or involvement in it,” the lawsuit states. Abel and Nathan “leveraged their teams to create and perpetuate negative content about Lively on social media platforms such as Reddit and TikTok,” according to the suit. “At the same time as Abel and Nathan were working to protect Baldoni from negative press attention, they were actively working their media contacts to plant negative stories about Jones and Jonesworks,” Jones’ suit states. They used “more than a dozen fake social media accounts and dark web accounts that defamed Jones and Jonesworks.” Bryan Freedman, a lawyer representing Baldoni, Wayfarer, Abel and Nathan, didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment about Jones’ suit on Tuesday. In a previous response to Lively’s complaint, Freedman wrote that Nathan’s company, The Agency Group PR, “operated as any crisis management firm would when hired by a client experiencing threats by two extremely powerful people with unlimited resources,” referring to Lively and her husband Ryan Reynolds. Freedman also referred to Lively’s claims as “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious.” In her suit, Jones cited some text messages she said she obtained from Abel’s work phone after terminating Abel in August. Some of the texts Jones included in her own suit were previously unpublished, including one allegedly sent by Abel that called Baldoni “unlikeable and unrealistic as a leading man.” “I can’t stand him. He’s so pompous. A men’s retreat during release, is he crazy?!” one of the texts from Abel’s phone said. “He doesn’t need a retreat. He needs to be humbled.” In the wake of on-set demands from Lively asking Baldoni and Wayfarer CEO Jamey Heath to stop , including entering her trailer while she was in a state of undress and adding unscripted sexual scenes into the film, Jones alleged that she had originally planned to counter the emerging media narrative around tensions between the stars with “a positive press strategy.” Instead, Jones alleges that Abel and Nathan implemented “an aggressive media smear campaign” against her and Lively at the same time on behalf of Baldoni and Wayfarer, amid their own plans to establish a competing PR business. Jones’ “lawsuit seeks to finally put a stop to their continued misconduct and to compensate Jones and Jonesworks for the damage Defendants’ conduct and scheme has inflicted,” it states. She is requesting a jury trial. In the days since Lively’s complaint was filed, many in Hollywood — including the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA and Sony Pictures Entertainment, the studio behind “It Ends With Us” — have Baldoni was dropped by his talent agency WME. He has not publicly addressed Lively’s complaint or Jones’ lawsuit.
“No one truly understands our mission, brand, and product better than the people who live our values and use our product daily. That’s why we chose to build an in-house agency—to ensure our brand remains authentic and aligned with who we are,” Cat van der Werff, Canva’s executive creative director, told Mediaweek . Van der Werff, who recently shared her insights on evolving in-house agencies and attracting top talent at the In-House Agency Council (IHAC) event in Melbourne, explained that the flexibility of an in-house team allows Canva to grow its creative strategies in real-time, in line with the brand’s goals. “As our goals evolve, we can adapt our strategies while maintaining brand consistency. This ensures our identity stays cohesive and impactful, even as we expand into new markets, products, and campaigns,” she said. The benefits go beyond adaptability. According to Van der Werff, having an in-house team fosters collaboration across departments—from Marketing and Sales to HR—eliminating silos and enabling integrated campaigns. It also streamlines decision-making, accelerates timelines, and creates tighter feedback loops, driving efficiency. Van der Werff joined Canva in 2018 as its first brand designer. At the time, the brand identity was in its infancy. “When I asked for brand guidelines, I was handed... a logo. While there wasn’t much of a traditional brand identity, our founders had already established a strong ethos rooted in Canva’s mission and values,” she recalled. Her early efforts included workshops with Canva’s founders to define the company’s values, voice, and visual identity. This collaboration laid the foundation for Canva’s core brand pillars: empowering, inspiring, and human . “Today, I’m proud to lead a team of over 100 incredible creatives who are building a globally beloved brand and realising our mission to empower the world to design,” Van der Werff said. A key part of building Canva’s in-house agency was close collaboration with leadership. “We’ve evolved to involve our entire leadership team—from sales to engineering and beyond. This sparks innovation, fosters new ideas, and ensures alignment, keeping us forward-thinking at every stage,” she said. “It’s one of the benefits of working in-house—you have a level of access that’s hard to achieve on the agency side,” she added. Cliff Obrecht, Mel Perkins and Cameron Adams While building an in-house agency came with its challenges, Van der Werff framed them as opportunities. One such opportunity was balancing brand authenticity with efficiency at scale. To address this, the team developed templates and Brand Kits that empower every team member to create on-brand content. For example, during Canva Create this year, the team designed a visual identity toolkit—including event logos, colour palettes, and press materials—that allowed Canva to scale content production efficiently while staying true to the brand. A standout example of Canva’s in-house capabilities is its recent Love Your Work campaign, inspired by research revealing that many people feel disconnected from their work. The team filmed seven Canva users from diverse backgrounds—a teacher, a DE&I manager, and a business analyst among them—showcasing their stories without scripts to ensure authenticity. Early prototypes were tested with users to refine the creative. “With audio becoming a signature element of our campaigns, we collaborated with Get Gospel, a UK choir that uses Canva for their own marketing, to record the backing track,” Van der Werff shared. The campaign was rolled out across various formats, from TV to organic social content, emails and OOH on buses and airports to target commuters. The 2023 In-House Agency Landscape Report, produced by the In-House Agency Council (IHAC) and Kantar Australia, revealed that 78% of marketers in Australia were working with an in-house agency, compared to 63% only two years prior. As brands look into taking agency services in-house, Van Der Werff noted that when considering an in-house or hybrid model, brands should ensure vision and values are the guiding light. “For us, everything starts and ends with our mission to empower the world to design—it’s the foundation of our creative decisions, big and small,” she said of Canva’s journey. “Building an in-house team has allowed us to live and breathe our values every day, making it easier to bring authenticity to every campaign and touchpoint.” A key learning from Van der Werff shared from her last six years of building an in-house team is the value of continuous learning and iterating. “Growing a team from one to 100+ has meant hiring people who are smarter than me at what they do so I can learn from them. Embracing what you don’t know and seeking out people who can teach you and push you to think bigger is all part of the journey,” she added. Marcel Hashimoto, Cat van der Werff, Sarah Hetherington and Abby Blackmore at the IHAC summit in Melbourne in September On the future of Canva’s in-house agency, Van der Werff said the team remains focused on ambitious goals, including expanding its reach into workplaces worldwide. Currently, 95% of Fortune 500 companies use Canva across Marketing, Sales, Creative, and HR. “I’m excited to see how our brand pillars of Human, Inspiring, and Empowering come to life in different cultures and empower people from all walks of life to achieve their goals,” she said. Beyond its commercial success, Canva’s commitment to being a force for good remains central to its identity. The company’s education and nonprofit programs already support over 70 million students and teachers and 670,000 nonprofits globally. “Our two-step plan is simple: build one of the world’s most valuable companies and do the most good we can,” Van der Werff said. “I’d love for Canva to be known as the Patagonia of design , synonymous with both our product and our impact.” – Top image: Cat van der Werff Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.Greg Newsome: George Pickens only cares about himselfSan Jose approves permits for Caltrain’s downtown towers project
Plastic Flower Pots and Planters (Larger than 3 inches) Market May See a Big Move: Novelty, Bloem, Elho 12-18-2024 11:53 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited Plastic Flower Pots and Planters (Larger than 3 inches) Market HTF MI recently introduced Global Plastic Flower Pots and Planters (Larger than 3 inches) Market study with 143+ pages in-depth overview, describing about the Product / Industry Scope and elaborates market outlook and status (2024-2032). The market Study is segmented by key regions which is accelerating the marketization. At present, the market is developing its presence. Some key players from the complete study are Novelty, Bloem, The HC Companies, LECHUZA, Elho, Crescent Garden, Teku, East Jordan Plastics, Landmark Plastics, Gracious Living. Download Sample Report PDF (Including Full TOC, Table & Figures) 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/sample-report/4312313-plastic-flower-pots-and-planters?utm_source=Akash_OpenPR&utm_id=Akash According to HTF Market Intelligence, the Global Plastic Flower Pots and Planters (Larger than 3 inches) market is expected to grow from 8 Billion USD in 2024 to 15 Billion USD by 2032, with a CAGR of 6.5% from 2024 to 2032. The Plastic Flower Pots and Planters (Larger than 3 inches) market is segmented by Types (Injection Molded, Rotational Molded, Thermoformed, Decorative), Application (Indoor, Outdoor, Nurseries, Retail) and by Geography (North America, LATAM, West Europe, Central & Eastern Europe, Northern Europe, Southern Europe, East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central Asia, Oceania, MEA). Definition: This market involves the production of plastic pots and planters for indoor and outdoor gardening, specifically larger sizes. Growth is driven by urban gardening trends, increasing demand for lightweight and durable planters, and rising popularity of vertical gardening systems. Dominating Region: • Asia-Pacific Fastest-Growing Region: • North America Market Trends: •Recycled Plastics, Modular Planters, Smart Planters Market Drivers: •Gardening Trends, Affordable Prices, Versatility Market Challenges: •Environmental Impact, Consumer Preferences, High Shipping Costs Have a query? Market an enquiry before purchase 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/enquiry-before-buy/4312313-plastic-flower-pots-and-planters?utm_source=Akash_OpenPR&utm_id=Akash The titled segments and sub-section of the market are illuminated below: In-depth analysis of Plastic Flower Pots and Planters (Larger than 3 inches) market segments by Types: Injection Molded, Rotational Molded, Thermoformed, Decorative Detailed analysis of Tank Container Shipping market segments by Applications: Indoor, Outdoor, Nurseries, Retail Geographically, the detailed analysis of consumption, revenue, market share, and growth rate of the following regions: • The Middle East and Africa (South Africa, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Israel, Egypt, etc.) • North America (United States, Mexico & Canada) • South America (Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, etc.) • Europe (Turkey, Spain, Turkey, Netherlands Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Russia UK, Italy, France, etc.) • Asia-Pacific (Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines, Korea, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Australia). Buy Now Latest Edition of Plastic Flower Pots and Planters (Larger than 3 inches) Market Report 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/buy-now?format=1&report=4312313?utm_source=Akash_OpenPR&utm_id=Akash Plastic Flower Pots and Planters (Larger than 3 inches) Market Research Objectives: - Focuses on the key manufacturers, to define, pronounce and examine the value, sales volume, market share, market competition landscape, SWOT analysis, and development plans in the next few years. - To share comprehensive information about the key factors influencing the growth of the market (opportunities, drivers, growth potential, industry-specific challenges and risks). - To analyze the with respect to individual future prospects, growth trends and their involvement to the total market. - To analyze reasonable developments such as agreements, expansions new product launches, and acquisitions in the market. - To deliberately profile the key players and systematically examine their growth strategies. FIVE FORCES & PESTLE ANALYSIS: In order to better understand market conditions five forces analysis is conducted that includes the Bargaining power of buyers, Bargaining power of suppliers, Threat of new entrants, Threat of substitutes, and Threat of rivalry. • Political (Political policy and stability as well as trade, fiscal, and taxation policies) • Economical (Interest rates, employment or unemployment rates, raw material costs, and foreign exchange rates) • Social (Changing family demographics, education levels, cultural trends, attitude changes, and changes in lifestyles) • Technological (Changes in digital or mobile technology, automation, research, and development) • Legal (Employment legislation, consumer law, health, and safety, international as well as trade regulation and restrictions) • Environmental (Climate, recycling procedures, carbon footprint, waste disposal, and sustainability) Get 10-25% Discount on Immediate purchase 👉 https://www.htfmarketreport.com/request-discount/4312313-plastic-flower-pots-and-planters?utm_source=Akash_OpenPR&utm_id=Akash Points Covered in Table of Content of Global Plastic Flower Pots and Planters (Larger than 3 inches) Market: Chapter 01 - Plastic Flower Pots and Planters (Larger than 3 inches) Executive Summary Chapter 02 - Market Overview Chapter 03 - Key Success Factors Chapter 04 - Global Plastic Flower Pots and Planters (Larger than 3 inches) Market - Pricing Analysis Chapter 05 - Global Plastic Flower Pots and Planters (Larger than 3 inches) Market Background or History Chapter 06 - Global Plastic Flower Pots and Planters (Larger than 3 inches) Market Segmentation (e.g. Type, Application) Chapter 07 - Key and Emerging Countries Analysis Worldwide Plastic Flower Pots and Planters (Larger than 3 inches) Market Chapter 08 - Global Plastic Flower Pots and Planters (Larger than 3 inches) Market Structure & worth Analysis Chapter 09 - Global Plastic Flower Pots and Planters (Larger than 3 inches) Market Competitive Analysis & Challenges Chapter 10 - Assumptions and Acronyms Chapter 11 - Plastic Flower Pots and Planters (Larger than 3 inches) Market Research Methodology Key questions answered • How Global Plastic Flower Pots and Planters (Larger than 3 inches) Market growth & size is changing in next few years? • Who are the Leading players and what are their futuristic plans in the Global Plastic Flower Pots and Planters (Larger than 3 inches) market? • What are the key concerns of the 5-forces analysis of the Global Plastic Flower Pots and Planters (Larger than 3 inches) market? • What are the strengths and weaknesses of the key vendors? • What are the different prospects and threats faced by the dealers in the Global Plastic Flower Pots and Planters (Larger than 3 inches) market? Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter-wise sections or region-wise report versions like North America, LATAM, Europe, Japan, Australia or Southeast Asia. Contact Us: Nidhi Bhawsar (PR & Marketing Manager) HTF Market Intelligence Consulting Private Limited Phone: +15075562445 sales@htfmarketintelligence.com Connect with us on LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter About Author: HTF Market Intelligence Consulting is uniquely positioned to empower and inspire with research and consulting services to empower businesses with growth strategies. We offer services with extraordinary depth and breadth of thought leadership, research, tools, events, and experience that assist in decision-making. This release was published on openPR.Pak Navy inducts offshore patrol vessel Yamama into fleet Vice Admiral highlights additional set of capabilities that PNS YAMAMA brings to Pakistan Navy’s operations Vice Admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi (5th right in 1st row) in a group photo along with commissioning crew onboard newly commissioned Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), PNS YAMAMA, at Constanta Port, Romania on December 18, 2024. — Facebook@PakistanNavy ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Navy has commissioned its Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), PNS YAMAMA, at Constanta Port, Romania. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); Vice Admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi who was chief guest on the occasion, handed over the traditional Scroll to the Commanding Officer of PNS YAMAMA. Deputy Fleet Commander of the Romanian Navy, Rear Admiral Marian Ciobotaru, and the Ambassador of Pakistan to Romania, Arshad Jaan Pathan, were also present on the occasion. Addressing the ceremony, the Chief Guest emphasized the significance of this project and highlighted the additional set of capabilities that PNS YAMAMA brings to the Pakistan Navy’s sphere of operations. He further stated that these platforms are designed to enhance the full spectrum of the Navy’s maritime operations. Earlier this year, the Pakistan Navy inducted the first ship of OPV Batch II into its fleet on September 6. Vice Admiral Muhammad Faisal Abbasi commended the exceptional professionalism and dedication of DAMEN Shipyards and expressed confidence in the prospects of future cooperation in delivering cutting-edge technologies to the Pakistan Navy.SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California lawmakers are rushing to introduce legislation that reaffirms the state's role as a reproductive rights "haven" as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House and abortion-rights advocates warn of an uncertain future. Abortion remains legal in California, home to the strongest reproductive rights in the nation — unlike in some states, there is no required waiting period or counseling before the procedure, and minors can get abortions without parental involvement. In 2022 , voters solidified abortion access in the state constitution after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the federal right, limiting healthcare for millions of women. But as Trump prepares to take the White House again, California's Democratic leaders are adamant that not enough has been done to secure reproductive access in case of further federal rollbacks. "The truth is, this is an urgent and dangerous situation," California Attorney General Rob Bonta said at a news conference in Sacramento on Monday, pointing to renewed legal challenges to the distribution of abortion pills. "The right-wing extremists continue to wage attack after attack on our bodily autonomy at the expense of the health or life of pregnant persons." Bonta, a Democrat, said new legislative proposals will make reproductive rights in California "ironclad." Gov. Gavin Newsom's earlier focus on abortion rights after Trump's first term — including ad campaigns in red states — have drawn criticism from California Republicans skeptical of his national political motives and praise from advocates who say it is better to be safe than sorry. While he has signed dozens of bills firming up abortion access in recent years, some of his plans have proved to be more flash than substance. A temporary law allowing doctors licensed in Arizona to provide abortions in California, for example, expired without any doctors using it. "He makes the big pronouncements, but he's not a very good executor of those policies," said Assembly Republican leader James Gallagher of Yuba City. "It's kind of become his M.O. to make a big splash, and then nothing really ever comes of it." Democrats, however, see the need to shore up abortion access given the uncertainty of Trump's plans. A bill introduced this week aims to ensure availability of mifepristone and misoprostol — the commonly used two-step medication abortion process — even if the Trump administration attempts to interfere. At issue is how anti-abortion government officials could revive and interpret the Comstock Act , a federal law that once banned the mailing of "obscene" materials related to abortions. While Trump has said he has no plans to ban abortion nationwide, he has repeatedly flip-flopped on the issue and taken credit for appointing conservative Supreme Court justices who reversed the federal right to abortion with their decision in the landmark Dobbs case. Reproductive health advocates are worried that under his second term, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration could limit access to abortion medication. To lead the FDA, Trump has tapped Dr. Marty Makary , who has echoed antiabortion messages on Fox News about fetal pain — something disputed by major medical organizations. The California bill by former Planned Parenthood attorney and legislative newcomer Assemblymember Maggy Krell , D-Sacramento, aims to ensure that Californians continue to have access to medication abortion for the foreseeable future and protects "manufacturers, distributors, authorized healthcare providers and individuals" from any legal action for distributing or administering the pills. "There are emerging threats to the availability of mifepristone and misoprostol, and California may not be able to guarantee a continued supply," the bill states. "Previously, Governor Newsom implemented a plan to stockpile doses of misoprostol. While this effort was successful, the Legislature finds that the state needs to renew its stockpile to ensure that Californians can continue to exercise their constitutional rights." Last year, Newsom rushed to stockpile hundreds of thousands of abortion pills after a Texas judge ruled against the authorization of the medication. "We will not cave to extremists who are trying to outlaw these critical abortion services. Medication abortion remains legal in California," Newsom said then. But, facing expiration dates, the state released the stockpile to the public before the U.S. Supreme Court decision that rejected the Texas court's ruling. In Washington, Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee chose to hold onto a similar stockpile in case Trump was reelected. A spokesperson for Newsom said California "remains ready" to procure more pills if needed. In another precautionary move last year, Newsom signed a law that allowed abortion providers in Arizona to temporarily practice in California. The action came after the Arizona Supreme Court reinstated an 1800s law that essentially banned all abortions. No Arizona providers ended up using the program, which expired Dec. 1, according to the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Concerns settled in Arizona after Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs signed a bill that repealed the court decision, and voters last month passed a state constitutional amendment guaranteeing a right to abortion . The California legislation "was designed to serve as a swift stop gap measure to preserve continued access to abortion care, if necessary, during this very precarious moment," California Department of Consumer Affairs spokesperson Monica Vargas said in an email when The Times asked for data about the program's use. Newsom also signed a law last year that allowed medical residents from states with "hostile" laws to get abortion training in California. The state does not require the California Medical Board to track whether that program is being used as intended, a spokesperson said. For Republican critics like Gallagher, those programs are instances of "political theater" meant more to draw attention to an issue than provide substantive policy. Newsom this week called a special legislative session in Sacramento to prepare for legal combat with Trump on issues such as abortion and immigration — a move heralded by liberals as smart preparation for an unpredictable president and criticized by conservatives as unnecessary panic. "In California, abortion is constitutionally protected, and you have a president-elect who has said very clearly he will not support any national abortion ban," Gallagher said. "This perceived threat that they're trying to make into a political volley ... it's just Newsom drawing attention to himself." Some abortion advocates said that they'd rather have a nimble governor like Newsom and be cautious even if the emergency plans don't always pan out. "Now more than ever is the time for innovative policy solutions," said Shannon Olivieri Hovis, a spokesperson for Essential Health Access. "And inevitably, it is going to be the case that not all solutions we put forth will be equally effective." Other bills introduced this week seeking to fill California's reproductive health access gaps include a proposal to financially penalize cities and counties that block the building of abortion clinics, as has happened in Beverly Hills and Fontana. Assemblymember Mia Bonta, D-Oakland, introduced a package of bills that ensure hospitals enforce laws that require emergency rooms to provide abortion care; make it easier for Medi-Cal recipients to get birth control; and prevent birthing centers from closing. About 40% of California counties don't have abortion clinics, including rural areas where transportation can be a hurdle. In September, the state sued a Humboldt County Catholic hospital after a patient said she was denied an emergency abortion even as she feared for her life because of miscarriage risks. "We have to be absolutely clear-eyed about the political and social moment we're in right now... when we have a proven misogynist as a president," said Mia Bonta, who is married to the attorney general, referring to Trump's sexual abuse allegations and "your body, my choice" refrains that surged after his election. "I think while California has done an amazing job, we still have a lot of work to do to shore up the infrastructure of support for people who are seeking health care and abortion access and protection of our reproductive and sexual freedoms." ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit latimes.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Driven by Vision 2030, non-oil activities now contribute nearly half (49.9%) of Saudi Arabia's GDP — an all-time high. The banking sector, designated as pivotal to this national vision, plays a major role in this achievement. Spurred by digitalisation mandates, government bodies such as SAMA, SIMAH, and the Ministry of Interior have collaborated to deliver remarkable outcomes. The seamless integration of governmental and banking systems, coupled with progressive regulation, havecreated a robust framework upon which the nation’s banks can build impressive digital offerings. With Saudis under 30 comprising 63% of the population , demand for digital services is unprecedented. “Born into a digital-first Saudi Arabia, using digital services is second nature for this tech-savvy demographic. They view innovation as the norm and readily embrace world-leading advancements,” explained Ahmad Ghandour,Regional VP — Middle East at Backbase, a global pioneer in digital banking. The Kingdom’s banking sector has risen to the challenge, seizing heightened expectations as an opportunity. Leveraging the nation’s banking framework, Saudi banks now allow new customers to be onboarded in mere minutes. Transactions are executed instantly, self-service options are accessible via multiple online channels, and all banking needs can be met without ever visiting a branch. Ghandour highlights how this momentum has culminated in Saudi Arabia’s first fully digital bank, NEO. “Saudi National Bank's new digital initiative marks a tectonic shift in banking, from delivering services, to now being a way of life,” he said. NEO seamlessly combines advanced banking services — such as instant transactions and personalised financial management —with lifestyle features like hotel bookings, food delivery, loyalty programmes, and multi-currency cards. “These developments are redefining banking, not only in Saudi Arabia but globally,” said Ghandour. “At the nexus of commendable government vision, digital native consumers, and pioneering banks, lies the opportunity for the Kingdom to become a leading force in global banking innovation.” This potential to shape the next phase of global banking is encouraging international leaders in banking technology, such as Backbase, to strengthen their commitment to the Kingdom, yielding multifaceted benefits. “This is driving foreign investment and attracting top talent to the country, unlocking new conveniences for Saudi consumers and businesses, and giving Saudi nationals an unmissable opportunity to lead cutting-edge advancements in the sector,” said Ghandour. Through its close collaboration with Saudi National Bank on NEO, Backbase has been able to ‘productise’ a feature-rich engagement banking platform that can now be offered to banks both in the Kingdom and beyond. Ghandour elaborated, “As Saudi banks lead the way, their global counterparts are paying close attention. The solutions being developed here can now be delivered as fully realised ‘Accelerators’, which help to fast-track and de-risk the digital transformation journey of the broader banking sector.” With robust platforms that fulfil the current wave of digital convenience, Saudi banks are perfectly positioned to explore ‘What’s Next’. Ghandour notes that international partners like Backbase, deeply invested in the Kingdom, are eager to be a part of this journey. “We are witnessing the emergence of Banking Super Apps— powerful platforms catering to diverse customer segments and integrating a host of lifestyle services, all through a single, intuitive digital interface. This presents a unique opportunity for companies like Backbase, and we are investing heavily to secure our position as the partner of choice to Saudi banks as they boldly define the future of banking.” < Previous Page Next Page >Juan Soto gets free luxury suite and up to 4 premium tickets for home games in $765M Mets deal
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