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BERWYN, Pa. , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Envestnet, Inc. (the " Company "), yesterday announced that, pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 11, 2024 , by and among the Company, BCPE Pequod Buyer, Inc. (" Parent "), a Delaware corporation, and BCPE Pequod Merger Sub, Inc. (" Merger Sub "), a Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of Parent (the "Merger Agreement"), Merger Sub merged with and into the Company (the " Merger "), with the Company continuing as the surviving corporation. At the effective time of the Merger, each share of common stock, par value $0.005 per share, of the Company (the " Common Shares ") (other than any Common Shares (i) owned by Parent (or any of its affiliates), Merger Sub or the Company or any direct or indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of Parent (or any of its affiliates), Merger Sub or the Company, (ii) that are Rollover Shares (as defined in the Merger Agreement), (iii) held in treasury of the Company, and (iv) as to which appraisal rights have been properly exercised in accordance with Delaware law) was automatically cancelled, extinguished and converted into the right to receive $63.15 in cash per one Common Share. As a result, a Share Exchange Event and a Make-Whole Fundamental Change occurred under each of the Indenture, dated as of August 20, 2020 , among the Company, the guarantor party thereto and U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, as successor in interest to U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the " Trustee "), which governs the Company's 0.75% Convertible Notes due 2025 (the " 2025 Notes ") (such indenture, the " 2025 Indenture ") and the Indenture, dated of November 17, 2022 , among the Company, the guarantor party thereto and the Trustee, which governs the Company's 2.625% Convertible Notes due 2027 (the " 2027 Notes ", and together with the 2025 Notes, collectively and individually, the " Notes ") (such indenture, the " 2027 Indenture ", and together with the 2025 Indenture, collectively, the " Indentures ", and each, an " Indenture ", as applicable), triggering the adjustments to the conversion rights as described below. The effective date of the Share Exchange Event and Make-Whole Fundamental Change was November 25, 2024 (the " Effective Date "). Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the applicable Indenture. The Company announced that, pursuant to the terms of the respective Indenture, in connection with the consummation of the Merger which constitutes a Share Exchange Event under each Indenture, the Company and the Trustee entered into supplemental indentures to each Indenture providing that, following the effective date of the Merger, the right to convert each $1,000 principal amount of Notes into shares of common stock of the Company at the then applicable conversion rate shall be changed into a right to convert such principal amount of Notes solely into a number of units of Reference Property in an aggregate amount equal to the applicable conversion rate in effect on the conversion date (as may be increased by any Additional Shares), multiplied by $63.15 , the price paid per share of Common Stock in the Merger. Because the Merger constituted a Make-Whole Fundamental Change, the Notes are convertible, at the option of the Holder, at any time from the Effective Date until 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, on the business day immediately preceding the Fundamental Change Purchase Date to be determined by the Company and separately announced to the Holders in accordance with the terms of the Indentures as a result of the Merger (the " Conversion Period "). Also because the Merger constituted a Make-Whole Fundamental Change, the conversion rate for the 2027 Notes will be temporarily increased during the Conversion Period. Such conversion rate per $1,000 principal amount of the 2027 Notes increased by 3.2973 units of Reference Property from 13.6304 units of Reference Property to 16.9277 units of Reference Property. The Company's conversion obligation with respect to Notes that are converted prior to the end of the Conversion Period will be fixed at an amount in cash equal to $591.602 per $1,000 principal amount of the 2025 Notes validly surrendered for conversion, and $1,068.984 per $1,000 principal amount of the 2027 Notes validly surrendered for conversion. The right of the Holders to convert their Notes is separate from the right, at the Holder's option, to submit their Notes for purchase upon a Fundamental Change. If a Holder submits a Fundamental Change Purchase Notice, such Holder may not surrender such Notes for conversion unless the Holder validly withdraws such Fundamental Change Purchase Notice prior to the Fundamental Change Expiration Time. Holders should review the applicable Indenture carefully and should consult with their own financial and tax advisors. None of the Company, Merger Sub, Parent or any of their respective affiliates, or any of its or their respective boards of directors, employees, advisors or representatives or U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, in its capacity as trustee, paying agent or conversion agent with respect to the Notes, is making any representation or recommendation to any Holder as to whether or not to surrender or convert that Holder's Notes. The Trustee, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent is: U.S. BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION Corporate Actions 111 Fillmore Avenue St. Paul, MN 55107-1402 Telephone: (800) 934-6802 Email: [email protected] Any questions or requests for assistance in connection with the conversion of the Notes may be directed to U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association, in accordance with the contact information listed above, or the Company. About Envestnet Envestnet is helping to lead the growth of wealth managers and transforming the way financial advice is delivered through its ecosystem of connected technology, advanced insights, and comprehensive solutions – backed by industry-leading service and support. Serving the wealth management industry for 25 years with more than $6.5 trillion in platform assets—more than 111,000 advisors, 17 of the 20 largest U.S. banks, 48 of the 50 largest wealth management and brokerage firms, more than 500 of the largest RIAs -- thousands of companies, depend on Envestnet technology and services to help drive business growth and productivity, and better outcomes for their clients. Data as of 9/30/24. SOURCE Envestnet, Inc.Australian punter Matthew Hayball was visibly torn to shreds by New Orleans interim head coach Darren Rizzi in a heated moment during the Saints’ 14-11 win over the New York Giants. Watch an average of 6 games each week during the regular season, plus every game of the NFL Postseason including the Super Bowl, LIVE on ESPN with Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer. Hayball, who won a pre-season punting battle over fellow Australian Lou Hedley, was yelled at by his coach after having one of his punts returned for a touchdown midway through the second quarter. The play was called back on a holding call but that didn’t stop a visibly upset Rizzi from confronting Hayball on the sidelines, throwing his hat to the ground and pointing at a spot on the field as Saints running back Alvin Kamara stepped in to de-escalate the situation. Hayball handled the situation well, nodding along and not once retaliating to the verbal barrage coming in his direction. While it was not initially clear why Rizzi went after Hayball, the New Orleans coach later explained that the exchange was in response to Hayball “not executing the gameplan”. “I'm a big accountability guy and that was a big part of our gameplan today and he wasn’t executing the gameplan,” Rizzi said. “His last punt was outstanding and it really helped us — actually his last two punts. His second-to-last punt in particular was really good, it pinned them back and they didn’t get any return yards. That was what we were trying to do all day. “Our first three punts weren’t good enough so I let him know that’s exactly how I felt. It probably came across a little bit more than that but me and Matt are fine.” Fortunately for Rizzi the Saints ended up escaping with the win against a lowly Giants team that struggled to get anything going on offence early, with quarterback Drew Lock failing to complete his first eight passes of the game. New Orleans had already jumped ahead 7-0 at that point after second-year running back Kendre Miller punched it in following chunk gains for Juwan Johnson and Marquez Valdes-Scantling earlier in the drive. In what was an otherwise relatively dour affair, the Giants had a chance to send the game to overtime but Graham Gano’s 35-yard field goal attempt was tipped and missed. The Saints lost quarterback Derek Carr late in the game for a hand injury and Rizzi did not have an update on his condition. RESULTS SHAKE UP TOP OF THE DRAFT ORDER Speaking of the Giants, they are one of two teams along with the Las Vegas Raiders who are expected to be picking a potential future franchise quarterback in next year’s draft. And while they were already well positioned to do just that, Jacksonville’s 10-6 win over the Tennessee Titans has re-set the top of the draft order. Both the Raiders and Giants are now 2-11, with Las Vegas going down 28-13 to Tampa Bay on Monday. The Raiders, who now have the first overall pick, also are now without their top two quarterbacks after Aidan O’Connell (knee) was carted off. He will seemingly join Gardner Minshew (collarbone) on the sidelines, while the Giants are also expected to take a quarterback high in the draft after parting ways with Daniel Jones. Shadeur Sanders and Cam Ward are the two top quarterback prospects in next year’s class, although there are big questions over both. And the Giants in particular need to make sure they pick the right guy, because frustration is clearly building. ‘FIX THIS DUMPSTER FIRE’: SAD SIGHT FOR GIANTS The Giants fell to 2-11 with a loss to the Saints and are on pace for one of the worst seasons in the history of a franchise that is “celebrating’’ its 100th season. The last time a banner flew overhead with such negative feedback from disgruntled fans was back in 1978 when in the third quarter of a game against the Cardinals at Giants Stadium, a plane flew a banner that read, “15 YEARS OF LOUSY FOOTBALL ... WE’VE HAD ENOUGH.’’ Giants ownership took that message to heart, wholesale changes were enacted, with George Young’s hiring as the general manager the main impetus for the turnaround of the franchise. It remains to be seen what happens with this year’s team. Giants co-owner John Mara insisted back when his team was 2-5 that there would be no changes in-season with general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll and that he did not anticipate making changes with them for 2025. The Giants are currently on an eight-game losing streak and if they lose out the rest of the way and finish 2-15, it will be difficult for Mara to keep his word. — New York Post NEW YORK NIGHTMARE OFFICIAL AS JETS OFFICIALLY OUT OF PLAYOFFS Another miserable loss in another miserable Jets season. This week, the Jets blew an eight-point, fourth-quarter lead and lost 32-26 in overtime to the Dolphins. There was not much suspense left but this loss officially eliminates the Jets from playoff contention and drops them to 3-10 this year. While fans may rejoice about draft pick positioning, this one will sting the Jets players and coaches. They played their best game of the year for three quarters and then saw the game slip away in the fourth quarter, only to regain the lead, only to see the Dolphins tie the game in the final minute and win it in overtime. The Jets took a 26-23 lead with 52 seconds left in the game on a 42-yard field goal from Anders Carlson. But Malik Washington then returned Carlson’s kickoff 45 yards to the Miami 46-yard line. The Dolphins gained 20 yards on six plays and Jason Sanders kicked a 52-yard field goal to tie the game at 26-26 with seven seconds left in regulation. The Dolphins won the coin toss to start overtime and went 70 yards on eight plays. Tua Tagovailoa hit tight end Jonnu Smith for a 10-yard touchdown to end the game. This was the Jets’ fourth loss in a row and ninth in 10 games. This is their ninth straight loss in Miami. — New York Post AUSSIE MAILATA SAYS EAGLES WERE ‘S***TY’ WITH NERVY WIN Elsewhere, star Eagles receiver DeVonta Smith said Philadelphia’s offence is “not on the same page” after the Super Bowl contenders escaped with a 22-16 win over the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers have been much-improved since second-year quarterback Bryce Young’s return after being benched earlier in the year following a few rough weeks to start the season. That continued on Monday and in fact a few key drops from rookie receiver Xavier Legette, including a particularly costly one on Carolina’s final drive of the game, meant Young played even better than his final stat line of 19/34 for 191 yards, one touchdown and an interception. Young did particularly well navigating pressure, often connecting with reliable veteran receiver Adam Thielen, who had nine receptions for 102 yards. Running back Chuba Hubbard, meanwhile, had a big day on the ground with 26 carries for 92 yards and a score while rookie Jonathon Brooks, who had only recently returned from a torn ACL, went down again with a non-contact injury in worrying signs. Elsewhere, Smith and A.J. Brown only combined for 80 receiving yards as Philadelphia did what it needed to do, riding Saquon Barkley and the rushing game instead as the superstar running back picked up 124 yards on 20 carries. With it, Barkley passed LeSean McCoy’s single-season rushing mark of 1607 yards set in 2013. Australian left tackle Jordan Mailata said Barkley’s record-setting game was the bright spot in what was otherwise a disappointing game that left the team feeling “s***ty”. “It was good. It wasn’t like someone died. I’m just critical,” Mailata later said of the mood in the locker room. “The mood was good. You’ve just got to remember this is the NFL, they compete too. They’ve been on a tear the last four weeks this team. We did not take them for granted.” FINAL SCORES — WEEK 14 Lions 34 Packers 31 Steelers 27 Browns 14 Giants 11 Saints 14 Dolphins 32 Jets 26 (OT) Titans 6 Jaguars 10 Vikings 42 Falcons 21 Eagles 22 Panthers 16 Buccaneers 28 Raiders 13zeinab wowowin 。

EA Sports College Football 25 was revived this summer after a near decade-long gap between the last game in the series. The last game was NCAA Football 14, which featured former Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson on the cover. EA Sports is reportedly discussing a revival of another video game series. Mike Straw of reported that EA Sports and 2K have had internal discussions about a college basketball video game. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.A version of this story originally ran Sept. 30, 2024. When Stacy Fox heard the news that Freehold Raceway — known as the oldest racing track in the country — was shutting down this December, she was crestfallen. “I literally cried because my whole childhood was at the track,” said Fox, 46, who now lives in Savannah, Georgia, but grew up in Browns Mills in Pemberton Township in Burlington County. Both of her parents worked at the Monmouth County track — her father was a head accountant there for more than 30 years, and her mother worked the simulcasting switchboard at night. Fox remembers driving to the raceway with her mother before her shift, and riding back home with her father, at the end of his work day. She often spent Sundays at the track, when her father would catch up on work. She knew dozens of people who worked at the raceway. Even decades later, she has vivid memories of the thrill of spending time there with her brother, the family’s two youngest siblings. They peeked into the track’s vault filled with money, walked through the cigar smoke-filled club, met the jockeys and stroked the horses. “My dad was a big part of that place,” Fox said of her father, who died in 2000. After she learned the raceway was closing, she visited the track one final time in October with her mother, when they traveled to New Jersey. Coincidentally, her parents’ anniversary falls on the track’s last day — Dec. 28. In September, officials announced the horse-racing track, which features harness racing, is ceasing all live racing and simulcasting operations at the end of the year. New Jersey’s other tracks — Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands — are not affected by the closure. “This was an extremely difficult decision, especially given the historical importance of Freehold Raceway to the local community and the New Jersey horse racing industry,” Howard Bruno, the raceway’s general manager, said in the announcement. “Unfortunately, the operations of the racetrack cannot continue under existing conditions, and we do not see a plausible way forward,” he said. “We are incredibly thankful for our dedicated employees, horsemen and fan base for their support and patronage for so many years.” News of the closure prompted a flood of reactions and hundreds of comments on social media. Some people cheered the demise of horse racing at one more racetrack across the country, saying it was best for the horses. Others lamented the possibility of developers building on the site. Many were incredibly saddened by the impending shutdown, recalling fond days spent at the track in their childhood with family members and friends. After he retired, Bob Barlow's stepfather landed a job as an usher at the trackway because he enjoyed spending time at the track so much. Barlow's stepfather, Tracy Hall, is in a red jacket and pictured with a winning horse after a race. Provided by Bob Barlow Bob Barlow, who now lives in Connecticut, previously lived in East Windsor in Mercer County and would visit the track as a child with his stepfather, who loved watching the horses race and placing bets. Barlow said his stepfather, Tracy Hall, once won $800 from betting on the races in one day. Although Barlow doesn’t remember the horse’s name, he easily recalls the jockey’s name: Wilbur. “My stepfather winds up getting up, standing on top of the chair and screaming, ‘Come on Wilbur, come on Wilbur,’” said Barlow, 72. The horse won, and Hall was elated. “I literally thought he was going to pass out and have a heart attack,” Barlow said, “he was so excited.” When Hall retired from his security guard position at a research facility, he landed an usher job at the track, allowing him to get paid for something he enjoyed, Barlow said. If the track wasn’t busy, he could place his own bets. Occasionally, he would be invited onto the field after the race, when the winning horse — adorned with a bouquet of flowers around its neck — and its owner took photos. He was employee of the month in May 1995, and officials named a race after him, Barlow said. The track’s attendance declined in recent years. Carl Cito celebrated his 11th birthday at Freehold Raceway's restaurant, called the Renaissance Room, with his two grandfathers. Provided by Carl Cito Carl Cito, 26, would regularly visit the track with his two grandfathers — his mother’s father and his father’s father — starting when he was about 4, he said. His father trained and raced horses there, and although Cito still goes to the track now, he notices a difference in attendance. “Before me, it used to be super popular,” he said, referring to the time before he was born. Though he sees some younger people at the track today, it’s mostly an aging crowd. “My friends from the racetrack are mostly older than me,” Cito said. When the closure was announced, Freehold Borough Mayor Kevin Kane blamed track officials for the shutdown. There has been declining interest in standardbred harness racing, despite the raceway’s “long and storied history” in the borough, he said in a statement at the time. Track officials didn’t try to reverse the trends, Kane previously said. Freehold is jointly owned by Penn Entertainment and Greenwood Racing. “Management seemed disinterested in promoting or marketing the venue and failed to capitalize on the advent of sports betting in New Jersey,” Kane previously said. “The facility had become shopworn and dated with little capital improvements to attract new customers,” Kane said. “Attempts to meet with management to discuss promotional opportunities, band nights, car shows and other event-based strategies designed to get new customers into the facility were rebuffed.” In September, Stephen Gallo, the borough’s business administrator, said the horses will be retained by their owners once the track shuts down. The borough, which doesn’t own any of the property involved, plans to authorize a redevelopment study to determine if the area meets the criteria for an “area in need of redevelopment.” That could lead to proposals for a new use for the land. But, the raceway could potentially remain a horse-racing track. The borough has been in communication with state Sen. Vin Gopal, D-Monmouth, who represents the area, and is seeing if anyone is interested in continuing the raceway’s operations, Gallo previously said. “We have received several inquiries from parties interested in racing operations which we are following up on,” he previously said. Freehold Raceway is the nation’s oldest and fastest daytime half-mile harness racing track, according to its website . It first opened in 1853. It features live harness racing for trotters and pacers, and is open seven days and nights a week. It also hosts year-round thoroughbred and harness racing simulcasts from tracks throughout North America. Stacy Fox remembers growing up at Freehold Raceway — both of her parents worked at the track. She was given a mug that's branded with the track's name. Provided by Stacy Fox Fox, who was given a Freehold Raceway-branded mug years ago and has kept the keepsake, said the track is like a “security blanket” to her. Over the years, she spent many weekends and occasional evenings at the track. Its closure is “heartbreaking,” she said. But, “life goes on, the world changes, and things evolve,” Fox said. “And I guess it’s just time for it to close. I guess it’s just not what it once was.” “But, when it was, it was an amazing place,” she added. Stories by Brianna Kudisch Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Brianna Kudisch may be reached at bkudisch@njadvancemedia.com .

How Soros protege went from Hilary Clinton donor to Trump’s Treasury secretary pick

NoneThe end of an Eras tour approaches, marking a bittersweet moment for Taylor Swift fans

Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill rallied around Pete Hegseth , Trump’s Pentagon pick, on Thursday even as new details surfaced about allegations that he had sexually assaulted a woman in 2017. The GOP embrace of Hegseth came as another controversial Trump nominee, Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration for attorney general. Gaetz said it was clear he had become a “distraction" amid pressure on the House to release an ethics report about allegations of his own sexual misconduct. An attorney for two women has said that his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman. People are also reading... Bomb cyclone, flood risk in Benton County this week OSU women's basketball: An early look at this edition of the Beavers Albany's Joel Dahl pleads guilty to sex crime involving minor OSU football: Beavers' season hits a new low in loss at Air Force Strike over: Benton County, union reach tentative deal What's available from Benton County services as strike nears Week 2 As I See It: Corvallis' failure to care for homeless is not because it can't Republic Services resubmits landfill expansion, here's what's new Albany mom suspected of drowning her child to use mental health defense Philomath city councilor resigns, cites conflict with new job American flag thrown by driver fleeing Benton County deputies OSU football: It's time to look ahead to next year Sweet Home man sentenced for crash that injured his daughter Albany dog badly hurt, possibly shot, during brief escape In trying to flee, suspect accused of driving over Albany police officer Fresh questions over the two nominees' pasts, and their treatment of women, arose with Republicans under pressure from Trump and his allies to quickly confirm his Cabinet. At the same time, his transition has so far balked at the vetting and background checks that have traditionally been required. While few Republican senators have publicly criticized any of Trump's nominees, it became clear after Gaetz's withdrawal that many had been harboring private concerns about him. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who served with Gaetz in the House, said it was a “positive move.” Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker said it was a “positive development.” Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Gaetz “put country first and I am pleased with his decision.” After meeting with Hegseth, though, Republicans rallied around him. “I think he’s going to be in pretty good shape,” said Wicker, who is expected to chair the Senate Armed Services Committee in the next Congress. Republican senators' careful words, and their early reluctance to publicly question Trump's picks, illustrated not only their fear of retribution from the incoming president but also some of their hopes that the confirmation process can proceed normally, with proper vetting and background checks that could potentially disqualify problematic nominees earlier. Gaetz withdrew after meeting with senators on Wednesday. Sen. Thom Tillis said Gaetz was “in a pressure cooker” when he decided to withdraw, but suggested that it would have little bearing on Trump’s other nominees. “Transactions — one at a time,” he said. As the Hegseth nomination proceeds, Republicans also appear to be betting that they won't face much backlash for publicly setting aside the allegations of sexual misconduct — especially after Trump won election after being found liable for sexual abuse last year. Hegseth held a round of private meetings alongside incoming Vice President JD Vance on Thursday in an attempt to shore up support and told reporters afterward: “The matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared, and that’s where I’m gonna leave it.” A 22-page police report report made public late Wednesday offered the first detailed account of the allegations against him. A woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave. The report cited police interviews with the alleged victim, a nurse who treated her, a hotel staffer, another woman at the event and Hegseth. Hegseth’s lawyer, Timothy Palatore, said the incident was “fully investigated and police found the allegations to be false.” Hegseth paid the woman in 2023 as part of a confidential settlement to head off the threat of what he described as a baseless lawsuit, Palatore has said. Wicker played down the allegations against Hegseth, a former Fox News host, saying that “since no charges were brought from the authorities, we only have press reports.” Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., said after his meeting with Hegseth that he "shared with him the fact that I was saddened by the attacks that are coming his way.” Hagerty dismissed the allegations as “a he-said, she-said thing” and called it a “shame” that they were being raised at all. The senator said attention should instead be focused on the Defense Department that Hegseth would head. It's one of the most complex parts of the federal government with more than 3 million employees, including military service members and civilians. Sexual assault has been a persistent problem in the military, though Pentagon officials have been cautiously optimistic they are seeing a decline in reported sexual assaults among active-duty service members and the military academies. Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, who will be the No. 2 Republican in the Senate next year, said after his meeting with Hegseth that the nominee is a strong candidate who “pledged that the Pentagon will focus on strength and hard power – not the current administration’s woke political agenda.” Senate Republicans are under pressure to hold hearings once they take office in January and confirm nominees as soon as Trump is inaugurated, despite questions about whether Trump’s choices will be properly screened or if some, like Hegseth, have enough experience for the job. Senate Armed Services Chairman Jack Reed, who will be the top Democrat on the panel next year, said the reports on Hegseth “emphasized the need for a thorough investigation by the FBI on the background of all the nominees.” It takes a simple majority to approve Cabinet nominations, meaning that if Democrats all opposed a nominee, four Republican senators would also have to defect for any Trump choice to be defeated. Trump has made clear he’s willing to put maximum pressure on Senate Republicans to give him the nominees he wants – even suggesting at one point that they allow him to just appoint his nominees with no Senate votes. But senators insist, for now, that they are not giving up their constitutional power to have a say. “The president has the right to make the nominations that he sees fit, but the Senate also has a responsibility for advice and consent,” said Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota. In the case of Gaetz, he said, “I think there was advice offered rather than consent.” Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

Maersk Europe Market Update – December 2024Loose Women panellist Jane Moore called her new appointment to cleaning duties in the I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! jungle “ageist and sexist”. Sunday’s episode saw former boxing champion Barry McGuigan and McFly Danny star Jones appointed as the new leaders of the camp after a public vote, and reassigning the chores amongst the campmates was their first order of duty. However, tensions were raised in the camp after they put Moore, 62, and N-Dubz star Tulisa Contostavlos, 36, on washing up. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. After the appointment, Moore exclaimed and asked: “Is that because we’re women?” Former Irish athlete McGuigan denied their gender influenced their decision, saying: “We were looking at you for possible water, and I thought that you’re 62 years old, you’re a year younger than me.” Before he finished his point, Moore branded his decision “ageist and sexist”. Moore said she had asked Jones to not put her on cleaning just before they went off to decide, with the singer saying he had misheard her and thought she had wanted to be assigned to the chore. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. BBC Radio 1 presenter Dean McCullough tried to lead his fellow campmates to jokingly chant “we stand with Jane”, with McGuigan telling him: “Don’t start that nonsense. We didn’t know that Jane was going to be upset.” Moore added: “I have emptied the dunny, tended the fire on my own solidly for nine days, and you’ve given me the one job I don’t want.” When she was asked what she would have liked to have done, she replied: “No, it doesn’t matter.” Singer Contostavlos later told the Bush Telegraph: “Slight rumble in the jungle. Not everyone was happy with that. I didn’t mind doing the dishes.” During dinner time, the contestants noted that the new camp leaders were looking dejected and when asked why McGuigan said: “We don’t like upsetting people, we genuinely don’t.” Moore reassured McGuigan that she was “only winding him up” but later when washing the dishes, she said: “Seems much like the 1950s.” I’m A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! continues at 9pm on ITV1, STV and ITVX.

Hydreight Reports Record Topline1 Revenue of $6.12M in Q3-2024 (YOY Increase of 54%) and achieved positive Adjusted EBITDA1Ghana Schools U15 Girls beat Cote D'voire 2-1 in the semi-finals of the WAFU B Zonal Qualifiers of the CAF African Schools Football Championships, in Niamey, Niger, on Thursday November 21, 2024. The Ghanaian teenage girls overcame their neighbours to advance to the finals, set to take place on Saturday November 23, 2024. In the Boys Division, Ghana lost 2-1 to Cote D'voire to miss out on the final. The Ghanaians will play Burkina Faso in the third-placed match. A total of six WAFU B nations are participating in both the boys and girls divisions of the tournament, where each nation will contest the honours of being crowned champions of the zone and secure a place at the CAF African Schools Football Championship Finals set to take place in 2025. The CAF African Schools Football Championship, an initiative launched by CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe, is making strides in youth football development across Africa. With over 800,000 participants from more than 28,000 schools across 44 countries, the competition offers young players an invaluable platform to showcase their skills and pursue their football dreams. This tournament both symbolizes CAF's commitment to nurturing African football talent and its support for the growth of future leaders in the game across the continent. GFA Communications Get all the latest football news sent directly to your inboxLuigi Mangione 's lawyer is calling out the mayor of New York City. Defense for the 26-year-old, who is being accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson , argued in court Dec. 23 that he's been unnecessarily subjected to being paraded through the public during trips to police stations and courtrooms, which could affect his ability to have a fair trial. Karen Agnifilo labeled these moments "perp walks," per NBC News , that she deemed "unconstitutional," "perfectly choreographed" and "utterly political." And she specifically blamed Mayor Eric Adams for the stunts. "They are literally treating him like he is some sort of political fodder, like some sort of spectacle," Mangione's lawyer told the judge . "He was on display for everyone to see in the biggest staged perp walk I've ever seen in my career." She added that such walks are "absolutely unnecessary" and are aimed at creating spectacle and stoking the already high publicity around the case. Agniflo specifically alluded to Mangione being escorted by a large group of heavily armed police and officials—including Adams himself—Dec. 19 upon arrival in New York City by helicopter after waving extradition in Pennsylvania. Photos and video of the moment quickly made headlines around the world. "There was no reason for the NYPD and everyone to have these big assault rifles," Agnifilo went on. "To have all the press there, the media, it was perfectly choreographed. And what was the New York City mayor doing at this press conference?" The attorney continued to say that there was "zero law enforcement objective to do that sort of perp walk" and added that "there's absolutely no need for that whatsoever." In her condemnation of the "perp walks," Agnifilo took a shot at Adams by alluding to the bribery and fraud charges that he's currently facing, saying, "The mayor should know more than anyone about the presumption of innocence." (Adams pleaded not guilt y to the charges.) She accused the mayor of "trying to detract from those issues by making a spectacle of Magione." E! News has reached out to Adams’ office for comment but has not heard back. In fact, Mangione was escorted into court for his arraignment that same day by nearly 10 men in plain view of cameras. The former college student pleaded not guilty to all 11 charges he's facing in relation to the Dec. 4 slaying of Thompson which include first-degree murder, an act of terrorism, criminal weapon possession and forgery. Keep reading for more about the case. (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family.) Who is Brian Thompson? Brian Thompson was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. He first joined the company in 2004 and held several positions before taking on the role of CEO in 2021. Prior to working at UnitedHealthcare, Thompson was employed at PwC, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also graduated with honors from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor's degree in business administration as an accounting major in May 1997, the school's public relations manager Steve Schmadeke told NBC News. Thompson, who lived in Minnesota, was married to Paulette Thompson —though according to public records viewed by E! News, they had been living in separate homes—and was the father of two sons. He was shot and killed in New York on Dec. 4, 2024. Thompson was 50 years old. How did Brian Thompson die? Patrol officers from the New York City Police Department’s Midtown North Precinct responded to a 911 call at 6:46 a.m. on Dec. 4, 2024 regarding a person who was shot in front of the New York Hilton Midtown hotel, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said in a media briefing later that morning. Kenny noted officers arrived at the scene at 6:48 a.m. and found gunshot wounds on Thompson’s back and leg. The chief detective said Emergency Medical Services transported Thompson several blocks to Mount Sinai West, where the CEO was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m. “The victim was in New York City to speak at an investor conference," NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch said during the media briefing. "It appears the suspect was lying in wait for several minutes. And as the victim was walking to the conference hotel, the suspect approached from behind and fired several rounds, striking the victim at least once in the back and at least once in the right calf. Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target.” Tisch said the shooting appeared to be a “pre-meditated, pre-planned, targeted attack” and not a random act of violence. “The full investigative efforts of the New York City Police Department are well underway,” she noted, “and we will not rest until we identify and apprehend the shooter in this case.” What do investigators know about the shooting of Brian Thompson so far? According to Kenny, the shooter headed to the New York Hilton Midtown on foot and arrived outside the hotel five minutes before Thompson’s arrival. In a video, Kenny continued, Thompson was seen walking alone towards the Hilton at 6:44 a.m. after exiting his separate, nearby hotel apparently for a UnitedHealth Group investors conference that was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. that day. The chief detective added the shooter—who ignored "numerous other pedestrians"—approached Thompson from behind, shot him, walked towards him and continued shooting. Kenny said the gunman then fled on foot before getting on an ebike, and the shooter was seen riding into Central Park at Center Drive at 6:48 a.m. Kenny said three live nine-millimeter rounds and three discharged shell casings were recovered during the investigation. During a Dec. 6 press briefing, Kenny said the words “depose,” “delay” and “deny” were written on the shell casing in marker. However, he’s noted the motive for the killing has yet to be confirmed. What have investigators revealed about the gunman’s timeline? During the Dec. 6 press briefing, Kenny said investigators have footage of the shooter arriving at Port Authority in New York the night of Nov. 24. “We believe that that bus originated in Atlanta,” Kenny continued. “It has several stops along the way, so we’re not sure where he got on the bus.” After the shooter arrived at Port Authority, Kenny continued, the gunman took a cab to the vicinity of the Hilton hotel, where he was for about half an hour before traveling by cab to an Upper West Side hostel. On the morning of the shooting, Kenny added, the gunman left the hostel at 5:30 a.m. and arrived at the Hilton hotel at 5:41 a.m. Kenny said the gunman continued to walk in the vicinity of the hotel before then going to a nearby Starbucks, where he purchased a bottled water and a snack. He then returned to the hotel, and the shooting occurred at 6:44 a.m. Immediately after, the gunman fled the scene. Kenny said the shooter was seen entering Central Park at 60th St. and Center Drive at 6:48 a.m. and exiting the park through W. 77th St. and Central Park West at 6:56 a.m. At 7:00 a.m., Kenny added, the gunman was spotted on W. 86 th St without the bike. And four minutes later, the chief detective continued, the shooter got in a cab at 86 th St. and Amsterdam Avenue. Kenny said the gunman was then seen in the vicinity of the George Washington Bridge at 7:30 a.m. Kenny told CNN on Dec. 6 investigators thought the shooter left NYC after he was seen at Port Authority. Who were investigators looking for? During the Dec. 4 briefing, Kenny said the shooter appeared to be a "light-skin male" who wore "a light brown or cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers and a very distinctive gray backpack." Over the next few days, the NYPD released a series of photos of the individual they were looking for with the person's face was covered with a mask in many of the pictures. A senior law enforcement official told NBC News Dec. 5 the photos with the lowered face mask came from surveillance video at an Upper West Side hostel, and two separate law enforcement officials noted to the outlet investigators were trying to determine if the individual used a fake ID and cash for a hostel room. As for what led the individual to lower the face mask? "Apparently, there was an interaction while he was checking in, making casual conversation," Kenny said at the Dec. 6 briefing. "At some point, he pulled his mask down and smiled at the clerk." Kenny has also said a cellphone was found in an alley where the shooter fled before heading to the ebike, but it's unclear if it belonged to the gunman. Two law enforcement sources told NBC News a backpack was also found in Central Park. Kenny said investigators are "looking at everything"—including Thompson's social media and interviews with employees and family—that could help the case. They're also working with Minnesota and Atlanta law enforcement. Why was Luigi Mangione arrested? Pennsylvania’s Altoona Police Department arrested Luigi Mangione on firearm charges Dec. 9. According to a criminal docket obtained by NBC News, these include two felony charges—one of forgery and one of firearms not to be carried without a license—as well as three misdemeanors: tampering with records or identification, possessing instruments of a crime and providing false identification to law enforcement. NYPD commissioner Tisch said a McDonald’s employee recognized Mangione and that the Altoona police were then called. When asked if he had been to New York recently, Mangione "became quiet and started to shake," police said per NBC News . Tisch also called Mangione a "person of interest" in Thompson's murder and spoke about the efforts to find him, with her thanking law enforcement partners and the public. "For just over five days, our NYPD investigators combed through thousands of hours of video, followed up on hundreds of tips, and processed every bit of forensic evidence: DNA, finger prints, IP addresses and so much more to tighten the net," she said. "We deployed drones, canine units, and scuba divers. We leveraged the domain awareness system, Argus cameras and conducted aviation canvases, and our detectives also went door to door interviewing potential witnesses and doing the good old fashioned police work that our investigators are famous for. This combination of old school detective work and new age technology is what led to this result today." What did police find on Luigi Mangione? In addition to "acting suspiciously," Tisch added, Mangione was "carrying multiple fraudulent IDs as well as a U.S. passport." “Upon further investigation, officers recovered a firearm on his person as well as a suppressor, both consistent with the weapon used in the murder," she continued in the Dec. 9 briefing, per a video shared by NBC News . "They also recovered clothing, including a mask consistent with those worn by our wanted individual." Tisch added officers also recovered a “fraudulent New Jersey ID” that matched the one the individual used to check into the New York hostel prior to the shooting. "Additionally,” she continued, “officers recovered a hand-written document that speaks to both his motivation and mindset.” What other charges is Luigi Mangione facing? On Dec. 9, Manhattan prosecutors filed a murder charge against Mangione, according to court documents obtained by NBC News . The 26-year-old is also facing three counts of criminal possession of a weapon (two in the second-degree for loaded firearm and one in the third degree such as for a silencer) and one count of possessing a forged instrument. He has yet to enter a plea for any charges. What did Luigi Mangione state in his writings? According to NBC News, citing the NYPD, Mangione had three pages of writings on him that totaled less than 300 words when he was taken into custody. Three senior law enforcement officials told the outlet these writings read, in part, "Frankly these parasites had it coming." In the writings, the officials continued, Mangione said he acted alone. However, the officials told NBC News they haven't ruled out other actors at this time. “To the Feds, I’ll keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country," Mangione's writings read, officials told NBC News. "To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn’t working with anyone.” Officials said Mangione also added, "I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done.” However, Tisch noted Mangione's motive has yet to be confirmed. "I think when we look at the manifesto, or that three-page written document that was recovered, you see anti-corporatist sentiment, a lot of issues with the healthcare industry," she said in a Dec. 10 Today interview. "But as to particular specific motive, that will come out as this investigation continues to unfold over the next weeks and months." Has Luigi Mangione appeared in court? Mangione attended a hearing at the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania on Dec. 10. As he arrived, NBC News reported, he yelled out to families, "It’s completely out of touch and an insult to the intelligence of the American people." Per the outlet, Mangione did not waive extradition to New York and was denied bail. As a result, he will remain in Pennsylvania's SCI Huntingdon prison. His lawyer Thomas Dickey told reporters that Mangione will plead not guilty in Pennsylvania and will likely do the same in New York. "I haven’t seen any evidence that says he’s the shooter,” he said, per NBC News . “Remember, and this is not just a small thing: A fundamental concept of American justice is the presumption of innocence, and until you’re proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt." Who is Luigi Mangione? Mangione is a suspect in the murder of Brian Thompson and is facing several other charges in both Pennsylvania and New York, including forgery and criminal possession of a weapon. He's an Ivy League graduate, having received a Bachelor of Science in engineering in 2020 and a Masters of Science in engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, the school confirmed to NBC News . NYPD Chief of Detectives Kenny shared additional details on Mangione's upbringing, saying he was born and raised in Maryland. His most recent address is listed as Honolulu but he also has connections to San Francisco, Kenny told NBC News. After Mangione's arrest, his family released a statement on X . "Unfortunately, we cannot comment on news reports regarding Luigi Mangione," they said in the Dec. 9 post . "We only know what we have read in the media. Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi's arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved. We are devastated by this news." What has Brian Thompson’s family said about his death? After learning of the shooting, Thompson’s family mourned his passing. “We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian,” a family statement obtained by NBC affiliate KARE in Minneapolis on Dec. 5 read. “Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives. Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed. We appreciate your condolences and request complete privacy as our family moves through this difficult time.” Thompson’s wife Paulette also recalled how her husband had received threats prior to his death. "Yes, there had been some threats," she told NBC News Dec. 5. "Basically, I don’t know, a lack of coverage? I don’t know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him." What has UnitedHealth Group said about Brian Thompson’s death? UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, also expressed how it was "deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend" Thompson, flying its flags at half-mast at corporate headquarters in Minnesota. "Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him," a Dec. 4 statement from the organization read. "We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian’s family and all who were close to him.” And while the company noted "our hearts are broken," it shared in a Dec. 5 statement that it has also "been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place." "So many patients, consumers, health care professionals, associations, government officials and other caring people have taken time out of their day to reach out," the message read. "We are thankful, even as we grieve. Our priorities are, first and foremost, supporting Brian’s family; ensuring the safety of our employees; and working with law enforcement to bring the perpetrator to justice. We, at UnitedHealth Group, will continue to be there for those who depend upon us for their health care. We ask that everyone respect the family’s privacy as they mourn the loss of their husband, father, brother and friend." However, there's also been public criticism about UnitedHealthcare, Thompson and America's healthcare system overall. This has included online conversations about insurance companies' claim denial rates as well as a look at accusations against Thompson. For instance, in a class-action lawsuit filed by the City of Hollywood Firefighters' Pension Fund in May 2024 and obtained by NBC News, Thompson was accused of selling more than $15 million of his personal UnitedHealth shares after allegedly learning of an investigation of the company by the U.S. Department of Justice before the public did. When asked about the trades allegedly made by Thompson and other executives, a UnitedHealth spokesperson told Bloomberg in April 2024 "these directors and officers followed our protocols and received approval from the company." The lawsuit, per the BBC , remains active. And while a motive for the shooting hasn't been revealed, many outlets have noted the words “depose,” “delay” and “deny” on the shell casings are similar to the title of the 2010 book Delay Deny Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It . Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro slammed "deeply disturbing" online reactions to the killing: "In America," he said at a Dec. 9 press conference, per NBC News' video, "we do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint." (E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family).

“A lot of times for us, we don’t know whether we should reach out to our Western counterparts to work with them,” Cheung told the South China Morning Post. “Because even if they have interest to work with us ... they may not have the freedom to [do so]. And that is sad in a way.” “So from a scientist’s point of view, it has been difficult over the past few years, particularly in the AI area,” he said.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) — Ethan Taylor's 21 points helped Air Force defeat Mercyhurst 82-48 on Sunday night. Taylor added 10 rebounds for the Falcons (2-4). Wesley Celichowski scored 14 points, going 6 of 11 and 2 of 3 from the free-throw line. Luke Kearney had 12 points and shot 4 for 5 from beyond the arc. The Lakers (4-3) were led by Aidan Reichert, who posted 11 points. Jeff Planutis added 10 points for Mercyhurst. Mykolas Ivanauskas also had seven points, six rebounds and three blocks. Air Force took the lead with 15:21 left in the first half and never looked back. The score was 31-24 at halftime, with Taylor racking up nine points. Air Force extended its lead to 45-26 during the second half, fueled by a 14-0 scoring run. Taylor scored a team-high 12 points in the second half as Air Force closed out the win. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Matvei Michkov making a difference as Flyers battle Golden KnightsFirst City Monument Bank is working with EStars to bring e-sports education to Nigerian schools. A statement from the bank said that the goal was to introduce Nigerians aged 7 to 14 across primary and secondary schools to essential skills for thriving in a digital world early in life. EStars launched its educational esports platform in Nigeria on July 16. The platform provides a fun and structured way for students to learn teamwork, communication, and problem-solving through gaming. These skills are essential for success in today’s world but are often not a focus in traditional classrooms. Commenting on the partnership, the Managing Director of FCMB, Mrs Yemisi Edun, said, “EStars has brought a fun and innovative way to advance students’ knowledge and life skills. This platform allows schools to harness the power of play to cultivate a love for learning.” This initiative aligns with FCMB’s commitment to fostering education and youth development in Nigeria. Related News FCMB offers N30m clean energy loans FCMB launches new accelerator programme to empower 350 FCMB celebrates customer service week Edun added, “At FCMB, we believe in equipping the next generation with the skills they need to thrive in the age of AI and automation. We are not just preparing them for the future but empowering them to shape it.” EStars’ founder, Mags Byrne, echoed this sentiment, saying, “Our mission is to empower young minds with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the esports industry and beyond.” The partnership aims to bridge the gap between traditional education and the burgeoning esports industry, providing students with valuable skills and potential career pathways. At the launch of the platform in July, the British Deputy High Commissioner, Jonny Baxter, noted that “Esports is now fully professional and is expected to contribute significantly to the UK economy. We are happy to support EStars in partnering with Nigerian schools.”

"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.

The ( ) is one of my favourite ideas for retirees for a few different reasons. Retirees, particularly those with self-managed super funds (SMSFs), have many different investment options. But, it seems that retirees are not really taking advantage of some of the great ETFs available. According to the 2024 report from Class, an SMSF software accounting business, only a third of SMSFs have at least one ASX ETF in their portfolio, and the overall ETF allocation makes up less than 6% of the total asset allocation. The Class report showed that 28.3% of SMSF assets were allocated to direct ASX shares, and direct property accounted for 21%. Multiple other categories had a bigger allocation than ETFs, including cash and term deposits, managed funds, unlisted trusts, and even 'other'. Drilling into the ETF investments, perhaps unsurprisingly, the ( ) is the most popular ETF. Only 10% of the SMSFs that were invested in ETFs held some VGS ETF units. Considering all of the above, I think retiree investors would benefit from having some exposure to this great fund. The ASX only accounts for around 2% of the global share market. Investing in the VGS ETF can provide access to much of the global share market that ASX-focused investors are missing out on through just one investment. The Vanguard MSCI Index International Shares ETF is invested in more than 1,300 businesses worldwide. It gives exposure to not only the huge US tech giants but also leaders from places like Europe and Asia. Australia is a great country, but I think it's a good idea to invest in businesses that are looking to grow in multiple/numerous countries globally because it gives them a longer earnings growth runway and more potential to deliver capital growth. Owning this ETF means we don't need to try to decide which country/region-specific ETFs to invest in or which individual international companies to invest in. The VGS ETF can provide that without the guesswork. Given the number of great businesses from numerous countries in this portfolio, I think the annual management fee of 0.18% per annum is very reasonable. Since its inception in November 2014, the VGS ETF has returned an average of 13.1% per annum, but remember, past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. I'll note .7%. So, how would it work to make ? If the fund can continue producing net returns of at least 10% per annum, retirees could decide to sell a sustainable and reasonable portion, say 3% or 4% each year of their holding. The fund may still be able to grow retirees' net worth because, hopefully, the capital growth would be more than the sale proceeds over the longer term.What both sides are saying about ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah

Hezbollah leaders also signalled tentative backing for the US-brokered deal, which offers both sides an off-ramp from hostilities that have driven more than 1.2 million Lebanese and 50,000 Israelis from their homes. An intense bombing campaign by Israel has killed more than 3,700 people, many of them civilians, Lebanese officials say. But while the deal, set to take effect early Wednesday, could significantly calm the tensions that have inflamed the region, it does little directly to resolve the much deadlier war that has raged in Gaza since the Hamas attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that killed 1,200 people. Hezbollah, which began firing scores of rockets into Israel the following day in support of Hamas, has previously said it would keep fighting until there was a stop to the fighting in Gaza. Here’s what to know about the tentative ceasefire agreement and its potential implications: – The terms of the deal The agreement reportedly calls for a 60-day halt in fighting that would see Israeli troops retreat to their side of the border while requiring Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swathe of southern Lebanon. Us President Joe Biden said on Tuesday that the deal is set to take effect at 4am local time on Wednesday. Under the deal, thousands of Lebanese troops and UN peacekeepers are to deploy to the region south of the Litani River. An international panel lead by the US would monitor compliance by all sides. Mr Biden said the deal “was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Israel has demanded the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations. Lebanese officials have rejected writing that into the proposal. Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, insisted on Tuesday that the military would strike Hezbollah if the UN peacekeeping force, known as Unifil, does not provide “effective enforcement” of the deal. – Lingering uncertainty A Hezbollah leader said the group’s support for the deal hinged on clarity that Israel would not renew its attacks. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Qatari satellite news network Al Jazeera. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state” of Lebanon, he said. The European Union’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said on Tuesday that Israel’s security concerns had been addressed in the deal also brokered by France. – Where the fighting has left both sides After months of cross-border bombings, Israel can claim major victories, including the killing of Hezbollah’s top leader, Hassan Nasrallah, most of his senior commanders and the destruction of extensive militant infrastructure. A complex attack in September involving the explosion of hundreds of walkie-talkies and pagers used by Hezbollah was widely attributed to Israel, signalling a remarkable penetration of the militant group. The damage inflicted on Hezbollah has come not only in its ranks, but to the reputation it built by fighting Israel to a stalemate in the 2006 war. Still, its fighters managed to put up heavy resistance on the ground, slowing Israel’s advance while continuing to fire scores of rockets, missiles and drones across the border each day. The ceasefire offers relief to both sides, giving Israel’s overstretched army a break and allowing Hezbollah leaders to tout the group’s effectiveness in holding their ground despite Israel’s massive advantage in weaponry. But the group is likely to face a reckoning, with many Lebanese accusing it of tying their country’s fate to Gaza’s at the service of key ally Iran, inflicting great damage on a Lebanese economy that was already in a grave condition. – No answers for Gaza Until now, Hezbollah has insisted that it would only halt its attacks on Israel when it agreed to stop fighting in Gaza. Some in the region are likely to view a deal between the Lebanon-based group and Israel as a capitulation. In Gaza, where officials say the war has killed more than 44,000 Palestinians, Israel’s attacks have inflicted a heavy toll on Hamas, including the killing of the group’s top leaders. But Hamas fighters continue to hold scores of Israeli hostages, giving the militant group a bargaining chip if indirect ceasefire negotiations resume. Hamas is likely to continue to demand a lasting truce and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza in any such deal. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas offered a pointed reminder on Tuesday of the intractability of the war, demanding urgent international intervention. “The only way to halt the dangerous escalation we are witnessing in the region, and maintain regional and international stability, security and peace, is to resolve the question of Palestine,” he said in a speech to the UN read by his ambassador.

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