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Reeves must unlock the magic of AI if she wants to meet her growth targets, says ALEX BRUMMER By ALEX BRUMMER FOR THE DAILY MAIL Updated: 22:01, 3 December 2024 e-mail 1 View comments Here is an idea for Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves if they are to have any realistic chance of achieving their growth mission. In the disparaged October 30 Budget, among the scraps of encouragement for business, amid the torrent of £40billion of tax increases, was a commitment to make permanent the Tory policy of ‘full expensing’ for companies investing in new plant and equipment. This is all very fine and dandy, but it shows a 20th Century rather than 21st Century mindset at the Treasury. Reeves must recognise by now, given surveys from the CBI, Institute of Directors and the S&P purchasing managers, that instead of boosting confidence, her Budget has had a baleful effect on investment and new orders. This despite the fact that the UK is an island of political stability compared to Continental rivals Germany and France. If Britain is to have any prospect of outperforming or keeping up with the best in class of the G7, it needs to embrace more strongly what the country does well and technologies which will turn on the boosters. Growth boost: One of the few positive parts of the budget was a commitment to make permanent the Tory policy of ‘full expensing’ for companies investing in new plant and equipment That means extending full expensing to innovations which will speed manufacturing processes, advertising and all manner of professional services. The UK is a pioneer in artificial intelligence (AI). Indeed, Reeves is known to refer to DeepMind, now part of Google parent Alphabet, as a British success story. The way then to boost productivity would be to bring AI investment, software, cybersecurity, connectivity and design costs (yes, even the new pink Jaguar) under the full expensing umbrella. It is not an accident that two of the most admired FTSE 100 companies are Relx and software group Sage, which have both pioneered AI in the UK. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Elon Musk vows to fight as his record-breaking £80bn Tesla... Natwest set to return to full private ownership in first... Share this article Share HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to choose the best (and cheapest) stocks and shares Isa and the right DIY investing account Among the reasons why the Elizabeth Line provides a tangible lift to output is that it is fully wired. Driving output through construction and house building is a slow burn, whereas tech, as the US and Israel show, brings much quicker payback. Britain’s second-class broadband, despite the efforts of Openreach, is not good enough. The sooner that Reeves and other members of a misfiring government recognise this, the more able Britain will be to escape Labour’s despond. NatWest redux As a pre-financial crisis shareholder in NatWest, who foolishly bought into disgraced banker Fred Goodwin’s last-ditch fund raising in 2008, one can only breathe a sigh of relief that the extraordinary lengthy period of part-government ownership is ending. Speaking to the FT’s banking conference, the current chief executive Paul Thwaite (they don’t usually last very long) predicted that, barring an economic shock, it will be back in private hands in 2025. It has been a long haul, and one cannot but think that if successive governments had not been scared of taking a loss, NatWest would have been on the road to recovery much earlier. It would not have suffered the slings and arrows which have held it back over a range of issues. It has been sad to watch promising enterprises such as fintech champion Worldpay ditched, at a low valuation, when it could have been a profit centre for the bank. NatWest has huge reach into Britain’s smaller- and medium-sized businesses and farms, but has long looked like a bank looking for a role. Services such as stock broking and document keeping have been slashed along with a vast branch network which could have been a great asset as it seeks to build-on wealth management. Some comfort can be drawn from a recovery in a sub-octane share price which is up 88 per cent this year. Along the way, NatWest has weathered the storm over debanking Nigel Farage at Coutts. The obsession with do-gooding is still rampant. Each time clients log on to online banking, they are greeted with the appearance of an ad for the DEC Middle East Humanitarian Appeal. That is a turn-off for many customers and needs a re-think. Bottoms-up Is the hospitality sector in danger of crying wolf? After the Budget, it seemed as if every pub in the country might be heading for the knacker’s yard. If that is the case, Marston’s, which operates 1,339 outlets, against all odds managed to record a 64.5 per cent jump in annual profits. It also revealed that the National Insurance increase was ‘manageable’. How curious. DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS AJ Bell AJ Bell Easy investing and ready-made portfolios Learn More Learn More Hargreaves Lansdown Hargreaves Lansdown Free fund dealing and investment ideas Learn More Learn More interactive investor interactive investor Flat-fee investing from £4.99 per month Learn More Learn More Saxo Saxo Get £200 back in trading fees Learn More Learn More Trading 212 Trading 212 Free dealing and no account fee Learn More Learn More Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence. 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AP Business SummaryBrief at 5:57 p.m. ESTSaint Nick-Mas: 10 Best Nickelodeon Holiday Specials, Ranked
The mayor of Crowsnest Pass wants an immediate meeting with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to discuss a controversial coal project his community has voted in favour of being built. “The sooner the better,” said Crowsnest Pass Mayor Blair Painter. “Let’s do this.” Residents of the S.W Alberta municipality, which saw its last coal mine close four decades ago, voted in the non-binding referendum on Monday (Nov. 25, 2024) They were asked a simple question: “Do you support the development and operations of the metallurgical coal mine at Grassy Mountain?” There was a 53.6 per cent turnout of eligible voters and 72 per cent of them voted “yes”. The result isn’t binding and has no influence on regulatory or legal challenges – but many in the municipality are hoping the steelmaking coal project proposed by Australia-based Northback Holdings will provide a much needed economic boost. “Council at some point in the near future will have discussion on how we move forward with this,” Painter said. “We will be meeting with the minister of energy and hopefully with the premier again and plead our case as to why we should have this mine here.” The Alberta Energy Regulator is supposed to hold hearings next week on Northback’s application for a coal exploration program, a deep drill permit and a temporary diversion project to collect technical data related to the Grassy Mountain project. The company said the exploration program would use water from previously mined end-of-pit lakes and would not be connected to nearby creeks, rivers or bodies of water. David Thomas, the communications coordinator with Crowsnest Headwaters, which led the “no” campaign, said the battle isn’t over. “The battleground now shifts to the rest of Alberta. We had a vote here in the Crowsnest Pass of people who were feeling left behind by social and economic change and they expressed their views, and I have great sympathy for them,” Thomas said Tuesday. “The downstream flow of Crowsnest and Oldman rivers are seriously in jeopardy now. The danger’s now clear and present.” Thomas said the message would be taken to municipalities, irrigation districts and food processing companies that the mine is not a good deal. The mayor of High River, south of Calgary, sent a letter to the premier last week asking the province to consider broader impacts of the mine. Craig Snodgrass said he wants the government to undertake additional local and provincewide public consultation before the project moves forward. “The non-binding referendum being conducted in the Crowsnest Pass should not be considered as the only voice in this decision-making process,” Snodgrass said in the letter. “Consideration should be extended to all of Albertans downstream of the headwaters, who will experience profound repercussions created from these operations.” Snodgrass said that includes ecological impacts, agriculture production, wildlife preservation and quality and cleanliness of drinking water. Painter said the project has plenty of hurdles to pass and the concerns are being overblown. “Everybody has concerns. Water’s vital,” he said. “We all want clean water. But I think people should be smart enough to know that you cannot do a project of this magnitude without regulations on both the provincial side and the federal side.” Bonnie Castellarin with Citizens Supportive of Crowsnest Coal said her volunteer group backs “responsible mining” and she understands the two sides in the debate are a long way apart. “Realistically, it’s not over. We will continue to forge ahead. They will continue to forge ahead. I doubt we will ever meet in the middle, because both groups are very passionate,” she said. Castellarin, who grew up in the area, said she understands there are environmental concerns, but things have changed since the original mine at Grassy Mountain was shut down decades ago. “Pardon my frankness, but the company 60 years ago came, they raped the land and they left. It’s terrible,” she said. Northback, by contrast, intends to reclaim the land it mines as it goes along and clean up what was left by the previous company, said Castellarin. Northback spokeswoman Rina Blacklaws said the vote result was welcome news. “This vote provides a clear mandate as Northback moves forward with regulatory approvals with the support of residents in the Crowsnest Pass,” she said in a statement. “The government of Alberta needs to provide clarity on regulatory processes and certainty for resource investment, in general.”
By JILL COLVIN and STEPHEN GROVES WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working mostly behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role: Helping Donald Trump try to get his most contentious Cabinet picks to confirmation in the Senate, where Vance has served for the last two years. Vance arrived at the Capitol on Wednesday with former Rep. Matt Gaetz and spent the morning sitting in on meetings between Trump’s choice for attorney general and key Republicans, including members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The effort was for naught: Gaetz announced a day later that he was withdrawing his name amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations and the reality that he was unlikely to be confirmed. Thursday morning Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth, the “Fox & Friends Weekend” host whom Trump has tapped to be the next secretary of defense. Hegseth also has faced allegations of sexual assault that he denies. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings in coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump’s picks. Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., center, and Vice President-elect JD Vance, left, walk out of a meeting with Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, departs the chamber at the Capitol in Washington, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, center speaks during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, right, speaks with Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, before testifying at a hearing, March 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a classified briefing on China, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a vote on Capitol Hill, Sept. 12, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance R-Ohio speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) The role of introducing nominees around Capitol Hill is an unusual one for a vice president-elect. Usually the job goes to a former senator who has close relationships on the Hill, or a more junior aide. But this time the role fits Vance, said Marc Short, who served as Trump’s first director of legislative affairs as well as chief of staff to Trump’s first vice president, Mike Pence, who spent more than a decade in Congress and led the former president’s transition ahead of his first term. ”JD probably has a lot of current allies in the Senate and so it makes sense to have him utilized in that capacity,” Short said. Unlike the first Trump transition, which played out before cameras at Trump Tower in New York and at the president-elect’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, this one has largely happened behind closed doors in Palm Beach, Florida. There, a small group of officials and aides meet daily at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to run through possible contenders and interview job candidates. The group includes Elon Musk, the billionaire who has spent so much time at the club that Trump has joked he can’t get rid of him. Vance has been a constant presence, even as he’s kept a lower profile. The Ohio senator has spent much of the last two weeks in Palm Beach, according to people familiar with his plans, playing an active role in the transition, on which he serves as honorary chair. Vance has been staying at a cottage on the property of the gilded club, where rooms are adorned with cherubs, oriental rugs and intricate golden inlays. It’s a world away from the famously hardscrabble upbringing that Vance documented in the memoir that made him famous, “Hillbilly Elegy.” His young children have also joined him at Mar-a-Lago, at times. Vance was photographed in shorts and a polo shirt playing with his kids on the seawall of the property with a large palm frond, a U.S. Secret Service robotic security dog in the distance. On the rare days when he is not in Palm Beach, Vance has been joining the sessions remotely via Zoom. Though he has taken a break from TV interviews after months of constant appearances, Vance has been active in the meetings, which began immediately after the election and include interviews and as well as presentations on candidates’ pluses and minuses. Among those interviewed: Contenders to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray , as Vance wrote in a since-deleted social media post. Defending himself from criticism that he’d missed a Senate vote in which one of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees was confirmed, Vance wrote that he was meeting at the time “with President Trump to interview multiple positions for our government, including for FBI Director.” “I tend to think it’s more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45,” Vance added on X. “But that’s just me.” While Vance did not come in to the transition with a list of people he wanted to see in specific roles, he and his friend, Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who is also a member of the transition team, were eager to see former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. find roles in the administration. Trump ended up selecting Gabbard as the next director of national intelligence , a powerful position that sits atop the nation’s spy agencies and acts as the president’s top intelligence adviser. And he chose Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services , a massive agency that oversees everything from drug and food safety to Medicare and Medicaid. Vance was also a big booster of Tom Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who will serve as Trump’s “border czar.” In another sign of Vance’s influence, James Braid, a top aide to the senator, is expected to serve as Trump’s legislative affairs director. Allies say it’s too early to discuss what portfolio Vance might take on in the White House. While he gravitates to issues like trade, immigration and tech policy, Vance sees his role as doing whatever Trump needs. Vance was spotted days after the election giving his son’s Boy Scout troop a tour of the Capitol and was there the day of leadership elections. He returned in earnest this week, first with Gaetz — arguably Trump’s most divisive pick — and then Hegseth, who has was been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2017, according to an investigative report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing. Vance hosted Hegseth in his Senate office as GOP senators, including those who sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee, filtered in to meet with the nominee for defense secretary. While a president’s nominees usually visit individual senators’ offices, meeting them on their own turf, the freshman senator — who is accompanied everywhere by a large Secret Service detail that makes moving around more unwieldy — instead brought Gaetz to a room in the Capitol on Wednesday and Hegseth to his office on Thursday. Senators came to them. Vance made it to votes Wednesday and Thursday, but missed others on Thursday afternoon. Vance is expected to continue to leverage his relationships in the Senate after Trump takes office. But many Republicans there have longer relationships with Trump himself. Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, said that Trump was often the first person to call him back when he was trying to reach high-level White House officials during Trump’s first term. “He has the most active Rolodex of just about anybody I’ve ever known,” Cramer said, adding that Vance would make a good addition. “They’ll divide names up by who has the most persuasion here,” Cramer said, but added, “Whoever his liaison is will not work as hard at it as he will.” Cramer was complimentary of the Ohio senator, saying he was “pleasant” and ” interesting” to be around. ′′He doesn’t have the long relationships,” he said. “But we all like people that have done what we’ve done. I mean, that’s sort of a natural kinship, just probably not as personally tied.” Under the Constitution, Vance will also have a role presiding over the Senate and breaking tie votes. But he’s not likely to be needed for that as often as was Kamala Harris, who broke a record number of ties for Democrats as vice president, since Republicans will have a bigger cushion in the chamber next year. Colvin reported from New York. Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.
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Legal authorities generally suggest that the ruling was sound and followed the law.Lindy Klim breaks her silence on split from second husband Adam Ellis: 'Things really spiralled out of control' By SAVANNA YOUNG FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA Published: 22:19, 22 November 2024 | Updated: 22:19, 22 November 2024 e-mail 15 shares View comments Lindy Klim has publicly addressed her heartbreaking separation from her second husband, Adam Ellis. The Balinese princess, 45, and her British property developer husband have gone their separate ways after six years of marriage. Speculation of a break-up first began to swirl in October when Lindy shared a picture without her ring on, with sources since claiming the couple have been over for some time. She has finally broken her silence on the breakdown of her marriage after months of speculation, revealing that her estranged husband has been grappling with a private mental health battle, which ultimately affected her own wellbeing. 'Adam and I have separated but we still love him,' Lindy told Stellar magazine. 'He's an incredible father, not only to Goldie but to the rest of my children. But he's been struggling with his mental health for the last two years which, in turn, has affected my personal wellbeing and my mental state as well. Lindy Klim has publicly addressed her heartbreaking separation from her second husband, Adam Ellis. Pictured together in 2019 'Things really spiralled out of control. I'm not the person that Adam needs. I'm not a doctor. I mean, I'm there for support, obviously, but I was being dragged under by everything.' Lindy said she was 'living with constant anxiety' and told the publication that her family eventually stepped in and raised their concerns about her health after she dramatically lost weight. 'I got really, really skinny, but it wasn’t until I visited Australia that I realised the state I was in,' she added. Lindy has since relocated back to Australia from Bali after her and Adam's separation and shared photographs of her moving into her new home in Melbourne in October. In the Instagram post, Lindt admitted she was 'literally starting from scratch again' after relocating to Melbourne in the big change. Lindy also shared a photo of the first meal she enjoyed in her new home with her friends and family. 'Christening the new house with dirty take out,' the image was captioned. Rumours of a break-up between Lindy and Adam emerged last month when she posed for a picture with her four children - with no sign of her husband. The Balinese princess, 45, and her British property developer husband have gone their separate ways after six years of marriage Speculation of a break-up began to swirl earlier this month when Lindy shared a family picture without her ring on, with sources since claiming the couple have been over for some time Lindy revealed her Adam has been grappling with a private mental health battle, which ultimately affected her own wellbeing. Pictured in 2019 Read More Lindy Klim and her model daughter Stella Klim step out in Melbourne after her split from husband After posting the image to Instagram, eagle-eyed followers noticed that Lindy was also no longer wearing her engagement ring. An insider later claimed the pair have been well and truly over for some time. 'They have also not been seen together for a number of months,' an insider told Confidential . 'Plus he isn't in any of her social media photographs.' Daily Mail Australia was the first to reveal a potential split between Lindy and Adam after the celebrity fashionista posted the tell-tale family photo to her social media. Lindy shares three children - Stella, 18, Rocco, 16, and Frankie, 13 - with her ex-husband Michael Klim, and one with her second husband, Goldie, seven . She amicably co-parents the three children she shares with Michael - who is now in a relationship with Michelle Owen - and credits her ex-husband for her confidence. Two years after her divorce from Michael in 2018, Lindy married Ellis in a lavish Tuscan ceremony. Highly-regarded athlete Michael retired from competitive swimming in 2007 and runs a successful swim school business in Bali, where he lives with Michelle. If you or anyone you know needs immediate support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or via lifeline.org.au. In an emergency, call 000. She told Stellar magazine: 'Adam and I have separated but we still love him' Instagram Melbourne Share or comment on this article: Lindy Klim breaks her silence on split from second husband Adam Ellis: 'Things really spiralled out of control' e-mail 15 shares Add comment
After delay, Trump signs agreement with Biden White House to begin formal transition handoffVANCOUVER — Global Affairs Canada is warning Canadians in South Korea to avoid demonstrations and exercise caution after the country’s president imposed an hours-long period of martial law. The situation in South Korea arose after President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed martial law on Tuesday, vowing to eliminate what he described as “anti-state” forces from the opposition that controls parliament. Yoon’s declaration triggered tense political drama, as troops surrounded the parliament while 190 lawmakers gathered inside to vote to lift the martial law shortly after it was imposed. Global Affairs Canada has not raised the risk level for Canadians in South Korea but did ask those in the country to monitor local media for the latest information, while following authorities’ instructions, such as curfew orders. A Vancouver-based travel agent says the chaos in Seoul is not likely to have a major effect on Canadian visitor numbers to South Korea. Glynnis Chan, owner of Happy Times Travel, says the martial law dissolved quickly and will likely have minimal impact on people’s travel plans, which tend to be made at least two months in advance. “There’s always some sort of impact, but it really depends on what happens with the situation over the long term,” Chan says. “If nothing more happens, people forget after a week or so about what took place.” Chan says she is not expecting any impact on her business, since Japan is a more popular destination among her customers. Several Korean-Canadian travel agencies in Metro Vancouver declined to comment on the political situation in Seoul. After Yoon’s declaration of martial law, hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the national assembly, waving banners and calling for Yoon’s impeachment, while others scuffled with military troops. The South Korean parliamentary members eventually voted to lift the declaration, with national assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring it “invalid.” Police and military personnel were then seen leaving the assembly’s grounds after Woo’s call for their withdrawal. Jae-Yeon Lim, vice-president of the Canada Korea Business Association, says seeing military personnel clash with protesters and lawmakers brought back “harrowing” memories of the 1980 student-led demonstrations in Gwangju that were violently suppressed. Yoon’s move was the first declaration of martial law since the country’s democratization in 1987, and South Korea’s last previous martial law was in October 1979. “It has been a very difficult experience to see that,” Lim says of the latest martial law declaration. “But that said, I’m really happy to see that ... the national assembly managed to get the majority vote to repeal this, and they managed to do that at the risk of their own lives, even though military was there. “This is a country that will stand up for democracy.” Lim also says there would likely be little impact on bilateral relations or trade between the two countries stemming from the sudden onset of political drama, given how quickly martial law was lifted. “It’s not going to stop business from seeking to expand in Canada,” Lim says. “There’s still a very strong interest to do so from many businesses (in South Korea). “We have yet to see what will happen next, but I think that I’m a little bit reassured in seeing what has transpired ... that people are ready to defend their country and democratic rule-of-law.” — With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 3, 2024. Chuck Chiang, The Canadian PressGombe Assembly passes N369.9bn 2025 budgetNone
ATLANTA — On Jan. 18 and 19 the AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! will be held at State Farm Arena in advance of the College Football Playoff national championship on Jan. 20. The star-studded lineup was announced Thursday at a news conference at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Performances will include Lil Wayne and GloRilla on Saturday; and Camila Cabello, Myles Smith and Knox on Sunday. On game day, the Allstate Championship Tailgate, taking place just outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the Home Depot Backyard, will feature country acts on the Capital One Music Stage, including global superstar Kane Brown and iHeartCountry “On The Verge” artist Ashley Cooke. The concerts are just two of the festivities visiting fans can enjoy in the days leading up to the big game. The fan experience for both ticket holders and the general public has been a focus for event planners. All weekend long, an estimated 100,000 people from across the country are expected to attend fan events preceding kickoff. “It will be an opportunity for fans of all ages to come together to sample what college football is all about, and you don’t have to have a ticket to the game to be a part of it,” said Bill Hancock, executive director of the CFP in a press release. “We’ve worked closely with the Atlanta Football Host Committee to develop fan-friendly events that thousands will enjoy come January.” On Saturday, Jan. 18, Playoff Fan Central will open at the Georgia World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. The free, family-friendly experience will include games, clinics, pep rallies, special guest appearances, autograph signings and exhibits celebrating college football and its history. That day, fans can also attend Media Day, presented by Great Clips, which will feature one-hour sessions with student-athletes and coaches from each of the College Football Playoff national championship participating teams. ESPN and social media giants X, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok will be taping live broadcasts from the event. On Sunday, Jan. 19, the Trophy Trot, both a 5K and 10K race, will wind its way through the streets of downtown Atlanta. Each Trophy Trot participant will receive a T-shirt and finisher’s medal. Participants can register at atlantatrackclub.org. On Sunday evening, the Georgia Aquarium will host the Taste of the Championship dining event, which offers attendees the opportunity to indulge in food and drink prepared by local Atlanta chefs. This premium experience serves as an elevated exploration of local cuisine on the eve of the national championship. Tickets to the Taste of the Championship event are available on etix.com. Atlanta is the first city ever to repeat as host for the CFP national championship. The playoff was previously held in Atlanta in 2018. “We are honored to be the first city to repeat as host for the CFP national championship and look forward to welcoming college football fans from around the country in January,” said Dan Corso, president of the Atlanta Sports Council and Atlanta Football Host Committee. “This event gives us another opportunity to showcase our incredible city.” The College Football Playoff is the event that crowns the national champion in college football. The quarterfinals and semifinals rotate annually among six bowl games — the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic, Vrbo Fiesta Bowl, Capital One Orange Bowl, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl Game presented by Prudential and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. This year’s quarterfinals will take place on Dec. 31, 2024 and Jan. 1, 2025, while the semifinals will be Jan. 9-10, 2025. The CFP national championship will be Monday, Jan. 20, 2025, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. For additional information on the College Football Playoff, visit CollegeFootballPlayoff.com.Rwanda’s Kagame collaborates with Kingsley Moghalu for African School of Governance
By Chinenye Anuforo Patricia Technologies has begun repaying customers impacted by the 2022 security breach, as part of its efforts to address the fallout and regain consumer confidence. This follows a two-year period where the company focused on recovering funds and rebuilding trust. In 2022, Patricia experienced a major cyberattack, resulting in the loss of over N600 million from customer accounts. Following the breach, the company temporarily restricted withdrawals and collaborated with law enforcement, leading to the arrest of several suspects, including a prominent politician. Patricia had previously requested a two-to-five-year repayment window, a plan that is now being implemented. The company has started disbursing funds to affected customers in phases, with the first batch of payments initiated on December 10, 2024. The Chief Executive Officer, Hanu Fejiro, emphasised the company’s commitment to its customers, stating, “This repayment process represents a milestone in fulfilling our promise to make things right.” He encouraged customers to update their information on the Patricia platform and monitor official channels for further updates on their individual repayment timelines. Subscribers who are getting paid in this phase have since been officially notified by email. One of the subscribers, with initials BP (for purposes of confidentiality), expressed appreciation and satisfaction with being paid by Patricia via an email reaction: “I really appreciate your effort. Though it took a long time, I’m satisfied with what I’ve received. Thank you for keeping to your words.”PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s online media association said two reporters were killed and several others were wounded in a gang attack on Tuesday on the reopening of Port-au-Prince’s biggest public hospital. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and they forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year. Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility Tuesday but as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire in a vicious Christmas Eve attack. Robest Dimanche, a spokesman for the Online Media Collective, identified the dead journalists as Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean. Dimanche said an unspecified number of reporters had also been wounded in the attack, which he blamed on the Viv Ansanm coalition of gangs. Haiti’s interim president, Leslie Voltaire, said in an address to the nation that journalists and police were among the victims of the attack. He did not specify how many casualties there were, or give a breakdown for the dead or wounded. “I send my sympathies to the people who were victims, the national police and the journalists,” Voltaire said, pledging “this crime is not going to go unpunished.” A video posted online by the reporters trapped inside the hospital showed what appeared to be two lifeless bodies of men on stretchers, their clothes bloodied. One of the men had a lanyard with a press credential around his neck. Radio Télé Métronome initially reported that seven journalists and two police officers were wounded. Police and officials did not immediately respond to calls for information on the attack. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. They forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year during violence that also targeted the main international airport and Haiti’s two largest prisons. Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility Tuesday but as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire. Video posted online earlier showed reporters inside the building and at least three lying on the floor, apparently wounded. That video could also not be immediately verified. Johnson “Izo” André, considered Haiti’s most powerful gang leader and part of a gang known as Viv Ansanm, which that has taken control of much of Port-au-Prince , posted a video on social media claiming responsibility for the attack. The video said the gang coalition had not authorized the hospital’s reopening. Haiti has seen journalists targeted before. In 2023, two local journalists were killed in the space of a couple of weeks — radio reporter Dumesky Kersaint was fatally shot in mid-April that year, while journalist Ricot Jean was found dead later that month. In July, former Prime Minister Garry Conille visited the Hospital of the State University of Haiti, more widely known as the General Hospital, after authorities regained control of it from gangs. The hospital had been left ravaged and strewn with debris. Walls and nearby buildings were riddled with bullet holes, signaling fights between police and gangs. The hospital is across the street from the national palace, the scene of several battles in recent months. Gang attacks have pushed Haiti’s health system to the brink of collapse with looting, setting fires, and destroying medical institutions and pharmacies in the capital. The violence has created a surge in patients and a shortage of resources to treat them. Haiti’s health care system faces additional challenges during the rainy season, which is likely to increase the risk of water-borne diseases. Poor conditions in camps and makeshift settlements have heightened the risk of diseases like cholera, with over 84,000 suspected cases in the country, according to UNICEF. Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
Israel approves proposed ceasefire with Lebanon's HezbollahAries - (21st March to 19th April) Daily Horoscope Prediction says, nothing matches your confidence Your love affair will be intact today and ensure you take up new challenges at work to prove your mettle. Handle wealth diligently and take care of your health. Be cool in love and display professional potential at the workplace. Go for smart money decisions today. Minor health issues may exist and you need to be careful about the lifestyle. Aries Love Horoscope Today Consider the aspirations of the lover while making crucial decisions related to the relationship. This will strengthen the bond. Ensure you spend more time with the lover and also avoid delving into the past that may hurt the emotions of the lover. Some love affairs will be tough times as the parents may be against your love affair. Married natives may have troubles in the family of the spouse and it is crucial to communicate with the spouse. Single Aries natives may go back to the ex-flame today. Aries Career Horoscope Today Consider the challenges in professional life to ensure you meet the expectations of the management. Your commitment will keep the clients satisfied. Utilize your negotiation skills while dealing with new clients and also be ready to even visit them despite the tight schedule. This will have positive results. Those who are into arts, sports, and creative segments will see new opportunities. Entrepreneurs will be happy to introduce new concepts and will have the backing of promoters. Aries Money Horoscope Today You are prosperous today as wealth will come in from different sources. Some businessmen will sign new deals and funds will come in for expansion. There can be troubles within the family over property while a few females will also resolve money-related issues today. Ensure you take proper precautions while making online transactions. Those who have a plan for a vacation abroad can go ahead with the hotel reservation and flight booking as their financial status permits that. Aries Health Horoscope Today Minor health issues will exist today. Those with nerve and acidity issues need to be extremely cautious. Do not hesitate to take the help of a doctor in needy situations. Reduce the sugar intake and keep junk food away from the menu. Make leafy vegetables a part of the diet. Aries Sign Attributes Strength: Optimistic, Energetic, Sincere, Multitalented, Venturesome, generous, cheerful, curious Weakness: Reckless, Argumentative, Loud-mouthed, Impatient Symbol: Ram Element: Fire Body Part: Head Sign Ruler: Mars Lucky Day: Tuesday Lucky Color: Red Lucky Number: 5 Lucky Stone: Ruby Aries Compatibility Chart Natural affinity: Gemini, Leo, Sagittarius, Aquarius Good compatibility: Aries, Libra Fair compatibility: Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio, Pisces Less compatibility: Cancer, Capricorn By: Dr. J. N. Pandey Vedic Astrology & Vastu Expert Website: www.astrologerjnpandey.com E-mail: djnpandey@gmail.com Phone: 91-9811107060 (WhatsApp Only)A new record is a new record, even if it barely breaks the prior record. According to the NFL, the audience for the three Thanksgiving games averaged 34.2 million viewers. Last year’s record was 34.1 million. In 2023, the slate consisted of Packers-Lions, Commanders-Cowboys, and 49ers-Seahawks. This year, it was Bears-Lions, Giants-Cowboys, and Dolphins-Packers. The total, unduplicated audience ( i.e. , everyone who tuned it at some point for at least one of the three games) was 141 million. That’s also a record. It’s not a surprise. For millions, football and Thanksgiving are synonymous. It’s part of the ritual, no matter the quality of the games. Even with a so-so Dallas game featuring backup quarterbacks and non-competitive teams, 38.8 million watched.
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