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nn777 xyz A record 3.4 million young Chinese flocked to the civil service exam this year, lured by the prospect of lifetime job security and perks including subsidised housing as an economic slowdown batters the private sector and youth unemployment remains high. Applicant numbers, which surged by over 400,000 from last year and have tripled since 2014, reflect the huge demand for stability from disillusioned Gen Z Chinese and the lack of attractive options in the private sector even though local governments are struggling to pay wages due to a fiscal crisis. Klaire, a master’s student in Beijing, took the notoriously competitive exam in early December, studying for nine hours a day and spending 980 yuan ($134) on online tutoring. She cited social prestige and stability as major factors why she is only applying for government or state-owned enterprise (SOE) jobs. Klaire has also seen colleagues get laid off during a previous tech internship. “I only want to pass the exam and not worry about what happens next,” said the 24-year-old, withholding her surname for privacy reasons. “Despite personally knowing civil servants who haven’t been paid for months, I still applied because I don’t wish to make lots of money.” If she passes the exam, she will have a further interview as well as political background and physical checks, with the final outcome expected around April. Layoffs are rare in China’s civil service, earning it the “iron rice bowl” moniker, though individuals can be dismissed for disciplinary violations. “The current leadership has no intent of reducing the size of public sector workers, who are the backbone of regime stability,” said Alfred Wu, associate professor at National University of Singapore. Most civil service openings have an age limit of 35 and offer subsidised housing and social insurance, a major attraction for graduates disillusioned by the paucity of private sector job opportunities. Youth unemployment rates, which fell slightly in recent months, remain elevated compared to pre-pandemic figures as China’s economy struggles to recover amid a prolonged property sector crisis and frail consumption. Many Gen Z Chinese “feel a strong sense of burnout and don’t know what is meaningful” after having their university years defined by the pandemic and China’s economic slowdown, said a Chinese sociology professor on condition of anonymity. As the present generation of Chinese graduates have not experienced the mass state sector layoffs of the 90s, many have an idealised view of government work, he said, noting an apt summation in a social media meme: “Becoming a civil servant is the endpoint of the universe". WAGE WOES However, rare interviews with ten public sector employees across four Chinese provinces paint a different picture: widespread bonus reductions and pay cuts of up to 30% this year have prompted some to consider resigning, while local government austerity drives have led to sporadic staff cuts. Some civil servants say they have been unpaid for months. Others survive on as little as 4,000 yuan ($550) monthly while supporting families and paying off loans. Many asked for anonymity to avoid retribution. Despite these obvious woes, high nationwide youth unemployment has fed strong demand for civil service roles, which have surged from 2019’s 14,500 to 39,700 this year. Katherine Lin quit her civil service job in the southern megacity of Shenzhen in July after her 15,000 yuan ($2000) salary dropped by a quarter, bonuses were scrapped, and managers hinted at further downsizing. “Some departments chose to either cut salaries by 30% or fire people in response to cost-cutting policies,” she said. At least three Shenzhen district-level bureaux were merged and nine employees dismissed this year, public notices show. In her housing bureau role, she handled an unprecedented number of migrant worker protests last December, when they normally demand wages before Chinese New Year. Another civil servant in rural Guangdong province described his salary of 4,000 yuan ($550) as “stable poverty” after monthly bonuses of 1,000 yuan ($140) stopped in June. In Shandong, civil servants complained on social media in September about being paid only one month per quarter, part of a policy called “guarantee four (months’ salary), strive for six". The State Council and Shenzhen government did not reply to faxed requests for comment. DOWNSIZING PRESSURE Beijing has long faced calls to reform its bloated state sector. Despite repeated downsizing campaigns, China’s civil service jobs swelled from 6.9 million in 2010 to 8 million currently, with at least a further 31 million public employees such as school and hospital workers who have fewer employment protections than civil servants. Chinese provinces have quietly cut tens of thousands of public sector positions since 2020, mostly through hiring reductions and attrition. Wage arrears are “systematic and universal across the country, and are impossible to solve substantially in the short term,” said a governance professor at an elite Chinese university on condition of anonymity, adding that this could increase corruption as officials supplement their salaries through tips and bribes, as well as increased administrative fines for citizens. “The most pressing issue now is social stability,” said the professor. “Therefore the lesser of two evils will cause the expansion of civil service hiring and the neglect of institutional reform.”The Pittsburgh Steelers take on what is typically an unenviable task -- traveling on a short week for a Thursday night primetime game. However, a few things are playing in Pittsburgh's favor as Week 12 of the NFL regular season kicks off. Namely, the "trip" to Cleveland is a little more than two hours by road and when the Steelers arrive there, they'll be facing a backup quarterback at the helm of a massively underwhelming 2-8 Browns team. The Steelers (8-2) are coming off a huge win over Baltimore to stay atop the AFC North. And Pittsburgh is beginning to set its sights on potential home-field advantage come playoff time. ODDS AND TRENDS The Steelers are a consensus 3.5-point favorite. That includes at BetRivers, where they have been backed by 80 percent of the spread-line money. Pittsburgh's -195 moneyline to simply win the game has been even more popular, drawing 95 percent of all money wagered. The Browns enter Thursday night having failed to cover the spread in nine of their past 12 games. Meanwhile, the Steelers have covered the spread in every game during their five-game win streak. The 37.0 total points line has seen the Over backed by 65 percent of the money and 70 percent of the total bets. Each of Cleveland's past eight November home games has gone under the total points line. PROP PICKS --Steelers WR George Pickens Over 50 Receiving Yards (-195 at DraftKings): Russell Wilson has thrown six touchdowns in the four games since he took over as the starting quarterback. Two of those have gone to Pickens, who has at least 74 receiving yards in each of those games. There is some concern that Pittsburgh gains a big early lead and turns to a run-heavy attack, but Wilson throws an excellent deep ball and that plays into Pickens' strength. This is the most popular player prop at the book. --Steelers RB Najee Harris Anytime TD (+100 at BetRivers): That potential for a run-heavy approach should benefit Harris, who found the sledding tough against Baltimore with 63 yards on the ground. He was also held out of the end zone for the second time in three games. Keep in mind that Cleveland has allowed only three touchdowns on the ground all season, but the Browns have allowed 12 through the air. Harris has a trio of scores on the ground and receiving through 10 games. KEY STAT The Browns have won the first quarter in five consecutive home games against the Steelers. THE NEWS The Steelers have certainly been locked in. They are currently riding a five-game winning streak, most recently edging the Baltimore Ravens 18-16 on Sunday. Chris Boswell booted six field goals against Baltimore, while Wilson completed 23 of 36 passes for 205 yards and an interception. Meanwhile, Cleveland continues to go through the wringer. The Browns ended up on the wrong end of a 35-14 blowout while facing the host New Orleans Saints on Sunday, marking their seventh loss in the past eight games. Cleveland now has to go up against one of the most unforgiving defenses in the league. Browns quarterback Jameis Winston is determined to direct a fundamentally sound performance against Pittsburgh, which allows the second-fewest points per game in the NFL (16.2). "It's precision passing. Getting the ball out on time. Elite operation and just doing our job. It's the simple things," Winston said. "This team (the Steelers) is not going to try and fool you. They're going to line up and say, 'Give us your best, we're going to give you our best.'" Winston threw for 395 yards and two touchdowns on 30-for-46 passing in the setback against New Orleans, with Jerry Jeudy hauling in six catches for 142 yards and a score. Star running back Nick Chubb continued to struggle since his return from a knee injury that cut his 2023 season short, finishing with 50 yards on 11 carries. INJURY REPORT The Browns could be without standout defensive end Myles Garrett, who missed practice on Tuesday because of a hip injury. Wide receiver Elijah Moore (shoulder), guard Joel Bitonio (pectoral) and cornerbacks Denzel Ward (ribs/ankle) and Greg Newsome II (shoulder) were among those limited during the session. Linebacker Alex Highsmith is dealing with an ankle issue and was ruled out by the Steelers along with cornerback Cory Trice Jr. (hamstring). THEY SAID IT Wilson is starting to feel like he might be part of something special, but he also doesn't want Pittsburgh to get ahead of itself. "I definitely think that we have a chance (to make a deep playoff run)," said Wilson, who has played in two Super Bowls. "I think the biggest thing for us is continuing to just take each week as the most important week of it all. "I think that it's not really even just the week, it's just the day, it's just the moments in between. I think the greatest teams, the greatest players, in any sport, especially the teams I've been on, is the moment -- it's never too far away. It's right here, right now. And you're just locked into that." PREDICTION Divisional road games on short weeks typically shape up as a daunting task. That's not the case for the Steelers, who will be hyper-focused to put this one out of reach early before enjoying 10 days ahead of a trip to Cleveland. With a second game against the Browns before a huge game at Philadelphia, this is not an under-manned opponent Pittsburgh will look past. --Steelers 27, Browns 19 --Field Level Media

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Seahawks add some depth, pick up safetyshaunl/iStock Unreleased via Getty Images This monthly article series reports industry metrics in the consumer staples sector. It is also a top-down analysis of sector ETFs like The Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR® Fund ETF ( XLP ) and Vanguard Quantitative Risk & Value (QRV) provides you with risk indicators and data-driven, time-tested strategies. Get started with a two-week free trial now. Fred Piard, PhD. is a quantitative analyst and IT professional with over 30 years of experience working in technology. He is the author of three books and has been investing in data-driven systematic strategies since 2010. Quantitative Risk & Value Learn more Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have a beneficial long position in the shares of KO, KMB, MO, PEP either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

By A Correspondent | ZimEye | In a tense and ultimately futile attempt to address Mozambique’s post-election crisis, President Filipe Nyusi’s high-profile meeting with opposition figures failed to gain any traction. The meeting on Monday, intended to involve all four presidential candidates, stalled as Venâncio Mondlane, the main opposition leader and widely viewed by citizens as the legitimate winner of the disputed elections, was absent. The absence of Mondlane, a critical voice in the discussions, left the meeting ineffective. Critics have noted the failure to create an environment conducive to meaningful dialogue. Mondlane’s absense, following the assassination of his lawyer, highlights the heightened risks faced by opposition leaders. The development comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s president Mnangagwa celebrated election win of Chapo and the Frelimo party before the electoral commission had announced the results and at a time when the same (Mnangagwa)’s party members had been caught on camera rigging Mozambique’s elections . The rigging is an execution of the Mnangagwa-Zupco-SADC-Majority-Corpses formula done for the purpose of changing election results. During the meeting, the frustrations over Mondlane’s absence were evident. As one speaker noted, “If the problem is the process, there is reason enough for the candidate who is absent to be here with us.” Despite this acknowledgment, no alternative measures—such as remote participation—were implemented to facilitate his involvement. Efforts to bring the candidates together were further described during the meeting. A participant expressed gratitude for the attempt to gather all voices, stating, “I want first to thank all the efforts of your part in inviting us to be part of the solution of the problems that are experienced after the election.” However, the absence of Mondlane made it clear that this effort would fall short of addressing the nation’s pressing issues. The discussion also emphasized the significance of unity in resolving the crisis, with another speaker stating, “We thought we should be present to find one solution regarding this theme that was raised here.” Yet the absence of the key opposition leader left the gathering without the comprehensive participation needed for progress. As Mozambique’s political impasse deepens, the failure of this meeting underscores the fragility of the current dialogue process. Without Mondlane’s involvement, any resolutions emerging from such discussions risk being dismissed as incomplete and lacking legitimacy. For now, the political crisis remains unresolved, with the stakes for Mozambique’s democracy higher than ever. The Mnangagwa-Zupco-SADC-Majority-Corpse Algorithm Produced 4,912,762 Daniel Chapo Votes. -Mnangagwa’s Systematic Blueprint for Election Rigging in Southern Africa – The Mozambique 2024 Election Case Study- Abstract This video investigation report presents authoritative evidence exposing the Mnangagwa-ZUPCO-SADC-Majority-Corpse formula, a well-documented mechanism for election manipulation in Southern Africa. Using physical findings from investigations by Al Jazeera’s Gold Mafia lead investigator Simba Chikanza and whistleblower Shepherd Yuda (featured by ITV, BBC, and The Guardian), this study focuses on the rigging of Mozambique’s 2024 election. Daniel Chapo was declared the winner with 71% of the vote, using methods operated by Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration. The investigation uncovers how state apparatus, regional complicity, and disinformation were deployed to undermine democracy in Mozambique and create non credible election results that include foreign data and tweaks that form the entire 4,9million votes that Daniel Chapo was reported to have won by, findings that dismiss previous reports that suggested that the number of non eligible voters is below 300,000. Southern Africa has become a hotbed for election rigging, as exposed by global investigative journalists and whistleblowers. This paper delves into the Mnangagwa-ZUPCO-SADC-Majority-Corpse formula—a system employed by Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa to manipulate elections—and its replication in Mozambique’s 2024 elections, which fraudulently handed victory to Daniel Chapo with 71% of the vote. The investigation, backed by reports from credible sources such as Al Jazeera, ITV, BBC, and The Guardian, reveals how a combination of military involvement, state-controlled logistics, and regional complicity was used to subvert the will of the electorate. 2.1 Mnangagwa’s Philosophy of “Majority Corpses” In public addresses, Mnangagwa has for over 9 years repeatedly referred to election winners as “corpses,” implying that those who emerge victorious in elections are quickly designated the “dead” descriptive. This chilling narrative is part of a broader psychological campaign to delegitimize the chosen popular leaders while normalizing rigging as a norm. 2.2 Election Rigging Logistics: ZUPCO Buses and Military Interference ZUPCO buses, a state-owned transport service in Zimbabwe, have been central to rigging operations. Investigative footage shows these buses transporting individuals to polling stations in Mozambique during both the 2019 and 2024 elections. These operatives were involved in vote-stuffing and ballot manipulation that follows a Mnangagwa algorithmic pattern, that commands that performance numbers of election winners must be lowered in every way possible. Furthermore, Mnangagwa’s spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa openly admitted in 2017 that the army would be used to “change election results.” This same tactic was replicated in Mozambique, where military presence at polling stations was used to intimidate voters and opposition agents. 2.3 SADC’s Role: Complicity in Electoral Fraud. Regional complicity, particularly through the Southern African Development Community (SADC), has been critical in legitimizing fraudulent elections. Chris Mutsvangwa’s 2023 statement labeling SADC as “our personal project” underscores the extent to which the regional body is used to rubber-stamp rigged elections. Despite overwhelming evidence of fraud in Mozambique’s 2024 election, SADC prematurely declared the process “free and fair.” 3.1 The 71% Victory of Daniel Chapo. Daniel Chapo’s declared 71% victory is devoid of any data substance backing it being a Mnangagwa-ZUPCO-SADC-Majority-Corpse Formula construct. This result is statistically implausible, given not just the formulae used, but widespread reports of opposition support and growing discontent with Frelimo governance. 3.2 Evidence of Manipulation Investigative reports and video evidence confirm the deployment of ZUPCO buses to transport operatives involved in ballot stuffing. Eyewitness testimonies revealed that military personnel barred opposition agents from accessing polling stations and tampered with ballot boxes. Whistleblower Shepherd Yuda, known for exposing rigging tactics in Zimbabwe, provided further evidence linking the same methods to Mozambique’s election. His revelations, corroborated by Al Jazeera, The Guardian, and ITV, detail how Frelimo operatives coordinated with ZANU-PF advisors to execute the rigging plan. 3.3 The Role of Disinformation. Mnangagwa’s infamous rhetoric, branding election winners as “corpses,” was mirrored in the Mozambican government’s post-election narrative. This disinformation campaign sought to delegitimize the opposition leader while justifying the fraudulent results. 3.4 GoldMafia documentary findings. This investigation corroborated by financial institutions of various countries and done by the Al Jazeera Investigative Unit was conducted over 7 years between 2015 and 2023, listing Mozambique as one of the countries where gold reserves have been looted to finance the rigging of elections using Mnangagwa-business partners Ewan McMillan, Alistair Mathias and Kamlesh Pattni’s published formula. It has prominent Mnangagwa’s business partner Kamlesh Pattni announcing a book he has authored to instruct the election rigging formular. “I’ve written books on that, I will give you the book, Ive written on how democracy should work,” Pattni announces. Alistair Mathias says: “in Ghana alone I do $40 million per month out of Ghana, this region I do probably about 500 to a ton again, so I do roughly about $70 – $80 million per month.” We can export from Zambia, we can export from South Africa” Ewan Mcmillan says, “...we have a company in Zambia, Angola, Mozambique, we can export from anywhere.” Kamlesh Pattni says: “We are in Zimbabwe, we are in Malawi, we are in Zambia, we are in DRC Congo, we are in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, etc” 3.5 Video footage from the Masvingo Mirror newspaper video broadcasts before Mozambique’s 2019 and 2024 election runs respectively, are clear showing a large group of ZANU PF party supporters being transported by government of Zimbabwe, Zupco buses to polling stations to register for the first a if they are Mozambicans in order to politically assist a party ally Daniel Chapo and his processor, Phillip Nyusi. The video data presented proven by traceable identity documents plus number plates of the government buses, is corroborated across the community of newspapers, and civil and state institituoins in Zimbabwe. 3.6 The video data is also corroborated and confirmed by the ITV and Guardian newspaper election rigging whistleblower, Shepherd Yuda, who first captured rigging being done during Zimbabwe’s 2008 elections. The Mnangagwa-ZUPCO-SADC-Majority-Corpse formula represents a direct assault on democratic principles. Its use in Mozambique underscores a regional trend where authoritarian regimes collaborate to retain power at the expense of electoral integrity. 4.1 Regional Destabilization The formula’s replication across Southern Africa risks entrenching authoritarianism and destabilizing the region. By undermining free and fair elections, these regimes erode public trust in democratic institutions and fuel political unrest. 4.2 SADC’s Credibility Crisis SADC’s complicity in endorsing fraudulent elections diminishes its legitimacy as a regional body. Reform is urgently needed to restore its role as a neutral arbiter of democratic processes. Mozambique’s 2024 election exposes the dangerous exportation of Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa-ZUPCO-SADC-Majority-Corpse formula. To counter this trend, the following measures are essential: 1. Independent Oversight: The African Union and international organizations must take a more active role in election monitoring to prevent regional complicity in fraud. 2. Accountability Mechanisms: Individuals and institutions implicated in electoral manipulation, including those within SADC, must face sanctions and legal repercussions. 3. Citizen Empowerment: Public awareness campaigns are crucial to educate citizens about their electoral rights and the dangers of authoritarianism. The evidence presented by The Guardian, ITV, and whistleblower Shepherd Yuda provides an irrefutable case for the international community to act against election rigging in Southern Africa. Safeguarding democracy in the region requires a united effort to dismantle the Mnangagwa-ZUPCO-SADC-Majority-Corpse formula. References • Al Jazeera’s Gold Mafia documentary and lead investigator Simba Chikanza. • Shepherd Yuda’s whistleblower testimony on election rigging in Zimbabwe and Mozambique. • Chris Mutsvangwa’s public statements on military involvement and SADC’s complicity. • Video evidence of ZUPCO buses during Mozambique’s 2019 and 2024 elections. • Eyewitness accounts and investigative reports from BBC, ITV, and The Guardian.

On October 22, a longstanding tradition at Indonesia’s Ministry of Defense took on new significance as President Prabowo Subianto handed the role of defense minister over to Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin, a seasoned military leader and former colleague. The event was further elevated by the attendance of many prominent retired senior military officers, creating an atmosphere of camaraderie and optimism. The gathering of these senior officers symbolized collective support for the direction in which Sjafrie is likely to take Indonesia’s defense policy – a direction aligned with Prabowo’s vision of modernizing the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) in response to both domestic and regional security demands. Sjafrie’s experience in defense policymaking extends beyond his military career, also including his tenure as secretary-general of the Ministry of Defense (2004-2009) and later as deputy minister under Purnomo Yusgiantoro (2010-2014). This period marked Indonesia’s efforts to rebuild its defense posture through the “Minimum Essential Forces” initiative – a long-term plan to strengthen defense capabilities and the domestic defense industry. It also marked a strategic shift in the country’s defense policy, from its previous focus on the domestic political realm to greater attention on regional and geopolitical dynamics, recognizing the military’s key role in global interactions. During this period, Sjafrie played a key role in refining defense procurement procedures that involved adjusting the balance of decision-making power between the ministry and the military branches. Additionally, his legacy includes the establishment of the Defense Industry Policy Committee, which aims to harmonize military procurement with the development of Indonesia’s defense industry, including policies on offsets and technology transfers. This background is crucial as Sjafrie steps into his new role, inheriting a legacy of strategic policy development. His appointment also coincides with a renewed focus on enhancing Indonesia’s defense capabilities, particularly in response to regional pressures like South China Sea tensions and the AUKUS pact, which heighten the need for a stable power balance between the U.S. and China. Beyond Procurement Indonesia’s greater role in geopolitical stage requires a strong defense posture, and Sjafrie will play a key role in advancing Prabowo’s vision. Therefore, it is essential that increased defense budgets translate not only into upgraded capabilities but also address internal challenges. Conversations with military officials and defense policy experts underscore several pressing challenges that need attention. Furthermore, force sustainment often lacks sufficient funding especially for maintenance, leading to decreased operational readiness for some critical systems. Currently, defense procurement heavily favors foreign manufacturers, relegating the domestic defense industry, including state-owned enterprises under the Defend ID holding company, to a supporting role for offset and technology transfer requirements. While modernization often necessitates foreign procurement, Sjafrie must ensure that these acquisitions bring meaningful benefits to the local industry through comprehensive offset agreements and technology transfers, fostering a self-sufficient and resilient defense industry. Sjafrie’s familiarity with these companies’ structural issues will be essential as he will need to lay out a sustainable defense procurement plan that will not only help state-owned defense companies such as PTDI, PAL, Pindad, LEN, and Dahana survive but also thrive. This will likely require balancing the expected quick outcomes in terms of defense capabilities with the more longer-term impact on the domestic defense industry. Structural reform Structural reform within the Indonesian Armed Forces (TNI) is another critical challenge – one that is often overlooked. With his strong political backing, Sjafrie is in a position to chart the future structure and size of the TNI, a proposal that past administrations have been reluctant to address due to its political sensitivity. The TNI, currently comprising 404,500 personnel, faces structural inefficiencies that Sjafrie will need to address. Over the years, the TNI has seen a growing number of high-ranking officers – often assigned to civilian roles – that has expanded its size without necessarily adding to its operational capacity. Defense analysts suggest that a leaner force could allow TNI to concentrate resources on training, equipment, and strategic readiness, creating a more agile and capable defense force. A former TNI Chief once suggested that 150,000 would be the ideal size for the Indonesian Army, which currently employs twice that number. Although opinions may vary on the exact figure, there is broad consensus on the need for a well-equipped, well-trained, and adequately compensated force – a goal that remains prohibitively expensive at its current size. Budget constraints, however, are an ever-present reality. While Prabowo is committed to defense, his strong emphasis on large-scale social programs means that defense budgets will remain tight, especially considering Indonesia’s economic realities in the uncertain global climate. In this context, Sjafrie is expected to craft strategic policies that focus on building Indonesia’s deterrence capabilities in critical areas and address the most pressing problems in order to maximize the impact of available resources. Another significant challenge for Sjafrie is gaining acceptance among civil society organizations, given his extensive military background, which includes deployments in conflict zones like the former East Timor and Aceh, as well as his involvement in Jakarta during the bloody unrest of 1998 as Indonesia transitioned to democracy. While history cannot be undone, Sjafrie would do well to follow in the footsteps of his former mentor, Juwono Sudarsono, who earned respect as a defense minister open to human rights issues and committed to reforming the security sector. In summary, as Sjafrie assumes his new role, he has the expertise and backing to make transformative changes. However, he faces considerable challenges in navigating budget constraints, a complex procurement process, and the balancing act between modernizing the military and supporting Indonesia’s defense industry. His job will not be easy, but if he chooses to embrace reforms that take Indonesia beyond the status quo, I am willing to give Sjafrie the benefit of the doubt.

Manulife announces Subordinated Debenture issueBERLIN (AP) — Harry Kane scored a hat trick including two penalties for Bayern Munich to beat Augsburg 3-0 in the Bundesliga on Friday. The win stretched Bayern’s lead to eight points ahead of the rest of the 11th round, and Kane took his goals tally to a league-leading 14. However, coach Vincent Kompany should be concerned by his team’s ongoing difficulty of scoring in games it dominates. Bayern previously defeated St. Pauli and Benfica only 1-0. Kompany’s team had to wait until stoppage time before Kane sealed the result with his second penalty. The England star scored with a header two minutes later for a flattering scoreline. Bayern had possession and chances, but the visitors defended resolutely with Augsburg goalkeeper Nediljko Labrović denying Kane, then twice Jamal Musiala to keep the game scoreless at halftime. Bayern counterpart Manuel Neuer, who overcame a rib injury to start, had little to do at the other end. Musiala, Leon Goretzka and Michael Olise all went close after the break. Labrović and the Augsburg defense held on. Then Mads Pedersen was penalized for handball following a VAR review and Kane duly broke the deadlock in the 63rd. Bayern continued as before with 80% possession, but had to wait for Keven Schlotterbeck to be penalized through VAR for a foul on Kane. Kane sealed the result in the third minute of stoppage time and there was still time for him to grab another. It’s Bayern’s seventh consecutive win since Oct. 23 when it lost at Barcelona 4-1 in the Champions League. Bayern next hosts Paris Saint-Germain in that competition on Tuesday, then Borussia Dortmund away in the Bundesliga next weekend, before defending champion Bayer Leverkusen visits in the third round of the German Cup. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerAustralia's House of Representatives passes bill banning children younger than age 16 from social media

NEW YORK , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Paramount Global (the "Company") (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA) today announced that it would redeem all of its remaining outstanding 4.750% senior notes due May 15, 2025 (the "4.750% senior notes") on December 27, 2024 . The redemption price for the 4.750% senior notes is equal to the sum of 100% of the principal amount of the 4.750% senior notes that remain outstanding, the make-whole amount calculated in accordance with the terms of the 4.750% senior notes and the related indenture under which the 4.750% senior notes were issued, and the accrued and unpaid interest on the remaining 4.750% senior notes up to, but excluding, the redemption date of December 27, 2024 . The aggregate principal amount of the 4.750% senior notes outstanding and the aggregate principal amount of the 4.750% senior notes to be redeemed is as set forth below: Title of Security Aggregate Principal Amount Outstanding Aggregate Principal Amount to be Redeemed 4.750% senior notes $125,561,000 $125,561,000 Holders owning 4.750% senior notes through a broker, bank, or other nominee should contact that party for information. For more information, holders of the 4.750% senior notes may call the paying agent for the redemption of the 4.750% senior notes, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas at (800) 735-7777. About Paramount Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA) is a leading global media, streaming and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, its portfolio includes CBS, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount+ and Pluto TV. The Company holds one of the industry's most extensive libraries of TV and film titles. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, the Company provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution, and advertising solutions. Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements This communication contains both historical and forward-looking statements, including statements related to our future results, performance and achievements. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Similarly, statements that describe our objectives, plans or goals are or may be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events; generally can be identified by the use of statements that include phrases such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "foresee," "likely," "will," "may," "could," "estimate" or other similar words or phrases; and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these statements. These risks, uncertainties and other factors include, among others: risks related to our streaming business; the adverse impact on our advertising revenues as a result of advertising market conditions, changes in consumer viewership and deficiencies in audience measurement; risks related to operating in highly competitive and dynamic industries, including cost increases; the unpredictable nature of consumer behavior, as well as evolving technologies and distribution models; risks related to our ongoing changes in business strategy, including investments in new businesses, products, services, technologies and other strategic activities; the potential for loss of carriage or other reduction in or the impact of negotiations for the distribution of our content; damage to our reputation or brands; losses due to asset impairment charges for goodwill, intangible assets, FCC licenses and content; liabilities related to discontinued operations and former businesses; risks related to environmental, social and governance (ESG) matters; evolving business continuity, cybersecurity, privacy and data protection and similar risks; content infringement; domestic and global political, economic and regulatory factors affecting our businesses generally; disruptions to our operations as a result of labor disputes; the inability to hire or retain key employees or secure creative talent; volatility in the prices of the Companyʼs common stock; potential conflicts of interest arising from our ownership structure with a controlling stockholder; business uncertainties, including the effect of the Skydance transactions on the Companyʼs employees, commercial partners, clients and customers, and contractual restrictions while the Skydance transactions are pending; prevention, delay or reduction of the anticipated benefits of the Skydance transactions as a result of the conditions to closing the Skydance transactions; the Transaction Agreementʼs limitation on our ability to pursue alternatives to the Skydance transactions; risks related to a failure to complete the Skydance transactions, including payment of a termination fee and negative reactions from the financial markets and from our employees, commercial partners, clients and customers; risks related to change in control or other provisions in certain agreements that may be triggered by the Skydance transactions; litigation relating to the Skydance transactions potentially preventing or delaying the closing of the Skydance transactions and/or resulting in payment of damages; challenges realizing synergies and other anticipated benefits expected from the Skydance transactions, including integrating the Companyʼs and Skydanceʼs businesses successfully; potential unforeseen direct and indirect costs as a result of the Skydance transactions; any negative effects of the announcement, pendency or consummation of the Skydance transactions on the market price of the Companyʼs common stock and New Paramount Class B Common Stock; and other factors described in our news releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. There may be additional risks, uncertainties and factors that we do not currently view as material or that are not necessarily known. The forward-looking statements included in this communication are made only as of the date of this communication, and we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. PARA-IR View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/paramount-global-announces-redemption-of-its-4-750-senior-notes-due-may-2025--302334251.html SOURCE Paramount Global