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top 646 jili A quarterly survey by Japan’s central bank shows business sentiment has improved slightly, especially in major heavy industries such as automaking, fossil fuels and machinery, while services industries were less upbeat. The survey released Friday by the Bank of Japan, called the tankan, might influence the central bank's decision on whether to raise its benchmark interest rate next week. It shows the difference between companies saying they are optimistic about business conditions and those that are pessimistic. The latest survey's outcome undermined expectations for a rate hike, and the Japanese yen weakened, with the U.S. dollar trading at 152.90 yen on Friday, near its highest level in two weeks. Meanwhile, the benchmark Nikkei 225 stock index fell more than 1%. “Expectations are for the BOJ to maintain its short-term interest rate at 0.25% next week, marking the fourth consecutive meeting with no change,” IG said in a commentary. Japan’s economy grew at a revised 1.2% annual pace in the last quarter, helped by sustained consumer spending. But the outlook ahead is uncertain, IG economists noted, given U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's vows to impose higher tariffs on imports from many countries, which could jolt both the regional and the global economy. “The mediocre increase in business conditions across all firm sizes in the latest tankan suggests that activity is unlikely to rebound meaningfully this quarter, following a slowdown in (the last quarter),” Toh Au Yu of Capital Economics said in a commentary. One of the biggest obstacles for Japanese firms is a severe labor shortage as the work force shrinks along with the overall population, Toh said. The tankan showed a negative 36 sentiment for employment, unchanged from the previous quarter. Still, overall business sentiment for both manufacturers and non-manufacturers edged up to 15 from 14 in the previous survey. The sentiment index for large manufacturers rose to 14 in December from 13 in September, partly due to automakers resuming production following certification scandals in the industry. Construction and real estate also improved. But while automakers and other big industries gained ground, sentiment among retailers and other service industries deteriorated, falling to 33 from 34, though it remained in positive territory. The index for retailers dropped sharply, to 13 from 28. The Bank of Japan began earlier this year to shift away from a negative interest rate policy aimed at keeping credit super cheap to support the economy as the country's population shrinks, sapping demand. The ultra-lax monetary policy was kept in place for years to counter a long spell of deflation, when demand was so slack that prices fell. But global price increases following the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with a weakening of the Japanese yen against other currencies, has pushed prices above the BOJ's target of about 2% inflation, enabling it to begin shifting to a more conventional stance. Japan racked up a trade deficit in October for the fourth month in a row, as the weak yen and rising energy prices kept import costs high. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has proposed raising Japan's basic tax-free income allowance, increasing take-home wages and paying subsidies to low-income families to help boost consumer spending. But his minority government is likely to struggle to gain support from the opposition on budgets and other legislation, raising the risk of political deadlocks that could stymie economic initiatives.Interest in electric vehicles is surging worldwide, but recent Google Trends data suggests it may be driven more by technological appeal than concerns about global warming. One environmental expert links this shift to the politicization of climate change. Searches for “electric vehicle” and “EV” have steadily climbed over the past decade, with “China EV” reaching an all-time high this year. This milestone highlights the success of China’s EV sector, which surpassed an annual production volume of 10 million units this year. According to Google, a spike in search trends indicates an increase in user interest in a specific topic compared to usual levels. Global warming searches at a two-decade low Searches for “global warming” have dropped to their lowest level since tracking began in 2004, a figure previously matched only during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the South China Morning Post writes . According to Paul Harris, chair professor of global and environmental studies at The Education University of Hong Kong, there has been a global shift away from using the term “global warming.” For scientists, this is because warming, along with other effects of rising greenhouse gas emissions, is encompassed by the broader concept of climate change. The shift to using the term “climate change” has not been accompanied by widespread global acceptance of the issue. The concept remains highly politicized, entangled in domestic and geopolitical debates, and influenced by various vested interests. Advocates for climate action often adopt alternative terminology to navigate these challenges, Harris noted. Mentions of global warming, climate change, and the environment peaked during the 2000 US presidential elections, according to Climate Power. Recently, the focus in the US has shifted to promoting renewable energy for job creation, as this approach is seen as more politically acceptable than framing it around environmental or health benefits. Beijing’s clean energy goals clouded by coal and rising trade conflicts Harris noted that while China leads in solar and wind energy, it continues to approve new coal-fired power plants and set records in coal production. Beijing’s push for clean energy and EVs is part of a strategy to diversify its energy grid and achieve self-sufficiency. However, concerns over Chinese overcapacity have led the EU and US to impose tariffs on its EVs and renewable energy products, escalating trade tensions. According to Harris, the transition away from fossil fuels is inevitable due to its long-term benefits, but the problem is that global efforts to tackle climate change are progressing at a glacial pace. A key goal of international climate policy has been to limit global warming to “well below” 2 degrees Celsius (35.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. This year marks the first full year where warming is expected to exceed 1.5 degrees above those levels. However, while staying below 2 degrees of warming might be practically achievable, Harris noted that it could be “politically impossible” given the current geopolitical climate.

Commission on Audit logo. INQUIRER FILES More than 50,000 entrepreneurship starter tool kits in 2023 that were left undistributed to scholars of one of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority’s (Tesda) programs could lead to wastage that would cost the government at least P152 million, state auditors said. Of the 58,222 undistributed tool kits for Special Training for Employment Program (Step) beneficiaries, 42,080 units, or the majority were worth a total P151.85 million, while the remaining 16,142 units had an undetermined cost due to the agency’s “still unresolved problems on late procurement,” according to the 2023 annual report by the Commission on Audit (COA). Step was implemented in line with Republic Act No. 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act (UAQTEA). READ: Tesda needs big funding to fight proliferation of fake NCs Based on a 2021 circular issued by Tesda, the tool kits would help Step beneficiaries jump-start any income-generating activities they plan to pursue once they graduate. COA also called out Tesda for having produced only 20 graduates in its five-year implementation of the UAQTEA despite having an allocation of P276.37 million and a total of 2,071 filled slots for scholarship. The graduates obtained a three-year diploma in hotel and restaurant technology. The Sariling Sikap Program (SSP), a revolving fund meant to enable Tesda to become a self-sufficient and income-generating entity, was also found with irregularities, as its accumulated balance remained high at P631.1 million at the end of 2023. This balance resulted in the “improper utilization” by Tesda operating unit of the SSP funds that amounted to P28.6 million, “which are not related to training-cum-production activities and contrary to the purpose of the SSP fund as provided under EO No. 939,” COA examiners said, referring to the executive order that created the program. In the Metro Manila office alone, charges or disbursements under the SSP fund “soared so high which resulted [in] negative operating results or surplus deficit” in 2023,” government auditors pointed out. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy .NATCHITOCHES, La. (AP) — Addison Patterson's 33 points led Northwestern State over Southern University at New Orleans 89-79 on Friday. Patterson had 10 rebounds for the Demons (6-5). JT Warren scored 11 points, shooting 5 for 11, including 1 for 3 from beyond the arc. Landyn Jumawan went 2 of 7 from the field (2 for 5 from 3-point range) to finish with eight points. Tyon Thompson led the way for the Knights with 21 points, six assists and three steals. Jamal Gibson added 18 points, seven rebounds and three steals for Southern University at New Orleans. Tony White also recorded 10 points and three steals. NEXT UP Northwestern State visits Texas in its next matchup on December 29. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

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By JILL COLVIN NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump wants to turn the lights out on daylight saving time. In a post on his social media site Friday, Trump said his party would try to end the practice when he returns to office. “The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t! Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation,” he wrote. Setting clocks forward one hour in the spring and back an hour in the fall is intended to maximize daylight during summer months, but has long been subject to scrutiny. Daylight saving time was first adopted as a wartime measure in 1942. Lawmakers have occasionally proposed getting rid of the time change altogether. The most prominent recent attempt, a now-stalled bipartisan bill named the Sunshine Protection Act , had proposed making daylight saving time permanent. The measure was sponsored by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio , whom Trump has tapped to helm the State Department. Related Articles National Politics | Ruling by a conservative Supreme Court could help blue states resist Trump policies National Politics | A nonprofit leader, a social worker: Here are the stories of the people on Biden’s clemency list National Politics | Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she ‘sustained an injury’ on official trip to Luxembourg National Politics | Veteran Daniel Penny, acquitted in NYC subway chokehold, will join Trump’s suite at football game National Politics | About 3 in 10 are highly confident in Trump on Cabinet, spending or military oversight: AP-NORC poll “Changing the clock twice a year is outdated and unnecessary,” Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said as the Senate voted in favor of the measure. Health experts have said that lawmakers have it backward and that standard time should be made permanent. Some health groups , including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have said that it’s time to do away with time switches and that sticking with standard time aligns better with the sun — and human biology. Most countries do not observe daylight saving time. For those that do, the date that clocks are changed varies, creating a complicated tapestry of changing time differences. Arizona and Hawaii don’t change their clocks at all.

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Brookfield Renewable Announces Renewal of Normal Course Issuer BidsABILENE, Texas (AP) — Sam Hicks scored on a 53-yard run in the fourth quarter and finished with 171 yards on the ground to lead Abilene Christian to a 24-0 victory over Northern Arizona on Saturday in the first round of the FCS playoffs. The Wildcats (9-4), ranked No. 15 in the FCS coaches poll and seeded 15th, qualified for the playoffs for the first time and will travel to play No. 2 seed and nine-time champion North Dakota State (10-2) on Saturday at the Fargo Dome. The Bison had a first-round bye. Abilene Christian grabbed a 7-0 lead on its second possession when Carson Haggard connected with Trey Cleveland for a 37-yard touchdown that capped a 10-play 97-yard drive. Northern Arizona (8-5), ranked 17th but unseeded for the playoffs after winning five straight to get in, picked off Haggard on the Wildcats' next two possessions but could not turn them into points. NAU went for it on fourth-and-goal at the 1-yard line with 9:30 left before halftime, but Jordan Mukes tackled Ty Pennington for a 4-yard loss. That led to a 46-yard field goal by Ritse Vaes and a 10-0 lead at halftime. The score remained the same until Hicks' big run with 10:16 left to play. Haggard passed 6 yards to Blayne Taylor for the final score with 2:16 to go. Haggard completed 23 of 29 passes for 244 yards with three interceptions. Abilene Christian's defense allowed at least 20 points in every game during the regular season and yielded at least 30 six times. The Wildcats lost their season opener to FBS member Texas Tech 52-51 in overtime. Abilene Christian's last shutout came in a 56-0 victory over Lamar on Sept. 25, 2021. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

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Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bullish approach towards Warner Bros. Discovery WBD , and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in WBD usually suggests something big is about to happen. We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 10 extraordinary options activities for Warner Bros. Discovery. This level of activity is out of the ordinary. The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 60% leaning bullish and 40% bearish. Among these notable options, 7 are puts, totaling $506,409, and 3 are calls, amounting to $88,160. What's The Price Target? Based on the trading activity, it appears that the significant investors are aiming for a price territory stretching from $7.5 to $16.0 for Warner Bros. Discovery over the recent three months. Volume & Open Interest Trends Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in Warner Bros. Discovery's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to Warner Bros. Discovery's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $7.5 to $16.0 over the preceding 30 days. Warner Bros. Discovery Option Activity Analysis: Last 30 Days Noteworthy Options Activity: Symbol PUT/CALL Trade Type Sentiment Exp. Date Ask Bid Price Strike Price Total Trade Price Open Interest Volume WBD PUT SWEEP BULLISH 01/15/27 $5.6 $5.45 $5.45 $15.00 $163.4K 2 300 WBD PUT TRADE BEARISH 12/18/26 $3.45 $3.3 $3.44 $12.00 $102.5K 342 2 WBD PUT SWEEP BULLISH 04/17/25 $1.46 $1.45 $1.45 $11.00 $68.4K 987 1.0K WBD PUT SWEEP BULLISH 07/18/25 $5.85 $5.75 $5.77 $16.00 $57.5K 0 100 WBD PUT SWEEP BEARISH 04/17/25 $1.46 $1.46 $1.46 $11.00 $39.4K 987 270 About Warner Bros. Discovery Warner Bros. Discovery was formed in 2022 through the combination of WarnerMedia and Discovery Communications. It operates in three global business segments: studios, networks, and direct-to-consumer. Warner Bros. Pictures is the crown jewel of the studios business, producing, distributing, and licensing movies and television shows. The networks business consists of basic cable networks, such as CNN, TNT, TBS, Discovery, HGTV, and the Food Network. Direct-to-consumer includes HBO and the firm's streaming platforms, which have now been consolidated to Max and Discovery+. Much of the DTC content is created within the firm's other two business segments. Each segment operates with a global reach, with Max available in over 60 countries. In light of the recent options history for Warner Bros. Discovery, it's now appropriate to focus on the company itself. We aim to explore its current performance. Present Market Standing of Warner Bros. Discovery Trading volume stands at 15,487,489, with WBD's price down by -0.24%, positioned at $10.21. RSI indicators show the stock to be may be overbought. Earnings announcement expected in 91 days. Unusual Options Activity Detected: Smart Money on the Move Benzinga Edge's Unusual Options board spots potential market movers before they happen. See what positions big money is taking on your favorite stocks. Click here for access . Options trading presents higher risks and potential rewards. Astute traders manage these risks by continually educating themselves, adapting their strategies, monitoring multiple indicators, and keeping a close eye on market movements. Stay informed about the latest Warner Bros. Discovery options trades with real-time alerts from Benzinga Pro . © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.By JILL COLVIN NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump wants to turn the lights out on daylight saving time. In a post on his social media site Friday, Trump said his party would try to end the practice when he returns to office. “The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t! Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation,” he wrote. Setting clocks forward one hour in the spring and back an hour in the fall is intended to maximize daylight during summer months, but has long been subject to scrutiny. Daylight saving time was first adopted as a wartime measure in 1942. Lawmakers have occasionally proposed getting rid of the time change altogether. The most prominent recent attempt, a now-stalled bipartisan bill named the Sunshine Protection Act , had proposed making daylight saving time permanent. The measure was sponsored by Florida Sen. Marco Rubio , whom Trump has tapped to helm the State Department. Related Articles National Politics | Ruling by a conservative Supreme Court could help blue states resist Trump policies National Politics | A nonprofit leader, a social worker: Here are the stories of the people on Biden’s clemency list National Politics | Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she ‘sustained an injury’ on official trip to Luxembourg National Politics | Veteran Daniel Penny, acquitted in NYC subway chokehold, will join Trump’s suite at football game National Politics | About 3 in 10 are highly confident in Trump on Cabinet, spending or military oversight: AP-NORC poll “Changing the clock twice a year is outdated and unnecessary,” Republican Sen. Rick Scott of Florida said as the Senate voted in favor of the measure. Health experts have said that lawmakers have it backward and that standard time should be made permanent. Some health groups , including the American Medical Association and American Academy of Sleep Medicine, have said that it’s time to do away with time switches and that sticking with standard time aligns better with the sun — and human biology. Most countries do not observe daylight saving time. For those that do, the date that clocks are changed varies, creating a complicated tapestry of changing time differences. Arizona and Hawaii don’t change their clocks at all.