7 bet login

These are the airline stocks ready to take flight By ANNE ASHWORTH Updated: 21:51, 13 December 2024 e-mail View comments Record passenger numbers at Heathrow indicate that wanderlust has been rekindled, with multitudes expected to take to the skies during the Christmas break. The results are more evidence that we continue to prioritise holidays over other spending. For many, a getaway is not an indulgence, but an essential. Does this proof that the post-pandemic passion for travel is here to stay mean that you should consider a flutter on airline stocks? Yes, but it is important to sort companies that are thriving from those whose predicament illustrates why this sector can be 'a difficult investment destination', as Richard Hunter of broker Interactive Investor puts it. But Jack Barrat, portfolio manager at investment manager Man Group, contends that there are some 'rare opportunities' available. The airline industry is frequently a source of irritation, with flight delays and poor customer service. But the things that may most annoy you as a customer, like extra costs for bags, can be a useful source of income for airlines, boosting their key metric, the RASK (revenue per available seat kilometre). Flying high: IAG, or International Airlines Group, is the £14.2billion group that owns British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling Some in the sector are finding fresh ways to turn their planes into what have been called 'shops with wings'. Earlier this year WizzAir launched a £534 All You Can Fly Netflix-like subscription scheme. The 100,000 members enjoy unlimited flights for £8.90 each – but they must pay for all luggage, except one small personal item. Although we can expect more innovation, investors should be aware that all airlines are vulnerable to severe turbulence from external factors outside their control. In 2010, they suffered after the eruption of Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull, which caused thousands of flights to be cancelled. The pandemic also played extreme havoc with the industry. So which shares are ready for take-off and which will continue to be left behind? RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next How you can cash in on DEAL MANIA now Britain's top share-pickers: 'Most accurate' analysts of... 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 IAG IAG, or International Airlines Group, is the £14.2billion group that owns British Airways, Aer Lingus, Iberia and Vueling. In June, when its share price stood at 167p, this column reported that several analysts considered the stock to be undervalued. This was a reasonable assessment since the price has subsequently climbed to 293.2p, although it remains 50 per cent down over five years, revealing the extent of the damage wrecked by the pandemic. However, third-quarter results indicated that IAG is continuing to leave this unhappy era behind. Operating profits rose by 15 per cent to £1.7billion, boosted by improved demand for seats on transatlantic routes, a share buyback scheme, the restoration of the dividend and some reduction in debts. Despite this year's rise, some analysts argue the shares are still headed upwards. The average target price is 342p. One analyst evidently believes that the sky is the limit, however, setting a target of 599p. EASYJET The shares in this £4.4billion airline have risen by 16 per cent to 586.6p since January, propelled by a 34 per cent rise in full-year pre-tax profits to £610m – and the outlook for 2025 is positive. EasyJet has been helped by a successful foray into higher-margin package holidays, a venture pioneered by boss Johan Lundgren who last month stepped down. His successor, Kenton Jarvis, plans to attract '25 per cent more customers' on such vacations, which suit value-conscious families. Most analysts think that the only way for easyJet shares is up from here, rating the shares a 'buy'. JP Morgan analyst Harry Gower earlier this month set a target price of 750p. Jarrod Castle of UBS has opted for 800p. WIZZAIR Despite the popularity of its All You Can Fly loyalty programme, shares have fallen by 33 per cent since January – and by 63 per cent since the onset of the pandemic. This is partly due to a string of crises at the London-listed Hungarian airline. These include problems with its Pratt & Whitney geared turbofan (GTF) engines that left about 40 planes temporarily grounded, leading to a 20 per cent drop in half-year profits. Boss and founder Jozsef Varadi has said the engine issue may not be fully solved until 2027. But analysts think that anyone already holding the shares should stay put RYANAIR Controversial: Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary Shares in Dublin-listed Ryanair have rebounded in recent months, amid the perception the low-cost carrier may be casting off some of its woes. Last month Michael O'Leary, Ryanair's perennially controversial and disputatious boss, said the airline was 'over-scheduled, over-crewed and over-costed' during the summer. He also revealed that it was trimming passenger growth numbers for 2025 in response to delays in the delivery of its Boeing 737 Max planes. But Ryanair has settled its dispute with online travel agents such as Booking.com which had refused to sell its tickets after a period of conflict. This week Alexander Irving of the brokers Bernstein advised clients to buy Ryanair, setting a target price of €22.50. JP Morgan's Alexia Dogani is also a fan and has set a price of €25. Since O'Leary owns a 3.9 per cent stake in the company, he will be hoping that these predictions come true. JET 2 The woes of Ryanair and Wizz Air have been something of a boon to AIM-listed Jet 2. Last month, the Leeds-based airline reported record revenues, profits and passenger numbers for the half-year. The company seems to please its customers, while also rewarding its investors. The shares have leapt by 30 per cent this year to 1620p. You might not think that further progress was possible, but analysts rate Jet 2 a 'buy', with an average target price of 1,996p. Investors will be hoping that the ascent to this level will be smooth. 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. Compare the best investing account for you Share or comment on this article: These are the airline stocks ready to take flight e-mail Add comment Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence. More top stories

Nikki Haley, former U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, joins ‘America Reports’ to weigh in on the fall of the Al Assad regime and the future of Syria. JERUSALEM — Just hours after meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and discussing the fight against the Islamic State in Syria, Turkey's foreign minister sent a shocking message to Washington by saying his country's goal is to eliminate the main fighting force of the Syrian Kurds, which defeated ISIS in tandem with the U.S.. According to Turkish media , Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in a live broadcast on NTV that "the elimination of YPG is [Turkey's] strategic goal." He also noted the country's Kurds must be protected. Asked about Fidan's comments, the State Department referred Fox News Digital to comments made earlier on Friday after Blinken's meeting with Fidan in Turkey. The statement said, in part, "Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of U.S.-Turkish cooperation in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS mission in Syria." SYRIAN DICTATOR BASHAR ASSAD FLEES INTO EXILE AS ISLAMIST REBELS CONQUER COUNTRY U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan Dec. 13, 2024, in Ankara, Turkey. (Getty Images) The U.S. has a long-standing military alliance with the Syrian Kurdish military organization, The People’s Defense Units (YPG) , in Syria. The YPG is part of a broader organization known as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and played a key role in dismantling the Islamic State in Syria. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has seized on the collapse of Syrian dictator Bashar Assad’s rule to gobble up territory controlled by the pro-American Syrian Kurds, risking hard-won gains against the Islamist State terrorist movement. Erdoğan's campaign to purge the SDF in northern Syria has created a dangerous security situation in the fight against the Islamic State (ISIS), according to Gen. Mazloum Abdi, the SDF’s commander in chief. In an exclusive interview Thursday, Mazloum told Fox News' Jennifer Griffin, "We are still under constant attack from the Turkish military and the Turkish-supported opposition, which is called SNA. Eighty drone attacks a day we have from the Turkish military. There is intensive artillery shells. This situation has paralyzed our counterterror operation." Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan speaks to attendees during a rally to show solidarity with the Palestinians in Istanbul, Turkey, Oct. 28. (AP/Emrah Gurel) Islamic State prisoners held in SDF-run detention camps could escape amid the military offensive launched by pro-Turkish forces against the SDF. The SDF has redirected much of its force capability and resources to blunt an aggressive Turkish-backed military offensive. In 2022, Fox News Digital reported that Erdoğan’s slated invasion of northern Syria could open the floodgates for the release of as many 10,000 Islamic State fighters . The U.S. on Wednesday brokered a cease-fire between the pro-Turkey Syrian National Army (SNA), the Syrian opposition (TSO) and the SDF. Syrian Kurdish security forces stand by as former detainees suspected of being members of the Islamic State are released in Syria's northeastern city of Hasakeh Sept. 2, 2024. (Delil Souleimani/AFP via Getty Images) FALL OF SYRIA'S BASHAR ASSAD IS STRATEGIC BLOW TO IRAN AND RUSSIA, EXPERTS SAY The U.S. has about 900 troops stationed in northeast Syria who coordinate with the SDF to prevent the resurgence of the Islamic State after the new wave of Turkish attacks against the Syrian Kurds. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., warned the Turks on X, posting, "In the past I have drafted sanctions targeting Turkey if they engage in military operations against the Kurdish forces who helped President Trump destroy ISIS. I stand ready to do this again in a bipartisan way. "We should not allow the Kurdish forces — who helped us destroy ISIS on President Trump’s watch — to be threatened by Turkey or the radical Islamists who have taken over Syria." Fox News Digital attempted to contact various Turkish officials, including its embassy spokespeople in Washington and Tel Aviv and its United Nations mission in New York. "We have time and again pointed out threats against our national security, posed by the PKK/YPG terrorist network in Syria and Iraq," Turkish diplomats previously told Fox News Digital about the Kurdish military forces PKK and YPG. PKK is an abbreviation for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, an organization classified by the U.S. as a terrorist entity. Displaced Kurds leave a refugee camp in the north of Aleppo, fleeing to Afrin, Dec. 4, 2024. (Ugur Yildirim/DIA Images/Abaca/Sipa USA via AP Images) Efrat Aviv, a professor in the Department of General History at Bar-Ilan University in Israel and a leading expert on Turkey, told Fox News Digital, "Turkey's actions in Syria further complicate the situation and hinder international efforts to bring about a comprehensive resolution to the conflict. The withdrawal of Turkish forces from the region and the cessation of conflicts with the Kurds could contribute to improving regional stability and efforts to end ISIS terrorism. TURKEY'S INVASION THREATS SHOULD BE TAKEN 'VERY SERIOUSLY': CYPRUS OFFICIAL "Turkey's military actions in Syria jeopardize regional stability and undermine efforts to end ISIS terrorism. The Turkish strikes not only harm the Kurds, but also exacerbate the humanitarian situation in the region, causing significant population displacement." Uzay Bulut, a Turkish-born political analyst, told Fox News Digital, "Erdoğan’s imperial ambition in Syria has not changed. Land grab and demographic change have always been Turkey's plan in Syria. Turkey's military campaigns against Syria have brought nothing but instability to the region and severe persecution of minorities. "To prevent further abuses, massacres or forced displacements against Christians, Kurds and Yazidis and to stop the spread of jihadism in the region, the Trump administration should get involved diplomatically to protect religious and ethnic minorities, particularly defenseless Christians, in Syria." The entrance of the Kweyris military airfield in the eastern part of Aleppo province Dec. 3, 2024, shows a portrait of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and a national flag in a dumpster after the takeover of the area by rebel groups. (Rami Al Sayed/AFP via Getty Images) Syria's Christian population could be as low as 2.5%, down from 10% before the civil war started in 2011. Christian and other ethnic and religious minorities face persecution from the radical Islamist Sunni terrorist organization Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its extremist allies. "The ongoing jihadist assault against Syrian Kurds and Christians is led by the al Qaeda offshoot, HTS," Bulut said. "HTS forces are backed by the government of Turkey and have brutalized and displaced religious minority communities in Idlib since 2017. HTS aims to install Islamic rule in Syria." The Trump transition team did not respond to Fox News Digital press queries. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP When asked by Fox News Digital if the U.S. was contemplating sanctioning Turkey, a State Department spokesperson said, "As a general matter, we do not preview sanctions." On his trip to the region Friday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken met his Turkish counterpart, and the two discussed the latest developments in the area. A readout of their meeting noted in part that Blinken "reiterated calls for all actors in Syria to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Syrians, including members of minority groups, and to prevent Syria from being used as a base for terrorism." Benjamin Weinthal reports on Israel , Iran , Syria , Turkey and Europe. You can follow Benjamin on Twitter @BenWeinthal, and email him at benjamin.weinthal@fox.com

Trump's economic team may get easy Senate rides. That could push clarity on policy into 2025.Parades, fireworks and visits with Santa are on the agenda for cities across Johnson County in December. The Cleburne Railroaders will host Breakfast with Santa from 10 a.m. to noon Dec. 14 at La Moderna Field, 1906 Brazzle Blvd. Tickets are $5 each and include breakfast. Drinks are available for purchase. Get photos with Santa and pick your seats for the 2025 season. Experience the magic of a hometown holiday until Jan. 5 at Hulen Park and throughout historic Downtown Cleburne during Whistle Stop Christmas. One of Cleburne’s most beloved holiday traditions is Saturday’s lighted parade and festivities at Hulen Park. There will be food and gift vendors, children’s train rides ($3 per rider) and a Live Nativity Scene presented by First Baptist Church from 5-9 p.m. The parade staging is between Hillsboro and Main Street south of Westhill Drive and north of Country Club Road. The parade will begin at South Main and First streets, proceed to Third and Caddo, then head north to North Caddo and Brown. It will turn left and travel behind the Layland Museum, then head south on North Main to South Main and Westhill. Entries will then return to the start. Prizes will be presented for Best Mounted Entry, Best Illuminated, Best Christmas Theme and Favorite Vehicle. Before and after the parade, enjoy the festivities at Hulen Park from 5-9 p.m. featuring food and gift vendors, a Live Nativity Scene presented by First Baptist Church of Cleburne, Children’s Train Rides for $3 per rider and after the parade pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus for $3 with your personal device. The train rides, sponsored by Grandview Bank, will also be offered from 6-9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through Dec. 21, and the million-light display will remain up in Hulen Park and downtown Cleburne through Jan. 5. The schedule of events are subject to change or cancel for inclement weather. Bring your family to celebrate the magic and share a memorable Christmas experience at #WhistleStopCleburne. For information, visit visitcleburne.com/wschristmas or call the Cleburne Chamber office at 817-645-2455. Other Cleburne festivities The Cleburne Kiwanis Club and Camp Fire Heart of Texas are teaming up again for the Pancake Breakfast with Santa and Santa House. The event runs from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at Cleburne High School. The breakfast includes pancakes, bacon and sausage. There will be a Christmas market and other vendors. Also stop by for a picture with Santa Claus. The cost is $7 for ages 12 and up, $3 for children under 12. Tickets can be purchased at the door. At Santa House, Camp Fire members and volunteers will help children shop for Christmas for their family and friends. The gifts are homemade and affordable. Cowboy Christmas on the Trail returns for the fourth year running Dec. 14-15 to the Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum. Performances are scheduled for 3 p.m., 5 p.m., 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. each of those days. Tickets cost $10 for adults, $8 for children, seniors and military. CTOM invites you to experience a ride on a covered wagon through different scenes and listen to the Legends of Texas re-enact life’s during Christmas on the Trail. Food trucks, vendors, shopping, Cowboy Claus and more. Following the tour, which takes about an hour, participants gather at Winter Wonderland in CTOM’s Star Pavilion. In addition to a fireplace serenade from Cowboy Claus, food trucks will be on hand as will hand-selected vendors selling a variety of items including ornaments and other Christmas decorations. From Dec. 18-21, the Chisholm Trail Museum invites visitors to walk or drive through and look at lights and decorations at the museum. The museum is open from 4-10 p.m. daily. Enjoy free hot chocolate, cider, giveaways, a s’mores station and more. For more information, visit chisholmtrailoutdoormuseum.com . The Hearts of Gold Circle with King’s Daughters and Sons will host its annual Christmas House from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at a new location, Bird’s Nest on the Square, 214 E. Chambers St. The circle uses the funds to provide shoes, coats, medication, eye glasses and school supplies, to name a few items, for the children in the Cleburne schools. The circle also helps with electric bills, water bills and groceries when necessary. The needs are determined with the help of school counselors. The circle will personalize ornaments and other purchases with names, years, etc. The event features a bake sale, raffle, silent auction and pictures with Santa. Also new this year is the Candy Cane Lane. Christmas House brings people from all over the county together for a good cause. For more information, visit the Kings Daughters Hearts of Gold Circle Facebook page. Come have Donuts with Santa and make crafts together on Dec. 14 at Cleburne State Park, 5800 Park Road 21. The event, which is hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6872, begins at 9 a.m. at Cedar Lodge. Attendees will also make crafts and more. This event is free with park admission of $6 per person 13 and older. It is a good idea to make reservations online ahead of time because of capacity limits. For information, visit tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/cleburne . There are numerous opportunities to celebrate the holidays with your family, whether it be Christmas caroling at a church or shopping at a Holiday Market. Here’s a look at some of the other events happening in Cleburne during Whistle Stop Christmas. Buffalo Creek Fellowship hosts the eighth annual Trail of Campfires on from 5-9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Johnson County Sheriff’s Posse Grounds, 1315 S. Main St. in Cleburne. The free community event is a guided tour of the life of Jesus along a trail of campfires. Activities include refreshments, live Christmas music, Christmas hay rides, animal petting zoo and Christmas photo opportunities. Take a guided tour by Mary of the life of Jesus Christ. The event is held indoors and outdoors, rain or shine. Dress warmly. For information, call 817-357-9843 or visit buffalocreekfellowship.faith. Cleburne Bible Church hosts “Follow the Star: A Live Christmas Experience” from 6-9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 930 N. Nolan River Road. It will take you on a journey back through the birth, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ in a live outdoor presentation. Follow the journey of Christ through nine stops, finishing with a Christmas carol sing-a-long with coffee, hot chocolate and cookies. For information, visit cleburnebible.org . Save Old Cleburne is hosting a Holiday Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at JN Long Cultural Arts Center, 408 W. Heard St. in Cleburne. Vendor booths of 8-foot by 8-foot are available for $40 each. The Grinch will be there as well. Enjoy Sip N Shop Wine with holiday shopping from 4-8 p.m. Dec. 12 at Songbird Live, 210 E. Henderson St. The City of Cleburne presents “Holiday Hoopla” at 5 p.m. Dec. 14 at Hulen Park, 337 W. Westhill Drive in Cleburne. Activities include Yuletide Ride (a children’s bike parade), holiday activities with the Cleburne Parks and Recreation Department, crafts, reindeer, story time with the Cleburne Public Library, holiday photo opportunities, cookies and more. Downtown Cleburne presents “Shop the Block” from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 21. Sip, Shop & Stroll downtown Cleburne shops for some Christmas shopping offering special promotions, refreshments and more. Grab your mom, daughters, girlfriends and come down and shop Historic Downtown. Alvarado An enchanting evening is promised when the city of Alvarado presents its “Magical Old Town Christmas” event on Friday. The extravaganza is from 6-9 p.m. in the festive Town Square in Old Town Alvarado. Horse-drawn carriage rides, delicious foods and hot cocoa to keep participants warm are just a few of the delights. “And the highlight of the night will be Alvarado Projects and Event Committee’s annual Christmas parade,” Events Manager Jules Vincent-Rosen said. “It’s always just brimming with festive floats as our joyful carolers fill the night with holiday cheer.” Alvarado’s 2024 Citizen of the Year will serve as the grand marshal for the parade. “We will be doing something different this year by kicking off the parade from Reunion Drive and proceeding to the historic Town Square,” APEC Treasurer Jameye Jones said. Santa’s elves will be on hand for crafts and treats, a Christmas market will feature local artisans, and a petting zoo will showcase the North Pole’s finest furry friends. Kids (and the young-at-heart) will be able to send letters to Santa — just before getting to meet him in person. For information, email communications@cityofalvaarado.org . Burleson Burleson has numerous opportunities to celebrate this holiday season. The first event is Breakfast with Santa from 7-11 a.m. Saturday at Russell Farm Art Center, 405 W. CR 714. Guests will enjoy a pancake breakfast, making holiday crafts, and of course, visiting Santa himself. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture all the fun. Space is limited and you will need to choose your start time. Each time slot is 30 minutes and the earliest available is 7 a.m. Cost is $5 or children ages 3-12, $7 for ages 13 and up and free for children under 2. Families are also invited to get into the Christmas spirit at Russell Farm Art Center with Christmas lights, hot beverages and music from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 11-14. Celebrate a country Christmas with from 3-6 p.m. Dec. 14 at the farm. The festivities include pictures with a donkey wearing antlers, Christmas craft stations, a Children’s Entrepreneur Market, and additional Christmas-related activities. Make sure to bring your camera to capture all the holiday fun! Christmas at the Library is from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Burleson Public Library, 248 S.W. Johnson Ave. Enjoy refreshments, a holiday scavenger hunt, gift and craft stations and more. Santa needs helpers everywhere, and the Burleson Recreation Center is happy to help. From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, parents can drop off their children, ages 6-12, for the afternoon while they get some shopping done. Games, activities and crafts are planned. Lunch is not provided. Cost is $20 for BRiCk members and $25 for nonmembers. The Burleson Rotary Club hosts the annual lighted Christmas parade on Saturday, followed by the city’s tree lighting and drone show. The parade begins at 6 p.m., followed by the tree lighting and drone show at 8 p.m. Singers and dancers entertain the crowd while Santa breaks away from the parade and makes his way to the city stage. The Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza will dazzle with Christmas splendor when the 34-foot-tall Christmas tree, covered with more than 20,000 lights, is turned on by Santa and his helpers. The tree features an interactive Santa’s cabin at the base, creating a perfect backdrop for festive photos. Make sure to stay and watch the spectacular drone show, featuring magical Christmas displays set to holiday music. Come to Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza for a special Holiday Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 14 at Mayor Vera Calvin Plaza, 141 W. Renfro St. There will be strolling characters in the Plaza, horse carriage rides, pictures with Santa, a holiday bounce house and over 80 vendors to shop. You can also fill Santa’s cabin with Toys for Tots: Bring a new, unwrapped toy to drop off with U.S. Marines on-site. Catch the Grinch strolling around to take free photos with him. Thanks to the Old Town Business Association, you can take free horse-drawn carriage rides during the day and enjoy the festive atmosphere in Old Town this December. Rides are provided by T&T Ranch & Carriages. Join the Burleson Senior Center for their holiday craft fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 14 at 216 S.W. Johnson Ave. Local vendors will be showcasing their sewn creations, art, jewelry and other handmade items. Buy one-of-a-kind handmade Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers. Local vendors will be showcasing their sewn creations, art, jewelry and other handmade items. Be sure to bring some cash, as not all vendors take cards. Godley The city of Godley and Godley Chamber of Commerce hosts Holiday in the Park from 5-9 p.m. Friday. The evening begins with the lighted parade at 5 p.m. To enter, email michelle.clore@godleytx.gov . Enjoy holiday vendors, ornament decorating, cookie decorating, a trackless train with station and conductor, the Sugar Rush Slide, tree lighting, photos with Santa, music, food and fun to get the holiday season started in Godley. Grandview Grandview’s Christmas festivities will be held Dec. 14. The Grandview Christmas Parade of Lights begins at 6 p.m. in conjunction with other activities and celebrations sponsored by the Greater Grandview Chamber of Commerce and the City of Grandview (and EDC Type B Board). All groups, clubs, organizations, businesses, churches, neighborhoods and more are invited to light up the night with a parade entry. Prizes will be given for best theme ideas, best use of lights and best creative ideas. Parade judges will be hidden in plain sight along the parade route looking for winners. Parade entry is $10 and is due by Monday to ensure placement in the route and judging. Every entry must have a Christmas theme of some type and be lighted in some way. There will be one Santa as provided by the Grandview chamber (more than one Santa is confusing for children). No other parade entries may have a Santa. Parade Prizes for the following categories: • Best Christmas Theme • Best Lighting • Most Creative After the parade, festivities will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. at Firefly Stage, 301 E. Criner St. Enjoy live music, pictures with Santa, a hot chocolate bar, games and crafts. For information, visit gvtxchamber.com Joshua Joshua’s Christmas on Main returns from 3-7:30 p.m. Saturday. Enjoy local vendors, a parade and fre pictures with Santa in downtown Joshua. The Guys provide live entertainment. The theme for the parade is “Christmas Movies Come to Life.” Staging begins at 5 p.m. at Joshua Methodist Church and the parade kicks off at 6 p.m. Entry is $10 or an unwrapped toy valued at $10. Donations go to Kaleigh’s Sleigh, which returns to NorthPointe Church on Dec. 14. Volunteers will unload toys from 5-8 p.m. Dec. 12 and set up from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 13. Shopping day is Dec. 14, which morning and afternoon shifts available. Keene A longtime Keene ISD school board president is the grand marshal and another resident who does multiple good deeds is parade marshal for the 28th annual Keene Christmas Light Parade at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Keene. The parade will be followed by a fireworks show. The parade and fireworks are presented by the Keene Business Development Corporation Type B board, the Keene Economic Development Corporation Type B board and Oliver Technologies, Pinnacle Bank, and many community partners. Anything with wheels, feet, or hooves, adorned with Christmas lights and is consistent with the theme, “The Reason We Celebrate This Season,” is welcome to participate. Parade staging is at the Leiske-Pultar Gymnasium parking lot at Old Betsy Road and Magnolia Street on the campus of Southwestern Adventist University. Clem Hobbs, who served on the Keene ISD school board for 20 years, including eight as president during construction of the high school, is Grand Marshal. Hobbs received the Pioneer Award in October presented by the Keene Chamber of Commerce as a resident who has contributed positively to Keene. Nathalie “Nathy” Regmund is Parade Marshal. As a volunteer, she is manager of the food pantry located outside the Keene Adventist Church. Daily she keeps the pantry stocked with food supplies that are free to area residents. Parade entry fee is $10 per float and can be paid on site at the registration booth. The fireworks show will immediately follow the parade. The show will be presented west of the Duck Pond at Callicott Student Park. According to organizers, the best place to watch the fireworks is from the Leiske-Pultar parking lot or the embankment along Old Betsy Road between Magnolia and Campus Drive. Parade entrants who want to be judged and be eligible for prizes should be in position at 5 p.m. in the Leiske-Pultar parking lot. Judging begins at 5:15 p.m. All entrants should enter the gymnasium parking lot on Magnolia Street. The parade starts at the Leiske-Pultar parking lot and goes west on Magnolia to Old Betsy Road, south on Old Betsy to Hillcrest, east on Hillcrest to Mockingbird, south on Mockingbird to Fourth, west on Fourth to Old Betsy, and north on Old Betsy back to the Leiske-Pultar parking lot. First-place trophies will be awarded in the following categories: • Best lighted vehicle • Best lighted float • Best animal entry • Best business entry • Best children’s entry • Best Pathfinder club • Best Adventurer club • Best antique entry • Most unique entry One entry will be awarded Best Overall and will receive a trophy. The parade is organized by the Keene Chamber of Commerce. Other sponsors are KTH Transportation, Texas Health Huguley Hospital, Texas Adventist Conference, Southwestern Adventist University, Cleburne Ford, Hopps Automotive, United Cooperative Services, Bob’s Rural Garbage Service, Crest Water, Edward Jones Office of David Sykes, Gillin Realty, Hewlett Office Systems, Keene Pharmacy, Town Hall Estates, and Putnam Service/Lennox. In the event of cancellation due to inclement weather, the parade will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15. For parade entry information, call the chamber office at 817-556-2995. (c)2024 the Clinton Herald (Clinton, Iowa) Visit the Clinton Herald (Clinton, Iowa) at clintonherald.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Taylor Swift fans brand Ariana Grande an 'enemy' after sweet message to Scooter Braun

LOS ANGELES –– The Kings defeated one of the NHL’s hottest teams and turned in a perfect afternoon on special teams as they beat the Seattle Kraken 2-1 on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. The Kings scored the game’s only power-play goal, reversing a troubling recent trend in the process, and were 3 for 3 on the penalty kill. They entered the match as losers of three of their last four games while Seattle had prevailed in five of its past six clashes. Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield, who was playing in his 200th career game, each found the net for the Kings. Anže Kopitar assisted on both goals. David Rittich stopped all 19 shots. Brandon Montour scored late for Seattle on an active night for the former Ducks defenseman. Joey Daccord made 19 saves. Two of the NHL’s 10 best teams defensively produced a predictably low-event first period – while the Kraken and Kings once combined for 17 goals in a game, they had only nine combined shots in the opening 20 minutes – but the Kings flipped the script with goals at the 4:19 and 6:03 marks of the middle frame. First, it was the vision of Alex Turcotte synergizing the finishing ability of Kempe, who scored his 10th goal of the season and his 11th point in his past 11 games. Turcotte received the puck behind the net, curled toward the right-wing boards and sold a play along the wall as he sucked in four Kraken defenders. His no-look pass hit Kempe in the slot, with Adam Larsson unable to close his gap and Daccord having little chance at Kempe’s searing short-side wrister. Then, two weights were lifted at once when the power play scored its first goal since Brandt Clarke’s Nov. 9 empty-netter and Byfield tallied for the first time since he scored in consecutive games Nov. 5 and Nov. 7. He scored his third goal of the year and the first for the newly configured top power-play unit with a kneeling one-timer from the right faceoff circle. The primary assist was Kevin Fiala’s first point in seven games and the secondary one, as it did on Kempe’s goal, went to Kopitar. The captain’s pair of helpers brought him to 14 points in his past 11 games, remaining a beacon of consistency even in lean offensive stretches for the team. The Kings had the opportunity to slam the door at the end of the period when a bizarre sequence during a Seattle power play left Byfield and Warren Foegele with a two-on-none shorthanded rush. After four passes across Daccord’s crease, Foegele’s eventual shot was negated by the handle of Daccord’s stick. Foegele would have another brush with glory in the third period, right after Montour had two of his own. His slap shot was saved by Rittich but his follow-up bid beat the big Czech, only to dent the right post just below the crossbar. Montour broke through 23 seconds after the Kings survived a six-on-four sequence, when his slap shot roared past Rittich with 1:34 to play, but Seattle drew no nearer.Work on new Key Bridge will start in January, Maryland officials say