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RY FY2025 EPS Estimate Cut by National Bank FinancialRadio is magic. I still cannot comprehend how sound waves travel over the air to reach my ears through that wonderful gadget called the radio. Imagine how surprised those who lived over a century ago must have been when they heard a voice that literally came out of thin air. Of course, everyone thought that radio would die when television came to the scene. After all, here was a medium that could beam pictures over the ether, along with sound. In fact, when Music Television (MTV) was launched almost four decades ago, the first song played, somewhat ironically, was “Video Killed the Radio Star”. But radio is still very much alive and kicking, via both traditional FM/Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) airwaves and the Internet. There is a debate over the legacy left behind by the British and we cannot deny that some of the things they bestowed upon us have been beneficial – from the railways to tea plantations. Radio is also part of that legacy. In fact, Radio Ceylon, the precursor to the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) began broadcasting in 1924, just two years after the British Broadcasting Company, later renamed the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), took to the airwaves in London. Thus the SLBC has the distinction of being one of the oldest continuously functioning radio services in the world. The SLBC, as well as radio technology, have evolved over the past 99 years, but its core mission has remained the same – Educate, Entertain and Inform. Unlike the private radio stations which can have loose talk and lousy music all day long, the SLBC has strictly maintained its professional standards through the years. It is perhaps this commitment to quality broadcasting that has enabled the SLBC to face stiff competition from dozens of private Sinhala, Tamil and English radio stations. Radio, the sole source of entertainment As a child of the 80s, I grew up with the SLBC. Although television was introduced to Sri Lanka in 1979, it took a few years for the “idiot box” to come to my village in Ambalangoda and radio was the sole source of entertainment we had. I remember waking up to religious programs and devotional songs, followed by patriotic songs, which wafted into our ears as my brothers and I got dressed to go to school. On the days that I did not attend school, our German-made Grundig radio was constantly on and by my side, dishing out favourites chosen by listeners. These request programs were a hit in all three language streams, back in the days when one had to send a postcard with the title of the song and the names of people requesting it. Old SLBC hands tell me that they had to wade through a pile of postcards to reach the microphone. Back then, there was no FM, but the AM sound quality was not bad either. The first teledrama was not aired until 1983 and at least until then, radio dramas reigned supreme. I remember two of them in particular – Muwanpelessa and Monarathenna. These two were so successful that the entire country came to a standstill when they came on air during the prime time belt from 8.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. Later, both of them were turned into hit movies, featuring most of the members of the radio crew, who were only heard but not seen until then. Then there were programs such as “Thunpath Rata” which wove a beautiful cultural tapestry. Even amidst the proliferation of private TV and radio channels, the SLBC is still the most trusted source of news for most people, with its news jingle ingrained in the mind of practically every Sri Lankan. Broadcasting with wide reach The SLBC did reach shores beyond Sri Lanka, through AM as well as Short Wave (SW), which is now nearly dead thanks to the rise of the Internet. In fact, the SLBC’s Binaca Geethmala show featuring the top Hindi hits of the day was enormously popular in India. (At the beginning, Rupavahini too was highly popular in Tamil Nadu because India did not have colour TV until the late 80s). The SLBC had a treasure trove of Vinyl LPs of songs in many languages (which are back in vogue worldwide, overtaking the Compact Disc or CD), not to mention spoken word material such as famous speeches by Sri Lankan and world leaders. These have since been digitised. In a way, the Internet has been a blessing for SLBC and other radio services. Today, one need not own a radio per se to listen to the radio, though dedicated radio sets are still available. Some manufacturers such as Roberts still make retro-looking radios that evoke the nostalgia of the early days of radio. The SLBC reaches listeners around the world through www.slbc.l and smartphone apps. There is another way to get the SLBC (all its channels) – Radio Garden, a dedicated radio app that features practically every radio station on Earth. What they do is mind boggling to say the least. All you need is a smartphone and a good pair of Automatic Noise Cancelling (ANC) headphones to drown out external sounds and you become one with the awesome sound of the radio. Many have predicted the death of radio over the years and any reports of the same have been greatly exaggerated. In fact, the Internet seems to have given a new lease of life to radio with the concept of podcasting. You do not have to give up your other chores to listen to the radio or a podcast, unlike TV which requires one to sit down and be a passive witness to the events depicted on the screen. The SLBC has reached a remarkable milestone with its 99th anniversary. We do not know what form radio will take by 2034, leave alone 2134. Such is the pace of technological progress. But the concept of radio will not fade away, just as the concept of quality journalism will not fade away even if print itself does not survive the Internet age. May the SLBC live long and prosper.MLB NOTEShttps lodigame vip 。

Knecht was once ignored by NBA teams with draft picks ahead of the Lakers. Now he's a hot-shooting rookie who has earned the NBA's attention‘The Day of the Jackal’ Finale Recap: A Thrilling Conclusion & Vision for Season 2

Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. (NASDAQ:FYBR) Stake Lessened by Swiss National BankMystery drone sightings keep happening in New Jersey. Here's what we know (and don't know)

The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti is shaping up to be a game-changer for high-end gamers. NVIDIA’s latest specs reveal impressive upgrades that promise substantial performance enhancements over its predecessors. Recent information highlights that the RTX 5070 Ti will feature the GB203-300 GPU SKU , solidifying it as part of the same series powering the more powerful RTX 5080, which uses the full GB203-400 configuration. Unlike previous models, where “Ti” variants had different chips, this release aligns the 5070 Ti with its higher-tier sibling, albeit with a slightly trimmed-down version of the chip. The updated specs reveal a total board power (TBP) increase to 350W , 50W more than earlier rumors suggested, signifying a stronger design geared for higher performance. This marks a notable 23% TBP increase over previous iterations like the RTX 4070 Ti. Another significant improvement is found in the memory design. Equipped with a 256-bit bus supporting 16 GB of GDDR7 memory , the RTX 5070 Ti achieves a dramatic bandwidth boost of 896 GB/s, a 33% increase from its predecessors. This improvement promises to deliver smoother gaming experiences at higher resolutions. NVIDIA plans to launch the RTX 5070 Ti in the first half of 2025. With the full RTX 50 series rollout expected in the same period and AMD and Intel also poised to debut new GPUs, the competition is heating up for gaming enthusiasts. Stay tuned for more updates as CES 2025 approaches. The Game-Changing NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti: What You Need to Know The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti is not just another GPU; it’s poised to redefine the gaming landscape with its cutting-edge capabilities and innovative design. Key Features and Specifications The standout feature of the RTX 5070 Ti is its use of the GB203-300 GPU SKU , aligning it closely with the more powerful RTX 5080 and marking a trend towards a more unified architecture across NVIDIA’s high-end offerings. Here’s a closer look at what makes the 5070 Ti a notable upgrade: – Total Board Power (TBP): The RTX 5070 Ti boasts a TBP of 350W, indicating a robust design tailored for enhanced performance. This represents a significant 23% increase over earlier models, hinting at a powerful upgrade that high-end gamers will appreciate. – Memory and Bandwidth: The GPU is equipped with a 256-bit bus supporting 16 GB of GDDR7 memory . This configuration delivers a bandwidth of 896 GB/s, a substantial 33% increase over its predecessors. Such advancements ensure smoother gameplay, even at higher resolutions, making it ideal for upcoming AAA titles. Market Trends and Predictions The RTX 5070 Ti is primed for a mid-2025 release, in tandem with the broader RTX 50 series rollout. As AMD and Intel gear up to introduce their latest GPUs, NVIDIA’s strategic enhancements position it to maintain its foothold in the gaming market. Anticipate competitive pricing as these giants vie for dominance in GPU technology. Innovation in Gaming These advancements in NVIDIA’s GPU lineup are reflective of broader trends towards higher performance with more power-efficient designs. Gamers can expect not just performance upgrades but also innovations that cater to emerging gaming technologies like real-time ray tracing and AI-enhanced graphics. Conclusion As the launch date approaches, anticipation builds around the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti. With its impressive specifications and potential to deliver unparalleled gaming performance, it stands to become a pivotal component for gamers seeking the ultimate experience. Stay informed with updates from official NVIDIA channels as we approach its release and CES 2025.

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Tulsa fired football coach Kevin Wilson on Sunday and will elevate wide receivers coach Ryan Switzer on an interim basis for the remainder of the season. The Golden Hurricane lost to South Florida 63-30 on Saturday, dropping their record to 3-8. The school's decision concludes Wilson's two-year tenure with a 7-16 record, including 3-12 in American Athletic Conference play. “With the rapidly evolving landscape of college athletics, we know the importance of positioning our football program and athletic department to thrive and excel in the upcoming years,” athletic director Justin Moore said in a statement. “Our standard will be to play in bowl games every season, compete for conference titles, and build a program that everyone connected to the Golden Hurricane will be proud of." Wilson spent six years as Indiana’s head coach, going 26-47 from 2011 to 2016. He then joined Urban Meyer’s staff at Ohio State and stayed on under Meyer’s successor, Ryan Day, before taking over at Tulsa. 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-football10 hot-ticket gifts we predict will sell out on Black Friday 2024

Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble,' dies at 83

PM Mitsotakis attends opening of "Ekatompolis" exhibition in Heraklion, CreteHappy Days may not have been the first TV experiment in nostalgia. But co-creators Michael Eisner and Tom Miller definitely knew they were taking a risk when they pitched the show to Paramount. Not surprisingly, the concept didn’t fare well with execs, and the studio passed. The market research department said a coming-of-age sitcom about the idealism and innocence of 1950s youth would never work in the trippy 1970s. But over time, with a little push from George Lucas, Happy Days made history as one of the most significant nostalgia-based shows of all time. And ever since Fonz and Richie Cunningham showed us how to laugh at our childhood, TV audiences have had a love affair with nostalgic TV shows. Many new TV shows also followed the Happy Days formula, whether it was The Wonder Years, set in the late 1960s while airing in the late 1980s, or That 70s Show, which showed us the glee of the 1970s while airing in the 1990s. Even in the 2020s, we’ve never really stopped loving nostalgia and using “period pieces” as a storytelling technique. Today, with Gen X and Millennials at the wheel of modern culture, we’re tapping back into the 1980s and 1990s and remembering how boomers and slackers saw the world. We were disconnected and barely scratching the surface of modern technology. But the memories were powerful enough to stick with us and symbolize the lives of whole generations. Here are eight TV shows that recreate or recapture yesterday’s nostalgia without being too cringe in that Revenge of the Nerds kind of way. Matlock Kathy Bates is back on television, and although Matlock takes place in the modern era, it’s easy to see how this rebooted and gender-swapped version of Matlock is a tribute to the 1980s. Kathy Bates plays, and seemingly channels, the Andy Griffith character of 1986, Ben Matlock. But she’s not just a country bumpkin. She’s also a bit sneaky, a bit disarming, and above all, genteel and charming, as expected. Bates played a similar role in The Office as Jo Bennett. However, it’s easy to see how this modern retelling of Matlock has more secrets than it’s letting on, especially regarding why Matlock is going undercover at a law firm and solving a much bigger mystery. While taking down giants with a smile, her “I’m just a harmless old lady” shtick just gets better with age. Watch Matlock Online Bel-Air Ironically, most people remember the 1990s hit sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air for its dramatic moments involving family conflict, rather than its many lighthearted moments. Years after the show came to an end, fan Morgan Cooper made a short film and reimagined The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as a dramatic TV series he called Bel-Air. It was such a natural evolution that it caught the attention of Will Smith, who wanted to revisit nostalgic characters like Vivian, Uncle Phil, House Manager Geoffrey, Carlton, and Hilary. Bel-Air is a bit dark, but who can deny the 1990s took on dark themes with a jaded grin? Watch Bel-Air Online Cobra Kai Cobra Kai was less of a reboot and more of a “repair” of the hatchet job that was The Karate Kid reboot of 2010. Will Smith’s kid learning Kung-Fu? Come on! Cobra Kai actually revisited the original characters of Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence (played by original cast members Ralph Macchio and William Zabka) and picked up where the movies left off. And before it’s all over, we also get more cameos from original cast members from the first three Karate Kid films. No, Hilary Swank never returned to revisit “Julie”, but hey — we still get feels hearing Daniel talk about his mentor. Watch Cobra Kai Online Walker True, Walker was unceremoniously canceled despite its good ratings. (Another TV first!) But it’s hard to deny that producer and actor Jared Padalecki made a genuine and valiant attempt to recreate 1990s nostalgia with a 2020-era lens. Family conflict was low, while gang-police conflict was high. And while Cordell Walker did not exactly tribute Chuck Norris (he didn’t even kick anyone’s butt with savage kicks), he did give fans a taste of 1990s nostalgia. Walker’s troubled but good-natured family steals the show, while Jared balances between cowboy stoicism and a moralistic community leader. Walker, Texas Ranger wasn’t just about beating up bad guys. Ultimately, it was about remembering the forgotten Western genre in the spirit of films like Lone Wolf McQuade. Watch Walker Online That ’90s Show That ’90s Show reminds us how great the 1990s actually were while we slacked and remembered how cool the 1970s sounded. Set in 1996, the show revisits iconic 1970s parents Red and Kitty, but through the lens of Leia Forman, the teenage daughter of Eric Forman and Donna Pinciotti. The show is double nostalgic in the sense that it remembers the 1990s while also remembering distinctive 1970s characters. Most of those characters come back, too, such as Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon), Fez (Wilmer Valderrama), and even Bob Pinciotti (Don Stark). Even legends like Eric Forman (Topher Grace), Jackie Burkhart (Mila Kunis), and Michael Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) show up, reminding us that you usually CAN go home again — as long as you’re not in jail. Sorry about that, Hyde. Watch That '90s Show Online Night Court The original Night Court captured the madness and uninhibited comedy that defined the 1980s. It was one part burlesque show, one part dad jokes, and one part sad commentary on fatherless boys — a recurring motif throughout its nine seasons. It seems impossible to revisit such a “you had to be there” moment in time. Not only because of the madcap and politically incorrect comedy, but just the simple fact that most of the original cast was resting in peace. Except John Larroquette. The same John Larroquette who always comes back to TV in some capacity, usually playing sidekicks or irritable B-sitcom protagonists. But this time, he gets it right. On Night Court, the reboot, he revisits his greatest role as Dan Fielding, who bonds with Judge Abby Stone, the daughter of his late friend, Harry Stone. While Harry Anderson’s presence is sorely missed, it’s impossible not to follow Dan Fielding, all grown up and bitter — until he meets a gang of old friends, including former bailiff Roz, played again by Marsha Warfield. Night Court might well set a record for a sitcom actor inhabiting the same character for decades if it wasn’t for one other guy. Watch Night Court Online Frasier Kelsey Grammar has always teased his desire to revisit Frasier Crane after retiring the character in 2004. And if Grammar has learned anything in his four-decade sitcom career, it’s that you can’t take your ensemble cast with you. In the 1990s, he didn’t get the luxury of inviting back Ted Danson or Bebe Neuwirth until Frasier was a hit. Likewise, in the 2020s, he couldn’t get David Hyde Pierce to return as Niles Crane. Some ”ships” have sailed. But to his credit, Grammar is eager to return to a world that has surpassed him in technology, culture, and, of course, new family members. This time, Frasier moved back to the Boston, Massachusetts, area, taking a job as a Harvard University professor, hoping to reconnect with his son Frederick Crane. The original Frasier always felt nostalgic, especially in scenes involving Kelsey Grammar and the late John Mahoney, who played Frasier’s irritable but earnest father, Martin Crane. They talked about the past. They shared introspective monologues. They thought about the 1980s and how a drink at the end of the day was everything. Grammar spent so much of the 1990s finding neuroses and avoiding happiness that it is refreshing to see him as a fully realized character. This new Frasier loves more, gives more, and supports his friends and family in a way Frasier of old could never comprehend. Watch Frasier Online Stranger Things Stranger Things is the most successful nostalgic show and is the one exception on this list, in that it feels dynamic and “in the moment” and is never just a trip down memory lane. Stranger Things gives us Gen X’s aesthetics while creating its own universe of terror, intrigue, and happy endings. (Or shall we say, Happy For Now endings, at least until the final season) While the show references many 1980s culture riffs and movie tributes, its premise and execution are also distinctly 1980s. The series plays with classic tropes and themes from 1980s movies, such as children going on adventures, dungeons and dragons, government conspiracies, and paranormal discoveries. The cinematography is influenced by 1980s directors like Steven Spielberg and John Carpenter. Even the 1980s synth-heavy soundtrack evokes the feeling of 1980s mischief. The Duffer Brothers recreated the 1980s very well, right down to including the nostalgic and iconic objects we all still talk about, like arcade games, walkie-talkies, basement hangouts, and terrible sofas. Watch Stranger Things Online Why We Love Nostalgia TV While trendy and quite effective in getting attention, nostalgia is also very therapeutic. It helps members of Gen Z and A visualize a forgotten pre-internet existence while also softly triggering Gen Xers and Boomers to remember the highs and lows of their glory days. I personally hope this nostalgia obsession never ends. Because in the back of our minds, we always want to know what happened to our favorite characters — and we want that portal to an alternative universe to stay open and not just feel like a lost memory. Those happy days never have to end if we keep remembering the past so fondly. Over to you, TV Fanatics! What TV shows do you think are doing nostalgia right? Hit the comments and let us know!“Don’t chase money, chase making a difference.” Zscaler founder and CEO Jay Chaudhry said this to the graduating students of Banaras Hindu University (BHU) as he delivered the 104th Convocation address. Chaudhry, who’s an alumnus of IIT-BHU, shared his journey from a humble background to becoming a global technology icon. He recalled how his parents, who were small-scale farmers, struggled to make sure that their children got a good education. “Adversity makes you figure things out, what to do and how to do,” said Chaudhry while mentioning how adversities in his childhood helped him develop his work ethic. Chaudhry advised the students to embrace resilience and learn continuously as they step into their futures. Reflecting on his own experiences at BHU, Chaudhry spoke about his fond memories of the campus, walks along the ghats, and strolls in the Lanka area. Crediting BHU for his success, the 1980 pass-out inspired students to work hard, be diligent and honest, and strive with a positive outlook in life to achieve excellence. Noting the technological advancements made by India in the recent decades, Chaudhary said students were future leaders and would be taking the on-going journey forward. “There will be ups and downs, but there are tons of opportunities that will come along. Those of you who grab them, work on them, figure out, will do extremely well,” he said. The Zscaler founder acknowledged that more female students were conferred gold medals, mentioning that India needed to realize the power of women. In his address, vice-chancellor Prof. Sudhir Kumar Jain spoke about the significant progress made by the university for its growth by hiring and nurturing talent, deployment of resources and building culture and governance. He listed the university’s initiatives for holistic development of students, empowering faculty members, infrastructure development and promoting excellence in education and research. The vice-chancellor mentioned the progress made by the university in strengthening its alumni engagement and informed that it now had a database of nearly 62,000 alumni. A total of 34 medals were conferred on 30 students during the convocation ceremony that took place at Swatantrata Bhawan. A total of 14,072 degrees were awarded. Out of them, 867 were Ph.D., 21 M.Phil., 5,074 postgraduate and 8,110 undergraduate degrees. Arts wing to confer degrees today BHU’s Faculty of Arts, also called the “mother faculty” of BHU, will be conferring over 4,300 degrees upon its graduating students on Sunday. In total 4,358 students from 22 departments will be the receiving degrees. These include 267 Ph.D, 1415 PG and 2676 UG students.

Hedge fund manager Scott Bessent is a credible, safe choice for US Treasury secretary -- and one that is likely positive for markets -- observers said Saturday following President-elect Donald Trump's highly anticipated nomination. His selection came after competition for the top economic job spilled into the open last weekend, with the world's richest man Elon Musk throwing his support instead behind Trump's transition team co-chair Howard Lutnick. Lutnick has since been named commerce secretary to lead Trump's tariff and trade agenda, and Bessent's nomination days later appears to be uncontroversial for now. "Scott Bessent is a credible, mainstream pick for Treasury Secretary," said Jason Furman, a professor at Harvard University and former top White House economic adviser. "I could see previous administrations as having chosen him," Furman, a former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, told AFP. But a key difference is that Bessent, 62, has had to adopt and defend views on topics like tariffs, in a way "he never would have in pursuit of the job for a previous Republican administration." Tariffs are a key part of Trump's economic agenda, with the Republican president-elect vowing sweeping duties on allies and adversaries alike. In an opinion piece published earlier this month on Fox News, Bessent defended the potential use of tariffs as a means to raise revenue for the government, protect strategic US industries and negotiate with trading partners. He would be one of the first openly gay Cabinet officials if confirmed by the Senate, and the first at the helm of the Treasury Department. - 'Adult in the room' - Jens Nordvig, chief executive of data and analytics firm Exante Data who has worked with Bessent, drew a contrast between his demeanor and that of other Trump supporters. While some Trump allies have a tendency towards "general sweeping statements," Bessent is an "analytical thinker, and he communicates accordingly," Nordvig told AFP. He counts Bessent among his early clients. "I would expect his messaging to be very focused, to get his key points across, without any unnecessary flamboyance or gusto," Nordvig added of the Wall Street veteran. Calling Bessent a "safe choice," Brookings senior fellow in economic studies David Wessel told AFP: "He will be an adult in the room for the Trump administration." Besides Bessent, others seen as top contenders for Treasury chief in recent days included former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh, Apollo Global Management chief executive Marc Rowan, and Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty. - Market relief? - It remains to be seen if Bessent will be a big influence "moderating some of the administration's more aggressive trade policy" or simply be a spokesman, Wessel said. He does not have much experience in dealing with Congress either, and this would be important next year as the Trump administration works to raise the debt ceiling and effort a tax bill to deliver on his economic promises. Bessent would also have to grapple with the country's debt burden, with debt borrowed at much lower interest rates previously and Trump's plans estimated to add trillions over time. In an open letter published Saturday, Nordvig called for "thoughtful leadership" at the Treasury, saying a realistic approach to tax cuts and bond issuance was needed. He also sounded a hopeful note, saying Bessent would work to reduce extreme risks for markets. Krishna Guha, vice chairman of Evercore ISI, believes Bessent's nomination "will be well received by financial markets," given his deep understanding of markets and macro conditions. Guha also warned of the risk of bond yields spiking and "pushing up mortgage rates and tanking the housing market, while also causing stocks to sell off." In his past administration, Trump has viewed the stock market as a gauge of his success. bys/mdGrand Chief Jerry Daniels of the Southern Chiefs Organization (SCO) is on leave for an undetermined length of time, the organization says. SCO told Global Winnipeg on Thursday that Daniels, who was re-elected to a third term in June, is taking leave for health reasons. Daniels was hospitalized after an altercation in Ottawa last week, where he was participating in a three-day Assembly of First Nations special chiefs’ assembly. In his stead, SCO said Cornell McLean of Lake Manitoba First Nation — longtime member of the organization’s executive committee — will be serving as Acting Grand Chief. SCO says it’s ‘business as usual’ for the services and programming it provides.

ISSAQUAH, Wash., Dec. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Costco Wholesale Corporation (“Costco” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: COST) today announced its operating results for the first quarter of fiscal 2025 (twelve weeks), ended November 24, 2024. Net sales for the first quarter increased 7.5 percent, to $60.99 billion from $56.72 billion last year. Comparable sales for the first quarter fiscal 2025 were as follows: *Excluding the impacts from changes in gasoline prices and foreign exchange. Net income for the quarter was $1,798 million, $4.04 per diluted share, compared to $1,589 million, $3.58 per diluted share, last year. This year’s results included a tax benefit of $100 million, $0.22 per diluted share, related to stock-based compensation. Last year’s results included a tax benefit of $44 million, $0.10 per diluted share, also related to stock-based compensation. Costco currently operates 897 warehouses, including 617 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 109 in Canada, 41 in Mexico, 36 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 19 in Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, seven in China, five in Spain, two in France, and one each in Iceland, New Zealand and Sweden. Costco also operates e-commerce sites in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Australia. A conference call to discuss these results is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. (PT) today, December 12, 2024, and is available via a webcast on investor.costco.com (click “Events & Presentations”). Certain statements contained in this document constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For these purposes, forward-looking statements are statements that address activities, events, conditions or developments that the Company expects or anticipates may occur in the future. In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified because they contain words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” or similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events, results or performance to differ materially from those indicated by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, domestic and international economic conditions, including exchange rates, inflation or deflation, the effects of competition and regulation, uncertainties in the financial markets, consumer and small business spending patterns and debt levels, breaches of security or privacy of member or business information, conditions affecting the acquisition, development, ownership or use of real estate, capital spending, actions of vendors, rising costs associated with employees (generally including health-care costs and wages), workforce interruptions, energy and certain commodities, geopolitical conditions (including tariffs), the ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, regulatory and other impacts related to environmental and social matters, public-health related factors, and other risks identified from time to time in the Company’s public statements and reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company does not undertake to update these statements, except as required by law. Comparable sales and comparable sales excluding impacts from changes in gasoline prices and foreign exchange are intended as supplemental information and are not a substitute for net sales presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. COST-EarnVERMILLION, S.D. (AP) — Chase Forte scored 21 points as South Dakota beat Western Illinois 89-66 on Saturday. Forte added six rebounds and five assists for the Coyotes (9-4). Cameron Fens added 17 points while going 5 of 8 and 7 of 9 from the free-throw line while grabbing six rebounds. Isaac Bruns had 13 points and shot 4 for 10 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 4 of 5 from the free-throw line. Marko Maletic led the Leathernecks (6-5) in scoring, finishing with 24 points. Julius Rollins added 13 points for Western Illinois. Sean Smith had 11 points. South Dakota's next game is Thursday against Utah Tech on the road. Western Illinois hosts Tennessee Tech on Tuesday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

THEY may be loves of my life but I’ll never forgive the grandkids for giving me Christmas shopping anxiety. Hitherto I was blessed with a late dash-and-grab approach to buying presents, leaving purchases to the last minute. Every shop assistant’s dream is the Christmas Eve late afternoon desperate bloke fresh from the pub. Occasionally, that was me and no Tiny Tim of mine ever woke on the 25th to an empty stocking. It’s a myth Oliver Cromwell banned Christmas but curbing carnal and sensual delights was a Puritan goal, replacing drunkenness and debauchery with fasting and prayer. Unremarkably, this proved unpopular with the great unwashed during an otherwise regrettably ­­short-lived Republic of 1649-60. And who could blame common folk brightening miserable winters – thicker gruel and snogging toothless neighbours under mistletoe a more uplifting celebration than hunger and boredom. Yet in the unlikely event I was to be Cromwell’s belated successor as Lord Protector, top of my decrees would have been banning decorations, festive pub menus, playing Slade’s Merry Xmas Everybody, John Lewis saccharine adverts and, particularly, shopping until the start of December. Until this year, I started seeing and acquiring gifts for Little L and Canny C from September. Santa Granda’s first inkling of change was popping into an old-school Whitley Bay hardware store and walking out with a present for Little L. I won’t spoil his surprise by disclosing what was bought but the pressies will thrill him and altered my approach, probably forever. Christmas really is about kids and grandkids, and the thought of Little L and Canny C smiling as they excitedly unwrap their gifts left under the tree is heartwarming. No way is some bearded, tubby, red-suited stranger sneaking down a chimney stealing credit for the fruits of my changed life.

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Down by two shots with two holes to play, Jeeno Thitikul knew exactly what was needed to capture the biggest prize in women's golf history. And another eagle-birdie finish — for the second straight day — made it happen. Thitikul claimed the record-setting $4 million first-place check by winning the CME Group Tour Championship on Sunday. It's the biggest money prize in women’s golf history, bigger than even the winner’s shares in three of the four men’s major championships this year. “Today, standing here with the trophy, it's more than I can ask for,” Thitikul said. Thitikul shot a 7-under 65 on Sunday and finished the week at 22 under, one shot ahead of Angel Yin (66). Yin had a two-shot lead walking to the 17th tee, only to wind up settling for the $1 million runner-up check. Yin — who missed the start of the season after breaking her leg over the winter — hardly sounded defeated after finishing second and more than doubling her 2024 earnings in four days. “I’m pretty awesome. ... I’ve learned that I just need to believe my myself and that’s what I did," Yin said. The win and the massive check came down to the 18th hole, Thitikul and Yin tied at 21 under after a back-and-forth day atop the leaderboard — both knowing a mistake would likely come at a $3 million cost. Both hit the fairway on 18. Thitikul’s approach was nearly perfect, stopping about 5 feet from the cup. Yin’s response stopped maybe 15 feet away, giving Thitikul the edge as they walked up the fairway. She was smiling broadly as she approached the green, almost as if she knew what was about to happen. Yin’s birdie putt just missed. Thitikul’s was dead center. And history was hers. Her plans for all that cash? “Definitely spend it,” Thitikul said. “That’s an honest answer, for sure. Definitely going to spend it for a little while.” She already had clinched a $1 million bonus this week through the Aon Risk-Reward Challenge, a competition based on how players score on a designated hole each week. In the end, it wound up as a whopping $5 million week for the 21-year-old from Thailand — and going 8 under on the Nos. 17 and 18 over the four days at Tiburon Golf Club made the difference. “All the hard work paid off,” said Thitikul, whose eagle-birdie close to Saturday's round pulled her into a tie for the lead with Yin going into Sunday at 15 under. It didn’t take long on Sunday for Thitikul to jump in front, with birdies on two of the first three holes to grab a two-shot edge. Her lead vanished with a two-shot swing on the par-4 fourth; Yin made birdie, Thitikul bogey. It seemed like Yin grabbed control on the par-3 16th. Her birdie putt from across the green — about 25 feet — rolled in for a two-shot lead with two holes to play. But her second shot at the par-5 17th missed the green right, and the door was opened for Thitikul. The eagle-birdie finish Saturday gave her hope. The eagle-birdie finish Sunday gave her so much more — even though, it turns out, the second shot on the par 5 wasn't one that she caught flush. It worked out anyway. “Just lucky enough,” Thitikul said. Olympic gold medalist Lydia Ko (63) finished third at 17 under, her nine birdies coming in a 13-hole span. “I’m excited to be able to work hard this offseason and have another great 2025,” Ko said. Ruoning Yin (68) was alone in fourth at 16 under, and LPGA player of the year Nelly Korda (66) finished at 15 under along with Narin An (68). Ayaka Furue finished at 13 under, good enough to give her the Vare Trophy as the LPGA’s season-long scoring champion over Haeran Ryu. “I feel very happy to have this trophy in my hands,” said Furue, the first Japanese player to win the Vare. Lexi Thompson — a 15-time winner as a pro who plans to step away from full-time golf — finished at 2 under. It’s not clear how often Thompson plans to play in 2025 and beyond; that said, she returns to Tiburon the week of Dec. 9 for the Grant Thornton Invitational, where she’ll team with Rickie Fowler in the event featuring PGA Tour and LPGA Tour players. “I’m not going anywhere, guys.” Thompson said. “I’ll be back in two weeks.” There were two players who said they were retiring after Sunday’s round: Marina Alex, who shot 66 to finish at 12 under, and Ally Ewing, who closed with a 68 to wrap up the week at 11 under. “I’m happy to have ended on my best,” said Alex, a bottle of sparkling wine in her right hand, a bouquet of flowers in the other. Added Ewing: “I’ve been at peace with my decision. It’s just so nice to be able to share the walk with my family this week.” But in the end, the week belonged to Thitikul. And as the sun was setting over Tiburon on Sunday, she was ready for her offseason to begin with a well-deserved celebration. “Anybody hungry?” she asked. “I am.” With Sunday's check in her pocket, she can dine anywhere she wants for a while. AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

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