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Anthony Albanese splashed out $62,000 on flowers and a musical performance for world leaders at a summit in Melbourne earlier this year. Documents supplied to the federal opposition through freedom of information requests show the Prime Minister’s office spent $18,000 on the flowers and $44,000 for singer Jess Mauboy. The major event was a dinner at the 50-year ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit, which brought together 11 prime ministers, presidents and sultans in Melbourne in March. Australia is not a member of ASEAN, rather a “comprehensive strategic partner”. Opposition waste spokesman James Stevens said the floral expense was “remarkable and insulting” amid cost-of-living pressures. “Albo’s flower power has cost taxpayers more than $60,000 in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis,” Mr Stevens said in a statement. “Unfortunately, this is just another example of our Prime Minister enjoying himself at the taxpayer’s expense.” The Prime Minister’s office says the expenditure was in line with similar events, including the 2018 ASEAN conference. Mr Albanese’s office also said two-way trade between Australia and the ASEAN nations totalled $183.4bn last year. The documents show the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet spent $18,513 on floral arrangements for the leaders and spouses’ dinner at the conference, including a $7000 12m dining table centrepiece. ARIA-winner Mauboy was also paid $44,000 of taxpayer money to perform. “What an honour it was to perform at the reception for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit 2024 in Melbourne this week,” she posted on social media at the time. “Thank you so much for having me.” In a statement, the Prime Minister’s office said the summit was a “major event commemorating 50 years of our relations with ASEAN” and pointed to the economic value of Australian trade within ASEAN nations. “All procurement related to the summit was undertaken in accordance with Commonwealth procurement rules,” the statement read. “Expenditure on the summit was in line with similar-sized events, including the 2018 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in Sydney.” Separate publicly available tender documents show hiring the National Gallery of Victoria cost more than $41,000, plus $13,600 for food and drinks. Originally published as Anthony Albanese treats world leaders to $60k worth of flowers and entertainmentSEOUL, South Korea -- South Korea's embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law, as most ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify protests calling for Yoon's ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea, with a survey suggesting a majority of South Koreans support the president's impeachment. Yoon's martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party, but the party is also determined to oppose Yoon's impeachment apparently because it fears losing the presidency to liberals. After the motion fell through, members of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party rallied inside the National Assembly, chanting slogans calling for Yoon's impeachment or resignation. The party's floor leader, Park Chan-dae, said it will soon prepare for a new impeachment motion. Opposition parties could submit a new impeachment motion after a new parliamentary session opens next Wednesday. "We'll surely impeach Yoon Suk Yeol, who is the greatest risk to Republic of Korea," party leader Lee Jae-myung said. "We'll surely bring back this country to normal before Christmas Day or year's end." Many experts worry Yoon won't be able to serve out his remaining 2 years in office. They say some PPP lawmakers could eventually join opposition parties' efforts to impeach Yoon if public demands for it grow further. The ruling party risks "further public outrage and national confusion if they don't find a formula fast for Yoon's departure," said Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at the Center for a New American Security in Washington. PPP chair Han Dong-hun said his party will seek Yoon's "orderly" early exit but didn't say when he can resign. Protests against Yoon are swelling On Saturday, tens of thousands of people packed several blocks of roads leading to the National Assembly, waving banners, shouting slogans and dancing. Protesters also gathered in front of PPP's headquarters near the Assembly, shouting for its lawmakers to vote to impeach Yoon. A smaller crowd of Yoon's supporters, which still seemed to be in the thousands, rallied elsewhere in Seoul, calling the impeachment attempt unconstitutional. Impeaching Yoon required support from 200 of the National Assembly's 300 members. The Democratic Party and five other small opposition parties, which filed the motion, have 192 seats combined. But only three lawmakers from PPP participated in the vote. The motion was scrapped without ballot counting because the number of votes didn't reach 200. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik called the result "very regrettable" and an embarrassing moment for the country's democracy. If Yoon is impeached, his powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to remove him from office. If he is removed, an election to replace him must take place within 60 days. The president apologizes for turmoil Earlier Saturday, Yoon issued an apology over the martial law decree, saying he won't shirk legal or political responsibility for the declaration and promising not to make another attempt to impose it. He said would leave it to his party to chart a course through the country's political turmoil, "including matters related to my term in office." "The declaration of this martial law was made out of my desperation. But in the course of its implementation, it caused anxiety and inconveniences to the public. I feel very sorry over that and truly apologize to the people who must have been shocked a lot," Yoon said. Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has struggled to push his agenda through an opposition-controlled parliament and grappled with low approval ratings amid scandals involving himself and his wife. In his martial law announcement on Tuesday night, Yoon called parliament a "den of criminals" bogging down state affairs and vowed to eliminate "shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces." The declaration of martial law was the first of its kind in more than 40 years in South Korea. The turmoil has paralyzed South Korean politics and sparked alarm among key diplomatic partners like the U.S. and Japan. "Yoon's credibility overseas has been undermined by declaring martial law, so he won't be able to exercise leadership in his foreign policies especially when his days are numbered," Kim, the analyst, said. "Its government bureaucracy will need to continue business as usual for existing alliance and foreign policy initiatives as best it can because there is a lot of important work to do globally." Tuesday night saw special forces troops encircling the parliament building and army helicopters hovering over it, but the military withdrew after the National Assembly unanimously voted to overturn the decree, forcing Yoon to lift it before daybreak Wednesday. Eighteen lawmakers from the ruling party voted to reject Yoon's martial law decree along with opposition lawmakers. PPP later decided to oppose Yoon's impeachment motion. Yoon's speech fueled speculation that he and his party may push for a constitutional amendment to shorten his term, instead of accepting impeachment, as a way to ease public anger over the marital law and facilitate Yoon's early exit from office. Lee told reporters that Yoon's speech was "greatly disappointing" and that the only way forward is his immediate resignation or impeachment. His party called Yoon's martial law "unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or coup." Lawmakers on Saturday first voted on a bill appointing a special prosecutor to investigate stock price manipulation allegations surrounding Yoon's wife. Yoon accused of ordering arrests of politicians On Friday, Han, who criticized Yoon's martial law declaration, said he had received intelligence that during the brief period of martial law Yoon ordered the country's defense counterintelligence commander to arrest unspecified key politicians based on accusations of "anti-state activities." Hong Jang-won, first deputy director of South Korea's spy agency, told lawmakers Friday that Yoon had ordered him to help the defense counterintelligence unit to detain key politicians including Han, Lee and Woo. The Defense Ministry said Friday it suspended three military commanders including the head of the defense counterintelligence unit over their involvement in enforcing martial law. Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho has told parliament that Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun ordered the deployment of troops to the National Assembly. Opposition parties accused Kim of recommending to Yoon to enforce martial law. Kim Yong Hyun resigned Thursday, and prosecutors imposed an overseas travel ban on him.
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Even as the stock market has been on the recovering path for the past few weeks with benchmark indices posting biggest weekly gains in the last six months on December 6, Andrew Holland, CEO Avendus Capital Alternate Strategies, believes the volatility may not be far from over in the near term. Share Market View All Nifty Gainers View All Company Value Change %Change Speaking on the sidelines of CNBC-TV18’s India Business Leader Awards (IBLA) 2024, Holland cautioned the D-Street of a very volatile January ahead as the Donald Trump administration is set to take over in the US. “January 20 is a big event, Trump is taking over the US administration. That's an event we have to be very careful about. So, I'm very cautious between now and then,” he told CNBC-TV18. He believes that while FIIs may go on holiday in the second half of December, domestic domestic will have the full range for investing but come January, all bets will be off. “It's going be a very volatile January ahead of us.” When asked if he would recommend lightning positions, he said sometimes the strategy is having cash, waiting for some of these events to pass and then making a move. Even if one misses the first five percent of gains, that's okay, as there'll be a longer bull run but one should be reasonable to not get caught in the volatility, he said. Explaining the reason behind being so cautious about Trump 2.0, Holland said, “there’s many things about tariffs, the narrative for India... Sometimes, it doesn't always work out the way everyone says. I’m just a bit skeptical, so just being cautious is the right way to be.” Few days after Trump 2.0 takes over, India will be ready with its Budget 2025 in February. Against the backdrop of a slowdown in growth in Q2 and the upcoming budget, Holland said there is no reason to get really excited. He is of the view that there is no catalyst for the markets to go very high as valuations are already very high, the economy is slowing quite quickly and there's no rate cut. Therefore, even if government spending picks up, the multiplier effect may not be very quick and so, earnings are going to remain under pressure for the rest of this year.
Jaguar's Type 00 concept car: Redefining EV landscapePHILADELPHIA, PA — Authorities are requesting the public’s assistance in identifying individuals suspected of involvement in three separate assault incidents that allegedly occurred on November 19, 2024. All three incidents took place in Center City, where victims were reportedly attacked from behind and sustained injuries. The Central Detective Division has released video footage and still images of the suspects, who are described as a group of juvenile males and females. Investigators are hopeful that public cooperation will lead to their identification. According to police, the first incident occurred at approximately 3:20 p.m. at the intersection of 17th and Chestnut Streets. A 24-year-old female victim stated she was pushed to the ground and struck on the back of her head several times by the group. She was later treated for a concussion at Einstein Norristown Hospital. The second assault took place around 3:45 p.m. on the 200 block of North 19th Street. The victim, a 31-year-old male, reported being repeatedly punched in the face and head, resulting in facial redness, irritation, and bleeding. The final alleged incident was reported at 4:10 p.m. in the area of 2001 Pennsylvania Avenue. A 41-year-old female victim told police she was attacked by the same group, who pulled her hair and punched her in the head. The suspects fled the scene on foot after each attack. The Philadelphia Police Department has asked anyone with information about the incidents or the individuals involved to contact the Central Detective Division. Detective Lyons and Detective Winward are leading the investigation. Tips can be submitted by calling 215-686-TIPS (8477), texting the same number, or contacting detectives directly at 215-686-3047 or 215-686-3048. All information will remain confidential. The police have urged the public not to approach the suspects if recognized but instead to contact 911 immediately. Authorities emphasize that these incidents remain under investigation, and all individuals involved are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. As additional information emerges, updates may follow. For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN .
Texas AG sues NCAA over transgender participation“The cruise ship season is projecting 179 cruise ship calls in 2025,” Minister of Transport Wayne Furbert said in the House of Assembly today [Dec 6]. The Minister said, “In 2025, Mr. Speaker, we are projecting 518,510 passengers @95% occupancy, accounting for weather cancellations, similar to 2024. Also, in 2025, there is a reduction in winter calls. There is one [1] call in January, one call [1] in February and eight [8] calls in March. “You might notice a reduction of eleven [11] calls overall from the 2024 season and there is a reason. Progress is the prime reason, and I know the Minister of Public Works will join with me in our exhilaration that the Kings Wharf pier is finally going to get its much-needed extension by 200 feet and become equal in size and stature to that of the Heritage Wharf pier in Dockyard. “The Kings Wharf pier will be under construction from the 2nd of October 2025 to March 31st 2026. In addition, this winter 2025 some pre-construction work will start.” Mr. Speaker, growth requires pause, and progress sometimes means rebuilding. While 2025 may see slightly fewer ships sailing to our shores, it’s all part of preparing for a spectacular 2026—a future larger, stronger, and more vibrant than ever. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to share with my Honourable colleagues a preview of the cruise season for 2025 and provide a snapshot of the projections for the remainder of the year. Mr. Speaker, you will be aware that the Ministry of Transport released a joint press release with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Limited last week and just recently the 2025 Cruise Ship Schedule. I would like to share a little more detail at this time. Mr. Speaker, the cruise ship season is projecting 179 cruise ship calls in 2025, a few more than the 2024 season will end with year at approximately one hundred and seventy-two 172 calls, after eighteen [18] cancelled calls, thus far. In 2024, these cancelled calls are attributed to both weather events and preplanned itinerary changes. Thirteen [13] weather, and five [5] itinerary changes. There are still five [5] more cruise ship calls before the end of this season before the final numbers will be tallied. In 2025, Mr. Speaker, we are projecting 518,510 passengers @95% occupancy, accounting for weather cancellations, similar to 2024. Also, in 2025, there is a reduction in winter calls. There is one [1] call in January, one call [1] in February and eight [8] calls in March. Mr. Speaker, you might notice a reduction of eleven [11] calls overall from the 2024 season and there is a reason. Progress- Progress is the prime reason, and I know the Minister of Public Works will join with me in our exhilaration that the Kings Wharf pier is finally going to get its much-needed extension by 200 feet and become equal in size and stature to that of the Heritage Wharf pier in Dockyard. The extension is between the terminal building and the current dolphins. 100 feet each side of the terminal building. This news may not mean much to many, but to those who know, it is a significant milestone. This project will significantly help Bermuda attract certain ships, and the Bermuda Land Management Corporation [formerly WEDCO] will be postured to better service ships at Kings Wharf. Most importantly, this enhancement will help the Department of Marine & Ports and Ships Agent manage the cruise ship schedule more efficiently as both piers will be equal in size and the upgrades will allow guests during the disembarkation and embarkation process to have a better passenger experience because more hatches will be deployed, allowing more gangways to be used. Mr. Speaker, this construction project would not be possible without the Ministry of Transports collaborative efforts with the Bermuda Land Management Corporation, the Ministry of Public works and the sincere support, and partnership of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Limited, a dedicated partner to Bermuda for decades. Mr. Speaker, the Kings Wharf pier will be under construction from the 2nd of October 2025 to March 31st 2026. In addition, this winter 2025 some pre-construction work will start. Mr. Speaker, the good news does not finish here. Norwegian Cruise Lines has committed to deploying some of its newest ships to Bermuda and a third ship starting regularly from 2026, thereby calling 7- days a week in peak season. Mr. Speaker, in 2026 passenger projections will increase again. Deployment bookings today for 2026 include 199 cruise ship calls, estimating 575,000 passengers. It is in 2026 that our [2] new Marine and Ports 550 passenger ferries will also be in service. Mr. Speaker, these numbers remain fluid, but we are preparing for a future larger, stronger, and more vibrant than ever. Mr. Speaker, the 2025 Cruise Ship Schedule is on-line at Mr. Speaker, thank you. : , ,
Titans' 1st-year coach Brian Callahan focused on future, not job security after latest lossFresh rallies in Georgia after PM said 'won battle' with pro-EU protestersTweet Facebook Mail As the hunt for a masked gunman who stalked and killed the head of the largest US health insurer moved into its third day overnight, surveillance footage provided more clues about the suspect's travels and the places he visited before the shooting. UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was killed in a dawn ambush on Wednesday as he walked from his midtown hotel to the company's annual investor conference across the street, just blocks from Radio City Music Hall and Rockefeller Centre. Days later, the gunman's whereabouts and identity remained unknown as did the reason for the killing. New York City police say evidence firmly points to it being a targeted attack. Investigators were working to piece together more of the timeline of the gunman's movements before the shooting. READ MORE: Romania's top court annuls first round of presidential vote won by far-right candidate Images of a man believed to have killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson have been released. (AP) Police have obtained new surveillance images of the suspect, including from the city's subway system, a law enforcement official said. In establishments where he was captured on camera, he always appeared to pay with cash, said the official, who was not authorised to discuss details of the ongoing investigation and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity. The words "deny," "defend" and "depose" were scrawled on the ammunition, that official and a second one told the AP on Thursday. The messages mirror the phrase "delay, deny, defend," which is commonly used by lawyers and critics about insurers that delay payments, deny claims and defend their actions. READ MORE: Three climbers believed to have died in a fall on New Zealand's highest peak The man may have travelled on a bus to New York in November. (AP) Investigators believe the suspect may have traveled to New York last month on a bus that originated in Atlanta, one of the law enforcement officials said. An Atlanta police spokesperson said Friday that the agency has not been asked to join the investigation. Police and federal agents have been collecting information from Greyhound to try to identify the suspect and are working to determine whether he purchased the ticket to New York in late November, the official said. Investigators have tested a discarded water bottle and protein bar wrapper in a hunt for his DNA. They also were trying to obtain additional information from a cellphone recovered from a pedestrian plaza where the shooter fled. He then got on a bicycle and was last seen riding into Central Park, blocks from the shooting. READ MORE: 'A third nuclear age is upon us': Military expert's chilling warning Thompson was shot in what police believe was a targeted attack. (AP) Police released photos Thursday of a person wanted for questioning in connection with Thompson's killing that were taken in the lobby of a hostel on on Manhattan's Upper West Side. The images, showing an unmasked man smiling in the lobby of the HI New York City hostel, add to a collection of photos and video circulated since the shooting — including footage of the attack itself, as well as images of the suspected gunman stopping at a Starbucks beforehand. Investigators have learned the man lowered his mask at the front desk of the hostel because he was flirting with the woman who checked him in, one of the law enforcement officials told the AP, leading to a photo of his face. The woman told investigators that during that encounter she asked to see his smile and he pulled down his mask, the official said. Investigators believe the suspect used a fake New Jersey identification card when he checked in at the hostel, the official said. This undated photo provided by UnitedHealth Group shows UnitedHealthcare chief executive officer Brian Thompson. (AP Photo/UnitedHealth Group via AP) (UnitedHealth Group) Employees who work at the hostel told investigators they remembered a man who almost always wore a mask when interacting with them or walking by the front desk. The person wore a jacket that looked like the one worn by the man pictured in surveillance images, the official said. Based on surveillance video and evidence from the scene, investigators believe the shooter had at least some firearms training and experience with guns and that the weapon was equipped with a silencer, the law enforcement official told the AP. Security video shows the killer approaching Thompson from behind, leveling his pistol and firing several shots, barely pausing to clear a gun jam while the executive tumbled to the sidewalk. Investigators were also looking into whether the suspect had pre-positioned a bike as part of an escape plan, the official said. Police released several images of the man wearing a hooded jacket and a mask that concealed most of his face — a look that would not have attracted attention on a chilly morning. Thompson, a father of two sons who lived in a Minneapolis suburb, had been with Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and served as CEO for more than three years. The insurer's parent company, UnitedHealth Group Inc, was holding its annual meeting in New York to update investors on its direction and expectations for the coming year. The company abruptly ended the conference after Thompson's death. UnitedHealth Group said late Thursday that it was focused on supporting Thompson's family, ensuring the safety of employees and assisting investigators. "While our hearts are broken, we have been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place," the company said. UnitedHealthcare provides coverage for more than 49 million Americans and brought in more than US$281 billion ($440.7 billion) in revenue last year. It is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the US and manages health insurance coverage for employers and state and federally funded Medicaid programs. In October, UnitedHealthcare was named along with Humana and CVS in a Senate report detailing how its denial rate for prior authorisations for some Medicare Advantage patients has surged in recent years. The shooting has shaken corporate America and the health insurance industry in particular, causing companies to reevaluate security plans and delete photos and biographies of executives from their websites. A different Minnesota-based health care company said Friday it was temporarily closing its offices out of an abundance of caution, telling employees to work from home. DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP : Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play .
Atlanta, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acuity Brands to Announce Fiscal 2025 First-Quarter Results on January 9, 2025 Atlanta, December 3, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) (the “Company”) today announced that it is planning to release its fiscal 2025 first-quarter results on Thursday, January 9, 2025 at 6:00 a.m. (EST), followed by a conference call at 8:00 a.m. (EST). Neil Ashe, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Acuity Brands will lead the call. The webcast, earnings release, and supplemental presentation can be accessed via the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.investors.acuitybrands.com on Thursday, January 9, 2025. The online replay will remain available for a limited time following the call. A replay of the call will also be posted to the Investor Relations site two hours after the completion of the conference call and will be archived on the website. To learn more about Acuity Brands, please visit the Company's website . About Acuity Brands Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. We use technology to solve problems in spaces, light, and more things to come. Through our two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (ABL) and the Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG), we design, manufacture, and bring to market products and services that make a valuable difference in people’s lives. We achieve growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including lighting, lighting controls, building management solutions, and location-aware applications. We achieve customer-focused efficiencies that allow us to increase market share and deliver superior returns. We look to aggressively deploy capital to grow the business and to enter attractive new verticals. Acuity Brands, Inc. is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe, and Asia. The Company is powered by more than 12,000 dedicated and talented associates. Visit us at www.acuitybrands.com # # # # # Investor Contact: Charlotte McLaughlin Vice President, Investor Relations (404) 853-1456 investorrelations@acuitybrands.com Media Contact: April Appling Vice President, Corporate Communications & Events corporatecommunications@acuitybrands.com
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Canadian Western Bank delays earnings release without saying whyIs Kenneth Walker playing this week? Injury update, fantasy outlook for Seahwawks' RB ahead of Week 14 vs. Cardinals | Sporting News
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Brian Callahan insisted Monday he's busy preparing to coach the Tennessee Titans against the Jacksonville Jaguars, not what controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk thinks of his first season. “It’s a bottom line business and we’ve got to show progress and we haven’t shown enough,” Callahan said. “I would like to see more and we got two more opportunities to do it." The Titans have lost four straight after a 38-30 defeat in Indianapolis , dropping the season series to their AFC South foe. They also have lost six of seven to drop to 3-12, putting the franchise two losses from matching the most in a season set in 2014 when the NFL played a 16-game schedule. Asked if he thinks he will have to make a case to keep his job when this season ends, Callahan said he has no idea. “My job is to coach the football team and get ready to go play Jacksonville,” Callahan said. “That’s the only thing that I focus on. And anything other than that, is out of my control.” What’s working The Titans played a season-high 10 rookies in Indianapolis. Even with all that youth, they were flagged only four times matching their second-lowest total of the season. That was a huge improvement from the week before when Tennessee was penalized 12 times for 110 yards. What needs help Callahan said every time they try to fix one thing, another issue pops up. Against Indianapolis, t he run defense simply disappeared . They gave up 335 yards rushing, the most in franchise history since Oct. 1, 1961. They gave up touchdown runs of 65 and 70 yards to Jonathan Taylor. A defense that entered Week 16 ranked 12th allowed Taylor to average 7.5 yards per carry and meant Anthony Richardson needed to throw just 11 passes. The Titans gave up 38 consecutive points — the third most allowed in a game all season just a week after giving up 37 in a loss to Cincinnati. Stock up TE Chig Okonkwo. He led the Titans with nine catches and 81 yards receiving — both career highs. He also scored his the second 2-point conversion of his career. He became the first tight end with nine or more receptions in a game since Delanie Walker had nine Nov. 13, 2016, against Green Bay. Stock down Mason Rudolph. Callahan defended the veteran's three interceptions with one going off running back Tony Pollard's hands and the third a last-gasp play to end the game and said he thought Rudolph had a good performance. That said, Rudolph's numbers are almost a mirror image of the quarterback he replaced. Rudolph has eight touchdown passes and eight interceptions. He's completing 63.8% of his passes and has a 78.8 passer rating. That's nearly the same as Will Levis completing 63.7% of his passes with 12 TD passes and 12 interceptions. Callahan said turnovers from the quarterback spot has sort of been “our Achilles' heel” swinging games. But he also hasn't made a decision yet on who starts Sunday, saying stats don't always paint the full picture. “My goal is to try to put the best chance to win on the field for us and we’ll see what that looks like,” Callahan said. Injuries Callahan said K Nick Folk might have a chance to be back after an abdominal injury sidelined the veteran in Indianapolis. The Titans are practicing with a walk-through Tuesday and taking Wednesday off for Christmas so the coach said he'll have a better handle on injuries Thursday. Folk's replacement Brayden Narveson missed a 53-yard field goal that would have given Tennessee a 10-0 lead. Folk is 21 of 22 on field goals this season. Key num ber 121 — Number of points allowed off turnovers this season. It's the most in a season for the Titans since at least 2000, topping the 108 given up in 2015. The Titans lead the NFL with 32 turnovers, which Callahan called their biggest issue. “That’s insanity,” Callahan said. Next steps The Titans visit Jacksonville on Sunday for their final road trip, trying to avoid being swept by their division rival. Then it's back home for the regular-season finale, hosting Houston before more changes this offseason in some form. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Teresa M. Walker, The Associated Press
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A study of hot spots for collisions between ships and whales around the world, including Canadian waters, offers a map for measures to prevent the deadly strikes that could drive some species to extinction, one of the British Columbia-based authors says. Chloe Robinson said reported strikes represent a fraction of their true extent, and a lack of protection measures leaves whales vulnerable as global shipping expands. The study found shipping takes place across 92 per cent of the ranges for humpback, blue, fin and sperm whales worldwide, but measures to reduce vessel strikes have been implemented in less than seven per cent of high-risk areas. “That could really spell, you know, potential extinction for some of these species,” said Robinson,director of whales for Ocean Wise, a B.C.-based organization that provided data for the paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Science. “A recent study estimated anything up to 20,000 whales are killed a year through ship strikes, globally, and that’s just an estimate, a best-case estimate.” Robinson said she was surprised to see Swiftsure Bank, off the west coast of Vancouver Island, emerge as a risk hot spot for strikes of fin, blue and humpback whales. The area is a “migration highway” for humpbacks, she noted. The study also identified a hot spot for the same three species in the Gulf of St. Lawrence between Quebec, New Brunswick and Newfoundland. “This is something that Ocean Wise has been looking into because a lot of the management measures occur offshore and not sort of within the Gulf of St. Lawrence itself and even the St. Lawrence Seaway, (which) leads down to the Great Lakes,” she said. “That was a huge hot spot, which was really interesting for me.” Robinson said there have been smaller studies on the risk of ship strikes in different regions, but the study published Thursday is the first to map the distribution of the four whale species, using a variety of data sources, then compare it with the Automatic Identification System, a tool used for tracking vessels worldwide. “This was really the first of its kind to map these two on top of each other,” she said. The researchers found the highest levels of risk in the Indian, western North Pacific and Mediterranean, while it also identified high-risk areas in the eastern North Pacific, North and South Atlantic Ocean along with the South China Sea. The Southern Ocean was the only region that did not contain any ship-strike hot spots due to low levels of shipping, despite high use by whales, the study found. Robinson said the findings support a strong case for maritime authorities to adopt measures such as whale alert systems, speed limits and no-go zones. “We know where there are areas where there are lots of whales and lots of ships, so this is where we need to target for management,” she said in an interview. Robinson said Canada is home to many “eyes on the water” and researchers exploring innovative techniques for monitoring whales. But the country lacks mandatory mitigation measures, and it’s not alone. “Next to none of the measures globally are mandatory. So, having voluntary measures (is) great, provided people comply,” Robinson said. Ocean Wise launched an alert system in 2018 that notifies large vessels of the presence of whales in Pacific Northwest waters, and Robinson said about 80 per cent of mariners from Washington state up to Alaska have signed up. The WhaleReport alert system mainly functions in what she describes as “inshore” waters around busy ports in Seattle, Vancouver and Prince Rupert. The Port of Vancouver has also seen a high rate of compliance for its ECHO program, Robinson noted. The program encourages vessels to take voluntary steps, such as slowing down or staying farther away from whales, in order to reduce underwater noise and the potential for strikes in busy shipping areas. Robinson favours a multi-pronged approach to reducing ship strikes, but she said one single measure she believes could have a big impact would be equipping vessels with an infrared camera to detect whales within several kilometres. “Maybe some mariners ... respond better to knowing there 100 per cent is a whale 200 metres in front of your vessel, versus, ‘slow down, there might be a whale here.’” Robinson said such cameras can cost betweenUS$50,000 and $75,000. But the cost was a “drop in the bucket” of major companies’ profits, she said. The cameras also present a public-relations opportunity for businesses to advertise themselves as operating in a more whale-friendly manner, Robinson said. “I know people who have had to go and have therapy after killing a humpback whilst at the helm,” she added. “I think there’s a lot to be said (for) the long-term benefits of this kind of technology.” The study also found areas with lower traffic that could provide refuge for whales, especially with added protections. It shows the Arctic Ocean, for example, has very few high-risk areas for vessel strikes, and Robinson said some researchers view it as potential sanctuary. But without protections, Robinson said Arctic waters could become the next high-risk hot spot as sea ice melts with climate change, opening up shipping routes. “Knowing the plans to expand shipping routes into these areas to cut shipping time, make things faster, right through prime whale habitat, I think this is a really good opportunity to get ahead of the issue before it becomes an issue,” she said. Whales play crucial roles in their ecosystems, including cycling nutrients that support other species, and they’re a boon for tourism, Robinson said. They’re also “magical” creatures that people feel connected to, she said, and they remain vulnerable after many species were hunted to the brink of extinction. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2024.Private equity sharks cash in on foster care By CALUM MUIRHEAD Updated: 21:50, 7 December 2024 e-mail View comments Three private equity firms running foster care agencies have made a combined £40 million in profit out of the plight of vulnerable children, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. They have raked in their millions amid a crisis in the sector. While the buyout barons are cashing in, many foster carers are dropping out, saying that the sums they receive for looking after children are inadequate. The number of foster carers has shrunk to its lowest in a decade, and 6,500 fostering families are desperately needed in England, according to Ofsted, which regulates education and care. The situation is so grim that some children face spending Christmas split up from their siblings or being placed with foster carers who are miles from their communities. But private equity firms are making millions of pounds in profit by running fostering agencies. These started as local, small-scale operations, but in recent years agencies have been gobbled up by private equity firms and have turned the sensitive area of children's foster care into big business. The top three agencies – National Fostering Group, Polaris and Compass Community – are all private equity-owned. Luxury: Stefano Bonfiglio with ex-girlfriend Trinny Woodall at the Epsom Derby They make money by charging local councils for placing children in foster homes. Industry sources say their fees are double or triple what they would be if councils made their own placements. Profit-making agencies are contracted by the state to recruit and train foster carers. Those who pass an assessment, home visit and final checks from a fostering panel are then matched with a child based on the carer's preferences, experience and training. It is a big and growing business, with 44 per cent of all foster carers sourced through independent agencies, according to Ofsted data. This was up from 41 per cent in 2020. One of the private equity barons is flamboyant Italian financier Stefano Bonfiglio whose firm Stirling Square Capital owns National Fostering Group, which places children in foster care. Bonfiglio co-founded Stirling Square in 2002 and is an ex-boyfriend of makeover guru Trinny Woodall. The racehorse-loving multi-millionaire went on to marry ex-Goldman Sachs banker Carolina Gonzalez-Bunster in 2014. Former President Bill Clinton is a friend. National Fostering Group made a profit of £23.4 million for the year to August 2023. Former City banker Seamus FitzPatrick is another private equity player in the sector. The firm he runs, CapVest, owns Polaris Community, which is another major fostering agency. It made a £14.1 million profit in 2023, up from £13.3 million the previous year. Britain's third-largest private foster agency is also in private equity hands. Compass Community offers foster care as well as other services such as children's homes and schooling for young people with additional needs. RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Private equity barons breathe a sigh of relief as Reeves is... Britain for sale: Foreign takeover offers soar 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 In May this year, the company was sold to Cap10 Partners, a firm founded by private equity veteran Fabrice Nottin. The Frenchman previously spent nine years at US asset management firm Apollo Global and has sat on Watches Of Switzerland's board. Compass Community made a £3 million profit for the year to March 2023 on revenues of over £108 million. The well-heeled lifestyles of the private equity tycoons are a world away from those of foster carers, who receive the equivalent of £7.50 an hour, which is less than the minimum wage, plus a basic allowance to pay for each child's clothes and food. Most are self-employed and so not entitled to workers' rights including a minimum wage, sick pay, paid leave or pensions. Many rely on benefits. One told this newspaper that foster carers 'essentially work without any rights or protections whatsoever' despite 'enormous amounts of profit' being made off their backs by private equity firms. The Fostering Network, a UK charity, said last month that the number of foster carers in England fell to a ten-year low of 42,615 for the year to March from 45,370 in 2021. 'The fewer foster carers we have, the more children who may end up in residential care, or in homes away from their families and friends,' the charity's chief executive Sarah Thomas said. About 57,000 children in England are in foster care. Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled £44 million for foster care in her Budget to increase the number of foster parents. A Stirling Square Capital spokesman said: 'We are a long-term investor in health and social care and have owned NFG for nine years. 'In this time, Stirling Square has never taken a dividend out of the business and reinvested all available profits back into NFG, which has – and will always – pay UK tax.' 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