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The Bell Capital Cup entered its halfway point on Sunday and the long-running tournament continues to make history. For the first time in its 24 years, four teams took to the ice to play sledge hockey. The teams include kids aged 3 to 17-years-old with physical or cognitive disabilities. Last year, sledge hockey was introduced with a team from Quebec and Ottawa taking part in a demonstration game. This year, they're joined by teams from Kingston and Hamilton, giving them a full division. "They are playing to win their championship, just like all the other kids that are playing in this same tournament," said Bell Capital Cup general manager Mark Sluban. "We're very inclusive here at the Bell Cup, it's something I thought was very important for us to strive for and we're only going to make that bigger and better for years to come." Tyrone Henry was in attendance to watch the first games played. Henry has spent a decade as a member of the Canadian National Sledge Hockey Team. "Having the kids play on a big rink with a bunch of fans in the stands, I think it gives them a bit of pride in playing the sport and what they're doing." Henry said. Sledge Hockey Eastern Ontario president Mia Van Bommel added, "We're pretty welcoming and we do group people in larger groups so that we have enough athletes to play." "We really want to showcase the talent of our athletes and really introduce the Ottawa community and the greater community to the sport that we love." The semi-finals will be played on Monday with the finals set for New Years Eve at the Bell Sensplex. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. 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These LEGO Kits Are On Sale For Boxing Day 2024 The Waterpik Advanced Water Flosser Will Make Cleaning Your Teeth So Much Easier — And It's 41% Off For Boxing Day Ottawa Top Stories 4.1 magnitude earthquake in western Quebec felt in Ottawa and Montreal BREAKING | Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter dies at 100 Bell Capital Cup debuts sledge hockey division for children with disabilities Eastern Ontario farm wants your Christmas trees to feed its animals: ’They do like the fresh needles’ OPP seeking witnesses of wrong way driver on Hwy. 401 FOG ADVISORY | Environment Canada warns of 'near-zero' visibility as fog blankets Ottawa Eastern Ontario police arrest Scarborough resident found with nearly $50K of cocaine Two taken to hospital following basement fire in Centretown West CTVNews.ca Top Stories BREAKING | Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter dies at 100 Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, a Georgia peanut farmer who vowed to restore morality and truth to politics after an era of White House scandal and who redefined post-presidential service, died Sunday at the age of 100. Trudeau, Biden, Trump, other world leaders remember former U.S. president Jimmy Carter Former U.S. president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Jimmy Carter died Sunday at the age of 100. Upon news of his death, political figures and heads of state from around the world gave praise to Carter, celebrating his faith and time both in office and afterwards. 'Pretty limited' options for Liberal MPs calling for leadership change As calls mount within the federal Liberal Party for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down as leader, one political analyst says there’s little his detractors can do to force his hand. Possible explosion at Metro Vancouver strip mall under investigation Police and firefighters were called to the scene of a potential explosion at a Metro Vancouver strip mall Sunday morning. Eastern Ontario police arrest Scarborough resident found with nearly $50K of cocaine Police in eastern Ontario charged a Toronto resident who was allegedly in possession of hundreds of grams of cocaine earlier this month. 2 teenagers arrested, 1 suspect at-large after attack involving bear spray, machete A pair of teenaged boys have been charged with aggravated assault after police said they attacked a man with bear spray and a machete Friday evening. Plane crashes and bursts into flames while landing in South Korea, killing 179 A jetliner skidded off a runway, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames Sunday in South Korea after its landing gear apparently failed to deploy. All but two of the 181 people on board were killed in one of the country’s worst aviation disasters, officials said. Online child exploitation spiked during lockdowns. Police worry it's here to stay Online predators are becoming increasingly resourceful in trolling media platforms where children gravitate, prompting an explosion in police case loads, said an officer who works for the RCMP Integrated Child Exploitation Unit in British Columbia. 4.1 magnitude earthquake in western Quebec felt in Ottawa and Montreal The earth moved in the Maniwaki area this Sunday morning. No damage was reported after a 4.1 magnitude earthquake rattled the Maniwaki area in western Quebec, according to Earthquakes Canada. Atlantic TSB investigating airplane landing incident at Halifax airport The Transportation Safety Board of Canada says they are investigating an aircraft incident at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport that caused temporary delays to all flight operations Saturday night. BREAKING | Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter dies at 100 Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, a Georgia peanut farmer who vowed to restore morality and truth to politics after an era of White House scandal and who redefined post-presidential service, died Sunday at the age of 100. N.B. entrepreneur honours memory of mother with 'thank you' note legacy N.B. entrepreneur Emily Somers honours her mother with 'thank you' notes. Toronto Pedestrian taken to hospital after hit-and-run in Mississauga A pedestrian has been taken to the hospital following a hit-and-run in Mississauga Sunday. Suspect charged after woman found dead at Niagara Falls home A suspect has been charged after a woman was found dead inside her Niagara Falls home. BREAKING | Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter dies at 100 Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, a Georgia peanut farmer who vowed to restore morality and truth to politics after an era of White House scandal and who redefined post-presidential service, died Sunday at the age of 100. Montreal BREAKING | Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter dies at 100 Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, a Georgia peanut farmer who vowed to restore morality and truth to politics after an era of White House scandal and who redefined post-presidential service, died Sunday at the age of 100. McGill research team pioneering stem cell therapy for heart disease treatment In the heart of the McGill University Health Centre’s research institute, Dr. Renzo Cecere and his team are revolutionizing the future of cardiac care. Earthquake near Maniwaki felt in Gatineau, Ottawa, and Montreal A 4.1 magnitude earthquake struck near Maniwaki, Que., on Sunday morning, according to Earthquake Canada. Northern Ontario Mississauga tow truck driver charged for impersonating a cop in northern Ont. A southern Ontario resident has been charged for allegedly impersonating a peace officer during a towing incident in northwestern Ontario. BREAKING | Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter dies at 100 Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter, a Georgia peanut farmer who vowed to restore morality and truth to politics after an era of White House scandal and who redefined post-presidential service, died Sunday at the age of 100. 'Pretty limited' options for Liberal MPs calling for leadership change As calls mount within the federal Liberal Party for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down as leader, one political analyst says there’s little his detractors can do to force his hand. Windsor Crews battle two apartment fires in under two hours Windsor Fire and Rescue responded to two calls at Ouellette Avenue apartment buildings Sunday morning. 'Pretty limited' options for Liberal MPs calling for leadership change As calls mount within the federal Liberal Party for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to step down as leader, one political analyst says there’s little his detractors can do to force his hand. Woman with outstanding warrant arrested in Chatham One person has been arrested after Chatham-Kent police officers conducted a traffic stop Saturday in Chatham. London Fatal crash in Middlesex County Middlesex County OPP attended the scene of a fatal motor vehicle collision in Strathroy-Caradoc early Sunday morning. New Year’s Eve in London’s Victoria Park You can ring in 2025 this Tuesday night at London’s free New Year’s Eve in the Park celebration. Can you help solve this cold case in Sarnia? Sarnia police are seeking the public’s help in finding any new leads for a cold case from over 20 years ago. Kitchener Are fluctuating temperatures here to stay this winter? Waterloo Region residents traded snow boots for raincoats this weekend as temperatures soared above seasonal norms. Portion of Highway 6 closed following collision in Ennotville, Ont. A portion of Highway 6 is closed Sunday evening following a collision in Ennotville, Ont., just north of Guelph. Police, coroner investigating two deaths at Brantford, Ont. encampment An investigation is underway into the deaths of two people at an encampment in Brantford, Ont. Barrie Deluxe taxi goes up in flames in Barrie parking lot Some locals were quick to pull out their cellphones and capture a minivan as it went up in hot flames in a Barrie parking lot. Region under rainfall warning, fog advisory Many areas across Simcoe Muskoka, upper York Region and Grey County are under rainfall warnings and fog advisories as of Sunday morning. $47K in drugs seized, man arrested in alleged domestic assault Police in Owen Sound made one arrest and seized a ‘large’ quantity of multiple drugs after responding to an alleged domestic assault on Saturday. Winnipeg Stolen vehicle chase ends in arrest, drug seizure A Winnipeg man has been charged with several offences after a police chase involving a stolen vehicle and hundreds of dollars worth of drugs. Fifth night of Hanukkah celebrated ahead of Manitoba Moose hockey game As Jewish people around the world mark the fifth night of Hanukkah, members of Winnipeg’s Jewish community brought the celebration to Canada Life Centre. Winnipeg hotel fire forces residents to evacuate A fire at a Winnipeg hotel forced residents to leave the building Sunday morning. Calgary 1 man hospitalized after being shot in leg near Calgary’s Drop-In Centre One man was taken to hospital after a shooting downtown Saturday night. ‘Eternal optimists’: Southern Alberta farmers wary of drought conditions look to prairie skies for comfort Mcgrath farmer Sean Stanford has lived through too many dry summers to be completely hopeful about the coming growing season in southern Alberta, but he sees signs that the summer of 2025 might be better for farmers than the last few years. Canadian float celebrating Coding for Veterans to participate in Rose Bowl Parade A Canadian parade float will be featured in the Rose Bowl Parade in Pasadena next week. Edmonton Edmonton to start up cold weather response plan Monday morning The City of Edmonton is activating its extreme weather response plan with the weather forecast calling for cold temperatures over the next eight days. 2 vehicles fall through ice at Sylvan Lake, promoting police warning RCMP issued a warning Saturday after two vehicles fell through the ice on Sylvan Lake. What is known about a fiery passenger jet crash landing that claimed 179 lives in South Korea? Firefighters and rescue team members work near the wreckage of a passenger plane at Muan International Airport in Muan, South Korea, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon) Regina Regina police charge 2 youths in city's 6th homicide of 2024 Two Regina teens are facing murder charges in connection to the death of a Regina man on Boxing Day. Hockey talent showcased in Regina for Male U15, Top 160 tournament The last weekend of 2024 saw Saskatchewan's best hockey players under 15 years of age showing off their skills at the Co-operators Centre in Regina. Regina man showcases local bead supply business Jeramy Hannah recently began selling beading supplies, after he realized the beaders in his life were struggling with a lack of local vendors, prompting him to create a business called Bead Bro. Saskatoon U18 provincials curling tournament underway in PA Teams from across Saskatchewan are in Prince Albert for the U18 curling provincials. Police made two arrests following a shooting in Saskatoon A swift response from Saskatoon police led to the arrest of a man and woman following a reported shooting Friday afternoon. Saskatoon fire crews battle house fire Saskatoon firefighters responded to a house fire on the 100 block of Klassen Crescent Friday afternoon. Vancouver 2 shot during fight outside Surrey pub Two people were injured in a shooting outside of a Surrey pub in the early hours of Sunday morning, according to authorities. Possible explosion at Metro Vancouver strip mall under investigation Police and firefighters were called to the scene of a potential explosion at a Metro Vancouver strip mall Sunday morning. Vancouver’s Bloedel Conservatory reopening after months-long closure Vancouver’s Bloedel Conservatory is set to reopen after a lengthy closure for upgrades, according to the park board. Vancouver Island Victoria police seek witnesses, additional victims after hit-and-run spree A woman is facing seven charges after allegedly committing multiple hit-and-run crashes in a stolen vehicle while impaired, according to police in B.C.'s capital. Online child exploitation spiked during lockdowns. Police worry it's here to stay Online predators are becoming increasingly resourceful in trolling media platforms where children gravitate, prompting an explosion in police case loads, said an officer who works for the RCMP Integrated Child Exploitation Unit in British Columbia. Vancouver man defrauded Chinese developers of US$500K, court rules A Vancouver man has been ordered to pay more than US$500,000 after a B.C. Supreme Court judge found he had defrauded the would-be developers of a real estate project in China of that amount. Kelowna B.C. team building 100 beaver 'starter homes' in the name of wetland preservation More than 70 manmade beaver dams have been installed in Interior waterways since the B.C. Wildlife Federation project launched last year with the goal of building 100 dams by the end of 2025. B.C. man charged with drug trafficking and weapons offences after CBSA investigation A resident of B.C.'s Interior has been charged with weapon and drug trafficking offences after an investigation launched by border agents at Vancouver International Airport earlier this year. B.C woman awarded nearly $750K in court case against contractor A B.C. woman has been awarded nearly $750,000 in damages in a dispute with a contractor who strung her along for a year and a half and failed to complete a renovation, according to a recent court decision. Stay Connected
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Cooking up troubleAnastasia Stognei in Berlin Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter. Protesters in the Georgian capital Tbilisi took to the streets on Saturday for a third night as public anger mounted over the government’s decision to freeze EU accession talks. Violent clashes with police broke out during the previous two days’ protests, in which hundreds were detained and dozens injured. It is one of the most intense protest movements Georgia has experienced in decades. The protesters object to the government’s decision to put talks with the EU on hold, and to decline any funding from the bloc until 2028. On Friday, barricades and fires appeared on Tbilisi’s main Rustaveli Avenue. Demonstrators responded to police water cannons and tear gas by aiming fireworks at the police lines. Protesters stormed the headquarters of the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party. Many universities, schools, businesses and nightclubs have closed in protest at the government’s actions. Hundreds of state employees, including some in government ministries and the Constitutional Court, signed letters opposing the decision. On Thursday Georgian president and key opposition figure Salome Zourabichvili said GD had “declared a war” on the country’s citizens. On Friday she said: “The resistance movement has started.” Ketevan Chachava, head of Tbilisi-based NGO the Center for Development and Democracy, said the crackdown “seems calculated to intimidate dissent but risks further galvanising public anger”. “The coming days will be critical,” she added. Guram Chukhrukidze, an economist in his early 30s who was among the protesters on Friday night, described the policing of the protests as “very violent” and said he had been hit by rubber bullets. But he said he was returning to the streets on Saturday. “People are super-motivated to fight and I am sure we will win, this regime is based on police force and nothing else,” he said. The wave of protests is the latest step in a prolonged political crisis in Georgia. GD has been in power since 2012 and has gradually expanded its influence over almost all the country’s institutions, steering the South Caucasus republic back towards Russia’s orbit. Eka Gigauri, head of Transparency international Georgia, another NGO, said the protests were a “generational fight”. “When Georgians understand that the European future is to be taken from them, that the country is to turn to Russia, they fight,” she said. “Russia wants to capture us — this is what is happening.” Earlier this month GD announced it had won in national elections with 54 per cent of the vote. But Brussels and Washington have expressed concern about the legitimacy of the result because of reports of intimidation, ballot-stuffing and fraud at polling stations. The European parliament has passed a resolution calling for a rerun of the elections and sanctions against leading Georgian politicians, including oligarch and GD founder Bidzina Ivanishvili. Many in the Georgian opposition see Russia’s hand in the alleged electoral manipulation. Brussels halted Georgia’s accession talks this summer because of a controversial “foreign agents” law which critics say is inspired by Vladimir Putin’s Russia. It requires NGOs and media that receive foreign funding to register with the government or face fines. Over 80 per cent of Georgia’s 3.8mn population support EU membership according to polls by local and international research organisations. Recommended Despite GD’s fierce anti-western rhetoric, the party has until now championed EU integration. It was in power when Georgia enshrined its desire for EU membership in the constitution in 2017 and secured candidate status late last year. Even as recently as this month’s elections, GD endorsed EU accession and Nato membership. But, announcing the suspension of accession talks earlier this week, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of GD said they would resume when Georgia is “economically ready”. It would join the EU by 2030 but “with dignity” rather than “as a charity case”, he said. Speaking on a state visit to Kazakhstan on Thursday, Putin said he was surprised by the Georgian government’s “courage and determination in standing up for their beliefs”.
A SEASIDE spot was voted by tourists as the UK's "most depressing town" - but locals insist it is "gorgeous". The damning title was awarded to Falmouth, in Cornwall, by satirical website ILIVEHERE in February this year. It was decided by polling readers - with Falmouth beating the usual winner, Peterborough, by 27 votes. Also in the top 20 were Aberdeen and Alloa in Scotland and Tiverton in Devon. Despite Falmouth's vibrant art scene, the tongue-in-cheek outlet ruled that it had a "soul-destroying mediocrity with a gaping cultural void". After revealing the list, it said: "The power of social media and word of mouth is what propelled Falmouth to No.1. "Falmouth was a reader entry and rapidly started to challenge the mighty Peterborough, beating the Cambridgeshire synonym for depression by just 27 votes in the last 12hrs of voting." However, residents of the edgy seaside town have clapped back, praising Falmouth's "friendly" community and great food scene. One snapped: "Who believes these soul destroyers?" Another said: "The coastal walks are epic, it's fairly diverse class-wise and even in the summer when it's packed, it's still a pleasant place to be (unlike Looe and St Ives which while they are both beautiful places to visit, parking is a total nightmare)." Responding to the wave of confusion, the ILIVEHERE judges said although they'd never visited the town, they suspected its beauty might be surface-level. They said: "We have to admit, we know absolutely nothing about Falmouth. "We googled it, it looks picturesque but we’re sure it’s a façade it trades on, and who are we to question the wisdom of the crowd?" Continuing to rile up their Cornish readers, the judges added that the town had fallen victim to gentrification. They said: "Hell we might even take a trip to this Cornish port and stay in an AirBnB that is now owned by a London landlord that a local family once lived in, to take in what we imagine is a sterile socially cleansed fishing theme park for DFLs." Despite being described as the most depressing town in the UK, the average house price in Falmouth is around £395,00. Meanwhile, detached houses can cost as much as £620,000.
NoneWASHINGTON (AP) — A machinists strike. Another safety problem involving its troubled top-selling airliner. A plunging stock price. 2024 was already a dispiriting year for Boeing, the American aviation giant. But when one of the company's jets crash-landed in South Korea on Sunday, killing all but two of the 181 people on board, it brought to a close an especially unfortunate year for Boeing. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, and aviation experts were quick to distinguish Sunday's incident from the company’s earlier safety problems. Alan Price, a former chief pilot at Delta Air Lines who is now a consultant, said it would be inappropriate to link the incident Sunday to two fatal crashes involving Boeing’s troubled 737 Max jetliner in 2018 and 2019. In January this year, a door plug blew off a 737 Max while it was in flight, raising more questions about the plane. The Boeing 737-800 that crash-landed in Korea, Price noted, is “a very proven airplane. "It’s different from the Max ...It’s a very safe airplane.’’ For decades, Boeing has maintained a role as one of the giants of American manufacturing. But the the past year's repeated troubles have been damaging. The company's stock price is down more than 30% in 2024. The company's reputation for safety was especially tarnished by the 737 Max crashes, which occurred off the coast of Indonesia and in Ethiopia less than five months apart in 2018 and 2019 and left a combined 346 people dead. In the five years since then, Boeing has lost more than $23 billion. And it has fallen behind its European rival, Airbus, in selling and delivering new planes. Last fall, 33,000 Boeing machinists went on strike, crippling the production of the 737 Max, the company's bestseller, the 777 airliner and 767 cargo plane. The walkout lasted seven weeks, until members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers agreed to an offer that included 38% pay raises over four years. In January, a door plug blew off a 737 Max during an Alaska Airlines flight. Federal regulators responded by imposing limits on Boeing aircraft production that they said would remain in place until they felt confident about manufacturing safety at the company. In July, Boeing agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud for deceiving the Federal Aviation Administration regulators who approved the 737 Max. Acting on Boeing’s incomplete disclosures, the FAA approved minimal, computer-based training instead of more intensive training in flight simulators. Simulator training would have increased the cost for airlines to operate the Max and might have pushed some to buy planes from Airbus instead. (Prosecutors said they lacked evidence to argue that Boeing’s deception had played a role in the crashes.) But the plea deal was rejected this month by a federal judge in Texas, Reed O’Connor , who decided that diversity, inclusion and equity or DEI policies in the government and at Boeing could result in race being a factor in choosing an official to oversee Boeing’s compliance with the agreement. Boeing has sought to change its culture. Under intense pressure over safety issues, David Calhoun departed as CEO in August. Since January, 70,000 Boeing employees have participated in meetings to discuss ways to improve safety.Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100
Auto repair from your car insurer and fire extinguishers courtesy your home insurer? Not outlandish ideas, but part of the government's plans to allow insurance companies to sell related products and services. The government may allow general insurers to bundle their core insurance products with non-insurance products and services to increase insurance penetration and allow companies to offer competitively priced insurance products, two persons aware of the plans said. Also read | The plan, if rolled out, will allow the sale of gym memberships and basic healthcare by health insurers; vehicle repairs, diagnostic services and roadside assistance bycar insurers; and safety consultations, fire extinguishers and safety alarms from home insurers. The thinking is that insurers would provide comprehensive risk mitigation solutions that would help reduce the incidence of losses for them, resulting in better-priced products and lower overall risk for the nation, one of the two persons cited above said on the condition of anonymity. Seeking amendments Insurers have sought amendments to permit the sale of value-added services as they try to deliver new and valuable services to customers, the finance ministry said, citing the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai). “The proposal to enable insurers and insurance intermediaries to provide services related or incidental to the insurance business as specified by Irdai is under consideration," the ministry said in response to the observations of the Parliament's standing committee of finance on the matter. The second person cited above said that the finance ministry is working on the Insurance Amendment Bill, which will also redefine insurance. The bill is expected to be presented in the Parliament's budget session after securing Cabinet approval, the person added. This will allow the Centre to notify any other or ancillary business that insurance companies may be permitted to undertake beyond their core operation of providing insurance and risk coverage products to customers in consultation with Irdai, the person added. Also read | A query emailed to the finance ministry remained unanswered till press time. “These are good suggestions theoretically. In practice, Insurance is still a push product. If an insurance company runs a diagnostic centre, does it mean that their customers should only use that to get an insurance claim? Car repair is still a domain of OEMs and dealers. No dealer makes money in selling a car. They make money in service/repair of vehicle. My view is that insurers should focus on their core business," said C R Vijayan, former secretary general of General Insurance (GI) Council, the official representative body of the general insurance industry. Better auxiliary services “In my opinion, this is fine. To provide better auxiliary services while selling insurance products is a must-have, as customer demands have changed and they are looking for combined products. Like, if I am going to the gym, then I need better pricing for a health product; if I drive better, then I need a competitive quote on my motor insurance. So, allowing these frills baked into the insurance products will not only ensure innovation and provide a competitive edge to insurers, but will also help customers get very personalized coverages. So, it's in the right direction," said Debashish Banerjee, partner and insurance sector leader at Deloitte India. However, insurers may still not be allowed to sell financial products such as mutual funds on the lines of banks, as the government and regulators fear these specialized financial products could add more risk to their insurance operations. Also read | Irdai had earlier suggested permitting insurance companies to sell even mutual funds, but the proposal did not find favour with the government, the first person said. According to Banerjee of Deloitte, keeping insurers out of mutual funds is fair, since MFs are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), while insurance comes under Irdai. In countries where a single regulator for banks, insurers and stock markets oversees all financial products, it's easier to sell all products under a single umbrella. In India, unless an insurance company also takes a banking licence and is regulated by Reserve Bank of India and Sebi, they won't be able to sell MF products. DFS, Irdai to decide The department of financial services (DFS) in the finance ministry and the insurance regulator would decide on a list of related activities or activities incidental to the core insurance business. These may include services and wellness packages clubbed with general insurance products. According to a note on the insurance amendments by law firm Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas published earlier, insurers need to be customer-driven in their approach towards products and services and offer a range of value-added services to their customers in addition to the core insurance product. Also read | “Typically, value-added services include non-core services in an industry, or the enhancements made to the core product or service offered to customers. The UK permits both value-added services and cross-selling services by insurers. Singapore allows life insurers to provide financial advisory to its clients, while Malaysia allows life insurers to provide services incidental to the insurance business," the note said, adding that Australian law, on the other hand, permits the conduct of business that is incidental to the insurance business of general insurers. However, life insurers are permitted only to carry out life insurance.On Nov. 20, Nvidia reported financial results for its fiscal 2025 third quarter, showing stunning 94% year-over-year revenue growth. The business is absolutely booming, and so is the stock price. As of this writing, Nvidia stock is up close to 200% year to date. As impressive as those returns are for Nvidia, it's not the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 ( ^GSPC 0.35% ) this year. That distinction presently belongs to energy company Vistra ( VST -2.81% ) , which has gained 332% in 2024. Vistra provides residential electricity and owns power generation plants, including nuclear plants . And many investors believe that its nuclear assets set it up to meet the growing power needs of artificial intelligence (AI). However, after gaining over 300% in under a year, is it too late to buy Vistra stock? Stock market history can serve as a guide. Here's what happened with S&P 500's winners Looking at top stocks from the past can offer some useful insights. For practical reasons, I had to limit the scope of this survey by setting some parameters. First, I'm only looking at the last 10 years for the S&P 500 . Second, I've only included stocks that were members of the S&P 500 for the entire year. Companies included in the index during the year were excluded from the results. Over the last 10 years, Southwest Airlines , Netflix , Nvidia, Align Technology , AMD , Devon Energy , and Occidental Petroleum have all taken the top-stock crown at least once. Year Best-Performing Stock Return When It Was the Top Stock Return the Following Year 2014 Southwest Airlines 125% 2% 2015 Netflix 134% 8% 2016 Nvidia 224% 81% 2017 Align Technology 131% (6%) 2018 AMD 80% 148% 2019 AMD 148% 100% 2020 Nvidia 122% 125% 2021 Devon Energy 179% 40% 2022 Occidental Petroleum 117% (5%) 2023 Nvidia 239% 196%* Return data from YCharts. Table by author. *Year-to-date return as of 11/21/24. This data is actually quite surprising. After being the index's top stock, one would think it would be due for a pullback. But in reality, the past decade's annual best performers continued their winning streak the next year in eight out of 10 cases. Moreover, the average gain in the second year was huge. Investors could have made a lot of money by simply buying whichever was the best stock in the past year. Let's say an investor bought Southwest Airlines stock on Dec. 31, 2014 and held for all of 2015. And let's say that this investor sold Southwest Airlines at the end of 2015 and rolled that investment into Netflix for 2016, then did the same for Nvidia in 2017, and so on. Let's exclude trading fees and taxes for simplicity (but don't exclude them in real life because they can add up). If an investor used this strategy and started with a $10,000 investment, they'd have over $800,000 by year 10. Again, these sensational returns weren't achieved by predicting which stock would be the best in the coming year. It would have been achieved by simply buying what already had been the best stock -- no prophetic powers needed. Therefore, history suggests Vistra stock is headed higher in 2025. What does this mean for Vistra stock? Before I go further, I should note that Vistra stock was added to the S&P 500 in May. So, unlike the stocks in my example, it wasn't a part of the index for the entire year. Returns from my above strategy aren't quite as good when including mid-year additions to the S&P 500, though these stocks still went up in value the following year more often than not. However, investors need to be extremely careful with what they take away from this historical data. Rather than look at this as some surefire approach to investing, there's a far better takeaway. Stocks bounce around day by day for any number of reasons. But the longer the time horizon, the more stock movements are tied to business results. At the risk of sounding overly simplistic, positive results send shares higher , whereas poor results drop shares lower. To put this another way, it's the difference between correlation and causation. History shows that the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 tends to go up the following year as well. But that's correlation, not causation. The cause, however, is the strong underlying business results. And those business results tend to stay strong for multiple years, if not longer. For this reason, investors would do well to give Vistra stock a close look . Whether from AI or the general electrification of the grid, the company's services will enjoy growing demand in coming years. The company is leaning more into nuclear power by buying out minority investors in its Vistra Vision business. And it's a company with a history of profitability and returning cash to shareholders. So, while Vistra stock is on pace to be the top stock in the S&P 500 for 2024, this doesn't mean the stock has peaked. To the contrary, the best performers in past years have gone on to deliver even more gains because in many cases, their soaring stock prices reflected positive developments within the business that extended beyond the end of each year. And it's that core business investors should focus on, whether it's with Vistra or any another company.AMD shares dip 2% amid AWS AI chip demand concerns
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For centuries now, gold has been seen as a sign of prosperity and a trusted asset, for preserving wealth in periods of uncertainty when its luster shines the most as investors look for stability and assurance in their investments. Thanks to the emergence of platforms and resources dedicated to gold trading , it has become simpler for people to engage in the precious metals market, offering them a means to broaden their investment portfolios and safeguard against fluctuations in the economy. Why Investing in Gold Stands the Test of Time Gold has maintained its value for generations. Is considered an investment in times of economic instability because it is a physical asset that holds intrinsic value unlike traditional currencies that can be affected by inflation and depreciation; its limited supply and lasting appeal across cultures have cemented its importance in the world economy. During times of decline or when there are tensions or high inflation rates occurring in the market landscape investors frequently opt for gold as a safe haven investment option. Gold’s stability, in preserving its value under circumstances makes it a trusted safeguard against uncertainties. This distinct characteristic establishes gold as not a commodity. Also as a reputable medium of exchange, during turbulent times. Exploring the World of Commodities Trading and the Significance of Gold, Within It The commodities market encompasses assets such as energy resources like oil and natural gas alongside products and precious metals; gold holds a special place in this market due to its diverse utility, for industrial use and investment purposes. Gold’s value is not solely determined by market forces, like supply and demand; rather it is greatly influenced by investor emotions and perceptions. The demand for gold in jewelry and technology certainly plays a role. Its reputation as an investment during uncertain times is what really dictates its value in the market. This unique characteristic sets gold apart from assets, in the world of commodities. Tips, for Investing in Gold There are ways for investors to incorporate gold into their investment portfolios such as gold holdings or investing in gold backed financial products and online trading platforms that offer digital trading services with its own set of benefits and drawbacks suitable for different investment tactics. ● Investors have long relied on purchasing gold, like coins or bars as a method of investment due to its tangible nature and direct ownership benefits; however caring for storage needs and insurance while navigating the resale process can pose certain challenges. ● Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) as mutual funds provide investors with a way to invest in gold without the need to own physical gold itself by tracking its price and being traded publicly in stock exchanges for easy access and flexibility. ● For investors looking to take a sophisticated approach, in the financial market arena and possibly capitalize on gold’s price fluctuations there are futures and options available as investment tools to consider. They entail a greater level of comprehension of market dynamics and come with increased risks yet have the potential for substantial profits. ● Investment in gold mining stocks provides an avenue to capitalize from fluctuations in gold prices while also being subject to company variables and operational risks. Factors That Impact the Prices of Gold Various elements play a role, in the variations in the value of gold which is crucial for investors to keep track of to stay updated on market trends and conditions such, as: ● Economic factors such as interest rates and currency values have an impact on the price of gold because when inflation goes up it usually results in increased demand for gold as a way to protect against losing purchasing power. ● Central banks possess reserves and can influence the price of gold by engaging in buying or selling activities. They also have the ability to affect the demand for gold through their policies, like easing or tightening measures. ● In times of turmoil such as unrest or conflicts and worldwide emergencies like crises or disasters. Investors tend to turn to gold as a safe haven asset due to increased demand which leads to a rise in prices. ● Investor feelings play a role in shaping the price of gold due to its reputation as an investment choice in tumultuous times when the demand for gold usually spikes up. The Cons of Putting Money into Gold Investing in gold has its advantages such as protection against rising prices and market risks as maintaining its value in times of uncertainty or financial trouble based on past performance, in challenging economic times. Gold does come with its set of risks though. It doesn’t bring in any income, like stocks or bonds do. Its worth is completely tied to how the market is doing and changes in price can lead to fluctuations, in the short term. Also, investing in physical gold means you need to think about the costs involved in storing it securely. The Importance of Gold, in a Balanced Investment Portfolio Investment experts often stress the importance of diversification in portfolios to manage risk effectively; gold stands out for its ability to decrease risk due to its correlation with assets, like stocks and bonds. Gold tends to do well when the economy is uncertain; this can help balance out any losses, in parts of an investment portfolio. Investors might consider adding gold to their mix of investments to make their portfolio more stable and reduce the risk of losing money. Gold remains a sought after asset in the realm of investments due to its enduring value and versatility for investors seeking protection against inflation or seeking a harbor during times in the financial markets.CHICAGO (AP) — Aidan Laughery rushed for three touchdowns and No. 22 Illinois topped Northwestern 38-28 on Saturday to reach nine victories for the first time since its 2007 Rose Bowl season. Pat Bryant dashed in to score off Luke Altmyer’s 43-yard pass early in the third quarter as Illinois (9-3, 6-3 Big Ten) struck for touchdowns just over 4 minutes apart early in the third quarter to open a 28-10 lead in what had been a tight game. Bryant's 10th receiving touchdown tied a school record. Altmyer, who threw for 170 yards, had a TD himself on a keeper from the 1-yard line early in the second quarter. David Olano added a field goal in the fourth to cap Illinois' scoring. Laughery, a sophomore running back, rushed for a career-best 172 yards and topped 100 for the first time. He entered with only one TD this season and two for his career. He had a career-long 64-yard run for a score early in the second half. Coach Bret Bielema said he wasn't surprised by Laughery's explosive performance as the Gibson City, Illinois product rounded back into form after being hampered by a hamstring injury earlier this season. “I thought today would be a day that could happen,” Bielema said. “Today some of those turned into big home run hits we've kind of been waiting on all year.” Laughery said he's been prepping for this kind of game, when he carried the ball 12 times for an average of 14.3 yards. “Finally, the opportunity was there,” said Laughery, who got the game ball. “You know you gotta' hit one and it came together today.” He credited the Illini offensive line with opening space for his breakout performance. “Those guys were covering them (Northwestern's defense) all day long,” Laughery said. “It was awesome running behind the looks we were getting” Northwestern’s Devin Turner intercepted Altmyer twice, including for a 13-yard touchdown return late in the first quarter. Thomas Gordon caught Jack Lausch's 15-yard TD pass with a minute left, then the Wildcats added a two-point conversion to complete the scoring. Northwestern (4-8, 2-7 Big Ten) didn’t pack it in as hosted its second game this season at Wrigley Field, this time on a breezy sunny day with game-time temperature of 20 degrees. It looked like the Illini might run away after Bryant’s 10th receiving touchdown 4:52 into the third. He entered tied for the Big Ten lead. But Luke Akers kicked his second field goal of the game, a 34-yarder, with 5:35 left in the third quarter to cut it to 28-13. Lausch led the Wildcats on their next possession and finished it with an 11-yard touchdown toss to A.J. Henning to narrow the Illini lead to 28-20. Then Mac Resetich intercepted Lausch’s pass 50 seconds into the fourth quarter. Laughery powered up the middle for 31 yards and his third TD about two minutes later to quell the Wildcats' momentum. Northwestern dominated in possession time — 34:32 to 25:28 —and plays — 90 to 53. The margin was even more pronounced in the first half, but the Wildcats settled for a 13-yard touchdown return on Turner’s second pick of the game with 2:14 left in the first quarter and Akers’ 21-yard field goal that opened the scoring 6:29 in. Illinois led 14-10 at the half on Laughery’s 30-yard TD run midway through the first quarter and Altmyer’s keeper 1:39 into the second. Akers missed wide to the right on a 44-yard attempt as time ran out in the half. Both teams’ leading pass receivers were injured. Northwestern’s Bryce Kirtz was knocked out of the game in the first quarter with a lower-body injury after two receptions that upped his total yards to 598. Illinois’ Bryant went to the locker room with about 5 minutes left in the first half after Turner collided with him as he plucked his second interception. Bryant returned, however, for the second half. THE TAKEAWAY Illinois: Is in line for a prestigious bowl game appearance and a chance to tie the school record of 10 wins, most recently set during their 2001 Sugar Bowl season. “We wanted to put ourselves in a good position on this day to get to nine wins and see where it can go,” Bielema said. “Just a fun day overall. I don't know what the future holds. It think we're a team that can play with anybody in the country.” Northwestern: Finished its second season under coach David Braun at 4-8 overall and 2-7 in the Big Ten. The Wildcats dropped their final three and five of the last six. UP NEXT Illinois is headed to a bowl game. Northwestern opens its 2025 season at Tulane on Aug. 30.Kanye West, Bianca Censori make rare appearance amid legal drama
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