4/4 hand
Hegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the Senate
The Ukrainian president said the use of a ballistic missile to hit Dnipro was a “clear and severe escalation in the scale and brutality of this war” and he warned that Russian president Mr Putin would attack or destabilise other countries unless stopped. Mr Putin said the use of the new weapon was in response to the UK and US allowing missiles they have supplied to Ukraine to be used to strike targets in Russia. “In response to the use of American and British long-range weapons on November 21 of this year, the Russian armed forces launched a combined strike on one of the facilities of the Ukrainian defence industry,” Mr Putin said in a televised address. “One of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems was tested in combat conditions, in this case, with a ballistic missile in a non-nuclear hypersonic warhead.” He added: “We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against military facilities of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities.” But Mr Zelensky urged world leaders – his “dear partners” – not to be cowed by Mr Putin’s actions otherwise there will be “endless Russian strikes” and “not just against Ukraine”. Today, Putin admitted to taking a second step this year toward escalating and expanding this war. A new ballistic missile was used. Putin struck our city of Dnipro, one of Ukraine’s largest cities. This is a clear and severe escalation in the scale and brutality of this war—a... — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 21, 2024 “A lack of tough reactions to Russia’s actions sends a message that such behavior is acceptable,” the Ukrainian president said on X, formerly Twitter. “This is what Putin is doing. Putin must feel the cost of his deranged ambitions. “Response is needed. Pressure is needed. Russia must be forced into real peace, which can only be achieved through strength. “Otherwise, there will be endless Russian strikes, threats, and destabilisation-not just against Ukraine.” The UK is believed to have allowed its Storm Shadow missiles to be used by Ukrainian forces within the Kursk region of Russia, while the US has given permission for its ATACMS weapons to be fired at targets in Mr Putin’s country. Mr Putin confirmed Russia has tested the new intermediate-range weapon in an attack on Dnipro in response. The US said the weapon was a new, experimental intermediate-range missile based on Russia’s existing RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. In Westminster, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “My understanding is that it is the first time that Russia has used a ballistic missile in Ukraine with a range of several thousand kilometres.” Defence Secretary John Healey said it was “yet another example of Putin’s recklessness”. He said: “Since the illegal invasion of Ukraine began, Russia has consistently and irresponsibly escalated the conflict while Ukraine continues to fight in self-defence for a democratic future.” The missile’s range far outstrips that of newly authorised US and British-supplied weapons, which can hit targets around 250-300km away. The distance from Moscow to London is around 2,500km, suggesting the range of the new missile could threaten the UK. Mr Healey said the UK knew Russia had been “preparing for months” to fire a new ballistic missile. Downing Street and the Ministry of Defence have repeatedly declined to comment publicly on Ukraine’s use of Storm Shadow. “It risks both operational security and in the end the only one that benefits from such a public debate is President Putin,” Mr Healey told MPs. I had a meeting with the UK delegation led by Chief of the Defence Staff @AdmTonyRadakin_ . We discussed defense cooperation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom, focusing on developing and enhancing the technological capabilities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Particular... pic.twitter.com/EcjqfTuR49 — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) November 21, 2024 The head of the UK’s armed forces, Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, met Mr Zelensky in Kyiv to discuss the war on Thursday. Mr Zelensky said: “We discussed defence co-operation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom, focusing on developing and enhancing the technological capabilities of the armed forces of Ukraine. “Particular attention was given to Ukraine’s current military needs and the continued support from our partners.”Brits are being encouraged to rifle through their change for three coveted Christmas coins that could be worth a collective fortune, with potential values soaring over £8,000. A pro known as the Coin Collecting Wizard, boasting over 200,000 TikTok followers, revealed what enthusiasts should be hunting down in a recent video. "Christmas coins that will make you rich," he said. He first pointed out a particular 50p piece from Gibraltar that showcases a rare minting mistake - it's dated 1990 but incorrectly exhibits an illustration from the 1989 version. Even though Gibraltar currency isn't legal tender in the UK, these coins often slip into British cashflow due to their similar appearance. The mule error coin might command a staggering £4,000. The specialist elaborated: "This is a 50p from Gibraltar and is known as a mule error. The obverse of this coin features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, dated 1990. " Moreover, he detailed, "This is paired with the incorrect 1989 Gibraltar Christmas design featuring a singing choir boy and a puppy wearing a Santa hat and a bow. "Errors like this where a mismatched obverse and reverse die are used are extremely uncommon today due to advancements in modern minting technology. This coin can sell for up to £4,000 so make sure to check if you have this one." Additionally, collectors are being told to watch for a 2003 50 pence coin which depicts a scene from The Snowman. The coin expert enthused: "This sought-after collectible coin is a new addition of a rare Christmas themed design first issued in 2003 inspired by Raymond Briggs’ the Snowman first published in 1978." He elaborated on its charm, noting that the coin features an image of the titular snowman dancing with the young boy known as James. He revealed: "The 2003 Snowman and James coin was the first in a popular series, produced in partnership with Popjoy Mint to mark the 25th anniversary of the original storybook. And if you have this 50 pence, then you are looking at around £300." He then delved into the history of older coins known as wreath crowns, named for their "distinctive reverse design". He concluded: "These highly collectible silver coins were produced in limited numbers, between 1927 and 1936 as holiday gifts to important clients of the Bank of England leading to their other common name, ‘Christmas crowns’. If you have this crown from 1934 then it is worth £4,000."
Newport throw away lead to draw, Yachtsmen crushed and Vics lose top of table clash
The Reform UK leader pushed back against reports suggesting that legal action would be the next step, saying he would make a decision in the next couple of days about his response if there is no apology for the “crazy conspiracy theory”. Mr Farage also said the party has “opened up our systems” to media outlets, including The Daily Telegraph and The Financial Times, in the interests of “full transparency to verify that our numbers are correct”. His remarks came after Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accused Mr Farage of “fakery” in response to Reform claiming they had surpassed the Tories in signed-up members. Mrs Badenoch said Reform’s counter was “coded to tick up automatically”. A digital counter on the Reform website showed a membership tally before lunchtime on Boxing Day ticking past the 131,680 figure declared by the Conservative Party during its leadership election earlier this year. Mr Farage, on whether he was threatening legal action or not, told the PA news agency: “I haven’t threatened anything. I’ve just said that unless I get an apology, I will take some action. “I haven’t said whether it’s legal or anything.” He added: “All I’ve said is I want an apology. If I don’t get an apology, I will take action. “I will decide in the next couple of days what that is. So I’ve not specified what it is.” Mr Farage, on the move to make membership data available to media organisations, said: “We feel our arguments are fully validated. “She (Mrs Badenoch) has put out this crazy conspiracy theory and she needs to apologise.” The accusations of fraud and dishonesty made against me yesterday were disgraceful. Today we opened up our systems to The Telegraph, Spectator, Sky News & FT in the interests of full transparency to verify that our data is correct. I am now demanding @KemiBadenoch apologises. — Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) December 27, 2024 On why Mrs Badenoch had reacted as she did, Mr Farage said: “I would imagine she was at home without anybody advising her and was just angry.” Mr Farage, in a statement issued on social media site X, also said: “The accusations of fraud and dishonesty made against me yesterday were disgraceful. “Today we opened up our systems to The Telegraph, Spectator, Sky News and FT in the interests of full transparency to verify that our data is correct. “I am now demanding Kemi Badenoch apologises.” A Conservative Party source claimed Mr Farage was “rattled” that his Boxing Day “publicity stunt is facing serious questions”. They added: “Like most normal people around the UK, Kemi is enjoying Christmas with her family and looking forward to taking on the challenges of renewing the Conservative Party in the New Year.” Mrs Badenoch, in a series of messages posted on X on Thursday, said: “Farage doesn’t understand the digital age. This kind of fakery gets found out pretty quickly, although not before many are fooled.” There were 131,680 Conservative members eligible to vote during the party’s leadership election to replace Rishi Sunak in the autumn. Mrs Badenoch claimed in her thread that “the Conservative Party has gained thousands of new members since the leadership election”. Elsewhere, Mr Farage described Elon Musk as a “bloody hero” and said he believes the US billionaire can help attract younger voters to Reform. Tech entrepreneur Mr Musk met Mr Farage earlier this month at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, amid rumours of a possible donation to either Mr Farage or Reform. Mr Farage told The Daily Telegraph newspaper: “The shades, the bomber jacket, the whole vibe. Elon makes us cool – Elon is a huge help to us with the young generation, and that will be the case going on and, frankly, that’s only just starting. “Reform only wins the next election if it gets the youth vote. The youth vote is the key. Of course, you need voters of all ages, but if you get a wave of youth enthusiasm you can change everything. “And I think we’re beginning to get into that zone – we were anyway, but Elon makes the whole task much, much easier. And the idea that politics can be cool, politics can be fun, politics can be real – Elon helps us with that mission enormously.”A state Route 36 improvement project near Hydesville and Carlotta has received more than $15 million in federal funding from the California Transportation Commission. The funding comes from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 and will be used for roadway and guardrail improvements, including the extension of a passing lane and a new bridge at Ward Creek. Construction on what is being called the Carlotta shoulder widening project is estimated to begin in late spring or early summer 2025 and will improve the safety of a two-mile stretch of state Route 36 from west of Fisher Road to west of Wilder Road. The new 60-foot wide, 45-foot-long bridge at Ward Creek will replace the current 60-foot long, 10-foot-wide culvert at that location, which is a barrier for fish. “The project upgrades along state Route 36 go beyond fish passage,” Caltrans Humboldt and Del Norte counties spokesman Myles Cochrane said. “With wider shoulders, additional rumble strips and improved curves, we’re building a safer, smoother drive for everyone in this area,” he added. The changes will also enhance visibility and also reduce collisions. The improvement project was initiated by a traffic investigation report which found that between 2013 and 2017 there were 31 collisions on this stretch of state Route 36, from mile post 3.0 to mile post 6.0. Of these collisions, seven involved fatalities and 16 were injury incidents. This project has been in discussion for several years. “We really appreciate all of the great feedback we received about this project during a 2022 public meeting,” Cochrane said. “The community was engaged and excited with us about improvements for this beautiful area.” Once construction begins, the goal is to be complete by the end of 2026. “Well keep folks in the loop if there are changes,” Cochrane said. He added that progress on Caltrans projects can be found on social media and the Caltrans website.An additional chief judicial magistrate court at Ballard Pier recently issued notice to Google's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sundar Pichai over YouTube's failure to take down an alleged defamatory video against NGO Dhyan Foundation and its founder Yogi Ashwini, reported Bar and Bench. The contempt case is now expected to come up for hearing on January 3, 2025. In March 2023, additional chief metropolitan magistrate of the 38th court, Ballard Pier, directed YouTube to remove a defamatory video titled 'Pakhandi Baba ki Kartut' from its platform. The order came in response to a complaint filed by Dhyan Foundation, alleging that the video contained false and malicious allegations tarnishing its reputation. In its defense, YouTube, owned by Google, claimed immunity as an intermediary under the Information Technology (IT) Act. It argued that defamation does not fall under the categories listed in section 69A of the Act, which allows for blocking content. The platform stated that such grievances should be addressed in civil courts, not criminal courts. The court, however, rejected YouTube's technical objections, stating that the IT Act does not explicitly bar criminal courts from intervening in such matters. The magistrate noted that the video’s defamatory nature was undisputed and its continued circulation could harm public peace. “The sentiments of followers of any organisation in India are very sensitive particularly when it comes to belief. Therefore, if those videos are not restricted, it may cause threat to public order and security of the state,” the court said. It is Dhyan Foundation's contention that the takedown order has not been complied with, prompting them to file a contempt petition in October 2023. A notice in the plea was issued in November 2024.
Citigroup Inc. increased its holdings in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF ( BATS:QUAL – Free Report ) by 67.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 48,355 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 19,407 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc.’s holdings in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF were worth $8,670,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Halpern Financial Inc. acquired a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $26,000. Barrett & Company Inc. bought a new stake in iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF in the third quarter valued at $27,000. Voisard Asset Management Group Inc. bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF during the third quarter valued at $27,000. OLD Second National Bank of Aurora bought a new position in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF during the third quarter valued at $27,000. Finally, Centennial Bank AR acquired a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF in the 3rd quarter valued at $29,000. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Stock Up 0.6 % Shares of iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF stock opened at $185.29 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $48.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.03 and a beta of 1.03. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF has a 12-month low of $71.96 and a 12-month high of $88.63. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $180.84 and a 200 day simple moving average of $174.63. iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Company Profile The iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF (QUAL) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the MSCI USA Sector Neutral Quality index. The fund tracks an index of US large- and mid-cap stocks, selected and weighted by high ROE, stable earnings growth and low debt\u002Fequity, relative to peers in each sector. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding QUAL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF ( BATS:QUAL – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares MSCI USA Quality Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
A new clinic where patients can have publicly funded cataract surgeries, cutting into lengthy wait times for Prince Edward Islanders with blurred vision, is now open in Charlottetown. The Cataract Outpatient Clinic in the former Bed, Bath & Beyond building on Minna Jane Drive started performing surgeries earlier this week, and some say it's a game changer. "We've seen these clinics in other places in Canada and they have been successful," said Dr. Guy Boswall, an ophthalmologist at the new clinic. "We decided that this was probably the best way for us to deal with the wait times for cataract surgery." Boswall hopes the clinic will eventually be able to handle up to 4,000 patients a year. (Rob Leclair/CBC) There are currently 2,500 people on the wait list for cataract surgery in P.E.I., meaning some patients might wait a year and a half to see clearly again, after developing cloudy areas in the lenses of their eyes. Boswall said the new clinic could ensure that everyone currently on that list gets surgery by next spring, with specialists possibly working on Saturdays to help clear the backlog. "I think we have a beautiful facility that will function extremely well to deal with our wait times," he said. "We've made a commitment that we will do that and we will." P.E.I. in talks to greenlight private clinic to clear cataract surgery backlog New cataract surgery clinic expected to reduce wait times on P.E.I. Boswall hopes the clinic will eventually be able to handle up to 4,000 patients a year. About 90 per cent of the surgeries needed on the Island will take place at the new clinic, and the rest will continue to happen at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown. 'No different than a hospital' At an official opening ceremony Friday, health officials stressed there is no cost for Islanders who have cataract surgery at the clinic and said the operation does not amount to a form of private health care. "This is part of our public health-care system," said Minister of Health and Wellness Mark McLane. "It's just community-based, outside of the hospital." New P.E.I. eye clinic aims to have 'shortest wait list in Canada' for cataract surgery 5 months ago Duration 6:13 A new eye-health centre opening soon in Charlottetown is expected to take on the lion's share of cataract surgeries in P.E.I., starting when its surgical division gets up and running by the end of the year. CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin spoke to opthalmologist Dr. Ibrahim Elaraoud about what kind of services Islanders can expect and when. McLane said ophthalmologists will be paid on a fee-for-service basis, so it doesn't matter if the surgery is performed at the hospital or not. "This is no different than a hospital environment. The same triage and wait time systems will apply here. There is no jumping the queue," he said. "It's still funded by medicare." 'It was amazing' Some Islanders that have already had cataract surgery at the clinic say it has a lot of benefits. Sheila Crocket was the first patient at the clinic and had an 'amazing' experience. (Rob Leclair/CBC) "It was amazing," said Sheila Crockett, the first person to ever have surgery at the clinic. "It's different than the QEH, where I had to get in a johnny shirt and have an IV put into my arm. Here you stay in your street clothes and [there's] no poking of the arm, which is all really, really lovely." She added: "The parking at the QEH is not that great, as we all know, and hospitals are a little intimidating... The clinic was very relaxed and professional." Crockett said that after having the surgery, she can see more clearly and is able to drive at night again. P.E.I. is the last province in Atlantic Canada to open this kind of community-based clinic for cataract surgeries.
Party leader Holly Cairns, who gave birth to a baby girl on polling day, is well placed to retain her seat in the highly competitive constituency of Cork South-West. The Social Democrats, founded in 2015, won six seats in the 2020 election with around 3% of first preference votes. The exit poll after Friday’s General Election put the party on 5.8%, which would give them the most support of the smaller groups in the Dail. Social Democrats Wicklow candidate Jennifer Whitmore said she was “feeling great” as she arrived at the count centre in Greystones on Saturday. “It’s been a really positive result so far. Obviously, a little bit to go yet, but it’s looking really good,” she said of tallies that put her on 14% support and in line for the third of four seats in the constituency. “I think even across the country it’s looking good for the Soc Dems. “I’m hearing really positive things from all the different count centres, so it looks like our six TDs will hopefully be returned, and then we could be in contention for a number of other seats as well, so it’s a really positive day for us.” Asked whether the party would be willing to enter government formation talks with Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, Ms Whitmore said: “There’s still a while to go. “We’re in contention for a number of seats, but we’ll wait until we get them delivered and then we’ll be thinking about talking to the others.” Asked if she was worried by how support for the Green Party looks to have dropped after being a junior government partner, Ms Whitmore said small parties “can often bear the brunt of being in government”. “I think that’s why we were really clear that we set out our five deal-breakers, because we wanted to be very upfront with the public to say ‘if we do go into government, here is what we will be able to achieve’. “We didn’t want to over-promise, and we didn’t want to give people the impression that we were going to do things that we weren’t going to be able to get. “So we were really clear and very transparent in saying, ‘these are the five things that we would achieve if we go in’, and hopefully that will stand to us in the negotiations.” She said that Ms Cairns, who became leader last March, would remain involved in the party over her maternity leave, with deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan stepping in. Mr O’Callaghan said on Saturday his party’s “red lines” were not intended to rule them out of being in government with Fianna Fail or Fine Gael. “This is about defining our negotiations and talks with the parties once the election counts are over,” he said. On a common platform for left-wing parties to negotiate from, Mr O’Callaghan said: “We certainly intend on talking to the Labour Party and other parties over the coming days and weeks, that’s our intention.” The Social Democrats were co-founded by Roisin Shortall and Catherine Murphy in July 2015 – along with then-independent TD Stephen Donnelly, who later joined Fianna Fail and became health minister. Asked about the difficulty facing Mr Donnelly to keep his seat in Wicklow, Ms Whitmore said it was always going to be “a dogfight” for the “highly contested” fourth and final seat in the constituency. “When I was going around on the doors, I was getting a lot of positive feedback from people. People weren’t really talking about other parties or mentioning other candidates. “So I think it wasn’t clear from that what was going to happen, but I think the fourth seat was always going to be the really messy one.”By Jennifer Allen Between cooking, cleaning and hosting, the familiar hustle of the holiday season can sometimes feel more hectic than heartwarming. But what if there were a way to embrace the season while leaving the chaos behind? Holiday cruises make all of this possible, offering the perfect getaway that can be tailored to any vibe – blending festive traditions with the excitement of travel. Imagine sipping hot chocolate in the background of the Northern Lights, exploring sun-drenched islands or maybe enjoying a festive dinner on the sea. Whether looking for family-friendly fun, romance for two or peaceful solo travel, holiday cruises deliver a unique celebration unlike any other. Do you want to skip the stress of the season but don’t want to miss out on the holiday cheer? Rest assured, among the most well-known cruise lines, most of them host elaborate holiday festivities that transform their ships into winter wonderlands complete with decorations, entertainment and activities fit for Santa Claus himself. Instead of buying gifts, stressing over what to cook or bake and cleaning over the holidays, Michelle Price of Honest and Truly prefers a holiday cruise for her family. “The ship takes care of everything, from making the beds in the morning to prepping our meals throughout the day. And they have various fun activities to keep us busy,” she says. From towering Christmas trees in the atrium to twinkling lights on every railing, cruises at this time of year are very creative with their festive splendor. Cruises will also complement their aesthetics to match entertainment, including tree-lighting ceremonies, live caroling and holiday movie nights under the stars. Depending on the cruise, you can expect a robust calendar of events with activities like ugly sweater parties, holiday trivia, Santa appearances and even onboard Christmas markets. The holiday wouldn’t feel complete without the food to match, and cruise lines deliver. You can enjoy lavish holiday dinners complete with everything, from the traditional turkey to international Christmas dishes. Some cruises even offer themed buffets with everything, from a turkey carving station to hot and creamy chowders , holiday cocktails, gingerbread-making workshops and seasonal dessert tastings to add fun to the feasts. Cruises cater to various travelers and take the guesswork out of planning a holiday. Unlike a traditional vacation where you are responsible for your own itinerary, cruises do the hard work for you by planning destinations, offering a wide variety of on-board activities and providing varied experiences that appeal to all. A 2024 survey by Expedia Cruises concluded that 82% of travelers who have cruised before say they would do it again. Traveling with the whole family can often feel like an exercise in logistics that leaves you more stressed than you were before your holiday. Holiday cruises simplify this, offering multigenerational activities, family-friendly dining options and flexible accommodations. The Disney Cruise Line, which includes the Very Merrytime Cruises for the holiday season, is popular for offering exciting kid-centric activities like themed crafts, holiday scavenger hunts and character meet-and-greets. These endless options paired with the kids’ or teens’ clubs keep younger travelers entertained while giving their parents peace of mind. When traveling with older family members, consider reaching out to the cruise ahead of time to find out what accessible options they offer. Cruise lines can sometimes accommodate requests that might be better suited for older folks like avoiding stairs or long walks to reach their room. Couples can rediscover their magic on holiday cruises that offer intimate moments and tailored experiences. The Romantic Cruises by Princess Cruises stand out because of their private balcony dining and couples’ activities like wine tastings or cooking classes to make hors d’oeuvres . However, many holiday cruises offer specialty experiences like date-night-worthy restaurants, sunset strolls on the deck and shared excursions that are sure to create lasting memories. For couples looking to rest and relax, holiday cruises can provide serene spaces, spa suites and infinity verandas that are perfect for unwinding together. Cruises provide the perfect atmosphere for singles to mingle and enjoy the holiday season with company. Social events like trivia nights, dance parties and holiday mixers encourage connection and camaraderie. Certain cruises, like the Norwegian Cruise Line and the Virgin Voyages’ Holiday Cruises, cater specifically to solo travelers. These cruises include adult-only entertainment, curated activities and a vibrant nightlife. Rest assured, these cruises provide plenty of holiday entertainment and seasonal activities that ensure you enjoy yourself while staying close to your holiday traditions. With over 323 cruise ships currently in operation serving 36 million passengers this year alone, according to photoAiD , how do you choose if you’re a first-time cruiser ? Start by confirming that the cruise is appropriate for the needs of your traveling group. Often, experiences that are tailored for a specific group, whether kids or couples, will be described in the cruise line’s name – take for instance, the Disney Cruise Line. You can also check out the on-board activities available to make sure that there are plenty of options for your company. Next, consider your budget. Holiday cruises make luxury accessible without breaking the bank, with options as low as $300 for shorter voyages. Cruises will often provide all-inclusive packages that bundle accommodations, dining, entertainment and travel into a single cost-effective experience. The Carnival Cruise line remains a favorite for budget-conscious travelers because of its fun festivities and great dining options. However, even high-end experiences, like the MSC Cruises’ Yacht Club, which includes amenities like private pools, lounges and butler services come at a fraction of the cost of traditional luxury resorts. Lastly, ask yourself what holiday vibe you’re going for. Are you dreaming of a sunny tropical Christmas or perhaps frosty landscapes? Either way, with thousands of options in December alone, as cataloged by CruiseBooking.com , there’s a cruise waiting for you. The Norwegian Cruise Line’s Caribbean Cruises stop at destinations like the Great Stirrup Cay, while Hurtigruten’s Arctic Expeditions sail through breathtaking fjords and snowy landscapes. Holiday cruises offer a unique way to celebrate the season that’s a guaranteed hit without breaking the bank. Consider leaving behind the stress of hosting and planning; step aboard a ship where every detail has been curated to bring enjoyment and relaxation. With the holidays calling, will you answer with a ticket to set sail? Jennifer Allen is a retired professional chef and long-time writer. Her writing appears in dozens of publications, and she has two cookbooks, “Keto Soup Cookbook” and “Keto Diabetic Cookbook and Meal Plan.” These days, she’s busy in the kitchen, developing recipes for various publications and traveling, and you can find all her best recipes at Cook What You Love .Base Station Antenna Market | Business Growth, Development Factors, Current and Future Trends till 2031 | Seekway Technology Ltd. SeeReal Technologies GmbH Sony Corporation 11-30-2024 10:34 AM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: orion market research Base Station Antenna Market The global base station antenna market is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR of 16.9% during the forecast period. This informative Base Station Antenna Market report provides new method and covers foremost regions such as Latin America, Middle East, North America, Europe, Africa and Asia Pacific. Making most out of the consumer insights and market opportunities, market players can boost up the revenue rate of their business. It also permits key organizations to make communication with customers and know their demands for making right investment in the product development. By increasing the product portfolio by referring the important market data provided in this Base Station Antenna Market research report, key players can grow and expand their business forward. Continuously developing customer demands are also described in this global report to help new entrants make required changes in the final product launch and then bring into the market. It becomes easy for key players to prioritize the demands and requirements of target audience and have complete understanding of end-user experience with the help of this Base Station Antenna Market study report. Get Free Sample link @ https://www.omrglobal.com/request-sample/base-station-antenna-market-size The global base station antenna market is segmented based on the type, technology, location type and verticals. Based on the type, the market is segmented into omni antenna, sector antenna, dipole antenna, multibeam antenna, and small cells. Based on the technology, the market is sub-segmented into the 3G, 4G/LTE, and 5G. Based on the location type, the market is sub-segmented into the indoor, and outdoor. Based on the verticals, the market is sub-segmented into the mobile communication, intelligent transport, industrial IoT, smart city, military & defense, and other. Among these, the intelligent transport is expected to be the fastest-growing during the forecast period due to the growing demand for a wider connectivity range and capacity in smart transportation, such as interconnected cars, driver-assisted cars, and smart traffic insights, among others, is likely to surge the base station antennas market. full report of Base Station Antenna Market available @ https://www.omrglobal.com/industry-reports/base-station-antenna-market-size •Market Coverage •Market number available for - 2024-2031 •Base year- 2024 •Forecast period- 2024-2031 •Segment Covered- By Source, By Product Type, By Applications •Competitive Landscape- Archer Daniels Midland Co., Ingredion Inc., Kerry Group Plc, Cargill •Inc., and others Global Base Station Antenna Market Report Segment By Type •Omni Antenna •Sector Antenna •Dipole Antenna •Multibeam Antenna •Small Cells By Technology •3G •4G/LTE •5G By Location Type •Indoor •Outdoor By Technology •Mobile Communication •Intelligent Transport •Industrial IoT •Smart City •Military & Defense •Other Global Base Station Antenna Market Report Segment by Region North America •United States •Canada Europe •UK •Germany •Italy •Spain •France •Rest of Europe Asia-Pacific •China •India •Japan •South Korea •Rest of Asia-Pacific Rest of the World •Latin America •Middle East & Africa The Report Covers •Annualized market revenues ($ million) for each market segment. •Country-wise analysis of major geographical regions. •Key companies operating in the global base station antenna market. Based on the availability of data, information related to new product launches, and relevant news is also available in the report. •Analysis of business strategies by identifying the key market segments positioned for strong growth in the future. •Analysis of market-entry and market expansion strategies. •Competitive strategies by identifying 'who-stands-where' in the market. For More Customized Data, Request for Report Customization @ https://www.omrglobal.com/report-customization/base-station-antenna-market-size About Orion Market Research Orion Market Research (OMR) is a market research and consulting company known for its crisp and concise reports. The company is equipped with an experienced team of analysts and consultants. OMR offers quality syndicated research reports, customized research reports, consulting and other research-based services. The company also offer Digital Marketing services through its subsidiary OMR Digital and Software development and Consulting Services through another subsidiary Encanto Technologies. Media Contact: Company Name: Orion Market Research Contact Person: Mr. Anurag Tiwari Email: info@omrglobal.com Contact no: +91 780-304-0404 This release was published on openPR.
Without Jalen Hurts at QB, Eagles bid to wrap up NFC East vs. CowboysWhen it comes to taxes, the Canadian investor has no better friend than a tax-free savings account (TFSA). Letting you shelter your gains and dividends from taxation, while inside the account on withdrawal, the TFSA can boost your after-tax returns. That’s not to say that TFSAs are always completely tax-free however. You do pay withholding taxes on foreign dividend stocks in a TFSA, for example. Additionally, there are specific scenarios where you can end up paying taxes to the CRA – specifically when you violate the TFSA account rules. In this article, I will explore three TFSA red flags that the CRA is keeping a close eye on, that you should never allow yourself to be exposed to. Excessive contributions Contributing is the most obvious TFSA red flag that the CRA keeps a close watch on. Every investor has accumulated a certain amount of contribution room. The formula is amount of room added in each year in which you were eligible to open an account, minus past contributions. If you contribute more than this amount, then you could wind up getting taxed for excessive contributions. A common TFSA contribution room misconception is that total contribution room is the same for everybody. The mistake people make here is conflating the amount of contribution room accumulated since the TFSA launched, with contribution room. Only those who were 18 or older in 2009 get the TFSA program’s lifetime accumulated amount, which is $102,000 for 2025. If you were 17 or younger in 2009, you have less lifetime accumulated room than that. Unapproved investments A second ‘red flag’ category the CRA keeps a close eye on is unapproved investments. There are a few of these, most of them involving holding shares in a company you control in a TFSA. If you create securities representing ownership in your small business and deposit them into your TFSA, you will be taxed. The CRA does not regard such shareholdings as investments but as business assets. Fortunately, 90% of Canadians are not at risk of ever falling into the unapproved investment trap. If you’re a business owner, you might want to keep it in mind. Day trading Last but not least, we have full-time day trading. If you day trade full time and realize huge profits by doing so, the CRA will tax you as a business, even if you conducted your trades in a TFSA. There is a bit of a grey area when it comes to defining day trading, but suffice it to say, if you trade full time, earn a full-time living, and use specialized software in your trading, the CRA will probably consider you a business. It’s better to hold in your TFSA long term than to day trade in it. Such funds are usually considered legitimate TFSA holdings. Consider ( ), for example. It’s a Canadian index fund built on U.S. stocks. Specifically, it is built on the S&P 500, the world’s most followed stock market index. The fund has 500 or so stocks, which provide it with considerable diversification. It has a low management fee (0.08%), which means it is fairly cheap. Finally, the fund is liquid and widely traded, which results in low trade execution costs. Overall, it’s an asset worth holding, and it is 100% approved for your TFSA.
Trump to ring in stock exchange
At the heart of the internecine sniping is Trump's central election issue -- immigration -- and the H1-B visas that allow companies to bring foreigners with specific qualifications to the United States. The permits are widely used in Silicon Valley, and Musk -- who himself came to the United States from South Africa on an H1-B -- is a fervent advocate. The world's richest man, who bankrolled Trump's election campaign and has become a close advisor, posted on X Thursday that welcoming elite engineering talent from abroad was "essential for America to keep winning." Vivek Ramaswamy, appointed by Trump as Musk's co-chair on a new advisory board on government efficiency, suggested that companies prefer foreign workers because they lack an "American culture," which he said venerates mediocrity. "A culture that celebrates the prom queen over the math olympiad champ, or the jock over the valedictorian, will not produce the best engineers," he posted, warning that, without a change in attitude, "we'll have our asses handed to us by China." Skepticism over the benefits of immigration is a hallmark of Trump's "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement and the billionaires' remarks angered immigration hawks who accused them of ignoring US achievements in technological innovation. Incoming White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller posted a 2020 speech in which Trump marveled at the American "culture" that had "harnessed electricity, split the atom, and gave the world the telephone and the Internet." The post appeared calculated to remind critics that Trump won November's election on a platform of getting tough on immigration and boosting American manufacturing. But it was Michael Faraday, an English scientist, who discovered that an electric current could be produced by passing a magnet through a copper wire and Ernest Rutherford, a New Zealander, who first split the atom. And Alexander Graham Bell may have died a US citizen but he was a British subject in Canada when he invented the telephone. Trump voiced opposition to H1-B visas during his successful first run for the White House in 2016, calling them "unfair for our workers" while acknowledging that he used foreign labor in his own businesses. The Republican placed restrictions on the system when he took office, but the curbs were lifted by President Joe Biden. Trump is known for enjoying the gladiatorial spectacle when conflict breaks out in his inner circle. He has been conspicuously silent during the hostilities that Politico characterized as "Musk vs MAGA." Many MAGA figures have been agitating for a complete closure of America's borders while the problem of illegal entries is tackled, and hoping for a steer from Trump that would reassure them that he remains firm in his "America First" stance. For some long-time loyalists, Silicon Valley has already inserted itself too deeply into MAGA politics. "We welcomed the tech bros when they came running our way to avoid the 3rd grade teacher picking their kid's gender -- and the obvious Biden/Harris economic decline," said Matt Gaetz, the scandal-hit congressman forced to withdraw after being nominated by Trump to run the Justice Department. "We did not ask them to engineer an immigration policy." When Musk almost single-handedly blew up a deal painstakingly hammered out between Democrats and Republicans to set the 2025 federal budget, Democrats used "President Musk" to mock Trump, who is famously sensitive about being upstaged. It remains to be seen whether these cracks can be smoothed out or if they are a portent of further strife, but critics point to the chaos in Trump's first term as a potential indicator. "Looking forward to the inevitable divorce between President Trump and Big Tech," said far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, a MAGA figure with so much influence that she had a seat on Trump's plane during the campaign. "We have to protect President Trump from the technocrats." Loomer has subsequently complained of censorship after she was stripped of her paying subscribers on X, which is owned by Musk. "Full censorship of my account simply because I called out H1B visas," she posted. "This is anti-American behavior by tech oligarchs. What happened to free speech?" rle/ft/sms
Cruise into this holiday season with a non-traditional vacationExplainer-Why OpenAI plans transition to public benefit corporation
Power Play for Wednesday, December 11, 2024
“Do you have kids?” I was interviewing a band just off Denmark Street in London. The singer was telling me about his toddler. His kid was cute, he was telling me, but he was still at that age: he didn’t DO much. “What age are your boys? Teenagers? Aw, I can’t wait til he’s that age so that I can talk to him about music, y’know?” I didn’t have the heart to tell him. It isn’t like that. When his kid becomes old enough to care about music, the last thing he’s gonna to do is ask his dad for recommendations. I had been like him once – a massive music nerd, eager to create an army of clones. Like sang in : “It might be fun to have a kid... A little me to fill up with my thoughts/A little me or he or she to fill up with my dreams”. I’ve got three boys. I thought I’d breed a little gang of music nerds, kids that knew the lyrics to , could tell you , and be able to hold their own in a conversation about the differences between dub, reggae, ska and rock steady. Who could appreciate , and . A little army of musical evangelists, able to recommend the latest hot band, or mad new remix, or mixtape. Spoiler alert: It didn't turn out like that. For two reasons, I think. One: You’ve gotta let your kids be themselves. I played music around the house, I tried to make it fun, and I had some small victories: They liked , the , and (particularly ). But mostly, they weren’t that into my old shit. They wanted to hear the stuff their friends liked. According to Apple Music, my 25 Most Played Songs includes by Ed Sheeran and songs by Passenger and John Legend. Those are not songs I have ever knowingly played. The latest news, features and interviews direct to your inbox, from the global home of alternative music. The Second Reason My Kids Didn’t Turn Out To Be Massive Music Nerds: Mobile phones. When my kids were old enough, they got their own phones. They had an Apple Music account but they hardly used it. They had YouTube. They had games to play. And then later they had Snapchat and TikTok. They had a world of entertainment in their pocket at all times. Music was just a small part of that world: annoying clips on TikToks, background music on FIFA. I bought them Bluetooth speakers but they didn’t use them: they just played stuff on their phone’s tinny little speaker. When they got to their mid-teens and they wanted headphones, they asked for Beats and Airpods. I told them: They’re not good headphones. They didn’t care. They were . All the footballers had them. And then something weird happened. My kids weren’t kids anymore. One of them went travelling by himself and it opened his eyes – and ears. He listened to a lot of music while travelling – you don’t look at videos on your phone when you’ve gone to the other side of the world and you’re looking around in wonder. And when he came back, and it was his birthday, he asked for headphones. Good ones. Over-ears. We did the research so you don't have to. The WH-1000XM4s have great sound quality, they're comfortable and the charge lasts forever (well, 30 hours). They'll make you, or your kids, listen to music differently, I did my research. I used Louder’s guide to , because I knew it was written by who’s been reviewing headphones and musical tech for decades. And I read Amazon reviews and Reviews on What HiFi and TechRadar and – on Prime Day this summer – I bought him a pair of headphones I saw raved about over and over again: the Sony WH-1000XM4s. (In his latest guide, Steve May actually recommends the Sony WH-1000XM5s, the newer version: I’m sure they’re great, but they were out of my budget. They’re in the .) Suddenly, I had a music fan. The Sonys made everything sound amazing. They were comfortable, the charge lasted for a week. Then the texts started: What's Neil Young like? Where should I start with Pink Floyd? Who else sounds like The Clash? Had I heard Fontaines DC or King Krule? He’s at university now. I’m still getting the texts. “What are like? Do have any other good songs apart from ?” The Sonys are never off his head. I texted him to ask what he liked about them: “I’d say sound quality,” he said. “You can hear everything in a song, all the different instruments. And comfort: you could wear them for four hours and they wouldn’t hurt. “It’s made me wanna listen to proper music – bass-y music sounds so good.” He's got into after hearing them on David Fincher’s movie. When he came home, I pulled my old vinyl copies out: He didn’t care, had no interest. Vinyl doesn’t mean anything to him. He has his phone, a library of music at his fingertips, and he has his headphones. I need to get in touch with that singer again. Maybe I've got some advice for him after all. There are still some excellent Black Friday deals to be had if you're a Lego fan on a budget Zavvi are running a 3 for £20 deal on Funko Pop! Vinyl, collectables and action figures, so it might be time to finally complete some of those collections Amazon's cyber weekend deals prove you can never own too many band shirts Tom Poak has written for the Hull Daily Mail, Esquire, The Big Issue, Total Guitar, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and more. In a writing career that has spanned decades, he has interviewed Brian May, Brian Cant, and cadged a light off Brian Molko. He has stood on a glacier with Thunder, in a forest by a fjord with Ozzy and Slash, and on the roof of the Houses of Parliament with Thin Lizzy's Scott Gorham (until some nice men with guns came and told them to get down). He has drank with Shane MacGowan, mortally offended Lightning Seed Ian Broudie and been asked if he was homeless by Echo & The Bunnymen’s Ian McCulloch.None
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House approves $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minorsNEW YORK (AP) — Sneaking a little ahead of line to get on that plane faster? American Airlines might stop you . In an apparent effort to reduce the headaches caused by airport line cutting, American has rolled out boarding technology that alerts gate agents with an audible sound if a passenger tries to scan a ticket ahead of their assigned group. This new software won't accept a boarding pass before the group it's assigned to is called, so customers who get to the gate prematurely will be asked to go back and wait their turn. As of Wednesday, the airline announced, the technology is now being used in more than 100 U.S. airports that American flies out of. The official expansion arrives after successful tests in three of these locations — Albuquerque International Sunport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Tucson International Airport. The initial response from customers and American employees "has exceeded our expectations," Julie Rath, American’s senior vice president of airport operations, reservations and service recovery, said in a statement. She added that the airline is “thrilled" to have the technology up and running ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday . American got lots of attention when it unveiled its gate-control testing last month. Analysts say that isn't surprising. It's no secret that line cutting in airports hits a nerve. Whether intentional or not, just about every air traveler has witnessed it, noted Henry Harteveldt, an airline industry analyst with Atmosphere Research Group. It can add to frustrations in what can already be a tense environment, with particular anxiety around passengers wanting to sit together or rushing for some overhead bin space. Harteveldt doesn't see American's recent move as “shaming” customers who cut the line. “What it is intended to do is bring order out of chaos,” he said. "And I hope it will defuse any potential flare ups of anger (from) people who simply think they're entitled to board out of turn .... It’s just not fair." Harteveldt added that he thinks this change will enhance the experiences of both customers and gate agents. Others say more time will tell. Seth Miller, editor and founder of air travel experience analysis site PaxEx.aero , said he can see the benefits of more orderly and universal gate-control enforcement, particularly for airlines. But he said he isn't “100% convinced this is perfect for passengers" just yet. Families, for example, might be booked on several different reservations across more than one group, he said. Airlines typically have workarounds for that, and American noted Wednesday that customers traveling with a companion in an earlier group can simply have a gate agent “override the alert” to continue boarding. Still, Miller said, “you have to go through the extra hoops.” And a difficult customer still might choose to hold up the line and argue when they're not allowed to board, he added. Another question is whether customers who encounter a beep will walk away feeling embarrassed. But Harteveldt said he was happy to learn that American's alert is “not a bellowing sound that can be heard throughout the terminal,” or accompanied by your name read over a loudspeaker, noting that this is important to avoid feelings of shame. Expanding this technology just a week before peak Thanksgiving travel could be “both good and bad,” Harteveldt adds. On one hand, the tech could help significantly improve the boarding process during such a busy time, he said, but airport employees might also have appreciated more time to prepare. Both Miller and Harteveldt said they wouldn't be surprised if other carriers soon follow American's lead. Headaches over airport line cutting are far from new. While maybe not to the extent of American's new tech, Miller noted he's seen gate agents from other airlines ask people to leave a line and wait for their group. Harteveldt added that he's been to some airports in Asia and Europe with “sliding doors” that ensure passengers are in the right group before boarding a plane. The more than 100 airports that American is now using its gate-control technology in are all spoke, or non-hub, locations — including Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The airline says it expects to further expand to its hubs and other airports in the coming months.
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