jiliko 68

jiliko 68 Reuters reported on Wednesday that China is considering allowing the yuan to weaken in 2025 to brace for higher trade tariffs in a second Donald Trump presidency, citing people familiar with the matter. Foreign exchange markets moved on the news, with the yuan falling about 0.3% to 7.2803 per dollar and China-sensitive currencies such as the South Korean won and New Zealand dollar slipping. The Australian dollar, which sometimes serves as a more actively traded proxy for the yuan, fell as much as 0.6% to a one-year low. Here are comments from market analysts and participants: JANE FOLEY, HEAD OF FX STRATEGY, RABOBANK, LONDON: “It is a very interesting report, because it would fit with the theme of a slowing Chinese economy, and theme of ‘what is China going to do to push back against U.S. tariffs?’ Weakening the exchange rate, given that sort of backdrop, does have a very appealing logic to it. And we know, of course, that politically, particularly if China does want to increase the reserve status of the renminbi, there is pressure on it to keep it firmer. But if they need to revitalise the economy, and they tend to be more interested on focusing on exports, there is quite a compelling logic that they may allow the renminbi to soften.” NICHOLAS REES, SENIOR FX MARKET ANALYST, MONEX, LONDON: “News that China will allow the yuan to weaken as they prepare for Trump tariffs does not come as a shock – this has been one of our high-conviction calls post-election day. “As we see it, Chinese authorities understand that they need to establish a negotiating position, and that right now they have first mover advantage. If anything, we think markets are still underestimating the degree to which the yuan could weaken in the next year if tariffs are implemented. But, given the yuan’s role as a regional FX anchor, significant depreciation is likely to have broader knock-on effects, particularly across Asian FX” CHRIS SCICLUNA, HEAD OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH, DAIWA CAPITAL MARKETS, LONDON: “Most people would assume that the response to implementing tariffs would be to allow the yuan to weaken. Even if European exports are hit (by tariffs), the markets will react by weakening the euro. “So, it’s about if and when. The currency adjustment might offset the impact of tariffs. “There is a question about whether or not a weaker yuan is appropriate given the performance of Chinese exports, which are strong while imports are weak. The appropriate response to that is not a weaker currency. “But if you have additional tariffs from the U.S., then we will get a weaker yuan. Then the U.S. will have to ask the question of whether it’s worth it.” FRED NEUMANN, CHIEF ASIA ECONOMIST, HSBC, HONG KONG: “Currency adjustments are on the table as a tool to be used to mitigate the effects of tariffs. I think that is clear. “It’s tempting to think that Chinese currency weakness could fully offset the tariffs in the U.S. and kind of neutralise the impact on the economy. But I think that would be short-sighted. “The Chinese leadership is likely also to be mindful about the impact of a weaker Chinese currency on other trading partners. “If China takes the currency aggressively lower, it raises the risk of a tariff cascade ... so I think there is a bit of a risk here that if China uses its currency angle too aggressively, it could lead to a backlash among other trading partners and that’s not in the interest of China.” MATT SIMPSON, SENIOR MARKET ANALYST, CITY INDEX, BRISBANE: “China recently said that nobody wins in a race to the bottom, but that doesn’t mean they’re not prepared to play along. Now we just need to see a slightly hotter U.S. inflation print to send USD/CNH above 7.3 to help AUD/USD fall to 63c.” LYNN SONG, CHIEF ECONOMIST FOR GREATER CHINA, ING, HONG KONG: “This sort of mild depreciation is still well within expectations, given an expected stronger dollar backdrop. “There’s some voices in markets calling for a quick 10-20% depreciation to help offset tariffs. We don’t expect an intentional and sharp depreciation like this...rapid movement abandoning the currency stability objective would also unwind the progress made over the last few years on maintaining Chinese purchasing power, reducing capital outflow pressure, and improving the RMB’s role as a settlement currency.” JIN MOTEKI, CURRENCY STRATEGIST, NOMURA SECURITIES, TOKYO: “Even if the Chinese yuan depreciates to some extent because of Trump’s tariffs, I think the yen is unlikely to move in the same direction. “I think maybe if the Chinese government allows yuan to depreciate, it will support Chinese exports. So in this sense, in terms of the demand supply and balance, the yuan is supported by the improvement in the Chinese trade balance.” KEN CHEUNG, FX STRATEGIST, MIZUHO, HONG KONG: “If currency depreciation served as a tactic to counter the tariff shock, the likely escalating trade war could reinforce USD exceptionalism and weigh on regional currencies. “Yuan depreciation to 7.5 will remain manageable on the capital outflow risk, especially with FX stabilising tools in play to manage depreciation pace and magnitude.” CHARU CHANANA, HEAD OF CURRENCY STRATEGY, SAXO, SINGAPORE: “China appears increasingly anxious about the impending Trump presidency, as indicated by Monday’s stimulus announcement and today’s reports on the yuan depreciation. However, these measures do little to tackle China’s fundamental issues of debt and the lack of confidence among consumers and businesses. “In fact, a weaker yuan exacerbates these problems and poses the risk of China being labelled a currency manipulator by the U.S. Treasury.” Source: Reuters (Reporting by Vidya Ranganathan in Singapore, Summer Zhen in Hong Kong, Kevin Buckland and Brigid Riley in Tokyo, and Harry Robertson and Dhara Ranasinghe in London; Compiled by Tom Westbrook; Editing by Janane Venkatraman)Confident Bucs gear up for stretch run against lighter season-ending schedule

NoneStock up the eggnog — you're gonna need it. The holidays are here and that means joy to the world, coming together with your loved ones and spending a ton of money on gifts. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.

Helping to drown out the noise

Stock market today: Wall Street ends mixed after a bumpy weekJackson Acquisition Company II Announces Closing of $230 Million Initial Public Offering

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are determined to not get ahead of themselves. Sunday’s 30-7 rout of the New York Giants began a six-game, regular season-ending stretch in which the Bucs (5-6) will face five opponents that currently have losing records. The victory coming out of the team’s bye week stopped a four-game skid and moved the three-time defending NFC South champions within one game of first-place Atlanta in the division. The Falcons swept the season series, so the Bucs essentially trail the Falcons by two games with six remaining. They’re in a good position to chase their fifth consecutive playoff berth, but can hardly assume they’ll benefit from having an easy remaining schedule. “We’re hoping it builds confidence. We have belief that we’re still sitting and controlling our own destiny,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said of beating the Giants. “But it’s not just going to happen,” Mayfield added. “So, we have to take it one week at a time. And you find the recipe for success within your work week. ... You try to emulate that week after week and continue to build it.” The Los Angeles Chargers, who entered Monday night’s game against Baltimore at 7-3, are the only opponent remaining on Tampa Bay’s schedule that currently has a winning record. The Bucs will face division rival Carolina (3-8) twice in the next six weeks. They’ll also host Las Vegas (2-9) and New Orleans (4-7) and play the Chargers and Dallas Cowboys (4-7) on the road. “We can’t get comfortable,” rookie running back Bucky Irving said. “We just got to keep our foot on the gas and keep running.” The offense continues to put up big numbers, finishing with 450 yards against the Giants. It’s the fifth time Tampa Bay has gained more than 400 yards this season. The Bucs have now scored 30-plus points six times, second in the NFL behind Buffalo’s eight. There wasn’t a lot to fault in the team’s performance against the Giants, although coach Todd Bowles said both the offense and defense could have been done a better job closing out the game late. “For the most part we executed on both sides of the football,” Bowles said. “Still like to have finished the game a little better, but they came back (from the bye week) mentally tougher, and they came ready to play.” Irving averaged more than 7 yards per carry in rushing for 87 yards on 12 attempts. He also had six receptions for 64 yards, finishing with a season-high 151 yards from scrimmage. Just when it looked as if the defense was beginning to trend the right way health-wise, the Bucs lost safety Jordan Whitehead (pectoral) and linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (ankle) to injuries on Sunday. Bowles said Monday he was still awaiting an update on the severity of Whitehead’s injury. Tryon-Shoyinka has an ankle sprain. LT Tristan Wirfs (knee) sat out against the Giants and his status will be evaluated as the week progresses. 11. With wide receiver Mike Evans back on the field after missing three games with a hamstring injury, Mayfield completed passes to 11 different players, tying a team record. “He obviously changed the game, even when he's not getting the ball,” Mayfield said. “It's huge that we have him in.” At Carolina, the second of three consecutive games vs. last-place teams the Bucs will face during their stretch run. They’ll also host the Panthers on Dec. 29. “It’s an NFC South battle, and all of them are going to be hard. None of them are going to be easy,” Bowles said. “I think (coach) Dave (Canales) has done an excellent job taking on that team and it’s taking over his personality right now,” Bowles added. “They’re playing pretty good football. ... It’s going to be a tough battle.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflLooking for a New iPhone? Shop the Best Black Friday iPhone Deals Vetted by Our Shopping Experts

Palisade Bio Announces Closing of $5 Million Underwritten Public Offering Priced At-Market Under Nasdaq RulesDear Senator-elect Angela Alsobrooks, It’s December 2024, and multiple women have been held hostage in Gaza for nearly 450 days. UN Women, the organization responsible for advocating for justice for Romi Gonen, Naama Levy, and all other female victims of Hamas’ sexual violence, has been mostly silent regarding their abduction and the massive sexual violence that took place on Oct. 7, 2023. Every day that passes is another day that Israeli women are subject to sexual violence. In an with The 19th in April, you spoke about your time in public office, saying, “I loved fighting for women, and I also loved, after the cases were done, talking to them in my office — supporting and encouraging the women who had had horrible things happen to them, to their children and families.” Your record of advocating for justice for women has been beyond exceptional. It is your passion for justice and your record of leadership that has led us to call upon you for help. We urge you to publicly support Israeli women who were sexually assaulted by Hamas during the Oct. 7 terrorist attack and who are being assaulted in Gaza right now, and to condemn sexual violence by saying that you believe Israeli women. Rape and sexual assault have no place in war and it is important to stand in solidarity with these victims. Your advocacy is all the more important because of the recent wave of antisemitism, misogyny and atrocity denial that is affecting survivors and harming more general efforts to combat sexual assault. On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists attacked Israel, killing nearly 1,200 people and kidnapping 251 people, holding them as hostages. During the attack, many Israeli women and girls were subjected to and extreme acts of cruelty. In many cases, they were gang-raped, tortured and mutilated before they were killed. Videos of naked and bloodied women filmed by Hamas, photographs of bodies and eyewitness accounts provide of gender-based violence and brutality, intended to cause as much pain to victims as possible. For Hamas, the cruelty of this sexual violence was the point. Political attacks, propaganda, overwhelming post-traumatic stress and shame have been inflicted on survivors of these assaults, thus making many of them reluctant to come forward. Despite these obstacles, the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel that sexual violence was systematic, widespread and a “clear operational strategy” of Hamas. There is further evidence that the Israeli hostages in Gaza are still being sexually assaulted. A horrifying video posted on Oct. 7 showed a young woman named being dragged by her hair and forced into the back of a Jeep, with her ankles slashed and her sweatpants stained with blood. Released hostages said that Levy was alive but wounded and being abused. The former hostage Amit Soussana to both doctors and reporters about how she was tortured and sexually assaulted during her captivity and urged that a deal be reached, so the remaining hostages can be freed. As American-Jewish feminists, we have witnessed the deafening silence coming from countless champions of feminist causes, from the Women’s March to the United Nations. We need our leaders on all levels of government to set the standard that all survivors of sexual violence deserve to be believed. Senator-elect Alsobrooks, please believe Amit. Please believe Naama. Please believe us when we say we are in dire need of leadership to demand justice for our murdered and abducted sisters. Please say, “I believe Israeli women” and support a deal to free the hostages, so that the women who are being abused and tortured can be liberated and return to their families and friends.

Guess?, Inc . GES reported a year-over-year decrease in third-quarter adjusted EPS results on Tuesday. Guess posted quarterly adjusted earnings of 34 cents per share, down from 49 cents per share in the year-ago period. The company's sales rose to $739.0 million from $651.1 million a year ago. Paul Marciano, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer, commented, “This year we have made significant investments for Guess in new product introductions and increased marketing campaigns, and the customers have responded well. We have also invested in developing our new rag & bone and Guess Jeans brands, adding distribution capacity for both domestically and internationally. Our focus is to create strong brand awareness and increase customer engagement while offering amazing products and a great customer experience. I am excited about our collection this season and believe we are well positioned for this important time of the year.” Guess said it sees FY25 earnings of 70 cents to 82 cents per share, and adjusted earnings o f $1.85 to $2.00 per share Guess shares fell 5.3% to trade at $16.41 on Wednesday. These analysts made changes to their price targets on Guess following earnings announcement. UBS analyst Mauricio Serna maintained Guess with a Neutral rating and lowered the price target from $18 to $16. Small Cap Consumer Research analyst Eric Beder maintained Guess with a Buy rating and cut the price target from $29 to $23. Telsey Advisory Group analyst Dana Telsey maintained the stock with a Market Perform rating and lowered the price target from $21 to $18. Considering buying GES stock? Here’s what analysts think: Read This Next: Urban Outfitters To Rally Around 47%? Here Are 10 Top Analyst Forecasts For Wednesday © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Luxembourg – 11 December 2024 - Subsea 7 S.A. (Oslo Børs: SUBC, ADR: SUBCY) today announced that Seaway7, part of the Subsea7 Group, has signed a vessel reservation agreement with Dogger Bank Offshore Wind Farm 1 for the transportation and installation of turbines for the Dogger Bank project, offshore the UK. Offshore works are expected to commence in 2026. This represents additional work for Seaway7 at this development, where it is currently installing monopile foundations and transition pieces. The value related to this substantial 2 agreement will be recognised in backlog in the fourth quarter. Dogger Bank Offshore Wwind Farm is a joint venture partnership between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Vårgrønn (20%). Subsea7 defines a substantial contract as being between $150 million and $300 million ******************************************************************************* Subsea7 is a global leader in the delivery of offshore projects and services for the evolving energy industry, creating sustainable value by being the industry’s partner and employer of choice in delivering the efficient offshore solutions the world needs. Subsea7 is listed on the Oslo Børs (SUBC), ISIN LU0075646355, LEI 222100AIF0CBCY80AH62. ******************************************************************************* Contact for investment community enquiries: Katherine Tonks Investor Relations Director Tel +44 20 8210 5568 ir@subsea7.com Contact for media enquiries: Nikki Beales Communications Manager, Seaway7 Tel +44 (0)7843895292 nikki.beales@seaway7.com www.seaway7.com Forward-Looking Statements: This document may contain ‘forward-looking statements’ (within the meaning of the safe harbour provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). These statements relate to our current expectations, beliefs, intentions, assumptions or strategies regarding the future and are subject to known and unknown risks that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘future’, ‘goal’, ‘intend’, ‘likely’ ‘may’, ‘plan’, ‘project’, ‘seek’, ‘should’, ‘strategy’ ‘will’, and similar expressions. The principal risks which could affect future operations of the Group are described in the ‘Risk Management’ section of the Group’s Annual Report and Consolidated Financial Statements. Factors that may cause actual and future results and trends to differ materially from our forward-looking statements include (but are not limited to): (i) our ability to deliver fixed price projects in accordance with client expectations and within the parameters of our bids, and to avoid cost overruns; (ii) our ability to collect receivables, negotiate variation orders and collect the related revenue; (iii) our ability to recover costs on significant projects; (iv) capital expenditure by oil and gas companies, which is affected by fluctuations in the price of, and demand for, crude oil and natural gas; (v) unanticipated delays or cancellation of projects included in our backlog; (vi) competition and price fluctuations in the markets and businesses in which we operate; (vii) the loss of, or deterioration in our relationship with, any significant clients; (viii) the outcome of legal proceedings or governmental inquiries; (ix) uncertainties inherent in operating internationally, including economic, political and social instability, boycotts or embargoes, labour unrest, changes in foreign governmental regulations, corruption and currency fluctuations; (x) the effects of a pandemic or epidemic or a natural disaster; (xi) liability to third parties for the failure of our joint venture partners to fulfil their obligations; (xii) changes in, or our failure to comply with, applicable laws and regulations (including regulatory measures addressing climate change); (xiii) operating hazards, including spills, environmental damage, personal or property damage and business interruptions caused by adverse weather; (xiv) equipment or mechanical failures, which could increase costs, impair revenue and result in penalties for failure to meet project completion requirements; (xv) the timely delivery of vessels on order and the timely completion of ship conversion programmes; (xvi) our ability to keep pace with technological changes and the impact of potential information technology, cyber security or data security breaches; (xvii) global availability at scale and commercially viability of suitable alternative vessel fuels; and (xviii) the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. Many of these factors are beyond our ability to control or predict. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this document. We undertake no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. This stock exchange release was published by Katherine Tonks, Investor Relations, Subsea7, on 12 December 2024 at 07:00 CET. Attachment SUBC Dogger BankSaints hope to ride the Rizzi factor back to relevance after their bye week

Trump convinced Republicans to overlook his misconduct. But can he do the same for his nominees?A voting machine firm suing Fox News now wants to probe Murdoch family trust fightToday’s news headlines and Thought for the Day for school assembly: 26 November 2024

Confident Bucs gear up for stretch run against lighter season-ending scheduleThe last six years have landed Canadian Kurtis Rourke firmly in the U.S. college football limelight. The 24-year-old Oakville, Ont., native will lead the upstart Indiana Hoosiers (11-1) into South Bend, Ind., to face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1) on Dec. 20 to open American university football’s expanded playoff bracket. Rourke transferred to Indiana last December to boost his NFL draft stock after five years at Ohio University, where he began as a backup to his older brother, Nathan, then captured the 2022 MAC offensive player of the year award despite suffering a season-ending knee injury before heading to Indiana after the 2023 season. A win over Notre Dame would extend Indiana’s stellar campaign while a loss would mark the end of Rourke’s collegiate career. “Having six years is something not many people can say,” Rourke told Canadian reporters Wednesday. “(It has been) very much a roller-coaster but I’m just grateful. “I’ve had four surgeries in college and only missed a handful of games. That’s the biggest thing I come back to, that I’ve been so lucky to still play and have an opportunity to play (maybe) four more games and hopefully at a professional level.” The six-foot-five, 223-pound Rourke will be eligible for the ’25 NFL draft. Rourke has played a big role in Indiana — traditionally known as a basketball school — emerging as a Big Ten contender in head coach Curt Cignetti’s first season. Rourke completed 202-of-287 passes (70.4 per cent) for 2,827 yards with 27 TDs and just four interceptions in 11 games and last week was named a finalist for the Manning Award, given annually to American college football’s top quarterback. The only blemish on Indiana’s record was a 38-15 loss to Ohio State before 105,751 spectators in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 23. Rourke was eight-of-18 passing for 68 yards in that contest and sacked five times. It’s that experience Rourke and the Hoosiers are drawing upon as they prepare to visit Notre Dame Stadium, which has a seating capacity of roughly 77,000 but held 84,000 spectators for a 2018 Garth Brooks concert. “I don’t know if it will be as crazy or as hostile an environment as Ohio State ... but I do expect it to be a pretty good environment,” Rourke said. “We have some plans in place with the silent count if we need at any point to go to ... but ultimately just learning from the experience of Ohio State to handle it individually as well as an offence.” Former CFL player Tino Sunseri is Indiana’s quarterback coach/co-offensive co-ordinator. Sunseri spent three seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2013-15), winning a Grey Cup as a rookie. Reaching the expanded playoff format in Cignetti’s first season is a huge accomplishment for Indiana. But the school reportedly added 31 players via the transfer portal before the 2024 campaign. When asked how he appealed to incoming players, Cignetti said, “It’s pretty simple, I win. Google me.” Cignetti came to Indiana after posting a 52-9 record over five seasons at James Madison. Rourke said Hoosiers’ players draw inspiration from their brash head coach. “Seeing your head coach on a national stage say what he said, ‘Google me,’ ... that just shows how confident he is in himself and the coaches,” Rourke said. “And that just makes us feel like, ‘Yeah, we’re coming along with you coach.’ “As the season went on we were like, ‘Yeah, we can do this.'” Rourke suffered a right thumb injury that required surgery in Indiana’s 56-7 win over Nebraska on Oct. 19. Fortunately, he missed only one start (31-17 victory over Washington) and returned to throw four TD passes in 47-10 decision over Michigan State on Nov. 2. “My thumb feels 100 per cent now,” Rourke said. “It was hard missing that Washington game ... but I knew the team would have my back.” It’s no surprise Rourke has leaned upon his brother throughout his college tenure. The two are very close and Rourke said he began playing quarterback after watching Nathan do so growing up. Nathan Rourke rejoined the Lions in August after spending time in the NFL with Jacksonville, New England, Atlanta and the New York Giants. “We’ve been able to talk about ball but (also) life,” the junior Rourke said. “Just having someone who’s done it, who’s been through the college experience, been through the NFL experiences and now the CFL to learn from and also bounce questions off him, it’s been quite beneficial to have him in my corner.” Rourke has hired an agent — Octagon’s Casey Muir — and will work out this off-season in Fort Myers, Fla. As of Wednesday, Rourke said he’s not been invited to the NFL combine, which begins Feb. 27 in Indianapolis. “I’d love to get an invite to the combine,” he said. “That was one of my goals, honestly, when I got to college, which seems forever ago. “That would be awesome.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 11, 2024. Dan Ralph, The Canadian PressHennessy Advisors, Inc. Announces Listing Transfer for the Hennessy Stance ESG ETF (STNC) to The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Canada didn’t live up to its values on immigration in recent years, Carney says

No. 24 UCLA is seeking its eighth straight win on Saturday against an Arizona team that is trying to right the ship after dropping four of its last six games. The game is being played in Phoenix, billed as part of the Hall of Fame Series. It's the first meeting between the storied ex-Pac-12 rivals since the conference's collapse last year and will be the first time the teams have met in a nonconference matchup since 1977. UCLA (8-1) is off to a surprisingly hot start after a nightmarish last season. The Bruins have won seven in a row after falling to New Mexico on Nov. 8. They're coming directly off a 73-71 victory over No. 12 Oregon on Sunday on a game-winning 3-pointer by Dylan Andrews with 0.3 seconds remaining. Eric Dailey Jr. led the way with 19 points on 7-of-8 shooting. The Bruins sit at 2-0 in conference play in their first season as a member of the Big Ten. "My analysis early of the Big Ten is that it's so deep," UCLA coach Mick Cronin said. "I know it probably always was that way, but now it's deeper. You've just got to get better. "I also coach at UCLA where we get the most titles and (have been to) the second-most finals. I didn't come to UCLA to win regular-season games. For us, it's about progression and getting better. "We were able to win (against Oregon) but I thought we got a lot better. We came together. We got more cohesive. The guys played with confidence." Tyler Bilodeau leads UCLA in scoring and rebounding, averaging 13.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. Bilodeau played his first two collegiate seasons at Oregon State, although his maiden voyage at UCLA is only his second season as a regular starter. Dailey, a transfer from Oklahoma State, doesn't trail too far behind in either category, averaging 12.3 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. USC transfer Kobe Johnson leads the Bruins with 3.2 assists while also tallying 7.3 points and 5.1 rebounds per game. The Wildcats (4-4) are in the midst of a dreadful start, needing a 102-66 win over Southern Utah to nurse themselves back to .500. Before that, Arizona was just one for its last five. The Wildcats are winless against fellow power-conference opponents, suffering double-digit losses to Wisconsin and Duke. Arizona also absorbed a five-point loss to Oklahoma and a seven-point overtime loss to West Virginia at the Battle 4 Atlantis. "Great programs are going to stumble once in a while," Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said. "The response is the key. Learning from it and coming back stronger is the objective and that's the challenge. We obviously have been challenged early in the season. "(The emphasis needs to be on) Arizona basketball, because here's the deal: UCLA is a good program. If we go in and all we're worried about is UCLA and we assume that we're going to show up and play well, we're going to get our ass kicked." The Wildcats are led by Caleb Love, who returned for a second season at Arizona and a fifth in college overall after he played his first three seasons at North Carolina. Love is averaging 14.1 points per game on 37.2 percent shooting, down from 18 points per game a season ago. Aside from Love, Arizona has four more players averaging in double figures for the season: Jaden Bradley (12.0 ppg), Trey Townsend (11.3), KJ Lewis (10.3) and Anthony Dell'Orso (10.0). --Field Level Media

None

(The Center Square) – Prosecutors introduced secretly recorded audio and video along with a troubled star witness at the public corruption trial of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan. Former Chicago Alderman Daniel Solis returned to the Everett McKinley U.S. Courthouse Monday. Solis is facing one federal count of bribery under a deferred prosecution agreement. The ex-alderman began cooperating with federal investigators in 2016. Separately Monday, former Chicago Alderman Daniel Solis, former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and Madigan codefendant Michael McClain enter the federal court building in Chicago Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. U.S. government attorney Diane MacArthur first introduced a recording of Madigan and Solis nearly two years before the alderman started cooperating with the government. The recording involved a conversation with Chinese developer, See Wong, who wanted to build a hotel on a parcel of land in Chicago’s Chinatown neighborhood. The land was owned by the state of Illinois at the time, but Solis said a zoning change would be required from the city in order for a hotel to be built. At Madigan’s request, Solis said he facilitated the meeting on Aug. 8, 2014, at Madigan’s law firm, Madigan and Getzendanner, about the land along Wentworth Avenue between Archer Avenue and Cermak Road. Madigan’s law partner, Bud Getzendanner, discussed how successful the firm had been in working with hotels to make sure they were not taxed more than necessary. ”A large component of your expense for hotels is real estate taxes,” Getzendanner said during the recorded meeting. Getzendanner said the firm charged 12.5% of the tax savings obtained. Madigan told Wong and an interpreter about the quality of service his firm provided. “We don’t take a second seat to anybody,” Madigan said. The developer then asked for a picture with Madigan and Solis. Solis told the group that Wong would benefit from working with Madigan. “If he works with the Speaker, he will get anything he needs for that hotel,” Solis said on the recording. Solis testified that he meant the city would provide the zoning change the developer needed from the city if the developer hired Madigan’s law firm. Solis said the zoning change was approved, but the proposed hotel was never built. MacArthur asked Solis about the bribery charge he is still facing, which Solis said involved the redevelopment of a property in Chicago from a restaurant to a residential building in 2015. Solis said two problems prevented the project from moving forward: labor unions’ perceived lack of representation in the development and residents' concerns in the ward. The former alderman admitted that he solicited a campaign contribution from the developer or from one or more of the developer’s vendors while the project’s zoning change was still under consideration. Solis said he believed the developer was on board and that he would be getting donations from the developers’ vendors. The zoning change was approved by the city council, Solis said. He testified he solicited and accepted campaign contributions from other developers who had matters pending before the city council’s zoning committee. Solis then testified about about a variety of things like massages that turned sexual, trips to Las Vegas, tickets to professional sporting events, no-paperwork six-figure loans he'd paid back. He even admitted to an extramarital affair he had with an interpreter. Solis said he was separated from his wife for about five years and their house went into foreclosure. He also confessed that he lied to a collection agency by saying he was out of work. MacArthur asked Solis about his sister, Patti Solis Doyle, who worked on campaigns for former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, former President Bill Clinton and former U.S. Senator Hillary Clinton, D-New York. Solis Doyle also managed Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in 2008. Solis said his sister was involved in a hotel project in which the developer offered her $100,000. Solis said his sister offered to split the sum with her brother. As chairman of the city’s zoning committee, Solis said he told his sister he could not accept money regarding a hotel development. Solis said his sister told him there would be another way she could compensate him. The former alderman said he did receive funds from his sister for referring her to his friend Brian Hynes’ state vendor assistance program. Monday afternoon, Solis testified that FBI agents visited his home on June 1, 2016, and played audio and video recordings. After considering an attorney, Solis said he decided to cooperate with the FBI a few days later and agreed to let investigators tap his phone. Solis also said he told an attorney friend that he was cooperating with the FBI in regard to an investigation of an organization he was involved in. Solis said he made recordings for several investigations he was involved in as part of his deferred prosecution agreement. He began communicating with Madigan after receiving a voicemail message on June 12, 2017. Solis said he discussed the Chinatown land deal, his interest in getting a state board appointment, and referring clients to Madigan’s law firm while cooperating with the government from June 2016 to December 2017. Solis admitted that he was not really interested in a state board appointment, but he raised the issue with Madigan at the direction of law enforcement. Solis said he began communicating with Madigan codefendant Michael McClain about the Chinatown parcel in the fall of 2017. He said he had to continue to perform his duties as an alderman while cooperating with the FBI because of “the farce” that he was involved in. Solis discussed a 2017 redevelopment project that required a zoning change involving a Union West development in Chicago’s West Loop. MacArthur played a recording, dated June 12, 2017, of Madigan asking Solis about the development. During the call, Solis told the speaker he would try to arrange an introduction for Madigan with the developers. In a subsequent call, Solis promised to arrange a meeting and said, “I think these guys get it, the quid pro quo and how it works.” When MacArthur asked Solis why he said that, Solis said he didn’t know and said it was “dumb.” MacArthur asked Solis if he used the words “quid pro quo” at the direction of law enforcement. “No,” Solis said. Union West developer Andrew Cretal agreed to meet with Madigan and told Solis, “confidentially,” that his company was working with Goldman Sachs as an equity partner and that he would “circle back” with Solis. MacArthur played a recording of Madigan privately telling Solis not to use the words, “quid quo pro.” The conversation immediately preceded the meeting Cretal and the Union West group had at Madigan's and Getzendanner’s law office. During the meeting, Madigan repeated to Cretal’s group what he had said to See Wong. “We don’t take a second seat to anybody,” Madigan said. Solis said he met with Madigan again privately after the meeting with the intention of discussing the Chinatown parcel. Solis said he had been having frequent meetings about the land with potential developers. During the recording, Solis said that nothing could really happen until the state transferred the land. Connie Mixon, professor of Political Science and director of the Urban Studies Program at Elmhurst University, served as an expert witness at the corruption trial of longtime Chicago Democrat Ed Burke, who served on the city council from 1969 to 2023. A jury convicted Burke in December 2023 on 18 counts of racketeering, bribery, attempted extortion and conspiracy to commit extortion and using interstate commerce to facilitate an unlawful activity. Mixon said that Solis also testified as a cooperating witness during Burke’s trial. “It seemed as if, in the sentencing for the Burke trial, the judge did take a bit of exception to the fact that Solis, who also had potential criminal charges, was essentially getting away without any sort of repercussions,” Mixon told The Center Square. Mixon described Solis as a damaged witness. “He’s absolutely damaged, but as much as he’s damaged, you have the words on the wiretap. Having the defendants’ words played in the courtroom, they are really the witness against themselves when you have those wiretaps,” Mixon explained. Before the jury was seated Monday morning, prosecutors said they would provide the court with revised jury instructions by Dec. 3. Judge John Robert Blakey said he could deny admittance of new materials after that date if he deemed them to be untimely. Madigan and McClain are charged with 23 counts of bribery, racketeering and official misconduct. The trial is scheduled to resume Tuesday morning in Chicago.Brazil's Supreme Court on Wednesday started examining four cases that turn on how far social media should be regulated, and what responsibilities platforms have in cracking down on illegal content. The judicial review comes a month after the same forced Elon Musk's X platform to obey rulings aimed at battling online . That issue has taken on heat in recent days in Brazil, with accusing far-right ex-president Jair Bolsonaro and allied officials of using social media disinformation as part of a 2022 "coup" plot against Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, then the country's president-elect. The alleged plot involved using online posts to undermine in the electoral system to justify Bolsonaro holding onto the presidency after Lula defeated him at the polls. Bolsonaro says he is innocent. The Supreme Court's deliberations in the cases are not expected to be concluded until sometime next year. One key point it is looking at is whether social media platforms can be fined for posted by users. Another is whether the platforms should themselves be required to monitor and remove any illegal content without a prior court order to do so. The court's rulings will become precedents that will have to be applied generally to all operating in Brazil. Brazil—many of whose 216 million inhabitants are heavy users of WhatsApp and Facebook—does not have legislation in that area. Global social media networks, however, already have to abide by laws in the EU against illegal online content, under the bloc's Digital Services Act (DSA), which could guide them in terms of Brazilian compliance. One of the Brazilian Supreme Court's judges, Alexandre de Moraes, in August ordered Musk's X be blocked across the country for failing to comply with a series of court orders against online disinformation. On October 9, the platform was allowed to resume activities after paying around $5 million in fines and deactivating the accounts of several Bolsonaro supporters accused of spreading disinformation and online hate speech. The court's presiding judge, Luis Roberto Barroso, told AFP that "digital platforms... open paths to disinformation, hate, deliberate lies and conspiracy theories." He added, "In the whole democratic world there are debates about protecting free speech without permitting everyone to fall into a pit of incivility." He pointed to the European Union's DSA as a form of regulation "that seeks a point of ideal equilibrium". Brazil, in his opinion, should carve out its own regulation "with a minimum of government intervention where it comes to freedom of thought, while preventing increased criminality and inciting violence." © 2024 AFP