swerte 888 casino login
swerte 888 casino login
Unai Emery feels confidence returning after Aston Villa end winless run
The Gunners took two points out of Liverpool’s lead at the summit of the Premier League after Jurrien Timber and William Saliba struck in the second half – both from corners – to condemn Amorim to his first defeat as United boss. The hosts’ second-half strikes took their goals-from-corners tally to 22 since the start of last season – a statistic that is unmatched by any other team in the division. Asked if Arsenal are one of the best teams he has come up against on corners, Amorim replied: “If you follow the Premier League for a long time you can see that. “They are also big players and you see every occasion when (Gabriel) Martinelli and (Bukayo) Saka have one-on-ones, a lot of times they go outside and they cross, and they know that if the cross goes well, they can score, and if it is a corner they can score, too, so we have to be better on that. “You have seen in all Arsenal games that every team have had problems with that (corners). And the difference today was the set-pieces. “You see a goal and then the momentum changed, and it is really hard for us to take the full control of the game after that.” Timber leaned into Rasmus Hojlund at the front post before diverting Declan Rice’s set-piece into the back of Andre Onana’s net after 54 minutes to send Arsenal into the lead. Thomas Partey’s header from Saka’s corner then deflected in off Saliba’s shoulder with 17 minutes left. Arteta and the club’s set-piece guru Nicolas Jover embraced on the touchline as Amorim was left with his head in his hands. The Arsenal supporters cheered raucously every time they won a corner – landing 13 in all without reply. However, Arteta moved to play down the significance of Arsenal’s set-piece threat. “We need that, but we want to be very dangerous and very effective from every angle and every phase of play,” said Arteta. “Today we could have scored from open play like we did against West Ham and Sporting. Last year we scored the most goals in the history of this football club. Arsenal have won four consecutive Premier League matches against Man Utd for the first time ever! 💫 — Premier League (@premierleague) “Not because of only set-pieces, but because of a lot of things that we have. We want to create individual and magic moments, too.” Arsenal’s win against United – the first time they have recorded four victories in a row against the Red Devils in the league – was their fourth in succession since the international break. They will head to Fulham on Sunday bidding to keep the momentum going. Arteta continued: “The will to win is there. We try our best to do that. We won four in a row, but it doesn’t matter. We have to go to Fulham now, try to be better than them and try win the game. “It’s every three days that we play. It’s a crazy schedule. We’re going to need everybody and to mentally be very strong.”IDT’s income from operations +38% to $23.6 million; Adjusted EBITDA * +31% to a record $29.1 million GAAP EPS increased to $0.68 from $0.30; Non-GAAP EPS * increased to $0.71 from $0.32 NEWARK, NJ, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IDT Corporation (NYSE: IDT), a global provider of fintech, cloud communications, and traditional communications solutions, today reported results for its first quarter fiscal year 2025, the three months ended October 31, 2024. FIRST QUARTER HIGHLIGHTS (Throughout this release, unless otherwise noted, results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 (1Q25) are compared to the first quarter of fiscal year 2024 (1Q24). All earnings per share (EPS) and other ‘per share’ results are per diluted share.) Key Businesses / Segments NRS Recurring revenue ** : +29% to $28.9 million; Income from operations: +21% to $6.6 million; Adjusted EBITDA: +22% to $7.6 million; BOSS Money / Fintech BOSS Money revenue: +39% to $33.7 million; Fintech segment revenue : +40% to $37.1 million; Fintech segment income from operations: increased to $3.2 million compared to a loss of $(1.4) million; Fintech segment Adjusted EBITDA: increased to $4.0 million compared to a loss of $(690) thousand; net2phone Subscription revenue ** : +13% to $21.0 million; Income from operations: increased to $1.0 million compared to breakeven; Adjusted EBITDA: +77% to $2.5 million; Traditional Communications Revenue: decreased (4)% to $220.5 million; Income from operations: +2% to $15.7 million; Adjusted EBITDA: decreased (1)% to $17.8 million; IDT Consolidated Revenue : +3% to $309.6 million, driven by revenue growth at NRS, BOSS Money, net2phone, and the IDT Digital Payments business within Traditional Communications; Gross profit (GP) / margin : GP +15% to $107.6 million; GP margin +360 bps to 34.8%; Income from operations: +38% to $23.6 million; Net income attributable to IDT: +125% to $17.2 million; GAAP EPS: Increased to $0.68 from $0.30; Non-GAAP EPS : Increased to $0.71from $0.32; Adjusted EBITDA: +31% to $29.1 million; Repurchased 37,714 shares of IDT Class B common stock in market transactions for $1.3 million. REMARKS BY SHMUEL JONAS, CEO “Building on our momentum from fiscal 2024, IDT delivered strong financial results in the first quarter of fiscal 2025, including record levels of gross profit, gross profit margin and Adjusted EBITDA. Consolidated revenue has now increased sequentially for three consecutive quarters. NRS along with our Fintech segment powered by BOSS Money, and net2phone each achieved robust increases in revenue, gross profit, and Adjusted EBITDA. “At NRS, we are focused on providing solutions to address the needs of our independent retailer market while heavily investing to develop new products and services to broaden our addressable market. In Q1, we continued to achieve increased adoption rates on our payment processing offerings and SaaS feature plans. We look forward to continuing this momentum through the remainder of the fiscal year. “BOSS Money’s Q1 results reflected our decision to enhance margins, particularly within our retail channel. As a result, BOSS Money’s gross margin expanded significantly and transaction growth slowed somewhat. The enhanced margins boosted Fintech’s Q1 income from operations by $4.6 million year-over-year, and in November, following the quarter close, transaction growth rebounded led by D2C. “net2phone increased seats served to over four hundred thousand, driving a 13% increase in subscription revenue, despite the negative FX impact to its Latin American operations from the strong US dollar. net2phone’s financial discipline also contributed to healthy increases in income from operations and Adjusted EBITDA. “In the Traditional Communications segment, our ongoing efforts to streamline these business units and improve their economics continue to pay off. In Q1, the year over year revenue decrease was 4%, while income from operations increased by 2%." 1Q25 RESULTS BY SEGMENT National Retail Solutions (NRS) NRS Take-Aways / Updates: NRS added approximately 1,000 net active terminals during Q1, a decrease in net adds compared to recent quarters. The decrease primarily reflects elevated (and expected, as noted in IDT’s 4Q24 earnings release) - seasonal churn. In addition, NRS added approximately 1,400 net payment processing accounts during the quarter. The 51% increase in Merchant Services & Other revenue was driven by the growth in payment processing accounts, and higher merchant services revenue per account, driven in part by the increased percentage of retail transactions paid with a credit or debit card. The 30% increase in SaaS Fees revenue reflects the growth of net active terminals and migration of retailers to premium SaaS plans. Fintech Fintech Take-Aways: BOSS Money revenue increased 39% driven primarily by successful cross-marketing initiatives within the larger BOSS ecosystem and, to a lesser extent, by expansion of the retail agent network. The increase in BOSS Money transactions reflected a 41% increase in digital transactions and a 29% increase in retail transactions. Across both channels, and particularly in the retail channel, BOSS Money focused during Q1 on expanding gross margin per transaction, which contributed to a 45% increase in the Fintech segment’s gross profit even as year-over-year transaction growth at Retail slowed. The strong increases in Fintech’s income from operations and Adjusted EBITDA were driven by BOSS Money revenue growth, higher margin on BOSS Money transactions and improved operating leverage as the business continues to scale. net2phone net2phone Take-Aways: Seats served increased by 11% year over year powered by continued expansion in key markets led by the U.S., Brazil, and Mexico. CCaaS seats served increased by 19% year-over year. Subscription revenue increased by 13% year-over-year driven both by the growth in seats served and in the subscription revenue-per-seat * * , as net2phone’s higher revenue-per-seat CCaaS offering continues to grow as a percentage of total seats served. These factors overcame the negative FX impact of a strengthened US dollar versus local currencies in net2phone’s key Latin American markets. Excluding the translation FX impact, subscription revenue increased by 16% year-over-year. Operating margin * * increased to +5% from break even in 1Q24, and Adjusted EBITDA margin * * increased to 12% from 7%. Traditional Communications Take-Aways: The year-over-year increase in IDT Digital Payments’ revenue largely reflects improved unit pricing economics. IDT Global continues to mitigate the impacts of the ongoing industry-wide declines in paid-minute voice through a traffic mix shift to higher margin routes and operational efficiencies. For the second consecutive quarter, both income from operations and Adjusted EBITDA for Traditional Communications increased, driven by both improved pricing at IDT Digital Payments and decreases in SG&A and Technology & Development expense, following significant cost cutting and streamlining initiatives undertaken during FY 2024. OTHER FINANCIAL RESULTS Consolidated results for all periods presented include corporate overhead. In 1Q25, Corporate G&A expense was $2.9 million compared to $2.8 million in 1Q24. As of October 31, 2024, IDT held $180.4 million in cash, cash equivalents, debt securities, and current equity investments, a decrease from $193.0 million at July 31, 2024. The decrease predominantly reflects the timing of payments made by IDT to cover anticipated BOSS Money disbursement prefunding. Also at July 31, 2024, current assets totaled $431.7 million and current liabilities totaled $269.8 million. The Company had no outstanding debt at the quarter end. Net cash provided by operating activities decreased to $0.2 million in 1Q25 from $14.9 million in 1Q24. Exclusive of changes in customer funds deposits at IDT’s Fintech segment, net cash provided by operating activities was negative $(2.6) million in 1Q25 and positive $17.9 million in 1Q24. Capital expenditures increased to $5.3 million in 1Q25 from $4.3 million in 1Q24. IDT EARNINGS ANNOUNCEMENT INFORMATION This release is available for download in the “Investors & Media” section of the IDT Corporation website ( https://www.idt.net/investors-and-media ) and has been filed on a current report (Form 8-K) with the SEC. IDT will host an earnings conference call beginning at 5:30 PM Eastern today with management’s discussion of results followed by Q&A with investors. To listen to the call and participate in the Q&A, dial 1-888-506-0062 (toll-free from the US) or 1-973-528-0011 (international) and provide the following access code: 335618. A replay of the conference call will be available approximately three hours after the call concludes through December 18, 2024. To access the call replay, dial 1-877-481-4010 (toll-free from the US) or 1-919-882-2331 (international) and provide this replay passcode: 51571. The replay will also be accessible via streaming audio at the IDT investor relations website . NOTES * Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP EPS are Non-GAAP financial measures intended to provide useful information that supplements IDT’s or the relevant segment’s results in accordance with GAAP. Please refer to the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures later in this release for an explanation of these terms and their respective reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures. * * See ‘Explanation of Key Performance Metrics’ at the end of this release. ABOUT IDT CORPORATION IDT Corporation (NYSE: IDT) is a global provider of fintech and communications solutions through a portfolio of synergistic businesses: National Retail Solutions (NRS), through its point-of-sale (POS) platform, enables independent retailers to operate more effectively while providing advertisers and marketers with unprecedented reach into underserved consumer markets; BOSS Money facilitates innovative international remittances and fintech payments solutions; net2phone provides enterprises and organizations with intelligently integrated cloud communications and contact center services across channels and devices; IDT Digital Payments and the BOSS Revolution calling service make sharing prepaid products and services and speaking with friends and family around the world convenient and reliable; and, IDT Global and IDT Express enable communications services to provision and manage international voice and SMS messaging. All statements above that are not purely about historical facts, including, but not limited to, those in which we use the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “target” and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. While these forward-looking statements represent our current judgment of what may happen in the future, actual results may differ materially from the results expressed or implied by these statements due to numerous important factors. Our filings with the SEC provide detailed information on such statements and risks and should be consulted along with this release. To the extent permitted under applicable law, IDT assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements. CONTACT IDT Corporation Investor Relations Bill Ulrey william.ulrey@idt.net 973-438-3838 IDT CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS IDT CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited) IDT CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) * Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures for the First Quarter Fiscal 202 5 and 202 4 In addition to disclosing financial results that are determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (GAAP), IDT also disclosed for 1Q25, 4Q24, and 1Q24, Adjusted EBITDA, and for 1Q25 and 1Q24, non-GAAP earnings per diluted share (Non-GAAP EPS). Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP EPS are non-GAAP financial measures intended to provide useful information that supplements IDT’s or the relevant segment’s results in accordance with GAAP. The following explains these terms and their respective reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measures Generally, a non-GAAP measure is a numerical measure of a company’s performance, financial position, or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. IDT’s measure of Non-GAAP EPS is calculated by dividing non-GAAP net income by the diluted weighted-average shares. IDT’s measure of non-GAAP net income starts with net income attributable to IDT in accordance with GAAP and adds severance expense, stock-based compensation, and other operating expenses, and deducts other operating gains. These additions and subtractions are non-cash and/or non-routine items in the relevant fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024 periods. Management believes that IDT’s Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP EPS are measures which provide useful information to both management and investors by excluding certain expenses and non-routine gains and losses that may not be indicative of IDT’s or the relevant segment’s core operating results. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA, among other measures, as a relevant indicator of core operational strengths in its financial and operational decision making. In addition, management uses Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP EPS to evaluate operating performance in relation to IDT’s competitors. Disclosure of these financial measures may be useful to investors in evaluating performance and allows for greater transparency to the underlying supplemental information used by management in its financial and operational decision-making. In addition, IDT has historically reported similar financial measures and believes such measures are commonly used by readers of financial information in assessing performance, therefore the inclusion of comparative numbers provides consistency in financial reporting. Management refers to Adjusted EBITDA, as well as the GAAP measures income (loss) from operations and net income, on a segment and/or consolidated level to facilitate internal and external comparisons to the segments’ and IDT's historical operating results, in making operating decisions, for budget and planning purposes, and to form the basis upon which management is compensated. While depreciation and amortization are considered operating costs under GAAP, these expenses primarily represent the non-cash current period allocation of costs associated with long-lived assets acquired or capitalized in prior periods. IDT’s Adjusted EBITDA, which is exclusive of depreciation and amortization, is a useful indicator of its current performance. Severance expense is excluded from the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP EPS. Severance expense is reflective of decisions made by management in each period regarding the aspects of IDT’s and its segments’ businesses to be focused on in light of changing market realities and other factors. While there may be similar charges in other periods, the nature and magnitude of these charges can fluctuate markedly and do not reflect the performance of IDT’s core and continuing operations. Other operating gains (expense), net, which is a component of income (loss) from operations, is excluded from the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP EPS. Other operating gains (expense), net includes, among other items, legal fees net of insurance claims related to Straight Path Communications Inc.’s stockholders’ class action and gain from the write-off of a contingent consideration liability. From time-to-time, IDT may have gains or incur costs related to non-routine legal, tax, and other matters, however, these various items generally do not occur each quarter. IDT believes the gain and losses from these non-routine matters are not components of IDT’s or the relevant segment’s core operating results. Stock-based compensation recognized by IDT and other companies may not be comparable because of the variety of types of awards as well as the various valuation methodologies and subjective assumptions that are permitted under GAAP. Stock-based compensation is excluded from IDT’s calculation of Non-GAAP EPS because management believes this allows investors to make more meaningful comparisons of the operating results per share of IDT’s core business with the results of other companies. However, stock-based compensation will continue to be a significant expense for IDT for the foreseeable future and an important part of employees’ compensation that impacts their performance. Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP EPS should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, or superior to, income (loss) from operations, cash flow from operating activities, net income, basic and diluted earnings per share or other measures of liquidity and financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, IDT’s measurements of Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP EPS may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Following are reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA and Non-GAAP EPS to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, which are, (a) for Adjusted EBITDA, income (loss) from operations for IDT’s reportable segments and net income for IDT on a consolidated basis, and (b) for Non-GAAP EPS, diluted earnings per share. IDT Corporation Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA (unaudited) in millions. Figures may not foot or cross-foot due to rounding to millions IDT Corporation Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA (unaudited) in millions. Figures may not foot or cross-foot due to rounding to millions IDT Corporation Reconciliation of Earnings per share to Non-GAAP EPS (unaudited) in millions, except per share data. Figures may not foot due to rounding to millions. * * Explanation of Key Performance Metrics NRS’ recurring revenue is calculated by subtracting NRS’ revenue from POS terminal sales from its revenue in accordance with GAAP. NRS’ Monthly Average Recurring Revenue per Terminal is calculated by dividing NRS’ recurring revenue by the average number of active POS terminals during the period. The average number of active POS terminals is calculated by adding the beginning and ending number of active POS terminals during the period and dividing by two. NRS’ recurring revenue divided by the average number of active POS terminals is divided by three when the period is a fiscal quarter. Recurring revenue and Monthly Average Recurring Revenue per Terminal are useful for comparisons of NRS’ revenue and revenue per customer to prior periods and to competitors and others in the market, as well as for forecasting future revenue from the customer base. BOSS Money’s Average Revenue per Transaction is calculated by dividing BOSS Money’s revenue in accordance with GAAP by the number of transactions during the period. Average Revenue per Transaction is useful for comparisons of BOSS Money’s revenue per transaction to prior periods and to competitors and others in the market, as well as for forecasting future revenue based on transaction trends. net2phone’s subscription revenue is calculated by subtracting net2phone’s equipment revenue and revenue generated by a legacy SIP trunking offering in Brazil from its revenue in accordance with GAAP. net2phone’s cloud communications and contact center offerings are priced on a per-seat basis, with customers paying based on the number of users in their organization. The number of seats served and subscription revenue trends and comparisons between periods are used in the analysis of net2phone’s revenues and direct cost of revenues and are strong indications of the top-line growth and performance of the business. net2phone’s subscription revenue per seat is calculated by dividing net2phone’s subscription revenue, as defined in the preceding paragraph, by the average number of seats served during the period. The average number of seats served is calculated by adding the beginning and ending number of seats served and dividing by two. Subscription revenue per seat is the amount of revenue generated by each seat sold during the period. It provides a basis for pricing seat-based services, as well as for comparing performance in past periods and projecting future revenue, and for comparing the value of each seat served to competitors. net2phone’s operating margin is calculated by dividing GAAP income from operations by GAAP revenue for the period indicated. Operating margin measures the percentage that each dollar of revenue contributes to profitability. Operating margin is useful for evaluating current period profitability relative to sales, for comparisons to prior period performance, for forecasting future income from operations levels based on projected levels of sales, and for comparing net2phone’s relative profitability to its competitors and peers. net2phone’s Adjusted EBITDA margin is calculated by dividing net2phone’s Adjusted EBITDA, a Non-GAAP measure, by net2phone’s GAAP revenue for the comparable quarter or period. Adjusted EBITDA margin measures the percentage that each dollar of revenue contributes to profitability before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and other adjustments as described in the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures. net2phone’s Adjusted EBITDA margin is useful for evaluating current period profitability relative to sales, for comparisons to prior period performance, for forecasting future Adjusted EBITDA levels based on projected levels of sales, and for comparing net2phone’s relative profitability to its competitors and peers. # # #Ruben Amorim impressed with Arsenal’s corners after first defeat as Man Utd boss
AP News Summary at 12:01 p.m. ESTJudge hears closing arguments on whether Google's advertising tech constitutes a monopoly ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — The Justice Department and Google have made their closing arguments in a trial alleging Google’s online advertising technology constitutes an illegal monopoly. The arguments in federal court Monday in northern Virginia came as Google already faces a possible breakup of the company over its ubiquitous search engine. The Justice Department says it will seek the breakup of Google to remedy its search engine monopoly. The case in Virginia focuses not on the search engine but on technology that matches online advertisers to consumers on the internet. A judge is expected to rule by the end of the year. ‘Busiest Thanksgiving ever’: How the TSA plans to handle record air travel DALLAS (AP) — The Thanksgiving travel rush is expected to be bigger than ever this year. AAA predicts that nearly 80 million people in the U.S. will venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday — most of them by car. Thanksgiving Day falling so late this year has altered traditional travel patterns. At airports, the Transportation Security Administration says it could screen a record number of U.S. air travelers on Sunday. Meanwhile, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration says a shortage of air traffic controllers could cause flight delays. Transportation analytics company INRIX says roads could be congested on Monday with both commuters and returning holiday travelers. Macy’s says employee hid up to $154 million in expenses, delaying Q3 earnings Macy’s says it’s delaying the release of its fiscal third-quarter earnings results after it discovered an up to $154 million accounting-related issue. The company did provide some preliminary results for its third quarter, including that net sales fell 2.4% to $4.74 billion. It anticipates reporting its full third-quarter financial results by Dec. 11. Newsom says California could offer electric vehicle rebates if Trump eliminates federal tax credit SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California could offer state tax rebates for electric vehicle purchases if the incoming Trump administration eliminates the $7,500 federal EV tax credit. Gov. Gavin Newsom says Monday he'll propose creating a new version of the state’s successful Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, which was phased out in 2023 after funding nearly 600,000 new cars and trucks. Officials didn’t say how much the program would cost or how the rebates would work. Newsom’s proposal is part of his plan to protect California’s progressive policies ahead of Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s second term. But a budget shortfall could complicate California’s resistance efforts. Warren Buffett gives away another $1.1B and plans for distributing his $147B fortune after his death OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Investor Warren Buffett renewed his Thanksgiving tradition of giving by announcing plans Monday to hand more than $1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations, and he offered new details about who will be handing out the rest of his fortune after his death. Buffett has said previously that his three kids will distribute his remaining $147.4 billion fortune in the 10 years after his death, but now he has also designated successors for them because it’s possible that Buffett’s children could die before giving it all away. Buffett said he has no regrets about his decision to start giving away his fortune in 2006. Stock market today: Dow hits another record as stocks rise NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose, with those benefiting the most from lower interest rates and a stronger economy leading the way. The S&P 500 climbed 0.3% Monday to pull closer to its record set two weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 440 points to its own record set on Friday, while the Nasdaq composite rose 0.3%. They got a boost from easing Treasury yields after President-elect Donald Trump said he wants hedge-fund manager Scott Bessent to be his Treasury Secretary. Smaller companies can feel a big boost from easier borrowing costs, and the Russell 2000 index of small stocks finished just shy of its record. Workers at Charlotte airport, an American Airlines hub, go on strike during Thanksgiving travel week CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — American Airlines says it doesn’t expect significant disruptions to flights this week as a result of a labor strike at its hub in Charlotte, North Carolina. Service workers there walked out Monday during a busy week of Thanksgiving travel to protest what they say are unlivable wages. Employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services authorized the work stoppage. Union spokesperson Sean Keady says the strike is expected to last 24 hours. The companies contract with American Airlines to provide services such as cleaning airplane interiors, removing trash and escorting passengers in wheelchairs. The companies have acknowledged the seriousness of a strike during the holiday travel season. At the crossroads of news and opinion, 'Morning Joe' hosts grapple with aftermath of Trump meeting The reaction of those who defended “Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for meeting with President-elect Trump sounds almost quaint in the days of opinionated journalism. Doesn't it makes sense, they said, for hosts of a political news show to meet with such an important figure? But given how “Morning Joe” has attacked Trump, its viewers felt insulted. Many reacted quickly by staying away. It all reflects the broader trend of opinion crowding out traditional journalist in today's marketplace, and the expectations that creates among consumers. By mid-week, the show's audience was less than two-thirds what it has typically been this year. Eggs are available -- but pricier -- as the holiday baking season begins Egg prices are on the rise again as a lingering outbreak of bird flu coincides with high demand during the holiday baking season. The average price for a dozen eggs in U.S. cities was $3.37 in October, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That was up 63% from October 2023, when a dozen eggs cost an average of $2.07. Avian influenza is the main culprit. The current bird flu outbreak that began in February 2022 has led to the slaughter of more than 111 million birds, mostly egg-laying chickens. But the American Egg Board says egg shortages at grocery stores have been isolated and temporary so far. ‘Buy now, pay later’ is more popular than ever. It can cost more than you think NEW YORK (AP) — More shoppers are using ‘buy now, pay later’ plans heading into Black Friday and the holiday season, as the ability to spread out payments looks attractive at a time when Americans still feel the lingering effect of inflation and already have record-high credit card debt. Experts say the short-term loans can lead consumers to overextend themselves and warn that those who use credit cards for the service face higher interest expenses. The data firm Adobe Analytics predicts shoppers will spend 11.4% more this holiday season using buy now, pay later than they did a year ago.Shares of Danaher Corp. .css-321ztr-OverridedLink.css-321ztr-OverridedLink:any-link{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:rgba(54,119,168,1);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:rgba(54,119,168,1);}.css-321ztr-OverridedLink.css-321ztr-OverridedLink:any-link.css-321ztr-OverridedLink.css-321ztr-OverridedLink:any-link svg{fill:rgba(54,119,168,1);}.css-321ztr-OverridedLink.css-321ztr-OverridedLink:any-link:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:rgba(47,112,157,1);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:rgba(47,112,157,1);}.css-321ztr-OverridedLink.css-321ztr-OverridedLink:any-link:hover.css-321ztr-OverridedLink.css-321ztr-OverridedLink:any-link:hover svg{fill:rgba(47,112,157,1);} .css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink{display:inline;color:var(--color-interactiveLink010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}@media screen and (prefers-reduced-motion: no-preference){.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink{transition-property:color,fill;transition-duration:200ms,200ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1),cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1);}}@media screen and (prefers-reduced-motion: reduce){.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink{transition-property:color,fill;transition-duration:0ms;transition-timing-function:cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1),cubic-bezier(0, 0, .5, 1);}}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink010);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:hover:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveLink020);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:hover:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink020);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:active:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveLink030);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:active:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveLink030);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:visited:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:visited:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:visited:hover:not(:disabled){color:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:visited:hover:not(:disabled) svg{fill:var(--color-interactiveVisited010);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:focus-visible:not(:disabled){outline-color:var(--outlineColorDefault);outline-style:var(--outlineStyleDefault);outline-width:var(--outlineWidthDefault);outline-offset:var(--outlineOffsetDefault);}@media not all and (min-resolution: 0.001dpcm){@supports (-webkit-appearance: none) and (stroke-color: transparent){.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:focus-visible:not(:disabled){outline-style:var(--safariOutlineStyleDefault);}}}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:any-link{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:rgba(54,119,168,1);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:rgba(54,119,168,1);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:any-link.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:any-link svg{fill:rgba(54,119,168,1);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:any-link:hover{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;color:rgba(47,112,157,1);border-bottom:1px solid;border-bottom-color:rgba(47,112,157,1);}.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:any-link:hover.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink.css-1vykwuz-OverridedLink:any-link:hover svg{fill:rgba(47,112,157,1);} DHR shed 1.91% to $236.26 Wednesday, on what proved to be an all-around great trading session for the stock market, with the S&P 500 Index SPX rising 0.61% to 6,086.49 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA rising 0.69% to 45,014.04. This was the stock's second consecutive day of losses.
After Trump’s win, Black women are rethinking their role as America’s reliable political organizersEmma Paton wows darts fans with see-through top at Sky documentary launchATLANTA -- After a contentious election cycle, many people look forward to the holidays as a time to reset. But some of us dread talking about politics with certain family members. Producer Natalie Mendenhall spoke to Drew Westen, a professor emeritus at Emory University and a licensed psychologist. Here’s that interview with tips for you on keeping things civil with family and friends this holiday season. The answers were edited for clarity and brevity. And here are excerpts from the interview. Q: How can we prep for talking politics with family members who disagree with us politically? A: The best rule on holidays in an election like this, where the country is so polarized, is to stay clear of politics if you have really divergent opinions around the table. And whatever the holiday, to have a prayer at the beginning. To be thankful for family and for close friends, if they’re there. And regardless of their different opinions, we all share most of the same values at (our) core. We’re thankful for that. Q: What if the conversation gets heated, how can we de-escalate? A: Have a safe word. You could do this at the beginning of dinner. All of you agree that if a political discussion gets heated, someone says a word or a phrase, something — it could be George Washington — and then everyone knows to stop the political conversation. Q: How can we model good behavior for children and younger family members when talking about politics? A: It’s a really important question and they’ll be listening to what the adults are saying, at least with one of their ears and picking it up unconsciously if they’re not picking it up consciously. The first thing ... is to do everything possible for the adults not to get heated so that the kids can see that you might have different points of view on things, but you’re not making personal attacks on a family member. A second thing is something you mentioned, which is kids know a lot about what we feel, but also about what they feel. And it obviously depends on their age. You’re not going to talk to your 3-year-old extensively about whether we’re going to have a democracy when they grow up. Probably not a good idea, but you might talk to your 10-year-old or 12-year-old about that. If I could add one thing, when you’re speaking privately with your kids, it’s good to take your cues from what they know and what they say. And if they’re capable of having a fairly adult conversation or almost adult conversation about a candidate, I think you should feel free to talk openly with your kids about what your fears are, what your hopes are, what their fears and hopes are, and have nothing between you on that so that you don’t create walls within your own nuclear family. Q: If you just can’t agree to disagree, when do you know it’s time to cut off certain family members? A: You have to follow your gut on what you’re comfortable with. I do think a lot of people have lost respect for family members because of decisions they’ve made. It’s useful to remember at those moments that blood is thicker than water and that you were born with a family and you should be happy for it. But I’d be open with the other person and just say, “don’t think we have enough of a meeting of the minds on that for the moment.” And so make a (break) temporary. ... Hopefully we can get back on better terms later. Q: What if you’re the one that ended up making politics personal, how do you apologize? A: Your point about apologizing is actually really important. I mean, to maintain relationships, there are really two phrases you really have to be able to say genuinely — that is, thank you and I’m really sorry. You know, and if you can’t say those two things, you’re not going to be able to maintain relationships. Be able to say to someone, “you know what? I’m really sorry. I crossed the line with that comment and I didn’t mean to make this personal about you, but it’s so personal to me.” Q: What should our political New Year’s resolution be? I think our leaders in particular, but all of us, should make the New Year’s resolution that we’re going to tone down the partisanship and we’re going to focus more on what we all agree on. Because there are things we all agree on. ©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Video Surveillance Market: USD 52.68B in 2023 to USD 107.31B by 2031 11-25-2024 10:02 PM CET | IT, New Media & Software Press release from: SkyQuest Technology Group Video Surveillance Market Market Scope: Key Insights : Video Surveillance Market size was valued at USD 48.19 Billion in 2022 and is poised to grow from USD 52.68 Billion in 2023 to USD 107.31 Billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 9.3% during the forecast period (2024-2031). Discover Your Competitive Edge with a Free Sample Report : https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/video-surveillance-market Access the full 2024 Market report for a comprehensive understanding @ https://www.skyquestt.com/report/video-surveillance-market In-Depth Exploration of the global Video Surveillance Market Market: This report offers a thorough exploration of the global Video Surveillance Market market, presenting a wealth of data that has been meticulously researched and analyzed. It identifies and examines the crucial market drivers, including pricing strategies, competitive landscapes, market dynamics, and regional growth trends. By outlining how these factors impact overall market performance, the report provides invaluable insights for stakeholders looking to navigate this complex terrain. Additionally, it features comprehensive profiles of leading market players, detailing essential metrics such as production capabilities, revenue streams, market value, volume, market share, and anticipated growth rates. This report serves as a vital resource for businesses seeking to make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving market. Trends and Insights Leading to Growth Opportunities The best insights for investment decisions stem from understanding major market trends, which simplify the decision-making process for potential investors. The research strives to discover multiple growth opportunities that readers can evaluate and potentially capitalize on, armed with all relevant data. Through a comprehensive assessment of important growth factors, including pricing, production, profit margins, and the value chain, market growth can be more accurately forecast for the upcoming years. Top Firms Evaluated in the Global Video Surveillance Market Market Research Report: Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd. (China) Zhejiang Dahua Technology Co., Ltd. (China) Bosch Security Systems, LLC (Germany) Hanwha Vision Co., Ltd. (South Korea) Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (US) Honeywell International Inc. (US) I-PRO Co., Ltd. (Japan) Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. (China) Zhejiang Uniview Technologies Co., Ltd. (China) CP PLUS International (India) Genetec Inc. (Canada) Corsight AI (Israel) NEC Corporation (Japan) Key Aspects of the Report: Market Summary: The report includes an overview of products/services, emphasizing the global Video Surveillance Market market's overall size. It provides a summary of the segmentation analysis, focusing on product/service types, applications, and regional categories, along with revenue and sales forecasts. Competitive Analysis: This segment presents information on market trends and conditions, analyzing various manufacturers. It includes data regarding average prices, as well as revenue and sales distributions for individual players in the market. Business Profiles: This chapter provides a thorough examination of the financial and strategic data for leading players in the global Video Surveillance Market market, covering product/service descriptions, portfolios, geographic reach, and revenue divisions. Sales Analysis by Region: This section provides data on market performance, detailing revenue, sales, and market share across regions. It also includes projections for sales growth rates and pricing strategies for each regional market, such as: North America: United States, Canada, and Mexico Europe: Germany, France, UK, Russia, and Italy Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia South America: Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, etc. Middle East and Africa: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa This in-depth research study has the capability to tackle a range of significant questions that are pivotal for understanding the market dynamics, and it specifically aims to answer the following key inquiries: How big could the global Video Surveillance Market market become by the end of the forecast period? Let's explore the exciting possibilities! Will the current market leader in the global Video Surveillance Market segment continue to hold its ground, or is change on the horizon? Which regions are poised to experience the most explosive growth in the Video Surveillance Market market? Discover where the future opportunities lie! Is there a particular player that stands out as the dominant force in the global Video Surveillance Market market? Let's find out who's leading the charge! What are the key factors driving growth and the challenges holding back the global Video Surveillance Market market? Join us as we uncover the forces at play! To establish the important thing traits, Ask Our Experts @ https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/video-surveillance-market Table of Contents Chapter 1 Industry Overview 1.1 Definition 1.2 Assumptions 1.3 Research Scope 1.4 Market Analysis by Regions 1.5 Market Size Analysis from 2023 to 2030 11.6 COVID-19 Outbreak: Medical Computer Cart Industry Impact Chapter 2 Competition by Types, Applications, and Top Regions and Countries 2.1 Market (Volume and Value) by Type 2.3 Market (Volume and Value) by Regions Chapter 3 Production Market Analysis 3.1 Worldwide Production Market Analysis 3.2 Regional Production Market Analysis Chapter 4 Medical Computer Cart Sales, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2023-2023) Chapter 5 North America Market Analysis Chapter 6 East Asia Market Analysis Chapter 7 Europe Market Analysis Chapter 8 South Asia Market Analysis Chapter 9 Southeast Asia Market Analysis Chapter 10 Middle East Market Analysis Chapter 11 Africa Market Analysis Chapter 12 Oceania Market Analysis Chapter 13 Latin America Market Analysis Chapter 14 Company Profiles and Key Figures in Medical Computer Cart Business Chapter 15 Market Forecast (2023-2030) Chapter 16 Conclusions Address: 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 Phone: USA (+1) 351-333-4748 Email: sales@skyquestt.com About Us: SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally. This release was published on openPR.Jaylon Johnson isn't interested in bright spots with the Bears' skid at 5 games
An aerial drone photo shows a view of the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin, northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province on Dec 21, 2024. – Xinhua photo HARBIN (Dec 29): Braving the biting cold, tourists are flocking to the snow-covered St Sophia Cathedral, a century-old Byzantine building in Harbin, capital of northeast China’s Heilongjiang Province, with many stopping to pose for photos. Harbin, often called the “Ice City,” has become one of China’s most popular winter travel destinations, drawing visitors worldwide. This year, it has seen a new wave of international tourists, with travelers eager to experience the city’s historical and winter wonders. For Nadia Jovita Injilia Riso, a tourist from Indonesia, visiting the St Sophia Cathedral was like a long-cherished dream coming true. It was amazing to see such a beautiful Western-style building in China, with people dressed as princes and princesses, which felt like traveling through a time tunnel, she said. Strolling along Central Street, Harbin’s landmark pedestrian area, Riso enjoyed the melodies of a harpist playing from a balcony. She also took the opportunity to savor the local ice cream. “Harbin is famous for its winter tourism and ice sports, but my trip here has been full of unexpected surprises. “The melodies, the food and the welcoming locals have left an unforgettable impression,” she said. Riso noted that she has already visited the indoor ice-and-snow facility of the Harbin Ice-Snow World, one of China’s most iconic winter attractions, and would like to try the outdoor Super Ice Slide. “This is a very interesting place because you can make big ice sculptures into very interesting things.” Last winter, the Harbin Ice-Snow World skyrocketed in popularity on Chinese social media, capturing the country’s growing passion for winter sports and tourism. It has once again gained massive attraction this winter. This year’s edition of the Harbin Ice-Snow World, the world’s largest ice-and-snow theme park, received 62,000 visitors on the first day of opening last Dec 21. “Everything is a great experience because Indonesia is a tropical country and we don’t have snow,” Riso said, adding that the Harbin Ice-Snow World is on a friend’s wish list, and she will recommend it to her, as well as other friends. For Moo Swee Ming, a member of a 16-person tour group from Malaysia, the ice and snow attractions are a must-see. “For first-time visitors here, it’s a must to experience the icy world of snow and ice. It’s a rare opportunity,” said Moo, adding that what the ice and snow tourism of Heilongjiang attracts them most are the “Snow Town” in the city of Mudanjiang and the ice sculptures on Central Street and in the Harbin Ice-Snow World in Harbin. Walking through the Chinese Baroque Historic and Cultural Block in Harbin, Tabutei Prasad, a tourist from Fiji, found herself captivated by the intricately carved door lintels and window frames along the street. “This place showcases traditional Chinese courtyards alongside Baroque-style buildings, offering a tangible connection to the city’s deep history and inclusive spirit,” she said. Home to the largest and best-preserved collection of Chinese Baroque architecture, this area has been revitalised in recent years with creative modern initiatives, adding a new layer of charm. Apart from the ice and snow wonders and historical attractions, foreign travelers are also impressed by the innovative spirit of Harbin’s younger generations. After visiting the Harbin Design Center earlier this month, Hiroki Ishii, a Japanese tourist, expressed his admiration for a cup featuring the bright-colored “northeast floral pattern”. This traditional design, featuring large peony flowers, is a unique symbol of the culture in China’s northeast region. Ishii, whose family plans to visit Harbin for the upcoming New Year holiday, said he was surprised to see the pattern on such modern everyday items and even on people’s down jackets in the streets. He believes local designers have successfully revived this unique cultural symbol, turning it into a commercial success. With its unique charm, Harbin has already seen growing popularity among “China Travel” goers. According to the Harbin immigration inspection station, as of Dec 19, Harbin Taiping International Airport had handled 136,000 inbound and outbound foreign tourists this year, marking an increase of 181 per cent year on year. With the implementation of China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy and the upcoming 2025 Harbin Asian Winter Games, the city is poised to attract even more international tourists this winter. Wang Hongxin, director of Harbin’s culture, radio, television and tourism department, said the city is working to enhance the overall tourist experience by improving dining, accommodation, transportation, shopping and entertainment through the latest technologies. Harbin is creating a series of new attractions and landmarks, offering global tourists a feast of ice-and-snow tourism, Wang added. – XinhuaNone
The San Francisco 49ers nightmare of a 2024 campaign reached a new low in Week 12 when they suffered a blowout 38-10 loss at the hands of the Green Bay Packers. The Niners were without star quarterback Brock Purdy in this game, and the day after the tough defeat, head coach Kyle Shanahan provided an update on his injury status. Purdy popped up on the injury report last week with a shoulder injury, and it ended up preventing him from suiting up for San Fran in this crucial game. Brandon Allen filled in under center for Purdy, but as you can tell by the final score, he didn't play nearly well enough for the 49ers to have a shot at beating the Packers. Being without Purdy for this clash with Green Bay was obviously tough, but there was hope that this would only be a one week absence for him. A day after the blowout defeat, Shanahan shared that Purdy had done some light throwing on Monday, and that they will see how he feels on Wednesday after he rests on Tuesday. Per Nick Wagoner of ESPN, "49ers QB Brock Purdy did some light throwing today without issue, according to Kyle Shanahan. He'll rest tomorrow and then see how it feels as the week goes on." #49ers QB Brock Purdy did some light throwing today without issue, according to Kyle Shanahan. He'll rest tomorrow and then see how it feels as the week goes on. Injuries have been the story of the 2024 campaign for the 49ers, but losing Purdy for an extended period of time could be what officially pushes them over the edge. San Fran has managed to fend off these injuries all year long to at least stay in the playoff hunt, but they are on the verge of falling out of the NFC wild card hunt. © David Gonzales-Imagn Images The 49ers aren't going to force Purdy onto the field, but given how uncompetitive they were with Allen under center, it's clear that there's going to be some motivation to get him back into the fold as soon as possible. After throwing Monday, all eyes are going to be on Purdy to see how he feels on Wednesday. San Francisco is going to need Purdy, because they have another difficult contest on their schedule in Week 13, as they will be taking on the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football. Related: Packers Player Had Blunt Reaction to 49ers' Brock Purdy 'Excuse'Authored by J. Peder Zane via RealClearPolitics , There may be five stages of grief, but there’s usually just one when it comes to political defeat – pretend to soul-search, then carry on as if nothing happened. In the wake of Donald Trump’s clearcut victory on November 5, Democrats and their media allies acknowledged mistakes were made, but their mea culpa sounded more like humble brags as they suggested their real problem was a failure to communicate . If only we’d done a better job of describing our wonderful accomplishments and the dangers of fascism. Next time, our commercials will be much more effective. The stand-pat strategy makes some sense in a two-party system where many elections are akin to a coin flip. Ironically, each side banks the other’s unwillingness to change to provide the opening they need to keep on keeping on. The Democratic Party may well rise from the canvas in the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race – but this would likely be more a result of potential Republican overreach than the wisdom of their policies. For the good of the country, however, Democrats should use their recent defeat as an opportunity to rethink and reorient their approach to governance. It won’t be easy, because a fundamental reason Democrats lost goes to the core of their identity: competence. Polls show a large majority of Americans have lost faith in their ability to govern effectively . The GOP’s campaign slogan homed in on this failure: “Trump Will Fix It.” Since the rise of the progressive movement more than a century ago, Democrats have argued that an expansive government run by experts can solve the nation’s problems . Especially through the ambitious legislative programs put forward by presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson, and Joe Biden, Democrats have assured voters: We know what works . Decades of experience have proven otherwise. Democrat-run states and major cities have distinguished themselves not only for their poorly run schools, high crime, and massive debts, but also their corruption. The New York Times reported in August that California has now become the leader in political malfeasance, “exceeding the number of cases in states better known for public corruption, including [the deep blue states of] New York, New Jersey and Illinois.” For its part, the Biden administration has taken a series of missteps – personified for all to see by the president’s weak, wobbly gait – that directly led to Kamala Harris’ defeat. Who thought it was a good idea to: While these and many other failures weakened confidence in the Democrats’ ability to steer the ship of state, their embrace of the woke agenda showed that the party was not just wrong about certain issues , but in the grips of an unhinged ideology. Claims that America is irredeemably racist, that illegal aliens should be allowed to vote, that gender is not a biological fact and that children should have the right to decide to mutilate their bodies without parental consent, struck most citizens as incomprehensible. Yes, Harris and other Democrats tried to distance themselves from some of these positions, but they never repudiated them . If you have to run to the center so you can govern from the far left, your politics have become an exercise in deceptive cynicism. Post-election revelations that the Harris campaign burned through $1.5 billion in 15 weeks – including showering celebrities with huge paydays to draw crowds to her rallies – reenforces the perception that Democrats see money as a slush fund for their allies . Perhaps the greatest indictment of Democrats’ competence is the rise of Donald Trump. After eight years of Barack Obama – an exemplar of well-polished progressivism – the American people elected a man with no government experience, whose campaign focused on the failures of the ruling elites of both parties. Entrenched Republicans were, in fact, as disdainful of Trump as Democrats were. Then, despite titanic efforts to undercut and delegitimize him at every turn, this quintessential outsider led a largely successful administration . Polls suggested he was likely to be reelected before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Trump was returned to office earlier this month because many Americans remembered the policies of the man Democrats dismissed as a failed real estate developer and superficial reality TV star as far more effective than those advanced by his highly credentialed opponents. The visceral hatred for Trump stems in large part from his competence. As he calls out the failures and corruption of the rulers on the left and the right, he has succeeded at their game without their alleged expertise. He points out obvious facts – China and Iran are not our friends, we can no longer pay the world’s bills – that they have long obscured. They call him a liar, and he does do that, but it’s his truth-telling they can’t forgive. His chief character flaw is that he isn’t part of the club. All of which is to say, Democrats need their own Trump – a wrecking ball who will challenge the party’s dogmas; a disruptive outsider who can force them out of their ideological cul-de-sac. The radical transformation Democrats need seems beyond the capacity of the party’s entrenched leadership : To expect people who cannot admit error to change their minds and ways seems like wishful thinking. They probably don’t need a Trump-like figure to win elections, but they need one to find a way to govern effectively. This would not require abandoning progressive ideals, but developing new ways to actually achieve them. This will not be easy. As a spur, Democrats should consider the fate of their allies in the legacy media. The partisan, left-wing turn many news organizations have taken in the last decade has undermined the trust Americans once had in their reporting – while contributing to shrinking audiences and mass layoffs . That failure is a major reason millions of Americans are turning to alternative outlets , including X, Substack, and podcasters such as Joe Rogan, for news. Political parties are not subject to the swift and ruthless forces of the market. But Democrats would be wise to see the decline of their media allies as a canary in the coal mine. It should inspire them to begin a true process of soul-searching and change for their own good and for that of the nation. J. Peder Zane is a RealClearInvestigations editor and columnist. He previously worked as a book review editor and book columnist for the News & Observer (Raleigh), where his writing won several national honors. Zane has also worked at the New York Times and taught writing at Duke University and Saint Augustine’s University.
None
31 Products For Homebodies Who Are Over The Moon When Their Plans Get CanceledHARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania conceded his reelection bid to Republican David McCormick on Thursday, as a statewide recount showed no signs of closing the gap and his campaign suffered repeated blows in court in its effort to get potentially favorable ballots counted. Casey’s concession comes more than two weeks after Election Day, as a grindingly slow ballot-counting process became a spectacle of hours-long election board meetings, social media outrage, lawsuits and accusations that some county officials were openly flouting the law. Republicans had been claiming that Democrats were trying to steal McCormick’s seat by counting “illegal votes.” Casey’s campaign had accused of Republicans of trying to block enough votes to prevent him from pulling ahead and winning. In a statement, Casey said he had just called McCormick to congratulate him. “As the first count of ballots is completed, Pennsylvanians can move forward with the knowledge that their voices were heard, whether their vote was the first to be counted or the last," Casey said. The Associated Press called the race for McCormick on Nov. 7, concluding that not enough ballots remained to be counted in areas Casey was winning for him to take the lead. As of Thursday, McCormick led by about 16,000 votes out of almost 7 million ballots counted. That was well within the 0.5% margin threshold to trigger an automatic statewide recount under Pennsylvania law. But no election official expected a recount to change more than a couple hundred votes or so, and Pennsylvania's highest court dealt him a blow when it refused entreaties to allow counties to count mail-in ballots that lacked a correct handwritten date on the return envelope. Republicans will have a 53-47 majority next year in the U.S. Senate. Follow Marc Levy at twitter.com/timelywriter
WASHINGTON: Aligning with billionaire tech CEO Elon Musk in a contentious debate, President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday expressed his support for the H-1B visa programme, that allows the entry of highly skilled foreign workers into the United States. "I’ve always liked the (H1-B) visas, I have always been in favour of the visas, that’s why we have them" at Trump-owned facilities, the president-elect told the New York Post in his first public comments on the matter since it flared up this week. An angry back-and-forth, largely between Silicon Valley’s Musk and traditional anti-immigration Trump backers, has erupted in fiery fashion, with Musk even vowing to "go to war" over the issue. Trump’s insistent calls for sharp curbs on immigration were central to his election victory in November over President Joe Biden. He has vowed to deport all undocumented immigrants and limit legal immigration. But tech entrepreneurs like Tesla’s Musk -- as well as Vivek Ramaswamy, who with Musk is to co-chair a government cost-cutting panel under Trump -- say the United States produces too few highly skilled graduates, and they fervently champion the H1-B program. Musk, who himself migrated from South Africa on an H1-B, posted Thursday on his X platform that luring elite engineering talent from abroad was "essential for America to keep winning." Adding acrimony to the debate was a post from Ramaswamy, the son of immigrants from India, who deplored an "American culture" that he said venerates mediocrity, adding that the United States risks having "our asses handed to us by China." That angered several prominent conservatives who were backing Trump long before Musk noisily joined their cause this year, going on to pump more than $250 million into the Republican’s campaign. "Looking forward to the inevitable divorce between President Trump and Big Tech," said Laura Loomer, a far-right MAGA figure known for her conspiracy theories, who often flew with Trump on his campaign plane. "We have to protect President Trump from the technocrats." She and others said Trump should be promoting American workers and further limiting immigration. Musk, who had already infuriated some Republicans after leading an online campaign that helped tank a bipartisan budget deal last week, fired back at his critics. Posting on X, the social media site he owns, he warned of a "MAGA civil war." Musk bluntly swore at one critic, adding that "I will go to war on this issue." That, in turn, drew a volley from Trump strategist Steve Bannon, who wrote on the Gettr platform that the H1-B program brings in migrants who are essentially "indentured servants" working for less than American citizens would. In a striking jab at Trump’s close friend Musk, Bannon called the Tesla CEO a "toddler." Some of Trump’s original backers say they fear he is falling under the sway of big donors from the tech world like Musk and drifting away from his campaign promises. It was not immediately clear whether Trump’s remarks might soothe the intraparty strife, which has exposed just how contentious changing the immigration system might be once he takes office in January.Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has said Arne Slot's side have the "quality to achieve something special" this season and has called on his teammates to "create their own history" at the club. Editor's Picks Liverpool in 'constant' talks over Salah, VVD 1d Beth Lindop How VAR decisions have affected every Premier League club in 2024-25 8h Dale Johnson West Ham vs Liverpool: Time, how to watch, stats, team news 11h ESPN The Merseyside club are six points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a game in hand, having also won all of their games in the revamped Champions League and secured passage to the semifinals of the Carabao Cup . Their impressive form has inevitably led to parallels being drawn with Liverpool's title-winning side of 2019-20 but Alisson -- who played an integral part in the club winning both the Premier League and Champions League under Jürgen Klopp -- has insisted that it is impossible to compare the two teams. "I don't think it's too similar, [it's] two different teams," the Brazil international said. "A few players still play in the team but we have a little bit different style now, more ball possession, before it was really straightforward: a lot of transition, a lot of intensity. "That team was really special, we achieved great things, it was the first Premier League title for this club in a long time. We achieved the Champions League together as well, the season before. I think there's no comparison with both situations. "Just what makes me happy is to see that this group of players, we have the quality to do something special and the most important thing is the commitment that is needed to win something is there, and the passion, the desire. "We are hungry and we want to win every game in front of us and that we have in front of us and that's all we are focused on at the moment. "We know that in the future we're going to remember more about the good moments now that you had together in football. Winning is not everything, of course, but it's a big part of football so I want to remember this team as a winning team. "I believe we don't have to compare ourselves with the teams in the past, we have to create our own history. This season, this group has to create its own history." Liverpool have defied expectations this season to mount a title charge under new head coach Slot. Alisson was quick to praise the Dutchman for how quickly he has been able to implement his ideas at Anfield. "I think when Arne joined the club, everybody thought it would be hard work for him to replace a manager like Jürgen," he said. "He's showing his qualities and he brings us a lot of good things. "I think it's not only one key, but many things that are helping us to achieve our goals. I want to highlight the commitment of this team, of the players, to do what the manager asks, to go every day and train hard and having the desire to improve as well, to be a better team and the desire of winning big things for this club. So that will always be an important point for a team that wants to be a winner." It has been a challenging season so far for Alisson, who was sidelined for more than two months with a hamstring injury earlier in the campaign. However, the 32-year-old has confirmed he is now fully fit and is thrilled to be able to now help Slot's side on the pitch. "It's not easy when you stay for a long time away," he said. "It was not easy for me, but I worked really hard. "I was looking forward to coming back because when you are injured, these days you just don't go there, put some ice on your legs and just wait until you're fully recovered. "You work so hard in the gym every day, sometimes double sessions, pretty much every day double sessions, doing treatment at home, having treatment at the club. "So I spent a lot of time working without doing the best side of football, that is playing. So I was looking forward to coming back, even because the team was doing so well, so you get even more excited to be part of it." Liverpool will look to keep their impressive run going when they travel to West Ham United on Sunday. But while the league leaders seem in rude health, Alisson has stressed the importance of Slot's squad keeping their feet on the ground. "It's too soon to talk about the title, of course, but it's our goal, it's our target," he said. "At this point, we cannot just start to look to the points and see how it goes. We have to really focus on the next opponent that we have in front of us. "That's the mentality that we need and that is the mentality that we are having at the moment. We know how Premier League can change so quickly in two games. "Two games ago, maybe everybody was saying, looking to us at the table, Chelsea coming closer, all the teams coming closer, and now two games after we are in a better position. So everything changes so quickly here because of the quality of all the teams. So we have to be really focused on ourselves. "As I said before, we have so many things to improve. During the season, you have to become a champion not only in one game or only for what we did at this half way point."
Victor Wembanyama went to a park in New York City and played 1-on-1 with fans on Saturday. He even lost a couple of games. Not in basketball, though. Wemby was playing chess. And this wasn't on a whim: He knows how to play and even brought his own chess set. Before the San Antonio Spurs left New York for a flight to Minnesota, Wembanyama put out the call on social media: “Who wants to meet me at the SW corner of Washington Square park to play chess? Im there,” Wembanyama wrote. It was 9:36 a.m. People began showing up almost immediately. Washington Square Park is a known spot for chess in New York — Bobby Fischer among others have famously played there, and it's been used for multiple movie scenes featuring the game. Wembanyama was there for an hour in the rain, from about 10-11 a.m. He played four games, winning two and losing two — he told Bleacher Report afterward that both of the losses were to professional chess players — before departing to catch the Spurs' flight. Wembanyama had been trying to get somewhere to play chess for the bulk of the team's time in New York — the Spurs played the Knicks on Christmas and won at Brooklyn on Friday night. The schedule never aligned, until Saturday morning. And even with bad weather, he bundled up to make it happen. He posed for photos with a couple of dozen people who showed up, braving a morning of cold rain to play chess with one of the NBA's biggest stars. “We need an NBA players only Chess tournament, proceeds go to the charity of choice of the winner,” he wrote on social media after his chess trip was over. Wembanyama is averaging 25.2 points and 10.1 rebounds this season, his second in the NBA after winning rookie of the year last season. The Spurs play at Minnesota on Sunday.
PRINCE Harry says he and wife Meghan Markle have no plans to leave the US anytime soon. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex relocated to Montecito in California in summer 2020, just months after stepping down as working royals. Advertisement 10 Prince Harry speaks during the New York Times annual DealBook summit Credit: Getty 10 NYT Columnist Andrew Ross Sorkin and Harry Credit: Getty 10 Meghan Markle and Harry Credit: Getty 10 Meghan with her two children Credit: Netflix Harry, 40, has made several solo trips back to the UK this year alone - though remains estranged from much of the Firm. The revelation comes after he and Meghan, 43, were rumoured to have snapped up a luxurious property in Alentejo, Portugal . He is also continuing to press ahead with a legal battle against the Home Office over his taxpayer-funded security to ensure his family's safety. Harry and Meghan share kids Prince Archie, five, and three-year-old Lilbet. Advertisement READ MORE ABOUT HARRY THRONE AWAY The sweet gift Meghan Markle gave Prince Harry that Prince Archie destroyed SPILLING SECRETS Prince Harry confided HUGE secrets to me in chat about quitting Royals Speaking during The New York Times' DealBook Summit, the King's youngest son said today: "I very much enjoy living here and bringing up my kids here." There are activities he can do with his children that he "undoubtedly wouldn’t be able to do in the UK", he said, citing concerns about security. Harry said his focus now is on "being the best husband and the best dad that I can be". SOCIAL MEDIA BAN The Duke went on to tell NYT columnist and event founder Andrew Ross Sorkin he opposes a social media ban for children because it could lead to family arguments and bullying by classmates. Advertisement Most read in Royals STAR LOST Legendary BBC star dies aged 86 as family pay tribute to his 'amazing life' GER HIT Rangers star sent off in B team game for off the ball clash 'MORE TIME' Tulisa breaks her silence after deleting I’m A Celeb posts & snubbing spin-off Gossip FERGIE TIME Lewis Ferguson 'lined up for AC Milan move' with other top club linked Instead, he said such companies should be subject to greater transparency and accountability. He said social media has “already been intentionally created to be addictive” so banning it or removing it, “creates all sort of problems”. Watch moment Prince Harry yelps in pain as he 'gets tattoo from superstar singer' in Invictus Games promo Harry said he doesn't have his own social media accounts to help protect his peace. "I try to think at these things through the lens as a dad," he said. Advertisement "It's not a coincidence that the world has become more volatile and more divided since social media has been around for 20 years," Harry added. It comes after Meghan sent a message of support to guests at a charity's carol concert in central London, wishing attendees a Merry Christmas "from my family to yours". Meghan's remarks were shared in the programme for UK charity Smart Works' carol service at St Marylebone Parish Church on Tuesday. PORTUGAL Harry and Meghan are understood to have bought a property in Portugal, that sits just a stone's throw away from Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank. Advertisement The couple reportedly plan to set up a base there after being seen in the area last September following the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany. They currently live in an £11million Montecito mansion, which boasts nine bedrooms, 16 bathrooms, a pool and a tennis court. A source told Closer: “Buying in Portugal is a shrewd move for Meghan. “She’s deeply concerned that the Royal Family might manipulate Harry into reintegrating without her, so she needs to be proactive to make sure she’s not isolated or pushed to the sidelines. Advertisement 10 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have reportedly bought a house in Portugal Credit: Getty 10 Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank also live part-time in Portugal for Jack's work Credit: Instagram 10 Meghan is said to not want to be 'pushed to the sidelines' with the royals Credit: Getty - Contributor 10 The Sussexes' massive nine-bedroom Montecito home has 16 bathrooms, a pool and a tennis court Credit: Google Earth Advertisement “Now, if it is deemed safe from a security standpoint, it’s likely she’ll give her blessing for Harry to take Archie and Lilibet to see their grandpa, King Charles, at some point. “And in terms of logistics, having a place in Portugal will make that easier, because Meghan can fly over with the kids without feeling trapped.” Meghan has returned to the UK just twice since the Sussexes stepped down as working royals in 2020. Both of the visits were in 2022, with the first being the late Queen’s Jubilee and then her funeral. Advertisement Meghan sends messages to charity's carol concert The Duchess of Sussex has sent a message of support to guests at a charity's carol concert in central London, wishing attendees a Merry Christmas "from my family to yours". Meghan's remarks were shared in the programme for UK charity Smart Works' carol service at St Marylebone Parish Church on Tuesday. Smart Works helps unemployed women with clothing and coaching to secure employment, and the duchess has been a patron of the charity since 2019. According to an image of the programme shared by People magazine, Meghan said: "As proud patron, it is my pleasure to warmly welcome you all this evening to the Smart Works Carol Concert. "Tonight promises to be a truly magical celebration, filled with special guests and performers, and most importantly, the shared spirit of community that defines Smart Works. "Together we gather to honour the work and dedication of this remarkable organisation, which continues to empower women across the UK through coaching, dressing and instilling confidence on their journey to employment. "Thank you for giving your support by being here in St Marylebone Parish Church, under the beautiful haze of Christmas wreaths and candlelight." She continued: "In a year where the landscape for women in the workplace has continued to shift, Smart Works has stood as a steadfast source of encouragement. Their service is more than rediscovering employment, it is rediscovering empowerment. "As Smart Works continues to uplift the community, I hope you will continue to support them. I hope you enjoy the festivities, and, from my family to yours, I wish you a very Merry Christmas." Other famous faces were involved in the service, with actress and comedian Jennifer Saunders doing a reading and X Factor winner Alexandra Burke performing Hallelujah. After the service, Burke wrote on her Instagram story: "What a special night. Proud to be an ambassador for @smartworkscharity." Prince Harry’s trips have been more frequent, with him doing four visits this year. In September the Duke made a solo trip to attend the WellChild Awards where he met seriously ill youngsters and their families. During the whistle stop visit he did not meet up with Prince William and King Charles, according to reports. The couple are said to have splashed out on the home in Portugal after being asked to vacate their former UK home Frogmore Cottage by King Charles two years ago. Advertisement It is said to be close to Harry’s cousin Princess Eugenie , Jack, August , two, and Ernest , six months, who are said to be splitting their time between living at the CostaTerra Golf and Ocean Club and their life back in the UK. Read more on the Scottish Sun DECEMBER MISERY Scots face blizzards and travel chaos as weather map reveals 75mph storm CHOC OFF Mums fume at Poundland’s ‘rotten’ advent calendar they thought was ‘for dogs’ The reason for the move is Jack’s job, as he is doing marketing, sales and promotion for property entrepreneur Mike Meldman, who is managing the 300-home development there. The purchase may allow the Sussexes to acquire a “Golden Visa”, where they would have access to the EU’s Schengen area, reports the Daily Mail. Megxit timeline November 2016 - Harry formally reveals he is in a relationship with Suits actress Meghan Markle. September 2017 - Meghan tells Vanity Fair the couple are in love and happy together. September 2017 - The couple make their first public appearance together holding hands at the Invictus Games in Toronto. November 2017 - Prince Charles issues a statement revealing Harry and Meghan are engaged. May 2018 - Harry and Meghan tie the knot, becoming Duke and Duchess of Sussex. October 2018 - The couple announce they are expecting their first child while on their first overseas tour in Australia. March 2019 - Harry and Meghan set up their own household, splitting their joint operation with Prince William and Kate. May 2019 - Meghan gives birth to a baby boy named Archie. October 2019 - Harry reveals his rift with his brother William in a bombshell documentary. January 2020 - The couple stun the Queen by announcing plans to quit senior roles and settle in North America. After ten days of talks at Sandringham, it's agreed the couple will no longer be working royals and will give up their "Royal Highness" titles. March 2020 - Harry and Meghan carry out their last official engagement and move to California. September 2020 - Netflix announces a huge deal with the couple. February 2021 - Buckingham Palace announces the couple's split as working members of the monarchy is permanent and they will lose their royal patronages. March 2021 - The palace says it is "very concerned" about allegations of bullying made by former staff of Harry and Meghan, launching a probe. March 2021 - Meghan tells Oprah Winfrey Archie wasn’t made a prince after “concerns and conversations” about “how dark” his skin would be when he was born. She claims Kate "hurt her feelings" and made her cry before her wedding. Harry says Charles has stopped taking his calls and he has been "cut off" financially. January 2023 - Harry publishes his tell-all memoir Spare, launching scathing attacks on William, Kate and Camilla. He says he and William once got into a physical fight over Meghan. April 2023 - Harry has a "heart-to-heart" talk with his dad before agreeing to come to the Coronation in London. September 2023 - Harry rejects an offer to spend the anniversary of the Queen’s death at Balmoral with his father. February 2024 - Prince Harry flies to the UK to be with his father as royal experts claim their four-year rift could be put aside. They meet for half an hour before Harry flies home. He does not meet William. 10 The summit is being held at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York Credit: Getty Advertisement 10 Harry has made several visits back to the UK this year alone Credit: Getty
