mnl168 link login

SEATTLE , Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Wunderdogs, a brand consultancy and digital studio, announced the release of a report, Climate Compass. The report, produced in collaboration with investors and industry experts from True Ventures, Wireframe Ventures, Planeteer Capital, Activate, Prelude Ventures, Limelight Steel, SOSV, The Nature Conservancy, and The Ad Hoc Group, offers a look at the next generation of climate technology startups driving the shift to a decarbonized, resilient, and sustainable future. "This report represents a major step in understanding the evolving climate tech space," said Daria Gonzalez , Wunderdogs ' co-founder. "By bringing together insights from leading venture capital firms and industry experts, we're helping to shape a view of what lies ahead for the next generation of climate-focused startups." The report is the result of a collaborative effort between Wunderdogs and a network of forward-thinking investors and entrepreneurs across the climate tech space. Over the past several months, Wunderdogs worked closely with venture capital firms and experts to research, design, and compile insights into the most promising startups and technologies that are shaping the future of climate tech. The full report is available to view here: climatecompassreport.com . About Wunderdogs Since its inception in 2017, Wunderdogs has been at the forefront of brand and digital strategy for the technology sector, collaborating with over 140 technology firms and 30 investment companies. Wunderdogs combines strategy, design and technology to create award-winning brands and digital platforms aimed at making a lasting impression. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wunderdogs-unveils-report-on-the-next-generation-of-climate-tech-startups-in-collaboration-with-true-ventures-wireframe-ventures-planeteer-capital-activate-and-prelude-ventures-302335407.html SOURCE WunderdogsThe expanded Big Ten is poised to be a major player in this season's College Football Playoff. The 18-team conference had three of the top-four teams in the AP poll this week — No. 1 Oregon, No. 2 Ohio State and No. 4 Penn State. A one-loss Indiana team is ranked 10th but is still very much a contender to make the playoff, given how many Southeastern Conference teams have three defeats or more. Indiana's rise has been perhaps the Big Ten's biggest story this season. Much of the spotlight was on newcomers Oregon, Southern California, UCLA and Washington, but aside from the top-ranked Ducks, that foursome has struggled to impress. Meanwhile, the Hoosiers won their first 10 games under new coach Curt Cignetti before losing at Ohio State last weekend. Oregon beat Ohio State 32-31 back in October, and if the Buckeyes beat rival Michigan this weekend, they'll earn a rematch with the Ducks for the Big Ten title. And it's entirely possible another matchup between those two teams awaits in the CFP. Dillon Gabriel has quarterbacked Oregon to an unbeaten record, throwing for 3,066 yards and 22 touchdowns in 11 games. But don't overlook Iowa's Kaleb Johnson and his 21 rushing TDs, and quarterback Kurtis Rourke has been a big part of Indiana's improvement. Penn State's Abdul Carter has eight sacks and two forced fumbles and could be one of the top edge rushers drafted this year. Oregon (11-0, 8-0), Ohio State (10-1, 7-1), Penn State (10-1, 7-1), Indiana (10-1, 7-1), Illinois (8-3, 5-3), Iowa (7-4, 5-3), Michigan (6-5, 4-4), Minnesota (6-5, 4-4), Washington (6-5, 4-4), Southern California (6-5, 4-5), Nebraska (6-5, 3-5) and Rutgers (6-5, 3-5) have already reached the six-win mark for bowl eligibility. Michigan State (5-6, 3-5) and Wisconsin (5-6, 3-5) can join them. There may not be many firings in general at the top level of college football. The prospect of sharing revenue with athletes in the future might lead schools to be more judicious about shedding one coach and hiring a new one. Who should be most worried in the Big Ten? Well, Lincoln Riley is struggling to stay above .500 in his third season at USC. Purdue is 1-10, but coach Ryan Walters is only in his second season. Maryland's Mike Locksley has been there six years and his Terrapins are 4-7, but this was his first real step backward after guiding the team to three straight bowl wins. Cignetti has shown it is possible for a coaching change to push a previously moribund program to some impressive heights in a short amount of time — but the improvement has been more incremental at Michigan State following Jonathan Smith's arrival. Sherrone Moore wasn't a completely unknown commodity at Michigan after he won some massive games in place of a suspended Jim Harbaugh last year. But in his first season completely at the helm, the Wolverines have declined significantly following their national title a season ago. The Big Ten is home to one of the most dynamic freshmen in the country in Ohio State receiver Jeremiah Smith. He has 52 catches for 899 yards and nine touchdowns. Highly touted quarterback Dylan Raiola has teamed up with fellow freshman Jacory Barney (49 catches) to lead Nebraska to bowl eligibility. Ohio State is on track to land the Big Ten's top class, according to 247 Sports, but the big news recently was quarterback Bryce Underwood flipping from LSU to Michigan. If the Wolverines do in fact keep Underwood in his home state, that would be a big development for Moore. Get local news delivered to your inbox!DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic is returning to the Dallas lineup Monday night against the Portland Trail Blazers after missing the Mavericks’ two previous games with a left heel contusion. Doncic won last season’s scoring title with a career-best 33.9 points per game and is fifth in the NBA this season averaging 28.9, and seventh in assists, averaging 8.2. He had triple-doubles in three of his last four games, including his most recent appearance last Sunday with 45 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds in a 143-133 win at Golden State. The defending Western Conference champions are 18-10, fourth in the West, and have won 13 of their last 16 games following their only losing streak of the season, a four-game skid from Nov. 8-14. ___ AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

MacKenzie Scott continues to make medical debt relief a priority in her mysterious giving. This week, Undue Medical Debt, formerly RIP Medical Debt, announced it had received a rare third gift — $50 million — from the billionaire philanthropist, signaling her satisfaction with the group’s efforts to purchase medical debt in bulk from hospitals and debt collectors. Scott has donated a total of $130 million to the organization since 2020. Medical debt is increasing despite most of the U.S. population having some form of medical insurance. Nearly 100 million people are unable to pay their medical bills, according to Third Way, a left-leaning national think tank. Overall, Americans owe about $220 billion in medical debt, with historically disadvantaged groups shouldering the bulk of the burden. Lower-income people, people with disabilities, middle-aged adults, Black people, the uninsured, and people living in rural areas are among the groups most likely to be affected by medical debt, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Undue Medical Debt buys debt at a discounted price, estimating that it erases about $100 in debt for each $1 donated. The group also collaborates with policymakers to encourage the adoption of measures to curb what people owe for medical care. Scott first gave Undue Medical Debt a $50 million donation in 2020, followed by a $30 million donation in 2022. With that money, the group has relieved nearly $15 billion in debt for more than 9 million people, CEO Allison Sesso said. That’s a significant leap from the $1 billion in debt relieved from 2014 to 2019, she noted. “I’m frankly astounded by this most recent gift from MacKenzie Scott and feel proud to be a steward of these funds as we continue the essential work of dismantling the yoke of medical debt that’s burdening far too many families in this country,” said Sesso. The continued funding has allowed Sesso “to not have to worry about my next dollar,” she said, and “think more strategically about the narrative around medical debt — she has helped us push that conversation.” Undue Medical Debt was started in 2014 by two former debt collection executives, Jerry Ashton and Craig Antico, who were inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement’s advocacy for debt relief. Growth initially was slow. But with Scott’s gifts, the nonprofit has been able to staff up, produce more research, and develop relationships with policymakers who have pushed for changes to hospital billing practices to relieve debt and prevent people from accumulating it in the first place, Sesso said. Undue Medical Debt’s public policy arm has worked with lawmakers in North Carolina, which in July became the first state to offer additional Medicaid payments to hospitals that agree to adopt debt relief measures, she said. The policy change followed the publication of a 2023 report from Duke University, which found that one in five families in the state had been forced into collections proceedings because of medical debt. Since 2020, the organization’s staff has grown from three to about 40, Sesso said. Those hires included an anthropologist who collects stories from people set back by medical debt to inform the group’s research and advocacy work. Scott’s gifts also have helped improve Undue Medical Debt’s technology to identify people eligible for debt relief and to find hospitals from which it can purchase medical debt, among other things, Sesso said. “This coming year, because of this MacKenzie Scott grant, we’ll be able to add more people, making sure that we can support that growth on an ongoing basis,” Sesso said. Few repeat grantees Few organizations have received more than one gift from Scott. Other multi-grant recipients include Blue Meridian, an intermediary group that has directed billions of dollars to nonprofits around the world, and GiveDirectly, which provides no-strings-attached cash payments to low-income people globally. GiveDirectly has received $125 million from Scott since 2020. Blue Meridian has not disclosed amounts for the four gifts it’s received since 2019. Scott’s contributions to those two organizations were for specific causes like GiveDirectly’s U.S. poverty relief fund, said Christina Im, a senior research analyst at the Center for Effective Philanthropy. In the case of Undue Medical Debt, the timing of Scott’s first gifts in 2020 and 2022 seemed to correspond with COVID-relief efforts, she said. Scott, the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is worth an estimated $32 billion but provides few details about her grantmaking decisions. Without further information, it’s hard to know what prompted this third donation to Undue Medical Debt, but Scott has said in public statements that she wants to help those who are most in need and bear the brunt of societal ills, said Elisha Smith Arrillaga, the Center for Effective Philanthropy’s vice president for research. “I have not seen a lot of other folks funding in this area,” Smith Arrillaga added. Anger over health care costs Scott’s latest gift to Undue Medical Debt comes amid national debates about medical insurance and the cost of medical treatments. The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on December 4 in Midtown Manhattan has heightened these conversations, with some lionizing the man who allegedly committed the crime. “That’s no way to get change, full stop,” Sesso said in reference to Thompson’s murder. “But I think the anger around insurance companies and having access to care is very clear.” The U.S. has one of the most expensive health care systems in the world. And the amount of medical debt carried by individuals seems to be increasing, noted Adam Searing, a public interest attorney and associate professor at Georgetown University, where he focuses on Medicaid and other health coverage programs. Searing previously served for 17 years as director of the Health Access Coalition at the nonprofit North Carolina Justice Center, advocating for the uninsured and underinsured. During that time, he heard from people losing their homes due to liens from hospitals. Sometimes those liens could be delayed, but it still meant that the debtors couldn’t pass those homes along to their children or grandchildren, he said. “Those stories stuck with me,” he said. “It really has an impact on families.” Relieving debt allows people to get their lives back on track and become financially secure after a major illness or series of expensive bills, Searing said. For philanthropists, it’s also a cause that is largely nonpartisan. Scott shining a spotlight on the issue is undoubtedly “a good thing,” he said. “I think it will have a big effect.” _____ Stephanie Beasley is a senior writer at the Chronicle of Philanthropy. This article was provided to The Associated Press by the Chronicle of Philanthropy as part of a partnership to cover philanthropy and nonprofits supported by the Lilly Endowment Inc. The Chronicle is solely responsible for the content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy.NFL MVP race wide-open after Saquon Barkley's history-making performance

NoneUS effort to curb China’s and Russia’s access to advanced computer chips ‘inadequate,’ report finds

AP News Summary at 1:11 p.m. ESTMutual of America Capital Management LLC Increases Stock Position in Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE:TFX)

Ahead of Beyonce’s highly-anticipated Christmas Day performance, Lamar Jackson asserted that he wouldn’t miss it for the world - or a Baltimore Ravens game, for that matter. On Wednesday, Beyonce is slated to take the stage at NRG Stadium during halftime of the Ravens’ game against the Houston Texans . Though Jackson will certainly have other commitments during the performance - namely gameplanning for the final two quarters of play - the quarterback informed members of the media that he would still find a way to catch the show. When asked on Monday if he was disappointed to be missing the pop icon’s concert, Jackson replied: "No, because I'm going to go out there and watch. I'm going to go out there and watch. [It will be my] first time seeing Beyoncé perform, and it's at our game - that's dope. I'm going to go out and watch. Sorry [head coach John] Harbaugh, sorry. Sorry fellas." Texans get grim Tank Dell injury news after brutal hit on touchdown catch vs. Chiefs Mike Tomlin offers honest verdict on Travis Kelce ahead of Steelers game vs Chiefs When one reporter questioned if the Ravens’ lead at halftime could play a role in whether or not Jackson watches Beyonce - whose hit song ‘To the left’ is his favorite track - the 27-year-old added: "No, I'm not even thinking about the lead. I was just thinking about just seeing Beyonce for the first time. “Not saying it like that; no disrespect or [anything], because I know how people can take things.” Jackson is far from the only person in Baltimore’s locker room who’s looking forward to seeing Beyonce. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh jokingly warned his players that “there will be big trouble” should they sneak out to attend the halftime show, but made sure to give the songstress her due praise. “I can't say I'm a huge Beyonce fan, but I think I like her,” he said. “Is she doing country [music] now? You think some of those country songs will be in there? You'll have to report to me on that." Upon being reminded that Beyonce previously performed at the Super Bowl XLVII halftime show - in which the Ravens defeated the 49ers, 34-31 - Harbaugh responded: "Did she? That's good to know. I do remember that now. Focus, focus." This isn’t the first time that an NFL player has expressed a desire to catch the halftime performance of a big game. Back in February of 2022, Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson infamously returned to the sidelines early during Super Bowl LVI in order to watch Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar and 50 Cent perform. "Looking back on it, if there was a camera in my face, I wouldn't stay out there," McPherson told The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr. "I get how it looked. It probably looked pretty bad. I probably wouldn't do it again, but no regrets." The decision particularly drew the ire of Bengals special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Darrin Simmons, who slammed McPherson and long snapper Clark Harris for not being present in the locker room. "It's triple, it's triple-y bad," he said. "It's embarrassing." **Want to watch more live sports? Peacock has your favorite sports, shows, and more all in one place. ** Peacock offers plans starting at $7.99 ** so you can stream live sports like NFL, Premier League, and Big Ten Football.**MIAMI — Shaq Barrett’s retirement during the summer stunned the Dolphins and their fans. But after a few months on the sideline, the two two-time Pro Bowler wants back in. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

MacKenzie Scott gives rare third gift to medical debt relief groupUN Official Advocates for Nuclear Energy as Key to Africa’s Sustainable DevelopmentTechnology stocks helped pull stocks lower on Wall Street Wednesday, handing the market its first loss in more than a week. The S&P 500 fell 0.4%, even though more stocks in the index notched gains than ended lower. The loss snapped a seven-day winning streak for the benchmark index. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3%, its first loss after five gains. The Dow and S&P 500 remain near the all-time highs they set on Tuesday. The Nasdaq composite, which is heavily weighted with technology stocks, fell 0.6%. Losses for tech heavyweights like Nvidia, Microsoft and Broadcom were the drag on the market. Semiconductor giant Nvidia fell 1.2%. Its huge value gives it outsized influence on market indexes. Microsoft fell 1.2% and Broadcom finished 3.1% lower. Several personal computer makers also helped pull the market lower following their latest earnings reports. HP sank 11.4% after giving investors a weaker-than-expected earnings forecast for its current quarter. Dell slid 12.2% after its latest quarterly revenue fell short of Wall Street forecasts. Gains for financial and health care companies helped temper the market's losses. Berkshire Hathaway rose 0.9% and Merck & Co. added 1.5%. All told, the S&P 500 fell 22.89 points to 5,998.74, while the Dow dropped 138.25 points to 44,722.06. The Nasdaq fell 115.10 points to 19,060.48. Traders also had their eye on new reports on the economy and inflation Wednesday. The U.S. economy expanded at a healthy 2.8% annual pace from July through September, according to the Commerce Department, leaving its original estimate of third-quarter growth unchanged. The growth was driven by strong consumer spending and a surge in exports. The update followed a report on Tuesday from the Conference Board that said confidence among U.S. consumers improved in November, but not by as much as economists expected. Consumers have been driving economic growth, but the latest round of earnings reports from retailers shows a mixed and more cautious picture. Department store operator Nordstrom fell 8.1% after warning investors about a trend toward weakening sales that started in late October. Clothing retailer Urban Outfitters jumped 18.3% after beating analysts’ third-quarter financial forecasts. Weeks earlier, retail giant Target gave investors a discouraging forecast for the holiday season, while Walmart provided a more encouraging forecast. Consumers, though resilient, are still facing pressure from inflation. The latest update from the U.S. government shows that inflation accelerated last month. The personal consumption expenditures index, or PCE, rose to 2.3% in October from 2.1% in September. Overall, the rate of inflation has been falling broadly since it peaked more than two years ago. The PCE, which is the Federal Reserve's preferred measure of inflation, was just below 7.3% in June of 2022. Another measure of inflation, the consumer price index, peaked at 9.1% at the same time. The latest inflation data, though, is a sign that the rate of inflation seems to be stalling as it falls to within range of the Fed's target of 2%. The central bank started raising its benchmark interest rate from near-zero in early 2022 to a two-decade high by the middle of 2023 and held it there in order to tame inflation. The Fed started cutting its benchmark interest rate in September, followed by a second cut in November. Wall Street expects a similar quarter-point cut at the central bank's upcoming meeting in December. “Today’s data shouldn’t change views of the likely path for disinflation, however bumpy," said David Alcaly, lead macroeconomic strategist at Lazard Asset Management. "But a lot of observers, probably including some at the Fed, are looking for reasons to get more hawkish on the outlook given the potential for inflationary policy change like new tariffs.” President-elect Donald Trump has said he plans to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China when he takes office in January. That could shock the economy by raising prices on a wide range of goods and accelerating the rate of inflation. Such a shift could prompt the Fed to rethink future cuts to interest rates. Treasury yields slipped in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.25% from 4.30% late Tuesday. The yield on the two-year Treasury, which more closely follows expected actions by the Fed, fell to 4.22% from 4.25% late Tuesday. U.S. markets will be closed Thursday for Thanksgiving, and will reopen for a half day on Friday.None

The Golf Central team breaks down Lydia Ko's first round at the CME Group Tour Championship and how it compared to her previous success in the event. Golf Central analyzes what makes Nelly Korda's golf swing so "poetic" before looking back on her even-par CME Group Tour Championship Round 1, which saw her struggle on the greens. Watch highlights from first-round action of the 2024 BMW Australian PGA Championship, part of the DP World Tour. Rex Hoggard reports on Caitlin Clark's appearance at the RSM Classic pro-am, explaining what the star power of the WNBA phenom means for the event and golf as whole. Jeeno Thitikul sits down with Golf Central to discuss her Aon Risk Reward Challenge win, identifying the strongest part of her game and why she strives to inspire more Thai golfers to compete overseas. The Golf Central crew breaks down the 'evolution' of women's sports, particularly through the LPGA and how the CME Group Tour Championship is pushing women's golf to a new level. Amy Rogers reports on the anticipation leading up to the LPGA CME Group Tour Championship and the record $4M paid to the winner, as well as player reactions to the 2025 schedule. Wesley Bryan reflects on his play over the last few months, where he's recorded four top-25 finishes in five starts, before sharing why he's at ease no matter what happens at the RSM Classic. Trevor Immelman joins Golf Central to talk about playing at the PNC Championship with his son Jacob, Scottie Scheffler's year, the new PGA Tour rule proposals and whether Rory McIlroy will complete his career grand slam. Rafael Campos was emotional after everything came together for him to get his first PGA Tour win at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship. There are 10 DP World Tour golfers who earned PGA Tour cards for the 2025 season on Sunday at the DP World Tour Championship, including Thriston Lawrence, Matteo Manassero, Tom McKibbin, Jesper Svensson and Paul Waring.MicroStrategy Stock Declines Over 14% Amid Heightened Volatility Over S&P 500 Inclusion Concerns: Here's What Is HappeningWhat is the best mattress for cold sleepers?

Chiefs offense hitting its stride with return of wide receiver Marquise Brown from injury KANSAS CITY, Mo. Dave Skretta, The Associated Press Dec 22, 2024 9:48 AM Dec 22, 2024 10:05 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy catches a touchdown pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have not been whole on offense all season, the byproduct of injuries to Marquise Brown on the very first game of the preseason and a season-ending injury to fellow wide receiver Rashee Rice at the end of September. They are close to it now. And it showed on Saturday. Brown made his regular-season debut after recovering from shoulder surgery, and made his presence felt on the first offensive series against Houston. The Chiefs were driving downfield but faced fourth-and-2 at the Texans 30, and Brown came open across the field for a 13-yard reception, resulting in a first down and eventually leading to a Kansas City touchdown. Brown went on to catch five passes for 45 yards in a 27-19 victory that pushed the Chiefs closer to the No. 1 seed in the AFC. “I thought he did a great job,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “I missed him here and there on a couple of throws, but I thought he was getting open. He was winning against man coverage, which was huge.” In fact, as the Chiefs (14-1) prepare to visit Pittsburgh on Christmas Day, they now have a receiving group that can win against just about any coverage. Brown and first-round pick Xavier Worthy, who had seven catches for 65 yards and a score, have the game-breaking speed to beat man-to-man defenses. And three-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins, along with four-time All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce, have the catch radius and veteran savvy to find the holes in any sort of zone. That makes the Chiefs offense as potent as it's been all season. “Kansas City made the plays. That’s why, you know, they’re at the top echelon of the NFL,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “They found ways to win, especially in situational football. they did a really good job on third down, staying on the field.” The Chiefs finished 7 of 13 on third down. They were 3 for 5 in the red zone and 2 for 2 in goal-to-go situations. That is the kind of efficiency they have had while winning the past two Super Bowls. “What can we do? The sky's the limit,” said Worthy, who has caught at least four passes in each of his past six games. “I feel like we're a hard team to beat. We just have to keep stacking.” What’s working The Chiefs defense, which had turned opponents over just 10 times in their first 13 games, has now created eight turnovers in the past two. That included two interceptions of Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud on Saturday. “They talked about breaking the seal last week,” said Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie, who had no interceptions in his first 48 games but has now picked off a pass in each of his past two. “You get around defensive backs, they talk about how it will come in bunches. I'm seeing it play out, being in the right place at the right time.” What needs help After piling up five sacks last week against Cleveland, the Chiefs struggled to capture Stroud on Saturday. They only managed two sacks, one of which was a cornerback blitz in the closing minutes that forced Houston to punt the ball away; the Chiefs were able to run out the clock on offense without giving the Texans another chance with it. Stock up The Chiefs started All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney at tackle for the second straight week, trying to solve their problem protecting Mahomes' blind side. He played admirably against a good Houston pass rush, and that was even more important when the Chiefs had to juggle the offensive line again following right tackle Jawaan Taylor's knee strain. Stock down Running back Isiah Pacheco carried nine times for just 26 yards, and he was stuffed on third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 early in the second half, forcing a turnover on downs. Meanwhile, Kareem Hunt gained 55 yards on 11 carries and caught two passes for 24 yards, showing more versatility and explosiveness out of the backfield. Injuries DT Chris Jones (calf strain) and RT Jawaan Taylor (knee strain) did not finish the game against the Texans. LB Jack Cochrane will miss the rest of the season after fracturing his ankle. Key number 14 — The Chiefs matched the franchise record for regular-season wins, set during the 2020 season and matched two years ago. They have two opportunities to break it with Pittsburgh on Wednesday and Denver in their regular-season finale. What’s next The Chiefs visit the Steelers on Christmas Day. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Dave Skretta, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) NFL Inactive Report Dec 22, 2024 8:51 AM Zach Ertz is playing for Commanders against the Eagles a week after being concussed Dec 22, 2024 8:51 AM Lamar Jackson and the Ravens draw even atop the AFC North, beating the 1st-place Steelers 34-17 Dec 21, 2024 8:38 PM

Media tour in conjunction with D S Simon Media and Shipt shopping expert, Julie Coop, delivering last-minute gifting hacks, money and time saving opportunities and holiday hosting tips. NEW YORK, Dec. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- What if you could give time as a gift this holiday season? Imagine fewer frantic dashes to the store, less stress forgotten items, and more moments spent where they matter most—with the people you love. That's the magic of Shipt. The holidays can feel like a race against the clock, but Shipt, the retail technology company specializing in delightful same-day delivery, is offering the ‘Gift of More You' by helping with last-minute shopping and preparation through reliable delivery and savings opportunities. While ground shipping deadlines have passed, Shipt can alleviate some of the last-minute pressures by offering reliable same-day delivery and savings solutions for last-minute shoppers. Shipt orders placed before 3pm local time on Tuesday, December 24, will be delivered same-day, so you don't have to run out to the store or show up empty-handed. Whether it's forgotten ingredients or last-minute gift shopping, holiday prep is made easy with Shipt by bringing the store straight to your door. During the busy holiday season, everyone could use the gift of more time. In fact, Shipt saves its members, on average, 80 hours per year. Treat yourself to a membership this holiday season to unlock the ultimate convenience. And if you're a Target Circle 360 member, you already have access to Shipt's marketplace and membership perks making it easier than ever to shop! Shipt is the ultimate gift this busy holiday season. With a newly launched Shipt gift card program, giving the gift of time has never been easier. Now available to load with a custom amount that never expires, or an annual or six-month Shipt membership, these gift cards offer the ultimate convenience that keeps on giving. Now until January 4th, you can give your loved one (or yourself) the gift of time through Shipt's reliable, personalized same-day delivery platform at a steep discount. Get an annual Shipt membership for just $49/year (reg. $99) for a gift that shows your love all year long! To learn more about how Shipt can be a last-minute resource for the holiday season, visit Shipt.com or download the Shipt app. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a property of D S Simon Media. The video included and release was part of a media tour that was produced by D S Simon Media on behalf of Shipt. Dante Muccigrosso Director of Media Integration & Client Reporting E: dantem@dssimon.com C: 973.524.0104 © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.The No. 5 ranked Indiana Hoosiers are taking on the No. 2 ranked Ohio State Buckeyes in a highly anticipated Big Ten matchup. This game has major implications for the Big Ten championship and the College Football Playoff. Leading up to the contest, the Hoosiers have received some flack despite having major success with first-year head coach Curt Cignetti leading the way. Although Indiana holds a 10-0 record for the first time in program history, the team has been criticized for its lack of schedule difficulty. Saturday's contest against the Buckeyes is easily the biggest game on Indiana's schedule this season. Indiana has no wins against teams ranked in the Top 10 this season, as they haven't played any teams ranked that high whatsoever. With the game officially underway, many took notice of a mishap that took place during the coin toss before kickoff. The lead official for the Indiana-Ohio State game accidentally called the Hoosiers "Illinois" when identifying the two teams on the mic, according to Pat Forde of Sports Illustrated. Well, we have our first Hoosier Disrespect of the day. Head referee brings teams together for coin toss and identifies them as Ohio State and Illinois. Between the schedule scrutiny and the coin toss mishap, sports fans couldn't help but react to the disrespect Cignetti and the Hoosiers are receiving late in the season. They hopped on social media to share their takes on the coin toss blunder on Saturday. "Lord, what a way to start," said one fan . Another fan claimed , "That's intentional." "Indiana: Nobody respects us. Ref: Sure we do, welcome Illinois," joked one individual . An Illinois fan stated , "We're sending 2007 Illini vibes to the Hoosiers today." "Indiana is the Rodney Dangerfield of college football. No respect!!" Admitted another user . © Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Indiana didn't let the coin toss fiasco bother them though, as they jumped to a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. The Hoosiers defense stepped up on the first drive of the game forcing Ohio State to punt. Cignetti's team then drove the field and scored the first touchdown of the game from running back Ty Son Lawton. Before kickoff, Jess Sims of ESPN asked Cignetti about the criticism surrounding his program due to the schedule. The 63-year-old head coach delivered a fiery response, stating, "There's a narrative out there, that's created another chip for us, people can stick that narrative up their you know what." A win over Ohio State would give Indiana an 11-0 record on the season, which would be the best single season record in program history. The final game on the schedule is against the Purdue Boilermakers. If they win out, the Hoosiers would be in line to take on the Oregon Ducks in the Big Ten Championship Game. Related: Pat McAfee Got Booed by Ohio State Fans Over Indiana HypotheticalKey B2B2C Insurance Market Trend 2024-2033: Cloud-Based Platforms For Enhanced Efficiency

DeepSeek unveils one of the first AI models to rival OpenAI’s o1Israel is carrying out its most intense wave of strikes on Lebanon's capital Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the 13-month war with Hezbollah, apparently signaling it aims to pummel the country in the final hours before any ceasefire takes hold. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a speech Tuesday evening saying he would ask his ministers to adopt a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah. Less than an hour later, Israeli jets targeted a building in a bustling commercial area of Beirut and Israel's military issued new evacuation warnings, sending residents fleeing into the streets. Hezbollah also fired rockets into Israel, triggering air raid sirens across the country’s north. The ceasefire deal seeks to push Hezbollah and Israeli troops out of southern Lebanon. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Hezbollah began attacking Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, a day after Hamas’ attack on southern Israel, in support of the Palestinian militant group. That has set off more than a year of fighting escalated into all-out war in September with massive Israeli airstrikes across Lebanon and an Israeli ground invasion of the country’s south. It’s not clear how the ceasefire will affect the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, where more than 44,000 people have been killed and more than 104,000 wounded in the 13-month war between Israel and Hamas, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. ——— Here's the Latest: WASHINGTON — Rep. Mike Waltz, President-elect Donald Trump’s designate to be national security adviser, credited Trump’s victory with helping bring the parties together toward a ceasefire in Lebanon. “Everyone is coming to the table because of President Trump,” he said in a post on X on Tuesday. “His resounding victory sent a clear message to the rest of the world that chaos won’t be tolerated. I’m glad to see concrete steps towards deescalation in the Middle East.” He added: “But let’s be clear: The Iran Regime is the root cause of the chaos & terror that has been unleashed across the region. We will not tolerate the status quo of their support for terrorism.” BEIRUT — Israeli jets targeted a building in a bustling commercial area of Beirut for the first time since the start of the 13-month war between Hezbollah and Israel. The strike on Hamra is around 400 meters (yards) from the country’s central bank. A separate strike hit the Mar Elias neighborhood in the country’s capital Tuesday. There was no immediate word on casualties from either strike, part of the biggest wave of attacks on the capital since the war started. Residents in central Beirut were seen fleeing after the Israeli army issued evacuation warnings for four targets in the city. Meanwhile, the Israeli army carried out airstrikes on at least 30 targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs Tuesday, including two strikes in the Jnah neighborhood near the Kuwaiti Embassy. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that 13 people were injured in the strikes on the southern suburbs. BEIRUT — Hezbollah has said it accepts the ceasefire proposal with Israel, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state.” of Lebanon, he said. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Among the issues that may remain is an Israeli demand to reserve the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations under the emerging deal. The deal seeks to push Hezbollah and Israeli troops out of southern Lebanon. JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he would recommend his Cabinet adopt a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, as Israeli warplanes struck across Lebanon, killing at least 23 people. The Israeli military also issued a flurry of evacuation warnings — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah down to the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. For the first time in the conflict, Israeli ground troops reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River, a focal point of the emerging deal. In a televised statement, Netanyahu said he would present the ceasefire to Cabinet ministers later on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting. Netanyahu said the vote was expected later Tuesday. It was not immediately clear when the ceasefire would go into effect, and the exact terms of the deal were not released. The deal does not affect Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, which shows no signs of ending. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s state media said Israeli strikes on Tuesday killed at least 10 people in Baalbek province the country’s east. At least three people were killed in the southern city of Tyre when Israel bombed a Palestinian refugee camp, said Mohammed Bikai, a representative of the Fatah group in the area. He said several more people were missing and at least three children were among the wounded. He said the sites struck inside the camp were “completely civilian places” and included a kitchen that was being used to cook food for displaced people. JERUSALEM — Dozens of Israeli protesters took to a major highway in Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening to call for the return of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, as the country awaited news of a potential ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Protesters chanted “We are all hostages,” and “Deal now!” waving signs with faces of some of the roughly 100 hostages believed to be still held in Gaza, at least a third of whom are thought to be dead. Most of the other hostages Hamas captured in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack were released during a ceasefire last year. The prospect of a ceasefire deal in Lebanon has raised desperation among the relatives of captives still held in Gaza, who once hoped that the release of hostages from Gaza would be included. Instead of a comprehensive deal, the ceasefire on the table is instead narrowly confined to Lebanon. Dozens of Israelis were also demonstrating against the expected cease-fire, gathering outside Israel’s military headquarters in central Tel Aviv. One of the protesters, Yair Ansbacher, says the deal is merely a return to the failed 2006 U.N. resolution that was meant to uproot Hezbollah from the area. “Of course that didn’t happen,” he says. “This agreement is not worth the paper it is written on.” FIUGGI, Italy — Foreign ministers from the world’s industrialized countries said Tuesday they strongly supported an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and insisted that Israel comply with international law in its ongoing military operations in the region. At the end of their two-day summit, the ministers didn’t refer directly to the International Criminal Court and its recent arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister over crimes against humanity . Italy had put the ICC warrants on the official meeting agenda, even though the G7 was split on the issue. The U.S., Israel’s closest ally, isn’t a signatory to the court and has called the warrants “outrageous.” However, the EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell said all the other G7 countries were signatories and therefore obliged to respect the warrants. In the end, the final statement adopted by the ministers said Israel, in exercising its right to defend itself, “must fully comply with its obligations under international law in all circumstances, including international humanitarian law.” And it said all G7 members — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States – “reiterate our commitment to international humanitarian law and will comply with our respective obligations.” It stressed that “there can be no equivalence between the terrorist group Hamas and the State of Israel.” The ICC warrants say there's reason to believe Netanyahu used “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and intentionally targeted civilians in Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza — charges Israeli officials deny. BEIRUT — An Israeli strike on Tuesday levelled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded in Beirut, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. It was not immediately clear if anyone in particular was targeted, though Israel says its airstrikes target Hezbollah officials and assets. The Israeli military spokesman issued a flurry of evacuation warnings for many areas, including areas in Beirut that have not been targeted throughout the war, like the capital’s commercial Hamra district, where many people displaced by the war have been staying. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks in Lebanon during the final hours before a ceasefire is reached, sparked panic and sent residents fleeing in their cars to safer areas. In areas close to Hamra, families including women and children were seen running away toward the Mediterranean Sea’s beaches carrying their belongings. Traffic was completely gridlocked as people tried to get away, honking their car horns as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. The Israeli military also issued warnings for 20 more buildings in Beirut’s suburbs to evacuate before they too were struck — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah in the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. TEL AVIV, Israel — The independent civilian commission of inquiry into the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel has found Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly responsible for the failures leading up to the attack, alongside former defense ministers, the army chief and the heads of the security services. The civil commission presented its findings today after a four-month probe in which it heard some 120 witnesses. It was set up by relatives of victims of the Hamas attack, in response to the absence of any state probe. The commission determined that the Israeli government, its army and security services “failed in their primary mission of protecting the citizens of Israel.” It said Netanyahu was responsible for ignoring “repeated warnings” ahead of Oct. 7, 2023 for what it described as his appeasing approach over the years toward Hamas, and for “undermining all decision-making centers, including the cabinet and the National Security Council, in a way that prevented any serious discussion” on security issues. The commission further determined that the military and defense leaders bear blame for ignoring warnings from within the army, and for reducing the army’s presence along the Gaza border while relying excessively on technological means. On the day of the Hamas attack, the report says, the army’s response was both slow and lacking. The civil commission called for the immediate establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the Oct. 7 attack. Netanyahu has opposed launching a state commission of inquiry, arguing that such an investigation should begin only once the war is over. JERUSALEM -- The Israeli military says its ground troops have reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River — a focal point of the emerging ceasefire. In a statement Tuesday, the army said it had reached the Wadi Slouqi area in southern Lebanon and clashed with Hezbollah forces. Under a proposed ceasefire, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is some 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the Israeli border. The military says the clashes with Hezbollah took place on the eastern end of the Litani, just a few kilometers (miles) from the border. It is one of the deepest places Israeli forces have reached in a nearly two-month ground operation. The military says soldiers destroyed rocket launchers and missiles and engaged in “close-quarters combat” with Hezbollah forces. The announcement came hours before Israel’s security Cabinet is expected to approve a ceasefire that would end nearly 14 months of fighting. BEIRUT — Israeli jets Tuesday struck at least six buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs Tuesday, including one that slammed near the country’s only airport. Large plumes of smoke could be seen around the airport near the Mediterranean coast, which has continued to function despite its location beside the densely populated suburbs where many of Hezbollah’s operations are based. The strikes come hours before Israel’s cabinet was scheduled to meet to discuss a proposal to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. The proposal calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. There were no immediate reports of casualties from Tuesday’s airstrikes. FIUGGI, Italy — EU top diplomat Josep Borrell, whose term ends Dec. 1, said he proposed to the G7 and Arab ministers who joined in talks on Monday that the U.N. Security Council take up a resolution specifically demanding humanitarian assistance reach Palestinians in Gaza, saying deliveries have been completely impeded. “The two-state solution will come later. Everything will come later. But we are talking about weeks or days,” for desperate Palestinians, he said. “Hunger has been used as an arm against people who are completely abandoned.” It was a reference to the main accusation levelled by the International Criminal Court in its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Borrell said the signatories to the court, including six of the seven G7 members, are obliged under international law to respect and implement the court’s decisions. Host Italy put the ICC warrants on the G7 agenda at the last minute, but there was no consensus on the wording of how the G7 would respond given the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Italy, too, has said it respects the court but expressed concern that the warrants were politically motivated and ill-advised given Netanyahu is necessary for any deal to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. “Like it or not, the International Criminal Court is a court as powerful as any national court,” Borrell said. “And if the Europeans don’t support International Criminal Court then there would not be any hope for justice,” he said. Borrell, whose term ends Dec. 1, said he proposed to the G7 and Arab ministers who joined in talks on Monday that the U.N. Security Council take up a resolution specifically demanding humanitarian assistance reach Palestinians in Gaza, saying deliveries have been completely impeded. “The two-state solution will come later. Everything will come later. But we are talking about weeks or days,” for desperate Palestinians, he said. “Hunger has been used as an arm against people who are completely abandoned.” It was a reference to the main accusation levelled by the International Criminal Court in its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Borrell said the signatories to the court, including six of the seven G7 members, are obliged under international law to respect and implement the court’s decisions. Host Italy put the ICC warrants on the G7 agenda at the last minute, but there was no consensus on the wording of how the G7 would respond given the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Italy, too, has said it respects the court but expressed concern that the warrants were politically motivated and ill-advised given Netanyahu is necessary for any deal to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. “Like it or not, the International Criminal Court is a court as powerful as any national court,” Borrell said. “And if the Europeans don’t support International Criminal Court then there would not be any hope for justice,” he said. (edited)

NoneAustralia's inflation battle risks further rate rises

With so much of our lives spent in bed, we all must get a restful night’s sleep so we’re ready to start the day energized. While our bodies naturally cool down as we wind down, some sleep much colder than others. The right mattress can help cold sleepers stay warm and cozy throughout the night. Most mattresses target your sleep position and not your temperature, which makes shopping around tricky. This guide can help you understand what makes the right mattress for cold sleepers and everything you need to know to sleep well. Our top pick, the DreamCloud Premier Rest 16-inch Mattress , is designed to regulate temperature for a comfortable sleep. Cold sleepers should look to any mattress containing foam or latex, as these two materials trap heat more than other options, particularly breathable innerspring mattresses. While trapping in heat is a turnoff for some sleepers, those who are cold embrace the warmth kept within. Hybrid mattresses are increasingly popular. They feature a combination of foam or latex and innerspring layers to provide a balance of comfort and support. The foam or latex layers are typically the uppermost layers and help regulate temperature. How soft or firm the right mattress is for you is influenced mainly by your sleep position and size. Those who sleep on their stomach should avoid a soft mattress so that they don’t sink into the bed and strain their spine, but they should also avoid an extra-firm mattress that doesn’t support their hips and shoulders. Side sleepers should be cradled by a softer mattress with a bit of resistance for their shoulders and head. Back sleepers find firmer options most comfortable. Heavier individuals should avoid softer mattresses as they can sink in and not receive the proper support. Conversely, slighter persons may enjoy less firm mattresses since they can cradle them. For some people, gel foam is a much-desired feature; however, cold sleepers should avoid foam or hybrid mattresses incorporating gel foam. This is because the gel helps offset the heat trappings of foam by adding cooling technology, making the mattress a good choice for those who sleep warm, not cold. Most mattresses that include foam or latex are adept at lessening motion transfer, meaning that one person’s rustling or movement won’t disturb the other person in bed. What’s more, foam and latex options tend to be quiet. Foam, latex, and hybrid mattresses are pricier, especially those with multiple layers. Cold sleepers can expect to pay between $600 and $1,200 for a queen-size mattress. A. Investing in a mattress protector is wise, especially for a densely made mattress that traps heat. A mattress protector prevents dust, mites, and, in some cases, liquids from penetrating the mattress, which can cause an odor and lead to slow deterioration. Rotate your mattress every few months so it’s used evenly, especially if you have foam layers that may conform to your body. A. Size and thickness don’t necessarily influence a mattress’s heat retention. Mattresses for cold sleepers come in all standard sizes. That choice should be made based on your size, available space and whether you sleep with a partner. Thickness ranges from around 6 to 14 inches. DreamCloud Premier Rest 16-inch Mattress – Luxury Hybrid Memory Foam What you need to know: This high-quality, thick hybrid mattress has foam layers on top for a warm, cozy night’s sleep. What you’ll love: The innerspring base supports all sleep positions while foam layers hold in warmth. There’s no motion transfer or noise when moving. What you should consider: It may be too firm for petite individuals. ZINUS 12 Inch Green Tea Cooling Gel Memory Foam Mattress What you need to know: This mattress offers both comfort and support at a reasonable price. What you’ll love: It includes layers of low-toxin foam that help maintain the temperature as you sleep. It’s also infused with green tea extract, which helps to fight against unwelcome odors. What you should consider: While it does say it includes cooling gel, it’s still too hot for some people. GhostBed 3D Matrix Mattress What you need to know: This adaptable mattress adjusts to your shape and temperature to create the most comfortable sleeping experience. What you’ll love: It’s a hybrid mattress that cradles the body while still supporting the shoulders and hips and lacks motion transfer. The top layers provide warmth and comfort. What you should consider: It may be too soft for heavier individuals. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.The former Manchester Labour MP Andrew Bennett, who has died aged 85, devoted most of his adult life to public service, as a school teacher and a councillor, before then spending 31 years in the House of Commons. He always put the pursuit of the political results he sought before any sort of personal recognition. A man of high principle, he believed in civil liberties, human rights and equal opportunities, and attempted to translate those beliefs in a way that improved other people’s lives. He cared about the day-to-day issues of his constituents and would draw attention to the importance of allotments and parks and cemeteries in consideration of urban planning. He is also due some credit for Manchester’s orbital M60 motorway, created by joining existing motorways to form a city circuit, which he opened when the final section was completed in 2000. A Westminster colleague commented on a parliamentary website that his life was “a tribute to the idea that you could achieve much if you don’t want the credit”. He was a quiet but persistent politician and personally consistent in standing up for his own strongly held convictions. Besides politics his great passion was hill-walking. When walking alone he would practise the perfect speech (which he admitted he never delivered) and he once made an actual speech, shouting into the storm, from a windy hilltop in the Peak District named Ward’s Piece, when marking the centenary of the eponymous pioneer politician GHB “Bert” Ward (1876-1957), a member of the Labour Representation Committee who campaigned for walkers’ rights. Bennett campaigned for the right to roam legislation, and was elected president of the Ramblers’ Association in 1988 and made an honorary life member in 1989. When Labour conferences were held in Blackpool he would encourage colleagues to escape the jamboree for a ramble. He was on the left wing of the Labour party, for which he first campaigned in 1945 with his parents and younger sister, Bronwen, and it was probably his destiny, rather than misfortune, not to become a minister. He was an education spokesman under the leadership of Neil Kinnock for five years from 1983, but left the frontbench after the party renounced unilateral disarmament. For the greater part of his political career Labour was in opposition at Westminster and by the time Tony Blair was elected in 1997 it was evident that Bennett was too much his own man to toe any government line. Besides politics his great passion was hill-walking. When alone he would practise the perfect speech (which he admitted he never delivered) By then he had perfected his skills as a parliamentary tactician. He had put in time on seemingly dull bodies – as a member of the liaison committee and then chair of the statutory instruments select committee – and understood Commons procedure sufficiently to be able to use it for political advantage. His political passions were education and the environment, and having chaired the environment select committee from 1994, when Labour took office three years later he assumed the powerful post of jointly chairing the massive select committee on environment, transport, local government and the regions. His expertise was such that he was able to use critical select committee reports as an effective means of pursuing policy issues in the respective government departments. He was an assiduous parliamentarian who worked hard and was never a familiar in the Strangers’ Bar. He spoke often in the chamber, and never hesitated to rebel against the party line if it conflicted with his personal views. The subjects on which he voted against the Blair government included the Iraq war, the privatisation of National Air Traffic Services, the establishment of foundation hospitals and the introduction of student tuition fees. He had joined the leftwing Tribune group when first elected for Stockport North in February 1974, defeating the sitting Tory MP by 203 votes. In his maiden speech the following month, he briskly set out his expectations for the newly elected Labour government. As a Labour councillor on Oldham borough council for the previous decade, he was only too familiar with local housing problems and rehearsed the need for an urgent improvement in the quantity and quality of the nation’s housing stock, much as his successors are articulating in the current Commons. In 1998, in another policy area where he correctly anticipated a significant problem, he drew attention to the failure of Ofwat, the water industry regulator, adequately to oblige the water companies to repair and invest in the infrastructure. After boundary changes in 1983, Bennett became MP for Denton and Reddish, a new constituency containing some parts of his former seat. He stood down as an MP in 2005 and was succeeded by his former constituency aide, Andrew Gwynne, now MP for Gorton and Denton. Born in Barton upon Irwell, a suburb of Salford, he was the son of William Bennett, a local government officer, and Elma (nee Francis), a schoolteacher. He was educated at Kings Road primary school, Stretford, and William Hulme’s grammar school, Whalley Range. Having graduated in economics, politics and sociology at Birmingham University, he became a teacher in 1961 at Mooreclose, Middleton, in Manchester, and in 1969 head of geography at Roch Valley comprehensive school, Rochdale, until his election to parliament. He married Gillian Lawley, a folklorist whom he had first met aged 16, in 1961. Gillian died in 2023 and he is survived by their children, Kate, Matthew and Lee, by seven grandchildren and by Bronwen. • Andrew Francis Bennett, politician and teacher, born 9 March 1939; died 15 December 2024KELOWNA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 18, 2024 / Diamcor Mining Inc. (TSXV:DMI)(OTCQB:DMIFF)(FRA:DC3A), ("Diamcor" or the "Company"), a well-established Canadian diamond mining company with a proven history in the mining, exploration, and sale of rough diamonds announces that the Company and Tiffany & Co. Canada ("Tiffany" or "The Lender") have entered into an agreement (the "Agreement") to amend the total balance of the outstanding loans between the companies. Under the terms of the Agreement, Diamcor will pay Tiffany CAD $2,000,000 (the "Initial Payment") 90 days from signing of the Agreement, followed by a second and final payment of CAD $1,505,256 on the one-year anniversary of the Initial Payment to retire all remaining principal and accrued interest associated with the outstanding loans. As a result of this agreement, the total current carrying balance currently recorded in the Company's financials for these loans of CAD $6,753,045 will be adjusted to reflect a new amount of CAD $3,505,256 as outstanding for these loans. About Diamcor Mining Inc. Diamcor Mining Inc. is a fully reporting publicly traded Canadian diamond mining company with a well-established proven history in the mining, exploration, and sale of rough diamonds. The Company's primary focus is on the mining and development of its Krone-Endora at Venetia Project which is co-located and directly adjacent to De Beers' Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa. The Venetia diamond mine is recognized as one of the world's top diamond-producing mines, and the deposits which occur on Krone-Endora have been identified as being the result of shift and subsequent erosion of an estimated 50M tonnes of material from the higher grounds of Venetia to the lower surrounding areas in the direction of Krone and Endora. Diamcor also focuses on the acquisition and development of mid-tier projects with near-term production capabilities and growth potential and uses unique approaches to mining that involves the use of advanced technology and techniques to extract diamonds in a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner. The Company has a strong commitment to social responsibility, including the support of local people, communities, and the environment. About the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project Diamcor acquired the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project from De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited, consisting of the prospecting rights over the farms Krone 104 and Endora 66, which represent a combined surface area of approximately 5,888 hectares directly adjacent to De Beers' flagship Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa. The Company subsequently announced that the South African Department of Mineral Resources had granted a Mining Right for the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project encompassing 657.71 hectares of the Project's total area of 5,888 hectares. The Company has also submitted an application for a mining right over the remaining areas of the Project. The deposits which occur on the properties of Krone and Endora have been identified as a higher-grade "Alluvial" basal deposit which is covered by a lower-grade upper "Eluvial" deposit. These deposits are proposed to be the result of the direct-shift (in respect to the "Eluvial" deposit) and erosion (in respect to the "Alluvial" deposit) of an estimated 1,000 vertical meters of material from the higher grounds of the adjacent Venetia Kimberlite areas. The deposits on Krone-Endora occur with a maximum total depth of approximately 15.0 metres from surface to bedrock, allowing for a very low-cost mining operation to be employed with the potential for near-term diamond production from a known high-quality source. Krone-Endora also benefits from the significant development of infrastructure and services already in place due to its location directly adjacent to the Venetia Mine, which is widely recognised as the largest diamond mine in South Africa, and one of the most prolific diamond mines in the world. Qualified Person Statement: Mr. James P. Hawkins (B.Sc., P.Geo.), is Manager of Exploration & Special Projects for Diamcor Mining Inc., and the Qualified Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 responsible for overseeing the execution of Diamcor's exploration programmes and a Member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta ("APEGA"). Mr. Hawkins has reviewed this press release and approved of its contents. On behalf of the Board of Directors: Mr. Dean H. Taylor President & CEO Diamcor Mining Inc. www.diamcormining.com For further information contact: Mr. Dean H. Taylor Diamcor Mining Inc DeanT@Diamcor.com +1 250 862-3212 This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. While these forward-looking statements represent our best current judgement, they are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict and which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Further, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. WE SEEK SAFE HARBOUR Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Diamcor Mining Inc. View the original on accesswire.com

Anthony Albanese pressing hard for a majority at the next electionChirco: Lions’ offense is gift that keeps on giving

NoneB.C. health executive fired for refusing COVID-19 vaccine loses EI appealOn Monday’s broadcast of MSNBC’s “Way Too Early,” Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) stated that Elon Musk doesn’t understand how the American government works and “was born into a different kind of governing system called apartheid in South Africa,” and so “having this unelected individual who’s never, ever been involved in government except to get money from it in the form of loans and all is very dangerous.” And having Musk dictating the legislative agenda to congressional Republicans is “very dangerous for this country.” Watson Coleman said, “I think that what it portends for us, however, having this unelected individual who’s never, ever been involved in government except to get money from it in the form of loans and all is very dangerous.” She continued, “I think that if we’re going to have a situation where, before Republicans can bring something to the floor or seriously consider something, they’ve got to get permission from Elon [Musk], who’s unelected and doesn’t have a clue about how government works, and, oh, by the way, grew up — was born into a different kind of governing system called apartheid in South Africa, it’s very dangerous for this country.” Follow Ian Hanchett on Twitter @IanHanchett