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Robbie Williams 'can't prepare' for heartbreaking moment in mum's dementia fightNew Google app feature injects search links into third-party websites
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes drifted lower Tuesday in the runup to the highlight of the week for the market, the latest update on inflation that’s coming on Wednesday. The S&P 500 dipped 0.3%, a day after pulling back from its latest all-time high . They’re the first back-to-back losses for the index in nearly a month, as momentum slows following a big rally that has it on track for one of its best years of the millennium . The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 154 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.3%. Tech titan Oracle dragged on the market and sank 6.7% after reporting growth for the latest quarter that fell just short of analysts’ expectations. It was one of the heaviest weights on the S&P 500, even though CEO Safra Catz said the company saw record demand related to artificial-intelligence technology for its cloud infrastructure business, which trains generative AI models. AI has been a big source of growth that’s helped many companies’ stock prices skyrocket. Oracle’s stock had already leaped more than 80% for the year coming into Tuesday, which raised the bar of expectations for its profit report. In the bond market, Treasury yields ticked higher ahead of Wednesday’s report on the inflation that U.S. consumers are feeling. Economists expect it to show similar increases as the month before. Wednesday’s update and a report on Thursday about inflation at the wholesale level will be the final big pieces of data the Federal Reserve will get before its meeting next week, where many investors expect the year’s third cut to interest rates . The Fed has been easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high since September to take pressure off the slowing jobs market, after bringing inflation nearly down to its 2% target. Lower rates would help give support to the economy, but they could also provide more fuel for inflation. Expectations for a series of cuts through next year have been a big reason the S&P 500 has set so many records this year. Trading in the options market suggests traders aren’t expecting a very big move for U.S. stocks following Wednesday’s report, according to strategists at Barclays. But a reading far off expectations in either direction could quickly change that. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.22% from 4.20% late Monday. Even though the Fed has been cutting its main interest rate, mortgage rates have been more stubborn to stay high and have been volatile since the autumn. That has hampered the housing industry, and homebuilder Toll Brothers’ stock fell 6.9% even though it delivered profit and revenue for the latest quarter that topped analysts’ expectations. CEO Douglas Yearley Jr. said the luxury builder has been seeing strong demand since the start of its fiscal year six weeks ago, an encouraging signal as it approaches the beginning of the spring selling season in mid-January. Elsewhere on Wall Street, Alaska Air Group soared 13.2% after raising its forecast for profit in the current quarter. The airline said demand for flying around the holidays has been stronger than expected. It also approved a plan to buy back up to $1 billion of its stock, along with new service from Seattle to Tokyo and Seoul . Boeing climbed 4.5% after saying it’s resuming production of its bestselling plane , the 737 Max, for the first time since 33,000 workers began a seven-week strike that ended in early November. Vail Resorts rose 2.5% after the ski resort operator reported a smaller first-quarter loss than analysts expected in what is traditionally its worst quarter. All told, the S&P 500 fell 17.94 points to 6,034.91. The Dow dipped 154.10 to 44,247.83, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 49.45 to 19,687.24. In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed in China after the world’s second-largest economy said its exports rose by less than expected in November. Stocks rose 0.6% in Shanghai but fell 0.5% in Hong Kong. Indexes fell across much of Europe ahead of a meeting this week by the European Central Bank, where the widespread expectation is for another cut in interest rates. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.Panthers vs. Buccaneers Predictions & Picks: Odds, Moneyline, Spread – Week 13
The 59-year-old Malzahn is leaving UCF after four season where he led the program to a 28-24 record but back-to-back losing seasons.
Share Tweet Share Share Email Reward jobs are roles that focus on providing fair and meaningful rewards to employees. These rewards can include things like salary, bonuses, benefits, and other perks that help keep workers motivated and satisfied. In any company, reward jobs play a key role in ensuring that employees feel appreciated for their hard work. For example, a reward manager might be responsible for creating programs that recognize and reward employee achievements. Without these roles, businesses would struggle to keep their workers happy and engaged. Reward jobs are important because they help create a positive working environment where people feel valued. Additionally, these roles also focus on helping companies remain competitive in the job market by offering attractive compensation packages. Therefore, reward jobs are essential for both employee satisfaction and company success. So, if you enjoy helping others and want to be part of a team that values hard work, reward jobs could be a great fit for you. Types of Reward Jobs Reward jobs come in many types, and each one is important in its own way. Two common roles are reward manager jobs and reward analyst jobs . A reward manager focuses on creating and overseeing reward programs, which include things like setting salary scales, choosing benefits packages, and ensuring that employees are happy with their compensation. They work closely with company leaders to make sure the rewards are fair and competitive. On the other hand, a reward analyst looks at data to understand how compensation packages are working. They analyze salaries, bonuses, and benefits to make sure they are reasonable and in line with industry standards. Both of these jobs require strong skills in math, data analysis, and communication. These roles are often found in large companies or businesses that care deeply about their employees’ well-being. So, whether you enjoy working with data or creating employee programs, there is a reward job that suits your skills and interests. What is Included in Compensation and Benefits Jobs? Compensation and benefits jobs focus on managing and improving the rewards employees receive for their work. This includes a variety of tasks such as setting salaries, managing health insurance, retirement plans, and other employee benefits. People in these jobs help ensure that companies offer fair compensation packages that keep employees happy and motivated. Compensation managers or analysts might look at pay scales across industries to make sure their company is offering competitive salaries. Benefits coordinators are responsible for choosing the right health and wellness programs, as well as managing retirement plans like pensions or 401(k)s. In these roles, it’s important to stay up-to-date with labor laws and best practices to ensure that the company is offering the best possible benefits to its employees. Working in compensation and benefits is a great way to help others while making sure your company stays competitive and compliant with the law. These jobs are essential for businesses that want to attract and retain talented workers. Where to Post Reward Job Vacancies Finding the right place to post reward job vacancies is important for attracting the best candidates. There are many different websites and platforms where companies can share job openings, but it’s crucial to choose the right ones to reach the right people. Popular job boards like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor are great places to start. These websites allow employers to post job listings and reach a large number of potential candidates. However, for roles that focus on compensation and benefits, posting on more specialized job boards, such as those focused on human resources or management, can help target the right talent. In addition, social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook can also be useful for reaching people who might not be actively searching for a job but could be interested in the position. Posting job vacancies in the right places increases the chances of finding candidates who are a good fit for the role, saving time and effort for the employer. Skills Needed for Reward Jobs To succeed in reward jobs , it’s important to have certain skills. For instance, reward manager jobs and reward analyst jobs require strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail. These jobs often involve working with numbers, so it’s helpful to have basic math skills. Understanding how to analyze data is also crucial. For example, a reward analyst might look at employee salary trends to make sure the company’s pay structure is competitive. Communication skills are equally important, as people in these roles need to explain complex information to others. Additionally, being able to manage multiple tasks at once is valuable because reward managers and analysts often handle many different programs and responsibilities. People in these jobs must also have knowledge of laws and regulations related to employee pay and benefits. Overall, if you enjoy working with numbers, solving problems, and helping others, reward jobs might be a perfect fit for you. How to Attract Candidates for Reward Jobs Attracting candidates to reward jobs involves creating job listings that stand out and appeal to the right people. One of the best ways to do this is by writing clear and detailed job descriptions that explain the role’s responsibilities and the benefits of the job. For example, potential candidates might be attracted to the opportunity for career growth, a supportive work environment, or a competitive salary. Highlighting these things in the job posting can make a big difference. Additionally, it’s helpful to emphasize the skills and qualifications needed for the job. By making the job description clear and easy to understand, you can attract applicants who are well-suited for the position. Employer branding is another key factor in attracting talent. Companies that are known for treating employees well and offering great rewards and benefits will naturally draw candidates to apply. Therefore, using the right words and showcasing the company’s strengths is essential when posting reward jobs. Future of Reward Jobs The future of reward jobs looks promising as companies continue to understand the importance of rewarding their employees. As businesses grow, the need for professionals who manage compensation and benefits will likely increase. In fact, many companies are starting to offer more flexible rewards, such as remote work options or personalized benefits packages, in response to changing employee needs. Additionally, technology is having a big impact on reward jobs. For example, tools that analyze employee compensation data are becoming more advanced, allowing reward professionals to make better decisions. As these technologies evolve, it will be easier for reward managers and analysts to manage complex compensation structures. The demand for these roles is expected to grow because businesses want to ensure they attract and retain the best talent. Therefore, those interested in a career in reward jobs can look forward to more opportunities in the coming years. Final Words In conclusion, reward jobs are crucial for creating happy and motivated employees. Whether you are looking for a reward manager job or a reward analyst job , these roles offer exciting opportunities to help shape the way employees are rewarded for their work. If you are interested in compensation and benefits jobs , there are many paths to explore, from analyzing pay data to managing health benefits. Posting job vacancies in the right places and attracting the right candidates is key to filling these important positions. The skills needed for these jobs are varied, but they all require a strong ability to analyze data, communicate effectively, and think critically. Looking ahead, reward jobs will continue to grow and evolve, offering many exciting career opportunities for those who want to make a difference in the workplace. If you are passionate about helping others and ensuring fair rewards, a career in reward jobs might be perfect for you. Related Items: How to Find Reward Jobs , Post Reward Job Vacancies Share Tweet Share Share Email CommentsWest Virginia's women's basketball team provided a bit of salve to the wounds suffered by Mountaineer football fans on Saturday with a 82-47 rout of Boise State in the semifinals of the Gulf Coast Showcase. Sydney Shaw tied her career high with 20 points and JJ Quinerly topped the 1,500 career points mark in the win, which WVU took control of early. Quinerly finished with 14 points and Jordan Thomas had 10 as WVU ran out to a 22-6 lead after one quarter and a 45-23 bulge at the break. As per their profile, the Mountaineers forced 23 Boise turnovers, scoring 27 points off those miscues. "We have the ability to turn people over and speed them up, and we were able to rush them and get them out of their rhythm shooting threes," Mountaineer head coach Mark Kellogg said. Boise did make seven 3-pointers, but it took 26 tries to do so, while WVU nearly matched that total with six. The Mountaineers also ran off a 14-2 advantage in fast break points. as they were never seriously challenged in the game. Boise State fell to 7-1 with the defeat. Quinerly moved into 14th place on WVU's all-time scoring list, and now has 1,502 career points. She is just two behind Jenny Hillen and 32 in arrears of Oliva Bradley, who stand 13th and 12th, respectively. WVU now awaits the winner of the Texas - Butler semifinal, which is being played this evening, for the title of the Showcase. Tip time for that contest in the Hertz Center in Estero, Florida, is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 1.
Lebanon is closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for a main one that links Beirut with the Syrian capital Damascus, the General Security Directorate said Friday. The decision came hours after an Israeli airstrike damaged a border crossing in northern Lebanon just days after it was reopened. Separately, Jordan’s interior minister said the Naseeb border crossing with Syria had been closed because of the security situation on the Syrian side. He spoke after Syrian opposition activists said insurgents had captured the main border crossing with Jordan, forcing the Syrian authorities to leave. Israel’s military said it planned to reinforce its positions in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights and near the border with Syria. Israel said it was “monitoring developments and is prepared for all scenarios, offensive and defensive alike.” Meanwhile, Syrian insurgents entered the central towns of Rastan and Talbiseh early Friday just north of the central city of Homs, bringing them closer Syria’s third largest city, an opposition war monitor and pro-government media both reported. The breakthrough came a day after jihiadi-led opposition fighters captured the central city of Hama , Syria’s fourth largest. In other developments, a Hamas official said international mediators have resumed negotiations with the Palestinian militant group and Israel over a ceasefire in Gaza, and he was hopeful a deal to end the 14-month war is within reach. Israel's war against Hamas has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and displaced 90% of the population of 2.3 million, often multiple times. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel in October 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking around 250 people hostage . Israel’s blistering retaliatory offensive has killed at least 44,600 Palestinians , more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were combatants. Israel says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. Here's the Latest: DEIR AL-Balah, Gaza Strip — An Israeli strike hit a residential building in central Gaza's Nuseirat refugee camp on Friday evening, killing at least 12 people, including six children and four women, according to officials at Awda Hospital. The strike wounded at least 46 others, including 13 children and 12 women, and damaged several neighboring houses, the hospital said. Israel’s offensive has killed over 44,600 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. CAIRO — Israel said Friday that “thousands of food packages and sacks of flour” were delivered to the isolated northernmost reaches of Gaza, where hunger experts warn famine could be underway. The delivery would mark one of the first successful convoys to the area, which is besieged by Israeli troops that have mounted a fierce offensive in Gaza’s north since early October. COGAT, the Israeli military agency that controls the border crossings into Gaza, said the aid was delivered to the town of Beit Hanoun. Israeli authorities did not publicly say who delivered the aid, and did not provide details on the exact amount of aid involved. COGAT released photos of flatbed trucks driving past rubble, some carrying what appeared to be 25-kilogram (55 pound) sacks of aid and others with cargo covered under tarps. The U.N. has struggled to deliver aid to the area in recent weeks. Alia Zaki, a spokesperson for the World Food Program, told The Associated Press that nearly no food has entered the area for two months, and that the agency’s daily requests to enter the area have been denied by Israel. Of two missions that have been approved since Oct. 6, Zaki said, only two trucks of aid were delivered to a shelter that Israeli soldiers ordered to evacuate soon after and then burned. The situation in northern Gaza has prompted hunger experts to warn that famine is either near or may already be underway. BEIRUT — A Kurdish-led force in Syria that's backed by the United States says it has taken positions along the border with Iraq, replacing Syrian government forces. The move by the Syrian Democratic Forces to capture areas on the west bank of the Euphrates River is likely to cut the land line that links Iran with the Mediterranean coast. The SDF said in a statement that its fighters were deployed in the eastern city of Deir el-Zour and west of the Euphrates for the safety of civilians. “Our primary objective is to protect our security and the security of our people,” it said about the deployment. SDF spokesman Farhad Shami told The Associated Press that their fighters are not in control of the Boukamal border crossing with Iraq. Rami Abdurrahman of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, said Iran-backed fighters have evacuated the border crossing point of Boukamal and the SDF is expected to control it later. The Boukamal border crossing has been a main supply line for Iran-backed fighters, including Lebanon’s Hezbollah, who had opened the corridor that links Iran with the Mediterranean in 2017. The developments come as jihadi-led insurgents in northwestern Syria have made stunning advances over the past week that have so far met little resistance from government troops. KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — Crowds of displaced Palestinians, some carrying cooking pots and crying children, gathered at an aid kitchen in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis on Friday, but many left with nothing. “The food ran out,” said Adel Mohammad, who was hoping to get a meal of rice – the only food being served — for his children. “At night they wake up hungry.” After the kitchen shut down, children used their hands to scoop bits of rice left in large empty cooking pots. The World Food Program has warned that the humanitarian response in Gaza is “nearing collapse as famine looms.” The U.N. agency says Israeli restrictions on aid deliveries, along with the breakdown of law and order in Gaza, has made it difficult for aid convoys to reach displaced Palestinians. Concerns are growing with the onset of another winter of war. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, many displaced repeatedly by Israeli attacks, are living in tent camps, reliant on international aid. Experts have already warned of famine in northern Gaza, which Israeli forces have almost completely isolated since early October. BEIRUT -- Lebanon’s General Security Directorate said Friday the country is closing all land border crossing with Syria except for a main one that links Beirut with the Syrian capital Damascus. The decision by the security agency in charge of border crossings came hours after an Israeli airstrike damaged the Arida border crossing with Syria in north Lebanon, days after it was reopened. “Border crossings will be closed until further notice for the safety of travelers,” the agency said in a statement posted on X. It said that the only border crossing that will be kept open is Masnaa in Lebanon’s eastern Bekaa Valley. Lebanon’s state news agency said Friday the airstrike on the Arida crossing caused heavy material damage and cut the road. The Israeli military said fighter jets attacked the border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, adding that they were used to transfer munitions for Lebanon’s Hezbollah group. BEIRUT - Syrian opposition activists say insurgents have captured a main border crossing with Jordan forcing Syrian authorities to leave it. Shortly afterward, Jordan’s Interior Minister al-Frayeh said the Naseeb border crossing with Syria had been closed because of the security situation on the Syrian side. Opposition activists posted videos online showing people storming the border crossing with Jordan, which was in rebel hands until government forces regained control of it in 2018. Ahmad al-Masalmeh, an opposition activist based in France who covers events in southern Syria, told The Associated Press that local gunmen have captured the Naseeb crossing as well as several other areas in the southern province of Daraa where the uprising against President Bashar Assad began in March 2011. Syrian troops have evacuated checkpoints in several areas including the villages of Inkhil, Nawa and Jassem, he added. JERUSALEM — Israel’s military said on Friday that it planned to reinforce its forces stationed in the Golan Heights and near the border with Syria, where civil war has reignited between the government and rebel groups. The Israeli military said in a statement that it was “monitoring developments and is prepared for all scenarios, offensive and defensive alike.” After 13 years of civil war, Syrian insurgents are gaining ground, first taking cities in the country’s north and on Friday entering cities in central Syria. It comes as rebel groups mount new challenges to Russia- and Iran-backed Syrian forces, including in Aleppo, the country’s largest city. Since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel has intermittently struck areas in Syria seen as strongholds of Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group it is at war with in Lebanon. The advances of the Syrian insurgents adds new instability on Israel’s northern border, two months after it invaded neighboring Lebanon. Israel’s defense minister and military chief of staff met to discuss the situation Thursday. Israeli media reported there is concern in the country’s security establishment that the rebels would advance until they reached the Golan Heights, territory occupied by Israel, gaining control of Syrian weapons stockpiles along the way. Writing in the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahoronoth Friday, veteran military correspondent Ron Ben-Yishai wrote that Israel may “prefer” to destroy the weapons storehouses so they won’t fall into the hands of the rebels. Israel seized control of the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war. Syria has constantly accused Israel of launching attacks against it from territory it occupies in the Golan Heights. Israel has frequently struck Syria over the years. BEIRUT — Syrian insurgents entered two central towns early Friday just north of the central city of Homs, bringing them closer Syria’s third largest city, an opposition war monitor and pro-government media both reported. The break into Rastan and Talbiseh came a day after opposition gunmen captured the central city of Hama , Syria’s fourth largest, after the Syrian army said it withdrew to avoid fighting inside the city and spare the lives of civilians. The insurgents, led by the jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have said that they will march to Homs and Damascus, President Bashar Assad’s seat of power. The city of Homs, parts of which were controlled by insurgents until 2014, is a major intersection point between the capital, Damascus, and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus where Assad enjoys wide support. Homs province is Syria’s largest in size and borders Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan. Insurgents are now 5 kilometers (3 miles) away from Homs, according to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor. “The battle of Homs is the mother of all battles and will decide who will rule Syria,” said Rami Abdurrahman, the Observatory’s chief. MANAMA, Bahrain — Iran said Friday it conducted a successful space launch, the latest for its program the West alleges improves Tehran’s ballistic missile technology. Iran conducted the launch using its Simorgh program , a satellite-carrying rocket that had had a series of failed launches, at Iran’s Imam Khomeini Spaceport in rural Semnan province. That’s the site of Iran’s civilian space program. The Simorgh carried what Iran described as an “orbital propulsion system,” as well as two research systems to a 400-kilometer (250-mile) orbit above the Earth. A system that could change the orbit of a spacecraft would allow Iran to geo-synchronize the orbits of its satellites. Tehran has long sought that ability. Iran also put the payload of the Simorgh at 300 kilograms (660 pounds), heavier than its previous successful launches. There was no immediate independent confirmation the launch was successful. The U.S. military did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The announcement comes as heightened tensions grip the wider Middle East over Israel’s continued war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip and as an uneasy ceasefire holds in Lebanon. MELBOURNE, Australia — Arsonists extensively damaged a Melbourne synagogue on Friday in what Australia’s prime minister condemned as an antisemitic attack on Australian values. The blaze in the Adass Israel Synagogue is an escalation in targeted attacks in Australia since the war began between Israel and Hamas last year. Cars and buildings have been vandalized and torched around Australia in protests inspired by the war. A witness who had come to the synagogue to pray saw two masked men spreading a liquid accelerant with brooms inside the building at 4:10 a.m., officials said. About 60 firefighters with 17 fire trucks responded to the blaze, which police said caused extensive damage. Investigators have yet to identify a motive, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese blamed antisemitism. “This was a shocking incident to be unequivocally condemned. There is no place in Australia for an outrage such as this,” Albanese told reporters. “To attack a place of worship is an attack on Australian values. To attack a synagogue is an act of antisemitism, is attacking the right that all Australians should have to practice their faith in peace and security,” he added. ISTANBUL — A Hamas official says international mediators have resumed negotiating with the militant group and Israel over a ceasefire in Gaza, and that he was hopeful a deal to end the 14-month war was within reach. Ceasefire negotiations were halted last month when Qatar suspended talks with mediators from Egypt and the United States because of frustration over a lack of progress between Israel and Hamas. But there has been a “reactivation” of efforts in recent days to end the fighting, release hostages from Gaza and free Palestinian prisoners in Israel, according to Bassem Naim, an official in Hamas’ political bureau who spoke with The Associated Press in Turkey on Thursday. Another official familiar with the talks confirmed the return of Qatari mediators. The official spoke Thursday on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the negotiations with the media. Since the talks broke down, there have been significant shifts in the global and regional landscape. Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election, and a ceasefire was declared last week between Israel and Hamas ally Hezbollah in Lebanon. Trump is a staunch supporter of Israel, but Naim said he believes the incoming administration could “affect the situation positively” given that Trump had made halting wars in the region part of his campaign platform. Trump this week called for the release of all hostages held in Gaza by the time he takes office on Jan. 20, saying there would be “hell to pay” if that doesn’t happen. WASHINGTON -- Three U.S. service members were being evaluated for potential traumatic brain injuries following an attack near a base in eastern Syria this week, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said Thursday. Ryder said U.S. Central Command is still evaluating who was behind the attack near Mission Support Site Euphrates, which prompted the U.S. to conduct counter strikes on Tuesday. At the time, the Pentagon said rockets and mortars had landed in the vicinity of the base. The U.S. has about 900 troops in Syria to conduct missions to counter the Islamic Stage group. By Lolita BaldorAdvisors Asset Management Inc. Increases Position in AppFolio, Inc. (NASDAQ:APPF)
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I'M A CELEBRITY fans are pleading for one of this year's contestants to win a BAFTA or Oscar after putting on an award-winning acting performance. Newcomers Maura and Rev Coles joined OG campmates Danny and Dean for the High Street of Horrors Bushtucker Trial. Ant and Dec then told Maura and Rev Coles, who are residing at the Jungle Junkyard, that this trial was their next opportunity to continue their act. The main camp believes that the newcomers are stuck in a horrible and dire camp when it actually is full to the brim with luxuries. Maura and Rev Coles then had to convince Danny and Dean that they had already taken part in The Deadly Department Store. Maura and Richard both got stuck into the pretence, as they covered one another in feathers and molasses and put on their best acting performance. As Dean and Danny entered the trial area, Maura and Richard looked downcast and said that they had won zero stars. But it was Maura's acting skills that really got viewers talking on social media. The former Love Island star was faking being sad and devastated after the trial, with fans saying she deserves an award for her acting skills. "Maura deserves an Oscar .. I'm laughing my head off," penned one viewer on X as the scenes aired tonight. Another said, "Give Maura her Oscar omg." "Maura is so convincing I’m howling," added a third. While a fourth said, "Maura’s acting is hilarious." And a fifth added, "Maura and Richard deserve an Oscar for their acting." And viewers weren't the only ones who thought the former Love Islander deserves an award for her acting skills. Dean was clearly impressed with Maura's acting after he was selected to join the Jungle Junkyard camp. MAURA Higgins is a late entry to I'm A Celeb 2024. Yet who is joining her? 2019 Love Island star Maura, 33, will be a late entry to the jungle line-up. She will head into the I'm A Celeb camp , along with the Reverend Richard Coles , 62. The duo will join the likes of Coleen Rooney , Barry McGuigan and Danny Jones in Ant and Dec’s jungle camp a week into this year’s star-spangled series. Yet initially the duo will have their own private base - and a secret mission - before heading into the main compound Down Under. Maura has already described the jungle as "hell." Meanwhile Richard, who has starred on Strictly, has confessed his biggest "fear." When the Radio One DJ arrived in the deceiving dire camp to discover it was in fact luxurious, Maura asked him if she was a good liar. He then told Maura: "The BAFTA is coming!" This comes after Maura stripped off and bathed on national television. Baring skin beneath a bubbly bath, Maura, 33, looked amazing as she relaxed in the tub in the Jungle Junkyard camp. The Irish reality star could be seen taking a dip and having a pamper. With her brown tresses into a messy bun, fresh-faced Maura looked overjoyed to be enjoying some rest in a steaming hot bath. On the side of the tub were some grey towels and some bottles that had lotions and potions inside. Behind the former Islander was a huge lit candle, which really set the mood.
BMW praises Tesla's Full Self-Driving technology on social mediaALTOONA, Pa. (AP) — The suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggled with deputies and shouted Tuesday while arriving for a court appearance in Pennsylvania, a day after he was arrested at a McDonald’s and charged with murder. Luigi Nicholas Mangione emerged from a patrol car, spun toward reporters and shouted something partly unintelligible referring to an “insult to the intelligence of the American people” while deputies pushed him inside. Prosecutors were beginning to take steps to bring Mangione back to New York while new details emerged about his life and how he was captured. The 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family was charged with murder hours after he was arrested in the Manhattan killing of Brian Thompson , who led the United States’ largest medical insurance company. At the brief hearing, defense lawyer Thomas Dickey informed the court that Mangione will not waive extradition to New York but instead wants a hearing on the issue. Mangione was denied bail after prosecutors said he was too dangerous to be released. Mangione, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, mostly stared straight ahead at the hearing, occasionally consulting papers, rocking in his chair or looking back at the gallery. At one point, he began to speak to respond to the court discussion but was quieted by his lawyer. A law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press said that at the time of his arrest, Mangione was carrying a handwritten document expressing anger with what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and a disdain for corporate greed and power. He wrote that the U.S. has the most expensive health care system in the world and that profits of major corporations continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, according to the bulletin. In social media posts, Mangione called “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski a “political revolutionary," according to the police bulletin. Kaczynski carried out a series of bombings while railing against modern society and technology. Mangione remained jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Manhattan prosecutors have obtained an arrest warrant, a step that could help expedite his extradition from Pennsylvania. Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania — about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of New York City — after a McDonald's customer recognized him and notified an employee, authorities said. Officers found him sitting at a back table, wearing a blue medical mask and looking at a laptop, according to a Pennsylvania police criminal complaint. He initially gave them a fake ID, but when an officer asked Mangione whether he’d been to New York recently, he “became quiet and started to shake,” the complaint says. When he pulled his mask down at officers' request, “we knew that was our guy,” rookie Officer Tyler Frye said. Images of Mangione released Tuesday by Pennsylvania State Police showed him pulling down his mask in the corner of the McDonald's while holding what appeared to be hash browns and wearing a winter jacket and beanie. In another photo from a holding cell, he stood unsmiling with rumpled hair. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Mangione was carrying a gun like the one used to kill Thompson and the same fake ID the shooter had used to check into a New York hostel, along with a passport and other fraudulent IDs. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Mangione also had a three-page, handwritten document that shows “some ill will toward corporate America." A law enforcement official who wasn’t authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity said the document included a line in which Mangione claimed to have acted alone. “To the Feds, I’ll keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country. To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn’t working with anyone,” the document said, according to the official. It also had a line that said, “I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming.” Thompson, 50, was killed last Wednesday as he walked alone to a Manhattan hotel for an investor conference. Police quickly came to see the shooting as a targeted attack by a gunman who appeared to wait for Thompson, came up behind him and fired a 9 mm pistol. Investigators have said “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were written on ammunition found near Thompson's body. The words mimic “delay, deny, defend,” a phrase used to criticize the insurance industry . From surveillance video, New York investigators determined the shooter quickly fled the city, likely by bus. A grandson of a wealthy, self-made real estate developer and philanthropist, Mangione is a cousin of a current Maryland state legislator. Valedictorian at his elite Baltimore prep school, he went on to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a spokesperson said. “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” Mangione’s family said in a statement posted on social media late Monday by his cousin, Maryland Del. Nino Mangione. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.” From January to June 2022, Luigi Mangione lived at Surfbreak, a “co-living” space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Honolulu. Like other residents of the shared penthouse catering to remote workers, Mangione underwent a background check, said Josiah Ryan, a spokesperson for owner and founder R.J. Martin. “Luigi was just widely considered to be a great guy. There were no complaints,” Ryan said. "There was no sign that might point to these alleged crimes they’re saying he committed.” At Surfbreak, Martin learned Mangione had severe back pain from childhood that interfered with many aspects of his life, from surfing to romance, Ryan said. Mangione left Surfbreak to get surgery on the mainland, Ryan said, then later returned to Honolulu and rented an apartment. Martin stopped hearing from Mangione six months to a year ago. ___ Scolforo reported from Altoona and Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Contributing were Associated Press writers Cedar Attanasio and Jennifer Peltz in New York; Michael Rubinkam and Maryclaire Dale in Pennsylvania; Lea Skene in Baltimore; and Jennifer Sinco Kelleher in Honolulu.NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes drifted lower Tuesday in the runup to the highlight of the week for the market, the latest update on inflation that’s coming on Wednesday. The S&P 500 dipped 0.3%, a day after pulling back from its latest all-time high . They’re the first back-to-back losses for the index in nearly a month, as momentum slows following a big rally that has it on track for one of its best years of the millennium . Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.All the music in a new Channel 5 preschool kids’ show has been made on Teesside – and the man responsible says he was thrilled when his baby son interacted with it. Animated show The Woohoos, which airs on the channel’s Milkshake section on Saturday and Sunday mornings, follows the adventures of four best friends as they explore the natural world of Wise Island. Every piece of music, along with sound effects, comes courtesy of Teesside composer and sound engineer Rob Penrose. When the first episode of 52 premiered earlier this month, he watched it with a very special person – his 17-month-old son, Bobby. And, admits Rob, it couldn’t have gone better. He said: “He managed to throw his arms up in the air and shout ‘woohoo’ when we were watching the theme song, so that was a great moment. I’ve done shows before that I’ve watched with my wife, Amy, but to watch it with little Bobby and to get that reaction – it was a bit magical. “It’s also the only job I’ve done 100 per cent while living back in the North-east, so it’s been quite cool.” Stockton born but raised in Middlesbrough , former Newlands School pupil Rob achieved a first-class degree in music technology at Middlesbrough College before landing a job in Manchester with TV post-production firm Flix Facilities. For 10 years, Rob mixed the audio for all sorts of TV shows – “everything from Rip Off Britain to Songs of Praise and everything in between,” he says. But when he went freelance, he steered more towards the music side – and it’s paid off handsomely. His first main commission was to provide music and sounds for CBeebies series Dog Loves Books, where the characters go “inside” a book that’s in the library. He said: “I had to do a different style of music for each of the 52 episodes. So, there was a pirate, there was ‘under the sea’ music, then there was interstellar-type stuff for space travel – it was a great job to develop my craft.” Rob’s original surname is Hall but he changed it to Penrose on marrying Amy three years ago. He says he has three main strings to his professional bow – audio post-production, voice acting and writing music. And after Dog Loves Books, he got a job where he did all three in a series called The Singalings. He said: “It’s about three little characters that sing and harmonise and I did all the voices, wrote all the songs and did all the sound effects.” But now Rob, who, with Amy and little Bobby, moved from Manchester to Ingleby Barwick around a year ago, says much of his time in his home studio is taken up working on all 52 episodes of The Woohoos. The show features Wynona the puffin, Iggy the wolfhound, Scotty the highland bull and Ellie the hare as they wonder at the natural world all around them on Wise Island. Each episode brings an exciting “ooo” moment – a new discovery that needs explaining – and when they find the answer, what do they say? “Woohoo!”, of course. Rob said: “The brief was they wanted the music to sound like hand-made instruments because it’s all about woodland-type creatures discovering nature. It’s got quite an organic feel but it also needs to be quite cartoony, so there’s lots of silly trills and things. “Today, I’m sat in front of episode 28, so I’m just over half way. And it usually takes a week per episode, so I’ll probably be working on it until the summer.” And Rob, who also teaches one day a week on the Middlesbrough College course he graduated from, says there’s much more work involved than people realise. “Every sound you hear has to be put in because it’s animation. So, as well as the music, there can be a door opening, a car going past, whistles, boings and lots of silly sounds. For the shows I’ve been working on, it’s wall-to-wall music from start to finish. And sometimes every sentence each character says needs a different type of music to go behind it. “Every time a character falls over or jumps up or does a spin, I have to match that with the music – it takes a really long time to go through and do each moment bit by bit. “But it does make a big difference. You’re helping tell the story with music and sounds, so it’s worth the effort.” The Singalings is available on NOW TV and Sky Kids. Dog Loves Books is available on iPlayer. The Woohoos! is available on demand on My5 and broadcast on weekends. For breaking news in your area direct to your inbox every day, go here to sign up to our free newsletter
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The Mendoza family is suing Tesla after Giovanni Mendoza Martinez died in a 2023 crash while using the "Autopilot" feature in his used Model S. The lawsuit, filed in a California Northern District Court, alleged that Tesla 's Autopilot feature failed to detect and avoid a fire truck and caused the collision on Interstate 680, the Daily Mail reported. Giovanni's car was driving on Autopilot at 71 miles per hour for 12 minutes before the crash, the Independent reported. Attorney Brett Schreiber represents the Mendoza family. He criticized Tesla for rushing what he claims is incomplete technology to the electric vehicle market, saying the crash was "entirely preventable." The lawsuit said Giovanni believed Tesla and Elon Musk 's claims that the vehicle could safely drive itself, calling Tesla's marketing deceptive and its Autopilot system flawed, reported The Independent UK . "Not only was he aware that the technology itself was called, 'Autopilot,' he saw, heard, and/or read many of Tesla or Musk 's deceptive claims on Twitter, Tesla's official blog, or in the news media," the lawsuit said. "Giovanni believed those claims were true" thinking "it was safer than a human driver." "This is yet another example of Tesla using our public roadways to perform research and development of its autonomous driving technology," Schreiber said in an interview with the Independent . "What's worse is that Tesla knows that many of its earlier model vehicles continue to drive our roadways today with this same defect putting first responders and the public at risk." Tesla denied responsibility and suggested the accident may have resulted from driver negligence. The lawsuit highlights Tesla's supposed history of overstating its self-driving capabilities, citing thousands of complaints, recalls and crashes involving Autopilot . The lawsuit accuses Tesla of neglecting to fix known issues and misleading customers while Musk made claims, such as Autopilot being " probably better " than human drivers, despite the technology's limitations. Schreiber also argued that Tesla uses public roads for testing, which endangers drivers and pedestrians, without issuing proper recalls for defective systems. Between 2015 and 2022, Tesla received over 1000 crash reports and 3000 complaints about sudden braking or acceleration, said The Daily Mail . In October, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened a probe against Tesla's "Full Self-Driving " system after the company reported four crashes in low-visibility conditions, reported PBS .
Duck Creek Technologies Memperkukuhkan Kepimpinan Jualan Global dengan Pelantikan Strategik di Amerika Utara, EMEA dan APACNo matter how much a financial system is fortified against scams, there is always a fraudster, a conman, or a swindler aiming to game that system. Financial crimes, a la white-collar crimes, are committed, interestingly, by those working closely with the system or those having the innate skill to justify the art through the framework of ‘fraud triangle’, that is in the terms of opportunity, incentive and rationalization. Scams, mainly the pecuniary ones, involve conduct of dishonest practices leading to perversion, depravity and debasement of the entire morals of the social fabric. Financial scandals, like any other scandal, have a story of their own and, of course, the denouement. The truth of the scandals appears to be a drama at times, and at times an enthralling thriller. Vijay Narayan Govind, in his book , promises to tell select 10 true stories of financial scams, spread across centuries and continents, and in his own words, “these frauds were significant enough at the time to send major ripples through the systems they challenged, with many of them serving as the catalyst for key legal and regulatory reforms.” The book introduces 10 swindlers, each with their own story of fraud in a separate chapter with a suitable story-title to it. In Govind’s fraudster tales, Hegestratos’s tale emerges as the ‘First Fraudster’, circa 300 BCE, in Athens. He, along with his crime partner Zenosthemis, working as ship merchants, planned to steal the cargos, sink the vessel, and con the vessel’s insurers of shipload of valuable goods through enforcement of the clauses of bottomry and respondentia contracts. However, the plans went awry due to the alert captain and crew members and Hegestra tos jumped and drowned himself in the sea. Zenos themis was arrested, tried and imprisoned in Athens for a long time. The author picks stories, random perhaps, from Athens and other countries, including India. Haridas Mundhra in the tale of ‘The Great Investor’ and Natwarlal in ‘The Master Manipulator’ are the two Indians figuring in the book. The Mundhra scandal, first of its kind in independent India, not only was embroiled with the stock markets and financial institutions but was an expose of the wicked nexus between political party, bureaucracy, ministers and business class, perhaps a prototype of ‘crony capitalism’. The conman Mudhra duped Life Insurance Company (LIC) by forging share certificates, using them as collateral for loans, and amassing huge loans to the tune of Rs 15.60 crore by the mid of 1957. It was Feroz Gandhi, the law maker, who brought this scam to public attention that led to nationalisation of LIC, resignation of TT Krishnamachari – then finance minister, indictment of finance secretary and some senior LIC officials, and, of course, sentencing of Haridas Mundhra to 22 years in prison. In the Mithilesh Kumar alias Natwarlal’s case, the story, though intriguing, is simple. From forging signatures and withdrawing money from banks, he graduated to nefarious crimes such as decamping cash from merchants and siphoning off goods from the cargo areas while using more than 50 aliases. Natwarlal even sold, impersonating himself as government official, the Taj Mahal thrice, the Red Fort twice, and the Rashtrapati Bhawan and Parliament once. He had developed this shrewd art of escaping prison, and one heard him saying quite often that ‘no jail is enough to hold me for too long’. Then, there is a story of how an expert William Chaloner counterfeited coins, notes, and lottery tickets, in the 1600s, but finally got caught by Sir Issac Newton, and sent to gallows for he was guilty of multiple currency frauds. Hugh Cameron’s story is about his conspiracy to cheat Royal British Banks and its customers, eventually which led to the Bank’s collapse. However, in due course, it triggered major legislative reforms in the corporate governance systems in Britain. Oscar Hartzell, a brazen rook, in another story, swindled millions of dollars from investors in a popularly known Sir Francis Drake estate scam. Another story, rather smutty and historical, called the ‘necklace scandal’, involves one French noble woman Jeanne de valois as the key conspirator. It became one of the scandals that led to French Revolution. US major Enron bankruptcy, led by Kenneth Lay, and the Ponzi scheme by Charles Ponzi, the two white-collar financial crimes, rocked the financial systems in the US. The 10 tales are fun, and a riveting read and, in the tales, the readers would find themselves in the murky world of scandals. The criminals of the stories have two things in common, one they dreamt of becoming filthy rich in a trice, and when caught they tried to justify that all is done in good faith, and second, all of them are caught and punished, which the author seems to lay down as the moral of the book.Citigroup Inc. raised its stake in shares of Qualys, Inc. ( NASDAQ:QLYS – Free Report ) by 40.8% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 60,146 shares of the software maker’s stock after buying an additional 17,440 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc.’s holdings in Qualys were worth $7,726,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. First Horizon Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in Qualys by 294.7% during the second quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 225 shares of the software maker’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 168 shares during the period. UMB Bank n.a. grew its stake in shares of Qualys by 149.0% during the 2nd quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 239 shares of the software maker’s stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 143 shares during the period. Quarry LP acquired a new stake in shares of Qualys during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $40,000. DT Investment Partners LLC purchased a new position in shares of Qualys during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $41,000. Finally, Exchange Traded Concepts LLC lifted its stake in shares of Qualys by 53.6% in the 3rd quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 639 shares of the software maker’s stock valued at $82,000 after purchasing an additional 223 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 99.31% of the company’s stock. Qualys Stock Performance NASDAQ:QLYS opened at $153.60 on Friday. Qualys, Inc. has a one year low of $119.17 and a one year high of $206.35. The stock has a market cap of $5.62 billion, a PE ratio of 33.83 and a beta of 0.47. The stock has a 50 day moving average price of $134.34 and a 200 day moving average price of $135.08. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms recently commented on QLYS. Northland Securities restated a “market perform” rating and set a $140.00 price target (down previously from $150.00) on shares of Qualys in a research report on Wednesday, August 7th. Westpark Capital restated a “hold” rating on shares of Qualys in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. UBS Group lifted their price target on Qualys from $140.00 to $160.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. TD Cowen raised their price objective on Qualys from $130.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC began coverage on Qualys in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. They issued a “hold” rating for the company. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $152.80. View Our Latest Research Report on QLYS Insider Activity at Qualys In related news, CEO Sumedh S. Thakar sold 7,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.21, for a total value of $876,470.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 179,649 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $22,493,851.29. This trade represents a 3.75 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link . Also, CFO Joo Mi Kim sold 616 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $123.54, for a total value of $76,100.64. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 86,576 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $10,695,599.04. This represents a 0.71 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 21,919 shares of company stock valued at $2,993,000. 1.00% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Qualys Profile ( Free Report ) Qualys, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides cloud-based platform delivering information technology (IT), security, and compliance solutions in the United States and internationally. It offers Qualys Cloud Apps, which include Cybersecurity Asset Management and External Attack Surface Management; Vulnerability Management, Detection and Response; Web Application Scanning; Patch Management; Custom Assessment and Remediation; Multi-Vector Endpoint Detection and Response; Context Extended Detection and Response; Policy Compliance; File Integrity Monitoring; and Qualys TotalCloud, as well as Cloud Workload Protection, Cloud Detection and Response, Cloud Security Posture Management, Infrastructure as Code, and Container Security. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding QLYS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Qualys, Inc. ( NASDAQ:QLYS – Free Report ). 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