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President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urge judge to toss his hush money conviction
Children up and down the country will have received a new mobile phone or tablet this Christmas , and will be busy downloading apps, setting up accounts and chatting on messaging services. Children are more "online" than ever before in 2024 - nearly all teenagers have a social media account, and over 60% of 8-11 year-olds use social media despite age restrictions. Have your say! Should children be banned from social media? Would it be fair to take it away from them, or would it be "for their own good"? Comment below, and join in on the conversation . Social media apps set an age restriction on accounts, but these have been easy to fool in the past. Ofcom, the online regulator, will be setting out plans next year aimed at ensuring that social media giants know who their users are, and bar underage people from using them. Speaking to the Telegraph, Jon Higham, Ofcom’s head of online safety policy, said kids were creating adult profiles to get onto apps. He said: “It doesn’t take a genius to work out that children are going to lie about their age. So we think there’s a big issue there.” “The sort of thing that we might look to in that space is some of this facial age estimation technology that we see companies bringing in now, which we think is really pretty good at determining who is a child and who is an adult. So we’re going to be looking to drive out the use of that sort of content, so platforms can determine who’s a child and who isn’t, and then put in place extra protections for kids to stop them seeing toxic content.” The Online Safety Bill was finally introduced in 2023 after years of political wrangling, but Ofcom can't yet use powers to punish companies who fall foul of the new rules. Tech firms could be fined up to 10% of their global turnover or have their services blocked in the UK if they fail to protect kids online. In 2025, Ofcom will set out how it will update its rules so it can begin to enforce the law - but this will take more time, and be subject to more scrutiny in Parliament. A Government spokeswoman said: "Under the Online Safety Act, services which are likely to be accessed by children must have highly effective age assurance. It is for the independent regulator to decide how to implement the Act, but the government is clear that services should be taking proactive action to keep children safe including when it comes to age verification, not waiting for measures to come into force." Have your say! Should children be banned from social media? Would it be fair to take it away from them, or would it be "for their own good"? Comment below, and join in on the conversation .
Israeli jets struck seven crossing points along the Syria-Lebanon border on Friday, aiming to cut the flow of weapons to the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group in southern Lebanon. Israeli troops also seized a truck mounted with a 40-barrel rocket launcher in southern Lebanon, part of a haul from various areas that included explosives, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and AK-47 automatic rifles, the military said. The commander of the Israeli Air Force, Major General Tomer Bar, said Hezbollah was trying to smuggle weapons into Lebanon to test Israel's ability to stop them. "This must not be tolerated," he said in a statement. Under the terms of a Nov. 27 ceasefire agreement, Israel is supposed to withdraw its troops from southern Lebanon in phases while unauthorized Hezbollah military facilities south of the Litani River are to be dismantled. However, each side has accused the other of violating the agreement, intended to end more than a year of fighting that began with Hezbollah missile strikes on Israel in the aftermath of the Hamas-led attack of Oct. 7, 2023, from Gaza. On Thursday, the United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon called for Israeli forces to withdraw, citing what it said were repeated violations of the deal. Israel, which destroyed large parts of Hezbollah's missile stocks during weeks of operations in southern Lebanon, has said it will not permit weapons to be smuggled to Hezbollah through Syria. Israel has also conducted attacks against the Iranian-backed Houthi militias in Yemen in recent days and pledged to continue its campaign against Iranian-backed militant groups across the region.In 2025, the universe wants the Rabbits (those born in 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011, 2023) to sit back and think about their past, as it will help them learn lessons that can change their future. It is a year in which a theme of reflection develops as Rabbits seek to gain a better understanding of what they want out of life and the paths that they should follow. The year is relatively predictable financially, but do not indulge in reckless investment or unnecessary spending. The year is about expressing oneself and being in touch. Speak your mind and set free the things you want to say. Also Read 3 Chinese zodiac signs will likely receive financial luck in January 2025 Rabbit Career Horoscope 2025 The year presents a fair share of highs and lows that may shape your career path. New jobs will be available in 2025, particularly for those industries that reward creativity. This is the perfect time to take the plunge for those planning to switch careers or enter new industries. Your talents and achievements will be more valuable than ever. This year, one should disclose career plans to the authorities and look for responsibilities. However, there might be some stagnation in the process or organisational barriers, such as reorganisation or a change of leadership, that may take some time before one gets their due reward. While Rabbit people may have many strengths, some of their skills may become irrelevant as industries turn to automation and technology. To offset this, learning and skill development need to be ongoing. Participating in a training program targeted towards a specific technology or methodology may make you unique. Rabbit Money Horoscope 2025 According to the scenario analysis for 2025, Rabbits must be wise while planning their financial and investment strategies. In case the economic situation turns unfavourable, they should work on creating a strong material base. Rabbits should diversify across various assets to avoid the risk of high market fluctuations. Investing in stocks, bonds, and real estate and being part of a good investment list is possible. However, selecting the right products in each category will be important and require extensive research. If the Rabbits want to avoid more risks, they can invest in government bonds or high-quality corporate bonds. These investments normally offer relatively lower earnings but considerably less risk than, for instance, stocks or real estate. They may be useful for protecting capital while receiving a constant, if low, income in the process. Rabbit Love Horoscope 2025 In 2025, Rabbits’ love life will be at different stages of evolution depending on their relationship status. Single Rabbits should find 2025 an ideal year to search for potential partners since they will likely be more active in social networks. It is possible to have new experiences or return to a hobby they once enjoyed, and at the same time, they will have a better chance of meeting someone. Online dating relationships might also be as productive if one is prepared to be honest with oneself and the heart. 2025 will be more of a foundational year for those just starting to date. One has to pay much attention to appreciation, as these stages serve as a basis for further relationships. In the first months of dating, Rabbits should try to listen to their partners and vice versa. This is when one is supposed to find out what is dear and precious to both of you, which can foster the bond. People who share their expectations, dreams, and fears will build stronger relationships and be less sensitive to outside pressures. It is also healthy to check in occasionally to make sure the two of you are on the same page regarding goals and feelings. Rabbit Health Horoscope 2025 For Rabbits, health will be the focus in 2025, which means that they will need to pay much attention to ways of keeping fit and avoiding some problems. It is a good year to develop healthier habits or improve existing ones, including introducing new types of physical activity for the long term. Yoga, swimming, or cycling could be ideal examples of such activities, and they have many advantages, not only for our physical well-being. The tender areas of Rabbits in 2025 will be the lungs and spine. Thus, it is necessary to take precautions to preserve these areas. Regarding respiratory health, smoking should be discouraged, and exposure to pollutants should be reduced while engaging in exercises that strengthen the lungs or breathing exercises like aerobics. The change of seasons, particularly between spring and autumn, may cause health complications. During these months, rabbits must be very careful, strengthen their immune systems by taking many vitamins and antioxidants, and get flu shots if necessary.
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NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN UNITED STATES CALGARY, Alberta, Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pieridae Energy Limited (“Pieridae” or the “Company”) (TSX: PEA) is pleased to provide 2025 guidance including scope of the 2025 capital program along with production and Net Operating Income 1 (“NOI”) projections. Pieridae’s specific priorities for 2025 are: Sustain a safe and regulatory compliant business Minimize facility outages to maximize sales and processing revenue. Further grow the third-party gathering and processing business at our operated facilities. Meaningfully reduce operating expenses to improve corporate netback. Deliver attractive ROI on value adding optimization projects included in the 2025 capital program. Reduce long term debt to improve financial flexibility. The 2025 production guidance of 23,000 to 25,000 boe/d assumes that approximately 9,400 boe/d of previously announced voluntary production shut-ins in Central AB, Northern AB, and Northeast BC persist throughout 2025. These dry gas, low margin properties produce to third-party facilities and were shut-in during the second and third quarters of 2024 due to low AECO natural gas prices and high processing costs. These shut-ins represent approximately 25% of the Company’s production capability. Material production upside is possible if these properties are reactivated; management’s decision to reactivate production from any of these areas is subject to supportive long-term economics. The shut-in production can be restored within one to two weeks and subsequent well and reservoir performance is not expected to be negatively impacted. Pieridae has hedged 110,000 GJ/d of its 2025 natural gas production at a weighted average fixed price of $3.32/GJ, and 1,679 bbl/d of its 2025 condensate production with a weighted average floor price of CAD$84.41/bbl and a weighted average ceiling price of CAD$92.32/bbl. The Company’s aggregate hedge position for 2025 totals 19,055 boe/d or approximately 80% of the above production guidance range. The unrealized gain on the Company’s hedge portfolio, which extends to mid-2028, is approximately $87 million using the forward strip as of November 30, 2024. Pieridae’s legacy fixed price sulphur contract, which was entered into in 2019, expires on December 31, 2025. Under this contract, the Company receives a net fixed price of approximately $6/tonne for the majority of its sulphur production of approximately 1,400 tonnes per day. Beginning January 1, 2026, the Company will receive market price for all sulphur production, less normal deductions for transportation, handling, and marketing representing a significant potential revenue opportunity. As of November 30, 2024, the spot west coast sulphur price is approximately US$143/tonne, prior to transportation and marketing costs. The $25-$30 million capital budget in 2025 includes approximately $14 million directed towards a high-impact well and facility optimization program funded with the equity raised during Q3 and Q4 2024. These high return, short payout capital projects are expected to increase sales revenue, improve facility efficiency, reduce operating cost and fuel gas consumption, and lower GHG compliance costs. Spending on this program commenced in Q4 2024 and will continue throughout 2025. The remainder of the 2025 capital is focused on routine capital maintenance, field operating technology upgrades, and site closure / decommissioning expenditures in Alberta and BC. Notably, Pieridae has not scheduled a major maintenance turnaround planned at any of the Company’s deep-cut, sour gas processing facilities during 2025 given the successful completion of gas plant turnarounds and other maintenance projects in 2023 and 2024. The next major maintenance turnaround is scheduled for 2026. Due to the current outlook for North American natural gas prices, Pieridae is not planning to resume drilling operations during 2025. Pieridae will only exploit its portfolio of high impact conventional Foothills drilling opportunities once natural gas prices sustainably recover and the Company has achieved its deleveraging target. ABOUT PIERIDAE Pieridae is a Canadian energy company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. The Company is a significant upstream producer and midstream custom processor of natural gas, NGLs, condensate, and sulphur from the Canadian Foothills and adjacent areas in Alberta and in northeast British Columbia. Pieridae’s vision is to provide responsible, affordable natural gas and derived products to meet society’s energy security needs. Pieridae’s common shares trade on the TSX under the symbol “PEA”. For further information, visit www.pieridaeenergy.com , or please contact: Forward-Looking Statements Certain of the statements contained herein including, without limitation, management plans and assessments of future plans and operations, Pieridae’s outlook, strategy and vision, intentions with respect to future acquisitions, dispositions and other opportunities, including exploration and development activities, Pieridae’s ability to market its assets, plans and timing for development of undeveloped and probable resources, Pieridae’s goals with respect to the environment, relations with Indigenous people and promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, estimated abandonment and reclamation costs, plans regarding hedging, plans regarding the payment of dividends, wells to be drilled, the weighting of commodity expenses, expected production and performance of oil and natural gas properties, results and timing of projects, access to adequate pipeline capacity and third-party infrastructure, growth expectations, supply and demand for oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas, industry conditions, government regulations and regimes, capital expenditures and the nature of capital expenditures and the timing and method of financing thereof, may constitute “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively “ forward-looking statements ”). Words such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “could”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “continue”, “focus”, “endeavor”, “commit”, “shall”, “propose”, “might”, “project”, “predict”, “vision”, “opportunity”, “strategy”, “objective”, “potential”, “forecast”, “estimate”, “goal”, “target”, “growth”, “future”, and similar expressions may be used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements involve significant risk and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, the risks associated with oil and gas exploration, development, exploitation, production, processing, marketing and transportation, loss of markets, volatility of commodity prices, currency fluctuations, imprecision of resources estimates, environmental risks, competition from other producers, incorrect assessment of the value of acquisitions, failure to realize the anticipated benefits of acquisitions, delays resulting from or inability to obtain required regulatory approvals, ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources and the risk factors outlined under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere herein. The recovery and resources estimate of Pieridae's reserves provided herein are estimates only and there is no guarantee that the estimated resources will be recovered. As a consequence, actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such forward-looking statements, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although Pieridae believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because Pieridae can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. In addition to other factors and assumptions which may be identified in this document, assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: the impact of increasing competition; the general stability of the economic and political environment in which Pieridae operates; the timely receipt of any required regulatory approvals; the ability of Pieridae to obtain and retain qualified staff, equipment and services in a timely and cost efficient manner; the ability of the operator of the projects which Pieridae has an interest in to operate the field in a safe, efficient and effective manner; the ability of Pieridae to obtain financing on acceptable terms; the ability to replace and expand oil and natural gas resources through acquisition, development and exploration; the timing and costs of pipeline, storage and facility construction and expansion and the ability of Pieridae to secure adequate product transportation; future oil and natural gas prices; currency, exchange and interest rates; the regulatory framework regarding royalties, taxes and environmental matters in the jurisdictions in which Pieridae operates; timing and amount of capital expenditures; future sources of funding; production levels; weather conditions; success of exploration and development activities; access to gathering, processing and pipeline systems; advancing technologies; and the ability of Pieridae to successfully market its oil and natural gas products. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect Pieridae's operations and financial results are included in reports on file with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the SEDAR+ website (www.sedarplus.ca), and at Pieridae's website (www.pieridaeenergy.com). Although the forward-looking statements contained herein are based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions, management cannot assure that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and Pieridae assumes no obligation to update or review them to reflect new events or circumstances except as required by applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements contained herein concerning the oil and gas industry and Pieridae's general expectations concerning this industry are based on estimates prepared by management using data from publicly available industry sources as well as from reserve reports, market research and industry analysis and on assumptions based on data and knowledge of this industry which Pieridae believes to be reasonable. However, this data is inherently imprecise, although generally indicative of relative market positions, market shares and performance characteristics. While Pieridae is not aware of any misstatements regarding any industry data presented herein, the industry involves risks and uncertainties and is subject to change based on various factors. Additional Reader Advisories Barrels of oil equivalent (“boe”) may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of 6 Mcf: 1 boe is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Abbreviations Neither TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Concerns have also been raised about the “renormalisation” of smoking. Dr Rachel O’Donnell, senior research fellow at the University of Stirling’s Institute for Social Marketing and Health, said restrictions on smoking in outdoor places can “reinforce” a message that smoking “isn’t a socially acceptable thing to do” and could also help smokers to kick the habit. In November, it emerged that the UK Government is to scrap plans to ban smoking in the gardens of pubs and restaurants in England. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said the hospitality industry has “taken a real battering in recent years” and it is not “the right time” to ban smoking outside pubs. But smoking and vaping could be banned in other public places in England – such as in playgrounds or outside of schools – under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill. According to the World Health Organisation, there is no safe level of second-hand smoke exposure. In a briefing for journalists, Dr O’Donnell said decision-making “should be on the basis of all the evidence that’s available”. She added: “Any debate about legislation on smoking in outdoor settings shouldn’t only focus on air quality and second-hand smoke exposure levels, because the impacts of restrictions in outdoor settings are also evident on our social norms.” Smoke-free outdoor environments “reinforce smoke-free as the acceptable norm”, she said. “This, I think, is a critically important point at a time where in the media, over the last year, we’ve seen various reports and questions as to whether we might be on the cusp of renormalisation of smoking for various reasons, and so smoke-free public environments still have a critically important role to play. “If you reduce opportunities to smoke, it can also help individuals who smoke themselves to reduce the amount they smoke or to make a quit attempt.” Dr O’Donnell said visibility of tobacco products and smoking is a “form of marketing for tobacco companies” as she pointed to studies highlighting the increasing number of tobacco depictions on screen. She went on: “The more often young adults observe smoking around them, the more likely they are to believe that smoking is socially acceptable, which feeds back into this idea of renormalisation of smoking. “So, restrictions on smoking in outdoor public places have other positive knock-on effects, potentially for young people as well, just sending out that clear message that this isn’t a socially acceptable thing to do and see, and this could help to discourage smoking initiation among young people at quite a critical time.” On being exposed to second-hand smoke at work, she added: “I think sometimes when we think about exposure to second-hand smoke in outdoor settings, in pubs, in restaurants, we think about that sort of occasional customer exposure, the nuisance element of it when people are out enjoying a meal with friends, but we also need to be reminded that this is a repeated occupational exposure for those who are working in hospitality and serving drinks and food. “Now, as we’ve already seen, concentrations of second-hand smoke in these settings are generally low, and they’re likely to present a low risk to health for most healthy people. “But ... there’s no safe level of exposure to second-hand smoke, and so any individual with pre-existing heart, lung or respiratory conditions may be particularly vulnerable even to low levels of exposure. “We know that second-hand smoke is its known carcinogen, and on that basis those exposed in the hospitality sector have a right to be protected. “On that basis, there’s a need to protect them, as there is anybody in any workplace setting from second-hand smoke exposure in all areas of workplaces and spaces.” Sean Semple, professor of exposure science at the University of Stirling’s Institute for Social Marketing and Health, said: “I think that if I were a policy-maker, which I am not, then I would be looking at those occupational exposures as well. “I have asthma, if I was being occupationally exposed to SHS (second-hand smoke), and knowing that I was one of a very small number of workers now being legally exposed to SHS in the workplace, then I might not be very happy about that.” A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “As part of our 10 Year Health Plan we are shifting focus from sickness to prevention, including tackling the harms of smoking and passive smoking. “The landmark Tobacco and Vapes Bill is the biggest public health intervention in a generation and will put us on track towards a smoke-free UK.”
Stocks closed higher on Wall Street as the market posted its fifth straight gain and the Dow Jones Industrial Average notched another record high. The S&P 500 rose 0.3%. The benchmark index’s 1.7% gain for the week erased most of its loss from last week. The Dow rose 1% as it nudged past its most recent high set last week, and the Nasdaq composite rose 0.2%. Markets have been volatile over the last few weeks, losing ground in the runup to elections in November, then surging following Donald Trump's victory, before falling again. The S&P 500 has been steadily rising throughout this week to within close range of its record. It's now within about 0.5% of its all-time high set last week. “Overall, market behavior has normalized following an intense few weeks,” said Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide, in a statement. Several retailers jumped after giving Wall Street encouraging financial updates. Gap soared 12.8% after handily beating analysts' third-quarter earnings and revenue expectations, while raising its own revenue forecast for the year. Discount retailer Ross Stores rose 2.2% after raising its earnings forecast for the year. EchoStar fell 2.8% after DirecTV called off its purchase of that company's Dish Network unit. Smaller company stocks had some of the biggest gains. The Russell 2000 index rose 1.8%. A majority of stocks in the S&P 500 gained ground, but those gains were kept in check by slumps for several big technology companies. Nvidia fell 3.2%. Its pricey valuation makes it among the heaviest influences on whether the broader market gains or loses ground. The company has grown into a nearly $3.6 trillion behemoth because of demand for its chips used in artificial-intelligence technology. Intuit, which makes TurboTax and other accounting software, fell 5.7%. It gave investors a quarterly earnings forecast that fell short of analysts’ expectations. Facebook owner Meta Platforms fell 0.7% following a decision by the Supreme Court to allow a multibillion-dollar class action investors’ lawsuit to proceed against the company. It stems from the privacy scandal involving the Cambridge Analytica political consulting firm. All told, the S&P 500 rose 20.63 points to 5,969.34. The Dow climbed 426.16 points to 44,296.51, and the Nasdaq picked up 42.65 points to close at 2,406.67. European markets closed mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Crude oil prices rose. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.41% from 4.42% late Thursday. In the crypto market, bitcoin hovered around $99,000, according to CoinDesk. It has more than doubled this year and first surpassed the $99,000 level on Thursday. Retailers remained a big focus for investors this week amid close scrutiny on consumer spending habits headed into the holiday shopping season. Walmart, the nation's largest retailer, reported a quarter of strong sales and gave investors an encouraging financial forecast. Target, though, reported weaker earnings than analysts' expected and its forecast disappointed Wall Street. Consumer spending has fueled economic growth, despite a persistent squeeze from inflation and high borrowing costs. Inflation has been easing and the Federal Reserve has started trimming its benchmark interest rates. That is likely to help relieve pressure on consumers, but any major shift in spending could prompt the Fed to reassess its path ahead on interest rates. Also, any big reversals on the rate of inflation could curtail spending. Consumer sentiment remains strong, according to the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index. It revised its latest figure for November to 71.8 from an initial reading of 73 earlier this month, though economists expected a slight increase. It's still up from 70.5 in October. The survey also showed that consumers' inflation expectations for the year ahead fell slightly to 2.6%, which is the lowest reading since December of 2020. Wall Street will get another update on how consumers feel when the business group The Conference Board releases its monthly consumer confidence survey on Tuesday. A key inflation update will come on Wednesday when the U.S. releases its October personal consumption expenditures index. The PCE is the Fed's preferred measure of inflation and this will be the last PCE reading prior to the central bank's meeting in December.NoneL.A. Times Planning to Add AI-Powered ‘Bias Meter’ to Every Story
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