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An unfathomably bad stretch of luck continues for one Miami Heat player. Heat guard Dru Smith had to leave Monday’s game against the Brooklyn Nets with a lower leg injury. During the second quarter of Miami’s eventual 110-95 victory, Smith was trying to drive on Brooklyn’s Keon Johnson when his left leg buckled as he was pushing off it. Here is the video (where you can see some vibration in Smith’s leg). Dru Smith’s injury. He knew it was bad immediately (via @Demar305 ) pic.twitter.com/P5wucaFF4G — (@HeatvsHaters) December 24, 2024 On Tuesday, the worst fears were confirmed for Smith. Shams Charania of ESPN reported that Smith had indeed suffered a season-ending torn left Achilles on the play. That is heartbreaking news for the 26-year-old Smith, who is on a two-way contract and had been positioning himself for a standard NBA contract with his solid play this season. Smith overcame an ACL tear that he suffered a little over a year ago on a strange play where he slipped on a piece of flooring ( video here ). A former undrafted player, Smith recovered admirably from that injury after missing the rest of the 2023-24 campaign and had been averaging a strong bench line of 6.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.5 steals in just 19.1 minutes per game this year (plus an elite 53.3 percent shooting from three). But Smith is now facing another lengthy recovery due to a devastating injury, and you certainly have to feel for him. This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.The boss of the company behind global fashion chain Uniqlo has told the BBC that the Japanese firm does not use cotton from the Xinjiang region of China in its products. It is the first time Fast Retailing's chief executive Tadashi Yanai has directly addressed the contentious issue. China is a crucial market for Uniqlo not just for customers but also as a major manufacturing hub. Xinjiang cotton was once known as some of the best fabric in the world. But it has fallen out of favour after revelations that it is produced using forced labour by people from the Muslim Uyghur minority . In 2022, tough US regulations on the import of goods from Xinjiang came into effect. Many global brands removed products using Xinjiang cotton from their shelves, which led to fierce backlash in China. Brands such as H&M, Nike, Burberry, Esprit and Adidas were boycotted. Sweden's H&M saw its clothing pulled from major e-commerce stores in China. At the time, Mr Yanai - who is Japan's richest man - refused to confirm or deny whether Xinjiang cotton was used in Uniqlo clothing, saying he wanted "to be neutral between the US and China" . His decision not to take a side helped Uniqlo to remain popular in China's huge retail market. But speaking to the BBC in Tokyo about the firm's measures to be more transparent about where the materials in its clothes come from and how they are made, he said: "We’re not using [cotton from Xinjiang]." "By mentioning which cotton we’re using..." he continued, before pausing and ending his answer with "Actually, it gets too political if I say anymore so let's stop here". Isaac Stone Fish, the chief executive and founder of Strategy Risks, a business intelligence firm with a China focus highlights the pressures on firms from both China and the US. "Not a single large company can remain politically neutral anymore," he says. "Both Beijing and Washington want companies to choose sides, and Tokyo will continue to lean closer to the United States in this matter." Even though Uniqlo has been expanding aggressively in Europe and the US, in Mr Yanai's own words, "we are not a known brand globally" and Asia is still its biggest market. The company has more stores in China than in its home country Japan, and Mr Yanai says he does not plan to change that strategy despite challenges in the world's second biggest economy . “There are 1.4 billion people in China and we only have 900 to 1,000 stores," he says. "I think we can increase that to 3,000.” Meanwhile, China is Uniqlo's single biggest manufacturing hub. The company also makes clothes in countries including Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia and India. In 2009, when 80% of its products were made in China , Mr Yanai told the BBC that China was getting too expensive and the firm was shifting production away "to lower-wage Cambodia to keep prices low". He now says it was challenging to repeat China's success as the world's factory in other countries as transferring years of experience proved difficult. Retailers like Uniqlo are also facing intense competition from ultra-fast fashion as brands like China's Shein and Temu gain popularity with price-conscious customers. But Mr Yanai says “I don’t think there’s a future for fast fashion". "They’re producing clothes without any careful consideration which you only wear for one season. That is a waste of the planet’s resources." He adds that Uniqlo's strategy is to focus on essential items that can be worn for years. In the 40 years that he has been in charge of the firm, Mr Yanai has grown the business he inherited from his father from a company with annual sales of around 100 million yen ($656,700; £522,400) to a global chain with 3 trillion yen of revenues this year. The 75-year-old says he aims to overtake Inditex, which owns the global chain Zara, as the world's biggest fashion retailer before he retires. But to achieve that, Uniqlo needs to expand not just in China but also in the West, where shoppers are increasingly conscious of human rights issues such as forced labour. Mr Yanai's ambitions may also face more hurdles as Donald Trump returns to the White House on a pledge to impose much higher tariffs on Chinese-made goods .Bihar Assembly Session: As Govt Seeks Discussion, Oppn To Raise Various Issues
Liam Payne's partner Kate Cassidy shares heartfelt post about grief at Christmas
Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, on Wednesday, launched the disbursement of a N2.9 billion support scheme for flood victims, vulnerable persons, and small business owners in the state. Governor Buni, while launching the initiative, stated that the Yobe State Government’s support program aims to empower citizens, rekindle hope, and strengthen resilience in response to the devastating impact of the 2024 flood disaster. The state government is providing support to 25,500 flood victims and vulnerable persons with N50,000 each and 15,000 small business owners with N100,000 each. The Governor recalled that the state experienced unprecedented flooding this year, which displaced 441 communities across 17 local government areas, affected over 20,000 households, and caused 34 deaths. Public structures, private homes, farmlands, and livestock were also destroyed. Governor Buni noted that the Damaturu-to-Bayamari Federal Highway was cut off at four locations: Kariyari, Jumbam, Koromari, and Bayamari. Similarly, the Damaturu-to-Buni Federal Road was washed away between Katarko and Gujba Town. “Additionally, the Potiskum-to-Garin Alkali road was cut off at Tarajim, and the Gaidam-to-Bukarti road was washed away at Mozagun,” he said. The Governor explained that the state government promptly repaired all the washed-away roads to reconnect affected communities and restore the movement of people, goods, and services. Similar interventions were also carried out on the Gadaka-to-Godowoli and Dogon Kuka-to-Daura roads. He added that the Yobe State Government, with support from the Federal Government and development partners, had earlier distributed food, non-food items, and N100 million in emergency funds to victims in the most affected local government areas. Governor Buni reiterated his administration’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Initiative, pledging continued support to women, people with disabilities, the elderly, and other vulnerable groups. “The government will continue to provide free education, accessible and affordable healthcare, technological advancement, and economic incentives to empower the less privileged and drive economic growth,” he assured. ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE Get real-time news updates from Tribune Online! Follow us on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive stories and interviews, and much more. Join our WhatsApp Channel nowEveryone will love this Marry Me chicken budget meal
Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights (copy)
2024 in pop culture: In a bruising year, we sought out fantasy, escapism — and cute little animalsJefferson keeps seeing double as Vikings aim to stay focused on overall offensive production
Jeannette Neumann | (TNS) Bloomberg News The Nordstrom family is joining forces with a Mexican retailer to take its namesake department store private in an all-cash transaction valued at about $6.25 billion, including debt. Related Articles Business | New shoplifting data explains why they’re locking up the toothpaste Business | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus Business | For some FSA dollars, it’s use it or lose it at year’s end Business | Celebrate Hanukkah at these 3 events in Hampton Roads Business | Heavy travel day off to a rough start after American Airlines briefly grounds all flights The founding family is betting that the century-old retail chain will be more successful without the scrutiny and demands of the public market after shares in Nordstrom Inc. plunged 40% in the last five years. During the same period, the S&P 500 rose 84%. As part of the transaction, which is expected to close in the first half of 2025, the family and Mexican department-store chain El Puerto de Liverpool SAB will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Nordstrom. The Nordstrom family will have a majority ownership stake in the company of 50.1%, with Liverpool owning 49.9%. Nordstrom common shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock they hold under the terms of the agreement, the company said Monday. That’s roughly in line with where shares were trading on Monday. Shares in Nordstrom fell as much as 1.3% on Monday in New York. The company’s stock was up 33% so far this year as of Friday’s close as reports of a take-private deal boosted the stock price. The board’s acceptance of the offer underscores Nordstrom’s decline from its peak and its subdued growth prospects. In 2018, the board rejected the family’s bid to take the company private at $50 per share as too low. Nordstrom’s annual revenue, including income from credit cards, peaked at $15.9 billion in the fiscal year ended February 2019. The company was hit hard by Covid-19 and has never returned to its pre-pandemic highs. Nordstrom is expected to report $14.9 billion in total revenue at the end of the current fiscal year, according to a Bloomberg survey of analysts. Other department-store chains in the U.S. have also struggled as shoppers pivot to online competitors such as Amazon.com Inc., or brand-specific stores such as Louis Vuitton. Executives at Macy’s Inc., for example, are shrinking the company’s store fleet to cut costs, while the owners of Saks Fifth Avenue bought Neiman Marcus Group earlier this year. During the past couple of years, investors had hoped that Nordstrom Rack, its off-price chain, could help buoy the company’s growth prospects and compensate for sluggish sales at the more upscale flagship chain. Shoppers flocked to competitors such as TJ Maxx, seeking deals as inflation soared post-pandemic. But Rack’s performance has been spotty. It stumbled when executives tweaked their strategy and stopped offering as many high-end fashion brands at a discount. Rack reversed course and sales have bounced back. Company executives have focused on opening more Rack stores in recent quarters, boosting revenue. In November, Nordstrom raised the lower end of its annual sales guidance after revenue was better than expected at Rack and the flagship chain. But the outlook is still weak, highlighting the attraction of going private: The company is forecasting that annual sales, including credit-card revenues, will be flat to up 1% versus last year. The take-private deal will be financed through a combination of rollover equity by the Nordstrom family and Liverpool, cash commitments by Liverpool, up to $450 million in borrowings under a new $1.2 billion ABL bank financing, and company cash on hand. The board also intends to pay a special dividend of up to 25 cents a share in cash contingent on the deal closing. The transaction must be approved by holders of two-thirds of the company’s common stock shareholders and the holders of a majority of the shares not owned by the Nordstrom family or Liverpool. Erik and Peter Nordstrom, who are members of the company’s board, recused themselves from the vote, which unanimously approved the transaction. “On behalf of my family, we look forward to working with our teams to ensure Nordstrom thrives long into the future,” said Erik Nordstrom, chief executive officer of Nordstrom. Liverpool, run by descendants of a French shareholder group that dates back more than a century, is one of Mexico’s most important department store chains, with an ornate flagship location in the capital’s historic center. The $7 billion publicly-traded company has ventured beyond Mexico in recent years, acquiring a stake in Latin American retail operator Unicomer in 2011 and attempting unsuccessfully to acquire control of Chile’s Ripley SA in 2015 before turning its eyes to the U.S. with the Nordstrom investment. Max David Michel, part of Liverpool’s founding family and one of the richest people in the country, retired as head of Liverpool’s board earlier this year. (Updates to include what stock is trading at versus the offer price.) ©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Justin Jefferson might be weary of all the safeties shadowing his every route, determined not to let the Minnesota Vikings go deep, but he's hardly angry. The double and triple coverage he continually faces, after all, is a sign of immense respect for his game-breaking ability. The strategy also simply makes sense. 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Ford and General Motors will both donate $1 million and vehicles to President-elect Donald Trump’s January inauguration, Reuters reported Monday. CEO Jim Farley of Ford told reporters earlier this month he is excited about working with the incoming Trump administration to ensure the company is “rewarded for our commitment to America and Michigan,” according to the Detroit Free Press. “Ford’s employment profile and importance in the U.S. economy and manufacturing, you can imagine the administration will be very interested in Ford’s point of view,” Farley reportedly said. Bloomberg noted in a report last week that Trump’s plan for his first 100 days in office includes ending rebates for electric vehicle buyers. Farley said Ford expects changes in tax benefits for those consumers but noted the company is “very well-positioned” for any policy changes, according to the Detroit Free Press. Ford dealers have also been prioritizing electric vehicle sales in some markets, the newspaper quoted Farley as saying. “We did take some pricing action. We’re working with our dealers to make sure they sell the whole lineup, not just our hybrids. So they’re putting more emphasis on EVs in certain parts of the market,” he reportedly explained. Earlier this month, General Motors CEO Mary Barra said Trump listens intently to the automotive industry, according to the Detroit Free Press. “I think we’re very goal-aligned,” the newspaper quoted her as saying. “We want a strong economy. We want a strong manufacturing base in this country. We agree automotive jobs are important. I think there’s a lot that we could work on.” “But there’s going to be changes,” Barra reportedly continued. “But we’ve worked with many administrations for decades.” Have questions, concerns or tips? Send them to Ray at rjlewis@sbgtv.com . Content from The National Desk is provided by Sinclair, the parent company of FOX45 News.Mnangagwa’s Spokesperson Urges Mozambique to Clamp Down on Opposition Protests
Trump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes office
The U.S. economy continues to outpace earlier expectations, but rural industries are disproportionately exposed to federal policy and face downside risks in the coming year DENVER, Dec. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The U.S. continues to benefit from solid economic growth, low unemployment and moderating inflation. From today's vantage point, the U.S. economy seems likely to continue on that trajectory into 2025. However, the outlook for the rural economy is more volatile and uncertain. Rural industries are disproportionately exposed to federal policy, and the outcome of the 2024 election cycle promises to bring significant changes in the federal government's approach to everything from international trade and immigration to energy exploration and rural economic development. According to a comprehensive year-ahead outlook report from CoBank's Knowledge Exchange , the high level of policy uncertainty facing rural industries adds to their already long list of headwinds and challenges. "The environment we enter in 2025 hasn't fully defined itself yet, but many of the policies proposed by the incoming administration would likely have a negative impact on U.S. agriculture,” said Rob Fox , director of CoBank's Knowledge Exchange. "Open access to export markets and labor availability are critically important for agricultural producers and processors. Depending on how policy plays out, those two areas could be big challenges in 2025 and beyond.” The CoBank 2025 outlook report examines several key factors that will shape agriculture and market sectors that serve rural communities throughout the U.S. U.S. Economy: A New Economic Era Begins Most economists are forecasting 2025 U.S. GDP growth around 2.5%-3.0%, essentially the same as today. However, those forecasts are based on rather mild assumptions on forthcoming policy changes. When taken in isolation, President-elect Trump's proposed policies - tax cuts, decreased labor supply and tariffs on imported goods - are all inflationary. Consequently, longer-term interest rates have already edged higher, and the market has downshifted expectations for further Fed rate cuts in 2025. There is a good chance the proposed tariffs and the crackdown on undocumented immigrants will be more disruptive than markets have priced in, particularly in industries like construction and agriculture. U.S. Government: Trump Administration, Congress Set for Bustling January Start Congress is expected to wrap up the lame duck session of the 118th Congress by Dec. 19, hopefully addressing important pieces of unfinished business. A one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill is increasingly likely. President-elect Trump is expected to pursue an ambitious first-100 days of executive orders and other legislative activity that will likely include many of his campaign promises. These may include significant deportation efforts and immigration reform, implementation of tariffs, extending the 2017 tax cuts and providing regulatory relief rolling back the Biden administration's initiatives. The 119th Congress will have a long and challenging to-do list when members return to Washington on Jan. 3. U.S. Agricultural Economy: Trade War Could Send Ag Economy from Bad to Worse The short-lived commodity boom precipitated by global droughts, the war in Ukraine and COVID-19 supply issues is now a distant memory. Row crop prices are down nearly 50% from their 2022 highs. But production costs have remained elevated, and profitability has plunged to decade-plus lows. The silver lining is that dairy and livestock producers are generally profitable due to low feed costs and resilient consumer demand. However, more headwinds may be coming for both the crop and livestock sectors. President-elect Trump rode to victory on two main economic policy proposals: enact significant import tariffs and reduce immigration while deporting undocumented residents. In theory, these policies could achieve some limited objectives, but it is hard to paint them as anything but negative for the U.S. farm economy. Grains, Farm Supply & Biofuels: Policy Uncertainty Weighs on Exports, Biofuels A strengthening U.S. dollar, combined with the potential for trade disputes and record-large South American crops, weigh heavily on the outlook for grain and oilseed prices in 2025. U.S. farmers are widely expected to struggle with further margin compression as weaker commodity prices test farmers' ability to lower production costs. Crop input decisions will be evaluated much more closely with a focus on inputs that provide the greatest return on investment. The bearish outlook for oil prices diminishes the demand picture for ethanol, biodiesel and renewable diesel. Uncertainty over U.S. biofuel policy under the new administration also clouds the demand outlook for biofuels. Animal Protein: Rising Margins Improve Prospects for Growth Falling feed costs and rising producer margins have renewed expansion interest in animal protein segments. However, labor, construction and land costs remain elevated, tempering expectations for any meaningful supply growth in the near term. U.S. beef cow herd expansion is not expected to start until 2026 or 2027. The smaller herd will further support higher feeder and fed cattle prices in the coming year. With consumers now pushing back on beef prices already near historic highs, packer margins will remain under pressure well into 2025. Dairy: Record Investment Will Continue to Grow the Category The U.S. will see an unprecedented $8 billion in new dairy processing investment through 2026. Some of the new plants are poised to come online in 2025, with about half of the investment in the cheese category. The expected surge in cheese and whey output will likely put downward pressure on dairy product prices in the second half of the year. Sourcing additional milk supplies to fill new plant capacity is a looming question. 2023 and 2024 will go down as the first back-to-back years since the late 1960s that U.S. milk production took a downturn. On the flip side, higher component levels in farmgate milk, largely butterfat and protein, have lifted finished product yields. Food & Beverage: Health and Nutrition Take Center Stage The headline news for food, beverage and consumer packaged goods in 2025 is President-elect Trump's nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy's purported goals include eliminating ingredients banned in other countries and "getting the chemicals out” of America's food supply. Meanwhile, consumers' renewed focus on their health and the popularity of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs are showing signs of impacting food manufacturers. GLP-1 users purchase around 8% less food compared with average consumers, according to J.P. Morgan research. Food and beverage manufacturers' concerns about volume attrition are likely to continue well into 2025. Power & Energy: What an IRA Rollback Might Look Like President-elect Trump's return to the White House will signal a significant shift in U.S. energy policy. While he has promised to end the Inflation Reduction Act, slowing the clean energy momentum that has accelerated under the IRA may be more difficult than imagined. Popular programs in the IRA have directed significant investments to many rural and economically distressed communities. And more than a dozen House Republicans have voiced concern that repealing the IRA could jeopardize ongoing development in their communities. Clawing back IRA funds that have already been allocated could prove to be very difficult. The more likely scenario is that unallocated IRA funding will be redirected to other priorities. Digital Infrastructure: Rural Connectivity Faces New Challenges Political uncertainty and low participation in the Broadband, Equity, Access and Deployment program raises big questions for bridging the digital divide in the year ahead. The $42.5 billion BEAD program, created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, includes an unprecedented level of government support. However, a lack of operator participation could blunt the impact of this well-intended program to bring reliable broadband access to underserved rural areas. Many small operators lack the specialized expertise or financial resources to meet some of the complicated BEAD requirements. Read the full report, The Year Ahead: Forces That Will Shape the U.S. Rural Economy in 2025 . About CoBank CoBank is a cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 77,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country. CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore. CONTACT: Corporate Communications CoBank 800-542-8072 [email protected]
Sean 'Diddy' Combs denied bail by third judge as he awaits sex trafficking trialAt is an Oscar winner, a a philanthropist, producer and a mother – but it turns out her 20-month-old twins make her feel 20 years younger. "I feel like I'm 30 because I have 20-month-old babies," told and r on this week, as she spoke for the first time about how her children, , are old enough to truly find awe in the Christmas experience. "Everything is new again," she said. "You hear that, but until you experience it you're like 'What does that even mean?' But now I know." Hilary went on to share that has made "every time of year more special," and that "every day with them is so divine". "It's such a blessing, and I feel so grateful and I'm so happy." Hilary and husband Philip Schneider in April 2023 after getting married in August 2018. However, she waited until Valentine's Day in February 2024 before she finally revealed their unique names. An image posted on Instagram showed her twins sitting on a beach with their backs to the camera and their names, Aya and Ohm, inscribed in the sand behind them. You may also like "I have a busy week of talk shows ahead where I'll be sharing about my new film and a fun partnership, but I figured what better day to share the names of my two little loves with you all first," she wrote. She added: "Thanks for being here!! Happy Valentine's Day. P.S. Who else has babies that think sand is edible?" The name Aya for their daughter was inspired by a courageous Syrian refugee girl she and her husband met in Lebanon, while Ohm draws from a universal concept. "[Aya] was just this courageous, brave young girl full of life going through a really difficult time. My husband and I were like, she's so beautiful, what a great name," Hilary shared on Today earlier 2024, adding: "Ohm is considered the first universal sound and unites all people." Hilary has kept the faces of her young babies private, but has been open with sharing their new experiences with her social followers. In August the star took to Instagram to share cradling one of her baby twins. "Surprise... Amelia has been found!" she humorously captioned the post, a playful nod to aviation legend Amelia Earhart. "After 24 hours of travel with 2 babies who refuse to sleep on planes, we decided to take our final flight home into our own hands," Hilary joked, before quickly clarifying: "Kidding!!"
