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NoneAsit Patel’s move from Winnipeg to Calgary in a few weeks will be a little more expensive than he’d hoped. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * Asit Patel’s move from Winnipeg to Calgary in a few weeks will be a little more expensive than he’d hoped. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? Asit Patel’s move from Winnipeg to Calgary in a few weeks will be a little more expensive than he’d hoped. That’s because the provincial gas tax is being reinstated next Wednesday, and the 12.5-cents added to every litre pumped is going to be an unwelcome goodbye hug when he and his family bid farewell to Manitoba. Premier Wab Kinew announced Monday that the tax, which was 14 cents per litre before the government temporarily suspended it a year ago as an “affordability measure” to help Manitobans navigating inflationary prices on almost everything, was going back into effect Jan. 1. Premier Wab Kinew announced the government will cut the provincial fuel tax by 10 percent on Jan. 1, 2025. (Mikaela MacKenzie / Free Press files) Patel, his two parents, brother and sister-in-law are hoping to find more opportunities and a better way of life in Alberta. “I’m expecting around $600-$700 (for fuel),” Patel said Tuesday while waiting at 204 Fuels on Waverley Street, noting he’s renting a U-Haul truck to get the family’s bare necessities to their new home. “We’re basically going to Calgary with three beds and a couple of boxes. We’re starting fresh.” Patel said his family can’t afford to take any more than what would fit in the back of the rental truck, meaning some of their belongings will be left behind. Moving companies are out of the question. It’s too expensive, he said, partly because of high fuel prices across the Prairies. “We know we have to pay the (fuel) taxes, but it needs to be reasonable,” said Patel’s father Umesh. “Every common person will be affected by this.” The province said the 1.5-cent-per-litre cut from the previous levy will be permanent. “Our government keeps our word,” Kinew said in a news release Monday. “We said we’d cut the fuel tax and we did. We said it would last 12 months and it did. Now we’re going further by bringing in a permanent cut to the fuel tax to make it one of the lowest in Canada.” Kinew’s government revealed last week that its projected 2024-2025 deficit has soared by $513 million, to $1.3 billion. The result of the yearlong gas tax holiday cost the province an estimated $340 million in lost revenue in 2024. The province expects to collect $78 million per quarter from the reinstated 12.5-cent fuel tax, which will be a revenue loss of $28 million over the fiscal year compared to the estimated $340 million that would have been collected at 14 cents per litre. Finance Minister Adrien Sala wouldn’t say why government decided to cut the tax by 10 per cent or how it arrived at that figure. “We knew that the gas tax holiday had an enormous impact for Manitobans in saving them money,” Sala told the Monday. “Manitobans continue to face affordability challenges and we wanted to make sure we continue to provide them the help that they need.” The 204 Fuels gas bars have some of the lowest prices in the city — charging 111.9 cents per litre of regular gas when he was filling up, a cent cheaper than Costco on McGillivray Boulevard, which requires a membership to get the discounted price. A Shell gas bar on south Pembina Highway near the Perimeter posted the regular fuel price at $129.9 per litre Tuesday. Sandeep Hangra said she’s disappointed that the gas tax is coming back. Her husband recently lost his job as a long-haul truck driver and is now working as a driver with a ride-hailing company to try to make ends meet. They’re thinking about moving back to India because life has become too expensive here, she said. When they arrived in Canada in 2017, the monthly rent for their apartment was just under $1,000. It has since doubled. “There’s too much inflation and no jobs,” she said. Meanwhile, Christina Harris said the gas tax is returning at a bad time. “Especially with the cost of things going up, it’s just that much more on top of everything else,” she said. Harris said she expects to wait in gas bar lines over the next few days in order to fill up at the best price before the tax kicks in again. “It makes a difference when you commute back and forth to work, having to get gas two or three times per week,” she said. “It adds up.” Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Harris is expecting to feel the impact of rising fuel prices, but as a motorist, she knows there aren’t many alternatives. “We don’t have a choice,” she said. Gas tax holiday critics, however, support its return. Molly McCracken, Manitoba director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, guessed that one in five residents of the province didn’t benefit from the yearlong “affordability measure,” presumably because they neither own nor have access to a vehicle. scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the . A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade’s worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024. . Every piece of reporting Scott produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the . A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade’s worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024. . Every piece of reporting Scott produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the ‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about , and . Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider . Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support. Advertisement Advertisement

Syria's Druze hope for better future without AssadCAGAYAN DE ORO CITY—The Philippines has made it to the Guinness World Record for the most number of people planting bamboo simultaneously in multiple locations. Guinness World Records Adjudicator Sonia Ushiriguchi confirmed this on November 28 during the celebration of the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW) that was organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) held in Cagayan de Oro City. A total of 2,305 planters participated in the record-setting event, which was conducted by DOST and its Kawayanihan Circular Economy Movement partners on October 18 in 19 different locations across Mindanao and Leyte. The record-setting initiative, spearheaded by DOST-X, aimed to raise awareness about bamboo’s potential to promote a Circular Economy, Climate Resilience, and Sustainability. A circular economy is essential for conserving finite resources, reducing environmental impacts, and fostering economic resilience. It advocates for the reuse, repair, and recycling of materials, minimizes waste, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and helps combat climate change. DOST collaborated with Bukidnon first District Rep. Hon. Jose Manuel F. Alba and 85 other local government units, nongovernment agencies, private sector organizations, and members of Congress. The Kawayanihan Circular Economy Movement aligns with DOST’s framework on Science, Technology, and Innovation for Circular Economy. As the lead agency providing innovative S&T solutions and opening opportunities, the framework guides DOST agencies to collaborate in promoting a circular economy, sustainable consumption and production, and the integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance aspects. “We must love our environment as much as we love our children—ensuring they are healthy and live in a peaceful, stable place,” emphasized DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr., underscoring the importance of the framework during the DOST Circular Economy Initiative Towards Smart and Sustainable Communities activity. The collaboration between DOST and its Kawayanihan partners has paved the way for solutions and opportunities in the green economy.

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SBI warns of new fraud involving fake CBI, IT officialsBy Anna Helhoski, NerdWallet The battle to get here was certainly an uphill one, but people are generally feeling better about the economy and their finances than they once did. On top of that, the economy has been easing into an ideal, Goldilocks-like position — not running too hot or cooling too quickly. Throughout 2024, consumer sentiment data showed people were fairly positive about the economy and their own finances, even if there’s remaining frustration over elevated prices compared to four years ago. Looking ahead, households are feeling more optimistic about their personal finances in the next year, as the share of those expecting to be in a better financial situation a year from now hit its highest level since February 2020. Combine positive personal vibes with a strong economic picture and it looks like 2024 wasn’t so bad for consumers, after all. But that doesn’t mean there weren’t bumps in the road or potential roadblocks ahead. To cap off the year, NerdWallet writers reflect on the top trends in personal finance and the economy this year — and what they think might be ahead in 2025. The economy steadily grew Elizabeth Renter, NerdWallet’s economist What happened: In 2024, U.S. consumers have proven resilient following a period of high inflation and ongoing high interest rates. Wage growth has been strong, owing in part to rising productivity. This has driven robust spending throughout the year, which has kept the economy growing at a healthy pace. The labor market has remained steady, though cooler than 2023, and price growth continues to moderate towards the Federal Reserve’s 2% inflation goal. What’s ahead: Barring significant changes to economic policy and significant shocks, the U.S. economy is expected to grow at a moderate rate in the coming year. Inflation will continue to moderate and the labor market will remain relatively healthy, all due in part to continued slow and deliberate rate cuts from the Fed. However, there are risks to this path. Higher tariffs and tighter immigration policies are likely, but the extent of these changes are yet unclear. The potential policy scenarios are many, and the economic outcomes complex. Increased tariffs are generally inflationary, and stricter immigration policies could impact the labor supply and economic growth. Consumers and small business owners with their eyes to the new year should focus on the things within their control. Savings accounts offered high rates and returns Margarette Burnette, consumer banking and savings writer What happened: High-yield savings accounts and certificates of deposit offered elevated rates in 2024, rewarding savers with strong returns. Following the Federal Reserve rate cuts in the second half of the year, high-yield accounts had modest rate decreases, but they continued to outperform traditional savings accounts and CDs. What’s ahead: We’re watching for further Federal Reserve rate cuts, which could lead to more decreases in savings rates. Credit card debt hit a high Sara Rathner, credit cards writer What happened: Credit card debt levels hit record highs, with consumers turning to credit cards to pay for necessities. While the economy is doing well, many individuals have struggled to make ends meet, as incomes haven’t kept up with certain costs. What’s ahead: We may see some policy and regulation changes with the incoming administration that could affect folks when it comes to credit cards, debt and consumer protections. Small business boomed Ryan Brady, small business writer What happened : New businesses continued to blossom in 2024 as business applications remained well above pre-pandemic levels. Confidence in the future state of the U.S. economy also spiked after the presidential election, but that optimism was tempered by concerns over rising costs and labor quality. What’s ahead: All eyes are on the incoming administration as small-business owners brace for turbulence resulting from potential tariffs, tax policy changes and dismantled government regulations. We’re also watching the possibility of interest rate cuts in 2025 and small-business owners’ growing reliance on new technologies, such as AI. Home buying remained challenging Holden Lewis, mortgages writer What happened: Home buyers struggled with elevated mortgage rates, rising house prices and a shortage of homes for sale. On top of that, a new rule required buyers to negotiate their agents’ commissions. What’s ahead: The Federal Reserve is expected to cut short-term interest rates, but mortgage rates might not necessarily fall by a similar amount. Buyers will probably have more properties to choose from, and the greater supply should keep prices from rising a lot. Interest rates on home equity loans and lines of credit should fall, making it less expensive to borrow to fix up homes — either to sell, or to make the home more comfortable and efficient. The markets were a boon for investors Sam Taube, investing writer What happened: The stock market had a great year. The S&P 500 is up more than 25% due to falling interest rates, fading recession fears, AI hype, and the possibility of lighter taxes and regulations under the new administration. Cryptocurrency also saw big gains in 2024; the price of Bitcoin crossed the $100,000 mark for the first time in December. What’s ahead: A lot depends on how fast the Fed reduces rates in 2025. Another key unknown is Trump’s second term. Regulatory rollbacks, such as those he has proposed for the banking industry, could juice stock prices — but they also could create systemic risks in the economy. His proposed tariffs could also hurt economic growth (and therefore stock prices). Finally, it remains to be seen whether trendy AI stocks, such as NVIDIA, can continue their momentum into next year. It’s the same story with crypto: How long will this bull market last? Premiums went up for home and auto insurance Caitlin Constantine, assistant assigning editor, insurance What happened: Many people saw their home and auto insurance premiums skyrocket in 2024. In some states, homeowners are finding it harder to even find policies in the first place. Meanwhile, life insurance rates have started to decrease post-pandemic. We also saw more insurers offering online-only policies that don’t require a medical exam. What’s ahead: Auto and home insurance costs will likely continue to rise, although auto premiums may not rise as dramatically as they have over the past few years. And if you’re in the market for life insurance, expect to see competitive life insurance quotes and more customizable policies. Lawsuits and uncertainty over student loan relief continued Eliza Haverstock, student loans writer What happened: Borrowers received historic student loan relief, but lawsuits derailed an income-driven repayment plan used by 8 million whose payments are indefinitely paused. Uncertainty will carry into 2025 as a result of the presidential administration change. What’s ahead: Trump has pledged to overhaul higher education and rein in student loan relief. The fate of the SAVE repayment plan, student loan forgiveness options, FAFSA processing and more remain in the balance. Traveling in style was all the rage Meghan Coyle, assistant assigning editor, travel What happened: People are willing to pay more for big and small luxuries while traveling, and airlines and hotels are taking note. Many airlines raised checked bag fees early in 2024, credit card issuers and airlines invested in renovated airport lounges, and major hotel companies continued to add luxury properties and brands to their loyalty programs. What’s ahead: Southwest will say goodbye to its open seating policy and introduce new extra-legroom seats, a major departure for the airline. Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines will unveil a unified loyalty program in 2025. Spirit Airlines may attempt to merge with another airline again after its 2024 bankruptcy filing and two failed mergers under President Biden’s administration. Travelers will find that they’ll have to pay a premium to enjoy most of the upgrades airlines and hotels are making. Dynamic pricing expanded its reach Laura McMullen, assistant assigning editor, personal finance What happened: This year, dynamic pricing expanded beyond concerts and travel to online retailers and even fast-food restaurants. This practice of prices changing based on real-time supply and demand received plenty of backlash from consumers and prompted the Federal Trade Commission to investigate how companies use consumers’ data to set prices. What’s ahead: Beyond an expansion of dynamic pricing — perhaps with added oversight — expect subscription models to become more prevalent and demand for sustainable products to grow. The car market came back for buyers Shannon Bradley, autos writer What happened: New-car prices held steady in 2024 but remained high after a few years of sharp increases — the average new car now sells for about $48,000, and for the first time ever the price gap between new and used cars surpassed $20,000 (average used-car prices are now slightly more than $25,000). Overall, the car market returned to being in the buyer’s favor, as new-car inventories reached pre-pandemic levels, manufacturer incentives began making a comeback and auto loan interest rates started to decline. What’s ahead: The future of the car market is uncertain and depends on policies implemented by the incoming administration. Questions surround the impact of possible tariffs on car prices, whether auto loan rates will continue to drop, and if federal tax credits will still be available for electric vehicle buyers. Buy now, pay later grew in popularity Jackie Veling, personal loans writer What happened: Buy now, pay later continued to be a popular payment choice for U.S. shoppers, even while facing headwinds, like an interpretive ruling from the CFPB (which determined BNPL should be regulated the same as credit cards) and Apple’s discontinuation of its popular Apple Pay Later product. Large players like Affirm, Klarna and Afterpay continued to offer interest-free, pay-in-four plans at most major retailers, along with long-term plans for larger purchases. What’s ahead: Though more regulation had been widely anticipated in 2025, the change in administration suggests the CFPB will play a less active role in regulating BNPL products. For this reason, and its continued strength in the market, BNPL will likely keep growing. Inflation eased, finally Taryn Phaneuf, news writer What happened: Easing inflation was a bright spot in 2024. In June, the consumer price index fell below 3% for the first time in three years. Consumers saw prices level off or decline for many goods, including for groceries, gas and new and used vehicles. But prices haven’t fallen far enough or broadly enough to relieve the pinch many households feel. What’s ahead: The new and higher tariffs proposed by the Trump administration could reignite inflation on a wide range of goods. Rents were still high, but price growth slowed Taryn Phaneuf, news writer What happened: Rent prices remain high, but annual rent inflation slowed significantly compared to recent years, staying around 3.5% for much of 2024, according to Zillow, a real estate website that tracks rents. A wave of newly constructed rental units on the market seems to be helping ease competition among renters and forcing landlords to offer better incentives for signing a lease. What’s ahead: If it continues, a softening rental market could work in renters’ favor. But construction is one of several industries that could see a shortage of workers if the Trump administration follows through on its promise to deport undocumented immigrants. A shortage of workers would mean fewer houses and apartments could be built. Trump won the election, promised tariffs and deportations Anna Helhoski, news writer What happened: After a contentious presidential campaign, former President Donald Trump declared victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. While on the campaign trail, Trump promised to lower inflation, cut taxes, enact tariffs, weaken the power of the Federal Reserve, deport undocumented immigrants and more. Many economists have said Trump’s proposals, if enacted, would likely be inflationary. In Congress, Republicans earned enough seats to control both houses. What’s ahead: It’s unclear which campaign promises Trump will fulfill on his own and with the support of the new Congress. He has promised a slew of “day one” actions that could lead to higher prices, including across-the-board tariffs and mass deportations. Most recently, Trump pledged to enact 20% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, as well as an additional 10% tariff on China. He has also promised to extend or make permanent the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; many of its provisions expire by the end of 2025. Congress squabbled while consumer-first, antitrust efforts won Anna Helhoski, news writer What happened: Fiscal year 2023-2024’s funding saga finally came to an end in March, then six months later, the battle to fund the fiscal year 2024-2025 began. The Biden Administration waged its own war against junk fees . Antitrust enforcers pushed back against tech giants like Amazon, Apple, Google, and Meta; prevented the Kroger-Albertsons merger; nixed the Jet Blue-Spirit Airlines merger; and moved to ban noncompete agreements. The Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the constitutionality of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as well as a challenge to abortion pill access. SCOTUS also overruled its landmark Chevron case, which means every federal regulatory agency’s power to set and enforce its own rules are now weaker. What’s ahead: The election’s red sweep means the GOP will control the executive and legislative branches of government. They’ll face the threat of at least one more potential government shutdown; a debt ceiling drama comeback; and the beginning of the debate over extending or making permanent provisions of the expiring 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. More From NerdWallet Anna Helhoski writes for NerdWallet. Email: anna@nerdwallet.com. Twitter: @AnnaHelhoski. The article What Trended in Personal Finance in 2024? originally appeared on NerdWallet .

Mixing different experiences together usually requires owning a virtual or augmented reality headset, but the latest partnership between Disney, ESPN, and the NBA is changing the tune of the iconic Christmas Day games. This upcoming special broadcast is called "Dunk the Halls," and it will feature some of the most iconic animated characters from Disney to join the basketball game. A massive roster of classic Disney animated characters are coming to the ball game which will also see the hardcourt transform into a renowned location found on the Walt Disney World as part of the experience. Disney, ESPN to Transform NBA's Christmas Day Game This 2024 ESPN announced its latest partnerships to deliver a new kind of animated sports experience that will deliver a new kind of NBA Christmas Day game experience for families worldwide. This three-way partnership between Disney, ESPN, and the NBA is now looking to transform the regular NBA Christmas Day game featuring the San Antonio Spurs and the New York Knicks. According to the release, this will be the first NBA game that will stream on Disney+,... Isaiah RichardQuest Partners LLC grew its holdings in Grindr Inc. ( NYSE:GRND – Free Report ) by 277.4% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 48,375 shares of the company’s stock after acquiring an additional 35,558 shares during the period. Quest Partners LLC’s holdings in Grindr were worth $577,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in the business. SG Americas Securities LLC bought a new stake in Grindr in the 2nd quarter valued at $718,000. Yarra Square Partners LP bought a new position in shares of Grindr in the second quarter valued at about $3,005,000. Federated Hermes Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Grindr during the 2nd quarter worth about $3,640,000. Point72 Asset Management L.P. bought a new stake in shares of Grindr during the 2nd quarter worth about $688,000. Finally, Discovery Capital Management LLC CT acquired a new position in Grindr in the 2nd quarter valued at about $3,179,000. 7.22% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Grindr news, insider Zachary Katz sold 3,058 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $14.30, for a total transaction of $43,729.40. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 586,722 shares in the company, valued at $8,390,124.60. This represents a 0.52 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . Also, Director Nathan Richardson sold 5,234 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $15.00, for a total transaction of $78,510.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 27,408 shares in the company, valued at approximately $411,120. This represents a 16.03 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold a total of 296,549 shares of company stock worth $4,195,896 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 76.40% of the company’s stock. Grindr Trading Up 0.7 % Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on GRND shares. Raymond James boosted their price objective on Grindr from $16.00 to $19.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, November 8th. TD Cowen upped their price objective on Grindr from $14.00 to $17.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on GRND Grindr Profile ( Free Report ) Grindr Inc operates social network and dating application for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) communities worldwide. Its platform enables LGBTQ people to find and engage with each other, share content and experiences, and express themselves. The company offers ad-supported service and a premium subscription version. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GRND? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Grindr Inc. ( NYSE:GRND – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Grindr Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Grindr and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Macomb, Michigan-The secret of US President-elect Trump’s admiration for Elon Musk became clear to me during an interview where Trump narrated a fascinating story about a space rocket. Trump described how, after traveling back to Earth, instead of landing in a desert, sea, lake, or some other desolate place, the rocket executed a controlled descent. Swinging and turning wildly with a large flame roaring from its exhaust, it slowed down and gently positioned itself to land precisely on the same launcher from which it was fired. Astonished by this incredible feat of science, human ingenuity, and innovation, Trump said he immediately called Elon Musk to confirm: “Was it you?” When Musk replied affirmatively, Trump remarked, “No country on the face of the Earth could do it, not even the USA, but you did it.” This inspired me to dig deeper into Elon Musk’s wild dreams of space exploration and peek into his visionary mind. After some research, I was left reeling with amazement. Musk’s mind, it seems, is one that might have been born many years into the future. In one of his interviews, Musk mentioned the possibility of mankind traveling at twice the speed of light—not by burning any fuel but by bending time and space. He explained that by “squeezing space,” which behaves like a giant plastic sheet, we could bring distant areas of the universe closer to us without traveling any actual distance. This radical idea is rooted in Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity. Musk referred to the concept of creating a “warp bubble” that contracts space in front of a spacecraft and expands it behind, effectively allowing the craft to traverse vast distances without exceeding the speed of light within its local frame. This concept, known as the Alcubierre Drive, was proposed by physicist Miguel Alcubierre in 1994. It suggests that by warping spacetime, a spacecraft could achieve effective Faster-Than-Light (FTL) travel without violating the laws of physics. Elon Musk is captivated by this theoretically possible feat and is actively working on advanced propulsion technologies and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to solve complex challenges. Reports suggest that Musk has created an AI supercomputer, known as “Colossus,” located in Memphis, Tennessee. It is equipped with 100,000 of the latest Nvidia GPUs, liquid-cooled with massive water systems, and powered by Tesla Megapack batteries. According to Musk, Colossus is not merely a machine but a gateway—designed to fuel “Grok,” an AI model capable of propelling humanity beyond the boundaries of human understanding. Musk envisions Grok solving some of humanity’s greatest mysteries, such as the enigma of black holes, dark matter, and dark energy. He believes we are on the verge of unlocking the secrets of the cosmos—or perhaps discovering something even more unimaginable waiting for us on the other side. In another video, Elon Musk shared an idea that showcased his deep understanding of cosmology, explaining it in simple terms rather than relying on complex mathematical calculations or difficult-to-comprehend concepts. He stated that, while technically traveling faster than the speed of light might be theoretically possible, it remains a difficult feat to achieve at this point in time. He explained this by highlighting how space itself can play tricks on us. While we cannot travel faster than the speed of light, the fabric of space is moving at speeds faster than light. In another video, Musk described a hypothetical scenario involving a spaceship that could take you to distant stars in the blink of an eye. This concept, known as the “warp drive,” involves a revolutionary way of thinking about travel. Instead of zooming through space, a warp drive would work by stretching space in front of the ship and compressing it behind. Musk illustrated this concept by likening space to a giant rubber sheet. Imagine pulling a distant star closer to you instantly. By pulling the space in front of you closer and pushing the space behind you away, you could move forward without physically moving. This means it would be possible to travel to other planets and even distant stars faster than light, all without breaking the laws of physics. Reaching this point of understanding and innovation has not been easy for Elon Musk. When he first introduced the concept of commercial space exploration, the entire world seemed to turn against him. During a Congressional Senate hearing in 2010, many veteran space legends, including Neil Armstrong, publicly opposed the idea of commercial space exploration. Musk later revealed that this opposition brought him to tears. However, this criticism did not deter him. Today, SpaceX is approaching a $250 billion valuation and has conducted more than 400 launches over the past 14 years, including 15 crewed missions. Of these, ten were under contract with NASA to transport astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS). Under President elect Trump, a major shake-up in U.S. space policy began to take shape. There are discussions about potentially canceling future iterations of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) or even abandoning it altogether. Plans for Gateway, a proposed space station in lunar orbit, were also reconsidered in favor of expanding commercial contracts with companies like SpaceX. This shift aimed to accelerate efforts to send humans to Mars, a vision Musk has championed for years. Musk’s ultimate goal is to colonize Mars. His vision includes building up to 1,000 Starships a year to transport people between Earth and the red planet. As in the past, this ambitious idea is not without controversy. Many conventional scientists caution that it will require years of further research and development, as the technologies necessary to sustain life on Mars do not yet exist. However, just as Neil Armstrong and others once doubted the feasibility of commercial space exploration, these conventional scientists may not be able to deter Elon Musk from venturing into this arena. Musk has a track record of defying skepticism, as demonstrated when many believed rockets could not and would not land back on their launch pads. Musk proved them wrong by stating that if a rocket can ascend along a specific trajectory, it can also descend along the same path to return to its launcher. Once again, Musk’s determination may turn the improbable into reality. The democrats like Obama and Joe Biden had had assumed Elon Musk a biggest adversary and did whatever they could to deter him for visualizing his wild dreams. But they could not dampened his innovation and creativity and now with Donald Trump in power, and Musk himself in the driving seat to cut down on bureaucracy and and eliminate overregulations which according to him stifle entrepreneurship, cuttle creativity and slow down economic growth, the world should keep its figure cross and await for many more mind boggling innovations by many innovators like Elon Musk which might multiply by the enabling environment under Donald Trump. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );

Outside of his immediate family, you’d be hard-pressed to find too many others who know Bryce Underwood better than Donovan Dooley. The Michigan native and longtime quarterback coach has been mentoring kids of all ages for years. He’s known Underwood, the No. 1 prospect in America who flipped his college commitment from LSU to Michigan on Thursday, since he was 8 years old. “Like a long, baby deer,” Dooley described Underwood, who towered over his high school competition at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds. “He was always talented as a kid dude to his dad’s backyard workouts. He was the kid who was just grinding.” Now 17, Underwood plans to enroll at Michigan next month and begin his college journey in the maize and blue, thrust into the national spotlight as one of the most intriguing quarterbacks in the country. Michigan’s coaches — who can’t speak publicly about Underwood until he makes his commitment official early next month — celebrated the news late Thursday, touting their ability to keep the state’s prized prospect home. In a video posted on social media confirming his flip to Michigan, a young, adolescent Underwood could be seen speaking into a microphone proclaiming himself — one day, he hoped — a member of the Wolverines. That dream became reality this week, when Underwood ended his courtship with LSU and declared himself a Michigan man. To help sweeten the offer, Michigan has extended a multi-million dollar name, image and likeness financial package to him. More: During a sideways season, QB Bryce Underwood gives U-M a reason to celebrate “Home is home, right?,” Dooley, a close confidant of Underwood’s parents, Jacquan and Beverly, and founder of Quarterback University. “He wants to become a hometown hero. He’s a pillar in the community. He’s a hard worker. He reaches out and helps the Boys & Girls Club with kids, and he’s very personable. He’s a sign of hope for the inner city.” Dooley credits Underwood’s willingness to be coached for getting him to this point. A two-time state champion at nearby Belleville High School, where he was 50-4 as a four-year starter, the star quarterback has listened to those around him. To his dad instilling hard lessons at a young age to Dooley’s regular teachings on the field, “he has a thirst — an obsession — for information.” “He loves the classroom just as much as he loves the field,” Dooley said, referring to film sessions and critiques of his play. “You hear the term ‘it’ a whole lot across the country. That’s kind of cliche, but what he has is he’s clutch. “He’s not afraid to fail, which is a unique trait for a quarterback with his pocket courage.” Underwood, the QB coach says, is also mature for his age. He was 13 years old when he played his first game in high school and will enroll and go through spring practices as a 17-year-old, not turning 18 until just a few weeks before the season opener. As for next season, Michigan coach Sherrone Moore and his staff will have a decision to make on when, and if, to play him. The school has had a long-standing track record of letting true-freshmen quarterbacks sit their first year, to learn and absorb the responsibilities that come with playing in college. Even so, Dooley believes Underwood could be ready to play on Day 1. “I always use the term unicorn,” Dooley said. “He’s 1 of 1. Now he gets to be around those in a room who take the position seriously — a staff, a college atmosphere. Everybody doesn’t understand what it is you do. When you’re around that atmosphere and structure, he’s only going to continue to raise the bar. If he continues to excel, he has a high trajectory.” More: Bryce Underwood joins short list of Michigan’s superstar recruits As for his on-field play, Dooley has watched Underwood grow from a freshman who wanted to show off his arm and take regular shots down the field to one who learned to to stretch the field horizontally. It’s that type of football IQ that really allowed him to flourish at Belleville, where he’s thrown for more than 5,200 yards and 69 touchdowns (with just three interceptions) in the last two seasons. This year, he rushed for 568 yards and five touchdowns, showing off his dual-threat ability. “The past couple years he’s continued to get better at being very methodical and situation-based,” Dooley said. “Understanding down-and-distance, taking care of the football in the red zone, taking calculated risks and shots. “When he was a freshman, he used to try and stretch the field vertically a ton, and myself and his dad in our down used to try and talk to him, saying ‘work the chains, move the sticks.’ And without a doubt, (he listened).” As it turns out, Underwood’s college career is just the next step in a pathway toward his ultimate goal: Winning a Super Bowl in the NFL. It’s a dream he’s been talking about for some time, Dooley says, and it will be up to Michigan and its staff to make sure he’s able to reach the next level. Moore and his assistants were “relentless” in their pursuit of Underwood, Dooley said, making him feel comfortable in his decision to stay close to home. “I know he wants to be a winning quarterback. I know he wants to be the best to ever play the position,” Dooley said. “Most kids say, ‘Hey, I want to be an NFL player.’ You’ve never heard that out of Bryce. You ask him, what do you want to do when you get older? ‘I want to win a Super Bowl.’ You’ll say, ‘What if you win one?’ ‘Well, I’ll win it again.’ He’s always got something he’s chasing.” Underwood will enter a quarterback room at Michigan wide open. Veteran Jack Tuttle is out of eligibility after retiring, Davis Warren and Alex Orji have largely struggled in their time on the field this year, and true freshman Jadyn Davis has yet to see the field. An opportunity could be there for Underwood to seize the job and enter next fall as the Wolverines’ stater. Don’t rule out Michigan looking to the transfer portal for a seasoned vet, too. Either way, Dooley looks forward to seeing what Underwood does at Michigan. He cautions fans to show some patience early — “he’ll be learning on the job,” Dooley points out — but enjoy the ride. Because he will, too. “He’s going to make mistakes, he’s a young quarterback,” the QB coach said. “The position of quarterback in today’s world is unforgiving, but just ride with Bryce Underwood. You’ll be all right — and he’ll get you to the promised land.”

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PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 25, 2024-- Kingswood Capital Management, LP (together with its affiliates, “Kingswood”) announced today that it has acquired Identity Theft Guard Solutions, Inc. (“IDX” or the “Company”) from ZeroFox. IDX is a leading cybersecurity breach response platform, providing end-to-end notification, remediation, and digital protection for customers and employees affected by cyber breaches. As part of the transaction, Kingswood has partnered with the Company’s existing management team. Ian Kelly, who will continue to lead the Company as President of IDX, commented, “We look forward to the partnership with Kingswood and believe that with their support we can further accelerate the robust growth we have experienced over the last few years. Our strength in customer service and our ability to quickly scale to manage large breaches already differentiates us from our competition. Through our Partnership with Kingswood, the focus we will gain as an independent company will help us add the incremental services and product features that will most benefit our customers. I am excited for our customers and employees as we embark on this next phase as a company.” Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, IDX was founded in 2003 to help create a safer digital world. Since then, IDX has helped countless organizations – including key government agencies and leading Fortune 500 companies – respond to data breaches. The Company is also trusted by millions of consumers to protect their valuable data and prevent identity theft. IDX’s core breach response business provides response services for data breaches, including notifications to impacted individuals, security call center support, informational webpages, and monitoring and digital protection. The Company’s growing Incident Response business provides consulting and execution services to contain, respond to, and recover from cyberattacks and proactively assess risks. “From its founding, IDX was a pioneer in the rapidly growing breach response market and we are excited to partner with Ian Kelly and the rest of the IDX team to make further investments in the business and continue to grow the company,” said Michael Niegsch, Partner at Kingswood. “This transaction represents Kingswood’s fourth corporate carve-out in the last ten months, demonstrating the faith corporate sellers have in Kingswood as a trusted partner in effectively transitioning divested business units to standalone entities.” PJT Partners served as exclusive financial and capital markets advisor to Kingswood in connection with the transaction. McDermott Will & Emery LLP acted as legal advisor to Kingswood. Evercore and Ropes & Gray LLP advised ZeroFox on the transaction. About IDX IDX was founded in 2003 to help create a safer digital world. Since then, IDX has helped countless organizations – including key government agencies and leading Fortune 500 companies – respond to data breaches. The Company is also trusted by millions of consumers to protect their valuable data and avoid identity theft. For more information, please visit the IDX website at www.idx.us . About Kingswood Capital Management, LP Kingswood Capital Management, LP partners with leading companies in the middle market which stand to benefit from its capital and extensive operating resources. Kingswood embraces complexity and believes it is well-positioned to support businesses at inflection points in their development to enhance value. Based in Los Angeles, Kingswood is a cohesive, entrepreneurial team with a long history of shared success developing “win-win” partnerships with its portfolio companies and management teams. For more information, please visit the Kingswood website at www.kingswood-capital.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125801334/en/ CONTACT: Shannon Powers media@kingswood-capital.com KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA OREGON INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY INTERNET DATA MANAGEMENT SECURITY SOURCE: Kingswood Capital Management, LP Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/25/2024 01:36 PM/DISC: 11/25/2024 01:37 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125801334/enOverhaul at N.M.'s once-troubled veterans home prioritizing more than just care20ft garlands from 200kg flowers, petal showers bring extra biz in poll season