v�Z*��̩L@�H�zd��Rh�d�P`�qa�2��/�E���\j�]}�d%�,��\�=1�5U�A$<�2���m^{aƙ�m''�M�,��)9f�ƺ���4+����w�Yy �

v�Z*��̩L@�H�zd��Rh�d�P`�qa�2��/�E���\j�]}�d%�,��\�=1�5U�A$<�2���m^{aƙ�m''�M�,��)9f�ƺ���4+����w�Yy �Investors’ hopes of future interest rate cuts were buoyed on Friday by weak UK economic data, pushing the FTSE 100 upwards. London’s blue-chip index gained 112.81 points, or 1.38%, to end the day at 8,262.08. It came after a business survey showed activity across the UK’s private sector contracted in the first weeks of November, amid a slump in optimism in the period following the Budget. The S&P Global flash UK composite purchasing managers’ index (PMI) reported activity hit a 13-month low. But the news had a positive effect on UK stocks, which rose on hopes of faster cuts to the base interest rate by the Bank of England. Elliott Jordan-Doak, an analyst at the consultancy Pantheon Macroeconomics, said that rising inflation and risks from Donald Trump’s election in the US “leaves only a low chance of another rate cut in December”. “Signs of weaker growth, however, make a February rate cut a slam dunk, we think. “Accordingly, the market repriced closer to our call after the PMI release, now pricing three rate cuts over the next 12 months.” At the end of the day in Europe Frankfurt’s Dax index rose 0.83%, while the Cac 40 in Paris gained 0.58%. In New York a little while after markets had closed in Europe the S&P 500 had gained 0.27%, while the Dow Jones was 0.76% higher. On currency markets the pound was trading 0.54% lower against the dollar at 1.2516 and had risen 0.14% against the euro at 1.2037. In company news, National World shareholder Media Concierge has said it tabled a £56.2 million takeover approach for the Yorkshire Post owner. Media Concierge, which runs a raft of newspapers in Ireland as well as direct mail and advertising operations, put forward a potential offer of 21p per share for National World on October 31. This represents a 40% premium against the firm’s share price at the close of trading on Thursday November 21. Shares in National World rose 25.67% on Friday. Brent crude futures were up 0.92% to 74.91 US dollars at the close of trading. The biggest risers on the FTSE 100 were Diploma, up 244p to 4466p, Spirax, up 280p to 6790p, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, up 78p to 1950p, AstraZeneca, up 412p to 10474p, and Melrose Industries, up 18.6p to 526.8p. The biggest fallers on the FTSE 100 were NatWest Group, down 9.8p to 390.7p, Barclays, down 5.45p to 257.2p, JD Sports, down 1.98p to 93.46p, Antofagasta, down 25p to 1664.5p, and Standard Chartered, down 13.4p to 945.6p.

The imposition of visa restrictions on US personnel is a measured response to the provocative actions and statements made by certain individuals who have shown a lack of respect for China's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is a necessary step to defend China's core interests and uphold the principles of international law and mutual respect.

No secrets as Bucs visit Dave Canales, Panthers for NFC South showdownWhatsApp has introduced a new feature aimed at simplifying document sharing, enabling users to scan documents directly within the app. This functionality, included in the latest WhatsApp for iOS update (version 24.25.80), is smoothly integrated into the document-sharing menu. With this enhancement, users can quickly scan documents using their device's camera, eliminating the need for third-party scanning tools or apps. The said feature is being rolled out gradually, with more users expected to have access in the coming weeks, according to the latest WhatsApp changelog shared by WABetaInfo. ALSO READ | Merry Christmas 2024: Google Brings X-Mas-Themed Games To Make Waiting For Santa Claus' Gift Fun WhatsApp Scanning: How To Use To use it, WhatsApp users simply open the document-sharing menu and click on the "scan" option, which will activate the camera. Once the document is captured, users can preview the scan and make necessary adjustments. The app automatically suggests margins, but users have the option to fine-tune them for the best framing and clarity. Once satisfied with the scan, users can easily confirm and send the document directly to a chat or group, making the entire process smooth and efficient. This new feature marks a major advancement for WhatsApp, especially for users who need to share documents quickly while on the move. By eliminating the need to switch between different apps, it offers a seamless solution for capturing, editing, and sending scanned documents all within the app. First reported by WABetaInfo as part of the WhatsApp iOS 24.25.80 update, this feature has been gradually refined and expanded. By integrating it into the document-sharing menu, WhatsApp is enhancing its role as a comprehensive platform for communication and document exchange. As the feature becomes more widely available, it will save users time and reduce reliance on third-party applications, making document sharing faster and more efficient.

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Hundreds of people gathered at the Church of the Nativity in the holy city of Bethlehem on Tuesday to mark another solemn Christmas overshadowed by the war in Gaza. Missing for a second consecutive year were the festive decorations, and the crowd paled in comparison to the throngs of tourists and pilgrims of Christmases past — a reflection of the sombre mood as the war between Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip drags on. At Manger Square, the heart of the Palestinian city dominated by the revered church that marks the site where Christians believe Jesus Christ was born, a group of scouts held a small parade that broke the morning’s silence. “Our children want to play and laugh,” read a sign carried by one of them, as his friends whistled and cheered. The fighting in Gaza — which is separated from the occupied West Bank by a swath of Israeli territory — erupted after Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7 last year. The attack, the deadliest in Israel’s history, resulted in the deaths of 1,208 people, according to an AFP tally of official Israeli figures. Israel’s retaliatory war in Gaza has left 45,338 people dead, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory, figures the UN considers reliable. Traditionally in Bethlehem, a grand Christmas tree would light up Manger Square, but local authorities opted against elaborate celebrations for a second year. “This year we limited our joy,” Bethlehem mayor Anton Salman told AFP. Prayers, including the church’s famed midnight mass, will still be held in the presence of the Catholic Church’s Latin Patriarch, but the festivities will be of a more strictly religious nature than the festive celebrations the city once held. Despite the gloomy mood, some Christians in the Holy Land — who number about 185,000 in Israel and 47,000 in the Palestinian territories — are finding refuge in prayer. “Christmas is a feast of faith... We’re going to pray and ask God to end our suffering,” Salman said. In a message to Christians all over the world, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked them for supporting Israel’s fight against the “forces of evil”. “You’ve stood by our side resiliently, consistently, forcefully as Israel defends our civilisation against barbarism,” he said. – Christians in Syria – Elsewhere in the Middle East, hundreds of people took to the streets in Christian areas of Syria’s capital to protest the burning of a Christmas tree. The incident took place in the Christian-majority town of Suqaylabiyah in central Syria just over two weeks after Islamist-led rebels spearheaded an offensive that ousted president Bashar al-Assad. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor, the fighters who set fire to the tree were foreigners. A demonstrator in Damascus who gave his name as Georges told AFP he was protesting “injustice against Christians”. “If we’re not allowed to live our Christian faith in our country, as we used to, then we don’t belong here anymore,” he said. A religious leader from Syria’s victorious Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) addressed residents, maintaining that those who torched the tree were “not Syrian” and promising they would be punished. Syria’s new rulers have vowed to protect the country’s religious minorities, including Christians. But some Syrian Christians, including secular longtime opponents to Assad’s rule, fear the new leadership’s Sunni Islamist ideology will mean their community’s political aspirations and those of other minorities will not be taken into account in the transition. – Jubilee 2025 – In Germany, Christmas was overshadowed by a deadly attack at a market, prompting President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to issue a message of healing. A Saudi doctor, Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, 50, was arrested Friday at the scene of the attack, in which a rented SUV ploughed at high speed through a crowd of revellers, bringing chaos to the festive event. “A dark shadow hangs over this Christmas,” said the head of state. “Hatred and violence must not have the final word. Let’s not allow ourselves to be driven apart. Let’s stand together.” Pope Francis will mark Christmas Eve on Tuesday with a special ceremony launching Jubilee 2025, a year of Catholic celebrations set to draw more than 30 million pilgrims to Rome. The motto of the Jubilee is “Pilgrims of Hope”, and the Argentine pontiff is expected to repeat his calls for peace in a world riven by conflict, particularly in the Middle East.Excitement is at an all-time high in the gaming community as Sony PlayStation recently released a tantalizing new teaser for their upcoming game lineup in 2025. Titled "PlayStation 2025: The Future Awaits," the promo video offers a sneak peek into some of the most highly anticipated titles, promising a gaming experience like no other for PS fans worldwide.

As the amusing comparisons continued to make rounds online, Sony remained silent on the matter, neither confirming nor denying the alleged connection between their design and the humble bathroom appliance. However, the gaming community couldn't help but marvel at the unexpected convergence of worlds - where high-tech gaming consoles and household utilities intersect in a strangely harmonious way.

Safety is also a top priority for the Deep Blue S09, with a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems and safety features designed to protect occupants and prevent accidents. From adaptive cruise control to lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking, the S09 is equipped with the latest technologies to ensure peace of mind on every journey.

Rutgers may be the 24th-best-ranked college in the recent AP Top 25 poll, but watching them this season is as exciting as it gets. The program never had a player picked in the top 5 in the NBA draft. Their record currently holds James Bailey, who was drafted sixth overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in 1979. This year, they have two players who might break that feat. One of them is their 6'6" guard, Dylan Harper. He has been phenomenal in his four games since joining the Scarlet Knights. His stat line of 19.5 points per game, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.3 assists while shooting 53.8% from the field is one of the reasons why Rutgers is still unbeaten. The freshman has been commanding that offense with poise, and he looked at his best right when they needed that from him - when his co-star Ace Bailey was out with an injury. Even though Harper is predicted as a top-3 pick by a lot of analysts, Bailey's stock is even higher, and it looks like he might challenge Cooper Flagg for that No. 1 pick in next year's NBA draft. Bailey is also a freshman whose debut was a little later, as he missed the first two games with a minor injury. All-around game dazzles in early season showings In his first appearance for the team, he played 30 minutes, scoring 17 points and 6 boards, paired up with a couple of steals and one block. His 5-of-10 shooting from the field and 1-of-3 from the deep doesn't paint the whole picture. The 6'10" forward scored some impressive shots, which evoked memories of some of the NBA legends. Ace Bailey is going to give Cooper Flagg a competitive run for the No. 1 overall pick. Not many prospects have this type of shot-making ability to go with Bailey’s physical traits. Many NBA executives believe Bailey is in a similar tier as Flagg. pic.twitter.com/NlJ0fAqbJY His second game was even better. In a 63-74 win against the Merrimack Warriors, Rutgers' No. 4 scored 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting. He also shot 2-of-4 from the three-point range and had 10 rebounds and one block in 33 minutes on the floor. During the game, Bailey had one outstanding turnaround midrange while he was double-teamed. It seems he scores those with ease, but his game isn't one-dimensional. Rutgers' stud is a 3-level scorer who is slowly changing people's thoughts on the upcoming draft. "This is my first time saying this this season, so I Don't wanna hear it... but bro, look like the #1 PICK RN," Frankie Vision, who has 110 thousand Instagram followers, wrote alongside Bailey's highlight video on X. Ace Bailey vs Merrimack tonight.. 23 PTS (9-15 FG, 2-4 3PT) 10 REBS 1 BLK This is my first time saying this, this season so I Don’t wanna hear it.. but bro look like the #1 PICK RN... pic.twitter.com/cSoXSQJhJz Related: When "Big O" took a swipe at modern basketball and Steph: "If you can dunk or make a three-point shot, you're the greatest thing since sliced bread" Comparisons to KD highlight Bailey's potential Even ESPN's analysts are impressed with the young forward's game and are already comparing him to the all-time greats. "Ace Bailey, to me, and I'm not saying he is, but he's got a little Kevin Durant in his game," former Virginia Tech head coach Seth Greenberg said . "He really does—his release point, how he creates separation, how he moves around the court, his feel. He's special." And the comparison couldn't be more on point because Ace said the same thing. "Kevin Durant, Paul George, and Jayson Tatum," he answered when asked about the players he models his game after. "And I'd say [Tracy McGrady], too. T-Mac. ... They create shots and put their teammates in situations that they know they can succeed in -- and they [know how to] step up and be a leader." Ace Bailey says he models his game after Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, Paul George and Tracy McGrady (🎥 @erikslater_ ) pic.twitter.com/c6iIbD2iqn He may have played only two games so far on the college level. Still, he has already been drawing comparisons to some of the best scorers in history. While his handles and separation-making aren't on Durant's level, there are some similarities in their games, which is ultimately the reason why everyone is so hyped up about him. Related: How Mark Pope and Kentucky stopped Cooper Flagg in a Champions Classic: "We'll have a body there to take the ball"The National Assembly has moved quickly to address the situation, appointing an interim president to oversee the government until a new election can be held. However, the political situation remains fluid and unpredictable, with tensions running high between the ruling party and the opposition.The tragic fate of the mother and daughter serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of financial scams and the importance of taking such crimes seriously. It also underscores the crucial role that law enforcement plays in supporting and advocating for victims of fraud, rather than adding to their suffering through callous behavior.