online casino legit

online casino legit De La Rosa scores 27 points as Columbia tops Fairfield 85-72Originally appeared on E! Online Kristin Cavallari is kissing and telling about her experience dating Morgan Wallen. > Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are "The Hills" alum shared NSFW details about her past romance with the country star, more than a month after seemingly confirming they had at one point been involved. "He's a great f--- buddy," Cavallari said on the Dec. 29 episode of Bunnie XO's "Dumb Blonde" podcast. "He was good in bed." Wallen, 31, has not commented on the "Very Cavallari" star's remarks. Cavallari also shared details about her first date with the "Love Somebody" singer, who, she added, is a "good guy" with a "big heart." "The first date that we went on, he was a true gentleman," the 37-year-old told Bunnie, "and he was like, 'I'll pick you up, I'll pick the place,' like, just f---ing handled business." Cavallari, who shares children Camden, 12, Jaxon, 10, and Saylor, 8 with ex-husband Jay Cutler , said Wallen did indeed pick her up and met her kids before they went out. "My kids were so excited," Cavallari said. "It was so cute." READ Kristin Cavallari Admits She's in Her "Villain Era" After Dating Confessions She said that Wallen got the two a private room at the venue they visited, without naming it, and that they were accompanied by his bodyguard. The singer later dropped her off, she said. But the date did not end there. "He kissed me in the rain," she said, "and it was the sweetest thing." CAvallari did not specify when the date occurred or how long their romance lasted. She also said she has not spoken to him in "probably a year." "But," she added, "I have nothing but good things to say about him." In November, more than a month after confirming her breakup from Montana Boyz TikToker Mark Estes and amid romance rumors about her and Wallen, Cavallari seemingly admitted that she had dated the 2025 Grammy nominee . In a video posted on her social media, she and BFF Justin Anderson took part in a viral trend in which people call out truths about one another. In the clip, Cavallari is seen jogging as her friend is heard saying, "Suspect let Morgan Wallen hurt her feelings, and she kept going back." She bursts out laughing and covers her mouth in response. On Bunnie's podcast, Cavallari offered some context into the claim. "God, I'm so sorry, Morgan. He didn't hurt my feelings," she began. "I'll be honest with you — Morgan was the first guy in my entire f---ing like that wasn't just completely enamored with me. And I was like, 'What in the f--- is going on?' It really threw me." The "Uncommon James" founder added, "I love having the upper hand and I feel like with him, I didn't have the upper hand. The only time in my life. So it really f---ed with me."

Poland’s GDP is set to expand further in 2025 , cementing its position as the European Union’s (EU) fastest-growing economy. Polish economic growth is projected at 3.7% next year, supported by private consumption and investments , European Commission (EC) data showed. This expectation expands a strong rebound from 0.2% in 2023 to just over 3% in 2024, according to the forecast on November 15. A strong financial sector, paired with tight labor markets, has also resulted in significant wage growth, driving increased consumer spending. “Poland is one of the great economic growth success stories in the world over the last 30 years,” Geoff Gottlieb, IMF senior regional representative for Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe, said . Poland's GDP outperforms the EU and Germany, Europe's largest economy. The EC expects the EU GDP to grow by a mere 0.8% this year and 1.5% in 2025. German GDP will contract by 0.1% in 2024 from a 0.1% expansion previously, the second consecutive year of negative growth, the EC said. Consumption-Led Recovery is Driving Poland's GDP The IMF staff wrote in a report published on October 17 that "a consumption-led recovery is underway" in Poland. It added that the "outlook is further supported by recently unlocked NextGen EU Funds (NGEU)." NextGen EU is a financial package allocated to Poland from the EU’s “NextGenerationEU” recovery plan to help member states recover economically from the COVID-19 pandemic. The package funds investments in green energy, digitalization, and social cohesion. In the second quarter of 2024, Poland recorded the EU's largest GDP growth at +1.5%. Investment Key Driver of Poland's GDP Growth Poland's corporate sector wages increased by 10.2% year-on-year (YoY) to $2,042 (PLN 8,316.57) in October 2024, following a 10.3% growth in the previous month and beating market expectations of a 10.1% increase. The average business employment decreased by 0.5% YoY in October, the same as in September. Despite this setback, Poland’s labor market remains solid, with unemployment remaining near record lows. In 2025, EU-funded public investment is also forecasted to be a key driver of Poland's GDP growth. In February, the EU unblocked around $147 billion (PLN 600 billion) for Poland from the Cohesion Policy and the National Recovery Plan. This is set to stimulate the Polish economy and boost investments. The funds will help accelerate the green and digital transformation in the economy, increasing energy security and the use of modern technologies. Poland GDP Growth Attracts Foreign Investments Poland's strong economic performance has attracted international investments. Microsoft Corp. opened in 2023 a $1 billion cloud region around Warsaw. It consists of three physical locations with one or more data centers. "Microsoft's investment in Poland will accelerate our country's transformation into a technology hub for the Central and Eastern European region," Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said at the time. Microsoft has also launched an extensive AI training program in Poland, which aims to equip one million individuals with essential AI competencies by the end of 2025. "Poland found the perfect blend of East and West," Ole Lehmann, the founder of The AI Solopreneur, wrote on X . "They combined: Western innovation without the bureaucracy" and "Eastern work ethic & traditional values without authoritarianism." Challenges to Poland's GDP Growth Polish industrial production remained close to stagnant in Q3 (0.6%YoY growth after +0.8%YoY in 2Q24) while construction remained in a recession. A decline in domestic retail trade added further pressure on the economy. Poland, though, has little room for significant interest rate cuts next year, with wages and consumer prices buoying inflation and economic growth accelerating, the country's deputy central bank chief, Marta Kightley, said . Polish inflation eased in November to 4.6% YoY from 5% YoY in October. "The decline in inflation in November is a temporary phenomenon," ING wrote on November 29. "We project that it will rise in the first quarter of 2025, which will prevent the Monetary Policy Council from beginning its monetary easing cycle until then." This has significantly slowed real wage growth, which dropped from 8.5% YoY to 6.0%. Higher electricity and gas bills may limit resources available for other household expenditures. What Future Holds for Poland's GDP Despite recording the fastest GDP growth in the EU and a record-low unemployment rate, labor shortages paired with low fertility rates and an aging population could pose a future threat to the Polish economy. In the past 30 years, Poland's birth rate decreased by 40%, standing at 1.33 in 2024. While the total EU population increased in 2023, the population fell in 7 countries, Latvia (-5.9) and Poland (-3.6), recording some of the highest decreases. In response to labor market gaps and the need to attract foreign workers, Poland’s government announced its first comprehensive migration strategy in October, a step toward addressing demographic challenges. Many entrepreneurs are concerned that stricter immigration policies will make it harder to hire workers. Disclaimer : Any opinions expressed in this article are not to be considered investment advice and are solely those of the authors. European Capital Insights is not responsible for any financial decisions made based on the contents of this article. Readers may use this article for information and educational purposes only. This article is from an unpaid external contributor. It does not represent Benzinga’s reporting and has not been edited for content or accuracy. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Minnesota 30, Chicago 27, OT

Stars take road win streak into game against the Hurricanes Dallas Stars (13-6, in the Central Division) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (14-5-1, in the Metropolitan Division) Raleigh, North Carolina; Monday, 7 p.m. Canadian Press Nov 24, 2024 1:12 AM Nov 24, 2024 1:20 AM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Dallas Stars (13-6, in the Central Division) vs. Carolina Hurricanes (14-5-1, in the Metropolitan Division) Raleigh, North Carolina; Monday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: The Dallas Stars hit the road against the Carolina Hurricanes trying to extend a three-game road winning streak. Carolina has a 7-1-0 record at home and a 14-5-1 record overall. The Hurricanes are 6-1-0 in games their opponents commit more penalties. Dallas has a 5-4-0 record in road games and a 13-6 record overall. The Stars have a 6-2-0 record in games their opponents serve more penalty minutes. Monday's game is the first meeting between these teams this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Martin Necas has scored 11 goals with 22 assists for the Hurricanes. Jackson Blake has over the past 10 games. Tyler Seguin has scored seven goals with nine assists for the Stars. Logan Stankoven has over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Hurricanes: 6-3-1, averaging 3.9 goals, 6.4 assists, three penalties and 6.4 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game. Stars: 6-4-0, averaging 3.7 goals, 6.5 assists, 3.6 penalties and 9.5 penalty minutes while giving up 2.6 goals per game. INJURIES: Hurricanes: None listed. Stars: None listed. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar . The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Hockey San Jose brings losing streak into game against Los Angeles Nov 24, 2024 1:12 AM Flames visit the Senators after shootout win Nov 24, 2024 1:12 AM Panthers bring losing streak into matchup with the Capitals Nov 24, 2024 1:12 AM

SYDNEY, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- IREN Limited IREN (ACN 629 842 799) ("IREN") today announced its intention to offer, subject to market and other conditions, $300 million aggregate principal amount of convertible senior notes due 2030 (the "notes") in a private offering to persons reasonably believed to be qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). IREN also expects to grant the initial purchasers of the notes an option to purchase, for settlement within a period of 13 days from, and including, the date the notes are first issued, up to an additional $45 million principal amount of notes. The notes will be senior, unsecured obligations of IREN, will accrue interest payable semi-annually in arrears and will mature on June 15, 2030, unless earlier repurchased, redeemed or converted. Noteholders will have the right to convert their notes in certain circumstances and during specified periods. IREN will settle conversions by paying or delivering, as the case may be, cash, its ordinary shares or a combination of cash and its ordinary shares, at its election. The notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part (subject to certain limitations), for cash at IREN's option, on or after December 20, 2027 and on or before the 30th scheduled trading day immediately before the maturity date, but only if the last reported sale price per share of IREN's ordinary shares exceeds 130% of the conversion price for a specified period of time and certain other conditions are satisfied. The redemption price will be equal to the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date. If certain corporate events that constitute a "fundamental change" occur, then, subject to a limited exception, noteholders may require IREN to repurchase their notes for cash. The repurchase price will be equal to the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to, but excluding, the applicable repurchase date. The interest rate, initial conversion rate and other terms of the notes will be determined at the pricing of the offering. IREN expects to use a portion of the net proceeds from the offering to fund the cost of entering into the capped call transactions and to fund the cost of entering into the prepaid forward transaction, each as described below. IREN intends to use the remainder of the net proceeds for general corporate purposes and working capital. In connection with the offering of the notes, IREN expects to enter into privately negotiated capped call transactions with one or more of the initial purchasers or their affiliates and/or one or more other financial institutions (the "option counterparties"). The capped call transactions are expected to cover, subject to anti-dilution adjustments, the number of ordinary shares of IREN that will initially underlie the notes. If the initial purchasers exercise their option to purchase additional notes, then IREN expects to enter into additional capped call transactions with the option counterparties. The capped call transactions are expected generally to reduce the potential dilution to IREN's ordinary shares upon any conversion of the notes and/or offset any potential cash payments IREN is required to make in excess of the principal amount of converted notes, as the case may be, with such offset and/or reduction subject to a cap price. If, however, the market price per ordinary share of IREN, as measured under the terms of the capped call transactions, exceeds the cap price of the capped call transactions, there would nevertheless be dilution and/or there would not be an offset of such potential cash payments, in each case, to the extent that such market price exceeds the cap price of the capped call transactions. In addition, the capped call transactions will be solely cash settled until IREN receives shareholder approval to repurchase its ordinary shares pursuant to the terms of the capped call transactions or is otherwise permitted to repurchase its ordinary shares pursuant to the terms of the capped call transactions under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. The Company retains flexibility to seek and/or renew such approval from time to time during the terms of the capped call transactions at a general meeting or future annual general meeting. IREN has been advised that, in connection with establishing their initial hedges of the capped call transactions, the option counterparties or their respective affiliates expect to enter into various derivative transactions with respect to IREN's ordinary shares and/or purchase the ordinary shares of IREN concurrently with or shortly after the pricing of the notes. This activity could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of IREN's ordinary shares or the notes at that time. Any such trades by the option counterparties or their respective affiliates would be on a principal basis and without any agreement, arrangement or understanding between, or with, IREN on how those parties would hedge their own positions. In addition, the option counterparties and/or their respective affiliates may modify their hedge positions by entering into or unwinding various derivatives with respect to IREN's ordinary shares and/or purchasing or selling IREN's ordinary shares or other securities of IREN in secondary market transactions following the pricing of the notes and prior to the maturity of the notes (and are likely to do so (x) on each exercise date for the capped call transactions, which are expected to occur on each trading day during the 30 trading day period beginning on the 31st scheduled trading day prior to the maturity date of the notes and (y) following any early conversion of the notes or any repurchase of the notes by IREN on any fundamental change repurchase date, any redemption date or any other date on which the notes are repurchased by IREN, in each case if IREN exercises the relevant election to terminate the corresponding portion of the capped call transactions). This activity could also cause or avoid an increase or a decrease in the market price of IREN's ordinary shares or the notes, which could affect the ability of noteholders to convert the notes, and, to the extent the activity occurs following a conversion or during any observation period related to a conversion of the notes, it could affect the number of IREN's ordinary shares and value of the consideration that noteholders will receive upon conversion of the notes. In connection with the offering of the notes, IREN also expects to enter into a privately negotiated prepaid forward share purchase transaction (the "prepaid forward transaction") with one of the initial purchasers of the notes or its affiliate (the "forward counterparty"), pursuant to which IREN will purchase up to $100 million of its ordinary shares (based on the last reported sale price of IREN's ordinary shares on the pricing date), for settlement on the date that is shortly after the maturity date of the notes, subject to any early settlement, in whole or in part, of the prepaid forward transaction. The prepaid forward transaction will be solely cash settled until IREN receives shareholder approval to repurchase its ordinary shares pursuant to the terms of the prepaid forward transaction or is otherwise permitted to repurchase its ordinary shares pursuant to the terms of the prepaid forward transaction under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation. The prepaid forward transaction is generally intended to facilitate privately negotiated derivative transactions, including swaps, between the forward counterparty or its affiliates and investors in the notes relating to IREN's ordinary shares by which investors in the notes will establish short positions relating to IREN's ordinary shares and otherwise hedge their investments in the notes. As a result, the prepaid forward transaction is expected to allow the investors to establish short positions that generally correspond to (but may be greater than) commercially reasonable initial hedges of their investment in the notes. In the event of such greater initial hedges, investors may offset such greater portion by purchasing IREN's ordinary shares on or shortly after the day IREN prices the notes. Facilitating investors' hedge positions by entering into the prepaid forward transaction, particularly if investors purchase IREN's ordinary shares on or shortly after the pricing date, could increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) the market price of IREN's ordinary shares and effectively raise the initial conversion price of the notes. In connection with establishing their initial hedges of the prepaid forward transaction, the forward counterparty or its affiliates may enter into one or more derivative transactions with respect to IREN's ordinary shares with the investors of the notes concurrently with or after the pricing of the notes. Any such trades by the forward counterparty or its affiliates would be on a principal basis and without any agreement, arrangement or understanding between, or with, IREN on how those parties would hedge their own positions. IREN's entry into the prepaid forward transaction with the forward counterparty and the entry by the forward counterparty into derivative transactions in respect of IREN's ordinary shares with the investors of the notes could have the effect of increasing (or reducing the size of any decrease in) the market price of IREN's ordinary shares concurrently with, or shortly after, the pricing of the notes and effectively raising the initial conversion price of the notes. Neither IREN nor the forward counterparty will control how investors of the notes may use such derivative transactions. In addition, such investors may enter into other transactions relating to IREN's ordinary shares or the notes in connection with or in addition to such derivative transactions, including the purchase or sale of IREN's ordinary shares. As a result, the existence of the prepaid forward transaction, such derivative transactions and any related market activity could cause more purchases or sales of IREN's ordinary shares over the term of the prepaid forward transaction than there otherwise would have been had IREN not entered into the prepaid forward transaction. Such purchases or sales could potentially increase (or reduce the size of any decrease in) or decrease (or reduce the size of any increase in) the market price of IREN's ordinary shares and/or the price of the notes. In addition, the forward counterparty or its affiliates may modify their hedge positions by entering into or unwinding one or more derivative transactions with respect to IREN's ordinary shares and/or purchasing or selling IREN's ordinary shares or other securities of IREN in secondary market transactions at any time following the pricing of the notes and prior to the maturity of the notes. These activities could also cause or avoid an increase or a decrease in the market price of IREN's ordinary shares or the notes, which could affect the ability of noteholders to convert the notes and, to the extent the activity occurs following conversion or during any observation period related to a conversion of notes, it could affect the amount and value of the consideration that noteholders will receive upon conversion of the notes. The offer and sale of the notes and any of IREN's ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act or any other securities laws, and the notes and any such shares cannot be offered or sold except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and any other applicable securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, the notes or any of IREN's ordinary shares issuable upon conversion of the notes, nor will there be any sale of the notes or any such shares, in any state or other jurisdiction (including the United States and Australia) in which such offer, sale or solicitation would be unlawful. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding the anticipated terms of the notes being offered, the completion, timing and size of the proposed offering and the intended use of the proceeds. Forward-looking statements represent IREN's current expectations, beliefs, and projections regarding future events and are subject to known and unknown uncertainties, risks, assumptions and contingencies, many of which are outside IREN's control and that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Among those risks and uncertainties are market conditions, including market interest rates, the trading price and volatility of IREN's ordinary shares and risks relating to IREN's business, including those described in periodic reports that IREN files from time to time with the SEC. IREN may not consummate the proposed offering described in this press release and, if the proposed offering is consummated, cannot provide any assurances regarding the final terms of the offering or the notes or its ability to effectively apply the net proceeds after funding the cost of entering into the capped call transactions and financing the prepaid forward as described above. The forward-looking statements included in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release, and IREN does not undertake any obligation to update the forward-looking statements included in this press release for subsequent developments, except as may be required by law. For a further discussion of factors that could cause IREN's future results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements, see the section entitled "Risk Factors" in IREN's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended June 30, 2024 and other risks described in documents filed by IREN from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. About IREN IREN is a leading data center business powering the future of Bitcoin, AI and beyond utilizing 100% renewable energy. Bitcoin Mining: providing security to the Bitcoin network, expanding to 50 EH/s in H1 2025. Operations since 2019. AI Cloud Services: providing cloud compute to AI customers, 1,896 NVIDIA H100 & H200 GPUs. Operations since 2024. Next-Generation Data Centers : 460MW of operating data centers, expanding to 810MW in H1 2025. Specifically designed and purpose-built infrastructure for high-performance and power-dense computing applications. Technology : technology stack for performance optimization of AI Cloud Services and Bitcoin Mining operations. Development Portfolio: 2,310MW of grid-connected power secured across North America, >2,000 acre property portfolio and additional development pipeline. 100% Renewable Energy (from clean or renewable energy sources or through the purchase of RECs) : targets sites with low-cost & underutilized renewable energy, and supports electrical grids and local communities. Contacts Media Jon Snowball Sodali & Co +61 477 946 068 Megan Boles Aircover Communications +1 562 537 7131 Investors Lincoln Tan IREN +61 407 423 395 lincoln.tan@iren.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New YorkAmazon Stock Price: Gaming’s Unexpected Ally?

The passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh, architect of economic reforms is truly the end of an era. His style of leadership exemplified simplicity, dignity and grace, and of seeking consensus. As Prime Minister for two terms from 2004 till 2014, he led two coalition governments but achieved a lot in terms of landmark legislations and a high economic growth. In that aspect, his tenure can be compared to that of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who too led a government with 23 coalition partners. This week marked the 100 th birth anniversary of Vajpayee. There is a telling comment that Vajpayee left in the visitors’ book after the death of Vice President Krishna Kant. Paying a tribute to Kant, Vajpayee wrote in Hindi, in his decorative impeccable handwriting, “here was a beautiful lotus flower which bloomed despite being in the cesspool of politics”. These remarks are equally applicable to Manmohan Singh—a scholar, economist, and statesman whose life embodied dignity, intellect, and humility. From humble beginnings to eminence Dr. Singh’s journey is truly inspirational. Born in a small village in undivided Punjab, he was raised by his grandparents under frugal means. His early life was shaped by the upheaval of Partition. Displaced by the chaos, Singh rose through sheer perseverance to achieve academic excellence. He earned scholarships to study at Cambridge and Oxford. At Cambridge, he topped the Economics Tripos and received the Adam Smith Prize, a rare accolade for an Indian. At Cambridge, Singh’s intellectual rigor won him admiration from renowned economists like Joan Robinson and Nicholas Kaldor. His doctoral thesis on India’s export prospects challenged the prevalent pessimism. His book, “India’s Export Trends and Prospects for Self-Sustained Growth” (1964), became a seminal work. It advocated for export-driven growth. Decades later, India’s economic trajectory would vindicate his vision. Singh’s career spanned academia, administration, and politics. He began as a professor at the Delhi School of Economics. Later, he held roles like Chief Economic Advisor, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, and Vice Chairman of the Planning Commission. After that was as Finance Minister and then two terms as Prime Minister. His career reflected academic brilliance, administrative acumen, political savvy and governance expertise. No other economist has had such a breathtaking career and meteoric rise. Architect of economic reforms Dr. Singh’s appointment as Finance Minister in 1991 was a turning point for India. Faced with a severe balance-of-payments crisis, Singh unleashed bold economic reforms. These included dismantling the license raj, deregulating banking, and opening the economy to trade and foreign investment. In his maiden budget speech in 1991, Singh quoted Victor Hugo: “No power on earth can stop an idea whose time has come.” That idea was the emergence of India as an economic power. He ensured that the bold reforms were supported by expert committees and consultation which gave a robust foundation. The committees included the Raja Chelliah Committee for tax reforms and the Narasimham Committee for financial sector reforms. These reforms resolved the crisis and paved the way for sustained growth. India’s GDP growth rates soared. By the end of Singh’s two terms as Prime Minister, India had joined the league of $2 trillion economies. Decency and statesmanship in leadership Dr. Singh’s tenure as Prime Minister (2004–2014) further cemented his legacy. His leadership style, marked by consensus-building and quiet determination, led to landmark legislation. These included the Right to Information Act, MGNREGA, and the rollout of Aadhaar. He also showed political courage by staking his government’s survival on the Indo-US civil nuclear deal. Singh’s integrity and humility were his hallmarks. Stories abound of his simple lifestyle and ethical conduct. As Finance Minister, after devaluing the rupee, he donated the windfall to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. When he lost a Lok Sabha election and had borrowed funds for his campaign, he promptly repaid the loan. A scholar’s evolving vision Singh’s views evolved over time. Early in his career, he was a staunch advocate of free trade and market-oriented reforms. As Prime Minister, his policies leaned toward welfarism. This reflected a nuanced understanding of growing income inequalities and the need for a safety net. His balance between market liberalization and social welfare showed pragmatism and intellectual honesty. His open-mindedness echoed John Maynard Keynes’s dictum: “When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?” Singh’s readiness to adapt ensured that his policies remained relevant. He addressed both economic crises and social inequities. Global leadership and legacy Dr. Singh’s influence extended beyond India. As Secretary-General of the South Commission, he championed South-South cooperation. This role prepared him for leading coalition governments at home. It also shaped his approach to multilateral diplomacy. Under his leadership, India became a key player in global forums like the G20. His tenure amplified India’s voice on issues like climate change and trade. His commitment to inclusive and sustainable development was evident. Criticism and the judgment of history Like any public figure, Singh faced criticism. His tenure as Prime Minister saw allegations of corruption within his coalition government. This led to a perception of weakness. Yet, even his harshest critics acknowledged his personal incorruptibility and sincerity. He often responded to detractors with silence, describing it as maintaining their dignity. Dr. Singh’s career is a testament to the genius of India’s democracy. It shows how individuals from modest beginnings can rise to power. His legacy is one of dedication, scholarship, and decency. He believed in the transformative power of ideas and hard work. As the nation bids farewell to this “gentleman leader,” his words resonate: history will judge him kindly. For in Dr. Manmohan Singh, India had a leader who symbolized quiet strength, relentless intellect, and unshakable integrity. Dr. Ajit Ranade is a noted economist. (Syndicate: The Billion Press)

Jets take on the Wild in Central Division play

GSA Capital Partners LLP acquired a new stake in ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. ( NYSE:CHPT – Free Report ) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor acquired 183,582 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $252,000. Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Point72 Asset Management L.P. acquired a new stake in shares of ChargePoint during the second quarter valued at $13,007,000. Sanctuary Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ChargePoint during the second quarter valued at $138,000. AQR Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of ChargePoint during the second quarter valued at $1,310,000. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its stake in shares of ChargePoint by 26.3% during the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 36,688,672 shares of the company’s stock valued at $69,708,000 after acquiring an additional 7,645,210 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio boosted its stake in shares of ChargePoint by 6.1% during the first quarter. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio now owns 136,355 shares of the company’s stock valued at $259,000 after acquiring an additional 7,838 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 37.77% of the company’s stock. Insider Activity at ChargePoint In other ChargePoint news, CEO Richard Wilmer sold 27,252 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $1.35, for a total transaction of $36,790.20. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 2,304,489 shares in the company, valued at $3,111,060.15. This trade represents a 1.17 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website . Also, CFO Mansi Khetani sold 23,409 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $1.35, for a total value of $31,602.15. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 849,084 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,146,263.40. This trade represents a 2.68 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 100,803 shares of company stock worth $135,295. 3.50% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Check Out Our Latest Analysis on CHPT ChargePoint Stock Performance ChargePoint stock opened at $1.15 on Friday. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $1.29 and its 200-day moving average is $1.59. The company has a market cap of $496.32 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.16 and a beta of 1.70. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a current ratio of 2.03 and a quick ratio of 1.32. ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. has a 12 month low of $1.05 and a 12 month high of $3.13. ChargePoint ( NYSE:CHPT – Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, September 4th. The company reported ($0.15) EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of ($0.15). The business had revenue of $108.54 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $114.15 million. ChargePoint had a negative return on equity of 112.67% and a negative net margin of 89.12%. Equities analysts anticipate that ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. will post -0.56 earnings per share for the current year. About ChargePoint ( Free Report ) ChargePoint Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides electric vehicle (EV) charging networks and charging solutions in the North America and Europe. The company serves commercial, such as retail, workplace, hospitality, parking, recreation, municipal, education, and highway fast charge; fleet, which include delivery, take home, logistics, motor pool, transit, and shared mobility; and residential including single family homes and multi-family apartments and condominiums customers. Featured Stories Five stocks we like better than ChargePoint What Are Trending Stocks? Trending Stocks Explained Vertiv’s Cool Tech Makes Its Stock Red-Hot The 3 Best Fintech Stocks to Buy Now MarketBeat Week in Review – 11/18 – 11/22 What is a Bond Market Holiday? How to Invest and Trade 2 Finance Stocks With Competitive Advantages You Can’t Ignore Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CHPT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for ChargePoint Holdings, Inc. ( NYSE:CHPT – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for ChargePoint Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for ChargePoint and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Commentary: It’s disturbing that deepfake porn and online harms are seen as unavoidable in our digital lives

With a career spanning years, DJ Black Coffee has quickly become one of the most celebrated DJs in the world. WINNING BIG ON THE GLOBAL STAGE Thanks to his talent, the award-winning DJ has managed to cap his career with several accolades, including the prestigious Grammy Award. Over the years, he has made Europe his playing ground and has headlined several gigs across the globe. DJ Black Coffee has rubbed shoulders with several A-listers who have since become friends, including Pharrell Williams and Canadian rapper Drake. Despite being one of the most followed DJs, Black Coffee has managed to keep his private life under wraps, leaving many to guess. Thanks to his huge social media following, he often trends whenever he posts or gets posted. DJ Black Coffee is trending because of his recent video of him taking a spin in his R6.8 million 2025 Rolls Royce Ghost in Cape Town. A fan who bumped into the star in traffic recorded his priceless moment with the DJ and shared the clip of his encounter with the global star online. DJ BLACK COFFEE’S RECENT VIDEO TRENDS Surprisingly, DJ Black Coffee’s left hand was out of his pocket. Over the years, he has kept it away from the camera and always kept it in his pocket. However, that wasn’t the case in the recent viral video. His hand was out, and fans who hadn’t seen his hand trolled the fan for not capturing his hand. Over the years, DJ Black Coffee has opened his left hand, which often thrust him into the top trends. The 48-year-old celebrated DJ was born in eThekwini and later moved to Umtata, 29 km from the home of late South African President Nelson Mandela in Qunu Village. However, while celebrating Nelson Mandela’s release from prison on 11 February 1990, DJ Black Coffee was involved in an accident that left him with a brachial plexus injury on his left arm. A brachial plexus injury involves sudden damage to the network of nerves that branch off from the spinal cord in the neck and extend down into the shoulder, arm, and hand. After all, he has embraced the injury and often ignores the trolls that flood online when his left hand is posted online. Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest news.Former President Jimmy Carter, a champion for humanity who lost the White House after one term, died Sunday. He was 100. Carter, who was the longest-living U.S. president, died after entering hospice care in February 2023, . Though Carter left office after a single term, his reputation grew in the years after through his and wife Rosalynn Carter’s philanthropic work at the Carter Center in Atlanta and causes such as Habitat for Humanity. “My name is Jimmy Carter and I’m running for president.” That is how Carter began his speech accepting the Democratic nomination in July 1976 in New York’s Madison Square Garden. It was a line he had spoken thousands of times during his longshot quest for the presidency as . Carter’s dogged determination got him to the White House, where he served one term as the nation’s 39th president before losing re-election in a landslide in 1980. Rather than fade into the mists of history after such a searing defeat, however Carter created a new genre: The purposeful post-president, endearing himself to generations unfamiliar with his time in office, but he displayed over four decades afterwards. ran for president on a promise to never lie, and he pledged to restore a government “as good as the people,” words that resonated in the post-Watergate era when voters didn’t trust conventional politicians. He spoke softly and infused his policies with a moral dimension. He made advocacy for human rights abroad a cornerstone of his foreign policy, and he called his proposal to curb America’s use of energy “the moral equivalent of war.” On his first full day in office, Jan. 21, 1977, he issued a blanket pardon for all Vietnam draft resisters in an effort to close the book on the divisive war. But like so much of what Carter did that was well-intentioned, granting amnesty to draft dodgers stirred controversy, especially among veterans’ groups. Carter further inflamed a growing conservative opposition by forging ahead with negotiations to turn the Panama Canal back over to Panama, as he’d promised in the campaign. That decision later provided rich political fodder for Ronald Reagan. Carter prided himself on his principled refusal to bow to political expedience, and this character trait led to an early clash with Congress over federally funded water projects that Carter thought were wasteful. He had to back off, bowing to the titans of his own party. Still, the incident foreshadowed a contentious relationship with lawmakers; Carter’s inability to navigate the politics of the dominantly liberal Democratic Party, which at the time controlled both the House and the Senate, led to a primary challenge from Democratic senator—and heir to the Kennedy legacy—Edward M. (Ted) Kennedy, also a factor contributing to Carter’s defeat after a single term. He lost in a landslide to Reagan in 1980, a blow that wife Rosalynn Carter—who died in 2023 at the age of 96—attributed to Reagan’s ability as a smooth-talking former actor to “make us comfortable with our prejudices.” Still a relatively young man at 56, Carter returned to Plains, Georgia, to find his peanut business in disrepair and no obvious source of income. He didn’t want to give speeches for money to corporate groups, and he wasn’t a golfer, so he turned to writing to make a living. At the time of his death Sunday at age 100, he had published 32 books (including a novel) about an array of topics ranging from reflections on his faith to his view of the Middle East conflict ( ) and , co-authored with Rosalynn. “That was a terrible experience,” Rosalynn Carter told CNN in 2012 of their writing process, and her husband agreed, calling it “the worst problem we’ve ever had since we’ve been married.” (They had been married 65 years at the time of the interview.) No one disputes that Carter had the most productive and meritorious post-presidency in history. He gained much appreciation and stature in the almost 40 years since he left the White House. While that was surely a source of pride, it was also a frustration of Carter’s that his achievements in office did not get the attention that he and his friends and allies thought they deserved. His domestic adviser in the White House, Stuart Eizenstat, sought to rectify that with his book, , published in 2018. Based on notes that Eizenstat recorded on more than 100 legal pads, it is an inside account of an ambitious presidency that set down important and enduring markers in foreign policy and was ahead of its time in recognizing the impact of an oil-based economy on the planet. Carter plunged right in to address that crisis, one he believed the country needed to confront. He addressed the nation from the White House in April 1977, wearing a cardigan sweater that became his trademark in urging Americans to conserve energy. “With the exception of preventing war, this is the greatest challenge that our country will face during our lifetime,” he declared. He named former Nixon Defense Secretary James Schlesinger to head a newly created Department of Energy, and in November 1978 signed the National Energy Act, which was greatly watered down from what he proposed after various special interests had their way. It did deregulate natural gas and encourage conservation and the development of renewable energy through tax credits. Carter had solar panels installed on the roof of the White House to set an example for the country. His successor had them removed. Carter’s attempts to get ahead of the looming energy crisis did not avert another series of oil shocks in 1978 and 1979 that led to gas rationing. In June 1973, a gallon of regular gas was less than 40 cents. By 1980, it was $1.19. Unhappy motorists directed much of their ire at Carter. But Carter had taken office with the economy already in the grip of stagflation, a twin scourge in which inflation is high and economic growth stagnant. In July 1979, in the midst of that sobering summer of gas lines, Carter nominated Paul Volcker to be chairman of the Federal Reserve. Volcker is credited with freeing the nation from the grip of inflation, but his tight-money policies brought down inflation chiefly by increasing interest rates, which rose to double digits and hurt Carter politically. On the foreign-policy front, Carter is most remembered for securing a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, which he personally negotiated and which endures to this day. He took a huge risk inviting Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat to Camp David, hoping that the rustic retreat away from all distractions would allow the two leaders to find common ground. But there was so much historical and personal animosity between them that they only met formally on the first day of the 13-day summit, Sept. 5, 1978, while Carter acted as the go-between the rest of the time, shielding them from each other. It was only on the last day, after 12 days of negotiations, when Carter thought they had failed, and everyone had packed their bags, that Begin had a change of heart. He had asked Carter to sign pictures of the three leaders together for his eight grandchildren, and when Carter arrived with the photos, each personally inscribed “with love and best wishes” to each of the children by name, Begin teared up and suggested they try one more time. The result was the Camp David Accords, signed by Begin and Sadat at the White House on Sept. 17, 1978. It was a major achievement and likely cushioned Carter and the Democrats from significant losses in the 1978 midterms. The party lost 15 House seats and 3 Senate seats, but kept control of Congress. In July 1979, with his legislative momentum stalled and his job approval tumbling, Carter secluded himself at Camp David with just a few top advisers to reconsider his presidency and what he might do to reinvigorate his government. Among those advisers was pollster Pat Caddell, who persuaded Carter that the real problem was the country’s “crisis of confidence.” Carter emerged from the retreat with a nationally televised evening address to the nation that came to be known as “the malaise speech” though he never actually used the word. He reinforced his call for limits on oil imports and his belief that synthetic fuels were the future, but the headline was his statement that “all the legislation in the world can’t fix what’s wrong with America. What is lacking is confidence and a sense of community.” That might have worked to get the country reflecting on the future if Carter hadn’t followed by demanding the resignation of every Cabinet secretary, an action that made him look a bit unhinged. Several were forced out, including Energy Secretary Schlesinger. That same year, the Soviets marched into Afghanistan over the Christmas holidays, and Carter said publicly that he couldn’t believe that Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko had sat across from him in the Oval Office and lied about his country’s intentions. The admission made him look weak and naïve in the face of foreign aggression. He retaliated by announcing the United States would boycott the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, and that there would be an embargo on all grain shipments to the Soviet Union. These steps were not popular, angering farmers in critical Midwest states dependent on those sales, and disappointing athletes who had trained for months, if not years, along with sports enthusiasts across the country. Carter’s presidency in April 1980 when an attempted hostage rescue mission had to be aborted after , killing eight servicemen. Iranian students had stormed the U.S. embassy the year before, on Nov. 4, 1979, taking 66 hostages and enraging U.S. television audiences who watched them burn the American flag and shout “death to America” as the cameras rolled. Carter at first used the plight of the hostages to avoid campaigning in the upcoming primaries, where he faced a serious challenge from Ted Kennedy. This strategy worked for a time, but left Carter a hobbled winner by the time he arrived in Madison Square Garden to claim the nomination. Carter had the delegates, but Kennedy had staked an emotional claim that Carter couldn’t overcome. Carter likely would have lost re-election to Reagan even if Kennedy’s challenge hadn’t further weakened him. In a tentpole ‘gotcha’ moment, Carter didn’t have a good answer to Reagan’s question, posed in their single debate on Oct. 28, just days before the November election: “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?” (Adding to the poignancy of Carter’s presidency ending, 52 Americans held hostage for 444 days were freed and airborne just as Reagan concluded his inaugural address on Jan. 20, 1981. Carter had spent a sleepless night in the Oval Office wrapping up the deal with the Iranians, hoping to welcome home the 50 men and 2 women while he was still president.) So then, Carter was followed by Reagan, with the country seeming to want a bigger personality. Humility had been Carter’s calling card. As a candidate in 1976, he had ostentatiously carried his own garment bag; as president, for a time, Carter had banned the playing of “Hail to the Chief” when he entered a room. He didn’t dominate the public stage as much as the job needed. But his quiet leadership wore well over a very long time, and a fair assessment of his presidency reveals a substantial body of accomplishments that will continue to stand the test of time.

Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FINS, today declared a distribution of $0.109 per share for the month of December 2024. The record date for the distribution is December 17, 2024, and the payable date is December 31, 2024. The Fund will trade ex-distribution on December 17, 2024. The Fund seeks to pay a distribution at a rate that reflects net investment income actually earned. A portion of each distribution may be treated as paid from sources other than net investment income, including but not limited to short-term capital gain, long-term capital gain, or return of capital. As required by Section 19(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, a notice will be distributed to shareholders in the event that a portion of a monthly distribution is derived from sources other than undistributed net investment income. The final determination of the source and tax characteristics of these distributions will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during its fiscal year and will be made after the Fund's year end. The Fund will send to investors a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will define how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. Angel Oak does not provide tax advice; shareholders should consult their tax advisor. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect a fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income." ABOUT FINS Led by Angel Oak's experienced financial services team, FINS invests predominantly in U.S. financial sector debt as well as selective opportunities across financial sector preferred and common equity. Under normal circumstances, at least 50% of FINS' portfolio is publicly rated investment grade or, if unrated, judged to be of investment grade quality by Angel Oak. ABOUT ANGEL OAK CAPITAL ADVISORS, LLC Angel Oak Capital Advisors is an investment management firm focused on providing compelling fixed-income investment solutions to its clients. Backed by a value-driven approach, Angel Oak Capital Advisors seeks to deliver attractive, risk-adjusted returns through a combination of stable current income and price appreciation. Its experienced investment team seeks the best opportunities in fixed income, with a specialization in mortgage-backed securities and other areas of structured credit. Information regarding the Fund and Angel Oak Capital Advisors can be found at www.angeloakcapital.com . Past performance is neither indicative nor a guarantee of future results. Investors should consider the investment objective and policies, risk considerations, charges and ongoing expenses of an investment carefully before investing. For more information please contact your investment representative or Destra Capital Advisors LLC at 877.855.3434. © 2024 Angel Oak Capital Advisors, which is the investment adviser to the Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203558524/en/ © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

After a recent string of burglaries at professional athletes' houses, the NBA has issued a memo to its players about home security. According to the Associated Press , which obtained a copy of the memo, the league urged players to take additional precautions when away from home. Those precautions ranged from updating alarm systems and keeping valuables in safes to using "protective guard services" during road trips and even having dogs around for security purposes. In September, while Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley was attending a Minnesota Vikings game, burglars broke into his house and stole jewelry, Medina Police Chief Jason Nelson told the Minneapolis Star Tribune . In November, Milwaukee Bucks center Bobby Portis said "most of my prized possessions" had been stolen from his house while he was at a game and offered a $40,000 reward for any information that led to the return of the stolen items. According to the memo, the FBI has connected recent burglaries to "transnational South American Theft Groups." These "reportedly well-organized, sophisticated" crime rings "incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices." The FBI believes that the rings are "primarily focused on cash and items that can be resold on the black market, such as jewelry, watches, and luxury bags." The NFL sent its players a similar security alert this week. The homes of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs were both broken into in October , just days apart. Looking for more NBA insight from CBS Sports? Bill Reiter, John Gonzalez and more experts break down the league daily on the Beyond the Arc podcast.

Seibert misses an extra point late as the Commanders lose their 3rd in a row, 34-26 to the CowboysJimmy Carter, who rose from humble peanut farmer to president and Nobel Peace Prize winner, dies aged 100

Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100U.S. President Joe Biden is set to unveil a significant $600 million investment in Angola's Lobito rail corridor during his forthcoming visit, according to inside sources. The fund will support various projects in solar energy, critical minerals, and telecommunications along the corridor. This announcement marks a historic moment as President Biden becomes the first U.S. president to visit Angola, as well as making his inaugural trip to Sub-Saharan Africa in his presidential capacity. The financial infusion underlines the U.S. commitment to bolster infrastructure and technological advancement in the region, aiming to enhance economic growth and connectivity. (With inputs from agencies.)

VANCOUVER — Online predators are becoming increasingly resourceful in trolling media platforms where children gravitate, prompting an explosion in police case loads, said an officer who works for the RCMP Integrated Child Exploitation Unit in British Columbia. Data show the problem spiked during COVID-19 when children began spending more time online — but rates did not wane as police anticipated after lockdowns ended. In B.C., they soared, almost quadrupling from 2021 to 2023. Const. Solana Pare is now warning exploitation of children is likely here to stay, as a technological race between police and predators gains momentum. “Technology is becoming more and more available, and online platforms and social media sites are being used by children younger and younger, which provides an opportunity for predators to connect with them,” Pare said in an interview. Police say child exploitation cases in B.C. went from about 4,600 in 2021 to 9,600 in 2022 to 15,920 reports last year. The upwards trend is seen nationally, too. Statistics Canada says the rate of online child sexual exploitation reported to police rose by 58 per cent from 2019 to 2022, and police data show cases have continued to rise. The RCMP’s National Child Exploitation Crime Centre reported that from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, it received 118,162 reports of suspected online child sexual exploitation offences — a 15 per cent increase compared with the previous year. Online child sexual exploitation, Pare explained, includes offences such as sextortion, child luring and the creation or distribution of sexually explicit images of a minor. “We don’t see these types of reports going away,” Pare said. “We only see them increasing because the use of electronic devices and social media, and kids being online earlier and earlier is becoming more common. There’s going to be more opportunity for predators to target children online.” Monique St. Germain, general counsel for the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, said the most common type of child luring is communicating with a youth online in order get them to produce sexual abuse material. She said “the pandemic accelerated those types of cases, and it hasn’t slowed down.” “The tools (Canadian authorities) have to deal with this type of behaviour are inadequate for the scope and the scale of what’s going on,” she said. Online exploitation gained international attention in 2015 in the case of Port Coquitlam, B.C., teenager, Amanda Todd, who died by suicide after being blackmailed and harassed online by a man for years, starting when she was 12. The month before the 15-year-old died, she uploaded a nine-minute video using a series of flash cards detailing the abuse she experienced by the stranger and how it had affected her life. It’s been viewed millions of times. Dutch national Aydin Coban was extradited to Canada for trial and, in October 2022, he was convicted of charges including the extortion and harassment of Todd. Since then, the term “sextortion” has made its way into the vernacular as more cases come to light. Among them was Carson Cleland, a 12-year-old Prince George, B.C., boy who died by suicide in October 2023 after falling victim to the crime. In New Brunswick that same month, 16-year-old William Doiron took his own life after falling victim to a global sextortion scheme. Mounties across Canada have issued news releases warning of increased cases in their communities, noting that the consequences for the victims can include self-harm and suicide. St. Germain said technology, such as artificial intelligence, is also becoming more user-friendly. “The existence of that technology and its ease of use and ready accessibility is a problem, and it is going to be an increasingly large problem as we move forward,” she said. Pare said police are also adapting to technological advancements in order to keep up with the ever-changing online landscape. “Police are constantly obtaining training on digital technologies to increase our knowledge and understanding of all the intricacies involving their use and how to capture any digital evidence,” she said. Pare said the true rates of the crime are impossible to determine, but pointed to increased social awareness and legislation across North America around mandatory reporting of child abuse material from social media companies as a potential reason for the increase. It’s not going undetected any longer, she said. “Additionally, there’s been a lot of use in artificial intelligence to detect child exploitation materials within those platforms.” Pare said “it’s up to each individual platform” to ensure there is no child sexual abuse material on their sites or apps. “With mandatory reporting, it’s putting the onus back on the electronic service providers to ensure they have measures in place to prevent this from happening, and if it is happening that it is being reported,” she said. “That being said, there are times when things don’t get located.” That is why the Canadian Centre for Child Protection has been advocating for the adoption of the Online Harms Bill that the federal government introduced in February, St. Germain said. “It’s shocking that up until now, we’ve relied on companies to self regulate, meaning we’ve just relied on them to do the right thing,” she said. “What we are seeing in terms of the number of offences and in terms of all the harm that is happening in society as a result of online platforms is completely tied to the decision not to regulate. We need to have rules in any sector, and this sector is no different.” The Online Harms Bill covers seven types of harms, from non-consensual sharing of intimate images to content that can be used to bully a child. Earlier this month, Justice Minister Arif Virani announced the Liberal government will split the bill into two parts: dealing with keeping children safe online, and combating predators and issues related to revenge pornography. “We are putting our emphasis and prioritization and our time and efforts on the first portion of the bill,” Virani told reporters on Dec. 5. Such measures would include a new Digital Safety Commission of Canada, which would compel social media companies to outline how they plan to reduce the risks their platforms pose to users, particularly minors. It would have the power to levy fines and evaluate companies’ digital safety plans. St. Germain said such a split “makes sense,” noting that most objections to the bill are related to changes to the Criminal Code and not measures around curbing harms to children. “There obviously are differences of opinion in terms of what is the best way forward, and what kind of regulatory approach makes sense, and who should the regulator be, but there does seem to be consensus on the idea that we need to do more in terms of protecting children online,” she said, adding that the organization is still in support of the second half of the bill. She said the United Kingdom previously passed its own Online Safety Act that will come into effect in 2025, which includes requiring social media firms to protect children from content such as self-harm material, pornography and violent content. Failure to do so will result in fines. “Canada is really behind,” she said. “The amount of information that has come out of the U.K., the amount of time and care and attention that their legislatures have paid to this issue is really quite remarkable, and we really hope that Canada steps up and does something for Canadian children soon.” In the absence of national legislation, province’s have filled the void. In January, B.C. enacted the Intimate Images Protection Act, providing a path for victims to have online photos, videos or deep fakes expeditiously removed. Individuals are fined up to $500 per day and websites up to $5,000 a day if they don’t comply with orders to stop distributing images that are posted without consent. B.C.’s Ministry of the Attorney General said that as of Dec. 11, the Civil Resolution Tribunal had received a total of 199 disputes under the Intimate Images Protection Act. It said the Intimate Images Protection Service had served more than 240 clients impacted by the non-consensual distribution of intimate images, adding that four awards of $5,000 each and one for $3,000 had been supplied as of mid-December. Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Alberta and Saskatchewan have also enacted legislation targeting unauthorized distribution of intimate images. St. Germain said the use of provincial powers is also necessary, but it’s not enough. “A piece of provincial legislation is going to be very difficult to be effective against multiple actors in multiple countries,” she said, noting that the online crime is borderless. “We need something bigger — more comprehensive. We need to use all tools in the tool box.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 29, 2024. Brieanna Charlebois, The Canadian PressDe La Rosa scores 27 points as Columbia tops Fairfield 85-72