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valorant agent roulette An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look onFrance's Government Collapses After Losing Confidence Vote

PARIS (AP) — Howling winds couldn’t stop Notre Dame Cathedral ’s heart from beating again. With three resounding knocks on its doors by Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich, wielding a specially designed crosier carved from fire-scorched beams, the monument roared back to life Saturday evening. For the first time since a devastating blaze nearly destroyed it in 2019, the towering Gothic masterpiece reopened for worship, its rebirth marked by song, prayer, and awe beneath its soaring arches. The ceremony, initially planned to begin on the forecourt, was moved entirely inside due to unusually fierce December winds sweeping across the Île de la Cité, flanked by the River Seine. Yet the occasion lost none of its splendor. Inside the luminous nave, choirs sang psalms, and the cathedral’s mighty organ, silent for nearly five years, thundered to life in a triumphant interplay of melodies. The restoration, a spectacular achievement in just five years for a structure that took nearly two centuries to build, is seen as a moment of triumph for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline — and a welcome respite from his domestic political woes . The evening’s celebration, attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, US first lady Jill Biden, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, underscored Notre Dame’s enduring role as both a spiritual and cultural beacon. Observers see the event as Macron's, and his intention to pivot it into a fully fledged diplomatic gathering, while highlighting France’s ability to unite on the global stage despite internal political crises. As the cathedral’s largest bell, the 13-ton Emmanuel — which was not named after the French leader — tolled into the Paris night, signaling the start of the ceremony, the crowd inside Notre Dame fell into an expectant hush. Emmanuel, a legacy of King Louis XIV, had rung through centuries of French history, and its peal now resonated as a call to witness another epochal moment. Outside the cathedral’s monumental doors, Ulrich raised his fire-scarred crosier. “Brothers and sisters, let us enter now into Notre Dame,” he declared. “It is she who accompanies us on our path to peace.” With the congregation of over 2,500 people watching in silence, Ulrich struck the floodlit doors, the base of his crosier reverberating against the wood. Inside, the choir answered with soaring hymns, their voices filling the nave. Illuminations on the cathedral facade heightened the drama. On the final strike, the heavy doors swung open, revealing the glowing interior of restored blond Lutetian limestone. Adding to the ceremony’s visual splendor, Ulrich and the clergy wore vibrant liturgical garments designed by French fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. Known for his signature pop-art aesthetic, Castelbajac created 2,000 colorful pieces for 700 celebrants, blending modern elements with medieval touches. Flooded with light and song, the cathedral came alive in a moment of breathtaking spectacle. What had been a silent, soot-blackened ruin five years ago now blazed with renewed vitality, marking the culmination of a nearly $1 billion global effort to resurrect it. Speaking inside the cathedral, Macron expressed “gratitude” Saturday to those who saved, helped, and rebuilt Notre Dame, his voice reverberating through the nave. “I stand before you ... to express the gratitude of the French nation,” he said, before voices flooded the space with song, harmonies not heard in over five years. “Tonight, the bells of Notre Dame are ringing again. And in a moment, the organ will awaken,” sending the “music of hope” cascading through the luminous interior to Parisians, France, and the world beyond, he said. The celebration is expected to give a much-needed boost to the embattled French leader, whose prime minister was ousted this week , plunging the nation’s politics into more turmoil. Macron has called Notre Dame’s reopening “a jolt of hope.” Observers say he hoped the occasion would briefly silence his critics and showcase France’s unity and resilience under his leadership — a rare moment of grace in a presidency now facing a grave crisis. Inside Notre Dame, 42,000 square meters of stonework—equivalent to six soccer pitches—gleamed anew, revealing intricate carvings and luminous limestone. Above, 2,000 oak beams, nicknamed “the forest,” restored the cathedral’s iconic spire and roof. The great organ, dormant for over five years, roared back to life like a slumbering giant. With its 7,952 pipes—ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide—and a renovated console featuring five keyboards, 115 stops, and 30 foot pedals, it responded to Archbishop Laurent Ulrich’s command: “Wake up, organ, sacred instrument.” The first low rumble grew into a triumphant symphony as four organists pulled out the stops, weaving improvised responses to the archbishop’s invocations. Eight times, Ulrich addressed the organ; eight times, its voice filled the nave with breathtaking sound. Guests marveled at the spectacle, many capturing the moment on their phones. “It’s a sense of perfection,” said François Le Page of the Notre Dame Foundation, who last saw the cathedral cloaked in scaffolding in 2021. “It was somber then. Now, it’s night and day.” The Rev. Andriy Morkvas, a Ukrainian priest who leads the Volodymyr Le Grand church in Paris, reflected on his first visit to Notre Dame in over a decade. “I didn’t recognize it,” he said. “God is very powerful; He can change things.” He expressed hope that the cathedral’s revival could inspire peace in his homeland, drawing strength from the presence of Ukraine’s president. “I think that will have a big impact,” he said. “I hope Notre Dame and Mary will help us resolve this conflict.” The reopening of Notre Dame comes at a time of profound global unrest, with wars raging in Ukraine and the Middle East. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ “It is a magnificent symbol of unity,” Olivier Ribadeau Dumas said. “Notre Dame is not just a French monument — it is a magnificent sign of hope.” The international range of dignitaries coming to Paris underline the cathedral’s significance as a symbol of shared heritage and peace. Canadian visitor Noelle Alexandria, who had traveled to Paris for the reopening, was struck by the cathedral’s ability to inspire. “She’s been nearly ruined before, but she always comes back,” Alexandria said. “Not many of us could say the same after such tragedy, but Notre Dame can.” Guests entered through Notre Dame’s iconic western façade, whose arched portals adorned with biblical carvings were once a visual guide for medieval believers. Above the central Portal of the Last Judgment, the Archangel Michael is depicted weighing souls, as demons attempt to tip the scales. These stone figures, designed to inspire both awe and fear, set the stage for a ceremony steeped in history. Inside, the hum of hundreds of guests awaiting the service filled the cathedral with human sounds once more — a stark contrast to the construction din that echoed there for years. Tuners restoring the great organ often worked through the night to find the silence needed to perfect its 7,952 pipes, ranging from pen-sized to torso-wide. Notre Dame echoed to the sound of a sustained standing ovation after the showing of a short movie that documented the gargantuan rebuilding effort. Outside, the word “MERCI” — thank you — was projected against the cathedral’s iconic western facade. The movie showed the terrible wounds left by the inferno — the gaping holes torn into its vaulted ceilings and the burned roof. But that was followed by images of all types of artisans, many using traditional handicraft techniques, who collectively restored Notre Dame to look better now than ever. "We went from night to light," said one of the workers in the movie. Security will be high through the weekend, echoing measures taken during the Paris Olympics earlier this year. The Île de la Cité — the small island in the River Seine that is home to Notre Dame and the historic heart of Paris— is closed to tourists and non-residents. Police vans and barriers blocked cobblestoned streets in a large perimeter around the island, while soldiers in thick body armor and sniffer dogs patrolled embankments. A special security detail is following Trump. Public viewing areas along the Seine’s southern bank will accommodate 40,000 spectators, who can follow the celebrations on large screens. For many, Notre Dame’s rebirth is not just a French achievement but a global one — after the reopening, the cathedral is set to welcome 15 million visitors annually, up from 12 million before the fire. Sylvie Corbet, Yesica Brumec, Marine Lesprit and Mark Carlson in Paris contributed. Associated Press religion coverage receives support through The AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

State Administration Council Vice-Chairman Deputy Prime Minister Vice-Senior General Soe Win delivered a speech at the work coordination meeting 5/2024 of the Illegal Trade Eradication Steering Committee at the Ministry of Commerce in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday. Speaking at the meeting, the Vice-Senior General, who is also the committee chairman, said after the 17th coordination meeting of the committee, a total of 560 decisions were made and implemented until the 16th meeting. Effective actions should be taken to combat the illegal trade as it causes losses to consumers and local business people. Moreover, illegal trade can cause revenue losses for the country. There is the cost of illegal trade combatting activities. In the local production sector, the imported substandard raw materials can make products of low quality for the local entrepreneurs. Moreover, it can be harmful to the local consumers and substandard products in the international market, and the market share of the country can be affected seriously. Fake and substandard raw materials imported from foreign countries without any guarantees can affect the local production sector and cause losses. Moreover, illegal trading in various forms can affect the economic growth of the country and receivable revenues like commercial tax, income tax and special commodities tax, and show a decline in the GDP of the State. He also stressed the duties of the steering committee, region and state special task forces to crack down on illegal trade effectively and decisively, and the serious consequences of unlawful trade in the economic sector. Every government in the country drafts policies for political, economic and social affairs. The SAC also set the policies in these fields and the ministries, state and region governments, organizations and entrepreneurs should find their proper ways in their respective regions to overcome the limitations and challenges in implementing the economic policy of the country without any delays. He continued that Myanmar is an agriculture-based country, and US$14.641 billion worth of products were exported in the 2023-2024 financial year and the export volume reached US$9.825 billion until November of 2024-2025 financial year. Therefore, the departments concerned should make efforts for the agriculture, livestock and breeding sectors this financial year to develop the export sector. He added that smuggled and illegal commodities worth K379.247 billion were seized in 17,258 cases from January 2022 to November 2024. Concerning seizures in Myanmar, the Vice-Senior General noted that the Customs Department and Mandalay Region stood first for the seizure of smuggled and illegal commodities in September, October and November 2024, followed by the Kayin State and Kachin State. Among them, he continued that unregistered vehicles and illegal commodities were seized as the most enormous volume, followed by intermediate goods and capital goods. Although the monthly seizures show an increase in 2024, the record of export and import data of trading partner countries shows huge gaps when compared with the export and import data of the country. Therefore, the steering committee and special task forces are needed to accelerate their actions four times than before. He then highlighted the instruction of the Prime Minister to double the current export volumes and added that illicit trade brings huge hindrances to the MSMEs and local entrepreneurs in their production sectors. He also pointed out that the people informed 204 illegal trading in September, October and November 2024, of which 79 were false news, four were late news, and 121 were accurate news. A high number of trustworthy news outlets show supportive measures to carry out duties more effectively. A total of K5 billion worth of illegal goods were seized from 242 cases. He urged the MSME entrepreneurs to get rights for their products as the country enacts The Trademark Law, the Industrial Design Law, the Patent Law and the Copyright Law. The responsible agencies should facilitate the application processes and take action against those who break the law. Intellectual Property rights are complicated and can cause transnational crimes. According to the findings of CECD and WIPO, the value of international trade in counterfeit goods was estimated at US$509 billion, the equivalent of three per cent of world trade. He also called for attendees to work together to combat the unlawful trade. After hearing the reports made by the attendees, the Vice-Senior General coordinated all discussions and reports. — MNA/KTZHThe champions had descended into crisis after a run of seven games without a win – six of which were defeats and the other an embarrassing 3-3 draw after leading 3-0. Four of those losses had come in the Premier League, heavily damaging their chances of claiming a fifth successive title, but they appeared to turn the corner by sweeping Forest aside at the Etihad Stadium. “We needed it,” said City manager Guardiola. “The club, the players, everyone needed to win. “But it is just one game and in three days we are at Selhurst Park, where it has always been difficult. “We played good. We still conceded some transitions and missed some easy things and lost some passes that you have to avoid, but in general, the most important thing was to break this routine of not winning games and we won it.” Kevin De Bruyne, making his first start since September after overcoming a pelvic injury, made a huge difference to a side that appeared rejuvenated. His powerful header was turned in by Bernardo Silva for the opening goal and the Belgian followed up with a powerful strike to make it 2-0. The 33-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season but it was a strong riposte to recent suggestions of a rift with Guardiola. A sweet strike 💥 ⚡️ #HighSpeedMoments | @eAndGroup pic.twitter.com/WJOkfKo2zr — Manchester City (@ManCity) December 4, 2024 “I’m so happy for him,” said Guardiola of De Bruyne’s telling contribution. “Last season he was many months injured and this season as well. “I’m so happy he’s back. He fought a lot, he’s worked and he’s back with his physicality. The minutes he played in Anfield were really good and today he played 75 fantastic minutes.” Jeremy Doku wrapped up a pleasing win when he finished a rapid counter-attack just before the hour but there was still a downside for City with injuries to defenders Nathan Ake and Manuel Akanji. Guardiola said: “For Nathan it doesn’t look good and Manu has struggled a lot over the last two months. We will see. “Phil (Foden) has bronchitis but when he doesn’t have fever he will be ready.” Despite City’s dominance, Forest did have some bright moments and manager Nuno Espirito Santo was not downbeat. He said: “When you lose 3-0 and you say it was a good performance maybe people don’t understand, but I will not say that was a bad performance. “There are positive things for us in the game. Of course there are a lot of bad things, mistakes, but we had chances. “We didn’t achieve but I think we come out proud of ourselves because we tried. For sure, this game will allow us to grow.”

Romania's far-right candidate Calin Georgescu on Saturday urged voters to go to polling stations despite the country's top court having scrapped the presidential elections over alleged irregularities amid claims of Russian interference. The court's shock ruling, coming just before the presidential run-off which had been due Sunday, opens the way for a new electoral process starting from scratch in the EU and NATO member state bordering war-torn Ukraine. The annulment follows a spate of intelligence documents declassified by the presidency this week detailing allegations against Georgescu and Russia, including claims of "massive" social media promotion and cyberattacks. Georgescu -- who unexpectedly topped last month's first round of voting -- called for voters on Sunday "to wait to be welcomed, to wait for democracy to win through their power", said a statement from his team. "Mr. Calin Georgescu believes that voting is an earned right," said the statement. "That is why he believes that Romanians have the right to be in front of the polling stations tomorrow." Georgescu himself would go to a polling station near Bucharest at 0600 GMT, said his team. Earlier Saturday, police raided three houses in Brasov city in central Romania as part of the investigation "in connection with crimes of voter corruption, money laundering, computer forgery". Among the houses searched was that of businessman Bogdan Peschir, a TikTok user who according to the declassified documents allegedly paid $381,000 to those involved in the promotion of Georgescu, Romanian media reported. Peschir has compared his support for Georgescu to the world's richest man Elon Musk's backing of US president-elect Donald Trump. Little-known outsider Georgescu, a 62-year-old former senior civil servant, was favourite to win the second round on Sunday against centrist pro-EU mayor Elena Lasconi, 52, according to several polls. But the constitutional court on Friday unanimously decided to annul the entire electoral process as it was "marred... by multiple irregularities and violations of electoral legislation". President Klaus Iohannis said on Saturday that he had discussed with European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, and they agreed on the "need to strengthen the security of social media". The European Commission announced earlier this week that it had stepped up monitoring TikTok after Romania's authorities alleged "preferential treatment" of Georgescu on the platform -- a claim the company has denied. More from this section Following the court's decision, the United States said it had faith in Romania's institutions and called for a "peaceful democratic process". Trump's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., on X branded the vote's cancellation an "attempt at rigging the outcome" and "denying the will of the people". Georgescu called it "a formalised coup d'etat" and said democracy was "under attack". His team on Saturday declined to comment on the raids, saying they "will not comment or provide answers until we have exact data". Georgescu and another far-right party, the AUR, have said they plan to appeal the decision to stop the voting to the High Court of Cassation and Justice. A past admirer of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Georgescu, an EU and NATO sceptic, in recent days had reframed himself as "ultra pro-Trump," vowing to put Romania "on the world map" and cut aid for neighbouring Ukraine. In an interview with US broadcaster Sky News on Saturday, Georgescu said there were no links between him and Russia. Political scientist Costin Ciobanu told AFP that the annulment has "further polarised Romanian society". With trust in institutions and the ruling class already low, the vote's cancellation poses a "major danger that Romanians will think that it doesn't matter how they vote", Ciobanu added. Elsewhere in the EU, Austria annulled presidential elections in 2016 because of procedural irregularities. In Romania, a new government is expected to set another date for the presidential vote. In last weekend's legislative elections, the ruling Social Democrats came top. But far-right parties made big gains, securing an unprecedented third of the ballots on mounting anger over soaring inflation and fears over Russia's war in Ukraine. In a joint appeal on Wednesday, the Social Democrats and three other pro-EU parties -- together making up an absolute majority in parliament -- signed an agreement to form a coalition, promising "stability". bur-jza/jj

Costco Wholesale Corporation Reports November Sales Results

Law enforcement from all over Cache Valley came together Saturday to take 50 kids Christmas shopping. The annual Shop with a Cop event was bigger than ever before. Each child or teenager was partnered with an officer or deputy and given $250 to spend on items for themselves and their families. North Park Police Chief Kent Goodrich, who oversaw the event, said the number of kids able to participate and the amount allotted to each has grown in the last few years thanks to generous donations from several people and businesses. Staff at the Family Place helped select the children who participated. The event started with breakfast at the Cache County Sheriff’s compound. The large group then made its way to the north Walmart in a procession of lights and sirens. The kids rode with their officers. Logan police officer Tim Stauffer walked circles around the store with 11-year-old Adlee Anderson, picking out items for herself and a few of her siblings. Three of Anderson’s six siblings were also there, paired with officers of their own. Anderson said she helped come up with her siblings’ shopping lists, and her mother helped make hers. While she said she was having fun picking items for herself, she got most excited choosing toys and clothes for her siblings. Her list was mostly necessities like socks, clothes and personal hygiene items. So, Stauffer helped her choose a few fun things she wanted, like a kitchen play set. “He’s my favorite, even though I just met him today,” Anderson said of Stauffer. This was Stauffer’s first year participating in Shop with a Cop, and he said it was “super fun.” “This is something I’ve been wanting to do,” Stauffer said. “I want to be a school resource officer. It is good to get to know the kids and learn their interests. To let them know we are here for them." Once they found everything they needed, the two made their way to check out, then to the gift wrapping stations. The stations were manned by volunteers from around the community. Jeni Theobald volunteered to help giftwrap after her brother, who works for Walmart, mentioned they needed help. “This has been a big eye opener to what our community, especially our law enforcement, does for others,” Theobald said. “It’s opened my eyes to see the kindness and the charity that our community has.” Hyde Park and North Logan City Council members and the Hyde Park Youth Council were among those who volunteered to help giftwrap. Stephanie Allred is the Hyde Park council member in charge of the Youth Council. Allred said this is their second year helping with the event. “My kids like to do it, it’s very satisfying,” Allred said. “Some of the kids don’t know how to wrap, but they will after this.” Allred gave Goodrich credit for working hard to get additional donations and taking the event to a new level this year. “I feel like it really pulls the community together,” Allred said. “The heartbreaking thing is when (the kids) choose gifts for their families and choose necessities over fun things. It kind of tugs at my heartstrings to realize that even the kids understand their circumstances.” In addition to the items the kids picked out, Goodrich said each family will receive a stocking with gift cards from local businesses. “It’s a pretty neat event,” Goodrich said. “It’s an opportunity to pause the day-to-day grind and lend a helping hand. Which is what law enforcement is all about.” Officers from every agency in the valley and a couple from out of the valley joined the event, including North Park, Logan City and Smithfield Police Departments, Cache County Sheriff’s deputies, Utah Highway Patrol and deputies from Preston and Franklin County Sheriff's offices. Department of Natural Resources and Division of Wildlife Resources officers also participated.From wealth and success to murder suspect, the life of Luigi Mangione took a hard turnPNST stock touches 52-week low at $0.56 amid market challenges

The maritime industry is on the verge of a new era in connectivity with the launch of The Hood, a social platform built with a bold mission: to unite seafarers, their families, and maritime professionals into one vibrant, inclusive community. The Hood is more than just a networking tool. It is a space for meaningful connection, where industry members can support and empower one another. Inspired by terms like ‘sisterhood’ and ‘brotherhood,’ The Hood captures the spirit of family and mutual support. Members can job hunt, chat with colleagues, or share ideas and experiences with ease—no matter where in the world they are. The vision behind The Hood began six years ago when Josephine Le, Founder and Managing Director, first entered the maritime industry and recognised its uniqueness. She observed how challenging life at sea can be, especially for those away from home for long stretches, and saw the need for a space where maritime professionals could truly connect and support each other. After extensive research to understand the industry’s unique needs, Ms Le brought The Hood to life as a well-thought-out platform designed specifically to address these challenges. “I remember first joining the industry and feeling an immediate sense of community, but I also saw the isolation seafarers experience and some outdated recruitment practices,” said Josephine Le, Founder and Managing Director of The Hood. “The Hood was born out of a desire for connection and dependability. Even in the ever-evolving chaos like the current social media landscape, it speaks to our natural tendency to gravitate towards any kind of link to real connections and how these digital anchors can become the bedrock of a real community” Josephine Le, Founder and Managing Director “Our goal is simple but powerful: to build a community where strangers become family, and where members feel truly supported and empowered. Whether you’re just starting out or have spent years at sea, The Hood is here to help you connect, share, and belong.” The Hood serves every corner of the maritime world. Engineers can create dedicated groups to swap technical know-how, deck officers can discuss navigation and regulations, and cadets can find mentors. This tailored approach allows maritime professionals of all kinds to find support and camaraderie, right in their own space. By choosing the delicate balance between the ease of use for the less technological savvy and the advanced features of the professional page, the Hood gives the younger generation of our industry an enhanced social media tool with all their favourite features while providing the value of industry expertise by bringing the seasoned experts to the community. Starting with a dual social/professional profile feature, the platform will offer free Career Hub page for users, ability to store and share CV and documents directly, dedicated online centres for wellbeing support, e-learning, news section, and a coming soon e-shop—resources that speak directly to the community’s unique needs. The Hood is not just about work; it’s about creating an enduring community for the maritime sector. As it expands to offer more features, it will remain dedicated to its mission of uniting and uplifting the industry, helping maritime professionals, their families, and seafarers build bonds that extend far beyond the workplace. Join The Hood today and be part of a thriving community where the maritime community connect, collaborate, and belong. Sign up here: Source: The HoodISSAQUAH, Wash., Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Costco Wholesale Corporation (“Costco” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: COST) today reported net sales of $21.87 billion for the retail month of November, the four weeks ended December 1, 2024, an increase of 5.6 percent from $20.71 billion last year. For the twelve-week first quarter ended November 24, 2024, the Company reported net sales of $60.99 billion, an increase of 7.5 percent from $56.72 billion last year. Net sales for the first thirteen weeks were $66.52 billion, an increase of 7.2 percent from $62.04 billion last year. Comparable sales were as follows: Comparable sales excluding the impacts from changes in gasoline prices and foreign exchange were as follows: E-commerce sales in November were negatively impacted by an estimated 15 percentage points, due to Thanksgiving / Black Friday / Cyber Monday occurring a week later this year versus last year. Total and comparable sales were negatively impacted by approximately one and one-half percent as a result of the shift in E-commerce sales. Additional discussion of these results is available in a pre-recorded message. It can be accessed by visiting investor.costco.com (click on “Events & Presentations”). This message will be available through 4:00 p.m. (PT) on Wednesday, December 11, 2024. Costco currently operates 897 warehouses, including 617 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 109 in Canada, 41 in Mexico, 36 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 19 in Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, seven in China, five in Spain, two in France, and one each in Iceland, New Zealand and Sweden. Costco also operates e-commerce sites in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan and Australia. Certain statements contained in this document and the pre-recorded message constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. For these purposes, forward-looking statements are statements that address activities, events, conditions or developments that the Company expects or anticipates may occur in the future. In some cases forward-looking statements can be identified because they contain words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “target,” “will,” “would,” or similar expressions and the negatives of those terms. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events, results or performance to differ materially from those indicated by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, domestic and international economic conditions, including exchange rates, inflation or deflation, the effects of competition and regulation, uncertainties in the financial markets, consumer and small business spending patterns and debt levels, breaches of security or privacy of member or business information, conditions affecting the acquisition, development, ownership or use of real estate, capital spending, actions of vendors, rising costs associated with employees (generally including health-care costs and wages), workforce interruptions, energy and certain commodities, geopolitical conditions (including tariffs), the ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, regulatory and other impacts related to environmental and social matters, public-health related factors, and other risks identified from time to time in the Company’s public statements and reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company does not undertake to update these statements, except as required by law. Comparable sales and comparable sales excluding impacts from changes in gasoline prices and foreign exchange are intended as supplemental information and are not a substitute for net sales presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. COST-Sales

Lindsey Vonn competes in a pair of downhills, another step on her comeback trail at the age of 40In A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter , now streaming on Netflix, you can expect Christmas classics, guest duets, goofy holiday sketches, and cheeky double-entendres inside every wrapped gift on the special’s “Recorded Live In Front of Studio Audience”-style stage. Sabrina Carpenter is the star of the show, of course, but don’t expect “Espresso,” or even her viral hit “Nonsense” – instead, Sabrina performs a few seasonal chestnuts with guests Chappell Roan, Shania Twain, Tyla, and Kali Uchs, appears in a few comedy bits that include notables like Kyle Mooney, Megan Stalter, Quinta Brunson, and Cara Delevingne, and generally hams it up, just in time for Christmas. “So if you’re hot and you’re young and you’re stocking’s well hung...by the chimney with care, it’s the most nonsense time of the year...” A NONSENSE CHRISTMAS WITH SABRINA CARPENTER : STREAM IT OR SKIP IT? Opening Shot: A close-up of all that Sabrina Carpenter hair as “Buy Me Presents” begins, from her Christmas-themed 2023 EP Fruitcake . The audience cheers as Sabrina, in red satin and black arm gloves, appears on a tiered rostrum to sing. The Gist: Well, “sing.” A Nonsense Christmas isn’t live, and it’s not really a concert. As a holiday special, it’s not concerned with clarifying what is sung in the moment or what took a few takes to nail. (There are even bloopers at the very end.) But it’s all in good seasonal fun. “If you were a wise man, baby,” Sabrina coos from the stage during “Buy Me Presents,” “you’d drop every other ho ho ho and put me on top” – you get the idea. But she does, too. As she makes a cocktail in a stage setup similar to a sitcom, Sabrina’s intro ends and she welcomes South African pop singer Tyla for a rendition of “Very Special Christmas,” complete with a dance break. It’s kind of a whirlwind, to try and expect what’s next. But to camera, Sabrina says Netflix told her she could do whatever she wants, as long as she went viral. This is the vibe of Nonsense Christmas – very self-aware, but also very season’s greetings. A sketch featuring Megan Stalter and Owen Thiele, plus Sean Astin in a Santa suit, gives way to Sabrina dueting on “Santa Baby” with Shania Twain, and for the following bit it’s back to the living room stage, where she sings an auto-tuned laugher of a jingle about a brother-in-law she kinda sorta doesn’t know. Even if Kyle Mooney didn’t appear in the sketch as her bro-in-law, it would still feel like something out of Saturday Night Live . Nonsense Christmas also features Chappell Roan on a nice duet version of the Wham! classic “Last Christmas,” and gets some mileage out of people like Thiele, Mooney, and Cara Delevinge submitting ideas to Sabrina on potential outros to “Nonsense,” something she’s been switching up while out on the road, both as an Eras opener for Taylor Swift and on her own Short n’ Sweet tour. ( Nonsense is directed by Sam Wrench, who also helmed the Eras concert film.) Kali Uchis stops by for duet version of “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus,” Quinta Brunson and Nico Hiraga are funny in a sketch involving the spirits of “Ghosted” past, present, and future, and by the time we get to the final number – shocker, it’s “Nonsense” – Sabrina says she’s happy to have made her special such a fun experience for the whole family. Is that buzzing gift she was handed onstage a massager, or something else? Wink-wink. What Shows Will It Remind You Of? It’s not about Christmas, but Olivia Rodrigo: Guts World Tour is a damn good time, and features Chappell Roan, too. And the jokes-and-performance feel of Nonsense Christmas had us recalling a left-field holiday experiment out of the COVID era, The LCD Soundsystem Holiday Special . Our Take: Actually, what Nonsense Christmas proves is that every singer, whether they’ve ever performed on SNL or not, should probably make their own broadly-minded holiday special, complete with jokes. With Sabrina Carpenter herself as its ringleader, Nonsense happily makes a pile of sly Xmas sex jokes, allows all kinds of nods to how improvisational it all ends up feeling – Megan Stalter from Hacks recovers well when her “Tickle Me Elmo” prop during a sketch takes matters into its own hands – and generally has a damn good time with itself. Which is a gift! Christmas specials are perfect vehicles for tradition, and that will never go out of style. This time of year, we need it. But the format is also inherently cheesy, and Sabrina leans into that notion with the participation of her willing troupe of guests. There are a few genuine LOLs, but mostly Nonsense plays to its strengths, which is the juice of celebrity interaction linked to easygoing Christmas season content, further differentiated by a few nicely-appointed Christmas season duets. It’s our contention that Sabrina Carpenter beat all of her professional peers to doing a special with exactly this casual, yet legitimately Christmas-y feel. If Netflix doesn’t sign her to do it again next year, with a new round of guests, they’re leaving money on the table. Sex and Skin: Nothing here, but for all of the winking seasonal double-entendres. And we mean all. “I trimmed my tree just for you, so keep my stocking filled.” Parting Shot: [Sabrina Carpenter voice] “Well here we are my special at its ending/Love you all and thank you for attending/I can’t believe I kept it family-‘friendling’ – Merry Christmas, and to all, a good night. Love, Sabrina Claus.” Sleeper Star: Shania Twain is a legend, and she’s immediately the star of both the sketch she appears in for Nonsense Christmas , and during the duet on “Santa Baby.” Even Sabrina is starstruck. “I can’t believe you’re here!” Most Pilot-y Line: Early on, Sabrina Carpenter gives us a little welcome to her own personal musical comedy holiday special. “Welcome to A Nonsense Christmas . You could’ve been anywhere tonight, spending time with family, helping the less fortunate, but instead, you’re here, half watching a big screen while scrolling social media on a smaller screen. And for that, I’m forever grateful.” Our Call: Stream It! A Nonsense Christmas with Sabrina Carpenter is having a lot of laughs and fun – and Sabrina herself is having the most fun – but it also brings in a few nice versions of songs for season. And really, it never once takes itself too seriously, which itself is refreshing. Why don’t more celebrities just cut loose and riff on their own branded version of what in another TV era would be called a Christmas variety show? Johnny Loftus ( @glennganges ) is an independent writer and editor living at large in Chicagoland. His work has appeared in The Village Voice, All Music Guide, Pitchfork Media, and Nicki Swift.Ghana’s opposition leader John Mahama on Monday officially won the country’s election, easily defeating the ruling party candidate after voters punished the government’s economic management and the high costs of living. Mahama won 56 percent of the votes in Saturday’s presidential ballot, compared to the ruling party candidate and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia who secured 41 percent, the electoral commission said, announcing official results. The comeback for former president Mahama ends eight years in power for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) under President Nana Akufo-Addo, whose last term was marked by Ghana’s worst economic turmoil in years, an IMF bailout and a debt default. “I have the singular honour... to declare his excellency John Dramani Mahama as the winner,” Electoral Commission Chairperson Jean Mensa said, announcing the results. Vice President Bawumia, a former central banker, had already quickly conceded defeat on Sunday, acknowledging Ghanaians wanted change after the government failed to shake off widespread frustration. Bawumia also said the Mahama’s National Democratic Congress (NDC) party had also won the parliamentary vote in Saturday’s election. Official results for the parliament are still being tallied. Mahama, 66, previously failed twice to secure the presidency, but in Saturday’s election he managed to tap into expectations of change among Ghanaians. He has promised to “reset” Ghana, usher in economic revival and renegotiate parts of the country’s $3 billion IMF accord. With a history of democratic stability, Ghana’s two major parties, the NPP and NDC, have alternated in power equally since the return to multi-party politics in 1992. But Ghana’s economic woes dominated the 2024 election, after the continent’s top gold producer and world’s second cacao exporter went through a debt crisis, the default and currency devaluation. Turnout on Saturday was 60.9 percent, a slide in participation compared with 79 percent in the 2020 election, results showed. With a slogan “Break the 8” — a reference to two, four-year terms in power — Bawumia had sought to take the NPP to an unprecedented third mandate. But he struggled to break from criticism of Akufo-Addo’s economic record. While inflation slowed from more than 50 percent to around 23 percent, and other indicators stabilised, economic concerns were still a clear election issue for most Ghanaians. That frustration opened the way for a comeback from Mahama, who first came to the presidency in 2012 when he was serving as vice president and then President John Atta Mills died in office. During campaigning, the former president also faced criticism from those who remember his government’s own financial tribulations and especially the massive power blackouts that marred his time in office. AFP