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ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani police Monday fired tear gas canisters at supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan to stop them from entering the capital, where they hoped to stage a sit-in to demand his release, officials said. The firing of tear gas came shortly after demonstrators — who traveled 150 kilometers (93 miles) from the restive northwest — began arriving and gathering near Islamabad. They defied a lockdown, previous tear gas and widespread arrests despite a ban on rallies in the city. The development came a day after the leadership of Khan’s party went ahead with the “long march” even as Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko arrived for a three-day visit. He was received at an airport near the capital by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday evening. Authorities said at least one police officer was killed and several officers and demonstrators were injured in clashes. The marchers appeared determined to enter Islamabad, where the lockdown, which has been in place for two days, has disrupted daily life. The government was in talks with Khan's party to avoid any further violence, officials said. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters after midnight that the government is willing to allow Khan supporters to rally on the outskirts of Islamabad but he threatened extreme measures if they entered the city to protest. Khan, who has been in jail for over a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases, remains popular. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or PTI, says the cases are politically motivated. A convoy of vehicles carrying protesters was expected to enter the capital Monday night. Security officials say they expect between 9,000 and 11,000 demonstrators, while the PTI says the number will be much higher. Video on social media showed Khan supporters donning gas masks and protective goggles. Travel between Islamabad and other cities has become nearly impossible. Ambulances and cars were seen turning back from areas along the key Grand Trunk Road highway in Punjab province, where shipping containers were used to block roads. Video circulating online showed some protesters operating heavy machinery to remove the containers. “We are determined, and we will reach Islamabad, though police are using tear gas to stop our march,” PTI senior leader Kamran Bangash told The Associated Press. “We will overcome all hurdles one by one, and our supporters are removing shipping containers from roads." Bangash also said Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, who was recently released on bail in a graft case, will lead the march along with Ali Amin Gandapur , the chief minister in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where Khan’s party remains in power. Earlier, almost 50 kilometers (30 miles) from Islamabad, Bibi, wearing a white head-to-toe burqa, addressed protesters while sitting in a truck, urging them to remain determined to achieve their goal and free Khan. She then chanted, “God is great” and left. Khan’s main political opponent, Sharif, heads the current government. Sharif’s spokesperson, Attaullah Tarar, said on Sunday that whenever any high-profile foreign delegation comes to Pakistan, the PTI “begins the politics of long marches and onslaught on Islamabad to harm the economy.” Some economists say protests cause billions of rupees in damages to the country's fragile economy. Protesters on Sunday night burned trees as police fired tear gas to disperse the crowds. Khan supporters retaliated by using slingshots and pelting security personnel with rocks. In a bid to foil the protest, police have arrested more than 4,000 Khan supporters since Friday and suspended mobile and internet services “in areas with security concerns,” which the PTI said affected its call on social media for a protest. On Thursday, a court prohibited rallies in the capital and Naqvi said anyone violating the ban would be arrested. Authorities say only courts can order the release of Khan, who was ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in Parliament. He has been imprisoned since his first conviction in a graft case, in August 2023. Khan has been sentenced in several cases. His convictions were later overturned on appeal but he cannot be freed due to other pending cases against him. Associated Press writers Riaz Khan in Peshawar, Pakistan, and Asim Tanveer in Multan, Pakistan, contributed to this report.Penn State notes: Linemen Anthony Donkoh, Alonzo Ford Jr. suffer long-term injuriesMIAMI BEACH, Fla., Dec. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund, Inc. (NASDAQ: CUBA) (the "Fund”) today announced that Thomas J. Herzfeld, Chairman of the Board of Directors has resigned from the Board as of December 31, 2024. Mr. Herzfeld has also resigned as Portfolio Manager for the Fund effective as of the same date. Mr. Herzfeld has held the position of Chairman since the Fund's launch in 1994. He will retain the position of Chairman Emeritus and participate in board meetings on a non-voting basis. The Board has elected Cecilia Gondor to serve as Chairperson effective December 31, 2024. Ms. Gondor has served on the Board of Directors since 2014. She also served as Executive Vice President of Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors, Inc. (the Fund's investment manager) from 1984 through May 2014. During her years at the investment manager, her research analysis garnered her the reputation as being one of the most knowledgeable analysts in the industry. Additionally, she was the Executive Vice President of Thomas J. Herzfeld & Co., Inc., a broker-dealer, from 1984 through 2010. Ms. Gondor currently is an owner and the Managing Member of L&M Management LLC group of partnerships, a residential and commercial office space investor located in Alexandria, Virginia. In addition, the Board has named Brigitta Herzfeld to fill the board vacancy created by Mr. Herzfeld's resignation. Ms. Herzfeld is a current member of the investment manager's executive committee and will join the Board as of December 31, 2024. She is a graduate of Bowdoin College (BA), Stanford University (MA) and Massachusetts Institute of Technology - MIT Sloan School of Management (MBA) and Wharton-Singapore Management University (Executive Management Program). She has held positions at Goldman, Sachs & Co and Lehman Brothers Japan, Inc. Mr. Herzfeld commented: "It has been my privilege and honor to serve on the Board of Directors of The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund for its entire history. As I approach my 80 th birthday, it is with much pride that I turn the leadership of the Fund over to a new generation. Cecilia Gondor has been a consistent source of expert guidance for the Fund for many years and is a great choice to take over the chair position. And Brigitta Herzfeld's financial background and long history with our firm will be an invaluable source of expertise for the board. While I will remain active with the management company, it is clear that the time has come for me to step down from active leadership of the Fund. As Chairman Emeritus I will be working harder than ever to ensure that we maximize shareholder value; we are currently exploring several options that we think will be beneficial to our shareholders.” Mr. Herzfeld has had a long and illustrious career and is generally considered to be "the father of closed-end fund investing”. Mr. Herzfeld wrote the first of his six books on the subject of closed-end funds in 1979. He is the publisher of The Investor's Guide to Closed-End Funds monthly research report and is quoted and interviewed on the subject of closed-end funds by the world's most renowned financial papers. He has served as a contributing editor for the Global Guide to Investing (published by Financial Times ), and The Encyclopedia of Investments . Ms. Gondor responded to her election to Chairperson: "To follow in the footsteps of Tom Herzfeld is a very humbling experience. He has been a mentor to me and many others in the closed-end fund industry. I look forward to working with Brigitta Herzfeld and the other board members to continue the work that Tom started 30 years ago and am honored to contribute to the legacy he has built in any way that I can.” A graduate of Philadelphia University in 1966, Mr. Herzfeld served in the United States Army Reserve from 1966-1972, and on active duty in 1967. He received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (LHD) from Philadelphia University in 2008. He joined the Wall Street firm Reynolds & Co., in 1968 and began a specialization in closed-end funds. He formed the NYSE member firm of Carlino, Herzfeld and Kemm in 1970 and served as the firm's Senior Partner at the age of 25. He also became an Allied Member of the NYSE, an Associate Member of the AMEX and a senior register options principal. In 1981, he formed a stock brokerage firm, Thomas J. Herzfeld & Co., Inc., that was the first to specialize in the field of closed-end funds. He created the industry's first and only Closed-End Fund Index, "The Herzfeld Average," which has been published in Barron's weekly since its establishment in 1987. He also coined the term "lifeboat provisions” used in the industry to define tactics funds take to narrow discounts and keep prices afloat. About Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors, Inc. Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors, Inc., founded in 1984, is an SEC registered investment advisor, specializing in investment analysis and account management in closed-end funds. The Firm also specializes in investment in the Caribbean Basin. The HERZFELD/CUBA division of Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors, Inc. serves as the investment advisor to The Herzfeld Caribbean Basin Fund, Inc. a publicly traded closed-end fund (NASDAQ: CUBA). More information about the advisor can be found at www.herzfeld.com . Past performance is no guarantee of future performance. An investment in the Fund is subject to certain risks, including market risk. In general, shares of closed-end funds often trade at a discount from their net asset value and at the time of sale may be trading on the exchange at a price which is more or less than the original purchase price or the net asset value. An investor should carefully consider the Fund's investment objective, risks, charges and expenses. Please read the Fund's disclosure documents before investing. Forward-Looking Statements This press release, and other statements that TJHA or the Fund may make, may contain forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act, with respect to the Fund's or TJHA's future financial or business performance, strategies or expectations. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words or phrases such as "trend,” "potential,” "opportunity,” "pipeline,” "believe,” "comfortable,” "expect,” "anticipate,” "current,” "intention,” "estimate,” "position,” "assume,” "outlook,” "continue,” "remain,” "maintain,” "sustain,” "seek,” "achieve,” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as "will,” "would,” "should,” "could,” "may” or similar expressions. TJHA and the Fund caution that forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and TJHA and the Fund assume no duty to and do not undertake to update forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance. With respect to the Fund, the following factors, among others, could cause actual events to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: (1) changes and volatility in political, economic or industry conditions, particularly with respect to Cuba and other Caribbean Basin countries, the interest rate environment, foreign exchange rates or financial and capital markets, which could result in changes in demand for the Fund or in the Fund's net asset value; (2) the relative and absolute investment performance of the Fund and its investments; (3) the impact of increased competition; (4) the unfavorable resolution of any legal proceedings; (5) the extent and timing of any distributions or share repurchases; (6) the impact, extent and timing of technological changes; (7) the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies relating to the Fund or TJHA, as applicable; (8) terrorist activities, international hostilities and natural disasters, which may adversely affect the general economy, domestic and local financial and capital markets, specific industries or TJHA or the Fund; (9) TJHA's and the Fund's ability to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (10) the impact of TJHA electing to provide support to its products from time to time; (11) the impact of problems at other financial institutions or the failure or negative performance of products at other financial institutions; and (12) the effects of an epidemic, pandemic or public health emergency, including without limitation, COVID-19. Annual and Semi-Annual Reports and other regulatory filings of the Fund with the SEC are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on TJHA's website at www.herzfeld.com/cuba, and may discuss these or other factors that affect the Fund. The information contained on TJHA's website is not a part of this press release. Contact: Tom Morgan Chief Compliance Officer Thomas J. Herzfeld Advisors, Inc. 1-305-777-1660wow88 。

ISLAMABAD: The year 2024 was an active year for Pakistan’s diplomacy with a focus on enhancing Pakistan’s international profile and strengthening relations with countries around the world. However, Pakistan faced severe criticism internationally over conducting civilians’ trials in military courts. The US, the UK and the EU were at the forefront on condemning the recently announced verdicts of these courts. High-level visits exchanged with Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, China, Egypt, Gambia, Iran, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Qatar, Russia, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, the UAE, Uzbekistan and the United Kingdom, helped develop important understandings with these countries. Zahra will be ambassador to France: PM clears summary on Amna’s appointment as foreign secy Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, while releasing the details, said that President Asif Ali Zardari visited Turkmenistan to attend the International Forum on “Interrelation of Times and Civilizations – Basis of Peace and Development” held in Ashgabat on 10-11 October 2024. The prime minister of Pakistan undertook visits to Azerbaijan, China, Egypt, Iran, Kazakhstan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and the UAE, she added. FO spokesperson further said during 2024, Pakistan hosted a number of high-level dignitaries. Leadership level visits took place from Azerbaijan, Belarus, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Senior Cabinet Ministers of China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, Germany, Qatar, Russia and the United Kingdom visited Pakistan. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Secretary General CICA and the secretaries general of SAARC, IMO and the Commonwealth also undertook visits to Pakistan during 2024. This year, Mumtaz Zahra said, “We witnessed major transformations and far-reaching developments in our region and around the world. Political changes in Africa, South Asia, Middle East, Europe, and East Asia meant foreign policy adaptations and adjustments by countries around the world including Pakistan”. Despite these developments, Pakistan continued to promote its relations with countries around the world on the basis of equality, mutual interest and mutually beneficial cooperation. We prioritised dialogue and consultations with countries around the globe. Pakistan continued its policy of robust engagement with its close partners and friends. We reinforced our traditional partnerships with China, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and the wider Islamic world. These relationships are based on mutual trust and friendship and characterised by a tradition of robust dialogue and exchange of bilateral visits. Year 2024 was marked by the traditional warmth and high-level exchanges between Pakistan and China. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif undertook an official visit to China in June while Premier Li Qian of China visited Pakistan in October. Pakistan and China also held the Fifth Pakistan-China Foreign Ministers’ Strategic Dialogue in Beijing in May 2024. During these high level visits and exchanges, the two countries reached extensive consensus on further consolidating and deepening the Pakistan-China All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership; and promoting practical cooperation in diverse fields with a special focus on CPEC. There was a robust exchange of high-level engagements between Pakistan and the GCC countries. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif undertook four official visits to Saudi Arabia which consolidated our strategic and economic partnership. Important understandings were reached with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in political, security and economic domains and to translate the commitment between prime minister of Pakistan and Prince Mohammed bin Salman to expedite the investment package worth US $5 billion. Trade and investment opportunities also remained a key focus of our bilateral engagements with Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE. The outgoing year was started with an unfortunate military exchange with Iran. However, the two countries were successfully able to move forward through robust and active diplomatic engagement and high-level dialogue. With the official visit of late President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi official visit to Pakistan from 22 to 24 April 2024, the two countries developed understandings on political, economic, and security matters. Afghanistan remained a priority on the agenda of Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach. Trade connectivity and people-to-people contacts were a priority in our engagement with Afghanistan. We have had some incidents on the border with Afghanistan. Pakistan’s major concern of terror hideouts and sanctuaries inside Afghanistan remained high on our bilateral agenda, said the spokesperson. Pakistan participated in meetings and mechanisms aimed at promoting peace in Afghanistan including in the Moscow Format talks held in Moscow in November and the third quadrilateral meeting of foreign ministers of China, Iran, Pakistan, and Russia. The ministers reiterated their support for Afghanistan’s national sovereignty, political independence, unity, and territorial integrity. The first Pakistan-Türkiye-Azerbaijan Trilateral Summit was held in Astana in Kazakhstan in July. Pakistan also continued to engage with the United States, to promote bilateral understanding. The United States remains the largest export market for Pakistani products. The European Union has lifted a four-year ban imposed on Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), leading to resumption of PIA flights to Europe. Pakistan is also engaged with the non-EU countries for the resumption of flights in the wider region as well. Pakistan’s engagement continued to grow with non-EU countries including Belarus, Norway, Russia, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Copyright Business Recorder, 2024Admin monitoring situation round-the-clock: DC Bandipora

Stock market today: Wall Street’s rally stalls as Nasdaq pulls back from its record

Luka Doncic's Home Burglarized Friday EveningBOSTON (AP) — Donald Hand Jr. scored 15 of his career-high 29 points in the first half and grabbed 10 rebounds to help Boston College beat Fairleigh Dickinson 78-70 on Saturday. Chad Venning scored a season-high 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting for Boston College (8-5). Ahmed Barba-Bey was fouled on a 3-point shot and made all three free throws before Terrence Brown converted a three-point play to cut FDU's deficit to five points with 2 minutes left and Barba-Bey’s 3 with 39 seconds left made it 74-70. Hand answered with a layup 10 seconds later and followed with two free throws that capped the scoring with 18 seconds to play. Barba-Bey, a graduate transfer from Division-II Jefferson, hit eight 3-pointers and led Fairleigh Dickinson (4-11) with a career-high 31 points on 10-of-12 shooting. Brown added 20 points and Bismark Nsiah scored 10, all in the second half. Hand hit a 3-pointer that gave Boston College the lead for good with 17:17 left in the first half and scored 13 of the game's first 24, including a three-point play that gave the Eagles a 17-7 lead with 11:58 left before the intermission. Barba-Bey hit back-to-back 3-pointers to cut FDU's deficit to four just over a minute later but Boston College scored the next eight points and the Knights got no closer until the second half. Boston College won for just the second time since beating Boise State 63-61 on Joshua Beadle's late 3-pointer to win the Cayman Islands Classic on Nov. 26 and improve to 6-1. The Knights have lost four games in a row overall and are 0-10 away from home this season. Boston College won the lone previous meeting between the programs 72-54 on Dec. 10, 1992. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up . AP college basketball: and The Associated PressClara Strack, Georgia Amoore help No. 16 Kentucky rout Western Kentucky

California vows to step in if Trump kills US EV tax credit

NoneRays will play 13 of first 16 games at home and 47 of 59, then have 69 of last 103 on road

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping up to be a key trend driving stock market growth, with promising opportunities as we head into 2025. Among the top contenders leading this revolution are Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC), and Alphabet, each carving out significant niches in the AI landscape. Nvidia: Known as a powerhouse in the GPU sector, Nvidia stands at the forefront of AI innovation. Its proprietary CUDA software has secured an impressive 90% share of the GPU market. With AI models increasing in complexity, the demand for Nvidia’s GPUs continues to soar, contributing to a staggering 94% revenue boost last quarter. Despite this rapid growth, Nvidia’s valuation remains appealing, with a forward price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio under 29, making it a compelling choice for investors. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing: As the world’s leading semiconductor contract manufacturer, TSMC is capitalizing on the growing need for AI-related chips. Its extensive market share, reaching nearly 65% in 2023, and strong relationships with tech giants like Apple and Nvidia, underline its dominant industry position. TSMC’s forward P/E of just above 22 highlights its investment allure, especially with anticipated price increases on the horizon. Alphabet: Dominating the cloud industry, Alphabet’s Google Cloud is a linchpin in AI advancement. The division’s recent 35% revenue increase is supported by innovations in AI tools and algorithms, including the upcoming Gemini AI model. As a tech giant with a forward P/E of 22, Alphabet offers an intriguing investment opportunity. These three companies present strategic openings for investors eager to capitalize on the exciting advancements within AI. AI Stocks: Are Nvidia, TSMC, and Alphabet the Next Big Investment? As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize industries across the globe, its influence is prominently felt in the stock market. Companies like Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC), and Alphabet are at the forefront, offering promising opportunities for investors heading into 2025. Pros and Cons of Investing in AI Stocks Nvidia – Pros: Nvidia has a dominant presence in the GPU market, with a 90% share thanks to its CUDA software. The company reported a remarkable 94% revenue growth in the last quarter, driven by rising GPU demand. – Cons: Rapid growth can lead to volatility, and high market expectations may put pressure on sustained performance. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (TSMC) – Pros: TSMC commands nearly 65% of the semiconductor contract manufacturing market, backed by partnerships with giants like Apple and Nvidia. The forward P/E ratio of just above 22 suggests it is an appealing option for value-conscious investors. – Cons: The semiconductor market can be affected by geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions. Alphabet – Pros: Alphabet’s Google Cloud division has seen a 35% revenue surge, propelled by AI tool and algorithm innovations. With a forward P/E of 22, Alphabet presents a stable investment with room for growth. – Cons: Heavy competition in the cloud industry and regulatory scrutiny are potential challenges. Key Features and Innovations – Nvidia’s GPU Technologies: As AI models become more complex, Nvidia’s cutting-edge GPUs are critical in powering advancements, cementing its role in future AI developments. – TSMC’s Semiconductor Leadership: TSMC’s significant market share and ongoing innovations in chip production process ensure its relevance in the AI hardware sector. – Alphabet’s Gemini AI Model: Alphabet continues to innovate with initiatives like the Gemini AI model, enhancing AI capabilities and helping businesses harness AI for greater efficiency. Market Trends and Predictions The AI market is expected to expand significantly in the coming years, with these three companies emerging as key players. The increase in GPU demand, coupled with the reliance on semiconductors for AI chips, underscores the growing intersection of these technologies. Security and Sustainability Aspects – Security: Each company emphasizes cybersecurity, with Nvidia ensuring the robustness of its GPU environments, TSMC securing its semiconductor production, and Alphabet enhancing data protection within its cloud services. – Sustainability: These companies are investing in sustainable practices, whether through energy-efficient data centers or eco-friendly manufacturing processes. Insights and Compatibility Investors should consider the compatibility of these stocks within their portfolios, evaluating how each aligns with broader investment strategies and risk tolerance. For more information on these companies, visit their websites: Nvidia , TSMC , and Alphabet . As AI continues to evolve, these stocks are positioned to be pivotal in capturing the potential growth, making them worthy considerations for forward-looking investors aiming to tap into AI-driven advancements.California vows to step in if Trump kills US EV tax credit