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Vodafone Group clears dues owed to lenders worth ₹11,650 cr
Badr Abdelatty, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in the Egypt-Gabon Business Forum held in Libreville, the capital of Gabon. The event brought together Gabonese President Ali Bongo Ondimba, seven key Gabonese government ministers—including those responsible for Foreign Affairs, Public Works, Energy and Water Resources, Health, Economy, Digital Economy, and Transport—alongside a prominent group of Egyptian and Gabonese business leaders and investors. In his address, Abdelatty underscored the forum’s importance as a platform to deepen economic ties between Egypt and Gabon. He highlighted President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations by expanding trade volumes and fostering joint investments. Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s readiness to actively participate in Gabon’s market by supporting its comprehensive development initiatives and sharing expertise in key sectors such as infrastructure, energy, construction, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture. These efforts, he noted, are designed to advance Gabon’s sustainable development goals. The Minister also emphasized the critical role of public and private sector companies in driving economic progress across Africa. He revealed that Egyptian investments across the continent have exceeded $14bn, attributing this success to the efficiency and reliability of Egyptian companies, known for completing projects on time and within budget. The forum facilitated extensive discussions between Gabonese ministers, investors, and Egyptian business representatives. These dialogues focused on strengthening economic and investment partnerships, with Egyptian delegates presenting proposals for developmental projects in areas such as road construction, port development, and renewable energy. Additionally, the discussions explored opportunities to enhance agricultural cooperation for improved food security and the exchange of expertise in technology and manufacturing.Confident Bucs gear up for stretch run against lighter season-ending schedule
Back on track: new Newcastle-Sydney electric trains gets green lightTrying to fit in routines around work can be tricky, especially for women. New research from Vitality’s ‘Active women, healthy lives’ report finds that eight in 10 women under 50 say their demanding work schedules are holding them back from being active. As a result, a quarter of women exercise less than once a week (25%), and over half of women exercise less than they used to (52%). Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, in partnership with Vitality, is launching Walk Out to Work Out, a new initiative encouraging women to reclaim time during their busy working days to stay active. Jessica Ennis-Hill has shared a few tips to help women fit in exercise around their working day (Image: Vitality) Additionally, she has shared some top tips on how to fit some exercise in during the working day. The full ‘Active women, healthy lives’ report can be found on the website here . 5 top tips to fit in exercise around the workday 1. Incorporate Exercise ‘Snacks’ Jessica shared: "As a busy mum and business owner, I know how challenging it can be to fit in long workouts. That’s why I swear by short bursts of activity—what I call "exercise snacks." "Whether it’s a 5-minute stretch between meetings or a quick walk to clear your mind, these small moments can really add up and keep you feeling active without disrupting your day. 2. Walk and Talk Jessica explained: "When I need to take calls or brainstorm ideas, I often head out for a walk with my dog while doing it – ticking off two things I have to do. I find it not only helps me stay active but also boosts my creativity and focus. "Turn phone calls or virtual meetings into walking meetings where possible. It’s a simple way to add movement while staying productive." 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Reclaim Your Lunch Break "As someone who’s juggled intense schedules, I’ve learned the importance of protecting my lunch break," Jessica said. "I use part of it for physical activity, whether it’s a quick workout, a jog, or a calming walk. "If you feel like your lunch break has disappeared into your workday, speak to your employer about how you can reclaim that time — it’s yours to use for your well-being. I suggest putting it in the diary as a meeting – this will ring-fence the time for you." 4. Advocate for Active Policies Jessica explained: "I have worked with a lot of different sponsors and their teams and I’ve seen the difference it makes when workplaces support physical activity. "If you’re struggling to stay active, don’t hesitate to share your thoughts with your employer. Suggest ideas like walking meetings, group exercise activities, or even flexible working hours to make staying active more achievable. "Remember, these changes benefit everyone, from employees to the company itself. Recommended reading: 5. Set Active Reminders Jessica said: "I rely on technology to keep me on track. Fitness trackers or simple alarms can remind you to stand, stretch, or take a short walk every hour. "Even small movements like this can make a huge difference to your energy levels and focus throughout the day."Trying to fit in routines around work can be tricky, especially for women. New research from Vitality’s ‘Active women, healthy lives’ report finds that eight in 10 women under 50 say their demanding work schedules are holding them back from being active. As a result, a quarter of women exercise less than once a week (25%), and over half of women exercise less than they used to (52%). Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill, in partnership with Vitality, is launching Walk Out to Work Out, a new initiative encouraging women to reclaim time during their busy working days to stay active. Jessica Ennis-Hill has shared a few tips to help women fit in exercise around their working day (Image: Vitality) Additionally, she has shared some top tips on how to fit some exercise in during the working day. The full ‘Active women, healthy lives’ report can be found on the website here . Jessica shared: "As a busy mum and business owner, I know how challenging it can be to fit in long workouts. That’s why I swear by short bursts of activity—what I call "exercise snacks." "Whether it’s a 5-minute stretch between meetings or a quick walk to clear your mind, these small moments can really add up and keep you feeling active without disrupting your day. Jessica explained: "When I need to take calls or brainstorm ideas, I often head out for a walk with my dog while doing it – ticking off two things I have to do. I find it not only helps me stay active but also boosts my creativity and focus. "Turn phone calls or virtual meetings into walking meetings where possible. It’s a simple way to add movement while staying productive." (function (d, s, n) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; js = d.createElement(s); js.className = n; js.src = "//player.ex.co/player/cb8f2d25-231d-4663-bb64-1c7da4a4b682"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); js.setAttribute('programmatic', 'true'); js.onload = function () { const playerApi233613 = ExCoPlayer.connect('cb8f2d25-231d-4663-bb64-1c7da4a4b682'); playerApi233613.init({ "autoPlay": false, "mute": true, "showAds": true, "playbackMode": "play-in-view", "content": { "playFirst": [ { "title": "How much water should you drink daily?", "src": "https://large-cdn.ex.co/transformations/production/41f11a67-8a1f-4249-8ae7-12b95862b6e3/720p.mp4" } ], "playlistId": "649d48855f10d80012592e37" }, "sticky": { "mode": "persistent", "closeButton": true, "pauseOnClose": true, "desktop": { "enabled": false, "position": "bottom-right" }, "mobile": { "enabled": false, "position": "upper-small" } }}); }; }(document, 'script', 'exco-player')); "As someone who’s juggled intense schedules, I’ve learned the importance of protecting my lunch break," Jessica said. "I use part of it for physical activity, whether it’s a quick workout, a jog, or a calming walk. "If you feel like your lunch break has disappeared into your workday, speak to your employer about how you can reclaim that time — it’s yours to use for your well-being. I suggest putting it in the diary as a meeting – this will ring-fence the time for you." Jessica explained: "I have worked with a lot of different sponsors and their teams and I’ve seen the difference it makes when workplaces support physical activity. "If you’re struggling to stay active, don’t hesitate to share your thoughts with your employer. Suggest ideas like walking meetings, group exercise activities, or even flexible working hours to make staying active more achievable. "Remember, these changes benefit everyone, from employees to the company itself. Recommended reading: Jessica said: "I rely on technology to keep me on track. Fitness trackers or simple alarms can remind you to stand, stretch, or take a short walk every hour. "Even small movements like this can make a huge difference to your energy levels and focus throughout the day."
EAST LANSING, Mich. — The sight was a common one for Andrew Kolpacki. For many a Sunday, he would watch NFL games on TV and see quarterbacks putting their hands on their helmets, desperately trying to hear the play call from the sideline or booth as tens of thousands of fans screamed at the tops of their lungs. When the NCAA's playing rules oversight committee this past spring approved the use of coach-to-player helmet communications in games for the 2024 season, Kolpacki, Michigan State's head football equipment manager, knew the Spartans' QBs and linebackers were going to have a problem. "There had to be some sort of solution," he said. As it turns out, there was. And it was right across the street. Kolpacki reached out to Tamara Reid Bush, a mechanical engineering professor who not only heads the school's Biomechanical Design Research Laboratory but also is a football season ticket-holder. Kolpacki "showed me some photos and said that other teams had just put duct tape inside the (earhole), and he asked me, 'Do you think we can do anything better than duct tape,?" Bush said. "And I said, 'Oh, absolutely.'" Bush and Rylie DuBois, a sophomore biosystems engineering major and undergraduate research assistant at the lab, set out to produce earhole inserts made from polylactic acid, a bio-based plastic, using a 3D printer. Part of the challenge was accounting for the earhole sizes and shapes that vary depending on helmet style. Once the season got underway with a Friday night home game against Florida Atlantic on Aug. 30, the helmets of starting quarterback Aidan Chiles and linebacker Jordan Turner were outfitted with the inserts, which helped mitigate crowd noise. DuBois attended the game, sitting in the student section. "I felt such a strong sense of accomplishment and pride," DuBois said. "And I told all my friends around me about how I designed what they were wearing on the field." All told, Bush and DuBois have produced around 180 sets of the inserts, a number that grew in part due to the variety of helmet designs and colors that are available to be worn by Spartan players any given Saturday. Plus, the engineering folks have been fine-tuning their design throughout the season. Dozens of Bowl Subdivision programs are doing something similar. In many cases, they're getting 3D-printed earhole covers from XO Armor Technologies, which provides on-site, on-demand 3D printing of athletic wearables. The Auburn, Alabama-based company has donated its version of the earhole covers to the equipment managers of programs ranging from Georgia and Clemson to Boise State and Arizona State in the hope the schools would consider doing business with XO Armor in the future, said Jeff Klosterman, vice president of business development. XO Armor first was approached by the Houston Texans at the end of last season about creating something to assist quarterback C.J. Stroud in better hearing play calls delivered to his helmet during road games. XO Armor worked on a solution and had completed one when it received another inquiry: Ohio State, which had heard Michigan State was moving forward with helmet inserts, wondered if XO Armor had anything in the works. "We kind of just did this as a one-off favor to the Texans and honestly didn't forecast it becoming our viral moment in college football," Klosterman said. "We've now got about 60 teams across college football and the NFL wearing our sound-deadening earhole covers every weekend." The rules state that only one player for each team is permitted to be in communication with coaches while on the field. For the Spartans, it's typically Chiles on offense and Turner on defense. Turner prefers to have an insert in both earholes, but Chiles has asked that the insert be used in only one on his helmet. Chiles "likes to be able to feel like he has some sort of outward exposure," Kolpacki said. Exposure is something the sophomore signal-caller from Long Beach, California, had in away games against Michigan and Oregon this season. Michigan Stadium welcomed 110,000-plus fans for the Oct. 26 matchup between the in-state rivals. And while just under 60,000 packed Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, for the Ducks' 31-10 win over Michigan State three weeks earlier, it was plenty loud. "The Big Ten has some pretty impressive venues," Kolpacki said. "It can be just deafening," he said. "That's what those fans are there for is to create havoc and make it difficult for coaches to get a play call off." Something that is a bit easier to handle thanks to Bush and her team. She called the inserts a "win-win-win" for everyone. "It's exciting for me to work with athletics and the football team," she said. "I think it's really exciting for our students as well to take what they've learned and develop and design something and see it being used and executed." Get local news delivered to your inbox!
SDSU_FG Plascencia 35, :00. SDSU_Cooper 14 run (Plascencia kick), 7:48. SDSU_FG Plascencia 30, 3:16. USU_Barnes 19 run (Cragun kick), 1:55. USU_Page 9 pass from Barnes (Cragun kick), :16. USU_Sterzer 10 pass from Barnes (Cragun kick), 10:58. USU_Page 6 pass from Barnes (kick failed), 12:26. USU_K.White 5 run (Cragun kick), 8:07. USU_Turner 1 run (Cragun kick), 3:08. SDSU_M.Shaw 12 pass from Tupou'ata-Johnson (Plascencia kick), :32. RUSHING_San Diego St., Cooper 23-118, O'Neil 8-35, Tupou'ata-Johnson 4-18, Sutton 1-17, Napier 2-0. Utah St., Barnes 15-193, Faison 9-52, Turner 12-52, Jameson 8-30, White 1-5, (Team) 1-(minus 1), Petras 4-(minus 9). PASSING_San Diego St., O'Neil 24-32-0-199, Tupou'ata-Johnson 3-4-0-25. Utah St., Barnes 13-15-0-139, Petras 5-7-1-27. RECEIVING_San Diego St., Brown 7-114, Harrison 4-17, Napier 4-2, M.Shaw 3-33, Bennett 3-25, Poke 3-20, Davis 2-4, Cooper 1-9. Utah St., White 6-67, Page 6-55, Sterzer 2-24, Tia 2-11, Hestera 1-6, Turner 1-3. MISSED FIELD GOALS_None.Dow ends at fresh record as oil prices pull back on ceasefire hopes
FROM Tencent Holdings to Alibaba Group Holding, China’s tech leaders delivered underwhelming numbers for a quarter beset by economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Whether or not they can win back investors may increasingly hinge on Beijing’s actions. In call after call with investors, China’s Internet pioneers described how the uneven economy was undermining their business and clouding the future. Most offered cautious optimism for how the unprecedented government stimulus unleashed late in the summer would help grease the wheels and pleaded for patience. But the group that once defied Silicon Valley and defined the country’s private economy was short on new ideas and ambitious goals. Just over the past week, the five biggest tech firms erased US$41 billion in market value, while a gauge of sector stocks listed in Hong Kong has fallen into bear market territory. On Friday (Nov 22), a sell-off in Chinese stocks deepened as concerns over Donald Trump’s imminent return mingled with growing frustration over the pace of Beijing’s fiscal stimulus rollout. For investors that were looking to major tech earnings to revive market euphoria, this season now looks like a flop. The business environment “is not only much worse than five years ago, it’s worse than even when China started the Covid Zero policy in 2022”, said Alicia Garcia Herrero, chief Asia-Pacific economist at Natixis. “This sector is obviously supported by China’s industrial policies and intent on winning the tech race with the US, but at the same time, it’s a problematic sector.” PDD Holdings executives boasted about their cheap hairy crabs instead of offering reassurance for disappointing earnings. Tencent went through its usual pitch about building and sustaining “evergreen” games, without promising any imminent new blockbusters. Alibaba executives spent their time justifying elevated spending to ward off intense competition. Even Baidu, the frontrunner in artificial intelligence development, failed to wow with any exciting new projects. “We have not observed a notable improvement in advertisers’ spending patterns, and consumer spending remains subdued,” Baidu’s head of mobile ecosystem Luo Rong told analysts on a call on Thursday, dulling expectations for the current quarter. “Having said that, we are particularly encouraged by the strength and timeliness of recent stimulus policies which continue to be rolled out.” Pressure is building for Beijing to offer further measures, as late September’s market rally on the stimulus campaign fizzles. The parade of ho-hum numbers, vague comments about fiscal policy and warnings contrasted sharply with the pre-Covid era, when Alibaba and Tencent each approached US$1 trillion in market value and analysts talked about the threat they posed to US rivals. Alibaba once fought directly with Amazon.com’s AWS for cloud customers around the world, as it and JD.com talked openly about carving up international markets. Tencent once sketched out ambitions of marrying content with social media and online finance in an unparalleled fintech and Internet empire. That swagger has vanished since Beijing’s 2020 crackdown on a sector it deemed too powerful. Having once commanded enviable growth rates off the back of China’s burgeoning economy, these companies now face prolonged consumer malaise at home, a lack of obvious growth engines and costly ventures to expand overseas. “October retail sales were boosted by earlier Singles’ Day promotions, so it’s not indicative of the real consumption environment – which companies I spoke to are still cautious about,” said Xin-Yao Ng, investment manager for Asian equities at abrdn. “Generally, I hear of a weaker November.” PDD’s US-listed stock plunged 11 per cent after the company gave a downbeat outlook due to intensifying competition in China. The stock, once an investor darling, now trades at 7.7 times forward earnings, about a third of its three-year average. Along with Alibaba, which eked out just 1 per cent growth in domestic commerce, PDD is fighting a defensive action against upstarts like closely held ByteDance. “I don’t think they will drop back to the pre-rally levels in September, more of trading sideways due to a lack of catalysts,” Ng said. There are some bright spots. PDD’s Temu shopping platform has proven to be a hit in the US and other overseas markets. Alibaba’s international e-commerce division delivered strong growth rates for several quarters in a row, prompting the company to unify all online retail operations under the leadership of that division’s chief, Jiang Fan. Meituan – which is next on the slate of companies whose earnings will be studied for signs of domestic consumer appetites – is following the trend and bringing its takeout service to the Middle East. In the realm of games, Tencent and NetEase enjoyed a string of hit releases over the summer that revived domestic sales. Tencent-backed Black Myth: Wukong was an unexpected smash hit on PCs, tapping Chinese history and folklore and potentially opening more opportunities for similarly ambitious titles. But that growth spurt may already be petering out. “The sector is no longer considered as driving structural growth like it once did, which means that it is a lot more cyclical than before,” said Daiwa Capital Markets Hong Kong analyst John Choi. “Policy stimulus will likely play an important role for these companies to see some level of growth acceleration. I am not sure if investors will lose patience, but I do see that the fundamentals are improving going forward.” There remain questions about the full extent and timing of China’s support, which is rolling out in stages, leaving the macroeconomic outlook uncertain. One of the sharper comments this earnings season came from PDD co-chief executive officer Jiazhen Zhao on Thursday. Disillusioned with the competition, the executive appeared to find fault within his own ranks. “Our team of staff is now limited by their past experience and suffers from a lack of certain capabilities,” Zhao told analysts. BLOOMBERG
U.K.-based Vodafone Group has cleared dues of around ₹11,650 crore or about 109 million pound that it raised against shares of Vodafone Idea, according to a regulatory filing. Vodafone Group had pledged almost the entire stake in VIL to raise the debt. The pledge was created in favour of HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (U.K.) for the debt raised by Mauritius and India-based entities of Vodafone Group. "On 27 December 2024, HSBC Corporate Trustee Company (U.K.) Limited acting as the security trustee for the lenders has released the pledges pursuant to repayment of the outstanding dues owed to the lenders by the Vodafone Promoter Shareholders. "Consequently, the indirect encumbrance on 15,720,826,860 equity shares of the target company held by the Vodafone Promoter Shareholders representing 22.56% of the equity share capital of the target company on a fully diluted basis has been released," the filing said. "Consequently, the indirect encumbrance on 15,720,826,860 equity shares of the target company held by the Vodafone Promoter Shareholders representing 22.56% of the equity share capital of the target company on a fully diluted basis has been released," the filing said. The shares are valued at around ₹11,649 crore as per the closing price of ₹7.41 apiece of Vodafone Idea stock on Friday. Vodafone Group holds a 22.56% stake, while the Aditya Birla Group holds 14.76%. The government has a 23.15% stake as of September 30, 2024. Published - December 28, 2024 10:39 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit telecommunication serviceAccording to the Cooperativa de Porcicultores, around 230 million pounds of pork are consumed on the island, of which only 5% is produced locally, the rest comes from abroad December 28, 2024 - 5:33 PM Whether it’s a la vara , chops or other types of cuts, Puerto Ricans like to eat lechón both during the Christmas season and throughout the year. But in order to prepare these traditional dishes, how many lechones are slaughtered in Puerto Rico during the year?. Discover the trendiest destinations to visit in 2025 Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve from the T-Mobile District “changed the game for Puerto Rico” 2024 could end up as another record year for hotels and short-term rentals
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