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Lynne Roberts wasn't looking to leave as Utah women's basketball coach. Then she got a call from LAThe Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing . But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin , gold and other investments also drove higher. Here’s a look at some of the numbers that defined the year. All are as of Dec. 20. 1998 Remember when President Bill Clinton got impeached or when baseball’s Mark McGwire hit his 70th home run against the Montreal Expos? That was the last time the U.S. stock market closed out a second straight year with a leap of at least 20%, something the S&P 500 is on track to do again this year. The index has climbed 24.3% so far this year, not including dividends, following last year’s spurt of 24.2%. 57 The number of all-time highs the S&P 500 has set so far this year. The first came early, on Jan. 19, when the index capped a two-year comeback from the swoon caused by high inflation and worries that high interest rates instituted by the Federal Reserve to combat it would create a recession. But the index was methodical through the rest of the year, setting a record in every month outside of April and August, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices. The latest came on Dec. 6. 3 The number of times the Federal Reserve has cut its main interest rate this year from a two-decade high, offering some relief to the economy. Expectations for those cuts, along with hopes for more in 2025, were a big reason the U.S. stock market has been so successful this year. The 1 percentage point of cuts, though, is still short of the 1.5 percentage points that many traders were forecasting for 2024 at the start of the year. The Fed disappointed investors in December when it said it may cut rates just two more times in 2025, fewer than it had earlier expected. 1,508 That’s how many points the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose by the day after Election Day, as investors made bets on what Donald Trump’s return to the White House will mean for the economy and the world . The more widely followed S&P 500 soared 2.5% for its best day in nearly two years. Aside from bitcoin, stocks of banks and smaller winners were also perceived to be big winners. The bump has since diminished amid worries that Trump’s policies could also send inflation higher. Related Articles Economy | Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices Economy | US applications for unemployment benefits hold steady, but continuing claims rise to 3-year high Economy | A million taxpayers will soon receive up to $1,400 from the IRS. Who are they and why now? Economy | An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump Economy | How to avoid financial stress during the holiday season $100,000 The level that bitcoin topped to set a record above $108,000 this past month. It’s been climbing as interest rates come down, and it got a particularly big boost following Trump’s election. He’s turned around and become a fan of crypto, and he’s named a former regulator who’s seen as friendly to digital currencies as the next chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, replacing someone who critics said was overly aggressive in his oversight. Bitcoin was below $17,000 just two years ago following the collapse of crypto exchange FTX. 26.7% Gold’s rise for the year, as it also hit records and had as strong a run as U.S. stocks. Wars around the world have helped drive demand for investments seen as safe, such as gold. It’s also benefited from the Fed’s cut to interest rates. When bonds are paying less in interest, they pull away fewer potential buyers from gold, which pays investors nothing. $420 It’s a favorite number of Elon Musk, and it’s also a threshold that Tesla’s stock price passed in December as it set a record. The number has a long history among marijuana devotees, and Musk famously said in 2018 that he had secured funding to take Tesla private at $420 per share . Tesla soared this year, up from less than $250 at the start, in part because of expectations that Musk’s close relationship with Trump could benefit the company. $91.2 billion That’s how much revenue Nvidia made in the nine months through Oct. 27, showing how the artificial-intelligence frenzy is creating mountains of cash. Nvidia’s chips are driving much of the move into AI, and its revenue through the last nine months catapulted from less than $39 billion the year before. Such growth has boosted Nvidia’s worth to more than $3 trillion in total. 74% GameStop’s gain on May 13 after Keith Gill, better known as “Roaring Kitty,” appeared online for the first time in three years to support the video game retailer’s stock, which he helped rocket to unimaginable heights during the “ meme stock craze ” in 2021. Several other meme stocks also jumped following his post in May on the social platform X, including AMC Entertainment. Gill later disclosed a sizeable stake in the online pet products retailer Chewy, but he sold all of his holdings by late October . 1.6%, 3.0% and 3.1% That’s how much the U.S. economy grew, at annualized seasonally adjusted rates, in each of the three first quarters of this year. Such growth blew past what many pessimists were expecting when inflation was topping 9% in the summer of 2022. The fear was that the medicine prescribed by the Fed to beat high inflation — high interest rates — would create a recession. Households at the lower end of the income spectrum in particular are feeling pain now, as they contend with still-high prices. But the overall economy has remained remarkably resilient. 20.1% This is the vacancy rate for U.S. office buildings — an all-time high — through the first three quarters of 2024, according to data from Moody’s. The fact the rate held steady for most of the year was something of a win for office building owners, given that it had marched up steadily from 16.8% in the fourth quarter of 2019. Demand for office space weakened as the pandemic led to the popularization of remote work. 3.73 million That’s the total number of previously occupied homes sold nationally through the first 11 months of 2024. Sales would have to surge 20% year-over-year in December for 2024’s home sales to match the 4.09 million existing homes sold in 2023, a nearly 30-year low. The U.S. housing market has been in a sales slump dating back to 2022, when mortgage rates began to climb from pandemic-era lows. A shortage of homes for sale and elevated mortgage rates have discouraged many would-be homebuyers.

From road closures, power outages, weather declarations and nonstop shoveling, Muskoka residents were faced with nearly a metre of persistent snowfall on Saturday. According to Environment Canada, observed snowfall amounts as of 9 a.m. on Saturday included 45 centimetres in Gravenhurst, 40 centimetres in Washago, 25 centimetres in Orillia and unofficially 89 centimetres in Bracebridge. The heavy snow continued into Saturday afternoon, leading to OPP closing Highway 11 in both directions between Doe Lake Road and Washago. Multiple motorists informed CTV News via phone and email that many have been stranded on the highway for several hours without food or water. OPP Central Region stated via social media that towing companies have been in the area since 12:30 p.m. and have been unable to clear trucks blocking the road. The Bracebridge fire chief confirmed to CTV News that there were a couple hundred stranded vehicles ‘at minimum.’ Fire crews helped bring motorists to Gravenhurst Town Hall via side-by-side transports for access to generators amid power outages. Lakeland Power and Elexicon Energy – the respective suppliers of electricity for Bracebridge and Gravenhurst – and Hydro One all indicated via their outage maps that tens of thousands of customers are without power. According to Environment Canada, Bracebridge and Gravenhurst are still under a snow squall warning, expected to last through Sunday morning. The national weather agency states that 50 centimetres of snow could fall by Sunday afternoon, with peak rates of five-to-ten centimetres per hour. Areas in the region that are also under snow squall warnings according to Environment Canada include: In a 6:30 p.m. update, OPP Central Region stated that emergency crews are working diligently to assist those who are stuck on Highway 11 and are working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.The British Columbia Hockey League hosted a special board of governors meeting this week to discuss ways to deal with the recent NCAA eligibility change, but one thing they didn't discuss was rejoining Hockey Canada. The league has seen a number of players depart the league this month for the Canadian Hockey League – or other major junior leagues – due to the NCAA's ruling on Nov. 7 that players suiting up in any of the three CHL leagues could continue on at the NCAA level. Prior to that decision, those who played in the CHL were not able to play at the NCAA level due to those leagues being considered semi-professional. The BCHL left Hockey Canada in 2023 and became an independent league. The mission at that time was to create a world-class junior league for players seeking NCAA and U Sports scholarships. It allowed the BCHL to recruit from a larger pool of players, as under Hockey Canada they could not recruit as heavily from other provinces and parts of the world. The BCHL also stated in 2023 that all player fees would be eliminated by the 2024-25 season. According to Jesse Adamson, the director of communications for the BCHL, discussions about linking back with Hockey Canada are not on the table. "Being an independent league puts us in a much better situation to handle this change as it gives our league the autonomy to make regulation changes to adapt to the new landscape," he told Black Press Media. "Our governors are still very happy with the decision to become independent." The BCHL issed a press release on Friday morning (Nov. 22), stating that only a small percentage of players have left the league and other players have been brought in to replace them. They also reiterated that the BCHL has always been about player choice. Unlike the CHL, the BCHL does not hold a draft or tell players where to play. Players are recruited and can choose their own destination from the start of their junior hockey career. "There’s no doubt that this rule change has altered the landscape of junior hockey, but as our league has always done, we will adapt to the new regulations and continue to thrive,” stated BCHL commissioner Steven Cocker. "We will always be in favour of athletes doing what they think is best for their development.” BCHL board chairman Richard Murphy said he believes that, despite the changing landscape, the BCHL is still the best path for players to develop into NCAA Division I hockey players. He added that the league will continue to produce college-bound athletes for years to come. The release stated that the BCHL’s mandate going forward remains: unity and growth, players' choice, academics, independence, and meeting the needs of its athletes and of NCAA Division I programs. following the meeting with more information. The FAQ states that the league has had multiple meetings with NCAA Division I programs and conferences and they all feel that this decision will not make the BCHL irrelevant. The FAQ added that the BCHL's high academic standards also makes players from the league more easy to recruit into the NCAA. , with the West Kelowna Warriors and Penticton Vees both losing two. The Vees put out a statement on Friday (Nov. 22) after losing forward Casey Brown and defenceman Julien Wasmer to the CHL. “Casey came to us with a personal issue. He felt being closer to his family would be best and we fully support and respect his decision. We wish him all the best in Moose Jaw," said Fred Harbinson, Vees president, general manager and head coach "We are a few weeks away from getting two 20-year-old defencemen back from injury, and coupled with the outstanding play of our two young defencemen, Julien understood his role was going to be reduced. He looked for an opportunity with another team, rather than compete for a more favourable spot on our roster." Other players who have moved on since the decision include: Lukas McCloskey (Vernon Vipers), Robin Benoit (Sherwood Park Crusaders), Linden Burrett (Cowichan Valley Capitals), Thomas Belzil (Powell River Kings) and Liam Beamish (Salmon Arm Silverbacks).

Mumbai: Cyber Police Freeze ₹4.65 Crore In Record Time Amid ₹7.50 Crore SIM Swap Fraud Case

There's nothing better than rivalry week in college football. Fortunately for college football fans, arguably the biggest rivalry game in the country is now back. Texas and Texas A&M will renew their storied rivalry on Saturday evening. The two schools have not met since 2011 but the hatred is still at an all-time high. No. 3 Texas will have to play No. 20 Texas A&M in front of a boisterous crowd at Kyle Field. The winner advances to the SEC Championship game. What more could you hope for in a rivalry matchup? Tensions are high enough that there was a pregame scuffle between Texas and Texas A&M staffers ahead of kickoff. "Don't touch my ******* players," one Longhorns staffer was heard saying as he walked off the field. Emotions already running high ahead of Texas and Texas A&M. Two staffers getting involved pregame. Texas coach comes off field saying: “don’t touch my ****** players!” pic.twitter.com/9D7kpDW8zm The Longhorns will look to spoil the Aggies season with a win. While a Texas A&M win will prevent Texas from the conference title game, it likely won't keep them out of the College Football Playoff as a two-loss team. The biggest storyline ahead of kickoff is the health of Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers. The Longhorns starting signal-caller suffered an ankle injury against Kentucky last week and it's unclear how much that will impact his play. He is expected to "give it a go," but it's a smart bet to assume we will see backup Arch Manning at some point. Related: College GameDay picks for No. 3 Texas vs. No. 20 Texas A&MSOCIAL MEDIA How do you remove children from the harms of social media? Politically the answer appears simple in Australia, but practically the solution could be far more difficult. The Australian government's plan to ban children from social media platforms including X, TikTok, Facebook and Instagram until their 16th birthdays is politically popular. The leaders of all eight Australian states and mainland territories unanimously backed the plan, though Tasmania, the smallest state, would have preferred the threshold were set at 14. But vocal experts in the fields of technology and child welfare responded with alarm. More than 140 of them signed an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemning the 16-year age limit as "too blunt an instrument to address risks effectively." The Australian Parliament has now passed the ban, and the platforms have one year to work out how to implement it. Concerned teen Leo Puglisi, a 17-year-old Melbourne student who founded the online streaming service 6 News Australia at the age of 11, laments that lawmakers imposing the ban lack the youth's perspective on social media. "With respect to the government and prime minister, they didn't grow up in the social media age, they're not growing up in the social media age, and what a lot of people are failing to understand here is that, like it or not, social media is a part of people's daily lives," Puglisi said. "It's part of their communities, it's part of work, it's part of entertainment, it's where they watch content — young people aren't listening to the radio or reading newspapers or watching free-to-air TV — and so it can't be ignored. The reality is this ban, if implemented, is just kicking the can down the road for when a young person goes on social media," he added. Puglisi is applauded for his work online. He was a finalist in his home state Victoria's nomination for the Young Australian of the Year award, which will be announced in January. His nomination bid credits his platform with "fostering a new generation of informed, critical thinkers." Grieving mom-turnedactivist One of the proposal's supporters, cyber safety campaigner Sonya Ryan, knows how dangerous social media can be for children. Her 15-year-old daughter Carly was murdered in 2007 in South Australia state by a 50-year-old pedophile who pretended to be a teenager online. In a grim milestone of the digital age, Carly was the first person in Australia to be killed by an online predator. "Kids are being exposed to harmful pornography, they're being fed misinformation, there are body image issues, there's sextortion, online predators, bullying. There are so many different harms for them to try and manage and kids just don't have the skills or the life experience to be able to manage those well," Ryan said. "The result of that is we're losing our kids," she said. "Not only what happened to Carly, predatory behavior, but also we're seeing an alarming rise in suicide of young people." Ryan is part of a group advising the government on a national strategy to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse in Australia. She wholeheartedly supports Australia setting the social media age limit at 16. "We're not going to get this perfect," she said. "We have to make sure that there are mechanisms in place to deal with what we already have, which is an anxious generation and an addicted generation of children to social media." Skeptical internet expert Tama Leaver, professor of internet studies at Curtin University, fears the government will make the platforms hold the users' identification data instead. The government already said the onus will be on the platforms, rather than on children or their parents, to ensure everyone meets the age limit. "The worst possible outcome seems to be the one that the government may be inadvertently pushing towards, which would be that the social media platforms themselves would end up being the identity arbiter," Leaver said. "They would be the holder of identity documents which would be absolutely terrible because they have a fairly poor track record so far of holding on to personal data well," he added. The platforms will have a year once the legislation becomes law to work out how the ban can be implemented. Ryan, who divides her time between Adelaide in South Australia and Fort Worth, Texas, said privacy concerns should not stand in the way of removing children from social media. "What is the cost if we don't? If we don't put the safety of our children ahead of profit and privacy?" she asked. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Wirestock Foot Locker, Inc. ( NYSE: FL ) released Q3 2024 results , disappointing the market by not meeting 3Q24 guidance and lowering FY24 guidance . The stock moved down 10% the day after the release. Under the hood, there were many things to like Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

~ Deepens Investor's Dedication to Horizon Aircraft Supporting Continued Operations and Development ~ TORONTO, Dec. 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- New Horizon Aircraft Ltd. HOVR , doing business as Horizon Aircraft ("Horizon Aircraft" or the "Company"), a leading hybrid electric Vertical TakeOff and Landing ("eVTOL") aircraft developer, announced today it has received an investment from a strategic investor (the "Investor") and aerospace supporter, for aggregate proceeds of $8.4 million (the "Investment"). The strategic financing will fortify Horizon Aircraft's balance sheet, provide stability in the operations, governance and regulatory priorities, and fund further development and flight testing of its hybrid eVTOL, the Cavorite X7. Brandon Robinson, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Horizon Aircraft commented, "We are deeply appreciative for this second investment from our strategic partner. The principle's continued support through this second tranche of funding provides our business with a solid working capital position in support of our initiatives. With this commitment Horizon Aircraft is on solid footing, and our focus is on the development of our full-scale hybrid eVTOL." Under the terms of the Investment, the Investor will receive an aggregate $2.1 million in Horizon Class A ordinary shares totaling 4,166,667 shares offered at $0.50 CAD per share to be issued from treasury (the "Common Shares"). Additionally, the Investor will exchange $6.3 million for 4,500 preferred shares to be issued from treasury (the "Preferred Shares"), each will be convertible to Common Shares at a price of $0.63 CAD per share for a period of five (5) years. The Preferred Shares shall have a priority liquidation preference over the Common Shares. The Company shall register the Common Shares with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission as soon as practically possible, but no later than 90 calendar days from filing. About Horizon Aircraft Horizon Aircraft HOVR is an advanced aerospace engineering company that is developing one of the world's first hybrid eVTOL that is to be able to fly most of its mission exactly like a normal aircraft while offering industry-leading speed, range, and operational utility. Horizon's unique designs put the mission first and prioritize safety, performance, and utility. Horizon hopes to successfully complete testing and certification of its Cavorite X7 eVTOL quickly and then enter the market and service a broad spectrum of early use cases. Visit www.horizonaircraft.com for more information. Forward-Looking Statements The information in this press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "believe," "project," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "intend," "strategy," "aim," "future," "opportunity," "plan," "may," "should," "will," "would," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result" and similar expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from their expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to: (i) changes in the markets in which Horizon competes, including with respect to its competitive landscape, technology evolution or regulatory changes; (ii) the risk that Horizon will need to raise additional capital to execute its business plans, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; (iii) the ability of the parties to recognize the benefits of the business combination agreement and the business combination; (iv) the lack of useful financial information for an accurate estimate of future capital expenditures and future revenue; (v) statements regarding Horizon's industry and market size; (vi) financial condition and performance of Horizon, including the anticipated benefits, the implied enterprise value, the expected financial impacts of the business combination, the financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, the products, the expected future performance and market opportunities of Horizon; (vii) Horizon's ability to develop, certify, and manufacture an aircraft that meets its performance expectations; (viii) successful completion of testing and certification of Horizon's Cavorite X7 eVTOL; (ix) the targeted future production of Horizon's Cavorite X7 aircraft; and (x) those factors discussed in our filings with the SEC. You should carefully consider the foregoing factors and the other risks and uncertainties described and to be described in New Horizon's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Comission. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward- looking statements, and while Horizon may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, they assume no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable law. Horizon does not give any assurance that Horizon will achieve its expectations. Contacts Horizon Aircraft Inquiries (PR): Phil Anderson Phone: +44 (0)7767 491 519 Phil@perceptiona.com Investor Contacts: Shannon Devine and Rory Rumore MZ Group Phone: (203) 741-8841 HorizonAircraft@mzgroup.us © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

KANNUR: A group of highly skilled thieves broke into the house of K.P. Ashraf, a rice merchant in Valapattanam and stole gold and diamond ornaments worth over 300 sovereigns and cash amounting to Rs 1 crore. The robbery, which showcased the burglars’ technical expertise, has left the police investigating multiple leads. The thieves managed to open a highly secure locker, which required simultaneous operation of a key, a lever, and a secondary key. The locker, purchased from a Bengaluru-based company, was designed to be nearly impossible to open without knowledge of its unique mechanism. Investigators believe only someone familiar with this technology could have successfully accessed the locker. The police have already visited the Bengaluru company to gather details about the locker’s technology and service personnel. They are also probing whether anyone connected to the company may have shared insider information about the system. The robbery took place at Ashraf's 'Coral' house near the KSEB office in Valapattanam Manna while the family was away attending a wedding in Madurai. The theft is believed to have occurred between 8 pm on January 20 and 4 am on January 21. The family discovered the crime upon returning home at 9:15 pm on January 21. The burglars gained entry by breaking the grill of a bedroom window at the back of the house. They proceeded to break open the cupboard to retrieve the key to the locker, which was stored in another shelf. Despite the locker being securely placed inside a wooden cupboard, the thieves opened it without causing any visible damage. The police suspect the involvement of individuals with prior knowledge of the house and the security system. Fingerprints collected from the crime scene and 113 CCTV footage clips from the area are being analyzed. A police dog tracked the suspects to the Valapattanam railway station, suggesting they may have boarded a train to Mangaluru after the robbery. Three individuals are under suspicion and the police have intensified their search efforts. The authorities are focusing on tracing connections between the suspects and the technology used in the locker, which could be a crucial lead in solving the case.Keir Starmer to set out ‘plan for change’ with ‘milestones’ for key missions

Could it be true that the antics of giant mud crabs once undermined attempts to build a permanent road for farmers at Bobs Farm, in Port Stephens? Login or signup to continue reading Well, yes. So, in 2024, for his fifth and latest local history book, fishing guru John 'Stinker' Clarke writes about a most unusual subject - building a humble road beside a tidal creek and the pioneering families who lived nearby. This Marsh Road, often now bypassed by travellers, was actually once the main route to Nelson Bay when finally completed through swamp land about 100 years ago. Today, the 10-kilometre stretch of still often bumpy bitumen runs beside mangroves and Tilligerry Creek. It leaves Nelson Bay Road at Salt Ash to go through Bobs Farm, then re-joins the road going towards Anna Bay. However, since the start of World War II, a modern highway has cut through sandhills to the immediate west and bypasses the historic, original road. Many motorists may be familiar with it, saying: "it's the route to old Rose Farm (later barramundi farm) up there". The intriguing history of this first road to Port Stephens is now told in Clarke's 160-page book, Marsh Road - Mangroves, Mud Crabs, Roses and Tomatoes ($45 ). The initial "goat track" through the mangrove forest from Salt Ash to Bobs Farm was put down in 1913. Marsh Road was then finally constructed (with difficulty) by road-builder Robert McCrae between 1924 and 1926. "McRae's Contract Road" has had five names, with many more unprintable, over the decades. Despite ongoing maintenance on the road, most motorists still regard parts of its patched-up surface as a shocker. It harks back to the 1920s when the road, with a boggy, unstable base affected by tides, often got worse because of the damage caused by mud crabs. As author John Clarke explains: "The mangroves, which thrive in the rich mud that fringes the Tilligerry waterway, provide the perfect habitat for the crabs and the population of 'muddies' boomed". Unbelievably, early on, no one caught or ate mud crabs, or had any appetite for squid or octopus, either. That came much later with migrant arrivals. In the 1920s, the crabs were regarded as a huge nuisance, a pest, especially by fishermen, he said. Hundreds, probably thousands, of mud crabs, with their big pincers, cut into the peat, soil and decaying vegetation beneath the early road, forever undermining it. Mud crabs also continued to burrow under the racks of local oyster farmers, their jetties and work sheds "causing the structures to destabilise or collapse into the mud". It was an alarming problem. The crabs would also tangle and tear the nets of Tilligerry Creek fishermen. Their response was to simply crush this future prize delicacy with a "stomper" and toss their remains into the nearby bush or back into the water for the fish to eat. The skyrocketing mud crab population then also impeded the construction and ongoing maintenance of Marsh Road. "Muddies, growing to an impressive 3kg, built their homes by burrowing into the footings of Marsh Road causing the road to slump and form dips in the surface," Clarke said. "Efforts have been made over the years to prevent the burrowing of the crabs, to little avail, as they continue to dig away, albeit in less numbers." Clarke recalls coming across Marsh Road when he first arrived in Port Stephens in 1974 with a memory of hitting his head on the roof of his Mini Minor as he travelled too fast along the road dodging potholes. He said older residents could also still recall when logs were placed over sand in the swamp, and how graders working to upgrade Marsh Road, even in the 1960s, had difficulties because of its soft base and the changing tides. But he never thought he'd write a book about it. Three years later, his interviews with older residents are in print. Clarke said he was spurred on by the road itself, which was a character. He was also captivated by the rugged individuals he found in Bobs Farm who had endured such a tough life. "Writing Marsh Road has been a step back in time. A wonderful era in our history when communities were tightly bonded and there was a real pride in saying, 'I come from Bobs Farm'," he writes. Clarke's book pays homage to about 50 pioneering families, from the Uptons, to the Blanches, the Cromarty, Dalton and West families. Other names include Holliday, Kafer, Maslen, Bright, Anderson, Kerslake, George, Thompson and Sheppard. At first glance, much of Clarke's book seems to be simply memories of hardy settlers around Bobs Farm battling floods, heartbreak, wartime loss, depression, poverty and sadness, but it is more than that. He writes admiringly of how early families ingeniously turned back the tide literally by digging canals, drains and levee banks to create fertile farmland in rich, alluvial soil. At one stage, there were 50-60 dairy farms and market gardens in the district. It was the food bowl for the region. Then there was Marsh Road's once impressive Rose Farm (1971-1989), which was a major Hunter tourist attraction with a restaurant seating around 300. In 1985, the venture attracted 250,000 visitors. The brainchild of Peter Holliday, the farm had about 80,000 roses and, at the height of the growing season, up to 1000 bunches would be picked daily, processed and transported to Sydney. But the 45-hectare farm was famous for something else. As Newcastle Herald business editor John Lewis wrote in 1985: "Bulgaria and Bobs Farm are the only two places in the world where the avid jam-eater can buy rose petal jam". This popular product was later exported to Hong Kong. In 1981, the site became the first major commercial flower farm in Australia to cater for tourists. One innovation was a two-hectare glasshouse from the Netherlands, which contained 220,000 rose bushes growing in a computer-controlled environment. In 1991, it was sold to a Melbourne company, which dismantled it and relocated the entire structure to Victoria. Then there's the story of the wreck of the coastal trader S.S. Uralla, stranded on the beach at nearby Morna Point in 1928 in a wild storm. No lives were lost, but the wreck provided much-needed salvage work for local men who had lost their crops in bad weather. Finally, there's the most extraordinary - and unknown - story of them all from wartime Bobs Farm. Clarke writes of Bobs Farm resident Des Holliday recalling hearing of the landing of Japanese enemy soldiers at a time when Australia, Newcastle especially, feared an invasion. "In 1942, five Japanese soldiers came ashore somewhere in Anna Bay, most likely on Stockton beach, having been dropped by an offshore submarine" Holliday recounted. "First detected by the 41st Battalion Guards, two of the Japanese were shot and dragged away by the other three. The Japanese were later sighted at Salt Ash heading towards Newcastle. "Although the enemy soldiers could not be found, a stash of their equipment, including bayonets, rifles and helmets was found under a bush at the back of the Salt Ash School." There were no further sightings or reports of the Japanese soldiers. However, Clarke said a strange event occurred in the 1960s when four Australian military men arrived unannounced at Gordon Holliday's house on Marsh Road. "We need to know where these Japanese soldiers are buried so that we can repatriate their remains," was the request. Gordon took the officers around Bobs Farm to meet all the old locals. No one knew where the soldiers were buried, but all agreed they had seen them. Clarke adds that the war years were exciting in a strange way. A bomb once fell from an aircraft and landed on tennis courts at Bobs Farm. In those days, it wasn't uncommon for bombs to accidentally drop out of the sky. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. 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NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.Stocks gain, dollar steady; Wall Street shrugs off global political turmoilNoneFrom road closures, power outages, weather declarations and nonstop shoveling, Muskoka residents were faced with nearly a metre of persistent snowfall on Saturday. According to Environment Canada, observed snowfall amounts as of 9 a.m. on Saturday included 45 centimetres in Gravenhurst, 40 centimetres in Washago, 25 centimetres in Orillia and unofficially 89 centimetres in Bracebridge. The heavy snow continued into Saturday afternoon, leading to OPP closing Highway 11 in both directions between Doe Lake Road and Washago. Multiple motorists informed CTV News via phone and email that many have been stranded on the highway for several hours without food or water. OPP Central Region stated via social media that towing companies have been in the area since 12:30 p.m. and have been unable to clear trucks blocking the road. The Bracebridge fire chief confirmed to CTV News that there were a couple hundred stranded vehicles ‘at minimum.’ Fire crews helped bring motorists to Gravenhurst Town Hall via side-by-side transports for access to generators amid power outages. Lakeland Power and Elexicon Energy – the respective suppliers of electricity for Bracebridge and Gravenhurst – and Hydro One all indicated via their outage maps that tens of thousands of customers are without power. According to Environment Canada, Bracebridge and Gravenhurst are still under a snow squall warning, expected to last through Sunday morning. The national weather agency states that 50 centimetres of snow could fall by Sunday afternoon, with peak rates of five-to-ten centimetres per hour. Areas in the region that are also under snow squall warnings according to Environment Canada include: In a 6:30 p.m. update, OPP Central Region stated that emergency crews are working diligently to assist those who are stuck on Highway 11 and are working to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.

TEHRAN – In a comprehensive interview with Al Mayadeen that aired on Monday, Kamal Kharrazi, head of Iran's Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, delineated Iran's strategic responses to the incoming Trump administration, revealing Tehran's diplomatic approach across various fronts. Kharrazi, who is also a senior advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, signaled Iran's readiness for any U.S. policy direction under Trump. “We are prepared to respond depending on the policies they pursue. They previously tried Maximum Pressure, which ended in failure,” he said. The senior diplomat emphasized the importance of patience, stating that while Iran is ready for any situation, Trump's “unpredictable character” makes it difficult to anticipate his decisions. On Iran's nuclear stance, Kharrazi asserted, “If they take steps against us, it's natural for us to respond with proportional measures at the appropriate time.” In 2015, Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with the P5+1 and the EU to limit its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed Iran’s compliance with the agreement. However, President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the JCPOA during his first term and launched a 'Maximum Pressure' campaign, reimposing strict sanctions against Iran. In response to the U.S. withdrawal and lack of European support, Iran began gradually reducing its compliance with the JCPOA, reflecting a strategic adjustment rather than an abandonment of the deal. Kharrazi painted a complex picture of the Syrian conflict, highlighting the roles of various international actors. He underscored the U.S. and the Israeli regime's role in orchestrating Assad's downfall, stating that the “immediate” trip of Western officials to Damascus after the recent political upheaval indicates “what transpired was part of an American plan.” He reaffirmed the resilience of the Axis of Resistance, particularly in Palestine, with the assertion, “The roots of resistance are strong and solid.” The senior diplomat emphasized the enduring nature of Resistance movements, despite changes in regional political landscapes. Additionally, Kharrazi expressed optimism about improving relations with neighbors, notably Saudi Arabia, aiming for both Iran and Saudi Arabia to “play a pivotal role in ensuring security, stability, and peace in the region.” In reference to relations with China amid Trump's policies, Kharrazi stated, “We commend China's efforts to diminish the dollar's dominance.” He elaborated that he views this as part of a broader strategy for a multipolar world order, enabling Iran to assert its influence through organizations such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). He also touched on the deepening ties with Russia, noting, “A strategic cooperation agreement has been prepared and will soon be signed.”