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NSW Premier visits Autism Community Network's Autistic Adults Social Club
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It’s a Christmas gift from the province that’ll keep on giving. Each year the Christmas Cheer Board of Winnipeg helps spread joy to thousands of local families and this year the province is joining the effort, offering up a donation of $100,000 on Friday morning. “This is the most wonderful time of year,” said Premier Wab Kinew at the announcement. “This is where we get a chance to show that generosity that defines us as Manitobans.” The Premier commended the Cheer Board for their ongoing efforts to support Manitobans, saying the provincial government wanted to get in on spreading the joy, the province giving the local organization a massive novelty cheque while delivering news of $25,000 donations for Cheer Boards in Brandon and Westman as well. “So incredible,” is how the Cheer Board’s executive director Shawna Bell described the contribution. “To help us support families and individuals here in need in the city, it’s going to go a long way to making a very, very Merry Christmas for so many people here in Winnipeg.” So far, 16,000 applications have been received, and Bell expects that number to grow to 22,000 by the end of the month, an increase of roughly 1,500 when compared to last year. She says the donation from the province will be a big help, as the costs of assembling the hampers have also increased. “While this money is more than we’ve received in the past, the costs are more expensive than they have been in the past,” she said. “So everything is just catching up to one another right now, so this is going to help us make sure we don’t go into a deficit this season.” She estimates the province’s donation will allow them to make anywhere from 2,000 to 2,500 extra hampers and says it’s always special to see families’ faces when they come to pick up the sources of seasonal cheer. “It just creates a sense of magic for everybody who has a touching point on this organization, that’s what we’re here for,” she said. “We just want to make the community a little bit brighter over the holiday season.” Even with the recent donation from the province, the Christmas Cheer Board of Winnipeg is always looking for more donations and will be accepting hamper applications up until Dec. 23, 2024. More information can be found on the organization’s social
The Pittsburgh Steelers ' 44-38 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 13 was much needed. With the victory, the Steelers improved to 9-3, and thanks to the Baltimore Ravens' loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh gained another crucial game in the division. This win was vital as the Steelers continue to push toward the playoffs, keeping their momentum strong in the tight AFC North race. The Steelers have had an exciting season, but star wide receiver George Pickens has certainly made headlines for both the right and wrong reasons. Pickens' on-field antics have caught attention, with some moments standing out for their flair and others for their controversy. In the win over the Bengals, Pickens caught a deep ball from Russell Wilson and pointed for a first down, but the referees misinterpreted the gesture , flagging him 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct, thinking he was mimicking the action of shooting a gun. Earlier in the game, Pickens also tossed the ball at a Bengals player after a catch, leading to another 15-yard penalty for taunting. As the game unfolded, former Steelers stars Ben Roethlisberger and James Harrison were live-streaming the action and shared their frustration over Pickens' antics. Both were vocal about their displeasure with the penalties, especially considering the team's focus on staying disciplined during such a critical stretch of the season. "I mean I feel like this is every week with him," Roethlisberger said. "There’s something. He is so good and he helps you so much, but this is not helping the team. He’s ok with it, but I am not ok with it." Roethlisberger acknowledged that while Pickens possesses incredible talent, there's always an underlying tension, as they’re constantly on edge, wondering what he might do after a big play. Harrison chimed in, offering his perspective on the situation, sharing his thoughts on how he views Pickens' taunting and its impact on the team. "I’m not ok with it because you can celebrate with your team," Harrison said. "They seen what you did, they know what you did. Turn to your teammates you can say everything you wanna say this way and they will hear it." Harrison stated that it’s not his responsibility to handle Pickens' behavior, leaving that to the offensive players. Roethlisberger, on the other hand, discussed the challenges of managing a star like Pickens—someone with an intense competitive drive—while trying to keep him in control. "The hard part is like in the moment you wanna say something, but you don’t have time, so you gotta do it on the sideline," Roethlisberger said. "If the player can’t handle it, then you gotta wait until after the game." Wilson spoke out once again in support of Pickens, emphasizing that he made a point to stay in communication with him throughout the game to help keep his focus. Despite the distractions, Pickens delivered in a big way, scoring a touchdown, catching three passes for 74 yards, and playing a key role in opening up the offense. Steelers' George Pickens Called Out By Mike Tomlin To "Grow Up In A Hurry" The issue, however, is that Pickens often seems to prioritize his individual celebrations over the team’s success, putting himself at risk of penalties. After his touchdown, he punted the football into the stands, an act that only added to the growing concerns. George Pickens punts the ball after scoring a touchdown, he will receive a fine for that tomorrow morning... pic.twitter.com/5bqfhcR434 For the Steelers, this constant worry over Pickens’ behavior raises questions about his future in Pittsburgh, especially if he doesn't mature. Many believe his potential second contract with the team could be in jeopardy if these issues persist. Fans have debated on social media whether Pickens should have been flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after signaling for a first down. While that call is open for discussion, there’s little room to argue against the taunting penalty. Pickens needs to learn quickly and mature if he hopes to secure a long-term future with the Steelers. This article first appeared on SteelerNation.com and was syndicated with permission.
BEIJING , Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Baijiayun Group Ltd ("Baijiayun" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: RTC), a one-stop AI video solution provider, today announced that it has entered into a Standby Equity Purchase Agreement (the "SEPA"), with YA II PN, Ltd. ("YA"), a fund managed by Yorkville Advisors Global, LP. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the the SEPA, YA is committed to purchase up to $50 million (the "Commitment Amount") of the Company's Class A Ordinary Shares (the "Shares") at any time during the two-year period following the execution date of the SEPA, by delivering written notice to YA (an "Advance Notice"). Pursuant to the SEPA, YA will advance to the Company, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions as set forth therein, the principal amount of up to $15 million (the "Pre-Paid Advance"), which will be evidenced by convertible promissory notes (the "Promissory Notes", together with the "SEPA", the "Offering") in four tranches. The first Pre-Advance, in the principal amount of $3,000,000 , was advanced December 6, 2024 in connection with the execution of the SEPA, and is subject to a 10% discount to the principal amount of such Promissory Note. If there is no balance outstanding under the Promissory Notes, the Company will have sole discretion to sell the Shares to YA from time to time by issuing Advance Notices to YA following the effectiveness of a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission registering the Shares issuable pursuant to the SEPA and the satisfaction of other customary conditions. The Company intends to use the proceeds from the offering of the Shares pursuant to the SEPA for working capital and other general corporate purposes. The Company and the Investor have entered into a registration rights agreement on the date hereof (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company shall register the resale of the Shares issuable pursuant to the SEPA. The foregoing does not purport to be a complete description of the rights and obligations of the parties to the SEPA, the Promissory Notes, the Registration Rights Agreement, or of the transactions contemplated thereby and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such documents, the copies of which have been filed as exhibits to the Company's Current Report on Form 6-K on December 6, 2024 . D. Boral Capital LLC acted as the exclusive placement agent for the Offering. About Baijiayun Group Ltd Baijiayun is a one-stop AI video solution provider with core expertise in SaaS/PaaS solutions. Baijiayun is committed to delivering reliable, high-quality video experiences across devices and localities and has grown rapidly since its inception in 2017. Premised on its industry-leading video-centric technologies, Baijiayun offers a wealth of video-centric technology solutions, including Video SaaS/PaaS, Video Cloud and Software, and Video AI and System Solutions. Baijiayun caters to the evolving communications and collaboration needs of enterprises of all sizes and industries. For more information, please visit ir.baijiayun.com . Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements." These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the parties' perspectives and expectations, are forward-looking statements. The words "will," "expect," "believe," "estimate," "intend," and "plan" and similar expressions indicate forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and shareholders and other potential investors must recognize that actual results may differ materially from the expectations as a result of a variety of factors. Such forward-looking statements are based upon management's current expectations and include known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are hard to predict or control, that may cause the actual results, performance, or plans to differ materially from any future results, performance or plans expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking information provided herein represents the Company's estimates as of the date of this press release, and subsequent events and developments may cause the Company's estimates to change. The Company specifically disclaims any obligation to update the forward-looking information in the future. Therefore, this forward-looking information should not be relied upon as representing the Company's estimates of its future financial performance as of any date subsequent to the date of this press release. A further list and description of risks and uncertainties can be found in the documents the Company has filed or furnished or may file or furnish with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which you are encouraged to read. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate only to the date they were made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made except as required by law or applicable regulation. For investor and media enquiries, please contact: Company Contact: Ms. Fangfei Liu Chief Financial Officer, Baijiayun Group Ltd Phone: +86 25 8222 1596 Email: ir@baijiayun.com View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/baijiayun-announces-up-to-15-million-convertible-promissory-notes-and-50-million-standby-equity-purchase-agreement-302325234.html SOURCE Baijiayun Group LtdBack-to-back games against one of the few NHL teams already likely out of playoff contention seemingly present the New York Islanders with a valuable opportunity to gain ground in the crowded Eastern Conference wild-card race. But the Chicago Blackhawks began their three-game road trip by proving there are no sure things in the NHL. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. The rise in young business ownership across the U.S. signals a shifting entrepreneurial landscape, with younger Americans increasingly taking the leap into self-employment. Analyzing the newest data available from the U.S. Census Bureau, researchers identified the U.S. metros and states with... Click for more. Cities With the Most Business Owners Under 40None
LOS ANGELES — The family of a missing Hawaii woman, Hannah Kobayashi , has strongly disputed the statement made by LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell that Kobayashi “intentionally” missed her connecting flight at Los Angeles International Airport. Kobayashi went missing Nov. 8 after catching a flight from Hawaii to Los Angeles, with a connecting flight that would ultimately take her to New York, where she planned to visit relatives. Her family became worried after she landed at LAX and sent them cryptic text messages, suggesting that someone was trying to steal her money and identity. No one has heard from her since. McDonnell briefed the L.A. Police Commission about the case during a Nov. 26 meeting . “On Friday, November 8th, 23-year-old Hannah Kobayashi missed her connecting flight from LAX to New York, which the investigation determined was intentional,” McDonnell said. Kobayashi’s sister, Sydni, responded to the statement in a social media post, disputing the development in the case and pointing out that McDonnell incorrectly gave Kobayashi’s age, which is actually 30 years old. Kobayashi’s family also said McDonnell gave an incorrect timeline of Kobayashi’s disappearance. “Based on information, surveillance footage reviewed and information shared with us, these are the facts known to my mother and I: It does not appear that Hannah intentionally missed her flight,” Sydni Kobayashi wrote. “The lack of communication surrounding some important details has left us feeling excluded from potentially crucial developments,” Sydni Kobayashi’s statement said. “However, we do remain hopeful and optimistic that the Los Angeles Police Department is doing everything in their power to assist us in locating Hannah.” According to Kobayashi’s family, she landed at LAX on Nov. 8 and missed her connecting flight to New York City because of a short layover. Kobayashi stayed overnight in Los Angeles and was seen the next day at the Taschen bookstore at the Grove, an open-air shopping mall in the Fairfax District. On Nov. 10, Kobayashi was captured on video outside of a Nike event near the Grove and was believed to have returned to LAX, according to her family’s statement. On Nov. 11, Kobayashi was seen talking to a ticketing agent at LAX; she then boarded the LAX Metro C line at the Aviation/Century station around 9 p.m., her family wrote. She transferred at the Willowbrook/Rosa Parks station and was seen in video footage leaving the Pico station with an unknown person. On Nov. 12, Kobayashi was captured again on video footage at the Greyhound bus terminal at Union Station in downtown L.A. around 6:30 a.m., according to her family. LAPD spokesperson Jeff Lee confirmed that the agency is still investigating Kobayashi’s disappearance as an active missing persons case. He said there were no updates to share Monday morning. Anyone with more information has been asked to contact the LAPD at (877) 527-3247. After Kobayashi’s disappearance, her father, Ryan, flew to Los Angeles to help look for his daughter. The elder Kobayashi was found dead last week near LAX in what police say was an apparent suicide. The body of Ryan Kobayashi, 58, was found in a parking lot in the 6100 block of Century Boulevard. According to the Los Angeles County medical examiner, the elder Kobayashi died from blunt force traumatic injuries. “Our hearts go out to the Kobayashi family during this unimaginable time of grief,” McDonnell said during the Police Commission meeting. “We remain fully committed to locating Hannah and supporting the family as they navigate their way through this tragedy.” ©2024 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Elon Musk endorsed Apple AirPods Pro 2 Hearing Aid feature, calling it "Cool"
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Kansas holds off Auburn for No. 1 in AP Top 25 as SEC grabs 3 of top 4 spots; UConn slides to No. 25 Kansas continues to hold the No. 1 ranking in The Associated Press Top 25 men’s college basketball poll. Auburn is pushing the Jayhawks in the latest poll after winning the Maui Invitational and checked in at No. 2. Two-time reigning national champion UConn nearly fell out entirely after an 0-3 week at Maui, falling from No. 2 to 25th. The Southeastern Conference had three of the top four teams with No. 3 Tennessee and No. 4 Kentucky behind the Tigers. The poll featured six new teams, headlined by No. 13 Oregon, No. 16 Memphis and No. 18 Pittsburgh. TCU, Duke climb into top 10, Notre Dame drops in women's AP Top 25; UCLA and UConn remain 1-2 TCU has its best ranking ever in The Associated Press Top 25 women’s basketball poll after a convincing win over Notre Dame. The Horned Frogs jumped eight spots to No. 9, the first time the school has ever been in the top 10. The Fighting Irish, who were third last week, fell seven spots to 10th after losses to TCU and Utah. UCLA remained No. 1, followed by UConn, South Carolina, Texas and LSU. USC, Maryland and Duke are next. How to sum up 2024? The Oxford University Press word of the year is 'brain rot' LONDON (AP) — Oxford University Press has named “brain rot” its word of the year. It's defined as “the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state,” especially from consuming too much low-grade online content. Oxford University Press said Monday that the phrase “gained new prominence in 2024,” with its frequency of use increasing 230% from the year before. It was chosen by a combination of public vote and language analysis by Oxford lexicographers. The five other word-of-the-year finalists were demure, slop, dynamic pricing, romantasy and lore. Oxford Languages President Casper Grathwohl said the choice of phrase “feels like a rightful next chapter in the cultural conversation about humanity and technology.” Scientists gather to decode puzzle of the world's rarest whale in 'extraordinary' New Zealand study WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Scientists and culture experts in New Zealand have begun the first-ever dissection of a spade-toothed whale, the world's rarest whale species. The creature, which washed up dead on a beach on New Zealand's South Island in July, is only the seventh specimen ever found. None has ever been seen alive at sea. Almost nothing is known about it but scientists, working with Māori cultural experts, hope to answer some of the many lingering questions this week, including where they live, what they eat, how they produce sound and how this specimen died. Hong Kong launches panda sculpture tour as the city hopes the bear craze boosts tourism HONG KONG (AP) — Thousands of giant panda sculptures will greet residents and tourists starting on Saturday in Hong Kong, where enthusiasm for the bears has grown since two cubs were born in a local theme park. The 2,500 exhibits will be publicly displayed at the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui, one of Hong Kong’s popular shopping districts, this weekend before setting their footprint at three other locations this month. The displays reflect Hong Kong’s use of pandas to boost its economy as the Chinese financial hub works to regain its position as one of Asia’s top tourism destinations. Violent hit on Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence 'has no business being in our league,' coach says JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was carted off the field after taking a violent elbow to the facemask from Houston linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. It prompted two sideline-clearing scuffles. Lawrence clenched both fists after the hit, movements consistent with what’s referred to as the “fencing response,” which can be common after a traumatic brain injury. Lawrence was on the ground for several minutes as teammates came to his defense and mobbed Al-Shaair. Lawrence eventually was helped to his feet and loaded into the front seat of a cart to be taken off the field. He was not transported to a hospital. He was quickly ruled out with a concussion, though. Al-Shaair and Jaguars rookie cornerback Jarrian Jones were ejected after the first altercation. Big Ten fines Michigan and Ohio State $100,000 each for postgame melee ROSEMONT, Ill. (AP) — The Big Ten Conference has announced it fined Michigan and Ohio State $100,000 each for violating the conference’s sportsmanship policy for the on-field melee at the end of the Wolverines’ win in Columbus .A fight broke out at midfield Saturday after the Wolverines’ 13-10 victory when Michigan players attempted to plant their flag on the OSU logo and were confronted by the Buckeyes. Police used pepper spray to break up the players, who threw punches and shoves. One officer suffered a head injury when he was “knocked down and trampled while trying to separate players fighting." The officer was taken to a hospital and has since been released. Marshall Brickman, who co-wrote 'Annie Hall' with Woody Allen, dies at 85 NEW YORK (AP) — The Oscar-winning screenwriter Marshall Brickman, whose wide-ranging career spanned some of Woody Allen’s best films, the Broadway musical “Jersey Boys” and a number of Johnny Carson’s most beloved sketches, has died. He was 85. Brickman died Friday in Manhattan, his daughter Sophie Brickman told The New York Times. No cause of death was cited. Brickman was best known for his extensive collaboration with Allen, beginning with the 1973 film “Sleeper.” Together, they co-wrote “Annie Hall," “Manhattan” and “Manhattan Murder Mystery." The loosely structured script for “Annie Hall,” in particular, has been hailed as one of the wittiest comedies. It won Brickman and Allen an Oscar for best original screenplay. 'Moana 2' sails to a record $221 million opening as Hollywood celebrates a moviegoing feast NEW YORK (AP) — “Moana 2” brought in a tidal wave of moviegoers over the Thanksgiving Day weekend with $221 million in ticket sales. Studio estimates Sunday show that, combined with “Wicked” and “Gladiator II,” made for an unprecedented weekend in cinemas. “Moana 2" blew predictions out of the water, setting a record for Thanksgiving moviegoing. At the same time, the sensation of “Wicked” showed no signs of slowing down with $117.5 million over the five-day weekend. “Gladiator II” collected $44 million. For an industry that’s been battered in recent years by the pandemic, work stoppages and streaming, it was a triumphant weekend that showed the still-potent power of Hollywood’s blockbuster machine. College football players scuffle after flags come out following rivalry wins It was flag day in college football. Michigan, North Carolina State and Florida celebrated road wins by displaying flags on the logos in the middle of their rivals’ stadiums. Arizona State put its own twist on the day with a trident. The results were predictable. Michigan scuffled with Ohio State after a group of Wolverines attempted to plant their flag in the middle of Ohio Stadium. There was a similar scene in North Carolina after at least one N.C. State player tried to plant a Wolfpack flag on UNC’s home field. And another skirmish in Florida after Gators edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. planted a flag on Florida State’s logo.None
In the final stage of a wildly disappointing season, the Jets have dropped to 3-9. They have not seen their Aaron Rodgers trade come close to meeting expectations, and the now-41-year-old quarterback is not believed to be in the team’s plans beyond this season . It would then be understandable if the sides reached a resolution of sorts, as Rodgers has played through injuries separate from his Achilles — an injury that defined his 2023 season — for much of this year. An IR placement or outright benching emerged as a potential solution here , but interim HC Jeff Ulbrich pushed back on that coming out of a bye week . After a loss to the Seahawks, the Jets are not changing course. Ulbrich announced Monday ( via ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini ) that Rodgers will remain the team’s starter for its Week 14 game — and for the season’s remainder. Ulbrich was less definitive when asked about his starter following the Jets’ Week 13 loss but returned to form Monday by indicating Rodgers can still play at a “high level.” The interim boss also indicated Rodgers’ decorated resume is part of the conversation here. Rodgers said in mid-November he wanted to keep playing beyond 2024 , comments in line with his previous New York-era stances, but walked that back last week by noting he was not yet sure . The increasingly outspoken QB also said he wanted to play for Ulbrich in New York again next season, though he stopped short ( via Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio ) of ruling out playing for another coach in 2025. Considering how poorly the Jets have fared, Ulbrich has next to no chance of returning as their HC. The team has already brought in The33rdteam.com’s Mike Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman to run the upcoming searches , one that will undoubtedly tab outside HC and GM hires. This is potentially the least amount of leverage Rodgers has held in his NFL career. After being given considerable power upon being traded to New York, Rodgers has not shown much of his MVP-level form. That continued Sunday, when the 20th-year veteran missed a wide-open Garrett Wilson for a score and then threw a pick-six to Leonard Williams on the ensuing play. Likely on his way out after two Jets seasons, Rodgers profiles as a lame duck. The Jets appear prepared to eat the second-most dead money for a single player in NFL history ($49M) next year to start fresh. For what it’s worth, Ulbrich attributes ( via SNY’s Connor Hughes ) much of Rodgers’ struggles this season to the injuries he has sustained. Rodgers has battled hamstring, knee and ankle maladies this season. Though, he was off Gang Green’s injury report in Week 13. Rodgers’ Achilles tear and spate of nagging issues this season will naturally affect his chances of playing in 2025. Interest may well emerge for a diminished version of the four-time MVP, but a free-agency foray is highly unlikely to approach the level of interest Tom Brady did when he hit the market ahead of an age-43 season in 2020. That and maybe Warren Moon‘s 1997 free-agency bid (when the former Oilers and Vikings starter joined the Seahawks before his age-41 campaign) are about the only parallels to what a Rodgers FA effort may look like. As for this season, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler adds Woody Johnson may not have confined his calls for a Rodgers benching to merely the post-Week 4 effort. Johnson making another push for the high-priced passer to be benched for Tyrod Taylor would obviously be notable, as it certainly increases the likelihood Rodgers is off the Jets’ roster next year. It also could point to ownership again intervening at QB late this season. Although a recent report attempted to pour cold water on the drama between Johnson and Rodgers, the 77-year-old owner has taken considerable heat for impeding former GM Joe Douglas during the final year of his run. Johnson’s outsized role figures to be a key topic when interviews for the Jets’ GM and HC positions begin. This article first appeared on Pro Football Rumors and was syndicated with permission.None
Michigan, Ohio State fight broken up with police pepper spray after Wolverines stun Buckeyes 13-10WASHINGTON , Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA has selected Nova Space Solutions, LLC of Anchorage, Alaska , to provide operations, services, maintenance, and infrastructure support for NASA's Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi , and NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans . The Combined Operations, Services, Maintenance, and Infrastructure Contract is a cost-plus-incentive-fee, firm-fixed-price, and indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract that has a value of approximately $822.7 million . The performance period begins July 1, 2025 , and extends eight years and three months, with a 15-month base period, followed by a one-year option period and three two-year option periods. Under the contract, Nova Space Solutions will be responsible for contract management, logistics, safety, health and environmental compliance, engineering and manufacturing support services, site services, facility operations and maintenance services, and environmental services and program management. NASA's Stennis Space Center is the nation's largest propulsion test site, with infrastructure to support projects ranging from component and subscale testing to large engine hot fires. Researchers from NASA, other government agencies, and private industry use NASA Stennis test facilities for technology and propulsion research and developmental projects. NASA's Michoud Assembly Facility, managed by the agency's Marshall Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama , is the nation's premier site for manufacturing and assembly of large-scale space structures and systems. For information about NASA and other agency programs, visit: https://www.nasa.gov View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nasa-awards-operations-services-maintenance-and-infrastructure-contract-302325313.html SOURCE NASA
( MENAFN - Jordan Times) LONDON - When US Secretary of the Treasury Henry Morgenthau opened the Bretton Woods conference almost 80 years ago, he reminded delegates that failures of international cooperation had led to the Great Depression, social division, and ultimately war.“Prosperity, like peace, is indivisible,” he concluded,“we cannot afford to have it scattered here or there among the fortunate... Poverty, wherever it exists, is menacing to us all.” That message speaks across the ages. We are again facing global challenges that can be met only through international cooperation. Large swaths of the developing world are being excluded from global prosperity. Extreme poverty is rising. Hard-won gains in health, education and nutrition are under threat. Already obscene economic inequalities between and within countries are widening. The window of opportunity for averting a climate catastrophe is about to slam shut. And yet multilateral cooperation is paralysed by complacency, petty rivalries and inward-looking nationalism. Consider this year's International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Spring Meetings, which offered an opportunity to mobilise the finance needed to prevent wholesale reversals of progress toward the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Instead, Western governments and the G-20 arrived with no shared agenda, spent a week swapping platitudes, and left the world with a set of vague and incoherent declarations. We cannot afford leadership failures on this scale. The IMF and the World Bank, the twin pillars of the Bretton Woods system, should be at the heart of international cooperation in responding to the defining challenges facing our generation, starting with the two-tier recovery from the economic downturn triggered by COVID-19. Unlike advanced economies, which have recovered on the back of vast government financing and vaccination programmes, many developing economies have suffered deep scarring. Growth has slowed, tax revenues have fallen, and two-thirds of low-income countries are either in or at risk of debt distress. The IMF estimates that the poorest countries will need an additional $450 billion to return to their pre-pandemic development trajectories. Budget pressures are limiting governments' capacity to defend human development gains. The pandemic pushed almost 100 million people into extreme poverty. That figure is set to rise as safety nets are cut and Russia's war in Ukraine fuels food-price inflation, raising the specter of increased malnutrition, or even famine, in some parts of the world. More than 40 of the poorest countries are spending more servicing their debts than on public health. Education budgets are being cut even as millions of the world's most disadvantaged children return to classrooms carrying the learning losses inflicted during pandemic-related school closures. Against this grim backdrop, international cooperation to finance an“SDG recovery” has gained new urgency. The OECD estimates that the already-large pre-pandemic SDG financing gap has increased by $1.2 trillion. That's without the incremental investments of $2 trillion annually needed to support renewable-energy investments in developing countries to achieve the 2015 Paris climate agreement's goals. When governments committed to the SDG agenda seven years ago, they pledged a bold new approach to development finance that would convert“billions into trillions”. The architects of the Bretton Woods system created the vehicle to do so in the form of multilateral development banks (MDBs). Designed to support postwar European reconstruction, the MDB system, the World Bank and its regional counterparts, enshrines a simple but powerful financial model. With small amounts of paid-in capital underpinned by much larger government guarantees (“callable capital”), the MDBs can use their AAA credit ratings to issue bonds at low interest rates and lend to developing countries, effectively mobilising private finance for public investment. The World Bank, the largest MDB, has only $19 billion of paid-in capital, and $278 billion of callable capital. Multilateral finance has multiplier effects that bilateral aid cannot duplicate. Every $1 invested in the World Bank through paid-in capital mobilises $4 in new finance. Yet the MDB system is at best weakly exploited. Apart from its soft-loan facility, the International Development Association, the World Bank system played a muted role in supporting developing countries during the pandemic, and the MDBs' financing portfolio for climate interventions in low- and middle-income countries is just $38 billion, a fraction of what is needed. While the MDBs (notably the African Development Bank) are undercapitalised, the bigger problem is a deeply entrenched conservatism in financial governance. Major shareholders, the US and European governments, refuse to allow callable-capital guarantees to be integrated into lending operations. Researchers at the Overseas Development Institute estimate that changing this rule could mobilize an additional $1.3 trillion, with only a marginal change in credit ratings and borrowing costs. Speaking at the spring meetings, US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen lamented the MDBs' failure to mobilise the trillions needed for pandemic recovery. And yet the Biden administration has failed to overhaul the rules on callable capital. Other attempts at innovation have run into a bureaucratic brick wall. Gordon Brown, the UN's Special Envoy for Global Education, has proposed a system of modest grants and guarantees that could double MDB financing for education, unlocking $10 billion. Yet even in the face of an unprecedented education crisis, donors have failed to act. This is a travesty of the Bretton Woods system. In the misplaced defense of AAA credit ratings, the MDBs are eschewing solutions that would support recovery, prevent devastating reversals in human development, and bring hope to millions of children. Sadly, it is not just the MDB agenda that is stuck. Nine months after G-20 governments pledged to allocate $100 billion of the IMF's new issuance of special drawing rights (SDRs, the Fund's reserve asset) to poor countries, not a single cent has been transferred. Meanwhile, with debt servicing set to surge by 45 per cent this year, most of it going to commercial creditors and China, vital investments are being crowded out, and the risk of disorderly sovereign defaults is growing. Yet we are no closer to a comprehensive debt-reduction framework than we were a year ago. As the crisis triggered by COVID-19 has deepened, some commentators have called for a new Bretton Woods system. They have a point. The World Bank and the IMF maintain anachronistic Western-dominated governance systems. But what is missing from the response to today's defining human-development challenges is not financial architecture, but rather the sense of urgency, shared purpose, and common endeavor that defined the original Bretton Woods conference. Kevin Watkins, a former CEO of Save the Children UK, is a visiting professor at the Firoz Lalji Institute for Africa at the London School of Economics. Copyright: Project Syndicate, 2022. 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Black Kos, Week In ReviewMILPITAS, Calif. , Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Global semiconductor equipment billings increased 19% year-over-year to US$30.38 billion in the third quarter of 2024, while quarter-over-quarter billings registered 13% growth during the same period, SEMI announced today in its Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics (WWSEMS) Report . “The global semiconductor equipment market recorded robust growth in the third quarter of 2024 driven by investments aimed at supporting the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence as well as production of mature technologies,” said Ajit Manocha , SEMI President and CEO. “The growth in equipment investments was spread across multiple regions seeking to bolster their chipmaking ecosystems, with North America posting the largest year-over-year gain while China continues to lead in spending.” Compiled from data submitted by members of SEMI and the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan (SEAJ), the WWSEMS Report is a summary of the monthly billings figures for the global semiconductor equipment industry. Following are quarterly billings data in billions of U.S. dollars with quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year changes by region: The SEMI Equipment Market Data Subscription (EMDS) provides comprehensive market data for the global semiconductor equipment market. The subscription includes three reports: Download a sample of the EMDS report . For more information about the report or to subscribe, please contact the SEMI Market Intelligence Team at mktstats@semi.org . More details are also available on the SEMI Market Data webpage . About SEMI SEMI ® is the global industry association connecting over 3,000 member companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through Advocacy, Workforce Development, Sustainability, Supply Chain Management and other programs. Our SEMICON ® expositions and events, technology communities, standards and market intelligence help advance our members’ business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services and software, enabling smarter, faster, more secure electronics. Visit www.semi.org , contact a regional office, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and X to learn more. Association Contact Samer Bahou /SEMI Phone: 1.408.943.7870 Email: sbahou@semi.org SOURCE SEMI
Cardinals are average through 12 games and the frustration is it feels as if they could be better The Arizona Cardinals are 6-6 through 12 games, which makes them an average football team. That's much better than the previous two years, which both ended with just four wins. David Brandt, The Associated Press Dec 2, 2024 3:10 PM Dec 2, 2024 3:35 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) reaches for an incomplete pass over Minnesota Vikings cornerback Fabian Moreau (23) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) The Arizona Cardinals are 6-6 through 12 games, which makes them an average football team. That's much better than the previous two years, which both ended with just four wins. But after two straight frustrating losses, it's not providing much consolation for a franchise that feels as though it should be much better. The latest setback came on Sunday, when the Minnesota Vikings rallied to beat the Cardinals 23-22 . Arizona never trailed until Sam Darnold threw a 5-yard touchdown pass with 1:18 remaining that proved to be the winning score. It was a mistake-filled performance for the Cardinals, who racked up 10 penalties for 96 yards. That's a big reason they had to settle for five field goals and scored just one touchdown. The Cardinals were leading 19-16 in the fourth quarter and had first-and-goal at the Vikings 5, but Tip Reiman was called for a false start and then quarterback Kyler Murray was called for intentional grounding . The Cardinals kicked a field goal for a 22-16 lead, giving the Vikings the chance they needed to drive for the winning score. Murray threw two interceptions in the fourth quarter. “I thought we moved the ball well,” Murray said. “Again, it just comes down to not scoring touchdowns. Get down there and kick field goals and penalties bite us. It’s bad — it’s bad football.” The loss knocked the Cardinals out of first place in the NFC West, though they're still in decent playoff position. A pivotal game against the division-rival Seahawks looms on Sunday. Second-year coach Jonathan Gannon acknowledged the frustration of Sunday's loss, but said they've got to rebound quickly. “They’re disappointed and down, but it’s the NFL,” Gannon said. “They’ve got to put all their energy and focus into tomorrow.” What’s working Arizona's defense blamed itself for not coming up with a stop on the Vikings' winning drive, but the unit played exceptionally well for most of the afternoon. Mack Wilson and L.J. Collier both had two sacks and the Cardinals held Minnesota to just 273 total yards. For a group that looked as if it might be the team's weakness this season, it was another rock solid performance. What needs help The Cardinals aren't a good enough football team to overcome 10 penalties and get a win — particularly on the road. Reiman had a rough day, getting called for three false starts. His false start on the next-to-last offensive drive — coupled with Murray's intentional grounding penalty — proved to be extremely costly. “That was brutal,” Gannon said. “Just got to figure out ways to punch the ball in for touchdowns there, not field goals.” Stock up Rookie Marvin Harrison Jr. had five catches for 60 yards, including an impressive touchdown catch that put the Cardinals up 19-6. It was Harrison's seventh TD reception of the season. The No. 4 overall pick has been a little inconsistent in his first year, but there's little doubt he's a difference-maker for the offense. He's still got a chance to reach 1,000 yards receiving this season if he averages about 80 yards receiving over the final five games. Considering his talent, that's certainly possible. Stock down Gannon was second-guessed for his decision to kick a field goal late in the fourth quarter instead of trying for a touchdown at the Vikings 4 with 3:29 left. Chad Ryland made the 23-yard chip shot for a 22-16 lead, but the Vikings drove the field on the ensuing possession for the winning score. “I trust JG,” Murray said. “I see both sides. Go up six and make them score; trust the defense to go get a stop. Go for it, you don’t get it, they’ve still got to go down and score. If you do get it, you probably put the game away.” Said Gannon: "Yeah, I mean there’s thought about it. Just wanted to go up more than a field goal there. Definitely a decision point that we talked about. So be it.” Injuries The Cardinals came out of the game fairly healthy. Rookie DL Darius Robinson — the No. 27 overall pick — made his NFL debut against the Vikings after missing the first 11 games due to a calf injury. Key number 1,074 — Running back James Conner's total yards from the line of scrimmage this season, including 773 on the ground and 301 in the passing game. Next steps The Cardinals return home for a game against the Seahawks on Sunday. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl David Brandt, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) NFL Inactive Report Dec 2, 2024 3:52 PM Rams finally ran the ball well in New Orleans, and it kept them in the playoff race Dec 2, 2024 3:37 PM Justin Tucker's erratic season isn't getting any better, and it's hurting Baltimore's outlook Dec 2, 2024 3:32 PMMoira Deeming has released a statement, saying that she is “grateful to God” for the outcome. She thanked her lawyers and the court. “The judge found that I was defamed in five separate publications and that each of those also caused serious harm to my reputation,” she wrote on X. Moira Deeming wore purple during the trial, a colour historically associated with efforts to achieve gender equality. Credit: The Age Every single one of Mr Pesutto’s defences, failed. “This judgment is a public acknowledgment that there was never any justification – legal, moral or political – for what the Opposition Leader did to me and to my family. The organisers and attendees of the 2023 Melbourne ‘Let Women Speak’ Rally did nothing wrong and it is shameful that they were treated without fairness or respect by so many in public office. I will continue to fight for the rights of parents, women and children - and I know I won’t be alone. I am pleased with this result and relieved to have been vindicated. It has been an incredibly tough 22 months for me and my family but I can now start to move forward with the judgment today clearing my name. Thank you to everyone who stood by me and defended me despite personal and political differences and regardless of the cost – friends, strangers, opponents, Liberal members and colleagues. Thanks to everyone who prayed, wrote, donated and told the truth. And finally, thank you to my family, especially my husband. Former shadow attorney general Tim Smith has called for Opposition Leader John Pesutto to resign. Former Liberal MP for Kew Tim Smith. Credit: Justin McManus Smith, who left the parliamentary Liberal Party in 2022 after a drunken car crash, called on Pesutto to resign immediately. “As a long time member of the Liberal Party I’m calling on @JohnPesutto to resign immediately,” he said on X. Opposition Leader John Pesutto argued four defences in the defamation case: public interest, honest opinion, qualified privilege and contextual truth. John Pesutto and Moira Deeming. Credit: Darrian Traynor Justice David O’Callaghan found the defences either failed, or did not arise. However, he wrote in his lengthy reasons that he was satisfied the Opposition Leader did “subjectively” believe what he published was in the public interest. “I accept Mr Pesutto’s evidence that he subjectively believed that it was necessary immediately to explain to the public why he proposed to move a motion to expel Mrs [Moira] Deeming,” the judge wrote. “I also accept Mr Pesutto’s evidence that he thought staying silent was not an option and that he needed to address the issue to retain credibility because the public would be watching to see how the party responded to the presence of Nazis on the steps of Parliament.” The judge criticised Pesutto for “time and time again” giving lengthy and non-responsive answers to questions asked of him by Deeming’s barrister, Sue Chrysanthou, SC. “I understand that when politicians are engaged in the cut and thrust of politics – facing tough questions in press conferences, for example – their job can involve deflecting questions, pivoting to another topic, or running out the clock,” the judge wrote. “But that is not the role of a witness in a court proceeding.” Chrysanthou argued Pesutto was an untruthful witness in many aspects of his evidence. “Ultimately, however, I am unable to conclude that he gave dishonest evidence about his subjective belief on the public interest question, as infuriatingly unresponsive as much of his evidence was,” O’Callaghan wrote. Justice David O’Callaghan said it was “extraordinary” that both Opposition Leader John Pesutto and deputy David Southwick had failed to mention a secret recording of the March 19, 2023, meeting held the day after the rally. Southwick secretly recorded the meeting and informed Pesutto months later. Pesutto only raised it with his lawyers a week before the trial began. As it turns out, no witness’s account of the meeting in their affidavits was anywhere near accurate or complete. Both parties invited me to draw adverse inferences against each relevant deponent for having failed to give an accurate account of it. Each witness might be said to varying degrees to have provided their own slant to things, and to have recorded their memories through the prism of their own cause, but I do not accept that any witness gave a deliberately untruthful version of the meeting in their affidavits. O’Callaghan also said it was “mystifying” Southwick kept the recording secret so long and that Pesutto’s explanation was “dubious.” For Sue Chrysanthou, celebrity lawyer, today’s decision is another notch in her defamation belt. The Sydney silk has become the barrister du jour in the defamation capital of the world, representing everyone from actors to moguls with reputations to rescue. Read here for the time that Chrysanthou found herself in the witness box ... Moira Deeming arriving in court this morning to hear the judgment in her defamation hearing. Credit: AAP Read the full court summary here. Justice David O’Callaghan has published his reasons for deciding in Moira Deeming’s favour, rather than read them out in court this morning. Moira Deeming arriving in court this morning to hear the judgment in her defamation hearing. Credit: AAP He awarded Deeming $300,000 in damages after Opposition Leader John Pesutto defamed her. Court costs are yet to be determined, and will be decided upon at a later date, which is yet to be set. “The only order that will be made today upon the publication of these reasons is to adjourn the matter to a date to be fixed for the purpose of the parties bringing in orders to give effect to the published reasons and to deal with any argument as to the grant of any injunctive relief, and as to the calculation of interests and costs,” the judge wrote. Justice David O’Callaghan found that Opposition Leader John Pesutto conveyed several defamatory imputations against ousted Liberal MP Moira Deeming, including that she knowingly associated with neo-Nazis and was unfit to belong in the Victorian Liberals. The imputations were conveyed through a media release, 3AW interview, ABC interview, press conference, and an expulsion motion and dossier, he said. Here’s what the court found: Media release: The media release carried the imputation Deeming was unfit to belong in the Victorian parliamentary Liberal Party because she knowingly associates with neo-Nazis. 3AW radio interview: Conveyed that Deeming associates with Nazis and is thus unfit to be a member of the parliamentary Liberal Party. ABC interview: Conveyed that Deeming knowingly associates or sympathises with neo-Nazis and white supremacists and is thus unfit to be a member of the parliamentary Liberal Party and the Liberal Party. Press conference: Conveyed that Deeming participated in a rally and knowingly worked with Kellie-Jay Keen and other organisers to help them promote their odious agenda and white supremacist and ethnofascist views. Expulsion motion and dossier: Conveyed that a) Deeming so conducted herself on 18 March 2023 in relation to a public rally that it warranted her expulsion from the Victorian parliamentary Liberal Party. b) Conducted activities in a manner likely to bring discredit on the parliament or the parliamentary Liberal Party by organising, promoting and attending a rally on 18 March 2023. O’Callaghan found Deeming had established serious harm and that Pesutto’s defences failed or did not arise. Supporters for Deeming applauded as they exited courtroom 8A. Aggravated damages will not be awarded. The court will return to determine costs. Justice David O’Callaghan has found that ousted Liberal MP Moira Deeming should be awarded $300,000 in damages after Opposition Leader John Pesutto defamed her, harming her reputation. Independent MP Moira Deeming (centre) pictured arriving at court ahead of the judgement. Credit: AAPIMAGE
