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lucky calico promo code today ( ) shares are starting the week on a positive note. In morning trade, the ASX 300 battery tech stock is up 11% to 82 cents. Why is this ASX 300 battery tech stock jumping? Investors have been snapping up Novonix shares today after the company a binding offtake agreement. This is the second agreement of its type it has announced this month. The first was . Today's agreement is with PowerCo. It was established by auto giant in 2022 and is committed to ramp-up global battery cell production. PowerCo oversees international factory operations, advances in cell technology, and vertical integration of the battery value chain. It has identified three gigafactory locations – Salzgitter in Germany, Valencia in Spain, and St. Thomas in Canada. These have a combined capacity of up to 200 GWh/year. Offtake agreement According to the release, the binding offtake agreement is for a minimum of 32,000 tonnes of high-performance synthetic graphite material. This material will be supplied to PowerCo over a five-year term starting in 2027. This is subject to the ASX 300 battery tech stock achieving agreed upon milestones regarding final mass production qualification and satisfying certain compliance criteria. It must also secure financing commitments for the production facilities that will supply PowerCo product. Products will be priced under an undisclosed pricing structure that has been agreed between the parties. This agreement follows the previously announced signing of a non-exclusive testing and development agreement back in March. Riverside production plans The ASX 300 battery tech stock notes that this agreement means that its Riverside facility is poised to become the first large-scale production site dedicated to high-performance synthetic graphite for the battery sector in North America. It is slated to begin commercial production in 2025, with plans to grow output to 20,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) to meet current customer commitments. But it won't stop there. The demand outlook is so positive that Novonix is progressing plans to build a second production facility in southeastern United States that will have an initial capacity of 30,000 tpa and plans to expand that facility to 75,000 tpa. It is in discussions with the U.S. Department of Energy Loan Program Office (LPO) for an Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Program loan to support the construction of this new production facility. As things stand, ASX 300 battery tech stock's current plans call for total production to increase to at least 150,000 tpa of synthetic graphite material to accommodate anticipated customer demand.

Cárdenas: the first city with electric lighting in CubaAP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:04 p.m. EST

Hidalgo leads No. 6 Notre Dame over JuJu Watkins and third-ranked USC 74-61 in big matchup out West

Romanians are casting ballots on Sunday in the first round of a presidential election that could pit a far-right nationalist against the incumbent leftist prime minister in the runoff. Thirteen candidates are vying for the presidency in the European Union and NATO member country, and the vote is expected to go to a second round on Dec. 8. Polls opened at 7.00 a.m. local time (0500GMT) and will close at 9.00 p.m. (1900GMT). Romanians abroad have been able to vote since Friday. By 8 p.m. local time (1800GMT), 9.2 million people — about 51% of eligible voters — had cast ballots, according to the Central Election Bureau. The final vote could see George Simion, the leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians, or AUR, face off against incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, backed by Romania’s largest party, the Social Democratic Party or PSD. The presidential role carries a five-year term and has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security, foreign policy, and judicial appointments. Romania will also hold parliamentary elections on Dec. 1 that will determine the country’s next government and prime minister. Simion, 38, is a vocal supporter of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and has long been a controversial figure. He campaigned for reunification with Moldova, which this year renewed a five-year ban on him from entering the country over security concerns, and he is banned for the same reason from entering neighbouring Ukraine. “I would like that in the next five to ten years, for Romanians to be really proud to be Romanians, to promote Romanian culture, Romanian products,” he told reporters on Wednesday in the capital, Bucharest. “As a Romanian president, I will promote Romanian interests. In most cases, Romanian interests coincide with partner interests.” Ecaterina Nawadia, a 20-year-old architecture student, said she voted for the first time in a national election on Sunday and hopes young people turn out in high numbers. “Since the (1989) revolution, we didn’t have a really good president,” she said. “I hope most of the people my age went to vote ... because the leading candidate is not the best option.” Cristian Andrei, a political consultant based in Bucharest, says Sunday’s vote will be “a tight race” in which the diaspora will likely play a key role in which candidates make it to the runoff. “We are at a point where Romania can easily divert or slip toward a populist regime because (voter) dissatisfaction is pretty large among a lot of people from all social strata,” he told The Associated Press. “And the temptation for any regime, any leader — will be to go on a populist road.” He added that Romania’s large budget deficit, high inflation, and an economic slowdown could push more mainstream candidates to shift toward populist stances amid widespread dissatisfaction. Ciolacu told the AP that if he is elected, one of his biggest goals is “to convince Romanians that it is worth staying at home or returning” to Romania, which has a massive diaspora spread throughout EU countries. “Romania has a huge chance to become a developed economy in the next 10 years, where honest work is fairly rewarded and people have the security of a better life,” he said. “But for this, we need balance and responsibility ... I am running for the Presidency of Romania because we need a change.” Other key candidates include Elena Lasconi of the Save Romania Union party, or USR former NATO deputy general secretary Mircea Geoana, who is running independently and Nicolae Ciuca, a former army general and head of the center-right National Liberal Party, which is currently in a tense coalition with the PSD. Geoana, a former foreign minister and ambassador to the United States, told the AP that he believes his international experience qualifies him above the other candidates. “I think I bring a lot of competence and experience and connections in this complicated world,” he said. Lasconi, a former journalist and the leader of the USR said she sees corruption as one of the biggest problems Romania faces and that she supports increased defence spending and continued aid to Ukraine. Romania has been a staunch ally of war-torn Ukraine since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022. But Simion of the AUR party said he opposes Romania — which has sent a Patriot missile system to Ukraine — contributing further military aid and that he hopes Trump can “stop the war.” In 2020, the AUR party went from relative obscurity to gaining 9% in a parliamentary vote, allowing it to enter parliament. Opponents have long accused Simion and AUR of being extremists, charges he denies. “We are sort of a Trumpist party in this new wave of patriotic political parties in Europe,” Simion said.

Trump's return and the future of Korea-India tiesWorld juniors: Former Ottawa 67 scores in OT as Finland upsets U.S.A. at a packed CTC

EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Cameron Haffner scored 13 points as Evansville beat Missouri State 57-40 on Sunday to snap a five-game losing streak. Haffner went 5 of 12 from the field (3 for 7 from 3-point range) for the Purple Aces (4-9, 1-1 Missouri Valley Conference). Joshua Hughes added 11 points, nine rebounds and four steals. Tayshawn Comer scored 11. Dez White finished with 12 points, four assists and six steals for the Bears (7-6, 0-2). Missouri State also got 10 points, 12 rebounds and two steals from Michael Osei-Bonsu. Zaxton King had eight points. Evansville carried a slim three-point lead into halftime, as Haffner led the way with seven points. Evansville took the lead for what would be the final time on Haffner's 3-pointer with 18:44 remaining in the second half. His team would outscore Missouri State by 14 points in the second half. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Linus Okorie writes about the power of small steps We have all been there—facing down the decision to start something new, a step toward a goal, or a commitment to change. You feel the pressure of its importance, but somehow, instead of starting, you linger in place. Why does taking the first step feel so intimidating? The struggle to start is not always laziness or lack of desire; it is anticipatory anxiety. A phenomenon that shows that our brains are wired to protect us from the unknown, magnifying fears, doubts, and insecurities the moment we consider leaving our comfort zones. This resistance to change is normal, but if left unchecked, it becomes a barrier to progress and fulfilment. However, the good news is that anyone can overcome the inertia of that first step by understanding the mental blocks at play and using simple strategies to break them. Several mental barriers often keep us from taking the first step, and one of the most common is fear of failure. The fear of falling short can paralyze us before we even try. Whether starting a business, applying for a dream job, or writing a book, we are often haunted by “what if” questions that focus on negative outcomes. Perfectionism is another key barrier, and perfectionists are especially susceptible to paralysis by analysis. They hesitate to start until they feel everything is perfectly planned or the conditions are ideal, making them wait endlessly. Additionally, the enormity of a goal can be overwhelming. Sometimes, reaching the top of a mountain looks insurmountable, and that perception alone can be enough to keep us from climbing. Finally, fear of the unknown adds another layer of difficulty. As humans, we gravitate toward familiarity, and venturing into uncharted territory can activate our primal “fight or flight” instincts. This is why even positive change can cause apprehension. When you realize that these psychological hurdles are normal, they become less personal and easier to manage. Recognizing that the reluctance you feel is a natural part of the process can be the first step in disarming it. Knowing the psychological roadblocks is only half the battle. To overcome them, you need actionable strategies. A powerful approach is to break down the goal into small, achievable tasks. The prospect of starting an enormous task can be paralyzing, so break it into smaller steps. Consider an aspiring author: instead of setting out to “write a best-selling book,” the task can be simplified to “write 300 words per day.” This shift reframes the goal, making it manageable and easier to begin. Psychologists recommend the “two-minute rule”—if you are putting off something, commit to doing just two minutes of it. For instance, if you want to start a fitness routine, begin with two minutes of stretching. More often than not, you will want to keep going after those initial minutes. Shifting focus from results to the process also helps. When we focus exclusively on results, it amplifies anxiety. Instead, focus on engaging in the process itself. A Harvard study found that people who emphasize learning over achievement experience less stress and are more likely to start projects. This focus on the process makes each step its own reward, reducing the pressure tied to achieving a particular outcome. Visualizing success while also preparing for setbacks is another effective strategy. Visualization is powerful, but so is preparing for obstacles. When you imagine yourself succeeding, it primes your mind for positive action. However, studies show that balanced visualization—where you also anticipate challenges and plan how to respond—leads to greater persistence and resilience. One exercise that may help is called “mental contrasting.” Visualize your success, then think of potential obstacles, and plan how you will overcome them. This technique reduces your fear of failure by reframing obstacles as part of the journey. Lastly, embrace imperfection. Perfectionism is often the enemy of progress. Embrace the idea that your first attempt does not have to be flawless; it just has to be a start. It is better to start messy and refine as you go than to wait indefinitely for the perfect moment. The truth is that taking small initial actions has a cumulative effect that can lead to enormous achievements. This phenomenon, known as the “snowball effect,” leverages the power of momentum. Once you begin, each completed action builds confidence, motivation, and a sense of accomplishment, which propels you forward. James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits, illustrates how small, consistent actions compound over time. Clear advocates for a 1% improvement each day, which can result in remarkable progress. If you improve just 1% daily, you will be 37 times better after a year. This approach, which emphasizes small, manageable actions, has helped millions build successful habits and reach goals that once seemed impossible. History is filled with stories of individuals whose first steps led to monumental success in their careers. Oprah Winfrey was a small-town news anchor who struggled with self-doubt and rejection in her early career. Her first step was to take a low-paying job in television news that ultimately gave her a name in media. Another example is J.K. Rowling, who before becoming one of the best-selling authors of all time, was a struggling single mother, rejected by 12 publishers. The first step of writing Harry Potter in a small café, despite her circumstances, was her pivotal moment. Each small task involved completing chapters, submitting manuscripts, and revising them eventually led to her success. Every thriving business today was once a startup driven by founders who dared to take the first step and relentlessly pursue their vision. The story of Steve Jobs and the inception of Apple are business case studies of compound effect. In 1976, Jobs and his partner Steve Wozniak started Apple from a garage, building a prototype that did not have all the answers but served as a crucial first step. From there, each small step involved repairing the prototype, finding an investor, improving the product that grew Apple into one of the world’s most valuable companies. He even launched other successful companies by leveraging Apple’s earlier success. Elon Musk also exemplifies the power of small steps. Musk’s vision for SpaceX seemed unrealistic at first. After multiple failed rocket launches, many wrote off the company. Yet, Musk’s incremental steps, from securing funding to engineering solutions for each failure, ultimately led to SpaceX’s success in launching and reusing rockets, a breakthrough in space technology. The journey to achievement and fulfilment is often starts with a single, sometimes scary step. Recognizing that it is normal to feel intimidated by beginnings is crucial. You need to understand the psychological barriers that hold you back, employ practical strategies to start with confidence, and embrace small steps. The first step is the hardest—but also the most important. As Confucius said, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Embrace that truth, and you will find that even the smallest actions can lead to profound accomplishments. Remember, greatness often begins with a hesitant first step. The only way to unlock your potential is to take it. Okorie MFR is a leadership development expert spanning 30 years in the research, teaching and coaching of leadership in Africa and across the world. He is the CEO of the GOTNI Leadership CentreAs US president-elect Donald Trump continues to nominate personalities to his cabinet, we take a look behind the scenes at how the US Secret Service is using the most up-to-date technology to protect the president-elect and ease the burden on agents. This report from France 24's Jack Colmer Gale and our colleagues at France 2.

Exit polls have Romania's PM leading presidential voteWASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill rallied around Pete Hegseth , Trump’s Pentagon pick, on Thursday even as new details surfaced about allegations that he had sexually assaulted a woman in 2017. The GOP embrace of Hegseth came as another controversial Trump nominee, Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration for attorney general. Gaetz said it was clear he had become a “distraction" amid pressure on the House to release an ethics report about allegations of his own sexual misconduct. An attorney for two women has said that his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman. Fresh questions over the two nominees' pasts, and their treatment of women, arose with Republicans under pressure from Trump and his allies to quickly confirm his Cabinet. At the same time, his transition has so far balked at the vetting and background checks that have traditionally been required. While few Republican senators have publicly criticized any of Trump's nominees, it became clear after Gaetz's withdrawal that many had been harboring private concerns about him. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who served with Gaetz in the House, said it was a “positive move.” Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker said it was a “positive development.” Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Gaetz “put country first and I am pleased with his decision.” After meeting with Hegseth, though, Republicans rallied around him. “I think he’s going to be in pretty good shape,” said Wicker, who is expected to chair the Senate Armed Services Committee in the next Congress. Republican senators' careful words, and their early reluctance to publicly question Trump's picks, illustrated not only their fear of retribution from the incoming president but also some of their hopes that the confirmation process can proceed normally, with proper vetting and background checks that could potentially disqualify problematic nominees earlier. Gaetz withdrew after meeting with senators on Wednesday. Sen. Thom Tillis said Gaetz was “in a pressure cooker” when he decided to withdraw, but suggested that it would have little bearing on Trump’s other nominees. “Transactions — one at a time,” he said. As the Hegseth nomination proceeds, Republicans also appear to be betting that they won't face much backlash for publicly setting aside the allegations of sexual misconduct — especially after Trump won election after being found liable for sexual abuse last year. Hegseth held a round of private meetings alongside incoming Vice President JD Vance on Thursday in an attempt to shore up support and told reporters afterward: “The matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared, and that’s where I’m gonna leave it.” A 22-page police report report made public late Wednesday offered the first detailed account of the allegations against him. A woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave. The report cited police interviews with the alleged victim, a nurse who treated her, a hotel staffer, another woman at the event and Hegseth. Hegseth’s lawyer, Timothy Palatore, said the incident was “fully investigated and police found the allegations to be false.” Hegseth paid the woman in 2023 as part of a confidential settlement to head off the threat of what he described as a baseless lawsuit, Palatore has said. Wicker played down the allegations against Hegseth, a former Fox News host, saying that “since no charges were brought from the authorities, we only have press reports.” Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., said after his meeting with Hegseth that he "shared with him the fact that I was saddened by the attacks that are coming his way.” Hagerty dismissed the allegations as “a he-said, she-said thing” and called it a “shame” that they were being raised at all. The senator said attention should instead be focused on the Defense Department that Hegseth would head. It's one of the most complex parts of the federal government with more than 3 million employees, including military service members and civilians. Sexual assault has been a persistent problem in the military, though Pentagon officials have been cautiously optimistic they are seeing a decline in reported sexual assaults among active-duty service members and the military academies. Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, who will be the No. 2 Republican in the Senate next year, said after his meeting with Hegseth that the nominee is a strong candidate who “pledged that the Pentagon will focus on strength and hard power – not the current administration’s woke political agenda.” Senate Republicans are under pressure to hold hearings once they take office in January and confirm nominees as soon as Trump is inaugurated, despite questions about whether Trump’s choices will be properly screened or if some, like Hegseth, have enough experience for the job. Senate Armed Services Chairman Jack Reed, who will be the top Democrat on the panel next year, said the reports on Hegseth “emphasized the need for a thorough investigation by the FBI on the background of all the nominees.” It takes a simple majority to approve Cabinet nominations, meaning that if Democrats all opposed a nominee, four Republican senators would also have to defect for any Trump choice to be defeated. Trump has made clear he’s willing to put maximum pressure on Senate Republicans to give him the nominees he wants – even suggesting at one point that they allow him to just appoint his nominees with no Senate votes. But senators insist, for now, that they are not giving up their constitutional power to have a say. “The president has the right to make the nominations that he sees fit, but the Senate also has a responsibility for advice and consent,” said Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota. In the case of Gaetz, he said, “I think there was advice offered rather than consent.” Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Democrat Bob Casey concedes to Republican David McCormick in Pennsylvania Senate contest

Republicans rally around Hegseth, Trump's Pentagon pick, as Gaetz withdraws for attorney general

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill rallied around Pete Hegseth , Trump’s Pentagon pick, on Thursday even as new details surfaced about allegations that he had sexually assaulted a woman in 2017. The GOP embrace of Hegseth came as another controversial Trump nominee, Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration for attorney general. Gaetz said it was clear he had become a “distraction" amid pressure on the House to release an ethics report about allegations of his own sexual misconduct. An attorney for two women has said that his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman. People are also reading... Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams making furniture in Alexander County again Statesville survives test from Franklin in high school football playoff opener Iredell County bridge to close for $1.2 replacement project Lake Norman residents voice concerns with Marshall Steam Station changes Believers bought airplane for dead preacher thinking he’d rise from grave to fly in it MerMade: Workspace opens in Statesville, caters to artists, crafters Basketball transfer Patterson back home at West Iredell to 'bring in some wins' With supermajority in NC House gone, Iredell's Republican lawmakers talk changes, challenges Catawba native Christina Eagle appears on season 26 of 'The Voice' Statesville embraces underdog role in rematch with defending champ Hickory Iredell County woman wins first $150,000 top prize in new game Mooresville puts up 70 points, routs Alexander Central in high school football playoffs West Iredell starts season strong with win over Bunker Hill Statesville sweeps varsity doubleheader with South Iredell; Shehan reaches 1,000 points in Lake Norman win Statesville native's book offers clues to 5 hidden treasures Fresh questions over the two nominees' pasts, and their treatment of women, arose with Republicans under pressure from Trump and his allies to quickly confirm his Cabinet. At the same time, his transition has so far balked at the vetting and background checks that have traditionally been required. While few Republican senators have publicly criticized any of Trump's nominees, it became clear after Gaetz's withdrawal that many had been harboring private concerns about him. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who served with Gaetz in the House, said it was a “positive move.” Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker said it was a “positive development.” Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Gaetz “put country first and I am pleased with his decision.” After meeting with Hegseth, though, Republicans rallied around him. “I think he’s going to be in pretty good shape,” said Wicker, who is expected to chair the Senate Armed Services Committee in the next Congress. Republican senators' careful words, and their early reluctance to publicly question Trump's picks, illustrated not only their fear of retribution from the incoming president but also some of their hopes that the confirmation process can proceed normally, with proper vetting and background checks that could potentially disqualify problematic nominees earlier. Gaetz withdrew after meeting with senators on Wednesday. Sen. Thom Tillis said Gaetz was “in a pressure cooker” when he decided to withdraw, but suggested that it would have little bearing on Trump’s other nominees. “Transactions — one at a time,” he said. As the Hegseth nomination proceeds, Republicans also appear to be betting that they won't face much backlash for publicly setting aside the allegations of sexual misconduct — especially after Trump won election after being found liable for sexual abuse last year. Hegseth held a round of private meetings alongside incoming Vice President JD Vance on Thursday in an attempt to shore up support and told reporters afterward: “The matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared, and that’s where I’m gonna leave it.” A 22-page police report report made public late Wednesday offered the first detailed account of the allegations against him. A woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave. The report cited police interviews with the alleged victim, a nurse who treated her, a hotel staffer, another woman at the event and Hegseth. Hegseth’s lawyer, Timothy Palatore, said the incident was “fully investigated and police found the allegations to be false.” Hegseth paid the woman in 2023 as part of a confidential settlement to head off the threat of what he described as a baseless lawsuit, Palatore has said. Wicker played down the allegations against Hegseth, a former Fox News host, saying that “since no charges were brought from the authorities, we only have press reports.” Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., said after his meeting with Hegseth that he "shared with him the fact that I was saddened by the attacks that are coming his way.” Hagerty dismissed the allegations as “a he-said, she-said thing” and called it a “shame” that they were being raised at all. The senator said attention should instead be focused on the Defense Department that Hegseth would head. It's one of the most complex parts of the federal government with more than 3 million employees, including military service members and civilians. Sexual assault has been a persistent problem in the military, though Pentagon officials have been cautiously optimistic they are seeing a decline in reported sexual assaults among active-duty service members and the military academies. Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, who will be the No. 2 Republican in the Senate next year, said after his meeting with Hegseth that the nominee is a strong candidate who “pledged that the Pentagon will focus on strength and hard power – not the current administration’s woke political agenda.” Senate Republicans are under pressure to hold hearings once they take office in January and confirm nominees as soon as Trump is inaugurated, despite questions about whether Trump’s choices will be properly screened or if some, like Hegseth, have enough experience for the job. Senate Armed Services Chairman Jack Reed, who will be the top Democrat on the panel next year, said the reports on Hegseth “emphasized the need for a thorough investigation by the FBI on the background of all the nominees.” It takes a simple majority to approve Cabinet nominations, meaning that if Democrats all opposed a nominee, four Republican senators would also have to defect for any Trump choice to be defeated. Trump has made clear he’s willing to put maximum pressure on Senate Republicans to give him the nominees he wants – even suggesting at one point that they allow him to just appoint his nominees with no Senate votes. But senators insist, for now, that they are not giving up their constitutional power to have a say. “The president has the right to make the nominations that he sees fit, but the Senate also has a responsibility for advice and consent,” said Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota. In the case of Gaetz, he said, “I think there was advice offered rather than consent.” Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.