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Saving children from stuntingAston Villa denied last-gasp winner in Juventus stalemate

White House pressing Ukraine to draft 18-year-olds so they have enough troops to battle Russia

Thomas Friedman: Mr. Trump, do you realize how much the world has changed since you were president?Article content Tesla is directing workers on its Cybertruck production line in Austin, Texas to take three days off, per a new memo seen by Business Insider . The production halt, which will last from December 3 to 5, was announced on Monday . Workers were informed they would still receive eight hours of pay for each scheduled day off. Tesla told employees regular scheduling will resume on Friday, December 6. Some employees will not be affected by the schedule change and will receive separate notifications. The company has yet to disclose a specific reason for the temporary suspension of production. The scheduling adjustment follows recent reports of irregularities on the Cybertruck assembly line. Workers have stated production schedules have been inconsistent since late October. Some said they were occasionally sent home or reassigned to training exercises or cleaning duties during their shifts. Some complained there were fewer opportunities for overtime compared to during the model’s launch. Tesla debuted the production Cybertruck last year, initially receiving more than two million reservations, according to the company. However, demand may have shifted, looking at several indicators, despite Canadian deliveries beginning only a few months ago . Some reservation holders have cancelled their orders following the release of vehicle pricing, for example, while others have noted they received their vehicles earlier than expected. Analysts suggest this could indicate Tesla is working through its reservation list faster than anticipated. Other speculate demand is dropping due to numerous reports of teething issues that have cropped up since launch. Many videos have surfaced showing the Tesla pickup struggling to complete basic pickup tasks; while others poke holes in the vehicle’s fit and finish. Finally, the promised battery range at launch, over 800 km (500 miles), has been dramatically readjusted , as the best estimates place it at just over 500 km (310 miles). Earlier this year, Tesla shortened production shifts on the Cybertruck line, as outlined in an April memo. The company has not provided further information regarding the reasoning behind these scheduling adjustments. Sign up for our newsletter Blind-Spot Monitor and follow our social channels on X , Tiktok and LinkedIn to stay up to date on the latest automotive news, reviews, car culture, and vehicle shopping advice.Say Nothing’s Gerry Adams disclaimer, explained

Morgan Rogers looked to have given Unai Emery’s side another famous win when he slammed a loose ball home at the death, but referee Jesus Gil Manzano ruled Diego Carlos to have fouled Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and the goal was chalked off. It was a disappointment for Villa, who remain unbeaten at home in their debut Champions League campaign and are still in contention to qualify automatically for the last 16. A very controversial finish at Villa Park 😲 Morgan Rogers' late goal is ruled out for a foul on Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and the match ends 0-0 ❌ 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/MyYL5Vdy3r — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 27, 2024 Emiliano Martinez had earlier displayed why he was named the best goalkeeper in the world as his wonder save kept his side level in the second half. The Argentina international paraded his two Yashin Trophies on the pitch before kick-off at Villa Park and then showed why he won back-to-back FIFA awards when he denied Francisco Conceicao. Before Rogers’ moment of drama in the fourth minute of added time, the closest Villa came to scoring was in the first half when Lucas Digne’s free-kick hit the crossbar. But a draw was a fair result which leaves Villa out of the top eight on goal difference and Juventus down in 19th. Before the game Emery called Juventus one of the “best teams in the world, historically and now”, but this was an Italian side down to the bare bones. Only 14 outfield players made the trip from Turin, with striker Dusan Vlahovic among those who stayed behind. The opening 30 minutes were forgettable before the game opened up. Ollie Watkins, still chasing his first Champions League goal, had Villa’s first presentable chance as he lashed an effort straight at Di Gregorio. Matty Cash then had a vicious effort from the resulting corner which was blocked by Federico Gatti and started a counter-attack which ended in Juventus striker Timothy Weah. Villa came closest to breaking the deadlock at the end of the first half when Digne’s 20-yard free-kick clipped the top of the crossbar and went over. Martinez then produced his brilliant save just after the hour. A corner made its way through to the far post where Conceicao was primed to head in at the far post, but Martinez sprawled himself across goal to scoop the ball away. How has he kept that one out?! 🤯 Emi Martinez with an INCREDIBLE save to keep it goalless at Villa Park ⛔️ 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/OkcWHB7YIk — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 27, 2024 Replays showed most of the ball went over the line, but the Argentinian got there with millimetres to spare. At the other end another fine goal-line block denied John McGinn as Manuel Locatelli got his foot in the way with Di Gregorio beaten. The game looked to be petering out until a last-gasp free-kick saw Rogers slam home, but whistle-happy official Gil Manzano halted the celebrations by ruling the goal out.Q3 Net Sales Increase of 14.6% to $843.7 million ; Comparable Sales Increase of 0.6% Q3 GAAP Diluted EPS of $0.03 , Q3 Adjusted Diluted EPS of $0.42 Increases Full Year 2024 Guidance PHILADELPHIA, PA, Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Five Below, Inc. (NASDAQ: FIVE) today announced financial results for the third quarter and year to date period ended November 2, 2024. For the third quarter ended November 2, 2024 : Net sales increased by 14.6% to $843.7 million from $736.4 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2023; comparable sales increased by 0.6%. The Company opened 82 new stores and ended the quarter with 1,749 stores in 44 states. This represents an increase in stores of 18.1% from the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2023. Operating loss was $0.6 million compared to operating income of $16.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2023. Adjusted operating income (1) was $27.6 million. The effective tax rate was 23.4% compared to 25.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023. Net income was $1.7 million compared to $14.6 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2023. Adjusted net income (1) was $23.3 million. Diluted income per common share was $0.03 compared to $0.26 in the third quarter of fiscal 2023. Adjusted diluted income per common share (1) was $0.42. (1) A reconciliation of adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, and adjusted diluted income per common share to the most directly comparable financial measure presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") is set forth in the schedule accompanying this release. See als o “Non-GAAP Information.” Ken Bull, Interim CEO and COO of Five Below said, “We are pleased to report third quarter results that exceeded our outlook. We delivered stronger performance across a broader group of our merchandise worlds compared to the second quarter and improved our operational execution. We were encouraged to see the positive results from the initiatives we undertook to add newness and deliver value in key categories. We opened a record 82 new stores during this period with new store performance also surpassing our expectations. Our merchant and operational teams across the organization are focused on our key priorities of product, value and store experience, and I want to thank them for their efforts in delivering these results." Mr. Bull continued, "We will build on this progress and are focused on delivering for our customers in the all-important fourth quarter. Our solid Black Friday weekend results were an encouraging start to the holiday season, though the highest volume selling days lie ahead. In addition, this year we have five fewer shopping days between Thanksgiving and Christmas, which is reflected in our outlook." For the year to date period ended November 2, 2024 : Net sales increased by 11.9% to $2.49 billion from $2.22 billion in the year to date period of fiscal 2023; comparable sales decreased by 2.6%. The Company opened 205 new stores compared to 141 new stores in the year to date period of fiscal 2023. Operating income was $77.1 million compared to $117.1 million in the year to date period of fiscal 2023. Adjusted operating income (2) was $102.8 million. The effective tax rate was 24.7% compared to 23.1% in the year to date period of fiscal 2023. Net income was $66.2 million compared to $98.9 million in the year to date period of fiscal 2023. Adjusted net income (2) was $85.5 million. Diluted income per common share was $1.20 compared to $1.78 in the year to date period of fiscal 2023. The benefit from share-based accounting was approximately $0.01 in the year to date period of fiscal 2024 compared to approximately $0.07 in the year to date period of fiscal 2023. Adjusted diluted income per common share (2) was $1.55. The Company repurchased approximately 267,000 shares in the year to date period of fiscal 2024 at a cost of approximately $40.0 million (2) A reconciliation of adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, and adjusted diluted income per common share to the most directly comparable financial measure presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") is set forth in the schedule accompanying this release. See also “Non-GAAP Information." Appointment of Chief Executive Officer Five Below also announced today the appointment of Winnie Park to the role of Chief Executive Officer, effective December 16, 2024. Ken Bull, Chief Operating Officer, who was serving as Interim CEO, will continue in his role as COO, and Tom Vellios will remain Executive Chairman. This announcement was made concurrently this afternoon and can be found at investor.fivebelow.com/investors. Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2024 Outlook: The Company expects the following results for the fourth quarter and full year fiscal 2024: For the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2024 : Net sales are expected to be in the range of $1.35 billion to $1.38 billion based on opening approximately 22 net new stores and assumes an approximate 3% to 5% decrease in comparable sales. Net income is expected to be in the range of $174 million to $184 million. Adjusted net income (3) is expected to be in the range of $179 million to $189 million. Diluted income per common share is expected to be in the range of $3.15 to $3.33 on approximately 55.3 million diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Adjusted diluted income per common share (3) is expected to be in the range of $3.23 to $3.41. (3) Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted income per common share exclude the impact of nonrecurring or non-cash items which includes retention awards, costs associated w it h cost -optimization initiatives and stock compensation benefits , net of income tax impacts. For the full year of Fiscal 2024 : Net sales are expected to be in the range of $3.84 billion to $3.87 billion based on opening approximately 227 net new stores and assumes an approximate 3% decrease in comparable sales. Net income is expected to be in the range of $240 million to $250 million. Adjusted net income (4) is expected to be in the range of $265 million to $275 million. Diluted income per common share is expected to be in the range of $4.34 to $4.52 on approximately 55.3 million diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Adjusted diluted income per common share (4) is expected to be in the range of $4.78 to $4.96. Gross capital expenditures are expected to be approximately $340 million in fiscal 2024. (4) Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted income per common share exclude the impact of nonrecurring or non-cash items which includes inventory write- off , ret ention awards , stock compensation benefits, costs associated with cost-optimization initiatives , settlement of employment-related litigation , and asset disposal, net of income tax impacts. Conference Call Information: A conference call to discuss the financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 is scheduled for today, December 4, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. A live audio webcast of the conference call will be available online at investor.fivebelow.com, where a replay will be available shortly after the conclusion of the call. Investors and analysts interested in participating in the call are invited to dial 412-902-6753 approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. Non-GAAP Information: This press release includes adjusted operating income, adjusted net income, and adjusted diluted income per common share, each is a non-GAAP financial measure. The Company has reconciled these non-GAAP financial measures with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures within this filing. The Company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures not only provide its management with comparable financial data for internal financial analysis but also provide meaningful supplemental information to investors. Specifically, these non-GAAP financial measures allow investors to better understand the performance of the Company's business and facilitate a meaningful evaluation of its quarterly and fiscal year 2024 diluted income per common share and actual results on a comparable basis with its quarterly and fiscal year 2023 results. In evaluating these non-GAAP financial measures, investors should be aware that in the future the Company may incur expenses that are the same as or similar to some of the adjustments in this filing. The Company's presentation of non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed to imply that its future results will be unaffected by any such adjustments. The Company has provided this information as a means to evaluate the results of its ongoing operations. Other companies in the Company's industry may calculate these items differently than it does. Each of these measures is not a measure of performance under GAAP and should not be considered as a substitute for the most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools, and investors should not consider them in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's results as reported under GAAP. Forward-Looking Statements: This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 as contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which reflect management's current views and estimates regarding the Company's industry, business strategy, goals and expectations concerning its market position, future operations, margins, profitability, capital expenditures, liquidity and capital resources, store count potential and other financial and operating information. Investors can identify these statements by the fact that they use words such as "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "future" and similar terms and phrases. The Company cannot assure investors that future developments affecting the Company will be those that it has anticipated. Actual results may differ materially from these expectations due to risks related to disruption to the global supply chain, risks related to the Company's strategy and expansion plans, risks related to our ability to attract, retain, and integrate qualified executive talent, risks related to disruptions in our information technology systems and our ability to maintain and upgrade those systems, risks related to the inability to successfully implement our online retail operations, risks related to cyberattacks or other cyber incidents, risks related to increased usage of machine learning and other types of artificial intelligence in our business, and challenges with properly managing its use; risks related to our ability to select, obtain, distribute and market merchandise profitably, risks related to our reliance on merchandise manufactured outside of the United States, the availability of suitable new store locations and the dependence on the volume of traffic to our stores, risks related to changes in consumer preferences and economic conditions, risks related to increased operating costs, including wage rates, risks related to inflation and increasing commodity prices, risks related to potential systematic failure of the banking system in the United States or globally, risks related to extreme weather, pandemic outbreaks, global political events, war, terrorism or civil unrest (including any resulting store closures, damage, or loss of inventory), risks related to leasing, owning or building distribution centers, risks related to our ability to successfully manage inventory balance and inventory shrinkage, quality or safety concerns about the Company's merchandise, increased competition from other retailers including online retailers, risks related to the seasonality of our business, risks related to our ability to protect our brand name and other intellectual property, risks related to customers' payment methods, risks related to domestic and foreign trade restrictions including duties and tariffs affecting our domestic and foreign suppliers and increasing our costs, including, among others, the direct and indirect impact of current and potential tariffs imposed and proposed by the United States on foreign imports, risks associated with the restrictions imposed by our indebtedness on our current and future operations, the impact of changes in tax legislation and accounting standards and risks associated with leasing substantial amounts of space. For further details and a discussion of these risks and uncertainties, see the Company's periodic reports, including the annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if any of the Company's assumptions prove incorrect, the Company's actual results may vary in material respects from those projected in these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by the Company in this news release speaks only as of the date on which the Company makes it. Factors or events that could cause the Company's actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by any applicable securities laws. About Five Below: Five Below is a leading high-growth value retailer offering trend-right, high-quality products loved by teens and pre-teens. We believe life is better when customers are free to "let go & have fun" in an amazing experience filled with unlimited possibilities. With most items priced between $1 and $5, and some extreme value items priced beyond $5 in our incredible Five Beyond shop, Five Below makes it easy to say YES! to the newest, coolest stuff across eight awesome Five Below worlds: Style, Room, Sports, Tech, Create, Party, Candy and New & Now. Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Five Below today has over 1,750 stores in 44 states. For more information, please visit www.fivebelow.com or find Five Below on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @FiveBelow. Investor Contact: Five Below, Inc. Christiane Pelz Vice President, Investor Relations 215-207-2658 InvestorRelations@fivebelow.com (5) Gross profit is equal to our net sales less our cost of goods sold . ( 6 ) Retention awards relate to the on-going expense recognition of cash and equity granted to certain individuals in fiscal 2024 during the CEO transition that will be earned and have vestings through fiscal 2026. ( 7 ) Represents c harges relate d to the cos t-optimization of certain functions . ( 8 ) Components may not add to total due to rounding.

Trump is named Time's Person of the Year and rings the New York Stock Exchange's opening bell NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange after being recognized by Time magazine as its person of the year. The honors Thursday for the businessman-turned-politician are a measure of Trump’s remarkable comeback from an ostracized former president who refused to accept his election loss four years ago to a president-elect who won the White House decisively in November. At the stock exchange, Trump was accompanied by his wife, Melania Trump, daughters Ivanka and Tiffany and Vice President-elect JD Vance. Trump grinned as people chanted “USA” before he opened the trading day and raised his fist. YouTube TV is hiking its monthly price, again. Here's what to know NEW YORK (AP) — Are you a YouTube TV subscriber? Your monthly bills are about to get more expensive again. YouTube has announced that it’s upping the price of its streaming service’s base plan by $10 — citing rising content costs and other investments. The new $82.99 per month price tag will go into effect starting Jan. 13 for existing subscribers, and immediately for new customers who sign up going forward. YouTube TV has rolled out a series of price hikes over the years. When launched back in 2017, the going price of its streaming package was $35 a month. By 2019, that fee rose to $50 — and has climbed higher and higher since. Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre's brotherhood is still strong after 30 years with new album 'Missionary' LOS ANGELES (AP) — When it comes to music, there’s one person in particular Snoop Dogg trusts to steer the ship without question: hit-making producer Dr. Dre. Their bond, built over 30 years of brotherhood, began when Dr. Dre shaped Snoop’s game-changing debut, “Doggystyle,” a cornerstone of hip-hop history. From young dreamers chasing stardom to legends cementing their legacies, the duo has always moved in sync. Now, the dynamic pair reunites for Snoop’s “Missionary,” his milestone 20th studio album, which releases Friday. The 15-track project features several big-name guest appearances including Eminem, 50 Cent, Sting, Method Man, Jelly Roll, Tom Petty, Jhené Aiko and Method Man. Country star Morgan Wallen sentenced in chair-throwing case NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country music star Morgan Wallen has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment. He had been charged for throwing a chair from the rooftop of a six-story bar in Nashville and nearly hitting two police officers with it. Wallen appeared in court alongside his attorney on Thursday. He was sentenced to spend seven days in a DUI education center and will be under supervised probation for two years. According to the arrest affidavit, Wallen was accused of throwing a chair off the roof of Chief’s bar on April 7. The chair landed about a yard from the officers. Witnesses told police they saw Wallen pick up a chair, throw it off the roof and laugh about it. Indian teen Gukesh Dommaraju becomes the youngest chess world champion after beating Chinese rival NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest chess world champion after beating the defending champion Ding Liren of China. Dommaraju, 18, secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival in Thursday's game which was played in Singapore. He has surpassed the achievement of Russia’s Garry Kasparov who won the title at the age of 22. Dommaraju is now also the second Indian to win the title after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand. The Indian teen prodigy has long been considered a rising star in the chess world after he became a chess grandmaster at 12. He had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year. 'Vanderpump Rules' star James Kennedy arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — Police say “Vanderpump Rules” star James Kennedy has been arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence. Police in Burbank, California, say officers investigated reports of an argument between a man and a woman at a residence late Tuesday night and arrested the 32-year-old Kennedy. He was released from jail after posting bail. A representative of Kennedy did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. The Burbank city attorney will decide whether to file charges. Kennedy is a DJ and reality TV star who has appeared for 10 seasons on “Vanderpump Rules” — the Bravo series about the lives of employees at a set of swank restaurants. The wife of a Wisconsin kayaker who faked his own death moves to end their marriage MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The wife of a Wisconsin kayaker who faked his own drowning so he could abscond to Europe has filed a court action to end the couple's marriage. Online court records indicate Emily Borgwardt filed a petition in Dodge County Circuit Court on Thursday seeking to annul her marriage to Ryan Borgwardt. A hearing has been set for April. According to court documents, Ryan Borgwardt staged his own drowning by leaving his overturned kayak floating on Green Lake. He flew to Eastern Europe, where he spent several days in a hotel with a woman before taking up residence in the country of Georgia. He is charged with misdemeanor obstruction in Green Lake County. San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A block in downtown San Francisco has been renamed for acclaimed photojournalist Joe Rosenthal, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his iconic photo of U.S. Marines raising the flag on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during WWII. The longtime staff photographer for the San Francisco Chronicle, who died in 2006 at age 94, is also remembered for the 35 years he spent documenting the city's famous and not so famous for the daily newspaper. He photographed a young Willie Mays getting his hat fitted as a San Francisco Giant in 1957. He also photographed joyous children making a mad dash for freedom on the last day of school in 1965. Nearly half of US teens are online 'constantly,' Pew report finds Nearly half of American teenagers say they are online “constantly,” despite concerns about the effects of social media and smartphones on their mental health. That's according to a new report published Thursday by the Pew Research Center. As in past years, YouTube was the single most popular platform teenagers used — 90% said they watched videos on the site, down slightly from 95% in 2022. There was a slight downward trend in several popular apps teens used. For instance, 63% of teens said they used TikTok, down from 67% and Snapchat slipped to 55% from 59%. Wander Franco's sex abuse trial has been postponed 5 months PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, has been postponed until June 2, 2025. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing Thursday at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Franco’s lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment.Web 3.0 Market: Explosive Surge: $3.4B in 2023 to $82.9B by 2031Kratos Defense & Security's KTOS short percent of float has risen 22.58% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 3.93 million shares sold short , which is 2.66% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.8 days to cover their short positions on average. Why Short Interest Matters Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. Short selling is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises. Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish. See Also: List of the most shorted stocks Kratos Defense & Security Short Interest Graph (3 Months) As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Kratos Defense & Security has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted. Comparing Kratos Defense & Security's Short Interest Against Its Peers Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis. According to Benzinga Pro , Kratos Defense & Security's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 3.08%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers. Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it. This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Scientists seek miracle pill to stop methane cow burps

Commemorative Candlelight Vigil: Together against Gender-Based Violence

Gabriel mimics Gyokeres in cheeky goal celebration in Arsenal win over Sporting in Champions League

Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris (Brian LAwless/PA) Taoiseach Simon Harris has said he is taking a “project truth” approach to calling out Sinn Fein’s spending pledges as fears over future economic threats took centre stage in the Irish General Election campaign. Election results on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean have set the background for the final stretch of campaigning for Irish parties ahead of polling day on Friday. Donald Trump’s presidential election victory in the US has brought heightened concern that his administration’s proposals around corporation tax and tariffs would significantly impact Ireland’s economic model. Mr Harris, leader of Fine Gael, has argued Ireland and other EU countries need to prepare for the possibility of trade shocks as he criticised the scale of Sinn Fein’s spending pledges as well as their saving plans. He said: “I think that is irresponsible, I think it is dangerous and I think it is reckless.” He accused Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald of not being able to say what her party was prepared to do in the event of an economic crash, adding that Fine Gael would borrow and stop putting money towards a rainy-day fund. Asked if the party was engaging in “project fear” to dissuade voters against Sinn Fein, Mr Harris said: “I call it ‘project truth’. It’s telling people what’s being discussed right across European capitals.” Ms McDonald told an RTE interview on Wednesday morning that a Sinn Fein government would also be prepared to start borrowing in the event of an economic downturn. Both Mr Harris and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin, who were partners in the last coalition government in Ireland, have made clear they will not countenance Sinn Fein as a potential partner in the next administration in Dublin. One day after the only three-way debate featuring the leaders of the main parties, Mr Martin accused Sinn Fein of being “dishonest” about how they will fund their manifesto plans. Speaking in Dublin on Wednesday, he said he is anxious to get clarity on the issue. “I think Sinn Fein have been very dishonest, frankly, in terms of the funds, because if you go through their figures, and this is a matter of fact, not opinion, they’re predicting a surplus of a billion in 2026, a billion in 2027. “Even in 2025, they’re talking about a mini budget, which would mean reducing the surplus that we’re anticipating in 2025. “There’s a legislative obligation now on any new government to put 0.8% of GDP to one side, and into the funds. There’s no way you can do that with a surplus of a billion in 2026 or 2027, and we would argue they would not have enough funds next year either to put into the funds.” He added: “It means they have no room to manoeuvre if things go wrong, if there’s headwinds come externally, or there are shocks internationally, Sinn Fein is not allowing any headroom at all in terms of room to respond or to move it.” Ms McDonald accused the other two parties of conspiring to keep Sinn Fein out of government and prevent change in Ireland. Mary Lou McDonald, Micheal Martin and Simon Harris took part in a three-way leaders debate on RTE television (Niall Carson/PA) She said the two men were now “indistinguishable” from each other as she claimed they were suffering “acute amnesia” in regard to their records in government. On a visit to Naas fire station in Co Kildare, she said: “To listen to them, you’d imagine they had just arrived on the scene and that they were going to come up with all of these solutions. “They have had ample chances, ample opportunity, to make things better, and they have failed, and in between the two of them I make the case that now we ask for our chance, with our plans, with our team, to demonstrate how change can happen, how your community, your family, yourself, can be supported when the government is actually on your side.” Mr Martin’s and Mr Harris’ coalition partner Roderic O’Gorman, the leader of the Greens, issued a warning to the public over a future government without his party. On Wednesday, he said it is looking likely that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will be returned to government – but cautioned they may not want the Greens to continue “fighting hard” on policies. He told reporters: “My sense is certainly the mood music from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael is that they’d like an easier life in the next government – and my concern is they use these small populist parties and right-wing independents.” Mr O’Gorman argued that the Greens could continue to provide stability to government at a time when economic shocks may be around the corner. Tanaiste and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin during a press event (Brian Lawless/PA) As the Green leader suggested that relying on independents would be unstable, Mr Martin has also argued that “too much fragmentation would lead to incoherence in government”. Reflecting on Tuesday night’s debate, the Fianna Fail leader said the race remained “too close to call” while Mr Harris said it is “all to play for”. The leaders of Ireland’s three main political parties clashed on housing, healthcare and financial management in the last televised debate before Friday’s General Election. The tetchy debate, which was marked by several interruptions, saw the parties set out their stalls in a broadcast that commentators said did little to move the dial before polling day. The latest opinion poll on Monday put the parties in a tight grouping, with Fianna Fail slightly ahead of Sinn Fein, and Fine Gael in a close third after a significant slide in a campaign marked with several hiccups for Mr Harris’s party. After the 2020 general election delivered an inconclusive result, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, two parties forged from opposing sides of Ireland’s Civil War of the 1920s, agreed to set aside almost a century of animosity and share power – with the Greens as a junior partner. From 2016 to 2020, Fianna Fail had supported Fine Gael in power through a confidence-and-supply arrangement from the Opposition benches in the Dail parliament. Sinn Fein won the popular vote in 2020 but a failure to run enough candidates meant it did not secure sufficient seats in the Dail to give it a realistic chance of forming a government.NoneJHVEPhoto Investment Thesis I think that Thermo Fisher ( NYSE: TMO ) is a good investment opportunity. The company has grown 174% between 2017 and 2024 Q3 TTM. The strategy of acquiring different companies has been the main factor for such growth. In addition, the Life 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.

5 top tech gifts for the holidaysIsrael Implements Ceasefire Deal as GOP Criticizes White House Weapons Delays Share This article JERUSALEM, Israel – After nearly 14 months of war, Israel agreed to and implemented a ceasefire deal with the Iranian-backed terror group Hezbollah. The agreement comes after intense pressure from the Biden administration. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave three reasons why he agreed to the ceasefire in an address to the nation on Tuesday night. He declared, "The first reason is to focus on the Iranian threat, and I will not expand on that. The second reason is to give our forces a breather and to replenish stocks. And I say it openly, it is no secret that there have been big delays in weapons and munitions deliveries." Netanyahu added, "These delays will be resolved soon. We will receive supplies of advanced weaponry that will keep our soldiers safe and give us more strike force to complete our mission. And the third reason for having a cease-fire is to separate the fronts and isolate Hamas." Many observers believe those major delays in the delivery of advanced weapons and munitions from the White House put the Israel Defense Forces at risk, creating an obstacle to the IDF completing its mission in Lebanon. While giving his three primary reasons for the ceasefire agreement, Netanyahu also made clear it allows Israel to strike Hezbollah if necessary. "If Hezbollah violates the agreement and tries to arm itself, we will attack. If it tries to renew terrorist infrastructure near the border, we will attack." Just hours after the ceasefire, the first violation was reported on Wednesday morning. According to Israel's Arutz Sheva, IDF troops fired warning shots at Hezbollah terrorists approaching the Lebanese border town of Kfarkela near Metula in Israel. Metula Council leader David Azoulay stated, "Nothing at all has changed since October 7." On Pennsylvania Avenue, President Joe Biden announced that the U.S. is invested in the agreement's success. "We're determined this conflict will not be just another cycle of violence," Biden said. "And so, the United States, with the full support of France and our other allies, has pledged to work with Israel and Lebanon to ensure that this arrangement is fully implemented, the agreement totally implemented." On Capitol Hill, Republicans criticized the ceasefire deal. House Speaker Mike Johnson wrote on X, "While the Biden-Harris Administration celebrates this announcement, remember that it is STILL withholding weapons to Israel. This Administration put up roadblock after roadblock on Israel and dragged out this conflict. They repeatedly appeased Iran rather than show unequivocal support to our closest ally in the region. Israel's military success has been in spite of the White House, not because of it." Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) issued a statement that read, in part, "Obama-Biden officials pressured our Israeli allies into accepting the ceasefire by withholding weapons they needed to defend themselves and counter Hezbollah, and by threatening to facilitate a further, broader, binding international arms embargo through the United Nations." In Tehran, Iran's Foreign Ministry welcomed what it called "the end of the Israeli aggression." In southern Lebanon, some Hezbollah members have already returned to their villages near the Israeli border. ***Please sign up for CBN Newsletters and download the free CBN News app to ensure you receive the latest updates and alerts.*** Share This article About The Author

Major retailers across the UK and Ireland are to stop selling alcoholic drinks associated with Irish fighter Conor McGregor. The decision by Tesco, Musgrave and the BWG Group came after a woman who said Mr McGregor raped her won a civil claim for damages against him. Nikita Hand, who accused the sportsman of raping her in a Dublin hotel in December 2018, won her claim against him for damages in a case at the High Court in the Irish capital. In a statement, a spokesman for Musgrave said: “Musgrave can confirm these products are no longer available to our store network.” The network includes SuperValu, Centra, Daybreak and Mace. A Tesco spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we are removing Proper No Twelve Whiskey from sale in Tesco stores and online.” A spokesperson for BWG Group said: “The products are no longer listed for distribution across our network of Spar, Eurospar, Mace, Londis and XL stores, including Appleby Westward which operates over 300 Spar stores in the south west of England.” It is understood that other retail outlets including Costcutter and Carry Out will also stop stocking products linked to Mr McGregor. He and some of his business partners sold their majority stake in the Proper Number Twelve Irish whiskey brand. He was reported to have been paid more than £103 million from the sale to Proximo Spirits in 2021. On Monday, a popular video game developer decided to pull content featuring the MMA fighter. The Irish athlete has featured in multiple video games, including voice-acting a character bearing his likeness in additional downloadable content in the Hitman series. Mr McGregor’s character featured as a target for the player-controlled assassin in the game. IO Interactive, the Danish developer and publisher of Hitman, said in a statement: “In light of the recent court ruling regarding Conor McGregor, IO Interactive has made the decision to cease its collaboration with the athlete, effective immediately. “We take this matter very seriously and cannot ignore its implications. “Consequently, we will begin removing all content featuring Mr McGregor from our storefronts starting today.” Last Friday, the High Court jury awarded damages amounting to 248,603.60 euros (around £206,000) to Ms Hand. Mr McGregor made no comment as he left court but later posted on social media that he intended to appeal against the decision.

‘Rani Gaidinliu’ directed by Dimple Dugar and Deepak S. V., tells the story of a little-known Naga spiritual leader and freedom fighter. The film, created using revolutionary Unreal Engine technology, had its world premiere at the 55th IFFI CHRISTINE MACHADO | NT BUZZ At the age of 13, a young tribal girl from Manipur, Gaidinliu Pamei, joined the Heraka religious movement led by her cousin Haipou Jadonang. She later played an important role in leading a political revolt to drive the British Raj out of Manipur and was conferred the title of ‘Rani’ by Jawaharlal Nehru. However, despite receiving the Padma Bhushan in 1982, the story of this revolutionary woman has largely remained untold. This lack of recognition is what inspired filmmakers Dimple Dugar and Deepak S. V. to focus their film on her. “I came across her story through an article, and I felt her story should reach many more people because she was truly daring,” says Dugar. Although Gaidinliu was captured at a young age and served a long prison term, Dugar states that her courage inspired and brought hope to many. For their research, the filmmakers relied heavily on professor Niumai Ajailu, who had previously written about Gaidinliu and maintained a close relationship with her family. What makes this National Film Development Corporation Limited -produced film interesting is the cutting-edge digital technology used in its creation. “We’ve played a groundbreaking role by using metahuman Unreal Engine technology. The hyper-realistic characters are brought to life with motion capture and facial expression technology. It’s not 3D or AI; they are not robotic. The characters look 99% human,” explains Dugar. “The environment is also completely realistic, thanks to Unreal Engine technology. The film is entirely virtually produced.” Dugar, who has an background in VFX and animation, has worked on television and has also directed over 300 ad films and short films. Thus, combining these skills, she wanted to create something groundbreaking, resulting in ‘Rani Gaidinliu’. “We actually have a two-hour script for this film, but the technology is very expensive, so we condensed it into a 17-minute film. ,” she says, adding that she has two other films in the pipeline—one a psychological thriller and the other focusing on the Indian Army.The narrative is well-known. “The Miami Dolphins cannot win in the cold.” It’s something that has been repeated ad naseum. By media pundits. By fans. By even opposing fans. If the Dolphins come up in conversation ahead of their prime time Thanksgiving matchup against the Green Bay Packers, you better believe that the team’s inability to historically play in cold weather will be mentioned. Within the organization, however, everyone — from coach Mike McDaniel to Tua Tagovailoa — has seemingly embraced the narrative. “We couldn’t be asking for anything better,” Jonnu Smith said after Sunday’s 34-15 victory over the New England Patriots. “Honestly, at this point in the season, where we’re at, it’s exactly what we want, this where we want to be. We’re excited about the challenge. Great team that we’re going to go face on a short week Added Tagovailoa: “I’m excited to kill narratives, so let’s go. Bring it on.” Like most narratives, the Dolphins’ failure to beat teams in the cold is not without merit. Under coach Mike McDaniel, the Dolphins are just 3-7 when forced to play in cities with frigid temperatures once the month of November hits. Tagovailoa’s record in similar situations isn’t much better at 4-9 . Similar to how the Dolphins have constantly reminded fans in search of 2023’s offensive success, the past doesn’t necessarily matter. “I’m very comfortable with narratives because I think they’re very predictable and retroactive, so what else would you expect — they will always say you can’t until you can,” McDaniel said. “It doesn’t really make me feel anything.” In turn, McDaniel’s message has been simple: “focus on what you can control.” “We’re not going to mysteriously change latitudes in the next week,” McDaniel said Monday afternoon, later adding that “the saving grace is that both teams are playing in the same weather and we’ll do little things during the week that we think might be advantageous, but it’s not going to be able to be exact replication. We’re not trying to. I think you just try to be on top of your job and how to do your job and then with your mindset adjusted, that’s how you go into games in any environment, but specifically when you have some elements involved.” What exactly the team has done in preparation for Thursday is unclear. McDaniel wouldn’t divulge any specifics — “I was just going to carry ice cubes in my pockets and throw them at players all week,” he quipped — but he certainly emphasized the growth of the team from 2022 until now. “There’s a lot more known in this, going into this game from a weather standpoint just because I think the road game in 2022 at Buffalo — half the team had never played in cold before and it was my first time in any sort of elements with those guys,” McDaniel said before referring to the 2023 wild card playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs where temperatures minus-4 degrees. “At this point, a little more familiar. We were given the gift of ‘what do you mean by cold’ — is it frostbite cold? I think that’s as we work together as a collective group, we gained some of that experience in that playoff game and proper perspective.” As McDaniel alluded to, the right mental state can help soften the effects of the very real environmental pressures. Tagovialoa spoke to that on Tuesday afternoon. “The biggest thing is mind-set,” Tagovailoa said. “We’re obviously nowhere near the temperatures that the other cold teams play at. Being in Miami, where its 80, sometimes it gets down to 50. It just gets nowhere near the teams that make it in long stretches in the run that they try to do. To me, it’s just mindset.” Therein lies the key ultimate key to victory. If the Dolphins approach Thursday with the right mind-set, the cold shouldn’t be an issue. Besides, there’s bigger things at stake. Not only would a win put the Dolphins at .500 for the first time since Week 2, it’s crucial to their postseason aspirations — the Dolphins can only afford to lose one game for the rest season — and their confidence. A three-game win streak against middling teams means virtually nothing if you can’t beat a franchise with Super Bowl dreams. And while the weather will certainly be a factor, it shouldn’t be the end all be all. Just ask defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver . “I’ve been around big-time football now since 1998,” said Weaver who played seven years in the NFL before switching to coaching. “I’ve never lost a game and looked back and thought, ‘Guys, it was just too cold outside,’ so I don’t expect that to happen this week. I understand some of the things that are being talked about and the narratives out there, but for us, it’s football. It doesn’t matter what the temperature is, they can go and snap this in the mall parking lot and we’re going to go and do everything we can to try to win.” This story was originally published November 26, 2024, 3:56 PM.

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