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It seems that the older we get the faster time moves. 2024 is just a blur on this journey called life. We start each year with things that we hope to accomplish and before we know it, it’s time to start a new list. Before starting the 2025 list of resolutions, we need to check the 2024 resolutions in case we need to have a carryover. Fly boxes were filled with streamers and dry flies. While streamers with red were the plan, only one red bucktail, the Old Guide Bucktail, was tied. The fly worked flawlessly and caught many trout in stocked and wild trout ponds. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
The 10 costliest climate disasters in 2024 racked up damage totalling more than 200 billion US dollars, Christian Aid has warned. A report from the charity on hurricanes, floods, typhoons and storms influenced by climate change warns that the top 10 disasters each cost more than 4 billion US dollars in damage (£3.2 billion). The figures are based mostly on insured losses, so the true costs are likely to be even higher, Christian Aid said, as it called for action to cut greenhouse gas emissions and finance for poor countries to cope with climate change. Politicians who “downplay the urgency of the climate crisis only serve to harm their own people and cause untold suffering around the world”, climate expert Joanna Haigh said. While developed countries feature heavily in the list of costliest weather extremes, as they have higher property values and can afford insurance, the charity also highlighted another 10 disasters which did not rack up such costs but were just as devastating, often hitting poorer countries. Most extreme weather events show “clear fingerprints” of climate change, which is driving more extreme weather events, making them more intense and frequent, experts said. The single most costly event in 2024 was Hurricane Milton, which scientists say was made windier, wetter and more destructive by global warming, and which caused 60 billion US dollars (£48 billion) of damage when it hit the US in October. That is closely followed by Hurricane Helene, which cost 55 billion US dollars (£44 billion) when it hit the US, Mexico and Cuba just two weeks before Milton in late September. The US was hit by so many costly storms throughout the year that even when hurricanes are removed, other storms cost more than 60 billion US dollars in damage, the report said. Three of the costliest 10 climate extremes hit Europe, including the floods from Storm Boris which devastated central European countries in September and deadly flooding in Valencia in October which killed 226 people. In other parts of the world, floods in June and July in China killed 315 people and racked up costs of 15.6 billion US dollars (£12.4 billion), while Typhoon Yagi, which hit south-west Asia in September, killed more than 800 people and cost 12.6 billion dollars (£10 billion). Events which were not among the most costly in financial terms but which have still been devastating include Cyclone Chido which hit Mayotte in December and may have killed more than 1,000 people, Christian Aid said. Meanwhile, heatwaves affected 33 million people in Bangladesh and worsened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, flooding affected 6.6 million people in West Africa and the worst drought in living memory affected more than 14 million in Zambia, Malawi, Namibia and Zimbabwe, the charity said. Christian Aid chief executive Patrick Watt said: “There is nothing natural about the growing severity and frequency of droughts, floods and storms. “Disasters are being supercharged by decisions to keep burning fossil fuels, and to allow emissions to rise. “And they’re being made worse by the consistent failure to deliver on financial commitments to the poorest and most climate-vulnerable countries. “In 2025 we need to see governments leading, and taking action to accelerate the green transition, reduce emissions, and fund their promises.” Dr Mariam Zachariah, World Weather Attribution researcher who analyses extreme events in near-real time to discern the role of climate change, at Imperial College London, said: “This report is just a snapshot of climate devastation in 2024. “There are many more droughts, heatwaves, wildfires and floods not included that are becoming more frequent and intense. “Most of these disasters show clear fingerprints of climate change. “Extreme weather is clearly causing incredible suffering in all corners of the world. Behind the billion-dollar figures are lost lives and livelihoods.” And Prof Haigh, emeritus professor of atmospheric physics at Imperial College London, said: “The economic impact of these extreme weather events should be a wake-up call. “The good news is that ever-worsening crises doesn’t have to be our long-term future. “The technologies of a clean energy economy exist, but we need leaders to invest in them and roll them out at scale.” The 10 costliest climate disasters of 2024 were: – US storms, December to January, more than 60 billion US dollars; – Hurricane Milton in the US, October 9-13, 60 billion US dollars (£48 billion); – Hurricane Helene in the US, Mexico, Cuba, 55 billion US dollars (£44 billion); – China floods, June 9-July 14, 15.6 billion US dollars (£12.4 billion); – Typhoon Yagi, which hit south-west Asia from September 1 to 9, 12.6 billion US dollars (£10 billion); – Hurricane Beryl, in the US, Mexico and Caribbean islands from July 1-11, 6.7 billion US dollars (£5.3 billion); – Storm Boris in central Europe, September 12-16, 5.2 billion US dollars (£4.1 billion); – Rio Grande do Sul floods in Brazil, April 28-May 3, 5 billion US dollars (£4 billion); – Bavaria floods, Germany, June 1-7, 4.45 billion US dollars (£3.5 billion); – Valencia floods, Spain, on October 29, 4.22 billion US dollars (£3.4 billion).
MINNEAPOLIS — It hung there like it would never come down, like gravity had left the building, like someone had injected the football with helium. Isn’t that the way this entire Vikings season has felt — inexplicably buoyant? Facing third-and-2 with 1:49 remaining in a showdown with the Packers on Sunday, Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell, for the third time in four plays, called for a pass. Not content to run the ball and force the Packers to call timeouts — that old-timey “safe” strategy that usually isn’t — he wanted a first down that would end the game. This one did. When Sam Darnold’s flip pass finally landed, running back Cam Akers, he of the two recoveries from Achilles injuries, dived and cradled that belatedly earthbound ball, and the Vikings had won 27-25 . Then Darnold stayed on the field to talk to Fox announcer Tom Brady, maybe to give him a few tips on quarterbacking in the NFL, as Darnold’s teammates waited and schemed in the home locker room at U.S. Bank Stadium. When Darnold finally burst through the door, his teammates showered him with water and lifted him. To return the favor. “A lot of water bottles, a lot of water,” Darnold said. “I think I blacked out when Aaron Jones grabbed and lifted me up, I didn’t know what to do with my hands in that situation. Ricky Bobby style.” Ricky Bobby is the Will Ferrell character in “Talladega Nights.” Not many athletes compare themselves to Ricky Bobby. We’ve reached the point in this season where defenders can do dances from “White Chicks” on the field and Darnold can cite Ricky Bobby and it all seems to make sense. With Darnold compiling one of the best quarterback seasons in Vikings history, this team is 14-2 and headed for a showdown in Detroit for the division title and top seed in the NFC. Darnold, like Ricky Bobby, is driving the success. He has thrown 35 touchdown passes this season, four shy of Daunte Culpepper’s team record and tied with Kirk Cousins for second. He has thrown for 4,153 yards, and on Sunday he completed 33 of 43 passes for 377 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Darnold faced plenty of pressure but took only one sack, managing the pocket skillfully. He has thrown 18 touchdown passes and two interceptions in his last seven games, and on Sunday he outdueled Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who struggled to complete passes downfield until Green Bay became desperate in the fourth quarter. Befitting the nature of this rivalry, the Packers made it a game in the fourth quarter, leaving O’Connell with difficult decisions. Run the ball, burn the Packers’ timeouts, and hope they couldn’t mount one last drive for a winning field goal? Or throw the ball, earn first downs to run out the clock, while risking incompletions that could ease the Packers’ plight? If O’Connell had any doubts about Darnold’s nerves, he would have run the ball. Instead, three of the four plays the Vikings ran on their final drive — not counting kneeldowns — O’Connell called for passes. The first was a bootleg left, leading to a short pass to fullback C.J. Ham, good for 13 yards. After Akers lost a yard against the Packers’ stacked front, O’Connell called for Darnold to roll right. He did, and gunned a pass to a well-covered Justin Jefferson. Jefferson caught it for nine yards, setting up a third-and-2 with 1:49 remaining. The Packers had one timeout left. Darnold again rolled right, this time with Akers leaking out of the backfield into the flat. A pass-rusher in his face, Darnold flipped what looked like an alley-oop in Akers’ general direction. Akers caught, cradled and cuddled it, and Darnold was on his way to three kneeldowns, a chat with Brady and a waterlogged Ricky Bobby moment. “I don’t take stuff like that for granted,” Darnold said. “Ever. It’s special.” He’s been defying gravity all season. (Jim Souhan is a columnist for the Star Tribune of Minneapolis.) ©2024 StarTribune. Visit at startribune.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Contrasting Power Integrations (NASDAQ:POWI) & GlobalFoundries (NASDAQ:GFS)
Aaron Judge won't be bothered if Juan Soto gets bigger contract from Yankees than his $360M deal
Colts hope for another late-season playoff pushUnlike scores of people who scrambled for the blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy to lose weight in recent years, had no trouble getting them. The 38-year-old information technology worker from New Mexico had a prescription. Her pharmacy had the drugs in stock. And her health insurance covered all but $25 to $50 of the monthly cost. For , the hardest part of using the new drugs wasn’t access. It was finding out that the much-hyped medications didn’t really work for her. “I have been on Wegovy for a year and a half and have only lost 13 pounds,” said , who watches her diet, drinks plenty of water and exercises regularly. “I’ve done everything right with no success. It’s discouraging.” In clinical trials, most participants taking Wegovy or Mounjaro to treat obesity lost an average of 15% to 22% of their body weight - up to 50 pounds or more in many cases. But roughly 10% to 15% of patients in those trials were “nonresponders” who lost less than 5% of their body weight. Now that millions of people have used the drugs, several obesity experts told The Associated Press that perhaps 20% of patients - as many as 1 in 5 - may not respond well to the medications. It’s a little-known consequence of the obesity drug boom, according to doctors who caution eager patients not to expect one-size-fits-all results. “It’s all about explaining that different people have different responses,” said Dr. Fatima Cody Stanford, an obesity expert at Massachusetts General Hospital The drugs are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists because they mimic a hormone in the body known as glucagon-like peptide 1. Genetics, hormones and variability in how the brain regulates energy can all influence weight - and a person’s response to the drugs, Stanford said. Medical conditions such as sleep apnea can prevent weight loss, as can certain common medications, such as antidepressants, steroids and contraceptives. “This is a disease that stems from the brain,” said Stanford. “The dysfunction may not be the same” from patient to patient. Despite such cautions, patients are often upset when they start getting the weekly injections but the numbers on the scale barely budge. “It can be devastating,” said Dr. Katherine Saunders, an obesity expert at Weill Cornell Medicine and co-founder of the obesity treatment company FlyteHealth. “With such high expectations, there’s so much room for disappointment.” That was the case for , who has battled obesity since childhood and hoped to shed 70 pounds using Wegovy. The drug helped reduce her appetite and lowered her risk of diabetes, but she saw little change in weight. “It’s an emotional roller coaster,” she said. “You want it to work like it does for everybody else.” The medications are typically prescribed along with eating behavior and lifestyle changes. It’s usually clear within weeks whether someone will respond to the drugs, said Dr. Jody Dushay, an endocrine specialist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Weight loss typically begins right away and continues as the dosage increases. For some patients, that just doesn’t happen. For others, side effects such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea force them to halt the medications, Dushay said. In such situations, patients who were counting on the new drugs to pare pounds may think they’re out of options. “I tell them: It’s not game over,” Dushay said. Trying a different version of the new class of drugs may help. , who didn’t respond well to Wegovy, has started using Zepbound, which targets an additional hormone pathway in the body. After three months of using the drug, she has lost 7 pounds. “I’m hoping it’s slow and steady,” she said. Other people respond well to older drugs, the experts said. Changing diet, exercise, sleep and stress habits can also have profound effects. Figuring out what works typically requires a doctor trained to treat obesity, Saunders noted. “Obesity is such a complex disease that really needs to be treated very comprehensively,” she said. “If what we’re prescribing doesn’t work, we always have a backup plan.” Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC. Click to Read More and View Comments Click to HideKBC Group NV decreased its holdings in Lucid Group, Inc. ( NASDAQ:LCID – Free Report ) by 18.8% in the 3rd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 27,415 shares of the company’s stock after selling 6,349 shares during the period. KBC Group NV’s holdings in Lucid Group were worth $97,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Sanctuary Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Lucid Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Accredited Investors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Lucid Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Lucid Group by 925.0% during the 2nd quarter. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC now owns 10,250 shares of the company’s stock valued at $27,000 after buying an additional 9,250 shares during the period. QRG Capital Management Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Lucid Group during the 2nd quarter worth $34,000. Finally, Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co raised its position in shares of Lucid Group by 34.9% in the 2nd quarter. Pine Valley Investments Ltd Liability Co now owns 13,710 shares of the company’s stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 3,549 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 75.17% of the company’s stock. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of research firms have issued reports on LCID. Needham & Company LLC reissued a “hold” rating on shares of Lucid Group in a research report on Friday, November 8th. R. F. Lafferty upgraded Lucid Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $4.00 target price for the company in a report on Monday, November 11th. Robert W. Baird restated a “neutral” rating and issued a $3.00 price target on shares of Lucid Group in a report on Monday, October 7th. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their price objective on shares of Lucid Group from $3.00 to $2.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday. Finally, Cfra set a $2.00 target price on shares of Lucid Group in a research note on Thursday, October 17th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $3.16. Lucid Group Trading Up 1.9 % LCID opened at $2.10 on Friday. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $2.83 and its 200-day moving average is $3.04. Lucid Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $1.93 and a 52-week high of $5.31. The company has a quick ratio of 3.26, a current ratio of 3.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.77. The firm has a market capitalization of $6.32 billion, a P/E ratio of -1.57 and a beta of 1.11. Insider Buying and Selling In other Lucid Group news, Director Public Investment Fund purchased 374,717,927 shares of Lucid Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, October 30th. The stock was purchased at an average price of $2.59 per share, with a total value of $970,519,430.93. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 8,041,393 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $20,827,207.87. This trade represents a -102.19 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink . 61.26% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Lucid Group Company Profile ( Free Report ) Lucid Group, Inc a technology company, designs, engineers, manufactures, and sells electric vehicles (EV), EV powertrains, and battery systems. It also designs and develops proprietary software in-house for Lucid vehicles. The company sells vehicles directly to consumers through its retail sales network and direct online sales, including Lucid Financial Services. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LCID? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Lucid Group, Inc. ( NASDAQ:LCID – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Lucid Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lucid Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
Mac Jones threw two touchdown passes Sunday and the Jacksonville Jaguars earned a season sweep of the visiting Tennessee Titans with a 20-13 victory. Jones connected on 15 of 22 passes for 174 yards, finding Parker Washington and rookie Bryan Thomas Jr. for scores, as Jacksonville (4-12) left Tennessee (3-13) behind in the AFC South cellar. Cam Little booted field goals of 48 and 44 yards. Mason Rudolph hit 19 of 31 attempts for 193 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Titans, which dropped their fifth consecutive game. Tyjae Spears rushed for 95 yards on 20 carries, playing in place of Tony Pollard (flu/ankle). Jones' 11-yard scoring strike to Thomas with 7:05 left in the game gave the Jaguars a 20-10 lead but Tennessee responded with Matthew Wright's 28-yard field goal at the 2:02 mark. After getting a three-and-out, the Titans had a chance to force overtime and reached the Jacksonville 26. But Rudolph's fourth-down pass intended for Nick Westbrook-Ikhine was knocked down at the goal line with nine seconds left. The pregame storyline concerned which team could benefit most from a loss. Both entered a game behind the New York Giants for the potential No. 1 overall pick in April's NFL Draft. Jacksonville initiated scoring on the game's opening drive, needing to drive only 38 yards on nine plays to set up Little for his first field goal at the 10:46 mark. The Jaguars got into the end zone for the first time with 8:59 left in the half on Jones' 2-yard touchdown pass to Washington, coming five plays after Rudolph tossed a tipped-ball interception. Little's second field goal upped the margin to 13-0 with 2:02 remaining before Tennessee pieced together a two-minute drive that set up Wright for a 39-yard field goal as time expired, making it 13-3 at halftime. The Titans started the second half with their best drive of the game, chewing up 85 yards and eight minutes before Rudolph hit Nick Vannett with an 8-yard strike to cut the margin to 13-10. --Field Level Media
Trump's 'enemy from within'
Khalid comes out as gay after being outed online: “I am not ashamed of my sexuality”
Princely Umanmielen’s return to the Swamp ends with a loss and a police escort
As Ukraine's allies gathered in Halifax on Friday for the International Security Forum, president Peter Van Praagh acknowledged the foreboding many felt following the election of Donald Trump. "Judging from today's reports and traditional and social media, we might be forgiven for believing that Ukraine can no longer win the war against Russian aggression," he said. "This widespread forecast is not true." "It was not true when all the experts said the same thing on February 24, 2022, the date Putin invaded, and it is not true now," he added, promising a conference that would "change this doom-and-gloom narrative." The meeting represents one of the best chances for those still committed to Ukrainian victory against Russia to try to find ways to stymie Trump's declared intention of pushing Ukraine into peace talks that almost certainly would end with the loss of a large part of its territory. Those allies face a difficult, perhaps insurmountable, task. But already, some of Trump's predictions about how the world and the war would respond to his election victory are turning out differently than he expected. President-elect Donald Trump arrives to speak at a meeting of the House GOP conference on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP/Alex Brandon) One of Trump's campaign promises was that he would end the Ukraine war before taking the oath of office. "I will get it settled before I even become president," Trump claimed with Vice President Kamala Harris. "If I win, when I'm president-elect, what I'll do is I'll speak to one, I'll speak to the other. "They respect me. They don't respect [President Joe] Biden." He in an interview on the podcast PMD: "I think the world's going to behave, and I think I will settle Russia-Ukraine while I'm president-elect." But peace has not broken out. Instead, there has been a wave of escalation. Far from quailing at the prospect of a Trump presidency, Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized the use of a new nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) called Oreshnik ('the hazel") in response to a Ukrainian missile attack on Russia. Russian President Vladimir Putin makes a televised address in Moscow on November 21, 2024. (Kremlin.ru/Reuters) Putin also went on national television to tell Russians that "a regional conflict in Ukraine previously provoked by the West has acquired elements of a global character," and marked the 1000th day since Russia's full-scale invasion by signing , lowering the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons. The escalation has not surprised observers of this war, or of wars generally, said former Canadian defence official Andrew Rasoulis, now with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. "It's very predictable," he told CBC News. "As often is the case before wars come to an end and negotiations set in, the fighting sometimes can be heaviest at that point as both sides try to strengthen their positions before they actually sit down. "Everyone is now doing positional fighting to strengthen their hand at these inevitable negotiations." At the APEC and G20 summits in South America, Prime Minister Trudeau said Canada continues to see Ukrainian victory as the only acceptable outcome. "Any victory on that issue by Russia, any demonstration that if you have a bigger army that you get to redraw lines on a map, would have devastating consequences, not just for Ukraine ... but for the entire world," he said. "How many countries have a neighbour that has a historical claim over this corner across the river where their citizens used to live, or that got rejigged a hundred years ago? How many conflicts have been averted because the world has agreed that you may not like the borders where they are, but they are where they are, and they hold? "That is why it is so important that Ukraine wins this conflict, and that Russia loses." U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer brought a to South America. "We need to double down on shoring up our support for Ukraine and that's top of my agenda," he said in Rio de Janeiro. He didn't reveal that he had already given Kyiv the green light to fire British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles into Russia. In Lima for the APEC conference, Trudeau conceded that if the incoming Trump administration is determined to abandon Ukraine, Kyiv's other allies will struggle. "Let's also be very blunt — all of the allies in the world would not be able to replace a complete withdrawal from supporting Ukraine by the United States," he said. But in Rio three days later for the G20, Trudeau said Canada remains determined to try. "We're very aware of potential challenges with President Trump coming in, but we're not going to panic," he said. "We're going to continue to stay focused on getting the support to Ukraine to win this war." If money were the only issue, the remaining allies could probably find a way to outspend Russia — a country with a nominal GDP smaller than any of the G7 nations, including Canada. But dollars and euros do not easily convert into modern, sophisticated heavy weapons systems of the kind Ukraine needs to fight a military superpower such as Russia. As Canadians know well, modern military procurement is a multi-year process, which makes modern warfare something of a come-as-you-are affair. Countries burn through weapons faster than they can produce new ones. In a military handout photo, serviceman of 24th Mechanized brigade fires a 2s5 "Hyacinth-s" self-propelled howitzer towards Russian troops at a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, near the town of Chasiv Yar in Donetsk region, Ukraine November 18, 2024. (Oleg Petrasiuk/Ukrainian Armed Forces/Reuters) While Canada has given generously to Ukraine, about two-thirds of its assistance has been in the form of money, loan guarantees, technical assistance, training and humanitarian aid. Two-thirds of U.S. assistance, on the other hand, has been in the form of military hardware. Europe's assistance, too, has skewed more to the financial side, but European allies have also contributed collectively even more military assistance than the U.S. Can they keep that up? Will it be enough? The U.S. defence industry is vastly larger than that of any other western country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, is watched by Rich Hansen, the commander's representative for the Scranton Army Ammunition Plant, while signing military ordnance in Scranton, Pa., on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024. (Office of the Ukrainian Presidency via AP) Money earmarked for Ukraine has flowed to arms production facilities , where it buys equipment like the , or the 155mm shells made at a plant in Scranton, Pennsylvania that Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited in September. Ukraine's other allies also make arms, but Europe has had to rely heavily on its retired and surplus stocks to arm Ukraine. Those stocks are not yet exhausted. Many European countries of stockpiled or retired armoured vehicles that could be refurbished and sent to Ukraine. On Thursday, at the Commons defence committee, Defence Minister Bill Blair announced that Canada had delivered new air defence equipment to Ukraine that it ordered in 2022, the first year of the conflict. Canada purchased the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) from U.S. manufacturer Raytheon for about $400 million. "We have been able to deliver, at long last," he told committee members, "and I think it's going to make a difference because it will enable them to protect communities." That deal with Raytheon points to ways other countries might continue to leverage the capacity of the U.S. defence industry, even if the Trump administration itself is determined not to chip in. Blair spoke more about how the NASAMS deal came together on Friday, at the Halifax International Security Forum. "We put the money on the table and said, 'OK, we'll do this'. We went to industry, they told us to get in line and it would probably take four or even five years to deliver on those systems. "Fortunately, the United States stepped up and said, 'We have bigger buying power and perhaps a more advantageous position in the contract.' They said, 'Join us.' "And it still took two years." Blair said western leaders will have to lean on their defence industries to scale up and speed up. "All of us recognize that we need to work more closely, more effectively with industry to make sure that we can meet the moment," he said. There is also the possibility that, as the U.S. departs the scene, new players — albeit smaller ones — might step up. One example is South Korea. South Korea has been building up its defence industry for years, with the goal of becoming a world player. Its strategic decision to focus on armoured vehicles was sometimes derided as outmoded, but the rush of international orders following the Ukraine invasion has silenced the critics. Until now, South Korea has adhered to a strict policy of not supplying arms to countries involved in active conflicts, including Ukraine. South Korea's defence and foreign ministers visited their Canadian counterparts in Ottawa this month. South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol met with Trudeau in Peru last week. A South Korean K1A2 tank fires during a joint live fire exercise at a military training field in Pocheon on Thursday, March 14, 2024. South Korea views North Korea's military intervention on Russia's behalf as a clear threat to its security. (Jung Yeon-je/Associated Press) Canadian officials privy to those meetings say that North Korea's decision to send troops to fight on Russia's behalf has been received in Seoul as an almost existential threat to South Korea's own security. South Korea is it could soon be ready to supply Ukraine directly. Japan also fears the effect that exposure to modern Russian training and doctrine could have on the North Korean military, and dreads the possible quid pro quo Moscow might give Kim Jong-un in return for its intervention. Japan, like South Korea, has so far given only money and humanitarian aid to Ukraine. While these nations could never replace the U.S. as a source of weapons, they could theoretically help to mitigate the loss of American support. Finally, there's Ukraine's own defence industry, an antiquated Soviet relic that has modernized and shown a since the 2022 invasion. This week, 12 European countries joined with Ukraine in a new defence cooperation group focused on promoting that industry and linking it more closely to defence industries throughout northern Europe. Denmark this week held the first meeting of a new all-European Northern Group defence alliance that aims to arm Ukraine without US assistance. Ukraine's defence minister, Rustem Umerov, is fifth from left. (Rustem Umerov Facebook account) The includes Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Iceland, the Baltic countries, the U.K., Germany, the Netherlands and Poland. Canada is also pursuing initiatives to grow Ukraine's domestic industry, Blair said Friday. "This is a critical moment in the Ukrainian-Russian war," he said. "We have to make sure that we remain united and strong in our support of Ukraine to achieve the appropriate, right outcome for the Ukrainian people, which is victory."Highs and lows of 2024 Like every year, 2024 brought along challenges and opportunities A vendor holds a Pakistani flag as he waits for customers beside his stall alongside a street in Islamabad. — AFP/File The Gregorian calendar is not the most ideal litmus test of progress. However, it does provide a meaningful scale to analyse the highs and lows of a state’s journey. As we wrap up 2024, we need to look back and reflect on the events that have shaped the passing year. Like every year, 2024 brought along challenges and opportunities. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); On the economic front, the concluding months of 2023 showed improvements in overall economic indicators. This trend continued in 2024. Inflation figures witnessed a relative decline, dropping to 4.9 per cent, signalling a slight relief after grappling with towering statistics last year. The Pakistani rupee has also remained stable against the US dollar, leading to consumer confidence in the market. Fiscal surplus for the first time in 24 years also marked a milestone. Similarly, in April, the inflow of Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) increased by 172 per cent on a year-on-year basis – the highest monthly FDI inflow in 51 months. In the defence, aerospace and technology realms, there were noteworthy advancements. The early part of the year witnessed the induction of the J-10C series, accompanied by indications of potential acquisitions of J-31 and J-35 aircraft. Pakistan achieved a milestone in space exploration by launching its first lunar satellite, i-Cube-Qamar, and the multi-mission communication satellite, PakSAT-MM1, in collaboration with China. Moreover, Pakistan also emerged as the ‘Tech Destination of the Year’ at GITEX Global 2024, Dubai, highlighting its advancements in digital services and innovation. This year’s International Defence Exhibition and Seminar (IDEAS) showcased its advancements in land, sea, and air defence equipment, highlighting the country’s self-sufficiency in various defence sectors. On the diplomatic front, Pakistan hosted the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in October, a diplomatic success for the state. Earlier this year, border tensions with Iran made headlines but thankfully eased over time. The de-escalation paved the way for the Iranian president’s visit in April, marking a positive step forward in bilateral relations. In the sports arena, 2024 brought notable moments of celebration. Arshad Nadeem secured Pakistan’s first-ever individual gold medal in the 2024 Summer Olympics, setting a new record of 92.97 metres in the javelin throw. In cricket, Pakistan secured a historic win in the test series against England after nine years and in the One-Day International series against Australia after 22 years. What’s more, our blind cricket team emerged victorious at the Blind T20 Cricket World Cup beating Bangladesh in the finals. The year brought plenty of achievements for the country, but some issues still linger. The political landscape continues to face challenges. Likewise, on the security front, the number of terrorist attacks saw a massive surge, becoming a critical national security threat. The majority of the attacks were concentrated in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, regions that remain hotspots for insurgency. Despite ongoing counterterrorism efforts, the numbers remain alarmingly high. According to a report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), by November, the country experienced 785 terrorist attacks, resulting in 951 deaths and 966 injuries. Notably, November was the deadliest month, with 68 security personnel embracing martyrdom. The country also encountered several environmental catastrophes due to climate change. In the initial months, a severe flood led to the loss of 35 lives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and extensive damage to infrastructure in Balochistan. With summer came the heatwave, which impacted Sindh, leading to more than 500 deaths – with 141 deaths on June 25 alone. While floods and heatwaves had a profound impact, winter came with its own difficulties. Smog impacted several parts of the country, disrupting daily life and becoming a critical health hazard with the Air Quality Index crossing 1000 and 2000 multiple times. This year brought moments of triumph but was a test for us in many ways. As the saying goes, ‘Anything that can go wrong, will go wrong’. If nothing else, it is a reminder to stay ahead of the curve - anticipate risks, learn from setbacks and focus on what truly matters. Pareto’s Principle teaches us that a small fraction of causes often drive the majority of outcomes. For Pakistan, identifying these critical factors behind our struggles is key. By honing in on these, we can make smarter decisions and set meaningful priorities for 2025, moving from merely reacting to shaping our future. In 2025, Pakistan must focus on steady progress in the areas that matter most. Tackling terrorism, in particular, calls for fresh thinking with full technology-embedded solutions that not only address the immediate threats but also dig deep into the root causes of extremism. Innovation and adaptability will also be key to overcoming this persistent challenge. Amid shifting geopolitical dynamics, Pakistan must take a proactive stance on the political, economic and diplomatic fronts in 2025, ensuring it remains engaged with key partners and forums in an ever-evolving global landscape. The pace of technological developments and breakthroughs around the world should also serve as a motivation for the state to accelerate advancements in AI, quantum computing, and cyber security. The impact of climate change too is already evident, making it crucial for Pakistan to embrace sustainable, environment-friendly solutions in 2025. Equally important is tapping into the immense talent and potential within the country. Achieving this will require a combined top-down and bottom-up effort to ensure meaningful and lasting results. As we gear up for the New Year, it is time to show gratitude for the blessings this year bestowed upon us – individually and collectively. In parallel, we must remain steadfast against potential challenges that we are confronted with, drawing inspiration from the Quranic verse: ‘So verily, with the hardship, there is relief. Verily, with the hardship, there is relief.’ (94:5-6) The writer is a researcher at the Centre for Aerospace and Security Studies (CASS), Islamabad. She can be reached at: cass.thinkers@gmail.com
DHAKA, Bangladesh , Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- With the popularity of electric vehicles in Bangladesh , the globally renowned AIMA brand has also arrived in Bangladesh . The esteemed DX Group has brought the AIMA F-626 to customers. This environmentally friendly battery-operated electric motorbike has already been approved by the Bangladesh Road Transport Authorit y ( B RTA) now. In light of the increasing popularity of electric motorcycles in the country, the internationally-leading brand AIMA has entered the market. By the end of 2023, AIMA electric two-wheelers had established a presence in over 50 countries worldwide, with 11 global production bases, including overseas factories in Indonesia and Vietnam . In 2022, AIMA collaborated with Rob Janoff , the designer of the Apple logo, to refresh the brand's VI system with a youthful and fashionable image. In 2023, AIMA teamed up with PANTONE, the global authority in color expertise, to create the trending color of the year. As an industry leader, AIMA spearheads the electric two-wheeler sector and showcases the prowess of a leading electric two-wheeler brand on a global scale. As of March 31, 2024 , AIMA's total electric two-wheeler sales had reached 80 million units, earning certification from Frost & Sullivan, a globally recognized business growth consulting firm, as the "Global Leading Electric Two-wheeler Brand". Over the years, AIMA has always been a product trendsetter in the electric two-wheeler sector. As of March 31, 2024 , the total sales volume of AIMA electric two-wheelers reached 80 million, and Frost & Sullivan, a world-renowned market consulting company, awarded AIMA with the market status certification of the "Global Leading Electric Two-wheeler Brand (by Sales)". AIMA adhere to the customer-centered product philosophy and technologies that support long-term innovation and breakthroughs. We believe that the efficiency and modern technology of the AIMA F-626 will present an excellent alternative means of communication for our customers. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chinas-aima-brand-electric-motorbike-is-now-in-bangladesh-302314737.html SOURCE AIMA TechnologyIt’s that odd time of year between Christmas and New Year’s where it is easy to lose track of what day it is, what year it is, if you have to work tomorrow and other basics that are so cut and dried the other 51 weeks of the year. Maybe that explains the Minnesota Wild seemingly losing track of where they were and what they were doing for some critical minutes on Sunday, as things slipped away in a 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. ADVERTISEMENT The Wild grabbed an early lead but could not add to it, as Josh Norris netted the game-winner for the Senators on a third-period power play, snapping a two-game Ottawa losing streak. Claude Giroux hit an empty-net goal in the final minute for the visitors. Freddie Gaudreau supplied the only offense for the Wild with a first-period goal. They got 33 saves from goalie Filip Gustavsson, but saw their two-game winning streak and all of the good feelings they had collected with last Friday’s come-from-behind win in Dallas disappear. The Wild’s struggling penalty kill had gone 3 for 3 versus the Stars, and killed a penalty midway through the third, only to see team captain Jared Spurgeon head to the box just seconds later. On their second consecutive man advantage, Norris popped a quick shot over Gustavsson’s left shoulder to give the visitors their first lead with 7:18 remaining in regulation. The Wild were being outshot and outplayed late in the first when Declan Chisholm caught a pass from Marcus Foligno and ripped a long-range shot that Gaudreau deflected into the upper right corner. It was just the seventh goal of the season for Gaudreau and his first since he had the only bright spot in a 7-1 home loss to Edmonton on Dec. 12. It was also the 50th goal of Gaudreau’s career. The Senators began the middle period with a strong push and forged a tie when Ridly Greig grabbed a puck that came hard off the end boards and slipped it past Gustavsson with less than two minutes gone in the second. Ottawa outshot the Wild 11-0 in the opening five minutes of the period. Ottawa goalie Leevi Merilainen, making just his third start of the season, finished with 30 saves in the game and got some assistance from the goalposts, as Matt Boldy’s deflected shot in the first period and power-play shots by Mats Zuccarello and Spurgeon all struck the iron. In the final seconds of the middle frame, another Boldy shot hit the crossbar. The Wild at least kept the home crowd engaged, moving the puck well on the power play, and via fisticuffs when fourth-liner Ben Jones and Senators winger Noah Gregor exchanged blows late in the second. ADVERTISEMENT Wild star forward Kirill Kaprizov missed his second consecutive game and third of the season with a lower-body injury. Team officials have listed him as day-to-day and are hopeful for his return soon. The Wild close out 2024 with a New Year’s Eve home game at 7 p.m. versus Nashville. ______________________________________________________ This story was written by one of our partner news agencies. Forum Communications Company uses content from agencies such as Reuters, Kaiser Health News, Tribune News Service and others to provide a wider range of news to our readers. Learn more about the news services FCC uses here .Even with access to blockbuster obesity drugs, some people don't lose weightSanta Clara councilmember who implicated Anthony Becker in 49ers leak says he was ‘confused’
Vincerx Pharma Enters into a Binding Term Sheet for a Strategic Merger with Oqory, Inc.Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is on a trade mission this week in Spain to spur foreign investments in the state. “This investment mission to Spain is an opportunity to expand Michigan’s global footprint and attract new economic opportunities to our state,” Whitmer said in a statement. “Engaging directly with international business and policy leaders allows us to showcase Michigan’s strengths and competitive advantages, helping to foster new investments that create good-paying jobs for Michiganders. “Building these connections with the global business community is essential to sustaining growth and ensuring economic prosperity for all.” The three-day trip kicked off Monday, Nov. 25, with Whitmer joining the state’s economic development team, including Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) CEO Quentin Messer Jr. According to the MEDC, Michigan is Spain’s fifth-largest trade partner among the states. Over the last decade, Spanish companies invested in eight foreign direct investment projects have resulted in 926 jobs created and $283.98 million in capital investment in the state. The country is Michigan’s 11th-largest export market, with Michigan exporting more than $770 million worth of goods to Spain in 2023, according to the MEDC. On the trip, the governor and team will meet with public and private sector leaders to expand partnerships and secure investments, which MEDC officials said will create jobs and bring critical supply chains home to Michigan. Among the meetings, the Michigan delegation will further build relationships with officials from Spain-based automotive supplier Gestamp, which MEDC officials say recently announced expansions of its manufacturing operations in Mason, Lapeer and Chelsea. The company, which has its North American headquarters in Troy, is also planning to open a fourth factory in Chesterfield, according to Senate Democrats . “Connecting directly with business and government leaders in Spain is another valuable opportunity to showcase Michigan as a prime destination for global investment,” Messer said. “As one of the nation’s most international states, Team Michigan will continue to present our ‘Make It in Michigan’ strategy, focused on investing in people, revitalizing places and winning projects to global neighbors.” While in Madrid, the Michigan delegation will be joined by Maria Jesus Fernandez, the trade commissioner of Spain in Chicago. Other trade missions this year involving the state’s executive branch include Whitmer traveling to South Korea and Taiwan and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II traveling to the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.
NEW YORK — “Barbenheimer” was a phenomenon impossible to manufacture. But, more than a year later, that hasn’t stopped people from trying to make “Glicked” — or even “Babyratu” — happen. The counterprogramming of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” in July 2023 hit a nerve culturally and had the receipts to back it up. Unlike so many things that begin as memes, it transcended its online beginnings. Instead of an either-or, the two movies ultimately complemented and boosted one another at the box office. And ever since, moviegoers, marketers and meme makers have been trying to recreate that moment, searching the movie release schedule for odd mashups and sending candidates off into the social media void. Most attempts have fizzled (sorry, “Saw Patrol” ). This weekend is perhaps the closest approximation yet as the Broadway musical adaptation “Wicked” opens Friday against the chest-thumping sword-and-sandals epic “Gladiator II.” Two big studio releases (Universal and Paramount), with one-name titles, opposite tones and aesthetics and big blockbuster energy — it was already halfway there before the name game began: “Wickiator,” “Wadiator,” “Gladwick” and even the eyebrow raising “Gladicked” have all been suggested. “'Glicked' rolls off the tongue a little bit more,” actor Fred Hechinger said at the New York screening of “Gladiator II” this week. “I think we should all band around ‘Glicked.’ It gets too confusing if you have four or five different names for it.” As with “Barbenheimer," as reductive as it might seem, “Glicked” also has the male/female divide that make the fan art extra silly. One is pink and bright and awash in sparkles, tulle, Broadway bangers and brand tie-ins; The other is all sweat and sand, blood and bulging muscles. Both films topped Fandango’s most anticipated holiday movie survey, where 65% of respondents said that they were interested in the “Glicked” double feature. Theaters big and small are also pulling out the stops with movie-themed tie-ins. B&B Theaters will have Roman guards tearing tickets at some locations and Maximus popcorn tubs. Marcus Theaters is doing Oz photo ops and friendship bracelet-making. Alamo Drafthouse is leaning into the singalong aspect (beware, though, not all theaters are embracing this) and the punny drinks like “Defying Gravi-Tea.” “Rather than it being in competition, I think they’re in conversation,” “Gladiator II” star Paul Mescal said. “This industry needs a shot in the arm. Those films gave it last year. We hope to do it this year.” And the hope is that audiences will flock to theaters to be part of this moment as well. It's a sorely needed influx of could-be blockbusters into a marketplace that's still at an 11% deficit from last year and down 27.2% from 2019, according to data from Comscore. “Competition is good for the marketplace. It’s good for consumers,” said Michael O'Leary, the president and CEO of the National Association of Theatre Owners. “Having two great movies coming out at the same time is simply a multiplier effect.” “Glicked” is currently tracking for a combined North American debut in the $165 million range, with “Wicked” forecast to earn around $100 million (up from the $80 million estimates a few weeks ago) and “Gladiator II” pegged for the $65 million range. “Barbenheimer” shattered its projections last July. Going into that weekend, “Barbie” had been pegged for $90 million and “Oppenheimer” around $40 million. Ultimately, they brought in a combined $244 million in that first outing, and nearly $2.4 billion by the end of their runs. It’s possible “Glicked” will exceed expectations, too. And it has the advantage of another behemoth coming close behind: “Moana 2,” which opens just five days later on the Wednesday before the Thanksgiving holiday. “Glickedana” triple feature anyone? “These are 10 important days,” O'Leary said. “It’s going to show the moviegoing audience that there’s a lot of compelling stuff out there for them to see.” There are infinite caveats to the imperfect comparison to “Barbenheimer,” as well. “Wicked” is a “Part One.” Musicals carry their own baggage with moviegoers, even those based on wildly successful productions (ahem, “Cats”). “Gladiator II” got a head start and opened internationally last weekend. In fact, in the U.K. it played alongside “Paddington in Peru,” where that double was pegged “Gladdington.” “Gladiator” reviews, while positive, are a little more divided than the others. And neither directors Ridley Scott nor Jon M. Chu has the built-in box office cache that Christopher Nolan’s name alone carries at the moment. The new films also cost more than “Barbie” ($145 million) and “Oppenheimer” ($100 million). According to reports, “Gladiator II” had a $250 million price tag; “Wicked” reportedly cost $150 million to produce (and that does not include the cost of the second film, due next year). The narrative, though, has shifted away from “who will win the weekend.” Earlier this year, Chu told The Associated Press that he loves that this is a moment where “we can root for all movies all the time.” Close behind are a bevy of Christmas releases with double feature potential, but those feel a little more niche. There’s the remake of “Nosferatu,” the Nicole Kidman kink pic “Babygirl” and the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown.” The internet can’t even seem to decide on its angle for that batch of contenders, and none exactly screams blockbuster. Sometimes the joy is just in the game, however. Some are sticking with the one-name mashup (“Babyratu”); others are suggesting that the fact that two of the movies feature real-life exes (Timothée Chalamet and Lily-Rose Depp) is enough reason for a double feature. And getting people talking is half the battle. When in doubt, or lacking a catchy name, there’s always the default: “This is my Barbenheimer.” ___ Associated Press journalist John Carucci and Film Writer Jake Coyle contributed reporting.For years, school bus driver Herman Cruse would drop off Middle Township, New Jersey, students in the morning and then find ways to pass the time until his next run to pick them up at the end of the school day. Cruse lives too far from the school district to return home between routes, and he wanted to do something more meaningful than running errands, working out or napping between shifts. Overhearing one of the kindergartners on the bus talking about troubles with a reading assignment, Cruse approached the student’s teacher at Middle Township Elementary School No. 1 in Cape May Court House to ask if he could help. It was 2021, and Alex Bakley had Cruse meet with the student to read. The two connected, and word spread at the sprawling school. Other students and teachers requested reading time with Cruse. “It caught on quickly,” said Cruse, 56. “It took on a life of its own.” Since he started reading to that first boy three years ago, Cruse estimates that he has read with hundreds of students, mostly kindergartners and first graders. The students have been dubbed “Mr. Herman’s Kids,” and they view Cruse as a beloved mentor, role model and father figure. Some ride the yellow school bus Cruse drives. “He’s not just picking up kids,” said Principal Chris Paskalides. “He’s just taken it to another level. He really cares about the kids.” A section in the kindergarten wing has been designated as “Mr. Herman’s Kids Corner.” Sitting at a round table, Cruse reads with students one-on-one for about 20 to 30 minutes during their school day three times a week. Students may select a title from a bookshelf stocked by Cruse or a book from their classroom. On a recent morning, Cruse had about 2 1⁄2 hours between shifts and reported for his reading assignments. Cruse listened patiently as Octavia Hebron, 6, read aloud from “I’m Thankful Each Day.” He gently offered assistance when she stumbled over a word, encouraging her to sound it out as she followed with her finger. “Good job! Awesome!” Cruse told her, giving her a high-five. Cruse recruited another bus driver, Dan O’Connell, 70, to help with reading to reach more students. Both men voluntarily use their downtime for reading with students. The school has about 700 students in pre-K through second grade. Sitting on a mini-size chair across the room from Cruse, O’Connell read to students or let them read to him. He chuckled when 5-year-old Melody Roberto-Hammond wanted to read a second book. “We’re not reading them all,” O’Connell told her. “Maybe next time.” Experts say reading helps with language comprehension, vocabulary building and story structure. With Cruse, reading also acts as a relationship-building activity, particularly important with a male role model when most children are exposed to female teachers in lower grades, said Valarie G. Lee, an associate professor in the critical literacy, technology, and multilingual education department at Rowan University. “I think what they’re doing is wonderful. The evidence is in kids wanting to read with him,” Lee said. “Building that foundation early on is really critical.” Veteran teacher Linda Bakley said Cruse has a special knack with students. Sometimes they ask to read with him instead of her, she said, laughing. Some of them refer to Cruse as “Pop Pop.” “This man is loving and caring. The kids feel it,” Linda Bakley said. “The kids do adore him. When they say it takes a village, he is the village.” Cruse reinforces skills that students learn in the classroom, and he questions them about what they’ve read to build comprehension, Bakley said. He also asks how they are doing outside of school, which has built their trust, she said. A grandfather and father of five adult children, Cruse said he became an avid reader at a young age. His mother purchased an encyclopedia set for the family, and he devoured the reference books, along with books, maps and atlases, he said. “I read pretty much everything I could put my hands on,” he recalled. Cruse passed on that love of reading to his own children. He applies the same approach to the students at Middle Township. “I want to nurture every gift these children are exuding in these classrooms,” he said. “Whatever they learn from me, whatever they get, I hope they just go further, do more and be more as they grow.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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