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Vice President Kashim Shettima has restated the Government of the Federal commitment to improving healthcare delivery in Nigeria, especially in rural areas. VP Shettima specifically recognised the critical role of medical professionals in Nigeria’s healthcare ecosystem, assuring of the government’s commitment to supporting and retaining healthcare talent in the country. Speaking during a visit by a delegation from the West African College of Physicians (WACP), Shettima in a statement by his spokesman, Stanley Nkwocha commended healthcare professionals for their dedication to serving the nation, despite challenges. “Yours is a very noble profession and many of the young ones are opting to leave the country but you did not. It’s not because you have not had options, but you felt a moral obligation to stay at home and serve,” he said. The Vice President assured the delegation that the President Bola Tinubu-led government is committed to addressing healthcare challenges. He highlighted the appointment of Professor Ali Pate as the Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare, noting the Minister’s deep understanding of the health sector. “We will treat members of our professional bodies with dignity and respect. We will provide the enabling ground for you to work in Nigeria,” Shettima promised. Recalling his efforts to support healthcare education in Borno State, the Vice President said, “In 2014, as governor of Borno State, I took it upon myself to sponsor female citizens of the state to study Medicine and Surgery in Sudan. “The students have all graduated and licensed by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to practice medicine in Nigeria and are under the employment of the state government,” he stated. He emphasised the government’s moral obligation to assist the people, saying, “We have a moral obligation to assist our people. In the fullness of time, we will have a course to rejoice. We will support you.” Earlier, the leader of the delegation, Dr. Jeremiah Madaki, thanked the Vice President for his support for the 48th Annual General and Scientific Conference of the West African College of Physicians. Madaki expressed optimism about the government’s commitment to improving healthcare systems, even as he shared the communique of the conference with the Vice President. “We are here to thank you for your encouragement and for advancing discussions on health system revitalisation under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said. Dr. Madaki also assured of the College’s commitment to policy advocacy and its plans to work closely with the government to implement evidence-based policies that improve healthcare outcomes in Nigeria. Other members of the delegation included Dr. Habibu Galadanci, Dr. Ogugua Osi-Ogbu and Dr. Tahir Umar.Gary O’Neil accepts criticism from Wolves fans after heavy defeat at Everton
Hegseth strikes defiant tone as Trump weighs several options for replacing him( MENAFN - Gulf Times) HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani met Friday with the visiting US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. The two sides discussed the strategic relationship between the two countries, ways to strengthen and support it, as well as the latest developments in Gaza and occupied Palestinian territories, and the situation in Syria. They also addressed other topics of joint interest. Both parties stressed the importance of ensuring Syria's unity and pursuing a peaceful transition of power through an inclusive Political process based on UN Security Council Resolution 2254, while enhancing efforts to protect civilians and combat terrorism. MENAFN13122024000067011011ID1108992055 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.With no guarantees that another opportunity might come his way — only the Atlanta Falcons interviewed Belichick last offseason — and unsure whether he could find the right fit in the NFL, the 72-year-old future Hall of Fame coach decided to go back to school. Belichick took his eight Super Bowl rings to North Carolina on a mission to build a college program the way he constructed two dynasties during 24 seasons with the New England Patriots. It starts with doing things his way. The Patriot Way is legendary. Perhaps it'll translate into the Tar Heel way. That's to be determined. But Belichick is back doing what he loves: coaching. And, he's going to run the show with his guys around him. An NFL team giving Belichick full control the way he had in New England seemed unlikely. Success at North Carolina could change that thinking. For now, Belichick's quest to break Don Shula's all-time record for most wins in the NFL is on hold. He's 15 victories short but the buyout clause in his college contract — a $10 million fee if done before June 2025 and $1 million after that date — leaves the window open for a return to the league. If Belichick stays in college or retires without returning to the NFL, his legacy is already cemented. Winning at North Carolina will only enhance his reputation. Losing won't impact his NFL resume. "He's one of the all-time great coaches. What he's done for the NFL and the game, we all know where he'll end up — in the Hall of Fame with a gold jacket," Dallas Cowboys executive Stephen Jones said Wednesday shortly before Belichick agreed on a five-year deal with North Carolina that pays him $10 million in base and supplemental salary annually with up to $3.5 million in bonuses per year. Belichick has his detractors. There's no denying he couldn't win without Tom Brady. He was 29-39 and had no playoff wins without No. 12 in his final four seasons with the Patriots. Critics have labeled him a cheater because of the Spygate and Deflategate scandals. He overlooked Aaron Hernandez's issues. He was tough on players, even alienating Brady in the end and letting him walk him away in free agency in 2020 only to see him lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a Super Bowl in his first season there. But Belichick instilled in players the importance of doing their job and presided over an unprecedented two-decade run of dominance that withstood changing times, free agency, salary-cap restrictions and much more. Brady has always maintained how important Belichick was for his career, giving him credit for helping him become one of the best players in sports. Now, Belichick is onto Chapel Hill in a surprise twist after he spent most of the NFL season reinventing himself as an entertaining and engaging analyst. Belichick is a football genius and his knowledge came across on television. But he also displayed a fun personality, trading quips with the Mannings and cracking jokes with Pat McAffee. "College kind of came to me this year," Belichick said at his introductory news conference. "I didn't necessarily go and seek it out. I had many coaches, probably a couple dozen coaches, talk to me and say, 'Can we come down and talk to you about these things?' Let's call it the salary cap of pro football relative to college football. The headsets, the green dot, the two-minute warning, the tablets on the sideline. Those were all rules changes this year for college football that were either or the same or similar to what we had in the NFL. These coaches said, 'Hey coach can we talk to you about how you did this? How you did that? How did you use this?'. "As those conversations started and then the personnel conversations started relative to salary cap and how you spend whatever the allotment of money you have. I'd say that started to make me a lot more aware of it because the first thing I would have to do is learn about it. .... As you learn different things about different programs you start to put it all together. There is some common threads and there's some variables." How will he do as a college coach? Nobody knows yet. Three of Belichick's former players were skeptical before he took the job. "There's a lot of things he can do, and obviously he's tremendous, and even showing his personality. But getting out there on the recruiting trail and dealing with all these college kids, that would be ..." Brady said before trailing off during a conversation on Fox's NFL pregame show last Sunday. Fellow former Patriots Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman also wondered the same. "Can you imagine NIL, and all that nonsense?" Gronkowski said. Edelman added: "Can you imagine Bill on a couch recruiting an 18-year-old?" But Belichick doesn't have to recruit kids on visits. These are new times in college sports. The NIL has dramatically changed the landscape. Plus, Belichick's name is enough. Just like Deion Sanders at Colorado. "I think it could be great for this game, honestly, if he can find a way to make college football more like this in terms of what's being asked of the coaches, the recruiting staff, the personnel, the NIL, and all those different things," Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Cohen said. "If he can make it a little bit less demanding on some of the coaches and create a great atmosphere and have success, I think it's great for our game. It's pretty cool to see, actually." Time for Belichick to do his job.
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Walmart’s Mexico subsidiary said Friday it plans to appeal a $4.6 million fine for Walmart de Mexico said in a statement that it had talked with suppliers to see if there were any concerns. The agency that issued the fine, known as the Federal Competition Commission, expressed concerns about a “relative monopolistic practice.” The commission, Mexico’s main anti-monopoly regulatory agency, is one of several independent agencies soon to be eliminated as part of what the government describes as a money-saving measure. It apparently levied the fine after at least one rival store chain accused Walmart of using its substantial purchasing power to gain discounts that put other sellers at a disadvantage. Walmart is by far the largest retail chain in Mexico. It called the decision “incorrect” and said it contained “errors in applying the law.” The company said it would abide by the agency’s ruling Thursday, but would appeal the decision. Walmart’s shares rose about 7.5% on the Mexican stock exchange Friday. The Associated Press
Greek-American opera superstar Maria Callas is the subject of Pablo Larrain’s latest feature. “ Maria, ” starring Angelina Jolie , picks up with Callas at the end of her life, as she mourns the end of her career. The film, now streaming on Netflix, is mapped with flashbacks showing snapshots of her stardom; performing at La Scala and other opera houses around the world, adored by millions, and her private life, named being wooed by shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis. Cinematographer Edward Lachman used various film stocks to differentiate her story. 35mm was used for the main narrative, 16mm was used for her imagination, and 35mm black-and-white for her memories. Speaking with Variety for Inside the Frame , Lachman explains why shooting on film was his preferred choice. “Film is like oil paint and digital is like watercolor,” he says, “Because we’re referencing different periods from the thirties to the seventies, it important that we shot on film to represent the world that she was part of.” The scene where Callas meets Onassis for the first time takes place after one of her performances is a memory. “I call [this scene] a moving proscenium. We’re putting the audience in their seat at an opera watching and letting them reflect on what they’re looking at,” he says. With the film being very much about Callas and telling the story from her point of view, Lachman says he followed her into the environment, in this case, the party. “Hopefully, you feel what she might feel,” he says. Lachman’s camera movement was rooted in the idea that opera in the film is “heightened reality.” He says, “It creates the emotions as she even states in the film, ‘Opera doesn’t have to be realistic. It’s about the emotion.’ And that’s what I tried to do in the color and in the movement was create a heightened reality in the storytelling. So you felt like you were in her world.” Lachman shot with the Arri 435 ES 3-perf camera and used the same lenses he had developed for Larrain’s black-and-white vampire film, “El Conde.” He explains, “The coatings would give a period feel to it.” Additionally, shooting on film “gave a depth to the image that you don’t get when it’s digital and pixel-fixated on one plane. You feel it’s subtle, but you feel there’s a difference in the depth of the image.” The scene itself was shot in a library in Budapest, where the majority of the shoot took place. However, for this particular scene, Lachman says he was limited in where he could place lights. “So much of the lighting is always from practicals. There were candelabra bulbs. And I upped those from 15 watts to 40 watts, and that was enough exposure to shoot in black and white.” Lachman continues, “We shot with black and white negative film, which again, we were fortunate enough that the lab in Budapest still processed black and white film.” In certain places, he covered them with white Chinese lanterns that were made from paper so he could screw in bigger bulbs just to “up the wattage of the area.” Shooting against the white walls proved complicated but Lachman found that covering the balls with black plastic provided a workaround. The film was ultimately about Maria and her mind. Lachman credits Jolie’s performance for creating a mystique to the film which he sought to capture in every frame. “That’s Angelina and how she played the part where she isn’t giving everything away about her feelings of what she thinks about a situation.” He notes, “You see what she thinks, how she expresses herself, but you don’t see it necessarily articulated. I think that’s the strength of the performance and the way Pablo [it] edited to construct the interior world.” Watch the video above.
IRELAND’S FIRST EVER Olympic medalist in gymnastics, Rhys McClenaghan, is among the latest list of famous faces confirmed for the upcoming season of Dancing With The Stars. The Co Down athlete is a decorated gymnast and scooped back-to-back gold in the pommel horse at the 2022 and 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. He then followed this up with a magnificent Olympic gold at the Paris Games in August. McClenaghan was also named RTÉ’s Sportsperson of the Year in 2023. He said he’s “thrilled to take on this new challenge” and is “looking forward to bringing some gymnastics skills to the dance floor”. McClenaghan is already looking forward to the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, but said he is approaching his training for the 2025 competition year differently. “I took some time to travel, and as I begin my first training block for the LA Games, I will also have some fun figuring out how to dance,” said McClenaghan. “Hopefully, with the guidance of my pro dance partner, I can bring some of my pommel horse flair to the dance floor, too,” he added. The announcement was made on The Late Late Show and also confirmed for the latest season of Dancing With The Stars was Ireland AM presenter Elaine Crowley, chef Kevin Dundon, TikTok star Kayleigh Trappe, and Kin actress Yasmin Seky. They were joined by dancer and two-time winner of the series Karen Byrne, who was recently announced as the newest judge to join the Dancing With The Stars panel. Earlier this week, singer-songwriter Mickey Joe Harte, Irish taekwondo Olympian Jack Woolley, comedian Gearóid Farrelly, Mrs. Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll and former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede were revealed as the first five contestants for the upcoming series. The eleventh and final name will be revealed on Sunday morning. The show will air on Sunday evening from early next year and will see the 11 famous figures team up with a professional dancer to perform a live routine every week. Each celebrity couple will be scored by an expert panel of four judges and the viewing public at home, with the winning couple claiming the glitter ball trophy at the end of the series.NES to FG: Get inputs from Nigerian experts before consulting IMF, World BankCanadians bristle - or shrug - at Trump's trolling
The development of childhood and the enhancement of children’s rights form a guiding framework towards creating a better world now and in the future. By listening to children we can fulfil their right to self-expression, understand their ideas for a better world and include their priorities in our actions today. This year, the world and its international institutions are celebrating World Children’s Day under the theme “Listen to the future. Stand Up for Children’s Rights.” World Children’s Day offers everyone an inspirational entry-point to advocate, promote and celebrate children’s rights, translating into dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children. World Children’s Day was first established in 1954 as Universal Children’s Day and is celebrated on November 20 each year to promote international togetherness, awareness among children worldwide, and improving children’s welfare. November 20 is an important date as it is the date when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. It is also the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The UN Children’s Fund (Unicef) is one of the leading international organisations active in the field of children’s rights, their development, and protection. Unicef works in over 190 countries and territories, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children living amid social challenges and armed conflicts. Unicef became a permanent part of the UN system in 1953 and has launched global campaigns focusing especially on health and education. Unicef draws attention to poverty as a primary concern, which affects children disproportionately around the world. One in every six children globally lives in extreme poverty, earning less than $1.90 per day, and their families struggle to meet basic healthcare costs and the nutrition necessary for a strong start in life. In 2019, 149mn children under the age of five suffered from stunting due to malnutrition. Despite significant progress in school enrolment rates in many parts of the world, more than 175mn children are not enrolled in pre-primary education, missing a critical investment opportunity and suffering deep inequalities from the start, missing a critical investment opportunity and suffering deep inequalities from the start. Unicef statistics show that 6 out of 10 children leave primary school without achieving the minimum levels of literacy, writing, or mathematics. This challenge is exacerbated in areas affected by prolonged armed conflicts. For over 20 years, Unicef has been working to garner support against the recruitment of children in armed conflicts. Since then, thousands of children have been released due to action plans decided by the UN Security Council and other measures aimed at ending and preventing the exploitation of children by armed forces and groups. However, serious challenges remain in protecting children affected by armed conflict. In 2019, 1.6bn children, or about 69%, lived in conflict-affected countries. About 426mn children live in conflict zones. These children face numerous risks, including displacement, separation from their families, forced recruitment, or becoming victims of organised gangs in some fragile states. In this context, violence against children represents one of the most significant developmental challenges, as it is a major barrier to achieving basic cultural and educational requirements. This includes the growing issue of bullying via the internet, leading to isolation, loneliness, and fear, particularly among younger children who are more vulnerable because they are less able to speak out and seek support. Qatar’s government and its institutions place great emphasis on enhancing and protecting children’s rights. This is clearly demonstrated through the establishment of numerous legal frameworks, as well as the adoption of administrative and practical measures in various fields at the national, regional, and international levels. This is in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 and its commitments to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Qatar acceded in 1992 and ratified in 1995. Qatar has created appropriate mechanisms to protect children’s rights, such as the Protection and Social Rehabilitation Centre (Aman), under the umbrella of Qatar Foundation for Social Work. This centre aims to raise awareness of child protection and build institutional capacities in this area. Additionally, Qatar supports efforts to enhance and protect children’s rights in education through numerous governmental initiatives and initiatives by civil society institutions, providing quality education opportunities for both Qatari citizens and residents. Qatar has established one of the world’s most advanced educational systems, which received a government expenditure of nearly 3.3% of the country’s GDP in 2019 — one of the highest public expending rates in the Middle East and North Africa, according to the Word Bank. Nearly QR19.2bn ($5.3bn) was allocated to the education sector from the budget, representing about 9.3% of total expenditures allocated to the education sector and child care institutions. Regarding the enhancement of the protection of children, Qatar has not overlooked the role of technological development and the opportunities it provides in the digital field for education and enhancing the protection of children’s rights. In this field, the Qatar Social Work Foundation launched in 2018 the ‘Help Me’ app, as the first e-service for children that enables them to request help via mobile phone in case they are harmed. At the level of regional and international cooperation, the State of Qatar implemented international and regional initiatives aimed at providing quality education to millions of children who have been deprived due to poverty, armed conflicts, insecurity, and disasters. Among these initiatives, for example, are the “Protect Education in Insecurity and Conflict” programme — a founding member of the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack (GCPEA), and the Educate A Child (EAC) programme — an unprecedented initiative that enrolled 10mn children in schooling through implementing over 65 projects in 50 countries, in partnership with 82 global partners. The State of Qatar is proud of its close partnership with the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict, and hosting and financially supporting its Doha-based Analysis and Outreach Hub for the years 2018-2023. Qatar is also proud of its partnership with Unicef to implement many projects and programmes, which contributed to saving the lives of children, defending their rights and helping them achieve their potential, including the opening of the Unesco Regional Office as part of the UN House in Doha in March 2022. The 10-year partnership between Unicef and Qatar’s Education Above All (EAA) Foundation has achieved a major transformation in the lives of over 5mn children and young people in 17 countries, through their joint programs, which were reflected in “A Decade of Dreams” exhibition, held in partnership with Unicef in New York on Sept 13, 2023, to mark 10 years of effective and fruitful cooperation to change the lives of millions of children around the world. Related Story CRA resolved nearly 98% of telecom complaints last yearCenterPoint Energy Declares Regular Common Stock Dividend of $0.2200
VANCOUVER — The British Columbia New Democrats have negotiated a deal with the two Green Party members of the legislature that will help stabilize the New Democrats' slim majority government, Premier David Eby says. The premier said in a statement Friday that while the two parties are distinct and won't always agree, they have "many shared values." Eby's party won a bare majority with 47 seats in the October provincial election, while two Greens were elected and the B.C. Conservatives have 44 seats. He said the deal sets out specific areas of action they'll work together to achieve, which includes health care, affordable housing, creating livable communities and growing a strong, sustainable economy. "This agreement will strengthen the stability of government and help deliver on the priorities of British Columbians. We will continue to work with all MLAs who want to make the legislature work for people," Eby said. The stability of the NDP government got even shakier earlier this month when New Democrat Grace Lore announced she had cancer and was stepping away from her role as children's minister. B.C. Conservative Party Leader John Rustad has said he would work to bring the NDP government down if it continues with its "destructive policies." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024. Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press
( MENAFN - IANS) New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) On the joyous occasion of Christmas, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and congress President Mallikarjun Kharge extended heartfelt greetings on Wednesday, emphasising the values of compassion, peace, and unity. Taking to social media platform X, PM Modi shared his warm wishes and reflected on the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ. In his post, he wrote: "Wishing you all a Merry Christmas. May the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ show everyone the path of peace and prosperity." PM Modi also shared a video from his recent visit to the Christmas programme organised by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI). In the video, he highlighted the enduring significance of Jesus Christ's teachings: "Jesus Christ showed the path of compassion and selfless service to the world. We celebrate and remember Jesus so that we can imbibe these values in our lives. I believe this is our personal responsibility, a social obligation, and also our duty as a nation." "Today, the country is taking this spirit forward through the resolve of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, and Sabka Prayas.' The teachings of the Lord Christ celebrate love, harmony, and brotherhood. It is important that we all work together to make this spirit stronger," said PM Modi. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also conveyed his Christmas greetings, focusing on the ideals of forgiveness, service, and compassion. In his post on X, he wrote: "To my fellow citizens, I extend warm wishes on Christmas, which embodies the ideals of forgiveness, peace, and unity. The festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ underscores the need to follow the ideals of sacrifice, service, redemption, and amity. The values of compassion for all living beings and concern for those in need imbue this joyous occasion with a unique spirit of sharing," said Kharge adding "May these festivities usher in a new era of hope, happiness, and prosperity for all. Merry Christmas!" MENAFN24122024000231011071ID1109028850 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 13, 2024-- Digi International (Nasdaq: DGII, www.digi.com ), a leading global provider of Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity products and services, announces the nomination of two new members to its Board of Directors: Valerie Heusinkveld and Allison West Hughes. In addition, Sally Smith, a Digi director since 2018, has announced her intention to retire from the Board at the conclusion of the company’s annual meeting to be held on February 3, 2025. The election of Ms. Heusinkveld and Ms. Hughes will be voted on by the company’s stockholders at that same annual meeting. Ms. Heusinkveld served as Chief Financial Officer of Cradlepoint, Inc., a provider of bundled cellular hardware and connectivity and monitoring software solutions, from 2012 until her retirement in 2021. Previously, she served as Chief Financial Officer of Purcell Systems from 2007 to 2012. As a former Chief Financial Officer at high technology companies, she has extensive high technology industry knowledge and leadership experience in both financial and operational matters. The company believes this experience would provide the Board with expertise in such areas as finance, operations, hardware and solutions sales models with a focus on annual recurring revenue (ARR), as well as mergers and acquisitions, internal controls, risk management and auditing. Ms. West Hughes has served as Corporate Vice President at Microsoft Corporation since July 2022, initially focused on digital acquisition and adding responsibility for small and medium business in July 2024. Previously, she served as Senior Vice President, Global Digital Go to Market at ServiceNow, a cloud computing platform software company servicing businesses of varying sizes, from July 2021 to June 2022, after having served as Vice President from April 2020 and previously serving as Area Vice President from 2018. She has extensive high technology industry knowledge and leadership experience and brings expertise in such areas as sales and marketing and operations. The company believes her expertise in marketing and selling subscription-based offerings resulting in annual recurring revenue, as well as working with customers of varying degrees of scale would be valuable as the company executes on the expansion of recurring revenue-based solutions offerings across its business. “We want to thank Sally for her commitment to Digi and her assistance in helping the company grow and advance its mission. While her contributions were significant and will be missed, we are thrilled to nominate both Valerie and Allison to our Board of Directors,” said Satbir Khanuja, Ph.D., Non-executive Chairman of the Board, Digi International. “Their extensive experience in technology, innovation, ARR and financial strategy aligns with Digi's commitment to driving IoT advancements and delivering value to our stakeholders. We are confident their leadership will strengthen our ability to deliver on our vision as we continue expanding our global presence and driving Digi’s renaissance as a leading solution provider in the IoT space.” The nomination of Heusinkveld and Hughes underscores Digi's dedication to fostering innovation and sustaining Digi’s excellence in technology innovation and customer-centricity. Additional Information and Where to Find It Digi International has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the “Definitive Proxy Statement”) with respect to its solicitation of proxies for Digi International’s 2025 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2025 Annual Meeting”). The Definitive Proxy Statement contains important information about the matters to be voted on at the 2025 Annual Meeting. STOCKHOLDERS OF DIGI INTERNATIONAL ARE URGED TO READ THESE MATERIALS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS THAT DIGI INTERNATIONAL HAS FILED OR WILL FILE WITH THE SEC BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT DIGI INTERNATIONAL AND THE MATTERS TO BE VOTED ON AT THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING. Stockholders are able to obtain free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC by Digi International through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov . In addition, stockholders are able to obtain free copies of these documents from Digi International by going to Digi International’s Investor Relations page on its website at www.digi.com . Participants in the Solicitation The directors, executive officers, and employees of Digi International may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Digi International in connection with 2025 Annual Meeting. Digi International has also engaged Alliance Advisors LLC to assist in the solicitation of proxies for the 2025 Annual Meeting and to provide related advice and informational support. Information regarding the interests of participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the 2025 Annual Meeting is included in the Definitive Proxy Statement. About Digi International Digi International (NASDAQ: DGII) is a leading global provider of IoT connectivity products, services, and solutions. It helps companies create next-generation connected products and deploy and manage critical communications infrastructures in demanding environments with high levels of security and reliability. Founded in 1985, Digi has helped customers connect more than 100 million things and counting. For more information, visit www.digi.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241213612450/en/ CONTACT: Media Contact: Peter Ramsay Global Results Communications digi@globalresultspr.com 949.307.5908 KEYWORD: MINNESOTA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CANADA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY IOT (INTERNET OF THINGS) SEMICONDUCTOR SECURITY OTHER TECHNOLOGY SOFTWARE NETWORKS INTERNET MOBILE/WIRELESS HARDWARE ELECTRONIC DESIGN AUTOMATION SOURCE: Digi International Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/13/2024 05:50 PM/DISC: 12/13/2024 05:48 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241213612450/en
Mysterious googly eyes go viral after appearing on public art in OregonNEW YORK CITY, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On Thursday, November 21, 2024, the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) celebrated the achievements of the historic Capital Readiness Program (CRP) at the NASDAQ Tower in Times Square. Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development Eric Morrissette joined Capital Readiness Program awardees as they uplift underserved entrepreneurs across the nation. "One of the greatest obstacles facing underserved entrepreneurs is access to capital, which is why the CRP is so essential. With this landmark program, MBDA is working to address the root problem of that issue by supporting businesses and communities that have been historically overlooked or left behind,” said Deputy Under Secretary Eric Morrissette . "The CRP has and will continue to open doors for entrepreneurs looking to start and scale their businesses.” Since its inception in 2023, CRP awardees, incubators, and accelerators have already served 6,326 entrepreneurs and helped raise $263 million in capital, form 2,636 new businesses, develop 1,726 business pitches, and host 2,486 networking events for diverse business owners and entrepreneurs across America. Awardees in attendance included The U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Ventures, the Community Development Venture Capital Alliance, the National Minority Supplier Development Council, the National Urban League, the National Asian/Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce, and the Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center. "The Capital Readiness Program has empowered the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to unlock critical capital opportunities, driving growth for businesses and reshaping regional economies,” said USHCC Educational Fund Senior Vice President Evelyn Barahona, one of the awardees present at NASDAQ . "Through the program, we've catalyzed expansion and new ventures for small business owners, strengthening not only the Hispanic community but the nation's economy. Looking ahead to 2025 and beyond, the USHCC is excited to collaborate with the MBDA and partners to further elevate the possibilities for businesses across the country.” These centers have unique expertise to assist, and train underserved entrepreneurs seeking resources, tools, and technical assistance to start or scale their businesses in high-growth industries such as healthcare, climate resilient technology, asset management, infrastructure, and more. For more information on active Minority Business Development Agency initiatives, visit www.mbda.gov . About the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) The U.S. Department of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency is the only Federal agency dedicated to the growth and global competitiveness of U.S. minority business enterprises (MBEs). For more than 50 years, MBDA's programs and services have better equipped MBEs to create jobs, build scale and capacity, increase revenues, and expand regionally, nationally, and internationally. ### Attachment Press Release with Photo CONTACT: Gabriel Cushing Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) [email protected]
Pundits and analysts will scratch their heads for years to come, trying to understand how Donald Trump won an unprecedented second term. With an overwhelming majority in the popular vote and the Electoral College, expert models, polls and “vibes” never prepared them for this upset as they gleefully and obediently prepared for President Kamala Harris. Thankfully, looking beyond the political rhetoric, America dodged a big bullet Nov. 5th. After twenty-five years in Navy Special Operations, including combat in Iraq, Afghanistan and Somalia, and managing a $140 billion budget for our military, I cannot help but assess threats wherever I go. I look for potential dangers – finding primary and secondary escape points when I walk into a room, step out of a vehicle or fly into a new area. Threat assessment is merely putting yourself in the enemy’s place and determining where they would strike. So, what are the threats that lurk in our shadows? Over the last four years, I have witnessed the rapid decline of safety and security in our country. Under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, America’s enemies have numerous options to attack – whether through a military that aids our enemies and leaves our allies behind, a wide-open southern border or leaders more focused on the issues that divide us. The Biden-Harris administration left our military and allies at risk during the disastrous and tragic Afghanistan withdrawal that left eleven Marines, one sailor and one soldier dead. We saw the Pentagon obsess over Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; hiring drag queens instead of addressing all-time lows in military recruitment. Our Democrat leaders’ complacency led our country down a dark path of rising crime rates, terror attacks and wars across the world. Under President Trump, that all ends. One of my greatest honors is proudly serving our country. I spent twenty-five years in the Navy to repay my debt to America – the country that saved my life. We must undo the Biden-Harris administration’s failures and rebuild our military. We need to modernize and innovate our armed services. Fifteen years of infighting within Congress, an inability to get things done and Continuing Resolutions have hampered our ability to compete with China and Russia in technological innovation. I spent four years in the Pentagon managing a $140 billion budget, defining requirements and next-generation equipment for Sailors. I understand how our leaders have placed unnecessary restraints on the military defense industry. The truth is that the United States is trailing far behind our adversaries. A potential conflict against China will be predominantly a Navy and Marine Corps fight. Deferred upkeep and maintenance, compounded by supply chain shortages, have left us with a Navy fleet consisting of ships that cannot get underway, aircraft that cannot fly and submarines that cannot dive. The workforce industrial base cannot produce ships and submarines at the rate needed to attain the required 350 inventory for any worldwide response quickly. Furthermore, the antiquated acquisition process has caused serious delays in the production of the next generation of submarines and frigates. We need new leaders to balance the capacity and capabilities of the Navy. Simply put, if we cannot have more ships and submarines in time then we must make the existing ships more lethal with electronic warfare and hypersonic weapons. Again, this takes visionary leadership which has been nonexistent in the Pentagon. But even if the Navy has all the ships and aircraft it requires, it does not have the manpower required to operate. We need alpha men and women — the best of the best — to want to serve our country. With a strong Commander-in-Chief like President Trump who respects their service and will continue to give them the resources they need, we can rebuild our military. On Nov. 5th, a silent majority said, ‘Enough is enough’ and elected President Trump. Enough of putting illegal aliens before our homeless veterans. Enough of enabling China, Russia and North Korea while stifling our allies like Israel. Yes, America dodged a big one one on election day. Our country’s motto is E Pluribus Unum: Out of many, One. We are not bigots, racists, deplorables or garbage. We are Americans! President Trump is here to save America and our best days are ahead of us. I stand with millions of other Americans ready to step up and do anything President Trump needs to serve this country. Hung Cao is a retired Navy Captain who served in Special Operations for 25 years. CAPT Cao is the author of Call Me an American, serves as a senior advisor with POLARIS National Security and was the 2024 Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Virginia. The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller.
The United States is one of the only countries in the world where people change their clocks twice per year. United States President-elect Donald Trump has announced that he will endeavour to end daylight saving time, the practice of moving clocks forward during the summer to take advantage of longer daylight hours. In a social media post on Friday, Trump said that the conservative Republican Party would “use its best efforts” to end the practice, which he criticised as inefficient. “The Republican Party will use its best efforts to eliminate Daylight Saving Time, which has a small but strong constituency, but shouldn’t!” he wrote. “Daylight Saving Time is inconvenient, and very costly to our Nation.” Trump is set to be sworn into office on January 20, and his incoming administration includes several members who vocally oppose daylight saving time. Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, for instance, has made multiple pushes in Congress to end the clock-switching practice, including one as recently as this year . In 2022, his bill, the Sunshine Protection Act, passed the Senate before ultimately failing to gain traction in the House of Representatives. Rubio, who has been tapped to serve as Trump’s secretary of state, has called daylight saving time a “stupid practice”. Meanwhile, two close Trump allies — entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy — openly weighed nixing daylight saving time on the social media platform X earlier this year. Responding to a user’s complaint about daylight saving in November, Musk wrote , “Looks like the people want to abolish the annoying time changes!” Ramaswamy quickly chimed in : “It’s inefficient [and] easy to change.” Under Trump, the two businessmen have been tasked with leading a yet-to-be-established, nongovernmental body called the Department of Government Efficiency, which will provide advice on how to streamline federal regulations, spending and bureaucracy. But previous efforts to eliminate daylight saving time all have fallen flat. The practice was first instituted in the US in 1918, as a means of preserving energy during World War I. The law mandating daylight saving was later repealed in 1919, shortly after the war ended. But in 1942, after World War II began, the practice remerged “to promote the national security and defense”. Ever since, the merits of daylight saving have been consistently debated in US politics, on both sides of the aisle. Some argue the practice of switching the clocks back and forth negatively affects human sleep patterns, resulting in increased risks for health problems like heart attacks. But a 2024 study from the Mayo Clinic says the threat to heart health is “likely minimal”. Nowadays, most Americans turn their clocks back one hour in early November and forward one hour in mid-March. What’s known as “daylight time” therefore runs from March to November, during the warmer, summer months in the US. “Standard time”, by contrast, runs during the winter, from November to March. Only two states opt out of this practice: Arizona and Hawaii. Still, many Americans support no longer having to switch time frames twice per year. More than 60 percent of people say they would like to see the changing of the clocks eliminated, according to a 2023 survey conducted by the research firm YouGov. About 50 percent of people support making daylight time — and the later sunrises and sunsets that accompany it — permanent. About 32 percent, by contrast, support making standard time, which comes with earlier sunrises and sunsets, permanent. Most countries have no such practice, and some medical associations have said that making standard time permanent would align more closely with the natural cycle of the sun and people’s sleeping needs.Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has a delivered a message to the people of Darwin on Christmas Day, as the Northern Territory capital paid its respects on the 50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy. The cyclone left a devastating mark on Darwin when it hit on Christmas Day in 1974, leaving 66 dead and hundreds more seriously injured. A day after reflecting on the tragedy following his arrival in the city on Christmas Eve, Mr Albanese spoke at the 50th commemoration of the national disaster. "The sound of torrential rain gave way to the screech of corrugated iron. The sheets ripped from roofs, hurled through the sky and scraped across the ground at over 200km an hour. Windows shattered. Trees uprooted, cars upended. An entire city almost wiped off the map," the Prime Minister said as he painted the picture of the storm. "Across Darwin, families huddled fearfully in the safest places they could find, whispering prayers, holding each other tight, waiting for the howling darkness to pass. When at last an eerie silence fell and the sun rose. It was a scene of utter devastation. Cyclone Tracy's trail of destruction rendered tens of thousands of Territorians homeless and tragically, it claimed at least 66 lives." Mr Albanese noted the loss of life for many First Nations people in the cyclone "wasn't recorded" as families returned to their traditional homelands. He also cracked a joke about wearing a tie "for the first time" on a visit to Darwin, as a "sign of respect". The Prime Minister said the impacts of Tracy were still felt half a century later and he made sure to honour those who responded to the tragedy at the time, including the Australian Defence Force and emergency services personnel. He recalled an appeal led by the service clubs of Alice Springs which raised more than $100,000 within just two days, while the Boxing Day Test between Australia and England raised further charity after players from both sides collected donations from the crowd. " Above all, we pay tribute to the great resilience of the great city of Darwin and the proud people who call it home. Because the hard work of rebuilding homes, communities and lives is always an act of profound courage," he said. "The three year reconstruction of Darwin was an unprecedented national effort and I believe an unprecedented international effort as well. It set new standards for quality and safety in construction, meaning that when Cyclone Larry and Cyclone Yasi hit North Queensland just in recent years, there was nowhere near the sort of damage that we saw to homes and nothing like the terrible loss of life that we saw here." Mr Albanese said the spirit of the Darwin community had been restored powerfully over the last 50 years, proving a Canberra Times reporter wrong who claimed at the time "the casual, friendly and somewhat independent way of living can never be put back together again". "Well, 50 years later, visitors and locals alike can take pride in just how wrong that was, because while the modern city of Darwin has grown and thrived, changed and evolved, the unique character of this place and the special warmth of the people who call it home endures stronger than ever," he said. "The monument that we unveiled today, stands in tribute to those qualities and to this solemn truth. The story of Darwin and the story of Australia. No matter the challenge, we face it together and we look after each other. We learn from what we've been through. We hold on to what matters most. "The memory of those we have lost, the love of our family and friends. And on this most solemn Christmas morning here in Darwin, the love of our nation. Australia. Merry Christmas, everyone." Watch Sky News Australia's commemorative documentary, Cyclone Tracy: 50 Years On, hosted by award-winning journalist and Sky News Northern Australia Correspondent Matt Cunningham. The documentary is available to watch on-demand at SkyNews.com.au . Subscribe now for just $5 per month.
Rachel Christian | (TNS) Bankrate.com Just because retirement planning involves some guesswork doesn’t mean it has to be a total mystery. Related Articles Business | The year in money: inflation eased, optimism ticked upward Business | Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds Business | How to protect your communications through encryption Business | About 2.6 million Stanley cups recalled after malfunctions caused burns. Is your mug included? Business | Musk says US is demanding he pay penalty over disclosures of his Twitter stock purchases Whether you’ve been saving since your first job or you’re getting a late start, you can leverage expert-recommended strategies to gauge your progress on the road to retirement. And if you’re not quite on track, don’t sweat it — the experts we spoke to offered actionable tips to help you close the gap. You might have a general idea of how much money you need to save for retirement . A few quick calculations can give you an estimate, but to truly appreciate where you stand, you’ll need to dive into the numbers. Here’s how to get started. A good rule of thumb to estimate your retirement savings goal is the Rule of 25 . Simply multiply your desired annual retirement income by 25. The result is roughly how much you’ll need to save before hitting retirement. For example, if you plan to spend $50,000 a year, you’ll need about $1.25 million to make it a reality. The Rule of 25 is based on the idea that withdrawing 4% annually from your retirement savings should last you about 30 years. While it’s not an exact science by any means — health care costs and lifestyle changes can skew the numbers, for example — the Rule of 25 can be a good starting point to figure out how much you need to save. Fidelity Investments, a behemoth in the retirement planning space, offers savings guidelines to help you determine if you’re on track . —By age 30: Save 1x your annual salary —By age 40: Save 3x your annual salary —By age 50: Save 6x your annual salary —By age 60: Save 8x your annual salary —By age 67: Save 10x your annual salary For example, if you earn $60,000 annually, you should aim for $600,000 in savings by age 67. But like the Rule of 25, Fidelity’s guidelines offer a 10,000-foot look at retirement goals, and they’re not customized to your situation. Maybe you earned a low salary in your 20s, but you’re working hard in your 30s to make up for it. Use these estimates as a benchmark — but don’t get discouraged if you’re lagging behind. Now it’s time to zoom in a little. To get a clearer snapshot of your progress, use an online retirement calculator. These tools factor in your age, current savings, income and lifestyle goals to estimate whether you’re on track. You’ll get a more refined estimate without crunching the numbers yourself. Bankrate’s retirement calculator even lets you input different rates of return on your investments and accounts for estimated annual salary increases. Having a general savings goal is nice, but to avoid falling short in retirement, you’ll need more than a ballpark figure. Experts recommend creating a retirement budget to get an up-close-and-personal look at how much you’ll really need once you leave the workforce. First, estimate how much you’ll spend per month in retirement. While some costs will increase, like health care, others will likely decrease, like dining out and commuting. “Estimating expenses can be challenging for some people, so as a starting point, I often use your net take-home pay,” says Jeff DeLarme, a certified financial planner and president of DeLarme Wealth Management. For example, if you receive a direct deposit of $2,500 every two weeks from work, use $5,000 as your estimated monthly spending in retirement. “Assuming this was enough to pay the bills while working, we can use $5,000 a month as a starting budget to plan for,” says DeLarme. Next, map out your sources of income in retirement. Social Security is the largest income stream for most retirees, but don’t neglect other inflows, such as: —Workplace retirement accounts, like 401(k)s —Personal retirement accounts, like a traditional or Roth IRA —Pensions —Annuities —Selling your home or business —Rental income —Inheritance “If there’s a gap between your expected expenses and income, you’ll have a good idea of how much you need to save,” says Mike Hunsberger, a certified financial planner and owner of Next Mission Financial Planning. From there, you can adjust your savings and investment strategy accordingly. For something as important (and complex) as retirement planning, it pays to speak with a professional. Financial advisers can analyze your savings, investments and retirement goals to create a personalized plan. Advisers use special planning software that account for more variables than an online calculator, giving you a much more precise, granular look at your financial life in retirement. Many financial advisers can also help you optimize your tax strategy, which can potentially save you thousands of dollars over time. Make sure the adviser you hire is a fiduciary , meaning they’re legally obligated to prioritize your interests over their own. A fiduciary won’t push investments to earn a commission or recommend products that aren’t aligned with your needs. A certified financial planner is one of the most well-recognized designations for fiduciaries. You can use Bankrate’s adviser matching tool to find a certified financial planner in your area in minutes. Maybe you did the math and realized you’re not quite where you need to be. Don’t panic if you’re behind schedule. Here are five strategies experts recommend to help you catch up on your retirement savings . Cutting expenses now frees up more cash to invest in your retirement accounts. Evaluate your budget and identify areas where you can cut costs, like dining out, streaming subscriptions or shopping. Don’t rule out bigger lifestyle changes either, especially if retirement is rapidly approaching. Housing is the biggest monthly expense for most people. Getting creative here can help amplify the amount you can sock away, says Joseph Boughan, a certified financial planner and managing member at Parkmount Financial Partners. It can also reduce your expenses in retirement, so you may not need to save as much as before. “Downsizing can be a great way to cut expenses,” says Boughan. “This can even free up cash if you don’t end up needing all that money for a new home.” Moving somewhere with lower property taxes or income taxes can also help bring your retirement plan back in line. And if you’re a renter, making tough short-term decisions, like taking on a roommate or moving to a lower cost-of-living area, can free up hundreds of dollars a month for your retirement. “Everyone’s plan is unique, so exploring all the options is important,” Boughan says. Joe Conroy, a certified financial planner and owner of Harford Retirement Planners, recommends taking a “retirement test drive” as you near your target date. “Start to live on what income you think you can afford in retirement and stash all the extra income into savings and investments,” says Conroy. “If you can make it through each month, you’re ready for retirement. If you run short, then adjust your plan accordingly.” Working a little longer can be a game-changer for your retirement nest egg. Not only does it give you more time to save, it also gives your investments room to grow. “Working longer or even just part time for a few years early in retirement is one of the best ways to reduce the amount of money you need to save,” says Hunsberger. Postponing retirement can also boost your Social Security benefits . “You can claim as early as 62, but your benefits will be reduced significantly,” says Hunsberger. Meanwhile, each year you delay claiming Social Security benefits beyond your full retirement age , your monthly check will increase by 8%, though this benefit maxes out at age 70. So waiting can really pay off. It may seem obvious, but if you’re behind on retirement savings, you’ll need to boost your contributions as much as possible. Here are a few ways to make saving for retirement easier: —Increase your contribution rate: Allocate a larger portion of your paycheck to a workplace retirement plan. Even bumping up your contributions by 1% or 2% can make a huge difference down the road. —Take advantage of your employer match: Don’t leave free money on the table. Many employers will chip in between 3 and 5% depending on your plan, so make sure you’re contributing enough to take advantage of the benefit. —Use “unexpected” money to catch up: If you get a raise or bonus at work, funnel part of it directly into your 401(k). And if you get a refund at tax time, siphon some of it off to beef up your IRA. If you’ve been investing in low-risk, low-return investments, you may not be keeping up with inflation, let alone growing your nest egg. Reallocating part of your portfolio to stocks or low-cost growth exchange-traded funds (ETFs) is one way to get your money working harder. Higher-risk investments like stocks carry more volatility but also offer higher potential returns. Work with a financial adviser or use a robo-adviser to strike the right balance between growth and your personal risk tolerance. Contribution limits for 401(k) plans and IRAs are higher for people over 50. For 2025, employees aged 50 and up who participate in most 401(k) plans or the federal government’s Thrift Savings Plan can save up to $31,000 annually, including a $7,500 catch-up contribution . But thanks to SECURE 2.0 , a sweeping retirement law, a new higher catch-up contribution limit of $11,250 applies for employees ages 60 to 63. So, if you’re in this age group, you can squirrel away a whopping $34,750 a year during the final stretch of your career. Of course, you’ll need a big salary (think six figures) in order to take full advantage of such massive contribution limits. But if you can afford it, these catch-up allowances can put your plan back on track, especially if you struggled to save much early in your career. There’s no GPS to gauge your progress on the road to retirement. If you’ve veered off course or aren’t sure where to start, begin by getting a quick estimate of how much you’ll need before mapping out a retirement budget. And if you’re behind, don’t panic — adjusting your spending, boosting your contributions and speaking with a financial adviser can help you catch up. ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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