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no way out the roulette how many episodes Not Purdy: 49ers hit Green Bay with backup QB, no BosaAs parts of efforts to combat the Lakurawa sect, the Federal Government will deploy more military personnel and formations in the states where the terrorists operate, The PUNCH has learnt. This is as The PUNCH reliably learnt that the sect, which operates in North West states Sokoto and Kebbi, has moved into Niger State in North Central Nigeria, as well as Kaduna State. The Sokoto State Government asserted that it was concerned about the lives and property of its people, noting that security topped its nine-point agenda. The Special Adviser on Security Matters to Governor Ahmad Aliyu, Col Ahmed Usman (retd.), said the Federal Government promised to deploy more security operatives in the state to tackle the sect, who attacked Mera village, Kebbi State, leaving 17 residents dead November 8. The terrorist group also rustled dozens of cattle in the community as the village vigilante fought back killing two members of the group during an exchange of fire. Usman said, “If you can remember, the Minister of State for Defence during his working visit to Sokoto had disclosed the kind of pressure mounted on the Federal Government by the state government on the need to come to their aid. “And the Federal Government has promised to establish more military formations and deploy more personnel as well as equipment to Sokoto State. “On our part, the state government has provided the facility for the air component of operation ‘Fansan Yamma.’ Now, we don’t need to wait for fighter jets to come from Katsina in case of any emergency or air support.” He added, “So, there has been investment in security infrastructure, including the establishment of more security outposts (Forward Operation Bases) and upgrading surveillance systems in key locations. “The Sokoto State government has strengthened partnerships with federal security agencies to ensure a coordinated approach to tackling security challenges. “Similarly, the government has launched public awareness campaigns with the support of the United Nations Development Programme and other local NGOs to educate citizens on security issues and encourage them to report suspicious activities.” Speaking further, the governor’s aide explained that the current administration had been providing logistics support to the security agencies, assuring that Lakurawa “will soon be a thing of the past.” Usman stated, “We provided tens of operational vehicles, including motorcycles, to security agencies and we restored their allowances in addition to other measures like the creation of the state-owned security outfit which we called Sokoto State Community Guards and they were equipped. “Their role is to support the conventional security agencies in terms of intelligence gathering, among others. The state government has inaugurated a security community under the leadership of the Deputy Governor of the state. “The committee comprises security agencies, traditional and religious leaders, among other stakeholders in security. In fact, even the latest news about the Lakurawa was broken by the deputy governor while receiving members of the National Defence College in the state.” The special adviser further explained that the state government also set up programmes to empower youths to discourage their involvement in crime and violence or being recruited by the Lakurawa. He added, “The government has set up a conflict resolution mechanism to address disputes before they escalate into violence, promoting peace in communities just as it has been mediating between farmers and herdsmen to reduce conflicts over lands and resources, which can lead to insecurity. “There has been massive investment in social welfare aimed at alleviating poverty, which is often the root cause of insecurity. And we hold regular security meetings with stakeholders to assess the security situation and develop strategies for improvement.” The Minister of Defence, Muhammad Abubakar, assured citizens and residents of Sokoto and Kebbi states of the readiness of the armed forces to crush Lakurawa and other terrorist groups. The minister gave the assurance in Sokoto as the Lakurawa sect reportedly extended its tentacles to Niger and Kaduna from its former hideouts in Kebbi and Sokoto States. Following the November 8 attack on Mera, the Defence Headquarters deployed more troops in the area to dislodge the terror group which was said to have occupied the area for over six years. A report said the group was dislodged from its hideout and several cattle recovered. Speaking while inspecting the facilities of the air component of Operation ‘Fansan Yamma’ in Sokoto, the defence minister disclosed that the military had taken a decisive decision against Lakurawa. He noted, “You heard it from the chairman of the Local Government Area attacked by the Lakurawa in Kebbi State, testifying to the heavy presence of troops in the area. “The Lakurawa was sent away from the area. This is a result of the resilience and dedication of our security operatives. You are aware of the successes recorded by our air force, they bombarded some of the hideouts of the bandits and the bandits are now on the run.” However, the Senate a few weeks ago raised the alarm that the militants had moved into Niger, Kaduna and other North-Central states, sparking fear among the people. Worried by the activities of the terrorist group, the northern states have decided to unite against the Lakurawa in a clear move to contain its spread and operations. The Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Mohammed Bello, said the affected states were working together with the Federal Government to eliminate the terrorist cell. “You know how we do in Nigeria. Sometimes, we neglect things until they become real problems, they can become complicated. For the first time, more than two or three states are putting resources together to see that things are being done to eradicate the problem. Related News Poor performance: FG issues 90-day ultimatum to mining management committee Sex-for-grades: FG asks varsities to set up help centres FG eyes 25,000 jobs from Lagos textile, garment economic zone “I assure you that the problems will become a thing of the past in a few days. In a few days, the people in Kaduna, Zamfara are putting heads together; by the grace of God, things will become clearer very soon,” Bello said. “The issue with the bandits is that when they are under pressure in one state, they run to another state because there is no clear-cut demarcation of these states we are talking about.” Also speaking on what the Kebbi State Government was doing to complement the Federal Government’s efforts, the Special Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Abdullahi Zuru, said the state government was supporting troops drafted to the area with logistics. “We are procuring vehicles that will help them with mobility. You know the troops drafted here were brought to help us deal with the Lakurawa, but the state government is discussing with the Chief of Defence Staff on how to make them stay permanently in the areas to avoid any reoccurrence. “We are also assisting the local vigilante with operational vehicles and other logistics to help them gather timely and accurate information for the troops. “The role they played last time during Lakurawa’s attack on the Mera community cannot be overemphasised. They tried their best hence they need to be encouraged to do better than before.” District heads The District Head of the Gagi community in Sokoto State, Alhaji Sani Jabi, advised the Federal and Sokoto State governments to adopt dialogue in dealing with the Lakurawa group in the state. The monarch noted that the sect had inhabited some areas of the state for the past eight years. He said the people of the affected communities had lived with the Lakurawa members for years without any issues until the November attack. Should the security forces mount an attack on the sect, Jabi warned the government should be ready for the consequences. “As for me, I prefer using dialogue with the group. This could be done in collaboration with our neighbouring countries affected by the Lakurawa. “With such a move, their exit will be peaceful, without any rancour and exchange of fire between them and the security agents. “But if it’s about kinetic approach, it’s also a welcome development but the Federal Government should be ready for the consequences. “I said the consequences because the government should be ready to ensure permanent relocation of security agents to the affected areas, which will give the people hope of survival. Anything short of that, those people will come back and attack the people,” Jabi stated. While calling on security agents to improve their intelligence-gathering system, the district head claimed the security agencies were aware of the existence of the group. “I think the problem is they were not attacking their hosts before now, they initially find a way to live in peace with the people without any rancour. “They will interact, do business and preach to them until recently when they introduced a tax on them and their cattle,” Jabi added. He also called for the deployment of more security operatives, citing the increased population in the area. “Go to the local areas, the number of divisional police officers in the last 10 years has not increased while the population is growing daily. How can you address that with the level of insecurity at hand?” A district head from one of the affected Local Government Areas, who spoke on condition of anonymity, applauded the government for the posting of troops to the area to contain the group. He suggested a permanent base in the area for the security agents since most of the affected communities shared borders with neighbouring countries. He stated, “We appreciate them (government) for their efforts so far but in all honesty, we need permanent security personnel in this area to tackle this menace. “We cannot continue this way; our border needs to be monitored. The border is too porous such that anyone can come in or go out at will. We want more intelligence gathering with the community stakeholders and the local vigilante, which we believe will help us better. “This will ensure every nook and cranny will be secured. We also want the security agents to hold meetings with housing agents and local government councils, among others. “The rural-urban migration is on the high side and we should be able to identify those migrating to our community to know where they are coming from and their source of livelihood.” Umaru Bauji, who spoke on behalf of the District Head of Mera community, said the community now enjoys a measure of peace and security following the deployment of troops in the area. “We can categorically tell you that the situation has improved, our farmers can now access their farms unlike when the incident happened then. “The only appeal now is for the government not to withdraw the security agents, especially the troops. They should remain here with us, we don’t know what can happen if the government withdraws them, those people may come back,” he stated.

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Jon Ossoff first ran for office seven years ago with a promise to get under Donald Trump’s skin. As he seeks another U.S. Senate term, and the president-elect prepares a return to office, the Georgia Democrat is stressing his ability to work across party lines. Ossoff told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Wednesday that he is “actively seeking opportunities” to find common ground with Trump and other Republicans. But he said he won’t hesitate to oppose Trump if he flouts Georgia’s interests. “I sincerely hope that for Georgia the incoming administration can deliver and succeed for our state’s benefit,” Ossoff said. “And I’ll actively look for opportunities to continue the bipartisan work that I’ve done for the last four years.” Ossoff is sticking to a playbook he embraced after his 2021 runoff defeat of Republican David Perdue, one of a pair of Democratic runoff victories in Georgia that flipped control of the Senate. He’s voted reliably with President Joe Biden and other Democrats on major policies since taking office, but he’s also emphasized bipartisanship and consensus-building when possible, such as over infrastructure spending and immigration policy debates. His approach echoes that of many other Democrats grappling with how to counter the returning president after he recaptured Georgia and scored a decisive national victory. Many emphasize a willingness to compromise on key issues rather than all-out defiance. But Ossoff is waging a reelection campaign in a remade political landscape. Four years after Biden flipped Georgia for the first time in decades — and voters elected Ossoff and Raphael Warnock to the Senate — the GOP is again ascendant after Trump’s decisive win. Georgia GOP Chair Josh McKoon said Ossoff’s “almost unanimous lockstep voting” with Biden, and recent support for failed measures to block U.S. sales of ammunition to Israel, will come back to haunt Democrats. (Ossoff said he hoped the vote pressures Israel to take more steps to save civilian lives.) “His stated bipartisanship is a costume,” McKoon said. “And the mask has now slipped off for all Georgians to see.” ‘A political problem’ McKoon’s line of attack is a preview of the incoming fire against Ossoff in 2026, when he is certain to be a top GOP target. National Republicans are working already to recruit Gov. Brian Kemp or another formidable contender to join the race. Ossoff said he’s unafraid to punch back, particularly over Trump’s vow to repeal Democratic-backed green energy incentives that helped fuel Georgia’s growing electric-vehicle industry. It passed despite staunch GOP opposition, including complaints from Kemp it created an unequal playing field. “There are risks to Georgia’s economic development,” Ossoff said, framing the debate as a choice “between the president-elect’s promises to repeal manufacturing incentives that have supercharged Georgia’s economic development on the one hand and our state’s interests on the other.” He added, “Congress will have to conduct vigorous oversight and guard against potential overreach, misconduct or abuse.” But he also acknowledged Democratic shortfalls. Even as Ossoff criticized Trump for working to scuttle a bipartisan border security measure this year, he said there was a “substantive policy failure” by the Biden administration to address illegal immigration. “The Biden administration’s administrative failures at the southern border were both a substantive failure and also, clearly, a political problem,” he said. Ossoff’s approach hardly resembles his stance on Trump in 2017, when he ran unsuccessfully for a GOP-held U.S. House seat with a “ make Trump furious ” mantra that he ultimately abandoned in favor of more robust outreach to swing voters and Republicans. That coalition helped him oust Perdue in a close 2021 runoff. But that tenuous alliance unraveled in November when a resurgent Trump cut into Democratic strongholds across Georgia and turned GOP bastions a brighter shade of red. Now Trump is set to reenter the White House with a firm grip on the GOP and a unified Congress, while Democrats struggle over how to oppose the returning president. Ossoff has said little about the soul-searching over the party’s direction — when asked about ongoing internal debate, he said he’s “looking for opportunities to get things done in Georgia” — while working behind the scenes to assert control of the state Democratic infrastructure. And analysts say Ossoff’s shrewd to follow a strategy of targeted bipartisanship instead of outright opposition ahead of a midterm race in 2026 that could again hinge on swing voters. “He has no choice but to work with who the public has elected if he is going to be an effective senator for the state of Georgia,” University of Georgia political scientist Audrey Haynes said. “I don’t know what other path he has to reelection victory,” said Jeff Auerbach, a political scientist at Oxford College of Emory University. “He’ll have to win the same swing voters that helped elect him four years ago. He’s threading a needle, but that’s the only option he has.” Here are excerpts from the interview: On his strategy of working with the returning president: “I sincerely hope that for Georgia the incoming administration can deliver and succeed for our state’s benefit. And I’ll actively look for opportunities to continue the bipartisan work that I’ve done for the last four years in my constituents’ interest ... “I’ve been one of the most bipartisan members of the Senate. I’ve built deep and productive partnerships with Republican colleagues. I’ve led vigorous bipartisan oversight investigations. ... I’m going to continue that approach with Congress in the new administration.” On lessons learned from the election results: “You’ve reported for years that I’ve criticized the Democratic Party on immigration policy. And you reported I thought it was a craven capitulation to election-year politics for Republicans in Congress not to pass a bipartisan border security measure last year. The outgoing administration’s failures at the border weighed heavily on the outcome of the election, and more importantly, were a substantive policy failure.” On whether he is optimistic about working with Trump: “I am actively seeking opportunities to work together in Georgia’s interest. My obligation is to the state, no matter who is in the White House, no matter who has power in Congress, and I’ll actively seek those opportunities to find common ground and get things done for Georgia.” ©2024 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Visit at ajc.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith moved to abandon two criminal cases against Donald Trump on Monday, acknowledging that Trump’s return to the White House will preclude attempts to federally prosecute him for retaining classified documents or trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat. The decision was inevitable, since longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Yet it was still a momentous finale to an unprecedented chapter in political and law enforcement history, as federal officials attempted to hold accountable a former president while he was simultaneously running for another term. Trump emerges indisputably victorious, having successfully delayed the investigations through legal maneuvers and then winning reelection despite indictments that described his actions as a threat to the country’s constitutional foundations. “I persevered, against all odds, and WON,” Trump exulted in a post on Truth Social, his social media website. He also said that “these cases, like all of the other cases I have been forced to go through, are empty and lawless, and should never have been brought.” The judge in the election case granted prosecutors’ dismissal request. A decision in the documents case was still pending on Monday evening. The outcome makes it clear that, when it comes to a president and criminal accusations, nothing supersedes the voters’ own verdict. In court filings, Smith’s team emphasized that the move to end their prosecutions was not a reflection of the merit of the cases but a recognition of the legal shield that surrounds any commander in chief. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” prosecutors said in one of their filings. They wrote that Trump’s return to the White House “sets at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: on the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities . . . and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law.” In this situation, “the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated,” they concluded. Smith’s team said it was leaving intact charges against two co-defendants in the classified documents case — Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira — because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” Steven Cheung, Trump’s incoming White House communications director, said Americans “want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country.” Trump has long described the investigations as politically motivated, and he has vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. Now he will start his second term free from criminal scrutiny by the government that he will lead. The election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing Trump as he tried to reclaim the White House. He was indicted for plotting to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden in 2020, an effort that climaxed with his supporters’ violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But the case quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Smith’s team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence it planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of voters after he lost to Biden. In dismissing the case, Chutkan acknowledged prosecutors’ request to do so “without prejudice,” raising the possibility that they could try to bring charges against Trump when his term is over. She wrote that is “consistent with the Government’s understanding that the immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office.” But such a move may be barred by the statute of limitations, and Trump may also try to pardon himself while in office. The separate case involving classified documents had been widely seen as legally clear cut, especially because the conduct in question occurred after Trump left the White House and lost the powers of the presidency. The indictment included dozens of felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified records from his presidency at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and obstructing federal efforts to get them back. He has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. The case quickly became snarled by delays, with U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon slow to issue rulings — which favored Trump’s strategy of pushing off deadlines in all his criminal cases — while also entertaining defense motions and arguments that experts said other judges would have dispensed with without hearings. In May, she indefinitely canceled the trial date amid a series of unresolved legal issues before dismissing the case outright two months later. Smith’s team appealed the decision, but now has given up that effort. Trump faced two other state prosecutions while running for president. One of them, a New York case involving hush money payments, resulted in a conviction on felony charges of falsifying business records. It was the first time a former president had been found guilty of a crime. The sentencing in that case is on hold as Trump’s lawyers try to have the conviction dismissed before he takes office, arguing that letting the verdict stand will interfere with his presidential transition and duties. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office is fighting the dismissal but has indicated that it would be open to delaying sentencing until Trump leaves office. Bragg, a Democrat, has said the solution needs to balance the obligations of the presidency with “the sanctity of the jury verdict.” Trump was also indicted in Georgia along with 18 others accused of participating in a sprawling scheme to illegally overturn the 2020 presidential election there. Any trial appears unlikely there while Trump holds office. The prosecution already was on hold after an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Four defendants have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors. Trump and the others have pleaded not guilty.

Veridas voice biometrics confirmed compliant with ISO PAD standard in iBeta testPaper Bags Packaging Market is Booming Worldwide | Gaining Revolution In Eyes of Global Exposure 12-19-2024 08:09 PM CET | Advertising, Media Consulting, Marketing Research Press release from: AMA Research & Media LLP Advance Market Analytics published a new research publication on "Paper Bags Packaging Market Insights, to 2030" with 232 pages and enriched with self-explained Tables and charts in presentable format. In the Study you will find new evolving Trends, Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities generated by targeting market associated stakeholders. The growth of the Paper Bags Packaging market was mainly driven by the increasing R&D spending across the world. Get Free Exclusive PDF Sample Copy of This Research @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/sample-report/19178-global-paper-bags-packaging-market?utm_source=OpenPR/utm_medium=Rahul Some of the key players profiled in the study are: Smurfit Kappa Group Plc. (Ireland), S Smith Plc. (United Kingdom), National Paper Products (United States), Hotpack Packaging Industries (United Arab Emirates), International Paper Company (United States), B&H Bag (United States), Ronpak (United States), DS Smith (United Kingdom), WestRock Company (United States), OJI Holding Corporation (Japan),. Scope of the Report of Paper Bags Packaging Paper bags are preformed container made from Eco-friendly material such as paper. Bags are made from craft paper or sack paper. Paper bags are reusable and energy saver. Government strict regulation against plastic bags as well as rising consumer preferences towards hygienic packaging will help to upsurge global paper bags packaging market. The titled segments and sub-section of the market are illuminated below: by Type (Flat Paper Bag, Multi-Wall Paper Sacks), Application (Food & Beverages, Pharmaceutical, Retail, Construction, Chemicals), Distribution Channel (Online, Offline) Market Trends: Advancement in New Technology Escalating Demand Due to Easy Recyclability Opportunities: Fueling Demand of Paper Bags Due to Plastic Banned Government Initiation to form Paper bags Market Drivers: Rising Demand of Package Food Consumer Preference towards Hygienic Packaging Region Included are: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Oceania, South America, Middle East & Africa Country Level Break-Up: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, South Africa, Nigeria, Tunisia, Morocco, Germany, United Kingdom (UK), the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Turkey, Russia, France, Poland, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, China, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Singapore, India, Australia and New Zealand etc. Have Any Questions Regarding Global Paper Bags Packaging Market Report, Ask Our Experts@ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/enquiry-before-buy/19178-global-paper-bags-packaging-market?utm_source=OpenPR/utm_medium=Rahul Strategic Points Covered in Table of Content of Global Paper Bags Packaging Market: Chapter 1: Introduction, market driving force product Objective of Study and Research Scope the Paper Bags Packaging market Chapter 2: Exclusive Summary - the basic information of the Paper Bags Packaging Market. Chapter 3: Displaying the Market Dynamics- Drivers, Trends and Challenges & Opportunities of the Paper Bags Packaging Chapter 4: Presenting the Paper Bags Packaging Market Factor Analysis, Porters Five Forces, Supply/Value Chain, PESTEL analysis, Market Entropy, Patent/Trademark Analysis. Chapter 5: Displaying the by Type, End User and Region/Country 2015-2020 Chapter 6: Evaluating the leading manufacturers of the Paper Bags Packaging market which consists of its Competitive Landscape, Peer Group Analysis, BCG Matrix & Company Profile Chapter 7: To evaluate the market by segments, by countries and by Manufacturers/Company with revenue share and sales by key countries in these various regions (2024-2030) Chapter 8 & 9: Displaying the Appendix, Methodology and Data Source finally, Paper Bags Packaging Market is a valuable source of guidance for individuals and companies. Read Detailed Index of full Research Study at @ https://www.advancemarketanalytics.com/reports/19178-global-paper-bags-packaging-market?utm_source=OpenPR/utm_medium=Rahul Thanks for reading this article; you can also get individual chapter wise section or region wise report version like North America, Middle East, Africa, Europe or LATAM, Southeast Asia. Contact Us: Craig Francis (PR & Marketing Manager) AMA Research & Media LLP Unit No. 429, Parsonage Road Edison, NJ New Jersey USA - 08837 Phone: +1(201) 7937323, +1(201) 7937193 sales@advancemarketanalytics.com About Author: AMA Research & Media is Global leaders of Market Research Industry provides the quantified B2B research to Fortune 500 companies on high growth emerging opportunities which will impact more than 80% of worldwide companies' revenues. Our Analyst is tracking high growth study with detailed statistical and in-depth analysis of market trends & dynamics that provide a complete overview of the industry. We follow an extensive research methodology coupled with critical insights related industry factors and market forces to generate the best value for our clients. We Provides reliable primary and secondary data sources, our analysts and consultants derive informative and usable data suited for our clients business needs. The research study enables clients to meet varied market objectives a from global footprint expansion to supply chain optimization and from competitor profiling to M&As. This release was published on openPR.

This week, the 2025 Oscar race began to take more shape as the Golden Globe and Critics' Choice Award nominations were unveiled to the public. As we tallied on Wednesday, it's time to go more in-depth on the two big sets of nominees this week from the Globes and the critics. While the Oscars always do their own thing, we can learn right now from these two voting bodies how certain stocks are rising and falling among the contenders. We may finally have a Best Picture frontrunner, too. Let's dig into these nominations and what we can learn from them. We've been searching for the Best Picture frontrunner for some time now, and one hasn't emerged yet to solidify itself as the movie to beat. Is it ? The film led the Golden Globes with film nominations with 11 and tied for second at the Critics' Choice with 10 nominations. That shows real strength above and below the line with two different groups. That matters. Audiard's direction and script and stars Karla Sofía Gascón and Zoe Saldaña registered with both voting bodies, as did the film as an international contender, two of its original songs and the film's score from Clément Ducol and Camille. Selena Gomez got a nomination from the Globes voters in Supporting Actress but missed with the Critics' Choice voters. It's possible Netflix might finally nab the Best Picture Oscar it has coveted for so long with Jacques Audiard's audacious-if-flawed musical drama. The film doesn't entirely work, but it's clearly leaving an impact on the audience. Remember that earned a runner-up slot for the audience award at the Toronto Film Festival in September and earned the Jury Prize honor at Cannes in May to go along with a shared Best Actress honor for four of the film's leads. If the film lands a Screen Actors' Guild ensemble nomination next month, this might be the film to beat. Jesse Eisenberg's excellent sophomore feature may well win an Oscar next March for deserving Supporting Actor contender Kieran Culkin. Eisenberg's screenplay also feels like a safe bet to get nominated. However, is the film losing steam for a Best Picture nomination? While registered with the Golden Globes in its best musical/comedy category, it was a curious miss with the Critics' Choice voters in their 10-film Best Picture category. Typically, the CCA skews more toward American titles for its Best Picture nominations. Fringe contenders like and registered with the CCA, but was not recognized at the top. This fantastic millennials-processing-trauma-abroad dramedy will need its fiercest industry fans to rally behind it to secure more Oscar support. We've only got 10 slots, after all. The Academy won't totally match with the CCAs in Best Picture. That's just how this usually goes. missing with a more friendly voting body like the American critics might limit its prospects to just Culkin and the screenplay. Something to consider. To put it mildly, the Oscars don't have a storied history of recognizing body horror in the Best Picture category. Heck, horror movies are always a tough sell. Acclaimed movies that perfectly hit the zeitgeist like break through, but an aggressive satire like with extremely gory moments would've been as cold a contender 10 years ago as the North Pole in January. The times, they're a-changin'. Coralie Fargeat's surprise hit with Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley earned best film nods from the Globes (musical/comedy) and critics. Fargeat also earned nominations from both voting groups for her direction and screenplay. That's a big deal. For a film a month ago I felt was not even a safe bet for a makeup/hairstyling Oscar nomination, I'm a bit stunned it's going to be a serious contender now (in the best way possible). I loved the movie, but this is not typical Oscar fare... to put it mildly. The fact that it is gaining steam in the precursors like it is for real success with the Academy is kind of neat for the future of what it means to be an Oscar movie. The shock is still there, but it's a great surprise. The Academy continues to skew international in recent years, particularly in its Best Picture, Best Director and Best Original/Adapted Screenplay categories. While the non- Oscar players like and didn't register in the best film categories with the Globes or CCAs, they're still real contenders. s Payal Kapadia did particularly well with the Globes, earning one of its six Best Director slots. That could repeat at the Oscars. We probably won't know how truly strong either of these films are until Oscar nomination morning next month, however. RaMell Ross' critically adored Colson Whitehead adaptation showed up in both the best drama category at the Globes and in the field of Best Picture contenders at the CCAs. That's a great boost for a film with Oscar prospects that haven't always been certain. Combined with its New York Film Critics Circle win for Ross in Best Director, the avant-garde nature of this contender might not hold it back from making real gains with an Academy that's shown to be more open-minded in recent years to more innovative filmmaking. That's exciting.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government on Monday survived a third vote of no confidence in as many months, brought by his main Tory rival. The minority Liberal government got the support of the New Democratic Party (NDP), a small leftist faction once aligned with the ruling Liberals, to defeat the motion 180-152. The text of the proposition echoed NDP leader Jagmeet Singh's own past criticisms of Trudeau since breaking off their partnership in late August, calling him "too weak, too selfish." Neither Singh nor Trudeau were present for the vote. The House of Commons has been deadlocked most of this fall session by an unprecedented two-month filibuster by the Conservatives. But Speaker Greg Fergus, in a rare move, ordered a short break in the deadlock to allow for this and other possible confidence votes, and for lawmakers to vote on a key spending measure. MPs are scheduled to vote Tuesday on the spending package, which includes funds for social services, disaster relief and support for Ukraine. With a 20-point lead in polls, Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has been itching for an election call since the NDP tore up its coalition agreement with the Liberals. But the NDP and other opposition parties, whose support is needed to bring down the Liberals, have so far refused to side with the Conservatives. Two no-confidence votes brought by the Tories in September and October failed when the NDP and the separatist Bloc Quebecois backed the Liberals. In Canada's Westminster parliamentary system, a ruling party must hold the confidence of the House of Commons, which means maintaining support from a majority of members. The Liberals currently have 153 seats, versus 119 for the Conservatives, 33 for the Bloc Quebecois, and the NDP's 25. Trudeau swept to power in 2015 and has managed to hold on through two elections in 2019 and 2021. amc/bs/bjt

PARSIPPANY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 12, 2024-- The Board of Directors of Zoetis Inc . (NYSE:ZTS) has declared a dividend of $0.50 per share for the first quarter of 2025, an increase of 16% from the quarterly dividend rate paid in 2024. The dividend will be paid on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, to all holders of record of the Company’s common stock as of the close of business on Tuesday, January 21, 2025. “Zoetis’ performance has been strong this year, driven by our diverse, science-driven portfolio and our differentiated execution,” said Wetteny Joseph, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Zoetis. “I am pleased to announce that we are increasing our dividend in 2025, consistent with our commitment to returning excess capital to shareholders.” About Zoetis As the world’s leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness for more than 70 years, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide – from veterinarians and pet owners to livestock farmers and ranchers. The company’s leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $8.5 billion in 2023 with approximately 14,100 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com . DISCLOSURE NOTICES Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect the current views of Zoetis with respect to business plans or prospects, future operating or financial performance, future use of cash and dividend payments, and other future events. These statements are not guarantees of future performance or actions. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if management's underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by a forward-looking statement. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. Zoetis expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. A further list and description of risks, uncertainties and other matters can be found in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, including in the sections thereof captioned “Forward-Looking Statements and Factors That May Affect Future Results” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in our Current Reports on Form 8-K. These filings and subsequent filings are available online at www.sec.gov , www.zoetis.com , or on request from Zoetis. ZTS-COR ZTS-IR ZTS-FIN View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212274866/en/ CONTACT: Media Contacts: Jennifer Albano 1-973-945-4333 (o) jennifer.albano@zoetis.com Laura Panza 1-973-975-5176 (o) laura.panza@zoetis.com Investor Contacts: Steve Frank 1-973-822-7141 (o) steve.frank@zoetis.com Nick Soonthornchai 1-973-443-2792 (o) nick.soonthornchai@zoetis.com KEYWORD: NEW JERSEY UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HEALTH OTHER HEALTH MANAGED CARE PHARMACEUTICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY VETERINARY SOURCE: Zoetis Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/12/2024 04:15 PM/DISC: 12/12/2024 04:17 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212274866/en

NEW YORK (AP) — The huge rally for U.S. stocks lost momentum on Thursday as Wall Street counted down to a big jobs report that’s coming on Friday. The crypto market had more action, and bitcoin briefly burst to a record above $103,000 before pulling back. The S&P 500 slipped 0.2% from the all-time high it had set the day before, its 56th of the year so far, to shave a bit off what’s set to be one of its best years of the millennium . The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 248 points, or 0.6%, while the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.2% from its own record set the day before. Bitcoin powered above $100,000 for the first time the night before, after President-elect Donald Trump chose Paul Atkins, who's seen as a crypto advocate, as his nominee to head the Securities and Exchange Commission. The cryptocurrency has climbed dramatically from less than $70,000 on Election Day, but it fell back as Thursday progressed toward $99,000, according to CoinDesk. Sharp swings for bitcoin are nothing new, and they took stocks of companies enmeshed in the crypto world on a similar ride. After rising as much as 9% in early trading, MicroStrategy, a company that’s been raising cash just to buy bitcoin, swung to a loss of 4.8%. Crypto exchange Coinbase Global fell 3.1% after likewise erasing a big early gain. Elsewhere on Wall Street, stocks of airlines helped lead the way following the latest bumps up to financial forecasts from carriers. American Airlines Group soared 16.8% after saying it’s making more in revenue during the last three months of 2024 than it expected, and it will likely make a bigger profit than it had earlier forecast. The airline also chose Citi to be its exclusive partner for credit cards that give miles in its loyalty program. That should help its cash coming in from co-branded credit card and other partners grow by about 10% annually. Southwest Airlines climbed 2% after saying it’s seeing stronger demand from leisure travelers than it expected. It also raised its forecast for revenue for the holiday traveling season. On the losing end of Wall Street was Synposys, which tumbled 12.4%. The supplier for the semiconductor industry reported better profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected, but it also warned of “continued macro uncertainties” and gave a forecast for revenue in the current quarter that fell short of some analysts’ estimates. American Eagle Outfitters fell even more, 14.3%, after the retailer said it’s preparing for “potential choppiness” outside of peak selling periods. It was reminiscent of a warning from Foot Locker earlier in the week and raised more concerns about how resilient U.S. shoppers can remain. Solid spending by U.S. consumers has been one of the main reasons the U.S. economy has avoided a recession that earlier seemed inevitable after the Federal Reserve hiked interest rates to crush inflation. But shoppers are now contending with still-high prices and a slowing job market . This week’s highlight for Wall Street will be Friday’s jobs report from the U.S. government, which will show how many people employers hired and fired last month. A report on Thursday said the number of U.S. workers applying for unemployment benefits rose last week but remains at historically healthy levels. Expectations are high that the Fed will cut its main interest rate again when it meets in two weeks. The Fed began easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high in September, hoping to offer more support for the job market. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury edged down to 4.17% from 4.18% late Wednesday. The S&P 500 fell 11.38 points to 6,075.11. The Dow sank 248.33 to 44,765.71, and the Nasdaq composite lost 34.86 to 19,700.26. In stock markets abroad, indexes were mostly calm in Europe after far-right and left-wing lawmakers in France joined together to vote on a no-confidence motion that will force Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his Cabinet to resign. The CAC 40 index in Paris added 0.4%. In South Korea, the Kospi fell 0.9% to compound its 1.4% decline from the day before. President Yoon Suk Yeol was facing possible impeachment after he suddenly declared martial law on Tuesday night. He revoked the martial law declaration six hours later. Crude oil prices slipped after eight members of the OPEC+ alliance of oil exporting countries decided to put off increasing oil production. AP Business Writers Yuri Kageyama and Matt Ott contributed.

Chicago Auto Show 2025 at McCormick Place, Feb. 8-17: Hours, ticket prices and moreCould this over-50s QLD coastal community be the ideal haven for boomers looking to live large?

ERDA extends Mack's contract another year

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 12, 2024-- The Board of Trustees of Barings Participation Investors (NYSE: MPV) (the “Trust”) today announced that it has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.37 per share payable on January 17, 2025, to shareholders of record on December 30, 2024. The Trust also announced a special distribution of $0.10 per share payable on January 17, 2025, to shareholders of record on December 30, 2024. Based on current projections through the end of 2024, the Trust expects both dividends will be compromised of net investment income. The final determination of the source and tax characteristics of these distributions will depend upon the Trust’s investment experience during its fiscal year and will be made after the Trust’s year end and will be reported on IRS Form 1099-Div. Cliff Noreen, Chairman, stated, “We are pleased to announce a special distribution of $0.10 per share in addition to the Trust’s quarterly cash dividend of $0.37 per share. The special distribution, which was made possible by non-recurring dividend income received in the fourth quarter, highlights the benefits of the Trust’s equity co-investments to our shareholders.” The next scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held on February 27, 2025. Barings Participation Investors is a closed-end management investment company advised by Barings LLC. Its shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol (“MPV”). Per share amounts are rounded to the nearest cent. PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS Cautionary Notice: Certain statements contained in this press release may be “forward-looking” statements. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made and which reflect management’s current estimates, projections, expectations or beliefs, and which are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These statements are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions and may not be relied upon as investment advice or an indication of the fund's trading intent. References to specific securities are not recommendations of such securities, and may not be representative of the fund's current or future investments. We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. About Barings Barings is a $431+ billion* global asset management firm that partners with institutional, insurance, and intermediary clients, and supports leading businesses with flexible financing solutions. The firm, a subsidiary of MassMutual, seeks to deliver excess returns by leveraging its global scale and capabilities across public and private markets in fixed income, real assets and capital solutions. *Assets under management as of September 30, 2024 View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212085549/en/ MediaRelations@barings.com KEYWORD: NORTH CAROLINA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: BANKING ASSET MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE SOURCE: Barings Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/12/2024 04:15 PM/DISC: 12/12/2024 04:17 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212085549/enPENN STATE 85, FORDHAM 66Authorities are questioning a 26-year-old man from Towson in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, law enforcement officials said. New York police identified the man as Luigi Nicholas Mangione, who they said was born and raised in Maryland, with ties to San Francisco. He lived in Honolulu, Hawaii, until recently. Mangione, a high school valedictorian from the Gilman School in Baltimore, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a spokesman told The Associated Press on Monday. He had learned to code in high school and helped start a club at Penn for people interested in gaming and game design, according to a 2018 story in Penn Today, a campus publication. His posts suggest that he belonged to the fraternity Phi Kappa Psi. They also show him taking part in a 2019 program at Stanford University, and in photos with family and friends in Hawaii, San Diego, Puerto Rico, the New Jersey shore and other destinations. He is a scion of a prominent Baltimore-area family whose interests reach from development to politics and civic life. In his valedictory speech at Gilman School, he praised the school for instilling in him the “incredible courage to explore the unknown and try new things,” according to an excerpt from his speech on the school website. That same year, Mangione was featured in a Baltimore Fishbowl article spotlighting local valedictorians, where he outlined his ambition to study artificial intelligence. The headmaster of Gilman School issued a statement Monday, calling the revelation “deeply distressing.” “We recently became aware that the person arrested in connection with the killing of the United Healthcare CEO is a Gilman alumnus, Luigi Mangione, Class of 2016,” Henry P.A. Smyth said. “This is deeply distressing news on top of an already awful situation. Our hearts go out to everyone affected.” Mangione had writings that appeared to be critical of the health insurance industry, a law enforcement official told the Associated Press. He had a gun thought to be similar to the one used in the killing, the official said. Along with the gun, police found a silencer and fake IDs, according to the official. Police apprehended Mangione after receiving a tip that he had been spotted at a McDonald’s near Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 233 miles west of New York City, said the official, who was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. His late grandfather, Nicholas Mangione Sr., was a self-made real estate developer who owned country clubs, nursing homes and a radio station. And his grandmother Mary, who died in 2023 from Parkinson’s disease, was described in an obituary as a hospital benefactor and a music patron. They purchased Turf Valley Country Club in 1978, establishing it as a golf course resort and residential community, and later Hayfields Country Club in 1986. Family businesses also include the Lorien Health Services nursing homes and radio station WCBM-AM. Mary Mangione was a supporter of the Catholic Archdiocese of Baltimore, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, the old Baltimore Opera Company and the Walters Art Museum, eventually becoming a Walters trustee. Del. Nino Mangione, a Baltimore County Republican, is a cousin, his office confirmed to WBAL. Thompson, 50, was killed last Wednesday in what police said was a “brazen, targeted” attack as he walked alone to the Hilton from a nearby hotel, where UnitedHealthcare’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group, was holding its annual investor conference, police said. The shooter appeared to be “lying in wait for several minutes” before approaching the executive from behind and opening fire, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. He used a 9 mm pistol that police said resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise. In the days since the shooting, police turned to the public for help by releasing a collection of photos and video — including footage of the attack, as well as images of the suspect at a Starbucks beforehand. Photos taken in the lobby of a hostel on Manhattan’s Upper West Side showed the suspect grinning after removing his mask, police said. Ammunition found near Thompson’s body bore the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose,” mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics. Monday’s development came as dogs and divers returned to New York’s Central Park while the dragnet for Thompson’s killer stretched into a sixth day. Investigators have been combing the park since the Wednesday shooting and have been searching at least one of its ponds for three days, looking for evidence that may have been thrown into it. On Friday, police found a backpack in the park that they say the killer discarded as he fled from the crime scene to an uptown bus station, where they believe he left the city on a bus. On Monday, K-9 units sniffed leaf-covered planters between walking paths in Central Park near where police found the shooter’s backpack. Farther along the path that police believe the suspect took through the park after the shooting, scuba divers geared up and began searching a pond for the third straight day. Retracing the gunman’s steps using surveillance video, investigators say the shooter fled into Central Park on a bicycle, emerged from park without his backpack and then ditched the bicycle. He then walked a couple blocks and got into a taxi, arriving at at the George Washington Bridge Bus Station, which is near the northern tip of Manhattan and offers commuter service to New Jersey and Greyhound routes to Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, D.C., NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. The FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to $10,000 that the NYPD has offered. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone. Late Saturday, police released two additional photos of the suspect that appeared to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi. The first shows him outside the vehicle and the second shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. In both, his face is partially obscured by a blue mask. Through the park search, the NYPD has taken steps to minimize disruption to visitors, leading to an odd juxtaposition of joggers, tourists and an active crime scene. On Monday, a small section of the park was cordoned off with blue and white police tape, giving divers an area to change and enter the water. At one point, a group of about 30 French-speaking tourists followed a guide down a path, but they couldn’t go any farther because of the police tape. Before turning back, many of them whipped out their phones to snap photos of the diver crew.