Under-fire SNP minister Neil Gray under MORE pressure over trip to glitzy film premiere

Quarterback since taking over as the 49ers’ starting quarterback late in the 2022 season. And he could not come at . With the 49ers clinging to slim playoff hopes, Purdy will be sidelined for the team’s crucial game Sunday against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field due to a right shoulder injury. Purdy , 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said. The imaging did not show any significant damage, and Purdy has a chance to play against Buffalo in Week 13, Shanahan said. against the Packers, and Joshua Dobbs will serve as the backup, Shanahan said. In fact, the 49ers will take the field without, perhaps, their most important offensive and defensive players. also was ruled out with hip and oblique injuries, 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan announced on Friday. The 49ers are scheduled to travel late Friday afternoon. is listed as questionable with an ankle injury. Cornerback Charvarius Ward, who , was ruled out, along with wide receiver Jacob Cowing (concussion), defensive lineman Kevin Givens (groin) and linebacker Tatum Bethune (knee). Tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey have been fully cleared to play in Sunday’s game. Purdy has made a start since becoming the 49ers’ starting quarterback with five games remaining in the 2022 season. He sustained a cracked rib in his first start against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Purdy did not throw any passes in practice the following week but still managed to play on a Thursday night in Seattle. This week, Purdy did not throw on Wednesday. He took a few short tosses before practice on Thursday but left the field before the start of practice. He was not on the field as the 49ers began practice on Friday. Allen, who won the No. 2 job over Joshua Dobbs, is . Allen, 32, entered the NFL as a sixth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2016. His NFL career consists of 16 appearances with nine starts. He has completed 149 of 263 pass attempts (56.7 percent) for 1,611 yards with 10 touchdowns and six interceptions. for Sunday’s game. Last season, Dobbs appeared in 13 games with 12 starts for Arizona and Minnesota. He threw for 2,464 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Bosa sustained a hip and oblique injury during practice on Nov. 6. He struggled through the 49ers’ game at Tampa, then sustained an injury to the hip and oblique on the other side. He said it was a matter of overcompensating for the discomfort of the original injury. Leonard Floyd has started every game at defensive end for the 49ers this season. The 49ers’ other defensive ends are Yetur Gross-Matos, Sam Okuayinonu and Robert Beal. Williams sustained an ankle injury in the 49ers’ Week 10 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After going through a workout before last week’s game, it was determined he could play with the help of a painkilling injection. Williams, an 11-time Pro Bowl performer, did not practice Wednesday or Thursday. Jaylon Moore took the first-team practice snaps at left tackle and would be expected to start in place of Williams. Moore has seven career starts in four NFL seasons. QB Brock Purdy (shoulder) DL Nick Bosa (hip/oblique) LB Tatum Bethune (knee) DL Kevin Givens (groin) CB Charvarius Ward (personal) WR Jacob Cowing (concussion) LT Trent Williams (ankle) OL Jon Feliciano (knee)Image Small Image Body Thanks to Bradford Clark who teaches at George Washington Law School and has a home here, we were able to connect with another constitutional scholar and media favorite, Professor Jonathan Turley. Turley has agreed to speak at a U.S. Constitution Scholarship Foundation event at Walker’s Landing Monday, Dec. 2. His presentation will cover our present political climate and his recent bestselling book, “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in the Age of Rage.” In addition to being a professor at the George Washington University Law School, Turley has written articles for the New York Times , The Washington Post , USA Today, and the Wall St. Journal . He also is a featured guest on Sunday talk shows like Meet the Press , ABC This Week , Face the Nation, and Fox News Sunday . He has worked closely with many of the networks’ most famous reporters from Tim Russert and Dan Rather to Britt Hume. Since the 1990s, he has served as a legal analyst for NBC News, CBS News, and BBC, and is currently a legal analyst for Fox News. He has covered stories that ranged from the Clinton impeachment to Trump’s impeachments, and the recent Presidential elections. Many of us on the island are extremely impressed by Turley who, unlike many of today’s political commentators, comes across as not only very knowledgeable, but also very thoughtful. Turley grew up in Chicago. His dad was an international architect who was an associate of famed modernist architect Ludwig Mies van der Roh. His mom was a social worker and activist, who was the former president of the Jane Addams Hull House. In the late 1970s, Turley served as an Illinois Democrat House Leadership Page. He went to the University of Chicago for his BA and then attended Northwestern Law School where he served as Executive Articles Editor of the Northwestern University Law Review. After law school, Turley worked as an intern with the general counsel’s office of the National Security Agency. His interests have been to teach, practice, write, and be a commentator. Before joining George Washington Law School, he taught at Tulane Law School. At George Washington University Law School, he teaches torts, criminal procedure, and Constitutional Law. He also happens to be the youngest individual to receive an academic chair in the school’s history. He is best known for his writing and commentary in the media and his views and actions have impacted both sides of the aisle. He called for the criminal prosecution of George W. Bush administration officials for war crimes, which included torture. On the other side, in December 2019, Turley testified before the House Judiciary Committee arguing against a Trump impeachment, arguing that the evidence did not meet the standard definitions of those crimes and that the charges against Trump represented lowering of impeachment standards to “fit a paucity of evidence and an abundance of anger.” While he condemned Trump’s speech before the riots at the Capitol, he argued, instead of impeachment, for a bipartisan, bicameral vote of censure to condemn Trump’s words and actions leading up to the riot. While he declined to represent Trump, he did speak in his favor to Republican Senators before the first and second impeachment trials. Turley is very concerned about political reporting and commentary today. He is worried that most commentators and reporters have become advocates of specific positions rather than subscribing to objectivity. In addition, he believes our major universities and law schools have become far too biased, with less than 10% of professors being conservative, which he believes prevents students from getting a balanced view of our laws and the U.S. Constitution. Amelia Island resident Howard Pines has more than 30 years of experience as CEO, chairman and founder of BeamPines, a premier firm in the executive coaching business. He also co-founded the BeamPines/Middlesex University master’s Program in Executive Coaching. Before that, he served as senior vice president of human resources for a Fortune 100 corporation. He is the author of "The Case for Wasting Time and Other Management Heresies."

Activating your credit card? Don’t skip the mobile wallet stepWest Ham United's 'humiliations' under manager Julen Lopetegui are 'acceptable', according to The Guardian's Jacob Steinberg, reacting to their first-half performance against Liverpool . The Hammers went into the break 3-0 down after some shambolic defending from Lopetegui's side. Although Liverpool have been in excellent form this season, the capitulation at the London Stadium will have been a major disappointment for the supporters. It's a common theme throughout the season for West Ham, with Lopetegui treading on thin ice. The Spanish manager has been under immense pressure throughout the campaign, but he's managed to wiggle his way out of trouble on numerous occasions. Lopetegui is 'Getting Away With it' at West Ham Reacting on social media at half-time, Steinberg suggested that Lopetegui has been getting away with too many humiliations at West Ham throughout the season. The respected journalist added that it's 'beyond acceptable', regardless of the opposition on this occasion. "How many humiliations in half a season does one manager get away with? Beyond acceptable, even if Liverpool brilliant. Barely competing. And West Ham lucky during that four-game unbeaten run that opponents didn’t punish them." It's a bit of a damning verdict from Steinberg, hinting that Lopetegui has been getting away with it for too long now. Although the Hammers narrowly defeated fellow struggles Southampton last time out, some of their performances this season have been unacceptable, especially in front of their own fans. West Ham shipped five goals at home to Arsenal and three to Chelsea at the London Stadium, while also suffering heavy defeats at Tottenham in the Premier League and Liverpool in the EFL Cup. The supporters have regularly voiced their frustrations at Lopetegui's style of football, and it's no surprise after big investment during the summer transfer window. Lopetegui has struggled to get the best out of the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Jean-Clair Todibo, while we've barely seen young starlet Luis Guilherme in action. It will be interesting to see how the West Ham board react after another disappointing performance from the Hammers, but they've shown faith in the manager so far this season. West Ham United are interested in signing Manchester City midfielder James McAtee in January.

Activists say Mexican authorities have broken up 2 migrant caravans heading to the US

WILMINGTON, N.C. (AP) — Donovan Newby had 16 points in UNC Wilmington's 76-61 victory over Appalachian State on Saturday night. Newby also added six assists for the Seahawks (5-2). Nolan Hodge added 15 points while shooting 6 for 10, including 2 for 5 from beyond the arc and had six rebounds. Harlan Obioha had 12 points and shot 5 of 5 from the field and 2 of 5 from the free-throw line. The Mountaineers (5-3) were led in scoring by CJ Huntley, who finished with 17 points. Jalil Beaubrun added 16 points and 11 rebounds for Appalachian State. Alonzo Dodd had 11 points. UNC Wilmington took the lead with 15:43 left in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 44-33 at halftime, with Hodge racking up 15 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .CONWAY, Ark., Dec. 10, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Home BancShares, Inc. (NYSE: HOMB) (“Home” or “the Company”), and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Centennial Bank (“Centennial”), announced it has established additional reserves for loan losses as a result of Hurricane Milton. On October 11, 2024, HOMB announced a $16.7 million reserve as a result of Hurricane Helene, which made landfall September 26, 2024. Upon announcement HOMB indicated the more recent and powerful Hurricane Milton, which made landfall on October 9, 2024, and caused the spin-off of more than two dozen tornados, would likely lead to an increase in this reserve amount. “Out of an abundance of caution, HOMB has decided to make an additional $16.7 million reserve following the second Florida hurricane, bringing our total hurricane reserve to $33.4 million for the year,” said John Allison, Chairman of HOMB. “The two hurricanes spanned across the third and fourth quarter and the amount of time it takes for customers to settle with insurance will no doubt increase, with two back-to-back events,” continued Allison. “We have approximately $110 million currently on deferral as a result of the two hurricanes and in keeping with our conservative nature, we feel as though this proactive move is a prudent and predictable course of action,” added Allison. Branches The Company currently has 76 branches in Arkansas, 78 branches in Florida, 58 branches in Texas, 5 branches in Alabama and one branch in New York City. About Home BancShares Home BancShares, Inc. is a bank holding company, headquartered in Conway, Arkansas. Its wholly-owned subsidiary, Centennial Bank, provides a broad range of commercial and retail banking plus related financial services to businesses, real estate developers, investors, individuals and municipalities. Centennial Bank has branch locations in Arkansas, Florida, Texas, South Alabama and New York City. The Company’s common stock is traded through the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HOMB.” The Company was founded in 1998. Visit www.homebancshares.com or www.my100bank.com for more information. General This release contains forward-looking statements regarding the Company’s plans, expectations, goals and outlook for the future, including future financial results. Statements in this press release that are not historical facts should be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future events, performance or results. When we use words or phrases like “may,” “plan,” “propose,” “contemplate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “continue,” “expect,” “project,” “predict,” “estimate,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “on track” and similar expressions, you should consider them as identifying forward-looking statements, although we may use other phrasing. Forward-looking statements of this type speak only as of the date of this news release. By nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Various factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following: economic conditions, credit quality, interest rates, loan demand, real estate values and unemployment, including the ongoing impacts of inflation; the ability to identify, complete and successfully integrate new acquisitions; the risk that expected cost savings and other benefits from acquisitions may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected; diversion of management time on acquisition-related issues; the availability of and access to capital and liquidity on terms acceptable to us; legislative and regulatory changes and risks and expenses associated with current and future legislation and regulations; technological changes and cybersecurity risks and incidents; the effects of changes in accounting policies and practices; changes in governmental monetary and fiscal policies; political instability, military conflicts and other major domestic or international events; the impact of recent or future adverse weather events, including hurricanes, and other natural disasters; disruptions, uncertainties and related effects on credit quality, liquidity and other aspects of our business and operations that may result from any future public health crises; competition from other financial institutions; potential claims, expenses and other adverse effects related to current or future litigation, regulatory examinations or other government actions; potential increases in deposit insurance assessments, increased regulatory scrutiny or market disruptions resulting from financial challenges in the banking industry; changes in the assumptions used in making the forward-looking statements; and other factors described in reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including those factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on February 26, 2024. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Donna Townsell Director of Investor Relations Home BancShares, Inc. (501) 328-4625

The Huskies bounced back from an upset loss at the hands of Seattle U that snapped a 19-game win streak against the cross-town rival. Osobor opened the game with a three-point play in the first minute and followed it with a layup and the Huskies raced to a 20-point lead by intermission, 46-26. Washington's bench saw plenty of playing time with four players scoring at least nine points. Diallo led the bench effort with 12 points, five assists and a pair of steals. Wilhelm Briedenbach finished with 10 points and five rebounds. Sebastian Robinson was 5 of 22 from the field, including 0-for-4 from distance, but led the Highlanders (2-12) with 16 points. Tim Moore Jr. added 14 points and Ari Fulton contributed 11. The Huskies will look look for their first Big Ten Conference victory after an 0-2 start when they play host to Maryland on Thursday and No. 24 Illinois on Sunday. NJIT returns home to host Medgar Evers on Saturday. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

Share Tweet Share Share Email Enterprises must rely on precise forecasting to make informed decisions. Predicting financial outcomes accurately can mean the difference between thriving in a competitive market or facing unexpected setbacks. Traditional forecasting methods, though effective in the past, are often insufficient in handling the complexities and fast changes of modern markets. Enter artificial intelligence (AI). AI-powered forecasting is revolutionizing how businesses predict financial outcomes. By leveraging advanced algorithms and vast datasets, AI offers enterprises an unprecedented ability to foresee financial trends and optimize decision-making . The Basics of AI in Financial Forecasting Artificial intelligence involves using machines and software to perform tasks that traditionally require human intelligence. In financial forecasting, AI algorithms analyze historical data, detect patterns, and make predictions about future outcomes. These systems adapt and improve over time, ensuring more accurate forecasts. Some key components of AI in forecasting include: Machine Learning (ML): ML algorithms enable systems to learn from data without explicit programming. This adaptability allows continuous improvement in prediction accuracy. Natural Language Processing (NLP): NLP analyzes unstructured data, such as news articles or social media posts, to identify trends that might affect financial outcomes. Deep Learning: A subset of ML, deep learning utilizes neural networks to process complex datasets, uncovering insights that would be difficult for traditional methods to identify. Why Traditional Forecasting Falls Short Traditional financial forecasting relies heavily on historical data and static models. While this approach worked well in the past, it often struggles with today’s challenges, such as: Data Overload: Businesses generate massive amounts of data daily. Traditional methods lack the capacity to process and analyze such volumes effectively. Dynamic Markets: Markets are more volatile than ever, influenced by a range of factors, including geopolitical events, technological advancements, and consumer sentiment. Human Bias: Manual forecasting is prone to cognitive biases that can skew results and lead to suboptimal decisions. Benefits of AI-Powered Forecasting AI-powered forecasting addresses these shortcomings, offering a host of benefits for enterprises: Enhanced Accuracy AI systems analyze extensive datasets, identifying subtle patterns and correlations that humans might overlook. This results in more precise forecasts, reducing the risk of costly errors. Real-Time Insights Unlike traditional methods that often rely on periodic updates, AI-powered tools provide real-time insights. This capability allows businesses to respond swiftly to changing market conditions. Scalability AI solutions can handle vast amounts of data, making them ideal for large enterprises with diverse operations. As a business grows, its AI tools can scale accordingly, ensuring consistent performance. Cost Efficiency Automating forecasting processes with AI reduces the need for extensive manual input. This not only saves time but also lowers operational costs. Predictive and Prescriptive Insights AI doesn’t just predict outcomes; it also suggests actionable steps to achieve desired results. For example, if a forecast indicates declining sales, the system might recommend strategies to mitigate losses. Applications of AI-Powered Forecasting in Enterprises Revenue Forecasting AI can predict future revenue based on historical sales data, market trends, and external factors like economic conditions. These forecasts help businesses set realistic sales targets and allocate resources effectively. Expense Management Enterprises can use AI to forecast expenses, identifying areas where costs might increase. This insight enables proactive budget adjustments and cost-saving measures. Risk Management By analyzing market trends, competitor activities, and regulatory changes, AI systems help businesses anticipate risks and develop mitigation strategies. Inventory Optimization AI-powered forecasting tools predict demand patterns, helping businesses optimize inventory levels. This reduces the risk of overstocking or stockouts, improving overall efficiency. Investment Decisions AI provides insights into market trends, helping enterprises make informed investment decisions. Predictive analytics highlight opportunities with high potential returns while minimizing exposure to risks. Challenges in Implementing AI-Powered Forecasting While AI-powered forecasting offers numerous benefits, implementing these systems is not without challenges: Data Quality Accurate forecasting relies on high-quality data. Inconsistent or incomplete datasets can lead to flawed predictions. Enterprises must invest in robust data management systems to ensure reliability. Integration with Existing Systems Integrating AI tools with legacy systems can be complex and time-consuming. Businesses need a clear strategy to ensure seamless integration. Skill Gap Adopting AI requires skilled professionals who can develop, deploy, and manage these systems Additionally,Enterprises may need to invest in training or hire specialized talent. Ethical Concerns AI systems must be designed and used ethically. Transparency, data privacy, and fairness are critical considerations to avoid reputational and legal risks. Best Practices for Implementing AI-Powered Forecasting To maximize the benefits of AI-powered forecasting, enterprises should follow these best practices: Define Clear Objectives Before implementing AI, businesses must identify their goals. Thus, Whether it’s improving revenue forecasts or reducing operational costs, clear objectives guide the development of effective AI systems. Invest in Quality Data High-quality data is the foundation of accurate forecasting. Enterprises should prioritize data cleansing, integration, and validation processes. Choose the Right Tools Not all AI tools are created equal. Businesses should evaluate solutions based on their specific needs, scalability, and ease of integration. Continuous Monitoring and Improvement AI systems require regular monitoring to ensure optimal performance. Additionally, Businesses should analyze system outputs and make adjustments as needed to improve accuracy and reliability. Foster a Culture of Innovation Successful implementation of AI requires organizational buy-in. Moreover, Leaders should promote a culture that embraces innovation and encourages employees to adopt new technologies. The Future of AI in Financial Forecasting As technology advances, AI-powered forecasting will become even more integral to enterprise success. Future developments may include: Enhanced Predictive Models: Advanced algorithms will offer even greater accuracy, factoring in variables such as climate change or social trends. Increased Personalization: Enterprises will tailor forecasts to individual business units or customers, enhancing decision-making at every level. Democratization of AI: As AI tools become more accessible, smaller businesses will also benefit from these capabilities, leveling the playing field. Conclusion AI-powered forecasting represents a transformative leap for enterprises aiming to predict financial outcomes with greater precision and efficiency. By harnessing the power of advanced algorithms, businesses can navigate the complexities of modern markets, mitigate risks, and seize opportunities. Furthermore, While challenges exist, a strategic approach to implementation ensures that enterprises can unlock the full potential of AI-powered forecasting, driving sustained growth and success in an advancing space . Related Items: Financial Forecasting , Forecasting for Enterprises , Predicting Financial Outcomes Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Leveraging Data Analytics for More Accurate Financial Forecasting CommentsFrom a restless pup to a mourning horse – your pet queries answered( MENAFN - GetNews) On 10th December 2024, within the context of high-quality Belt and Road construction, the "Belt and Road" China-Africa Youth Sustainable Development Exchange activity, organized by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) China, the UNFPA Kenya, and other organizations, took place at Yanching Institute of Technology. This event featured the "Civilization Symbosis to Build a Shared Future" China-Kenya South-South Cooperation Forum on Youth Sustainable Development. Through three key thematic exchanges, presentations, and ten peer-to-peer interactive exchanges, the event brought together industry knowledge, a commitment to public welfare, and a global perspective to work toward a shared future, promoting sustainable and mutually beneficial youth exchanges and contributing practical wisdom and strength to the high-quality construction of the "Belt and Road" initiative. Image: Kenyan youth wearing Hanfu interacting with teachers and students at Yanching Institute of Technology. Photo: Li Yuyao A series of rich and interactive cultural exchange activities unfolded enthusiastically, allowing the Kenyan youth delegation to deeply experience the infinite charm of traditional Chinese culture. The Kenyan youth representatives danced in Hanfu, or held calligraphy brushes, dipping them in ink, and jointly creating plum blossom Chinese paintings with students from Yanching Institute of Technology. From selecting materials, cutting, pasting, and assembling, exquisite lanterns gradually took shape in their hands. By constructing traditional Chinese architectural Dougong (interlocking wooden brackets), they gained an understanding of the wisdom and craftsmanship of ancient Chinese artisans. The sweetness of Begonia cakes and the exquisite nature of paper-cutting art also drew their admiration. Visiting student science and technology exhibitions, discussions between nurses specializing in maternal health and family planning and faculty and students from the nursing program, environmental research experts experiencing virtual simulation technology, young lawyers discussing law with law students, young innovators visiting student science and technology and innovation projects... Yanching Institute of Technology's various industry-focused colleges carried out various themed activities centered on China-Africa youth exchanges, achieving "precise alignment" between the Kenyan youth delegation and the industrial colleges. The various colleges appointed Kenyan youth representatives as "peer mentors." Dr. Pilar de la corte Molina, Deputy Country Representative of UNFPA Kenya, delivered a keynote speech on "Human Rights and Bodily Autonomy." She believes that young students should continuously learn new knowledge and technologies, improve their own quality and abilities, and make positive contributions to building a community with a shared future for mankind and promoting global sustainable development. "Gather international public welfare forces and join hands with worldwide young talents to build a world public welfare community" Dr. Pilar said to the Social Welfare College. In April 2024, Yanching Institute of Technology established the Social Welfare College, adhering to the principles of "serving society, dedicating love, and innovative practice," leading young students to actively engage in social welfare endeavors. The college awarded "International Friendship Volunteer" certificates to the visiting Kenyan youth representatives. Wu Wenyan, Vice President of Yanching Institute of Technology, introduced that the school has always adhered to open education and extensively carried out international exchanges and cooperation, providing various choices for student growth and development. She hopes that young students will actively participate in the wave of global governance, work together to create a blueprint for a beautiful future, and jointly forge a brilliant chapter for Chinese and Kenyan youth. MENAFN18122024003238003268ID1109009568 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.

By Jody Godoy NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. President-elect Donald Trump tapped Federal Trade Commissioner Andrew Ferguson to lead the consumer protection and antitrust agency, Trump said on social media on Tuesday. Ferguson, one of two Senate-confirmed Republican FTC commissioners appointed by President Joe Biden, will be "the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History," Trump said. "Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country," Trump said on his social media platform. Ferguson has said the agency should tackle perceived censorship of conservative viewpoints online. If social media platforms collaborate to suppress such views or advertisers coordinate pulling business from platforms such as Elon Musk's X, they should be charged with violating U.S. antitrust law, Ferguson has said. "We must vigorously enforce the antitrust laws against any platforms found to be unlawfully limiting Americans' ability to exchange ideas freely and openly," Ferguson said in a recent statement. The agency became a political flashpoint under FTC Chair Lina Khan, who promoted antitrust enforcement as a check on corporate power. Her efforts won fans among some Republicans, including incoming Vice President JD Vance, but drew criticism as overly aggressive from some antitrust lawyers and business groups. Her successor will inherit a full slate of cases against Big Tech companies, a lawsuit against the three largest pharmacy benefit managers, and at least a half-dozen lawsuits by companies arguing it has outstripped its authority. It is unclear whether the incoming chair would continue with unfinished probes, including into practices at Microsoft that competitors have complained keep customers from switching to other cloud service providers, and potential privacy concerns involving OpenAI. New leadership could also shift course in two major FTC cases against Amazon.com. One takes aim at practices the agency says keep sellers bound to its platform and help Amazon unlawfully dominate the landscape for online marketplaces, and another over practices allegedly meant to trick Prime subscribers out of cancelling service. The new FTC chair would also oversee a case brought against Meta Platforms, then known as Facebook, in 2020, during Trump's first term. The agency is seeking to unwind the tech company's acquisition of Instagram and Whatsapp. But the judge overseeing the case has cast doubt on whether the agency can prevail at trial in April. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington and Jody Godoy in New York; Editing by Jasper Ward, Rosalba O'Brien and Matthew Lewis)

VANCOUVER — A Federal Court judge has dismissed an appeal by a “deeply religious” British Columbia health executive who said he was wrongfully denied employment insurance after being fired three years ago for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Darold Sturgeon was fired as executive director of medical affairs for Interior Health in November 2021 after refusing to get the vaccine based on his Christian beliefs. He applied for employment insurance benefits but was denied due to being fired for “misconduct,” with appeals to two levels of the Social Security Tribunal also failing, leading him to seek a judicial review in Federal Court in August 2023. The ruling says Sturgeon believed the tribunal should have examined his assertion under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms that the term “misconduct” did not apply to his case “because he was exercising his freedom of religion.” Justice William Pentney says “recent, abundant and unanimous case law” defined a specific and narrow role for the tribunal’s appeal divisions, focusing on an employee’s conduct, and not justification for and employer’s policies or compliance with the Charter. The ruling says Sturgeon’s appeal fell “outside the mandate” of the tribunal and he could have challenged Interior Health’s mandatory vaccine police “through other avenues.” These included advancing a Charter claim, lodging a wrongful dismissal suit or labour grievance, or complaining to the British Columbia Human Rights Commission. “The point is, there were other avenues available to pursue the Charter question; this decision does not cut off the only avenue of relief,” the ruling says. It added of Sturgeon, who represented himself, that “no one has doubted that he acted based on his understanding of his religious obligations,” and that he had “ably advanced his arguments.” “However, despite his sincere and thoughtful arguments, the binding jurisprudence requires that I find against him,” the ruling says. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2024. Darryl Greer, The Canadian PressSinn Fein’s Pearse Doherty has won the first seat in Donegal in the 2024 General Election. The Gaoth Dobhair man romped in ahead of all his rivals with a whopping 18,898 first preference votes with the overall quota being 12,771 votes. Doherty tallied well in large numbers from early this morning. But the official first count was not announced until just after 11.15pm. Doherty was held aloft by his supporters as he repeated his poll-topping performance of 2020. A delighted Doherty told Donegal Daily “We are delighted that we are the people’s choice in Donegal.” “People see the calibre of not only the work ethic we have but the solutions we have to make sure that Donegal is no longer a forgotten county.” Doherty will have a pivotal role in seeing if an “alternative government is possible”. He said: “When the dust settles, when all the seats are filled across the State we have to look at the numbers and see if we can have a government without Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. “That’s what we want. It’s not personal against those parties. That’s how you deliver the amount of change that is required.”Inside the super-sub role, and why Durán is the ultimate game changer

Dave & Buster’s Entertainment Inc PLAY shares are trading lower in Tuesday’s after-hours session after the company reported third-quarter financial results and announced a CEO transition . What Happened: Dave & Buster’s reported third-quarter revenue of $453 million, missing analyst estimates of $563.6 million, according to estimates from Benzinga Pro . The company reported an adjusted loss of 45 cents per share, well below estimates for positive earnings of 90 cents per share. Total revenue decreased 3% year-over-year as comparable store sales fell 7.7%. The company ended the quarter with $8.6 million in cash and $537.4 million of availability under its $650 million revolving credit facility. “During the quarter, we continued to make progress towards our long-term strategic goals. We opened up three new stores, which are on track to generate strong cash on cash returns as we have consistently demonstrated throughout our history,” said Darin Harper , CFO of Dave & Buster’s. “We completed 11 new fully programmed remodels and are on track to have 44 completed by the end of fiscal 2024. Our fully programmed remodels continue to outperform the rest of the store base and we are excited for the opportunity these remodels give us to drive traffic, sales and EBITDA.” See Also: GameStop Q3 Earnings: Revenue Miss, $4B+ Cash, No More Offerings Planned In Fiscal Year The company also announced that CEO Chris Morris handed in his resignation to pursue other interests. The board said it has been working with a global executive search firm in recent months to assist in identifying the company’s next permanent CEO. In the meantime, board chair Kevin Sheehan will serve as interim CEO. The board has also appointed director James Chambers as vice chair of the board. During the transition period, director Michael Griffith will temporarily assume the role of lead independent director. PLAY Price Action: Dave & Buster’s shares were down 10.87% in after-hours, trading at $32.80 at the time of publication Tuesday, according to Benzinga Pro . Photo: Shutterstock. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Activating your credit card? Don’t skip the mobile wallet stepHighway 11 NB reopens after snowstorm blasted the region, stranding motorists

Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: Authorities in Uttar Pradesh's Pryagraj have deployed a state-of-the-art Multi-Disaster Response Vehicle to enhance safety and disaster readiness during the over 40-day-long event. Prayagraj: With preparations in full swing for upcoming Maha Kumbh in Uttar Pradesh’s Pryagraj, authorities have deployed a state-of-the-art Multi-Disaster Response Vehicle to enhance safety and disaster readiness during the over 40-day-long event. The Maha Kumbh will begin on January 13 and go on till February 26 next year. While the vehicle is equipped with the latest technologies, the step has been taken to ensure seamless emergency management during the event. Among other important features, a victim location camera has also been fixed in the vehicle in order to ensure the safety of devotees attending the event. It is also capable of handling situations like natural disasters and road accidents. Important features of Multi-Disaster Response Vehicle According to the report published in New Indian Express, the vehicle consists of a bag that can lift 0 to 20 tonnes. It also helps in rescuing those buried under debris. The vehicle is equipped with machines that are capable of lifting and moving heavy objects weighing not more than 1.5 tonnes. Apart from these, the vehicle is also equipped with tools that help in cutting and spreading through strong debris during emergencies. The victim location camera helps in finding individuals trapped in collapsed buildings. Underwater drones to be used during Maha Kumbh On Sunday, the state government said that ‘underwater drones, which are capable of diving up to 100 meters will be deployed during the the event. The step will be taken to provide surveillance at the Sangam area. Also, as many as 92 roads are been renovated in Prayagraj, while 30 30 pontoon bridges are under construction. Along with these, as many as 800 multilingual signs are also being installed for pilgrims. Close to 40 crore devotees from India and abroad are expected to attend the event. Click for more latest India news . Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9. Subhajit Sankar Dasgupta has nearly 18 years of experience. Currently, he is serving as Associate Editor with news9live.com, a part of Associated Broadcasting Company Pvt Ltd. He started his career with The Pioneer and went on to work in a number of media organisations, including IANS, Financial Express Online, The Political and Business Daily, among others. Apart from online media, he has also worked in print media. Among the beats he covers include politics, sports and infrastructure. He has a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambeshwar University. During his free time, he likes to read books and play table tennis.MTCH Stockholders with Large Losses Should Contact Shareholder Rights Law Firm Robbins LLP for Information About the Match Group, Inc. Class Action

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