casino slot pagcor NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes drifted lower Tuesday in the runup to the highlight of the week for the market, the latest update on inflation that’s coming on Wednesday. The S&P 500 dipped 0.3%, a day after pulling back from its latest all-time high . They’re the first back-to-back losses for the index in nearly a month, as momentum slows following a big rally that has it on track for one of its best years of the millennium . The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 154 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.3%. Tech titan Oracle dragged on the market and sank 6.7% after reporting growth for the latest quarter that fell just short of analysts’ expectations. It was one of the heaviest weights on the S&P 500, even though CEO Safra Catz said the company saw record demand related to artificial-intelligence technology for its cloud infrastructure business, which trains generative AI models. AI has been a big source of growth that’s helped many companies’ stock prices skyrocket. Oracle’s stock had already leaped more than 80% for the year coming into Tuesday, which raised the bar of expectations for its profit report. In the bond market, Treasury yields ticked higher ahead of Wednesday’s report on the inflation that U.S. consumers are feeling. Economists expect it to show similar increases as the month before. Wednesday’s update and a report on Thursday about inflation at the wholesale level will be the final big pieces of data the Federal Reserve will get before its meeting next week, where many investors expect the year’s third cut to interest rates . The Fed has been easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high since September to take pressure off the slowing jobs market, after bringing inflation nearly down to its 2% target. Lower rates would help give support to the economy, but they could also provide more fuel for inflation. Expectations for a series of cuts through next year have been a big reason the S&P 500 has set so many records this year. Trading in the options market suggests traders aren’t expecting a very big move for U.S. stocks following Wednesday’s report, according to strategists at Barclays. But a reading far off expectations in either direction could quickly change that. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.22% from 4.20% late Monday. Even though the Fed has been cutting its main interest rate, mortgage rates have been more stubborn to stay high and have been volatile since the autumn. That has hampered the housing industry, and homebuilder Toll Brothers’ stock fell 6.9% even though it delivered profit and revenue for the latest quarter that topped analysts’ expectations. CEO Douglas Yearley Jr. said the luxury builder has been seeing strong demand since the start of its fiscal year six weeks ago, an encouraging signal as it approaches the beginning of the spring selling season in mid-January. Elsewhere on Wall Street, Alaska Air Group soared 13.2% after raising its forecast for profit in the current quarter. The airline said demand for flying around the holidays has been stronger than expected. It also approved a plan to buy back up to $1 billion of its stock, along with new service from Seattle to Tokyo and Seoul . Boeing climbed 4.5% after saying it’s resuming production of its bestselling plane , the 737 Max, for the first time since 33,000 workers began a seven-week strike that ended in early November. Vail Resorts rose 2.5% after the ski resort operator reported a smaller first-quarter loss than analysts expected in what is traditionally its worst quarter. All told, the S&P 500 fell 17.94 points to 6,034.91. The Dow dipped 154.10 to 44,247.83, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 49.45 to 19,687.24. In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed in China after the world’s second-largest economy said its exports rose by less than expected in November. Stocks rose 0.6% in Shanghai but fell 0.5% in Hong Kong. Indexes fell across much of Europe ahead of a meeting this week by the European Central Bank, where the widespread expectation is for another cut in interest rates. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes drifted lower Tuesday in the runup to the highlight of the week for the market, the latest update on inflation that’s coming on Wednesday. The S&P 500 dipped 0.3%, a day after pulling back from its latest all-time high . They’re the first back-to-back losses for the index in nearly a month, as momentum slows following a big rally that has it on track for one of its best years of the millennium . The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 154 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.3%. Tech titan Oracle dragged on the market and sank 6.7% after reporting growth for the latest quarter that fell just short of analysts’ expectations. It was one of the heaviest weights on the S&P 500, even though CEO Safra Catz said the company saw record demand related to artificial-intelligence technology for its cloud infrastructure business, which trains generative AI models. AI has been a big source of growth that’s helped many companies’ stock prices skyrocket. Oracle’s stock had already leaped more than 80% for the year coming into Tuesday, which raised the bar of expectations for its profit report. In the bond market, Treasury yields ticked higher ahead of Wednesday’s report on the inflation that U.S. consumers are feeling. Economists expect it to show similar increases as the month before. Wednesday’s update and a report on Thursday about inflation at the wholesale level will be the final big pieces of data the Federal Reserve will get before its meeting next week, where many investors expect the year’s third cut to interest rates . The Fed has been easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high since September to take pressure off the slowing jobs market, after bringing inflation nearly down to its 2% target. Lower rates would help give support to the economy, but they could also provide more fuel for inflation. Expectations for a series of cuts through next year have been a big reason the S&P 500 has set so many records this year. Trading in the options market suggests traders aren’t expecting a very big move for U.S. stocks following Wednesday’s report, according to strategists at Barclays. But a reading far off expectations in either direction could quickly change that. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.22% from 4.20% late Monday. Even though the Fed has been cutting its main interest rate, mortgage rates have been more stubborn to stay high and have been volatile since the autumn. That has hampered the housing industry, and homebuilder Toll Brothers’ stock fell 6.9% even though it delivered profit and revenue for the latest quarter that topped analysts’ expectations. CEO Douglas Yearley Jr. said the luxury builder has been seeing strong demand since the start of its fiscal year six weeks ago, an encouraging signal as it approaches the beginning of the spring selling season in mid-January. Elsewhere on Wall Street, Alaska Air Group soared 13.2% after raising its forecast for profit in the current quarter. The airline said demand for flying around the holidays has been stronger than expected. It also approved a plan to buy back up to $1 billion of its stock, along with new service from Seattle to Tokyo and Seoul . Boeing climbed 4.5% after saying it’s resuming production of its bestselling plane , the 737 Max, for the first time since 33,000 workers began a seven-week strike that ended in early November. Vail Resorts rose 2.5% after the ski resort operator reported a smaller first-quarter loss than analysts expected in what is traditionally its worst quarter. All told, the S&P 500 fell 17.94 points to 6,034.91. The Dow dipped 154.10 to 44,247.83, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 49.45 to 19,687.24. In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed in China after the world’s second-largest economy said its exports rose by less than expected in November. Stocks rose 0.6% in Shanghai but fell 0.5% in Hong Kong. Indexes fell across much of Europe ahead of a meeting this week by the European Central Bank, where the widespread expectation is for another cut in interest rates. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.

Improving global economic governance vital – Chinese PresidentFollowing arguably the most dominant year of golf since Tiger Woods was in his prime, Scottie Scheffler received the PGA Tour Player of the Year award on Tuesday night. It's the third straight year Scheffler has won the honor, and the World No. 1 joins Woods as the only players to win the Jack Nicklaus Award three years in a row. The award is determined by a vote of PGA Tour members. According to a news release, Scheffler received 91 percent of the vote, with Xander Schauffele and Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy the only other nominees. Scheffler, 28, was the first player to win seven official PGA Tour events in a calendar year since Tiger Woods in 2007. Those victories were at some of the most prestigious events on the schedule, against some of the most elite fields. He became the first player to go back-to-back at The Players Championship, won his second career major title at the Masters and earned his other five wins at signature events: the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the RBC Heritage, the Memorial Tournament, the Travelers Championship and the season-ending Tour Championship. Though not a tour event, Scheffler captured the Olympic gold medal for men's golf at the Paris Games. He also helped the United States defeat the International team at the Presidents Cup in Montreal. "Scottie took on challenges from the best players in the world on the biggest stages all season, and being honored as PGA Tour Player of the Year is the ultimate sign of respect from his peers," PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said in a statement. This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.

Analysis: Barkley is NFL's version of OhtaniBengaluru: The counting of votes for the fiercely contested bypolls to three assembly constituencies — Channapatna, Shiggaon, and Sandur—will begin at 8am Saturday. The high-stakes elections, held on Nov 13, have pitted the governing Congress against the opposition BJP-JD(S) alliance, with the results likely to impact the state's political trajectory. The bypolls were necessitated after Sandur's E Tukaram (Congress), Shiggaon's Basavaraj Bommai (BJP) and Channapatna's HD Kumaraswamy (JDS) vacated their seats following their election to the Lok Sabha earlier this year. With security tightened across all three counting centres, officials expect the results to become clear by midday. Channapatna has emerged as the most high-profile contest with its 88% voter turnout, reflecting the stakes involved. The seat has become a battleground for two prominent Vokkaliga families — DK Shivakumar and his brother of Congress and the Gowda-Kumaraswamy clan of JD(S). Congress candidate CP Yogeeshwara, a five-time MLA who switched allegiance from BJP just days before the polls, faces JD(S) nominee Nikhil Kumaraswamy, grandson of former PM HD Deve Gowda. "These results will crush the arrogance of Shivakumar," Deve Gowda said, emphasizing the bypolls' significance for the Congress govt. Kumaraswamy campaigned extensively for his son, while Yogeeshwara gained the backing of Shivakumar and his brother to consolidate the Vokkaliga vote bank. However, Congress minister Zameer Ahmad Khan's controversial "Kaalia Kumaraswamy" remark may have backfired, potentially uniting Vokkaliga voters behind Nikhil. "The remark could hurt us," Yogeeshwara admitted recently, triggering various speculations about the outcome. For Shivakumar, the byelections are a matter of prestige, following his brother DK Suresh's defeat in the Bangalore Rural Lok Sabha seat earlier this year at the hands of Kumaraswamy's brother-in-law Dr C N Manjunath of BJP. In Shiggaon, BJP's Bharat Bommai, son of former CM Basavaraj Bommai, is fighting to retain the seat for his family, previously represented by his father. Congress fielded Yasir Ahmed Khan Pathan, who had lost to Bommai in the 2023 assembly elections. Despite the 80% voter turnout, post-poll analysis suggests that Congress' chances might be hindered by the selection of the candidate and infighting within its ranks. Victory here is significant for both sides—ensuring Basavaraj Bommai's influence within BJP or strengthening Congress' foothold in a constituency that has remained elusive for the governing party. In Sandur, an ST reserved constituency, Congress is counting on E Annapoorna, wife of Bellary MP E Tukaram, to defend its seat against BJP's Bangaru Hanumanthu, president of state BJP ST Morcha and the party's Karnataka chief BY Vijayendra's loyalist. The constituency recorded a voter turnout of 76%, with Annapoorna banking on her husband's influence and the Congress' strong presence. BJP has never won from this constituency. BJP extensively exploited allegations of corruption in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki ST Development Corporation to secure its first-ever win in Sandur. Reports of widespread betting activity have added an intriguing dimension to the polls. Assets, including vehicles, jewellery and an estimated Rs 300 crore, are reportedly at stake.Fulfilling poll promises an arduous task for INDIA bloc in Jharkhand

It’s been nearly nine years since Bob Cummins Construction filed suit against Bradford Sanitary Authority over an unpaid bill. Since then, there have been two jury trials in McKean County Court, numerous appeals and $3.5 million in attorneys’ fees for the BSA — that, as of now, have been paid by local ratepayers. The lawsuit was filed in 2016. The dispute comes from a rehabilitation project at the wastewater treatment plant. From 2014-15, Cummins Construction was the general contractor for a portion of the rehab project. In December 2015, authority engineer Gannett Fleming certified the project to be substantially complete, with the exception of a few outstanding items. Cummins said they did the work and were owed payment; Sanitary Authority said they withheld payment because the work wasn’t done according to the contract. The local contractor, which has been in business nearly 50 years and employs local people, says this suit seems like a vendetta; they did their jobs and want to be paid. The BSA, the provider of wastewater services to more than 18,000 local residents, says the contractor didn’t follow the contract and should take responsibility for alleged defects. ISSUES The biggest alleged issue was with the sequential batch reactor (SBR) installed by Cummins — one by the second manufacturer, Ashbrook, that was named in the contract specifications — and the Ultraviolet building, where wastewater is treated by exposing it to ultraviolet light. The BSA said the system wasn’t working correctly, with a possibility of moving too much treated water — effluent — to the UV building during the “decant” phase, where water is separated from sludge. Separated water is called decant water. To date in 2024, there is no documentation that such excessive decants have taken place, according to Don Cummins, senior project manager for Cummins Construction. He said both they and Ashbrook offered a free solution to this problem in the form of a plate; it has not been taken by the BSA, which allegedly wants a check valve. It’s important to note, said Nick Cummins, project manager at Cummins, that the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has been “happy with the effluent quality,” with reports on its website indicating such. In 2015, BSA withheld final payment to Cummins and denied some change orders because they believed the company had not followed the contract’s provisions. Don Cummins said there was $260,000 of the unpaid contract balance, plus about $464,000 in unpaid change orders for a total of $724,000 outstanding. There were 120 change orders on the project, most of which were made by BSA’s engineer, Gannett Fleming. “Some were upgrades after the work started, which is not uncommon, and some were needed because of the unknown circumstances that occur on most large rehabilitation projects, which almost always happens,” Cummins said. “This is not uncommon either because as you dig and demolish portions for new construction, things are uncovered that need addressed including obstructions to new work.” From the BSA’s standpoint, Cummins holds the fault here. “Cummins started this lawsuit in 2016 because it refused to accept responsibility for clear defects in the sequencing batch reactors (SBRs), which was new technology central to BSA’s ability to provide effective wastewater treatment for its approximately 6,000 customer connections,” said Steve Disney, executive director of the BSA. It didn’t perform as required, the BSA said, “Cummins, however, denied responsibility from 2016 through the second trial in 2024, even though the Commonwealth Court specifically found in 2020 after the first trial that Cummins was solely responsible for the SBR defects.” Referring to the solution offered by Cummins and Ashbrook, Disney said the jury rejected it. And, he said, it would interfere with the performance of the SBR and possibly cause the plant to be derated by the DEP. FIRST TRIAL The first trial was held in 2019 before Judge Christopher Hauser. Cummins won 12 out of 16 claims for a judgment of $488,243.24. The BSA won one out of 21 claims for $4,945. Hauser’s decision was reversed by the Commonwealth Court and remanded to McKean County Court, where a second trial was eventually scheduled. Cummins explained the Commonwealth Court ruled the construction company was responsible for the alleged effluent problem with the SBR “because we chose the second-named supplier.” The appeals court ruled that the SBR specifications were not a design spec, but a performance spec. “Therefore it is up to the contractor to supply the system that meets the needs.” In other words, Cummins said, this is a change from the traditional way things are done. With this decision, “It is up to the contractor to use his own ingenuity to make the system work properly.” However, Cummins said, they are not designers, they are builders. They didn’t design the systems, they installed what the BSA wanted. MORE LITIGATION In January 2024, before the second trial, the BSA filed suit against engineers Gannett Fleming, but didn’t act on the suit. When questioned later by Hauser about the lack of progress on the suit, BSA’s attorney John Gisleson allegedly said during a status conference that BSA had filed suit against the engineers in case they lost the suit against Cummins. A second jury trial was held in February 2024, again before Hauser. The verdict was 12 of 14 claims for $398,568.94 in favor of Cummins, and 2 of 13 claims for $636,188 in favor of BSA based on the issue with the SBR and Ultraviolet building. “The jury awarded BSA the necessary money to properly correct the defects that Cummins and its contractor Ashbrook created,” Disney said. Regarding the potential repair to the SBR, he added, “BSA also does not consider Cummins to be a responsible and trustworthy contractor based on the jury’s award and the Court’s findings that Cummins failed to comply with the parties’ contract in multiple ways. Throughout the project, Cummins misinterpreted the contract in ways that benefitted Cummins and sought extra compensation at ratepayer expense that Cummins had no right to receive. BSA therefore does not agree to Cummins performing any further work at BSA’s plant. BSA will have another contractor perform the work after Cummins pays what it owes under the verdict.” For the trial, BSA hired an expert to design a “conceptual solution” to the issue. The concept was a “pinch valve” with a price tag of $695,000, but with no design drawing and no bid from a contractor, Don Cummins explained. In 2019, BSA’s engineer designed and bid out the repair they wanted; the low bidder was for $20,000. However, the successful bidder was stopped from doing the repair — the one that would solve the problem at the base of the lawsuit, Cummins alleged. Again, the BSA said it would have another contractor perform a repair after Cummins pays what it owes under the verdict. CURRENT The latest argument in the case is over attorneys’ fees — the Sanitary Authority wants the judge to order Cummins to pay the $3.4 million in fees they’ve incurred throughout the course of the case. This was filed as a 689-page motion for post-trial relief, including exhibits. “Cummins needs to pay BSA’s fees as bound by the contract,” Disney told The Era. This was always part of the contract, the BSA argued. However, Cummins disagreed, alleging the contract would allow the authority to recover fees only if a third party were to sue, not in the case of the contractor filing suit, their motion stated. From Disney’s standpoint: “Cummins’ refusal to follow the contract and its litigation actions caused those fees. BSA did not start the lawsuit and has always wanted the dispute to be resolved. Cummins, however, has repeatedly obstructed those efforts. BSA sought to resolve the dispute years ago through motions filed with the court, but Cummins opposed those efforts and demanded money it had no right to receive while leaving BSA with a defective SBR and a project that still has not closed out due to the SBR deficiencies.” He added that PENNVEST is still holding money payable to BSA because of the SBR defects caused by Cummins. According to the motion opposing the awarding of fees, Cummins disagreed with the BSA on several points, the first of which was that the request came in Sept. 10 when the deadline for such a request to be made was March 25, as was set by Hauser. Anything not filed by the deadline is considered waived. Cummins’ attorneys also argued that the fees for the authority’s attorneys, Morgan Lewis & Bockius of Pittsburgh, were “grossly excessive” at $3.4 million — $910 an hour for a partner, $575 an hour for a senior attorney and $305 an hour for a paralegal. The total was five times the amount of Cummins’ attorney, Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott of Pittsburgh. The billing rates were also more than three times that of McKean County attorney Bob Saunders, who also assisted with the case, at $250 an hour. According to the motion, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court must consider the “reasonableness of a party’s requested attorneys’ fees” rather than the billed rate. Senior Judge John Foradora denied the Sanitary Authority’s request for fees on one basis — missing the March deadline by 5 1/2 months. Because the request for fees was not raised in a timely fashion, Foradora didn’t consider the remaining arguments. The BSA filed a notice of appeal to Foradora’s decision, which is currently underway. “If Cummins reimburses those fees to BSA, the litigation ends, at least from BSA’s perspective,” Disney said. “The contract requires Cummins to pay BSA’s fees, and BSA believes it has good grounds to recover them in the current appeal. BSA will seek those fees from Cummins if successful, which should conclude the litigation. “BSA explained its interpretation of the contract from the very beginning of the lawsuit, and that interpretation was upheld by both the Commonwealth Court and the trial court following the second trial,” Disney said. “The lawsuit unfortunately continued far longer than it should have because Cummins refused to comply with the contract and opposed the trial court interpreting the contract.” The case in chief remains on appeal as well.

Photos: Quarterfinal scenes from the ND Class B state volleyball tournament at the Fargodome

Jamestown, Medina/PB volleyball seasons end SaturdayKansas Defender Called Out After ‘Dirty’ Hit on Shedeur Sanders

Rico Carty, who won the 1970 NL batting title when he hit a major league-best .366 for the Atlanta Braves, has died. He was 85. Major League Baseball , the players’ association and the Braves paid tribute to Carty on social media on Sunday. A family friend told Listín Diario — a newspaper in Carty’s native Dominican Republic — that he died Saturday night in an Atlanta hospital. “Carty was one of the first groundbreaking Latino stars in the major leagues, and he established himself as a hero to millions in his native Dominican Republic, his hometown of San Pedro de Macoris, and the city of Atlanta, where he was a beloved fan favorite,” the players' association said in its statement . The Braves said Carty left an indelible mark on the organization. “While his on-field accomplishments will never be forgotten, his unforgettable smile and generous nature will be sorely missed,” the team said in its statement. Carty made his big league debut with the Braves in September 1963. He batted .330 with 22 homers and 88 RBIs in his first full season in 1964, finishing second to Dick Allen in voting for NL Rookie of the Year. The Braves moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta after the 1965 season, and Carty got the franchise's first hit in its new home on April 12, 1966, against Pittsburgh. Carty had his best year in 1970, batting .366 with 25 homers and a career-best 101 RBIs. He started the All-Star Game after he was elected as a write-in candidate, joining Willie Mays and Hank Aaron in the NL outfield. Carty batted .299 with 204 homers and 890 RBIs over 15 years in the majors, also playing for Cleveland, Toronto, Oakland, Texas and the Chicago Cubs. He retired after the 1979 season. ___ AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB The Associated PressIBTM World 2024 Achieves Remarkable 10% Attendance Surge with Over 73,000 Business Meetings

Posing on red carpet at film premiere, Gray after another trip in taxpayer funded limo Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport By TOM GORDON DEPUTY SCOTTISH POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 21:56, 25 November 2024 | Updated: 22:02, 25 November 2024 e-mail View comments Neil Gray is facing more claims he indulged himself at the taxpayers’ expense after being chauffeured to a star-studded film premiere. The Health Secretary, who grew up in Orkney where the film is set, previously said ‘cannot wait to see this’ on social media. The updated register of ministerial engagements states he met with Screen Scotland at a ‘reception’ that night about ‘culture’. Mr Gray, who took over the health portfolio in February after a year with the economy brief, last had ministerial responsibility for culture in March 2023. After visiting the cinema with his wife Karlie, the Airdrie and Shotts MSP took a ministerial limo from another Film Festival venue to a ‘personal address’. Health Minister Neil Gray and his wife on the red carpet at the premiere Saoirse Ronan starred in Amy Liptrot’s The Outrun and appeared at the red carpet event in Edinburgh Mr Gray, 38, did have a series of health-related meetings in Edinburgh earlier involving the BMA, NHS Forth Valley and a ‘health workforce roundtable’. But the Film Festival event was the last ‘ministerial’ engagement of the day. The government refused to say why Mr Gray attended, what ministerial business was discussed, or whether he took a family member or guest – as he did to the football. A spokesman said: ‘Ministers attend sporting and cultural events as part of their ministerial duties.’ Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport Advertisement The Outrun, based on Orcadian writer Amy Liptrot’s memoir about recovering from alcoholism, was well-known to Mr Gray. In December last year, he reposted a message on X about it being shown at the Sundance Film Festival in the US the following month. He wrote: ‘Cannot wait to see this!’ Mr Gray apologised to parliament this month after taking official limos to eight football matches in around two years, four involving Aberdeen. He admitted the many Aberdeen matches gave ‘the impression of acting more as a fan and less as a minister’. He said yesterday he would continue to attend games, but would ‘get the balance right’. Scottish Conservative deputy leader Rachael Hamilton said: ‘There is a growing pattern of behaviour from Neil Gray. He has serious questions to answer over why he was chauffeured in the ministerial limo to and from a film premiere. ‘It looks as though he likes to use his position of privilege to indulge in his favourite passions, rather than focusing on his actual job. ‘The scandal smacks of another SNP cover-up and it won’t go away until he is fully upfront about why he was at certain events and if any government business actually took place.’ Edinburgh Share or comment on this article: Posing on red carpet at film premiere, Gray after another trip in taxpayer funded limo e-mail Add commentCelebrity Life Don't miss out on the headlines from Celebrity Life. Followed categories will be added to My News. It’s been a big day for one of Hollywood’s more dubious contributions to society: A-list actors getting preachy about politics. Sharon Stone and Alec Baldwin have both made comments implying that Americans who supported Donald Trump in the election earlier this month were “ignorant” and “uninformed”, among other less than flattering adjectives. Ms Stone’s remarks came in the middle of a press conference at the Torino Film Festival in Turin, Italy. A reporter asked her whether she had anything to say about the International Day for the Eliminiation of Violence Against Women. Sharon Stone in Turin. Picture: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images “This question about the question of violence against women, is a big one. And I think we have to really stop and think about things,” Ms Stone responded. “And we have to stop and think about who we choose for government. And if, in fact, we are actually choosing our government or if the government is choosing itself. “You know, Italy has seen fascism. Italy has seen these things, you guys. And you understand what happens. You have seen this before. “My country is in the midst of adolescence. Adolescence is very arrogant. Adolescence thinks it knows everything. Adolescence is naive and ignorant and arrogant. We are in our ignorant, arrogant adolescence. “We haven’t seen this before in our country. So Americans who don’t travel, who – 80 per cent don’t have a passport – who are uneducated, are in their extraordinary naivete.” She was using an outdated figure, there. In the mid-1990s, only about 10 per cent of Americans held passports. The current number, according to estimates from 2023, is about 40 per cent. For context, the equivalent figure in Australia is about 55 per cent, so America is lower, but not egregiously so. Sharon Stone. Picture: Vittorio Zunino Celotto/Getty Images “What I would say is that the only way that we can help with these issues is to help each other,” Ms Stone continued. “Now, we can’t just say women should help women, because that’s the only way we have survived so far. We must say that good men must help good men and those good men must be very aware that a lot of their friends are not good men. “And we can’t continue to pretend that your friends are good men when they’re not good men. And you must be very clear minded, and understand that your friends who are not good men are dangerous, violent men. “And you have to keep them away from your daughters, your wives and your girlfriends, because this is the time when we can no longer look away, when bad men are bad. “I was watching a comedian the other night and he said, ‘I asked a woman to dinner and she said yes. And it was such a brave thing for her to do because the only real thing, the number one killer of women in the world today is men.’ “For men, the number one killer is heart disease. The number one killer for women is men! It is very important to remember that. It’s very important to remember that. Thank you.” A little later in the day, at his own media event in Turin, Mr Baldwin was asked to weigh in on Ms Stone’s comments. He mainly focused his answer on the potential of the film industry to fill in “gaps” in viewers’ knowledge. Alec Baldwin and his wife Hilaria, pictured at a previous event in New York. Picture: Mike Coppola/Getty Images “In my country, without going into significant detail – half the people in the country are happy and half the people in the country are very unhappy,” Mr Baldwin said. “It’s a very difficult time in the United States. I think the only way people can learn what is happening, and film is unique in this way, not only what’s happening in the United States, but around the world, what’s happening – you might not learn from the news, television news in the United States. “As a business, they have to make money. And again, not to go into great detail about that. But there’s a whole, there’s a vacuum. There is a gap, if you will, in information. “Americans are very uninformed about reality, what’s really going on, with climate change, Ukraine, Israel, you name it, all the biggest topics in the world. Americans have an appetite for a little bit of information. “That vacuum is filled by the film industry, not just the independent film industry, not just the documentary film industry, which are very important around the world, but by narrative films as well, where the filmmakers and the buyers, the studios and the networks and the streamers are willing to go that way, and they’re willing to try to make films that are not only entertaining but informative as well. “So I think right now is probably one of the most significant times in our history, and this is filling the gaps. “Now is probably one of the most important times in our history for us to make films that will teach people about what reality is around the world.” More Coverage ‘Devastating’: World shock at Trump plan Benedict Brook Australia smashed as Trump reveals tariffs Chantelle Francis Originally published as ‘Ignorant, uninformed’: A-list actors slag off American voters after Donald Trump’s election victory Read related topics: Donald Trump More related stories Royals Beckham move that’s left Meghan ‘furious’ Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle is reportedly ‘furious’ over Victoria Beckham’s latest career move, ending a previously close friendship. Read more Celebrity Life Truth behind huge new Leo rumour An insider has spilled the beans about a huge new rumour circulating about the Titanic actor. Read more

10 hot-ticket gifts we predict will sell out on Black Friday 2024Battle Ground proposes a replacement operations levy on February ballot

Every Black Friday, there’s a number of viral products that everyone has on their Christmas wish list, and we don’t expect this year to be any different. However, not all of these popular items are going to stay in stock, and we have some insight on the ones that won’t. Black Friday is big business, and last year shoppers spent $222.1 billion during the entire holiday shopping season, according to Queue-it. Sales on Black Friday reached $16.4 billion (online and in stores), and this was a 9% increase from the year before. While it comes as no surprise that electronics are the most sought-after products of the holiday season, Queue-it said this accounts for the majority of holiday sales, jumping to $50.8 billion in 2023. Apparel, furniture, groceries and toys are the other hot sellers of Black Friday. Together, these five categories accounted for 65% of sales during the holidays last year and is only expected to grow in 2024. While many items that sell out over Black Friday are driven by a good deal, we also know that a hot product is just that — a gift that most people want to open on Christmas Day. So, here are our picks for the top 10 hot-ticket items that could sell out over Black Friday. Samsung 98-inch QLED TV Amazon.com The holidays are ripe for TV deals, and we expect shoppers to buy a ton of them in 2024, especially at Walmart. Consumers are trending toward bigger TVs and the super low-price deals over Black Friday force many models to sell out. This is especially true of popular models from Samsung, Hisense, LG and more favorites. Apple Watch Series 9 Amazon.com Apple's smartwatches are a top pick among Apple fans. We’ve seen prices on the Apple Watch continue to trend downward, which was only spurred by the release of the new Apple Watch 10 in September. This pushed down prices on earlier models, with the best deals coming on the Apple Watch SE and Apple Watch 9. For Black Friday, we think the prices will drop even lower and sell out due to high demand. Beats Solo3 Amazon.com Wireless headphones are one of the most popular products of 2024, and Beats are one of the top brands. We’re already seeing big markdowns on Beats Wireless Headphones, and we expect these price drops to continue into Black Friday. The Beats Solo3 is likely to be on sale for even cheaper than we’ve already seen, and we think they will sell out for Black Friday, with the possibility of other popular Beats headphones joining them. Apple AirPods (3rd gen) Amazon.com If you haven’t picked up a pair of Apple AirPods yet, this could be your year to do it. With Apple launching a fourth generation of AirPods earlier this year, the price on prevvious models are creeping lower. We think over Black Friday they’ll be at their cheapest price ever, with the AirPods (3rd Gen) likely to sell out. JBL Flip 6 Amazon.com Bluetooth speakers are a must-have for many this year, and with the big sound that comes from JBL’s speakers, it’s easy to see why they might sell out for Black Friday. These popular speakers come in a variety of portable sizes and waterproof designs. We expect big deals on JBL’s top-rated Clip 5 and Flip 6 Bluetooth speaker models. Apple iPad (10th Gen) Amazon.com One of Apple’s most sought-after products of the year was the iPad, and we saw the 9th Gen and 10th Gen models drop to their lowest prices ever. We think this year will bring some iPad bliss with even better discounts, but these deals will disappear just as fast as they arrive. We think that mega discounts on the iPad (9th Gen) and iPad (10th Gen) could cause sell outs, especially on Amazon. Dyson Airwrap Amazon.com The Dyson Airwrap just might be the top product of Black Friday, as this is one of the rare times there’s a discount on the beloved hair styling tool. At $600, the Airwrap carries a hefty price tag, so any discount presented is a welcome surprise. But as we’ve seen in the past, any Black Friday deal on the Dyson Airwrap causes a crush of interest that’s followed by a sell out. Ugg Tasman slippers Amazon.com If you’ve tried to scoop up the UGG Tasman Slippers in previous years, you already know they never stay in stock for long. As the “it” slipper of the holiday season, UGG’s Tasman sells out multiple times over the holidays, even without a discount offered. We think that this year will be similar, with popular sizes and colors of the Tasman Slipper snatched up fast over Black Friday. Bissell Little Green Amazon.com The Bissell Little Green carpet cleaner is a popular home product that just can’t seem to stay in stock. With prices falling under $90, this mighty machine can be a blessing for pet owners and parents, as its compact size makes it easy to store and use when needed. We’ve seen the Little Green Machine sell out before, and we’d be surprised if it didn’t do it again over Black Friday. Furby Galaxy Edition Amazon.com We’d be remiss if we didn’t include a top toy that we think will be hard to find and gift this year. Our pick is the Furby Galaxy Edition. This glow-in-the-dark Furby is based on the original Furby from the late ’90s with even more features, interactive modes and more fun. Making a comeback in 2023, we saw the revival of this popular toy sell out last year, and we expect the new Furby Galaxy Edition to do the same.

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 25, 2024-- Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc. (TSXV: TBRD, OTCQX: THBRF) (“Thunderbird” or the “Company”) has granted an aggregate amount of 143,317 restricted share units (the “RSUs”) to its non-executive directors on November 25, 2024, pursuant to the terms of the Company’s equity incentive compensation plan. The RSUs will vest on December 14, 2024. Each vested RSU entitles the holder thereof to receive one common share of the Company. The Company also granted an aggregate amount of 171,606 RSUs to certain members of the Company’s executive management team, pursuant to the terms of the Company’s equity incentive compensation plan. The RSUs will vest over three years, and each vested RSU entitles the holder to receive one common share of the Company. Additionally, 400,412 performance share units (“PSUs”) were granted to certain members of the Company’s executive management team, based on certain performance targets to be met. Subject to the satisfaction of such performance targets, the PSUs will vest on the one-year anniversary of the date of the grant. Each vested PSU entitles the holder to receive one common share of the Company (or can be paid out in cash at the discretion of the Company’s board of directors). Thunderbird Entertainment Inc. (“TEI”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, has also entered into an Addendum to the Executive Employment Agreement dated July 1, 2021 between TEI and Jennifer Twiner McCarron, the CEO of the Company (the “Addendum”). Under the terms of the Addendum, effective from July 1, 2024, Ms. Twiner McCarron has agreed to forego a guaranteed bonus and has agreed to a bonus structure that ensures eligibility for annual short term incentive payments is driven entirely by performance based on the achievement of AEBITDA targets and strategic objectives established by the Company’s board of directors. For information on Thunderbird and to subscribe to the Company’s investor list for news updates, go to www.thunderbird.tv . ABOUT THUNDERBIRD ENTERTAINMENT GROUP Thunderbird Entertainment Group is a global award-winning, full-service multiplatform production, distribution and rights management company, headquartered in Vancouver, with additional offices in Los Angeles and Ottawa. Thunderbird creates award-winning scripted, unscripted, and animated programming for the world’s leading digital platforms, as well as Canadian and international broadcasters. The Company develops, produces, and distributes animated, factual, and scripted content through its various content arms, including Thunderbird Kids and Family (Atomic Cartoons), Thunderbird Unscripted (Great Pacific Media) and Thunderbird Scripted. Productions under the Thunderbird umbrella include Mermicorno: Starfall, Super Team Canada, Molly of Denali, Highway Thru Hell, Kim’s Convenience, Boot Camp, and Sidelined: The QB and Me . Thunderbird Distribution and Thunderbird Brands manage global media and consumer products rights, respectively, for the Company and select third parties. Thunderbird is on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @tbirdent. For more information, visit: www.thunderbird.tv . Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Thunderbird’s public communications may include written, or oral “forward-looking statements” and “forward-looking information” as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements or information may be identified by words such as “anticipate”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “may”, “will”, “plan”, “project”, “should”, “believe”, “intend”, or similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements in this document include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the vesting schedule of the RSUs, the PSUs, and the achievement of certain performance objectives relating to Ms. Twiner McCarron’s performance bonus entitlements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic and social uncertainties; litigation, legislative, environmental and other judicial, regulatory, political and competitive developments; product capability and acceptance; and other factors set out in the “Risk and Uncertainty” section of the Company’s MD&A dated June 30, 2024. The foregoing is not an exhaustive list. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to Thunderbird or that management believes to be less significant may also adversely affect the Company. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this document represent the Company’s views as of the date hereof, and therefore such information should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this document. The Company’s actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those ‎expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be ‎given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if ‎any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive therefrom. Readers are therefore cautioned ‎that the foregoing lists of important factors are not exhaustive, and they should not unduly rely on the ‎forward-looking statements included in this news release. All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly ‎qualified by this cautionary statement. Thunderbird has no intention, and undertakes no obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125609691/en/ CONTACT: Investor Relations Contacts: Glen Akselrod, Bristol Capital Phone: + 1 905 326 1888 ext 1 Email:glen@bristolir.comMedia Relations Contact: Lana Castleman, Director, Marketing & Communications Phone: 416-219-3769 Email:lcastleman@thunderbird.tvCorporate Communications: Julia Smith, Finch Media Email:Julia@finchmedia.net KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CANADA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: FILM & MOTION PICTURES ONLINE GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT TV AND RADIO SOURCE: Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/25/2024 05:00 PM/DISC: 11/25/2024 05:02 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125609691/en

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