Aadi Bioscience Transforms with In-Licensing of Novel ADC Portfolio, $100 Million Sale of FYARRO® and $100 Million PIPE FinancingAMERICAN FALLS – There was a time when what is now known as Double M Agriculture and Irrigation was run from the back seat of a pick-up. Then-owner Mark Mills would sell horse tack and odds and ends in 1980, but it wasn’t long until this endeavor turned into an agriculture parts store with a new name and blossoming potential. Over the next forty years, it would expand into a store that would sell agriculture and irrigation equipment with a full line of tools and welding supplies with customers not just from Southeast Idaho but also from twenty-five states and five countries. “We are a family business that prides ourselves and our employees on hard work and dedication to not only our Double M brand but our customers and partners in the industry,” said Vice President of Double M Ag & Irrigation and son-in-law of Mills, Mike Philips. Double M is a one-stop shop for farm equipment, with just a sample of their wares ranging from the large scale such as dammer dikers, harvesters, and cultivators to smaller items like nuts and bolts and parts used to fix breaks. They sell row crop tillage and shredders by Alloway, Newhouse, and Ag Engineering, as well as used potato equipment from numerous brands with most being Spudnik Equipment, and they even offer custom equipment options. “Right now the need for good used equipment has been pretty strong for us,” said Philips. “Spudnik has really led the way in the potato equipment game and the need for anything field equipment related has been good for us.” On the irrigation side, they sell the full line of Zimmatic center pivots by Lindsey Mfg., Western wheel line and Wade Rain Poweroll wheel line mover systems, and various sizes of PVC pipe for mainlines. As far as upcoming equipment, Philips explained that they’re invested in watching the market for automation and new tech. “With the labor rate being what it is the need for types of automation and technology is indefinite,” he said. “With the Zimmatic product line and our in-house service guys, they are really trying to help make irrigation controls this way for our growers. With the AI tech coming on also so fast who knows what...this next year will bring to our industry.” Since its start in the early 80s, Double M has built its main office in American Falls and offices in Blackfoot and Aberdeen, as well as a service facility that was built in 2022 to accommodate their growth in the ag and irrigation industry. Their most current endeavor is a new expansion in American Falls, upon which they broke ground this year. “As we continue to grow we are always looking for opportunities and products to offer our customers that have kept us here for over 40 years,” said Philips, who explained that it’s not just selling parts and equipment to customers that he’s interested in, but selling solutions that they are confident will help support their customers’ needs. He encourages anyone interested in learning more about them to stop by at any location and chat with a team member about what they have to offer. Offices of Double M Ag & Irrigation are located at 522 Lincoln St. in American Falls, 1801 S and 2900 W in Aberdeen, and 489 W. Hwy. 39 in Blackfoot. For more information, visit their website at https://doublemsupply.com/ .`Every Attack Made Us...`: Gautam Adani`s First Reaction On US Indictmentjili slot 。

(PRNewsfoto/Aadi Bioscience) Aadi Enters into Exclusive License for Three-Asset ADC Portfolio Developed through a Collaboration between WuXi Biologics and HANGZHOU DAC Aadi Enters Agreement to Sell FYARRO ® and Associated Infrastructure to KAKEN Pharmaceutical for $100M ; Announces PIPE Financing of $100M Cumulative Capital Expected to Fund Operations into Late 2028, Including Anticipated Clinical Data for the ADC Portfolio Co-Founder and Former CEO of ProfoundBio, Baiteng Zhao, Appointed to Aadi Board of Directors Aadi to Hold Webcast and Conference Call on December 20 at 8:00 AM EST LOS ANGELES , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Aadi Bioscience, Inc. (NASDAQ: AADI) today announced it has entered into an exclusive license agreement for development and global commercialization of a three-asset portfolio of preclinical, next-wave antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), in collaboration with WuXi Biologics (2269.HK), a leading global Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organization (CRDMO), and HANGZHOU DAC BIOTECHNOLOGY CO., LTD. ( HANGZHOU DAC), a global leader in ADC innovation. Per the terms of the license agreement, Aadi is granted exclusive rights to certain patents and know-how pertaining to three preclinical ADC programs leveraging HANGZHOU DAC's CPT113 linker payload technology targeting each of Protein Tyrosine Kinase 7 (PTK7), Mucin-16 (MUC16) and Seizure Related 6 Homolog (SEZ6). Aadi will pay aggregate upfront payments of $44 million for in-licensing such ADC programs. Additionally, Aadi is obligated to pay cumulative development milestone payments of up to $265 million , cumulative commercial milestone payments of up to $540 million and single-digit royalties of sales. To support this transaction, Aadi entered into a subscription agreement with certain qualified institutional buyers and accredited investors for a private investment in public equity ("PIPE") financing that is expected to result in gross proceeds of approximately $100 million , before deducting placement agent fees and other offering expenses. The Company is selling an aggregate of 21,592,000 shares of its common stock ("Common Stock") at a price of $2.40 per share, representing a premium of approximately 3.4% to the closing price on December 19, 2024 on Nasdaq, and pre-funded warrants ("Pre-Funded Warrants") to purchase up to an aggregate of 20,076,500 shares of Common Stock at a purchase price of $2.3999 per Pre-Funded Warrant share. The syndicate was led by Ally Bridge Group, with participation from new investors OrbiMed, Invus, Kalehua Capital and other accredited investors, Tae Han co-founder of ProfoundBio, as well as existing investors, including Avoro Capital, KVP Capital and Acuta Capital Partners. The PIPE financing is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to stockholder vote and satisfaction of customary closing conditions. "I'm thrilled to announce our partnership with WuXi Biologics and HANGZHOU DAC to bring forward this thoughtfully selected ADC portfolio. We were deliberate in identifying broadly expressed tumor targets where first-generation ADCs have already shown proof of concept. With our next wave ADC portfolio, we aim to build upon these earlier therapies to deliver improved outcomes for people living with cancer," said David Lennon , PhD, President and CEO of Aadi Bioscience. "The financing underscores the confidence our investors have in both the potential of this portfolio and the strength of Aadi's management team." About the ADC Portfolio Each of the three ADC assets utilizes HANGZHOU DAC's CPT113 ADC platform, which consists of a highly stable yet cleavable linker that delivers a Topoisomerase I (TOPO1) inhibitor payload. The CPT113 platform's linker stability and novel payload has the potential to be highly competitive among the next generation ADC platforms. To effectively leverage the CPT113 platform, Aadi selected tumor targets that are upregulated in high-potential cancer indications and where clinical efficacy has been demonstrated by first-generation ADCs. These assets were discovered through the collaborative efforts of WuXi Biologics and HANGZHOU DAC, utilizing the innovative antibody discovery platform provided by WuXi Biologics and advanced linker-payload technology provided by HANGZHOU DAC. "Leveraging our advanced antibody discovery service, we're glad to enable Aadi to accelerate the discovery of precision therapies targeting some of the most challenging cancers," said Dr. Chris Chen , CEO of WuXi Biologics. "This collaboration underscores our wide recognition as an industry leader in discovery service solutions, and further validates our ability to provide integrated discovery technology platforms for global partners to develop next-generation modalities. We look forward to partnering with Aadi and HANGZHOU DAC to expeditiously move these assets forward into clinical development and benefit patients worldwide." " HANGZHOU DAC's CPT-ADC platform is designed to enable next wave ADC capabilities that surpass first-generation technologies, including two programs already in clinical development in China ," said Dr. Robert Y. Zhao , President and CEO of HANGZHOU DAC Biotechnology. "As a global leader in ADC innovation, we are excited to partner with Aadi and WuXi Biologics to deliver this promising portfolio to patients." Aadi to Sell FYARRO for $100 Million , Cumulative Capital Expected to Fund Operations into Late 2028 In a separate agreement, KAKEN Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., an R&D driven pharmaceutical company in Japan , has entered into a stock purchase agreement under which KAKEN will acquire Aadi Subsidiary, Inc. and all of its assets, including FYARRO ® (sirolimus protein-bound particles for injectable suspension) (albumin-bound) and associated infrastructure, including the majority of Aadi employees who support the FYARRO ® business. FYARRO is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of adult patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic malignant perivascular epithelioid cell tumor (PEComa), with cumulative revenue of $25.2 million reported over the prior four quarters ended September 30, 2024 . Per the terms of the agreement, Kaken will pay Aadi $100 million in cash at closing, subject to certain adjustments. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to Aadi stockholder approval and certain closing conditions. Upon the closing of this transaction, KAKEN will also acquire the rights to the Aadi name and trademark. "We are enormously proud of the impact FYARRO has had for people with PEComa, and Kaken's capabilities, coupled with the proven track record of the Aadi team, ensures physicians and patients will continue to have access to this critical treatment," said Lennon. The net proceeds from the PIPE financing and the sale of FYARRO, together with the Company's existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities are expected to fund operations into late-2028, including anticipated clinical data readouts for the ADC portfolio. Baiteng Zhao Appointed to the Board of Directors, Brings Significant ADC Expertise Baiteng Zhao, PhD, joins Aadi's board of directors. Zhao co-founded ProfoundBio, a clinical stage next-gen ADC developer, in 2018 and served as the Chairman and CEO of the company until it was acquired by Genmab for $1.8 billion in May 2024 . Prior to ProfoundBio, Dr. Zhao worked at Seagen (now part of Pfizer) for more than eight years and was responsible for the modeling and simulation strategies for the development pipeline and supported preclinical and clinical development of ADC drug candidates. "We are delighted to welcome Baiteng to our Board. His deep expertise and successful track record in ADC development will be instrumental as we tenaciously move this exciting portfolio forward," said Caley Castelein , MD, Chair of the Board of Directors of Aadi Bioscience. "I am thrilled to join the Board at this pivotal moment for Aadi," said Baiteng Zhao, PhD, Board of Directors of Aadi Bioscience and co-founder of ProfoundBio. "PTK7, MUC16 and SEZ6 represent highly promising targets that are commonly overexpressed in cancers with significant unmet therapeutic needs. Coupled with an advanced linker-payload platform that has the potential to enable next-gen ADCs, I believe Aadi is uniquely positioned to make a meaningful impact on patient outcomes. I look forward to collaborating with the leadership team and fellow Board directors to advance these innovative programs and drive transformative progress for patients." Advisors Leerink Partners is serving as financial advisor to Aadi on the sale of FYARRO and the licensing of the ADC portfolio. Jefferies LLC is acting as exclusive placement agent for the PIPE financing. Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C. is serving as legal counsel to Aadi. McDermott Will & Emery LLP is serving as legal counsel to Kaken. Cooley LLP is serving as legal counsel to Jefferies LLC. Nomura Securities Co., Ltd. is serving as financial advisor to KAKEN. Conference Call Information The Aadi management team is hosting a conference call and webcast tomorrow, Friday, December 20 th at 8:00 AM EST ( 5:00 AM PST ) to discuss these updates. Participants may access a live webcast of the call and the associated slide presentation on these data through the "Investors & News" page of the Aadi Bioscience website at aadibio.com . To participate via telephone, please register in advance at this link . Upon registration, all telephone participants will receive a confirmation email detailing how to join the conference call, including the dial-in number along with a unique passcode and registrant ID that can be used to access the call. A replay of the conference call and webcast will be archived on the Company's website for at least 30 days. Additional Information for Stockholders This communication relates to the proposed sale of FYARRO and the proposed PIPE financing and may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of such transactions. In connection with these proposed transactions, Aadi will file a Proxy Statement with the SEC. This communication is not a substitute for the Proxy Statement or any other documents that Aadi may file with the SEC or send to Aadi stockholders in connection with the proposed transactions. Before making any voting decision, investors and securityholders are urged to read the Proxy Statement and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transactions as they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed transactions and related matters. Stockholders may obtain a copy of the Proxy Statement and other documents the Company files with the SEC (when they are available) through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov , as well as on the Investor and News section of Aadi's website at www.aadibio.com . Certain stockholders of Aadi holding approximately 36% of Aadi's outstanding shares, as of the date hereof, including members of its board of directors and related entities, have entered into voting and support agreements in favor of KAKEN Pharmaceutical and Aadi, pursuant to which such stockholders have agreed to vote in favor of the stock purchase transaction with KAKEN Pharmaceutical and the other transactions described above. Participants in the Solicitation Aadi and its respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Aadi in connection with the proposed transactions. Information about Aadi's directors and executive officers is set forth in Aadi's definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 26, 2024 , and in subsequent filings made by Aadi with the SEC. Other information regarding the interests of such individuals, as well as information regarding Aadi's directors and executive officers and other persons who may be deemed participants in the proposed transactions, will be set forth in the Proxy Statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available. You may obtain free copies of these documents as described in the preceding paragraph. No Offer or Solicitation This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy these securities nor a solicitation of any vote or approval with respect to the proposed transactions or otherwise, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. The offer and sale of securities of Aadi described above are being made in a transaction not involving a public offering and the securities have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be reoffered or resold in the United States except pursuant to an effective registration statement or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. Concurrently with the execution of the subscription agreement, the Company and the investors entered into a registration rights agreement pursuant to which the Company has agreed to file, following the closing of the PIPE financing, a registration statement with the SEC registering the resale of the shares of Common Stock and the shares of Common Stock underlying the Pre-Funded Warrants sold in the PIPE financing. About Aadi Bioscience Aadi is a precision oncology company with a vision to make bold choices in applying technology to efficiently deliver improved precision oncology therapies for people living with difficult-to-treat cancers. More information on the Company is available on the Aadi website at www.aadibio.com and connect with us on LinkedIn. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking statements regarding the business of Aadi Bioscience that are not a description of historical facts within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs and expectations and may include, but are not limited to, statements relating to: the timing and completion of the proposed sale of FYARRO to Kaken Pharmaceuticals and the anticipated timing of the closing of the transaction; expectations regarding the timing, closing and completion of the PIPE financing; Aadi's expected cash position at the closing and cash runway of the company following the sale of FYARRO and PIPE financing; the future operations of Aadi; the development and potential benefits of any of Aadi's product candidates, including the preclinical ADC assets proposed to be licensed from WuXi; anticipated preclinical and clinical development activities and related timelines, including the expected timing for announcement of data and other preclinical and clinical results and potential submission of IND filings for one or more product candidates; and other statements that are not historical fact. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks associated with (i) the risk that the conditions to the closing of the proposed sale of FYARRO or the PIPE financing are not satisfied, including the failure to timely obtain stockholder approval for the transactions, if at all; (ii) uncertainties as to the timing of the consummation of the proposed transactions and the ability of each of Kaken and Aadi to consummate the proposed sale of FYARRO; (iii) risks related to Aadi's ability to manage its operating expenses and its expenses associated with the proposed transactions pending the closing; (iv) risks related to the failure or delay in obtaining required approvals from any governmental or quasi-governmental entity necessary to consummate the proposed transactions; (v) unexpected costs, charges or expenses resulting from the transactions; (vii) potential adverse reactions or changes to business relationships resulting from the announcement or completion of the proposed sale of FYARRO or the proposed PIPE financing; (vii) the uncertainties associated with Aadi's product candidates, as well as risks associated with the preclinical and clinical development and regulatory approval of product candidates, including potential delays in the completion of preclinical studies and clinical trials; (viii) risks related to the inability of Aadi to obtain sufficient additional capital to continue to advance these product candidates; (ix) uncertainties in obtaining successful preclinical and clinical results for product candidates and unexpected costs that may result therefrom; (x) risks related to the failure to realize any value from product candidates being developed and anticipated to be developed in light of inherent risks and difficulties involved in successfully bringing product candidates to market; and (xi) risks associated with the possible failure to realize certain anticipated benefits of the proposed sale of FYARRO or the proposed PIPE financing, including with respect to future financial and operating results. Additional risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements are included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 , including under the caption "Item 1A. Risk Factors," and in Aadi's subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and elsewhere in Aadi's reports and other documents that Aadi has filed, or will file, with the SEC from time to time and available at www.sec.gov . All forward-looking statements in this press release are current only as of the date hereof and, except as required by applicable law, Aadi undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, or to make any other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This cautionary statement is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Contact: IR@aadibio.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aadi-bioscience-transforms-with-in-licensing-of-novel-adc-portfolio-100-million-sale-of-fyarro-and-100-million-pipe-financing-302336743.html SOURCE Aadi BioscienceAdani said that India is the jewel in the global crown of the cut-and-polished diamond market, holding 26.5% of the share, and silver jewellery at 30%. However, he said that the recent 14% decline in exports is more than just a statistic — it serves as a wake-up call. Jaipur: Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adan delivered a speech at the 1st Gem and Jewellery Awards in Rajasthan’s Jaipur where he said that India is the jewel in the global crown of the cut-and-polished diamond market, holding 26.5% of the share, and silver jewellery at 30% but the recent 14% decline in exports is more than a statistic — it is a wake-up call. Here is the full text of his speech: For centuries, India has been recognized as the undisputed leader in the space of gemstones and as the nation of unmatched artisans. Jewellery in our culture is not just ornamental — it is deeply symbolic, a marker of heritage, emotion, and aspiration. Your work has kept this tradition alive and relevant in an ever-changing world. This industry is a powerhouse, providing employment to over five million Indians — a figure comparable to the workforce of our IT sector. Surat, as the global epicentre of diamond cutting and polishing, employs over a million skilled workers. This industry is not just an economic driver; it is a source of pride for our nation. However, with great success comes an even greater responsibility: to innovate, expand, and lead courageously in the face of disruption. India is the jewel in the global crown of the cut-and-polished diamond market, holding 26.5% of the share, and silver jewellery at 30%. But the recent 14% decline in exports is more than a statistic — it is a wake-up call. It signals a turning point where challenges, both temporary and permanent, demand that we reimagine our approach. We are at the start of a revolution. Sustainability and technology — two forces reshaping industries worldwide — are now at our doorstep. The rise of lab-grown diamonds, the demand for transparency and ethical practices, shifting consumer priorities, and the digital wave are not just disrupting the status quo; they are creating a new blueprint necessary for success. This is therefore our moment to lead. The industry must think differently, act urgently, and innovate courageously. Today’s inflection point must be turned into an era of unprecedented opportunity for growth. Allow me to narrate a story to set some context. Over a decade ago, during a trip to California, I saw my first lab-grown diamond. The founder had enthusiasticall shared his vision, confident this was the start of a revolution in the jeweller industry. And he was right. As we now know, lab-grown diamonds have evolved from a scientific wonder to a market disruptor. Today, they are officially recognized by the US Federal Trade Commission as real diamonds. These diamonds now cost significantly less than the natural diamonds. Advances in Artificial Intelligence and material science are pushing their quality and precision even further. It’s not far-fetched to imagine a future where we design our own diamonds — specifying every detail, from cut to colour, clarity, and carat weight — making each piece uniquely personal. This is the future we must embrace. Also, beyond traditional gems, the concept of jewellery itself is shifting. Watches, smartphones, and wearables are becoming the new personal status symbols, redefining luxury. Younger generations, in particular, are preferring technology and experiences over conventional luxury goods. Another trend reshaping the market is the growing demand for unique, customized pieces, sparking a rise in custom design services. With technologies like 3D printing, CAD software, Virtual Reality, and Augmented Reality, the process of designing, manufacturing, and experiencing jewellery is on the brink of transformation. These trends force us to rethink what we produce. They challenge us to create deeper emotional and traditional connections in line with changing consumer needs and behaviours. It is this spirit of transformation that I want to explore today — what it truly means to Break the Status Quo. Only by challenging the status quo can we unlock new opportunities and shape the future. My dear friends, Let me start with a personal story about the first time that I broke the status quo. This story holds a very special place in my heart. It laid the foundation of who I was to become. Diamond trading was my entry point into the journey I took to become an entrepreneur. In the year 1978, at the age of 16, I left my school, left my home in Ahmedabad, and took a one-way ticket to Mumbai. I had no idea what I would do but I was clear that I wanted to be an entrepreneur. And I believed Mumbai was the city of opportunities that would give me this chance. I got my first opportunity at Mahendra Brothers, where I learned the art of diamond assorting. Even today, I recall the joy of closing my first deal. It was a transaction with a Japanese buyer and I got a commission of 10,000 rupees. That day marked the start of a journey that would shape the way I would live my life as an entrepreneur. I also learned that trading makes a great teacher. What I learned, as a teenager, was that trading does not come with safety nets. In fact, it is a discipline where you must find the courage to fly without any protective nets. You must learn to take the jump and trust your own wings. In this field, hesitation is the difference between winning and losing. Each decision is a test, not just against the market, but against the limits of your own mind. Trading also taught me another priceless lesson. Too much of an attachment to outcomes limits your ability to challenge the status quo. Therefore, my dear friends, To accept the status quo is to settle for a destiny where you stop questioning, stop dreaming, and stop exploring your own potential. The Adani Group stands where it is today because we are not afraid to challenge ourselves. We continuously redefined our boundaries, refused to accept limits, and were comfortable with the discomfort of change. Our journey has been built on the foundation of grit, and a relentless drive to overcome challenges. As I said earlier, I got to Mumbai when I was 16. But, in 1981, just as I turned 19, I was called back to Ahmedabad to help with my family’s polymer business. India, at that time, faced a great shortage of raw materials given the intense import controls. I saw, first hand, the struggles that every small-scale industry faced. And then, it was in 1985, under the leadership of Shri Rajiv Gandhi, that India began to take its first steps towards economic liberalization. I saw an early opportunity in these changes, especially with the relaxation of import policies for industries facing raw material shortages. While I had no prior experience in trading polymers, I still took a calculated risk and established a trading organization focused on imports. By 1990, my trading venture was performing well, but then India itself faced a critical moment. The massive foreign exchange crisis of 1991 threatened the entire economy, ultimately leading to a wave of economic reforms initiated by Prime Minister Shri PV Narasimha Rao and then Finance Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. These reforms dismantled the License Raj, opened up the economy to foreign investments, and reduced import tariffs. I saw, in this transformation of the Indian business landscape an opportunity to scale further. In 1991 itself, at the age of 29, I established a global trading house, expanding into polymers, metals, textiles, and agricultural products. In just two years, we became India’s largest global trading house, proving that the combination of speed and scale is a powerful driver of growth. However, while the import-export business did very well, I had started questioning the status quo. I began realizing that for the next phase of growth I would need to own assets and build something lasting. In other words, I had to challenge everything I knew. Remember, I had no experience in building anything. We had not even laid a single brick in our life. But opportunities show up for those that seek. And it was in 1995 that a transformative opportunity emerged when the BJP-led Gujarat government announced its port-led industrial development plan under a Public-Private Partnership mode. To summarize a long story, we quickly moved to establish Mundra Port. This transition, about 30 years back, was the start of our journey into the domain of infrastructure. My dear friends, I tell my team all the time that the future belongs to those who dare to see beyond the present and who recognize that today’s limits are tomorrow’s starting points. Therefore: • Be it my leaving home to bet on myself as a young diamond trader, • or believing that we could build the nation’s largest port against the advice of all experts, • to laying India’s first private railway to connect Mundra Port • to being able to establish the world’s largest single-site thermal power generation capacity, • to building the world’s largest coal import terminal, • to being the first in India to build a private HVDC line, • to making India’s largest ever investment in an OECD country, • to operating India’s largest network of airports, • to investing in a port in Israel and making a bet on the future of the India – Middle East corridor, • to the redevelopment of the world’s largest slum — as we took these journeys going beyond our comfort zone, we discovered other new possibilities. Had we remained satisfied with the status quo, these new and adjacent opportunities would have never come our way. Let me now outline a few examples. In the case of logistics, what started as a port jetty, to import coal in 1998, has gone on to become the country’s largest port business. This business today – spans a network of 15 national and 5 international ports and thereby allowing us to expand into building a network of integrated logistic nodes. These nodes now are made up of ports, rail, highways, warehouses, inland container depots, fulfilment centres, and trucking in a way no other company has ever achieved in the world. This journey has taken us deep into the Middle East — all the way into the Mediterranean through Israel — and into the heart of Africa. For me, it is no more just about ports. It is now about leveraging India’s geographic location and doing our part to help make our nation become the centre of the logistics world. Likewise, what started as a single power plant in 2007, has now become not just India’s largest private thermal power generation company but has also allowed us to expand into adjacencies. This expansion has seen us become India’s largest private transmission company, largest private power distribution company, largest mine developer and operator, as well as the only company that successfully took up the challenge of cross-border supply of power to help a neighbouring nation. Furthermore, it has allowed us to move into the area of renewable energy. Today, we are India’s largest solar panel manufacturing company as well as the world’s largest single-site renewable energy facility, well on our way to generate 30 GW of power, spread over a massive single span of land of more than 500 square kilometres. Yet another example of challenging the status quo is our move into the airport business. In less than three years, we became the largest airport operator in the country. We then built our adjacencies that made us the largest airport logistics player with almost 40% of India’s air cargo and have now undertaken the world’s largest slum redevelopment initiative, the Dharavi project. And, I must add here that, for me, Dharavi is not just about slum redevelopment. It is about restoring dignity, creating a sustainable ecosystem, and changing the status quo for over one million residents. My dear friends, Looking back, while we have had our successes, our challenges have been even bigger. However, these challenges have not broken us. Instead, they have defined us. They have made us tougher and give us the unshakeable belief that after every fall, we will rise again, stronger, and more resilient than before. Let me talk about three examples. First – In 2010, when we were investing in a coal mine in Australia, our objective was clear: How to make India energy secure – and replace every two tons of poor-quality coal with one ton of high-quality coal from Australia? However, the resistance from NGOs was huge and lasted almost a decade. In fact, it was so intense that we ended up funding the entire project of 10 billion dollars with our own equity. While we now have a world class operating mine in Australia and it could be seen as a great sign of our resilience, the fact is that 100% equity funding took away over 30 billion dollars of debt financing from our green energy projects. The next example is from January last year, just as we were getting ready to launch our Follow-on Public Offering. We faced a short-selling attack initiated from abroad. This was not a typical financial strike; it was a double hit — targeting our financial stability and pulling us into a political controversy. All of this was further amplified by certain media with vested interests. But even in the face of such adversity, our commitment to our principles remained strong. After successfully raising 20,000 crore rupees from India’s largest-ever FPO, we made the extraordinary decision to return the proceeds. We then further demonstrated our resilience by raising capital from several international sources and proactively reducing our Debt to EBITDA ratio to below 2.5 times, an unmatched metric in the global infrastructure space. Moreover, our all-time record financial results in the same year showcased our commitment to operational excellence. Not a single Indian or foreign credit rating agency downgraded us. Finally, the Supreme Court of India’s affirmation of our actions validated our approach. The third example is very recent. As most of you would have read, less than two weeks back, we faced a set of allegations from the US about compliance practices at Adani Green Energy. This is not the first time we have faced such challenges. What I can tell you is that every attack makes us stronger and every obstacle becomes a stepping stone for a more resilient Adani Group. The fact is that despite a lot of the vested reporting, no one from the Adani side has been charged with any violation of the FCPA or any conspiracy to obstruct justice. Yet, in today’s world, negativity spreads faster than facts — and as we work through the legal process, I want to re-confirm our absolute commitment to world class regulatory compliance. My dear friends, over the years, I have come to accept that the roadblocks we face are the price of pioneering. The more bold your dreams, the more the world will scrutinize you. But it is precisely in that scrutiny that you must find the courage to rise, to challenge the status quo, and to build a path where none exists. To pioneer is to embrace the unknown, to break limits, and to believe in your vision even when the world cannot yet see it. Therefore, as I conclude, let me leave you with three guiding thoughts: First, Embrace technology and sustainability as the twin pillars of progress. These are not just trends — they are the foundation of our future. Your success will depend entirely on how boldly and at what scale you integrate these forces into your work. Technology will accelerate possibilities, while sustainability will ensure that your growth is enduring and responsible. Together, they represent the compass for a better tomorrow. Second, Empower and uplift the skilled workforce at the heart of our transformation. These craftsmen and artisans are the custodians of India’s rich heritage, carrying forward skills passed down through generations. But for their talents to thrive in the modern world, they need access to new tools, digital platforms, and innovative training. Imagine an ecosystem where a craftsman from a small town uses digital design software to create, market, and sell globally. This is the blend of tradition and technology we must champion. And finally, The future belongs to our youth. The younger generation brings fresh ideas, unshakeable energy, and a willingness to disrupt the old ways of thinking. We must nurture them, and equip them to balance tradition with transformation, culture with innovation, and legacy with sustainability. They are not just participants in the future – they are its architects. Together, let us create an India where the wisdom of tradition, and the promise of innovation come together to challenge the status quo. And let us move forward with confidence to create a future where India’s gems illuminate the world with their brilliance. Click for more latest India news . Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9.Champions League expert picks, predictions, best bets: Liverpool top Real Madrid at home, Villa draw JuventusSEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 19, 2024-- Expedia Group (NASDAQ: EXPE) announced today that Scott Schenkel has been appointed as Expedia Group’s Chief Financial Officer, effective the day after Expedia Group files its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (which is expected to be on or about February 7, 2025). As previously announced, Julie Whalen will remain in the CFO role through February to ensure a smooth transition. As CFO, Mr. Schenkel will be responsible for leading Expedia Group’s global finance organization and will be based in Seattle, reporting directly to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Ariane Gorin. Mr. Schenkel has more than 30 years of global business and financial leadership expertise across e-commerce, healthcare, and technology businesses. As an operationally focused CFO, his experience spans company, business unit and functional leadership with extensive knowledge in financial planning, analytics, strategy, audit, mergers and acquisitions, integration, and process improvement. “Scott joins Expedia Group with extensive financial leadership experience across global businesses, particularly in e-commerce,” said Ariane Gorin, Chief Executive Officer, Expedia Group. “His expertise, operational acumen, and strategic insight will be instrumental as we strengthen our position as a global leader in travel. I look forward to working with Scott to drive our strategic goals forward. I also want to thank Julie for her significant contributions and dedication during her tenure as CFO, as well as for ensuring a smooth transition to Scott.” “I’m honored to join Expedia Group and excited about the opportunity to contribute to such an innovative and dynamic company,” said Scott Schenkel. “I look forward to collaborating with Ariane and the team to drive financial excellence and support the company’s mission of powering global travel experiences.” About Scott Schenkel Mr. Schenkel most recently served as the Interim CEO of eBay Inc. from September 2019 through April 2020 and its Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from 2015 to 2019. Prior to the eBay CFO role, he spent six years as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of eBay Marketplace, having originally joined eBay in 2007 as Vice President of Global Financial Planning and Analytics. Prior to eBay, Mr. Schenkel spent nearly 17 years at General Electric Company in a variety of financial leadership roles. About Expedia Group Expedia Group, Inc. brands power travel for everyone, everywhere through our global platform. Driven by the core belief that travel is a force for good, we help people experience the world in new ways and build lasting connections. We provide industry-leading technology solutions to fuel partner growth and success, while facilitating memorable experiences for travelers. Expedia Group’s three flagship consumer brands include: Expedia®, Hotels.com ®, and Vrbo®. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains certain statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws, including statements regarding Expedia Group’s CFO transition. These statements are based on management's assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it. Such statements are indicated by words or phrases such as "anticipate," "continue," "expect," "future," "position," "strategy," "will," and variations of such words and similar phrases. Various uncertainties and other factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These include the specific risk factors identified in "Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 10-K for our last fiscal year and any subsequent filings. Expedia Group assumes no obligation to update the information contained herein unless required by applicable law. Please refer to Expedia Group’s reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a further discussion of these risks and uncertainties. For more information, visit www.expediagroup.com . Follow us on X @expediagroup and check out our LinkedIn. © 2024 Expedia, Inc., an Expedia Group company. All rights reserved. Trademarks and logos are the property of their respective owners. CST: 2029030-50 View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219878769/en/ press@expedia.com KEYWORD: WASHINGTON UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TRANSPORTATION LODGING ONLINE RETAIL DESTINATIONS TECHNOLOGY VACATION TRAVEL ELECTRONIC COMMERCE RETAIL INTERNET OTHER TRAVEL SOURCE: Expedia Group, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/19/2024 04:10 PM/DISC: 12/19/2024 04:10 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219878769/en

For centuries, board games have been ingrained in human culture, acting as mirrors reflecting society, history, and creativity. Africa , with its vast cultural tapestry and historical richness, holds a treasure trove of board game design. Delve into the colorful realm of African board games, where traditional roots blend with modern adaptations, creating experiences that are not only entertaining but also deeply rooted in cultural significance. Traditional games and their modern revival Ancient African board games, such as Mancala , have a rich history spanning thousands of years, with variations unique to different regions. Now, these traditional games are experiencing a modern renaissance, as designers infuse contemporary themes while retaining the essence of the classics. This approach not only preserves cultural heritage but also introduces these timeless games to new audiences in the 21st century. The role of storytelling in game design Storytelling, a fundamental aspect of African culture, is woven into the fabric of board game design. Many games feature narratives that reflect local myths, legends, and histories. These stories not only enrich the gameplay experience but also serve as powerful educational tools. They immerse players in different cultures and historical periods, fostering learning through fun, interactive experiences. This approach helps preserve and share cultural heritage with new audiences. Community building through play Board games in Africa aren't just hobbies; they're powerful tools for community building and social interaction. Engaging in these games is a communal experience that connects people, strengthens relationships, and promotes teamwork. Often, board game play is paired with music and storytelling, further enhancing the social atmosphere. This gaming culture showcases the unifying power of play, bridging cultural divides and fostering a sense of community among diverse groups. Innovation in game mechanics African board game designers are shaking things up with fresh game mechanics that both challenge and engage players. They're mixing cooperative elements that foster collaboration and competitive strategies to test skills. Plus, they're blending tech with traditional games, crafting hybrid experiences. This appeals to both tech-savvy younger generations and older audiences yearning for nostalgic connections, ensuring gaming remains a dynamic and inclusive pastime. Sustainability in board game production Sustainability is the need of the hour, even the world of board games can't roll the dice and hope for the best. Enter African designers, who are making moves with eco-friendly materials. Think recycled paper products or wood that's been responsibly harvested - basically, the good stuff that doesn't harm the planet. This way, they're not just cutting down on waste, but also boosting local businesses.By Greg Otto December 4, 2024 A White House official says the Salt Typhoon hack has impacted eight telecom companies in the United States, with dozens of other countries also affected, and has been in motion for as long as two years. The information comes as U.S. administration officials said earlier this week that the hacking group, linked to the Chinese government, is still believed to be in U.S. telecom networks . The government began investigating the breach this past spring, and are continuing to assess its full scope.The spying efforts targeted officials from both presidential campaigns, including the phone of President-elect Donald Trump . Anne Neuberger, the White House’s deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technology, said Wednesday the Chinese campaign “has affected dozens of countries around the world.” She also reiterated what other government officials said earlier this week: the attackers are most likely still inside the telecom networks. “There is a risk of ongoing compromises to communications,” Neuberger said. “Until U.S. companies address cybersecurity gaps, the Chinese are likely to maintain their access.” Administration officials did not reveal the full list of companies impacted, nor did they share the countries that may have been affected. However, the White House noted that Chinese cyberespionage efforts have been discovered in the past few years targeting Europe and the Indo-Pacific region. Neuberger said a unified coordination group was established in response to the hack, which meets several times a week. President Joe Biden has been briefed multiple times on the situation. She also emphasized that the targets were among a handful of prominent government and political officials, but the attack “was broad in terms of potential access to communications of everyday Americans.” The White House also believes classified communications were unaffected. The impacted telecommunications companies are currently working to expel the hackers from their networks, but Neuberger said the risk of further breaches remains high until these cybersecurity gaps are fully addressed. The administration has recently convened discussions with telecommunications CEOs and cybersecurity experts to reinforce security measures across the sector. Earlier this week, a host of agencies released communication infrastructure-focused guidance . The agencies responsible were CISA, the National Security Agency, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre, the Canadian Cyber Security Centre and New Zealand’s National Cyber Security Centre.

Justin Wellington, a name identical with vibrant Pacific music, has recently dropped a Christmas hit, Rockin’ Around (Official Music Video) featuring Santana. This festive track is a cheerful addition to his repertoire and showcases his continued passion for combining island melodies with universal themes. Wellington’s journey into music is rooted deeply in his heritage and upbringing. His grandparents migrated to Goroka in 1965 as missionaries, raising a large family in Papua New Guinea. Born as the second generation in PNG, Wellington discovered his passion for music and melody early in life. However, it wasn’t until his late high school years that he decided to pursue music as a career. “I was always passionate about music even before I thought of it as an occupation,” he shared. In the early 2000s, Wellington became one of PNG’s leading artists, thanks to his collaboration with CHM. His debut music video, Much Love, was filmed and produced in Madang and became an instant hit. Wellington’s partnership with Mangrove Productions in New Caledonia, which had a distribution deal with CHM, further cemented his place in the Pacific music scene. “Mangrove’s connection with CHM was key, and it worked out well because I already had a strong, loyal fan base in PNG,” he recalled. One of Wellington’s most remarkable achievements came years later with his song Iko Iko (My Bestie). The track unexpectedly went viral worldwide, earning him offers from major labels, including Sony Music, Universal Music, and Warner Music. “It was a huge surprise and a crazy blessing,” Wellington said. Signing with Sony Music, the song became one of the biggest global hits of the year, further solidifying his international presence. Despite his global success, Wellington’s heart remains firmly tied to Pacific music. “I don’t focus too much on global trends,” he said. “My passion is and always will be Pacific and Island music.” Reflecting on PNG’s current music industry, he expressed admiration for the rapid technological and stylistic evolution. “The talent in PNG is incredible,” he said, acknowledging the critical role of social media and digital distribution in shaping the industry’s future. Wellington’s advice for aspiring PNG artists is twofold: “Learn technology – recording, editing, and producing audio and video, and understand social media and content consumption. But, always stay true to an element that is distinctly Papua New Guinean.” As the festive season approaches, Wellington continues to enchant audiences with his music. His deep connection to his roots shines through his performances, captivating audiences worldwide. This New Year’s Eve, he brings his unique island style to the Rabaul Yacht Club. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience his mesmerizing music.HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans made mistakes in every facet of the game Sunday against the Tennessee Titans to lose for the third time in four games. C.J. Stroud threw two interceptions, the defense gave up multiple big passing plays and Ka′imi Fairbairn missed a 28-yard field goal that would have tied it late in a 32-27 loss . “Just a disappointing loss for us,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We didn’t do anything well enough to win this game. Out of all the positives that we did have, there were way too many negatives, too many negative plays.” Jimmie Ward had a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter and the Texans tied a franchise record with eight sacks. Danielle Hunter led the group with a season-high three sacks and Will Anderson Jr. added two in his return after missing two games with an ankle injury. But the offense sputtered for most of the game as Joe Mixon was held to 22 yards on 14 carries. But Ryans refused to blame the offense for the loss. “Our offense did plenty," Ryans said. "They gave us enough points. On defense, we have to be able to stop them.” Chig Okonkwo grabbed a short pass and rumbled 70 yards for a touchdown to put the Titans (3-8) up 30-27 with 91⁄2 minutes remaining. Safety Eric Murray missed a tackle that would have stopped him near midfield. It was the last of three big passing plays the Titans had Sunday. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine got in front of the defense and was wide open for a 38-yard TD catch that made it 10-7 late in the first quarter. Calvin Ridley had a 63-yard reception that set up their next touchdown in the second. “It was just way too many negative plays,” Ryans said. “Defensively, unexplainable explosives for touchdowns. We didn’t play good across the board and that starts with me.” Despite this, the Texans (7-5) had a chance to tie it with less than two minutes remaining, but Fairbairn’s short field-goal attempt sailed wide left. He fell to the ground after the miss before getting up and slamming his helmet on the field. “The most frustrating part about it is out of all the bad things that happened, we still had a chance to finish the game,” Ryans said. “Everything that could go wrong, it went wrong. We still had a chance there to tie it up and finish the game, and we didn’t.” The Texans forced a three-and-out, but couldn’t move the ball after that and Harold Landry sacked Stroud in the end zone for a safety to make it 32-27 and allow Tennessee to snap a two-game skid. Stroud threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, but his two interceptions Sunday give him five combined in the past three games. He now has more interceptions in 12 games this season (nine) than he had in 15 games as a rookie last season (five). “It’s no secret that I haven’t been playing well ... I’ve got to be harder on myself,” he said. “I’m not going to hold my head down. I know I can be a great player, but I’ve got to make better plays.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflWHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. (AP) — Jordan Sears scored 25 points, Jalen Reed had 21 points and 13 rebounds, and LSU defeated UCF 109-102 in triple overtime on Sunday to take third place at the Greenbrier Tip-Off. LSU trailed by 18 points early in the second half, then failed to hold a lead at the end of regulation and each of the first two overtime periods. The Tigers went up by five with a minute to go in the third overtime. UCF cut it to three, then Vyctorius Miller made a driving layup, Jordan Sears followed with a dunk and the Tigers were able to hold on when leading by seven. Cam Carter scored 20 points, Miller had 16 and Dji Bailey 14 for LSU (5-1). Darius Johnson had 25 points, eight assists and six rebounds for UCF (4-2). Keyshawn Hall had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Jordan Ivy-Curry scored 20. South Florida led by 15 points at halftime and maintained a double-digit lead for all but a few possessions in the first 11 1/2 minutes of the second half. UCF led 62-48 with 8 1/2 minutes remaining but Sears hit three 3-pointers and LSU drew to within 64-59 with 6 minutes to go. The Tigers scored the last six points of regulation to force overtime. In the first half, LSU led 15-13 about eight minutes into the game but the Tigers missed 15 of 16 shots while being outscored 25-3 over the next 10 minutes. South Florida led 40-25 at halftime after shooting 46% to 25% for LSU. ___ 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

CONWAY, Ark. (AP) — Elias Cato scored 23 points as Central Arkansas beat UNC Asheville 92-83 in double overtime on Sunday. Jordan Morris made two free throws with one second left for UNC Asheville (2-3) to force overtime tied at 71. Fletcher Abee's 3-pointer with 33 seconds left in the first overtime tied the game at 79 and led to the second extra period. Michael Evbagharu's layup gave Central Arkansas (2-4) the lead in the second OT and Cato followed with a 3-pointer as the Bears outscored the Bulldogs 21-12 to pull out the victory. Cato added nine rebounds for the Bears. Layne Taylor totaled 19 points, seven assists, six rebounds and five steals. Brayden Fagbemi pitched in with 19 points, seven assists and five steals. The Bulldogs (2-3) were led by Fletcher Abee, who recorded 27 points. UNC Asheville also got 17 points from Josh Banks. Toyaz Solomon finished with 15 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .The holidays encourage many of us to try new recipes. Social media right now is flooded with recipes for appetizers, side dishes and desserts. Anyone making that cornbread casserole from TikTok? While we might not get to share a Thanksgiving feast with Swift — is your name Blake Lively? — or other celebrities beloved by Kansas City, we can eat like them. So here’s the recipe for that casserole Swift loved so much, and favorite family side dish recipes from Donna Kelce and Eric Stonestreet. Enjoy. Donna Kelce’s dinner rolls If we tried to guess how many holiday dinner rolls Travis Kelce and his brother, Jason Kelce, have scarfed over the years, would it be in the hundreds? Thousands? Their mom has spoken often about the batches of holiday crescent rolls she has baked over the years. Based on the recipe that won the 1969 Pillsbury Bake-Off, Pillsbury’s Magic Marshmallow Crescent Puffs , they’re now known as Mama Kelce’s Dinner Rolls. They blend the crescent roll pastry with marshmallows, cinnamon and sugar. Dinner roll or dessert? We bet they didn’t last long enough in front of Travis and Jason for that debate. Ingredients Rolls •1/4 cup granulated sugar •2 tablespoons Pillsbury Best all-purpose flour •1 teaspoon ground cinnamon •2 (8-ounce) cans refrigerated Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count) •16 large marshmallows •1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted Glaze •1/2 cup powdered sugar •1/2 teaspoon vanilla •2-3 teaspoons milk •1/4 cup chopped nuts Directions Make the rolls 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray 16 medium muffin cups with nonstick baking spray. 2. In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar, flour and cinnamon. 3. Separate the dough into 16 triangles. For each roll, dip 1 marshmallow into melted butter; roll in the sugar mixture. Place marshmallow on the shortest side of a triangle. Roll up, starting at shortest side and rolling to opposite point. Completely cover the marshmallow with the dough; firmly pinch edges to seal. Dip 1 end in remaining butter; place butter side down in muffin cup. 4. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. 5. When done, remove from the oven and let the puffs cool in the pan for 1 minute. Remove rolls from muffin cups; place on cooling racks set over waxed paper. Make the glaze and assemble In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar, vanilla and enough milk for desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle glaze over warm rolls. Sprinkle with nuts. Serve warm. Eric Stonestreet’s Roasted Brussels Sprouts Thanksgiving is one of the “Modern Family” star’s favorite holidays. Three years ago, as part of a campaign honoring hometown heroes , he shared one of his favorite recipe with McCormick Spices: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Butternut Squash . This recipe serves eight. Ingredients •1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved •1 pound butternut squash, peeled and cut into bite-size cubes •1 tablespoon olive oil •1/2 teaspoon garlic powder •1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves •1/2 teaspoon salt •1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper •5 slices bacon, chopped •1 shallot, finely chopped •1/2 cup dried cranberries •1/4 cup balsamic vinegar •1 teaspoon whole grain mustard •1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted (optional) •1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese, (optional) Directions 1. Preheat oven to 475°F. Spray large shallow baking pan with no stick cooking spray; set aside. Place Brussels sprouts and squash in large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, thyme, salt and pepper; toss to coat evenly. Spread in single layer on prepared pan. 2. Roast 16 to 18 minutes or until tender and lightly browned, stirring halfway through cooking. 3. Meanwhile, cook bacon in medium skillet on medium heat about 6 minutes or until crispy. Remove using slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain. Add shallot to same skillet; cook and stir 2 minutes until softened and lightly browned. Stir in cranberries, vinegar and mustard until well blended. Transfer mixture to small bowl; set aside. 4. Arrange roasted Brussels sprouts and squash on serving platter. Drizzle with cranberry balsamic glaze and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with cooked bacon, toasted pecans, and crumbled blue cheese, if desired. Serve immediately. Taylor Swift’s favorite sweet potato casserole Swift gushed about the sweet potato casserole served at Del Frisco’s Grille in New York City, a dish crowned with a crunchy candied pecan and oatmeal crumble. “I’ve never enjoyed anything with the word casserole in it ever before, but it’s basically sweet potatoes with this brown sugary crust,” she told InStyle. ”Oh my God, it’s amazing.” The media rushed to find the recipe, which Parade has published this Thanksgiving season . “Similar to T. Swift herself, we think this recipe is a mastermind, especially if you’ve been asked to bring the sweet potato side dish to this year’s Thanksgiving feast. It seriously begs the question: who needs pumpkin pie?” the magazine writes. Ingredients •4 lbs sweet potatoes •1⁄3 cup oats •12 oz unsalted butter, divided •1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar •1⁄2 cup toasted pecans •1⁄2 cup granulated sugar •1 tsp kosher salt •2 tsp vanilla extract •4 large eggs, beaten Directions Preheat oven to 375°F. 1. Scrub sweet potatoes. Pierce each several times with a fork and wrap tightly in foil. Place on a sheet pan. Bake 90 minutes or until tender. Set aside until cool enough to handle. 2. Meanwhile, place oats in a food processor; process 1 minute. Add 4 oz butter, brown sugar and pecans; pulse five times to combine. Spread mixture on a baking sheet; bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven, crumble. Bake 5 minutes or until golden brown. 3. Melt remaining 8 oz butter. Remove skin from cooled sweet potatoes. In a large bowl, whisk sweet potatoes, melted butter, granulated sugar and remaining ingredients until slightly lumpy. Transfer to a greased baking dish, smoothing surface evenly. Top with oat mixture. Bake 12 minutes or until heated through. Make-ahead tips •Sweet potato filling can be made up to 2 days in advance. Prepare the sweet potato filling, cool, place in a casserole dish and keep refrigerated. •Oat-pecan crust can also be made up to 2 days ahead. Make the crust according to recipe directions, cool and store in an airtight container at room temperature. Sprinkle over the sweet potato filling just before baking. More Thanksgiving recipes

The Yamaha True X Bar 50A is a low-profile, elegant soundbar that'll look good under any TV. The Yamaha True X Bar 50A is available now at a discount, with surround speakers sold separately (and individually). The sound produced by these speakers is rich, deep, well-blended, and spacious. I just wish the setup process was more seamless and simple. For months, I was one hundred percent certain the JBL Bar 1000 soundbar couldn't be beat. It offers incredible clarity of sound, rich bass, and brilliant surround via two wireless speakers. When Yamaha sent me the True X Bar 50A to review, I assumed it wouldn't be able to stand up to the sound the JBL delivered. Given that the Yamaha sells for roughly half the price of the JBL, that assumption was a fairly safe bet. And even though my audiophile ears could easily tell the difference between the two (with the JBL coming out on top), for the money, the Yamaha True X Bar 50A is hard to beat. Also: One of the loudest Bluetooth speakers I've tested is not made by Sonos or Bose One thing to remember is that I was also sent a True X Speaker 1A , which is sold separately and runs for $150 each. If you want surround (which you should), now you're talking about $850 for the whole kit. Another thing to keep in mind is that I only reviewed this connected to my television and didn't opt to test how music might sound via this speaker. For me, a soundbar serves a single purpose... to replace built-in TV speakers that rarely offer sound of much quality. With that in mind, let's dive into the review. Yamaha True X Bar 50A soundbar You'd be hard-pressed to find a better sounding soundbar at this price. The specs Drivers - Front L/R: 4.6 × 6.6 cm (1-3/4 × 2-5/8") cone × 2, Height L/R: 5.2 cm (2") cone × 2, Built-in Subwoofer: 7.5 cm (3") cone × 2, Wireless Subwoofer: 16 cm (6-1/4") cone Output power - 280 W (Front L/R: 30 W × 2-ch, Height L/R: 30 W × 2-ch, Built-in subwoofer: 30 W × 2, Subwoofer: 100W ) Dimensions - Center unit: 1,015 × 63 × 112 mm (40" × 2-1/2" × 4-3/8"), Subwoofer: 187 × 407 × 409 mm (7-3/8" × 16" × 16-1/8") Inputs - HDMI, digital optical Sound technology - Dolby Atmos with stereo, standard, movie, and game modes. Bass extension Wireless streaming The Yamaha sub is on the left and the JBL Bar 1000 sub is on the right. My experience The first thing to note about this soundbar is that the setup can be a bit finicky. It took me several attempts to connect the subwoofer and surround speakers. The issue with the surround speakers turned out to be a low battery -- they needed to be fully charged via USB-C before they would connect. Even then, the setup process is somewhat confusing, requiring you to download a manual on your phone using a QR code for guidance. Also: This stereo amp made me feel like I was hearing my favorite band for the first time For some reason, the subwoofer wouldn't connect right out of the box either. I had to go through the manual setup a few times before it finally linked with the main speaker. But once everything was connected, the difference was impressive. Many soundbars in this price range (without the additional surround speakers) tend to overemphasize midrange frequencies, which makes sense since that's where vocals sit. However, too much focus on the midrange can result in tinny or harsh sound. That's not the case with the True X Bar 50A. Instead, it delivers a well-balanced mix that adds richness to the sound. When the subwoofer kicks in, it adds depth and punch for a more immersive experience. Once everything is set up, the True X Bar 50A is easy to use, thanks to a well-designed remote that lets you switch between modes (Standard, Movie, Music, Game, and All), adjust the bass, and control surround levels. While this soundbar does advertise Dolby Atmos for a more immersive sound experience, mid-range systems like this aren't quite capable of delivering the full effect. The True X Bar 50A gets close but doesn't fully achieve the true Atmos experience. That said, it still fills the room with sound beautifully, and when you add the surround speakers, the sound really comes to life. Also: Philips Fidelio FB1 soundbar is just for audiophiles My only gripe with the surround speakers is that they lack the volume power of a JBL system. With JBL, the sound is so immersive that you sometimes wonder if it's coming from the speakers, somewhere in the house, or even outside. In comparison, the Yamaha is more subtle. Even with the surround speakers set to max, the effect is more understated. However, the All mode, which sends sound to both the main and surround speakers, is a great solution -- especially for watching TV or movies where dialogue can be hard to hear. These surround speakers are small but they produce impressive sound. Hit the All button, and you'll have no trouble understanding dialogue. There's also a Clear Voice option that enhances vocal clarity. I tested it with a few films where the dialogue is notoriously hard to hear, and the Clear Voice feature easily solved that issue. In particular, Oppenheimer —which is known for its challenging dialogue -- sounded crisp and clear with Yamaha's Clear Voice technology. You'll likely find yourself using this feature often, especially with more films leaning into complex sound design. The only downside As I mentioned earlier, setting up the True X Bar 50A isn't as straightforward as it should be. With JBL, it was as simple as unpacking, plugging in, and getting started. The Yamaha setup, on the other hand, requires a bit of patience and luck. But once it's up and running, you're good to go. Also: This is the soundbar I recommend if you have limited space at home (and it's $100 off) Here's a tip: if you purchase the surround speakers, keep the soundbar on once everything is connected. When you turn the soundbar off, you'll have to manually switch each surround speaker back on. While the speakers offer around 12 hours of battery life, I recommend keeping them plugged in via USB-C, especially if you mount them on the wall. If you choose to use them wirelessly, be sure to charge them regularly. Otherwise, you risk losing sound mid-movie—like during Prometheus —and ruining the experience. ZDNET's buying advice If you don't have the budget for a $1,000+ soundbar, but you still want high-quality sound, the Yamaha True X Bar 50A is a brilliant option, especially with Amazon's current discount. And if you can afford it, add the surround speakers for a much more immersive experience. Just make sure to give yourself plenty of time for setup, and don't be surprised if you have to go through the steps a few times before everything connects properly. If it weren't for the exceptional sound of the JBL Bar 1000 , the Yamaha True X Bar 50A would easily be my top pick. With its deep, rich bass, well-balanced mids, and crisp highs, this soundbar is a significant upgrade from your TV speakers and will likely outperform any midrange soundbar you're currently using. When will this deal expire? Deals are subject to sell-out or expire at any time, though ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best product deals for you to score the best savings. Our team of experts regularly checks in on the deals we share to ensure they are still live and obtainable. We're sorry if you've missed out on this deal, but don't fret -- we're constantly finding new chances to save and sharing them with you at ZDNET.com . Why I pick this ultraportable Lenovo tablet over the iPad Air for multimedia consumption I tested the new Kindle Scribe for two weeks, and it beat my ReMarkable in several ways One of the best QLED TVs I've tested isn't made by Samsung or Hisense These Beyerdynamic earbuds delivered glorious sound for any kind of music I playedFranklin Covey to Report First Quarter Fiscal 2025 ResultsPaul Walker's daughter Meadow honors him on 11th death anniversaryOptex Systems Holdings, Inc. Announces Financial Highlights for the Year Ended September 29, 2024

Jonah Goldberg Among elites across the ideological spectrum, there's one point of unifying agreement: Americans are bitterly divided. What if that's wrong? What if elites are the ones who are bitterly divided while most Americans are fairly unified? History rarely lines up perfectly with the calendar (the "sixties" didn't really start until the decade was almost over). But politically, the 21st century neatly began in 2000, when the election ended in a tie and the color coding of electoral maps became enshrined as a kind of permanent tribal color war of "red vs. blue." Elite understanding of politics has been stuck in this framework ever since. Politicians and voters have leaned into this alleged political reality, making it seem all the more real in the process. I loathe the phrase "perception is reality," but in politics it has the reifying power of self-fulfilling prophecy. Like rival noble families in medieval Europe, elites have been vying for power and dominance on the arrogant assumption that their subjects share their concern for who rules rather than what the rulers can deliver. Political cartoonists from across country draw up something special for the holiday In 2018, the group More in Common published a massive report on the "hidden tribes" of American politics. The wealthiest and whitest groups were "devoted conservatives" (6%) and "progressive activists" (8%). These tribes dominate the media, the parties and higher education, and they dictate the competing narratives of red vs. blue, particularly on cable news and social media. Meanwhile, the overwhelming majority of Americans resided in, or were adjacent to, the "exhausted majority." These people, however, "have no narrative," as David Brooks wrote at the time. "They have no coherent philosophic worldview to organize their thinking and compel action." Lacking a narrative might seem like a very postmodern problem, but in a postmodern elite culture, postmodern problems are real problems. It's worth noting that red vs. blue America didn't emerge ex nihilo. The 1990s were a time when the economy and government seemed to be working, at home and abroad. As a result, elites leaned into the narcissism of small differences to gain political and cultural advantage. They remain obsessed with competing, often apocalyptic, narratives. That leaves out most Americans. The gladiatorial combatants of cable news, editorial pages and academia, and their superfan spectators, can afford these fights. Members of the exhausted majority are more interested in mere competence. I think that's the hidden unity elites are missing. This is why we keep throwing incumbent parties out of power: They get elected promising competence but get derailed -- or seduced -- by fan service to, or trolling of, the elites who dominate the national conversation. There's a difference between competence and expertise. One of the most profound political changes in recent years has been the separation of notions of credentialed expertise from real-world competence. This isn't a new theme in American life, but the pandemic and the lurch toward identity politics amplified distrust of experts in unprecedented ways. This is a particular problem for the left because it is far more invested in credentialism than the right. Indeed, some progressives are suddenly realizing they invested too much in the authority of experts and too little in the ability of experts to provide what people want from government, such as affordable housing, decent education and low crime. The New York Times' Ezra Klein says he's tired of defending the authority of government institutions. Rather, "I want them to work." One of the reasons progressives find Trump so offensive is his absolute inability to speak the language of expertise -- which is full of coded elite shibboleths. But Trump veritably shouts the language of competence. I don't mean he is actually competent at governing. But he is effectively blunt about calling leaders, experts and elites -- of both parties -- stupid, ineffective, weak and incompetent. He lost in 2020 because voters didn't believe he was actually good at governing. He won in 2024 because the exhausted majority concluded the Biden administration was bad at it. Nostalgia for the low-inflation pre-pandemic economy was enough to convince voters that Trumpian drama is the tolerable price to pay for a good economy. About 3 out of 4 Americans who experienced "severe hardship" because of inflation voted for Trump. The genius of Trump's most effective ad -- "Kamala is for they/them, President Trump is for you" -- was that it was simultaneously culture-war red meat and an argument that Harris was more concerned about boutique elite concerns than everyday ones. If Trump can actually deliver competent government, he could make the Republican Party the majority party for a generation. For myriad reasons, that's an if so big it's visible from space. But the opportunity is there -- and has been there all along. Goldberg is editor-in-chief of The Dispatch: thedispatch.com . Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!

American International Group Inc. stock rises Thursday, outperforms marketThat's why we turned to the experts — professional chefs and caterers and interior designers — to discuss some typical Thanksgiving mistakes and how to avoid them. 1. Not prepping "The overriding first mistake people make is they think they have more time than they do," said Bistro to Go Cafe and Catering executive chef Kate Kobylinski. She regularly hosts her extended family of 30 and knows "every single problem." "Food takes longer to cook, the table takes longer to set and houses take longer to clean than you think." Clean your house on Monday. On Wednesday, dice vegetables so they're "food-show ready," as Kobylinski put it. Prepare (but don't cook) your green bean casserole (leaving off garnishes like fried onions) so it can just be popped in the oven and set the dining room table. 2. Not enlisting help Don't feel that you have to do everything yourself. But be as specific as possible when doling out the assignments. "Don't let them make their own decisions!" Kobylinski said emphatically. Thanksgiving is "micromanager's heaven." For example, have someone bring ice on Thanksgiving Day because going out to buy it takes time and ice hogs freezer space. If you don't like making desserts, have someone bring one. If a guest wants to prepare a side dish, great, but decide beforehand what they will bring. Ahead of dinner, interior designer Kacie Cope likes to set out all of her serving platters with Post-it notes attached denoting what will go on them. "You'll be amazed if you have them labeled," she said. "People can help in a jiff." During the evening, Kobylinski gives people assigned jobs, such as serving drinks or taking charge of an after-dinner game. And the chef is forgiving about using premade ingredients, like gravy or cranberry jelly. "There's no right or wrong way to make any of your foods," she said. But you might want to give a homemade touch to prepared ingredients, like adding sauteed onions or celery to prepared gravy. 3. Not defrosting your turkey "Everyone goes into Thanksgiving Day with a half-frozen turkey," said Kobylinski. "And you can't get the bag of giblets out because they're frozen in place." It takes one day for every 4 pounds of turkey meat to defrost in the refrigerator. (No, it is not safe to leave your frozen turkey out on the counter to thaw and breed bacteria.) So if you've got a 20-pound bird, you've got to start thawing on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. However, there are other methods. Kobylinski suggests submerging the bird and running a thin stream of cold water over it. "It doesn't have to be a lot of water." The U.S. Department of Agriculture says there are only three ways to safely thaw food: In the refrigerator, in cold water or in the microwave. To safely thaw turkey in cold water, the USDA says it takes about 30 minutes per pound. Put the turkey in a leak-proof plastic bag to prevent cross-contamination and submerge it. Change the water every 30 minutes, and cook immediately when it's thawed. If opting for your microwave, follow its instructions for thawing and cook immediately. Then, if you're running late and need to speed things up to satisfy the hungry hordes, you can cut the bird in half before cooking (skin side up). This significantly reduces cooking time, requiring about 10 minutes per pound. Kobylinski also recommends resting the turkey on vegetables in the oven to keep the bottom from getting burned. 4. Serving a dry, overcooked turkey Private chef and culinary educator Emily Larsen warns that those plastic thermometers in supermarket turkeys are setting you up for failure. The USDA says that you should cook a turkey until the internal temperature is 165 degrees. Plastic thermometers don't pop out until the breast meat is at about 180 degrees, "when your turkey is completely dry," Larsen said. Plus, people forget that meat continues to cook once it's out of the oven. She recommends taking a bird out of the oven when it is at 155 degrees — she likes to use an inexpensive instant-read folding probe thermometer — and continue to monitor it. (Insert it into the thickest part of the breast, avoiding the bone.) "Ten dollars [for the thermometer] can save your Thanksgiving," she said. Some feel that buying a frozen rather than fresh bird is another no-no, since freezing leaches water out of the turkey. However, if, despite your best efforts, your turkey is lacking moisture, Kobylinski has a fix: Put warm chicken or turkey stock and clarified butter into a mister and spritz sliced turkey with it before serving. "The same with stuffing if it's too dry," she said. 5. Overcomplicating the menu Thanksgiving Day is not the time to try out a completely new recipe. And you don't have to lay out 10 side dishes. In addition to opting for a simple menu, Kobylinski also recommends figuring out how long your items will take to cook and what method of cooking it requires ahead of time. Your turkey will be monopolizing your oven for four hours, so other oven foods should be limited or be easily reheated during the time that the turkey is resting. (As for resting a turkey, the chef puts her turkey on a hot plate with towels over it so "the meat rebinds itself and stabilizes for a smoother cut.") "Stovetop items should be staggered," she said, so you don't have a frying pan and three pots all going at once. As a sample menu, she suggests you might have one baked potato dish and one mashed. And for vegetables, one baked dish and one that is blanched or grilled. 6. Overcomplicating the decorating Interior designers advise against going too crazy with holiday-specific décor. "There's a lot that's being sold to us that we feel like we need," said Pittsburgh interior designer Amanda Bock. Do you really need a turkey-shaped vase or pilgrim figurines? "They're out for two weeks, and then you have to figure out where to store them," agreed Cope. "It takes an already busy season and makes it stressful in an unnecessary way." Cope says you can take things that are already part of your menu and use them as décor — a bowl of nuts or cranberries, or even removing the label from a cranberry sauce tin and repurposing it as a vase for flowers and fall leaves. Bock adds that dining room table décor should be kept to a minimum, since you'll need space for your food. You don't have to have "big chargers and five plates and three different glasses, plus all of your Thanksgiving food on the table," Bock said. If you do have flowers or a centerpiece in the middle of the table, keep it low, Cope advised. "That way, you can actually see the person who's across the table from you." Tableware and tablecloths might be in fall colors, so they can be repurposed throughout the season. Water glasses or wine goblets could be amber-toned, Bock suggests. 7. Inhibiting the party flow Well in advance of your guests' arrival, think critically about the setup of your home. Don't be afraid to rearrange your furniture so your guests move to different areas and don't all congregate in your kitchen. "You want to make sure that there are areas where people can sit and chat, watch the parade or just hang out together," Bock said. Set up a drinks station and an hors d'oeuvres station in different parts of the house, Bock suggests. Though, she admits, "I can't do that in my house because my dogs would just gobble up the hors d'oeuvres." She suggests repurposing a kitchen nook for kid seating, or as a serving area. Kobylinski might set up a half-built puzzle in a side room. She even puts out winter jackets and boots for "the gentlemen" for the moment when she urges them to go out on the porch to smoke cigars and drink brandy so they won't be underfoot. 8. Forgetting to set the mood As a finishing touch, don't neglect to set the mood by using lamps around the room instead of harsh overhead lights. Putting out tapers or tea candles establishes an intimate feeling. "That just leans into the cozy fall vibe," Cope said of low lighting. But don't use scented candles, Bock warns. Or a smelly flower arrangement. "That can overwhelm you when you're eating," Bock said. Putting on a favorite music playlist can set the mood and take away self-consciousness, especially early in the evening. The most important thing on Thanksgiving is simply for everyone to enjoy each other's company. A little advance preparation can help you, the host, stay relaxed throughout the evening so you can interact with your guests. As Bock advised, "Keep it simple for Thanksgiving." Let friendship and fellowship be the stars of the show.Ukraine says war has damaged most of its civilian airports

“Shout Out to the TV Provider”: Deion Sanders Jr., JJ McCarthy, and the Football World React to Ohio State vs. Michigan Game Ending in a Big Fight

Australian winger Suliasi Vunivalu discovered life in the Top 14 can be difficult on his first outing for Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle as they faded to a 14-23 loss against bottom-of-the-table Vannes at Stade Marcel Deflandre – their first domestic home defeat in more than a year. The league convert – who featured in Australia’s 2023 World Cup campaign following his switch to Queensland Reds in 2021 after making his name with Melbourne Storm in the NRL – clearly still has to get to grips with La Rochelle’s game. He was caught out of position more than once and made several handling errors on his debut. He was far from the only one to have a dismal day in front of another sell-out home crowd. Few La Rochelle players came out of the game in credit. Scrum-half Teddy Iribaren, Jack Nowell, UJ Seuteni, Kane Douglas, Matthias Haddad and Tolu Latu all had days best consigned to the scrap heap. The defeat, La Rochelle’s third in four Top 14 outings either side of th e international break, could not have come at a worse time. O’Gara would have been looking for a strong performance to build on for their Champions Cup bow at English Premiership side Bath on Friday. “We showed nothing tonight in front of our loyal supporters,” O’Gara said afterwards. “It was a home game before a Champions Cup game and we failed everywhere. And the main architect is me. It’s a big slap in the face. “We have to ask ourselves how to get out of this bad patch quickly. I have to give the players confidence to attack Bath. I am extremely frustrated, extremely disappointed.” And he laid down an individual challenge for his players: “I hope they have the courage to go out into town tomorrow. I'm going out and I expect to get a few insults. It’s important that the players feel the fans’ frustration.” For Vannes, on the other hand, a first Top 14 win on the road was a perfect response to last weekend’s defeat-from-the-jaws of victory against Bordeaux, when they gave up a 29-0 lead after half-an-hour to lose 29-37. A little more confidence ahead of their Challenge Cup debut against Georgia’s Black Lion in Tbilisi next Saturday. If there are positives for the home side at the end of a performance in which next to nothing worked, they were in the forwards. Will Skelton, in his 100th club outing, and Levani Botia, on his long-awaited return from injury both played well in a miserable cause. As did Reda Wardi, Uini Atonio, and hooker Quentin Lespiaucq, who scored both their tries. But there’s evidently plenty of work to do in the shortened timeframe before the trip to southwest England. There’s a lot for Racing manager Stuart Lancaster to chew on, too, ahead of next week’s Champions Cup opener at Creteil against Harlequins – La Defense Arena is again out of action due to a combination of pop concerts and fight nights. He could only watch in increasing frustration as his side lost 17-21 against a makeshift Toulouse squad, as Ugo Mola rested several players for the start of their Champions Cup defence at home to Ulster. Jeremy Davidson’s Castres, who host Munster at Stade Pierre Fabre on December 13, were well beaten on the road, losing 54-10 at a resurgent Clermont. Christophe Urios’s side are at Leinster in a fortnight. Lyon slipped to a fifth defeat in a row at Pau – who ended their own losing run at four matches with a 29-15 win at Stade du Hameau. Bordeaux’s 9-6 win over Montpellier is worth remembering for two reasons. The first is the four points it gives the home side, as they keep pace with leaders Toulouse. The second came after the final whistle, when scrum-half Matthieu Jalibert confirmed that – after a long period of speculation – he had signed a contract extension through to 2028. Toulon picked up their first win at Perpignan since 2019. Dany Priso scored their only try in a hard-fought 13-22 affair. Bayonne host Stade Francais on Sunday, in the final Top 14 match before the Champions and Challenge Cup break. The Parisians, hovering just above the relegation places, revived their season with a six-try 40-24 win over Racing 92 last weekend. Few visiting sides win at Stade Jean Dauger – but a strong performance could make Laurent Labit and Paul Gustard reconsider their Champions Cup options.With the threat of U.S. tariffs of 25 per cent on “all” exports, the traditional Liberal view of Canadian identity, that we are multicultural peacekeepers who love social programs, has been revealed to be not only naive, self-centred and delusional, but completely and utterly narcissistic and dangerous. Every pre-occupation of successive Canadian governments, but particularly the current one in Ottawa, has only been possible because Canada shares a border with the greatest military and economic force in history, and because they’ve generally paid us little attention. Canada has a rotting military, not because we are morally superior to the Spartans on our doorstep, but because we’ve always assumed defence of the continent includes defence of us. Ten years ago, before he was prime minister, Justin Trudeau’s comments about the Harper government’s plan to send fighter jets to Iraq to assist the Americans, are as good an example of the lies Canadian leaders tell themselves and the rest of us, as anything. Trudeau thought Canada’s role should be focused on humanitarian aid, “Rather than, you know, trying to whip out our CF-18s and show them how big they are. It just doesn’t work like that in Canada.” The only reason “it just doesn’t work like that in Canada” is because American goodwill has relieved this country of the need to have a functioning military. Similarly, Canada has a more porous border and a more welcoming immigration regime than the U.S., because we face almost none of the problems the Americans do on their southern border, and because would-be immigrants would choose New York before Halifax in a heartbeat. We can be welcoming to the world, because we are no one’s first choice. The Americans, as with defence, do the work to keep the continent secure, while Canadians confuse coasting with moral policy choices. After Donald Trump was elected the first time on a platform to control illegal immigration, Trudeau posted on social media in 2017, “To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength.” A northward deluge of asylum seekers coming to Canada via the unofficial border crossing at Roxham Road quickly followed, a loophole that has since been closed. Canada has a more relaxed system for asylum seekers, but only because it doesn’t share a border with Mexico. The Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement, which allows either country to turn back migrants, exists because the Canadian government requested it in exchange for cooperation in the war on terror, some two decades ago. It is not Canadian benevolence that allows us to be open to the world, it is because Ottawa hides behind Washington. So too, explains Canada’s obsessions with any number of economic killing policies. Access to American markets, particularly since the free trade era that started in the 1980s, has assured Canadians enjoy a standard of living approximating our neighbours to the South, without anywhere near the capitalistic dynamism they possess. The Trump tariffs will be costly for Americans, unnecessarily raising the cost of energy, cars and trucks, critical minerals and aluminum and steel. Tariffs are weapons countries aim and fire at themselves. But even worse is a country that devotes its efforts to killing its own industry. Whereas the Americans are threatening to raise tariffs high enough so that they don’t buy from us, the Liberals have spent the last decade trying to prevent the sale of those very same goods. Leading up to Trump’s announcement that he will impose the tariff, unless Canada (and Mexico) get control of their borders, there was speculation that any tariffs would exempt Canadian energy. But no such exemption was mentioned by Trump on Monday. So now, Canada’s biggest industry and greatest source of wealth has to contend with both Trudeau and Trump trying to kill it. Whether it was the cancelling of the Northern Gateway pipeline, or excessive rules and regulations that forced Energy East to shut down, or for the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion to be delayed by years, or the effective embargo on the export of natural gas, the Liberals have tried to stop the export of Canadian energy to new markets. The only reason that this was even remotely possible is because of the access energy exporters have had to the U.S. market. Same goes with the supply management of eggs, poultry and dairy, foreign ownership restrictions on airlines, banks and media, and any number of other protectionist policies of our own. They have only ever been viable because of Canada’s proximity to the U.S., and the sheer wealth that emanates from it. Canadian politicians can indulge all of their socialistic fantasies because the American commitment to free enterprise ensures their good fortune spills up here. Trump threatening a tariff may just be a negotiating tactic, as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement comes up for review in 2026, or it may be something more permanent and sinister. Either way, Canada no longer has the luxury to continue behaving like a spoiled child who tells everyone they are independently wealthy. In effect, by refusing to keep the Canadian Forces operating like the modern military it is suppose to be, by being hostile to business, and by having a more welcoming immigration regime without the responsibility, Canada has not been asserting its moral superiority or independence from the U.S., it has been, in truth, embracing its status as nothing more than an American satellite. National PostMISSOULA, Mont. (AP) — Marcus Adams Jr.'s 25 points helped CSU Northridge defeat Utah Tech 89-79 on Sunday night at the Stew Morrill Classic. Adams added five rebounds for the Matadors (4-1). Keonte Jones added 23 points while shooting 8 of 15 from the field and 5 for 10 from the line while they also had nine rebounds and three blocks. Scotty Washington had 19 points and went 7 of 14 from the field (3 for 6 from 3-point range). The Trailblazers (1-5) were led by Hakim Byrd, who posted 23 points. Utah Tech also got 15 points from Noa Gonsalves. Samuel Ariyibi finished with 14 points and three blocks. The Matadors play Denver and Utah Tech takes on Montana when the event wraps up on Monday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

What's New An Australian computer scientist who has repeatedly claimed to be Bitcoin 's creator has been found in contempt of London's High Court on Thursday. Why It Matters Dr. Craig Wright's claims and subsequent lawsuits have been controversial within the cryptocurrency world, where Bitcoin's decentralized ethos directly opposes the monopolistic control he has sought. The court's decision represents a major victory for the Crypto Open Patent Alliance (COPA), a consortium of technology and cryptocurrency firms advocating for open-source software development. By challenging Wright's lawsuits, COPA aimed to prevent the disruption of Bitcoin's development and to protect the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem from Wright's litigation threats, which included claims totaling more than £900 billion ($1.1 trillion). What To Know Justice James Mellor sentenced Wright to a suspended 12-month prison term for violating a court order barring him from pursuing legal claims related to Bitcoin's intellectual property. Wright, who attended the hearing via video link from Asia, plans to appeal. The Australian-born and English-resident computer scientist first claimed to be " Satoshi Nakamoto ," the pseudonym that masked the identity of the creator of Bitcoin, in 2016. He asserts authorship of the 2008 white paper, a foundational document for Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. He presented fake documents to support his assertions, according to findings from London's High Court earlier this year. His deceit consisted largely of forgeries "on a grand scale" and "technobabble." Because of this, Justice Mellor ruled in March 2024 that Wright did not create Bitcoin and had fabricated evidence to support his claim. Wright went on to commit "a clear breach" of the court order from March prohibiting further legal actions tied to his supposed intellectual property rights over Bitcoin. His actions led to the contempt proceedings brought by COPA, which argued that his continued lawsuits aimed to "terrorize" developers and maintain a false narrative about Bitcoin's origins. The court struck out Wright's massive claims and ordered him to pay £145,000 in legal costs within two weeks. What People Are Saying Justice James Mellor told the court : "In both his written evidence and in days of oral evidence under cross-examination, I am entirely satisfied that Dr. Wright lied to the court extensively and repeatedly," "Most of his lies related to the documents he had forged, which purported to support his claim. All his lies and forged documents were in support of his biggest lie: his claim to be Satoshi Nakamoto." Jonathan Hough KC, counsel for COPA, told the court : Wright's legal threats had "terrorized" people, putting "developers and bloggers through...years of personal hell" and that the new claims were intended to "cause maximum possible distress." What Happens Next Wright's suspended sentence allows him to avoid prison if he refrains from initiating further lawsuits. However, he has announced plans to appeal the contempt finding. Legal experts suggest the appeal is unlikely to succeed, given the strength of the evidence against him. The ruling is expected to impact three pending lawsuits Wright has filed based on his claims to Bitcoin's intellectual property rights. It remains to be seen whether Wright will persist in his efforts to claim ownership over the cryptocurrency's intellectual foundation, but the court's decision has significantly weakened his legal position. This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.LSU trailed by 18 points early in the second half, then failed to hold a lead at the end of regulation and each of the first two overtime periods. The Tigers went up by five with a minute to go in the third overtime. UCF cut it to three, then Vyctorius Miller made a driving layup, Jordan Sears followed with a dunk and the Tigers were able to hold on when leading by seven. Cam Carter scored 20 points, Miller had 16 and Dji Bailey 14 for LSU (5-1). Darius Johnson had 25 points, eight assists and six rebounds for UCF (4-2). Keyshawn Hall had 21 points and 10 rebounds, and Jordan Ivy-Curry scored 20. South Florida led by 15 points at halftime and maintained a double-digit lead for all but a few possessions in the first 11 1/2 minutes of the second half. UCF led 62-48 with 8 1/2 minutes remaining but Sears hit three 3-pointers and LSU drew to within 64-59 with 6 minutes to go. The Tigers scored the last six points of regulation to force overtime. In the first half, LSU led 15-13 about eight minutes into the game but the Tigers missed 15 of 16 shots while being outscored 25-3 over the next 10 minutes. South Florida led 40-25 at halftime after shooting 46% to 25% for LSU. ___ 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

Head of Canada's diplomatic service holds interference briefing for foreign diplomats OTTAWA — The head of Canada's diplomatic service briefed international envoys on foreign interference last month as the intense focus on the issue across the country created confusion among some diplomats about where their work might cross the line f Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press Dec 4, 2024 1:17 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message David Morrison appears as a witness at the Public Inquiry Into Foreign Interference in Federal Electoral Processes and Democratic Institutions in Ottawa on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Morrison has briefed foreign envoys on foreign interference, saying the intense focus on the issue has created confusion among some diplomats on where their work might cross the line from influence into interference. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA — The head of Canada's diplomatic service briefed international envoys on foreign interference last month as the intense focus on the issue across the country created confusion among some diplomats about where their work might cross the line from influence into meddling. David Morrison, the deputy minister of Global Affairs Canada, told The Canadian Press in an interview that there is a difference between interference and influence, the latter of which is the job of a diplomat. "The public inquiry and the coverage of it may have created some uncertainty," he said. "Diplomats had legitimate questions as to where we draw the line in Canada, and we tried to be very clear on that." The Liberals called a commission of inquiry into foreign interference last year following media reports and pressure from opposition parties. A final report is due by the end of January. An interim report released in May said foreign meddling by China, India, Russia or others did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections. Commissioner Marie-Josée Hogue said it was possible — but not certain — that outcomes in a small number of ridings were affected by interference. In his interview on Tuesday, Morrison stressed that "Canadians can have absolute confidence in the integrity of our last two general elections." During his testimony at the inquiry in October, Morrison mentioned he planned to brief diplomats about the matter, and he held that briefing on Nov. 21. Ahead of each of the last three federal elections, Global Affairs Canada sent what's called a diplomatic circular, essentially a formal notice to all accredited diplomatic missions, outlining that Ottawa expects them not to endorse or finance any political parties or groups. At the Nov. 21 briefing, Morrison told foreign diplomats that they can publicly endorse or oppose a Canadian government policy, but they can't spread disinformation to discredit a particular party or "undermine public confidence" in Canadian democracy. A slideshow shared at the briefing notes that concerns about interference since 2021 "are broader than only elections" and the "strained geopolitical context ... heightens vulnerabilities" for Canada, with its many diaspora communities. The slideshow encourages "overt engagement" with Canadians and officials, such as hosting events or taking a position on Canada's national priorities. But it says that "clandestine influence" such as influencing a nomination race or running an online disinformation campaign is out of bounds, as is "clandestine, deceptive or threatening behaviour." Also wrong would be "obfuscating foreign-state involvement in activities," funding candidates directly or through in-kind contributions, and "deception meant to manipulate individuals in Canada." Larisa Galadza, who helps run the department's democratic resilience bureau, told foreign diplomats that more public awareness of interference makes clear that it is important to avoid even the perception of crossing the line. Her speaking notes, which Morrison provided, say that Canada is "increasing our efforts to set expectations." "This briefing is an indication of how seriously we are taking this issue," Galadza's notes said. She noted that "seeking to control or unduly influence members of a diaspora community" is unacceptable, and that immigrants have the right to be vocally critical of their homeland. Her notes say diplomats can lobby an MP but cannot "convey threats or offer rewards in exchange for their support." And all of these activities, she noted, are just as unacceptable if done through proxies. Morrison said such communication is necessary, as the international agreements governing the roles of diplomats apply everywhere but aren't consistently understood. "There's a wide range of opinions as to what is influence and what is interference," he said, noting some countries see the limit of what's acceptable as measures beyond what Canadians would tolerate. "In some national contexts, interference is taken to mean monkeying around with ballot boxes," he said. Morrison said the session started by "acknowledging that the definitions were not agreed, but that this was our home turf, and we wanted to make certain everyone understood the rules" in Canada. "We made it very clear that, having now given fair warning, if accredited diplomats engage in the kinds of behaviour that we described as being outside of the lines, they could expect to hear from us." Global Affairs does not monitor the behaviour of foreign diplomats in Canada, but the department's regional teams are in frequent contact with diplomatic missions and security officials alert the department whenever they find concerning activity. Morrison said his department uses a range of approaches to have foreign states understand Canada's perspective on acceptable activity. While a formal summons gets media attention, the department can also call in an ambassador to meet with someone ranking from Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly down to a junior desk officer, based on how serious the situation is. Global Affairs Canada can expel diplomats or close embassies abroad, but it can also try making its point in an informal chat at a cocktail reception. "The essence of diplomacy is to be constantly communicating and that happens classically in diplomatic circles at social events and dinners," he said. In February, senior diplomat Weldon Epp testified to Parliament that the Justice Department and the RCMP have undertaken workshops with the Indian government, "to explain what our standards legally would be" for extraditing people to India for terrorism charges. "How India defines extremism or even terrorism does not always compute in our legal system," Weldon Epp told MPs at the time. Looking ahead to the next federal election, Morrison said he's most concerned about emboldened hostile states using artificial intelligence in their attacks. He particularly worries about deepfakes, which are spoof videos and images that can dupe people into thinking politicians said or did certain things they didn't. "The foreign interference that we have seen is continuing to evolve," he said. "Our defences against it will need to continue to evolve as well." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 4, 2024. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More National News Taiwan firm halts plan for $1B battery plant in B.C. that had federal support Dec 4, 2024 2:14 PM Postal union says it sent new proposals to mediator as strike nears three weeks Dec 4, 2024 2:13 PM Justice Minister Arif Virani says controversial online harms bill to be split in two Dec 4, 2024 2:10 PM Featured Flyer