The DraftKings promo code for college basketball is offering $1,200 in bonuses including a bet $5, get $150 deal for all new customers. That includes No. 17 Arizona vs. No. 12 Duke at the McKale Center on Friday night (10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2). Simply register, deposit and place your first bet of $5 or more on Arizona vs. Duke odds to receive $150 in bonus bets. No actual promo code is needed to claim the bonus. New users can also claim a deposit match bonus of up to $1,000 and an additional $50 bonus bet during the registration process ahead of all the NCAA basketball holiday tournament action leading up to Thanksgiving. The schedule for Friday includes: The DraftKings college basketball promo includes the following: Initial registration and deposit will qualify you for the $50 bonus bet (to be paid instantly) and the 20% deposit match. Then, place a bet of $5 or more on NCAA basketball odds of your choice. If located in AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, ME, NC, OH, PA, WY or WV, you will receive $150 in guaranteed bonus bets, win or lose. In DC, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, TN, VA and VT, the $150 is paid out if your initial $5 wager wins. Any bonus bets will be paid out in six installments of $25 and will remain eligible for one week. In total, the DraftKings promo code is worth up to $1,200 in bonuses. DraftKings also has plenty of ongoing promotions such as bet & get offers, profit boosts, and redeeming crowns for additional gaming funds. How to sign up for DraftKings promo code for college basketball Follow the steps below to sign up, get started and claim your bonuses: From there, your $50 bonus bet will arrive and your deposit bonus will be activated. Once the first bet is placed, you are eligible for the $150 in bonus bets (depending on state). Click on this DraftKings promo code link for full terms and conditions. In the run up to Thanksgiving, the college basketball slate is packed with holiday tournaments and wall-to-wall action. As a result, there are several appetizing games every day and perhaps none more so than No. 17 Arizona vs. No. 12 Duke (10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2) Duke is 3-1 but is playing its first game away from home while Arizona is 2-0 and remains in the friendly confines of the McKale Center for this one. Arizona is a slim 1.5-point favorite with the total at 161 points at DraftKings. The college basketballl schedule has plenty of props to offer and the Underdog Fantasy promo code BETFPB for NCAAB guarantees a $1,000 deposit bonus for wagering on player props during today's games. Note: This Underdog Fantasy bonus is available in AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MN, MS, NE, NM, NY, NC, ND, OK, OR, RI, SC, SD, TX, UT, VT, VA, WI, WY & All Canadian Provinces except ON. You must be over 21 to play. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700. 1-800 GAMBLER. Online sports betting is only available in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, D.C., West Virginia, Wyoming Brian Sausa is a New York-based content creator for Catena Media with an extensive betting history and several years of iGaming industry experience. A journalism graduate with a ranging sports background, Brian’s previous employment includes the flagship sites for multiple professional leagues including the MLB and NHL. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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Electric Truck Charging’s Cost & Price Flexibility Are Its SuperpowerThe stage is set for a historic clash in the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs as the New York Red Bulls take on New York City FC at Citi Field on Saturday, November 23rd. Kickoff is at 5:30 PM ET , and the match will be streamed live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV in both English and Spanish. Both teams boast passionate fanbases and a fierce competitive spirit, making this a must-watch encounter for any Major League Soccer fan. This highly-anticipated matchup marks the first-ever playoff edition of the iconic Hudson River Derby. The Red Bulls , hungry for their first MLS Cup title since 2018, are riding high after defeating the defending champions, Columbus Crew , in a thrilling penalty shootout victory after Round One. NYCFC, meanwhile, look to continue their dominance over their crosstown rivals, having already secured a season sweep against them in the regular season. How to subscribe to MLS Season Pass to watch the NYC FC vs. New York RB matchup Where can I watch MLS Season Pass? MLS Season Pass, your gateway to every Major League Soccer match, is available on the Apple TV app. Watch live games, replays, highlights, and exclusive content across a wide range of devices, including iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV, smart TVs, streaming devices, game consoles, and cable set-top boxes. Additionally, you can access MLS Season Pass on the web at tv.apple.com/sports , expanding your viewing options to Android and Chrome OS devices. Note: Content availability may vary depending on your location. If you’re having trouble finding MLS Season Pass, ensure your device has the latest software update. How much is MLS Season Pass? Watch the race for the 2024 MLS Cup for only $9.99. If you are subscribed to Apple TV+, you will get it for free! Renews at full price in 2025. New York City FC vs. New York Red Bulls matchup info Tune in to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV at 5:30 PM ET for comprehensive coverage of the NYCFC vs. New York RB matchup. Enjoy expert commentary from Steve Cangialosi and Danny Higginbotham (English) and Bruno Vain and Andres Agulla (Spanish). Get ready for in-depth analysis and live action, with the pre-game show, Countdown to Kickoff, starting at 5 PM ET on New York Red Bulls Radio. Estudió Ciencias de la Comunicación en la Universidad San Martín de Porres y ejerce el periodismo desde hace 10 años en las ediciones web de varios medios nacionales. Actualmente se desempeña como Analista SEO del Núcleo de Audiencias del Grupo El Comercio.
Opinion editor’s note: Strib Voices publishes a mix of commentary online and in print each day. To contribute, click here . ••• The long lines on election days across countries and continents suggest dynamic democracies. But despite the calendar aligning for a record-setting number of people worldwide eligible to vote this year, democracy itself is actually imperiled. That’s the clear conclusion from Freedom House, which said in its annual “ Freedom in the World ” report that “flawed elections and armed conflicts contributed to the 18th year of democratic decline.” The “breadth and depth of the deterioration was extensive,” the think tank reported, adding that “political rights and civil liberties were diminished in 52 countries, while only 21 countries saw improvements.” That analysis was amplified in a similarly grim report from the Economist Intelligence Unit, which starkly stated that “conflict and polarization drive a new low for global democracy.” This dire data corresponds with, and may have been caused by, a commensurate retreat in media freedom, as evidenced by Reporters Without Borders’ annual World Press Freedom Index , which warned that “press freedom around the world is being threatened by the very people who should be its guarantors — political authorities.” Indeed, if democracy were a stock, “it would have suffered something of a price correction over the last 20 years,” said Richard Haass , the president emeritus of the Council on Foreign Relations. Haass, a veteran envoy who served Republican and Democratic administrations, was speaking via video on Tuesday night at a Minnesota Peace Initiative forum called “The World Votes: Global Democracy at a Crossroads.” The event, held in Minneapolis at Norway House (fitting, considering Norway held the top spot in the World Press Freedom Index and along with fellow Scandinavian nations is ranked as the world’s most free by Freedom House), drew a capacity crowd with many more online to hear from Haass, me and three other panelists: Chad Vickery , vice president of global strategy and technical leadership at the International Foundation for Electoral Systems; Aram Gavoor , a former Justice Department official and current professor at the George Washington University Law School; and Thomas Hanson , diplomat-in-residence at the University of Minnesota Duluth. Haass cited several factors for his clear-eyed diagnosis of democracy, including technological transformations that have ushered in an unsettled media landscape. “We live in one of the odd moments in history where there’s never been greater access to information and never been greater access to disinformation,” Haass said, adding that citizens don’t know if information is “accurate, fully accurate, partially accurate or essentially inaccurate.” That’s to autocrats’ advantage, asserted Gavoor, who said that this country’s competitors “have sought to exploit the U.S. democratic system for quite some time.” The “age of technology, especially with social media,” he said, has “taken on a dramatically different dimension.” Mentioned as additional direct democratic threats were distributed denial-of-service attacks and “strategic foreign mis- and disinformation campaigns that oftentimes are quite opportunistic and play on various doubts in the minds of Americans.” Gavoor gave this good news, however: “The federal government has actually gotten quite adept and capable with regard to identifying foreign mis- and disinformation to the extent that there are significant bodies that exist to combat these things,” like the National Security Council and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. But the threat to democracy from domestic disinformation is an even greater challenge, Gavoor said. And, he added, wherever the disinformation originates, the objective is similar. “Keep in mind that the end goal is not just to disrupt an American election or to cause a particular candidate to be advantaged or not. The end goal is to undermine the entire system of American governance and the faith in American democracy and perhaps greater softening of the resolve to maintain a democracy.” Disinformation is just one component corroding democratic norms within some countries, said Vickery. “We’ve learned how autocracy works: First, you have to win an election by popular vote, usually running against the elites in your country.” Next, he said, “you change the election laws, you game the system to make sure you can win again and not be challenged again.” “But then the third thing is you need to harass civil society in many places” — places like Norway House, he said. “After that, you need to pack the courts with judges who are going to support you, and then you want to enrich your cronies with corruption and then you buy up newspapers and television and make this propaganda machine.” If the democracy-tending attendees at Norway House were any indication, that’s not about to happen here. Indeed, the citizen engagement on display was considered a model by moderator Janet Dolan, who co-created the Minnesota Peace Initiative with her husband, William Moore. The other panelists concurred on Dolan’s admiration, and that along with a free press, such civic involvement should be inviolate in this country and the others it tries to inspire toward a democratic form of government. But the beacon that former Foreign Service officers like Hanson projected and protected on behalf of this country may not shine as bright in recent years. “I think many people in the world perceive that the American model of democracy is less compelling than it was, and that makes our work globally much more challenging,” said Hanson, who added, “and we’re beginning to see other narratives of contestation on democracy and on elections.” Hanson, who will hold his highly anticipated and attended Global Minnesota “ 2025 U.S. Foreign Policy Update ” on Jan. 23, began by saying he was “struck by the dichotomy between an agreed ‘recession of democracy’ and an unprecedented number of elections” this year. “I think that shows how elections nowadays are being used to legitimize variants of democracy.” Many “managed democracies around the world hold elections if they predetermine who can participate. This is the case in Russia. This is the case in Pakistan.” And, he added, “I hate to say it, but at the local level in our own country our two parties go to great lengths to prevent any third-party candidate from participating, which is a minor example of what I’m describing.” According to Vickery, those democracies, however managed or free and fair, have had results that can be categorized as “change-of-status elections” like in the U.S., U.K., South Africa, North Macedonia, Botswana, Senegal and others. Next are elections “solidifying power,” such as in Indonesia and Mexico. And more hopefully, there are examples of “bounce-back” democracies that through elections or civic action have gone “in the right direction,” including Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. While not as many will queue to choose their leaders next year, Vickery noted that there will be 102 elections in 68 nations affecting 1.2 billion citizens worldwide. So for many, 2025 will truly be an election year, even if globally it isn’t quite a year of elections like 2024. But democracy “is about more than voting,” said Haass. “We the citizens, we the people, have the obligation, and I would argue the self-interest, to exercise our democratic rights, to stay informed, to stay involved, and to make sure that those who are entrusted with outsized political power comport themselves and act consistent with the law, and act consistent with the norms that make our democracy what it is.” What it is can be credited in no small part to the kind of civil, civic engagement from groups like the Minnesota Peace Initiative and the involved, inspiring citizens attending Tuesday’s event.Red tape and fine print won't make the world a better place for not for profitsAn online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition
49ers claim RB Israel Abanikanda off waivers from JetsAP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:11 p.m. EST
Former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz has withdrawn as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general following scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation. The Republican's announcement came one day after meeting with senators in an effort to win their support for his confirmation to lead the Justice Department. Here's the latest: As incoming White House chief of staff, one of Susie Wiles ’ vexing challenges will be policing the buffet line of powerful interests who want something from Donald Trump. It’s a world she knows well. During Trump’s first presidency, she lobbied for many of them. Trump was first elected on a pledge to “drain the swamp” in Washington. But his transactional approach to the presidency instead ushered in a lobbying boom that showered allies, including Wiles, with lucrative contracts, empowered wealthy business associates and stymied his agenda after his administration was ensnared in a series of influence-peddling scandals. Now, as Trump prepares to return to power , his victory is likely to embolden those who think they can get his ear, raising the prospect that his second administration could face many of the same perils as his first. That will test the ability of Wiles to manage a growing number of high-powered figures — including Trump’s children, his son-in-law Jared Kushner and billionaires like Elon Musk — who will not be dependent on her for access to the president. ▶ Read more about Susie Wiles and her new role Vance accompanied Matt Gaetz in meetings with GOP senators on Wednesday. “I’m extremely grateful for the work Matt put into the nomination process,” the Ohio senator posted on X. “Matt is a patriot, and I look forward to seeing what he does next.” President Joe Biden still believes President-elect Donald Trump is a dangerous figure in U.S. democracy, his top spokesperson said Thursday. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said “his thinking on that has not changed” even as the Biden White House emphasizes its commitment to the “peaceful transfer of power.” Jean-Pierre told reporters there is no double-speak in Biden’s approach. Biden framed Donald Trump as a “fundamental threat” to the nation’s identity as a democracy and its stability as a global superpower when he defeated Trump in 2020. He did it as a candidate for reelection. He did it again when he dropped out and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris. But Jean-Pierre said Biden recognizes the legitimacy of Trump’s election to another term, even if it’s not the result he wanted. “The American people spoke,” she said, adding that Biden wants to be an example of how to respect U.S. elections. That was an opaque reference to Trump’s refusal to accept Biden’s victory in 2020 and the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters as Congress met to affirm the results. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says she hasn’t spoken to her designated successor, Karoline Leavitt. Jean-Pierre told reporters gathered Thursday at the White House that she hopes the second Trump administration will be forthright with the public by talking to reporters. Trump’s first White House dramatically curtailed its initial interactions with the White House press corps, and Jean-Pierre said Biden and his staff “worked really hard to bring back the norms” with press briefings and interactions. “We’ve tried to do this in a very respectful way,” she said. Jean-Pierre declined to “speak to what any administration is going to do” in the future, but added that the back-and-forth with the press is part of “what democracy is all about.” In other presidential transition news, Trump is urging federal lawmakers to kill a bill that would protect journalists from having to disclose information about anonymous sources or other records obtained during reporting. The proposal that passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, but is pending in the Senate, also bars the government from requesting data from phone or email providers. The bill includes exceptions such as when there’s a reasonable threat of imminent violence or an act of terrorism. As of now, only some states grant absolute protection from disclosing sources or other records. “Republicans must kill this bill!” Trump posted on Truth Social and shared a video from PBS News Hour interviewing the CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalist, Jodie Ginsburg, talking about the proposal. Last month, The Associated Press, along with more than 100 news outlets and organizations, signed a letter authored by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press asking senators to support the bill. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre isn’t commenting on Matt Gaetz withdrawing his nomination as president-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general in the new administration. “We really, truly want to respect the transfer of power,” Jean-Pierre said Thursday during a White House press briefing, explaining her steadfast refusal to comment on Trump personnel moves. But Jean-Pierre nonetheless used the matter to take a subtle jab at how Trump, who was twice indicted by the federal government, has reacted to federal law enforcement. “Look, the president has said when it comes to investigation, that department should be independent. there should be no partisanship. There should be no loyalty to one party or the other,” she said. “The loyalty should be to the Constitution, and the loyalty should be to the rule of law.” Trump has insisted that it was Biden and his lieutenants who weaponized the Justice Department by indicting him for his role in trying to overturn Biden’s 2020 election victory and for hoarding national security documents after Trump left the White House in January 2021. That latter case has been thrown out by a Trump-appointed judge. The former case is still pending. Taken together, there are a striking number of incidents in which potential high-ranking government officials in Trump’s second administration face allegations of sexual abuse. Here’s a look at some of the cases: President-elect Donald Trump: He was found liable by a New York City jury for sexual abuse and defamation and eventually ordered to pay the woman, E. Jean Carroll , $83 million in damages. Pete Hegseth, nominee for secretary of defense: A woman told police she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a detailed investigative report made public this week. Hegseth told police the encounter had been consensual and denies wrongdoing. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., nominee for secretary of health and human services: A woman who babysat for Kennedy and his second wife told Vanity Fair magazine he groped her in the late 1990s, when she was 23. Kennedy did not deny the allegation, telling a podcast: “I had a very, very rambunctious youth.” He texted the woman an apology after the story was published. Linda McMahon, nominee for secretary of education: A lawsuit filed last month alleges McMahon knowingly enabled sexual exploitation of children by a World Wrestling Entertainment employee as early as the 1980s. She denies the allegations. Elon Musk, Trump’s choice to lead the new Department of Government Efficiency: The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX was accused of sexual misconduct by a flight attendant contracted by SpaceX who worked on his private jet in 2016. He denied the claim. ▶ Read more about the allegations of sexual misconduct Among those who were seen as contenders before Gaetz was picked is former acting attorney general Matt Whitaker , who Trump chose earlier this week to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Other names that were floated as potential attorney general nominees include Jeff Jensen, a former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, and Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey. Trump last week chose Todd Blanche , an attorney who led the legal team that defended the Republican at his hush money criminal trial , to serve as the second-highest ranking Justice Department official. Emil Bove, a former federal prosecutor, was chosen to be the principal associate deputy attorney general. An attorney who represents two women who say they were paid by Gaetz for sex says his clients are “relieved to have this chapter behind them.” “They’re grateful for the opportunity to move forward with their lives,” said Joel Leppard, whose clients testified before the House Ethics Committee. “They’re hoping that this brings final closure for all the parties involved.” Leppard revealed earlier this week details about his clients’ testimony to House Ethics Committee to release its report on the Gaetz investigation. Leppard said his clients were paid a total of $10,000 by the congressman. One of his clients testified that she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old at a party in 2017, while he was in Congress. Though Gaetz has withdrawn his name from consideration for attorney general, he isn’t Trump’s only appointee in hot water. A woman told police she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Pete Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a detailed investigative report made public late Wednesday. Hegseth, a former Fox News personality and Trump’s nominee to be defense secretary, told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing, the report said. Earlier today, Hegseth held a round of private meetings alongside incoming Vice President JD Vance in an attempt to shore up support and told reporters afterward: “The matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared, and that’s where I’m gonna leave it.” ▶ Read more about the allegations against Hegseth In his Nov. 13 resignation letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Gaetz said, “I hereby resign, as United States Representatives for Florida’s First Congressional District, effective immediately, and I do not intend to take the oath of office for the same office in the 119th Congress, to pursue the position of Attorney General in the Trump Administration.” He transmitted a similar letter to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as the state began a special election process to fill the vacancy. Attorneys involved in a civil case brought by a Gaetz associate were notified this week that an unauthorized person accessed a file shared between lawyers that included unredacted depositions from a woman who said Gaetz had sex with her when she was 17 and a second woman who says she saw the encounter, according to attorney Joel Leppard. Leppard said that two women he represents told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017 when Gaetz was in Congress. The files the person was able to access were part of a defamation case filed by a Gaetz associate against the former representative’s onetime political ally Joel Greenberg , who pleaded guilty in 2021 to sex trafficking of a minor, and admitted that he had paid at least one underage girl to have sex with him and other men. The apparent breach was first reported Tuesday by The New York Times. Gaetz has denied all the allegations. ▶ Read more about the apparent file breach Trump had announced last week that he’d chosen Todd Blanche, an attorney who’s defended him in some of his criminal cases, to serve as deputy attorney general. That’s the second highest ranking position at the Justice Department. A former federal prosecutor, Blanche has been a key figure defended him both in the New York hush money criminal trial that ended in a conviction in May, and the federal cases brought by Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith. Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina said Thursday in a post on X that he believes the now-former congressman “will continue to contribute to our nation’s wellbeing for years to come.” Graham, a member of the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee, also said he looks forward to working with Trump “regarding future nominees to get this important job up and running.” The caption of the Instagram photo reads “The end of an era. No one loves America more than this guy.” The Florida representative was once embroiled in a sex trafficking investigation involving underage girls by the Justice Department, the very department President-elect Trump had tapped him to lead. Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, and in February 2023 said the investigation ended with no federal charges against him.He was also being investigated by the House Ethics panel, but Republicans declined yesterday to release the committee’s findings over objections from Democrats in a split vote. ▶ Read more about the Justice Department’s investigation into Gaetz He had abruptly resigned from his congressional seat upon being nominated as attorney general amid a long-running House Ethics investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct, which was seen as a way to halt the probe. The House Ethics panel’s Republicans declined this week to release the committee’s findings into Gaetz over objections from Democrats in a split vote. But the committee did agree to finish its work and is scheduled to meet again Dec. 5 to discuss the matter. However, Gaetz did win re-election earlier this month for the new Congress which convenes Jan. 3. But it’s unclear if he would take office. There’s also been plans for a special election in Florida for his seat. “President Trump remains committed to choosing a leader for the Department of Justice who will strongly defend the Constitution and end the weaponization of our justice system,” said Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump-Vance transition team. In a message on his Truth Social network, Trump also said he was looking forward to seeing what Gaetz will do next after withdrawing as his pick. “He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect,” Trump posted. “Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!” Matt Gaetz has just withdrawn as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general following continued scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on the former congressman’s ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. The Florida Republican’s announcement came one day after meeting with senators in an effort to win their support for his confirmation to lead the Justice Department. Gaetz’s withdrawal is a blow to Trump’s push to install steadfast loyalists in his incoming administration and the first sign that Trump could face resistance from members of his own party.2 / 13 might only be 12 years old, but since birth, she’s been an absolute fashion icon. Her wardrobe surely puts most people’s to shame, and it’s about time we give Miss Carter her proper flowers! — Phenix S Halley 3 / 13 During a time when should be celebrating her big premiere for “Mufasa: The Lion King,” she’s unfortunately having to deal with online detractors who’ve taken issue with how she decided to show up for the momentous occasion. And it’s time we talk about it. — Shanelle Genai 4 / 13 From the moment Beyoncé debuted her baby bump after her performance of “Love on Top” at the 2011 VMAs, the world has considered Blue Ivy Carter one of its own. We’ve watched her grow and mature right before our eyes – even and dancing with her mom during Bey’s record-breaking Renaissance World Tour. — Angela Johnson 5 / 13 was recently spotted in Los Angeles, with fans reacting all over the internet with takes on how much the young Grammy winner has grown up. — Jared Alexander 6 / 13 The new film “ ” is a prequel in the renowned franchise that tells the story of how Mufasa and Taka, who becomes known as the villainous Scar in the future, met and became brothers. The film is framed around Rafiki, Timon and Pumbaa telling this new story to Simba and Nala’s daughter Kiara. Since Nala is voiced by Beyoncé, it makes sense that they would cast her actual daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, in the role. At the recent D23 Expo fan event, director Barry Jenkins revealed a few details about Blue Ivy’s performance. — Stephanie Holland 7 / 13 can’t stop gushing about her grandkids, and we don’t blame her. With Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy Carter set to make her feature film debut in “ ,” while 7-year-old twins, Rumi and Sir Carter, explore their own artistic sides, she has plenty to be proud of. — Stephanie Holland 8 / 13 With New York Fashion Week in full force, it’s fair that we recognize the children of some of the high-profile celebrities who will be attending these runway shows. And why not? It seems they were born with a good sense of style in their own right. — Noah A. McGee 9 / 13 “The Lion King” is one of Disney’s greatest films of all-time. The story of Simba’s struggle to overcome his guilt and save the Pride Lands from his evil uncle Scar is iconic. Elton John and Tim Rice’s songs are instantly recognizable classics. — Stephanie Holland 10 / 13 — Stephanie Holland 11 / 13 Blue Ivy Carter at the on April 1 looking all grown up and leaving fans to wonder where the time has gone. The 12-year-old stunned in her own Cowboy Carter-inspired look, a denim tube top and jeans. But it was her hair that had social media buzzing. — Angela Johnson 12 / 13 On May 8, Disney shared that —the daughter of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian — was set to perform in a live “Lion King” 30th anniversary concert at the Hollywood Bowl on May 24 and May 25. — Amira Castilla, Candace McDuffie 13 / 13
While Christmas Day has passed and you're probably thinking more about taking your decorations down than buying more, the Christmas sales are the perfect time to pick up some new pieces for a fraction of the price. From baubles and ornaments to larger items like faux trees and wreaths, there's no better time than the sales to update and restock your Christmas decor – especially if your current collection has passed its best or you've had a few breakages this year. If the thought of endlessly scrolling through sales pages seems rather daunting, we've found the best the sale has to offer. Here, we've curated the perfect shortlist filled with fabulously festive designs. From faux Christmas trees and garlands to timeless stockings and charming ornaments, there's plenty left in the Christmas decoration sales to elevate next year's holiday schemes. 1. McGee & Co If you're in the market for a new faux Christmas tree, the holiday sales always offer incredible discounts. With more than 50% off, this pine-inspired design is not only pre-lit (perfect if hanging the lights always feels like a chore) but also features a dusting of snow. Jingle bells were back in a big way this year, and they aren't going anywhere anytime soon. So, these hanging bells in a brass finish are the perfect decor piece to pick up in the sales with a huge discount. They can be hung from door handles or layered on top of stockings and other decor. We always say a high-quality Christmas garland is a worthy investment, so this McGee & Co. offering at half price is an absolute steal! The natural design means it feels authentic and can be integrated into any Christmas home, whether you prefer Scandi style or vintage Christmas decor . If you've had any breakages this year, it's probably a few glass baubles that have taken the hit. Good news – McGee & Co has a few pieces left in the sale, like this pearl glass baubles. A timeless colorway, this set of 21 should last you a long time – even if you love a couple each year! Beautiful ornaments for layering or to spruce up a small space, these Christmas tree ornaments – which have been a huge hit this year – have gone into the sale for half their original price. The set of three comes in a traditional, rich green hue – simple yet oh-so-stylish. Prefer a richer, warmer color palette for your Christmas tree? These rich brown baubles hit one of this year's biggest color trends – they're glamorous and sophisticated, and offer a nod to vintage style. There are also 21 ornaments in this set, perfect for a full tree design. 2. Anthropologie Whether you have a new addition to your household or your current stockings have seen better days, these stockings are a great price for a personalized design. Offered in red velvet with white and green details, they currently have 50% off. Burgundy may have been a big Christmas decor trend this year, but it's actually incredibly timeless. Rich, warm, and elegantly festive, this velvet glass drop garland is a timeless piece to add to your collection. It's an utterly sophisticated color combination. If there's one thing Anthropologie are known for during the holidays, it's their elegant yet unique tree ornaments. A gold finish with subtle pearl embellishments, you can spell out a festive phrase or personalize your decor with the family's initials. An outdated Christmas decoration making a huge comeback this year, tinsel's revival is a much more tasteful style than in previous years. And this tree topper is a unique way to bring the trend into your designs. It also lights up to add a festive sparkle to your scheme. If you prefer to embrace a more colorful Christmas scheme, these baubles are the perfect buy. This glass set features four different color ornaments, each with etched detailing and gold starts. Perfect for introducing color and interest without overwhelming your tree. Who says your stocking holder can't be part of your decor? Instead of a hidden hook, this gold celestial stocking holder sits atop your mantel to multi-task as a holder and a decor piece. It looks so charming layered into a garland – and for just $29, you really can't go wrong! 3. Wayfair For a faux tree that looks elevated but doesn't cost a fortune, the Christmas sales are a great place to look. In Wayfair's holiday sale, this full, bushy spruce has been created to take on the look of a real tree. If antiqued silver is more your style, this set of 12 ornaments will be right up your street. Featuring three different styles, all in this aged silver design, they look far more expensive than they are, especially the sale price! While a plain wreath is a lovely base if you want to layer in your own decorations, a design already decorated is much easier. This faux wreath is ready-decorated with clear lights, classic red berries, and rustic pine cones. 4. Lulu and Georgia If you prefer pared-back, minimalist Christmas decor , these checkered stockings are a beautiful choice, the subtle design adds a touch of warmth and visual interest and can work in plenty of interior design styles . They also layer well with other colorful and patterned stockings. There's not much left in Lulu and Georgia's holiday sale, but this set of six rainbow trees is still available in the green colorway. Whether you weave them into your Christmas table decor, a mantel wreath, or display them on an entryway table, it's the perfect time to add them to your decor. Garlands can be quite the investments, so when you can get them in the Christmas sales, you totally should. We love this mini ceramic bead garland design. It's perfect for draping along or layering into a luscious green garland across a mantelpiece or banister. 5. Pottery Barn This faux tree has been one of Pottery Barn's best sellers this holiday season, so if you haven't already, now is your chance to buy it at a reduced price. It's an easy decor piece that you don't even have to decorate! Festive dinnerware sets always wind up in the sale, like this holly berry-themed set. With bowls, plates, and mugs all still available, it's the perfect opportunity to start planning next year's table design. Paper ornaments don't only look great hung on your Christmas tree, but they are also so easy to store away each year. Rather than the usually plain designs, these are embellished with gold glitter. Whether you're on the lookout for a new faux tree, want to update the family's stockings, or simply fancy some new ornaments to mix with the old, there are plenty of Christmas decoration sales to find what you need with amazing savings. 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Celtic opened up a gap at the top of the Premiership for the first time this season, as they took full advantage of Aberdeen’s slip up at St Mirren earlier in the day to go three points clear with a stunning second half display to defeat Hearts in the capital. Much to the mirth of their supporters, the victory at Tynecastle also opened up an 11-point gap to struggling city rivals Rangers. After a hard-fought first half in which Hearts looked the more dangerous side, Kyogo Furuhashi ruthlessly took advantage of an error from Daniel Oyegoke to put Celtic ahead, before man of the moment Nicolas Kuhn smashed home a quickfire second to extinguish any hopes of a Hearts comeback. Adam Idah came off the bench to grab a third, and hammer home the point that this Celtic side are not only now clear at the top of the table, but clear of any domestic opposition once they click into gear. Musa Drammeh pulled one back for Hearts late on, but Jorge Grant’s trip on James Forrest allowed Idah to put the icing on the cake with his second from the penalty spot. Here are the talking points from Tynecastle... Catch them if you can Aberdeen’s start to the season has been hugely impressive, and Jimmy Thelin and his men deserve huge credit for what they have achieved to date. But the challenge of keeping pace with this Celtic squad was always going to be a big ask. The champions weren’t at their best here or even anywhere close to it, but they still ran out comfortable winners in the end. It will be a huge challenge for the Dons not only to react to their own defeat, but to cling onto the coattails of Brendan Rodgers’ men from here on in. King Kuhn reigns supreme For all that Celtic were given their initial foothold in this game by a Hearts slip up, Kuhn had always looked the likeliest player in green and white to come up with something during what was, collectively, an uncharacteristically sloppy first half. And it was no surprise that it was the winger who slammed home the crucial second goal after he worked a devastating counterattack with Daizen Maeda. As he latched onto the return ball from the Japanese and strode into the area, there was never any doubt about the outcome, and he duly delivered a thumping left foot finish that was past Craig Gordon and into the back of the Hearts net before the veteran keeper could move a muscle. It was his 11th goal of the season to date and 21st goal involvement all told, a tally at this point you would have got long odds on predicting at the end of last term. The transformation in the 24-year-old has been remarkable, and he shows no signs of letting up after another impressive display. Hearts shoot themselves in the foot after impressive first half Neil Critchley must have been tearing his hair out that his gameplan, which had worked so well in the opening 45 minutes, was undone by a moment of slackness from one of his own men. It appeared that Oyegoke had done the hard part as he read and cut out Greg Taylor’s attempted ball inside him for Maeda, but as he tried to clear his lines, his lazy swing of the left leg succeeded only in sending the ball off the midriff of Callum McGregor and squirting through to Kyogo, who forced the ball home despite the best efforts of Gordon. When Kuhn cracked home the second on the counter soon after, it was game over, but there was so much to encourage Critchley from what had come before. For all that Celtic had more of the ball than the hosts, it was clear that Hearts were quite happy to allow them to pass it around in deeper areas of the pitch. But when the hosts pressed, they did so as a unit, and they unsettled Celtic to such an extent that even the normally unflappable McGregor was coughing up possession. They can take great heart from so much of what they did here and how they tested Celtic, but ultimately, the champions came up with an emphatic answer. And ultimately, Hearts are still only saved the ignominy of being bottom of the table by the ongoing shambles on the other side of Edinburgh. Concern over Arne Engels? The Belgian is still young, and it is clear that he is a wonderfully gifted, highly technical footballer. But it has also been clear for a while now that he is struggling to influence games for Celtic as they might hope an £11m signing would. He had some nice touches here and there and showed the odd flash of his ability with a couple of searching balls in behind the Hearts defence, but that was about the sum of it really. He will of course be given some grace and some time to settle into Scottish football and to get to grips with what Rodgers expects from him in his system, but the likes of Paulo Bernardo and Luke McCowan would be entitled to feel that his contributions of late don’t merit him keeping them on the bench for much longer. Bernardo in fact made a telling contribution when he did get on, squaring for Idah to get Celtic’s third, and Engels will know he needs to do more. Lawrence Shankland’s woes continue As his refreshingly candid comments during the week confirmed, the Hearts captain is all too aware that he has fallen below his previous high standards this season, and it was a familiar tale for the striker here. Again, there was much to admire about his performance. Celtic centre back Auston Trusty knew he was in a game alright, with Shankland able to pin him on several occasions as the ball was tossed up in his direction, allowing him to bring his teammates into play. An example of that early in the game almost brought the opener, as some lovely link up play with Blair Spittal eventually saw Shankland tee up his teammate with a sight of goal, but with the ball at an awkward height he couldn’t force it past Kasper Schmeichel. Sadly for Shankland though, it was his old predatory instinct in from of goal that was again conspicuous by its absence, as he sclaffed a James Penrice cutback wide of goal from around 12 yards soon after. There was no pressure on him at all, save for the pressure he appears to be placing upon his own shoulders to rediscover his goalscoring touch.
The IRS Direct File program, which lets taxpayers file their federal income tax return directly with the IRS for free, is doubling its reach to 24 states for the 2025 tax season, up from 12 states in 2024, the program’s pilot year. The Direct File program will also accept more types of tax situations for the 2025 tax season. While taxpayers who used the system in 2024 could claim a handful of tax credits, including the and the , that list is expanding in 2025 to include the , among others. Related Articles An estimated 30 million taxpayers will qualify for the Direct File program in 2025, the IRS says. More than 140,000 taxpayers filed their federal tax returns through the Direct File program in 2024. About 90% of users said their experience was excellent or above average, according to a survey of about 11,000 Direct File users in 2024, conducted by the General Services Administration. “We’re excited about the improvements to Direct File and the millions more taxpayers who will be eligible to use the service this year,” said Danny Werfel, the IRS commissioner, in a statement. “Our goal is to improve the experience of tax filing itself and help taxpayers meet their obligations quickly and easily.” The IRS says that taxpayers can use Direct File when the 2025 tax season kicks off in January, and it will be available until Oct. 15, 2025. But the program’s future is somewhat unclear: In December, 29 Republican lawmakers to President-elect Donald Trump, calling for him to end the Direct File program on his first day in office. Lawmakers in the U.S. House of Representatives also introduced legislation in July to end the Direct File program. For now, here’s what you need to know about how the IRS Direct File program works, and how to qualify for it. The Direct File program is a new initiative, about to enter its second year, that allows taxpayers to file their federal tax returns electronically with the IRS. The no-cost tool guides taxpayers through every part of their federal income tax return. Taxpayers can file using a smartphone, computer or tablet. One of the program’s advantages is that, if you have questions as you’re working on your return, you can get live support directly from the IRS via chat or phone. IRS representatives can answer basic tax questions and help with technical issues in English and Spanish. The Direct File program has income limits, as well as limits on the types of income, deductions and credits you can enter on your tax return. For the 2025 tax season: To be eligible for Direct File, your income can come from the following sources: But if you’re self-employed, or have business or rental income, you can’t use . Same goes for or distributions: If you have either, you can’t use Direct File. You can use the IRS Direct File program only if you claim the — the program isn’t available to people who itemize. But you can claim certain above-the-line deductions: , and . You can’t use Direct File if you want to deduct your IRA contributions. The Direct File program allows for the following tax credits in 2025: However, if you want to claim , credits for energy efficient home upgrades or the , you can’t use the Direct File program. More taxpayers will have access to the IRS Direct File program in 2025. In 2024, the IRS kicked off the program with only 12 states; that number has expanded to 24 states for the 2025 tax season. For some of the states that participate in the IRS Direct File program, your federal return information will be transferred automatically to the state tax website, but in some cases you’ll have to re-enter your information. Visit to get the details for your state. Here is a list of the participating states: If you don’t qualify for the IRS Direct File program, you may have other options to file your tax return for free. In addition to Direct File, the IRS offers the program, in which it partners with online to provide free federal income tax return filing. Some providers also allow you to file a state income tax return. For the 2024 tax season, your had to be less than $79,000 to qualify for the Free File program. That dollar threshold is likely to rise slightly for the 2025 tax season. The IRS also offers the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which provides certified volunteers to prepare basic tax returns if you earn less than $67,000 a year, are disabled, or speak limited English. You can find a site near you by visiting this .
Some tech industry leaders are pushing the incoming Trump administration to increase visas for highly skilled workers from other nations. Related Articles National Politics | Trump threat to immigrant health care tempered by economic hopes National Politics | In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families National Politics | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National Politics | New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns National Politics | Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen The heart of the argument is, for America to remain competitive, the country needs to expand the number of skilled visas it gives out. The previous Trump administration did not increase the skilled visa program, instead clamping down on visas for students and educated workers, increasing denial rates. Not everyone in corporate America thinks the skilled worker program is great. Former workers at IT company Cognizant recently won a federal class-action lawsuit that said the company favored Indian employees over Americans from 2013 to 2022. A Bloomberg investigation found Cognizant, and other similar outsourcing companies, mainly used its skilled work visas for lower-level positions. Workers alleged Cognizant preferred Indian workers because they could be paid less and were more willing to accept inconvenient or less-favorable assignments. Question: Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers? Caroline Freund, UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy YES: Innovation is our superpower and it relies on people. Sourcing talent from 8 billion people in the world instead of 330 million here makes sense. Nearly half our Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. Growing them also relies on expanding our skilled workforce. The cap on skilled-worker visas has hardly changed since the computer age started. With AI on the horizon, attracting and building talent is more important than ever. Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research YES: After years of openly allowing millions of undocumented entrants into the country, why is there controversy over legally increasing somewhat the number having desirable skills? Undocumented immigration significantly impacts lower skill level jobs and wages competing with domestic workers at every skill level. Why should special cases be made against those having higher skills? Could they just not walk across the border anyway, why make it more inconvenient to those with desirable skills? James Hamilton, UC San Diego YES: Knowledge and technology are key drivers of the U.S. economy. Students come from all over the world to learn at U.S. universities, and their spending contributed $50 billion to U.S. exports last year. Technological advantage is what keeps us ahead of the rest of the world. Highly skilled immigrants contribute much more in taxes than they receive in public benefits. The skills immigrants bring to America can make us all better off. Norm Miller, University of San Diego YES: According to Forbes, the majority of billion-dollar startups were founded by foreigners. I’ve interviewed dozens of data analysts and programmers from Berkeley, UCSD, USD and a few other schools and 75% of them are foreign. There simply are not enough American graduates to fill the AI and data mining related jobs now exploding in the U.S. If we wish to remain a competitive economy, we need highly skilled and bright immigrants to come here and stay. David Ely, San Diego State University YES: Being able to employ highly skilled workers from a larger pool of candidates would strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. companies by increasing their capacity to perform research and innovate. This would boost the country’s economic output. Skilled workers from other nations that cannot remain in the U.S. will find jobs working for foreign rivals. The demand for H-1B visas far exceeds the current cap of 85,000, demonstrating a need to modify this program. Phil Blair, Manpower YES: Every country needs skilled workers, at all levels, to grow its economy. We should take advantage of the opportunity these workers provide our employers who need these skills. It should be blended into our immigration policies allowing for both short and long term visas. Gary London, London Moeder Advisors YES: San Diego is a premiere example of how highly skilled workers from around the globe enrich a community and its regional economy. Of course Visa levels need to be increased. But let’s go further. Tie visas and immigration with a provision that those who are admitted and educated at a U.S. university be incentivized, or even required, to be employed in the U.S. in exchange for their admittance. Bob Rauch, R.A. Rauch & Associates NO: While attracting high-skilled immigrants can fill critical gaps in sectors like technology, health care and advanced manufacturing, increasing high-skilled immigration could displace American workers and drive down wages in certain industries. There are already many qualified American workers available for some of these jobs. We should balance the need for specialized skills with the impact on the domestic workforce. I believe we can begin to increase the number of visas after a careful review of abuse. Austin Neudecker, Weave Growth YES: We should expand skilled visas to drive innovation and economic growth. Individuals who perform high-skilled work in labor-restricted industries or graduate from respected colleges with relevant degrees should be prioritized for naturalization. We depend on immigration for GDP growth, tax revenue, research, and so much more. Despite the abhorrent rhetoric and curtailing of visas in the first term, I hope the incoming administration can be persuaded to enact positive changes to a clearly flawed system. Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health YES: But it should be based upon need, not politics. There are several industries that have or could have skilled workforce shortages, especially if the next administration tightens immigration as promised and expected. Over the years, there have been nursing shortages that have been met partially by trained and skilled nurses from other countries. The physician shortage is expected to get worse in the years to come. So, this visa program may very well be needed. Jamie Moraga, Franklin Revere NO: While skilled immigration could boost our economy and competitiveness, the U.S. should prioritize developing our domestic workforce. Hiring foreign nationals in sensitive industries or government-related work, especially in advanced technology or defense, raises security concerns. A balanced approach could involve targeted increases in non-sensitive high-demand fields coupled with investment in domestic STEM education and training programs. This could address immediate needs while strengthening the long-term STEM capabilities of the American workforce. Not participating this week: Alan Gin, University of San DiegoHaney Hong, San Diego County Taxpayers AssociationRay Major, economist Have an idea for an Econometer question? Email me at phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com . Follow me on Threads: @phillip020'We are a bit fragile right now' - Man City boss Guardiola
Jake Moody slipped on the opening kickoff. Deebo Samuel Sr. and Eric Saubert slipped while running routes. Brandon Allen slipped three times, resulting in a near fumble, an incompletion and an actual fumble. “Yeah it started snowing, raining, whatever, in the second half a little bit so it just made it a little bit slicker and it kind of killed us on one play where I could have got it to JJ ( Jauan Jennings ),” Allen said. “I started slipping on it and then the fumble. That one is so on top of my mind right now.” Brandon Allen slipped three times Sunday and teammates had trouble keeping their footing as well. It was reminiscent of the recent wet playoff game at Levi’s — the 49ers kept slipping, the Packers seemed OK. pic.twitter.com/HcqFzVMSk2 — Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) November 25, 2024 Astute fans might remember that the San Francisco 49ers had slipping issues the last time the teams played, in the 2023 divisional round of the playoffs at wet Levi’s Stadium. As was the case in January, the 49ers had all sorts of footing issues but the Green Bay Packers had none. “There were definitely issues with the footing,” Kyle Shanahan said Monday. “It happened to our quarterback on a number of plays, but it happened to a bunch of guys throughout the game. Guys were fixing their cleats. Some did it pre-game, some did right after the game (started). But that’s an issue at Lambeau that time of year.” Advertisement The Packers had a 2-to-1 advantage in time of possession at halftime, and finished with an advantage of 36:43 to 23:17. Thanks to two fumbles, an interception and two turnovers on downs, Green Bay’s average starting position was their own 44. The 49ers’ was their own 25. The 49ers played 72 snaps on defense and 49 on offense, their fewest of the season. Here’s how the individual snaps broke down ... Quarterback: Allen 49 Shanahan said Brock Purdy (shoulder) did some light throwing on Monday and emerged from the session feeling good. The plan is to rest him on Tuesday and to see how it feels before Wednesday’s practice. “We didn’t push him that hard,” Shanahan said. “But he did some light throwing, which was a good sign. We’ll rest him tomorrow and see how he feels as the week goes.” Purdy had two MRIs last week — one on Monday and another Thursday after his throwing session that day went poorly. Neither revealed any structural damage. Allen, meanwhile, tried to push the ball down the field more than Purdy had in recent weeks but wasn’t always successful. One throw to Jennings over the middle was behind the receiver. One to Samuel was nearly intercepted by linebacker Quay Walker . Another to Samuel went through Samuel’s hands and was intercepted. Overall, Allen was 2 of 6 with a 53.5 passer rating in the middle of the field between 10 and 20 yards, which in previous years had been the sweet spot for the 49ers’ passing attack. As for the finger injury on Allen’s non-throwing hand, he popped up on the team’s practice participation report on the Thursday before the Nov. 10 game in Tampa. He said that week it was the result of a snap snafu and that he was fine. He was a full participant in practices that week and wasn’t part of the team’s practice participation reports beyond that week. Advertisement “He’s fine,” Shanahan said Sunday when asked about the finger. “He hurt his finger like three weeks ago.” Shanahan said Allen would remain the starter if Purdy can’t play Sunday in Buffalo. GO DEEPER 49ers fall apart in blowout loss to Packers: ‘The worst I’ve been a part of' Running back: Christian McCaffrey 40, Kyle Juszczyk (fullback) 20, Jordan Mason 9, George Kittle 2, Saubert 1 Mason got two snaps — including a team-best 16-yard run — in the third quarter, then got clean-up duty after McCaffrey’s fumble in the fourth quarter. The 49ers’ 44 rushing yards were their fewest since rushing for 39 yards in a Week 9 loss in 2021 to the Arizona Cardinals . Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox. document.querySelectorAll(".in-content-module[data-module-id='scoop-city-newsletter'] .in-content-module-img img ").forEach((el) => { el.setAttribute("style", "pointer-events: none;");}) Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox. Receiver: Jennings 45, Samuel 33, Ricky Pearsall 33, Ronnie Bell 5, Chris Conley 4 For the second straight week, the 49ers got little production from Samuel and Pearsall despite them combining for 66 snaps. Samuel was targeted four times, catching one pass for 21 yards on a gadget play — a nicely executed flea-flicker screen. Pearsall, meanwhile, was targeted six times in the Week 10 game against Tampa Bay . He had two targets and no catches last week and no targets on Sunday. Tight end: Kittle 39, Saubert 12, Jake Tonges 1, Brayden Willis 1 Kittle’s six catches against the Packers gave him 509 career receptions and moved him past Roger Craig and into third place in franchise catches. The only two ahead of him in that category are a pair of Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receivers, Terrell Owens (592) and Jerry Rice (1,281). Kittle, who missed last week’s game against Seattle , ranks third among tight ends in receiving yards this season (642) behind the Las Vegas Raiders’ Brock Bowers (744) and the Arizona Cardinals’ Trey McBride (685). Kittle’s eight touchdown catches trail only the Cincinnati Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase (12) and the Detroit Lions’ Amon Ra-St. Brown (9). George Kittle ladies and gents. 📺 #SFvsGB on FOX NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4nCVJ pic.twitter.com/YVJGOBSIy9 — San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 24, 2024 Offensive line: Jaylon Moore 49, Jake Brendel 49, Dominick Puni 49, Colton McKivitz 49, Aaron Banks 42, Ben Bartch 7 Moore, who was essentially the team’s left tackle in training camp as Trent Williams held out, got Pro Football Focus’ second-highest grade on Sunday behind Kittle. He allowed two pressures and graded well as a blocker, which isn’t supposed to be his strong suit. Advertisement Meanwhile, the 49ers might have to tap into their depth at guard this week. Banks had a concussion and is in the protocol. Puni, meanwhile, suffered a shoulder injury. He was getting an MRI when Shanahan spoke to the media Monday and the results were not available. Finally, the 49ers closed Jon Feliciano ’s practice window. Shanahan said Feliciano’s knee never responded the way the team hoped and he will now be shut down for the season. Feliciano, 32, is scheduled to be a free agent in March. He took to X as Shanahan was speaking Monday. Tried my hardest. Father Time real. Hoping this ain’t the end but if it is, Hell of a ride — Jonathan Feliciano (@MongoFeliciano) November 25, 2024 Others on the active roster who can play guard are Bartch, Spencer Burford and Nick Zakelj . Bartch filled in at left guard Sunday when Banks left the game. He had been inactive in the first 10 games but was in uniform due to Williams’ absence. Defensive line: Maliek Collins 47, Yetur Gross-Matos 46, Sam Okuayinonu 45, Leonard Floyd 44, Evan Anderson 36, Kalia Davis 30, Jordan Elliott 26, Robert Beal Jr. 21 Okuayinonu’s 45 snaps were a career high and it was a mild surprise when he, not Gross-Matos, started opposite Floyd at defensive end. Gross-Matos didn’t enter until the ninth play of the game. Floyd, meanwhile, has finished each of the last four seasons with at least nine sacks. A few weeks ago, it was hard to see him keeping that streak intact. But he had 1 1/2 last week and two more on Sunday and now sits at 6 1/2 with six games to go. It’s also noteworthy that Anderson, the undrafted rookie, out-snapped Davis (and also was tapped over newcomer Khalil Davis , who was inactive). Among defensive linemen, Anderson tied with Floyd and Gross-Matos for a team-high four tackles. Elliott is in the concussion protocol. After going through all of training camp and half the season without a concussion, the 49ers have had four in the last four games: Dee Winters (Week 8), Jacob Cowing (Week 11), Elliott and Banks (Week 12). Advertisement Quarterback pressures: Linebacker: Fred Warner 72, Campbell 67, Winters 22 The 49ers missed 10 tackles in the first quarter and the problems didn’t stop there. Per Pro Football Focus, they finished with 19, the most PFF has ever documented for a 49ers game since it started charting games in 2006. Warner led the way with four missed tackles, the most for any 49er in one game this season. Shanahan said the 49ers came up with a different number for missed tackles — 12 — and defended Warner’s play in recent weeks. “I still think Fred’s the man. I think Fred’s playing at a high level,” he said. “I know he had four missed tackles, which is too much for anyone, way too much for him. So obviously, he can do better in that way. But Fred’s still playing like one of the best linebackers in the league. I know he’s got a real high standard. So when he has something like (Sunday’s performance) it’s gonna stick out.” The 49ers plan to open Dre Greenlaw ’s (Achilles) practice window this week and he’s expected to practice on Wednesday. That will be his first practice since getting ready for the Super Bowl in February at UNLV’s practice fields. Missed tackles: Cornerback: Lenoir 67, Yiadom 59, Green 47, Rock Ya-Sin 19 Opponents have been picking on Green over the past two weeks. He’s allowed completions on 10 of 13 targets for 129 yards and opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of 107.5 in those games. Green hurt his neck late Sunday and was replaced by Ya-Sin. Green is considered day to day. Lenoir, meanwhile, banged knees with an opponent during the game. He returned to the contest but, like Puni, was getting an MRI on Monday afternoon. Yiadom, meanwhile, gave up just one completion on three targets, though the outing could have been far worse. Receiver Christian Watson dropped what would have been a 49-yard touchdown at the end of the second quarter. Advertisement Safety: Brown 72, Mustapha 72, George Odum 1 There was one exception to Sunday’s missed-tackle convention: Mustapha. He prominently zipped in from the secondary to stop running back Josh Jacobs in his tracks on one play and finished tied with Yiadom for a team-high nine tackles. Brown? He had been on a four-game streak with no missed tackles but had three against the Packers. He also could not come down with a makable interception in the third quarter. Special teams: Odum 23, Beal 20, Conley 17, Winters 17, Saubert 16, Jalen Graham 16, Willis 15, Yiadom 13, Nick McCloud 10, Mason 10, Tonges 9, Isaac Guerendo 7, Ya-Sin 7, Campbell 6, Gross-Matos 6, Warner 6, Collins 6, Brown 6, Anderson 6, Moody 5, Pat O’Donnell 5, Taybor Pepper 5, Lenoir 5, Pearsall 4, Tashaun Gipson Sr. 4, Samuel 3, Davis 3, Elliott 3, Burford 2, Zakelj 2, Banks 2, McKivitz 2, Moore 2, Puni 2, Green 1 Samuel had an 87-yard kick return to begin the second half that would have continued the momentum the 49ers had built at the end of the first half. However, it was wiped away by a holding call on Saubert that seemed more like a pancake block upon review. Kyle Shanahan said Deebo Samuel’s 87-yard kick return might have changed the momentum of the game if not for a holding call on Eric Saubert (which seemed more like a pancake block). pic.twitter.com/lbpW0EFJUa — Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows) November 25, 2024 Guerendo, meanwhile, had his second kickoff fumble of the season in the second quarter. The 49ers didn’t lose this one, but Guerendo was out, and Samuel in, on kick returns from that point forth. (Top photo of Brock Purdy and Brandon Allen: Todd Rosenberg / Getty Images)The year 2024 will be remembered forever in the history of Jammu and Kashmir as a landmark period when the democratic process was revived in this part of the country after a gap of eight long years and a popular government was established. The successful and peaceful conduct of Assembly elections, the first since the revocation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, and the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories signaled a decisive step toward restoring political representation and self-governance in the region. The last Assembly elections in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir were held in 2014 and a PDP-BJP coalition government was formed under the leadership of late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. Jammu and Kashmir had been without an elected government since June 2018 when BJP dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) followed by the resignation of the then Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. Five months later, on November 28, 2018, the then Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the legislative assembly minutes after Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP staked a claim to form the government with the support of Congress and the National Conference. A month later on December 19, 2018, the then President Ram Nath Kovind issued a proclamation promulgating President's Rule in J&K under article 356 of the Constitution of India. Eight months later on August 5, 2019, the BJP government abrogated Article 370 and bifurcated Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. Nearly three decades J&K saw a single-party rule The installation of a government headed by Omar Abdullah was historic in the sense that the first popular government was established in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Secondly, after nearly three decades, 2024 saw a single party, with the backing of Independent members, secure a clear majority in the 90-member Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly. In the House of 90, the National Conference won 42 seats and with the support of six Independents, the party managed to secure a majority on its own. Results of 2024 Assembly elections in J&K Earlier it was in the 1996 Assembly elections when the National Conference had won 57 seats in the House of 87 and formed its government without the support of any political party. In the three successive assembly elections 2002, 2008, and 2014 no single party secured a majority so the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed three coalition regimes. This development was celebrated as a major step toward stability, development, and self-governance in the region. The record voter turnout and the successful restoration of the legislative assembly symbolized the resilience of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. This historic mandate reflects a yearning among the populace for stability, development, and progress. The formation of a stable government, with the support of Independent legislators, signaled the people's trust in representative governance. This historical event of democracy culminated in the swearing-in of Omar Abdullah as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, a development that has been hailed as the biggest achievement of the year. Restoration of democratic processes The Assembly elections were seen as a litmus test for democratic resilience in Jammu and Kashmir. The elections marked the first comprehensive effort to restore the legislative assembly since the state was reorganized into two Union Territories in 2019. Conducted in a peaceful atmosphere with record voter turnout, the elections demonstrated the people's unwavering faith in democratic institutions. Political analysts attribute this success to the extensive efforts by the Election Commission of India and the administration to ensure free, fair, and transparent elections. A robust security apparatus was deployed, and awareness campaigns encouraged voter participation across the diverse and challenging terrain of the Union Territory. Omar Abdullah, the leader of the National Conference, was sworn in as the first Chief Minister of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on October 16. His appointment is seen as a symbolic and practical milestone, blending experience, vision, and hope for the future. Omar Abdullah's leadership is expected to focus on addressing critical challenges, including youth unemployment, infrastructure development, and restoring trust among diverse communities. Don't fiddle with rights of Dalits, Gujjars, Paharis: BJP leader to J&K CM on anti-reservation protest Omar Abdullah Initiates Damage Control Amid Reservation Policy Protests As temperatures drop to minus 8 in Kashmir, CM Omar Abdullah rushes backWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump's supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in his political movement into public display, previewing the fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare the tensions between the newest flank of Trump's movement — wealthy members of the tech world including billionaire Elon Musk and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and their call for more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump's Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. The debate touched off this week when Laura Loomer , a right-wing provocateur with a history of racist and conspiratorial comments, criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the U.S. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy” and said the tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Much of the debate played out on the social media network X, which Musk owns. Loomer's comments sparked a back-and-forth with venture capitalist and former PayPal executive David Sacks , whom Trump has tapped to be the “White House A.I. & Crypto Czar." Musk and Ramaswamy, whom Trump has tasked with finding ways to cut the federal government , weighed in, defending the tech industry's need to bring in foreign workers. It bloomed into a larger debate with more figures from the hard-right weighing in about the need to hire U.S. workers, whether values in American culture can produce the best engineers, free speech on the internet, the newfound influence tech figures have in Trump's world and what his political movement stands for. Trump has not yet weighed in on the rift, and his presidential transition team did not respond to a message seeking comment. Musk, the world's richest man who has grown remarkably close to the president-elect , was a central figure in the debate, not only for his stature in Trump's movement but his stance on the tech industry's hiring of foreign workers. Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers, used by software engineers and others in the tech industry, are critical for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut U.S. citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated, not expanded. Born in South Africa, Musk was once on an a H-1B visa himself and defended the industry's need to bring in foreign workers. “There is a permanent shortage of excellent engineering talent," he said in a post. “It is the fundamental limiting factor in Silicon Valley.” Trump's own positions over the years have reflected the divide in his movement. His tough immigration policies, including his pledge for a mass deportation, were central to his winning presidential campaign. He has focused on immigrants who come into the U.S. illegally but he has also sought curbs on legal immigration , including family-based visas. As a presidential candidate in 2016, Trump called the H-1B visa program “very bad” and “unfair” for U.S. workers. After he became president, Trump in 2017 issued a “Buy American and Hire American” executive order , which directed Cabinet members to suggest changes to ensure H-1B visas were awarded to the highest-paid or most-skilled applicants to protect American workers. Trump's businesses, however, have hired foreign workers, including waiters and cooks at his Mar-a-Lago club , and his social media company behind his Truth Social app has used the the H-1B program for highly skilled workers. During his 2024 campaign for president, as he made immigration his signature issue, Trump said immigrants in the country illegally are “poisoning the blood of our country" and promised to carry out the largest deportation operation in U.S. history. But in a sharp departure from his usual alarmist message around immigration generally, Trump told a podcast this year that he wants to give automatic green cards to foreign students who graduate from U.S. colleges. “I think you should get automatically, as part of your diploma, a green card to be able to stay in this country," he told the “All-In" podcast with people from the venture capital and technology world. Those comments came on the cusp of Trump's budding alliance with tech industry figures, but he did not make the idea a regular part of his campaign message or detail any plans to pursue such changes.
If Benjamin Netanyahu stepped foot in Canada, he would be arrested, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau confirmed on Thursday after the International Criminal Court (ICC) Also included in the warrant are Netanyahu’s former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and a Hamas leader. Trudeau was in Newmarket on Thursday to make a when a reporter reminded him that under the warrants, Canadian law enforcement would be obligated to arrest Netanyahu if he entered the country. When asked if he would allow the arrest to happen, he replied: “As Canada has always said, it’s really important that everyone abide by international law, this is something we have been calling on since the beginning of the conflict,” a grim-looking Trudeau replied. “We are one of the founding members of the International Criminal Court (ICC),” he added. “We stand up for international law and we will abide by all the regulations and rulings of the international courts. This is just who we are as Canadians.” The announcement quickly drew both praise and condemnation. “We are ashamed that Canada would align itself with such a politicized decision,” the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs wrote in a social media post. “By doing so, Canada undermines international law, strains its alliance with the U.S., and harms its relationship with Israel. This decision erodes Canada’s role as a principled advocate for fairness and justice on the global stage.” The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) applauded Trudeau’s backing of ICC — the world’s top war-crimes court. “Today, the Prime Minister took a step in this direction by accepting that Canada would recognize these ICC arrest warrants. This means that Netanyahu and Gallant would be arrested if they stepped foot in Canada. This is an important moment. Canada has chosen to do the right thing.” The warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant allege Israel has used food as a weapon in its campaign against Hamas in Gaza. Israeli officials deny that charge. The court also issued an arrest warrant for Mohammed Deif — the head of Hamas’ armed wing for his role in the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks. Netanyahu, meanwhile, was quick to condemn the arrest warrant against him, saying Israel “rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions” by the court. In a statement released by his office, he said: “There is nothing more just than the war that Israel has been waging in Gaza.”
ORRVILLE, Ohio , Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The J. M. Smucker Company (the "Company") (NYSE: SJM) today announced that it has commenced cash tender offers (each, an "Offer" and collectively, the "Offers") for the maximum principal amount of validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) notes set forth below (collectively, the "Notes"), such that the aggregate purchase price, not including accrued and unpaid interest, payable in respect of such Notes will not exceed $300 million . The Offers are being made pursuant to an Offer to Purchase, dated December 3, 2024 (the "Offer to Purchase"), which sets forth a description of the terms of the Offers. A summary of the Offers to purchase the Notes is outlined below: Acceptance Priority Level (1) Title of Security CUSIP Number Outstanding Principal Amount Reference U.S. Treasury Security (2) Bloomberg Reference Page Fixed Spread (bps) Early Tender Premium (3) 1 2.750% Senior Notes due 2041 832696AV0 $300,000,000 4.625% UST due 11/15/2044 FIT 1 +85 $30 2 3.550% Senior Notes due 2050 832696AT5 $300,000,000 4.250% UST due 8/15/2054 FIT 1 +95 $30 3 2.125% Senior Notes due 2032 832696AU2 $500,000,000 4.250% UST due 11/15/2034 FIT 1 +50 $30 4 4.375% Senior Notes due 2045 832696AP3 $600,000,000 4.625% UST due 11/15/2044 FIT 1 +85 $30 5 5.900% Senior Notes due 2028 * 832696AW8 $750,000,000 4.125% UST due 11/30/2029 FIT 1 +30 $30 (1) The Company is offering to accept the maximum principal amount of validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) Notes in the Offer for which the aggregate purchase price, not including accrued and unpaid interest, does not exceed $300 million using a "waterfall" methodology under which the Company will accept the Notes in order of their respective Acceptance Priority Levels (as defined below). (2) The Total Consideration (as defined below) for Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) prior to or at the Early Tender Time (as defined below) and accepted for purchase is calculated using the applicable fixed spread as described in the Offer to Purchase. The Early Tender Premium (as defined below) of $30 per $1,000 principal amount is included in the Total Consideration for each series of Notes set forth above and does not constitute an additional or increased payment. Holders of Notes will also receive accrued and unpaid interest on Notes accepted for purchase up to, but excluding, the Early Settlement Date or the Final Settlement Date (each as defined below), as applicable. (3) Per $1,000 principal amount. * Denotes a series of Notes for which the calculation of the applicable Total Consideration may be performed, subject to market practice, using the present value of such Notes as determined at the Price Determination Time (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) as if the principal amount of Notes had been due on the applicable Par Call Date (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) of such series rather than the maturity date. Each Offer is scheduled to expire at 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, on January 2, 2025 , unless extended or earlier terminated by the Company (such date and time, as the same may be extended or earlier terminated with respect to each Offer, the "Expiration Time"). To receive the Total Consideration, holders of the Notes must validly tender and not validly withdraw Notes at or prior to 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, on December 16, 2024 , unless such deadline is extended with respect to the applicable Offer(s) (such date and time, as the same may be extended with respect to each Offer, the "Early Tender Time"), to be eligible to receive the Total Consideration. Tenders of Notes may not be validly withdrawn after 5:00 p.m. , New York City time, on December 16, 2024 (the "Withdrawal Deadline"), unless extended by the Company with respect to the applicable Offer. After such time, Notes validly tendered may not be validly withdrawn unless such deadline is extended with respect to the applicable Offer, except in certain limited circumstances where additional withdrawal rights are required by law. Payments for Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) and accepted for purchase at or prior to the Early Tender Time are expected to settle on December 19, 2024 (the "Early Settlement Date"). The consideration paid in each of the Offers will be determined in the manner described in the Offer to Purchase by reference to a fixed spread over the yield to maturity of the applicable U.S. Treasury Security (the "Reference Treasury Security") specified in the table above and on the cover page of the Offer to Purchase in the column entitled "Reference U.S. Treasury Security." Holders who validly tender and do not validly withdraw Notes at or prior to the Early Tender Time that are accepted for purchase will be eligible to receive the "Total Consideration," which includes an early tender premium of $30 per $1,000 principal amount of Notes accepted for purchase (the "Early Tender Premium"). The Early Tender Premium is included in the Total Consideration for each series of Notes and does not constitute an additional or increased payment. Holders who validly tender Notes after the Early Tender Time but at or prior to the Expiration Time and whose Notes are accepted for purchase will be entitled to receive the Total Consideration minus the Early Tender Premium. In addition, in each case, holders whose Notes are accepted for purchase will receive accrued and unpaid interest on their Notes up to, but excluding, the applicable settlement date, payable on the settlement date. The Company will accept for purchase for cash the maximum principal amount of validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) Notes for which the aggregate purchase price, not including accrued and unpaid interest, payable in respect of such Notes does not exceed $300 million (the "Offer Cap"). Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions of the Offers, Notes validly tendered (and not validly withdrawn) prior to or at the Early Tender Time will be accepted based on the acceptance priority levels noted in the table above (the "Acceptance Priority Levels"). All Notes tendered prior to or at the Early Tender Time will have priority over Notes tendered after the Early Tender Time, regardless of the Acceptance Priority Levels of the Notes tendered after the Early Tender Time. Subject to applicable law, the Company may increase, decrease or waive the Offer Cap, as provided in the Offer to Purchase. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions of the Offers, the "Acceptance Priority Procedures" will operate as follows: (1) at the Early Settlement Date, the Company will accept for purchase all Notes of each Series validly tendered at or before the Early Tender Time and not validly withdrawn at or before the Withdrawal Deadline, starting with the 2.750% Senior Notes due 2041 (which have an Acceptance Priority Level of 1), followed by the 3.550% Senior Notes due 2050 (which have an Acceptance Priority Level of 2), followed by the 2.125% Senior Notes due 2032 (which have an Acceptance Priority Level of 3), followed by the 4.375% Senior Notes due 2045 (which have an Acceptance Priority Level of 4), followed by the 5.900% Senior Notes due 2028 (which have an Acceptance Priority Level of 5), subject to the Offer Cap; and (2) on January 6, 2025 (the "Final Settlement Date"), to the extent the Company has not already accepted Notes with an aggregate purchase price payable in respect of such Notes equal to the Offer Cap, it will accept for purchase validly tendered and not validly withdrawn Notes of each Series not previously purchased on the Early Settlement Date starting with the 2.750% Senior Notes due 2041, followed by the 3.550% Senior Notes due 2050, followed by the 2.125% Senior Notes due 2032, followed by the 4.375% Senior Notes due 2045, followed by the 5.900% Senior Notes due 2028 in accordance with their respective Acceptance Priority Levels, subject to the Offer Cap. None of the Offers is conditioned on any of the other Offers or upon any minimum principal amount of Notes of any series being tendered. The Company's obligation to purchase, and to pay for, any Notes validly tendered pursuant to the Offers is subject to and conditioned upon the satisfaction of, or the Company's waiver of, the conditions described in the Offer to Purchase. This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell securities. No offer, solicitation, purchase or sale will be made in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful. The Offers are being made solely pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and J.P Morgan Securities LLC are serving as Dealer Managers for the Offers (each, a "Dealer Manager" and together, the "Dealer Managers"). Questions regarding the Offers may be directed to Goldman Sachs at (800) 828-3182 (toll free) or (212) 357-1452 (collect) or to J.P Morgan at (866) 834-4666 (toll free) or (212) 834-3554 (collect). Requests for the Offer to Purchase or the documents incorporated by reference therein may be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc., which is acting as the Tender Agent and Information Agent for the Offers, at SJM@dfking.com or the following telephone numbers: banks and brokers at (212) 269-5550; all others toll free at (866) 620-2535. The J. M. Smucker Company Forward-Looking Statements This press release ("Release") includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws. The forward-looking statements may include statements concerning our current expectations, estimates, assumptions and beliefs concerning future events, conditions, plans and strategies that are not historical fact. Any statement that is not historical in nature is a forward-looking statement and may be identified by the use of words and phrases such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," "will," "plan," "strive" and similar phrases. Federal securities laws provide a safe harbor for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information. We are providing this cautionary statement in connection with the safe harbor provisions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, when evaluating the information presented in this Release, as such statements are by nature subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of our control and could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements and from our historical results and experience. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: our ability to successfully integrate Hostess Brands' operations and employees and to implement plans and achieve financial forecasts with respect to the Hostess Brands' business; our ability to realize the anticipated benefits, including synergies and cost savings, related to the Hostess Brands acquisition, including the possibility that the expected benefits will not be realized or will not be realized within the expected time period; disruption from the acquisition of Hostess Brands by diverting the attention of our management and making it more difficult to maintain business and operational relationships; the negative effects of the acquisition of Hostess Brands on the market price of our common shares; the amount of the costs, fees, expenses, and charges and the risk of litigation related to the acquisition of Hostess Brands; the effect of the acquisition of Hostess Brands on our business relationships, operating results, ability to hire and retain key talent, and business generally; disruptions or inefficiencies in our operations or supply chain, including any impact caused by product recalls, political instability, terrorism, geopolitical conflicts (including the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas), extreme weather conditions, natural disasters, pandemics, work stoppages or labor shortages (including potential strikes along the U.S. East and Gulf coast ports and potential impacts related to the duration of a recent strike at our Buffalo, New York manufacturing facility), or other calamities; risks related to the availability of, and cost inflation in, supply chain inputs, including labor, raw materials, commodities, packaging, and transportation; the impact of food security concerns involving either our products or our competitors' products, including changes in consumer preference, consumer litigation, actions by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other agencies, and product recalls; risks associated with derivative and purchasing strategies we employ to manage commodity pricing and interest rate risks; the availability of reliable transportation on acceptable terms; our ability to achieve cost savings related to our restructuring and cost management programs in the amounts and within the time frames currently anticipated; our ability to generate sufficient cash flow to continue operating under our capital deployment model, including capital expenditures, debt repayment to meet our deleveraging objectives, dividend payments, and share repurchases; a change in outlook or downgrade in our public credit ratings by a rating agency below investment grade; our ability to implement and realize the full benefit of price changes, and the impact of the timing of the price changes to profits and cash flow in a particular period; the success and cost of marketing and sales programs and strategies intended to promote growth in our business, including product innovation; general competitive activity in the market, including competitors' pricing practices and promotional spending levels; our ability to attract and retain key talent; the concentration of certain of our businesses with key customers and suppliers, including primary or single-source suppliers of certain key raw materials and finished goods, and our ability to manage and maintain key relationships; impairments in the carrying value of goodwill, other intangible assets, or other long-lived assets or changes in the useful lives of other intangible assets or other long-lived assets; the impact of new or changes to existing governmental laws and regulations and their application; the outcome of tax examinations, changes in tax laws, and other tax matters; a disruption, failure, or security breach of our or our suppliers' information technology systems, including, but not limited to, ransomware attacks; foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate fluctuations; and risks related to other factors described under "Risk Factors" in other reports and statements we have filed with the SEC. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances. About The J. M. Smucker Company At The J. M. Smucker Company, it is our privilege to make food people and pets love by offering a diverse family of brands available across North America . We are proud to lead in the coffee, peanut butter, fruit spreads, frozen handheld, sweet baked goods, dog snacks and cat food categories by offering brands consumers trust for themselves and their families each day, including Folgers ® , Dunkin' ® , Café Bustelo ® , Jif ® , Uncrustables ® , Smucker's ® , Hostess ® , Milk-Bone ® and Meow Mix ® . Through our unwavering commitment to producing high quality products, operating responsibly and ethically and delivering on our Purpose, we will continue to grow our business while making a positive impact on society. The J. M. Smucker Company is the owner of all trademarks referenced herein, except for Dunkin' ® , which is a trademark of DD IP Holder LLC. The Dunkin'® brand is licensed to The J. M. Smucker Company for packaged coffee products sold in retail channels, such as grocery stores, mass merchandisers, club stores, e-commerce and drug stores, as well as in certain away from home channels. This information does not pertain to products for sale in Dunkin' ® restaurants. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-j-m-smucker-company-announces-cash-tender-offers-302321621.html SOURCE The J.M. Smucker Co.Opinion: Why taxpayers deserve a public inquiry into Elections BC Legislative committees won't solve mounting concerns about missteps on election night Carson Binda Nov 22, 2024 3:30 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Voting place at Whistler Conference Centre | Photo by Megan Lalonde. Listen to this article 00:03:06 Elections BC is drawing scrutiny which threatens to undermine taxpayer’s faith in our elections. That’s a problem. Here’s the solution: call a public inquiry into Elections BC, not a politicised process through legislative committees working behind closed doors. There is nothing to suggest the B.C. provincial election was stolen. There is nothing to suggest Elections BC was in cahoots with one party or another. But that doesn’t mean we can afford to turn a blind eye to its mishandling of the most important day in our democratic cycle. In a democracy, taxpayers must have faith in elections and repeated errors from Elections BC erodes that trust. And make no mistake, Elections BC did mess up its handling of the provincial election. The problems with Elections BC range from bad to worse. It took Elections BC more than a week to finish the preliminary tally of votes. Voting closed Oct. 19, but the final count didn’t occur until Oct. 28. British Columbians shouldn’t be left in limbo because Elections BC workers didn’t stay late to count votes. And it shouldn’t take an extra week for the final count to begin. Then came the revelation that Elections BC officials were storing ballots in their personal homes. Think about that for a moment. When you cast your ballot, did you imagine it would find its way into the basement of someone’s home? British Columbians generally believe Elections BC acts in good faith. But why allow questionable chains of custody for the most important pieces of paper in a democracy? Why risk storing ballots in home basements instead of secure government buildings? In three-quarters of B.C.’s 93 ridings, mistakes by Elections B.C. led to unreported votes. That’s unacceptable. To be fair, all the votes were eventually accounted for and counted. But our elections are too important to risk with these kinds of blunders. Both the ruling NDP and Opposition BC Conservatives agree there needs to be an investigation into Elections BC’s mistakes. The NDP wants an all-party committee made up of MLAs to probe Elections BC. But that’s not good enough. Legislative committees are political and are made up of politicians fighting for the spotlight. They can hide behind in camera meetings the public doesn’t have access to. For the public to have faith in our elections, the public needs to be involved in the inquiry. That’s what the BC Conservatives are calling for: an independent public review. British Columbians need to have faith in our elections, so the public must be a part of the investigation. This is far too important an issue for taxpayers to be shunted off to the side while politicians play partisan games. Carson Binda is the B.C. director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. 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 Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up Related Opinion: No more waiting games for B.C. tax relief Nov 1, 2024 7:00 AM Opinion: British Columbians can't afford NDP's mismanaged SkyTrain extension Aug 26, 2024 4:00 PM Opinion: Eby must scrap B.C.'s carbon tax now rather than wait on Ottawa Sep 20, 2024 7:00 AMUSWNT edges Netherlands in goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher’s final matchOlivia Hussey, star of the 1968 film 'Romeo and Juliet,' dies at 73
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