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The two-day ninth Islamic Finance Forum of South Asia (IFFSA) will kick off today at the Shangri-La and Cinnamon Grand. An annual event, it brings about speakers from across the region. Delegates and speakers from overseas will include attendees from India, Pakistan, Maldives, Malaysia, Bangladesh and South Africa. The Chief Guest of the Forum at Shangri-La, Colombo will be the Maldives former Finance Minister Dr. Mohamed Shafeeq whilst the conference will be chaired by Prof. Dr Aishath Muneeza, from INCIEF, Malaysia, who has been chairing the event since its very inception, almost a decade ago. The keynote address will be delivered by renowned practitioner and academic from Pakistan Dr Irum Saba, which is the most advanced market in South Asia in the IBF field. The speakers and panellists at the event will not just focus on the technical aspects of Islamic Banking but also encompass contemporary topics such as Artificial Intelligence. The speakers will include CEOs of banks, international scholars from multiple countries, ‘C’ level executives from NBFIs, insurance companies, technology firms, audit and advisory firms et al, providing those attending with a multitude of perspectives to an industry that is growing at a significant pace. The main conference will be followed by an event hosted by Adl Capital on the opportunities that Islamic Finance offers, with a focus on the domestic market. Attendance for this event is by invitation and prior registration. The two-day program will conclude with the IFFSA Awards at the Cinnamon Lakeside, to be held on 26 November, with institutions across the region vying for accolades in one of the most anticipated events in the IBF calendar. It will recognise financial institutions as well as clients, especially those that have excelled in areas such as ESG and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
White House says no evidence to suggest foreign involvement in mysterious New Jersey drone sightingsA local youth centre is closing its doors. Late this afternoon, Craigwood Youth Services leadership announced they will cease operations after more than 70 years. The interim executive director issued a statement saying the organization faces significant funding challenges and a shifting landscape for delivering their services. The Craigwood website indicates much of the centre's funding comes from the province's Ministry of Children, Community, and Social Services, as well as through agency referrals, primarily from children’s aid societies. Although the agency explored alternate paths including partnerships and mergers, unfortunately these alternatives were not deemed tenable. The organization was founded in 1954. Its main campus is located on a large property near Ailsa Craig. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. 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The suspect was born and raised in Maryland and graduated from Ivy League University of Pennsylvania. BREAKING | Union reportedly drops wage demands in Canada Post negotiations The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CTV News has learned. Liberal government survives third Conservative non-confidence vote Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's latest attempt to topple the minority Liberal government in a non-confidence vote failed on Monday, thanks to the New Democrats. Trudeau says dealing with Trump will be 'a little more challenging' than last time Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said dealing with incoming president Donald Trump and his thundering on trade will be 'a little more challenging' than the last time. Montreal man retiring early after winning half of the $80 million Lotto-Max jackpot Factor worker Jean Lamontagne, 63, will retire earlier than planned after he won $40 million on Dec. 3 in the Lotto-Max draw. Rupert Murdoch fails in bid to change family trust, New York Times reports A Nevada commissioner has ruled against Rupert Murdoch's bid to change his family trust to consolidate control of his media empire in the hands of his son Lachlan, the New York Times reported on Monday. Katie Holmes refutes story about daughter Suri Cruise’s fortune Katie Holmes has posted a screen grab of a Daily Mail article, which reported that her 18-year old daughter, whose father is Tom Cruise, is now a "millionaire." Family spokesman says slain Edmonton security guard had only been working 3 days A spokesman for the family of a security guard who police say was murdered while patrolling an Edmonton apartment building last week says the man had only been on the job for three days. Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game The Sask East Hockey League (SEHL) has released details of a near fatal accident at one of its games over the weekend – which saw a Churchbridge Imperials player suffer serious injuries after being struck with a skate. Kitchener Salvation Army says mail-in donations down almost 40 per cent in Kitchener-Waterloo The Salvation Army has seen a big drop in donations this holiday season. Transport truck collision closes part of Highway 401 near Homer Watson One lane of Highway 401, through Kitchener, was closed Monday after a transport truck driver took evasive action to avoid a crash. BREAKING | Union reportedly drops wage demands in Canada Post negotiations The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CTV News has learned. Barrie Man accused in Good Samaritan's death violates court-imposed order while in jail Brandon Aaron has been found guilty of violating a court-imposed non-communication order while behind bars in Penetanguishene. Freezing rain creates slick conditions in Simcoe County After all the snowfall that hit Muskoka and Simcoe County over the last week, Barrie and many other parts of the region are under a freezing rain warning as of Sunday evening. Horse-drawn buggy collision with straight truck sends 4 to hospital Four people were taken to the hospital after a collision involving a horse-drawn carriage and a straight truck in Southgate Township near Dundalk. Windsor Woman dies after vehicle crashes into south Windsor home Windsor police say a 73-year-old woman has died after a vehicle hit a house in south Windsor. Windsor’s high unemployment rate doesn’t paint the whole picture: Experts New Statistic Canada number show there were over 18,000 people still unemployed in our area and looking for work in November. Windsor’s Syrian community celebrates Assad’s departure, hopes to return home The streets of downtown Windsor echoed with honking horns over the weekend as members of the city’s Syrian community celebrated major political developments in their homeland. Northern Ontario Sudbury, Ont., family traumatized after hospital said loved one had been released, when in fact they had passed away Sudbury resident Angela Vitiello says a staff member at Health Sciences North told her that her brother, Allan St. Martin, was released from the hospital late last month when, in fact, he had passed away. Murder suspect from TO loses bid to have trial moved out of 'vermin' infested Sudbury jail A man charged with a 2022 murder on Manitoulin Island will be tried in Sudbury, after a judge rejected arguments from the defence that Toronto or North Bay would be more convenient for his client. ATV driver in northern Ont. who fled spot check got stuck in a swamp A getaway went wrong for an ATV driver in Spanish, Ont., recently when they were caught by police on foot Sault Ste. Marie Coroner's inquest into Sault inmate's suicide death A coroner's inquest into the 2021 suicide of a Sault Ste. Marie inmate began Monday morning and is expected to last five days. Sault Ste. Marie man gets timed served for punching Dollarama employee A Sault Ste. Marie man was sentenced to jail time for punching a Dollarama employee who confronted him about shoplifting this summer but was released Friday with time served. ATV driver in northern Ont. who fled spot check got stuck in a swamp A getaway went wrong for an ATV driver in Spanish, Ont., recently when they were caught by police on foot Ottawa FREEZING DRIZZLE ADVISORY | Up to 5 cm of snow, freezing drizzle expected in Ottawa Another blast of winter weather moved into Ottawa Monday afternoon, with snow and the risk of freezing drizzle expected tonight and on Tuesday. A special weather statement is in effect for Ottawa and eastern Ontario for tonight through Tuesday morning, warning freezing rain and freezing drizzle could cause ice build-up on some surfaces. Treasury Board president accuses PSAC of sharing 'misleading information' on $1.9 billion public service pension surplus The President of the Treasury Board is accusing a federal public service union of providing "misleading information" to its members, after the Public Service Pension Fund posted a non-permitted surplus of $1.9 billion. BREAKING | Union reportedly drops wage demands in Canada Post negotiations The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CTV News has learned. Toronto A 'traffic crisis': Economic, social impact of congestion cost Ontario more than $50B in 2024, study finds The cost of lost economic opportunities in the GTHA due to congestion totaled more than $10 billion in 2024 and that number rose to more than $47 billion when factoring in the “social impacts” that diminish a commuter’s quality of life, according to a new report. Toronto police identify victim, suspect in deadly shooting south of Danforth The victim of a deadly shooting south of Toronto’s Danforth neighbourhood has been identified and police have charged a suspect with murder. LIVE UPDATES | Police found fake IDs, 'ghost gun' and silencer on Luigi Mangione Luigi Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Penn., after he was spotted at a McDonald’s, authorities say. The suspect was born and raised in Maryland and graduated from Ivy League University of Pennsylvania. Montreal 'Looking for the Weinstein of Quebec': impresario Gilbert Rozon's civil trial begins Just for Laughs founder Gilbert Rozon's civil trial for sexual assault opened Monday at the Montreal courthouse with his lawyer portraying him as the scapegoat in a hunt to find Quebec's Harvey Weinstein. Search for Quebec hiker missing in Adirondacks now likely a recovery mission Authorities in New York state say the search for a 22-year-old Quebec hiker who went missing in the Adirondacks more than a week ago is now likely a recovery mission. Police search for three men who escaped from immigration holding centre in Quebec Authorities are searching for three Chilean nationals who escaped from the Laval Immigration Holding Centre north of Montreal. Atlantic Eastern Canada storm to impact Maritimes with high winds Thursday An area of low pressure is forecast to develop into a strong storm as it moves from the northeastern U.S. into the St. Lawrence River Valley late Wednesday into Thursday. New report states cancer comes at a high physical and financial cost to Canadians A new report from the Canadian Cancer Society states, on average, a Canadian with cancer pays $33,000 out of their own pocket. Nova Scotia opens first transitional health centre in Bedford Nova Scotia’s first stand-alone, transitional health centre will open its doors this week in Bedford, N.S. Winnipeg The snow is here: How much snow fell in Winnipeg and parts of Manitoba? A low pressure system brought snow, freezing rain and freezing drizzle to much of southern Manitoba starting Sunday. 11 train cars derail, closing Manitoba road for hours A train derailment near Portage la Prairie had traffic closed for several hours and almost a dozen railcars completely off the tracks. BREAKING | Union reportedly drops wage demands in Canada Post negotiations The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CTV News has learned. Calgary BREAKING | Parents charged in toddler son's death plead guilty to manslaughter The parents accused in the death of their 18-month-old son pleaded guilty to manslaughter charges in a Calgary courtroom Monday. BREAKING | Union reportedly drops wage demands in Canada Post negotiations The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CTV News has learned. Alberta cancels foreign worker recruitment trip to United Arab Emirates The Alberta government says it has pulled the plug on a foreign worker recruitment mission in the United Arab Emirates scheduled for early next year. Edmonton Family spokesman says slain Edmonton security guard had only been working 3 days A spokesman for the family of a security guard who police say was murdered while patrolling an Edmonton apartment building last week says the man had only been on the job for three days. Investigators deem fire at Tofield police detachment as arson: RCMP A fire that occurred at the Tofield, Alta., RCMP detachment on Dec. 2 has been declared an arson by investigators. BREAKING | Union reportedly drops wage demands in Canada Post negotiations The Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) has reportedly dropped its wage demand to 19 per cent over four years, CTV News has learned. Regina Sask. Court of Appeal denies White City's request to annex 4,000 acres from RM of Edenwold A land dispute that's been taking place just east of Regina for the past six years has been put to rest, according to the Rural Municipality (RM) of Edenwold. Regina homicide suspect makes national most wanted list A man wanted in connection to a fatal shooting in Regina earlier this year is now among Canada's top 25 most wanted. Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game The Sask East Hockey League (SEHL) has released details of a near fatal accident at one of its games over the weekend – which saw a Churchbridge Imperials player suffer serious injuries after being struck with a skate. Saskatoon Emergency crews searching the South Saskatchewan River for body of missing man Saskatoon police and firefighters have begun searching the South Saskatchewan River for the body of a 48-year-old man who went missing late last month. Sask. RCMP lay murder charge in fatal February shooting The Saskatchewan RCMP have charged a man with first-degree murder for a fatal February shooting in North Battleford. Sask. hockey player recovering after near fatal skate accident during game The Sask East Hockey League (SEHL) has released details of a near fatal accident at one of its games over the weekend – which saw a Churchbridge Imperials player suffer serious injuries after being struck with a skate. Vancouver 'Bombshell': Small Business BC abruptly declares bankruptcy A decades-old non-profit with a mandate of supporting B.C.'s small businesses abruptly declared bankruptcy – resulting in dozens of employees losing their jobs weeks before Christmas. B.C. selects 9 wind power projects to boost energy supply by 8 per cent a year British Columbia has given the green light to nine wind energy projects that will boost the province's hydro-electric grid by eight per cent a year, enough to power 500,000 homes. Inmate dies at B.C. minimum-security prison A 33-year-old man has died while in custody at a federal minimum-security prison in British Columbia. Vancouver Island B.C. selects 9 wind power projects to boost energy supply by 8 per cent a year British Columbia has given the green light to nine wind energy projects that will boost the province's hydro-electric grid by eight per cent a year, enough to power 500,000 homes. 'Bombshell': Small Business BC abruptly declares bankruptcy A decades-old non-profit with a mandate of supporting B.C.'s small businesses abruptly declared bankruptcy – resulting in dozens of employees losing their jobs weeks before Christmas. Feds send $148M to B.C. in disaster recovery funds for floods, wildfires The federal government is paying out more than $148 million in disaster recovery funding to British Columbia in response to recent flooding and record-breaking wildfire seasons. Stay Connected
Number of women who are state lawmakers inches up to a record high
At 66, Andie MacDowell knows that feeling comfortable in your body is “an ongoing journey.” “It’s something that I have to remind myself of every day, to love myself," the actor and model tells TODAY.com. "(It's) so important that we recognize our own value and worth, and that we watch what we tell ourselves because our mind can play big tricks on us." "The aging process really teaches you a lot about that because there are things that are inevitable ... that are part of the process." To help her be her most fit and fabulous self, MacDowell likes to incorporate movement into her life every day. “I usually get up and go for a walk. If I’m not working, I go and meet some friends at the beach,” she says. “I did water aerobics the other day and that felt really good.” For the “Groundhog Day” star, "taking care of myself ... is part of what brings me joy," she explains, adding that she feels fortunate to genuinely enjoy eating healthy and working out. Read on for more about how Andie MacDowell approaches aging, fitness and her mental health — including one less-conventional wellness practice. While she has her , MacDowell says she isn’t a fan of the term “embrace” and opts to “romanticize” or “glorify” herself getting older. "Find a way to see the beauty of it,” she explains. “The beauty of your belly, the beauty of your shape as it changes, the beauty of your neck. That’s something, the beauty of your neck! I think you have to look for ways to glorify how you transform as you age because it is part of the process.” She says that people can feed themselves “information that is really impossible to achieve, or we can glorify where we are and say, this is also beautiful. It’s a different time, and I’m in a different body, in a different state, but I’m still (beautiful).” For the , that includes appreciating the kind words people tell her about her gray hair. “People perceive me in a different way because it’s as if I’m saying, ‘Aging is OK,’ and of course! It has to be OK because it’s something that’s happening to us.” MacDowell says she likes to get outside first thing in the morning, saying it helps with her melatonin and helps her sleep better. “It’s really good to get sunlight into your eyes first thing in the morning, so that’s what I love to do,” she says. “Usually by 7 o’clock, I’m walking on the beach.” If she has a half-day or isn’t working, her walks are long and she tries to do 5 miles a day. “I love to get in 5 miles. That’s my goal,” she says. “It’s my goal and it doesn’t always happen, but that’s what I like. It makes me happy.” If she has time after her walks, she will take either a Pilates, yoga, water aerobics or weight class. “When I’m working, I will do yoga at lunch,” she says. “I might do 30 minutes of yoga if I don’t have (more) time.” MacDowell, who has been one of the longest-serving global ambassadors for L’Oréal Paris, says she has a really good practice when it comes to yoga because she has done it for years. “It makes me high when I do it. I feel the endorphins and I feel so good about myself,” she says. “It’s my way of meditating.” “I believe ," MacDowell says. "There’s science behind it. ... When I’m away working and I’m really tired, I hug a tree. I don’t care what people think. I don’t care who sees me. I go up and I thank them.” Forest bathing is a concept inspired by Shinrin-Yoku that began in the '80s in Japan. According to Amos Clifford, founder and director of the , the practice can make people more relaxed and happier, relieve stress, and reduce chronic pain or insomnia. David Strayer, a professor of psychology at the University of Utah, who studies cognition and nature, previously told TODAY.com that going into nature , reducing stress levels and boosting wellbeing if you leave technology behind. MacDowell likes to “eat really well,” and that includes knowing the nutritional value of the food she puts into her body. “I eat a lot of vegetables, fruits. I know all the things you’re supposed to do (and eat). I know what foods do what to you,” she says, adding that she loves “to study food.” However, she does share that on occasions she will eat foods “I might not eat at other times” when she’s craving them. MacDowell says that her daughters Margaret Qualley, 30, and Rainey Qualley, 35, have helped her change the way she perceives her body and her "expectations" of herself. Ahead of the L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth event, she says she was feeling upset when the clothes she tried on were too tight. “I was really down on myself, and I recognized that,” she recalls. But then she thought about her daughters and how if Rainey had heard her feeling bad about her body, “she would have been mortified.” “(The new generation is more) respecting (of) each other’s bodies," she says. "It was not in my generation. I think there’s a lot of changes that are happening are so important.” “I’m a work in process," she adds. "I’ll probably be trying to love myself and accept myself as I age. Forever, I will be doing that, but at least I’ll be eating good food and working out.” Liz Calvario is a Los Angeles-based reporter and editor for TODAY.com who covers entertainment, pop culture and trending news.SimonSkafar ONEOK, Inc. ( NYSE: OKE ) has a large growth trajectory in the coming year as the firm absorbs the remaining units of EnLink, adds the newly acquired assets from Medallion Midstream to its cash flow, and grows through organic capital Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.‘Wheel of Fortune’ Contestant Devastated by Botched $75k Bonus Round Despite Big BoostEAGLE-EYED fans are convinced that Marcus Rashford's time at Manchester United is coming to an end. The Red Devils star is facing an uncertain time at Old Trafford after a tough spell of form. Rashford, 27, struggled in Manchester United 's win over Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League. The forward was unable to influence the game and was arguably fortunate to escape a red card in the second half. Rashford flew into a tackle when already on a yellow but avoided further punishment before being hooked by Ruben Amorim . He was not acknowledged by the manager when walking off the pitch and to the bench . Fans spotted the moment and are now convinced that it means that the club will sell him in January. One wrote: "Looks like Rashford is certainly gonna be sold, Amorim didn’t even shake his hand when he came off." A second wrote: "Amorim acknowledges Malacia and Zirkzee. "No exchange between him and Rashford when he came off earlier." CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS Another commented: "He didn’t even look at him." While one summarised: "There was nothing to acknowledge about Rashfords game." Another sad fan added: "I wouldn't be devastated if Rashford left." Reports have been circulating that Man United would be willing to cash in on Rashford in January . The Daily Mail have reported that the club would accept a bid worth £40million to allow him to leave. The potential sale of Rashford would boost the club's PSR position as he is an academy profit and would count as 100 per cent profit. An influx of cash would also boost Amorim's fund to invest in new players to strengthen the squad for the second half of the season. However, finding a buyer could be difficult, with Rashford earning up to £325,000-per-week. His deal runs until 2028, having been signed only in July 2023. ANDRE ONANA had his blushes spared by Rasmus Hojlund as Manchester United fought back to win against Viktoria Plzen. Here’s how SunSport's Henry Tomlinson rated the Red Devils stars... Andre Onana - 4 It was a very shaky start to the game in which Onana hurt Casemiro and failed to deal with the host's crosses convincingly. He made a massive error that led to Plzen taking the lead with his poor pass, leaving his defenders with no chance of bailing him out. Diogo Dalot – 6 Dalot made some decent runs forward to join in with the attacks. Defensively was fairly solid and was not often caught out. Noussair Mazraoui - 6 Playing a bit more central, Mazraoui used his pace well to help out at the back. Matthijs de Ligt - 6 He was sold short by Onana's pass that led to the opener but otherwise was fine during the 90 minutes. Lisandro Martinez - 6 Made himself available when Man United got forward but struggled with the physicality of the Plzen attackers. Tyrell Malacia - 6 He offered very little going forward in the wing-back role as he struggled to combine with Marcus Rashford. Casemiro - 6 He moved the ball forward when he could and recovered from an early blow from Onana. Bruno Fernandes - 7 He was lucky to have escaped an early yellow card. Stung the goalkeeper's gloves in the first half with a good effort. His quick thinking set up Rasmus Hojlund to fire in a late winner. Amad Diallo - 8 Diallo was a rare bright spark in Man United's attack against Plzen. It was his run that led to the equaliser, and he used his pace and skill to get past his defender. Marcus Rashford - 4 Rashford was often loose on the ball and surrendered possession in the attacking third. He received the first booking of the game for a needless foul and was lucky not to be sent off in the second half before being hooked by Ruben Amorim. Joshua Zirkzee - 6 Took on the centre-forward role well, held the ball up and linked up play well enough. Subs Rasmus Hojlund 55' – 8 Hojlund showed his striker instincts by being in the right position to grab Man United's equaliser. He then latched onto Fernandes' clever pass to score the winner. Antony 60' - 6 He was involved in the equaliser by linking up with Diallo. Mason Mount 60' - 7 Made a positive impact after coming on and was unlucky not to score as he was denied twice by the goalkeeper after coming into the action. Alejandro Garnacho 80' - N/A Failed to make a positive impact on his short spell on the pitch. Manuel Ugarte 80' - N/A He slotted into the midfield as he replaced Casemiro late on.
I’m A Celeb’s Maura Higgins ‘100% walking’ as her campmates spot clue she’ll quit within daysHow have Palestinian groups reacted to the ouster of Syria’s al-Assad?Stock market today: Wall Street inches higher to set more records
Key posts 6.18am Michael Rowland and Patricia Karvelas sign off from flagship ABC shows 5.45am Labor not keen to discuss broken power price promise 5.35am Coalition MPs avoid promising cheaper power bills if they win government 5.21am Friday 13th an ‘auspicious day’ for Dutton to release nuclear costings, PM says 4.52am Energy minister doesn’t accept Coalition’s ‘very dodgy’ nuclear figures 4.20am Airports brace for chaos as Qantas engineers begin 24-hour strike 3.57am Peter Dutton to reveal nuclear energy proposal 3.43am Key figures that could save fading February rate-cut hopes Hide key posts Posts area Latest 1 of 2 Oldest Latest posts Latest posts 6.18am Michael Rowland and Patricia Karvelas sign off from flagship ABC shows By Kayla Olaya and Josefine Ganko Two of the ABC’s most well-known broadcasters, Patricia Karvelas and Michael Rowland, have signed off for the final time from their respective morning programs. ABC News Breakfast host Michael Rowland has signed off after 15 years in the role. Credit: ABC Rowland wrapped up nearly 15 years at ABC News Breakfast helm in an emotional final bulletin surrounded by his family and colleagues. “Thank you very much, It’s been wonderful,” said Rowland, in his last words on the show. “I have been genuinely touched and overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and affection from our viewers. One of my great achievements over the last 15 years has been building up this fantastic audience,” said Rowland. Meanwhile, Karvelas signed off after three years hosting ABC’s flagship morning radio show RN Breakfast. “You’ve been there with me throughout great change in our country and the world, and I want to thank you for it,” Karvelas said, thanking listeners and the Radio National team. Patricia Karvelas hosted RN Breakfast for three years. Credit: Scott McNaughton Karvelas reflected on her “uniquely Australian” story, growing up in a household where she didn’t speak English. “Because of a strong public education system and dedicated teachers and incredible family support, I got to grow up and host a national radio show where rigour and curiosity is at the centre of what we do,” she said. Karvelas wished the best of luck to her replacement Sally Sara. “I’ll be listening because I care about this show, and I care about journalism, and I care about telling the truth in a world where the truth is not to be contested.” 6.12am Nuclear policy has ‘shelf life of seafood milkshake’: minister Education Minister Jason Clare has rejected the idea the Coalition’s nuclear policy would cost less or be better for the environment, saying it had “the shelf life of a seafood milkshake”. Speaking on Seven’s Sunrise , Clare described the announcement as “the biggest hoax since Milli Vanilli.” Loading “This is never going to happen,” he said. “Best-case scenario, it takes 30 years to turn a lightbulb on, we can’t wait that long.” Deputy Opposition Leader Sussan Ley was also asked by the program whether the policy would result in cheaper energy bills but said she wouldn’t “get ahead of that announcement”. “If the system costs less, you pay less,” she said. “If our system is substantially cheaper, and you will see that it is, then Australians will pay less, and right now, they’re paying more, they’re paying more in their electricity bills every single month.” Read more about the costings here. 6.02am Nuclear power ‘doesn’t stack up’ for Australia: Andrew Forrest Nuclear power doesn’t stack up for Australian families or businesses, says Fortescue chairman Andrew “Twiggy” Forrest. “As our national science agency has shown, ‘firmed’ solar and wind are the cheapest new electricity options for all Australians,” he said in a statement. Billionaire businessman Andrew Forrest. Credit: Bloomberg “The cost of electricity generated on a grid dominated by firmed renewable energy in 2030 will be half what you would have to pay if it came from nuclear, CSIRO found.” Forrest, who is a big player in the non-fossil fuels energy market, said that without continued action on “low-cost, high-efficiency renewable energy”, Australians will be left with “pricier power and crumbling coal stations”. “We must never forget – Australia has the best renewable resources in the world,” he added. “Seizing these Australian opportunities must be our shared national goal.” AAP Advertisement 5.45am Labor not keen to discuss broken power price promise By Josefine Ganko It wasn’t just the Coalition dodging questions this morning, with Labor frontbenchers Chris Bowen and Bill Shorten playing coy on the broken 2022 election promise that power bills would come down by $275 by 2023. Energy Minister Chris Bowen was asked if he regretted making the promise in 2022, but he was keen to redirect the question to discuss the cost of renewable energy. “I don’t regret obviously pointing out that renewables are the cheapest form of energy,” Bowen said. Energy Minister Chris Bowen. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen “I look forward to debating the competing plans before the Australian people at the next election.” Pushed to answer the question again, Bowen said we were dealing with “a different set of circumstances internationally” post-2022. “Australia’s increase in energy prices has been less than a lot of other comparable countries. We delivered billions of dollars of energy bill relief, which has been the appropriate thing to do, which has been opposed by the Liberal and National Party.” Asked about the promise on Nine’s Today , NDIS Minister Bill Shorten also opted to pivot to the Coalition’s nuclear plan. “We know that energy prices are part of the cost-of-living pressure on families. That’s why I think that the heroic assumptions of Peter Dutton promising some fanciful solution in 25 years time is just a crock,” Shorten said. “The idea we’re going to come from scratch and build a whole nuclear industry in Australia is, you know, just a fantasy”. 5.35am Coalition MPs avoid promising cheaper power bills if they win government By Josefine Ganko Coalition frontbenchers have avoided promising energy bills will be cheaper if they win government, as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton prepares to reveal the costings of his signature nuclear policy later today. Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie and MP Barnaby Joyce were both asked if they would pledge power would be cheaper under the Coalition, but both dodged the question. McKenzie was asked on Nine’s Today , where she first said that the price was attached to the “cost of delivering something”. Loading “And our plan is absolutely cheaper than Labor’s plan to get to 2050,” she said. Asked again if the Coalition would bring down power bills, McKenzie weaved again, saying prices would come down in the longer term. “By adding net zero nuclear to firm up the renewables that we’ve got in the grid as well is the way to actually get prices down over the long term,” she said. Joyce was asked the same question on ABC’s RN Breakfast. On the fifth iteration of the question, Joyce finally answered: “That is asking for a hypothetical question, which I could answer you, but I would not be telling the truth because I don’t have the facts before me.” 5.21am Friday 13th an ‘auspicious day’ for Dutton to release nuclear costings, PM says By Karl Quinn Prime Minister Anthony Albanese took time out of his busy pre-Christmas schedule to join the farewell party for Sammy J on ABC Radio Melbourne this morning, but he wasted no time at all in using his appearance to go into political attack mode. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Credit: Kate Geraghty “It’s Friday the 13th, an auspicious day, I’ve got to say, for Peter Dutton to drop his nuclear nightmare policy out there,” Albanese said, bypassing the pleasantries and bonhomie in favour of dropping a bomb on the opposition leader. “Oh, so straight into it,” said Sammy J (aka Sam McMillan). “Have you had a sneak peek [at Dutton’s nuclear power plan]?” he asked. “I had a look at some of the fiction that’s out there,” the PM replied, claiming nuclear power would not lead to savings on the cost of household power but rather “increase bills by $1200′′. “The truth is that renewables are the cheapest form of new energy. Everyone knows that’s the case. The science tells us that that’s the case. The economists tell us that’s the case.” Advertisement 4.52am Energy minister doesn’t accept Coalition’s ‘very dodgy’ nuclear figures By Josefine Ganko Energy Minister Chris Bowen says he doesn’t accept the Coalition’s claim that Labor’s energy policies will cost $594 billion, as the debate over whose plan will cost more gets underway. The Coalition will claim their nuclear energy policy will be $263 billion cheaper than Labor’s renewables plan, costing $331 billion. Joining ABC News Breakfast ahead of the release of Peter Dutton’s nuclear energy costing later today, Bowen said Coalition must have done some “mental gymnastics” to come up with those numbers. “We’ll go through the details today, I don’t believe they have released it to the ABC or the ALP, funnily enough,” Bowen said. Loading The energy minister said they must have made some “very heroic assumptions” and “really stretched the truth” to come up with the “very dodgy figures”. Bowen said he “doesn’t accept” the $594 billion figure for renewables, an estimate modelled by consultancy Frontier Economics for the Coalition. “What they have also done is very clearly in the costings of their own policy rejected the CSIRO and AEMO’s work,” Bowen said. “What the Coalition is asking the Australian people to believe is this: That they can introduce the most expensive form of energy and it will end up being cheaper. It won’t pass the pub test. It won’t pass the sniff test because it is just a fantasy.” 4.36am CSIRO defends itself against Dutton bias accusation By Mike Foley The nation’s top science agency has declared its independence after Opposition Leader Peter Dutton accused the CSIRO of bias in its findings that nuclear is the most expensive energy source. CSIRO’s GenCost report, released on Monday, found yet again that nuclear was at least 50 per cent more expensive than renewables, and it would take at least 15 years to build the first reactor in Australia. Loading The opposition claims nuclear power is cheaper and quicker to build than this. Dutton responded to the news with an accusation that the CSIRO had ceded to political interference by Energy Minister Chris Bowen. “It just looks to me like there’s a heavy hand of Chris Bowen in all this,” Dutton said on Monday morning. CSIRO released a statement last night that declared: “We conduct our independent, rigorous research without fear or favour. We do not advocate, defend or debate the merits of government or opposition policies. To assert otherwise requires compelling evidence.” The statement went on to state it conducts research in the national interest: CSIRO conducts research in the national interest that will benefit the Australian community – from navigating the energy transition to adapting to a changing climate to safeguarding Australia from pathogens that threaten our health, biodiversity and food supply. These areas have a direct impact on the Australian community and naturally give rise to a range of views and opinions. For an organisation like CSIRO, this means we can be caught in the middle of debates. CSIRO can be trusted to deliver independent, non-partisan and high-quality research to help solve the challenges facing Australia and Australians.” 4.20am Airports brace for chaos as Qantas engineers begin 24-hour strike By Josefine Ganko Airports around the country are bracing for chaos as hundreds of Qantas engineers walk off the job. But the airline has assured customers there will be no impact on their travel plans on one of the busiest travel days of the year. Around 500 workers from three different unions began a 24-hour strike action at 3.30am this morning. It’s expected to impact major airports across the country, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, and will end at 7.30am on Saturday. Friday marks the first day of the 6-week summer travel period when 13.5 million travellers pass through Australia’s domestic airports. It’s also the first day of school holidays in South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland. A Qantas aircraft at Melbourne, one of the airports affected by the industrial action. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui The striking workers, responsible for the towing and marshalling of planes, are calling for a 5 per cent per year pay increase over 5 years after what they say is 3.5 years of frozen wages. Qantas says it has put forward a competitive package with 3 per cent per year over three years, with negotiations now at a stalemate. Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union National Secretary Steve Murphy says industrial action was the only way to get Qantas to the bargaining table. It’s been six weeks since the last strike. “Workers have no other choice. They will be taking industrial action to bring Qantas back to the bargaining table,” Murphy said. Loading “Qantas is to blame if there’s any disruption to commuters over the holiday period. They have had six weeks to simply do what they said they would.” A Qantas spokesperson said a number of contingencies are in place to prevent delays. “Around 160 aircraft maintenance engineers are rostered on during Friday’s industrial action, and only members of the alliance unions can take industrial action,” said Qantas. The spokesperson noted there were no delays or cancellations during the previous strikes. Advertisement 3.57am Peter Dutton to reveal nuclear energy proposal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton will ask Australians to support hundreds of billions of dollars in new spending on nuclear energy, including a controversial move to use taxpayer subsidies to build the industry while promising to bring down household electricity bills. Loading Dutton is expected to reveal more details of his plan on Friday with a pledge to build seven full-scale nuclear power stations , rather than smaller “modular” reactors, to deliver baseload electricity and lower the nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Coalition MPs will be briefed on the plan in a party room meeting on Friday morning at 10am. A key part of the plan will be an assumption that coal-fired power stations will continue to operate while a Coalition government awards contracts to build the nuclear plants, even though energy companies are planning to stop using coal over the next two decades. Read the full story, including the results of exclusive polling, here. Latest 1 of 2 Oldest Latest Oldest Most Viewed in National LoadingReid's game-winner lifts South Florida past Wright State, 73-72 at Myrtle Beach Invitational
More Indian states and companies offer period leaveWomen will for the first time make up a majority of state legislators in Colorado and New Mexico next year, but at least 13 states saw losses in female representation after the November election, according to a count released Thursday by the Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics. While women will fill a record number of state legislative seats in 2025, the overall uptick will be slight, filling just over third of legislative seats. Races in some states are still being called. "We certainly would like to see a faster rate of change and more significant increases in each election cycle to get us to a place where parity in state legislatures is less novel and more normal," said Kelly Dittmar, director of research at the CAWP, which is a unit of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. As of Wednesday, at least 2,450 women will serve in state legislatures, representing 33.2% of the seats nationwide. The previous record was set in 2024 with 2,431 women, according to the CAWP. People are also reading... Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams making furniture in Alexander County again Statesville survives test from Franklin in high school football playoff opener Iredell County bridge to close for $1.2 replacement project Lake Norman residents voice concerns with Marshall Steam Station changes Believers bought airplane for dead preacher thinking he’d rise from grave to fly in it Basketball transfer Patterson back home at West Iredell to 'bring in some wins' MerMade: Workspace opens in Statesville, caters to artists, crafters With supermajority in NC House gone, Iredell's Republican lawmakers talk changes, challenges Catawba native Christina Eagle appears on season 26 of 'The Voice' Statesville embraces underdog role in rematch with defending champ Hickory Iredell County woman wins first $150,000 top prize in new game Mooresville puts up 70 points, routs Alexander Central in high school football playoffs West Iredell starts season strong with win over Bunker Hill Statesville sweeps varsity doubleheader with South Iredell; Shehan reaches 1,000 points in Lake Norman win Statesville native's book offers clues to 5 hidden treasures The number of Republican women, at least 851, will break the previous record of 815 state lawmakers set in 2024. "But still, Republican women are very underrepresented compared to Democratic women," Debbie Walsh, director of the CAWP, said. From left, House Maj. Whip Reena Szczepanski, D-Santa Fe, Rep. D. Wonda Johnson, D-Church Rock and Rep. Cristina Parajon, D-Albuquerque, talk July 18 before the start of a special session, in Santa Fe, N.M. States with gains By the most recent count, 19 states will have increased the number of women in their state legislatures, according to the CAWP. The most notable increases were in New Mexico and Colorado, where women will for the first time make up a majority of lawmakers. In New Mexico, voters sent an 11 additional women to the chambers. Colorado previously attained gender parity in 2023 and is set to tip over to a slight female majority in the upcoming year. The states follow Nevada, which was the first in the country to see a female majority in the legislature following elections in 2018. Next year, women will make up almost 62% of state lawmakers in Nevada, far exceeding parity. Women in California's Senate will make up the chamber's majority for the first time in 2025 as well. Women also made notable gains in South Dakota, increasing its number by at least nine. Four of South Carolina's Sister Senators, from left, Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, D-Walterboro, Sen. Mia McLeod, I-Columbia, Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, and Sen. Penry Gustafson, R-Camden, stand in front of the Senate on June 26 with their John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage award in Columbia, S.C. States that lost At least thirteen states emerged from the election with fewer female lawmakers than before, with the most significant loss occurring in South Carolina. This year, the only three Republican women in the South Carolina Senate lost their primaries after they stopped a total abortion ban from passing. Next year, only two women, who are Democrats, will be in the 46-member Senate. No other state in the country will have fewer women in its upper chamber, according to the CAWP. Women make up 55% of the state's registered voters. Half the members in the GOP dominated state were elected in 2012 or before, so it will likely be the 2040s before any Republican woman elected in the future can rise to leadership or a committee chairmanship in the chamber, which doles out leadership positions based on seniority. A net loss of five women in the legislature means they will make up only about 13% of South Carolina's lawmakers, making the state the second lowest in the country for female representation. Only West Virginia has a smaller proportion of women in the legislature. West Virginia stands to lose one more women from its legislative ranks, furthering its representation problem in the legislature where women will make up just 11% of lawmakers. Why it matters Many women, lawmakers and experts say that women's voices are needed in discussions on policy, especially at a time when state government is at its most powerful in decades. Walsh, director of the CAWP, said the new changes expected from the Trump administration will turn even more policy and regulation to the states. The experiences and perspectives women offer will be increasingly needed, she said, especially on topics related to reproductive rights, healthcare, education and childcare. "The states may have to pick up where the federal government may, in fact, be walking away," Walsh said. "And so who serves in those institutions is more important now than ever." 20 political cartoons draw out Donald Trump's win November 7, 2024: Trump Victory Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.PRINCETON JUNCTION, N.J., Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MISTRAS Group, Inc. (NYSE: MG)—a leading "one source" multinational provider of integrated technology-enabled asset protection solutions—today announced that the Company’s Board of Directors has appointed Natalia Shuman as MISTRAS Group’s new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 1, 2025. Ms. Shuman brings over two decades of leadership experience to MISTRAS Group, having held executive roles at prominent global organizations in the Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) industry. Most recently, as Group Executive Vice President and Group Operating Council Member for Eurofins Scientific, she led over 12,000 employees, driving growth strategies, operational excellence, and strategic value creation. Known for scaling billion-dollar enterprises through organic growth and M&A, Ms. Shuman has a proven track record of fostering strong teams and delivering innovative, value-driven solutions. Building on a Strong Foundation Ms. Shuman succeeds Manuel (Manny) N. Stamatakis as the CEO, who has been serving as both Interim CEO and the Executive Chairman of the Board since October 2023. Mr. Stamatakis will continue in the role of Executive Chairman of the Board, providing strategic oversight and support to the CEO and the Company’s leadership team. The Board of Directors extends its gratitude to Mr. Stamatakis for his exemplary service as Interim CEO during a pivotal time for the Company, helping to advance key initiatives and positioning MISTRAS Group for future growth. Mr. Stamatakis expressed the Board’s confidence, stating: "Today's announcement is the result of a deliberate, rigorous search to find the right leader to continue MISTRAS Group’s pursuit of profitable growth and sustainable improvement in shareholder value. Natalia’s extensive experience, proven leadership, and fresh perspective make her the ideal choice to guide MISTRAS toward achieving its strategic goals and unlocking its full potential.” “I’m honored to join MISTRAS Group to lead the Company into its next phase of growth,” said Ms. Shuman. “Working alongside Manny, the Board of Directors, and the leadership team, I am committed to building on the strong foundation established and driving meaningful value for all our stakeholders." Leadership Excellence in TIC and Across Global Industries A global business leader with extensive experience across diverse industries and cultural landscapes, Ms. Shuman has demonstrated a strong ability to achieve results in business-to-business services, spanning manufacturing, energy, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, industrial services, and construction. As North American CEO for Bureau Veritas, Ms. Shuman oversaw 7,000 employees across 130 offices and laboratories in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. She spearheaded a period of significant growth and transformation, steering the company to a diversified, more resilient business model. She also championed a unified “one company” culture, elevating brand recognition in North America. Before joining Bureau Veritas, Ms. Shuman led international business operations at Kelly Services, a global staffing and human resources outsourcing company. She is also recognized as a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion, receiving accolades from several prominent organizations. Ms. Shuman earned a dual Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Columbia Business School and London Business School. About MISTRAS Group, Inc. - One Source for Asset Protection Solutions ® MISTRAS Group, Inc. (NYSE: MG) is a leading "one source" multinational provider of integrated technology-enabled asset protection solutions, helping to maximize the safety and operational uptime for civilization’s most critical industrial and civil assets. Backed by an innovative, data-driven asset protection portfolio, proprietary technologies, strong commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, and a decades-long legacy of industry leadership, MISTRAS leads clients in the oil and gas, aerospace and defense, renewable and nonrenewable power, civil infrastructure, and manufacturing industries towards achieving operational and environmental excellence. By supporting these organizations that help fuel our vehicles and power our society; inspecting components that are trusted for commercial, defense, and space craft; building real-time monitoring equipment to enable safe travel across bridges; and helping to propel sustainability, MISTRAS helps the world at large. MISTRAS enhances value for its clients by integrating asset protection throughout supply chains and centralizing integrity data through a suite of Industrial IoT-connected digital software and monitoring solutions. The company’s core capabilities also include non-destructive testing field and in-line inspections enhanced by advanced robotics, laboratory quality control and assurance testing, sensing technologies and NDT equipment, asset and mechanical integrity engineering services, and light mechanical maintenance and access services. For more information about how MISTRAS helps protect civilization’s critical infrastructure and the environment, visit https://www.mistrasgroup.com/. Contact: Nestor S. Makarigakis Group Vice President, Marketing and Communications MISTRAS Group, Inc. marcom@mistrasgroup.com +1 (609) 716-4000 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2a06ebcd-e31e-4295-892e-c6b91f4b67fbSINGAPORE: In November, two telecommunications cables were cut in the Baltic Sea in a span of 48 hours, prompting suspicions of "sabotage" and "hybrid warfare" . The severing was reportedly linked to a Chinese ship. Beijing has said it's ready to assist in the investigation, while Russia has denied involvement. A similar incident occurred last year when a Chinese vessel damaged - in a post-facto admission - an undersea data cable connecting Estonia to Sweden. Since 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, there have been at least three incidents of possible sabotage to the dozens of telecommunication cables that run along the Baltic seabed. What are subsea or undersea cables? They are fibre-optic lines laid on the ocean floor, to transmit multiple terabits of data per second between continents. They are said to be as thick as garden hoses, with diameters ranging from 2cm to 5cm or more, depending on whether there's additional protective armour. According to TeleGeography, a telecommunications market research company, there are more than 600 active and planned cables globally. These cables are typically designed to last at least 25 years. They were traditionally owned and operated by telecommunication carriers forming consortiums with parties interested in using the cables. Over time, more private companies have invested in the infrastructure and today, the big tech likes of Meta, Google, Microsoft and Amazon are either individually or jointly operating subsea cables. Why are they important? Subsea cables are seen as critical information and telecommunications technology. Often described as the "backbone of the global internet", they can carry more than 99 per cent of the world's data traffic, including email, webpages and video calls. They also transmit more data at a lower cost compared to satellites. Sensitive government communications also rely heavily on subsea infrastructure, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The United States-based think-tank also noted that subsea cables have helped increase access to high-speed internet worldwide, and thus fuelled economic growth. How is a cable installed, and what happens when it's cut? First, seabed surveys are conducted to map out routes for the cables. A specially-rigged ship then carefully unspools and lays out the cable. Cables nearer to shores are buried under the seabed for protection from fishing trawlers or anchors. But in the deep sea, they are laid directly on the seabed. Damage to subsea cables is relatively common, with up to 150 severed each year, mostly from fishing equipment or anchors, said CSIS. The impact can vary. A BBC report noted that many countries have more cables than what's minimally required, so even if some are damaged, they can still rely on the others. However there are times when internet service can be disrupted due to cable cuts, as was the case in East Africa in May. Apart from physical armour, electronic monitoring systems are also used to safeguard cables. The systems can detect changes or anomalies in the seabed environment and alert operators of potential harm, CSIS noted. Why are disruptions happening more frequently? It's more the case that there's now more attention on these incidents due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and tensions in the Taiwan Strait, said Ms Asha Hemrajani, a senior fellow at the S Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS). All the same, such geopolitical tensions across multiple hotspots are likely a key factor in some recent subsea cable disruptions, she said. Ms Hemrajani cited examples such as the Taiwan's outlying Matsu Islands, which had its internet cables severed by Chinese ships early in 2023. Then there is also the technology rivalry between the US and China, with mistrust spilling over to other key sectors including subsea cables, she noted. Other hotspots include parts of Europe, as well as the Middle East. Long-simmering tensions in the South China Sea - most of which Beijing claims - have also affected subsea cables, particularly the process of laying them out. For example, the shortest route for a cable from Singapore and Japan would be through the massive body of water. "But various cable operators have mentioned that it’s been getting difficult to get permits from China to lay the cables," said Ms Hemrajani. "The Chinese government has been particularly slow in giving these permits - slow to the degree that some companies have selected alternate routes." This increases the time and cost of laying the subsea cables. A longer route also means lower speeds, she added. What are global efforts to protect the cables? There are several international organisations in this space. The International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), for one, was founded back in 1958. It has more than 230 member organisations from over 70 countries, who build, operate and maintain submarine telecommunications and power cable infrastructure. The ICPC also recently joined forces with the International Telecommunication Union to launch a global advisory board, shortly after the Baltic Sea incident. At a United Nations General Assembly in September, a joint statement was also issued to declare collective commitment to the security and resilience of undersea cable infrastructure. Recommendations included encouraging operators to have transparent ownership and partnerships. "China believes these particular statements are a way to suppress Chinese companies which operate in the undersea cable space," said Ms Hemrajani. She added that this was an important statement for Singapore - which endorsed it - and its status as an open economy highly connected to the rest of the world. What's at stake for Southeast Asia? Undersea cables have become increasingly valuable - and vulnerable - for countries in Southeast Asia, said Ms Elina Noor, a senior fellow in the Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think-tank. She wrote in a research paper that by virtue of its geographical location, Southeast Asia is a key node in the web of undersea cables around the world, and acts as a communications gateway to North America and Africa. By 2025, an estimated 10 major cable projects in and around Southeast Asia are due to come online to meet growing bandwidth demand. Malaysia, Vietnam and Singapore have been ramping up efforts to boost their subsea cable capabilities. Malaysia currently has 29 submarine cable networks, including those under construction, and six cable landing stations. By next year, it aims to have the most cables landing in Southeast Asia, according to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority. Earlier this year, Vietnam also unveiled a plan to construct at least 10 new undersea cable routes by 2030, bringing its total to 15. As of 2023, Singapore had 26 subsea cables landed across three sites, with plans underway to double the number of sites and add more cables. What are challenges faced by Singapore? An RSIS policy report published in May noted that Singapore was "geographically disadvantaged" in efforts to protect its cables, by virtue of it being unable to claim the full suite of maritime zones afforded to it under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea due to proximity with neighbours Indonesia and Malaysia. Another significant risk to cables serving Singapore is from damage that occurs in spaces under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of other states, said the paper, which counts Ms Hemrajani among its four expert authors. The report recommended that Singapore designate cables and landing stations as critical information infrastructure (CII), and for companies operating these to be designated as CII service providers. They would then need to notify authorities of any break in service due to deliberate vandalism, acts of war or accidental damage. Other suggestions included improving cooperation between agencies, as well as partnerships through the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN. "Effective protection of subsea cables requires both regional and international cooperation, and cannot be done by Singapore alone," the experts wrote.
British Columbia Premier David Eby says Canada’s premiers and the federal government have hatched a game plan over possible U.S. tariffs, where Conservative premiers lobby their Republican counterparts and left-leaning leaders court the Democrats, while the federal government focuses on president-elect Donald Trump. Eby says the premiers and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau talked about using their political diversity and connections to approach politicians and business leaders in the United States, as talks over Trump’s proposed 25 per cent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico ramp up. He says it has been discussed that Conservative premiers Danielle Smith in Alberta, Doug Ford in Ontario and Nova Scotia’s Tim Houston are well-placed to lobby their contacts with Republican governors and business leaders. In a year-end interview, Eby says as a New Democrat leader he will likely have more in common speaking with Democrat governors and business leaders from the West Coast states. He says Canada’s diversity of representation, ranging from the right and left sides of the political spectrum, can bring leverage and advantages in tariff talks. Eby also says — if it is deemed helpful — he is prepared to appear on American’s right-leaning Fox News TV network as did premiers Ford and Smith.
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks tiptoed to more records amid a mixed Tuesday of trading, tacking a touch more onto what’s already been a stellar year so far. The S&P 500 edged up by 2 points, or less than 0.1%, to set an all-time high for the 55th time this year. It’s climbed in 10 of the last 11 days and is on track for one of its best years since the turn of the millennium. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 76 points, or 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.4% to its own record set a day earlier. AT&T rose 4.6% after it boosted its profit forecast for the year. It also announced a $10 billion plan to send cash to its investors by buying back its own stock, while saying it expects to authorize another $10 billion of repurchases in 2027. On the losing end of Wall Street was U.S. Steel, which fell 8%. President-elect Donald Trump reiterated on social media that he would not let Japan’s Nippon Steel take over the iconic Pennsylvania steelmaker. Nippon Steel announced plans last December to buy the Pittsburgh-based steel producer for $14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security. Earlier this year, President Joe Biden also came out against the acquisition. Tesla sank 1.6% after a judge in Delaware reaffirmed a previous ruling that the electric car maker must revoke Elon Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package. The judge denied a request by attorneys for Musk and Tesla’s corporate directors to vacate her ruling earlier this year requiring the company to rescind the unprecedented pay package. All told, the S&P 500 rose 2.73 points to 6,049.88. The Dow fell 76.47 to 44,705.53, and the Nasdaq composite gained 76.96 to 19,480.91. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady after a report showed U.S. employers were advertising slightly more job openings at the end of October than a month earlier. Continued strength there would raise optimism that the economy could remain out of a recession that many investors had earlier worried was inevitable. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.23% from 4.20% from late Monday. Yields have seesawed since Election Day amid worries that Trump’s preferences for lower tax rates and bigger tariffs could spur higher inflation along with economic growth. But traders are still confident the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate again at its next meeting in two weeks. They’re betting on a nearly three-in-four chance of that, according to data from CME Group. Lower rates can give the economy more juice, but they can also give inflation more fuel. The key report this week that could guide the Fed’s next move will arrive on Friday. It’s the monthly jobs report , which will show how many workers U.S. employers hired and fired during November. It could be difficult to parse given how much storms and strikes distorted figures in October. Based on trading in the options market, Friday’s jobs report appears to be the biggest potential market mover until the Fed announces its next decision on interest rates Dec. 18, according to strategists at Barclays Capital. In financial markets abroad, the value of South Korea’s currency fell 1.1% against the U.S. dollar following a frenetic night where President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law and then later said he’d lift it after lawmakers voted to reject military rule. Stocks of Korean companies that trade in the United States also fell, including a 1.6% drop for SK Telecom. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.9% to help lead global markets. Some analysts think Japanese stocks could end up benefiting from Trump’s threats to raise tariffs , including for goods coming from China . Trade relations between the U.S. and China took another step backward after China said it is banning exports to the U.S. of gallium, germanium, antimony and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications. The counterpunch came swiftly after the U.S. Commerce Department expanded the list of Chinese technology companies subject to export controls to include many that make equipment used to make computer chips, chipmaking tools and software. The 140 companies newly included in the so-called “entity list” are nearly all based in China. In China, stock indexes rose 1% in Hong Kong and 0.4% in Shanghai amid unconfirmed reports that Chinese leaders would meet next week to discuss planning for the coming year. Investors are hoping it may bring fresh stimulus to help spur growth in the world’s second-largest economy. In France, the CAC 40 rose 0.3% amid continued worries about politics in Paris , where the government is battling over the budget. AP Business Writers Yuri Kageyama and Matt Ott contributed.
What happens when a creek runs dry, and the fish that call it home can no longer make their way upstream? For the team at Tenderfoot Creek Hatchery in Squamish, it’s a challenge they’re tackling head-on as the impacts of climate change ripple through the watershed. While many hatcheries focus on large-scale harvests, Tenderfoot Creek is all about conservation. “We focus on conservation and rebuilding stocks, which is pretty unique,” said Jordan Uittenbogaard, the hatchery watershed enhancement manager. “Our goal is to boost survival rates and ensure more salmon return to spawn.” It’s a straightforward process on paper––collect salmon returning to spawn in low-population areas, fertilize their eggs, and rear them until they’re ready to be released back into the wild. But with unpredictable rainfall patterns, rising temperatures, and flooding in the Sea to Sky, the seven-person team at Tenderfoot Creek has had to adapt in big ways. “One of our biggest challenges in recent years has been drought,” Uittenbogaard said. “It’s a significant issue—not just for Tenderfoot Hatchery but also for others. “We rely on two water sources: a shallow infiltration gallery pump and a deeper well. The gallery pump is more cost-efficient, and we prefer using it as costs are rising.” However, due to hot, dry summers, the groundwater table has been dropping year after year. “This means the water level is now below the pump line, so we can’t use that equipment anymore,” said Uittenbogaard. Over the last 100 years, average temperatures in British Columbia have gone up by about 1.4°C, according to the British Columbia Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy. This has changed how and when it rains or snows, and it has also led to less snow building up in the mountains. When asked how long the groundwater had been above the pump line, Uittenbogaard explained, “It was usually always above the pump line. It’s only in the past 10 years or so that we’ve seen the groundwater table drop so drastically that we can’t use the pump anymore.” Why is this such a challenge? Uittenbogaard broke it down. “In a hatchery, having redundancy in pumps is crucial. If one pump fails, salmon need water immediately—especially at critical life stages.” “If there’s no water for even 20 minutes, you could lose all of the salmon.” “Additionally, relying on deep wells is significantly more expensive to operate, which is a concern in today’s economy.” To mitigate this issue, the hatchery received significant investment to upgrade its infrastructure. “Specifically, we twinned the lines leading to the aeration tower. It’s a bit technical, but essentially, we had two deep wells connected to a single line, which limited our capacity.” Upgrades completed in late 2023 involved adding a separate line for each well, allowing the hatchery to run both wells simultaneously. “Now, during drought conditions when we can’t use the infiltration gallery pumps, we can rely entirely on the deep wells to run the hatchery. This was a major project that took about four to five months to complete,” Uittenbogaard said. Flooding hasn’t been a major issue for the hatchery itself because of its location. “We’re a bit removed from the river’s edge, situated on Tenderfoot Creek, and the facility was built up to protect it from flooding,” Uittenbogaard said. That said, it does have a large storage area near the groundwater table that can flood during heavy rain events. “For example, during the atmospheric river in 2021, that storage area did flood, but we keep all sensitive equipment in elevated areas, so the impact was minimal,” said Uittenbogaard. While the hatchery may be safe, flooding significantly impacts wild salmon populations. “Big floods move gravel dramatically, which can kill eggs and alevins in the gravel. These events harm salmon populations,” Uittenbogaard said. To counter this, the hatchery has a program specifically for pink salmon. “Floods tend to affect pink salmon the most because they are shallow spawners,” he explained. “Our pink salmon program involves collecting over a million pink salmon eggs each cycle to use as a backup in case of severe flooding. This ensures that we can support the salmon population through these challenging events.” In 2023, all salmon enhancement programs, including hatcheries and spawning channels, underwent a fire audit by a third party. According to Uittenbogaard, Tenderfoot Creek Hatchery performed well in the audit, but some upgrades were still required to reduce wildfire risks. “We added fire suppression equipment, cleared the perimeter of the site, and removed wooden structures, like a deck, to reduce fire risk,” Uittenbogaard said. These measures were funded through the Pacific Salmon Strategy Initiative (PSSI), a program providing resources to address environmental impacts from floods, fires, and droughts. The hatchery’s success is thanks in part to its partnership with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), Uittenbogaard said. Together, they’ve worked on projects like turning an old lawn into a pond that provides a safe space for young coho salmon during droughts. “That pond used to be a lawn where staff had to cut grass. During droughts, the natural lake would dry up, leading to the loss of thousands of coho fry rearing there. “We collaborated with the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Nation to secure funding and redesign the area.” “Together, we dug a deeper pond—about 10 feet or two metres deeper than the original lake—and added vegetation to naturalize it. This pond now acts as a refuge for fry during droughts, helping us save thousands of fish.” The hatchery also works closely with the Nation’s Natural Resources fisheries department. Despite all the challenges, Uittenbogaard is constantly inspired by the salmon themselves. “You’d think these big environmental changes would wipe out salmon populations,” he said. “But they keep coming back. It’s amazing to see how resilient they are.” Uittenbogaard hopes more locals will get involved in helping salmon. He pointed to groups like the Squamish River Watershed Society and Squamish Streamkeepers, which do habitat restoration and education work. “Volunteering with these organizations is a great way to make a difference,” he said. He also invites the community to visit the hatchery to learn more about salmon. “When people learn about salmon and their importance, it usually leads to respect and a better understanding of why we need to protect them,” he said. “We’re doing everything we can to protect these fish,” Uittenbogaard said. “It’s all about giving them a fighting chance for the future.” Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
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Women will for the first time make up a majority of state legislators in Colorado and New Mexico next year, but at least 13 states saw losses in female representation after the November election, according to a count released Thursday by the Rutgers Center for American Women and Politics. While women will fill a record number of state legislative seats in 2025, the overall uptick will be slight, filling just over third of legislative seats. Races in some states are still being called. "We certainly would like to see a faster rate of change and more significant increases in each election cycle to get us to a place where parity in state legislatures is less novel and more normal," said Kelly Dittmar, director of research at the CAWP, which is a unit of the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. As of Wednesday, at least 2,450 women will serve in state legislatures, representing 33.2% of the seats nationwide. The previous record was set in 2024 with 2,431 women, according to the CAWP. People are also reading... 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"But still, Republican women are very underrepresented compared to Democratic women," Debbie Walsh, director of the CAWP, said. From left, House Maj. Whip Reena Szczepanski, D-Santa Fe, Rep. D. Wonda Johnson, D-Church Rock and Rep. Cristina Parajon, D-Albuquerque, talk July 18 before the start of a special session, in Santa Fe, N.M. States with gains By the most recent count, 19 states will have increased the number of women in their state legislatures, according to the CAWP. The most notable increases were in New Mexico and Colorado, where women will for the first time make up a majority of lawmakers. In New Mexico, voters sent an 11 additional women to the chambers. Colorado previously attained gender parity in 2023 and is set to tip over to a slight female majority in the upcoming year. The states follow Nevada, which was the first in the country to see a female majority in the legislature following elections in 2018. Next year, women will make up almost 62% of state lawmakers in Nevada, far exceeding parity. Women in California's Senate will make up the chamber's majority for the first time in 2025 as well. Women also made notable gains in South Dakota, increasing its number by at least nine. Four of South Carolina's Sister Senators, from left, Sen. Margie Bright Matthews, D-Walterboro, Sen. Mia McLeod, I-Columbia, Sen. Katrina Shealy, R-Lexington, and Sen. Penry Gustafson, R-Camden, stand in front of the Senate on June 26 with their John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage award in Columbia, S.C. States that lost At least thirteen states emerged from the election with fewer female lawmakers than before, with the most significant loss occurring in South Carolina. This year, the only three Republican women in the South Carolina Senate lost their primaries after they stopped a total abortion ban from passing. Next year, only two women, who are Democrats, will be in the 46-member Senate. No other state in the country will have fewer women in its upper chamber, according to the CAWP. Women make up 55% of the state's registered voters. Half the members in the GOP dominated state were elected in 2012 or before, so it will likely be the 2040s before any Republican woman elected in the future can rise to leadership or a committee chairmanship in the chamber, which doles out leadership positions based on seniority. A net loss of five women in the legislature means they will make up only about 13% of South Carolina's lawmakers, making the state the second lowest in the country for female representation. Only West Virginia has a smaller proportion of women in the legislature. West Virginia stands to lose one more women from its legislative ranks, furthering its representation problem in the legislature where women will make up just 11% of lawmakers. Why it matters Many women, lawmakers and experts say that women's voices are needed in discussions on policy, especially at a time when state government is at its most powerful in decades. Walsh, director of the CAWP, said the new changes expected from the Trump administration will turn even more policy and regulation to the states. The experiences and perspectives women offer will be increasingly needed, she said, especially on topics related to reproductive rights, healthcare, education and childcare. "The states may have to pick up where the federal government may, in fact, be walking away," Walsh said. "And so who serves in those institutions is more important now than ever." 20 political cartoons draw out Donald Trump's win November 7, 2024: Trump Victory Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Vigil neuroscience CEO Ivana Magovcevic-Liebisch buys $11,700 in stock
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