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Sportscaster Greg Gumbel dies from cancer at age 78
Stop the illegalities in Kogi – Aggrieved aspirant urges PDP NWCNEW YORK (AP) — Shortly before he was to be flogged and imprisoned for eight years, Mohammad Rasoulof fled Iran. His weekslong journey would take him from Tehran, through rural Iranian villages, on foot across a mountainous borderland and ultimately to Hamburg, Germany. As arduous and dangerous as the trip was, Rasoulof’s travels had an added wrinkle: He was trying to finish a movie at the same time. A week after arriving in Germany, Rasoulof would premiere his film, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” at the Cannes Film Festival in France. As he fled, Rasoulof was preoccupied with the movie’s edit, which was being carried out in Germany. “I remember when I was sitting in the car that was driving me to the border,” Rasoulof says. “I had my laptop and I was taking notes and sending them to my editor. The two friends who were taking me kept saying, ‘Put that thing away for a second.’” In Cannes, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” won a special jury prize and Rasoulof was celebrated with a 13-minute standing ovation. The movie has since been hailed as one of the best of the year, and arguably its most daring. Rasoulof made “Sacred Fig” clandestinely in Iran, directing scenes from a separate location to avoid raising suspicions. (The opening titles read: “When there is no way, a way must be made.”) Its story — a devastating family drama set during the 2022 protests that engulfed Iran — would surely only add to Rasoulof’s prison sentence. So after all of this, how is he feeling? When he recently met with The Associated Press for an interview, Rasoulof shrugged. “Ordinary,” he says. Rasoulof, 52, has a more gentle, bemused presence than some of his films would suggest. But how could Rasoulof, after what he’s lived through this year, feel anything like ordinary? “I still haven’t grasped the meaning of exile,” he explains. “I think it will take some time. The feeling of that void has not hit me yet, and I think it may never come.” Rasoulof has been busy traveling from film festival to film festival. In September, he and his 24-year-old daughter attended the Telluride festival in Colorado. Many more such stops were to come. Since fleeing Iran, Rasoulof has effectively been immersed in the world he’s long known: cinema. “Maybe I am living in the world of cinema, and maybe that’s why things are so familiar,” he agrees. “Maybe that’s why I don’t feel I’m in exile.” “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” currently playing in theaters, is the Oscar submission from Rasoulof’s adoptive home, Germany. He’s settled in with his family, grateful for how the country has welcomed him. Speaking through an interpreter, Rasoulof grants that he’ll probably always mentally have a bag packed, ready to return to Iran should the chance ever come. But what “home” constitutes has changed for him. “I might be able to change this concept of home for myself,” he says. “I walk on the streets here and I see people of different colors and forms from all over the place, and they all call this place home. So there’s always the chance that one can build something new.” How oppressive politics can infiltrate the home is central to “The Seed of the Sacred Fig.” It concerns a family of four: Iman (Missagh Zareh), a lawyer newly appointed to the Revolutionary Court in Tehran; his wife, Najmeh (Soheila Golestani) and their two daughters, Rezvan (Mahsa Rostami) and Sana (Setareh Maleki). Iman is proud of his high position, but, when the government crackdown on protesters following the death of Mahsa Amini accelerates, his daughters are increasingly at odds with him. After Iman's gun goes missing, his wife and daughters turn into suspects. “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” populated with real cellphone videos from the protests, plays out as an excruciating microcosm of Iranian society. “It wasn’t like I put those videos in. They just came in,” says Rasoulof. “The reality is that it was through those videos I realized what happened. When the Woman, Life, Freedom movement occurred, I was in prison.” Rasoulof has spent several spells in Tehran’s Evin Prison. In 2010, he was arrested on set for filming without a permit. In 2022, he was jailed for seven months after pursuing the release of another of Iran’s most prominent filmmakers, Jafar Panahi. Panahi, who secretly made the film “No Bears,” was only released in 2023 after commencing a hunger strike. “My windows at home opened to the hills that have the Evin prison in them,” says Rasoulof. “I knew behind those walls many of my friends were sitting.” Rasoulof, inspired by the courage of the younger generation, resolved to pour the same spirit into “The Seed of the Sacred Fig.” Although it wasn’t until Rasoulof’s appeal of his sentence failed that he resolved to flee, he grants that deciding to make “Sacred Fig” essentially sealed his fate. “Making this film was part of that decision,” he says. “Although I had made up my mind earlier, because it was such a bitter decision, I was denying it and delaying it, waiting for a miracle to allow me to stay.” “I would open the fridge to make sure there was nothing there that would go bad,” he adds. “It was a strange circumstance.” For the film's actors and crew members, signing up for the movie meant also becoming co-conspirators. Everyone knew the risks. And, like Rasoulof, many of them have since left Iran. Rostami and Maleki also now live in Germany. Asked if his collaborators are all currently safe, Rasoulof responds: “No one is safe from the Islamic Republic.” In his new life, Rasoulof is experiencing freedoms he never had in Iran. His films, for example, are widely available outside his native country but not in Iran. His prize-winning 2020 drama “There Is No Evil,” about capital punishment in Iran, is banned — though, ironically, Rasoulof’s prison guards enjoyed watching it with him from a flash drive. “I haven’t seen many of my films on a big screen, especially my last film,” he says. “I really want to see ‘There Is No Evil’ on a big screen. A festival in Portugal has promised to take me to see my own film.” The name of Rasoulof’s film comes from his memory of an ancient fig tree he once visited on an island in the south of Iran. It’s a tree that, with apparent metaphorical meaning for the Iranian government, spreads its seeds onto other trees, killing them and growing in their place. Rasoulof pulls out his phone to share a photo of his apartment in Tehran. Outside a large window, you can see the walls of Evin running along a craggy hillside. Inside are many houseplants. “This is my home,” he says. “I have a lot of plants. I really miss my plants. I have a neighbor who takes care of them for me. I actually have a fig tree at home.”
THE Philippines has surged to 49th place in the 2024 United Nations (UN) e-Participation Index (EPI), a leap of 31 spots from its 80th rank in 2022, as it leverages digital tools to foster citizen engagement while streamlining government processes. The EPI evaluates how effectively nations utilize online platforms to encourage public participation in governance. For the Philippines, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan Uy attributed the rise to the eGov Super App. “This milestone underscores our dedication to making government services more accessible, transparent, and participatory for every Filipino,” Uy said. The eGov Super App, launched under the government’s e-Governance program, serves as an integrated platform consolidating a range of national and local government services. From business registration and tourism information to job applications and e-commerce services, the app provides a seamless user experience via Single Sign-On (SSO) and Application Programming Interface (API) integration. “The eGov Super App aggregates existing systems using Single Sign-On (SSO) and API integration, allowing seamless access to government services while maintaining compatibility with current agency systems,” ICT Undersecretary David Almirol explained. The DICT collaborated with different government agencies to develop the eGov Super App. It has recently signed an agreement with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to integrate the Philippine eVisa Portal, which simplifies the visa application process for tourists and bolsters the country’s tourism sector. Aside from climbing the EPI, the Philippines also made progress in the UN’s 2024 E-Government Development Index (EGDI), where the country advanced from 89th to 73rd place, overtaking 16 nations. With an EGDI score of 0.7621, the Philippines outperformed the global average of 0.6382, reflecting improvements in online service provision, telecommunication connectivity, and human capacity. Looking ahead, the DICT plans to enhance the eGov Super App’s functionality by integrating citizen reporting modules, job matching systems, artificial intelligence (AI) bots, and tools to empower start-ups. “Our vision is to empower Filipinos with a citizen-centric solution that simplifies their interactions with the government,” Almirol said. To solidify this digital shift, the DICT has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with over 50 government agencies. This initiative aims to further expand the app’s reach and reinforce the Philippines’ position as a leader in digital governance. Sources regularly see Lorenz at telco and transport conferences. He graduated from the University of Santo Tomas, and has been covering the beat since 2013. He likes to featurize stories, and tries to find another angle for spot news. He travels during his spare time, and likes his coffee black -- no cream, no sugar.By MARC LEVY HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania conceded his reelection bid to Republican David McCormick on Thursday, as a statewide recount showed no signs of closing the gap and his campaign suffered repeated blows in court in its effort to get potentially favorable ballots counted. Casey’s concession comes more than two weeks after Election Day, as a grindingly slow ballot-counting process became a spectacle of hours-long election board meetings, social media outrage, lawsuits and accusations that some county officials were openly flouting the law. Republicans had been claiming that Democrats were trying to steal McCormick’s seat by counting “illegal votes.” Casey’s campaign had accused of Republicans of trying to block enough votes to prevent him from pulling ahead and winning. In a statement, Casey said he had just called McCormick to congratulate him. “As the first count of ballots is completed, Pennsylvanians can move forward with the knowledge that their voices were heard, whether their vote was the first to be counted or the last,” Casey said. The Associated Press called the race for McCormick on Nov. 7, concluding that not enough ballots remained to be counted in areas Casey was winning for him to take the lead. As of Thursday, McCormick led by about 16,000 votes out of almost 7 million ballots counted. That was well within the 0.5% margin threshold to trigger an automatic statewide recount under Pennsylvania law. But no election official expected a recount to change more than a couple hundred votes or so, and Pennsylvania’s highest court dealt him a blow when it refused entreaties to allow counties to count mail-in ballots that lacked a correct handwritten date on the return envelope. Republicans will have a 53-47 majority next year in the U.S. Senate. Follow Marc Levy at twitter.com/timelywriter
DETROIT (WXYZ) — Last season Detroit Mercy didn’t get their first win until February 14th. As it stands in late November they’re already at 3. So how does that turnaround happen? A complete overhaul of the culture. “I just knew the potential Detroit mercy had. I grew up in this area, I’m from Inkster. I went to Southgate Aquinas I played high school basketball in this gym,” said Mark Montgomery Rebuilding a program in today's world of college athletics isn’t an easy task even at the highest of levels, “When you get the job late April and you got to recruit you got to sign 10 players on the roster, we have 9 freshmen, so we have a young team," added Montgomery But Men’s Basketball Head Coach Mark Montgomery says it starts with changing the culture. “When you get a group of guys that they know they’re going to get playing time and they can help right the ship as we say...our guys are just playing hard playing with energy and we are making some shots,” And an argument can be made that energy comes directly from Montgomery himself “Softspoken wouldn’t be the word. I lose my voice every day in practice,” he said “Yeah, he’s definitely a loud coach, very verbal, but that’s how he gets his points across, that's how he gets us going. You just have to hear what he’s saying not how he’s saying it,” said junior guard Jared Lary. Now the college basketball season is a grind, and we're still only in November, but Montgomery wants to make sure he keeps a balance of discipline and fun “After every win, we already have the music going last, coach got an ice bath shower as soon as he walked in. So, every time we win, large margin small margin it’s going to be fun,” added Lary “I told this team we're going to be a lot better come January, February than we are right now in November, December. Our young guys by then to me they're going to be sophomores our sophomores are going to be juniors and they're going to know all our philosophies,” Now the ultimate goal for this program is to make a return to the NCAA Tournament, a place they haven’t been since 2012, but Montgomery said they’ll take it day by day to get back to that point.
Atletico Madrid, under the guidance of Diego Simeone, are also in the mix for the title race. Known for their strong defensive organization and counter-attacking style of play, Atletico Madrid have been grinding out results and staying in contention at the top of the table. With a solid squad and a never-say-die attitude, Atletico Madrid are serious threats to both Barcelona and Real Madrid's title hopes.
The current conflict in Manbij erupted as Syrian opposition forces, backed by Turkish military support, launched a coordinated offensive to push back against the Kurdish forces in the region. The Syrian opposition sees the Kurds as a threat to their own aspirations for control and influence in northern Syria, while the Kurds view the opposition forces as aligned with Turkish interests and a destabilizing force in the region.Title: Ximan Discusses Premier League Title Race: Four Teams are Genuine Contenders, Definitely Including Manchester City
Looking ahead, uncertainties still exist in the global economic environment, including factors such as trade tensions, geopolitical issues, and the ongoing impact of the pandemic. However, China's foreign trade sector has shown resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges, positioning itself for continued growth in the future.Midfielders:
robtek/iStock Editorial via Getty Images We have been saying for some time that it is getting more difficult to find undervalued stocks in the U.S. market ( VTI ), particularly in the tech sector. For example, a good proxy is The Technology 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. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing in this article should be taken as a solicitation to purchase or sell securities. Before buying or selling shares, you should do your own research and reach your own conclusion, or consult a financial advisor. Investing includes risks, including loss of principal. 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.Avior Wealth Management LLC reduced its stake in shares of Ferguson plc ( NASDAQ:FERG – Free Report ) by 24.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 611 shares of the company’s stock after selling 196 shares during the period. Avior Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $121,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in FERG. Asset Dedication LLC acquired a new position in Ferguson during the third quarter valued at $27,000. EdgeRock Capital LLC acquired a new position in Ferguson during the second quarter valued at $32,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in Ferguson during the third quarter valued at $37,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in Ferguson during the third quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, Reston Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Ferguson during the third quarter valued at $40,000. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Ferguson Stock Up 1.2 % Shares of NASDAQ FERG opened at $208.94 on Friday. Ferguson plc has a 12-month low of $166.21 and a 12-month high of $225.63. The stock has a market cap of $41.94 billion, a PE ratio of 24.49, a P/E/G ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a current ratio of 1.80, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89. The company has a 50-day moving average of $200.83 and a 200 day moving average of $202.73. Ferguson Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 8th. Investors of record on Friday, September 27th were paid a dividend of $0.79 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 27th. This represents a $3.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.51%. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is presently 37.05%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades FERG has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $211.00 to $219.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. Oppenheimer initiated coverage on shares of Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $234.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $225.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $228.00 to $236.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $203.00 to $221.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Ferguson has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $233.38. Read Our Latest Analysis on Ferguson Insider Activity at Ferguson In other Ferguson news, SVP Garland Williams sold 1,118 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $201.22, for a total value of $224,963.96. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 1,882 shares in the company, valued at $378,696.04. The trade was a 37.27 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . Also, VP Michael Jacobs sold 2,624 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.96, for a total transaction of $527,319.04. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 1,116 shares in the company, valued at $224,271.36. The trade was a 70.16 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last quarter, insiders sold 12,313 shares of company stock valued at $2,477,901. Corporate insiders own 0.16% of the company’s stock. Ferguson Profile ( Free Report ) Ferguson plc distributes plumbing and heating products in the United States and Canada. It offers plumbing and heating solutions to customers in the residential, commercial, civil/infrastructure, and industrial end markets. The company also provides expertise, solutions, and products, including infrastructure, plumbing, appliances, fire, fabrication, and others, as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning products under the Ferguson brand name. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ferguson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ferguson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
As Arsenal struggles to find its footing in the Premier League and compete against top teams, the missed opportunities in the transfer window have come under intense scrutiny, with many questioning Arteta's decision-making and the club's transfer strategy. The lack of key reinforcements in crucial areas of the squad has hampered Arsenal's progress and raised doubts about their ability to challenge for major honors in the near future.On December 19th, a significant development unfolded in the case of human trafficker Yu Huaying as the second trial commenced. Yang Niuhua, the mother of the abducted girl Yang Niuhua, provided a response to Yu Huaying's appeal. The courtroom was filled with tension and anticipation as new evidence and arguments were presented before the judge.
LAHORE: THAAP in collaboration with the Documentary Association of Pakistan and The Eqbal Ahmad Project organised the screening of acclaimed documentary film “All That Breathes.” The film’s screening followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring eminent actress Nadia Jamil, Project Curator Siraj Ali, and leading social development professional Quratulain Bakhteari who participated via video link. This event brought together a diverse audience to explore critical themes of environmentalism and inter-species coexistence, as beautifully depicted in the film directed by Shaunak Sen. The short film was explored as part of The Eqbal Ahmad Year of Tribute 25 years on festival. “All That Breathes” has garnered prestigious accolades, including awards at the Sundance Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, and the Peabody Awards, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. The film chronicles the inspiring journey of two brothers, Nadeem and Daud, who dedicate their lives to rescuing the black kite, a vital species in the ecosystem of New Delhi. Their efforts underscore the urgent need for environmental stewardship in the face of escalating ecological challenges. Following the screening, the panel discussion allowed for an engaging dialogue among the esteemed speakers. Siraj Ali, Nadia Jamil, and Quratulain Bakhteari addressing key themes of the film, and their personal and political legacies of Eqbal Ahmad. The poignant discussion following the film and audience contributions resonated deeply with attendees. Prompting reflections on their roles in promoting the environment and social responsibility. The event was hosted by Prof. Pervaiz Vandal, who in addition to be a long term supporter of The Eqbal Ahmad Project, has sought to foster a sense of community among participants, encouraging them to engage actively in the pressing issues of our time Prior to the screening, a compelling video collage featuring insightful lectures by revolutionary thinker Eqbal Ahmad was showcased, setting the tone for the evening’s discussions. This event was organised by The Eqbal Ahmad Project as part of series of electronic and in person commmnity collaborations around the world this year to commemorate Eqbal Ahmad. The Eqbal Ahmad Project , which aims to honour the legacy of Ahmad a visionary whose insights into social justice and international solidarity continue to inspire change. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );
A Man on the Inside may be set in San Francisco, but the cameos have us believing it’s actually The Good Place . Fans who tuned in for the wholesome and hilarious new Netflix comedy from creator Mike Schur and star Ted Danson were greeted repeatedly by familiar faces from Schur projects of the past, i.e. The Good Place , Parks and Recreation , and Brooklyn Nine-Nine . This time around, the comedy producer assembled an all-star cast to tell the tale of Charles (Danson), a retired professor and widower who takes an undercover private investigating gig inside a nursing home to fill his abundance of free time. To tell an equally heartbreaking and heartwarming story, the showrunner enlisted Schur-iverse (can we coin this term?) veterans like Marc Evan Jackson, Stephanie Beatriz, and Jama Williamson, as well as newcomers Lilah Richcreek Estrada and It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia ‘s Mary Elizabeth Ellis. The series also included a Season 1 finale surprise cameo from The Good Place ‘s Janet herself, a.k.a. D’Arcy Carden . She had one line, sure, but it was the sentiment of the reunion between the beloved characters that hit Good Place lovers right in the feels. But before Carden could appear on screen, there was a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo from another TGP star. When A Man on the Inside first hit Netflix in late November, some eagle-eyed fans pointed out a notable shot of a woman in Charles’ lecture wearing a familiar piece of clothing. The wide shot sees the woman — who sports medium-length blonde hair — standing up to put her rainbow sweater and jeans on display before turning to exit the auditorium. It was a clear nod to Schur’s ethical dilemma of an NBC show and the character of Eleanor Shellstrop, played by Kristen Bell. What we didn’t know at the time? That woman was actually Bell. Holy. Forking. Shirtballs. The shot is a callback to one of the final and most important moments in The Good Place , showing Eleanor facing the door to the beyond. Just like in the NBC series, the woman in the classroom pauses briefly while looking ahead, echoing Eleanor’s hesitation to leave the afterlife and dissolve into specks of energy to go back out into the universe. It was evident from the moment the show hit the streaming platform that the unnamed character bore a resemblance to the Veronica Mars actress, or at least her Good Place character. It wasn’t until Janet Carden confirmed it, however, that Bell’s cameo was revealed. In an Instagram post, Carden shared a photo with Danson, Bell, Jackson, Schur, and producer Morgan Sackett, identifying Bell — who is busy with her own Netflix show, Nobody Wants This — as the sweater-clad student in Charles’ class. “another mystery solved,” Carden captioned her social media post. “Jeremy Bearimy, baby,” replied Jackson, the actor behind the roles of Mr. Cubbler in A Man on the Inside and Shawn in The Good Place . Even better, Bell reposted the photo to her own page, adding the acronym “IYKYK” which stands for “if you know, you know” to the caption. Be still our beating hearts! This only makes us wonder, who could they bring in for A Man on the Inside Season 2 ? And even though Carden has already appeared in Nobody Wants This , does this mean Danson will cameo in the show’s recently announced second season ? Let’s hope so. Season 1 of A Man on the Inside is now streaming on Netflix. You can also watch all four seasons of The Good Place on Netflix.NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks fell broadly on Friday as Wall Street closed out a holiday-shortened week on a down note. The losses were made worse by sharp declines for the Big Tech stocks known as the “Magnificent 7”, which can heavily influence the direction of the market because of their large size. The S&P 500 fell 66.75 points, or 1.1%, to 5,970.84. Roughly 90% of stocks in the benchmark index lost ground, but it managed to hold onto a modest gain of 0.7% for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 333.59 points, or 0.8%, to 42,992.21. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite fell 298.33 points, or 1.5%, to 19,722.03. Semiconductor giant Nvidia slumped 2.1%. Microsoft declined 1.7%. Each has a market value above $3 trillion, giving the companies outsized sway on the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq. A wide range of retailers also fell. Amazon fell 1.5% and Best Buy slipped 1.5%. The sector is being closely watched for clues on how it performed during the holiday shopping season. Energy stocks held up better than the rest of the market, with a loss of less than 0.1% as crude oil prices rose. “There’s just some uncertainty over this relief rally we’ve witnessed since last week,” said Adam Turnquist, chief technical strategist for LPL Financial. The S&P 500 gained nearly 3% over a 3-day stretch before breaking for the Christmas holiday. On Thursday, the index posted a small decline. Despite Friday's drop, the market is moving closer to another standout annual finish . The S&P 500 is on track for a gain of around 25% in 2024. That would mark a second consecutive yearly gain of more than 20%, the first time that has happened since 1997-1998. The gains have been driven partly by upbeat economic data showing that consumers continued spending and the labor market remained strong. Inflation, while still high, has also been steadily easing. A report on Friday showed that sales and inventory estimates for the wholesales trade industry fell 0.2% in November, following a slight gain in October. That weaker-than-expected report follows an update on the labor market Thursday that showed unemployment benefits held steady last week. The stream of upbeat economic data and easing inflation helped prompt a reversal in the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy this year. Expectations for interest rate cuts also helped drive market gains. The central bank recently delivered its third cut to interest rates in 2024. Even though inflation has come closer to the central bank's target of 2%, it remains stubbornly above that mark and worries about it heating up again have tempered the forecast for more interest rate cuts. Inflation concerns have added to uncertainties heading into 2025, which include the labor market’s path ahead and shifting economic policies under incoming President Donald Trump. Worries have risen that Trump’s preference for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , a bigger U.S. government debt and difficulties for global trade. Amedisys rose 4.7% after the home health care and hospice services provider agreed to extend the deadline for its sale to UnitedHealth Group. The Justice Department had sued to block the $3.3 billion deal, citing concerns the combination would hinder access to home health and hospice services in the U.S. The move to extend the deadline comes ahead of an expected shift in regulatory policy under Trump. The incoming administration is expected to have a more permissive approach to dealmaking and is less likely to raise antitrust concerns. In Asia, Japan’s benchmark index surged as the yen remained weak against the dollar. Stocks in South Korea fell after the main opposition party voted to impeach the country’s acting leader. Markets in Europe gained ground. Bond yields held relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.62% from 4.59% late Thursday. The yield on the two-year Treasury remained at 4.33% from late Thursday. Wall Street will have more economic updates to look forward to next week, including reports on pending home sales and home prices. There will also be reports on U.S. construction spending and snapshots of manufacturing activity.
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Sportscaster Greg Gumbel dies from cancer at age 78
Stop the illegalities in Kogi – Aggrieved aspirant urges PDP NWCNEW YORK (AP) — Shortly before he was to be flogged and imprisoned for eight years, Mohammad Rasoulof fled Iran. His weekslong journey would take him from Tehran, through rural Iranian villages, on foot across a mountainous borderland and ultimately to Hamburg, Germany. As arduous and dangerous as the trip was, Rasoulof’s travels had an added wrinkle: He was trying to finish a movie at the same time. A week after arriving in Germany, Rasoulof would premiere his film, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” at the Cannes Film Festival in France. As he fled, Rasoulof was preoccupied with the movie’s edit, which was being carried out in Germany. “I remember when I was sitting in the car that was driving me to the border,” Rasoulof says. “I had my laptop and I was taking notes and sending them to my editor. The two friends who were taking me kept saying, ‘Put that thing away for a second.’” In Cannes, “The Seed of the Sacred Fig” won a special jury prize and Rasoulof was celebrated with a 13-minute standing ovation. The movie has since been hailed as one of the best of the year, and arguably its most daring. Rasoulof made “Sacred Fig” clandestinely in Iran, directing scenes from a separate location to avoid raising suspicions. (The opening titles read: “When there is no way, a way must be made.”) Its story — a devastating family drama set during the 2022 protests that engulfed Iran — would surely only add to Rasoulof’s prison sentence. So after all of this, how is he feeling? When he recently met with The Associated Press for an interview, Rasoulof shrugged. “Ordinary,” he says. Rasoulof, 52, has a more gentle, bemused presence than some of his films would suggest. But how could Rasoulof, after what he’s lived through this year, feel anything like ordinary? “I still haven’t grasped the meaning of exile,” he explains. “I think it will take some time. The feeling of that void has not hit me yet, and I think it may never come.” Rasoulof has been busy traveling from film festival to film festival. In September, he and his 24-year-old daughter attended the Telluride festival in Colorado. Many more such stops were to come. Since fleeing Iran, Rasoulof has effectively been immersed in the world he’s long known: cinema. “Maybe I am living in the world of cinema, and maybe that’s why things are so familiar,” he agrees. “Maybe that’s why I don’t feel I’m in exile.” “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” currently playing in theaters, is the Oscar submission from Rasoulof’s adoptive home, Germany. He’s settled in with his family, grateful for how the country has welcomed him. Speaking through an interpreter, Rasoulof grants that he’ll probably always mentally have a bag packed, ready to return to Iran should the chance ever come. But what “home” constitutes has changed for him. “I might be able to change this concept of home for myself,” he says. “I walk on the streets here and I see people of different colors and forms from all over the place, and they all call this place home. So there’s always the chance that one can build something new.” How oppressive politics can infiltrate the home is central to “The Seed of the Sacred Fig.” It concerns a family of four: Iman (Missagh Zareh), a lawyer newly appointed to the Revolutionary Court in Tehran; his wife, Najmeh (Soheila Golestani) and their two daughters, Rezvan (Mahsa Rostami) and Sana (Setareh Maleki). Iman is proud of his high position, but, when the government crackdown on protesters following the death of Mahsa Amini accelerates, his daughters are increasingly at odds with him. After Iman's gun goes missing, his wife and daughters turn into suspects. “The Seed of the Sacred Fig,” populated with real cellphone videos from the protests, plays out as an excruciating microcosm of Iranian society. “It wasn’t like I put those videos in. They just came in,” says Rasoulof. “The reality is that it was through those videos I realized what happened. When the Woman, Life, Freedom movement occurred, I was in prison.” Rasoulof has spent several spells in Tehran’s Evin Prison. In 2010, he was arrested on set for filming without a permit. In 2022, he was jailed for seven months after pursuing the release of another of Iran’s most prominent filmmakers, Jafar Panahi. Panahi, who secretly made the film “No Bears,” was only released in 2023 after commencing a hunger strike. “My windows at home opened to the hills that have the Evin prison in them,” says Rasoulof. “I knew behind those walls many of my friends were sitting.” Rasoulof, inspired by the courage of the younger generation, resolved to pour the same spirit into “The Seed of the Sacred Fig.” Although it wasn’t until Rasoulof’s appeal of his sentence failed that he resolved to flee, he grants that deciding to make “Sacred Fig” essentially sealed his fate. “Making this film was part of that decision,” he says. “Although I had made up my mind earlier, because it was such a bitter decision, I was denying it and delaying it, waiting for a miracle to allow me to stay.” “I would open the fridge to make sure there was nothing there that would go bad,” he adds. “It was a strange circumstance.” For the film's actors and crew members, signing up for the movie meant also becoming co-conspirators. Everyone knew the risks. And, like Rasoulof, many of them have since left Iran. Rostami and Maleki also now live in Germany. Asked if his collaborators are all currently safe, Rasoulof responds: “No one is safe from the Islamic Republic.” In his new life, Rasoulof is experiencing freedoms he never had in Iran. His films, for example, are widely available outside his native country but not in Iran. His prize-winning 2020 drama “There Is No Evil,” about capital punishment in Iran, is banned — though, ironically, Rasoulof’s prison guards enjoyed watching it with him from a flash drive. “I haven’t seen many of my films on a big screen, especially my last film,” he says. “I really want to see ‘There Is No Evil’ on a big screen. A festival in Portugal has promised to take me to see my own film.” The name of Rasoulof’s film comes from his memory of an ancient fig tree he once visited on an island in the south of Iran. It’s a tree that, with apparent metaphorical meaning for the Iranian government, spreads its seeds onto other trees, killing them and growing in their place. Rasoulof pulls out his phone to share a photo of his apartment in Tehran. Outside a large window, you can see the walls of Evin running along a craggy hillside. Inside are many houseplants. “This is my home,” he says. “I have a lot of plants. I really miss my plants. I have a neighbor who takes care of them for me. I actually have a fig tree at home.”
THE Philippines has surged to 49th place in the 2024 United Nations (UN) e-Participation Index (EPI), a leap of 31 spots from its 80th rank in 2022, as it leverages digital tools to foster citizen engagement while streamlining government processes. The EPI evaluates how effectively nations utilize online platforms to encourage public participation in governance. For the Philippines, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan Uy attributed the rise to the eGov Super App. “This milestone underscores our dedication to making government services more accessible, transparent, and participatory for every Filipino,” Uy said. The eGov Super App, launched under the government’s e-Governance program, serves as an integrated platform consolidating a range of national and local government services. From business registration and tourism information to job applications and e-commerce services, the app provides a seamless user experience via Single Sign-On (SSO) and Application Programming Interface (API) integration. “The eGov Super App aggregates existing systems using Single Sign-On (SSO) and API integration, allowing seamless access to government services while maintaining compatibility with current agency systems,” ICT Undersecretary David Almirol explained. The DICT collaborated with different government agencies to develop the eGov Super App. It has recently signed an agreement with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to integrate the Philippine eVisa Portal, which simplifies the visa application process for tourists and bolsters the country’s tourism sector. Aside from climbing the EPI, the Philippines also made progress in the UN’s 2024 E-Government Development Index (EGDI), where the country advanced from 89th to 73rd place, overtaking 16 nations. With an EGDI score of 0.7621, the Philippines outperformed the global average of 0.6382, reflecting improvements in online service provision, telecommunication connectivity, and human capacity. Looking ahead, the DICT plans to enhance the eGov Super App’s functionality by integrating citizen reporting modules, job matching systems, artificial intelligence (AI) bots, and tools to empower start-ups. “Our vision is to empower Filipinos with a citizen-centric solution that simplifies their interactions with the government,” Almirol said. To solidify this digital shift, the DICT has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with over 50 government agencies. This initiative aims to further expand the app’s reach and reinforce the Philippines’ position as a leader in digital governance. Sources regularly see Lorenz at telco and transport conferences. He graduated from the University of Santo Tomas, and has been covering the beat since 2013. He likes to featurize stories, and tries to find another angle for spot news. He travels during his spare time, and likes his coffee black -- no cream, no sugar.By MARC LEVY HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Democratic Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania conceded his reelection bid to Republican David McCormick on Thursday, as a statewide recount showed no signs of closing the gap and his campaign suffered repeated blows in court in its effort to get potentially favorable ballots counted. Casey’s concession comes more than two weeks after Election Day, as a grindingly slow ballot-counting process became a spectacle of hours-long election board meetings, social media outrage, lawsuits and accusations that some county officials were openly flouting the law. Republicans had been claiming that Democrats were trying to steal McCormick’s seat by counting “illegal votes.” Casey’s campaign had accused of Republicans of trying to block enough votes to prevent him from pulling ahead and winning. In a statement, Casey said he had just called McCormick to congratulate him. “As the first count of ballots is completed, Pennsylvanians can move forward with the knowledge that their voices were heard, whether their vote was the first to be counted or the last,” Casey said. The Associated Press called the race for McCormick on Nov. 7, concluding that not enough ballots remained to be counted in areas Casey was winning for him to take the lead. As of Thursday, McCormick led by about 16,000 votes out of almost 7 million ballots counted. That was well within the 0.5% margin threshold to trigger an automatic statewide recount under Pennsylvania law. But no election official expected a recount to change more than a couple hundred votes or so, and Pennsylvania’s highest court dealt him a blow when it refused entreaties to allow counties to count mail-in ballots that lacked a correct handwritten date on the return envelope. Republicans will have a 53-47 majority next year in the U.S. Senate. Follow Marc Levy at twitter.com/timelywriter
DETROIT (WXYZ) — Last season Detroit Mercy didn’t get their first win until February 14th. As it stands in late November they’re already at 3. So how does that turnaround happen? A complete overhaul of the culture. “I just knew the potential Detroit mercy had. I grew up in this area, I’m from Inkster. I went to Southgate Aquinas I played high school basketball in this gym,” said Mark Montgomery Rebuilding a program in today's world of college athletics isn’t an easy task even at the highest of levels, “When you get the job late April and you got to recruit you got to sign 10 players on the roster, we have 9 freshmen, so we have a young team," added Montgomery But Men’s Basketball Head Coach Mark Montgomery says it starts with changing the culture. “When you get a group of guys that they know they’re going to get playing time and they can help right the ship as we say...our guys are just playing hard playing with energy and we are making some shots,” And an argument can be made that energy comes directly from Montgomery himself “Softspoken wouldn’t be the word. I lose my voice every day in practice,” he said “Yeah, he’s definitely a loud coach, very verbal, but that’s how he gets his points across, that's how he gets us going. You just have to hear what he’s saying not how he’s saying it,” said junior guard Jared Lary. Now the college basketball season is a grind, and we're still only in November, but Montgomery wants to make sure he keeps a balance of discipline and fun “After every win, we already have the music going last, coach got an ice bath shower as soon as he walked in. So, every time we win, large margin small margin it’s going to be fun,” added Lary “I told this team we're going to be a lot better come January, February than we are right now in November, December. Our young guys by then to me they're going to be sophomores our sophomores are going to be juniors and they're going to know all our philosophies,” Now the ultimate goal for this program is to make a return to the NCAA Tournament, a place they haven’t been since 2012, but Montgomery said they’ll take it day by day to get back to that point.
Atletico Madrid, under the guidance of Diego Simeone, are also in the mix for the title race. Known for their strong defensive organization and counter-attacking style of play, Atletico Madrid have been grinding out results and staying in contention at the top of the table. With a solid squad and a never-say-die attitude, Atletico Madrid are serious threats to both Barcelona and Real Madrid's title hopes.
The current conflict in Manbij erupted as Syrian opposition forces, backed by Turkish military support, launched a coordinated offensive to push back against the Kurdish forces in the region. The Syrian opposition sees the Kurds as a threat to their own aspirations for control and influence in northern Syria, while the Kurds view the opposition forces as aligned with Turkish interests and a destabilizing force in the region.Title: Ximan Discusses Premier League Title Race: Four Teams are Genuine Contenders, Definitely Including Manchester City
Looking ahead, uncertainties still exist in the global economic environment, including factors such as trade tensions, geopolitical issues, and the ongoing impact of the pandemic. However, China's foreign trade sector has shown resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges, positioning itself for continued growth in the future.Midfielders:
robtek/iStock Editorial via Getty Images We have been saying for some time that it is getting more difficult to find undervalued stocks in the U.S. market ( VTI ), particularly in the tech sector. For example, a good proxy is The Technology 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. The information contained herein is for informational purposes only. Nothing in this article should be taken as a solicitation to purchase or sell securities. Before buying or selling shares, you should do your own research and reach your own conclusion, or consult a financial advisor. Investing includes risks, including loss of principal. 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.Avior Wealth Management LLC reduced its stake in shares of Ferguson plc ( NASDAQ:FERG – Free Report ) by 24.3% in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 611 shares of the company’s stock after selling 196 shares during the period. Avior Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Ferguson were worth $121,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in FERG. Asset Dedication LLC acquired a new position in Ferguson during the third quarter valued at $27,000. EdgeRock Capital LLC acquired a new position in Ferguson during the second quarter valued at $32,000. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in Ferguson during the third quarter valued at $37,000. Peterson Financial Group Inc. acquired a new position in Ferguson during the third quarter valued at $39,000. Finally, Reston Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Ferguson during the third quarter valued at $40,000. 81.98% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Ferguson Stock Up 1.2 % Shares of NASDAQ FERG opened at $208.94 on Friday. Ferguson plc has a 12-month low of $166.21 and a 12-month high of $225.63. The stock has a market cap of $41.94 billion, a PE ratio of 24.49, a P/E/G ratio of 2.01 and a beta of 1.20. The company has a current ratio of 1.80, a quick ratio of 1.00 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89. The company has a 50-day moving average of $200.83 and a 200 day moving average of $202.73. Ferguson Dividend Announcement The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, November 8th. Investors of record on Friday, September 27th were paid a dividend of $0.79 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 27th. This represents a $3.16 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.51%. Ferguson’s dividend payout ratio is presently 37.05%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades FERG has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $211.00 to $219.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. Oppenheimer initiated coverage on shares of Ferguson in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $234.00 price objective for the company. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $225.00 to $232.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $228.00 to $236.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. Finally, Citigroup lifted their price objective on shares of Ferguson from $203.00 to $221.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, September 18th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Ferguson has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $233.38. Read Our Latest Analysis on Ferguson Insider Activity at Ferguson In other Ferguson news, SVP Garland Williams sold 1,118 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $201.22, for a total value of $224,963.96. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 1,882 shares in the company, valued at $378,696.04. The trade was a 37.27 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website . Also, VP Michael Jacobs sold 2,624 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.96, for a total transaction of $527,319.04. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 1,116 shares in the company, valued at $224,271.36. The trade was a 70.16 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last quarter, insiders sold 12,313 shares of company stock valued at $2,477,901. Corporate insiders own 0.16% of the company’s stock. Ferguson Profile ( Free Report ) Ferguson plc distributes plumbing and heating products in the United States and Canada. It offers plumbing and heating solutions to customers in the residential, commercial, civil/infrastructure, and industrial end markets. The company also provides expertise, solutions, and products, including infrastructure, plumbing, appliances, fire, fabrication, and others, as well as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning products under the Ferguson brand name. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Ferguson Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ferguson and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
As Arsenal struggles to find its footing in the Premier League and compete against top teams, the missed opportunities in the transfer window have come under intense scrutiny, with many questioning Arteta's decision-making and the club's transfer strategy. The lack of key reinforcements in crucial areas of the squad has hampered Arsenal's progress and raised doubts about their ability to challenge for major honors in the near future.On December 19th, a significant development unfolded in the case of human trafficker Yu Huaying as the second trial commenced. Yang Niuhua, the mother of the abducted girl Yang Niuhua, provided a response to Yu Huaying's appeal. The courtroom was filled with tension and anticipation as new evidence and arguments were presented before the judge.
LAHORE: THAAP in collaboration with the Documentary Association of Pakistan and The Eqbal Ahmad Project organised the screening of acclaimed documentary film “All That Breathes.” The film’s screening followed by a thought-provoking panel discussion featuring eminent actress Nadia Jamil, Project Curator Siraj Ali, and leading social development professional Quratulain Bakhteari who participated via video link. This event brought together a diverse audience to explore critical themes of environmentalism and inter-species coexistence, as beautifully depicted in the film directed by Shaunak Sen. The short film was explored as part of The Eqbal Ahmad Year of Tribute 25 years on festival. “All That Breathes” has garnered prestigious accolades, including awards at the Sundance Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, and the Peabody Awards, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. The film chronicles the inspiring journey of two brothers, Nadeem and Daud, who dedicate their lives to rescuing the black kite, a vital species in the ecosystem of New Delhi. Their efforts underscore the urgent need for environmental stewardship in the face of escalating ecological challenges. Following the screening, the panel discussion allowed for an engaging dialogue among the esteemed speakers. Siraj Ali, Nadia Jamil, and Quratulain Bakhteari addressing key themes of the film, and their personal and political legacies of Eqbal Ahmad. The poignant discussion following the film and audience contributions resonated deeply with attendees. Prompting reflections on their roles in promoting the environment and social responsibility. The event was hosted by Prof. Pervaiz Vandal, who in addition to be a long term supporter of The Eqbal Ahmad Project, has sought to foster a sense of community among participants, encouraging them to engage actively in the pressing issues of our time Prior to the screening, a compelling video collage featuring insightful lectures by revolutionary thinker Eqbal Ahmad was showcased, setting the tone for the evening’s discussions. This event was organised by The Eqbal Ahmad Project as part of series of electronic and in person commmnity collaborations around the world this year to commemorate Eqbal Ahmad. The Eqbal Ahmad Project , which aims to honour the legacy of Ahmad a visionary whose insights into social justice and international solidarity continue to inspire change. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );
A Man on the Inside may be set in San Francisco, but the cameos have us believing it’s actually The Good Place . Fans who tuned in for the wholesome and hilarious new Netflix comedy from creator Mike Schur and star Ted Danson were greeted repeatedly by familiar faces from Schur projects of the past, i.e. The Good Place , Parks and Recreation , and Brooklyn Nine-Nine . This time around, the comedy producer assembled an all-star cast to tell the tale of Charles (Danson), a retired professor and widower who takes an undercover private investigating gig inside a nursing home to fill his abundance of free time. To tell an equally heartbreaking and heartwarming story, the showrunner enlisted Schur-iverse (can we coin this term?) veterans like Marc Evan Jackson, Stephanie Beatriz, and Jama Williamson, as well as newcomers Lilah Richcreek Estrada and It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia ‘s Mary Elizabeth Ellis. The series also included a Season 1 finale surprise cameo from The Good Place ‘s Janet herself, a.k.a. D’Arcy Carden . She had one line, sure, but it was the sentiment of the reunion between the beloved characters that hit Good Place lovers right in the feels. But before Carden could appear on screen, there was a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo from another TGP star. When A Man on the Inside first hit Netflix in late November, some eagle-eyed fans pointed out a notable shot of a woman in Charles’ lecture wearing a familiar piece of clothing. The wide shot sees the woman — who sports medium-length blonde hair — standing up to put her rainbow sweater and jeans on display before turning to exit the auditorium. It was a clear nod to Schur’s ethical dilemma of an NBC show and the character of Eleanor Shellstrop, played by Kristen Bell. What we didn’t know at the time? That woman was actually Bell. Holy. Forking. Shirtballs. The shot is a callback to one of the final and most important moments in The Good Place , showing Eleanor facing the door to the beyond. Just like in the NBC series, the woman in the classroom pauses briefly while looking ahead, echoing Eleanor’s hesitation to leave the afterlife and dissolve into specks of energy to go back out into the universe. It was evident from the moment the show hit the streaming platform that the unnamed character bore a resemblance to the Veronica Mars actress, or at least her Good Place character. It wasn’t until Janet Carden confirmed it, however, that Bell’s cameo was revealed. In an Instagram post, Carden shared a photo with Danson, Bell, Jackson, Schur, and producer Morgan Sackett, identifying Bell — who is busy with her own Netflix show, Nobody Wants This — as the sweater-clad student in Charles’ class. “another mystery solved,” Carden captioned her social media post. “Jeremy Bearimy, baby,” replied Jackson, the actor behind the roles of Mr. Cubbler in A Man on the Inside and Shawn in The Good Place . Even better, Bell reposted the photo to her own page, adding the acronym “IYKYK” which stands for “if you know, you know” to the caption. Be still our beating hearts! This only makes us wonder, who could they bring in for A Man on the Inside Season 2 ? And even though Carden has already appeared in Nobody Wants This , does this mean Danson will cameo in the show’s recently announced second season ? Let’s hope so. Season 1 of A Man on the Inside is now streaming on Netflix. You can also watch all four seasons of The Good Place on Netflix.NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks fell broadly on Friday as Wall Street closed out a holiday-shortened week on a down note. The losses were made worse by sharp declines for the Big Tech stocks known as the “Magnificent 7”, which can heavily influence the direction of the market because of their large size. The S&P 500 fell 66.75 points, or 1.1%, to 5,970.84. Roughly 90% of stocks in the benchmark index lost ground, but it managed to hold onto a modest gain of 0.7% for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 333.59 points, or 0.8%, to 42,992.21. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite fell 298.33 points, or 1.5%, to 19,722.03. Semiconductor giant Nvidia slumped 2.1%. Microsoft declined 1.7%. Each has a market value above $3 trillion, giving the companies outsized sway on the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq. A wide range of retailers also fell. Amazon fell 1.5% and Best Buy slipped 1.5%. The sector is being closely watched for clues on how it performed during the holiday shopping season. Energy stocks held up better than the rest of the market, with a loss of less than 0.1% as crude oil prices rose. “There’s just some uncertainty over this relief rally we’ve witnessed since last week,” said Adam Turnquist, chief technical strategist for LPL Financial. The S&P 500 gained nearly 3% over a 3-day stretch before breaking for the Christmas holiday. On Thursday, the index posted a small decline. Despite Friday's drop, the market is moving closer to another standout annual finish . The S&P 500 is on track for a gain of around 25% in 2024. That would mark a second consecutive yearly gain of more than 20%, the first time that has happened since 1997-1998. The gains have been driven partly by upbeat economic data showing that consumers continued spending and the labor market remained strong. Inflation, while still high, has also been steadily easing. A report on Friday showed that sales and inventory estimates for the wholesales trade industry fell 0.2% in November, following a slight gain in October. That weaker-than-expected report follows an update on the labor market Thursday that showed unemployment benefits held steady last week. The stream of upbeat economic data and easing inflation helped prompt a reversal in the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy this year. Expectations for interest rate cuts also helped drive market gains. The central bank recently delivered its third cut to interest rates in 2024. Even though inflation has come closer to the central bank's target of 2%, it remains stubbornly above that mark and worries about it heating up again have tempered the forecast for more interest rate cuts. Inflation concerns have added to uncertainties heading into 2025, which include the labor market’s path ahead and shifting economic policies under incoming President Donald Trump. Worries have risen that Trump’s preference for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , a bigger U.S. government debt and difficulties for global trade. Amedisys rose 4.7% after the home health care and hospice services provider agreed to extend the deadline for its sale to UnitedHealth Group. The Justice Department had sued to block the $3.3 billion deal, citing concerns the combination would hinder access to home health and hospice services in the U.S. The move to extend the deadline comes ahead of an expected shift in regulatory policy under Trump. The incoming administration is expected to have a more permissive approach to dealmaking and is less likely to raise antitrust concerns. In Asia, Japan’s benchmark index surged as the yen remained weak against the dollar. Stocks in South Korea fell after the main opposition party voted to impeach the country’s acting leader. Markets in Europe gained ground. Bond yields held relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.62% from 4.59% late Thursday. The yield on the two-year Treasury remained at 4.33% from late Thursday. Wall Street will have more economic updates to look forward to next week, including reports on pending home sales and home prices. There will also be reports on U.S. construction spending and snapshots of manufacturing activity.
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