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(Bloomberg) — Germany is headed for months of political deadlock as voters return to the ballot box for another federal election in February and with coalition negotiations potentially lasting several months after that. Lawmakers in Germany’s lower house on Monday backed a confidence motion pushed by Chancellor Olaf Scholz that will trigger a new election on Feb. 23, seven months ahead of schedule. Scholz lost his majority in parliament after his ruling coalition fell apart in November amid infighting. The political uncertainty comes at a delicate time for Europe’s largest economy, which has stagnated for years. In addition to long-festering competitive issues, Donald Trump’s return to the White House threatens to intensify pressure on Germany by raising questions over US support for Ukraine and imposing new tariffs that could hit the country’s exporters. “We need more growth and that’s only possible with more investments into our infrastructure,” Scholz said in the Bundestag on Monday. “This is the task of our generation now — future generations will measure us by this challenge.” Scholz’s Social Democrats, along with his former coalition partners the liberal Free Democrats and the Greens, have suffered in the polls. The conservative CDU/CSU alliance under Friedrich Merz leads with support at around 31%, the far-right Alternative for Germany — or AfD — is second with 19.8% and the SPD third at 17%, according to the latest Bloomberg polling average. The Greens are fourth with 11.2% and the BSW — a new far-left party founded in January — fifth at 7.5%. Lindner’s FDP remains in danger of missing the 5% threshold for getting into parliament with 4.9%. After the election, it will take weeks, if not months until a new coalition government will be formed. Although the CDU/CSU is leading in the polls, it’s far from winning an absolute majority and would need at least one, and potentially more, coalition partners. And the more parties that qualify for seats in parliament the more difficult the arithmetic to build an alliance. The leading candidates have already started to position themselves as best placed to solve the many economic, social and security problems they say confront the country. Merz and the leader of the CDU’s Bavarian sister party CSU, Markus Soeder, will present their parties’ common campaign platform on Tuesday. It proposes an immediate halt on the admission of illegal migrants, income tax cuts, continued support for Ukraine, and a commitment to the constitutional debt brake. In many cases, though, the program doesn’t say how these proposals will be financed. Merz on Monday accused Scholz of “leaving the country in one of the biggest economic crises of the post-war period,” adding that “what lies ahead of us will be a tremendous effort.” The next chancellor will need to secure funds and public support for massive investments needed to upgrade crumbling infrastructure, shore up defense capabilities and shift to a more technologically advanced and climate-friendly economy. Alongside reviving growth, government borrowing as well as irregular migration will be key election topics. The German economy is set to shrink for a second straight year due to dwindling foreign demand and the jump in energy prices that followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. There are also new headwinds from possible US trade levies and political uncertainty before snap elections. “No industry sector is really optimistic about 2025 — the new federal government has a lot of work to do,” said Klaus Wohlrabe from Ifo Institut, one of Germany’s most renowned economic research institutes. About a third of companies in Germany expect their economic situation to worsen next year, according to its latest survey. Some 56% of surveyed companies anticipate their situation to remain unchanged, and just 13% expect business development to pick up next year. “Companies currently see no signs of an economic upturn. Given that the economy was already doing poorly in 2024, these figures are worrying,” Wohlrabe said. What Bloomberg Economics Says... “Germany’s problems won’t go away on their own. Retooling the economy for the future, improving productivity and tackling the causes of high energy costs urgently need the next government’s attention.” —Martin Ademmer and Jamie Rush. Click here for the full GERMANY INSIGHT In the Bundestag, a majority of 394 lawmakers backed Monday’s no-confidence measure. Scholz can now ask President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to dissolve the parliament and formally set the election date. The fellow Social Democrat has indicated that he’ll go along with Scholz’s timetable. So far there have only been two cases in which German chancellors have used this parliamentary instrument with the aim of losing a confidence vote in order to bring about new elections: Former CDU Chancellor Helmut Kohl did it in 1982 and his SPD successor Gerhard Schroeder in 2005. Kohl won, while Schroeder lost. Robert Habeck, the current economy minister and vice chancellor and the lead candidate for the Greens, warned that domestic political crises were distracting countries from seeing the bigger picture. “While we in Central Europe are largely preoccupied with ourselves, the world is not standing still,” Habeck said. “And it is not a good state of affairs.”Elon Musk broke his $340 billion wealth record as Tesla stock keeps rising

Until now, Ms Weinstein has been the US firm’s vice president and managing director in the UK and Ireland, having previously worked at Unilever. She said her focus will be on “unlocking AI-powered growth for everyone”, calling the current AI boom a “pivotal” time for the tech giant. Google has joined many of its rivals in launching a string of high-profile generative AI products in recent times, led by the firm’s generative AI-powered assistant, Gemini. “Europe, the Middle East and Africa is an amazingly diverse and varied region, but the enormous growth opportunity that AI can create is universal,” she said. “My focus will be on unlocking that AI-powered growth for everyone – users, businesses, partners and governments across every part of the region. “I’m excited to be stepping into this role at a pivotal time, in a company where I’ve spent the last ten years and leading a region where I’ve spent much of my life.” Google employs more than 29,000 people across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with 56 offices across 35 countries in those regions working on many of the firm’s largest products, including its search engine, the Android mobile operating system and its Chrome web browser. Its AI research arm, at Google DeepMind, is also led from London. Philipp Schindler, Google senior vice president and chief business officer, said: “This is the AI era and we are only just beginning to see its transformative impact on business and society. “In such a pivotal moment for technology, I’m thrilled we’ve appointed a visionary leader to be our President of Google EMEA. “Debbie brings a track record of unlocking growth that benefits everyone, alongside the passion and focus needed to help our customers succeed, as we bring the best of Google’s Gemini-era to everyone across EMEA.”

Kings fire Mike Brown: Coach out in Sacramento after 13-18 start to season, per reportLOS ANGELES, Dec. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP ("GPM") reminds investors of the upcoming February 10, 2025 deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in the class action filed on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Sun Communities, Inc. ("Sun Communities" or the "Company") SUI securities between February 28, 2019 and September 24, 2024 , inclusive (the "Class Period"). If you suffered a loss on your Sun Communities investments or would like to inquire about potentially pursuing claims to recover your loss under the federal securities laws, you can submit your contact information at www.glancylaw.com/cases/Sun-Communities-Inc/ . You can also contact Charles H. Linehan, of GPM at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, or via email at shareholders@glancylaw.com to learn more about your rights. On September 24, 2024, after market hours, Blue Orca Capital published a report alleging, among other things, that Sun Communities' CEO "received an undisclosed $4 million loan from the family of a purportedly independent Director who has sat on the Audit Committee and chaired the Compensation Committee for close to a decade." On this news, Sun Communities' stock price fell $1.62, or 1.2%, to close at $137.48 per share on September 25, 2024, thereby injuring investors. The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) Board members' insider trading, loans taken on behalf of Sun Communities by CEO Shiffman, and the mortgage signed by CEO Shiffman on behalf of an entity called DH Bingham Farms LLC; and (2) as a result, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn , Twitter , or Facebook . If you purchased or otherwise acquired Sun Communities securities during the Class Period, you may move the Court no later than February 10, 2025 to request appointment as lead plaintiff in this putative class action lawsuit. To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to the pending class action lawsuit, please contact Charles Linehan, Esquire, of GPM, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles, California 90067 at 310-201-9150, Toll-Free at 888-773-9224, by email to shareholders@glancylaw.com , or visit our website at www.glancylaw.com . If you inquire by email please include your mailing address, telephone number and number of shares purchased. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Contacts Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, Los Angeles Charles Linehan, 310-201-9150 or 888-773-9224 shareholders@glancylaw.com www.glancylaw.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Population in 2024 Although Pakistan made significant strides in 2024 across various fronts, many challenges remain unaddressed A crowd of people along a makeshift market in Karachi. — Reuters/File Pakistan, the fifth most populous country in the world, bids farewell to 2024 – and yet the unfinished population growth business concerns politicians, leaders, academics, and development practitioners. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); As the country leaves 2024 behind, it does so with a better understanding of population dynamics and the impact of population growth and human capital on prosperity, welfare, and livelihoods. Although Pakistan has made significant strides in 2024 across various fronts, many challenges remain unaddressed. Reflecting on the year, I am encouraged to see Pakistan taking steps to calibrate economic growth with population growth. Demographic and economic cycles are interconnected, with higher fertility rates among poorer families perpetuating cycles of poverty. This produces vulnerable individuals who suffer from poor health, lower education levels, limited income opportunities, higher economic dependency ratios, and increased unemployment rates. These dynamics exacerbate social and economic inequalities, erode the middle class, and threaten stability, social cohesion, and even human security. The widespread, cross-cutting challenges to survival, livelihood, and dignity, ultimately limit individuals’ agency to shape and influence the country’s future. In 2024, both the federal and provincial governments took significant steps to pave the way for an evidence-based population and development agenda. These steps included implementing the population census, organising the first-ever data festival, the launch of the Data for Development (D4D) initiative, and the establishment of Pakistan data portal as a centralised hub for data users including policymakers, researchers, and development practitioners to enhance the visualisation and analysis of data. This year, marked by major milestones, also saw the release of the landmark report on Pakistan 50+ which explores future demographic trends and scenarios to align population growth with economic development. Population policies were drafted in Punjab and AJK, and youth policies were launched in GB and Balochistan. Positive progress is being made towards integrating population and health departments, and there was a slight opening to critical upstream issues in the public domain such as discussions on the delink of the population growth from the NFC formula and the allocation of seats in the assemblies. The country also demonstrated its commitment by increasing financial allocations for family planning commodities and supply chain management. In addition, several pieces of legislation were passed to support to end gender-based violence including child marriage, and the establishment of anti-rape crisis cells in multiple provinces and Islamabad. To bridge the gap in the health workforce, Pakistan launched a four-year undergraduate BSc programme in midwifery. Some provinces also took significant steps to implement the Violence Against Women and Gender Safety Acts, establishing virtual women’s police stations, women safety apps, and functional GBV helplines. All aforementioned steps are important moves in the right direction. Yet, many key recommendations to prioritise the population agenda across various levels of executive and legislative authorities remain either in the pipeline or are yet to be initiated. The population conference organised by the chief justice in 2023 called for the implementation of the CCI recommendations and the National Action Plan (NAP) in the most cost-effective development manner. It also emphasised the need to regulate coordination mechanisms including the federal and provincial task forces and accountability forums such as Country Engagement Working Group (CEWG) and FP2030. The conference further called for the allocation of Rs10 billion per year (non-lapsable) to the Pakistan Population Fund, outside the NFC framework, and incentivising local production of contraceptives. The most strategic recommendation is to reform the NFC formula by delinking it from population size, reducing the weight of the population factor, and incorporating indices related to women's empowerment and human capital. One viable option could involve freezing the population factor at the levels of the previous population census (1998, 2017, or 2023) for a certain period, following the successful experiences initiated by India and Bangladesh in 2000. Delinking of the NFC from population growth will encourage provinces to adopt progressive population programmes, improve both the federal and provincial statistical system, and enhance data quality and accessibility – prerequisites for sound, evidence-based planning and monitoring. A human capital-centred NFC formula rather than one focused on population size will improve Pakistan's performance in the international economic and social development indicators. Another unfinished business is addressing population issues from a multi-sectoral perspective by mainstreaming population factors in all development policies and prioritising the population agenda into concrete action. This includes increasing domestic financing and mobilising external financial resources. It is advisable to revisit the high turnover of senior bureaucrats to preserve the institutional memory and ensure the continuity of long-term programming. Social protection programmes led by the government, such as the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), should also incorporate demand-side financing mechanisms to improve women’s access to quality reproductive health services, including family planning, particularly for marginalised women. The country requires bold legislation and measurable enforcement measures to achieve a genuine transformation in the social and gender norms, aiming to remove discriminatory barriers women face. Despite having affirmative legislation for women, the country struggles with enforcement and significant discrepancies between laws and practice such as in the case of the legal age of child marriage. There is also a need to expand counselling services for voluntary birth spacing, improve access to sexual and reproductive health care, and ensure a violence-free environment that enables women’s full participation in public life. Pakistan is moving in the right direction, yet the pace is slower and softer than necessary, especially in a global landscape where priorities are shifting due to demographic transitions in many countries. To sustain the national development progress, Pakistan must move faster and stronger to avoid missing global partnerships. The writer is the UNFPA representative in Pakistan.FRISCO, Texas -- Speaking to the local media for the first time since his postgame comments against the Philadelphia Eagles on Nov. 10 that seemed to question the work ethic of Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, pass rusher Micah Parsons apologized. On Thursday, Parsons said he wished he was clearer with his statement. "When I'm talking about 'here,' I'm thinking the Dallas Cowboys," Parsons said. "I was in middle school, elementary school when Mike McCarthy was with the Packers, and I have no reference to that. So, when I'm talking about here Dallas Cowboys and what was accomplished the most, I'm thinking about the guys, and I've only ever been here. So obviously no disrespect to [McCarthy's] career and what he's made for himself as one of the most winningest coaches. I could have done better. I was angry and I just didn't finish, and I wasn't as thoughtful as I usually am. I didn't think people would take that context the way it was. That's on me. I lost [the game], I didn't want to finish, and I wanted to hurry up out of the locker room. Next time I will be very careful about what I say. So that's my apologies." Editor's Picks Cowboys' D struggling under Mike Zimmer as they face former DC Dan Quinn, Commanders 8h Todd Archer Shoulder surgery to end Cowboys S Bell's season 12h Todd Archer No structural issues found with Cowboys' stadium 2d Michael Rothstein In an attempt to back veterans, like Pro Bowl guard Zack Martin , Parsons had said , "You want to win games and do great things with those type of legends who put in more time and work than Mike McCarthy ever did. So, those are the kind of guys that I have so much sympathy and hurt for." Parsons and McCarthy had a discussion the next day. "The most important thing is obviously how much love I have for Coach McCarthy," Parsons said Thursday. "You never want to throw shade or anything on your coach. But I think like anything, him understanding I'm always going to be a players' guy first, right. I'm always going to think about the guys around me before anyone. That's who I go to war with. Those are the guys that are leaning on me and I'm leaning on them. That's how we feed our families. That's kind of what I wanted to get across. We hashed it out, it was all good and gravy." On Sunday, Parsons will go against former Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn when Dallas takes on the Washington Commanders . Parsons thrived in Quinn's defense for three seasons, finishing in the top three in Defensive Player of the Year voting all three years. Parsons said Quinn texts him every few weeks. "More frequently recently. Maybe he's trying to get in my head a little bit," Parsons said. "But, nah, he actually helped me get tickets to the game too for my family. That goes to show you what type of coach DQ is and type of players' coach he is regardless of where you're at, whether you're playing for him and things like that. He's always about his guys. And that's my guy. So, it's going to be fun playing against him. I know he's going to have them rallied up. He's probably going to say, 'It's Shark Week. It's fight night. We got to go to Round 12. We got to knock them out. Rivalry game.' I know his whole spiel." On his podcast "The Edge" this week, Parsons said the Cowboys are a "damn good team," despite the 3-7 record and a five-game losing streak after Monday's 34-10 loss to the Houston Texans . "I never said we deserve to win. I said we can win. Now it comes down to I blame myself. I jumped offside and [Houston] scored on that drive. We probably get a stop right there and they might not even get that first [touchdown]," Parsons said Thursday. "They key is we've got to make these guys earn to beat us. "Overall, we're playing better. We're not playing great yet. But we're playing better. It's night and day the difference on how that defensive line is playing, how the linebackers are playing. People are getting experience. So, when I say we're a good team it's like, people don't always look at the growth part. I know we're growing. I know with some of these young guys getting the opportunity, they're getting better. Let's look at the film. Let's break it down. Yeah of course, young guys is still going to make mistakes. That's what learning is, but in terms of how I believe we are and where we're going, by the end of this year y'all going to say, 'Mike Zimmer didn't have all his pieces, but we sure did put a damn good defense together,' and I can take that because I know we can grow from that."

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New head coach Ruben Amorim says Manchester United are "a massive club but not a massive team" as he tries to steer them back towards the top of the English game. United have improved since Erik ten Hag was sacked on 28 October. But Wednesday's 2-0 defeat at Arsenal, combined with results elsewhere, means they have climbed just one place in the Premier League table to 13th since Ten Hag's exit. Amorim, whose team host Nottingham Forest on Saturday (17:30 GMT) admits his side were second best at Arsenal - and that the game provided a reality check. "That is very clear," he said. "We are a massive club but we are not a massive team. We know it, so there is no problem to say it." That, however, does not mean the club should reset their targets, according to Amorim, who began work as United boss on 11 November. He said he accepts the storied history of the club means the demands will always be sky high. "We're not one of the best teams in the league," he said. "We have to say and think that clearly. "But [in] our past, our club is maybe the best one in the league. So here we have a problem. We have to focus on the little details, then we will improve as a team." At the start of his reign, Amorim said he wanted his players to work hard. United's players have, over the past few years, faced accusations of lacking effort, during a turbulent period which has brought the arrival and departure of a series of managers. The issue presently is the number of games they are playing. Amorim has started his time at United with 11 games in 37 days – his old club Sporting have seven in the same period - which makes it impossible to develop fitness. And not until that happens can supporters expect their team to be challenging again. "If we want to win the Premier League, we have to run like mad dogs," said Amorim. "Even with the best starting XI on the planet, without running they will win nothing." Amorim has told his players it is more important to applaud United fans after defeats than victories. Striker Marcus Rashford left the field before the rest of his team-mates after the defeat at Emirates Stadium, sparking criticism. Asked about the incident, without naming Rashford directly, Amorim said it was important to acknowledge supporters who had backed their team. "We have to do it," he said. "Especially when we lose. Everyone has to do it. It has to be like that." Amorim also discussed the last-minute decision before last weekend's victory over Everton not to wear rainbow tracksuits to walk out on to the pitch. The move was set to be part of United's contribution to the Premier League's Rainbow Laces campaign, to show support for the LGBTQ+ community. However, Morocco defender Noussair Mazraoui refused to wear the top on religious grounds. In the past, United have worn shirts with poppies over the Remembrance period when midfielder Nemanja Matic said he would not because of an attack on his home village in Serbia by Nato forces during the Balkan conflict. On this occasion, United's players opted against letting Mazraoui stand out. "There's three difficult things to manage," said Amorim, who revealed he had no part in the decision. "On one side, it's club values. But then you have religion and it's our values to respect other opinions. And the third thing is the group. I won't leave Nous alone, we're a team. "The majority of the players believe in one thing but they saw one guy alone and said: Let's be together. "It's a hard issue to address. There's no doubt what this club believes and fights for. We need to respect everything - but we also need to respect the religion of Nous and his culture."

Six IAS Officers Shifted