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CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes continues to build great chemistry with his tight end — just not the one you might think. Mahomes threw two touchdown passes to Noah Gray for the second straight week as the on Sunday. A week after losing at Buffalo, the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs (10-1) maintained their position atop the AFC. Mahomes completed a 35-yard touchdown strike to Gray on the game’s opening possession and found him again for an 11-yard TD in the second quarter. Gray has four touchdown catches in the last two weeks — twice as many as nine-time Pro Bowler Travis Kelce has all season — and has become a weapon in the passing game for the Chiefs, who lost top wide receiver Rashee Rice to a season-ending knee injury in Week 4. Kelce was still a factor Sunday with a team-high six catches for 62 yards, although the four-time All-Pro looked dejected after dropping one easy pass. Kelce has 62 receptions for 507 yards this season, while Gray has 26 catches for 249 yards. But Gray's development is a good sign for the Chiefs — and he's on the same page with Mahomes. On his second TD, Gray said Mahomes “gave me the answer to the test there” before the play. “He told me what coverage it was pre-snap," said Gray, who had four receptions for 66 yards. “That’s just the blessing you have of playing with a quarterback like that. Offensive line did a great job blocking that up and the receivers did a great job running their routes to pop me open. Really just a group effort right there on that touchdown.” Gray said that's nothing new. “Pat’s preparation, his leadership is just something that I’m fortunate enough to play alongside,” Gray said. "I love it. It gets me motivated every time we go out there for a long drive. Having a leader like that, that prepares every single week in-and out, knows defenses, knows the game plans. “I’m just fortunate enough to play alongside a guy like that.” Mahomes completed 27 of 37 passes for 269 yards and three TDs, and he knew what to do on the second TD to Gray. “It's not just me, it's the quarterback coaches and the players, we go through certain checks you get to versus certain coverages,” Mahomes said. “I was able to see by the way they lined up they were getting into their cover-zero look. I alerted the guys to make sure they saw what I saw and I gave the check at the line of scrimmage.” AP NFL:KARACHI: Federal Minister for Petroleum Dr. Musadik Malik criticized Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) leaders, claiming they do not want the release of their founder, Imran Khan, ARY News reported. Speaking at a news conference here on Sunday, Musadik Malik emphasised that solving public issues is the government’s priority, highlighting that government measures have led to a reduction in inflation, and the stock market is at its highest level in history. He added that the nation must unite against extremism, mentioning that people from Parachinar are sitting on the roads with the bodies of their loved ones, yet there has been no sign of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur going to help them. Musadik Malik also criticised Ali Amin Gandapur for trying to attack Punjab and Islamabad, adding, “What happened to his Do or Die rally today? There are voices everywhere saying ‘Arrest me, take me in.’ Where are all the senior PTI leaders? No rallies are visible in Punjab, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Gujranwala.” Musadik Malik stated that elements opposed to the country’s progress could not digest Pakistan’s growth, questioning the whereabouts of the millions of people PTI claimed would attend its call. “I am in Karachi today, why didn’t people from Sindh show up? Where are the people from Larkana, Karachi, and Hyderabad, who were called upon? A wave is coming from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa; let’s see where it goes,” said Musadik Malik The Petroleum Minister further remarked, “PTI’s voters usually show up, but are the leaders hiding somewhere to rest at the KP House? They talk of bloodshed and fire, yet sleep in hotels at night.” Further adding, “They need to explain: what’s coming out of their speeches? Where are the PTI members who haven’t been arrested? They don’t want any discussion on the release of PTI’s founder.” Musadik Malik also questioned the political role of Bushra Bibi, stating, “If she was supposed to be apolitical, then how is she leading rallies? Now it’s clear that she’s no longer apolitical. What happened to your narrative of hereditary politics?” PML-N’s stalwart stated that there were always doubts about whether Bushra Bibi was behind the decisions made by PTI’s founder. “Now it makes sense where the cipher issue came from after waking up at night.” Lastly, he referred to a recent statement made by Bushra Bibi regarding a foreign country, which has led to embarrassment in the global community, particularly impacting Pakistan’s foreign policy. He remarked that many people now believe Bushra Bibi isn’t just entering politics—she’s the one controlling it. Read More: Bushra Bibi, CM Gandapur ‘lead’ PTI convoy to Islamabad It is pertinent to note that, Former first lady, Bushra Bibi and Khyber Pakhtunkhuwa CM Ali Amin Gandapur on Sunday 24 Nov departed for Islamabad with PTI convoy for their planned protest. Earlier it emerged that PTI convoy from Peshawar was delayed amid leadership dispute between Bushra Bibi and Gandapur. According to the schedule, Ali Amin Gandapur was designated to lead the convoy. However, sources report that Bushra Bibi is insisting on taking charge, creating tension within the party ranks. Reportedly, Gandapur argued, “The party founder has stated that you are not involved in politics,” urging Bushra Bibi to remain at home while he leads the convoy. This internal power struggle had stalled the convoy’s departure from Peshawar, further complicating PTI’s plans amid nationwide protests. In response to the PTI protest in Islamabad, authorities have completely sealed the entry and exit points of the twin cities, Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Sampath Bank has been honoured as the Second Runner-Up in the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Award 2024, hosted by the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce. Widely regarded as Sri Lanka’s pinnacle of recognition for corporate sustainability, the awards ceremony took place recently at Cinnamon Grand, Colombo. This accolade emphasises Sampath Bank’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, a philosophy deeply rooted in its purpose to “Empower Dreams and Enrich Life.” Over the years, the Bank has championed impactful initiatives that safeguard the environment, strengthen employee and customer relations, uplift communities, and uphold robust governance practices. The Bank also received several key accolades during the ceremony, including the Category Award Winner for Environment Beyond the Business, the Sector Award Winner – Finance Sector, and recognition as one of the Top Ten Corporate Citizens. ESG Chairman, Ajantha De Vas Gunasekara of Sampath Bank, remarked, “This recognition stands as a testament to our unwavering commitment to driving positive change across all facets of our operations. Sustainability is not merely a part of what we do; it is the essence of who we are as an organisation.” “At the heart of our journey lies a steadfast dedication to the pillars of ESG – Economic, Environmental, Social, and Governance ensuring that every initiative we undertake creates enduring value for our stakeholders.” Sampath Bank’s award-winning efforts stem from a series of impactful sustainability initiatives. The flagship ‘Wewata Jeewayak’ programme, launched over two decades ago, focuses on restoring Sri Lanka’s traditional irrigation network, enabling dry zone farmers to cultivate paddy across the Yala and Maha seasons. By 2023-24, 21 tanks have been restored under this initiative, with investments increasing to strengthen agricultural resilience amid economic challenges. Complementing this, the ‘Gasai Mamai Pubudu Pothai’ tree-planting and vegetable gardening programmes were launched to foster environmental awareness and sustainability among students in these regions. In addition, the ‘A Breath to the Ocean’ marine protection programme addresses coral replanting and mangrove restoration, including a long-term project at the Anavilundawa Wetland Sanctuary in collaboration with Biodiversity Sri Lanka and the Department of Wildlife. Furthering its commitment to conservation, the Bank is also working to protect endangered turtles by establishing hatcheries in Rakawa village, a critical breeding zone for five globally endangered turtle species.Let us look beyond temples, mosquesRockefeller Capital Management L.P. purchased a new stake in Abercrombie & Fitch Co. ( NYSE:ANF – Free Report ) in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 12,469 shares of the apparel retailer’s stock, valued at approximately $1,744,000. A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in ANF. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP purchased a new stake in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch in the third quarter valued at approximately $73,048,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC grew its position in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 146.3% in the second quarter. Renaissance Technologies LLC now owns 863,100 shares of the apparel retailer’s stock valued at $153,494,000 after purchasing an additional 512,700 shares in the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. grew its position in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 2,036.5% in the second quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 419,560 shares of the apparel retailer’s stock valued at $74,615,000 after purchasing an additional 399,922 shares in the last quarter. Driehaus Capital Management LLC grew its position in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 283.0% in the second quarter. Driehaus Capital Management LLC now owns 303,896 shares of the apparel retailer’s stock valued at $54,045,000 after purchasing an additional 224,555 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can grew its position in shares of Abercrombie & Fitch by 293.7% in the second quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 286,434 shares of the apparel retailer’s stock valued at $51,043,000 after purchasing an additional 213,684 shares in the last quarter. Insider Activity In other news, EVP Samir Desai sold 5,926 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $148.51, for a total value of $880,070.26. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 22,059 shares in the company, valued at approximately $3,275,982.09. This trade represents a 21.18 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . Also, Director Suzanne M. Coulter sold 2,870 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $160.00, for a total value of $459,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 6,405 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,024,800. This represents a 30.94 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last three months, insiders have sold 17,401 shares of company stock worth $2,631,741. Corporate insiders own 2.58% of the company’s stock. Abercrombie & Fitch Stock Up 0.9 % Abercrombie & Fitch ( NYSE:ANF – Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, November 26th. The apparel retailer reported $2.50 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.32 by $0.18. The business had revenue of $1.21 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.19 billion. Abercrombie & Fitch had a return on equity of 46.50% and a net margin of 11.16%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 14.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.83 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts expect that Abercrombie & Fitch Co. will post 10.52 earnings per share for the current year. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades ANF has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. UBS Group upped their price target on Abercrombie & Fitch from $170.00 to $173.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 27th. Raymond James started coverage on Abercrombie & Fitch in a research report on Friday. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $180.00 price objective for the company. Citigroup upgraded Abercrombie & Fitch from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $190.00 price objective for the company in a research report on Friday, August 30th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on Abercrombie & Fitch from $147.00 to $149.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, November 27th. Finally, Telsey Advisory Group reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $190.00 price objective on shares of Abercrombie & Fitch in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and six have issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $178.38. Get Our Latest Research Report on ANF Abercrombie & Fitch Profile ( Free Report ) Abercrombie & Fitch Co, through its subsidiaries, operates as an omnichannel retailer in the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, the Asia-Pacific, Canada, and internationally. The company offers an assortment of apparel, personal care products, and accessories for men, women, and kids under the Abercrombie & Fitch, abercrombie kids, Hollister, and Gilly Hicks brands. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Abercrombie & Fitch Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abercrombie & Fitch and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Best Buy Co. Inc. stock underperforms Thursday when compared to competitors

SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Seahawks were struggling a week ago, coming off their bye having lost five of their last six games. That included a gut-punch overtime defeat at home against the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 3. The outlook for the last-place Seahawks (5-5) was beginning to look grim. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Chinese TV Makers Surpass Samsung in Premium Market, Challenging Korean Dominance

Queen Mary of Denmark is joining a medium popular with royals including the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle by launching a podcast spotlighting young people and loneliness. On Sunday, the 52-year-old Australian-born Queen took to Instagram to announce Lonely Youth will be available through her award-winning social organisation, the Mary Foundation. Mary established the foundation in 2007 at Amalienborg Palace, the Danish royal family's official residence, to improve lives compromised by the environment, heredity, illness, isolation, or social exclusion. In her announcement, the Queen was dressed in black pants and a matching knitted turtleneck as she smiled down at her phone. She said she was "extremely excited" to be listening to a podcast and often gravitates to one for entertainment or to gain knowledge when travelling. "That is why I am also proud that we have now thrown ourselves into making a podcast in the Mary Foundation," she said. "Our first podcast is called 'Lonely youth', and through three short episodes it gives a thorough insight into the nuances of loneliness by mixing professionalism and personal stories from young people. "We know from the study "Loneliness in Denmark" that 73 per cent of 16-19-year-olds experience loneliness, regardless of whether they are alone or with others. "At the same time, 17 per cent of 16-24-year-olds feel very lonely. These are heavy numbers that we must do something about. She said "podcasting is not something we have much experience with yet at the Mary Foundation" but that she hopes her followers will listen to it and "feel welcome". With loneliness rising in Denmark, Mary hopes to help overcome the "overlooked problem" through several campaigns, according to her foundation's website. The launch of her podcast comes months after she introduced a campaign to help tackle the issue, featuring the Crown Princess with Mayday Film. It includes various social media content aimed at young people, including a movie and several tips on seeking help if they feel lonely. Mary has entered the world of podcasting alongside the Duchess of Sussex and Queen Camilla, with the former officially redistributing her cancelled Archetypes podcast through a new deal with Lemonada Media in February. Meghan reclaimed the series with the platform about one year after Spotify canned the project following a dozen episodes. Archetypes features the California-based Duchess talking to celebrity guests such as Paris Hilton and Mariah Carey about the different labels placed on women, but has received a mixed response from critics. Writing for Salon, Melanie McFarland said Prince Harry's wife was a "friendly and down to Earth" host. At the same time, Miranda Sawyer from The Guardian said the Duchess "has a lovely voice, is intelligent, and is clear and light when reading a script" but "needs more" to produce engaging work. Meanwhile, The Queen's Reading Room is the podcast spinoff of Camilla's book club charity, which sees Her Majesty recommend reads and introduce fans to the authors who created them.

Posts area Latest 1 of 1 Latest posts Latest posts 7.30am Woman charged with manslaughter over roadside death of partner Police have charged a Perth woman with manslaughter after a man, believed to be her partner, was found unresponsive on the side of a road and later died. The 32-year-old woman will front Joondalup Magistrate’s Court this morning. It’s alleged police were called to an incident on Marmion Avenue in Jindalee around 5.40pm on Saturday, where a man in his 30s was found dying on the side of the road near a silver Mitsubishi Outlander. Homicide detectives are investigating whether the man was struck by the car, with witnesses telling 9 News Perth they heard a couple arguing and swearing loudly shortly before the incident. Anyone who was in the vicinity of Marmion Ave in Jindalee between 5.15pm and 6.16pm, who saw the incident, or who has any dash-cam, or mobile phone vision, or who has any information relating to this incident, is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. 7.30am Across the nation and around the world Here’s what’s making headlines across Australia and around the world this morning. Pressure is on the Albanese government to make headway on its long list of stalled legislation during the final sitting week of 2024. Peter Dutton will use a private Coalition meeting to calm MPs who are fearful that Labor’s teen social media ban is a Trojan horse for government control of the internet. A media storm threatens to thwart plans to transfer five of the Bali Nine drug traffickers to Australia by the end of the year after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese asked Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to approve the transfer during a meeting in Peru last week. Shapelle Corby cries during the the trial today. Overseas, countries at the COP29 summit in Baku adopted a $460 billion a year global finance target on Sunday to help poorer nations cope with the impacts of climate change. 7.30am Today’s weather Mostly sunny with a max of 25 degrees. Advertisement 7.30am This morning in Perth Good morning, and welcome to our live news blog for your Monday. Making headlines this morning, mining magnate Andrew Forrest has implored those negotiating an ambitious treaty to end plastic production to include a tax on manufacturers, amid mounting research into the human health impacts. He’s also penned an opinion piece where he has called on delegates finalising a global treaty to end plastic pollution in South Korea this week to impose a “polymer premium”, arguing the world needed more than downstream measures to avoid a plastic health and environmental crisis. Andrew Forrest. Credit: Bloomberg And in an event-studded Perth weekend that has included the rescheduled WA Day Festival, Pride Parade and first Test against India , the state government has announced a repeat of last year’s free public transport over summer . Premier Roger Cook also floated the idea of changing the WA Day public holiday from the first Monday in June to later in the year. Stay with us as we bring you the news as it happens, throughout the day. Latest 1 of 1 Latest Most Viewed in National LoadingOn a lazy Saturday afternoon, Abhishek and his friends decided to make tea and were dismayed to discover they had run out of tea leaves. No sweat. One of them tapped open a quick-commerce app — a platform promising grocery delivery within five to nine minutes. “What started as an emergency use has almost turned into an instinctive behaviour. Quick commerce has reduced my grocery runs to almost zero; I don’t even feel the need to stock up for a month,” says Abhishek. He is not alone, many are now turning to these platforms for a range of daily needs beyond just grocery. According to a report by Deloitte, the quick commerce market is expected to reach $5 billion by 2025; market intelligence platform Redseer notes that the segment’s expected growth rate is 75-85 per cent. The leading quick commerce players include Blinkit, Zepto, Swiggy Instamart, and BigBasket, even as newer entrants such as Flipkart Minutes, Amazon and Tata throw their hats in the ring. With biggies entering the market, the question is, how will the sector evolve, and what will it take for players to stay competitive? Increasing use of smartphones and affordable internet access have significantly expanded the digital ecosystem in India, making it easier for consumers to access quick commerce platforms. The growing number of urban households and rising disposable incomes have driven the demand for convenience such as quick commerce. “India is one of the few markets growing rapidly, thanks to low levels of penetration in many categories and the increasing digital adoption by a younger, tech-savvy population. The big opportunity today is in the top metros. These cities represent about 65 per cent of demand for most FMCG categories, making them the backbone of quick commerce growth,” says Anand Ramanathan, partner (consumer products and retail sector leader), Deloitte India. How Mithun Sacheti is parlaying his fortune into new businesses Zomato’s audacious ask The man behind millennial city Gurgaon Why fast-moving goods are slowing At the heart of quick commerce are the dark stores, which facilitate faster delivery and inventory management. A typical dark store serves customers in a 1-3 km radius. Blinkit, which commands 40 per cent of India’s quick-commerce market, added 152 dark stores and seven warehouses in the September quarter, and now has 791 dark stores. Zepto, with 30 per cent market share, has 400 stores. Swiggy is looking to increase its Instamart dark store count from 609 in the September quarter to nearly 1,046 by March 2025, as well as increase their average size by 30-35 per cent. Together, the three companies account for 90 per cent of India’s quick commerce segment. All three are raising funds to launch more dark stores in more cities. They are also expanding their stock-keeping units (SKUs). “We’ve identified over 6,500 customer use-cases for grocery alone. To fulfil them, we need at least 13,000 SKUs. A growing assortment is essential to improve average order value and customer retention,” says Seshu Kumar Tirumala, National Head (buying and merchandising), BigBasket. He notes that newer dark stores are being scaled up for larger assortments, with some reaching up to 25,000 SKUs. “Our larger dark stores now allow us to stock more products, leading to a 25 per cent higher average order value of ₹800-850 compared to the market average,” he adds. Vinay Dhanani, President, Zepto, points out that data-driven SKU optimisation has enabled the company to stock high-demand products — from daily essentials to premium categories — tailored to regional and seasonal needs. “Zepto has achieved a leading position by leveraging over 600 strategically located dark stores to process nearly nine lakh daily orders, ensuring delivery within 10-15 minutes,” says Dhanani. Newly added dark stores and higher average order value are attracting funding interest. Zepto, the only pure-play quick-commerce company, raised $1 billion between June and August and is looking to raise more. Swiggy raised ₹11,300 crore through an IPO, including around ₹4,500 crore in primary capital. Zomato’s board has cleared a plan to raise ₹8,500 crore through qualified institutional placement (QIP). There are essentially three ways in which quick-commerce companies make money — discounts and commissions from suppliers; brand advertising revenue; and delivery, handling, and platform charges levied on customers. “Discounting in quick commerce will remain tactical,” notes Ramanathan. He adds that private labels fill gaps in quality, assortment, and affordability, and improve profit margins. Quick commerce players are also looking to add more categories and penetrate into tier 2 cities and beyond. “Zepto has entered tier-2 markets like Vadodara, Kanpur, and Nashik — where we reached 1,000 daily orders per store in just six weeks. We are also diversifying into high-growth segments like consumer electronics, beauty products, and fresh meals, emphasising small, frequently purchased items. This operational density and targeted product mix are essential to sustaining growth and meeting evolving customer preferences,” says Zepto’s Dhanani. As competition intensifies, there will be consolidation. And those who can adapt to the needs of customers will seize the opportunity. “Like in retail, where you now have just a few giants, quick commerce will also consolidate over time. By the end of the decade, we will see only a handful of major players,” Ramanathan says. Another analyst notes that though some of the big players are entering the market late, they are leveraging their scale, logistics expertise, and existing customer base to catch up. “Amazon and Flipkart have scale and resources, but their late entry means they need to move quickly to establish a strong position,” he says. India’s quick commerce sector is entering its next phase of evolution, shifting from proving its viability to building sustainable, competitive, and innovative business models. CommentsAP News Summary at 5:19 p.m. EST

Finding the perfect gift can be daunting. The only way to truly ensure you get it right would be to ask the recipient what they want, but that wouldn’t be much fun for either of you. Luckily, there’s another tactic to help you earn a “gift whisperer” reputation: seeking out unique, practical, game-changing gifts that will truly surprise and delight. But that’s about as easy as it sounds, which is to say it’s not easy at all. So, we’ve done the legwork for you. Start making your list with this compilation of some of the most innovative, functional and fun gifts of 2024. There’s something for every budget. This image provided by FinaMill shows the FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder Set. The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Bear with me: The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Available in three colors (Sangria Red, Midnight Black and Soft Cream), the rechargeable-battery unit grinds with a light touch rather than hand-tiring twists. That’s easier for everyone and especially helpful for those experiencing hand or wrist issues such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. And it’s fun to use. The set includes a stackable storage tray and four pods that can be easily swapped as needed: The GT microplane grater for hard spices, nuts and chocolate; the MAX for large spices and dried herbs; the ProPlus for smaller and oily spices; and the Pepper Pod for, well, pepper. $110. People are also reading... Sheriff: 1 arrested, 1 wanted after Statesville man strangled, robbed Basketball transfer Patterson back home at West Iredell to 'bring in some wins' Baseball league cries foul as Iredell plans to charge to use Jennings Park fields Silverado stolen in Iredell County linked to federal charges against multi-state car theft ring Iredell deputies charge Catawba County men with stealing Duke Energy wire Lake Norman residents voice concerns with Marshall Steam Station changes Alexander County man charged with murder in death of grandmother Cabinet manufacturer closing Statesville facility, laying off all 74 employees Statesville falls to Hickory, Mooresville tops NW Guilford in football playoffs Mooresville's Farmer, Graham picked to play in Shrine Bowl Historian, writer Bill Moose subject of Iredell County Historical Society event Monday Statesville Police Department welcomes first police attorney, Stephanie Adkins Statesville man hands out free meals at Thanksgiving to keep promise to God The Tulsa World and Lee Enterprises deadly police chase investigation 16 siblings were to be separated until Cornerstone Christian Academy staff stepped up in Statesville This image provided by Pull Start Fire shows the matchless fire igniter in use. Made of 89% recycled materials, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Campers and backyard firepit lovers who have experienced the heartbreak of wet wood will appreciate having a three-pack of Pull Start Fire on hand. Made of 89% recycled materials, including sanding dust, wax and flint, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Just loop the attached green string around a log, incorporate it into a wood stack, and pull the attached red string to ignite. Each windproof, rainproof block burns for 30 minutes. $29.99. This image provided by Souper Cubes shows No Mess Utensils held upright on pot edges. The No Mess Utensil lives up to its name. The utensils, a serving spoon and a ladle, have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot. The No Mess Utensil Set from Souper Cubes , a company known for its portioned, silicone freezer trays, lives up to its name. The utensils — a serving spoon and a ladle — have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot, keeping them upright so they won’t slip in. The design also eliminates the need for a spoon rest or, worse, placing dirty utensils on the kitchen counter or stovetop between stirs. A silicone coating in a choice of Aqua, Charcoal, Cranberry or Blueberry keeps handles cool to the touch. $24.99. This image provided by FeatherSnap shows a female cardinal bird perched on a FeatherSnap Wi-Fi Solar Powered Camera Smart Bird Feeder. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. The FeatherSnap Wi-Fi smart bird feeder could turn anyone into an avid birdwatcher. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. An optional premium subscription ($59.99 annually or $6.99 monthly) includes unlimited photo and video storage, AI identification with species-specific details, and the opportunity to earn badges for logging new visitors. Turn on notifications to get alerts sent to your phone whenever there’s activity at the feeder. $179.99. This image provided by FUJIFILM North America Corporation and FUJIFILM Corporation Tokyo shows a smartphone printer. Fujifilm Instax's Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the printer with film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. Fujifilm's Instax Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the 4.9-by-3.5-by-1.3-inch printer with Instax Mini instant film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. If you want to get fancy, you can adjust brightness, contrast and saturation, or apply filters, including 3D augmented-reality effects, via the free Instax Mini Link app. It can also make collages of up to six images, or animate photos to share on social media. Available in Rose Pink, Clay White and Sage Green. $99.95. This image provided by easyplant shows a Marxii Calathea plant in a small, beige, self-watering pot. The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. Select a pot color, size and plant (or get recommendations based on sunlight requirements, pet friendliness and other attributes) and fill the self-watering container’s built-in reservoir roughly once a month. Moisture will permeate the soil from the bottom as needed, eliminating the often-fatal consequences of over- or under-watering. It’s also a literal lifesaver come vacation time. $49-$259. This image provided by Nama shows the M1 plant-based milk maker. If you've got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid unnecessary ingredients like sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. If you’ve got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. The Nama M1 appliance both blends and strains ingredients, converting nuts, seeds, grains or oats into velvety-smooth milk in just one minute, with zero grit. And for zero waste, the pasty leftover pulp can be used in other recipes for added nutrients. The device also makes infused oils, flavored waters and soups. And, importantly, cleanup is easy. Available in white and black. $400. This image provided by QelviQ shows a wine bottle chiller. For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses "smart" technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses “smart” technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. Unlike traditional wine refrigerators, this device doesn’t take up any floor space. It also doesn’t chill wine to just one or two temperatures based on its color. Instead — paired with the free QelviQ app — the tabletop chiller relies on a database of more than 350,000 wines to bring a bottle to its specific recommended serving temperature in as little as 20 minutes. It also suggests food-wine and wine-food pairings. Plus, the appliance serves as a great icebreaker to inspire dinnertime conversation. Available in Exciting Red, Dashing Black and Dreamy White. $495. This image provided by Uncommon Goods shows a 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set. Uncommon Good's 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. Grilling food after dark — and ascertaining its doneness — can prove challenging without outdoor lighting, and it’s nearly impossible to cook while holding a flashlight. But as is often the case, the simplest of solutions can make the biggest of impacts: Uncommon Good’s 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. After use, the lights can be removed and the utensils run through the dishwasher. $40. 10 hot-ticket gifts we predict will sell out on Black Friday 2024 Dawn MagyarTribune News Service Best Black Friday deals: When to shop, what to buy and what to skip Tommy Tindall, NerdWallet Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. With our weekly newsletter packed with the latest in everything food.Emerging tight end Noah Gray gives Mahomes and the Chiefs another option in passing game

NoneA year ago, Railport and Port of Antwerp-Bruges announced the launch of a more sustainable and efficient operational model for Single Wagon Load in the Antwerp port area. Since 1 January of this year, all freight payers have been able to use it, so the time has now come to take stock of the situation. For Railport and Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the aim is to improve the quality of rail transport. The rail vision drawn up in collaboration with Infrabel contains a number of measures that will help to achieve that. Bundling the traffic of single railcars (Single Wagon Load) in the port area is one of them. Bundling means that Railport organises a “group purchase” for transportation within the port, which is referred to as the first/last mile. In return for the established price, participating firms can then have railcars picked up and taken to a marshalling yard, or delivered to them from a marshalling yard. After ten months of bundling, participating freight payers are now benefiting from an improved quality of rail transportation in the port area. For many of them, the price for this their first/last mile is also lower than what they were paying before. For the terminals, bundling greatly simplifies matters – they now have a single point of contact for all rail transport between the terminal and the marshalling yard. Transparency is the next big step. For both customers and rail companies alike, it is important to have a better overview of “their” railcars, both in the marshalling yard and while being transported within the port area. Hard work is being done making this digitisation project a reality. To achieve that actually requires the cooperation of every link in the chain. If freight payers share their freight data with Railport, the system knows where their railcars are and where they need to go. That way, the transportation can be coordinated with the unloading and/or loading facilities. In addition, this information is also needed in order to optimise and ensure the safety of rail traffic in the port. As Nils van Vliet, the CEO of Railport explained: “Bundling the first/last mile is already having beneficial effects. We are therefore also calling upon all parties involved to make digitisation a success so that we can provide all of the firms involved with accurate real-time information about their transports.” Rail investment A number of major investments in the rail infrastructure in the port area are planned over the next few years – the doubling and electrification of line 11, the Oorderen bundle, rail works in connection with the second tidal dock on the Left Bank, etc. The more transports are bundled, the easier it will be to maintain efficiency, including while the works are under way. Finally, it should be pointed out that the price advantage of participating in bundling is relatively limited, given the short distances inside the port area. Transportation outside the port area involves much longer distances, and making effective comparisons could potentially deliver much greater benefits for freight payers. Source: Port of Antwerp-BrugesWASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill rallied around Pete Hegseth , Trump’s Pentagon pick, on Thursday even as new details surfaced about allegations that he had sexually assaulted a woman in 2017. The GOP embrace of Hegseth came as another controversial Trump nominee, Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration for attorney general. Gaetz said it was clear he had become a “distraction" amid pressure on the House to release an ethics report about allegations of his own sexual misconduct. An attorney for two women has said that his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman. Fresh questions over the two nominees' pasts, and their treatment of women, arose with Republicans under pressure from Trump and his allies to quickly confirm his Cabinet. At the same time, his transition has so far balked at the vetting and background checks that have traditionally been required. While few Republican senators have publicly criticized any of Trump's nominees, it became clear after Gaetz's withdrawal that many had been harboring private concerns about him. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who served with Gaetz in the House, said it was a “positive move.” Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker said it was a “positive development.” Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Gaetz “put country first and I am pleased with his decision.” After meeting with Hegseth, though, Republicans rallied around him. “I think he’s going to be in pretty good shape,” said Wicker, who is expected to chair the Senate Armed Services Committee in the next Congress. Republican senators' careful words, and their early reluctance to publicly question Trump's picks, illustrated not only their fear of retribution from the incoming president but also some of their hopes that the confirmation process can proceed normally, with proper vetting and background checks that could potentially disqualify problematic nominees earlier. Gaetz withdrew after meeting with senators on Wednesday. Sen. Thom Tillis said Gaetz was “in a pressure cooker” when he decided to withdraw, but suggested that it would have little bearing on Trump’s other nominees. “Transactions — one at a time,” he said. As the Hegseth nomination proceeds, Republicans also appear to be betting that they won't face much backlash for publicly setting aside the allegations of sexual misconduct — especially after Trump won election after being found liable for sexual abuse last year. Hegseth held a round of private meetings alongside incoming Vice President JD Vance on Thursday in an attempt to shore up support and told reporters afterward: “The matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared, and that’s where I’m gonna leave it.” A 22-page police report report made public late Wednesday offered the first detailed account of the allegations against him. A woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave. The report cited police interviews with the alleged victim, a nurse who treated her, a hotel staffer, another woman at the event and Hegseth. Hegseth’s lawyer, Timothy Palatore, said the incident was “fully investigated and police found the allegations to be false.” Hegseth paid the woman in 2023 as part of a confidential settlement to head off the threat of what he described as a baseless lawsuit, Palatore has said. Wicker played down the allegations against Hegseth, a former Fox News host, saying that “since no charges were brought from the authorities, we only have press reports.” Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., said after his meeting with Hegseth that he "shared with him the fact that I was saddened by the attacks that are coming his way.” Hagerty dismissed the allegations as “a he-said, she-said thing” and called it a “shame” that they were being raised at all. The senator said attention should instead be focused on the Defense Department that Hegseth would head. It's one of the most complex parts of the federal government with more than 3 million employees, including military service members and civilians. Sexual assault has been a persistent problem in the military, though Pentagon officials have been cautiously optimistic they are seeing a decline in reported sexual assaults among active-duty service members and the military academies. Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, who will be the No. 2 Republican in the Senate next year, said after his meeting with Hegseth that the nominee is a strong candidate who “pledged that the Pentagon will focus on strength and hard power – not the current administration’s woke political agenda.” Senate Republicans are under pressure to hold hearings once they take office in January and confirm nominees as soon as Trump is inaugurated, despite questions about whether Trump’s choices will be properly screened or if some, like Hegseth, have enough experience for the job. Senate Armed Services Chairman Jack Reed, who will be the top Democrat on the panel next year, said the reports on Hegseth “emphasized the need for a thorough investigation by the FBI on the background of all the nominees.” It takes a simple majority to approve Cabinet nominations, meaning that if Democrats all opposed a nominee, four Republican senators would also have to defect for any Trump choice to be defeated. Trump has made clear he’s willing to put maximum pressure on Senate Republicans to give him the nominees he wants – even suggesting at one point that they allow him to just appoint his nominees with no Senate votes. But senators insist, for now, that they are not giving up their constitutional power to have a say. “The president has the right to make the nominations that he sees fit, but the Senate also has a responsibility for advice and consent,” said Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota. In the case of Gaetz, he said, “I think there was advice offered rather than consent.” Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

Endangered professionThe ceremony at Rodney Parade will celebrate the health and care providers across south Wales, and the finalists have been revealed. The finalists for the Care Hero Award are people working in care who have worked hard to enable someone to live an independent, safe, and fulfilled life and/or helped to change someone’s life for the better. Hannah Burnett, employed by Arian Care for over eight years, has consistently demonstrated exceptional commitment. Her acts of kindness include waiting 19 hours for an ambulance with clients, shopping for clients, providing emergency first aid to save someone's life, and visiting individuals in hospital. She is an 'extremely popular' and professional member of the company. Since being assessed as a Shared Lives carer in October 2019, Katerina Aspioti has been dedicated to improving the lives of others. She provides long-term care to a lady with mental and physical conditions and supports a friend of hers for occasional respite. Ms Aspioti also offers social support to a lady with dementia. Lyn and Graham's dedicated care for a woman has earned them the nomination. The couple, who have been providing support for 22 years, help with all aspects of personal care, health appointments and keeping a social lifestyle and health and wellbeing. The couple have been praised for their dedication to care. They joined the Shared Lives Scheme in 2012. These finalists exemplify the dedication and compassion that are at the heart of the Care Hero Award.

By Tom Hals (Reuters) -A license dispute between Arm Holdings and Qualcomm went before a jury on Thursday after attorneys from both sides completed closing arguments. The jury in a U.S. federal court in Delaware is considering whether Qualcomm or Nuvia, a startup Qualcomm purchased for $1.4 billion in 2021, breached a license agreement with U.K.-based Arm, which supplies intellectual property to both firms. The case could upend Qualcomm’s push into the PC market with a chip meant to rival Apple and Intel on speed. During closing arguments, Qualcomm’s legal team urged the eight-member jury to find the chipmaker had not breached a contract with Arm, warning that the British chip designer was using its lawsuit to try to gain leverage over makers of smart phone chips. Qualcomm lawyer Karen Dunn told jurors that Arm is hoping to force Qualcomm to destroy its recently launched high-speed chips for AI laptops and then threaten similar license partners who build mobile phone chips off its technology. “You can bet the world is watching here,” Dunn said to the jurors in her closing argument. Arm’s lawyer Daralyn Durie warned the jury such allegations were distractions from the issue they must decide: whether Qualcomm and Nuvia, the start-up it acquired in 2021, breached license agreements. “It’s an effort to get you to think about things that have nothing to do with the breach of the contract,” Durie said. In 2022, Arm said Nuvia and Qualcomm had breached Arm’s contract for Nuvia technology and in response the British company terminated the agreement, which obligated Nuvia to destroy the tech built based on that technology. Qualcomm argues that the Nuvia chip designs in question were created independently from Arm. Arm’s attorney Durie said if Qualcomm didn’t want to be forced to destroy its microprocessors it should have complied with the terms of its license. “The decision to go ahead and use all this stuff without a license, that was their choice,” Durie said. “Now they are saying that was a bad decision and they are unhappy. But that was their decision not ours.” The jury met for three and a half hours without reaching a verdict and will resume deliberations on Friday morning. In the trial that started on Monday, Arm sought to portray Qualcomm’s moves as a first-of-its-kind flouting of standard contractual terms the British company had used successfully for decades and that would have upended its business model. At stake for Qualcomm was annual savings of up to $1.4 billion by using the Nuvia designs while claiming the work was done at Qualcomm, which would carry a less expensive licensing deal, Arm attorneys said. Qualcomm claimed Arm misled it into disbanding its own design team, increasing its dependence on Arm technology and then trying to raise royalty rates as much as 400%. It also pointed to internal Arm documents that it said showed Arm was plotting to get into the chip making business while undermining Qualcomm. Arm’s Chief Executive Rene Haas dismissed those allegations. (Reporting by Tom Hals in Delaware and Stephen Nellis in San Francisco; Writing by Max A. Cherney; Editing by Saad Sayeed and Sonali Paul) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} 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() );ATLANTA , Dec. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- APCU/Center Parc Credit Union (APCU/Center Parc) is excited to announce an agreement with MarkIII (MKIII) to enhance credit access for its members. Through this collaboration, APCU/Center Parc will streamline loan approvals, confidently approve more borrowers, and achieve key goals like ROA targets, capital relief, and new member growth. "Working with MKIII is a key step in enhancing our ability to serve our members," said John Anderson , Chief Lending Officer at APCU/Center Parc. "Their technology will enable us to approve more loans confidently and efficiently, ensuring our members receive the financial support they need. This collaboration directly aligns with our mission to help our members and community achieve their financial goals." MKIII's embedded lending enablement platform will deliver seamless, automated loan applications and improved decision-making capabilities. A key feature of the MKIII platform is its "insurability API," allowing credit unions to assess which loans are insurable instantly. By connecting APCU/Center Parc with A-rated insurance carriers, they'll have protection against loan losses. With MKIII's scalable platform, APCU/Center Parc can meet the evolving demands of its diverse membership and community. Will Rose , CEO and Co-founder of MKIII, echoed Anderson's enthusiasm, stating, "We're excited to support APCU/Center Parc lead the charge in credit union innovation. Our platform is designed to enable credit unions to make smarter, faster lending decisions that benefit both the credit union and its members." APCU/Center Parc has been a cornerstone of financial services for postal employees and consumers throughout Georgia and in North Carolina . The credit union's commitment to innovation and service makes this relationship with MKIII a perfect fit to continue its tradition of member-focused solutions. MKIII's technology and capabilities are designed to help credit unions grow responsibly. As APCU/Center Parc continues to grow, this relationship represents an exciting next step in its ability to meet the needs of a diverse and dynamic membership. About APCU/Center Parc At APCU/Center Parc, providing our members first-class service has always been our priority. We're a member-owned, not-for-profit financial cooperative committed to helping hardworking people save money and prosper. For almost 100 years, we've stayed true to these beliefs. As Georgia's oldest credit union, we're proud of our tradition of service. Over the years, APCU/Center Parc assets have grown from an initial investment of $2,505 to more than $2.3 billion . Today, we're one of the largest credit unions in the country. We're proud to serve more than 105,000 members nationwide with a full complement of financial products and services designed to save them money. For more information, visit www.apcu.com . This credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration. About MarkIII To learn more about partnering with MKIII, you can email partners@mkiii.ai or visit www.mkiii.ai and follow on LinkedIn for updates. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/apcucenter-parc-credit-union-joins-with-markiii-to-expand-access-to-credit-for-members-302336692.html SOURCE APCU/Center Parc Credit Union

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will not play Sunday and head coach Kyle Shanahan said the lingering discomfort is a concern. Purdy sat out Friday after he participated in the start of Thursday's practice with the 49ers, then retreated indoors for what Shanahan said was a treatment session. Brandon Allen, 32, will start in Purdy's place, and the 49ers are also without defensive end Nick Bosa (oblique). Shanahan said players believe in Allen, even if he's an unknown. "Outside of here people haven't seen a lot of Brandon. But it's his second year (with the 49ers)," Shanahan said. "Obviously guys want Brock up, but guys are excited to see Brandon play." Shanahan said they are "a little surprised" Purdy experienced tightness and discomfort in his shoulder after an MRI exam on Monday that showed no long-term cause for concern. "The way it responded this week, it's really up in the air for next week," Shanahan said of Purdy. Allen is familiar to Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, who was an assistant coach with the Rams during Allen's two-year run in Los Angeles. Allen broke into the NFL in 2016 with the Jaguars and is 2-7 in nine career starts. He went 1-2 with the Broncos in 2019 and 1-5 in six starts over two years with the Bengals in 2020 and ‘21. Shanahan said Allen's confidence grew throughout the week and he doesn't anticipate a major change in how he calls the offense. Left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) also missed practice for the third consecutive day. Without disclosing the nature of the ailment to Purdy's throwing shoulder, general manager John Lynch confirmed Friday an MRI exam took place to determine the severity of any injury. Allen worked with the first team most of Thursday and Friday with Joshua Dobbs also taking snaps. Lynch described Purdy's status for the 49ers (5-5) this week as "tenuous." "Hopefully, he makes progress, and we can have a shot at this weekend, but we'll see," Lynch said in an interview with KNBR in San Francisco. "I think it's tenuous." When Purdy was on the field this week, he primarily worked on the side in position-specific drills with QB coach Brian Griese. Williams played through an ankle injury last week after being listed as questionable but exited the stadium with an exaggerated limp on Sunday. Run game coordinator Chris Foerster said the 49ers aren't where they want to be at 5-5 because they haven't won close games, not because of injuries. "Seven games left is like an eternity," Foerster said. "So much can happen. Do the math. What was our record last year? It was 12-5. I was on a 13-win team that was nowhere near as good as the team last year." With or without Purdy, Foerster said the challenge for the 49ers is not to give up the ball to a defense that has 19 takeaways. The 49ers have 13 giveaways this season. --Field Level Media

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