SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 19, 2024-- Today, Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) recognizes the impact its customers are making in Hurricane Helene-affected communities by leveraging the Calix Broadband Platform —featuring the industry’s most extensive Wi-Fi systems portfolio—and Calix SmartTown ® community Wi-Fi. The efficiencies of the Calix Platform enabled broadband service providers (BSPs) like French Broad Electric Membership Corporation (French Broad EMC), Riverwave Broadband , and Clearwave Fiber to deploy temporary hotspots and community Wi-Fi within days so residents could reconnect with loved ones and access recovery services. This swift action highlights the critical role that local BSPs play in keeping communities connected during emergencies while further reinforcing their role as trusted partners. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219962758/en/ The cloud-enabled Calix Platform, combined with hands-on Calix Success support, streamlines a BSP’s ability to deliver secure, reliable broadband access to their communities. With Calix GigaSpires ® and GigaPros ® —from the unparalleled Calix Unlimited Subscriber portfolio of indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi systems—BSPs can quickly provide seamless, long-range connectivity across homes, businesses, and communities. Integrated with the Calix Platform, these Wi-Fi systems support rapid deployment, efficient network management, and scalability through Calix Cloud ®. Geomapping in Calix Operations Cloud enhances network visibility, simplifying community Wi-Fi planning and accelerating SmartTown deployments to connect entire towns. After Hurricane Helene devastated parts of the southern United States, Calix customers sprang into action: “Hurricane Helene devastated our region, wiping out bridges and roads, which made restoring power and internet extremely challenging,” said Jeff Loven, general manager and chief executive officer at French Broad EMC. “Without the internet, our community was left unable to do basic things, like contacting loved ones, making calls, and accessing emergency information. Prior to the hurricane, we recognized that SmartTown could greatly impact our community, and we were planning our deployment. In the wake of Helene, we realized the immediate need for SmartTown. As power was gradually restored to our members, the Calix Success team stepped in to provide the extra support we needed and successfully completed our full deployment.” SmartTown, a cornerstone of Calix SmartLife TM managed services, exemplifies how Calix helps BSPs transition from speed-and-price-driven models to true broadband experience providers, meeting every broadband need within their communities. Even before Hurricane Helene, Calix customers were delivering significant value with SmartTown—connecting public parks, community centers, parking lots, and entire towns. With ubiquitous connectivity, BSPs ensure students can reliably complete homework after school and grandparents can stream their grandkids’ football games when they can’t attend. SmartTown has also enabled BSPs to provide free network access for first responders in rural areas with limited cellular coverage, ensuring critical emergency services can reach every resident when it matters most. “In times of crisis, it is the local broadband provider who works tirelessly to keep their communities connected—not the massive carriers or satellite providers that focus solely on delivering a basic connection and collecting data,” said Matt Collins, chief commercial operations officer at Calix. “The Calix Broadband Platform empowers these trusted local providers with efficient, secure, data-driven broadband solutions like SmartTown community Wi-Fi that deliver the next-generation connectivity people expect today. Whether connecting families, first responders, or essential personnel, our customers have leveraged SmartTown to transform how their communities stay connected. Seeing our customers leverage Calix innovation for disaster recovery after Hurricane Helene is a powerful testament to their dedication, and we are proud to stand with them as they rebuild stronger than ever.” Learn how SmartTown community Wi-Fi can impact communities, and watch “SmartLife Evolution” on ConneXions @OnDemand to learn even more about life-changing Calix managed services. About Calix Calix, Inc . (NYSE: CALX)—Calix is a platform, cloud, and managed services company. Broadband service providers leverage Calix’s broadband platform, cloud, and managed services to simplify their operations, subscriber engagement, and services; innovate for their consumer, business, and municipal subscribers; and grow their value for members, investors, and the communities they serve. Our end-to-end platform and managed services democratize the use of data—enabling our customers of any size to operate efficiently, acquire subscribers, and deliver exceptional experiences. Calix is dedicated to driving continuous improvement in partnership with our growing ecosystem to support the transformation of our customers and their communities. This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based upon management’s current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this release, and we assume no obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statement to reflect any event or circumstance after the date of this release, except as required by law. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from current expectations based on risks and uncertainties affecting Calix’s business. The reader is cautioned not to rely on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Additional information on potential factors that could affect Calix’s results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov . Calix and the Calix logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Calix and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Calix’s trademarks can be found at https://www.calix.com/legal/trademarks.html . Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219962758/en/ CONTACT: Press Inquiries: Zach Burger 669-369-1991 zach.burger@calix.comInvestor Inquiries: Nancy Fazioli investorrelations@calix.com KEYWORD: NORTH CAROLINA GEORGIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CANADA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TELECOMMUNICATIONS NATURAL DISASTERS NETWORKS INTERNET ENVIRONMENT DATA MANAGEMENT TECHNOLOGY MOBILE/WIRELESS SOURCE: Calix, Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/19/2024 01:30 PM/DISC: 12/19/2024 01:32 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241219962758/enKeir Starmer’s first Christmas as Prime Minister is likely to go a little different than planned. Forget, feet in front of the fire at Chequers as he basks in a post-election victory glow. Instead, for the first time in years, people will be delighted to get coal in their stockings – as pensioners struggle without winter fuel allowance. Meanwhile, Starmer had best avoid getting his turkey from a farm shop – with farmers in revolt over Rachel Reeves’s Budget. On the upside, Santa may in his sack give Starmer the only gift this year he doesn’t have to declare. In truth, the Prime Minister should still be riding a post-election high having just a few months ago brought Labour back into government after 14 years out in the cold. The only negative on election night was that Starmer fell 7 seats short of matching Tony Blair’s 1997 landslide – a cause of mild irritation to both Starmer and his senior adviser Morgan McSweeney. But it’s not just on seat count that Starmer is falling short of Blair these days. After 1997, it was unfathomable that Blair would be embarking on a ‘reset’ before the year is out. Yet this is what Keir Starmer is having to do as his team try to turn the page on a rocky start to government that has seen a row over freebies, major staff changes, tax rises no-one mentioned during the election campaign – and just this week his first cabinet resignation – over a fraud conviction he knew about when he appointed her. Most read in The Sun For all the talk of change during the election, it often feels rather like the government that came before: infighting, psychodrama and sleaze. So, Starmer is having to recalibrate. Next week he will take the first step in project ‘new year new Keir’ as he uses a speech to try to put the flesh on the bones of his government agenda – and try to show that he does have the people’s priorities at the heart of it. Expect more specific targets with McSweeney carrying out polling to refine the government message. That’s just the beginning as Starmer’s new look No. 10 try to change the narrative around the beleaguered PM. Too often Starmer looks as though he is a passenger rather than the one making the political weather . In No. 10, civil servants have been surprised at how different he is to Rishi Sunak – who would send them into a spin with notes on everything put in his red box. Starmer is said to have a more hands off approach. But now he needs to get a grip. So, what else should Starmer do? Going into the new year No. 10 staff are going to have to do more than blame everything that has gone wrong on Sue Gray, the former civil servant – which has been a go-to excuse in recent months. ‘There is nowhere to hide now,’ says a minister of Starmer’s new No. 10 – led by McSweeney. The Prime Minister and his team are looking at the return of Donald Trump across the pond and the rise of Reform, and take the lesson that they need to get back to talking about people’s priorities. They want to show they can move to the issues that see voters often look to the right. Even good news – like the fall in immigration figures announced this week can’t be attributed to his decisions, they are a Conservative legacy. In No. 10, aides are taking comfort from the fact that they have time to turn things around. ‘We have four years,’ says a senior Labour figure on the need not to panic. But with the Tories edging ahead in the polls, even government figures admit that the party might start to panic if things look this bleak in the new year. ‘I know we’ve got time,’ says a member of the government. ‘But I give it a few months before ministers start to speak out. A lot of us are wondering what’s the point of the government’. So, Starmer needs an agenda. There have been some promising signs – the employment white paper – and there will be more on NHS reform. Then there’s the economy. Starmer and Reeves need to shake off the negativity – and they need to learn from the States and the mistakes of the Democrats – everyone said the economy was going gangbusters, but voters didn’t feel it. They need to find ways to make wide mission concepts something voters can chart in their every day lives. Starmer may have a big majority but the vote share is small. To move the dial, he needs to govern for the whole country – including those that didn’t vote for him. READ MORE SUN STORIES That means a focus on the things voters are most worried about: cost of living , borders and security. If he can do that, he’ll have reason for some Christmas cheer this time next year. Or else Starmer might next year find he’s be the one worried about getting the sack.
AT&T's CTO told his US team there wouldn't be "one-for-one" employee seating upon the full return to the office next year. AT&T will also stagger its 5-days-a-week RTO mandate as more office space is constructed. Some teams could see their full in-office return pushed back if construction doesn't finish in time, the CTO said in a memo. AT&T Technology Services employees in the US won't have "one-to-one seating" when they begin returning to the office 5 days a week in the new year, the company's CTO wrote in a new memo. Advertisement The telecom giant's chief technology officer, Jeremy Legg, detailed how the new in-office policy would be implemented across his US ATS team in a Wednesday memo obtained by Business Insider. AT&T's fully in-office requirement for US ATS employees will begin a phased rollout on January 6 and is expected to be fully implemented for most teams by March 3, the memo said. Advertisement "Our purpose at AT&T is connecting people to greater possibility," the CTO wrote. "We firmly believe that working together, in person and in proximity to our peers, is the best way for ATS employees to fulfill that purpose." Legg oversees AT&T's technology organizations for business, consumer, IT and cloud, data and analytics, security, network architecture and AT&T Labs, and new product development. The ATS team includes roughly 10,000 workers in the US. AT&T told BI that organizations within the company have the flexibility to determine the right approach for their teams based on business needs and many are staggering the return of employees. Advertisement The memo comes after BI first reported that AT&T was tightening its return-to-office mandate from three days a week to five full workdays. Legg said in the email that the company understands that not every employee can be on-site every single day due to "travel, vacations, or other reasons" and "leaders will work with employees to provide the needed occasional flexibility." Although several expansion projects are underway in Atlanta and Dallas, Legg said AT&T "will not offer one-for-one seating per employee" and the company "will observe capacity vs. demand and make adjustments" as needed. Advertisement Legg's memo said that teams assigned to AT&T's Atlanta-area locations will be notified if their full return-to-office date is delayed as construction on additional space progresses. Several employees have told BI that workspace capacity has been a challenge, even with the prior hybrid schedule arrangement. Employees told BI it's common for workers to end up sitting in the hallways or working in the cafeteria to avoid running afoul of the company's attendance-tracking system. Advertisement One employee said their office has more than 1,200 people assigned to it, with roughly 150 desks available. "I know returning to the office 5 days a week is a significant change for some," Legg said in his memo. "By coming together in person, we can strengthen our connections, foster a vibrant culture, and achieve our shared goals." Read the full memo Dear ATS U.S.-Based Management Employees, Our purpose at AT&T is connecting people to greater possibility. We firmly believe that working together, in person and in proximity to our peers, is the best way for ATS employees to fulfill that purpose. By fostering in-person interactions, we can form stronger relationships, build trust and enhance our collaboration, innovation, and overall effectiveness as a team. Full-Time Office Presence in 2025 That's why l'm asking all employees with Full Time Office designations (NFTO, MFTO CFTO) to return to the office full time, with staggered starts based on management level and office space availability. FTO employees in ATS will work in the office full-time, 5 days a week according to this schedule: January 6, 2025: All U.S.-based supervising level 4s and above February 3, 2025: All U.S.-based supervising level 3s and above in all locations except Atlanta and Alpharetta 1 March 3, 2025 2 : All other U.S.-based management employees in all locations except Atlanta and Alpharetta 1 1 Construction of additional space is underway at Lenox, with an expected readiness date between April and June. As construction progresses, employees in Atlanta and Alpharetta will be notified when it's time to work in the office 5 days a week. 2 Construction of additional space for ATS teams is underway at Dallas Headquarters and at 2900 West Plano Pkwy. Employees in these locations will return to the office March 3 if the space is ready. If completion is delayed, we will communicate further instructions to affected teams. As we stagger the return to 5 days per week per the timeline above, FTO employees should continue to be present in the office 3 to 5 days per week. There is no change in expectations for Future Office Workers or virtual workers. We periodically review the needs of the business and may occasionally change an employee's office designation based on those needs. Fostering Collaboration Between now and early first quarter 2025, we will be working with Global Workplace Services to align teams to neighborhoods on each of our campuses. Even with employees working full time in the office, we know that not all employees will be in every day due to travel, vacations, or other reasons. We will not offer one-for-one seating per employee. We will observe capacity vs. demand and make adjustments working with Workplace Services as needed. Flexibility and Accountability We know employees occasionally need to work remotely for various reasons. Leaders will work with employees to provide the needed occasional flexibility. This balance between flexibility and accountability is essential to maintaining our high standards of performance and collaboration. Senior leadership will review overall presence trends via How and Where We Work presence dashboards. With this data, we will work toward improving things like seating, availability of amenities, and parking options. Next Steps The How and Where ATS Works SharePoint site is your definitive source of information on returning to the office full-time, including campus and neighborhood information as it becomes available. It is currently being updated to reflect the changing expectations for our organization. Supervisors can also answer questions. We are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved. Additional Thoughts I know returning to the office 5 days a week is a significant change for some. As we outlined during Analyst and Investor Day, we have tremendous momentum in growing this company the right way. That momentum will accelerate when we reap the benefits of faster collaboration and innovation. By coming together in person, we can strengthen our connections, foster a vibrant culture, and achieve our shared goals. Your dedication and commitment to excellence are the driving forces behind our success. Thank you for your continued hard work and support. I look forward to seeing you all in the office and working together to create an even brighter future for ATS. Jeremy If you are an AT&T worker who wants to share your perspective, please contact Dominick via email or text/call/Signal at 646.768.4750. Responses will be kept confidential, and Business Insider strongly recommends using a personal email and a non-work device when reaching outBOSTON — UConn coach Jim Mora pulled a move that would make Bill Belichick proud while preparing the Huskies to play the notoriously churlish former New England Patriot’s next team in his old backyard. Mora and his players were more than 45 minutes late for what was scheduled as a 30-minute media availability a day before Saturday’s Fenway Bowl against North Carolina. Mora then gave a non-apology straight out of Belichick’s playbook. “We practice at a certain time the day before a game,” Mora said. “And we stuck to the script.” A six-time Super Bowl winner in New England with Tom Brady, Belichick was fired after going 4-13 in 2023, leaving him just 14 wins short of matching Don Shula’s all-time record for NFL victories. Unable to land a pro job at the age of 72, Belichick signed on with North Carolina — his first college gig — when they fired 73-year-old Mack Brown. Belichick hasn’t taken over on the Tar Heels’ sideline yet; interim coach Freddie Kitchens — another ex-Cleveland Browns coach — will lead them in the Fenway Bowl. But the future Hall of Famer’s potential return to a football field in Boston has been the biggest story ahead of Saturday’s game. Belichick did not attend media day, and Fenway Bowl executive director Brett Miller tried to preempt questions about him by asking reporters “to keep questions focusing on the players and coaches out here today.” “I don’t need to beat around the bush any more than that,” he said in comments that would have been cryptic if it weren’t so obvious to everyone who he meant. “I know there’s probably a lot of questions that you guys have about next year, particularly one side. Please do your best to keep it to these guys, because they’ve earned the right to be here.” The request wasn’t completely successful, with Kitchens taking a question about Belichick specifically and saying he talks to his new boss every day. Earlier this month, Kitchens said: “He asks questions; I answer the questions.” “I’m going to try to soak in all I can from him, and be a better coach because of it,” Kitchens said after Belichick was hired. “I love Carolina, I want what’s best for Carolina, and I know that right now at this moment in time, coach Belichick is what’s best for Carolina. “At the end of the day, he’s a ballcoach,” he said, “and I enjoy working for ballcoaches.” This was already a long season, one in which the Tar Heels saw their high hopes deflate quickly, one in which they had to suffer through the impossible task of burying a teammate, one in which they watched the coach who brought them here fired and an NFL legend hired to replace him. “It’s definitely been a challenge,” wide receiver J.J. Jones said. “I think this past season was probably one of the most mentally challenging seasons I’ve had since I’ve been here. We’ve had a lot of things to go wrong off the field and on the field. ... At the end of the day, we’re here to play one more football game. I know this is my last football game in the Tar Heels uniform, so I’m going out there and giving it my all.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Mikel Arteta insists Arsenal will need time to adapt without Bukayo Saka after their win over Ipswich - as the Gunners boss reveals the forward could be out for 'more than two months'
CULLOWHEE, N.C. (AP) — Bernard Pelote had 24 points in Western Carolina's 78-69 victory over Milligan on Thursday. Pelote added nine rebounds for the Catamounts (4-7). Cord Stansberry scored 14 points and added seven rebounds. Brandon Morgan shot 2 for 6 (1 for 4 from 3-point range) and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line to finish with 12 points. The Buffs were led in scoring by Elijah Bredwood, who finished with 23 points. McCaskill Rivers added 13 points for Milligan. Handje Tamba had 12 points and 12 rebounds. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Surging Ahead in the AI Race While Nvidia often grabs headlines with its soaring stock performance, another player in the semiconductor arena is quietly gaining momentum: Micron Technology. Known for its memory chips like DRAM and NAND, Micron reported a remarkable 400% increase in year-over-year data center revenue, driving its total quarterly revenue up by 84% to $8.7 billion. A Sleepy Giant Awakes Despite an impressive earnings report, Micron’s stock has slipped about 44% from its recent highs. This downturn, however, presents a compelling opportunity for investors. The company’s integrated model, which combines both design and manufacturing, positions it to capitalize effectively during industry booms. AI’s Growing Influence Micron is riding the wave of the AI boom with more than half of its revenue now stemming from data centers. Although recent guidance sent the stock plummeting by 19% due to anticipated softness in consumer segments like smartphones, this appears to be a temporary challenge. Management highlighted that impacts from inventory adjustments should be short-lived, with a rebound expected in the latter half of fiscal 2025. An Undervalued Treasure With close ties to giants like Nvidia, accounting for 13% of its revenue, Micron stands to benefit massively as AI demand intensifies. The High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) market, crucial for AI applications, is projected to expand significantly, potentially quadrupling Micron’s HBM revenue in the coming years. The Takeaway Investors have the chance to acquire Micron stock still underpriced compared to its peers. If the AI cycle continues its upward trajectory, this could translate into substantial returns, making Micron a promising pick in the semiconductor sector. Unveiling Micron’s Potential in the AI Revolution Micron Technology’s Evolving Role in AI As the world witnesses rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), Micron Technology is emerging as a significant player in this transformative wave. Best known for its DRAM and NAND memory chips, Micron is carving a larger niche in the AI-driven semiconductor industry. The company witnessed a stunning 400% year-over-year increase in data center revenue recently, propelling its total quarterly revenue to $8.7 billion—a marked growth of 84%. Pros and Cons of Investing in Micron Investing in Micron has its advantages: – Pros: – Strategic Positioning: Micron’s integrated model of design and manufacturing is well-poised to exploit industry booms, particularly in AI-driven markets. – AI Revenue Boost: The company’s growing focus on data centers means it derives over half its revenue from this expanding sector. – Future HBM Growth: The High Bandwidth Memory market is essential for AI, and significant growth is expected, which could quadruple Micron’s related revenues. – Cons: – Market Volatility: Recent stock dips indicate potential volatility, with a 44% fall from recent highs. – Consumer Segment Weakness: Temporary softness in segments like smartphones may affect near-term performance. Anticipated Market Trends and Growth Looking ahead, industry experts predict substantial expansion in the High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) market. As AI technologies evolve, demanding more robust data processing capabilities, Micron is strategically positioned to benefit from this growth. Furthermore, their collaboration with tech behemoth Nvidia is a remarkable milestone, with around 13% of Micron’s revenue tied to this partnership, hinting at lucrative opportunities as AI demand escalates. Market Analysis and Predictions Micron’s strategic initiatives are closely aligned with broader semiconductor market trends. The growing importance of HBM in AI applications forecasts a promising future for Micron, especially given the projected quadrupling of its HBM revenues in forthcoming years. Investors recognize this potential, particularly as the AI revolution continues to accelerate, making Micron an intriguing prospect for those seeking exposure in the semiconductor sector. Competitive Landscape and Comparisons Compared to its competitors, Micron offers a unique investment proposition: – Nvidia Partnership: Unlike many peers, Micron has secured substantial revenue streams from collaborations with AI giants. – Future-Ready Technologies: While some companies focus heavily on traditional markets, Micron’s emphasis on memory advancements for AI underscores its future-forward strategy. Micron’s positioning in the semiconductor landscape, combined with its integrated model, sets it apart as a formidable contender in tapping the explosive AI market growth. For more insights into Micron’s future and its role in AI, explore their official page at Micron Technology .PHOENIX — Devin Booker scored 27 points, Kevin Durant added 21 and the Phoenix Suns beat the Golden State Warriors 113-105 on Saturday night. Tyus Jones added 19 points and nine assists, making 7 of 9 shots, including 4 of 5 3-pointers. Grayson Allen added 17. The Suns made 18 of 35 (51.4%) shots from 3-point range. Golden State has lost four in a row. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 23 points but shot just 8 of 20 from the field. Andrew Wiggins added 18 points while Draymond Green had 13 points. The Warriors trailed by 17 at halftime but cut the margin to 85-78 by the start of the fourth quarter after Curry poured in 15 points. Golden State went on a 9-0 run late in the fourth quarter to pull within 105-99 but Durant made a 3-pointer with 1:42 left to turn back the rally. The Suns led 66-49 at halftime after making 14 of 21 (66.7%) of their 3-pointers. Phoenix was playing without starters Bradley Beal (calf) and Jusuf Nurkic (quad). Beal has missed eight of 19 games this season because of various injuries. Takeaways Warriors: Golden State's in a bit of a funk these days after starting the season with a 12-3 record. Phoenix Suns guard Tyus Jones (21) drives past Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Phoenix. Credit: AP/Rick Scuteri Suns: It was a nice bounce-back win for the Suns, who were embarrassed on their home court by the Nets on Wednesday. Jones had a great shooting night, which helped offset Durant's 7 of 20 shooting night. Key moment Jones made a 3-pointer with 6:28 left to give the Suns a 99-86 lead. The Warriors turned the ball over on the next possession and Booker hit a short jumper for a 15-point advantage. Key stat Allen, Durant, Booker, Jones and Royce O'Neale all had at least three 3-pointers. Up next Warriors are on the road at the Nuggets on Tuesday night; Suns host the Spurs on Tuesday night.
Sir Keir Starmer will set out a “plan for change” this week as part of what he is calling the next phase of government after a tumultuous start in No 10 – but Britain’s top pollster has raised serious doubts about whether he can convince the public. After five months which have seen the prime minister ’s poll rating plummet, Sir Keir is planning to set numerical targets for the economy, the NHS, public safety, energy security and social mobility against which the public can judge him and his government at the next general election, expected in 2029. The milestones will run alongside public sector reform, Downing Street said, and will include a focus on reforming Whitehall, spearheaded by an as-yet-unannounced new chief civil servant and cabinet ministers, so it is geared towards the delivery of Labour’s missions. But polling guru Sir John Curtice has warned that Sir Keir’s government has “hit significant political trouble rather early on in its life”, adding that “the fundamental question is whether a politician who has shown so far absolutely no ability to construct a narrative can suddenly construct a narrative”. Speaking to The Independent , Sir John Curtice said the government “lacks a story of what it is about”. “There is an appreciation that what you need to do is improve things, and if you improve things, people will vote for you,” he said. “That is not sufficient, because you had to persuade people you have done things. “I presume part of the idea of ‘plan for change’ is that all they had to say during the election was ‘change’ and that is all they campaigned on, and now they have to be a wee bit more specific on what kind of change they have in mind – which was an obvious gap six months ago.” Since being elected in July with a landslide majority, Sir Keir has made a series of hugely unpopular changes, including cutting winter fuel payments to millions of pensioners, hiking national insurance contributions for employers and extending inheritance tax to cover agricultural properties, which farmers claim will force a generation of family farms out of business. Next week, he will claim to have made the moves after inheriting the “unprecedented twin challenge of crumbling public services and crippled public finances”, framing changes including the winter fuel cuts and family farm tax as “difficult decisions” Labour had to take. The PM will claim that despite the challenges, his government has acted to stabilise the economy, crack down on illegal immigration and ploughed an extra £22bn into the NHS since coming to power. The reset comes after Sir Keir’s transport secretary Louise Haigh was forced to quit for making a false report to police over a stolen mobile phone 10 years ago, becoming the first major cabinet casualty of his government. Ahead of the speech, Sir Keir said: “This plan for change is the most ambitious yet honest programme for government in a generation. Mission-led government does not mean picking milestones because they are easy or will happen anyway. “It means relentlessly driving real improvements in the lives of working people. We are already fixing the foundations and have kickstarted our first steps for change, stabilising the economy, setting up a new Border Security Command, and investing £22bn in an NHS that is fit for the future. “Our plan for change is the next phase of delivering this government’s mission. Some may oppose what we are doing and no doubt there will be obstacles along the way, but this government was elected on a mandate of change and our plan reflects the priorities of working people. “Given the unprecedented challenges we have inherited, we will not achieve this by simply doing more of the same which is why investment comes alongside a programme of innovation and reform.” Since the general election, which saw Labour win a 174-seat majority with 34 per cent of the vote, Sir Keir’s party has fallen within touching distance of the Conservatives in the polls, with just a three-point lead. Responding to Sir Keir’s plans, Tory co-chairman Nigel Huddleston mocked the prime minister for launching his “17th reset”, a reference to his repeated changes of direction in opposition. He said: “Keir Starmer’s 17th relaunch will do nothing to hide the chaos Labour have unleashed on the country. “In four short months, his Labour government has been engulfed in a cronyism row, cut the winter fuel payment for 10 million pensioners, hit farmers with the family farm tax and hammered businesses and working people with higher taxes. Keir Starmer has serious questions to answer about why he let someone serve in his cabinet who he knew had a fraud conviction. “The British people will rightly be wondering why they have been short-changed by the party that claimed to offer change.” The Reform UK party – which Nigel Farage said on Thursday now numbers more than 100,000 members – was equally sceptical. A Reform UK spokesperson said: “We are a matter of months into this new government and it would appear they are already trying to have a reset. After freezing pensioners, hiking taxes and risking the future of British farming, the damage has already been done. “We were promised growth and change, instead we have had sleaze, dishonesty and more of the same that failed the Tories.” Sir Keir will promise his priorities will be at the heart of an upcoming spending review, vowing to ensure “every pound the government spends” goes toward improving peoples’ living standards. And he will promise to charge his new cabinet secretary and ministers with a Whitehall shake-up to focus departments on the delivery of Labour’s missions, rather than “working in the traditional silos that focus on fiefdoms not outcomes”.Woodland native Alyssa Nakken leaves SF Giants for Cleveland Guardians: reportArgentina’s government is racing against time as it works with major banks and payment firms to advance Javier Milei’s dollarisation strategy even as pesos are in high demand. To do so, the government plans to take two key steps — launch the first dual-currency debit card, so that Argentines can make dollar payments despite ongoing exchange rate , and allow to provide dollar loans in sectors that are currently excluded from such financing. The initiatives aim to capitalise on the recent surge of dollar inflows stemming from the government’s tax amnesty. Over the past five months, Argentines more than US$20 billion in local banks. That flow of foreign cash, combined with a move by the government to limit the supply of local currency, has helped the peso strengthen more than 20 percent in parallel markets since it hit a record low in July. Now, with a stabilised peso, dollar usage is set to increase, including in everyday transactions, President Milei said last week. “From now on, every Argentine will be able to buy, sell and invoice in dollars, or in the currency he/she considers; except for the payment of taxes,” he said on national television on December 10. Officials are urging the country’s main payment processors to develop a mechanism to allow debit card purchases in dollars, according to three people who declined to share the names of the companies involved in the talks. Economy Minister Luis Caputo wants the card to launch in January, but the companies think it might take until March, the people said. Under the plan, Argentine consumers will be able to use the dollars they deposit into their accounts without going through the foreign exchange market first, contrary to the current system that only allows them to use pesos. In addition, the Argentine government is pushing banks to extend dollar loans to more sectors. Caputo Wednesday said he wants business loans and mortgages to be offered in the US currency. Current regulations only give access to dollars to those companies that generate revenues in foreign currency. He also pointed to ongoing conversations with real-estate companies to establish dollar-denominated mortgage programmes during his remarks on Wednesday. “We aim to remonetise the economy, both in pesos and dollars,” he said in a speech in September. “We want people to use their dollars because that reactivates the economy, generates more income and allows us to lower taxes.” Milei promised to shut down Argentina’s Central Bank during his presidential campaign and adopt the dollar as the country’s currency. Once in office, he changed strategy. The approach, dubbed endogenous dollarisation, involves restricting the supply of pesos, forcing Argentines to use their dollar holdings to pay for regular expenses. Some supermarkets, manufacturers and even bars have begun accepting payments in dollars, but financial institutions are still in the process of putting in place the necessary infrastructure to process such transactions. “Dollar transactions will continue to rise in 2025 and we have to keep developing new products to meet the demand,” said Camila Gallelli, a portfolio manager at Santander Asset Management in Buenos Aires. That is particularly challenging in the financial technology space as it requires approval from the Central Bank for a uniform virtual key, or CVU, in dollars. Fintech firms have asked the monetary institution to approve it, but the Central Bank wants to level the playing field between fintech firms and banks first, a spokesman said. “The challenge is to provide more transactions in dollars. It is a general request from the fintech industry but today we are not so close,” said Mariano Biocca, executive director at the Argentine fintech chamber. The Central Bank could give its approval in mid-2025, she said. “It will become an industry standard, because you can’t not have it,” Biocca said. For the time being, both banks and fintech firms are offering alternatives to saving in dollars, in an attempt to put those tax amnesty dollars to use. One of the largest Argentine fintechs, Ualá, has already received approval from CNV, a regulator, to launch a dollar fund that will pay an annual yield similar to US Treasuries, according to a person with direct knowledge. Santander Asset Management also launched a dollar fund, which is set to be followed by others in 2025. “We're sensing an exponential growth in our dollar funds,” said Santander Asset Management’s Gallelli, who already manages US$430 million in this fund and doubled his share this year. Still, analysts doubt that the steps will be sufficient to lay the foundations for the president’s dollarisation strategy. “Dollarisation is going to take time. It needs more structural reforms that will make Argentina a normal country again,” said Alejo Czerwonko, UBS Group AG’s chief investment officer for Americas emerging markets, in an interview. “Maximising this one-time flow of dollars that Argentina received may be useful to achieve the objectives and is welcome. But by itself it is not enough.” by Ignacio Olivera Doll, Bloomberg Ads Space Ads Space
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NASSAU, Bahamas — Scottie Scheffler brought a new putting grip to the Hero World Challenge and felt enough improvement to be satisfied with the result, a 5-under 67 that left him three shots behind Cameron Young on Thursday. Young was playing for the first time since the BMW Championship more than three months ago and found great success on and around the greens of Albany Golf Club, chipping beautifully and holing four birdie putts from 15 feet or longer for his 64. He led by two shots over Justin Thomas in his first competition since his daughter was born a few weeks ago. Thomas ran off four straight birdies late in his round and was a fraction of an inch away with a fifth. The big surprise was Scheffler, the No. 1 player in golf who looked as good as he has all year in compiling eight victories, including an Olympic gold medal. His iron play has no equal. His putting at times has kept him from winning more or winning bigger. He decided to try to a "saw" putting grip from about 20 feet or closer — the putter rests between his right thumb and his fingers, with his left index finger pointed down the shaft. "I'm always looking for ways to improve," Scheffler said. Scheffler last year began working with renowned putting instructor Phil Kenyon, and he says Kenyon mentioned the alternative putting grip back then. "But it was really our first time working together and it's something that's different than what I've done in the past," Scheffler said. "This year I had thought about it from time to time, and it was something that we had just said let's table that for the end of the season, take a look at it. "Figured this is a good week to try stuff." He opened with a wedge to 2 feet and he missed a 7-foot birdie putt on the par-5 third. But he holed a birdie from about the same distance at the next par 5, No. 6, and holed a sliding 6-footer on the ninth to save par. His longest putt was his last hole, from 12 feet for a closing birdie. "I really enjoyed the way it felt," he said. "I felt like I'm seeing some improvements in my stroke." Young, regarded as the best active player without a PGA Tour victory, is treating this holiday tournament as the start of a new season. He worked on getting stronger and got back to the basics in his powerful golf swing. And on this day, he was dialed in with his short game. He only struggled to save par twice and kept piling up birdies in his bogey-free round on an ideal day in the Bahamas. "The wind wasn't blowing much so it was relatively stress-free," Young said. Patrick Cantlay, along with Scheffler playing for the first time since the Presidents Cup, also was at 67 with Ludvig Aberg, Akshay Bhatia and Sahith Theegala. Thomas also took this occasion to do a little experimenting against a 20-man field. He has using a 46-inch driver at home — a little more than an inch longer than his regular driver — in a bid to gain more speed. On a day with little wind, on a golf course with some room off the tee, he decided to put it in play. "Just with it being a little bit longer, I just kind of have to get the club out in front of me and get on top of it a little bit more," Thomas said. "I drove the hell out of it on the back, so that was nice to try something different and have it go a little bit better on the back." Thomas said the longer driver gives him 2 or 3 mph in ball speed and 10 extra yards in the air. "It's very specific for courses, but gave it a try," he said. Conditions were easy enough that only four players in field failed to break par, with Jason Day bringing up the rear with a 75. Get local news delivered to your inbox!