PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Penn State has won a closely watched trademark fight over an online retailer's use of its vintage sports logos and images. A Pennsylvania jury awarded Penn State $28,000 in damages on Wednesday over products made and sold by Vintage Brand and Sportswear Inc., two firms co-founded by former minor league baseball player Chad Hartvigson. Penn State accused them of selling “counterfeit” clothing and accessories, while the defendants said their website makes clear they are not affiliated with the university. At least a dozen other schools have sued the defendants on similar grounds, including Purdue, Stanford and UCLA, Penn State said in its 2021 lawsuit. However, the Penn State case was the first to go to trial and seen by some as a test case in the sports merchandising industry. “It addresses an important issue with trademark law — whether or not the mark owner is able to prevent third parties from using its marks on T-shirts and paraphernalia without permission,” said Tiffany Gehrke, a trademark lawyer in Chicago who was not involved in the case. The verdict, she said, maintains the status quo, while a victory for Vintage Brand “could have shaken things up.” It followed a six-day trial in federal court in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, overseen by Chief U.S. District Judge Matthew W. Brann. Defense lawyers declined to comment on the verdict and whether their clients planned to appeal. Penn State, in a statement, called its trademarks “critical” to the school's brand, and said it was grateful for the verdict. “The university appreciates this result as it relates to the many hundreds of licensees with whom the university works and who go through the appropriate processes to use Penn State’s trademarks," the statement said. Founded in 1855, Penn State adopted the Nittany Lion as its mascot in 1904 and has been using various images of the animal, along with the school's seal and other logos, for decades, the lawsuit said. The school now has more than 100,000 students at 24 campuses. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!For the past 17 years Alison and Mike Battle have mastered what the perfect should look like. One where children can lose themselves in their imagination and connect with values that really matter. It is a return to a pre-1930s Christmas, before Coca Cola took over. The south London couple founded Lapland UK in 2007, inspired by their own experiences of raising four boys and trying to retain their childlike wonder. That each year tickets sell-out in March, earning the event, held in a forest near Ascot, the reputation for being the Glastonbury for children, shows that they’ve tapped into something that all parents desire. “This is something extremely important,” explains Mike. “For children who believe and for their parents, we feel a responsibility to get this right.” It was a duty they felt with their own four boys, now grown up; Michael, a screenwriter, is 31, Matt, 29 works at Lapland UK and twins Christian, who also works with his parents and Joseph, a solicitor, are 26. Alison created a sense of wonder in the boys, but they struggled to find it outside the home. “We would go to a garden centre to visit Father Christmas and it wouldn’t live up to it,” says Matt. “He wouldn’t know any information about us.” Mike recalls queuing up at Harrods for hours, only for Alison to start twitching as they neared the front of the queue. “She started scribbling bits of information about the children on pieces of paper and trying to sneak them to the elves. They were a bit confused, although some got it.” Today, Alison still is the eyes and voice of the children, tapping into what they will find believable, while Mike makes her vision happen for tens of thousands of children each year. Here are the Battle’s tips for creating a truly magical Christmas for you and your family: The Christmas that inspires the Battle family is one filled with nature and old traditions: “A time from before the 1930s when we got Santa and commercialisation,” says Alison. “For us it’s all about the charm and the dream of Christmas.” They prefer the name “Father Christmas” and the storytelling is inspired by northern Europe. As a young woman Alison studied in Heidelberg in Germany and so she has a love of all things Grimm. “We come at it with a European flavour. We’re not about the candy cane Santa; we’re not American at all. That old world charm is something that people can recreate in their own homes.” They want people to move away from “Santa stops here” signs and go back to nature more. It is the way they have built Lapland UK too, sourcing Latvian log cabins 18 years ago that they still use. Mike and Alison scour antique fairs across Europe looking for props; everything from copper pans for Mother Christmas’s kitchen, stained glass windows, old suitcases and chairs, lanterns and globes. “There’s a big warehouse we go to in Frankfurt, where we source things like original sleighs. It’s a lot of fun,” says Mike. There are also leather bound books on old dressers. Alison thanks her own Mother for giving her the perspective that you should treasure old things. “She’s always had a huge passion for children and childhood. For her 40th birthday, for example, I clearly remember she requested a set of leather bound .” Details like stenciling on dressers and cupboards evoke the feeling of a Scandinavian Christmas, as do frames of pressed leaves and botanical drawings. Boughs of brown ferns and crimson leaves hang from the ceilings throughout Lapland UK. Look closely, however, and they are all actually high-quality faux foliage, made from plastic. For a production on Lapland UK’s scale it is the most dependable and sustainable way to decorate. “It’s sustainable because everything you see was here last year,” says Mike. He sought inspiration from how the Victorians would bring in nature to decorate their fireplaces and front doors. It is also linked to ancient indigenous practices, such as collecting mistletoe to bring luck. In this world, the elves are celebrating nature, not tinsel. The foundation of the Battle Christmas canvas is the palette; the colours they use create their world of Christmas. “It’s about making sure that nothing imposes and everything makes sense. You soon notice something if it doesn’t fit,” says Christian. “If there’s a bright yellow or green thing, then your attention would be taken there and the whole set breaks.” The perfect Lapland UK red is not a bright red, but a burgundy red. The basis for their muted colour board is that all the colours must look like they are derived from nature. “Anything that feels manufactured is rejected,” says Mike. When they were designing the toy factory the inspiration was real sawdust and rocking horses, rather than primary colours and clowns with googly eyes. What is the perfect Christmas green? “A sage. Not that far from Farrow and Ball, really,” laughs Mike. Silver and gold aren’t banned, but the tone and amount of it is to be considered. “If you have a hint of gold and silver, that’s fun. If you have all of it, that’s nuts,” says Mike. “It’s about elegance and balance. We want everything to be holistic, rather than shouty.” As you can imagine, this is a big moment in the Battle household; at home they have an 8ft tree. However, how it looks isn’t as important as how it feels. “It is a filled with memories,” says Christian. Rather than worrying too much about a matching bauble, every single decoration on the has to have a story. Something bought on holiday or made by the boys in primary school. After Matt played the Angel Gabriel in the school nativity they found an Angel Gabriel decoration. The family also love the of drying oranges and limes and putting them on the tree. “It’s sensory,” says Mike. There is no tinsel in the Battle household. Although in Alison’s family home there is one piece of tinsel. “It’s now 50 years old and my sister and I put it on the tree, even though it’s completely threadbare.” May your Christmas be warm and bright. Certainly your , anyway. When it comes to creating a warm and cosy atmosphere, Mike seeks inspiration from Salzburg. He remembers a trip to the Austrian town in December when everywhere was snowy. “And there were coffee shops lining the streets that were all glowing and warm. Every single one of them was so inviting and it was just beautiful.” He tries to make the same effect at Lapland UK by bringing the lighting down. “The amount of time I say ‘warm lighting’ during the building process!” he laughs. Old-fashioned filament bulbs are key to creating the Battle’s warm nostalgic dream of Christmas. “I don’t like the blue icicle lighting you see,” says Alison. Stir-up Sunday is another one of the rituals the family performs without fail each year. “We’d make our Christmas cake every year and one by one we had to ‘stir in the love’ and make a wish as you did it,” says Christian. “Making a Christmas cake one year isn’t that special, but the fact we’ve done it for nearly 30 years makes it feel different,” says Matt. As adults they now appreciate the ritualisation of their Christmas. “The things we did weren’t crazily unique, but by doing them every year it gave them significance, which made them more important each year,” says Matt. The Lapland UK Foundation aims to eventually put a stocking on the bed of every child in a UK hospital or hospice over Christmas. This year they are starting with Lewisham Hospital and Evelina Children’s Hospital. In the Battle household you are never too old for a stocking. Although now Alison usually has to wait for them to come back from the pub. “I still sneak in at 3 o’clock in the morning.” “You just have to let her do it,” says Mike. Alison does see the funny side of having never quite punctured the magic of Christmas for her sons, even if they are now well into adulthood. About three years ago, she remembers one of them running into our bedroom and saying: “Look what is in my stocking!” “I was like, ‘I know!” laughs Alison. Christmas is about creating a feeling, not about material things that you get on Christmas morning. The family feels strongly about that. It recalls the Christmases of Mike and Alison’s childhoods in the 1970s, growing up in working class families in south London. “They were very grounded, loving families,” says Alison. Her father was a carpenter and would make wooden gifts for her and her sister. As the youngest of five children from a migrant Irish family, Mike’s memories aren’t of things, but of an energy in the house. “I’d come down the stairs and feel that there was something special going on; that it was an unusual day,” he recalls. On Christmas Eve in Mike’s home, his father would have a half-day, “which was unusual. We used to all go to Littlewoods on Bromley High Street and have something to eat and that was great. Not because it was fancy, but because it was something unusual for us.” The essence of Christmas for him now? “Being at home and having all six of us together,” he says.
Eastern Don't miss out on the headlines from Eastern. Followed categories will be added to My News. Top-division football awaits for the first time in almost two decades. Mitcham has been busily bolstering its list ahead of its top-flight return following back-to-back premierships in Division 1 , with four-time flag coach Neil Winterton confident the club’s latest additions can address key areas of need. Dual Bentleigh best and fairest winners Liam Hewish and Michael Rogers have crossed from the Southern league, with a connection to Tigers’ ruckman Danny Baglava helping land the duo. Hewish brings more than 150 games’ experience, while Rogers, a former Sandringham Dragon, was named captain of Bentleigh at just 20 years of age in 2019. “Both (Michael) and Liam are looking for a fresh start,” Winterton said. “We’re really excited about what they’re going to add – Michael will play probably across half-back, but has the ability to play through the midfield or on the wing. “Liam’s more a key defender, he’s also had a bit of trouble with his body as well so we’re hoping with a bit of a fresh start he can get that back where he’d like it. “He’s a big body so we think he might be able to add something because we do need to add to our key position stocks, particularly down back.” Rogers kicks clear for Bentleigh. Picture: Steve Tanner Meanwhile, brothers Emi and Ezi Aleixo have crossed from Division 2 club Croydon. Emi returns to the league’s Premier Division after a stint at Vermont where he played 16 senior games in 2022. He was also at Frankston VFL in 2023 before a knee injury put paid to his time in the state league. Ezi featured in two senior finals for Croydon in 2024. “Emi is an in-and-under mid with good speed ... Ezi is a small, pressure forward, which we’re always looking to add those sorts of players in. We think both of those can add to our team,” Winterton said. “They’ve both played juniors at Mitcham as well.” Medium-sized forward Jack Kritopoulos has also signed from Premier Division rival, Blackburn. The former Eastern Ranges talent played most of his footy in the reserves this season with a smattering of senior appearances, kicking 21 goals from 16 showings in the twos and 10 majors from four top-flight matches – including six goals against Norwood. “He was looking for a little bit more opportunity, which we feel we can give him in our forward line,” Winterton said. “I’ve watched some of his vision ... he looks like he’s got good speed, nice hands and can finish off.” Winterton said most of the list had re-signed – but 2023 premiership defender Daniel Houeix has departed for Division 1 outfit Boronia. The Tigers last contested the Eastern league’s premier grade – then known as Division 1 – in 2006, and the coach was confident the group was primed for the challenge. EFNL 2024: Mitcham's Jesse Uren. Picture: Leesa Clarkson “They’re in that right age bracket now – I think our average age is going to be 23 or 24, so they’re right in that wheelhouse of playing their best footy,” Winterton said. “The last two seasons we’ve been the hunted team, and now we’re hunting the Balwyns, East Ringwoods, Doncaster Easts and those sorts of teams. “We’ve been in Division 1 for four or five years now, and you get used to playing the same teams year after year ... a lot of them (our players) have probably never played Vermont or Balwyn or Noble Park. “It’s a really exciting challenge for us.” Mitcham opens its season at home to Vermont on April 13. Join the conversation Add your comment to this story To join the conversation, please log in. Don't have an account? Register Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout More related stories Eastern ‘Building the foundations’: Youth to spearhead Lions’ new era Eastern Division 3 club Fairpark has hit the pre-season with a swag of key signings as it embarks on a new era under incoming coach Josh Allison. Read more Eastern Revealed: The biggest and best Eastern league recruits There’s been no shortage of top-drawer recruits putting pen to paper at Eastern league clubs this off-season, from ex-AFL stars to state league talents and more. We’ve named the best. Read more
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Stocks closed higher on Wall Street ahead of the Christmas holiday, led by gains in Big Tech stocks. The S&P 500 added 1.1% Tuesday. Trading closed early ahead of the holiday. Tech companies including Apple, Amazon and chip company Broadcom helped pull the market higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.9%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.3%. American Airlines shook off an early loss and ended mostly higher after the airline briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical issue. Treasury yields held steady in the bond market. On Tuesday: The S&P 500 rose 65.97 points, or 1.1%, to 6,040.04. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 390.08 points, or 0.9%, to 43,297.03. The Nasdaq composite rose 266.24 points, or 1.3%, to 20,031.13. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 22.42 points, or 1%, to 2,259.85 For the week: The S&P 500 is up 109.19 points, or 1.8%. The Dow is up 456.77 points, or 1.1%. The Nasdaq is up 458.53 points, or 2.3%. The Russell 2000 is up 17.48 points, or 0.8%. For the year: The S&P 500 is up 1,270.21 points, or 26.3%. The Dow is up 5,607.49 points, or 14.9%. The Nasdaq is up 5,019.77 points, or 33.4%. The Russell 2000 is up 232.78 points, or 11.5%.
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BURLINGTON, Mass., Dec. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Neuphoria Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: NEUP) (" Neuphoria ” or the " Company ”) is pleased to announce that its previously announced scheme of arrangement in relation to Bionomics Limited's proposed re-domiciliation from Australia to the United States, under which Neuphoria will become the ultimate parent company of Bionomics Limited, has been implemented today, December 23, 2024 New York time (December 24, 2024 Sydney time). The shares of common stock of Neuphoria (" Neuphoria Shares ”) issued today in connection with the re-domiciliation are expected to commence trading on The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC under the symbol "NEUP” on December 24, 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. In addition, Neuphoria will issue options to acquire shares of common stock in Neuphoria (" Neuphoria Options ”) to holders of options to acquire shares in Bionomics (" Bionomics Options ”) that were issued by Bionomics, in exchange for their Bionomics Options. Neuphoria will also issue a warrant to purchase 1,054,381 shares of common stock in Neuphoria (" Neuphoria Warrant ”) to an institutional investor that holds a warrant to purchase 12,652,572 American Depositary Shares ("ADSs”) of Bionomics (" Bionomics Warrant ”), in exchange for the Bionomics Warrant. Further details regarding the implementation of the redomiciliation can be found in a Current Report on Form 8-K that will be filed by Neuphoria with the SEC. Neuphoria (Nasdaq: NEUP) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to developing therapies that address the complex needs of individuals affected by neuropsychiatric disorders. Neuphoria is advancing its lead drug candidate, BNC210, an oral, proprietary, selective negative allosteric modulator of the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, for the acute, "as needed” treatment of social anxiety disorder (SAD) and for chronic treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). BNC210 is a first-of-its-kind, well-tolerated, broad spectrum anti-anxiety experimental therapeutic, designed to restore neurotransmitter balance in relevant brain areas, providing rapid relief from stress and anxiety symptoms without the common pitfalls of sedation, cognitive impairment, or addiction. In addition, Neuphoria has a strategic partnership with Merck & Co., Inc. (known as MSD outside the United States and Canada) with two drugs in early-stage clinical trials for the treatment of cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease and other central nervous system conditions. Neuphoria's pipeline also includes the α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor next generation and the Kv3.1/3.2 preclinical programs, both in the lead optimization development stage. Forward-Looking Statements Neuphoria cautions that statements included in this press release that are not a description of historical facts are forward-looking statements. Words such as "may,” "could,” "will,” "would,” "should,” "expect,” "plan,” "anticipate,” "believe,” "estimate,” "intend,” "predict,” "seek,” "contemplate,” "potential,” "continue” or "project” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on our current beliefs and expectations. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Neuphoria that any of its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in this release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company's business and other risks described in the Company's filings with the SEC, including the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, and its other reports. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and Neuphoria undertakes no obligation to revise or update this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties and other factors is included in Neuphoria's filings with the SEC, copies of which are available from the SEC's website (www.sec.gov) and on Neuphoria's website (www.neuphoriatx.com) under the heading "Investor Center.” All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. This caution is made under the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Neuphoria expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all the contents of this press release. Not an offer of securities This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in any jurisdiction. The Neuphoria Shares, Neuphoria Options and Neuphoria Warrant have not been registered under the US Securities Act and may not be offered or sold except in a transaction registered under the US Securities Act or in a transaction exempt from such registration requirements and applicable US state securities laws.CEO Letter to Shareholders Issued by Tivic Health
Israel’s siege of Northern Gaza and its violation of the recently-signed ceasefire deal in Lebanon were the people’s focus at Australia-wide rallies for Palestine in the 60th consecutive week of protests, including the United Nation’s declared International Day of Solidarity with Palestine on November 29. As the outgoing lame-duck United States President Joe Biden repeats that Israel has a “right to defend itself” and the White House is “working on a ceasefire deal”, former Israeli defence minister Moshe Ya’alon said . Pressed to retract by Israel’s Channel 12, Ya’alon refused. he said, adding, “It’s hard for me to say that”. He blamed “politicians” who, he says, are instructing the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to “carry out what are defined as war crimes”. He said they include “evacuate[ing] the population for [ostensible] operational activities” but which are really aimed at reviving Jewish settlement in the strip. reported Ya’alon’s interview in which he also said the arrest warrant put out against Benjamin Netanyahu was justified. He said the International Criminal Court has a list of other officials from defense and politics who will be investigated for war crimes. If it was up to him, Ya’alon said, far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir would have been arrested “some time ago”. The Gaza Health Ministry estimates the death toll at more than 44,000, including 13,000 children. But in July that it is not implausible to estimate that up to 186,000 or even more deaths could be attributable to the current conflict in Gaza — around 8% of the total population. Israel targeted and killed three more World Central Kitchen aid workers in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on November 29. Consequently, aid deliveries there have been stopped and in the rest of the Strip have “ ”. In October an average of just 37 trucks per day entered Gaza, and in the first week of November that had only lifted to an average of 69 a day, well below the average of the already insufficient 500 a day entering Gaza before October 7, 2023, reported the . Protesters in marked International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People with a lively march of more than 800 people, reports Alex Bainbridge. The chant "While you are shopping, bombs are dropping" was given visceral meaning when the protesters held a sit-down and heard speeches in the Queen Street mall. The local Healthcare Workers for Palestine group began by putting faces and names to those being killed in Gaza in a series of presentations. Greens candidate Remah Naji and Socialist Alliance Senate candidate Jonathan Strauss, who both say stopping Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza is a critical election issue, spoke to protesters. Jim McIlroy reports that the 60th weekly rally in at Hyde Park on December 1, organised by the Palestine Action Group, focussed on the theme: “Stop the genocide, stop the war and lock up Netanyahu!” A sudden heavy storm did not deter protesters from continuing their march through the CBD. A few days earlier, about 70 people rallied near the Prime Minister’s residence in Kirribilli, marking the partition of Palestine in 1947, Rachel Evans reports. The protest was led by anti-genocide organising group “The People” and was chaired by Wollongong Friends of Palestine activist Labiba Abdellatif. Speakers included Nour Salman, Naarm/Melbourne-based Palestine activist and expert on South-West Asia and North Africa affairs; Ihab Abu Ibrahim, Naarm-based Palestinian activist; Markela Panegyres, University of Sydney academic and National Tertiary Education Union for Palestine activist; Elizabeth Jarrett, Gumabynggirr, Bundjalung, Dunghutti woman, who recently established the Sydney Basin Tent Embassy at Victoria Park. Activists in organised a vigil to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on November 29, reports Jordan Ellis. Healthcare workers organised a rally to highlight that more than 1000 doctors and nurses have been killed by Israel in one year. Israeli forces have arrested, tortured and executed more than 300 healthcare workers in prisons. Highly regarded Gazan surgeon Dr Adnan al Bursh was tortured to death while held in Israeli military custody in October. Dr John Guy, from HealthWorkers for Palestine Adelaide, said: “We must come together as health workers. Israel’s attacks on hospitals and health care workers are uniquely iniquitous, and a war crime. We have a responsibility to call it out.” The protest was part of a by healthcare workers from November 29 to December 1, with rallies in seven cities. A few days before, pro-Palestine activists occupied the office of weapons manufacturer BAE Systems in Kaurna Yerta to protest the company’s complicity in Israel’s genocide. BAE Systems manufacturers military weapons and equipment, including parts for F-35 fighter jets, military drones and M109 Howitzer long range artillery. These weapons have been used to kill thousands of Palestinians, including 17,000 children. Protesters called on BAE Systems and other weapons manufacturers to stop supplying arms and parts to Israel, and called on the Australian government to cancel all agreements with weapons manufacturers. “These companies have shown that their priority is corporate profits at all costs, even if that cost is ethnic cleansing ... Stop arming Israel,” organiser said. A vigil for scholasticide in Gaza was held outside the South Australian Department of Education on December 2. Scholasticide refers to the intended mass destruction of education. "In the last year, Israel has killed thousands of students and teachers, more than 600,000 students have been deprived of schooling, at least 90% of schools have been damaged or destroyed and all universities and higher education institutions have been destroyed." Thousands marched in on December 1, reports Jordan AK on the 60th week of continuous protest. Margaret Beavis, Vice-President of the Medical Association for Prevention of War and co-chair of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, expressed dismay over the relentless attacks on health infrastructure and workers in Palestine. Beavis praised Palestinian healthcare workers for their dedication, professionalism and courage and expressed horror for the hundreds of Palestinian healthcare workers who have been disappeared, or imprisoned in abject conditions of "overcrowding, neglect, malnutrition, violence, torture, humiliation and abuse". She said this should be a wake up call to health practitioners across the globe. Rally Chair Mai Saif thanked rally-goers for their enduring dedication and commitment in taking to the streets in protest: “The media creates it own propaganda, we know our government is complicit in genocide ... but it is our actions every week that is making a change.” She pointed to the Victorian government’s announcement that it was cutting ties with Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems. “This would never have happened [without the rallies].” December 1 also coincides with the annual flag-raising ceremony of the West Papuan Morning Star flag. West Papuan activist Cyndi Makabory spoke about its significance in the context of Indonesian colonialism. “Every year on December 1, the Morning Star rises again. No matter the repression, no matter the threat, this symbol of defiance cannot be repressed,” he explained. “Like Palestinians, for Papuans, the Morning Star is more than a flag; it is our people; it is our pulse; it is our breath; our unbreakable will to be free; and in the hearts of those who raise it is the same unshakable cry for justice from the forest of West Papua to the river and sea of Palestine, and to the coast of so-called Australia and beyond." Other speakers included Uncle Robbie Thorpe, medical scientist Ola Aladassi from the Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association, medical worker and unionist Eleana Ni Mhurchu and Aviva Tuffield, who helped organise . Protesters were urged to turn out in numbers for the December 8 rally.
Nissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automaker TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have announced plans to work toward a merger that would catapult them to a top position in an industry in the midst of tectonic shifts as it transitions away from its reliance on fossil fuels. The two companies said they signed an agreement on integrating their businesses on Monday. Smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors agreed to join the talks. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month. Japanese automakers face a strong challenge from their Chinese rivals and Tesla as they make inroads into markets at home and abroad. What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry. Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group in $6.25 billion deal Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. Nordstrom shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock, representing a 42% premium on the company’s stock as of March 18. Nordstrom’s board of directors unanimously approved the the proposed transaction, while Erik and Pete Nordstrom — part of the Nordstrom family taking over the company — recused themselves from voting. Following the close of the transaction, the Nordstrom Family will have a majority ownership stake in the company. An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump won a return to the White House in part by promising big changes in economic policy — more tax cuts, huge tariffs on imports, mass deportations of immigrants working in the United States illegally. In some ways, his victory marked a repudiation of President Joe Biden’s economic stewardship and a protest against inflation. It came despite low unemployment and steady growth under the Biden administration. What lies ahead for the economy under Trump? Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics spoke recently to The Associated Press. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. American consumers feeling less confident in December, Conference Board says American consumers are feeling less confident in December, a business research group says. The Conference Board said Monday that its consumer confidence index fell back in December to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Consumers had been feeling increasingly confident in recent months. The consumer confidence index measures both Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months. The measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for income, business and the job market tumbled more than a dozen points to 81.1. The Conference Board says a reading under 80 can signal a potential recession in the near future. Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week Stocks closed higher on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Monday. Several big technology companies helped support the gains, including chip companies Nvidia and Broadcom. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1%. Honda's U.S.-listed shares rose sharply after the company said it was in talks about a combination with Nissan in a deal that could also include Mitsubishi Motors. Eli Lilly rose after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. The internet is rife with fake reviews. Will AI make it worse? Researchers and watchdog groups say the emergence of generative artificial intelligence tools that allow people to efficiently produce detailed and novel online reviews has put merchants, service providers and consumers in uncharted territory. Phony reviews have long plagued many popular consumer websites, such as Amazon and Yelp. But AI-infused text generation tools enable fraudsters to produce reviews faster and in greater volume, according to tech industry experts. The deceptive practice is illegal in the U.S. and becomes a bigger problem for consumers during the holiday shopping season, when many people rely on reviews to buy gifts. A tech company and watchdog group that uses software to detect fake reviews says AI-generated reviews have multiplied. Romanian lawmakers narrowly approve new pro-European coalition during period of political turmoil BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanian lawmakers have voted narrowly in favor of a new pro-European coalition government led by incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. The move on Monday could usher in an end to a protracted political crisis in the European Union country following the annulment of a presidential election. Parliament approved the new administration in a 240-143 vote in the 466-seat legislature. The new coalition is made up of the leftist Social Democratic Party, the center-right National Liberal Party, the small ethnic Hungarian UDMR party and national minorities. President Klaus Iohannis swore in the new government on Monday night. Government regulators close investigation into Ford Focus recalls Government safety regulators are closing an investigation into two previous recalls of the Ford Focus after determining that Ford Motor Co. has satisfied its concerns. Ford recalled around 1.5 million Ford Focus sedans from the 2012-2018 model years in 2018 because they could lose power. The issue was a malfunctioning canister purge valve and software that didn’t adequately detect when it was stuck open. Ford fixed the software in two separate recalls, but after cars continued to stall, the government opened an inquiry last year. Earlier this fall, Ford offered to replace the canister purge valve on all of the vehicles, satisfying regulators' concerns. AI will eavesdrop on world's wildest places to track and help protect endangered wildlife PUERTO JIMÉNEZ, Costa Rica (AP) — A biologist hid 350 audio monitors across Costa Rica’s tropical rainforests to spy on endangered spider monkeys in order to help protect them. But she had to go back to collect the data and feed those sounds into artificial intelligence systems that can recognize monkey calls. Now tech giant Microsoft's philanthropic arm is hoping to supercharge AI-assisted wildlife research with new solar-powered devices that can capture sounds, images and other wilderness data for a year or more without human intervention. Researchers say more AI wildlife surveillance is urgently needed to monitor the health of species at risk of extinction.
Trump convinced Republicans to overlook his misconduct. But can he do the same for his nominees?
Cancer – (21st June to 22nd July) Daily Horoscope Prediction says, explore New Opportunities with a Positive Mindset Today brings new challenges and opportunities. Stay positive and adapt to changes, allowing growth in personal and professional life. This is a day to embrace change and growth. Be open to the new challenges and opportunities that present themselves. Your adaptability and positivity will help you thrive, especially in personal and professional areas. Keep a balanced approach, and you’ll find success in your endeavors. Cancer Love Horoscope Today You may encounter fresh experiences that deepen your connections. Whether you are in a relationship or single, today offers opportunities for meaningful interactions. Allow yourself to be open and genuine in your communications. For those in partnerships, sharing thoughts and feelings can enhance understanding and harmony. Singles might find that social interactions bring unexpected connections. Stay open-minded and let your natural warmth guide your interactions. Cancer Career Horoscope Today In your professional life, today could present new challenges and opportunities. Stay adaptable and positive, as these attributes will serve you well. Approach tasks with a fresh perspective, and don't shy away from proposing creative solutions. Colleagues and superiors will notice your innovative approach and dedication. Use this chance to showcase your skills and build strong professional relationships. Your proactive attitude can lead to career advancements or recognition. Cancer Money Horoscope Today Financially, today suggests being cautious yet optimistic. Evaluate your budget and spending habits to ensure you are on the right track. It's a good time to consider new ways to save or invest wisely. Stay informed about financial opportunities, but avoid making hasty decisions. Consulting a financial advisor could provide insights that benefit your long-term financial health. Balance caution with curiosity to make informed choices that support your goals. Cancer Health Horoscope Today Today, focus on maintaining a balanced lifestyle to support your well-being. Listen to your body and give it the care it deserves. Incorporate healthy habits like regular exercise, nutritious meals, and adequate rest into your daily routine. Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or deep breathing, can help manage stress levels effectively. Pay attention to any signals your body sends and address them promptly. Taking small steps towards a healthier lifestyle can lead to significant improvements in your overall health. Cancer Sign Attributes Strength: Intuitive, Practical, Kind, Energetic, Artsy, Dedicated, Benevolent, Caring Weakness: Insatiable, Possessive, Prudish Symbol: Crab Element: Water Body Part: Stomach & Breast Sign Ruler: Moon Lucky Day: Monday Lucky Color: White Lucky Number: 2 Lucky Stone: Pearl Cancer Sign Compatibility Chart Natural affinity: Taurus, Virgo, Scorpio, Pisces Good compatibility: Cancer, Capricorn Fair compatibility: Gemini, Leo, Sagittarius, Aquarius Less compatibility: Aries, Libra By: Dr. J. N. Pandey Vedic Astrology & Vastu Expert Website: www.astrologerjnpandey.com E-mail: djnpandey@gmail.com Phone: 91-9811107060 (WhatsApp Only)Israel’s siege of Northern Gaza and its violation of the recently-signed ceasefire deal in Lebanon were the people’s focus at Australia-wide rallies for Palestine in the 60th consecutive week of protests, including the United Nation’s declared International Day of Solidarity with Palestine on November 29. As the outgoing lame-duck United States President Joe Biden repeats that Israel has a “right to defend itself” and the White House is “working on a ceasefire deal”, former Israeli defence minister Moshe Ya’alon said . Pressed to retract by Israel’s Channel 12, Ya’alon refused. he said, adding, “It’s hard for me to say that”. He blamed “politicians” who, he says, are instructing the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to “carry out what are defined as war crimes”. He said they include “evacuate[ing] the population for [ostensible] operational activities” but which are really aimed at reviving Jewish settlement in the strip. reported Ya’alon’s interview in which he also said the arrest warrant put out against Benjamin Netanyahu was justified. He said the International Criminal Court has a list of other officials from defense and politics who will be investigated for war crimes. If it was up to him, Ya’alon said, far-right ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir would have been arrested “some time ago”. The Gaza Health Ministry estimates the death toll at more than 44,000, including 13,000 children. But in July that it is not implausible to estimate that up to 186,000 or even more deaths could be attributable to the current conflict in Gaza — around 8% of the total population. Israel targeted and killed three more World Central Kitchen aid workers in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on November 29. Consequently, aid deliveries there have been stopped and in the rest of the Strip have “ ”. In October an average of just 37 trucks per day entered Gaza, and in the first week of November that had only lifted to an average of 69 a day, well below the average of the already insufficient 500 a day entering Gaza before October 7, 2023, reported the . Protesters in marked International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People with a lively march of more than 800 people, reports Alex Bainbridge. The chant "While you are shopping, bombs are dropping" was given visceral meaning when the protesters held a sit-down and heard speeches in the Queen Street mall. The local Healthcare Workers for Palestine group began by putting faces and names to those being killed in Gaza in a series of presentations. Greens candidate Remah Naji and Socialist Alliance Senate candidate Jonathan Strauss, who both say stopping Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza is a critical election issue, spoke to protesters. Jim McIlroy reports that the 60th weekly rally in at Hyde Park on December 1, organised by the Palestine Action Group, focussed on the theme: “Stop the genocide, stop the war and lock up Netanyahu!” A sudden heavy storm did not deter protesters from continuing their march through the CBD. A few days earlier, about 70 people rallied near the Prime Minister’s residence in Kirribilli, marking the partition of Palestine in 1947, Rachel Evans reports. The protest was led by anti-genocide organising group “The People” and was chaired by Wollongong Friends of Palestine activist Labiba Abdellatif. Speakers included Nour Salman, Naarm/Melbourne-based Palestine activist and expert on South-West Asia and North Africa affairs; Ihab Abu Ibrahim, Naarm-based Palestinian activist; Markela Panegyres, University of Sydney academic and National Tertiary Education Union for Palestine activist; Elizabeth Jarrett, Gumabynggirr, Bundjalung, Dunghutti woman, who recently established the Sydney Basin Tent Embassy at Victoria Park. Activists in organised a vigil to mark the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People on November 29, reports Jordan Ellis. Healthcare workers organised a rally to highlight that more than 1000 doctors and nurses have been killed by Israel in one year. Israeli forces have arrested, tortured and executed more than 300 healthcare workers in prisons. Highly regarded Gazan surgeon Dr Adnan al Bursh was tortured to death while held in Israeli military custody in October. Dr John Guy, from HealthWorkers for Palestine Adelaide, said: “We must come together as health workers. Israel’s attacks on hospitals and health care workers are uniquely iniquitous, and a war crime. We have a responsibility to call it out.” The protest was part of a by healthcare workers from November 29 to December 1, with rallies in seven cities. A few days before, pro-Palestine activists occupied the office of weapons manufacturer BAE Systems in Kaurna Yerta to protest the company’s complicity in Israel’s genocide. BAE Systems manufacturers military weapons and equipment, including parts for F-35 fighter jets, military drones and M109 Howitzer long range artillery. These weapons have been used to kill thousands of Palestinians, including 17,000 children. Protesters called on BAE Systems and other weapons manufacturers to stop supplying arms and parts to Israel, and called on the Australian government to cancel all agreements with weapons manufacturers. “These companies have shown that their priority is corporate profits at all costs, even if that cost is ethnic cleansing ... Stop arming Israel,” organiser said. A vigil for scholasticide in Gaza was held outside the South Australian Department of Education on December 2. Scholasticide refers to the intended mass destruction of education. "In the last year, Israel has killed thousands of students and teachers, more than 600,000 students have been deprived of schooling, at least 90% of schools have been damaged or destroyed and all universities and higher education institutions have been destroyed." Thousands marched in on December 1, reports Jordan AK on the 60th week of continuous protest. Margaret Beavis, Vice-President of the Medical Association for Prevention of War and co-chair of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, expressed dismay over the relentless attacks on health infrastructure and workers in Palestine. Beavis praised Palestinian healthcare workers for their dedication, professionalism and courage and expressed horror for the hundreds of Palestinian healthcare workers who have been disappeared, or imprisoned in abject conditions of "overcrowding, neglect, malnutrition, violence, torture, humiliation and abuse". She said this should be a wake up call to health practitioners across the globe. Rally Chair Mai Saif thanked rally-goers for their enduring dedication and commitment in taking to the streets in protest: “The media creates it own propaganda, we know our government is complicit in genocide ... but it is our actions every week that is making a change.” She pointed to the Victorian government’s announcement that it was cutting ties with Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems. “This would never have happened [without the rallies].” December 1 also coincides with the annual flag-raising ceremony of the West Papuan Morning Star flag. West Papuan activist Cyndi Makabory spoke about its significance in the context of Indonesian colonialism. “Every year on December 1, the Morning Star rises again. No matter the repression, no matter the threat, this symbol of defiance cannot be repressed,” he explained. “Like Palestinians, for Papuans, the Morning Star is more than a flag; it is our people; it is our pulse; it is our breath; our unbreakable will to be free; and in the hearts of those who raise it is the same unshakable cry for justice from the forest of West Papua to the river and sea of Palestine, and to the coast of so-called Australia and beyond." Other speakers included Uncle Robbie Thorpe, medical scientist Ola Aladassi from the Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association, medical worker and unionist Eleana Ni Mhurchu and Aviva Tuffield, who helped organise . Protesters were urged to turn out in numbers for the December 8 rally.