WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two U.S. senators and a U.S. representative from Indiana recently received committee assignments. U.S. Sen. Todd Young announced his assignment to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. The committee consists of 17 senators; nine from the majority party, eight from the minority party. Committee responsibilities include studying intelligence activities and policing intelligence agencies, making sure their activities conform with the Constitution. As a retired United States Marine intelligence officer, Young said he knows the value of intelligence officials and the information they provide. “I look forward to serving with my colleagues on the committee to ensure policymakers are receiving the best intelligence possible as they make critical decisions,” Young said in a press release Monday. U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, District 3 will fill the senatorial seat previously vacated by Mike Braun, who will serve as the state’s governor, beginning Jan. 1. Banks has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Armed Services, the Senate Committee on Banking and the Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs, according to his website. U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz, Dist. 5, will serve on the House Judiciary, Education and Labor committees. Spartz, whose district includes Madison County, recently made headlines by saying she would not be involved with committees or caucuses until she sees Republican leaders “governing.” “I do not need to be involved in circuses,” she wrote in a recent social media post.

After a huge post-election rally, Bitcoin ( BTC -0.28% ) just hit another all-time high, and is on the cusp of breaking through the $100,000 mark for the first time ever. For the year, it is now up 110%. But what if I told you that there was a crypto stock that was absolutely crushing Bitcoin's performance this year? That's right: MicroStrategy ( MSTR 6.19% ) is now up 462% for 2024 and is doing so on the basis of an aggressive strategy that involves buying as many bitcoins as it possibly can. So which is the better buy right now, Bitcoin or MicroStrategy? MicroStrategy's Bitcoin strategy To answer that question, you first have to understand how MicroStrategy has fundamentally changed its business over the past few years. It started in August 2020, when it became the first publicly traded company to buy Bitcoin as part of its capital allocation plan. Four years later, MicroStrategy has the largest holdings of any publicly traded company in the world: 331,200 bitcoins, worth about $30 billion at current market prices. To put that into perspective, its Bitcoin cache is now larger than the cash holdings of either Nike or IBM . What's especially remarkable is the pace at which it is now adding the crypto to its balance sheet. Between Oct. 31 and Nov. 10, the company added 27,000 bitcoins. Between Nov. 11 and Nov. 17, it added another 51,780 bitcoins. And MicroStrategy has no intention to stop buying anytime soon. The company recently announced plans to add another $42 billion worth of Bitcoin over the next three years. In short, the company has gone all-in on the cryptocurrency. It now refers to itself as a Bitcoin Treasury Company (or BTC, for short) and has created a new performance metric, known as Bitcoin Yield, to show investors just how successful its buying strategy has been. You might say that MicroStrategy is now trying to out-Bitcoin Bitcoin. Caveats about MicroStrategy's new strategy Before the new spot Bitcoin ETFs were launched in January, investors were buying MicroStrategy as a way to get exposure to Bitcoin. Some even referred to it as a Bitcoin proxy stock, because they weren't buying the company for its core software business. Instead, they were buying it for one reason only: the company's massive crypto holdings. Once the new ETFs launched, that proxy strategy became relatively less attractive for investors, who wanted 1:1 exposure to Bitcoin. So, over the past year, MicroStrategy has taken increasingly aggressive steps to show investors that it is far more than just a Bitcoin proxy stock. It has continually upped the ante in order to get as much exposure to the digital coin as it possibly can, even if it means using leverage. Thus far, investors are loving it. You really can't argue with 462% returns, can you? According to Bloomberg, MicroStrategy is currently the second-best performing stock of 2024. And, as noted above, it has delivered returns that are more than 4x what Bitcoin has. But here's the thing: MicroStrategy may be taking its Bitcoin strategy too far. Already, some analysts have weighed in, poking holes in several of the assumptions made by the company. The most basic of these assumptions is that the price of Bitcoin will always go up. But will it? Crypto investors are well aware of Bitcoin's infamous volatility. In short, it can collapse in value just as quickly as it can soar, and that's what makes me nervous. What happens to MicroStrategy when the price of Bitcoin declines, especially now that the company is using debt to finance new purchases? The cyclical nature of Bitcoin Bitcoin tends to be very cyclical, due to halving events that take place every four years. During certain periods of this cycle, there are always companies in the Bitcoin ecosystem that will outperform it. And, likewise, during certain periods of this cycle, there are always companies in that ecosystem that will underperform it. Just think about Bitcoin mining stocks. In 2023, some of these stocks wildly outperformed the cryptocurrency, and many investors decided to invest in them rather than Bitcoin itself. For example, consider this 2023 chart comparing Riot Platforms (NASDAQ: RIOT) and the crypto: Bitcoin/U.S. dollar chart by TradingView. For the year, Riot Platforms was up 359%, while Bitcoin was only up 155%. Heading into the final week of 2023, Riot Platforms was up as much as 455%. In 2024, though, it's a completely different story. Riot Platforms is down more than 20%, while Bitcoin is up 110%. Over the long haul, Bitcoin is the best choice if you are a buy-and-hold investor. You won't have to worry about where we are in the cycle, or how companies are continually adjusting their Bitcoin strategies. I certainly applaud MicroStrategy's bold moves, but I'm still buying Bitcoin.National chief urges MPs to send water bill to Senate before holiday breakBy MIKE CATALINI CHATHAM, N.J. (AP) — That buzzing coming out of New Jersey? It’s unclear if it’s drones or something else, but for sure the nighttime sightings are producing tons of talk, a raft of conspiracy theories and craned necks looking skyward. Related Articles National News | FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup National News | OpenAI whistleblower found dead in San Francisco apartment National News | Judge rejects an attempt by Trump campaign lawyer to invalidate guilty plea in Georgia election case National News | Texas’ abortion pill lawsuit against New York doctor marks new challenge to interstate telemedicine National News | US military flies American released from Syrian prison to Jordan, officials say Cropping up on local news and social media sites around Thanksgiving, the saga of the drones reported over New Jersey has reached incredible heights. This week seems to have begun a new, higher-profile chapter: Lawmakers are demanding (but so far not getting) explanations from federal and state authorities about what’s behind them. Gov. Phil Murphy wrote to President Joe Biden asking for answers. New Jersey’s new senator, Andy Kim, spent Thursday night on a drone hunt in rural northern New Jersey, and posted about it on X. But perhaps the most fantastic development is the dizzying proliferation of conspiracies — none of which has been confirmed or suggested by federal and state officials who say they’re looking into what’s happening. It has become shorthand to refer to the flying machines as drones, but there are questions about whether what people are seeing are unmanned aircraft or something else. Some theorize the drones came from an Iranian mothership. Others think they are the Secret Service making sure President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster property is secure. Others worry about China. The deep state. And on. In the face of uncertainty, people have done what they do in 2024: Create a social media group. The Facebook page, New Jersey Mystery Drones — let’s solve it , has nearly 44,000 members, up from 39,000 late Thursday. People are posting their photo and video sightings, and the online commenters take it from there. One video shows a whitish light flying in a darkened sky, and one commenter concludes it’s otherworldly. “Straight up orbs,” the person says. Others weigh in to say it’s a plane or maybe a satellite. Another group called for hunting the drones literally, shooting them down like turkeys. (Do not shoot at anything in the sky, experts warn.) Trisha Bushey, 48, of Lebanon Township, New Jersey, lives near Round Valley Reservoir where there have been numerous sightings. She said she first posted photos online last month wondering what the objects were and became convinced they were drones when she saw how they moved and when her son showed her on a flight tracking site that no planes were around. Now she’s glued to the Mystery Drones page, she said. “I find myself — instead of Christmas shopping or cleaning my house — checking it,” she said. She doesn’t buy what the governor said, that the drones aren’t a risk to public safety. Murphy told Biden on Friday that residents need answers. The federal Homeland Security Department and FBI also said in a joint statement they have no evidence that the sightings pose “a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.” “How can you say it’s not posing a threat if you don’t know what it is?” she said. “I think that’s why so many people are uneasy.” Then there’s the notion that people could misunderstand what they’re seeing. William Austin is the president of Warren County Community College, which has a drone technology degree program, and is coincidentally located in one of the sighting hotspots. Austin says he has looked at videos of purported drones and that airplanes are being misidentified as drones. He cited an optical effect called parallax, which is the apparent shift of an object when viewed from different perspectives. Austin encouraged people to download flight and drone tracker apps so they can better understand what they’re looking at. Nonetheless, people continue to come up with their own theories. “It represents the United States of America in 2024,” Austin said. “We’ve lost trust in our institutions, and we need it.” Federal officials echo Austin’s view that many of the sightings are piloted aircraft such as planes and helicopters being mistaken for drones, according to lawmakers and Murphy. That’s not really convincing for many, though, who are homing in on the sightings beyond just New Jersey and the East Coast, where others have reported seeing the objects. For Seph Divine, 34, another member of the drone hunting group who lives in Eugene, Oregon, it feels as if it’s up to citizen sleuths to solve the mystery. He said he tries to be a voice of reason, encouraging people to fact check their information, while also asking probing questions. “My main goal is I don’t want people to be caught up in the hysteria and I also want people to not just ignore it at the same time,” he said. “Whether or not it’s foreign military or some secret access program or something otherworldly, whatever it is, all I’m saying is it’s alarming that this is happening so suddenly and so consistently for hours at a time,” he added. Associated Press reporter Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed to this report.

Quantum computing is a hot topic right now. Three of the four highest-performing stocks in the last six months are pure play investments in this technology. Investors expect big things from a new class of computers, with the promise of solving incredibly complex problems in the blink of an eye. Leading quantum computer builder IonQ ( IONQ -5.72% ) gained 484% in six months as of Dec. 26. Believe it or not, but that jump doesn't qualify IonQ for a top-four finish. No, IonQ lands in the 16th place on this list, far behind the 2,735% gain posted by smaller rival Quantum Computing, Inc. ( QUBT -4.63% ) . Can Quantum Computing build on its recent success? Will IonQ turn the tables and outperform the smaller company in 2025? What else do you need to know before investing in the explosive quantum computing market? Metric Quantum Computing IonQ Market Cap $2.4 billion $10.2 billion Revenue (TTM) $390,000 $37.5 million Net Profit Margin (TTM) (6,159%) (457.9%) Free Cash Flow (TTM) ($20.5 million) ($120.4 million) Cash and Short-Term Investments $3.06 million $301.8 million Data collected from Finviz and YCharts on Dec. 26, 2024. TTM = trailing twelve months. Compare and contrast the financial results These financial statements have a lot in common. IonQ and Quantum Computing's stocks are worth billions of dollars despite minimal revenues and deeply negative bottom-line profits. Neither company is attempting to make a profit at this point. They are development-stage businesses set up to deliver new and improved technologies that might support a profitable business someday. I'm not speculating here. Here's what IonQ said about its business prospects in regulatory filings before entering the public stock market in 2021: Quantum Computing offered another sobering self-analysis in 2020: "We incurred negative cash flows from operating activities and recurring net losses in fiscal years 2019 and 2018. [...] These factors, among others, raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern ." Wall Street's ditches are littered with the remains of development-stage businesses that never lived up to their early expectations. IonQ and Quantum Computing are the first to admit that they might be next in line for financial disaster, bankruptcy, and crumbling investor value. I'm not saying that the two companies are doomed to fail, but you should be aware of the substantial risks involved in owning these stocks. Even if you don't mind risky investments , it's best to make smallish bets on any stock in this volatile industry. Some of the most promising research projects may never result in commercial-grade computing systems, after all. What makes these quantum computing specialists unique IonQ is a leading manufacturer of quantum computing systems. So far, its customer list includes several branches of the U.S. military, South Korean vehicle maker Hyundai , and industrial machinery giant Caterpillar . Anyone can access IonQ hardware through popular cloud-computing platforms from Amazon , Microsoft , and Alphabet . The IonQ Forte system hit the market a year ago. Its trapped ion architecture provides 32 qubits of quantum computing power. That's enough to perform some simple calculations, though the error rate is still high. Estimated to cost about $13 million, the Forte system is still not useful for any real-world business task. Quantum Computing (the company, not the technology itself) started out with a tight focus on providing software and algorithms to run on quantum computing hardware from other companies. Since then, the company has merged with a quantum hardware researcher and is now looking for opportunities to sell computing systems, too. This company is not shipping any hardware yet, though. The third-quarter report in November highlighted several partnerships and research programs, looking forward to potential system sales in 2025. How to invest in quantum computing stocks today All things considered, I think it's too early to pick long-term winners in the promising but risky field of quantum computing. I would approach this game-changing technology from a safer angle. Some of the largest tech giants are also developing quantum computing systems these days, including some of the IonQ partners mentioned earlier. These deep-pocketed businesses are better equipped to manage the unpredictable nature of risky research projects. But I promised to pick a winner in this specific duel, and the choice is very clear. IonQ has already proven its ability to win long-term development contracts and actually deliver a few systems to real-world customers. Moreover, this company has enough cash reserves to make it a couple of years without being forced to raise extra cash in uncomfortable ways. The Quantum Computing company doesn't have that luxury. So I would much rather own IonQ stock than Quantum Computing shares. Your mileage may vary, but the smaller company is too risky for my blood.

Sunday, November 24, 2024 Saudi Arabia is revolutionizing its tourism sector under the ambitious Vision 2030 initiative, with women playing a vital role in this transformation. His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism for Saudi Arabia, recently highlighted these advancements during the 122nd UNWTO Executive Council Meeting in Colombia. With over 100,000 women joining the tourism workforce since 2019, Saudi Arabia is demonstrating its commitment to inclusivity, economic diversification, and global leadership in tourism. At the core of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy is a drive to diversify the Kingdom’s economy beyond oil and position tourism as a cornerstone of economic growth. Empowering women in the workforce is a key component of this vision. Since 2019, significant strides have been made to integrate women into the tourism industry, allowing them to take on roles in new developments such as the Red Sea resorts and NEOM, the Kingdom’s futuristic smart city. “Women are passionate, skilled, and enthusiastic to share Saudi Arabia’s story with the world,” said His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb, Minister of Tourism, Saudi Arabia at an exclusive interaction with Anup Kumar Keshan, CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Travel And Tour World. He emphasized that women are not only contributing to the sector’s growth but are also serving as cultural ambassadors, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s rich heritage and modern ambitions. The Saudi government has implemented several initiatives to support women in tourism. These measures are designed to provide vocational training, improve employment conditions, and create new opportunities across the Kingdom. Here’s how Saudi Arabia is fostering women’s participation in the tourism workforce: Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in training and development programs aimed at equipping women with the skills required for careers in tourism, hospitality, and entertainment. These initiatives ensure that women are prepared to excel in roles such as tour guides, hotel managers, and event coordinators. In partnership with international institutions, these programs focus on building technical expertise, language proficiency, and leadership capabilities. The goal is to create a highly skilled workforce that can cater to the needs of an expanding tourism sector. To attract and retain women in tourism, the Saudi government has introduced policies to increase wages and enhance workplace conditions. These efforts are aligned with broader national goals to improve gender equality and economic participation. Women are playing a pivotal role in some of Saudi Arabia’s most ambitious tourism projects, including the Red Sea resorts and NEOM. These mega-developments are expected to draw millions of tourists annually, creating thousands of jobs in hospitality, entertainment, and retail. Women are contributing to these projects in a variety of roles, from on-the-ground operations to managerial and leadership positions. The government has introduced regulatory frameworks to ensure that women have access to equal opportunities in the tourism sector. These policies focus on creating inclusive workplaces and promoting gender diversity across all levels of the industry. The integration of women into Saudi Arabia’s tourism workforce is not only a matter of social progress but also an economic imperative. Tourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the Kingdom, with ambitious targets to attract 100 million annual visitors by 2030 and increase tourism’s contribution to GDP from 3% to 10%. By empowering women, Saudi Arabia is tapping into a vital source of talent and creativity, driving innovation and enhancing the visitor experience. Women are contributing to every aspect of the tourism value chain, from front-line hospitality roles to behind-the-scenes strategic planning. Vision 2030 serves as the guiding framework for Saudi Arabia’s transformation into a global tourism powerhouse. This comprehensive strategy emphasizes sustainability, inclusivity, and the creation of world-class destinations. Women’s participation in tourism is a critical pillar of Vision 2030, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to building a diversified and resilient economy. As part of this vision, Saudi Arabia is also leveraging its rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and modern attractions to attract tourists from around the globe. Key destinations such as AlUla, Diriyah, and the Red Sea coastline are being developed to offer unique experiences that blend history, luxury, and adventure. Saudi Arabia’s efforts to transform its tourism sector have garnered international recognition. At the 122nd UNWTO Executive Council Meeting, the Kingdom’s achievements in empowering women and driving sustainable tourism were celebrated as a model for other nations. His Excellency Ahmed Al-Khateeb emphasized that tourism must serve as a tool for social progress. “By investing in people, we create a future where tourism benefits everyone, from local communities to global travelers,” he said. This approach aligns with global goals to make tourism a force for good, promoting economic development and cultural exchange. The inclusion of women in Saudi Arabia’s tourism workforce has a transformative effect on communities and families across the Kingdom. Women who join the industry not only contribute to economic growth but also serve as role models for future generations. Their success stories inspire young Saudis to pursue careers in tourism, creating a ripple effect of empowerment and opportunity. Moreover, women’s unique perspectives and skills enhance the overall quality of the tourism experience. From creating personalized guest experiences to managing complex operations, women bring valuable contributions that elevate Saudi Arabia’s reputation as a world-class destination. As Saudi Arabia continues its journey towards Vision 2030, the role of women in tourism will only grow in importance. The Kingdom is set to launch even more initiatives to support women’s participation, including expanded training programs, mentorship opportunities, and leadership development schemes. Mega-projects such as NEOM and the Red Sea resorts will remain key drivers of job creation, offering women unprecedented opportunities to contribute to the Kingdom’s tourism transformation. Additionally, the increasing number of international tourists will create a demand for skilled professionals who can deliver exceptional service and hospitality. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is redefining the global tourism landscape, with women at the forefront of this transformation. By empowering over 100,000 women to join the tourism workforce since 2019, the Kingdom is demonstrating its commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and economic diversification. Through initiatives such as vocational training, wage increases, and roles in iconic developments like NEOM and the Red Sea resorts, Saudi Arabia is setting a benchmark for gender equality and innovation in tourism. As the Kingdom continues to attract global attention for its ambitious projects and visionary leadership, women will remain integral to its success in becoming a premier global tourism destination. Read Travel Industry News in 104 different regional platforms Get our daily dose of news, by subscribing to our newsletters. Subscribe here . Watch Travel And Tour World Interviews here . Read more Breaking Travel News , Daily Travel Alert , and Travel Industry News on Travel And Tour World only.

Drones, planes or UFOs? Americans abuzz over mysterious New Jersey sightingsTop Stories: $21.8M for light rail shocks C-Tran board; winter shelter complaints; more coming to 136th and Mill Plain

BBC Strictly Come Dancing's remaining stars' staggering net worths revealed

9-mo infra spending rises 14.6% to ₱982.4BSAN DIEGO , Dec. 14, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of Symbotic Inc. (NASDAQ: SYM) publicly traded securities between February 8, 2024 and November 26, 2024 , inclusive (the "Class Period"), have until February 3, 2025 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the Symbotic class action lawsuit. Captioned Decker v. Symbotic Inc. , No. 24-cv-12976 (D. Mass.), the Symbotic class action lawsuit charges Symbotic as well as certain of Symbotic's top executives with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Symbotic class action lawsuit, please provide your information here: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-symbotic-class-action-lawsuit-sym.html You can also contact attorneys J.C. Sanchez or Jennifer N. Caringal of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at info@rgrdlaw.com . CASE ALLEGATIONS : Symbotic is an automation technology company that engages in developing technologies to improve operating efficiencies in modern warehouses. The Symbotic class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that Symbotic had improperly accelerated its recognition of revenue. The Symbotic class action lawsuit further alleges that on November 27, 2024 , Symbotic disclosed that it "identified errors in its revenue recognition related to cost overruns on certain deployments that will not be billable, which additionally impacted system revenue, income (loss) before income tax, net income (loss) and gross margin recognized in the second, third, and fourth quarters of fiscal year 2024," "identified in its preliminary assessment of internal control over financial reporting for the fiscal year ended September 28, 2024 certain material weaknesses," and Symbotic's "previously issued financial statements for those periods, including the financial information included in [Symbotic]'s earnings press release for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2024 and [Symbotic]'s supplemental presentation, should therefore no longer be relied upon." On this news, the price of Symbotic stock fell nearly 36%, according to the complaint. THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS : The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired Symbotic publicly traded securities during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the Symbotic class action lawsuit. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the Symbotic class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the Symbotic class action lawsuit. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the Symbotic class action lawsuit. ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER : Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the world's leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud cases. Our Firm has been #1 in the ISS Securities Class Action Services rankings for six out of the last ten years for securing the most monetary relief for investors. We recovered $6.6 billion for investors in securities-related class action cases – over $2.2 billion more than any other law firm in the last four years. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs' firms in the world and the Firm's attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest securities class action recovery ever – $7.2 billion – in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities- fraud .html Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices. Contact: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP J.C. Sanchez, Jennifer N. Caringal 655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101 800-449-4900 info@rgrdlaw.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sym-investor-alert-symbotic-inc-investors-with-substantial-losses-have-opportunity-to-lead-investor-class-action-lawsuit-302331600.html SOURCE Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLPVerstappen captures 4th F1 championship after Mercedes sweep of Las Vegas Grand Prix LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen cruised to a fourth consecutive Formula 1 championship Saturday night by finishing fifth in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Verstappen needed only to finish ahead of Lando Norris of McLaren to give Red Bull a fourth straight driver championship. The Dutchman started fifth but was already up to second by the 10th lap around the street circuit that includes the famed Las Vegas Strip. Norris, who had to score at least three points more than Verstappen to extend the championship fight, finished sixth. Verstappen needed only to finish higher than Norris to win the title, which he did with two races remaining on the season. Dartmouth sorority, two members of fraternity face charges after student who attended party drowned HANOVER, N.H. (AP) — A sorority at Dartmouth College and two members of a fraternity faces charges related to the death of a student who drowned after attending an off-campus party. The Hanover, New Hampshire police department, where Dartmouth is located, said Friday that Alpha Phi was charged with one count of facilitating an underage alcohol house. Two members of the Beta Alpha Omega face a charge of providing alcohol to a person under 21. Won Jang, 20, of Middletown, Delaware, had attended an off-campus party in July hosted by Alpha Phi sorority. Police said the alcohol was provided by Beta Alpha Omega. Tens of thousands of Spaniards protest housing crunch and high rents in Barcelona BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Tens of thousands of Spaniards are marching in downtown Barcelona to protest the skyrocketing cost of renting an apartment in the popular tourist destination. Protesters cut off traffic on main avenues in the city center, holding up homemade signs in Spanish reading “Fewer apartments for investing and more homes for living." The lack of affordable housing has become one of the leading concerns for the southern European Union country, mirroring the housing crunch across many parts of the world, including the United States. The average rent for Spain has doubled in the last decade. In cities like Barcelona, rental prices have also been driven up by short-term renters including tourists. Jason Kelce's wife announces she is pregnant with the couple's fourth child Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce's wife is announcing she's pregnant with the couple's fourth child. Kylie Kelce posted a photo on Instagram on Friday of the couple's three young daughters reacting to the news. The oldest daughter, Wyatt, appears to be cupping her head in shock. The middle daughter, Ellioette, is smiling. The youngest, Bennett, is in tears. A caption attached to the photo reads: “I feel like we captured a very accurate representation of how each of the girls feel about getting another sister. At least Ellie, mom and dad are on the same page!” Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in UAE is missing. Israeli officials fear he may have been kidnapped DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in the United Arab Emirates has gone missing, with Israeli authorities raising the suspicion he may have been kidnapped as tensions remain high with Iran. The Israeli prime minister’s office said that Zvi Kogan has been missing since noon Thursday. It said that against the backdrop of information that this was a terrorist incident, an extensive investigation has been opened in the country. Emirati officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. State-run media in the UAE, an autocratic federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula and home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, did not immediately report the incident. Alyssa Nakken, first full-time female coach in MLB history, leaving Giants to join Guardians CLEVELAND (AP) — Alyssa Nakken, the first woman to coach in an MLB game, is leaving the San Francisco Giants to join the Cleveland Guardians. Nakken made history in 2022 when she took over as first-base coach following an ejection. A former college softball star at Sacramento State, Nakken joined the Giants in 2014 and was promoted to a spot on manager Gabe Kapler’s staff in 2020, becoming the majors’ first full-time female coach. Nakken has been hired as an assistant director within player development for the Guardians, who won the AL Central last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt. Nakken, 34, will work with former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa. Officer kills pet dog mistaken for a coyote in Massachusetts town. The owner says it was unnecessary An animal control officer shot and killed a pet dog in a Massachusetts town after mistaking it for a coyote in an incident local police are describing as a sad mix-up. Police in Northbridge, Massachusetts, say the shooting happened on Tuesday after police received a call of a report of a coyote in a residential backyard. Police say the animal control officer went into the woods to look for the coyote and found what they thought was the animal in a threatening position and shot it. The incident happened as communities around Massachusetts and the country have dealt with an uptick in interactions between coyotes and people. Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Michael B. Jordan uses timeout at women's college basketball game to sign smoldering photo LOS ANGELES (AP) — Snoop Dogg strolled in wearing a jacket with JuJu Watkins’ name and number on the front and back. Michael B. Jordan thrilled a USC female fan with an impromptu autograph during a timeout. The stars came out to the showdown between third-ranked Southern California and No. 6 Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish won 74-61 to remain undefeated in the nationally televised game. The woman held up a smoldering magazine photo of the actor and he indicated he'd sign it. With the arena DJ egging her on, she climbed out of the stands and met Jordan at his seat. He leaned in to ask her name, signed and they shared an embrace.

Adele wrapped up the final show of her successful Las Vegas residency with some heartfelt words for her son and fiancé. The English singer wiped away tears as she addressed her 12-year-old son Angelo , who was in attendance for her final residency show at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Saturday, Nov. 23. Video footage later shared on X , formerly Twitter, by one fan in the audience captured Adele’s sweet onstage message. 🤩🤩 SIGN UP for Parade's Trending News newsletter & we'll keep you in the know on the viral pop culture moments & celebrity news everyone is talking about 🗞️🗞️ “To my son,” she began before briefly breaking down in tears. She quickly recovered and explained to her audience, "I chose to do a residency mainly because I f---ing hate touring. But I chose to do a residency so I could keep his life normal, and I did do that.” The “Hello” singer went on to thank her son, whom she shares with ex-husband Simon Konecki , “for being patient for me” and gushed, “I love you to bits.” Adele thanks son for being so patient with her and Rich Paul for always motivating her 🫶🏻✨ pic.twitter.com/zwhVGxpqgb Adele, 36, then addressed her fiancé, Rich Paul , who was also at Saturday’s show. She thanked the sports agency founder for “always” making her feel “like I could do whatever I wanted to do.” Another fan-captured video shared on X showed Adele greeting Angelo and Paul as the two sat together in the venue. The “Rolling in the Deep” songstress gave her son a quick kiss and a hug as fans cheered around her before doing the same with Paul. 🥰 Angelo and Rich Paul give a kiss and hug to Adele during When We Were Young ❤ 🎥 @adelllylove pic.twitter.com/DFUyK7ZGHq Adele first kicked off her popular residency in late 2022. Now that it’s over, fans are uncertain when they will next hear from the 16-time Grammy Award winner, who previously announced that she was planning an indefinite hiatus once her scheduled shows in Las Vegas were over. Adele reflected on the residency and reiterated her uncertainty about the future while speaking with concertgoers onstage Saturday night. “It’s been wonderful, and I will miss it terribly, and I will miss you terribly,” she told her fans. “I don’t know when I’m next going to perform again.” After making a couple of jokes about having no plans for her immediate future, Adele reassured her fans, telling them, “Of course I’ll be back. The only thing I’m good at is singing and things like that. I just don’t know when I’ll want to next come onstage.” Next: Adele and Céline Dion Share Emotional Concert Moment and Fans Can't Hold Back Their TearsHull City Council prepares for winter freezeCore DAO vs Lightchain AI–Evaluating Their Impact on the DeFi EcosystemCouple Buy Empty Home Without Viewing, Shock at What They Find Inside

AZEK ( NYSE:AZEK – Free Report ) had its price target raised by Truist Financial from $52.00 to $57.00 in a report issued on Wednesday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a buy rating on the stock. A number of other equities research analysts have also issued reports on the company. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their target price on AZEK from $46.00 to $50.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Loop Capital lowered shares of AZEK from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating and set a $47.00 price objective on the stock. in a research report on Friday, October 4th. Robert W. Baird raised their target price on shares of AZEK from $52.00 to $54.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price target on shares of AZEK from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Benchmark restated a “buy” rating and issued a $55.00 price objective on shares of AZEK in a report on Friday, August 9th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, AZEK has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $49.24. Get Our Latest Report on AZEK AZEK Stock Up 2.3 % Hedge Funds Weigh In On AZEK Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Equitable Trust Co. grew its holdings in shares of AZEK by 2.2% during the 3rd quarter. Equitable Trust Co. now owns 10,346 shares of the company’s stock worth $484,000 after purchasing an additional 226 shares in the last quarter. Tidal Investments LLC lifted its position in AZEK by 3.7% during the first quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 7,060 shares of the company’s stock worth $355,000 after purchasing an additional 251 shares during the period. Creative Planning grew its stake in AZEK by 6.6% during the third quarter. Creative Planning now owns 6,987 shares of the company’s stock worth $327,000 after buying an additional 430 shares in the last quarter. Covestor Ltd increased its holdings in AZEK by 18.8% in the 3rd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,758 shares of the company’s stock valued at $129,000 after buying an additional 436 shares during the period. Finally, Blue Trust Inc. raised its position in shares of AZEK by 106.4% in the 3rd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 931 shares of the company’s stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 480 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.44% of the company’s stock. About AZEK ( Get Free Report ) The AZEK Company Inc engages in the design, manufacturing, and selling of building products for residential, commercial, and industrial markets in the United States and Canada. It operates through two segments: Residential and Commercial. The Residential segment designs and manufactures engineered outdoor living products, such as decking, railing, trim and molding, siding and cladding, pergolas and cabanas, and accessories under the TimberTech, AZEK Exteriors, VERSATEX, ULTRALOX, StruXure, and INTEX brands. Recommended Stories Five stocks we like better than AZEK Do Real Estate Investment Trusts Deserve a Place in Your Portfolio? Vertiv’s Cool Tech Makes Its Stock Red-Hot What Investors Need to Know About Upcoming IPOs MarketBeat Week in Review – 11/18 – 11/22 The How And Why of Investing in Oil Stocks 2 Finance Stocks With Competitive Advantages You Can’t Ignore Receive News & Ratings for AZEK Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AZEK and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .The decision by the New York Giants to replace quarterback Daniel Jones with Tommy DeVito failed to turn around the team's fortune, as the Giants suffered a 30-7 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. When asked about the team's issues after New York's losing streak extended to six straight games, star rookie receiver Malik Nabers said the team's play was "soft as f--k." Nabers added the team's struggles weren't due to quarterback play, but he was at a loss for words as to what is actually holding the team back. "I don't know what it is, but I know I'm tired of losing," Nabers told reporters. This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis. For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports world, check out our B/R app , homepage and social feeds—including Twitter , Instagram , Facebook and TikTok .None

Q: This past spring, we tried starting some of our own plants from seed indoors, but they got tall, spindly and weak by the time we wanted to plant them outdoors. What did we do wrong? — Tyler P. A: Seedlings growing tall and spindly indoors is an age-old problem, and the same wisdom holds true now that it did years ago. The problem occurs if plants are started too early and the light level isn’t intense enough. ADVERTISEMENT Because plants grow at different rates, some types need to be started very early, while others should wait until April for seeding indoors. Begonias and onions require many weeks to grow and can be seeded in February. March 1 is the recommended date for seeding petunias, impatiens, coleus and snapdragons. March 15 is the date to seed peppers, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. Tomatoes and marigolds should wait until April 1, and zinnias until April 15. If seeds are started earlier than their recommended date, plants can languish indoors, becoming lanky and weak. In addition, seedlings need high light levels to remain stocky and strong. Plants grown with too little light often stretch and become weak-stemmed. Seedlings can be grown in a sunny window, but many windows don’t receive full, all-day sunshine as the sun moves across the sky, unless the windows are very wide. The short days of winter and early spring also keep light levels lower than seedlings prefer. A perfect way to provide seedlings with optimal light is with artificial lights, which can be standard LEDs, fluorescent, or special plant-type lights. Tube-type bulbs distribute light over seedling trays better than round bulbs. Seedling trays should be kept within several inches of the bulbs. Lights can be set on a timer with 16 hours on and eight hours off, similar to humans getting the recommended eight hours of sleep, which is how I remember it. Q: Thanks for the recent article on Blue By You salvia. Do you know where we can purchase this perennial come spring? — Rachelle S. A: Blue By You perennial salvia, an All-America Selections award winner and an outstanding feature in our perennial beds and landscapes, has been on the market for about two years, which is relatively recent as new plants go. ADVERTISEMENT As with many new cultivars, it takes time for new plant material to be widely available. Your best bet is to contact locally owned garden centers and inquire, which can be done now. This can give garden centers the opportunity to order the plants if they haven’t already. With the tens of thousands of plant cultivars available, no garden center can stock them all, but if they receive requests for specific types, they can often add them to their selection. Garden centers plan their inventory far in advance of the spring season, so the earlier a request is made, the more likely it can be fulfilled. Q: I know you prefer starting cuttings, such as houseplants, in mixtures of vermiculite, sand or potting mix instead of water. I’m curious why that is. Sometimes I have luck in water, but sometimes the cuttings rot. — Jenny S. A: Some plant types, such as pothos, root very easily in water and can even grow in water for many weeks. Other cutting types rot easily in water, which is why a solid-type medium often works best for coaxing cuttings to root. Sometimes I use high-quality potting mix, other times vermiculite, perlite or sand, and sometimes mixtures. Besides being less prone to rotting, starting cuttings in a solid-type medium has another important advantage. Roots that form in water are accustomed to growing in water, and when the cuttings are transferred into potting mix, there can be a stressful period of adjustment and shock. When roots begin forming in solid media, they are often more fibrous, well-branched and less gangly. Because they’re accustomed to growing in a solid medium, there’s usually less transplant shock when transferred into potting mix. For easy-to-root plants, rooting in water is handy, but solid media has distinct advantages. ADVERTISEMENT If you have a gardening or lawn care question, email Don Kinzler, NDSU Extension-Cass County, at donald.kinzler@ndsu.edu . Questions with broad appeal may be published, so please include your name, city and state for appropriate advice.Drones, planes or UFOs? Americans abuzz over mysterious New Jersey sightingsUK’s ‘most depressing town’ was voted by tourists but fuming locals insist popular seaside spot is ‘gorgeous’