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MAKING predictions for the coming year is a mug’s game. But there is one forecast I feel confident in making: That the people who are contributing least to economic growth will be the ones reaping the rewards. Figures from the Resolution Foundation confirm what has been obvious for months: That public sector workers have been the big winners from Labour’s general election victory. At the beginning of 2024 the average public sector worker was earning two per cent more than an equivalent worker in the private sector. Since then the gap has trebled to six per cent. The differential in salaries, though, is only half the story. Many public sector workers continue to enjoy salary-linked pensions . Private sector employers realised long ago that increasing longevity was making it unaffordable to offer workers guaranteed, index-linked pensions for life based on what they were earning while in work. READ MORE FROM ROSS CLARK Yet public sector employers have carried on getting these generous pensions regardless, relying on taxpayers to pick up the burden. Pleading poverty Another shocking set of figures released yesterday shows that across Britain a quarter of council tax receipts are now swallowed up by pension contributions for council staff. In some areas it is much more. Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council managed to spend more on pension contributions last year (£10.1million) than it raised in council tax (£9.5million). Providing actual public services such as emptying the bins and running libraries and swimming pools has to be funded from other sources of revenue. Most read in The Sun We have become used to councils pleading poverty, bleating that “Tory austerity” has bled them dry. But now we know the truth: While the public sees services slashed, former council employees have been treated to extravagant pensions. The Local Government Pension Scheme, though, is in some ways the responsible one. It is one of the few public sector schemes which is “fully funded”, which means that today’s contributions are invested to pay tomorrow’s pensions. Most schemes, such as those for NHS workers, teachers , firefighters and so on, are “unfunded, which means that there is no pot of cash being invested to pay future pensioners. Instead, today’s pension contributions are going straight out of the door to meet current pension liabilities. Were they in the private sector, these pensions would be called Ponzi schemes — they are like the scam operated by the late US financier Bernie Madoff. They are committing future taxpayers to huge, unknown liabilities. If the public sector was working efficiently and well, it wouldn’t matter quite so much. Yet disgracefully, public sector workers are being allowed to get away with producing less and less each year. Astonishingly, the average public sector worker produces less now than when Tony Blair came to power nearly 28 years ago, with minor productivity gains in the years to 2019 wiped out since the pandemic . The Labour government has made things worse This has been a period of huge technological advance, offering numerous opportunities for making work more efficient. Instead, civil servants and others have been indulged with the right to work from home, or even from the beach. Valuable work time is frittered on endless diversity courses and team-bonding exercises. Some council staff have been put on four-day weeks without any loss of pay, based on the fantastical assumption that it will somehow make them so much happier that they will produce as much in four days as they used to in five. Far from addressing the problem of falling public sector productivity, the Labour government has made things worse. In one of its first acts it awarded fat pay rises to NHS staff, train drivers and others without any requirement to agree to improved working practices. We can’t go on like this. If the private sector worked like the public sector we would be stuck with 1990s standards of living. Like the Soviet Union in its last decades, Britain would have become the land which economic development forgot. Energy crisis As it is, we have a millstone of a public sector being dragged along by a private sector which is still just about able to generate enough wealth to stop the country falling into permanent recession . But it is a close-run thing. In the first three months of the Labour government the economy failed to grow at all. This was an economic downturn generated entirely in Downing Street . Unlike the economic retreat caused by Covid-19 and the energy crisis following the Ukraine invasion, Britain’s sudden step backwards is not echoed internationally. Rather, it has been caused by declining confidence in the face of higher business taxes coming into effect next year. Labour came to office promising “growth, growth, growth”. If they really want to achieve that, they need to be shrinking the unproductive public sector and boosting the private sector. They are doing the opposite, while failing to undertake reforms to public sector pensions needed to avoid fiscal disaster in future. READ MORE SUN STORIES The past few months have seen a generous payday for some. But none of us will be shielded from the long-term decline caused by a slothful public sector.Mourners laid flowers near the scene of the deadly Christmas market attack on Monday, as investigators puzzled over the motive of the suspect and his previous encounters with authorities were scrutinised. The Johanniskirche, a church a short walk from the scene of the attack, has become a place of mourning since the suspect drove a car into the busy market on Friday evening killing five people. A carpet of flowers now covers the broad pavement in front of the church. The number of injured has risen to as many as 235. The suspect, identified as Taleb al-Abdulmohsen by German media, is a 50-year-old psychiatrist from Saudi Arabia. He is said to have a history of anti-Islamic rhetoric and to have sympathy with the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. He left video messages on his X (Twitter) account on the day of the attack. In rambling commentary, he variously blamed Germany’s supposed liberalism for the death of Socrates, an ancient Greek philosopher, and accused police of stealing a USB stick from him and destroying a criminal complaint he had filed. German newspaper said he had undergone psychological treatment. At a gathering organised by AfD outside Magdeburg’s cathedral on Monday, co-leader of the political party Alice Weidel described the attack as “an act of an Islamist full of hatred for what constitutes human cohesion ... for us Germans, for us Christians”. AfD is polling in second place nationwide and is particularly strong in eastern Germany, where Magdeburg is located. Holger Munch, president of the country’s federal criminal police office, told the German broadcaster ZDF that Germany had been warned about the suspect by Saudi Arabia as far back as 2023, and that German authorities had investigated it but found it to be vague. “The man also published a huge number of posts on the internet. He also had various contacts with the authorities, made insults and even threats. But he was not known for acts of violence,” Mr Munch said. Federal interior minister Nancy Faeser called for the adoption of tougher internal security laws, including a new act to strengthen police forces, as well as the introduction of biometric surveillance. “It is clear that we must do everything to protect the people of Germany from such horrific acts of violence. To do this, our security authorities need all the necessary powers and more personnel,” she told news website . Vice-chancellor Robert Habeck voiced fears that the attack will fuel online misinformation before a snap national election that is expected to be held in late February. He urged people not to be “infected by hatred”. “There is still a lot we don’t know, and a lot is unexplained, including the exact motive,” Mr Habeck said. “All the same, I fear that the distrust that was immediately propagated on the net against Muslims, foreigners and people with a history of immigration will entrench itself deeper in society.” Taha al-Hajji, a Saudi lawyer in exile and the legal director of the Berlin-based European-Saudi Organisation for Human Rights, said that most Saudi opposition activists in Germany did not have a good relationship with the suspect. “He made problems with everyone always ... He was really isolated,” said Mr al-Hajji. “He felt that he was the only one right, and people were wrong; he felt he was the centre of everything, he was important. He always had problems with everyone.” The local prosecutor in Magdeburg, Horst Nopens, said on Sunday that a possible factor in the attack may have been the suspect’s “dissatisfaction with the treatment of Saudi refugees in Germany”, but added that the motive remained unclear.
By Steve Benen After Elon Musk helped derail a bipartisan spending bill with misinformation , Rep. Richie Neal made no effort to hide his frustration . The Massachusetts Democrat — the ranking member on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee — asked, “Can you imagine what the next two years will be like if every time that Congress works its will, and then there’s a tweet, or from an individual who has no official portfolio, who threatens members on the Republican side with a primary, and they succumb?” The billionaire apparently wasn’t pleased with the congressman’s comments, declaring soon after that he would soon “be funding moderate candidates in heavily Democrat districts, so that the country can get rid of those who don’t represent them, like this jacka--.” Whether Musk is aware of this or not, Neal is already widely seen as a moderate, and there’s no reason to believe a primary rival backed by the world’s wealthiest individual would fare any better against the longtime lawmaker. But in the case of Democratic Rep. Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut, a primary challenge apparently isn’t good enough for the billionaire: Musk wants her to be kicked out of Congress altogether. As CNBC reported , at the heart of the story is a change made to the stopgap spending bill designed to prevent a government shutdown last week. House Democrats Jim McGovern of Massachusetts and Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut say their Republican colleagues in Congress caved to the demands of Elon Musk, sinking a bipartisan government funding bill that would have regulated U.S. investments in China. In the original, bipartisan spending agreement — the one that Musk helped kill — there was a provision designed to restrict U.S. investments in China , specifically related to investments in the artificial intelligence and technology sectors. When the legislation was rewritten, Republican took this provision out for reasons GOP officials haven’t fully explained. Ostensibly, the party was looking to make the bill cheaper, but this measure cost effectively nothing. In a series of online items , McGovern complained that the removed provision “would have made it easier to keep cutting-edge AI and quantum computing tech — as well as jobs — in America.” The Massachusetts Democrat added, “But Elon had a problem.” McGovern went on to write, “His bottom line depends on staying in China’s good graces. He [Musk] wants to build an AI data center there too — which could endanger U.S. security. He’s been bending over backwards to ingratiate himself with Chinese leaders.” DeLauro went a bit further, writing a letter to congressional leaders questioning whether the change to the bill reflected some kind of behind-the-scenes corruption: Perhaps, the Connecticut Democrat alleged, the legislation was tweaked specifically to benefit Musk, who has, as DeLauro put it, “extensive” business interests in China. It was, to be sure, a provocative allegation. But the billionaire megadonor responded with an online item of his own , calling DeLauro an “awful creature” and saying that he believes the Democratic congresswoman “needs to be expelled from Congress!” For the record, members of Congress are allowed to raise concerns about possible corruption, just as they’re able to make allegations regarding prominent public figures. Whether the congresswoman’s allegations have merit or not, to suggest that an elected lawmaker be kicked out of office for criticizing a billionaire in ways he doesn’t like is, to put it mildly, unsettling. Steve Benen is a producer for "The Rachel Maddow Show," the editor of MaddowBlog and an MSNBC political contributor. He's also the bestselling author of "Ministry of Truth: Democracy, Reality, and the Republicans' War on the Recent Past."Broadcom Rises Again in Torrid December That Sees Stock Rise 42%
National Conference MP Ruhullah had already given an ultimatum to his government till December 22 to act on the reservation policy, and as no concrete steps were taken by the government, he announced the protest in front of the CM residence. J&K News: A unique protest took place outside the CM residence over the controversial reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir, where NC MPs joined the students in the protest against their own government. National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mahdi led the students' protest against the reservation policy of Jammu and Kashmir and walked about a kilometer with the students to stage a massive protest in front of the CM residence. Ruhullah had already given an ultimatum to his government till December 22 to act on the reservation policy, and as no concrete steps were taken by the government, he announced the protest in front of the CM residence. Hundreds of students joined him in the protest and praised the parliament's stand for the students. Ruhullah said that the fight will continue until a decision is taken on this. He said that this is not politics; it is a fight for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi said, “The students have apprehensions, so I am with them so that they can be heard. I will speak on their behalf, and I want the government to listen to them, and they are being heard. It is a matter of justice; now there is more than 70% interest. We all should speak to correct this injustice. We are not against anyone. We want rationalization. This is a right demand. It feels good if everyone comes together, keeping politics aside. It is my responsibility to fight for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and this will continue.” Later, Peoples Democratic Party leader Iltija Mufti and MLA Pulwama Waheed Ur Rehman Para and AIP MLA Sheikh Khurshid joined the protest along with their other activists and gathered with the students outside the official residence of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at Gupkar Road, Srinagar, to protest the reservation policy implemented in Jammu and Kashmir. PDP leader Iltija Mufti, adding her voice to the demand for the time-bound repeal of the policy, stressed that merit should not be compromised. She said that we must rise above politics and fight for our people. Iltija Mufti, PDP leader, said, "Our future has pulled me in; politics will keep happening, Article 370 and other issues will keep going on, but we are forgetting the issues of our UA. There should be a rationalization of these; will they study or fight? so we are here to fight for them and not to do politics." The gathering outside the Chief Minister's residence is a significant moment in the pressure to change reservation policies in Jammu and Kashmir. The current policy introduced by the Lieutenant Governor-led administration ahead of the assembly elections has drawn significant criticism for disproportionately giving preference to reserved categories while limiting opportunities for the general category. The students are demanding a change in the reservation policy. The protest march started from Burn Hall School and reached the CM residence, where a sit-in was held for hours. Dr. Mohammad Umar Mir: “We came to the streets because our place is not here. Our purpose of coming here is to rationalize the reservation system. We are not against any category; we just want it to be rationalized. We thank the politicians who stood with us today.” Mirwaiz Umar Farooq expressed solidarity with the protesters, saying he would join them if allowed by the authorities. He emphasized the need for justice and fairness in addressing reservation issues, arguing that the current situation undermines the interests of open merit candidates. In a post on X, he urged immediate attention to the concerns raised by the students and called for a balanced approach that protects all sections of society. Outside the CM residence, Agha Ruhullah announced that a delegation of five students representing different areas of Jammu and Kashmir will go to meet the Chief Minister directly to put forward their demands, and when this delegation came out, they said that they talked to the CM, and he said that whatever is in his power, he will do it immediately, but he asked for six months' time, which the students do not seem to accept. The students say that they will talk to everyone and then a decision will be taken. Stay informed on all the latest news , real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in india news and world News on Zee News.NoneSeaway7 signs vessel reservation agreement for UK offshore wind farmLANDOVER, Md. — Jalen Carter was assessed his fourth penalty for unnecessary roughness Sunday at Washington. He leads the league. C.J. Gardner Johnson was assessed two penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct within 19 minutes of each other in the loss, and was ejected. As Gardner-Johnson left, he flipped the crowd a double bird, his two middle fingers likely costing him $5,000 apiece in fines, if recent NFL history is any indicator. These double Birds have a habit of confrontation. Both burnished their bad reputations. Their unprofessionalism has to end. The Eagles were “sloppy with penalties,” said coach Nick Sirianni. Don’t blame the fellas. Blame him. He does: “That’s always going to be on me as the head coach.” Yep. Sirianni has done a fabulous job in most facets most of the season. Self-control from his players is not one of them. The Eagles were flagged for 91 yards in penalties in their 36-33 loss to the Commanders, but 45 yards of those penalties fell at the feet of Gardner-Johnson, a fine safety but an All-Pro hype man, and Carter, who is drawn to conflict like a Vin Diesel movie character. Carter, a product of Apopka High School, is the best defensive player on the team. Gardner-Johnson is irreplaceable. Sirianni and his staff cannot control either of them. Officials clearly have made both players marked men, but instead of acting smarter, the players indulge themselves further. Their immaturity will only embolden opponents to bait them into future indiscretions. This reality could cost the Eagles dearly as they approach and enter the playoffs. No matter how prodigious his abilities, a player who can’t avoid trouble is, to some degree, a liability. The Eagles gave up 14 points before Gardner-Johnson left. They gave up 22 points with him in the locker room. There was no good reason for him to be in the locker room; he just couldn’t help himself. Between the first and second quarter, Gardner-Johnson was jawing at the Commanders offense, receiver Dyami Brown in particular. As the two came face-to-face, so offensive was whatever Gardner-Johnson said that referee Shawn Smith ignored Brown’s reaction, which was to rip Gardner-Johnson’s helmet off his head by shoving the face mask upward. That turned second-and-14 at the Commanders’ 41-yard line into first-and-10 at the Eagles’ 44. One minute, 18 seconds later Carter was called for unnecessary roughness when, after Nolan Smith sacked Jayden Daniels, he pushed guard Sam Cosmi over Daniels’ prone body, causing Cosmi to fall backward. That turned what would have been second-and-13 at the Eagles’ 31 into first-and-10 at the Eagles’ 16. Linebacker Nakobe Dean, a teammate of Carter’s at Georgia, immediately admonished Carter on the field. Finally, with 11:24 to play in the third quarter, during a change of possession after the Eagles forced a fumble, Gardner-Johnson apparently taunted the Commanders a second time. This also drew an unsportsmanlike penalty, and he was ejected. The Eagles led, 24-14. With Gardner-Johnson replaced by undrafted second-year man Tristin McCollum, whom the Commanders targeted, Washington roared back with three touchdown passes and won. This is nothing new. CJGJ has always been a smack-talker, though he seemed to have matured from his first stint with the Eagles, in 2022. Carter’s getting worse. He had a similar penalty two weeks ago. In a bizarre in-game sideline scene after that penalty against the Steelers, Sirianni was blocked from talking to Carter by defensive line coach Clint Hurtt and team security chief Dom DiSandro. Hurtt was telling his boss that he’d already admonished Carter, who was seen laughing at the confrontation. Carter did not speak with the press either after the game or after practices last week. Sirianni minimized the interaction with Hurtt and said he’d settled things with Carter. Clearly, though, neither Sirianni nor Hurtt got the message to Carter, who was involved in several on-field dustups Sunday. “If it didn’t get fixed,” Sirianni said after the loss, “that’s on me.” Yep. And this time — more than Jalen Hurts’ concussion, more than replacement Kenny Pickett’s poor play, and more than dropped passes from Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith — the absence of Gardner-Johnson cost the Eagles a game. “You look at the penalties and all those little things ... you tend to lose those football games,” said Barkley, who should know, considering he spent his first six seasons witnessing sloppy, selfish football with the Giants. Neither player seems to understand the magnitude of the problem. Gardner-Johnson fled the postgame locker room before reporters entered, but fired off a social media post that read, “got kicked out for nothing, I play with passion and fire!!” Asked how he knew how far he can push opponents and officials, Carter replied: “When that flag goes in the air, that’s when you know how far you can take it. When that flag went up for me, I went overboard. Just got to calm down. Can’t get another one.” From his lips to God’s ears. How the Eagles can lose the NFC East The Eagles and Commanders combined for 7 turnovers and 8 touchdowns, an ejection, and had the game decided on a TD with 6 seconds to play. In the process, Hurts left the game with a concussion and backup Pickett suffered a rib injury. So, the Eagles are anything but certain to win the division. It served as a fine appetizer for the day’s games. The Cowboys won for the fourth time in five games, securing the “W” when DaRon Bland stripped Rachaad White with 90 seconds to play on a wild play that began with Baker Mayfield dragging a tackler 2 yards before he flipped it to White. It happened on Sunday Night Football. Mike Tirico went nuts. The two games set up a compelling upcoming weekend. The loss put the Bucs at 8-7, tied with the Falcons atop the NFC South after Atlanta, behind new rookie starter Michael Penix Jr., blew out the Giants. The Falcons swept the season series and hold the tiebreaker. The Falcons next visit the Commanders for SNF, where, if the Falcons win, they would gift the NFC East title to the Eagles. However, a Commanders win combined with an Eagles loss would set up crucial finales: the Eagles hosting the Giants, the Commanders at the surging Cowboys. Assuming the Cowboys are still surging in two weeks. Which carries its own measure of intrigue. The Cowboys visit the Eagles for a 4:25 p.m. game. The Cowboys would pull to .500 with a win. Another win in that finale against Washington would mean a 9-8 record (and give the Birds the division), but that’s not all. A 9-8 finish with backup quarterback Cooper Rush starting might delude owner Jerry Jones enough so he’d offer lame-duck coach Mike McCarthy, a playoff disaster, a new contract. Last month, before the streak, Jones admitted he’d consider it.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CoreNest Capital , one of the most dynamic emerging players in venture capital, has announced its latest round of investments, backing seven innovative companies: OpenAI, xAI, Weave Robotics, Blaze Money, Domu, Phonely, Andromeda Surgical, and Texture Capital. These strategic investments underscore CoreNest’s commitment to driving transformative growth across AI, robotics, MedTech, and fintech sectors. “Our focus is on backing founders who are reshaping industries and solving real-world problems with cutting-edge technology,” said Bob Ras , Co-Founder & GP of CoreNest Capital. “This round of investments underscore CoreNest’s commitment to driving impactful innovation and supporting visionary teams that are defining the future of AI, Robotics, MedTech, and Fintech.” OpenAI: OpenAI is setting new standards in artificial intelligence by driving advancements that push the boundaries of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). xAI: xAI , founded by Elon Musk, is pioneering advancements in artificial intelligence, aiming to deepen our understanding of the universe through the development of cutting-edge AI technologies. Weave Robotics: Weave Robotics is reshaping personal robotics with Isaac, the world’s first autonomous home assistant robot, designed to handle tasks like tidying, folding laundry, and home monitoring. Blaze Money: Blaze Money revolutionizes financial services with a seamless app designed for global nomads, enabling instant, fee-minimal payments worldwide. Domu: Domu leverages AI to transform client interactions in the insurance sector, automating real-time, 24/7 sales and service calls. This innovation empowers businesses to engage clients efficiently, handle payment reminders, and respond to inquiries. Phonely: Phonely enhances business communication with AI-driven phone support that handles calls, schedules appointments, and integrates with existing tools, elevating customer service efficiency. Andromeda Surgical: Andromeda Surgical is advancing precision surgery with AI-guided robotic systems, initially focused on endourology, optimizing accuracy and patient outcomes. Texture Capital: CoreNest has strategically invested in Texture Capital , positioning itself to acquire a significant stake in the firm. This investment will support the launch of the SoloTex platform, the first regulated trading and tokenization platform for U.S. stocks. SoloTex is changing the way people trade and invest in U.S. stocks by enabling users to have self-custody of their tokenized stocks and ETFs and allowing fractional trading of these assets, bringing unprecedented flexibility and accessibility to the securities market. This funding round builds on CoreNest’s history of high-impact investments, including companies like Artisan AI , Piramidal , Avatar Medical , OpenCall , Fleak.ai , Algorized , itsElectric , and Dili . Each of these companies is making strides in their fields, reflecting CoreNest’s mission of driving global innovation and delivering meaningful technological progress. About CoreNest Capital CoreNest Capital is a powerhouse for nurturing and funding startups in cutting-edge sectors like AI, Robotics, MedTech, and Fintech. For more information on CoreNest Capital, visit corenest.com . Innovative startups tackling real-world challenges and seeking investment are encouraged to submit their pitch decks for consideration.
“We’re aware of the civil allegations and Jay-Z’s really strong response to that,” NFL (National Football League) commissioner Roger Goodell said on Wednesday after the conclusion of the league’s winter meetings. “We know the litigation is happening now. From our standpoint, our relationship is not changing with them, including our preparations for the next Super Bowl.” A woman who previously sued musician Sean “Diddy” Combs, alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 when she was 13 years old, amended the lawsuit on Sunday to include a new allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault. Jay-Z, real name Shawn Carter, said the rape allegation made against him is part of an extortion attempt. The 24-time Grammy Award winner called the allegations “idiotic” and “heinous in nature” in a statement released by Roc Nation. The NFL teamed up with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation in 2019 for events and social activism. The league and the entertainment company extended their partnership a few months ago. Kendrick Lamar will perform the Super Bowl halftime show at The Caesars Superdome in New Orleans on February 9. Roc Nation and Emmy-winning producer Jesse Collins will serve as co-executive producers of the halftime show. Beyonce, who is married to Jay-Z, will perform at halftime of the Baltimore Ravens-Houston Texans game at Christmas. “I think they’re getting incredibly comfortable not just with the Super Bowl but other events they’ve advised us on and helped us with,” Mr Goodell said. “They’ve been a big help in the social justice area to us on many occasions. They’ve been great partners.”SAN DIEGO , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BSD Builders, Inc., a general contractor specializing in healthcare construction, has announced a strategic partnership with 2G Energy Inc., a pioneer in energy systems, including cogeneration. The collaboration will focus on designing and deploying cutting-edge microgrid solutions to enhance energy resilience, sustainability, and efficiency for commercial building clients. The partnership was formed in response to the challenges faced by skilled nursing facilities during the California wildfires of 2018 and 2020. Utility companies initiated Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) during dangerous weather conditions, forcing facilities to evacuate patients. "After several of our skilled nursing clients were impacted by California wildfires, we worked on a solution to provide an alternative source of power so the lives of their vulnerable residents would not be at risk," explained Jeff Blair , CEO of BSD Builders, Inc. "We reached out to several energy infrastructure companies to support this initiative and were surprised that there was little interest. When we connected with the team at 2G Energy, Inc., they were not only amenable but enthusiastic to help find a way to help protect patients' health and safety." In 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom passed legislation requiring skilled nursing facilities to maintain at least 96 hours of backup power. The BSD SSC Microgrid solution was developed not only to help skilled nursing facilities meet this new mandate but also to provide any building with a reliable and efficient source of power during outages. It was designed to withstand hurricane wind loads up to 150 mph and has been seismically certified (California OSHPD/HCAi OSP-0826). "Partnering with BSD Builders allows us to bring microgrid technology to people who need it most," said Darren Jamison , Managing Director of 2G Energy North America. "Microgrids are crucial for both enhancing energy security and reducing carbon footprints, and we are thrilled to collaborate on projects that not only drive innovation but also promote a more sustainable energy future." The first projects under the partnership are expected to be deployed in California , with plans to expand to additional markets in the coming months. The partnership underscores both companies' commitment to sustainability and their shared vision of reshaping the future of energy. For more information on BSD Builders, Inc. and 2G Energy Inc., or to inquire about the microgrid solutions, please visit bsdbuilders.com . About BSD Builders, Inc. - BSD Builders, Inc. is a leading general contractor specializing in the healthcare industry. Focusing on exceeding industry standards and delivering exceptional value to clients, BSD Builders, Inc. continues to set the benchmark for excellence in the construction and energy sectors. About 2G Energy Inc. - 2G Energy is a globally recognized leader in the development and production of combined heat and power (CHP) systems. With a commitment to sustainability and innovation, 2G Energy provides cutting-edge solutions that optimize energy efficiency and environmental performance. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bsd-builders-inc-partners-with-2g-energy-inc-to-develop-advanced-microgrid-solutions-302329485.html SOURCE BSD Builders, Inc.TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors of Capital City Bank Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCBG) declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock of $0.23 per share. The dividend produces an annualized rate of $0.92 per common share and is payable on December 23, 2024 to shareowners of record as of December 9, 2024. The annualized dividend yield is 2.40% based on a closing stock price of $38.35 on November 20, 2024. About Capital City Bank Group, Inc. Capital City Bank Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCBG) is one of the largest publicly traded financial holding companies headquartered in Florida and has approximately $4.2 billion in assets. We provide a full range of banking services, including traditional deposit and credit services, mortgage banking, asset management, trust, merchant services, bankcards, securities brokerage services and financial advisory services, including the sale of life insurance, risk management and asset protection services. Our bank subsidiary, Capital City Bank, was founded in 1895 and now has 63 banking offices and 105 ATMs/ITMs in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. For more information about Capital City Bank Group, Inc., visit www.ccbg.com. For Information Contact: Jep Larkin Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 850.402.8450Broncos hope to continue playoff push when they meet the banged-up Raiders
Officer fatally shot in a North Carolina supermarket, suspect in custody, police say
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President-elect Donald Trump has once again suggested he wants to revert the name of North America’s tallest mountain — Alaska's Denali — to Mount McKinley, wading into a sensitive and decades-old conflict about what the peak should be called. Former President Barack Obama changed the official name to Denali in 2015 to reflect the traditions of Alaska Natives as well as the preference of many Alaska residents. The federal government in recent years has endeavored to change place-names considered disrespectful to Native people. “Denali” is an Athabascan word meaning “the high one" or “the great one.” A prospector in 1896 dubbed the peak “Mount McKinley” after President William McKinley, who had never been to Alaska. That name was formally recognized by the U.S. government until Obama changed it over opposition from lawmakers in McKinley's home state of Ohio. Trump suggested in 2016 that he might undo Obama's action, but he dropped that notion after Alaska's senators objected. He raised it again during a rally in Phoenix on Sunday. “McKinley was a very good, maybe a great president,” Trump said Sunday. “They took his name off Mount McKinley, right? That’s what they do to people.” Once again, Trump's suggestion drew quick opposition within Alaska. “Uh. Nope. It’s Denali,” Democratic state Sen. Scott Kawasaki posted on the social platform X Sunday night. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski , who for years pushed for legislation to change the name to Denali, conveyed a similar sentiment in a post of her own. “There is only one name worthy of North America’s tallest mountain: Denali — the Great One,” Murkowski wrote on X. Various tribes of Athabascan people have lived in the shadow of the 20,310-foot (6,190-meter) mountain for thousands of years. McKinley, a Republican native of Ohio who served as the 25th president, was assassinated early in his second term in 1901 in Buffalo, New York. Alaska and Ohio have been at odds over the name since at least the 1970s. Alaska had a standing request to change the name since 1975, when the legislature passed a resolution and then-Gov. Jay Hammond appealed to the federal government. Known for its majestic views, the mountain is dotted with glaciers and covered at the top with snow year-round, with powerful winds that make it difficult for the adventurous few who seek to climb it. Rush reported from Portland, Oregon.