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Quest Partners LLC lifted its stake in Dominion Energy, Inc. ( NYSE:D – Free Report ) by 771,000.0% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 7,711 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 7,710 shares during the quarter. Quest Partners LLC’s holdings in Dominion Energy were worth $446,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of D. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. lifted its stake in Dominion Energy by 22.8% in the third quarter. Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. now owns 69,343 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $4,007,000 after purchasing an additional 12,890 shares during the last quarter. Caprock Group LLC boosted its holdings in Dominion Energy by 133.0% during the 2nd quarter. Caprock Group LLC now owns 9,679 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $474,000 after acquiring an additional 5,525 shares during the period. Ascent Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in Dominion Energy in the 3rd quarter valued at $1,223,000. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC increased its stake in Dominion Energy by 351.8% in the third quarter. Pathway Financial Advisers LLC now owns 48,176 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $2,784,000 after purchasing an additional 37,514 shares during the period. Finally, Asset Management One Co. Ltd. lifted its position in shares of Dominion Energy by 3.8% during the third quarter. Asset Management One Co. Ltd. now owns 315,645 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $18,241,000 after purchasing an additional 11,517 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 73.04% of the company’s stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets D has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Barclays raised their price target on shares of Dominion Energy from $54.00 to $58.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 15th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of Dominion Energy from $53.00 to $57.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research note on Monday, August 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price objective on Dominion Energy from $54.00 to $57.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Monday, August 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group reiterated a “neutral” rating and issued a $61.00 target price on shares of Dominion Energy in a report on Friday, November 8th. Finally, Scotiabank raised their price target on Dominion Energy from $48.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 20th. Ten research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $55.91. Dominion Energy Stock Down 0.4 % NYSE:D opened at $58.14 on Friday. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $58.07 and its 200-day simple moving average is $54.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.42, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a current ratio of 0.74. Dominion Energy, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $43.53 and a fifty-two week high of $61.97. The stock has a market capitalization of $48.84 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.40, a P/E/G ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 0.59. Dominion Energy ( NYSE:D – Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, November 1st. The utilities provider reported $0.98 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.93 by $0.05. Dominion Energy had a net margin of 16.95% and a return on equity of 8.35%. The business had revenue of $3.94 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.18 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.77 earnings per share. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that Dominion Energy, Inc. will post 2.76 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Dominion Energy Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 29th will be paid a $0.6675 dividend. This represents a $2.67 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 29th. Dominion Energy’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 93.68%. About Dominion Energy ( Free Report ) Dominion Energy, Inc produces and distributes energy in the United States. It operates through three operating segments: Dominion Energy Virginia, Dominion Energy South Carolina, and Contracted Energy. The Dominion Energy Virginia segment generates, transmits, and distributes regulated electricity to approximately 2.8 million residential, commercial, industrial, and governmental customers in Virginia and North Carolina. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Dominion Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Dominion Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scores 41 in Thunder's 123-105 win over Wizards
With rookie QB Penix showing poise in starting debut, the Falcons again control their playoff hopesST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The St. Petersburg City Council voted Thursday to spend more than $23 million to repair the hurricane-shredded roof of Tropicana Field , with the goal of having the home of the Tampa Bay Rays ready for the 2026 season. The vote followed a decision earlier this week by the Pinellas County Commission to delay until December a vote on revenue bonds needed to finance a new, $1.3 billion Rays ballpark, a project that is in serious jeopardy according to Rays executives. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Duke rallies from 14 down, beats Wake Forest 23-17 on final-play pass
A House ethics panel found “substantial evidence” that former Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz had sex with a 17-year-old girl, used illegal drugs and paid thousands of dollars to women he met through disgraced Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg, according to an investigative report released Monday. The congressional probe emerged from the federal prosecution of Greenberg, who is now serving an 11-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to several crimes, including sex trafficking of a minor. Gaetz, a Panhandle Republican, has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and has never been charged criminally. But the ethics panel for the House — where Gaetz served nearly eight years — found “substantial evidence” that he violated Florida’s statutory rape law, engaged in commercial sex and broke House rules. Most of the sex-for-money encounters occurred in Florida, particularly around Orlando, and several of the women involved were students based in that area, the committee said. Though the allegations have followed Gaetz for years, the committee’s report marks a first public finding of fault against the former firebrand congressman and loyalist to President-elect Donald Trump. The committee authorized 29 subpoenas, reviewed nearly 14,000 documents and contacted more than two dozen witnesses, according to its nearly 40-page report. Trump had picked Gaetz to become U.S. attorney general, but Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration while facing scrutiny from the ethics probe. Gaetz resigned his seat in Congress last month to pursue the attorney general post. House investigators wrote that evidence showed Gaetz “regularly paid” women for sex from at least 2017 to 2020, engaged in sexual activity with a 17-year-old in 2017 and used or possessed illegal drugs, including cocaine and ecstasy, on multiple occasions. The panel also found Gaetz accepted gifts in excess of permissible amounts, including transportation and lodging for a 2018 trip to the Bahamas. “Representative Gaetz has acted in a manner that reflects discreditably upon the House,” the panel concluded. The committee said it did not find conclusive evidence that Gaetz violated federal sex trafficking laws. Asked about the report’s findings that Gaetz violated Florida laws, Nick Cox, statewide prosecutor in Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody’s office, said any allegations of criminal wrongdoing would be investigated by a local police department, sheriff’s office or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. A spokesman said the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office is aware of the report but did not have an immediate response . A house party mentioned in the report took place in Seminole County. The FDLE did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Gaetz, 42, sued the House Ethics Committee in federal court Monday to try to block it from releasing the report, arguing it had no authority over a private citizen. In a social media statement, he denied having sex with a 17-year-old. “My 30’s were an era of working very hard – and playing hard too,” he wrote on Wednesday. “It’s embarrassing, though not criminal, that I probably partied, womanized, drank and smoked more than I should have earlier in life. I live a different life now.” Gaetz has acknowledged he paid for flights, hotel rooms and expensive dinners for women he dated, though he has maintained it wasn’t illegal. “I think someone is trying to make that look criminal when it is not,” Gaetz said in an Axios interview in 2021. The report details Gaetz’s relationship with Greenberg, whom he befriended shortly after Greenberg took office in January 2017. Gaetz and Greenberg frequently attended parties with young women in attendance, many of whom were initially contacted by Greenberg via a dating website, according to the report. “While all the women that the Committee interviewed stated their sexual activity with Representative Gaetz was consensual, at least one woman felt that the use of drugs at the parties and events they attended may have ‘impair[ed their] ability to really know what was going on or fully consent,’” the report states. The women also discussed instances where “Representative Gaetz would try to convince them to have sex with him or Mr. Greenberg,” the report states. The ethics panel quoted one of the women as saying, “[H]e would make me feel bad about not having sex with him or Joel Greenberg” and that he would say, “Why don’t you want to have sex with me” or “[Mr. Greenberg] looks very sad over there ... make him happy.” The report references a July 15, 2017, house party that Gaetz attended at the Heathrow home of developer and former state Rep. Christopher Dorworth. The party was also attended by Greenberg, Gaetz’s then-girlfriend and several others, including a 17-year-old girl referred to in the ethics report as “Victim A,” the committee said. “The record overwhelmingly suggests that Representative Gaetz had sex with multiple women at the party, including the then-17-year-old, for which they were paid,” the report states. The ethics committee received testimony the girl and Gaetz had sex twice during the party, including at least once in the presence of other attendees, according to the report. The girl, who had just finished her junior year of high school, recalled receiving $400 in cash from Gaetz, which she understood as payment for sex, the report states. The girl acknowledged that she was under the influence of ecstasy during her sexual encounters with Gaetz at the party and recalled seeing Gaetz use cocaine, the committee said. In a deposition in a related lawsuit, Dorworth denied being at his home during the party. The women who provided crucial testimony to the ethics committee did so at “significant personal cost,” said Joel Leppard, an Orlando lawyer who represented two witnesses. “Their testimony, supported by extensive documentation and corroborating witnesses, has now been validated through this comprehensive investigation,” he said. For two years, the U.S. Department of Justice investigated the allegations but ended its probe without filing criminal charges against Gaetz. The House Ethics Committee, which has jurisdiction over the conduct of members of Congress, started its probe in April 2021. The panel concluded that Gaetz did not violate federal sex trafficking law because “although Representative Gaetz did cause the transportation of women across state lines for purposes of commercial sex, the Committee did not find evidence that any of those women were under 18 at the time of travel, nor did the Committee find sufficient evidence to conclude that the commercial sex acts were induced by force, fraud, or coercion.” Political analysts said the report’s findings would traditionally spell doom for a politician, but in today’s environment, his future isn’t clear cut, particularly if Gaetz continues to have Trump’s backing. Gaetz has been mentioned as a potential candidate for Florida governor in 2026. “In any healthy representative democracy, that would be the end of Matt Gaetz politically,” said Mac Stipanovich, a Tallahassee consultant and anti-Trump Republican-turned-Democrat. “I believe, as difficult a situation in which we find ourselves, that we are still healthy enough as a country and as a state for that to still be true.” Aubrey Jewett, a professor of political science at the University of Central Florida, said that “in a different era,” the report’s findings would be disqualifying. “Now, in today’s era, it’s hard to say for sure.” Gaetz hasn’t announced his next political step. He is launching a show on the pro-Trump One America News Network in January. Orlando attorney John Morgan, a prominent Democratic fundraiser who left the party to become independent, has been in talks with Gaetz about joining his firm Morgan & Morgan. He wrote in an e-mail he was unfazed by the report. “Many people have used cocaine and smoked dope,” Morgan said. “So what. I don’t care.” Morgan said Gaetz assured him that the report’s finding of sex with a 17-year-old was a “lie.” “My firm is a big tent, and I value mercy most,” Morgan said.TV Ratings: Expanded College Football Playoff Gets Off to Solid Start
Cerity Partners LLC trimmed its holdings in Invesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF ( BATS:OMFL – Free Report ) by 19.2% in the third quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The institutional investor owned 71,884 shares of the company’s stock after selling 17,082 shares during the quarter. Cerity Partners LLC’s holdings in Invesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF were worth $3,809,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Balentine LLC grew its position in shares of Invesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF by 20.5% in the third quarter. Balentine LLC now owns 5,667,538 shares of the company’s stock valued at $300,323,000 after purchasing an additional 964,398 shares in the last quarter. Arizona PSPRS Trust bought a new position in Invesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF in the 2nd quarter worth about $281,479,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its holdings in Invesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF by 4.6% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 3,062,504 shares of the company’s stock valued at $160,751,000 after buying an additional 134,468 shares in the last quarter. Orrstown Financial Services Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Invesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF by 15.1% in the third quarter. Orrstown Financial Services Inc. now owns 951,524 shares of the company’s stock worth $50,421,000 after buying an additional 125,123 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. boosted its position in shares of Invesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF by 2.2% in the second quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 746,708 shares of the company’s stock valued at $39,195,000 after acquiring an additional 16,361 shares during the period. Invesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF Stock Up 0.6 % Invesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF stock opened at $55.58 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $6.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.45 and a beta of 0.94. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $53.77 and its 200 day moving average price is $52.50. Invesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF Cuts Dividend Invesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF Company Profile ( Free Report ) The Invesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF (OMFL) is an exchange-traded fund that mostly invests in large cap equity. The fund tracks an index of US large-cap stocks selected by a combination of five investment factors, which are weighted based on current macroeconomic conditions. OMFL was launched on Nov 8, 2017 and is managed by Invesco. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding OMFL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Invesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF ( BATS:OMFL – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Invesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Invesco Russell 1000 Dynamic Multifactor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Is it safe to eat turkey this Thanksgiving amid bird flu outbreak? Here’s what experts say.
JSE and UTech join forces to enhance financial sector education
It’s time to say goodbye to the grand prixMicrosoft and OpenAI have had something of a symbiotic relationship, with the former giving billions of capital to a startup AI lab and in return gaining early access to cutting-edge models that are now baked into Microsoft’s suite of productivity software. The two companies have been headed in diverging directions, however, and Reuters reported today that Microsoft is looking to add more models to its 365 Copilot product that aren’t built by OpenAI. The reasoning, according to the report, is that Microsoft sees OpenAI’s cutting-edge GPT-4 model as too expensive and not fast enough to satisfy its enterprise customers. Copilot 365 is an AI-powered assistant built into Microsoft’s suite of productivity applications including Word and PowerPoint. The tool is supposed to ingest all of a company’s data and do a myriad of things, like give users the ability to quickly find information without needing to hunt through disparate apps; quickly generate a list of the company’s most profitable business units; or instantaneously summarize meetings and emails. It is supposed to do those things, but customers and insiders alike are still underwhelmed by Copilot 365, which costs an extra $30 per month per user on a team. In a recent Business Insider story , employees of Microsoft speaking anonymously called the tools “terrible” and “gimmicky,” not working well 75% of the time. On the customer front, Business Insider cited a survey of 123 IT leaders published by management consultancy Gartner, which found only four said Copilot provided significant value to their companies. It should be noted some other stories have reported on companies that have found value in using large language models, such as by simplifying customer support . Some customers who spoke to Business Insider specifically noted that 365 Copilot is too expensive. OpenAI’s ChatGPT is a frontier, general model, meaning it is trained on vast swaths of data and can be more expensive and slow to run; that is why most models are offered in “lite” versions that perform less intensive inference or “thinking.” Microsoft has been training its own in-house, smaller models like one called Phi-4, and Reuters reports that sources speaking to the outlet said the company is looking to “customize other open-weight models to make 365 Copilot faster and more efficient.” In one sense, it makes sense that Microsoft would want to reduce its reliance on OpenAI. If the company is right and AI is going to be the next generational change in computing, relying on an independent company for the core technology is not a great idea. Microsoft has plowed billions of dollars into OpenAI and will receive 75% of its profits until it makes it breaks even on its investment, and even then will still hold a large stake in the startup. The company in effect gets to hedge its bets—build its own in-house models while keeping a lottery ticket in OpenAI in case it continues on its current skyward trajectory. Despite being the front-runner today, some skeptics of OpenAI say that we may not know a true winner in the AI race yet (should these technologies be as revolutionary as we are told to believe). In the same way that there were numerous search engines that came online in the ’90s, only to be quickly trounced when the latecomer Google showed up. Microsoft is likely wise to hedge.
Movie Review: Nicole Kidman commands the erotic office drama 'Babygirl'
Bunker Hill Announces Updates To Election To Issue Shares In Satisfaction Of Debenture Interest Payment Obligations & Financing Cooperation FeeAston Villa had a stoppage-time goal disallowed as they drew 0-0 with Juventus in the Champions League. Morgan Rogers looked to have given Unai Emery’s side another famous win when he slammed a loose ball home at the death, but referee Jesus Gil Manzano ruled Diego Carlos to have fouled Juve goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and the goal was chalked off. It was a disappointment for Villa, who remain unbeaten at home in their debut Champions League campaign and are still in contention to qualify automatically for the last 16. A very controversial finish at Villa Park 😲 Morgan Rogers' late goal is ruled out for a foul on Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and the match ends 0-0 ❌ 📺 & — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) Emiliano Martinez had earlier displayed why he was named the best goalkeeper in the world as his wonder save kept his side level in the second half. The Argentina international paraded his two Yashin Trophies on the pitch before kick-off at Villa Park and then showed why he won back-to-back FIFA awards when he denied Francisco Conceicao. Before Rogers’ moment of drama in the fourth minute of added time, the closest Villa came to scoring was in the first half when Lucas Digne’s free-kick hit the crossbar. But a draw was a fair result which leaves Villa out of the top eight on goal difference and Juventus down in 19th. Before the game Emery called Juventus one of the “best teams in the world, historically and now”, but this was an Italian side down to the bare bones. Only 14 outfield players made the trip from Turin, with striker Dusan Vlahovic among those who stayed behind. The opening 30 minutes were forgettable before the game opened up. Ollie Watkins, still chasing his first Champions League goal, had Villa’s first presentable chance as he lashed an effort straight at Di Gregorio. Matty Cash then had a vicious effort from the resulting corner which was blocked by Federico Gatti and started a counter-attack which ended in Juventus striker Timothy Weah. Villa came closest to breaking the deadlock at the end of the first half when Digne’s 20-yard free-kick clipped the top of the crossbar and went over. Martinez then produced his brilliant save just after the hour. A corner made its way through to the far post where Conceicao was primed to head in at the far post, but Martinez sprawled himself across goal to scoop the ball away. How has he kept that one out?! 🤯 Emi Martinez with an INCREDIBLE save to keep it goalless at Villa Park ⛔️ 📺 & — Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) Replays showed most of the ball went over the line, but the Argentinian got there with millimetres to spare. At the other end another fine goal-line block denied John McGinn as Manuel Locatelli got his foot in the way with Di Gregorio beaten. The game looked to be petering out until a last-gasp free-kick saw Rogers slam home, but whistle-happy official Gil Manzano halted the celebrations by ruling the goal out.
Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug use WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee’s long-awaited report into Rep. Matt Gaetz documents a trove of salacious allegations of misconduct, including sex with an underage girl, that tanked the Florida Republican’s nomination to lead the Justice Department. Citing text messages, travel receipts, online payments and other evidence, the committee painted a picture of a lifestyle in which Gaetz and others connected with younger women for drug-fueled parties, events or trips, with the expectation the women would be paid for their participation. Gaetz, who had filed a last-minute lawsuit to try to block the report’s release Monday, slammed the committee’s findings. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and has insisted he never had sex with a minor. House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girl WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee has accused Matt Gaetz of “regularly” paying for sex, including once with a 17-year-old girl, and purchasing and using illicit drugs as a member of Congress. The 37-page report was released Monday by the bipartisan panel after a nearly four-year investigation that helped sink his nomination for attorney general. The report includes explicit details of sex-filled parties and vacations that Gaetz took part in while representing Florida in the House. Congressional investigators concluded that he violated multiple state laws related to sexual misconduct while in office. Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing and he filed a lawsuit Monday trying to block the report’s release. Biden gives life in prison to 37 of 40 federal death row inmates before Trump can resume executions WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden is commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row. He's converting their punishments to life imprisonment just weeks before Donald Trump, an outspoken proponent of expanding capital punishment, takes office. Biden says the commutations are consistent with a pause on executions put in place by his administration in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. Biden said he couldn't allow a new administration to resume executions. Trump will be sworn into office on Jan. 20. The president-elect has talked subjecting drug dealers and human smugglers to the death penalty. Relief, defiance, anger: Families and advocates react to Biden's death row commutations COLUMBIA, South Carolina (AP) — Victims’ families and others affected by crimes that resulted in federal death row convictions are sharing a range of emotions, from relief to anger, after President Joe Biden commuted dozens of the sentences. Biden announced Monday he would convert the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The inmates include people who were convicted in slayings of police, military officers and federal prisoners and guards. Others were involved in deadly robberies and drug deals. Three inmates will remain on federal death row. Opponents of the death penalty lauded Biden for a decision they’d long sought. Supporters of Donald Trump, a vocal advocate of expanding capital punishment, criticized the move as an assault to common decency. Luigi Mangione pleads not guilty to murder and weapons charges in UnitedHealthcare CEO's death NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of fatally shooting the CEO of UnitedHealthcare has pleaded not guilty to murder and terror charges in a state case that will run parallel to his federal prosecution. The Manhattan district attorney formally charged Luigi Mangione last week with multiple counts of murder, including murder as an act of terrorism. Mangione's attorney complained during a brief hearing Monday that statements coming from New York’s mayor would make it tough for him to receive a fair trial. Mangione was shackled and seated in a Manhattan court when he leaned over to a microphone to enter his not guilty plea. Middle East latest: Defense minister acknowledges Israel killed Hamas leader Israel’s defense minister has confirmed that Israel assassinated Hamas’ top leader last summer and is threatening to take similar action against the leadership of the Houthi rebel group in Yemen. The comments by Israel Katz appeared to mark the first time that Israel has acknowledged killing Ismail Haniyeh, who died in an explosion in Iran in July. Israel was widely believed to be behind the blast and leaders have previously hinted at its involvement. In a speech Monday, Katz said the Houthis would meet a similar fate as the other members of an Iranian-led alliance in the region, including Haniyeh. He also noted that Israel has killed other leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, helped topple Syria’s Bashar Assad and destroyed Iran’s anti-aircraft systems. Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — First it was Canada, then the Panama Canal. Now, Donald Trump again wants Greenland. The president-elect is renewing calls he made during his first term for the U.S. to buy Greenland, the ice-covered semi-autonomous Danish territory. That's added to the list of allied countries he’s picking fights with, even before taking office on Jan. 20. Greenland insists it's not for sale and Trump's initial calls to purchase it in 2019 came to nothing. But his latest suggestion comes after the president-elect suggested the U.S. could retake control of the Panama Canal and that Canadians wanted their county to become the 51st U.S. state. 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. Magdeburg mourns Christmas market attack victims as fears swirl of deeper German social divisions MAGDEBURG, Germany (AP) — Mourners are laying flowers near the scene of the deadly Christmas market attack as investigators puzzle over the motive of the suspect and his previous encounters with authorities are scrutinized. At the same time there are fears that the rampage could deepen divisions in German society. A church a short walk from the scene of the attack has become a central place of mourning since the suspect drove a car into the busy market on Friday evening and killed five people. Authorities have identified the suspect as a Saudi doctor who arrived in Germany in 2006 and had received permanent residency. They say he doesn't fit the usual profile of perpetrators of extremist attacks. How faith communities can be welcoming of believers with disabilities this holiday season and beyond This holiday season, some religious congregations across the U.S. are holding events designed to be accommodating to and inclusive of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. They range from a “Calm Christmas” in West Virginia to an inclusive Hanukkah in New Jersey. Many disabled people, advocates and families want more houses of worship to know that there are ways to fully incorporate and welcome people with these and other disabilities and their families — and not just during the holidays but year round.'Solar glut' isn't a solar problem — it's a transmission and battery problem
On November 14 the Government announced that up to $60 million will be ring-fenced from the Regional Infrastructure Fund to explore the potential of supercritical geothermal technology to help secure New Zealand’s future energy needs. The aim of supercritical geothermal technology (SCGT) is to harness extremely high-temperature fluids from deep underground to generate renewable energy more efficiently than conventional geothermal technology. It is a landmark moment for New Zealand’s energy sector. This funding not only highlights the Government’s commitment to renewable energy but also underscores the pivotal role that geothermal energy plays in New Zealand’s energy mix. New Zealand is particularly rich in geothermal energy, with its use dating back to central North Island Māori for heating, cooking and therapeutic purposes. It’s a cornerstone of New Zealand’s renewable energy landscape, providing a stable and reliable source of electricity, contributing significantly to meeting the country’s energy needs. As New Zealand transitions towards a more sustainable energy future, the role of geothermal energy will become even more critical, particularly for the electrification and hydrogenation of our transport fleet, which will need a substantial increase in renewable energy capacity. The Government’s decision to allocate funding from the Regional Infrastructure Fund is a natural fit. Geothermal resources are predominantly located in regional New Zealand, making them a perfect driving force for regional development. Investing in SCGT will not only create new jobs and industries but also promote economic growth in Waikato, Bay of Plenty and beyond. New Zealand’s success in geothermal energy is a result of its rich natural resources combined with world-leading innovation in science and engineering. The country’s history of geothermal development dates back to the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, when the Ministry of Works led extensive exploration efforts. These early initiatives laid the foundation for New Zealand’s current geothermal capabilities. The Government’s renewed support is crucial for the next generation of geothermal exploration. The $60 million investment will support research and development, enabling the industry to overcome the challenges associated with the advanced technology required to harness this promising source of energy. There are many challenges, but New Zealand’s geothermal ecosystem is well-positioned to meet them. The country boasts a tight-knit community of research institutes, generators, service companies, community groups, and universities that have been supporting development in geothermal energy for over 60 years. GNS, the University of Auckland’s Geothermal Institute and others have already dedicated years of research to preparing for the next stage of SCGT, creating a collaborative environment that fosters innovation and ensures that New Zealand remains at the forefront of geothermal technology. New Zealand has a well-deserved reputation as a leader in geothermal energy. The country’s experts have contributed to geothermal development in every geothermal-producing country in the world. Their sought-after expertise continues to play a key role in decision-making with partners in leading geothermal countries such as the USA, Indonesia, and the Philippines and it has been instrumental in initiating geothermal development in several countries. Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology Judith Collins has rightly identified the engineering challenges associated with SCGT. However, New Zealand is particularly strong in key aspects of engineering and extremely well positioned to address those challenges. Our geothermal drilling capabilities are outstanding; our drilling code has been adopted by many other jurisdictions as global best practice and our drilling experts also supported our Icelandic colleagues when they drilled their first deep geothermal well. Geothermal reservoir engineering and management in New Zealand are second to none. One of the Geothermal Institute’s key consulting services is providing expert advice to New Zealand and major international generation companies to support resource assessment, the targeting of geothermal wells (bores) and resource utilisation. Many years of experience using detailed modelling and advanced geosciences show our approach gives developers the best chance of finding a viable resource when drilling expensive wells. The same rigour should be applied to increase the chance of success in SCGT. New Zealand’s generators are recognised for their resource management practices, which are held up as international best practice. They often host international delegations eager to learn about New Zealand’s innovative solutions to geothermal challenges. Similarly, New Zealand delivers geothermal project management globally to support complex projects and have a long track record of success in Southeast Asia, East Africa, and beyond. This expertise ensures that New Zealand can effectively manage the complexities associated with SCGT. This investment is what New Zealand’s geothermal sector has been waiting for. It will enable it to find innovative solutions to difficult challenges and deliver more sustainable megawatts for New Zealand, a significant step forward in the country’s renewable energy journey. The expertise gained from this exploration will not only benefit New Zealand but support the global transition to renewable energy and ensure New Zealand’s geothermal professionals will continue to play a leading role in international geothermal development. The $60 million investment in supercritical geothermal technology is bold and forward-thinking. With our rich natural resources, expertise and government support, New Zealand is positioned to lead the way in this exciting new frontier of geothermal energy.