Iran says will hold nuclear talks with France, Germany, UK on FridayWhite House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign

A MUCH loved car garage is closing down permanently after 40 years as locals reminisce over "first class" service. Devoted customers were devastated to hear the team at Briggate Service Garage in Whittlesey, Peterborough will be shutting up shop imminently. The popular garage has provided "excellent service" for more than four decades but will see it's last motor on December 20. It comes as owner Paul heads into "well deserved retirement", his dedicated staff announced on social media . In a statement on Facebook they wrote: "Briggate Service Garage is closing on 20th December 2024. "We would like to extend our thanks to all of our loyal customers over the years for their support, it has been a pleasure to serve everyone and Paul is now heading into a well deserved retirement. Read More "I’m sure all our customers past and present would join us in wishing Paul and his very able team all the best for whatever is next, and in extending our thanks to him for working so hard at Briggate Service Garage for the last 40 years." Fans of the garage were disheartened to hear of the impending closure, but showered Paul with well-wishes. "Years of excellent service for all the family over the years Paul enjoy your retirement you will all be missed," wrote one customer. Another added: "Thank you Paul to you and your team over the last 25+ years. A truly exemplary service. Most read in Motors "You have worked hard and deserve many happy years not worrying about opening up. "Although a lot of people in Whittlesey will really miss you, your team and the service you provided. Happy retirement." A third agreed: "Happy retirement Paul. Thank you for your service over the years . You and your team have always been first class. Take care." "Thankyou for everything you have done for me and mum over the years. Sooo many years you have fixed our cars, towed us home . All the best," penned someone else. This comes as a beloved family-run car dealership has apologised to customers after closing down with no warning. Customers will now have to go five miles out of their way to get hold of cars from one of the world's biggest brands. Locals of Newton Abbot, Devon , were left baffled late last month when the Swanson Motor Company suddenly closed its doors. Elsewhere, a major dealership was forced to close down five showrooms after the business fell into administration. READ MORE SUN STORIES Marsh Holdings Limited, based in Exeter, Devon, has been forced to shut up shop - just months after it sold its Kia franchise. Meanwhile, another dealership cleared the forecourt after 30 years of business - blaming a popular car brand's failures. Dacia Sandero - £13,795 Citroen C3 - £13,150 Fiat Panda £14,750 Dacia Spring (EV) - £14,995 Dacia Sandero Stepway - £15,295 Kia Picanto - £15,595 Hyundai i10 - £16,030 Toyota Aygo X - £16,140 Fiat 500 Hybrid - £16,800 Dacia Duster £17,295WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States on Monday launched its third big crackdown in three years on China’s semiconductor industry, curbing exports to 140 companies, including chip equipment maker Naura Technology Group, among other moves. Below is a list of the biggest actions being taken, according to the Commerce Department. CHIP EQUIPMENT New controls will be placed on semiconductor manufacturing equipment needed to produce advanced-node integrated circuits, including certain etch, deposition, lithography, ion implantation, annealing, metrology and inspection, and cleaning tools. This could hit companies like Lam Research, KLA Corp and Applied Materials, as well as non-U.S. companies like Dutch equipment maker ASM International. SOFTWARE New controls on software tools for developing or producing advanced-node integrated circuits, including certain software that increases the productivity of advanced machines or allows less-advanced machines to produce advanced chips, which could affect companies like Siemens, which is parent of Mentor Graphics. MEMORY Another rule in the package restricts high bandwidth memory used in AI chips that correspond with what is known as “HBM 2” and higher, technology made by South Korea’s Samsung and SK Hynix and U.S.-based Micron Technology. Industry sources expect only Samsung Electronics to be affected. Analysts estimate Samsung generates about 30% of its HBM chip sales from China. HBM is critical to both AI training and inference at scale, and is a key component of advanced computing integrated circuits. ENTITY LIST The 140 new entrants on the Commerce Department’s Entity List include semiconductor fabrication plants, also known as fabs, semiconductor tool companies, and investment companies “that are acting at the behest of Beijing to further the China’s advanced chip goals which pose a risk to U.S. and allied national security.” Chinese private equity firm Wise Road Capital, tech firm Wingtech Technology Co and JAC Capital were added. Companies seeking licenses to ship to firms on the Entity List generally get denied. FOREIGN DIRECT PRODUCT RULE The new rule will expand U.S. powers to curb exports of chipmaking equipment by U.S., Japanese, and Dutch manufacturers made in other parts of the world to certain chip plants in China. Equipment made in Israel, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan is subject to the rule while Japan and the Netherlands will be exempt. The expanded foreign direct product rule will apply to 16 companies on the entity list that are seen as the most important to China’s most advanced chipmaking ambitions. The rule will also lower the amount of U.S. content that determines when certain foreign items are subject to U.S. control. That will allow the U.S. to regulate any item shipped to China from overseas if it contains any U.S. chips. (Reporting by Chris Sanders and David Shepardson; editing by Jonathan Oatis) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. 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Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );C$ unless otherwise stated TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK: 945 TORONTO , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Manulife has been notified of an unsolicited mini-tender offer made by New York Stock and Bond LLC (New York Stock and Bond) to purchase up to 50,000 Manulife common shares, or less than 0.003% of the common shares outstanding, at a price of USD$12.50 per share. Manulife is in no way associated with New York Stock and Bond and does not recommend or endorse acceptance of this unsolicited offer. Manulife cautions shareholders that the mini-tender offer has been made at a price below the current market price for Manulife shares. The offer represents a discount of approximately 60.76% and 60.80%, respectively, below the closing prices of Manulife common shares on the TSX and NYSE on November 27, 2024 , the last trading day before the mini-tender offer was commenced, and a discount of 61.43% and 61.42%, respectively, below the closing prices on the TSX and NYSE on December 6, 2024 . Mini-tender offers are designed to seek less than 5% of a company's outstanding shares, avoiding disclosure and procedural requirements applicable to most bids under Canadian and U.S. securities regulations. The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have expressed serious concerns about mini-tender offers, including the possibility that investors might tender to such offers without understanding the offer price relative to the actual market price of their securities. The SEC states that "bidders make mini-tender offers at below-market prices, hoping that they will catch investors off guard if the investors do not compare the offer price to the current market price." Shareholders should carefully review the New York Stock and Bond offer documents and current market price for Manulife shares, and consult their investment advisors regarding any offer they may receive and review with their advisors all options for their investment in Manulife shares. Manulife has stock transfer agents providing shareholder services in Canada , the United States , Hong Kong and the Philippines . These local agents provide services directly to our registered shareholders and can provide information on share account management, direct deposit of dividends, dividend reinvestment and share purchase plans. Please email manulifeinquiries@tmx.com for more information. Manulife requests that a copy of this news release be included in any distribution of materials relating to New York Stock and Bond's mini-tender offer for Manulife common shares. About Manulife Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada , we provide financial advice and insurance, operating as Manulife across Canada , Asia , and Europe , and primarily as John Hancock in the United States . Through Manulife Investment Management, the global brand for our Global Wealth and Asset Management segment, we serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2023, we had more than 38,000 employees, over 98,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 35 million customers. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto , New York , and the Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' in Hong Kong. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/manulife-cautions-investors-regarding-new-york-stock-and-bond-llc-offer-for-shares-302326646.html SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation

The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) on Sunday opened the week on a bullish note, albeit at lower levels, with its key index gaining more than 15 points on buying interests especially in the telecom and banking sectors. The foreign institutions were seen net buyers as the 20-stock Qatar Index rose 0.14% to 10,409.59 points, but recovering from an intraday low of 10,441 points. The Gulf institutions’ weakened net profit booking had its influence in the main bourse, whose capitalisation was up QR0.68bn or 0.11% to QR618bn primarily on the back of microcap segments. The domestic funds continued to be net buyers but with lesser intensity in the main market, which saw as many as 5,600 exchange traded funds (sponsored by Doha Bank) valued at QR0.06mn change hands across four deals. The Islamic index was seen declining vis-à-vis gains in the other indices of the main bourse, whose trade turnover and volumes were on the decline. The foreign retail investors continued to be bullish but with lesser vigour in the main market, which saw no trading of treasury bills. The Gulf individuals were seen increasingly net sellers in the main bourse, which saw no trading of sovereign bonds. The Total Return Index was up 0.14% and the All Share Index by 0.15%, while the All Islamic Index was down 0.01% in the main market. The telecom sector index gained 0.96%, banks and financial services (0.26%), insurance (0.15%) and industrials (0.07%); while real estate declined 0.48%, consumer goods and services (0.37%) and transport (0.15%). Major gainers in the main bourse included Qatari Investors Group, Doha Insurance, Ooredoo, Beema and Ahlibank Qatar. In the venture market, Al Mahhar Holding saw its shares appreciate in value. Nevertheless, about 57% of the traded constituents were in the red in the main market with major losers being Dlala, Ezdan, Meeza, QIIB and Milaha. In the junior bourse, Techno Q saw its shares depreciate in value. The foreign institutions turned net buyers to the tune of QR6.04mn compared with net sellers of QR32.19mn on November 21. The Gulf institutions’ net profit booking decreased noticeably to QR6.86mn against QR8.59mn the previous trading day. However, the Gulf individual investors’ net selling grew markedly to QR4.87mn compared to QR0.95mn last Thursday. The Qatari individuals were net sellers to the extent of QR1.26mn against net buyers of QR11.04mn on November 21. The Arab individuals turned net sellers to the tune of QR0.94mn compared with net buyers of QR2.63mn the previous trading day. The domestic institutions’ net buying declined substantially to QR6.85mn against QR25.81mn last Thursday. The foreign retail investors’ net buying weakened perceptibly to QR1.05mn compared to QR2.23mn on November 21. The Arab institutions had not major net exposure for the fifth straight session. Trade volumes in the main market shrank 23% to 99.8mn shares, value by 40% to QR224.47mn and transactions by 45% to 8,501. The venture market saw 78% shrinkage in trade volumes to 0.12mn equities, 76% in value to QR0.34mn and 59% in deals to 32. Related Story DHW concludes as WISH 2024 begins Wednesday MoPH meet highlights best practices in infection prevention

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BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. (AP) — Po'Boigh King had 28 points in North Carolina Central's 78-77 victory over Gardner-Webb on Saturday. King added six rebounds for the Eagles (4-7). Isaac Parson scored 13 points and added seven assists and three steals. Keishon Porter shot 2 of 7 from the field, including 1 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 3 for 4 from the line to finish with eight points. The Runnin' Bulldogs (4-6) were led in scoring by Anthony Selden, who finished with 25 points. Jamaine Mann added 15 points for Gardner-Webb. Shahar Lazar finished with 10 points and four assists. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Embiid scores 31 in triumphant NBA return for 76ers

Embiid scores 31 in triumphant NBA return for 76ersNoneWhite House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign

OpenAI and military defense technology company Anduril Industries said Wednesday that they would work together to use artificial intelligence for "national security missions." The ChatGPT-maker and Anduril will focus on improving defenses against drone attacks, the companies said in a joint release. The partnership comes nearly a year after OpenAI did away with wording in its policies that banned use of its technology for military or warfare purposes. Founded in 2017, Anduril is a technology company that builds command and control systems and a variety of drones, counting the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom among its customers, according to its website. OpenAI said in October that it was collaborating with the US military's research arm DARPA on cyber defenses for critical networks. "AI is a transformational technology that can be used to strengthen democratic values or to undermine them," OpenAI said in a post at the time. "With the proper safeguards, AI can help protect people, deter adversaries, and even prevent future conflict." The companies said the deal would help the United States maintain an edge over China, a goal that OpenAI chief Sam Altman has spoken of in the past. "Our partnership with Anduril will help ensure OpenAI technology protects US military personnel, and will help the national security community understand and responsibly use this technology to keep our citizens safe and free," Altman said in Wednesday's release. Anduril was co-founded by Palmer Luckey, after Facebook bought his previous company Oculus VR in a $2 billion deal. The new partnership will bring together OpenAI's advanced AI models with Anduril systems and software, according to the companies. "Our partnership with OpenAI will allow us to utilize their world-class expertise in artificial intelligence to address urgent Air Defense capability gaps across the world," Anduril co-founder and chief executive Brian Schimpf said in the release. Schimpf said the collaboration would allow "military and intelligence operators to make faster, more accurate decisions in high-pressure situations." gc/ahaGames on a college basketball schedule don't contrast much more than the two NC State has this week. The Wolfpack (6-3) host Coppin State (0-10) on Tuesday in Raleigh, N.C., then hit the road to challenge No. 10 Kansas on Saturday. NC State enters its unusual week after snapping a three-game skid with an 84-74 overtime win at home Saturday against Florida State in its Atlantic Coast Conference opener. Transfers Marcus Hill and Dontrez Styles each had their season high, scoring 23 and 21 points, respectively. They scored 13 of NC State's 14 points in overtime. "Dontrez Styles was tremendous," Wolfpack coach Kevin Keatts said. "In the second half, he made play after play." Hill, who was the top scorer last year at Bowling Green (20.5 points per game), and Styles, who was the second-leading scorer last year at Georgetown (12.8 ppg), combined to hit 14 of 25 shots and pull down 11 rebounds. The win followed defeats to then-No. 13 Purdue and BYU, both by double-digit margins, in the Rady Children's Invitational and a 63-59 loss to Texas in the SEC/ACC Challenge. "The little things that impact the game are defending, making free throws and blocking out," Keatts said. "We handled that much better than we did against Texas." Coppin State arrives in Raleigh on a 23-game losing streak dating to January -- the longest current run of futility in Division I. Each of the Eagles' losses this season have come by double-digit margins, though they have been more competitive lately, falling to Baltimore rival Loyola (Md.) 68-57 and at Wagner 65-52 last week. Julius Ellerbe III has been one of Coppin's most reliable players lately, scoring a combined 20 points in the last two games. He had 16 points and 12 rebounds in a loss to George Mason last month. Teammate Peter Oduro recorded a double-double, with 16 points and 10 rebounds, in last month's loss at Saint Joseph's. "These things take time," Coppin State second-year coach Larry Stewart said. "It takes time to establish your culture. It takes time to get the right players in your system." --Field Level MediaWith 13 newcomers, South Carolina Senate may tackle tough issues