Parents looking for elite football coaching for their children are being misled by private organisations claiming to be academies, Wales' governing body has warned. The Football Association of Wales (FAW) said there was growing concern about the number of non-accredited training bodies saying they were academies without the relevant licence or governance. It comes amid claims that former Wales star Natasha Harding, now known by her married name Allen-Wyatt, took money for children’s coaching that was not delivered by her Tash Harding Academy. Ms Allen-Wyatt has admitted cancelling "some sessions" due to circumstances outside her control and apologised to those affected. Licensed football academies provide a pathway for the most talented youngsters to develop their skills with a view to reaching the professional game. The FAW has established the National Academi for registered and affiliated academies in Wales which are categorised as A, B or C. Only such organisations can call themselves academies and anyone using the FAW logo or branding to advertise a private setup will be asked to remove it. The BBC has been told that FAW lawyers wrote to Ms Allen-Wyatt asking her to remove its badge from early branding for her coaching enterprise. Ms Allen-Wyatt did not respond to questions about this when the allegations against her first emerged. Drew Sherman, head of FAW National Academi, said: "There is ambiguity around the term academy. "People are selling the dream who aren’t necessarily accredited or qualified to make that dream a reality." He said official academies were "a good environment for any child" with FAW-qualified staff who have had a background check and are first aid qualified. There is concern about the blurring of lines between training programmes for the most talented young players aiming to make it to the professional game and those offering a more inclusive, fun environment. The FAW acknowledged there was a place for both, but stressed the importance of parents being aware of the difference when signing up their children. There are up to 3,000 children playing across 18 FAW-accredited academies - 14 of which have the full 10 age group teams, from under-8s to under-19s. The remaining four clubs have half this age group structure. Neil Ward, chief executive of Penybont FC which runs an A-licensed academy, said there was a "growing trend" of unlicensed private coaches calling their operations academies. He urged parents to be "more inquisitive" and ask about issues such as minimum coaching qualifications, training time, additional support around physical preparation training, safeguarding and first aid. "What's important is that parents reassure themselves about the quality of provision by researching who's providing the coaching and are they regulated under the governing body," he added. academies in Wales receive funding from UEFA and charge parents, unlike academies in England, which are free. Mr Ward said this was due to better funding for Football League clubs in England, but in Wales the cost was about "£1.50 to £2 per session over 40-plus weeks of training per year". He added: "It's affordable and helps us offset some costs, and we also fundraise to keep costs down as much as possible." In the girls' game, the FAW runs academies in north and south Wales for promising players aged 11-17. There are also opportunities to access extra training through the FAW’s development centre, a bespoke programme of competitive fixtures for girls against boys. Paul Kirton, founder and managing director of Team Grassroots, which represents the amateur game, expressed his worries about the proliferation of so-called academies across England and Wales. "There’s been an explosion in private football coaching providers who use academy in their title and in some cases charge four or five times more than grassroots clubs," he said. "People think they’re paying for something special but actually it’s not any different from the grassroots club." He added that the word academy should only be used by coaches who have been given the A, B or C ranking by the FAW. "The inference of that word is that it’s something professional, whereas the reality might be something completely different." The FAW said it urged parents, carers and football clubs to "undertake safeguarding and business assurances when engaging with third party providers, who are not affiliated to a national governing body" with safeguarding guidance available online .has implemented substantial digital initiatives to streamline pension verification and welfare benefit distribution. The system and (DBT) program produce measurable outcomes regarding efficiency and fraud reduction. The programs build on India’s better push for digital identity verification, which began with establishing the (UIDAI) and its biometric-based national ID system. The digital life certificate system permits pensioners to submit their life certificates using facial recognition technology on Android smartphones. Throughout November 2024, the Department of Pension and Pensioners’ Welfare implemented Campaign 3.0, expanding the initiative’s reach to 800 cities and towns across all districts. This implementation follows the successful deployment of facial recognition for pension verification in other countries, exemplifying a growing global trend of installing biometric technology for social security management. The that in the Finance Ministry Year Review 2024, the Indian Finance Ministry stressed how the DBT system, integrated with the Public Financial Management System (PFMS), contributes to the Digital India initiative. This IT-based infrastructure enables digital payments and receipts for ministries and departments across the federal and state governments, resulting in increased transparency and accountability. The PFMS is a key player that enables real-time tracking of fund disbursements, from release to credit to beneficiaries’ bank accounts. This technique significantly streamlines trust in timely cash transfers, especially for centrally funded and sector-specific initiatives. The system ensures that only genuine beneficiaries have access to welfare payments by implementing Aadhaar-linked biometric authentication, hence eliminating ghost accounts and fraudulent claims. Finance Minister stated through her social media on X that more than $450 billion has been transferred through DBT in the last eight years. She ascribed this achievement to the elimination of middlemen, which resulted in savings of nearly $40 billion from possible pilferage. This achievement emphasizes the importance of integrating biometrics and Aadhaar-enabled digital identity into India’s . The DBT project demonstrates India’s commitment to promoting financial inclusion and improving governance through . Beneficiaries of numerous schemes, such as subsidies, pensions, and scholarships, receive payments directly to their Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. This decreases delays and assures that funds reach their intended recipients without intermediaries. The Finance Minister of India further defined this project as a superb lesson in efficient governance, highlighting the importance of accounting for every rupee properly. With the integration of biometric technologies and digital identities, India’s digital public infrastructure establishes a global standard for transparency and effective fund administration, increasing trust in government services. India highlights how a strong digital public infrastructure can adjust lives, encourage accountability, and provide fair access to welfare services by utilizing biometrics and Aadhaar. Moreover, states like Karnataka are using the , which is supported by Aadhaar biometric authentication, to innovate public distribution systems, such as cash transfers in place of food rations. The linking of ration cards to Aadhaar is also being pushed in places such as West Bengal to streamline access to food assistance and reduce leakages. | | | | | | |
Judge rules NYC is in contempt over jail violence, moves Rikers Island closer to federal takeoverCLEVELAND (AP) — Tariq Francis had 23 points in NJIT's 78-69 win against Morehead State on Wednesday night. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * CLEVELAND (AP) — Tariq Francis had 23 points in NJIT's 78-69 win against Morehead State on Wednesday night. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? CLEVELAND (AP) — Tariq Francis had 23 points in NJIT’s 78-69 win against Morehead State on Wednesday night. Francis also had five rebounds for the Highlanders (1-7). Sebastian Robinson went 8 of 18 from the field (4 for 7 from 3-point range) to add 21 points. Tim Moore Jr. had 16 points and shot 4 for 8 (3 for 5 from 3-point range) and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line. Kenny White Jr. led the Eagles (2-4) in scoring, finishing with 34 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals. Kade Ruegsegger added 11 points. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar. AdvertisementSpecial counsel Jack Smith left the door open for President-elect Donald Trump 's federal criminal cases to be revived while dropping them ahead of Trump's return to the White House. On Monday, Smith filed a motion to drop four felony counts against Trump for attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election and his alleged role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. He also dropped an appeal to Trump-appointed Judge Aileen Cannon 's dismissal of the president-elect's classified documents case. Smith wrote that he "stands fully behind" the election subversion charges against Trump despite moving to dismiss the case "without prejudice," a legal term that means charges could at least theoretically be filed again after Trump's term ends in 2029. The documents case was previously dismissed without prejudice. "The Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated," wrote Smith. "And although the Constitution requires dismissal in this context, consistent with the temporary nature of the immunity afforded a sitting President, it does not require dismissal with prejudice." Newsweek reached out to Trump's office via email on Monday for comment. Legal analyst Barbara McQuade, a former federal prosecutor , noted on Monday in a post on X, formerly Twitter , that the case could return once Trump's second and final term expires in 2029. However, "there may be no appetite" at that point. Harry Litman, also a legal analyst and a former federal prosecutor, wrote on X that Smith's move is a "really interesting gambit" because the incoming Trump-controlled Department of Justice (DOJ) may not be able to dismiss the case with prejudice since after it was already dismissed. In the documents case, Smith dropped his appeal of the case against the president-elect on Monday but left the appeal intact for charges against his co-defendants, Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos de Oliveira. However, charges against the co-defendants likely will not be pursued when Trump returns to office, as his nominee for U.S. attorney general, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, will control the DOJ. Smith is also expected to resign as special counsel before Trump takes office. Trump did not mention the possibility of the cases being revived while celebrating Smith's moves on Monday in a pair of posts to Truth Social. The president-elect asserted that he had triumphed over Democrats' "political hijacking" of the DOJ . "These cases, like all of the other cases I have been forced to go through, are empty and lawless, and should never have been brought," Trump wrote. "Over $100 Million Dollars of Taxpayer Dollars has been wasted in the Democrat Party's fight against their Political Opponent, ME." "It was a political hijacking, and a low point in the History of our Country that such a thing could have happened, and yet, I persevered, against all odds, and WON," he added. "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
Manchester United criticised over ‘offensive’ price increase for match tickets
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Jaylon Johnson wasn't all that interested in discussing any bright spots or reasons to have hope for the Chicago Bears. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Jaylon Johnson wasn't all that interested in discussing any bright spots or reasons to have hope for the Chicago Bears. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Jaylon Johnson wasn’t all that interested in discussing any bright spots or reasons to have hope for the Chicago Bears. The star cornerback made his feelings clear. “I’ve been in slumps four, five years in a row now,” Johnson said Monday. “So, I mean at the end of the day, I don’t look for, ‘OK, what is going to be better in the future?’ ... It will be better when it’s better. So, right now, it’s not better. That’s all I can go off of.” The Bears (4-7) are last in the NFC North and have five straight losses after falling 30-27 to Minnesota in overtime. They wiped out an 11-point deficit in the final 22 seconds of regulation, only to come up short again when the Vikings’ Parker Romo kicked a 29-yard field goal. It was the third game during this skid that came down to the final play. The Bears also lost on a Hail Mary at Washington in Week 8 and had a game-ending field goal attempt by Cairo Santos blocked by Green Bay in Week 11. Players have openly questioned some of the coaching decisions in recent weeks. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron got fired before the game against Green Bay. And coach Matt Eberflus’ game management came under more scrutiny against Minnesota. With the Bears trailing 17-10 in the third quarter, there was some confusion on a fourth-and-4 at the Vikings 27. Eberflus said he didn’t do a good enough job communicating on the previous play that they would go for it on fourth down. That led to a chaotic sequence in which Santos and long snapper Scott Daly ran onto the field, only to get waved off by a lineman. Quarterback Caleb Williams had to rush to get everyone lined up properly in order to avoid a delay of game. He wound up barking out the wrong play because he misheard the call from offensive coordinator Thomas Brown and threw an incomplete pass. Receiver DJ Moore said Eberflus had not addressed that play with the team. The Bears were scheduled to meet later Monday. “That moment was just like, like a ‘what is going on’ moment that we could have avoided,” he said. What’s working The passing game. Williams has clearly looked more comfortable in the two games since Brown replaced the fired Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator. The No. 1 draft pick followed up a solid performance against Green Bay by throwing for 340 yards and two touchdowns. It was his fourth straight turnover-free game and fifth in a row without an interception. What needs help Field goal protection. One week after his game-ending 46-yard field goal attempt against Green Bay got blocked, Santos had a 48-yarder rejected on his first try against Minnesota. It happened from the same area, in the middle of the line, when the Vikings’ Jerry Tillery knocked down the kick. “I just think it’s technique,” Eberflus said. “It’s getting your foot down, bracing up there, staying lower. ... We just have to do a better job there with that.” It was the third blocked field goal for Santos this year, the most for Chicago in a single season since it also had three blocked in 2012. He had a 43-yard try blocked in a win over Jacksonville on Oct. 13. Stock up Moore. The Bears have done a better job getting Moore involved under Brown. Moore caught seven passes for a season-high 106 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota. That gave him 14 receptions for 168 yards the past two games, compared to 13 for 104 yards over the previous four. Johnson’s 27-yard catch down the middle set up Santos’ tying field goal at the end of regulation. But it’s not just deep shots. The Bears are finding ways to get the ball in his hands, allowing him to turn short passes into bigger gains. He also had a 13-yard run. Stock down RB D’Andre Swift. After a string of solid outings, Swift had just 30 yards on 13 carries. To be fair, he has been dealing with a groin issue, and he was going against the NFL’s No. 1 run defense. Injuries The Bears reported no injuries during the game. Key number Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. 5-18 — The Bears’ record in one-possession games in nearly three seasons under Eberflus, including a 2-5 mark this year. They are 14-31 overall during Eberflus’ tenure. Next steps The schedule doesn’t get any easier, with a Thanksgiving matchup at NFC North leader Detroit. The Lions (10-1) have won nine straight since losing to Tampa Bay in Week 2. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Advertisement Advertisement
Iowa's O hopes to stay hot vs. defense-minded NorthwesternWill Black Friday 2024 be the biggest ever? Holiday shopping by year
Playwards Launches Innovative Gaming Platform Combining Fun and Real-World Rewards 12-02-2024 11:42 PM CET | Sports Press release from: ABNewswire New browser-based gaming portal offers engaging games without app downloads. Playwards, a pioneering gaming platform founded by Wilson, is excited to announce its official launch. The platform is set to revolutionize the gaming experience by offering a wide array of browser-based games that not only entertain but also provide opportunities for users to earn real-world rewards such as gift cards and vouchers by completing simple and enjoyable in-game missions. In an era where gamers seek both entertainment and value, Playwards stands out by merging the thrill of gaming with tangible rewards. Unlike other platforms that require cumbersome app installations or the completion of arduous tasks, Playwards offers a seamless, hassle-free experience accessible entirely through any web browser. This accessibility ensures that users can dive into their favorite games anytime, anywhere, without any barriers. "Playwards is more than just a gaming portal; it's a community where fun meets opportunity," said Wilson, founder of Playwards. "We've built this platform to ensure that everyone can enjoy quality games while earning meaningful rewards." The platform boasts a diverse selection of games catering to a variety of interests and skill levels. From casual puzzles to action-packed adventures, there's something for every type of gamer. The in-game missions are designed to be straightforward yet engaging, encouraging players to immerse themselves in the gaming experience while steadily accumulating points that can be redeemed for valuable rewards. A satisfied user, Michael from the USA, shared his enthusiasm: "I stumbled upon Playwards through an ad. It is refreshing to find a site that delivers what it promises. The games are super engaging, and the missions keep you coming back for more. Plus, earning points feels rewarding-no gimmicks or tricks. I can see myself using this for the long term." Playwards' unique approach addresses a growing demand in the gaming community for platforms that offer more than just entertainment. By integrating a reward system, the platform not only enhances user engagement but also provides an incentive for continued participation. This model benefits both casual gamers looking for fun and dedicated players seeking to maximize their rewards. The user-friendly interface and intuitive design make navigating Playwards a breeze. New users can sign up quickly and start playing immediately, without the need for downloads or installations. The platform is optimized for performance, ensuring smooth gameplay and an enjoyable user experience across various devices. Wilson added, "Our mission is to create a gaming environment that values our players' time and commitment. By offering real-world rewards, we aim to give back to our community and make gaming a more enriching experience." For those interested in exploring what Playwards has to offer, the platform is now live and ready to welcome new players. Whether you're looking to unwind with some casual gaming or eager to earn rewards while having fun, Playwards invites you to join its growing community. For more information or to start playing, visit https://playwards.com [ https://playwards.com/ ]. About Playwards Playwards is an innovative gaming platform that combines engaging browser-based games with the opportunity to earn real-world rewards. Founded by Wilson, the platform offers a unique gaming experience without the need for app downloads. By completing simple in-game missions, players can earn points redeemable for gift cards and vouchers. Playwards is committed to creating a community where fun and opportunity meet. Media Contact Company Name: Playwards Contact Person: Wilson Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=playwards-launches-innovative-gaming-platform-combining-fun-and-realworld-rewards ] Country: United States Website: https://playwards.com This release was published on openPR.
Aston Villa’s disallowed goal would have counted in England – Unai EmeryThe ruling by U.S. Magistrate Judge S. Kato Crews in Denver will allow the player, who has played all season, to compete in the Mountain West Conference women's championship opening this week in Las Vegas. The ruling comes in a lawsuit filed by nine current players against the Mountain West Conference challenging the league's policies for allowing transgender players to participate. The players argued that letting her compete was a safety risk and unfair. While some media have reported those and other details, neither San Jose State nor the forfeiting teams have confirmed the school has a trans woman volleyball player. The Associated Press is withholding the player's name because she has not commented publicly on her gender identity. School officials also have declined an interview request with the player. Crews' ruling referred to the athlete as an "alleged transgender" player and noted that no defendant disputed that the San Jose State roster includes a transgender woman player. San Jose State will "continue to support its student-athletes and reject discrimination in all forms," the university said in a statement, confirming that all its student-athletes are eligible to participate under NCAA and conference rules. "We are gratified that the Court rejected an eleventh-hour attempt to change those rules. Our team looks forward to competing in the Mountain West volleyball tournament this week." The conference said it was “satisfied” with the judge's decision and would continue upholding policies established by its board of directors, which “directly align with NCAA and USA Volleyball.” “We are excited to proceed with the Mountain West Conference Women's Volleyball Championship,” its statement added. The players filed a notice for emergency appeal with the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Crews said the players who filed the complaint could have sought relief much earlier, noting the individual universities had acknowledged that not playing their games against San Jose State this season would result in a loss in league standings. He also refused a request to re-seed the tournament without the forfeited losses. The judge said injunctions are meant to preserve the status quo. The conference policy regarding forfeiting for refusing to play against a team with a transgender player had been in effect since 2022 and the San Jose State player has been on the roster since 2022 -– making that the status quo. The player competed at the college level three previous seasons, including two for San Jose State, drawing little attention. This season's awareness of her reported identity led to an uproar among some players, pundits, parents and politicians in a major election year. Crews' ruling also said injunctions are meant to prevent harm, but in this case, he argued, the harm has already occurred. The games have been forfeited, the tournament has been seeded, the teams have made travel plans and the participants have confirmed they're playing. The tournament starts Wednesday and continues Friday and Saturday. Colorado State is seeded first and San Jose State, second. The teams split their regular-season matches and both get byes into Friday's semifinals. San Jose State will play the winner of Wednesday's match between Utah State and Boise State — teams that both forfeited matches to SJSU during the regular season. Boise State associate athletic director Chris Kutz declined to comment on whether the Broncos would play SJSU if they won their first-round tournament game. Utah State officials did not immediately respond to emails seeking comment. The conference tournament winner gets an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. San Jose State coach Todd Kress, whose team has not competed in the national tournament since 2001, has said his team has been getting "messages of hate" and that has taken a toll on his players. Several teams refused to play against San Jose State during the season, earning losses in the official conference standings. Boise State and Wyoming each had two forfeits while Utah State and Nevada both had one. Southern Utah, a member of the Western Athletic Conference, was first to cancel against San Jose State this year. Nevada's players stated they "refuse to participate in any match that advances injustice against female athletes," without elaborating. Nevada did not qualify for the conference tournament. The nine current players and others now suing the Mountain West Conference, the California State University Board of Trustees and others include San Jose State senior setter and co-captain Brooke Slusser. The teammate Slusser says is transgender hits the volleyball with more force than others on the team, raising fear during practices of suffering concussions from a head hit, the complaint says. The Independent Council on Women's Sports is funding a separate lawsuit against the NCAA for allowing transgender women to compete in women's sports. Both lawsuits claim the landmark 1972 federal antidiscrimination law known as Title IX prohibits transgender women in women's sports. Title IX prohibits sexual discrimination in federally funded education; Slusser is a plaintiff in both lawsuits. Several circuit courts have used a U.S. Supreme Court ruling to conclude that discriminating against someone based on their transgender status or sexual orientation is sex-based discrimination, Crews wrote. That means case law does not prove the "likelihood of success" needed to grant an injunction. An NCAA policy that subjects transgender participation to the rules of sports governing bodies took effect this academic year. USA Volleyball says a trans woman must suppress testosterone for 12 months before competing. The NCAA has not flagged any issues with San Jose State. The Republican governors of Idaho, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming have made public statements in support of the team cancellations, citing fairness in women's sports. President-elect Donald Trump likewise has spoken out against allowing transgender women to compete in women's sports. Crews was a magistrate judge in Colorado's U.S. District Court for more than five years before President Joe Biden appointed him as a federal judge in January.
Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) revealed the club had informed the fans forum that changes to certain ticket policies will take effect immediately “and that this price will apply for kids and over-65s as well as adults”. The news comes as the club confirmed the cost of paying off former manager Erik ten Hag and his staff was £10.4million, while a release clause to bring in new head coach Ruben Amorim and his staff amounted to £11m. The figures were part of a longer version of the club’s first-quarter accounts which were released to the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday. United and Everton fans are set to stage a protest against ticket prices ahead of their Premier League clash on Sunday. Supporters are being asked to gather next to the trinity statue outside Old Trafford to support the Football Supporters’ Association’s ‘Stop Exploiting Loyalty’ campaign. As well as increasing prices generally, fans are unhappy about the removal of concession tickets for certain groups. An MUST statement read: “Suffice it to say that the idea that the fans must pay their ‘fair share’ for the club’s excesses and/or mismanagement — and above all, the Glazers’ lack of investment over two decades — is offensive. “We fans have done everything we have been asked. We have cheered the players on even in the face of substandard performance. “We have objected to this action in the strongest possible terms, both for the action itself and the complete lack of consultation, which is a step backward based on the process we had agreed with the club before INEOS’ arrival. “Over the coming days MUST will be seeking urgent discussions with the club to get them to listen to fans’ concern at this policy. “United fans have sucked up a lot. We will not be silent on this and we need to be prepared to resist any attempts to further drive up ticket prices.” Supporters’ group The 1958 said along with United and Everton, both Liverpool and Manchester City supporters will also display an FSA banner ahead of their match on Sunday. “With 19 out of 20 Premier League clubs increasing ticket prices this season, FC58, Everton, Liverpool and City supporters will display the FSA banner to raise awareness that any future season ticket price increases, removal of concessions, and treating match-going supporters as an easy target to make quick revenues will not be tolerated,” the fans’ group said. “With the discussions around the rebuild or redevelopment of Old Trafford, we need to send a message to the club that we are laser focused on keeping football affordable and looking after our loyal, match-going fan base. “Manchester United have announced that they will be selling tickets to members for the remainder of the season at a minimum of £66 irrespective of if you are under 16, youth, OAP or disabled, which is a clear exploitation of the loyal fan base and their first move towards dynamic pricing.”
Unveiling the Hidden Forces Behind Southchip Semiconductor’s SuccessWall Street’s main indexes closed lower today, driven by a drop in AI leader Nvidia that weighed on tech stocks, as investors looked ahead to a crucial inflation report set for later this week. Nvidia fell 2.5% after China’s market regulator launched an investigation into the chipmaker over a suspected violation of antimonopoly law, dragging the information technology sector down 0.45%. Advanced Micro Devices slipped 5.7% after BofA Global Research downgraded its rating on the stock, weighing on the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index, which slipped 0.87%. “The market was taken a bit by surprise regarding China’s investigating (Nvidia) as a possible antimonopoly-law violation. So that’s one thing that’s putting a little damper on the market,” said Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA Research in New York. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 240.59 points, or 0.54%, to 44,401.93, the S&P 500 lost 37.42 points, or 0.61%, to 6,052.85 and the Nasdaq Composite lost 123.08 points, or 0.62%, to 19,736.69. Nine out of 11 S&P 500 sectors lost ground, led by declines in financial stocks. Comcast slid 9.5% after forecasting a loss of more than 100,000 broadband subscribers in the fourth quarter, denting the communication services sector by 1.3%. Shares of Hershey surged 10.9% following a media report that Cadbury parent Mondelez was exploring an acquisition of the chocolate maker. Mondelez shares fell 2.3%. Investors are anticipating the consumer price index (CPI) data set for release on Wednesday, along with the producer price index (PPI) on Thursday, ahead of the Federal Reserve’s meeting on Dec. 17-18. Bets of a 25-basis-point rate cut at the upcoming meeting shot up to more than 85% after data on Friday showed a rise in the unemployment rate to 4.2% in November, indicating an easing labor market. Several Fed officials, including Chair Jerome Powell, emphasized caution regarding the central bank’s approach to easing monetary policy due to the economy’s resilience. Wall Street’s main indexes started December on a positive note, with the benchmark S&P 500 and the tech-heavy Nasdaq both gaining in their first week, while the blue-chip Dow ended the week slightly lower. today, Workday rose 5.1% after S&P Dow Jones Indices said last week the company would be added to the S&P 500 index. Interpublic Group climbed 3.6% following a report that marketing giant Omnicom was in advanced talks to acquire the advertising company. Omnicom shares fell 10.3%. U.S. stocks soared in November after Donald Trump won the presidential election and his party secured control of both houses of Congress, raising expectations for a more business-friendly policy agenda. Declining issues outnumbered advancers by a 1.24-to-1 ratio on the NYSE. There were 216 new highs and 35 new lows on the NYSE. The S&P 500 posted 21 new 52-week highs and 2 new lows while the Nasdaq Composite recorded 122 new highs and 60 new lows. Volume on U.S. exchanges was 15.11 billion shares, compared with the 14.46 billion average for the full session over the last 20 trading days. Additional reporting by Purvi Agarwal and Shashwat Chauhan in Bengaluru.
Manchester United’s decision to put up the cost of all members’ match tickets to £66 for the remainder of the season has been labelled “offensive” by the club’s leading supporters’ group. Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) revealed the club had informed the fans forum that changes to certain ticket policies will take effect immediately “and that this price will apply for kids and over-65s as well as adults”. The news comes as the club confirmed the cost of paying off former manager Erik ten Hag and his staff was £10.4million, while a release clause to bring in new head coach Ruben Amorim and his staff amounted to £11m. The figures were part of a longer version of the club’s first-quarter accounts which were released to the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday. United and Everton fans are set to stage a protest against ticket prices ahead of their Premier League clash on Sunday. Supporters are being asked to gather next to the trinity statue outside Old Trafford to support the Football Supporters’ Association’s ‘Stop Exploiting Loyalty’ campaign. As well as increasing prices generally, fans are unhappy about the removal of concession tickets for certain groups. An MUST statement read: “Suffice it to say that the idea that the fans must pay their ‘fair share’ for the club’s excesses and/or mismanagement — and above all, the Glazers’ lack of investment over two decades — is offensive. “We fans have done everything we have been asked. We have cheered the players on even in the face of substandard performance. “We have objected to this action in the strongest possible terms, both for the action itself and the complete lack of consultation, which is a step backward based on the process we had agreed with the club before INEOS’ arrival. “Over the coming days MUST will be seeking urgent discussions with the club to get them to listen to fans’ concern at this policy. “United fans have sucked up a lot. We will not be silent on this and we need to be prepared to resist any attempts to further drive up ticket prices.” Supporters’ group The 1958 said along with United and Everton, both Liverpool and Manchester City supporters will also display an FSA banner ahead of their match on Sunday. “With 19 out of 20 Premier League clubs increasing ticket prices this season, FC58, Everton, Liverpool and City supporters will display the FSA banner to raise awareness that any future season ticket price increases, removal of concessions, and treating match-going supporters as an easy target to make quick revenues will not be tolerated,” the fans’ group said. “With the discussions around the rebuild or redevelopment of Old Trafford, we need to send a message to the club that we are laser focused on keeping football affordable and looking after our loyal, match-going fan base. “Manchester United have announced that they will be selling tickets to members for the remainder of the season at a minimum of £66 irrespective of if you are under 16, youth, OAP or disabled, which is a clear exploitation of the loyal fan base and their first move towards dynamic pricing.”Iowa's O hopes to stay hot vs. defense-minded Northwestern
Major changes on how much political donors can help finance election campaigns are off the table for the rest of the year. or signup to continue reading The federal government has been unable to reach a deal with the coalition on setting a $20,000 limit on how much an individual can donate to candidates, Finance Minister Katy Gallagher says. There was hope the reforms could pass federal parliament by the end of the year, with Thursday being the last sitting day before MPs and senators leave Canberra for the summer break. Senator Gallagher said she was confident a deal could be struck in the new year before the next election, due to be held by May. "We want to have donation caps, we haven't been able to land it," she told ABC Radio on Thursday. "We will try and deal with this in February because we're really, really, very keen to get this done before the election. "We want to get big money out of politics." The laws would be due to come into effect by mid-2026, and would not be used during the upcoming election. The reforms would also see donations of more than $1000 forced to be disclosed in real time. Political parties would have a spending cap of $90 million, while special interest groups such as unions or Climate 200 would have a limit of $11 million. Concerns had also been raised about an $800,000 cap per electorate. Senator Gallagher said Special Minister of State Don Farrell would continue negotiations on the electoral reforms in coming months. "We haven't been able to land it in this week, there were some last minute amendments," she said. "Senator Farrell will ... reach out over summer and try, there's a lot of bills that will still be important." DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Advertisement Advertisement
This is CNBC's live blog covering European markets. European markets are expected to open higher Thursday, rallying after being in the doldrums yesterday. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index is expected to open 16 points higher at 8,291, Germany's DAX up 72 points at 19,334, France's CAC up 30 points at 7,173 and Italy's FTSE MIB up 98 points at 33,310, according to data from IG. There are no major earnings Thursday, but data releases include Spanish and German inflation and European economic sentiment figures. Italian and Spanish business confidence data is also due. It'll be a quieter day globally with U.S. markets closed for the Thanksgiving holiday; U.S. stocks fell in light trading on Wednesday ahead of the holiday. Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed overnight as investors assessed a surprise interest rate cut by South Korea. CNBC Pro: 5 tech stocks in supply chain management could benefit from Trump's tariffs, Redburn Atlantic says President-elect Donald Trump's proposed steep tariffs on imports could create winners in the stock market — particularly among companies that help businesses manage their supply chains, according to Redburn Atlantic. These tech stocks have outperformed during "periods of supply chain uncertainty," the Redburn analyst said citing 2018-2019 trade tensions between the U.S. and China. CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here. — Ganesh Rao CNBC Pro: U.S. stocks too expensive? Morningstar's top exec reveals where he's investing instead Attractive returns and a breadth of opportunities are among the reasons the U.S. market historically reigned supreme among investors. However, one market watcher considers U.S. stocks expensive and is now seeking opportunities in other markets that are cheaper. "We believe markets outside the U.S. are more attractive than the U.S. largely from a valuation perspective," Kunal Kapoor, chief executive officer at Morningstar said, revealing markets with "attractive pockets" of opportunity. CNBC Pro subscribers can read more here. — Amala Balakrishner European markets: Here are the opening calls European markets are expected to open higher Thursday. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 index is expected to open 16 points higher at 8,291, Germany's DAX up 72 points at 19,334, France's CAC up 30 points at 7,173 and Italy's FTSE MIB up 98 points at 33,310, according to data from IG. There are no major earnings Thursday, but data releases include Spanish and German inflation and European economic sentiment figures. Italian and Spanish business confidence data is also due. — Holly EllyattUS President-elect Donald Trump's promise to impose a 60% tariff on imports from China and a 10-20% tariff on all other imports has triggered a public debate about whether such policies are really so bad. After all, a tariff is a consumption tax, and most economists favour taxes on consumption over income taxes. But tariffs have significant drawbacks. Since they tax only imported products, they distort markets by shifting resources from more efficient foreign producers to less efficient domestic firms. This inefficiency comes at the expense of consumers, and like most consumption taxes, tariffs are regressive, placing a heavier burden on low-income households. Still, tariffs do have political appeal. Critics of globalisation in advanced economies have long argued that the efficiency gains from recent decades of trade liberalisation have been modest relative to the disruptions caused. While US consumers benefited from lower prices on imported goods, particularly from China, these widely dispersed gains were less salient than the concentrated pain of factory closures and job losses in regions exposed to import competition. The problem with such arguments is that they ignore the current macroeconomic context. Inflation over the last three years has increased consumer sensitivity to price changes. Voters today will be far more attuned to the inflationary pressures of tariffs than they were in the past. While proponents of new tariffs claim that China would bear the brunt of the financial burden, the evidence from the 2018-19 tariffs shows otherwise: US consumers bore most of the cost. Even if US prices remained unchanged, unintended consequences could follow. If broad-based tariffs led to a sharp depreciation of China's currency, the stronger dollar would make Chinese imports relatively cheaper. This may partly offset the higher prices caused by tariffs, but it would undermine the original goal of making US manufacturing more competitive. Meanwhile, the stronger dollar would hurt US exports, worsening the trade deficit. This suggests that the multiple goals currently advertised for tariffs -- reshoring manufacturing, reducing the trade deficit, generating revenue, lessening America's reliance on China, and forcing China into negotiations, all while minimising the impact on consumers -- often conflict with one another. This is because tariffs affect the US economy through prices. To boost US competitiveness or reduce the deficit, tariffs must raise import prices -- a politically toxic outcome today. Reducing America's reliance on China is also complex, given that Chinese-made intermediates are embedded in many goods exported to the US from third countries. Since 2018-19, China and several "bystander" countries have registered robust export growth despite tariffs. The proposed new tariffs might affect only direct Chinese exports to the US, not to other countries. The argument for tariffs as a revenue-generating mechanism is interesting and novel (in the sense that it has not been used for many centuries). But it does not hold up. Tariffs cannot possibly replace income taxes as a source of revenue: the scale of the income tax base is roughly an order of magnitude larger than the scale of imports. Still, tariffs could generate some government revenue, with China potentially bearing part of the cost. If used as a short-term negotiating tactic, they could apply some economic pressure on China. Strengthening the United States' negotiating leverage is the most compelling argument for tariffs. The 2018-19 tariffs led to the "phase one" agreement, a planned de-escalation in exchange for Chinese commitments to import more from the US and address concerns about intellectual property and technology transfers. But the 2018-19 tariffs were far from cost-free. They poisoned US-China relations, escalated tensions, pushed China into an alliance with Russia and Iran, and fueled anti-Asian sentiment domestically. They eroded America's relationships with allies who were not consulted and who found themselves also targeted by specific tariffs. And when all was said and done, the phase one deal's full impact was never realised. The disruption to trade from the pandemic meant that China fell far short of its commitments to purchase goods from the US. Today's tariff proposals risk repeating history, only on a grander scale. The incoming administration will face a wary, inflation-sensitive public and a Chinese regime that is well prepared to pursue large-scale retaliation. Whether tariffs become a negotiating tool or a source of greater economic disruption depends on how the administration balances competing objectives. Reason and strategic foresight will be crucial. ©2024 Project Syndicate Pinelopi Koujianou Goldberg, a former World Bank Group chief economist and editor-in-chief of the American Economic Review, is Professor of Economics at Yale University.
End Japan's loans to Myanmar's TatmadawSales at Kohl's fell in Q3, which CEO Tom Kingsbury called "frankly disappointing." I visited a Kohl's store in New Jersey to see how the chain plans to bounce back. The store's layout showed how Kohl's is centering its partnership with Sephora to boost sales. Advertisement In 2018, Kohl's was hailed as a "winner of the retail apocalypse ," boasting strong sales over its struggling counterparts like Sears and JCPenney. Now, Kohl's is feeling the strain. Its third-quarter earnings report found that net sales decreased 8.8% and comparable sales fell 9.3%. Advertisement "We are not satisfied with our performance in 2024 and are taking aggressive action to reverse the sales declines," CEO Tom Kingsbury said in the report. Kingsbury also announced that he would step down as CEO effective January 15 and will be replaced by Ashley Buchanan, a Kohl's board member and CEO of Michael's. I visited a Kohl's store ahead of the holidays in December, one of the busiest shopping seasons, to see what kind of "aggressive action" Kohl's was taking to boost sales. Advertisement Representatives for Kohl's did not respond to a request for comment.