NoneArkansas WR Andrew Armstrong declares for NFL draft, skipping bowl
The standard Lorem Ipsum passage, used since the 1500s "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" Thanks for your interest in Kalkine Media's content! To continue reading, please log in to your account or create your free account with us.Elon Musk Is Responsible For Palantir Stock Rally, Jim Cramer Says
NoneTORONTO, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sprott Focus Trust, Inc. (Nasdaq-FUND) (the “Fund” or “FUND”) has declared a quarterly distribution of $0.2161 per share on its Common Stock. The distribution, optionally payable in additional shares of Common Stock or in cash by specific stockholder election, is to be paid on December 30, 2024 to stockholders of record at the close of business on December 13, 2024 (ex-dividend on December 13, 2024). The price of shares issued for reinvestment will be determined on December 20, 2024. The Fund currently has adopted a Distribution Policy of paying quarterly distributions on its Common Stock. Distributions are being made at the annual rate of 6% of the rolling average of the prior four calendar quarter-end net asset values (“NAVs”), with the fourth quarter distribution being the greater of 1.50% of the rolling average or the minimum distribution required by IRS regulations. The policy, including the annual rate, is subject to change at the discretion of the Fund’s Board of Directors. The Fund’s estimated sources of the distribution to be paid on December 30, 2024 and for 2024 year-to-date are as follows: Estimated Allocations as of November 30, 2024 Estimated Allocations for 2024 through November 30, 2024 You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund’s investment performance from the amount of the current distribution or from the terms of the Fund’s Distribution Policy. The amounts and sources of distributions reported herein are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information 1 Average Annual Total Return in relation to NAV represents the compound average of the Annual NAV Total Returns of the Fund for the five year period ended November 30, 2024. Annual NAV Total Return is the percentage change in the Fund’s NAV over a year, assuming reinvestment of distributions paid. 2 The Annualized Current Distribution Rate is the current fiscal period’s distribution rate annualized as a percentage of the Fund’s NAV as of November 30, 2024. 3 Cumulative Total Return is the percentage change in the Fund’s NAV from December 31, 2023 to November 30, 2024, assuming reinvestment of distributions paid. 4 The Cumulative Fiscal Year Distribution Rate is the dollar value of distributions for the fiscal year period (January 1, 2024 to November 30, 2024), as a percentage of the Fund’s NAV as of November 30, 2024. About Sprott Focus Trust, Inc. Sprott Focus Trust, Inc. is a closed-end diversified management investment company whose shares of Common Stock are listed and traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market. The Fund’s investment goal is long-term capital growth, which it seeks by normally investing at least 65% of its assets in equity securities. For further information on the Fund, please visit our web site at: www.sprottfocustrust.com . An investor should consider investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. The Fund is a closed-end fund and closed-end funds do not continuously issue shares for sale as open-end mutual funds do. The Fund trades in the secondary market. Investors wishing to buy or sell shares need to place orders through an intermediary or broker. Suite 230 | 320 Post Road | Darien, Connecticut | USA 06820 | (203) 636-0977 | www.sprott.com Contact: Glen Williams (416) 943-4394Mali arrests top politician for criticizing Burkina Faso’s ruling juntaAlight president Gregory Goff sells $2 million in stock
Justin Tucker's erratic season isn't getting any better, and it's hurting Baltimore's outlook
MADRID (AP) — Getafe scored twice in three minutes midway through the second half to beat struggling Valladolid 2-0 and record only its second win in La Liga on Friday. The victory ended Getafe’s five-game winless run and lifted it into 15th place in the 20-team standings. Valladolid remained second to last. In the buildup to the match, Getafe sporting director Rubén Reyes described the game as a final but his team was lucky not to go behind as Valladolid created more of the early chances. However, the home side took control in the 69th minute when substitute Álvaro Rodríguez got the opener. Three minutes later, man of the match Allan Nyom made it 2-0. “There’s been a lot of games where we’ve run and fought but lost or drawn,” Nyom, the veteran Cameroon full back, said. “A game that reflects the effort we’ve put in in training is very welcome.” Adding to Valladolid’s woes, coach Paulo Pezzolano was sent off before halftime. The Uruguayan has the league’s worst disciplinary record, with seven yellow cards before Friday’s red. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerVANCOUVER, British Columbia, Dec. 03, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gatos Silver, Inc. (NYSE/TSX: GATO) (“Gatos Silver” or the “Company”) today announced the date of a special meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) and the filing of its definitive proxy statement in connection with the previously announced Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with First Majestic Silver Corp. (“First Majestic”) (NYSE/TSX: AG) (FSE: FMV) pursuant to which First Majestic will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of Gatos Silver (the “Transaction”). Gatos Silver notified its stockholders that the Special Meeting will take place virtually on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., Pacific Time. Stockholders of record as of November 25, 2024 (the “Record Date”) are eligible to vote at the Special Meeting. Gatos Silver stockholders will be asked to vote on the adoption of the Merger Agreement and the adjournment of the Special Meeting in certain circumstances. Gatos Silver’s Board of Directors unanimously recommends that Gatos Silver stockholders vote in favor of both proposals. First Majestic shareholders are required to approve the issuance of the First Majestic common shares in connection with the Transaction, and accordingly, First Majestic has announced that it will hold its shareholder meeting in-person on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., Pacific Time, one hour following the Special Meeting. For more information regarding First Majestic’s shareholder meeting, see First Majestic’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca . Subject to the approval of Gatos Silver’s stockholders and First Majestic’s shareholders and the satisfaction or waiver of other conditions precedent, it is anticipated that the Transaction will close in early 2025. Gatos Silver currently expects to send the meeting materials for the Special Meeting to stockholders of record as of the Record Date on or about December 6, 2024; however, delivery of materials to some Canadian stockholders may be impacted by the ongoing Canada Post labour dispute which is affecting the delivery of mail within Canada. Important Information for Investors and Stockholders about the Transaction and Where to Find It This news release is not intended to and does not constitute an offer to buy or sell or the solicitation of an offer to subscribe for or buy or an invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities of First Majestic or Gatos Silver or the solicitation of any vote or approval in any jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities of First Majestic or Gatos Silver in any jurisdiction in contravention of applicable law. This news release may be deemed to be soliciting material relating to the Transaction. In connection with the Transaction between First Majestic and Gatos Silver pursuant to the Merger Agreement and subject to future developments, First Majestic filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement on Form F-4 that includes a Proxy Statement of Gatos Silver that also constitutes a Prospectus of First Majestic (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”) and other documents. Each of First Majestic and Gatos Silver may also file other relevant documents with the SEC regarding the Transaction. The registration statement on Form F-4 was declared effective by the SEC on December 2, 2024. Gatos Silver filed a Proxy Statement/Prospectus with the SEC on December 3, 2024 which it plans to mail to its stockholders in connection with the Transaction. First Majestic will also file a management proxy circular in connection with the Transaction with applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities and First Majestic will deliver its management proxy circular to First Majestic shareholders. This news release is not a substitute for any registration statement, proxy statement, prospectus or other document First Majestic or Gatos Silver has filed or may file with the SEC or Canadian securities regulatory authorities in connection with the pending Transaction. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF GATOS SILVER AND FIRST MAJESTIC ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND MANAGEMENT PROXY CIRCULAR, RESPECTIVELY, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC OR CANADIAN SECURITIES REGULATORY AUTHORITIES AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BEFORE MAKING ANY VOTING OR INVESTMENT DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE TRANSACTION BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT FIRST MAJESTIC, GATOS SILVER, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. Investors and security holders are able to obtain free copies of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, the filings with the SEC that are and will be incorporated by reference into the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by First Majestic and Gatos Silver containing important information about First Majestic or Gatos Silver and the Transaction through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov . Investors are also able to obtain free copies of the management proxy circular and other documents filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities by First Majestic, through the website maintained by the Canadian Securities Administrators at www.sedarplus.ca . In addition, investors and security holders are able to obtain free copies of the documents filed by First Majestic with the SEC and Canadian securities regulatory authorities on First Majestic’s website at www.firstmajestic.com or by contacting First Majestic’s investor relations team. Copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Gatos Silver are available free of charge on Gatos Silver’s website or by contacting Gatos Silver’s investor relations team. Participants in the Merger Solicitation First Majestic, Gatos Silver and certain of their respective directors, executive officers and employees may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed Transaction. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of the shareholders of First Majestic and the stockholders of Gatos Silver in connection with the Transaction, including a description of their respective direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus described above and other relevant documents filed with the SEC and Canadian securities regulatory authorities in connection with the Transaction. Additional information regarding First Majestic’s directors and executive officers is also included in First Majestic’s Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and 2024 Proxy Statement, which was filed with the SEC and Canadian securities regulatory authorities on April 15, 2024, and information regarding Gatos Silver’s directors and executive officers is also included in Gatos Silver’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on February 20, 2024, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to such annual report filed with the SEC on May 6, 2024 and Gatos Silver’s 2024 Proxy Statement for its 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 25, 2024. These documents are available free of charge as described above. About Gatos Silver Gatos Silver is a silver dominant exploration, development and production company that discovered a new silver and zinc-rich mineral district in southern Chihuahua State, Mexico. As a 70% owner of the Los Gatos Joint Venture (“LGJV”), the Company is primarily focused on operating the Cerro Los Gatos mine and on growth and development of the Los Gatos district. The LGJV includes approximately 103,000 hectares of mineral rights, representing a highly prospective and under-explored district with numerous silver-zinc-lead epithermal mineralized zones identified as priority targets. On September 5, 2024, Gatos Silver and First Majestic announced that they entered into the Merger Agreement pursuant to which First Majestic will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Gatos Silver. The proposed Transaction would consolidate three world-class, producing silver mining districts in Mexico to create a leading intermediate primary silver producer. Information relating to the proposed Transaction can be found at the Company’s website at www.gatossilver.com . Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements This news release contains “forward‐looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are intended to be covered by the safe harbor created by such sections and other applicable laws and “forward‐looking information” under applicable Canadian securities laws (collectively, “forward‐looking statements”). These statements relate to future events of First Majestic and/or Gatos Silver that are based on assumptions of management of First Majestic and/or Gatos Silver made in good faith in light of management's experience and perception of future developments. Forward‐looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: closing of the Transaction and the terms and timing related thereto; the timing and receipt of required shareholder and other approvals; satisfaction of the conditions to completion of the Transaction; and the anticipated timing of mailing proxy statements and circulars regarding the Transaction. Assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Consequently, guidance cannot be guaranteed. As such, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon guidance and forward‐looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, assumptions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Actual results may vary from forward‐looking statements. Forward‐looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to materially differ from those expressed or implied by such forward‐looking statements, including but not limited to those factors discussed in (a) the section entitled “Description of the Business ‐ Risk Factors” in First Majestic’s most recently filed Annual Information Form, available under its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca , and as an exhibit to its most recently filed Form 40‐F available on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar or on First Majestic’s website and (b) the Gatos Silver’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, available on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar or on Gatos Silver’s website. First Majestic is not affirming or adopting any statements or reports attributed to Gatos Silver in this news release or made by Gatos Silver outside of this news release. Gatos Silver is not affirming or adopting any statements or reports attributed to First Majestic in this news release or made by First Majestic outside of this news release. Although First Majestic and Gatos Silver have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward‐looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. First Majestic and Gatos Silver believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included herein should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date hereof. First Majestic and Gatos Silver do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, except as required by applicable laws. Investors and Media Contact André van Niekerk Chief Financial Officer investors@gatossilver.com (604) 424 0984Texas, Texas A&M Renew Rivalry As Bitter SEC Foes After 13-Year Hiatus - Sports Illustrated
The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) is aiming to improve standards for crew aboard fishing vessels operating in the region. At its just-finished conference in Suva, the Commission agreed to implement measures aimed at ensuring fair pay, safe and decent working conditions, and protections against forced labour and other abuses. Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) deputy director general Dr Pio Manoa said the new labour standards are crucial to ensure the safety and dignity of crew. Pio said the FFA members have been key drivers of this initiative, reflecting the agency's collective commitment to social responsibility in fisheries management. Meanwhile, non-government organisation Pew Charitable Trust said the WCPFC is making a critical effort to modernise oversight of the world's largest tuna fishery. The Commission has adopted interim electronic monitoring standards - after ten years of effort - which will ultimately help improve oversight of the region's valuable fisheries. The move means the work of human observers will be augmented by onboard cameras and other technology. An officer for the Pew Charitable Trusts' international fisheries project Dave Gershman said electronic monitoring will increase data collection and help ensure that fishers are following the Commission's rules. However, he said the Commission has again failed to agree to on ways to improve the transparency of transshipment of fish catches. Pew said the Commission's rules on transshipment remain out of alignment with UN recommendations and lag behind standards adopted by the other four tuna regional fisheries management organisations.FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Drake Maye received a nice ovation from the Gillette Stadium crowd when he returned to Saturday’s game after it appeared the New England Patriots had lost their rookie quarterback to another head injury. By the fourth quarter, those fans who chose to stick around until the end of a 40-7 lopsided loss to the Los Angeles Chargers chose to voice their displeasure in a season in which very little has gone right for the former NFL powerhouse. Chants of “Fire Mayo!” reverberated throughout the stadium, which was a quarter full by game’s end. “You hear those things. At the same time, they paid to sit in the seats, and we’ve got to play better. If we play better, we don’t have to hear that stuff,” head coach Jerod Mayo said after the Patriots dropped their sixth straight game. Instead of building off last week’s strong effort at Buffalo, New England took another series of steps backward in the season’s penultimate game. With another game against the Bills on tap next weekend, questions concerning the future of Mayo and several assistant coaches – mostly notably offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington – figure to intensify. “I’m always under pressure and it’s been that way for a very long time, not just when I became the head coach of the Patriots. I’m okay. Look, I always do what’s best for the team,” Mayo said. “I have full confidence in the staff. I have full confidence in the players in (the locker room). I think again, it just comes down to being consistent across the board.” Remember, the Patriots parted ways with six-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick following last year’s dismal 4-13 record. The coaching change didn’t produce the desired upward swing, with New England staring at the possibility of producing fewer wins in Mayo’s first season. “I’m just tired of losing. I’m trying to be in the playoffs and have a winning season,” said second-year receiver DeMario Douglas, who connected with Maye for New England’s lone touchdown. The most important asset in the Patriots’ rebuilding efforts, Maye was questionable to return with a head injury after taking a blow to the helmet in the first quarter. The No. 3 overall pick from this spring’s NFL draft scrambled near the sideline on third down of the Patriots’ first possession when he was hit by Chargers cornerback Cam Hart. Maye stayed down on the turf for several seconds before eventually getting up and jogging off the field. He briefly sat on the bench before going to the medical tent for evaluation. He was replaced by backup Jacoby Brissett, but for only one series that ended with a three-and-out. After further evaluation in the locker room, Maye returned to the game for the Patriots’ third series at the 10:15 mark of the second quarter. The 22-year-old was knocked out of the Patriots’ Week 8 win over the New York Jets after he suffered a blow to the back of his head. “Just kind of got my bell rung on the first drive. I feel good, I still feel good, and then I was good to go,” Maye said afterward. To his teammates, it wasn't a shock to see Maye re-enter the game after taking a blow to the head. On his first play back under center, Maye took off for a 9-yard run and drew an unnecessary roughness penalty. “He didn’t have to come back, but he did. That gave everyone a lot of confidence,” Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte said. Maye set a Patriots rookie franchise record for touchdown passes in consecutive games (eight) when he connected with Douglas on a play on which the Chargers called for defensive offsides. He also turned the ball over for the eighth straight game – a fumble on a pitch attempt to Douglas that Los Angeles turned into points to make it 17-0 in the second quarter. “I’ve got to give him a better ball to catch. That falls back on me,” Maye said. It appears the Patriots dodged a bullet with respect to Maye and his health. Now, the focus shifts back to Mayo and what his 2025 status. “I think the biggest thing was you don’t see those guys quitting. I think the score may not tell that today, but I feel like the guys are still wanting to win. We’re still leaving it out there every week, and I think that was kind of my message to the team,” Maye said. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflWall Street's holiday cheer ended abruptly on Friday, with all three main benchmarks closing lower in a broad-based sell-off affecting even tech and growth stocks that had driven markets higher through much of the shortened trading week. The decline ended the Dow Jones Industrial Average's five-session winning streak that had followed a 10-session decline, its worst losing stretch since 1974. According to preliminary data, the S&P 500 lost 65.34 points, or 1.08 per cent, to end at 5,972.25 points, while the Nasdaq Composite lost 294.69 points, or 1.47 per cent, to 19,725.67. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 321.73 points, or 0.74 per cent, to 42,992.58. "Today feels like there is quite a bit of profit-taking across the board," said Michael Reynolds, vice president of investment strategy at Glenmede. "We are more than two years into a pretty strong bull market ... so it's really not surprising to see some people taking their profits and rebalancing their portfolios ahead of the new year." The sell-off thwarted the seasonal Santa Claus rally, in which stocks traditionally rise during the last five sessions of December and the first two of January. Since 1969, the S&P 500 has climbed 1.3 per cent on average, according to the Stock Trader's Almanac. Thursday's session hinted at momentum stalling, with both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posting marginal losses to end multi-session winning runs. Rising US Treasury yields had been catching investors' attention, with the benchmark 10-year note hitting a more than seven-month high in the previous session. The yield hovered close to that mark on Friday, at 4.62 per cent. Higher yields are seen as hampering growth stocks, as they raise borrowing costs for business expansion. These stocks, especially the so-called Magnificent Seven technology megacaps which had been key drivers of the market's 2024 rally, were also caught up in Friday's sell-off. For the second successive day, Tesla led decliners among the group. "We have a higher cost of capital whenever rates go up like this, and they have gone up pretty significantly over the last month or so," said Glenmede's Reynolds. "Investors may just be reassessing the bets they are taking when the cost of capital is higher, perhaps looking at some of the valuations on the Mag 7 and wondering whether they can find better value elsewhere." Most of the 11 major S&P sectors fell. The worst performers on Friday were the three indexes which have been 2024's leading lights: consumer discretionary, information technology and communication services. Despite Friday's travails, all three indexes recorded weekly gains. News events helped some stocks to buck the market sell-off. Amedisys gained after the home health service provider and insurer UnitedHealth extended the deadline to close their $US3.3 billion ($A5.3 billion) merger. Lamb Weston climbed after a filing showed activist investor Jana Partners is working with a sixth executive to push for changes at the French fry maker, a move which could result in a majority of the company's board being replaced. Trading volumes in this holiday-shortened week have been below the average of the last six months and are likely to remain subdued until January 6. The next major focus for markets will be the December employment report due on January 10.SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The president of South Korea early Wednesday lifted the martial law he imposed on the country hours earlier, bending to political pressure after a tense night in which troops surrounded parliament and lawmakers voted to reject military rule. President Yoon Suk Yeol, who appeared likely to be impeached over his actions, imposed martial law late Tuesday out of frustration with the opposition, vowing to eliminate “anti-state” forces as he struggles against opponents who control parliament and that he accuses of sympathizing with communist North Korea. Police and military personnel were seen leaving the grounds of parliament following the bipartisan vote to overrule the president, and the declaration was formally lifted around 4:30 a.m. during a Cabinet meeting. Parliament acted swiftly after martial law was imposed, with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring that the law was “invalid” and that lawmakers would “protect democracy with the people.” In all, martial law was in effect for about six hours. The president’s surprising move harkened back to an era of authoritarian leaders that the country has not seen since the 1980s, and it was immediately denounced by the opposition and the leader of Yoon’s own conservative party. Lee Jae-myung , leader of the liberal Democratic Party, which holds the majority in the 300-seat parliament, said the party’s lawmakers would remain in the Assembly’s main hall until Yoon formally lifted his order. Woo applauded how troops quickly left the Assembly after the vote. “Even with our unfortunate memories of military coups, our citizens have surely observed the events of today and saw the maturity of our military,” Woo said. While announcing his plan to lift martial law, Yoon continued to criticize parliament’s attempts to impeach key government officials and senior prosecutors. He said lawmakers had engaged in “unscrupulous acts of legislative and budgetary manipulation that are paralyzing the functions of the state.” Jo Seung-lae, a Democratic lawmaker, claimed that security camera footage following Yoon’s declaration showed that troops moved in a way that suggested they were trying to arrest Lee, Woo and even Han Dong-hoon, the leader of Yoon’s People Power Party. Officials from Yoon’s office and the Defense Ministry did not respond to requests for comment early Wednesday. Seemingly hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Assembly, waving banners and calling for Yoon’s impeachment. Some protesters scuffled with troops ahead of the lawmakers’ vote, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or major property damage. At least one window was broken as troops attempted to enter the Assembly building. One woman tried unsuccessfully to pull a rifle away from one of the soldiers, while shouting “Aren’t you embarrassed?” Under South Korea’s constitution, the president can declare martial law during “wartime, war-like situations or other comparable national emergency states” that require the use of military force to maintain peace and order. It was questionable whether South Korea is currently in such a state. When martial law is declared, “special measures” can be employed to restrict freedom of press, freedom of assembly and other rights, as well as the power of courts. The constitution also states that the president must oblige when the National Assembly demands the lifting of martial law with a majority vote. Following Yoon’s announcement of martial law, South Korea’s military proclaimed that parliament and other political gatherings that could cause “social confusion” would be suspended, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said. The military said anyone who violated the decree could be arrested without a warrant. In Washington, the White House said the U.S. was “seriously concerned” by the events in Seoul. A spokesperson for the National Security Council said President Joe Biden’s administration was not notified in advance of the martial law announcement and was in contact with the South Korean government. Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said there was no effect on the more than 27,000 U.S. service members based in South Korea. The South Korean military also said that the country’s striking doctors should return to work within 48 hours, Yonhap said. Thousands of doctors have been striking for months over government plans to expand the number of students at medical schools. Soon after martial law was declared, the parliament speaker called on his YouTube channel for all lawmakers to gather at the National Assembly. He urged military and law enforcement personnel to “remain calm and hold their positions. All 190 lawmakers who participated in the vote supported the lifting of martial law. At one point, television footage showed police officers blocking the entrance of the National Assembly and helmeted soldiers carrying rifles in front of the building. An Associated Press photographer saw at least three helicopters, likely from the military, that landed inside the Assembly grounds, while two or three helicopters circled above the site. The leader of Yoon’s conservative party called the decision to impose martial law “wrong.” Lee, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, said Yoon’s announcement was “illegal and unconstitutional.” Yoon said during a televised speech that martial law would help “rebuild and protect” the country from “falling into the depths of national ruin.” He said he would “eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order.” “I will eliminate anti-state forces as quickly as possible and normalize the country,” he said, while asking the people to believe in him and tolerate “some inconveniences.” Yoon — whose approval rating dipped in recent months — has struggled to push his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022. His party has been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition over next year’s budget bill. The opposition has also attempted to impeach three top prosecutors, including the chief of the central Seoul prosecutors’ office, in what the conservatives have called a vendetta against their criminal investigations of Lee, who has been seen as the favorite for the next presidential election in 2027 in opinion polls. During his televised announcement, Yoon also described the opposition as “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces who are plundering the freedom and happiness of our citizens.” He did not elaborate. Yoon has taken a hard line on North Korea over its nuclear ambitions, departing from the policies of his liberal predecessor, Moon Jae-in, who pursued inter-Korean engagement. Yoon has also dismissed calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing quick, strong rebukes from his political rivals. Yoon’s move was the first declaration of martial law since the country’s democratization in 1987. The country’s last previous martial law was in October 1979, following the assassination of former military dictator Park Chung-hee. Sydney Seiler, Korean chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, argued that the move was symbolic for Yoon to express his frustration with the opposition-controlled parliament. “He has nothing to lose,” said Seiler, comparing Yoon’s move to the Hail Mary pass in American football, with a slim chance of success. Now Yoon faces likely impeachment, a scenario that was also possible before he made the bold move, Seiler said. Natalia Slavney, research analyst at the Stimson Center’s 38 North website that focuses on Korean affairs, said Yoon’s imposition of martial law was “a serious backslide of democracy" that followed a “worrying trend of abuse” since he took office in 2022. South Korea “has a robust history of political pluralism and is no stranger to mass protests and swift impeachments,” Slavney said, citing the example of former President Park Geun-hye, the country’s first female president, who was ousted from office and imprisoned for bribery and other crimes in 2017 . Associated Press writers Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, and Matt Lee, Didi Tang and Tara Copp in Washington contributed to this report.
Social media has dramatically reshaped the beauty industry, particularly in 2024, with platforms like Instagram and YouTube serving as key drivers of beauty trends, consumer behavior, and brand marketing strategies. From influencer partnerships and live streaming events to the rise of virtual beauty consultations, social media’s influence is undeniable. The industry has adapted to these changes, capitalizing on the interactive nature of these platforms to engage directly with their audience and foster a more inclusive and personalized approach to beauty. New era of beauty communication In recent years, social media has emerged as an essential communication tool in the beauty industry. It is no longer just a platform for sharing advertisements or celebrity endorsements; it has become an interactive space where consumers can engage with brands, share their experiences, and receive real-time feedback. As Niharika Jhunjhunwala, Founder and CEO of ClayCo, points out, “The young audience, which makes up the largest market share of the beauty industry today, spends most of their time on various social media platforms. As a result, social media has become an essential channel for communication within the beauty industry.” The ability to directly communicate with consumers without geographical or time zone limitations has allowed brands to build stronger connections with their audiences. Skincare, in particular, has benefitted from this shift. Through social media, skincare routines, ingredient benefits, and product usage tips are shared more effectively than ever before. Social platforms like Instagram and YouTube are filled with content from dermatologists, beauty influencers, and real users sharing their skincare journeys. This democratization of beauty knowledge has made skincare more accessible and personalized, enabling consumers to find solutions that work for their individual needs. Social commerce: A game changer for beauty brands Social commerce has become one of the most significant trends in 2024, as it merges shopping with social media interaction. Brands are using social media platforms not just to promote products but to sell them directly. Riya Pant, Founder of Blur India, emphasizes how social media has revolutionized the shopping experience, saying, “Social media has taken the traditional shopping experience and made it better, faster, and way more engaging. Think about it—you’re scrolling through your feed, and suddenly there’s a live stream from your favorite beauty brand or influencer. In that moment, you’re not just watching; you’re part of an interactive session where you can see the product in action, ask questions, and even get tips tailored to your concerns.” This direct, engaging method of shopping has turned social media into a virtual storefront, where consumers can make purchases in real time, compare prices, and get answers to their questions immediately. The shift to social commerce is not just about product visibility but also about building trust. Consumers are more likely to make a purchase when they can see real people using the products and sharing their experiences. The power of influencer marketing plays a major role in this dynamic. Influencers have built large, engaged audiences, and their recommendations often carry more weight than traditional celebrity endorsements. This has led to a shift in how beauty brands approach marketing—moving away from glossy advertisements to more authentic, relatable content that feels personal and trustworthy. Building communities and driving advocacy For beauty brands, social media has become a platform for community building and brand advocacy. Natasha Tuli, Co-founder & CEO of Soulflower, describes how social media has enabled the brand to grow and connect with like-minded individuals: “For a modest, home-grown brand like ours, social media has helped immensely in amplifying our voice and spreading to millions across not just India but the world. In a way, it has solidified our vision and aim of being someone who speaks for the voiceless, whether it's cats or dogs or your hair and skin.” Brands that embrace authenticity and ethics can leverage social media to foster communities centered around shared values. Soulflower, for instance, has used platforms like Instagram and Facebook to not only promote its natural products but also to raise awareness about ethical issues in the beauty industry, such as adulterated products and sustainable beauty practices. This shift towards community engagement on social media has also brought about a focus on inclusivity. Beauty brands are increasingly embracing diverse skin tones, types, and concerns. The real beauty conversations happening online have led to a more inclusive representation of beauty, with consumers seeking products that meet their specific needs, whether it be for darker skin tones, sensitive skin, or ethical considerations. The rise of user-generated content (UGC) on platforms like Instagram has further supported this trend, as real consumers share their results and experiences, which in turn influences the purchasing decisions of their followers. Influencer marketing and trend amplification Influencer marketing continues to be a driving force behind beauty trends. Influencers—ranging from makeup artists and beauty bloggers to skincare enthusiasts—hold significant sway in shaping consumer preferences. Sarah Sarosh , a beauty content creator, highlights the power of real-person try-ons, stating, “People no longer just want celebrity advertisements; they also want reviews from real people. That’s exactly what social media provides to consumers: real-person try-ons, wear tests, trends, and everything in between, all demonstrated on different skin tones.” Social media has allowed beauty influencers to showcase products on various skin tones, encouraging inclusivity and authenticity in a way that traditional media never could. As Sarosh notes, trends spread quickly on social media. One example of this is the rise of the “blush blindness” trend, where the use of blush has become increasingly popular. “There was once a time when we hated having any color on our cheeks,” Sarosh explains, “but now, girls are completely obsessed with blush, and ‘blush blindness’ has gone viral.” Trends like these demonstrate how social media can amplify niche interests and create viral sensations that impact product development. Brands are quick to pick up on these trends, launching new products to meet the growing demand. In 2024, social media has become the primary channel for beauty trend amplification, allowing trends to emerge, evolve, and spread faster than ever. The role of AI and technology in beauty marketing In addition to influencers and user-generated content, technology—especially artificial intelligence (AI)—is playing an increasingly important role in the beauty industry’s digital transformation. Dr. Sagar Gujjar , MD Dermatologist and Founder of Skinwood, explains that social media has become a virtual classroom where skincare routines and ingredients are explained in detail. “Social media platforms are no longer just communication channels but have become virtual classrooms where dermatologists and AI-powered diagnostics explain ingredients and educate consumers about the benefits of minimalist, results-oriented routines,” he says. AI has also revolutionized the beauty industry by allowing brands to offer personalized skincare recommendations based on consumers’ unique needs. Tools like virtual try-ons, where consumers can see how makeup or skincare products would look on their skin, have become increasingly popular. These AI-powered tools are not only enhancing the shopping experience but also enabling consumers to make more informed decisions about the products they purchase. How 2024 beauty trends celebrated diversity and inclusivity The rise of personalized skincare for brides and grooms Additionally, AI tools can help brands track trends, analyze consumer behavior, and optimize marketing strategies in real-time. This data-driven approach allows beauty brands to tailor their content and offerings to meet the evolving needs of their audience, creating more personalized experiences for consumers. The mental health and wellness connection The relationship between beauty and mental health has also been amplified through social media. Platforms like Instagram have become spaces where conversations around self-care, wellness, and mental health are front and center. Many beauty brands are aligning themselves with these movements, promoting the philosophy that beauty should be about feeling good as much as looking good. Social Media Addiction Costs Mumbai Influencer: Aanvi Kamdar Falls To Death At Kumbhe Waterfall Malvika Jain, Founder of SEREKO, notes that social media has played a significant role in spreading awareness about holistic wellness and mental health. “Social media has also played a significant role in spreading awareness about mental health, encouraging conversations around holistic wellness & self-care,” she says. This shift in focus has helped create a more positive and inclusive narrative around beauty, one that values mental well-being as much as physical appearance. As mental health continues to be a major conversation in the beauty industry, brands are increasingly using social media to promote messages of self-love, body positivity, and mental wellness. These conversations have not only shaped how beauty is defined but have also led to a more responsible approach to marketing, with brands being held accountable for the way they represent beauty standards. The road ahead: Sustainability and inclusivity One of the most significant trends in the beauty industry in 2024 is a growing focus on sustainability and ethical practices. Social media has given consumers a platform to voice their concerns about environmental issues, and beauty brands have responded by incorporating more sustainable practices into their production processes. From cruelty-free products to eco-friendly packaging, the demand for sustainable beauty is stronger than ever. Shriram Balasubramanian , Director at Zuventus Healthcare Ltd, notes that social media has driven a shift towards sustainability in the beauty industry. “Social media platforms have evolved to become virtual storefronts for building brand reputation. The content creators in this space have amplified audience reach and engagements offering relatable, diverse perspectives, driving consumer purchase decisions that are informed.” The transparency afforded by social media has forced brands to be more accountable for their sustainability practices, and this trend is only expected to grow in the coming years. The influence of social media on the beauty industry in 2024 is undeniable. Platforms like Instagram and YouTube have become essential tools for beauty brands, allowing them to connect with consumers in new and innovative ways. From influencer marketing and live shopping events to AI-powered skincare consultations and sustainability-focused campaigns, social media has completely transformed how beauty products are marketed and consumed. As the industry continues to evolve, social media will remain a powerful engine for trend amplification, community engagement, and authentic brand-building. The future of beauty is digital, interactive, and driven by the collective power of consumers and content creators alike.The son of a founding member of Hamas has warned Israel must not “rejuvenate” the terrorist group by releasing its most dangerous members – including his father – from jail as part of a hostage deal. Mosab Hassan Yousef, 46, is the eldest son of Sheikh Hassan Yousef, one of Hamas’s foremost leaders in the . It had been expected that he would follow in his father’s footsteps and rise through the ranks to become a leading figure within Hamas. But instead he was recruited to work for the , Israel’s internal security service, at the age of 17, and went on to work as a spy for Israel’s security service for a decade. During that time he attempted to break the “cycle of violence against innocent people” , and the intelligence he provided helped Israel to thwart terrorist attacks at the height of the second intifada. Mr Yousef’s father has spent over 25 years in Israeli jails, according to the Palestinian Information Centre, having been arrested several times over the past two decades by the Israeli security services. He is currently in an Israeli prison after being arrested on Oct 19, 2023 as part of the in which over 1,200 people were killed, and 254 taken into Gaza as hostages. As reports emerge that could be reached in the coming weeks, Mr Yousef urged Israel not to release Hamas terrorists from its jails as part of the agreement, including his father and others who he said he helped to “bring to justice”. He told The Telegraph: “The only card in Hamas’s hands today is the hostages – they want the release of hundreds if not thousands of mass murderers from Israeli prisons. “The most dangerous Hamas leaders today are not in Qatar or Turkey – they are in Israeli prisons. That includes my father. “And Hamas wants to force Israel – using the international community and the global pressure – to release mass murderers of the calibre of . They want them released back to the streets, can you imagine?” Mr Yousef warned that releasing senior Hamas members from Israeli jails as part of an exchange deal for Israeli hostages “could actually rejuvenate Hamas and bring us to square one”. He added: “We are talking about some very dangerous people – even if they are released abroad they can continue forming and creating terrorist cells and attacking Jews worldwide.” Last November, Israel and Hamas reached a temporary ceasefire agreement in which 81 hostages were released in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners. In August of this year, one of the Palestinian prisoners freed in the swap carried out a terrorist attack, shooting and seriously wounding an Israeli man along with two Palestinians in the West Bank. During his time as a spy, Mr Yousef was considered to be one of Israel’s most valuable sources operating from inside the Hamas leadership, and his recruitment was kept a secret even within the Shin Bet. But after emigrating to America in 2007, and claiming political asylum, Mr Yousef decided to reveal his identity and publish his memoirs. Last month, he travelled to the UK last month to speak at the Oxford Union in a debate on the motion: “This house believes Israel is an apartheid state responsible for genocide.” He said that as he entered the debating chamber he was “mobbed, insulted and intimidated”, adding: “Some people were doing signs to cut our throats, we were accused of ‘treason’ and called bad names in Arabic.” He said it gave him flashbacks of his time in the West Bank, explaining: “All of a sudden I realised, am I back in Ramallah? Am I back in Palestinian territory where I am condemned to death?” Last week, Hamas and Israel accused each other of sabotaging a potential ceasefire and hostage deal despite both sides reporting “significant” progress in past days. Negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the US, have taken place in Doha this week, rekindling hope for an agreement that has proved elusive. Hamas accused Israel of laying down “new conditions”, while Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, claimed the Palestinian terror group was going back on understandings already reached.If U.S. president-elect lives up to his word and imposes a 25 per cent tariff on all imports from Canada, it would have a catastrophic impact on both sides of the border, throw an already-sputtering Canadian economy into a recession, and put the long-term future of the auto industry in this country into question, economists and trade experts say. The two countries’ economies are so intertwined — particularly in the manufacturing and energy sectors — that hitting Canada would also have a heavy impact on the U.S., argued Pedro Antunes, chief economist at the Conference Board of Canada. “This will be devastating for the Canadian economy, and devastating for the U.S. economy as well,” said Antunes. While manufacturers aren’t likely to shut down Canadian production or shift plants to the U.S. immediately, in the longer-term, they’ll likely be taking a hard look at whether they want to risk access to American consumers. “We’re going to see a deterioration of our attractiveness as an investment destination, because a lot of it is based on our access to the American economy,” said Antunes. “I think this could shut down the automotive industry in Canada.” The first impact American consumers would be likely to face is increased prices at the gas pump — particularly in the Midwest, where Canadian crude oil keeps refineries going at full-tilt, said Antunes. “There’d be an almost immediate impact on gasoline prices in the U.S., because they import a lot of Canadian crude. And we know how sensitive consumers in Canada and U.S. are to gasoline prices,” said Antunes. If the tariffs are 25 per cent across the board on all Canadian imports, the Canadian economy would shrink by 2.6 per cent, University of Calgary economist Trevor Tombe estimated. “And that’s just the straight impact of the tariffs, without any of the knock-on effects, or uncertainty, so it’s almost surely an underestimate,” said Tombe. “That’s basically a recession. The typical retraction is about three per cent in a recession.” Earlier this year, Tombe had prepared a tariff impact paper for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, based on 10 per cent tariffs. After updating the numbers hastily following Trump’s Monday evening announcement on his Truth Social site, he found the potential impact to be even more grim. That 2.6 per cent drop in economic output translates into an annual loss of $78 billion for the Canadian economy, Tombe estimated. Tombe added that the tariffs would cause significant job losses, particularly in the hardest-hit sectors. “No question, there will be job losses. The tariff will result in reduced output in these heavily affected sectors, and with less production, they’re naturally going to lay off workers,” said Tombe. The U.S. market accounted for roughly 75 per cent of Canadian exports, a BMO report from economist Robert Kavcic found, making up about a quarter of Canada’s GDP. Canada sent $173 billion to the U.S. in energy exports alone last year, Kavcic’s report found, and tariffs would mean an immediate impact of higher oil and consumer gas prices in the U.S. The higher prices on goods from Canada flowing into the U.S. could depress demand for them, which could drag down an already shaky Canadian economy, Kavcic added. For the manufacturing sector, the impact of a full 25 per cent tariff would be devastating, warned Dennis Darby, CEO of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters. While it might not happen in exactly the form Trump has threatened, Darby said Canada can’t afford to take the sabre-rattling lightly. “When the incoming president says he’s going to do that on Day 1, you have to take that as credible,” said Darby. In the auto sector, supply chains are so intertwined across the border that it’s hard to believe Trump would implement tariffs across the board, argued Flavio Volpe, CEO of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association. “It would be like taking a sledgehammer to his own foot,” said Volpe, who estimated that roughly half of the parts going into Canadian-made cars are sourced from U.S. producers. “We’re so integrated in the automotive industry. So there’s no way to separate the American interests from the Canadian interests here,” said Volpe. While acknowledging that Trump isn’t immune from cutting off his nose to spite his face, his first term in office shows at least some glimmer of hope for rational economic action — at least eventually, Volpe added. “He did put a national security tariff on aluminum from Quebec that U.S. defence interests need. So for a while, he taxed his own military to make a point. But I’ll remind everybody that that was also a short-term point. And that we have leverage,” said Volpe. That leverage, says Volpe, comes from desperately needed Canadian critical minerals and energy resources such as oil and gas. Both of those, said Volpe, would help the U.S. loosen its trade ties with China. “You need independence from the Chinese sphere. And that comes from the resources we have in this country,” said Volpe. “We’ll be inside the tent by the time it’s all said and done, if we put in our best efforts to demonstrate that their best interests extend to this side of the border.” Laura Dawson, executive director of the Future Borders Coalition, doesn’t expect the tariffs to hit across the board. “I feel pretty confident that Canada can negotiate its way out of many of these tariffs because, for example, the U.S. imposing a tariff on Canadian oil and gas will have an immediate effect on U.S. consumers,” Dawson said. “What we know from Trump 1.0 is he does what he says. If he has a plan, he usually acts on it, but he doesn’t act on it with the magnitude that he could.” The worst case could see tit-for-tat retaliatory tariffs, a stalemate and the same politics that led to the Great Depression, Dawson warned.
Like clockwork, ( ) delivered another round of explosive growth in its , but investors seemed to be missing the most impressive part of the performance. The company didn't mention it in the earnings call or press release, consigning it instead to the "CFO Commentary" section of its earnings report. By now, most investors know that the data centre segment is driving Nvidia's growth. While Nvidia's business spans everything from gaming to autonomous vehicles to visualisation tools like the Omniverse, its success in the data centre business, driven by the explosive growth of , has stolen the narrative and now makes up the vast majority of Nvidia's revenue. While overall revenue in the fiscal 2025 third quarter jumped 94% from a year ago to $35.1 billion, growth in the data centre segment was even stronger, climbing 112% from a year ago to $30.8 billion. However, Nvidia breaks down its data centre revenue into two categories. It brings in revenue from "networking" and "compute." Compute refers to the components that run applications on a server, such as processors and memory chips. Networking includes components like switches and routers that provide the connectivity and the security needed for the applications to run. AI training and inference are driven by the compute components so it makes sense that compute makes up the bulk of that revenue. Data centre networking revenue in the third quarter grew just 20% year over year to $3.1 billion, while data centre compute revenue was up 132% to $27.6 billion. The data centre compute figure looks like the best reflection of the underlying growth in Nvidia's business, even with the discrepancy between as the company said several times on the earnings call that the business is supply-constrained and it expects those constraints to continue for the next several quarters, especially on the Blackwell platform. Data centre compute revenue also grew 22% sequentially, above 17% overall sequential growth for the whole company. and 17% sequential growth in the data centre. The chart below shows the performance in data centre compute revenue over the last several quarters. The data centre compute platform is at the core of Nvidia's AI offering. It accelerates the most compute-intensive workloads, and it includes a wide range of products such as APIs, software development kits (SDKs), its DGX Cloud, which is an AI training-as-a-service platform, and GPUs, DPUs, and AI enterprise software. All of that makes it very difficult to compete with Nvidia and helps explain why the data centre business is growing so fast. Revenue growth is heating up The other telling data point in the table above is that while Nvidia's year-over-year revenue growth in the data centre compute segment continued to decelerate, sequential revenue growth, which is arguably a better barometer of growth, accelerated from 17% to 22%, lifting a similar acceleration in overall revenue from 15% to 17%. Sequential growth of 22% would translate to a 122% year-over-year growth rate if the business grew at that pace over four quarters. Given the and management's commentary about demand outstripping supply for the next several quarters, the company could maintain a growth rate similar to that over the next year. What's next for Nvidia? Nvidia stock fell slightly on the earnings report. Investors seemed to think guidance was underwhelming as the company called for year-over-year revenue growth to slow to 70% in the fourth quarter, with the top line reaching $37.5 billion, plus or minus 2%. However, Nvidia has a long history of topping its guidance, and it looks like a good bet to do so again in the fourth quarter, given the scorching growth from the data centre compute business and locked-in demand for its Blackwell platform. Don't be surprised to see Nvidia top that forecast again three months from now. The business is on fire. It continues to deliver stellar results, and there's little in the way to slow it down.