The Last Supper Áine Fitzgerald Managing Editor At 1:25am on Sunday, the atmosphere on the second floor at Limerick Racecourse was thick with anticipation - and tiredness - as Niall Collins, FF, awaited the declaration that he had retained his seat. Towards the far end of the room, a scene was unfolding, naturally. ‘The Last Supper’ or, in this instance, ‘The Last Seat’. You couldn’t plan the composition of this masterpiece if you tried. You have Niall Collins positioned at the centre, akin to Jesus, surrounded by his supporters, who take on the roles of apostles. Collins sits slightly elevated, prominent amid the surrounding figures. Behind him, a person, crouched, forms what seems to be a crown-like halo around his head. On the far left (as opposed to centre-right), a bottle of water and a brown paper bag - remnants of someone else's last supper - create an ornate pillar effect. The expressions on the faces of those in the frame tell their own unique story - conveying the weariness and tension that had set in after all the long hours of waiting. Unlike the original Last Supper, however, two mobile phones are visible, their users quite possibly checking the time as they await the final result. Finally, at 2:09am, Niall Collins was elected to the final seat in Limerick County and the subjects in The Last Seat lifted him shoulder high. Finishing line Jerome O’Connell News editor THE next big event at Limerick Racecourse will be the four-day Christmas Racing Festival from December 26-29. No doubt the annual festive event will have just as much drama as the two-day General Election count at the Patrickswell venue. The countdown to the Christmas Racing Festival is well underway for Michael Lynch, CEO of Limerick Racecourse, and his team, and as part of preparations the post to mark the finishing line in front of the grandstand is in storage. With rumours of legal challenges in relation to the alphabetical error on the ballot paper, and of a potential recount due to the closeness of the Limerick City constituency candidates down the home stretch, all were hoping on Sunday that the lack of a post to mark the finishing line wasn’t an omen! An epic quest to have a City seat filled by midnight Faye Dorgan Reporter AS THE CLOCK edged towards midnight on Saturday, waiting for the final election count to get the first candidate over the line in the city felt a bit like reading Game of Thrones - battling tiredness while keeping a close eye on the rivalry between the chief protagonists. Limerick Racecourse turned into a political Westeros, with candidates vying for the Iron Seat - or at least a plush velvet one in the Dáil. One punter decided to pass the time by reading Game of Thrones as they waited, seeking solace in fictional feuds. “Winter is coming,” someone muttered, in a chilly count centre on the edge of Patrickswell. Counts came in slower than ravens, the suspense thicker than Tyrion’s wit, as crowds battled with tiredness that inevitably kicked in. Eventually, cheers erupted as the first seat was filled by Fianna Fáil TD Willie O’Dea, marking an election night triumph. Really cleaning up at the races Abigail Hayden Reporter AS THE hours ticked on in the county's mammoth of a count on Saturday, one group of clever entrepreueneurs made the waiting time worth it. Daithi and Cillian O'Donoghue, aged nine and 12, and Conor Kelly, 12, the great-nephews of newly re-elected Deputy Richard O'Donoghue, Independent Ireland, collected dozens of bottles and cans with the Re-Cycle logo. They collected recycling rubbish off count staff, supporters, and even Limerick Leader reporters. People were seen finishing off the dregs of their drinks as the three boys with the huge bin bag came around, to make sure their recycling waste added to the collection. After the re-election of their great-uncle, who praised them in his post-election interview, the three businessmen left the building with the rest of the family, along with two bulking bags of recycling. When asked about how much they had made, they coyly replied “over €20” - a greater profit than many leave the racecourse with! As these astute men know, the 15c deposit sure does add up! ‘I’ve never been so happy to be wrong about a prediction’ Nick Rabbitts Reporter LABOUR Party stalwart Joe Kemmy is something of an oracle when it comes to politics. Back in the summer, based on tallies alone, he correctly predicted John Moran would become Limerick’s first directly elected mayor, more than three days ahead of it actually happening. When Joe talks, people listen, especially where politics is concerned. So, on Saturday night, when he predicted that Labour’s Conor Sheehan was too far behind Social Democrats councillor Elisa O’Donovan to realistically catch her in the race for the fourth seat in Limerick City, I naturally put pen to paper. At the time, Cllr Sheehan was 391 votes behind Cllr O’Donovan. But he clawed back votes through Sunday, and secured the fourth seat on the last count. “I’ve never been happier about being wrong in a prediction in my whole life,” Joe beamed. Proof, if any were needed, that sometimes the greats get it wrong. Man in Black Donal O'Regan Reporter THERE were a number of senior gardai at the count centre - Superintendent Ollie Kennedy, Inspectors Gearoid Thompson, Fergal Hanrahan and Jimmy Ruddle to name but four - but there was also what appeared to be an FBI agent. He was straight out of the film Men in Black starring Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith. Think black suit, white shirt, earpiece - all he was missing were the shades. He stood behind this reporter at a doorway on the second floor of Limerick Racecourse. I never felt safer. There was no chance of an irate supporter complaining that I had mixed up their candidate’s vote on the Leader’s blog. But, of course, he wasn’t there to mind this lowly hack - he was there to protect Minister Patrick O’Donovan. One photographer, unknowingly, asked him if he could take his photo - thinking he was just a random supporter in the crowd. Understandably, the response was a polite “no” from the man in black who gave a wry smile to himself after the photographer moved along. The only chance of Mr O’Donovan being hurt was a sprained wrist from receiving congratulatory handshakes or hitting his head on the ceiling when he was lifted high in the air but this chap wasn’t taking any chances. He watched everything. He went home happy as Mr O’Donovan is still in a job. As did a supporter of the Fine Gael man who was moving a lot better than the last time I saw her. The lady in question was on crutches at the mayoral and council count in June after breaking her ankle. She came a cropper while rounding up ducks. However, she was flying it on Saturday, much like Mr O’Donovan. ‘Lotto luck’ for reporter Nick Rabbitts Reporter I HAVE been playing the lottery since I came to Ireland in 2008, and have very rarely ever won anything. Despite this, I carry on spending €6 twice a week on a ticket, ignoring criticism that it is a tax on hope, and there is more chance of my beloved Tottenham Hotspur Football Club winning a title than me landing the jackpot. (Soccer fans, if you know, you know!) But, on Saturday night, peering at a colleague’s laptop which was tuned into RTE One, I caught the lottery results. And my numbers came up! Well four of them did - three regular numbers and the bonus ball - landing me a very welcome €29. It gave me a nice lift in the middle of a very busy election count, and felt like proof - if ever any is needed - that consistency can pay off! For the record, my numbers are 4, 7, 14, 24, 39 and 45!vip security 。

GeneDx Holdings Corp. ( NASDAQ:WGSWW – Get Free Report ) saw a significant drop in short interest in December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 1,000 shares, a drop of 16.7% from the November 30th total of 1,200 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 56,900 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 0.0 days. GeneDx Stock Down 1.6 % GeneDx stock opened at $0.16 on Friday. GeneDx has a 12-month low of $0.00 and a 12-month high of $0.34. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $0.18 and a 200 day simple moving average of $0.10. GeneDx Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for GeneDx Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for GeneDx and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Chennai’s progress card for 2024 shows schools getting pushed backWhile you prepare to deck the halls and hang those Christmas lights, double-check the websites you buy from that are claiming to sell holiday cheer. “People are definitely out there spending more, and scammers know that,” said Clay Campbell the Director of Marketing for the Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland. On average, consumers are expected to spend $71.36 per person on holiday decorations this year, according to the National Retail Federation , compared to $60.43 in 2020. However, certain items will cost you a lot more. “The scammer is able to get, you know, sometimes, $300 to $400 for these trees. They offer it a slight discount in comparison to a reputable website,” said Campbell. RELATED STORY | Small business owner fighting to get back $50K after being targeted by bank imposter Last year, the Better Business Bureau put out an alert for a company called AdjustableTrees after receiving reports from customers that they made payments via Zelle or Venmo, but never received the product or a refund. “These payment methods are pretty convenient, but they don't offer any protection,” Campbell warned. And the BBB said it’s happening again this year. A reverse image search shows the exact same product photos on other retailer's websites. The customer service phone number rings until you get a message that the call cannot be completed as dialed, and the company claims to be a BBB-accredited business. “They never ship the item, and the customer is never able to contact the business, because this business is not actually at the location that's listed on their website,” said Campbell. Homeowners are also taking their decorations outside and hiring individuals to hang their lights, but sometimes they’re a no-show. "If you are interested in doing something like this, it is important that you do your research and it's not just a fly-by-night operation,” said Ted Carter, president of Pinehurst Landscaping. RELATED STORY | Remembering this unwritten rule can help you avoid a job scam Carter is a professional when it comes to large light installments and recommends homeowners hire someone with experience. “You don't want to have anyone getting onto your roof that isn't properly trained and insured. You also want to make sure someone actually has experience in designing lighting that they're not just haphazardly installing lights,” said Carter. If you’re looking for less hassle, inflatable yard decorations have become more popular. “You know those giant snowmen or giant Santa Clauses? When people are buying these items, they either don't come at all, or they show up and they're a lot smaller than they expected,” said Campbell. Inaccurate website descriptions deceived a woman expecting a massive rainbow Christmas tree. Instead, she received a colorful feather duster lookalike. And another shopper thought they were getting a Grinch Christmas advent calendar with dimensional characters, but the ornaments that arrived were flat, plastic, and miniature. When shopping online, do a little research before buying from a company you’ve never heard of. Check their address, contact information, return policy, use a credit card, and screenshot the item description so you can dispute the transaction if you run into any issues with your order. Scammers are also tracking your buying habits and targeting you through social media ads. Before purchasing anything based on a photo in your feed, look into the company first. To see the other 12 Scams of Christmas from Scripps News Baltimore, click here . This story was originally published by Mallory Sofastaii at Scripps News Baltimore .

Australia and Canada will enter a new partnership for air and missile defence research as part of a joint aim for security in the Indo-Pacific region. or signup to continue reading Defence ministers for Canada and Australia, Bill Blair and Richard Marles, announced on Saturday that each country will contribute $C237 million ($A260 million) over five years on a project to understand emerging missile threats. Under the arrangement, the nations will collaborate on developing detection, monitoring, targeting and counter-measure technologies. "As potential adversaries continue to develop more advanced missiles... new solutions are required to defeat these threats," the ministers wrote in a statement. "This collaboration on integrated air and missile defence research and development is mutually beneficial, contributing directly to our shared objective of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond." The agreement aligns with both governments, with missile defence has been prioritised in Australia's National Defence Strategy and Integrated Investment program. Defence against advanced cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons which combine high speed, increasing range and manoeuvrability will be included in the research, with the latter marked as a priority for Canada's billion-dollar science and technology . The statement highlighted the "long history" of Canada-Australia collaboration on defence science and technology, including under the science and technology alliance. The ministers added the partnership "will fast-track understanding of advanced missile technologies and inform next-generation defence solutions". 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 AdvertisementNarwal Freo Z Ultra review: Automatic sucking and mopping, with AI!

‘America’s Burning’ Duo Michael Douglas & David Smick Say They Still Have Hope For The Nation – Contenders Documentary

JAMES MADDISON and Brennan Johnson were spotted enjoying the darts at Ally Pally following Tottenham's 2-2 draw with Wolves. Ange Postecoglou's men conceded a late equaliser in North London, before the Australian coach confirmed the players were "hurting". The Spurs players have been given Monday and Tuesday off to recover from a demanding Christmas period - which has seen them play 10 games since November 28. And Maddison and Johnson - who scored Spurs' second goal - took the time to head to the darts to watch the likes of Luke Humphries , Gerwyn Price and Peter Wright. The pair could be seen smiling from their tables as they took in the raucous Ally Pally atmosphere. Maddison, 28, is known as a big fan of the sport - and often mimes throwing a dart after scoring a goal. But it has been a difficult time for Spurs following just one win in seven Premier League games. After the match, Postecoglou said: "It hurts me because I'm responsible ultimately. I'm the person in charge. So of course it hurts. "When I see how hard they are trying, it hurts even more because you want them to get a reward and I think today they deserved a reward for their efforts even though they were dipping into their reserves of energy, which I don't even know where they got from. "I wanted them to get a reward for their efforts. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS READ MORE on all the build-up to the Ally Pally extravaganza... All the info: News, features and interviews: "It hurts immensely. At the same time it's my responsibility for where we're at right now and it's my responsibility to try to get us out of it." The Spurs boss also explained why he is giving the players two days off. He added: "It was always planned. We knew this is the first week where we don't have a midweek game, so I think the whole group probably needs a couple of days just to get away from everything and recover. "It'll do them good to have a couple of days to themselves with their families and give them a chance to recover mentally as much as physically." Spurs have now failed to win at home in their last five league games - an unwanted feat not managed since 2008. While seven wins in 19 league games means they are a point nearer to the relegation zone than they are to the top four. Yet Postecoglou still believes his side can achieve something in the league this season. The Aussie, whose team are through to the Carabao Cup semi-finals and still in Europe, added: "I just feel that at some point we'll get a relatively healthy squad and when we do that we'll be able to perform at a high level consistently and we've already shown this year we can beat anyone. "There's a chance there you can go on a run. "But at the moment that's secondary to the first bit, we have to try to get some support for the players - both mentally and physically and in terms of numbers to give them the opportunity to play at their best." Meanwhile, Rodrigo Bentancur is now banned for Saturday’s hosting of Newcastle after a needless foul in stoppage time on Rodrigo Gomes earned him his fifth yellow card of the season. Had he waited a week, the cautions picked up in the first half of the campaign would have been wiped. Postecoglou added: "It was an unfortunate moment, didn't really need to happen and I'd much rather he didn't make that tackle and was available for the next game. "The players are obviously hurting, they want to turn this around and it's not for the want of trying."

A 37-year-old Tillsonburg resident has been arrested following an argument in St. Thomas that got heated. Just after 4:30 a.m. on Friday, police were called after a person was forced into a vehicle and assaulted. Investigation revealed that an argument between a group of people – who were known to each other – escalated, resulting in the victim bring driven away in the vehicle against their will. Police located the vehicle, and EMS was called to treat the victim for their injuries. As a result, the Tillsonburg resident faces charges of assault, robbery with theft, forcible confinement and disobey court order. London Top Stories Victim forced into a vehicle, assaulted, robbed, and held against their will: police VIDEO | London house fire spreads to neighbouring property Canada's tax relief plan: Who gets a cheque? Police investigating following fire that prompted school evacuation at Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute One person dead after two-vehicle crash involving delivery truck Charges laid after transport truck crash causes Highway 401 lane closure Volkswagen battery plant will drive economy, increase consumer confidence says economic think tank Western researchers document the sixth ever asteroid spotted prior to impact CTVNews.ca Top Stories Quebec man, 81, gets prison sentence after admitting to killing wife with Alzheimer's disease An 81-year-old Quebec man has been sentenced to prison after admitting to killing his wife with Alzheimer's disease. Canada Post quarterly loss tops $300M as strike hits second week -- and rivals step in Canada Post saw hundreds of millions of dollars drain out of its coffers last quarter, due largely to its dwindling share of the parcels market, while an ongoing strike continues to batter its bottom line. 'Immoral depravity': Two men convicted in case of frozen migrant family in Manitoba A jury has found two men guilty on human smuggling charges in a case where a family from India froze to death in Manitoba while trying to walk across the Canada-U.S. border. Pat King found guilty of mischief for role in 'Freedom Convoy' Pat King, one of the most prominent figures of the 2022 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa, has been found guilty on five counts including mischief and disobeying a court order. Trump supporters review-bomb B.C. floral shop by accident A small business owner from B.C.’s Fraser Valley is speaking out after being review-bombed by confused supporters of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump this week. Nearly 46,000 electric vehicles recalled in Canada over potential power loss Nearly 46,000 electric vehicles from Kia, Hyundai and Genesis are being recalled in Canada over a potential power loss issue that can increase the risk of a crash. Canada's tax relief plan: Who gets a cheque? The Canadian government has unveiled its plans for a sweeping GST/HST pause on select items during the holiday period. The day after the announcement, questions remain on how the whole thing will work. Grey Cup streaker fined $10K, banned from BC Place The woman who ran across the field wearing nothing but her shoes at last weekend’s Grey Cup has been given a fine and banned from BC Place. U.S. court tosses hostile workplace, pay discrimination claims against BlackBerry A U.S. court has closed the door on "hostile work environment" and wage discrimination claims made by a former BlackBerry Ltd. executive who accused the company's CEO of sexually harassing her and then retaliating against her when she reported the behaviour. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. Editor's Picks 24 Of The Best Host And Hostess Gifts You Can Find Online Right Now The Best Advent Calendars For Women In 2024 All The Best Beauty Stocking Stuffers That Ring In Under $25 Home Our Guide to the Best Jewellery Boxes You Can Find Online Right Now 16 Home Gadgets That'll Make Your Life Easier The 5 Best Drip Coffee Makers In Canada In 2024, Tested and Reviewed Gifts 23 Gifts, Add-Ons, And Stocking Stuffers For Anyone Who Spends A Lot Of Time In Their Car The Ultimate 2024 Holiday Gift Guide For Nature Lovers And Outdoor Adventurers 27 Of The Absolute Best Stocking Stuffers For Men Beauty 20 Anti-Aging Skincare Products That Reviewers Can’t Stop Talking About 12 Budget-Friendly Makeup Brushes And Tools Worth Adding To Your Kit If You Suffer From Dry Skin, You'll Want To Add At Least One Of These Hydrating Moisturizers To Your Cart Deals Black Friday Has Begun On Amazon Canada: Here Are The Best Deals Black Friday Is Almost Here, But These Deals On Mattresses And Bedding Are Already Live This Botanic Hearth Rosemary Hair Oil Has Thousands Of 5-Star Reviews — And It's On Sale For Amazon Canada's Early Black Friday Sale Kitchener Man charged in Kitchener crash involving Grand River Transit LRT FunGuyz says it's closing all 30 of its magic mushroom stores in Ontario The Boathouse reopens in Kitchener's Victoria Park Barrie Highway 400 closed in Muskoka Lakes after fatal propane truck rollover Drug trafficking investigation results in largest fentanyl seizure in Simcoe County: OPP Barrie magic mushroom dispensary closed after company announces its shuttering Ont. locations Windsor Truck fire on the Ambassador Bridge 4 Windsor, Chatham-Kent councillors oppose use of notwithstanding clause on encampments Concerns over people attempting to cross Detroit River illegally Northern Ontario Senior killed in dog attack in northern Ont. 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Some quotations from Jimmy Carter . We have a tendency to exalt ourselves and to dwell on the weaknesses and mistakes of others. I have come to realize that in every person there is something fine and pure and noble, along with a desire for self-fulfillment. Political and religious leaders must attempt to provide a society within which these human attributes can be nurtured and enhanced. — from 1975 book “Why Not the Best?” Our government can express the highest common ideals of human beings — if we demand of government true standards of excellence. At this Bicentennial time of introspection and concern, we must demand such standards. — “Why Not the Best?” I am a Southerner and an American, I am a farmer, an engineer, a father and husband, a Christian, a politician and former governor, a planner, a businessman, a nuclear physicist, a naval officer, a canoeist, and among other things a lover of Bob Dylan’s songs and Dylan Thomas’s poetry. — “Why Not the Best?” Christ said, “I tell you that anyone who looks on a woman with lust has in his heart already committed adultery.” I’ve looked on a lot of women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something that God recognizes I will do — and I have done it — and God forgives me for it. But that doesn’t mean that I condemn someone who not only looks on a woman with lust but who leaves his wife and shacks up with somebody out of wedlock. — Interview, November 1976 Playboy. This inauguration ceremony marks a new beginning, a new dedication within our Government, and a new spirit among us all. A President may sense and proclaim that new spirit, but only a people can provide it. — Inaugural address, January 1977. It’s clear that the true problems of our nation are much deeper — deeper than gasoline lines or energy shortages, deeper even than inflation and recession. ... All the legislation in the world can’t fix what’s wrong with America. ... It is a crisis of confidence. — So-called “malaise” speech, July 1979. But we know that democracy is always an unfinished creation. Each generation must renew its foundations. Each generation must rediscover the meaning of this hallowed vision in the light of its own modern challenges. For this generation, ours, life is nuclear survival; liberty is human rights; the pursuit of happiness is a planet whose resources are devoted to the physical and spiritual nourishment of its inhabitants. — Farewell Address, January 1981. We appreciate the past. We are grateful for the present and we’re looking forward to the future with great anticipation and commitment. — October 1986, at the dedication of the Carter Presidential Library and Museum. War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn to live together in peace by killing each other’s children. — December 2002, Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. Fundamentalists have become increasingly influential in both religion and government, and have managed to change the nuances and subtleties of historic debate into black-and-white rigidities and the personal derogation of those who dare to disagree. ... The influence of these various trends poses a threat to many of our nation’s historic customs and moral commitments, both in government and in houses of worship. — From 2005 book “Our Endangered Values.” I think that this breakthrough by Barack Obama has been remarkable. When he made his speech (on race) a few months ago in Philadelphia, I wept. I sat in front of the television and cried, because I saw that as the most enlightening and transforming analysis of racism and a potential end of it that I ever saw in my life. — August 2008, commenting on then-Sen. Barack Obama’s candidacy. I think it’s based on racism. There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president. ... No matter who he is or how much we disagree with his policies, the president should be treated with respect. — September 2009, reacting to Rep. Joe Wilson’s shout of “You lie!” during a speech to Congress by President Barack Obama. I’m still determined to outlive the last guinea worm. — 2010, on The Carter Center’s work to eradicate guinea worm disease. You know how much I raised to run against Gerald Ford? Zero. You know how much I raised to run against Ronald Reagan? Zero. You know how much will be raised this year by all presidential, Senate and House campaigns? $6 billion. That’s 6,000 millions. — September 2012, reacting to the 2010 “Citizens United” U.S. Supreme Court decision permitting unlimited third-party political spending. I have become convinced that the most serious and unaddressed worldwide challenge is the deprivation and abuse of women and girls, largely caused by a false interpretation of carefully selected religious texts and a growing tolerance of violence and warfare, unfortunately following the example set during my lifetime by the United States. — From 2014 book “A Call to Action.” I don’t think there’s any doubt now that the NSA or other agencies monitor or record almost every telephone call made in the United States, including cellphones, and I presume email as well. We’ve gone a long way down the road of violating Americans’ basic civil rights, as far as privacy is concerned. — March 2014, commenting on U.S. intelligence monitoring after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks We accept self-congratulations about the wonderful 50th anniversary - which is wonderful - but we feel like Lyndon Johnson did it and we don’t have to do anything anymore. — April 2014, commenting on racial inequality during a celebration of the Civil Rights Act’s 40th anniversary. I had a very challenging question at Emory (University) the other night: “How would you describe the United States of America today in one word?” And I didn’t know what to say for a few moments, but I finally said, “Searching.” I think the country in which we live is still searching for what it ought to be, and what it can be, and I’m not sure we’re making much progress right at this moment. — October 2014 during a celebration of his 90th birthday. The life we have now is the best of all. We have an expanding and harmonious family, a rich life in our church and the Plains community, and a diversity of projects at The Carter Center that is adventurous and exciting. Rosalynn and I have visited more than 145 countries, and both of us are as active as we have ever been. We are blessed with good health and look to the future with eagerness and confidence, but are prepared for inevitable adversity when it comes. — From 2015 book, “A Full Life.”Some quotations from Jimmy Carter . We have a tendency to exalt ourselves and to dwell on the weaknesses and mistakes of others. I have come to realize that in every person there is something fine and pure and noble, along with a desire for self-fulfillment. Political and religious leaders must attempt to provide a society within which these human attributes can be nurtured and enhanced. — from 1975 book “Why Not the Best?” Our government can express the highest common ideals of human beings — if we demand of government true standards of excellence. At this Bicentennial time of introspection and concern, we must demand such standards. — “Why Not the Best?” I am a Southerner and an American, I am a farmer, an engineer, a father and husband, a Christian, a politician and former governor, a planner, a businessman, a nuclear physicist, a naval officer, a canoeist, and among other things a lover of Bob Dylan’s songs and Dylan Thomas’s poetry. — “Why Not the Best?” Christ said, “I tell you that anyone who looks on a woman with lust has in his heart already committed adultery.” I’ve looked on a lot of women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times. This is something that God recognizes I will do — and I have done it — and God forgives me for it. But that doesn’t mean that I condemn someone who not only looks on a woman with lust but who leaves his wife and shacks up with somebody out of wedlock. — Interview, November 1976 Playboy. This inauguration ceremony marks a new beginning, a new dedication within our Government, and a new spirit among us all. A President may sense and proclaim that new spirit, but only a people can provide it. — Inaugural address, January 1977. It’s clear that the true problems of our nation are much deeper — deeper than gasoline lines or energy shortages, deeper even than inflation and recession. ... All the legislation in the world can’t fix what’s wrong with America. ... It is a crisis of confidence. — So-called “malaise” speech, July 1979. But we know that democracy is always an unfinished creation. Each generation must renew its foundations. Each generation must rediscover the meaning of this hallowed vision in the light of its own modern challenges. For this generation, ours, life is nuclear survival; liberty is human rights; the pursuit of happiness is a planet whose resources are devoted to the physical and spiritual nourishment of its inhabitants. — Farewell Address, January 1981. We appreciate the past. We are grateful for the present and we’re looking forward to the future with great anticipation and commitment. — October 1986, at the dedication of the Carter Presidential Library and Museum. War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn to live together in peace by killing each other’s children. — December 2002, Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech. Fundamentalists have become increasingly influential in both religion and government, and have managed to change the nuances and subtleties of historic debate into black-and-white rigidities and the personal derogation of those who dare to disagree. ... The influence of these various trends poses a threat to many of our nation’s historic customs and moral commitments, both in government and in houses of worship. — From 2005 book “Our Endangered Values.” I think that this breakthrough by Barack Obama has been remarkable. When he made his speech (on race) a few months ago in Philadelphia, I wept. I sat in front of the television and cried, because I saw that as the most enlightening and transforming analysis of racism and a potential end of it that I ever saw in my life. — August 2008, commenting on then-Sen. Barack Obama’s candidacy. I think it’s based on racism. There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president. ... No matter who he is or how much we disagree with his policies, the president should be treated with respect. — September 2009, reacting to Rep. Joe Wilson’s shout of “You lie!” during a speech to Congress by President Barack Obama. I’m still determined to outlive the last guinea worm. — 2010, on The Carter Center’s work to eradicate guinea worm disease. You know how much I raised to run against Gerald Ford? Zero. You know how much I raised to run against Ronald Reagan? Zero. You know how much will be raised this year by all presidential, Senate and House campaigns? $6 billion. That’s 6,000 millions. — September 2012, reacting to the 2010 “Citizens United” U.S. Supreme Court decision permitting unlimited third-party political spending. I have become convinced that the most serious and unaddressed worldwide challenge is the deprivation and abuse of women and girls, largely caused by a false interpretation of carefully selected religious texts and a growing tolerance of violence and warfare, unfortunately following the example set during my lifetime by the United States. — From 2014 book “A Call to Action.” I don’t think there’s any doubt now that the NSA or other agencies monitor or record almost every telephone call made in the United States, including cellphones, and I presume email as well. We’ve gone a long way down the road of violating Americans’ basic civil rights, as far as privacy is concerned. — March 2014, commenting on U.S. intelligence monitoring after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks We accept self-congratulations about the wonderful 50th anniversary - which is wonderful - but we feel like Lyndon Johnson did it and we don’t have to do anything anymore. — April 2014, commenting on racial inequality during a celebration of the Civil Rights Act’s 40th anniversary. I had a very challenging question at Emory (University) the other night: “How would you describe the United States of America today in one word?” And I didn’t know what to say for a few moments, but I finally said, “Searching.” I think the country in which we live is still searching for what it ought to be, and what it can be, and I’m not sure we’re making much progress right at this moment. — October 2014 during a celebration of his 90th birthday. The life we have now is the best of all. We have an expanding and harmonious family, a rich life in our church and the Plains community, and a diversity of projects at The Carter Center that is adventurous and exciting. Rosalynn and I have visited more than 145 countries, and both of us are as active as we have ever been. We are blessed with good health and look to the future with eagerness and confidence, but are prepared for inevitable adversity when it comes. — From 2015 book, “A Full Life.”Jason Whitlock claims Colorado players rented out a strip club TWICE before heavy Alamo Bowl defeat READ MORE: College football star stomped on by Arkansas' Fernando Carmona By ERIC BLUM Published: 22:50 GMT, 29 December 2024 | Updated: 22:50 GMT, 29 December 2024 e-mail View comments Nearly a day after Colorado football was blown out by BYU in the Alamo Bowl, Jason Whitlock believes he has revealed the reason the Buffaloes were shellacked - they rented out a strip club twice before kickoff. Colorado lost 36-14 on Saturday night to BYU, with the Big 12 teams facing in the postseason but not the regular season in a matchup where Deion Sanders' team rarely looked composed. It marked the final collegiate appearance of Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and quarterback Shedeur Sanders. 'So I missed all of the Colorado-BYU game yesterday. What are the best takeaways? I've been reliably told that the CU offensive players rented out a strip club 2 nights during their bowl trip,' Whitlock said on social media. Whitlock, who has been synonymous with drumming up controversy and blasting his opinion on social media, no matter how bizarre it made seem to some, has not revealed his 'reliable' source. No one from the Colorado program has responded to Whitlock's claim. Whitlock has claimed that Colorado football players rented out a strip club in San Antonio The Buffaloes looked terrible in their bowl game against BYU, with some looking for excused So I missed all of the Colorado-BYU game yesterday. What are the best takeaways? I've been reliably told that the CU offensive players rented out a strip club 2 nights during their bowl trip. — Jason Whitlock (@WhitlockJason) December 29, 2024 The bowl game took place in San Antonio, with the infamous River Walk, and the accompanying entertainment district, only a mile away from the Alamodome. Read More Referee left bloodied after suffering gruesome cut in wild brawl at college football game Whitlock also has not commented on the situation any further after posting his claim on social media. Texas law states patrons must be 21 or older to enter a strip club, which would eliminate several players on the Buffaloes offense from attending the alleged night on the town. Colorado responding to the claim is unlikely to happen in an official capacity, with Deion Sanders defending his team a possible avenue to retort against Whitlock. However, with Colorado's season ending, it may be until February's national signing day when Sanders holds his next press availability. Colorado Share or comment on this article: Jason Whitlock claims Colorado players rented out a strip club TWICE before heavy Alamo Bowl defeat e-mail Add comment

Welsh: A&M will move to digital ticket pull system to prioritize student safetyOur community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Kim Kardashian has left her followers concerned after revealing she's now hobbling on crutches following a significant injury. The 44 year old mogul updated fans this evening, sharing an image of her foot in a black medical boot, with the caption: "FML. Broken my foot for the holidays." Although she kept the circumstances around her injury under wraps, Kim had been busy celebrating her son Saint's ninth birthday just the day before. Delighting her fans with a heartfelt tribute, Kim said: "My birthday boy Saint turns 9 today. I was going through my photos and most of our pics are snuggling cuddling pics. I always wanna believe that my little man will be this snuggly forever! So cheers to one of my soulmates for being the sweetest boy. Happy birthday. I love you." Just last week, Kim graced her Instagram with snapshots flaunting a fitted white ensemble paired with bold red fishnet stockings and towering heels; posing with her back to the camera and peeking over her shoulder for that perfect shot beside a tall mirror, obviously taken before the injury— yet fans took issue with another aspect of the snap. Some followers accused the reality TV star of photoshopping her photo. In the snap, which has now gone viral on forum sites like Reddit's KUWTK Snark subreddit, the celeb's bum appears curiously different in the mirror reflection beside her, reports the Mirror . One particularly eagle-eyed user quipped: "Mirror, Mirror on the Wall. Oops! She forgot to photoshop the mirror. Reality photobombed her photoshop ph**kery." They went on to add, "The mirror doesn't lie." The comment section quickly became an arena for those who relish expressing their dislikefor the star. Remarks ranged from snarky to outright harsh, with one user remarking, "'Her a** is HUGE here and she's clearly photoshopped thinner, so imagine how big it must really be now...." Another chimed in with, "She is such a joke. Everybody grab your popcorn and tune in to see how this s**t show ends." Kim has recently been busy filming for her role in Ryan Murphy's show All's Fair. She previously worked with him on American Horror Story: Delicate and returned to filming for the new series. It also stars Sarah Paulson, Glenn Close, Niecy Nash-Betts, Teyana Taylor and Naomi Watts. Details of the production are still under wraps but Kim and Sarah serve as executive producers on the upcoming series. Sarah gushed to Variety about Kim's smashing performance, exclaiming: "It's wonderful. She's incredibly present. She's fun, she's game, she's alive to the moment, she's great." The star also spilled that Kim welcomed her on set with a basket brimming with Skims goodies on day one of filming. Just five years after its launch, Kim's shapewear line has graced the figures of countless celebs.

Meet the 12 CFP Title Contenders: No. 11 SMUThe hosts of the Mining Minds podcast in Spring Creek, Nevada, recently talked with Conway Fraser – a guest so nice they had him on their podcast twice. For episode 165, which was released on Oct. 9, they talked with Fraser about his life and his career. For episode 167, which was released on Nov. 9, they turned the tables and Fraser interviewed podcast hosts Dino Brunson, Derek Grover and Jason James about their journeys through the mining industry and their passion for sharing real mining stories. Toward the end of that episode the Mining Minds crew talked a little bit about their plans for doing business development consulting for people getting into the Nevada mining industry. You can listen to both these episodes and many more conversations with miners by checking out the Mining Minds podcast. Here are some of the stories and conversations from episode 165, where Fraser takes us through some of his life adventures and talks about how the mining industry can benefit from good communication that shares the stories of miners and helps more people learn about modern mining. Fraser grew up in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, where his father worked in the nickel mines. “My dad said he saw an ad in the newspaper that said, ‘Miners wanted in Sudbury, no education required,’ and my dad said it was the only job he was ever qualified for.” Sudbury was very much a mining town. The city is in the basin of an old meteorite crater, with mines all round it. Fraser said that in the 1970s there were around 30,000 underground nickel miners in Sudbury, plus lots of people working in mining supply and service. The town has two smelters. Fraser ended up going into journalism rather than mining, partially because, as he says, “I talk a lot.” In high school he got into the school’s broadcasting program. His teacher told him, “You have a knack for this. You should consider doing this as a career.” He followed that advice, and became an award-winning investigative journalist and a senior producer at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. After nearly 20 years in journalism, Fraser decided to leave that career and start his own company, Fraser Torosay, to help people in the mining industry improve their communication skills, and to help mining companies share their positive stories. Fraser has written a book with Jeff Chatterton titled, “Leaders Under Fire: The CEO’s Survival Guide to Navigating Corporate Crisis”. Fraser now lives in the Waterloo area, a tech hub outside Toronto. When Fraser got out of college and got a job at the CBC, he said one incident showed him “how bad the mining industry was at communicating.” His boss asked him to cover a mining company’s open house. Mining companies were required to hold these open houses periodically, and they were like a big science fair. “There’s coffee and doughnuts and the public can walk up to anybody and start asking them questions.” “I met up with a gentleman who was the head of exploration for this mining company. I wasn’t ignorant to mining, but I wasn’t an expert on things like exploration. So I started interviewing him and I said, ‘What’s going on in exploration these days? What do I need to know?’ “And he says, ‘Well, we’re out there right now and we’re drilling, and trying to look for the next big orebody.’” Fraser asked what their reserves were, and the man said, “We only have about 10 years of reserves left. ... If we stopped exploring right now, every mine would be shut down in 10 years.” Fraser wrote a story based on that interview. “So what do you think my story was? Mining is going to be shut down in 10 years. “My phone rang at 7:30 in the morning at home, and it was my senior editor saying, ‘What the hell did you do? ... Literally people are putting their houses up for sale right now.’” “So we corrected that story. We issued an apology. And I learned a lot.” “I woke up to how much power I had as a journalist, and how important it was for me to do better research and ask better questions, but also for the mining industry to better explain what they’re saying to someone who’s not a mining expert.” Fraser learned a lot more about mining during his years as a journalist. With his background growing up in a mining community, he was often assigned to cover mining, as well as oil and gas, forestry, and Indigenous issues. When he was talking to industry people, he sometimes found himself trying to help them do a better job of communicating their message. He said sometimes when he was interviewing a mining CEO or supervisor, he would turn off his tape recorder and say, “I’m going to stop this. Can you just do a better job? Can you tell me a story and maybe, like, be a little more positive? Because this is a good news story. .... I’m not going to hit you.” “I was coaching them. And then I said, ‘Okay, I’m going to start recording again.’” “And one mining executive once said, ‘You know, this is what you should be doing for a living.’ He said, ‘That was that was really helpful. I would pay you to do this.’ “And that planted that seed,” and several years later, after about 18 years in journalism, Fraser decided to make a career change. “When I came up in journalism, the job was very simple—accuracy and fairness. And I started to see some change in the late 2000s. By then, Facebook had come out and Twitter was new, and I started to notice that we were applying a little less rigor to our stories, and that was one of the reasons why I left. “In 2009 I walked away from a perfectly good full-time job, with four kids, a pension, benefits, and I started this company because—I don’t want to say I could see the future, but I could see where this was going—and I thought to myself, I can’t do another 15 or 20 years of this. I had a great run. I worked at a different time with great people.” He decided to leave journalism and start a company and chart a new course. “My primary focus was to help mining companies communicate better.” He has evolved the company since then to also work with other industries, but mining was his original focus. Fraser said that working with his colleagues at the CBC, “I saw people with incredible educations, very well read, who still thought mining was something that it wasn’t. And this was a problem. “The mining industry has done such an incredible job on health and safety, on environmental rehabilitation. A lot of people who aren’t in mining are very surprised to learn that most mine sites in most jurisdictions that I would classify as North American jurisdictions return mine sites better than they found them. Better than they found them. Sometimes return water into rivers cleaner than they took it out. “And they don’t believe this. And I’m like, ‘Well, you’re welcome to your opinion. You’re not welcome to your facts. And these are facts.’ “And so I saw these people who were good human beings and very well educated and very well read, still getting it wrong. And I just said, ‘I think I can help this industry that is important to my family.’ My dad was still working in the mines when I left. My father-in-law was still working in the mines. My brother-in-law still works with a mining supply and service company. And it’s important to my hometown.” “All the industries that I’ve worked with, and the mining industry, the challenge is, and what we work with companies on is distilling this highly technical information, refining it to a digestible set of messages that people can understand. And when you work in a highly technical field like mining or healthcare or tech or defense, the average person won’t understand it. “A phrase that I dislike that sometimes people say is, ‘Well, I don’t want to dumb this down.’ I’m like, ‘It’s not about dumbing it down, it’s about translation. You may be speaking English, but you’re speaking mining English.’” “That’s the only skill I have, was as a journalist, going out and covering something and then being able to take it down to a two- or three-minute story. That’s what the industry needs is, when someone asks you the time, don’t tell them how to build a watch. Tell them the time.” “At our company our slogan is, ‘We change the story.’ And people always say, ‘What story do you change?’ And I say, ‘What story do you need changing?’ “And it’s not about lying. We never lie. I always tell my clients, ‘We never lie. But there are different versions of the truth.’ “And so in mining, when people come out there and say, ‘Well, mining has a horrible historic track record,’ they’re not wrong. That’s technically accurate. But it’s not the whole truth. “It’s a historical truth, and it’s fair. But mining today in North America, in what I like to call modern, sustainable environments, like Nevada, like Ontario, Canada, are very clean, very environmentally friendly, very health and safety, all the workers get great benefits, are very family oriented. “I know that’s a big theme of your podcast. That’s the best way I can describe mining, it’s like a family. I remember my dad talking about, he’s got a family at work, and he has a family at home. And I’m like, ‘Yeah, well, one family pays you money and one family costs you money, it seems like.’” “A lot of mining companies view communicating as a risk, when not communicating is the risk. When you do not communicate, the public will fill the void with rumor and speculation and opinion, and it gives a louder voice to uneducated opinions, who maybe will get on their phones and send tweets out about how bad mining is, not realizing that that phone requires 20 tons of raw ore to make, and has 67 to 72 minerals inside it. “The irony is not lost on me.” “And I think now more than ever, with what we’re seeing with mining and how some people are starting to wake up to ideas of critical minerals, mining is in a golden era right now where I think more and more people are starting to view the benefits of mining. And that’s an opportunity for mining companies to go out and tell their good stories—and not good stories about the stock prices and their bottom line—but about the people.” Fraser commented that this is why he loves what the Mining Minds podcast is doing, because they talk with people involved with all aspects of the mining industry. “You’re kind of proving the point I’ve been trying to make to mining companies for years, which is, as a journalist, I didn’t want to interview you. I wanted to interview your frontline person. I don’t want to interview your spin doctor communications person. I want to interview your engineers, or your head of environmental rehab, or your lead geologist, or the person who runs that mine. “I think mining companies are slowly starting to wake up to this.” He said that sometimes when he has come in to coach someone in the mining industry to help them become a better communicator, they have said to him something like, “I don’t think I need this, but my board chair says I need this training.” “I usually say, ‘Yeah, this isn’t going to work,’” Fraser said. “Because you don’t believe that you need the work.” He said an example of someone who had a different attitude when he met with her years ago was Amanda Hilton, who became the president of the Nevada Mining Association in 2023. “I had the distinct pleasure of working with her when she was running the Robinson mine for KGHM. ... She was given the option by her company to do weekly calls with me, as all of their general managers were given. And she did it, because she was like, ‘I want to work on this.’” “And she put in all the work, and then she started seeing outcomes. Then she got on the board with the Nevada Mining Association, and then she became the chair, and now she was helping negotiate tax reductions for the mining industry. She was doing that down at the state capital—and here’s this person who has PPE on a hanger in her office.” Fraser said good communication is key in advocating for the mining industry, working with the staff within a mining company, and helping the public to understand the importance of the mining industry and the opportunities the industry can offer. Fraser shared the story of one of the times he had the opportunity to help someone learn more about the mining industry. “I was in Reno and I was going to the Nevada Mining Association offices and I jumped in an Uber.” The Uber had a sticker on the back that said University of Nevada, Reno alumnus. The driver was a young man in his early 20s. “I said ‘Nevada Mining Association office, please.’ And he says, ‘Mining association? In Reno? In Nevada?’ I said, ‘Yeah. Big mining industry here in the state.’ And he said, ‘Really?’ “I go, ‘Yeah. What’s your degree in?’ And he says, ‘Arts.’ I go, ‘Yeah? And how’s that going?’ He said, ‘Well, I’m driving an Uber.’ “Fair enough. I said, ‘But you’re a smart guy, you have a degree, right? Do you know that the average miner in Nevada makes like $115,000 a year. I think the entry level salary is around 65,000, 67,000 dollars.’” “And he looked over his shoulder at me like, ‘You are making this up.’ And I said, ‘No, really.’ “And I said, “You can probably go back to the University of Nevada, Reno. I don’t know, but they probably have some sort of one-year Common Core program or some program that can get you into an entry level job at 60-some-odd thousand. You already have a degree—it doesn’t matter what the degree is in, it shows that you can finish something.” Fraser said there are a lot of young people today who don’t know there is any mining in Nevada. He said to the Uber driver, “You know that this car is made out of mining things, right? You know this isn’t made out of hemp and mushrooms. And you know that phone you’re using to navigate?’ “And I did my phone schtick about 20 tons of raw ore. “I said, ‘What do you like to do?’ He said, ‘I like to hunt and fish.’ I said, ‘Well, when you get in mining, you’re going to work with a lot of people who are actually conservationists. Some of the biggest conservationists I know. Hunters, fishers, but also people who pick up their garbage when they go camping, are miners. These are people who love the outdoors, because they work with Mother Earth every day. “‘These are the biggest environmentalists I know. The real environmentalists, not the ones who talk about it, but the ones who are actual people who will go out and say, ‘I’m spending the weekend restocking the lake with trout. I’m volunteering, picking up garbage this weekend.’ Real people. “These are the neighbors you want. These are the people you can count on, right? That’s mining people.” “These stories that are out there have to reach these people, because there are so many young people out there today who are struggling to find a future—beyond being an ‘influencer.’” “Most jurisdictions in education only educate people on the past of mining, and not the present and the future of mining. And I get it. We learn from our history, and we learn not to repeat it. However, you have to teach children not just about the sins of the past—and the mining industry in the past, like any industry in the past, has sins.” “Every industry has this, and mining is not immune to that. But today, it’s safe, it’s regulated. Nevada’s mining industry is one of the most heavily regulated industries, one of the heaviest taxed industries. “Do you think people in Las Vegas know that hundreds of millions of dollars of mining royalties from areas like this help pay for their libraries and their roads?” Podcast host Dino Brunson said, “My conundrum that I have is we know this, we have all this information, but yet we have not put any curriculum from K through 12th grade in at all. Our kids should be hearing about mining from kindergarten to 12th grade. It would not only help the industry, but it would help with the negative publicity. It would just help tenfold if we did that.” Fraser said, “I know that’s one of the things that the Nevada Mining Association ... I just know that Amanda Hilton is so committed to the education component of mining. When she was at KGHM, she was always bringing entire classes to the mine site. And so that’s one of her big things. “One of the things that she has talked about ... is really working on working with educators and guidance counselors to talk about the opportunities. Because the reality is, the Nevada mining industry needs these people. “They’re smart people. And just because you have a degree in English, doesn’t mean you can’t have a career in mining. You have to get some upgrading and some skills. But you know how to think, you know how to research. I’m sure the mining industry would love to have you somewhere.” Fraser talked about various ways to communicate the mining message to the public. He said advertisements might not be very effective, because people click through them. “I’d say, why buy a commercial? Why don’t we go into the belly of the beast and start doing media interviews, but be prepared for them?” Young people could be reached through social media. “Is there a way to be on TikTok, but in a respectable way? “You have to go where the audience is.” He said another possible demographic to reach is mid-career people in other states like California who might be open to moving to Nevada so they could buy a home. Fraser said the Nevada Mining Association is working on outreach. “But I would challenge local communities and say, what are you doing? And even the companies ... what are you doing to advocate at a local level, to attract that talent, but also to tell your stories?”  Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

MUNICH, Dec. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The solar technology company Sono Group N.V. SEVCF (hereafter referred to as "Sono" or the "Company", parent company to Sono Motors GmbH or "Sono Motors") today announced its financial results for the first six months of 2024, highlighting a €60.6 million profit and its recovery following its exit from insolvency earlier this year. Key financial highlights €60.6 million profit: The profit primarily stemmed from the extinguishment of liabilities, parental guarantee reversal and recapitalization and reconsolidation of Sono Motors. Operational efficiency: General and administrative expenses decreased significantly from €8.1 million in H1 2023 to €2.9 million in H1 2024, reflecting leaner operations post-restructuring. Substantial reduction in development expenses: Cost of development expenses decreased by over 96% from €16.0 million in H1 2023 to €0.6 million in H1 2024, reflecting the streamlined focus on retrofitting solar technology onto third party vehicles and the discontinuation of the Sion passenger car program. Strengthened cash position: The Company maintained a cash balance of €2.2 million as of June 30, 2024, which was further enhanced by receipt of the second tranche of funding from YA II PN, Ltd. ("Yorkville") in September 2024 in the amount of €3.0 million. This funding reinforced the Company's financial stability and supported its operational growth. Six-Month 2024 Milestone Achievements Exiting insolvency: The Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Sono Motors, successfully exited its self-administration proceedings in February 2024, marking what the Company believes is a crucial step towards the financial and operational stability of Sono. Additional funding: In H1 2024 Sono received funding commitments of up to €9 million, of which €4 million were received in February 2024 and €3 million in September 2024. Subject to compliance with the terms of the investment, the Company expects the commitments to position it to obtain sufficient funding for its business strategy and operations through June 2025. Commencement of OTCQB trading: On July 2, 2024, the Company's ordinary shares began trading on OTCQB under the symbol "SEVCF," enhancing access for investors and reinforcing shareholder transparency. Recent Updates Green Innovation Award: Sono received the prestigious Green Innovation Award at the Intermobility and Bus Expo (IBE) in Rimini, Italy. The Company believes this accolade highlights the innovative and transformative nature of Sono's solar technology and reinforces its strong position in sustainable mobility solutions. Partnership with Hofmeister & Meincke: Sono is leveraging Hofmeister & Meincke's strong market presence in Germany and globally to distribute its Solar Bus Kit, Solar Kits for trucks and vans and other solar products to potential customers. A recently completed training program for 80 Hofmeister & Meincke's sales representatives ensures they are equipped to effectively promote Sono's innovative solutions, expanding the reach of sustainable mobility technologies. Expanded product portfolio: Sono expanded its portfolio with new options for its solar bus kit, new solar kits for trucks, vans and trailers, as well as high-voltage solar solutions for refrigerated vehicles. These innovative solutions are designed to help fleet operators reduce fuel consumption, lower emissions and cut operational costs, showcasing Sono's commitment to sustainable and versatile solar applications across various vehicle types. Progress Toward Planned Nasdaq Uplisting: On November 7, 2024, at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, key measures to advance Sono's planned uplisting to the Nasdaq Capital Market were approved. These included appointing Owen May to the Supervisory Board, approving amendments to the Articles of Association to meet Nasdaq requirements, and authorizing preferred shares intended to enable potential future conversion of debt into equity. Debt-to-Equity Conversion Term Sheet Signed: Sono has entered into a non-binding term sheet with Yorkville to convert approximately $32 million in outstanding debt into equity through the issuance of preferred shares. This initiative, pending the signing of definitive agreements, strengthens Sono's balance sheet, reduces default risk, and marks significant progress towards the Company's planned Nasdaq uplisting. Looking Ahead Managing Director, CEO and CFO George O'Leary said, "We believe our results demonstrate the resilience of our business model and the effectiveness of our strategic pivot to solar retrofit solutions. We see the €60.6 million profit and successful exit from insolvency mark as a key turning point for Sono, setting the stage for sustainable growth." The Company remains committed to advancing its solar integration technology, providing scalable solutions for the transportation sector and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. For more information about Sono Group N.V., Sono Motors GmbH and their solar solutions, visit sonogroupnv.com and sonomotors.com . ABOUT SONO GROUP N.V. Sono Group N.V. SEVCF and its wholly-owned subsidiary Sono Motors GmbH are on a pioneering mission to accelerate the revolution of mobility by making every commercial vehicle solar. Our disruptive solar technology has been developed to enable seamless integration into all types of commercial vehicles to reduce the impact of CO2 emissions and pave the way for climate-friendly mobility. CONTACT: Press: press@sonomotors.com | ir.sonomotors.com/news-events Investors: ir@sonomotors.com | ir.sonomotors.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sonogroupnv FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release may contain forward-looking statements. The words "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "aim", "forecast", "project", "target", "will" and similar expressions (or their negative) identify certain of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are statements regarding the intentions, beliefs, or current expectations of the Company and Sono Motors (together, the "companies"). Forward-looking statements involve inherent known and unknown risks, uncertainties and contingencies because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future and could cause the companies' actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, risks, uncertainties and assumptions with respect to: our ability to access the unfunded portion of the investment from YA II PN, Ltd. ("Yorkville"), including our ability to successfully comply with the agreements related thereto and the absence of any termination event or any event of default; our ability to maintain relationships with creditors, suppliers, service providers, customers, employees and other third parties in light of the performance and credit risks associated with our constrained liquidity position and capital structure; our status as a foreign private issuer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; our ability to comply with OTCQB continuing standards, as well as our ability to have our shares admitted to trading on a national stock exchange, including the Nasdaq Capital Market, in the future; our ability to enter into a definitive agreement with Yorkville with respect to the conversion of outstanding debt into equity through the issuance of preferred shares; our ability to achieve our stated goals; our strategies, plan, objectives and goals, including, among others, the successful implementation and management of the pivot of our business to exclusively retrofitting and integrating our solar technology onto third party vehicles; our ability to raise the additional funding required beyond the investment from Yorkville to further develop and commercialize our solar technology and business as well as to continue as a going concern. For additional information concerning some of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect our forward-looking statements, please refer to our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including our Annual Report on Form 20-F, which are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on our website at ir.sonomotors.com. Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond our ability to control or estimate precisely, such as the actions of courts, regulatory authorities and other factors. Readers should therefore not place undue reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any contract or investment decision. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. FINANCIAL RESULTS (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) INCOME STATEMENT Six months ended €k June 30, 2024 (unaudited) June 30, 2023 (unaudited) Revenue - 42 Cost of goods sold - (70) Gross income(loss) - (28 ) Cost of development expenses (557) (16,029) Selling and distribution costs (242) (1,054) General and administrative expenses (2,874) (8,090) Other operating income/(expenses) 70 (9,065) Gain/(loss) on deconsolidation/reconsolidation 63,491 (2,877) Operating income/(loss) 59,888 (37,143 ) Interest and similar income 5,688 5,172 Interest and similar expense (4,936) (2,705) INCOME/(LOSS) BEFORE TAX 60,640 (34,676 ) Tax on income and earnings - - Income/(loss) after tax 60,640 (34,676 ) Income (loss) for the period 60,640 (34,676 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) - - TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME/(LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD 60,640 (34,676 ) Earnings per shares for income(loss) attributable to the ordinary equity holders of the company: BASIC/DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE IN EUR 0.56 (0.33 ) BALANCE SHEET €k June 30, 2024 Unaudited Dec. 31, 2023 Audited ASSETS Property, plant, and equipment 76 - Right-of-use assets 1,023 - Other financial assets 50 1,037 Noncurrent assets 1,149 1,037 Work in progress 6 - Other financial assets 8 156 Other non-financial assets 487 266 Cash and cash equivalents 2,191 7,412 Current assets 2,692 7,834 TOTAL ASSETS 3,841 8,871 EQUITY AND LIABILITIES Subscribed capital 10,843 10,840 Capital reserve 287,903 287,926 Accumulated deficit (323,698) (384,338) Equity (24,952 ) (85,572 ) Financial liabilities 938 987 Noncurrent liabilities 938 987 Financial liabilities 26,578 38,102 Trade and other payables 713 1,491 Other liabilities 564 3 Provisions - 1,628 Parental guarantee 52,232 Current liabilities 27,855 93,456 TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 3,841 8,871 © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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