zoliget Cover Five: With pressure rising, Matt Rhule delivers Nebraska a bowl bid in Year 2Two schools remain fenced off years after contamination discoveredCommerce Bank decreased its position in Genuine Parts ( NYSE:GPC – Free Report ) by 1.6% during the 3rd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 10,466 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock after selling 168 shares during the quarter. Commerce Bank’s holdings in Genuine Parts were worth $1,462,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Prospera Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of Genuine Parts in the third quarter worth $297,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its stake in Genuine Parts by 1.8% in the 3rd quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 114,379 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $15,976,000 after buying an additional 2,021 shares during the last quarter. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG bought a new stake in Genuine Parts during the 3rd quarter worth about $1,407,000. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Genuine Parts by 2.7% during the 3rd quarter. Guardian Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,464 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock worth $484,000 after buying an additional 91 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Prospera Financial Services Inc grew its holdings in shares of Genuine Parts by 36.3% in the 3rd quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc now owns 3,732 shares of the specialty retailer’s stock valued at $522,000 after acquiring an additional 993 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.83% of the company’s stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several research firms have recently commented on GPC. Truist Financial cut their price objective on Genuine Parts from $164.00 to $129.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 23rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their target price on Genuine Parts from $162.00 to $135.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. Evercore ISI increased their price target on Genuine Parts from $155.00 to $160.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 22nd. StockNews.com cut shares of Genuine Parts from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Finally, Wedbush dropped their price objective on shares of Genuine Parts from $145.00 to $120.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $139.57. Genuine Parts Stock Performance Shares of NYSE GPC opened at $124.80 on Friday. Genuine Parts has a one year low of $112.74 and a one year high of $164.45. The firm has a market cap of $17.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.06 and a beta of 0.92. The stock’s fifty day moving average price is $129.44 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $137.26. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.81, a current ratio of 1.17 and a quick ratio of 0.57. Genuine Parts ( NYSE:GPC – Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, October 22nd. The specialty retailer reported $1.88 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.42 by ($0.54). Genuine Parts had a return on equity of 27.23% and a net margin of 4.67%. The business had revenue of $6 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.94 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.49 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 3.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts forecast that Genuine Parts will post 8.09 EPS for the current year. Genuine Parts Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 2nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 6th will be issued a $1.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, December 6th. This represents a $4.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.21%. Genuine Parts’s dividend payout ratio is presently 51.48%. Genuine Parts Company Profile ( Free Report ) Genuine Parts Company distributes automotive replacement parts, and industrial parts and materials. It operates in two segments: Automotive Parts Group and Industrial Parts Group segments. The company distributes automotive replacement parts for hybrid and electric vehicles, trucks, SUVs, buses, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, farm vehicles, small engines, farm equipment, marine equipment, and heavy duty equipment; and equipment and parts used by repair shops, service stations, fleet operators, automobile and truck dealers, leasing companies, bus and truck lines, mass merchandisers, farms, and individuals. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding GPC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Genuine Parts ( NYSE:GPC – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Genuine Parts Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Genuine Parts and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Dole: Release 13th month pay before Christmas eve

Fluence Energy, Inc. Reports Record Performance in 2024 and Initiates 2025 GuidanceAbsences are meaning Swope, Jimerson are logging a lot of minutes for SLU; maybe too many

The Department of Health spent the most on consultants for a second year, as federal government agencies report varied progress on a mission to slash outsourced labour. Black Friday Sale Subscribe Now! Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue Analysis of 2023-24 financial year annual reports shows Health handed out $70.8 million worth of new consultancy contracts, spending $13.9 million more than it had in the preceding year. Including expenditure on ongoing consultancy contracts, the department spent $125.9 million. Health says its use of consultants as a proportion of overall activity has remained relatively stable over the past two financial years. "The amount associated with consultancies is around 0.3 per cent of overall appropriations over the past two financial years," a spokesperson said. "This increase in the department's activity levels is related to the delivery of significant government priorities such as improving the aged care system and 'Strengthening Medicare'." Parliament House. Picture by Gary Ramage Defence trailed Health, entering into consultancy contracts worth $38.3 million in 2023-24, but topped the list for total consultancy contracts, spending $159.9 million. The figures reflect the period before the Albanese government mandated agency heads slash outsourced labour and bring core work back in-house. Reducing outsourcing bills is crucial for Labor, which is under pressure from the opposition to prove that its 36,000-place increase to the public service has been cost-effective. The latest data shows just over half of the 16 departments and two major agencies (Services Australia and the Australian Taxation Office) reduced their spending on new consultancy contracts in the 2023-24 financial year. It does not include all APS agencies, of which there are more than 100. Eight departments spent more on consultancies in the past financial year, with Services Australia, Industry and Social Services spending multi-millions on new contracts. This graph shows expenditure on new consultancy contracts in the past two financial years but does not include spending on contracts already in place. Agencies also award a broad range of contracts for other reasons, which they report as non-consultancy contracts. Non-consultancy contracts reflect a broader picture of government spending, incorporating much more than just outsourced labour. Defence soared above the rest on this measure, spending about $7.6 billion on contracts for projects such as building Australia's fleet of nuclear submarines and Defence aircraft, technology and property. This graph shows new non-consultancy contracts entered into in the past two financial years. Public Service Minister Katy Gallagher said the government had substantially reduced consultancy contracts compared to the former Coalition government. Agencies expect to cut $527 million worth of outsourced labour in 2024-25, most of which will come from contractors and labour hire rather than consultancies. "We have followed through on our promise to get this outsourcing under control and instead invest in the capability of the public service to perform this important work," Senator Gallagher said. "The facts speak for themselves. Today, there are 500 fewer consultancy contracts than there were in 2021-22. This totals a reduction of more than $130 million." READ MORE PUBLIC SERVICE NEWS: It started as a joke, but Musk's crusade to slash US public service is getting serious Big business will be required to set targets for executive boards, pay gap 'I disagree with it': Brereton pressed on robodebt mistake by parliamentary committee Spending on the big four firms, plus Accenture and Scyne Advisory, has also fallen from about $2.4 billion in 2021-22 to $1.5 billion in 2023-24. "The job of rebuilding the public service after a decade of neglect from the Liberals and Nationals is not done, but we are up for the task of making sure Australians are served by a well-resourced and community-focused APS," the Public Service Minister said. This table shows each department's total expenditure on contracts for 2023-24, and whether they spent more or less than in 2022-23. Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy Miriam Webber Public service and politics reporter Miriam Webber is a federal politics and public sector reporter, with an interest in integrity, transparency and accountability in government. She has been a member of the federal political bureau since 2023, and previously worked as the city reporter. Reach her at miriam.webber@canberratimes.com.au Miriam Webber is a federal politics and public sector reporter, with an interest in integrity, transparency and accountability in government. She has been a member of the federal political bureau since 2023, and previously worked as the city reporter. Reach her at miriam.webber@canberratimes.com.au More from Canberra Police will investigate alleged bus driver fish head assault 6m ago No comment s Job-sharing: Can two people share a Senate seat? High Court will be asked to decide 6m ago No comment s Capturing a Canberra icon: 40 years of Kingsley's marked with short doco 6m ago No comment s Getting TAFE right would be a boon for the country 6m ago No comment s Health authorities explore how meet 'extraordinary' demand surge with static staffing 6m ago No comment s 'People are going to feel it': Pollen and heat combine in 'hay fever hotspot' 6m ago No comment s Newsletters & Alerts View all DAILY Your morning news Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. Loading... WEEKDAYS The lunch break Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Loading... DAILY Sport The latest news, results & expert analysis. Loading... WEEKDAYS The evening wrap Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Loading... WEEKLY Note from the Editor Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Loading... WEEKLY FootyHQ Love footy? 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WEEKLY Motoring Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. Loading... TWICE WEEKLY Voice of Real Australia Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Loading... AS IT HAPPENS Breaking news alert Be the first to know when news breaks. Loading... DAILY Today's Paper Alert Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Loading... DAILY Your favourite puzzles Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Loading...Mufti Mohammad Kased, a student at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), sacrificed his life during the Liberation War, yet he has not been officially recognised as a martyred freedom fighter. Kased, who was the first martyr from Gafargaon upazila in Mymensingh, died in combat in the Paithol area on June 15, 1971. Inspired by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's speech on March 7, Kased decided to join the Liberation War, arriving in Mymensingh the following day. After returning to his ancestral home in Niguari, Gafargaon, he took refuge at Sarkarbari in Kandipara to train fellow freedom fighters in their struggle against the occupying Pakistani Army. Kased and his comrades later moved to the house of Dr Kali Babu in the Paithol area on June 14, 1971. On June 15, local collaborators informed the Pakistani Army of their presence, leading to a surprise attack on Paithol village. The Pakistani forces were taking away the then-chairman of the Paithol Union Parishad, Abdus Samad, when Kased and his fellow fighters, divided into three groups, launched an attack to rescue him. During the confrontation, Kased was shot in the chest and leg, dying instantly. His co-fighters and local residents performed his last rites, and he was buried in a graveyard in Joydarkhali, Gafargaon. Abul Kashem, a fellow fighter, recalled the tragic moment of Kased's death, describing how Kased was shot in the leg but continued to fight until he was struck by a fatal bullet. Three days after his burial, the Pakistani Army raided the area again, identified Kased's grave, and exhumed his body, transporting it by helicopter to Mymensingh. When the Pakistani forces learned that Kased was the son of Mohammad Wahid, the secretary of Mymensingh Municipality, they brought Wahid in to identify the body. However, he was unable to recognise Kased's decomposed remains. The body was ultimately handed over to the Mymensingh municipal authorities and reburied at Kalibari Graveyard in the city. The Pakistani Army also destroyed Kased's ancestral home in Niguari, he said. His co-fighter Abdul Hamid said Kased's bravery and dedication had not been properly honoured, despite various initiatives over the years. Kased's name is inscribed on memorial walls at BUET and Faujdarhat Cadet College. A souvenir published in 1972 during the inaugural ceremony of BUET's Titumir Hall recognised Kased alongside six other students who were martyred, with Chief of Army Staff MAG Osmani as the chief guest, he said. Family sources reveal that Kased was a provincial chess champion in East Pakistan, a devoted student of chess master Dr Qazi Motahar Hossain, and the joint-secretary of the East Pakistan Chess Council. He also had a passion for music and was skilled with the violin. Following the Liberation War, BUET held regular chess competitions in Kased's memory, and since 1983, a chess competition organised by "Shaheed Mufti Smiriti Daba Parishad" has been held in Mymensingh. In 2016, a road in Mymensingh city was named after him. In January 2021, local residents, including fellow freedom fighters, formed a human chain in Gafargaon and submitted a memorandum to the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO), Md Tajul Islam, requesting that Kased be recognised as a freedom fighter. The UNO forwarded the application to the Jatiyo Muktijuddha Council (JAMUCA) through the district commissioner in the same year, but it has yet to be gazetted, according to family sources. Mufti Mohammad Kased, a student at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), sacrificed his life during the Liberation War, yet he has not been officially recognised as a martyred freedom fighter. Kased, who was the first martyr from Gafargaon upazila in Mymensingh, died in combat in the Paithol area on June 15, 1971. Inspired by Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's speech on March 7, Kased decided to join the Liberation War, arriving in Mymensingh the following day. After returning to his ancestral home in Niguari, Gafargaon, he took refuge at Sarkarbari in Kandipara to train fellow freedom fighters in their struggle against the occupying Pakistani Army. Kased and his comrades later moved to the house of Dr Kali Babu in the Paithol area on June 14, 1971. On June 15, local collaborators informed the Pakistani Army of their presence, leading to a surprise attack on Paithol village. The Pakistani forces were taking away the then-chairman of the Paithol Union Parishad, Abdus Samad, when Kased and his fellow fighters, divided into three groups, launched an attack to rescue him. During the confrontation, Kased was shot in the chest and leg, dying instantly. His co-fighters and local residents performed his last rites, and he was buried in a graveyard in Joydarkhali, Gafargaon. Abul Kashem, a fellow fighter, recalled the tragic moment of Kased's death, describing how Kased was shot in the leg but continued to fight until he was struck by a fatal bullet. Three days after his burial, the Pakistani Army raided the area again, identified Kased's grave, and exhumed his body, transporting it by helicopter to Mymensingh. When the Pakistani forces learned that Kased was the son of Mohammad Wahid, the secretary of Mymensingh Municipality, they brought Wahid in to identify the body. However, he was unable to recognise Kased's decomposed remains. The body was ultimately handed over to the Mymensingh municipal authorities and reburied at Kalibari Graveyard in the city. The Pakistani Army also destroyed Kased's ancestral home in Niguari, he said. His co-fighter Abdul Hamid said Kased's bravery and dedication had not been properly honoured, despite various initiatives over the years. Kased's name is inscribed on memorial walls at BUET and Faujdarhat Cadet College. A souvenir published in 1972 during the inaugural ceremony of BUET's Titumir Hall recognised Kased alongside six other students who were martyred, with Chief of Army Staff MAG Osmani as the chief guest, he said. Family sources reveal that Kased was a provincial chess champion in East Pakistan, a devoted student of chess master Dr Qazi Motahar Hossain, and the joint-secretary of the East Pakistan Chess Council. He also had a passion for music and was skilled with the violin. Following the Liberation War, BUET held regular chess competitions in Kased's memory, and since 1983, a chess competition organised by "Shaheed Mufti Smiriti Daba Parishad" has been held in Mymensingh. In 2016, a road in Mymensingh city was named after him. In January 2021, local residents, including fellow freedom fighters, formed a human chain in Gafargaon and submitted a memorandum to the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO), Md Tajul Islam, requesting that Kased be recognised as a freedom fighter. The UNO forwarded the application to the Jatiyo Muktijuddha Council (JAMUCA) through the district commissioner in the same year, but it has yet to be gazetted, according to family sources.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — When the MLS playoffs began late last month, everyone who follows Inter Miami assumed coach Tata Martino would be preparing his team for the conference semifinals this week. Instead, the runner up for MLS Coach of the Year was in the Chase Stadium interview room on Friday morning announcing his resignation two weeks after the team’s shocking first-round playoff exit. Martino said he wanted to diffuse rumors and stress that he is leaving strictly for personal reasons, that he must return to his hometown of Rosario, Argentina, and that his decision was made before the first playoff game in late-October. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get the latest sports news delivered right to your inbox six days a week.Shipping Container Market: USD 10.34B in 2023 to USD 26.16B by 2031 11-25-2024 09:48 PM CET | Logistics & Transport Press release from: SkyQuest Technology Group Shipping Container Market Market Scope: Key Insights : Shipping Container Market size was valued at USD 9.21 billion in 2022 and is poised to grow from USD 10.34 billion in 2023 to USD 26.16 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 12.3% in the forecast period (2024-2031). Discover Your Competitive Edge with a Free Sample Report : https://www.skyquestt.com/sample-request/shipping-container-market Access the full 2024 Market report for a comprehensive understanding @ https://www.skyquestt.com/report/shipping-container-market In-Depth Exploration of the global Shipping Container Market Market: This report offers a thorough exploration of the global Shipping Container Market market, presenting a wealth of data that has been meticulously researched and analyzed. It identifies and examines the crucial market drivers, including pricing strategies, competitive landscapes, market dynamics, and regional growth trends. By outlining how these factors impact overall market performance, the report provides invaluable insights for stakeholders looking to navigate this complex terrain. Additionally, it features comprehensive profiles of leading market players, detailing essential metrics such as production capabilities, revenue streams, market value, volume, market share, and anticipated growth rates. This report serves as a vital resource for businesses seeking to make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving market. Trends and Insights Leading to Growth Opportunities The best insights for investment decisions stem from understanding major market trends, which simplify the decision-making process for potential investors. The research strives to discover multiple growth opportunities that readers can evaluate and potentially capitalize on, armed with all relevant data. Through a comprehensive assessment of important growth factors, including pricing, production, profit margins, and the value chain, market growth can be more accurately forecast for the upcoming years. Top Firms Evaluated in the Global Shipping Container Market Market Research Report: CIMC Group (China) Singamas Container Holdings Ltd. (Hong Kong) China International Marine Containers (Group) Co., Ltd. (China) Maersk Container Industry AS (Denmark) Textainer Group Holdings Limited (Bermuda) Seaco Global Limited (Bermuda) CXIC Group Containers Company Limited (China) Dong Fang International Asset Management Ltd. (China) W&K Container Inc. (US) CARU Containers B.V. (Netherlands) Hoover Container Solutions (US) UES International (Singapore) Storstac, Inc. (Canada) TLS Offshore Containers International (UK) CIMC Silvergreen AB (Sweden) Port Containers USA LLC (US) BSL Containers Ltd. (China) Shanghai Universal Logistics Equipment Co., Ltd. (China) Titan Container Sales Ltd. (UK) Sea Box Inc. (US) Key Aspects of the Report: Market Summary: The report includes an overview of products/services, emphasizing the global Shipping Container Market market's overall size. It provides a summary of the segmentation analysis, focusing on product/service types, applications, and regional categories, along with revenue and sales forecasts. Competitive Analysis: This segment presents information on market trends and conditions, analyzing various manufacturers. It includes data regarding average prices, as well as revenue and sales distributions for individual players in the market. Business Profiles: This chapter provides a thorough examination of the financial and strategic data for leading players in the global Shipping Container Market market, covering product/service descriptions, portfolios, geographic reach, and revenue divisions. Sales Analysis by Region: This section provides data on market performance, detailing revenue, sales, and market share across regions. It also includes projections for sales growth rates and pricing strategies for each regional market, such as: North America: United States, Canada, and Mexico Europe: Germany, France, UK, Russia, and Italy Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, Korea, India, and Southeast Asia South America: Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, etc. Middle East and Africa: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa This in-depth research study has the capability to tackle a range of significant questions that are pivotal for understanding the market dynamics, and it specifically aims to answer the following key inquiries: How big could the global Shipping Container Market market become by the end of the forecast period? Let's explore the exciting possibilities! Will the current market leader in the global Shipping Container Market segment continue to hold its ground, or is change on the horizon? Which regions are poised to experience the most explosive growth in the Shipping Container Market market? Discover where the future opportunities lie! Is there a particular player that stands out as the dominant force in the global Shipping Container Market market? Let's find out who's leading the charge! What are the key factors driving growth and the challenges holding back the global Shipping Container Market market? Join us as we uncover the forces at play! To establish the important thing traits, Ask Our Experts @ https://www.skyquestt.com/speak-with-analyst/shipping-container-market Table of Contents Chapter 1 Industry Overview 1.1 Definition 1.2 Assumptions 1.3 Research Scope 1.4 Market Analysis by Regions 1.5 Market Size Analysis from 2023 to 2030 11.6 COVID-19 Outbreak: Medical Computer Cart Industry Impact Chapter 2 Competition by Types, Applications, and Top Regions and Countries 2.1 Market (Volume and Value) by Type 2.3 Market (Volume and Value) by Regions Chapter 3 Production Market Analysis 3.1 Worldwide Production Market Analysis 3.2 Regional Production Market Analysis Chapter 4 Medical Computer Cart Sales, Consumption, Export, Import by Regions (2023-2023) Chapter 5 North America Market Analysis Chapter 6 East Asia Market Analysis Chapter 7 Europe Market Analysis Chapter 8 South Asia Market Analysis Chapter 9 Southeast Asia Market Analysis Chapter 10 Middle East Market Analysis Chapter 11 Africa Market Analysis Chapter 12 Oceania Market Analysis Chapter 13 Latin America Market Analysis Chapter 14 Company Profiles and Key Figures in Medical Computer Cart Business Chapter 15 Market Forecast (2023-2030) Chapter 16 Conclusions Address: 1 Apache Way, Westford, Massachusetts 01886 Phone: USA (+1) 351-333-4748 Email: sales@skyquestt.com About Us: SkyQuest Technology is leading growth consulting firm providing market intelligence, commercialization and technology services. It has 450+ happy clients globally. This release was published on openPR.Faraday Future Secures $30 Million Financing to Strengthen the Company’s Core Business and Continued Ramp-Up of the Faraday X (FX) Strategy

Emma Paton wows darts fans with see-through top at Sky documentary launch‘The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills’ Season 14 Taglines: Kyle Richards Has All Eyes On Her & Garcelle Beauvais Plays By Her Own Rules

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Ja Morant had 22 points and 11 assists in his return to the lineup after missing eight games with a hip injury, leading the Memphis Grizzlies to a 123-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night. Morant shot 6 fo 12 from the field, including 2 for 3 from 3-point range. Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 21 points, and Santi Aldama finished with 13 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. Deni Avdija led Portland with 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Shaedon Sharpe added 15 points for the Trail Blazers, who lost for the third time in four games. Takeaways Trail Blazers: Due to poor shooting, Portland trailed by double digits in the first half. The Trail Blazers closed within six points in he third quarter, but got no closer after a Memphis burst. Portland shot 34 for 102 (33%) overall. Grizzlies: Morant's return increased the pace of the Grizzlies' offense, among the fastest in the league, even though they were limited in fast-break points. Key moment Morant made a 3-pointer near the close of the first half, heaving a shot from three-quarters court that banked in. But the shot was after the second quarter horn, leaving Memphis leading 65-54 at the break. Key stat Portland was 4 of 42 from 3-point range in a Nov. 10 loss to Memphis. Things weren't much better in Monday's loss as Portland made only three of its 20 shots from outside the arc in the first half. And finished the game 8 of 46 from beyond the arc. Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe, left, and Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) struggle for control of the ball in the first half of an NBA basketball game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. Credit: AP/Brandon Dill Up next Portland plays the Pacers in Indiana on Wednesday. Memphis hosts Detroit on Wednesday.According to the 34-point agreement which President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, AKD for short, had with Prime Minister Narendra Modi or simply Modi, the two countries have agreed to promote, among others, trade and investment between them1. There are three agreements that are strikingly prominent and promising. One is that they have agreed to continue discussion on economic and technological agreement, shortened as ETCA, which is now in an abortive state. Another is the direct use of Indian Rupee or INR and Sri Lanka Rupee or LKR for transactions thereby avoiding the intermediate exchange currency, the US dollar. The third is for India to invest in sectors that will increase Sri Lanka’s export potential. All these are interrelated and should naturally form the core of any ETCA to be negotiated. But this is not an easy task for AKD, given that the political force behind him, namely, Janata Vimukthi Peramuna or JVP, had taken an anti-ETCA stand in the past2. Speaking at an anti-ETCA seminar hosted by JVP in January 2016, AKD, while appreciating the beneficial impact for Sri Lanka from globalised economic relations with other countries, is reported to have objected to the proposed ETCA with India. He had pronounced at this seminar: “Our opposition depends on whether such an agreement is advantageous to the country or not.”3 He is reported to have further elaborated on this point relating to ETCA with India: “There is a political gamble here. India is trying to intervene in politics in our country. Already, there are many RAW spies in Jaffna. Before our country is made a political play-ground India wants to gobble our economy. Already India has a monopoly in the vehicle, medicine and construction sectors. Already, they are controlling our economy. Through that they manipulate politics in our country. It is this political need that jumps out of Ranil’s mouth. We would never allow this agreement to be signed,”4. Eight years after this public denouncement of India and its ETCA, pragmatic AKD has realised that India is indeed a friend, not a rival, and a force to be reckoned with. The political transformation of a leader in this manner considering the best interest for his people is a salutary development. But to make this agreement a reality, AKD should now field a competent team from Sri Lanka to negotiate with their Indian counterparts on an equal footing so that those so-called dangerous components will not penetrate the final version of ETCA. The announcement in the joint press statement drew praises as well as brickbats for AKD immediately. Ex-President Ranil Wickremesinghe who had made two abortive attempts at upgrading Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement or ISLFTA to a comprehensive economic partnership agreement or CEPA in 2004 and rebranding the same as an economic and technological cooperation agreement or ETCA in 2017 had praised AKD for his bold stand on a new ETCA5. Meanwhile, those who had got their political training through hard JVP ideology have been up in arms against any attempt at rescuing ETCA by AKD. Former student leader Wasantha Mudalige who struggled against Wickremesinghe government has told a media briefing that if ETCA is allowed, about a half a million unemployed doctors from India may invade Sri Lanka drawing on its adverse consequences6. Critics are reported to have informed a national newspaper that the proposed move will adversely affect the country’s small and medium enterprises and its services sector, implying that both these sectors are still unable to compete with more advanced Indian counterparts7. Taking cue from the critics, foreign minister Vijitha Herath is said to have denied that Sri Lanka has either signed or implemented an ETCA with India8. This is a ‘move for neutralising political opponents’, but it does not augur well for the country intending to enter into an important trade and investment agreement with another country. It seems that AKD’s political backers, namely, National People’s Power or NPP, is buying time. Sri Lanka and India being close neighbours, it is natural that both these nations should have a vibrant trade relation with each other. In early days, merchants from Far East visited South Indian ports to buy export goods from Sri Lanka9. But during the latter part of the first millennium, this entrepot trade shifted from south Indian ports to ports in Sri Lanka making it an important trading centre along the East-West marine route10. Sri Lankan numismatist, Osmund Bopearachchi has established through archaeological findings the presence of Sri Lankan traders in South India and Tamil traders in Sri Lanka11. Hence, historical evidence has revealed that, as in under trade agreements, it has been a two-way traffic and not trade from India to Sri Lanka alone or vice versa. Both the previous CEPA and ETCA had elaboratively identified these goods to be traded between the two countries under duty-free conditions. But this list may need further updating today and it is the responsibility of the ETCA negotiators from each country to make a hard negotiation of same. Sri Lanka has only a four-and-a-half-decade experience of trade with India under trade agreements. The first Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement or ISLFTA, signed in December 1998, was in effect since January 2000. This trade agreement covers only the visible merchandise goods and not services. But why should Sri Lanka go for a free trade agreement with India when the global trade has become almost free with the average global tariff rate has fallen to 2% by 2022? Several reasons. The global trade as a share of the world gross domestic product or GDP has increased from 20% in 2000 to 29% in 2022. But Sri Lanka’s share of exports in the world’s GDP has declined by about 38% during this period and it has remained even less than 0.1% over these years. In contrast, India’s share has increased by about 176% from 0.7% to 1.8% during this period12. Given this perilous state, Sri Lanka should naturally jump the bandwagon of India and seek to harness the positive outcomes that would emanate from that relationship. What this means is that though the global tariff rates have declined, Sri Lanka had not been able to benefit from it by competing independently with its competitors. Hence, the support which it can marshal from a dynamic and expanding nation like India is to be utilised fully by developing bilateral trade relations. The purpose of trade agreements is to promote trade, both imports and exports. It will therefore enable the two agreeing nations to exchange the surplus goods, while filling shortages at zero or preferential tariff rates. This is true for ISLFTA too. But there are two objections to bilateral trade relations. One relates to the big-small country syndrome like India is big and Sri Lanka is small and, therefore the two countries cannot do trading on an equal footing. This objection is based on unfounded logic since trade takes place not with countries but with individuals or firms. If the big-small logic is valid, a small nation like Singapore can never have trade relations with a giant like USA. But Singapore does trade with USA well because the firms which do trading are guided not by the size but by the quality, price, and the mutual satisfaction. The other objection relates to the superior competitive advantage which one party may have over the other. In the case of ISLFTA, India is viewed as an economy with higher competitive advantage over those in Sri Lanka. Hence, Indian competition is feared by Sri Lankan counterparts because they, still being infants in business, cannot successfully compete with Indian products. As a result, it is feared that Indian goods will flood the market displacing Sri Lankan producers. This fear has an element of validity, but it had been successfully addressed in ISLFTA by having a list of goods which do not come within the agreement. This list, known as negative list, is longer in the case of Indian goods coming to Sri Lanka containing 1,180 goods and shorter in the case of Sri Lankan goods going to India covering only 429 goods13. This negative list does not enjoy tariff relief and, hence, should be traded under normal trading conditions. According to EDB, on average, about 70% of Sri Lanka’s exports to India during 2000-13 had been made under ISLFTA, while Indian products coming to Sri Lanka under the agreement had been only 17%14. Hence, the fear that ISLFTA has caused a free flow of Indian goods to Sri Lanka is not warranted. These negative lists were introduced to ISLFTA to protect domestic industries and thereby allay the fears of local producers. However, an economic analyst has found that the list has negatively contributed to the growth of the protected industries harnessing both the comparative and competitive advantages and preventing both countries to get the maximum benefit from trade liberalisation initiative15. What is suggested here is that countries should expose themselves to free trade arrangements without prohibitive strings attached to them. It is in this background that both India and Sri Lanka planned to graduate themselves to the next stage of economic relations by commencing negotiations for a wider trade agreement in the style of a comprehensive economic partnership in early 2000s. These negotiations produced a basic document for sanctioning by both countries by 2004. However, the change in the Government in Sri Lanka aborted that attempt. CEPA has been India’s style of developing economic relations with the rest of the world which it says is being done with all the countries in the world. So far India has signed comprehensive or enhanced trade partnership agreements with UAE, Australia, Canada, Israel, UK, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Nepal, Bhutan, Mauritius, covering the entire world16. Sri Lanka remaining outside this net has been a loser in the trade. The Ranil Wickremesinghe Government of 2015-9 sought to correct the situation by rebranding the previous CEPA as an economic and technological cooperation agreement or ETCA in 2015. When there was growing opposition to ETCA, I clarified the position in a five-part article series in this column17. I argued in this series that the wrong perception about ISLFTA has been misconceived since the outcome has been for the country’s benefit. The Government should place the ETCA plan before the people so that the critics can be argued out in intellectual forums and not in streets. The fear that Indian professionals in IT, Law, Medicine, and Engineering will flood Sri Lanka is not based on actual inflows but on the fear to face competition. The Government should break the silence on the entire ETCA affair and subject itself to review by people, a good practice under the democratic economic governance. Sri Lanka should link its products to global markets through supply chains developed with Indian counterparts. Sri Lanka will benefit by opening its services sector, especially, education, healthcare, and ICT, to Indian partners. ETCA is a way forward for Sri Lanka to harness the benefits of international trade for creating prosperity to Sri Lankans. It is this aborted ETCA which has resurfaced in the joint statement by the Indian and Sri Lankan leaders after they met in December 2024. In my view, AKD should not treat ETCA as a trap but an immense opportunity for Sri Lanka to get out of the current problems in the medium to long run. In that context, the previous ETCA should be expanded further by incorporating educational affiliations by local universities with those high-ranking Indian counterparts. It will pave way for Sri Lankan universities to improve the academic standards as well as research capabilities. India is expanding its investments heavily in technology and Sri Lanka should seek to harness benefits out of those tech advancements. Hence, AKD should immediately set to business by setting up a competent negotiation team to negotiate, finalise and implement ETCA as early as possible. 1https://mfa.gov.lk/india-sri-lanka-joint-statement/ 2https://www.jvpsrilanka.com/english/jvp-would-not-allow-ranil-to-subdue-mass-struggles-with-his-arrogance/ 3Ibid. 4Ibid. 5https://www.ft.lk/front-page/Ranil-praises-AKD-for-advancing-ETCA-with-India/44-770633 6https://www.thecolombopost.org/2024/12/5-lakh-indian-doctors-to-sri-lanka-with-etca-agreement/ 7https://www.sundaytimes.lk/241222/business-times/indo-lanka-etca-talks-revived-after-presidents-indian-visit-581107.html 8https://srilankamirror.com/news/vijitha-clarifies-govts-stance-on-etca/ 9De Silva, K M, 2005, A History of Sri Lanka, Vijitha Yapa, Colombo p 45. 10Siriweera, W I, 1994, A Study of the Economic History of Pre-modern Sri Lanka, Vikas, Delhi, p 133. 11https://books.openedition.org/ifp/7871#:~:text=Tamil%20Nadu%20and%20Sri%20Lanka,a%20different%20and%20important%20context. 12https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/share-of-global-merchandise-exports?tab=table&time=earliest..latest&country=Africa+%28UN%29~Asia+%28UN%29~Europe+%28UN%29~Northern+America+%28UN%29~Latin+America+and+the+Caribbean+%28UN%29~Developing+regions~Least+Developed+Countries+%28LDCs%29~Northern+Africa+%28UN%29~Sub-Saharan+Africa+%28UN%29~Oceania+%28UN%29~LKA~IND 13EDB, 2014, Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement, unpublished mimeograph, Colombo. 14Ibid. p 5. 15Perera, M S S, 2008, Impact of the Indo-Lanka Free Trade Agreement on the Sri Lankan Economy: A Computable General Equilibrium Analysis, South Asia Economic Journal, 9:1, p 1-50. 16https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1781867 17They can be accessed at: https://www.ft.lk/columns/sri-lanka-faces-crucial-tests-ahead-with-growing-opposition-to-etca/4-525181 ; https://www.ft.lk/columns/etca-is-not-cepa-in-all-respects-but-it-should-be-made-public-to-allay-fears/4-526676 ; https://www.ft.lk/columns/management-of-economic-policy-3-sri-lanka-should-tap-global-unbundling-opportunities-of-services-und/4-527941 ; https://www.ft.lk/columns/padeniya-chinthana-on-etca-govt-should-fight-it-in-intellectual-forums-not-in-the-streets/4-529777 ; and https://www.ft.lk/columns/etca-or-any-other-policy-is-destined-to-fail-if-not-properly-managed/4-530899 .

'We need new leadership': Atlantic Liberal caucus calls for Trudeau's resignationAccomplished Leader Brings Expertise in Finance and Tribal Governance SAN DIEGO , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Indigenized Energy, a Native-led organization building sustainable solar energy systems with Tribes nationwide, has announced the appointment of Lorilee J. Morsette , MS, THRP as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Morsette previously served as President of National Accounts for Tribal Markets at Mutual of America Financial Group and led HR operations for nearly 600 employees at the Nisqually Indian Tribe in Olympia, Washington . As COO, Morsette will oversee program delivery, finance, human resources, technology, and will ensure operational excellence. The newly created COO role is integral to scaling the organization's impact in 2025 and beyond. In April, Indigenized Energy, along with its partners the MHA Nation-Three Affiliated Tribes and the Tribal Renewal Energy Coalition, were awarded $135.5M in Solar for All funding by the EPA. A Suquamish and Chippewa-Cree from Rocky Boy, Montana , Morsette brings a visionary approach informed by the historical challenges faced by Indian Country. Morsette said, "Joining Indigenized Energy allows me to combine my expertise in financial services with my deep commitment to advancing opportunities for Native Americans. Our community's strength lies in our autonomy, and Indigenized Energy stands as a beacon of hope towards that goal. Together, we are Native-led, driven by our shared values, and contributing to a future where all voices and spirits thrive." Morsette's leadership adds depth to Indigenized Energy's executive team, which already excels in solar technology and tribal relations. Her presence is a milestone for Native women in leadership: women hold only 15% of C-suite roles in the finance sector and 18% in the solar industry, with Native American women representing a fraction of these figures. Cody Two Bears, Founder and CEO of Indigenized Energy said, "If we wrote a COO job description that called for expertise in corporate finance, management, Tribal governance, and values that align seamlessly with our own, and then looked for a Native American woman, we never would have found that. We cast a wider net and fortunately, connected with Lorilee at a time when she was open to a bold new leadership opportunity. Her appointment is a testament to the right timing and shared vision. I have no doubt." About Indigenized Energy With a mission focused on developing innovative and practical energy solutions, Indigenized Energy endeavors to support tribal autonomy, economic development, and environmental stewardship through clean energy initiatives. Indigenized Energy is registered as a charitable corporation in North Dakota and is a fiscally sponsored project of Mission Edge San Diego, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered in San Diego. Our Federal Tax ID # 27-2938491. https://www.4indigenized.energy/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/indigenized-energy-names-lorilee-j-morsette-as-chief-operating-officer-302334331.html SOURCE Indigenized Energy Best trending stories from the week. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. You may occasionally receive promotions exclusive discounted subscription offers from the Roswell Daily Record. Feel free to cancel any time via the unsubscribe link in the newsletter you received. You can also control your newsletter options via your user dashboard by signing in.Baby Alexis is finally an Australian citizen - but still not quite home

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Point Bridge America First ETF ( BATS:MAGA – Get Free Report )’s share price rose 0.2% on Friday . The company traded as high as $48.52 and last traded at $48.49. Approximately 1,581 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, The stock had previously closed at $48.42. Point Bridge America First ETF Trading Down 0.7 % The company has a fifty day moving average of $50.19 and a 200-day moving average of $47.88. The company has a market capitalization of $22.61 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.94 and a beta of 0.83. Point Bridge America First ETF Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) The Point Bridge America First ETF (MAGA) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Point Bridge America First index. The fund tracks an index of US large-cap companies whose employees and political action committees are highly supportive of Republican candidates. MAGA was launched on Sep 6, 2017 and is managed by Point Bridge Capital. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Point Bridge America First ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Point Bridge America First ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .