Indiana quarterback Rourke earns Jon Cornish Trophy as top Canadian in NCAA football
Washington : The US House Ethics Committee has accused Matt Gaetz of “regularly” paying for sex, including with a 17-year-old girl, and purchasing and using illicit drugs as a member of Congress, as lawmakers released the conclusions of a nearly four-year investigation that helped sink his nomination for attorney general. The 37-page report by the bipartisan panel released on Monday includes explicit details of sex-filled parties and vacations that Gaetz, now 42, took part in from 2017 to 2020 while representing Florida’s western panhandle. Matt Gaetz was “un-cooperative” throughout the probe, the Ethics Committee panel said. Credit: AP Congressional investigators concluded that Gaetz violated multiple state laws related to sexual misconduct while in office, though not federal sex trafficking laws. They also found that Gaetz “knowingly and willfully sought to impede and obstruct” the committee’s work. “The Committee determined there is substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favours or privileges, and obstruction of Congress,” the report states. Ahead of the report’s release Gaetz denied any wrongdoing and criticised the committee’s process. “Giving funds to someone you are dating — that they didn’t ask for — and that isn’t ‘charged’ for sex is now prostitution?!?” he posted on X, the website formerly known as Twitter. “There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge witnesses.” Gaetz, a Republican first elected in 2017, spent the majority of his time in Washington enmeshed in scandals that ultimately derailed his nomination by President-elect Donald Trump as attorney general. His political future is uncertain, although Gaetz has indicated he would be interested in running for the open Senate seat in Florida. Gaetz was President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general. Credit: AP Lawmakers paint a damning portrait of Gaetz’s conduct, using dozens of pages of exhibits, including text messages and financial records, travel receipts, cheques and online payments, to document a party- and drug-fuelled lifestyle. The committee said it compiled the evidence after issuing 29 subpoenas for documents and testimony and contacting more than two dozen witnesses.
( MENAFN - Daily News Egypt) Three leading Egyptian banks-the National bank of Egypt (NBE), Banque Misr, and QNB AlAhli-have extended joint financing worth EGP 4.235bn to Al-Zahi Group. This financing aims to support key development projects, with NBE serving as the lead arranger, financing marketer, financing agent, and document bank within the alliance. Banque Misr acts as an initial main arranger, financing marketer, and account bank, while QNB AlAhli fulfills the role of an initial main arranger. The funding will be directed toward various projects, including facility design, land reclamation, infrastructure development, agricultural land leveling, establishing irrigation and drainage systems, and executing electrical and mechanical works. The signing ceremony was attended by prominent banking and business leaders, including Yehia Abou El-Fotouh, Deputy CEO of NBE; Sherif Riad, CEO of Corporate Banking Credit and Syndicated Loans at NBE; Mohamed Khairat, Head of Corporate Credit and Syndicated Loans at Banque Misr; Abdel Rahman Talaat, Head of Corporate Finance and Investment at QNB AlAhli; and Ahmed El Zahi, Chairman of Al-Zahi Group. Yehia Abou El-Fotouh highlighted that the financing aligns with NBE's strategy to support vital economic sectors, fostering growth across industries and value chains. He commended the efforts of the bank's team in conducting comprehensive studies and facilitating cooperation that culminated in this financing deal. Sherif Riad emphasized NBE's commitment to backing large-scale development projects in Egypt, particularly those that enhance food security and contribute to economic stability. He underscored the importance of expanding agricultural land and production, which reduces imports, improves trade balances, and creates job opportunities by leveraging modern technological methods. Mohamed Khairat reiterated Banque Misr's dedication to financing vital projects across diverse sectors to stimulate economic growth and enhance Egypt's competitiveness. He noted that this partnership reflects the bank's strategic goals of supporting the national economy, aligning with Egypt's Vision 2030 for sustainable development. Khairat also praised the collaboration among the participating banks, highlighting the shared commitment to advancing the national economy. QNB's Abdel Rahman Talaat stressed the importance of the banking sector's role in financing projects with significant economic and social impacts. He emphasized QNB Egypt's focus on supporting agricultural development to achieve food security, create thousands of jobs, and contribute to sustainable development goals. Talaat also noted QNB Egypt's growing influence in fostering major national projects through its strong relationships with international financial institutions. Ahmed El Zahi expressed gratitude for the collaboration with Egypt's leading banks, underscoring the importance of such partnerships in driving the nation's development. He highlighted Al-Zahi Group's diverse expertise in integrated general contracting, including river works, sidewalk construction, dredging, thermal and hydropower stations, roads and bridges, dams, and water and sewage networks. The company also specializes in complementary activities such as ready-mix concrete production, insulation, and polyethylene works. This joint financing underscores the critical role of Egypt's banking sector in fostering economic growth and supporting sustainable development across the nation. MENAFN23122024000153011029ID1109025660 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Adriatic Metals PLC ( OTCMKTS:ADMLF – Get Free Report ) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest during the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,306,200 shares, an increase of 19.2% from the November 30th total of 1,934,800 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 39,100 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 59.0 days. Adriatic Metals Price Performance ADMLF stock opened at $2.43 on Friday. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $2.69 and its 200-day moving average price is $2.44. Adriatic Metals has a one year low of $1.71 and a one year high of $3.37. Adriatic Metals Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Adriatic Metals Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Adriatic Metals and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak
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SAINT PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Mariah Keopple and Alexandra Labelle scored their first goals of the season and the Montreal Victoire edged the Minnesota Frost 3-2 on Saturday. Marie-Philip Poulin's goal almost six minutes into the second period was the difference as she converted a 2-on-1 from Laura Stacey and Jennifer Gardiner and Montreal (2-2-0-1), which went 0 for 3 on the power play, won its third straight while handing Minnesota (3-1-1-1) its first regulation loss of the season. Despite having the better control of the action from the start Montreal fell behind 1-0 near the middle of the first period when Claire Thompson and Taylor Heise set up Britta Curl-Salemme for her third goal of the season. But in the last five minutes of the period Keopple scored on a pass from Claire Dalton, and Labelle banged in a rebound of her initial shot. Minnesota pulled into a tie at just 3:17 into the second period when Brooke McQuigge picked up her first goal during a scramble in front of the Montreal goal. Barely 2 1/2 minutes later the Victoire were back on top on Poulin's second goal of the season and Ann-Renee Desbiens, who made 22 saves, made that stand up. Maddie Rooney made 22 saves for Minnesota, which went 0-1 on the power play. Boston plays at Montreal on Monday. The Frost are home against Boston on Thursday. AP women’s hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/womens-hockey
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said he will implement the “toughest” anti-U.S. policy, less than a month before Donald Trump takes office as U.S. president, the country's state media reported Sunday. Trump’s return to the White House raises prospects for high-profile diplomacy with North Korea. During his first term, Trump met Kim three times for talks on the North's nuclear program. Many experts however say a quick resumption of Kim-Trump summitry is unlikely as Trump would first focus on conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. North Korea's support for Russia's war against Ukraine also poses a challenge to efforts to revive diplomacy, experts say. During a five-day plenary meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party that ended Friday, Kim called the U.S. “the most reactionary state that regards anti-communism as its invariable state policy.” Kim said that the U.S.-South Korea-Japan security partnership is expanding into “a nuclear military bloc for aggression." “This reality clearly shows to which direction we should advance and what we should do and how,” Kim said, according to the official Korean Central News Agency. It said Kim's speech “clarified the strategy for the toughest anti-U.S. counteraction to be launched aggressively” by North Korea for its long-term national interests and security. KCNA didn't elaborate on the anti-U.S. strategy. But it said Kim set forth tasks to bolster military capability through defense technology advancements and stressed the need to improve the mental toughness of North Korean soldiers. The previous meetings between Trump and Kim had not only put an end to their exchanges of fiery rhetoric and threats of destruction, but they developed personal connections. Trump once famously said he and Kim “fell in love.” But their talks eventually collapsed in 2019, as they wrangled over U.S.-led sanctions on the North. North Korea has since sharply increased the pace of its weapons testing activities to build more reliable nuclear missiles targeting the U.S. and its allies. The U.S. and South Korea have responded by expanding their military bilateral drills and also trilateral ones involving Japan, drawing strong rebukes from the North, which views such U.S.-led exercises as invasion rehearsals. Further complicating efforts to get North Korea to rid itself of nuclear weapons is its deepening military cooperation with Russia. According to U.S., Ukrainian and South Korean assessments, North Korea has sent more than 10,000 troops and conventional weapons systems to support Moscow's war against Ukraine. There are concerns that Russia could give North Korea advanced weapons technology in return, including help to build more powerful nuclear missiles. Russia and China, locked in separate disputes with the U.S., have repeatedly blocked U.S.-led pushes to levy more U.N. sanctions on North Korea despite its repeated missile tests in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions. Last month, Kim said that his past negotiations with the United States only confirmed Washington’s “unchangeable” hostility toward his country and described his nuclear buildup as the only way to counter external threats. Hyung-jin Kim, The Associated PressResidents in a Gold Coast suburb have reportedly been warned to stay indoors amid a major police operation to find three men who are believed to be armed with a firearm and machete. Authorities were alerted at about 4.45am on Christmas Eve, when it is believed the men entered a property in the Gold Coast suburb of Arundel and allegedly stole money, before leaving the scene in a vehicle. No one was physically injured in the incident. Residents have reported an active police presence around the area, as police search for the men. A car was later located in the nearby suburb of Gilston, with a Queensland Police spokesman confirming officers were searching surrounding bushland. The police operation remains active, including a large-scale search involving PolAir. On social media, Gilston residents said they have been told by police to “stay inside,” and reported seeing a large police precence with officers dressed in camo gear and bulletproof vests. However a police spokesperson said there is currently no emergency declaration under the Public Safety Preservation Act (PSPA). More to come Originally published as Gilston manhunt: Police searching for men armed with gun, machete Breaking News Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. More related stories Banking Major bank hit by outage on Christmas Eve A major bank has restored services after an outage left customers unable to access their accounts on one of the busiest shopping days of the year. Read more Interest Rates RBA’s major clue on next rates decision Struggling Aussie homeowners could get a rate cut sooner rather than later as the Reserve Bank says it is “increasingly confident” about a reduction. Read moreis coming to an end — have you taken advantage of this weekend's extended Boxing Day deals yet? If not, there's still time to shop, but the clock is ticking. If you're looking for a new bag, I have a recommendation for you: end tonight — and you can score some seriously cute and functional belt bags, totes, card cases and backpacks at the best prices of the year. Below, we've rounded up all the best on bags — all under $75. But hurry, like I said, you only have until 11:59 p.m. PST to snag these finds at these prices. Quick shop: Best last-minute Lululemon Boxing Week scores on bags & accessories Everywhere Belt Bag 1L Iridescent Team Canada Future Legacy Mini Belt Bag COC CPC Logo Everywhere Belt Bag 1L Crossbody Bag with Nano Pouch 2L Clippable Card Pouch Add a fun pop of colour to your wardrobe with this red bag. It's super cute, and purchases also support Canadian athletes — now that's a win-win! Keep your need-to-have essentials on hand with this eye-catching card pouch. It can clip onto your keychain, belt loop, or bag to keep your cards and cash handy. The Everywhere Belt Bag is a classic for a reason — it adds a stylish pop of colour to any outfit and lets you stay hands-free while you're out and about. Zip, clip, and go! This handy card pouch has interior slots to organize your cards and a zippered main compartment. If you need something a little roomier, consider this easy-to-carry cross-body bag as your go-to. According to reviewers, it's the "perfect mix of practicality and style." If you love it in pictures, Lululemon reviewers swear this one-litre Everywhere Belt Bag is "even prettier in person." The wristlet has two zippered pouches to keep your belongings safe — and they're both detachable, so you can customize the look or use one as a standalone wallet. It's perfect for those days when you just need your credit card, lip chap and mints and don't want the hassle of carrying around your full purse. If you love Lululemon's Wunder Puff collection, you might love its one-litre Wunder Puff Everywhere Belt Bag. According to one shopper, the water-resistant bag is a "must-have" for any collection. This soft, plushy bag has enough space for your phone, keys, cards and a few others bits. Shoppers say it "looks great but feels even better" and that it's "nifty and practical." This clear backpack is a handy choice for concerts and festivals. Reviewers say it's "cute, stylish and full of space." This Crossbody Bag with Nano Pouch 2L is a popular pick on Lululemon. It has a ton of spots for storage and has been dubbed the "perfect go-to bag" by shoppers. Shoppers can't get enough of Lululemon's three-litre Adjustable Mini Shoulder Bag. The cute and versatile bag comes with a fixed shoulder strap and an adjustable crossbody strap, so you have two ways to wear it. The Everywhere Backpack is a fan-favourite for a reason. It has an internal sleeve for a laptop, a side pocket for a water bottle and is made of water-repellent fabric to keep all your items safe. This unique tote can be worn crossbody style for versatility. It's crafted from water-repellent fabric and has interior and exterior pockets to store your valuables.
NEW YORK (AP) — Top-ranked chess player Magnus Carlsen is headed back to the World Blitz Championship on Monday after its governing body agreed to loosen a dress code that got him fined and denied a late-round game in another tournament for refusing to change out of jeans . Lamenting the contretemps, International Chess Federation President Arkady Dvorkovich said in a statement Sunday that he'd let World Blitz Championship tournament officials consider allowing “appropriate jeans” with a jacket, and other “elegant minor deviations” from the dress code. He said Carlsen's stand — which culminated in his quitting the tournament Friday — highlighted a need for more discussion “to ensure that our rules and their application reflect the evolving nature of chess as a global and accessible sport.” Carlsen, meanwhile, said in a video posted Sunday on social media that he would play — and wear jeans — in the World Blitz Championship when it begins Monday. “I think the situation was badly mishandled on their side,” the 34-year-old Norwegian grandmaster said. But he added that he loves playing blitz — a fast-paced form of chess — and wanted fans to be able to watch, and that he was encouraged by his discussions with the federation after Friday's showdown. “I think we sort of all want the same thing,” he suggested in the video on his Take Take Take chess app’s YouTube channel. “We want the players to be comfortable, sure, but also relatively presentable.” The events began when Carlsen wore jeans and a sportcoat Friday to the Rapid World Championship, which is separate from but held in conjunction with the blitz event. The chess federation said Friday that longstanding rules prohibit jeans at those tournaments, and players are lodged nearby to make sartorial switch-ups easy if needed. An official fined Carlsen $200 and asked him to change pants, but he refused and wasn't paired for a ninth-round game, the federation said at the time. The organization noted that another grandmaster, Ian Nepomniachtchi, was fined earlier in the day for wearing sports shoes, changed and continued to play. Carlsen has said that he offered to wear something else the next day, but officials were unyielding. He said “it became a bit of a matter of principle,” so he quit the rapid and blitz championships. In the video posted Sunday, he questioned whether he had indeed broken a rule and said changing clothes would have needlessly interrupted his concentration between games. He called the punishment “unbelievably harsh.” “Of course, I could have changed. Obviously, I didn’t want to,” he said, and “I stand by that.”Sarawak Premier Makes Inaugural Visit To Mitsubishi Power's Takasago Hydrogen Park
