Asahi Kasei receives governmental support to expand manufacturing capacity for green hydrogen production equipment in Japan Asahi Kasei has received governmental support for the expansion of its manufacturing capacity for cell frames and membranes of alkaline water electrolyzers for the production of green hydrogen at its plant site in Kawasaki, Japan. The purpose is to establish a stable domestic manufacturing supply chain for technologies that contribute to achieving the country’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. Driven by expectations for green hydrogen as a clean energy alternative to fossil fuels, the annual installed capacity of water electrolyzers globally is forecasted to reach 31 GW by 2030. As such, the manufacturing capacity for electrolyzers and related components needs to be scaled up in order to keep pace with the expanding demand for the production of hydrogen. For decades, Japan has been a leader in the field of technology for hydrogen production and utilization. Green hydrogen is one important cornerstone of the country’s “Green Transformation (GX)” strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. As one part of this strategy, the “GX Supply Chain Construction Support Project” aims at establishing a world’s first domestic manufacturing supply chain for cutting-edge technologies that will contribute to achieving Japan’s climate goals, while nurturing economic growth. Increasing annual production capacity to 2 GW Asahi Kasei is a comprehensive manufacturer and provider of alkaline water electrolyzers for the production of hydrogen. Within the abovementioned governmental program, Asahi Kasei proposed to build new plants for both cell frames and membranes for electrolysis having manufacturing capacity of at least 2 GW each at the company’s plant site in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, by 2028. On December 18, the Japanese Government adopted this proposal for financial support. The total capital investment for this project is estimated to be approximately ¥35 billion, and Asahi Kasei expects to receive a subsidy of up to ¥11.4 billion through this initiative. Including the current manufacturing capacity for Asahi Kasei’s ion-exchange membrane chlor-alkali electrolysis process, this expansion will raise the company’s total annual capacity for cell frames and membranes to more than 3 GW. Asahi Kasei aims to create synergies between its two electrolysis businesses by establishing a system that can respond to both the uncertain expansion of the hydrogen market and the growing demand in the chlor-alkali electrolysis business, which has earned a high level of trust and market share from customers around the world. , Lead Executive Officer of Asahi Kasei and Senior General Manager of its Green Solution Project, comments : “Looking ahead to the huge market that will emerge from a new hydrogen ecosystem while anticipating market expansion toward 2030, we aim to build the world’s largest water electrolysis equipment manufacturing capacity and supply system through further capital investment and alliances with partners built through existing businesses, including overseas. Through these efforts, we aim for a 20% share of the world’s major water electrolysis equipment markets, primarily in Europe, North America, and India, by around 2030, which will contribute to strengthening the green hydrogen supply base worldwide while raising the industrial competitiveness of Japan in the field of hydrogen.” Executive Officer of Asahi Kasei responsible for Ion Exchange Membranes, Microza & Water Processing, and Green Solution Project Business Development, comments : “Establishing a stable manufacturing supply chain for green hydrogen is another major step towards realizing a hydrogen society. We will work with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), which is promoting GX to the fullest extent, to become a leading global supplier in the field of water electrolysis, while leveraging our strong network in the ion-exchange membrane industry.” the latest news shaping the hydrogen market at Asahi Kasei receives governmental support to expand manufacturing capacity for green hydrogen production equipment in Japan, India-born Avaada Group Commits $12bn to Transform Rajasthan into a Global Renewable Energy Hub – Green Hydrogen and Ammonia included MUMBAI, India, Dec. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Avaada Group, a leading name... Solar step forward for green hydrogen Another advance has been made by experts in nano-scale chemistry to propel further development of sustainable and efficient generation of hydrogen from water using solar power. In a... Green Hydrogen Prices Will Remain Stubbornly High for Decades (Bloomberg) — Green hydrogen has been touted by politicians and business leaders alike as a key fuel for a carbon-free future. But it will remain far...
Laurie Baratti | (TNS) TravelPulse As the holidays approach, travelers hoping for smooth journeys will want to know at which U.S. airports the weather most often wreaks havoc. A recent analysis by Upgraded Points, using data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, revealed which airports are most likely to experience weather-related delays from November through January. Related Articles The right book can inspire the young readers in your life, from picture books to YA novels Holiday gift ideas for the movie lover, from bios and books to a status tote These holiday gifts change the game when building fires, printing photos, watching birds and more Beer pairings for your holiday feasts Best (and worst) Black Friday deals of 2024 The analysis identifies five major U.S. airports that regularly see high numbers of weather-related delays during the holiday months. These airports, which include both coastal and northern hubs, are vulnerable to various weather disruptions, from heavy rains and fog to snow and icy conditions. Travelers flying through these locations should be prepared for longer waits and potential rescheduling. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) tops the list, with a striking 42.3% of holiday delays caused by weather. December is particularly challenging at SFO, where over half of all delays in that month (50.5%) are weather-related, often due to rain and fog. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) follows closely, with 42.1% weather-related delays, driven by the frequent winter storms that hit the East Coast. LaGuardia Airport (LGA), an East Coast hub, ranks third with 38.3% of delays attributed to inclement weather, reflecting the challenges of winter travel in the Northeast. In Seattle, November rain and fog are common, contributing to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s (SEA) 38.1% weather-delay rate. Rounding out the top five, Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS) has a 31.3% weather-delay rate, which spikes during the city’s harsh winter season. For travelers looking to avoid weather-related delays, several U.S. airports typically experience fewer disruptions during the holiday months. Warm coastal climates and reliably milder weather conditions help keep these airports running smoothly. With a low weather-related delay rate of 11%, Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is the most reliable option for those aiming for hassle-free holiday travel. Thanks to Hawaii’s tropical climate, flights here face few weather disruptions even during peak travel periods. Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) are close behind, each with around 12% of delays attributed to weather. Meanwhile, Dallas Love Field (DAL), San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Miami International Airport (MIA) all see weather-related delays at rates under 13.5%, making them solid options for travelers seeking smoother travel experiences. 1. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – 42.3% of delays due to weather 2. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) – 42.1% 3. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) – 38.3% 4. Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) – 38.1% 5. Logan International Airport (BOS) – 31.3% 1. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) – 11% 2. William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) – 12.3% 3. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – 12.4% 4. Dallas Love Field (DAL) – 12.7% 5. San Diego International Airport (SAN), Miami International Airport (MIA) – 13.1% (tied) ©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift are impacted by three strict Kansas City Chiefs rulesMispricing Opportunity: Lending to Immigrant Founders
Abiodun commends Remoland for advancement in agric, education, others
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ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 3, 2024-- Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust (the “Fund”), a closed-end fund traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FINS, today declared a distribution of $0.109 per share for the month of December 2024. The record date for the distribution is December 17, 2024, and the payable date is December 31, 2024. The Fund will trade ex-distribution on December 17, 2024. The Fund seeks to pay a distribution at a rate that reflects net investment income actually earned. A portion of each distribution may be treated as paid from sources other than net investment income, including but not limited to short-term capital gain, long-term capital gain, or return of capital. As required by Section 19(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, a notice will be distributed to shareholders in the event that a portion of a monthly distribution is derived from sources other than undistributed net investment income. The final determination of the source and tax characteristics of these distributions will depend upon the Fund’s investment experience during its fiscal year and will be made after the Fund’s year end. The Fund will send to investors a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will define how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. Angel Oak does not provide tax advice; shareholders should consult their tax advisor. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect a fund’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income.” ABOUT FINS Led by Angel Oak’s experienced financial services team, FINS invests predominantly in U.S. financial sector debt as well as selective opportunities across financial sector preferred and common equity. Under normal circumstances, at least 50% of FINS’ portfolio is publicly rated investment grade or, if unrated, judged to be of investment grade quality by Angel Oak. ABOUT ANGEL OAK CAPITAL ADVISORS, LLC Angel Oak Capital Advisors is an investment management firm focused on providing compelling fixed-income investment solutions to its clients. Backed by a value-driven approach, Angel Oak Capital Advisors seeks to deliver attractive, risk-adjusted returns through a combination of stable current income and price appreciation. Its experienced investment team seeks the best opportunities in fixed income, with a specialization in mortgage-backed securities and other areas of structured credit. Information regarding the Fund and Angel Oak Capital Advisors can be found at www.angeloakcapital.com . Past performance is neither indicative nor a guarantee of future results. Investors should consider the investment objective and policies, risk considerations, charges and ongoing expenses of an investment carefully before investing. For more information please contact your investment representative or Destra Capital Advisors LLC at 877.855.3434. © 2024 Angel Oak Capital Advisors, which is the investment adviser to the Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203558524/en/ CONTACT: Media: Trevor Davis, Gregory FCA for Angel Oak Capital Advisors 443-248-0359 trevor@gregoryfca.comCompany : Randy Chrisman, Chief Marketing & Corporate IR Officer, Angel Oak Capital Advisors 404-953-4969 randy.chrisman@angeloakcapital.com KEYWORD: GEORGIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ASSET MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINANCE SOURCE: Angel Oak Financial Strategies Income Term Trust Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/03/2024 04:30 PM/DISC: 12/03/2024 04:30 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203558524/en
San Francisco (5-5) at Green Bay (7-3) Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST, FOX BetMGM NFL odds: Packers by 2 1/2. Against the spread: 49ers 4-6; Packers 4-6 Series record: Packers lead 38-34-1 Last meeting: 49ers beat Packers 24-21 in NFC divisional playoff game Jan. 20, 2024, in Santa Clara, California. Last week: 49ers lost 20-17 at home to Seattle; Packers won 20-19 at Chicago 49ers offense: overall (2), rush (7), pass (4), scoring (T-8) Packers offense: overall (4), rush (4), pass (9), scoring (T-8) 49ers defense: overall (6), rush (8), pass (8), scoring (T-16) Packers defense: overall (12), rush (14), pass (13), scoring (10) Turnover differential: 49ers plus-3; Packers plus-5 QB Brandon Allen: With Brock Purdy unavailable due to a sore right shoulder, Allen will make his first start in three years. The 32-year-old Allen has made nine career starts, and his teams have gone 2-7 in those games. His last start came with Cincinnati in the 2021 regular-season finale when the Bengals rested usual starter Joe Burrow to get ready for the playoffs. Allen has thrown three passes in the last three seasons, including none since joining San Francisco in 2023. Allen was a member of the Los Angeles Rams in 2017, when Packers coach Matt LaFleur was that team’s offensive coordinator. RB Josh Jacobs has 838 yards rushing this season to rank third in the NFL entering Week 12. He ran for 76 yards and a touchdown while also catching five passes for 58 yards against the Bears. Jacobs has scored four touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving) over his past four games. He has at least 90 yards from scrimmage over his past six games, matching Houston’s Joe Mixon for the NFL’s longest such active streak. 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey vs. Packers run defense: McCaffrey rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns — including the game-winner with 1:07 left — in the 49ers’ playoff victory over the Packers last season. Green Bay is coming off a performance in which it allowed a season-high 179 yards rushing to the Bears. Purdy isn't playing due to a sore throwing shoulder. ... The 49ers also won't have Nick Bosa after he injured his left hip and oblique against the Seahawks. ... Niners CB Charvarius Ward will miss a third straight game following the death of his 1-year-old daughter. ... Niners LT Trent Williams (ankle) is questionable. ... Niners TE George Kittle is expected back after missing last week’s game with a hamstring injury. ... Packers CB Jaire Alexander (knee) and LB Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring) have been ruled out. ... Packers guard Jordan Morgan (shoulder) is on injured reserve. The 49ers have beaten the Packers in the playoffs three of the past five years. That includes a 37-19 victory in the 2019 NFC championship, a 13-10 upset at Lambeau Field in the 2021 divisional round and the 24-21 thriller last season. The past three matchups between these teams — including a Packers 30-28 road victory on Sept. 26, 2021 — have been decided by a total of eight points. This marks the first time these teams have faced off at Lambeau Field during the regular season since a Packers 33-30 triumph on Oct. 15, 2018. Each of the past three Packers-49ers games at Green Bay have been decided by three points. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan and Packers coach Matt LaFleur worked together as assistants at Houston (2008-09), Washington (2010-13) and Atlanta (2015-16). A loss would give the 49ers a losing record more than 10 games into a season for the first time since going 6-10 in 2020. ... San Francisco has lost a league-worst three games this season after leading in the final two minutes of regulation. ... The 49ers have allowed 36 points in the final two minutes of regulation, second most in the NFL. ... The Niners had only one play from scrimmage go for at least 20 yards last week, tied for the fewest in any game in eight seasons under Shanahan. ... San Francisco is outgaining the opposition through the air by an NFL-best 53.9 yards per game. ... McCaffrey has topped 100 yards from scrimmage in his first two games back from Achilles tendinitis and has five straight games with at least 100 yards from scrimmage going back to last postseason. ... McCaffrey’s 57 games with at least 100 yards from scrimmage are the most for any active player. ... The 49ers are 1-5 this season when Purdy turns the ball over and 4-0 when he doesn’t. ... Purdy’s four rushing TDs are the most in a season for a Niners QB since Colin Kaepernick had four in 2013. ... This is the first of three games the Packers are playing in a 12-day stretch. They host the Miami Dolphins on Thanksgiving night and visit the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions on Dec. 5. ... The Packers are tied for fourth in the league with 19 takeaways, but they don’t have any over their past two games. ... Packers S Xavier McKinney has six interceptions this season to rank second in the league, behind Detroit’s Kerby Joseph (seven). McKinney has seven total takeaways, putting him in a tie for first with Joseph. ... Jacobs’ 838 yards rushing and 1,024 scrimmage yards this season are the most any Packer has had in his first 10 games with the team. Jacobs’ 1,024 scrimmage yards are the most for any Packer through the first 10 games of a season since Ahman Green had 1,057 at this point in 2004. ... Packers DL Rashan Gary had his 35th sack against Chicago to overtake teammate Kenny Clark for ninth place in franchise history. Clark, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, is still seeking his first sack of the season. ... The Packers and 49ers have the NFC’s best regular-season winning percentage since 2019. The Packers are 63-30 and the 49ers 59-34 during that stretch. ... San Francisco’s George Kittle has seven touchdown catches to lead all NFL tight ends. Green Bay’s Tucker Kraft has five touchdown receptions to match Baltimore’s Mark Andrews for the second-highest total among tight ends. ... The 49ers rank 26th in the league with TDs on 48.8% of their red zone drives. Green Bay is 27th in that category and has scored TDs on 48.7% of its drives. Packers WR Christian Watson’s slow start to the season means he might have been stashed on someone’s bench or perhaps even became available on some fantasy football waiver wires. Now would be a good time to try to acquire him. Watson had four catches for a career-high 150 yards against the Bears. After getting targeted just 14 times over his first six games, Watson’s had 17 targets in his past three. He had a catch each of the four times Jordan Love targeted him in Chicago. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLBy LISA MASCARO and ALANNA DURKIN RICHER WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee’s long-awaited report on Matt Gaetz documents a trove of salacious allegations , including sex with an underage girl, that tanked the Florida Republican’s bid to lead the Justice Department . Related Articles National Politics | An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump National Politics | Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal National Politics | House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of ‘regularly’ paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girl National Politics | Trump wants mass deportations. For the agents removing immigrants, it’s a painstaking process National Politics | Many Americans have come to rely on Chinese-made drones. Now lawmakers want to ban them Citing text messages, travel receipts, online payments and testimony, the bipartisan committee paints a picture of a lifestyle in which Gaetz and others connected with younger women for drug-fueled parties, events or trips, with the expectation the women would be paid for their participation. The former congressman, who filed a last-minute lawsuit to try to block the report’s release on Monday, slammed the committee’s findings. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and has insisted he never had sex with a minor. And a Justice Department investigation into the allegations ended without any criminal charges filed against him. “Giving funds to someone you are dating — that they didn’t ask for — and that isn’t ‘charged’ for sex is now prostitution?!?” Gaetz wrote in one post on Monday. “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.” Here’s a look at some of the committee’s key findings: The committee found that between 2017 and 2020, Gaetz paid tens of thousands of dollars to women “likely in connection with sexual activity and/or drug use.” He paid the women using through online services such as PayPal, Venmo, and CashApp and with cash or check, the committee said. The committee said it found evidence that Gaetz understood the “transactional nature” of his relationships with the women. The report points to one text exchange in which Gaetz balked at a woman’s request that he send her money, “claiming she only gave him a ‘drive by.’” Women interviewed by the committee said there was a “general expectation of sex,” the report said. One woman who received more than $5,000 from Gaetz between 2018 and 2019 said that “99 percent of the time” that when she hung out with Gaetz “there was sex involved.” However, Gaetz was in a long-term relationship with one of the women he paid, so “some of the payments may have been of a legitimate nature,” the committee said. Text messages obtained by the committee also show that Gaetz would ask the women to bring drugs to their “rendezvous,” the report said. While most of his encounters with the women were in Florida, the committee said Gaetz also traveled “on several occasions” with women whom he paid for sex. The report includes text message exchanges in which Gaetz appears to be inviting various women to events, getaways or parties, and arranging airplane travel and lodging. Gaetz associate Joel Greenberg, who pleaded guilty to sex trafficking charges in 2021, initially connected with women through an online service. In one text with a 20-year-old woman, Greenberg suggested if she has a friend, the four of them could meet up. The woman responded that she usually does “$400 per meet.” Greenberg replied: “He understands the deal,” along with a smiley face emoji. Greenberg asks if they are old enough to drink alcohol, and sent the woman a picture of Gaetz. The woman responded that her friend found him “really cute.” “Well, he’s down here for only for the day, we work hard and play hard,” Greenberg replied. The report details a party in July 2017 in which Gaetz is accused of having sex with “multiple women, including the 17-year-old, for which they were paid.” The committee pointed to “credible testimony” from the now-woman herself as well as “multiple individuals” who corroborated the allegation. The then-17-year-old — who had just completed her junior year in high school — told the committee that Gaetz paid her $400 in cash that night, “which she understood to be payment for sex,” according to the report. The woman acknowledged that she had taken ecstasy the night of the party, but told the committee that she was “certain” of her sexual encounters with the then-congressman. There’s no evidence that Gaetz knew she was a minor when he had sex with her, the committee said. The woman told the committee she didn’t tell Gaetz she was under 18 at the time and that he didn’t how old she was. Rather, the committee said Gaetz learned she was a minor more than a month after the party. But he stayed in touch with her after that and met up with her for “commercial sex” again less than six months after she turned 18, according to the committee. In sum, the committee said it authorized 29 subpoenas for documents and testimony, reviewed nearly 14,000 documents and contacted more than two dozen witnesses. But when the committee subpoenaed Gaetz for his testimony, he failed to comply. “Gaetz pointed to evidence that would ‘exonerate’ him yet failed to produce any such materials,” the committee said. Gaetz “continuously sought to deflect, deter, or mislead the Committee in order to prevent his actions from being exposed.” The report details a months-long process that dragged into a year as it sought information from Gaetz that he decried as “nosey” and a “weaponization” of government against him. In one notable exchange, investigators were seeking information about the expenses for a 2018 get-away with multiple women to the Bahamas. Gaetz ultimately offered up his plane ticket receipt “to” the destination, but declined to share his return “from” the Bahamas. The report said his return on a private plane and other expenses paid by an associate were in violation of House gift rules. In another Gaetz told the committee he would “welcome” the opportunity to respond to written questions. Yet, after it sent a list of 16 questions, Gaetz said publicly he would “no longer” voluntarily cooperate. He called the investigation “frivolous,” adding: “Every investigation into me ends the same way: my exoneration.” The report said that while Gaetz’s obstruction of the investigation does not rise to a criminal violation it is inconsistent with the requirement that all members of Congress “act in a manner that reflects creditably upon the House.” The committee began its review of Gaetz in April 2021 and deferred its work in response to a Justice Department request. It renewed its work shortly after Gaetz announced that the Justice Department had ended a sex trafficking investigation without filing any charges against him. The committee sought records from the Justice Department about the probe, but the agency refused, saying it doesn’t disclose information about investigations that don’t result in charges. The committee then subpoenaed the Justice Department, but after a back-and-forth between officials and the committee, the department handed over “publicly reported information about the testimony of a deceased individual,” according to the report. “To date, DOJ has provided no meaningful evidence or information to the Committee or cited any lawful basis for its responses,” the committee said. Many of the women who the committee spoke to had already given statements to the Justice Department and didn’t want to “relive their experience,” the committee said. “They were particularly concerned with providing additional testimony about a sitting congressman in light of DOJ’s lack of action on their prior testimony,” the report said. The Justice Department, however, never handed over the women’s statements. The agency’s lack of cooperation — along with its request that the committee pause its investigation — significantly delayed the committee’s probe, lawmakers said.Khushwant Singh Books In Order: A Comprehensive Guide
'Extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian': Joe Biden mourns Jimmy CarterThe 39th president of the United States has died at 100. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution confirmed the news with a post on X, stating the son of the former president said his father had died around 3:40 p.m. ET in his Plains home. People across the country and the world are reflecting on former President Jimmy Carter and his life, which was full of achievements. He died at the age of 100 at his longtime home in Plains, Georgia . While the 39th president will be remembered for setting a national energy policy and working on peace accords, it was his establishment of an agency aimed at responding to disasters that continues to impact many communities today. Since the country’s formation in the 1700s, local governments have faced disasters in which the needed response has been considered too great to handle. The federal government started providing aid and assistance in the early 1800s, but it wasn’t until Carter’s signing of Executive Order 12127 that an agency was solely tasked with responding to hurricanes, floods, earthquakes and other disasters. Before Carter was sworn in on Jan. 20, 1977, the country was reeling from natural disasters, with poor governmental responses that only made the catastrophes worse. In 1962, an extratropical cyclone slammed into the mid-Atlantic and became one of the most destructive storms ever to impact the states. The year 1964 brought the most powerful earthquake to ever strike North America, with a 9.2-magnitude quake shaking the ground underneath Alaska. Over the next five years, communities along the Gulf Coast would face double disasters from major hurricanes Betsy and Camille. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter speaks as he tours homes being built by Habitat for Humanity in Pascagoula, Mississippi, in May 2008 during rebuilding efforts after Hurricane Katrina. (Photo by James Edward Bates/Biloxi Sun Herald/Tribune News Ser All these disasters caused extensive devastation and were responsible for killing hundreds of people, but a common theme emerged – poorly coordinated responses . According to the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum , the president had universal support from governors and interest groups to form an agency to combat the problem. With the political will in hand, the Federal Emergency Management Agency was born on April 1, 1979. The agency was tasked with emergency management response and merged the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency, Federal Preparedness Agency, Federal Disaster Assistance Administration, Federal Insurance Administration, U.S. Fire Administration and half-a-dozen other programs. Gordon Vickery , a highly respected firefighter, who rose through the ranks to become the fire chief in Seattle, was selected as interim head of the then-2,400-person-strong agency. In the hours before the agency’s ramp-up, an accident at the Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Plant in Pennsylvania overshadowed the initial days of the agency and drew attention to inadequate preparedness surrounding highly volatile energy plants. Dangerous and now deadly severe weather is sweeping through the South Saturday evening, just hours after multiple tornadoes left damage in the southeastern part of Texas. Bill Bunting, Deputy Director of the National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center join LiveNOW's Austin Westfall to give the latest weather update. The event would trigger one of many expansions of powers for the newly-formed agency. Carter signed Executive Order 12148 , which directed FEMA to develop a plan to respond to nuclear emergencies. Now, the agency, once solely tasked with emergency management responses, also gained civil defense responsibilities. These changes were far from the last for the agency with a then-$600 million budget. The position of leading FEMA appeared to become a preverbal carousel with three leaders in just two months. Stability among government ranks took a further hit when Carter lost his reelection campaign to former California Gov. Ronald Reagan. The changing of the guard at the White House did little to stop the trend of temporary appointments, as 1981 brought three additional heads to the agency. In addition to the change at the top, a political landslide gave the Regan administration the political power to change course on many aspects of government operations and that included FEMA. According to an agency history , developments in Cold War diplomacy contributed to more wartime hazard planning. The leader at the time, retired Army officer Louis Giuffrida, made it to be the longest-serving head of FEMA, but questionable actions and congressional investigation ultimately led to his resignation in 1985. The agency once again fell into the pattern where it was anyone’s gig, but a disaster known as Hurricane Hugo in 1989 served as a reminder of the importance of a functioning FEMA. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper called the ongoing disaster "catastrophic," as the state manages its worst flooding in a century. Search and rescue teams from 19 states, as well as the federal government, are on the ground trying to help residents. Cell phone service is down, and the governor's office reports more than 200 people have been rescued from flood waters so far. FEMA's Acting Director of Response and Recovery, Keith Turi, joins LiveNOW from FOX with the latest operation details. Hugo was the strongest storm to strike the U.S. coastline in two decades and came ashore in the Carolinas as a Category 4 hurricane with estimated winds of at least 135 mph. The storm produced $11 billion in damage, and FEMA was in charge of the response. A government history of the time period stated: "FEMA, the agency in charge of the response process, received most of the blame; FEMA, not Hurricane Hugo, was referred to as the real disaster." Again, the agency was the subject of congressional ridicule, with U.S. Sen. Ernest Hollings calling FEMA "the sorriest bunch of bureaucratic jackasses I’ve ever known." The administration of President George H.W. Bush pledged to set the course right on FEMA and searched high and low for its next head. The administration put their faith in Wallace Stickney from New England. No one could foresee that the agency would be tasked with its largest disaster in more than two years – Hurricane Andrew . The major hurricane made landfall on Aug. 24, 1992, as a Category 4 hurricane in South Florida. A NOAA reanalysis in 2004 upgraded the costliest hurricane ever to a Category 5. Similar to Hurricane Hugo, the response to the catastrophe was considered inadequate and had local, state and even some federal officials asking if the agency’s response made the disaster even worse. A federal investigation into the agency’s response found that plans for disasters were not adequate, local governments were overwhelmed and the movement of materials and personnel into the impact zone was too slow. The administration of President Bill Clinton brought a slew of new faces into the federal government, including James Lee Witt. The Arkansan knew a thing or two about emergency services and was appointed as the sixth permanent administrator of FEMA. Similar to other leaders of the agency, Mother Nature did not provide a grace period for Witt, as hurricanes, massive floods and West Coast earthquakes left few areas of the country unaffected. One of the largest disasters was the Great Flood of 1993, which impacted nearly a dozen states and caused damages of more than $15 billion across the Midwest. During the recovery, officials lauded FEMA’s response and confidence grew in Witt being the right person to lead the agency. Former U.S. president Jimmy Carter remains in home hospice after a series of hospital stays. Thomas Whalen, an associate professor of Social Sciences at Boston University joined LiveNOW from FOX's Josh Breslow to discuss Carter's legacy. A series of disasters, including the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995, proved the agency was at the beckoning of any municipality. Not long after the deadliest act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history, Clinton raised the FEMA position to cabinet-level status, underscoring the growing importance and reliability of the agency. During a 1998 interview , Witt was asked what adjustments were made that enabled outsiders to view FEMA in a more positive light versus the ridicule and scorn that had plagued it. "We worked hard at creating a more customer-focused agency," Witt said. "A major initiative was to provide customer service training to all FEMA employees, including senior management. This was a huge undertaking." After Witt’s reign, the agency would go on to have many ups and downs, including what news organizations reported was a botched response to Hurricane Katrina , which struck the Gulf Coast on Aug. 29, 2005. The major storm resulted in more than 1,300 fatalities and a damage figure that topped a 2023-cost-adjusted price tag of $191 billion. REPORT: 90% OF COUNTIES IN US EXPERIENCED AT LEAST 1 DISASTER IN PAST DECADE On significant anniversaries, FEMA leaders usually take to social media to reflect on the agency’s beginning, but on a daily basis, trainees are exposed to a message that reflects upon Carter’s role in its establishment. Located within FEMA training documents is a pledge that the commitment bestowed on the agency by Carter will never change. The passage reads: "On April 1, 1979, President Jimmy Carter signed the Executive Order that created the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). From day one, FEMA has remained committed to protecting and serving the American people. That commitment to the people we serve and the belief in our survivor-centric mission will never change." In many ways, the agency continues to follow one of the first lines ever uttered by the 39th president. During his inaugural address on that cold, 28-degree day in January, Carter boldly told the crowd of thousands: "To be true to ourselves, we must be true to others." The line was part of a 1,228-word speech that the White House Historical Association said was focused on rejecting mediocrity and restoring trust in the federal government. Read more of this story from FOX Weather.
Amen Thompson throws Tyler Herro to the court, sparking fight in Heat-Rockets game
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Nearly half of low-income families do not use social fund support for their children. This is evident from research that ABN Amro conducted together with the Youth Fund for Sport & Culture. Approximately 1.2 million people have to survive on an income around the poverty line. They may, therefore, be eligible for support for additional expenses for their children, for things like sports and cultural activities. However, almost half of the families do not use this. People with work and a low income are especially reluctant to ask for support. Uncertainty about the application criteria and shame in asking for help play an important role, according to the researchers. Many parents also fear complicated procedures and think that the money may have to be repaid. People on benefits or social assistance often ask for support. Funds that parents can call on include the Leergeld Foundation, the Youth Sports & Culture Fund, and the Jarige Job Foundation. According to the researchers, it is noticeable that once people use a fund, the threshold for applying to other social funds becomes lower. For example, 15 percent of families have applied for a facility from two and 19 percent from three or more funds.Stock market today: US stocks rise as Nvidia, Broadcom, lead tech sector higherThe European Union is ending an antitrust investigation into Apple e-books, reported. No verdict has been delivered, as the case has been closed abruptly since the original party that filed it chose to withdraw its complaint. However, this does not equate to a clean chit awarded to Apple. It is just that the party that filed the case has now opted out of it. While no reason is given for withdrawing the complaint, that could be because it has become irrelevant, given that the Digital Markets Act is now in force. As per the act, Apple can no longer have a monopoly on selling iPhone apps or in-app purchases. By default, this also covers the sale of e-books and everything else via the Apple platform. “The closure of an investigation is not a finding that the conduct in question complies with EU competition rules. The Commission will continue to monitor business practices in the European tech sector, including those of Apple, both under the DMA [Digital Markets Act] and competition rules,” the Commission stated. As part of its compliance with the Digital Markets Act, Apple no longer monopolizes iPhone app sales or in-app purchases. Instead, it now allows third-party app stores to be part of its broader ecosystem. Since this applies to e-books as well as sold on its platform, it becomes unnecessary to continue with the investigations. The case which started back in 2020 has been filed by an unnamed party accusing Apple of forcing users to purchase e-books only via its own platform. This enables Apple to take a 15-30 percent cut on each transaction, something that is in gross violation of the EU competition laws. With a keen interest in tech, I make it a point to keep myself updated on the latest developments in technology and gadgets. That includes smartphones or tablet devices but stretches to even AI and self-driven automobiles, the latter being my latest fad. Besides writing, I like watching videos, reading, listening to music, or experimenting with different recipes. The motion picture is another aspect that interests me a lot, and I'll likely make a film sometime in the future.
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Gary Lineker has joked about his Match Of The Day departure as he hosted the show for the first time since confirming he is to step down. The BBC announced last week that Lineker will leave his role as host, which he has held since 1999, at the end of the current football season. Saturday’s episode of the football highlights programme opened with pundit Alan Shearer, Lineker’s fellow former England striker, saying direct to the camera: “All good things must come to an end.” Lineker then appeared, and said: “Yes Alan – Lee Carsley’s England reign is over. It’s back to business in the Premier League.” Despite his exit, the 63-year-old will remain with the BBC after both parties agreed to a contract extension through to the 2026 World Cup. Lineker will host BBC Sport’s coverage of the FA Cup in the 2025-26 campaign and continue presenting the Match Of The Day: Top 10 podcast for BBC Sounds, which will also host The Rest Is Football podcast, produced by Lineker’s Goalhanger Podcasts, with one episode released on the platform each week. The BBC has said future plans for Match Of The Day would be “announced in due course” with Mark Chapman, Alex Scott, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan among those being tipped as candidates to replace him. Following the announcement, Lineker said it “has been an absolute joy and privilege to present such an iconic show for the BBC, but all things have to come to an end” on his podcast, The Rest Is Football. He added: “I bowed out in my football career when I felt it was the right time. I feel this is now the right time. “I think the next contract they’re looking to do Match Of The Day slightly differently, so I think it makes sense for someone else to take the helm.” Lineker has hosted Match Of The Day since 1999 and will have presented the show for more than a quarter of a century when he leaves in May 2025.PINE BLUFF, Ark. (AP) — Quintell Quinn ran for 154 yards and two touchdowns to lead Texas Southern to a 31-23 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff on Saturday. Quinn scored on a 32-yard run to open the scoring midway through the first quarter, and his 75-yard touchdown run gave Texas Southern a 17-13 lead with 6:59 remaining in the third. A little more than three minutes later, Jace Wilson threw a 21-yard touchdown pass to Trenton Leary that stretched the Tigers' lead to 24-13. Athean Renfro added 55 yards rushing with a 1-yard TD run in the fourth quarter for Texas Southern (5-6, 4-4 Southwestern Athletic Conference). DJ Stevenson threw a touchdown pass and an interception for Arkansas-Pine Bluff (3-8, 2-6). Abdulbasit Osholake had an 80-yard pick-6 that tied it 7-all late in the second quarter for the Lions. ___ Get alerts on the latest AP Top 25 poll throughout the season. Sign up here ___ AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballPresident-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak
Georgian police fired tear gas to disperse thousands of pro-EU demonstrators on Monday, who had rallied in the centre of Tbilisi amid a deepening political crisis in the Black Sea nation. The country's prime minister hours earlier had vowed "no negotiations" with the opposition, enraged by the ruling Georgian Dream party's decision to shelve EU accession talks after it claimed victory in an election they decried as fraudulent. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
Chubb Ltd. stock rises Monday, outperforms market
Edmonton Elks hire longtime Stampeders assistant Mark Kilam as head coachBy CLAIRE RUSH President-elect Donald Trump has once again suggested he wants to revert the name of North America’s tallest mountain — Alaska’s Denali — to Mount McKinley, wading into a sensitive and decades-old conflict about what the peak should be called. Related Articles National Politics | Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug use National Politics | An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump National Politics | Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal National Politics | House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of ‘regularly’ paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girl National Politics | Trump wants mass deportations. For the agents removing immigrants, it’s a painstaking process Former President Barack Obama changed the official name to Denali in 2015 to reflect the traditions of Alaska Natives as well as the preference of many Alaska residents. The federal government in recent years has endeavored to change place-names considered disrespectful to Native people. “Denali” is an Athabascan word meaning “the high one” or “the great one.” A prospector in 1896 dubbed the peak “Mount McKinley” after President William McKinley, who had never been to Alaska. That name was formally recognized by the U.S. government until Obama changed it over opposition from lawmakers in McKinley’s home state of Ohio. Trump suggested in 2016 that he might undo Obama’s action, but he dropped that notion after Alaska’s senators objected. He raised it again during a rally in Phoenix on Sunday. “McKinley was a very good, maybe a great president,” Trump said Sunday. “They took his name off Mount McKinley, right? That’s what they do to people.” Once again, Trump’s suggestion drew quick opposition within Alaska. “Uh. Nope. It’s Denali,” Democratic state Sen. Scott Kawasaki posted on the social platform X Sunday night. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski , who for years pushed for legislation to change the name to Denali, conveyed a similar sentiment in a post of her own. “There is only one name worthy of North America’s tallest mountain: Denali — the Great One,” Murkowski wrote on X. Various tribes of Athabascan people have lived in the shadow of the 20,310-foot (6,190-meter) mountain for thousands of years. McKinley, a Republican native of Ohio who served as the 25th president, was assassinated early in his second term in 1901 in Buffalo, New York. Alaska and Ohio have been at odds over the name since at least the 1970s. Alaska had a standing request to change the name since 1975, when the legislature passed a resolution and then-Gov. Jay Hammond appealed to the federal government. Known for its majestic views, the mountain is dotted with glaciers and covered at the top with snow year-round, with powerful winds that make it difficult for the adventurous few who seek to climb it. Rush reported from Portland, Oregon.None