You've probably heard about VPNs. You may have already used one before to stream shows from a different geolocation or hide your ISP when you're using public internet in a coffee shop or airport lounge. But what do the initials "VPN" actually stand for, and what does it mean? VPN stands for "Virtual Private Network." A network is a group of connected devices, including computers, which can communicate, share resources, or transfer data. The internet is a network but so too is a home Wi-Fi setup linking your phone, computer, and doorbell. While many networks — including the internet itself — are public, private networks confine access to particular users or devices. The first private networks were used in business settings and used hardware like dedicated cables. VPNs are "virtual" because they create a simulated, software-based connection instead of a physical connection. A VPN, therefore, enables you to create a private connection over a public network hiding your IP address and making it appear that your online activity originates from the VPN server rather than your actual location. VPNs are not perfect. Whether a VPN will keep you safe will depend on two main factors: the level of security you need from it and the VPN service provider you use. VPNs shield your browsing activity from internet service providers (ISPs), but those same ISPs may simply block VPNs instead. Advertisers, web browsers, and operating systems are still finding ways to collect your data. If you're using a VPN in order to hide your activity from government surveillance and censorship, then the level of security you need is a lot greater than someone who just wants to avoid having their data sold to marketing companies. Several countries, including China, Russia, and Iran have banned the use of unauthorized VPNs and only allow Government-approved alternatives, which are subject to censorship or surveillance. In most cases, your ISP can see that you're using a VPN by monitoring how much data is being used. If you're in a country where using a VPN — regardless of what you're using it for — is illegal, then it may not be providing the safety you need. The level of safety you can expect also depends on the VPN provider that you use. By using a VPN, you are entrusting your security to a third party and relying on assurances that they won't log and resell your information. Some VPN providers — especially those offering a free connection — may be harvesting your data and selling it on. A VPN can provide a certain level of safety, but it won't protect you from malware, phishing attacks, or other forms of cybercrime. You need to be circumspect about what websites you engage with and avoid downloading files that might be malicious. A VPN does not make you completely anonymous . While it can hide your IP address and encrypt your searches, other factors like cookies and social media activity can still expose your identity. There are also tracking techniques — known as browser fingerprinting — that collect information about your device, browser settings, and configuration to create a unique user profile that can identify you even without cookies. VPNs are most effective when used in combination with other security practices, such as strong passwords, antivirus software, and safe browsing habits. You should ensure that your VPN includes a kill switch so that if the connection drops, the internet is automatically disabled. This stops your IP address and sensitive information from being exposed if there is an issue with the VPN. Tor is a free, decentralized network that routes internet traffic through multiple encrypted relays operated by volunteers. This provides anonymity by hiding your IP address and traffic patterns. It's often used for accessing the dark web or bypassing censorship. However, it is slower than VPN due to multiple relays and unsuitable for bandwidth-heavy activities like streaming. Mixnets are designed to obscure communication patterns by breaking down data into smaller packets, mixing them with other users' data, and routing them through multiple nodes. It works by shuffling and delaying messages, making it nearly impossible to link senders with receivers. You can also use a decentralized VPN (dVPN), which is similar to a traditional VPN but operates on a "peer-to-peer" network. Users share bandwidth and act as nodes in the system. Whatever method you use, remember that both the technology to secure data and the technology to intercept that data are evolving all the time. If your internet safety is paramount to you, you need to keep abreast of all the most recent developments.Artificial intelligence: The entrepreneur’s guide to adapting profitablyBiden calls for Assad to be 'held accountable'fb777 app download 。

NCSOFT Achieves Industry-Leading ESG Rating for Four Consecutive YearsIndiana should be able to breathe easy this week. It has very little chance of making it into the Big Ten championship game. On the other hand, Georgia's spot in the Southeastern Conference title game is so risky that if the Bulldogs lose they might have been better off sitting it out. Over the next two weeks, the warm familiarity of conference championship games, which began in 1992 thanks to the SEC, could run into the cold reality that comes with the first 12-team College Football Playoff. League title games give the nation's top contenders a chance to hang a banner and impress the CFP committee, but more than ever, the bragging rights come with the risk of a season-wrecking loss — even with an expanded field. “I just don’t think it’s a quality conversation,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said last week, sticking with the time-honored cliche of looking no further than the next weekend's opponent. Those who want to have that talk, though, already know where Georgia stands. The Bulldogs (9-2) are ranked sixth in this week's AP Top 25 and projected somewhere near that in the next set of CFP rankings that come out Tuesday. They already have two losses and will have to beat No. 3 Texas or No. 20 Texas A&M in the SEC title game on Dec. 7 to avoid a third. How bad would a third loss hurt? The chairman of the selection committee insists that a team making a conference title game shouldn't count against it. What that really means won't be known until the games are played and the pairings come out on Dec. 8. "We're going to let the season play out," Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said. “But I think teams who make that championship game, the committee looks at them and puts them in high esteem." All of which could be good news for Indiana in the unlikely event the Hoosiers find themselves playing for the Big Ten title. IU is coming off a flop in its first major test of the season, a 38-15 loss to Ohio State last weekend. After his team's first loss of the season, coach Curt Cignetti took offense to being asked whether the Hoosiers were still a playoff-caliber team. “Is that a serious question?” he asked. “I’m not even gonna answer that. The answer is so obvious.” What might hurt Indiana, which dropped five spots to No. 10 in the AP poll, would be another drubbing. The Hoosiers would be at least a two-touchdown underdog in a title-game matchup against top-ranked Oregon. The odds of that happening, however, are slim. It would take a Michigan upset over No. 2 Ohio State on Saturday, combined with a Maryland upset over No. 4 Penn State and, of course, an Indiana win over Purdue (1-10). Because this is the first year of the 12-team playoff, there's no perfect comparison to make. For instance, this is the first time Power Four conference champions are guaranteed a spot in the playoff. But 2017 provides a textbook example of how a team losing its conference title game suffered. That year, Alabama had one loss (to Auburn) and didn't play in the SEC title game, but made the four-team field ahead of Wisconsin, which was 12-1 after a loss to Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game. Ohio State didn't make it either — two losses didn't get teams into a four-team field. Neither did undefeated UCF. Saturday's results made things a little more clear for the rest of the conferences: — In the Big 12, winning the title game will probably be the only way for Arizona State (9-2), BYU (9-2), Iowa State (9-2), Colorado (8-3) or anyone else to earn a spot in the 12-team playoff. None are ranked higher than 14th in the AP poll. — The Atlantic Coast Conference could get multiple bids. Miami (10-1), SMU (10-1) and Clemson (9-2) all finished in the top 12 of this week's AP poll. They were cheering the loudest when both Alabama and Ole Miss suffered their third losses of the season. — The Mountain West would be a one-bid conference, but that's only a sure thing if Boise State wins. A loss by the Broncos could open the CFP for Tulane or Army of the American Athletic. Both the MWC and AAC title games take place at 8 p.m. on Dec. 6. — Where the committee places Alabama and Ole Miss on Tuesday will be an indicator of what it thinks of teams with three losses that played very strong schedules. — It could also set the stakes for Georgia, which faces the prospect of loss No. 3 in the Dec. 7 title game, assuming the Bulldogs beat rival Georgia Tech this week. — Clemson has been steadily climbing. Its 34-3 loss to Georgia came on Aug. 31. Is it ancient history to the committee, though? — Indiana's status as a playoff team — in, out, nervous? — will become apparent. The Ohio State game was Indiana's first against a top-flight opponent. Then again, it is the Hoosiers' only loss and their weak Big Ten schedule is not their fault. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 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-football

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AP Trending SummaryBrief at 9:18 p.m. ESTThe Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems (CROPPS) is excited to welcome Liz Jones as the Center’s first Assistant Director for Research. Jones brings more than 20 years of experience in research management and scientific leadership, specializing in molecular and genomic applications that drive innovation in agriculture. In her role at CROPPS, Jones will coordinate research activities across interdisciplinary teams based at six research institutions: Cornell University, Boyce Thompson Institute, Colorado State University, Tuskegee University, the University of Arizona, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She will work closely with CROPPS principal investigators and research leads to develop and manage translational research for CROPPS technologies, and ensure timely delivery of project milestones. With her proven expertise in collaboration and team management, Jones will also enhance CROPPS’ collaborative research culture as part of its focus on team science.

WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors moved Monday to dismiss the criminal charges against President-elect Donald Trump that accused him of plotting to overturn the 2020 election and to abandon the classified documents case against him, citing longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. The decision by special counsel Jack Smith, who had fiercely sought to hold Trump criminally accountable for his efforts to subvert the 2020 election, represented the end of the federal effort against the former president following his election victory this month despite the election-related cases and multiple other unrelated criminal charges against him and is headed back to the White House. The decision, revealed in court filings, also amounts to a predictable but nonetheless stunning conclusion to criminal cases that had been seen as the most perilous of the multiple legal threats Trump has faced. It reflects the practical consequences of Trump's victory, ensuring he enters office free from scrutiny over his hoarding of top secret documents and his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Smith's team emphasized that the move to abandon the prosecutions, in federal courts in Washington and Florida, was not a reflection of their view on the merits of the cases but rather a reflection of their commitment to longstanding department policy. ''That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government's proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,'' the prosecutors wrote in Monday's court filing in the election interference case. The decision was expected after Smith's team began assessing how to wind down both the 2020 election interference case and the separate classified documents case in the wake of Trump's victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. The Justice Department believes Trump can no longer be tried in accordance with longstanding policy that says sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted. Trump has cast both cases as politically motivated, and had vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. The 2020 election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing the Republican as he vied to reclaim the White House. But it quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump's sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year's election. Smith's team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence they planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of using ''resorting to crimes'' in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of voters after he lost to Biden. ___ Associated Press writer Colleen Long contributed to this story.

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12. Clemson Tigers 10-3 (7-1 Atlantic Coast Conference regular season) What's next: First-round at No. 5 seed Texas, Dec. 21 Head coach: Dabo Swinney (17th season, 180-46 overall) About Swinney: The 55-year-old, who is 6-4 in the CFP, took over during the 2008 season and has won two national titles (2016, 2018). He will take the Tigers to the CFP the first time since the 2020 season and the seventh time overall. Resume The Tigers, the only three-loss team in the 12-team field, were in a must-win situation in the ACC championship game, prevailing on a last-second, 56-yard field goal to defeat SMU 34-31. Clemson lost two games to SEC opponents (Georgia and South Carolina) this season. The Tigers' other defeat came at home to Louisville. The matchup with Texas will be Clemson's first true road game against the SEC this season. Postseason history A nine-time winner of the ACC Championship Game, the Tigers notched a double-figure win total for the 13th time in the last 14 seasons. Along with its two national titles, Clemson reached the title game two other times (2019 and 2015). This will be the first Clemson-Texas matchup. The road to Atlanta It will be a tricky road for the Tigers to reach the CFP title game in Atlanta at a venue familiar to Clemson fans. The Tigers will take at least two and maybe three trips outside of their own time zone to qualify for the final. Names to know QB Cade Klubnik Klubnik, a Texas native, has been taking snaps in crucial situations since a limited role as a freshman in 2022, when he rescued the Tigers in an ACC Championship victory vs. North Carolina. Sporting a 19-8 career record as a starter, Klubnik has thrown for 3,303 yards and 33 touchdowns along with five interceptions this season. He tossed four TDs in the ACC title game Dec. 7 against SMU after receiving All-ACC honorable mention following the regular season. "He's battle-tested," Swinney said. "He has got a lot of experience under his belt. He has had some failure, which has made him better." RB Phil Mafah The senior has racked up 1,106 rushing yards with eight touchdowns this season and has 28 career scores. Mafah has averaged fewer than 17 carries per game, so he makes the most of his opportunities, and at 230 pounds he can be a load to bring down. DE T.J. Parker He's been disruptive on a regular basis, racking up 19 tackles for loss (11 sacks) this season. The 265-pound sophomore helped set the tone in the ACC title game when the Tigers feasted on early SMU mistakes. Parker is tied for the Division I lead with six forced fumbles this season. K Nolan Hauser The freshman joined the Tigers this season with great acclaim and produced a career highlight with a 56-yard game-winning field goal -- the longest in ACC title game history -- to beat SMU at the buzzer. --Field Level Media

Biden opens final White House holiday season with turkey pardons and first lady gets Christmas tree(L-R): John Logue, CEO, Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI), IFI Chair, Paddy Harte and Colin Jess CEO, Social Enterprise NI (SENI). Fourteen social enterprises from around Northern Ireland are involved in an innovative new cross-border programme. The DISCOVERY programme led by Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland (SERI) and Social Enterprise Northern Ireland (SENI) is focused on building new connections between established social enterprises around the shared social impact challenges they face. The collaborative two year programme is funded by the International Fund for Ireland, under its Communities in Partnership funding Programme, which supports meaningful cross-border partnerships, including ideas that create the conditions for the development of social enterprise and innovation. Read more: Belfast project to transform derelict buildings to be extended citywide Read more: NI social enterprise urging people to 'gift with care' this Christmas DISCOVERY aims to connect and support the leaders of social enterprises, as the key drivers of social impact and good community relations work north and south, the people who provide essential community services and are the backbone of communities on each side of the border. The collaboration to deliver the programme is the first step in a new partnership between SERI and SENI, who have worked together, to design the programme, working in the collective and best interests of the social enterprise sector. Speaking at the launch event, Paddy Harte, Chair of the International Fund for Ireland said: “We know that Social Enterprises are playing an increasingly important role contributing to the economic and social landscape. They operate much needed facilities, providing services, creating employment, working within disadvantaged communities and adding value to all aspects of community life. “This IFI funding will provide the building blocks to help Social Enterprises manage and navigate the challenges around financial sustainability and help develop long-term viable social businesses that will benefit communities. “The DISCOVERY Programme will establish a shared vision to unite communities rather than divide, working with Social Enterprises who are facing similar challenges and ultimately play an important role in building long-term cross-border connections.” As Social Enterprises grow and develop over time, expanding their social impact, community leaders can find themselves running quite complex operations, similar to businesses, but where all surplus or profit generated is reinvested into the community. Over time, the operators of Social Enterprises can encounter a whole different set of challenges from those when they first came together as a committee to start up their community group. Just like businesses that operate in the private sector, this can require a complete different set of management tools, skills and techniques to sustain and grow the social enterprise. The DISCOVERY programme is about understanding this challenge and working in support of communities over the course of the next two years to address it. Colin Jess, CEO of Social Enterprise Northern Ireland (SENI) said: “We are already entrusted by the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland to deliver the Social Economy Work Programme and the DISCOVERY programme adds great value to the existing work we do on behalf of our SENI members. "The new partnership with SERI, is we believe a key innovation for the sector in that the challenge of financial sustainability, of trading, of growing, of building revenue, of employing and retaining staff, these are challenges that every social enterprise contends with every day. That’s on top of the regular day to day work of delivering services of significant impact and benefit to the community. "What we hope to achieve through the programme, is to support social enterprises to work through some of the key sustainability challenges that they face, while at the same time building new relationships that inspire further innovations across the sector in Northern Ireland.” John Logue CEO of Social Enterprise Republic of Ireland added: “We are excited to launch the new DISCOVERY programme and to work in partnership with Social Enterprise Northern Ireland. Both of our organisations are working separately every day, each side of the border, in the best interests of our community of members, to develop policy, to advocate for much needed funding, and to connect with Government and Political Leaders to raise awareness of each Social Enterprises work, their funding and development needs. "Through the DISCOVERY programme, our motivation is really to practically support the operators of social enterprises, to help them to apply new digital tools, to enhance their financial management expertise, to help to grow and manage income, and to optimise and control costs. Theres also a great learning opportunity from the cross-border collaboration and that’s what we aim to facilitate, and that’s what the programmes about.” Join our Belfast Live breaking news service on WhatsApp Click this link or scan the QR code to receive breaking news and top stories from Belfast Live. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . The DISCOVERY programme will build new connections with social enterprises operating in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland. 24 social enterprises are taking part in the programme pilot and will benefit from an introduction to new skills and digital management tools, mentorship, training, a series of residentials designed around the sustainability theme, and from cross border exchanges as well as different conference events. At the same time, the partners will be working on behalf of the social enterprise sector, to further build awareness of the significant social impact work that social enterprises do, and to advance and align social policy that’s in the interests of all social enterprise operators. Social Enterprises in Northern Ireland involved in Discovery are as follows: CAN (Compass Advocacy Network) ( Antrim ) Life Change Changes Lives ( Down ) Quaker Care (Antrim) React Social ( Tyrone ) Aspire Media NI CIC ( Londonderry/Derry ) Antrim School of Music (Antrim) Empowering Communities Enterprise LTD (Antrim) Marion Centre of Excellence (Antrim) Enterprise Causeway (Londonderry/Derry) ASCERT Training (Antrim) Circusful (Antrim) Studyseed CIC ( Armagh ) Glenshane Community Development (Londonderry/Derry) Portadown 2000 (Armagh) For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here. Story Saved You can find this story in My Bookmarks. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Follow BelfastLive Facebook Twitter Comment More On Co Derry Co Antrim Co Tyrone Co Armagh Northern Ireland Republic of Ireland Portadown Business news

Paris, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Dec, 2024) Newly restored Notre Dame held its first mass on , with celebrating the return of the French capital's most famous place of worship after a historic re-opening ceremony. The beloved monument nearly burned down in , but has been fully renovated inside and fitted with a new roof and spire during a frenzied five-year overhaul. The inaugural mass on morning was led by archbishop Laurent Ulrich with 150 bishops and more than 100 priests the capital in attendance, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron. The archbishop consecrated the new 800-kilogram altar which replaced the old one that was lost in the five years ago. "Whether you are here in person in the or in front of a screen, including perhaps under the rain, I greet you with intense emotion," Ulrich told the congregation, referring to the small rain-drenched crowds outside watching events on public screens. "This morning, the pain of 15 has been erased," he added, referring to the of the inferno, the cause of which remains unknown. In the evening, around 2,500 people attended a second service and the first mass open to the public, with free tickets made available online last week. "It's incredible to see Notre Dame transformed," Cyriac de Belsunce, a 21-year-old scout , told AFP. "It's changed, it's more radiant. There's a lot more light." The will open fully to visitors on 16 via an online reservation system. - 'For Jesus' - During a re-opening service on Saturday attended by leaders including US President-elect , Macron expressed the "gratitude of the French nation" for the restoration work since . "We have rediscovered what great nations can do -- achieve the impossible," he said. Macron is under intense political pressure, having called snap elections in that led to a hung , with the main parties now struggling to form a stable . In a nod to the political turmoil, archbishop Ulrich said that he "prayed also for our country that is looking to the future with worry". Macron did not take communion on out of respect for 's secular rules which separate state and , although his presence in the and his speech there on Saturday were widely commented on. Groups of worshippers huddled under umbrellas on beyond a strict security perimeter set up outside Notre Dame. Monique Kashale, a 75-year-old the Democratic Republic of , said she was "very cold but for Jesus Christ I can put up with it, for the Virgin it is bearable". - in - Saturday's re-opening service began with the archbishop Ulrich, dressed in brightly coloured new vestments designed by fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac, knocking on the doors of the three times. was placed on the front row as guest of honour next to Macron, with invitees marvelling at the freshly cleaned walls, new furniture and state-of-the-art lighting installed as part of the refit. The reconstruction effort around 700 ($750 ), financed donations, with the five-year re-opening deadline met despite predictions it could take decades. Part of the 's roofing base still needs to be finished and the statues of the apostles and saints, removed before the to allow for their restoration, will only be reinstalled in the first half of 2025. The exact cause of the blaze has never been identified despite a forensic investigation by prosecutors. They believe an such as an electrical fault was the most likely reason. Notre Dame welcomed around 12 visitors a year before the , but expects to receive an even higher figure of "14 to 15 " after the reopening, according to the authorities. burs-adp/jjIn a dramatic turn of events, Colonel Kim Hyun-tae admitted to implementing orders that led his special forces to block South Korean lawmakers from casting a crucial vote in parliament. The commanders followed directives to uphold martial law, as instructed by the now-arrested former defense minister. The political landscape in South Korea has been rocked following President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief declaration and subsequent withdrawal of martial law. Despite surviving an impeachment vote, Yoon's presidency hangs in the balance as a constitutional crisis looms over the nation. Defense force interventions were met with resistance by parliamentary staff, raising questions about adherence to constitutional mandates. The ongoing investigations could lead to significant shifts in the country's governance, with the opposition party vowing to challenge the President's authority once again. (With inputs from agencies.)

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NEW YORK (AP) — An early rebound for U.S. stocks on Thursday petered out by the end of the day, leaving indexes close to flat. The S&P 500 edged down by 0.1% following Wednesday’s tumble of 2.9% when the Federal Reserve said it may deliver fewer cuts to interest rates next year than earlier thought. The index had been up as much as 1.1% in the morning. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 15 points, or less than 0.1%, following Wednesday’s drop of 1,123 points, while the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.1%. This week’s struggles have taken some of the enthusiasm out of the market, which critics had been warning was overly buoyant and would need everything to go correctly for it to justify its high prices. But indexes remain near their records , and the S&P 500 is still on track for one of its best years of the millennium with a gain of 23%. Traders are now expecting the Federal Reserve to deliver just one or maybe two cuts to interest rates next year, according to data from CME Group. Some are even betting on none. A month ago, the majority saw at least two cuts in 2025 as a safe bet. Wall Street loves lower interest rates because they give the economy a boost and goose prices for investments, but they can also provide fuel for inflation. Micron Technology was one of the heaviest weights on the S&P 500 Thursday. It fell 16.2% despite reporting stronger profit for the latest quarter than expected. The computer memory company’s revenue fell short of Wall Street’s forecasts, and CEO Sanjay Mehrotra said it expects demand from consumers to remain weaker in the near term. It gave a forecast for revenue in the current quarter that fell well short of what analysts were thinking. Lamb Weston, which makes French fries and other potato products, dropped 20.1% after falling short of analysts’ expectations for profit and revenue in the latest quarter. It also cut its financial targets for the fiscal year, saying demand for frozen potatoes is continuing to soften, particularly outside North America. The company replaced its chief executive. Such losses helped overshadow a 14.7% jump for Darden Restaurants, the company behind Olive Garden and other chains. It delivered profit for the latest quarter that edged past analysts’ expectations. The operator of LongHorn Steakhouses also gave a forecast for revenue for this fiscal year that topped analysts’. Accenture rose 7.1% after the professional services company likewise topped expectations for profit in the latest quarter. CEO Julie Sweet said it saw growth around the world, and the company raised its forecast for revenue this fiscal year. Amazon shares added 1.3%, even as workers at seven of its facilities went on strike Thursday in the middle of the online retail giant’s busiest time of the year. Amazon says it doesn’t expect an impact on its operations during what the workers’ union calls the largest strike against the company in U.S. history. In the bond market, yields were mixed a day after shooting higher on expectations that the Fed would deliver fewer cuts to rates in 2025. Reports on the U.S. economy came in mixed. One showed the overall economy grew at a 3.1% annualized rate during the summer, faster than earlier thought. The economy has remained remarkably resilient even though the Fed held its main interest rate at a two-decade high for a while before beginning to cut them in September. A separate report showed fewer U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week, an indication that the job market also remains solid. But a third report said manufacturing in the mid-Atlantic region is unexpectedly contracting again despite economists’ expectations for growth. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.57% from 4.52% late Wednesday and from less than 4.20% earlier this month. But the two-year yield, which more closely tracks expectations for action by the Fed in the near term, eased back to 4.31% from 4.35%. The rise in longer-term yields has put pressure on the housing market by keeping mortgage rates higher. Homebuilder Lennar fell 5.2% after reporting weaker profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. CEO Stuart Miller said that “the housing market that appeared to be improving as the Fed cut short-term interest rates, proved to be far more challenging as mortgage rates rose” through the quarter. “Even while demand remained strong, and the chronic supply shortage continued to drive the market, our results were driven by affordability limitations from higher interest rates,” he said. A report on Thursday may have offered some encouragement for the housing industry. It showed a pickup in sales of previously occupied homes. All told, the S&P 500 slipped 5.08 points to 5,867.08. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 15.37 to 42,342.24, and the Nasdaq composite lost 19.92 to 19,372.77. In stock markets abroad, London’s FTSE 100 fell 1.1% after the Bank of England paused its cuts to rates and kept its main interest rate unchanged on Thursday. The move comes as inflation there moved further above the central bank’s 2% target rate, while the British economy is flatlining at best. The Bank of Japan also kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged, and Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 fell 0.7%. Indexes likewise sank across much of the rest of Asia and Europe. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Graphjet Technology Schedules Business Update Call

As drink-spiking and date-rape drugs cases continue to stoke emotions, Victoria council is looking for answers The conversation re-entered the spotlight recently when the 2021 death of Victoria 18-year-old Samantha Sims-Somerville — who ingested a lethal dose of the well-known date-rape drug GHB — was re-classified a homicide by the Coroner's Service of B.C. Additionally, this month, a 16-year-old girl and her mom spoke with local media about her experience allegedly being drugged at a Vancouver Island party. Victoria police chief Del Manak spoke at council's Nov. 21 meeting about Somerville's death, which was initially ruled an accidental overdose. "This is an extremely tragic situation," he said. Manak explained that investigations like this can be tough, and some evidence, including second or third-hand evidence, can't always be admissible evidence to the court. He also mentioned that though the coroner's office deemed Somerville's death a homicide, there may not be enough evidence to prove anyone's culpability. "We aren't doubling down. This is an extremely serious case with just a horrific outcome and we're doing everything we can," Manak told the council. "I can't make up the evidence though, right? The evidence is the evidence and the courts will decide, not on a balance of probabilities, but on beyond a reasonable doubt if there's enough evidence that meets the charge-approval standard." Following the re-classification of Somerville's case, VicPD said it has since requested more information from the coroner about why. In the meantime, "out of an abundance of caution," it has forwarded the case to the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit, which looks after all suspicious deaths and homicide cases, for review. Council members put forward a motion to request an update from VicPD, the Greater Victoria School District, and the provincial government about any efforts being undertaken to raise awareness and prevent the use of date-rape drugs like GHB or Rohypnol. "What are we doing in Victoria about these crimes? What can city council do about these crimes? And likewise, what are high schools doing about these crimes? What are our not-for-profits, our social services agencies doing about these drugs? And what is VicPD doing?" asked councillor Matt Dell. Dell explained he recently talked to nightclub owners in the city, who said that they put up awareness posters, have safe drink spots where people can leave their drinks and offer free lids to cover the top of drinks, though other council members felt that it isn't enough. "I think we are doing our due diligence to let parents and victims know we're on their side and we want to do everything we can to educate the community and make sure that everything that could happen to prevent this is happening; that when there is a case, that charges are laid when they need to be laid that we're not just letting this slip through the system," Coun. Krista Loughton said. Stacey Forrester, a co-founder of Good Night Out, whose goal is to create safer spaces and prevent sexual violence in Vancouver and Victoria's nightlife, says suspected drink spiking is not a rare sight for their street-teams, which works in the cities' entertainment districts on Friday and Saturday nights. "A big part of our work is actually educating the public, not just on signs of drink spiking, but signs of predatory behaviour," Forrester explained in an interview in the summer. "We can only saturate women so much with 'cover your drink, don't leave it alone, don't [take] drinks from strangers.' Whereas, we need to educate bar staff and patrons, especially men, on signs that someone is being predatory." She explained red flags to watch for in bars and nightclubs include individuals targeting the most intoxicated person in the room, lingering around unattended drinks, buying drinks with a sense of entitlement or expectation, and trying to separate an intoxicated person from their friends. "Good Night Out has a three-hour training that includes all aspects of nightlife safety, including preventing drink spiking," Forrester said. "Talking about drink spiking is really important, but we also have to be aware that the most commonly used drug to render people incapacitated is alcohol. It just doesn't make the headlines." Coun. Stephen Hammond explained that he didn't support the motion because he felt it would be a waste of time for the province, the school district and VicPD to put a report together. He thought it would be better to encourage the parties to make sure people are being educated about the issue. "What I want is for the school district and for the police to be educating young men that they have no right over the bodies of young women, nor do they have the right to drug young women," Hammond said. "I would also prefer they spend the time educating young women about the harms, and that tragically, today, you can never leave a drink alone or out of your sight."AvalonBay Communities, Inc. ( NYSE:AVB – Get Free Report ) declared a quarterly dividend on Thursday, November 14th, RTT News reports. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 31st will be paid a dividend of 1.70 per share by the real estate investment trust on Wednesday, January 15th. This represents a $6.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.07%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 31st. AvalonBay Communities has raised its dividend payment by an average of 1.2% per year over the last three years. AvalonBay Communities has a payout ratio of 120.6% meaning the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Equities research analysts expect AvalonBay Communities to earn $11.59 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $6.80 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 58.7%. AvalonBay Communities Price Performance NYSE AVB opened at $221.18 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $31.46 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 30.26, a PEG ratio of 3.30 and a beta of 0.98. AvalonBay Communities has a 12 month low of $169.37 and a 12 month high of $239.29. The company’s 50 day moving average is $227.38 and its two-hundred day moving average is $219.31. The company has a current ratio of 1.64, a quick ratio of 1.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on the company. BNP Paribas began coverage on AvalonBay Communities in a research note on Wednesday, September 11th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $250.00 price objective for the company. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $234.00 to $233.00 and set a “sector perform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 6th. Scotiabank reduced their price objective on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $244.00 to $241.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, November 14th. Evercore ISI upped their target price on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $225.00 to $229.00 and gave the stock an “in-line” rating in a research report on Monday, September 16th. Finally, Zelman & Associates upgraded shares of AvalonBay Communities to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, September 5th. Eleven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, AvalonBay Communities currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $231.33. Get Our Latest Report on AVB Insider Transactions at AvalonBay Communities In related news, Director Timothy J. Naughton sold 23,697 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $233.47, for a total transaction of $5,532,538.59. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 87,239 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $20,367,689.33. This represents a 21.36 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link . Insiders own 0.42% of the company’s stock. AvalonBay Communities Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) As of December 31, 2023, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 299 apartment communities containing 90,669 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 18 communities were under development. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion regions of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado. Read More Receive News & Ratings for AvalonBay Communities Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for AvalonBay Communities and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

The Bandra police on Sunday arrested a 34-year-old man for allegedly stalking and molesting a woman in the Bandra Reclamation area and later assaulting a constable at the Bandra police station. The accused has been identified as Babar Khan, a resident of Ghansoli, Navi Mumbai. According to the police, the incident took place around 4.30pm on November 23 when the complainant, 34, and her friend had gone for a stroll in the garden at the Reclamation area in Bandra West. Khan allegedly stalked them, abused the complainant when she confronted him and even groped her, said the FIR. He also made a video of her and threatened to make it viral on social media, it added. Next day, the woman approached the police and Khan was arrested a few hours later and brought to the Bandra police station. There, he shouted and abused the police personnel and later assaulted a constable. On November 24, a case was filed against him under sections 74 (assault or use of criminal force to a woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 78 (stalking), 132 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of duty) and other relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Krungthai Panich Insurance (KPI) wants to grow its total premiums by 10% next year amid concerns about rising natural disaster risks, the use of new accounting standards, and risks from electric vehicle (EV) insurance. President Suchavadee Sanganong said KPI missed its targets this year, with total premiums expected at 4.5 billion baht and around 500 million baht in net profit. In 2023, the company posted insurance premiums of 5.5 billion baht and a net profit of 600 million baht. The decrease was attributed to the termination of a motor insurance partnership with Roojai, which established a business on its own, as well as rising natural disaster insurance claims, as flooding caused roughly 200 million baht in damages. "For car insurance, the company continues to take care of existing customers, including EV owners, but is offering less EV insurance policies to new customers. We must be careful in setting EV premiums because it is risky," she said. Domestic new car sales this year will tally less than 800,000 units, nowhere near the target of 1 million, said Ms Suchavadee. The property and casualty insurance business grew by 10% this year, but the premiums are smaller than those for motor insurance. Accident and health insurance were flat, but KPI believes the business has ample room for growth in the coming years. The company has an investment portfolio of 7 billion baht, with a return on investment of 4.5-5% per year. Normally the investment portfolio increases by 10-15% annually. This year, profit from the investment portfolio accounts for 60% of total profit. For next year, KPI has concerns about the growing risk of natural disasters, changes in accounting standards, and the instability of EV insurance, she said. Over the next five years, KPI wants to deploy advanced technologies to increase efficiency in business processes, including planning strategies to develop the team's potential, which is the core of organisational development, said Ms Suchavadee. These strategies include strengthening talent retention, reducing skills gaps, building employee engagement and leadership development, all of which are critical for developing a strong and sustainable organisation, she said. In a related development, Roojai Group, the country's leading online insurance company, yesterday announced the acquisition of DirectAsia Thailand from Hiscox Group. With the acquisition, Roojai increases its market share with a combined portfolio of more than 300,000 vehicles insured in Thailand. In 2023, Roojai acquired FWD General Insurance from Boltech and rebranded it to Roojai Insurance earlier this year, becoming the largest full-stack digital insurance company in Thailand focusing on retail insurance products. "DirectAsia and Roojai share the same vision of making insurance simple and bringing competitive prices to good drivers," said Roojai founder and group chief executive Nicolas Faquet. "The consolidation will deliver synergies that support our expansion of the direct insurance model."