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When Michael Cox was 17 and paddling out for a surf, another surfer collided with him and struck him in the head. After three weeks on life support and six months in hospital he was left with permanent brain damage that harmed his speech. “It was a major deal – I’ve got a hole in my head,” Cox says. “It’s been hard.” Now 50, Cox says he understands everything but struggles to make himself understood. After a lifetime of part-time, casual positions, interspersed with long spells of unemployment, he started working at Thora mill near Bellingen a month ago. He has already proven himself a good worker, his bosses say. “It’s the first time in my life that I’ve got a full-time job; it’s been hard to find a full-time gig,” Cox says. “It’s going well, I’m happy and everyone else is happy, they don’t judge me.” If the mill closes, Cox expects to be unemployed again. Thora mill provides stable employment for 32 people, many of whom fear they would struggle to find other work. Like many in the region, their fate hinges for better or worse on the NSW government’s imminent decision about the Great Koala National Park. Creating the park by adding state forests to 140,000 hectares of existing national parks was an election promise, but a lot is riding on the size. An extra 176,000 hectares is under assessment for possible inclusion. The industry wants a much smaller footprint. Many people on the Mid North Coast are looking forward to the park and want as much forest protected as possible. The environmental case is strong – recent thermal drone surveys suggest the assessment area is home to about 12,000 koalas, as well as other endangered species such as greater gliders. Scientists say better connectivity between the forests will ensure it is better able to withstand climate change. There are many people, too, who are eagerly anticipating the park as a driver of tourism – an industry that employs roughly twice as many people as forestry and timber processing in the Coffs-Grafton area alone. Yet every decision has winners and losers. The creation of the park has long been opposed by the Coalition in favour of other koala conservation work, and National MPs say “there already is a koala park – it’s called state forests”. On the line are hundreds if not thousands of jobs. Forestry and related industries, including wood and paper processing, accounted for 958 jobs in the Coffs-Grafton region in the last census. That is about 2 per cent of jobs in the region. An Ernst & Young report from February 2023 says there are 5700 direct jobs in the hardwood industry in North-East NSW – a broad region, extending from the Hawkesbury River in the south to the Queensland border and inland to Armidale. The Great Koala National Park assessment area is much smaller, spanning from north of Kempsey to around Grafton, but the industry argues that jobs across the whole region will be at risk from constrained wood supply. NSW Forestry Corporation regional manager Dean Caton says change has been a constant theme for the industry, and his “staff have been pretty resilient through that” and will continue to enact the policies of the government. Australian Workers’ Union NSW branch secretary Tony Callinan says forestry workers are “extremely worried about their future”, both for their own jobs and their communities. The Australian Forest Products Association estimates there are about 50 small-to-medium mills in the north-east region similar to Thora mill. Without a supply of wood, they must either close down or import timber. Thora mill manager Brook Waugh, whose grandfather started the business, says he has “no confidence whatsoever to invest anything in our sawmill” given the political climate. “Basically, we’ll be starved out, meaning you just won’t get enough [timber] and it’ll become unviable and you’ll just shut the doors,” Waugh says. “That’s my fear. The greenies have been given so much over the years, and no matter how much they get, it’s never enough.” Waugh says the proposed size of the park is “ridiculous” and the koalas are “thriving”. His sister Shannon Scott, who manages the book work in the office, says the family feels “huge pressure” to keep the mill going. “We feel like we have an obligation to all the workers,” Scott says. “You don’t want to see anyone lose their job and go hungry because a lot of them are unskilled workers, and I don’t know how easily they would find jobs in the region, and I don’t know how suitable those jobs would be for them.” Andrew West, 58, who has worked for Thora mill for 24 years, is sceptical about any claims that the Great Koala National Park would create jobs. “I’ll happily take a job farming koalas, but I can’t see that happening,” says West. “I quite like the job I have. It will really disappoint me the day when this is going to close. I’d hoped it would see me through to retirement.” Australian Forest Products Association NSW chief executive James Jooste says the industry wants an immediate decision to end the uncertainty. “The longer the government takes to make that decision, the greater the human cost will be,” Jooste says. The forestry industry has put forward a case for $1.35 billion in compensation if the park is 176,000 hectares, but only $271 million if it is 37,000 hectares. The Australian Climate and Biodiversity Foundation, chaired by former Treasury secretary Ken Henry, claims these figures are inflated by at least $300 million by exaggerating the cost of wood buyouts and land management services under NPWS. “Native forest logging businesses are either trying to scare the NSW government with inflated costs to force them to break an election promise or line their pockets with unjustified buyouts at taxpayers’ expense,” Henry says. Environmentalists are hanging out for a quick decision, too, since logging has continued within the assessment area since the election. The longer the park is delayed, they say, the greater the destruction. Forestry Corp for its part says logging in native forests involves selective harvesting, and both its employees and contractors adhere to strict environmental regulations. Any breaches, Caton says, result from the complexity of the rules and are regretted. For Gumbaynggirr elders Uncle Micklo Jarrett and Aunty Alison Buchanan, protection of their Country cannot come soon enough. “The whole world should be Great Koala National Park,” Jarrett says. “While we’re talking, talking, talking, the Forestry is still in there smashing down the trees.” Buchanan tears up as she says: “I want people to know that this is our everything.” Not all Gumbaynggir people share the same views, with jobs in both forestry and forest protection. On the Coffs Coast, nearly one in four NPWS employees are Aboriginal, while there are Indigenous tourism businesses such as the Giingan Gumbaynggirr Cultural Experience, but there are also many Indigenous people employed in timber harvesting and processing. As part of the planning for the new park, NPWS has been consulting the community about the desired uses, such as mountain biking and four-wheel-driving. The agency has simultaneously been investing in its existing parks on the Mid North Coast. Glenn Storrie, NPWS manager Coffs Coast area, says this ranges from a refresh of the Dorrigo Rainforest Centre and accessible boardwalk to the development of a multi-day Dorrigo Escarpment Great Walk. “During COVID, people really discovered the importance of natural areas, and we’re very mindful of the role we play,” says Storrie. “Conservation is at the core but in addition to that we’re providing opportunities for people to get away and de-stress.” Environment Minister Penny Sharpe has consistently described the forthcoming Great Koala National Park as a boon for tourism in the region. In the last census, the Coffs-Grafton region had 1860 jobs in tourism-related industries – not including food services – making up nearly 4 per cent of employment. Michael Thurston, general manager of Destination North Coast, says tourism businesses are excited about the creation of the park. He expects strong promotion by state and national bodies, and says it will raise the international profile of the region, which can be overlooked in favour of Byron Bay further north. “Nature-based tourism is the No.1 driver of visitation to the north coast, and this product leans really heavily into that,” Thurston says. “It’s going to be a first-class asset, protecting an iconic species in a truly spectacular part of the world.” Chris Fenech, owner of HWH Stables in the Orara Valley, runs horse-riding tours in the rainforest and nearby beaches, and says his business will be a direct beneficiary of a new attraction for NSW and Australia. “For a little business like mine, anything that puts a highlight on the Mid North Coast or further down into this little area can only be a good thing,” Fenech says. “It’s not only going to attract tourism visitors, but along the way put a focus on the conservation and protection of flora and fauna, particularly our lovely koalas, which are in rapid decline.”ASML LEGAL DEADLINE: ASML Holding N.V. Class Action Deadline is Approaching – Contact BFA Law if You Suffered Losses (NASDAQ:ASML)

HAILEY Bieber responded to Selena Gomez’s engagement news - but were left divided over her "intentions". Earlier today, pop star Selena , 32 flashed her huge diamond ring as she announced her engagement to Benny Blanco. 5 Selena Gomez confirmed her engagement to Benny Blanco today Credit: https://www.instagram.com/p/DDdvcjbxoi1/?img_index=4 5 Hailey Bieber was quick to like Selena's engagement post Credit: Tyrell Hampton 5 Hailey has had a rocky friendship with Selena over the years Credit: Instagram The singer beamed in a series of snaps posted to her Instagram grid, with the caption: "Forever begins now." Model Hailey, who is married to Justin Bieber, shared her joy for the star by liking Selena's Instagram post - despite years of rivalry. But some fans are convinced were unsure how sincere the gesture was - pointing out their past "animosity". One wrote: "This is a nice gesture. Hailey’s always seemed like a fairly nice person who’s taken the high road through years of bullying. She’s also probably hoping Selena and her demented stans will leave her alone for good now. I’m happy for Selena, and I hope this marks a complete break from the social media nonsense of the past." READ MORE ON SELENA GOMEZ bride to be! Selena Gomez ENGAGED to Benny Blanco as she shows off HUGE ring But a sceptical fan fired back: "Let's not pretend that there hasn't been animosity on both sides in the past. "I really think Hailey has grown up, but she wasn't a nice person as a teenager/young adult. "There are enough recipes of her being a bully in school, being mean to waiting staff etc. Selena isn't innocent either, don't get me wrong, but the sentiment that Hailey had no hand in their drama is simply not true." This person said: "Hailey is a better person than me because I would be holding a grudge against someone who was enabling their fans to attack me the way Selena was and never took accountability." Most read in Celebrity FAIR CARNAGE Horror as Birmingham fairground ride 'collapses' with several people injured STAYING POSITIVE Max George to undergo major heart surgery after terrifying health scare ALL CHANGE Another Rangers executive quits club just a week after key role at club's AGM NEWBORN JOY Huge Scots DJ becomes dad as he reveals baby boy in emotional social media post But someone else disagreed and added: "She’s probably secretly jealous and angry doing this to pretend to look good for (insert delusional reason)." On Thursday, Lose You To Love Me singer Selena held her left hand up to the camera to showcase the massive sparkler on a diamond-studded band. Selena Gomez Joins the Billion-Dollar Music Elite Another image saw her enjoying a cuddle with record producer and songwriter Benny as they snuggled on the floor, while one snap captured her freshly-manicured hand and engagement band in full glory. Selena was then captured gazing adoringly at her new jewellery piece as she enjoyed a sunny picnic. The Calm Down songstress had sparked speculation of her engagement back in September when she was seen sporting a gold band on her ring finger. This came just two weeks after Selena flashed a glittering ring on her engagement finger at the Emmy's red carpet. The two lovebirds confirmed their relationship in December last year and have been inseparable ever since. Over the last few months fans suspected Selena and Benny may have secretly gotten engaged - especially after she posted a mirror selfie with her ring clearly visible - and now their theories have been proved correct. After the official social media reveal, Selena's famous pals were quick to comment. Taylor Swift posted: "Yes I will be the flower girl." Actress Jennifer Aniston posted: "HONEY!! Congratulations sweet mama!" Selena and Hailey's rivalry explained Ever since the marriage, The Wizards of Waverly Place alum and the Rhode skincare creator have had an up-and-down rivalry. Since Hailey started dating Justin, all eyes have been on Hailey's relationship with Selena. At first, fans were outraged and claimed that she stole Justin from Selena, but she has since put those rumors to rest. In September 2022, Hailey appeared on Alexandr a Cooper's Call Her Daddy podcast, revealing details about her relationship with the Baby singer and his ex. "I can say, period, point blank, I was never with him when he was in a relationship with anybody — that's the end of it," Hailey said on the show. The duo shocked the internet when they posed for photos at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures' 2nd annual gala in October 2022. It seemed like perhaps their rumored feud was over. However, on February 22, 2023, Hailey and Kylie Jenner were accused of trolling Selena and making fun of her eyebrows after Selena posted a TikTok video of herself with overly-laminated brows. While Kylie and Selena both came out and said there was no drama between them, Hailey remained silent. A few hours later, Selena commented on another TikTok video that discussed how she had been handling the 'mean girls.' In the post's comments, Selena wrote: "I love you," which sparked rumors that she felt the same way. On February 23, Selena commented on a TikTok video where Hailey can be seen gagging over the mention of Taylor's name. Read more on the Scottish Sun WARMING UP Scots set for 21C swing as temperature rise to bring an end to sub zero freeze HOT BUY Shoppers race to Primark for fleecy £14 hoodie will keep you cosy on frosty days Selena commented in defense of her famous best friend. She wrote: “So sorry, my best friend is and continues to be one of the best in the game." 5 Selena flashed her huge diamond engagement ring Credit: Instagram 5 Justin Bieber dated Selena before Hailey Credit: Splash

Stock market today: Wall Street slips as technology stocks drag on the marketNO. 20 TEXAS A&M 81, RUTGERS 77

Congress Working Committee on Friday paid glowing tributes to former prime minister Manmohan Singh , hailing him as "a true statesman, whose life and work have profoundly shaped the destiny of India." ET Year-end Special Reads Two sectors that rose on India's business horizon in 2024 2025 outlook: Is it time for cautious optimism or rekindling animal spirits? 2024: Govt moves ahead with simultaneous polls plan; India holds largest democratic exercise Singh's body will be brought to Congress headquarters at 24, Akbar Road at 8 am on Saturday, AICC announced. This honour was controversially denied to former prime minister PV Narasimha Rao when he died in Delhi during the UPA era in 2004 and whose funeral was conducted in Hyderabad. Singh was a "towering figure in India's political and economic landscape, whose contributions transformed the country and earned him respect worldwide", CWC resolution said. "As the finance minister in the early 1990s, Singh was the architect of India's economic liberalisation . With unmatched foresight, he initiated a series of reforms that not only saved the nation from a balance-of-payments crisis but also opened the doors to global markets. Through his policies of deregulation, privatisation and the encouragement of foreign investment, he laid the foundation for India's rapid economic growth . Under his stewardship, India emerged as one of the world's fastest-growing economies, a testament to his brilliance and vision," said the resolution passed by the top-most Congress body. It further said as the prime minister, Singh led the country with a sense of calm determination and exceptional wisdom. "His tenure was marked by sustained economic growth, global recognition, and social progress. He steered the nation through the challenges of the global financial crisis in 2008 with strategic measures that shielded India from its worst effects. His leadership saw remarkable initiatives like MGNREGA, Right to Education, the historic Indo-US Civil Nuclear Deal , National Food Security Act, Land Acquisition Act... He also championed the Right to Information (RTI) Act to enhance transparency, the Forest Rights Act to empower tribal communities, and contributed to achieving the highest GDP growth rate during his tenure. Singh's dedication to inclusive growth , international diplomacy, and economic modernisation strengthened India's position in the global arena," it said. The resolution also listed Singh's achievements as an academician, economist and in various offices such the UN and RBI, and recollected his personal qualities. "Despite holding the highest offices in the land, he always remained grounded, treating everyone with respect and kindness. His demeanour was calm, composed, and always guided by a deep sense of integrity. He was not only admired for his intellect and accomplishments but also for his unassuming nature," it said. 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(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )The hits keep coming for Justin Baldoni, as it’s been revealed that the disgraced actor’s own publicist couldn’t “stand” him and found him to be “unlikable,” even as she still allegedly agreed to help him wage a “smear campaign” against his co-star Blake Lively. The Daily Beast reported Wednesday that publicist Jennifer Abel’s apparent animosity towards Baldoni was revealed in text messages she exchanged with colleagues as she prepared to help him boost his public image and his work on the film, “It Ends With Us,” according to a new lawsuit filed against Baldoni and the publicist. Baldoni directed the dramatic film about domestic violence, based on Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, and starred as an attractive doctor who becomes abusive to his wife, played by Blake Lively. “I can’t stand (Baldoni),” Abel allegedly wrote in a Jan. 14, 2024, text message, the Daily Beast reported. “He’s so pompous.” In another message sent on the same day, Abel also wrote: “He needs to be humbled. When this movie flops, he’s going to try to blame every person around him for it.” “He may fire us because even if we put together an amazing campaign, it’s not going to change the fact that he’s so unlikable and unrealistic as a leading man,” Abel allegedly wrote in yet another text message, according to the Daily Beast. Abel is being sued by her former boss, Hollywood power publicist Stephanie Jones, for breach of contract and defamation, according to the Daily Beast and other outlets . The CEO alleged in the lawsuit filed Tuesday that Baldoni originally hired her PR company, Joneswork, to represent him, with Abel assigned to be the company’s point person for Baldoni and his studio, Wayfarer. Jones said that Baldoni signed a one-year contract with Joneswork for $25,000 a month, The Hollywood Reporter said . But in August, just as “It Ends With Us” was released theatrically, Baldoni dropped Jones’ firm and followed Abel to her newly launched PR firm. Jones alleges that she fired Abel after learning that Abel had been stealing documents from her firm as she prepared to start her own business, the New York Times also reported . When Abel left the company, she handed over her phone, which allowed Jones and her legal team to uncover a trove of messages that revealed that Abel had been working with Melissa Nathan, a crisis communications manager, on a retaliation campaign against Lively to boost Baldoni’s image, according to the Times and the Daily Beast. Jones’ lawsuit alleges that Abel and Nathan “secretly coordinated with Baldoni and Wayfarer to implement an aggressive media smear campaign” against Lively behind Jones’ back. Jones’ lawsuit was filed three days after Lively filed her own blockbuster complaint against Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment on the set of the film. In her complaint, filed with the California Civil Rights Department, Lively also alleged that Baldoni, Wayfarer and their public relationships representatives — Abel and Nathan — engaged in a “social manipulation” campaign to “destroy” her reputation, as The Hollywood Reporter explained. With the release of “It Ends With Us,” Baldoni allegedly feared that Lively’s allegations about his on-set behavior would be revealed, according to the New York Times. In response, Abel and Nathan began “to formulate a no-holds-barred strategy to discredit and suppress any potential revelations about Baldoni’s on-set behavior” to boost the actor’s profile. But even as Abel and Nathan sought to glorify Baldoni, Abel privately showed her disdain for him, according to the Daily Beast. Jones alleges that Abel and Nathan were motivated to carry out the alleged smear campaign by “avarice” and not because of “any sincere appreciation for Baldoni.” In the text exchange in which Abel called Baldoni “pompous,” she also complained that the actor wanted to go off on a “men’s retreat” over the summer, just as the film was being released. Over the past few years, Baldoni has built a personal brand around positioning himself as a #MeToo ally, who writes and speaks about the harm caused by toxic masculinity and men’s failure to embrace their vulnerability. In another series of text messages exchanged between Abel and an anonymous person on Jan. 13, 2024, the publicist described a kissing scene between Baldwin and Lively in the film as “so cringey,” the Daily Beast reported. When the recipient replied by saying, “Blake was probably grossed out too,” Abel allegedly responded: “Yeah and filed a cease and desist.” Abel appears to be referring to the sexual harassment allegations Lively raised against Baldoni. In her complaint, Lively said she detailed her concerns about Baldoni during an “all-hands” meeting with him and producers in early January 2024. With her husband, Ryan Reynolds, also present, Lively alleged that Baldoni improvised unwanted kissing and intimate touching while filming scenes. She also claimed that he discussed his own sex life and porn addiction and that both he and Heath repeatedly entered her makeup trailer uninvited while she was undressed, including when she was breastfeeding. The Daily Beast said that Abel’s lawyer, Bryan Freedman, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Jones’ lawsuit. Earlier in the week, Freedman categorically denied the allegations in Lively’s suit, writing in a statement that the suit is “completely false, outrageous, and intentionally salacious.” He also described it as “yet another desperate attempt to ‘fix’ (Lively’s) negative reputation which was garnered from her own remarks and actions during the campaign for the film.” Since news of Lively’s allegations against Baldoni broke over the weekend, the “Jane the Virgin” alum has faced cascading consequences, according to the New York Times. The powerhouse talent agency, William Morris Endeavor, dropped him as a client, while author Hoover and “It Ends With Us” cast members Jenny Slate and Brandon Sklenar voiced public support for Lively. Earlier this week, Liz Plank, who has co-hosted the “Man Enough” podcast with Baldoni and Heath, announced she would no longer be appearing on the show. Moreover, Vital Voices, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women, rescinded an “ally” award it had presented to Baldoni earlier this month for “advocating on behalf of women and girls.”

Portage Biotech Announces Receipt of Nasdaq Noncompliance LetterNew 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire gunsAP Business SummaryBrief at 3:14 p.m. EST

Women's surfing pioneer Phyllis O'Donnell honoured in Gold Coast paddle outCompany experts offer predictions across key sectors to help businesses navigate the unexpected MEMPHIS, Tenn. , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Sedgwick , a leading global provider of claims management, loss adjusting and technology-enabled business solutions, has published its Forecasting 2025 thought leadership report . In preparing the report, Sedgwick's experts conducted research and engaged with clients for notable insights to forecast trends across key sectors and topics. The content focuses on ensuring organizations are aware of new risks and evolving trends and helping them navigate the unexpected in the year ahead. The Forecasting 2025 thought leadership report highlights trends related to: "2024 was a seismic year across industry sectors as companies navigated the unexpected, and 2025 will be no different," said Kimberly George, Sedgwick's Global Chief Brand Officer . "These predictions serve as a barometer for what's to come, so leaders around the world can prepare accordingly." The trends and predictions in the Forecasting 2025 report will be monitored by Sedgwick's experts throughout the year and serve as part of a larger thought leadership strategy to keep clients and partners informed. With this, Sedgwick will launch a new podcast featuring in-depth conversations with its experts and client partners on a new topic each month. For more on the report insights, visit sedgwick.com . About Sedgwick Sedgwick is a leading global provider of claims management, loss adjusting and technology-enabled business solutions. The company provides a broad range of resources tailored to clients' specific needs in casualty, property, marine, benefits, brand protection and other lines. At Sedgwick, caring counts; through the dedication and expertise of over 33,000 colleagues across 80 countries, the company takes care of people and organizations by mitigating and reducing risks and losses, promoting health and productivity, protecting brand reputations, and containing costs that can impact performance. Sedgwick's majority shareholder is The Carlyle Group; Stone Point Capital LLC, Altas Partners, CDPQ, Onex and other management investors are minority shareholders. For more, see sedgwick.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sedgwick-shares-major-trends-in-forecasting-2025-report-302330767.html SOURCE Sedgwick Claims Management Services, Inc.

Travis Hunter named AP player of the yearBEAVER CREEK, Colo. -- As the situation stands, snowboarder/ski racer Ester Ledecka has two Olympic races on the same day in 2026, at nearly the same time and in Italian mountain towns hours apart. The Czech Republic standout simply can’t make both starting gates. So she may have a big decision to make on Feb. 8, 2026 — race in the women's downhill at the Milan-Cortina Games or go for a three-peat in snowboarding’s parallel giant slalom. Unless, of course, her lobbying efforts pay off. Ledecka said she's going through her country's Olympic committee to reach out and see if one of the events can be switched. The Winter Games schedule was just recently released. “It’s like someone has broken your dream,” the 29-year-old Ledecka said after a training run in Beaver Creek as she prepares for a World Cup downhill and super-G this weekend. “So please change it. Please, please, please. It’s my biggest dream to do both. I can create a great show for people.” Ledecka is the rare athlete to do both winter sports at such a gold medal-winning level. Nearly seven years ago, Ledecka was a surprise winner in the super-G at the Pyeongchang Games — from bib No. 26, no less. A week later, she captured gold in the parallel GS (PGS). At the 2022 Beijing Winter Games, she defended her PGS crown along with finishing fifth in the super-G, 27th in the downhill and fourth in the Alpine combined. To amend an Olympic schedule would not be unprecedented. Before the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, the International Olympic Committee and the governing body for track and field accommodated a request from Allyson Felix to go for a 200-400 double. She earned a silver in the 400. In 1996, the schedule was shifted so American sprinter Michael Johnson could run in the 200 and 400 at the Atlanta Games. He won gold in both. “I would appreciate it,” said Ledecka, who started skiing at 2 years old and snowboarding three years later. “They’re fighting (for it) right now.” The current schedule has snowboarding parallel giant slalom holding a qualifying round from 9 a.m. to 11 on Feb. 8 in Livigno, Italy. The final is set for 1 p.m. Meanwhile, the women's downhill is set to take place in Cortina at 11:30 a.m. It's about a 4-hour drive between the two events. For now, she's leaning toward snowboarding. Only because a few days later she could ski race in a super-G. “I was quite sad about that fact,” Ledecka said of the conflict between events. "We'll see. It’s still quite far away.” Ledecka has 88 World Cup starts in skiing, with 10 podium finishes and four wins. She has 63 World Cup starts in snowboarding, featuring 39 podium finishes and 25 wins. “I don’t know how she does it,” said American ski racer Jacqueline Wiles, who dabbled in snowboarding as a kid. “It’s absolutely insane.” Ledecka enjoys both sports for different reasons. In skiing, it's for the speed. For snowboarding, it's the execution of a turn. It's not always easy splitting her time between the two sports, fitting in training around events. She won a PGS race on Nov. 30 in China before arriving in Beaver Creek. After this, it's off to St. Moritz, Switzerland, for more ski racing. She's currently traveling with eight snowboards and 20 pairs of skis. “You cannot believe how stacked the ski room is right now,” Ledecka cracked. “I really admire my tech guy and how he's handling it all. I’m very happy to have my team help me do this, my dream, of going from the snowboard World Cup to the ski World Cup. I'm having a lot of fun.” Notes: Lara Gut-Behrami of Switzerland had the fastest time in the second training run Thursday. Italians racers Sofia Goggia and Federica Brignone were both within a second. ... Lindsey Vonn is not expected to forerun before the third and final training session Friday. The 40-year-old Vonn still plans on testing out the course before this weekend's races on the Birds of Prey course. ___ AP skiing: https://apnews.com/hub/alpine-skiing

President-elect Donald Trump reportedly switched gears and served as the DJ at his big Thanksgiving bash at Mar-a-Lago this year. The star-studded guest list of around 300 people included the likes of Elon Musk , who sat at Trump's VIP table , and his immediate family as well as actor Sylvester Stallone, 78, former Patriots coach Bill Belichick, 72, and his young girlfriend Jordon Hudson, 24, insiders dished to Page Six. The dinner was reportedly open to guests and members . Pete Hegseth's mother is 'praying' for 'abusive' son and begs him to 'get help' Trump wants Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange deal before he takes office “Melania looked very svelte and chic in a brown/orange fall-colored dress with long sleeves with bursts of color in squares," an inside source told The New York Post. "Eric and Lara [Trump] were there, as was Elon Musk and his mother Maye, and Tiffany Trump and her husband.” President Donald J Trump tonight at Mar-a-Lago for Thanksgiving with First Lady Melania Trump, Barron Trump, Elon Musk & Elon’s Mother! TRUMP-VANCE 2024! #MAGA #donaldtrump #trump2024 #maralago #thanksgiving #melaniatrump @realdonaldtrump @teamtrump @trumpwarroom @whitehouse45 ... pic.twitter.com/4s4jr2s9Rg — Michael Solakiewicz (@michaelsolakie) November 29, 2024 The Trump family arrived at 6:45 p.m. and left at 9:15 p.m., the source said. Trump, known for playing old-time hits at his rallies, reportedly scratched his music itch as the resident DJ for the affair. “Trump played DJ all night and opened up with ‘YMCA,’ and went on to play Elvis hits and ‘Phantom of the Opera’ and ‘Ave Maria’ as his go-to songs," the source said. Trump reportedly likes to DJ regularly at the club, where membership fees have skyrocketed to more than $1 million, according to The New York Post. "There were no speeches, but Elon was seen making a toast to the president and his family.” DON'T MISS... 'Do not underestimate' AOC for 2028 presidential run, ex-Trump official warns Fox Guest says Trump shouldn't be compared to Hitler as he's got 'humor' Canadian PM Trudeau has dinner with Trump at Mar-a-Lago after tariff threat Super thankful for Grandpa, for so many reasons. I was telling @TheSlyStallone that I just watched Demolition Man again and how well it predicted the crazy woke future 30 years ago! https://t.co/3wlYgdJus4 — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 29, 2024 Clips shared on social media appear to show Musk and Trump jamming out to the "YMCA." Attendees were required to cough up $350 per person, in addition to drinks, the insider claimed. “It was a lavish buffet with turkey and all the fixings, and literally everything else imaginable,” said the source, adding, “fall-colored [arrangements] were on the table.” Trump posted on social media for the holiday: “Happy Thanksgiving to all, including to the Radical Left Lunatics who have worked so hard to destroy our Country.”

TOKYO — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan have announced plans to work toward a merger that would form the world’s third-largest automaker by sales, as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors Corp. also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Automakers in Japan have lagged behind their big rivals in electric vehicles and are trying to cut costs and make up for lost time as newcomers like China’s BYD and EV market leader Tesla devour market share. Honda’s president, Toshihiro Mibe, said Honda and Nissan will attempt to unify their operations under a joint holding company. Honda will lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. They aim to have a formal merger agreement by June and to complete the deal and list the holding company on the Tokyo Stock Exchange by August 2026, he said. No dollar value was given and the formal talks are just starting, Mibe said. There are “points that need to be studied and discussed,” he said. “Frankly speaking, the possibility of this not being implemented is not zero.” A merger could result in a behemoth worth more than $50 billion based on the market capitalization of all three automakers. Together, Honda, Nissan and Mitsubishi would gain scale to compete with Toyota Motor Corp. and with Germany’s Volkswagen AG. Toyota has technology partnerships with Japan’s Mazda Motor Corp. and Subaru Corp. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month, with unconfirmed reports saying Taiwan iPhone maker Foxconn was seeking to tie up with Nissan by buying shares from the Japan’s company’s other alliance partner, Renault SA of France. Nissan’s CEO Makoto Uchida said Foxconn had not directly approach his company. He also acknowledged that Nissan’s situation was “severe.” Even after a merger Toyota, which rolled out 11.5 million vehicles in 2023, would remain the leading Japanese automaker. If they join, the three smaller companies would make about 8 million vehicles. In 2023, Honda made 4 million and Nissan produced 3.4 million. Mitsubishi Motors made just over 1 million. “We have come to the realization that in order for both parties to be leaders in this mobility transformation, it is necessary to make a more bold change than a collaboration in specific areas,” Mibe said. Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi earlier agreed to share components for electric vehicles like batteries and to jointly research software for autonomous driving to adapt better to electrification. Nissan has struggled following a scandal that began with the arrest of its former chairman Carlos Ghosn in late 2018 on charges of fraud and misuse of company assets, allegations that he denies. He eventually was released on bail and fled to Lebanon. Speaking Monday to reporters in Tokyo via a video link, Ghosn derided the planned merger as a “desperate move.” From Nissan, Honda could get truck-based body-on-frame large SUVs such as the Armada and Infiniti QX80 that Honda doesn’t have, with large towing capacities and good off-road performance, Sam Fiorani, vice president of AutoForecast Solutions, told The Associated Press. Nissan also has years of experience building batteries and electric vehicles, and gas-electric hybrid powertrains that could help Honda in developing its own EVs and next generation of hybrids, he said. But the company said in November that it was slashing 9,000 jobs, or about 6% of its global work force, and reducing its global production capacity by 20% after reporting a quarterly loss of 9.3 billion yen ($61 million). It recently reshuffled its management and Uchida, its chief executive, took a 50% pay cut while acknowledging responsibility for the financial woes, saying Nissan needed to become more efficient and respond better to market tastes, rising costs and other global changes. “We anticipate that if this integration comes to fruition, we will be able to deliver even greater value to a wider customer base,” Uchida said. Fitch Ratings recently downgraded Nissan’s credit outlook to “negative,” citing worsening profitability, partly due to price cuts in the North American market. But it noted that it has a strong financial structure and solid cash reserves that amounted to 1.44 trillion yen ($9.4 billion). Nissan’s share price also had fallen to the point where it is considered something of a bargain. On Monday, its Tokyo-traded shares gained 1.6%. They jumped more than 20% after news of the possible merger broke last week. Honda’s shares surged 3.8%. Honda’s net profit slipped nearly 20% in the first half of the April-March fiscal year from a year earlier, as its sales suffered in China. The merger reflects an industry-wide trend toward consolidation. At a routine briefing Monday, Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said he would not comment on details of the automakers’ plans, but said Japanese companies need to stay competitive in the fast changing market. “As the business environment surrounding the automobile industry largely changes, with competitiveness in storage batteries and software is increasingly important, we expect measures needed to survive international competition will be taken,” Hayashi said.designer491 Written by Nick Ackerman, co-produced by Stanford Chemist. 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A West Vancouver non-profit is raising funds to help provide opportunities for urban Indigenous people to succeed. On Giving Tuesday, which is Dec. 3, the Urban Spirit Foundation is hosting a fundraiser event where people can enjoy chili and bannock along with sales of baked goods, raffle prizes and a 50/50 draw. “Without fundraisers like this, it would be less money in the pot to be able to do the good work that we’re doing,” said Lynn White, executive director of the Urban Spirit Foundation. White says urban Indigenous people are those who reside in cities, but also those who may not have status or are not connected to their First Nation. The Urban Spirit Foundation is a charitable organization that provide opportunities for Indigenous people living in the city through education and employment training, secondary and post-secondary scholarships and relief of poverty. The fundraiser began shortly after the foundation launched in 2007. Once the team heard about Giving Tuesday, White said they were inspired to use it as a charity fundraising event. The Urban Spirit Foundation works in partnership with the Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society (ACCESS), where White is also the CEO. Some of the raffle prizes include Vancouver Canucks tickets and gift cards for Hype Chocolate and Indigenous owned cosmetic brand Cheekbone Beauty. The money collected helps go back into the programs the foundation and ACCESS offer, White said. Since its creation, the foundation has been able to provide scholarships to Indigenous people within the Vancouver and Surrey school districts, British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) and more. “I really take pride in being able to give out some scholarships and support our people who are going back to school and trying to struggle their way out of poverty and into a career,” White said. The two organizations also help provide employment opportunities, including the BladeRunners program , that helps give at-risk young people between ages 19 and 30 work experience, certified health and safety training and social skills development. As the hours lead up to the fundraiser, the team is preparing the chili and bannock. “We welcome anybody who would like to come by and support us and have some chili,” White said. Urban Spirit Foundation fundraiser Where : ACCESS head office, 108-100 Park Royal South, West Vancouver When : Dec. 3, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission: $18 Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative . [email protected]Final sitting days to follow intense government scrutiny

(The Center Square) – Homeowners in the market for washers and dryers may have better-performing options to choose from in the near future due to a bill limiting the extent of energy efficiency mandates on laundry appliances passing the U.S. House. The Republican-led House Resolution 1612 , or Liberty in Laundry Act, would prohibit the Secretary of Energy from enforcing energy conservation standards for clothes washers or dryers that “are not cost-effective or technologically feasible.” Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., who introduced the legislation, said the move is a response to the “slew of woke, ‘environmental’ nonsense rulemaking attempts” by the Biden administration and U.S. Department of Energy. “I have spent much of my time in Congress fighting back the federal government’s vast overreach into the lives of hardworking Americans,” Ogles announced after the bill’s passage Tuesday. “Americans should be able to do their laundry in peace without the input of Big Brother.” Earlier this year, the DOE finalized new updated standards for residential clothes washers and dryers which aim to cut costs and pollution. It estimates the regulations will reduce nearly 71 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions–equivalent to the combined annual emissions of nearly 9 million homes–and up to $39 billion on Americans’ energy and water bills over the next 30 years. House Democrats opposed the legislation's passage, saying "absolutely no one" stands to benefit from the law and accused Republicans of trying to curry favor with special interest groups. "H.R. 7673 guts popular energy efficiency standards for laundry machines – standards that save Americans money on their utility bills and reduce dangerous greenhouse gas pollution at the same time," said Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr., D-N.J. "These efficiency standards create certainty for manufacturers and they protect consumers from rising costs. And, in the case of these laundry machine standards, they also reduce water use – a benefit that could greatly aid drought-prone regions around the nation." But the less electricity and water laundry appliances use, the less effectively they tend to perform, according to an Oct. 2024 report by the Institute for Energy Research. “Historically, appliances meeting Energy Department standards have often underperformed and have higher costs,” the report stated. “The Biden-Harris administration is imposing a series of regulations that are raising appliance prices and compromising quality for homeowners.” Unless the bill is signed into law, laundry appliance makers have until March 2028 to comply with the new rules.