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2025-01-10
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Over 100 Companies to Participate in Abuja China-Africa Trade ExpoHouse approves $895B defense bill with military pay raise, ban on transgender care for minorsThe ( ) may be a leading opportunity to buy in December before 2025 starts. The affordable jewellery retailer could be one of the best because it can deliver both capital and growth. Compared to where it was a decade ago, the Lovisa share price has climbed more than 1,200%, plus dividends. I'm not expecting the next ten years to be good, but I'm very optimistic about what it could achieve. For starters, the has indicated that Australia's inflation is headed in the right direction. This may signal that cuts are getting closer, which could help increase consumer spending, perhaps as early as February or March 2025. But, with a global store network, an RBA rate cut in Australia may not help as much as it would a company like ( ). However, that global store network is one of the main reasons why Lovisa is such an appealing ASX retail stock. Let me explain why I'm so optimistic about the company. The company is rolling out its store network across every continent (except Antarctica), which gives the ASX retail stock a lot of room to grow. At the end of , the company had 900 stores, 206 of which were in Australia and New Zealand. It has a presence in countries with large populations that could support much larger store numbers, such as China, Vietnam, Italy, Germany, the UK, Poland, Canada, and the USA. In FY24 alone, the business added 99 net new stores to its network, which represented an increase of 12% year over year. I believe the ASX retail stock will be able to double its store network size in less than eight years, perhaps quite a bit sooner. As the company's revenue grows, I'm expecting Lovisa's profit to grow even faster. One of the great things about its business model is that its increased scale can lead to rising profit margins. A bigger store network means better buying power with suppliers, spreading the company-wide fixed costs across more stores, and various other benefits. Ultimately, investors usually value businesses based on how much profit they're making. According to UBS, revenue is expected to rise by 60% to $1.23 billion between FY25 and FY29. Net profit is projected to rise 74% between FY25 and FY29. That implies profit margins could noticeably rise in the next few years. If Lovisa can continue growing its by more than 10% per year, then I think the Lovisa share price could keep climbing. The ASX retail stock is rewarding shareholders with a high . It doesn't need to hold onto much cash, considering opening a store with affordable jewellery does not require much capital. The ASX dividend stock more than doubled its dividend between FY19 and FY24, and the dividend is expected to keep growing in the long term. According to the UBS forecast, the company is projected to pay an annual dividend per share of 90 cents in FY25, which could grow to $1.48 per share by FY29 (a 64% rise). The 2029 financial year payout is projected to have a dividend yield of 4.9%. I expect the ASX retail stock may be able to deliver even more dividend growth after that.
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Belfast's very own chicken wing kings have announced the opening date and time of their latest outlet. Wing It will launch its brand new location on the Lisburn Road this Monday, December 9. It will join the firm's other three locations at Ballyhackamore in East Belfast , the Malone Road in South Belfast and at the Boneyard on Bedford Street in the city centre . In a post on Instagram, Wing It said the new outlet would be their biggest yet as they shared a sneak peak inside with their followers. READ MORE: Belfast social pictures as friends catch up at the Christmas Market READ MORE: Belfast Krispy Kreme looks set to open outlet in city centre They said: "Wing It Lisburn Road - Opening December 9th. Our biggest Wing It yet. Ready for you all. "Thank you to everyone that helped us get to this point. It’s been one hell of a journey. "Huge thank you to @plydesignni @dougancontracts , Rainbow signage, the electricians, painters, plumbers, tilers, everyone! This place wouldn’t be half the standard if it wasn’t for all your hard work." Wing It has enjoyed a cult status among Northern Ireland's street foodies with its devotion to the humble chicken wing and some sensational sides since opening in 2022. For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What's On newsletter .ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions watched Washington beat Philadelphia on the way home following a bounce-back win at Chicago that helped them keep pace with Minnesota in the race for the NFC North title and top seeding in the conference. “I had it on my phone," Jared Goff said after throwing for 336 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-17 victory against the Bears. “Everyone else seemed to have it on their phone, too.” The Lions and Vikings are 13-2 and have two games left, including the regular-season finale against each other on Jan. 5 at Ford Field. The Eagles dropped to 12-3. Detroit plays slumping San Francisco on the road next Monday night, a rematch of the NFC championship game in which the Lions lost a 17-point lead in the second half. “We know we have to win,” coach Dan Campbell said Monday. Minnesota plays Green Bay (9-4) on Sunday at home. Philadelphia ends the regular season at home against Dallas and the New York Giants. “It’s exciting to be where we’re at,” Campbell said. “To me, this is why you want to coach and play in this league.” Detroit Lions cornerback Amik Robertson celebrates the team's 34-17 win over the Chicago Bears in an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Chicago. Credit: AP/Erin Hooley What’s working Giving the ball to Jahmyr Gibbs. He had a season-high 23 carries — three shy of his career high — for 109 yards and a touchdown, along with four catches for 45 yards. He's more than capable of being featured while David Montgomery attempts to come back from a knee injury. Gibbs has accounted for at least 70 yards for 15 straight games, matching the franchise-record run Hall of Famer Barry Sanders had in 1997. Sanders, Billy Sims and Gibbs are the three players in team history to have 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 15 touchdowns in a season. What needs help Pass defense. Chicago's Keenan Allen had nine receptions for 141 yards and a score. The Lions have allowed an opponent to have at least 114 yards receiving in three straight games and 96 or more yards receiving in five consecutive games. Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff throws an 82-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jameson Williams during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Chicago. Credit: AP/Erin Hooley Stock up Goff. He threw for at least 275 yards and two touchdowns with a passer rating for 135 for the fifth time this year, becoming the first player in league history to do that in a season. He had the 41st 300-yard passing game of his career, matching the total Hall of Famer Dan Marino and Matt Ryan had through their first nine seasons and trailing only Patrick Mahomes' total of 47 in his eight-year career. Goff directs an offense that has scored a franchise-record 493 points in 15 games, surpassing the 2011 team that scored 474 points during a 10-6 season with quarterback Matthew Stafford and Hall of Fame wide receiver Calvin Johnson. Stock down Jameson Williams’ maturity. He was called for taunting against Chicago, drawing a 15-yard penalty to let questions about his decision-making linger. Williams heard about his latest mistake from Campbell on the sideline. Williams shook it off and finished with a career-high 143 yards, including an 82-yard touchdown reception, in what Campbell said was the best game of his three-year career. Injuries Starting guard Graham Glasgow, who was inactive with a knee injury at Chicago, is expected to return to the lineup at San Francisco. ... Safety Ifeatu Melifonwu made his season debut against the Bears after being out with Achilles tendon and finger injuries. ... Campbell said linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin may be available against the 49ers, adding linebacker Alex Anzalone is close to being cleared to practice. Key number 7 — Detroit has won seven straight NFC North games, dating to last season. Next steps The NFL's only undefeated team in road games will aim to extend a franchise record with an eighth win away from home this season against the 49ers to set up a showdown with Minnesota.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Formula 1 on Monday at last said it will expand its grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. “As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands boundary-pushing innovation and excellence. It’s an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world’s premier racing series, and we’re committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world,” GM President Mark Reuss said. “This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM’s engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level.” The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a U.S. Justice Department investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti. Andretti in September stepped aside from leading his namesake organization, so the 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. Towriss is the the CEO and president of Group 1001 and entered motorsports via Andretti’s IndyCar team when he signed on financial savings platform Gainbridge as a sponsor. Towriss is now a major part of the motorsports scene with ownership stakes in both Spire Motorsports’ NASCAR team and Wayne Taylor Racing’s sports car team. RELATED COVERAGE Most drivers not named Joey Logano eager for some changes to NASCAR’s current playoff format Verstappen still manages to win 4th straight F1 title in one of worst seasons of his Red Bull career Russell and Hamilton give Mercedes a 1-2 finish in Las Vegas Walter is the chief executive of financial services firm Guggenheim Partners and the controlling owner of both the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and Premier League club Chelsea. “We’re excited to partner with General Motors in bringing a dynamic presence to Formula 1,” Towriss said. “Together, we’re assembling a world-class team that will embody American innovation and deliver unforgettable moments to race fans around the world.” Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 world champion, will have an ambassador role with Cadillac F1. But his son, Michael, will have no official position with the organization now that he has scaled back his involvement with Andretti Global. “The Cadillac F1 Team is made up of a strong group of people that have worked tirelessly to build an American works team,” Michael Andretti posted on social media. “I’m very proud of the hard work they have put in and congratulate all involved on this momentous next step. I will be cheering for you!” The approval has been in works for weeks but was held until after last weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix to not overshadow the showcase event of the Liberty Media portfolio. Max Verstappen won his fourth consecutive championship in Saturday night’s race, the third and final stop in the United States for the top motorsports series in the world. Grid expansion in F1 is both infrequent and often unsuccessful. Four teams were granted entries in 2010 that should have pushed the grid to 13 teams and 26 cars for the first time since 1995. One team never made it to the grid and the other three had vanished by 2017. There is only one American team on the current F1 grid — owned by California businessman Gene Haas — but it is not particularly competitive and does not field American drivers. Andretti’s dream was to field a truly American team with American drivers. The fight to add this team has been going on for three-plus years and F1 initially denied the application despite approval from F1 sanctioning body FIA . The existing 10 teams, who have no voice in the matter, also largely opposed expansion because of the dilution in prize money and the billions of dollars they’ve already invested in the series. Andretti in 2020 tried and failed to buy the existing Sauber team. From there, he applied for grid expansion and partnered with GM, the top-selling manufacturer in the United States. The inclusion of GM was championed by the FIA and president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who said Michael Andretti’s application was the only one of seven applicants to meet all required criteria to expand F1’s current grid. “General Motors is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world and is working with impressive partners,” Ben Sulayem said Monday. “I am fully supportive of the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards this outcome of an agreement in principle to progress this application.” Despite the FIA’s acceptance of Andretti and General Motors from the start, F1 wasn’t interested in Andretti — but did want GM. At one point, F1 asked GM to find another team to partner with besides Andretti. GM refused and F1 said it would revisit the Andretti application if and when Cadillac had an engine ready to compete. “Formula 1 has maintained a dialogue with General Motors, and its partners at TWG Global, regarding the viability of an entry following the commercial assessment and decision made by Formula 1 in January 2024,” F1 said in a statement. “Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the 11th team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier at a later time. Formula 1 is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process.” Yet another major shift in the debate over grid expansion occurred earlier this month with the announced resignation of Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei, who was largely believed to be one of the biggest opponents of the Andretti entry. “With Formula 1’s continued growth plans in the US, we have always believed that welcoming an impressive US brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could bring additional value and interest to the sport,” Maffei said. “We credit the leadership of General Motors and their partners with significant progress in their readiness to enter Formula 1.” ___ AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Syrian insurgents reach the capital's suburbs. Worried residents flee and stock up on supplies BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents’ stunning march across Syria is gaining speed with news that they have reached the suburbs of the capital of Damascus. The government on Saturday was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels’ moves around Damascus were reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander. They came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions. The factions are by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on PARIS (AP) — France’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral has formally reopened its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. The five-year restoration is widely seen as a boost for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline, and brings a welcome respite from his domestic political woes. World leaders, dignitaries, and worshippers gathered on Saturday evening for the celebrations under the cathedral's soaring arches. The celebration was attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ Trump is welcomed by Macron to Paris with presidential pomp and joined by Zelenskyy for their talks PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed Donald Trump to Paris with a full a dose of presidential pomp. And they held a hastically-arranged meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a day that's mixing pageantry with attention to pressing global problems. The president-elect's visit to France is part of a global a celebration of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral five years after a devastating fire. Macron and other European leaders are trying to win Trump’s favor and persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. Trump isn't back in office but he's already pushing his agenda and negotiating with world leaders NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump is making threats, traveling abroad, and negotiating with world leaders. He has more than a month-and-a-half to go before he’s sworn in for a second term. But the president-elect is already moving aggressively to not only fill his Cabinet and outline policy goals, but also to try to achieve his priorities. In recent days, Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, two of the country’s largest trading partners. That led to emergency calls and a visit. And he's warned of “ALL HELL TO PAY” if Hamas doesn't release the hostages still being held captive in Gaza. South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over short-lived martial law SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol has avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Most of Yoon's ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea. A survey suggests a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party. But the party also apparently fears losing the presidency to liberals. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. UnitedHealthcare CEO's shooting opens a door for many to vent frustrations over insurance The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's CEO has opened the door for many people to vent their frustrations and anger over the insurance industry. The feelings of exasperation, anger, resentment, and helplessness toward insurers aren’t new. But the shooting and the headlines around it have unleashed a new wave of patients sharing such sentiments and personal stories of interactions with insurance companies. Conversations at dinner tables, office water coolers, social gatherings and on social media have pivoted to the topic. Many say they hope the new amplified voices can bring about change for companies often accused of valuing profits over people. 100-year-old Pearl Harbor survivor recalls confusion and chaos during Japanese bombing 83 years ago PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — The bombing of Pearl Harbor 83 years ago launched the United States into World War II. Two survivors are planning to return to the Hawaii military base on Saturday for a remembrance ceremony on the attack's anniversary. They are each over 100 years old. They will join active-duty troops, veterans and members of the public for a remembrance ceremony hosted by the Navy and the National Park Service. A third survivor was planning to join them but had to cancel due to health issues. The bombing killed more than 2,300 U.S. servicemen. An explosion destroys an apartment block in a Dutch city, killing at least 3 and injuring others THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An explosion and fire has rocked a neighborhood in the Dutch city of The Hague, killing three people and injuring other people and destroying several apartments. The cause of the disaster is unclear. Emergency authorities said four people were rescued from the rubble and taken to the hospital. The mayor said rescuers were no longer looking for survivors but for eventual bodies, but could not specify how many people might still be unaccounted for. Residents of the northeastern neighborhood of Mariahoeve in The Hague heard a huge bang and screams before dawn. Dutch authorities have deployed a specialized urban search and rescue team to find victims. How 'Mufasa' rose with Aaron Pierre and Blue Ivy's voices along with new Lin-Manuel Miranda music SAN DIEGO (AP) — When Aaron Pierre was cast as Mufasa, the weight of following in the late James Earl Jones’ legendary footsteps was enough to rattle any actor. But instead of letting the pressure roar too loudly, he harnessed his nerves to breathe fresh life into his young lion character. Pierre found parallels between himself and his character while filming his leading role in “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which opens in theaters Dec. 20. He took the reigns as the new voice of Mufasa after Jones played the iconic King Mufasa in both the 1994 and 2019 versions of Disney’s “The Lion King.” The prequel offers a fresh exploration into Mufasa’s origin story.NEW YORK, Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Monteverde & Associates PC (the "M&A Class Action Firm"), has recovered millions of dollars for shareholders and is recognized as a Top 50 Firm by ISS Securities Class Action Services Report. We are headquartered at the Empire State Building in New York City and are investigating: Manitex International, Inc. (Nasdaq: MNTX ), relating to its proposed merger with Tadano Ltd. Under the terms of the agreement, Manitex International shares will automatically be converted into the right to receive $5.80 in cash per share. ACT NOW. The Shareholder Vote is scheduled for December 20, 2024. Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/manitex-international-inc/ . It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you. Patterson Companies, Inc. (NASDAQ: PDCO ) , relating to the proposed merger with Patient Square Capital. Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders of Patterson will receive $31.35 in cash per share. Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/patterson-companies-inc-pdco/ . It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you. First of Long Island Corp. (Nasdaq: FLIC ), relating to its proposed merger with ConnectOne Bancorp, Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, FLIC anticipates acquiring ConnectOne shares at the price of 0.5175 shares of FLIC common stock. Click here for more information: https://monteverdelaw.com/case/first-of-long-island-corp/ . It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you. MoneyLion Inc. (NYSE: ML ) , relating to the proposed merger with Gen Digital Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, shareholders of MoneyLion will receive $82.00 per share in cash, and, in addition, one contingent value right per share entitling the shareholder to a contingent payment of Gen Digital common stock. Click here for more https://monteverdelaw.com/case/moneylion-inc-ml/ . It is free and there is no cost or obligation to you. NOT ALL LAW FIRMS ARE THE SAME. Before you hire a law firm, you should talk to a lawyer and ask: Do you file class actions and go to Court? When was the last time you recovered money for shareholders? What cases did you recover money in and how much? About Monteverde & Associates PC Our firm litigates and has recovered money for shareholders...and we do it from our offices in the Empire State Building. We are a national class action securities firm with a successful track record in trial and appellate courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court. No company, director or officer is above the law. If you own common stock in any of the above listed companies and have concerns or wish to obtain additional information free of charge, please visit our website or contact Juan Monteverde, Esq. either via e-mail at jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com or by telephone at (212) 971-1341. Contact: Juan Monteverde, Esq. MONTEVERDE & ASSOCIATES PC The Empire State Building 350 Fifth Ave. Suite 4740 New York, NY 10118 United States of America jmonteverde@monteverdelaw.com Tel: (212) 971-1341 Attorney Advertising. (C) 2024 Monteverde & Associates PC. The law firm responsible for this advertisement is Monteverde & Associates PC ( www.monteverdelaw.com ). 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"Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum." Section 1.10.32 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum", written by Cicero in 45 BC "Sed ut perspiciatis unde omnis iste natus error sit voluptatem accusantium doloremque laudantium, totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt explicabo. Nemo enim ipsam voluptatem quia voluptas sit aspernatur aut odit aut fugit, sed quia consequuntur magni dolores eos qui ratione voluptatem sequi nesciunt. Neque porro quisquam est, qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit, sed quia non numquam eius modi tempora incidunt ut labore et dolore magnam aliquam quaerat voluptatem. Ut enim ad minima veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullam corporis suscipit laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur? Quis autem vel eum iure reprehenderit qui in ea voluptate velit esse quam nihil molestiae consequatur, vel illum qui dolorem eum fugiat quo voluptas nulla pariatur?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" 1914 translation by H. Rackham "But I must explain to you how all this mistaken idea of denouncing pleasure and praising pain was born and I will give you a complete account of the system, and expound the actual teachings of the great explorer of the truth, the master-builder of human happiness. No one rejects, dislikes, or avoids pleasure itself, because it is pleasure, but because those who do not know how to pursue pleasure rationally encounter consequences that are extremely painful. Nor again is there anyone who loves or pursues or desires to obtain pain of itself, because it is pain, but because occasionally circumstances occur in which toil and pain can procure him some great pleasure. To take a trivial example, which of us ever undertakes laborious physical exercise, except to obtain some advantage from it? But who has any right to find fault with a man who chooses to enjoy a pleasure that has no annoying consequences, or one who avoids a pain that produces no resultant pleasure?" To keep reading, please log in to your account, create a free account, or simply fill out the form below.
I’m a Certified Personal Trainer, and These Are My Favorite Black Friday Deals on Fitness EquipmentProjects that do not improve the company’s financial health will be scrapped, and some business units will be merged to avoid redundancy of human resources, the Shanghai-based carmaker said in a statement on Wednesday. “We will make all-out efforts to focus on our goals to improve efficiency in operation and management,” the statement said. “All measures will be taken to adapt to the new situations amid the rebirth of the company.” The statement came after speculation on social media in mainland China that Jiyue had edged closer to liquidation due to poor sales in the world’s largest EV market, which is crowded with more than 50 major players. In a letter to employees on Wednesday, CEO Xia Yiping admitted that the company was under pressure to stay afloat, and said that a drastic revamp of existing operating units would be pivotal to Jiyue’s fate. “The management will do its best to overcome difficulties,” he said in the letter seen by the Post. “The restructuring plan has received full understanding and full support from the shareholders.” The CEO did not elaborate on which business units would cease or how many employees would be affected.Panthers predicted to poach highly-touted WR from AFC | Sporting NewsBitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Dogecoin Slide On Quiet Monday, Trader Predicts 'Choppy' Price Action Until 2025
Numerology Predictions Today, December 12, 2024: Read your personalized forecast for numbers 1 to 9None
Lindsey Vonn competes in a pair of downhills, another step on her comeback trail at the age of 40
Lululemon's Celeste Burgoyne sells $10m in stockGrowing up, Pete Bissonette always wanted to live in a bus or a cave. The latter dream came true, at least in a sense. Bissonette has one of the about 650 homes Mankato, Minnesota-based Earth Sheltered Technology has built since it began in 1981. The company, which has houses in the Twin Cities and Wisconsin as well as in California and Alaska, specializes in partly underground structures, basically man-made caves. Underground homes, also known as earth-sheltered homes, have been around for nearly as long as humans have, though the modern incarnation seemed to gain traction in the 1970s after the 1973 oil embargo and ensuing energy crisis, according to an article in magazine Mother Earth News. At the time, people were looking to reduce energy usage, especially when it came to heating and cooling their homes. Underground homes have other benefits, too, including durability — particularly in the face of natural disasters like tornadoes — and low-maintenance needs (no need to paint when dirt and grass cover the whole house). Perhaps that’s why Earth Sheltered Technology has produced the bulk of its homes, about 450, in the past 17 years, said owner Jeff Hickok. Besides achieving his childhood dream, Bissonette’s other inspiration for building his underground home was the book “Earth Sheltered Housing Design,” published in the late 1970s by the University of Minnesota’s Underground Space Center. John Carmody, one of the leaders of the underground-home movement at the time as a systems designer and environmentalist, oversaw the center and the book, which sold 250,000 copies, according the to university’s website. “I loved every bit of building it,” Bissonette said of his house. “I’m glad I made the decision to build it. I have no intention of ever selling it and made it wheelchair accessible so I can get around in case I need one.” Bissonette said he has long worried about tornadoes. An underground home, he thought, would protect against that. Underground homes are known for their durability, Hickok said. He said at least two tornadoes have gone over his Mankato underground home. It’s a reason his company has been building so many underground houses in Oklahoma and Texas. Texas averages about 140 tornadoes each year, the most of any state, while Oklahoma ranks in the top five, per CNN. Other clients have reported the structures being able to withstand earthquakes, Hickok said. The U.S. Department of Energy’s website said earth-sheltered homes can cost less to insure, as they naturally can withstand high winds, hailstorms, tornadoes and hurricanes. The Australian Broadcasting Co. even published a story last year about such homes gaining popularity because of their ability to withstand high temperatures and bush fires. “The earth is a very good protector for tornadoes,” Hickok said. “A tornado can’t damage a home unless it can completely surround it, and with most underground homes, they only have south-facing windows.” In addition to saving money on a homeowner’s insurance policy, an underground home could also save on claims. Hail, for example, does minimal damage to the roof, with only some of the piping up top suffering damage. Earth Sheltered Technology was a retirement job for Jeff Hickok’s father, Jerry Hickok. Jeff Hickok said his dad had a fascination with living in a cellar as a child and created the company after finishing at his corporate job. As a kid, Hickok dreaded going to home shows with his father and didn’t pursue the business until later in his life, taking it on around 2007. “I didn’t realize how forward-thinking dad really was with energy-saving and safety of these things,” he said. “I’m so proud to be running the company that my father pioneered.” Another big selling point: An underground home uses about 80% less energy than a traditional home of its size. That’s because the ground insulates it to keep it at a stable 50- to 60-degree internal temperature. South-facing windows warm it during the day, Hickok said. Dick and Jeanne Newport of Berlin, Wisconsin, remember the ’70s energy crisis and how people wanted to be energy independent. They visited a friend’s underground home back then and left inspired to have their own one day, which eventually happened in 2016. About 980,000 pounds of solid concrete surrounds their two-bedroom, two-bathroom underground home, and most winters, only a single wood-burning stove heats the 2,000-square-foot property, Dick Newport said. On the roof, the two have planted native grasses. “People thought our house was a septic mound because they didn’t know what it was,” Jeanne Newport said. “Until you get to the front, you can’t tell it’s a house. There’s tall prairie grass all around it, and it’s really hard to see the whole rounded shape.” They estimate they pay about $115 in utilities for their highest-usage month. The average Minnesotan pays more than $151 a month for electric and gas utilities, according to Kris Lindahl Real Estate. The Newports estimated it cost about $350,000 to build their house including all the interior design, electrical and plumbing. When adjusting for inflation, that comes out to $465,799 in 2024. Earth Sheltered Technology builds several concrete dome structures with steel beams as support, insulating and waterproofing them for the price of about $150 per square foot, according to Hickok. But the rest is up to the homeowners to DIY or hire contractors. Having to do extra work didn’t bug the Newports, and the lower energy bills every month make up for the cost of building the home. “There’s not a lot of maintenance because most of the house is covered in dirt, and it’s quiet if the windows are closed,” Dick Newport said. “We have peace of mind living here.” This past summer, a “hobbit house” in Pine Lake Township, Minnesota, listed for about $180,000, drawing attention for its unique underground design. Being different is yet another perk of having an earth-sheltered home for Bissonette, who is working on an art piece made of 5,000 empty wine bottles. Outside of his two-bedroom, two-bathroom, 4,000-square-foot home, there’s a large labyrinth in his yard filled with statues from Bali, including one that can identify evil, Bissonette said. There are also tall native grasses growing on the roof among a smattering of solar tubes and ventilation pipes. His home blends into the surrounding vegetation and looks like several hills with trees and shrubs growing on them. It’s not until visitors turn a corner that they’re able to see two garage doors poking out, alongside a front door, wide driveway and windows. When he built his house in 2001, many of his neighbors thought it looked like a military base because of how hidden it was from the main road. But the rooftop patio makes it perfect for hosting, Bissonette said of the views of rolling farmland and acres of wildlife. Bissonette taught himself and installed much of the electrical work, also repurposing salvaged wood for the interior walls, making it uniquely his own. “What surprises people the most is how light it is in the house,” he said. “They expect it to be dark because it is underground, but the curved interior surface of the domes reflect light throughout the space, bouncing it across the inner surfaces, making it bright and light-filled.” Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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