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TORONTO, Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - IsoEnergy Ltd. ("IsoEnergy") (TSX: ISO) (OTCQX: ISENF) is pleased to announce shareholders of the company (the "Shareholders") have overwhelmingly approved two resolutions at the Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting") held today. These include the ordinary resolution (the "Share Issuance Resolution") to approve the share issuance in connection with the previously announced arrangement (the "Arrangement") involving IsoEnergy and Anfield Energy Corp. ("Anfield") and the special resolution (the "Share Consolidation Resolution") approving the discretionary consolidation of IsoEnergy shares. The Share Issuance Resolution was required to be approved by a simple majority of the votes cast by Shareholders virtually in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting and the Share Consolidation Resolution was required to be approved by at least two-thirds (66 2/3%) of the votes cast by Shareholders virtually in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting. A total of 116,633,626 Common Shares, representing approximately 65.23% of votes entitled to be cast at the Meeting, were represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting. Approximately 99.56% of the votes eligible to be cast were voted in favour of the Share Issuance Resolution and 99.19% in favour of the Share Consolidation Resolution. The report of voting results will be made available under IsoEnergy's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . In addition to the approval by IsoEnergy Shareholders, Anfield shareholders approved the Arrangement at its special meeting today. Anfield will seek a final order approving the Arrangement from the Supreme Court of British Columbia on December 6, 2024. Closing of the Arrangement remains subject to satisfaction of certain customary closing conditions, including receipt of final court and stock exchange approvals. Subject to the satisfaction of these closing conditions, the parties currently expect to complete the Arrangement in December 2024. IsoEnergy is also pleased to announce that the parties have received written notice from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States that it has concluded its review of the Arrangement and determined that there are no unresolved national security concerns with respect to the Arrangement. Further details regarding the Arrangement, including the principal closing conditions and the anticipated benefits for Shareholders, can be found in the Company's management proxy circular dated October 31, 2024, in respect of the Meeting, which can be found under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca . None of the securities to be issued pursuant to the Arrangement have been or will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and any securities issuable in the Arrangement are anticipated to be issued in reliance upon available exemptions from such registration requirements pursuant to Section 3(a)(10) of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable exemptions under state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". These forward-looking statements or information may relate to the Arrangement, including statements with respect to the consummation of the Arrangement and the timing thereof; satisfaction of conditions to closing of the Arrangement, including receipt of final court and stock exchange approvals; and any other activities, events or developments that the companies expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management at the time, are inherently subject to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Such assumptions include, but are not limited to, assumptions that IsoEnergy and Anfield will complete the Arrangement in accordance with, and on the timeline contemplated by the terms and conditions of the relevant agreements; that the parties will receive the required court and stock exchange approvals and will satisfy, in a timely manner, the other conditions to the closing of the Arrangement; and that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner. Although IsoEnergy has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Such statements represent the current views of IsoEnergy with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by IsoEnergy, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to the following: the inability of IsoEnergy and Anfield to complete the Arrangement; a material adverse change in the timing of and the terms and conditions upon which the Arrangemen tis completed; the inability to satisfy or waive all conditions to closing the Arrangement; the failure to obtain shareholder, regulatory, court or stock exchange approvals in connection with the Arrangement; unanticipated changes in market price for IsoEnergy Shares and/or Anfield shares; changes to IsoEnergy's and/or Anfield's current and future business plans and the strategic alternatives available thereto; growth prospects and outlook of Anfield's business; regulatory determinations and delays; stock market conditions generally; demand, supply and pricing for uranium; and general economic and political conditions in Canada, the United States and other jurisdictions where the applicable party conducts business. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in IsoEnergy's most recent annual information form, the Circular and IsoEnergy's other filings with the Canadian securities regulators which are available, respectively, on each company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca . IsoEnergy does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/isoenergy-announces-voting-results-from-special-meeting-302321595.html SOURCE IsoEnergy Ltd.This issue of the rise in new HIV cases in Fiji is cause for concern. It is worrying, especially when you consider the significant rise over the years. Since 2010, we have had a staggering 260 per cent increase in estimated new infections — the second fastest-growing epidemic in the Asia-Pacific region! We had 121 new HIV cases in 2021, which rose to 245 in 2022 and 415 in 2023. Now, from June this year, we have had an alarming 552 new cases! That’s shocking! Well, perhaps not as shocking as it should be, especially given the state of affairs in terms of drug use among Fijians these days. We reflect on the use of shared needles for methamphetamine for instance! We now realise how wide-spread it has become, and how long it has been around. The difference is now there appears to be more said and done about this challenge! Could that be another reason for the rise in numbers, the notion that because of awareness, people are having the courage to come out with their condition! One thing is for certain though, more is now said about HIV. When you look back at the figures, from 2010, we wonder why we sort of lacked the will power maybe, to push this to the top of our domestic agenda then? Health Ministry medical officer West Dr Abdul Shah believes the rise in new HIV cases is cause for concern. We agree! Speaking at the World AIDS Day event in Nadi on Friday, Mr Shah said they had seen an increase in the number of HIV/AIDS cases in Fiji. Of the new cases, he noted, an overwhelming 97 per cent were diagnosed in adults, with a concerning trend of mother-to-child transmission also on the rise. This year, Mr Shah said, there were multiple new infections diagnosed in newborns! He said 15 per cent of new cases reported involved people who used injectable illicit drugs! In saying that, there had also been an increase in AIDS-related deaths, emphasising the urgent need for effective intervention. So in the greater scheme of things, it is encouraging to know that the Health Ministry has developed the National HIV Surge Strategy for 2024 – 2027. Dr Shah said the strategy was a collaborative effort involving diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, civil society organisations, faith-based groups and the community at large. He said international technical organisations including WHO and UNAIDS were instrumental in this process. The National HIV Surge Strategy clearly aims to not only curb the rising numbers of new infections but also to mitigate the social stigma attached to HIV. This, without a doubt, often prevents people from seeking the care and treatment they need. So we say education and awareness campaigns are important in nurturing an environment where people feel safe to talk about their status and seek medical assistance. We say it is important for us to be proactive and vigilant, and address concerns before us. Let’s consider this a health crisis, and focus on education, awareness, prevention and treatment programs. Let’s talk about the stigma attached to it, and work on empowering people to understand HIV and AIDS! If we weren’t enthusiastic a few years ago about highlighting this negative impact on our country, then it is about time that we all back the campaign that is now in full swing around the country! Read the posters that line up many of our urban streets today, understand them, appreciate the message, and be empowered!

UK leader Starmer heads to Gulf to talk trade, Mideast

As the parliamentary year draws to a close, with speculation that an election will be called as early as March next year, a burning question comes to mind. Just what has been the point of the Albanese government? In two and a half years, interest rates have increased 12 times, meaning that mortgage repayments are 62 per cent higher than when the Albanese government came into office. For the past six quarters in a row, GDP per capita growth has been negative, the worst result in 50 years. It’s impossible for young people to get into the housing market, with record immigration levels meaning that housing supply is nowhere near keeping up with demand. Underlying inflation figures – the number once government subsidies are taken out of the equation – released this week show that groceries, rent, gas, insurance, among other things, are more expensive, meaning an interest rate cut won’t be coming any time soon. Power bills, rather than coming down by the much-vaunted $275, have increased close to four times that, thanks in no small part to Chris Bowen’s insane ideological crusade on weather-dependent wind and solar power. The cat was belled on this last week when Frontier Economics released a report that revealed the cost of building a renewable-only power grid is more than $500 billion higher than what the Albanese government has claimed. As we head into summer, this supposedly first world country is being told that the electricity system we have can no longer cope with heatwaves and risks blackouts if we turn on air-conditioners during 40C days. In Australia, 40C days mean a normal summer and I should be able to turn the air-conditioner on if I need to. AEMO invoked emergency energy powers to avoid blackouts. If a first world country cannot supply enough electricity for times when there is peak demand, well, as Chris Uhlmann put it, we are on a pathway to poverty while Bowen and his cronies conduct an experiment with the most essential of services, and destroying arable land and forests in doing so. And while the rest of the world at COP29 decides to press ahead with the reliable, safe, affordable and emissions free nuclear option, Bowen gives the proverbial middle finger to our AUKUS partners in developing the same nuclear energy that will power submarines to be used on land. Treasurer Jim Chalmers, after last year’s $15.8 billion surplus – thanks to soaring tax collections from mining companies who the government demonises – will manage to turn that into deficit of $33.5 billion this financial year, according to Deloitte Access Economics. In fact, Deloitte predicts the deficit will grow in 2025-26 to $46.8 billion, $6 billon worse than Treasury projections and this is driven in no small part by government spending, which as Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock pointed out, is adding fuel to the inflation fire. Not content with saddling this and future generations of taxpayers with increasing interest repayments – money that could have been used to fund schools, hospitals and roads – Chalmers now thinks he can direct the Future Fund (which pays military and public service pensions) no longer to choose investments based on the best possible return to taxpayers, but on what’s in the Albanese government’s best electoral interest. Chalmers claims this move will not jeopardise returns, but, as anyone with a modicum of economic common sense knows, if investment options are limited, the capacity for a return is also limited. It is nothing short of irresponsible. Add to all this the workplace legislation changes that, as this column recently highlighted, impose a substantial economic cost on small to medium business – many of them family business. And just this week the government passed legislation to forgive student HECS debt by 20 per cent. Those who stand to benefit most from this pathetic attempt to buy votes are law and medicine students, meaning that hardworking Australians who have never been to university will be subsidising those who will be earning a motzer once they get into the workforce. Former US President Bill Clinton’s advisers had a simple strategy based on the dictum: “It’s the economy, stupid.” It seems Albanese and Co can only recall the “stupid” part, for the economic well-being of Australians has been sacrificed on the altar of pet activist projects such as the Voice, which sucked up 18 months and nearly half a billion dollars. And when the result was not what Albanese wanted, he blames it on “misinformation” and tries to introduce legislation to silence people that spread “false, misleading or deceptive information about ... referendum proposals, elections, public health, the economy”, among other things. Albanese’s equivocation following the October 7 atrocities, while at the same time decrying “Islamophobia”, having his Foreign Minister support a UN motion for a permanent Palestinian state and Albanese remaining silent on the ICC issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant, show a lack of moral conviction, if not moral relativism. His government’s removal of temporary protection visas means illegal boat arrivals have started again, and its incompetence in dealing with detainees following the High Court’s NZYQ decision led to the bashing of Perth grandmother Ninette Simons. I could go on. Our high school history teacher told us that: “It doesn’t matter where you come from, as long as you know where you are going.” The Albanese government’s priorities are askew. His “I grew up in social housing raised by a single mother” routine is no substitute for leadership. On any measure, Australia is going backwards at a rate of knots. After just two and a half years, is it any wonder that this government is being considered worse than Whitlam. Dr Rocco Loiacono is a legal academic, writer and translator. Earlier in his career, he spent a decade practicing as a lawyer with Clayton Utz, one of Australia’s top law firms. As well as SkyNews.com.au, he regularly contributes opinion pieces, specialising in politics, freedom and the rule of law, to The Daily Telegraph, The Herald Sun and The AustralianAaron Judge wins second AL MVP in 3 seasons. Shohei Ohtani expected to win NL honor NEW YORK (AP) — New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge was a unanimous pick to win his second American League Most Valuable Player Award in three seasons on Thursday, easily outdistancing Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. Shohei Ohtani was expected to win the National League honor later Thursday, his third MVP and first in the NL. Judge received all 30 first-place votes in voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Witt got all 30 second-place votes for 270 points, and Yankees outfielder Juan Soto was third with 21 third-place votes and 229 points. Judge led the major leagues with 58 homers, 144 RBIs and 133 walks while hitting .322. Alex Ovechkin is expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks with a broken left leg Alex Ovechkin has a broken left fibula and is expected to be out four to six weeks. The Washington Capitals confirmed Ovechkin’s injury and prognosis Thursday after he was evaluated by doctors upon the teams’ return from a three-game road trip. This prolonged absence puts a pause on Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s NHL career goals record. He scored 15 goals in his first 18 games this season to move just 27 away of passing Gretzky. Ovechkin was on pace to break the record in February before his shin-on-shin collision with Utah’s Jack McBain on Monday night. NFL issues security alert to teams and the players' union following recent burglaries The NFL has issued a security alert to teams and the players’ union following recent burglaries involving the homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, the league says homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.” Law enforcement officials noted these groups target the homes on days the athletes have games. Players were told to take precautions and implement home security measures to reduce the risk of being targeted. Some of the burglary groups have conducted extensive surveillance on targets. QB Daniel Jones disagrees with the Giants' decision to bench him and says he wants to play EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — With tears occasionally welling in his eyes, Daniel Jones disagreed on Thursday with the New York Giants' decision to bench him earlier this week and perhaps end his five-plus tenure as the team’s quarterback. The 27-year-old Jones said he gave the team everything he had after being taken sixth overall in the 2019 draft and he believes he still has a future in the NFL. He held himself accountable for the Giants making the playoffs once in his tenure as the starter. Guardiola signs a 2-year contract extension at Man City and eyes 'more trophies' MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Pep Guardiola’s record-breaking time with Manchester City is far from over. The City manager has signed a two-year contract extension ending speculation about his future by agreeing to a deal that would prolong his tenure to 11 seasons. Guardiola’s contract was due to expire at the end of this season. The four-time defending Premier League champions announced the deal Thursday. The Catalan coach has overseen a period of unprecedented dominance since joining City in 2016. He has gone on to win six Premier League titles in seven years and also lifted the Champions League among 15 major trophies at the club. Narin An leads with a 64 in the wind as Nelly Korda struggles in LPGA finale NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — Narin An is the surprise first-round leader at the richest-paying event on the LPGA Tour. The South Korean played bogey-free for a 64 in the CME Group Tour Championship. That gives An a one-shot lead over Angel Yin. As for Nelly Korda, she has some work to do. Coming off her seventh victory of the season last week, Korda could only manage an even-par 72. That leaves her needing to make up eight shots over the next three rounds. At stake if a $4 million payoff to the winner. Lydia Ko was among those three shots off the lead. Jannik Sinner leads Italy back to the Davis Cup semifinals and a rematch against Australia MALAGA, Spain (AP) — No. 1-ranked Jannik Sinner has led defending champion Italy to a comeback victory over Argentina for a return to the Davis Cup semifinals. A rematch of last year's championship matchup against Australia now awaits in the final four on Saturday in Malaga, Spain. Italy fell behind 1-0 in the quarterfinals when Argentina's Francisco Cerúndolo defeated Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 6-1. But two-time Grand Slam champion Sinner overwhelmed Sebastián Báez 6-2, 6-1. Then Sinner teamed with Matteo Berrettini in the deciding doubles match to win 6-4, 7-5 against Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez. Australia eliminated the U.S. to reach the Davis Cup semifinals for the third consecutive year. Drama surrounds final 3 races of F1 season as drivers voice displeasure with recent FIA decisions LAS VEGAS (AP) — There’s three races remaining in the Formula 1 season and Max Verstappen is inching so close to a fourth consecutive world championship he could wrap it up Saturday night at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. But all is not smooth sailing headed into this final month of racing. There’s a new race director following the shock sacking of Niels Wittich that blindsided the Grand Prix Driver’s Association so badly they created an Instagram account to rebuke the lack of FIA transparency. It’s the lone post on the account. Greg Maffei, the CEO of Liberty Media said last week he was stepping down from his position and F1 furiously denied over the weekend that Stefano Domenicali, CEO of Formula One Management, was also on the move. Colorado's 2-way star Travis Hunter eyes Big 12 title and more before 'for sure' entering NFL draft DENVER (AP) — Travis Hunter made a pair of proclamations when he announced he’s for sure turning pro after this season, but not until he sees Colorado all the way through the College Football Playoff should the Buffaloes make it there. The first was a given for the junior who plays both receiver and cornerback. The second is a risk-reward play for a projected first-round draft pick who averages around 120 snaps a game. In years past, it took two extra postseason wins to capture a national title. Now, it could take up to four additional contests. That’s more of a chance to shine, but also more chance for an injury. 76ers' star Paul George sidelined the next 2 games with bone bruise in left knee PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Philadelphia 76ers forward Paul George has a bone bruise on his left knee and will miss two games, the team said. The 76ers said George did not suffer any structural damage when he injured the same knee that he hyperextended during the preseason in Wednesday night’s loss at Memphis. George will miss home games Friday against Brooklyn and Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers. The team says George will be evaluated again on Monday.

NuScale Power ( SMR 5.67% ) has taken its investors on a wild ride since its public debut. The producer of small modular reactors (SMRs) went public by merging with a special purpose acquisition company ( SPAC ) on May 3, 2022, and its stock started trading at $10.70 per share. It rallied as high as $15 over the following four months. But by January 2024, NuScale's stock had sunk below $2. Like many other SPAC-backed companies, it lost its luster as it missed its pre-merger targets and racked up steep losses. Rising interest rates also popped its bubbly valuations as it lost a major deal and faced regulatory headwinds. Yet NuScale's stock subsequently rallied about 1,400% and now trades at $30. Let's see why it soared -- and if it's the right time to buy, sell, or hold this volatile stock. Why did the bulls retreat from NuScale? NuScale produces the only SMRs that have been certified with a Standard Design Approval (SDA) from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). These reactors, which are installed in vessels with a diameter of just 9 feet (2.7m) and a height of 65 feet (20m), can be deployed in areas that aren't suited for larger nuclear reactors . NuScale's designs are modular, which means its pieces are pre-fabricated, delivered, and assembled on site. That approach could significantly reduce the costs and deployment time for a working nuclear reactor. However, NuScale's NRC certification only covers the construction of a reactor that can generate 50 megawatts of electricity. For its SMRs to be more cost-effective and replace coal-fired power plants, NuScale needs its reactor clusters to generate at least 77 megawatts of electricity. It's expecting the NRC to certify the SDA for its 77-megawatt reactors, which will take up about 1% of the space of a conventional reactor generating just as much power, in 2025. That plan sounds promising, but NuScale has struggled with growing pains over the past two years. In 2023, it canceled a plan to build six nuclear reactors across Idaho through 2030 amid skyrocketing costs. It laid off 40% of its workforce at the beginning of this year, and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) subsequently launched a probe into its employment, severance, and confidentiality agreements. A prolific short seller, Iceberg Research, repeatedly accused NuScale of signing deals with "fake" customers and misleading its investors about the certification roadmap for its 77-megawatt reactors. NuScale has also increased its share count by more than 130% since its public debut to raise more funds and cover its stock-based compensation. Why did the bulls rush back to NuScale? Over the past year, NuScale's outlook brightened as a few fresh catalysts appeared. It secured a new supply deal with South Korea's Doosan Enerbility for SMR components. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) opened up an application process for up to $900 million in cost-shared funds for the development of more nuclear SMRs, and Amazon announced its plans to generate more power with SMRs. Donald Trump's election victory in November generated even more tailwinds for nuclear stocks, since the President-elect had previously vowed to "approve new drilling, new pipelines, new refineries, new power plants, [and] new reactors" on "day one." Nuclear energy solutions also have more bipartisan support than fossil fuel solutions. Therefore, NuScale's stock is soaring on the expectations that its 77-megawatt reactors will be certified, it will win a substantial portion of the DOE's $900 million offer, and it will benefit from the soaring energy needs of cloud giants like Amazon. But is it the right time to buy, sell, or hold NuScale's stock? Assuming those tailwinds kick in, analysts expect NuScale's revenue to soar from just $22 million in 2024 to $332 million in 2026. But with a market cap of $3.05 billion, NuScale's stock already trades at 139 times this year's sales, 34 times next year's sales, and 9 times its estimated sales for 2026. It also isn't expected to break even anytime soon, and it ended its latest quarter with just $162 million in cash and equivalents. So for now, NuScale is still a highly speculative stock that could run out of cash if it fails to get its bigger reactors certified or gain more government funding. Therefore, I think investors should avoid its stock (or take some profits if you bought it over the past few months), rather than buying it at its current valuations. It might be worth nibbling on if some of the aforementioned tailwinds kick in, but it's still too risky for most investors.Bourke Street Mall gets a glow-up: Hotels, retail and ‘Mecca of all Meccas’

OpenAI announces weapons company partnership to provide AI tech to military

News9 Global Summit: Tracing India’s growing consumer story, Srinagar to StuttgartPakistan's housing crisis needs innovation

As the parliamentary year draws to a close, with speculation that an election will be called as early as March next year, a burning question comes to mind. Just what has been the point of the Albanese government? In two and a half years, interest rates have increased 12 times, meaning that mortgage repayments are 62 per cent higher than when the Albanese government came into office. For the past six quarters in a row, GDP per capita growth has been negative, the worst result in 50 years. It’s impossible for young people to get into the housing market, with record immigration levels meaning that housing supply is nowhere near keeping up with demand. Underlying inflation figures – the number once government subsidies are taken out of the equation – released this week show that groceries, rent, gas, insurance, among other things, are more expensive, meaning an interest rate cut won’t be coming any time soon. Power bills, rather than coming down by the much-vaunted $275, have increased close to four times that, thanks in no small part to Chris Bowen’s insane ideological crusade on weather-dependent wind and solar power. The cat was belled on this last week when Frontier Economics released a report that revealed the cost of building a renewable-only power grid is more than $500 billion higher than what the Albanese government has claimed. As we head into summer, this supposedly first world country is being told that the electricity system we have can no longer cope with heatwaves and risks blackouts if we turn on air-conditioners during 40C days. In Australia, 40C days mean a normal summer and I should be able to turn the air-conditioner on if I need to. AEMO invoked emergency energy powers to avoid blackouts. If a first world country cannot supply enough electricity for times when there is peak demand, well, as Chris Uhlmann put it, we are on a pathway to poverty while Bowen and his cronies conduct an experiment with the most essential of services, and destroying arable land and forests in doing so. And while the rest of the world at COP29 decides to press ahead with the reliable, safe, affordable and emissions free nuclear option, Bowen gives the proverbial middle finger to our AUKUS partners in developing the same nuclear energy that will power submarines to be used on land. Treasurer Jim Chalmers, after last year’s $15.8 billion surplus – thanks to soaring tax collections from mining companies who the government demonises – will manage to turn that into deficit of $33.5 billion this financial year, according to Deloitte Access Economics. In fact, Deloitte predicts the deficit will grow in 2025-26 to $46.8 billion, $6 billon worse than Treasury projections and this is driven in no small part by government spending, which as Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock pointed out, is adding fuel to the inflation fire. Not content with saddling this and future generations of taxpayers with increasing interest repayments – money that could have been used to fund schools, hospitals and roads – Chalmers now thinks he can direct the Future Fund (which pays military and public service pensions) no longer to choose investments based on the best possible return to taxpayers, but on what’s in the Albanese government’s best electoral interest. Chalmers claims this move will not jeopardise returns, but, as anyone with a modicum of economic common sense knows, if investment options are limited, the capacity for a return is also limited. It is nothing short of irresponsible. Add to all this the workplace legislation changes that, as this column recently highlighted, impose a substantial economic cost on small to medium business – many of them family business. And just this week the government passed legislation to forgive student HECS debt by 20 per cent. Those who stand to benefit most from this pathetic attempt to buy votes are law and medicine students, meaning that hardworking Australians who have never been to university will be subsidising those who will be earning a motzer once they get into the workforce. Former US President Bill Clinton’s advisers had a simple strategy based on the dictum: “It’s the economy, stupid.” It seems Albanese and Co can only recall the “stupid” part, for the economic well-being of Australians has been sacrificed on the altar of pet activist projects such as the Voice, which sucked up 18 months and nearly half a billion dollars. And when the result was not what Albanese wanted, he blames it on “misinformation” and tries to introduce legislation to silence people that spread “false, misleading or deceptive information about ... referendum proposals, elections, public health, the economy”, among other things. Albanese’s equivocation following the October 7 atrocities, while at the same time decrying “Islamophobia”, having his Foreign Minister support a UN motion for a permanent Palestinian state and Albanese remaining silent on the ICC issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant, show a lack of moral conviction, if not moral relativism. His government’s removal of temporary protection visas means illegal boat arrivals have started again, and its incompetence in dealing with detainees following the High Court’s NZYQ decision led to the bashing of Perth grandmother Ninette Simons. I could go on. Our high school history teacher told us that: “It doesn’t matter where you come from, as long as you know where you are going.” The Albanese government’s priorities are askew. His “I grew up in social housing raised by a single mother” routine is no substitute for leadership. On any measure, Australia is going backwards at a rate of knots. After just two and a half years, is it any wonder that this government is being considered worse than Whitlam. Dr Rocco Loiacono is a legal academic, writer and translator. Earlier in his career, he spent a decade practicing as a lawyer with Clayton Utz, one of Australia’s top law firms. As well as SkyNews.com.au, he regularly contributes opinion pieces, specialising in politics, freedom and the rule of law, to The Daily Telegraph, The Herald Sun and The AustralianBig-box retailer Best Buy posted weak earnings and sales in the fourth quarter of 2024 as competition in the retail industry intensifies and customers shop around for deals. The decline in same-store sales follows similar declines in recent quarters led by weak appliance and entertainment sales. Products in these categories are susceptible to macroeconomic conditions and competition from brick-and-mortar and online retailers. “During the second half of the quarter, a combination of the ongoing macro uncertainty, customers waiting for deals and sales events, and distraction during the run-up to the election, particularly in non-essential categories, led to softer-than-expected demand,” Corie Barry, the company’s CEO, said in a statement accompanying the release of the company’s financial results. A softer-than-expected demand has led the company to adjust its full-year comparable sales guidance to a decline in the range of 2.5 percent to 3.5 percent, though it maintained its net income guidance. Jason DeLorenzo, a leading expert in options trading and market dynamics, sees Best Buy’s third-quarter report as reflecting the continued decline in goods purchases over the past year. “Except for a large Christmas quarter last year, Best Buy has seen its EPS decline strongly YoY,” he told The Epoch Times via email. “Generally, the decline started in 3Q of 2022 and has gradually declined. Best Buy typically sells luxury gadget-type items that consumers spend less on over the past several years as supply chain and monetary inflation increase. These items have been less in demand.” Wall Street reacted negatively to Best Buy’s report, sending its shares more than 6 percent lower in early morning trade. The company’s shares are up 16 percent for the year, lagging the S&P 500, which has gained 26 percent. Best Buy is one of many retailers reporting disappointing results and blaming a challenging macroeconomic environment and competition. Last week, Target posted financial results that missed analysts’ expectations, and its CEO made similar statements about the current retail environment. Still, Costco, Walmart, and TJX Companies reported solid third-quarter results, suggesting that the problem of weak earnings and sales is company-specific primarily rather than industry-wide. Best Buy’s recent financial performance confirms that the company is undergoing corporate cycles characterized by expansions and contractions as competition invades its home turf. The company was in a down cycle a decade ago, fighting for survival. Amazon’s entry into electronics retailing turned Best Buy’s most essential advantages (location and scale) into a significant disadvantage. Customers often visit Best Buy’s stores to browse their favorite products, only to purchase them at a discount on Amazon’s website. This price competition from Amazon and high operational costs severely impacted Best Buy, resulting in substantial losses. Business experts and Wall Street analysts predicted the eventual decline of the iconic retailer. But it didn’t happen. The big-box retailer survived and thrived due to Renew Blue, an innovative strategy that leveraged the company’s core competencies to revive sales growth. First, it capitalized on a new retail trend: the merging of online and offline sales. Customers order online and stop by one of the company’s stores to pick up the merchandise on the same day. Second, it expanded the scope of Best Buy’s operations and added more products to its stores to address emerging consumer electronics technology trends such as health technology solutions, home theaters, and computing. Third, it rode another retail trend, the development of “stores within stores,” with technology giants such as Microsoft and Samsung setting up stores inside Best Buy locations. Fourth, it effectively deployed Geek Squad, helping the company bundle the sale of electronic devices with services, which Amazon is missing. However, strategies have limitations. They cannot address the cyclical nature of the retail industry or prevent the competition from devising methods to lure customers. For instance, Amazon has expanded its warehouse and logistics and introduced hub lockers to expedite merchandise delivery and returns. Best Buy’s corporate cycles make its shares risky, which could explain why the stock has been underperforming the broader market over the long run. Over the past three years, Best Buy shares have been down 13.5 percent, while the S&P 500 shares have been up 28 percent. Still, Best Buy’s CEO is optimistic about the holiday season that began early this year. “In the first few weeks of Q4, as holiday sales have started and the election is behind us, we have seen customer demand increase again,” she said.

Aston Villa 's hearts were broken on Wednesday night in the Champions League , as Morgan Rogers was controversially denied a stoppage-time winner by VAR in a 0-0 draw with Juventus at Villa Park. Despite the late drama, the result is ultimately positive for both sides, leaving Villa in ninth with 10 points, just outside the top eight on goal difference, while Juve are in 19th with eight points. The Old Lady dominated possession in the opening 20 minutes with 67% of the ball, but lacked any real punch, while the Villans were more efficient with their limited time in control, looking the more likely side to find the breakthrough whenever they countered forward. Aston Villa added an increased presence on the ball to their already-established attacking threat for the remainder of the half, climbing to 48% possession after 45 minutes, and came closest to breaking the deadlock when Lucas Digne 's free kick struck the top of the crossbar, leaving the game goalless heading into the break. Villa picked up where they left off after the restart, retaining more possession and continuing to apply pressure in search of the opening goal, but it was Juventus who came closest to scoring when Emiliano Martinez made an outrageous save from close range, scooping Francisco Conceicao 's near-post header off the line. Rogers thought he had won the game in the final seconds when Michele Di Gregorio was unable to collect a free kick into the box, with the ball falling at Rogers' feet, and the midfielder smashed into the net, only for a lengthy VAR check to controversially deem the goalkeeper was fouled, with the game ending all square. How has he kept that one out?! 🤯 Emi Martinez with an INCREDIBLE save to keep it goalless at Villa Park ⛔️ 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/OkcWHB7YIk Wow, how has Martinez kept that out! Teun Koopmeiners ' corner makes its way to the back post, where Conceicao lurks, and the forward looks almost certain to score as he heads the ball toward the gaping near corner. Martinez has other ideas, though, swiftly diving to his right and scooping the ball away as it comes within centimetres of crossing the line, keeping Villa level as they head into the final 25 minutes. A very controversial finish at Villa Park 😲 Morgan Rogers' late goal is ruled out for a foul on Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio and the match ends 0-0 ❌ 📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/MyYL5Vdy3r Heartbreak for Villa, Rogers is denied the late winner! Youri Tielemans fires a deep free kick into the box in the dying moments of the game, and Di Gregorio appears to have comfortably claimed the ball but spills it to the back post, where Rogers takes control and chips it into the open net. Villa wheel off in celebration, but a lengthy VAR check breaks hearts as it is controversially deemed that Di Gregorio was fouled by Diego Carlos as the keeper attempted to catch the cross. © Imago In a game that lacked quality, the man of the match award must go to the one man that produced a moment of brilliance, with Martinez's sensational save in the second half to deny Conceicao. The goalkeeper unbelievably dove down to his right and pushed Conceicao's header away from the net, with the ball just centimetres from crossing the line, keeping Villa in the game. Possession: Aston Villa 46%-54% Juventus Shots: Aston Villa 11-8 Juventus Shots on target: Aston Villa 3-2 Juventus Corners: Aston Villa 3-3 Juventus Fouls: Aston Villa 13-14 Juventus Aston Villa now remain without a win in seven matches across all competitions, and they will look to end that worrying spell when they travel to face Chelsea on Sunday. As for Juventus, the result is their second consecutive goalless draw across all competitions, a run they will aim to end with a trip to face Lecce in the Serie A on Sunday.

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has shared at the Doha Forum heart-wrenching stories of loss and pain that his agency staff experienced in Gaza. "In Gaza, everyone has lost weight and is hungry,” he told Sunday Times chief foreign correspondent Christina Lamb Sunday during a Newsmaker interview . “They (survive) by eating animal fodder." "Imagine wearing the same shoes and same clothes for 14 months, and going from one rubble to the other,” Lazzarini said. “We have staff who described how they had to recover (the remains of) their children and relatives (and having) to put them in a garbage (bag for the) funeral.” The UNRWA chief, who said that agency staff is facing the darkest hour, added that the agency’s activities are being blocked. “Our premises have been hit – targeted and damaged – since the beginning of the war,” he said. “Hundreds of people seeking the protection of the UN have been killed while they were on our premises.” Lazzarini lamented that the international community has failed to implement a fair and lasting political solution to the Palestinian question. “It has been 75 years of a temporary lasting organisation,” he pointed out.” “So, if we are still here 75 years later, there is no doubt that this is the expression of a collective failure of the International community to have promoted a fair and lasting political solution to the Palestinian question,” the official added. Lazzarini, who noted that there are attempts to dismantle and shut down the UNRWA, said that there is an overarching political objective to strip the Palestinians from their refugee status and not to address the issue politically in future. “It's extraordinary, in terms of defiance, that one member state decided to defile the mandate (that was) provided by all the other member states at the General Assembly, to prevent and dismantle the agency which the rest of the international community has said will be the one we put in place to support the Palestinian refugees,” he said. Lazzarini said that the UNRWA is extending tremendous services to Palestinians while providing education and promoting gender equality. “The agency provided education to millions of girls and boys,” he stated. “Many of them later on have been extremely successful and giving back to the communities.” “They have contributed to the prosperity in the region when it comes to primary health,” the official added. Asked about the freezing of UNRWA funds, Lazzarini said that the threat of funding deficiency is looming. The agency could raise private funds, he said, and some countries have raised money to cover the shortfall, while some new donor countries from the global south have joined the donors list after the events of October 7, 2023.AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:34 p.m. EST

Meta to build $10 billion AI data center in Louisiana as Elon Musk expands his Tennessee AI facilityDubious Dulhans: Instagram bride dupes Dubai-based groom, escapes with Rs 50K, leaving 150 guests stranded

Female political appointees, others gang against GBV in GombeNEW ORLEANS -- The largest artificial intelligence data center ever built by Facebook’s parent company Meta is coming to northeast Louisiana, the company said Wednesday, bringing hopes that the $10 billion facility will transform an economically neglected corner of the state. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry called it “game-changing” for his state's expanding tech sector, yet some environmental groups have raised concerns over the center's reliance on fossil fuels — and whether the plans for new natural gas power to support it could lead to higher energy bills in the future for Louisiana residents. Meanwhile, Elon Musk's AI startup, xAI, is expanding its existing supercomputer project in Memphis, Tennessee, the city's chamber of commerce said Wednesday. The chamber also said that Nvidia, Dell, and Supermicro Computer will be “establishing operations in Memphis,” without offering further details. Louisiana is among a growing number of states offering tax credits and other incentives to lure big tech firms seeking sites for energy-intensive data centers. The U.S. Commerce Department found that there aren’t enough data centers in the U.S. to meet the rising AI-fueled demand, which is projected to grow by 9% each year through 2030, citing industry reports. Meta anticipates its Louisiana data center will create 500 operational jobs and 5,000 temporary construction jobs, said Kevin Janda, director of data center strategy. At 4 million square feet (370,000 square meters), it will be the company's largest AI data center to date, he added. “We want to make sure we are having a positive impact on the local level,” Janda said. Congressional leaders and local representatives from across the political spectrum heralded the Meta facility as a boon for Richland parish, a rural part of Louisiana with a population of 20,000 historically reliant on agriculture. About one in four residents are considered to live in poverty and the parish has an employment rate below 50%, according to the U.S. census data. Meta plans to invest $200 million into road and water infrastructure improvements for the parish to offset its water usage. The facility is expected to be completed in 2030. Entergy, one of the nation's largest utility providers, is fast-tracking plans to build three natural gas power plants in Louisiana capable of generating 2,262 megawatts for Meta's data center over a 15-year period — nearly one-tenth of Entergy's existing energy capacity across four states. The Louisiana Public Service Commission is weighing Entergy's proposal as some environmental groups have opposed locking the state into more fossil fuel-based energy infrastructure. Meta said it plans to help bring 1,500 megawatts of renewable energy onto the grid in the future. Louisiana residents may ultimately end up with rate increases to pay off the cost of operating these natural gas power plants when Meta's contract with Entergy expires, said Jessica Hendricks, state policy director for the Alliance for Affordable Energy, a Louisiana-based nonprofit advocating for energy consumers. “There’s no reason why residential customers in Louisiana need to pay for a power plant for energy that they’re not going to use," Hendricks said. "And we want to make sure that there’s safeguards in place.” Public service commissioner Foster Campbell, representing northeast Louisiana, said he does not believe the data center will increase rates for Louisiana residents and views it as vital for his region. “It’s going in one of the most needed places in Louisiana and maybe one of the most needed places in the United States of America,” Foster said. “I’m for it 100%.” Environmental groups have also warned of the pollution generated by Musk's AI data center in Memphis. The Southern Environmental Law Center, among others, says the supercomputer could strain the power grid, prompting attention from the Environmental Protection Agency. Eighteen gas turbines currently running at xAI’s south Memphis facility are significant sources of ground-level ozone, better known as smog, the group said. Patrick Anderson, an attorney at the law center, said xAI has operated with “a stunning lack of transparency” in developing its South Memphis facility, which is located near predominantly Black neighborhoods that have long dealt with pollution and health risks from factories and other industrial sites. “Memphians deserve to know how xAI will affect them,” he said, “and should have a seat at the table when these decisions are being made.” _____ Sainz reported from Memphis, Tennessee. Associated Press writer Matt O’Brien in Providence, Rhode Island, contributed to this report. _____ Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Brook on the social platform X: @jack_brook96

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