Nerve cells of blind mice retain their visual functionArteta wanted his team to prove their European credentials following some underwhelming displays away from home, and the Gunners manager got exactly what he asked for. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard got their continental campaign back on track in style following the 1-0 defeat at Inter Milan last time out. A memorable victory also ended Sporting’s unbeaten start to the season, a streak of 17 wins and one draw, the vast majority of which prompted Manchester United to prise away head coach Ruben Amorim. The Gunners had failed to win or score in their two away games in the competition so far this season, but they made a blistering start in the Portuguese capital and took the lead after only seven minutes. Declan Rice fed overlapping full-back Jurrien Timber, who curled a low cross in behind the home defence for Martinelli to finish at the far post. Arsenal doubled their lead in the 20th minute thanks to a glorious ball over the top from Thomas Partey. Saka escaped the clutches of his marker Maximiliano Araujo to beat the offside trap and poke the ball past advancing goalkeeper Franco Israel for Havertz to tap home. It was a scintillating first-half display which completely overshadowed the presence of Viktor Gyokeres in Sporting’s attack. The prolific Sweden striker, formerly of Coventry, has been turning the heads of Europe’s top clubs with his 24 goals in 17 games this season – including a hat-trick against Manchester City earlier this month. But the only time he got a sniff of a run at goal after an optimistic long ball, he was marshalled out of harm’s way by Gabriel. David Raya was forced into one save, tipping a fierce Geovany Quenda drive over the crossbar. But Arsenal added a third on the stroke of half-time, Gabriel charging in to head Rice’s corner into the back of the net. Our second-half goalscorers ❤️ pic.twitter.com/aFCIMffFaK — Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 26, 2024 To rub salt in the wound, the Brazilian defender mimicked Gyokeres’ hands-over-his-face goal celebration. That may have wound Sporting up as they came out after the interval meaning business, and they pulled one back after Raya tipped Hidemasa Morita’s shot behind, with Goncalo Inacio netting at the near post from the corner. Former Tottenham winger Marcus Edwards fired over, as did Gyokeres, with Arsenal temporarily on the back foot. But when Martin Odegaard’s darting run into the area was halted by Ousmane Diomande’s foul, Saka tucked away the penalty. Substitute Trossard added the fifth with eight minutes remaining, heading in the rebound after Mikel Merino’s shot was saved, and Gyokeres’ miserable night was summed up when his late shot crashed back off the post.
NoneCorrection: Meta AI Data Center Louisiana storyDETROIT (AP) — If Donald Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Economists say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, booze and other goods. The president-elect floated the tariff idea, including additional 10% taxes on goods from China, as a way to force the countries to halt the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the U.S. But his posts Monday on Truth Social threatening the tariffs on his first day in office could just be a negotiating ploy to get the countries to change behavior. High food prices were a major issue in voters picking Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, but tariffs almost certainly would push those costs up even further. For instance, the Produce Distributors Association, a Washington trade group, said Tuesday that tariffs will raise prices for fresh fruit and vegetables and hurt U.S. farmers when other countries retaliate. “Tariffs distort the marketplace and will raise prices along the supply chain, resulting in the consumer paying more at the checkout line,” said Alan Siger, association president. Mexico and Canada are two of the biggest exporters of fresh fruit and vegetables to the U.S. In 2022, Mexico supplied 51% of fresh fruit and 69% of fresh vegetables imported by value into the U.S., while Canada supplied 2% of fresh fruit and 20% of fresh vegetables. Before the election, about 7 in 10 voters said they were very concerned about the cost of food, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters. “We’ll get them down,” Trump told shoppers during a September visit to a Pennsylvania grocery store. The U.S. is the largest importer of goods in the world, with Mexico, China and Canada its top three suppliers, according to the most recent U.S. Census data. People looking to buy a new vehicle likely would see big price increases as well, at a time when costs have gone up so much that they are out of reach for many. The average price of a new vehicle now runs around $48,000. About 15% of the 15.6 million new vehicles sold in the U.S. last year came from Mexico, while 8% crossed the border from Canada, according to Global Data. Much of the tariffs would get passed along to consumers, unless automakers can somehow quickly find productivity improvements to offset them, said C.J. Finn, U.S. automotive sector leader for PwC, a consulting firm. That means even more consumers “would potentially get priced out of the activity” of buying a new vehicle, Finn said. Hardest hit would be Volkswagen, Stellantis, General Motors and Ford, Bernstein analyst Daniel Roeska wrote Tuesday in a note to investors. Stellantis and VW import about 40% of the vehicles they sell from Canada and Mexico, while it's 30% for GM and 25% for Ford. GM and Stellantis import more than half of their high-profit pickup trucks from the two countries, according to Bernstein. If Trump does impose the tariffs in January, the auto industry would have little time to adjust, putting operating profits at risk for the automakers, Roeska said in an email. “A 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada would severely cripple the U.S. auto industry,” he said. The tariffs would hurt U.S. industrial production so much that “we expect this is unlikely to happen in practice,” Roeska said. The tariff threat hit the stocks of some companies that could be particularly hurt, such as auto manufacturers and Constellation Brands, which sells Modelo and other Mexican beer brands in the United States. But the overall market held relatively steady near records as investors saw Trump’s proposal as more of an opening position for negotiations rather than as a definitive policy. It's not clear how long the tariffs would last if they are implemented, but they could force auto executives to move production to the U.S., which could create more jobs in the long run. But Morningstar analyst David Whiston said in the short term automakers probably won't make any moves because they can't quickly change where they build vehicles. To move to the U.S., they would have to buy equipment and revamp their parts supply chain, which can take years. “I think everyone is going to be in a wait-and-see mode,” Whiston said. Millions of dollars worth of auto parts flow across the borders with Mexico and Canada, and that could raise prices for already costly automobile repairs, Finn said. The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. said tariffs on tequila or Canadian whisky won’t boost American jobs because they are distinctive products that can only be made in their country of origin. In 2023, the U.S. imported $4.6 billion worth of tequila and $108 million worth of mezcal from Mexico and $537 million worth of spirits from Canada, the council said. “At the end of the day, tariffs on spirits products from our neighbors to the north and south are going to hurt U.S. consumers and lead to job losses across the U.S. hospitality industry just as these businesses continue their long recovery from the pandemic,” the council said in a statement. Electronics retailer Best Buy said on its third-quarter earnings conference call that it runs on thin profit margins, so while vendors and the company will shoulder some increases, Best Buy will have to pass tariffs on to customers. “These are goods that people need, and higher prices are not helpful,” CEO Corie Barry said. Walmart also warned this week that tariffs could force it to raise prices, as did Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who talked with Trump after his call for tariffs, said they had a good conversation about how the countries can work together on the challenges they face. "This is something that we can do, laying out the facts and moving forward in constructive ways. This is a relationship that we know takes a certain amount of working on and that’s what we’ll do,” Trudeau said. Trump's transition team wouldn't comment on the call. Also Monday, Trump turned his ire to China, saying he has “had many talks with China about the massive amounts of drugs, in particular Fentanyl, being sent into the United States – But to no avail.” The Chinese Embassy in Washington cautioned on Monday that there will be losers on all sides if there is a trade war. Trump's threats come as arrests for illegally crossing the border from Mexico have been falling . The most recent U.S. numbers for October show arrests remain near four-year lows. But arrests for illegally crossing the border from Canada have been rising over the past two years. Much of America’s fentanyl is smuggled from Mexico. Border seizures of the drug rose sharply under President Joe Biden. The tariffs would also throw into doubt the reliability of the 2020 trade deal brokered in large part by Trump with Canada and Mexico, the USMCA, which replaced NAFTA and is up for review in 2026. Trump transition team officials did not immediately respond to questions about what authority he would use, what he would need to see to prevent the tariffs from being implemented and how they would impact prices in the U.S. Mexico’s Foreign Relations Department and Economy Department also had no immediate reaction to Trump’s statements. ___ Rugaber reported from Washington. AP reporters Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit, Stan Choe and Anne D'Innocenzio in New York, and Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report.
KyKy Tandy scored a season-high 21 points that included a key 3-pointer in a late second-half surge as Florida Atlantic roared back to beat Oklahoma State 86-78 on Thursday in the opening round of the Charleston Classic in Charleston, S.C. Florida Atlantic (4-2) advances to play Drake in the semifinal round on Friday while the Cowboys square off against Miami in the consolation semifinal contest, also Friday. Oklahoma State led by as many as 10 points in the first half before securing a five-point advantage at halftime. The Owls surged back and moved in front with four and a half minutes to play. It was part of an 11-1 run, capped by a 3-pointer from Tandy that made it 75-68 with 2:41 remaining. Ken Evans added 14 points for Florida Atlantic, with Leland Walker hitting for 13 and Tre Carroll scoring 11. The Owls went 35-of-49 from the free throw line as the teams combined for 56 fouls in the game, 33 by Oklahoma State. Khalil Brantley led Oklahoma State (3-1) with 16 points while Robert Jennings added 14 points and 11 rebounds for the Cowboys, who hit one field goal over a 10-minute stretch of the second half while having three players foul out. The Owls were up by as many as seven points in the early minutes and by 13-10 after a layup by Carroll at the 11:32 mark of the first half. Oklahoma State leapfrogged to the front on Abou Ousmane's layup off a Brantley steal, fell behind again on a 3-pointer by Evans and then responded on a 3-pointer by Jennings to take a 17-16 lead. From there, the Cowboys stoked their advantage to double digits when Jamyron Keller canned a shot from beyond the arc with five minutes to play in the half. Florida Atlantic got a layup and a monster dunk from Matas Vokietaitis and a pair of free throws from Walker in a 6-2 run to end the half to pull within 39-34 at the break. Jennings and Ousmane tallied seven points apiece for Oklahoma State over the first 20 minutes, as the Cowboys led despite shooting just 33.3 percent from the floor in the half. Carroll and Vokietaitis scored seven points apiece to pace the Owls, who committed 11 turnovers that translated to seven points for Oklahoma State before halftime. --Field Level Media
Deep-pocketed investors have adopted a bullish approach towards Snowflake SNOW , and it's something market players shouldn't ignore. Our tracking of public options records at Benzinga unveiled this significant move today. The identity of these investors remains unknown, but such a substantial move in SNOW usually suggests something big is about to happen. We gleaned this information from our observations today when Benzinga's options scanner highlighted 63 extraordinary options activities for Snowflake. This level of activity is out of the ordinary. The general mood among these heavyweight investors is divided, with 46% leaning bullish and 46% bearish. Among these notable options, 20 are puts, totaling $2,084,721, and 43 are calls, amounting to $3,056,613. Expected Price Movements After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $90.0 and $230.0 for Snowflake, spanning the last three months. Volume & Open Interest Development In terms of liquidity and interest, the mean open interest for Snowflake options trades today is 2009.72 with a total volume of 27,599.00. In the following chart, we are able to follow the development of volume and open interest of call and put options for Snowflake's big money trades within a strike price range of $90.0 to $230.0 over the last 30 days. Snowflake Option Volume And Open Interest Over Last 30 Days Noteworthy Options Activity: Symbol PUT/CALL Trade Type Sentiment Exp. Date Ask Bid Price Strike Price Total Trade Price Open Interest Volume SNOW PUT TRADE BEARISH 01/16/26 $30.05 $29.75 $30.0 $175.00 $900.0K 680 316 SNOW CALL TRADE BULLISH 03/21/25 $23.85 $23.55 $23.79 $165.00 $475.8K 1.4K 203 SNOW CALL SWEEP BEARISH 11/29/24 $33.95 $33.7 $33.7 $140.00 $316.7K 746 119 SNOW CALL TRADE BULLISH 03/21/25 $21.4 $21.15 $21.3 $170.00 $213.0K 9.6K 669 SNOW PUT SWEEP BEARISH 03/21/25 $26.15 $25.75 $26.05 $190.00 $197.9K 90 313 About Snowflake Founded in 2012, Snowflake is a data lake, warehousing, and sharing company that went public in 2020. To date, the company has over 3,000 customers, including nearly 30% of the Fortune 500. Snowflake's data lake stores unstructured and semistructured data that can then be used in analytics to create insights stored in its data warehouse. Snowflake's data sharing capability allows enterprises to buy and ingest data, while its data solutions can be hosted on various public clouds. After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding Snowflake, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance. Snowflake's Current Market Status Currently trading with a volume of 5,432,893, the SNOW's price is up by 1.18%, now at $173.45. RSI readings suggest the stock is currently may be overbought. Anticipated earnings release is in 92 days. What The Experts Say On Snowflake In the last month, 5 experts released ratings on this stock with an average target price of $167.0. Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days? 20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. Click here for access .* An analyst from Wedbush has decided to maintain their Neutral rating on Snowflake, which currently sits at a price target of $160. * Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Keybanc keeps a Overweight rating on Snowflake with a target price of $150. * An analyst from Wells Fargo has decided to maintain their Equal-Weight rating on Snowflake, which currently sits at a price target of $150. * An analyst from Oppenheimer has decided to maintain their Outperform rating on Snowflake, which currently sits at a price target of $180. * An analyst from Mizuho persists with their Outperform rating on Snowflake, maintaining a target price of $195. Trading options involves greater risks but also offers the potential for higher profits. Savvy traders mitigate these risks through ongoing education, strategic trade adjustments, utilizing various indicators, and staying attuned to market dynamics. Keep up with the latest options trades for Snowflake with Benzinga Pro for real-time alerts. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Luanda (Angola), Dec 3 (AP) President Joe Biden arrived for his long-awaited first presidential visit to sub-Saharan Africa on Monday to the cheers of thousands in Angola, where he will highlight an ambitious US-backed railway project meant to counter China's influence on the continent of over 1.4 billion people. Biden's three-day visit to Angola will focus largely on the Lobito Corridor railway redevelopment in Zambia, Congo and Angola. It aims to advance the US presence in a region rich in the critical minerals used in batteries for electric vehicles, electronic devices and clean energy technologies. Biden's trip comes weeks before Republican Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20, finally delivering on Biden's pledge to visit sub-Saharan Africa. On his way to Angola, he stopped in the Atlantic Ocean island nation of Cape Verde for a brief, closed-door meeting with Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva. Biden plans to meet with Angolan President João Lourenço in the capital, Luanda, where crowds lined the streets for his arrival, and visit the National Slavery Museum. He also will travel to the Atlantic port city of Lobito for a look at the rail project. He will announce new developments on health, agribusiness and security, White House officials said. Biden had been expected to visit Africa last year after reviving the US-Africa Summit in December 2022. The trip was pushed back to 2024 and delayed again this October because of Hurricane Milton, reinforcing a sentiment among some Africans that their continent is still low priority for Washington. The last US president to visit sub-Saharan Africa was Barack Obama in 2015. Biden did attend a United Nations climate summit in Egypt in North Africa in 2022. “I just kind of push back on the premise that this is some Johnny-come-lately trip at the very end,” national security spokesman John Kirby told reporters on board Air Force One on the way to Angola, noting that top administration officials had visited Africa, including Vice President Kamala Harris. “This is something he (Biden) has been focused on since he became president of the United States.” A new strategy Critical minerals are a key field for US-China competition, and China has a stranglehold on Africa's critical minerals. The US has for years built relations in Africa through trade, security and humanitarian aid. The 800-mile (1,300-kilometer) railway upgrade is a different move and has shades of China's Belt and Road foreign infrastructure strategy. The Biden administration has called the corridor one of the president's signature initiatives, yet Lobito's future and any change in US engagement with the continent depends on the incoming administration of President-elect Trump. “President Biden is no longer the story,” said Mvemba Dizolele, director of the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank. “Even African leaders are focused on Donald Trump.” A fit for Trump's vision? The US has committed USD 3 billion to the Lobito Corridor and related projects, administration officials said, alongside financing from the European Union, the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations, a Western-led private consortium and African banks. “A lot is riding on this in terms of its success and its replicability,” said Tom Sheehy, a fellow at the United States Institute of Peace, a nonpartisan federal research institution. He called it a flagship for the G7's new Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment, which was driven by Biden and aims to reach other developing nations as a response to China's Belt and Road. Many are optimistic that the Lobito project, which won't be complete until well after Biden has left office, will survive a change of administration. Blunting China has bipartisan backing and is high on Trump's to-do list. “As long as they keep labeling Lobito one of the main anti-China tools in Africa, there is a certain likelihood that it's going to keep being funded,” said Christian-Géraud Neema, who analyzes China-Africa relations for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Kirby said the Biden administration hopes Trump and his team see the value in Lobito but “we are still in office. We still have 50 days. This is a key major development not just for the United States and our foreign policy goals in Africa, but for Africans.” Only a starting point The Lobito Corridor will be an upgrade and extension of a railway line from the copper and cobalt mines of northern Zambia and southern Congo to Angola's port of Lobito, strengthening a route west for Africa's critical minerals. It also ultimately aims to extend from Zambia and Congo to Africa's east coast through Tanzania and be a coast-to-coast rail link. While Biden's administration called it a “game-changer” for US investment in Africa, it's little more than a starting point for the US and its partners, with China dominant in mining in Zambia and Congo. Congo has more than 70% of the world's cobalt, with most heading to China to reinforce its critical mineral supply chain that the US and Europe rely on. Michelle Gavin, a former adviser on Africa to Obama, said the US had failed to take Africa seriously over multiple administrations, a bipartisan trend. The Lobito Corridor was “not just about trying to blunt China, but trying to imagine, OK, what does it look like if we actually were to show up in a more serious way?” she said. “It's one project. It's one good idea. And I'm very glad we're doing it. It's not enough.” (AP) NB NB (This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)STATESVILLE, N.C. , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Kewaunee Scientific Corporation (NASDAQ: KEQU ) today announced results for its second quarter ended October 31, 2024 . Fiscal Year 2025 Second Quarter Results: Sales during the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 were $47,764,000 , a decrease of 5.3% compared to sales of $50,436,000 from the prior year's second quarter. Pre-tax earnings for the quarter were $3,931,000 compared to $4,845,000 for the prior year quarter, a decrease of 18.9%. Net earnings were $3,008,000 compared to net earnings of $2,732,000 for the prior year quarter. EBITDA 1 for the quarter was $4,883,000 compared to $5,662,000 for the prior year quarter. Diluted earnings per share was $1.01 compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.93 in the prior year quarter. The Company's order backlog was at a historically high level of $184 .4 million on October 31, 2024 , as compared to $146 .3 million on October 31, 2023 , and $155 .6 million on April 30, 2024 . Domestic Segment - Domestic sales for the quarter were $36,409,000 , an increase of 6.5% from sales of $34,185,000 in the prior year quarter. Domestic segment net earnings was $4,524,000 compared to $3,054,000 in the prior year quarter. Domestic segment EBITDA was $6,838,000 compared to $5,230,000 for the prior year quarter. The increase in Domestic sales and earnings was primarily driven by higher product demand. International Segment - International sales for the quarter were $11,355,000 , a decrease of 30.1% from sales of $16,251,000 in the prior year quarter. International segment net earnings was $356,000 compared to $525,000 in the prior year quarter. International segment EBITDA was $592,000 compared to $1,635,000 for the prior year quarter. The decline in sales is attributable to customer construction site delays in India which pushed out the timing of deliveries. Corporate Segment – Corporate segment pre-tax net loss was $2,444,000 for the quarter, as compared to a pre-tax net loss of $1,243,000 in the prior year quarter. Corporate segment EBITDA for the quarter was ($2,547,000) compared to corporate segment EBITDA of ($1,203,000) for the prior year quarter. The change in EBITDA was primarily driven by an increase in professional service and other fees during the quarter related to the acquisition of Nu Aire, Inc., which closed on November 1, 2024 , and costs incurred related to Sarbanes-Oxley 404(b) compliance readiness. Total cash on hand on October 31, 2024 was $29,664,000 , as compared to $25,938,000 on April 30, 2024 . Working capital was $59,965,000 , as compared to $52,144,000 at the end of the second quarter last year and $56,037,000 on April 30, 2024 . The Company had short-term debt of $805,000 as of October 31, 2024 , as compared to $3,099,000 on April 30, 2024 . Long-term debt was $28,047,000 on October 31, 2024 , as compared to $28,479,000 on April 30, 2024 . The building lease from the Company's December 2021 sale-leaseback transaction accounts for $27,782,000 of the long-term debt on October 31, 2024 and $28,133,000 of the long-term debt on April 30, 2024 . Long-term debt, net of the sale-leaseback transaction, was $265,000 on October 31, 2024 as compared to $346,000 on April 30, 2024 . The Company's debt-to-equity ratio on October 31, 2024 was 0.59-to-1, as compared to 0.70-to-1 on April 30, 2024. The Company's debt-to-equity ratio, net of the sale-leaseback transaction, on October 31, 2024 was 0.14-to-1, as compared to 0.20-to-1 on April 30, 2024 . "Our financial performance for the second quarter of fiscal year 2025 was strong," said Thomas D. Hull III , Kewaunee's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Domestic segment operating performance improved compared to last year's second quarter as a result of higher product demand, highlighting our continued health and advantage in the market. As discussed during the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, customer construction site delays in India on multiple projects continue to impact our ability to ship products and deliver services, leading to a decrease in sales and earnings when compared to the prior year second quarter." "Looking ahead, our backlog remains very healthy, demonstrating the continued vitality and investment in the markets in which Kewaunee participates and the success both Kewaunee and our channel partners continue to achieve in the marketplace. The strength of Kewaunee's backlog positions the company well to deliver another strong year for our fiscal year." "Additionally, on November 1, 2024 , Kewaunee announced the acquisition of Nu Aire, Inc.," Hull continued. "Nu Aire is renowned for its manufacturing of robust containment solutions, such as biological safety cabinets, airflow products, and more, which serve a diverse range of industries. While not reflected in our second quarter fiscal year 2025 results, Nu Aire will be included going forward, beginning with our third quarter fiscal year 2025 results. It is worth noting the company incurred expenses related to the acquisition of $2.3 million in the current fiscal year, which are outlined in the attached exhibits." "The acquisition of Nu Aire presents a unique opportunity for Kewaunee to expand its capabilities, allowing the combined organization to better meet the diverse needs of end-users in laboratory furnishings and, through Nu Aire's established distribution partners, reach regions where Kewaunee has not previously had a presence. This move accelerates the Company's vision of becoming the market leader in the design and manufacturing of laboratory furniture and technical products essential for outfitting the laboratories of tomorrow." About Non-GAAP Measures The Company includes non-GAAP financial measures such as adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per share, in the information provided with this press release as supplemental information relating to its operating results. Adjusted net earnings represents GAAP net earnings adjusted for professional and other fees related to the acquisition of Nu Aire, Inc. and the corresponding tax impact. This financial information is not in accordance with, or an alternative for, GAAP-compliant financial information and may be different from the operating or non-GAAP financial information used by other companies. The Company believes that this presentation of adjusted net earnings and adjusted net earnings per share provides useful information to investors regarding certain additional financial and business trends relating to its financial condition and results of operations. EBITDA and Segment EBITDA are calculated as net earnings (loss), less interest expense and interest income, income taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Segment EBITDA are calculated as EBITDA or Segment EBITDA less the impact of the professional and other fees related to the Company's acquisition of Nu Aire, Inc., as discussed in more detail above. We believe EBITDA, Segment EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted Segment EBITDA allow management and investors to compare our performance to other companies on a consistent basis without regard to depreciation and amortization or the professional fees not related to our core business incurred during the current period, which can vary significantly between companies depending upon many factors. EBITDA, Segment EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted Segment EBITDA are not calculations based upon generally accepted accounting principles, and the method for calculating EBITDA, Segment EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted Segment EBITDA can vary among companies. The amounts included in the EBITDA, Segment EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted Segment EBITDA calculations, however, are derived from amounts included in the historical consolidated statements of operations. EBITDA, Segment EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted Segment EBITDA should not be considered as alternatives to net earnings (loss) or operating earnings (loss) as an indicator of the Company's operating performance, or as an alternative to operating cash flows as a measure of liquidity. About Nu Aire Founded in 1971 and based in Minneapolis , the Company is a leading manufacturer of equipment for a diverse range of laboratory and pharmacy environments. Nu Aire is the North American market share leader in biological safety cabinets and other airflow products and also offers a complete line of CO2 incubators, ultralow freezers, animal handling equipment, pharmacy compounding isolators, and parts and accessories. Nu Aire's equipment is required for safety and quality in every type of laboratory: life sciences research, clinical, hospital, biotech and pharmaceutical R&D, academia, food and beverage, industrial and more. Nu Aire's website is located at http://www.nuaire.com/ . About Kewaunee Scientific Founded in 1906, Kewaunee Scientific Corporation is a recognized global leader in the design, manufacture, and installation of laboratory, healthcare, and technical furniture products. The Company's products include steel and wood casework, fume hoods, adaptable modular systems, moveable workstations, stand-alone benches, biological safety cabinets, and epoxy resin work surfaces and sinks. The Company's corporate headquarters are located in Statesville, North Carolina . Sales offices are located in the United States , India , Saudi Arabia , and Singapore . Three manufacturing facilities are located in Statesville serving the domestic and international markets, and one manufacturing facility is located in Bangalore, India serving the local, Asian, and African markets. Kewaunee Scientific's website is located at http://www.kewaunee.com . This press release contains statements that the Company believes to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release, including statements regarding the Company's future financial condition, results of operations, business operations and business prospects, are forward-looking statements. Words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "expect," "project," "intend," "plan," "predict," "believe" and similar words, expressions and variations of these words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors that could significantly impact results or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to: our ability to realize the benefits anticipated as a result of the Nu Aire acquisition; competitive and general economic conditions, including disruptions from government mandates, both domestically and internationally, as well as supplier constraints and other supply disruptions; changes in customer demands; technological changes in our operations or in our industry; dependence on customers' required delivery schedules; risks related to fluctuations in the Company's operating results from quarter to quarter; risks related to international operations, including foreign currency fluctuations; changes in the legal and regulatory environment; changes in raw materials and commodity costs; acts of terrorism, war, governmental action, and natural disasters and other Force Majeure events. The cautionary statements made pursuant to the Reform Act herein and elsewhere by us should not be construed as exhaustive. We cannot always predict what factors would cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements. Over time, our actual results, performance, or achievements will likely differ from the anticipated results, performance or achievements that are expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements, and such difference might be significant and harmful to our stockholders' interest. Many important factors that could cause such a difference are described under the caption "Risk Factors," in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2024 , which you should review carefully, and in our subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. These reports are available on our investor relations website at www.kewaunee.com and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov . These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this document. The Company assumes no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. SOURCE Kewaunee Scientific Corporation
AUSTIN, Texas — This article was originally published by our content partners at the Texas Tribune. Read the original article here . Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit Wednesday against chemical giants 3M and DuPont, accusing them of decades-long misrepresentations and omissions regarding the safety of PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” sold for use in countless consumer products. These products, sold under brand names such as Teflon, Stainmaster, and Scotchgard, have been staples in households across the nation despite mounting evidence that they contain chemicals that are harmful to human health. “These companies knew for decades that PFAS chemicals could cause serious harm to human health yet continued to advertise them as safe for household use around families and children,” Paxton said in a press release. “Texas is taking action to penalize these companies and hold them accountable for deceiving Texans into buying consumer products without vital information.” Daniel Turner, a spokesperson for DuPont, said in an email that the company has never manufactured PFOA and PFOS — two types of PFAS chemicals — or firefighting foam. "While we don’t comment on litigation matters, we believe this complaint is without merit, and we look forward to vigorously defending our record of safety, health and environmental stewardship," Turned wrote. Representatives of 3M could not be immediately reached for comment. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, belong to a family of manmade chemicals used to make products that resist heat, oil, stains, grease, and water. Some estimates list more than 12,000 types of individual PFAS. They’ve been used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1940s and have earned the name “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down and can persist in water and soil indefinitely. Exposure to PFAS has been linked to certain types of cancer , birth defects, damage to the liver and immune system. They also accumulate in animals, plants, and humans, contaminating drinking water and even circulating in human blood. The lawsuit was filed in Johnson County nine days after a Texas Tribune story featured farmers in that county who have sued a fertilizer company, alleging the fertilizer they sell, which is made from municipal waste, contained PFAS that poisoned their land and killed their livestock. The farmers say they are not able to make a living off their own land because of the contamination. Dana Ames, the environmental crime investigator for Johnson County who discovered the contamination on the farmers' land, said the lawsuit represents a significant step forward in the ongoing fight against PFAS contamination. "I was over the moon. It's a legal issue and he's [Paxton] our top lawyer for the state so I am very encouraged to see that he has taken this action," Ames said. Many other farmers in other parts of the country have also shut down their operations due to PFAS contamination after using fertilizer made from “biosolids” produced from human waste. According to the lawsuit, 3M and DuPont marketed their PFAS products for more than 70 years despite knowing the dangers for more than half a century. The suit alleges that the companies concealed critical risks, misrepresented safety claims, and continued promoting the chemicals as safe for consumer use. Texas had already taken legal action against PFAS manufacturers, including a lawsuit against Aqueous Film Forming Foam, a firefighting product that has polluted Texas lands and waterways. “Attorney General Paxton has been at the forefront of holding companies responsible for exposing people to dangerous 'forever chemicals.' ” said a statement from the AG’s office. “Today’s lawsuit marks a new stage in PFAS litigation.” Texas has found PFAS contamination in some drinking water systems: Nearly 50 public water systems across the state have reported exceeding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s newly-released PFAS limits for drinking water.Trump warns of "ALL HELL TO PAY" if Israeli hostages are not released
Wall Street stocks finished a lackluster week on a muted note Friday as concerns about rising Treasury bond yields competed with enthusiasm over artificial intelligence equities. Of the major indices, only the Nasdaq mustered a gain in Friday's session. The tech-rich index was also the only of the three leading US benchmarks to conclude the week higher. "Equities are kind of treading water," said LBBW's Karl Haeling. "A negative influence to some extent is the rise in bond yields." The latest US consumer price index data released this week showed prices ticked higher in November and the wholesale data also showed stubborn inflationary pressures. "Yields rose to their highest levels in over two weeks as markets brace for the Federal Reserve's final meeting of the year, reflecting concerns over sticky inflation," said Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at online trading platform IG. There is also growing concern over the inflationary pressures from President-elect Donald Trump's pledges to cut taxes and impose tariffs, as inflation still stands above the Fed's target. "While the markets still anticipate a rate cut from the Federal Reserve next week, the likelihood of a move in January has dropped," said Patrick Munnelly, partner at broker Tickmill Group. The CME FedWatch tool shows the market sees a more than 75 percent chance that the Fed will hold rates steady in January. In Europe, the Paris CAC 40 index ended the day down 0.2 percent after French President Emmanuel Macron named his centrist ally Francois Bayrou as prime minister, ending days of deadlock over finding a replacement for Michel Barnier. Frankfurt also dipped, with Germany's central bank sharply downgrading its growth forecasts on Friday for 2025 and 2026. It predicted a prolonged period of weakness for Europe's biggest economy. London stocks were also lower after official data showed that the UK economy unexpectedly shrank for the second consecutive month in October. The euro recovered after flirting with two-year lows against the dollar following a warning Thursday by ECB president Christine Lagarde that the eurozone economy was "losing momentum", cautioning that "the risk of greater friction in global trade could weigh on euro area growth". In Asia, Hong Kong and Shanghai both tumbled as investors were unimpressed with Beijing's pledge to introduce measures aimed at "lifting consumption vigorously" as part of a drive to reignite growth in the world's number two economy. President Xi Jinping and other key leaders said at the annual Central Economic Work Conference they would implement a "moderately loose" monetary policy, increase social financing and reducing interest rates "at the right time". The gathering came after Beijing in September began unveiling a raft of policies to reverse a growth slump that has gripped the economy for almost two years. "We're still not convinced that policy support will prevent the economy from slowing further next year", said Julian Evans-Pritchard, head of China economics at research group Capital Economics. Among individual equities, chip company Broadcom surged nearly 25 percent after reporting a 51 percent jump in quarterly revenues to $14.1 billion behind massive growth in AI-linked business. New York - Dow: DOWN 0.2 percent at 43,828.06 (close) New York - S&P 500: FLAT at 6,051.09 (close) New York - Nasdaq Composite: UP 0.1 percent at 19,926.72 (close) London - FTSE 100: DOWN 0.1 percent at 8,300.33 (close) Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 0.2 percent at 7,409.57 (close) Frankfurt - DAX: DOWN 0.1 percent at 20,405.92 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.0 percent at 39,470.44 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 2.1 percent at 19,971.24 (close) Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 2.0 percent at 3,391.88 (close) Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0504 from $1.0467 on Thursday Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2622 from $1.2673 Dollar/yen: UP at 153.60 yen from 152.63 yen Euro/pound: UP at 83.19 pence from 82.59 pence Brent North Sea Crude: UP 1.5 percent at $74.49 per barrel West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.8 percent at $71.29 per barrel burs-jmb/st
From Pride employee resource groups to a recurring wave of rainbow logos each June, LGBTQ+-friendly workplaces can feel more like the rule than the exception in 2024. Yet, while corporate leaders pat themselves on the back, many queer employees across Canada are still quietly navigating challenging workplace dynamics tied to their sexual orientations and gender identities. For these employees, true equity and inclusivity goes beyond gender-neutral bathrooms and company-sponsored Pride events. It means addressing deeper, often overlooked issues that remain largely invisible to those outside the LGBTQ+ community. It’s an issue that Nate Shalev, an inclusivity speaker and adviser based in Brooklyn, N.Y., feels strongly about. They posted about some of those barriers in a LinkedIn post, where they are ranked as one of the U.S. and Canada’s Top LGBTQIA+ Voices. “When I was told I would have to travel for work, my immediate reaction would be panic,” they wrote. “I was concerned about booking travel with my legal name and risking my team calling me by a name I no longer use, getting through TSA as a trans person with my dignity intact ... [and] navigating queer and transphobia at hotels or in taxis, or anywhere, in front of my co-workers.” Through their consultancy, Revel Impact, Shalev draws on past experiences with “really bad bosses” to help build more inclusive workplaces, educating companies on the barriers their LGBTQ+ team members may be facing – on top of simply getting their jobs done. Barriers like: “Is the conference you asked me to go to safe? What about that client meeting? The whole team is going for a happy hour, but this bar isn’t LGBTQ-friendly. Should I leave? Would that make me look like I wasn’t a part of the team?” Shalev says these sorts of concerns are routinely dismissed or there’s no clear channel through which to handle them since they don’t rise to a legal level of discrimination, despite having negative affects. While most organizations in North America have anti-discrimination policies in place, Ottawa-based talent and brand specialist Lindsay Moorcroft says that doesn’t necessarily mean those policies are sufficient. “Unless you’re building your programs and policies with the [affected] people in the room, there’s always the possibility for something to be forgotten,” Moorcroft says, reflecting on a previous job at a small startup where she was the only out queer employee. “Pronouns weren’t being asked in meetings. They weren’t shared in e-mail signatures. There was no option to even talk about that. So then it’s like, do I want to be the person who brings it up?” she says. For Kaitlin Geiger-Bardswich, a communications and advocacy director in Ottawa, the risk of speaking up paid off. Although she works for a national non-profit she calls “progressive” and “feminist,” bereavement leave didn’t include pregnancy loss until she advocated for it after experiencing a miscarriage herself. “Even if it’s not a miscarriage, when a fertility treatment doesn’t work, when an embryo transfer doesn’t work, there is that grief,” she says. Fertility issues aren’t specific to the LGBTQ+ community, but “gay couples, by definition, typically need to access fertility treatment of some kind,” as Geiger-Bardswich says. “So it’s more likely that if you have gay employees who are interested in parenting, they’re going to have to navigate this.” According to Fertility Matters Canada , more than half of Canadian employers don’t provide fertility benefits, including drugs and treatment costs. And only seven provinces provide public funding to cover partial costs of fertility treatment. In Geiger-Bardswich’s case, she and her wife relied on limited OHIP coverage when trying to conceive, while paying thousands of dollars out-of-pocket for medication and donor sperm. She says she was grateful to have flexibility in her work hours, which made it easier to attend doctor’s appointments throughout the in-vitro fertilization process without fear of repercussions. Flexible work arrangements, including remote work, can also benefit transgender employees who are transitioning or who are repeatedly misgendered at the office, says Shalev. Geiger-Bardswich notes that as anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric increases around the world, it adds another layer of concern for queer Canadians. She points to Italy’s push to remove non-biological parents from birth certificates as an example. “I hope that’s not going to happen in Canada,” she says. “But with how things are happening around the world, there is nervousness around the legal benefits and legal situations for parents like us.” So, what can workplaces do to achieve real, meaningful inclusivity? Shalev says it’s about taking a pro-active, rather than reactive, approach. This could look like ensuring there’s space for preferred names on all applications, forms and other communications. Before international trips, a systematic pretravel questionnaire might allow queer employees to request extra security, a travel companion, a NEXUS membership or a car service to make the experience safer and smoother, Shalev says. “It doesn’t have to feel complicated. Actively create spaces for these conversations to happen. Ask folks what they need,” says Shalev, noting that this has been more difficult in recent years with LGBTQ+ issues growing increasingly politicized. “Because queer issues have been politicized so much, there’s this sense that it’s a taboo topic. That’s a big shift I’ve seen, versus it just being inclusion work and wanting to support colleagues. Trans folks aren’t politics. We’re people.” One organization that appears to be embracing a pro-active approach is Moorcroft’s current employer, ecobee, a home automation company headquartered in Toronto. The company’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) offerings include an LGBTQ+ allyship group, a private social channel for LGBTQ+ employees and a policy-focused working group. Most importantly, Moorcroft says, a variety of voices are in these rooms alongside her, including those of senior leadership. “DEI means nothing if the top of the company is not supporting it, and it’s not in their [budget],” she says. Every organization has different needs and resources, which is why Shalev says, “It’s not one-size-fits-all.” Pride at Work Canada and Great Place to Work provide toolkits for organizations looking to improve inclusion, with strategies ranging from collecting data on employee demographics to administering queer mentorship programs. While certain measures may seem niche, “LGBTQ+ inclusion benefits us all,” Shalev says. “When I do workshops, of course I know there are other queer folks in the room. But then there are the parents of trans kids, or somebody with a partner who’s trans. Our workplaces are microcosms of our larger society, and if we create better workplaces, we can also create better communities and [and better] worlds.” Interested in more perspectives about women in the workplace? Find all stories on The Globe Women’s Collective hub here , and subscribe to the new Women and Work newsletter here . Have feedback? E-mail us at [email protected] .When Kath Patel wrote his memoir last year, he claimed to have been a critical piece in the investigation of the attack on a diplomatic compound in Benghazi in 2012. But a new report found his claims were grossly exaggerated. The New York Times investigated Patel's "Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth, and the Battle for Our Democracy," in which Patel touted himself as the investigation's leader. He reiterated the claims in a September podcast of “The Shawn Ryan Show.” "He has both exaggerated his own importance and misleadingly distorted the department’s broader effort," the Times said, citing public documents and interviews with several law enforcement officials. ALSO READ: Kash Patel's top enemy probably isn't who you think it is “By the time the D.O.J. was moving in full force to compile evidence and bring prosecutions against the Benghazi terrorists, I was leading the prosecution’s efforts at Main Justice in Washington, D.C.," Patel wrote in the book. His quote from the podcast repeated the claim: “I was the main Justice lead prosecutor for Benghazi for a while.” Patel's department at the Justice Department did not run the Benghazi investigation. While the main Justice Department helped support it, it was run out of the Washington, D.C., U.S. attorney's office. The timeline also doesn't match up. The FBI's Benghazi probe began shortly after the incident in 2012. Patel didn't start working at the Justice Department until January 2014. According to the Times, he left in April 2017, "about six months before the first Benghazi case went to trial." Patel was in charge of helping mobilize Justice Department employees to contribute to the work being done in the D.C. office. "He took up the task when a predecessor in the counterterrorism division left; records show that person started a detail working in a Senate office in November 2014. And at a later point, before leaving the section, he is said to have passed off the role to another colleague after friction with the prosecutorial team," the report said. Patel has also said the Justice Department begged him to join the prosecution team, but current and former officials dispute this, too. Donald Trump's transition team was asked for comment about the discrepancies and backed up Patel. They even mentioned that the department had awarded him for his work on the Benghazi case. That was false, however. While he was awarded, it had nothing to do with the Benghazi case. Patel also acted as if Barack Obama's administration never prosecuted those responsible, only taking one to court. “I remember this meeting with then-A.G. Holder," Patel told the podcast. "And we had a deck of like 19 guys we wanted to prosecute. You know, JSOC had them rolled up and we wanted to get them all. They killed four Americans. You know, it’s a legit terrorist attack. And the basic general response from the F.B.I. and D.O.J. leadership was ‘it’s only politically convenient to get one guy.'" In fact, the Times reported there were " complaints against about a dozen militants " — but they were filed under seal, which he likely would have known if Patel was involved. Patel also claimed that 19 people were in custody, but there was only one person in custody at that time. Robert D’Amico, a former FBI agent who worked on planning to capture the main person involved in the attack, said that executing missions to obtain the others "just wasn’t feasible. You would have needed thousands of troops and invaded a country to get all of them.” While the Obama administration captured the leader, Patel downplayed the seriousness, even going so far as to say, "They went and got basically the wrong guy . And then we prosecuted that wrong guy. " Read the full report here.
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Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault chargeTech review: Gift options for the cord cutterA pathway towards new quantum devices: Electrically defined quantum dots in zinc oxide November 26, 2024 Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University Creating and controlling quantum dots via electrical methods, is likely to lead to new frontiers in the quest to develop stable and efficient qubits. Exploring how zinc oxide can be used in electrically defined quantum dots, researchers have unearthed some surprising phenomenon. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email Researchers have successfully created electrically defined quantum dots in zinc oxide (ZnO) heterostructures, marking a significant milestone in the development of quantum technologies. Details of their breakthrough were published in the journal Nature Communications on November 7, 2024. Quantum dots, tiny semiconductor structures that can trap electrons in nanometer-scale spaces, have long been studied for their potential to serve as qubits in quantum computing. These dots are crucial for quantum computing because they allow scientists to control the behavior of electrons, similar to how a conductor might control a current of water flowing through pipes. Until now, most research has focused on materials such as gallium arsenide (GaAs) and silicon. However, zinc oxide, a material known for its strong electron correlation and excellent spin quantum coherence, had not yet been explored for use in electrically defined quantum dots, i.e., those created and controlled using electrical methods. In this study, the research team was able to manipulate the internal states of quantum dots in zinc oxide using precise voltage control -- like adjusting the dials on a radio to fine-tune a signal. This innovation allowed them to observe the Coulomb diamond, a key characteristic of quantum dots, providing insights into the behavior of electrons trapped inside. "The Coulomb diamond is like a fingerprint that helps identify the unique 'personality' of each quantum dot," points out Tomohiro Otsuka, an associate professor at Tohoku University and corresponding author of the paper. "By using zinc oxide, we're opening up new frontiers developing efficient and stable qubits, a cornerstone for quantum computing." One of the most remarkable findings of this study was the discovery of the Kondo effect in zinc oxide quantum dots. The Kondo effect, a quantum phenomenon where electron interactions create conduction, typically depends on the number of electrons in the quantum dot. However, in zinc oxide, the researchers observed this effect even when the number of electrons did not fit the usual pattern. This new behavior, linked to the material's strong electron correlation, adds another layer of complexity and potential to zinc oxide-based quantum devices. "The Kondo effect we observed is different from what we typically see in other semiconductors like GaAs," adds Otsuka. "This difference could help us better understand electron behavior in this new material and improve our ability to control and manipulate qubits." Looking ahead, the team is focused on harnessing these new findings to develop practical quantum devices. Story Source: Materials provided by Advanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University . Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Journal Reference : Cite This Page :
World News | Thousands Cheer Biden's Arrival in Angola for His Long-promised Sub-Saharan Africa VisitSupreme Court Dismisses Meta's Appeal to Block Multibillion-Dollar SuitPresident Emmanuel Macron picked Francois Bayrou to be France’s new prime minister, calling on a longstanding centrist ally to navigate a fractured political landscape that toppled the previous administration. Bayrou, who leads the centrist Democratic Movement party known as MoDem, steps into the breach after far-right leader Marine Le Pen allied with a left-wing coalition of lawmakers last week to oust Michel Barnier from office as he attempted to drive a stringent budget through parliament. To avoid the same fate, Bayrou must quickly rewrite fiscal plans with concessions to buy at least implicit support from some of Macron’s political adversaries. Investors are watching closely after months of political upheaval and uncertainty sparked temporary selloffs of French assets, at one point driving up the country’s borrowing costs as high as Greece’s. “Everyone appreciates the difficulty of the task and I think also that everyone thinks there is a path to be found that unites rather than divides people,” Bayrou told reporters after the announcement. “Reconciliation is necessary.” Macron’s decision to dissolve the National Assembly in June plunged the country into an unusual situation where the French president has scant influence over lawmakers. Since the snap election, the lower house is split into three feuding blocs: the leftist New Popular Front, a shrunken center backing Macron and an expanded nationalist group led by Le Pen. In a post on X following the announcement, Le Pen said Bayrou must work with her party and its proposals to put together a budget. “Any policy that just extends Macronism, which has twice been rejected at the polls, can only lead to impasse and failure,” she said. Jordan Bardella, the president of the National Rally, said his party wouldn’t back a no-confidence vote by default against a prime minister from the center or the right, implicitly giving Bayrou some room to maneuver. Communist leader Fabien Roussel, whose party is part of the leftist bloc, indicated a similar stance. “Naming a prime minister from his own camp sends a bad signal, it’s not what French people want,” Roussel told on BFM TV. “But I won’t say censure outright, we will judge based on evidence.” Currently the high commissioner of government planning, Bayrou ran for president in three consecutive elections starting in 2002. In 2017, he declared that he would stand aside to instead ally himself with Macron as Le Pen rose in the polls. The key to Bayrou’s success or failure as prime minister will be garnering support from both the center left and the center right to avoid a majority forming that would vote him out like Barnier. That will likely require prising apart the New Popular Front to pick off more moderate Socialists from their alliance with Jean-Luc Melenchon’s far-left France Unbowed. If Bayrou can’t find a way to appease parts of the left — or get their agreement not to censure his government outright — he will still be vulnerable to Le Pen’s lawmakers voting him from power. In an open letter to Bayrou after his appointment, the Socialist party demanded the new prime minister quickly meet with the heads of political groups in parliament and pledge to not invoke a constitutional provision to bypass votes on bills. Barnier’s use of the tool — which prime ministers have routinely relied on when they don’t have a majority — triggered the no-confidence vote that toppled him. The socialists also said they would not accept the continuation of Macron’s policies and want guarantees that Bayrou’s government will not depend on the National Rally or push far-right policies. Bayrou has some credit with the National Rally after coming to Le Pen’s aide when she risked not having enough sponsorship from elected officials to run in the 2022 presidential election. Barring her path would have been undemocratic, he said at the time. But France’s new prime minster must tread carefully. Barnier’s short stint as premier also began with courteous relations with Le Pen, before she said he lacked respect for her party and its budget demands, and voted him out of office. The first task for Bayrou will be to name a government that will be able to carry special legislation through parliament to allow the state to continue collecting taxes and carry out the minimal level of spending to avoid a shutdown in France on Jan. 1. Opposition groups have said they would back the emergency legislation, even as it does not allow for any new spending and could push up income taxes if it’s not quickly replaced by a full budget. Bayrou will then have to pick up the pieces of a 2025 budget plan that was derailed by Barnier’s downfall. The initial bill aimed for an unusually sharp adjustment to bring France’s deficit to 5 percent of economic output from 6.1 percent this year with €60 billion ($63.1 billion) of tax hikes and spending cuts. Societe Generale SA trading data shows hedge funds and foreign investors have stepped in over recent weeks and bought French government bonds — also known as OATs — or closed out short positions. It’s a sign that some funds are willing to look through the political gridlock, and that certain key spread levels can trigger buying. Still, the SocGen strategists including Adam Kurpiel say a “slow-burning” move wider is the most likely outcome, arguing the new government is likely to be weak and encounter further political clashes. Fiscal consolidation “is no longer on the horizon,” they added in a note published Thursday. Bayrou on Friday also cited Socialist President Francois Mitterand on the night of his election. “His first word when he received the results was: Finally, trouble is starting,” Bayrou said.
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Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s home was broken into Monday night while he played against the Cowboys, the latest in a series of thefts committed during games. Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce had their homes broken into the day before a game and then the day of a game in October. Bears players said they plan on being cautious when the team plays on “Monday Night Football.” “It was happening before, but now it’s happening to big names and it’s a big matter,” receiver DJ Moore said Friday. “So, I’m taking it serious. ...You definitely have to worry about it.” Tight end Cole Kmet, the team’s NFLPA representative, said that the Bears security staff offers services to their players, be it actual guards or technology, when they’re on the road. The union also offers discounts for home security systems, he said. “Things are very accessible nowadays in terms of being able to look things up, where people live ...” Kmet said. “[It’s] definitely something that as a player you’ve gotta be aware of, because I would say at this point everyone kinda knows your schedule. They know when the house is occupied and when it’s not. It’s unfortunate, but it’s part of the deal.” Moore warned that he has a premium security system. “My house is wired like the Bat-cave,” he said. “You ain’t getting in. If you touch the house, the alarm goes off.” Hoke on Tyrique One day after cornerback Tyrique Stevenson said he didn’t want his Fail Mary gaffe to define him, cornerbacks coach Jon Hoke said he had a lot to deal with in the aftermath of the Commanders’ game-winning touchdown. “Let’s be honest: It’s a tough one, especially in this city where football matters,” Hoke said. “He gets introduced the next game and he gets booed and all that. It’s tough.” Hoke acknowledged the effect of the gaffe— “We had some tough games after that,” he said — but said sensed that Stevenson’s teammates remained supportive. “Players are truly forgiving of teammates, they really are,” he said. “That’s what make it unique about sport, is they do protect each other.” Swift still out Running back D’Andre Swift missed his second consecutive practice because of a groin injury but offensive coordinator Chris Beatty expects him to practice Saturday. “It’s one of those things where we are just trying to be prudent with it and also be able to be prepared for however the game presents itself,” he said. “I think he will be able to do what he does, but we are also prepared whatever way that may go.” Other Bears players who missed practice were guard Ryan Bates (concussion), defensive tackle Gervon Dexter (knee), running back Roschon Johnson (concussion) and tight end Marcedes Lewis (veteran rest). Cornerback Josh Blackwell (shoulder) was upgraded to limited. Safety Elijah Hicks (ankle) was limited, too. Notes • Special teams coordinator Richard Hightower called former Bears kicker Robbie Gould, who was named the head coach at St. Viator this week, “as detailed as a person I have ever been around.” Kmet, who went to St. Viator, said he was excited by the development. “It’ll be cool to see,” he said. “I’ll be rooting Robbie on heavily here.” • Kmet declared U.S. Bank Stadium his favorite, saying it “feels like you’re in a ‘Game of Thrones’ set.” Reminded that Bears president/CEO Kevin Warren helped build it, Kmet said he’d like one of his own. “That one’s pretty beautiful,” he said. “So yeah, hopefully something like that.” • The Vikings had one player not practice Friday: cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who has a hamstring problem.