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June 29, 1949 - November 17, 2024 James Frederick Jones (Fred, aka Freddy), Cedar Rapids, Iowa, died November 17, 2024 in a car accident. Fred was a passionate well known blues harmonica musician, political activist, union member, and international traveler. Born in Bloomington Illinois, June 29, 1949 to his late parents Alberta Brinner Jones and Theron Jones, Fred is survived by two sisters, Susan Amici, Harrison, Arkansas and Kathy Cahill, Stanford, Illinois. Fred is survived by numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews who loved his adventurous spirit and ability to teach harmonica to any and all kids. He loved Arkansas, loved to talk to anyone about his passions. Come celebrate "Freddy Jones" and his wonderful music and life on Saturday, December 14, 2024 at Checkers Tavern, Cedar Rapids, Iowa at 3 p.m. Thank you, Fred for your passion about music, life and travel. Godspeed, my brother. Obituaries Newsletter Sign up to get the most recent local obituaries delivered to your inbox.

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Mark Few liked what he saw unfold at San Diego State's Viejas Arena when his No. 3 Gonzaga Bulldogs made their first foray outside of Spokane, Washington, this season. A double-digit victory in a packed, loud arena. Toughness from a deep, experienced lineup that once again is driven to win an elusive national championship. And, peeking a few seasons ahead, he saw an SDSU team that he views more as a future Pac-12 partner than rival. Behind big man Graham Ike and guard Ryan Nembhard, Gonzaga displayed its size, speed and strength in beating Brian Dutcher's young, hobbled squad 80-67 on Monday night. The Bulldogs returned the favor after SDSU won 84-74 last December at The Kennel in Spokane, which ended their 59-game nonconference winning streak. Both teams reached the Sweet Sixteen last season. Gonzaga is the only team in the nation to reach the Sweet Sixteen the last nine seasons as the Bulldogs extended their streak of NCAA Tournament appearances to 25 straight. Back in Spokane on Wednesday night, the Zags improved to 5-0 by routing Long Beach State 84-41, no doubt firing up expectations in the Lilac City and beyond. In a college sports climate dominated by NIL and the transfer portal, the Zags are stacked. Of the 12 possible players who could return from last year, 10 did, including all four starters. They returned 81% of last season's scoring and 71% of their rebounding. Six of its top seven scorers are back, along with 81.4% of minutes played. “We're tougher,” Few said. “We're physically tougher, we're mentally tougher, at least so far in the season. A lot of the same guys from last year. That's what happens when you stick around a couple of years. “You've got to have both to be able to go on the road in a place like this and dig out wins," Few added. "That's one thing San Diego State is going to bring. They're going to bring physicality, they're going to bring great athleticism, they're going to challenge you in every facet of the game.” Hoops powerhouse Gonzaga announced on Oct. 1 that it will move from the West Coast Conference, where it has dominated for most of the last quarter-century, into a Pac-12 conference being rebuilt around football. Beginning with the 2026-27 academic year, Gonzaga will become the eighth member along with holdovers Washington State and Oregon State, and fellow newcomers Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, Utah State and Colorado State from the Mountain West. While not as dominant as the Zags, the Aztecs have been one of the West Coast's best programs for several years, first under Steve Fisher and then Dutcher, his longtime assistant who is in his eighth season as head coach. “They're just going to be such a great partner, because they value basketball and they support basketball,” said Few, who's in his 26th season as head coach. “They understand, when you have a national program like we both have, it pays unbelievable dividends to the university, to the community, to the city and the state, like the Northwest and down here. They get that. We're looking for other like-minded places to partner with us.” Few said he would often chat with Fisher about the possibility of the Zags and Aztecs playing in the same conference. Fisher watches Aztecs games with his wife, Angie, from the second row above Steve Fisher Court. “We talked about it forever,” Few said. “I'm happy for Dutch. He's doing a great job." San Diego State reached its first Final Four in 2023, when Lamont Butler's thrilling buzzer-beater against Florida Atlantic lifted the Aztecs into the national championship game, where they lost 76-59 to UConn. SDSU was routed again by UConn, 82-52, in last season's Sweet Sixteen, while Gonzaga lost to Purdue. Gonzaga opened this season with a 101-63 win against then-No. 8 Baylor at the Spokane Arena. It was Gonzaga’s biggest victory margin over a top-10 opponent, over a team it lost to in the 2021 national title game in Indianapolis. Nembhard, who had 19 points and 10 assists against the Aztecs, said the Zags “did a really good job, actually,” of handling the pressure of playing at Viejas Arena. "Every time they went on a little run and the crowd got loud, we did a good job staying composed and trusting our offensive sets.” Nembhard will be gone when the Bulldogs and Aztecs are in the Pac-12 together, but thinks "the rivalry will be great. This is a great program. I played them a couple of times at Creighton, and they always gave us a tough game. They have a great fan base, a great coach over there, and they play really hard. I think it’ll be a great rivalry to come.” ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball

By Ja'han Jones Happy Tuesday. Here’s your Tuesday Tech Drop, a curated list of the past week’s top stories from the intersection of politics and the all-inclusive world of technology. Rapper Drake — who once dismissed artists who take legal action with the lyric, “a cease-and-desist is for hoes” — seems to have had a change of heart after taking a lyrical drubbing from Pulitzer-winning rapper Kendrick Lamar this summer. In a petition filed Monday in New York, Drake launched a legal attack against his own record label, Universal Music Group, and Spotify, which he accuses of harming him by allegedly boosting Lamar’s song “They Not Like Us,” a scathing diss track aimed at Drake and his associates. (Lamar is also signed to UMG.) Drake’s petition, which seeks information to support a potential lawsuit, claims that UMG and Spotify engaged in a high-tech “scheme” using bots, reduced licensing fees and paid influencers to boost the song illegally. A second petition , filed in Texas, alleges UMG engaged in a pay-for-play scheme with iHeartMedia to help boost the song, which the petition also claims defamed Drake. UMG provided NBC News with a pretty scathing response to the first suit: The suggestion that UMG would do anything to undermine any of its artists is offensive and untrue. We employ the highest ethical practices in our marketing and promotional campaigns. No amount of contrived and absurd legal arguments in this pre-action submission can mask the fact that fans choose the music they want to hear.” Spotify declined to comment Tuesday to NBC News, but its website says the platform has practices in place to prevent artificial streaming. As you might imagine, Drake resorting to the courts for help in the midst of a rap beef has been met with some pretty savage mockery . After all, Drake himself has put baseless claims about other artists, including Lamar , in his tracks, and he’s used social media influencers to hype his music . And he’s also taken advantage of shifts in the infrastructure of the music industry throughout his career, so in some ways, it seems Drake is raging against the machine that made him. Now it looks like a messy legal battle is on the horizon, which could shake loose all sorts of details about the inner workings of the music industry. One thing is for certain: Drake has made history as the first rapper to take legal action against Big Tech for the L he took during a beef. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has a plan to counter President-elect Donald Trump’s threats to undermine investment in electric vehicles . But the plan could exclude Elon Musk, and Musk is outraged. Read more at The Daily Beast . Axios reports Trump is searching for someone to serve as his “AI czar” and lead his administration’s efforts around artificial intelligence. Musk, who seems to have his hand in every aspect of the incoming Trump administration, is reportedly involved in this decision, as well. Remember last week when Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy wrote that their “department” of “government efficiency” would rely on “advanced technology” to root out government waste? Axios suggests the AI czar is going to help with that. Read more at Axios . CNBC dropped a report on the hundreds of millions of dollars the cryptocurrency industry plunged into this year’s elections, and its success in “buying” the most pro-crypto Congress in history. Read more at CNBC . Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Communications Committee won’t stop issuing threats. FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr has spent his first couple of weeks in the spotlight threatening media companies’ broadcast licenses and has vowed to end what he portrayed as governmental “lawfare” against Musk. Read more at Mediaite . Sunday night’s episode of “60 Minutes” featured a story on the disturbingly exploitative gigs, outsourced to countries across the globe, that involve employees training artificial intelligence tools to recognize items. Watch the segment below: Ja'han Jones is The ReidOut Blog writer. He's a futurist and multimedia producer focused on culture and politics. His previous projects include "Black Hair Defined" and the "Black Obituary Project."

Netizens believe Filipina American singer-songwriter and actress Olivia Rodrigo is an ARMY! In October, she visited the Philippines for her GUTS World Tour 2, exciting her fans. Videos from her time in the country are now being shared. A post shared by Olivia Rodrigo (@oliviarodrigo) Celebrity chef JP Anglo shared videos featuring the singer as they prepared delicious Filipino food and gifts for her. We Filipinos can’t help being proud of the success of other Filipinos, whether they were born in the motherland or not. Likewise, we are always proud to share our food whether it’s Sisig, Inasal or bagnet. What better way then to celebrate the talent and accomplishment of our fellow Filipino, @Olivia Rodrigo , than with a good old boodle fight. Here’s to you Olivia, and all things Pinoy. @sarsa_mnl @American Express #filipinofoodforward #filipinofood #filipinoforward #oliviarodrigo #oliviarodrigophilippines #oliviarodrigoedit #oliviarodrigofanpage #oliviarodrigofan #oliviarodrigosupremacy #oliviarodrigosour ♬ original sound – jpanglo – jpanglo When @Olivia Rodrigo visited us at @sarsa_mnl we asked helped from my nieces. Kassie & Ally designed the Sarsa x OR shirts while Oraia, the daughter of my sister, gifted her with a brown bag with goodies inside she crocheted herself. So so proud of you TEAM! 🇵🇭💙🤜🏽 boodle fight. Here’s to you Olivia, and all things Pinoy. 🇵🇭💙🔪 @sarsa_mnl @americanexpress @movefilms #filipinofoodforward #filipinofood #filipinoforward #boodlefight #oliviarodrigo #oliviarodrigophilippines #oliviarodrigoedit #oliviarodrigofanpage #oliviarodrigofans #oliviarodrigosupremacy ♬ get him back! – Olivia Rodrigo Eagle-eyed netizens noticed in both her vlog and his videos that she had a cute keychain accessory on her bag. It appeared to be none other than KOYA , BTS RM ‘s koala character from the group’s LINE FRIENDS collaboration. The exact product is the “KOYA MINI MININI VEGGIE keywring.” omg olivia rodrigo has a koya veggie keyring???!!!! pic.twitter.com/XtA6u7OAsv — maddy (@googiejar) December 6, 2024 olivia has a orange koya keyring omg? pic.twitter.com/dcNk6bbVCl — ur grandaddy star7 (@rorosfirstlove) December 6, 2024 Singer Olivia Rodrigo with the BT210KOYA MINI MININI VEGGIE keywring. pic.twitter.com/6HrgOn23Np — Kim Namjoon Source (@KNJsSource) December 6, 2024 Olivia Rodrigo has previously fangirled over BTS, revealing herself to be ARMY. bts and olivia stans fighting? here’s olivia fangirling over bts pic.twitter.com/SxBn7NuMYk — nour (@favcrimeliv) May 23, 2021 Yet, Olivia Rodrigo has a past connection with another BTS member: V . They shared a “moment” at The 2022 GRAMMYs (also known as The 64th GRAMMY Awards ). Read more below. BTS’s V Tells All On His Viral Moment With Olivia Rodrigo At The 2022 GRAMMYs What's Happening Around The World BTS V’s Duet With Bing Crosby Praised For Avoiding AI Technology Bruno Mars Gets “Jealous” Of BLACKPINK Rosé’s New Man Why f(x)’s Krystal Jung Keeps Her MBTI A Secret KATSEYE’s Megan Captures Attention Of Hit-Making Disney Producer View All (1921)

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Digital e-readers have transformed the reading landscape in three significant ways: mobility, sustainability, and abundance. However, as many have predicted, has this medium truly changed the future of reading? Bibliophiles remain loyal to printed materials. They often use digital e-readers primarily as a backup. According to Google statistics, around 83% of readers are more likely to purchase a printed version of a new, popular, or classic book. At the same time, they use their e-readers to hold free or mediocre books they plan to read at a leisurely pace. Printed books have been a cornerstone of education and entertainment for centuries. “Paper” and “writing sources” have documented history and facilitated communication throughout the ages. Without writing, much of our past would remain unknown. Historians feel a responsibility to honor our history by preserving the art of writing on paper, and I believe this will never change. Books offer an immersive experience that many readers find comforting and nostalgic. The rustle of pages, the smell of paper, the need for beautiful bookmarks, and the tangible weight of a book provide a sensory experience that digital devices cannot replicate. Even with the rise of digital media, traditional books continue to thrive. As the population ages, will this change? Does the younger generation appreciate printed materials in the same way? Or will sustainability concerns outweigh the need for paper? Will books become mere fuel for future generations? Imagine a post-catapultic world where burning books is the new form of heating and electricity. Older people may cringe at this thought, while younger people might hold their e-readers high and say, we stored those books in here. What does it matter if we burn books when we need to save the world? Perspective and time are everything. There are notable advantages to printed books. They require no batteries or electricity, making them reliable in any setting, such as a cabin in the woods or a campsite where fire is the only light source. Books add an aesthetic value to a space, serving as decor and conversation starters. As e-readers become more prevalent, the value of printed books will increase. Like many other antiquated objects, they may become a symbol of wealth and prosperity. I suggest keeping your books in sealed plastic, which may become valuable. E-readers have revolutionized how we access and consume written content. Devices like the Kindle, Nook, and Kobo offer readers a portable library at their fingertips. With the ability to store thousands of books in a single device, e-readers cater to the modern reader’s mobility, convenience, and variety needs. However, they do not provide the exact immersive experience. E-ink technology simulates a paper-like feel, and with its lightweight and compact design, e-readers are perfect for on-the-go reading. And their long battery life makes them suitable for quick trips to the cabin. Features like adjustable font sizes, backlighting, and text-to-speech enhance accessibility for a broader audience, allowing all readers to access a vast array of books and publications. The rise of digital reading has also significantly impacted writing. It has changed how authors create and distribute their work. Independent authors can now self-publish and reach global audiences, allowing diverse voices to be heard. They can maintain creative control and receive a larger share of royalties. Writers can engage directly with their audience through social media and digital platforms, fostering a more interactive marketing strategy. For now, the coexistence of traditional books and e-readers reflects a broader trend in the media landscape, where digital and analog formats complement rather than replace one another. However, this ongoing battle will likely grow and change as the world gains more access to digital services and the need for sustainability rises to the forefront of global discussion. Global warming will take a back seat in the next few years, so it is unlikely that there will be an enormous shift in the reading world. Whether one prefers the classic charm of a hardcover or the sleek efficiency of an e-reader, the battle rages on, and no one knows for sure. Regardless, the love for reading and writing continues to thrive. Books and e-readers do not win readers’ hearts; the stories within them do. Image by from Writing has always been her passion and a voice for those who cannot speak. She considers herself fortunate to write every day and says her mantra is, "I drink coffee, write, and I know about people and technology." Her writing is diverse and can be found online on websites like LifeHack, You Have a Calling, Medium, TechCrunch and, She Knows.

Up Approximately 8,000% the Past 20 Years, This Stock Just Shot Higher on Increased Guidance. Can the Momentum Continue?

NoneYourUpdate TV Speaks with Shipt Seasonal Shopping Expert About Last-Minute Holiday Gifting and Hosting TipsMISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Nov. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bird Construction Inc. (TSX: BDT) is pleased to announce the appointment of Evelyn Angelle to its Board of Directors (the “Board”), effective immediately. Ms. Angelle will fill a vacancy on the Board, bringing the total number of directors to 10. Ms. Angelle, a private investor, philanthropist and director, joins the Board with a distinguished background in public company finance and public accounting, having held senior leadership positions at Halliburton Company after a 15-year career in the audit practice of Ernst & Young LLP. A certified public accountant in Texas and certified management accountant, Ms. Angelle’s expertise will be instrumental as Bird continues to pursue its strategic growth initiatives. "We are delighted to welcome Evelyn Angelle to our Board of Directors," said Paul Raboud, Chairman of Bird Construction Inc. "With her extensive experience in public accounting and senior financial roles as well as her knowledge of supply chain management and investor relations, we are confident that she will make significant contributions to our Board and its Committees as we continue to execute on our strategic priorities and drive value for our shareholders." Ms. Angelle will immediately join the Board’s Audit Committee and Health, Safety and Environment Committee. Mr. Richard Bird will continue to serve as Audit Committee Chair in an interim capacity. About Evelyn Angelle Ms. Angelle is an independent corporate director. She currently serves as a director of Forum Energy Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: FET), where she chairs the Audit Committee and is a member of the Nominating, Governance and Sustainability Committee. Ms. Angelle also serves as a member of the Board of Directors, and as a member of the Audit Committee, of STEP Energy Services, Ltd. (TSX: STEP), an oilfield services company. Ms. Angelle serves on the Board of Managers of Amp Americas II Holdings LLC, a privately held renewable natural gas company, where she chairs the Audit Committee. Through her career, Ms. Angelle served in numerous executive roles, including as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of BJ Services Company LLC, and Senior Vice President, Supply Chain, for Halliburton. Prior to that, she served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer, and Vice President of Investor Relations, both with Halliburton. Before joining Halliburton, Ms. Angelle worked for 15 years in the audit practice of Ernst & Young LLP, specializing in serving large, multinational public companies. She is a graduate of St. Mary’s College (Notre Dame), where she holds a degree in Accounting. Additionally, she holds a certificate in Cyber Security Oversight from Carnegie Mellon University. Beyond her corporate roles, Ms. Angelle is actively engaged in charitable organizations, serving on the Board of Directors and executive committees of Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas and Junior Achievement USA. Ms. Angelle is a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD), where she was awarded the distinguished Board Leadership Fellow designation. "I am honored to join the Board of Directors at Bird Construction Inc. and look forward to working with the Board and management team to support the company’s strategic vision," said Ms. Angelle. "I am excited to become part of Bird’s strong 100-year foundation and to build on its tradition of trust." The Toronto Stock Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. For further information contact: T.L. McKibbon, President & CEO or W.R. Gingrich, CFO Bird Construction Inc. 5700 Explorer Drive, Suite 400 Mississauga, ON L4W 0C6 Phone: (905) 602-4122 investor.relations@bird.ca About Bird Construction Bird (TSX: BDT) is a leading Canadian construction and maintenance company operating from coast-to-coast-to-coast. Servicing all of Canada's major markets through a collaborative, safety-first approach, Bird provides a comprehensive range of construction services, self-perform capabilities, and innovative solutions to the industrial, buildings, and infrastructure markets. For over 100 years, Bird has been a people-focused company with an unwavering commitment to safety and a high level of service that provides long-term value for all stakeholders. www.bird.ca

TORONTO, ONTARIO / ACCESSWIRE / December 18, 2024 / Electrovaya Inc. ("Electrovaya" or the "Company") (NASDAQ:ELVA)(TSX:ELVA), a leading lithium-ion battery technology and manufacturing company, is pleased to announce in connection with its previously completed public offering of 5,175,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Common Shares") at the price of US$2.15 per Common Share (the "Offering Price") for gross proceeds of approximately US$11.1 million (the "Offering") that Roth Capital Partners, acting as sole book-running manager, and Raymond James Ltd. and Craig-Hallum Capital Group LLC acting as the co-lead book-running managers in the Offering, have purchased an additional 776,250 Common Shares at the Offering Price, for additional gross proceeds to the Company of US$1,668,937.50, before deducting the underwriting commissions, pursuant to their exercise in full of the over-allotment option (the "Over-Allotment Option"). After giving effect to the full exercise of the Over-Allotment Option, the Company sold 5,951,250 Common Shares under the Offering, for aggregate gross proceeds of US$12,795,188.00. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Offering to satisfy conditions associated with the loan approved by the Export-Import Bank of the United States announced by the Company on November 14, 2024, repayment of amounts under the Company's existing working capital facility in advance of proposed bank refinancing and for the costs of such financing, and satisfaction of certain outstanding amounts in connection with the purchase of the Company's Jamestown, New York manufacturing facility. The Common Shares were offered in the United States pursuant to a shelf registration statement (including a prospectus supplement thereto) previously filed with and declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on September 25, 2024 in accordance with the Multijurisdictional Disclosure System established between Canada and the United States, and were qualified for distribution in the provinces and territories of Canada by way of a prospectus supplement to the Company's base shelf prospectus dated September 17, 2024. No securities were sold in the Province of Québec. The prospectus supplement and accompanying shelf registration are available for free on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and the prospectus supplement and accompanying base shelf prospectus filed in Canada are available on the Company's profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca . Copies of the prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relating to the Offering may also be obtained by contacting Roth Capital Partners, LLC at 888 San Clemente Drive, Newport Beach CA 92660 by phone at (800)-678-9147 or e-mail at rothecm@roth.com . This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any province, state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such province, state or jurisdiction. Investor and Media Contact: Jason Roy VP, Corporate Development and Investor Relations Electrovaya Inc. 905-855-4618 / jroy@electrovaya.com About Electrovaya Inc. Electrovaya Inc. (NASDAQ:ELVA) (TSX:ELVA) is a pioneering leader in the global energy transformation, focused on contributing to the prevention of climate change by supplying safe and long-lasting lithium-ion batteries without compromising energy and power. The Company has extensive IP and designs, develops and manufactures proprietary lithium-ion batteries, battery systems, and battery-related products for energy storage, clean electric transportation, and other specialized applications. Electrovaya has two operating sites in Canada and a 52-acre site with a 135,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Jamestown New York state for its planned gigafactory. To learn more about how Electrovaya is powering mobility and energy storage, please explore www.electrovaya.com . Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the anticipated use of proceeds from the Offering. Forward-looking statements can generally, but not always, be identified by the use of words such as "may", "will", "could", "should", "would", "likely", "possible", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "objective" and "continue" (or the negative thereof) and words and expressions of similar import. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are necessarily based on assumptions, and involve risks and uncertainties, therefore undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Material assumptions on which forward-looking statements in this news release include assumptions about the ability to complete a loan financing with EXIM and the market price of the Common Shares. Material risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ from any forward-looking statement market conditions and other risks that may be found in the prospectus supplement and base shelf prospectus filed in connection with the Offering, including those risks described under the heading "Risk Factors", and the documents incorporated by referenced therein. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the forward looking statements contained in this document, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE: Electrovaya Inc. View the original on accesswire.com

Ati Inc's SVP sells $155,918 in stock

YXT.com Announces Strategic Management ChangesAs we near mid-December, it’s natural to reflect on the past year. While there were many major headlines in 2024, such as wars, lower interest rates, the election of a new president and the U.S. market hitting all-time highs, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest news. However, fixating on the short term is not constructive. Instead, it’s worth focusing on practical strategies to consider before the end of the year. Some of the following items may be applicable to you, while others may not be. The key is recognizing the opportunities that exist in this environment so you can make informed financial decisions and stay focused on what is important as you enter 2025. Investing considerations 1. Overall allocation. Does your investment mix of stocks, bonds, alternative investments and cash still make sense based on your goals? If your situation has changed, it may impact your portfolio. Subscribe to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Be a smarter, better informed investor. Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail. Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail. 2. Rebalancing. Though the S&P 500 is up meaningfully this year, that return has been driven primarily by several large technology stocks. Meaning there are areas of the market, such as REITs , international stocks and investment-grade bonds, that have meaningfully underperformed the S&P 500. Many investors’ asset allocation is probably out of whack, and it may make sense to rebalance your portfolio to ensure your allocation is brought back to its appropriate risk tolerance. 3. Investment policy statement (IPS). One way to stick to a disciplined plan is by developing an IPS. An IPS helps define an investors’ goals, risk tolerance and other considerations to ensure they are on track to achieve their objectives. Most important, it will help investors ignore the noise and the slick salespeople trying to sell them something imprudent. Speaking to your financial adviser today to set up an IPS before the New Year is a great way to start 2025 on the right financial foot. 4. Review your cash position. In today’s world, cash doesn’t need to earn nothing. Money market yields are now paying around 4%-plus. Proactively moving cash from accounts paying 1& to 2% to those paying about 4% is prudent. On the other hand, yields are much lower than they were last year. This may impact how much cash you should have on hand. Considerations for required minimum distributions (RMDs) 5. Don’t forget to take your RMDs from your retirement account. RMDs apply to folks who are 73 and older. If you are subject to RMDs and don’t take them before the end of the year, there will be a penalty. Considerations for charitable giving 6. Qualified charitable distributions (QCDs). Individuals who are 701⁄2 or older can donate all, or a portion, of their RMD directly to charity via a QCD . Regardless of the amount of your RMD for the year, you can give up to $105,000 to charities from your IRA as QCDs. 7. Deduction for cash contributions. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act , the deduction for cash contributions directly to charity, including gifts to a donor-advised fund, increased from 50% of AGI to 60%. The limit will revert to 50% after the sunset of the TCJA at the end of 2025, so donors should consider maximizing their cash gifts today. 8. Donate appreciated stocks. Many investors may have long-held or concentrated stock positions with large imbedded unrealized capital gains. These folks should consider donating these highly appreciated securities directly to charity, which helps avoid capital gains tax that would otherwise need to be paid when selling the security. It also facilitates minimizing a large position, which helps derisk a portfolio. 9. Utilize a donor-advised fund (DAF). A DAF is an account where you can deposit assets for donation to charity over time. The donor gets an immediate tax deduction when making the contribution to the DAF and still has the ability to control how the funds are invested and distributed to charity. A DAF can be extremely useful if you hold a security with no cost basis, a highly appreciated stock or a concentrated position. In all these scenarios, the tax liability can be circumvented by moving that position to a DAF. A DAF may be particularly useful when “ bunching ” your charitable contributions, which involves donating several years’ worth of charitable contributions all at once, which is done for tax planning purposes. Considerations for Roth IRA conversions 10. Roth IRA conversions . A Roth IRA conversion is the process of transferring retirement funds from a traditional IRA, SEP or 401(k) into a Roth account. There is no early withdrawal penalty on this conversion amount. Since a traditional IRA is tax-deferred, while a Roth is tax-exempt, the deferred income taxes due will need to be paid on the converted funds at the time of conversion. This is typically done to avoid a potentially more onerous tax liability later or for estate planning reasons. Considerations for beneficiary designations 11. Beneficiary updates. Retirement accounts and insurance policies have beneficiary designations that pass outside of one’s will. Therefore, even if you did estate planning, it’s important to review your various beneficiary designations to ensure that your money is passing according to your wishes. It is not unheard of for assets to pass to the wrong party, such as an ex-spouse, because beneficiary designations were not updated. Considerations for estate planning 12. Changing family dynamics. If a family member passed away this year, you may want to reach out to your estate planning attorney to review and update your planning/documents such as a will, power of attorney , health care proxy, etc. 13. Aligning your financial plan with your investments. If you update your estate plans or have a trust, make sure that your investment accounts reflect your estate plan (i.e., the trusts should be funded and accounts titled correctly). 14. Take advantage of the high federal unified estate and gift tax exemption. The federal unified estate and gift tax exemption for 2024 is at an all-time high of $13.61 million for individuals and $27.22 million for married couples. It’s going up next year (to $13.99 million for individuals and $27.98 million for married couples). However, while the incoming Trump administration may extend this high exemption amount, they are still scheduled to expire after December 31, 2025. At that point, the amounts are scheduled to revert to the pre-2017 level, which is about half of what they are today. Depending on a family’s assets, it may be a great opportunity for large lifetime gifts to capitalize on the historically high exclusion amount today to remove assets from their estate. Considerations for 529 plan contributions 15. 529 plan contributions. A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged college savings account. It may provide an opportunity for immediate tax savings if you live in one of the 30 or more states offering a full or partial deduction for your contributions to the home-state 529 plan. This is a nice option for using the annual gift tax exclusion, if you haven’t already used it. You can gift up to $18,000 a year tax-free per person in 2024 (in 2025, it’s $19,000). The annual exclusion recycles on January 1, so make sure to use your 2024 gift allowance by then so you don’t lose it. 16. “Superfunding” 529 accounts. In this strategy, you can spread a tax-free gift to a 529 account over five years for gift tax purposes. So, a married couple not making any other gifts to the beneficiary during the five-year period can contribute up to $180,000 in 2024 to a 529 plan for each child and, with the election, not run into gift tax problems. Considerations for tax loss harvesting 17. Tax-loss harvesting is the process of selling securities at a loss to offset a capital gains tax liability. In addition to offsetting any capital gains for the year, the loss can also be used to offset up to $3,000 of your ordinary income. Considerations for company retirement accounts 18. Assess contributions to employer retirement plans. Review how much money you contributed to your 401(k) or 403(b) this year. If you are financially able, it’s worthwhile to max out those accounts every year. In 2024, maximum contribution limits are $23,000 before any company match or $30,500 if you are 50 or older. 19. Plan for next year’s 401(k)/403(b) contribution limits. For 2025, the contribution limit increased to $23,500. Catch-up contributions will remain the same at $7,500 for those 50 and over. Interestingly, in 2025 the IRS will now permit an additional catch-up for employees ages 60 to 63 of $11,250, instead of just $7,500. Don’t forget to make the required tweaks within your plan to ensure you are making the maximum contribution for the upcoming year. 20. Roth IRA vs traditional IRA. It’s important to decide whether to make Roth IRA or traditional IRA contributions. As a rule of thumb, if you think you may have a high-income year, then a traditional IRA makes more sense since you’ll get an immediate tax deduction. However, if you anticipate a low-income year, then a Roth IRA makes sense. In that scenario, you’ll pay a more modest amount in taxes now and not have to pay tax on the withdrawals years later. 21. Review your 401(k)/403(b) investment lineup and current portfolio. Determine if it is sensible to make any investment changes in your plan. This is especially applicable if your firm switched 401(k) providers recently, if you rolled over an old 401(k) or if you are approaching retirement . In any of these scenarios, tweaking your investments may make sense. Considerations for other tax-advantaged accounts 22. Health savings account (HSA). Consider maxing out your HSA , which allows you to save and pay for qualified medical expenses with tax-free dollars. In order to contribute to an HSA, you have to be enrolled in an HSA-eligible health plan. You can only contribute a certain amount to your HSA each year, but all contributions roll over from year to year. In 2024, you can contribute up to $4,150 for yourself, or $8,300 if you have coverage for your family. In 2025, you will be able to contribute up to $4,300 for yourself or $8,550 if you have coverage for your family. 23. Flexible spending account (FSA). FSAs allow you to contribute pre-tax money, up to a certain amount, to an account that can be used to pay for eligible out-of-pocket health care expenses or eligible dependent care services, such as childcare. However, FSA funds typically are “use it or lose it,” meaning you generally can’t roll the full amount into the next calendar year. To avoid losing any unspent funds, make a plan to use the money before December 31. Considerations for your budget 24. Sufficient emergency fund. Make sure you have adequate funds in your checking account. Three to six months’ worth of expense money is a good rule of thumb for those who are working. For retirees, this number should be sufficient to mitigate sequence of returns risk , which may require having a year’s worth of cash readily available. 25. Reflect on your expenses and plan ahead for next year . This is especially important for retirees who must evaluate how much cash they will need in the year ahead to ensure they are able to meet their cash flow needs. Since prices on many items skyrocketed this year, it’s imperative to ensure you have adequate cash on hand to meet these expenses. Reviewing the aforementioned strategies with your loved ones and financial adviser can help ensure that your financial house is in order. It will also help lay the groundwork for a financially successful year ahead. Securities offered through Kestra Investment Services, LLC (Kestra IS), member FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Kestra Advisory Services, LLC (Kestra AS), an affiliate of Kestra IS. ParkBridge Wealth Management is not affiliated with Kestra IS or Kestra AS. Investor Disclosures. Related Content Six Year-End Deadlines for Retirees in 2024 Your MAGI in Retirement: Year-End Tax Strategies to Save Money 10 Retirement Moves to Make Before 2025 Six Ways to Optimize Your Charitable Giving Before Year-End New Rules for Retirement Savings Taking Effect in 2025 This article was written by and presents the views of our contributing adviser, not the Kiplinger editorial staff. You can check adviser records with the SEC or with FINRA .LONDON (AP) — West Ham forward Michail Antonio was taken to hospital after being involved in a road traffic incident on Saturday. West Ham added the 34-year-old player was in a stable condition after the incident in the Essex area. “Michail is conscious and communicating and is currently under close supervision at a central London hospital,” the Premier League club said in a statement. “At this difficult time, we kindly ask everyone to respect the privacy of Michail and his family. “The club will make no further comment this evening, but will issue a further update in due course.” Unverified images of a heavily damaged Ferrari were shared on social media on Saturday. It was not known if it was the car involved in the accident. Antonio signed for West Ham in 2015 and has made more than 300 appearances. West Ham doesn’t have a league game until Monday. ___ James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

At present, 10 Vande Bharat Sleeper trains are under production for long and medium distance journey in the country. The first prototype has been manufactured and will undergo field trials. In addition, manufacturing of 200 Vande Bharat Sleeper Rakes have also been awarded to Technology partners. The timeline of rollout of train is subject to successful completion of the trials. As on 02nd December 2024, 136 Vande Bharat train services are operational on the Broad Gauge electrified network of Indian Railways for short and medium distance journey across the country. Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a statement laid on the table of the House of Lok Sabha, said that in order to give world class travel experience, 136 Vande Bharat train services, having Chair Cars, are currently operational on the Broad Gauge electrified network of Indian Railways; up to October, 2024 overall occupancy of Vande Bharat Express trains is more than 100%. In reply to another question, the Union Minister said that the production units of Indian Railways are producing only LHB coaches from April 2018 onwards. The production of LHB coaches has continually increased during the years. The number of LHB coaches manufactured during 2014-24 is more than 16 times (36,933) the number manufactured (2,337) during 2004-14. Indian Railways (IR) has proliferated LHB coaches which are technologically superior with features like Anti climbing arrangement, Air suspension with failure indication system and less corrosive shell. As part of the “Sugamya Bharat Mission” (Accessible India Campagn), Indian Railways is making significant strides in ensuring accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (Divyangjans) and passengers with reduced mobility. Under the guidelines of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, comprehensive facilities have been provided like ramps, accessible parking, Braille and tactile signages, low-height counters, and lifts/escalators. Till November 2024, Indian Railways had installed 1,512 escalators across 399 stations and 1,607 lifts at 609 stations, marking a remarkable growth compared to the previous decade—an increase of 9 and 14 times, respectively. Further, dedicated coaches with wide entrances, accessible washrooms, and wheelchair parking are available on most Mail/Express trains while Vande Bharat trains offer enhanced accessibility with features like automatic doors, earmarked spaces, and Braille signage for Divyangjan.