Michelle Keegan looks effortlessly stylish as she joins husband Mark Wright and her family for breakfast in EssexATRenew (NYSE:RERE) Shares Gap Down – Here’s WhyUS President-elect Donald Trump has described the 2023 debt ceiling extension agreed by then House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden as " one of the dumbest political decisions made in years." Under the 2023 budget deal Congress suspended the debt ceiling until January 1, 2025. The US Treasury will be able to pay its bills for several months beyond that deadline, but Congress will have to address the issue, possibly around mid-year. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, "The extension of the Debt Ceiling by a previous Speaker of the House, a good man and a friend of mine ... will go down as one of the dumbest political decisions made in years." He added, "The Democrats must be forced to take a vote on this treacherous issue NOW, during the Biden Administration, and not in June. They should be blamed for this potential disaster, not the Republicans!" Republicans, however, will control both chambers of Congress beginning on January 3 and at least some of the party's lawmakers would have to go along with a debt limit increase or elimination in order for it to become law. Without the 2023 debt limit increase, the United States would have seen a historic default on its debt payments that would have roiled financial markets worldwide. A debt default would also likely have brought a downgrade in the US credit rating, raising borrowing costs for businesses and individuals. At the time, several far-right Republicans in the House of Representatives had pushed for deeper federal spending cuts as a condition for raising the debt limit than what had been negotiated. About a week ago, with US government discretionary funding due to expire on December 20, Trump, encouraged by billionaire Elon Musk, demanded the debt limit either be eliminated or extended, possibly to 2029 when his presidency would end. That idea was tacked onto an extension of government funding into March, but it was quickly voted down by a coalition of House Democrats and hard-right Republicans, many of whom represent districts in Trump-leaning states. A government-funding bill without a debt-limit provision was then enacted into law. Next month, Republicans in the newly-elected Congress are expected to insist on deep federal spending cuts as a condition for raising the country's borrowing limit. Democrats earlier this month argued Trump's call for an immediate increase or elimination of the debt limit was motivated by his desire to make room for a new round of tax cuts that likely would lower revenues and thus add more to the debt. The national debt currently stands at about $36.1 trillion due to federal spending levels and tax cuts that have been enacted into law over several decades63.jili 。

Lautaro Martinez ended a near two-month goal drought as Inter Milan closed to within one point of Serie A leaders Atalanta by sweeping aside Cagliari 3-0. Martinez had gone eight matches since last finding the back of the net against Venezia on November 3 but after Alessandro Bastoni opened the scoring in the 54th minute, the Argentina international struck in Sardinia. The Inter captain took his tally against Cagliari to 10 goals in as many games after 71 minutes before Hakan Calhanoglu capped an excellent night for the visitors from the penalty spot a few moments later. This moment >>> #ForzaInter #CagliariInter pic.twitter.com/aZwbAZvRVI — Inter ⭐⭐ (@Inter_en) December 28, 2024 Inter’s fifth-successive league victory led to them temporarily leapfrogging Atalanta, who reclaimed top spot but saw their lead cut to a single point following a 1-1 draw at Lazio. Gian Piero Gasperini’s side were grateful for a point in the end after falling behind to Fisayo Dele-Bashiru’s first-half strike, only drawing level with two minutes remaining thanks to Marco Brescianini. Lautaro Valenti’s last-gasp strike condemned rock-bottom Monza to a 10th defeat in 18 matches as Parma edged a 2-1 victory, while Genoa defeated Empoli by the same scoreline.A new service aims to help people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and their families in Wales and the South West. The MS Society's Community Connections project will offer support on financial advice, energy efficiency, and accessing the Priority Service Register for vulnerable households. The initiative will aid around 17,000 people living with the condition. To ensure comprehensive support, the MS Society will work with Citizens’ Advice services, health and social care providers, and expert organisations. The project will also recruit Community Connections staff. The project has been funded by Wales & West Utilities, who provided more than £213,000 as part of the Vulnerability and Carbon Monoxide Allowance (VCMA). Leila Middlehurst Evans, community connections manager at MS Society Cymru, said: "We are thrilled to be launching the Community Connections project to provide comprehensive support for people living with, and affected by, MS across Wales and the south west of England. "We’re incredibly grateful to Wales & West Utilities for the funding provided. "Our dedicated team is committed to understanding each person's unique needs and connecting them with the most relevant assistance." The project will run until 2026. Sophie Shorney, VCMA manager at Wales & West Utilities, said: "We are delighted this funding has allowed MS Society to get a project off the ground in direct response to its community. "Community Connections will go to the heart of communities across Wales and the South West of England to provide this vital help and support." To access the Community Connections services, email MSconnections@mssociety.org.uk or call the MS Helpline at 0808 800 8000.Sorority and two fraternity members face charges after student died at party

With the small caps sector emerging from its slumber, it’s time to pull out the sheep entrails and take a wild stab at who will outperform in 2025. As the superannuation ads go, past performance does not guarantee future returns – or a timely insurance payout in the case of the embattled Cbus. But last year we hit winners with the little-known water-management play Vysarn (ASX:VYS) , whose shares bounced around 60% in 2024. The equally obscure FOS Capital (ASX:FOS) – a provider of industrial lighting products – surged 80%. We also sniffed the aroma of success with scented-candle play Dusk Group (ASX:DSK) , but went to water somewhat with Duxton Water (ASX:D2O) and H2O treatment play Fluence Corporation (ASX:FLC) . Building on a housing recovery A manufacturer, marketer and distributor of fabricated and semi-fabricated aluminium-related products, Capral (ASX:CAA) is one of the few listed remaining ASX-listed building material companies after a spree of takeovers. The $170 million Capral looks cheap, the legacy of past problems with a badly timed investment in its Bremer Park facility. Now, the leaner company is well placed for a housing recovery. Just the ticket No-one likes being sprung using a mobile while they’re driving or not wearing a seatbelt, but these activities are a leading cause of road trauma. That’s acknowledged even in America, which has an elevated view of what amounts to personal liberties. Acusensus (ASX:ACE) is a leader in mobile camera tech to detect such infringements, even through the tinted windows of a supersized SUV. The company has contracts with road authorities in most Australian states as well as the US, the UK and New Zealand and this month won a $27 million contract extension with Queensland’s road authorities. Motorists dislike being pinged for illicit parking even more. But fair’s fair, private parking is private parking. Smart Parking (ASX:SPZ) manages car parks across five geographies including the UK, Germany, Denmark and NZ. But most of its revenues derive from ‘parking breach notices’. In a September quarter trading update the company reported revenue of $17 million, up 24% year-on-year and adjusted underlying earnings of $5.4 million. The company has dibs over 1529 sites – ahead of its guidance of 1500 and is striving for 3000 sites by the end of 2028. Canaccord describes Smart Parking’s business as “predictable and scalable”, which sounds like just the ticket. You’ll hear from my (patent) attorney We’re stealing this idea from Katana portfolio manager Romano Sala Tenna – but please don’t sue. IPH (ASX:IPH) is the largest patent attorney in Australia, Canada and Singapore, with a sector-leading client base. Patent law has exceptionally low client churn and most firms have been around for decades (IPH listed in 2014). Despite management’s sound execution of international growth, the stock has halved over the past two years and yields a healthy 6.9%. The company itself believes the stock is undervalued, having supersized its buyback scheme from $40 million to $75 million. Cream of the ag stock crop By its nature, the agricultural sector is subject to the whims of commodity prices and the weather. Arguably the stalwarts such as Graincorp (ASX:GNC) and Elders (ASX:ELD) look fully or fairly valued, so what else is taking seed? Often overlooked, stockfeed group Ridley Corporation (ASX:RIC) is climbing the “wall of value” from rendering (mushing up slaughterhouse waste) to higher-value, higher-nutrient products. For a left-of-field play, Bio-Gene Technology (ASX:BGT) is developing novel insecticides from natural compounds, as rejoinder to the Chemical Charlies who spray their land with far too much of the hydrocarbon-based stuff. Bio-gene aims to file its application approval for Flavocide’s active ingredient with the local gatekeeper by the end of 2025. For investors wanting a bit more buzz, Duxton Broadacre Farms (ASX:DBF) owns vast tracts of land but also has a $5.75 million, 23% stake in Duxton Bees, which owns and manages around 1650 hives (mainly in Murray Darling region). The busy pollinators are in huge demand, with more than 30 ag industries relying on them to generate a commercial yield. Oh, baby! An undervalued life-sciences play It’s been a stellar year for the pre-commercial biotech sector, with (largely) positive trial results and well-supported capital raisings. But does better value lie with the overlook established plays? Fundie Seneca likes Monash IVF Group (ASX:MVF) , the leading provider of assisted reproductive services in Australia and Malaysia. The company achieved Australia's first IVF birth and the world's first pregnancy from a frozen embryo, under the guidance of the late Professor Carl Wood. After a flurry of corporate activity, Monash IVF is the sole remaining listed fertility services provider. The company trades at a circa 30% discount to the earnings multiple paid by private equity for its nearest competitor, Virtus Health, in 2022. Having completed its merger with Capitol Health, Integral Diagnostics (ASX:IDX) officially has become Australia’s second-biggest radiology provider. Investors Mutual Portfolio Manager Lucas Goode notes radiology volumes have grown at a 4%-plus compound annual growth rate over the past 15 years and this should accelerate due to the need for ageing Australians to have more testing. Integral’s investment in tech means it is well placed to benefit from growth, while the merger should yield significant operational benefits. A strong balance sheet provides scope for further accretive acquisitions. We'll also throw in Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals (ASX:CUV) , which has an approved drug for a rare skin disorder with robust revenues and a cash-rich balance sheet. And did we mention the company is strongly profitable? To management's bemusement, Clinuvel shares have lost 60% of their value over the past five years. Take a punt The bourse is a glorified casino and brokers are bookies in nice suits, but ironically online sports betting mob Pointsbet (ASX:PBH) looks more than a sheer punt given the short odds of it being taken over. Having abandond its costly, failed Very Big Adventure in the US, Pointsbet’s revenues these days derive locally, with a smaller Canadian operation expanding more rapidly. As Seneca notes, Pointsbet last year reported its first positive quarterly operating cash flows. Given the need for the local sector to consolidate ahead of a likely gambing ad crackdown, we bet that Pointsbet will be subsumed by this time next year. The company denied reports of a takeover approach in November, but where there’s smoke there’s fire. Banish ‘forever’ chemicals ... forever Something is lurking in our water – and its invisible and very nasty. The toxin in question is PFAS, the ‘forever chemicals’ widely used in applications such as fire retardants, Teflon pans and carpets. The plaintiff lawyers are circling, given PFAS has been linked with maladies including cancer, organ damage and infertility. The profitable SciDev (ASX:SDV) is a leader in cleansing technologies to cleanse PFAS from waterways – which is easier said than done. In November Scidev secured its first European commercial order, from Swedish Hydro Solutions AB for a contract value of $475,000. Scidev estimates the global PFAS treatment market at US$1.8 billion ($2.76 billion) per annum and growing at an annual rate of 5.2%. Catapult to greatness Having prodigious athletic talent is one thing – we’re thinking of the ‘catch me if you can’ sensation Gout Gout – but it still needs to be accurately measured. Catapult Group (ASX:CAT) has become a global champion in measuring and analysing performance via its wearable devices. Catapult’s results for the September half-year showed revenue of US$57.8 million ($85 million), up 19% year-on-year. Annualised contract value, the company’s preferred metric, grew 20% to US$96.8 million with free cash flow of US$4.8 million. Catapult shares have – er – catapulted 160% this year and the company is worth a tad under $1 billion. But who would you back: a gold medal performer or Slovakia with one bronze medal at the Paris Olympics? No offence. Forager Funds is convinced, because Catapult is its biggest holding in its Australian shares fund. Originally published as Criterion’s small cap gems poised to star in 2025 (part one) Stockhead Don't miss out on the headlines from Stockhead. Followed categories will be added to My News. More related stories Stockhead More small cap gems set to shine in 2025 After a stellar 2024 for recovering small to mid caps sector, our experts scour the sector for more overlooked nuggets. Read more Stockhead Legally, share ownership may not be what you think Investors should ask questions about custodial-based share arrangements by which they do not have legal ownership. Read moreBlake Lively has received support from Sony Pictures after suing Justin BaldoniThe Dallas Cowboys ruled out right guard Zack Martin and cornerback Trevon Diggs with injuries on Saturday, one day prior to a road game against the Washington Commanders. Martin has been dealing with ankle and shoulder injuries and didn't practice at all this week before initially being listed as doubtful to play on Friday. He also physically struggled during Monday night's loss to the Houston Texans. Martin, who turned 34 on Wednesday, has started all 162 games played in 11 seasons with the Cowboys. He's a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a seven-time first-team All-Pro. Diggs has been dealing with groin and knee injuries. He was listed as questionable on Friday before being downgraded Saturday. Diggs, 26, has 37 tackles and two interceptions in 10 games this season. The two-time Pro Bowl pick led the NFL with 11 picks in 2021 and has 20 in 57 games. The Cowboys elected not to activate receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) for the game. He returned to practice earlier this week and he was listed as questionable on Friday. Dallas activated offensive tackle Chuma Edoga (toe) and defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) off injured reserve Saturday, placed safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) on IR and released defensive end KJ Henry. Tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) was previously ruled out. Tight end Princeton Fant was elevated from the practice squad to replace him. Cornerback Kemon Hall also was elevated from the practice squad. --Field Level Media

Ch7 confirms AFL TV’s worst kept secret

A spokesperson told Variety: "We have previously expressed our support for Blake in connection with her work on and for the film. We fully and firmly reiterate that support today. "Further, we strongly condemn any reputational attacks on her. Any such attacks have no place in our business or in a civil society." In addition, SAG-AFTRA have also condemned the "startling and troubling allegations" and praised Blake's "courage in speaking out". A spokesperson for the union told Deadline: "We applaud Blake Lively's courage in speaking out on issues of retaliation and harassment and for her request to have an intimacy coordinator for all scenes with nudity or sexual content. This is an important step that helps ensure a safe set." "Employees have every right to raise issues of concern or to file complaints. Retaliation for reporting misconduct or inappropriate behavior is illegal and wrong. "We all have a right to be treated with dignity and respect on the job and to work in an environment free of harassment, discrimination and retaliation." Blake submitted her 10-claim complaint with the California Civil Rights Department last week, in which she accused Baldoni, his production company Wayfarer Studios and others involved with making the movie of sexual harassment and a "coordinated effort to destroy her reputation". The star claimed the film was shot amid a "hostile work environment that nearly derailed production" and alleged a campaign against her was launched by the actor - who also directed the movie - and his company after its release. What's more, the actress demanded "no more showing nude videos or images of women to Blake, no more mention of Baldoni's alleged previous 'pornography addiction', no more discussions about sexual conquests in front of Blake and others, no further mentions of cast and crew's genitalia, no more inquiries about Blake's weight, and no further mention of Blake's dead father". According to the lawsuit, Sony Pictures approved the former 'Gossip Girl' star's requests. But the actress has alleged that Justin subsequently engaged in a "social manipulation" campaign in a bid to "destroy" her reputation. The actor - who has been dropped by his talent agency, WME in the wake of the claims - has denied the allegations and accused Blake of making an attempt to "fix" her own "negative reputation".

Trimble and Mallon sanctioned DUP ministers over rotation plan

Asian political parties reiterate significance of cooperation in enhancing civilisational connectiviBy Hanna Webster, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS) It wasn’t a surprise when President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary to the Department of Health and Human Services , but the news put many in the medical community on alert — watching to see how the nominee’s rhetoric will affect his approach to leading the key federal agency. The enormity of the new role — the HHS secretary oversees 13 federal agencies and their combined $1.7 trillion budget — will hand over a significant amount of responsibility for the nation’s health to Kennedy, who has limited applicable experience in the field and a history of promoting debunked health conspiracy theories as well as being a vaccine skeptic. Concern over Kennedy’s statements about vaccines has already begun to stir opposition to the appointment. Nearly 14,000 physicians have signed a petition objecting to the nominee. The petition, led by a nonprofit, The Committee to Protect Health Care, has a goal of 15,000 signatures. “Many physicians are looking at this and thinking, ‘We’re going to watch the destruction of the public health system,’” said Alice Rothchild, a Seattle-based retired ob-gyn who was one of those to sign. While public questioning of Western science, pharmaceutical industries and even vaccines is certainly not new, the spotlight placed on those who oppose vaccines has grown brighter in recent years — especially as the COVID-19 pandemic became politicized and public health measures, like social distancing and masking, received criticism among some groups. And as trust in science declines, some are turning toward fringe beliefs, many that RFK Jr. himself has supported, such as trusting herd immunity over vaccination or experimental and debunked treatments like ivermectin. Why was RFK Jr. chosen? In a Nov. 14 emailed statement announcing the nomination, Trump said the Department of Health and Human Services plays an important role in ensuring the health of the nation, including “that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming health crisis in this country. “Mr. Kennedy will restore these agencies to the traditions of gold standard scientific research, and beacons of transparency, to end the chronic disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again !” The statement seems to suggest that Trump chose Kennedy explicitly because of his nontraditional approaches. Is RFK Jr. equipped for the role of health secretary? George Benjamine, a physician and the executive director of the American Public Health Association, responded with a Nov. 18 statement that Kennedy “fails on all fronts” to effectively lead HHS. Certainly, it’s a big job. The nation’s health secretary is in charge of preparing for and responding to medical and public health emergencies, such as circulating infectious diseases. The position also controls funding to agencies under the HHS umbrella, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health, the latter of which oversees thousands of clinical trials and the research and development of drug treatments. The Senate will vote on many of Trump’s cabinet nominees once the new president is sworn in. Historically, it is rare for nominees to be rejected. More: What are brain worms and how could RFK Jr. have gotten one? A half-dozen medical experts interviewed for this story pointed to Kennedy’s dogged criticism of vaccines throughout his career, including falsely stating that vaccines cause autism. The one paper that had linked MMR vaccines to autism was retracted by the journal that published it 12 years later, and the scientist was stripped of his medical license after results were found to be fraudulent and fabricated. Other debunked health claims made by Kennedy include that human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is not the cause for AIDS, and that raw milk is safe to drink. While it is sold in Pennsylvania , the FDA has stated that raw milk is not safe because it may contain dangerous bacteria that are typically killed during the pasteurization process. Requests for comment on Kennedy’s nomination from members of the GOP Doctors Caucus, including former co-chair house Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), Brian Babin (R-Tex.) and John Joyce (R-Pa.), were not returned. In a Nov. 15 post on X, Harris congratulated Kennedy on the nomination and said he looked forward to working with him “in the fight to reform nutritious foods.” Spokespeople for Kennedy did not respond to requests for comment. But many of those with concerns aren’t shy about raising their issues. “This is a time when we need the highest level of competence possible at HHS,” said Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and a professor of pediatrics and molecular biology, who has spent his career developing vaccines for tropical diseases. Hotez has communicated with Kennedy directly over the years, he said, as the two have been embroiled in online debates. “From my experience with him, he doesn’t have any interest in the science. He has trouble understanding the science, and he comes to the table with preconceived and dug-in notions,” Dr. Hotez said. “I don’t see him willing to adapt.” Where does RFK Jr. stand on other key health issues? Kennedy has spent his career as an environmental lawyer and has defended against large corporations including Monsanto, which seems to have informed his promises to focus on environmental exposure to chemicals, food additives and chronic disease. Among the positions that he has advocated for are removing artificial dye from foods and ending fluoride in water supplies. The European Union bans some food additives that are allowed in the U.S. and requires warning labels on many artificial dyes — although research indicates that fluoride doesn’t fall in that category. In cities where water is fluoridated, it has been shown to protect against dental decay. Kennedy has also criticized ultraprocessed foods, and chemicals such as high-fructose corn syrup, calling them culprits for record-high obesity rates and chronic disease, stances many physicians believe he is right to criticize. Is a medical background needed for the job? Many past HHS secretaries have not had medical backgrounds, although they often had experience overseeing large organizations and hefty budgets. Tommy Thompson, HHS secretary between 2001 and 2005, was governor of Wisconsin for nearly two decades and chair of the National Governors Association. Alex Azar, in the role from 2018 to 2021, had been president of the U.S. division of global pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, as well as general counsel and deputy secretary to the health secretary over many years. What’s unprecedented about Kennedy’s nomination is that he is “a person who avowedly wants to destroy one of humans’ greatest inventions: vaccines,” said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a Pittsburgh-based physician and senior scholar with Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. Epidemiologists are especially worried about Kennedy’s penchant for sowing distrust in vaccine research . “His role there is not going to be to promote health, but to destroy health,” said Adalja. “We have the exact opposite of what you would want in a health secretary in RFK Jr.” Kennedy has stated in the past that, if he were in this role, he would fire hundreds of scientists, remove entire departments and divert attention and resources away from infectious disease research. “We’re going to take a break from infectious disease for about eight years,” he said at an anti-vaccine conference in Georgia in 2023, NBC reported. Kennedy started the foundation Children’s Health Defense in 2018, a nonprofit that states, according to its website, to “restore and protect the health of children by eliminating environmental exposures, holding responsible parties accountable, and establishing safeguards to prevent future harm of children’s health.” The Instagram and Facebook accounts of the nonprofit were temporarily banned in August 2022 for posting misinformation about vaccines. More on politics After disavowing Project 2025, Trump hires people who worked on it Judge delays sentencing Trump for his hush-money case conviction Trump chooses Pam Bondi for attorney general pick after Gaetz withdraws Incumbent Bob Casey concedes Pennsylvania Senate race to Dave McCormick