'Unemployment never looked so good': Matt Gaetz's wife speaks after withdrawal from AG, House
SAINTS AND SINNERS: Clement hits out at his Rangers stars for first-half no-show as Ibrox men fall to costly defeat in Paisley Belgian infuriated by first 45 minutes but sees team fall to late St Mirren winner Results leaves Rangers 12 points behind rivals Celtic at top of Premiership Defender Leon Balogun limps off with injury to add to defensive woes Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport By STEPHEN MCGOWAN Published: 22:34, 26 December 2024 | Updated: 22:40, 26 December 2024 e-mail View comments Philippe Clement last night slammed the mentality of his stuttering Rangers side after a dismal 2-1 defeat to St Mirren left them trailing leaders Celtic by 12 points. A run of four successive wins shuddered to a halt when St Mirren secured their first home league win over the Ibrox side since Christmas 2011. A furious Clement went through his players at half-time after a woeful 45 minutes saw St Mirren claim the lead from a penalty conceded after a Jack Butland error. Nico Raskin and Danilo were thrown into the fray at the break, with the Brazilian drawing the visitors level before St Mirren claimed fifth place in the Premiership and sparked scenes of joy thanks to a goal in the third of six added minutes from substitute Caolan Boyd-Munce. ‘They didn’t give (everything) in the first half,’ said an angry Clement. ‘That’s clear. We lost the game there, that’s why I was so angry at half-time. ‘We played far below our level in every sense, on the ball, without the ball, in the duels, in movements, in everything. Philippe Clement is alone with his thoughts as he contemplates defeat in Paisley Caolan Boyd-Munce leads the celebrations as St Mirren savour a sizeable scalp Northern Irishman Boyd-Munce watches as his perfectly weighted shot seals victory ‘So, I made two changes but it’s not about the two guys, it was the whole team. I could have made eight or nine changes maybe. ‘In the second half you see the football you want to see, you see the intensity you want to see, you see the duels you want to see, you see the chances you want to see. ‘It’s not a tactical thing because there was no big change in tactics in the second half. It’s about quality, intensity. And that’s the frustrating part, if you see the consistency over the last two months. ‘Credit to St Mirren, how they throw their bodies in front of us on the goal line or in the box, preventing these things. But we lose the game ourselves in the first half with not showing the level that we need to show. ‘They showed it in the second half. They showed in the second half that they can do it. ‘They showed it also during the two months with a lot of games and a lot of games against really good opponents. So, it’s there. Jack Butland concedes a first-half penalty after a rash challenge on Saints striker Greg Kiltie Oisin Smyth keeps his cool to convert from the spot to put Stephen Robinson's men ahead ‘But we cannot play like we played in the first half. That’s below level. ‘It’s below par for everybody in the team. And that’s not the mentality you can accept at Rangers.’ Read More ST MIRREN 2 RANGERS 1 This time Clement's men have no-one to blame but themselves The loss of central defender Leon Balogun to a calf or Achilles problem added to Clement’s woes. With John Souttar and Neraysho Kasanwirjo already missing, the Nigerian defender will undergo assessments today but is now a major doubt for the clash with Celtic on January 2. ‘I don’t know what the situation will be with Leon,’ said Clement. ‘But it’s never a good sign if a player comes off in the first half. ‘I had other things to speak about in half-time and after the game also. 'So, I didn’t ask that one because I know the doctor will say he needs to make an assessment tomorrow. We will focus on that tomorrow.’ Balogun limped off with a leg injury and is now certain to miss the New Year Old Firm derby Buddies boss Robinson punches the air before insisting his team merited their victory St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson claimed his side deserved a huge three points for their reaction to the Rangers equaliser. With the Ibrox side pushing hard for a winner, the Saints boss threw on three substitutes — Jonah Ayunga, 17-year-old Evan Mooney and Boyd-Munce — and they all combined for the winning goal. ‘The team’s response to equalising and being under pressure shows the character of the squad,’ said Robinson. ‘We were excellent first half, they were better in the opening 15 minutes of the second — which is expected. But our response meant we deserved to win. ‘We were brave with two centre-forwards and special mention has to go to the three subs for the goal, and young (Callum) Penman. We had no fear throwing them on at 1-1. We have real belief in them. ‘We felt we needed to make changes to stop the tide. We changed to a three in midfield and were more aggressive. ‘It’s hard to single anyone out because to a man they were excellent.’ Share or comment on this article: SAINTS AND SINNERS: Clement hits out at his Rangers stars for first-half no-show as Ibrox men fall to costly defeat in Paisley e-mail Add commentCanadian investment fund Brookfield said Wednesday it has dropped its bid for Spanish pharmaceutical firm Grifols following disagreement over its valuation. Brookfield and the Grifols family, which owns about a third of the Barcelona-based company that makes medicine derived from blood plasma, have since July been in talks to take it private. Earlier this month Brookfield made a 6.45-billion-euro bid for Grifols, offering a tentative non-binding price of 10.50 euros ($11) per share. Grifols swiftly rejected the bid, saying it "significantly underestimated the fundamental prospects and long-term potential" of the company. In a statement sent to Spanish stock market regulator CNMV, Brookfield said it was "not in a position to continue with a potential offer" for Grifols. Grifols said its board agreed that "it is not feasible that the transaction goes ahead" and remains focused on "improving the company's long-term value". Its share price plunged in January after US hedge fund Gotham City released a research note accusing the company of "manipulating" its reported debt and operational results to "artificially reduce" its debt ratio, and therefore its financing costs. Grifols has repeatedly denied the allegations. Gotham City is a prominent "short-seller" hedge fund that borrows stock in a company and sells it, hoping to buy it back cheaper to return it to the lender and pocket the difference. Grifols traces its history back to 1909, first as a blood analysis and transfusion laboratory before specialising in products derived from blood plasma. It is present in more than 30 countries including Australia, the United States and Japan. It posted revenue of 6.6 billion euros in 2023, a 10.9 percent increase over the previous year. vab/imm/cw
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Stock market today: Wall Street rises to records despite tariff talkIsrael and Lebanon's Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire to end nearly 14 months of fighting
Outcry as SNP unveils soft-touch ‘Charter of Rights’ for drug users Relaxed rules for addicts a ‘green light to crime gangs’ Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport By MICHAEL BLACKLEY, SCOTTISH POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 17:31 EST, 11 December 2024 | Updated: 17:31 EST, 11 December 2024 e-mail 2 View comments The SNP was yesterday accused of ‘doubling down’ on its ‘soft-touch approach’ to drugs after a new ‘Charter of Rights’ for users was announced. The Scottish Government has come under fire over its plans to tackle the country’s drug deaths crisis after John Swinney launched the new document yesterday. It stated that people must not be arrested or detained ‘solely based on substance use or dependence’. It also said that those given drug or alcohol treatment programmes as an alternative to prison should face ‘no penalties’ if these are not completed. As he launched the document at an event in Glasgow yesterday, the First Minister also confirmed his government supports full decriminalisation of drugs and has discussed the matter with the UK Government . Annie Wells, drugs spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives , said: ‘Drug deaths are Scotland’s shame on the SNP’s watch, yet they still refuse to accept their approach is not working. ‘They appear to be doubling down on their soft-touch approach, including continuing to show support for drug decriminalisation. ‘Communities already ravaged by drugs will be appalled that the SNP appear relaxed about flooding them with more substances. Mr Swinney launches Charter in bid to tackle drug abuse Swinney confirmed his government supports full decriminalisation of drugs 'While it is right Scotland’s drug deaths crisis is treated as a public health emergency, SNP ministers shouldn’t be giving the green light to organised criminals with these latest plans.’ The Charter includes a section on ‘freedom from arbitrary arrest or detention’ which states that ‘duty bearers’ – which include police officers, prisons and courts – ‘must make sure that people are not detained solely based on substance use or dependence’. It also states they should ‘prioritise diversion from prosecution and non-custodial measures for substance offences of a minor nature’. Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport Advertisement It goes on: ‘Drug or alcohol treatment as an alternative to prison should only be undertaken with informed consent and where medically appropriate. ‘No penalties should be attached to failure to complete such a treatment. All guidance need to be applied in line with the right to be free from arbitrary arrest or detention.’ The Scottish Government said the Charter has been recognised as ‘the first of its kind in the world’ by the United Nations Human Rights Office. In a section on the right to private and family life, the document also highlights that national child protection guidance ‘does not include substance use as grounds for child removal’. Official figures released in August showed there were 1,172 drug deaths in 2023, which was 121 higher than in 2022. Speaking at yesterday’s launch, Mr Swinney said: ‘We want every person experiencing harm from alcohol or drug use to be able access the support they need and through our £250million national mission on drugs we’re taking a wide range of actions. ‘This Charter is a key part of that mission. It strengthens our public health and human rights-based approach to substance use-related harms and, over time, it will contribute to saving lives.’ He confirmed talks have taken place with the UK Government on drug laws, which are reserved to Westminster. Mr Swinney added: ‘Very clear arguments have been marshalled by the Scottish Government that support decriminalisation in certain circumstances.’ Police Scotland has been asked for comment on the Charter. SNP Glasgow John Swinney Share or comment on this article: Outcry as SNP unveils soft-touch 'Charter of Rights' for drug users e-mail Add commentProducer Richard Perry Was the Very Sound of Pop
Bhagavad Gita is legacy of India’s cultural history: Kerala Guv KhanChina has approved construction of a mega dam in Tibet that could generate three times more power than the Three Gorges Dam , the world's largest capacity hydropower plant, but may reduce flow of water in the Brahmaputra river to a certain extent. ET Year-end Special Reads Corporate Kalesh: Top family disputes of India Inc in 2024 The world of business lost these eminent people in 2024 Fast, faster, fastest: How 2024 put more speed into your shopping The dam is approved to be built on Yarlung Tsangpo river, which becomes Brahmaputra when it enters India. Located near Arunachal Pradesh, the project raises geopolitical, environmental, and seismic concerns. The building of the dam presents unprecedented engineering challenges as the area is seismologically vulnerable. Total investment in the dam could exceed 1 trillion yuan, or $137 billion, according to a report in Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post (SCMP). The project may not adversely impact Brahmaputra in a big way but may reduce flow of water in the river, according to experts who have studied China for decades. India had earlier expressed concerns about the project, which could affect millions in downstream population centres in India and Bangladesh. The plan was initiated in the 14th Five Year Plan of China and President Xi Jinping referred to construction of a mega dam during his Tibet visit in 2021. "The project is expected to generate nearly 300 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity annually. By contrast, the Three Gorges Dam, which now has the world's largest installed capacity, was designed to produce 88.2 billion kWh," according to SCMP. 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Through extensive geological explorations and technical advancements, a solid foundation has been laid for science-based, secure and high-quality development of the project, it said. The dam will also drive the development of nearby solar and wind energy resources, adding to the region's clean energy base, Xinhua reported. "This represents a major move in China's green and low-carbon energy transition," it said. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
SPRINGFIELD — The minimum wage in Illinois will increase to $15 an hour on Jan. 1, completing a six-year transition period since the increase was approved in 2019. Beginning New Year’s Day, Illinois workers making minimum wage will see wages rise by $1 and tipped workers will see their paychecks bump to $9 an hour. Youth workers under 18 who work fewer than 650 hours a year will have a $13 minimum wage. The final increase, ending a six-year ramp which began with the minimum wage rising from $8.25 to $9.25 on Jan. 1, 2020, puts a bow on Gov. JB Pritzker’s first major legislative victory. He signed the wage increase in February 2019 about a month after being sworn in for his first term, checking off a top campaign promise. “Since day one of my administration, I’ve made it my mission to build an economy that works for everyone and raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour fulfills that promise to our working families,” Pritzker said in a statement. “This increase honors the workers who power our state and ensures they can better support their families, bringing us closer to a stronger, more equitable economy for all.” Illinois will be one of 10 states with a minimum wage of $15 or greater, according to the National Employment Law Project. Twenty-two other states are also increasing their wages on Jan. 1. The minimum wage increase is one of many economic changes that have happened since 2019, including effects of the pandemic, Illinois Chamber of Commerce CEO Lou Sandoval told Capitol News Illinois. He said those have caused businesses to adjust their operations in a variety of ways, such as increasing automation. “I think you’re starting to see businesses pivot in terms of how they’re adjusting,” Sandoval said. “You’re seeing this at the national chains.” Some restaurants, for example, are “moving away from larger sit-down areas into grab-and-go.” Illinois job growth has been slow since October 2019, according to a November report by the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability. The state has seen a net increase of 28,700 jobs from October 2019 through October 2024. That’s a growth rate of 0.5%, compared to the national rate of 4.9%. The rate of new job postings by businesses at the beginning of the year will shed some light on how the jump to $15 on Jan. 1 is impacting business operations, Sandoval said. To help small businesses with the change, the state provides a tax credit through 2027 to businesses with 50 or fewer employees for wages paid to minimum-wage workers. The 2019 minimum wage law marked the first increase since the wage hit $8.25 in 2010. Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford, D-Westchester, introduced a bill to raise it to $15 an hour in 2017 that was passed by the General Assembly and vetoed by Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner. Lightford sponsored the initiative again in 2019. “As a state, we have helped countless workers make ends meet, reduce financial stress, and provide a more solid foundation for their futures,” Lightford said in a statement. “The $15 minimum wage is a testament to our commitment to economic justice and our belief that everyone who works full time deserves a living wage.” The value of a $15 minimum wage, however, has changed since lawmakers acted in 2019. A person making $8.25 in February 2019 would need to earn $10.30 today to have the same buying power after inflation, according to the Consumer Price Index. A $15 hourly wage today has the buying power that $12.02 had in February 2019. A person would need to make an $18.72 wage today to have the same buying power that $15 had in February 2019. Top Democrats didn’t say if they will push for new increases. “As a Senator of 25 years, history has shown my commitment of fighting to ensure workers are paid a living wage. That commitment still holds strong today,” Lightford said in an email statement. Pritzker said he supports ideas that will help workers make more money, but didn’t commit to supporting any plan to raise the minimum wage further when pressed about it at a news conference Dec. 11. “We always are thinking about how do you balance the need for higher wages with the needs that businesses have to hire people and do it affordably. But I think we did it the right way when we did it back in 2019,” Pritzker said. The new $15 wage equates to a 40-hour-per-week annual salary of $31,200 before taxes. That equals the federal government’s poverty level for a four-person household. The poverty level is $15,060 in a single-person household. But according to calculations in a national project by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, $15 hourly still doesn’t equate to a “living” wage in Illinois, based on U.S. Census Bureau cost of living and other cost estimates provided by federal agencies adjusted for inflation. A single adult with no children needs a $22.86 hourly salary to make a living wage in Illinois, while a two-parent household with two working adults and three children would each need to earn $31.69. In a two-parent household with one working adult and one child, the worker needs $36.49 to make a living wage, according to the MIT project. Inflation is making it hard for workers to benefit from wage increases, Sandoval said, adding rising wages also cause businesses to raise prices. “They might get the wage increase on one side, but their cost of living goes up accordingly,” Sandoval said. Gov. JB Pritzker announces support for stricter rules around hemp products like delta-8 THC during a news conference on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Social media is buzzing with rumours former Bachelorette stars Georgia Love and Lee Elliott may have ended their relationship. Eagle-eyed fans have noticed that Love’s recent Instagram posts show her enjoying time with friends but missing one key accessory — her diamond wedding ring. WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Former Bachelorette Georgia Love’s quokka selfie. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today In one video, the 36-year-old is seen decorating her Christmas tree at home with her left hand notably bare. Another image features Love at a café with a male friend — once again, no wedding ring is visible. Followers descended on the comments to question the state of Love and Elliott’s relationship. “Thinking they have broken up,” one person speculated. Another asked if Elliott would be joining Love on her upcoming trip to New York City. “Haven’t seen posts of them together for a long time,” one more noted, while yet another wondered if they might become “the first Bachelor divorce”. But Love was quick to squash rumours, by liking a comment that noted: “I don’t think they have (broken up) she’s got a ring on”. Then when a fan asked “where is Lee?” in a reference to a video about Love’s holiday plans, the reality star responded outright: “He’s literally in the video.” However, some followers suggested the footage was old, with one commenting, “Haha, they are all old pics of them together.” Love confirmed as much. “They’re all old photos, they’re from past holidays,” she said. The last time Love shared a current photo with Elliott was in September, while Elliott’s most recent post featuring Love was in August. The couple, who found love on the 2016 season of The Bachelorette, tied the knot in 2021. Their wedding took place at the Frogmore Creek Winery near Hobart, with an outdoor reception at the Shene Distillery. Originally, the pair planned to marry in Italy in 2020 but were forced to cancel due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.