Children's museum receives $11,000 grant for STEM programs
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Australia's House of Representatives passes bill banning children younger than age 16 from social media.Alabama flips RB Jace Clarizio from Michigan StateThe countdown to next summer's Euro 2025 has officially begun, with the tournament draw revealing the path to glory for the 16 nations competing in Switzerland for the prestigious title of European champions. In the history of the competition dating back to 1982, only five nations have claimed the trophy. Sweden , the Netherlands and England have each won once -- the latter two under the guidance of Sarina Wiegman. Norway has lifted the title twice, while Germany has dominated with an incredible eight victories. The Lionesses made history on home soil in 2022, claiming their first major silverware with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Germany at Wembley Stadium. Meanwhile, reigning World Champions Spain , fresh off their triumph over England in the 2023 World Cup final, are strong contenders to secure their first European title this summer. The stakes are higher than ever, with prize money for Euro 2025 more than doubling compared to the previous edition. The 16 teams will share €41 million ($43m), with each federation receiving at least €1.8m and required to allocate at least 30% to players. The eventual champions stand to earn up to €5.1m. The tournament will run from July 2 to July 27, promising a thrilling month of football as Europe's best battle for supremacy, and there are plenty of storylines waiting to be written and surprises in store. How will it all shape up? Emily Keogh has made a rapid assessment of the groups to predict how Euro 2025 will play out. GROUP A: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Finland Host nation Switzerland will be aiming to break their pattern of failing to reach the quarterfinals of a major tournament on home soil. With the Netherlands' 2017 victory and England's 2022 triumph in their home countries as inspiration, Switzerland hope the pattern will repeat in 2025. However, to reach that stage, they must overcome Norway, a team with rich history, including World, European, and Olympic titles. Though Norway has struggled in recent years, star players like Guro Reiten , Frida Maanum , Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen will be determined to return to glory. Editor's Picks Euro '25 draw: England get Dutch, Spain vs Italy 2h ESPN UWCL talking points: Wolfsburg thrash Roma; all too predictable? 4d ESPN Chelsea drop points, Everton stun City; WSL title race back on 13h Beth Lindop and Sophie Lawson Finland and Iceland, both veterans of the Euros, will also be eager to improve their records. Finland reached the semifinals in 2005, but has struggled to progress beyond the group stage since. Iceland, consistently appearing in the Euros since 2007, has only made it past the group stage once. Both teams will be driven to better their performances on the grand stage. Overall, it's a tough group to call with all four teams in similar positions on field and off it. Norway and Switzerland are no strangers to sharing the spotlight on the international stage, having been drawn together in the same group at the 2023 World Cup as well. Their previous encounter ended in a 0-0 stalemate, but the stakes are higher here as they kick off the 2025 Euros in what promises to be a thrilling opener. With passionate fan bases and an electric atmosphere, this clash is set to be one of the tournament's standout moments. UEFA has committed to making this edition of the Women's Euros the most memorable yet and with over 700,000 tickets projected to sell, the tournament is expected to shatter attendance records. Additionally, a massive digital audience is anticipated, with over 500 million online views forecasted, making it the most-watched Women's Euros in history. UEFA also promises to match the men's Euros in terms of facilities, technology, and analytical support, elevating the tournament's overall quality and professionalism. The opening game will set the tone for what is shaping up to be a landmark event in women's football. With Norway's attacking flair and Switzerland's home advantage, fans can expect an unforgettable start to a competition that aims to redefine the standards of the game. With the 2025 Euros taking place on home soil, the Swiss national team is poised to spotlight its exciting young talent on the European stage. This tournament offers a golden opportunity for Switzerland's next generation to shine against some of the continent's most star-studded lineups. The squad boasts a wealth of youthful promise, with players eager to make their mark. Among them is 18-year-old Noemi Ivelj , Barcelona 's 17-year-old prodigy Sydney Schertenleib , Young Boys' rising star Iman Beney , also 18, and 20-year-old Smilla Vallotto . These players are not only the future of Swiss football, but also key figures in the team's immediate ambitions. Switzerland's goal is clear: advance beyond the group stage and make a deep run into the knockout rounds. With home support and a blend of youthful exuberance and determination, these emerging stars have the potential to etch their names in history and elevate Swiss football on the international stage. The Euros will be a defining moment for both the team and its bright young core, offering an incredible chance for them to prove they belong among Europe's elite. GROUP B Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Italy World Champions Spain are eyeing their third major trophy in a row, hoping to add the 2025 Euros to their 2023 World Cup and 2024 Nations League titles. Few teams can match their formidable form since the World Cup, following a disappointing 2022 Euros that sparked a revolution both on and off the pitch. Italy, eager to regain their status as a European powerhouse, will look to build on recent progress after struggling in recent years to overcome higher-ranked opponents. Meanwhile, both Belgium and Portugal have featured in just two of the last Euros: the former reached the quarterfinals in 2022 while Portugal, debuting at the 2023 World Cup, has yet to progress past the group stage. But both nations have proven they can overcome tough challenges to make it to the upcoming tournament, making them both dark horses to watch in this Euros. With Spain, Belgium, and Portugal already set to face each other in the Nations League group stage ahead of the summer tournament, anticipation for those matchups is relatively muted. However, Spain's clash with Italy promises to be a thrilling encounter for fans, whether neutral or partisan. Italy, once a dominant force in women's football and runners-up at the Euros in 1993 and 1997, have struggled to keep pace in recent years. Despite this, games between Spain and Italy have consistently been tightly contested. Their recent history includes a 1-1 draw and three narrow victories for Spain (1-0 and 3-2) during their 2023 clashes, underlining how evenly matched these teams can be. For the Azzurre , this game presents more than just an opportunity to test themselves against the reigning World Champions, it's a chance to reclaim their reputation as serious contenders on the European stage. If any team is poised to unsettle Spain and potentially steal points, it's Italy, who will be determined to deliver a statement performance and have the last laugh in this enticing showdown. After winning the 2023 World Cup and the inaugural Nations League, Spain have established themselves as the team to beat in women's football. The European Championship remains the only major title missing from their collection, and they'll be determined to complete the set. With Ballon d'Or winners Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas spearheading a squad stacked with talent, Spain are well-positioned to add the Euros to their growing list of honours. Few teams appear capable of preventing them from reaching the final-if not lifting the trophy outright. The upcoming Nations League will serve as ideal preparation, with Spain set to face group-stage rivals Portugal and Belgium twice ahead of the tournament as well as reigning European champions England. These matchups will allow Spain to fine-tune their approach and reinforce their dominance in a challenging group. For the rest of Europe, halting Spain's momentum will require nothing short of a monumental effort. With a roster brimming with world-class players and a winning mentality, it will take another powerhouse to disrupt Spain's march toward what could be their first European title. GROUP C Germany, Poland, Denmark, Sweden Germany, once a dominant force in European football, is rebuilding under new manager Christian Wück. He led Germany to a thrilling 4-3 victory over reigning European champions England at Wembley in his first match in charge, with the visitors scoring three goals in the opening 30 minutes. If they can continue their progress and fill the gap left by the retirement of prolific striker Alex Popp, Germany could be a strong contender to reach the final. Denmark, with top scorer Pernille Harder back in contention, will pose a tough challenge for Germany while Sweden, another former European powerhouse, will also be eager to stop their progress as they look to bounce back from several years of underperformance. Poland, debuting in their first major tournament, could be the tournament's underdog, with plenty of opportunities to surprise their rivals and snatch valuable points. STREAM ESPN FC DAILY ON ESPN+ Dan Thomas is joined by Craig Burley, Shaka Hislop and others to bring you the latest highlights and debate the biggest storylines. Stream on ESPN+ (U.S. only). Two former champions clash in what promises to be a thrilling encounter. In their last four meetings since 2017, the teams have drawn 0-0 twice, with Germany edging a 1-0 win at the Algarve Cup and Sweden claiming a 2-1 victory in the 2019 World Cup semifinals. Both sides are in a transitional phase, dealing with the retirements of key players while integrating fresh talent ahead of the tournament. Injuries have also disrupted their rhythm, leading to unexpected results and heavy squad rotations, with both positive and negative outcomes. Germany, having crashed out of the World Cup in the group stage, will have plenty to prove, while Sweden have struggled in the Nations League and Euros qualifiers, battling relegation and playoff matches to secure their spot despite reaching the World Cup semifinals in 2023. This makes for an intriguing showdown. For the first time in history, Poland has qualified for a major tournament, making their debut at the 2025 Euros after years of falling short in Olympic, World Cup and Euros qualifiers. This milestone is not only a testament to the team's perseverance, but is also a momentous occasion for Ewa Pajor, a striker who has long been one of Europe's most underrated talents due to her national team's struggles on the international stage. Pajor's accolades speak for themselves. After spending nine prolific seasons with Wolfsburg, where she scored an astonishing 136 goals in 196 appearances-including 18 in the Champions League-the 28-year-old secured a move to European powerhouse Barcelona. A four-time Polish Women's Footballer of the Year, Pajor has consistently performed at the highest level but has lacked the platform to shine internationally -- until now. Finally, Pajor will get the chance to display her clinical finishing and attacking prowess on one of football's grandest stages. For Poland, it's a breakthrough moment; for Pajor, it's the long-awaited opportunity to prove she belongs among Europe's elite and leave her mark on the tournament. GROUP D France, England, Wales, Netherlands The Lionesses embark on their first campaign as reigning champions, having claimed the 2022 Euros crown at Wembley Stadium. This tournament marks a historic moment as England defends their title for the first time, stepping into a challenging group with the weight of expectation on their shoulders. Despite reaching the 2023 World Cup final, injuries plagued the squad since and the subsequent Nations League and Euros qualifiers presented similar struggles. Right now, head coach Sarina Wiegman faces fitness concerns for key players Lauren James , Lauren Hemp , Alex Greenwood and Ella Toone . However, the quartet is expected to recover in time for the tournament's kickoff in July. Their group promises high-stakes drama, too. Former champions the Netherlands are determined to reclaim their status, while France, boasting immense talent, will look to break their streak of falling short in major tournaments. These teams are no strangers, having clashed in recent Nations League and Euros qualifiers, but France and the Netherlands haven't faced each other since 2022-both squads having evolved significantly since then. Meanwhile, debutants Wales are the group underdogs, ranked 30th globally compared to their top-10 group opponents. The matchup between Wales and England adds a layer of intrigue, reigniting historic rivalries as the two nations face off on a major international stage in Switzerland. It's the Sarina Wiegman derby on the European stage! While Wiegman already faced her former team with England in last season's Nations League, their showdown at the Euros carries an entirely different level of significance. Having guided the Netherlands to victory at the 2017 Euros and England to their historic triumph in 2022, Wiegman is no stranger to rewriting the record books. Now, the two most recent champions have been drawn in the same group, setting the stage for a high-stakes clash that promises to deliver drama and excitement. This matchup is a battle for supremacy with both sides eager to prove their dominance. It's the perfect showcase for the 2025 Euros -- you could not write it if you tried. Expect fireworks, passion, and a spectacle that will highlight why this tournament is the pinnacle of European football. Wales have made history by qualifying for their first major tournament, breaking a streak of near misses in recent campaigns. Manager Rhian Wilkinson hailed the achievement as a "generation of football that's going to change everything," reflecting on the team's impressive run in the qualifiers. The journey hasn't been easy. Wales fell short in the play-offs for the 2023 World Cup, losing to Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland. They also narrowly missed out on the play-offs for the previous Euros, edged out by Northern Ireland on head-to-head results. As the lowest-ranked team (No. 30, per FIFA) in the tournament, Wales face a daunting challenge, but their resilience and determination suggest they are capable of defying expectations. Their tenacity mirrors the inspiring performances of underdog teams like Colombia and Morocco at the 2023 World Cup, who proved that rankings don't always dictate results. With their place in the history books already secured, Wales now have the opportunity to make an even bigger statement. A strong Nations League campaign in the lead-up to the Euros could provide the perfect foundation for another historic chapter. Come July, the stage is set for Wales to capture the spotlight and prove that they belong among Europe's elite.
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 9, 2024-- Braze (Nasdaq: BRZE) the leading customer engagement platform that empowers brands to Be Absolutely EngagingTM, today announced results for its fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2024. “We continued to execute in the third quarter, delivering strong revenue growth and operating leverage while maintaining steady investment in our product, our ecosystem, and our go-to-market motion to continue positioning Braze as the leading cross-channel customer engagement platform,” said Bill Magnuson, Cofounder and CEO of Braze. “We are confidently on track to meet our profitability targets for the fiscal fourth quarter of and full fiscal year 2025, and continue to focus on driving growth through customer engagement innovations that empower our customers to create more valuable customer experiences.” Fiscal Third Quarter 2025 Financial Highlights Recent Business Highlights Financial Outlook Braze is initiating guidance for the fiscal fourth quarter ending January 31, 2025 and updating guidance for the fiscal year ending January 31, 2025. Braze has not reconciled its guidance as to non-GAAP operating income (loss), non-GAAP net income or non-GAAP net income per share to their most directly comparable GAAP measure as a result of uncertainty regarding, and the potential variability of, reconciling items such as stock-based compensation expense specific to equity compensation awards that are directly impacted by unpredictable fluctuations in Braze’s stock price. Accordingly, reconciliations are not available without unreasonable effort, although it is important to note that these factors could be material to Braze’s results calculated in accordance with GAAP. Conference Call Information: What: Braze Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Results Conference Call When: Monday, December 9th at 4:30 pm EST / 1:30 pm PST Webcast & Supplemental Data: investors.braze.com Replay: A webcast replay will be available on Braze’s investor site at investors.braze.com . Supplemental and Other Financial Information Supplemental information, including an accompanying financial presentation and other information can be accessed through Braze’s investor website at investors.braze.com . Non-GAAP Financial Measures This press release and the accompanying tables contain the following non-GAAP financial measures: non-GAAP gross profit and margin, non-GAAP sales and marketing expense, non-GAAP research and development expense, non-GAAP general and administrative expense, non-GAAP operating income (loss), non-GAAP operating margin, non-GAAP net income (loss), non-GAAP net income (loss) per share, basic and diluted, and non-GAAP free cash flow. Braze defines non-GAAP gross profit and margin, non-GAAP sales and marketing expense, non-GAAP research and development expense, non-GAAP general and administrative expense, non-GAAP operating income (loss), non-GAAP operating margin, and non-GAAP net income (loss) as the respective GAAP balances, adjusted for stock-based compensation expense, employer taxes related to stock-based compensation, charitable contribution expense, contingent consideration adjustments, acquisition related expense, amortization of intangible assets, and restructuring expense. Prior to the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended January 31, 2024, Braze did not adjust non-GAAP gross profit and margin, non-GAAP sales and marketing expense, non-GAAP research and development expense, non-GAAP general and administrative expense, non-GAAP operating income (loss), non-GAAP operating margin or non-GAAP net income (loss) for contingent consideration adjustments, because there were no such adjustments in prior periods. Braze defines non-GAAP free cash flow as net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities, minus purchases of property and equipment and minus capitalized internal-use software costs. Investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation of these historical non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. Braze uses this non-GAAP financial information internally in analyzing its financial results and believes that this non-GAAP financial information, when taken collectively with GAAP financial measures, may be helpful to investors because it provides consistency and comparability with past financial performance and assists in comparisons with other companies, some of which use similar non-GAAP financial information to supplement their GAAP results. The non-GAAP financial information is presented for supplemental informational purposes only, and should not be considered a substitute for financial information presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), and may be different from similarly-titled non-GAAP measures used by other companies. The principal limitation of these non-GAAP financial measures is that they exclude significant expenses that are required by GAAP to be recorded in Braze’s financial statements. In addition, they are subject to inherent limitations as they reflect the exercise of judgment by Braze’s management about which expenses are excluded or included in determining these non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation is provided below in the financial statement tables included below in this press release for each non-GAAP financial measure to the most directly comparable financial measure stated in accordance with GAAP. Braze encourages investors to review the related GAAP financial measures and the reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, which it includes in press releases announcing quarterly and fiscal year financial results, including this press release, and not to rely on any single financial measure to evaluate Braze’s business. Definition of Other Business Metrics Customer : Braze defines a customer, as of period end, as the separate and distinct, ultimate parent-level entity that has an active subscription with Braze to use its products. A single organization could have multiple distinct contracting divisions or subsidiaries, all of which together would be considered a single customer. Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) : Braze defines ARR as the annualized value of customer subscription contracts, including certain premium professional services that are subject to contractual subscription terms, as of the measurement date, assuming any contract that expires during the next 12 months is renewed on its existing terms (including contracts for which Braze is negotiating a renewal). Braze’s calculation of ARR is not adjusted for the impact of any known or projected future events (such as customer cancellations, expansion or contraction of existing customers relationships or price increases or decreases) that may cause any such contract not to be renewed on its existing terms. ARR may decline or fluctuate as a result of a number of factors, including customers’ satisfaction or dissatisfaction with Braze’s products and professional services, pricing, competitive offerings, economic conditions or overall changes in Braze’s customers’ spending levels. ARR should be viewed independently of revenue and does not represent Braze’s GAAP revenue on an annualized basis or a forecast of revenue, as it is an operating metric that can be impacted by contract start and end dates and renewal rates. Dollar-Based Net Retention Rate : Braze calculates dollar-based net retention rate as of a period end by starting with the ARR from a cohort of customers as of 12 months prior to such period-end (the Prior Period ARR). Braze then calculates the ARR from the same cohort of customers as of the end of the current period (the Current Period ARR). Current Period ARR includes any expansion and is net of contraction or attrition over the last 12 months, but excludes ARR from new customers in the current period. Braze then divides the total Current Period ARR by the total Prior Period ARR to arrive at the point-in-time dollar-based net retention rate. Braze then calculates the weighted average point-in-time dollar-based net retention rates as of the last day of each month in the current trailing 12-month period to arrive at the dollar-based net retention rate. Remaining Performance Obligations: The transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations represents amounts under non-cancelable contracts expected to be recognized as revenue in future periods, and may be influenced by several factors, including seasonality, the timing of renewals, the timing of service delivery and contract terms. Unbilled portions of the remaining performance obligation are subject to future economic risks including bankruptcies, regulatory changes and other market factors. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including but not limited to, statements regarding Braze’s financial outlook for the fourth quarter of and the full fiscal year ended January 31, 2025. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “goal,” “hope,” “intend,” “may,” might,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “shall,” “should,” “target,” “will,” and variations of these terms and similar expressions are intended to identify these forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Forward-looking statements are based on Braze’s current assumptions, expectations and beliefs and are subject to substantial risks, uncertainties, assumptions and changes in circumstances that may cause Braze’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties related to: (1) unstable market and economic conditions may have serious adverse consequences on Braze’s business, financial condition and share price; (2) Braze’s recent rapid revenue growth may not be indicative of its future revenue growth; (3) Braze’s history of operating losses; (4) Braze’s limited operating history at its current scale; (5) Braze’s ability to successfully manage its growth; (6) the accuracy of estimates of market opportunity and forecasts of market growth and the impact of global and domestic socioeconomic events on Braze’s business; (7) Braze’s ability and the ability of its platform to adapt and respond to changing customer or consumer needs, requirements or preferences; (8) Braze’s ability to attract new customers and renew existing customers; (9) the competitive markets in which Braze participates and the intense competition that it faces; (10) Braze’s ability to adapt and respond effectively to rapidly changing technology, evolving cybersecurity and data privacy risks, evolving industry standards or changing regulations; and (11) Braze’s reliance on third-party providers of cloud-based infrastructure; as well as other risks and uncertainties discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of Braze’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on April 1, 2024 and other subsequent filings Braze makes with the SEC from time to time, including Braze’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 31, 2024 that will be filed with the SEC. The forward-looking statements included in this press release represent Braze’s views only as of the date of this press release and Braze assumes no obligation, and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. About Braze Braze is the leading customer engagement platform that empowers brands to Be Absolutely Engaging.TM Braze allows any marketer to collect and take action on any amount of data from any source, so they can creatively engage with customers in real time, across channels from one platform. From cross-channel messaging and journey orchestration to Al-powered experimentation and optimization, Braze enables companies to build and maintain absolutely engaging relationships with their customers that foster growth and loyalty. The company has been recognized as a 2024 U.S. News Best Technology Companies to Work For, is a 2023 UK Best Workplace for Women by Great Place to Work, and was named a Leader by Gartner® in the 2024 Magic QuadrantTM for Multichannel Marketing Hubs and in The Forrester WaveTM: Cross-Channel Marketing Hubs, Q1 2023. Braze is headquartered in New York with 10+ offices across North America, Europe, and APAC. Learn more at braze.com . Braze uses its Investor website at investors.braze.com as a means of disclosing material non-public information, announcing upcoming investor conferences and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, you should monitor its investor relations website in addition to following its press releases, blog posts on its website (braze.com), SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. Selected Financial Data (1) Includes stock-based compensation as follows: (2) Includes employer taxes related to stock-based compensation as follows: (3) Includes 1% Pledge charitable donation expense as follows: (4) Includes acquisition related expense as follows: (5) Includes amortization of intangible assets acquired in the acquisition expense as follows: (6) Includes restructuring related expense as follows: (7) Includes adjustment to the fair value of the contingent consideration liability as follows: Source: Braze, Inc. Braze is a registered trademark of Braze, Inc. All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209508572/en/ CONTACT: Investors: Christopher Ferris IR@braze.com (609) 964-0585Media: Meghan Halaszynski Press@braze.com KEYWORD: NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY MARKETING ADVERTISING COMMUNICATIONS SOFTWARE NETWORKS INTERNET DIGITAL MARKETING DATA MANAGEMENT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SOURCE: Braze Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/09/2024 04:05 PM/DISC: 12/09/2024 04:06 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209508572/en
Baltimore: Fire At GAF Factory On Ponca Street, Traffic On I-895 Affected
GEORGE TOWN, Cayman Islands (AP) — Matus Hronsky's 13 points off of the bench helped Duquesne to a 67-54 victory over Old Dominion on Tuesday. Hronsky shot 5 for 9, including 3 for 6 from beyond the arc for the Dukes (1-6). Maximus Edwards scored 11 points while going 5 of 9 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and added seven rebounds. Halil Barre had 10 points and finished 5 of 7 from the floor. The Dukes stopped a six-game slide with the win. Devin Ceaser led the way for the Monarchs (2-6) with 23 points and three steals. Duquesne took a 26-19 lead at halftime, with Edwards racking up seven points. Duquesne extended its lead to 36-23 during the second half, fueled by an 8-0 scoring run. Hronsky scored a team-high 10 points in the second half. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Santa Clarita Valley residents got their first look Wednesday at the new governing board overseeing College of the Canyons — and the apparent division within it. Sharlene Johnson, sworn in on Wednesday, was voted as the president of the of the Santa Clarita Community College District board of trustees, which oversees COC, after incumbent Edel Alonso failed in her bid to be president for a fifth straight term. Alonso was nominated by Carlos Guerrero, recently appointed to the board, before she seconded her own nomination. Johnson was nominated by fellow new board member Darlene Trevino and also seconded her own nomination. In the first vote, Trevino abstained from the vote for Alonso, with Johnson and Fred Arnold voting against her, making the vote 2-2 with one abstention. In the second vote, Guerrero was the lone vote against Johnson, who was elected president on a 4-1 vote. Arnold, Johnson and Trevino, all of whom were elected in the Nov. 5 election, were sworn in as board members in the afternoon before the newly composed board chose its officers. “I was honored to have the votes and support of the board,” Johnson said in a phone interview on Thursday. “Right now, the focal point is to bring everybody to the same page and put together a collaborative effort to organize a vision for the college as a collective group. That’s something that’s going to be developed over time with all of us.” Arnold nominated himself to be president, but nobody seconded it. It’s the first time the board is full after roughly six months of it being short at least one member. Chuck Lyon resigned in June, followed by Joan MacGregor retiring in August after 31 years on the board. Guerrero was appointed in September to fill MacGregor’s seat. MacGregor said at one of her last meetings that she intentionally did not resign until after the deadline to consolidate a special election with the Nov. 5 general election — Lyon had done so, allowing his seat to be on the ballot — due to her feeling that, from her experience, more people are inclined to apply for a seat rather than campaign for one. Only three candidates stepped forward, and Guerrero earned the seat with the approval of the three board members sitting at the dais at the time. Johnson beat incumbent Jerry Danielsen in the election. Danielsen, who had run on the same slate backed by the college unions as Alonso, was honored Wednesday for his service to the college after being appointed to the board in March 2023. “I’d like to say thank you to the Santa Clarita community and the COC community, all the ones who trusted in me and confided in me,” Danielsen said. “You were seen, you were heard. I’d like to acknowledge the full-time faculty, adjunct faculty, the classified staff, the union members and administrators, all the employees at the college — you’re tireless, highly intelligent and talented people with amazing hearts. It’s been an honor and a privilege to get to know you and to work with you. You are the backbone of this college.” Representatives from the offices of Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Santa Clarita, state Sen. Suzette Martinez Valladares, R-Santa Clarita, and Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth, were on hand to thank Danielsen for his service to the community. He also received recognition from L.A. County 5 th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the SCV, though neither she nor a representative were present on Wednesday. Also leaving the board after one term was Sebastian Cazares, a former COC student who was elected in 2020. He was not present on Wednesday but was honored for his service at a recent meeting. Arnold, who had been chair of the COC Foundation, a nonprofit auxiliary organization formed to generate philanthropic support for the college, will serve as vice president for the next year while Trevino will serve as clerk of the board and as the trustee representative on the foundation board. Interim COC President David Andrus will serve as secretary/parliamentarian of the board of trustees. “We’re super excited to work as the new board, to move forward with the search of a new CEO,” Arnold said in a phone interview Thursday. “We definitely appreciate everything David has done. I’m excited to find out more about infrastructure projects on campus so that we can continue to provide first-class facilities for the future of the college. We want to provide input on the vision for the college for the next 20 years.” At the end of Wednesday’s meeting, Arnold requested a special meeting to be held prior to the board’s next regularly scheduled meeting on Jan. 22 to discuss facilities projects, including the future of the student housing project that the previous board declined to move forward on as well as the Advanced Technology Center that was canceled despite being essentially ready for construction. The 30,000-square-foot ATC project was canceled in September after college officials found that the $22 million that was originally approved for it would be $16 million short of what would actually be needed, bringing the true cost to $38 million. COC eventually paid $10 million to Intertex, the developer, for the plans and land that the ATC was scheduled to be built on. The previous board recently approved design services for an on-campus ATC that would be closer to the 111,000 square feet that the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers recommends. An update on the status of a search for a permanent head of the college was also requested by Arnold. “The community deserves a full-time president, whether it’s David or somebody else,” he said on Thursday, adding that Andrus would be a candidate if he wants it. The board also heard about some of the basics of the Brown Act, California’s open meeting law, from the district’s legal counsel, Eileen O’Hare-Anderson, a partner at the Liebert, Cassidy & Whitmore law firm. Before relinquishing her role as president of the board, Alonso congratulated her new fellow trustees. “My congratulations to all the newly sworn in candidates who are now our trustees,” Alonso said before the board retired to a two-hour closed session and returned later to finish its annual organizational meeting.A total of 525 employers were polled in Singapore in October on their headcount expectations for the first three months of 2025. SINGAPORE – Employers here are cautiously optimistic about their hiring plans in the new year, with the transport, logistics and automotive sector especially eager to hire amid burgeoning global demand. The net employment outlook for that sector notched a record high of 67 per cent, according to results released on Dec 9 from the latest quarterly survey conducted by recruitment firm ManpowerGroup. Net employment outlook is a measure of hiring optimism, defined as the percentage of companies surveyed that intend to take on new staff, minus the percentage that intend to downsize, in the upcoming quarter. A total of 525 employers were polled here in October on their headcount expectations for the first three months of 2025. Across the overall economy, 45 per cent of employers polled reported plans to hire in the first quarter of 2025, 20 per cent indicated intentions to lower staffing levels, while 34 per cent did not expect any change. ManpowerGroup said the overall net employment outlook after seasonal adjustment stands at 25 per cent, down 4 percentage points from the quarter before, as well as the same quarter a year back. Ms Linda Teo, country manager at ManpowerGroup Singapore, said: “Despite a slight slowdown in hiring intentions from the previous quarter, the local labour market remains resilient, serving as a source of stability and consistency during these uncertain times. “Given that the survey was conducted in October 2024, just before the US presidential elections, employers are likely practising cautious optimism.” Meanwhile, the standout 67 per cent figure for the transport, logistics and automotive sector is up 22 percentage points from the quarter before and 26 percentage points from the first quarter of 2024. This places Singapore first among 42 markets globally for the sector, exceeding the global average by 43 percentage points. It is the highest level recorded in the sector here since tracking began in the first quarter of 2010. Ms Teo noted that Singapore’s role as a safe and reliable hub in Asia is becoming increasingly important amid global geopolitical tensions and uncertainties. The shifts in trade routes arising from geopolitical concerns as well as the resurgence of shipments transiting Singapore are expected to drive job creation in the transport, logistics and automotive sector, she added. Employers in eight of nine sectors polled expect to increase headcount. Only the energy and utilities sector posted a negative net outlook, at minus 29 per cent, improving by 1 percentage point from the quarter before. Meanwhile, healthcare and life sciences, financials and real estate, and consumer goods and services posted robust net outlooks of above 30 per cent. In the middle of the pack was the communication services sector with a net outlook of 29 per cent, followed closely behind by information technology at 28 per cent. The net outlook for industrials and materials came in at 14 per cent, while that of “other” sectors beyond the eight was 10 per cent. This includes the government or public service; non-profits, non-governmental organisations, religious organisations or charities; and educational institutions. Larger firms generally tended to post more positive net outlooks, except for large enterprises with 5,000 or more employees. Micro enterprises with under 10 employees also tended to post more positive outlooks. Firms with 1,000 to 4,999 employees posted a net outlook of 48 per cent, the most positive compared with firms of other sizes. Globally, the net outlook for the coming first quarter clocked in at 25 per cent too, holding steady from the quarter prior, and down 1 percentage point from the same period a year ago. India topped the list among the 42 markets covered by the survey with a net outlook of 40 per cent. Across the nine sectors, at a global level, information technology had the highest net outlook of 37 per cent. The financials and real estate sector followed closely behind at 33 per cent. 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On whether to allow digital ID for age assurance when buying alcohol, some countries say yes, some say no, and some see an opportunity for dramatically increased biometric surveillance using facial recognition cameras. is aiming to crack down on underage drinking by tightening and requiring establishments to check a physical copy of a government-issued ID. The only digital IDs that will be permitted in the city, where the drinking age is 25, are those stored in the government’s Digilocker portal, according to from the Economic Times. In a reversal of the standard story in which are more secure than easily tampered-with physical identity documents, the government says the move is to prevent the use of fraudulent or edited digital IDs. Elsewhere in the world, trends are moving in the opposite direction. In the new year, UK retailers are set to start accepting in alcohol sales. Staff at pubs, clubs and retail outlets will be able to perform age assurance checks using QR codes or contactless technology. The initiative follows the successful rollout of digital age verification in UK cinemas through the GOV.UK One Login system, as the Kier Starmer government takes up the reins on the nation’s wider . Meanwhile, in Türkiye’s capital, businesses selling alcohol and cigarettes are now required to install and to store biometric data for at least a month. A from DuvaR.English says the Istanbul Governorship issued a notice to liquor stores and other businesses requiring camera systems to be installed “to monitor and record the sales area, all entry and exit points, and parking lots, if any, from various angles.” The cameras must be effective in low light or nighttime conditions and able to operate constantly. While the set-up sounds much like a CCTV system for real-time and security monitoring, the stated goal is more like an ambient, panopticon-esque form of age assurance: the governorship says its goal is “protecting minors under 18 from harmful habits such as alcohol and cigarettes.” The rule goes into effect on January 1 and comes with penalties under the “non-compliance with orders” clause of the Misdemeanor Law. occupies a balance point between biometric innovation and a government with autocratic tendencies, embodied in president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. According to from Norton Rose Fulbright, in Istanbul and other large cities “security systems such as hand geometry recognition, iris or fingerprint scans are widely used to enter office buildings, new residential complexes and even luxury gyms.” And there are data protection laws on the books. “Under the Turkish data protection regime, personal data may not be processed without the data subject’s explicit consent. are treated as sensitive data under the Data Protection Law and are subject to the rules applicable to protection of sensitive personal data.” And yet, Türkiye has danced with questionable uses of facial recognition technology before. In 2023, the country’s minister of interior faced a data privacy lawsuit after going on air to show off a state-developed capable of identifying everyone in the country. | | | | |PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) — When the referee whistled for the free kick just outside the area, Atletico Madrid forward Julián Álvarez quickly picked up the ball and moved in position to take the shot. “When I saw the free kick, I told Rodri (Rodrigo De Paul) that I felt confident with the shot,” Álvarez said. “And it was a great goal.” Álvarez, Atletico's main signing in the offseason , has not been lacking confidence lately. The Argentina forward curled in the free kick shot in the 15th minute for the first of his two goals in the team’s 6-0 rout of Brest in the Champions League on Tuesday — the team’s biggest ever away win in European competitions. “We'll keep rotating who takes the free kicks,” said Álvarez, who also found the net in the 59th. It was Álvarez’s seventh goal in the last 10 matches, and third in his last three games across all competitions. The 24-year-old had a slow start to his first season with Atletico, scoring twice in 10 matches. “It was a matter of time before we started connecting well with each other,” said Álvarez, who joined Atletico after two seasons at Manchester City. “We have to stay on this path to keep improving.” Ángel Correa also scored two goals for Atletico, with Marcos Llorente and Antoine Griezmann adding one each. “We know that in this format of the competition we need to keep adding the three points and scoring goals," Álvarez said. "It's important to get the points and the goals.” Atletico was sitting in 13th place in the 36-team league standings. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer