Nissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automakerWASHINGTON, D.C. — Two U.S. senators and a U.S. representative from Indiana recently received committee assignments. U.S. Sen. Todd Young announced his assignment to the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. The committee consists of 17 senators; nine from the majority party, eight from the minority party. Committee responsibilities include studying intelligence activities and policing intelligence agencies, making sure their activities conform with the Constitution. As a retired United States Marine intelligence officer, Young said he knows the value of intelligence officials and the information they provide. “I look forward to serving with my colleagues on the committee to ensure policymakers are receiving the best intelligence possible as they make critical decisions,” Young said in a press release Monday. U.S. Rep. Jim Banks, District 3 will fill the senatorial seat previously vacated by Mike Braun, who will serve as the state’s governor, beginning Jan. 1. Banks has been assigned to the Senate Committee on Armed Services, the Senate Committee on Banking and the Senate Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs, according to his website. U.S. Rep. Victoria Spartz, Dist. 5, will serve on the House Judiciary, Education and Labor committees. Spartz, whose district includes Madison County, recently made headlines by saying she would not be involved with committees or caucuses until she sees Republican leaders “governing.” “I do not need to be involved in circuses,” she wrote in a recent social media post.
LG Energy Solution Hosts 'Battery Innovation Contest (BIC) 2025' to Foster Breakthrough Battery TechnologiesBy JESSICA DAMIANO Finding the perfect gift can be daunting. The only way to truly ensure you get it right would be to ask the recipient what they want, but that wouldn’t be much fun for either of you. Luckily, there’s another tactic to help you earn a “gift whisperer” reputation: seeking out unique, practical, game-changing gifts that will truly surprise and delight. But that’s about as easy as it sounds, which is to say it’s not easy at all. So, we’ve done the legwork for you. Start making your list with this compilation of some of the most innovative, functional and fun gifts of 2024. There’s something for every budget. A pepper grinder, really? Bear with me: The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Available in three colors (Sangria Red, Midnight Black and Soft Cream), the rechargeable-battery unit grinds with a light touch rather than hand-tiring twists. That’s easier for everyone and especially helpful for those experiencing hand or wrist issues such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. And it’s fun to use. The set includes a stackable storage tray and four pods that can be easily swapped as needed: The GT microplane grater for hard spices, nuts and chocolate; the MAX for large spices and dried herbs; the ProPlus for smaller and oily spices; and the Pepper Pod for, well, pepper. $110. To build a fire Campers and backyard firepit lovers who have experienced the heartbreak of wet wood will appreciate having a three-pack of Pull Start Fire on hand. Made of 89% recycled materials, including sanding dust, wax and flint, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Just loop the attached green string around a log, incorporate it into a wood stack, and pull the attached red string to ignite. Each windproof, rainproof block burns for 30 minutes. $29.99. The place for a ladle is on the pot The No Mess Utensil Set from Souper Cubes , a company known for its portioned, silicone freezer trays, lives up to its name. The utensils — a serving spoon and a ladle — have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot, keeping them upright so they won’t slip in. The design also eliminates the need for a spoon rest or, worse, placing dirty utensils on the kitchen counter or stovetop between stirs. A silicone coating in a choice of Aqua, Charcoal, Cranberry or Blueberry keeps handles cool to the touch. $24.99. Up your birdwatching with this feeder The FeatherSnap Wi-Fi smart bird feeder could turn anyone into an avid birdwatcher. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. An optional premium subscription ($59.99 annually or $6.99 monthly) includes unlimited photo and video storage, AI identification with species-specific details, and the opportunity to earn badges for logging new visitors. Turn on notifications to get alerts sent to your phone whenever there’s activity at the feeder. $179.99. Printing old-fashioned photos via Bluetooth Fujifilm’s Instax Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the 4.9-by-3.5-by-1.3-inch printer with Instax Mini instant film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. If you want to get fancy, you can adjust brightness, contrast and saturation, or apply filters, including 3D augmented-reality effects, via the free Instax Mini Link app. It can also make collages of up to six images, or animate photos to share on social media. Available in Rose Pink, Clay White and Sage Green. $99.95. Houseplants don’t get much easier than this The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. Select a pot color, size and plant (or get recommendations based on sunlight requirements, pet friendliness and other attributes) and fill the self-watering container’s built-in reservoir roughly once a month. Moisture will permeate the soil from the bottom as needed, eliminating the often-fatal consequences of over- or under-watering. It’s also a literal lifesaver come vacation time. $49-$259. Making your own (plant-based) milk Related Articles Things to Do | Go + Do events for Nov. 22-26 Things to Do | Get into the holiday giving spirit with the Best of the Week of Nov. 23-29 Things to Do | US airports with worst weather delays during holiday season Things to Do | The right book can inspire the young readers in your life, from picture books to YA novels Things to Do | Holiday gift ideas for the movie lover, from bios and books to a status tote If you’ve got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. The Nama M1 appliance both blends and strains ingredients, converting nuts, seeds, grains or oats into velvety-smooth milk in just one minute, with zero grit. And for zero waste, the pasty leftover pulp can be used in other recipes for added nutrients. The device also makes infused oils, flavored waters and soups. And, importantly, cleanup is easy. Available in white and black. $400. The perfect temperature for 350,000-plus wines For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses “smart” technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. Unlike traditional wine refrigerators, this device doesn’t take up any floor space. It also doesn’t chill wine to just one or two temperatures based on its color. Instead — paired with the free QelviQ app — the tabletop chiller relies on a database of more than 350,000 wines to bring a bottle to its specific recommended serving temperature in as little as 20 minutes. It also suggests food-wine and wine-food pairings. Plus, the appliance serves as a great icebreaker to inspire dinnertime conversation. Available in Exciting Red, Dashing Black and Dreamy White. $495. Casting light on the grill after dark Grilling food after dark — and ascertaining its doneness — can prove challenging without outdoor lighting, and it’s nearly impossible to cook while holding a flashlight. But as is often the case, the simplest of solutions can make the biggest of impacts: Uncommon Good’s 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. After use, the lights can be removed and the utensils run through the dishwasher. $40.
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SYDNEY, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Australia's Indian Ocean territory of Christmas Island will be connected by subsea cable to the northern garrison city of Darwin , a project backed by Alphabet's Google (GOOGL.O) , opens new tab that Australia says will boost its digital resilience. Christmas Island is 1,500 km (930 miles) west of the Australian mainland, with a small population of 1,250, but strategically located in the Indian Ocean, 350 km (215 miles) from Jakarta. The cable announcement comes as the Australian and U.S. militaries upgrade airfields in Australia's north, where a rotating force of U.S. Marines will be joined by Japanese troops next year. Google's vice president of global network infrastructure, Brian Quigley, said in a statement the Bosun cable will link Darwin to Christmas Island, while another subsea cable will connect Melbourne on Australia's east coast to the west coast city of Perth, then on to Christmas Island and Singapore. Australia is seeking to reduce its exposure to digital disruption by building more subsea cable pathways to Asia to its west, and through the South Pacific to the United States. "These new cable systems will not only expand and strengthen the resilience of Australia's own digital connectivity through new and diversified routes, but will also complement the Government's active work with industry and government partners to support secure, resilient and reliable connectivity across the Pacific," said Communications Minister Michelle Rowland in a statement. The other partners in the cable project include Australian data centre company NextDC (NXT.AX) , opens new tab , Macquarie-backed telecommunications group Vocus, and Subco. Subco previously built an Indian Ocean cable from Perth to Oman with spurs to the U.S. military base of Diego Garcia, and Cocos Islands , where Australia is upgrading a runway for defence surveillance aircraft. Although 900 km (560 miles) apart, Christmas Island is seen as an Indian Ocean neighbour of Cocos Islands, which the Australian Defence Force has said is key to its maritime surveillance operations in a region where China is increasing submarine activity. The new cables will also link to a Pacific Islands network being built by Google and jointly funded by the United States, connecting the U.S. and Australia through hubs in Fiji and French Polynesia. Vocus said in a statement the two networks will form the world's largest submarine cable system spanning 42,500 km of fibre optic cable running between the U.S. and Asia via Australia. Sign up here. Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Editing by Lincoln Feast. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tabSAN DIEGO, Nov. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP announces that purchasers or acquirers of Visa Inc. (NYSE: V) publicly traded securities between November 16, 2023 and September 23, 2024, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), have until January 21, 2025 to seek appointment as lead plaintiff of the Visa class action lawsuit. Captioned Cai v. Visa Inc. , No. 24-cv-08220 (N.D. Cal.), the Visa class action lawsuit charges Visa as well as certain of Visa’s top executives with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. If you suffered substantial losses and wish to serve as lead plaintiff of the Visa class action lawsuit, please provide your information here: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/cases-visa-inc-class-action-lawsuit-v.html You can also contact attorneys J.C. Sanchez or Jennifer N. Caringal of Robbins Geller by calling 800/449-4900 or via e-mail at info@rgrdlaw.com . CASE ALLEGATIONS : Visa operates as a payment technology company. The Visa class action lawsuit alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Visa was not in compliance with federal antitrust laws and did not have effective internal programs and policies to assess and control compliance with federal antitrust laws; and (ii) Visa was in violation of federal antitrust law, and therefore likely to be subject to lawsuits and penalties by federal agencies. The Visa class action lawsuit further alleges that on September 24, 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Visa in federal court for monopolizing the debit card payment processing market. On this news, the price of Visa stock fell more than 5%, according to the complaint. THE LEAD PLAINTIFF PROCESS : The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 permits any investor who purchased or acquired Visa publicly traded securities during the Class Period to seek appointment as lead plaintiff in the Visa class action lawsuit. A lead plaintiff is generally the movant with the greatest financial interest in the relief sought by the putative class who is also typical and adequate of the putative class. A lead plaintiff acts on behalf of all other class members in directing the Visa class action lawsuit. The lead plaintiff can select a law firm of its choice to litigate the Visa class action lawsuit. An investor’s ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff of the Visa class action lawsuit. ABOUT ROBBINS GELLER : Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP is one of the world’s leading law firms representing investors in securities fraud cases. Our Firm has been #1 in the ISS Securities Class Action Services rankings for six out of the last ten years for securing the most monetary relief for investors. We recovered $6.6 billion for investors in securities-related class action cases – over $2.2 billion more than any other law firm in the last four years. With 200 lawyers in 10 offices, Robbins Geller is one of the largest plaintiffs’ firms in the world and the Firm’s attorneys have obtained many of the largest securities class action recoveries in history, including the largest securities class action recovery ever – $7.2 billion – in In re Enron Corp. Sec. Litig. Please visit the following page for more information: https://www.rgrdlaw.com/services-litigation-securities-fraud.html Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. Services may be performed by attorneys in any of our offices. Contact: Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP J.C. Sanchez, Jennifer N. Caringal 655 W. Broadway, Suite 1900, San Diego, CA 92101 800-449-4900 info@rgrdlaw.com
Ukraine needs better air defences, Zelenskyy says after Russian drone attackSEOUL, South Korea , Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Energy Solution (KRX: 373220) has announced its launch of the 'Battery Innovation Contest (BIC) 2025' to identify and support the next groundbreaking battery technologies. Innovators from universities and research institutions worldwide are encouraged to submit proposals until January 31, 2025 , at https://bridge.lgensol.com/ . Since its inaugural competition in 2017, BIC has been LG Energy Solution's flagship research contest. This year's edition has been revamped to foster greater collaboration between academia and industry. Selected researchers will receive annual research funding of up to USD 150,000 annually. Additional funding may be granted to projects making significant achievements through extended contracts. Unlike previous iterations of the competition, 'BIC 2025' allows participants to submit proposals on specific topics pre-announced by LG Energy Solution. "By presenting specific research optics, we aim to go beyond merely supporting academia and maximize the mutual benefits between the industry and academia," said an LG Energy Solution spokesperson. To facilitate active collaboration, LG Energy Solution has introduced the ' BRIDGE ' system, a platform designed to manage open innovation programs like BIC. The system facilitates seamless collaborations with features that help teams working on joint research projects track their objectives and deliverables. LG Energy Solution has unveiled the preselected 18 research topics for collaborative projects on the ' BRIDGE ' platform, such Battery Safety diagnosis algorithm technology and New materials for LFP Batteries topic. At the same time, the contest retains its traditional format to ensure participants are free to propose completely original research ideas. All research proposals must be submitted through the ' BRIDGE ' system. To protect the original ideas of every participant, LG Energy Solution has split the application process into two stages: initial proposals that provide concise information, followed by detailed proposals from a shortlist of candidates. This change aims to safeguard the ideas of researchers not selected for funding. "The BIC platform serves as a bridge of wisdom between members of academia and industry, driving technological innovation for the all-important battery sector," said Je-Young Kim , CTO of LG Energy Solution. "Through this initiative, we aim to provide differentiated value to our customers by strengthening our technology leadership." As of today, LG Energy Solution has supported 26 battery research projects through the 'BIC' initiative, with some evolving into large-scale projects that have received additional funding and resources. Thanks to the success of this competition, the company continues to establish partnerships with world-leading universities and research institutions, reinforcing its commitment to preparing the battery field for the future. About LG Energy Solution LG Energy Solution (KRX: 373220), a split-off from LG Chem, is a leading global manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, mobility, IT, and energy storage systems. With 30 years of experience in revolutionary battery technology and extensive research and development (R&D), the company is the top battery-related patent holder in the world with over 58,000 patents. Its robust global network, which spans North America, Europe, and Asia , includes battery manufacturing facilities established through joint ventures with major automakers. Committed to building sustainable battery ecosystem, LG Energy Solution aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its value chain by 2050, while embodying the value of shared growth and promoting diverse and inclusive corporate culture. To learn more about LG Energy Solution's ideas and innovations, visit https://news.lgensol.com . View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lg-energy-solution-hosts-battery-innovation-contest-bic-2025-to-foster-breakthrough-battery-technologies-302339134.html SOURCE LG Energy Solution
nCino to Participate in Upcoming Investor ConferencesThe health of the U.S. consumer and the retail sector will be in focus in the coming week, as Black Friday kicks off a holiday shopping season that could shed light on how buyers are grappling with higher prices, as per a report. The benchmark S&P 500 rose 1.7% in the past week and approached all-time highs as investors digested the end of a solid third-quarter corporate reporting season. Earnings are on pace to have climbed about 9% from a year earlier, Reuters reported. But recent earnings from two high-profile retailers yielded sharply different prospects: Walmart on Tuesday raised its annual sales and profit forecast for the third consecutive time, while Target shares tumbled after it forecast holiday-quarter comparable sales and profit below estimates on Wednesday. The holiday shopping season could give further insight on consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity. Even though inflation rates have moderated from 40-year peaks hit two years ago, higher prices are still challenging consumers, said Abby Roach, portfolio analyst at Allspring Global Investments. "It's easy to be excited about inflation coming down year over year, but...consumers are really still under pressure, and I think that's the biggest pain point," Roach said. "Consumers are continuing to feel like their dollars don't go as far as they did." 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While investors have welcomed signs of economic health, worries remain over a potential inflationary rebound, crimping expectations for how deeply the Federal Reserve will be able to cut interest rates in coming months. As it stands, Americans have a more upbeat outlook for holiday shopping than in the prior two years, according to a Morgan Stanley survey of about 2,000 consumers published earlier this month, with about 35% saying they expect to spend more this season than a year ago. "Companies could see a little more holiday cheer this year but spending isn't likely to increase across all categories as consumers remain selective," the Morgan Stanley analysts said in the report. The holiday shopping season will also be a test for shares of retailers, which have diverged in 2024. Among the industry's largest players by market value, Walmart is up over 70%, warehouse retailer Costco Wholesale has jumped 46%, while online giant Amazon, which has a diversified business that includes cloud computing, has climbed 30%. Other stocks have struggled. Discounters Dollar General and Dollar Tree are down over 40% and 50%, respectively, in 2024, as analysts point to inflation particularly hitting the companies' lower-income consumer base. Shares of Target, whose weak forecast came as value-conscious consumers shopped for low-priced essentials at rival retailers, are down 12% on the year. "Target is really struggling to find a unique identity in retail right now," said Chuck Carlson, chief executive officer at Horizon Investment Services. The two S&P 500 sectors that include most retailers, the consumer discretionary and consumer staples sectors, are up 23% and 16%, respectively, in 2024, against a 25% rise for the overall index. Another batch of retail earnings are due in the coming week, including reports from Best Buy, Macy's, Nordstrom and Urban Outfitters. Investors will also get a fresh view of inflation, with the Nov 27 release of the monthly Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index, which is closely followed by the Fed. The inflation gauge is expected to have climbed 2.3% in October on an annual basis, according to Reuters data. "The economy is in a good spot. It's just more about trying to process several years of high inflation," said Michael O’Rourke, chief market strategist at JonesTrading. "From a retailer perspective, a lot of it's about making sure they're protecting their margins while trying to provide that value that's going to attract the consumer." FAQs Q1. When is Black Friday 2024? A1. Black Friday 2024 is on Friday, November 29. Q2. When is Thanksgiving day 2024 ? A2. Thanksgiving day 2024 is on November 28. (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel )Get ready to look back at the year that was, as “The Year: 2024,” an ABC special, airs today, Thursday, Dec. 26 at 9 p.m. Eastern. Don’t have cable? No worries. You can still catch the two-hour primetime special live for free on streaming services including FuboTV and DirecTV Stream . You can also watch it on Sling which has promotional offers. This is the 14th edition of this yearly special. The show is hosted by ABC News’ “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts. The special looks back on the most iconic and memorable moments of this year, from news events, social trends, legal decisions, breakout stars, celebrities and champions, ABC says. The special will also take a deep dive into the 2024 presidential race from ABC News’ political team and include exclusive interviews with Republican National Committee co-chair Lara Trump, who shares insight into President-elect Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and the attempted assassination of her father-in-law, as well as an interview with Lynne Patton, senior advisor to Trump, ABC says. More details on streaming service options for “The Year: 2024:” FuboTV allows you to enjoy TV shows, live sporting events, movies, specials and much more. The streaming service also offers cloud DVR. After you enjoy a free trial, you can choose the plan that best suits you. Get $35 off your first month with the Essential Plan ($79.99 after that); $30 off your first month with the Pro plan ($79.99 after that); and $30 off your first month with the Elite Plan ($89.99 after that). The Latino Plan does not offer a free trial, but it does offer $23 off your first month ($32.99 after that). DirecTV Stream has three packages you can choose from and enjoy a free trial. Right now, after you’ve enjoyed the free trial, you’ll get $15 off your first two months if you chose the Entertainment package. That package is $86.98 ($101.98 after promo). The streaming service is offering $20 off your first three months if you chose the Choice package ($94.99, then $114.99 after promo) or the Ultimate package ($109.99, then $129.99 after promo). It is a no-term commitment service where you can enjoy live TV and on-demand local and national channels without having to commit to a contract. Sling offers half off your first month of streaming. A Blue package is $20 ($40 after that) and an Orange package is the same price and deal. Both the Blue and Orange package is $27.50 for the first month ($55 after that). The service allows you to stream on-demand movies, live TV shows and live sports on all your preferred devices. More streaming content ‘Jersey Shore: Family Vacation’ season 7, episode 32: free stream today Dec. 26, 2024, 5:02p.m. Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade FREE STREAM: Watch live today Dec. 25, 2024, 7:03a.m. ‘Love & Hip Hop: Miami’ season 6, episode 6 | FREE STREAM today Dec. 23, 2024, 5:02p.m. ‘Love & Marriage: Huntsville’ season 9, episode 8: Watch for free today Dec. 21, 2024, 5:03p.m. National Christmas Tree Lighting: Watch free today Dec. 20, 2024, 5:03p.m. Kaylee Remington is the shopping and entertainment commerce reporter and metro reporter for cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer. Read her work online .