“Talk to me before you believe anything!”, Thomas Cromwell (played by Mark Rylance) tells his monarch and master Henry VIII (played by Damien Lewis) in a pivotal scene in the penultimate episode of the BBC adaptation of The Mirror and the Light, the 900-page third act in Hilary Mantel’s acclaimed Tudor drama. It is the last of their candid exchanges before the criticism from his enemies becomes deafening and Cromwell is seized, stripped of his offices of state and taken into custody. For nearly a decade, Cromwell, has strived to speak the truth to his all-mighty monarch. It has set him apart from all those packed into the palace antechambers and pitching for a seat on the king’s council: aristocrats who were there by hereditary right, churchmen because of their office and favourites whose rise invariably was as fast as their fall. Shrewd realpolitik was why Cromwell’s assent to the top seemed unstoppable and the reason Henry grew to like him. “By St Loy, this man has stomach, this man has gall!,” the now-ailing king recalls, in Peter Straughan’s script, of his first impression. Establishing the facts of the matter, however uncomfortable for whichever party, remained this self-taught lawyer’s stock-in-trade. But by 1540 Henry lacked the bodily strength and mental self-assurance to accept them anymore. “I have changed, Thomas. You, not so much.” Looking for something good? Cut through the noise with a carefully curated selection of the latest releases, live events and exhibitions, straight to your inbox every fortnight, on Fridays. Sign up here . “To retrieve history,” Mantel argued in her 2017 Reith lecture , “we need rigour, unsparing devotion and an impulse to scepticism.” Stomach and gall. Enough, Mantel urged, to unsettle the stereotypes, even to “de-centre” the “grand narrative”. The determination Mantel found in Cromwell’s letters, to “decipher the bottom of their heart ... if by any wisdom it may be drawn out” to politician Sir Thomas Wyatt in 1537 suggested that he could be a fresh guide to this period of Tudor history, long distorted by caricature and cliché. As sharp as the dagger secreted in his doublet and an outsider on the inside, through Cromwell’s eyes it might be refocused. Mantel believed the novelist could best evoke an alternative point-of-view. “The records do ... throw up some facts but they are not the whole truth.” Lived experience, she argued, lies in the “gaps, the erasures and silences” of the documented past, speeches unrecorded, thoughts unspoken. Fiction breathes them back into life, lifting the veil from the “vital”, “interior” view of lives long past. Mantel’s conviction was so strong that she was inclined to criticise readers for clinging to “the first history they learn” and for their “unreasonable” refusal to commit to the novelist’s telling of it until they can be sure of its reliability. “I report the outer world faithfully,” she explained “but my chief concern is the interior drama of my characters’ lives.” In their adaptation Straughan and director Peter Kosminsky have followed Mantel’s manifesto to the letter. They present the “outer world” with precision. Unlike any of his predecessors, Kosminky has taken immense pains to locate the action in landscapes and environments which the historical figures would have recognised. His choices are clever, including Gloucester Cathedral, surely the most complete and unaltered Benedictine cloister in Britain, standing in for the lost abbey of Shaftesbury and Horton Court in Gloucestershire for Cromwell’s city of London chambers at the Austin Friary, which, in spite of its religious status, is known to have looked like a cluster of town houses. Casting director Robert Sterne has peopled the scene with performers uncannily close in age and aspect to the figures they play. Thomas Brodie Sangster (Rafe Sadler) and Harry Melling (Thomas Wriothesley), both in their 30s, capture their subjects perfectly. Damien Lewis still seems to walk in Henry’s now halting footsteps, although the hiatus since the 2015 series means he is three years the king’s senior. Only Timothy Spall (Thomas Howard) is jarring. He is 67, as Howard was in 1540, but squat, jowly and with a one-note anger, which makes him less like a noble duke and more like Alice through the Looking Glass’s Queen. But in spite, or perhaps because, of the studied skill of this practised team, this visualisation does expose the tensions – in fact, downright contradictions – in Mantel’s treatment of the past. In her Reith Lectures she declared: “Don’t lie, don’t go against known facts. Historical truth cuts against the storyteller’s instinct. Your characters are never how or where you’d like them to be.” Yet Straughan’s adept précis of the 900-page book shows how often she shrugged off her own counsel. The visible, vocal presence of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey (Jonathan Pryce), dead a full six years before the events of episode one unfolded, is conspicuously clumsy, muddling any viewer confronting the subject for the first time. Of course, it is a device, but if the “outer world” seems unstable how can they make sense of the “interior drama”? In Cromwell’s marriage proposal to the cardinal’s cast-off daughter, Dorothy Clancy (episode two) Mantel places her characters where she would like them to be and to say what she would like them to say. Her “going against known facts” is less troubling than her narrow line-of-sight, which the clipped script and slick camerawork set in sharp relief. The historical dramas of Cromwell’s last years in power were armed rebellion (the Pilgrimage of Grace) and the greatest displacement of people and livelihoods since the Norman Conquest (the dissolution of the monasteries), a stop-start process which de-stabilised the Tudor regime as much as its subjects. In Mantel’s story, they are little more than noises out of frame. The climate in court and country became so febrile in the face of these episodes because positions on them in every part of society were uncertain even, perhaps especially, in the mind of the king himself. Thomas Cromwell knew this better than any other contemporary witness. Mantel, whatever she claimed to the contrary, maintained the “grand narrative” of Catholic versus Protestant, traditional aristocrat versus modernising commoner. Like King Henry, she did not keep listening to her subject for long enough. James Clark receives funding for historical research from the Arts & Humanities Research Council and consults on and collaborates in research and visitor engagement for the National Trust. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and of the Society of Antiquaries of London.CORVALLIS, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 26, 2024-- NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR), the industry-leading provider of proprietary and innovative advanced nuclear small modular reactor (SMR) technology, today announced the results of its previously announced redemption of all of its outstanding warrants (the Warrants) to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.00001 per share (the Common Stock). As of December 19, 2024 (the Redemption Date), approximately 97% of the Company’s outstanding Warrants were exercised by the holders thereof to purchase fully paid and non-assessable shares of Class A Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, which includes Warrants that were exercised prior to the announcement of the redemption. As a result, holders of the Warrants received an aggregate of 19,800,548 shares of the Company’s Common Stock in exchange for $227.7 million in cash proceeds to the Company. All unexercised and outstanding Warrants as of 5:00 p.m. EST on the Redemption Date were redeemed at a price of $0.01 per Warrant and, as a result, no Warrants currently remain outstanding and the Warrants have ceased trading on the New York Stock Exchange. About NuScale Power Founded in 2007, NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE: SMR) is the industry-leading provider of proprietary and innovative advanced small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear technology, with a mission to help power the global energy transition by delivering safe, scalable, and reliable carbon-free energy. The Company’s groundbreaking SMR technology is powered by the NuScale Power ModuleTM, a small, safe, pressurized water reactor that can each generate 77 megawatts of electricity (MWe) or 250 megawatts thermal (gross), and can be scaled to meet customer needs through an array of flexible configurations up to 924 MWe (12 modules) of output. As the first and only SMR to have its design certified by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, NuScale is well-positioned to serve diverse customers across the world by supplying nuclear energy for electrical generation, data centers, district heating, desalination, commercial-scale hydrogen production, and other process heat applications. To learn more, visit NuScale Power’s website or follow us on LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram , X and YouTube . No Offer or Solicitation This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any offer of any of the Company’s securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216748078/en/ CONTACT: Investor contactScott Kozak Director, Investor Relations ir@nuscalepower.comMedia contactChuck Goodnight Vice President, Business Development media@nuscalepower.com KEYWORD: OREGON UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: NUCLEAR ENERGY SOURCE: NuScale Power Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/26/2024 04:15 PM/DISC: 12/26/2024 04:15 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241216748078/enHelicopters of Philippine Air Force pour water to huge fire gutting shanty homes in coastal community of Isla Puting Bato ,Tondo, Manila. Around 600 families or 3,000 people were affected. —Inquirer photo/Richard A. Reyes MANILA, Philippines — At least 2,000 families were left homeless after a massive fire tore through a slum area in Isla Puting Bato in Tondo, Manila on Sunday morning. According to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the fire reached the first alarm after the blaze started on the second floor at one of the homes in Purok Tres. The cause of the fire was under investigation as of posting time. Before noon, the fire reached Task Force Charlie, one of the highest fire alarm levels in the Bureau of Fire Protection. It was declared under control by 2:07 p.m. READ: Cavite City in state of calamity due to massive fire Photos on social media showed huge orange flames and thick smoke billowing from the slum area adjacent to the container terminal of Manila’s Port Area. Some residents were also seen fleeing their homes using boats. There were no immediate reports of casualties. Firefighters from different agencies and volunteers rushed to help extinguish the fire. At least 66 fire trucks, four fire boats and three ambulances responded to the scene. The Philippine Air Force also dispatched two helicopters to keep further flames at bay. The OCD estimated a P2-million damage to the 1,000 burned houses, which were mostly made of light materials. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy .super super game 。

The Dolphins’ improbable path to the playoffs isn’t in their hands, but they must do their partSean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ twin daughters, 17, celebrate senior night after attending their dad’s third bail hearingElon Musk has been a presence in our lives for a long time now, and it doesn’t seem like that’s going to change any time soon. Whether it’s starting Tesla , venturing SpaceX , turning Twitter into X, and now running the Department of Government Efficiency under the incoming Trump administration, the CEO has a hand in things that affect your life, directly or indirectly. And like any other celebrity , he has gotten into the booze game, even if it’s a vague affiliation— Tesla just released a new mezcal priced at a cool $450, and we got to sample this curiosity. The marque’s first agave spirit was a tequila that launched in 2020, a $250 bottle produced by tequila and mezcal brand Nosotros and sold by Speakeasy Co., followed by another tequila marked to an astounding $1,000 per bottle. This new mezcal was also produced in partnership with Nosotros, the second run of limited-edition mezcal that now has spirits e-commerce site and subscription service Flaviar onboard as “tech, online marketing, and fulfillment partner.” The first release came out last June and sold out pretty quickly, and this expensive bottle is also being released in pretty limited numbers. “At Flaviar, we’re inspired by the ecosystem Tesla has created through its groundbreaking innovations and are proud to be the trusted technology and fulfillment partner for Tesla Mezcal,” said Josh Jacobs, the brand’s SVP of strategic partnerships. “As with Tesla Tequila and Beer before, we have seen the first batch of Tesla Mezcal fly off the shelves in June, and we are positive this holiday restock will be no exception.” Tesla’s director of product design Javier Verdura thought up the black lightning bolt–shaped bottle; he says he was inspired by his Mexican roots. To be fair, it really looks more just like a Tesla design than anything that has to do with Mexican culture, and it sits in a holder to keep it upright but is a bit unwieldy to pour. Tesla Mezcal is an ensemble expression made from Espadín and Bicuishe agave varietals. According to the brand, the agave is milled using a tahona wheel, a traditional volcanic stone that crushes the pinas, and it is distilled in alembic stills before being bottled at 86 proof. This is an assertive mezcal, with a strong smokiness throughout every sip. There are notes of raisin, pineapple, overripe lime, and some under-ripe stone fruit on the palate, along with equal parts mineral and floral flavors. This is not some watered down version of one of Mexico’s most beloved agave spirits categories, but it still begs some questions. As Javier Cabral pointed out on the website L.A. Taco last week, the world’s richest man selling mezcal feels like exploitation and appropriation taken to a new level, even in an agave-spirits industry in which that is rampant. And it’s not that Tesla Mezcal is actually bad as far as quality or flavor—in fact, Nosotros is a well-regarded brand, although it is made at a distillery that produces many, many others. If you’d like to give this status-symbol mezcal a try to see what you think, you can purchase a bottle now from the Tesla Mezcal website .

BUCHOLTZ: Focus on Canada-U.S. border security is a long time comingBoxing Day shopper footfall was down 7.9% from last year across all UK retail destinations up until 5pm, MRI Software’s OnLocation Footfall Index found. However, this year’s data had been compared with an unusual spike in footfall as 2023 was the first “proper Christmas” period without Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, an analyst at the retail technology company said. It found £4.6 billion will be spent overall on the festive sales. Before the pandemic the number of Boxing Day shoppers on the streets had been declining year on year. The last uplift recorded by MRI was in 2015. Jenni Matthews, marketing and insights director at MRI Software, told the PA news agency: “We’ve got to bear in mind that (last year) was our first proper Christmas without any (Covid-19) restrictions or limitations. “Figures have come out that things have stabilised, we’re almost back to what we saw pre-pandemic.” There were year-on-year declines in footfall anywhere between 5% and 12% before Covid-19 restrictions, she said. MRI found 12% fewer people were out shopping on Boxing Day in 2019 than in 2018, and there were 3% fewer in 2018 than in 2017, Ms Matthews added. She said: “It’s the shift to online shopping, it’s the convenience, you’ve got the family days that take place on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.” People are also increasingly stocking-up before Christmas, Ms Matthews said, and MRI found an 18% increase in footfall at all UK retail destinations on Christmas Eve this year compared with 2023. Ms Matthews said: “We see the shops are full of people all the way up to Christmas Eve, so they’ve probably got a couple of good days of food, goodies, everything that they need, and they don’t really need to go out again until later on in that week. “We did see that big boost on Christmas Eve. It looks like shoppers may have concentrated much of their spending in that pre-Christmas rush.” Many online sales kicked off between December 23 and the night of Christmas Day and “a lot of people would have grabbed those bargains from the comfort of their own home”, she said. She added: “I feel like it’s becoming more and more common that people are grabbing the bargains pre-Christmas.” Footfall is expected to rise on December 27 as people emerge from family visits and shops re-open, including Next, Marks and Spencer and John Lewis that all shut for Boxing Day. It will also be payday for some as it is the last Friday of the month. A study by Barclays Consumer Spend had forecast that shoppers would spend £236 each on average in the Boxing Day sales this year, but that the majority of purchases would be made online. Nearly half of respondents said the cost-of-living crisis will affect their post-Christmas shopping but the forecast average spend is still £50 more per person than it was before the pandemic, with some of that figure because of inflation, Barclays said. Amid the financial pressures, many people are planning to buy practical, perishable and essential items such as food and kitchenware. A total of 65% of shoppers are expecting to spend the majority of their sales budget online. Last year, Barclays found 63.9% of Boxing Day retail purchases were made online. However, a quarter of respondents aim to spend mostly in store – an 11% rise compared with last year. Karen Johnson, head of retail at Barclays, said: “Despite the ongoing cost-of-living pressures, it is encouraging to hear that consumers will be actively participating in the post-Christmas sales. “This year, we’re likely to see a shift towards practicality and sustainability, with more shoppers looking to bag bargains on kitchen appliances and second-hand goods.” Consumers choose in-store shopping largely because they enjoy the social aspect and touching items before they buy, Barclays said, adding that high streets and shopping centres are the most popular destinations.

Taylor Swift Offers Blake Lively Advice Amid Co-Star’s ‘Smear Campaign’: Report

Are you obsessed with film cameras and Polaroids? Sorry to break it to you, but you’re not special—everyone and their mother is ditching our phone’s HD cameras for a little more nostalgic. The only bad thing about analog cameras? Well, they’re analog cameras. You’ll only ever be able to enjoy your snaps if you get them printed out! But what if we told you there’s a neat gadget to help you ? It’s true, so let us introduce you to the Kodak Slide N Scan. This machine lets you save your analog memories digitally—and easily—so you can enjoy your memories forever. Kick off 2025 with your new favorite gadget and get it for $164.97 (reg. $224.99) until the end of today. You could enter the new year with a toy that’s actually productive, helping you preserve physical memories for years to come. Digitize the film roll you brought on your summer vacation (finally), or surprise your parents or Grandma by digitizing their childhood slides from the ’70s. There’s no need for any Bill Gates-type tech skills to work the Kodak Slide N Scan—even your technologically challenged parents could do it themselves! Here’s how you use it: Thanks to the Slide N Scan’s fast-loading process, you could get through a pile of family slides or your vacation film in no time, meaning you won’t have to spend the entirety of 2025 finally digitizing all those memories. Once you’ve digitized everything, gather your friends and family to surprise them with digital, preserved versions of those photos. You don’t need a projector to show them off, either. Just connect your Kodak machine with the included HDMI cord so they can view the images on the big screen and relive the good old days! Your 2025 obsession awaits. Digitize everything from your childhood snaps to your latest vacation film roll with the , now $164.97 until the end of today, Dec. 29 at 11:59 p.m. PT. Grab yours before they’re gone! .Social Media Has Beef With a Black Man Set to Play Snape in New ‘Harry Potter’ TV SeriesPatriots QB Drake Maye sends message to teammates after Miami blowout

Mike Mitchell Jr. scored 22 points, all in the first half, and Minnesota pulled away for a 90-68 win over Morgan State on Sunday afternoon in Minneapolis. Dawson Garcia added 18 points and eight rebounds for Minnesota (8-5), which won its second game in a row. Parker Fox finished with 11 points. Kameron Hobbs scored 25 points to lead Morgan State (6-10), which fell to 0-8 on the road. Will Thomas scored 13 points, Rob Lawson had 11 and Daniel Akitoby registered a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Minnesota shot 51.7 percent (31 of 60) overall and 44.8 percent (13 of 29) from 3-point range. Morgan State shot 40 percent (24 of 60) from the field and 36.4 percent (4 of 11) from beyond the arc. The Golden Gophers finished with a 31-4 advantage in bench points. Minnesota surged to a 55-37 lead at the half. Mitchell scored 22 points in 15 minutes before the break by going 8-for-8 from the field. He drained his sixth 3-pointer to give the Golden Gophers a 53-32 advantage -- tied for their largest lead of the first half -- with 1:59 to go. Minnesota increased its lead to as many as 27 points in the second half. Caleb Williams came off the bench to bury a 3-pointer and put the Golden Gophers on top 86-59 with four minutes to play. Frank Mitchell helped Minnesota reach the 90-point mark with a layup with 1:27 to go. He finished with 10 points on 4-for-4 shooting. Hobbs finished the scoring with a layup in the final minute for Morgan State. Morgan State kept it close during the first five minutes. Hobbs made a layup to pull the Bears within 12-11 with 15:32 remaining in the opening half. Thomas made a pair of free throws less than four minutes later to cut Morgan State's deficit to 23-17. That proved to be as close as the Bears would come for the rest of the way. Minnesota went on a 9-0 run to pull ahead 32-17 with 9:23 to go in the half. Frank Mitchell capped the run with an offensive rebound and putback. --Field Level MediaPresident-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak

By CLAIRE RUSH President-elect Donald Trump has once again suggested he wants to revert the name of North America’s tallest mountain — Alaska’s Denali — to Mount McKinley, wading into a sensitive and decades-old conflict about what the peak should be called. Related Articles National Politics | Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug use National Politics | An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump National Politics | Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal National Politics | House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of ‘regularly’ paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girl National Politics | Trump wants mass deportations. For the agents removing immigrants, it’s a painstaking process Former President Barack Obama changed the official name to Denali in 2015 to reflect the traditions of Alaska Natives as well as the preference of many Alaska residents. The federal government in recent years has endeavored to change place-names considered disrespectful to Native people. “Denali” is an Athabascan word meaning “the high one” or “the great one.” A prospector in 1896 dubbed the peak “Mount McKinley” after President William McKinley, who had never been to Alaska. That name was formally recognized by the U.S. government until Obama changed it over opposition from lawmakers in McKinley’s home state of Ohio. Trump suggested in 2016 that he might undo Obama’s action, but he dropped that notion after Alaska’s senators objected. He raised it again during a rally in Phoenix on Sunday. “McKinley was a very good, maybe a great president,” Trump said Sunday. “They took his name off Mount McKinley, right? That’s what they do to people.” Once again, Trump’s suggestion drew quick opposition within Alaska. “Uh. Nope. It’s Denali,” Democratic state Sen. Scott Kawasaki posted on the social platform X Sunday night. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski , who for years pushed for legislation to change the name to Denali, conveyed a similar sentiment in a post of her own. “There is only one name worthy of North America’s tallest mountain: Denali — the Great One,” Murkowski wrote on X. Various tribes of Athabascan people have lived in the shadow of the 20,310-foot (6,190-meter) mountain for thousands of years. McKinley, a Republican native of Ohio who served as the 25th president, was assassinated early in his second term in 1901 in Buffalo, New York. Alaska and Ohio have been at odds over the name since at least the 1970s. Alaska had a standing request to change the name since 1975, when the legislature passed a resolution and then-Gov. Jay Hammond appealed to the federal government. Known for its majestic views, the mountain is dotted with glaciers and covered at the top with snow year-round, with powerful winds that make it difficult for the adventurous few who seek to climb it. Rush reported from Portland, Oregon.Huge fire razes Tondo communityANN ARBOR, Michigan (AP) — Michigan defensive lineman Kenneth Grant is skipping his final college season to enter the NFL draft. Grant, a key part of the Wolverines' 2023 national championship team, announced his decision Thursday on X, formerly known as Twitter. Fellow Michigan interior lineman Mason Graham had already declared for the draft. Both are projected as likely first-round picks. The 6-foot-3, 339-pound Grant was a third-team Associated Press All-American. He had 32 tackles, 6 1/2 tackles for loss and a pair of fumble recoveries. Grant helped Michigan upset Ohio State in the Big Ten regular-season finale, making four tackles. Cornerback Will Johnson and tight end Colston Loveland have also declared for the draft leading up to Michigan's game against No. 11 Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

defensive end has announced that he and girlfriend are expecting a baby in the very near future. They announced the news to their fans on Christmas Day which brightened the day of many fans who wish Nnadi the best. Showing that the pair are in very close unison, they shared the news on their own social media accounts at the same time. "Guess who made the Nnadi List? #MerryChristmas," they both chose to caption the post on Instagram. A successful Christmas The Christmas period has been excellent for the Chiefs and their players as was part of the team that provided a clinic against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day. They got a very important 29-10 victory from that match and it means that the general outlook looks a lot better than it did a few weeks ago when fans wondered if they were witnessing the end of a winning cycle. That win meant that the Chiefs have the number one seed again, giving them a bye and a home-field advantage as they go on the hunt for what would be an incredible three-peat of the Super Bowl. has been a part of two Super Bowl wins with the Chiefs and Nani has seen him win them both, meaning it is no shock that the pair have stayed together and decided to start a family together in compete unison. He has been with the Chiefs for his entire career, joining as part of the draft in 2018.Thailand remains a top target for cyberthreats and financial phishing attacks among the countries of Southeast Asia, according to global cybersecurity company Kaspersky. During the first six months of 2024, Kaspersky blocked more than 23 million bruteforce attacks targeting businesses in Southeast Asia. A bruteforce attack is a method employed by cybercriminals to guess login info, encryption keys, or to find a hidden web page by systematically attempting all possible character combinations until they find the correct one. It allows attackers to obtain personal data and other valuable information, plant and spread malware, and even hijack a system for malicious activities. A total of 23,491,775 bruteforce generic Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) attacks were detected and foiled by Kaspersky products installed at companies of various sizes in the region. RDP is Microsoft's proprietary protocol, providing a user with a graphical interface to connect to another computer via a network. Vietnam, Indonesia and Thailand registered the highest number of RDP attacks during the first half of the year, with over 8.4 million, 5.7 million and 4.2 million attacks recorded, respectively. Moreover, Kaspersky detected 336,294 phishing attacks launched at organisations and businesses in Southeast Asia. The attacks were impersonating e-commerce, banking and payment brands, and were aimed at stealing credentials and other sensitive data. Thailand logged the highest number of financial phishing attacks at 141,258, followed by Indonesia with 48,439. Thailand and Singapore both registered the two largest increases of such attacks of 582% and 406%, respectively, compared to the corresponding period last year. Through financial phishing, attackers deceptively manipulate victims to divulge their personal and valuable information such as login credentials to financial accounts, as well as other personal or corporate information that is stored in those accounts. They are employing advanced social engineering schemes masquerading as financial institutions to deceive, invoke fear and exhort victims, and in some instances impersonating charitable organisations to trick victims into making contributions. Adrian Hia, managing director for Asia-Pacific at Kaspersky, earlier told the Bangkok Post that the company has committed to significant investment in Thailand as a growing digital economy and favourable government initiatives such as joining Brics. Brics is a bloc of major emerging economies, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, Egypt and Ethiopia as full members. This has led Kaspersky to expand its team and services, targeting both the small and medium-sized enterprise and enterprise sectors. Thailand is expected to play a pivotal role in the company's APAC expansion, potentially becoming one of its top five markets by 2026, Mr Hia said. "We're committed to doubling our investment in the country over the next two years," he said. He added that the geopolitical landscape is seen as both a challenge and an opportunity. While there are "good" and "not-so-good" markets for the company, the favourable environment in Thailand, especially with the government's digital initiatives, provides an optimistic outlook. These initiatives include the promotion of digital currency, the widespread adoption of cryptocurrencies, and digital services that fuel the digital transformation of the economy. Mr Hia also sees opportunities in SIEM (Security Information and Event Management), as solutions are becoming increasingly important as businesses need to store and analyse security incidents.

Elastic NV ($ESTC) shares surged by as much as 27% on Friday after the company’s fiscal second-quarter (Q2) earnings report, covering the quarter ended Oct. 31, comfortably exceeded Wall Street expectations and pleased the majority of analysts on Wall Street. The American-Dutch data analytics company, known for its search applications and generative AI-powered Elasticsearch Relevance Engine (ESRE), showcased strong execution and a rebound in customer demand. On an adjusted basis, Elastic reported a profit of $0.59 a share, on sales of $365 million, beating estimates of $0.38 cents a share on sales of $354 million. The earnings beat led to more than 10 price-target hikes, reflecting optimism around Elastic’s recovery and growth potential. Baird upgraded the stock to ‘Outperform’ from ‘Neutral’ with a new price target of $135 (up from $95), citing Elastic’s turnaround in execution, disciplined pipeline management, and growing generative AI adoption. Rosenblatt raised its target to $130 (from $120), emphasizing Elastic’s ability to recover from Q1 sales disruption and benefit from generative AI application growth. Stifel set a target of $132 (up from $98), describing Q2 as a “rebound quarter” with robust sales execution, multi-year commitments, and improving trends among large customers. Guggenheim increased its target to $120 (from $100), highlighting broad-based consumption improvement and a strong pipeline following Q1 deal closures. Elastic’s ESRE tool has reportedly been instrumental in attracting upgrades from customers, with generative AI applications becoming a focal point. The company’s CEO previously noted that while expenditures on generative AI solutions have not yet become a major revenue driver, Elastic remains well-positioned to capitalize on cost-conscious customers navigating uncertain market conditions. On Stocktwits, retail sentiment flipped to ‘extremely’ bullish early Friday as message volume surged. Retail traders expressed optimism about the stock’s potential for further gains, with some expecting it to reach new heights. Elastic stock has gained just over 3% so far this year. For updates and corrections email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.

Shares of technology and payments firm Global Blue Group Holding ($GB) fell 4% on Friday after the company announced its second-quarter earnings report. Revenue increased 17% year-over-year (YoY) to €132 million (~$137 million) during the quarter driven by a solid performance in both Tax Free Shopping Solutions and Payments. Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) jumped 25% YoY to €59 million (~$61 million). Adjusted net income group share rose to €20.7 million compared to €14 million in the same quarter a year ago. Segment-wise, Tax Free Shopping Solutions revenue rose 18% YoY to €101.9 million while Payments revenue increased 16% YoY to €23.4 million, driven predominantly by increased margins on treasury gains. Meanwhile, Post-Purchase Solutions’ revenue dipped 1% YoY to €6.7 million led by “management’s focus on contribution margin.” Notably, the firm raised its repurchase program to $15 million and extended it for an additional nine months to Nov. 30, 2025. The company said that taking into account the recent luxury market slowdown and the group’s decision to accelerate €5 million of investments (fixed costs) in future growth initiatives, it has adapted the FY24/25 adjusted EBITDA guidance to €185 million - $205 million. At the same time, long-term targets include 8-12% revenue growth and a net leverage ratio of lower than 2.5x. CEO Jacques Stern said that the macro and microeconomic environment in which Global Blue operates remains highly favorable and that the travel industry is experiencing positive trends. Following the earnings announcement, retail sentiment on Stocktwits jumped into the ‘extremely bullish’ territory (96/100), accompanied by ‘extremely high’ retail chatter (95/100) that hit a one-year high. Shares of the firm have gained over 26% on a year-to-date basis. For updates and corrections email newsroom[at]stocktwits[dot]com.< Exchange Rate Used In Converting Financials: €1 = $1.04<

Peanut seller turns out to be operator of Rs 2,000 banknote exchange racket; 4 held

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter dies at 100Jasper council asks about status of interim housing as site servicing wraps upSnow pants are highly technical pieces of apparel. They’re designed more for practical outdoor use than they are for earning style points. For those who like to get out and about in the winter season, you’ll need a quality pair to keep you warm. They use waterproof exteriors along with insulated interiors to protect your legs from wet snow and cool temperatures. The best pair is the THE NORTH FACE Sally Pants . Their thick exterior protects you from the wind and snow and their DryVent ventilation system releases excess body heat. There are three types of snow pants . The most common type resembles your everyday pair of pants. Aside from the technical materials, the main difference is that they have a looser fit than normal pants. Snow pants are ideal for maximum mobility when skiing or snowboarding. Some bibs resemble overalls. They have an upper body portion connected to the pants and use straps to go over the shoulders. This gives you more protection from the elements, but it slightly restricts your movement. Then there are one-piece snowsuits, which have a coat and pants in a single slip-on piece. The best material used to make snow pants is polyester. It’s durable, water-resistant and inexpensive. Polyester is the material that makes up the bulk of a pair of snow pants. Many manufacturers will add nylon for even more long-term strength. There’s also elastic, which is used in ankle gaiters and some waistbands. Gore-Tex is another material used in many outdoor products like snow pants because it’s completely water-resistant. Snow pants are sized differently than normal pants. Instead of using numbers, they use small to large distinctions. This makes it easier because they’re sized more generally than your everyday pair of pants. Most brands go from XS to XXL, but some include more variations, such as large long and large short. This way, you can customize your fit based on your body type. Other brands will use inseam measurements if you know exactly how long you’d prefer the pants to be. Boot gaiters are sections of fabric that provide more security around the ankle. Walking through snow can cause your socks to get wet. This is not only uncomfortable but can also affect your body’s temperature. Gaiters use elastic to wrap tightly around your ankle while the exterior of your pants goes over your boots. Some pants have a reinforced seam and patches on the pant leg to prevent wear and tear around the ankle. This will also protect your ankles from bumps and bruises while on the slopes. Baggy snow pants are the best choice if you’re snowboarding or skiing. With more room between your legs and the exterior fabric, you can comfortably wear a pair of insulated tights underneath. Baggy pants also allow for more freedom of movement. With skiing, especially, you’ll need all the flexibility your legs can get. Loose-fitting pants will prevent seams from ripping too easily as well. Professional snowboarders and skiers who focus on tricks will exclusively wear baggy snow pants to give them more mobility. While snow pants are designed to keep you warm, sometimes, the heat can cause sweat to build up around your legs. For this reason, some pants come with built-in ventilation systems. These specially designed vents are woven into the pants and release excess heat. The vent is usually on the rear waist area. This positioning makes it discreet to the naked eye. Also, your coat will cover it most of the time, which prevents any cold air from entering from the outside. Women’s snow pants cost $30-$260. A. GORE-TEX is known for its waterproofing, but the ultra-tight weaves and thick fabric make it windproof as well. A. Most snow pants have two sets of pockets on either hip. They are usually sealed using zippers to keep your belongings protected. THE NORTH FACE Sally Pants What you need to know: These high-quality snow pants from North Face use thick materials to keep you dry. What you’ll love: The pants have a snug fit around the knees with a slight flare at the ankles. There’s a DryVent to prevent your legs from sweating and Heatseeker Eco insulation to protect you from the elements. There are zippered pockets, a belt loop around the waist and boot gaiters near the ankles. What you should consider: The waistband is not as adjustable as other pants. Arctix Insulated Cargo Snow Pants What you need to know: Arctix has the most customizable snow pants with a large selection of colors and sizes. What you’ll love: Key features include boot zippers, three pockets, an adjustable waistline and an O-ring for keys. There are 20 color options, such as Blue Night, Rose, Green Camo and Plum, alongside 45 size options. There are tall, long, short and inseam measurement size types. What you should consider: With all the sizing choices, finding the right one will be more difficult. Columbia Arctic Omni Heat Snow Pants What you need to know: The Omni Heat snow pants are highly insulated to offer the most warmth. What you’ll love: These pants use nylon for excellent durability on the outside. The interior has reflective Omni Heat technology that keeps the heat from leaving the pants. There’s an adjustable waist strap on the inside, zippered pockets at the hips and near the leg, plus a double snap closure at the waist. What you should consider: Some reviewers recommend buying a size up. Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change. Check out our Daily Deals for the best products at the best prices and sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter full of shopping inspo and sales. BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce says the climate protesters who formed a flotilla in Newcastle Harbour in an attempt to disrupt ships at the world’s largest coal port won’t accept the “financial consequences” of their worldview. Joyce made the remarks in a politics panel interview on Seven’s Sunrise, where he was joined by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek who defended her climate record against the protester’s criticisms. Climate protesters in kayaks attempt to block access to Newcastle coal port. Credit: Getty Images Plibersek said she has approved ten times more renewable energy projects than coal projects. “I’m the first environment minister to stop a coal mine, because of the impact it could have had on water going on to the Great Barrier Reef,” she said. “What I would say about the protests is, of course, in Australia you have a right to peacefully and safely express your view. But if you’re breaking the law, if you’re endangering others, if you’re diverting police resources, then I think you need to face the consequences of that.” Joyce was more scathing in his assessment of the protests. “What these people are doing is going out in the harbour and saying ‘I want Australia to be poor’,” Joyce said. “They never suggest what pensions they want to remove or what schools they don’t want built. They don’t go out with that on their placard, they just go out and say ‘I want Australia to be poor because I have a selfish desire that I can inflict on you my worldview without accepting the consequences financially of what that means’.” Labor will harden its demands on the Greens to pass more than a dozen bills through parliament in the next four days in the belief that voters will blame the smaller party at the next election for blocking the government’s agenda. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is seeking to have the draft laws passed without a single deal with the Greens after months of argument over housing, the environment, university fees, school funding and other reforms. The approach reflects a crucial calculation that the Greens have lost ground in recent state and local government elections and are at risk of losing federal seats because voters think the party has moved too far to the left on economic policy and the Middle East. But in two significant retreats, Labor shelved a bill on Sunday that sought to crackdown on misinformation and did not put forward a long-awaited ban on gambling advertising after earlier saying it would unveil the package before the end of the year. Read more about the bills before the parliament in the final sitting week of the year here. In the wee hours Sunday at the United Nations climate talks, countries from around the world reached an agreement on how rich countries can cough up the funds to support poor countries in the face of climate change. It’s a far-from-perfect arrangement, with many parties still deeply unsatisfied but some hopeful that the deal will be a step in the right direction. An attendee reacts during a closing plenary session at the COP29 UN Climate Summit. Credit: AP Here’s how they got there: What was the finance deal agreed at climate talks? Rich countries have agreed to pool together at least $300 billion a year by 2035. It’s not near the full amount of $1.3 trillion that developing countries were asking for, and that experts said was needed. But delegations more optimistic about the agreement said this deal is headed in the right direction, with hopes that more money flows in the future. What will the money be spent on? The deal decided in Baku replaces a previous agreement from 15 years ago that charged rich nations $100 billion a year to help the developing world with climate finance. The new number has similar aims: it will go toward the developing world’s long laundry list of to-dos to prepare for a warming world and keep it from getting hotter. That includes paying for the transition to clean energy and away from fossil fuels. Countries need funds to build up the infrastructure needed to deploy technologies like wind and solar power on a large scale. Why was it so hard to get a deal? Election results around the world that herald a change in climate leadership, a few key players with motive to stall the talks and a disorganized host country all led to a final crunch that left few happy with a flawed compromise. Developing nations also faced some difficulties agreeing in the final hours. Meanwhile, activists ramped up the pressure: many urged negotiators to stay strong and asserted that no deal would be better than a bad deal. But ultimately the desire for a deal won out. AP Good morning and welcome to the national news blog from The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. My name is Josefine Ganko, I’ll be with you on the blog for the first half of the day. It’s Monday, November 25. Here’s what’s making headlines this morning.