Bethlehem marks a second subdued Christmas Eve during the war in Gaza BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem is marking another somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of war in Gaza. Manger Square lacked its usual festive lights and crowds of tourists on Tuesday. Instead, the area outside the Nativity Church was quiet. The church was built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. The war, the violence in the occupied West Bank it has spurred and the lack of festivities has deeply hurt Bethlehem's economy. The town relies heavily on Christmas tourism. The economy in the West Bank was already reeling because of restrictions placed on laborers preventing them from entering Israel during the war. Pope Francis kicks off a yearlong Jubilee that will test his stamina and Rome's patience VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has opened the great Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica. The ceremony kicks off the 2025 Holy Year. It's a celebration of the Catholic Church that is expected to draw some 32 million pilgrims to Rome. And it will test the pope’s stamina and the ability of the Eternal City to welcome them. This begins the Christmas Eve Mass. The ceremony inaugurates the once-every-25-year tradition of a Jubilee. Francis has dedicated the 2025 Jubilee to the theme of hope. Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death row FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump says he'll “vigorously pursue” capital punishment after President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of most people on federal death row partly to stop Trump from pushing forward their executions. Trump criticized Biden’s decision on Monday to change the sentences of 37 of the 40 condemned people to life in prison without parole. Trump said that he will direct the Department of Justice to pursue the death penalty “as soon as I am inaugurated.” Trump was vague on what specific actions he may take. 21 dead as Mozambique erupts in violence after election court ruling MAPUTO, Mozambique (AP) — Violence that engulfed Mozambique after the country’s highest court confirmed ruling party presidential candidate Daniel Chapo as the winner of disputed Oct. 9 elections has killed at least 21 people, including two police officers. Mozambique Interior Minister Pascoal Ronda told a news conference in Maputo late Tuesday that a wave of violence and looting was sparked by the court’s announcement a day earlier. He said it was led by mostly youthful supporters of losing candidate Venancio Mondlane, who received 24% of the vote, second to Chapo, who got 65%. Prosecutors find workers in 'slavery like' conditions at Chinese car company site in Brazil RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (AP) — A task force led by Brazilian prosecutors says it has rescued 163 Chinese nationals working in “slavery-like” conditions at a construction site in northeastern Brazil, where Chinese electric vehicle company BYD is building a factory. The Labor Prosecutor’s Office released videos of the dorms where the construction workers were staying, which showed beds with no mattresses and rooms without any place for the workers to store their personal belongings. In a statement issued Monday, the prosecutor’s office said the workers had been hired in China by Jinjian Group, one of the contractors on the site, which is located in Camaçari, a city in the Salvador metropolitan region. NFL players who use platform to share their faith say it's their duty to spread their love of Jesus ALLEN PARK, Mich. (AP) — Jake Bates was standing on the turf in his hometown of Houston when asked to reflect on an unlikely journey from learning how to sell bricks to making game-winning kicks for the Detroit Lions. Bates used his platform as an NFL player to spread his love of Jesus. A month later, Bates told The Associated Press it is a duty to share his faith. The NFL is filled with players and coaches who feel the same way, such as Houston's C.J. Stroud, Atlanta's Kirk Cousins, and Lamar Jackson and John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens. Stunning photos show lava erupting from Hawaii's Kilauea volcano HONOLULU (AP) — Lava is erupting from Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano for the second straight day. The eruption has stayed within Kilauea’s summit caldera inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and no homes are threatened. Molten rock began spewing out of the volcano before dawn on Monday when fissures opened in the caldera floor and shot lava high into the air. It then oozed across the caldera floor. Scientists expect activity to fluctuate in coming days. The lava paused Monday afternoon but fountains reemerged Tuesday morning. The eruption has occurred in an area that’s been closed to the public since 2007 due to hazards including crater wall instability and rockfalls. Haiti gang attack on journalists covering a hospital reopening leaves 2 dead, several wounded PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — Haiti’s online media association confirms that two reporters were killed and others wounded in a gang attack on the re-opening of Port-au-Prince’s biggest public hospital. Street gangs have taken over an estimated 85% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and they forced the closure of the General Hospital early this year. Authorities had pledged to reopen the facility Tuesday but as journalists gathered to cover the event, suspected gang members opened fire in a vicious Christmas eve attack. The killed journalists were identified as Markenzy Nathoux and Jimmy Jean. An unspecified number of reporters had also been wounded in the attack, which was blamed on the Viv Ansanm gang. Hurricane-force winds bear down on California, latest in stretch of extreme weather LOS ANGELES (AP) — California has been hit hard by extreme weather over the past several weeks. Atmospheric rivers, which are long stretches of wet air that can produce heavy rains, brought a record-setting rainfall before Thanksgiving. A series of atmospheric rivers are producing strong waves and storms near Santa Cruz this week. Thousands were left under evacuation warnings and orders because of a fire around Malibu. Climate change means that strong storms will be responsible for a greater share of the state's yearly precipitation and the periods between those events will be drier. Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne Tuesday about an hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop, which prevented planes from taking off. American said in an email that the problem was caused by vendor technology in its flight operating system. Aviation analytics company Cirium said flights were delayed across American’s major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time. Nineteen flights were cancelled.
Group commiserates with families of stampede victims in Oyo, Anambra, FCTAs part of its commitment to promoting integrity, trust, and positive behavioral change in Nigeria’s public service, Accountability Lab Nigeria on Thursday recognized five exceptional public servants with its 2024 Integrity Icons Award. The awardees are: Inspector Kamoshi Tada from Fagge Police Station, Kano State; Olugbenga Johnson Kuye of the Lagos State Accident and Emergency Centre (LASAEC); Ezekiel Osemuahu of the Edo State Public Procurement Agency; Temitope Ojoge of Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School, Ondo State; and Idowu Quadri, serving with the Onigbongbo Local Council Development Agency (LCDA), Lagos State. Speaking at the 8th edition of the Integrity Icon Summit held in Abuja, the Country Director of Accountability Lab, Odeh Friday, explained that the awardees were chosen from over 2,500 nominations submitted by Nigerians. The event was organized in partnership with the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Luminate, and the Yar’Adua Foundation. According to Odeh, Accountability Lab is unwavering in its mission to “name and fame” individuals who uphold honesty, accountability, and responsible leadership in a nation struggling with widespread corruption and a lack of transparency. “We are here today to celebrate amazing public servants who are doing the right thing—exceptionally well—to build trust between citizens and their government offices. Today, the Integrity Icon names and fames them,” Odeh said. Highlighting the initiative’s goal, he added: “For over eight years, we have been building a network of public servants with integrity—people who embody the right behaviors and norms to enhance trust in public service. By celebrating these icons, we aim to inspire hope among Nigerians and show that governance can indeed work for citizens.” Odeh also underscored that integrity in public service extends beyond avoiding bribes: “It’s also about ensuring accurate data reporting, proper procurement practices, and transparency in community projects. These actions build trust in government institutions, and that is why citizens, not us, nominate the icons. We review over 2,500 nominations to ensure their stories meet our criteria.” ALSO READ: Why Soludo awarded 621km of road in less than three years — Commissioner The keynote speaker, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, Founding Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD), lamented the low trust Nigerians have in their government. Citing a report, he noted that only 43% of Nigerians express trust in governance, a gap he attributed to corruption, lack of transparency, poor service delivery, and broken promises. Speaking on the topic, “Building Trust in Governance Processes: The Power of Ethical Behaviors and Positive Norms,” Dr. Igbuzor stated: “The trust deficit has profound implications, from political instability and economic downturns to weakened social cohesion. For instance, this deficit has triggered protests and uprisings, such as in Sudan (2019), Sri Lanka (2022), and the #EndSARS protests in Nigeria (2020).” He proposed several practical measures to rebuild trust, including: strengthening governance institutions to enforce ethical standards, promoting inclusive governance to address the diverse needs of society, building capacity for ethical leadership, leveraging technology for accountability, and recognizing and rewarding integrity. Dr. Igbuzor emphasized: “Rebuilding trust in governance is both an urgent necessity and a collective responsibility. Ethical behaviors and positive norms form the cornerstone of trustworthy governance, fostering transparency, accountability, and inclusivity.” “As we celebrate these individuals of integrity, let their example serve as a call to all leaders and institutions to prioritize ethical conduct. Restoring trust is not just about institutional reforms; it’s about restoring hope and confidence in leadership and creating a system where citizens feel represented and valued.” Get real-time news updates from Tribune Online! Follow us on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive stories and interviews, and much more. Join our WhatsApp Channel nowGerman President To Arrive Nigeria Tuesday On State VisitALEXANDRIA, La., Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pearson Medical Technologies, LLC is proud to announce that its innovative iPack® Rx Unit Dose Packaging System is now CE, CE/UK certified , marking a significant milestone in the company's commitment to improving patient safety through precise unit dose packaging and bar code labeling of medication. The iPack® Rx Unit Dose Packaging System streamlines the packaging and labeling of medications, ensuring healthcare providers can deliver the correct dose to the correct patient at the correct time. This state-of-the-art tabletop packager minimizes the risk of medication errors, enhances regulatory compliance, and supports efficient pharmacy operations. CE certification signifies that the iPack® Rx Unit Dose Packaging System meets stringent European health, safety, and environmental protection standards. This achievement not only underscores the system's quality and reliability but also reinforces Pearson Medical's dedication to advancing healthcare technology through innovative solutions . "We are thrilled to announce the CE/UK certification of our iPack® Rx Unit Dose Packaging System,” said W. Brent Pearson, CEO of Pearson Medical Technologies, LLC. "This achievement reflects our relentless pursuit of excellence and our commitment to enhancing patient care. We believe this system will significantly improve the accuracy of medication identification and administration in healthcare facilities across Europe and the UK.” The iPack® Rx Unit Dose Packaging System is designed with user-friendly features , including our intuitive software, m:Print® Bar Code Labeling Software, customizable packaging options, and real-time tracking capabilities. These advancements empower pharmacies to optimize Rules-Based Workflow , ultimately improving patient outcomes. With CE certification, Pearson Medical Technologies, LLC is now poised to expand its presence in European and British markets, offering innovative and compliant solutions to healthcare providers seeking to enhance their medication packaging and labeling practices. For more information about the iPack® Rx Unit Dose Packaging System and its benefits, please visit www.pearsonmedical.com or contact us at [email protected] . About Pearson Medical With over 27 years of experience as a pioneer in pharmacy automation, Pearson Medical Technologies creates safe, smart and efficient medication delivery solutions for pharmacies, including bar coded unit dose and multi-dose medication packaging systems and labeling software. For More Information on Pearson products, please contact: Opal Andrus VP, Marketing & Sales [email protected] (866) 640-3603
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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 21, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Pender Growth Fund Inc. (the “Company”) today announced its financial and operational results for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2024. The completion of the sale of Copperleaf in the third quarter of 2024 and the resulting injection of $70 million cash, substantially changed the Company’s portfolio. At June 30, 2024, the Company’s Net Assets were 95.7% publicly listed companies, 13.3% private unlisted companies and (-9.0%) cash and other assets net of liabilities. At September 30, 2024, Pender’s Net Assets were 38% publicly listed companies, 12.5% private unlisted companies, and 49.5% cash and other assets net of liabilities. Since the Copperleaf closing, Pender has been deploying cash into opportunities that it believes show promise and by September 30, 2024, the portfolio included $58 million of cash. By October 31, 2024, the cash balance was $35 million and by November 15, 2024, a further $8 million had been deployed into investments, and the Company’s Net Assets were 49% publicly listed companies, 28% private unlisted companies and 23% cash and other assets net of liabilities. In October, subsequent to the quarter end, the Company closed the purchase of four private technology companies from Pluribus Technologies. The acquisition was made by Pender Software Holdings (or “PSH”) a new entity owned 86% by Pender, with the balance owned by Acorn Partners Inc. (“Acorn”) and its principals. Acorn (www.acorncappartners.com) is a Vancouver based company that invests in tech companies and provides advisory services to clients. The four software companies acquired are each cash flow positive and stable. PSH is leaving existing management in place to facilitate a focus on operational excellence with strategic support and access to capital managed by Pender and Acorn. Ampere Chan, the founder and CEO of Acorn is the CEO of PSH. Pender intends to use PSH as a vehicle for investing in additional software companies. We believe this new enterprise has great potential. We believe that the Company continues to be well-positioned today to pursue its investment objectives and we continue to find attractive investments opportunities as valuations in micro and small cap stocks in North America remain attractive despite the recent rally this year. Investment results may be affected by future developments and new information that may emerge about broad economic conditions, inflation, central bank measures, geopolitical risks, market risk, unexpected judicial or regulatory proceedings, geopolitical and other global events, factors that are beyond the Company’s control. While macro events have driven investor sentiment, we have remained focused on our bottom-up fundamental research to identify companies that can thrive in a wide range of economic scenarios. We believe that this environment provides compelling opportunities for long-term focused investors and that the Company is well-positioned to continue to pursue its investment objectives. As always, this quarter we worked closely with our private portfolio companies and certain of our public portfolio companies. We continued to acquire shares of the Company in the market under our NCIB because we believe the shares are trading at a discount to their intrinsic value. On February 15, 2024, the Company launched a new NCIB, under which the Company may purchase a maximum of 630,188 shares, or 10% of the Company’s public float on launch date, during the one-year period ending February 14, 2025. We encourage you to refer to the Company’s MD&A and quarterly unaudited financial statements for September 30, 2024, the annual audited financial statements for the year-ended December 31, 2023, and other disclosures available under the Company’s profile at for additional information. Pender Growth Fund Inc is an investment firm. Its investment objective is to achieve long-term capital growth. The Company utilizes its small capital base and long-term horizon to invest in unique situations, primarily small cap, special situations, and illiquid public and private companies. The firm invests in public and private companies principally in the technology sector. It trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “PTF” and posts its NAV on its website, generally within five business days of each month end. Please visit . For further information, please contact: Corporate Secretary Pender Growth Fund Inc. (604) 653-9625 Toll Free: (866) 377-4743 This news release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of applicable securities laws) relating to the business of the Company and the environment in which it operates. Forward-looking statements are identified by words such as “believe”, “anticipate”, “project”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “will”, “may”, “estimate” and other similar expressions. These statements are based on the Company’s expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections and include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s decreased portfolio risk and future investment opportunities. The forward-looking statements in this news release are based on certain assumptions; they are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to control or predict. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual information form available at . There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate as actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Readers, therefore, should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, these forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as expressly required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.Halifax security forum: United States senator questions Canada's military spending