The Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology (MITT) has announced the launch of two new programs in health care and cybersecurity designed to meet growing local demand. The Medical Assistant and Patient Care diploma program and the Cybersecurity Analyst advanced diploma program are designed to meet the needs of the industry while giving students the skills and knowledge required to excel in these rewarding careers. Applications are now open for these programs beginning in Fall of 2025. “At MITT we are in constant discussion with our industry partners to keep a pulse on the workforce needs within our province. This ensures that we provide our learners with high-quality training that will lead them to in-demand jobs,” said Bev Stuart, Vice-President, Business Development and Community Initiatives. “These two new programs will do exactly that by giving students the skills to be ready to take on a variety of roles in the cybersecurity and health care fields.” The two-year Medical Assistant and Patient Care diploma program is designed according to Manitoba’s growing need for skilled support staff, giving students the opportunity to quickly enter the field after graduation. The program is accredited by the Canadian Health Information Management Association (CHIMA). Graduates can utilize their degree while working in different settings such as hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities. “There’s a high demand for medical assistants and health care aides in Manitoba right now. Professionals in these positions are vital to ensuring the delivery of quality care to people living in Manitoba,” said Stuart. “With the ongoing challenges in health care, including an aging population and increasing patient volumes, equipping graduates with the tools to work in multiple health care settings is extremely valuable for the entire system.” The two-and-a-half-year Cybersecurity Analyst advanced diploma program responds to the ever-growing need for professionals to protect organizations from cyber threats. Well-paying job opportunities in this field are adapted to Manitoba’s evolving digital landscape, giving students opportunity to have an impact on local businesses as they continue to learn and innovate. “As someone who works with these threats every day, it’s obvious how important a program like this is,” said Gustavo Valle, an MITT Cyber Defense and Cloud Administration graduate and the Director of Information Security at Exchange Technology Services. “Companies are increasingly relying on technology and becoming more vulnerable to cyber threats. Developing cybersecurity expertise strengthens digital resilience within our province and fosters innovation and trust, ensuring Manitoba businesses remain competitive in the digital age.” Scholarships and bursaries are available for students considering MITT, including specific awards for women and Indigenous students. “We understand that pursuing higher education is a big decision, and we’re committed to making it as accessible as possible,” said Jana Thorsteinson, Vice-President, External and Corporate Affairs. “Our scholarships and bursaries are here to help students focus on learning and building their future without the stress of financial constraints.” Students interested in these career paths can apply at apply. mitt .ca or contact MITT ’s recruitment specialists at recruitment@ mitt .ca . For more information about these programs visit MITT.ca/CySA and MITT.ca/MAPC . The MITT holds the advantage of smaller campuses and class sizes, industry-expert instructors, and quality training. For this reason, limited seats are available and interested individuals are motivated to apply quickly. Have thoughts on what’s going on in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada or across the world? Send us a letter to the editor at wpgsun.letters@kleinmedia.caSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Gunmen opened fire early Sunday at a bar in southeast Mexico, killing six people and injuring at least five others, according to local media reports. The shooting took place in the coastal province of Tabasco, which is struggling with a recent increase in violence. Public Safety Secretary Omar García Harfuch said on X that the shooting happened in Villahermosa and that federal authorities are working with local officials to help solve the crime. No arrests were reported, and it wasn’t immediately clear what prompted the shooting. Videos posted on social media show people fleeing the bar while some survivors stayed with the victims as police arrived. Sunday’s attack was the latest violent incident to occur as a new president inherits a whirlwind of violence . Earlier this month, gunmen opened fire in a bar in central Mexico killing 10 people and injuring 13. The attack took place in the historic city center of Querétaro in a region that until recently had long been spared the violence seen in neighboring states like Guerrero.bet365 app download for android 。

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A large number of mysterious drones have been reported flying over New Jersey and across the eastern U.S., sparking speculation and concern over where they came from and why. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and U.S. Sen. Andy Kim have both gone out on drone hunts, hoping for answers. The FBI, Homeland Security, state police and other agencies are investigating. Murphy and law enforcement officials have stressed that the drones don’t appear to be a threat to public safety , but many state and municipal lawmakers have nonetheless called for stricter rules about who can fly the unmanned aircraft — and to be allowed to shoot them out of the sky. Dozens of witnesses have reported seeing drones statewide since mid-November, including near the Picatinny Arsenal, a military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster. Murphy, a Democrat, said Monday that equipment supplied by the federal government has yielded little new information. He declined to describe the equipment except to say it was powerful and could even “mitigate” the drones, though he added that’s not currently legal on U.S. soil. The state tallied 12 sightings Saturday and just one on Sunday. Murphy urged Congress to give states more authority to deal with the drones. The growing anxiety among some residents is not lost on the Biden administration, which has faced criticism from Trump for not dealing with the matter more aggressively. White House national security spokesman John Kirby on Monday said the federal government has yet to identify any public safety or national security risks from reported drone sightings in the northeast, saying officials believe they were lawfully flown drones, planes or even stars. “There are more than 1 million drones that are lawfully registered with the Federal Aviation Administration here in the United States,” Kirby said. “And there are thousands of commercial, hobbyist and law enforcement drones that are lawfully in the sky on any given day. That is the ecosystem that we are dealing with.” The federal government has deployed personnel and advanced technology to investigate the reports in New Jersey and other states, and is evaluating each tip reported by citizens, he said. The FBI received more than 5000 tips in recent weeks, he added, with only “about 100” deemed credible enough to require additional investigation. Authorities say they do not know. The Department of Homeland Security and FBI said they have no evidence that the aircraft pose “a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.” Speculation has nevertheless raged online, with some expressing concerns that the drones could be part of a nefarious plot by foreign agents. Officials stress that ongoing investigations have found no evidence to support such concerns, but U.S. Rep Chris Smith, a Republican, on Saturday echoed such speculation. “The elusive maneuvering of these drones suggests a major military power sophistication that begs the question whether they have been deployed to test our defense capabilities — or worse — by violent dictatorships, perhaps maybe Russia, or China, or Iran, or North Korea,” he said. On Monday, Pentagon spokesperson Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder cast doubt on the idea that the drones are engaged in intelligence gathering, given how loud and bright they are. He said about 1 million drones are registered drones in the U.S. and about 8,000 flying on any given day. Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh has said the aircraft are not U.S. military drones. In Boston, city police arrested two men accused of operating a drone “dangerously close” to Logan Airport on Saturday night. Authorities said an officer using drone monitoring technology detected the aircraft and the location of the operators. A third man fled police and remains at large. Authorities said the two men face trespassing charges and could face more charges and fines. Drones flying around Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, forced base officials to close its airspace for about four hours late Friday into early Saturday, said Robert Purtiman, a base spokesperson. It was the first time drones had been spotted at the base, one of the largest in the world, and no sightings have been reported since, Purtiman said Monday. He said the drones had no impact on any facilities on the base. Trump has said he believes the government knows more than it’s saying. “Let the public know, and now. Otherwise, shoot them down!!!” he posted on Truth Social. Kim said he’s heard no support for the notion the government is hiding anything. He said a lack of faith in institutions is playing a key part in the saga. “Nothing that I’m seeing, nothing that I’ve engaged in gives me any impression of that nature. But like, I get it, some people won’t believe me, right? Because that’s the level of distrust that we face," Kim said Monday. Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut last week called for the drones to be “shot down." Rep. Smith urged the Pentagon to authorize the use of force to bring down one or more drones to try to figure out who deployed them. The objects could be downed over the ocean or in an unpopulated area on land, Smith said Saturday. “Why can't we bag at least one of these drones and get to the bottom of it?” Smith said. Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden said members of the public must not try to shoot down drones, as that would violate state and federal laws. Drone sightings were also reported in New York, where a permit is required. Mayor Eric Adams said the city was investigating and collaborating with New Jersey and federal officials. The runways at Stewart International Airport — about 60 miles (100 kilometers) north of the city — were shut down for about an hour Friday night because of drone activity, Gov. Kathy Hochul said. “This has gone too far,” she said in a statement. The governor called on Congress to strengthen the FAA’s oversight of drones and give more investigative authority to state and local law enforcement. Associated Press writers John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio; Bruce Schreiner in Shelbyville, Kentucky; and Aamer Madhani in West Palm Beach, Florida, contributed.

U.S. and Asia Foundation launch initiative to strengthen cybersecurity for Philippine human rights groupsGeorgetown and Illinois aren't rivals and don't play in the same conference, but Hoyas men's basketball head coach Ed Cooley still had some choice words for the Fighting Illini on Saturday. "I've also seen a growth in Jayden," Cooley told reporters when discussing guard Jayden Epps, who started his collegiate career at Illinois in 2022-23 before transferring to Georgetown. "I talked to him yesterday in practice, I talked to him today before the game. His development defensive, I mean, it's almost like he's a new player. It's something I saw in him his freshman year when he played for that other bulls--t school." Illinois head coach Brad Underwood wasn't exactly interested in engaging in a back-and-forth. "That's not even worth wasting my time on," he told reporters. "I don't know what he was referencing that about. I know Jayden (Epps) had a productive freshman year here. But I'm not getting into all that. I'll let our fans and everybody else have some fun with that, which I'm sure they probably are." This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis. For more from Bleacher Report on this topic and from around the sports world, check out our B/R app , homepage and social feeds—including Twitter , Instagram , Facebook and TikTok .

Gaetz hints at plans for Trump administration position, Florida governorshipDexter: Original Sin is a prequel but it was a priority that Michael C. Hall be involved after previously playing the prolific fictional serial killer. During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly at the Dexter: Original Sin premiere in New York City on Wednesday, December 11, creator Clyde Phillips broke down Hall’s presence behind the scenes. “He’s an executive producer on the show. He’s my business partner, he’s my dear friend and he does the voiceover on the show,” Phillips, 66, told Us . “It was crucial to getting the original audience to feel comfortable and to get the new audience — which they call Dexternexters to lean forward.” Phillips — who exited the original show after season 4 before returning for New Blood and now Original Sin — credited Hall, 53, for making Dexter feel “vulnerable and relatable,” adding, “He captures the inevitability of my favorite four-letter F-word: fate. It’s inexorable — it’s going to happen. It’s like the progression from caveman to homosapiens.” He continued: “We watch that evolution of the Dexter character grow into the version played by Michael C. Hall that we love, and Patrick Gibson absolutely nails it. When you see Patrick Gibson, you’ll understand — this kid’s a star. Get out of the way.” The role of Dexter was originally played by Hall in Showtime’s series, which ran from 2006 to 2013. After the show came to an end, Hall returned to TV screens as Dexter in a 2021 spinoff titled New Blood . Gibson is now taking over the role in Paramount+’s prequel. Dexter: Original Sin is set in the ’90s and focuses on Dexter’s transition from student to avenging serial killer and unsuspecting member of the Miami Metro Police Department. The prequel also stars Molly Brown, James Martinez, Christina Milian, Christian Slater, Alex Shimizu, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Patrick Dempsey and Reno Wilson . “We are retreading some old territory but we’re coming at it from a completely different point of view, so that the audience gets the deeper picture,” Phillips told Us . “And we as writers also come to understand what the deeper picture of it is.” Phillips teased that viewers will be introduced to a different version of Dexter. “When we first met Dexter in the OG show, he was 35 years old. Fully formed, Michael C. Hall. Kills a guy in the first minute of the show. Lives with a woman. Now we meet Dexter, he’s a senior in college. Never kissed a girl,” he shared. “Doesn’t know how to kiss his own sister. He’s developing his own independence, learning how to blend in, and building a stronger relationship with his father, Harry, played by Christian Slater.” You have successfully subscribed. By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly Check our latest news in Google News Check our latest news in Apple News In a separate interview with Us , Gibson, 29, opened up about taking over for Hall , saying, “I feel like Dexter exists in this kind of moral gray area — he’s a serial killer that we root for. To me — watching it — I felt like I really am on this guy’s side but it makes me question my own beliefs. And in this day and age, with social media and things like that, things have become quite binary. So for this character to exist at this time is quite relevant.” Dexter: Original Sin starts streaming on Paramount+ Friday, December 13, before making its cable debut on Sunday, December 15. With reporting by Antonio Ferme

Syrians celebrate in central Damascus during first Friday prayers since Assad's fall

Quipt Home Medical Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024 Financial ResultsSupreme Court will take up a challenge related to California's tough vehicle emissions standards WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court says it will take up a business-backed appeal that could make it easier to challenge federal regulations, acting in a dispute related to California’s nation-leading standards for vehicle emissions. The justices agreed Friday to hear an appeal filed by fuel producers who object to a waiver granted to California in 2022 by the Environmental Protection Agency during Joe Biden’s presidency. The waiver allows California to set more stringent emissions limits than the national standard. The case won’t be argued until the spring, when the Trump administration is certain to take a more industry-friendly approach to the issue. Musk says US is demanding he pay penalty over disclosures of his Twitter stock purchases DETROIT (AP) — Elon Musk says the Securities and Exchange Commission wants him to pay a penalty or face charges involving what he disclosed — or failed to disclose — about his purchases of Twitter stock before he bought the social media platform in 2022. In a letter, Musk’s lawyer Alex Spiro tells the outgoing SEC chairman, Gary Gensler, that the commission’s demand for a monetary payment is a “misguided scheme” that won’t intimidate Musk. The letter also alleges that the commission reopened an investigation this week into Neuralink, Musk’s computer-to-human brain interface company. The SEC has not released the letter. Nor would it comment on it or confirm whether it has issued such a demand to Musk. Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate is pushing toward a vote on legislation that would provide full Social Security benefits to millions of people. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer began the process on Thursday for a final vote on the bill, known as the Social Security Fairness Act. It would eliminate policies that currently limit Social Security payouts for roughly 2.8 million people. The legislation has passed the House. The bill would add more strain on the Social Security Trust funds, which are already estimated to be unable to pay out full benefits beginning in 2035. The measure would add an estimated $195 billion to federal deficits over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Saudi Arabia banned film for 35 years. The Red Sea festival is just one sign of the industry's rise JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — “My Driver and I” was supposed to be made in 2016, but was scuttled amid Saudi Arabia’s decades-long cinema ban. Eight years later, the landscape for film in the kingdom looks much different. And the star of “My Driver and I” now has an award. Roula Dakheelallah was named the winner of the Chopard Emerging Saudi Talent award at the Red Sea International Film Festival on Thursday. Both the award and the glitzy festival itself are signs of Saudi Arabia’s commitment to shaping a new film industry. The reopening of cinemas in 2018 after 35 years marked a cultural turning point for Saudi Arabia. Trump offers support for dockworkers union by saying ports shouldn't install more automated systems WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is offering his support for the dockworkers union before their contract expires next month at Eastern and Gulf Coast ports. He posted on social media Thursday that he met with union leaders and that any further “automation” of the ports would harm workers. He wrote that the “amount of money saved is nowhere near the distress, hurt, and harm it causes for American Workers.” The International Longshoremen’s Association has until Jan. 15 to negotiate a new contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance, which represents ports and shipping companies. The Maritime Alliance says the technology will improve worker safety and strengthen our supply chains, among other things. IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power WASHINGTON (AP) — IRS leadership on Thursday announced that the agency has recovered $4.7 billion in back taxes and proceeds from a variety of crimes. The announcement comes under the backdrop of a promised reckoning from Republicans who will hold a majority over both chambers of the next Congress and have long called for rescinding the tens of billions of dollars in funding provided to the agency by Democrats. IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said improvements made to the agency will help the incoming administration and new Republican majority congress achieve its goals of administering an extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Unique among 'Person of the Year' designees, Donald Trump gets a fact-check from Time magazine Donald Trump got something this year that no other person designed Time magazine's Person of the Year had ever received. He got a fact-check of claims that the president-elect made in the interview accompanying the magazine's piece. Trump earned the recognition of the year's biggest newsmaker for the second time, also winning it in 2016 the first time he was elected president. But in a piece described as a “12-minute” read, Time called into question more than a dozen statements Trump made when speaking to the magazine's reporters, on issues like border size, autism and crowd size at a rally. Time said it has fact-checked other interviews in the past, but not for this annual feature. OpenAI's legal battle with Elon Musk reveals internal turmoil over avoiding AI 'dictatorship' A 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and best avoid an artificial intelligence ‘dictatorship’ is now heading to a federal judge. The development comes as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker’s ongoing conversion into a for-profit company. Musk was an early OpenAI investor and board member. But he sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year. He has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. OpenAI filed its response in court Friday. OpenAI's Altman will donate $1 million to Trump's inaugural fund LOS ANGELES (AP) — OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is planning to make a $1 million personal donation to President-Elect Donald Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships the incoming administration. A spokesperson for OpenAI confirmed the move on Friday. The announcement comes one day after Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it donated $1 million to the same fund. Amazon also said it plans to donate $1 million. China signals it's prepared to double down on support for the economy as Trump tariffs loom BANGKOK (AP) — Chinese leaders met this week to plot economic policy for the coming year and sketched out plans to raise government spending and relax Beijing's monetary policy. Analysts said the broad-brush plans from the annual Central Economic Work Conference were more of a recap of current policy than ambitious new initiatives at a time when the outlook is clouded by the President-elect Donald Trump's threats to sharply raise tariffs once he takes office. The ruling Communist Party did commit to raising China's deficit and to doing more to encourage consumer spending by bringing wage increases in line with the pace of economic growth. Here's a look at China's main priorities and their potential implications.

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — De'Vondre Campbell's decision to quit on his team in the middle of a game overshadowed the bigger issues for the San Francisco 49ers. An offense that was one of the most dynamic in the NFL during a run to the Super Bowl last season has been just ordinary for most of 2024 and was downright bad in a 12-6 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night that just about ended San Francisco's playoff hopes. San Francisco (6-8) was held to its fewest yards (191) in a regular-season game in eight seasons under coach Kyle Shanahan and its fewest points since Shanahan's debut in 2017 on a rainy night that will be remembered mostly for Campbell walking off the field in the middle of the game with a towel draped over his head. The game also featured San Francisco going three-and-out on four drives as Brock Purdy struggled to connect with his receivers. Deebo Samuel dropped a potential touchdown pass after complaining earlier in the week about a lack of touches. Purdy then missed Ricky Pearsall on an underthrown deep shot in the fourth quarter before throwing an interception into the end zone that ended the Niners' comeback attempt. “I just feel like I had a lot of plays left out there that I could have made for our team,” Purdy said. “I thought the defense and special teams played so good. That’s what’s hurting me is I just feel like I failed the team. I could have been better for our offense and we could have put up more points.” Scoring has been an issue this season for the 49ers, who have been missing key playmakers like Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk for much of the season. San Francisco is scoring 8.5 fewer points per game on offense than the Niners did through 14 games last season. What’s working Red-zone defense. After allowing touchdowns on 13 consecutive red-zone drives over the previous four games, the 49ers kept the Rams out of the end zone on all three drives that went inside the 20. What needs help Receivers. The 49ers failed to get much production from their wide receivers with Purdy going 6 for 20 for 63 yards with an INT and a 19.4 rating when targeting wideouts. Samuel had 16 yards on seven targets with the key drop. Jauan Jennings had two drops and was the target on the interception. Pearsall had one catch for 16 yards on four targets. Stock up LB Dre Greenlaw returned for the first time since tearing his left Achilles tendon in last season's Super Bowl. Greenlaw had eight tackles in the first half as he brought needed intensity and physical play that had been missing for much of the season. Stock down Campbell. The 49ers are deciding whether to waive or suspend Campbell, who lost his starting job when Greenlaw returned and then refused to play when he was needed. “His actions from the game just is not something you can do to your team or your teammates and still expect to be a part of our team,” Shanahan said. “We’re working through exactly the semantics of it right now, but we’ll handle the situation appropriately.” Injuries Greenlaw came out of the game feeling OK after leaving with soreness in his knee and Achilles tendon. He is day to day. ... S Ji’Ayir Brown (groin) and LB Dee Winters (neck) are also day to day. ... LT Trent Williams (ankle) is still trying to get back to play after missing the last four games. Shanahan said Williams' recovery has been "a lot slower than anticipated.” Key number 0 — The Niners didn't reach the red zone once all game, with their deepest penetration into Rams territory being when they reached the 27 on a third-quarter field goal drive. This marked the first time since Week 11 in 2010 that the 49ers didn't run a single play inside the opponent's 25. What’s next The 49ers visit Miami on Dec. 22. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL Josh Dubow, The Associated Press

The festive season is here, and if you're on the hunt for an ideal beauty gift for yourself or a loved one, we've discovered a fantastic offer with a hefty 66% saving. However, you'll need to move fast. Today (December 13), TopCashback is presenting customers with a tempting one-day deal on the sought-after Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Jet Set . Renowned for its sumptuous texture and exotic fragrance, this beauty essential is a popular choice for skin pampering and tops many Christmas wishlists. Shoppers are heading to retailers such as Boots , Sephora , SpaceNK and LookFantastic to purchase the iconic products, including the brand's famous staple, the Bum Bum Cream. Typically, this Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Jet Set retails for £30, but for today only, new TopCashback members can snag the set for just £10. READ MORE: Whistles £19 top reduced from £49 in the sale is 'perfect' Christmas party wear READ MORE: Debenhams' sold-out £37 'no iron' dress that can be worn to the office or a Christmas party back in stock Shoppers can make huge savings on this Sol de Janeiro set for one day only at Sephora (Image: Sephora) TopCashback is offering its new members a £15 cashback bonus when they spend £15 or more, plus 20% cashback on all Sephora purchases. Existing members aren't left out either, with the opportunity to enjoy 20% cashback on Sephora purchases for today only. This means that if you're already a TopCashback member , you'll pay £24 after cashback - still a significant saving, reports the Mirror . Whether your interest lies in skincare, makeup, or fragrances, Sephora has something to suit everyone, and you'll be making savings as you shop. The Sol de Janeiro's Bum Bum Jet Set comprises a travel-sized trio of their top-selling Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, Brazilian 4 Play Shower Cream-Gel, and Brazilian Crush Body Fragrance Mist. All products in the range boast nourishing ingredients such as cupuacu butter, acai oil, and coconut oil that guarantee to leave your skin soft, hydrated, and with an alluring scent. It's an ideal stocking stuffer or indulgence for your personal care routine, adding a touch of luxury to any beauty repertoire. The product set has sparked over 6,000 reviews on Sephora, with many declaring it their 'new favourite.' One satisfied customer shared: "If you want to smell like summer, this is your go-to set. It's refreshing scent gives you the splash of a summer day. The added bonus of the shower gel and lotion leaves your skin feeling so soft!" Another customer said: "I love the fragrance mist and always get comments when I use it." Another commented: "What's not to love? If you're already a fan, then this is a must-buy. Perfect travel-size products." Despite the overwhelming praise, some shoppers were less keen on the viral skincare set. A dissatisfied user remarked: "Don't get what all the hype is about. Overpriced body wash that does not foam well. Perfume is way too strong, the body butter is nice but way overpriced." But if Bum Bum Cream doesn't suit your fancy, Sephoras limited-time offer through TopCashback today gives the 20% saving on plenty of other goodies. The SUMMER FRIDAYS Lip Butter Balm 15g typically sells for £23, but new TopCashback members can snag it for just £4.17 after cashback, while existing members will pay £19.17. Additionally, the Sephora Collection Ultimate Moisture Duo , priced at £25.49, will only cost £6.24 for new members or £21.24 for existing shoppers. If you're still on the hunt for beauty and skincare deals, why not visit Boots for a selection of Star Gifts , discounted perfumes, and an array of beauty sets perfect for Christmas? Alternatively, Cult Beauty is your one-stop shop for all skincare and gifting needs. How to get 20% cashback at Sephora To claim the cashback offer, new members of TopCashback need to sign up via this link Search for Sephora and click ‘ Get Cashback Now ’. Shop and checkout as usual. Cashback will then track and appear in your TopCashback account within 7 working days of your purchase.

Costco ( COST 0.88% ) is a store I frequent almost weekly, thanks to the good prices and the shockingly fresh produce. That said, I've never owned the stock, even though it has the type of impressive dividend record that attracts my attention. Sometimes I wish I had bought it, though, because paying full price for a great company can often lead to strong returns. But what about buying it today? Would adding Costco to your portfolio right now set you up for a lifetime of strong returns? Costco's business model is strong The first thing that investors have to get their heads around when it comes to Costco is the business. It is not your typical retailer -- it is a club store. Customers, like me, pay a yearly fee for the privilege of shopping at Costco. Those membership fees, which basically have no costs associated with them, make up around half of the retailer's operating income. That changes the retail game in a very important way. Basically, Costco looks at its business in a totally different way because it isn't earning all of its money from product sales. Thus, keeping customers happy becomes the core objective, so it can keep those membership fees rolling in. The three primary ways it does this is by having cheap prices (membership fees allow it to accept lower margins), creating an enjoyable shopping experience, and having a great selection of products. The long-term success of the business tells you that it has succeeded quite well overall. The numbers speak for themselves. Over the past decade, revenues have grown at a compound annual rate of around 8.5%, while earnings have expanded at a 13.5% clip. As noted, the dividend has been increased every year for two decades, with the past decade's annualized dividend growth a very impressive 12%. Costco is the kind of retailer you'd want to own, but... I'm leery of retail stocks because, in general, retailers tend to go in and out of favor. When people move on to a different retailer, the financial effect on a now out-of-favor retailer can be very hard (think bankruptcy). It's why I prefer to own retail-focused real estate investment trusts (REITs), which can collect rent no matter what retailer occupies a well-located property. But Costco is one of those retailers that has bucked the trend because of its strong business model. The problem is that Wall Street knows just how good the company is, and it doesn't go on sale very often. COST PE Ratio data by YCharts. That's why investors looking at Costco will probably want to keep it on the wish list and not the buy list today. Using traditional valuation metrics is all you need. The price-to-sales ratio is around 1.6x today, versus a five-year average closer to 1x. The price-to-earnings ratio is 56x right now, versus a longer-term average that is just under 41x. Its price-to-cash flow and price-to-book values are both notably above their five-year averages, too. The dividend yield, my preferred valuation tool, is a tiny 0.5%, compared to a five-year average of around 0.7%. Almost any way you cut it, Costco is an expensive stock today. To be fair, I expect Costco to look expensive relative to the broader market just about all the time. The problem is that Costco looks particularly expensive relative to its own history right now. To paraphrase famed value investor Benjamin Graham , paying too much for a good company can be a bad investment. The current call on Costco Overall, Costco is a very well-run company with an advantaged business model. There are a lot of things to like about it, and it should probably be on most investors' wish lists. But right now, given the lofty valuation, it probably shouldn't be on your buy list. Buying it at the right price could set you up for life ... overpaying just to own it could leave you with "dead money" for years to come.Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said the PKK terrorist group's members in the YPG must leave Syria as the country tries to form a new, unified administration, which he said needs to be inclusive and tolerant. "Elimination of YPG is Türkiye's strategic goal," Fidan told a live broadcast on NTV channel Friday. He highlighted that the PKK's Syrian offshoots have no place in the country's future while noting that the safety of the Kurdish population must be ensured. "Syria now has a national ruling government," Fidan said, adding that the new administration would not recognize the YPG or others. "They will take their land and sovereignty back," he added. YPG, the Syrian offshoot of the PKK, a terrorist group that has waged a bloody terror campaign in Türkiye since 1984 and has killed at least 40,000 people. Washington backs the PKK/YPG under the guise of a fight against the Daesh terrorist group. The outgoing Biden administration is particularly concerned that a power vacuum in Syria could exacerbate already heightened tensions in the region, which is already wracked by multiple conflicts, and create conditions for the Daesh terror group to regain territory and influence. Ankara, meanwhile, is concerned the PKK/YPG could exploit the security vacuum to push its agenda for a terror corridor along Turkish borders. The NATO allies are at loggerheads over Washington’s support for the PKK/YPG. The top Turkish diplomat said Türkiye always foresaw risks in Syria since the beginning of the uprising over a decade ago, but the Assad regime disregarded political processes that Ankara proposed to launch. Regarding the ouster of Bashar Assad, Fidan said Ankara had urged Russia and Iran not to intervene militarily to support regime forces, which have been weakened in the past two to three years. "The most vital thing to do was to talk to the Russians and Iranians to ensure that they didn't enter the equation militarily," Fidan said, adding that they had meetings with the Russians and Iranians and they understood. "If the regime had their support, things would've turned rather bloody," he said. Noting that the anti-regime forces served a population of 4 million people in Syria's northwestern Idlib province, Fidan said they have experience and are aware of the fact that their primary obligation is to fulfill the needs of the people. He added that they also needed to be inclusive and tolerant, but the facilitation of unity was a priority for the new administration. "We want a Syria without terrorism, a Syria where minorities are not discriminated. We want a country that does not own chemical weapons and does not threaten neighboring countries," Fidan said, adding that Ankara is currently conveying these messages to Damascus. In response to a question about when Türkiye's embassy would open in Damascus, Fidan said diplomatic staff were already on their way. "Our embassy will start operating as of tomorrow [Saturday]," Fidan said. Türkiye appointed a charge d'affairs to Syria after 12 years. The embassy was closed in March 2012 following clashes between Assad regime forces and pro-democracy protestors. The appointment of Burhan Köroğlu came shortly after Türkiye's top intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalın visited the Syrian capital on Thursday. Syria's anti-regime forces entered the capital Damascus early Sunday ending the Bashar Assad regime's decadeslong rule. The capture also overthrew the Baath Party, the Arab socialist group that had come to power in Syria in a 1963 coup. The anti-regime forces also dealt a major blow to the influence of Russia and Iran in Syria in the heart of the region, allies who propped up Assad during critical periods in the conflict.

CNBC's Jim Cramer on Friday previewed next week's important Wall Street action, suggesting it's wise to pay attention to a slew of retail earnings as well as reports from Dell and CrowdStrike . He also said that the coming week is typically a good one for the market and advised investors to ring the register on some of their more volatile stocks that have seen significant gains. Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are "If you have huge profits in the month of November, could you do me a favor?" he said. "I would show a little thanks next week and take something off the table in your most risky positions." Monday brings quarterly reports from Bath & Body Works and Zoom . Cramer noted that the soap maker's stock hasn't been popular on Wall Street as of late, but wondered if positive commentary about the holiday season from management would make a difference. He also pointed to the tension between those who are shorting stock of Zoom and those intending to buy and said it seems the company always "has a lot of irons in the fire." Tuesday is a big day for retailers, with reports from Best Buy , Abercrombie & Fitch , Kohl's , Macy's , Burlington Stores and Dick's Sporting Goods . Cramer noted that many of these stocks have run up heading into earnings — so it's "treacherous" to buy now — and wondered which ones will impress Wall Street. He added that some retailers whose earnings weren't great still saw their stocks soar but others got badly dinged , like Target . J.M. Smucker will also post earnings that day. Cramer said some investors weren't pleased with the snack food company's pricey Hostess acquisition , but he suggested the stock could climb if results are in-line. A few major tech names also report Tuesday, including CrowdStrike , Dell , and Workday . Cramer said he's positive on all three, noting that Dell is a major Nvidia partner that is helping implement its newest technology. He said investors might want to buy some Dell stock now and some after earnings if it pulls back. HP will report after close, and Cramer said he wants to know if new artificial intelligence-enabled PCs are seeing success. While stock action tends to slow during the rest of the holiday week, Cramer pointed out that on Wednesday the government will release the latest personal consumption expenditures index. This data is an inflation metric for the Federal Reserve and could indicate whether there will be another interest rate cut before the end of the year. Click here to download Jim Cramer's Guide to Investing at no cost to help you build long-term wealth and invest smarter. Sign up now for the CNBC Investing Club to follow Jim Cramer's every move in the market. Disclaimer The CNBC Investing Club Charitable Trust holds shares of Best Buy, CrowdStrike and Nvidia. Questions for Cramer? Call Cramer: 1-800-743-CNBC Want to take a deep dive into Cramer's world? Hit him up! Mad Money Twitter - Jim Cramer Twitter - Facebook - Instagram Questions, comments, suggestions for the "Mad Money" website? madcap@cnbc.comAs PTI convoys from across the country were en route to Islamabad on Sunday for the party’s much-touted power show — despite a court order and government warnings against it — the party claimed its workers were being arrested and dispersed using teargas. On Nov 13, Imran Khan issued a “ final call ” for nationwide protests on Nov 24 (today), denouncing what he described as the stolen mandate, the unjust arrests of people and the passage of the 26th amendment, which he said has strengthened a “dictatorial regime”. The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has ruled that PTI’s planned protest is unlawful and directed the federal government to take all necessary measures to maintain law and order in Islamabad without disrupting public life, particularly as the Belarusian president is scheduled to arrive over the weekend with a high-profile delegation. As PTI supporters, who had set off on their journey earlier in the day, began reaching Islamabad despite government warnings of arrests, the party claimed the police was detaining its workers and using teargas to disperse them. In a post on X at 7:10pm, the PTI shared what it said were “visuals of the extreme shelling by fascist regime against own citizens at Islamabad Express”. Earlier, a Dawn.com correspondent in Islamabad said mobile internet services were down across the city, while major roads, including motorways, were blocked with containers. Pictures shared by the correspondent showed mostly deserted roads and people on motorbikes making their way from a narrow corner of a road blocked by trucks. Trucks block a road in Islamabad. — photo by Umar Bacha “These constant protests are destroying the economy and creating instability ... we want the political leadership to sit together and resolve these matters,” Muhammad Asif, 35, a resident of Islamabad told Reuters in front of a closed market. Separately, in a notification seen by Dawn.com , the office of the district magistrate in Islamabad ordered the closure of all public and private educational institutions in the capital territory tomorrow. The PTI, in a post on X , claimed that the convoy of National Assembly opposition leader Omar Ayub was targeted near Taxila and shells were fired at it. PTI MNA Sher Afzal Marwat shared a video of his brother Khalid Latif Khan saying his convoy was stopped at Daud Khel and was fired at with “strict teargas shelling”. However, he asserted, “We will reach D Chowk in any circumstance.” In another video , Khalid said that police had been shelling the convoy for over an hour and a half. “We had to face heavy shelling for an hour-and-a-half to two hours,” he said. “Thankfully now, the path has been cleared and we should leave (for D Chowk) within an hour-and-a-half to two hours.” Earlier today, the PTI claimed a “family that had reached D Chowk last night” had been arrested, sharing a video of a woman speaking from inside a prisoner van while another was taken inside too. The woman asked for the reason for being detained, saying, “Okay, we can say sorry that we should not have come to this area.” In another post, the PTI shared a video without specifying the location, saying: “The fascist regime has started, as expected, tear gas shelling against peaceful Pakistanis.” A Dawn.com correspondent present at D-Chowk reported that protesters had not entered the capital until midnight. The PTI posted an update on social media stating that all convoys from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have entered Punjab through different motorways. Senior PTI member and former KP minister Shaukat Yousafzai told Dawn.com that his convoy had managed to reach Taxila via GT Road, but the police blocked the motorway at Burhan. He said that his convoy will turn around to join Gandapur’s. “Opposition leader Umar Ayub, Ali Asghar and others from Kohistan, Mansehra, Battagram, Torghar, Abbottabad and Haripur are in their convoys but they have to join the Gandapur rally to ... reach D Chowk in [a] peaceful manner,” he said. Yousafzai added that the Punjab Police are ready to clash but maintained that the PTI “have one agenda — to hold our peaceful rally”. He also warned that if anything happened, the Punjab Police would be responsible. Meanwhile, Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) Chairman Sahibzada Hamid Raza posted on X that his convoy had reached Sargodha. “Proceed towards Islamabad. Overcome all hurdles from management,” he wrote. Speaking at D-Chowk, the final destination of PTI’s main convoy, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said, “One option is that we let them come and [...] paralyse Islamabad. The other option is to protect Islamabad. View this post on Instagram “The area where they (the PTI) have called the protest is a protected area of Islamabad, monitored by the IG and DIG,” Naqvi said, referring to the Red Zone. “Any protesters who enter that area will be arrested,” he warned. View this post on Instagram Despite the security apparatus in place, Naqvi maintained that the blockades were “not as bad as last time” and that the government was trying to give as much relief as possible to those inconvenienced. Referring to the arrival of a Belarusian delegation in the capital, Naqvi said PTI supporters were coming on to the route through which the delegation was supposed to pass. He criticised the PTI for organising protests today instead of attending the funerals being held in Kurram, referring to violent clashes there in the past few days. Addressing the PTI demonstrators, he said: “If you wish to protest, that is your right, but you know exactly who is coming and you have been blocking off roads and causing trouble.” Islamabad Inspector General of Police (IGP) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said a “comprehensive security plan” had been formed to prevent mischief. Police personnel align before being deployed near a Red Zone area blocked with shipping containers to hinder a rally by members of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan’s PTI demanding his release, in Islamabad on Nov 24, 2024. — AFP “If a road is closed, a lane has been kept open along it,” the IG said while speaking to the media, stressing that the purpose of the security plan was to secure the people’s lives and property. “There are obstacles, but the movement of people has not been stopped,” he claimed, adding that action would be taken against people carrying weapons or prohibited items. In a post on X earlier today, the Islamabad police said Rawat T Cross was closed for traffic on both sides and only one lane was open at Chungi No.26 for traffic heading both ways. “However, internal roads are partially open for traffic in Islamabad which can be used in case of extreme need,” the police said, urging citizens to avoid unnecessary travel. In a separate post , the police shared pictures of its personnel stationed at various points to “ensure the imposition of Section 144”, which prohibits gatherings. State broadcaster PTV News shared a post on X pointing out how there were “neither any people nor any flags” on Lahore’s Liberty Chowk, compared to previous instances “when the PTI used to hold its musical shows every other night”. Punjab, especially Lahore, came to a grinding halt on Saturday after the entire intercity bus operation — particularly routes leading to Islamabad and Rawalpindi — were suspended. The security at the Lahore railway station was also beefed up after a huge number of passengers thronged it in a bid to reach their destinations. Internet tracking monitor Netblocks said WhatsApp backends have been restricted in Pakistan, according to a post on X at 1:07am. “Live metrics show WhatsApp backends have been restricted in Pakistan corroborating reports of media sharing issues; the measure comes as authorities tighten security ahead of protests planned by opposition party PTI calling for the release of former PM Imran Khan,” Netblocks said. View this post on Instagram Addressing the media later today, interior minister Naqvi said: “Mobile services are working. The internet has been shut down.” A day ago, the interior ministry said that WiFi and mobile internet services would be suspended only in areas with “security concerns” and remain operational as normal in the rest of the country. In a televised statement, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar termed the PTI responsible for Islamabad’s closure and for “causing damage to businesspeople and the economy”. He asserted that while some routes in the city were closed, others were still open. “The main highway is closed, but despite that people are out and about,” Tarar said. The minister added, “When a party tries to spread division, they do so through violence and property damage. We saw it during the 2014 sit-in, PTV was set on fire and the gates of Parliament were broken down.” Separately, while speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal said “PTI’s act will be exposed today”. “I am sure their act will be exposed today [...] why are they spreading anarchy? “Barrister Gohar said [the protest was to] release Imran Khan but he hasn’t been arrested by a deputy commissioner, [through] detention orders or any administrative orders [...] the cases are in the courts and he will have to get himself cleared in those cases.” “If he thinks he is innocent that doesn’t mean you start causing destruction, it means you face your cases in court and tell your lawyers to get the cases disposed quickly,” he said, referring to Imran’s legal challenges. Rallies from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the PTI is in power, left for Islamabad early in the morning, according to the Dawn.com correspondent. MPAs and MNAs of their respective constituencies were leading their convoys and would join the rallies at Burhan near Hazara interchange, the correspondent said, citing PTI leader Shaukat Yousafzai. View this post on Instagram However, a heavy police contingent was present on GT Road and motorway at Attock’s Hassanabdal to stop the procession from reaching Islamabad. Several convoys are en route to the capital, PTI shared in multiple posts on X. According to a post on X , a main convoy led by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur departed from CM House in Peshawar. CM Gandapur, expected to lead the largest convoy into Islamabad, earlier called on people to gather near the entrance of the city’s red zone, known as “D Chowk”. And aerial view of the PTI convoy led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur on November 24. — Photo by Umar Bacha Another video posted by the PTI showed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur’s convoy approaching Colonel Sher Khan Interchange outside of Mardan. The video showed a top-down view of the convoy which stretched over some distance. Islamabad’s red zone houses the country’s parliament building, important government installations, as well as embassies and foreign institutions’ offices. “[Imran] Khan has called on us to remain there till all our demands are met,” he said in a video message yesterday. A post on PTI MNA Asad Qaiser’s X account said his convoy will reach Swabi’s Ambar Interchange, where it will join CM Gandapur. Supporters led by Omar Ayub also set off on their journey from Haripur, the PTI said. Rehana Dar , mother of former PTI leader Usman Dar and who contested the Feb 8 general elections against PML-N’s Khawaja Asif, also set off with her convoy from Sialkot. Other convoys include those of PTI’s Peshawar president Irfan Saleem , KP health minister Pakhtunyar Khan’s convoy from Bannu, KP minister Dr Amjad Ali and law minister Advocate Aftab Alam . In a post on X , former KP minister Taimur Khan Jhagra said: “To assume that unjust laws should just be followed, that try to protect state capture and make the judiciary subservient, is wrong.” However, he appealed to all protesters: “Stay peaceful. At all costs. Do not let anyone sabotage your protest.” Another post showed a convoy led by PTI South Punjab president Senator Aoun Abbas and MNA Zartaj Gul had departed for Islamabad. A video shared by the party showed Gul standing atop a vehicle, waving a white flag and chanting “Imran Khan Zindabad. Release, release Imran Khan”. A convoy led by the president of PTI’s Balochistan chapter was also on its way to Islamabad. View this post on Instagram A convoy led by PTI leaders Usama Mela and Ansar Iqbal Haral also departed from Sargodha’s Kot Momin. A post by the PTI on X called for protesters to carry signs and placards in English “in order to amplify our message globally.” “Let our voices echo loud and clear as we stand united for justice, democracy, and a constitutional Pakistan!” PTI leader Malik Ahmad Khan Bhachar, the Punjab Assembly opposition leader, had earlier said protesters would not leave Islamabad until their demands were accepted. Since Imran’s arrest in August 2023 on several counts, his party has been holding protests across the country for his release and against the alleged rigging of the Feb 8 elections. The last protest in Islamabad by the PTI in early October turned violent with one policeman killed, dozens of security personnel injured and protesters arrested. Both sides accused the other of instigating the clashes. Also on Saturday, the Nat­io­nal Counter Terrorism Authority (Nacta) issued an alert for possible terrorist attacks during the PTI’s march towards Islamabad, reliable sources told Dawn . According to sources, the alert was issued after “technical and human” intelligence gathered by the apex counter-terrorism body revealed that terrorists were planning “major activities” in big cities of Pakistan. Multiple sources confir­med “necessary preparat­ions” by the terrorists in Afgh­a­n­istan, who “ent­ered into Pak­istan” on the night bet­ween Nov 19 and 20. They were expected to station themselves in big cities, the sources added. The terrorists, whom the government and the military refer to as Fitna-al-Khawarij , will possibly target the PTI’s protest “for their vested interest”, as per the sources. Nacta has sugge­sted authorities ensure ex­t­reme vigilance and he­i­ghten security measu­res to prevent the att­ack. The government has vowed to suppress the power show with full force, deploying massive security forces, enforcing a sweeping ban on gatherings, blocking highways and motorways and launching a crackdown on leaders and workers of the opposition party. Paramilitary soldiers stand guard at the Red Zone area blocked with shipping containers ahead of a protest rally by PTI in Islamabad on November 24. — AFP The capital police have prepared a list of over 1,500 PTI leaders and workers in Islamabad and constituted 27 teams to arrest them so they could not participate in the protest. The police also arrested 350 other workers of the party, including leader Nafisa Khattak as well as a nephew and brother-in-law of the party’s Islamabad chapter president Amir Mughal. An overnight crackdown was also launched in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where some elected councillors were among those held. Besides Muzaffarabad police arresting 26 people , the houses of various leaders were also raided, including of AJK Assembly’s opposition leader Khawaja Farooq Ahmed. The government has also put all public sector hospitals in Islamabad on high alert in order to meet any emergency situation. Among methods to curtail the protest is the closure of various motorways and key arteries of Punjab, severing paths to Islamabad at multiple points. The National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) announced that six key motorways would be closed for all types of traffic “due to maintenance” from Friday night, advising travellers to avoid unnecessary travel during this period. The motorways closed to traffic are: M1 from Peshawar to Islamabad, M2 from Lahore to Islamabad, M3 from Lahore to Abdul Hakeem, M4 from Pindi Bhattian to Multan, M11 from Sialkot to Lahore, and M14 from Yarik to Hakla. Meanwhile, local autho­ri­­ties blocked bridges over the Chenab and Jhelum rivers in Gujrat district to restrict PTI protesters’ movement towards Islam­abad. The closure caused significant inconvenience to commuters who found themselves stuck in long queues of trucks and other vehicles on both sides of the rivers. Heavy containers and trolleys were parked on both sides of the bridges. More to follow Additional input from Reuters