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Four Canadian women honoured in World Rugby's Dream Teams of the Year

VANCOUVER — Taylor Swift touched down on five continents during her Eras Tour, and now fans from around the world are awaiting its final curtain at BC Place in downtown Vancouver. Fans are anticipating what the singer has in store for the 149th and final performance of a tour that has explored Swift's vast song catalogue, past and present. Grossing an estimated US$2 billion in revenue with the Eras Tour, Swift has bucked the downward trend of a music industry disrupted by the downfall of physical album sales and the rise of pennies-per-song streaming services. The tour that began in the spring of 2023 saw Swift make countless outfit changes while fans enthusiastically handed out their trademark friendship bracelets. Hours before Swift was set to take to the stage, fans like Meme Bautista and Jean Batac were milling about near BC Place, planning to visit Swift-themed signs erected around Vancouver before the superstar's third sold-out night at the stadium. Bautista says her fandom has only grown since she last saw Swift in the Philippines a decade ago, and she has mixed emotions about the tour coming to an end. "A lot of people are expecting something like a surprise announcement or something special," Bautista said Sunday. "A lot of people have described it as like a kindness convention. It's more than just a tour, it's like a community coming together celebrating ... having fun. "And it's very sad to see that coming to an end." While Bautista has been a diehard Swiftie for years, Batac is a new convert. Batac said she's looking forward to seeing her friend's reaction because Swift is Bautista's "dream artist." "I'm looking forward to her emotion," Batac said. Batac and Bautista are two out thousands who descended on downtown Vancouver over the last three days, including celebrities like rapper Flavor Flav. The Public Enemy hype-man said on social media he's on his way from Los Angeles to "Taycouver" on a "flight full of Swifties" ahead of Sunday's last show. B.C. singer Michael Buble was handing out friendship bracelets on night one, also attended by Swift's parents, while Canuck Jake DeBrusk was at Saturday's show according to a social media post and photo by his girlfriend. Swift has reciprocated fans' feelings, telling the audience on Friday night that she chose Canada and Vancouver to close out the tour because the fans not only know the lyrics, they "scream them." Swifties have been planning something special to end the tour, with Swift forums abuzz with suggestions to surprise her by singing "Happy Birthday" at tonight's show, ahead of Swift's 35th birthday on Dec. 13. Fan projects like this have been a big part of the Eras Tour, with chants and patterned clapping breaking out during various songs. On Saturday, after the ballad "Champagne Problems," Swift was met with a ritualistic standing ovation that lasted more than four minutes, along with chants of "thank you." "I don't even know how to thank you for everything that you've given to me to get me to this place that I get to even stand here and have this experience," Swift told the crowd. University of Kansas sociology professor and "Swiftologist" Brian Donovan says such moments of joyous social solidarity are known as "collective effervescence." "What is interesting about the Eras Tour is that it also brought about unique cultural things like the trading of friendship bracelets," he said, noting such practices were fan-driven and were not organized by Swift or her team. Swift performed six shows in Toronto last month. Canada was announced as a late addition to the tour last year. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had previously pleaded with the star on social media to visit Canada, telling her "don’t make it another 'Cruel Summer,'" a nod to one of her hits. Trudeau and family members were among Swifties at the Toronto shows, as were former U.S. president Bill Clinton and his wife former U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton. Swiftie Jenny Fox got tickets to Saturday's show after seeing her daughter Avery's reaction to the Eras Tour movie. "I texted my husband in the theatre and said that if this is how it is in a movie theatre, I can't even imagine what it would be like to see and experience this in real life in a massive stadium, and to see the joy on Avery's face," she said. Fox is the primary caretaker for her own mother, who has late-stage Alzheimer's. "As soon as we put certain music on, mom comes back," she said. "So music is very near and dear to us. We play a lot of music, and a lot of Taylor Swift with her, so there is that love and memory and special tie to it." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 8, 2024. Brieanna Charlebois, The Canadian PressHICKSVILLE, N.Y. , Dec. 13, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Flagstar Financial, Inc. (NYSE: FLG) (the "Company") today announced the appointment of Brian Callanan , Senior Managing Director and General Counsel at Liberty Strategic Capital ("Liberty"), to its Board of Directors, effective December 16, 2024 . Commenting on the appointment, Joseph M. Otting , Chairman, President, and CEO said, "I'm pleased to have Brian join our Board. His proven track record and expertise in financial services, along with his strategic insights will be instrumental as we continue to execute on our transformation and long-term vision. Brian's perspectives will provide valuable guidance, and his leadership will play a critical role in driving sustainable growth, ensuring we achieve long-term success and maximize the value we deliver to our shareholders, employees, and clients." Callanan is a distinguished lawyer with extensive experience in financial regulation, regulatory compliance, and financial technology. At Liberty, Callanan leads the firm's legal function, serves on its Investment Committee, and focuses on financial sector investments. Prior to joining Liberty, he served as General Counsel of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, overseeing 2,000 lawyers across the department. As Chief General Counsel, he played a key role in major initiatives such as economic rescue programs during COVID-19, the design of new economic sanctions, and the implementation of tax reform. While serving as Deputy General Counsel, Callanan managed major litigation and advised on regulatory reform efforts, among other responsibilities. For his service, he received the Alexander Hamilton Award, the department's highest honor. This appointment aligns with the $1.05 billion equity investment in March 2024 , which stipulated that two Board seats would be granted to lead investor Liberty Strategic Capital. With Callanan's addition, the Company's Board of Directors, which was reconstituted earlier in 2024, expands to nine members, including Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer, Joseph M. Otting , Milton Berlinski , Alessandro P. DiNello , Alan Frank , Marshall Lux , Lead Independent Director Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin , Allen Puwalski , and Jennifer Whip. About Flagstar Financial, Inc. Flagstar Financial, Inc. is the parent company of Flagstar Bank, N.A., one of the largest regional banks in the country. The Company is headquartered in Hicksville, New York . At September 30, 2024, the Company had $114.4 billion of assets, $73.0 billion of loans, deposits of $83 .0 billion, and total stockholders' equity of $8 .6 billion. Flagstar Bank, N.A. operates over 400 branches, including a significant presence in the Northeast and Midwest and locations in high growth markets in the Southeast and West Coast. In addition, the Bank has approximately 80 private banking teams located in over 10 cities in the metropolitan New York City region and on the West Coast, which serve the needs of high-net worth individuals and their businesses. Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release may include forward‐looking statements by the Company and our authorized officers pertaining to such matters as our goals, beliefs, intentions, and expectations regarding (a) revenues, earnings, loan production, asset quality, liquidity position, capital levels, risk analysis, divestitures, acquisitions, and other material transactions, among other matters; (b) the future costs and benefits of the actions we may take; (c) our assessments of credit risk and probable losses on loans and associated allowances and reserves; (d) our assessments of interest rate and other market risks; (e) our ability to execute on our strategic plan, including the sufficiency of our internal resources, procedures and systems; (f) our ability to attract, incentivize, and retain key personnel and the roles of key personnel; (g) our ability to achieve our financial and other strategic goals, including those related to our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., which was completed on December 1, 2022, our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction, and our ability to fully and timely implement the risk management programs institutions greater than $100 billion in assets must maintain; (h) the effect on our capital ratios of the approval of certain proposals approved by our shareholders during our 2024 annual meeting of shareholders; (i) the conversion or exchange of shares of the Company's preferred stock; (j) the payment of dividends on shares of the Company's capital stock, including adjustments to the amount of dividends payable on shares of the Company's preferred stock; (k) the availability of equity and dilution of existing equity holders associated with amendments to the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan; (l) the effects of the reverse stock split; and (m) transactions relating to the sale of our mortgage business and mortgage warehouse business. Forward‐looking statements are typically identified by such words as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "outlook," "estimate," "forecast," "project," "should," "confident," and other similar words and expressions, and are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties, which change over time. Additionally, forward‐looking statements speak only as of the date they are made; the Company does not assume any duty, and does not undertake, to update our forward‐looking statements. Furthermore, because forward‐looking statements are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, actual results or future events could differ, possibly materially, from those anticipated in our statements, and our future performance could differ materially from our historical results. Our forward‐looking statements are subject to, among others, the following principal risks and uncertainties: general economic conditions and trends, either nationally or locally; conditions in the securities, credit and financial markets; changes in interest rates; changes in deposit flows, and in the demand for deposit, loan, and investment products and other financial services; changes in real estate values; changes in the quality or composition of our loan or investment portfolios, including associated allowances and reserves; changes in future allowance for credit losses, including changes required under relevant accounting and regulatory requirements; the ability to pay future dividends; changes in our capital management and balance sheet strategies and our ability to successfully implement such strategies; recent turnover in our Board of Directors and our executive management team; changes in our strategic plan, including changes in our internal resources, procedures and systems, and our ability to successfully implement such plan; changes in competitive pressures among financial institutions or from non‐financial institutions; changes in legislation, regulations, and policies; the imposition of restrictions on our operations by bank regulators; the outcome of pending or threatened litigation, or of investigations or any other matters before regulatory agencies, whether currently existing or commencing in the future; the success of our blockchain and fintech activities, investments and strategic partnerships; the restructuring of our mortgage business; our ability to recognize anticipated expense reductions and enhanced efficiencies with respect to our recently announced strategic workforce reduction; the impact of failures or disruptions in or breaches of the Company's operational or security systems, data or infrastructure, or those of third parties, including as a result of cyberattacks or campaigns; the impact of natural disasters, extreme weather events, military conflict (including the Russia / Ukraine conflict, the conflict in Israel and surrounding areas, the possible expansion of such conflicts and potential geopolitical consequences), terrorism or other geopolitical events; and a variety of other matters which, by their nature, are subject to significant uncertainties and/or are beyond our control. Our forward-looking statements are also subject to the following principal risks and uncertainties with respect to our merger with Flagstar Bancorp, which was completed on December 1, 2022 , and our acquisition of substantial portions of the former Signature Bank through an FDIC-assisted transaction: the possibility that the anticipated benefits of the transactions will not be realized when expected or at all; the possibility of increased legal and compliance costs, including with respect to any litigation or regulatory actions related to the business practices of acquired companies or the combined business; diversion of management's attention from ongoing business operations and opportunities; the possibility that the Company may be unable to achieve expected synergies and operating efficiencies in or as a result of the transactions within the expected timeframes or at all; and revenues following the transactions may be lower than expected. Additionally, there can be no assurance that the Community Benefits Agreement entered into with NCRC, which was contingent upon the closing of the Company's merger with Flagstar Bancorp, Inc., will achieve the results or outcome originally expected or anticipated by us as a result of changes to our business strategy, performance of the U.S. economy, or changes to the laws and regulations affecting us, our customers, communities we serve, and the U.S. economy (including, but not limited to, tax laws and regulations). More information regarding some of these factors is provided in the Risk Factors section of our Annual Report on Form 10‐K/A for the year ended December 31, 2023, Quarterly Report on Forms 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 , June 30, 2024 , and September 30, 2024 , and in other SEC reports we file. Our forward‐looking statements may also be subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those we may discuss in this news release, on our conference call, during investor presentations, or in our SEC filings, which are accessible on our website and at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov . Investor Contact: Salvatore J. DiMartino (516) 683-4286 Media Contact: Nicole Yelland (248) 219-9234 View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/flagstar-financial-inc-appoints-brian-callanan-to-board-of-directors-302331692.html SOURCE Flagstar Financial, Inc.

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Zoominfo CTO Ali Dasdan sells $53,911 in company stock

Edifier continues to establish its reputation as a premier audio brand by winning multiple awards at the esteemed Visual Grand Prix ( VGP ) 2025 in Japan , showcasing its dedication to innovation and excellence in audio technology . RICHMOND, BC , Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Japanese VGP Awards, often dubbed the "Oscar in the Audio Industry," are the largest and most credible audio-visual honors in Asia , organized annually by Ongen Publishing Co. Ltd. since 1987. These awards aggregate evaluations from numerous countries, providing consumers with trustworthy guidance for their audio and visual purchases. Edifier's accolades at the VGP Awards underscore its significant contributions and innovation in the audio sector, solidifying its reputation as a leading brand in the industry. Stanley Wen , Edifier's CTO, expressed his pleasure upon receiving awards at the VGP 2025. "These awards provide the recognition that underscores Edifier's commitment to product development and its mission to provide high-quality, exceptional audio products to consumers. Edifier is humbled to be acknowledged yet again at the prestigious VGP awards. This is a reflection of our dedication to excellence in audio innovation." The Edifier M60 was a Special Prize Winner and Gold Award Winner. The M60 is a compact 2.0 desktop speaker optimized for high-resolution audio reproduction, making it an ideal enhancement for any desktop setup. Boasting a total output power of 66W (RMS), it delivers impressive sound quality through its 1" silk dome tweeter and 3" long-throw aluminium diaphragm mid-low drivers, all wrapped in a sleek design that complements modern aesthetics. The Comfo C (EDF200161) open-ear clip-on design earbuds were a Gold Award Winner. Each earbud features a three-axis sensor, allowing flexible use in either ear for added convenience. Weighing just 5.8 grams each, the design accommodates various ear shapes and sizes, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit for all users. Additionally, the 12mm dynamic driver with a titanium-coated composite diaphragm delivers dynamic, detailed, and powerful sound, enhancing the overall listening experience. Another Gold Award Winner was the W800BT Pro . The Edifier W800BT Pro headphones offer a premium listening experience with hybrid active noise cancelling technology and Hi-Res audio support. They feature AI call noise cancellation, and with an impressive 45 hours of playtime on a single charge and fast charging capabilities, these foldable over-ear headphones provide both convenience and comfort. Also recognized was the Edifier MR3 2.0 monitor speaker system which boasts Hi-Res audio certification and a flat frequency response ranging from 52Hz to 40kHz, delivering a robust 18W x 2 (RMS) total power output. With their advanced acoustic design, precise tuning, and high-quality craftsmanship, the MR3 speakers are an ideal choice for home studios, video editing, and everyday listening. The final Award Winner was the NeoDots True Wireless earbuds. The NeoDots integrate Hybrid driver units (BA and 10mm dynamic drivers), digital signal processing, and active crossover. This combination provides superior, balanced sound with high resolution and low distortion, achieving an impressive noise cancellation depth of up to -48dB. With Bluetooth V5.4 for enhanced connectivity, the NeoDots support multipoint connection, allowing seamless switching between music, videos, and calls across two devices simultaneously, making them a versatile choice for any user. The VGP awards celebrate outstanding products that significantly impact the industry with innovative technology and design, highlighting Edifier's ongoing development and expansion of its product offerings. With registered international trademarks in over 70 countries and a globally diverse workforce supported by distribution partners and resellers, Edifier continues to strengthen its presence in the audio market worldwide. About Edifier: Edifier specializes in premium sound systems that showcase technological innovation and design elegance, delivering outstanding audio experiences through a wide range of headphones, speakers, and music systems, for personal entertainment and professional excellence. Established in May 1996 in Beijing , Edifier is the brainchild of a small group of enterprising music lovers. Over the past 25 years, Edifier has been guided by the "passion for sound" principle, which helped the brand emerge as a world-class designer and manufacturer of award-winning sound systems. Today, Edifier serves audio lovers worldwide through its distributors in over 70 countries, with operations in North America , South America , Europe , the Middle East , and Asia Pacific . More information about Edifier is available online at www.edifier.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/edifier-scoops-5-honours-at-prestigious-visual-grand-prix-2025-302317109.html SOURCE EdifierSeahawks are optimistic again and set to battle Cardinals for the NFC West lead

OpenAI could reportedly give Microsoft access to its as-yet-unrealized artificial general intelligence (AGI). As it stands now, the artificial intelligence (AI) startup has a provision that blocks Microsoft from accessing OpenAI’s AGI, or AI that can think and perform tasks at or above the level of humans. However , OpenAI is considering removing that rule from its corporate structure, allowing Microsoft — its biggest benefactor — to continue to invest and access OpenAI technology once AGI is achieved , the Financial Times (FT) reported Friday (Dec. 6), citing sources familiar with the matter. According to the report, OpenAI initially added the provision to protect AGI from being misused for commercial purposes, giving ownership of the technology to its nonprofit board. “AGI is explicitly carved out of all commercial and IP licensing agreements,” the company’s website says. However, the FT said , this clause could limit the value of OpenAI’s partnership with Microsoft, which has invested more than $13 billion into the startup. The company will need more funding as it competes with much wealthier rivals in the AI race, like Amazon and Google. OpenAI — recently valued at $150 billion — began as a nonprofit research lab but is now restructuring to transform into a public benefit corporation. Source told the FT that — as part of these changes — the company is discussing new terms with Microsoft and other investors. “When we started, we had no idea we were going to be a product company or that the capital we needed would turn out to be so huge,” CEO Sam Altman told a New York Times conference last week, per the FT. “If we knew those things, we would have picked a different structure. “We’ve also said that our intention is to treat AGI as a mile marker along the way. We’ve left ourselves some flexibility because we don’t know what will happen,” added Altman, who could for the first time gain a direct equity stake in OpenAI under the restructure. It’s also not clear when AGI will arrive, though Altman said at the same conference that it will happen “sooner than most people in the world think and it will matter much less .” Earlier this year, OpenAI board member Adam D’Angelo predicted that AGI would happen “within five to 15 years,” calling it a “very, very important change in the world when we get there.”This year’s electoral rhetoric exposed the deep fissures in our body politic, leaving many feeling disillusioned and even fractured. In this moment of potential discord, people of faith have a profound opportunity to model a different path forward — one anchored in the timeless principles of civility, justice and a fierce commitment to our nation’s highest ideals. In all their glorious diversity, many religious traditions share a common bedrock: the inherent worth and dignity of every human being, created in the image of the Divine. This sacred truth must be the north star guiding interactions, especially with those we disagree with. Civility isn’t about avoiding the tough conversations or pretending our differences don’t exist. It’s about engaging in those conversations with respect, empathy, and an open heart and mind. It’s about recognizing that our political opponents aren’t our enemies but fellow travelers on this Earth, deserving of our compassion and understanding. But make no mistake, my friends, civility is only the first step. Justice is the backbone of any truly moral society and demands our unwavering commitment. The Hebrew prophets railed against injustice, Jesus lifted the marginalized and Muhammad taught that true belief compels us to desire for others what we want for ourselves. These aren’t dusty relics of the past; they’re a blazing call to action in the present. In a post-election America where many feel their voices have been silenced or their rights threatened, people of faith ought to model righteousness. People of faith are expected to advocate for policies that promote equity, accessibility and the common good. An imperative of major faith expressions is to stand in solidarity with the vulnerable, poor and estranged. Remember that justice isn’t a zero-sum game, where one person’s gain requires another’s loss — and creating a world where all can flourish, as the prophets envisioned. Yet justice, even paired with civility, still needs a shared commitment to the nation’s social contract. A contract, enshrined in our founding documents, is a sacred trust between generations — an agreement to uphold the principles of liberty, democracy and the rule of law. It is the glue that binds us together as one people, “E pluribus unum,” even as we celebrate our differences. In the aftermath of an election, this contract is tested. It is easy to feel tempted to retreat into our respective corners and question the legitimacy of those who disagree with us. However, people of faith are bound by different ethics. Accountable to a higher call and standard. A model committed to upholding the social contract, even when it’s hard. We must engage in the political process with integrity and respect the outcomes even as we continue to advocate for our values. We are reminding ourselves and others that a single election doesn’t define our national identity but our enduring ideals. That is why all are invited to pray. Pray for the grace of civility. Pray for the courage to pursue justice for the vulnerable and champion the marginalized. Pray that we may remain one people united by our shared commitment to liberty, democracy and the rule of law. In the aftermath of this election, let us not be a force for further division but a balm to the nation’s wounds. For in doing so, we may help bring about the beloved community that has always been America’s promise — a community where all can thrive, where justice rolls down like a mighty stream, and where every person, regardless of their beliefs or background, is treated with the dignity and respect they deserve as children of God.

One of the country’s largest health insurers reversed a change in policy Thursday after widespread outcry, saying it would not tie payments in some states to the length of time a patient went under anesthesia. Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield said in a statement that its decision to backpedal resulted from “significant widespread misinformation” about the policy. “To be clear, it never was and never will be the policy of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield to not pay for medically necessary anesthesia services,” the statement said. “The proposed update to the policy was only designed to clarify the appropriateness of anesthesia consistent with well-established clinical guidelines.” Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield would have used "physician work time values," which is published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, as the metric for anesthesia limits; maternity patients and patients under the age of 22 were exempt. But Dr. Jonathan Gal, economics committee chair of the American Society for Anesthesiologists, said it's unclear how CMS derives those values. In mid-November, the American Society for Anesthesiologists called on Anthem to “reverse the proposal immediately,” saying in a news release that the policy would have taken effect in February in New York, Connecticut and Missouri. It's not clear how many states in total would have been affected, as notices also were posted in Virginia and Colorado . People across the country registered their concerns and complaints on social media, and encouraged people in affected states to call their legislators. Some people noted that the policy could prevent patients from getting overcharged. Gal said the policy change would have been unprecedented, ignored the “nuanced, unpredictable human element” of surgery and was a clear “money grab.” “It’s incomprehensible how a health insurance company could so blatantly continue to prioritize their profits over safe patient care,” he said. "If Anthem is, in fact, rescinding the policy, we’re delighted that they came to their senses.” Prior to Anthem's announcement Thursday, Connecticut comptroller Sean Scanlon said the “concerning” policy wouldn't affect the state after conversations with the insurance company. And New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in an emailed statement Thursday that her office had also successfully intervened. The insurance giant’s policy change came one day after the CEO of UnitedHealthcare , another major insurance company, was shot and killed in New York City. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.As a kid, Jack Cowin shoveled snow, delivered newspapers and sold Christmas cards for cash. By the time he reached his 20s, it was burgers instead of cards. Fast forward to today: The 82-year-old is a billionaire, thanks to his fast food empire. Cowin is the founder and chairman of Competitive Foods Australia, the company that operates Burger King as "Hungry Jack's" in Australia. He is also the largest shareholder of Domino's Pizza in Australia, and backs a plant-based meat substitute company called v2food. > Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are Before founding Hungry Jack's, Cowin was responsible for bringing Kentucky Fried Chicken to Australia in 1969. Then in 2013, he sold off his KFC franchise of 55 stores in a deal worth about $71 million, according to a representative at Competitive Foods Australia. Today, his business is worth over $3 billion and brings in over $300 million a year, Cowin told CNBC Make It. Growing up in Canada, Cowin realized early on that he wanted freedom in life. His father was an employee at the Ford Motor Company and was required to travel frequently for work. "He had a phone call one day, you're going to Brazil, or you're going to Mexico, or things like this ... When you work for a big corporation, the corporation decides where you're going to be, [and] what you're going to do," Cowin said. "And as a kid, I wanted to have the freedom to do what I wanted to do. I think I saw that relatively early, because [I saw that] dad's on the treadmill of here, there and everywhere," he said. He didn't want to be at the "whims and beckon call of a corporation." So as a child, Cowin spent his time outside of school mowing lawns and delivering newspapers. "I never had to ask for money as a kid," he said. "I was a sales guy from very early, like 8 or 10 years old." By the time college rolled around, Cowin was going from farm to farm selling "trees, shrubs and nursing stock," he said. He was so successful at it that he was making $8,000 a year while his university professors were making only $5,000 a year, he said. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from the University of Western Ontario in 1964, and went on to get a job selling life insurance he said he was very good at. "I had a reputation of being someone that could sell," he said. By the late 1960s, Cowin had begun to settle down in Canada with his wife and his first child when he one day received a phone call from a couple of high school friends. His friends had landed a job with the American Kentucky Fried Chicken company and were sent to Australia to do some market research about whether they should expand into the country. "Since my father had been there [for work], and I was the only guy ... that knew where Australia was on a map ... they phoned me up and said: 'You should be down here. You should come and see this.' So without a moment's notice, I'm on a plane and I fly to Australia," Cowin said. Cowin landed in Australia in February 1969, and spent three weeks there helping his friends conduct research — ultimately finding that there was indeed a market for fast food in Australia. "At that stage of the game, the restaurant business in Australia was fish and chip shops, Chinese restaurants and fancy white tablecloth restaurants," he said. Meanwhile, McDonald's, Burger King, KFC and other fast food restaurants were all rising in popularity in North America. "So at the end of the three weeks, I pay $1,000 as a deposit on a Kentucky Fried Chicken franchise [and] if the American company is going to open a store, then I was going to have a 10 store franchise," he said. Six months later, he received a phone call saying that the American KFC company agreed to expand into Australia and Cowin had the opportunity to own his first franchise location. But he didn't have the funds, so he started raising money. Imagine this "kid comes into your office and says he wants to borrow $10,000, which is probably about $100,000 today or more ... he's got no experience in the business, no interest on your money ... how long before you throw him out of your office for wasting your time?" "The biggest break I've had in my life was ... I got on my bike and I got 30 Canadians to lend me $10,000 each, so got $300,000," he said. "Otherwise I'd still be shoveling snow in Canada. I hadn't had the finances back then." By December 1969, Cowin moved his family to Perth, Australia, where he opened his first KFC franchise. "It was like drilling oil and hitting oil on your first wildcat well, because it was a booming success," he said. "Then, you open two more, you get into the hamburger business, you get into the pizza business, you get into the food manufacturing business, and today, that business is a $3 billion business and makes $300 million a year." Today, Cowin owns 98% of his company while the other 2% is held by some of his original investors and shareholders, he said. "That original $10,000 is $40 million at book value [today]. So everybody's got their money back, and those that stayed in have done increasingly well," he said. When asked what his secret to sales is, he said, "I think the secret is, whatever you do, do it well ... The people that lent me the money really backed me as the investment. I was the investment." " And an expression [I have is] when you can't tell the difference between work and play, you're in the right place ... I've never really worked a day in my life because I've enjoyed it." Want to earn more money at work? Take CNBC's new online course How to Negotiate a Higher Salary . Expert instructors will teach you the skills you need to get a bigger paycheck, including how to prepare and build your confidence, what to do and say, and how to craft a counteroffer. Sign up today and use coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 50% off through Nov. 26, 2024. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life.

President-elect Trump's granddaughter Kai gives rare, behind-the-scenes look inside Trump Force One Donald's granddaughter posted a YouTube video from inside Trump's plane CLICK HERE: Sign up for DailyMail.com's daily U.S. politics newsletter By JON MICHAEL RAASCH, U.S. POLITICAL REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 22:11, 27 November 2024 | Updated: 22:27, 27 November 2024 e-mail View comments Rich wood paneling, couches with plush silk pillows, flat-screen TVs and a Terminator-style bobblehead of grandpa on the dashboard - Donald Trump 's rising-star granddaughter, Kai, is giving the world an eye-opening glimpse of how the president-elect gets around in style. The eldest daughter of the former president's eldest son, Donald Trump Jr ., 17-year-old Kai Trump recently joined her father and grandpa on a recent trip to Brownsville, Texas , to watch 'Uncle Elon' Musk's recent SpaceX rocket launch. But along the way, the teen documented the high-flying day trip to south Texas in an 11-minute YouTube video this week, pulling back the curtains on some of the most intriguing previously unseen details of her grandfather's famous 'Trump Force One.' The president-elect purchased the Boeing 757 for $100 million in 2011, though it is decades older than that. 'This is the plane,' Kai says, holding the camera selfie-style. 'Let me give you a tour.' In the 11-minute video, avid golfer Kai chats it up and dances - including to her grandpa's fave 'YMCA' - with her pal Emma as the pair show off the 43-seater. Trump had the jet upgraded with 24-carat, gold-plated seat belts, a 2013 documentary revealed, describing it as having 'enough gold that if melted down it could gold-plate the outside of a Greyhound bus'. And the gold trimmings can be seen everywhere as Kai and her pal roam around the plane. President-elect Donald Trump's granddaughter, Kai Trump (L), and her friend Emma (R), wear matching outfits for a YouTube video giving a behind-the-scenes look at the Republican's plane 'Trump Force One' while documenting their trip visit 'Uncle' Elon Musk's SpaceX launch last week in south Texas Kai goes to grab a plate full of fresh fruit during the video The two can be seen practicing their dance moves and playing games ahead of their arrival to Brownsville, Texas Initially the friends are shown in a lounge area having some laughs, dancing and talking. Eventually Kai gets hungry and she disappears before coming back with a plate of fresh fruit including melon and cantaloupe. In the next shot the camera is angled down as the pair walks down some presumably sensitive areas before revealing one of the wood-paneled hallways with golden carpets. Then they come on a door open to a nearby bedroom, presumably that of the president-elect. The presidential suite features what appears to be a king-size bed covered in beige linens with matching pillows featuring the Trump family crest. The corner of a leather seat can also be seen in the quick peak. The first tour shot shows a long wood-lined hallway with golden carpet and an exit door Panning up the camera reveals a bedroom, presumably Donald Trump's, with a plush looking bed with beige bedding and a pillow emblazoned with the Trump family crest Read More Donald Trump attends SpaceX Launch in south Texas alongside Elon Musk The dazzling jumbo jet is compartmentalized into various sections for guests, aides and the president-elect himself. Immediately after the clip revealing the bedroom the video cuts to a shot walking down another area where some business-suited Trump confidantes - who's faces are not shown - are sitting toward the front of the plane. 'Hey guys!' Kai cheerfully greets them. Steps later, the interior of the front of the plane is revealed, showing the plane's front exit door where a doormat also emblazoned with the Trump family seal lays. Then the camera pans up showing that the cockpit is open allowing Kai and friend to waltz on in. In the following shots Kai is seen sitting directly behind the pilots flying Trump Force One. A bobblehead depicting the president-elect in a Terminator-style outfit: black glasses, a black leather jacket, black military-styled pants and black boots, can be seen jiggling on the plane's dashboard. Kai also buckles up in the cockpit to watch the pilots land Trump Force One in Texas The Trumpinator bobblehead showing the president-elect wearing an outfit inspired by the movie 'The Terminator' can be seen on the cockpit dashboard The 'Trumpinator' figurine depicts Trump holding a rifle with red robotic eyes like the Arnold Schwarzenegger character from the 1984 sci-fi flick. As the plane descends, the camera films the final moments before landing. 'This is pretty cool stuff,' Kai says to the camera as the pilots focus on safely getting back on the ground. 'It's not everyday you get to see a plane landed.' Automated flight sensors can be heard warning the pilots as the plane safely descends. '500 ... 100 ... 50 ... 40 ... 30 ... 20 ... 10,' the voice says as the captains bring Trump Force One back to Earth. Then the camera crew and Kai drive off to watch the SpaceX launch with Musk and grandpa Trump. Kai's father, Trump Jr., also accompanied the group on the trip and was captured various times throughout the YouTube video. YouTube TikTok Politics SpaceX Texas Share or comment on this article: President-elect Trump's granddaughter Kai gives rare, behind-the-scenes look inside Trump Force One e-mail Add commentWinners and losers from CFP, bowl selections: The Big Ten’s smooth ride, SEC angst, cold-weather dreams, letdowns for UW, USC and more

Published 4:31 pm Friday, December 13, 2024 By Submitted Q: What grade are you in? Mavrick Attig started wrestling in kindergarten. Provided A: 12 Q: What town do you live in, and which school do you attend? A: I live in Glenville, and I go to Albert Lea High School. Q: Who is your immediate family? A: My mom, Melanie; my dad, Aron; my brother, Mason; and my sister, Michaela. Q: Which sports do you play? A: Wrestling Q: What is your favorite part of playing your sport? A: My favorite part is being with my friends and learning new moves every day at practice. Q: What has playing that sport taught you? A: It’s taught me discipline and hard work. Q: What’s your favorite sports memory? A: Going to the Wisconsin Dells wrestling camp Q: How did you get started in your sport? A: My dad was a wrestler, so I tried it out in kindergarten Q: What sports did your family members play? A: My family members played basketball, football, volleyball, track and wrestling. Q: What are your sports-related achievements? A: I placed in sections my sophomore year and was on the state wrestling team. Q: What are your sports-related goals? A: Make it to state as an individual and make it to state as a team. Q: Who is your favorite professional athlete? Why? A: CJ Stroud Q: What are your college plans? Major? A: Undecided Q: What is your favorite school subject? A: My favorite school subject is reading Q: Who is your favorite teacher? A: My mom Q: What are your hobbies? A: I like to play poker, watch football, and play different yard games. Q: What is your dream job? A: Be an analyst for ESPN Q: What is your favorite TV show? A: “The Middle” Q: What is an interesting fact about you? A: I have a twinNEW HOPE, Pa. (AP) — Dayle Haddon, an actor, activist and trail-blazing former “Sports Illustrated” model who pushed back against age discrimination by re-entering the industry as a widow, has died in a Pennsylvania home from what authorities believe was carbon monoxide poisoning. Authorities in Bucks County found Haddon, 76, dead in a second-floor bedroom Friday morning after emergency dispatchers were notified about a person unconscious at the Solebury Township home. A 76-year-old man police later identified as Walter J. Blucas of Erie was hospitalized in critical condition. Responders detected a high level of carbon monoxide in the property and township police said Saturday that investigators determined that “a faulty flue and exhaust pipe on a gas heating system caused the carbon monoxide leak.” Two medics were taken to a hospital for carbon monoxide exposure and a police officer was treated at the scene. American actress and former model Dayle Haddon arrives for the screening “Where the truth lies” directed by Canadian director Atom Egoyan, at the 58th international Cannes film festival, southern France, Friday, May 13, 2005. As a model, Haddon appeared on the covers of Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Elle and Esquire in the 1970s and 1980s, as well as the 1973 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. She also appeared in about two dozen films from the 1970s to 1990s, according to IMDb.com , including 1994’s “Bullets Over Broadway,” starring John Cusack. Haddon left modelling after giving birth to her daughter, Ryan, in the mid-1970s, but then had to re-enter the workforce after her husband’s 1991 death. This time she found the modelling industry far less friendly: “They said to me, ‘At 38, you’re not viable,’” Haddon told The New York Times in 2003. Working a menial job at an advertising agency, Haddon began reaching out to cosmetic companies, telling them there was a growing market to sell beauty products to aging baby boomers. She eventually landed a contract with Clairol, followed by Estée Lauder and then L’Oreal, for which she promoted the company’s anti-aging products for more than a decade. She also hosted beauty segments for CBS’s “The Early Show.” “I kept modelling, but in a different way,” she told The Times, “I became a spokesperson for my age.” In 2008, Haddon founded WomenOne, an organization aimed at advancing educational opportunities for girls and women in marginalized communities, including Rwanda, Haiti and Jordan.’ Haddon was born in Montreal and began modelling as a teenager to pay for ballet classes — she began her career with the Canadian ballet company Les Grands Ballet Canadiens, according to her website . Haddon’s daughter, Ryan, said in a social media post that her mother was “everyone’s greatest champion. An inspiration to many.” “A pure heart. A rich inner life. Touching so many lives. A life well lived. Rest in Light, Mom,” she said.