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The Rome Court said its ruling was based on international legal principles and represents worldwide attempts to negotiate the Israeli-Palestinian dispute by taking an impartial position on the controversial matter of al-Quds’s ownership. “Acknowledging (al-Quds) as Israel’s capital would go against international law and go against Italy’s promises to support peace and neutrality in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict,” the court said. The ruling highlighted the global stance that the city’s status must be resolved through negotiations. The Rome Court said the decision underscores Italy’s commitment to peace and neutrality in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizes diplomacy over unilateral actions, and reflects the complexities of achieving a fair, lasting resolution to al-Quds’s contentious status. The ruling was welcomed by pro-Palestinian organizations and human rights groups seeing it as a confirmation of the global legal system that upholds Palestinian rights. They said that declaring al-Quds as Israel’s “capital” without a negotiated agreement “weakens the chances for peace and validates Israeli actions in territories under occupation.” Francesca Albanese, the UN special rapporteur on the rights situation in Palestine, also reacted to the Italian court’s ruling and praised the “important” decision. “Today it doesn’t rain, it pours. Important decision in the Italian justice system re the status of (al-Quds): stop calling it the capital of Israel, it is not. And the judge’s motivation is really touching,” Albanese wrote in a post on her X social media account. The United Nations, through resolutions like UN Security Council Resolution 478, has clearly stated that Israel’s declaration in al-Quds is invalid, advising member countries against setting up diplomatic offices there. Negotiations between the occupying entity and Palestine are expected to determine the final status of the city under the two-state solution framework. More than 700,000 Israelis live in over 230 settlements built since the 1967 Israeli occupation of the West Bank and East al-Quds. The international community views the settlements as illegal under international law and the Geneva Conventions due to their construction on the occupied territories. Palestinians want the West Bank as part of a future independent Palestinian state with East al-Quds as its capital.Scrolling for something new to watch on this week, November 23-29? Let me give you a hand with my picks for the best movies, TV shows and more arriving on the streaming service. Christmas officially arrives on Hulu this week, as the streamer is adding a number of holiday-themed titles, including an exclusive special from a popular TV show and a range of holiday movies that all ages can enjoy. But if you're not in the Christmas mood yet there are some alternative options as well. Check out all of the picks for this week directly below. Family Guy Holiday Special Celebrate Christmas with the Griffins on Hulu as the all-new holiday special is streaming exclusively on the platform. Titled “Gift of the White Guy,” the episode sees Peter have to recover Lois’ Christmas brooch after he gives it away in a White Elephant exchange. Also, Stewie finds out that he’s on Santa’s “Naughty List.” This is the second holiday special Hulu has had this year, following a Halloween episode. Robot Dreams (2023) Who says animated movies are exclusively for kids? , which was nominated for Best Animated Feature at the Oscars last year, is a PG-13 animated movie that follows the friendship and adventures of Dog and Robot in 1980s New York City. Despite the animal characters, the movie’s themes are much more adult-oriented. With it being “Certified Fresh” with a 98% on , it’s definitely worth giving the movie a try. Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie Mae Annie Mae Maquash was a Mi’kmaq woman, a mother, a teacher and a leader for Indigenous rights in the 1970s, but for nearly 30 years her death went unsolved. This new docuseries explores the investigation led by Annie Mae’s daughter to uncover the truth about her mother’s death, set against the backdrop of 1970s America, and deals with love, betrayal and the struggles of Native and First Nations women. Elf (2003) is a that I actively try to watch every year, so it’s good to know that it will be streaming on Hulu this year (other streamers as well, but this is a Hulu-centric article). The journey of Buddy the Elf as he leaves the North Pole to reconnect with his biological father in New York is hilarious and fills us with plenty of Christmas spirit. Get the What to Watch Newsletter The latest updates, reviews and unmissable series to watch and more! National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989) It’s that time of year again, to spend the holidays with the Griswolds. The comedy starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D’Angelo, Randy Quaid and company remains a holiday favorite for many, as Clark holds out hope for a Christmas bonus while trying to stay sane as his relatives invade his house for the holiday. Hopefully, most of us can say our family isn’t this crazy during the holidays. The Polar Express (2004) Based on the classic children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, tells the story of a young boy who is questioning his belief in Santa. But then the Polar Express stops outside his house and whisks him away to the North Pole for an adventure meant to reinstall his belief in the Christmas figure. Tom Hanks stars in multiple roles in this movie that was one of the first to use performance-capture technology and remains a holiday favorite. Nutcrackers (2024) If you're interested in checking out a new Christmas-theme movie instead of (or in addition to) well-known holiday entries, is Hulu's new offering to the genre this year. The movie stars Ben Stiller as the big city uncle of a group of children who recently lost their parents, looking after them on their rural farm as the holidays approach. Antics and heart-pulling emotions are a given.AMD Shares Surge! What It Means for the Future of Gaming

A cacophonous US election has concluded with a historic return to office for Donald Trump. As the Democrats reflect on what might have been, Trump becomes the first US president in almost 130 years to win non-consecutive terms. With the Republican party also securing a majority in the Senate, the scene is set for a more inward-looking America with broader geopolitical and economic consequences for the rest of the globe. Donald Trump will be the next President of the United States. In the end, the election was not as closely contested as anticipated. The US Supreme Court already has a conservative majority, and this may be strengthened further during the second Trump presidency. Trump will potentially be one of the more powerful US presidents in recent memory with the ability to deliver on his ambitious but contested agenda. This includes radical measures on trade, such as his declared intent to put a 60 per cent tariff on all imports from China and an across-the-board 10-20 per cent tariff on imports from other countries. If he goes ahead with these tariffs, expect trade retaliation, most certainly from China. In a highly polarised election, Trump was able to cut through a clutch of swing states, including North Carolina, Georgia and Pennsylvania. Disappointingly for Kamala Harris, she wasn’t able to land a convincing message with the undecided voters. Support from women and the younger demographic turned out to be lower than anticipated. Biden’s poor approval ratings clearly hurt her, and she was unable to set out a differentiated prospectus convincingly. Conversely, Trump was able to rally his base. Other politicians might have been sunk by two impeachments and a convicted felony, but in Trump’s case, it only propelled his supporters with more vigour. Trump’s success was underpinned by his consistency of message. He continued to draw on his original pitch to “Make America Great Again”. This time around, he also promised to “Make America Affordable Again”. He appealed to the “forgotten majority”, workers across the Rust Belt, putting their concerns uppermost in a battle against Washington insiders. The irony of a billionaire putting forward an anti-establishment prospectus continued to be part of the appeal. Trump was consistent in his aim to reduce immigration, advance a protectionist trade policy and realign foreign policy. In an age where politicians are notorious for breaking manifesto commitments, Trump looked to act as he promised. Voters relied on evidence from his first term. Recalling his first term, the electorate was aware that Trump took a hard line on immigration, signed executive orders to support domestic products, left the Trans-Pacific Partnership, withdrew from the Iran nuclear deal, challenged NATO and exited the Paris climate change accord. He outlined an “America First” vision where multilateralism was deemed surplus to requirements. Voters were aware that it was also Trump who dared to be muscular with China. It was also during his earlier presidency that there were overtures to North Korea and an entente achieved between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. That said, it was hard to ignore the manifest coarseness that marked Trump’s initial presidency. His strong-man tendencies had more in common with autocrats such as Putin and Orban than a “leader of the free world”. As allies around the world take stock of this election, they should expect Trump’s second term to be in the same mould. Arguably, he may also advance a more radical agenda to secure his legacy. Trump is likely to expect European allies to pay their fair share of military spending, instead of leaning heavily on America. From a British perspective, the expectation is that Starmer’s administration is likely to emphasise that the “special relationship” between the two nations will endure. However, a Free Trade Agreement still seems somewhat off. In relation to current conflicts, Trump is unlikely to continue funding Ukraine, but it remains to be seen how the underlying tension is resolved. It also remains to be seen if Trump has the appetite to broker a truce in the Middle East. On the trade policy front, a more protectionist approach will impact China but also risks inflationary pressures. Geopolitically, if America looks to retrench, that may have a push-and-pull impact on the balance of power in East Asia. What other signals can we read from Trump’s victory? His substantial achievement lies in converting the Republican party from its country club elitism to a mainstream blue-collar party. The other understated facet of Trumpism is that his message of self-reliance, entrepreneurism and liberty has resonated with minority groups that probably felt too shy to say so publicly. It explains his win in Florida, for example, where the Latino community tilted the balance in his favour. Millions of Americans noted that he oversaw record job creation till the global pandemic came along. On the economy, they took to heart his warning that Harris’ plans for raising taxes would constrain innovation and choke off a recovery. We can say, a victory for Trump signifies the possibility of American exceptionalism as a key organising principle in his second term. Given the current climate of geo-political uncertainty, allies across the globe should take note and recalibrate where necessary. The hope is that Trump can help resolve entrenched conflicts, but the off-setting risk remains an increase in volatility.Olivia Olson scored 18 points, including eight straight to open the fourth quarter, as the No. 23 Michigan Wolverines survived a 60-54 scare from the Northwestern Wildcats in the Big Ten opener for each team in Ann Arbor, Mich. Northwestern (4-4, 0-1 Big Ten) led throughout the third quarter and took a four-point lead into the fourth, but Olson capped her 8-0 burst with a 3-pointer, and Syla Swords also nailed a trey to put the Wolverines (8-1, 1-0) ahead 50-44. Michigan has won eight straight games since opening the season with a six-point loss to then-No. 1 South Carolina. Caileigh Walsh's 3-pointer put the Wildcats back in front 53-52 with 3:36 to go. Michigan responded by scoring eight of the game's last nine points, six by Jordan Hobbs. Hobbs finished with 16 points and teammate Mila Holloway had 10. Kyla Jones led Northwestern with 14 points and Walsh notched 10 before fouling out. No. 4 Texas 93, James Madison 62 Madison Booker, Jordan Lee and Rori Harmon dominated the first half as the Longhorns clobbered the host Dukes in Harrisonburg, Va. Booker scored 21 points, Lee added 20 and Harmon 19 by combining on 25-of-33 shooting. They had 49 of their points in the first half as Texas (7-1) piled up a 58-29 halftime lead. The Longhorns, who entered seventh in the nation in scoring at 90 points per game, shot 54 percent for the game to 40 percent for the Dukes. Roshala Scott led James Madison (7-3) with 22 points and Peyton McDaniel and Ashanti Barnes had 12 apiece. McDaniel added eight rebounds for the Dukes, who had 24 turnovers. No. 10 Notre Dame 93, Syracuse 62 The Fighting Irish pulled away from a seven-point halftime lead to demolish the host Orange in the ACC opener for both schools. The trio of Sonia Citron, Hannah Hidalgo and Olivia Miles led Notre Dame's win with double-doubles. Citron had 25 points and 11 rebounds, Hidalgo racked up 24 and 10, respectively, and Miles shone with 20 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists. Hidalgo, third in Division I in scoring (24.6 ppg), netted nine points and Citron had eight in the third quarter, as Notre Dame (7-2, 1-0 ACC) outscored Syracuse (4-6, 0-1) 29-13 to pull away. Keira Scott posted 16 points and Sophie Burrows tacked on 13 for the Orange, who shot only 32.5 percent. The Irish shot 50 percent and thrived despite 20 turnovers. No. 16 North Carolina 72, Coppin State 46 The Tar Heels built a comfortable halftime lead and used its bench players freely in devouring the Eagles in Chapel Hill, N.C. North Carolina (9-1) entered second-best in the nation in scoring defense at 49.1 points per game and excelled again, holding Coppin State to 27.3 percent shooting. Meanwhile, the Tar Heels shot 44.4 percent while having 12 players enter the scoring column, led by Maria Gakdeng's 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting. Reniya Kelly scored six of her eight points in the first quarter as North Carolina took a 23-13 lead. The Tar Heels grew the lead to 46-27 by intermission. Tiffany Hammond and Angel Jones scored 12 points apiece for Coppin State (6-5), and Laila Lawrence added 10 points with 10 rebounds. No. 18 Ole Miss 85, Tennessee State 38 The Rebels had more points by halftime than the Lady Tigers scored in the game after jumping out to a 14-2 lead in the first quarter and 44-19 by intermission. Kennedy Todd-Williams led Ole Miss (6-3) with 15 points and seven rebounds, and Sira Thienou added 12 and six, respectively. The Rebels shot 46 percent for the game. Ole Miss began the day seventh in the nation in scoring defense at 49.8 points allowed per game, and it punished Tennessee State to the tune of 23.6 percent shooting and 22 forced turnovers. XaiOnna Whitfield led the Lady Tigers (4-6) with 10 points. No. 20 Iowa State 82, Central Michigan 56 Audi Crooks scored 19 points on 9-of-12 shooting and added 10 rebounds as the Cyclones slammed the Chippewas in Ames, Iowa. Emily Ryan netted 10 of her 12 points in the first quarter and Crooks scored nine in the period as Iowa State (8-2) jumped out to a 31-13 lead and enjoyed a cushion of at least 18 points the rest of the way. Addy Brown added 18 points for the Cyclones, who shot 52.5 percent and rolled despite having 20 turnovers. Jayda Mosley led Central Michigan (3-6) with 11 points and Madi Morson and Ayanna-Sarai Darrington added 10 apiece. The Chippewas shot only 33.3 percent from the floor and had 26 turnovers. No. 24 Michigan State 89, DePaul 61 The unbeaten Spartans put four scorers in double figures as they systematically disposed of the Blue Demons in East Lansing, Mich. Jaddan Simmons finished with 18 points, five rebounds and five assists, and Julia Ayrault stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and three steals for Michigan State (9-0). Emma Shumate and Jocelyn Tate had 12 and 10 points, respectively. Jorie Allen put up 15 points, 11 boards, seven assists and three steals and Grace Carstensen also notched 15 points for DePaul (3-7), which shot just 28.8 percent despite hitting 9 of 18 of its 3-point attempts. The Spartans led by seven after one quarter and 17 at halftime before coasting through the second half. No. 25 Nebraska 84, Minnesota 65 Strong first quarters by Callin Hake and Amiah Hargrove sent the Cornhuskers on their way to pinning the first loss on the Golden Gophers in the Big Ten Conference opener for each team. Hake scored eight of her 11 points in the first period and Hargrove eight of her 10 as Nebraska (8-1, 1-0 Big Ten) seized a 27-11 lead and never looked back. Hargrove scored eight of the Cornhuskers' 10 straight points to end the quarter. Alberte Rimdal led the winners with 12 points and Alexis Markowski added 11 with nine rebounds. Mallory Heyer collected 12 points and eight rebounds for Minnesota (10-1, 0-1). Tori McKinney scored 11 points and Grace Crocholski and Alexsia Rose 10 apiece, but the Golden Gophers hit just 35.2 percent of their shots. --Field Level MediaJMM Secures Second Consecutive Win in Jharkhand

What began as a connection via a gaming platform then became a years-long obsession led to a confrontation and stabbing in the Bolsa Knolls neighborhood north of Salinas, according to the Monterey County Sheriff's Office. Multiple calls came in just before 10pm on Sunday, Nov. 25, reporting a stabbing. Deputies responded to a home on Bollenbacher Drive and discovered three people had been stabbed, including one of two suspects. According to the Sheriff's Office, 25-year-old Devin Wolfgang Vandorhoef connected with one of the victims, a woman in Salinas. He eventually decided to board a plane to travel from where he lives in Canada to Salinas, accompanied by 25-year-old Darius Avery Whyte (also from Canada). Vandorhoef allegedly knocked on the woman's front door on Sunday night, holding a package and posing as a delivery driver. The woman's boyfriend answered the door, when a sheriff's office spokesperson reports Vandorhoef forced his way in and began stabbing the boyfriend with a knife. The woman responded with a sharp object, stabbing the suspect—in defending her boyfriend, she was also stabbed and strangled by the intruder. All three people were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Deputies discovered the package Vandorhoef was holding contained handcuffs, duct tape and knives. When deputies contacted Whyte near the scene, he claimed he had no knowledge of the incident; further investigation led deputies to believe he was aware of the plan. He was arrested on Monday morning, Nov. 26, while sitting on a plane at San Jose Mineta International Airport, preparing to return to Canada. Both men are in custody at Monterey County Jail on charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to commit attempted murder, respectively. Information on attorneys representing them was not immediately available.Ferrari and McLaren were in contention to win the F1 Constructor’s Championship, entering the final race of the season. Naturally, the most popular celebrities made their way to the paddock in Abu Dhabi to catch this championship-deciding showdown. The tennis world also had great representation as the biggest players, including Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner, witnessed Lando Norris pull off a masterclass. Aryna Sabalenka Aryna Sabalenka’s newfound passion for motorsports doesn’t come as a surprise. Her boyfriend Georgios Frangulis competed in the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge and the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. Not to mention that Sabalenka already made her way to a Grand Prix earlier this season. During her trip to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Sabalenka hung out with the Haas team. However, on Sunday, the World No.1 was hosted by the Alpine team in Abu Dhabi. As a social media enthusiast, the Belarusian also got members of the team to dance to “The Ketchup Song” and posted the wholesome video on her Instagram account. Jannik Sinner Sinner was given the massive honor of waving the chequered flag at the end of Lap 58. Before fulfilling this task, the two-time Grand Slam winner was able to meet with Max Verstappen, who won this season’s drivers’ championship and took a lap around the Yas Marina Circuit with Charles Leclerc in a Ferrari. The San Candido native was also spotted in the Italy-based team’s garage. His presence seemed to bring good fortune, as both their drivers – Carlos Sainz Jr. and Leclerc – secured podium finishes in an action-packed race. Paula Badosa It is evident from her social media activities that Paula Badosa has spent her past few days in Abu Dhabi. So, it wasn’t surprising to see the Spaniard join her peers to witness the battle. Badosa, who is often seen driving an Aston Martin with her partner Stefanos Tsitsipas, was part of the same team’s garage and even clicked a photo with F1 legend Fernando Alonso before the race. Grigor Dimitrov Grigor Dimitrov was spotted at the McLaren garage. He also crossed paths with American actress Eva Longoria during his visit to the race. The 33-year-old couldn’t have picked a better garage to support since McLaren clinched the Constructor’s Championship, thanks to Lando Norris’ brilliance, marking their first title win since 1998.

The hunt for the suspect involved in the murder of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson intensifies as authorities close in on him. New York City Mayor Eric Adams was reported by the New York Post on Saturday, stating the "net is tightening" around the suspect. Thompson, aged 50, who served as CEO of UnitedHealth's insurance division since April 2021, was fatally shot in the back early Wednesday morning. The attack, described by police as targeted, caught the executive unawares, sending the shooter on a manhunt escape through Central Park. Video footage released by law enforcement demonstrates the premeditated nature of the crime and the suspect's actions after the attack. Despite clues suggesting he left the city via bus, the suspect remains at large. Authorities are calling for public cooperation to aid the investigation. (With inputs from agencies.)Man on trial in Ole Miss student's death lied to investigators, police chief says

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Dallas Mavericks take on the Oklahoma City Thunder at 8:30 p.m. CT Tuesday on KFAA! Not sure how to watch? Here's a breakdown on how to tune in – and guarantee you get the clearest signal possible of the broadcast. The Dallas Mavericks (16-8) have won nine of their last 10 games and are looking to ride that hot streak when they take on the No. 1 team in the West, the Oklahoma City Thunder (18-5), in the NBA Cup Quarterfinals. The Mavs earned the wildcard spot in the NBA Cup against the Grizzlies . Now, they'll face the Thunder in OKC, pitting the reigning Western Conference champions against the West's top team. This is the first time playing in the NBA Cup, formerly known as the In-Season Tournament, for both the Mavs and the Thunder. The incentive to win: cold, hard cash. By just making it to the quarterfinals, each player is guaranteed a little money. Here's a breakdown of how much players in the NBA Cup earn: NBA Cup champions: $514,970 NBA Cup runners-up: $205,988 NBA Cup semifinalists losers: $102,994 NBA Cup quarterfinalist losers: $51,497 Dallas Mavericks injury report PJ Washington: Questionable (illness) Naji Marshall: Questionable (illness) Maxi Kleber: Out (illness) Dante Exum: Out (right wrist surgery) Jaden Hardy: Out (right ankle sprain) Oklahoma City Thunder injury report Chet Holmgren: Out (right iliac hip fracture) Nikola Topic: Out (ACL) Jaylin Williams: Out (right hamstring strain) Ousmane Dieng: Out (right ring finger fracture) Adam Flagler: Out (right fourth metacarpal fracture) What's next Tonight's matchup against the Thunder will determine the Mavs' schedule moving forward. If they win, they advance to the semi-finals to play the winner of the Rockets/Warriors Cup game on Saturday. If they win in the semis, they will advance to play in the NBA Cup Finals next Tuesday against one of the four Eastern Conference finalists — either the Knicks, Bucks, Magic or Hawks. If they lose in the semis, they'll play the loser of the Rockets/Warriors matchup. Their next regular season game is against the Clippers on Dec. 19 at 7:30 p.m. on WFAA! (If the Mavs win) Saturday, Dec. 14 vs. TBD *NBA Cup Semi-Finals* (If the Mavs lose) Sunday, Dec. 15 vs. TBD (If the Mavs win both Cup games) Tuesday, Dec. 17 vs. TBD *NBA Cup Finals* Thursday, Dec. 19 vs. LA Clippers at 7:30 p.m. CTBJP Powers Mahayuti To Mind-boggling Maharashtra Win, While JMM Leads INDIA Bloc To Jharkhand Glory

Meet the 12 CFP Title Contenders: No. 12 Clemson

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A ban on New Zealanders wearing or displaying symbols of gang affiliation in public took effect on Thursday, with police officers making their first arrest for a breach of the law three minutes later. The man was driving with gang insignia displayed on the dashboard of his car and was among more than a dozen people arrested or summoned to appear in court for exhibiting such symbols since the law took force, New Zealand’s police said Friday. The prohibition on displaying gang insignia anywhere outside private homes, including on clothing or in vehicles, is among a suite of new measures intended to bolster police powers to disrupt the groups. Wearing or displaying the insignia of 35 listed gangs will now prompt a fine of up to 5,000 New Zealand dollars ($2,940) or up to six months in jail. New Zealand’s center-right government, which pledged ahead of last October’s election to tackle gang crime, says the measures will reduce the membership of groups responsible for violence and drug offenses. But detractors say the law breaches civil liberties and could drive gang activities underground. "Gangs aren’t community groups. They’re not a Rotary club," Prime Minister Christopher Luxon wrote on social media Thursday. “They thrive on destroying the lives of other New Zealanders, whether that’s by peddling drugs or through brutal acts of violence that leave communities in fear.” Under the new law, officers can also disperse public gatherings of three or more members, bar some gang affiliates from associating with each other, and enter homes of those who keep breaking the law to search for banned items. Gang membership will now be considered by the courts when sentencing offenders. Police Minister Mark Mitchell told reporters Thursday that two people were arrested hours after the law took effect for wearing gang “patches,” which are large insignia often worn by gang members on the backs of leather jackets or vests. The government says the patches are intimidating because members are required to earn them through violent acts. The measures shift New Zealand's response to gangs closer to that of neighboring Australia, which also uses a law to suppress the public visibility of gangs, and away from jurisdictions like the U.S. and Britain, which use criminal law to respond to specific activities carried out by organized crime groups, according to a report published by Treasury officials in February. Facial tattoos that display gang insignia are exempt from the ban, as is the wearing of gang colors. The government was criticized by some for not including white supremacist groups in its list of 35 organizations targeted by the new law. That means displaying swastikas and making Nazi salutes remains legal in New Zealand -– unlike in Australia, which banned both in a law that took effect in January. There are nearly 9,400 people on a New Zealand police list of known gang members. New Zealand’s population is 5 million. Successive governments have vowed to tackle criminal gangs, which often are linked to poverty and other deprivation. The previous center-left government was decried by Luxon’s administration for working with gangs on social initiatives, including COVID-19 vaccination efforts, while the current government has been denounced for advancing policies that are likely to ensnare some of New Zealand’s most marginalized groups, including Indigenous Māori. Official reports say three-quarters of those on the national gang list are Māori, who make up less than 20% of New Zealanders, and that 80% to 90% of those in two of the most notorious gangs are former wards of the state. Luxon made a formal apology this month for the widespread abuse of children and vulnerable adults in state care over the past seven decades.Derek Hess, 28, of Penn Laird, attributes his success in finance to his experiences. Hess, named to the Daily News-Record’s 10 Under 40 list by the newspaper’s editorial board, said he has lived in the Shenandoah Valley since he was two years of age. He graduated from James Madison University in 2018 with a major in finance and a minor in economics. Hess then took his first job at PBMares, LLP in Fredericksburg in their Wealth Management division. However, his wife accepted a job in the Valley, so he transitioned to their Harrisonburg branch. Hess said he “always liked the Harrisonburg area.” He enjoys working in the city and appreciates the ability to be a short distance from nature. Hess then decided to work at Hess Financial in 2022 as a a Certified Financial PlannerTM (CFP®). According to Hess, his father started the company in 2011. Hess Financial’s fundamental values are centered on authenticity, relationships and education, according to Hess Financial’s website. Hess said he did not start his career in financial planning because of his father or because he intended to work with him. “I felt the field of financial planning was a good mix of using technical knowledge and working with people,” said Hess. “My father and I agreed that it was important for me to find my way as I started my career, and eventually, our professional paths crossed again organically.” Hess has enjoyed managing his own money and staying organized with it. However, he also wanted to make sure he could have a job interacting with and helping people, said Hess. According to Hess, these skills and attributes make him an excellent fit for financial planning. “It just seemed like it was the right blend of the technical skills and the people-facing career that I wanted,” said Hess. Hess said he enjoys teaching people, coaching them on managing money, and having a better relationship with money. Hess said that growing up in the area and being a part of the professional community today has made being named to the 10 Under 40 list incredibly special to him. “I’m doing the best that I can to show others in my network that even if we’re young and they’re still getting started, there’s a lot that we can do,” said Hess. Hess said that finding opportunities outside of work to contribute has helped him in his career. He encourages others to adopt those behaviors to succeed throughout their careers and become more well-rounded community members. Hess participates with the Young Professionals Association, an organization created by local young professionals in the Harrisonburg area. YPA’s mission is to “connect and engage young professionals by providing social networking, professional development, and volunteer opportunities,” according to YPA’s website. He is also involved at Big Brothers Big Sisters and Massanutten Regional Library. Hess said he has learned a lot from other professionals and mentors, which has helped him grow professionally. Hess, in return, hopes to inspire that same support to those in the community.