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Broncos hope to continue playoff push when they meet the banged-up Raiders

The Philadelphia Eagles clinched the NFC East division title on Sunday, handing the Dallas Cowboys a humiliating 41-7 defeat while the Buffalo Bills secured the second seed in the AFC with a 40-14 crushing of the New York Jets. The Cowboys were already eliminated from playoff contention and without top receiver CeeDee Lamb with a shoulder injury, but it was their defense that struggled. Eagles starting quarter-back Jalen Hurts missed the game due to concussion. Kenny Pickett got the start but had to leave the game in the third quarter with a rib injury with Philadelphia 24-7 up. That meant third-choice Tanner McKee took over under the center and two of his four passes were for touchdowns. The real damage to the Cowboys, who gave up four turnovers, was done by the Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley who put up 167 yards on 31 carries to pass the 2,000 yard mark for the season. Barkley, who has 2,005 yards needs to put up 101 yards next week to break Eric Dickerson's record for the most rushing yards in a season, set for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984. The win means the Eagles are guaranteed at least the number two seed in the NFC. The Bills take the second seed in the AFC, behind the Kansas City Chiefs, after taking care of business against the New York Jets. The Bills led 12-0 at the half before their quarterback Josh Allen took total control of the game with touchdown passes to Amari Cooper and Keon Coleman either side of a rushing score from James Cook. Allen, who threw for 182 yards, had opened the scoring with a one-yard rush. Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw two interceptions and was sacked four times. The Indianapolis Colts were eliminated from playoff contention after falling 45-33 to the 3-13 New York Giants. While the Giants had nothing to play for, quarterback Drew Lock enjoyed himself -- he matched his career high of four touchdown passes and rushed for another score as the Giants ended their 10-game losing streak. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kept their post-season hopes alive as Baker Mayfield threw for 359 yards and five touchdowns in a 48-14 rout of the Carolina Panthers. Later on Sunday, the Minnesota Vikings, searching for the top seed in the NFC, take on NFC North divisional rivals the Green Bay Packers. The Washington Commanders would book a playoff berth if they can beat the Atlanta Falcons in Sunday night's game. sev/bbiMars conference reveals details on the EES pre-enrollment app

Far-right streamer Nick Fuentes, who usually welcomes publicity, received the type he probably didn’t want after Donald Trump’s election victory. The 26-year old white supremacist and antisemite, who has been banned from multiple social media sites for violating hate speech policies, posted on X: “Your body, my choice. Forever.” Although Fuentes has denied being a white supremacist, the U.S. Department of Justice characterized him as such in a brief related to the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. And, judging from the snippets of his opinions that I have heard, Including his trolling about women’s bodies, he appears to fit the description of an all-around bigot. The Institute for Strategic Dialogue, which tracks online hate speech, reported this consequence of Fuentes’ tweet: a 4,600 percent increase in the usage of the terms “your body, my choice” and “get back in the kitchen” on X during a 24-hour period, according to the Washington Post. In response, women started trolling the troll, posting messages aimed at Fuentes and “doxxing” him with suggestions to send tampons, sex toys and other appropriate gifts to his home. “His address, my choice,” one clever user wrote. Kids, do not try this at home. Two wrongs don’t make a right, no matter how amusing it may seem. Such is the price of carefully cultivated infamy. A long-time denizen of the internet’s dark fringes, Fuentes’ renown has grown by leaps after his suspended account on Elon Musk’s X was reinstated earlier this year. A known leader among the angry grievance gangs in the online hive of far-right and neo-Nazi trolls widely known as the “manosphere,” among other labels, Fuentes should not be viewed as anything more than a nuisance, in my view. And, in fairness — and under advice offered forcefully by my millennial generation son — I don’t want to give the impression that every fan of Joe Rogan, Andrew Tate or other hairy-chested manly-men streamers is a member of the angry manosphere. Rather, the manosphere conversation is a product of the widespread anger, frustration and disenchantment that has led to the surprisingly large drop-off in support AND votes for the Democratic Party’s candidates. Trump’s winning strategy involved luring and enlisting mostly a male-oriented following that was largely voting for the first time. That formerly apathetic group paid off well for Trump in his previous campaigns. But it worked for him even more in his contest against Democrat Kamala Harris. He pulled out all the stops and it paid off even more. Scott Galloway, a New York University marketing professor who has studied disengaged young men for decades, told CNN that this election should be remembered as the “testosterone podcast election.” For the first time in U.S. history, a 35-year-old man without a college diploma is making less than his parents were, Galloway observed, citing averages. ”Against that, do (such issues as) trans rights or the territorial sovereignty of Palestinians even register on your screen?” In other words, Galloway is saying what many other critics, including me, have said about today’s Democrats and Harris’ campaign: With its late start, unclear agenda and unfocused message, it failed to excite a critical number of otherwise persuadable voters as, day after day, the polls hardly moved from a 50-50 tie. Kamala Harris’s campaign was “predicated on the dominance and continuance” of a presumed “monoculture,” Jon Caramanica wrote in the New York Times. As a member in good standing of the monoculture, Harris could bask in the endorsements of Oprah, Beyonce and Taylor Swift. Meanwhile, Caramanica continued, “Trump, denied access to this monoculture, took an approach that was both fragmentary and more modern — and in many ways more attuned to the rhythm of a young person’s media diet. He leaned into the evanescent, the niche, the lightly scandalous.” Harris did do some fun podcasts like “Call Her Daddy” and “Club Shay Shay,” but as Caramanica pointed out, they did little to change the narrative of her campaign. Ever since Barack Obama made effective use of Twitter and other social media in the 2008 presidential race, we have seen new technology create new media that have played a central campaign role. But, contrary to Marshall McLuhan’s famous line, the medium is not always the message. Sure, give Trump credit for finding a medium through which to reach disaffected young men. In a tossup race, they helped put him on top. But one wonders if the result would have been different if Harris had reached out to this group with even a marginally more effective message, regardless of the media in question. To win over voters, you have to show them that you understand their problems and that, even when you may not have all the answers, you still truly want to solve those problems. As hard as it may be for Democrats to admit, Trump made a more persuasive case to those outside the monoculture. Email Clarence Page at cpage@chicagotribune.com.

Gabriel mimics Gyokeres in cheeky goal celebration in Arsenal win over Sporting in Champions LeagueNorth Korea could go 'all in' and send thousands more troops to Ukraine, warns expert

Gibson Energy Announces Contract Extension at Gateway, Sanctioning of the Gateway Dredging Project and $200 million in 2025 Growth Capital & Share BuybacksHyderabad, Nov 23 (IANS): Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K. T. Rama Rao on Saturday said that regional parties have always been and will continue to be the future of Indian politics. He also alleged that the Congress party has failed to become a strong opposition but is hellbent on destroying regional parties. Rama Rao also believes that the BJP is surviving because of the Congress party's inability and incompetence. He accused both the national parties of piggybacking on regional parties. KTR, as Rama Rao is popularly known, was reacting to the results of the Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly elections. "The writing is on the wall! Today's Maharashtra and Jharkhand election results have sent a clear message: Regional parties have always been and will continue to be the future of Indian politics," KTR posted on 'X'. "Congress party fails to become a strong opposition but is hellbent on destroying regional parties. This has become a recurring theme. I reiterate BJP is surviving only because of Congress' inability and incompetence. Both the national parties are shamelessly piggybacking on regional parties' hard work and commitment," said the BRS MLA. He also said that Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddys campaign in Maharashtra proved utter flop. "Also, a word of advice to CM Revanth Reddy. Your campaigns, speeches bags and choppers couldn’t save your party from utter failure, now can you focus on your primary duty as the CM and deliver the six guarantees that you promised to the Telangana public more than a year ago," he added. Meanwhile, Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy hailed Mahayuti's landslide victory in Maharashtra. "Thank you, Maharashtra, for the landslide mandate to BJP-SS-NCP. This mandate is a reiteration of the faith, trust, and confidence of the people of Maharashtra in the development and welfare-oriented politics of the Mahayuti government and the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he said. The BJP leader congratulated all the party workers in Maharashtra. "With renewed energy, Mahayuti will continue to work towards making Maharashtra a $1 trillion economy," he added. He said the Congress party has once again become a laughing stock. He alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi carried out false propaganda and tried to divide people in the name of religion and caste but the people of Maharashtra taught a lesson to the INDIA bloc.kk jili register 。

WASHINGTON — There's a common trait that President-elect Donald Trump is clearly prizing as he selects those to serve in his new administration: experience on television. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., speaks during a hearing July 18, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Duffy to be Transportation Secretary. Trump loves that "central casting" look, as he likes to call it. Some, like his choices for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, and transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, were until recently TV hosts on Trump's favorite network, Fox News. Mike Huckabee, his pick for U.S. ambassador to Israel, hosted the Fox show “Huckabee” from 2008 to 2015 after his time as Arkansas governor. Dr. Mehmet Oz, a former syndicated talk show host and heart surgeon, was tapped to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the agency that oversees health insurance programs for millions of older, poor and disabled Americans. He would report to Trump's choice for health and human services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., himself a regular on the cable news circuit. Mehmet Oz visits the AW Driving School & License Testing Center on Sept. 23, 2022, in Allentown, Pa. Trump, a former reality television star himself, has made no secret of his intention to stack his administration with loyalists after his decisive 2024 election win — including some whose lack of relevant experience has raised concerns among lawmakers. But he's also working to set up a more forceful administration in this term, and in his eyes, many of those people happen to intersect with celebrity. The trend was not lost on Democratic Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, who posted on social media after the Oz nomination: “We are becoming the world’s first nuclear-armed reality television show.” For good measure, Himes added: “Just spitballing here, but what if the Attorney General and the Secretary of HHS fight each other in an octagonal cage?” That was a reference to Trump's affinity for the UFC fighters who do battle in the octagon. Choosing TV personalities isn't that unusual for the once-and-future president: A number of his first-term choices — John Bolton, Larry Kudlow, Heather Nauert and Mercedes Schlapp, were all on TV — mostly also on Fox. Omarosa Manigault Newman, a confrontational first-season member of Trump's NBC show “The Apprentice," was briefly at the White House before she was fired. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican who ran Trump’s 2016 transition team until he was fired, said that eight years ago, Trump held “Apprentice-like interviews at Bedminster,” summoning potential hires to his club in New Jersey. On a call on Tuesday organized by the Council on Foreign Relations, Christie said this year’s Cabinet choices are different than 2016’s but it’s still “Donald Trump casting a TV show.” “He’s casting,” Christie said. Trump has readily highlighted the media experience of his choices as he's announced them. He said Duffy, a former lawmaker and onetime cast member of MTV’s “The Real World," was “a STAR on Fox News.” Pete Hegseth walks to an elevator for a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower on Dec. 15, 2016, in New York. Hegseth, a military veteran, “has been a host at FOX News for eight years, where he used that platform to fight for our Military and Veterans,” Trump said. He also noted that Hegseth's book “The War on Warriors” spent nine weeks on The New York Times “best-sellers list, including two weeks at NUMBER ONE.” As for Oz, Trump said: “He won nine Daytime Emmy Awards hosting ‘The Dr. Oz Show,’ where he taught millions of Americans how to make healthier lifestyle choices." It's also true that those seeking positions in Trump's orbit often take to the airwaves to audition for an audience of one. Tom Homan, Trump's choice for “border czar,” is a frequent Fox contributor. Ohio Sen. JD Vance was chosen as Trump's running mate in part because of how well he comes across on air. Trump's choice to lead the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, upped his profile when he took to Fox News to argue that a pre-election appearance on NBC's “Saturday Night Live” by Democratic nominee Kamala Harris was a violation of the “equal time” rule governing candidate appearances on television. The White House-to-cable news pundit pipeline tends to cut across administrations of both parties, to some extent. President Joe Biden had three MSNBC contributors on his transition team and his former press secretary went to the network after she left the White House. Biden, though, looked to career diplomats, longtime government workers and military leaders for key posts like the Defense Department. Trump's affinity for Fox News is well-documented, though the romance cooled for a time after Fox made an early call of Arizona for Biden in 2020, a move that infuriated Trump and many of the network’s viewers. Trump suggested viewers should migrate to other conservative news outlets. While the Arizona call ultimately proved correct, it set in motion internal second-guessing and led some Fox personalities to embrace conspiracy theories, which ultimately cost the network $787 million to settle a defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems. But Trump is still an avid watcher — the network provides Trump a window into conservative thinking, with commentary from Republican lawmakers and thinkers who are, often, speaking directly to the president-elect. Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration, and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign. In a statement, Trump called McGinley “a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda, while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement.” Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

Who really was Maui, the demigod portrayed in Moana? And did Disney get him right?

This writer is, well, a writer. She has a background and degrees in English and nursing but no formal political experiences. That being said, she was one of the people who said that Donald Trump was going to win this election, despite the polls and media fawning. It came down not to the poll data but an exercise in logic: Joe Biden was ousted from the campaign because he was going to lose, and what did Kamala Harris do differently than Joe Biden to move the campaign needle? The answer was nothing, and the campaign didn't act like one that was winning. The big giveaway was the Kamala campaign reaching out to reliably Democrat voter blocs while Donald Trump was making appearances in bluer areas, as this writer mentioned here. And now that the election is over, it's okay for the former Kamala campaign staffers to admit what this writer (and many others) knew all along: she was never going to win. BREAKING: Kamala Harris campaign aides are now saying that internal polling never actually had her ahead of Donald Trump. Least surprising revelation of this campaign cycle, frankly. "Plouffe said the campaign’s internal polling never had Harris ahead of Trump." WTAF! https://t.co/oJOBWWoQyX More from Huffpost: And she might not have had much chance of winning anyway, given the deficit she inherited from Biden when he dropped out of the race in July. 'We were hopeful. I don’t know how optimistic we were, but we thought, OK, this is tied, and if a couple things break our way [we could win],' David Plouffe, a senior adviser to the campaign, said Tuesday on the ' Pod Save America' podcast in a joint interview with fellow Harris campaign alums Jen O’Malley Dillon, Quentin Fulks and Stephanie Cutter. Plouffe said the campaign’s internal polling never had Harris ahead of Trump. 'We didn’t get the breaks we needed on Election Day,' he said. 'I think it surprised people, because there was these public polls that came out in late September, early October, showing us with leads that we never saw.' Internal polling was always negative. The True ET Analyzers never bought the idea that Kamala is 'brat' and that it was the summer of 'joy & vibe' pic.twitter.com/afFTZZGc6C The campaign wasn't 'brat' or 'joy', but it was a whole bunch of cringe. An open primary would've avoided a lot of issues but Dems wanted to play identity politics + were afraid that there won't be time to campaign/and a primary can also be nasty pic.twitter.com/sL8f33OW2f And Kamala wouldn't have been the nominee if they'd done a primary. I'm no MAGA guy, but the Media lied to us. I've long had healthy skepticism towards them, but after their behavior these past years, I will never trust them again. https://t.co/KvUDmIBP8k They don't deserve our trust. So either they were lying to the media, or the media was lying. https://t.co/JaJExEd1Mx Probably a little of both, frankly. Kamala Harris Campaign Aides Suggest Campaign Was Just Doomed "Plouffe said the campaign’s internal polling NEVER HAD HER AHEAD OF TRUMP." https://t.co/CEs7W5qU4u pic.twitter.com/E0buh6imHC That was soooo much cope. "Plouffe said the campaign’s internal polling NEVER HAD HER AHEAD OF TRUMP." You mean, internally, it looked something like - this? https://t.co/iGKub3d6iE pic.twitter.com/2dbmP92Es1 Oh look. Rasmussen was right.Ducommun: More Upside On Boeing And Airbus Ramp UpI'm an engineer who left Silicon Valley for Philadelphia. I was worried about leaving the tech hub, but I love Philly's lower cost of living.Commonwealth Games row latest: Ex-UK sports minister says tying Ulster Banner flag to racism is 'insulting'

Published 4:31 pm Saturday, December 28, 2024 By Data Skrive The Memphis Grizzlies and Oklahoma City Thunder take the court in one of six exciting games on the NBA schedule on Sunday. Info on live coverage of Sunday’s NBA action is available for you. Get the latest news sent to your inbox Sign up for NBA League Pass to get access to games, live and on-demand, and more for the entire season and offseason. Watch ESPN originals, The Last Dance and more NBA content on ESPN+. Use our link to sign up for ESPN+ or the Disney bundle. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .Hezbollah escalated its military response against Israel on Sunday, launching about 250 rockets and projectiles, which resulted in seven injuries in one of their most intense attacks in recent months. This violence follows deadly Israeli airstrikes in Beirut, as efforts toward negotiating a ceasefire struggle amid ongoing hostilities. The conflict has spread to the Tel Aviv area in Israel and left Lebanon's military grappling with significant losses, including 40 troops since the war began. Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati condemned Israel's latest offensive as undermining international peace efforts. As diplomatic negotiations continue, with pressure from the European Union, the likelihood of a ceasefire remains uncertain. The EU has proposed allocating funds to strengthen Lebanon's military capabilities as part of a potential agreement that hinges on both parties agreeing to a truce. (With inputs from agencies.)

Angry citizens raise voice as city records poor AQI on 3rd straight daySTEPHEN DAISLEY: How to lose friends... and influence nobody. If Flynn is their rising star, the SNP is in for some very dark nights Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport By STEPHEN DAISLEY FOR THE SCOTTISH DAILY MAIL Published: 18:11, 24 November 2024 | Updated: 18:22, 24 November 2024 e-mail View comments In the space of only a week, Stephen Flynn announced then unannounced his plan to sit in two parliaments at once, setting and then unsetting his sights on Aberdeen South and North Kincardine and the SNP ’s sitting MSP Audrey Nicoll. He went from claiming – with a straight face, no less – that he was motivated by saving taxpayers’ money to revealing his faulty grasp of the factional landscape within his own party. A figure who traded on his image as a cheeky chappy everyman, the ordinary bloke who wasn’t like all those other machine politicians, outed himself as a cynical schemer plotting his own advancement – and failing miserably. Flynn has so comprehensively trashed his own brand that you have to wonder if he’s also been moonlighting as the head of marketing for Jaguar. Cloak and dagger is commonplace in politics but Flynn somehow managed to trip over the cloak and fall on his own dagger. He went into last week an Aberdonian Svengali and came out of it looking like what you’d get if you ordered Niccolo Machiavelli from Wish.com. Mr Flynn is stuck inside a Nationalist social media bubble that takes no account of broader public opinion, writes Stephen Daisley Mr Flynn had been been planning to stand in the seat held by colleague Audrey Nicoll The objections from within the SNP were as ferocious as they were predictable. His plan to double job as an MP and MSP flew in the face of years of Nationalist messaging that this practice denied the public proper representation. Like it or not, this messaging enjoyed some purchase when the SNP deployed it against former Tory leader Douglas Ross. One Nationalist MP even introduced legislation to make double mandates unlawful. All the work put into devising and disseminating the SNP’s position, which is as much about emphasising the primacy of Holyrood as it is about needling opponents, was jeopardised by Flynn’s thoughtless self-interest. Then there was the complaint that a senior male politician was attempting to put a female colleague out of a job. I have less time for this objection, which seems like an attempt to graft identity-based victimhood politics onto something that has nothing to do with sex. But this is the SNP so, of course, there were always going to be those who saw things through this lens. That Flynn seemingly did not realise this makes you wonder not only what he was thinking but whether he was thinking at all. Whatever the reason for Nationalist disquiet, it is easy enough to understand. Audrey Nicoll is hardly the most charismatic MSP; she’s not someone you’d send on Newsnight to defend the SNP’s agenda. But there’s more to the role than panache and telly. Nicoll is a conscientious constituency member who chairs the criminal justice committee, one of the most exacting jobs at Holyrood. The Scottish Government’s frequent, and generally ill-advised, forays into rewriting the criminal law give her an intensive workload. While I don’t share her politics, we need Nationalists like Nicoll at Holyrood, MSPs willing to temper their loyalty to the SNP with the gumption to put its draft legislation under the spotlight and pick out at least some of the flaws. She was an easy target for Flynn as many a card-carrying Nationalist would struggle to answer the question: ‘What has Audrey Nicoll done for the SNP?’ But chairing a key committee in a parliament that needs a more robust committee system helps enhance scrutiny and accountability, and if anyone regards those things as unimportant they might want to ask themselves why. Nicoll was a mere bump in the road to Flynn’s next career move, someone who could be walked over so he could get where he wanted to go. That he has been forced to relent for now does not mean that he won’t try again. Indeed, depending on whatever rules the SNP’s national executive committee puts in place, he could in theory decide to pursue a Holyrood bid in 2026 while ditching his seat in Westminster. Unfortunately for him, this episode has shown him to be thoroughly ruthless – and utterly incompetent. Nationalist MSPs will have noted his willingness to take down one of his own and will be all the warier of him now. But they, and others, will also observe how ham-fisted his ploy proved to be. First he caused embarrassment for the party by trying to secure a dual mandate. Then the briefings began, for and against him, helpfully highlighting to the public the divisions roiling inside the SNP. This was followed by a swift U-turn which meant all that drama had been for nothing, other than the entertainment of the party’s opponents. If this strategy had a name, it would be How to Lose Friends and Influence Nobody. Since the Sturgeon era came crashing to a close, it has become evident just how little talent there was behind her. She was a one-woman political party, in large part by her own egotistical design, and her retreat from frontline politics has exposed that. You can’t build a political future on Kate Forbes alone and you certainly can’t when a loud segment of the activist base could never reconcile itself to her leadership. Which is how you end up with characters like Flynn deciding they are the future of Nationalism. When a party begins to drift, it grabs onto any old flotsam and jetsam to help keep it afloat. Alas, Flynn is more likely to sink the entire ship under the weight of his own ego. He was already a divisive personality. Flynn is extremely online, as evidenced by a Twitter persona steeped in football banter and breathless indignation, much of the latter focused on events in the Middle East rather than anything happening in Scotland. No doubt there is an audience for the image of him mock-crying over the misfortunes of England’s football team but there are also a great many voters who regard such clownishness as immature and unbecoming of a parliamentarian. That is the nub of Flynn’s problem: judgement. His is poor, stuck inside a Nationalist social media bubble that takes no account of broader public opinion. A politician with a more rounded world view might have stepped back to consider the optics of double-jobbing after years of his party denouncing it or the bitter taste that would be left in the mouths of Nationalist MSPs upon seeing a dedicated, if not terribly exciting, colleague abruptly put on notice by one of their own. Some party insiders tell me Flynn is the next big thing in the SNP, a future leader who could speak to young male voters who have grown disillusioned with the Nationalists. All I can say is that if Flynn is their rising star, the SNP is in for some very dark nights ahead. The past week has tarnished whatever image he had forged. When a politician leaves you pining for the strategic genius of Ian Blackford, there’s a chance you might not have a tactical mastermind on your hands. Whatever Flynn now chooses to do now, this episode will hang over him as a warning to anyone who dares take him seriously as a successor to John Swinney. He’s the Commons leader who launched a coup against a Holyrood backbencher which went so badly he had to call it off just days later. If Stephen Flynn is the way forward, thank goodness for the reverse gear. SNP Share or comment on this article: STEPHEN DAISLEY: How to lose friends... and influence nobody. If Flynn is their rising star, the SNP is in for some very dark nights e-mail Add comment

kkjili ph Signing with Dodgers was really easy decision for 2-time Cy Young winner Blake SnellTHE HAGUE, Netherlands — Alyssa Naeher ended her national team career with one last win. The stalwart goalkeeper made two critical saves in her final match for the United States, and the Americans beat the Netherlands 2-1 on Tuesday. “I definitely wasn’t thinking about it during the game, just wanted to win the game and do what I could to come away with the ‘W’ for us to close out the year,” Naeher said. Lynn Williams scored the go-ahead goal in the 71st minute for the U.S., which won its fifth Olympic gold medal in France this summer and wrapped up the year on a 20-game unbeaten streak. The Americans were coming off a scoreless draw with England on Saturday at Wembley Stadium. Naeher announced two weeks ago that the European exhibitions would be her final matches. The 36-year-old goalkeeper played in 115 games for the U.S., with 111 starts, 89 wins and 69 shutouts. Naeher is the only U.S. keeper with shutouts in both a World Cup and an Olympic final. She was in goal when the United States defeated the Netherlands 2-0 in the 2019 Women’s World Cup final. “I feel like in my heart I would love to keep going. In my head, in my body and mind, I feel like it’s the right time. And I think it’s the right time with this team as well as it builds towards the future and towards 2027,” Naeher said. “This environment, this team, is an incredible team to be a part of, but it’s also really hard and really challenging in a lot of ways as well. “I feel like I’ve given everything I have to give for this team and that’s why I feel at peace with that.” The Netherlands took the lead on center back Veerle Buurman’s header off a corner kick in the 15th minute. Naeher prevented a second goal when she punched away Dominique Janssen’s shot in the 38th. The United States drew even at the end of the first half on an own goal that deflected off Buurman and past Dutch goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar. Naeher slid to stop Danielle van de Donk’s shot in the 69th minute before Williams, a second-half substitute, scored her fourth goal of the year and 21st of her career. “I wouldn’t say that this was our prettiest game of soccer ever. And sometimes that’s how games go. You can talk about tactics, you can talk about formations, you talk about everything, but the biggest thing was matching their intensity. Getting to the second ball, getting to the first ball. That was the shift that needed to happen,” Williams said about the team’s second-half mindset. Naeher finished with six saves. She is not quite finished with soccer yet: She will continue playing next season for the Chicago Red Stars of the National Women’s Soccer League. “She’s been consistent again and again. Even when she’s been questioned at times in her career, she’s always found the answer,” U.S. coach Emma Hayes said. “Not only has she been a great player in this program, but let me tell you, she’s so loved by everyone, players and staff alike. She is the best teammate you could ask for and that just speaks volumes to the person that she is.” Lily Yohannes came in as a substitute in the second half. Yohannes, who has dual citizenship, opted to play for the United States over the Netherlands last month. She plays professionally for the Dutch club Ajax. The U.S. finished the year without the trio of Mallory Swanson, Trinity Rodman and Sophia Smith, who were left off the roster for the final two matches to rest and heal nagging injuries. The U.S. is unbeaten in 15 matches under Hayes, who took over in May.Texans foiled by mistake after mistake in 32-27 loss to Titans

Billionaire Owners Force Workers Back To Office 5 Days A Week, AT&T Latest Company To Join TrendBMO Announces Annual Reinvested Distributions for BMO Exchange Traded Funds and ETF Series of BMO Mutual Funds

PARIS: Mikaela Shiffrin held her nerve to take a record-extending 99th World Cup win, holding off the challenge of Lara Colturi in the slalom at Gurgl, Austria, on Saturday. US skier Shiffrin said she felt the pressure as she went off last as leader. “I really was nervous on the top,” she told Eurosport at the finish. “I could hear all the other women going down and their teams cheering and that always means they have really good runs and it was getting really sort of darker,” she said. “I was like: I don’t think it’s happening today. Push! Push! Push!” Shiffrin stayed in control as she recorded the fifth-fastest second run in 49.14 seconds for a total time of 1min 40.22sec. That was enough to finish 0.55sec ahead of Colturi, who represents Albania, and 0.57 ahead of Camille Rast of Switzerland. “It feels really satisfying to have a really great run down that slope,” said Shiffrin. “What a wonderful day.” Both the 18-year-old Colturi and the 25-year-old Rast recorded their first World Cup podium finishes. Swiss veteran Wendy Holdener, who was second after the first run, slipped to fourth. At 29, Shiffrin, has 13 more World Cup wins than the most successful man, Ingmar Stenmark, and 17 more than the second woman, compatriot Lindsey Vonn. Her 62nd slalom victory on Saturday sets her up to complete her century across all World Cup disciplines next week in the slalom and giant slalom in her homeland in Killington, Vermont. “I guess there’s pressure around it,” said Shiffrin. “I’ll try to ignore it. If it happens it’s wonderful. If it doesn’t it’s nothing to cry about in the wider scheme of things. “I’m hoping to have a really good performance before my home crowd.” — AFPB. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG purchased a new stake in XPEL, Inc. ( NASDAQ:XPEL – Free Report ) during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor purchased 28,187 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,222,000. B. Metzler seel. Sohn & Co. Holding AG owned approximately 0.10% of XPEL at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the business. Mawer Investment Management Ltd. acquired a new stake in XPEL during the 2nd quarter valued at $12,021,000. Schwartz Investment Counsel Inc. boosted its stake in shares of XPEL by 46.3% during the second quarter. Schwartz Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 512,000 shares of the company’s stock valued at $18,207,000 after acquiring an additional 162,000 shares during the last quarter. Capital World Investors increased its position in XPEL by 14.7% during the 1st quarter. Capital World Investors now owns 1,036,709 shares of the company’s stock worth $56,003,000 after purchasing an additional 133,182 shares in the last quarter. Heritage Family Offices LLP acquired a new position in XPEL in the 2nd quarter valued at about $2,909,000. Finally, Venator Management LLC purchased a new position in XPEL in the 2nd quarter valued at about $1,778,000. 75.08% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. XPEL Trading Up 2.0 % Shares of NASDAQ:XPEL opened at $45.73 on Friday. XPEL, Inc. has a 12-month low of $30.75 and a 12-month high of $60.49. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $42.53 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $39.73. The firm has a market cap of $1.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.13 and a beta of 1.85. Insider Transactions at XPEL In other XPEL news, Director Mike Klonne sold 5,000 shares of XPEL stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.00, for a total transaction of $215,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 50,008 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,150,344. The trade was a 9.09 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink . Also, CEO Ryan Pape sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 19th. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.64, for a total transaction of $852,800.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 1,105,607 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $47,143,082.48. The trade was a 1.78 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders own 9.50% of the company’s stock. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In XPEL has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. B. Riley raised shares of XPEL from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and boosted their price objective for the company from $37.00 to $58.00 in a research report on Friday, August 9th. Craig Hallum upgraded XPEL from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, August 8th. Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on XPEL About XPEL ( Free Report ) XPEL, Inc sells, distributes, and installs protective films and coatings worldwide. The company offers automotive surface and paint protection film, headlight protection, and automotive and architectural window films, as well as proprietary DAP software. It also provides pre-cut film products, merchandise and apparel, ceramic coatings, and tools and accessories. See Also Receive News & Ratings for XPEL Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for XPEL and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Published 5:27 pm Friday, November 22, 2024 By Minnesota Public Radio By Matt Sepic, Minnesota Public Radio News Two prospective marijuana business owners who were barred from participating in a license lottery are suing Minnesota cannabis regulators. The Office of Cannabis Management announced Friday that it will hold a drawing on Tuesday to determine who will operate the state’s first legal marijuana businesses. The OCM turned to a lottery because more than 1,800 applicants had sought 282 licenses. The first to apply are those considered social equity applicants under the law. They include people who live in high poverty areas, those harmed by the war on drugs, and military veterans. This week, regulators disqualified two-thirds of the applicants for a variety of reasons. In a lawsuit, Jodi Connolly alleges that OCM gave no reason for denying her application. Connolly’s co-plaintiff Cristina Aranguiz said she received only a cursory explanation. The two call the rejections “arbitrary and capricious,” and they want a judge to stop the lottery while their lawsuit is pending. A judge set a restraining order hearing for Monday at 9 a.m. In an email to MPR News on Friday, a spokesperson for the Office of Cannabis Management said he cannot comment on the litigation, but OCM still plans to move ahead with the scheduled lottery.Covestor Ltd Trims Stake in Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL)

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A majority of Supreme Court justices didn't seem convinced Monday that federal regulators misled companies before refusing to allow them to sell sweet-flavored vaping products following a surge in teen e-cigarette use. The conservative-majority court did raise questions about the Food and Drug Administration crackdown that included denials of more than a million nicotine products formulated to taste like fruit, dessert or candy. Teen vaping use has since dropped to its lowest level in a decade, but the agency could change its approach after the inauguration next month of President-elect Donald Trump, who has promised to “save” vaping. Vape companies have long marketed their products as a way to help adults quit traditional cigarettes, and say the FDA changed its standards with little warning and blocked the sale of over a million new flavored products. Justice Elena Kagan, though, was skeptical. “I guess I’m not really seeing what the surprise is here,” she said. “You knew what the FDA’s point of view was ... that blueberry vapes are really problematic in terms of youth smoking." RELATED STORY | Supreme Court decision could have endless impact on transgender medical care The FDA was slow to regulate the now multibillion-dollar vaping market, and even years into the crackdown flavored vapes that are technically illegal nevertheless remain widely available. The agency says the companies were denied because they couldn't show flavored vapes had a net public benefit, as laid out in the law. It has approved some tobacco-flavored vapes, and recently allowed its first menthol-flavored electronic cigarettes for adult smokers after the company provided data showing the product was more helpful in quitting, Deputy Solicitor General Curtis Gannon said. The issue came before the high court when the agency appealed a decision from the conservative 5th Circuit Court of Appeals tossing out one of its denials. While other lower courts rebuffed vaping company lawsuits, the 5th Circuit sided with Dallas-based company Triton Distribution. The decision allowed the sale of e-juices like “Jimmy The Juice Man in Peachy Strawberry" and “Suicide Bunny Mother's Milk and Cookies” which are heated by an e-cigarette to create an inhalable aerosol. RELATED STORY | Could Democrats pressure Justice Sotomayor to step down for replacement? Justice Neil Gorsuch questioned whether the FDA process had given the companies a fair chance to make their claims, given that their businesses were at stake. Conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh expressed concern about what recourse companies have if agencies issue misleading guidance, though he also elicited that the FDA wasn't required to issue the guidance it gave in the vaping case. “I'm trying to figure out what the legal error is here,” he said. The vape companies, he said, can reapply for sales authorization even if they don't win in court. Triton attorney Eric Heyer said that process would take so long that the company could be forced to close. The court has overall been skeptical of the power of federal regulators, including by striking down the so-called Chevron doctrine that had judges deferring to agencies' interpretation of the law. Justice Amy Coney Barrett questioned whether the vaping companies wanted the court to take that concept a step further. “It’s almost a reverse Chevron deference, except we're deferring to the applicant," she said. The court is expected to decide the case in the coming months.

Morrisons boss blasts ‘avalanche’ of Budget costs amid warnings of higher prices and fewer workersKYIV: Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Ukraine on Monday to reaffirm German support for Kyiv after becoming the first major ally of the war-torn country to speak to Vladimir Putin in years to urge negotiations. His surprise visit comes as Ukrainian forces are buckling across the eastern front and amid fears about future US support once Donald Trump returns to the White House in January. Russia launched another aerial barrage of hundreds of drones hours before Scholz arrived, leaving one dead and three wounded in the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil. Scholz had said he would meet with President Volodymyr Zelensky and announce another package of military support worth €650 million ($680 million) to be delivered by the end of the year. Scholz and Zelensky later met at an undisclosed location and reviewed military drones manufactured by Ukrainian and German firms. They also visited a hospital and spoke to people wounded in the war. “I would like to make it clear here on the ground that Germany will remain Ukraine’s strongest supporter in Europe,” said Scholz, who faces new elections in February after his coalition collapsed last month. “Ukraine can rely on Germany — we say what we do. And we do what we say,” he added in a post on social media. Scholz in mid-November spurred controversy and concern in Ukraine by becoming the first Western leader in years to speak by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Low Kremlin expectations for visit Zelensky at the time slammed the call, saying it had opened a “Pandora’s Box” by weakening Putin’s international isolation. In the call, Scholz condemned the war and “urged Russia to show willingness to negotiate with Ukraine with the aim of achieving a just and lasting peace”, the chancellor’s office said. The Kremlin said Monday that it had no expectations from Scholz’s visit. “I would not say we have expectations from this visit. Germany is continuing its line of unconditional support to Ukraine,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding that Putin had not passed on a message to Zelensky through Scholz. Ukraine faces a tough winter, with Russia unleashing drone and missile attacks against its power grid. The air force said Russia had attacked overnight with 110 drones, including the Iranian-designed Shahed unmanned aerial vehicle from four regions of Russia. The bombardment killed a 45-year-old man in Ternopil, a town of around 224,000 people, where strikes last month left thousands without electricity, authorities said. “Unpunished evil never stops. And it will not limit itself by our borders,” Zelensky’s chief of staff Andriy Yermak wrote on social media in response to the attack. Scholz’s visit comes ahead of the January 20 inauguration of Trump, who has pledged to speedily end the war, raising fears he will try to force Ukraine to accept a deal on Moscow’s terms. ‘Russian roulette’ Separately, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Monday warned her Chinese counterpart that Beijing’s support for Moscow would impact ties and instead urged China to help end the Ukraine conflict. Zelensky said Sunday that his country needed security guarantees from NATO and more weapons to defend itself before any talks with Russia. He made the comments after meeting the EU’s new head of diplomacy Kaja Kallas and EU Council chief Antonio Costa, who were visiting Kyiv as a show of support on their first day in office. Under Scholz, Germany has become the second-biggest arms supplier to Ukraine after the United States, but has refused to send Kyiv long-range missiles that could strike deep inside Russia. Berlin has stuck to that approach even after US President Joe Biden gave the green light for Ukraine to fire long-range ATACMS missiles into Russia for the first time. In a campaign speech in Berlin on Saturday, Scholz criticized political rivals pushing for Germany’s Taurus long-range missile system to be delivered to Ukraine. Speaking to his Social Democratic Party, Scholz said that confronting Moscow, a nuclear power, with such a threat would amount to playing “Russian roulette” with Germany’s security. — AFPUSWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher caps memorable international career with win

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Polish-Hungarian relations have reached an all-time low after Hungary granted "asylum" to a Polish ex-minister wanted for embezzlement as a "political refugee." Prime Minister Viktor Orban is open to more similar cases. For more than 150 years, Poland and Hungary have been linked in a remarkable way. Both nations supported each other in their efforts for independence. Freedom fighters from both countries rushed to help each other in existential historical moments, such as during the anti-Habsburg revolution of 1848. In 1956, when Hungary underwent an anti-communist revolution, Poles spontaneously organized blood drives for the victims of the Soviet invasion. "Pole and Hungarian brothers be" is a well-known proverb in both countries. Since 2007, there has even been an official day dedicated to Polish-Hungarian friendship, March 23. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban admired the Poles' deep desire for freedom and their anti-communist struggle so much that he wrote his thesis as law student in 1987 on "Polish social self-organization using the example of the Solidarity trade union." However, Orban of all people has now caused an all-time low in the countries' relations. On December 19, he granted asylum to the former Polish Deputy Justice Minister Marcin Romanowski, who is wanted on a European arrest warrant . Political collision between Warsaw, Budapest This decision promptly led to a political head-on clash between Poland and Hungary, whose relations have already been dire since the change of power in Poland in December 2023. Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski described the move as "an action contrary to the fundamental principle of loyal cooperation" as laid out in the EU treaties. He also recalled the Polish ambassador to Hungary for "indefinite consultations" and summoned the Hungarian ambassador in Warsaw to give him a protest note. This kind of diplomatic escalation is extremely rare between EU countries . Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also compared Orban's Hungary to the regime of dictator Alexander Lukashenko in Belarus. In May, a Polish judge who is under investigation for abuse of office and leaking state secrets fled to Belarus . "I did not expect corrupt politicians escaping justice would be able to choose between [Belarusian President Alexander] Lukashenko and Orban," Tusk said. 'Liberal rainbow coalition' The Hungarian prime minister had already indicated on December 19 that he would grant asylum to "Polish political refugees." In an interview with the conservative pro-government Hungarian news portal Mandiner , he also called the current Polish government a "liberal rainbow coalition" that "uses the rule of law and legal means to get even with its political opponents." Polish-Hungarian relations are "at a low point because the liberal Polish rainbow coalition is unable to distinguish between party and state politics," Orban said. In reality, however, the governing coalition of the liberal-conservative Polish prime minister is trying to do exactly the opposite. It wants to untangle the nexus of party and state politics that existed under the previous national-conservative government and to investigate its corruption scandals. One of the people at the center of the investigation is the former deputy justice minister, Romanowski. Romanowski charged with 11 criminal offenses Between 2019 and 2023, Romanowski was in charge of the Justice Fund which was designed to support victims of crime. However, the public prosecutor has charged the politician with 11 criminal offenses, including membership of a criminal organization, embezzlement and manipulation in the allocation of money from the fund. The sum of the disputed funds amounts to around 112 million Polish zloty (approx. €25 million/$27.3 million). The 48-year-old lawmaker from the former ruling and now opposition Law and Justice party (PiS) was briefly arrested in July, but was later released. As a member of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, he enjoyed immunity. However, this immunity was lifted by the body in October. On December 9, a court in Warsaw ordered Romanowski to be remanded in custody for three months. Only, by then, he had already gone into hiding and fled to Hungary . On December 20, Romanowski posted on social media that asylum for a member of the Polish opposition was a "strong warning signal for Tusk's regime." He said he wanted to continue working from Budapest for a "sovereign, Christian and strong Poland," with his goal being to "abolish the Tusk regime." 'Hungarian government using refugee protection to save political allies' The affair exemplifies the severe level of problems the Tusk government faces in restoring the rule of law in Poland. Poland's judiciary, including the Constitutional Court, remain heavily dominated by PiS supporters. And President Andrzej Duda, who is close to the PiS, continues to delay all government reforms as much as possible. It's not the first time that a prominent corruption suspect has been granted asylum in Hungary . In 2018, the former Macedonian head of government Nikola Gruevski fled to Hungary where he received asylum. In more recent years, the Hungarian government has also granted temporary refuge to several politicians from the Hungarian minority in Romania. For Poland, however, the escape of a member of parliament is a precedent, commented the conservative Polish daily newspaper Rzeczpospolita . "Romanowski has asked an ally of Putin for help. It is a disgrace to be an ally of Putin's ally ," the paper wrote. In Hungary, the left-wing portal Merce ran the headline "The Hungarian government is using refugee protection to save political allies." Open for more Polish politicians Both Polish and Hungarian media outlets are now speculating which PiS politician will be the next to leave for Hungary. It may well be MEP Daniel Obajtek, former head of the Polish oil company Orlen, who has been involved in numerous corruption scandals.Among other charges, he is facing prosecution for manipulating Orlen tenders. Hungary's Orban vows to defy ICC's Netanyahu arrest warrant To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The speculation about Obajtek was fueled by Orban on December 22 during his annual end-of-year press conference. After a female journalist specifically asked about the former head of Orlen, Hungary's prime minister — who is known for his misogynistic remarks — said: "I don't know if we're thinking of the same man because you never know which man is in a woman's head." However, as Obajtek is a member of the European Parliament, there is no need to deal with him, Orban said, referring to the man's immunity. "Generally speaking, we have to be prepared for the fact that there will and could be more cases like this," he added. This article was originally written in German.

New Delhi, December 26 : President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday expressed grief over the demise of former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh who passed away here in the AIIMS at the age of 92. Taking to X, the President wrote: "Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh Ji was one of those rare politicians who also straddled the worlds of academia and administration with equal ease. In his various roles in public offices, he made critical contributions to reforming Indian economy. He will always be remembered for his service to the nation, his unblemished political life and his utmost humility. His passing is a great loss to all of us. I pay my respectful homage to one of the greatest sons of Bharat and convey my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and admirers." The news of Dr Singh's demise was confirmed by AIIMS New Delhi. Dr Manmohan Singh Dies: PM Narendra Modi Condoles Demise of Former Prime Minister, Says 'His Wisdom and Humility Were Always Visible'. "With profound grief, we inform the demise of former Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh aged 92. He was being treated for age related medical conditions and had sudden loss of consciousness at home on December 26. Resuscitative measures were started immediately at home. He was brought to the medical emergency at AIIMS. Despite all efforts, he could not be revived and was declared dead at 9.51 p.m.,” said the hospital in a statement. Dr. Singh, who served as the country's Prime Minister from 2004 to 2014, was known for his transformative role in steering India’s economy through a period of significant liberalisation. He is survived by his wife, Gursharan Kaur, and their three daughters. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced soon, with the nation’s leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expected to participate in honouring his memory. Dr. Singh's death marks the end of an era in Indian politics. His leadership and legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Dr Manmohan Singh No More: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, LoP Rahul Gandhi Rush to Delhi Following Former PM’s Demise. In April this year, Manmohan Singh retired from Rajya Sabha, with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge praising his long parliamentary career. Manmohan Singh shot to prominence as the country's Finance Minister in the government headed by P.V. Narasimha Rao during 1991-96, having brought in sweeping reforms that transformed the economy. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 26, 2024 11:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com ).

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Atria Investments Inc acquired a new stake in Frontdoor, Inc. ( NASDAQ:FTDR – Free Report ) in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 6,569 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $315,000. Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Millennium Management LLC lifted its position in Frontdoor by 440.4% during the second quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 908,904 shares of the company’s stock worth $30,712,000 after acquiring an additional 740,711 shares during the last quarter. Swedbank AB lifted its holdings in Frontdoor by 112.7% during the 2nd quarter. Swedbank AB now owns 1,210,600 shares of the company’s stock worth $40,906,000 after purchasing an additional 641,476 shares during the last quarter. Boston Partners boosted its stake in Frontdoor by 8.9% in the 1st quarter. Boston Partners now owns 6,198,543 shares of the company’s stock valued at $201,662,000 after purchasing an additional 506,217 shares during the period. Invenomic Capital Management LP grew its holdings in Frontdoor by 57.3% in the 1st quarter. Invenomic Capital Management LP now owns 1,072,445 shares of the company’s stock valued at $34,940,000 after buying an additional 390,610 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in Frontdoor by 3.8% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 10,179,139 shares of the company’s stock worth $331,636,000 after buying an additional 373,091 shares during the period. Frontdoor Trading Up 1.8 % FTDR opened at $58.46 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $4.43 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.36 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a quick ratio of 1.42, a current ratio of 1.42 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.16. Frontdoor, Inc. has a twelve month low of $29.41 and a twelve month high of $59.01. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $51.09 and a 200 day simple moving average of $43.42. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group boosted their target price on shares of Frontdoor from $41.00 to $46.00 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price objective on shares of Frontdoor from $45.00 to $55.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Monday, August 12th. William Blair upgraded shares of Frontdoor from a “market perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, August 2nd. Finally, Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Frontdoor from $56.00 to $58.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $49.50. View Our Latest Report on Frontdoor Frontdoor Profile ( Free Report ) Frontdoor, Inc provides home warranties in the United States in the United States. Its customizable home warranties help customers protect and maintain their homes from costly and unplanned breakdowns of essential home systems and appliances. The company’s home warranty customers subscribe to an annual service plan agreement that covers the repair or replacement of principal components of approximately 20 home systems and appliances, including electrical, plumbing, water heaters, refrigerators, dishwashers, and ranges/ovens/cooktops, as well as electronics, pools, and spas and pumps; and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. See Also Five stocks we like better than Frontdoor Election Stocks: How Elections Affect the Stock Market Tesla Investors Continue to Profit From the Trump Trade What Are Some of the Best Large-Cap Stocks to Buy? MicroStrategy’s Stock Dip vs. Coinbase’s Potential Rally How to Choose Top Rated Stocks Netflix Ventures Into Live Sports, Driving Stock Momentum Receive News & Ratings for Frontdoor Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Frontdoor and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

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AN Irish fashion fan has found the perfect Christmas outfit- and told fans how to get their hands on it. TikTok user @petite.pocket posts all things fashion and lifestyle to her followers. She recently took to social media to show off what she wore on Christmas Day. The fashion fan posed in a comfy purple hoodie, black leggings, and fluffy socks with chunky Ugg dupes. The comfy outfit is an ideal ensemble for the Christmas period as it combines style with function. It can be worn while visiting family or opening presents and tucking into dinner or drinks. And luckily for fans of the look, they can get their hands on the items now and wear it for the rest of the Christmas season. The fashionista posed in her comfy outfit while Wham! hit Last Christmas plays in the background. She said: "Gotta keep it comfy for all the eating and drinking." The outfit was made from the Platform Suede Fur Lined Boot, which are available online and in Dunnes Stores shops around the country. They are a fun modern take on the classic Ugg look and have been a huge hit among shoppers. They cost €30 and are available in sizes 36 up to 42. Fashion bosses called the shoe "cosy". An official description of the item reads: "Crafted from real suede, these short boots have a fur-lined interior making them supremely warm and cosy. "A must-have item for colder weather." And the fashion fan styled the shoes with black leggings, which are available in Dunnes Stores now. The Helen Steele Define Leggings cost €25 and come in sizes XS up to XL. An official description of the item reads: "For: Working out indoors or at the gym. "Feel: High waisted and sleek to the touch. "Function: Fast drying, moisture management attributes and perfect compression for all your workouts. "Matching Define crop top sold separately. "Brought to you by Irish designer Helen Steele, exclusively for Dunnes Stores." The final touch of the outfit is a comfy purple jumper with a fun slogan on it. There are heaps of comfy jumpers available from Dunnes Stores in a range of colours so each person can put their own spin on the look.NoneNone

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BANGKOK — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world's third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry. Nissan Chief Executive Makoto Uchida, left, and Honda Chief Executive Toshihiro Mibe, center, and Takao Kato CEO of Mitsubishi Motors, right, arrive to attend a joint news conference Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) The ascent of Chinese automakers is rattling the industry at a time when manufacturers are struggling to shift from fossil fuel-driven vehicles to electrics. Relatively inexpensive EVs from China's BYD, Great Wall and Nio are eating into the market shares of U.S. and Japanese car companies in China and elsewhere. Japanese automakers have lagged behind big rivals in EVs and are now trying to cut costs and make up for lost time. Nissan, Honda and Mitsubishi announced in August that they will share components for electric vehicles like batteries and jointly research software for autonomous driving to adapt better to dramatic changes in the auto industry centered around electrification. A preliminary agreement between Honda, Japan's second-largest automaker, and Nissan, third largest, was announced in March. A merger could result in a behemoth worth about $55 billion based on the market capitalization of all three automakers. Joining forces would help the smaller Japanese automakers add scale to compete with Japan's market leader Toyota Motor Corp. and with Germany's Volkswagen AG. Toyota itself has technology partnerships with Japan's Mazda Motor Corp. and Subaru Corp. Nissan Chief Executive Makoto Uchida, left, Honda Chief Executive Toshihiro Mibe, center, and Takao Kato, CEO of Mitsubishi Motors, right, pose for photographers during a joint news conference in Tokyo, Japan, Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko) Nissan has truck-based body-on-frame large SUVs such as the Armada and Infiniti QX80 that Honda doesn't have, with large towing capacities and good off-road performance, said Sam Fiorani, vice president of AutoForecast Solutions. Nissan also has years of experience building batteries and electric vehicles, and gas-electric hybird powertrains that could help Honda in developing its own EVs and next generation of hybrids, he said. "Nissan does have some product segments where Honda doesn't currently play," that a merger or partnership could help, said Sam Abuelsamid, a Detroit-area automotive industry analsyt. While Nissan's electric Leaf and Ariya haven't sold well in the U.S., they're solid vehicles, Fiorani said. "They haven't been resting on their laurels, and they have been developing this technology," he said. "They have new products coming that could provide a good platform for Honda for its next generation." Nissan said last month that it was slashing 9,000 jobs, or about 6% of its global work force, and reducing global production capacity by 20% after reporting a quarterly loss of 9.3 billion yen ($61 million). Earlier this month it reshuffled its management and its chief executive, Makoto Uchida, took a 50% pay cut to take responsibility for the financial woes, saying Nissan needed to become more efficient and respond better to market tastes, rising costs and other global changes. Fitch Ratings recently downgraded Nissan's credit outlook to "negative," citing worsening profitability, partly due to price cuts in the North American market. But it noted that it has a strong financial structure and solid cash reserves that amounted to 1.44 trillion yen ($9.4 billion). Nissan's share price has fallen to the point where it is considered something of a bargain. A report in the Japanese financial magazine Diamond said talks with Honda gained urgency after the Taiwan maker of iPhones Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., better known as Foxconn, began exploring a possible acquisition of Nissan as part of its push into the EV sector. The company has struggled for years following a scandal that began with the arrest of its former chairman Carlos Ghosn in late 2018 on charges of fraud and misuse of company assets, allegations that he denies. He eventually was released on bail and fled to Lebanon. Honda reported its profits slipped nearly 20% in the first half of the April-March fiscal year from a year earlier, as sales suffered in China. Toyota made 11.5 million vehicles in 2023, while Honda rolled out 4 million and Nissan produced 3.4 million. Mitsubishi Motors made just over 1 million. Even after a merger Toyota would remain the leading Japanese automaker. All the global automakers are facing potential shocks if President-elect Donald Trump follows through on threats to raise or impose tariffs on imports of foreign products, even from allies like Japan and neighboring countries like Canada and Mexico. Nissan is among the major car companies that have adjusted their supply chains to include vehicles assembled in Mexico. Meanwhile, analysts say there is an "affordability shift" taking place across the industry, led by people who feel they cannot afford to pay nearly $50,000 for a new vehicle. In American, a vital market for companies like Nissan, Honda and Toyota, that's forcing automakers to consider lower pricing, which will eat further into industry profits. ____ AP Auto Writer Tom Krisher contributed to this report from Detroit. Airbags, advanced driver assistance features, and high-strength materials mean that the safest cars today are far better at protecting people from injuries than ever before. Although most new cars compare well to their predecessors, some stand above the rest. The safest cars for 2025 offer excellent occupant protection and also do a good job of preventing accidents from happening in the first place. Based on testing data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety , or IIHS, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , or NHTSA, these are some of the safest cars available today. Ranging from inexpensive compact cars and mainstream midsize sedans to stylish station wagons, posh luxury cars, and sporty coupes and convertibles, Edmunds shares a list that has something for just about everyone. For those who prefer a higher seating position and maybe some added practicality, Edmunds' list of safest SUVs is for you. The stylish Mazda 3 has a lot to offer compact-car shoppers, including great looks, a composed driving experience, and reasonable fuel economy from its base 2.0-liter engine. It's also one of the safest cars in its class, earning a perfect five stars in NHTSA crash testing and sterling crashworthiness and collision avoidance scores from the IIHS. Its standard features are forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure prevention. With mature styling, a premium interior, and an efficient hybrid powertrain option, the 2025 Honda Civic is a great option if safety is a concern since it aces almost all of the IIHS' crash tests and earns a five-star safety rating from the federal government. It also comes standard with adaptive cruise control, lane departure prevention, and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking. The Civic falls short slightly in the IIHS' updated moderate overlap front test, which now accounts for rear passenger safety, but even so, it's one of the safest cars in its class. Reflective of parent company BMW, today's Mini Cooper is well constructed and features premium safety features that belie its small size, including automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning. Although the Mini hasn't been tested by NHTSA, the IIHS gives the Cooper its highest score of Good in the original driver-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, and side-impact tests. That said, the IIHS doesn't place the Cooper on its Top Safety Pick or Top Safety Pick+ lists since it hasn't been evaluated on the updated battery of passenger-side small overlap front, moderate overlap front, or side-impact tests. Expect the new-for-2025 Mini Cooper to earn decent crash ratings in those scenarios, especially since it shares its strong platform with the outgoing model. With its recent redesign, the Toyota Prius transformed from a frumpy little caterpillar to a stylish and efficient butterfly. It also became a very safe hybrid hatchback. Perfect scores in all of its government and IIHS crash tests, as well as a sophisticated system of collision avoidance technology, earn it top marks. It's also one of our favorite cars on the market, period, as evidenced by its status as a 2024 Edmunds Top Rated vehicle. The Honda Accord is among the safest midsize sedans on the market today thanks to excellent crashworthiness scores and a competent standard collision prevention system. It's a Top Safety Pick+, beating out rivals like the Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5, and Subaru Legacy, and the Accord also earns a perfect five-star rating from NHTSA. Honda's hybrid-intensive product planning is on full display here—all but the two lowest Accord trims have a hybrid powertrain—and it's also among the most spacious cars in its class. Like its Honda Accord rival, the Toyota Camry is also an IIHS Top Safety Pick+ with a five-star NHTSA rating. It also has a very impressive suite of driver assistance and safety technology, including lane departure prevention with active centering, full-speed adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. The Camry edges out the Accord in IIHS testing thanks to a more effective collision avoidance system, but both cars are remarkably well matched otherwise. The fully electric Hyundai Ioniq 6 offers excellent safety and collision prevention, with excellent scores across the entire line of IIHS tests. The Ioniq 6 hasn't been tested for rollover resistance by NHTSA, but it earned a four-star front safety rating and a five-star side-impact rating in government tests. Like most EVs, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 comes standard with forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane departure prevention. It also offers up to 342 miles of all-electric driving in its longest-range trim level. The Acura Integra is a close mechanical cousin to the Honda Civic, so it's no surprise it does well in both the IIHS' and NHTSA's crash tests. The luxury hatchback is a Top Safety Pick+ and earns a perfect five stars in government testing. The AcuraWatch safety suite is standard on the Integra, bringing automatic emergency braking, lane centering, lane departure prevention, and adaptive cruise control. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a safe option in the popular small luxury sedan segment thanks to its good scores in IIHS crash testing. Mercedes' best-selling sedan also comes standard with automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning, which helps it earn a Top Safety Pick award. However, it hasn't been tested by the NHTSA. Both the Genesis G80 and the fully electric Genesis Electrified G80 earn a Top Safety Pick+ score from the IIHS thanks to their good scores on the agency's crash tests, as well as a comprehensive suite of active safety features that avoided collisions with simulated pedestrians. The internal-combustion-engine G80 earned a perfect five-star safety rating from NHTSA, and although the Electrified G80 hasn't been tested by the feds just yet, it should likely excel in those tests too. The flagship Genesis G90 sedan competes with the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and BMW 7 Series, and the South Korean automaker clearly hasn't skimped on safety in its fight against the establishment. Although it hasn't been subjected to the NHTSA array of tests, it aced almost all of its IIHS tests, and a long list of standard active safety and driver assistance features sets it apart from the stingy German makes that charge extra for them. With handsome styling and a well-finished interior, the Volvo V60 is a very appealing station wagon for those looking for such a thing. It's also quite safe, with good crashworthiness scores in the IIHS' original moderate overlap front and side-impact scores. Unfortunately, since it hasn't been tested with the updated versions of those tests, it didn't earn this year's Top Safety Pick award, but it was called a Top Safety Pick+ in 2022. NHTSA also gives the V60 a five-star safety rating. Although the Mercedes-Benz E 450 All-Terrain isn't a traditional wagon — it follows the lifted almost-crossover formula shared with the Audi A6 Allroad and Volvo V90 Cross Country — we'll take what we can get in this dwindling category. The All-Terrain hasn't been tested by the IIHS or NHTSA, but a previous-generation E-Class earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award, and Mercedes isn't the kind of company that goes backward when it comes to safety. The E 450 All-Terrain comes standard with automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning, though, at this price, Benz should just make other active safety features standard. With a five-star NHTSA safety rating, standard forward collision warning and emergency braking, and excellent IIHS crashworthiness scores on its original tests, the Audi A6 Allroad does a good job protecting people (both passengers and pedestrians) from crashes. However, since the IIHS hasn't subjected the Allroad to its updated side and moderate front crash criteria, it lost its Top Safety Pick+ status in 2022. Still, it should be a fine option for luxury longroof shoppers. Both the Ford Mustang coupe and convertible perform well in crash testing. The coupe received a five-star safety rating from NHTSA, and both variants scored decently on all the IIHS tests they've undergone. They also come standard with forward collision warning, lane departure prevention, and automatic emergency braking. However, the IIHS needs to test both models on its updated criteria before it will rate them. Although the government hasn't tested it, the Toyota GR86 aced all of its IIHS crashworthiness tests when it was new for the 2022 model year. Unfortunately, since it hasn't been subjected to the IIHS' updated testing since then, it lost its Top Safety Pick+ status. Still, this is a fun-to-drive, sporty coupe that comes standard with a long list of active safety features, and it's reasonably priced to boot. Mechanically identical to the Toyota GR86, the 2025 Subaru BRZ achieves the same safety ratings—who would have thought? It likewise received a Top Safety Pick+ score in 2022 that lapsed when the IIHS updated its criteria for 2023, but like the Toyota, it has a long list of active safety features to go along with its lightweight, rip-roaring sports car attitude. The Audi A5 lost its traditional two-door coupe body style after 2024, but the five-door Sportback body style remains before it's replaced later in 2025. Although it hasn't seen the IIHS' more stringent test regimen, its original crashworthiness scores were good enough to earn it a Top Safety Pick award as recently as 2022. The Sportback is the only variant to be tested by the government, where it earned a five-star safety rating. This story was produced by Edmunds and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.

But the City boss has vowed to stay on and lift the club back to the top even if they are sent all the way down to the National League. Guardiola ended speculation over his immediate future this week by extending his contract, which had been due to expire at the end of the season, through to the summer of 2027. That has given the club some stability at a time of great uncertainty as they fight 115 charges related to alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations. City have denied all wrongdoing but their punishment if found guilty could be severe, with demotion even a possibility. Guardiola has strongly defended the club in the past and is happy to continue doing so. The Spaniard said: “I don’t enjoy it, I prefer not to be in that position, but once it’s there I love it because, when you believe in your club, and the people there – I believe what they say to me and the reasons why. “I cannot say yet because we’re awaiting the sentence in February or March – I don’t know when – but at the same time, I like it. “I read something about the situation and how you need to be relegated immediately. Seventy-five per cent of the clubs want it, because I know what they do behind the scenes and this sort of stuff. “I said when all the clubs accused us of doing something wrong, (and people asked) what happens if we are relegated, (I said) I will be here. “Next year, I don’t know the position of the Conference they are going to (put) us, (but) we are going to come up and come up and come back to the Premier League. I knew it then and I feel it now.” The immediate priority for Guardiola, who said his contract negotiations were completed in “just two hours”, is to arrest a run of four successive defeats in all competitions. Yet, ahead of their return to action against Tottenham at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, the champions continue to grapple with a lengthy injury list. Mateo Kovacic is their latest casualty after sustaining a knock on international duty that could keep him out for up to a month. On the positive side, defenders Nathan Ake, John Stones and Manuel Akanji could feature and Jack Grealish is also closing in on a return after a month out. Much to Guardiola’s frustration, Grealish was called up by England for their recent Nations League games, although he later withdrew. Guardiola said: “I want the best for Jack and I want the best for Jack with the national team but the doctor said to me that he was not ready to play. “I know (England) want him but they have 200 players to select from and Jack was not fit. He had to recover from many things.” Kyle Walker played for England against both Greece and the Republic of Ireland despite limited game time since suffering injury in the October international break. Guardiola said: “If he is fit I like him to play in the national team. It is not a problem, don’t misunderstand me. “Kyle has a dream to make 100 caps for the national team. Do I want to cancel this dream? Absolutely not. “But if you are not fit, if you cannot play here, you cannot play for the national team. It is quite obvious.”

A Disney-inspired social media influencer, Dominique Brown , 34, died after suffering a medical emergency during a lunch in downtown Los Angeles hosted by the pop-culture themed retail merchandiser BoxLunch on 5 December. Brown co-founded Black Girl Disney in 2018 with her friend Mia Von in response to noticing a lack of representation of Black women among Disney influencers. According a user on X who claimed she was their mother’s best friend of 10 years, Brown had a severe peanut allergy and was told there were no peanuts in the food at the event, but instantly felt bad and asked to be taken to a hospital. An investigation is ongoing into her cause of death, reported SFGate. In a statement made to Us Weekly , BoxLunch said: “We are devastated by the passing of Dominique Brown, a beloved member of the BoxLunch Collective, who suffered a medical emergency at an event hosted by BoxLunch Thursday in Los Angeles. Our hearts go out to her family and friends, and we will do everything we can to support them and the members of the BoxLunch Collective and our team during this painful time.” An unnamed source told Us Weekly that 911 was called immediately and that the company alerted the venue of food allergies of all guests. In Brown’s last Instagram post , she wore a Winnie the Pooh sweater, crediting BoxLunch. A People Magazine reporter at the event said CPR was immediately administered on Brown at the event. She had most recently attended the Disney premiere of the film Moana 2. “This didn’t have to happen. 😔...it just didn’t,” wrote a friend of Brown’s on Threads posting photos of them together. Brown’s brother in a comment on her final Instagram post wrote: “I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to her social media fam for showing her so much love and light. Disney did bring her joy, but it was unparalleled that she found a community who loved her and Disney as much as she did. I will miss my sister and best friend and that infectious smile she always had. Thank you, truly, from the bottom of my heart. ❤️”Syrians poured into streets in celebration on Sunday after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, ending the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule . Russian state news agencies were reporting that President Bashar Assad and his family had arrived in Moscow and were given asylum. Russia said Assad left the country after negotiations with rebel groups and that he had given instructions to transfer power peacefully. Joyful crowds gathered in central squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag. Others ransacked the presidential palace and residence. Abu Mohammed al-Golani , a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group years ago leads the biggest rebel faction in Syria and is poised to chart the country’s future. He made his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, at the capital’s sprawling Umayyad Mosque, and called himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa. He said Assad’s fall was “a victory to the Islamic nation.” The rapidly developing events have shaken the region. Lebanon said it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too. Israel has issued warnings to villages in southern Syria and its forces seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights. Here's the Latest: Russian state news agencies reported that ousted Syrian President Bashar Assad has arrived in Moscow with his family and been given asylum. The agencies, Tass and RIA, cited an unidentified Kremlin source. The Associated Press was not immediately able to verify the reports but had contacted the Kremlin for comment. CAIRO — The Arab League on Sunday condemned Israel for taking advantage of Syrian President Bashar Assad's downfall by moving into more Syrian territory. Hours after Assad’s overthrow, Israel announced it had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights that was established by a cease-fire agreement with Syria in 1974. In a statement, the Arab League said Israel illegally sought to occupy more territories. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement regarding Syrian territory had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating Israel taking over as a “temporary defensive position.” UNITED NATIONS — The United Nations secretary-general is marking the “fall of the dictatorial regime” in Syria and says the future of the country is “is a matter for the Syrians to determine.” A statement by Antonio Guterres also called for calm and the protection of the rights of all Syrians as well as of diplomatic and consular facilities in Syria. He said there is much work ahead to ensure an “orderly political transition to renewed institutions,” and he called on the international community to ensure that “any political transition is inclusive and comprehensive and that it meets the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria, in all their diversity.” KYIV, Ukraine - Ukraine’s top diplomat on Sunday responded to Assad’s ouster by describing him as a “dictator” who relied on Russia to prop up his rule - a reference to the military campaign Moscow has waged in Syria since September 2015, teaming up with Iran to allow Assad’s government to fight armed opposition groups and reclaim control over most of the country. "Assad has fallen. This has always been and will be the case with all dictators who bet on Putin. He always betrays those who rely on him,” foreign minister Andrii Sybiha said in a post on X. In a separate update on the social network, Sybiha said Kyiv was ready to take steps towards restoring relations with Syria, severed months into Russia’s full-scale invasion of the neighboring state. Kyiv broke off diplomatic ties after Damascus in June 2022 recognized Kremlin-occupied parts of eastern Ukraine as independent territories, in a move welcomed by Moscow and decried by the West as a clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty. JERUSALEM — The Israeli military has issued a warning to residents of five villages and towns in southern Syria to stay inside their homes for their safety. “The fighting in your area is forcing the IDF to act,” the IDF’s Arabic-language spokesman said on X. The military didn’t respond to questions. Earlier, Israel said its troops had seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established in 1974, saying it was to protect Israeli residents after Syrian troops abandoned their positions. Defense Minister Israel Katz said on X that the IDF has been instructed to “seize the buffer zone and control points to ensure the protection of all Israeli communities in the Golan Heights – Jewish and Druze – so that they are not exposed to threats from the other side.” Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied. BEIRUT - The leader of the largest insurgent group in Syria visited the Syrian capital’s sprawling Umayyad Mosque and declared that the victory against President Bashar Assad “is a victory to the Islamic nation.” Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, made his first public appearance and remarks since fighters entered Damascus. He told hundreds of people at the historic mosque that Assad had made Syria “a farm for Iran’s greed.” He added that Assad made Syria a base for the illegal amphetamine Captagon that brought cash to Assad’s circles. Al-Sharaa, the leader of the jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, said Sunday that the victory was achieved because of “God and the blood of martyrs.” He said that he left Syria 20 years ago and since then his heart has longed for this movement. LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed the end of Assad’s rule as he called for peace and the protection of civilians. “The Syrian people have suffered under Assad’s barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure,” Starmer said. He said the U.K. was focused on a political solution to restore peace and stability. “We call on all sides to protect civilians and minorities and ensure essential aid can reach the most vulnerable in the coming hours and days,” he said. AMMAN, Jordan — The vast majority of the Jordanian people are welcoming the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the success of the Syrian revolution. “There is no doubt that I felt overwhelming joy at the fall of the Assad regime," said Badi Al-Rafaia, Engineer, union activist and member of the Islamic Action Front. "There is no doubt that we are happy with what happened in Syria, happy with the success of the revolution, happy with the Syrian people getting rid of an oppressor and criminal who treated the Syrian people and made the Syrian state a failed state.” Al-Rafaia said that Jordan is benefiting from what happened in Syria, and "we hope that Jordan will help the revolution succeed and not work against it.” Amman resident Muhab al-Majali said the fall of the Assad regime is “The end of every unjust and tyrannical rule, and more than that, it mortgaged the country and its people to the Iranians, who abandoned it in minutes... I believe that the future is beautiful and prosperous for the Syrians.” BERLIN — The International Committee of the Red Cross is calling for safe humanitarian access and protection of civilians in Syria after the fall of Bashir Assad’s government. “Our teams in Syria, including in Damascus, have been closely monitoring the fast-evolving security and humanitarian situation in coordination with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent,” the ICRC’s head of delegation in Syria, Stephan Sakalian, said in a written statement Sunday. The ICRC is “responding wherever possible, with further efforts underway, as hundreds of thousands of people need care and humanitarian assistance,” he said. Sakalian called “on all parties to urgently enable safe and unhindered access for medical and humanitarian workers to reach those in need, to protect civilians, and to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law.” BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government said in a statement Sunday that it “supports all international and regional efforts seeking to open a dialogue” for Syria “leading to the adoption of a pluralistic constitution that preserves the human and civil rights of Syrians, and supports cultural, ethnic and religious diversity.” The statement from government spokesperson Bassem al-Awadi, said that Iraq understands “the necessity of respecting the free will of all Syrians, and stresses that the security of Syria, the unity of its territories, and the preservation of its independence are of utmost importance, not only for Iraq but also for its connection to the security and stability of the region.” It cautioned against “interfering in Syria’s internal affairs, or supporting one party for the benefit of another.” Iraq, which has a close relationship with Iran - once a strong ally of former Syrian President Bashar Assad - has taken in some 2,000 Syrian army soldiers who fled the country amid the advance of armed opposition groups. CAIRO — The head of Yemen’s internationally recognized government welcomed the fall of the government of President Bashar Assad of Syria. “It’s a historic moment,” Rashad al-Alimi, who chairs the ruling presidential council, wrote on X platform of Assad’s downfall. “It’s time for the Iranian regime to stop meddling in Yemen, respect its sovereignty and identity.” Al-Alimi, who is backed by Saudi Arabia, was referring to Iran’s support of Houthi rebels who are at war with Yemen’s internationally recognized government for a decade. DAMASCUS — Families wandered through the high-ceilinged halls of the presidential palace in Damascus on Sunday, along with some armed men. Some paused to take family portraits or selfies on the few remaining couches against the backdrop of mosaiced walls, while others walked out with chairs and other items under their arms. On the massive parking lot out front, cars drove in circles honking ecstatically. In central Damascus’ Umayyad Square, drivers passing by also honked jubilantly, while young men piled onto a tank abandoned in the square. But for some the celebration was bittersweet. “I am very happy, but this happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of the prison and know where is he is,” said Damascus resident Bassam Masr. “I have been searching for him for two hours - he has been detained for 13 years.” TEHRAN, Iran — Iran says the Syrian people should decide their country’s future “without destructive, coercive foreign intervention.” The Foreign Ministry statement issued Sunday marked Iran’s first official reaction to the overthrow of President Bashar Assad, who it had strongly backed through nearly 14 years of civil war. Assad’s government was a close ally of Iran that served as a crucial conduit between it and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. The rebels who toppled Assad view Iran as a hostile foreign influence, and the abandoned Iranian Embassy in Damascus was ransacked as they entered the city. The Foreign Ministry statement said Iran supports Syria’s unity and national sovereignty, and hopes to see “the end of military conflicts, the prevention of terrorist activities and the start of a national dialogue” with the participation of all groups. “It is expected that the wise and farsighted relations of the two nations will continue based on mutual ties and interests,” the statement said. TEL AVIV, Israel – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israeli forces have seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria. He spoke from an overlook near the border between Syria and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, after Syrian rebels tore through the country and dramatically ended Assad’s rule on Sunday morning. Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating the Israeli takeover as a “temporary defensive position.” Israel captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied Syrian territory. Satellite images analyzed by the Associated Press show that as early as September, Israel began construction of what could possibly be a new road right along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria . The United Nations confirmed that Israeli troops entered the demilitarized zone during the work. The United Nations maintains a peacekeeping force in the demilitarized zone called the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, or UNDOF, with around 1,100 peacekeepers from Fiji, India, Kazakhstan, Nepal, and Uruguay. After the 1973 Mideast war, the U.N. Secretary Council voted to create UNDOF to patrol a roughly 400 square kilometer (155 square mile) demilitarized zone and maintain the peace there. MASNAA, Lebanon — At Lebanon’s Masnaa crossing into Syria, the mood was festive Sunday with some local Lebanese residents handing out congratulatory sweets to Syrians lined up to return to their country. Sami Abdel-Latif, a refugee from Hama who was heading to Syria to join his wife and four children, said while the future in Syria is still uncertain, “anything is better than Bashar.” He said he expected some chaos initially but that eventually the situation would settle down. “Look at Aleppo now,” he said, referring to the first major city taken over by opposition forces more than a week ago, where life has continued more or less as normal. Abdel-Latif, a construction worker, said he is also hoping that there will now be plentiful work in Syria to rebuild. Malak Matar, who was preparing to return to Damascus, said, “This is a feeling we’ve been waiting 14 years for. “You feel yourself psychologically free - you can express yourself,” he said. “The country is free and the barriers have been broken down.” Now, he said, “Syrians have to create a state that is well-organized and take care of their country. It’s a new phase.” DAMASCUS, Syria — An Associated Press journalist in Damascus reported airstrikes in the area of the Mezzeh military airport, southwest of the capital Sunday. The airport has previously been targeted in Israeli airstrikes, but it was not immediately clear who launched Sunday's strike. The Israeli military refused to comment on the airport strike. Israel often does not publicly claim responsibility for attacks in Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, reported that Israeli warplanes also targeted warehouses belonging to the Syrian army’s Fourth Division and another former military site outside of Damascus Sunday. On Saturday and Sunday, the Israeli military sent additional troops to the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights to bolster Israel’s presence along the border between Israel and Syria. Agricultural areas along the border were declared closed military zones and some schools shifted to online classes in anticipation of unrest. MOSCOW — Russia’s Foreign Ministry claimed Sunday that Bashar Assad had left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups, and gave “instructions” to “transfer power peacefully.” In a post on the Telegram messaging app on Sunday, the ministry said Moscow had not directly participated in these talks. It also said it has been following the “dramatic events” in Syria “with extreme concern." It also said Russian troops stationed in Syria have been put on high alert and that as of early afternoon Sunday, there was “no serious threat” to the security of Russia’s military bases there. Russia has waged a military campaign in Syria since September 2015, teaming up with Iran to allow Assad’s government to fight armed opposition groups and reclaim control over most of the country. While Russia now concentrates the bulk of its military resources in Ukraine, it has maintained a military foothold in Syria and keeps troops at its bases there.

Heavy rainfall, high winds cause delays, flooding in Nova ScotiaGlobal reaction to the fall of Assad ranges from jubilation to alarm

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Furthermore, marketing and promotion strategies can significantly influence the success of a drama. The competition for viewership is fierce in the saturated drama market, and effective promotion through social media, press releases, and other channels can help generate hype and increase anticipation for a drama's premiere. The production team's ability to create buzz and engage with audiences leading up to the premiere date can impact the overall reception and viewership numbers.WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Saturday he had an “excellent conversation” with Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club after the president-elect's threat to impose significant tariffs on two of America’s leading trade partners raised alarms in Ottawa and Mexico City . It was unclear, as Trudeau headed back to Canada from Florida, whether the conversation had alleviated Trump’s concerns. A person familiar with the details of the leaders' hastily arranged meeting Friday night said it was a “positive wide-ranging dinner that lasted three hours.” The official, who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, said topics included trade, border security, fentanyl, defense, Ukraine, NATO, China, the Mideast and pipelines, as well as the the Group of Seven meeting in Canada next year. The Republican president-elect has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if the countries don’t stop what he called the flow of drugs and migrants across their borders. He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico as one of his first executive orders when he takes office in January. As he was leaving his West Palm Beach hotel, Trudeau stopped briefly to answer a reporter’s question about the dinner meeting, saying it was "an excellent conversation." Trump’s transition team did not respond to questions about what the leaders had discussed. Trump, during his first term as president, once called Trudeau “weak” and “dishonest,” but it was the prime minister who was the first G7 leader to visit Trump since the Nov. 5 election. "Tariffs are a crucial issue for Canada and a bold move was in order. Perhaps it was a risk, but a risk worth taking,” Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal. Among those at the dinner were Howard Lutnick, Trump's pick for commerce secretary; North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum, in line to lead the Interior Department; and Mike Waltz, Trump's choice to be his national security adviser. Accompanying Trudeau were Canada's public safety minister, Dominic LeBlanc, whose responsibilities include border security, and Katie Telford, Trudeau's chief of staff. Trudeau had said earlier Friday that he would resolve the tariffs issue by talking to Trump. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said a day earlier after speaking with Trump that she is confident a tariff war with the United States will be averted. Trudeau said Trump got elected because he promised to bring down the cost of groceries but now he's talking about adding 25% to the cost of all kinds of products including potatoes from Prince Edward Island in Atlantic Canada. “It is important to understand that Donald Trump, when he makes statements like that, he plans on carrying them out. There’s no question about it,” Trudeau said before his leaving for Florida. “Our responsibility is to point out that he would not just be harming Canadians, who work so well with the United States, but he would actually be raising prices for Americans citizens as well and hurting American industry and business,” he added. To Nelson Wiseman, professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, Trump "doesn’t need convincing that new tariffs on Canadian products would not be in U.S. interests. He knows that, but cannot say it because it would detract from what he has said publicly. His goal is to project the image that he gets action when he talks.” Those tariffs could essentially blow up the North American trade pact that Trump’s team negotiated during his first term. Trudeau noted they were able to successfully renegotiate the deal, which he calls a “win win” for both countries. Trump made the tariff threat Monday while citing an influx of migrants entering the country illegally, even though the numbers at the Canadian border pale in comparison to those at the U.S.-Mexico border. Trump also spoke about fentanyl from Mexico and Canada, even though seizures from the Canadian border are few in comparison to the Mexican border. Canadian officials say lumping Canada in with Mexico is unfair but say they are ready to make new investments in border security. When Trump imposed higher tariffs during his first term in office, other countries responded with retaliatory tariffs of their own. Canada, for instance, announced billions of new duties in 2018 against the U.S. in a response to new taxes on Canadian steel and aluminum. Canada is the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $3.6 billion Canadian (US $2.7 billion) worth of goods and services cross the border each day. ___ Gillies reported from Toronto.

Manchester United Last Premier League Title-winning Squad: 17 Retired, Only 5 Still Active in Top Five LeaguesSTEPHEN MAGUIRE has admitted failing to achieve in snooker — but he’s content having memories not titles. It is 20 years since the Scot, now 43, blew away the field to win the UK Championship . Advertisement 1 He reckons his career has been a missed opportunity Credit: Getty Rival Ronnie O’Sullivan tipped him to dominate the sport and Maguire even made world No 2. But he’s now ranked 33 and has only won six ranking titles in his 26 years on the tour. Maguire who plays world champion Kyren Wilson in the UK first round in York tomorrow, said: “I’ve not had a good career. I’ve not won what I think maybe I should have in my career. “I don’t care what anybody else says, but I’ve left a few tournaments out there. That’s probably my own fault to be honest. Advertisement read more sport stories FRAME IT Scots snooker ace admits 'I thought give up or retire' after HOUR-LONG decider MEGA OFFER Get £50 in free bets to spend on football when you stake £10 with Betfred “Looking back, I should probably have knuckled down from 2005 for that seven or eight-year period. “I maybe should have knuckled down a bit more, and who knows? “But it’s gone now, I can’t change it. I’m still here and still breathing.” Maguire comes alive in York in an event where he has produced his best snooker over the years. Advertisement Most read in Sport TICKET TALKS Celtic ultras slam Hearts for sparking 'unnecessary division' among Hoops fans FAN ROW Roy Keane says 'I'll wait for you in car park' in confrontation with Ipswich fan RED HOT SCOT Scott McTominay hailed as Serie A's best midfielder by legend of rival club Breaking HIT AND RUN Car 'deliberately' ploughs into fans outside Premier League stadium after match As well as pocketing his one and only Triple Crown Major, he has reached two other finals. Maguire added: “I don’t look back at winning it 20 years ago, people remind me. I honestly can’t remember it. Barry Hearn confirms ‘very straightforward’ plans for World Snooker Championships that lets him ‘treble prize money’ “I suppose it’s been a good event for me. I’ve played in it about 100 times and only won it once, so it’s nothing to shout about. “All I can do is try. I can only show up and try and worry about myself and see what happens.” Advertisement Meanwhile, Mark Allen admits he has a crisis of confidence in his bid to become a multiple UK champion. The world No 3, who lifted the trophy two years ago, made a top break of just 56 to beat qualifier Jackson Page 6-4. Allen said: “I feel like I’m doing all the things I did to make me world No 1. I’ve tried so much over the past few months and it’s getting me down. “But it’s hard when you get down on the shot and don’t know where the balls are going to go. My snooker’s just awful at the moment.” Advertisement Ali Carter reached the last 16 for the first time since 2012 with a 6-4 win over Ryan Day. Keep up to date with ALL t h e latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page

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kkjili15 WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers, meet your latest lobbyists: online influencers from TikTok. The platform is once again bringing influencers to Washington, this time to lobby members of Congress to reject a fast-moving bill that would force TikTok's Beijing-based parent company to sell or be banned in the United States. On Tuesday, some influencers began a two-day advocacy event in support of TikTok, which arranged their trip ahead of a House floor vote on the legislation on Wednesday. But unlike a similar lobbying event the company put together last March when talks of a TikTok ban reached a fever pitch, this year’s effort appeared more rushed as the company scrambles to counter the legislation, which advanced rapidly on Capitol Hill. Summer Lucille, a TikTok content creator with 1.4 million followers who is visiting Washington this week, said if TikTok is banned, she “don’t know what it will do” to her business, a plus-sized boutique in Charlotte, North Carolina. “It will be devastating,” Lucille said in an interview arranged by the platform. In an unusual showing of bipartisanship, a House panel unanimously approved the measure last week. President Joe Biden has said he will sign the legislation if lawmakers pass it. But it’s unclear what will happen in the Senate, where several bills aimed at banning TikTok have stalled. The legislation faces other roadblocks. Former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump, who holds sway over both House and Senate Republicans, has voiced opposition to the bill, saying it would empower Meta-owned Facebook, which he continues to lambast over his 2020 election loss. The bill also faces pushback from some progressive lawmakers in the House as well as civil liberties groups who argue it infringes on the First Amendment. TikTok could be banned if ByteDance, the parent company, doesn’t sell its stakes in the platform and other applications it owns within six months of the bill’s enactment. The fight over the platform takes place as U.S.-China relations have shifted to that of strategic rivalry, especially in areas such as advanced technologies and data security, seen as essential to each country’s economic prowess and national security. The shift, which started during the Trump years and has continued under Biden, has placed restrictions on export of advanced technologies and outflow of U.S. monies to China, as well as access to the U.S. market by certain Chinese businesses. The Biden administration also has cited human rights concerns in blacklisting a number of Chinese companies accused of assisting the state surveillance campaign against ethnic minorities. TikTok isn’t short on lobbyists. Its Beijing-based parent company ByteDance has a strong lobbying apparatus in Washington that includes dozens of lobbyists from well-known consulting and legal firms as well as influential insiders, such as former members of Congress and ex-aides to powerful lawmakers, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will also be in Washington this week and plans to meet with lawmakers, according to a company spokesperson who said Chew’s visit was previously scheduled. But influencers, who have big followings on social media and can share personal stories of how the platform boosted their businesses — or simply gave them a voice — are still perhaps one of the most powerful tools the company has in its arsenal. A TikTok spokesperson said dozens of influencers will attend the two-day event, including some who came last year. The spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions about how many new people would be attending this year’s lobbying blitz. The company is briefing them ahead of meetings with their representatives and media interviews. Lucille, who runs the boutique in North Carolina, says has seen a substantial surge in revenue because of her TikTok page. The 34-year-old began making TikTok content focusing on plus-sized fashion in March 2022, more than a decade after she started her business. She quickly amassed thousands of followers after posting a nine-second video about her boutique. Because of her popularity on the platform, her business has more online exposure and customers, some of whom have visited from as far as Europe. She says she also routinely hears from followers who are finding support through her content about fashion and confidence. JT Laybourne, an influencer who also came to Washington, said he joined TikTok in early 2019 after getting some negative comments on videos he posted on Instagram while singing in the car with his children. Laybourne, who lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, said he was attracted to the short-form video platform because it was easy to create videos that contained music. Like Lucille, he quickly gained traction on the app. He says he also received more support from TikTok users, who reacted positively to content he produced on love and positivity. Laybourne says the community he built on the platform rallied around his family when he had to undergo heart surgery in 2020. Following the surgery, he said he used the platform to help raise $1 million for the American Heart Association in less than two years. His family now run an apparel company that gets most of its traffic from TikTok. “I will fight tooth-and-nail for this app,” he said. But whether the opposition the company is mounting through lobbyists or influencers will be enough to derail the bill is yet to be seen. On Tuesday, House lawmakers received a briefing on national security concerns regarding TikTok from the FBI, Justice Department and intelligence officials. AP Journalist Didi Tang contributed to this report. This story was originally published on March 12, 2024. It was updated on December 23, 2024 to clarify a quote by TikTok content creator Summer Lucille.Black Friday subscription deals for 2024: The best discounts on Audible, Kindle Unlimited, MasterClass, ProtonVPN and more

Novak Djokovic had a busy first day upon arriving in Brisbane for his first tournament of the year. The Serbian was seen arriving at the center court to train with Jakub Mensik , although he took the time to joke around with Grigor Dimitrov , play media day games, and was outdone by none other than Mirra Andreeva . In a new Daily Dose of Social Media , we take a look at the steps of the top stars from the ATP and WTA Tours who are already beginning the 2025 season in the Australian Swing. Aryna Sabalenka , Jasmine Paolini, Matteo Berrettini, and Ashleigh Barty were among the stars captured on the last day. Novak Djokovic’s eventful day at Brisbane International Novak Djokovic is ready to kick off the 2025 season, arriving in Brisbane, Australia, for his first tournament of the year. The 24-time Grand Slam champion chose to start the season at an ATP 250 event to fine-tune his game ahead of the Australian Open and will be the first seed in a draw featuring three former champions. A video captured Djokovic’s arrival at the Patrick Rafter Arena, where he was seen greeting world No. 10 Grigor Dimitrov at the stadium entrance. Djokovic and Dimitrov shared a few moments of conversation and a friendly hug before the tournament. The Serbian leads their head-to-head record 12-1, with their last meeting at the 2023 Paris Masters final, where Djokovic secured a straight-sets victory. Una publicación compartida de Brisbane International (@brisbaneinternational) Una publicación compartida de Brisbane International (@brisbaneinternational) Djokovic wasted no time and scheduled his first practice session with the 2024 Newcomer of the Year, 19-year-old Jakub Mensik (world No. 48). The Czech player was thrilled to hit the court with the former world No. 1. “Back in Brisbane! and feeling the heat☀️... the 2025 season kicks off soon! Great to see some familiar faces and practice with @djokernole. Idemoo volino! ,” Mensik posted. Nole is set to debut on Monday against local player Rinky Hijikata, who received a wild card to enter the draw. Additionally, on the same Monday, he will team up with Nick Kyrgios to play in the doubles draw, an exciting partnership as both look to find their best form ahead of the Australian Open. Una publicación compartida de Jakub Menšík (@mensik.jakub) Djokovic also made time to participate in promotional activities ahead of the tournament, including the ‘racquet grip challenge.’ In a video, the 37-year-old was seen quickly gripping his racquet in just 9.8 seconds, although it wasn’t enough to take first place. “In your face, Grigor,” he jokingly shouted. “I didn’t end up the last part, it’s okay. And there’s a little hole here, but it’s okay.” Later, Djokovic joked again with Dimitrov when they met in the stadium hallway. “Guys, officially it’s going under second place after (Mirra) Andreeva, and I’m gonna give it to the guy who is in the 3rd place to put this little sticker here, thank you so much.” “No way, so she beat us all?” replied in surprise the Bulgarian who had put Djokovic's sticker in the first place, but the Serb was quick to correct him. “No, it’s not there. No, she was better. She got 7 seconds,” Nole said, returning the Russian teenager’s name to the top of the leaderboard. Una publicación compartida de Brisbane International (@brisbaneinternational) From Sabalenka to Barty: Brisbane mascot welcomes tennis stars The ATP and WTA stars posed for photos with the official mascot ‘Bounce’ of the Brisbane International . Several players participating in the tournament took pictures with the iconic Brisbane International plush. One of them was World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka , returning to the tournament where she was a finalist in 2024 (losing to Elena Rybakina). Similarly, Paula Badosa , Ons Jabeur, and Matteo Berrettini also took photos with the mascot, as did former player and three-time Grand Slam champion Ashleigh Barty. Barty is present as a tournament ambassador and will participate in an exhibition this Sunday — alongside Jabeur, Pat Rafter, and Frances Tiafoe — as part of a campaign raising awareness for the Ash Barty Foundation. The former World No. 1 recently announced her second pregnancy. Una publicación compartida de SaqueAce (@saqueace) Kyrgios and Tiafoe joke around during training session Nick Kyrgios and Frances Tiafoe shared a fun moment joking around during a practice session ahead of the Brisbane International. In a video shared by the Australian star, both players can be seen having fun from the baseline of Pat Rafter Court. “...... what were we talking about though ️️” posted the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up, who received a response from Big-Foe: “My guy ✊✊” he commented. Kyrgios will debut this Monday against World No. 31 Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, 21, who will be making his tournament debut. The Australian will also join Djokovic in the doubles draw. On Tiafoe’s side (No. 21), he will debut the same Monday against local wildcard Adam Walton (No. 93). Una publicación compartida de Nick Kyrgios (@k1ngkyrg1os) Katie Boulter shares Sydney postals before her United Cup debut Katie Boulter shared a series of photos from her first few days in Sydney while waiting for her debut at the United Cup. The British No. 1 will take the court on December 30 in the opening match of the tie against Argentina. The South Americans come off a surprising win over Australia and have the chance to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. Boulter will face former French Open semifinalist Nadia Podoroska in the opening match, and then Billy Harris, replacing Jack Draper as the male singles player, will face World No. 39 Tomas Martin Etcheverry. In the photos posted by Boulter, she can be seen both playing on court and posing with several of her colleagues. First, she is with Iga Swiatek , Jasmine Paolini, and Olivia Gadecki with the Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background. She also posed on court with her coach Biljana Veselinovic and her teammate Jodie Burrage, among other snapshots. Una publicación compartida de Katie Boulter (@katiecboulter) Jasmine Paolini shares fun surfing moments in Sydney Jasmine Paolini shared a fun series of photos from her days in Sydney ahead of her first match at the United Cup. The Italian was spotted surfing, in addition to participating in media day activities alongside her Italian teammates, including World No. 31 Flavio Cobolli . The two-time Grand Slam runner-up also posted a video of her attempt at surfing in the Australian city. Paolini’s first match will be on December 29 against Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Belinda Bencic, who is returning after a year-long maternity break. The Swiss player had a brilliant win on the first day against France’s Chloe Pacquet. On Cobolli’s side, he will face Dominic Stricker, who will aim to secure Switzerland’s spot in the semifinals. Una publicación compartida de Jasmine Paolini (@jasmine_paolini) Una publicación compartida de Jasmine Paolini (@jasmine_paolini) This article first appeared on TennisUpToDate.com and was syndicated with permission.By SAMY MAGDY CAIRO — Famine is spreading in Sudan due to a war between the military and a notorious paramilitary group that has devastated the country and created the world’s largest displacement crisis, a global hunger monitoring group said Tuesday. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, or IPC, said it detected famine in five areas, including in Sudan’s largest displacement camp, Zamzam , in North Darfur province, where famine was found for the first time in August. The report said the war has triggered unprecedented mass displacement and a collapsing economy. It said hostilities can result in farmers abandoning their crops, looting and stock destruction. FILE – People gather to collect water in Khartoum, Sudan, May 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali, File) FILE – Sudanese Khadiga Omer adam sits by her sick child in an MSF-run clinic in the Aboutengue displacement site near Acre, Chad, Friday, Oct 4. 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick, File) FILE – Sudanese refugees arrive in Acre, Chad, Sunday, Oct 6. 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick, File) File – A man walks by a house hit in recent fighting in Khartoum, Sudan, an area torn by fighting between the military and the notorious paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, April 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali, File) FILE – Residents displaced from a surge of violent attacks squat on blankets and in hastily made tents in the village of Masteri in west Darfur, Sudan, on July 30, 2020. (Mustafa Younes via AP, File) FILE – A World Food Programme (WFP) truck backs up to load food items from a recently landed UN helicopter, in Yida camp, South Sudan, Sept. 14, 2012. (AP Photo/Mackenzie Knowles-Coursin) FILE – Sudanese refugee girls carry water supplies near a polling station in the refugee camp of Zamzam, on the outskirts of El Fasher, Darfur, Sudan, on April 13, 2010. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser, File) FILE -People line up in front of a bakery during a cease-fire in Khartoum, Sudan, May 27, 2023. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali, File) This grab from video shows smoke rising over Khartoum, Sudan on Thursday Sept. 26, 2024, after Sudan’s military started an operation to take areas of the capital from its rival, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. (AP Photo/Rashed Ahmed) File – A man walks by a house hit in recent fighting in Khartoum, Sudan, an area torn by fighting between the military and the notorious paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, April 25, 2023. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali, File) FILE – People gather to collect water in Khartoum, Sudan, May 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali, File) FILE – Sudanese refugees displaced by the conflict in Sudan gather to receive food staples from aid agencies at the Metche Camp in eastern Chad Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Jsarh Ngarndey Ulrish, File) Women who fled war in Sudan rest in a refugee camp in Adre, Chad, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) A woman who fled war in Sudan and requested anonymity because she feared retribution after reporting sexual exploitation, holds her baby in a refugee camp in Adre, Chad, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) People cross into Chad from Sudan in Adre, Chad, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) A woman who fled war in Sudan digs in a refugee camp in Adre, Chad, Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) Patients are treated in an MSF-run clinic in the Aboutengue displacement site near Acre, Chad, Friday, Oct 4. 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) Halima Habdullha holds her 7-month-old severely malnourished daughter Kaltum Abakar in an MSF-run clinic in the Aboutengue displacement site near Acre, Chad, Friday, Oct 4. 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) Ousmane Taher and his family cross from Sudan into Chad near Acre Sunday, Oct 6. 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) Sudanese refugees arrive in Acre, Chad, Sunday, Oct 6. 2024. (AP Photo/Sam Mednick) FILE – People gather to collect water in Khartoum, Sudan, May 28, 2023. (AP Photo/Marwan Ali, File) Along with the Zamzam camp, which has more than 400,000 people, famine was also detected in two other camps for displaced people, Abu Shouk and al-Salam in North Darfur, and the Western Nuba Mountains, the IPC report said. Five other areas in North Darfur are projected “with reasonable evidence” to experience famine in the next six months, including el-Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur, it said. Seventeen areas in the Nuba Mountains and the northern and southern areas of Darfur are at risk of famine, it added. The report also said some areas in the capital, Khartoum, and the east-central province of Gezira “may be experiencing” famine-like conditions. It said experts were unable to confirm whether famine threshold has been surpassed due to lack of data. “It is not merely a lack of food but a profound breakdown of health, livelihoods and social structures, leaving entire communities in a state of desperation,” it said. There is widespread hunger, with food in markets scarce and prices high. Aid groups say they struggle to reach the most vulnerable as warring parties limit access, especially in North Darfur province. Ahead of the IPC’s report, Sudan’s government said it had suspended its participation in the global monitoring system, according to a senior United Nations official with knowledge of the move. In a letter dated Dec. 23, Agriculture Minister Abu Baker al-Beshri accused the IPC of “issuing unreliable reports that undermine Sudan’s sovereignty and dignity,” said the U.N. official, who spoke in condition of anonymity to discuss the letter. Sudan’s 20-month war has killed more than than 24,000 people and driven over 14 million people — about 30% of the population — from their homes, according to the United Nations. An estimated 3.2 million Sudanese have crossed into neighboring countries including Chad, Egypt and South Sudan. The war began in April 2023 when tensions between its military and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces exploded into fighting in Khartoum before spreading to other areas. The conflict has been marked by atrocities including ethnically motivated killing and rape, according to the U.N. and rights groups. The International Criminal Court is investigating alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. Related Articles Dervla Cleary, a senior emergency and rehabilitation officer at the U.N.’s Food and Agriculture Organization, said 638,000 people are experiencing famine. “The situation in Sudan is just awful. It is unacceptable in a world like today,” she said. The IPC report called for a ceasefire, calling it the only way to reduce the risk of famine spreading further.” Sudan is the third country where famine was declared in the past 15 years, along with South Sudan and Somalia. The IPC comprises more than a dozen U.N. agencies, aid groups and governments that use its monitoring as a global reference for analysis of food and nutrition crises. The organization has also warned that large parts of Gaza’s Palestinian population face the threat of famine.

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hyperscale Data, Inc. (NYSE American: GPUS), a diversified holding company (“Hyperscale Data” or the “Company”), announced that it was notified today by the NYSE American that due to the Company’s disclosure in its Form 10-Q filed for the fiscal period ended September 30, 2024, which reported stockholders’ equity of approximately $2.2 million, it no longer meets the requirement that it must have no less than $6 million or more in stockholders’ equity pursuant to the listing standard set forth under Section 1003(a)(ii) and (iii) of the NYSE American Company Guide (the “Listing Standards”) because the Company has reported losses from continuing operations and/or net losses in five of its most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2023. Under the applicable NYSE American listing rules, the Company must by January 17, 2025 submit a compliance plan that demonstrates how it intends to regain compliance with the Listing Standards within 18 months of the receipt of the notice, or June 18, 2026. The Company intends to develop and submit to the NYSE American such a plan. If the NYSE American does not accept the plan, or if the Company does not make progress consistent with the plan during the plan period, the NYSE American will initiate delisting procedures. If the NYSE American accepts the plan the Company will be subject to periodic reviews including quarterly monitoring for compliance with the plan. During this period, the Company's common stock will continue to be listed on the NYSE American and trade as usual subject to compliance with other NYSE American listing requirements. The Company is confident that it will be able to submit a plan acceptable to the NYSE American within the requisite period and further that it will promptly be able to demonstrate that it has regained compliance with the Listing Standards. For more information on Hyperscale Data and its subsidiaries, Hyperscale Data recommends that stockholders, investors and any other interested parties read Hyperscale Data’s public filings and press releases available under the Investor Relations section at hyperscaledata.com or available at www.sec.gov. About Hyperscale Data, Inc. Hyperscale Data is transitioning from a diversified holding company pursuing growth by acquiring undervalued businesses and disruptive technologies with a global impact to becoming solely an owner and operator of data centers to support high performance computing services. Through its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries and strategic investments, Hyperscale Data owns and operates a data center at which it mines digital assets and offers colocation and hosting services for the emerging artificial intelligence ecosystems and other industries. It also provides, through its wholly owned subsidiary, Ault Capital Group, Inc., mission-critical products that support a diverse range of industries, including an artificial intelligence software platform, social gaming platform, equipment rental services, defense/aerospace, industrial, automotive, medical/biopharma and hotel operations. In addition, Hyperscale Data is actively engaged in private credit and structured finance through a licensed lending subsidiary. Hyperscale Data’s headquarters are located at 11411 Southern Highlands Parkway, Suite 240, Las Vegas, NV 89141. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements generally include statements that are predictive in nature and depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and include words such as “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “potential,” or similar expressions. Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current beliefs and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any of them publicly in light of new information or future events. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement as a result of various factors. More information, including potential risk factors, that could affect the Company’s business and financial results are included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. All filings are available at www.sec.gov and on the Company’s website at www.hyperscaledata.com . Hyperscale Data Investor Contact: IR@hyperscaledata.com or 1-888-753-2235None

Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its position in American Airlines Group Inc. ( NASDAQ:AAL – Free Report ) by 107.6% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,519,904 shares of the airline’s stock after buying an additional 787,671 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned approximately 0.23% of American Airlines Group worth $17,084,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Primecap Management Co. CA grew its holdings in shares of American Airlines Group by 34.4% in the 2nd quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA now owns 56,881,356 shares of the airline’s stock valued at $644,466,000 after acquiring an additional 14,549,310 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of American Airlines Group by 75.5% in the 2nd quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 4,240,659 shares of the airline’s stock valued at $48,047,000 after buying an additional 1,823,928 shares during the last quarter. Point72 DIFC Ltd bought a new position in shares of American Airlines Group in the third quarter valued at $16,490,000. Toronto Dominion Bank raised its position in American Airlines Group by 379.6% during the third quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 1,667,539 shares of the airline’s stock worth $18,743,000 after acquiring an additional 1,319,859 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. grew its holdings in American Airlines Group by 10,997.9% during the third quarter. Connor Clark & Lunn Investment Management Ltd. now owns 1,167,056 shares of the airline’s stock worth $13,118,000 after purchasing an additional 1,156,540 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 52.44% of the company’s stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of research firms have recently issued reports on AAL. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “neutral” rating and set a $15.00 target price on shares of American Airlines Group in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Seaport Res Ptn upgraded shares of American Airlines Group from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 5th. Barclays upped their target price on American Airlines Group from $16.00 to $18.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, December 6th. Scotiabank raised shares of American Airlines Group from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $20.00 price target for the company in a report on Thursday, December 5th. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on American Airlines Group from $18.00 to $22.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, December 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have issued a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $15.99. American Airlines Group Stock Performance Shares of AAL stock opened at $17.35 on Friday. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $14.94 and a 200-day moving average of $12.28. American Airlines Group Inc. has a 1-year low of $9.07 and a 1-year high of $18.20. The stock has a market cap of $11.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 52.58, a PEG ratio of 0.29 and a beta of 1.41. American Airlines Group ( NASDAQ:AAL – Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 24th. The airline reported $0.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.16 by $0.14. The business had revenue of $13.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.50 billion. American Airlines Group had a net margin of 0.51% and a negative return on equity of 18.62%. American Airlines Group’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.38 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that American Airlines Group Inc. will post 1.62 earnings per share for the current year. American Airlines Group Profile ( Free Report ) American Airlines Group Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as a network air carrier. The company provides scheduled air transportation services for passengers and cargo through its hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, and Washington, DC, as well as through partner gateways in London, Doha, Madrid, Seattle/Tacoma, Sydney, and Tokyo. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AAL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Airlines Group Inc. ( NASDAQ:AAL – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for American Airlines Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for American Airlines Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Putin apologizes for crash but stops short of saying Azerbaijani plane was shot down

Danaher Announces Quarterly Dividend

NoneIn a nation where patriarchy remains strong, Boys' Love homoerotic manga and other fictional media give women and girls a world of escapism from societal constraints. Walk into the manga section of your local Japanese bookstore. The overwhelming images you’ll see are wide-eyed girls with impossible melon breasts. Even before a single word or picture is written, the assumption is clear. Girls exist to titillate men—whether they are characters, readers or the wider patriarchal society as a whole. Now head to the part of the manga section furthest from the entrance. Here, you’ll see softer images of romance with titles for elementary school girls. Then, right near that, you’ll find the glossy covers featuring pretty boys—some of them closing in for a kiss. This is “boys’ love” (BL), a Japanese genre of manga, novels, anime, movies and now computer games. It features love relationships between young men but, surprisingly, is not made for a gay audience. Boys’ love is similar to the West’s slash fiction. Both depict homosexual relationships and emerged largely from amateur creations by fans. The majority of readers in both categories are women. However, most female fans of slash fiction identify as other than heterosexual. In contrast, BL has some gay, bisexual and heterosexual male readers. Yet its fan base is predominantly heterosexual young women. . t ; The term “boys’ love” emerged in the early 1990s. However, the material began in the 1970s when female writers broke into the male-dominated world of manga for girls. Some started creating a genre of highly aesthetic depictions of relationships between boys. This was known as , literally “boys’ love” in Japanese, and often referenced classical literature. Amateur female writers then began creating subversive, sexualized parodies of mainstream anime and manga for boys. The male characters were recast as gay lovers. As with many subcultures, a range of genre-specific words has developed. Key among boys’ love and yaoi is the word (腐女子), used to describe female fans. This term takes the word for “women and girls” and changes the first character to read as “rotten girls.” The phrase emerged in the early 2000s among anime and gaming fans on the 2channel online community. At the time, 2channel was very popular in Japan. It was a self-deprecating label acknowledging how mainstream culture views women who enjoy imagining romantic relationships between men. When discussing the coupling between characters, readers use specific terms. (受け) means “to receive” and refers to the traditional female role, or “bottom” in modern English. (攻め) means “to attack” and refers to the male role, or “top.” The obstacles to BL characters loving each other are much higher than in regular narratives. This makes the stories more romantic or “satisfyingly heartrending” for readers. “For example,” Ancha writes on her , “if the main character likes a boy but thinks he is straight, he will be fraught with doubt. He may wonder if it’s OK to like him or not. The greater difficulty for characters to get closer and reveal their feelings gives readers emotional excitement.” Ancha began reading BL at about 12 years old and loved a BL version of . She says it is also exciting for women to read from the perspective of the seducer, or , as women are usually cast in the opposite role in real-world relationships. She also enjoys the absence of a female heroine in BL. In mainstream manga for girls, female characters are sometimes not relatable. The all-male lead cast of BL media makes it “stress-free,” she says. For characters to love each other despite heightened difficulty, including social resistance to homosexuality, inspires readers. Ancha describes this as “reverence for a pure love that ignores the judgments of others. BL is noble,” she says.

Santa Claus cleared for travel in Canadian airspaceSegall Bryant & Hamill LLC Increases Stock Position in Signet Jewelers Limited (NYSE:SIG)ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos' usually stout defense has been rocked ever since losing second-year cornerback Riley Moss to an MCL injury against Las Vegas in Week 12. Without Moss there to capitalize on opponents shying away from star cornerback Patrick Surtain II, the Broncos (9-6) have had to largely abandon their preferred man coverage in favor of zone strategies and the results haven't been pretty. They allowed 32 points to the Cleveland Browns when former teammate Jerry Jeudy caught nine passes for a career-best 235 yards, including a 70-yard touchdown. Only Jonathan Taylor's fumble at the goal line as he was about to score a 41-yard touchdown and give Indianapolis a 20-3 lead saved the Broncos in Week 15 and allowed Denver to seize momentum and get the victory. They couldn't stop Justin Herbert , who led the Los Angeles Chargers back from a double-digit third-quarter deficit for a 34-27 win last week that prevented the Broncos from ending their eight-year playoff drought. It also put more pressure on the Broncos to win Saturday at Cincinnati, where the Bengals (7-8) cling to hopes of catching the Broncos and denying Denver a wild-card berth. Moss returned to practice last week and the Broncos will determine this week whether he’s ready to return to the field or if it’s better to keep him out until their season finale against Kansas City. But all signs point to Moss being on the field to help thwart Cincy's offense led by Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. “It's great to have him back,” Surtain said after practice Tuesday. “I mean, you talk about a guy who was playing lights-out before the injury, but to see him back out there with confidence, out there practicing, getting his mojo back, it brings a lot of confidence to the team, as well. So, it's good to see him back out there in action, for sure.” Moss has enjoyed a breakout season in Denver with 71 tackles, eight pass breakups and an interception in 12 starts. He played in 14 games as a rotation player his rookie season after recovering from core muscle surgery that relegated him to special teams and spot duty in 2023. “We were and have been super excited" about the third-round pick out of Iowa, coach Sean Payton said. "Obviously, the guy that plays opposite of Patrick is going to get a lot of business. All throughout training camp, he really rose to the occasion, battled, competed and throughout really a good portion of the season. “He’s a big reason why we were playing so well defensively,” Payton added. "The sooner the better when we can get him back in the lineup. Hopefully it can happen this weekend.” In Moss' dozen starts, the Broncos allowed 16.8 points per game. Without him, they've been allowing 26.3 points a game. Burrow and Chase pose a bigger challenge to the Broncos than Jeudy and Jameis Wiston did for Cleveland or Herbert and Ladd McConkey did for the Chargers. The medial collateral ligament is on the inside of the knee that connects the thigh bone to the shin bone. It’s one of four major ligaments that stabilize the knee and allow it to rotate. It typically takes a month to recover from an MCL sprain and the Broncos had their bye week earlier this month, meaning Moss might only have to miss three games. If the Broncos reach the playoffs for the first time since winning Super Bowl 50 in Hall of Famer Peyton Manning's last start, they'll likely need to have a healthy Moss opposite Surtain to have any realistic hopes of avoiding a one-and-done appearance. The Broncos got a scare when Surtain injured an ankle against Indianapolis two weeks ago and limped off the field in the closing minutes. However, he was a full-go at practice last week and had no issues against the Chargers. NOTES: The Broncos waived veteran CB Levi Wallace, who had been inactive the past two weeks after giving up several big plays to Jeudy on Dec. 2. Denver also designated RB Tyler Badie to return from a back injury he sustained against the Jets in Week 4. Payton said he hopes to sign Wallace to the practice squad if he clears waivers. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

CONWAY, Ark. (AP) — Elias Cato scored 23 points as Central Arkansas beat UNC Asheville 92-83 in double overtime on Sunday. Jordan Morris made two free throws with one second left for UNC Asheville (2-3) to force overtime tied at 71. Fletcher Abee's 3-pointer with 33 seconds left in the first overtime tied the game at 79 and led to the second extra period. Michael Evbagharu's layup gave Central Arkansas (2-4) the lead in the second OT and Cato followed with a 3-pointer as the Bears outscored the Bulldogs 21-12 to pull out the victory. Cato added nine rebounds for the Bears. Layne Taylor totaled 19 points, seven assists, six rebounds and five steals. Brayden Fagbemi pitched in with 19 points, seven assists and five steals. The Bulldogs (2-3) were led by Fletcher Abee, who recorded 27 points. UNC Asheville also got 17 points from Josh Banks. Toyaz Solomon finished with 15 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .The Latest: UnitedHealthcare shooting suspect contests his extradition back to New York

09 jili New York judge rejects state efforts to shutter bitcoin mine over climate concernsAre international thieves exploiting tourist visas to target pro-athletes' homes?

As Zhang Anda reflects on his victory, he credits his success to his unwavering focus, dedication, and determination to never give up, even in the face of adversity. His performance in the match serves as a testament to his skill and resilience as a snooker player, showcasing his ability to thrive under pressure and deliver when it matters most.Real Madrid's Director of Institutional Relations, Emilio Butragueño, recently spoke about the challenges that come with a packed schedule for the club. With multiple competitions to juggle, including domestic leagues, cup competitions, and European tournaments, managing player fitness and avoiding injuries becomes a difficult task. In his insightful comments, Butragueño emphasized the importance of preparation and proactive measures to mitigate the impact of a hectic fixture list on the squad.

In honoring the memory of my father's brother and all those who have faced similar trials and tribulations, we pay homage to their legacy and ensure that their stories are never forgotten. The sculpture, with its haunting beauty and poignant symbolism, serves as a timeless reminder of the resilience and strength that lie at the heart of our family's history.Dick's Sporting Goods shares rise on analyst optimism ahead of results

Contrastingly, Trent Alexander-Arnold has become a role model for young players around the world. The Liverpool full-back has shown tremendous loyalty to his boyhood club, rejecting lucrative offers from other top clubs to stay and continue his development at Anfield. His work ethic, humility, and commitment to the team have earned him the admiration of fans and teammates alike. Alexander-Arnold's rise from the Liverpool academy to becoming an integral part of the first team serves as an inspiration to young players about the rewards of hard work, dedication, and loyalty.CMs, state ministers to join over 100 Indian CEOs in Davos next monthThe Golden State Warriors must decide how to approach the Feb. 6 trade deadline. Parting ways with a struggling wing and acquiring two appealing Portland Trail Blazers assets could transform the Warriors into a well-rounded ball club. “The Warriors’ biggest issues at the present are their lack of a true rim-protecting center and a second or third premier scorer that can supplement superstar Stephen Curry and 2022 All-Star Andrew Wiggins,” Empire Sports Media’s Matthew Legros wrote Thursday. “(Robert) Williams III is among the most gifted shot-blockers in the NBA. He’s currently sending back 1.9 rejections per game this season — the second-highest average of his career.” “He’s also a great lob threat with playoff experience that would form a scary defensive frontcourt alongside 2017 Defensive Player of the Year Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins.” “The kicker of the deal, though, would be (Jerami) Grant. The 2020 Olympic gold medalist has the potential to be a 20-plus point-per-game scorer once more.” “He’s also an exceptional three-point shooter who has shot over 40% from three-point range in two of the last three seasons. His length and on-ball defense make him a triple threat that could help approximate Klay Thompson’s value in the Bay.” “While Kuminga has shown the promise to be as good or perhaps even better than Grant has been at his apex, the Dubs’ window to win a championship is closing. Curry, 36, and Draymond Green, 34, are nearing the twilights of their careers.” “Thus, Grant, 30, is a polished product that could help Golden State seize one or more championships in the short term. The same could be said for (Moses) Moody, who has shown immense potential in a crowded Warriors backcourt.” “As presently constructed, the Warriors have a strong team that can make noise in the playoffs. Albeit, a trade of this magnitude would make them greatly feared across the league.” It’s no secret that the Trail Blazers don’t intend to include Williams III and Grant in their future plans, which explains why they are being shopped around this season. Williams III, a frightening rim protector with unteachable instincts, would provide the Warriors with a 6-foot-9 big man capable of erasing two shot attempts per contest. Grant’s two-way versatility and confident nature would give the Warriors a 6-foot-7 forward who can do a little bit of everything on both ends of the floor. With Kuminga hitting a wall with the Warriors in Year 4, it may be in Golden State’s best interest to swap the 2021 lottery pick for Williams III and Grant. More NBA: Knicks predicted to acquire underestimated sharpshooter via necessary signing

Jets interim coach refutes reports of team benching Aaron Rodgers

As the season progresses, Manchester City has consistently displayed their ability to deliver under pressure. Their impressive winning streaks and remarkable goal differences reflect their determination and mental strength. Moreover, the team's strategic approach to matches and tactical flexibility have enabled them to outwit their opponents and secure crucial victories in critical moments.

Mumbai: A 64-year-old man has fallen prey to scammers and lost Rs18 lakh in digital arrest fraud. According to the police, the complainant, a resident of Jalgaon, received a phone call from a person claiming to be from TRAI on November 19. The caller said that a SIM card had been procured in his name and a money laundering case had been registered on the number with the Mumbai crime branch. Later, the complainant was connected to another ‘official’ via video call and a man wearing a police uniform spoke to the complainant. The caller told the complainant that he was found to be involved in a money laundering case. The man was then placed under ‘digital arrest’ between November 19 and November 25 and during the said period, the scammers asked him about his investments and bank balance. As the complainant said that he has mutual fund investments, he was told to redeem his funds and transfer the same to a bank account provided by scammers. Following the instructions, the senior citizen transferred the money. He was told that the money would be credited back to his bank account once the verification of the financial details was completed. More than a week later, when the man didn’t get his money back and his calls to scammers were not answered, he realised that he had been duped and approached the police. A case has been registered by the cyber crime police under sections 318 (cheating), 336 (forgery) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and 66D (cheating by personation by using computer resource) of the Information Technology Act.There are usually two types of people on Dec. 26: those who never want to open their wallet again and those who are still swept up by the holiday (spending) spirit (that post-Christmas aftershock can hit hard and fast) — but after-Christmas sales somehow temp both. Some retailers’ deals on “the day after” are even hotter than they were on Black Friday or Cyber Monday, and from winter wear , shoes and slippers and tech gadgets to home goods , kitchenware , and toys , the sweet deals span every category. So, if you want to put all Christmas gift cards to use, you can shop Amazon’s winter sale and score plenty of amazing finds, like the Beats Studio Pro x Kim Kardashian Noise-Cancelling Headphones in the prettiest neutrals , Samsonite luggage , and the De’Longhi Magnifica Plus Fully Automatic Espresso Machine for up to and well over 40% off. Tory Burch is also hosting a Semi-Annual Sale through Jan. 6, so if you didn’t get the handbag or pair of designer shoes you wanted under the tree, you can take an additional 25% off any sale item, including the Ever-Ready Zip Tote for $118 off and the Banana Chelsea Boots for a whopping $271 off. In the event you’re just too tired to scan for and scout out these major Christmas-aftermath markdowns , no worries! We’ve compiled this comprehensive list of the best sales and steepest deals to mellow your post-holiday hangover and get you pumped to start anew in 2025. Best 2024 After-Christmas Sales Amazon : Get 40% off all the best toys, games, electronics, home, kitchen, tech, fashion, and beauty products you may not have scooped up before the holidays. Great deals: Dillard’s : For a limited time, pick up everything you need to get through the winter season in style from Dillard’s After Christmas Sale , including designer boots , women’s coats , handbags , all up to 40% off, plus a very special spotlight on UGG styles . Great deals: Disney Store : Disney Store’s Twice Upon a Year Sale is happening right now and, for a limited time, you can score up to 50% off on everything from clothing and accessories to toys and homeware — no promo code needed. Plus, you’ll also get a $18 Minnie or Mickey Mouse Valentine’s Day Plush with any purchase. Great deals: Glossier : While supplies last, Glossier’s Warehouse Sale is taking up to 40% off select items like mascara and liners, lipsticks, eye glow shadows, skin tints, and highlighters. Plus, you’ll get a free Glossier You Solid fragrance with any purchase $75+. Great deals: Macy’s : If stocking up on kitchen appliances, furniture, fashion and accessories for New Year’s Eve and beyond is like music to your ears, then you find steals up to 60% off during Macy’s after-Christmas sale . Great deals: Ninja : Add some pro-level appliances to your kitchen islands and countertops for up to 39% off with Ninja’s Gift Yourself Sale . And quell any Ninja SLUSHi cravings (yes, it’s STILL out of stock) with another brand bestseller. Great deals: Nordstrom : The retailer’s Half-Yearly Sale is offering up to 60% off on beauty, fashion, accessories, fragrances and more for men, women and children. Great deals: Tory Burch : Enjoy new markdowns up to 40% off and, for a limited time, take an additional 25% off your sale item during Tory Burch’s Semi-Annual Sale through Jan. 6. Great deals: UGG : Through 4 p.m. on Dec. 26, grab best-in-season winter shoes, comfy sweats and slippers for your sidekicks for up to 50% off during the UGG Holiday Sale . Great deals: The Best Deals in December Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com . Danielle Halibey can be reached at dhalibey@njadvancemedia.com . Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips .

Formula One owner Liberty Media shares up after GM entryIn conclusion, the completion of the 1 trillion yuan super long-term special national bond arrangement is a significant step towards achieving the goals of the "Two Highs" and "Two News" initiatives. By supporting key industries, infrastructure projects, new urbanization, and emerging industries, these bonds will play a crucial role in driving China's economic growth and development in the coming years. The issuance of national bonds reflects the government's proactive approach to promoting sustainable and innovation-driven growth, and it is expected to bring long-term benefits to the Chinese economy as a whole.

In a bold and unexpected move, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have crossed beyond the established military buffer zone and advanced towards the outskirts of the Syrian capital, Damascus. Reports indicate that the IDF operation has already resulted in the occupation of several key towns in the region, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Syria.Kochi Students' Masterpiece for Christmas - A Cake Depicting Festive Mood and City's Iconic Sights

Jets interim coach refutes reports of team benching Aaron RodgersAtletico Madrid, known for their defensive solidity and relentless work ethic, continued to grind out results and showcase their title-winning pedigree. The team's never-say-die attitude and unwavering commitment to their manager's tactical philosophy has seen them emerge as a force to be reckoned with in the title race. With a squad brimming with talent and hunger for success, Atletico Madrid stood tall alongside their rivals, refusing to be intimidated by the challenges that lay ahead.

The College Football Playoffs are on the horizon as conference championship weekend is here. Ashton Jeanty and Boise State headline a Friday slate of championship games as a potential playoff team. While championship weekend will only impact the order in which programs are ranked for the playoffs -- it's hard to see any programs falling in or out of the current top 12 in the rankings. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.

The Taiwanese authorities are keeping a close eye on the movements of the People's Liberation Army in the Taiwan Strait, as the increased presence of mainland Chinese ships in the region has sparked concern.