Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen ATLANTA (AP) — Republicans in Congress plan to move quickly in their effort to overhaul the nation’s voting procedures, seeing an opportunity with control of the White House and both chambers of Congress. They want to push through long-sought changes such as voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements. They say the measures are needed to restore public confidence in elections. That's after an erosion of trust that Democrats note has been fueled by false claims from Donald Trump and his allies of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Democrats say they are willing to work with the GOP but want any changes to make it easier, not harder, to vote. Americans are exhausted by political news. TV ratings and a new AP-NORC poll show they're tuning out NEW YORK (AP) — A lot of Americans, after an intense presidential election campaign, are looking for a break in political news. That's evident in cable television news ratings and a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The poll found nearly two-thirds of Americans saying they've found the need recently to cut down on their consumption of political and government news. That's particularly true among Democrats following President-elect Donald Trump's victory, although a significant number of Republicans and independents feel the same way. Cable networks MSNBC and CNN are really seeing a slump. That's also happened in years past for networks that particularly appeal to supporters of one candidate. Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away JERUSALEM (AP) — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen have targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports. The World Health Organization’s director-general said the bombardment on Thursday took place just “meters away” as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa. He says a crew member was hurt. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks and launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. The Israeli military didn't immediate respond to questions about the WHO chief's statement. Israel's plan to double the number of settlers in the Golan Heights is met with conflicting emotions EIN ZIVAN, Golan Heights (AP) — Earlier this month, Syrian leader Bashar Assad was ousted after nearly 25 years in power. Within hours, Israeli tanks rolled into the Golan Heights' demilitarized buffer zone in Syria created as part of a 1974 ceasefire between the countries. Days later, the Israeli government approved a plan to double the population of settlers in the Golan Heights. Israel seized the mountainous region from Syria in 1967, and most of the world considers it occupied Syrian territory. In the towns and kibbutzim of Israeli-controlled Golan, the news has been met with a mixture of skepticism, excitement and shock. Previous attempts to encourage more settlement in the Golan have received a lukewarm response. India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh, architect of economic reforms, dies aged 92 NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic reform program and a landmark nuclear deal with the United States, has died. He was 92. The hospital said Singh was admitted to New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences late Thursday after his health deteriorated due to “sudden loss of consciousness at home.". He was “being treated for age-related medical conditions,” the statement added. A mild-mannered technocrat, Singh became one of India’s longest-serving prime ministers for 10 years and earned a reputation as a man of great personal integrity. But his sterling image was tainted by allegations of corruption against his ministers. How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices New data shows holiday sales rose this year even as Americans wrestled with still high prices in many grocery necessities and other financial worries. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, a faster pace than the 3.1% increase from a year earlier. The measure tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards. This year, retailers were even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there were five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mastercard SpendingPulse says the last five days of the season accounted for 10% of the spending. Sales of clothing, electronics and Jewelry rose. Pope brings Holy Year and prayers for better future to Rome prison, a 'cathedral of pain and hope' ROME (AP) — Pope Francis is bringing his Holy Year to Rome’s main prison. Francis traveled to Rebibbia prison Thursday on a frigid morning. He knocked on the door to the chapel and walked across the threshold. It was reenacting the gesture he performed at St. Peter’s Basilica two nights earlier on Christmas Eve. The opening of the Basilica's Holy Door officially kicked off the Jubilee year. It's a church tradition dating to 1300 that nowadays occurs every 25 years and involves the faithful coming to Rome on pilgrimages. About 32 million people are expected in Rome in 2025. Why this Mexican American woman played a vital role in the US sacramental peyote trade MIRANDO CITY, Texas (AP) — Amada Cardenas, a Mexican American woman who lived in the tiny border town of Mirando City in South Texas, played an important role in the history of the peyote trade. She and her husband were the first federally licensed peyote dealers who harvested and sold the sacramental plant to followers of the Native American Church in the 1930s. After her husband's death in 1967, Cardenas continued to welcome generations of Native American Church members to her home until her death in 2005, just before her 101st birthday. What is known about a plane crash in Kazakhstan that killed 38 of 67 people on board The crash of an Azerbaijani airliner in Kazakhstan has killed 38 of 67 people on board. Azerbaijan Airlines’ Embraer 190 was en route from Azerbaijani capital Baku to the Russian city of Grozny in the North Caucasus on Wednesday when it was diverted for reasons that aren’t fully clear yet. It crashed while making an attempt to land in Aktau in Kazakhstan after flying east across the Caspian Sea. Officials in Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Russia haven't commented on a possible cause of the crash pending an official investigation. Some commentators pointed out holes in the plane's tail section pictured after the crash as a sign that it could have been fired upon by air defense systems.
By Jessica Cogswell on December 10, 2024 at 1:50PM PST GameSpot may receive revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and from purchases through links. In addition to recognizing some of the greatest games of the past year, The Game Awards is also a celebration of all the fantastic games to come. Each December, we are treated to plenty of jam-packed showcases filled with reveals, updates, and even a few surprise releases. One such showcase is Wholesome Snack, which offers a bite-sized look at some of the coziest titles currently in production. This year, Wholesome Games brought 24 games front and center, with genres ranging from fantasy RPGs and adventure puzzlers to life sims and match-three games. Below is everything shown at this year's Wholesome Snack showcase, as well as links to their respective Steam pages and a bit more about what adventures they hold. This adorable exploration game sees you play as a mama duck in charge of guiding her ducklings from the moment they hatch up until their first flight. With a cheery soundtrack, lush environments, plenty of cute interactions, and low stakes, the only thing developer Shaky Shrub Games says you need to worry about is "cuteness overload." Release date: TBD Aikyam combines Bollywood, turn-based combat, and highly saturated art to create a unique fantasy RPG in which dance can save the world. Join Vishva, Ramli, and Guru-ji as they protect their ancient Indian village from an influx of demons through compassion and dazzling dance moves. Release date: TBD Capy Castaway is a whimsical adventure game in which you play as a capybara and their crotchety crow companion. Each member of this duo possesses unique skills, with the capybara able to push, sniff, and dig while the crow can fly and pick up items. Together they must navigate puzzles in order to find their way back home. Release date: TBD Set in Quito, Ecuador, Despelote follows eight-year-old Julián as he navigates life and his favorite hobby: soccer. Billed as a "soccer game about people," Despelote offers players a look at life in Quito as Ecuador comes closer than ever to winning the World Cup. Release date: 2025 The next entry in the Duck Detective series, Duck Detective: The Ghost of Glamping follows our fowl friend as he investigates a lavish campground alongside a new companion he doesn't quite get along with. Marketed as a comical version of deduction puzzlers such as The Return of the Obra Dinn, this title looks perfect for anyone looking for a low-stakes mystery game. Release date: 2025 Little Rocket Lab offers a different spin on your traditional farming sim as protagonist Morgan returns to her hometown not to farm, but to finish building the rocket her mother always dreamed of creating. When not flexing your engineering skills, you'll get the chance to build relationships with the town's inhabitants, unlock new components for your lab, and help save the town of St. Ambrose. Release date: TBD Another original take on the life sim genre, Locomoto sees you play as an adorable, animal-like train conductor. You'll get the chance to customize your very own engine, tend to passengers, and "embark on a journey through beautiful landscapes," all while listening to some soft, lofi beats. Release date: TBD After raising nearly $1.3 million on Kickstarter , production on the highly anticipated solarpunk farming sim/MMO Loftia is well on its way. The team at Qloud Games offered another look at the game during Wholesome Snack, focusing on the new Neighborhoods feature, which "allows players to attach their personal floating islands to others, forming a small community of islands anchored around a central, communal space." Release date: TBD Tiny Roar's Lou's Lagoon is as an adventure game that tasks you with solving the mysterious disappearance of your Uncle Lou. Fortunately, he left you with complete control of his seaplane delivery service, allowing you to not only search the Limbo Archipelago for his whereabouts, but harvest resources, take on jobs, and grow your own business while you do it. Release date: TBD Billed as a colorful, minimalist adventure game, Naiad allows players to float dreamily through rivers, interact with flora and fauna, and simply vibe out as they take in all of nature's wonders. When you're not helping ducklings swim and plants bloom, it will also be up to you to ensure that reckless humans don't pollute the river, adding an eco-friendly message to a relaxing experience. Release date: Out now In Piece by Piece , you play as an adorable fox in charge of their own repair shop. You'll play a vital role in your community as the town's primary fixer-upper, as you fix, build, and paint "all sorts of curious items from a model cat all the way to binoculars." When not in your workshop, you'll get the chance to grow plants to create dyes and play a few rounds of Bear, Fish, Bee. Release date: TBD In Pinbleton Park , everything you see is part of a giant pinball table, making for a unique take on a cozy adventure game. You'll be tasked with helping villagers, rescuing lost spirits, and taking down an evil corporation bent on destroying the town, using pinball mechanics to accomplish all these feats. Release date: TBD In the mood for a good cry? It certainly seems like Pine: A Story of Loss has you covered. Pine follows a woodcutter as he struggles to accept his wife's passing, which has rendered him unable to care for both himself and his now-empty home. Through puzzles and minigames, you'll get the chance to help the woodworker sort through his cherished memories and eventually embrace the next part of his life. Release date: December 13, 2024 Part-city builder and part-puzzle game, River Towns tasks you with placing differently shaped and colored districts alongside a river until you're able to connect the streams and restore the area. Depending upon how you arrange your town, you'll earn points which you can then compare with your friends, adding some replayability and competitive fun to the single-player game. Release date: 2025 With nearly 10,000 reviews and an 'overwhelming positive' score on Steam, Rusty's Retirement is already a well-loved entry in both the idle and farming sim genres. During December's Wholesome Snack, developer Mister Morris Games' revealed a free new Winter expansion was now available for download. The update adds a new winter map, a plethora of new animals (such as cats, dogs, and deer), new characters, and Christmas decorations. Release date: Out now From the award-winning developers of Journey, Sky: Children of the Light is an MMO adventure game filled with puzzles and gorgeous visuals. With a mission of helping people restore "their child-like sense of wonder," Sky is an open-world social game in which you can band with others to fend of the darkness--as well as throw parties and attend concerts. During December's Wholesome Snack showcase, the team announced Alice's Wonderland Cafe is coming to the game on December 23, adding cute new characters and a tea party setting. Release date: Currently in early access Snufkin: Melody of Moomin Valley is a musical adventure game filled with puzzles, whimsical characters, and most importantly, Moomins. Based on the work of illustrator Tove Jansson, this visually rich title sees you play as Snufkin, a druid-like character who vows to keep the destructive Park Keeper and his sinister plans away from Moomin Valley. During December's Wholesome Snack, a new DLC for Snufkin was announced. Set during late summer, it sees the Moomins embark on a final camping trip before they enter hibernation. Release date: Out now Soft Not Weak's Spirit Swap combines compelling match-3 style gameplay with vibrant colors, lofi music, witchcraft, and unapologetic queerness to create an entirely original experience that we can't wait to play. The puzzler follows protagonist Samar as they attempt to crash the biggest concert of the year--and perhaps smooch a few characters while they do. In addition to all this, the game also supports local co-op, allowing you to face-off against your friends in match-3 battles. Release date: February 3, 2025 A colorful, sci-fi take on base-building and resource management games, Star Birds tasks you with helping your population of spacefaring bird survive by scanning and building upon nearby asteroids. 360-degree construction adds a fun twist to traditional base-building, allowing you to spin and tilt your territory as you pioneer the stars. When not upgrading your buildings, you'll also be tasked with taking on missions and solving mysteries that will ultimately unlock new technology and help your avian allies. Release date: 2025 Rather than see you simply drop off your crops and gathered resources in a shipping bin like oh so many farming sims do, Sugardew Island tasks you with actually selling the items yourself via your own shop. By growing crops, tending to animals, and gathering resources, you'll see the island slowly fill with life. During December's Wholesome Snack, we got a look at the game's romance options, making us even more excited for its release early next year. Release date: March 2025 Set on an island haven in which yokai--or Japanese spirits--roam about, T ales of Seikyu follows you and your sister as you move into an abandoned farm house to start a new life. As you discover more about your ancestry and Fox Clan heritage, you'll unlock the ability to shift into different creatures that will allow you to protect your homeland. When not off turning into a giant boar, you'll also get the chance to farm, grow your ranch, cook, partake in festivals, and find a soulmate. Release date: 2025 The follow-up to 2021 indie darling Toem: A Photo Adventure, Toem 2 shakes up the original's top-down style gameplay by switching to a first-person view. The game's core concept, however, remains the same, and sees you traverse a whimsical, black-and-white world taking photographs and solving puzzles. As you do, you'll unravel mysteries, meet wacky characters, and learn to stop and appreciate life's little wonders. Release date: TBD Of all the cozy games on this list, Winter Burrow could very well be coziest--just look at the lil' mouse! The woodland survival game follows a mouse who moves back to their homeland after growing tired of the big city. Upon coming home, however, the mouse finds their old burrow in ruins and their aunt missing. It is then up to you to help them gather resources, knit sweaters, cook pies, and slowly build both their home and community back up. Sure, you have to fight off bugs, but I truly can't get over how cute the rest of that sounds. Release date: TBD The follow-up to the charming farming-sim Wylde Flowers, Wylde Society is a prequel that tells the story of former protagonist's Tara's great-great aunt Vivian. Whereas Wylde Flowers saw you manage a homestead, Studio Drydock's newest title focuses on socialization, as Vivian must navigate being a witch, a socialite, and the owner of a boarding house. With Bridgerton vibes, seances, magic creatures, and romance, Wylde Society already seems bewitching. Release date: TBD Upvote Leave BlankCBZ Shelves Bid for First Mutual Minority Stake After Regulatory Ruling
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The best way to spread Christmas cheer is by improvising a quote people will remember for decades. Which is exactly what Will Ferrell and Mark Acheson did while making 2003's holiday classic Elf . Although Mark—who plays Mailroom Guy during a fan-favorite scene— admitted that his most famous line almost ended up on the cutting room floor. "I called my agent and he said, 'Listen, they would like you to come and do one line with Will Ferrell. Would you like to do it?' And I said, 'Yeah, I'd be happy to do that,'" Mark told People in an interview published Dec. 20. "I was only supposed to say ‘work release' and that was the end of it." But during what he called "the weirdest day " imaginable on set, Elf director Jon Favreau requested that Mark and Will do a bit of improv for the scene where Will's Buddy the Elf thinks he's drinking coffee and syrup when in reality he's getting drunk, leading the two to their existential discussion in the mailroom. "I'm in the flow, that's what got me in here," Mark's character confesses before his now famous line. "I'm 26-years-old, I got nothin' to show for it." But as Buddy tells him, "You're young, you're so young. My Papa, he didn't make Master Tinker until he was 490." And while the joke about his age is now a favorite for fans of the movie, the scene almost got edited out . "The producers wanted to axe the whole scene because of that," Mark , 67, explained. "I think, 'Who is gonna believe this guy is 26?' I mean, seriously. I believe I was 46 at the time and an older 46 even at that. Because I never looked young in my life." But Jon fought for the scene to remain, noting that's what makes the joke work. "He kept me in but they, they didn't want me," Mark recalled, "but he did and thank God for me because it changed my career quite a bit." And while Mark has appeared in numerous movies and TV series over the years— including appearances on shows like The X-Files , Supernatural and Fargo —his quip about being 26 has lived on in the minds of fans for over two decades. "With every passing year I watch this movie (esp now at 27)," one fan posted to TikTok alongside a clip from the scene, "I find it more and more ridiculous this man is supposed to be a 26yo." One user responded in the comments, "I watched it this year and gasped when he said 26." Another added, "Idk this is how I feel at 27." One person had a different take, noting, "I think it's like a child's perspective because when we were little we thought someone 26 looked old." But as one TikToker noted, "That's the joke, I fear." Curious about more behind the scenes secrets from Elf ? Keep reading. 1. The first script fo r Elf was actually written in 1993, with Jim Carrey in mind to play the titular Santa's helper. Because it took over a decade for the film to finally be made, the Ace Ventura: Pet Detective star never ended up taking on the role, which proved to be the ultimate Christmas gift for Will Ferrell . 2. Elf was also initially intended to be a bit more sinister, with director Jon Favreau revealing to Rolling Stone , "He was a darker character." 3. Before he was asked to come in to rewrite the script and transform the movie into a PG friendly-family affair, Favreau initially turned down the job. "I took a look at the script, and I wasn't particularly interested," he told Rolling Stone . "It was a much darker version of the film. I liked the notion of being involved with Will in his first solo movie after SNL , but it wasn't quite there." 4. Buddy's iconic costume was modeled off of the elves from the 1964 Rankin/Bass film Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer . "The costume was important," Favreau told ABC News. "It looks almost like he's a puppet and the tights and the boots and the hat and he was extremely brave wearing that costume." 5. Costume designer Laura Jean Shannon , tasked with finding the perfect look, revealed it wasn't accommodating Ferrell's 6-foot-3 frame that was the hardest part of her job. "It was less a challenge dressing Will due to his size and more a challenge to make sure nothing seemed off-putting or in bad taste." she explained to Feel Christmassy. "After all, I had to dress a grown man in tights and a cutaway coat. Needless to say, we did have a fair amount of fittings to be sure we struck the right balance between absurd and adorable." 6. Ferrell's Buddy costume was so captivating that the actor actually caused a few traffic incidents while filming in New York City. "When we had Will in the Lincoln Tunnel, the tunnel was open. Same thing with the 59th Street Bridge," Favreau told Rolling Stone . "Whenever he was out there in his suit, we'd hear screeches and fender-benders and lights smashing. People would be looking at him walking on the side and that would cause a few minor traffic accidents." 7. Buddy's infamous 12-second long burp wasn't actually performed by Ferrell. Voice actor Maurice LaMarche , best known for giving life to The Brain on Pinky and the Brain , provided the dinner table belch. And, yes, we heard that. 8. The cotton balls Buddy can't stop eating in the doctor's office were actually pieces of cotton candy that had yet to be dyed. 9. Buddy's all-sugar diet also became Ferrell's daily food intake while filming as he actually scarfed down all of that maple syrup-coated spaghetti and candy during scenes. "I ingested a lot of sugar in this movie and I didn't get a lot of sleep," Ferrell told The Sun . "I constantly stayed up. But anything for the movie, I'm there. If it takes eating a lot of maple syrup, then I will, if that's what the job calls for." 10. The late James Caan didn't have to act all that hard to nail his role as Buddy's reluctant father Walter. "I literally drove him crazy in that movie," Ferrell explained to Christina Applegate and Jamie-Lynn Sigler during a July 2024 appearance on their MeSsy podcast . “In between setups, he’d be like, 'I don’t get you. You’re not funny.' And I’m like, 'I know. I’m not Robin Williams .'" But the dynamic worked, acknowledged Ferrell. “I love that the whole time, he’s not acting," he continued. "He’s truly annoyed with me. He’s like, 'Can this guy shut the f--k up?'" 11. Determined to maintain the old school aesthetic, Favreau told Rolling Stone he didn’t want to make the film “a big CGI extravaganza," only using the technology to add some snow. “I like motion-control, models, matte paintings,” he explained. “It feels timeless. And stop-motion is my favorite. There were a lot of challenges to do that stuff in stop-motion. I had to fight very hard not to do that stuff in CGI.” 12. While Ferrell does have several inches on 5-foot-8 Bob Newhart (a.k.a. Papa Elf), Favreau revealed they used “forced perspective” to make it appear as if the SNL alum was towering over everyone else at the North Pole. Building two sets, one larger than the other, meant “if you look closely, you can see the two sets meet because we didn’t use CG to paint over that or blur it," Favreau explained. "I wanted it to have the same flaws that it would have had [before CGI], to make the movie feel more timeless. It made for great souvenirs. I have a Louisville Slugger that’s four and a half feet long in my office, that the elves were building.” 13. They came this close to filming the Santa scene at Macy's. However, one of the stipulations was removing the scene where Buddy called out the department store Santa, played by comedian Artie Lange , as fake "because their Santa has to be real," Favreau explained to Rolling Stone . "We had to think long and hard about it." Eventually they ended up filming in the cafeteria of a Vancouver mental hospital. They named their store Gimbels as a nod to 1947's Miracle on 34th Street . 14. When Zooey Deschanel was cast as Buddy's love interest Jovie, the film's producers decided to inject a shot of warmth with her peformance of "Baby, It's Cold Outside." "I remember Jon Favreau telling me that they were catering it to whoever played the part," Deschanel told Entertainment Weekly in 2020. "One actress they were looking at was good at skateboarding. But I had a cabaret act at the time and I was performing a lot. They knew that I was a singer, so they put that in to be my special thing that he could discover I was good at." 15. Some of Buddy's most iconic lines—"You smell like beef and cheese!" and "You sit on a throne of lies!"—were improvised by Ferrell in the moment. 16. The big fight scene between Ferrell and Lange was filmed in one take because it took the art department weeks to decorate Gimbels. "We had one take to destroy it," Lange told ABC News, "So Favreau said, 'Just go nuts!'" 17. While most people know Favreau had a small role as the pediatrician who examines Buddy and confirms he's Walter's son, the director also had another part: He voiced the Narwhal who infamously said, "Bye Buddy, hope you find your dad!" 18. Ferrell turned down a reported $29 million paycheck to reprise the role of Buddy for a sequel, telling The Guardian in 2006 that it "wasn't difficult at all" to pass on the opportunity."I remember asking myself: could I withstand the criticism when it's bad and they say, 'He did the sequel for the money?'" he explained. "I decided I wouldn't be able to. I didn't want to wander into an area that could erase all the good work I've done—but you watch, I'll do some sequel in the future that's crap." 19. But Caan alleged it was tension between Ferrell and Favreau that possibly squashed any plans for a follow-up. "We were gonna do it, and I thought, 'Oh my God, I finally have a franchise movie. I can make some money, let my kids do what the hell they want to do,'" he said on 92.3 The Fan in Cleveland. "The director and Will didn't get along very well. Will wanted to do it, and he didn't want the director. He had it in his contract. It was one of those things." 20. While a sequel won't be found in anyone's stockings, fans were gifted with a Broadway musical inspired by the film in 2010. The show ran through 2013 and traveled overseas to the West End in 2015.Salah nervelessly converted a 63rd-minute penalty, his 16th goal of the season, after French referee Benoit Bastien had been advised to take another look at Donny van de Beek’s clumsy challenge on Luis Diaz. In the process, he became just the 11th man to score 50 goals in the competition – Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe later also joined that exclusive club – on a night when victory at the Estadi Montilivi meant the six-time European champions will enter 2025 sitting proudly at the top of the table. ⭐️ A FIVE STAR PERFORMANCE ⭐️ #FCBayern #MiaSanMia | #SHAFCB #UCL pic.twitter.com/WELoxugaGn — FC Bayern (@FCBayernEN) December 10, 2024 England international Michael Olise produced a moment of magic to set the seal on Bayern Munich’s demolition of Shakhtar Donetsk and ease them towards the knockout stage. Olise’s brilliant stoppage-time run and finish capped a 5-1 victory for the Germans, in which he had early scored from the penalty spot, in Gelsenkirchen. Kevin’s fifth-minute strike had given the home side the perfect start, but Konrad Laimer levelled before Thomas Muller’s 55th goal in the competition sent the visitors in ahead at the break and set the stage for Olise’s double either side of Jamal Musiala’s strike. Jude Bellingham breathed life back into Real Madrid’s campaign as they held off Atalanta to earn a 3-2 victory in Bergamo. 🫲 @BellinghamJude 🫱 #UCL pic.twitter.com/jTynK04akR — Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 10, 2024 After Charles De Ketelaere had cancelled out Mbappe’s opener from the penalty spot, second-half goals from Vinicius Junior and Bellingham in quick succession put the visitors in charge, although Ademola Lookman’s 65th-minute strike meant the contest was alive until the final whistle. Ross Barkley took Aston Villa a step closer to automatic qualification with a late winner against RB Leipzig in Germany. Villa had led twice through John McGinn and Jhon Duran, but equalisers from Lois Openda and Christoph Baumgartner kept Leipzig in it until substitute Barkley struck five minutes from time to snatch a 3-2 victory. Goals from Goncalo Ramos, Nuno Mendes and substitute Desire Doue – his first in the competition – handed French champions Paris St Germain a much-needed three points after a comfortable 3-0 win at RB Salzburg. He's making a list and checking it twiceB04 won and Nordi scored – nice! 🎅 pic.twitter.com/8bs6FGUaHz — Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) December 10, 2024 Nordi Mukiele left it late to end Inter Milan’s unbeaten Champions League record as Bayer Leverkusen claimed a dramatic 1-0 victory at the BayArena. Mukiele struck in the 90th minute to inflict a first defeat across six games in this season’s competition on the Serie A champions – it was also the first goal they have conceded. Casper Nielsen came off the bench to fire Club Brugge to a 2-1 home victory over Sporting Lisbon after Eduardo Quaresma’s own goal had handed them a way back into the game following Geny Catamo’s early opener. Julien Le Cardinal’s first-half strike was enough to handed Brest a 1-0 victory over Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven, while Kasper Schmeichel’s save from Marko Pjaca’s close-range 80th-minute header ensured Celtic returned from Dinamo Zagreb with a 0-0 draw.
Suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO struggles, shouts while entering courthouseArkansas receiver Andrew Armstrong said Tuesday that he is entering the NFL Draft. Later in the day, a school spokesman told reporters that Armstrong will skip the Razorbacks' bowl game. The destination isn't yet known. Armstrong led the Southeastern Conference in both receptions (78) and receiving yards (1,140) but caught just one touchdown in 11 games this season. His catches and yardage were both second-most in Arkansas history behind Cobi Hamilton, who had 90 receptions for 1,335 yards in 2012. "It's been a journey for the books and I wouldn't trade it for anything because it has made me into the man I am today," Armstrong said of his Razorbacks tenure in a social media post. "... I will never forget all the moments that were shared here in Fayetteville." Armstrong played two seasons at Texas A&M-Commerce before transferring to Arkansas ahead of the 2023 season. In two seasons with the Razorbacks, he caught 134 passes for 1,904 yards and six scores. --Field Level MediaThe suspect in the high-profile killing of a health insurance CEO that has gripped the United States graduated from an Ivy League university, reportedly hails from a wealthy family, and wrote social media posts brimming with cerebral musings. Luigi Mangione, 26, was thrust into the spotlight Monday after police revealed he is their person of interest in the brutal murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a father of two, last week in broad daylight in Manhattan in a case that laid bare deep frustration and anger with America's privatized medical system. News of his capture in Pennsylvania -- following a tip from a McDonald's worker --triggered an explosion of online activity, with Mangione quickly amassing new followers on social media as citizen sleuths and US media tried to understand who he is. While some lauded him as a hero and lamented his arrest, others analyzed his intellectual takes in search of ideological clues. A photo on one of his social media accounts includes an X-ray of an apparently injured spine. No explicit political affiliation has emerged. Meanwhile, memes and jokes proliferated, many riffing on his first name and comparing him to the "Mario Bros." character Luigi, sometimes depicted in AI-altered images wielding a gun or holding a Big Mac. "Godspeed. Please know that we all hear you," wrote one user on Facebook. "I want to donate to your defense fund," added another. According to Mangione's LinkedIn profile, he is employed as a data engineer at TrueCar, a California-based online auto marketplace. A company spokesperson told AFP Mangione "has not been an employee of our company since 2023." Although he had been living in Hawaii ahead of the killing, he originally hails from Towson, Maryland, near Baltimore. He comes from a prominent and wealthy Italian-American family, according to the Baltimore Banner. The family owns local businesses, including the Hayfields Country Club, its website says. A standout student, Mangione graduated at the top of his high school class in 2016. In an interview with his local paper at the time, he praised his teachers for fostering a passion for learning beyond grades and encouraging intellectual curiosity. A former student who knew Mangione at the Gilman School told AFP the suspect struck him as "a normal guy, nice kid." "There was nothing about him that was off, at least from my perception," this person said, asking that their name not be used. "Seemed to just be smiling, and kind of seemed like he was a smart kid. Ended up being valedictorian, which confirmed that," the former student said. Mangione went on to attend the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, where he completed both a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science by 2020, according to a university spokesperson. While at Penn, Mangione co-led a group of 60 undergraduates who collaborated on video game projects, as noted in a now-deleted university webpage, archived on the Wayback Machine. On Instagram, where his following has skyrocketed from hundreds to tens of thousands, Mangione shared snapshots of his travels in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Hawaii. He also posted shirtless photos flaunting a six-pack and appeared in celebratory posts with fellow members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. However, it is on X (formerly Twitter) that users have scoured Mangione's posts for potential motives. His header photo -- an X-ray of a spine with bolts -- remains cryptic, with no public explanation. Finding a coherent political ideology has also proved elusive, though he had written a review of Ted Kaczynski's manifesto on the online site goodreads, calling it "prescient." Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, carried out a string of bombings in the United States from 1978 to 1995, a campaign he said was aimed at halting the advance of modern society and technology. Mangione called Kaczynski "rightfully imprisoned," while also saying "'violence never solved anything' is a statement uttered by cowards and predators." According to CNN, handwritten documents recovered when Mangione was arrested included the phrase "these parasites had it coming." Mangione has also linked approvingly to posts criticizing secularism as a harmful consequence of Christianity's decline. In April, he wrote, "Horror vacui (nature abhors a vacuum)." The following month, he posted an essay he wrote in high school titled "How Christianity Prospered by Appealing to the Lower Classes of Ancient Rome." In another post from April, he speculated that Japan's low birthrate stems from societal disconnection, adding that "fleshlights" and other vaginal-replica sex toys should be banned. ia/nro/dw
Valladolid loses again and Getafe ends winless run in La LigaSouth Korea lifts president's martial law decree after lawmakers reject military ruleRobert Henry runs for 178 yards in leading UTSA over Temple 51-27Facing far-right ultimatum, French finance minister says budget can still be improved PARIS: French Finance Minister Antoine Armand said on Saturday that the 2025 budget could still be improved, but stopped short of giving ground in a standoff with the far right over new concessions. France’s budget deficit has spiralled out of control this year, pressuring French government bonds, although ratings agency Standard & Poor’s gave Prime Minister Michel Barnier’s fragile minority government a rare reprieve late on Friday by leaving its rating steady. Any relief is likely to prove short-lived with both the left and far right threatening to bring Barnier’s government down over the budget, which seeks to squeeze 60 billion euros ($64 billion) in savings through tax hikes and spending cuts. Marine Le Pen’s far right National Rally (RN), whose tacit support Barnier needs to survive a likely no confidence motion, has given him until Monday to accede to her demands to make further changes to the budget. “This government, under his authority, is willing to listen, to have a dialog, to be respectful, to improve this budget,” Armand told journalists. Asked about the showdown with Le Pen, he said: “The only ultimatum really facing the French is that our country gets a budget.” On Thursday, Barnier dropped plans to raise electricity taxes in the budget as the RN had demanded, but it is keeping pressure on the government to hike pensions in line with inflation where the government had hoped to postpone an increase to save money. RN lawmaker Jean-Philippe Tanguy told Les Echos newspaper on Saturday if the bill is not modified the party would back a no-confidence motion. The test could come as soon as Monday if Barnier’s government has to use an aggressive constitutional measure to ram the social security financing legislation through parliament, which will trigger a no-confidence motion. “The government doesn’t seem to want to move (on pensions). We are waiting to see the social security bill on Monday to draw conclusions,” Tanguy said. The RN also wants planned cuts to medication reimbursements by the state to be axed, increased taxes on share buybacks and financial transactions as well as a cut in France’s contribution to the European Union’s budget. The government’s aim to cut the budget deficit next year to 5.0 per cent of economic output from over 6.0 per cent this year is already sliding in the face of costly concessions made to the RN and other parties. Standard & Poor’s said that it expected the deficit at 5.3 per cent next year and said the outlook was unclear after that whether France could keep reducing the deficit to an EU limit of 3.0 per cent as currently planned by 2029. As the RN has firmed up its demands, French debt and stocks have come under pressure in recent days, pushing the risk premium on French government bonds to their highest level in over 12 years. “The absence of a budget (and) political instability would bring a sudden and substantial increase in the financing costs of French debt,” Armand said.
Proposed merger of Kroger and Albertsons is halted by federal, state judges The proposed $24.6 billion merger between supermarket giants Kroger and Albertsons floundered on Tuesday after judges overseeing two separate cases both halted the merger. A federal judge in Oregon temporarily blocked the proposed merger until an in-house administrative judge at the Federal Trade Commission considers it. Shortly afterward, a judge in Washington state issued a permanent injunction barring the merger in that state, saying it lessens competition. Kroger and Albertsons in 2022 proposed what would be the largest grocery store merger in U.S. history. But the Federal Trade Commission and the state of Washington sued earlier this year. Biden says he was 'stupid' not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says he was “stupid” not to put his own name on pandemic relief checks in 2021, like Donald Trump had done in 2020. He noted Tuesday in a speech at the Brookings Institution that Trump likely got credit for helping people out through this simple, effective act of branding. Biden did the second-guessing as he defended his economic record and challenged Trump to preserve Democratic policy ideas when he returns to the White House next month. Trump’s decision to add his name to the checks sent by the U.S. Treasury to millions of Americans struggling during the coronavirus marked the first time a president’s name appeared on any IRS payments. Former chairman of state-owned bank China Everbright Group jailed for 12 years for corruption BEIJING (AP) — Chinese official broadcaster CCTV says a former chairman of the state-owned bank China Everbright Group has been jailed 12 years for embezzlement and bribery. Tang Shuangning, who had also held senior posts at the People’s Bank of China and the China Banking Regulatory Commission, was arrested in January, part of a wider wave of prosecutions of senior officials accused of financial crimes. A court in the city of Tangshan, about 100 miles east of Beijing, found him guilty of taking advantage of his position at the state-owned bank in “seeking convenience for others” in jobs and loans, in exchange for illegal payments. The court said he had accepted illegal property with a total value of more than $1.5 million. What did you Google in 2024? From the elections to Copa América, here's what search trends show NEW YORK (AP) — Remember what you searched for in 2024? Google does. Google has released its annual “Year in Search," rounding up 2024's top trending searches. It shows terms that saw the highest spike in traffic compared to last year. Sports — particularly soccer and cricket — dominated overall search trends, led by queries for Copa América, the UEFA European Championship and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Meanwhile, the U.S. election led news-specific searches worldwide. Queries about excessive heat and this year’s Olympic Games followed. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump topped searches in Google’s people category this year — followed by Catherine, Princess of Wales, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif. US defense secretary in Japan to support alliance as Osprey aircraft safety causes concern TOKYO (AP) — U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has met with officials in Japan to reaffirm the importance of their alliance and Washington's commitment to regional security as threats rise from China and North Korea. Austin’s visit on Tuesday also came amid growing concerns over the safety of Ospreys. The military aircraft have been grounded in the United States following a near crash at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico last month. The incident was caused by weakened metal components. It was similar to a fatal crash off southwestern Japan last year. The U.S. measure prompted the suspension of Ospreys operated by Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force. Trustee over Infowars auction asks court to approve The Onion's winning bid A trustee who oversaw the bankruptcy auction of Alex Jones’ Infowars is asking a judge to approve The Onion’s winning bid for the conspiracy-filled platform. Trustee Christopher Murray took the stand Tuesday in the second day of testimony at a hearing where a judge is scrutinizing the satirical news outlet’s winning offer. He told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston that he was there asking a court to approve the sale of Infowars’ parent company to The Onion’s parent company. It is not clear how quickly Lopez will rule. The Onion wants to turn Infowars’ website and social media accounts into parodies. Small businesses plan events, start marketing earlier to deal with shorter holiday shopping season The holiday shopping season is underway, and this year small businesses have less time to capitalize on the busy shopping period. Only 27 days separate Thanksgiving and Christmas — five fewer than last year. But there are still ways to make the most of a shorter season. One key strategy is for owners to promote deals to customers wherever they can, from social media to physical ads. The National Retail Federation predicts that retail sales will rise between 2.5% and 3.5% compared with same period a year ago. Online shopping is expected to grow too. Adobe Digital Insights predicts an 8.4% increase online for the full season. 10 notable books of 2024, from Sarah J. Maas to Melania Trump NEW YORK (AP) — Even through a year of nonstop news about elections, climate change, protests and the price of eggs, Americans still found time to read. Sales held steady according to Circana, which tracks around 85% of the print market. Many chose the release of romance, fantasy and romantasy. Some picked up the tie-in book to Taylor Swift’s blockbuster tour, which had the best opening week of 2024. Others sought out literary fiction, celebrity memoirs, political exposes and a close and painful look at a generation hooked on smartphones. Boeing is building new 737 Max planes for the first time since workers went on strike Boeing is resuming production of its bestselling plane, the 737 Max. It's the first time that Max jets have moved down the assembly line since September, when about 33,000 workers went on strike for higher pay. Boeing said Tuesday that work on the Max has resumed at its factory in Renton, Washington, near Seattle. Both the Max and another Boeing plane, the 787 Dreamliner, have been plagued by manufacturing problems in recent years. The Federal Aviation Administration is limiting Boeing’s production of Max jets until the agency is convinced that Boeing has corrected quality and safety issues during manufacturing. Stock market today: Wall Street slips to a rare back-to-back loss NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes drifted lower in the runup to the highlight of the week for the market, the latest update on inflation. The S&P 500 slipped 0.3% Tuesday for its first back-to-back losses in nearly a month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite also fell 0.3%. Oracle dragged on the market after reporting weaker growth than analysts expected. Treasury yields rose in the bond market ahead of Wednesday’s inflation report, which will be among the final big pieces of data before the Federal Reserve's meeting on interest rates next week.Richard Drury We're just under three weeks past Election Day 2024 and below is an updated look at the performance of various asset classes since then using our key ETF matrix. While it may feel like the stock marketValladolid loses again and Getafe ends winless run in La Liga
Walmart's weekend Black Friday sale starts now – shop my 21 picks as a deals expert
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The president of South Korea early Wednesday lifted the martial law he imposed on the country hours earlier, bending to political pressure after a tense night in which troops surrounded parliament and lawmakers voted to reject military rule. President Yoon Suk Yeol, who appeared likely to be impeached over his actions, imposed martial law late Tuesday out of frustration with the opposition, vowing to eliminate “anti-state” forces as he struggles against opponents who control parliament and that he accuses of sympathizing with communist North Korea. Police and military personnel were seen leaving the grounds of parliament following the bipartisan vote to overrule the president, and the declaration was formally lifted around 4:30 a.m. during a Cabinet meeting. Parliament acted swiftly after martial law was imposed, with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring that the law was “invalid” and that lawmakers would “protect democracy with the people.” In all, martial law was in effect for about six hours. The president’s surprising move harkened back to an era of authoritarian leaders that the country has not seen since the 1980s, and it was immediately denounced by the opposition and the leader of Yoon’s own conservative party. Lee Jae-myung , leader of the liberal Democratic Party, which holds the majority in the 300-seat parliament, said the party’s lawmakers would remain in the Assembly’s main hall until Yoon formally lifted his order. Woo applauded how troops quickly left the Assembly after the vote. “Even with our unfortunate memories of military coups, our citizens have surely observed the events of today and saw the maturity of our military,” Woo said. While announcing his plan to lift martial law, Yoon continued to criticize parliament’s attempts to impeach key government officials and senior prosecutors. He said lawmakers had engaged in “unscrupulous acts of legislative and budgetary manipulation that are paralyzing the functions of the state.” Jo Seung-lae, a Democratic lawmaker, claimed that security camera footage following Yoon’s declaration showed that troops moved in a way that suggested they were trying to arrest Lee, Woo and even Han Dong-hoon, the leader of Yoon’s People Power Party. Officials from Yoon’s office and the Defense Ministry did not respond to requests for comment early Wednesday. Seemingly hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Assembly, waving banners and calling for Yoon’s impeachment. Some protesters scuffled with troops ahead of the lawmakers’ vote, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or major property damage. At least one window was broken as troops attempted to enter the Assembly building. One woman tried unsuccessfully to pull a rifle away from one of the soldiers, while shouting “Aren’t you embarrassed?” Under South Korea’s constitution, the president can declare martial law during “wartime, war-like situations or other comparable national emergency states” that require the use of military force to maintain peace and order. It was questionable whether South Korea is currently in such a state. When martial law is declared, “special measures” can be employed to restrict freedom of press, freedom of assembly and other rights, as well as the power of courts. The constitution also states that the president must oblige when the National Assembly demands the lifting of martial law with a majority vote. Following Yoon’s announcement of martial law, South Korea’s military proclaimed that parliament and other political gatherings that could cause “social confusion” would be suspended, South Korea’s Yonhap news agency said. The military said anyone who violated the decree could be arrested without a warrant. In Washington, the White House said the U.S. was “seriously concerned” by the events in Seoul. A spokesperson for the National Security Council said President Joe Biden’s administration was not notified in advance of the martial law announcement and was in contact with the South Korean government. Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said there was no effect on the more than 27,000 U.S. service members based in South Korea. The South Korean military also said that the country’s striking doctors should return to work within 48 hours, Yonhap said. Thousands of doctors have been striking for months over government plans to expand the number of students at medical schools. Soon after martial law was declared, the parliament speaker called on his YouTube channel for all lawmakers to gather at the National Assembly. He urged military and law enforcement personnel to “remain calm and hold their positions. All 190 lawmakers who participated in the vote supported the lifting of martial law. At one point, television footage showed police officers blocking the entrance of the National Assembly and helmeted soldiers carrying rifles in front of the building. An Associated Press photographer saw at least three helicopters, likely from the military, that landed inside the Assembly grounds, while two or three helicopters circled above the site. The leader of Yoon’s conservative party called the decision to impose martial law “wrong.” Lee, who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, said Yoon’s announcement was “illegal and unconstitutional.” Yoon said during a televised speech that martial law would help “rebuild and protect” the country from “falling into the depths of national ruin.” He said he would “eradicate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional democratic order.” “I will eliminate anti-state forces as quickly as possible and normalize the country,” he said, while asking the people to believe in him and tolerate “some inconveniences.” Yoon — whose approval rating dipped in recent months — has struggled to push his agenda against an opposition-controlled parliament since taking office in 2022. His party has been locked in an impasse with the liberal opposition over next year’s budget bill. The opposition has also attempted to impeach three top prosecutors, including the chief of the central Seoul prosecutors’ office, in what the conservatives have called a vendetta against their criminal investigations of Lee, who has been seen as the favorite for the next presidential election in 2027 in opinion polls. During his televised announcement, Yoon also described the opposition as “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces who are plundering the freedom and happiness of our citizens.” He did not elaborate. Yoon has taken a hard line on North Korea over its nuclear ambitions, departing from the policies of his liberal predecessor, Moon Jae-in, who pursued inter-Korean engagement. Yoon has also dismissed calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, drawing quick, strong rebukes from his political rivals. Yoon’s move was the first declaration of martial law since the country’s democratization in 1987. The country’s last previous martial law was in October 1979, following the assassination of former military dictator Park Chung-hee. Sydney Seiler, Korean chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, argued that the move was symbolic for Yoon to express his frustration with the opposition-controlled parliament. “He has nothing to lose,” said Seiler, comparing Yoon’s move to the Hail Mary pass in American football, with a slim chance of success. Now Yoon faces likely impeachment, a scenario that was also possible before he made the bold move, Seiler said. Natalia Slavney, research analyst at the Stimson Center’s 38 North website that focuses on Korean affairs, said Yoon’s imposition of martial law was “a serious backslide of democracy" that followed a “worrying trend of abuse” since he took office in 2022. South Korea “has a robust history of political pluralism and is no stranger to mass protests and swift impeachments,” Slavney said, citing the example of former President Park Geun-hye, the country’s first female president, who was ousted from office and imprisoned for bribery and other crimes in 2017 . Associated Press writers Hyung-jin Kim in Seoul, South Korea, and Matt Lee, Didi Tang and Tara Copp in Washington contributed to this report.Law Offices of Howard G. Smith reminds investors of the upcoming January 17, 2025 deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in the case filed on behalf of investors who purchased Humacyte, Inc. ("Humacyte" or the "Company") HUMA securities between May 10, 2024 and October 17, 2024 , inclusive (the "Class Period"). Investors suffering losses on their Humacyte investments are encouraged to contact the Law Offices of Howard G. Smith to discuss their legal rights in this class action at (215) 638-4847 or by email to howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com . On August 9, 2024, after the market closed, Humacyte issued a press release announcing that the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") "will require additional time to complete its review of its Biologic License Application (BLA) for the acellular tissue engineered vessel (ATEV) in the vascular trauma indication." The press release disclosed in part, that, "[d]uring the course of the BLA review, the FDA has conducted inspections of our manufacturing facilities and clinical sites and has actively engaged with us in multiple discussions regarding our BLA filing[.]" On this news, the Company's stock price declined $1.29, or 16.4%, to close at $6.62 per share on August 12, 2024, on unusually heavy volume. On October 17, 2024, during market hours, the FDA released a Form 483 concerning Humacyte's Durham, North Carolina facility, which revealed a number of violations, including "no microbial quality assurance," "no microbial testing," and inadequate "quality oversight." On this news, the Company's stock price declined $0.95, or 16.35%, to close at $4.86 per share on October 17, 2024, on unusually heavy volume. The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors: (1) that the Company's Durham, North Carolina facility failed to comply with good manufacturing practices, including quality assurance and microbial testing; (2) that the FDA's review of the BLA would be delayed while Humacyte remediated these deficiencies; and (3) that, as a result, there was a substantial risk to FDA approval of ATEV for vascular trauma; and (4) that, as a result of the foregoing, Defendants' positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. If you purchased or otherwise acquired Humacyte securities during the Class Period, you may move the Court no later than January 17, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as lead plaintiff if you meet certain legal requirements. To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. If you wish to learn more about this class action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact Howard G. Smith, Esquire, of Law Offices of Howard G. Smith, 3070 Bristol Pike, Suite 112, Bensalem, Pennsylvania 19020, by telephone at (215) 638-4847, toll-free at (888) 638-4847, or by email to howardsmith@howardsmithlaw.com , or visit our website at www.howardsmithlaw.com . This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241122534989/en/ © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Nicaragua tortured at least 229 political prisoners, rights group saysSouth Korea lifts president's martial law decree after lawmakers reject military ruleBefore you ask; they bring the boom. That's what they do. You might have noticed kids talking about Costco more than usual. Maybe they yell an emphatic "BOOM!" or "DOOM!" after eating, or start making the "rizz face" at you. That would be the result of three viral stars known to the internet as A.J., Big Justice and the Rizzler. As wild as the nicknames might sound, the three viral TikTok stars have shown up all over social media and beyond in 2024. After their viral Costco-related videos and "BOOM or DOOM" food reviews, A.J. and Big Justice have been bringing the "Boom" beyond TikTok to mainstream media. After releasing a song, "We Bring the Boom," their dance has become a popular celebration for college football players , with even Lebron James and son Bronny James seen doing the dance before a Los Angeles Lakers game. The Costco guys often team up with TikTok sensation "The Rizzler," a kid most famous for his " Rizz Face" expression, which is a mewing gesture . The three have made public appearances together on multiple occasions, including an interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Here's what to know about A.J., Big Justice, and the Rizzler. Who are Andrew "A.J." Befumo Jr. and Eric "Big Justice" Befumo? A.J. Befumo, 48, is a graduate of Seton Hall University currently living in Boca Raton, Florida, according to his LinkedIn . Before the internet fame, Befumo used his Instagram and TikTok to promote mortgage broker American Financial Network, where he worked as a regional manager since 2021. He also started a family vlog channel " All Befumo'd up. " The channel has 1,560 subscribers and features family life vlogs of the Befumo family before their recent internet fame. On January 29, 2024, A.J. Befumo posted a TikTok with his son, Eric Befumo, 12, in Costco asking fans to guess if their order was over or under $300. The video received over 750,000 likes and 7.9 million views, the first of their many viral Costco videos. The father-son duo has made several public appearances after their success on TikTok and Instagram. In the "TikTok" sketch on Saturday Night Live on October 19, the two were impersonated by Marcello Hernandez (A.J.) and Chloe Fineman (Big Justice), singing their song "We Bring the Boom," while holding Costco Chicken Bakes. A.J. Befumo's entertainment experience predates his family vlog channel. Under the stage name “the American Powerchild Eric Justice," Befumo was a former professional wrestler who came out of retirement this year for an All-Elite Wrestling appearance on Nov. 23. “It’s amazing,” said Big Justice on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, when asked about working with his dad. “It’s not just working with my dad, it’s working with my whole family. Ashley, my mom, it’s so amazing that we accomplished all of this together.” Why are they Called "Costco Guys?" The Befumos started posting more Costco-related content after their initial success. On March 1, they posted their most viewed video on their TikTok , labeling themselves as "Costco Guys." The mega-hit received 59 million views and 4.5 million likes, propelling the Costco guys into stardom. Befumo also went viral for his famed love of the Costco Double Chunk Chocolate Cookie . Big Justice’s favorite option — the Chicken Bake, a pastry with chicken, cheese, bacon and Caesar dressing — also receives praise from fans. Their "BOOM or DOOM" food review of the Costco food court received over 30 million views and 2.5 million likes in March 2024. The two have extended their food reviews beyond the store, and review food with other family members (A.J. Befumo's daughter Ashley, and wife nicknamed "Mama Justice") and other creators on the "BOOM Meter ." In an interview on Fox Business's "The Claman Countdown" on Nov. 22, host Liz Claman revealed to A.J. and Eric Befumo that the Costco share price had hit an all-time high, helped by sales in the food court, specifically of the Chicken Bake. Who is "The Rizzler?" The 3-foot-11, eight-year-old sensation doesn't share any relation to the Befumo family. Christian Joseph, known to the public as "The Rizzler," has a TikTok account with his dad that first went viral when he wore an adorable Black Panther costume for Halloween. In a TikTok , he explained to his father filming why he couldn't climb a ladder. "Cuz mommy said it's dangerous," said the Rizzler. The child star first started calling himself The Rizzler on TikTok in April 2024 and collaborated with Big Justice on his TikTok in June . The Rizzler has been making the "Rizz Face" at various sporting events, including at Game 5 of the MLB National League Championship Series, to the crowd's delight. The New York Knicks posted a highlight ree l of the Rizzler at the Knicks celebrity game on Oct. 8. He had a collaboration with internet celebrities Logan Paul and KSI, sponsoring their hydration drink Prime in a TikTok. The Rizzler gave Jimmy Fallon a tutorial on how to properly make his signature "Rizz Face" during an interview on The Tonight Show.
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane is doubtful for their German Cup match against holders Bayer Leverkusen next week after picking up an injury in their 1-1 draw at Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga on Saturday, coach Vincent Kompany said. The England captain and Bundesliga top scorer was taken off after 33 minutes with the hosts leading 1-0. Bayern squandered several good chances in the second half before Jamal Musiala rescued a point for the league leaders with an 85th-minute header. Editor's Picks Champions League matchday 5 review: Title odds and contenders, best XI, top games 2d Bill Connelly Kane hits back at Hamann goal-scoring criticism 4d ESPN Bayern apologise as fans bash plutocrat PSG prez 3d "Harry's feeling is that it may not be something too serious," Kompany told a news conference. "But we will have to wait. He will have to do a scan and then we will know more. "But obviously it will be tight for Tuesday. I don't know many players who can recover that quickly," Kompany said. Bayern, who before Saturday had won their previous seven matches across all competitions without conceding a single goal, host Leverkusen in the German Cup round of 16 on Tuesday. "Harry's goals are very hard to replace but we have said from the start that we trust our squad," said the coach. "You cannot replace players of his quality with another place but the boys can do it together." Bayern looked to be heading to their first league loss without Kane's incision up front before Musiala's late equaliser. "We don't start a game without wanting the three points but today we did not get the three points. That is the reality," Kompany said. "We were a goal down so we showed character. We levelled and then kept on pushing and that showed that we have this belief. No successful team can go through a season without such moments."Results of this year’s NAPLAN test have been released, offering parents a snapshot of schools’ performances in reading, writing, spelling, grammar and numeracy. The Age’s interactive guide to results allows families to search their school’s results in this year’s exams, sat in March by more than 300,000 students from years 3, 5, 7 and 9 across Victoria. As the education sector reacted on Wednesday to the publication of the results, Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA) chief executive Stephen Gniel told radio 3AW that the ultimate goal of NAPLAN was to support improvements in educational outcomes. “We keep doing the best we can and providing this kind of information so that schools and the broader community can really get behind education and support those kids,” Gniel told the station. He said ACARA rarely saw schools that “gamed the system” to improve results. “We don’t see a lot of that ... most people are focused on making sure we know how kids’ literacy and numeracy skills are tracking,” he said. Gniel highlighted the performance this year of schools in under-privileged areas. “Those are schools that are serving, really challenging communities ... and they’re punching above their weight,” he told 3AW. Victorian Principals Association deputy president Deborah Grossek said NAPLAN data allowed schools to deeply analyse how their students were performing. “We can actually look at whether there are gaps in learning, and we relate that to our teaching program and what we need to teach,” Grossek, principal of Glendal Primary School in Glen Waverley, told ABC radio this morning. But she said the results only partly contributed to how the public perceived a school. “It’s only part of what they hear in the community about whether a school is a good school or not, whether they’re inclusive, whether they’ve got a good student wellbeing program and so on,” Grossek said. “It’s probably a small part of the puzzle,” she added. The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here .
South Africa thrash Sri Lanka to fuel World Test Championship bid