Judge halts cannabis license lottery that is precursor to Minnesota marijuana retail launchJimmy Carter, 39th US president, dies aged 100
WASHINGTON -- The chair of the Democratic National Committee informed party leaders on Monday that the DNC will choose his successor in February, an election that will speak volumes about how the party wants to present itself during four more years of Donald Trump in the White House. Jaime Harrison, in a letter to members of the party’s powerful Rules & Bylaws Committee, outlined the process of how the party will elect its new chair. Harrison said in the letter that the committee will host four candidate forums — some in person and some virtually — in January, with the final election on Feb. 1 during the party’s winter meeting in National Harbor, Maryland. The race to become the next chair of the Democratic National Committee, while an insular party affair, will come days after Trump is inaugurated for a second term. Democrats' selection of a leader after Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2024 loss will be a key starting point as the party starts to move forward, including addressing any structural problems and determining how to oppose Trump. Members of the Rules & Bylaws Committee will meet on Dec. 12 to establish the rules for these elections, which beyond the chair position will include top party roles like vice chairs, treasurer, secretary and national finance chair. The committee will also use that meeting to decide the requirements for gaining access to the ballot for those top party roles. In 2021, candidates were required to submit a nominating statement that included signatures from 40 DNC members and that will likely be the same standard for the 2025 campaigns. “The DNC is committed to running a transparent, equitable, and impartial election for the next generation of leadership to guide the party forward,” Harrison said in a statement. “Electing the Chair and DNC officers is one of the most important responsibilities of the DNC Membership, and our staff will run an inclusive and transparent process that gives members the opportunity to get to know the candidates as they prepare to cast their votes.” Two Democrats have announced campaigns for chair: Ken Martin, chair of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and a vice chair of the national party, and Martin O’Malley, the former Maryland governor and current commissioner of the Social Security Administration. Other top Democrats are either considering a run to succeed Harrison or are being pushed by party insiders, including former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke; Michael Blake, a former vice chair of the party; Ben Wikler, chair of the Democratic Party of Wisconsin; Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan and a former Chicago mayor; Sen. Mallory McMorrow, majority whip of the Michigan Senate, and Chuck Rocha, a longtime Democratic strategist. The next chair of the committee will be tasked with rebuilding a party demoralized by a second Trump victory. They will also oversee the party’s 2028 nominating process, a complex and contentious exercise that will make the chair central to the next presidential election. Harrison, of South Carolina, made clear in his letter to the rules committee that the four forums hosted by the party would be live streamed and the party would give grassroots Democrats across the country the ability to engage with the process through those events. He also said he intends to remain neutral during the chair election. ___ This story has been corrected to show that McMorrow is a senator, not a representative.NEW DELHI: Venture capital (VC) activity in India has witnessed significant growth from January to November 2024, with investments reaching $16.77 billion across 888 deals, according to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF). Venture capital activity in India from January to November 2024 has surged to US$ 16.77 billion across 888 deals, reflecting a robust 14.1 per cent increase in value and a 21.8 per cent rise in deal count compared to the same period in 2023, according to figures gathered by the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF). The technology sector emerged as the frontrunner, attracting $6.50 billion, a remarkable 52.5 per cent increase year-over-year. Consumer discretionary investments followed with $2.30 billion, up 32.2 per cent, while the financial sector saw a slight decline to $2.20 billion, the IBEF report said. Noteworthy deals included KiranaKart Technologies (Zepto) at $1.3 billion and Poolside AI SAS at $500 million. Industry leaders express optimism about continued momentum into 2025, with expectations for more initial public offerings (IPOs) and increased activity in later-stage funding rounds as funds that have been cautious begin to deploy capital. Experts like Bhaskar Majumdar and Sajith Pai foresee a positive shift in the Indian startup ecosystem, anticipating "great easing" in 2025. Despite concerns about the economy's reliance on the India1 engine, which comprises around 30 million households contributing significantly to GDP, optimism remains high due to ongoing capital flows supported by savings. The energy transition presents new opportunities in electric mobility and green hydrogen sectors. At the same time, traditional areas like fintech and e-commerce continue to attract investment. Additionally, there is a growing focus on intellectual property (IP) -led businesses, particularly deep tech, with significant investments in robotics, drones, and semiconductor technologies. As the landscape evolves, the influence of the US market under the new administration could shape global capital flows, presenting both challenges and opportunities for Indian startups, the IBEF report added.Assad's rule in peril as rebels advance on Damascus
Warning to anyone with bird feeders in their gardens to 'move them now'
Eastern Kentucky secures 77-72 win over Southern IllinoisPalantir Technologies, a data analytics company, started as a tech intelligence startup to provide data intelligence and security aid to the US government long before AI became a tech rage. It used to provide US intelligence agencies with high technology to recognised threats before they arise. It is rumored that the company with its cutting-edge technology likely helped the US government track down Osama bin Laden. The story of the company has its roots in the tragic event of 9/11. Palantir’s CEO Alex Karp realised the deep flaws in American intelligence that led to such a tragic event and recognised them. He felt there was a need for better tools and technology to prevent such terrorist acts and threats of such large scale. After this event, Karp co-founded Palantir with Peter Thiel in 2003. Their goal was to use data in such a way that threats like these can be prevented. The CEO said that he has created such a company that turns huge amounts of data into powerful tools used for intelligence and national security. Palantir’s products Gotham and Metropolis are Palantir’s two main products. Counterterrorism analysts at numerous US government agencies use Gotham. Till a few years ago they sold the data to only the government sector. However, the company has a secretive reputation stemming from their operations in fields like spycraft, antiterrorism, and intelligence collection. While Metropolis is mostly utilized by financial services firms, Gotham is utilized for a variety of purposes, including counterterrorism. What does Palantir do? War, surveillance, and AI are Palantir’s main areas of operations which heavily dealt in tech and privacy issues. They create software that enables soldiers and spies to track down the threats by making connections between mountains of data that are impossible for a human to handle on their own. And they do all of this while attempting to tightly control any personal information that shouldn't be involved. Not just military intelligence, they expanded into the fields of finance, medicine, and even aviation. For example, Palantir was there to help manage the crisis when COVID-19 threw the world into disarray by using data analysis to track the virus's spread and distribute supplies. However, this heroic way of functioning has not let the company or its founders out of controversies as they have always swum in the risky waters of tech and privacy. The company transformed the way technology is used in the most sensitive areas of security and privacy. By providing solutions to increase operational efficiency and reduce expenses, Palantir has set its eyes on revolutionizing the business sector. Their products are now also used to detect fraud and help charity organisations. Examples include, investigating illegal financial transactions connected to global human trafficking, they declined a sizable contract with a major tobacco corporation because they were concerned that the data might identify the groups most vulnerable to cigarette sales. Palantir’s rise in market Under Karp's direction, Palantir has become a significant force in AI and machine learning. The company's stock has risen 300 percent since April 2023, greatly exceeding both Nvidia's 180 percent gain and the S&P 500's 28 percent increase. The company has won large contracts, such as the USD 178 million TITAN combat system and the USD 480 million Maven AI project. The value of Palantir's cofounders' stock holdings skyrocketed through 2024 when the company's market capitalization nearly doubled. Who is Alex Karp? Alex Karp, an unsual leader, has been the company’s CEO since 2004, and as of December 2024, Forbes estimated his net worth at US$7.7 billion. He completed his PhD in neoclassical social theory from Goethe University Frankfurt after which he founded Palantir. Karp donated to Joe Biden during 2020 election and even this time he supported Kamala Harris while Thiel supported Donald Trump.Transcript: Conway Gittens: I’m Conway Gittens reporting from the New York Stock Exchange. Here’s what we’re watching on TheStreet today. Stocks rallied into Friday’s close as investors continued to position for a Trump administration. Consumers are also preparing for a change in the White House. Consumer sentiment inched up in November to its highest level since April. Republican consumers were more upbeat, while Democrats were more downbeat. Turning to next week’s holiday-shortened calendar, the big number comes from the PCE index, which is the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge. Related: McDonald’s pulls beloved menu items due to major issue Speaking of inflation, McDonald’s is still trying to find the right menu in a world where eaters are fed up with high prices. The fast-food giant is introducing what it is calling the McValue menu. A $5 budget deal that’s already available will continue at least through the summer. The $5 bundle includes a small drink and fries, 4-piece Chicken McNuggets, and either a McDouble cheeseburger or McChicken sandwich. In addition, its “Buy One, Add One for $1” offerings will be expanded to breakfast time. McDonald’s will also roll-out special deals in local markets and for app users. McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger said in a web statement, “When it comes to value, we know there’s no one-size-fits all. We’ve worked closely with our franchisees to create a new platform that will let our customers define value on their own terms.” The McValue menu fully kicks-in in January 2025, in response to Mickey D’s first back-to-back drop in quarterly sales since the pandemic. Eating at McDonald’s is now roughly 40 percent more expensive than it was 5 years ago. That’ll do it for your Daily Briefing. From the New York Stock Exchange, I’m Conway Gittens with TheStreet. Watch ICYMI This Week:
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Pedestrian safety is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Yet in Jersey City, the streets feel less like pathways for safe travel and more like the setting for a real-life version of Frogger , the iconic video game where players dodge speeding vehicles to survive. Except in real life, this is no game, and the stakes are tragically high. Every day, residents are forced to navigate dangerous intersections, speeding cars, and drivers ignoring basic traffic laws. This chaotic environment is unacceptable for a city that prides itself on walkability and community-centered living. For too long, the lack of response from city leadership—particularly Director James Shea—has left residents feeling ignored and unsafe. His continued failure to address enforcement gaps speaks volumes about where pedestrian safety ranks on the city’s list of priorities. In recent public meetings, the same excuse is trotted out: a lack of police personnel. This reasoning has been used to justify the inability to enforce basic traffic laws, such as patrolling, ticketing, and ensuring crossing guards are stationed where needed. But this is not just an issue of personnel—it’s one of prioritization. Other cities, like Barcelona, have demonstrated how reallocating resources and creating people-focused urban design can transform public spaces. The Streetfilms video, “The Secret Ingredients of Barcelona’s Superblocks,” illustrates how enforcement and innovative planning can work together to save lives. Jersey City could take inspiration from Barcelona’s model, yet we seem content to let the problem worsen. The data is clear: there is a direct link between robust traffic enforcement and reductions in pedestrian injuries and fatalities. Nationally, pedestrian deaths have reached epidemic levels, and Jersey City is no exception. Yet, drivers here routinely speed, run red lights, and ignore crosswalks with little fear of consequence. Without meaningful enforcement, reckless driving will continue unchecked. Director Shea’s inaction on this issue raises serious concerns about the city’s commitment to pedestrian safety. If Jersey City is serious about its Vision Zero goals to eliminate traffic fatalities, it needs efficient resourcing, a dedicated traffic unit, and clear accountability. Residents are tired of empty promises and non-responses. We also need a robust public awareness campaign to tackle this issue. Let’s remind drivers that no violation will go unpunished and that pedestrian lives matter. Other cities, like New York, have shown that education combined with enforcement can change driver behavior. It’s time for Jersey City to follow suit. We, the citizens, are not asking for the impossible. We are asking for safe streets where we don’t have to play Frogger every time we step outside. We are demanding accountability from leadership, including Director Shea, to prioritize pedestrian safety and enforce the laws already on the books. The time for excuses is over. Jersey City must take immediate action to ensure its streets are safe for everyone—drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. Anything less is unacceptable.Pedestrian safety is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Yet in Jersey City, the streets feel less like pathways for safe travel and more like the setting for a real-life version of Frogger , the iconic video game where players dodge speeding vehicles to survive. Except in real life, this is no game, and the stakes are tragically high. Every day, residents are forced to navigate dangerous intersections, speeding cars, and drivers ignoring basic traffic laws. This chaotic environment is unacceptable for a city that prides itself on walkability and community-centered living. For too long, the lack of response from city leadership—particularly Director James Shea—has left residents feeling ignored and unsafe. His continued failure to address enforcement gaps speaks volumes about where pedestrian safety ranks on the city’s list of priorities. In recent public meetings, the same excuse is trotted out: a lack of police personnel. This reasoning has been used to justify the inability to enforce basic traffic laws, such as patrolling, ticketing, and ensuring crossing guards are stationed where needed. But this is not just an issue of personnel—it’s one of prioritization. Other cities, like Barcelona, have demonstrated how reallocating resources and creating people-focused urban design can transform public spaces. The Streetfilms video, “The Secret Ingredients of Barcelona’s Superblocks,” illustrates how enforcement and innovative planning can work together to save lives. Jersey City could take inspiration from Barcelona’s model, yet we seem content to let the problem worsen. The data is clear: there is a direct link between robust traffic enforcement and reductions in pedestrian injuries and fatalities. Nationally, pedestrian deaths have reached epidemic levels, and Jersey City is no exception. Yet, drivers here routinely speed, run red lights, and ignore crosswalks with little fear of consequence. Without meaningful enforcement, reckless driving will continue unchecked. Director Shea’s inaction on this issue raises serious concerns about the city’s commitment to pedestrian safety. If Jersey City is serious about its Vision Zero goals to eliminate traffic fatalities, it needs efficient resourcing, a dedicated traffic unit, and clear accountability. Residents are tired of empty promises and non-responses. We also need a robust public awareness campaign to tackle this issue. Let’s remind drivers that no violation will go unpunished and that pedestrian lives matter. Other cities, like New York, have shown that education combined with enforcement can change driver behavior. It’s time for Jersey City to follow suit. We, the citizens, are not asking for the impossible. We are asking for safe streets where we don’t have to play Frogger every time we step outside. We are demanding accountability from leadership, including Director Shea, to prioritize pedestrian safety and enforce the laws already on the books. The time for excuses is over. Jersey City must take immediate action to ensure its streets are safe for everyone—drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. Anything less is unacceptable.
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Find the links between the words to win today's game of Connections. Looking for Sunday’s Connections hints and answers instead? You can find them here: Hey, folks! New Year’s Eve is almost upon us, so I thought I’d help get the party started a little early with a double song recommendation today. For my money, there are few better bands at delivering fun party music than KC and the Sunshine Band. One of their best singalong songs is “Give It Up.” It’s too catchy for its own good: Before we get started, I’ve started a discussion group for Connections and this column on Discord . You can chat about each game (and other topics) with me and other folks. I’m always interested to find out how other people approach the game, so join us! It’s fun. It’s also the best way to give me any feedback about the column, especially on the rare(!) occasions that I mess something up. Today’s NYT Connections hints and answers for Monday, December 30, are coming right up. Apple Cancels iPhone 14 And iPhone SE For Millions Of Users Samsung’s Android 15 Leak—Bad News For Nearly All Galaxy Owners Critical Gmail Warning—Don’t Click Yes To These Google Security Alerts How To Play Connections Connections is a free, popular New York Times daily word game. You get a new puzzle at midnight every day. You can play on the NYT website or Games app. You’re presented with a grid of 16 words. Your task is to arrange them into four groups of four by figuring out the links between them. The groups could be things like items you can click, names for research study participants or words preceded by a body part. There’s only one solution for each puzzle, and you’ll need to be careful when it comes to words that might fit into more than one category. You can shuffle the words to perhaps help you see links between them. Each group is color coded. The yellow group is usually the easiest to figure out, blue and green fall in the middle, and the purple group is usually the most difficult one. The purple group often involves wordplay. Select four words you think go together and press Submit. If you make a guess and you’re incorrect, you’ll lose a life. If you’re close to having a correct group, you might see a message telling you that you’re one word away from getting it right, but you’ll still need to figure out which one to swap. If you make four mistakes, it’s game over. Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen with the help of some hints, and, if you’re really struggling, today’s Connections answers. As with Wordle and other similar games, it’s easy to share results with your friends on social media and group chats. If you have an NYT All Access or Games subscription, you can access the publication’s Connections archive. This includes every previous game of Connections , so you can go back and play any of those that you have missed. Aside from the first 60 games or so, you should be able to find my hints for each grid via Google if you need them! Just click here and add the date of the game for which you need clues or the answers to the search query. What Are Today’s Connections Hints? Scroll slowly! Just after the hints for each of today’s Connections groups, I’ll reveal what the groups are without immediately telling you which words go into them. Today’s 16 words are... And the hints for today’s Connections groups are: What Are Today’s Connections Groups? Need some extra help? Be warned: we’re starting to get into spoiler territory. Today’s Connections groups are... What Are Today’s Connections Answers? Spoiler alert! Don’t scroll any further down the page until you’re ready to find out today’s Connections answers. This is your final warning! Today’s Connections answers are... No perfect game today, but I extended my streak to eight wins. Here’s how I fared: 🟨🟨🟨🟨 🟦🟦🟪🟦 🟦🟦🟦🟦 🟩🟩🟩🟩 🟪🟪🟪🟪 You would not believe the enormous grin that crept across my face when I saw PINK PONY CLUB on the top line. Song of the year, even though it came out in 2020. I got the yellows easily enough (a HERO is a type of sandwich) and then was a little stumped. I took a bit of a stab in the dark with a guess of ANTE, COUGH, PONY and AIRPLANE with nothing specific in mind, and ended up one away from a group. After a moment’s thought, I had the blues sussed out. From there, I spotted the link between BEANS and GRINDER and had the greens. The purple connection eluded me before I submitted the group. I’m a little annoyed I didn’t get that, in part because I also write for Yahoo! and one of its subsidiaries, Engadget. Oops. PINK refers to the singer, who uses the exclamation mark to replace the “I” in her name. That’s all there is to it for today’s Connections clues and answers. Be sure to check my blog tomorrow for hints and the solution for Tuesday’s game if you need them. P.S. I have included “Pink Pony Club” in the column before but I can’t resist doing so again. It’s obscenely good and it makes me well up every time I hear it: Have a great day! Make sure to drink enough water! Call someone you love! If you’re so inclined, please do follow my blog for more coverage of Connections and other word games and even some video game news, insights and analysis. It helps me out a lot! Also, follow me on Bluesky ! It’s fun there.
Actor Timothée Chalamet strayed from his indie roots and artsy persona to step into the world of college football on Saturday when he appeared on ESPN’s “College GameDay” as a guest football analyst, picking his winners for the highly anticipated conference championship games. The 28-year-old, who is set to star in the Bob Dylan biopic “ A Complete Unknown ” opening Christmas Day, predicted Texas would overcome the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC championship. The game is the biggest of the night. “This is a Longhorns victory,” the French actor said alongside “GameDay” host Rece Davis, former NFL kicker Pat McAfee and former Alabama head coach Nick Saban. During the popular pregame show, Chalamet predicted Oregon would take down Penn State in the Big Ten championship. Chalamet, whose covers of “Like a Rolling Stone” and “Girl From the North Country” were released on Friday, didn’t stop there while attempting to show off his sports acumen to a nationwide audience. When it came to the Big 12 championship, he picked the red-hot Sun Devils of Arizona State to bring home the trophy against Iowa State. “I’m pulling for Arizona State today,” he said during the telecast. In the Sun Belt Conference, Chalamet chose Louisiana over Marshall. “Billy Napier’s legend remains, the defense is strong,” he joked, referring to how the current Florida Gators head coach once held the same position at Louisiana. And in a twist, the actor predicted favorite Miami of Ohio would lose to in-state rival Ohio University in the MAC championship. “These teams are 2-2 in their last four matchups. I’m going underdog, Bobcats,” he said. Demonstrating his versatility as a sports guru, Chalamet chose Southern Methodist University to defeat Clemson. “It smells like the 1980s, folks,” he said. In the SWAC championship, Chalamet picked Jackson State University over Southern. “I’m going with Jackson State,” he said on the broadcast. “This should be an easy win for them.” Bob Dylan praised both the film and Chalamet , who plays the famed singer-songwriter in the movie, earlier this week in a post on X . “There’s a movie about me opening soon called A Complete Unknown (what a title!),” Dylan wrote.Jussie Smollett’s conviction in 2019 attack on himself is overturned
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