NEW YORK — Half of the claims for public matching funds that Mayor Eric Adams’ reelection campaign submitted in the most recent reporting period were deemed “invalid” by the city’s Campaign Finance Board, the highest rejection rate the mayor’s team has faced to date, records obtained by the Daily News show. The rejections come at a critical time for Adams’ campaign. The CFB is weighing whether to give Adams’ 2025 campaign any matching funds at all amid his federal indictment on charges alleging he took illegal political donations and bribes, mostly from Turkish government operatives. A decision by the board to withhold public funds from Adams, who has pleaded not guilty, could deal a serious blow, with millions of dollars at stake as he faces seven challengers in June’s Democratic mayoral primary . The board — which is set to announce Monday whether to award Adams matching funds — has said it’s considering the allegations in his indictment as part of its final decision, on top of various other factors required under CFB rules, like claim denial rates. The new records obtained by The News via a Freedom of Information Law request show Adams’ 2025 campaign submitted a total of 268 donations for matching funds in the latest reporting period, which spanned from July 12 through Oct. 7. Of them, 134 — 50% of all claims the campaign submitted in the period — were found by the CFB to be “invalid,” the records show. The reasons for the rejections included contributions in question not being “timely reported,” no “backup documentation” being provided by Adams’ campaign and donors being listed in the city’s Doing Business database . Under the matching funds program, mayoral campaigns get eligible contributions from city residents matched by the CFB at an 8-to-1 rate up to $250. The Adams campaign’s 134 “invalid” claims total $31,051, meaning they could be worth a combined $248,408 if matched with public funds. The 50% denial rate is the highest Adams has seen in a reporting period since he started raising cash for his reelection run shortly after taking office in 2022. The second highest was the 25% of matching claims denied in the first period of the 2025 cycle, which ran between Jan. 15, 2022 and July 11, 2022, records show. In a Nov. 12 letter to Sharon Adams, the mayor’s campaign treasurer, CFB auditing director Danielle Willemin wrote the Adams team has until Jan. 15 to respond to the latest findings if they believe some of the claims are valid. However, Willemin noted in the letter that Adams’ team would need to respond by Nov. 22 if it hoped to cure the claims in time for them to be included in next week’s public funds payout, the first of the 2025 cycle. The records obtained by The News show the campaign didn’t file any response by Nov. 22. Vito Pitta, Adams’ campaign attorney, didn’t respond to questions about the CFB findings this week. Besides the latest reporting window, Adams still has 458 “invalid” claims from the five previous 2025 cycle reporting periods that haven’t been cured by his campaign to date, the records show. Those outstanding claims are worth $108,433, giving them a total matched value of $876,464, the records say. Some matching fund claim denials are common, said Marty Connor, a former state senator and veteran New York campaign finance compliance lawyer. However, Connor said Adams’ 50% denial rate stands out. “That’s high comparatively,” Connor said, adding rates exceeding roughly 20% are outside the norm. The 50% denial rate came in a period in which Adams’ reelection campaign received $146,151 in donations, the lowest fundraising stretch he has had since becoming mayor. Amid the cash dip, Adams’ team said it had essentially ceased fundraising for his reelection, arguing he had hit the campaign spending cap if expected matching funds are factored in. The drop also came as Adams was focusing on raising money for his legal defense fund , which he’s using to cover attorney fees he’s racking up to defend himself in his corruption case prosecuted by the Manhattan U.S. attorney’s office. The CFB has dinged Adams’ political operation for alleged bookkeeping errors before , including compiling a draft audit earlier this year identifying $2.3 million in improperly documented spending by his 2021 campaign. In total, Adams’ 2025 campaign has submitted 1,747 matching claims deemed valid on initial inspection by the CFB, totaling $404,142, records show. With matching funds, those donations are worth a cumulative $3.2 million if CFB ultimately opts to give Adams public cash. ©2024 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.In a lengthy speech at the Brookings Institution, a Washington, D.C. think tank, on Tuesday, President Joe Biden forcefully defended his economic legacy and harshly criticized his successor. “Most economists agree the new administration is going to inherit a fairly strong economy, at least at the moment, an economy going through fundamental transformation,” Biden said. “It is my profound hope that the new administration will preserve and build on this progress. Like most great economic developments, this one is neither red nor blue, and America's progress is everyone's progress.” RELATED STORY | What impacts will a Trump presidency have on the economy? The president pointed specifically to record job growth during his tenure and an historically-low unemployment rate, as well as solid GDP performance, major investments in infrastructure and a soaring stock market. Most economists agree Biden’s term in office has coincided with a strong jobs market, and note the economic forecast remains bright – especially when contrasted to that of other peer nations, many of which have struggled to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic. And yet, Americans by and large disapprove of Biden’s economic tenure, particularly the high costs of goods and services. Though inflation has fallen some, it remains higher than when the president took office and has become a frequent point of attack for Republicans critical of the Biden administration. RELATED STORY | Wealthier Americans are driving retail spending and powering US economy President-elect Donald Trump’s victory last month served in some was as a repudiation of the president’s so-called “Bidenomics” policies, with most voters telling pollsters they were dissatisfied with the state of the U.S. economy and Biden’s handling of the issue. Since Trump’s election, attitudes towards the economy have improved slightly, particularly among Republicans; according to research from Gallup, just eight percent of Republicans in October viewed economic conditions as getting better, compared to 30% last month. Biden himself seemed to acknowledge some missteps in selling his economic vision to Americans. “I also learned something from Donald Trump,” Biden said. “He signed checks for people for $7,400 bucks,” the president noted of the pandemic-era relief measures. Even though Biden approved similar relief efforts during his term, his name never appeared on American’s checks. “I didn't – stupid,” Biden conceded. RELATED STORY | Powell says Fed will likely cut rates cautiously given persistent inflation pressures Seeking to bolster Biden’s economic legacy, the White House on Tuesday launched a new website hailing the “Biden Economy,” featuring statistics about economic performance during his term and complimentary videos from his supporters. Biden’s speach, meanwhile, also served as a warning of sorts to his successor, with the president arguing against tax cuts for the wealthy and the notion that such benefits would “trickle down” to middle class Americans. “You can make as much money as you can, good for you, but everybody's got to be they pay their fair share,” Biden said. Trump has pledged to extend the tax cuts he signed into law in 2017, telling NBC News he intends to submit a tax package to Congress within his first 100 days in office. “They’re coming due and they’re very substantial for people,” Trump said of his 2017 cuts. “That’s what led us to one of the greatest economies ever.” RELATED STORY | Amid corporate layoffs, 36% of workforce turns to gig economy for alternative employment A report by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office in December found that failing to extend those tax incentives would have a negligible impact on the economy, though Republicans are expected to pursue them and other business tax breaks after they retake both chambers of Congress next year. Trump has also promised to impose significant tariffs on the import of foreign goods from Mexico, Canada and China – despite economists’ and retailers’ warnings that will drive up consumer prices. Trump in the NBC interview said he couldn’t guarantee the move wouldn’t increase consumer costs, something Biden harshly refuted. “I believe we've proven that approach is a mistake over the past four years,” Biden said. “But we all know in time, we all know in time what will happen.”
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The bells of Notre Dame Cathedral rang on Saturday evening in Paris for the first time since a fire devastated the Paris landmark in 2019. Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich began the ceremony by knocking three times on the cathedral's door with his staff, called a crozier, which was made from one of the burned beams of the cathedral's roof. The ceremony to mark the cathedral's return to religious services was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron and hundreds of dignitaries, including U.S. President-elect Donald Trump , first lady Jill Biden, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and the U.K.'s Prince William. The cathedral's restoration and return to service after five years has been a success for Macron, who has had recent political difficulties .
NASA's stuck astronauts hit 6 months in space. Just 2 more to go( MENAFN - PR Newswire) Advanced Snail Mucin Glass Glow Hydrogel Mask Takes #1 Spot in Beauty and Personal Care NEW YORK, Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Global skincare brand COSRX has once again taken the skincare industry by storm, with its newly launched Advanced Snail Mucin Glass Glow Hydrogel Mask claiming the #1 position in Amazon US's Hot New Releases in Beauty and Personal Care. Additionally, The Peptide Collagen Hydrogel Eye Patch secured the #38 position in the same category, proving the brand's consistent ability to deliver effective and innovative skincare solutions. These two products mark exciting additions to COSRX's impressive portfolio of award-winning skincare. Following the viral success of The 6 Peptide Skin Booster Serum and Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence - popularly known as the #MirrorSkin Duo - these latest launches build on COSRX's reputation for creating products that deliver unparalleled radiance and results. Advanced Snail Mucin Glass Glow Hydrogel Mask The Advanced Snail Mucin Glass Glow Hydrogel Mask is the newest addition to COSRX's best-selling Advanced Snail line. Formulated with a high concentration of Snail Mucin, this innovative hydrogel mask delivers hydration, brightening, soothing, and firming benefits in just one use. Thanks to its unique hydrogel technology, the mask gradually turns transparent as the active ingredients are absorbed, visibly improving skin texture and radiance. Designed for ultimate versatility, it can also be used overnight, making it ideal for users seeking effortless overnight care. The Peptide Collagen Hydrogel Eye Patch The Peptide Collagen Hydrogel Eye Patch offers a dermatologist-tested solution for multiple under-eye concerns. Infused with four powerful multi-functional peptides, the patches brighten dark circles, smooth fine lines, and enhance skin elasticity. Perfect for targeted care, the patches deliver an instant lifting effect while continuously improving tone, texture, and radiance. With consistent use, they rejuvenate and restore the delicate under-eye area, leaving it looking youthful, revitalized, and glowing. A Continued Legacy of Innovation These new launches reflect COSRX's commitment to combining innovative formulations with proven results, a philosophy that has earned the brand a dedicated following worldwide. For more information on the Advanced Snail Mucin Glass Glow Hydrogel Mask and The Peptide Collagen Hydrogel Eye Patch , visit COSRX store at Amazon . About COSRX: With its powerful yet affordable skincare solutions, COSRX has quickly become one of America's favorite skincare brands. Using a minimal number of highly effective natural extracts in concentrated doses, COSRX products deliver visible results by treating the skin with only the essentials it needs and nothing it doesn't. Find its best-selling skincare solutions at retailers nationwide, including , Amazon , ULTA , Revolve , Dermstore , Nordstrom and Target . COSRX is also on Instagram + TikTok . SOURCE COSRX MENAFN17122024003732001241ID1109004985 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.WASHINGTON — President- elect Donald Trump said Saturday that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria amid an opposition offensive that has reached the capital's suburbs, declaring in a social media post, "THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT.” Trump's first extensive comments on the dramatic rebel push came while he was in Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral . He argued that Syrian President Bashar Assad did not deserve U.S. support to stay in power. Assad's government has been propped up by the Russian and Iranian military, along with Hezbollah and other Iranian-allied militias, in a now 13-year-old war against opposition groups seeking his overthrow. The war, which began as a mostly peaceful uprising in 2011 against the Assad family's rule, has killed a half-million people, fractured Syria and drawn in a more than a half-dozen foreign militaries and militias. The insurgents are led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham , which the United States has designated as a terrorist group and says has links to al-Qaida, although the group has since broken ties with al-Qaida.” The insurgents have met little resistance so far from the Syrian army. The Biden administration has suggested that their fast-moving advances toward Damascus demonstrate just how distracted those countries are by the war in Ukraine and other conflicts, but said that the U.S. is not backing the offensive and has not suggested the U.S. military will intervene. The U.S. has about 900 troops in Syria, including U.S. forces working with Kurdish allies in the opposition-held northeast to prevent any resurgence of the Islamic State group. Gen. Bryan Fenton, the head of U.S. Special Operations Command, said he would not want to speculate on how the upheaval in Syria would affect the U.S. military’s footprint in the country. “It’s still too early to tell,” he said. What would not change is the focus on disrupting IS operations in Syria and protecting U.S. troops, Fenton said Saturday during a panel at an annual gathering of national security officials, defense companies and lawmakers at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California. Syrian opposition activists and regional officials have nonetheless been watching closely for any indication from both the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration on how the U.S. would handle the sudden rebel advances against Assad. Robert Wilkie, Trump's defense transition chief and a former secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, said during the same panel that the collapse of the “murderous Assad regime” would be a major blow to Iran's power. The United Nations' special envoy for Syria called Saturday for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition” in Syria. In his post, Trump said Russia “is so tied up in Ukraine” that it “seems incapable of stopping this literal march through Syria, a country they have protected for years.” He said rebels could possibly force Assad from power. The president-elect condemned the overall U.S. handling of the war but said the routing of Assad and Russian forces might be for the best. “Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!” he wrote in Saturday's post. An influential Syrian opposition activist in Washington, Mouaz Moustafa, interrupted a briefing to reporters to read Trump’s post and appeared to choke up. He said Trump’s declaration that the U.S. should stay out of the fight was the best outcome that the the Syrians aligned against Assad could hope for. Rebels have been freeing political detainees of the Assad government from prisons as they advance across Syria, taking cities. Moustafa pledged to reporters Saturday that opposition forces would be alert for any U.S. detainees among them and do their utmost to protect them. Moustafa said that includes Austin Tice , an American journalist missing for more than a decade and suspected to be held by Assad. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham renounced al-Qaida in 2016 and has worked to rebrand itself, including cracking down on some Islamic extremist groups and fighters in its territory and portraying itself as a protector of Christians and other religious minorities. While the U.S. and United Nations still designate it as a terrorist organization, Trump's first administration told lawmakers that the U.S. was no longer targeting the group's leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani. ___ Associated Press writer Tara Copp in Simi Valley, California, contributed to this report.
DETROIT (AP) — If Donald Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Economists say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, booze and other goods. The president-elect floated the tariff idea, including additional 10% taxes on goods from China, as a way to force the countries to halt the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the U.S. But his posts Monday on Truth Social threatening the tariffs on his first day in office could just be a negotiating ploy to get the countries to change behavior. High food prices were a major issue in voters picking Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris, but tariffs almost certainly would push those costs up even further. For instance, the Produce Distributors Association, a Washington trade group, said Tuesday that tariffs will raise prices for fresh fruit and vegetables and hurt U.S. farmers when other countries retaliate. “Tariffs distort the marketplace and will raise prices along the supply chain, resulting in the consumer paying more at the checkout line,” said Alan Siger, association president. Mexico and Canada are two of the biggest exporters of fresh fruit and vegetables to the U.S. In 2022, Mexico supplied 51% of fresh fruit and 69% of fresh vegetables imported by value into the U.S., while Canada supplied 2% of fresh fruit and 20% of fresh vegetables. Before the election, about 7 in 10 voters said they were very concerned about the cost of food, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters. “We’ll get them down,” Trump told shoppers during a September visit to a Pennsylvania grocery store. The U.S. is the largest importer of goods in the world, with Mexico, China and Canada its top three suppliers, according to the most recent U.S. Census data. People looking to buy a new vehicle likely would see big price increases as well, at a time when costs have gone up so much that they are out of reach for many. The average price of a new vehicle now runs around $48,000. About 15% of the 15.6 million new vehicles sold in the U.S. last year came from Mexico, while 8% crossed the border from Canada, according to Global Data. Much of the tariffs would get passed along to consumers, unless automakers can somehow quickly find productivity improvements to offset them, said C.J. Finn, U.S. automotive sector leader for PwC, a consulting firm. That means even more consumers “would potentially get priced out of the activity” of buying a new vehicle, Finn said. Hardest hit would be Volkswagen, Stellantis, General Motors and Ford, Bernstein analyst Daniel Roeska wrote Tuesday in a note to investors. Stellantis and VW import about 40% of the vehicles they sell from Canada and Mexico, while it's 30% for GM and 25% for Ford. GM and Stellantis import more than half of their high-profit pickup trucks from the two countries, according to Bernstein. If Trump does impose the tariffs in January, the auto industry would have little time to adjust, putting operating profits at risk for the automakers, Roeska said in an email. “A 25% tariff on Mexico and Canada would severely cripple the U.S. auto industry,” he said. The tariffs would hurt U.S. industrial production so much that “we expect this is unlikely to happen in practice,” Roeska said. The tariff threat hit the stocks of some companies that could be particularly hurt, such as auto manufacturers and Constellation Brands, which sells Modelo and other Mexican beer brands in the United States. But the overall market held relatively steady near records as investors saw Trump’s proposal as more of an opening position for negotiations rather than as a definitive policy. It's not clear how long the tariffs would last if they are implemented, but they could force auto executives to move production to the U.S., which could create more jobs in the long run. But Morningstar analyst David Whiston said in the short term automakers probably won't make any moves because they can't quickly change where they build vehicles. To move to the U.S., they would have to buy equipment and revamp their parts supply chain, which can take years. “I think everyone is going to be in a wait-and-see mode,” Whiston said. Millions of dollars worth of auto parts flow across the borders with Mexico and Canada, and that could raise prices for already costly automobile repairs, Finn said. The Distilled Spirits Council of the U.S. said tariffs on tequila or Canadian whisky won’t boost American jobs because they are distinctive products that can only be made in their country of origin. In 2023, the U.S. imported $4.6 billion worth of tequila and $108 million worth of mezcal from Mexico and $537 million worth of spirits from Canada, the council said. “At the end of the day, tariffs on spirits products from our neighbors to the north and south are going to hurt U.S. consumers and lead to job losses across the U.S. hospitality industry just as these businesses continue their long recovery from the pandemic,” the council said in a statement. Electronics retailer Best Buy said on its third-quarter earnings conference call that it runs on thin profit margins, so while vendors and the company will shoulder some increases, Best Buy will have to pass tariffs on to customers. “These are goods that people need, and higher prices are not helpful,” CEO Corie Barry said. Walmart also warned this week that tariffs could force it to raise prices, as did Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who talked with Trump after his call for tariffs, said they had a good conversation about how the countries can work together on the challenges they face. "This is something that we can do, laying out the facts and moving forward in constructive ways. This is a relationship that we know takes a certain amount of working on and that’s what we’ll do,” Trudeau said. Trump's transition team wouldn't comment on the call. Also Monday, Trump turned his ire to China, saying he has “had many talks with China about the massive amounts of drugs, in particular Fentanyl, being sent into the United States – But to no avail.” The Chinese Embassy in Washington cautioned on Monday that there will be losers on all sides if there is a trade war. Trump's threats come as arrests for illegally crossing the border from Mexico have been falling . The most recent U.S. numbers for October show arrests remain near four-year lows. But arrests for illegally crossing the border from Canada have been rising over the past two years. Much of America’s fentanyl is smuggled from Mexico. Border seizures of the drug rose sharply under President Joe Biden. The tariffs would also throw into doubt the reliability of the 2020 trade deal brokered in large part by Trump with Canada and Mexico, the USMCA, which replaced NAFTA and is up for review in 2026. Trump transition team officials did not immediately respond to questions about what authority he would use, what he would need to see to prevent the tariffs from being implemented and how they would impact prices in the U.S. Mexico’s Foreign Relations Department and Economy Department also had no immediate reaction to Trump’s statements. ___ Rugaber reported from Washington. AP reporters Dee-Ann Durbin in Detroit, Stan Choe and Anne D'Innocenzio in New York, and Rob Gillies in Toronto contributed to this report.By Ja'han Jones President-elect Donald Trump is looking to stock his incoming Cabinet with stars from his favorite television network, Fox News. Trump’s selection of former Fox News contributor (and MSNBC alum ) Monica Crowley — who reportedly spread the conspiracy theory that President Barack Obama was secretly Muslim — as chief of protocol at the State Department brings the total number of prospective former Fox News employees in his administration to 12, according to a tally by left-leaning media accountability group Media Matters . (The outlet also notes that several other frequent Fox News guests are slated to serve in high-ranking positions.) The White House could soon become a Fox den (see what I did there?) — just as it was the first time Trump was president. Trump — cable news - obsessed septuagenarian that he is — could become an even greater hero to like-minded armchair curmudgeons in just a few months, going from yelling at the Fox News talent on his television to barking orders at them face to face. On Wednesday's episode of “The ReidOut with Joy Reid,” former NBC executive John Miller, who helped market Trump’s reality show “The Apprentice,” gave some insight into Trump’s decision-making on that show that could apply to his Cabinet picks, as well. In picking winners on the show, Miller said, Trump prioritized several things above competence, including “loyalty,” how much a person praised him, how public that praise was and how someone looked physically doing the job. Miller said “actual ability to do the job based on credentials or experience does not seem to be important” to Trump and is last on his list of qualifications. There’s no reason to believe the batch of former Fox News talent Trump has selected to work in his administration are being judged on anything other than how well they follow his orders — and how good they look on TV doing it. Ja'han Jones is The ReidOut Blog writer. He's a futurist and multimedia producer focused on culture and politics. His previous projects include "Black Hair Defined" and the "Black Obituary Project."
Games to snuggle up with this holiday seasonCOPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. — For a pair of lower-level downhill events, this sure had plenty of Olympic medal-capturing and World Cup-winning ski racers. The stage belonged to Lindsey Vonn, the 40-year-old who took another step on her comeback trail Saturday with her first races in nearly six years. Vonn wasn't particularly speedy and finished in the middle of the pack on a cold but sunny day at Copper Mountain. Times and places weren't the mission, though, as much as getting used to the speed again and gaining the necessary points to compete on the World Cup circuit this season. Vonn accomplished both, finishing 24th in the first downhill race of the day and 27th in the second. She posted on social media after the FIS races that she had enough points to enter World Cup events. The timing couldn't be more perfect — the next stop on the women's circuit is Beaver Creek, Colorado, in a week. Vonn, who used to own a home in nearby Vail, hasn't committed to any sort of timetable for a World Cup return. “Today was a solid start and I had a blast being in start with my teammates again!” Vonn wrote on X. “While I’m sure people will speculate and say I’m not in top form because of the results, I disagree. This was training for me. I’m still testing equipment and getting back in the groove.” Lindsey Vonn reacts after her run at a downhill skiing race at Copper Mountain Ski Resort on Saturday in Copper Mountain, Colo. John Locher, Associated Press Her competition — a veritable who's who of high-profile ski racers — applauded her efforts. “I don't expect her to come back and win — just that she comes back and she has fun,” said Federica Brignone of Italy, a former overall World Cup champion and three-time Olympic medalist. “She's having fun, and she’s doing what she loves. That’s the best thing that she could do.” In the first race on a frigid morning, Vonn wound up 1.44 seconds behind the winning time of 1 minute, 5.79 seconds posted by Mirjam Puchner of Austria. In her second race through the course later in the morning, Vonn was 1.53 seconds behind Cornelia Huetter of Austria, who finished in 1:05.99. Huetter is the reigning season-long World Cup downhill champion. “It’s really nice to compare with her again, and nice to have her (racing) again,” Huetter said. “For sure, for the skiing World Cup, we have a lot of more attention. It's generally good for all racers because everyone is looking.” Also in the field were Nadia Delago of Italy, who won a bronze medal in downhill at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and Puchner, the Olympic silver winner in super-G in Beijing. In addition, there was Marta Bassino of Italy, a winner of the super-G at the 2023 world championships, and two-time Olympic champion Michelle Gisin of Switzerland. “For me, it was really a training, but it was fun to have a World Cup race level right here,” Gisin said. “It was a crazy race.” Vonn remains a popular figure and took the time after each run to sign autographs for young fans along with posing for photos. When she left the sport, Vonn had 82 World Cup race victories, which stood as the record for a woman and within reach of the all-time Alpine record of 86 held by Swedish standout Ingemar Stenmark. The women’s mark held by Vonn was surpassed in January 2023 by Mikaela Shiffrin, who now has 99 wins — more than any Alpine ski racer in the history of the sport. Shiffrin is currently sidelined after a crash in a giant slalom event in Killington, Vermont, last weekend. Vonn’s last major race was in February 2019, when she finished third in a downhill during the world championships in Sweden. The three-time Olympic medalist left the circuit still near the top of her game. But all the broken arms and legs, concussions and torn knee ligaments took too big a toll and sent her into retirement. She had a partial knee replacement last April and felt good enough to give racing another shot. “It's very impressive to see all the passion that Lindsey still has,” Gisin said. Also racing Saturday was 45-year-old Sarah Schleper, who once competed for the United States but now represents Mexico. Schleper was the next racer behind Vonn and they got a chance to share a moment between a pair of 40-somethings still racing. “I was like, ‘Give me some tips, Lindsey,’” Schleper said. “She’s like, ‘Oh, it’s a highway tuck, the whole thing.’ Then she’s like, ‘It’s just like the good old days.’" Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, foreground right, dives toward the end zone to score past San Francisco 49ers defensive end Robert Beal Jr. (51) and linebacker Dee Winters during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus) Adrian Kraus Houston Rockets guard Jalen Green goes up for a dunk during the second half of an Emirates NBA cup basketball game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Abbie Parr South Carolina guard Maddy McDaniel (1) drives to the basket against UCLA forward Janiah Barker (0) and center Lauren Betts (51) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Eric Thayer Mari Fukada of Japan falls as she competes in the women's Snowboard Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Andy Wong LSU punter Peyton Todd (38) kneels in prayer before an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. LSU won 37-17. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert) Gerald Herbert South Africa's captain Temba Bavuma misses a catch during the fourth day of the first Test cricket match between South Africa and Sri Lanka, at Kingsmead stadium in Durban, South Africa, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) Themba Hadebe Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, left, is hit by Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, center, as Eagles wide receiver Parris Campbell (80) looks on during a touchdown run by Barkley in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough) Stephanie Scarbrough Los Angeles Kings left wing Warren Foegele, left, trips San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, center, during the third period of an NHL hockey game Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez) Godofredo A. Vásquez Seattle Kraken fans react after a goal by center Matty Beniers against the San Jose Sharks was disallowed due to goaltender interference during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Seattle. The Sharks won 4-2. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson) Lindsey Wasson New York Islanders left wing Anders Lee (27), center, fight for the puck with Boston Bruins defensemen Parker Wotherspoon (29), left, and Brandon Carlo (25), right during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Julia Demaree Nikhinson Lara Gut-Behrami, of Switzerland, competes during a women's World Cup giant slalom skiing race, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Robert F. Bukaty New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin cools off during first period of an NHL hockey game against the Boston Bruins, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) Julia Demaree Nikhinson Brazil's Amanda Gutierres, second right, is congratulated by teammate Yasmin, right, after scoring her team's first goal during a soccer international between Brazil and Australia in Brisbane, Australia, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Pat Hoelscher) Pat Hoelscher Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) tries to leap over Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Joshua Williams (2) during the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga) Ed Zurga Luiz Henrique of Brazil's Botafogo, right. is fouled by goalkeeper Everson of Brazil's Atletico Mineiro inside the penalty area during a Copa Libertadores final soccer match at Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko) Natacha Pisarenko England's Alessia Russo, left, and United States' Naomi Girma challenge for the ball during the International friendly women soccer match between England and United States at Wembley stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) Kirsty Wigglesworth Gold medalists Team Netherlands competes in the Team Sprint Women race of the ISU World Cup Speed Skating Beijing 2024 held at the National Speed Skating Oval in Beijing, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan) Ng Han Guan Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) reaches for an incomplete pass ahead of Arizona Cardinals linebacker Mack Wilson Sr. (2) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) Abbie Parr Olympiacos' Francisco Ortega, right, challenges for the ball with FCSB's David Miculescu during the Europa League league phase soccer match between FCSB and Olympiacos at the National Arena stadium, in Bucharest, Romania, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Andreea Alexandru) Andreea Alexandru Brazil's Botafogo soccer fans react during the Copa Libertadores title match against Atletico Mineiro in Argentina, during a watch party at Nilton Santos Stadium, in Rio de Janeiro, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Bruna Prado) Bruna Prado Jiyai Shin of Korea watches her shot on the 10th hole during the final round of the Australian Open golf championship at the Kingston Heath Golf Club in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake) Asanka Brendon Ratnayake Mathilde Gremaud of Switzerland competes in the women's Freeski Big Air qualifying round during the FIS Snowboard & Freeski World Cup 2024 at the Shougang Park in Beijing, Friday, Nov. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) Andy Wong Melanie Meillard, center, of Switzerland, competes during the second run in a women's World Cup slalom skiing race, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Killington, Vt. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty) Robert F. BukatyThe AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . PINE BLUFF, Ark. (AP) — Dennis Asoro scored 16 points as Arkansas-Pine Bluff beat Ecclesia 120-61 on Tuesday. Asoro shot 8 of 9 from the field for the Golden Lions (3-10). Kyle Brown added 15 points while going 6 of 7 and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line while they also had six rebounds. Zach Reinhart shot 5 for 7 from beyond the arc to finish with 15 points. Justin Reaves led the way for the Royals with 26 points, six rebounds and two steals. Quintus McNeal added 13 points and five assists, and Ahmad Raymond had 12 points and four assists. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
ALTOONA, Pa. — The man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggled with deputies and shouted while being led into court Tuesday as new details emerged about his possible motivation behind the ambush. In his first public words since a five-day search ended with his arrest at a McDonald’s in Pennsylvania, Luigi Nicholas Mangione emerged from a patrol car shouting about an “insult to the intelligence of the American people” while deputies pushed him inside a courthouse. The 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family is fighting attempts to extradite him to New York so that he can face a murder charge in the Manhattan killing of Brian Thompson, who led the United States’ largest medical insurance company. Related Story: Mangione Carrying Handwritten Document Expressing Anger A law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press said that at the time of his arrest, Mangione was carrying a handwritten document expressing anger with what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and a disdain for corporate greed and power. He wrote that the U.S. has the most expensive health care system in the world and that profits of major corporations continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, according to the bulletin. In social media posts, Mangione called “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski — who carried out a series of bombings while railing against modern society and technology — a “political revolutionary,” according to the police bulletin. Mangione remained jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Manhattan prosecutors were beginning to take steps to bring Mangione to New York, but at a brief hearing Tuesday, defense lawyer Thomas Dickey said his client will not waive extradition and instead wants a hearing on the issue. Mangione was denied bail after prosecutors said he was too dangerous to be released. Related Story: He mostly stared straight ahead at the hearing, occasionally looking at papers, rocking in his chair or looking back at the gallery. At one point, he began to speak to respond to the court discussion but was quieted by his lawyer. “You can’t rush to judgment in this case or any case,” Dickey said afterward. “He’s presumed innocent. Let’s not forget that.” Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of New York City, after a McDonald’s customer recognized him and notified an employee, authorities said. Images of Mangione released Tuesday by Pennsylvania State Police showed him pulling down his mask in the corner of the McDonald’s while holding what appeared to be hash browns and wearing a winter jacket and beanie. In another photo from a holding cell, he stood unsmiling with rumpled hair. Mangione Carrying Gun, Fake ID New York police officials have said Mangione was carrying a gun like the one used to kill Thompson and the same fake ID the shooter had used to check into a New York hostel, along with a passport and other fraudulent IDs. A law enforcement official who wasn’t authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity said a three-page, handwritten document found with Mangione included a line in which he claimed to have acted alone. “To the Feds, I’ll keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country. To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn’t working with anyone,” the document said, according to the official. It also said, “I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming.” Thompson, 50, was killed last Wednesday as he walked alone to a Manhattan hotel for an investor conference. From surveillance video, New York investigators determined the shooter quickly fled the city, likely by bus. Related Story: Mangione was born into a life of country clubs and privilege. His grandfather was a self-made real estate developer and philanthropist. Valedictorian at his elite Baltimore prep school, he went on to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a spokesperson said. “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” Mangione’s family said in a statement posted on social media late Monday by his cousin, Maryland Del. Nino Mangione. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.” From January to June 2022, Luigi Mangione lived at Surfbreak, a “co-living” space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Honolulu. Like other residents of the shared penthouse catering to remote workers, Mangione underwent a background check, said Josiah Ryan, a spokesperson for owner and founder R.J. Martin. “Luigi was just widely considered to be a great guy. There were no complaints,” Ryan said. “There was no sign that might point to these alleged crimes they’re saying he committed.” At Surfbreak, Martin learned Mangione had severe back pain from childhood that interfered with many aspects of his life, from surfing to romance, Ryan said. Mangione left Surfbreak to get surgery on the mainland, Ryan said, then later returned to Honolulu and rented an apartment. Martin stopped hearing from Mangione six months to a year ago.
There is optimism among Southern California defense contractors that the incoming presidential administration’s plans and policies will inject adrenaline into the local economy and generate hundreds of new jobs, especially with talk of strengthening the U.S. military. President-elect Donald Trump has publicly vowed to strengthen the country’s military by making it more efficient and through that find better ways to develop more defense products utilizing technology innovation. He has also said he will build up a larger naval fleet to compete with China. Just after winning the presidential election, Trump named Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, founder of a pharmaceutical company, as co-leaders of a government efficiency initiative focused on cutting bureaucracy and waste in government. Many smaller tech firms, some of which have relationships with Musk’s Space X and Tesla, are hopeful the initiative could give them an edge over bigger defense companies with huge budgets. “The new administration is very passionate about countering China and they recognize the ability for the U.S. to outcompete China that manufacturing is probably the most important thing to counter that threat,” said Chris Power, CEO and founder of Hadrian Automation, a company based in Torrance that runs automated factories building defense products. “We haven’t been talking about reindustrializing the country in the last 10 years. Now, the vice president, a lot of the policymakers are hellbent on figuring out how to reindustrialize the U.S., both by investing in the country and also by creating an even playing field with China.” Power, an Australian who lives in Hermosa Beach and started his company just three years ago, was among hundreds who attended the 11th annual Regean National Defense Forum held over the weekend at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. The event is an opportunity for representatives of defense and technology companies to rub shoulders and exchange ideas with lawmakers, senior Department of Defense leadership, and foreign defense leaders in an environment away from the hubbub of the nation’s capital. Southern California is packed with hundreds of defense-oriented companies and continues to be a leader in military defense innovation. Commercial technology is also significant in the country’s national security approach. Because of that, the forum is also an opportunity for non-traditional companies to get a share of the spotlight and for startups like Hadrian Automation to get a chance to talk with people otherwise not in their sphere. This year’s forum, themed “Peace Through Strength in a Time of Transition,” included a day of back-to-back panel discussions. Key themes included what the new presidential administration would mean for defense, overcoming production and manufacturing constraints to build the future force, space capabilities and the space economy, modernizing defense capabilities, the next national defense strategy, and public opinion on national security after the election. During a discussion on force structure, resources and the next national defense strategy, panelists emphasized funding military needs going forward. Rep. Ken Calvert, R-Corona, who serves on the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, pressed the importance of passing the appropriation bills that fund military spending. “We need to get these bills done and give certainty to the military that they have the resources available in the Trump administration,” he said. “I know it’s difficult in an era where we have significant national debt, but nonetheless, our national security is at risk, and we need to move forward.” The uncertainty of the government’s appropriations process makes it difficult for the defense industry, “from a development perspective and a production perspective,” said Lawrence Culp Jr., chairman and CEO of GE Aerospace. “Without that clarity, it’s very hard to keep someone at task with all these stops and starts and the policy uncertainty of late – it’s very hard.” The smaller companies further down the supply chain bear a lot of the weight of uncertainty, he added. “When you talk about the small and medium-sized businesses that are part of that supply chain, the small companies we rely on for input, one, two, three tiers away, they’re at the end of the whip and they can’t really handle that, either operationally or financially.” Former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta said at the forum that is where Trump needs to use his ability to generate enthusiasm among the public and make Americans aware of the nation’s dangers if it doesn’t have a strong military. “The American people really don’t understand how much of a threat we’re facing,” he said. “We have got to educate the American people on that. We haven’t had a president in the last years who has gone to the American people and gotten their support. It’s the only way you get leadership in Congress to pay attention and get the action you need.” The forum produces a survey each year on public perception of military defense, the last conducted just after the November election by a bipartisan research group. Of the 2,500 surveyed, 79% of respondents said they want the U.S. to spend more on national defense. At the same time, 61% said the military should be large enough to win two wars simultaneously; 49% said China poses the most significant threat, while 25% said Russia poses more of a threat. And, that’s where lawmakers such as Calvert think Southern California companies can have opportunities to become more successful. “Southern California is the intellectual capital of the world when it comes to national security innovation and manufacturing,” he said. “President Trump is committed to a strong military that is focused on the threats we face today and tomorrow. There’s no doubt in my mind that Southern California will continue to make a significant contribution to those important goals in the years ahead. There’s widespread agreement that we need to invest in our national security to remain the preeminent superpower in the world.” With a new administration coming in talking about cutting waste in government agencies while strengthening the country with a more targeted and effective military, local companies working with defense contractors and manufacturers are looking to the future with a hopeful eye. Brandon Tseng, a former Navy SEAL who co-founded Shield AI and attended the defense forum this year for the second time, said more government interest in smaller companies that produce military technology will help Shield AI create more jobs. The San Diego-based company, which employs 900 people, aims to protect service members and civilians with AI systems. It develops artificial intelligence-powered pilot systems, drones and technology for military operations. “I’m bullish on the defense tech ecosystem,” he said, adding that he’s excited about Trump’s inclusion in his administration of Musk, Ramaswamy and Stephen Feinberg, a private equity investor with interests in the defense industry, who Tseng calls problem-solvers. Related links “What I’m optimistic about is that you have these operators who have run companies, been in the trenches, solved problems, and know what it means to walk the walk, not just talk the talk,” Tseng said. “The administration is bullish on doing things more efficiently, more effectively; that’s what technology is about. I think you’re going to see it will be very helpful for a lot of defense tech companies.” And, it’s exactly the idea of manufacturing parts quickly and efficiently that Power, of Hadrian Automation in Torrance, believes will help reinspire U.S. manufacturing, which he believes is the basis of a strong national defense. With his company, he hopes to inspire many young, smart people to want to get back into manufacturing – but in a more modern way that uses software to improve the manufacturing process and make it more efficient and effective. “U.S. power is based on the dollar,” he said. “The dollar is based on military might, which is really based on industrial power. We shot ourselves in the foot as a country by outsourcing our industrial power to China. That took away all the manufacturing skillsets, manufacturing technology, and a lot of jobs. For the last 25 years, we’ve treated China like a partner, but they have been subsidizing aggressively their manufacturing base specifically to gut our industrial power as a country.” At the same time the general public’s interest in manufacturing has dipped, he argued, with more people in the 1980s and ’90s choosing a four-year degree as the way to a successful future and a middle class that commands relatively high wages. “If you want manufacturing in America, the only way to do it is to build software factories that give the American workforce a productivity advantage so we can scale and use a new workforce instead of a legacy,” he said. “And if we want to be cost-competitive globally and efficient, we either have to pay everyone a very small amount or give the American workforce the 10x advantage with American software engineering and robotics.” Power sees Trump’s focus on empowering industrialization as having a huge impact on jobs. He plans to open two new facilities in the next year. “The faster we scale, the more jobs we provide,” he said. “And they’re better and more exciting jobs.” Related Articles
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