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An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition
Looking Into AppLovin's Recent Short InterestU.S. Gold Corp. Closes $10.2 Million Non-Brokered Registered Direct OfferingMissouri cannabis regulators announce new rules to target ‘predatory’ contractsBOSTON (AP) — UConn coach Jim Mora pulled a move that would make Bill Belichick proud while preparing the Huskies to play the notoriously churlish former New England Patriot's next team in his old backyard. Mora and his players were more than 45 minutes late for what was scheduled as a 30-minute media availability a day before Saturday's Fenway Bowl against North Carolina. Mora then gave a non-apology straight out of Belichick’s playbook. “We practice at a certain time the day before a game,” Mora said. “And we stuck to the script.” A six-time Super Bowl winner in New England with Tom Brady, Belichick was fired after going 4-13 in 2023, leaving him just 14 wins short of matching Don Shula’s all-time record for NFL victories. Unable to land a pro job at the age of 72, Belichick signed on with North Carolina — his first college gig — when they fired 73-year-old Mack Brown. Belichick hasn’t taken over on the Tar Heels' sideline yet; interim coach Freddie Kitchens — another ex-Cleveland Browns coach — will lead them in the Fenway Bowl. But the future Hall of Famer's potential return to a football field in Boston has been the biggest story ahead of Saturday’s game. Belichick did not attend media day, and Fenway Bowl executive director Brett Miller tried to preempt questions about him by asking reporters “to keep questions focusing on the players and coaches out here today.” “I don’t need to beat around the bush any more than that,” he said in comments that would have been cryptic if it weren’t so obvious to everyone who he meant. “I know there’s probably a lot of questions that you guys have about next year, particularly one side. Please do your best to keep it to these guys, because they’ve earned the right to be here.” The request wasn’t completely successful, with Kitchens taking a question about Belichick specifically and saying he talks to his new boss every day. Earlier this month, Kitchens said: “He asks questions; I answer the questions.” “I’m going to try to soak in all I can from him, and be a better coach because of it,” Kitchens said after Belichick was hired. “I love Carolina, I want what’s best for Carolina, and I know that right now at this moment in time, coach Belichick is what’s best for Carolina. “At the end of the day, he’s a ballcoach,” he said, “and I enjoy working for ballcoaches.” Mora also brushed off a question about whether the next Carolina coach would have any impact on Saturday's game. “It's irrelevant to us," said Mora, who was 0-1 against Belichick in four seasons as an NFL head coach. "We can't control the emotions of our opponents. And as far as I know, coach Belichick will not be taking the football field on Saturday, so it's not relevant to this football team in our preparation. North Carolina (6-6) will be playing in a bowl for the sixth straight year – the second-longest streak in program history. The Tar Heels climbed from back-to-back nine-loss seasons in the final years of Larry Fedora to reach into The Associated Top 25 in each of the previous four seasons under Brown, who also coached them from 1988-97 in one of the most successful eras of Carolina football history. After starting out 3-0 this year, the Tar Heels lost four straight — including a 70-50 loss to Sun Belt Conference team James Madison. They won three more to gain bowl eligibility before a loss to Boston College that sealed Brown's fate, and a season-ending loss to rival NC State. UConn is playing in its second bowl game in three seasons under Jim Mora, bouncing back from last year’s 3-9 record to post its first eight-win season since Randy Edsall took the Huskies to the Fiesta Bowl in 2010. An independent, UConn won all of its games against the non-Power 4 conferences and lost to Syracuse, Wake Forest and Duke of the Atlantic Coast Conference and Maryland of the Big Ten. Miller said the bowl, which has struggled to find traction in a city more focused on the success of its professional sports teams, sold more tickets this year than in its first two. The Belichick angle is certainly part of that, but the game has also had some good success picking teams, hosting Louisville in 2022 -- the year before the Cardinals climbed into The Associated Press Top 10 – and then SMU last year, one season before the Mustangs made the College Football Playoff. “Could one of these teams be next,” Miller said. “We’ll see.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Wabtec: Time To Blow Off Some SteamDEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli troops stormed one of the last hospitals operating in northern Gaza on Friday, forcing many staff and patients outside to strip in winter weather , the territory’s health ministry said. The army denied claims it had entered or set fire to the complex and accused Hamas of using the facility for cover. Kamal Adwan Hospital has been hit multiple times over the past three months by Israeli troops waging an offensive against Hamas fighters in surrounding neighborhoods, according to staff. The ministry said a strike on the hospital a day earlier killed five medical staff. Israel's military said it was conducting operations against Hamas infrastructure and militants in the area and had ordered people out of the hospital, but said it had not entered the complex as of Friday night. It repeated claims that Hamas militants operate inside Kamal Adwan but provided no evidence. Hospital officials have denied that. The Health Ministry said troops forced medical personnel and patients to assemble in the yard and remove their clothes. Some were led to an unknown location, while some patients were sent to the nearby Indonesian Hospital, which was knocked out of operation after an Israel raid this week. Israeli troops during raids frequently carry out mass detentions, stripping men to their underwear for questioning in what the military says is a security measure as they search for Hamas fighters. The Associated Press doesn’t have access to Kamal Adwan, but armed plainclothes members of the Hamas-led police forces have been seen in other hospitals, maintaining security but also controlling access to parts of the facilities. The Health Ministry said Israeli troops also set fires in several parts of Kamal Adwan, including the lab and surgery department. It said 25 patients and 60 health workers remained in the hospital. The account could not be independently confirmed, and attempts to reach hospital staff were unsuccessful. “Fire is ablaze everywhere in the hospital,” an unidentified staff member said in an audio message posted on social media accounts of hospital director Hossam Abu Safiya. The staffer said some evacuated patients had been unhooked from oxygen. “There are currently patients who could die at any moment,” she said. Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesman, denied the accusations. “While IDF troops were not in the hospital, a small fire broke out in an empty building inside the hospital that is under control,” he said Friday night. He said a preliminary investigation found “no connection” between military activity and the fire. The Israeli military heavily restricts the movements of Palestinians in Gaza and has barred foreign journalists from entering the territory throughout the war, making it difficult to verify information. “These actions put the lives of all of these people in even more danger than what they faced before,” U.N. spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay told journalists, and noted colleagues' reports of “significant damage” to the hospital. It should be protected as international law requires, she added. Since October, Israel’s offensive has virtually sealed off the northern Gaza areas of Jabaliya, Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya and leveled large parts of them. Tens of thousands of Palestinians were forced out but thousands are believed to remain in the area, where Kamal Adwan and two other hospitals are located. Troops raided Kamal Adwan in October, and on Tuesday troops stormed and evacuated the Indonesian Hospital. The area has been cut off from food and other aid for months , raising fears of famine . The United Nations says Israeli troops allowed just four humanitarian deliveries to the area from Dec. 1 to Dec. 23. The Israeli rights group Physicians for Human Rights-Israel this week petitioned Israel’s High Court of Justice, seeking a halt to military attacks on Kamal Adwan. It warned that forcibly evacuating the hospital would “abandon thousands of residents in northern Gaza.” Before the latest deaths Thursday, the group documented five other staffers killed by Israeli fire since October. Israel launched its campaign in Gaza vowing to destroy Hamas after the group’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel in which militants killed around 1,200 people and abducted some 250 others. Around 100 Israelis remain captive in Gaza, around a third believed to be dead. Israel’s nearly 15-month-old campaign of bombardment and offensives has devastated the territory’s health sector. A year ago, it carried out raids on hospitals in northern Gaza, including Kamal Adwan, Indonesian and al-Awda Hospital, saying they served as bases for Hamas, though it presented little evidence. Israel’s campaign has killed more than 45,400 Palestinians, more than half women and children, and wounded more than 108,000 others, according to the Health Ministry. Its count does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. More than 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million Palestinians have been driven from their homes, most now sheltering in sprawling tent camps in south and central Gaza. Children and adults, many barefoot, huddled Friday on the cold sand in tents whose plastic and cloth sheets whipped in the wind. Overnight temperatures can dip into the 40s Fahrenheit (below 10 Celsius), and sea spray from the Mediterranean can dampen tents just steps away. "I swear to God, their mother and I cover ourselves with one blanket and we cover (their five children) with three blankets that we got from neighbors. Sea waters drowned everything that was ours,” said Muhammad al-Sous, displaced from Beit Lahiya in the north. The children collect plastic bottles to make fires, and pile under the blankets when their only set of clothes is washed and dried in the wind. At least three babies in Gaza have died from exposure to cold in recent days , doctors there have said, and the Health Ministry said an adult — a nurse who worked at the European Hospital — also died this week. Khaled and Keath reported from Cairo. Associated Press writer Edith M. Lederer at the United Narions contributed to this report.
Photos: Remembering Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president
Nvidia’s impact on the AI sector in 2024 has been nothing short of transformative. The company has solidified its top spot as the leader in graphics processing units (GPUs) essential for artificial intelligence (AI), boasting an impressive year with stock gains surpassing 182%. However, the stock’s journey hasn’t been entirely smooth, with a recent plateau raising questions among investors about the sustainability of its meteoric rise. Looking forward to 2025, key events could reignite Nvidia’s upward trajectory. Investors have their eyes on CEO Jensen Huang, known for his dynamic presentations, who is set to kick off the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) with his keynote on January 6. Industry insiders eagerly anticipate his insights on AI’s growth and the state of technological advancements. He is also expected to provide updates on Nvidia’s Blackwell platform, designed specifically for AI applications. Demand for this next-gen processor has been notably high, setting the stage for a potential stock surge. Market analysts remain optimistic, highlighting Nvidia’s allure to investors. Notable voices, such as Citi’s Atif Malik, have issued a “positive catalyst watch” for Nvidia, foreseeing a potential stock boost. An in-depth analysis reveals investor concerns about slipping profit margins, yet the company maintains robust revenue forecasts, with anticipated growth reaching 70% in the upcoming fiscal report due February 26. The future of AI appears promising, paving the way for Nvidia’s continued ascent. Global projections by PwC highlight AI’s staggering $15.7 trillion economic potential by 2030, indicating Nvidia’s pivotal role in this transformative landscape. For those considering Nvidia stock, the historical valuation context suggests an enticing opportunity lies ahead. Nvidia’s Transformative AI Journey: Trends, Innovations, and Market Insights for 2025 Nvidia’s Role in AI Innovation and Market Dynamics Nvidia has remarkably influenced the artificial intelligence (AI) sector, solidifying its position as a leader through its advanced graphics processing units (GPUs). The company’s substantial stock gains in 2024, recording more than a 182% increase, signify its critical role in the technological evolution. However, investor concerns have emerged due to recent stagnation in stock value, prompting queries regarding the durability of its growth trajectory. Anticipating 2025: Key Developments on the Horizon As 2025 approaches, pivotal events might propel Nvidia’s stock upward. CEO Jensen Huang is poised to deliver the keynote at the prestigious Consumer Electronics Show (CES) on January 6. His presentation is expected to offer profound insights into AI advancements and technological trends. Particularly, updates on Nvidia’s Blackwell platform, crafted explicitly for AI applications, are eagerly awaited by industry insiders. The heightened demand for this next-generation processor suggests a potential surge in Nvidia’s stock value. Pros and Cons: Nvidia’s Market Value and Investor Sentiment Pros: – Nvidia remains an attractive investment, with industry experts like Citi’s Atif Malik issuing a “positive catalyst watch.” – The company forecasts robust revenue growth, anticipating a 70% increase in the upcoming fiscal report, projected for release on February 26. Cons: – Concerns about declining profit margins persist among investors, necessitating careful consideration. Global AI Projections: Nvidia’s Role in Economic Growth According to PwC, AI presents a staggering economic opportunity, with expectations of contributing $15.7 trillion by 2030. Nvidia’s continuous innovation marks it as a pivotal player in this expansive landscape. For investors contemplating Nvidia’s stock, the historical valuation context indicates a potentially lucrative opportunity ahead. Looking Ahead: Strategic Insights and Economic Impact Nvidia’s innovative strides and strategic positioning in the AI domain position the company for sustained growth and influence. As the global market embraces AI’s potential, Nvidia’s products and platforms are crucial in shaping this transformative era. With the anticipation surrounding its upcoming releases and insights, Nvidia’s trajectory remains a focal point for technology and investment sectors alike.
A high-profile violent crime typically sets social media abuzz with tips and theories from amateur internet sleuths, hunting for the alleged perpetrator. But after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down in New York City this week without a primary suspect being identified, a rare occurrence happened in the thriving true-crime world: silence online from highly followed armchair detectives. “I have yet to see a single video that’s pounding the drum of ‘we have to find him,’ and that is unique,” said Michael McWhorter, better known as TizzyEnt on TikTok, where he posts true crime and viral news content for his 6.7 million followers. “And in other situations of some kind of blatant violence, I would absolutely be seeing that.” A masked gunman, who is still on the lam, fatally shot the 50-year-old executive in front of a busy New York City hotel Wednesday, police said. Shell casings found at the scene had “deny,” “defend” and “depose” written on them, according to a senior New York City law enforcement official briefed on the investigation. Thompson’s targeted killing has sparked online praise from people angry over the state of U.S. health care. Tens of thousands of people have expressed support on social media for the killing or sympathized with it. Some even appeared to celebrate it. “The surge of social media posts praising and glorifying the killing of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson is deeply concerning,” Alex Goldenberg, a senior adviser at The Network Contagion Research Institute at Rutgers University previously told NBC News . (Thompson was CEO of UnitedHealthcare, not of UnitedHealth Group, its parent company.) In a statement, Thompson’s family said he was “an incredibly loving father” to two sons and “will be greatly missed.” “We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian,” the statement said. “Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives.” Still, some of the most popular internet sleuths have sat out the investigation. “We’re pretty apathetic towards that,” Savannah Sparks, who has 1.3 million followers on her TikTok account — where she tracks down and reveals the identities of people who do racist or seemingly criminal acts in viral videos — said about helping to identify the shooter. She added that, rather than sleuthing, her community has “concepts of thoughts and prayers. It’s, you know, claim denied on my prayers there,” referring to rote and unserious condolences. Although Sparks, 34, has been tapped by law enforcement in the past to help train officers on how to find suspects online, according to emails seen by NBC News, she said this time she isn’t interested in helping police. Sparks, who also works in health care as a lactation consultant and holds a doctorate of pharmacy, didn’t mince words when asked if her community was working to find the suspect in Thompson’s murder. “Absolutely the f--- not,” she said. Another popular TikTok sleuth, thatdaneshguy, who has 2 million followers on the platform, made a video that was critical of the health care industry, saying that he wouldn’t try to identify the killer. “I don’t have to encourage violence. I don’t have to condone violence by any means. But I also don’t have to help,” he said. That attitude among some content creators comes amid amplified attention on frustrations with medical care in the U.S. in the wake of the killing. A Gallup poll released Friday found that Americans believe health care quality is at a 24-year low. Those polled said health care coverage is even worse, with 54% saying it’s fair or poor. Online sleuths have helped the FBI identify hundreds of Capitol rioters and catch previously arrested Jan. 6 defendants committing crimes that the bureau’s own review had missed, in one case even finding evidence of a Proud Boy assaulting an officer in the middle of his seditious conspiracy trial. And when Gabby Petito , 22, went missing as she documented her cross-country travels on social media with her fiancé, online sleuths jumped into action. It was later determined that Petito was killed by her fiancé Brian Laundrie, who died by suicide. At least one person who did try to help find Thompson’s killer was criticized on X, formerly known as Twitter, for doing so. In a viral post, Riley Walz, a software engineer, said he was “fairly confident” about where the shooter fled to on a bike after scouring data from the Citi Bike’s bikeshare program. He said he shared the information with the police. But a source close to Lyft, which operates Citi Bike, later said the NYPD told the company directly that the incident did not involve the bikeshare program. Walz declined to comment Friday. Since his post, some X users have called him a “snitch.” McWhorter, or TikTok’s TizzyEnt, said backlash toward those who did try to help might cause others to not want to step in. “If you’re seeing it in such a groundswell, I have to imagine that factors into some people’s decision,” he said. But mostly, McWhorter said, “there’s this weird thing, this vibe of like, I don’t see a bunch of people just feeling an urgency.” McWhorter posted his first video about the incident Friday evening. The roughly two-minute video was about “how much people don’t care.” Sukrit Venkatagiri, an assistant professor of computer science at Swarthmore College, said many people feel a lack of connection with a wealthy CEO. “They don’t really empathize with who the victim is in this scenario,” Venkatagiri said. Venkatagiri, who has studied the harms of misinformation and disinformation as well as crowd sourcing investigations, said, anecdotally, he has seen less talk of finding Thompson’s killer on spaces like the subreddit r/Reddit Bureau of Investigations, an online sleuthing page on Reddit that claims it is “using the power of the internet to solve real-world problems.” “People are less motivated, from an altruistic perspective, to help this victim in this specific case,” Venkatagiri said. Beyond a lack of online sleuthing, which can sometimes muddy law enforcement’s investigations, there has been a flurry of information released by the New York Police Department. Police released two images of a “person of interest,” including one in which he is smiling while using a fake ID to check out of a hostel on New York City’s Upper West Side, as well as several surveillance videos, including one in which the suspect shoots Thompson. Investigators believe the shooter may have traveled to New York City from Atlanta last month by bus, three senior law enforcement officials familiar with the case told NBC News. Investigators have not identified a suspect, although the investigation is ongoing, a senior law enforcement official briefed on the matter said Friday. Police have found dozens of images from surveillance cameras of the suspect from tracking his timeline in Manhattan, the official said. Police have offered a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Tom Winter, Jonathan Dienst, Ken Dilanian, Ryan J. Reilly and Bruna Horvath contributed. This article first appeared on NBCNews.com . Read more from NBC News here: Judge dismisses manslaughter charge in Daniel Penny trial after jury deadlock Trump says embattled Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth is 'doing well now' in NBC News interview In 'Queer,' Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey share 'unsynchronized love' and a brutal ayahuasca trip
Paul McCartney is one of the only people who is about as iconic as Santa Claus . He revealed that his childhood experiences with Jolly Old Saint Nicholas were a little, well, nutty. The cute Beatle gave us a look into how Christmas traditions have evolved since he was a child. Paul McCartney said Santa Claus used to give him fruit and nuts During a 2014 interview with PaulMcCartney.com , the “Silly Love Songs” singer was asked to name his favorite Yuletide memory, and he discussed getting some modest gifts from Santa Claus. “I think waking up as a really little kid on Christmas morning, and just seeing the white pillowcase that we used to get,” he said. “It was like a stocking but Mum and Dad used to put it in a white pillowcase, and it would be a present, a couple of nuts and a tangerine.” Paul’s favorite Christmas memory might seem odd today, but he came from a different generation. When he was a child, Christmas gifts were often more modest. In addition, the people of the United Kingdom were struggling in the years following World War II. The future Beatle was more impressed with Santa Claus’ visits than his gifts Paul commented on the idea of getting fruits and nuts as gifts. “Yes, it’s funny what they put in!” he opined. “We weren’t well off, so it wouldn’t be like kids today with their serious couple-of-hundred-quid presents.” The “Band on the Run” singer was more impressed by Santa Claus visiting him than by the specific presents he received. “Yeah, it was just so exciting it was the ‘He’s been! He’s been!'” Paul recalled. “Just totally buying into this idea that Santa had been in your bedroom and left this white pillowcase. Nuts, tangerine and a present or two. It’s funny though; it’s not so much the value of the presents — though that was good too! — it was just this idea of, ‘He’s been!'” Paul felt that there was a certain childhood innocence colored these memories — and the best memories are associated with childhood innocence. Paul McCartney’s father hated Christmas carols While Santa Claus was part of Paul’s childhood Christmas experiences, caroling wasn’t. During a 2022 interview with PaulMcCartney.com , the “Maybe I’m Amazed” singer said he had no memories of ever Christmas caroling, so he assumed he’d never done it. He said that was the result of his father’s personal taste. Paul’s father, James McCartney, was not a fan of Christmas carols. He used to mock people who sang them and he sometimes paid carolers to leave him alone. Paul, meanwhile, was fond of Christmas music. That turned out well for the future rock star. The Beatles released a series of short Yuletide records in the 1960s that came with joining their fan club. Later on, Paul wrote the Christmas party song “Wonderful Christmastime,” which you’ll probably hear a dozen times before the month is over. That song stands in stark contrast to the Plastic Ono Band’s “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” which is the most socially conscious Christmas song you will ever hear. Paul came from humble beginnings and had humble Christmases — but he went on to become one of the biggest rock songs of all time.
As we reported last month, OpenAI has finally launched SearchGPT , which is essentially a search engine developed by OpenAI that uses artificial intelligence to find and combine the best results from the web. And with the latest ChatGPT update for iOS, it’s now easier to use SearchGPT. ChatGPT app adds SearchGPT extension to Apple Shortcuts The latest version of the app for iPhone and iPad adds a new Apple Shortcuts integration, which lets users create shortcuts to open SearchGPT. With this shortcut, you can open a new conversation in the ChatGPT app with SearchGPT enabled. It’s worth noting that shortcuts can be added to the Home Screen or even triggered by Siri. While ChatGPT has always sort of been used as a search engine by some, OpenAI has made specific upgrades that provide the sort of features we’ve all come to expect from search providers like Google and Bing. Here’s how OpenAI explains it : ChatGPT can now search the web in a much better way than before. You can get fast, timely answers with links to relevant web sources, which you would have previously needed to go to a search engine for. This blends the benefits of a natural language interface with the value of up-to-date sports scores, news, stock quotes, and more. ChatGPT will choose to search the web based on what you ask, or you can manually choose to search by clicking the web search icon. OpenAI has partnered with news and data providers so it can provide real-time information, and package it in new dedicated designs for specific content types. With iOS 18.2, which will be released to iPhone and iPad users in December, Apple is adding ChatGPT integration to Siri . The update will let users interact with the OpenAI chatbot directly from the Siri interface, and the same applies to Writing Tools. Paid ChatGPT users can also benefit from the extra features by logging into their account in the iOS Settings app. As for the new shortcut, it’s available with the latest version of the ChatGPT app that you can download from the App Store. It’s worth noting that SearchGPT is currently exclusive to ChatGPT Plus and Team subscribers. Read also ChatGPT for macOS now works with third-party apps, including Apple’s Xcode iOS 18.2 beta adds ‘Upgrade to ChatGPT Plus’ option in the Settings app OpenAI brings its lifelike ChatGPT advanced voice feature to the Mac iOS 18.2: All the new features, release date details, moreFull Trailer: "Squid Game" Season 2 - Dark HorizonsIsraeli troops forcibly remove staff and patients from northern Gaza hospital, officials say
Men’s basketball notes: Taking stock of CU Buffs at holiday hiatusSOUTH BEND — Marcus Freeman didn’t jump around it Monday. The significance of the loss of fifth-year graduate defensive tackle Rylie Mills was not minimized. “You can’t replace Rylie Mills,” Freeman said. “I mean, yes, the production, but the leadership, a captain, very similar to the things I said about Benjamin Morrison when he was out. You feel awful for him as a person, a guy that decided to come back, improve his draft stock, be a captain. “The value he provided this team is tremendous, and he’s done an excellent job as a football player and a leader, but you have to replace the production. You got to replace what he did for our defense in different ways, and so we have capable guys that will step up, that have stepped up all year, that we’re very confident in, and those guys will have a bigger role this week.” Mills, who went down after a sack in the third quarter of Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff First Round playoff game against Indiana a week ago, is now lost for the season. The captain and emotional leader was 32nd in the country in sacks (7.5). No defensive lineman on the Fighting Irish roster had registered more snaps this season. When asked Friday, defensive coordinator Al Golden gave a sharp “never” when asked if he has ever led a defense this plagued by the injury bug. Having lost several pieces this season already, Golden's unit continues to be dominant. Life without Mills will still be a big change. “We just don’t flinch,” Golden said. “At the end of the day, we feel badly for whoever has been injured, in this case, Rylie. Rylie’s meant a lot to this program and obviously the coach Freeman-era, not just necessarily our defense, but just the era itself, just being a leader. “You feel badly for him, but at the same time, we just don’t flinch. We move forward and it’s time for somebody else to have an opportunity and I know they’ll be ready.” Heading into Wednesday’s CFP Quarterfinal matchup between No. 7-seed Notre Dame (12-1) and No. 2 Georgia (11-2) at the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana, the Fighting Irish possess the third-best scoring defense (13.8 points allowed per game) and fourth-best pass defense (162.3 pass yards allowed per game). Where the Fighting Irish are less successful though, is when covering the ground game. Allowing 133 yards rushing per game, it’s the unit that Mills made such an impact on that will have to adjust, again. “I think we’re an elite defense, but any good defense we need to be good on both,” defensive lineman Howard Cross III said. “So this is a great challenge, an exciting challenge for all of us. Everyone on defense is extremely excited for this opportunity to play.” Cross made his first appearance since November last week against the Hoosiers. He finished with one assisted tackle. Addressing the injury to his linemate Mills, Cross also mentioned that part of being excited for the challenge of facing the Bulldogs comes from the test it brings. “I’m just so excited to have this opportunity,” Cross said. “I know they’re one of, if not the best, interior offensive lines in the nation [and it] makes me more excited. Just being able to go out there and test my skills and just have fun. And I’m emphasizing the fun part for me.” The injury to Mills is the latest for an Irish bunch this season that has been one of the collective best units in the nation. Golden, a finalist for the 2024 Broyles Award which is given to the top assistant coach in college football, has had to work around major losses to cornerback Benjamin Morrison (Week 7), and defensive linemen Jordan Botelho (Week 3), Boubacar Traore (Week 5) and now Mills. As Georgia prepares to start sophomore quarterback Gunner Stockton as SEC Championship game starter Carson Beck remains sidelined the rest of the season, Golden isn’t going to focus too long on what could have been. Instead, Cross, Gabriel Rubio and Donovan Hinish will be next in line to carry the load. “First of all, Gabe has a ruggedness and a high motor,” Golden said. “The screen play that he made the other day on the perimeter, that forced a third and three. I think that’s emblematic of who he is as a player, right?” “I think we’ll look at this as Game 1 to Game 2 for Howard,” Golden said when running through what he saw from Cross’s first game back since November. “We expect a big jump for him in conditioning and really just about every aspect. He looks so much better right now. He’s more comfortable. I can’t speak for him, but it looks like he’s not in pain anymore, so we appreciate him gutting that out the other night and he’s markedly better now. We just can’t wait to let him go.”
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CI Financial Corp. ( NYSE:CIXXF – Get Free Report )’s share price gapped up before the market opened on Friday . The stock had previously closed at $19.40, but opened at $21.38. CI Financial shares last traded at $21.38, with a volume of 120 shares. Analysts Set New Price Targets CIXXF has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. TD Securities downgraded shares of CI Financial from a “strong-buy” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 27th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut CI Financial from a “moderate buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, November 25th. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on CIXXF CI Financial Price Performance CI Financial Cuts Dividend The business also recently disclosed a dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, January 1st will be given a dividend of $0.1457 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 31st. This represents a yield of 2.71%. CI Financial’s payout ratio is -178.79%. About CI Financial ( Get Free Report ) CI Financial Corp. is a publicly owned asset management holding company. Through its subsidiaries, the firm manages separate client focused equity, fixed income, and alternative investments portfolios. It also manages mutual funds, hedge funds, and fund of funds for its clients through its subsidiaries. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for CI Financial Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CI Financial and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .PHOENIX — Donald Trump's endorsement of Karrin Taylor Robson to run for governor of Arizona has riled the more conservative elements of the state Republican Party. During a wide-ranging speech in Phoenix on Sunday, the former and next president encouraged Robson, who has been making the rounds in GOP circles, to enter the 2026 race. "You're going to have my support,'' Trump said from the podium. And while Robson hasn't formally announced, she thanked Trump on her social media post. "I am beyond honored to have his support,'' wrote Robson, a business owner and former member of the Arizona Board of Regents who ran unsuccessfully in the GOP primary for governor in 2022 against Kari Lake. Karrin Taylor Robson The presidential promotion drew immediate fire given Robson's political history, not the least of which was endorsing former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie when he attempted to take on Trump in this year's presidential race. Leading the criticism is state Sen. Jake Hoffman, who is the head of the Arizona Freedom Caucus. "Donald Trump should fire whichever executive consultant or staffer told him to endorse" Robson, the Queen Creek Republican wrote on X. President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday gave an early endorsement to Karrin Taylor Robson in the race to be Arizona's next governor, during a wide-ranging speech at AmericaFest in Phoenix. "She lost the 2022 primary for a reason. Arizona doesn't want her open borders, pro-amnesty liberal policies,'' Hoffman wrote, calling her "the Swamp.'' State Rep. Jackie Parker, a Mesa Republican, said in her own post that having Trump get involved with endorsements in Arizona has "messed up the state.'' "He needs to just focus on Congress and stay out of our statewide races,'' she wrote. The criticism is also coming from outside Arizona as Laura Loomer, a political activist and conspiracy theorist who has long ties with Trump, registered her objections. Immigrant measure cited Loomer pointed out that two years ago, Robson filmed a TV commercial in support of Proposition 308 to create an exception to a previous voter-approved law that denied certain state benefits to undocumented people in the U.S. The ballot measure spelled out that "dreamers'' and certain other migrants brought here illegally as children could qualify for lower in-state tuition at state colleges and universities if they graduated from Arizona high schools. "As a business leader and Republican, I will be voting 'yes' on Prop. 308,'' Robson stated in that commercial. "It will improve Arizona's economy by keeping skilled workers here in Arizona.'' The measure passed by a margin of 51.2% to 48.8%, over the opposition of the Arizona Republican Party. That endorsement did not escape state Rep. Austin Smith who, following the Trump comments on Sunday, reminded his own followers on X. "I don't know who needs to hear this,'' wrote the Wittman Republican. "But you aren't America First if you do a commercial to give DACA students in-state tuition.'' Alliance with Pence Robson, who could not be reached for comment Monday, has had her own issues with Trump, as she formed an alliance with former vice president Mike Pence. Pence endorsed her for governor in 2022 over Trump-supported Lake. She returned the favor by hosting a fundraiser for him in 2023 during his own brief presidential bid. And just days after Trump announced his bid to retake the White House in 2022, Robson, in a TV interview, said she saw the former president as a drag on the Republican Party. "Somebody said — and I like the analogy — there's fashion 'dos' and fashion 'don'ts', '' she said. "Trump used to be a fashion 'do.' And overnight he's become a fashion 'don't.' '' Robson also incurred the wrath of the state GOP when she endorsed political independent Kevin Robinson in a 2023 race for Phoenix City Council over conservative Republican Sam Stone. That provoked a rebuke by the Arizona Republican Party and Robson was stripped of her voting rights as a precinct committeewoman. Robson has other early backers, however But whatever opposition Robson would face from the conservative wing of the GOP if she runs for governor in 2026, she already has the backing of others within the party. In that mix is Congressman Juan Ciscomani, a Tucson Republican who just won a second term in the U.S. House. He posted a message congratulating "my friend Karrin Taylor Robson'' on the Trump endorsement. That provoked a slap from radio talk show host Garrett Lewis, who has criticized Republicans he does not consider sufficiently conservative. "Another RINO (Republican In Name Only) circling the wagon for Karrin,'' Lewis posted. "The establishment is trying so hard to get back in power.'' But Trump's comments also drew praise from state Rep. Travis Grantham, who called the endorsement "outstanding.'' The Gilbert Republican said the simple reason is political. "She can win,'' he told Capitol Media Services. "And Republicans need a candidate that can win to unseat Gov. (Katie) Hobbs.'' Grantham also called Robson "quite conservative'' and said she worked very hard to get Republicans elected this year, crediting her with being one of the reasons Republicans picked up seats in the state House and Senate. She raised more than $1.5 million through an Arizona PAC helping to fund GOP candidates in this year's election. Also on the developing Robson bandwagon is Sen. T.J. Shope. "Let's do this Arizona!!!'' wrote the Coolidge Republican on his social media page. Hoffman, for his part, sniffed at the backing by Grantham and Shope, saying they are simply angling to be Robson's choice for lieutenant governor. That's a new position created by voters in which a gubernatorial candidate will select a running mate, similar to what happens in presidential races. But Merissa Hamilton, who heads Strong Communities Foundation, which has aligned itself with conservative GOP politics, said the way she sees it, conservative Republicans are probably better off with Hobbs than Robson. "At least, the Legislature would put up a fight against Katie Hobbs,'' Hamilton said. "They would not put up a fight against the same radical Left positions that Karrin Taylor Robson holds.'' Support for Robson among some key elements of the Republican Party is not new. Grantham's support for Robson, however, resulted in Lewis giving him the same RINO label as he did Ciscomani, something the state lawmaker brushed aside. "You know, Ronald Reagan was a Democrat once,'' Grantham said. "Donald Trump was a Democrat once. What's your point?'' Support for Robson among some key elements of the Republican Party is not new. She gained the endorsement of outgoing Gov. Doug Ducey to succeed him in the 2022 Republican primary against Lake. But Lake still outpolled her by about 40,000 votes in the five-way race, even after former U.S. Rep. Matt Salmon told his supporters to instead vote for Robson. Lake went on to lose to Democrat Hobbs by about 17,000 votes in November 2022. Other possible candidates So far there are no announced candidates to take on Hobbs. But among the prospects is state Treasurer Kimberly Yee. She announced her own gubernatorial candidacy in May 2021 to succeed Ducey. But that campaign lasted less than a year after both Lake and Robson got into the race. Yee then easily won reelection to her own post in 2022 in a year that was bad for other Republicans on the state level, not just with Hobbs winning the gubernatorial race but Adrian Fontes getting elected secretary of state and Kris Mayes winning the race for attorney general. But at this point, reelection to her own office as treasurer is not an option for Yee as the Arizona Constitution limits her to two four-year terms. Yee, in a statement Monday to Capitol Media Services, was noncommittal about her political future, saying she has "been asked to seriously consider running for governor.'' "I love Arizona,'' she said. "It's where I was born and raised, and more than ever, we need strong, trusted leadership.'' The other prospect is Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, the group that organized Sunday's event where Trump backed Robson. Requests to him for comment went unanswered Monday. Robson may have something that both Yee and Kirk lack: Access to cash, including her own. She spent more than $23 million in her ill-fated bid to be the GOP nominee for governor in 2022, including $18.4 million of her own money. Robson made her first run for governor while a regent, a position she got from Ducey, saying she was "committed to do whatever it takes to defend Arizona from the radical left.'' Her day job is as founder and president of Arizona Strategies, which is involved with development. She previously worked with DMB Associates, a Scottsdale-based master-planned community developer. Before that she was an attorney practicing in the areas of land use, development and zoning laws, representing large landowners. In the bio she released in her 2022 campaign, she boasted of that role, saying she "fought on behalf of economic growth and projects that have enabled thousands of new jobs for Arizona families.'' While she has never held elective political office, she has genetic ties to some who have. Her father, Carl Kunasek, was president of the Arizona Senate and later went on to serve on the Arizona Corporation Commission. Her brother Andrew Kunasek served as a member of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. Howard Fischer is a veteran journalist who has been reporting since 1970 and covering state politics and the Legislature since 1982. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, Bluesky , and Threads at @azcapmedia or email azcapmedia@gmail.com . 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