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A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok in a few short months, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied TikTok's petition to overturn the law — which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — and rebuffed the company's challenge of the statute, which it argued had ran afoul of the First Amendment. “The First Amendment exists to protect free speech in the United States,” said the court's opinion, which was written by Judge Douglas Ginsburg. “Here the Government acted solely to protect that freedom from a foreign adversary nation and to limit that adversary’s ability to gather data on people in the United States.” TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court, though its unclear whether the court will take up the case. “The Supreme Court has an established historical record of protecting Americans’ right to free speech, and we expect they will do just that on this important constitutional issue," TikTok spokesperson Michael Hughes said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the TikTok ban was conceived and pushed through based upon inaccurate, flawed and hypothetical information, resulting in outright censorship of the American people,” Hughes said. Unless stopped, he argued the statute “will silence the voices of over 170 million Americans here in the US and around the world on January 19th, 2025.” Though the case is squarely in the court system, its also possible the two companies might be thrown some sort of a lifeline by President-elect Donald Trump, who tried to ban TikTok during his first term but said during the presidential campaign that he is now against such action . The law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, was the culmination of a years-long saga in Washington over the short-form video-sharing app, which the government sees as a national security threat due to its connections to China. The U.S. has said it’s concerned about TikTok collecting vast swaths of user data, including sensitive information on viewing habits , that could fall into the hands of the Chinese government through coercion. Officials have also warned the proprietary algorithm that fuels what users see on the app is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, who can use it to shape content on the platform in a way that’s difficult to detect — a concern mirrored by the European Union on Friday as it scrutinizes the video-sharing app’s role in the Romanian elections. TikTok, which sued the government over the law in May, has long denied it could be used by Beijing to spy on or manipulate Americans. Its attorneys have accurately pointed out that the U.S. hasn’t provided evidence to show that the company handed over user data to the Chinese government, or manipulated content for Beijing’s benefit in the U.S. They have also argued the law is predicated on future risks, which the Department of Justice has emphasized pointing in part to unspecified action it claims the two companies have taken in the past due to demands from the Chinese government. Friday’s ruling came after the appeals court panel, composed of two Republican and one Democrat appointed judges, heard oral arguments in September. In the hearing, which lasted more than two hours, the panel appeared to grapple with how TikTok’s foreign ownership affects its rights under the Constitution and how far the government could go to curtail potential influence from abroad on a foreign-owned platform. On Friday, all three of them denied TikTok’s petition. In the court's ruling, Ginsburg, a Republican appointee, rejected TikTok's main legal arguments against the law, including that the statute was an unlawful bill of attainder or a taking of property in violation of the Fifth Amendment. He also said the law did not violate the First Amendment because the government is not looking to "suppress content or require a certain mix of content” on TikTok. “Content on the platform could in principle remain unchanged after divestiture, and people in the United States would remain free to read and share as much PRC propaganda (or any other content) as they desire on TikTok or any other platform of their choosing,” Ginsburg wrote, using the abbreviation for the People’s Republic of China. Judge Sri Srinivasan, the chief judge on the court, issued a concurring opinion. TikTok’s lawsuit was consolidated with a second legal challenge brought by several content creators - for which the company is covering legal costs - as well as a third one filed on behalf of conservative creators who work with a nonprofit called BASED Politics Inc. Other organizations, including the Knight First Amendment Institute, had also filed amicus briefs supporting TikTok. “This is a deeply misguided ruling that reads important First Amendment precedents too narrowly and gives the government sweeping power to restrict Americans’ access to information, ideas, and media from abroad,” said Jameel Jaffer, the executive director of the organization. “We hope that the appeals court’s ruling won’t be the last word.” Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, lawmakers who had pushed for the legislation celebrated the court's ruling. "I am optimistic that President Trump will facilitate an American takeover of TikTok to allow its continued use in the United States and I look forward to welcoming the app in America under new ownership,” said Republican Rep. John Moolenaar of Michigan, chairman of the House Select Committee on China. Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who co-authored the law, said “it's time for ByteDance to accept” the law. To assuage concerns about the company’s owners, TikTok says it has invested more than $2 billion to bolster protections around U.S. user data. The company has also argued the government’s broader concerns could have been resolved in a draft agreement it provided the Biden administration more than two years ago during talks between the two sides. It has blamed the government for walking away from further negotiations on the agreement, which the Justice Department argues is insufficient. Attorneys for the two companies have claimed it’s impossible to divest the platform commercially and technologically. They also say any sale of TikTok without the coveted algorithm - the platform’s secret sauce that Chinese authorities would likely block under any divesture plan - would turn the U.S. version of TikTok into an island disconnected from other global content. Still, some investors, including Trump’s former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and billionaire Frank McCourt, have expressed interest in purchasing the platform. Both men said earlier this year that they were launching a consortium to purchase TikTok’s U.S. business. This week, a spokesperson for McCourt’s Project Liberty initiative, which aims to protect online privacy, said unnamed participants in their bid have made informal commitments of more than $20 billion in capital.President Akufo-Addo Urges Peaceful Voting Ahead of December 7 ElectionsEleven days. More than 300 shows. The 20th annual New York Comedy Festival offered a Golden Corral-style buffet of laughs. It was impossible to see them all, but here are the top seven performances — in no particular order — that Billboard witnessed. See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news 1. Zarna Garg Garg, who closed the festival with a sold-out show at Town Hall in Midtown Manhattan on Nov. 17, took an unlikely path to stand-up comedy . Raised in Bombay, she escaped an arranged marriage by leaving home, immigrating to the United States and attending law school before becoming a multi-hyphenate in the comedy business: stand-up, screenwriting, podcasting and a memoir. She first headlined at Caroline’s on Broadway in 2020 and, according to her manager, the Town Hall appearance was one of her biggest headlining shows to date. A lot of Garg’s comedy is steeped in Indian culture and stereotypes — “You are Indian, your pronoun is doctor!” she said during her performance —but judging from the composition of the crowd on Nov. 17, she has clearly crossed over. Garg got big laughs saying her bindi was the same kind of sticker that Macy’s uses to mark down clothes, and implied that she occasionally uses hers to snag a bargain. “You know I’m doing it!” she said. And she elicited a huge roar from the crowd after telling a story about keeping her comedy work from her parents. When her mother found out, instead of disowning her daughter, she told her that if it would help with her career, “May you tell your audience that your father likes to do it doggy style.” 2. Jeff Arcuri The Michigan-raised, Chicago-based comic opened the festival on Nov. 7, when he brought his Full Beans Tour to the Beacon Theater on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, and proved how he has blown up over the past year: with crowd work, which has gone viral on social media. Arcuri is so lightning-quick and scalpel-sharp that attempting to take notes of his back-and-forth banter with audience members — done with a big, wicked smile — is a fool’s errand. So, check out this video and note that, unlike other comics who single out members of their audience, Arcuri practices largely cruelty-free comedy. 3. Jordan Jensen The Ithaca, NY-born former contractor — she called her company Lady Parts Carpentry, because her name was often misconstrued as male — Jensen is a tattooed bomb cyclone of funny, who became the first woman to win the festival’s New York’s Funniest competition in 2021. Her act is seeded with the wins and losses of womanhood and dating, growing up with a lesbian mother and an estranged weed-loving father, and her battles with OCD and intrusive thoughts. As one of Jeff Arcuri’s openers at the Beacon Theater, Jensen had the crowd screaming with laughter over a wild bit on the realities of menstruation. 4. New York’s Funniest The winner of the festival’s annual joke-off — which catapulted the careers of Jensen and Michael Che , among other comics — was New York-based stand-up Jamie Wolf , who delivered a polished set that closed with a killer, seemingly new bit on why he’s pretty sure God is a woman. “Picture dicks and balls,” he said. “They’re so first draft.” It got better from there but go see Wolf to hear it firsthand. As they say in the business, it’s all in the telling. Wolf was one of 10 comics who competed at the Hard Rock Hotel on Nov. 16, and two in particular brought to mind a comment Chris Distefano made in an interview with Billboard last week, in which he talked about his comedy originating as a “defense mechanism” that arose from his parents divorce. The competition’s opener, Soo Ra , who is Korean, was born missing fingers on one hand and adopted as an infant after she was found in a box that had been left outside a police station. A devastating story, but Ra, whose delivery is could be described as cheerfully deadpan, got a lot of laughs out of it, telling the crowd she might have been abandoned when her real mother looked at her unformed hand and decided, “This baby cannot fix Samsung phones.” She also said that when people ask her which Korea she is from, she replies, “The one you can get out of.” Next up was Nick Viagas , who used his stutter to land a lot of laughs. He told the crowd that if he didn’t make it in comedy, “I can always get a job as a turn signal.” And that when he was put in charge of the countdown at a New Year’s Eve show, “That was the longest year.” 5. Ricky Velez One of Judd Apatow’s favorite comics — he even made Velez a producer on The King of Staten Island New York City in which he co-starred with best friend Pete Davidson — the Queens-bred smart-ass repaid the kindness with a charged set for Judd Apatow and Friends at the Beacon Theater on Nov. 9. In addition to compelling storytelling — check out his Dominican drug dealer in the bit online — Velez likes to rile up the politically correct, and in his addressing the influx of migrants into New York, he told the audience, “I like migrants a lot because they’re fucking up the white-woman agenda. That makes me very happy. [In] 2017 white women canceled cat-calling in New York City. Well, guess what. Venezuela never went through a #MeToo Movement. So, good luck telling Papi that ass ain’t fine, Mami.” He also welcomed more crime in the city, which he said was “the war on gentrification,” adding that he recently saw “three men eating croissants on the corner.” Declaring such a brazen act of refined tastes “crazy,” Velez had the crowd wheezing when he said, “This is New York City. That can’t happen. Those men need crime,” adding: “Croissants and tote bags. If you’ve got a tote bag as a man. Time to move, bro. We back.” 6. Chris Distefano Distefano did back-to-back-to-back shows at three outposts of the New York Comedy Club, which is owned by his manager, Emilio Savone — in part to re-record classic bits he did on Netflix and other comedy platforms so that he could reclaim ownership. He dubbed them “Chrissy’s Version” in homage to Taylor Swift. But he also riffed on the results of the presidential election and some of his successful friends’ reactions to it. “I will say this. If you made a post crying about the president, you’re a p—y” Distefano said. “You gotta be an adult here.” He further explained that a number of friends he met through comedy “do big things. They host TV shows. I took the bus here.” Some of those famous friends “are crying,” he said. “I’m like, relax. You’re a multimillionaire making believe. You live in America. Shut the f—up. Everybody’s just got to take a deep breath. It’s gonna be fine. Now, do I know for sure? No. I went to Nassau Community College.” 7. Stand Up For Heroes Year after year, this benefit for military veterans brings out top-shelf talent to raise tens of millions of dollars. This year, Bruce Springsteen, Norah Jones, Jon Stewart, Jim Gaffigan, Jerry Seinfeld and Mark Normand put on a really big show, which you can read more about here (and watch a video of The Boss performing “Long Walk Home”).

Seattle Seahawks receiver is DK Metcalf is just fine when he doesn't have the the ball because it means he gets to showcase his blocking skills. “I just look at it as a sign of respect that I’ve gained from other defensive coordinators and just continue to do my job with it as blocking or being a decoy,” the two-time Pro Bowler said. While opposing defenses have keyed in on Metcalf, other aspects of Seattle's offense have surfaced during its four-game winning streak. The run has the Seahawks (8-5) sitting atop the NFC West heading into Sunday night's game against the visiting Green Bay Packers (9-4). Geno Smith's new top target is second-year receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who needs 89 receiving yards for his first career 1,000-yard season. Smith-Njigba has 75 catches for 911 yards and five touchdowns, while Metcalf, often dealing with double coverage, has 54 catches for 812 yards and two scores. Metcalf says he feels the pride of a “proud parent or a big brother” when it comes to Smith-Njigba's success. Seattle's offense also got a boost from the ground game in a 30-18 victory over the Arizona Cardinals last weekend . Zach Charbonnet, filling in for the injured Kenneth Walker III, ran for a career-best 134 yards and two touchdowns. The Seahawks face another hot team in the Packers (9-4), who have won seven of nine. Green Bay's two losses over that stretch have come against NFC-best Detroit (12-1), including a 34-31 victory by the Lions on Dec. 5, which means the NFC North title is likely out of reach for the Packers. The Packers are well-positioned for a playoff berth, but that almost certainly won't come this weekend. They would need a win, a loss or tie by the Atlanta Falcons and a tie between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers. Metcalf, who learned to block from his father, former Chicago Bears offensive lineman Terrence Metcalf, says he tries to take blocking seriously to set himself apart from other receivers. His priorities are simple when he's getting double-teamed and the ball goes elsewhere. “Trying to block my (butt) off and trying to get pancakes on defensive backs,” he said. When the Packers surged their way into the playoffs last season, quarterback Jordan Love was a major reason why. He had 18 touchdown passes and one interception during Green Bay's final eight games. During the last four games of this season, Love ranks third in the NFL with a 118.9 passer rating with six touchdowns, one interception and a league-best 10.3 yards per attempt. “I always feel like I can put the ball where I want to — and that’s part of it, too, having that confidence to be able to throw those passes,” Love said. “There’s always like I said a handful of plays that might not come off or be in the exact spot that you wanted it to or the throw might be a little bit off. So, that’s where you’ve just got to try to be at your best every play, be consistent and accurate as possible.” Green Bay’s pass defense has been picked apart the last two weeks. First, it was torched by Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins in a Packers win. Next, it allowed Jared Goff to complete his final 13 passes as the Lions rallied to victory. It won’t get any easier this week. Smith is second in the NFL in attempts, completions and passing yards and is fifth in completion percentage. “It’s been a remarkable turnaround for him in terms of just where he started,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “It’s not always where you start, but where you finish. And it tells me a lot about the person in terms of his resiliency and ability to fight through some adversity. He’s a dangerous quarterback.” The potential return of former All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) could help the Packers. Will the Packers break out their head-to-toe white uniforms? The last time Green Bay wore the winter white look was in a 24-22 win over Houston in October. The Packers asked fans to weigh in on social media . As for the Seahawks, they'll be sporting their “Action Green” uniforms. Metcalf is a fan. “I would say this about the Action Green, I love them personally in my opinion, but the big guys hate them. I don’t know why, don’t ask me," he said. “Hopefully, the Packers wear all white, so it’ll be a fun-looking game.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

NHL 4 Nations Face-Off: Final roster predictions for Sweden, FinlandCHAPEL HILL, N.C.— It's a whole new world in Chapel Hill. Fully embracing the evolving state of college athletics, the University of North Carolina introduced Bill Belichick as its new head football coach on Thursday. The second-winningest head coach in NFL history with 333 victories, Belichick has signed a five-year contract approved by the university's Board of Trustees and Board of Governors. Belichick met the media at an introductory press conference at Kenan Stadium on Thursday afternoon. ESPN and the ACC Network televised the proceedings live, and members of the national media not necessarily accustomed to visiting Chapel Hill were on hand. The glare of the national spotlight has been warm since news broke of Belichick's hiring on Wednesday. "In the immortal words of Yogi Berra, 'The future ain't what it used to be,'" said athletic director Bubba Cunningham. "The future of college athletics is changing, and we want to be at the forefront of that. Coach Belichick has demonstrated his passion for teaching, for coaching and for lifelong learning, and he is an absolute perfect fit for us at this time in the history of the university and the history of college sports." Cunningham and UNC chancellor Lee Roberts presented Belichick a gift of a Carolina hoodie with the sleeves cut off, a reference to the coach's partiality for that style of sideline apparel, before Cunningham jokingly donned a sport coat with the sleeves cut off to match for the remainder of the press conference. Belichick responded with a surprise of his own, unveiling his father's UNC sweatshirt from his time as a Tar Heel assistant coach in the 1950s, an item the younger Belichick had saved for decades. "I always wanted to coach in college football," Belichick said before quipping, "it just never really worked out. I had some pretty good years in the NFL, so that was okay. This is really kind of a dream come true. I grew up in college football with my dad as a coach at Navy for 50 years, so as a kid all I really knew was college football. It's great to come back home to Carolina and back in an environment I really grew up in. "When you're little, you don't remember everything obviously. I was too young to remember a lot of the things from Carolina, but as I grew up you hear the same story over and over and over again. And so, one story I always heard was, 'Billy's first words were beat Duke.'" Prior to accepting the job, Belichick had conversations about the UNC program with legendary Tar Heels Lawrence Taylor, who played for Belichick with the New York Giants, Julius Peppers, who sat in the front row for Thursday's press conference, and Michael Jordan. "He's the greatest of all-time," Peppers said of Belichick. "I'm happy to have him here. I know his presence and his knowledge of the game are going to elevate our program. I'm here today in support of this hire, and I'm excited, looking forward to the future." Belichick guided the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles, most by a head coach in NFL history. He also won two more as a defensive coordinator with the New York Giants while serving on the staff of Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells. He is a three-time NFL Coach of the Year who earned a spot as coach on the NFL's All-Decade Teams for the 2000s and 2010s, and he was named to the league's 100th Anniversary All-Time Team in 2019. "I'm here to teach, develop and build a program in the way that I believe in," he said. "I've said many times that we want to be the best public university in the United States, and that means excellence in everything that we do," said Roberts. "We're going to have an excellent college football program, we want to compete with the best and we've hired the best coach." While lacking college coaching experience, Belichick boasts a record of 333-178 (.652) as an NFL head coach, a coaching career that dates to 1975 and includes a record-31 playoff wins. In his 24 seasons as the Patriots' head coach, New England won 17 AFC East championships, advanced to 13 AFC Championship games and made nine Super Bowl trips. So, compared to your typical college coaching candidate, Belichick represents a new day and a new way forward for the Tar Heels. His vision of running a college program through a professional lens reflects the NIL and revenue sharing realities now dominating college athletics, and Carolina has upped its football budget and commitment to woo Belichick and give him the tools to succeed in Chapel Hill. "We'll hire the best coaches we can hire," Belichick said of his future staff. "I want to do everything I can to help this program and make it as strong as possible, so we'll hire the best ones we can get. There will certainly be a strong presence of NFL people on the staff, I think that's a certainty. Not only in the staff but in the training area. At the same time, I'm looking for the best fit for Carolina, and that fit, I think, is a little different than an NFL team would have." When asked about his external impressions of the Tar Heel program as an NFL coach, Belichick explained one of his overriding goals as he enters the college ranks with Carolina. "Great place to go to school, great program, but It's been awhile," he said. "[The] 1980 [season], that was the heyday, and we got [Lawrence] Taylor right after that to the Giants. He talked so much about the Tar Heels and their great program. It kind of hasn't been to that point since. There's a lot of pride in this program, and I want to do everything I can here to help take it to the highest level." The hire has already made a strong impression on Tar Heel football alumni. "Bill has the experience to elevate every aspect of our football program," says former tight end Alge Crumper (UNC, 1996-2000), who also served as a team captain with the Patriots under Belichick in 2010. "This bold hire leaves no doubt that football is a priority in Chapel Hill." The first addition to Belichick's staff is former NFL executive Michael Lombardi as general manager. Belichick also indicated Freddie Kitchens , who was UNC's run game coordinator and tight ends coach under Mack Brown and has served as interim head coach since Brown's departure, would be his first coaching hire. "Michael and I have worked together going back over 30 years," said Belichick. "He has a great knowledge of the general manager role, if you will, in this type of position, in terms of scouting two types of players (high school players and college portal players), as well as dealing with some sort of salary cap, which is now a part of college football." To close the press conference, a reporter asked Belichick to explain why he chose UNC for his initial foray into the college coaching ranks. He replied, "All the things the University of North Carolina stands for...the academics, the culture, the research...everything it stands for...on the field, off the field and the destination that Carolina is for so many student-athletes. There's so much opportunity here. I'm honored to have an opportunity and thrilled to be a part of it."

New Brunswick's child and youth advocate has delivered a mostly failing grade to the provincial government's work on recommendations in 2021 to address mental health issues among First Nations youth. In a report released Monday morning, Kelly Lamrock calls the government's efforts "lacklustre," concluding that it took no action on 12 of the 20 recommendations and only "somewhat implemented" the eight others. He told reporters that the response has been "profoundly underwhelming." Lamrock called for a "nation-to-nation" approach to the issue, including co-management by the province and First Nations governments of funding for mental health services. "At some point one either accepts that we need a distinct process to deal with the crisis in First Nations communities or we do not," Lamrock said. "And that dividing line really animates the report. My submission respectfully to the legislature is we do, and we have not had one." He noted that young Indigenous people are almost eight times as likely to take their own lives as other New Brunswick youth. "Anybody that thinks you can simply attack this problem by saying 'take the strategy for the whole province and add Aboriginal people' probably has not reflected long enough on the very unique causes and very unique challenges in First Nations communities." Lamrock asked government departments for an accounting of their work on the proposals submitted by a First Nations advisory council to his predecessor Norm Bossé, as part of the advocate's broader review of suicide prevention and youth mental health services. He said the responses "do not meaningfully address the substance of the recommendations," often equating the creation of committees — or just the discussion of who might sit on committees — with concrete actions. "In several cases it appears that authorities are providing unrelated or tangential responses as a means to avoid rejecting the recommendations," he wrote. "This indicates both a failure of the authorities to address the issue and a failure to take accountability for their inaction." Lamrock's report makes five new recommendations that he says are intended to "kickstart this process after three lost years," including a "nation-to-nation" agreement with First Nations for the co-management of funding for youth mental health services. Roxanne Sappier, who co-chaired the advisory council for Bossé's report, said she was hopeful the proposals would spark movement. "The lack of action means that our youth are suffering, that we're not meeting the needs of our families in our communities, and that has huge, huge costs," she said. In a statement, Rob McKee, the Liberal minister responsible for mental health and addiction services, said "a number of initiatives are underway ...and are in various stages of implementation" — the kind of phrasing that Lamrock's report criticized.. McKee's statement said that includes creating programs that are "culturally safe" for Indigenous people, but he did not mention the idea of co-managing funding. Lamrock also called for clearer accounting of federal funds transferred to the province for First Nations mental health to ensure it's being spent properly and the creation of clear indicators for measuring progress. He was reluctant to discuss whether the previous Progressive Conservative government of Blaine Higgs was to blame or whether the new Liberal government of Premier Susan Holt would make a difference. His job, he said, was to report to the legislature — meaning 49 MLAs from three different parties — and leave it to them to hold specific politicians accountable. "My job is to say what has come out of the department, and it's nothing." Roxanne Sappier, who co-chaired the advisory council for Bossé's report, says they've been waiting 'a long, long time' for gains to be made. (Mikael Mayer/Radio-Canada) But Sappier said she believes the attitudes of those holding political power can't be ignored. "It's been very challenging without that support from the top. So we're really hopeful that now that we do have mandates from this government supporting this work, that we will make some gains that we've been waiting for for a long, long time," she said. Progressive Conservative MLA Rob Weir, who was first elected in October and who worked as a political assistant in the PC government, was reluctant to say why so little progress had happened. "I can't answer that because I was not in the room," he said. PC MLA Rob Weir, who was first elected in October, was reluctant to say why so little progress had happened. (Jacques Poitras/CBC) "I will guarantee that moving forward, I will be an advocate for paying attention to the issues that we have and solving the problems moving forward." Green Party leader David Coon said the Higgs government was clearly responsible for the inaction, "but they're gone," and he called on the legislature's social policy committee to be given a mandate to monitor the implementation of the recommendations. Among the 2021 recommendations where Lamrock found no action was taken: The launch of a separate review by the provincial government of Indigenous youth mental health services. Changes to health care structures and processes with a long-term goal of "cultural safety" for Indigenous youth and better outcomes. A forum that includes federal and provincial governments and Indigenous leaders to develop a framework for "culturally appropriate, competent and safe" mental health services. Improving the transparency of how federal government money transferred to the province is spent on Indigenous mental health services. Cultural training for judges and Crown prosecutors. Among recommendations that Lamrock said were "somewhat" implemented: Formal support and recognition of the Mi'gmaq, Peskotomuhkati and Wolastoqey languages through provincial legislation and programs. The offering of "culturally relevant" mental wellness, health and addiction services for Indigenous youth, with an emphasis on Indigenous-led services. A more culturally inclusive education policy.

Matt Kuchar and Jason Day at the Grant Thornton Invitational. Getty Images Hello, friends, and welcome to a Gulf Coast edition of the Rogers Report! I’m currently at the Grant Thornton Invitational at Tiburon Golf Club in Naples, the second stop on my own personal “Florida Swing”. I started my week at GOLF’s Top 100 Teachers Summit at Cabot Citrus Farms, where I got to meet (and seek advice from) the best golf instructors on the planet. Then I made the three-and-a-half hour drive to Naples to attend the second iteration of (and my first-ever) Grant Thornton Invitational. A post shared by GOLF.com // GOLF Magazine (@golf_com) Major season may be long over, folks, but please allow me to explain why the next two weeks are some of the best in golf. But before we get that, some personal news: The TGL broadcast team was announced on Thursday morning, and I’ll be serving as a digital host for the league! I’m so excited for it, and of course, you’ll get the full debrief right here at the Rogers Report come January. 🎤 Meet the team setting the scene all season long, starting January 7: @ESPN broadcast: @notthefakeSVP , @MattBarrie & @MartySmithESPN Digital Hosts: @websterontv & @kclairerogers In-Venue MC: @RogerSteeleJr DJ: @IRIE On Field Referee: Derrick Stafford Booth Official: Mark... pic.twitter.com/LdZXIu9mZg The Grant Thornton Invitational-PNC Championship back-to-back: the most underrated weeks in golf? I know, I know, it’s the “offseason.” The CME Tour Championship and Tour Championship are behind us. But that doesn’t mean you can ignore the golf. This week, LPGA and PGA Tour pros are teaming up at the Grant Thornton, meaning we will get a ton of good content, like when Disney Channel had those crossover episodes when we were kids. As much as I love watching PGA Tour events and LPGA Tour events on their own, there’s something special about players from each coming together for a week. It’s definitely a competitive atmosphere at Tiburon, but a big part of it leans into bonding and fun. The pros’ personalities are going to be on display in ways we aren’t usually used to over the next few weeks. Team events tend to bring these out, and the Grant Thornton is no exception. Same thing with the PNC Championship. The pros may be at work, but in a “bring-your-kid-to-work” kind of way. It’s more about the shared experience than anything else. So make sure you’re paying attention to social media over the next 10 days or so, because I have a feeling we are going to get some hilarious, wholesome and fun content from both he Grant Thornton and the PNC. (Remember, Tiger’s “big dog” meme originated at the PNC.) This last note really only applies to those who attend the Grant Thornton and/or PNC Championship, but I’ve learned there are few things I enjoy more than being at a Ritz-Carlton golf course, especially near the holidays. There are endless places to explore, and you can’t beat the food or clubhouse. Kuch and Kang’s hilarious quiz Remember when I said we’d get some great crossover content this week at the Grant Thornton? Megan Khang and Matt Kuchar kicked things off with an incredible back-and-forth while 27-year-old Khang quizzed her 46-year-old teammate on some Gen-Z slang. Do yourself a favor and check out this hilarious video. Bussin. This gen-z slang quiz with @megan_khang1023 and Matt Kuchar exceeded all our expectations 😂 @PGATOUR | @gtinvitational pic.twitter.com/zVh0F3dYyB Kuchar delivered; he’s is the ultimate dad in this video, excitedly putting his own spin on every phrase despite being spectacularly wrong. I’m actually impressed that while Kuchar went zero-for-six here, he was able to come up with an answer for each and every term. Kuch, it might be time to ask for some Gen-Z slang lessons from your sons. I’m sure they’d be more than happy to help you out. A wholesome press conference My favorite part of Thursday at the Grant Thornton Invitational was Lydia Ko and Jason Day’s press conference. It’s clear the defending champions are giddy to be back, but it’s even more clear how much Day and Ko respect and admire each other. A few excerpts from the transcript: Day: I’ve heard numerous — actually, a lot of stories about how she’s one of the nicest people on the LPGA and obviously I think a lot of people know that by now. Pure class on and off the golf course. Ko: I remember Jessica Korda was like, oh, you’re playing with Jason, right? She was like, you’re playing with the nicest person in the world, you guys are going to be the nicest team. Ko: When I played the Tour Championship a few weeks ago, I was like, man, it would be nice if I had a partner like Jason, it would just make my life a lot easier. Day: I’m a massive fan of Lydia and her game. More so as a person as well, she’s tremendous. Ko: I actually told multiple people this, of all the players I’ve played with, Jason’s game, whether it was ball-striking, with the driver, iron, wedges and putting overall was actually the best player I’ve seen. Folks, find a golf partner who will hype you up the way Jason Day and Lydia Ko hype you up. Even if you don’t have a fraction of the talent they do. Latest In News Golf.com EditorKen McCallum said the UK now faces much more aggression from nation states such as Russia, China and Iran. MI5 has had to “pare back” its counterterrorism focus because of the growing threat from Russia and other hostile states, the security agency’s boss has said. Ken McCallum, the director general of MI5, said in an interview recording obtained by The Times newspaper that the agency has to look at its “finite” resources and make “uncomfortable choices”. “We now face much, much more aggression from nation states. In effect, we had the 20 to 30-year holiday from that kind of big player, sophisticated states in serious conflict with each other. It’s back, I’m afraid. “And so there is something quite profound about that ... we’ve had to make some of those uncomfortable choices in recent years ... how could we pare back a bit on the amount of our capacity we are spending on countering terrorism in order to be ready to meet these somewhat grander and more sophisticated, in some respects, threats from nation states.” He made the comments in an interview with Simon Case, the outgoing cabinet secretary, for a civil service podcast Mr Case is making, the newspaper reported. He said: “We’ll be looking at how much of our finite capacity can we spend on state activity from Russia or Iran or China, how much do we have to spend on various forms of terrorism, but also how much of our capacity can we spend on things that we think might be a threat tomorrow morning and how much do we have to keep back to plan for how we are capable to do what the nation needs us to do in five years’ time? “We need to invest in new technology, new skills. So you always have some version of these uncomfortable choices.” The MI5 boss recently warned that Russia is intent on causing “mayhem” on UK streets and that Iranian-backed plots that pose “lethal threats” to British people are ramping up at an “unprecedented pace and scale”. In a speech in October, the security agency’s director general said Britain should “expect to see continued acts of aggression here at home” from Russia, with its military intelligence agency, the GRU, on “sustained missions”, adding: “We’ve seen arson, sabotage and more.” The number of state threat investigations run by MI5 has “shot up by 48%” in the last year and 13% of people being investigated by the security agency for involvement in UK terrorism are under 18, he said at the time. He called the rise in the number of children being investigated for terrorism in the UK “staggering” and warned of “canny online memes” drawing them into extreme right-wing ideologies. A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “This innovative conversation series was provided on the civil service learning site to offer insight into the experience of senior leaders from across the civil service, to allow other civil servants to learn and develop, as is so vital throughout their careers. “The comments made by Ken McCallum, director general of MI5, reflect those he has previously made publicly. In his October threat update, he talked about the challenges of prioritisation.”No. 3 Nittany Lions relying on defensive depth in Big Ten title game and postseason run

Another View: Wi-Fi, permissionless innovation and competitive advantage

ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. (AP) — PGA Tour rookie Patrick Fishburn played bogey-free for an 8-under 64 for his first lead after any round. Joel Dahmen was 10 shots behind and had a bigger cause for celebration Friday in the RSM Classic. Dahmen made a 5-foot par putt on his final hole for a 2-under 68 in tough conditions brought on by the wind and cold, allowing him to make the cut on the number and get two more days to secure his PGA Tour card for next year. He is No. 124 in the FedEx Cup. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a week

The NBA season is in full swing, and some teams are approaching the 20-game mark. For the Los Angeles Clippers, they played their 18th game of the season Sunday against the Philadelphia 76ers. The Clippers have been playing some great basketball, and this is all without their superstar forward, Kawhi Leonard. Leonard has yet to play this season, and with the Clippers playing their 18th game, that makes Leonard ineligible for any NBA awards this season. Kawhi has officially missed 18 games this season that will put him under the 65-game requirement for a NBA award 🚫🏆 pic.twitter.com/WNY3MTi47O This means that Leonard will not be eligible to win MVP or make an All-NBA team, All-Star team, or All-Defensive team. Leonard may not have ever won an MVP, with his best chance coming in the 2016-17 season, but he has made six All-NBA teams and seven All-Defensive teams. Leonard has also been named to six All-Stars teams; however, he will not make the All-Star team for the third time in four seasons. Leonard is out due to knee inflammation, and a timetable for his return has not been announced. A month ago, before the start of the season, the Clippers announced that he would be sidelined indefinitely to begin the NBA season as he rehabilitates from inflammation in his right knee. The latest update on Leonard is that he was shooting a little bit but has not yet practiced with the team. As things stand, Leonard did travel with the team on their current four-game road trip that started against the 76ers. Unfortunately, the injury bug is nothing new for the Clippers star. Since signing with them in the summer of 2019, Leonard has appeared in 229 regular-season games. He has been limited to just 28 playoff games. Leonard's time as a Clipper has become filled with ups and downs. His availability is always in question, but when he is on the court, he is among the best players in the league. In four playing seasons in Los Angeles, he has averaged 24.8 points per game, 6.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.6 blocks while shooting 50 percent from the field and 40 percent from three in 229 games and 227 starts in 33.6 minutes per game. Leonard has panned out a Hall of Fame-type career for himself, but it's unclear how long he could and would play, considering his long list of lower body injuries. Nonetheless, Leonard and the Clippers' biggest worry is when he will be back on the court this season. At this point, that's still a mystery. More news: 76ers' Paul George to Miss Extended Time With Severe Bone Bruise Injury For the latest Clippers and NBA news, be sure to check out Newsweek Sports .

Texans WR Nico Collins says he was fined for tossing TD ball to kid‘Paralympic Inspirations Day’ celebrated

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are rising toward records Tuesday after Donald Trump’s latest talk about tariffs created only some ripples on Wall Street, even if they could roil the global economy were they to take effect. The S&P 500 climbed 0.5% and was on track to top its all-time high set a couple weeks ago. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 81 points, or 0.2%, to its own record set the day before, while the Nasdaq composite was 0.5% higher, with less than an hour remaining in trading. Stock markets abroad were down, but mostly only modestly, after President-elect Trump said he plans to impose sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China as soon as he takes office. Stock indexes were down 0.1% in Shanghai and nearly flat in Hong Kong, while Canada's main index edged down by just 0.1%. Trump has often praised the use of tariffs , but investors are weighing whether his latest threat will actually become policy or is just an opening point for negotiations. For now, the market seems to be taking it more as the latter. Unless the United States can prepare alternatives for the autos, energy products and other goods that come from Mexico, Canada and China, such tariffs would raise the price of imported items all at once and make households poorer, according to Carl Weinberg and Rubeela Farooqi, economists at High Frequency Economics. They would also hurt profit margins for U.S. companies, while raising the threat of retaliatory tariffs by other countries. General Motors sank 8.2%, and Ford Motor fell 2.6% because both import automobiles from Mexico. Constellation Brands, which sells Modelo and other Mexican beer brands in the United States, dropped 3.9%. Beyond the pain such tariffs would cause U.S. households and businesses, they could also push the Federal Reserve to slow or even halt its cuts to interest rates. The Fed had just begun easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high a couple months ago to offer support to the job market . While lower interest rates can boost the overall economy and prices for investments, they can also offer more fuel for inflation. “Many” officials at the Fed's last meeting earlier this month said they should lower rates gradually, according to minutes of the meeting released Tuesday afternoon. Unlike tariffs in Trump's first term, his proposal from Monday night would affect products across the board. Trump’s tariff talk came almost immediately after U.S. stocks rose Monday amid excitement about his pick for Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent. The hope was the hedge-fund manager could steer Trump away from policies that balloon the U.S. government deficit, which is how much more it spends than it takes in through taxes and other revenue. The talk about tariffs overshadowed another set of mixed profit reports from U.S. retailers that answered few questions about how much more shoppers can keep spending. They’ll need to stay resilient after helping the economy avoid a recession, despite the high interest rates instituted by the Fed to get inflation under control. Kohl’s tumbled 17.6% after its results for the latest quarter fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Tom Kingsbury said sales remain soft for apparel and footwear. A day earlier, Kingsbury said he plans to step down as CEO in January. Ashley Buchanan, CEO of Michaels and a retail veteran, will replace him. Best Buy fell 4.7% after likewise falling short of analysts’ expectations. Dick’s Sporting Goods topped forecasts for the latest quarter thanks to a strong back-to-school season, but its stock lost an early gain to fall 1.4%. A report on Tuesday from the Conference Board said confidence among U.S. consumers improved in November, but not by as much as economists expected. J.M. Smucker jumped 5.4% for one of the biggest gains in the S&P 500 after topping analysts' expectations for the latest quarter. CEO Mark Smucker credited strength for its Uncrustables, Meow Mix, Café Bustelo and Jif brands. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up U.S. indexes. Gains of 2.8% for Amazon and 2% for Microsoft were the two strongest forces lifting the S&P 500. In the bond market, Treasury yields rose following their big drop from a day before driven by relief following Trump’s pick for Treasury secretary. The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed to 4.30% from 4.28% late Monday, but it’s still well below the 4.41% level where it ended last week. In the crypto market, bitcoin continued to pull back after topping $99,000 for the first time late last week. It's since dipped back toward $91,600, according to CoinDesk. It’s a sharp turnaround from the bonanza that initially took over the crypto market following Trump’s election. That boom had also appeared to have spilled into some corners of the stock market. Strategists at Barclays Capital pointed to stocks of unprofitable companies, along with other areas that can be caught up in bursts of optimism by smaller-pocketed “retail” investors. AP Business Writer Elaine Kurtenbach contributed. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.Share this Story : LIVING ON THE EDGE: Do the Ottawa Senators need Brady Tkachuk to tone down his emotion? Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Breadcrumb Trail Links Ottawa Senators Sports Hockey NHL Senators Extra LIVING ON THE EDGE: Do the Ottawa Senators need Brady Tkachuk to tone down his emotion? When he plays like a Tasmanian devil, it can be reckless at times. But it's what he does, it's who he is. And that's OK with Senators head coach Travis Green. Author of the article: Tim Baines Published Nov 24, 2024 • Last updated 13 minutes ago • 5 minute read Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account. Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk fights with Vancouver Canucks centre Dakota Joshua during the third period on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. Photo by Justin Tang / THE CANADIAN PRESS Article content The conundrum for the Ottawa Senators: Do you let Brady Tkachuk continue to be Brady Tkachuk? We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser, or tap here to see other videos from our team . LIVING ON THE EDGE: Do the Ottawa Senators need Brady Tkachuk to tone down his emotion? Back to video We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser, or tap here to see other videos from our team . Play Video Or do you try to change his all-out, sometimes reckless mindset? Do you risk having your team captain spend time in the penalty box when he sticks up for teammates or tries to use his physical presence to shift the momentum of a game? The answer, apparently, is yes. In Saturday’s 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canucks , the fifth straight setback for the Ottawa Senators, Tkachuk took 21 minutes in penalties. Three of the infractions were minors — roughing, unsportsmanlike conduct and cross-checking. The last of those two-minute penalties came on a delayed penalty call against Ottawa, leaving the Senators with a two-man disadvantage for a full two minutes. Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Sign In or Create an Account Email Address Continue or View more offers If you are a Home delivery print subscriber, unlimited online access is included in your subscription. Activate your Online Access Now Article content There was also a fighting major against Vancouver’s Dakota Joshua and a misconduct that knocked him out of the game in the third period. So, while the Senators were trying to battle back from a 4-1 lead (they scored two goals in the final four minutes), their captain was in the dressing room. You want Tkachuk, who has scored more than 30 goals three times in his first six NHL seasons and already has 10 this year, on the ice as much as possible; he can’t contribute offensively if he’s in the penalty box or in the dressing room. A year ago, he had 134 penalty minutes; this year, he has 48. He drops the gloves, he runs over people, he takes penalties. It’s good, yet sometimes it’s bad. But with Brady Tkachuk, there’s a fine line. With Brady Tkachuk, you’re getting somebody who will do whatever he thinks it takes to help his team win, to protect his teammates. Sometimes frustration and emotion get the better of him. But he gives a crap, he cares. Maybe more guys on the team need to find that edge. On Saturday, Tkachuk tried to light a fire under his teammates, who weren’t playing well enough. That’s what leaders do. Sports Get the latest sport headlines and breaking news. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sports will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again Article content Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content When he plays like a Tasmanian devil, it can be reckless at times. But it’s what he does, it’s who he is. And that’s OK with Senators head coach Travis Green. “Whatever Brady and I talk about is between Brady and I,” Green said Saturday. “But he’s an emotional guy. I’m not going to take away his passion and his emotion. We’re going to coach Brady. Every player, you coach a bit differently. I’m not going to harness or take away his passion, his emotion. Quite frankly, it might have gotten us back into the game ... a bit.” His teammates appreciate Tkachuk and what he does. “Not many guys play the game the way he plays it,” defenceman Thomas Chabot said. “He’s got so much character. We all love him. He brings it every single night. It’s not always going to be perfect, it’s never perfect for any of us. He’s been speaking up and embracing his role (as captain), and we all follow that. “Being the captain, he puts a lot of pressure on himself. We want him to know it’s not all on his shoulders. When times are tough, there are emotions. That’s the game, it’s played with emotion and passion.” FIVE AND COUNTING: The Senators should have been able to beat the very short-handed Canucks. Look at the lineups and you’d give Ottawa the edge. Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content But, Saturday, the Canucks were better. “We fell behind, we had a good push at the end, but we have to have that push when the game starts,” winger Claude Giroux said. “I strongly believe we’re right there. But we have to be better, we will be better. We’re a better team than this.” For the Senators, it’s back to the drawing board, with a home game Monday against the Calgary Flames , then a three-game western road swing that lands in San Jose, Los Angeles and Anaheim. Green was short with the media following Sunday’s skate at the Bell Sensplex; his patience has to be wearing thin. When asked what has to happen, what has to change for the Senators on Monday, Green said, “Play better.” “You don’t just magically win because you want to,” Green said Saturday. “The other team has a say in who wins and who loses as well. As I’ve said, you can play well and lose, play bad and win.” Asked if Ottawa had a lack of emotion early in Saturday’s game, Green said: “That’s easy to say from the outside looking in. What is emotion? Is it the building getting loud? Is it scoring goals? Play good hockey and everyone thinks you have emotion, I guess. Did we have emotion in Boston (a 3-2 win) or Toronto (3-0 win)? No, we just played better. That’s the reality.” Advertisement 5 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Asked how the Senators can regain the confidence they seemed to be showing earlier in the season, he said: “The guy that gets the answer to that is going to make a lot of money. It’s not like you tell someone to be confident. You can pat him on the back, give him a little kick in the butt, but confidence comes from within. Each guy finds confidence his own way and we’re trying to help our guys with that. This is not just a teaching league. You’re here to play.” Asked if had the impression the Senators played not to lose instead of playing to win Saturday, Green said: “No, I didn’t. I got the impression we gave them four easy goals and didn’t play well enough to win the game.” Asked about his veteran players, Green said: “Some guys haven’t played good enough and have to play better.” To throw in a Yogi Berra quote, is this “deja vu all over again?” Giroux doesn’t think so. “We’re a different group than we were in the past,” he said. “We’re going to turn this around, I strongly believe that.” ICE CHIPS: Don’t go flipping around your TV channels looking for Monday’s game to be on TSN: it’s not. Senators versus Flames is the featured game on Amazon Prime Monday Night Hockey. If you don’t have Prime, TSN 1200 radio is a great option ... The game starts at 7:30 p.m. ... Artem Zub missed practice Sunday; when a player is OK to go the next day, the Senators usually call it a “maintenance day.” They didn’t call Zub’s absence that ... Winger Zack MacEwen was put on waivers and Zack Ostapchuk was recalled from Belleville. Recommended from Editorial TAKEAWAYS: Ottawa Senators lose again, even after best Vancouver Canucks player kicked out AT THE QUARTER MARK: New faces, but it's the same old story for Ottawa Senators Article content Share this article in your social network Share this Story : LIVING ON THE EDGE: Do the Ottawa Senators need Brady Tkachuk to tone down his emotion? Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Comments You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments. Create an Account Sign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Trending Wife of abusive CFB Petawawa soldier seeks $12 million in damages from military Local News Government auctioning off 'rare' Pokémon card from surplus list Public Service Ottawa's death toll from drug overdoses appears headed for new record in 2024 News Ottawa councillor's profane outburst with daycare staff 'bullying and intimidation' News TAKEAWAYS: Ottawa Senators lose again, even after best Vancouver Canucks player kicked out Ottawa Senators Read Next Latest National Stories Featured Local SavingsPatrick Fishburn leads at Sea Island as Joel Dahmen keeps alive hopes of keeping his job

Recursion Pharmaceuticals CEO sells $285,600 in stockNo. 3 Nittany Lions relying on defensive depth in Big Ten title game and postseason run

Is ‘SNL’ New This Weekend? Here’s Everything to KnowSchmitt says it's a 'slur' to call Gabbard a 'Russian asset'

Stock market today: Wall Street rises toward records despite tariff talk

 

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How pandemic backlash helped shape Trump’s health picksThe S&P 500 pulled 0.5% higher after flipping between gains and losses several times during the day. Banks, smaller companies and other areas of the stock market that tend to do best when the economy is strong helped lead the way, while bitcoin briefly broke above $99,000. Crude oil, meanwhile, continued to rise. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 461 points, or 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite edged up by less than 0.1%. Nvidia rose just 0.5% after beating analysts' estimates for profit and revenue yet again, but it was still the strongest force pulling the S&P 500 upward. It also gave a forecast for revenue in the current quarter that topped most analysts' expectations due to voracious demand for its chips used in artificial-intelligence technology. Its stock initially sank in afterhours trading Wednesday following the release of the results. Some investors said the market might have been looking for Nvidia's revenue forecast to surpass expectations by even more. But its stock recovered in premarket trading Thursday, and Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said it was another "flawless" profit report provided by Nvidia and CEO Jensen Huang, whom Ives calls "the Godfather of AI." The stock meandered through Thursday as well, dragging the S&P 500 and other indexes back and forth. How Nvidia's stock performs has more impact than any other because it's grown into Wall Street's most valuable company at roughly $3.6 trillion. The frenzy around AI is sweeping up other stocks, and Snowflake jumped 32.7% after reporting stronger results for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The company, whose platform helps customers get a better view of all their silos of data and use AI, also reported stronger revenue growth than expected. BJ'S Wholesale Club rose 8.3% after likewise delivering a bigger profit than expected. That may help calm worries about how resilient U.S. shoppers can remain, given high prices across the economy and still-high interest rates. A day earlier, Target tumbled after reporting sluggish sales in the latest quarter and giving a dour forecast for the holiday shopping season. It followed Walmart, which gave a much more encouraging outlook. Nearly 90% of the stocks in the S&P 500 ended up rising Thursday, and the gains were even bigger among smaller companies. The Russell 2000 index of smaller stocks jumped a market-leading 1.7%. Google's parent company, Alphabet, helped keep indexes in check. It fell 4.7% after U.S. regulators asked a judge to break up the tech giant by forcing it to sell its industry-leading Chrome web browser. In a 23-page document filed late Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice called for sweeping punishments that would include restrictions preventing Android from favoring its own search engine. Regulators stopped short of demanding Google sell Android but left the door open to it if the company's oversight committee continues to see evidence of misconduct. All told, the S&P 500 rose 31.60 points to 5,948.71. The Dow jumped 461.88 to 43,870.35, and the Nasdaq composite added 6.28 to 18,972.42. In the crypto market, bitcoin eclipsed $99,000 for the first time before pulling back toward $98,000, according to CoinDesk. It's more than doubled so far this year, and its climb has accelerated since Election Day. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to make the country "the crypto capital of the planet" and create a "strategic reserve" of bitcoin. Bitcoin got a further boost after Gary Gensler, the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, said Thursday he would step down in January. Gensler has pushed for more protections for crypto investors. Bitcoin and related investment have a notorious history of big price swings in both directions. MicroStrategy, a company that's been raising cash expressly to buy bitcoin, saw an early Thursday gain of 14.6% for its stock quickly disappear. It finished the day with a loss of 16.2%. In the oil market, a barrel of benchmark U.S. crude rose 2% to bring its gain for the week to 4.8%. Brent crude, the international standard, climbed 1.8%. Oil has been rising amid escalations in the Russia-Ukraine war. In stock markets abroad, shares of India's Adani Enterprises plunged 22.6% Thursday after the U.S. charged founder Gautam Adani in a federal indictment with securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud. The businessman and one of the world's richest people is accused of concealing that his company's huge solar energy project on the subcontinent was being facilitated by an alleged bribery scheme. Stock indexes elsewhere in Asia and Europe were mixed. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury inched up to 4.43% from 4.41% late Wednesday following some mixed reports on the U.S. economy. One said fewer U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week in the latest signal that the job market remains solid. Another report, though, said manufacturing in the mid-Atlantic region unexpectedly shrank. Sales of previously occupied homes, meanwhile, strengthened last month by more than expected.is axiebet88 legit



Starbase continues its rapid pace of advancement after Starship Flight 6

To some crime news and a WA man who allegedly had an hour’s worth of child exploitation videos on his phone will appear in court today. An AFP investigation began in November after the 24-year-old man arrived at Perth International Airport following a holiday in the Philippines. The man and his luggage were examined by Australian Border Force officers, who allegedly found 21 videos containing child abuse material on his phone. He was taken to Perth Watch House before being charged with one count of possessing child exploitation material and released on bail. The maximum penalty for the offence is seven years’ imprisonment. AFP Detective Acting Superintendent Andrea Coleman said the victims suffered each time images or videos of their abuse was viewed or downloaded “To those who wish to prop up this vile industry for their own gratification – the AFP and its partners will find you,” she said. ABF Acting Superintendent John Sweet said protecting the most vulnerable members of the community from the “abhorrent” industry would always be a priority. Here’s what’s making headlines today: It’s a top of 29 degrees today, with next week’s forecast looking well and truly like summer. Good morning all and welcome to this week’s last live blog! This morning, court reporter Rebecca Peppiatt has revealed The jury delivered a guilty verdict on Thursday afternoon, ending a trial that lasted several months. Politics reporter Hamish Hastie has written that Today, his 10 Things column was still there, but it was right next to a similar one written by Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti. And, in case you missed it yesterday, a Bunbury woman who was awarded more than a million dollars in damages after successfully claiming she had suffered injury as a result of eating hot chips laced with caustic soda, Stay with us as more news breaks.

WASHINGTON (AP) — An imprisoned far-right extremist group leader who was the top target of the federal investigation of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol balked at answering a prosecutor's questions about the attack when he testified on Thursday at the trial of a police officer accused of leaking him confidential information. A federal judge warned former Proud Boys national chairman Enrique Tarrio that he could face consequences, including an order holding him in contempt of court, if he continued to refuse to answer the prosecutor's questions. Tarrio completed his testimony without incurring any sanctions from the judge. Tarrio, who is serving a 22-year prison sentence for a plot to keep Donald Trump in the White House after the 2020 election, waived his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination when he agreed to testify as a defense witness at the bench trial of retired Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Shane Lamond. “What that means is you have to answer all the questions. You don't get to pick and choose,” U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson told Tarrio after he initially refused to answer whether Proud Boys were at the Capitol on Jan. 6. Dozens of Proud Boys, including Tarrio, are among the 1,500 people who have been charged with federal crimes related to the Capitol siege. A jury convicted Tarrio and three lieutenants of seditious conspiracy and other crimes last year after a months-long trial in the same courthouse where Lamond is on trial this week. Tarrio complained that the prosecutor, Rebecca Ross, shouldn't have “free reign” to ask him questions about Jan. 6. Lamond is on trial for charges that he lied about providing Tarrio with confidential information about a police investigation of Proud Boys who burned a Black Lives Matter banner in December 2020. “This case is not a Jan. 6 case,” he told the judge, arguing that he didn't “completely” waive his Fifth Amendment rights. “There is not a half of a Fifth Amendment privilege,” the judge responded. When Tarrio told her, “We'll agree to disagree,” the judge chuckled and replied, “Well, I'll just say, ‘You’re not in charge.'” Tarrio was the first witness to testify for Lamond's defense against charges that he obstructed justice and made false statements about his communications with Tarrio. The judge will decide the case against Lamond after hearing testimony without a jury. On Monday, the judge said Tarrio was waiting for the outcome of last month’s presidential election before deciding whether to testify at Lamond’s trial. President-elect Trump, who repeatedly has vowed to pardon people convicted of Capitol riot charges, suggested he would consider pardoning Tarrio. Tarrio was sentenced to more than five months in jail for burning the banner that was stolen in December 2020 from a historic Black church in downtown Washington, and for bringing two high-capacity firearm magazines into the district. Tarrio was arrested in Washington two days before the Jan. 6 siege. The Miami resident wasn’t at the Capitol when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the building and interrupted the congressional certification of Biden’s 2020 electoral victory. During the trial's opening statements on Monday, a prosecutor said Lamond was a “Proud Boys sympathizer” who warned Tarrio about his impending arrest for the banner’s destruction and later lied to investigators about their communications. Police officers who investigated the banner’s destruction testified that it would have helped them to know that Tarrio had privately confessed to Lamond that he burned the banner. The Proud Boys leader also publicly admitted on social media and on a podcast that he had burned the banner. Tarrio testified on Thursday that he didn’t confess to Lamond or receive any confidential information from him. Tarrio said he came to Washington two days before Jan. 6 because he wanted to be arrested for the banner burning but released in time to attend then-President Trump’s Jan. 6 “Stop the Steal” rally. “I wanted to get this over with,” Tarrio said. He also said he thought that his arrest before the rally would help “put up a circus tent" and generate publicity for his group's message. “I wanted to show what the Department of Justice was, and I was dedicated to that cause with everything in me,” he said. Lamond, who met Tarrio in 2019, had supervised the intelligence branch of the police department’s Homeland Security Bureau. He was responsible for monitoring groups like the Proud Boys when they came to Washington. Lamond’s indictment accuses him of lying to and misleading federal investigators when they questioned him in June 2021 about his contacts with Tarrio. Lamond, of Stafford, Virginia, was arrested in May 2023. He retired from the police department that same month.Fresh protests in Georgia after PM vows to 'eradicate' opposition

ew celebrity couples have made more headlines than and in 2024. The LSU gymnast is one of the biggest names in the country thanks to her followers on social media, while capped off his impressive MLB campaign by winning NL Rookie of the Year. went public with their relationship in June last year when the two were both at LSU, and they've gone from strength to strength since then. The circumstances of how they met was revealed in December 2023. was going out with , who was also a member the LSU gymnastics roster. The rest, as they say, is history, with calling their meeting as "just a small world type of thing." Their understanding of what it means to be an athlete is what brought them together, and although they kept their relationship out of the public eye during the early stages, that is no longer the case. Dunne also opened up about how they met During an appearance on the 'Best of Both Worlds' podcast back in September, also spoke glowingly about how she met Skenes. "I would kind of see him around and I was like, 'Who is this tall guy - this tall mysterious man,'. I literally had no clue who he was, but I would just see him around," she said. added that while she found him cute, she was hesitant to do anything about it. However, their paths kept crossing so they ended up going on a "chill" date. has spoken openly about navigating the attention that comes with dating , telling MLB.com: "She got to that point in her life a little bit earlier than I did. So, with the draft and all of that, she was able to help me with those experiences. "And I think I'm able to help her. We're definitely able to share some of those experiences and help each other out."Broadcom Inc. stock rises Friday, still underperforms market

Watch: Transgender Group Storms Women's Restroom at Capitol in Bizarre StuntChief 'disappointed' to see clean water used as a political tactic by Conservatives OTTAWA — Cowessess First Nation Chief Erica Beaudin accused Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer of using First Nations drinking water legislation as a political "tactic," saying she's disappointed in what transpired in the House of Commons on Thu David Baxter, The Canadian Press Dec 5, 2024 3:34 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Opposition House leader Andrew Scheer speaks at a press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on November 19, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Patrick Doyle OTTAWA — Cowessess First Nation Chief Erica Beaudin accused Conservative House leader Andrew Scheer of using First Nations drinking water legislation as a political "tactic," saying she's disappointed in what transpired in the House of Commons on Thursday. Government legislation known as Bill C-61 recognizes that First Nations have an inherent right to clean drinking water, after amendments by the Indigenous and Northern affairs committee, and commits the government to providing "adequate and sustainable" funding for water services in First Nations. Liberal MP Jaime Battiste asked on Thursday for unanimous consent from members of Parliament to send the First Nations Clean Drinking Water Act to the Senate — but several MPs said no. Scheer, whose riding includes Cowessess, rose immediately afterward with a similar motion that also condemned the Liberal government for inaction, and that was also defeated. While Cowessess is not under a boil water advisory, Beaudin says people in her community rely on bottled water because they don't trust what comes from their taps. "I'm very disappointed that he used clean drinking water as a tactic in this House in order to say, 'If you do this, then we will do this,' where there's real lives that are being affected," Beaudin told reporters at a news conference. "We're not talking about toys, we're not talking about items that are not essential, but water is essential and you either believe in clean drinking water for everybody or you don't. And if you do, you do everything you possibly can to work towards that happening." Beaudin added that she knows Scheer to be "very genuine" in representing the people of his riding and urged him to get the Conservative party to co-operate to get the legislation passed. According to government data, there are 31 long-term boil water advisories on First Nations across the country, and 36 short-term advisories. The situation in the House became heated when Battiste entered the aisle holding a glass of water. Battiste later said he considered throwing it at the Conservative benches after his motion was defeated. "This is about protecting water. In Nova Scotia, they poisoned our water in the Pictou Landing community for generations, if not decades. I had the chief in the audience with some of her councillors, and I feel like I let them down," said a visibly upset Battiste. Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu blasted the Conservative party's record on ensuring there is clean water on First Nations, and accused them of ignoring First Nations leadership. "So it's a bit rich for them to use that moment to exploit First Nations people and their need for water to play politics in the House. It's appalling," Hajdu said. Hajdu and Battiste were flanked by several chiefs, including Beaudin, and other First Nations representatives in a press conference following the vote. Originally, they planned to speak about the bill moving on to the Senate. The Assembly of First Nations held a special chiefs assembly in Ottawa this week, and on Tuesday the AFN executive endorsed a resolution to continue advocating for the approval of water legislation. The bill is stalled at third reading in the House of Commons because of an ongoing privilege debate that has taken precedence over nearly all other business since late September. The Conservative party did not immediately respond to a request for comment. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 5, 2024. — With files from Alessia Passafiume David Baxter, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More National Business Police release new photos as they search for the gunman who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Dec 5, 2024 3:50 PM Warning over hiking apps after 'virtually identical' rescues on Vancouver North Shore Dec 5, 2024 3:25 PM Lululemon CEO sees progress in company's efforts to address past lack of newness Dec 5, 2024 3:11 PM Featured Flyer

 

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Approval of new tertiary institutions to ensure educational accessibility – SenateJeremy Barousse is trying to keep everyone calm. The head of an East San Jose immigrant rights nonprofit remembers the last time Donald Trump threatened mass deportations: distraught parents choosing relatives or friends to care for their children if they were swept up in ICE raids; school principals reporting classrooms half empty as terrified students refused to leave their parents’ sides; and dozens of undocumented immigrants lining up outside his office before 8 a.m. every morning hoping for legal advice protecting them from deportation. That was the winter of 2018, and aside from sporadic arrests of those with criminal records, their worst fears never materialized. This time, though, with Trump taking office again in January and confirming this past week that he intends to declare a national emergency and use the military to roundup millions of undocumented immigrants, deportation fears are reaching new levels. “We’re hoping that that doesn’t become a reality,” said Barousse, director of policy for Amigos de Guadalupe that provides immigration, education and other services in the largely Latino Mayfair neighborhood and is nonetheless helping train residents what to do in case of ICE raids. “We’re preparing for the worst-case scenario. But then also, we don’t want to contribute to the panic.” Congressman-elect Sam Liccardo, San Jose’s mayor during Trump’s first term, said just the fear of deportations alone is hurting the immigrant community. “The disruption to the daily lives of millions of families is real, whether he carries out his threat or not,” Liccardo said in an interview from Washington, D.C., where he was moving into his new offices last week. And while the Bay Area is lucky to have a network of nonprofits supporting the immigrant community, he said, “the second coming of Trump has many inevitable challenges, and we won’t be able to mitigate them all.” An operation to remove the estimated 11 million to 13 million undocumented immigrants living within the United States — which Trump says he will start on “day one” — seems a Herculean task for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency that has deported from the nation’s interior no more than 237,000 in a single year. That was the high in 2009 under President Obama, after gaining momentum from 9/11. During Trump’s first term, ICE deportations — not including border operations — peaked in 2018 at 96,000, according to ICE data. To achieve Trump’s deportation goals would require more than $300 billion over four years, estimates the American Immigration Council, including new agents and judges and other staffing, and 1,000 new immigration courtrooms, and scores of new detention centers. ACLU lawyers are already concerned that in the East Bay could be converted into one of those detention facilities — an easy drop-off spot for Bay Area roundups. But how much is Trumpian hyperbole and how much is reality? Last year, Trump’s former immigration adviser Stephen Miller, now his incoming deputy policy chief, told the New York Times that “Trump will unleash the vast arsenal of federal powers to implement the most spectacular migration crackdown.” But earlier this week, Trump’s new “border czar” Thomas Homan told Fox News that “It’s not going to be a massive sweep of neighborhoods,” adding that “public safety threats and national security threats will be the priority.” Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, says that those with criminal histories make up only a fraction of the total, and “if the Trump administration truly wants to deport millions of people, it is going to have to go after people who don’t have criminal records.” And that means ICE agents will likely focus on community arrests — especially in the he said. So which immigrant groups might be most vulnerable to the new administration? ICE agents will likely start with the “low-hanging fruit,” Reichlin-Melnick said — immigrants already in the system with a paper trail. An estimated 1.3 million people living here who may have missed a court hearing or lost their court cases and re-entered the country, or those given “administrative grace” to stay — perhaps to care for an ill child who is a citizen — and already check in regularly with ICE. Exactly how many undocumented immigrants with criminal histories are living in the country is less certain, although ICE i — some of whom may be in prison, have pending criminal charges or are awaiting immigration proceedings. During the February 2018 raids in Northern California that then-Oakland , ICE announced the arrest of 232 people over four days, including some for violent and sexual offenses. Criminals, however, already are the priority of ICE agents. Prisoners and inmates handed over for deportation have long made up 4 of 5 ICE arrests, according to the American Immigration Council. Although California’s state prisons are allowed to release undocumented prisoners to federal ICE agents when they complete their sentences, local police and sheriffs across the state, whose inmates often have committed lesser offenses, , are not. As Santa Clara County Sheriff Bob Jonsen puts it: “We haven’t done it. We won’t do it and we’ll continue to stay strong on that front.” The targets of raids will likely be workplaces such as construction sites, restaurants and farms with the largest number of undocumented immigrants in one place that ICE “can arrest in a splashy operation to send a message,” Reichlin-Melnick says. While about 60% of farmworkers have work permits, the remaining 40% are undocumented, making them vulnerable to deportation. Unless they are picked up for criminal offenses, however, they are rarely targeted, often “because of pressure from the business community,” he said. Farmers have been big supporters of Trump. President Obama granted them special status in 2012 as part of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Most are in their 20s and 30s now, with work permits they renew every two years. More than half a million live in the United States, including about 183,000 in California. Trump tried to shut the program down during his first term, but the U.S. Supreme Court blocked him in January 2020. A new conservative majority could rule in his favor this time. “ 35, a hardware technician at Google who has been here since he was 5. “It feels like Trump’s got more of a chip on his shoulder this time around.” Including DACA holders, some 1.5 to 2 million people hold some form of temporary status that allows foreigners confronting armed conflicts, natural disasters or other extreme temporary conditions at home to live in the U.S. temporarily. California is home to nearly 70,000 TPS holders, including those from El Salvador and Nicaragua. Bay Area nonprofits are hearing from asylum seekers, who recently crossed the border illegally and are fighting their cases in immigration court. “ICE is not going to be arresting those people,” Reichlin-Melnick says. “They have already been arrested. They are already checking in with ICE.” And the Trump administration cannot ramp up deportations of people already in the system, he said, without increasing the number of immigration judges.Cooper Rush passed for two touchdowns, Dallas returned two kicks for scores and the visiting Cowboys held off the Washington Commanders in a wild fourth quarter for a 34-26 win. Dallas led 10-9 after three quarters. With Washington trailing 27-26, Jayden Daniels hit Terry McLaurin for an 86-yard touchdown pass with 21 seconds left, but Austin Seibert missed his second extra point of the game. Juanyeh Thomas of the Cowboys then returned the onside kick 43 yards for a touchdown. Rush completed 24 of 32 passes for 247 yards for Dallas (4-7), which snapped a five-game losing streak. Rico Dowdle ran 19 times for 86 yards and CeeDee Lamb had 10 catches for 67 yards. Jayden Daniels was 25-of-38 passing for 274 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for reeling Washington (7-5), which has lost three straight. He ran for 74 yards and one score. McLaurin had five catches for 102 yards. Trailing 20-9 late in the fourth quarter, Daniels drove Washington 69 yards in nine plays and hit Zach Ertz for a 4-yard touchdown. Daniels ran for two points and Washington trailed 20-17 with 3:02 remaining. KaVontae Turpin muffed the ensuing kickoff, picked it up at the one, and raced 99 yards for a touchdown to make it 27-17. Austin Seibert's 51-yard field goal pulled the Commanders within 27-20 with 1:40 left, With the score tied 3-3, Washington took the second half kick and went 60 yards in 10 plays. On third-and-three from the Dallas 17, Daniels faked a handoff, ran left and scored his first rushing touchdown since Week 4. Seibert missed the point after and Washington led 9-3. Dallas answered with an 80-yard drive. A 23-yard pass interference penalty gave the Cowboys a first-and-goal at the 4. Two plays later Rush found Jalen Tolbert in the end zone and the extra point made it 10-9. Brandon Aubrey's 48-yard field goal made it 13-9 with 8:11 remaining in the game. On the next play, Daniels hit John Bates for 14 yards, but Donovan Wilson forced a fumble and Dallas recovered at the Washington 44. Five plays later, Rush found Luke Schoonmaker down the middle for a 22-yard touchdown and Dallas led 20-9 with 5:16 left. The first quarter was all about field goals. Aubrey's field goal attempt was blocked on the opening drive and Michael Davis returned it to the Dallas 40. Washington later settled for Seibert's 41-yard field goal. On the next Dallas drive, Aubrey hit the right upright from 42 yards out, and then Seibert missed from 51 yards. With 14 seconds left in the half, Rush found Jalen Brooks for a 41-yard gain to the Washington 28. On the next play Aubrey connected from 46 yards to tie it. --Field Level Media

Analysis: How the partisan landscape has shifted after the electionFOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots are focused on the future following their 25-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts . The Patriots (3-10) were officially eliminated from playoff contention with the loss Sunday, meaning that this week’s bye in many ways will begin the process of the coaching staff and front office evaluating the roster for 2025. The good news is that this group has shown plenty of grit this season, playing seven games that were decided by one score. The bad news is that the Patriots are just 2-5 in those games. Though New England’s bye comes late in the season, coach Jerod Mayo said the timing is perfect for a team that is feeling the effects of its shortcomings . “A much-needed bye week, not only physically for the players but also mentally, just being able to hit the reset button and come back, put some good games together and continue to build for the future,” Mayo said. “That has to be our goal.” Tight end Austin Hooper said the seed that needs to be planted over the final four games is finding a way to limit the mistakes — namely penalties and trouble finishing drives — that have hampered the offense throughout the season. “We’ve got to execute at a higher level. We can’t beat a team before you stop hurting yourself,” Hooper said. “It’s not for lack of effort, just things that happen out there that get you scars in this league.” What’s working This was the most balanced performance by the offense this season, with 222 passing yards and a season-high 200 yards rushing. It shows progress under new coordinator Alex Van Pelt, which is something to build on over the final four games. What needs help Red zone efficiency. It continues to be the most glaring deficiency for the Patriots’ offense. They were 2 of 6 on Sunday and rank 30th in the NFL, scoring a touchdown only 44.7% (17 of 38) of the time inside the 20-yard line. Stock up TE Hunter Henry. He finished with seven catches for 75 yards, which is his seventh game this season with five or more receptions. He leads the team this season with 58 catches for 610 yards and continues to be a dependable option for quarterback Drake May as he navigates his rookie season. Stock down K Joey Slye. He made 3 of his 5 field-goal attempts, including a 54-yarder in the second quarter. Most of the conversation following the game was about his NFL record-long 68-yard attempt that came up short as time expired. But because of the 1-point loss, he was lamenting the 25-yard attempt he missed wide left just before halftime. “I take full responsibility for this,” Slye said. “Every point for this team matters with how we play complementary football with offense, defense and special teams. So, whenever I am out there, I have got to score points.” Injuries Henry left the game in the first quarter after a helmet-to-helmet hit. He was able to return in the second quarter and finished the game. Key number 7 — Number of penalties called on the Patriots, costing them 88 yards. Five penalties (four accepted) were called on the offensive line. That included one for holding on Mike Onwenu that nullified a touchdown run by Rhamondre Stevenson in the first quarter and forced New England to settle for a field goal. Next steps The Patriots have a bye this week. They visit the Arizona Cardinals on Dec. 15. AP NFL coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

In what’s become an all-too-familiar story for taxpayer funded technology projects, another Washington state IT upgrade is falling further behind schedule and over budget. The state’s Office of Financial Management last week again postponed ambitious plans to move dozens of state systems, for everything from driver licensing fees to foster care payments to state pension checks, onto a cloud-based platform called Workday. The massive project, dubbed One Washington and initially set to launch its first phase in mid 2022, had already been pushed back to July 2025. Now, it won’t go live until July 2026 at the earliest, and possibly not until January 2027. Project costs, which had already jumped from the original estimate of $144 million for the first phase to around $291 million, are also expected to rise again — unwelcome news as the state faces a $10 billion to $12 billion shortfall over the next four years. OFM said it won’t know how much by until next month, but the numbers could be large. A draft budget request by OFM in September asked for $501 million over the next four fiscal years, though that figure includes subsequent phases of the Workday upgrade as well as expenditures that were planned for earlier in the project but have been delayed. OFM postponed the first phase of One Washington after tests showed that more than a third of 113 affected state agencies, which together handle some $43 billion in transactions a year, weren’t ready to run those financial processes via Workday. OFM is eager to avoid problems of the kind that marred the $340 million Workday upgrade at the University of Washington, which launched last year despite concerns that it wasn’t ready. But the One Washington delay also follows a damning “quality assurance” report issued last month by an outside consultant that flagged numerous weaknesses. Among the findings, OFM isn’t able to closely track progress at each state agency; efforts to test the agency systems are inadequate; and OFM’s new budget request is “significantly higher than expected” and well above what some other states are spending on similar upgrades. That’s all landing poorly with state lawmakers, who say One Washington’s repeated problems are undermining confidence in the state’s ability to execute critical but complicated IT projects. Legislators need “some degree of surety that even with more money we can get where we need to be” on One Washington, said state Sen. Lisa Wellman, D-Mercer Island. “And I have no confidence that is the case.” Lawmakers are especially frustrated that the problems continue despite the state’s massive outlays to Deloitte, the high-profile consultant helping run One Washington, and the state’s second biggest IT contractor. Over the next four years alone, Deloitte could be paid around $160 million for One Washington, based on earlier estimates provided by Deloitte to OFM. Identifying problems of the kind that have hobbled One Washington — “that is Deloitte’s job,” said state Sen. Joe Nguyen, D-West Seattle, chair of the Environment, Energy & Technology Committee and Ways & Means Committee vice-chair. A heavy lift To be clear, One Washington was never going to go smoothly. Part of a broader state initiative to replace aging state technology, One Washington aims to modernize and centralize state financial processes now run on roughly 280 different computer systems, many of them decades old and costly to maintain or keep secure. Many of those older systems will simply be replaced by Workday, a sophisticated “enterprise” platform that is used by many governments and universities. However, around 40 state agencies plan to keep using some “legacy” computer systems, which will need extensive modification to be compatible with Workday — modifications that OFM worried wouldn’t be ready for a July 2025 launch. Pushing back the launch by 12 to 18 months will ensure every agency is prepared “so that when Workday goes live, we don’t break things downstream,” said Amy McLean, OFM’s spokesperson for One Washington. Breaking things is a real risk. Glitches in the University of Washington’s Workday rollout, also managed by Deloitte, led to $90 million in delayed vendor payments and disrupted the school’s vital system of federal grants, though many of those problems have since been addressed. The stakes are far higher with One Washington, which touches crucial state operations, including payments to hundreds of thousands of Washingtonians. Trying to “go live” with Workday before those processes were ready “would cause catastrophic failure” in crucial state operations, OFM said. A failed launch could also affect the state’s financial accounting process and hurt its creditworthiness, according to an August report by the state auditor’s office. OFM said one of the project’s biggest challenges has been a chronic shortage of IT staff, made worse by the pandemic, to help agencies prepare their systems. The project also suffered from extensive executive turnover in its earlier phases, McLean said. More fundamental challenges were highlighted in last month’s quality assurance report, which was prepared by Gartner Consulting. For example, One Washington was structured so that OFM and the various agencies operate in “parallel” to each other on the project, without sufficient interaction, which made it hard for OFM to monitor “agency progress and obstacles,” Gartner said. Gartner also criticized procedures to test the “readiness” of the agencies’ legacy systems for Workday. In some cases, tests showed only that legacy systems could share data with Workday, but didn’t confirm whether the systems would actually be fully operational once Workday was launched. Gartner also said One Washington’s first round of system tests yielded a success rate that was higher than Gartner typically finds in such big projects. Moreover, when Gartner interviewed staff at various agencies, it found “an apparent mismatch of expectations as what counts as ‘passing’ a testing scenario and what counts as ‘failing,’” according to the report. Specifically, “agencies expressed there were several occurrences during the testing process where they thought the test ‘failed’, however the test was marked as ‘passing’ or as ‘user error.’” OFM acknowledged Gartner’s criticisms when it decided to postpone the launch. The agency said it was addressing those criticisms, but in a presentation last week noted that “while (One Washington) is working on improvements, without significant changes in these areas going forward, there is a risk that the Program will have difficulty achieving a new go-live date.” OFM had also adopted measures to prevent a premature launch. Workday will only go live if OFM and the agencies have successfully tested modifications at 38 financial systems that have been identified essential in the shift from the current financial system to Workday. Still, lawmakers are frustrated the state took so long to make these course corrections. Nguyen worries Washington is now so reliant on IT contractors like Deloitte that agency managers are less and less able to oversee complicated technology projects He also thinks OFM failed to put enough pressure on individual agencies to ensure they’re ready for Workday. “Right now, the mindset is, ‘well, we built this platform — if [agencies] don’t use it, it’s their fault,’ “ Nguyen said. McLean, OFM spokesperson, said OFM is looking at ways to hold agencies more accountable but also to better support them with resources and personnel to make the necessary changes. “We’re really focused on finding the right dynamic of executive accountability along with support from the program,” McLean said. “You can’t really have one without the other.” Nguyen is glad OFM is retooling its management strategy, but he says he’ll insist on meeting personally with staff at agencies still working on legacy systems so that he can personally assess their readiness. “That’s great they have a new date,” Nguyen said of One Washington’s 2026 launch window. But after so many problems, he adds, “I don’t believe them.”

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump's transition team on Tuesday signed an agreement to allow the Justice Department to conduct background checks on his nominees and appointees after a weekslong delay. The step lets Trump transition aides and future administration staffers obtain security clearances before Inauguration Day to access classified information about ongoing government programs, an essential step for a smooth transition of power. It also allows those nominees who are up for Senate confirmation to face the background checks lawmakers want before voting on them. Teams of investigators have been standing by to process clearances for Trump aides and advisers. "This agreement with the Department of Justice will ensure President Trump and his team are ready on Day 1 to begin enacting the America First Agenda that an overwhelming majority of our nation supported on Election Day," said Susie Wiles, Trump's designate to be White House chief of staff. The announcement came a week after the Trump transition team signed an agreement with the Biden White House to allow transition staff to coordinate with the existing federal workforce before taking office Jan. 20. The White House agreement was supposed to have been signed by Oct. 1, according to the Presidential Transition Act, and the Biden White House issued both public and private appeals for Trump's team to sign on. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts Security clearances are required to access classified information, including on ongoing operations and threats to the nation, and the Biden White House and outside experts emphasized to Trump's team the importance of having cleared personnel before Inauguration Day so they could be fully briefed and ready to run the government. Republican Senators also insisted on FBI background checks for Trump's nominees before they face confirmation votes, as has been standard practice for decades. Lawmakers were particularly interested in seeing the findings of reviews into Trump's designated nominee for defense secretary, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, and for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence. "That's why it's so important that we have an FBI background check, a committee review of extensive questions and questionnaires, and a public hearing," Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Monday. John Thune, incoming Senate Republican leader, said the Trump team "understands there's going to have to be a thorough vetting of all these nominees." Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Wilfredo Lee, Associated Press Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. George Walker IV, Associated Press Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Derik Hamilton Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. Matt Rourke, Associated Press The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. AP Photo/Alex Brandon Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Matt Kelley, Associated Press Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Andrew Harnik, Associated Press Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. Andy Cross, The Denver Post via AP President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Evan Vucci Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. AP Photo/Evan Vucci Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. John Bazemore, Associated Press Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Ted Shaffrey, Associated Press Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Matt Rourke, Associated Press Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Jonathan Newton - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. Andrew Harnik, Associated Press A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Paul Sancya, Associated Press Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Oded Balilty, Associated Press Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Ted Shaffrey, Associated Press Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. John Bazemore, Associated Press Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Matt Rourke, Associated Press Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Evan Vucci, Associated Press photos Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. William McGinley, White House counsel McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration, and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign. In a statement, Trump called McGinley “a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda, while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement.” Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Jose Luis Magana, Associated PressSome Democrats are frustrated over Joe Biden reversing course and pardoning his son HunterWASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump's transition team on Tuesday signed an agreement to allow the Justice Department to conduct background checks on his nominees and appointees after a weekslong delay. The step lets Trump transition aides and future administration staffers obtain security clearances before Inauguration Day to access classified information about ongoing government programs, an essential step for a smooth transition of power. It also allows those nominees who are up for Senate confirmation to face the background checks lawmakers want before voting on them. Teams of investigators have been standing by to process clearances for Trump aides and advisers. FILE - Susie Wiles watches as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a caucus night party in Des Moines, Iowa, Jan. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) "This agreement with the Department of Justice will ensure President Trump and his team are ready on Day 1 to begin enacting the America First Agenda that an overwhelming majority of our nation supported on Election Day," said Susie Wiles, Trump's designate to be White House chief of staff. The announcement came a week after the Trump transition team with the Biden White House to allow transition staff to coordinate with the existing federal workforce before taking office Jan. 20. The White House agreement was supposed to have been signed by Oct. 1, according to the Presidential Transition Act, and the Biden White House issued both public and private appeals for Trump's team to sign on. Security clearances are required to access classified information, including on ongoing operations and threats to the nation, and the Biden White House and outside experts emphasized to Trump's team the importance of having cleared personnel before Inauguration Day so they could be fully briefed and ready to run the government. President-elect Donald Trump arrives before the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Boca Chica, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Pool via AP) Republican Senators also insisted on FBI background checks for Trump's nominees before they face confirmation votes, as has been standard practice for decades. Lawmakers were particularly interested in seeing the findings of reviews into Trump's designated nominee for defense secretary, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, and for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence. "That's why it's so important that we have an FBI background check, a committee review of extensive questions and questionnaires, and a public hearing," Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Monday. John Thune, incoming Senate Republican leader, said the Trump team "understands there's going to have to be a thorough vetting of all these nominees." Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Trump has chosen former New York Rep. to serve as his pick to lead the . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration, and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign. In a statement, Trump called McGinley “a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda, while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement.” Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

 

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2025-01-14
QUÉBEC — Quebec Finance Minister Eric Girard tabled an economic update on Thursday with $2.1 billion in new spending over five years amid what he described as a stronger-than-expected recovery from last year's economic slowdown. Girard painted a positive picture of the province's finances despite a projected $11-billion deficit that remains unchanged from March's budget. "Quebec is progressing," he told reporters. "The return of inflation to a low and predictable level, combined with the reduction in interest rates, favours economic recovery in Quebec in 2024 and 2025." He said real GDP growth is expected to be 1.2 per cent in 2024, compared with the 0.6 per cent that was expected. However, spending is also up, with Girard pointing to expenses related to record-breaking flooding this summer and increased health and social services costs. The new spending he announced includes more than $250 million for the forestry sector and $1.2 billion for community development, including $880 million for public transit. The government is also setting aside $250 million to assist flood victims and rebuild infrastructure following post-Tropical Storm Debby, and $208 million to promote access to housing. Girard told reporters the government is still reviewing its spending as it moves toward its goal of balancing the budget by the 2029-30 fiscal year, with more details to be provided in next year's budget. As part of the review, the government decided that Quebecers between the ages of 60 and 64 will no longer be eligible for a tax credit that was introduced in 2012 to encourage older workers to stay in the workforce. Girard said Thursday the average age of retirement in Quebec has risen to 64.7 years in 2023 from just over 61 years in 2011. "For people between the ages of 60 and 64 years old, the historic gap that existed with Ontario has practically disappeared," he said. Nearly 200,000 60- to 64-year-olds are expected to lose out on an average of about $1,000 per year due to the changing eligibility. The government is also clawing back the amount of the credit for higher earners who are 65 and over, beginning at $56,500 in net revenue. Those who make over $81,500 will get no tax credit. These changes are expected to save the government about $200 million per year, said Girard, adding that "people expect us to review measures and eliminate those that are no longer justified." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 21, 2024. — With files from Morgan Lowrie in Montreal Caroline Plante, The Canadian Pressm.aznbet

Paris Saint-Germain have work to do if they are to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League after a 1-0 defeat at Bayern Munich. ( More Football News ) Kim Min-jae's first-half header proved decisive at Allianz Arena on Tuesday, with Ousmane Dembele's red card after the break making the task even tougher for PSG. Having won just once in the competition so far – back in their opening game against Girona – Luis Enrique's team were second-best for much of the contest. BY Stats Perform Bayern dominated the first half, with Kingsley Coman particularly dangerous, and the Bundesliga leaders got the goal their performance merited when Kim headed home from a corner in the 38th minute, with PSG's stand-in goalkeeper Matvey Safonov in no man's land. Dembele, who had seen a decent attempt saved by Manuel Neuer in the first half, received his marching orders for a lunge on his France team-mate Coman just before the hour, with the referee deeming it worthy of a second booking. It marked the first time Dembele has been sent off since 2019, when he saw red for Barcelona in a LaLiga clash with Sevilla. Safonov made amends for his earlier mistake by tipping a Jamal Musiala shot onto the post but despite applying some late pressure, PSG could not prevent Bayern from claiming a seventh consecutive victory and seventh straight clean sheet in all competitions. While Vincent Kompany's team are up to 11th in the standings, PSG are in 26th on just four points from their five matches, two places outside of the play-off spots with three games remaining. 33 – FC Bayern Munich are unbeaten in each of their last 33 home games in the UEFA Champions League group stage respectively league phase (W31 D2), the joint-longest such run in the competition's history, level with FC Barcelona between 2009 and 2020. Fortress. pic.twitter.com/2tNxidpNL1 Data Debrief: Kim off the mark for buoyant Bayern Kim scored his first goal in the Champions League, in what was his 23rd appearance in the competition. The scoreline ultimately flattered PSG, who finished with 0.88 expected goals (xG), while Bayern created 2.21 xG. Bayern are now unbeaten in each of their last 33 home games in the Champions League group stage (W31 D2), the joint-longest such run in the competition's history, level with Barcelona between November 2009 and November 2020. They have gone on a run of seven wins without conceding for the first time since September 2011, too. This is the eighth time in the Champions League that Bayern have defeated PSG, with only Real Madrid (11 vs Bayern) and Bayern themselves (10 vs Barcelona) winning more games against a single opponent in the competition's history.None

DALLAS (AP) — More than 60 years after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated , conspiracy theories still swirl and any new glimpse into the fateful day of Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas continues to fascinate . President-elect Donald Trump promised during his reelection campaign that he would declassify all of the remaining government records surrounding the assassination if he returned to office. He made a similar pledge during his first term, but ultimately bended to appeals from the CIA and FBI to keep some documents withheld. At this point, only a few thousand of the millions of governmental records related to the assassination have yet to be fully released, and those who have studied the records released so far say that even if the remaining files are declassified, the public shouldn't anticipate any earth-shattering revelations. “Anybody waiting for a smoking gun that’s going to turn this case upside down will be sorely disappointed,” said Gerald Posner, author of “Case Closed,” which concludes that assassin Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Friday's 61st anniversary is expected to be marked with a moment of silence at 12:30 p.m. in Dealey Plaza, where Kennedy's motorcade was passing through when he was fatally shot. And throughout this week there have been events marking the anniversary. When Air Force One carrying Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy touched down in Dallas , they were greeted by a clear sky and enthusiastic crowds. With a reelection campaign on the horizon the next year, they had gone to Texas on political fence-mending trip. But as the motorcade was finishing its parade route downtown, shots rang out from the Texas School Book Depository building. Police arrested 24-year-old Oswald and, two days later, nightclub owner Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer. A year after the assassination, the Warren Commission, which President Lyndon B. Johnson established to investigate the assassination, concluded that Oswald acted alone and there was no evidence of a conspiracy. But that hasn't quelled a web of alternative theories over the decades. In the early 1990s, the federal government mandated that all assassination-related documents be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration. The collection of over 5 million records was required to be opened by 2017, barring any exemptions designated by the president. Trump, who took office for his first term in 2017, had boasted that he'd allow the release of all of the remaining records but ended up holding some back because of what he called the potential harm to national security. And while files have continued to be released during President Joe Biden's administration, some still remain unseen. The documents released over the last few years offer details on the way intelligence services operated at the time, and include CIA cables and memos discussing visits by Oswald to the Soviet and Cuban embassies during a trip to Mexico City just weeks before the assassination. The former Marine had previously defected to the Soviet Union before returning home to Texas. Mark S. Zaid, a national security attorney in Washington, said what's been released so far has contributed to the understanding of the time period, giving “a great picture” of what was happening during the Cold War and the activities of the CIA. Posner estimates that there are still about 3,000 to 4,000 documents in the collection that haven’t yet been fully released. Of those documents, some are still completely redacted while others just have small redactions, like someone's Social Security number. There are about 500 documents where all the information is redacted, Posner said, and those include Oswald's and Ruby’s tax returns. “If you have been following it, as I have and others have, you sort of are zeroed in on the pages you think might provide some additional information for history,” Posner said. Trump's transition team hasn’t responded to questions this week about his plans when he takes office. From the start, there were those who believed there had to be more to the story than just Oswald acting alone, said Stephen Fagin, curator of the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, which tells the story of the assassination from the building where Oswald made his sniper's perch. “People want to make sense of this and they want to find the solution that fits the crime," said Fagin, who said that while there are lingering questions, law enforcement made “a pretty compelling case” against Oswald. Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said his interest in the assassination dates back to the event itself, when he was a child. “It just seemed so fantastical that one very disturbed individual could end up pulling off the crime of the century," Sabato said. “But the more I studied it, the more I realized that is a very possible, maybe even probable in my view, hypothesis.”The 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 . BALTIMORE (AP) — Wayne Bristol Jr. scored 21 points as Hampton beat Loyola (MD) 76-68 on Saturday. Bristol added 10 rebounds for the Pirates (7-5, 1-0 Coastal Athletic Association). Etienne Strothers shot 4 for 10 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 5 of 6 from the free-throw line to add 14 points. Richard Goods had 13 points and shot 2 of 3 from the field and 9 for 10 from the line. The Greyhounds (5-5) were led in scoring by Milos Ilic, who finished with 22 points and eight rebounds. Jordan Stiemke added 12 points for Loyola. Jacob Theodosiou also had nine points. Hampton took the lead with 7:30 to go in the first half and did not relinquish it. The score was 32-26 at halftime, with Goods racking up nine points. Hampton outscored Loyola (MD) in the second half by two points, with Bristol scoring a team-high 13 points after the break. These two teams both play Saturday. Hampton hosts Howard and Loyola visits DePaul. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Israel launches new strikes on Lebanon as leaders draw closer to ceasefire with HezbollahDALLAS (AP) — More than 60 years after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated , conspiracy theories still swirl and any new glimpse into the fateful day of Nov. 22, 1963, in Dallas continues to fascinate . President-elect Donald Trump promised during his reelection campaign that he would declassify all of the remaining government records surrounding the assassination if he returned to office. He made a similar pledge during his first term, but ultimately bended to appeals from the CIA and FBI to keep some documents withheld. At this point, only a few thousand of the millions of governmental records related to the assassination have yet to be fully released, and those who have studied the records released so far say that even if the remaining files are declassified, the public shouldn't anticipate any earth-shattering revelations. “Anybody waiting for a smoking gun that’s going to turn this case upside down will be sorely disappointed,” said Gerald Posner, author of “Case Closed,” which concludes that assassin Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Friday's 61st anniversary is expected to be marked with a moment of silence at 12:30 p.m. in Dealey Plaza, where Kennedy's motorcade was passing through when he was fatally shot. And throughout this week there have been events marking the anniversary. When Air Force One carrying Kennedy and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy touched down in Dallas , they were greeted by a clear sky and enthusiastic crowds. With a reelection campaign on the horizon the next year, they had gone to Texas on political fence-mending trip. But as the motorcade was finishing its parade route downtown, shots rang out from the Texas School Book Depository building. Police arrested 24-year-old Oswald and, two days later, nightclub owner Jack Ruby fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer. A year after the assassination, the Warren Commission, which President Lyndon B. Johnson established to investigate the assassination, concluded that Oswald acted alone and there was no evidence of a conspiracy. But that hasn't quelled a web of alternative theories over the decades. In the early 1990s, the federal government mandated that all assassination-related documents be housed in a single collection in the National Archives and Records Administration. The collection of over 5 million records was required to be opened by 2017, barring any exemptions designated by the president. Trump, who took office for his first term in 2017, had boasted that he'd allow the release of all of the remaining records but ended up holding some back because of what he called the potential harm to national security. And while files have continued to be released during President Joe Biden's administration, some still remain unseen. The documents released over the last few years offer details on the way intelligence services operated at the time, and include CIA cables and memos discussing visits by Oswald to the Soviet and Cuban embassies during a trip to Mexico City just weeks before the assassination. The former Marine had previously defected to the Soviet Union before returning home to Texas. Mark S. Zaid, a national security attorney in Washington, said what's been released so far has contributed to the understanding of the time period, giving “a great picture” of what was happening during the Cold War and the activities of the CIA. Posner estimates that there are still about 3,000 to 4,000 documents in the collection that haven’t yet been fully released. Of those documents, some are still completely redacted while others just have small redactions, like someone's Social Security number. There are about 500 documents where all the information is redacted, Posner said, and those include Oswald's and Ruby’s tax returns. “If you have been following it, as I have and others have, you sort of are zeroed in on the pages you think might provide some additional information for history,” Posner said. Trump's transition team hasn’t responded to questions this week about his plans when he takes office. From the start, there were those who believed there had to be more to the story than just Oswald acting alone, said Stephen Fagin, curator of the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, which tells the story of the assassination from the building where Oswald made his sniper's perch. “People want to make sense of this and they want to find the solution that fits the crime," said Fagin, who said that while there are lingering questions, law enforcement made “a pretty compelling case” against Oswald. Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, said his interest in the assassination dates back to the event itself, when he was a child. “It just seemed so fantastical that one very disturbed individual could end up pulling off the crime of the century," Sabato said. “But the more I studied it, the more I realized that is a very possible, maybe even probable in my view, hypothesis.”

RICHMOND, Ky. (AP) — Matt Morrissey threw a 67-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Calwise Jr. that ended the scoring midway through the fourth quarter and Eastern Kentucky beat North Alabama 21-15 on Saturday for its fifth straight win. TJ Smith drove North Alabama to the EKU 45-yard line before he threw an interception to Mike Smith Jr. to end the game. Smith threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Dakota Warfield to give North Alabama a 15-14 lead with 10:37 to play. Morrissey completed 9 of 15 passes for 154 yards and added 60 yards on the ground with a touchdown run. Brayden Latham added 103 yards rushing on 19 carries that included a 2-yard score for Eastern Kentucky (8-4, 6-2 United Athletic Conference). Smith was 23-of-39 passing for 325 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions for North Alabama (3-9, 2-5). Tanaka Scott had 109 yards receiving and a touchdown catch. ___ Get alerts on the latest AP Top 25 poll 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

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — The game had suddenly gone sideways for the Minnesota Vikings , their 11-point lead on the Chicago Bears having evaporated in the closing seconds. They straightened it out in overtime, no sweat, because Sam Darnold simply hasn't been fazed. Save for his occasional rash of turnovers, in games the Vikings still managed to win, Darnold proved again on Sunday in defeating the Bears that he's directing a passing attack with the potential to be one of the NFL 's most potent. “I think he’s a mentally tough guy. I think he’s a physically tough guy. I think he’s confident in the guys around him, and I think he’s confident in our system,” coach Kevin O'Connell said after the 30-27 victory. “I think when he just continues to play quarterback at a high level, I think we’re a tough team.” After the defense forced the Bears to punt on the opening possession of overtime, Darnold led the Vikings on a 68-yard drive to set up the game-ending field goal while overcoming a 7-yard sack on the first play and two subsequent setbacks with a false start and a holding penalty. On third-and-10 from the 21, he hit Jordan Addison near the sideline for 13 yards. On first-and-15 from the 29, Darnold threaded a throw to Justin Jefferson for 20 yards after he'd muscled his way through Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson on a post route for the clutch catch after he'd been all but silenced all afternoon by a defense determined to constantly bracket him with double coverage. On second-and-11 from the 48, Darnold connected with a wide-open T.J. Hockenson underneath for 12 yards. Then two plays later off a second-and-8 play-action fake, he found Hockenson again on a deep corner route for 29 yards to put Parker Romo in prime position for the walk-off winner. “Just execute. It’s as simple as that. Just one play at a time," said Darnold, who went 22 for 34 for 330 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. “I think I tell the guys that every single time in the huddle, but that’s my mindset every single time I’m out there on the field, especially in that situation.” Even when Jefferson continues to draw an extraordinary amount of coverage , the Vikings with Addison, Hockenson, Aaron Jones and the rest of their crew running O'Connell's system have proven they have an offense that can go win a game when it's required. That wouldn't be possible without Darnold, whose career rebirth has helped spark the Vikings (9-2) become one of the league's biggest surprises in what's now its most difficult division. “He’s cool, calm, collected,” Hockenson said. "That’s what you want as the leader of the huddle.” The Vikings' defense ranks ninth in the league on third downs, allowing a conversion rate of 34.5% after limiting the Bears to a 6-for-17 performance. The Vikings are tied for first on fourth downs with an allowance of 36.4% after the Bears went 2 for 3. Both conversions came in the fourth quarter during touchdown drives. The Vikings also rank fourth in the NFL in opponent points per drive (1.52). The Vikings had seven possessions that crossed the 20-yard line in Chicago, but only three of them yielded touchdowns. Their lone turnover was the type of game-altering giveaways they've struggled to eliminate this month, a fumble by Aaron Jones at the 1-yard line that ruined a promising first drive. The Vikings are tied for 20th in the league in red zone touchdown rate (53.9%) and are 17th in goal-to-go touchdowns (72%). Addison had eight catches for 162 yards, both career highs, and a touchdown on nine throws from Darnold. The second-year wide receiver has had a quieter season than his rookie year, but he stepped up in a significant way on an afternoon when Jefferson was as smothered by the opposing secondary as ever. TE Johnny Mundt had the onside kick glance off his shin as he charged toward the coverage, and the first kicking team recovery in the NFL this season helped the Bears extend the game. Mundt also had the false start on the overtime drive. His lone catch was a 7-yard gain when he was stopped short of the goal line, one play before the lost fumble. Mundt played 33 of 71 snaps and Hockenson took 48 snaps with Oliver out. The Vikings lost LT Cam Robinson (foot) and LB Ivan Pace (hamstring) to injuries in the first quarter against the Bears, and O'Connell said on Monday those players were still in "evaluation mode." Oliver (ankle) will have an opportunity to return after being sidelined last week. 101.7 — Darnold's passer rating, which ranks ninth in the NFL. Darnold has posted a 100-plus passer rating in nine of 11 games this season. He had only 12 such performances in 56 career starts before joining the Vikings. The Vikings have four of their next five games at home, starting with Arizona (6-5) this week, Atlanta (6-5) on Dec. 8 and a rematch with Chicago (4-7) in a Monday night game on Dec. 16. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLVANCOUVER — A confidence agreement between British Columbia's New Democrats and the provincial Green Party stabilizes David Eby’s bare-majority government, while putting Green election promises on the legislative agenda. The agreement announced Friday outlines the basis on which the Greens' two-member caucus will provide confidence to Eby's party, which won election with 47 seats in B.C.'s 93-seat legislature in October's provincial election. The deal features key elements of the Greens' election platform, including a commitment to growing a community health centre model for primary care and expanding public coverage of psychology services at a cost of $50 million. Deputy premier Niki Sharma said the framework focuses on areas of agreement between the two parties, while recognizing their positions won't always align. The balance struck is "a way to keep government stable for four years ... without erasing the distinct identity that we both have as political parties," she said Friday. The seven-page agreement says the house leaders of the NDP and the Greens "agree to establish a relationship of trust based on good faith and no surprises." While set to last four years, it is subject to annual agreement at each parties discretion. It was important to the Greens throughout the negotiations to be able to disagree with government positions, Sharma told a news conference. "I know that we'll have differences of opinions moving forward, but the fact that we can show a pathway where two political parties in a time of great polarization can come together for British Columbians, I think is a profound thing." The October election saw two new Green members win seats, lawyer Rob Botterell, representing Saanich North and the Islands, and geological engineer Jeremy Valeriote in West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, while the B.C. Conservatives won 44 seats. B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad said after the election that he would work to bring the NDP government down if it continues with its "destructive policies." When he was asked about the agreement on Friday, Rustad said he has always assumed the Greens would back the NDP. Eby is "fooling himself" if he thinks having the support of the Green Party is going to make it easier to pass legislation, Rustad said in an interview. "We are going to make it very difficult for him to move anything through the legislature that is continuing the destruction of British Columbia," he said. "A week can be a long time in politics, so we'll see what January brings. I don't want to say anything further at this point." The stability of Eby's government had appeared shakier earlier this month when New Democrat Grace Lore announced she was temporarily stepping away due to a cancer diagnosis, though she said she intended to participate in important votes. Eby said in a statement Friday that the agreement with the Greens will "strengthen the stability of government and help deliver on the priorities of British Columbians." While his party and the Greens are distinct and won't always agree, the premier said they have "many shared values." He said the deal sets out specific areas of action they will work together on, including health care, affordable housing, creating livable communities and growing a strong, sustainable economy. "We will continue to work with all MLAs who want to make the legislature work for people," Eby said. Additional policy commitments outlined in the deal that reflect the Green platform include expanding access to housing aid for elderly renters and building 30,000 more units of non-market housing than the government had pledged. The agreement also commits to a review of B.C.'s forests to "address concerns around sustainability, jobs, environmental protection an the future of the industry." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024. Brenna Owen, The Canadian Press

 

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Jimmy Carter, the 39th US president, has died at 100

Jimmy Carter's 1977-1981 presidency included successes like the Camp David peace accords, but also enough controversy for U.S. voters to see him as weak — and send him packing after only one term. Carter's legacy, however, was largely built on his post-presidency, the longest in U.S. history. Here are a few key moments in the life of Carter, who died Sunday at the age of 100. The Panama Canal During his first year in office, Carter went back on a campaign promise and decided to hand back management of the Panama Canal — which had been in U.S. military control since its construction at the start of the 20th century. "Fairness, and not force, should lie at the heart of our dealings with the nations of the world," he said at the signing of the canal treaties with Panamanian leader Omar Torrijos on September 7, 1977. Carter was ridiculed for the move, which gave Panama control over the canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at the end of 1999. History, however, has looked upon the deal as a deft bit of diplomacy. Giving Panama a meatier role in the canal's management in the run-up to the transfer allowed for stability and broke with America's image as an overbearing imperialist power in Latin America. Morality in politics Upon his arrival in the Oval Office, Carter looked to distance himself from the realpolitik practiced by his predecessors — a vestige of the Cold War — and placed human rights at the heart of his agenda. "Our principal goal is to help shape a world which is more responsive to the desire of people everywhere for economic well-being, social justice, political self-determination and basic human rights," he said in a 1978 speech at the U.S. Naval Academy. In concrete terms, Carter notably signed the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1977. It was eventually ratified by the United States in 1992 after being blocked for years by the Senate. Camp David Accords In September 1978, Carter invited Israeli Premier Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat to Camp David, the presidential retreat outside Washington. After 13 days of secret negotiations under Carter's mediation, two accords were signed that ultimately led to a peace treaty the following year. The diplomatic triumph was cited when Carter was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Crisis of confidence In the summer of 1979, the economy rocked by inflation and his approval rating in free fall, Carter addressed the American people in a nationwide televised speech on July 15. In that half-hour, he responded to his critics on his lack of leadership, instead laying the blame on a national "crisis of confidence." "The erosion of our confidence in the future is threatening to destroy the social and the political fabric of America," he said. The speech was poorly received and would come back to haunt him. Five cabinet members resigned that week. Iran hostage crisis The hostage crisis — more than 50 Americans were held for 444 days at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran from November 1979 to January 1981 — was the death knell for Carter's presidency. A failed military rescue mission in April 1980 all but extinguished his chances of reelection later that year. Operation Eagle Claw was thwarted by sandstorms and mechanical problems — eventually, the mission was aborted. In the subsequent withdrawal, two American aircraft collided, killing eight servicemen. In the following days, then secretary of state Cyrus Vance resigned, and the mission's failure symbolized Carter's inability to resolve the crisis. The hostages were eventually freed on the same day that Republican Ronald Reagan took office, after thumping Carter at the polls in November 1980. The Carter Center Carter remained extremely active into his 90s despite his retirement from political life. In 1982, he founded the Carter Center, which has focused on conflict resolution, promoting democracy and human rights, and fighting disease. Carter — often viewed as America's most successful former president — traveled extensively, supervising elections from Haiti to East Timor, and tackling thorny global problems as a mediator. The Elders Carter was also a member of The Elders, a group of former world leaders founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007 to promote peace and human rights. Fellow Nobel peace laureates South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu (who died in 2021), former Liberian President Ellen Sirleaf Johnson and the late U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan also belonged to the group.

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The Labour Party (LP) has dismissed the video making the rounds in the social media that its leadership was partnering with President Bola Tinubu ahead of 2027 general elections. Mr Obiora Ifoh, National Publicity Secretary, LP said this in a statement on Friday in Abuja. According to Ifoh, the party has on several occasions debunked the allegations that it has an understanding with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to collaborate in the 2027 general election. “As a matter of fact, the Labour Party is the most visible opposition party as at today and our National Chairman, Barrister Abure is the leading voice in the opposition camp, and has been most critical of the present government. ‘”After the 2023 general election, it continued to interrogate the system’s failure and has been very visible playing the role of the opposition, continuously critiquing the policies, proffering solutions and advising the government. “Recently, the party under the able leadership of Mr Julius Abure came up with series of programmes, including the creation of the Electoral Reform Committee. “With it we hope to enthrone a credible, fair and transparent processes, leading to the selection of leadership in the country, Labour Party being a major victim in the 2023 general election,” he stated. Ifoh said the party had created a Political Education Committee for reorienting citizens on the need to have a positive behavioral changes towards politics in Nigeria. He also saidthe party had become the first party in Nigeria attempting to deepen participatory democracy by the introduction of e-membership registration with thousands of people already subscribing. ”All these efforts to reposition the party, for someone to be demarketing such a party in such an unguarded and callous manner, is most ridiculous and unfortunate. “We are, therefore. challenging Deji Adeyanju and any other person to come up with facts and proofs that either the party leadership or Mr. Abure intends to work for President Bola Tinubu or his party, the APC in the 2027. ” Adeyanju’s assertion which is presently trending globally has caused the Labour Party enormous harm and we are demanding that he refrains from causing the party further harms. “As a political party, we view Deji Adeyanju’s now viral comments as a criminal defamation, a clearly motivated ploy to ridicule our hard earned reputation. “We are therefore, calling on Mr Adeyanju to without delay provide facts and evidences to prove that Labour Party has been ‘bought’ over by President Tinubu. “He also has a choice to withdraw his ill assertions and apologize to the leadership and millions of members of Labour Party for the great harm he has caused the party,” he stated.None

Strange "red orbs" have been spotted flying over the eastern United States, adding to the ongoing mystery surrounding drone sightings. These sightings, particularly over New Jersey, have sparked conspiracy theories and raised questions about their origin. The most recent report came from a traveler heading to New York's JFK Airport, who noticed the red orbs while flying over New Jersey, an area that has already seen a rise in drone activity. The sighting occurred on Friday night, and video footage was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by user DJNarkatta. The traveler, who was on a flight from Las Vegas to JFK, described the objects as "two reddish orbs" and expressed excitement about capturing more footage in the coming days. The traveler, who has a keen interest in aviation and flight simulators, added, "I've always looked up in the sky with a keen interest in airplanes, and when things look strange in the sky, I notice." The footage, which showed the two orbs over New Jersey, was quickly picked up by UFO-related accounts on social media, fueling speculation about their origin. This mysterious drone activity is not limited to the United States. Similar reports have emerged from the UK, where residents have also noticed increased drone sightings. The combination of "drone" sightings and unexplained orbs has sparked conspiracy theories, though no direct threat to public safety has been confirmed. The FBI and Department of Homeland Security have stated that the drones do not pose a danger to the public. Earlier this month, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) took action by prohibiting drone flights in 30 locations in New York and 22 locations in New Jersey, particularly in areas with vital infrastructure. Despite these precautions, the sightings have continued, generating a lot of buzz online. In addition to the recent sightings, other mysterious orb-like objects have been captured on camera this month. One such incident occurred on a flight from Chicago O'Hare International Airport to Newark Liberty International, further adding to the intrigue. Belleville Mayor Michael Melham recently raised the possibility that these drones could be searching for "radioactive material." His comments came in response to an alert from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission regarding a missing piece of medical equipment that was lost in transit in early December. Melham suggested the drones might be investigating a damaged container that was once used to transport the equipment. However, John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, downplayed the significance of the sightings. He explained that many of the objects reported as drones were likely commercial or hobbyist drones, law enforcement drones, or even manned aircraft and stars. Kirby reassured the public that there was no cause for alarm, despite the ongoing speculation. As investigations continue, authorities are working to determine the true nature of these mysterious sightings, but for now, the red orbs and drone activity remain a source of curiosity and concern for many.Harvey paid $3,750 to settle a lawsuit alleging the city violated the Freedom of Information Act by denying a Harvey man’s request for body-worn camera footage related to his arrest, according to the settlement agreement. City Council members approved the payment to Brandon Collymore at a council meeting Sept. 9, which was set to be paid within 45 days. Part of the agreement also called for the city to give Collymore a copy of the body-worn camera footage. The Daily Southtown requested a copy of the settlement through FOIA after the meeting but did not receive it for more than two months. In Illinois, government agencies must respond to a FOIA request within five business days of filing. Agencies can extend the response time by up to five additional business days, but must notify the requester in writing if more time is needed. “Every person in Illinois has a right to know what the government is doing in their name, and the Freedom of Information Act is the tool to do that, the tool that helps hold police accountable,” said Daniel Massoglia, director of the Civil Rights Clinic at First Defense Legal Aid, which provides free legal representation for victims of police abuse and represented Collymore in the case. “We filed a lawsuit alleging that the city had violated the law and we’re pleased with the results.” Collymore filed a FOIA request with the city in May 2023 seeking police reports, narratives, body-worn and in-car camera footage, tactical response reports and other records related to his arrest in July 2022, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit claims that within five business days of the city’s acknowledgment of Collymore’s request, the city did not seek an extension, prompting Collymore to contact the clerk’s office for an update. The lawsuit states both parties agreed to an extension deadline of June 15. During a conversation with the city’s FOIA officer, Liliana Gonzalez, the lawsuit states that she expressed uncertainty about whether the city had purchased or could afford the technology required to blur faces. Harvey Mayor Christopher Clark is the FOIA officer for Calumet City. On June 16, Collymore followed up with Gonzalez, but both his emails and phone calls went unanswered, according to the lawsuit. Almost two weeks after the agreed upon deadline, the city partially denied the request for the in-car and body-worn camera footage, claiming they lacked the means to blur faces and protect the identities of third parties and individuals providing information to law enforcement, the lawsuit states. “Defendant’s (Harvey) actions, whether the product of individual subjective malfeasance or structural bad faith through underfunding and mismanagement, constitute willful and intentional violations of the Act,” according to the lawsuit. The city’s spokesperson, Glenn Harston, did not provide comment on the lawsuit or whether the city obtained the necessary technology to blur faces in police footage. The lawsuit says other municipalities, such as Chicago, routinely blur faces when third parties are present on in-car or body-worn camera footage requested under FOIA. The lawsuit states several body-worn camera providers and technology companies offer video redaction software at affordable rates, listing Axon’s “redaction studio” in the Pro Tier license package for $26 more per month than the basic plan, Redaction by Reduct’s manual redaction software for $24 annually and Caseguard’s comprehensive redaction services ranging from $99 to $329 per month. “Technology is not that expensive to blur somebody’s face,” Massoglia said. Massoglia, who took on Collymore’s case after the initial lawyer left the legal aid firm, said he is unsure whether attempts were made to appeal the city’s decision before filing the lawsuit, which is often a last resort to compel municipalities to turn over public records. “I suspect there was because we typically don’t just jump to sue municipalities when there’s a way to work it out informally, because it’s just easier for everybody if there can just be an agreement,” he said. Filers can appeal by submitting a request for review to the attorney general’s office public access counselor if a request is denied, or if no reply is received within the mandatory five-day response time. The process is free and requires sending a letter, a copy of the original FOIA request and any communication with the public body. Although, filers have said it often takes a long time to hear back on these requests for help. smoilanen@chicagotribune.com

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MALAGA, Spain (AP) — The last man to face — and beat — Rafael Nadal in professional tennis, 80th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp , converted his 10th match point Friday to finally close out a 6-4, 6-7 (12), 6-3 victory over Daniel Altmaier and help the Netherlands reach its first Davis Cup final by sweeping Germany. Tallon Griekspoor, who is ranked 40th, sealed the 2-0 win for the Dutch in the best-of-three-match semifinal by hitting 25 aces and coming back to defeat Jan-Lennard Struff 6-7 (4), 7-5, 6-4. When it ended, appropriately, on an ace, Griekspoor shut his eyes, dropped to his knees and spread his arms wide. “We have been talking about this for two, three years,” Griekspoor said. “We believed in ourselves so much. We always felt like this was possible. To do it now feels unbelievable.” The other semifinal is Saturday, with No. 1-ranked Jannik Sinner and defending champion Italy taking on Australia . The championship will be decided Sunday. “We don’t have that top 5 player. We don’t that top 10 player. We don’t have that top 15 player,” Dutch captain Paul Harhuuis said. “But it’s a team effort. ... So proud of these guys.” In Friday's opener, van de Zandschulp was up a set and just a point away from leading 5-2 in the second when Altmaier began playing more aggressively and interacting more with the German fans, yelling and throwing uppercuts or raising his arms after key points. In the tiebreaker, Altmaier managed to save five match points before converting his own fourth set point to extend the contest. But van de Zandschulp — who upset four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz at the U.S. Open — quickly moved out front in the final set, even if he eventually needed five more match points in the last game before serving it out. “At some point, I didn’t know what to do any more on the match points,” van de Zandschulp said. “I had the toughest match of my life on Tuesday (against Nadal), so everything that comes next is maybe a little bit easier.” In the quarterfinals, van de Zandschulp outplayed Nadal for a 6-4, 6-4 result that marked the end of the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s career because the Netherlands went on to eliminate Spain 2-1. The 38-year-old Nadal announced last month that the Davis Cup would be his final event before retiring. Presumably because people purchased tickets ahead of time with plans to watch Nadal compete in the semifinals, there were hundreds of unoccupied blue or gray seats surrounding the indoor hard court at the Palacio de Deportes Jose Maria Martina Carpena in southern Spain on Friday. Now truly a neutral site, the place was not nearly as loud and rowdy as on Tuesday, although there were shouts of “Vamos, Rafa!” that drew laughter while van de Zandschulp played the 88th-ranked Altmaier. It took Griekspoor more than 75 minutes and nearly two full sets to figure out how to break No. 43 Struff and then did it twice in a row — to lead 6-5 in the second set, and then go up 1-0 in the third. That was plenty, because Griekspoor saved the only two break points he faced. The Netherlands hadn’t been to the semifinals since 2001. The Germans — whose best current player, two-time major finalist Alexander Zverev, is not on the team in Malaga — have won three Davis Cups, but not since 1993, when 1991 Wimbledon champion Michael Stich led them to the title. AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennisFACT FOCUS: Posts misrepresent Biden administration spending on EV charging stationsTJ Bamba led Oregon with 22 points and five assists in the Ducks' 78-68 victory over San Diego State on Wednesday in pool play of the Players Era Festival at Las Vegas. The Ducks (7-0) won both games in the "Power Group" and will play in the championship Saturday against the top team from the "Impact Group." San Diego State (3-2) will await its opponent for one of the secondary games Saturday. The matchups are based on seeding dependent on performance of the first two games. Bamba made 7 of 14 shots from the field, including 4 of 6 from 3-point range. Keeshawn Barthelemy had 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field and hit 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. Nate Bittle finished with 11 points and nine rebounds, Brandon Angel 12 points and six rebounds and Jackson Shelstad paired 12 points with four assists. BJ Davis led San Diego State with 18 points before fouling out. Nick Boyd finished with 15 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc. Neither team led by more than four points until Oregon scored nine unanswered to take a 34-27 lead with 2:20 left in the first half. Barthelemy started the run with a jumper and finished it with a 3-pointer. Oregon outscored San Diego State 16-4 in the last 4:23 of the half to take a 41-31 lead into the break. Bamba and Barthelemy combined for 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting in the first half. Boyd led San Diego State with 13 points, making all three of his 3-point attempts and going 5-of-6 overall. A 7-2 run for Oregon increased its advantage to 48-35 with 17:36 remaining, but San Diego State cut the lead to 56-53 with 10:58 left following a 9-0 run. A Bamba 3-pointer closed an 8-2 stretch with 4:15 remaining to increase Oregon's lead to 73-63. San Diego State did not get closer than eight points the rest of the way. Davis fouled out with 31 seconds left and Oregon leading 77-68. --Field Level Media

Xiaomi has revealed its laptops for 2025, now open for pre-orders on in China. These laptops will officially launch on January 1, 2025. Designed as mid-range options, they come with the latest Intel Core processors, offering strong performance for work, multitasking, and everyday use. The laptops also provide generous storage options, making them great for handling large files and running multiple apps smoothly. They are built to meet the needs of students, professionals, and casual users. More details about their features are expected soon. Xiaomi Redmi Book 14/16 Pre-Order Details The Redmi Book 14 and 16 laptops are now available for pre-order ahead of their January launch. They carry the Intel Core i5-220H processor from the Raptor Lake-H Refresh series, released in late 2024. This chip balances power and efficiency with 4 performance cores and 8 efficiency cores, reaching speeds up to 4.9 GHz. Hyper-Threading technology allows it to handle 16 tasks at the same time, making it excellent for multitasking. The laptops come in three configurations: 16GB of RAM with a 512GB SSD. 16GB of RAM with a 1TB SSD. 32GB of RAM with a 1TB SSD, perfect for heavy tasks like video editing or advanced applications. These choices let users pick the right model based on their needs, from light use to professional work. Xiaomi showed off the Redmi Book 16 during the “Lu Weibing Annual Summary” event. It has a silver-grey finish with a new letter-style Redmi logo, giving it a clean and modern look. The laptop can handle up to 47W of power, thanks to improved cooling. It also offers long battery life, lasting up to 19.05 hours per charge, made possible by AI-powered battery management. Real-world tests will confirm this performance. The laptops run on Xiaomi’s HyperOS 2, designed to integrate smoothly with other Xiaomi devices. With HyperOS Connect, users can link their laptops and smartphones for a seamless experience. The Redmi Book 14 and 16 will launch in China on January 1, 2025, alongside the smartphone.NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.Trump seeks to have Georgia election case dismissed, citing presidential immunity

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing vs. ASML: Which Stock Will Outperform in 2025?Shares of Wave Life Sciences Ltd. ( NASDAQ:WVE – Get Free Report ) were down 2.6% during mid-day trading on Thursday . The stock traded as low as $13.06 and last traded at $13.06. Approximately 19,408 shares traded hands during trading, a decline of 98% from the average daily volume of 1,110,443 shares. The stock had previously closed at $13.41. Analysts Set New Price Targets Several brokerages have recently commented on WVE. B. Riley upped their price target on Wave Life Sciences from $19.00 to $22.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their target price on shares of Wave Life Sciences from $13.00 to $17.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 17th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Wave Life Sciences from $11.00 to $22.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Mizuho upped their price objective on shares of Wave Life Sciences from $19.00 to $22.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Wave Life Sciences from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 13th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $22.22. Read Our Latest Analysis on WVE Wave Life Sciences Stock Down 4.3 % Insiders Place Their Bets In other Wave Life Sciences news, CEO Paul Bolno sold 51,234 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $14.32, for a total value of $733,670.88. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 217,351 shares in the company, valued at $3,112,466.32. This trade represents a 19.08 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink . Also, insider Chris Francis sold 208,836 shares of Wave Life Sciences stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, October 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $13.67, for a total value of $2,854,788.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold a total of 436,544 shares of company stock worth $6,271,569 in the last quarter. 29.10% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Institutional Investors Weigh In On Wave Life Sciences Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. increased its stake in Wave Life Sciences by 23.4% in the third quarter. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. now owns 4,512 shares of the company’s stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 856 shares during the last quarter. Profund Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Wave Life Sciences in the 2nd quarter valued at $53,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Wave Life Sciences in the 2nd quarter valued at $74,000. Mackenzie Financial Corp grew its position in shares of Wave Life Sciences by 13.6% in the 2nd quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 15,887 shares of the company’s stock valued at $79,000 after buying an additional 1,905 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Point72 DIFC Ltd purchased a new stake in Wave Life Sciences in the third quarter valued at $98,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.73% of the company’s stock. Wave Life Sciences Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Wave Life Sciences Ltd., a clinical-stage biotechnology company, designs, develops, and commercializes ribonucleic acid (RNA) medicines through PRISM, a discovery and drug development platform. The company's RNA medicines platform, PRISM, combines multiple modalities, chemistry innovation, and deep insights into human genetics to deliver scientific breakthroughs that treat both rare and prevalent disorders. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Wave Life Sciences Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Wave Life Sciences and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

 

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Colum Eastwood MP has said the Ofcom finding is a “clear demonstration that the North West isn’t a priority for BBC Northern Ireland”. Ofcom said the BBC had broadcast 300 fewer hours of news and current affairs on Radio Foyle in 2023/24 than it was required to. In 2023, the BBC cut its two-hour breakfast show on Radio Foyle down to 30 minutes as part of a number of schedule and programme changes. The decision provoked a number of protests from the public and politicians in Derry. In early 2024 the breakfast show replacement programme named North West Today was extended to an hour – but still an hour shorter than the original morning show. Ofcom said the BBC had informed it that the cuts meant it had "breached its BBC Radio Foyle news and current affairs condition". The operating licence condition requires the BBC to broadcast at least 1,043 hours of news and current affairs programmes (including repeats) on Radio Foyle. In June 2024, the Ofcom report said, the BBC told the regulator it had not met that quota. "In this case, the BBC has missed its quota by 300 hours, achieving only 71% of the required level of output," Ofcom said. Foyle MP Mr Eastwood said that the decision to seek changes to the license rather than providing the required news content is a” clear demonstration that the North West isn’t a priority for BBC Northern Ireland”. Colum Eastwood MP said: “When the BBC first announced its plan to cut programming at Radio Foyle, communities in the North West were rightly angry. “The decision ignored the unique political, cultural and news environment that exists here, it undermined hardworking staff and it diminished the entire station. It was, and remains, a bad call. “Our cross-party, cross-community campaign to resist the cuts was successful in saving elements of news programming but we were clear that the reduction in news content was a disservice to BBC staff, license fee payers and people who rely on public service broadcasting from Radio Foyle.” “The finding from Ofcom that the BBC breached its operating license by slashing news content in the North West is damning, it damages the credibility of BBC Northern Ireland as a broadcaster and it is deeply embarrassing for senior management. “People in the North West deserve first class public service broadcasting from the BBC. We have talented journalists, producers, researchers and broadcasters who can deliver it. It’s enormously disappointing that we aren’t a priority for BBC Northern Ireland.” The details of the breach are contained in an Ofcom report into the BBC's performance in 2024. BBC said it will be requesting that the regulator amends the operating licence to reflect changes to Radio Foyle’s output. The UK's communications regulator publishes annual reports into how the BBC is meeting the needs of viewers and listeners. When imposing the cuts at Foyle in 2023, the BBC said it was “committed to Foyle as a production centre for local and regional content”. The publicly funded corporation also said it would affect many different people within BBCNI. At the time BBC Radio Foyle had around 28 workers at its offices, while more than 600 staff are based in its headquarters in Belfast. According to the regulator's report, the BBC blamed "an internal miscommunication" which meant it "incorrectly believed it would still be able to meet its quota for this condition". "We consider that the quotas included in the Operating Licence are required to ensure the BBC continues to deliver content that reaches and serves all audiences," Ofcom said. "This is particularly the case where the quotas are intended to reach and serve specific audience groups, such as in this instance, where Radio Foyle serves audiences in the North West of Northern Ireland," it continued. "Non-compliance with these quotas is a potentially serious matter." Ofcom said the BBC would now be submitting a request to amend its operating licence "in relation to the Radio Foyle news and current affairs condition to reflect the current output". The regulator said that it would assess the changes when it received the BBC's request and then decide what action to take about the breach of the quota. The BBC has been contacted.TikTok ’s future in the United States is in serious jeopardy, and Donald Trump may be the only person who can save it. The president-elect told reporters at Mar-a-Lago on Monday that he would “take a look” at the situation surrounding the platform’s future, before meeting with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew a few hours later. It’s unclear what Trump could or would do to stop the law that will ban TikTok in the U.S. if its Chinese parent company, ByteDance , doesn’t sell it. The law is currently slated to go into effect Jan. 19, one day before Trump takes office. President Joe Biden signed the legislation in April, citing national security concerns related to China ’s control over the data of the estimated 170 million Americans who use the platform. The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this month upheld the law in the face of challenges from TikTok and a group of creators on the platform. On Friday, lawmakers told Apple and Google that they need to be ready to remove the platform from their app stores on Jan. 19. Americans will still be able to use TikTok if and when this happens, but as the Justice Department put it in a filing last week, the move would ultimately “render the application unworkable.” TikTok’s options for staving off a ban are dwindling. The platform on Monday made an emergency request to the Supreme Court, asking it to delay the ban while reiterating its argument that the ban violates the First Amendment. TikTok noted that if the law goes into effect as scheduled it “will shutter one of America’s most popular speech platforms the day before a presidential inauguration.” TikTok asked the Supreme Court to act by Jan. 6. The Supreme Court could be interested in the case given its unique and high-profile nature, but legal experts are skeptical the justices would overturn the D.C. Circuit’s unanimous decision to uphold the ban. TikTok’s emergency appeal to the nation’s highest court comes a week after the platform asked the D.C. Circuit Court to block the ban from taking effect, arguing Trump should have a chance to save the platform once he takes office. Editor’s picks The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time Trump’s position has been a little hard to pin down. He pushed for a ban while he was in office, but seemed to cozy up to the app this year. He said during the campaign that he opposed the ban and promised to save the app — but he didn’t seem as enthusiastic during an interview with Meet the Press earlier this month. “If you do do that, something else is going to come along and take its place — and maybe that’s not fair,” he said when asked about the D.C. Circuit Court’s decision to uphold the ban. He only offered that he’s “going to try and make it so that other companies don’t become an even bigger monopoly” when pressed about whether he would take action to save the app. Trump was pressed about what he’ll do to prevent the ban from taking effect again while speaking with reporters at Mar-a-Lago on Monday. “We’ll take a look at TikTok,” he said, adding that he has a “warm spot” in his heart for the platform because of how he outperformed expectations with young people in November. Trump’s promise to save TikTok may have been campaign bluster, but The Washington Post reported after he won in November that his advisers do indeed expect him to intervene. It may not be easy, as halting bipartisan legislation intended to crack down on Chinese influence wouldn’t be a great look. ByteDance could also sell TikTok to a U.S. entity, and Trump could potentially help facilitate such a transaction, but this route also presents complications. ByteDance has already said they aren’t going to sell , and companies like Google or a Meta would likely run into antitrust trouble if they were to acquire the platform. So, what’s left? Related Content Possible Trump FEMA Pick Made Millions After Florida Disaster-Response Gig The Battle Against Trump 2.0 Begins in the States Trump Sues Iowa Newspaper Over Poll That Had Harris Winning State Trump’s Felony Conviction Stands, Judge Rules Frank McCourt , the billionaire former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, believes ByteDance selling TikTok to him is the most viable way the platform can continue to exist in the United States. “Like President-elect Trump and like the creators, we don’t want to see this ban,” he recently told Rolling Stone . “We think this could be an awesome platform, and be a catalyst for a new, upgraded internet.” McCourt believes he and his team are the “frontrunners” to acquire the app. ByteDance says it doesn’t want to sell, but McCourt thinks he may be able to pry it from them given that he’s not interested in TikTok’s algorithm. “We don’t want the algorithm,” he says plainly, adding that he believes the $20 billion he says he’s raised should be enough to bring TikTok, sans algorithm, and its user base into American hands. McCourt isn’t interested in the algorithm in part because he has aspirations for the platform that go far beyond ensuring it continues to exist in the United States. Five years ago, he launched an initiative called Project Liberty in service of fixing what he deems to be a “fundamentally broken” internet by ensuring users can control their own data. Project Liberty has since been developing the technological framework for a decentralized social networking apparatus. The missing ingredient is a sizable user base, and McCourt believes the 170 million Americans on TikTok would do just fine. TikTok users could control and even profit from their data, in McCourt’s vision, while curating and owning their online communities. “If they decide to leave TikTok and go to some other platform, they can take their relationships with them,” he explains. “That’s very powerful. That’s liberty, that’s agency, that’s being able to own something. ... We’re not talking about owning an inanimate piece of property or a thing. We’re talking about regaining ownership of ourselves.” McCourt has lofty ideas for remaking the internet to serve users rather than users serving Big Tech. He referenced Thomas Paine on two separate occasions over the course of our conversation, essentially drawing a through line from the dawn of American democracy to his endeavor to correct an “out of whack” internet. His bid to keep TikTok up and running in the U.S. is in service of these ideas, not necessarily of preserving the platform as its 170 million users have come to know it. When Rolling Stone spoke with the eight TikTok creators who sued the government over the ban earlier this year, they spoke of how integral the platform’s algorithm is to its value. It’s the secret sauce, and the platform simply wouldn’t be the same without it. “It really does boil down to the algorithm,” Chloe Joy Sexton, a creator on the lawsuit, told us. “[On TikTok] my content is going to hit people who care about it, and it’s not doing that through whatever algorithm is used by Instagram or Facebook.” McCourt isn’t worried. “There are a lot of people who really understand how to create fabulous algorithms,” he says, adding that he’d work to develop an algorithm that operates similarly to how TikTok’s algorithm does currently. McCourt’s plans for TikTok are ambitious and retaining the platform’s massive audience is anything but a given, but the entire reason he’s interested in this is to shake things up and change how users consider social media. “I think it’s naive for any of us to think that there’s not a better version of TikTok available,” he says. McCourt could be TikTok’s best hope for survival in the United States, but he also may not be. The billionaire’s conversation with Rolling Stone was part of a media tour meant to bolster his profile as a buyer, but other suitors could still emerge. ByteDance could also be committed to its vow not to sell the platform under any circumstances — which would render McCourt’s quixotic quest to use TikTok to unleash a new internet utopia moot. Trump could soon be in a position to do something about all of this, but as is always the case with the former and future president, there’s no way to predict which course he’d take. Alan Rozenshtein, an associate professor at University of Minnesota Law School who has long been skeptical of the viability of the effort to overturn the ban, theorized last month that the most likely way Trump could save the platform would be to take advantage of the degree to which the law empowers the president to determine what constitutes a “qualified divestiture.” ByteDance could “go through the motions of reshuffling some details of its ownership stake in TikTok,” as Rozenshtein puts it, which Trump could use as a basis to deem the Chinese company sufficiently divested. Why would Trump do this? Possibly because he’s not really as tough on China as he claims. Possibly to further endear himself to the young Americans he falsely claimed on Monday voted for him by 34 points. Possibly for the same reason many suspected he announced his opposition to the ban in the first place: Jeff Yass, a billionaire MAGA megadonor, has a heavy stake in ByteDance and TikTok through his investment firm Susquehanna International. Trump allowing TikTok to skirt a ban by deeming ByteDance divested after a few nominal nips and tucks could lead to outrage from the China hawks who passed the ban in the first place, and maybe even a few lawsuits. Such obstacles haven’t stopped Trump in the past, of course, and giving ByteDance his blessing may be easier than helping push a sale to a third party like McCourt over the finish line. Trending Stories Dems Choose 74-Year-Old Gerry Connolly Over AOC for Key Committee Role What the ‘I Slept With 100 Men in One Day’ Doc Gets Right About Sex Work Trump’s Felony Conviction Stands, Judge Rules Big-Band Leader Glenn Miller Vanished 80 Years Ago. His Death Started the 'Legacy' Band Trend TikTok is currently slated to be banned from app stores on Jan. 19, but Rozenshtein believes the Supreme Court will ultimately decide to stay the law and take up the case themselves. “Even if they simply reaffirm the D.C. Circuit opinion, having a Supreme Court version of that is extremely valuable for the development of the law,” he tells Rolling Stone . “Given that the Supreme Court has taken a lot of these digital First Amendment cases in the last couple of years, I think that’s a signal that they care about this body of law and they want to develop it.” If the Supreme Court takes action before Jan. 19, it would clear the floor for Trump to take action of his own, and McCourt or another interested party would have more time to try to convince China to sell them the platform. Given the uncertainties surrounding such a sale, many view the president-elect as the best hope to preserve the platform as its users know it. “Do I feel like this would be the only possible reason that I would ever agree with [Trump] being in office again?” Steven King, another TikTok creator who sued the government over the ban, said speaking with Rolling Stone last week. “If it saves my career, then, hey, he’s done something for me.”rifebet88



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Cruise into this holiday season with a non-traditional vacationClark County volunteers collected 210,000 pounds of food for the 40th annual Walk & Knock, the nation’s largest one-day food drive. This year, organizers mailed 206,000 bags to homes across Clark County to fill with nonperishable foods and toiletries. On Saturday, about 2,000 volunteers collected the bags of food and items, which will be donated to the Clark County Food Bank. Walk & Knock President Justin Wood said he was proud of this year’s turnout, despite the cold weather. “The food is almost secondary. What’s most important is the amount of volunteers,” Wood said. “The main reason we do Walk & Knock is to engage the community and get kids involved in community service.” Although donations have returned to pre-pandemic levels, Wood said the number of volunteers has dropped from about 4,000 to 2,000, which was one of this year’s challenges. As a result of lower volunteer turnout, some homes in Clark County were missed. However, community members can still bring nonperishable food donations to participating locations through today. Drop-off barrels are at Clark County Riverview Bank branches, Les Schwab Tire Centers and McDonald’s. (Find a list at walkandknock.org/barrel-locations .) “While we have 2,000 volunteers, it is hard to cover the entire county, so homes do get missed,” Wood said. “We try to cover as much as we can, but we ask if we missed your home, to drop those donations off at one of the drop-off barrel locations.” Walk & Knock works with various community organizations to organize the food drive, including NW Natural. As part of an annual tradition, NW Natural sponsored a breakfast for 100 volunteer group leaders before they headed out to collect donations. “Food insecurity is still a very real problem in Clark County, and Walk & Knock’s work is absolutely amazing,” said Nelson Holmberg, a community affairs manager for NW Natural. “As a company that cares about the wellness of the communities we serve, NW Natural is very proud to be a longtime supporter of the biggest food drive of the year, and we’re appreciative of the work of hundreds of volunteers across the county each year who literally walk neighborhoods to pick up filled bags from porches to stock the shelves of food banks and pantries across the region.” In 2023, Walk & Knock collected 271,095 pounds of food and toiletries and $20,000 in cash. Vancouver Lions Club members Bud Pasmore and Doug Rae started Walk & Knock in 1982 with help from the Hazel Dell and Orchards/Evergreen Lions clubs. Since it began, Walk & Knock has collected between 150,000 and 300,000 pounds of food annually. The annual food drive has brought in more than 9.5 million pounds of food valued at $17.3 million, according to a news release from the organization. “I just think it’s so basic for people to have food,” former Walk & Knock President Tom Knappenberger previously said. “Walk & Knock is local, it’s homegrown and it’s grown into the largest in the country. We should be proud of that here in Vancouver.” This story was made possible by Community Funded Journalism , a project from The Columbian and the Local Media Foundation . Top donors include the Ed and Dollie Lynch Fund, Patricia, David and Jacob Nierenberg, Connie and Lee Kearney, Steve and Jan Oliva, The Cowlitz Tribal Foundation and the Mason E. Nolan Charitable Fund. The Columbian controls all content. For more information, visit columbian.com/cfj .PMF Finance PLC delivered a remarkable performance for the six months ended September 30 2024, achieving substantial growth with an 500% increase in profits, underscoring the company’s robust financial health. The Company also improved asset quality, with a drastic reduction in non-performing loans. Chairman of PMF Finance PLC Chandula Abewickrama said,”Our impressive results are a testament to the strategic decisions and resilience of our team.” Under the leadership of CEO Professor Ajith Medis, PMF Finance has undertaken a transformative journey. Since his appointment, the company has focused on cost optimization, branch efficiency, a substantial increase in disbursements, and enhanced customer engagement through digital channels and strategic partnerships. Reflecting on the company’s achievements, Professor Ajith Medis said “Our results reflect the effectiveness of our restructuring efforts and our focus on customer-centric solutions. We set a solid foundation to capitalize on the market growth.” PMF Finance has recently expanded its network with the opening of three more branches in Jaffna, Chilaw, and Galle and plans to launch additional branches in the coming months. The company also emphasizes its commitment to the SME sector, preparing for sustained growth by ensuring the right mix of talent, resources, and technological tools. The company aims to rekindle its international partnerships to enhance financial capacity and drive innovation.

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New Complaint Contends 'Vaporware' Strategy and Systematic Anti-Competitive Practices Destroyed Competition for Internet Connectivity in Business Aviation CHARLOTTE, N.C. , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- SmartSky Networks, LLC today filed a comprehensive antitrust lawsuit against Gogo, Inc. and Gogo Business Aviation, LLC ($GOGO) in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina (Case 3:24-cv-01087), alleging illegal monopolistic practices in the air-to-ground (ATG) broadband inflight connectivity market for business aviation. The lawsuit alleges multiple violations of federal antitrust laws, including the Sherman Act and Clayton Act, as well as North Carolina state tort laws and the Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act, claiming that Gogo engaged in predatory pricing, misleading advertising, and exclusive dealing agreements to maintain its monopoly position in the ATG market. SmartSky is pursuing this case to protect innovation as well as to seek justice for unfair business practices. The company's complaint contends that a systematic campaign of misinformation and exclusive dealing arrangements effectively blocked SmartSky's access to critical distribution channels and created insurmountable barriers to market entry, stifling the innovation and competition customers depend on. The lawsuit seeks substantial damages potentially exceeding $1 billion . The legal action aims to address the alleged harm to competition and consumers in the aviation connectivity market. This new Complaint is separate and apart from the Intellectual Property case (Case 1:22-cv-00266-JLH) SmartSky previously filed against Gogo in Delaware . The trial of that case is scheduled to begin in April, 2025. SmartSky is represented by Rik Tozzi , of Burr & Forman, LLP. About SmartSky Until ceasing business operations in August, 2024, SmartSky Networks, LLC was an aviation technology company that developed and launched an innovative air-to-ground network for business aviation, offering superior connectivity solutions through advanced telecommunications technology and infrastructure. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/smartsky-files-1b-antitrust-lawsuit-alleging-gogo-business-aviation-acted-as-an-abusive-monopolist-302334142.html SOURCE SmartSky Networks

Dear mid-Willamette Valley community, I send this on behalf of a local organization of which I am a member, Mid-Valley Jews for Peace. We, along with dozens of other Jewish groups around the country, continue to demand that the U.S. should follow international law and hold Israel accountable for its human rights violations in Gaza, the West Bank, Syria, and Lebanon. Separate surveys from the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, and Election Day exit polls show that over half of American Jews support some forms of arms embargo and ceasefire. We are not a tiny, fringe movement. We include Israeli citizens, descendants of Holocaust survivors, Jews both observant and secular, and Jews who grew up with Hebrew school and Jewish Day School. Please follow Mid-Valley Jews for Peace on Instagram under the handle of midvalleyjews4peace and consider taking action on our website. Ryssa Parks Corvallis Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!Justin Trudeau taking the time to reflect following Freeland departure

 

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United Healthcare share price tanks amid outrage at greed after CEO shooting 'by Luigi Mangione' Follow all the latest news and updates in the manhunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's killer By WILL POTTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 20:18, 10 December 2024 | Updated: 21:20, 10 December 2024 e-mail 6 View comments United Health Group has seen its share price crater after the assassination of its well-regarded CEO and subsequent fury over the healthcare giant's greed. The company's share price has plummeted by approximately $45 billion since the December 4 shooting of CEO Brian Thompson, allegedly by Luigi Mangione, 26. Since December 3, the last day of trading prior to Thompson's death, the share price dropped by 10 percent, its steepest weekly drop since March 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic erupted, reports CNN . And in the week since Thompson's slaying, UnitedHealth Group, UnitedHealthcare's parent company, has seen its share price drop by 8 percent. Thompson's murder captured international attention, including bringing widespread scrutiny to the controversial nature of America's healthcare insurance industry and its unpopular practices. Analysts say the health giant losing a well-regarded CEO seen by the market as capable of running the company has likely contributed to the stock slump. One told CNN that the stock is currently undervalued. United Healthcare has also been forced to contend with a tidal wave of negative publicity despite the horrific killing of its former boss, who was a father of two. Thompson slammed for his reported approval of a 'malicious' AI system that denied 90 percent of patient coverage , which was found to particularly target the elderly. Thousands of Americans have accused the firm of putting profits before customers' health and claimed that UnitedHealth symbolizes all that is wrong with for-profit healthcare. UnitedHealth Group suffered a dramatic fall in its share price of approximately $45 million since the CEO of its insurance branch was gunned down by an assassin in Manhattan six days ago UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, was shot dead December 4 by a masked gunman outside Manhattan's Hilton Hotel Luigi Mangione is pictured being bundled into an extradition hearing in Altoona, Pennsylvania on Tuesday Read More Piers Morgan speechless as ex-WaPo reporter says she felt 'joy' after death of UnitedHealthcare CEO The big losses UnitedHealth Group has suffered since Thompson's death were addressed by equity analyst David Windley at Jeffries, as CNN reported that he told client the selloff in its share price 'seems unjustified.' 'Shooting was chilling, and the social media reaction was inhumane,' he added. He also reportedly told clients there would likely not be a 'regulatory crackdown' on the healthcare industry, despite the newfound scrutiny on its practices. The day after Thompson's killing, UnitedHealth's rival BlueCross BlueShield announced a controversial policy where they would cap the amount of anesthesia a patient undergoing surgery would be covered for. The company subsequently reversed the policy a day later . In response, former Washington Post journalist Taylor Lorenz came under fire as she shared the name and picture of BlueCross BlueShield's CEO, in an apparent attempt to send an online mob in the executive's direction. She wrote: 'And people wonder why we want these executives dead.' It was one of several shared by Lorenz on Bluesky, including sharing her group chat's response. 'Woke up to see this spammed in my group chats,' Lorenz wrote alongside a celebratory image that read, 'CEO DOWN.' 'People have very justified hatred toward insurance company CEOs because these executives are responsible for an unfathomable amount of death and suffering,' she wrote on a different post. 'As someone against death and suffering, I think it’s good to call out this broken system and the ppl in power who enable it.' The aftermath of the shooting saw a number of tasteless responses, also including a 'lookalike' contest held for the shooter in Manhattan . Suspected shooter Luigi Mangione was arrested at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Monday morning. He appeared before an extradition court Tuesday afternoon and is fighting attempts to send him back to New York to face a second-degree murder charge in the Big Apple, where Thompson was killed. New York only files first-degree murder charges in aggravated circumstances - when the victim was a police officer, first responder, witness in a criminal trial or had suffered torture. Mangione was denied bail and filmed ranting as he was bundled into court that the charges brought against him were 'an insult to the American people.' He grew up in a wealthy family and suffered debilitating back pain, which resulted in him undergoing extensive surgery in 2023. Mangione was found with a manifesto saying healthcare executives were 'parasites' who 'had it coming.' CNN Luigi Mangione Brian Thompson Share or comment on this article: United Healthcare share price tanks amid outrage at greed after CEO shooting 'by Luigi Mangione' e-mail Add comment

Team claims NASCAR rescinded approval to buy charterSchiff condemns Trump’s jail time threat but says Biden preemptive pardons not ‘necessary’

The Latest: UnitedHealthcare shooting suspect contests his extradition back to New YorkNASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A last-minute maneuver by Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk means the public will not be learning more about the eavesdropping scandal involving Funk's office — at least for now. More than a year after NewsChannel 5 Investigates first exposed an eavesdropping scandal inside the Nashville DA's offices, a judge overseeing a June 2000 murder case was scheduled Friday to hear from witnesses with direct knowledge about the operation. Now, Funk has stepped aside from the case against defendant Calvin Atchison, arguing that "it would be in the interests of justice to appoint a special prosecutor" and that there's no need for "protracted litigation" over the eavesdropping allegations. "The pending Motion to Disqualify the Office of the District Attorney General is devoid of merit and is based on factually incorrect innuendo," Funk said in a new court filing. "However, the needless and possible protracted litigation resulting from the Motion will only further delay obtaining justice for the victim, Velma Tharpe." The issue arose in September following the release of a damning investigative report from the state comptroller's office that concluded "government employees" in the DA's office "surveilled and monitored audio and video recordings of criminal defense attorneys without their knowledge or consent." A photo from that report showed attorney Ben Powers and an investigator viewing files made available at the DA's office suite as they prepared their defense for Atchison. What they did not know was that the DA's office was recording their conversations. "Investigators spoke to numerous criminal defense attorneys, and they told investigators in part: they were unaware, and no office personnel had ever informed them that the viewing room was equipped with a microphone device capable of capturing their conversations or that they would be recorded in the viewing room while examining evidence in a criminal case," the state's investigative report said. “Privileged information among themselves was often discussed, including statements made by their clients along with defense strategies, and they said that they would not have stayed in the viewing room had they known that the room was equipped with a microphone.” Related: Damning report confirms secret recordings of defense attorneys, others inside Nashville DA's office Funk’s office posted signs warning of video surveillance but did not reveal that those cameras were also equipped with microphones capable of intercepting conversations, as required by law, investigators concluded. NewsChannel 5 Investigates first revealed the eavesdropping system in February 2023, and “other defense attorneys stated they stopped coming to the district attorney’s office.” Other cameras throughout the office were also capable of recording conversations, the report confirmed. Funk admitted he knew that those conversations were being recorded, the report stated, although he insisted those defense attorneys had no expectation of privacy. During an October hearing before Judge Chappell, Funk had sometimes angrily objected to Powers' interest in pursuing the allegation, but Judge Chappell agreed he had a right to know how far prosecutors had gone in monitoring the defense team. "His photograph was in the report. I think he should have the ability to investigate," she added. After Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti announced he would not be prosecuting Funk or anyone in his office for the eavesdropping, state Comptroller Jason Mumpower had publicly called for Funk to request a special prosecutor to review the allegations — a suggestion rejected by the Nashville DA. Atchison's murder case was the only one specifically identified in the state investigation where the DA's office recorded a defense team at work. However, those questions have also been referred to the Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility, the state board that regulates attorney licenses. —————————— Below is a summary of NewsChannel 5’s recent investigations of the DA's Office: Nov. 8, 2022: He's a $75,000-a-year government employee who gets paid with little evidence of what he's doing for the money. Week after week, he bills taxpayers for almost 20 hours a week, hours frequently listed in the middle of the night when no one else is around. Click here to read the story that kicked off this investigation. Nov. 10, 2022: An exclusive NewsChannel 5 investigation has uncovered new questions about whether employees in Nashville DA Glenn Funk's office crossed the line, using your tax dollars during last spring's campaign to help get the boss reelected. Watch the story here. Dec. 19, 2022: New photos and emails from inside Nashville District Attorney General Glenn Funk's office are renewing questions about whether government resources were used to help get the boss re-elected. The photos of assistant DA Sunny Eaton's desk show a stack of domestic violence dockets for cases that had been handled by Funk's challenger. Read more about what our investigation uncovered here. Feb. 9, 2023: District Attorney Glenn Funk's team installed listening devices in areas around the DA's office capable of picking up conversations of employees and visitors who are not warned about the audio monitoring, NewsChannel 5 has learned. In a written statement, Funk's office insisted "there is no reasonable expectation of privacy for conversations in public places." There’s more to the story that can be found here. Feb. 20, 2023: How many listening devices were placed in and around Nashville DA Glenn Funk's office? New emails obtained by NewsChannel 5 Investigates are raising that question — even as Tennessee's attorney general opens a criminal investigation into Funk's office. The newly obtained emails raise the possibility that the eavesdropping could have been even more pervasive. Click here to read more about those emails. March 24, 2023: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents and technicians descended upon the offices of District Attorney General Glenn Funk as part of an on-going criminal investigation into the operations of the DA's office. About a dozen TBI personnel were seen going in and out of Funk's offices in downtown Nashville. The full story can be found here. May 2, 2023: When Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents descended upon the offices of Nashville District Attorney General Glenn Funk back in March, the DA issued a statement saying they were there following his "invitation." Now, NewsChannel 5 Investigates has learned agents were executing a search warrant issued by a Davidson County judge. You can read more about this development by clicking here. June 28, 2023: So who's funding the political campaigns that affect you and your family? That's the question raised by our latest NewsChannel 5 investigation. That investigation discovered a number of questionable contributions that helped fuel Nashville District Attorney General Glenn Funk's re-election campaign. Funk's campaign says those discrepancies were all innocent mistakes. Click here to read more about those questionable contributions. Aug. 17, 2023: The Tennessee Registry of Election Finance voted to take no action regarding a series of questionable contributions to Nashville District Attorney General Glenn Funk's 2022 re-election campaign. Board members argued that there was nothing else for them to do since no one has filed a sworn complaint alleging any violations of campaign finance laws. There’s more to the story here. Sept. 19, 2023: An unprecedented raid of the Nashville District Attorney's Office in March included a search of DA Glenn Funk's own office — including his laptop, briefcase and other electronics — as TBI agents sought evidence of possible illegal wiretapping, according to newly unsealed court documents. Davidson County Criminal Court Judge Jennifer Smith ordered the release of documents in response to a motion filed by NewsChannel 5. This is what agents were seeking. Feb. 23, 2024: Documents that Nashville District Attorney General Glenn Funk fought to keep secret raise new questions about eavesdropping in and around the DA's offices. Those documents, produced as a result of a months-long legal battle waged by NewsChannel 5, reveal there were more microphones — and more concern about conversations being monitored — than the DA admitted. Click here to see what was in those documents. Sept. 25, 2024: A damning state investigation concludes that Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk’s office operated an extensive surveillance system that secretly recorded conversations of criminal defense attorneys, members of the DA’s own staff and visitors without their knowledge. Read more about the report's findings here. Sept. 25, 2024: Tennessee's lead government watchdog is calling for the appointment of a special prosecutor for a second opinion on whether Nashville District Attorney General Glenn Funk or anyone in his office violated any laws. You can watch that interview here. Oct. 2, 2024: A Nashville murder case scheduled to go to trial next week has been placed on hold amid concerns that District Attorney General Glenn Funk's office illegally eavesdropped on the defense team as they reviewed evidence in the case. This is why defense attorneys are concerned. Oct. 3, 2024: Over the strenuous objections of Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk, a Davidson County judge ruled Thursday that she will allow time for a full hearing in a first-degree murder case regarding allegations of the DA’s office eavesdropping on defense lawyers. Click here for more about the judge's ruling. Oct. 3, 2024: Nashville District Attorney General Glenn Funk, responding to allegations of his office eavesdropping on defense attorneys, says a recently released state investigative report is “filled with inaccuracies and misleading innuendo.” Read more here. Do you have information for our investigation? Email us: investigate@newschannel5.com Previous stories: NC5 Investigates: The DA's DealsORCHARD PARK — The Los Angeles Rams equipment staff probably didn’t have to use extra rinse for Matthew Stafford’s jersey. Stafford entered Sunday’s game against the Buffalo Bills having been hit more times than any quarterback in the NFL this season. The Bills managed to hit him three times, pressure him five times and generated zero sacks. The Bills have expended a lot of capital — financially and in the draft — on their defensive line, and in return, the scheme asks them to produce an awful lot. . . In eight games the Bills have at least two sacks, they have allowed 299.4 yards and have 18 turnovers, compared to games with one sack or fewer, they have 383 yards and six takeaways. Because the Bills primarily use four pass rushers to apply pressure on quarterbacks, games in which they don’t get pressure are usually rough days for the defense. “They set the table,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. “The line of scrimmage has to be set usually by the defensive line, but also not just them. In this case, it’s linebackers, safeties, corners, it takes all 11. So I think there’s been some really good moments, and I think there’s some things for sure that need to be better.” The #Bills and #Sabres had a forgettable weekend. @billhoppe.bsky.social and I get into Allen's historic game, McDermott's tough day and postgame comments, the Sabres' skid and Kevyn Adams's press conference. fireside.fm/episode/sMvb... The player taking the brunt of the blame along the defensive line is Ed Oliver. After signing a $68.5 million extension last season, Oliver had a breakout year with career-highs of 14 tackles for a loss and 9 1⁄2 sacks, but this season he’s got just two tackles for a loss and one sack. Against the run, Oliver’s numbers can be deceiving. On the field for 21 running plays against the Rams, Oliver was double-teamed 13 times and the Rams averaged just 2.2 yards per carry. On the eight plays he wasn’t doubled, the Rams ran away from him five times and all three runs in his direction were stopped for no gain. “Sometimes what gets hidden in some of that is some of the factors that freed somebody else up,” McDermott said. “Could be him moving the quarterback off the spot and Greg (Rousseau) gets a sack. So there’s some things hidden in there. But overall, I think, there’s some things that he can do better, and then collectively we can do better as a whole.” Oliver though has a tendency to become frustrated when opponents run away from and he can become overly aggressive. At times, Oliver has overrun a play and it leaves a gaping hole for the offense, much like when Derrick Henry ran for 87 yards on the first defensive play against the Ravens. “I go back to the times, even when I was coaching the safeties here, you get really impatient,” Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich said. “The ball is not showing up. You just keep doing your job at a high level, and the ball will show up. So that's the message to all our guys all the time. And if Ed just does that, does his job at a high level, when the ball shows up, make a play that'll be productive football.” Oliver’s play in passing situations, however, is much different. He has eight quarterback hits after posting 44 in the previous three seasons combined, but he is not alone among defensive linemen. The Bills do not have a player who commands extra attention in pass-rush situations. It’s among the reasons Leonard Floyd was the first player in McDermott’s tenure to record double-digit sacks last season. Rousseau has some issues similar to Oliver. Rousseau is tied for third in the NFL in tackles for a loss (15), third in hurries (15) and eighth in quarterback knockdowns (12), but he has just 6 1⁄2 sacks. Bills coaches and players have minimized sack numbers because they pride themselves on collapsing the pocket or moving the pocket so the quarterback makes an uncomfortable throw. But in lacking a player with a quick first step as a rusher, the Bills can be exposed when quarterbacks get the ball out quickly or they can’t win one-on-one. Fifty-three percent of passing yards allowed have come when the ball is released 2.5 seconds or less and they have generated just one sack and four turnovers in 215 dropbacks. That’s compared to 28 sacks and 12 turnovers on 238 dropbacks of over 2.5 seconds. “I’m not pressing any panic button,” Bills defensive tackle DaQuan Jones said. “I’m confident. It’s going to start this week in practice. I’m not worried about taking a step back or being in a hole or anything like that.” NOTES: Due to driving bans in Orchard Park and the surrounding towns, the Bills conducted meetings virtually Thursday.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Front Row Motorsports, one of two teams suing NASCAR in federal court, accused the stock car series Thursday of rejecting the planned purchase of a valuable charter unless the lawsuit was dropped. Front Row made the claim in a court filing and said it involved its proposed purchase of the charter from Stewart-Haas Racing. Front Row said the series would only approve it if Front Row and 23XI Racing dropped their court case. "Specifically, NASCAR informed us that it would not approve the (charter) transfer unless we agreed to drop our current antitrust lawsuit against them," Jerry Freeze, general manager of Front Row, said in an affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court of Western North Carolina. The two teams in September refused to sign NASCAR's "take-it-or-leave-it" final offer on a new revenue sharing agreement. All other 13 teams signed the deal. Front Row and 23XI balked and are now in court. 23XI co-owner Michael Jordan has said he took the fight to court on behalf of all teams competing in the top motorsports series in the United States. NASCAR has argued that the two teams simply do not like the terms of the final charter agreement and asked for the lawsuit be dismissed. Earlier this week, the suit was transferred to a different judge than the one who heard the first round of arguments and ruled against the two teams in their request for a temporary injunction to be recognized in 2025 as chartered teams as the case proceeds. The latest filing is heavily redacted as it lays out alleged retaliatory actions by NASCAR the teams say have caused irreparable harm. Both Front Row and 23XI want to expand from two full-time cars to three, and have agreements with SHR to purchase one charter each as SHR goes from four cars to one for 2025. The teams can still compete next season but would have to do so as "open" teams that don't have the same protections or financial gains that come from holding a charter. Freeze claimed in the affidavit that Front Row signed a purchase agreement with SHR in April and NASCAR President Steve Phelps told Freeze in September the deal had been approved. But when Front Row submitted the paperwork last month, NASCAR began asking for additional information. A Dec. 4 request from NASCAR was "primarily related to our ongoing lawsuit with NASCAR," Freeze said. "NASCAR informed us on December 5, 2024, that it objected to the transfer and would not approve it, in contrast to the previous oral approval for the transfer confirmed by Phelps before we filed the lawsuit," Freeze said. "NASCAR made it clear that the reason it was now changing course and objecting to the transfer is because NASCAR is insisting that we drop the lawsuit and antitrust claims against it as a condition of being approved." A second affidavit from Steve Lauletta, the president of 23XI Racing, claims NASCAR accused 23XI and Front Row of manufacturing "new circumstances" in a renewed motion for an injunction and of a "coordinated effort behind the scenes." "This is completely false," Lauletta said. Front Row is owned by businessman Bob Jenkins, while 23XI is owned by retired NBA Hall of Famer Jordan, three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin and longtime Jordan adviser Curtis Polk. NASCAR had been operating with 36 chartered teams and four open spots since the charter agreement began in 2016. NASCAR now says it will move forward in 2025 with 32 chartered teams and eight open spots, with offers on charters for Front Row and 23XI rescinded and the SHR charters in limbo. The teams contend they must be chartered under some of their contractual agreements with current sponsors and drivers, and competing next year as open teams will cause significant losses. "23XI exists to compete at the highest level of stock car racing, striving to become the best team it can be. But that ambition can only be pursued within NASCAR, which has monopolized the market as the sole top-tier circuit for stock car racing," Lauletta said. "Our efforts to expand – purchasing more cars and increasing our presence on the track – are integral to achieving this goal. "It is not hypocritical to operate within the only system available while striving for excellence and contending for championships," he continued. "It is a necessity because NASCAR's monopoly leaves 23XI no alternative circuit, no different terms, and no other viable avenue to compete at this level."The use of artificial intelligence has grown across industries globally, but there is still some confusion over how to properly use the technology at work. In Singapore, 52% of employees are using artificial intelligence in their jobs, according to Slack's Workforce Index , which in August surveyed over 17,000 workers across 15 countries, including 1,008 in Singapore. > Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are The demand for AI talent in the country has grown. There has been a 4.6x increase in generative AI-related job postings in the city-state between September 2023 and September 2024, according to Indeed . But despite the fact that demand for AI talent has surged in Singapore, 45% of the employees in the country report feeling uncomfortable admitting to managers that they are using the technology for workplace tasks. For those who reported feeling that way, top reasons included the fear of being seen as "incompetent," "lazy" or "cheating," according to Slack's report. "Workers are excited about AI, but they're uncertain about how to use it in the workplace, and this uncertainty is standing in the way of broader AI adoption," Christina Janzer, ​​senior vice president of research and analytics at Slack, told CNBC Make It . "Too much of the burden today has been put on workers to figure out AI. It's important that leaders not only train workers to use AI, but encourage employees to talk about it and experiment with AI out in the open," said Janzer. Businesses should also create the time and space necessary for this experimentation, and encourage employees to share what they learned with colleagues for inspiration, she said. They can also lead by example by openly demonstrating how they are using the technology in their own jobs. Additionally, employers should provide guidance on which AI tools are "approved and trusted" to be used within their businesses, and which tasks these tools can be used for, Janzer told CNBC Make It. "Without clear guidance, workers are confused about when it is socially and professionally acceptable to use AI at work — and are keeping their usage under wraps," according to Slack's report. Despite the uncertainty, employees in Singapore still seek to improve their AI skills. In fact, 88% "feel an urgency to become an AI expert," according to the report. However, the majority (63%) of workers in the country have spent less than five hours in total learning how to use artificial intelligence. Ultimately, "employers will need to solve the gap in training and get clear about AI guidelines, as current employees and new professionals entering the workforce will gravitate to more supportive workplaces," according to Slack's research. Want to make extra money outside of your day job? Sign up for CNBC's online course How to Earn Passive Income Online to learn about common passive income streams, tips to get started and real-life success stories. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life.

Dexter: Original Sin will take audiences back in time to find out how the man became the monster — er, the monster-slayer — in the Showtime thriller. The prequel series, which premieres on Paramount+ with Showtime on Friday, December 13, takes place 15 years before we first met Dexter (then played by Michael C. Hall , who still narrates the new series) in the original Dexter . Taking over the title role in this iteration is Patrick Gibson , who has the character’s steely-eyed stares and smug sauntering style down to a science. With new characters being introduced in some familiar settings, the new series will bring some new details about Dexter’s past to light, but it will also inevitably retread some familiar territory from the first show, which had ample flashbacks. Here’s what to remember about Dexter ‘s past before Dexter: Original Sin . Dexter had a secret biological brother Dexter didn’t find out until he was a fully grown serial murderer that he had a big brother who was also running around slaughtering people. The Ice Truck Killer who stalked Dexter was actually Brian Moser, his slightly older brother who was not adopted (or even mentioned) by Harry. Dexter only found out about Brian because the Ice Truck Killer left clues that were tailored to catch his attention — reminding him of scenes from his past as part of the Morgan family. His mother died in an unthinkable way Laura Moser was the single mother to Brian and Dexter and worked as a confidential informant for Harry and the Miami-Metro Police Department against the Colombian cartel. She was brutally dismembered right in front of Brian and Dexter, who were left wading in her blood inside a shipping container. Harry adopted Dexter as his own upon finding him in the container, but Brian was sent into the foster system. Dexter exhibited signs of a murderous tendency early on In flashbacks in Dexter , it became clear that he was not a normal teenager with typical feelings or tendencies. In fact, he had an innate bloodlust that his father recognized and tried to quell with hunting trips, to the exclusion of his daughter Debra. Harry wanted to protect Dexter from himself — particularly his self-destructive impulses. Related 'Dexter: Original Sin' Clip Reveals Dex's First Day on the Job His first kill was to protect his adoptive father Though Harry tried to find other ways for Dexter to quench his thirst for blood, so to speak, he soon gave in and encouraged him to kill someone when he discovered Nurse Mary was poisoning Harry and other patients in the hospital after his heart attack. Harry taught him the code, which he continued to live by as an adult Once Dexter began to kill, Harry worked hard to create a framework for his adoptive son to work within that, if he followed it to the letter, would keep his morality and freedom intact. The rules included being certain that the mark was worthy of being murdered and leaving no trace of evidence behind. Even after Harry’s death, Dexter worked to strictly adhere to this code in every kill. Randy Tepper/Showtime He had to fake being happy to fit in Dexter repeatedly revealed that he felt empty on the inside, and it was Harry who taught him to feign normal human feelings and social interactions around others — even if it meant faking a smile in his own family photos. His father had secrets, too Little by little throughout Dexter , we learn that Harry Morgan had several affairs while married to Doris, including with Laura Morgan and another confidential informant. His adoptive mother also died when he was young Though Harry is definitely the most common star of Dexter’s flashback memories, his adoptive mother Doris is also a fixture of his past. She died when Deb was 16 and didn’t know about Dexter’s violent tendencies, even if she didn’t totally understand him at times. Dexter: Original Sin , Series Premiere, Streaming, Friday, December 13, Paramount+ with Showtime, Sunday, December 15, 10/9c, Paramount+ with Showtime More Headlines: 8 Things to Remember About Dexter’s Childhood Before ‘Original Sin’ Ryan Seacrest Reveals Dating Status to Shocked ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Contestants Your Chance to Win ‘Blue Bloods’ Collector’s Issue Signed by Bridget Moynahan Holly Robinson Peete Makes ‘Home Alone’ Confession in ‘LEGO Masters Holiday Bricktacular’ Sneak Peek (VIDEO) ‘Jeopardy!’ Boss Announces Solution to Big Tournament of Champions ProblemANDERSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio (AP) — Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's home was broken into during Monday Night Football in the latest home invasion of a pro athlete in the U.S., authorities said Tuesday. No one was injured in the break-in, but the home was ransacked, according to a report provided by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. Deputies weren't immediately able to determine what items were stolen. A person who is employed by Burrow arrived at the Anderson Township home Monday night to find a shattered bedroom window and the home in disarray. The person called their mother, and then 911 was contacted, according to the report. Deputies reached out to neighbors in an attempt to piece together surveillance footage. “Our investigators are exploring every avenue,” public information officer Kyla Woods said. The homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were broken into in October. In the NBA , Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis had his home broken into Nov. 2 and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr.'s home was burglarized on Sept. 15 while he was at a Minnesota Vikings game. Portis had offered a $40,000 reward for information. Both the NFL and NBA issued security alerts to players after those break-ins, urging them to take additional precautions to secure their homes. In league memos previously obtained by The Associated Press, the NFL said homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.” And the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Some of the burglary groups have conducted extensive surveillance on targets, including attempted home deliveries and posing as grounds maintenance or joggers in the neighborhood, according to officials. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflL3Harris Technologies, Inc. (LHX) Management presents at UBS Global Industrials Conference (Transcript)

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Besides drafting Drake Maye, the Patriots had an ‘F-minus’ offseason, Bill Simmons saysEven before we knew the targeted killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson by Luigi Mangione was politically motivated, many leftists were justifying , celebrating and rationalizing the shooting. There’s a real debate going on in some quarters of the progressive Left over whether slaying CEOs is a bad thing. And it’s unsurprising. Of course, if any MAGA professors or journalists were online publicly defending the killing of perceived political enemies, thousands of wringing hands would be lamenting the menacing rhetoric of conservatism. And rightly so. But the unhinged demonization of the health-insurance industry, the pharmaceutical industry and Big Oil are now the norm. A generation of college students has been indoctrinated into believing the profit motive is killing people when the opposite is true. Follow The Post’s live coverage for the latest on the UnitedHealthcare CEO murderer And there’s a clear ideological continuum between those who rationalize the shooting of a CEO and rationalize the murder and rape of Jews by Palestinian terrorists and rationalize the burning down of cities for “social justice.” One expects Mangione’s writing will be largely indistinguishable from what a person hears from elected progressives and pundits. Yet few will ponder why a seemingly rational Ivy League-educated engineer decided to become a hit man. Instead, the public is incessantly warned that white supremacists are gathering in the shadows, readying to spring their coup. So dangerous were these alleged impending “major civil disturbances” in 2023 that the Justice Department created a new category of extremists to “track and counter” the “anti-government or anti-authority violent extremism.” When BLM rioting enveloped the nation, causing billions in damage, destroying thousands of lives, one could barely get anyone in the media to admit it was even happening. To the left, parents who protest school boards over critical race theory and mask mandates are “domestic terrorists,” but people who burn down cities are “mostly peaceful.” The left has been prone to violence since Year Zero. Follow the latest on the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson : In the early 1900s, the United States was awash in communist and anarchist bombings, culminating in the deaths of 30 people on Wall Street in 1920. Most cultural depictions of the ’60s upheavals were of a genteel, peace-loving movement, but it was imbued with extremists, as well. By the 1970s, left-wing terrorist groups such as the Weather Underground were setting off bombs at the Capitol, police stations, the Pentagon and state attorneys general offices. An 18-month period in 1971-’72 saw an amazing 2,500 bombings in the United States by leftist groups. Worse, then as now, violence was often ignored or idealized by the “intellectual” left. When I was young, self-styled socialists would commemorate mass murderers such as Che Guevara or Mao Zedong on T-shirts. Today, feted contemporary public intellectuals such as Ta-Nehisi Coates write bestselling books celebrating terrorism. The late Kathy Boudin, a former Weather Underground member who was involved in the Brinks truck robbery that killed two innocent people, operated Columbia University’s “Center for Justice” for decades. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Angela Davis, widely considered a hero by younger progressives, who not only championed murders and terrorist regimes her entire career but bought two guns used in a courtroom kidnapping-shootout perpetrated by the Black Panthers in 1970, when three hostages and a superior court judge were killed in Marin County, Calif. There is simply no comparable mainstreaming of right-wing extremists. It was James Hodgkinson who walked onto an Alexandria, Va., baseball field in 2018 and opened fire at a Republican congressional delegation. He was a Bernie Sanders fan. Certainly, no reporter ran around the halls of Congress asking every elected Democrat if they were going to lower the rhetorical temperature. Nor did they do so when a left-wing assassin showed up at the house of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, promising to “stop roe v wade from being overturned” by “shooting for 3” justices. After years of hearing the demonizing of the Supreme Court, the man showed up with a Glock , zip ties, duct tape and various other tools. When Paul Pelosi was attacked by a deranged man, the entire media conversation revolved around conservative rhetoric. When we had two attempted assassinations of Donald Trump, most of the Left could barely stop calling him Hitler . None of this is to maintain there isn’t right-wing violence. Of course there is. It’s simply to say that we should acknowledge that a lot of our contemporary political violence emanates from the left. And a lot of it is girded by the hard-left progressive turn in mainstream America’s politics. David Harsanyi is a senior writer at the Washington Examiner. Twitter @davidharsanyiKirk Herbstreit shares personal letter from President Biden after loss of beloved dog Ben

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio House passed legislation Tuesday that will add major new procedural hurdles for plaintiffs suing companies over exposure to asbestos, a dangerous chemical closely linked to lung cancer and mesothelioma. Senate Republicans last year, despite a handful of defections, passed Senate Bill 63 over objections from trade associations representing firefighters, veterans and trial lawyers. The bill required plaintiffs who said a company exposed them to asbestos to specify early in the legal process the specific products, exposure sites, and witnesses behind the exposure. The opponents argued asbestos victims often don’t show signs of lung disease for decades, leaving them poorly positioned to know off hand who might have put them around what asbestos-containing products. But backers of the bill – namely big business groups and the insurance lobby – say the legislation protects innocent businesses from overzealous plaintiffs’ attorneys who sometime name dozens of defendants in a given lawsuit, casting a wide net to catch the ones who exposed their clients to asbestos on the job. However, the Veterans of Foreign Wars are now neutral on the bill, according to lobbyist for the Ohio chapter, David Root. Following House amendments that relax how specific the filings must be and giving judges more discretion to allow cases to proceed, the veterans organization agreed to soften its stance. Given the concessions, the bill passed with a bipartisan 69-15 vote. The no votes were all Democrats, including House Minority Leader Allison Russo. The legislation now returns to the Senate, which must vote on the House changes. If the Senate agrees, it would send the bill to Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican. Under Senate Bill 63 , plaintiffs who file a lawsuit alleging their lung disease was caused by exposure to asbestos while working for a given company must within 60 days identify specifics on the worksites, dates, asbestos containing products, and witnesses involved in their exposure. If they don’t, the defendants can file a motion to dismiss the suit. Asbestos, a mineral fiber used in construction for its heat resistant properties, causes lung diseases like lung cancer, mesothelioma (cancer found in the lining of the lung and heart) or asbestosis, according to the Environmental Protection Agency . A lobbyist representing trial lawyers' associations told committee members the bill will snuff out most asbestos lawsuits prematurely in the legal process, which is the backers’ goal. Shawn Acton, a Cleveland attorney who has tried more than 150 such cases and oversees the Ohio Association for Justice, said the legislation is a means of choking out legitimate cases before they start. Asbestos exposure, he said, occurs over time and often from multiple sources. Plaintiffs aren’t positioned to know what companies used asbestos in their building materials, or might not remember which part of a factory they worked in decades ago. They say this kind of fact-finding happens in the pre-trial evidence exchange, most of which occurs well after 60 days from when a lawsuit is filed. “Mesothelioma victims often do not possess every piece of specific information necessary to comply with the bill’s extremely specific requirements,” Acton said. “Often this evidence is in the sole possession of others, including defendants.” Other problems arise for subgroups with unique exposure patterns. Root said the military, especially the Navy, relied on asbestos products between the 1930s and the 1980s for their heat-resistant properties. But there’s a 20- to 60-year latency period between exposure and disease. Successful plaintiffs under the bill, he said, could be diagnosed with a lung disease caused by asbestos exposure and not remember where specifically it happened several decades back. And the cases themselves are often brought by surviving family members of the dead, further complicating the investigatory efforts. “Senate Bill 63 might work for someone who worked in an asbestos plant for 20 years, or manufactured brake linings all their life but it does not work for a veteran,” Root said in testimony to lawmakers. “It does not work for the surviving family member of a deceased veteran. A veteran and their family members should have the same right to file a tort action lawsuit as anyone else. But the language in SB63 makes it impossible to do. In essence, it strips them of that constitutional right.” The risk profile is even trickier for firefighters, who instead of facing marginal exposure over time find themselves blasted with high volumes of exposure of possibly asbestos-contaminated smoke. The bill, according to Ohio Professional Fire Fighters Association President Jon Harvey, would make winning a lawsuit impossible. Ohio Sen. George Lang, a Butler County Republican and lead sponsor, said the “overnaming” of defendants drives up legal costs for companies that didn’t expose a given plaintiff. The disclosure requirements in the bill -- the name of the asbestos containing product, plus dates, locations and witnesses of any exposure -- are modest asks. A lawyer, Lang said, “should have this information before a lawsuit is filed, otherwise the claim is speculative.” State Rep. Brian Lampton, a House Republican whose committee oversaw what he called “substantial” negotiations on the bill, said the legislation balances victims' interests with the companies' interest in not getting being unduly dragged into litigation. Root credited Lang for his work on negotiating the amendments. Organizations including the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, and the Business Roundtable made similar arguments, emphasizing the companies' costs of defending themselves against frivolous suits. Jeremy Pelzer contributed reporting. Stories by Jake Zuckerman Massive opioid judgment in jeopardy as Ohio Supreme Court sides with pharmacies Ohio Supreme Court’s fight over boneless wings gets spicy: Capitol Letter Oklahoma City company wins bid to frack 30 acres of Ohio’s Egypt Valley Wildlife Area Jake Zuckerman covers state politics and policy for Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.PM rejigs senior ministers’ roles to boost economyDENVER (AP) — The Denver Broncos signed left tackle Garett Bolles to a four-year extension on Thursday, locking up a big piece to protect rookie quarterback Bo Nix. Bolles has spent his entire career with the organization after being drafted out of Utah with the 20th overall pick in 2017. He has a chance this season to help the Broncos into the postseason for the first time since they won Super Bowl 50 after the 2015 season. The Broncos (8-5) are currently in the seventh and final playoff spot in the AFC. They can put some distance between them and Indianapolis on Sunday (6-7) with a win over the Colts. After an up-and-down start in Denver, Bolles has developed into a dependable pass protector. He's allowed one sack and 24 quarterback pressures over 13 starts this season. What's more, his 4.9 percent quarterback pressure rate is the second-lowest mark among tackles with at least 200 pass blocking snaps this season, according to NextGen Stats. With time to scan the field, Nix leads all rookies in completions (277), yards passing (2,842), offensive touchdowns (22) and passing touchdowns (17). Bolles earned second-team Associated Press All-Pro honors after the 2020 season. On social media , Bolles posted: “Broncos Country, It’s been a great 8 years! Thanks for everything! And ... I’m not leaving. The show goes on!” Since 2017, Bolles has allowed the sixth-fewest sacks (36) among tackles with at least 3,100 snaps. The extension of Bolles means the Broncos have all five starting offensive linemen on board through next season. Guard Quinn Meinerz agreed to four-year contract extension in July. The Broncos also signed cornerback Patrick Surtain II to a four-year contract extension in September worth $96 million, including $77.5 million in guarantees. Linebacker Jonathon Cooper agreed to a four-year, $60 million extension in November. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

 

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Former Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi stressed the urgent need for fundamental reforms to ensure stability in Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s Pakistan MULTAN, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Dec, 2024) Former stressed the urgent need for fundamental reforms to ensure stability in Quaid-e-Azam ’s . He made these remarks during a to while cutting a cake to commemorate Quaid-e-Azam’s birth anniversary at the office of Property Marketing CEO, Qari Abdul Rauf Qureshi. The , hosted by political and social leader Husnain Khan, was attended by dignitaries including Rana Faraz Noon, Iqbal Jilani, Arsalan Jilani, Qalb Haider, and Mian Zain-ul-Abideen. Abbasi highlighted the importance of addressing the problems of common citizens through practical reforms. “Youth should be educated and trained to adopt Quaid-e-Azam’s ideology,” he said, stressing that the generation is key to ’s . Expressing his pleasure at visiting , Abbasi appreciated the contributions of individuals like Qari Abdul Rauf Qureshi and Husnain Khan. “I am confident that such personalities will support the cause of national stability, development, and prosperity. I assure you of my full commitment to implementing Quaid-e-Azam’s vision,” he added. Qari Abdul Rauf Qureshi and Husnain Khan praised Abbasi’s leadership and assured him of their unwavering support. They lauded his services to the country during his tenure as . Abbasi was accorded a warm welcome upon his arrival. Later, Abbasi addressed the and reiterated the need for the creation of new provinces to address governance challenges. “South and provinces were agreed upon by , yet no action was taken,” he stated. He advocated for provinces to be formed without linguistic biases, emphasizing his party’s commitment to the cause. “New provinces will reduce problems and improve governance,” he added. On political dynamics, He remarked that political parties are currently part of the in some form or another. He also reflected on his legal battles, saying, “I pay the highest taxes. Cases against me still exist, but such challenges are part of a politician’s journey.”Inquirer files MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Agriculture (DA) has asked the Bureau of Customs to release P178.5 million worth of confiscated frozen mackerel to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to aid in relief efforts. Laboratory tests conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources’ (BFAR) National Fisheries Laboratory Division showed that the frozen fish is fit for human consumption since it has no signs of spoilage or contamination, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said in his Nov. 18 letter to Customs Commissioner Bienvenido Rubio. READ: DSWD: Successive typhoons straining gov’t relief funds “Consequently, the fish products are deemed fit for immediate release and can be utilized to address food security needs, especially in relief operations,” Tiu Laurel said in a statement over the weekend. The DA said the frozen mackerel amounted to 580 metric tons (MT) that were loaded in 21 container vans that arrived in early October from China. READ: DA eyes importation of fish, vegetables But the importer Pacific Sealand Foods Corp. did not have the required sanitary and phytosanitary import clearances. Import clearances ensure that imported food items comply with standards, protecting the health of Filipino consumers, plants and animals while preventing the spread of diseases or pests. The DA subsequently directed the BFAR to conduct laboratory tests to determine whether or not the seized frozen mackerel can be distributed to typhoon-hit areas. “This initiative would support the DSWD and the Department of Agriculture’s ongoing efforts to provide essential aid to victims of the recent typhoon,” Tiu Laurel said. The DA had said it was considering importing an additional 8,000 MT of small pelagic fish, including round scad, mackerel, moonfish and bonito, that could arrive in the first two weeks of December. This was on top of the importation of 30,000 MT of fish authorized by Tiu Laurel in April to plug the supply gap during the temporary fishing ban implemented annually for three months to protect target fish species during their peak spawning period and address other concerns, such as overfishing and climate change. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Although the DA did not say there is a supply shortage, the planned importation is meant to address any potential problems caused by the onslaught of successive typhoons and prevent any possible price spikes.

Oracle Corp. stock underperforms Tuesday when compared to competitors despite daily gains

The former New York mayor and lawyer to Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani , erupted in court on Tuesday, telling a judge: “I can’t pay my bills!” Sketches by court room artists, who create pictures for the media to use when cameras are not allowed in court, such as federal courts, showed a furious Giuliani, 80, pointing at the judge in his case, Lewis Liman. The hearing in federal court in Manhattan concerned a near-$150m judgment won by Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss, two Georgia elections workers whom Giuliani defamed while advancing Trump’s lie that electoral fraud in 2020 cost him victory over Joe Biden . Liman said Giuliani had not been complying with orders to surrender assets . Giuliani said on Tuesday: “The implications you are making against me are wrong. I have no car, no credit card, no cash, everything I have is tied up, they have put stop orders on my business accounts, and I can’t pay my bills!” Giuliani’s fall has been spectacular. After making his name as a hard-charging prosecutor who took on organized crime, he was mayor for two terms, in office on 11 September 2001 and widely praised for his leadership after the terrorist attacks on the US. His 2008 presidential run flopped but Giuliani enjoyed a successful consulting and speaking career before allying himself with Trump when the property magnate entered Republican politics in 2015. Giuliani missed out on a cabinet appointment but became Trump’s personal attorney – work that fueled Trump’s first impeachment , in 2019 for blackmailing Ukraine for political dirt. Giuliani then became a prime driver of Trump’s failed attempt to overturn the 2020 election – work which produced criminal charges, to which he pleaded not guilty , the huge defamation judgment, and disbarments in Washington and New York . In New York on Tuesday, Giuliani’s lawyer told the judge his client had turned over assets including a Mercedes Benz sports car once owned by the film star Lauren Bacall. An attorney for Freeman and Moss said Giuliani had turned over the car but not the title to it. Attorneys for the two women have also said they have gained access to Giuliani’s $5m Upper East Side apartment in Manhattan, but have not secured “the keys, stock, or proprietary lease”. In court, the judge told Giuliani’s lawyer: “A car without a title is meaningless ... your client is a competent person. He was the US attorney in the district. The notion that he can’t apply for a title certificate –” Giuliani cut him off, saying: “I did apply for it! What am I supposed to do, make it up myself? Your implication that I have not been diligent about it is totally incorrect.” He then launched his outburst about financial problems. Giuliani’s lawyer asked Liman to extend deadlines, given he had only just started on the case after previous attorneys withdrew. Liman denied the request, saying: “You can’t restart the clock by firing one counsel and hiring another. He has already received multiple extensions, and missed multiple deadlines.” Trial is set for 16 January regarding whether Giuliani must also give Moss and Freeman his Florida home and four New York Yankees World Series commemoration rings. On Tuesday, Giuliani’s lawyer asked if the trial could be pushed back, so his client could attend inaugural events for Trump, who will be sworn in as president in Washington DC on 20 January. Liman said no. Outside court, Giuliani told reporters Liman was “going to rule against me. If you were sitting in the courtroom and couldn’t figure it out, you’re stupid.” He also said the judge’s “background is serious leftwing Democrat ... about as leftwing as you get” – even while acknowledging Liman was nominated by Trump. Giuliani said he did not regret defaming Freeman and Moss. “I regret the persecution I have been put through,” he said.

Preserving language through play: Pato Pato's Spanish immersion toys empower families of bilingual children 11-22-2024 11:42 PM CET | Leisure, Entertainment, Miscellaneous Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: MediaGroupNYC Image: https://www.getnews.info/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/1732308192.jpg Pato Pato, an innovative company committed to preserving language and cultural heritage through play, has launched a Kickstarter campaign to introduce a unique line of Spanish immersion toys designed to teach kids how to read in Spanish with no expertise required. The screen-free educational toys in the Pequeno Lector Set provide families with a hands-on way to teach their children in Spanish, from foundational vocabulary to advanced literacy. With its Kickstarter launch, Pato Pato aims to raise funds for its first production run and bring its carefully crafted prototypes to communities across the US. Each toy in the Pequeno Lector Set, including the Funzana, the Giraprende, and the Silabox, serves as a tool for early Spanish literacy, making language learning fun for children and convenient for parents. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/6561aff80dbd629fae5b953662b0bc6e.jpg "With the Pequeno Lector Set, we wanted to create something truly meaningful-tools that families can use to preserve their cultural identity while helping their children grow up bilingual," said Lucia Garrett, Co-Founder of Pato Pato. "Our toys go beyond traditional learning methods, offering a tactile, hands-on, screen-free approach that makes learning fun and lasting. We're excited to share this journey with our backers." The Pequeno Lector Set includes: * Funzana: A phonics-based toy that focuses on letter sounds and letter recognition. * Giraprende: A spinning owl toy that introduces syllable formation and early literacy skills like rhyming, opposites, and inferences. * Silabox: A self-contained, word-making game for syllable blending and word formation. Why Back Pato Pato? * Keep children challenged: Each toy offers multiple levels of difficulty, keeping children challenged until they master each skill. * Keep children engaged: Endless expander packs make learning engaging and customizable. * Keep children learning: Crafted by native speakers, guiding children through language-accurate concepts at every stage. Image: https://www.getnews.info/uploads/44f2a10987351faea29b8b59f871f59f.jpg Founded by a team of parents, educators, and designers, Pato Pato is on a mission to empower families with engaging tools that inspire a lifelong connection to their language and traditions. With high-quality, thoughtfully designed toys, Pato Pato is making it easier for families to pass down the gift of the Spanish language to the next generation-without prep or expertise. Pato Pato's Kickstarter campaign offers limited-time rewards for early supporters. Backers can unlock exclusive discounts, early-bird perks, and special bundles designed for families and educators looking to integrate Spanish literacy into everyday play and classroom settings. To learn more about Pato Pato's Kickstarter campaign and secure backer-exclusive rewards, visit https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1455091945/the-pequeno-lector-set [ https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1455091945/the-pequeno-lector-set?ref=4wnqed ] Media Contact Company Name: Pato Pato City: New York State: New York Country: United States Website: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1455091945/the-pequeno-lector-set?ref=4wnqed This release was published on openPR.Trump taps forceful ally of hard-line immigration policies to head Customs and Border ProtectionKYTX Investors Have Opportunity to Lead Kyverna Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ: KYTX) Securities Fraud Lawsuit

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Party City to close its stores as company files for bankruptcy LOS ANGELES (AP) — Party City announced that it's going to “wind down” its retail and wholesale operations as it prepares to shutter nearly 700 stores nationwide. The company said Saturday it has also filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection "to maximize value for the benefit of the company’s stakeholders.” The New Jersey-based retailer said it will keep more than 95% of its 12,000 employees to help with the process of closing down. Customers have flocked to Party City for Halloween costumes, favors for children’s birthday parties and decorations for New Year’s Eve celebrations for nearly 40 years. It has faced growing competition from Walmart and Target and from occasion-based pop-up stores such as Spirit Halloween. A million taxpayers will soon receive up to $1,400 from the IRS. Who are they and why now? Approximately 1 million taxpayers will automatically receive special payments of up to $1,400 from the IRS in the coming weeks. The money will be directly deposited into eligible people’s bank accounts or sent in the mail by a paper check. Most people shouldn't get their hopes up about receiving the cash. The IRS says it’s distributing about $2.4 billion to taxpayers who failed to claim a Recovery Rebate Credit on their 2021 tax returns after missing one of the COVID stimulus payments or receiving less than the full amount. The IRS says most taxpayers eligible for the federal stimulus payments received them. Bluesky finds with growth comes growing pains — and bots Bluesky has seen its user base soar since the U.S. presidential election, boosted by people seeking refuge from Elon Musk’s X, or wanting an alternative to Meta’s Threads and its algorithms. The platform grew out of the company then known as Twitter and was eventually intended to replace it. While this is still very much a pie in the sky, Bluesky’s growth trajectory could make it a serious competitor to other social platforms. With growth, though, comes growing pains. It’s not just human users who’ve been flocking to Bluesky but also bots, including those designed to create partisan division or direct users to junk websites. 'Sonic 3' bests 'Mufasa: The Lion King' at the box office NEW YORK (AP) — In the holiday season battle of big-budget family movies, Paramount Pictures’ “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” sped past the Walt Disney Co.’s “Mufasa: The Lion King” to take the top spot at the box office. The results came just ahead of the lucrative Christmas corridor in theaters. According to studio estimates, “Sonic the Hedgehog 3” debuted with $62 million in ticket sales over the weekend. “Mufasa,” however, was humbled in its opening weekend, coming in notably shy of expectations. It returned just $35 million in domestic ticket sales. Amazon and Starbucks workers are on strike. Trump might have something to do with it Amazon delivery drivers and Starbucks baristas are on strike in a handful of U.S. cities as they seek to exert pressure on the two major companies to recognize them as unionized employees or to meet demands for an inaugural labor contract. Strikes during busy periods like the holidays can help unions exercise leverage during negotiations or garner support from sympathetic consumers. One expert says he thinks workers at both companies are “desperate” to make progress before President-elect Donald Trump can appoint a Republican majority to the National Labor Relations Board. Workers at Starbucks, Amazon and some other prominent consumer brands are fighting for their first contracts after several locations voted to unionize. Farmers are still reeling months after Hurricane Helene ravaged crops across the South LYONS, Ga. (AP) — Farmers in Georgia are still reeling more than two months after Hurricane Helene blew away cotton, destroyed ripened squash and cucumbers and uprooted pecan trees and timber. Agribusinesses in other Southern states saw costly damage as well. The University of Georgia estimates the September storm inflicted $5.5 billion in direct losses and indirect costs in Georgia alone. In rural Toombs County, Chris Hopkins just finished harvesting his ravaged cotton crop and figures he lost half of it, costing him about $430,000. Poultry grower Jeffrey Pridgen in Georgia's Coffee County had four of his 12 chicken houses destroyed and others badly damaged. Farmers say more government disaster assistance is needed. Ex-OpenAI engineer who raised legal concerns about the technology he helped build has died Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI engineer and whistleblower who helped train the artificial intelligence systems behind ChatGPT and later said he believed those practices violated copyright law, has died, according to his parents and San Francisco officials. He was 26. He was well-regarded by colleagues at the San Francisco company, where a co-founder this week called him one of OpenAI’s strongest contributors who was essential to developing some of its products. But he grew disillusioned with the company and told The Associated Press this fall he would “try to testify” in copyright infringement cases against it. Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge shows price pressures eased last month WASHINGTON (AP) — An inflation gauge that is closely watched by the Federal Reserve barely rose last month in a sign that price pressures cooled after two months of sharp gains. Prices rose just 0.1% from October to November. Excluding the volatile food and energy categories, prices also ticked up just 0.1%, after two months of outsize 0.3% gains. The milder inflation figures arrived two days after Federal Reserve officials, led by Chair Jerome Powell, rocked financial markets by revealing that they now expect to cut their key interest rate just two times in 2025, down from four in their previous estimate. Albania to close TikTok for a year blaming it for promoting violence among children TIRANA, Albania (AP) — Albania’s prime minister says the government will shut down video service TikTok for one year, blaming it for inciting violence and bullying, especially among children. Albanian authorities held 1,300 meetings with teachers and parents following the stabbing death of a teenager in mid-November by another teenager following a quarrel that started on TikTok. Prime Minister Edi Rama, speaking at a meeting with teachers and parents, said TikTok “would be fully closed for all. ... There will be no TikTok in the Republic of Albania.” Rama says the ban will begin sometime next year. Albanian children comprise the largest group of TikTok users in the country, according to domestic researchers. Stock market today: Wall Street rises to turn a dismal week into just a bad one NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to turn what would have been one of the market’s worst weeks of the year into just a pretty bad one. The S&P 500 rallied 1.1% Friday to shave its loss for the week down to 2%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped nearly 500 points, and the Nasdaq composite gained 1%. A report said a measure of inflation the Federal Reserve likes to use was slightly lower last month than expected. It’s an encouraging signal after the Fed shocked markets Wednesday by saying worries about inflation could keep it from cutting interest rates in 2025 as much as earlier thought.Small Business Network Switches Market 2024 Size, Share, Growth Report 2032

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At least one Israeli airstrike shook the Lebanese capital of Beirut late Tuesday, moments after U.S. President Joe Biden said Israel and Hezbollah had agreed to ceasefire deal . At least 24 people have been killed in strikes across Lebanon, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah before the ceasefire is set to take hold at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday. Hezbollah also fired rockets into Israel on Tuesday, triggering air raid sirens across the country’s north. An Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza. Hezbollah began attacking Israel on Oct. 8, 2023, a day after Hamas’ attack on southern Israel, in support of the Palestinian militant group. More than a year of fighting in Lebanon escalated into all-out war in September with massive Israeli airstrikes across the country and an Israeli ground invasion of the south. In Gaza, more than 44,000 people have been killed and more than 104,000 wounded in the nearly 14-month war between Israel and Hamas, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Here's the Latest: JERUSALEM — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security Cabinet has approved a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah, clearing the way for the truce to take effect. Netanyahu’s office said the plan was approved by a 10-1 margin. The late-night vote came shortly before President Joe Biden was expected to announced details of the deal in Washington. Earlier, Netanyahu defended the ceasefire, saying Israel has inflicted heavy damage on Hezbollah and could now focus its efforts on Hamas militants in Gaza and his top security concern, Iran. Netanyahu vowed to strike Hezbollah hard if it violates the expected deal. WASHINGTON — Rep. Mike Waltz, President-elect Donald Trump’s designate to be national security adviser, credited Trump’s victory with helping bring the parties together toward a ceasefire in Lebanon. “Everyone is coming to the table because of President Trump,” he said in a post on X on Tuesday. “His resounding victory sent a clear message to the rest of the world that chaos won’t be tolerated. I’m glad to see concrete steps towards deescalation in the Middle East.” He added: “But let’s be clear: The Iran Regime is the root cause of the chaos & terror that has been unleashed across the region. We will not tolerate the status quo of their support for terrorism.” BEIRUT — Israeli jets targeted a building in a bustling commercial area of Beirut for the first time since the start of the 13-month war between Hezbollah and Israel. The strike on Hamra is around 400 meters (yards) from the country’s central bank. A separate strike hit the Mar Elias neighborhood in the country’s capital Tuesday. There was no immediate word on casualties from either strike, part of the biggest wave of attacks on the capital since the war started. Residents in central Beirut were seen fleeing after the Israeli army issued evacuation warnings for four targets in the city. Meanwhile, the Israeli army carried out airstrikes on at least 30 targets in Beirut’s southern suburbs Tuesday, including two strikes in the Jnah neighborhood near the Kuwaiti Embassy. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reported that 13 people were injured in the strikes on the southern suburbs. BEIRUT — Hezbollah has said it accepts the ceasefire proposal with Israel, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state.” of Lebanon, he said. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” Among the issues that may remain is an Israeli demand to reserve the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations under the emerging deal. The deal seeks to push Hezbollah and Israeli troops out of southern Lebanon. JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he would recommend his Cabinet adopt a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, as Israeli warplanes struck across Lebanon, killing at least 23 people. The Israeli military also issued a flurry of evacuation warnings — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah down to the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. For the first time in the conflict, Israeli ground troops reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River, a focal point of the emerging deal. In a televised statement, Netanyahu said he would present the ceasefire to Cabinet ministers later on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting. Netanyahu said the vote was expected later Tuesday. It was not immediately clear when the ceasefire would go into effect, and the exact terms of the deal were not released. The deal does not affect Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza, which shows no signs of ending. BEIRUT — Lebanon’s state media said Israeli strikes on Tuesday killed at least 10 people in Baalbek province the country’s east. At least three people were killed in the southern city of Tyre when Israel bombed a Palestinian refugee camp, said Mohammed Bikai, a representative of the Fatah group in the area. He said several more people were missing and at least three children were among the wounded. He said the sites struck inside the camp were “completely civilian places” and included a kitchen that was being used to cook food for displaced people. JERUSALEM — Dozens of Israeli protesters took to a major highway in Tel Aviv on Tuesday evening to call for the return of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, as the country awaited news of a potential ceasefire in Lebanon between Israel and Hezbollah. Protesters chanted “We are all hostages,” and “Deal now!” waving signs with faces of some of the roughly 100 hostages believed to be still held in Gaza, at least a third of whom are thought to be dead. Most of the other hostages Hamas captured in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack were released during a ceasefire last year. The prospect of a ceasefire deal in Lebanon has raised desperation among the relatives of captives still held in Gaza, who once hoped that the release of hostages from Gaza would be included. Instead of a comprehensive deal, the ceasefire on the table is instead narrowly confined to Lebanon. Dozens of Israelis were also demonstrating against the expected cease-fire, gathering outside Israel’s military headquarters in central Tel Aviv. One of the protesters, Yair Ansbacher, says the deal is merely a return to the failed 2006 U.N. resolution that was meant to uproot Hezbollah from the area. “Of course that didn’t happen,” he says. “This agreement is not worth the paper it is written on.” FIUGGI, Italy — Foreign ministers from the world’s industrialized countries said Tuesday they strongly supported an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah and insisted that Israel comply with international law in its ongoing military operations in the region. At the end of their two-day summit, the ministers didn’t refer directly to the International Criminal Court and its recent arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister over crimes against humanity . Italy had put the ICC warrants on the official meeting agenda, even though the G7 was split on the issue. The U.S., Israel’s closest ally, isn’t a signatory to the court and has called the warrants “outrageous.” However, the EU’s chief diplomat Josep Borrell said all the other G7 countries were signatories and therefore obliged to respect the warrants. In the end, the final statement adopted by the ministers said Israel, in exercising its right to defend itself, “must fully comply with its obligations under international law in all circumstances, including international humanitarian law.” And it said all G7 members — Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States – “reiterate our commitment to international humanitarian law and will comply with our respective obligations.” It stressed that “there can be no equivalence between the terrorist group Hamas and the State of Israel.” The ICC warrants say there's reason to believe Netanyahu used “starvation as a method of warfare” by restricting humanitarian aid and intentionally targeted civilians in Israel’s campaign against Hamas in Gaza — charges Israeli officials deny. BEIRUT — An Israeli strike on Tuesday levelled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded in Beirut, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry. It was not immediately clear if anyone in particular was targeted, though Israel says its airstrikes target Hezbollah officials and assets. The Israeli military spokesman issued a flurry of evacuation warnings for many areas, including areas in Beirut that have not been targeted throughout the war, like the capital’s commercial Hamra district, where many people displaced by the war have been staying. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks in Lebanon during the final hours before a ceasefire is reached, sparked panic and sent residents fleeing in their cars to safer areas. In areas close to Hamra, families including women and children were seen running away toward the Mediterranean Sea’s beaches carrying their belongings. Traffic was completely gridlocked as people tried to get away, honking their car horns as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. The Israeli military also issued warnings for 20 more buildings in Beirut’s suburbs to evacuate before they too were struck — a sign it was aiming to inflict punishment on Hezbollah in the final moments before any ceasefire takes hold. TEL AVIV, Israel — The independent civilian commission of inquiry into the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel has found Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu directly responsible for the failures leading up to the attack, alongside former defense ministers, the army chief and the heads of the security services. The civil commission presented its findings today after a four-month probe in which it heard some 120 witnesses. It was set up by relatives of victims of the Hamas attack, in response to the absence of any state probe. The commission determined that the Israeli government, its army and security services “failed in their primary mission of protecting the citizens of Israel.” It said Netanyahu was responsible for ignoring “repeated warnings” ahead of Oct. 7, 2023 for what it described as his appeasing approach over the years toward Hamas, and for “undermining all decision-making centers, including the cabinet and the National Security Council, in a way that prevented any serious discussion” on security issues. The commission further determined that the military and defense leaders bear blame for ignoring warnings from within the army, and for reducing the army’s presence along the Gaza border while relying excessively on technological means. On the day of the Hamas attack, the report says, the army’s response was both slow and lacking. The civil commission called for the immediate establishment of a state commission of inquiry into the Oct. 7 attack. Netanyahu has opposed launching a state commission of inquiry, arguing that such an investigation should begin only once the war is over. JERUSALEM -- The Israeli military says its ground troops have reached parts of Lebanon’s Litani River — a focal point of the emerging ceasefire. In a statement Tuesday, the army said it had reached the Wadi Slouqi area in southern Lebanon and clashed with Hezbollah forces. Under a proposed ceasefire, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is some 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the Israeli border. The military says the clashes with Hezbollah took place on the eastern end of the Litani, just a few kilometers (miles) from the border. It is one of the deepest places Israeli forces have reached in a nearly two-month ground operation. The military says soldiers destroyed rocket launchers and missiles and engaged in “close-quarters combat” with Hezbollah forces. The announcement came hours before Israel’s security Cabinet is expected to approve a ceasefire that would end nearly 14 months of fighting. BEIRUT — Israeli jets Tuesday struck at least six buildings in Beirut’s southern suburbs Tuesday, including one that slammed near the country’s only airport. Large plumes of smoke could be seen around the airport near the Mediterranean coast, which has continued to function despite its location beside the densely populated suburbs where many of Hezbollah’s operations are based. The strikes come hours before Israel’s cabinet was scheduled to meet to discuss a proposal to end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. The proposal calls for an initial two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. There were no immediate reports of casualties from Tuesday’s airstrikes. FIUGGI, Italy — EU top diplomat Josep Borrell, whose term ends Dec. 1, said he proposed to the G7 and Arab ministers who joined in talks on Monday that the U.N. Security Council take up a resolution specifically demanding humanitarian assistance reach Palestinians in Gaza, saying deliveries have been completely impeded. “The two-state solution will come later. Everything will come later. But we are talking about weeks or days,” for desperate Palestinians, he said. “Hunger has been used as an arm against people who are completely abandoned.” It was a reference to the main accusation levelled by the International Criminal Court in its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Borrell said the signatories to the court, including six of the seven G7 members, are obliged under international law to respect and implement the court’s decisions. Host Italy put the ICC warrants on the G7 agenda at the last minute, but there was no consensus on the wording of how the G7 would respond given the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Italy, too, has said it respects the court but expressed concern that the warrants were politically motivated and ill-advised given Netanyahu is necessary for any deal to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. “Like it or not, the International Criminal Court is a court as powerful as any national court,” Borrell said. “And if the Europeans don’t support International Criminal Court then there would not be any hope for justice,” he said. Borrell, whose term ends Dec. 1, said he proposed to the G7 and Arab ministers who joined in talks on Monday that the U.N. Security Council take up a resolution specifically demanding humanitarian assistance reach Palestinians in Gaza, saying deliveries have been completely impeded. “The two-state solution will come later. Everything will come later. But we are talking about weeks or days,” for desperate Palestinians, he said. “Hunger has been used as an arm against people who are completely abandoned.” It was a reference to the main accusation levelled by the International Criminal Court in its arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister. Borrell said the signatories to the court, including six of the seven G7 members, are obliged under international law to respect and implement the court’s decisions. Host Italy put the ICC warrants on the G7 agenda at the last minute, but there was no consensus on the wording of how the G7 would respond given the U.S., Israel’s closest ally, has called the warrants “outrageous.” Italy, too, has said it respects the court but expressed concern that the warrants were politically motivated and ill-advised given Netanyahu is necessary for any deal to end the conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon. “Like it or not, the International Criminal Court is a court as powerful as any national court,” Borrell said. “And if the Europeans don’t support International Criminal Court then there would not be any hope for justice,” he said. (edited)

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