
Shoplifting incidents in Sault Ste. Marie have surged, with a 22 per cent increase in reported cases compared to last year. In response, local law enforcement is ramping up efforts to tackle the issue through preventative measures, collaboration with the Crown’s office, and enhanced data analysis. This rise comes despite an overall decline in crime across the city. Property crimes such as break-ins and vehicle thefts have dropped significantly — by 32 per cent and 25 per cent, respectively — according to statistics presented at Monday’s police board meeting. “We know something is going on because there are fewer thefts of autos and break-ins,” said Police Chief Hugh Stevenson. “The criminal sub-culture doesn’t have to go to that bother — they simply go into the store, steal the product, and walk out.” Much of the theft involves low-value, consumable items often linked to substance use. “It becomes a low-end commodity to support, basically, a fentanyl habit in this city,” said Stevenson. The economic and social consequences of shoplifting are felt widely, the police board heard. Store owners face increased security costs, which are ultimately passed on to consumers, contributing to higher costs of living. “I think sometimes when we see shoplifting, we think, ‘Well, that’s not an important issue.’ It is an important issue because it affects a lot more people than violent crimes,” said Stevenson, adding that many shoplifting offenders may become violent in the future. While major franchises such as Circle K are often targeted, small businesses also bear the brunt. An employee at Krazy Ernie’s noted, “People steal all the time. It’s sometimes so small that we don’t bother to call it in, but it’s frustrating.” The employee, who wished to remain anonymous, noted that shoplifting appears to be improving, now occurring about once a week compared to once every couple of days during the summer. In the downtown core, shoplifting has been a persistent concern. Ashton Carter, coordinator for the Sault Ste. Marie Downtown Association (DTA), emphasized the financial and safety impacts. “Shoplifting in our downtown core is a real concern that not only impacts local businesses financially but also affects the sense of safety for residents, employees, and visitors,” said Carter in a statement. The DTA has collaborated with law enforcement, community organizations, and merchants to address the issue through various initiatives. The Downtown Ambassador program, launched by the CMHA in 2022, provides on-the-ground support for vulnerable individuals and addresses safety concerns. In June, Norpro Inc. began a downtown security patrol program using “track tick tags,” a technology that monitors patrol movements to optimize their effectiveness and work better in tandem. To curb shoplifting, police have consulted with 11 businesses as of Monday, providing advice on preventative measures such as installing mirrors and raising counter heights to deter theft. Crime Stoppers has also intensified efforts, using “Wanted Wednesday” posts to spotlight repeat offenders. Repeat offenders, especially those committing multiple thefts in a single day, are now being held for bail with the support of the Crown’s office. Police believe stricter bail conditions can help connect offenders with treatment and support. “It will not stop until we apply bail release issues as they were over the last 20 years, where people are held until they get the help, get the treatment, and they can get on with their lives,” said Stevenson. The Local Journalism Initiative is made possible through funding from the federal government.
SMITHFIELD, R.I. (AP) — Malik Grant rushed for 204 yards and three touchdowns and Rhode Island beat Bryant 35-21 on Saturday to capture its first league title in 39 years. Rhode Island (10-2, 7-1 Coastal Athletic Association) secured the program's seventh title, with each of the previous six coming in the Yankee Conference. The Rams tied a program record for total wins in a season with 10, first set in 1984 and matched in 1985. Hunter Helms threw for 209 yards with one touchdown and one interception for Rhode Island. Grant also added his first touchdown reception of the season. Grant rushed for 47 yards on the first snap of the second half. He ran for 56 yards on the drive that ended with his 4-yard touchdown catch for a 20-14 lead. An interception by Braden Price on the ensuing Bryant possession set up another Grant rushing touchdown. Bryant scored in the fourth quarter to make it a one-score game, but a 15-play, 72-yard drive ended with a 3-yard touchdown run by Grant. Grant's 13 rushing touchdowns are tied for Rhode Island's single-season record set last season by Ja’Den McKenzie. Brennan Myer threw for 189 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for Bryant (2-10, 0-8). Dylan Kedzior rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown, and Landon Ruggieri caught eight passes for 105 yards and a score. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballSome tech industry leaders are pushing the incoming Trump administration to increase visas for highly skilled workers from other nations. Related Articles National Politics | In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families National Politics | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National Politics | New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns National Politics | Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen National Politics | Exhausted by political news? TV ratings and new poll say you’re not alone The heart of the argument is, for America to remain competitive, the country needs to expand the number of skilled visas it gives out. The previous Trump administration did not increase the skilled visa program, instead clamping down on visas for students and educated workers, increasing denial rates. Not everyone in corporate America thinks the skilled worker program is great. Former workers at IT company Cognizant recently won a federal class-action lawsuit that said the company favored Indian employees over Americans from 2013 to 2022. A Bloomberg investigation found Cognizant, and other similar outsourcing companies, mainly used its skilled work visas for lower-level positions. Workers alleged Cognizant preferred Indian workers because they could be paid less and were more willing to accept inconvenient or less-favorable assignments. Question: Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers? Caroline Freund, UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy YES: Innovation is our superpower and it relies on people. Sourcing talent from 8 billion people in the world instead of 330 million here makes sense. Nearly half our Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. Growing them also relies on expanding our skilled workforce. The cap on skilled-worker visas has hardly changed since the computer age started. With AI on the horizon, attracting and building talent is more important than ever. Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research YES: After years of openly allowing millions of undocumented entrants into the country, why is there controversy over legally increasing somewhat the number having desirable skills? Undocumented immigration significantly impacts lower skill level jobs and wages competing with domestic workers at every skill level. Why should special cases be made against those having higher skills? Could they just not walk across the border anyway, why make it more inconvenient to those with desirable skills? James Hamilton, UC San Diego YES: Knowledge and technology are key drivers of the U.S. economy. Students come from all over the world to learn at U.S. universities, and their spending contributed $50 billion to U.S. exports last year. Technological advantage is what keeps us ahead of the rest of the world. Highly skilled immigrants contribute much more in taxes than they receive in public benefits. The skills immigrants bring to America can make us all better off. Norm Miller, University of San Diego YES: According to Forbes, the majority of billion-dollar startups were founded by foreigners. I’ve interviewed dozens of data analysts and programmers from Berkeley, UCSD, USD and a few other schools and 75% of them are foreign. There simply are not enough American graduates to fill the AI and data mining related jobs now exploding in the U.S. If we wish to remain a competitive economy, we need highly skilled and bright immigrants to come here and stay. David Ely, San Diego State University YES: Being able to employ highly skilled workers from a larger pool of candidates would strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. companies by increasing their capacity to perform research and innovate. This would boost the country’s economic output. Skilled workers from other nations that cannot remain in the U.S. will find jobs working for foreign rivals. The demand for H-1B visas far exceeds the current cap of 85,000, demonstrating a need to modify this program. Phil Blair, Manpower YES: Every country needs skilled workers, at all levels, to grow its economy. We should take advantage of the opportunity these workers provide our employers who need these skills. It should be blended into our immigration policies allowing for both short and long term visas. Gary London, London Moeder Advisors YES: San Diego is a premiere example of how highly skilled workers from around the globe enrich a community and its regional economy. Of course Visa levels need to be increased. But let’s go further. Tie visas and immigration with a provision that those who are admitted and educated at a U.S. university be incentivized, or even required, to be employed in the U.S. in exchange for their admittance. Bob Rauch, R.A. Rauch & Associates NO: While attracting high-skilled immigrants can fill critical gaps in sectors like technology, health care and advanced manufacturing, increasing high-skilled immigration could displace American workers and drive down wages in certain industries. There are already many qualified American workers available for some of these jobs. We should balance the need for specialized skills with the impact on the domestic workforce. I believe we can begin to increase the number of visas after a careful review of abuse. Austin Neudecker, Weave Growth YES: We should expand skilled visas to drive innovation and economic growth. Individuals who perform high-skilled work in labor-restricted industries or graduate from respected colleges with relevant degrees should be prioritized for naturalization. We depend on immigration for GDP growth, tax revenue, research, and so much more. Despite the abhorrent rhetoric and curtailing of visas in the first term, I hope the incoming administration can be persuaded to enact positive changes to a clearly flawed system. Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health YES: But it should be based upon need, not politics. There are several industries that have or could have skilled workforce shortages, especially if the next administration tightens immigration as promised and expected. Over the years, there have been nursing shortages that have been met partially by trained and skilled nurses from other countries. The physician shortage is expected to get worse in the years to come. So, this visa program may very well be needed. Jamie Moraga, Franklin Revere NO: While skilled immigration could boost our economy and competitiveness, the U.S. should prioritize developing our domestic workforce. Hiring foreign nationals in sensitive industries or government-related work, especially in advanced technology or defense, raises security concerns. A balanced approach could involve targeted increases in non-sensitive high-demand fields coupled with investment in domestic STEM education and training programs. This could address immediate needs while strengthening the long-term STEM capabilities of the American workforce. Not participating this week: Alan Gin, University of San DiegoHaney Hong, San Diego County Taxpayers AssociationRay Major, economist Have an idea for an Econometer question? Email me at phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com . Follow me on Threads: @phillip020
LeBron James and Stephen Curry share the national spotlight on Christmas Day for perhaps the final time when the visiting Los Angeles Lakers square off with the Golden State Warriors in the holiday primetime showcase Wednesday night at San Francisco. Two teams currently sitting in play-in positions in the Western Conference playoff race will seek to bounce back from narrow home defeats when James and Curry meet on Christmas for the fourth time. The first three meetings were at the height of their powers, with Curry's Warriors and James' Cleveland Cavaliers dueling in 2015 and 2016 as reigning NBA finalists. James had joined the Lakers for the third matchup in 2018, when the Warriors again were defending champs. Curry and James are paired again this year despite neither team advancing past the first round of the playoffs last season. And neither is considered a serious title contender this season. With a 40th birthday approaching Monday, James has continued to play at a high level. He had 32 points in a win at Sacramento on Saturday, then put up a triple-double Monday in a 117-114 home loss to the Detroit Pistons. James joins reigning MVP Nikola Jokic as the only players in the league currently averaging at least 23.0 points, 8.0 rebounds and 9.0 assists. James ended Monday's game with blood on his left wrist and promising he's not backing down from any challenges, even while nearing 40. "You just got to match physicality with physicality," said James, a former wide receiver in high school. "I can't speak for nobody but myself when it comes to that. I'm a football player so I don't mind physicality to be honest." Curry, who will turn 37 before season's end, had two of the worst performances of his career in his last three outings, shooting a combined 2-for-20 overall and 2-for-15 on 3-pointers while totaling 12 points in losses to Memphis and Indiana. The struggles have coincided with the addition of veteran point guard Dennis Schroder, acquired in a trade from the Brooklyn Nets. Schroder came to Golden State averaging 18.4 points and 6.6 assists, shooting 45 percent overall and 39 percent on 3-pointers. Inserted immediately into the starting lineup, he has contributed just 7.7 points and 3.7 assists a game for Golden State, shooting 8-for-29 overall (27.6 percent) and 1-for-11 on 3-pointers (9.1 percent). Curry believes it's just a matter of time before the new backcourt combination clicks. "It could be a lot better, and it will be," Curry said. "We're being defended a certain way, but it's nothing I haven't seen before. You just got to understand when to pick and choose your spots based on the attention you get. Get the ball moving, try to find a rhythm a little earlier. "That might be a little bit of an adjustment, but something I've been through and always try to find a way to bounce back." The Warriors will be playing on Christmas Day for the 12th straight season. They've faced the Lakers twice previously on the holiday - 1954 in a Philadelphia vs. Minneapolis matchup, and 2018 in a game in which James outscored Curry 17-15 in a 127-101 win in Oakland. -Field Level Media
Are you a gambling enthusiast in South Africa caught in the dilemma of choosing between the electric buzz of land-based casinos and the cutting-edge convenience of online platforms? Well, you’re in luck, as the South African gambling landscape offers the best of both worlds, each with its own unique allure and benefits. Whether you’re someone who relishes the glamour and social interaction of physical casinos, or you prefer the accessibility and innovation of online gaming, South Africa’s diverse gambling market has something tailor-made for you. The Age-Old Charm of Land-Based Casinos Vs. The Digital Allure of Online Platforms As of 2024, the land-based gambling market in South Africa continues to be a significant segment of the country’s entertainment industry. The nation is home to some of the most renowned casinos in the world, offering a diverse range of gaming options from traditional casino slot machines to various table games like poker, blackjack, and roulette. 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The emergence of virtual reality (VR) in online gambling is a game-changer, creating immersive, 3D environments that mimic the experience of stepping into a physical casino. This technological advancement enhances the thrill of gambling and attracts a tech-savvy audience seeking interactive and engaging experiences. Moreover, the allure of online casinos is significantly bolstered by their exclusive no deposit casino bonuses and promotions. These include welcome bonuses, free spins casinos, loyalty rewards, and more, offering added value and increased chances of winning for new and regular players. With options for various stake levels, real money casino cater to a wide spectrum of financial preferences, from high rollers to casual players. The combination of privacy, a wide array of games, advanced technology, and enticing bonuses makes online gambling a highly appealing and continually evolving field for players globally. 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President Murmu extends Christmas greetings to citizensNo ruling by 9th Circuit in Ex-Councilmember Mark Ridley Thomas’ appealDistrict 3 champion Bishop McDevitt returns to the PIAA Championship game, this time in Class 5A, to meet Philadelphia up-and-comer Roman Catholic at Cumberland Valley’s Chapman Field. Kickoff is 7 p.m. PennLive is locked in at Chapman Field and ready for the Crusaders' clash with the Cahillites. The matchup between 13-2 McDevitt and 11-4 Roman features an enticing quarterback combo. Crusaders senior QB Stone Saunders is within 130 yards of Pa. all-time passing yards record for a career. The Kentucky signee already snared all-time passing TD record earlier this fall. • How to watch Bishop McDevitt vs. Roman Catholic in 2024 PIAA Class 5A Football Championship Roman has its own big weapon in junior QB Semaj Beals, who threw four touchdowns in a semifinal win over District 1 champ West Chester Rustin . Follow this post for updates throughout Friday’s game: Bishop McDevitt QB Stone Saunders is warming up for the final time of his high school career. The Kentucky signee is Pennsylvania’s all-time passing touchdowns leader, and he’s 131 passing yards away from surpassing the state record of 13,652. pic.twitter.com/7v23T0KDiU Almost that time. Bishop McDevitt (13-2) and Roman Catholic (11-4) are warming up for the PIAA 5A final. Kickoff at 7 p.m. pic.twitter.com/KiYC8RJ33G Bishop McDevitt vs. Roman Catholic: PIAA 5A football championship preview https://t.co/Uej2pRFoEt • Beyond the 5A championship, Harrisburg star and Penn State commit Messiah Mickens was named Pa. Gatorade Player of the Year on Friday Penn State commit, Harrisburg star Messiah Mickens named Gatorade Pa. Player of the Year • Troy delivered late to win the PIAA 2A title over Central Clarion Mason Smith accomplished every young football player’s dream. Read more about it here ⬇️⬇️ https://t.co/GejdbKy1Cu • Elsewhere, Andrew Olesh, Pa.‘s No. 1 prospect out of Southern Lehigh, flipped to Penn State from Michigan at his signing ceremony Friday. Penn State flips Pa. No. 1 ranked prospect Andrew Olesh from Michigan https://t.co/1QzURmkXws • Sign up for PennLive’s daily high school sports newsletter Thanks for visiting PennLive. Quality local journalism has never been more important. We need your support. Not a subscriber yet? Please consider supporting our work. More High School Sports Troy’s Mason Smith has ‘been dreaming about’ game-winning TD in 2A state championship Penn State flips Pa. No. 1 ranked prospect Andrew Olesh from Michigan Troy wins its first 2A football championship with stirring fourth quarter scoring drive Watch: Highlights of Troy’s PIAA 2A title win over Central Clarion
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim wants a new left-back, and while Alphonso Davies may prove a difficult recruit, the Red Devils could turn their attention to Theo Hernández of AC Milan . Join us for the latest transfer news, rumours, and gossip from around the globe. Transfers homepage | Done deals | Men's grades | Women's grades TOP STORIES - Salah on Liverpool contract future: 'More out than in' - Raya warns Arsenal of 'in-form' Gyökeres' quality - De Bruyne casts doubt on City future amid slump TRENDING RUMORS - AC Milan left-back Theo Hernández is high up on Manchester United's transfer shortlist, according to Sky Sport Deutschland's Florian Plettenberg . The Red Devils are said to be monitoring the 27-year-old France international, who is viewed as a strong alternative to Bayern Munich 's Alphonso Davies in their search to reinforce the left side of their defence. Recent reports have indicated that the Rossoneri have been in talks with Hernández's representatives regarding a new long-term contract extension that would secure his future at the San Siro until the summer of 2029, although he will enter the final 18 months of his current deal in January if an agreement has not been signed by then. Editor's Picks Man City humbled, Barcelona's wake-up call, Amorim's Man United debut: Marcotti recaps the weekend 1d Gabriele Marcotti Man United's draw at Ipswich reveals enormity of Amorim's task 1d Mark Ogden Rúben Amorim at Man United: Predicting his team, formation, transfers 5d Gabriele Marcotti, Mark Ogden - Barcelona have made Newcastle Untied striker Alexander Isak their priority transfer for next summer, reports The Sun . The Camp Nou hierarchy are reported to have recently switched their focus to the 25-year-old after learning that his Sweden compatriot Viktor Gyökeres is unlikely to join the LaLiga club amid hopes of moving to the Premier League . Isak, who arrived on Tyneside from Real Sociedad for a £63m transfer fee in the summer of 2022, has continued impressive form at St. James' Park this season, having contributed to six goals in ten league matches, while also being one of the standouts on international duty with four goals in as many Nations League clashes. He has also recently been linked with Arsenal . - Juventus are keeping close tabs on the situation of Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee , according to Corriere dello Sport . It is reported that the Bianconeri are evaluating an approach for the 23-year-old, who previously impressed during his time working under manager Thiago Motta at Bologna . The Netherlands international is expected to be available in January after a difficult start to life at Old Trafford, in which he has scored just once in 12 Premier League appearances. The Serie A side are also said to be considering Udinese 's Lorenzo Lucca as a potential alternative. - A move for Paris Saint-Germain striker Randal Kolo Muani is under consideration by Arsenal , reports Ekrem Konur . The Gunners are said to be exploring a potential loan move in the January transfer window to reinforce their attacking options, although they could face competition for the 25-year-old from Newcastle United . Kolo Muani has struggled to earn regular minutes for PSG this season, having made just two Ligue 1 starts, and he has also recently been linked with Manchester United . - Real Madrid have added Everton centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite to their shortlist, writes Rudy Galetti . Los Blancos are said to be considering a move for the 22-year-old England international in January, with manager Carlo Ancelotti keen to reinforce his defence. Manchester United have also been linked with him, but it is said that the Toffees are only willing to consider parting ways with the player for a transfer fee in the region of €70m. EXPERT TAKE ESPN's Mark Ogden assesses whether Theo Hernández could find a home at Manchester United. Manchester United have virtually no room for manoeuvre in the January transfer window due to financial constraints, so they are unlikely to be anywhere close to being able to find a move for Alphonso Davies or Theo Hernández. Luke Shaw's return from injury means Amorim now has a senior left-back to turn to and fit-again Tyrell Malacia and teenager Harry Amass are both options too. United will need to offload a big earner or raise funds with outgoings in January to have any hope of doing significant business, so don't expect Davies or Hernández to arrive at Old Trafford any time soon. OTHER RUMORS - Talks are ongoing between Arsenal and the representatives of forward Ethan Nwaneri over a new contract. ( Fabrizio Romano ) - Teams would be required to "significantly top" the £44m that Wolverhampton Wanderers paid if they are to sign attacking midfielder Matheus Cunha in the next transfer window. ( GiveMeSport's Ben Jacobs ) - Lille forward Jonathan David is planning to run the remaining seven months of his contract down and become a free agent this summer despite the Ligue 1 club being open to offloading him in January. ( Football Insider ) - Chelsea are closing in on a move to sign Watford wunderkind Mathis Eboue , son of former Arsenal and Ivory Coast international defender Emmanuel. ( Daily Mail ) - Aston Villa are considering a move for Werder Bremen midfielder Romano Schmid , who could be signed for a transfer fee of around €10m. ( Sky Sport Deutschland's Florian Plettenberg )Criminal cases against incoming president Trump being dropped
Biden opens final White House holiday season with turkey pardons and first lady gets Christmas tree WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden has kicked off his final holiday season at the White House, issuing the traditional reprieve to two turkeys who will bypass the Thanksgiving table to live out their days in Minnesota. The president welcomed 2,500 guests under sunny skies as he cracked jokes about the fates of “Peach” and “Blossom.” He also sounded wistful tones about the last weeks of his presidency. Separately, first lady Jill Biden received the delivery of the official White House Christmas tree. And the Bidens are traveling to New York later Monday for an early holiday celebration with members of the Coast Guard. Couple charged in ring suspected of stealing $1 million in Lululemon clothes MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Connecticut couple has been charged in Minnesota with being part of a shoplifting ring suspected of stealing around $1 million in goods across the country from upscale athletic wear retailer Lululemon.Jadion Anthony Richards and Akwele Nickeisha Lawes-Richards, both of Danbury, Connecticut, were charged this month with one felony count of organized retail theft. Both went free last week after posting bail bonds of $100,000 for him and $30,000 for her. They're also suspected in thefts from Lululemon stores in Colorado, Utah, New York and Connecticut. They're due back in court next month. Formula 1 expands grid to add General Motors' Cadillac brand and new American team for 2026 season LAS VEGAS (AP) — Formula 1 will expand the grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a federal investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti, who has since stepped aside. The 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is retiring from international soccer U.S. women’s national team goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher is retiring from international soccer. Naeher is on the team’s roster for a pair of upcoming matches in Europe but those will be her last after a full 11 years playing for the United States. Naeher was on the U.S. team that won the Women’s World Cup in 2019 and the gold medal at this year's Olympics in France. She’s the only U.S. goalkeeper to earn a shutout in both a World Cup and an Olympic final. Bah, humbug! Vandal smashes Ebenezer Scrooge's tombstone used in 'A Christmas Carol' movie LONDON (AP) — If life imitates art, a vandal in the English countryside may be haunted by The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. Police in the town of Shrewsbury are investigating how a tombstone at the fictional grave of Ebenezer Scrooge was destroyed. The movie prop used in the 1984 adaption of Charles Dickens' “A Christmas Carol” had become a tourist attraction. The film starred George C. Scott as the cold-hearted curmudgeon who is visited by three ghosts on Christmas Eve who show him what will become of his life if he doesn’t become a better person. West Mercia Police say the stone was vandalized in the past week. Megachurch founder T.D. Jakes suffers health incident during sermon at Dallas church DALLAS (AP) — The founder of Dallas-based megachurch The Potter's House, Bishop T.D. Jakes, was hospitalized after suffering what the church called a “slight health incident.” Jakes was speaking to churchgoers after he sat down and began trembling as several people gathered around him Sunday at the church. Jakes' daughter Sarah Jakes Roberts and her husband Touré Roberts said in a statement on social media late Sunday that Jakes was improving. The 67-year-old Jakes founded the non-denominational The Potter's House in 1996 and his website says it now has more than 30,000 members with campuses in Fort Worth and Frisco, Texas; and in Denver. At the crossroads of news and opinion, 'Morning Joe' hosts grapple with aftermath of Trump meeting The reaction of those who defended “Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski for meeting with President-elect Trump sounds almost quaint in the days of opinionated journalism. Doesn't it makes sense, they said, for hosts of a political news show to meet with such an important figure? But given how “Morning Joe” has attacked Trump, its viewers felt insulted. Many reacted quickly by staying away. It all reflects the broader trend of opinion crowding out traditional journalist in today's marketplace, and the expectations that creates among consumers. By mid-week, the show's audience was less than two-thirds what it has typically been this year. Pilot dies in plane crash in remote woods of New York, puppy found alive WINDHAM, N.Y. (AP) — Authorities say a pilot and at least one dog he was transporting died when a small plane crashed in the snowy woods of the Catskill Mountains, though a puppy on the flight was found alive with two broken legs. The Greene County sheriff’s office says Seuk Kim of Springfield, Virginia, was flying from Maryland to Albany, New York, when the plane crashed at about 6:10 p.m. Sunday in a remote area. Officials believe the pilot died from the impact. The surviving dog was hospitalized, while a third dog was not located. The flight was connected with a not-for-profit group that transports rescue animals. Warren Buffett gives away another $1.1B and plans for distributing his $147B fortune after his death OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Investor Warren Buffett renewed his Thanksgiving tradition of giving by handing out more than $1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations Monday, and he offered new details about who will be handing out the rest of his fortune after his death. Buffett has said previously that his three kids will distribute his remaining $147.4 billion fortune in the 10 years after his death, but now he has also designated successors for them because it’s possible that Buffett’s children could die before giving it all away. Buffett said he has no regrets about his decision to start giving away his fortune in 2006. Pop star Ed Sheeran apologizes to Man United boss Ruben Amorim for crashing interview MANCHESTER, England (AP) — British pop star Ed Sheeran has apologized to Ruben Amorim after inadvertently interrupting the new Manchester United head coach during a live television interview. Amorim was talking on Sky Sports after United’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich on Sunday when Sheeran walked up to embrace analyst Jamie Redknapp. The interview was paused before Redknapp told the pop star to “come and say hello in a minute.” Sheeran is a lifelong Ipswich fan and holds a minority stake in the club. He was pictured celebrating after Omari Hutchinson’s equalizing goal in the game at Portman Road.Five9's chief accounting officer Leena Mansharamani sells $55,632 in stock
US indices slid lower at the opening bell, with the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite losing two percent during morning trading. Shares in Tesla were down over three percent in late morning trading while those in AI chipmaker NVIDIA shed around two percent. Wall Street stocks have historically performed well around the year-end holidays in what is popularly known as a Santa Claus rally. A Christmas Eve jump in equities got the Santa rally off to a flying start and indices barely budged in Thursday trading. Briefing.com analyst Patrick O'Hare also pointed to an increase in 10-year US Treasury bond yields to around 4.6 percent, which he noted is an increase of nearly 0.9 percentage points since the US Federal Reserve made its first interest rate cut in September. "The Fed doesn't hold sway over longer-dated maturities like it does over shorter-dated securities, so the bump in rates at the back end of the curve is being watched with an anxious eye as a possible harbinger of a pickup in inflation and/or the budget deficit," O'Hare said. Wall Street stocks took a knock earlier this month when the Fed indicated it would likely cut interest rates less than it had previously expected to. That was in part because of uncertainty tied to the stated intention of incoming president Donald Trump to raise tariffs, which could boost inflation that is already proving sticky. In Asia, Japan's Nikkei index closed up nearly two percent, with the yen's recent weakness proving a boon for major exporters. The yen hit 158.08 per US dollar on Thursday evening -- its lowest in almost six months -- following comments made by Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda that failed to give a clear signal on a possible interest rate increase next month. Recent data has showed Japan's inflation rose for a second month in December, while industrial production declined less than expected in November and retail sales came in higher than estimated last month. Japan's government also on Friday approved a record budget for the next fiscal year, ramping up spending on social welfare for its ageing population and on defence to tackle regional threats. In Seoul, the stock market closed down one percent after the won plunged to a nearly 16-year low of 1,487.03 against the dollar on Friday morning. South Korea is struggling to emerge from political turbulence in the wake of President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration this month, which prompted his impeachment. Acting President Han Duck-soo was also impeached Friday in a vote that prompted governing party lawmakers to protest with angry chants and raised fists. South Korea's business outlook for January fell in the Bank of Korea's composite sentiment index, the biggest month-on-month slide since April 2020, according to data based on almost 3,300 firms released Friday. In Europe, Frankfurt's DAX index rose after German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier dissolved parliament on Friday and confirmed the expected date for the early general election, emphasising the need for "political stability" in Europe's largest economy. New York - Dow: DOWN 0.8 percent at 42,987.31 New York - S&P 500: DOWN 1.2 percent at 5,967.31 New York - Nasdaq Composite: DOWN 1.7 percent at 19,676.01 London - FTSE 100: UP 0.2 percent at 8,149.78 (close) Paris - CAC 40: UP 1.0 percent at 7,355.37 (close) Frankfurt - DAX: UP 0.7 percent at 19,984.32 (close) Tokyo - Nikkei 225: UP 1.8 percent at 40,281.16 points (close) Seoul - Kospi: DOWN 1.0 percent at 2,404.77 (close) Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.1 percent at 20,116.93 (close) Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.1 percent at 3,400.14 (close) Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0431 from $1.0424 on Thursday Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2589 from $1.2526 Dollar/yen: DOWN at 157.53 yen from 158.00 yen Euro/pound: DOWN at 82.85 pence from 83.19 pence West Texas Intermediate: UP 1.2 percent at $70.42 per barrel Brent North Sea Crude: UP 1.1 percent at $73.62 per barrel burs-rl/rlpDENVER--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 6, 2024-- Palantir and Anduril, two leading companies at the intersection of commercial technology and national security, are launching a new consortium to ensure that the U.S. government leads the world in artificial intelligence. Our goal is to deliver the technological infrastructure, from the edge to the enterprise, that can enable our government and industry partners to transform America’s world-leading AI advancements into next-generation military and national security capabilities. This partnership is focused on solving two main problems that limit the adoption of AI for national security purposes. The first is data readiness. Most useful national security data— government data that are collected and created by sensors, vehicles, weapons, and robots at the tactical edge—are not retained for AI training and algorithm development. Exabytes of defense data, indispensable for AI training and inferencing, are currently evaporating. What should be America’s ultimate asymmetric advantage over our adversaries is instead our biggest lost opportunity. To solve this, we will utilize Anduril’s Lattice software system and the Anduril Menace family of deployable compute and communications systems to instrument the tactical edge for the government’s secure, large-scale data retention and distribution. Lattice connects directly with third-party defense systems at the edge, delivers autonomy to machine operations, securely distributes their information across a large-scale data mesh, and backhauls all tactical data into government enclaves for the purposes of AI training and inferencing. Menace devices are also purpose-built for the tactical edge, customized down to the silicon level for the unique requirements of national security operations in tactical environments—including, soon, next- generation encryption. The second problem that we seek to solve exists when processing data at scale. Even with national security data that are retained, no secure enterprise pipeline exists to turn that data into AI capabilities. U.S. companies are developing world-leading models but struggling to deploy them at scale with government partners for defense applications. To solve that, we will utilize Palantir’s AI Platform (AIP) to deliver a cloud-based data management and AI development capability that operates at the hyper-scale of commercial industry while meeting the unique requirements of national security. This will enable the structuring, labeling, and preparation of defense data for AI training and development at all levels of classification, including Secure Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Programs (SAP). Palantir’s AIP provides a seamless interface for commercial and government AI developers to conduct imitation and reinforcement learning. It also provides a secure pipeline to deploy, retrain, and redeploy those AI models onto national security systems—a process made even easier, faster, and more reliable through the integration with Anduril’s unique edge capabilities. We will also provide a rapid and ready mechanism to operationalize these new AI capabilities directly through defense production programs that are already fielded. Maven Smart System, powered by the Palantir Platform, provides an enterprise mission command platform that integrates large-scale operational data and utilizes AI-based capabilities to improve and accelerate human decision-making across joint missions, such as intelligence and fires. Similarly, Anduril’s Lattice software platform provides an edge-based mission autonomy platform that integrates directly with robotic systems and utilizes AI-based capabilities to automate and orchestrate their conduct of joint missions, such as air defense and reconnaissance. Anduril and Palantir are joining these complementary systems together, providing a seamless operational capability from the edge to the enterprise that serves as a deployment platform for new AI applications that anyone can build. This platform is already in place and in use by Anduril and Palantir for their own corporate purposes and with government contracts that enables this work to begin immediately. Ultimately, Palantir and Anduril expect to expand the partnership to other industry partners that have unique contributions to make to this unique mission. No single company is capable of delivering on the promise of AI for national security. It takes a team of companies that are willing and able to ensure that the U.S. government remains the world leader in fielding advanced technologies that keep our citizens safe. About Anduril Anduril Industries is a defense technology company with a mission to transform U.S. and allied military capabilities with advanced technology. By bringing the expertise, technology, and business model of the 21st century’s most innovative companies to the defense industry, Anduril is changing how military systems are designed, built and sold. Anduril’s family of systems is powered by Lattice, an AI software platform that turns thousands of data streams into a realtime, 3D command and control center. As the world enters an era of strategic competition, Anduril is committed to bringing cutting-edge AI, computer vision, sensor fusion, and networking technology to the military in months, not years. For more information, visit www.anduril.com. About Palantir Technologies Inc. Foundational software of tomorrow. Delivered today. Additional information is available at https://www.palantir.com . Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements may relate to, but are not limited to, Palantir or management’s expectations regarding the timing and benefits of the transfer of its common stock listing to Nasdaq, including Palantir’s potential eligibility or inclusion in market indices, which cannot be predicted or quantified with certainty. Forward-looking statements are based on information available at the time those statements are made and were based on current expectations as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management as of that time with respect to future events. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond our control. Additional information regarding these risks and uncertainties is included in the filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Except as required by law, we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241206684306/en/ CONTACT: Palantir Contact: media@palantir.comAnduril Contact: Media@anduril.com KEYWORD: COLORADO UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY SECURITY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES PUBLIC POLICY/GOVERNMENT SOFTWARE INTERNET WHITE HOUSE/FEDERAL GOVERNMENT DATA ANALYTICS DATA MANAGEMENT ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE SOURCE: Palantir Technologies Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/06/2024 05:00 PM/DISC: 12/06/2024 05:02 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241206684306/enAvior Wealth Management LLC lessened its holdings in shares of Analog Devices, Inc. ( NASDAQ:ADI – Free Report ) by 5.4% in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 995 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock after selling 57 shares during the quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Analog Devices were worth $229,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Baader Bank Aktiengesellschaft grew its holdings in Analog Devices by 3.9% during the second quarter. Baader Bank Aktiengesellschaft now owns 1,143 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $259,000 after buying an additional 43 shares in the last quarter. Grove Bank & Trust raised its holdings in shares of Analog Devices by 3.1% in the third quarter. Grove Bank & Trust now owns 1,445 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $333,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. CVA Family Office LLC lifted its position in shares of Analog Devices by 40.2% during the second quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 157 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in Analog Devices by 1.4% during the second quarter. Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 3,482 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $795,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Quotient Wealth Partners LLC boosted its holdings in Analog Devices by 2.5% during the third quarter. Quotient Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,977 shares of the semiconductor company’s stock worth $455,000 after purchasing an additional 48 shares during the last quarter. 86.81% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several research firms have commented on ADI. Bank of America dropped their target price on shares of Analog Devices from $260.00 to $255.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company initiated coverage on Analog Devices in a research report on Friday. They issued an “equal weight” rating and a $220.00 price objective on the stock. Oppenheimer reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $245.00 target price on shares of Analog Devices in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. Cantor Fitzgerald reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $250.00 price target on shares of Analog Devices in a report on Tuesday, October 8th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Analog Devices in a research report on Thursday, August 22nd. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and sixteen have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Analog Devices has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $252.05. Analog Devices Price Performance ADI stock opened at $214.59 on Friday. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $224.87 and a 200-day moving average of $225.40. The firm has a market capitalization of $106.54 billion, a P/E ratio of 64.44, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.97 and a beta of 1.08. Analog Devices, Inc. has a 12 month low of $179.63 and a 12 month high of $244.14. The company has a current ratio of 1.69, a quick ratio of 1.24 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.19. Analog Devices ( NASDAQ:ADI – Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 21st. The semiconductor company reported $1.58 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.50 by $0.08. Analog Devices had a net margin of 17.07% and a return on equity of 9.47%. The firm had revenue of $2.31 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $2.27 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.49 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was down 24.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Analog Devices, Inc. will post 6.34 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, EVP Gregory M. Bryant sold 20,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $223.87, for a total value of $4,477,400.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 59,093 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $13,229,149.91. This represents a 25.29 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link . Also, Director Edward H. Frank sold 995 shares of Analog Devices stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $234.31, for a total transaction of $233,138.45. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 3,753 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $879,365.43. This represents a 20.96 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold 110,995 shares of company stock worth $25,116,338 in the last ninety days. 0.31% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. About Analog Devices ( Free Report ) Analog Devices, Inc designs, manufactures, tests, and markets integrated circuits (ICs), software, and subsystems products in the United States, rest of North and South America, Europe, Japan, China, and rest of Asia. The company provides data converter products, which translate real-world analog signals into digital data, as well as translates digital data into analog signals; power management and reference products for power conversion, driver monitoring, sequencing, and energy management applications in the automotive, communications, industrial, and consumer markets; and power ICs that include performance, integration, and software design simulation tools for accurate power supply designs. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ADI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Analog Devices, Inc. ( NASDAQ:ADI – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Analog Devices Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Analog Devices and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .By ERIC TUCKER WASHINGTON (AP) — A ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans, a top White House official said Friday. Biden administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies , as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, the deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technologies, told reporters Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. The update from Neuberger is the latest development in a massive hacking operation that has alarmed national security officials, exposed cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the private sector and laid bare China’s hacking sophistication. The hackers compromised the networks of telecommunications companies to obtain customer call records and gain access to the private communications of “a limited number of individuals.” Though the FBI has not publicly identified any of the victims, officials believe senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures are among those whose whose communications were accessed. Related Articles National News | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National News | US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people National News | Most Americans blame insurance profits and denials alongside the killer in UHC CEO death, poll finds National News | Another jackpot surpasses $1 billion. Is this the new normal? National News | Man indicted in burning death of woman inside a New York City subway train, prosecutors say Neuberger said officials did not yet have a precise sense how many Americans overall were affected by Salt Typhoon, in part because the Chinese were careful about their techniques, but a “large number” were in the Washington-Virginia area. Officials believe the goal of the hackers was to identify who owned the phones and, if they were “government targets of interest,” spy on their texts and phone calls, she said. The FBI said most of the people targeted by the hackers are “primarily involved in government or political activity.” Neuberger said the episode highlighted the need for required cybersecurity practices in the telecommunications industry, something the Federal Communications Commission is to take up at a meeting next month. “We know that voluntary cyber security practices are inadequate to protect against China, Russia and Iran hacking of our critical infrastructure,” she said. The Chinese government has denied responsibility for the hacking.
Wall Street’s main indexes all closed higher today, with gains in megacap and growth stocks bolstering benchmarks in a truncated Christmas Eve session. Both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq Composite scored four straight sessions of gains, with the S&P 500 taking its winning streak to three sessions, marking the first day of the seasonal Santa Claus rally. The Dow had skidded for 10 straight sessions earlier this month, its longest losing streak since 1974. With megacap stocks having an outsized influence on markets, their performance is often a key driver of indexes. When coupled with reduced trading volumes and few other catalysts, as many investors take time off for the holidays, this is even more pronounced. All the so-called Magnificent Seven megacap technology stocks climbed today, led by the 7.4% jump in Tesla shares. The automaker’s best one-day gain in six weeks helped push the consumer discretionary index 2.6% higher. It was the top gaining sector in the S&P, with all 11 ending in positive territory. Elsewhere, chip manufacturers were also buoyant. Broadcom and Nvidia rose 3.2% and 0.4%, respectively, while Arm Holdings climbed 3.9%, recouping most of the losses suffered the previous day from losing a court case. Growth names rose despite U.S. Treasury interest rates remaining elevated – the benchmark 10-year note yielded around 4.61% today, its highest level since May. Traditionally, higher debt costs crimp growth stocks. However, the long-term themes around technology development, including advancements in artificial intelligence, overshadow any near-term moves in Treasuries, said Charlie Ripley, senior investment strategist for Allianz Investment Management. “This reinforces that view that the sector is going to remain strong, and should be well into the new year,” he said. The S&P 500 climbed 65.97 points, or 1.10%, to 6,040.04 points, while the Nasdaq Composite advanced 266.24 points, or 1.35%, to 20,031.13. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 390.08 points, or 0.91%, to 43,297.03. Stock markets shut at 1:00 p.m. ET today and will be closed for Christmas on Wednesday. After a stellar run to record highs following the November U.S. election, which sparked hopes of pro-business policies under President-elect Donald Trump, Wall Street’s rally hit a bump this month as investors grappled with the prospect of higher interest rates in 2025. The Federal Reserve eased borrowing costs for the third time this year last Wednesday, but signaled only two more 25-basis-point reductions next year, down from its September projection of four cuts, as policymakers weigh the possibility of Trump’s policies stoking inflation. Allianz’s Ripley said the themes that had driven the market higher in the past two months remained intact, and actions by the Fed had not killed the rally. “Heading into 2025, things are set up with good positioning,” he said, noting factors including economic outlook, consumption in the U.S. and the labor market. Crypto-related stocks traded higher today, with Microstrategy, Riot Platforms, and MARA Holdings all climbing between 4.7% and 8.1%, as the price of bitcoin advanced. NeueHealth soared 75% after the healthcare provider said New Enterprise Associates, its largest shareholder, and a group of existing investors will take the company private in a $1.3 billion deal. American Airlines’ shares edged up 0.6% after trading lower for much of the session. The carrier briefly grounded all its flights in the United States today due to an unspecified technical issue.
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