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ps5 disk edition price philippines History will — or at least should — see a $165 billion error in revenue estimates as one of California’s most boneheaded political acts. It happened in 2022, as the state was emerging from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Department of Finance, based on one short-term spike in income taxes, projected that revenues from the state’s three largest sources would remain above $200 billion a year indefinitely. Newsom then declared that the budget had a $97.5 billion surplus , although that number never appeared in any documents. “No other state in American history has ever experienced a surplus as large as this,” Newsom bragged as he unveiled a 2022-23 fiscal year budget that topped $300 billion. With that in mind, he and the Legislature adopted a budget with billions in new spending, most notably on health and welfare programs and cash payments to poor families. Within a few weeks, Newsom and legislators learned that real revenues were falling well short of the rosy projections. But the damage, in terms of expanded spending, was done. Two years later, buried in its fine print, the deficit-ridden 2024-25 budget acknowledged that sales taxes and personal and corporate income tax revenues would fall well short of the $200 billion a year projection, estimating a $165.1 billion shortfall over four years. The past two years have seen budgets with deficits papered over with direct and indirect borrowing, tapped emergency reserves, vague assumptions of future spending cuts, and accounting gimmicks. For instance, the current budget “saves” several billion dollars by counting next June’s state payroll as an expenditure in the following fiscal year. This bit of fiscal history is important to remember because the twin 2022 acts of overestimating revenues and overspending billions of nonexistent dollars on new and expanded services continues to haunt the state, as a new analysis indicates. The Legislature’s budget analyst, Gabe Petek, unveiled his office’s annual overview of the state’s finances Wednesday and it wasn’t a pretty picture. There’s been a recent uptick in personal income tax revenues thanks to wealthy investors’ stock market gains , some stemming from Donald Trump’s presidential victory. However, Petek said, government spending — much of it dating from 2022’s phony surplus — is continuing to outpace revenues from “a sluggish economy,” creating operating deficits. “Outside of government and health care, the state has added no jobs in a year and a half,” the analysis declares. “Similarly, the number of Californians who are unemployed is 25% higher than during the strong labor markets of 2019 and 2022. Consumer spending (measured by inflation‐adjusted retail sales and taxable sales) has continued to decline throughout 2024.” Meanwhile, it continues, “one reason the state faces operating deficits is growth in spending. Our estimate of annual total spending growth across the forecast period — from 2025‐26 to 2028‐29 — is 5.8% (6.3% excluding K‐14 education). By historical standards, this is high.” Petek’s grim outlook coupled with the more conservative bent of voters , as shown in this month’s election, present a political dilemma for a governor and a Legislature oriented toward expanding government. Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas , reacting to the analysis in a statement, indicated that he’s gotten the message. “We need to show restraint with this year’s budget, because California must be prepared for any challenges, including ones from Washington,” Rivas said. “It’s not a moment for expanding programs, but for protecting and preserving services that truly benefit all Californians.” Newsom will propose a 2025-26 budget in January, but no matter what he and the Legislature decide, the structural budget deficit will still be there when he exits the governorship in 2027. It will be part of his legacy. — CalMatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters. For more stories by Dan Walters, go to Commentary .

France's Macron vows to stay on, promises PM in 'coming days'

Dan Walters: Revenue error continues to haunt budgetSanta Colin Cowherd hands out Christmas presents to several NFL teams this holiday season, including the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers. The Philadelphia Eagles needed Tanner McKee to step into Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys as Kenny Pickett left with a rib injury. The Eagles selected McKee in the sixth round of the 2023 draft out of Stanford. But he had never seen any action in a regular-season game. With Jalen Hurts already out and Pickett in the locker room, McKee took the reins and the team didn’t really miss a beat. CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee reacts after throwing a touchdown pass during the second half against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum) McKee found star wide receiver A.J. Brown with 2:44 left in the third quarter for a 20-yard touchdown pass. It was the first touchdown pass of his career. But Brown made a major faux pas by throwing the football into the stands at Lincoln Financial Field. He didn’t realize it was McKee’s first touchdown pass until he got back to the sideline. PATRIOTS FANS CHANT 'FIRE MAYO' AS TEAM SUFFERS BLOWOUT LOSS TO CHARGERS Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) launches the football into the stands after catching a touchdown pass during the second half on Sunday. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) Luckily, Eagles fans support their own and the team got the ball back. McKee then hit DeVonta Smith for a 25-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. The team went up 41-7 at the point. They won the game by the same score and clinched the NFC East title. Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown gestures toward the stands after realizing the football he launched onto the stands was quarterback Tanner McKee's first career touchdown. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP If Pickett is hurt next week, McKee may be in line to start in the season finale against the New York Giants . Philadelphia will likely sit its key players until the wild-card round of the playoffs begins. Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter . Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.

People gather to demand South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. (Associated Press Photo/Ahn Young-joon) South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday said he would lift martial law just hours after he imposed it , in a brief and confusing episode in which he blasted the opposition as “anti-state forces” threatening the country’s democracy. The unexpected move from Yoon — the first time martial law has been declared in South Korea in more than four decades — alarmed the United States and the country’s other allies. READ: South Korea lifts martial law decree after lawmakers vote against it What do we know about the imposition, its lifting and what might come next? In a dramatic, late-night emergency television address to the nation, Yoon announced that he was imposing martial law in South Korea, as he accused the opposition of paralysing the government with “anti-state activities”. A six-point decree from the new martial law commander, army chief General Park An-su swiftly followed, banning political activities and parties, “false propaganda”, strikes and “gatherings that incite social unrest”. The order also brought all media outlets under the authority of martial law and directed all medical staff, including striking doctors, to return to work within 48 hours. Security forces sealed the National Assembly, helicopters landed on the roof and troops entered the building for a short time, seemingly in a bid to prevent lawmakers from getting inside. READ: South Korean parliament defies president, lifts martial law declaration But 190 lawmakers managed to enter and voted unanimously to reject Yoon’s declaration and call for martial law to be lifted. Outside, hundreds of protesters gathered, many raising chants calling for Yoon to be arrested. Following the lawmakers’ vote, Yoon backed down. His cabinet additionally approved the motion to lift the order, Yonhap news agency reported. “Just a moment ago, there was a demand from the National Assembly to lift the state of emergency, and we have withdrawn the military that was deployed for martial law operations,” Yoon said in a televised address around 4:30 am (1930 GMT Tuesday). Under South Korea’s constitution, the parliamentary vote to lift martial law has to be respected. Yoon said he was acting to safeguard his country’s liberal democracy from “anti-state elements” and “threats posed by North Korea” — but gave little detail. While unexpected, the announcement came in the context of a festering budget row between Yoon and the opposition Democratic Party. The opposition has slashed around 4.1 trillion won ($2.8 billion) from Yoon’s proposed 677 trillion won budget for next year, prompting the president to complain that “all key budgets essential to the nation’s core functions” were being cut. “What is clear is that Yoon has been a deeply unpopular, ineffectual leader and he is having a hard time getting any kind of public support for anything he’s trying to do,” said Alan Yu, a former US diplomat in Asia now at the Center for American Progress. “The use of martial law feels almost like a desperation move to try to break out, both in a political and policy sense, but it is really poorly played on both fronts.” South Korea is a key Western ally in Asia, seen as an important democratic bulwark in a region dominated by authoritarian regimes, and the drama is being watched with concern. Washington had voiced “grave concern” about the situation and called for it to be resolved “peacefully and in accordance with the law”, while Britain and Germany both said they were closely following developments. 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 . China, a key ally of nuclear-armed North Korea, urged its citizens to exercise caution, while Russia — itself increasingly close to Pyongyang — called the situation “alarming”.ITV Who Wants to be a Millionaire fans 'switch off' over 'awful' Jools Holland appearance

Two senior members of the federal cabinet were in Florida Friday pushing Canada’s new border plan with Donald Trump’s transition team, a day after Trudeau himself appeared to finally push back at the president-elect over his social media posts about turning Canada into the 51st state. Both Trudeau and former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, who Trudeau has been courting to become Canada’s next finance minister, shared posts on X Thursday, a day after Trump’s latest jab at Canada in his Christmas Day message. It isn’t clear if Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc, who has repeatedly insisted Trump’s 51st state references are a joke, will raise the issue with Trump’s team when he and Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly meet with them in Palm Beach. The two are there to discuss Canada’s new $1.3 billion border plan with just under four weeks left before Trump is sworn in again as president. He has threatened to impose a new 25 per cent import tariff on Canada and Mexico the same day over concerns about a trade imbalance, as well as illegal drugs and migration issues at the borders. The broad strokes of Canada’s plan were made public Dec. 17, including a new aerial intelligence task force to provide round-the-clock surveillance of the border, and improved efforts using technology and canine teams to seek out drugs in shipments leaving Canada LeBlanc’s spokesman, Jean-Sébastien Comeau, said the ministers will also emphasize the negative impacts of Trump’s threatened tariffs on both Canada and the U.S. Comeau said the ministers will build on the discussions that took place last month when Trudeau and LeBlanc met Trump at Mar-a-Lago just days after Trump first made his tariff threat. It was at that dinner on Nov. 29 when Trump first raised the notion of Canada becoming the 51st state, a comment LeBlanc has repeatedly since insisted was just a joke. But Trump has continued the quip repeatedly in various social media posts, including in his Christmas Day message when he said Canadians would pay lower taxes and have better military protection if they became Americans. He has taken to calling Trudeau “governor” instead of prime minister. Trudeau had not directly responded to any of the jabs, but on Thursday posted a link to a six-minute long video on YouTube from 2010 in which American journalist Tom Brokaw “explains Canada to Americans.” The video, which originally aired during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, explains similarities between the two countries, including their founding based on immigration, their trading relationship and the actions of the Canadian Army in World War 2 and other modern conflicts. “In the long history of sovereign neighbours there has never been a relationship as close, productive and peaceful as the U.S. and Canada,” Brokaw says in the video. Trudeau did not expand about why he posted a link to the video, posting it only with the words “some information about Canada for Americans.” Carney, who is at the centre of some of Trudeau’s recent domestic political troubles, also called out Trump’s antics on X Thursday, calling it “casual disrespect” and “carrying the ‘joke’ too far.” “Time to call it out, stand up for Canada, and build a true North American partnership,” said Carney, who Trudeau was courting to join his cabinet before Chrystia Freeland resigned as finance minister last week. Freeland’s sudden departure, three days after Trudeau informed her he would be firing her as finance minister in favour of Carney, left Trudeau’s leadership even more bruised than it already was. Despite the expectation Carney would assume the role, he did not and has not made any statements about it. LeBlanc was sworn in as finance minister instead the same day Freeland quit. More than two dozen Liberal MPs have publicly called on Trudeau to resign as leader, and Trudeau is said to be taking the holidays to think about his next steps. He is currently vacationing in British Columbia. Alessia Passafiume, The Canadian Press

& Applications to join ’s writing team in Lent 2025 are now open! Now is the time to take your place at the beating heart of Cambridge’s current discourse and history. Freshers, finalists, and anyone in between, no matter what levels of experience, are very welcome. is the oldest and only independent student newspaper in Cambridge, and one of only three in the UK. We hold institutions to account, representing the interests of students with integrity, ambition, and a creative edge. This tradition, which began with the paper’s creation in 1947, has seen break many historical and discourse-shaping stories. In 1953, we reported on Watson and Crick’s discovery of the structure of DNA. In the past year, we broke the controversy surrounding “race-realist” fellow Nathan Cofnas, and the news that Cambridge's veterinary course could lose its accreditation. With contributions from Amol Rajan to Charles III, Sylvia Plath to Jeremy Paxman, and Germaine Greer to J.G. Ballard, you have the opportunity to join an impressive lineage of journalists, writers, and creatives. is, however, much more than just news. We have space for your opinions, interviews, and investigations, as well as room for you to express your taste in fashion, music, or film and TV, and a section devoted to letting students have their say on the latest theatre productions in Cambridge. Most importantly, we are a training paper. We aim to nurture new talent, offering a working environment that can prepare you for the world of journalism beyond Cambridge, but is primarily social, collaborative, and encouraging. The Editors-in-Chief of in Lent term will be Sophie Denny (slmad2) and Wilf Vall (wv229). Don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions about the application process or what it’s like to contribute to the paper. Now is the ideal time to write for . Please see the information below for specific details on how to apply for each role. Applications must be submitted to by News correspondents News is the beating heart of the paper, unearthing the goings-on around Cambridge and holding the University to account. news stories are regularly picked up by national publications and, as a news correspondent, the next big scoop could be yours. You’ll be part of a dynamic and fast-paced team, pitching and discussing leads at the weekly news conference while learning from more seasoned student journalists. No experience is required: only a passion for, and commitment to, reporting on news in Cambridge. You'll learn everything from how to submit an FOI and send a right of reply to the basics of Media Law and news writing. To apply for the role of news correspondent, please complete the following tasks: 1) Suggest two leads (a piece of gossip or idea) that could be developed into a story. (max 200 words) 2) Pitch a long-form news investigation. (max 200 words) Features writers Features are all about building a story. Whether that be delving into the history of Cambridge's most obscure secret societies or chasing leads to add colour to a controversial news story, an engaging feature is – at its heart – investigative: you will be exercising all your creativity, tying together information from different sources and interviews to create perspective and intrigue. In past terms, staff writers have explored MI6 recruitment in Cambridge, investigated the EAMC’s failures, and narrated the history of C-Sunday. To apply as a staff writer on the Features desk, please complete the following tasks: 1) Pitch two potential features for next term. (max 200 words) 2) Re-write the opening and closing paragraphs to this feature: https://www.varsity.co.uk/features/28384 (max 200 words) 3) Pick a Feature from the website and tell us how you would improve it. (max 200 words) Comment writers Student voices need to be heard – and we’re committed to placing student perspectives at the centre of the conversation. Not all students see things the same way, so we’re looking to platform a balanced and diverse range of opinions. Staff writers will produce articles regularly on an array of topics commissioned by their editors or from their own pool of ideas. Staff writers should be ready to respond to breaking Cambridge news and have their finger on the pulse of local and wider news, whilst always holding true to their own specific viewpoints and opinions.To apply as a staff writer on the Comment desk, please complete the following tasks: 1) Pitch two article ideas. (300 words max) 2) Write a different 600-word Comment article responding to any news story we have published in the last term. 3) Pitch a column which would feature fortnightly comment articles on a consistent theme, topic, or persona. (150 words max) Interviews writers Interviews is one of our most diverse sections. Past writers on the Interviews desk have had conversations with Robert De Niro, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, the President of Armenia, and more. Interview writers will regularly reach out to important public figures and famous Cambridge alumni – and get the chance to meet fascinating people. It's also a great opportunity to explore the Cambridge community, allowing you to interview students and residents with interesting perspectives. This term, Interviews have been published with figures ranging from Alastair Campbell to Hacker T. Dog. To apply as a staff writer on the Interviews desk, please complete the following tasks: 1) If you could interview any (living) Cambridge alumnus, who would it be and why? What would you ask them? (300 words max) 2) Choose one student in Cambridge you would like to spotlight in an interview and why this article would be interesting to our readership. 3) Choose two interviewees, one for a long-form piece and one for a quick-fire interview. Pitch each idea, considering each subjects’ suitability to the different forms and their relevance to our readership. (max 300 words) Science writers Whether reporting the latest scientific developments, investigating the trials and tribulations of scientific student societies, or interviewing underrepresented industry experts, the Science section aims to deliver interesting content that is accessible to all readers. In this role, you will report on new research and scientific exhibits in Cambridge, or write features that highlight student-relevant tidbits in an informative and engaging way. To apply as a science writer, please complete the following tasks: 1) Please write a 600-word piece exploring a recent discovery, phenomena, or scientific venture relevant to a Cambridge-based readership. Examples can be found in the Science section. 2) How would you engage our readership in science through your articles? Consider interview subjects and areas of discussion that would interest a Cambridge student who does not study a STEM degree. (max 200 words) Sport writers Sport is a central component of life at Cambridge for many but this section is designed for everyone, not just those constantly sporting their Cambridge Blue gear. You can provide a variety of articles ranging from informative match reports to entertaining sports news events in or out of Cambridge. As a writer you’ll be responsible for covering key fixtures, but can also provide a varsity of articles ranging from interviews and profiles to commentary and behind-the-scenes features. To apply as a Sports Writer, please answer the following questions: 1) Outline three ideas for potential articles, including one interview based article. (max 400 words) 2) What do you like or dislike about the Cambridge sports scene? What underrepresented sports and societies do you think are worthy of featuring in ? (max 300 words) Arts writer From poetry to prose, architecture to art, from interviewing creatives to chatting crochet boobs, Arts is a beautifully dynamic and varied section. We’re looking for a team of writers to examine, and contribute to, the lively Arts world in Cambridge, as well as engage in broader cultural debates. Arts writing can involve interviews, reviews, or opinion pieces, or even putting together reading lists throughout the term. If you’re passionate about the art world, then we want you on board. To write for Arts, please complete the following tasks: 1) Propose two article ideas. These can be features, interviews, opinion pieces, or reviews. (200 words max) 2) Write a 600-word piece about any aspect of Cambridge’s artistic scene that is of particular value to you. Film & TV writer If your ideal Saturday night is in front of the TV catching up on your favourite show, or out, making sure you’re the first to see an exciting new release in cinemas, you belong in the Film & TV section. We’re looking for writers to discuss latest releases in film and TV with particular personal relevance to both themselves and our readership. The Film & TV section is also responsible for engaging with the Cambridge visual world, so writers will need to be excited about exploring the film scene at University. To write for Film & TV, please answer the following questions: 1) Propose two interviews/features on any aspect of the Cambridge student film scene. (200 words max) 2) Describe a time that a film or TV show has helped you in your time at Cambridge, which has relevance to our readership. (200 words max) 3) Pitch an article which reflects on or reviews a past film or TV show through a specific angle which would make it relevant to our readership (Examples can be found in our Retrospective column on the Film & TV page). (300 words max) Music writer Did your Spotify Wrapped make you feel superior? Are you always dragging your friends along to the latest student gigs? If you’re looking for a place to share your passion for music with like minded students, we’re looking for you to join our team. As a music writer, you will be able to discuss new album releases, interview student bands, examine the Cambridge music scene, and put together playlists. To write for Music, please complete the following tasks: 1) Which music societies or bands in Cambridge don’t get enough recognition, and what is the most important venue in the Cambridge music scene? Why? (300 words max) 2) If you were to contribute one song to Varsity’s Lent term playlist, what would it be and why? (200 words max) 3) Outline two article ideas for the section (200 words max). Fashion writer Addicted to charity shopping and want to put your years of experience sifting through bins of ugly jumpers for the perfect find to good use? We’re looking for writers who are able to do just that — pick out trends, tap into what Cambridge fashionistas are discussing, and work on photoshoots which can reflect and inspire both. If you are passionate about slow fashion or the speed of the trend cycle, or have an idea for a column, Fashion is the section for you. To write for Fashion, please complete the following tasks: 1) Propose three article ideas – please include one idea for a fashion shoot. (400 words max) 2) What is one fashion staple for your Lent term wardrobe? (200 words max) Theatre writers and reviewers Theatre is an important part of Varsity, producing not just reviews, but also features, interviews, and opinion pieces. If you have spent all your student loan on seeing shows, or speak in techie lingo your friends don’t understand, we want you on our team. Writers will need to be creative in looking for leads and working with editors on long term projects. You need to be open-minded, thoughtful, and reliable. As a reviewer, you will play an important role in the Cambridge Theatre scene, and you will need to write frankly, and with fluency. To write for Theatre, please answer the following questions: 1) If you could interview anyone connected to the Cambridge theatre scene, who would it be and what would you ask? (300 words max) 2) What do you think is the most underappreciated aspect/role in the formation of student theatre? (300 words max) To review for Theatre, please answer the following questions: 1) Write a 300 word review of the best show you’ve seen in Cambridge 2) Write a 300 word review of the worst show you’ve seen in Cambridge Lifestyle writer Lifestyle is a vibrant and diverse section, and one of the broadest and most popular in the paper. From restaurant reviews and Agony Aunts, to new experiences and personal reflection, we’re looking for a witty, creative, fun group of writers who can keep Lifestyle up to date with the unique, esoteric, and fast-paced Cambridge way of life. To write for Lifestyle, please complete the following tasks: 1) Propose three article ideas. (300 words max) 2) What are two experiences you would like to try out and review for the section? (200 words max) 3) What was your weirdest ever experience at Cambridge? (200 words max) Support is the independent newspaper for the University of Cambridge, established in its current form in 1947. In order to maintain our editorial independence, our print newspaper and news website receives no funding from the University of Cambridge or its constituent Colleges. We are therefore almost entirely reliant on advertising for funding and we expect to have a tough few months and years ahead. In spite of this situation, we are going to look at inventive ways to look at serving our readership with digital content and of course in print too! Therefore we are asking our readers, if they wish, to make a donation from as little as £1, to help with our running costs. Many thanks, we hope you can help!

Democratic lawmakers pick Aaron Frey to stay as attorney generalStock market today: Wall Street slips as technology stocks drag on the market NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks slipped as Wall Street closes out a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 fell 1.4% Friday and the the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 402 points, or 0.9%. The Nasdaq composite is down 2%. Technology stocks were the biggest drag on the market. The major indexes are still on track to close the week with gains, and the S&P 500 remains headed for its second consecutive annual gain of more than 20%. In Asia, Japan’s benchmark index surged as the yen remained weak against the dollar. Stocks in South Korea fell after the main opposition party voted to impeach the country’s acting leader. 10 tips from experts to help you change your relationship with money in 2025 NEW YORK (AP) — As the calendar changes to 2025, you might be thinking about how to approach your relationship with money in the new year. Whether you’re saving to move out of your parents’ house or pay off student loan debt, financial resolutions can help you stay motivated. If you’re planning to make financial resolutions for the new year, experts recommend that you start by evaluating the state of your finances in 2024. Then, set specific goals and make sure they’re attainable for your lifestyle. Most Americans blame insurance profits and denials alongside the killer in UHC CEO death, poll finds WASHINGTON (AP) — Most Americans believe health insurance profits and coverage denials share responsibility for the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO — although not as much as the person who pulled the trigger. So says a new poll from NORC at the University of Chicago. It finds that about 8 in 10 Americans say that the person who committed the killing has “a great deal” or “a moderate amount” of responsibility for the Dec. 4 shooting of Brian Thompson. Still, some see suspect Luigi Mangione as a heroic figure. About 7 in 10 adults say coverage denials or health insurance profits also bear at least “a moderate amount” of responsibility for Thompson’s death. Another jackpot surpasses $1 billion. Is this the new normal? Remember this moment because it probably won’t last: A U.S. lottery jackpot is projected to soar above $1 billion, and that's still a big deal. Friday’s Mega Millions drawing is worth an estimated $1.15 billion. The prize has evoked headlines across the country, despite the nation's top 10 jackpots already having boasted billion-dollar payouts. Jonathan Cohen is the author of the book “For a Dollar and a Dream: State Lotteries in Modern America.” He says he expects jackpots to continue to grow in size. Larger payouts attract more media attention, increase ticket sales and bring in new players. How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. Richard Parsons, prominent executive who led Time Warner and Citigroup, dies at 76 NEW YORK (AP) — Richard Parsons, one of corporate America’s most prominent Black executives who held top posts at Time Warner and Citigroup, has died. He was 76. Parsons died Thursday at his Manhattan home. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2015 and cited “unanticipated complications” from the disease for cutting back on work a few years later. Financial services company Lazard confirmed his death. Parsons was a longtime member of the company's board. His friend Ronald Lauder told The New York Times that the cause of death was cancer. Parsons stepped down Dec. 3 from the boards of Lazard and Lauder’s company, Estée Lauder, citing health reasons. He had been on Estée Lauder’s board for 25 years. Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away JERUSALEM (AP) — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen has targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports. The World Health Organization’s director-general said Thursday's bombardment took place just “meters away” as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa. He says a crew member was hurt. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks and launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. The Israeli military later said it wasn’t aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. At least three people were reported killed and dozens injured in the Sanaa airport strike. Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices New data shows holiday sales rose this year even as Americans wrestled with still high prices in many grocery necessities and other financial worries. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, a faster pace than the 3.1% increase from a year earlier. The measure tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards. This year, retailers were even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there were five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mastercard SpendingPulse says the last five days of the season accounted for 10% of the spending. Sales of clothing, electronics and Jewelry rose. Finland stops Russia-linked vessel over damaged undersea power cable in Baltic Sea FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Finnish police say authorities detained a ship linked to neighboring Russia as they investigate whether it damaged a Baltic Sea power cable and several data cables. It was the latest incident involving disruption of key infrastructure. Police and border guards boarded the Eagle S and took control as they investigate damage to the Estlink-2 undersea power cable. The cable brings electricity from Finland to Estonia across the Baltic Sea. The cable went down on Wednesday. The incident follows damage to two data cables and the Nord Stream gas pipelines. Both have been termed sabotage. Climate-friendly electricity sees big battery projects soar again for 2024 2024 was another banner year for a source of electricity that is better for people’s lungs, better for climate change and may be reaching your home now when you turn on the lights or turn up the thermostat — large banks of batteries. Storing extra power in batteries effectively extends the hours of solar and wind power in a day. Storage is also important as global electricity demand rises. Last, it is important for increasingly frequent extreme weather events, worsened by climate change. Texas and California are embracing the benefits of batteries, but some other regions are dragging their feet.

Nigerian music consumption soars 146% in 2024 – SpotifyI remember where I was when I first heard the term. It was early 1998 and I was in a McDonald's drive-thru. My friend was explaining to me why he and his family had decided to move to rural Arkansas next year. "Y2K," I said. "What's that?" ADVERTISEMENT Y2K. The "millenium bug" arriving in the year 2000. The new millennium. Some of you might well remember this time. For those under about age 30, let me catch you up. Many of the computers used in government and business in the late 20th century, including ones that powered the early internet, supposedly had something of a ticking time bomb inside of them. "It's very hard to tell how bad the situation will be. I'm sure things will break. It's very hard to dispel a nightmare scenario," Nathan Myhrvold, Microsoft's chief technology officer, was cited as saying in a January 1999 Forum column. "The dark-side scenario of airplanes falling out of the sky and bank computers crashing is possible. But it's fundamentally very, very hard to know whether the impact will be big or little." The problem was the two-digit-year date field (think "93" as in "1/1/93"). Theoretically, the arrival of the new millennium — the year 2000 — would reset all these computer clocks to "00" as in "1/1/00," wrecking anything that counted on dates to function properly. Theoretically, anyway. The list of public fears was a long one, illustrating how central computer technology had become in our lives, and mirroring larger uncertainty about the new millennium. And while company officials and local, state and federal officials sought to reassure the public, ongoing reporting indicated nobody was quite sure nothing would fail. So the fears remained up until the last minute. ADVERTISEMENT "Up against the deadline for fixing an unprecedented technological blunder, the world exhibited some jitters Thursday over the prospect of failures in the computers on which we depend," wrote the Associated Press, as printed by The Forum on New Year's Eve, 1999. "There was testing galore and a few confessions of Y2K-unreadiness." Some religious figures took the moment to insist the coming apocalypse was God's judgment on a wayward culture. "(God) may be preparing to confound our language, to jam our communications, scatter our efforts and judge us for our sin and rebellion against his lordship," evangelical Christian leader Jerry Falwell said in August 1998. "We are hearing from many sources that Jan. 1, 2000, will be a fateful day in the history of the world." As if to embody the looming fears, WWE wrestler Chris Jericho gave himself the moniker Y2J (for Jericho), playing off the Y2K term. His entrance to arenas was marked by a countdown video that, when it got to zero, included shutting off the venue lights, leaving people in noisy darkness before Jericho was revealed. As the year 2000 approached, the fears began to grow into something of a hysteria for some people, sparking drastic decisions, like my friend's family's decision to move to the woods. Others took money out of the bank. Some stocked up on supplies and guns and ammunition to survive the coming failure of civilization. The growing fears were in odd juxtaposition to the more joyful expressions by some about the year 2000. Big millennium parties were planned. Monopoly put out a millennium edition with fancy holographic cards. The boy band Backstreet Boys released their "Millennium" album, still iconic among my generation (OK, fine — I'm listening to it right now). Many people dismissed the fears and planned to go about their lives, expecting the furor was overblown. ADVERTISEMENT I moved from North Dakota to South Dakota in 1999, and as the new millennium approached, I was about 55% convinced Y2K was going to cause big problems. I remember counting down the last days of the 1900s and thinking everything was possibly about to change. It didn't, of course. While there were some hiccups among some computer systems, much of the billions of dollars in preparation worked. A concerted global effort to stave off disaster was effective. The apocalypse never arrived, civilization continued. In fact, my daughter was born later that year — one of many "millennium" babies who are now 24 years old. So what happened to my friend who moved to Arkansas? I don't know. I'd like to think he and his family went on to live their best life in a cabin in the Ozarks, ready for the end of the world that never arrived. Have a moment or person in history that you think is especially interesting? Contact me at jfugleberg@forumcomm.com and tell me why you think it would be a great subject for this column.

S&P/TSX composite, U.S. markets trade lower Friday morning after holiday break

A WOMAN who has lived in a tent for the past five years has lifted the lid on what life is really like in the great outdoors - including the incredible amount of money she saves with her alternative lifestyle. Manders Barnett considers herself to be an outside dweller, spending her days salvaging roadkill to eat and make clothes from, growing vegetables and foraging plants for medicine. The 33-year-old’s quirky way of life saves her a whopping $17,000 (£13,350) a year, with her outgoings totalling just $500 a month (£392). While she says trolls online “judge” her for living in an alternative way and not having a house, she loves spending as much of her time outside as possible – and claims it isn’t cold even in the winter . “I live full-time in my 10x12-foot wall tent,” Manders, who sells homemade goods on Etsy , told What's The Jam . “It’s well-insulated, and with a fire in the woodstove it maintains a cosy temperature. READ MORE ON MONEY SAVING “I say I live outside because I consider it to be more inside than outside. “However, 90% of my day is spent fully outdoors. “I've learned many sustainable skills like hide tanning , basketry, hunting, knitting, foraging, and clothes-making. “I get to work for myself as a content creator and a crafter, make my own schedule, and generally spend more quality time with the landscape around me to try to understand it better - none of which I would be able to do if I had stayed in the city working all of my free time away.” Most read in Fabulous Manders currently lives on private land with permission from the landowners, and a big draw of her lifestyle means she has fewer outgoings. She added: “I still have bills but my expenses are far lower than they were when I had an apartment, utilities, and car payments. “I used to pay $1,200 a month in rent and utilities when living in an apartment. “I also had car payments and renters insurance as well as a large phone bill each month, totalling over $2,000 each month. “I used to have yearly expenses of about $23,000. “Today with no rent, bills for electricity, or car payments my annual expenses come to around $6,000, saving me $17,000 a year. I do salvage deer roadkill for food and other animal roadkill for clothing “My current bills are a cheap phone plan, gas for my car, food costs and hay for my horses. “My income to pay for this current lifestyle comes from my Etsy Store, social media and odd jobs I do for locals.” Manders learnt many of her current skills from her ex-partner, who she originally lived with in a canvas tarp in the summer , and a tipi in the winter, from 2019-2021. Since splitting, she has ventured out on her own with her trusty Davis wall tent, where she remains today. Food is a key part of her sustainable life, with Manders foraging, growing her own food, hunting and eating roadkill. When she does need to shop, she chooses local farm stands and locally-owned farm shops. She said: “I'm self-sufficient in many ways living this way. “I avoid processed foods at all costs. CAR LIVING is on the up as people struggle to deal with the cost of living crisis, and others are seeking a nomadic existence. Here’s all we know about the rules on car life in the UK. In the UK , you are legally allowed to live in your car — just so long as you follow a few rules. The only requirement is that your car has passed its MOT and is entirely road-legal. If legally parked, there aren’t rules against sleeping or living in a car. The trend of car or van living has taken off in the United States , where some have been forced to leave rented accommodation after landlords put up the rent. Others have opted to live in their vehicle in pursuit of a free, nomadic lifestyle , where they can travel all over the country. There are certain circumstances in which it’s not legal to sleep in a car in the UK. Firstly, you must be in a safe parking spot, not in violation of any parking restrictions. Certain car parks, lay-bys, and national parks and forests have restrictions on overnight parking, which means you can’t sleep there in a vehicle. If restrictions are broken, you could be fined or even have your vehicle towed. Secondly, you must not be above the legal drink-drive limit or under the influence of any drugs , if you intend to sleep in your car. If over the limit, you could be charged with being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle in a public place, even if you’re not driving . The ban on sleeping in your car when you're drunk comes under the Road Traffic Act 1988. The rule says you can be found guilty of an offence if in charge of a vehicle on a road or public place “after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in his breath, blood or urine exceeds the prescribed limit.” “I do salvage deer roadkill for food and other animal roadkill for clothing. “I have a garden and grow simple vegetables in it like peppers, tomatoes and squash. “Sometimes, when I'm able, I hunt for meat – mostly deer. “One deer will usually have enough meat to last me a year and I can the meat to preserve it since I don't have access to a chest freezer. The negativity doesn't bother me as much as it used to, as being on social media tends to come with criticism no matter what you do “But I do shop at local farm stands and locally owned farm stores for food – I always try to support local farmers and ethically sourced foods.” Her roadkill proves handy in other ways. She said: “I tan buckskin and fur pelts and turn the skins into bags, clothes, and other items. “I try to use as much of the animal as possible. “I love to make my own clothes and accessories through knitting, card weaving and hide tanning. “Usually if I need a tool, I will try to make it so I don't have to buy it. “I've made a couple outfits from deer hides and fur pelts, as well as knitted warmer things like headbands and scarves. “In the winter I need firewood but instead of buying it I will go cut it myself with a permit on public land. “Another way I'm self-sufficient is my foraging skills. “I know a lot about wild native plants and can gather food and medicine throughout the year, as well as planting back some of those plants, to create a positive impact from my foraging activities.” Manders documents her way of life on TikTok , where she has racked up over 200,000 followers – but viewers are often critical of her. She explained: “Strangers on social media tend to have a variety of reactions however; some are enamoured with my lifestyle and others display hostility claiming I'm a fake. Houseboats can be cheaper than buying a home on dry land but doesn't come without risks. You may be able to get a special type of mortgage for a boat, but it can be more difficult than getting a traditional home loan and have higher rates of interest. You won't pay stamp duty when buying a boat to live on, and you can move to a different location whenever you want without having to sell up. You might even be able to live in a location where you wouldn't be able to afford a bricks and mortar house. But space can be more limited, and the value of houseboats can generally go down over time, like a car or motorbike. A licence which you need from the canal and river trust can cost anywhere between £510 and £1,100 a year depending on the size of the boat. There are likely to be ongoing costs for maintenance and mooring as well as fuel, a boat safety certificate and, of course, insurance. There’s always something that needs to be done on a boat – from engine servicing to treating rust spots, not to mention emptying the toilet and filling the water tank. Energy bills could be higher on the boat than a home as they are generally harder to insulate. If your boat is moored permanently, it will typically be in the lowest tax band, with single occupants benefiting from a 25% reduction. However, if you’re happy to move every two weeks as a ‘continuous cruiser,’ you won’t have to pay this “The negativity doesn't bother me as much as it used to, as being on social media tends to come with criticism no matter what you do. “I think the only downside [to my lifestyle] is having very few people to relate my perspectives to. “Living this way for years transforms a person both emotionally and psychologically that deviates from the “normal” modality of thinking. “At times I feel distanced from the frivolous concerns of domesticated society which brings about a sense of futility when it comes to my own efforts. READ MORE SUN STORIES “Because I can't relate to most others, they can't relate to me, and that results in discord because I constantly speak out against the complacency for the destruction of ecosystems. “But the best part of living this way has always been the ability to deepen my relationship with nature as well as practice individual autonomy and independence.”Bitcoin tops $100,000 for first time amid optimism over Trump plansSenior members of Canada's cabinet held talks Friday with US President-elect Donald Trump's nominees to lead the departments of commerce and the interior, as Ottawa works to hold off the threat of punishing tariffs. Canada's newly-appointed Finance Minister Dominic Leblanc and Foreign Minister Melanie Joly met with Howard Lutnick, Trump's commerce secretary nominee, who will also lead the country's tariff and trade agenda. Interior secretary nominee Doug Burgum was also at the meeting held at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Leblanc's spokesman Jean-Sebastien Comeau, who confirmed the participants, described the talks as "positive and productive." Trump has vowed to impose crippling 25-percent tariffs on all Canadian imports when he takes office next month. He has said they will remain in place until Canada addresses the flow of undocumented migrants and the drug fentanyl into the United States. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised retaliatory measures should Trump follow through on his pledge, raising fears of a trade war. Leblanc and Joly "outlined the measures in Canada's Border Plan and reiterated the shared commitment to strengthen border security as well as combat the harm caused by fentanyl to save Canadian and American lives," Comeau said in a statement. Canada's Border Plan -- estimated to cost CAN$1 billion ($694 million) -- was crafted as part of Ottawa's response to Trump's concerns. Lutnick and Burgum "agreed to relay information to President Trump," the statement said. Trudeau is facing his worst political crisis since sweeping into office in 2015. Leblanc was named finance minister earlier this month after the surprise resignation of Chrystia Freeland. In a scathing resignation letter, Freeland accused Trudeau of prioritizing handouts to voters instead of preparing Canada's finances for a possible trade war. More than 75 percent of Canadian exports go to the United States and nearly two million Canadian jobs depend on trade. bs/aha