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#22winphcasino NoneWednesday, December 25, 2024 The state government of Goa is rolling out free public WiFi hotspots at 75 locations and installing 11 new 4G mobile towers to enhance network coverage. These initiatives are part of Goa’s strategy to attract digital nomads and boost creativity among residents. High-speed internet accessibility and the development of coworking spaces along iconic beaches aim to position the state as a prime destination for remote workers and freelancers. Goa has outlined plans to achieve 100% internet connectivity, even in remote villages, encouraging visitors to explore the state’s hinterlands. Additionally, the “Let’s Goa” platform has been introduced to integrate tourism with technology. The platform lists hotels, activities, and other services such as food and shopping to streamline bookings and inventory management. Goa has also launched the One Map Goa GIS (Geographic Information System) portal to enhance state planning, infrastructure development, and governance. Treebo Hospitality Ventures has introduced a premium hotel brand, Medalio, targeting the mid-market segment. The first Medalio property, located in Udaipur, features 30 rooms, a swimming pool, and a spa. This move aligns with Treebo’s strategy to offer accommodations in the INR 3,500–6,000 ($41–$77) range, catering to India’s expanding upper middle-income segment. The company also continues its collaboration with Radisson Hotel Group, recently opening a Park Inn & Suites by Radisson property in Thrissur. This partnership aims to establish 150 hotels under the Park Inn & Suites brand over the next decade. Thailand has welcomed over 2 million Indian tourists in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) highlighted India’s importance as a key market. Measures such as extending the 60-day visa waiver for Indian visitors and implementing an electronic visa (e-visa) system have further facilitated travel. While air connectivity has yet to fully recover, recent additions by airlines have brought flight capacity closer to pre-pandemic levels. Paytm’s travel insights for 2024 revealed a 44% increase in bookings for concerts, indicating a growing trend of experience-driven travel. Younger travelers under 25 accounted for 36% of bus bookings, with affordability as a key priority. Mumbai and Dubai emerged as the most-searched destinations, while visa-free locations like Almaty and Kenya saw increased interest. The data also indicated a trend of late-night travel planning, with 30% of bookings made after 8 PM. Luxury hotel chain The Postcard Hotel has debuted in Assam with a boutique property at the Durrung Tea Estate. The 12-key hotel spans 1,400 acres of tea plantation, offering an immersive experience in Northeast India. The Postcard Hotel now operates 10 properties, with plans to open five more in states like Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand. The Oberoi Group has launched the RISE program, an initiative to upskill and train hospitality professionals. Targeting around 2,000 trainees annually by 2025, the program focuses on food and beverage service, kitchen operations, front office, housekeeping, and laundry. Trainees will be selected from leading skilling institutes to support the growth of hospitality talent in India.

The grand reopening of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on Saturday was expected to be attended by around 50 heads of state and government. Joe Biden was not there to admire the magnificent splendour of the 850-year-old place of worship. But . The role reversal neatly symbolises how power is draining from one man to the other. Biden, now a lame duck, appears to be in decline both physically and politically, fading from America’s national stage and tarnishing his legacy with a pardon for his errant son. Trump, however, is already dominating the Washington agenda more than 40 days before he takes the oath of office. He has grabbed attention with and policy pronouncements. He has begun flexing his muscles with world leaders. To many Americans, it feels like he is president again already. “Biden’s presidency is ending with a series of whimpers rather than a bang and it feels like he’s shrinking into irrelevance as Trump is asserting himself,” said , a conservative author and broadcaster. “If you’re a foreign leader, you may talk to Biden out of politeness but you’re going to listen to Trump out of naked self-interest.” Traditionally, the US has only one president at a time in both practice and spirit. But since defeating Biden’s vice-president, Kamala Harris, in last month’s election, Trump has effectively set up a shadow presidency at Mar-a-Lago, his club in Florida long dubbed his “winter White House”. He’s already engaging with foreign leaders. His threat of 25% tariffs – taxes on foreign imports - led Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau to rush to Mar-a-Lago with a promise of . Trump also said Mexico had agreed to close its border, a claim contradicted by the Mexican president, Claudia Sheinbaum. Just as in his first term, Trump can shape affairs and move markets with a single social media post. He sent shares of US Steel down by writing on Truth Social that he would its proposed acquisition by Japanese-owned Nippon Steel. Mike Waltz, Trump’s pick for national security adviser, has credited Trump with bringing Israel and Lebanon to the negotiating table, although some have said there is no evidence that Trump had any direct involvement. The president-elect vowed “ ” if Gaza hostages were not released before his inauguration. Meanwhile, he is capitalising on the strong stock market, claiming it as a victory for his policies, and taking credit for the the reversal of diversity, equality and inclusion (DEI) initiatives at companies such as Walmart. On Monday, the Trump transition team issued : “Promises Kept – And President Trump Hasn’t Even Been Inaugurated Yet.” It argued that Trump, who still has no official powers, is already securing the border, working towards international peace, propelling economic growth and dismantling “divisive, unchecked DEI”. Critics point out that economic indicators – including the stock market – have been trending in the right direction for a long time, while recent dramas in South Korea, Syria and Ukraine cast doubt on the notion that Trump’s “peace through strength” mantra is already paying dividends. Even so, Trump and his team are once again proving they can sell a narrative that suits them. , president of JoinTheUnion.us, a pro-democracy coalition, said: “It’s a combination of Trumpian bravado, further or final dismantling of whatever processes we took for granted for too long and their instinctual and maybe even unconscious ability to occupy a vacuum when they feel one.” He added: “If Biden’s going to spend most of his time overseas and do very little in the way of pushing back on this stuff, they’re going to take all the ground that’s ceded to them. Call it Maga, call it the 21st-century Republican party – if they see an opportunity, they take it. “They don’t worry about the outcome. They don’t worry about the consequences. They don’t worry about somebody saying, you can’t do that, you shouldn’t do that. They’re like, we’re going to go do it and good luck trying to stop us. Clearly, it spooked Trudeau enough to go flying to Mar-a-Lago.” In theory, Trump’s conversations with world leaders could violate the Logan Act, a federal statute prohibiting unauthorised private diplomacy with foreign nations. But only one person has ever been indicted for breaching it – and did not lead to a prosecution. Legal experts do not expect Trump to fall foul of it now. His actions do represent a break from past norms, however. Presidents-elect tend to maintain a respectful distance from the incumbent until it is their turn to occupy the White House. Franklin Roosevelt an invitation from the man he beat, Herbert Hoover, to take part a joint effort to pull the economy out of the Great Depression. , director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, said: “I’m old enough to remember when presidents-elect disappeared. I don’t think we saw Kennedy three times except going to church back in the late fall of 1960. “Reagan appeared once in public after the election; they caught him going into a store for supplies or something. That’s what was expected. You didn’t interfere with your predecessor because he was still president.” But perception of Trump’s authority has been accelerated by Biden’s shrivelling influence. This week, Biden became the first sitting US president to visit Angola and the first since Barack Obama in 2015 to set foot in Africa. His speech received little coverage and has on the White House’s official YouTube channel. Biden, 82, is also facing fierce criticism from fellow Democrats for over federal crimes after previously pledging that he would not. Some regard it as a vote of no confidence in the justice system that Biden vowed to protect – and a gift to Trump in his ongoing efforts to undermine democratic institutions. The : “A Biden friend said the president seems older by the day — slower in walk, more halting in talk. To some Biden loyalists, his decline is a sad metaphor for his presidency: He started strong but will finish diminished.” By contrast, Trump, 78, is once again dominating headlines with a frenzy of round-the-clock social media posts and controversies. One cabinet pick had to withdraw due to sexual misconduct allegations; another is teetering because of claims he assaulted women and abused alcohol; a third presents to intelligence experts because of her willingness to believe conspiracy theories. The growing prominence of , the world’s richest man, also has nerves jangling. For Washington, there is a sense that the circus is back in town – or perhaps it never went away. Sykes, author of How the Right Lost Its Mind, said: “It feels like a continuation of the last four years where, even though Joe Biden has been the president, Donald Trump has felt like he was a politically dominating force for so long. “Unfortunately, when people look back on the Biden presidency, they’re going to comment on how low-profile and low-key Biden was in comparison to the man that he defeated. I’m not sure that there’s any historical parallel for that. The Trump show has been ongoing and sucking up all the oxygen for nearly a decade now.”

Some junior college athletes will see their careers extended, at least for now. The NCAA Division I Board of Directors, composed of university presidents, agreed to a waiver for junior college players that grants them an additional year of eligibility if they are in a similar situation as Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia. Pavia is suing the NCAA over its eligibility standards, arguing that his junior college playing seasons should not count as part of his four seasons of NCAA eligibility. The NCAA DI Board’s decision came five days after a that prohibits the association from counting his junior college seasons, granting him an additional year of eligibility. The court ruling only applied to Pavia. However, the NCAA, in an effort to keep fairness among its competitive schools, granted additional eligibility to all similarly positioned athletes, according to a memo sent to schools. Athletes like Pavia who were expected to use their final year of eligibility this academic year are now eligible next season. Pavia played two seasons of junior college and three seasons of Division I football (one of those being the COVID redshirt season). Because of the court ruling, he will receive a sixth season of NCAA eligibility. “The NCAA Division I Board of Directors granted a waiver to permit student-athletes who attended and competed at a non-NCAA school for one or more years to remain eligible and compete in 2025-26,” the NCAA memo reads, “if those student-athletes would have otherwise used their final season of competition during the 2024-25 academic year, and meet all other eligibility requirements (e.g., progress toward degree, five-year period of eligibility).” The NCAA also plans to file an appeal to the court’s ruling in the Pavia lawsuit, it announced Monday. In perhaps more important news, the NCAA could be barreling toward a more significant change to its eligibility rules, something the association suggested in its memo to schools Monday. The NCAA’s memo reminded schools that the Division I Council is exploring a “comprehensive” review of eligibility rules to create a framework that will be “sustainable and can withstand scrutiny,” the memo said. There is movement from college leaders to adjust the eligibility rule in a way that grants athletes five playing seasons in a five-year time span. Current NCAA rules permit athletes four playing seasons over a five-year stretch, often referred to as the association’s “five-year eligibility clock.” For now, only certain sports grant athletes the ability to play in multiple contests and still retain a year of eligibility. For instance, football players can recoup a season of eligibility with a redshirt if they play in fewer than four games during a season. The NCAA board’s ruling Monday opens the door for hundreds, if not thousands, of former junior college athletes to have their careers extended, if they so choose. As the NCAA suggested in its statement on the injunction last week, the consequences of such will be felt by high school players whose projected roster spots are no longer becoming free. The decision comes amid an unstable and somewhat chaotic time, too. Schools are scrambling to adhere to new rules imposed as part of the NCAA’s landmark settlement of the House antitrust case, including stricter limitations on the size of rosters. among the power leagues alone. “Altering the enforcement of rules overwhelmingly supported by NCAA member schools makes a shifting environment even more unsettled,” the association said in the statement last week. The court’s ruling last week is the third major court decision in the last year to bar the association from enforcing a rule. A West Virginia court made it possible for athletes who are transferring a second time or more to play immediately. A ruling in a Tennessee federal court made mostly moot the NCAA’s interim NIL policy, permitting boosters and booster-led collectives to negotiate with athletes before they enroll. At the heart of Pavia’s argument is the fact that he and other athletes are now eligible to receive compensation from boosters and, soon, from schools through the . He stands to earn at least $1 million next year in college, he says in the filing. It's money he'd otherwise miss out on if he had run out of eligibility. Starting in July, schools are permitted to directly share revenue with athletes. It paves the way for millions of dollars — as much as $20.5 million annually per school — to be shared with athletes in a giant step as . It’s a good reason for athletes — especially players unlikely to be drafted — to remain in college as long as they can.

Qatar tribune Agencies Asian equities tumbled on Wednesday as traders grappled with the surprise political storm in South Korea, where martial law was imposed and lifted only hours later. At the same time, a no-confidence vote in France put the euro in the spotlight. South Korea’s won, buoyed by suspected intervention, was stable but remained close to the two-year low against the dollar that it hit late on Tuesday. The benchmark KOSPI index was down 1.3%, taking its year-to-date losses to more than 7% and making it the worst-performing major stock market in Asia this year. That left the MSCI’s broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan, which counts Samsung Electronics as one of its top constituents, mainly flat as most Asian markets aside from South Korea rose. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said on Wednesday he would lift a surprise martial law declaration he had imposed just hours before, backing down in a standoff with parliament which roundly rejected his attempt to ban political activity. “Martial law itself has been lifted but this incident creates more uncertainty in the political landscape and the economy,” ING senior economist Min Joo Kang said.“We are concerned that these events could impact South Korea’s sovereign credit rating, although this is uncertain at this stage. Copy 05/12/2024 10Bucs designate S Jordan Whitehead for return from IRNoodles and wine are the secret ingredients for a strange new twist in China's doping saga

Harris Dickinson was nervous to approach Nicole Kidman . This would not necessarily be notable under normal circumstances, but the English actor had already been cast to star opposite her in the erotic drama “Babygirl,” as the intern who initiates an affair with Kidman's buttoned-up CEO. They’d had a zoom with the writer-director Halina Reijn, who was excited by their playful banter and sure that Dickinson would hold his own. And yet when he found himself at the same event as Kidman, shyness took over. He admitted as much to Margaret Qualley, who took things into her own hands and introduced them. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get updates and player profiles ahead of Friday's high school games, plus a recap Saturday with stories, photos, video Frequency: Seasonal Twice a week

NEW YORK, Dec. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces that a lawsuit has been filed against ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ: ASML) and certain of the Company’s senior executives for potential violations of the federal securities laws. If you invested in ASML, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/asml-holding-nv . Investors have until January 13, 2025, to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors in ASML securities. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and is captioned City of Hollywood Firefighters’ Pension Fund v. ASML Holding N.V., et al. , No. 24-cv-8664. What is the Lawsuit About? ASML is a leading supplier to the semiconductor industry, providing photolithography machines to chipmakers that are used in the semiconductor fabrication process. The complaint alleges that ASML repeatedly represented to shareholders that new export controls on semiconductor technology announced by the Dutch government would not have a material effect on ASML’s financial outlook, and that ASML was on a path to recovery in its sales. On October 15, 2024, ASML announced earnings significantly lower than expectations. The Company attributed this to a market that was “taking longer to recover” and admitted that “[i]t now appears the recovery is more gradual than previously expected.” On this news, the price of the Company’s stock fell 16%, from a closing price of $872.27 per share on October 14, 2024, to $730.43 per share on October 15, 2024. Then, during the accompanying earnings call with investors on October 16, 2024, the Company attributed the poor earnings results to “a reflection of the slow recovery in the traditional [semiconductor] end markets as customers remain cautious in the current environment.” The Company also disclosed that the decline in ASML’s sales to China would also negatively impact the Company’s gross margins. On this news, the price of the Company’s stock fell 6.4%, from a closing price of $730.43 per share on October 15, 2024, to $683.52 per share on October 16, 2024. Click here if you suffered losses: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/asml-holding-nv . What Can You Do? If you invested in ASML you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm. All representation is on a contingency fee basis, there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses. Submit your information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/asml-holding-nv Or contact: Ross Shikowitz ross@bfalaw.com 212-789-3619 Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP? Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It was named among the Top 5 plaintiff law firms by ISS SCAS in 2023 and its attorneys have been named Titans of the Plaintiffs’ Bar by Law360 and SuperLawyers by Thompson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.’s Board of Directors (pending court approval), as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd. For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com . https://www.bfalaw.com/cases-investigations/asml-holding-nv Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.Edifier Scoops 5 Honours At Prestigious Visual Grand Prix 2025Big pharma pushes Trump team to ease Medicare drug price negotiation rules

Baltimore Ravens leading receiver Zay Flowers is questionable for Wednesday's game against the host Houston Texans because of a shoulder issue. Flowers was listed on the team's injury report after missing practice on Sunday and Monday and being limited on Tuesday. Cornerback Tre'Davious White (shoulder) has followed the same pattern in practice participation and also is questionable. The Ravens ruled out wide receiver Nelson Agholor and running back Justice Hill due to concussions, and neither practiced Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. Cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis (hamstring) also missed practice this week and is out. Flowers, 24, leads the Ravens with 71 receptions, 109 targets and 1,016 receiving yards in 15 games (13 starts). He has four touchdowns. Baltimore selected him 22nd overall in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Boston College. He has 148 career receptions for 1,874 yards and nine TDs in 31 games (29 starts). Flowers has not missed a game because of injury in his brief NFL career. White, 29, has appeared in five games and has seven tackles. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2019 and 2020 and first-team All-Pro in 2019 during his first seven NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills. Hill, 27, has 47 carries for 228 yards and one touchdown this season in 15 games as a reserve. He also has 42 receptions for 383 yards and three TDs. The Ravens selected Hill in the fourth round of the 2019 draft. He has 250 rushing attempts for 1,162 yards and six TDs, and 95 receptions for 737 yards and four scores. Agholor, 31, will miss his second consecutive game. He has 14 receptions on 29 targets for 231 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games (seven starts). He has 389 career receptions for 3,858 yards and 37 TDs in 149 games (105 starts) for the Philadelphia Eagles (2015-19), Las Vegas Raiders (2020), New England Patriots (2021-22) and Ravens (2023-present). Armour-Davis, 25, has played in seven games (two starts) this season and has eight tackles. The Ravens picked him in the fourth round of the 2022 draft out of Alabama. The Ravens (10-5) elevated wide receiver Anthony Miller from the practice squad to the active roster for the game against the Texans (9-6). --Field Level Media

Devils Blank Rangers 5-0 in Dominant EffortDaniel "Dan" Rey Ericksen

Maryland (4-7, 1-7 Big Ten) at No. 4 Penn State (10-1, 7-1 Big Ten, No. 4 CFP), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (BTN) BetMGM College Football Odds: Penn State by 24 1/2. Series record: Penn State 43-3-1. WHAT’S AT STAKE? The Nittany Lions will try for their first 11-win regular season in James Franklin’s 10-year tenure and hang onto their chance to host a playoff game. The Nittany Lions could still get to the Big Ten championship game, but would need Michigan to beat No. 2 Ohio State in Columbus earlier in the day. The Terrapins have lost four in a row and are trying to avoid their longest skid since losing seven straight to end the 2019 season. KEY MATCHUP Maryland’s front seven vs. Penn State’s running game. The Nittany Lions lost starting right tackle Anthony Donkoh to a long-term injury last week but were still able to eclipse the 100-yard rushing mark against a tough Minnesota defense. Maryland has allowed 176 rushing yards per game over its last four. The Terps will need to do better against a Nittany Lion ground game fueled by running backs Nicholas Singleton, Kaytron Allen, tight end Tyler Warren and quarterback Beau Pribula. PLAYERS TO WATCH Maryland: WR Tai Felton. Only one FBS player has more catches than Felton. The sure-handed senior leads the Big Ten with 92 catches for 1,097 yards. He’s scored nine touchdowns and should be a focal point for Penn State’s secondary. Penn State: Singleton. The explosive back has recovered from the unspecified injury that slowed him earlier in the season. He had a season-high 19 touches last week versus Maryland including a career-most six catches. FACTS & FIGURES Maryland is 2-3 in Happy Valley since joining the Big Ten with wins in 2014 and 2020. ... Felton has 183 more receiving yards than the next closest Big Ten WR (Illinois’ Pat Bryant) and is 143 yards away from Marcus Badgett’s single-season record set in 1992. ... Penn State has won seven of the last eight against Maryland. ... The Nittany Lions secured their 27th 10-win season last week. ... Warren became Penn State’s all-time leader in reception yards for a tight end (1,516) with 102 yards against Minnesota. ... DT Zane Durant leads the Big Ten and is fourth among Power Four tackles with 8 1/2 tackles for loss this season. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up . AP college football: and

Stories that dominate the pages of this newspaper are often negative. So many articles in the region are about controversies and bleak stories about crime, budget woes and political bickering. From murder and mayhem to fatal car crashes and fires, bad news often dominates our headlines. Throughout the year, we report a lot of good stories as well. As we celebrate the holiday season, we reflect on some of the positive news that appeared this year in our paper. Gilmartin returns to Scranton a hero Triumph emerged from tragedy in March when Scranton police detective Kyle Gilmartin was discharged from a Philadelphia-area rehabilitation hospital and returned to Scranton seven weeks after he was shot twice in the head in the line of duty. Hundreds of supporters and well-wishers gathered at Scranton police headquarters to welcome Gilmartin home. “That night I was just an ordinary man who was placed in an extraordinary circumstance in which I faced evil and won due to the grace of God,” Gilmartin said. “My family and I are beyond proud of Northeast Pennsylvania and how its people responded to this senseless tragedy. We thank you for the prayers, which have worked, as well as the donations which will be needed greatly in the future.” Gilmartin and two other detectives were working to prevent a gang-related shooting early Jan. 11 when a suspect fired five rounds from point-blank range into their unmarked police sedan. Two of the rounds hit Gilmartin above his right eye before a colleague returned fire and downed the suspect, who was arrested. Yuengling celebrates 195th with Stars & Stripes celebration Yuengling, the oldest brewery in America, hosted its annual Stars & Stripes Summer Celebration in Pottsville in July with a free concert by country music star Lee Brice. Thousands flocked to the city for the daylong celebration, which included the 90-minute concert and a fireworks show. The event coincided with the brewery’s 195th anniversary and supported the brewery’s longtime partner Team Red, White & Blue, a nonprofit that supports better mental, emotional and physical health among America’s veterans. Brice, who previously performed at the event in 2022, said he was glad to be back. “The fans here in Pottsville really know how to have a good time,” he said prior to the concert. “Pottsville is a special place for us, and we look forward to being here.” Wawa arrives in Luzerne County, more stores planned for NEPA After years of waiting, Luzerne County finally got a modern Wawa store – and several others are on the way. A Wawa convenience store and gas station celebrated a grand opening this month in the Union Center Plaza along Route 309 in Wilkes-Barre Twp., the former KMart Plaza. Shortly after, a new Aldi discount grocery store opened in the plaza and a Cloud 9 car wash will open there next. In addition, Wawa broke ground on a new store in Dallas Twp., submitted plans for one in Plains Twp. near the Mohegan Pennsylvania casino, and is eyeing one for Market Street in Kingston. Wawa is in the planning stages of three stores in Lackawanna County, off Cold Spring Road in Dickson City, on Meredith Street in Carbondale Twp. and at Moosic Street and Meadow Avenue in Scranton. Elsewhere in the region, Wawa has stores in Kidder Twp. in Carbon County and Blakeslee in Monroe County. Hazle Twp. Little Leaguer meets the majors A badly injured Hazle Twp. Little League player had a dream come true this summer by getting to meet members of his favorite team, the Houston Astros, and its star player, Jose Altuve. The young player, Aiken, badly injured his face and lost several teeth when he rammed into an outfield fence to catch a fly ball for the final out in a game. Three weeks later, the recovering 12-year-old found himself at an Astros game against the Philadelphia Phillies. After weeks of behind-the-scenes negotiations, the Astros organization invited Aiken and his group to the field for batting practice to meet some players who heard of his ordeal. Altuve was scheduled for a day off, but came out to the field and surprised Aiken with a signed bat, baseballs and a card. The Astros later posted photos of the experience on Facebook, writing “Moments that matter most.” NEPA’s new ‘pizza trail’ Following the lead of Lackawanna County, Luzerne County’s tourism bureau launched its own “pizza trail” competition this year. More than 40 pizza shops from Pittston to Wilkes-Barre to Hazleton signed up to be part of the contest to see who could visit all participating businesses. “Everyone knows that Northeastern Pennsylvania has the best pizza in the country, and many of those great pizzerias are right here in Luzerne County,” said Alan K. Stout, executive director of Visit Luzerne County. “How many times have we all heard from people that have moved out of the area say that the first thing they do when they come home for a visit is order a pizza? They often say that they just can’t find great pizza outside of this area.” Nearly 60 pizza places participated in the Lackawanna County pizza trail that was launched several years ago by the Lackawanna County Visitors Bureau, which called it “the cheesiest tour you’ll ever take.”Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus WASHINGTON (AP) — A powerful government panel has failed to reach consensus on the possible national security risks of a nearly $15 billion proposed deal for Nippon Steel of Japan to purchase U.S. Steel. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States on Monday sent its long-awaited report to President Joe Biden, a longtime opponent of the deal. Some federal agencies represented on the panel were skeptical that allowing a Japanese company to buy an American-owned steelmaker would create national security risks. That's according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter. Both Biden and President-elect Donald Trump opposed the merger and vowed to block it. Nippon Steel says it is confident the deal will go ahead. Nissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automaker TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have announced plans to work toward a merger that would catapult them to a top position in an industry in the midst of tectonic shifts as it transitions away from its reliance on fossil fuels. The two companies said they signed an agreement on integrating their businesses on Monday. Smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors agreed to join the talks. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month. Japanese automakers face a strong challenge from their Chinese rivals and Tesla as they make inroads into markets at home and abroad. What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry. Survey: Small businesses are feeling more optimistic about the economy after the election A survey shows small business owners are feeling more optimistic about the economy following the election. The National Federation of Independent Businesses’ Small Business Optimism Index rose by eight points in November to 101.7, its highest reading since June 2021. The Uncertainty Index declined 12 points in November to 98, following October’s pre-election record high of 110. NFIB Chief Economist Bill Dunkelberg said small business owners became more certain about future business conditions following the presidential election, breaking a nearly three-year streak of record high uncertainty. The survey also showed that more owners are also hoping 2025 will be a good time to grow. Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne Tuesday about one hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop, which prevented planes from taking off. American said in an email that the problem was caused by an issue with a vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. Aviation analytics company Cirium said flights were delayed across American’s major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time. Nineteen flights were cancelled. Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group in $6.25 billion deal Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. Nordstrom shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock, representing a 42% premium on the company’s stock as of March 18. Nordstrom’s board of directors unanimously approved the the proposed transaction, while Erik and Pete Nordstrom — part of the Nordstrom family taking over the company — recused themselves from voting. Following the close of the transaction, the Nordstrom Family will have a majority ownership stake in the company. Stock market today: Wall Street rallies ahead of Christmas Stocks closed higher on Wall Street ahead of the Christmas holiday, led by gains in Big Tech stocks. The S&P 500 added 1.1% Tuesday. Trading closed early ahead of the holiday. Tech companies including Apple, Amazon and chip company Broadcom helped pull the market higher. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.9%, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.3%. American Airlines shook off an early loss and ended mostly higher after the airline briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical issue. Treasury yields held steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury was little changed at 4.59% An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump won a return to the White House in part by promising big changes in economic policy — more tax cuts, huge tariffs on imports, mass deportations of immigrants working in the United States illegally. In some ways, his victory marked a repudiation of President Joe Biden’s economic stewardship and a protest against inflation. It came despite low unemployment and steady growth under the Biden administration. What lies ahead for the economy under Trump? Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics spoke recently to The Associated Press. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. American consumers feeling less confident in December, Conference Board says American consumers are feeling less confident in December, a business research group says. The Conference Board said Monday that its consumer confidence index fell back in December to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Consumers had been feeling increasingly confident in recent months. The consumer confidence index measures both Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months. The measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for income, business and the job market tumbled more than a dozen points to 81.1. The Conference Board says a reading under 80 can signal a potential recession in the near future. Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week Stocks closed higher on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Monday. Several big technology companies helped support the gains, including chip companies Nvidia and Broadcom. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1%. Honda's U.S.-listed shares rose sharply after the company said it was in talks about a combination with Nissan in a deal that could also include Mitsubishi Motors. Eli Lilly rose after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Treasury yields rose in the bond market.