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‘They’ve not even managed to shift the Christmas chocolates yet,’ remarked one customer. Shoppers have been left bemused after spotting Easter eggs on supermarket shelves before New Year’s Eve. With Easter Sunday falling on April 20 next year, customers shared their confusion on social media after finding chocolate eggs and hot cross buns already for sale in shops including Morrisons, Tesco and Asda. One user, @Jingle1991, shared an image of Malteser Bunnies in Sainsbury’s on Christmas Eve and pointed out: “Jesus hasn’t even been born yet.” Meanwhile, Gary Evans from Margate shared a shot of Creme Eggs on display in Morrisons in Margate on Boxing Day. “I just think its crazy that everything is so superficial and meaninglessly commercial... (there’s) something quite frantic about it,” the 66-year-old told the PA news agency. Joseph Robinson found Easter confectionary including Cadbury Mini Eggs, and themed Kit-Kat and Kinder Surprise products at his local Morrisons in Stoke-on-Trent on Friday evening. “It’s funny, as they’ve not even managed to shift the Christmas chocolates off the shelves yet and they’re already stocking for Easter,” the 35-year-old admin support worker told PA. “I wish that Supermarkets weren’t so blatantly consumerist-driven and would actually allow customers and staff a time to decompress during the Christmas period.” Asked if he was tempted to make a purchase, Mr Robinson added: “As a vegan it holds no appeal to me!” Mike Chalmers, a devout Christian from Chippenham, Wiltshire, was slightly less critical after spotting a display entitled: “Celebrate this Easter with Cadbury.” “Christmas and Easter are the two centrepoints of the Christian good news story so it’s no bad thing to see the connections,” the 44-year-old said. “It’s about more than shapes of chocolate though!” Marketing consultant Andrew Wallis admitted he was surprised to see Easter eggs in the Co-op in Kilgetty, Pembrokeshire, but added it also illustrates “forward-thinking” from big businesses. “It made me reflect on how big brands are always thinking ahead and planning early,” the 54-year-old from the Isle of Man, who provides marketing advice to the fitness industry, told PA. “My message to retailers would be: while planning ahead is important, it’s also essential to be mindful of consumer sentiment. “Some might feel it’s too early for seasonal products like this but others might see it as a sign of forward-thinking. “Striking the right balance is key to keeping customers happy.”COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Wade Taylor IV had 15 points and a career-high 10 assists, and Zhuric Phelps had 12 points and 10 rebounds in No. 13 Texas A&M's 92-54 win over Abilene Christian on Saturday. Taylor's 15 points passed Vernon Smith, who scored 1,778 points at A&M from 1977-81, for second on Texas A&M's all-time scoring list. Taylor now has 1,779 career points and needs 212 more to pass Bernard King, who scored 1,990 points from 1999-2003, as Texas A&M’s all-time scoring leader. Taylor returned to action after he missed his first career game on Dec. 20 against Houston Christian. The Aggies (11-2) opened the game on a 7-0 run and never looked back. Texas A&M led 48-29 at halftime and ended the game on a 12-0 run over the final 5:24. Quion Williams led Abilene Christian (8-6) with 14 points. Abilene Christian: The Wildcats lost to Texas A&M 81-80 in November 2021 but were too overmatched this season to have a chance at an upset bid. Texas A&M: The Aggies closed nonconference play on a seven-game winning streak in Taylor’s return. The Aggies used a 14-0 run in the first half to build an 18-point lead. Texas A&M guard CJ Wilcher made three straight 3-pointers during the run, including back-to-back from the right wing during fastbreaks. The Wildcats never got within single digits again. Texas A&M continued to show its depth as the Aggies had 45 bench points. Wilcher led the way with a season-high 14 points and forward Andersson Garcia had 12. Twelve players saw action and all 12 scored. The Aggies start Southeastern Conference play against rival Texas on Jan. 4. Abilene Christian closes nonconference action on Dec. 31 at home against Stephen F. Austin. Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
PIAA wants to recruit more women to officiate football gamesLuigi Nicholas Mangione, the suspect in the fatal shooting of a healthcare executive in New York City, apparently was living a charmed life: the grandson of a wealthy real estate developer, valedictorian of his elite Baltimore prep school and with degrees from one of the nation's top private universities. Friends at an exclusive co-living space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Hawaii where the 26-year-old Mangione once lived widely considered him a “great guy,” and pictures on his social media accounts show a fit, smiling, handsome young man on beaches and at parties. Now, investigators in New York and Pennsylvania are working to piece together why Mangione may have diverged from this path to make the violent and radical decision to gun down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in a brazen attack on a Manhattan street. The killing sparked widespread discussions about corporate greed, unfairness in the medical insurance industry and even inspired folk-hero sentiment toward his killer. But Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro sharply refuted that perception after Mangione's arrest on Monday when a customer at a McDonald's restaurant in Pennsylvania spotted Mangione eating and noticed he resembled the shooting suspect in security-camera photos released by New York police. “In some dark corners, this killer is being hailed as a hero. Hear me on this, he is no hero,” Shapiro said. “The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 at McDonald’s this morning.” Mangione comes from a prominent Maryland family. His grandfather, Nick Mangione, who died in 2008, was a successful real estate developer. One of his best-known projects was Turf Valley Resort, a sprawling luxury retreat and conference center outside Baltimore that he purchased in 1978. The Mangione family also purchased Hayfields Country Club north of Baltimore in 1986. On Monday, Baltimore County police officers blocked off an entrance to the property, which public records link to Luigi Mangione’s parents. Reporters and photographers gathered outside the entrance. The father of 10 children, Nick Mangione prepared his five sons — including Luigi Mangione’s father, Louis Mangione — to help manage the family business, according to a 2003 Washington Post report. Nick Mangione had 37 grandchildren, including Luigi, according to the grandfather's obituary. Luigi Mangione’s grandparents donated to charities through the Mangione Family Foundation, according to a statement from Loyola University commemorating Nick Mangione’s wife’s death in 2023. They donated to various causes, including Catholic organizations, colleges and the arts. One of Luigi Mangione’s cousins is Republican Maryland state legislator Nino Mangione, a spokesman for the lawmaker’s office confirmed. “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” Mangione’s family said in a statement posted on social media by Nino Mangione. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.” Mangione, who was valedictorian of his elite Maryland prep school, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a university spokesman told The Associated Press. He learned to code in high school and helped start a club at Penn for people interested in gaming and game design, according to a 2018 story in Penn Today, a campus publication. His social media posts suggest he belonged to the fraternity Phi Kappa Psi. They also show him taking part in a 2019 program at Stanford University, and in photos with family and friends at the Jersey Shore and in Hawaii, San Diego, Puerto Rico, and other destinations. The Gilman School, from which Mangione graduated in 2016, is one of Baltimore’s elite prep schools. The children of some of the city’s wealthiest and most prominent residents, including Orioles legend Cal Ripken Jr., have attended the school. Its alumni include sportswriter Frank Deford and former Arizona Gov. Fife Symington. In his valedictory speech, Luigi Mangione described his classmates’ “incredible courage to explore the unknown and try new things.” Mangione took a software programming internship after high school at Maryland-based video game studio Firaxis, where he fixed bugs on the hit strategy game Civilization 6, according to a LinkedIn profile. Firaxis' parent company, Take-Two Interactive, said it would not comment on former employees. He more recently worked at the car-buying website TrueCar, but has not worked there since 2023, the head of the Santa Monica, California-based company confirmed to the AP. From January to June 2022, Mangione lived at Surfbreak, a “co-living” space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Honolulu. Like other residents of the shared penthouse catering to remote workers, Mangione underwent a background check, said Josiah Ryan, a spokesperson for owner and founder R.J. Martin. “Luigi was just widely considered to be a great guy. There were no complaints,” Ryan said. “There was no sign that might point to these alleged crimes they’re saying he committed.” At Surfbreak, Martin learned Mangione had severe back pain from childhood that interfered with many aspects of his life, including surfing, Ryan said. “He went surfing with R.J. once but it didn’t work out because of his back,” Ryan said, but noted that Mangione and Martin often went together to a rock-climbing gym. Mangione left Surfbreak to get surgery on the mainland, Ryan said, then later returned to Honolulu and rented an apartment. An image posted to a social media account linked to Mangione showed what appeared to be an X-ray of a metal rod and multiple screws inserted into someone's lower spine. Martin stopped hearing from Mangione six months to a year ago. An X account linked to Mangione includes recent posts about the negative impact of smartphones on children; healthy eating and exercise habits; psychological theories; and a quote from Indian philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti about the dangers of becoming “well-adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” Mangione likely was motivated by his anger at what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and a disdain for corporate greed, according to a law enforcement bulletin obtained by AP. He wrote that the U.S. has the most expensive healthcare system in the world and that the profits of major corporations continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, according to the bulletin, based on a review of the suspect’s handwritten notes and social media posts. He appeared to view the targeted killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO as a symbolic takedown, asserting in his note that he is the “first to face it with such brutal honesty,” the bulletin said. Mangione called “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski a “political revolutionary” and may have found inspiration from the man who carried out a series of bombings while railing against modern society and technology, the document said. Associated Press reporters Lea Skene in Baltimore; Jennifer Sinco Kelleher in Honolulu; Maryclaire Dale in Philadelphia; John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio; and Michael Kunzelman in Washington, D.C., contributed to this report.Michael Penix Jr. Announces Engagement to Girlfriend Olivia Carter in IG Photo
MARKET REPORT: Raspberry Pi in festive mood as shares soar By JON HOPKINS Updated: 14:45, 28 December 2024 e-mail View comments The traditional Santa Rally may not have arrived, but DIY computer maker Raspberry Pi most certainly has had a fantastic time, rising to more than £1bn in value. The FTSE 250 stock was on the march again yesterday and is up 74pc this month. Much of that has come since December 18, when it was revealed that America's SW Investment Management had amassed a 3.59pc holding in the UK firm, which only listed in London six months ago. Raspberry Pi made a strong debut on June 11 after its public offering at 280p a share, jumping to 385p at the close of trade that day. Since then, the stock - of which more than half is owned by just two holders - had been steadily rising before this month's boost. Raspberry Pi rose another 7pc, or 42p, to 640p, easing back after hitting a new intra-day peak of 721.5p, proving to investors that tech floats can work in London, albeit thanks to US influences. Overall, the post-Christmas mood was mixed, though based on thin volumes. The FTSE 100 index closed 0.16pc, or 12.79 points, up at 8149.78, but the FTSE 250 ended down 0.4pc, or 82.86 points, at 20,488.65. Among the minority of FTSE 100 gainers, Centrica was up 2.2pc, or 2.85p, at 131.85p as the British Gas-owner started buying back £300m of shares, which will take the total repurchase to £1.5bn since November 2022. Energy firms were also up, with BP rising 1.1pc, or 4.2p, to 385.45p and Shell ahead 0.47pc, or 11.5p, at 2440.5p as oil prices held firm, supported by fresh economic stimulus measures from China. But Anglo American fell 1.66pc, or 39.5p, to 2342p as Chile's environmental regulator filed four charges against the Los Bronces copper mine. Builder Taylor Wimpey was down 0.74pc, or 0.9p, at 120.6p with the sector troubled by mortgage rate concerns. But fellow builder Vistry rallied modestly, adding 2.83pc, or 15.5p, to close at 563p, having plunged 16pc on Christmas Eve after delivering an unseasonal profit warning - its third of the year. Though the market was forgiving after the festive break, analysts were less so, with those at Irish broker Davy cutting their recommendation for Vistry to 'neutral' from 'outperform'. Also on the FTSE 250, Syncona rose 0.58pc, or 0.6p, to 103.2p as it revealed one of its investments, Achilles Therapeutics, had sold its technology assets to AstraZeneca for £9.5m. Syncona said its holding value in Achilles was £8.5m as of September 30, representing 0.7pc of its net asset value. Among the small caps, Zenith Energy leapt 35.3pc, or 1.2p, to 4.6p encouraged by the latest ruling of the arbitral tribunal of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes in the company's case against Tunisia. The energy group is suing the Tunisian state for £500m claiming breach of trade agreements with the UK relating to the Sidi El Kilani and Ezzaouia concessions. But Walker Crips lost 5.56pc, or 1p, closing at 17p as the London stockbroker and asset manager swung to a first half loss of £1.5m despite sales increasing by 2.3pc. DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS AJ Bell AJ Bell Easy investing and ready-made portfolios Learn More Learn More Hargreaves Lansdown Hargreaves Lansdown Free fund dealing and investment ideas Learn More Learn More interactive investor interactive investor Flat-fee investing from £4.99 per month Learn More Learn More Saxo Saxo Get £200 back in trading fees Learn More Learn More Trading 212 Trading 212 Free dealing and no account fee Learn More Learn More Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence. Compare the best investing account for you Share or comment on this article: MARKET REPORT: Raspberry Pi in festive mood as shares soar e-mail Add comment Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence.
Yarita Lizeth: what businesses does the popular singer own in Puno?Former congressman Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., President-elect Donald Trump’s failed choice for attorney general, plans to host a new show on the conservative network One America News starting next year. Gaetz, a staunch right-winger who faced allegations of sex trafficking, lasted just eight days as Trump’s pick to lead the Justice Department in November. He withdrew from consideration after it became clear that he probably would not receive enough votes in the Senate to be confirmed. His prospects in the Senate dimmed amid a flurry of media attention surrounding a House Ethics Committee investigation into his alleged illegal drug use and sex with a 17-year-old. Gaetz has repeatedly denied the allegations. Because Gaetz resigned from Congress to pursue the Justice Department nomination, many questions arose over his future in politics. On Monday, that future became clearer when CNN correspondent Kristen Holmes reported that Gaetz would have his own show on OAN. The network has set up a landing site for the program, “The Matt Gaetz Show,” with a “coming soon” tag. In a statement shared by OAN, Gaetz said he “couldn’t be more thrilled to join OAN’s forward-thinking team and be part of this revolutionary expansion.” According to OAN, the show is set to air at 9 p.m. Eastern time every weeknight. Gaetz is also scheduled to co-host a weekly podcast with conservative host Dan Ball. OAN said the podcast would “deliver fresh perspectives and unfiltered conversations tailored for Millennials, late Gen Z, and early Gen Xers.” A special election will be held to fill Gaetz’s House seat.
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Chandigarh: Punjab assembly speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan on Tuesday advocated immediate action to discard error-ridden Punjabi, Hindi, and English editions of Gurshabd Ratnakar Mahan Kosh published by Punjabi University . Sandhwan also asked the higher education department to submit a report within three weeks. He said that this work is extremely important to “maintain the supremacy of Gurbani and rectify the misconceptions for future generations.” On Monday, Sandhwan convened a meeting for the conservation of the historic Diwan Todar Mal Haveli in Fatehgarh Sahib. It was attended by the Punjab tourism minister, officials of the department, and representatives of the Diwan Todar Mal Heritage Foundation and SGPC. Sandhwan on Monday also accused the Centre of turning a blind eye to the genuine demands of farmers, leaving them to languish on the roads instead of addressing their grievances. Urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to open channels of communication with the farmers, he stressed that the Centre must take decisive action and resolve the farmers’ issues “without dragging its feet.” We also published the following articles recently Narwekar front-runner for Maharashtra assembly speaker in election on Monday Rahul Narwekar is likely to be re-elected as Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on Monday. The BJP is expected to retain the crucial post. Narwekar's handling of recent disqualification cases has earned him praise. If Narwekar is chosen for a ministerial role, Sudhir Mungatiwar is a potential replacement. Special assembly session from Monday, Rabindra Nath Mahto likely to retain speakers post Jharkhand's Nala MLA Rabindra Nath Mahto is likely to be re-elected as Speaker of the State Assembly during its upcoming session. Although Mahto desired a ministerial position, the Hemant Soren-led government, now at full capacity, may propose him for the speakership again. The session, starting Monday, will see pro tem speaker Stephen Marandi administering oaths to newly elected MLAs. Haryana khap leaders respond to farmers march to Delhi: Demand unity among Punjab farmers Haryana's Khap leaders have expressed their willingness to join the farmers' protest march to Delhi, but only if the United Morcha (SKM) unites first. They emphasized that internal politics among Punjab farmer groups is hindering the movement's progress. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .
PHILADELPHIA — Nikki Giovanni, the legendary poet and leader of the Black Arts Movement, died at 81 on Monday, Dec. 9, in Blacksburg, Virginia, after receiving a third diagnosis of cancer, according to news reports . Her longtime partner, Virginia Fowler, was by her side. The revolutionary writer who penned verses about Black life, feminism, politics, rage and love, was born Yolanda Cornelia Giovanni Jr., in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1943 and raised in Cincinnati. She spent many years in New York and Virginia, where she taught English at Virginia Tech for decades. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get the latest local entertainment news, dining reviews, and more delivered right to your inbox every Thursday.Syria's Assad Flees To Moscow, Reportedly Granted AsylumChandigarh: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday announced the start of a recruitment drive to fill the backlog of vacant posts for persons with disabilities (PwD) in various departments. Chairing a review meeting of the social justice and child welfare department at his official residence, Mann said that the state govt had identified a backlog of vacant posts for PwDs across various departments of the state govt. He said that so far, 1,754 posts for direct recruitment and 556 posts for promotion were identified as a backlog for PwD, and officers were asked to expedite the process of filling these vacant posts. Mann also gave the nod for amending rules under the Rights of Persons with Disability Act, 2016, adding that this amendment of rules would help in safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities. He said that recently, the state govt approved a free bus travel facility for dependents of the blind, and a notification in this regard would be issued shortly. Also, a 50% concession in fare was given to PwDs in Punjab Roadways and PRTC Buses, and during 2023-24, Rs 2.19 crore was spent, benefiting 7.5 lakh commuters. The CM said that the state govt covered 2.65 lakh disabled persons under the State Pension Scheme, and Rs 278.17 crore was disbursed to beneficiaries during 2024-25. We also published the following articles recently Vacant posts in govt schools to be filled soon: Minister Tamil Nadu's School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi announced imminent appointments to fill all vacant government school teacher positions. Over 3,000 BT assistant teacher appointments are pending due to a court case filed by a non-teaching staff union. Results for second-grade teacher exams have been released, and appointment letters will be issued soon. Occurrence, filling up of vacant posts continuous process: Centre on vacancies in government departments The central government is actively addressing vacant positions within its ministries and departments, emphasizing it as an ongoing process. Union Minister Jitendra Singh informed the Rajya Sabha that ministries are instructed to fill vacancies promptly. Recruitment drive to fill 8k posts in health dept Telangana's health department is on a hiring spree! To address staffing shortages in medical colleges, over 6,470 positions are currently being filled. A recent reshuffling of faculty between Hyderabad and outlying areas has paved the way for these new recruits. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .
WASHINGTON — Donald Trump said he can't guarantee that his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won't raise prices for American consumers and he suggested once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect, in a wide-ranging interview with NBC's “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday, also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning “things do change.” A look at some of the issues covered: Trump hems on whether trade penalties could raise prices Trump has threatened broad trade penalties, but said he didn’t believe economists' predictions that added costs on those imported goods for American companies would lead to higher prices for U.S. consumers. He stopped short of a pledge that U.S. households won't be paying more as they shop. “I can’t guarantee anything. I can’t guarantee tomorrow,” Trump said, seeming to open the door to accepting the reality of how import levies typically work as goods reach the retail market. That's a different approach from Trump's typical speeches throughout the 2024 campaign, when he framed his election as a sure way to curb inflation. In the interview, Trump defended tariffs generally, saying they are "going to make us rich.” He has pledged that, on his first day in office in January, he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada unless those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. He also has threatened additional tariffs on China to help force that country to crack down on fentanyl production. ”All I want to do is I want to have a level, fast, but fair playing field,” Trump said. Trump suggests retribution for his opponents while claiming no interest in vengeance He offered conflicting statements on how he would approach the justice system after winning election despite being convicted of 34 felonies in a New York state court and being indicted in other cases for his handling of national security secrets and efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. “Honestly, they should go to jail,” Trump said of members of Congress who investigated the Capitol riot by his supporters who wanted him to remain in power. The president-elect underscored his contention that he can use the justice system against others, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led the case on Trump’s role in the siege on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump confirmed his plan to pardon supporters who were convicted for their roles in the riot, saying he would take that action on his first day in office. As for the idea of revenge driving potential prosecutions, Trump said: “I have the absolute right. I’m the chief law enforcement officer, you do know that. I’m the president. But I’m not interested in that." At the same time, Trump singled out lawmakers on a special House committee who had investigated the insurrection, citing Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. “Cheney was behind it ... so was Bennie Thompson and everybody on that committee,” Trump said. Asked specifically whether he would direct his administration to pursue cases, he said, “No,” and suggested he did not expect the FBI to quickly undertake investigations into his political enemies. But at another point, Trump said he would leave the matter up to Pam Bondi, his pick as attorney general. “I want her to do what she wants to do,” he said. Such threats, regardless of Trump's inconsistencies, have been taken seriously enough by many top Democrats that Biden is considering issuing blanket, preemptive pardons to protect key members of his outgoing administration. Trump did seemingly back off his campaign rhetoric calling for Biden to be investigated, saying, “I’m not looking to go back into the past.” Swift action on immigration is coming Trump repeatedly mentioned his promises to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally through a mass deportation program. “I think you have to do it,” he said. He suggested he would try to use executive action to end “birthright” citizenship under which people born in the U.S. are considered citizens — although such protections are spelled out in the Constitution. Asked specifically about the future for people who were brought into the country illegally as children and have been shielded from deportation in recent years, Trump said, “I want to work something out,” indicating he might seek a solution with Congress. But Trump also said he does not “want to be breaking up families” of mixed legal status, “so the only way you don’t break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back.” Trump commits to NATO, with conditions, and waffles on Putin and Ukraine Long a critic of NATO members for not spending more on their own defense, Trump said he “absolutely” would remain in the alliance “if they pay their bills.” Pressed on whether he would withdraw if he were dissatisfied with allies’ commitments, Trump said he wants the U.S. treated “fairly” on trade and defense. He waffled on a NATO priority of containing Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Trump suggested Ukraine should prepare for less U.S. aid in its defense against Putin’s invasion. “Possibly. Yeah, probably. Sure,” Trump said of reducing Ukraine assistance from Washington. Separately, Trump has called for an immediate ceasefire . Asked about Putin, Trump said initially that he has not talked to the Russian leader since Election Day last month, but then hedged: “I haven’t spoken to him recently.” Trump said when pressed, adding that he did not want to “impede the negotiation.” Trump says Powell is safe at the Fed, but not Wray at the FBI The president-elect said he has no intention, at least for now, of asking Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to step down before Powell's term ends in 2028. Trump said during the campaign that presidents should have more say in Fed policy , including interest rates. Trump did not offer any job assurances for FBI Director Christopher Wray, whose term is to end in 2027. Asked about Wray, Trump said: “Well, I mean, it would sort of seem pretty obvious” that if the Senate confirms Kash Patel as his pick for FBI chief, then “he’s going to be taking somebody’s place, right? Somebody is the man that you’re talking about.” Trump is absolute about Social Security, not so much on abortion and health insurance Trump promised that the government efficiency effort led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will not threaten Social Security. “We're not touching Social Security, other than we make it more efficient,” he said. He added that “we're not raising ages or any of that stuff.” He was not so specific about abortion or his long-promised overhaul of the Affordable Care Act. On abortion, Trump continued his inconsistencies and said he would “probably” not move to restrict access to the abortion pills that now account for a majority of pregnancy terminations, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. But pressed on whether he would commit to that position, Trump replied, “Well, I commit. I mean, are -- things do -- things change. I think they change.” Reprising a line from his Sept. 10 debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump again said he had “concepts” of a plan to substitute for the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which he called “lousy health care.” He added a promise that any Trump version would maintain insurance protections for Americans with preexisting health conditions. He did not explain how such a design would be different from the status quo or how he could deliver on his desire for “better health care for less money.”S&P/TSX composite down more than 100 points Tuesday, U.S. stock markets also lower
Officers abused migrant locked up alone for weeks over language barrier, complaint says
Still looking for their first pennant win in over two-and-a-half decades, the San Diego Padres are bringing in a guy who was part of one a few years ago. Agent Joe Rosen announced to social media this week that his client, infielder Mike Brousseau, has signed with the Padres in free agency. Brousseau is reportedly getting a minor-league deal from San Diego. The 30-year-old Brousseau, a righty hitter, had his heyday with the Tampa Bay Rays, hitting .302 during the 2020 season and also delivering a playoff series-winning home run against the New York Yankees to help the Tampa Bay advance to the World Series that year. But Brousseau has struggled in the years since, batting .238 from 2022-23 with the Milwaukee Brewers. Brousseau actually spent last season out of MLB altogether but hit a respectable .276 with 15 homers and 41 RBIs in 93 games for Triple-A Syracuse (the affiliate of the New York Mets). The Padres have multiple infielders (including Ha-Seong Kim and Donovan Solano) who are free agents this winter and could trade away a couple of others as well . While Brousseau has a low ceiling, he may be able to get some meaningful at-bats for San Diego in 2025. This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.
SAN FRANCISCO — Jonathan Kuminga had 34 points and made the go-ahead free throw in the Golden State Warriors' 109-105 win over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday. With the Warriors down one, Kuminga was fouled after getting inside positioning on Kevin Durant on an out-of-bounds play with 29 seconds to go. Kuminga made both free throws to put Golden State ahead and tie his career high in points a day after setting it against the Clippers on Friday. Durant, who led the Suns with 31 points, missed a shot on the other end, and Dennis Schroder made two free throws after the Suns committed a loose ball foul on the rebound. Phoenix led 65-61 at halftime. Stephen Curry, who had 22 points, beat the first-half buzzer with a one-handed, off-balance floater over seven-footer Oso Ighodaro after going behind the back to split two defenders. The Suns were without Jusuf Nurkic, who was serving the first of a three-game suspension for his role in a fight against the Mavericks on Friday. Royce O’Neale also left the game in the second quarter with a left ankle sprain. Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski (lower abdominal strain) did not play in the second half. Takeaways Suns: The Suns have lost five of six and are under .500 for the first time this season after an 8-1 start. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is congratulated by forward Andrew Wiggins, left, after making a basket to end the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Phoenix Suns, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in San Francisco. Credit: AP/Godofredo A. Vásquez Warriors: The Warriors picked up a much-needed win to start a six-game homestand after losing six of seven. Key moment The Warriors held the Suns without a field goal in the final 6:48, keying their fourth-quarter comeback. Key stat The Warriors played in their league-leading 21st clutch game of the season, improving to 9-12 in games that were within five points in the last five minutes. Eight of their last nine games have been clutch games. Up next The Warriors host the Cavaliers on Monday, while the Suns host the Grizzlies on Tuesday.WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump said he can't guarantee that his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won't raise prices for American consumers and he suggested once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect, in a wide-ranging interview with NBC's “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday, also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning “things do change.” A look at some of the issues covered: Trump has threatened broad trade penalties, but said he didn’t believe economists' predictions that added costs on those imported goods for American companies would lead to higher prices for U.S. consumers. He stopped short of a pledge that U.S. households won't be paying more as they shop. “I can’t guarantee anything. I can’t guarantee tomorrow,” Trump said, seeming to open the door to accepting the reality of how import levies typically work as goods reach the retail market. That's a different approach from Trump's typical speeches throughout the 2024 campaign, when he framed his election as a sure way to curb inflation. In the interview, Trump defended tariffs generally, saying they are "going to make us rich.” He has pledged that, on his first day in office in January, he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada unless those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. He also has threatened additional tariffs on China to help force that country to crack down on fentanyl production. ”All I want to do is I want to have a level, fast, but fair playing field,” Trump said. He offered conflicting statements on how he would approach the justice system after winning election despite being convicted of 34 felonies in a New York state court and being indicted in other cases for his handling of national security secrets and efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. “Honestly, they should go to jail,” Trump said of members of Congress who investigated the Capitol riot by his supporters who wanted him to remain in power. The president-elect underscored his contention that he can use the justice system against others, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led the case on Trump’s role in the siege on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump confirmed his plan to pardon supporters who were convicted for their roles in the riot, saying he would take that action on his first day in office. As for the idea of revenge driving potential prosecutions, Trump said: “I have the absolute right. I’m the chief law enforcement officer, you do know that. I’m the president. But I’m not interested in that." At the same time, Trump singled out lawmakers on a special House committee who had investigated the insurrection, citing Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. “Cheney was behind it ... so was Bennie Thompson and everybody on that committee,” Trump said. Asked specifically whether he would direct his administration to pursue cases, he said, “No,” and suggested he did not expect the FBI to quickly undertake investigations into his political enemies. But at another point, Trump said he would leave the matter up to Pam Bondi, his pick as attorney general. “I want her to do what she wants to do,” he said. Such threats, regardless of Trump's inconsistencies, have been taken seriously enough by many top Democrats that Biden is considering issuing blanket, preemptive pardons to protect key members of his outgoing administration. Trump did seemingly back off his campaign rhetoric calling for Biden to be investigated, saying, “I’m not looking to go back into the past.” Trump repeatedly mentioned his promises to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally through a mass deportation program. “I think you have to do it,” he said. He suggested he would try to use executive action to end “birthright” citizenship under which people born in the U.S. are considered citizens — although such protections are spelled out in the Constitution. Asked specifically about the future for people who were brought into the country illegally as children and have been shielded from deportation in recent years, Trump said, “I want to work something out,” indicating he might seek a solution with Congress. But Trump also said he does not “want to be breaking up families” of mixed legal status, “so the only way you don’t break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back.” Long a critic of NATO members for not spending more on their own defense, Trump said he “absolutely” would remain in the alliance “if they pay their bills.” Pressed on whether he would withdraw if he were dissatisfied with allies’ commitments, Trump said he wants the U.S. treated “fairly” on trade and defense. He waffled on a NATO priority of containing Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Trump suggested Ukraine should prepare for less U.S. aid in its defense against Putin’s invasion. “Possibly. Yeah, probably. Sure,” Trump said of reducing Ukraine assistance from Washington. Separately, Trump has called for an immediate ceasefire . Asked about Putin, Trump said initially that he has not talked to the Russian leader since Election Day last month, but then hedged: “I haven’t spoken to him recently.” Trump said when pressed, adding that he did not want to “impede the negotiation.” The president-elect said he has no intention, at least for now, of asking Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to step down before Powell's term ends in 2028. Trump said during the campaign that presidents should have more say in Fed policy , including interest rates. Trump did not offer any job assurances for FBI Director Christopher Wray, whose term is to end in 2027. Asked about Wray, Trump said: “Well, I mean, it would sort of seem pretty obvious” that if the Senate confirms Kash Patel as his pick for FBI chief, then “he’s going to be taking somebody’s place, right? Somebody is the man that you’re talking about.” Trump promised that the government efficiency effort led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will not threaten Social Security. “We're not touching Social Security, other than we make it more efficient,” he said. He added that “we're not raising ages or any of that stuff.” He was not so specific about abortion or his long-promised overhaul of the Affordable Care Act. On abortion, Trump continued his inconsistencies and said he would “probably” not move to restrict access to the abortion pills that now account for a majority of pregnancy terminations, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. But pressed on whether he would commit to that position, Trump replied, “Well, I commit. I mean, are -- things do -- things change. I think they change.” Reprising a line from his Sept. 10 debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump again said he had “concepts” of a plan to substitute for the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which he called “lousy health care.” He added a promise that any Trump version would maintain insurance protections for Americans with preexisting health conditions. He did not explain how such a design would be different from the status quo or how he could deliver on his desire for “better health care for less money.” Barrow reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writers Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Jill Colvin and Michelle L. Price in New York contributed to this report.
A family in Chippewa County, Michigan, devastated by a house fire on Christmas Day is getting much needed support from neighbors. The fire happened at the home on Johnson Road in Rudyard on Wednesday afternoon, where emergency responders realized the structure was fully engulfed in the blaze, Mid-Michigan Now reported on Thursday. The family of six were not sure what they would do once they learned that the Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office said the home appeared to be a total loss. However, volunteers with the county’s Victim Services Unit (VSU) responded to help them, along with other community members. In a social media post on Wednesday, the sheriff’s office shared a statement that read, “I would like to personally thank all of our Chippewa County Sheriff’s Office VSU advocates who responded today.” “It takes special people to give up their time and volunteer to help those in need, especially on Christmas. Our VSU was called out to assist a family of 6 who lost their house to a fire. Gob [sic] Bless you all,” it said: BIG THANK YOUI would like to personally thank all of our Chippewa County Sheriff's Office VSU advocates who responded... Posted by Chippewa County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, December 25, 2024 A woman named Christin McKerchie, who appears to be a family member, said in a Facebook post that her daughter, Kayla, was the one who lost her house to the blaze. She added the home was built by Kayla’s father for his children before he passed away. “Miraculously, Kayla and her children, Estella (5), Jeremy (4), Everett (2), and baby Jasper (1 month) were all able to escape safely after waking up from their naps. Thankfully, their two dogs also made it out unharmed,” McKerchie explained. She also expressed gratitude to everyone who offered their support and said the family would be staying with her for the time being. “Right now, we are still in shock, processing everything, and are deeply grateful that everyone, including the dogs, are safe. It’s truly a miracle,” she wrote. A photo on her post shows firefighters at the scene: This afternoon, my daughter Kayla lost her family home to a devastating fire, one that her father, Judd, built many... Posted by Christin McKerchie on Wednesday, December 25, 2024 McKerchie later shared a list of items the family needed, writing, “Any donations are incredibly appreciated!” As of Saturday afternoon, a GoFundMe she organized has raised $19,050 for the family to help them in recovery. “We are beyond grateful for the outpouring of love and support from family, friends, and the community during this devastating time,” she wrote on the fundraising page. “We know that the road ahead will be long, but with your help, Kayla, Jeremy, and their children will be able to take the first steps toward healing and rebuilding their lives,” McKerchie added. On Saturday, she posted a photo of the children, who are safe and sound: UPDATE – Taking a Moment to Recharge. We want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for the incredible... Posted by Christin McKerchie on Saturday, December 28, 2024 “These little moments keep us grounded (sometimes, lol) and remind us that joy still exists in the midst of it all,” she wrote.Tam Union District ethnic studies will be scrutinized As a Tamalpais High School alum (class of 1977), I recall something our social studies teacher, Mr. Philbrook, once said to our school: “You can gauge how the rest of the country will be in five years by looking at Tam High.” He said we were, “the meter for the rest of the country.” Now, after following recent discussions at the school board meetings (“Tam Union parents scrutinize ethnic studies plan,” Dec. 19), I look forward to watching Tam High (and the rest of the Tamalpais Union High School District) take the local lead in (hopefully) rolling back the ill-conceived ideas of ethnic studies classes (previously from elements of critical race theory and the DEI movement) that do far more harm than good. — Tim Amyx, Novato US should stop subsidizing the fossil-fuel industry Contrary to sentiments expressed in the recently published Another View commentary by Ryan M. Yonk (“Time to get real about renewables,” Dec. 16), the energy transition to clean renewable energy sources is well underway, especially here in California. I believe the main reason that only 17% of U.S. energy comes from sources that do not emit greenhouse gases today is that the fossil-fuel industry uses its vast wealth to slow this necessary transition. Not only do fossil-fuel companies get our money directly at the gas pump, they’re heavily subsidized with tax credits, sub-market federal royalties, and the like. More significantly, they bear little to no financial liability for selling products that damage our atmosphere. Who pays for that damage? We do, the ones whose home insurance has gone up or gone away, whose houses are destroyed by climate-driven wildfires, floods and hurricanes, whose health is degraded from smokestack and tailpipe emissions. The International Monetary Fund says that, in 2023, the world paid $7 trillion in direct and indirect fossil fuel subsidies. The fossil fuel lobby’s opposition has made the situation urgent. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recently announced that the Arctic has flipped from being a carbon sink to a carbon emitter. I expect that will only accelerate wildfires, droughts and flooding. Yes, there will be costs to develop 24/7, greenhouse-gas-free resources — just as there were costs to build today’s fossil-fuel system, and there are costs to run it now. Transitioning responsibly to greenhouse-gas-free energy is far cheaper than continuing reverse-Robin Hood subsidies that result in accelerating climate change. — Ray Welch, Marinwood Hard to see pedestrians at night this time of year I submit this letter as a public service announcement to everyone walking at dusk or after dark in Marin. It’s the darkest time of year — we just passed 2024’s shortest day and its earliest sunset. The early darkness makes it harder to see people walking. So, if you are walking — possibly in all dark clothing with a black dog — do not expect to be seen by passing or turning cars. Nobody wants to hit you or your dog (or your kid in a stroller, for that matter). Would it be so hard to wear something reflective? Or maybe use a flashlight? Thanks for reading. — AR Danielson, San Rafael Sausalito council should not declare a surplus I am responding to former Sausalito Mayor Ron Albert’s letter published Dec. 14 regarding the letter critical of Sausalito City Council spending that I had published in November. I think Albert misunderstood my point. As a former council member, I believe that, much like a homeowners association can’t transfer funds from its reserve account to the operating account (and then declare a budget surplus), a city shouldn’t be allowed to transfer funds from its designated reserve accounts to the general operating account and declare a budget surplus. That is why I called the members of the City Council ‘”wishful thinkers.” If the council doesn’t focus on fixing the infrastructure instead of costly special interest projects, I think Sausalito (with its $500,000 insurance deductible) is headed toward bankruptcy. Considering that it’s mostly the same people on the City Council as before the election, and that they are pushing the same projects, I am worried. I think Albert is misguided about the role of city staff in these actions. From my perspective, the City Council sets policies and the city manager carries them out. Responsibility lies at these levels. — Carolyn Ford, Sausalito
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