NoneRams offense is humming with good health, and it gave a stellar performance to upset Buffalo

Kirby Smart's Comment on Quinn Ewers & Arch Manning Turns HeadsLegendary rapper Eminem's mother, Debbie Nelson, has died, according to multiple sources. She was 69. TMZ was the first to report her death. NBC News and People also confirmed with representatives for Eminem. Nelson reportedly died from complications related to lung cancer. Her diagnosis was first made public in September. The relationship between Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, and Nelson was infamously contentious. Mathers often accused Nelson of being a neglectful mother during his childhood in Detroit, Michigan. He blamed her substance abuse and mental health struggles for the trauma that he suffered. Mathers most notably aired their bad blood on songs like "My Name Is," "Kim," and "Cleaning Out My Closet." In 1999, Nelson sued her son for defamation, seeking $11 million in damages. The judge ruled in her favor, though she was only rewarded $1,600. The two seemingly took steps toward reconciliation in the years after. Mathers even apologized to his mom in his 2013 song, "Headlights." In 2022, after Mathers was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Nelson publically congratulated her son for the prestigious honor. "Marshall, I want to say, I could not let this day go by without congratulating you on your induction into the Hall of Fame," she said in a social media video. "I love you very much. I knew you'd get there. It's been a long ride."Santa Ana winds return means increased fire risk, possible power shut-offs for Southern California

Here’s a Free Way to Tip Your Amazon Delivery Drivers

Odronextamab monotherapy led to complete responses in all patients with previously untreated follicular lymphoma evaluable for efficacy, per initial results from the safety lead-in portion of the confirmatory Phase 3 OLYMPIA-1 trial Primary analysis from an expansion cohort of the ELM-1 trial highlighted continued efficacy and durability in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients whose disease had progressed after CAR-T therapy First results from the ELM-2 trial in marginal zone lymphoma demonstrated high complete response rate in patients with relapsed/refractory disease TARRYTOWN, N.Y., Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: REGN) today announced new and updated data for odronextamab were presented at the 66th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition in San Diego, CA. The presentations, including two orals, showcase the depth and breadth of the odronextamab clinical development program, with twelve abstracts spanning several B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL) subtypes across earlier lines of treatment. OLYMPIA-1 Part 1 Results Showcased Compelling Potential in Previously Untreated Follicular Lymphoma (FL) The ongoing Phase 3 OLYMPIA-1 confirmatory trial consists of a non-randomized safety run-in (Part 1) followed by a randomized efficacy portion (Part 2) evaluating odronextamab monotherapy versus rituximab plus standard-of-care chemotherapies. In Part 1 (N=13), odronextamab led to complete responses (CR) in all 12 patients evaluable for efficacy at week 12. Historical clinical trial data indicate that the standard-of-care regimen R-Chemo was associated with an objective response rate (ORR) of 89% and 67% CR rate.1 Among the 13 patients evaluable for safety, none experienced a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). The most common treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were cytokine release syndrome (CRS; 62%), diarrhea (46%) and rash (39%). All cases of CRS were Grade 1. Infections occurred in 39% of patients, and 15% experienced a Grade 3 infection. Grade ≥3 TEAEs occurred in 46% of patients, which included one patient who discontinued early due to elevated liver enzymes. There were no reports of tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) or immune effector cell associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS). “The OLYMPIA-1 Phase 3 trial is designed to explore a novel, chemotherapy-free, fixed duration treatment that is being studied in the outpatient setting in patients with previously untreated follicular lymphoma,” said Elizabeth Brém, Associate Clinical Professor, Division of Hematology/Oncology at UC Irvine. “These compelling, initial data show the paradigm-changing potential of odronextamab in previously untreated patients and reinforce the remarkable complete response rates odronextamab demonstrated in late-line follicular lymphoma. We look forward to seeing the results of the Part 2 portion, which offers the first head-to-head evaluation of odronextamab monotherapy compared to standard-of-care chemo-immunotherapies.” Durable Responses Shown in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL) that has Progressed After CAR-T Therapy The primary analysis from an expansion cohort of the ELM-1 trial, which evaluated patients with DLBCL who progressed after CAR-T therapy, were presented in an oral session. Among 60 patients – with a median duration of treatment of 12 weeks (range > Traffic impacts: Interactive map | NewEngland511.org Impacted roads include Interstate 93, Interstate 89, Route 3 and Route 4. There are also some slow spots on the Spaulding Turnpike and Everett Turnpike, but generally, in areas from Manchester toward the south and east, rain is falling, and road conditions are better. Be weather-aware! Download the WMUR app for Apple or Android devices and turn on push notifications. You can choose to receive weather alerts for your geolocation and/or up to three ZIP codes. In addition, you can receive word when precipitation is coming to your area. Get storm coverage through the free Very Local app on your smart TV. Follow the Storm Watch 9 team on social media:Article content Patrik Laine will make his long-awaited regular-season debut for the Montreal Canadiens when they take on the New York Islanders on Tuesday night at the Bell Centre. Game underway at 7 p.m. (TSN2, RDS, TSN Radio 690, 98.5 FM). Laine had been sidelined since suffering a sprained left knee in the preseason . He’s expected to skate on a line with Kirby Dach and Juraj Slafkovsky. Joshua Roy was sent down to the AHL’s Laval Rocket. Samuel Montembeault starts in goal.

NexGel CEO Adam Levy acquires $9,999 in stock

California to consider requiring mental health warnings on social media sitesMurdoch loses ‘Succession’ battle for son’s control of media empire: reportNORTHWEST VERMONT — Republican Vermont Reps. Chris Mattos of Milton and Pat Brennan of Colchester were voted into State Senate seats last month, among six other Republicans new to the chamber, rendering the Democratic supermajority a thing of the past. Republicans unseated four incumbents and scored another two open seats vacated by long-serving Democrats. The GOP nearly doubled its representation in the upper chamber, from seven seats last session to 13 in the next. Democrats and Progressives, who held 23 seats before and just 17 now, will no longer have the two-thirds majority necessary to override gubernatorial vetoes. The Democratic party also lost its supermajority this election cycle in the Vermont House. Brennan and Mattos are excited about their wins, as well as hope about the renewed potential to accomplish some of their legislative goals, with the shift in their party’s favor that’s taken place in Montpelier in the wake of this election cycle. “I think the tone is going to set itself,” Brennan said. “I don't think I'll have to set it. I think the voters set the tone when they chose their senators and representatives at the polls this year. I think it's going to be a tone of collaboration... We'll hopefully get along, and I don't see why we wouldn't.” Brennan, represented Colchester in the House for 21 years before winning the Grand Isle District senate seat previously held by the late former Senator Dick Mazza (D). In a contentious race, Brennan beat Democrat Andy Julow by 725 votes . “When there was a supermajority, there was no need for collaboration,” he said. “The other team there just did what they wanted and we weren't involved a whole lot, other than saying ‘No, we kind of don't like that bill, it's not good for my people at home.’ That’s where you get ‘the party of no.’” Brennan believes it’s not that the Republicans are actually the party of no, but that their suggestions and ideas weren’t listened to in the past. He hopes all parties will be able to come together now, not to push their “own agendas” but to do “what’s good for Vermont.” Brennan thinks he was voted into office as a state senator because the people wanted a change, largely to do with the growing tax burden, but also because of the reputation he’s built up among constituents in his district as a state representative for decades already. “I think everybody agrees, or 90% of the population might agree, the supermajority was not a good thing for anyone, especially the taxpayer,” Brennan said. “The supermajority had their chance to make some changes and didn't do that. So the pressure’s on now. People are looking at the new legislature, the new make-up, to make things right.” Mattos said he’d be lying if he said he wasn't surprised at the upset that happened in Vermont this election. On Nov. 5, Mattos beat incumbent Senator Irene Wrenner (D), to represent Chittenden-North, a district that includes parts of Milton, Essex Town, Westford and Fairfax. “I knew we were going to pick up some seats, but not to the number that we did, so I was very happy,” he said. Mattos credits the swing to voters’ frustrations about rising property taxes, and the potential expenses of the Clean Heat Standard — a Vermont law passed last year committing the state to reducing its greenhouse gas output, which has sparked debate around its potential costliness once put into practice, despite advocates’ assurance it can be done affordably — as well as an increase in Department of Motor Vehicles’ fees that was not even requested by that department. “I think Vermonters were just tapped out with all the different fees and taxes that have increased over the past couple of years,” Mattos said. “So they definitely voted with their pocketbooks this election. It showed across the state.” When asked what parts of the budget they would look to pare down in order to see that taxpayer burden reduced, both Mattos and Brennan named the public education fund first and foremost. Mattos in particular worked on the education committee his first three years in the Vermont House, and has been on the ways and means committee for the past four. Now that he’ll be in the Senate, figuring out education finance remains his biggest priority — particularly now that the number of members of each party in the chamber are “more balanced.” “We're really going to have a seat at the table to get our ideas out there,” Mattos said. “Over the past years, the majority definitely said, ‘We can do whatever we want, we don't need your support.’ And they definitely, definitely showed it.” Mattos said while on ways and means, legislators had a draft of a bill brought up and had a meeting with leadership advocates the next day, and the day after that the bill had become a study on education finance — which, he said, in the next 24 hours, was halted by the opposing party. “So, I’m hoping that doesn't happen anymore,” Mattos said. “There are backstops in both bodies. I’m hopeful that the majority will listen to our ideas that we have, because I think we do have some good ideas out there.” Mattos believes it’s a huge issue that the current education funding system allows no way for individual school boards to know how their budget will affect their town’s tax rate, because of how dependent local property taxes are on what all other school districts choose to do. He said it’s problematic that historically low-spending districts are expected to “subsidize” higher-spending districts, or for higher-spending districts to get tax rate “discounts.” “We need to have a system that's more predictable for the school boards when they're crafting their budgets and determining where they want to spend their money and how much they want to spend,” he said, referencing the three budget votes in his own town of Milton this past year. “When it gets down to it, when we do a budget re-vote, and voters want to see substantial decreases in the tax rate, it really takes a lot of money to cut to get to something that can pass,” he said. “It's really an all-state model, and it's all these towns voting on their local budgets.” Mattos’ proposition is having a standard spending rate to cover the essentials mandated by the state of every district. This way, individual school districts wouldn’t be to blame for their baseline needed expenditures, and anything beyond that can be voted on by the taxpayer, with local taxation being more closely tied to what the local district is spending than it currently is. When asked about funding deferred maintenance — a problem that has gone on for decades in many districts due to the costly nature of making essential facility repairs — Mattos pointed to the number of added hires that have been made in many districts, and the growing size of school staffs despite declining student enrollments as a place to look to cut down on expenditures, freeing up funds to address deferred maintenance in that way. Mattos also acknowledged that private health insurance rates have risen drastically. “It's going to take a lot of money to do all those things, and we need to work within the budget of the state to be able to get there — and not raise new taxes, not raise new fees,” he said. Brennan agreed education funding is number one on his list of things to look at in an effort to render Vermont a more affordable state, as he said he heard out of almost every door he knocked on whilst campaigning that property taxes are too high. “I don't know how people survive, and actually a lot of them don't,” Brennan said. “A lot of people are packing their bags and moving out of state. So that's where we start: We need a total restructuring of how we fund education.” Brennan said he looks forward to considering the recommendations of studies on education funding, and to considering Gov. Phil Scott’s ideas on the matter moving forward, to provide some taxpayer relief via trims to aspects of education that currently may be out of balance. “I expect there to be probably two or three bills to address that, maybe more,” Brennan said. Otherwise, Brennan is concerned with revisiting a true reform of Act 250 in an effort to keep housing more affordable, as well as digging into what can be done for Vermonters’ healthcare. In addition, he expects to see and support a number of bills to strengthen public safety and address the drug epidemic, by getting “a little tougher on crime.” Mattos agreed about the need for further reform Act 250, specifically to make the laws more predictable and less risky for developers to engage with, and hopefully speeding up the development of housing statewide, whilst still protecting the natural beauty of the state. “Gov. Scott's adage, is we need more taxpayers, not more taxes,” Mattos said. “The housing thing is another initiative of mine, because that's what I do in my professional life. I'm a licensed realtor and have a property management and excavation business, so I see it every day.” Mattos favors a mix of housing types, for short- and long-term rental apartment complexes, various sizes and styles available to home-owners on different incomes, and senior living facilities for those who can’t keep up with their large homes but want to stay in the community. He said there’s lots of education out there for first-time home buyers as well as great incentives with down payment assistance from local credit unions, but that he would also favor governmental assistance for first-time home buyers to incentivize completing a homeownership course — say, a $1,000 credit at closing for young Vermonters who don’t want to rent forever. “With the rents being what they are, it's really cumbersome for people to be able to save up money while being able to afford rent,” Mattos said. “So if we increase our housing stock and take pressure off the vacancy rate that's so low that it's very hard to find an apartment, we could make some strides there by being able to get more affordable housing out there.” Mattos’ other concerns are the expenses that could come with the Clean Heat Standard. Instead, he wants to focus more on funding infrastructure-based climate resiliency in the wake of recent flooding events. Though only just elected to their first terms, Brennan and Mattos said they hope to continue serving in their respective senatorial seats well beyond this initial term, and to make Vermont better and more affordable while in office. “I’m not sure we've earned their trust yet,” Brennan said. “That's something that we have to do when we start the session. They're frustrated and they wanted change, and they voted for change. The trust comes now when we get to Montpelier and we actually have to produce.” “I am going to earn their trust and make every effort I can and vote for responsible bills to make Vermont better and to reduce the property tax burden on Vermonters,” he added. VTDigger has reported that a third of the monetary support funding GOP campaigns in some of Vermont’s most contentious races this year came from just 10 wealthy families , with major donors’ impact on the election dwarfing the contributions of those made by others — this year, this held true to a much more significant degree among Republicans than it did for Democrats. The Digger story referenced Mattos’ and Brennans’ races specifically, and quoted the Vermont Democratic Party’s executive director, Jim Dandeneau, as saying Democrats have worked for years to build a Vermont that works for everyone and not just the “wealthy few,” yet these wealthy few this year made a concerted effort to disproportionately fuel and promote said Republican races. “I think that's a misnomer,” Brennan told us in response. “I did receive a lot of money from wealthier people. I received a lot of money from middle class people, and I received $20 checks from people who really couldn't afford $20.” “The wealthier people gave what they could afford,” he added. “It wasn't that it was ‘big money.’ It was that people were concerned about the direction Vermont was headed. Some of that money wasn't all Republican, rich folk. It was Democrat, Republican, Independent.” Mattos said he is beholden to all the constituents in his district, and said he’s done that for the past seven years as a state representative and will continue to do that as a state senator. “I appreciate all the support that I received,” he said. “We have business owners largely in Chittenden County that were a little fed up and tired of the way Vermont was moving, so they wanted to donate, and they happened to donate to my campaign, and I appreciate that.” “I'm happy that I had the level of support that I did,” he added. “But at the end of the day, I represent the people who are in my district.” Brennan talks about himself as a steward of “common sense” governance, which as he sees it, means not passing legislation for the sake of passing legislation, but actually thinking about it and how it will impact the average citizen’s life and pocketbook. “And I consider myself an average citizen,” he said. “So it works out well.” “I'm not sure what Webster says ,” he added. “But to me, common sense is taking a look at an issue, putting the book aside, just just looking at an issue, thinking about the repercussions of a bill, both ways, who it affects, how it affects them, and saying: ‘Does this make sense?’” Brennan said he is a true Republican and votes with the party 90% of the time, but that simultaneously, he’s not married to the party, and hopes to carry on the late Dick Mazza’s legacy by honoring Mazza’s centrism and ability to collaborate across the aisle. “I would just like to urge constituents of all parties, even the ones who didn't vote for me, to contact me with concerns,” he said. “I take every call and concern very seriously, and we'll try to address them in the quickest and most responsible way I can.” Brennan can be reached at pbrennan@leg.state.vt.us or at 802-578-2763. “My door is always open,” Mattos said, as well. “My office is on Main Street in Milton, so I always have people stop by... And I'm just going to continue doing that and putting out my legislative updates and always fielding any phone calls, text messages and emails.” Mattos can be reached at cmattos@leg.state.vt.us or at 802-828-2228.

NoneOld Dominion Freight Line, Inc. ODFL today reported certain less-than-truckload ("LTL") operating metrics for November 2024. Revenue per day decreased 8.2% as compared to November 2023 due to an 8.0% decrease in LTL tons per day and a slight decrease in LTL revenue per hundredweight. The decrease in LTL tons per day was attributable to a 6.8% decrease in LTL shipments per day and a 1.2% decrease in LTL weight per shipment. For the quarter-to-date period, LTL revenue per hundredweight decreased 1.2% as compared to the same period last year and LTL revenue per hundredweight, excluding fuel surcharges, increased 3.7% as compared to the same period last year. Marty Freeman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Old Dominion, commented, "Our revenue results for November reflect the continued softness in the domestic economy as well as the impact of lower fuel surcharge revenue on our yields. While our LTL volumes declined on a year-over-year basis in November, the improvement in our revenue per hundredweight, excluding fuel surcharges, demonstrates our continued commitment to yield management. We have achieved consistent, cost-based increases in our yield metrics, excluding fuel surcharges, by remaining committed to providing our customers with superior service at a fair price. As we continue to deliver on these core elements of our long-term strategic plan, we remain confident in our ability to win market share and increase shareholder value over the long term." Forward-looking statements in this news release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution the reader that such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to be materially different from those expressed or implied herein, including, but not limited to, the following: (1) the challenges associated with executing our growth strategy, and developing, marketing and consistently delivering high-quality services that meet customer expectations; (2) changes in our relationships with significant customers; (3) our exposure to claims related to cargo loss and damage, property damage, personal injury, workers' compensation and healthcare, increased self-insured retention or deductible levels or premiums for excess coverage, and claims in excess of insured coverage levels; (4) reductions in the available supply or increases in the cost of equipment and parts; (5) various economic factors such as inflationary pressures or downturns in the domestic economy, and our inability to sufficiently increase our customer rates to offset the increase in our costs; (6) higher costs for or limited availability of suitable real estate; (7) the availability and cost of third-party transportation used to supplement our workforce and equipment needs; (8) fluctuations in the availability and price of diesel fuel and our ability to collect fuel surcharges, as well as the effectiveness of those fuel surcharges in mitigating the impact of fluctuating prices for diesel fuel and other petroleum-based products; (9) seasonal trends in the less-than-truckload ("LTL") industry, harsh weather conditions and disasters; (10) the availability and cost of capital for our significant ongoing cash requirements; (11) decreases in demand for, and the value of, used equipment; (12) our ability to successfully consummate and integrate acquisitions; (13) various risks arising from our international business relationships; (14) the costs and potential adverse impact of compliance with anti-terrorism measures on our business; (15) the competitive environment with respect to our industry, including pricing pressures; (16) our customers' and suppliers' businesses may be impacted by various economic factors such as recessions, inflation, downturns in the economy, global uncertainty and instability, changes in international trade policies, changes in U.S. social, political, and regulatory conditions or a disruption of financial markets; (17) the negative impact of any unionization, or the passage of legislation or regulations that could facilitate unionization, of our employees; (18) increases in the cost of employee compensation and benefit packages used to address general labor market challenges and to attract or retain qualified employees, including drivers and maintenance technicians; (19) our ability to retain our key employees and continue to effectively execute our succession plan; (20) potential costs and liabilities associated with cyber incidents and other risks with respect to our information technology systems or those of our third-party service providers, including system failure, security breach, disruption by malware or ransomware or other damage; (21) the failure to adapt to new technologies implemented by our competitors in the LTL and transportation industry, which could negatively affect our ability to compete; (22) the failure to keep pace with developments in technology, any disruption to our technology infrastructure, or failures of essential services upon which our technology platforms rely, which could cause us to incur costs or result in a loss of business; (23) disruption in the operational and technical services (including software as a service) provided to us by third parties, which could result in operational delays and/or increased costs; (24) the Compliance, Safety, Accountability initiative of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ("FMCSA"), which could adversely impact our ability to hire qualified drivers, meet our growth projections and maintain our customer relationships; (25) the costs and potential adverse impact of compliance with, or violations of, current and future rules issued by the Department of Transportation, the FMCSA and other regulatory agencies; (26) the costs and potential liabilities related to compliance with, or violations of, existing or future governmental laws and regulations, including environmental laws; (27) the effects of legal, regulatory or market responses to climate change concerns; (28) emissions-control and fuel efficiency regulations that could substantially increase operating expenses; (29) expectations relating to environmental, social and governance considerations and related reporting obligations; (30) the increase in costs associated with healthcare and other mandated benefits; (31) the costs and potential liabilities related to legal proceedings and claims, governmental inquiries, notices and investigations; (32) the impact of changes in tax laws, rates, guidance and interpretations; (33) the concentration of our stock ownership with the Congdon family; (34) the ability or the failure to declare future cash dividends; (35) fluctuations in the amount and frequency of our stock repurchases; (36) volatility in the market value of our common stock; (37) the impact of certain provisions in our articles of incorporation, bylaws, and Virginia law that could discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of us or a change in our management; and (38) other risks and uncertainties described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC. Our forward-looking statements are based upon our beliefs and assumptions using information available at the time the statements are made. We caution the reader not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements as (i) these statements are neither a prediction nor a guarantee of future events or circumstances and (ii) the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and projections about future events may differ materially from actual results. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect developments occurring after the statement is made, except as otherwise required by law. Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. is one of the largest North American LTL motor carriers and provides regional, inter-regional and national LTL services through a single integrated, union-free organization. Our service offerings, which include expedited transportation, are provided through an expansive network of service centers located throughout the continental United States. The Company also maintains strategic alliances with other carriers to provide LTL services throughout North America. In addition to its core LTL services, the Company offers a range of value-added services including container drayage, truckload brokerage and supply chain consulting. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241203903746/en/ © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

super game online real money

Trimble and Mallon sanctioned DUP ministers over rotation planNone

Qatar savour continental success, Saudis named World Cup hosts in big year for Asian football

Alabama flips RB Jace Clarizio from Michigan StateCAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (AP) — Rob Martin had 17 points in Southeast Missouri State's 88-39 victory against Westminster (MO) on Sunday night. Martin also contributed seven rebounds for the Redhawks (7-6). Braxton Stacker scored 16 points while going 7 of 11 (1 for 5 from 3-point range) and added five rebounds. Damarion Walkup went 5 of 11 from the field (4 for 10 from 3-point range) to finish with 14 points. The Blue Jays were led in scoring by Walker Gohring, who finished with 13 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

End The Economic Blockade Of Afghanistan‘Living in a home that damages health the norm for far too many older people’The Indian National Academy of Engineering on Saturday said it has inducted Ola founder Bhavish Aggarwal as its fellow. Aggarwal was inducted as fellow at the annual convention of the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE) held at IIT-Delhi on Friday, it said in a statement. "The INAE Council elected Aggarwal in recognition of his engineering contributions and leadership in the domain," it said. INAE brings together specialists from relevant interdisciplinary engineering fields to promote the advancement of engineering and technology and their applications to solve problems of national importance. INAE also represents India as one of the 33 Member-Academies from across the world in the International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences ( CAETS ).

NYT ‘Connections’ Hints And Answers For November 25

Illegal migrant charged with town’s first ‘stranger rape’ in 12 years — just days after he was released from jailWildlife TV presenter and conservationist Chris Packham has resigned as president of the RSPCA after an investigation made allegations of animal cruelty at some of the charity’s approved abattoirs. Former Green Party leader Caroline Lucas has also resigned as vice-president of the animal welfare organisation, with both of them expressing their “sadness” over leaving the roles. It comes after an Animal Rising investigation made claims of cruelty at “RSPCA Assured” slaughterhouses in England and Scotland, with the campaign group sharing footage of alleged mistreatment. RSPCA Assured is a scheme whereby approved farms must comply with the organisation’s “stringent higher welfare standards”, according to its website. Mr Packham shared the news of his resignation on social media, saying: “It is with enormous sadness that I have resigned from my role as president of the RSPCA. “I would like to register my respect and admiration for all the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to protect animals from cruelty.” Ms Lucas said she and Mr Packham failed to get the charity’s leadership to act. She posted on X, formerly Twitter: “With huge sadness I’m resigning as VP of the RSPCA, a role I’ve held with pride for over 15 years. “But their Assured Schemes risk misleading the public & legitimising cruelty. “I tried with @ChrisGPackham to persuade the leadership to act but sadly failed.” In June, the RSPCA commissioned an independent review of 200 farms on its assurance scheme which concluded the scheme was “operating effectively” to assure animal welfare on member farms. Following Animal Rising’s release of footage last week, the charity said it was “appalled” by what was shown, adding that it launched an immediate investigation and suspended three slaughterhouses from the scheme. In the wake of Mr Packham and Ms Lucas’ resignations, an RSPCA spokesperson said it is “simply not true” that the organisation has failed to take urgent action. They said: “We agree with Chris and Caroline on so many issues and have achieved so much together for animals, but we differ on how best to address the incredibly complex and difficult issue of farmed animal welfare. “We have discussed our work to drive up farmed animal welfare standards openly at length with them on many occasions and it is simply not true that we have not taken urgent action. “We took allegations of poor welfare incredibly seriously, launching an independent review of 200 farms which concluded that it was ‘operating effectively’ to improve animal welfare. “We are taking strong steps to improve oversight of welfare, implementing the recommendations in full including significantly increasing unannounced visits, and exploring technology such as body-worn cameras and CCTV, supported by £2 million of investment.” The charity insisted that while 94% of people continue to choose to eat meat, fish, eggs and dairy, it is the “right thing to do” to work with farmers to improve the lives of animals. “RSPCA Assured visit all farms on the scheme every year, but last year just 3% of farms were assessed for animal welfare by state bodies,” the spokesperson continued. “No-one else is doing this work. We are the only organisation setting and regularly monitoring animal welfare standards on farms. “We have pioneered change through RSPCA Assured, which has led to improvements throughout the industry including CCTV in slaughterhouses, banning barren battery cages for hens and sow stalls for pigs, giving salmon more space to swim and developing slower growing chicken breeds who have better quality of life.”

Commanders place kicker Austin Seibert on injured reserve

ATLAS uGDX Students Propel India to NASA Rover Challenge MilestoneOn this "Face the Nation" broadcast, moderated by Major Garrett: Jan Crawford , Robert Costa , Scott MacFarlane , Ed O'Keefe and Caitlin Huey-Burns Dr. Leana Wen , former Baltimore health commissioner. Aditya Bhave , senior ecomonist at Bank of America David Rubenstein , philanthropist and author Click here to browse full transcripts of "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan." MAJOR GARRETT: Good morning, everyone. Welcome to Face the Nation. I'm Major Garrett, in for Margaret Brennan. As we close out 2024, we, of course, want to look ahead to the economy, health care, immigration, so much more, as Washington ushers in a new Congress and, importantly, a new administration. We begin with a Face the Nation tradition, our year-end correspondents roundtable. Joining us, chief legal correspondent Jan Crawford, congressional correspondent Scott MacFarlane, chief election and campaign correspondent Robert Costa, political correspondent Caitlin Huey-Burns, and senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe. It is great to have you all with us. Scott MacFarlane, I want to start with you. The new Congress will be sworn in this week. What position does Mike Johnson, the current speaker of the House, find himself in seeking reelection to that position? SCOTT MACFARLANE: It's a tenuous position. It has the prospect and promise of having high drama Friday, when they begin the new Congress January 3 by choosing the new speaker. One of the most underappreciated and underreported issues of the 2024 election was this incredibly narrow margin Republicans preserved in the U.S. House, even more narrow than the one that gridlocked them over the past two years. And, of course, the first order of business is choosing a speaker. Republicans have just one or two votes to spare on anything. That has the possibility of paralyzing things. And we saw two years ago the speaker vote was like a – it's like Gilligan's Island. It was supposed to be a three- hour vote and ended up being a multi-arc drama with many divergent characters, not including Thurston Howell. (LAUGHTER) SCOTT MACFARLANE: But here's the thing. It's just the top layer of this very treacherous cake for them is picking a speaker, because, what does this next speaker have to concede to win that post? We saw over the last two years the prior speaker had to concede positions on the pivotal Rules Committee to some contrarian voices in the Rules Committees, where bills went to die, instead of to get set up for a vote. And that's why so many Democratic votes were needed for so many pivotal things, because the Rules Committee was jammed up by contrarians. That could happen again. MAJOR GARRETT: Robert Costa, I want to turn to you, because, if he were so inclined, president-elect Trump could clarify his preference here. And that would send an important signal to those Republicans in the House majority to be still on the fence about this, yet he remains conspicuously silent. ROBERT COSTA: That decision is reflective of the dynamic right now down at Mar-a-Lago, the president's retreat in Florida. There is high drama, as Scott reports, on Capitol Hill. But, in Trump's inner circle, it's almost like the low-key second season of a TV show. That's how it's been described to me by allies of president-elect Trump. He's being guided by Susie Wiles, his incoming chief of staff. And she's created, I'm told, this atmosphere of calm when it comes to some of the nominees, the process, laying out the agenda for next year, top of the agenda, tax cuts, trying to expand those Trump tax cuts from 2017, of course, mass deportations also part of Trump's plan, a border bill as well. And you do have controversial nominees in Kash Patel for the FBI, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services, among others. But, at its core, you have a president-elect who's now comfortable with power, comfortable with the people around him. This is so different, Major, than what we saw in 2016, when we were covering that transition period. It had this theatrical element, Trump welcoming people to Bedminster for these showy appearances and interviews. Now we rarely see the president-elect. He's firing off missives at times on TRUTH Social, his platform, but he's often behind the scenes getting ready for 2025, because he's been here before. He knows what he wants to do. MAJOR GARRETT: Ed O'Keefe, President Biden remains president of the United States, though some Americans might have to be reminded of that fact. ED O'KEEFE: Yes. MAJOR GARRETT: What is ahead for the president in the waning days of his presidency in terms of travel and possible pardons? ED O'KEEFE: Well, he is taking one final foreign trip, and it was one that we – those of us who followed him a long time anticipated might happen. And that is a trip to the Vatican to see the pope and then to see the Italian leadership as well. They have been in far closer contact than I think many people appreciate, because the pope, like the president, shares a lot of the concerns about the state of the world, about what's going on in Ukraine and Gaza. MAJOR GARRETT: Conflict, climate change. (CROSSTALK) ED O'KEEFE: Absolutely, yes, and state of democracy and just general concern for social justice, which is... MAJOR GARRETT: Refugee flows, exactly. ED O'KEEFE: Yes, exactly. And so that will be a critical political meeting, but also a real personal capstone for the second Catholic president. And it speaks as well to one of the things he's been focused on over the last several weeks and will continue to be. We're still waiting to hear more about, for example, pardons and clemency. Will there be more of those? And will they be for the everyman? Or will they be for notable political figures like, for example, Jesse Jackson Jr., the former congressman from Illinois, or others who've ended up in the legal system and maybe are well- known and are now appealing for some kind of leniency or forgiveness? And so those 37 death row clemencies that we saw before Christmas, a good example of what's to come and what he's eager to do, and also a good example of what little he can do, because, of course, Congress has no interest in working with him. They can't even really sort out what to do with themselves, but – so he's using the executive privileges that he has in these waning weeks. MAJOR GARRETT: Jan, as you know better than anyone at this table, this last year was a clash of law and politics, unlike anything we have seen in our modern American history. The judicial system in our country, according to Gallup, 35 percent confidence, 20 percent below our peer countries, other free market democracies. How much of that is a reflection of this clash, the Supreme Court, or just a sense that our judicial system has become, in the words of someone we have all come to know, two-tiered? JAN CRAWFORD: You know, that's a hard question to answer, because I think you have got a... MAJOR GARRETT: We always give you the easiest ones, Jan. (LAUGHTER) JAN CRAWFORD: But I'm going to try, Major, because I think it goes – you have got to look past just this past year and go further back. I think it really started and took off in the wake of the Dobbs decision, the court's ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade. The outrage over that decision was so extreme that you saw, I think, a quite calculated effort to undermine legitimacy of the Supreme Court by Democrats, Senate Democrats, for example, hearings, stories about scandals, some of which were pretty overblown, to say the least. So, that has an impact on public opinion. The public starts to believe that this court is corrupt, that this is – it's on the take, none of which is true. I mean, this is still a court. You may disagree with their decisions. It's a very conservative court. It is not a corrupt court. These are nine justices who have very different views on how to interpret the Constitution who are kind of in this Titanic struggle over law, not politics. Even the immunity decision, I mean, that decision was so misreported to say that the court was going to save Trump from a criminal trial. No, it wasn't. That was never the decision. In fact, that decision is going to help protect Joe Biden from any future prosecution by Donald Trump if he wanted to do that. So, when we look at public opinion polls, sure, the court's taken a hit, but that's true over the years. The court often takes a hit. So do other institutions. And the court's opinion – court's public opinion remains much higher than our other institutions, including the White House, Congress, and by far the news media. MAJOR GARRETT: Congress at 17 percent, according to Gallup. Caitlin, Jan mentioned the Dobbs decision. One of the things that roiled through the political calendar year of 2024 was how important, how impactful would that decision be on turnout and the ultimate outcome of the election? But, as you traveled the country, you kept telling us, yes, it's an important issue, but there are other things on the minds of women voters in this country. CAITLIN HUEY-BURNS: Yes, we always say that voters have the capacity to think about a lot of different things at once. And we saw, in the wake of that decision in the midterms, that was top of mind for people. It was the first way to kind of exercise their views across the country on this issue. But, this time around, voters had different ways to express their feelings about the Dobbs decision. Many of them had ballot measures in their states, a couple of those states being battleground states, that they could vote for codifying abortion rights into their state law and also vote for Donald Trump, because they believed in his views on the economy, on immigration, or at least that he could solve some of their concerns about them. And as I spoke to women across the country, as we all spent the whole year talking to voters and really listening to voters, a lot of women talked to me about how concerned they were about safety, about the economy, a lot of them responsible for their family's budgets, paying the bills, going to the grocery store, these kinds of fundamental things. And, also, it was kind of a reminder that we have been treating women as kind of a monolithic group in the wake of Dobbs. And this election showed that it's not as such, that they do care a lot about safety, the economy. Those were overarching issues, but they also do care about women's rights, abortion rights, but they just had other avenues to express that. And that's really what helped. And Donald Trump also modified his positions, at least to satisfy some of those voters, at least that I spoke to. MAJOR GARRETT: Robert, Caitlin brought up women's concerns about security. That flows through immigration. I wonder what your perspective is on this online feud that's gone on, on for the last three or four days between parts of the MAGA universe over H- 1B visas, which are essentially visas set aside for high-skilled laborers, Elon Musk, Vivek Ramaswamy, and nominally president-elect Trump on the side of that, hard right nativist parts of the MAGA movement using expletives on social media typically reserved for their political foes, not for those in the MAGA tent, assailing one another. What do you make of all of that? ROBERT COSTA: The coalition that lifted Donald Trump back to power included Silicon Valley executives. Elon Musk, Trump inner circle members say, deserves a lot of credit for pouring a lot of money in the final months into the campaign. But at the end of the day, this was a campaign where so many voters at rally after rally we covered were holding up signs that said "Mass Deportations Now." The message was obvious, it was in your face. And for – the idea that president-elect Trump is going to back away from his immigration position because of some whisper in his ear from a Silicon Valley billionaire, it's just not happening, based on my reporting. MAJOR GARRETT: And, Scott, very quickly, do you think that – we have got about 30 seconds before we need to go to break. How much do you think that will be a part of the early congressional conversation? SCOTT MACFARLANE: I think this battle over the debt limit which Elon Musk weighed in on is going to be the first throw-down of 2025 and impact the first year of Trump's term, because they're going to need Democratic votes to raise the debt ceiling. That won't satisfy the Elon Musks of the world. I'm not sure how Trump circumvents Democratic concessions for the debt ceiling. MAJOR GARRETT: When we come back, you know it, you love it, predictions, biggest story, things that were undercovered with our outstanding correspondents panel. We will be back in just one moment. (ANNOUNCEMENTS) MAJOR GARRETT: Welcome back to Face the Nation and our correspondents roundtable. Predictions. Caitlin Huey-Burns. CAITLIN HUEY-BURNS: I think the biggest story to watch this coming year is how the president-elect when he becomes president handles immigration. We talked a lot about how the economy was the overarching theme of this election. Immigration is what Trump made his not only closing – closing argument on, but his entire campaign was really rooted in immigration. So what this looks like, we saw in our polling majority support for mass deportations. What does that actually look like? And how do they handle that once we see what that looks like on television, how they have people explaining their policy, and what those stories look like because of that, and whether the base is satisfied and whether the general public gets what they voted for on that. MAJOR GARRETT: Jan, 2025 prediction. JAN CRAWFORD: I will go back to the court. I think that Donald Trump will probably get his fourth nomination to the Supreme Court either this year or maybe next year, when... MAJOR GARRETT: Because someone retires. Who? JAN CRAWFORD: Justice Sam Alito. MAJOR GARRETT: Justice Sam Alito. JAN CRAWFORD: He was nominated, took the bench in 2006, after nearly two decades on the court. MAJOR GARRETT: Robert Costa. ROBERT COSTA: Most importantly, Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish will win the Sugar Bowl on January 1. (LAUGHTER) JAN CRAWFORD: Now, this is normally my prediction with Alabama. ROBERT COSTA: I'm stepping into your territory. But... JAN CRAWFORD: I'm happy to give it to you. ROBERT COSTA: Governing by crisis in 2025. Ed, when we first met over a decade ago, we were covering crisis on Capitol Hill. Crisis persists. Such a handful – and Caitlin Huey-Burns as well. And Scott was there as well. Look, they only have a handful of seats in the House for the Republican majority. They can only do so much, as Scott said, debt limit battle on the horizon, spending fights. Deja vu. That culture of crisis, governing to the brink of discussions is here again. MAJOR GARRETT: Ed O'Keefe. ED O'KEEFE: I will make the firmer prediction that, based on all that chaos, Speaker Johnson won't be speaker by the end of 2025. Did that a few years ago on Paul Ryan, and it worked. So, watch out, Speaker Johnson. Nothing personal. MAJOR GARRETT: Be careful, Speaker Johnson. Be advised. ED O'KEEFE: But just look at – look at what faces him. (CROSSTALK) ROBERT COSTA: ... real soon. (LAUGHTER) ED O'KEEFE: The other one real quick, Washington Commanders will get a stadium here in the District of Columbia, because that congressional vote that authorized land... (CROSSTALK) MAJOR GARRETT: Happened right before Congress adjourned. ED O'KEEFE: It sure did. And it was a great surprise at D.C. It'll happen this year. MAJOR GARRETT: Scott MacFarlane. SCOTT MACFARLANE: Long before the next election, there will be some people departing Washington voluntarily. This is a challenging environment to be an elected official. They're getting thousands of threats a year on their lives, on their families. The travel is exhausting. And we're coming into a relatively polarizing moment with Trump coming back into office. You're going to see a lot of retirements in odd-numbered years, including 2025. JAN CRAWFORD: I think that's one reason why you're going to see Justice Alito step down. (CROSSTALK) MAJOR GARRETT: One of the things we also do in the year-end correspondents roundtable is dig into what was undercovered or underreported. Jan? JAN CRAWFORD: Undercovered and underreported, that would be, to me, Joe Biden's obvious cognitive decline that became undeniable in the televised debate. MAJOR GARRETT: At the presidential debate with Donald Trump. JAN CRAWFORD: Unquestioned. And it's starting to emerge now that his advisers kind of managed his limitations, which has been reported in "The Wall Street Journal," for four years. And yet he insisted that he could still run for president. We should have much more forcefully questioned whether he was fit for office for another four years, which could have led to a primary for the Democrats. It could have changed the scope of the entire election. Yet still, incredibly, we read in "The Washington Post" that his advisers are saying that he regrets that he dropped out of the race, that he thinks he could have beaten Trump. And I think that is either delusional or they're gaslighting the American people. ROBERT COSTA: President Biden has said repeatedly he was sick during the debate June 27 in Atlanta and he's always been fine and he leaves fine. That is his position, the position of many of his top aides as well, even though there is that reporting. (CROSSTALK) MAJOR GARRETT: Robert Costa. ROBERT COSTA: The biggest story that's underreported, the battle for working voters across the country. I spent a lot of time this year with Shawn Fain, the head of the UAW. That's the battle of the future. Who's going to win over that person who's aligned with labor? Are the – the industrial worker in this country. Is it going to be the Democratic Party or the Republican Party? It remains a key story, deserves more attention. MAJOR GARRETT: Caitlin Huey-Burns. CAITLIN HUEY-BURNS: I mentioned how we covered women voters, but also I think there is an aspect to which we underestimated or perhaps the public underestimated how Trump's personality wasn't as much of a burden to him. And, in some ways, it turned out to be a benefit with low-propensity voters. And talking to the Trump campaign throughout the cycle and reporting on it, they were making this bet that, if he leaned into his personality and made no qualms about it, made no apologies about it, that would kind of speak to this authenticity factor, this premium that low- propensity voters, those not inclined to participate in elections, might be inclined towards. It was a big bet. It paid off. And it will remain – the biggest question I have is whether Republicans can replicate any of that, because so much of their political wins this year are unique to Donald Trump himself. MAJOR GARRETT: Scott MacFarlane, underreported. SCOTT MACFARLANE: The scope and size and political impact of these forthcoming January 6 pardons. Trump has never specified if it's everybody or just some people. Will it include people who gassed and beat police officers with baseball bats, or will it just be those who pleaded guilty to misdemeanors? He's never been pressed to specify if it's all or some. And what's the political impact? Did his voters really want that? Does he gain political capital or lose it if he pardons everyone? MAJOR GARRETT: Ed O'Keefe. ED O'KEEFE: Once again, we don't cover the Western Hemisphere enough and why it is that people come from the far reaches of South America. MAJOR GARRETT: What is the gravitational pull of the United States in those particular countries? ED O'KEEFE: Exactly. And it's going to be more critical than ever in the coming year that we continue to explore and explain why it is they continue to do so, despite the threats of being sent back. And watch also the cooperation between a lot of those countries, especially in Central America, with the United States and the intrigue they have over the first Latino secretary of state, the most senior Latino ever to serve in an administration and in the presidential line of succession, Marco Rubio. I heard within days of the election from Latin American governments quite eager to get on the good side of Marco Rubio because they are thrilled to know there will be more attention paid to the hemisphere, as there should be. MAJOR GARRETT: And there will be attention paid in terms of accepting those this administration incoming intends to deport. ED O'KEEFE: Sends them back. Yes, that – because they understand that's the gateway. MAJOR GARRETT: To better relations with this administration. ED O'KEEFE: Yes, that, if you start with that, and ensure that they're being treated fairly on their way back, that they will probably end up taking them. No formal agreements yet, but they're willing to have the conversation. MAJOR GARRETT: No better way to close out a calendar year than to have the correspondents roundtable here at Face the Nation. It's been my honor and privilege to have you all here. Ed O'Keefe, Caitlin Huey-Burns, Scott MacFarlane, Robert Costa, Jan Crawford, my thanks to all of you. We will be right back with a lot more Face the Nation. Please stay with us. (ANNOUNCEMENTS) MAJOR GARRETT: Last week, the U.S. reported its first severe case of bird flu found in a patient in Louisiana. For more, we're joined by Dr. Leana Wen. She is the former Baltimore health commissioner. Dr. Leana Wen, it's great to have you with us. So, bird flu, is this report out of Louisiana worrisome? And, if so, why? DR. LEANA WEN (Former Baltimore Health Commissioner): Well, it's one more sign that the drumbeat of bird flu coming closer to humans is becoming a major threat. So, we've already seen this year that there have been a number of mammalian species close to humans that now have bird flu outbreaks. We have outbreaks in poultry in all 50 states. Sixteen states have outbreaks in cattle. In California, in the last 30 days, there have been more than 300 herds that tested positive. And now we have 66 cases of bird flu in humans, and this is almost certainly a significant undercount, because we have not been doing nearly enough testing. So, we really don't know the extent of bird flu that's out there in humans. But this particular case, it's someone who is severely ill, but not only that. Researchers have isolated the virus in this individual who is sick in Louisiana, and they found that this particular strain of the virus appears to have acquired mutations that make it more likely to bind to airway receptors. Bird flu has been around for a long time, but it hasn't... MAJOR GARRETT: About 30 years. DR. LEANA WEN: Yes, exactly. But it hasn't been a major issue in humans, because while it spreads among birds, it hasn't really spread among mammals. But now there is this mutation. And there's another concern now, Major, too which is that we're in flu season, and it's possible that a single person could have bird flu and seasonal flu at the same time. MAJOR GARRETT: Something called reassortment... DR. LEANA WEN: That's right. That's right. MAJOR GARRETT: ... where things change because of one illness becoming another illness through reassortment of a mutated virus. DR. LEANA WEN: That's right. And so the viruses could exchange genes. You could develop a new hybrid virus. And if you now have a virus that's more contagious and causes more severe disease, that's when it becomes a major threat to humankind. MAJOR GARRETT: What should be happening in the Biden administration right now that isn't going on? DR. LEANA WEN: Yes, there are two main things that they should be doing in the days that they have left. The first is to get testing out there. I feel like we should have learned our lesson from COVID that, just because we aren't testing, it doesn't mean that the virus isn't there. It just means that we aren't looking for it. We should be having rapid tests, home tests, available to all farmworkers, to their families, for the clinicians taking care of them, so that we aren't waiting for public labs and CDC labs to tell us what's bird flu or not. And the second very important thing is, this is not like the beginning of COVID, where we were dealing with a new virus, we didn't have a vaccine. There actually is a vaccine developed already against H5N1. The Biden administration has contracted with manufacturers to make almost five million doses of the vaccine. However, they have not asked the FDA to authorize the vaccine. There's research done on it. They could get this authorized now, and also get the vaccine out so – and to farmworkers and to vulnerable people. I think that's the right approach, because we don't know what the Trump administration is going to be doing around bird flu. If they have people coming in with anti-vaccine stances, could they hold up vaccine authorization? If they don't want to know how much bird flu is out there, could they withhold testing? I mean, that's a possibility, and I think the Biden administration in the remaining days should get testing and vaccines widely available, so that at least it empowers state and local health officials and clinicians to do the right thing for their patients. MAJOR GARRETT: Dr. Wen, is bird flu in humans super dangerous? DR. LEANA WEN: Well, the World Health Organization estimates that, in prior outbreaks of the bird flu, that the mortality rate is 52 percent, 52 percent. However, in the – in this most recent outbreak, it seems that most cases have been mild, and maybe some people even have asymptomatic infection. But the question is, we don't know what happens when bird flu affects more vulnerable individuals. People infected so far in the U.S. have been mainly farmworkers, who are working, presumably generally healthy, as opposed to what happens when you get to children, to pregnant women, to older individuals with chronic illnesses. We don't know how deadly, how dangerous bird flu is going to be for those individuals. And, again, that's one more reason why we don't want it to spread and acquire more mutations. MAJOR GARRETT: Thirty seconds. Norovirus is what you call it. Stomach bug is what I would call it. Numbers are surging. It's the holidays. What should people do to protect themselves? DR. LEANA WEN: Wash your hands really well, especially if you're going to buffets. Wash your hands if you're touching commonly touched surfaces before you touch your mouth, before you touch your nose. Norovirus is the most common foodborne illness here in the U.S. It's very hard to avoid once it's in your family. And, also, don't prepare food if you're having vomiting and diarrhea stomach cramps, because you don't want to spread it to other people. MAJOR GARRETT: Dr. Leana Wen, thank you so much for your expertise. We really appreciate it. We will have more questions for Dr. Wen when we come back, but, first, we're going to take a quick break. (ANNOUNCEMENTS) MAJOR GARRETT: We will be right back with Dr. Leana Wen and a lot more Face the Nation. Please stay with us. (ANNOUNCEMENTS) MAJOR GARRETT: Welcome back to FACE THE NATION. We return to our conversation with Dr. Leana Wen. Doctor, you talked about vaccines and testing in the context of bird flu and preparations therefore. Vaccines and testings were part of the Covid conversation and the Trump administration, when it was in charge. What level of concern do you have about some of the people appointed by President-elect Trump to incoming public health positions regarding issues of vaccine, testing, public health, efficacy? DR. LEANA WEN, (Former Baltimore Health Commissioner): I think that there are some people coming into this administration who are very competent. For example, Dr. Marty Markary, a Johns Hopkins surgeon, we have worked together for the last ten-plus years on issues like hospital medical error (ph). He's an independent thinker who really listens to science and is willing to change his mind when there is new evidence that emerges. But I have a lot of concern, and I've spoken to my colleagues in medicine and public health, and I think all of us share this concern in particular about Robert F. Kennedy, the nominee to be the head of Health and Human Services. Kennedy has espoused many views in the past that are anti- vaccine. In fact, he's been one of the leading anti-vaxing advocates in the country, if not in the world over the last couple of decades. He's also someone who has made his career from being an activist and not a scientist. And what I mean is that, if you're a scientist, even if you have deeply held convictions, you should be willing to change your mind if there are new facts that are presented. It's a fact that childhood vaccines are safe and they are lifesaving. A CDC analysis just now found that the childhood vaccination have saved over 1.1 million children's lives over the last 20 years. According to a Lancet (ph) study, childhood vaccines saved 154 million lives globally over the last 50 years. I mean these are facts. And it's very concerning to have someone who doesn't believe in the - in how science works and basic scientific principles to be in charge of our nation's preeminent scientific and medical agencies. MAJOR GARRETT: With that perspective, do you believe it's more imperative than you described earlier for the Biden administration to move forward on bird flu vaccinations and testing? DR. LEANA WEN: Well, that's exactly it, I don't want to wait for the Trump administration to potentially hold up the vaccines saying that they want more evidence. Look, evidence is always good and facts are always good. New research is always good. But you also have to weigh that against a potential catastrophe as we could be having for bird flu the way that we had for Covid. There's no reason why we should hold off on getting more testing. We need to know how much bird flu there is out there. We need to know if there are new mutations that are being developed. Other countries also need to know so that they can prepare as well. And I think it's a major problem that in the U.S. we have been holding back on testing and also holding back on getting the vaccines deployed that are already developed. MAJOR GARRETT: Dr. Leana Wen, thank you so much for your expertise. Thanking you twice. And a Happy New Year to you. DR. LEANA WEN: Thank you. To you, too, Major. MAJOR GARRETT: We'll be right back. (ANNOUNCEMENTS) MAJOR GARRETT: We turn now to the economy and what to expect in year 2025. We do so with Bank of America senior economist Aditya Bhave. Aditya, good morning. It's great to see you. I've covered a lot of presidential transitions. There's always an assessment by the outgoing president about what kind of economy he's giving to his successor. That's a political conversation. Objectively, what is the economy the incoming Trump administration inheriting? ADITYA BHAVE (Senior U.S. Economist, Bank of America): Good morning. Thank you for having me. So, we think the economy has really solid momentum going into next year. You can look at our internal card data, for example, that shows a nice acceleration in spending going into the holidays. You can also look at the TSA on airport traffic, and that looks really strong around the holiday period as well. You can also think about things via a wider lens. Start in 2022. That was a year in which GDP grew by only 1 percent. CPI inflation peaked at 9 percent. And all of the talk back then was stagflation, when, not if, is a recession going to arrive. Why are workers quiet quitting. And then you look at what happened over the following two years, right. This was quite unexpected and in a very pleasant way. Three percent GDP growth. Inflation coming down. Labor productivity moving up. So, all positives that leave us optimistic going into next year that we can continue to grow above 2 percent, albeit with somewhat sticky inflation. MAJOR GARRETT: Is there any larger x factor in 2025 than the scale and scope of promised mass deportations of the Trump administration? ADITYA BHAVE: From a market perspective, I think the two biggest issues will actually be fiscal policy and trade policy. And there's a lot of uncertainty around those as well, just as there is around immigration policy. So, with fiscal policy, you had this conversation in your last segment, right, the majority for Republicans in the House is very, very narrow. So, if they want to extend the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, they want to do more fiscal stimulus, which we think will probably eventually get done, they have a very slim margin to work with. And then with trade policy, we really need to understand, you know, how much of the tariffs that President-elect Trump has threatened are actually going to be implemented versus how much is a negotiating tool, right, so how much is transactional. MAJOR GARRETT: And for mass deportations, how much do you fear that could affect the labor market and our country, that is to say put upward pressure on prices because if there is mass deportations and workplace inspections, lots of workers in agriculture, construction, meat processing and other vital industries could be pulled out of those sectors. ADITYA BHAVE: So, I think it's - our base (ph) case is that there will be a slowdown in the flow of immigrants, right? It's harder to know what will actually happen around deportations. From an economic perspective, a worker is also a consumer, so there are some down risks to economic activity if there's a large change in the population, right? That's just math. In terms of pressures in specific sectors, it's really going to depend on how things play out. Yes, there could be labor shortages in certain sectors, but it's very hard to know at this stage. MAJOR GARRETT: Many CEOs I listen to say that they expect the tariffs and regulatory relief to kind of wash themselves out, meaning essentially, you put them together, it's benign on the U.S. economy. Is that your perspective? ADITYA BHAVE: I think that's about right. If you look at the four key policy issues that we've been focused on, as I said earlier, trade, fiscal policy, immigration policy and deregulation, we think they'll roughly wash out. But again, the starting point is pretty helpful, right? So, we think that we can continue to grow at around 2 to 2.5 percent this - the coming year, as well as in 2026. MAJOR GARRETT: So, in reading year-end summaries, "The Economist," "The Wall Street Journal" and "The Washington Post," all in their own way, warned that the stock market may be overvalued, may be to exuberant. Do you share any of those concerns? ADITYA BHAVE: I'm not an equity analyst, so it's hard for me to day, to give a specific number. Our equity strategists do think that stocks can continue to run up to around 6,600, 6,700 by the end of the year. What you can say is that, obviously, there's been a pretty aggressive run- up in tech stocks, but it is not of the same scale that we saw in the late '90s if we're really worried about a similar bubble. MAJOR GARRETT: What effect do you believe cryptocurrencies and artificial intelligence will play in the global economy in 2025? ADITYA BHAVE: So, when it comes to A.I., I think there's two things to be said. The actual impact of A.I. adoption is probably going to show up pretty slowly in the data. So, I don't know that we'll necessarily see that in 2025 or 2026. It might be a story for a few years down the line. But what has been really impactful already, and probably will be much more impactful in the coming years, is just laying the groundwork for A.I., right? So, if you see the increases in investment in data centers, and you think about what all that requires, right? MAJOR GARRETT: Yes. We need to - ADITYA BHAVE: It requires materials. It requires energy supply. MAJOR GARRETT: Aditya, we need to go. Pardon - pardon me. ADITYA BHAVE: It requires labor, you - you put - sure. Sure. MAJOR GARRETT: Yes, I'm sorry to cut you off. We have a hard break we need to get to. Aditya Bhave from Bank of America, Happy New Year and thank you so much for being with us. We'll be right back in just a moment. (ANNOUNCEMENTS) MAJOR GARRETT: In 22 days Donald Trump will be sworn in as the nation's 47th president, only the second to serve two nonconsecutive terms. For more perspective on the most powerful position in the world, we spoke with David Rubenstein, the co-founder and co-chairman of the Carlyle Group. His new book, "The Highest Calling," studies the highs and lows of some of this country's most consequential presidents. (BEGIN VT) MAJOR GARRETT: How would you compare, based on your study of the presidency, our unsettled times now to unsettled times past? DAVID RUBENSTEIN (Co-Founder and Co-Chairman, The Carlyle Group): Well, nothing is as bad as the Civil War, when we had 3 percent of our population killed and the fighting in Washington was so bad that about 60 different times members of Congress hit other members of Congress on the floor of the Congress. So, we're not quite there yet. Clearly, though, we're going into some uncharted waters because we have a president coming back who had been president before. That hadn't happened since Grover Cleveland was re-elected in 1892. And Trump has got more power than I think many people would have thought by the virtue of his victory size. And I do think he's going to act like he's got a mandate and Washington is bracing for what's going to happen. MAJOR GARRETT: Related to that, before the election results were known, polls indicated pretty consistently that Trump supporters were afraid if Harris would win, Harris supporters were afraid if Trump would win. Based on your study of this institution, the presidency, can you recall a time where that fear of an outcome was as prevalent as it was leading into this election? DAVID RUBENSTEIN: Well, there have been a couple times when people really were afraid that the next person coming in that was the opposite party would really hurt the country in many ways. Clearly, my former boss, Jimmy Carter, really feared Ronald Reagan. He thought that Ronald Reagan was going to do - undo many of the things that Carter had done. Obviously, Reagan won by a landslide. And you've seen other times when this has happened as well. So, for example, when FDR won the first time, Herbert Hoover could not believe that this man, Herbert Hoover, had been such a distinguished American before he was president, and while he was president he had problems, but he was a very distinguished person. He never took FDR seriously. And FDR didn't really take Hoover that seriously. He refused to really meet with him, essentially, or met with him briefly and they just didn't want anything to do with him - each other. MAJOR GARRETT: You mentioned Grover Cleveland. There's not a chapter in the book about Grover Cleveland. Is there anything that retroactively fascinates you about the Cleveland presidency now that Trump has returned to office, or are you similarly fascinated by the time in which he was president, the Gilded Age? DAVID RUBENSTEIN: Grover Cleveland was a Democrat, a former governor of New York, very well respected, but he lost the election in 1888, and he came back in 1892. Now, one of the things we don't really know is whether a president, when he has a second term after he's been out of office, whether he'll be fresher, whether he'll bring better people in, whether he'll be more experienced. For example, Grover Cleveland's second term was reasonably successful. And, you know, maybe Trump's will be as well. MAJOR GARRETT: One of the things the nation struggled with this last 18 months or so was the collision of politics and the law. Do you think there are any lessons to be learned from this clash and the politics that came from the clash of trying to indict and try someone who had been president of the United States and was aspiring to that office again? DAVID RUBENSTEIN: I think there is a feeling among many people that it wasn't a good idea to indict the president of the United States. I think the trial in New York, where Trump was convicted, I think really helped him in his election effort. And I think there are many people who are - who are Trump supporters who believe that the indictments that came out of the special prosecutor, Jack Smith, were really political as well. And so I think there's - both sides feel that the other side is really talking past each other. The people who are in the Justice Department now feel that these indictments were fair and correct and had a special prosecutor and so forth. The Trump people believe they were completely political. I hope going forward that the Justice Department is not seen as political because one of the strengths of this country has been the rule of law, and I hope that the Justice Department that's coming in now will continue that tradition. MAJOR GARRETT: Do you have a president in mind who, based on your study, grew in your regard and a president in your mind who, based on your study, got more diminished? DAVID RUBENSTEIN: Harry Truman left office extremely unpopular, very unpopular, and he was thought to be an inappropriate (ph) successor to the great FDR. Now, because of books by David McCollough and other people who have written great books about Truman, people see him as one of our great presidents because post-World War II he helped end the war because he dropped the atomic bomb, which many people say was a mistake, but ki would say many historians think it was necessary to avoid - MAJOR GARRETT: And he never doubted? DAVID RUBENSTEIN: He never doubted. He never had self-doubt. Self-doubt was one of - was not one of his thing. He always believed it was the right decision. But he also was responsible for NATO, the U.N., the World Bank, the IMF, and the CIA, which he created as well. All these things he created MAJOR GARRETT: And the recognition of Israel. DAVID RUBENSTEIN: Yes, he recognized Israel, even though his secretary of state threatened to resign over it. So, he was a person who has really risen up. A person who's gone down, I would say, or two that have gone down a lot. One is Andrew Jackson. Remember, Democrats used to say, we're going to have a Jefferson-Jackson day dinner. You don't have that anymore because Jackson is now widely seen as being racist and very anti-Native American, and he really did many things that I think killed a lot of people, particularly in the Native American community. So, he's not really well respected today by scholars. Another person I would say is - is that - whose reputation has gone down is Woodrow Wilson. Woodrow Wilson was the great reformer after being president at Princeton, two years later he's - he's governor of New Jersey, then president of the United States. However, he now is widely seen as having done two things that were really big mistakes. One, he resegregated the federal workforce and had been integrated. Two, and this is very damaging I think as well, he - he had a stroke and with about 18 months to go, he couldn't really do what he had done before. He hid that from the public, and his wife essentially became a shadow president. She was really making decisions and deciding things that maybe he should have decided, and the public didn't know this. And that was a big problem. MAJOR GARRETT: You often ask biographers what question they would most want to pose to the subject of their presidential biography. Let me expand on that. If you could go to dinner with any president, who would it be, and what question would you want to make sure you got answered? DAVID RUBENSTEIN: Without doubt, the greatest president and the greatest American ever is Abraham Lincoln. He was a person who - was not an abolitionist but ultimately came to free the slaves through the Emancipation Proclamation. And he also won the Civil War despite the fact that many people in the north didn't really want to fight the Civil War. They'd say, let the south go, we'll have our own country. Lincoln said, no, we're going to hold the union together. And he did that. We lost 3 percent of our population in the war, but he kept the union together and I think made the United States a stronger country as a result. We ended slavery eventually because of the 13th amendment. But, most importantly, he did it with humility. He didn't run around saying, look, I just won the Civil War. I just did the Gettysburg Address. Isn't that a great speech? He didn't do that. He didn't brag about it. He was very humble. And I think he had a sense of humor and a sense of perspective that is a really good thing for presidents. And I would like to ask him, do you have any regrets about not having freed the slaves earlier? Do you have any regrets about not getting rid of some of your generals earlier who were not very good? And he waited a couple years before he got Ulysses S. Grant in. Grant is also a person I should mention. He had the most amazing meteoric rise of almost anybody who's become president. He was selling firewood on the streets of St. Louis in 1860. The war breaks out in 1861, more or less, and eight years later he's president of the United States. I mean it's just amazing. MAJOR GARRETT: You mentioned humility. George W. Bush told you in your interview with him that that was the most important characteristic a president can possession. I've read other words that are important for presidents - courage, compassion, curiosity, decisiveness. Based on your study, what would you say is the most important? DAVID RUBENSTEIN: I think the most important thing is having a perspective that you really want to do what's right for the American people. You're not trying to make money. You're not trying to feather your own nest. You're not trying to worry about history. You're just trying to do what's best for the American people. The qualities that I admire in leaders are people who are reasonably intelligent but not geniuses. You don't have to be a genius to be a great president. People who are willing to listen to other people. People that have some humility. People that are highly ethical. Those are the qualities that I think great leaders have in any area. Overall, we've gotten some pretty talented people who have served as president of the United States. And we've been fortunate. Lincoln, Washington, FDR, Teddy Roosevelt, Jefferson, and modern day presidents, Eisenhower, among others, have had some really great attributes and the country is good and I think better off for having had good people serve. One of my concerns in the future is that because it's become so political in Washington sometimes and the fight - infighting has been so intense that I'm not sure that - as many good people want to rise up and run for president in the future as we've seen in the past. MAJOR GARRETT: You mentioned in your very first answer the Civil War, the greatest time of testing in our country's history. You don't have to be very aggressive online to find casual talk among Americans about another civil war. They banty it about with some frequency. How worried are you about that, and do you think the mere discussion of it creates the potential of an inevitability? DAVID RUBENSTEIN: Well, I think there has been discussions. Some people say the red states and the blue states should separate, but I don't think that's realistic or really going to happen. I think the country realizes that we are the strongest power in the world economically, militarily, politically, culturally and, in part, because the country's got a big enough population, and in part because we have a lot of attributes in red and blue states. I don't think it's realistic. People talk about that, but I don't think that's going to happen. The country is not going to be split up the way it was in the Civil War. I just don't see that as being realistic or desirable. MAJOR GARRETT: Is there any doubt in your mind that presidents, all presidents, must guard against bitterness, anger, resentment, some of the things that fueled their pursuit of the office in the first place? Meaning, once they got there they need to set those things aside, even though they were part of the engine? DAVID RUBENSTEIN: Everybody goes through life and has ups and downs. And you get a lot of bitterness and you get resentment of people. People that are good presidents ultimately rise up above that. A lot of people criticized Abraham Lincoln for many, many things. They called him all kinds of terrible names and they did say he was barely human. MAJOR GARRETT: They called him a gorilla. DAVID RUBENSTEIN: Yes. And he rose above that. And I think you have to rise above it. And, hopefully, when you don't have to worry about politics anymore in a second term, for example, you can rise above all the concerns you've had. When you're president of the United States, if you carry your resentments too long, it can affect others people adversely. So, I think in the case of President Trump, for example, clearly he has some resentments, but I think overall I believe he's going to rise above that in his second term. MAJOR GARRETT: Is Richard Nixon, which you, in your book, describe as a tragic figure, almost a Shakespearean-like tragic figure, the most available cautionary tale about resentments in the presidency? DAVID RUBENSTEIN: If only Shakespeare had been alive to write about Richard Nixon, it would have been a wonderful tragedy. He's a man who's really talented, very smart. He stumbles from running for president in 1960, barely loses. Loses for 1962 in the governorship of California and comes back and is elected in 1968 against all the odds. But he resented the people that looked down on him. He resented the liberals. He resented the ivy leaguers, as he would call them. And he really, I think, took those resentments and he perpetuated them through his chief of staff, Rob Haldeman and other people. And the result was a terrible thing called Watergate. I think Richard Nixon, had he not had Watergate, I think he would have gone down as a really impressive president because they opened to China, things he did on the environment. But Watergate will be what he's remembered for. MAJOR GARRETT: Was he the least ethical president in our history? DAVID RUBENSTEIN: I don't think there's - that's easy to say because some presidents had issues that we don't know about as much. Richard Nixon wasn't a person who was trying to make money for himself necessarily. He wasn't grafting himself into - into business deals and so forth. But I think he had some ethical failings. MAJOR GARRETT: The book is called "The Highest Calling." Is the presidency the highest calling? Some might argue that an age defining innovation is a higher calling or being a captain of industry is a higher calling, or just being a simple CEO employing tens of thousands of people is a higher calling. Why is it the highest calling? DAVID RUBENSTEIN: The reason I called it "The Highest Calling," and I had historically said that private equity, my profession, was the highest calling, but that was more tongue-in-cheek, is this. When Woodrow Wilson went to Paris to help end World War I, he was cheered by hundreds and hundreds of thousands of Parisians. And people, for the first time, realized the most important person in the United States, in the world, really, is the president of the United States. And that's been true almost since Wilson came back from Paris. When FDR was running, the world really effectively, because he was president of the United States during World War II, he was the most important person in the world for sure. And I think ever since then, because of the economic, military, political power of the United States, whoever is the leader of the United States is almost certainly the most powerful person in the world, and pursuing what I would call the highest calling because you can affect the lives of people so much more significantly as president of the United States than any other job in the world. MAJOR GARRETT: Thank you very much. DAVID RUBENSTEIN: My pleasure. Thank you. (END VT) MAJOR GARRETT: You can watch the extended interview on our YouTube page or on our website, facethenation.com. We'll be right back. (ANNOUNCEMENTS) MAJOR GARRETT: That's it for us today. Thank you very much for watching. And let me be among the first to wish you a Happy New Year. For FACE THE NATION, I'm Major Garrett. (ANNOUNCEMENTS)

Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire to end nearly 14 months of fighting JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel has approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. Israeli warplanes meanwhile carried out the most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah before the ceasefire is set to take hold at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. What both sides are saying about the ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah A ceasefire deal that could end more than a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group won backing from Israeli leaders. The truce that is set to take effect early Wednesday raised hopes and renewed difficult questions in a region gripped by conflict. Hezbollah leaders also signaled tentative backing for the U.S.-brokered deal, which offers both sides an off-ramp from hostilities But the deal does little directly to resolve the much deadlier war that has raged in Gaza since Hamas militants attacked southern Israel last October. Trump vows tariffs over immigration. What the numbers say about border crossings, drugs and crime. WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is threatening tariffs on Mexico and Canada as he seeks to portray them as responsible for illegal immigration and drug smuggling. Over its tenure, the Biden administration has struggled with growing numbers of migrants arriving at the southern border. But this year, the number of people crossing the border without documents has actually been falling. That's due in part to stricter enforcement by Mexican authorities as well as asylum restrictions announced earlier this year by the Biden administration. When it comes to fentanyl smuggling, much of the deadly supply comes from Mexico though statistics show more than 86% of those sentenced for fentanyl trafficking crimes in the 12 months ending September 2023 were U.S. citizens. AP finds that a Pentagon-funded study on extremism in the military relied on old data Early this year, Pete Hegseth told a Fox News audience a new, Pentagon-funded study proved that the number of military service members and veterans involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection did not indicate a wider problem in the armed forces. Hegseth, Donald Trump's pick to head the Department of Defense, wasn’t alone. The Wall Street Journal’s opinion page highlighted the same report as evidence that extremists in military communities were “phantoms” created by a “false media narrative.” The X account for Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee posted that the study showed the focus on extremism in the military was a “witch hunt.” But The Associated Press has found that the study relied on old data, misleading analyses and ignored evidence that pointed to the opposite conclusion. How Trump's bet on voters electing him managed to silence some of his legal woes WASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith move to abandon two federal cases accusing Trump of endangering American democracy and national security does away with the most serious legal threats Trump was facing as he returns to the White House. It was the culmination of a monthslong defense effort to delay the proceedings at every step and use the criminal allegations to Trump's political advantage, putting the final word in the hands of voters instead of jurors. The move just weeks after Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris underscores the immense personal stake Trump had in the campaign in which he turned his legal woes into a political rallying cry. Walmart's DEI rollback signals a profound shift in the wake of Trump's election victory NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart’s sweeping rollback of its diversity policies is the strongest indication yet of a profound shift taking hold at U.S. companies that are re-evaluating the legal and political risks associated with bold programs to bolster historically underrepresented groups in business. The changes announced by the world’s biggest retailer on Monday followed a string of legal victories by conservative groups that have filed an onslaught of lawsuits challenging corporate and federal programs aimed at elevating minority and women-owned businesses and employees. The retreat from such programs crystalized with the election of former President Donald Trump, whose administration is certain to make dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs a priority. Brazil’s Bolsonaro planned and participated in a 2022 coup plot, unsealed police report alleges SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro was fully aware of and actively participated in a coup plot to remain in office after his defeat in the 2022 election, according to a Federal Police report that has been unsealed. Brazil’s Federal Police last Thursday formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup. They sent their 884-page report to the Supreme Court, which lifted the seal. Bolsonaro called a meeting in December 2022, during which he presented a draft decree to the commanders of the three divisions of the armed forces, that would have declared the vote fraudulent, to justify a possible military intervention. Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Biden proposes Medicare and Medicaid cover costly weight-loss drugs for millions of obese Americans WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of obese Americans would be eligible to have popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy or Zepbound covered by Medicare or Medicaid under a new rule the Biden administration proposed Tuesday morning. The proposal, which would not be finalized until after President-elect Donald Trump takes office, could cost taxpayers as much as $35 billion over the next decade. It would give millions of people access to weekly injectables that have helped people shed pounds so quickly that some people have labeled them miracle drugs. New rule allows HIV-positive organ transplants People with HIV who need a kidney or liver transplant will be able to receive an organ from a donor with HIV. That's according to a new rule announced Tuesday by U.S. health officials. Previously, such transplants could be done only as part of research studies. The new rule takes effect Wednesday. It's expected to shorten the wait for organs for all, regardless of HIV status, by increasing the pool of available organs. The practice is supported by a decade of research, during which 500 transplants of kidneys and livers from HIV-positive donors have been done in the U.S. Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump's promised crackdown on immigration President-elect Donald Trump will return to power next year with a raft of technological tools at his disposal that would help deliver his campaign promise of cracking down on immigration — among them, surveillance and artificial intelligence technology that the Biden administration already uses to help make crucial decisions in tracking, detaining and ultimately deporting immigrants lacking permanent legal status. One algorithm, for example, ranks immigrants with a “Hurricane Score,” ranging from 1-5, to assess whether someone will “abscond” from the agency’s supervision.Islamabad locked down amid PTI arrests

Microsoft Corp. stock outperforms competitors on strong trading day

3 Dividend Stocks to Double Up on Right NowTHE MOJ: It's Thanksgiving down south, and the Canucks aren't looking free and clearFederal prosecutors seek records from company that deployed AI weapons scanner on NYC subway

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Cornerback Riley Moss is “good to go” for the Denver Broncos' crucial game at Cincinnati on Saturday. “He's doing good,” coach Sean Payton said Thursday. “He'll be ready to go.” The Broncos (9-6), who would end their eight-year playoff drought with a win or a tie against the Bengals (7-8), have sorely missed the second-year pro from Iowa since he sprained an MCL against Las Vegas in Week 12. The Broncos allowed 26.3 points per game during his absence. With Moss in the lineup opposite superstar Patrick Surtain II, Denver gave up just 16.8 points per game. Aside from allowing defensive coordinator Vance Joseph to go back to employing more man coverage, Riley's return is expected to give the Broncos defense back its bite. “I think he's got an awfully competitive juice, yeah, I would say you definitely felt his absence, not just physically as a player but also his presence," Payton said. Earlier this week, Surtain said, “it’s great to have him back” at practice. “I mean, you talk about a guy who was playing lights-out before the injury, but to see him back out there with confidence, out there practicing, getting his mojo back, it brings a lot of confidence to the team.” Moss has enjoyed a breakout season in Denver with 71 tackles, eight pass breakups and an interception. He played in 14 games as a rotation player his rookie season after recovering from core muscle surgery that relegated him to special teams and spot duty in 2023. Moss wasn't available for comment Thursday as he was receiving treatment during the locker room access period. Moss has been the perfect complement to Surtain because of the physical play, bravado and the production he provides as opposing offenses shy away from Surtain. “It's going to be really good” having him back on the field, outside linebacker Nik Bonitto said. “I mean, I know the work that he's been putting in to get back and just knowing the type of season that he's had I'm just happy that he's going to be able to come back against an opponent like this.” Denver's defense hasn't been the same without Moss. The Broncos when former teammate Jerry Jeudy caught nine passes for a career-best 235 yards. as he was about to score a 41-yard touchdown and give Indianapolis a 20-3 lead saved the Broncos in Week 15 and allowed Denver to seize momentum and get the victory. And Denver , who led the Los Angeles Chargers back from a double-digit third-quarter deficit for a 34-27 win last week. AP NFL:

It’s here. American Thanksgiving. While most of our friends south of the border look at the late-November holiday and think NFL when it comes to sports, most Canadians view it through a different lens. They examine the NHL standings – hoping that their team is above the playoff line. Why? Since realignment occurred over a decade ago, 80% of the teams that are in playoff spots at Thanksgiving qualify for the post-season. For those that are mathematically challenged, that’s 13 out of 16 teams. That was the case last season as well as Edmonton, Nashville and the New York Islanders were the only teams to make the playoffs despite being on the outside looking in on Nov. 23, 2023. Last year on that date, the Vancouver Canucks had 27 points and only the Vegas Golden Knights — with 30 — had more. The Canucks performance in those first 20 games basically clinched a playoff spot. This season the Canucks haven’t been as fortunate. Not having the services of all-star goaltender Thatcher Demko since the start of the season due to a knee injury was the first issue that the hockey club had to deal with. Dakota Joshua also missed the first 14 games recovering from off-season cancer surgery. Brock Boeser suffered what appeared to be a concussion on Nov. 7 and missed seven games but was set to return to the lineup in Boston against the Bruins on Tuesday night. Then there’s J.T. Miller, who took a leave of absence on Nov. 19 for personal reasons. Add it all up and it’s a Canuck team that has been treading water without their three All-Stars from a year ago. After Monday’s games, Vancouver was below the playoff bar with 23 points, trailing both Colorado and Edmonton by one point for the two wildcard spots. The Canucks are also two points behind the Los Angeles Kings for third place in the Pacific Division. The good news with all of these scenarios is that the Canucks have played the least number of games — 19 — of any team in the National Hockey League entering Tuesday’s game versus Boston. They have three games in hand on Edmonton, Colorado and Los Angeles. However, the question remains: will the Canucks make the playoffs? Many assume once the team gets 100% healthy, they will find a way to get it done but you know what they say about people who assume. Let’s start with Demko, the 28-year-old who compiled a 2.45 goals-against-average and a .918 save percentage last season to go along with 35 wins in 51 games. Since March 10, he has played a grand total of four games; that’s four games in eight months. After such a lengthy layoff, the biggest concern for Demko will be timing and getting used to the intensity level of NHL games. As we often say when it comes to football, nothing duplicates game speed. For Demko, getting used to the speed and regular chaos of NHL games will be a challenge. Then there is Boeser, who had been out of the lineup for almost three weeks after taking a headshot from Tanner Jeannot in a game against the Kings in early November. Hopefully, there won’t be any lingering symptoms from that injury and Boeser can regain the pace that saw him score 40 goals last year and which he was duplicating this season with six goals in 12 games. As for Miller, when he does return, what player will the Canucks be getting? His play had dipped to the point where he was benched for the last 14:40 of the third period in his final game versus Nashville on Nov. 17. Miller’s production had waned with only six goals and ten assists in 17 games – well off the levels from a year ago when he tallied 37 goals and 66 assists. Then there are other issues that are of concern as well. The second defensive pair of Tyler Myers and Carson Soucy has struggled this season to the point where the organization is checking in with other teams as they look to get help for their blue line corps. What has compounded the problem is that Tocchet has emphasized since training camp that he wants his defencemen to be more involved in the offense and generating more chances. That doesn’t exactly fit into the skill set of either Myers or Soucy so it’s been noted that the Canucks are talking to other teams with Pittsburgh’s Marcus Pettersson being a player of interest. Although Pettersson is a solid defender, he’s not exactly the answer to the Canucks problems when it comes to offence from the back-end. While we are on the topic of Petterssons, the enigma known as Elias Pettersson will need to regain the form that saw him be a dynamic play-driver who scored 30-plus goals the last three seasons. Tocchet and the organization wanted to see more of an investment from Pettersson and the Swede has shown signs of improvement with four goals and six assists in his last seven games. There are other positive signs as well. Quinn Hughes continues to play at a Norris Trophy-calibre level while Kevin Lankinen has provided consistent goaltending during Demko’s absence. Conor Garland continues to play like Conor Garland and Pius Sutter and Teddy Blueger continue to provide good depth while new additions Kiefer Sherwood and Erik Brannstrom have exceeded expectations. Given what we know about the U.S Thanksgiving Day playoff trend, it’s not a slam dunk that the Canucks will make the post-season but it’s not a slam dunk they won’t either. Unlike last year when the team had enough of a cushion in the standings to play games pressure-free for the most part in the second half, it appears they won’t have that luxury this season. As Tocchet always likes to say, things are going to just keep ‘getting tougher’ and the Canucks are going to have to ‘embrace the hard’ as they deal with the grind of an NHL season. Their playoff hopes will depend on it. Veteran B.C. sports personality Bob “the Moj” Marjanovich writes twice weekly for Black Press Media.I thought I’d be beautiful pregnant but was humbled -people are put off having kids after seeing my transformation

NEW YORK (AP) — Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa scored 27 points as Columbia beat Fairfield 85-72 on Saturday night. De La Rosa shot 8 of 15 from the field, including 5 for 11 from 3-point range, and went 6 for 6 from the line for the Lions (11-1). Avery Brown shot 5 of 8 from the field and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line to add 16 points. Kenny Noland went 5 of 12 from the field (3 for 7 from 3-point range) to finish with 15 points. The Stags (5-8, 1-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) were led by Louis Bleechmore, who recorded 12 points. Fairfield also got 12 points and seven assists from Jamie Bergens. Deon Perry had 12 points and five assists. Columbia's next game is Monday against Rutgers on the road, and Fairfield visits Merrimack on Friday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Shares of Microvast Holdings, Inc. ( NASDAQ:MVST – Get Free Report ) gapped up before the market opened on Monday . The stock had previously closed at $1.53, but opened at $1.65. Microvast shares last traded at $1.75, with a volume of 9,223,602 shares traded. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Separately, HC Wainwright reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $3.00 price objective on shares of Microvast in a report on Monday, November 18th. View Our Latest Stock Report on MVST Microvast Trading Down 4.2 % Institutional Trading of Microvast Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Point72 DIFC Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Microvast during the second quarter worth $28,000. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in Microvast by 569.1% during the second quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 109,139 shares of the company’s stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 92,828 shares during the period. XTX Topco Ltd acquired a new stake in Microvast in the 2nd quarter worth about $80,000. Renaissance Technologies LLC bought a new stake in Microvast in the 2nd quarter valued at about $90,000. Finally, Point72 Asia Singapore Pte. Ltd. acquired a new position in shares of Microvast during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $141,000. 20.72% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Microvast ( Get Free Report ) Microvast Holdings, Inc provides battery technologies for electric vehicles and energy storage solutions. The company offers a range of cell chemistries, such as lithium titanate oxide, lithium iron phosphate, and nickel manganese cobalt version 1 and 2. It also designs, develops, and manufactures battery components, such as cathode, anode, electrolyte, and separator. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Microvast Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Microvast and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Washington — House Republicans on Thursday blocked two Democratic resolutions that would have compelled the House Ethics Committee to release a potentially damaging report on its investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz, voting to refer the matter back to the committee. Democratic Reps. Sean Casten of Illinois and Steve Cohen of Tennessee introduced twin privileged resolutions, forcing floor action within two legislative days. In a 206 to 198 vote, all but one Republican voted to refer Casten's resolution back to the Ethics Committee. Cohen's resolution met the same fate in a 204 to 198 vote, with one Republican voting with Democrats. Republican Rep. Tom McClintock of California was the only member to cross party lines. In a statement, Casten accused his Republican colleagues of voting "to sweep these allegations under the rug and set an unfortunate precedent." He said he would continue to pursue the report's release. The votes came after President-elect Donald Trump announced last month that he intended to nominate Gaetz for attorney general, prompting intense scrutiny over the Florida Republican's background and the House Ethics Committee's investigation into allegations that Gaetz engaged in sexual misconduct and illicit drug use. Gaetz, who has denied the allegations, withdrew from consideration for the attorney general nomination a little over a week after Trump made the announcement. Gaetz immediately resigned from Congress after Trump announced he wanted the Florida Republican to join his Cabinet. The timing of his resignation came days before the House panel was set to vote on releasing its report on Gaetz. House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, urged the committee to keep the report secret, arguing that a former member is beyond the panel's jurisdiction and it would set a "terrible precedent." "I believe it is very important to maintain the House's tradition of not issuing ethics reports on people who are no longer members of Congress," he said on Nov. 15. "The House Ethics Committee's jurisdiction is over sitting members of Congress. That's an important rule." Casten's resolution cited four instances in which the Ethics Committee has released reports on its investigations into members after they've resigned. The bipartisan committee met Nov. 20 to consider whether to release the report , but was evenly split along party lines about how to move forward. A day later, Gaetz withdrew himself from consideration, facing a tenuous path to Senate confirmation. There was growing interest from senators on both sides of the aisle in seeing the report before a confirmation vote. The House Ethics Committee met again Thursday to discuss its investigation into allegations against Gaetz. In a statement, the panel said it is "continuing to discuss the matter." The committee's top Democrat, Rep. Susan Wild of Pennsylvania, who wanted the report made public, did not attend the meeting. Matt Gaetz U.S. House Committee on Ethics U.S. House of Representatives Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter at CBSNews.com, based in Washington, D.C. She previously worked for the Washington Examiner and The Hill, and was a member of the 2022 Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship with the National Press Foundation.

House rejects Democratic effort to force release of Matt Gaetz ethics reportReagan FBI director urges caution against Gabbard, PatelThe Chargers clinched a playoff berth with a 40-7 romp of the Patriots on Saturday, but their victory came at a price. Defensive back Elijah Molden suffered a broken fibula that will end his 2024 season, per FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz . Molden was inactive in Week 16 due to a knee injury but returned to the lineup on Saturday with no injury designation. The former Washington Husky went down in the third quarter against New England and had to be carted off the field. Molden joined the Chargers in August via trade from the Titans . Tennessee received a 2026 seventh-round pick in exchange for their 2021 third-rounder, who appeared in 33 games with 16 starts in his first three seasons, mostly as a slot corner. Molden switched to safety in Los Angeles and emerged as a solid contributor on defense, playing 729 snaps over the team’s first 14 games. He already reached career-highs with three interceptions and seven passes defended heading into Week 16, and his four tackles on Saturday brought him to 75 on the season, another personal record. Now, Molden will have to watch the Chargers’ playoff run from the sidelines as he begins the recovery process for his broken leg. That rehab will also impact his market as an unrestricted free agent after this season. A return to Los Angeles would make sense after he smoothly acclimated to Jesse Minter’s defense despite joining the team just before the regular season started. This article first appeared on Pro Football Rumors and was syndicated with permission.

JERUSALEM — Israel approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. In the hours leading up to the Cabinet meeting, Israel carried out its most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah in the final hours before any ceasefire takes hold. Israel's security Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement late Tuesday after it was presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. An Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring peace to the Middle East, but neither he nor Netanyahu have proposed a postwar solution for the Palestinian territory, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh, in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed a series of accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran, which backs both groups. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” Netanyahu's office later said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but "reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” It was not immediately clear when the ceasefire would go into effect, and the exact terms of the deal were not released. The deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor all sides’ compliance. But implementation remains a major question mark. Israel has demanded the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations. Lebanese officials have rejected writing that into the proposal. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal "was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state” of Lebanon, he said. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” In this screen grab image from video provide by the Israeli Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes a televised statement Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Jerusalem, Israel. Even as Israeli, U.S, Lebanese and international officials have expressed growing optimism over a ceasefire, Israel has continued its campaign in Lebanon, which it says aims to cripple Hezbollah’s military capabilities. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs killed at least one person and wounded 13, it said. Three people were killed in a separate strike in Beirut and three in a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media said another 10 people were killed in the eastern Baalbek province. Israel says it targets Hezbollah fighters and their infrastructure. Israel also struck a building in Beirut's bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site that is around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets in Beirut and other areas linked to Hezbollah's financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously have not been targeted. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks before a ceasefire, sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, and some cars had mattresses tied to them. Dozens of people, some wearing their pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. Hezbollah, meanwhile, kept up its rocket fire, triggering air raid sirens across northern Israel. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told The Associated Press that peacekeepers will not evacuate. A police bomb squad officer inspects the site where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel, Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024. The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few kilometers (miles) from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have been exchanging barrages ever since. Israel escalated its campaign of bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Man City blows 3-goal lead and gets booed by fans in draw with Feyenoord in Champions LeagueLDP receives most corporate donations that opposition seeks to ban

JERUSALEM — Israel approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon's Hezbollah on Tuesday, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. In the hours leading up to the Cabinet meeting, Israel carried out its most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah in the final hours before any ceasefire takes hold. Israel's security Cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement late Tuesday after it was presented by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his office said. U.S. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. An Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire would mark the first major step toward ending the regionwide unrest triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. But it does not address the devastating war in Gaza. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to bring peace to the Middle East, but neither he nor Netanyahu have proposed a postwar solution for the Palestinian territory, where Hamas is still holding dozens of hostages and the conflict is more intractable. Still, any halt to the fighting in Lebanon is expected to reduce the likelihood of war between Israel and Iran, which backs both Hezbollah and Hamas and exchanged direct fire with Israel on two occasions earlier this year. Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike on Dahiyeh, in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. Netanyahu presented the ceasefire proposal to Cabinet ministers after a televised address in which he listed a series of accomplishments against Israel’s enemies across the region. He said a ceasefire with Hezbollah would further isolate Hamas in Gaza and allow Israel to focus on its main enemy, Iran, which backs both groups. “If Hezbollah breaks the agreement and tries to rearm, we will attack,” he said. “For every violation, we will attack with might.” Netanyahu's office later said Israel appreciated the U.S. efforts in securing the deal but "reserves the right to act against every threat to its security.” It was not immediately clear when the ceasefire would go into effect, and the exact terms of the deal were not released. The deal calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting and would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border. Thousands of additional Lebanese troops and U.N. peacekeepers would deploy in the south, and an international panel headed by the United States would monitor all sides’ compliance. But implementation remains a major question mark. Israel has demanded the right to act should Hezbollah violate its obligations. Lebanese officials have rejected writing that into the proposal. Biden said Israel reserved the right to quickly resume operations in Lebanon if Hezbollah breaks the terms of the truce, but that the deal "was designed to be a permanent cessation of hostilities.” Hezbollah has said it accepts the proposal, but a senior official with the group said Tuesday that it had not seen the agreement in its final form. “After reviewing the agreement signed by the enemy government, we will see if there is a match between what we stated and what was agreed upon by the Lebanese officials,” Mahmoud Qamati, deputy chair of Hezbollah’s political council, told the Al Jazeera news network. “We want an end to the aggression, of course, but not at the expense of the sovereignty of the state” of Lebanon, he said. “Any violation of sovereignty is refused.” In this screen grab image from video provide by the Israeli Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu makes a televised statement Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Jerusalem, Israel. Even as Israeli, U.S, Lebanese and international officials have expressed growing optimism over a ceasefire, Israel has continued its campaign in Lebanon, which it says aims to cripple Hezbollah’s military capabilities. An Israeli strike on Tuesday leveled a residential building in the central Beirut district of Basta — the second time in recent days warplanes have hit the crowded area near the city’s downtown. At least seven people were killed and 37 wounded, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs killed at least one person and wounded 13, it said. Three people were killed in a separate strike in Beirut and three in a strike on a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media said another 10 people were killed in the eastern Baalbek province. Israel says it targets Hezbollah fighters and their infrastructure. Israel also struck a building in Beirut's bustling commercial district of Hamra for the first time, hitting a site that is around 400 meters (yards) from Lebanon’s Central Bank. There were no reports of casualties. The Israeli military said it struck targets in Beirut and other areas linked to Hezbollah's financial arm. The evacuation warnings covered many areas, including parts of Beirut that previously have not been targeted. The warnings, coupled with fear that Israel was ratcheting up attacks before a ceasefire, sent residents fleeing. Traffic was gridlocked, and some cars had mattresses tied to them. Dozens of people, some wearing their pajamas, gathered in a central square, huddling under blankets or standing around fires as Israeli drones buzzed loudly overhead. Hezbollah, meanwhile, kept up its rocket fire, triggering air raid sirens across northern Israel. Israeli military spokesman Avichay Adraee issued evacuation warnings for 20 buildings in Beirut's southern suburbs, where Hezbollah has a major presence, as well as a warning for the southern town of Naqoura where the U.N. peacekeeping mission, UNIFIL, is headquartered. UNIFIL spokesperson Andrea Tenenti told The Associated Press that peacekeepers will not evacuate. A police bomb squad officer inspects the site where a rocket fired from Lebanon landed in a backyard in Kiryat Shmona, northern Israel, Tuesday Nov. 26, 2024. The Israeli military also said its ground troops clashed with Hezbollah forces and destroyed rocket launchers in the Slouqi area on the eastern end of the Litani River, a few kilometers (miles) from the Israeli border. Under the ceasefire deal, Hezbollah would be required to move its forces north of the Litani, which in some places is about 30 kilometers (20 miles) north of the border. Hezbollah began firing into northern Israel, saying it was showing support for the Palestinians, a day after Hamas carried out its Oct. 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, triggering the Gaza war. Israel returned fire on Hezbollah, and the two sides have been exchanging barrages ever since. Israel escalated its campaign of bombardment in mid-September and later sent troops into Lebanon, vowing to put an end to Hezbollah fire so tens of thousands of evacuated Israelis could return to their homes. More than 3,760 people have been killed by Israeli fire in Lebanon the past 13 months, many of them civilians, according to Lebanese health officials. The bombardment has driven 1.2 million people from their homes. Israel says it has killed more than 2,000 Hezbollah members. Hezbollah fire has forced some 50,000 Israelis to evacuate in the country’s north, and its rockets have reached as far south in Israel as Tel Aviv. At least 75 people have been killed, more than half of them civilians. More than 50 Israeli soldiers have died in the ground offensive in Lebanon. Chehayeb and Mroue reported from Beirut. Associated Press reporters Lujain Jo and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.PS Plus December 2024 free PS4, PS5 games - Resident Evil and Terminator lead predictionsIsrael and Lebanon's Hezbollah start a ceasefire after nearly 14 months of fightingHUMBOLDT, Tenn. (AP) — A Tennessee man was convicted Thursday of killing two men and wounding a third in a shooting at a high school basketball game three years ago. Jadon Hardiman, 21, was found guilty in Gibson County of charges including second-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons offenses, district attorney Frederick Agee said in a statement. He faces up to 76 years in prison at sentencing in April. Hardiman, of Jackson, attended a basketball game between Humboldt and North Side high schools on Nov. 30, 2021. Then 18, Hardiman entered the Humboldt gymnasium’s crowded concession area and pulled a semi-automatic .40 caliber handgun, prosecutors said. He fired three shots at Justin Pankey, a 21-year-old former Humboldt basketball player. Pankey was hit one time and died within seconds, Agee said. A second bullet hit Xavier Clifton, a former North Side student and basketball player, who was standing in the concession line. Clifton was shot in the neck and paralyzed. He died in March 2022. A third shot struck another man in the back of the head. He survived. “Many people were placed in fear of imminent bodily injury by Hardiman’s shooting, as shown by video footage of their fleeing into the gym, into bathrooms, and other areas of the school,” Agee said. RELATED COVERAGE Ex-sheriff indicted on murder charge in the slaying of a judge in Kentucky Father of teen accused in Georgia school shooting pleads not guilty to charges against him Gunmen fire on vehicles carrying Shiites in northwest Pakistan, killing at least 42 Hardiman ran away and drove to Jackson, disposing of the murder weapon along the way, the district attorney said. The U.S. Marshals Service contacted his family, and he was arrested the next day. Agee said the shooting “frightened every adult, student, and child present, who were only there to support their team and enjoy a good game.” Hardiman’s lawyer did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Are you sitting on $1,000 and aren't sure what to do with it? Well, you could look at turning it into something more substantial by investing it into a top Australian stock. But which ASX stocks could be good options for a $1,000 investment in December? Two that analysts believe could generate big returns for investors over the next 12 months are listed below. Here's what they are saying about these buy-rated stocks: ( ) The team at Bell Potter believes that this counterdrone company could be a great option for your money right now. Especially given recent share price weakness which has dragged the Australian stock down materially from its highs. It feels this has created an attractive entry point for investors in a company expected to grow strongly in 2025. The broker said: Whilst DroneShield's revenue YTD has been disappointing, we view this as an opportunity to reset market expectations, which were overly optimistic for CY24. However, DRO remains a high-quality technology company, operating in a rapidly growing market and is well capitalised to maintain its market leading position. We believe the current SP provides an attractive entry point considering DRO's strong runway into CY25 ($18m contracted rev.), robust market demand and appealing long-term growth outlook. The broker has a buy rating and $1.20 price target on this its shares. This implies a potential upside of 54% for investors. ( ) Another Australian stock that has been dragged notably lower from its highs is mining and mining services company Mineral Resources. Bell Potter also believes that this has created a compelling buying opportunity for investors. It commented: MIN continues to make good progress on its critical tasks of commissioning the Onslow Iron Project and deleveraging its balance sheet. We forecast that Onslow will become a foundational earnings driver for MIN from FY26. MIN still has numerous options to enhance its balance sheet, and we think more transactions are likely, going forward, eliminating market leverage concerns. [...] Looking forward 12-months, we think that process will be complete, MIN will continue to be a sector leader in agile operations and business development, and accordingly we maintain our buy recommendation. The broker has a buy rating and $61.00 price target on its shares. Based on its current share price of $33.63, this implies potential upside of just over 80% for investors over the next 12 months.

Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Transport Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on Tuesday announced the government's decision to remove gutkha and liquor advertisements from state buses. The decision was taken during the recent Board of Directors (BOD) meeting of the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC). Addressing a press conference in Shimla, Deputy CM Agnihotri said HRTC plans to modernise its fleet by replacing nearly 1,000 old buses. This includes the addition of 327 electric buses, 250 small buses, and 100 mini-tempo buses. He also revealed that tenders for 24 Volvo buses had been rejected due to a single bidder, and fresh advertisements would be issued. Deputy CM Agnihotri reiterated the government's commitment to reducing emissions and expanding the electric bus fleet. Highlighting social concerns, Deputy CM Agnihotri said, "The decision to remove gutkha and liquor advertisements from buses is part of the government's larger effort to curb drug addiction and promote a healthier society." He added that the changes are aimed at prioritising public welfare, improving services, and strengthening the state's transport infrastructure. In a significant relief for farmers, the Deputy CM announced an exemption from luggage charges for transporting milk and vegetables. "This move is designed to support the rural economy and uplift the agricultural sector," he said. "HRTC is dedicated to public welfare," Deputy CM Agnihotri stated. "We have introduced this exemption to help farmers bring their produce to markets, thereby strengthening the state's economy," he added. Deputy CM Agnihotri also addressed the ongoing legal challenges faced by HRTC, revealing that the corporation is involved in over 3,000 court cases. "HRTC has recorded a 14% revenue increase from April to October, reaching Rs66 crore. We are focusing on modernising and expanding our fleet, introducing new electric and diesel buses, and ensuring better services for the people of Himachal," he said. The Deputy CM highlighted the introduction of advanced technologies, including credit, debit, UPI, and National Mobility Card systems in HRTC buses. "Himachal Pradesh is the first state in India to implement such measures, benefitting the nearly five lakh passengers HRTC serves daily," he added. "HRTC cannot be run as a purely commercial entity," Deputy CM Agnihotri remarked. "We operate on loss-making routes to serve remote areas and provide essential services. Additionally, we offer significant concessions, including 50% discounts for women and rebates across 28 categories. These efforts require substantial financial assistance from the government," he explained. On infrastructure development, Deputy CM Agnihotri announced plans to establish automatic vehicle testing centres in Hamirpur and Una. He also mentioned redesigning 148 surrendered routes and reassessing the ISBT Shimla allotment under the BOT model. Responding to opposition criticism, Deputy CM Agnihotri dismissed claims about a "toilet tax" as baseless. "The BJP is spreading misinformation. If they want, they can sit in toilets all day to confirm no such tax exists. The sewerage tax, levied at 30% nationally, was introduced during BJP's tenure. Our government has merely amended it to ensure fairness for large commercial establishments using government sewerage lines," he said. The Deputy CM also highlighted reforms in HRTC to ensure timely payment of pensions, salaries, and allowances to employees. "HRTC is not just a transport corporation; it's a lifeline for the people of Himachal Pradesh," he emphasised. "With such progressive measures, the state government is setting an example of how public welfare and infrastructure development can go hand in hand," he concluded. (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.) Featured Video Of The Day How Alert Bank Staff In Hyderabad Averted A Cyber Fraud Himachal Pradesh Government Himachal Pradesh Government news Himachal Pradesh news Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh Mandate Display Of Food Sellers' ID Details Weather Office Warns Of Flash Flood Risk In Parts Of Himachal Pradesh 10 Students From Himachal's Bilaspur Leave For Educational Tour Of ISRO Israel Agrees To Ceasefire Deal With Lebanon. Here's What The Pact States "Will Be No Dispute...": BJP Sources' Big Hint On Maharashtra Chief Minister Man Stabs Girlfriend To Death In Bengaluru Hotel, Stays With Body For A Day US Appeals Court Grants Dismissal Of Trump's Classified Documents Case Hezbollah Claims Attacks On Israel After Ceasefire Deal Announcement Biden, Macron Hail Israel-Hezbollah Ceasefire As Step Toward "Lasting Calm" Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world . MORE Trending News Israel Agrees To Ceasefire Deal With Lebanon. Here's What The Pact States "Will Be No Dispute...": BJP Sources' Big Hint On Maharashtra Chief Minister Rahul Gandhi Has UK Citizenship, Claims Petitioner. Home Ministry Says This Samantha Finally Speaks Up On Her Divorce From Naga Chaitanya Dravid Breaks Silence On RR Paying Rs 1.1 Crore For 13-Year-Old Sensation Is Shaw Going The Kambli Way? IPL Snub Puts India Star At Crossroads Man Stabs Girlfriend To Death In Bengaluru Hotel, Stays With Body For A Day "Can't Force Themselves Into Our Home": Cousin Warns Udaipur's Maharana NATO Vows Ukraine Backing After Russian Missile 'Intimidation' From Warner To Shaw: Full List Of Unsold Players In IPL 2025 Auction Cyclone Likely To Hit Tamil Nadu Today, Heavy Rain Lashes Several Parts Alert SBI Staff Save Senior Citizen From 13-Lakh 'Digital Arrest' Scam Meet Ajahn Siripanyo, The Monk Who Gave Up His Father's $5 Billion Empire "Would Have Ruined Auction": DC Owner Breaks Silence On Pant's Departure "EVMs Not Tampered When You Win?" Supreme Court Says No To Paper Ballots Liam Payne Died Attempting To Escape Hotel Room In Buenos Aires: Report IPL's Youngest Buy Suryavanshi Faces Age Fraud Allegations. Father Says... "Don't Blame Your Dress...": Aishwarya On How To Tackle Street Harassment Indian-Origin CEO Appeals For Help In Property Dispute, UP Police Reacts Nagarjuna's Son Akhil Is Now Engaged To Zainab Ravdjee. See First Pic

How the Trump administration can support lithium independenceGreene to lead subcommittee taking on government spending

Fundraising is already underway for Niagara’s annual Stockings of Love campaign — shopping, stuffing and delivering thousands of filled stockings to seniors living on their own or in long-term care homes. But as the campaign grows bigger, extending into communities outside St. Catharines for the first time, it’s asking Niagara residents for help to achieve its goal of more than 3,000 stockings. “We’re bigger because we’re reaching more people, meaning we need more financial donations and stuffed stockings, we just need more,” said founder Janice Ford-Spencer. “I need donations earlier than later — now — so I can sleep at night.” Ford-Spencer launched the campaign in 2018 with the hopes of putting smiles on faces of seniors in her Port Dalhousie community. She knew support around the holidays was geared towards families and children but saw a void in what was being provided to local seniors. Now, seven years later, there are more seniors living in homes or living on their own who are hungry and society “tends to want to forget them.” “They’re not the ones at the pulse of the conversation when people are sitting around the table talking about the state of affairs that our societies are in. They’re not the main topic,” said Ford-Spencer. “Bottom line, it’s a question of respect and teaching the right lessons to our young.” Each year the fundraiser has doubled its number of stockings and donations, providing more than 2,000 stockings to seniors in 2023. This year, the hope is to surpass 3,000. Stockings are filled with gifts geared to any gender and can include slippers, body lotion, crossword puzzles, playing cards, cosmetic case, scarves, tissue, hand sanitizer, writing pads, herbal teas, snacks and more. A large portion of stockings go to seniors living in long-term care homes, but the campaign also works with local community organizations and churches to identify seniors on their own in need of a gift and some cheering up. “Who’s at home alone, who’s that widow struggling who’s lost their spouse that year and doesn’t have children. These people are also hungry (and) can be alone and not have anyone see them on Christmas, so I find them,” she said. “It’s about honouring them and their lives while they’re still here.” This season Ford-Spencer is hoping to extend the project’s reach beyond St. Catharines. She has a small group set up in Niagara Falls and Grimsby volunteering to help seniors in their area, taking “baby steps,” with the goal to add more communities in the years ahead. “It was rather St. Catharines-based. There would be the odd, outside-the-boundaries, deliveries to recipients ... that’s happening, that’s very exciting,” she said. “The more seniors in the Niagara region we can reach, just the better it is and the happier everyone is.” As a volunteer-driven organization — Ford-Spencer calls volunteers her “elves” who return to fill stockings every year — the campaign is a win-win for every person involved. “The person who wants to make up the stocking loves to do that, remind them of their childhood and who doesn’t love that memory of getting one from Santa, and the recipients and the volunteers ... love coming to the workshop, the headquarters, and stuffing stockings,” she said. “I think that’s one of the reasons why it’s so successful and at the end of the day, it’s helping the people who are usually the forgotten ones.” In addition to collecting $25 pre-stuffed stockings, Ford-Spencer said they are also raising funds to purchase stockings and stuffers for people who cannot get to the drop-off locations. The campaign runs through December 20. For more stocking stuffer ideas or to see a full list of drop-off locations visit the Stockings of Love Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/stockingsoflove.seniorsaloneatchristmas/ Donations are welcome by e-transfer: stockingsoflove1@gmail.comThe DJI Air 3S is the best drone for anyone who isn’t a professional videographer, offering excellent flight features and a high-end camera. It’s a big year for DJI. Earlier this year, the company unveiled its cheapest drone yet with , a drone that I generally quite liked considering its low price point. Now the company is back with an update to the Air series, which has long been the go-to for those who don’t want to spend DJI Mavic-level money but want something a little more advanced than what’s on offer by the DJI Mini series. The DJI Air 3S builds on the original DJI Air 3 while offering more internal storage, some camera upgrades, and some extra features. While the Air series is excellent for those who have some cash to spend, the DJI Mini has been getting better and better over the years, and at this point, it is a professional-level drone in a compact and portable body. Does the Air 3S offer enough in terms of upgrades to buy over ? DJI Air 3S specs Iterating on the same sleek design The DJI Air 3S doesn’t necessarily reinvent the wheel when it comes to DJI drone design. In fact, if you’ve seen a DJI drone before, you might not even be able to tell the difference between the one you saw and the Air 3S. That’s not a bad thing though. DJI has made minor improvements to its design every generation, and the Air 3S is sleek and stylish. It’s built from the same grey plastic as other drones, with black highlights in the camera gimbal and propellers. The battery can be removed from the rear of the device, and slightly under the battery compartment can be found a USB-C port and a microSD card slot. The drone has cameras and sensors dotted around its body for different obstacle-avoidance technologies. Sign up for the most interesting tech & entertainment news out there. By signing up, I agree to the and have reviewed the The drone folds up nicely into a relatively compact package, and it comes with a nice carry bag that it slots right into. We’re reviewing the DJI Air 3S Fly More Combo, which also comes with extra batteries, the DJI RC2 controller, and six additional propellers on top of the four that you’ll need to install before flying (propellers are not pre-installed). The case is high quality and relatively protective, though it’s not a hard case, so you’ll still want to be careful with it. Installing the propellers is very easy — simply push down and twist, and the propellers should be set in place. Make sure you install the right propellers on the correct arms, though. The DJI Air 3S weighs 724 grams with its battery and propellers, which means that it’s large enough that you’ll need to register it with the FAA in order to use it. The weight limit for FAA registration is 250 grams, which is why most mini-sized drones tend to be 249 grams. That’s not the case here, though, so make sure you register your drone before you fly it. The base package of the DJI Air 3S comes with the DJI RC-N3 controller, which will require that you use your phone in order to see a live feed from the cameras. While I didn’t test that controller for this drone, I have used similar controllers from DJI in the past, and they work relatively well — plus, they leverage the fact that your phone likely has a high-end screen anyway. The Fly More combo, however, comes with the DJI RC2 controller, which is an all-in-one controller that has a screen built into it, so you won’t need to rely on any external devices. In some situations, you might actually prefer the cheaper controller, especially if you have a high-end smartphone. The screen on the DJI RC2 controller is bright and detailed, but its 720-nit brightness isn’t as impressive as the brightness on offer by many modern phones. The 1080p resolution offered by the controller is fine, and keep in mind that drones don’t generally transmit footage at a higher resolution than 1080p anyway, so a higher resolution screen won’t do that much good. Generally, the controller feels good in the hand. The buttons are clicky, and the joysticks feel smooth. Flying the DJI Air 3S Like other drones, the DJI Air 3S offers a number of different flight modes that you can use while you’re flying. Basically, these modes boil down to Cine mode, normal mode, and sport mode. For most casual flying, you’ll stick to normal mode, but if you want to fly at the fastest speeds possible, you’ll need to switch to sport mode, which will disable some of the safety features built into the drone. Indeed, in Sport mode, the drone felt quite fast, though it’s not that easy to feel the speed when you’re flying at higher altitudes. The DJI Air 3S packs in all of DJI’s best features, in a well-rounded, easy-to-use package. For starters, the drone leverages DJI’s omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, essentially meaning that it’ll track and avoid obstacles anywhere around the drone. This technology is disabled when you’re in Sport mode, which offers the fastest flying speeds, but in any other mode, it’ll be automatically enabled to help better protect your drone from anything it may run into. On top of that, it has a new advanced Return to Home feature that allows it to route a path back to the home location a little more intelligently. It will do so by planning an optimized route while retaining its omnidirectional obstacle avoidance stack. Frankly, I had no problems with DJI’s previous-generation return-to-home tech, but improvements are always nice. There are other smart features on offer here too. For example, the drone offers DJI’s ActiveTrack 360 technology, which allows it to follow an object that you’ve preselected, even when that object moves around. You’ll basically drag a box around the object on the screen of the controller, after which the drone will keep that object centered in the shot as it records. It’s pretty neat, and it worked quite well in my testing. The battery life offered by the drone is pretty good. You get up to 45 minutes of flight time on a single charge, though in most situations you won’t quite reach that unless you’re flying in the most conservative modes. Still, 45 minutes is above average, and if you get the Fly More combo, you’ll have three batteries in total, allowing you to fly for longer as long as you return home to replace the battery every so often. Last but not least, the drone offers helpful modes for videographers looking to automate some of the capture process. There’s a Waypoint Flight and Cruise Control mode that lets you set predetermined flight paths and camera actions, ensuring that you get the perfect shot. It can take a little time to set up the shot, but once you do, you’ll find that it captures it pretty well. An advanced dual-camera system The camera system built into the DJI Air 3S is advanced and versatile, and I generally found it captured vibrant and detailed images and videos. In particular, the drone could capture 10-bit 4K video at up to 60 frames per second, or 120 frames per second if you enter slow-motion mode. Alternatively, you can shoot 1080p video at 240 frames per second. That’s incredibly impressive, especially considering the fact that you’re recording HDR footage. The drone has two cameras built into it, one wide-angle camera that you use for most shots and one telephoto camera that offers 3x optical zoom or the equivalent of a 70mm lens. I found that regardless of which camera I was using, the stabilization on the drone was excellent, and I never experienced video that wasn’t incredibly smooth. The drone works well no matter what kind of creator you are. It can capture horizontal footage, which most videographers will probably make use of. But if you are creating for social media, you can also switch to a vertical mode that can shoot 2.7K footage at 60 frames per second. The camera itself doesn’t rotate, so it’s still capturing footage in the same way, but when it does so, it will draw a frame around the area that it’s capturing in this mode so that you can get an idea of what the shot will look like. On top of the basic capture modes that casual users can make use of, the drone can also capture DNG RAW photos that are more easily edited and 10-bit D-Log M footage that can be color-graded. This makes it excellent for aspiring videographers who still aren’t willing to spend the cash necessary for DJI’s much more advanced drones but have the skills necessary to edit after capture. I wouldn’t necessarily say that I have those chops, but I did still enjoy editing shots in Adobe Lightroom, and love the added versatility. Conclusions The DJI Air 3S is the template for what a consumer drone should be. It’s easy to fly, offers advanced features, and can capture excellent footage. Casual or recreational flyers should still consider the cheaper, yet still impressive, DJI Mini 4 Pro. But if you’re looking for something a little more advanced and are willing to spend a little more cash, then the DJI Air 3S is the way to go. Those considering the DJI Air 3S are likely also looking at or coming from the previous generation DJI Air 3. If you have an Air 3, it’s probably not quite worth upgrading. Air 3S has better omnidirectional sensing, especially in low light, and some new capture modes. But if you find that the obstacle avoidance on the Air 3 is already good enough, and you don’t think you’ll need those additional modes, stick with the DJI Air 3. Compared to the DJI Mini 4 Pro, the Air 3S offers a better camera system, can fly faster, and has better battery life. That said, the Mini 4 Pro still has a versatile dual camera system and can capture 4K footage at 60 frames per second. Plus, it has a similar transmission distance. If you’re a casual flyer and could stand to save some cash, is easily good enough. Plus, you won’t have to register it with the FAA like you will with the DJI Air 3S. Yes. It’s an excellent drone and the way to go for anyone willing to spend the cash.Virginia has a green light from the administration of President Joe Biden to use $1.48 billion in federal infrastructure funding to extend high-speed internet access to more than 133,000 unserved locations, most of them in the rural Southside and Shenandoah Valley. Gov. Glenn Youngkin has announced that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration approved Virginia's list of unserved locations for extending access to broadband telecommunications networks that will allow homes, businesses and community institutions to tap into high-speed internet services that proved essential for education and business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Expanding access to high-speed internet has been a priority for three successive governors - Youngkin, a Republican, and two Democrats, Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam - since 2017, with Virginia committing almost $1 billion in state and federal aid to extend broadband to more than 400,000 locations in 82 cities and counties. But the federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program is providing the state with federal infrastructure money aimed at making high-speed internet universal and affordable in Virginia. "Virginia remains firmly committed to bridging the digital divide across the commonwealth so all Virginians can thrive in our digital world," Youngkin said in an announcement late Friday. "Coupling this historic investment with the state's ongoing broadband efforts, we are confident that will connect all Virginians that are currently unserved to high-speed, affordable internet, therefore solidifying Virginia's place as the best state to live, work and raise a family." However, a sweeping new report by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission - the General Assembly's watchdog agency for state government - makes clear that achieving that goal won't be easy, based on a number of hurdles that have delayed completion of projects and driven up the cost. The report warns that Virginia might not meet its goal of providing universal access in 2028, with the target date slipping until 2030 or later. The state originally sought to achieve universal access in 2024, which is about to end. Currently about 87% of the state has access to high-speed internet service, but JLARC estimates that about 392,000 locations remain unserved. Most of those locations are in rural areas of Southside and the Valley, but they also include pockets in more unlikely places, such as Loudoun County and tidal Virginia localities on the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula. JLARC said state and federal funding already has been awarded to extend service to about two-thirds of those unserved locations, and the BEAD program aims to reach the remainder. Bryan Horn, director of the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, said the state will meet the 2026 deadline for committing the federal funding or returning it. "We do not foresee having to return any money at this time," he told the commission on Dec. 9. JLARC Associate Director Tracey Smith said the state agency "has done really a commendable job in spearheading the state effort to close the digital divide." "In many ways, Virginia has been and remains a leader in broadband deployment," Smith said. JLARC staff cited a delay in accessing the federal BEAD funds and problems on the ground as local governments, internet service providers and electric utilities sometimes face barriers in attaching fiber-optic cables to utility poles and extending them along state highway rights-of-way and across railroad tracks. In some cases, internet providers failed to reach many unserved homes and businesses as promised, missed their deadlines and exceeded the estimated costs of the projects, putting them in jeopardy. Hanover County close to finalizing internet access to 95% of homes Virginia was the first state to submit a request - in July 2023 - for federal funds provided by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that Biden signed into law three years ago. The Biden administration approved the grant in July, but permission to proceed with a list of unserved locations was delayed in part by Hurricane Helene, which devastated parts of Southwest Virginia that the program plans to serve, as it did in western North Carolina. "It changed the facts on the ground," said Evan Feinman, director of the national BEAD program and former broadband adviser to Northam, who dedicated a half-billion dollars in federal emergency relief funds to the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative during the pandemic. Feinman said Virginia has no reason to fall behind in its goal of achieving universal broadband access by 2028. "States can move as quickly or as slowly as they want to move," he said. "Virginia should have more than enough resources to solve the problem." Sen. Ryan McDougle, R-Hanover, a member of JLARC who has pushed to extend broadband in his district, said the federal government has not moved as fast as it had promised, but he said, "We're seeing in parts of eastern Hanover that a lot of work is going on the ground right now." "One of the challenges out there is there are a significant number of projects going on, not only in Virginia abut nationally," McDougle said. "The more projects you have, the more challenging it is to get people to do the work." U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia, is a former telecommunications executive has made broadband expansion a priority as governor and in his three terms in the Senate. He played a pivotal role in passage of the bipartisan infrastructure act, as well as the American Rescue Plan Act, both of which have helped finance the initiative in Virginia. "It won't be lack of capital - it will be lack of execution if we don't get there," Warner said Monday in a telephone interview from London. He called the federal greenlight for BEAD funding "great news," especially for rural areas that lack access. "With broadband, in rural areas kids have a choice of whether they're going to stay," he said. "Without broadband, there is no choice."

Australia’s construction industry employs more than 1.3 million workers . That’s about 9% of the workforce. But construction sites can be dangerous workplaces . There are also more accidents on a Monday than any other weekday, a pattern we see in many countries . A number of factors combine to give us this “ Monday effect ”. And we can address these and other issues to reduce the number of avoidable workplace accidents on Mondays and other days of the week. Construction is dangerous The construction sector has higher rates of workplace injuries than the national average. In 2023, the industry reported 45 workers had died , an increase from the five-year average of 33. Construction workers most commonly die after being hit by moving objects. Deaths after falls, trips and slips are the next most common reasons. The 2022–23 financial year saw more than 16,600 serious workers’ compensation claims in the construction sector. The median compensation now stands at A$18,479, with a median work time lost of 8.5 weeks – both up from previous years. The ‘Monday effect’ Various studies across different regions confirm the “ Monday effect ” in construction. For example, a Chinese study found fatal accidents were 12.6% more common on Mondays compared with other weekdays. There was a similar trend in Spain and Hong Kong . We also see the “ Monday effect ” in other industries , such as agriculture, forestry, mining and manufacturing. A Spanish study that looked at the records of nearly 3 million occupational accidents , including construction, confirmed the Monday effect across industries, in companies of all sizes, for all types of workers, and for different types of injury. Combined data of all occupational accidents in Queensland also confirms the Monday affect. Why Mondays? Construction accidents are more likely on a Monday for many reasons . For instance, falling asleep late on Sunday night and having poor-quality rest the night before the start of the working week contributes to “cognitive failure” and errors at work on Monday. Mondays tend to involve the start of new tasks or projects . This can introduce unfamiliar risks. Site conditions, including the weather, may also change over the weekend, creating unexpected hazards. For instance, strong winds over the weekend could cause scaffolding or unsecured materials to shift, increasing the risk of accidents on Monday. We need to address the root causes A study into the safety and performance of Australia’s construction industry emphasised being proactive in anticipating and preventing accidents rather than taking measures after accidents have occurred – on Mondays or on other days of the week. The study drew on in-depth interviews with 30 industry professionals across 14 companies to identify several factors contributing to construction accidents: unrealistic deadlines , which may lead workers to rush and cut corners to get the job done on time a shortage of skilled labour , meaning some workers might be doing work they are not qualified to do workers afraid to speak up about safety concerns , which can lead to potential hazards not being reported and resolved complex and unfamiliar bespoke builds , which may introduce unique risks and challenges workers may have not yet encountered inadequate risk assessments of human factors , which include fatigue, stress, or cognitive overload, and can lead to errors and unsafe decisions on site rushed training programs , particularly for safety, which can leave workers ill-equipped to handle hazards or follow proper procedures. What can we do to prevent accidents? Part of addressing some of these issues involves fostering a workplace culture where safety is viewed as a core value and a shared responsibility between employers, supervisors and workers. In construction companies where safety is treated as a “ psychological contract ” – an unwritten but mutual obligation between workers and supervisors – workers are better equipped to identify and address safety hazards . Awareness campaigns highlighting issues such as the “Monday effect” could also encourage workflows to be adjusted to reduce the risk of an accident. This could include scheduling less hazardous or less complex tasks on Mondays to allow workers time to get back into the swing of things. What else can we do? Technology may also help prevent accidents. For example, wearable sensors on a wristband or smartphone could identify, track and monitor workers’ body posture . These sensors might detect unsafe lifting practices, excessive bending, or prolonged periods in static or awkward positions. These are factors that can contribute to ergonomic risks and injuries. Augmented reality may be be used to simulate tasks to help workers practise techniques safely. Artificial intelligence could analyse camera vision to monitor work sites for unsafe activities and to flag hazards. But concerns about cost , privacy and convincing the industry these investments are worthwhile are among barriers to introducing these technologies. Money talks Raising awareness about the economic costs of workplace accidents may shift attitudes and priorities. A 2019 Australian study found the mean cost of a construction accident is $2,040 to $6,024,517. This depends on whether the accident results in a short or long absence from work, someone is partially or fully incapacitated, or someone dies. A compensation payment, loss of income or earnings, staff training and retraining costs, social welfare payments, as well as medical, investigation and carer costs are among components in this estimate. Aim for zero deaths Occupational deaths and injuries on construction sites should not be dismissed as unfortunate mishaps. They are a symptom of multiple, systemic factors that need to be addressed through deliberate action and a commitment to safety. Just as road safety initiatives aim for zero fatalities , the construction industry should set its sights on achieving zero workplace deaths.

Time to heal the wounds with Dhaka, and beyond

TROY, N.Y. — The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Engineers (5-5-1) men’s hockey team faced a tall task as they hosted the No. 5 University of Maine Black Bears (9-2-2) at Houston Field House on Saturday afternoon in Troy. In the first of a two-game set, the Black Bears slowly built up a lead and busted it [...]WASHINGTON — The House Ethics Committee's long-awaited report on Matt Gaetz documents a trove of salacious allegations, including sex with an underage girl, that tanked the Florida Republican's bid to lead the Justice Department. Citing text messages, travel receipts, online payments and testimony, the bipartisan committee paints a picture of a lifestyle in which Gaetz and others connected with younger women for drug-fueled parties, events or trips, with the expectation the women would be paid for their participation. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., closes a door to a private meeting with Vice President-elect JD Vance and Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. The former congressman, who filed a last-minute lawsuit to try to block the report's release Monday, slammed the committee's findings. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and has insisted he never had sex with a minor. And a Justice Department investigation into the allegations ended without any criminal charges filed against him. "Giving funds to someone you are dating — that they didn't ask for — and that isn't 'charged' for sex is now prostitution?!?" Gaetz wrote in one post Monday. "There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge witnesses." Here's a look at some of the committee's key findings: The committee found that between 2017 and 2020, Gaetz paid tens of thousands of dollars to women "likely in connection with sexual activity and/or drug use." He paid the women using through online services such as PayPal, Venmo and CashApp and with cash or check, the committee said. The committee said it found evidence that Gaetz understood the "transactional nature" of his relationships with the women. The report points to one text exchange in which Gaetz balked at a woman's request that he send her money, "claiming she only gave him a 'drive by.'" Women interviewed by the committee said there was a "general expectation of sex," the report said. One woman who received more than $5,000 from Gaetz between 2018 and 2019 said that "99 percent of the time" that when she hung out with Gaetz "there was sex involved." However, Gaetz was in a long-term relationship with one of the women he paid, so "some of the payments may have been of a legitimate nature," the committee said. Text messages obtained by the committee also show that Gaetz would ask the women to bring drugs to their "rendezvous," the report said. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., attends the cocktail hour of New York Young Republican Club's annual gala at Cipriani Wall Street, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in New York. While most of his encounters with the women were in Florida, the committee said Gaetz also traveled "on several occasions" with women whom he paid for sex. The report includes text message exchanges in which Gaetz appears to be inviting various women to events, getaways or parties, and arranging airplane travel and lodging. Gaetz associate Joel Greenberg, who pleaded guilty to sex trafficking charges in 2021, initially connected with women through an online service. In one text with a 20-year-old woman, Greenberg suggested if she had a friend, the four of them could meet up. The woman responded that she usually does "$400 per meet." Greenberg replied: "He understands the deal," along with a smiley face emoji. Greenberg asked if they were old enough to drink alcohol, and sent the woman a picture of Gaetz. The woman responded that her friend found him "really cute." "Well, he's down here for only for the day, we work hard and play hard," Greenberg replied. The report details a party in July 2017 in which Gaetz is accused of having sex with "multiple women, including the 17-year-old, for which they were paid." The committee pointed to "credible testimony" from the now-woman herself as well as "multiple individuals" who corroborated the allegation. The then-17-year-old — who had just completed her junior year in high school — told the committee that Gaetz paid her $400 in cash that night, "which she understood to be payment for sex," according to the report. The woman acknowledged that she had taken ecstasy the night of the party, but told the committee that she was "certain" of her sexual encounters with the then-congressman. There's no evidence that Gaetz knew she was a minor when he had sex with her, the committee said. The woman told the committee she didn't tell Gaetz she was under 18 at the time and he didn't ask how old she was. Rather, the committee said Gaetz learned she was a minor more than a month after the party. But he stayed in touch with her after that and met up with her for "commercial sex" again less than six months after she turned 18, according to the committee. Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., center, attends the cocktail hour of New York Young Republican Club's annual gala at Cipriani Wall Street, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in New York. In sum, the committee said it authorized 29 subpoenas for documents and testimony, reviewed nearly 14,000 documents and contacted more than two dozen witnesses. But when the committee subpoenaed Gaetz for his testimony, he failed to comply. "Gaetz pointed to evidence that would 'exonerate' him yet failed to produce any such materials," the committee said. Gaetz "continuously sought to deflect, deter, or mislead the Committee in order to prevent his actions from being exposed." The report details a months-long process that dragged into a year as it sought information from Gaetz that he decried as "nosey" and a "weaponization" of government against him. In one notable exchange, investigators were seeking information about the expenses for a 2018 getaway with multiple women to the Bahamas. Gaetz ultimately offered up his plane ticket receipt "to" the destination, but declined to share his return "from" the Bahamas. The report said his return on a private plane and other expenses paid by an associate were in violation of House gift rules. In another Gaetz told the committee he would "welcome" the opportunity to respond to written questions. Yet, after it sent a list of 16 questions, Gaetz said publicly he would "no longer" voluntarily cooperate. He called the investigation "frivolous," adding, "Every investigation into me ends the same way: my exoneration." The report said that while Gaetz's obstruction of the investigation does not rise to a criminal violation it is inconsistent with the requirement that all members of Congress "act in a manner that reflects creditably upon the House." The committee began its review of Gaetz in April 2021 and deferred its work in response to a Justice Department request. It renewed its work shortly after Gaetz announced that the Justice Department had ended a sex trafficking investigation without filing any charges against him. The committee sought records from the Justice Department about the probe, but the agency refused, saying it doesn't disclose information about investigations that don't result in charges. The committee then subpoenaed the Justice Department, and after a back-and-forth between officials and the committee, the department handed over "publicly reported information about the testimony of a deceased individual," according to the report. "To date, DOJ has provided no meaningful evidence or information to the Committee or cited any lawful basis for its responses," the committee said. Many of the women who the committee spoke to had already given statements to the Justice Department and didn't want to "relive their experience," the committee said. "They were particularly concerned with providing additional testimony about a sitting congressman in light of DOJ's lack of action on their prior testimony," the report said. The Justice Department, however, never handed over the women's statements. The agency's lack of cooperation — along with its request that the committee pause its investigation — significantly delayed the committee's probe, lawmakers said. Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. FILE - Former Rep. Doug Collins speaks before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at a campaign event at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, Oct. 15, 2024, in Atlanta. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Kash Patel spent several years as a Justice Department prosecutor before catching the Trump administration’s attention as a staffer on Capitol Hill who helped investigate the Russia probe. Patel called for dramatically reducing the agency’s footprint, a perspective that sets him apart from earlier directors who sought additional resources for the bureau. Though the Justice Department in 2021 halted the practice of secretly seizing reporters’ phone records during leak investigations, Patel said he intends to aggressively hunt down government officials who leak information to reporters. Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Trump said Atkins, the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner, was a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. “He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The commission oversees U.S. securities markets and investments and is currently led by Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Gensler, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, announced last month that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated — Jan. 20, 2025. Atkins began his career as a lawyer and has a long history working in the financial markets sector, both in government and private practice. In the 1990s, he worked on the staffs of two former SEC chairmen, Richard C. Breeden and Arthur Levitt. Jared Isaacman, 41, is a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk . He is the founder and CEO of a card-processing company and has collaborated closely with Musk ever since buying his first chartered SpaceX flight. He took contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. President-elect Donald Trump tapped former Sen. David Perdue of Georgia to be ambassador to China, saying in a social media post that the former CEO “brings valuable expertise to help build our relationship with China.” Perdue lost his Senate seat to Democrat Jon Ossoff four years ago and ran unsuccessfully in a primary against Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Perdue pushed Trump's debunked lies about electoral fraud during his failed bid for governor. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Guilfoyle is a former California prosecutor and television news personality who led the fundraising for Trump's 2020 campaign and became engaged to Don Jr. in 2020. Trump called her “a close friend and ally” and praised her “sharp intellect make her supremely qualified.” Guilfoyle was on stage with the family on election night. “I am so proud of Kimberly. She loves America and she always has wanted to serve the country as an Ambassador. She will be an amazing leader for America First,” Don Jr. posted. The ambassador positions must be approved by the U.S. Senate. Guilfoyle said in a social media post that she was “honored to accept President Trump’s nomination to serve as the next Ambassador to Greece and I look forward to earning the support of the U.S. Senate.” Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Customs and Border Protection, with its roughly 60,000 employees, falls under the Department of Homeland Security. It includes the Border Patrol, which Rodney Scott led during Trump's first term, and is essentially responsible for protecting the country's borders while facilitating trade and travel. Scott comes to the job firmly from the Border Patrol side of the house. He became an agent in 1992 and spent much of his career in San Diego. When he was appointed head of the border agency in January 2020, he enthusiastically embraced Trump's policies. After being forced out under the Biden administration, Scott has been a vocal supporter of Trump's hard-line immigration agenda. He appeared frequently on Fox News and testified in Congress. He's also a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Former Rep. Billy Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Trump says he’s picking Kari Lake as director of Voice of America, installing a staunch loyalist who ran unsuccessfully for Arizona governor and a Senate seat to head the congressionally funded broadcaster that provides independent news reporting around the world. Lake endeared herself to Trump through her dogmatic commitment to the falsehood that both she and Trump were the victims of election fraud. She has never acknowledged losing the gubernatorial race and called herself the “lawful governor” in her 2023 book, “Unafraid: Just Getting Started.” Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor to Fox News. Dr. Dave Weldon, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Ron Johnson, Ambassador to Mexico Johnson — not the Republican senator — served as ambassador to El Salvador during Trump's first administration. His nomination comes as the president-elect has been threatening tariffs on Mexican imports and the mass deportation of migrants who have arrived to the U.S.-Mexico border. Johnson is also a former U.S. Army veteran and was in the Central Intelligence Agency. Tom Barrack, Ambassador to Turkey Barrack, a wealthy financier, met Trump in the 1980s while helping negotiate Trump’s purchase of the renowned Plaza Hotel. He was charged with using his personal access to the former president to secretly promote the interests of the United Arab Emirates, but was acquitted of all counts at a federal trial in 2022. Trump called him a “well-respected and experienced voice of reason.” Andrew Ferguson, Federal Trade Commission Ferguson, who is already one of the FTC's five commissioners, will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” Jacob Helberg, undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment Dan Bishop, deputy director for budget at the Office of Budget and Management Leandro Rizzuto, Ambassador to the Washington-based Organization of American States Dan Newlin, Ambassador to Colombia Peter Lamelas, Ambassador to Argentina Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

2024 App Store Awards - All Finalists - GameSpot

Sops announced by several states in their 2024-25 Budgets may divert resources away from critical social and economic infrastructure development, an RBI article said on Tuesday. The gross fiscal deficit as per cent of budget estimate moderated in April-September 2024-25 over H1:2023-24 in case of both Centre and states, primarily on account of robust receipts, deceleration in their revenue expenditure growth and decline in capital expenditure, the article published in December RBI Bulletin said. ET Year-end Special Reads Top 10 equity mutual funds of the year. Do you have any? How India flexed its global power muscles in 2024 2024 was the year India became the talk of America This provides fiscal room to them to boost capex in the latter half of 2024-25 which would aid in sustaining the post pandemic gains in expenditure quality and support medium-term growth prospects. However, several states have announced sops in their 2024-25 Budgets; such spending may divert resources away from critical social and economic infrastructure development, it said. Many states, including Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, and Jharkhand have announced sops including free electricity to agriculture and households, free transport, allowances to unemployed youth and monetary assistance to women. The views expressed in the article are of the authors and do not represent the views of the Reserve Bank of India, a disclaimer said. Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Data Science MySQL for Beginners: Learn Data Science and Analytics Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Strategy ESG and Business Sustainability Strategy By - Vipul Arora, Partner, ESG & Climate Solutions at Sattva Consulting Author I Speaker I Thought Leader View Program Marketing Modern Marketing Masterclass by Seth Godin By - Seth Godin, Former dot com Business Executive and Best Selling Author View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Tabnine AI Masterclass: Optimize Your Coding Efficiency By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Office Productivity Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Data Analysis Animated Visualizations with Flourish Studio: Beginner to Pro By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrows Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Entrepreneurship Boosting Startup Revenue with 6 AI-Powered Sales Automation Techniques By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Learn InVideo AI: Create Videos from Text Easily By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Office Productivity Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By - Study At Home, Quality Education Anytime, Anywhere View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Web Development Master RESTful APIs with Python and Django REST Framework: Web API Development By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Data Analysis Learn Power BI with Microsoft Fabric: Complete Course By - Prince Patni, Software Developer (BI, Data Science) View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI for Everyone: Understanding and Applying the Basics on Artificial Intelligence By - Ritesh Vajariya, Generative AI Expert View Program Entrepreneurship Building Your Winning Startup Team: Key Strategies for Success By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Intermediate Java Mastery: Method, Collections, and Beyond By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program According to the article, the Centre recorded higher tax collections, both direct and indirect, and the buoyancy is expected to continue. Non-tax revenues of the Centre were boosted by the large surplus transfer by the Reserve Bank, it said. The government spending, of both Centre and states, was dampened in H1:2024-25 reflecting the impact of model code of conduct for general elections and is expected to pick up pace in H2:2024-25. Overall, it said, the Centre has achieved more than half of its budgeted revenue in H1:2024-25 while containing its expenditure to less than half of what it had projected for the entire financial year. This augurs well for the Centre to meet its gross fiscal deficit target of 4.9 per cent of GDP for 2024-25. Social sector expenditure by Indian states has increased significantly from 5.4 per cent of GDP in 2005-06 to 8.1 per cent in 2024-25 (BE), with growing prioritisation of education, health, and other critical social services. However, the effectiveness of this spending depends on how well it translates into tangible outcomes. Nominations for ET MSME Awards are now open. The last day to apply is December 31, 2024. Click here to submit your entry for any one or more of the 22 categories and stand a chance to win a prestigious award. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )Percentages: FG .449, FT .667. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Much like the computer industry at large, Michael Dell’s wealth has grown substantially in the 40 years since he started selling computer parts from his dorm room at the University of Texas. The way Michael Dell ran his fledgling company during the second half of the 80s helped him break into — and then shape — the burgeoning computer industry. By using just-in-time inventory management, offering toll-free customer support, and avoiding the in-person retail market, Dell was able to save money, win loyal customers, and gain market share, rapidly growing his business into the household name it is today. 💰💸 Don’t miss the move: SIGN UP for TheStreet’s FREE Daily newsletter 💸💰 Now, four decades later, Dell Technologies remains one of the dominant names in personal computing, and two-time CEO Michael Dell’s net worth lands him among a select group of fewer than 20 individuals whose personal wealth exceeds $100 billion. So, what is he worth today? And how much does he make annually as Dell’s CEO? Diego Donamaria/Getty Images What is Michael Dell’s net worth in 2024? Dell’s net worth fluctuates constantly along with Dell Technologies’ stock price; about half of his wealth comes from his holdings in the company, which trades publicly on the New York Stock Exchange. As of this article’s last update (mid-November 2024), Michael Dell had a net worth of about $111.4 billion, making him the 12th-richest person in the world at the time. His wealth first exceeded the $100 billion mark in early March 2024, after Dell’s earnings release for the fourth quarter of 2023 impressed investors, sending the company’s stock skyrocketing by about 32%. Dell’s wealth jumped by almost $14 billion in a single day as a result, and he joined the $100 billion club for the first time. Related: Tim Cook's net worth: How much the Apple CEO's stock is worth Michael Dell’s salary: How much does he make as CEO? In 2024, Michael Dell’s compensation as CEO totals about $3 million, although only $950,000 of this is his salary. He receives an additional $2 million or so in cash bonuses, along with about $47,000 in other compensation, according to sources like salary.com and AFL-CIO, a federation of national and international labor organizations. This level of pay puts Dell’s compensation at about 41 times the median compensation of all Dell employees (about $73,000). In 2023, Dell made about $2.8 million in total compensation, about 38 times the company median. How did Michael Dell get rich? His career explained Dell’s wealth comes largely from his career in the computer industry. What began as a money-making side project during Dell’s undergraduate studies in premedical biology at the University of Texas quickly snowballed into a successful business. The birth of Dell Dell started out by selling upgraded personal computers and computer-upgrade components, which he would assemble in his dorm room, directly to consumers and businesses. From the beginning, he realized that a company could save on costs by eliminating the retail environment and selling entire made-to-order computers directly to customers. By obtaining a vendor’s license, Dell was also able to bid on (and win, due to his low overhead costs) contracts to create computers for the State of Texas. He registered his company, PC’s Unlimited, in January of 1984, just one semester into college. He soon moved (both himself and his company’s operations) out of his dorm room and into a condominium. By May, after finishing his freshman year, Dell dropped out of school, paid $1,000 to incorporate his company as Dell Computer Corporation, and moved the company’s operations once again, this time into a small office in a business park in North Austin. Here, the company’s first generation of staff comprised just “three guys with screwdrivers sitting at six-foot tables upgrading machines,” along with several additional employees to take and fill orders, according to Michael Dell’s 1999 autobiographical account of the company’s early years. Related: Steve Wozniak’s net worth: The Apple cofounder’s wealth in 2024 Despite fear of admonition from his parents, Dell’s choice to drop out was fairly clear-cut. The University of Texas had a policy that allowed students to take a semester off “with no academic penalty,” and the company was already bringing in between $50,000 and $80,000 in monthly sales, so Dell didn’t feel he had much to lose, “other than missing a few fraternity parties,” according to his book. Rapid growth, IPO, and the 1990s Dell employed the “just-in-time” inventory and manufacturing principle, meaning the company would only acquire parts and supplies for computers once they were ordered, then assemble and ship them immediately, eliminating the need for additional inventory storage space. Dell also sold its products directly to consumers via telephone order, eliminating the need for the overhead cost of retail space. Together, these practices allowed Dell to undercut its competitors’ prices by about 10%, causing the company to grow rapidly as its customer base exploded. In addition to selling computers by phone, Dell also offered toll-free tech support to customers via telephone, a practice that would later become ubiquitous among computer companies but was uncommon at the time. More net worth: In 1988, Dell took the company public at an initial share price of $8.50 ($0.09 per share adjusted for subsequent stock splits), raising $30 million and bringing the company’s market cap to $85 million. By 1992, Dell has entered the exclusive ranks of the Fortune 500, with 27-year-old Michael Dell being the youngest-ever CEO of a Fortune 500 company at the time. The 90s were a decade of rapid growth for the computer company. Dell expanded its operations overseas, built improved processors, and started manufacturing and selling servers in addition to PCs and notebooks. In 1990, Dell finally entered the brick-and-mortar retail market, selling its computers at Best Buy, CompUSA, and similar tech chains. In 1996, Dell became one of the first companies to start selling computers online. By the end of the decade, daily online sales reached an impressive $18 million. World Economic Forum, CC-BY-SA-2.0 via Wikimedia Commons The 2000s, Dell’s first retirement, and going private As the 90s were wrapping up, Michael Dell founded a private investment firm through which he could help build smaller, newer companies in the tech space. He also created the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, a nonprofit with the goal of improving children’s health and education globally, and released Direct from Dell: Strategies That Revolutionized an Industry , his autobiographical account of Dell’s first 15 or so years. In 2004, Dell stepped down as CEO of the company he built, remaining on the board of directors and handing the reigns to then-COO Kevin Rollins, although this arrangement only lasted until 2007, when Dell reassumed the CEO role at the request of the company’s board of directors. During his years off, Dell focused heavily, along with his wife Susan on their philanthropic ventures. In a controversial move, Dell enlisted the financial help of Microsoft, Silver Lake Partners, and other lenders to take Dell private for a whopping $25 billion in 2013. Once this deal was finalized, Michael Dell personally owned 75% of the company. During its private years, the company invested heavily in the cloud computing and gaming markets, before going public once again in 2018 at a split-adjusted stock price of around $23. Dell’s return to the stock market and modern era In the 6 years since its return to public trading, Dell’s stock has more than quintupled in value, and Michael Dell still owns about 16.9 million shares (after selling $1.2 billion worth of shares in 2024). Dell remains the company’s largest shareholder, and as of late November 2024, his stake in Dell alone would be worth around $2.43 billion. Much of the remainder of Michael Dell’s massive wealth comes from his private investment firm, which focuses on building stakes in hotels and corporate credit. Related: Steve Ballmer’s net worth: How his wealth compares to Gates' Frequently asked questions about Michael Dell Below are answers to some of the most common questions readers have about Michael Dell. What is Michael Dell’s education? Is he a college dropout? After graduating from Memorial High School in Houston, Dell attended the University of Texas, studying biology as a premedical student. Dell left the school after completing his freshmen year, however, as his burgeoning computer company, which he started in his dorm room, was already growing rapidly. His university allowed students to take a semester off without academic penalty, so his decision to drop out was an easy one, as he could always return the subsequent spring if things didn’t work out with his computer venture. They did work out, however, so Dell never returned to university. Where does Michael Dell’s wealth come from? Dell built his early wealth through his own company, later using much of it to start investment companies and his philanthropic nonprofit, the Michael and Suan Dell Foundation. In 2024, Dell is still his company’s largest shareholder, retaining 16.9 million shares, representing an approximate 2.38% stake worth around $2.43 billion as of late November 2024. Much of the rest of his wealth comes from his stake in his private investment firm, DFO Management, which invests in hospitality companies and corporate credit. Does Michael Dell support Israel? Michael Dell has long been a financial supporter of the controversial country of Israel, which has been engaged in a large-scale offensive that has killed at least 44,000 Gazan citizens, mostly women and children, since October 2023. Dell Technologies also supplies servers and other technology to the Israeli Ministry of Defense, the governmental entity that conducts Israel’s military pursuits, including the current offensives in Gaza and Lebanon. The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation funds humanitarian aid, medical equipment, mental health services, and STEM educational initiatives in Israel. Related: The 10 best investing books (according to stock market pros)Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. Lily Allen is opening up about her sobriety and how it’s impacted her sex life. The "Smile" singer confessed she’s never "had sex" with a partner "not drunk" until she married her current husband, "Stranger Things" star David Harbour. "We don’t really talk about it," Allen, 39, told The Times of London . "I don’t think I’d ever had sex with anybody not drunk before I got together with him. So that was different for sure." LILY ALLEN CONFESSED DAD CALLED COPS WHEN SHE LOST VIRGINITY AT ‘ABOUT’ 12 YEARS OLD Musician and actress Lily Allen confessed she's never had sex sober until she married her husband David Harbour. ( Sean Zanni/WireImage/Getty Images) Allen’s comments come after she recently celebrated five years of sobriety. Harbour, 49, has also been sober for more than 20 years, respectfully. "It’s a totally different thing. It’s unavoidable, conscious and real. He had a lot of experience with it, so it’s been helpful to do it with someone that’s long-in-the-tooth in that game," she laughed. The two tied the knot in a low-key ceremony officiated by an Elvis Presley impersonator in 2020. Allen celebrated five years of sobriety. Harbour has also been sober for more than 20 years, respectfully. (Getty Images) LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Allen continued to recall her earliest memories of being surrounded by drugs and alcohol. She confessed that she saw her father – actor and comedian Keith Allen – using cocaine. "I think that addiction runs deep in my family, so self-medicating was going to be on the cards. For me, it didn’t really feel like an ‘if’, it was a ‘when,’" she explained. Allen remembered hitting rock bottom when she turned up at her ex-husband’s house after he started a new relationship. Allen remembered hitting rock bottom when she turned up at her ex-husband’s house after he started a new relationship. (Zunino Celotto/Getty Images) LILY ALLEN, DAVID HARBOUR ‘CONTROL’ WHAT THEY'RE ALLOWED TO HAVE ON EACH OTHER'S CELLPHONES "I drank myself into oblivion. I went over to his house and started screaming at him, woke the kids up, you know, really distressed the children," she said. "They remember that. And they know that I was under the influence then, and that it’s important that Mummy avoids getting into those situations." Lily confessed that she saw her father – actor and comedian Keith Allen – using cocaine. (George Pimentel/WireImage/Getty Images) CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Allen was previously married to Sam Cooper in 2011 and the pair had two daughters , Marnie Rose and Ethel Mary. They endured a two-year divorce before finalizing matters in June 2018. Meanwhile, as Allen has been in the spotlight for most of her life, she went on to say that her sobriety has now given her family a peace of mind. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP "My kids feel safe," she added. "That’s the main thing for me. I felt very unsafe in my childhood, and my kids feel safe." Stephanie Giang-Paunon is an Entertainment Writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to stephanie.giang@fox.com and on Twitter: @SGiangPaunon.AP Sports SummaryBrief at 6:25 p.m. EST

Uber What is the risk to deportation from Trump's immigration policy on rideshare and food delivery

Robert Way I published my initiation coverage for Vipshop ( NYSE: VIPS ) in December 2023. The stock has been down almost 20% since then, vastly underperforming the market. The drop in the stock price is due to VIPS’ deteriorating business fundamentals from Q1 of Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.

super vibe game

Nebraska 44, Wisconsin 25

Davion Cherwin rushed for 161 yards on 11 carries and scored two times for Drake. Jun Ahn and Luke Woodson also had rushing scores. Cherwin scored a 91-yard touchdown, the longest run in the PFL this season, to make it 21-7 early in the second quarter. Kemani Wilson made a diving interception at the Drake 25-yard line with just over two minutes left in the first half and seven plays later, Bailey found Hunter Johnson for a 24-yard touchdown to make it 28-10 at halftime. Drake defensive lineman Finn Claypool forced a fumble on the third play of the second half and his teammate recovered it. Then Bailey lofted a pass to Jaxon Laminack for a touchdown and a 35-10 lead. Drake (8-2, 7-1) was coming off a 29-20 loss to Morehead State to end a 17-game PFL winning streak — the longest active conference winning streak in the FCS. Stetson (2-9, 0-7) quarterback Brady Meitz was intercepted three times and Matt O’Connor had one of his four pass attempts intercepted. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballDALLAS — With Juan Soto gone, the New York Yankees could trade for a top-tier rental for the second straight offseason. “We’re open to anything,” Brian Cashman said Wednesday morning as rumors involving Houston’s Kyle Tucker swirled around the Winter Meetings. The meetings began with Soto spurning the Yankees for a record-setting, 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets. Astros general manager Dana Brown then made it known that he would “listen on anybody” when asked if he’d consider trading Tucker and starting pitcher Framber Valdez. Like Soto, Tucker is a power-hitting right fielder who gets on base and bats from the left side. While not as gifted a hitter as Soto, Tucker is still a force who also offers more speed and better defense. Could he replace Soto ahead of his own walk year? “I would expect us to have conversations with all teams about what availability of players on their roster are, as well as all agents of players in free agency that we like, too,” Cashman said when asked if he’d be in contact with Brown. “We’ll check every box and ascertain price tags and that will be true of anything in the marketplace.” According to multiple reports, the Astros like Yankees’ right-hander Luis Gil, the American League Rookie of the Year, in a potential deal for Tucker. Meanwhile, the Cubs are also seen as suitors, among others, as Seiya Suzuki and Isaac Paredes are chips for Chicago. Last year, the Yankees traded five players — Jhony Brito, Kyle Higashioka, Michael King, Drew Thorpe and Randy Vásquez — to San Diego for Soto and Trent Grisham. It was a high price to pay for what amounted to just one year of Soto. The Yankees also paid the superstar a record-setting $31 million for 2024 to avoid arbitration. Tucker, scheduled to become a free agent for the first time next winter, is projected to make $15.8 million in arbitration this offseason. Were the Yankees to acquire the 27-year-old, they could try to engage him in extension talks like they did with Soto. However, it may be hard for Tucker to pass on a shot at the open market after seeing what Soto got. While Tucker won’t pull in as many dollars as Soto did, his age and talent should put him in line for a gigantic deal of his own. Limited to 78 games last season thanks to a shin fracture, Tucker hit .289/.408/.585 with 23 home runs, 49 RBI, 11 stolen bases and a 180 wRC+. The seven-year pro is a .274/.353/.516 hitter with 125 homers, 417 RBI, 94 stolen bases and a 139 wRC+ for his career. A three-time All-Star, Tucker also won the World Series with Houston in 2022. With R ō ki Sasaki’s free agency underway, Cashman said the Yankees already have a presentation prepared for the Japanese ace as they await a meeting date. Sasaki grew up a big fan of Masahiro Tanaka, but Cashman declined to say if the former Yankee factored into the team’s pitch. “We’ve had some great [Japanese] players that have played here and enjoyed playing here,” Cashman said, highlighting Tanaka, Hideki Matsui, Ichiro Suzuki and Hiroki Kuroda. “But that doesn’t guarantee any individual’s decision piggybacking on those types. But I know those players are great resources to speak to the experiences that they had here.” Cashman saw Sasaki pitch for the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2023. He came away impressed, calling the right-hander a “big arm with a big desire to be great.” “His intent is to be one of the game’s greatest pitchers on the planet,” Cashman said. “We certainly would love to participate in allowing that to happen.” With the Yankees and Mets both interested in Sasaki — the 23-year-old’s age limits him to international signing bonus pool money — agent Joel Wolfe said that Sasaki could handle the bright lights of New York on Tuesday. However, Wolfe also suggested that Sasaki could benefit from a smaller market after negative experiences with Japanese media took a mental toll on the pitcher. Pinstripers’ payroll According to Cot’s Contracts, the Yankees’ 2025 projected payroll is $258.1 million for competitive balance tax purposes after agreeing to an eight-year, $218 million contract with former Braves starter Max Fried on Tuesday. That puts them over the first tax threshold of $241 million. The second threshold is $261 million, followed by $281 million and $301 million. Last month, Hal Steinbrenner said he had yet to think about a target number for next year’s payroll. On Wednesday, Cashman was asked if a number had been communicated to him. He responded by simply saying that Steinbrenner said that all possibilities should be brought to his attention. “He’s fully invested and involved every step of the way,” Cashman said. “So he’s aware of all the price tags on the trade acquisitions, as well the free agents.” Spencer Jones and other prospects In spring training, Steinbrenner said that he didn’t want to trade top prospects Will Warren, Spencer Jones and Chase Hampton. Each went on to endure disappointing seasons in various ways, though, as Warren, who made his MLB debut, and Jones saw their numbers dip while the now-healthy Hampton suffered a flexor strain. On Wednesday, Cashman said he’s “open minded to everything” when asked about possibly trading members of the trio. “Certain guys, you’re more willing to discuss, and other guys, you’ve got a lot more trepidation in discussing,” he continued. “It’s just the nature of the beast.” With regards to Jones, Cashman said the outfielder is capable of more than he showed during a strikeout-heavy 2024 campaign. The GM called the Yankees’ sixth-best prospect, per Baseball America, a “physical beast,” but he noted bigger players sometimes take more time to develop. Cashman cited Dellin Betances and Aaron Judge as examples while talking about Jones, who is 6-6. “All those tools are real, so the excitement is all there,” Cashman said of Jones, who has displayed power and speed. “You also have to be patient.”

The Georgia Southern football team was once again in a great position entering last week’s home matchup with Troy. The Eagles were tied for first place in the Eastern division with Marshall, a team they beat earlier this season and controlled their own destiny in making it to the Sun Belt Championship. Three games remaining against teams with losing records in the conference were ahead, and if the Eagles were able to win out, they had a chance to even host the Sun Belt Championship. The Eagles have struggled in post-October football games with a 2-10 record and unfortunately that trend continued as they fell 28-20 to a Troy team that came in 2-7 overall and 1-4 in conference play. The Eagles only committed one turnover, which came late in the game, but really struggled on third down as the defense allowed Troy to go 11-14 and eat up valuable time off the clock, while the Eagles offense only managed to go three for eight on third down. “We really needed to be better on third down,” said coach Clay Helton. “I thought quarterback Matthew Caldwell did a nice job of getting the ball to his playmakers going 11 for 14 and keeping our offense off the field. They did the things that good ball-control offenses do. They didn’t turn the ball over and limited us to just eight drive possessions.” While message boards and social media lit up after the game with frustrated fans, Eagle starting defensive lineman Isaac Walker vented his frustration as well on Instagram. Helton announced Monday that Walker was no longer with the team and would not go into the reasons behind it. “I can confirm he is no longer on the football team,” Helton said. “We are very fortunate here unlike a lot of places that have a lot of attrition. We have 123 players, men who are pulling really hard in the same direction. They want to win a championship and are fighting like heck. Leadership is always tough, you aren’t going to make everyone happy and that’s the price of leadership.” Walker no longer being on the roster comes a week after quarterback Dexter Williams decided to leave the team and enter the transfer portal. Eagle players admit they are as frustrated with losing as the fans are and are trying their best to focus on the game ahead with Coastal Carolina and block the noise the best they can from outside the team. “The way the fans feel is the same way we feel,” said Eagle defensive back Chance Gamble. “We know we are expected to win here at Georgia Southern. I feel like there are plays I didn’t make on third down and I know I need to do a better job of locking in especially in those situations.” “It does hurt to hear negativity out there because we want them to love us like we love them,” said Eagle offensive lineman Bryson Broadway. “I love our fans, I love the interactions with the fans and this environment. This is unlike any other place and special. I think sometimes this brings us together and puts a chip on our shoulder and makes us want to work harder.” The Eagles are currently tied for second place in the East and with JMU and Marshall still yet to play have a good chance at winning the East but will have to win out which starts with a road game at Coastal Carolina Saturday in Conway S.C. The Chanticleers come in with a record of 5-5 overall and are 2-4 in Sun Belt play. Coastal is coming off a 38-24 loss to Marshall on the road and are averaging 30 points per game, but giving up over 31 points per contest. Ethan Vasko leads the Chanticleer offense and has thrown for 1,818 and 11 touchdowns. On the ground Vasko has accounted for 357 yards and four scores. Coastal’s leading rusher is Brayden Bennett with 546 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns. “You can see coach Tim Beck’s fingerprints on this team,” Helton said. “They have always been that spread-option team, but coach Beck is one of the most elite pro-style minds there are. They have kind of blended into that with tremendous balance. They are running the ball but also Vasko is distributing the ball to some electric playmakers. What really scared me is what they did to a really good running team in Marshall in holding them to only 35 yards that really jumped off the page as far as what they did defensively.” The Eagles and Chanticleers are scheduled for a 3:30 kickoff in a game that can seen on ESPN+LOS ANGELES , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Flaviar is honored to be the tech, online marketing, and fulfillment partner for Tesla Mezcal, a collaboration between Nosotros and Tesla, blending innovation and craftsmanship. This limited-edition mezcal will be available in highly limited quantities for purchase starting Thursday, December 12 , exclusively on https://teslamezcal.tesla.com/ . Tesla Mezcal's hand-blown glass bottle features a rich black finish inspired by Oaxaca's centuries'-old Barro Negro pottery-making tradition. The bottle was designed by Tesla's Director of Product Design, Javier Verdura , in honor of his Mexican roots and early life growing up in Mexico City . The design is emblematic of Mexico's Oaxacan culture, featuring a unique hand-molded form that honors ingenuity, family values and a love of food. Similarly, having grown up in Mexico City , a large part of Javier's identity shares those same values of hard work, family and a love for his heritage. His passion for design was awakened early in his childhood from frequent visits to the various art museums of Mexico City and is now exemplified in the hundreds of products he has designed for Tesla in the last 13 years. "Working with Javier and the Tesla team on this project has been an incredible experience," said Carlos Soto , Founder of Nosotros. "Tesla Mezcal is more than a beverage; it's a piece of art and a testament to shared values of sustainability." "At Flaviar, we're inspired by the ecosystem Tesla has created through its groundbreaking innovations and are proud to be the trusted technology and fulfillment partner for Tesla Mezcal, delivering a customer experience that matches the exceptional quality of the product," said Josh Jacobs , SVP Strategic Partnerships at Flaviar. "As with Tesla Tequila and Beer before, we have seen the first batch of Tesla Mezcal fly off the shelves in June and we are positive this holiday restock will be no exception." Jacobs further adds that "the project would not be possible without Nosotros, and it has been an absolute pleasure partnering with them over the past five years and watching their brand take off." Where to Buy: Tesla Mezcal will be available exclusively on Tesla.com starting Thursday, December 12, 2024 at 11 am PST for $450 . Quantities are limited—mezcal enthusiasts should act quickly to secure this extraordinary edition. For media inquiries or more information about Tesla Mezcal, please contact prensa@nosotrostequila.com About Nosotros Nosotros Tequila and Mezcal is an independent, award-winning, additive-free spirits company with a commitment to sustainability and quality. About Tesla Tesla is a global leader in sustainable energy and technology innovation, known for delivering revolutionary products. About Flaviar Flaviar pursues its mission of "Bringing Good Spirits To Life" via an integrated ecosystem of consumer and business facing products and services. With its leading consumer marketplaces, Flaviar.com and Caskers.com , it facilitates nearly a million orders annually through its network of retailers across the world. Wine-Searcher is the global leader in beverage alcohol product search, boasting nearly 19 million listings from more than 35,000 vendors across 126 countries and a database searched 300 million times each year. Flaviar For Business offers a comprehensive suite of data insights and advertising solutions along with Flaviar Checkout, powering compliant DtC sales and the exclusive app for processing alcohol payments for global e-commerce leader, Shopify. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/just-in-time-for-the-holidays-tesla-mezcal-re-releases-a-limited-edition-collaboration-with-nosotros-mezcal-302330078.html SOURCE TeslaAmity instead of enmity: A new Iranian approach to regional security and prosperity

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that he will nominate former White House aide Brooke Rollins to be his agriculture secretary, the last of his picks to lead executive agencies and another choice from within his established circle of advisers and allies. The nomination must be confirmed by the Senate, which will be controlled by Republicans when Trump takes office Jan. 20. Rollins would succeed Tom Vilsack , President Joe Biden’s agriculture secretary who oversees the sprawling agency that controls policies, regulations and aid programs related to farming, forestry, ranching, food quality and nutrition. Then-President Donald Trump looks to Brooke Rollins, president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, as she speaks during a Jan. 11, 2018, prison reform roundtable in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. Rollins previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. The pick completes Trump’s selection of the heads of executive branch departments, just two and a half weeks after the former president won the White House once again. Several other picks that are traditionally Cabinet-level remain, including U.S. Trade Representative and head of the small business administration. Brooke Rollins, assistant to the president and director of the Domestic Policy Council at the time, speaks during a May 18, 2020, meeting with restaurant industry executives about the coronavirus response in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. Rollins, speaking on the Christian talk show “Family Talk" earlier this year, said Trump was an “amazing boss” and confessed that she thought in 2015, during his first presidential campaign, that he would not last as a candidate in a crowded Republican primary field. “I was the person that said, ‘Oh, Donald Trump is not going to go more than two or three weeks in the Republican primary. This is to up his TV show ratings. And then we’ll get back to normal,’” she said. “Fast forward a couple of years, and I am running his domestic policy agenda.” Trump didn’t offer many specifics about his agriculture policies during the campaign, but farmers could be affected if he carries out his pledge to impose widespread tariffs. During the first Trump administration, countries like China responded to Trump’s tariffs by imposing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports like the corn and soybeans routinely sold overseas. Trump countered by offering massive multibillion-dollar aid to farmers to help them weather the trade war. Brooke Rollins speaks at an Oct. 27 campaign rally for then-Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden in New York. President Abraham Lincoln founded the USDA in 1862, when about half of all Americans lived on farms. The USDA oversees multiple support programs for farmers; animal and plant health; and the safety of meat, poultry and eggs that anchor the nation’s food supply. Its federal nutrition programs provide food to low-income people, pregnant women and young children. And the agency sets standards for school meals. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has vowed to strip ultraprocessed foods from school lunches and to stop allowing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program beneficiaries from using food stamps to buy soda, candy or other so-called junk foods. But it would be the USDA, not HHS, that would be responsible for enacting those changes. In addition, HHS and USDA will work together to finalize the 2025-2030 edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They are due late next year, with guidance for healthy diets and standards for federal nutrition programs. Gomez Licon reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Associated Press writers Josh Funk and JoNel Aleccia contributed to this report. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration, and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign. In a statement, Trump called McGinley “a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda, while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement.” Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox!

Bombshell report finds evidence Gaetz had sex with minor, paid for sex and took drugs while in CongressSyria's embassy in Lebanon suspends services as Lebanon hands over former Syrian army officers

Denver Shines Brightly this New Year's EveNone

The year 2024 will go down in history as one of the most surprising ever for the Argentine economy. It was preceded by another unusual event, this one political in nature: society decided to burn its bridges and elect Javier Milei as president, an outsider with a proposal as bold as it was uncertain. The libertarian leader attacked what he considers the origin of all Argentina’s economic ills: the fiscal deficit. He did this almost without hesitation, giving rise to at least three results that, a priori, were highly improbable: he achieved a surplus in the Treasury accounts, society tolerated and largely endorsed an unprecedented adjustment, and he is tackling inflation while economic activity starts to recover. From deficit to surplus The president is not wrong when he says that he carried out the most significant adjustment in history. Argentina went from a primary deficit of about three points of GDP in 2023 to a surplus projected at around 2% for 2024, a difference of almost five points. In line with the recession, tax revenues fell by 7% year-on-year in the first eleven months of 2024, but the cut in primary spending was much higher at 32%. Milei won the elections promising that the adjustment would fall on “the caste” — his epithet for career politicians, state employees who got their roles through nepotism, and other such privileged miscreants. That said, one of the sectors that contributed most to the containment of expenditures was pensions, which fell by 22%. They were followed by subsidies (cut by 33%), public salaries (-27%), capital expenditures (-71%), and transfers to provinces (-87%). Incidentally, austerity was not the preserve of the national government. Argentina’s provinces also tended to balance their budgets. In the last 12 months, all ran a primary surplus except Buenos Aires and Entre Ríos, according to economist Martín Polo de Cohen. Analysts debate how the libertarian government has managed to get society to accept an adjustment of this magnitude. There is, it appears, no single explanation. The lack of credibility in politics led people to vote for Milei and accept the “sacrifices” that the libertarian leader announced. Containment But the administration also showed signs of pragmatism. It assisted the most vulnerable by increasing the Asignación Universal por Hijo (Universal Child Allowance, or AUH, as it is commonly known) by more than 100% above inflation. That went hand in hand with a real-terms increase in the value of the Alimentar card. The government also says that Human Capital Minister Sandra Pettovello’s work to eliminate the “intermediaries” in social programs has facilitated a significant increase in these benefits. (Under the previous government, social movements often administered state welfare programs, a setup that was mired by accusations of pilfering.) According to official calculations, these “poverty managers” kept anywhere between 10% and 50% of the funds. The income distribution report for the third quarter of 2024 suggests that poverty was around 38.8%, after the peak of 54.8% reached in the first quarter of the year. That would indicate that the worst of the crisis has passed. It should be noted that Alberto Fernández ended his mandate with that figure at 41.4%. Inflation The fiscal surplus, together with the reduction of the monetary excess, led to a slowdown in inflation that was higher than most analysts expected. After starting in December of last year with 25% (driven by the devaluation of the peso), the index fell progressively to 2.4% in November. Significantly, this slowdown is occurring together with a readjustment of relative prices. Thus, data through November showed that electricity, gas, and water rates rose 276% interannually, well above the 166% increase of the consumer price index overall. The dollar and the cepo Another of the government’s greatest achievements was the stabilization of the exchange market. At the start of the year, the contado con liquidación (CCL) dollar rate was around ​​1,300 pesos and the gap with the official rate was of over 60%. The year is ending with a lower CCL rate in nominal terms — of around 1,200 pesos at the time of writing — and a gap of less than 10%. In recent months, the treasury has been progressively easing the currency controls known as the cepo , but both Milei and Economy Minister Luis Caputo have steadily insisted that the restrictions will not be lifted in their entirety until they are sure there will be no turbulence in the exchange market. More than one analyst has expressed concern about the loss of positions of the dollar. Indeed, the peso has tended to appreciate and the real exchange rate is approaching levels like those it had at the end of 2017 or in the final stage of Convertibility, that is, moments that preceded a correction. The economy ministry points out that this time is different because we are facing a much more orderly economy. However, recent episodes, such as the fall of the Brazilian currency throughout the year — it went from less than 5 to more than 6 reales per dollar —- the recent international strengthening of the U.S, currency, or the drop in international soybean prices (currently around 350 dollars when at the end of last year it was 480), are giving pause to more than one economist. This is even more so when net reserves remain negative by about 5 billion dollars. Employment The activity rate was stable at 48.3% in the third quarter of 2024. The employment rate was 45%, with a slight decrease in unemployment, at 6.9%. Informal work is growing, as evidenced by a drop of 379,000 formal employees (3.7% year-on-year) and an increase of 378,000 non-salaried employees (+7% year-on-year). There was also a slight increase of 4,000 informal employees. Activity With the expansion of families’ purchasing power and the reappearance of credit, the most recent indicators show a gradual increase in consumption that would tend to promote industrial activity. The official commitment is to free the private sector from all regulations that make business activity more expensive or hinder its development. Deregulation Minister Federico Sturzenegger has a key role in this endeavor. It is striking that, despite the harsh austerity measures it has taken, the government retains a high positive image remains high — between 47 and 57%, according to the different consulting firms. Opinion polls show that the population continues to be optimistic about the future, both in a personal sense and regarding the country as well. This is one of the reasons that explain the high level of international interest in the Milei administration. Regarding 2025, it will be a year of challenges for the government: maintaining what has been accomplished, strongly increasing activity, and consolidating these achievements at the ballot box.Shoppers bemused as Easter eggs hit shop shelves before New Year’s EveNone

The first guest invited to ring the bell to open trading at the New York Stock Exchange in 1956 wasn’t a company executive, a politician or a well-known celebrity. It was a 10-year-old boy, Leonard Ross, who received the honor by winning a television quiz show. Since then, business titans, political giants and global film stars have all been among those ringing the opening bell at the NYSE. Ronald Reagan rang the bell as president in 1985. Billionaire businessman and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr. have also rung the bell. The list even includes famous Muppets: Miss Piggy was once a bell ringer. President-elect Donald Trump joined that list Thursday when he opened trading at the famous stock exchange on Wall Street. He was accompanied by his wife, Melania, who interestingly enough received the honor before her husband. As first lady, she rang the bell in 2019 as part of her “Be Best” program. Bell-ringers are more commonly founders and executives from a wide range of companies. Over the last few months, the guests have included executives from Alaska Air Group, Bath & Body Works, and Ally Financial. Stock trading around the location of the NYSE's current home has deep roots that trace back to the Dutch founding of New Amsterdam and when Wall Street had an actual wall. The NYSE traces its direct roots to the “Buttonwood Agreement” signed in 1792, which set rules for stock trading and commissions. The NYSE moved into its first permanent home in 1865. The first bell in use was actually a gong. The exchange moved into its current iconic building in 1903 and started using an electronically operated brass bell. That has evolved into synchronized bells in each of the NYSE’s four trading areas.

060 super why the big game

Dell Technologies Inc. DELL reported better-than-expected earnings for its third quarter, while sales missed estimates. The company reported quarterly earnings of $2.15 per share, which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $2.05. Quarterly revenue came in at $24.37 billion, which missed the consensus estimate of $24.65 billion and is an increase over revenue of $22.25 billion from the same period last year. "We continued to build on our AI leadership and momentum, delivering combined ISG and CSG revenue of $23.5 billion, up 13% year over year," said Yvonne McGill, CFO of Dell Technologies. "Our continued focus on profitability resulted in EPS growth that outpaced revenue growth, and we again delivered strong cash performance." Dell shares fell 11.9% to trade at $124.82 on Wednesday. These analysts made changes to their price targets on Dell following earnings announcement. Barclays analyst Tim Long maintained Dell with an Equal-Weight and raised the price target from $106 to $115. Citigroup analyst Asiya Merchant maintained the stock with a Buy and lowered the price target from $160 to $156. Mizuho analyst Vijay Rakesh maintained Dell with an Outperform and cut the price target from $155 to $150. Melius Research analyst Ben Reitzes maintained Dell Technologies with a Buy and increased the price target from $140 to $155. Considering buying DELL stock? Here’s what analysts think: Read This Next: Urban Outfitters To Rally Around 47%? Here Are 10 Top Analyst Forecasts For Wednesday © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Tuft & Needle Nod Mattress Review: A Bed for Budget Shoppers

Nephew only wants to play video games on vacationTop 10 Cities to Age in Place in the United States for 2024

Live: Former treasurer hits back at 'desperate' claims Labor politicising Future Fund

President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urge judge to toss his hush money conviction

Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lowered its stake in Commerce Bancshares, Inc. ( NASDAQ:CBSH – Free Report ) by 0.5% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,011,502 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 4,652 shares during the quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. owned about 0.79% of Commerce Bancshares worth $60,083,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. V Square Quantitative Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Commerce Bancshares during the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. Allworth Financial LP boosted its stake in Commerce Bancshares by 51.1% during the 3rd quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 568 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 192 shares during the last quarter. Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in Commerce Bancshares during the third quarter valued at approximately $39,000. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in Commerce Bancshares by 156.5% in the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 854 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $48,000 after purchasing an additional 521 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Commerce Bancshares by 48.2% in the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 882 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $52,000 after purchasing an additional 287 shares during the period. 70.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Insider Activity at Commerce Bancshares In related news, SVP Patricia R. Kellerhals sold 2,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $62.23, for a total transaction of $124,460.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 23,381 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,454,999.63. This represents a 7.88 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink . Also, SVP David L. Roller sold 890 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $72.27, for a total value of $64,320.30. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 30,949 shares in the company, valued at $2,236,684.23. This trade represents a 2.80 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last 90 days, insiders sold 35,109 shares of company stock valued at $2,191,123. Corporate insiders own 3.20% of the company’s stock. Commerce Bancshares Price Performance Commerce Bancshares ( NASDAQ:CBSH – Get Free Report ) last released its earnings results on Thursday, October 17th. The financial services provider reported $1.07 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.00 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $421.38 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $412.85 million. Commerce Bancshares had a return on equity of 15.93% and a net margin of 24.15%. On average, equities analysts expect that Commerce Bancshares, Inc. will post 4.02 EPS for the current year. Commerce Bancshares Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 17th. Investors of record on Tuesday, December 3rd will be issued a dividend of $0.27 per share. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.46%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 3rd. Commerce Bancshares’s payout ratio is 28.13%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Piper Sandler set a $68.50 price target on shares of Commerce Bancshares and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Friday, October 18th. StockNews.com raised Commerce Bancshares from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, October 18th. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered Commerce Bancshares from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and decreased their price objective for the company from $66.00 to $64.00 in a research report on Monday, September 30th. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Commerce Bancshares has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $61.79. Read Our Latest Stock Report on CBSH Commerce Bancshares Company Profile ( Free Report ) Commerce Bancshares, Inc operates as the bank holding company for Commerce Bank that provides retail, mortgage banking, corporate, investment, trust, and asset management products and services to individuals and businesses in the United States. It operates through three segments: Consumer, Commercial, and Wealth. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CBSH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Commerce Bancshares, Inc. ( NASDAQ:CBSH – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Commerce Bancshares Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Commerce Bancshares and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Satellite Island. Emilie Ristevski With the change in weather comes warmer, longer days. The festive season approaches, holidays are right around the corner, and opportunity awaits for the lucky people venturing to the island. Black Friday Sale Subscribe Now! Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website & app The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox Interactive Crosswords, Sudoku and Trivia All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue For this edition of Travelways, much like any other, we want to emphasise the incredible experiences that await you. From stunning and award-winning accommodations and adventures to some of our smaller markets, you never know what may inspire you to feel like you're living your best life. The summer season is blessed to feature astounding festivals that bring locals and travellers together to celebrate inspiring Tassie produce and culture. Dive through our pages to find tips and tricks to make your family road trip across the state even more fun, or update your to-be-read list with some book recommendations that we've recently devoured. Click here to read the e-edition. - - - - - Travelways is made on lutruwita (Tasmania) Aboriginal land. We acknowledge the traditional owners of this land, the palawa people. For editorial enquiries, email phoebe.christofi@austcommunitymedia.com.au. For sales enquiries, email rebecca.szabo@austcommunitymedia.com.au. Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy Phoebe Christofi Journalist Phoebe is living and working on the lands of the Kaurna people. She has worked as the commissioning editor of a book publishing house, film and television reviewer, and bookseller. When she's not writing, she's complaining about not having enough time to read every book in the world. Phoebe is living and working on the lands of the Kaurna people. She has worked as the commissioning editor of a book publishing house, film and television reviewer, and bookseller. When she's not writing, she's complaining about not having enough time to read every book in the world. More from Life Travelways | December - January 2024-25 No comment s Ask Fuzzy: Why does a dash of milk reduce the bitterness of tea? No comment s Best tech, home and appliances deals for Black Friday 2024: Save big this season! No comment s Choose the perfect Christmas tree this holiday season No comment s Swyftx vs CoinSpot: Which to use in 2024? Four fresh and unique ways to decorate your home this Christmas No comment s Newsletters & Alerts View all DAILY Your morning news Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. Loading... WEEKDAYS The lunch break Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. Loading... DAILY Sport The latest news, results & expert analysis. Loading... WEEKDAYS The evening wrap Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. Loading... WEEKLY Note from the Editor Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. Loading... WEEKLY FootyHQ Love footy? We've got all the action covered. Loading... DAILY Early Look At David Pope Your exclusive preview of David Pope's latest cartoon. Loading... AS IT HAPPENS Public Service News Don't miss updates on news about the Public Service. Loading... WEEKLY Explore Travel Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. Loading... WEEKLY Property Get the latest property and development news here. Loading... WEEKLY What's On Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. Loading... WEEKLY Weekend Reads We've selected the best reading for your weekend. Loading... WEEKLY Times Reader's Panel Join our weekly poll for Canberra Times readers. Loading... WEEKDAYS The Echidna Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. Loading... TWICE WEEKLY The Informer Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. Loading... WEEKLY Motoring Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. Loading... TWICE WEEKLY Voice of Real Australia Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. Loading... AS IT HAPPENS Breaking news alert Be the first to know when news breaks. Loading... DAILY Today's Paper Alert Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! Loading... DAILY Your favourite puzzles Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily! Loading...

Andrew Luck, the most significant recruit during the Jim Harbaugh era at Stanford, a quarterback who led the Cardinal from also-rans to national prominence, is returning The Farm as the football team’s general manager. Luck will oversee “all aspects” of the program starting immediately, the school announced in a news release Saturday morning. ESPN’s Pete Thamel was the first to report the news. “I think Stanford is taking an assertive and innovative step,” Luck, who starred for the Cardinal from 2009-2011 after redshirting in 2008, told ESPN. “We’re undoubtedly the best athletic department in college sports. We have to re-prove it in football, and we’re excited to be part of that challenge.” According to ESPN, Luck’s position will be a redefined role from the traditional college general manager. Instead of primarily being a subordinate to the head coach, Luck, 35, will preside over the coaching staff, player personnel staff and recruiting, as well as the business side of the program. It is no secret that Stanford has struggled to keep pace during the name, image and likeness era of college sports. The announcement of Luck’s return comes one day after Stanford lost to San Jose State to complete its fourth consecutive 3-9 season, the past two under coach Troy Taylor. “I am a product of this University, of Nerd Nation; I love this place,” Luck said in Stanford’s news release. “I believe deeply in Stanford’s unique approach to athletics and academics and the opportunity to help drive our program back to the top. Coach Taylor has the team pointed in the right direction, and I cannot wait to work with him, the staff, and the best, brightest and toughest football players in the world.” Stanford’s release noted that Luck will work with Taylor on recruiting and roster management and with athletics and university leadership on everything from fundraising and alumni relations to student-athlete support and stadium experience. Luck, who has remained close to his alma mater since leaving for the NFL as the No. 1 overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 2012, told ESPN that the idea of rejoining Stanford football first surfaced when he spoke to school president Jonathan Levin about a month ago. According to Luck, Levin suggested, “Why don’t you run football, Andrew?” “Andrew Luck exemplifies the Stanford student-athlete,” Levin said in a statement Saturday. “I’m excited he’s returning to campus to help lead our football program and ensure that our student-athletes achieve excellence in the changing collegiate athletics environment.” Luck most recently served as quarterbacks coach at Palo Alto High School, which is across the street from Stanford Stadium, and began working on his Master’s degree at Stanford in 2022. This month, Luck was among the Stanford dignitaries who attended the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony at SAP Center as the class included the late real estate developer and philanthropist John Arrillaga, a mega-donor for Cardinal athletics. “Besides my folks and the friends and extended family I grew up with, Stanford, this is home for my wife and I,” Luck told ESPN. “I’m profoundly influenced by Jim Harbaugh, David Shaw, Pep Hamilton and all the coaches and professors that I’ve ever had.” Luck was the runner-up in Heisman Trophy voting in 2010 and 2011. “Andrew’s credentials as a student-athlete speak for themselves, and in addition to his legacy of excellence, he also brings a deep understanding of the college football landscape and community, and an unparalleled passion for Stanford Football,” Stanford athletic director Bernard Muir said in a statement. “I could not think of a person better qualified to guide our football program through a continuously evolving landscape, and I am thrilled that Andrew has agreed to join our team. This change represents a very different way of operating our program and competing in an evolving college football landscape.” ©2024 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at mercurynews.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.South Korea's leader prompts dismay by briefly declaring martial law. Here's what to know

NoneNews: Optoelectronics 27 November 2024 Aeluma joins Optica as corporate member Aelum Inc of Goleta, CA, USA – which uses compound semiconductor materials on large-diameter substrates to develop technologies for mobile, automotive, AI, defense & aerospace, communication and quantum computing – has joined Optica, the global society dedicated to advancing optics and photonics worldwide. The corporate membership aligns Aeluma with a network of industry leaders in light science and technology. Aeluma’s CEO & director Dr Jonathan Klamkin has been appointed Industry Vice Chair of the 2025 Advanced Photonics Congress, a role within Optica’s Advanced Photonics Strategy Committee. He will assume the Chair position in 2026, driving new initiatives to increase industry engagement at Optica’s technical conferences. In addition, both Klamkin and board member Steven DenBaars Ph.D. were previously named Optica Fellows, underscoring their contributions and expertise in optics and photonics. Awarded to distinguished leaders in light science, the fellowship highlights Klamkin and DenBaars’ commitment to advancing photonics technology that meets the growing demands of critical markets. “Aeluma’s membership in Optica, combined with our leadership roles within the organization, highlights our dedication to advancing the semiconductor and photonic industries,” says Klamkin. “As we continue to expand our technology’s reach across high-growth markets, our collaboration with Optica reinforces our mission to drive scalable, high-performance semiconductor-based photonics solutions for next-generation mobile, automotive, AI, defense & aerospace, communication and quantum computing applications.” See related items: Aeluma wins NASA contract to advance quantum dot photonic integrated circuits for aerospace and AI Aeluma appoints Craig Ensley to board Tags: PICs Visit: www.optica.org Visit: www.aeluma.com

NoneThanksgiving Travel Latest: Airport strike, staff shortages and weather could impact holiday travel

The 39-year-old has been a breath of fresh air since succeeding Erik ten Hag, with his personality and approach, coupled with promising early performances, bringing hope back to Old Trafford. Amorim has been touched by his warm welcome but repeatedly urged fans to avoid jumping the gun, having followed a draw at Ipswich with home wins against Bodo/Glimt and Everton. Wednesday’s trip to Arsenal is comfortably his biggest challenge yet and victory would see United move within three points of the Premier League title contenders. Put to Amorim it will be hard to manage expectations if they won in the capital, the head coach said: “I would like to say different things, but I have to say it again: the storm will come. “I don’t know if you use that expression, but we are going to have difficult moments and we will be found out in some games. “And I know that because I’m knowing my players and I know football and I follow football, so I understand the difference between the teams. “We are in the point in that we are putting simple things in the team, without training, and you feel it in this game against Everton, they change a little bit the way they were building up. “They are very good team, and we were with a lot of problems because we cannot change it by calling one thing to the captain. A midweek trip to the capital awaits 🚆 #MUFC || #PL pic.twitter.com/1e6VrILJW3 — Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 3, 2024 “So, we don’t have this training, so let’s focus on each game, on the performance, what we have to improve, trying to win games. And that is the focus. “I know it’s really hard to be a Manchester United coach and say these things in press conferences. We want to win all the time. No matter what. “We are going to try to win, but we know that we are in a different point if you compare to Arsenal. “So, it is what it is and we will try to win it and we go with confidence to win, but we know that we need to play very well to win the next football match.” The trip to Arsenal is the second of nine December matches for United, who are looking to avoid suffering four straight league defeats to the Gunners for the first time. The Red Devils have not won a Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium since 2017, but Amorim knows a thing or two about frustrating Mikel Arteta’s men. Arsenal thrashed Sporting Lisbon 5-1 in the Champions League last week, but in 2022-23 he led the Portuguese side to a Europa League last-16 penalty triumph after a 1-1 draw in London made it 3-3 on aggregate. “Arsenal this year, they play a little bit different,” Amorim said. “They are more fluid. “For example, two years ago when we faced them with Sporting, you knew how to press because you can understand better the structure. “Now it’s more fluid with (Riccardo) Calafiori and (Jurrien) Timber in different sides. One coming inside, the other going outside. Also (Martin) Odegaard changed the team, and you can feel it during this season. “So, you can take something from that game, especially because I know so well the opponent so you can understand the weakness of that team. “But every game is different, so you take something, but you already know that you are going to face a very good team.” This hectic winter schedule means Amorim sidestepped talk of January transfer business ahead of facing Arsenal, although he was more forthcoming on Amad Diallo’s future. The 22-year-old, who put in a man of the match display in Sunday’s 4-0 win against Everton, is out of contract at the end of the season, although the club holds an option to extend by a year. Diallo has repeatedly spoken of his desire to stay at United and it has been reported an agreement is close. Amorim said: “I think he wants to stay, and we want him to stay. So that is clear and we will find a solution.”

Our Experts With 5+ years of mattress testing experience, we use our different sleeping position and body type perspectives to offer well-rounded, honest reviews. Score Breakdown Pros and Cons One of the biggest budget bed-in-a-box brands is Tuft & Needle. In a time when mattress shopping was largely done at brick-and-mortar locations, Tuft & Needle was one of the brands that brought the shopping experience online and offered affordable options that were convenient to make your home comfortable. The products can also be found at Target and Crate and Barrel. The Tuft & Needle Nod, exclusive to Amazon, is the epitome of affordable mattresses and will fit just about any budget. It's simple and doesn't come with any fancy bells and whistles, but that's all a part of its charm. If you want a comfortable, budget-friendly mattress that won't cost an arm and a leg, read our Tuft & Needle Nod mattress review to find out more. First impressions The original Tuft & Needle Nod is what you'd expect a basic mattress to look like. It does come with a cover, a feature that some low-budget mattresses go without. It's on the thinner side and made only with foam, so it doesn't have steel coils in the base to add extra support like the Tuft & Needle Nod Hybrid. I'd say this mattress is ideal for a dorm room, a kid's room or as a temporary option when you're in a bind and need a cheap mattress. It's comfortable and feels quality, but I don't see it lasting as long as the Tuft & Needle bed. I could see a lot of people liking its feel, though -- it's soft but it doesn't suck you into the bed like memory foam does. It's a lot more neutral and responsive to pressure, a plus for people who switch positions during the night. The Tuft & Needle Nod boasts an impressive 4.5 out of 5 on Amazon. Reviewers like that it's an affordable mattress with great motion isolation and no off-gassing, that unboxing is easy and it's comfortable. Some say this mattress may require a mattress topper to adjust to the preferred firmness level, however, and that it may not provide proper support for heavy people. Firmness Tuft & Needle did a good job giving this mattress a balanced feel that appeals to a wide range of sleeping positions. It has a medium firmness level (or a 5 out of 10, with 10 being the firmest). It's soft enough for side sleepers but firm enough for most back and stomach sleepers who need proper spinal support. It cradles your hips and shoulders and simultaneously keeps your lower back from sagging into the bed. Comfort A lot of online mattresses that come in a box are around 10 inches thick or more, but the Tuft & Needle Nod comes in two height options: either 6 or 8 inches tall. It's also only two layers: a bottom layer for support and density with comfort foam in the top layer. The two layers that make up Tuft & Needle Nod. Here's a breakdown of the 8-inch Tuft & Needle Nod mattress's layers: It's a simple, straightforward design -- like pretty much everything else about this mattress. Feel Some people dislike the restricting feel and resistance of memory foam, especially when trying to move positions. Luckily for those people, the Tuft & Needle Nod mattress doesn't feel like memory foam at all. Poly foam is a more responsive, lighter foam with better aeration and less density. It gives the comfort of memory foam without the "stuck" feeling, and it's a generally comfortable foam that most people end up liking. It's like cloud foam found in slide sandals; it molds to your body and provides pressure relief with ample support. Motion isolation Considering the fact this bed is all foam, I wasn't surprised to see that it was great at stopping movement across the mattress. It absorbs motion from your partner (or pet), so you won't bounce and jiggle every time they change positions or get up in the middle of the night. Edge support This is where the Tuft & Needle Nod mattress takes a back seat. It's thin and not great for support, so the edges aren't as sturdy as the Tuft & Needle Nod Hybrid or the regular Tuft & Needle mattress. If you share a mattress with a partner and you usually have to sleep near the very edge, you won't feel like you're falling off. Still, you probably aren't going to feel comfortably supported unless you're more petite. Temperature I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that the Tuft & Needle Nod mattress isn't going to actively cool you down. The good news is it's not going to heat you up, either. I think it's good at keeping most people's temperature neutral because it doesn't retain heat like a traditional memory-foam mattress. If sleeping hot is a problem for you, make sure to check out our best cooling mattress to get a more comfortable night's sleep. Who is this bed best for? When deciding whether or not a mattress is right for you, take your sleeping position and weight into consideration. Believe it or not, it matters. Side sleepers typically like medium to soft mattresses that provide pressure relief to the hips and joints, while back and stomach sleepers often sleep best on medium to firm beds that provide ample back support. Tuft & Needle Nod has a medium firmness level that appeals to each of these sleeping positions. Remember, though, the lighter you are, the firmer a mattress is going to feel, and vice versa. For example, if you're a petite side sleeper, you will probably want a softer mattress because this will feel more like a medium-firm. I recommend Tuft & Needle Nod to people under 230 pounds. It's only two layers and 8 inches thick, so it won't be very supportive or durable for a heavier individual. It also won't last as long as a mattress should, which is an important consideration when you're spending hundreds of dollars on something. People over 230 pounds should consider the Tuft & Needle Nod Hybrid bed. It's still a budget mattress but is made with steel coils in the foundation to provide a bit more support. Price Here's the main reason why you'd want to buy a Tuft & Needle Nod mattress: the attractive price tag. It's one of the most reputable low-cost mattresses on the market, so you can trust you're getting a quality mattress for cheap. It has over 3,000 reviews on Amazon and almost a five-star rating, so the proof is in the pudding. A queen size 8-inch Tuft & Needle Nod is about $499, almost $400 cheaper than the Original Tuft & Needle model. Tuft & Needle Nod Pricing Shipping, trial and warranty Even though you're buying from Amazon, you'll get the perks that Tuft & Needle offers its mattress-buying customers. You'll receive: Be forewarned, the mattress will have a new-car like smell when you first open it from the box. It happens with every bed-in-a-box mattress unless it's made with organic materials, and the smell goes away after a few days. You can sleep on it right away, but your Nod mattress will take around 48 hours for the bed to fully inflate. Final verdict Not everyone wants a big, fancy mattress with high-tech abilities or new cooling technology. Some just want a simple, affordable bed that'll help you sleep well at night, and that's exactly what the Tuft & Needle Nod offers. It's a safe pick for anyone on a tight budget. It's also a great starter mattress for your kid who outgrew their toddler bed because of its value and simple construction.Airports and highways are expected to be jam-packed during Thanksgiving week, a holiday period likely to end with another record day for air travel in the United States. AAA predicts that nearly 80 million Americans will venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday, most of them by car. However, travelers could be impacted by ongoing weather challenges and those flying to their destinations could be grounded by delays brought on by airline staffing shortages and an airport service workers strike . Here's the latest: U.S. airlines are preparing for a Thanksgiving holiday rush, and so are the U.S. Postal Service, United Parcel Service and FedEx. Shipping companies will deliver about 2.2 billion packages to homes and businesses across the U.S. from Thanksgiving to Dec. 31, said Satish Jindel, a shipping and logistics expert and president of ShipMatrix. That’s down from 2.3 billion packages last year. Because the shopping period is a week shorter than in 2023, consumers are shopping further ahead of Black Friday and more purchases are taking place in physical stores, he said. The number of holiday package shipments grew 27% in 2020 and by more than 3% the following year during the pandemic. The numbers have been falling since then, with a projected decline of about 6% this holiday season. Looking to de-stress while waiting for your flight? Many airports have a fleet of therapy dogs — designated fidos and puppers that are eager to receive pets and snuggles from weary travelers. Rules and schedules vary from airport to airport, but the group AirportTherapyDogs uses online crowdsourcing to share the locations of therapy dogs across its various social media accounts. Today, Gracie, a toy Australian shepherd, and Budge, an English bulldog, wandered the concourses at Denver International Airport, and an American Staffordshire Terrier named Hugo greeted travelers at Punta Gorda Airport in Florida. Some airports even feature other therapy pals. San Francisco International Airport’s fleet of animals includes a Flemish Giant rabbit and a hypoallergenic pig. “We cannot live on the wages that we are being paid,” ABM cabin cleaner Priscilla Hoyle said at a rally earlier Monday. “I can honestly say it’s hard every single day with my children, working a full-time job but having to look my kids in the eyes and sit there and say, ‘I don’t know if we’re going to have a home today.’” Timothy Lowe II, a wheelchair attendant, said he has to figure out where to spend the night because he doesn’t make enough for a deposit on a home. “We just want to be able to have everything that’s a necessity paid for by the job that hired us to do a great job so they can make billions,” he said. ABM said it is “committed to addressing concerns swiftly” and that there are avenues for employees to communicate issues, including a national hotline and a “general open door policy for managers at our worksite.” Employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services cast ballots Friday to authorize the work stoppage at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a hub for American Airlines. They described living paycheck to paycheck while performing jobs that keep planes running on schedule. Most of them earn $12.50 to $19 an hour, union officials said. Rev. Glencie Rhedrick of Charlotte Clergy Coalition for Justice said those workers should make $22 to $25 an hour. The strike is expected to last 24 hours. Several hundred workers participated in the work stoppage. Forty-four fights have been canceled today and nearly 1,900 were delayed by midday on the East Coast, according to FlightAware . According to the organization’s cheekily named MiseryMap , San Francisco International Airport is having the most hiccups right now, with 53 delays and three cancellations between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. EST. While that might sound like a lot of delays, they might not be so bad compared to last Friday when the airport suffered 671 delays and 69 cancellations. In an apparent effort to reduce the headaches caused by airport line cutting, American Airlines has rolled out boarding technology that alerts gate agents with an audible sound if a passenger tries to scan a ticket ahead of their assigned group. This new software won’t accept a boarding pass before the group it’s assigned to is called, so customers who get to the gate prematurely will be asked to go back and wait their turn. As of Wednesday, the airline announced, the technology is now being used in more than 100 U.S. airports that American flies out of. The official expansion arrives after successful tests in three of these locations — Albuquerque International Sunport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Tucson International Airport. ▶ Read more about American Airlines’ new boarding technology Travel can be stressful in the best of times. Now add in the high-level anxiety that seems to be baked into every holiday season and it’s clear travelers could use some help calming frazzled nerves. Here are a few ways to make your holiday journey a little less stressful: 1. Make a checklist of what you need to do and what you need to bring 2. Carry your comfort with you — think noise-canceling headphones, cozy clothes, snacks and extra medication 3. Stay hydrated 4. Keep up to date on delays, gate changes and cancellations with your airline’s app ▶ Read more tips about staying grounded during holiday travel Thanksgiving Day takes place late this year, with the fourth Thursday of November falling on Nov. 28. That shortens the traditional shopping season and changes the rhythm of holiday travel. With more time before the holiday , people tend to spread out their outbound travel over more days, but everyone returns at the same time, said Andrew Watterson, the chief operating officer of Southwest Airlines . “A late Thanksgiving leads to a big crush at the end,” Watterson said. “The Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday after Thanksgiving are usually very busy with Thanksgiving this late.” Airlines did a relatively good job of handling holiday crowds last year, when the weather was mild in most of the country. Fewer than 400 U.S. flights were canceled during Thanksgiving week in 2023 — about one out of every 450 flights. So far in 2024, airlines have canceled about 1.3% of all flights. Drivers should know that Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons will be the worst times to travel by car, but it should be smooth sailing on freeways come Thanksgiving Day, according to transportation analytics company INRIX. On the return home, the best travel times for motorists are before 1 p.m. on Sunday, and before 8 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on Monday, the company said. In metropolitan areas like Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle and Washington, “traffic is expected to be more than double what it typically is on a normal day,” INRIX transportation analyst Bob Pishue said. Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Mike Whitaker said last week that he expects his agency to use special measures at some facilities to deal with an ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers. In the past, those facilities have included airports in New York City and Florida. “If we are short on staff, we will slow traffic as needed to keep the system safe,” Whitaker said. The FAA has long struggled with a shortage of controllers that airline officials expect will last for years, despite the agency’s lofty hiring goals. 5. Auto club and insurance company AAA predicts that nearly 80 million Americans will venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday. Most of them will travel by car. 6. Drivers should get a slight break on gas prices . The nationwide average price for gasoline was $3.06 a gallon on Sunday, down from $3.27 at this time last year. 7. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 18.3 million people at U.S. airports during the same seven-day stretch. That would be 6% more than during the corresponding days last year but fit a pattern set throughout 2024. 8. The TSA predicts that 3 million people will pass through airport security checkpoints on Sunday; more than that could break the record of 3.01 million set on the Sunday after the July Fourth holiday. Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be the next busiest air travel days of Thanksgiving week. ▶ Read more about Thanksgiving travel across the U.S. Workers who clean airplanes, remove trash and help with wheelchairs at Charlotte’s airport, one of the nation’s busiest, went on strike Monday to demand higher wages. The Service Employees International Union announced the strike in a statement early Monday, saying the workers would demand “an end to poverty wages and respect on the job during the holiday travel season.” The strike was expected to last 24 hours, said union spokesperson Sean Keady. Employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services cast ballots Friday to authorize the work stoppage at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a hub for American Airlines. The two companies contract with American, one of the world’s biggest carriers, to provide services such as cleaning airplane interiors, removing trash and escorting passengers in wheelchairs. ▶ Read more about the Charlotte airport workers’ strike Parts of the Midwest and East Coast can expect to see heavy rain into Thanksgiving, and there’s potential for snow in Northeastern states. A storm last week brought rain to New York and New Jersey, where wildfires have raged in recent weeks, and heavy snow to northeastern Pennsylvania. The precipitation was expected to help ease drought conditions after an exceptionally dry fall. Heavy snow fell in northeastern Pennsylvania, including the Pocono Mountains. Higher elevations reported up to 17 inches (43 centimeters), with lesser accumulations in valley cities including Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Around 35,000 customers in 10 counties were still without power, down from 80,000 a day ago. In the Catskills region of New York, nearly 10,000 people remained without power Sunday morning, two days after a storm dumped heavy snow on parts of the region. Precipitation in West Virginia helped put a dent in the state’s worst drought in at least two decades and boosted ski resorts as they prepare to open in the weeks ahead. ▶ Read more about Thanksgiving week weather forecasts Two people died in the Pacific Northwest after a rapidly intensifying “ bomb cyclone ” hit the West Coast last Tuesday, bringing fierce winds that toppled trees and power lines and damaged homes and cars. Hundreds of thousands lost electricity in Washington state before powerful gusts and record rains moved into Northern California. Forecasters said the risk of flooding and mudslides remained as the region will get more rain starting Sunday. But the latest storm won’t be as intense as last week’s atmospheric river , a long plume of moisture that forms over an ocean and flows over land. “However, there’s still threats, smaller threats, and not as significant in terms of magnitude, that are still going to exist across the West Coast for the next two or three days,” weather service forecaster Rich Otto said. As the rain moves east throughout the week, Otto said, there’s a potential for heavy snowfall at higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada, as well as portions of Utah and Colorado. California’s Mammoth Mountain, which received 2 feet (0.6 meters) of fresh snow in the recent storm, could get another 4 feet (1.2 meters) before the newest system clears out Wednesday, the resort said. Another round of wintry weather could complicate travel leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday, according to forecasts across the U.S., while California and Washington state continue to recover from storm damage and power outages. In California, where two people were found dead in floodwaters on Saturday, authorities braced for more rain while grappling with flooding and small landslides from a previous storm . Here’s a look at some of the regional forecasts: 9. Sierra Nevada: The National Weather Service office issued a winter storm warning through Tuesday, with heavy snow expected at higher elevations and wind gusts potentially reaching 55 mph (88 kph). Total snowfall of roughly 4 feet (1.2 meters) was forecast, with the heaviest accumulations expected Monday and Tuesday. 10. Midwest and Great Lakes: The Midwest and Great Lakes regions will see rain and snow Monday and the East Coast will be the most impacted on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, forecasters said. 11. East Coast: A low pressure system is forecast to bring rain to the Southeast early Thursday before heading to the Northeast. Areas from Boston to New York could see rain and breezy conditions, with snowfall possible in parts of northern New Hampshire, northern Maine and the Adirondacks. If the system tracks further inland, there could be less snow and more rain in the mountains, forecasters said. ▶ Read more about Thanksgiving week weather forecasts

Ruben Amorim issues storm warning after smooth start with Manchester UnitedAirports and highways are expected to be jam-packed during Thanksgiving week, a holiday period likely to end with another record day for air travel in the United States. AAA predicts that nearly 80 million Americans will venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday, most of them by car. However, travelers could be impacted by ongoing weather challenges and those flying to their destinations could be grounded by delays brought on by airline staffing shortages and an airport service workers strike . Here's the latest: U.S. airlines are preparing for a Thanksgiving holiday rush, and so are the U.S. Postal Service, United Parcel Service and FedEx. Shipping companies will deliver about 2.2 billion packages to homes and businesses across the U.S. from Thanksgiving to Dec. 31, said Satish Jindel, a shipping and logistics expert and president of ShipMatrix. That’s down from 2.3 billion packages last year. Because the shopping period is a week shorter than in 2023, consumers are shopping further ahead of Black Friday and more purchases are taking place in physical stores, he said. The number of holiday package shipments grew 27% in 2020 and by more than 3% the following year during the pandemic. The numbers have been falling since then, with a projected decline of about 6% this holiday season. Looking to de-stress while waiting for your flight? Many airports have a fleet of therapy dogs — designated fidos and puppers that are eager to receive pets and snuggles from weary travelers. Rules and schedules vary from airport to airport, but the group AirportTherapyDogs uses online crowdsourcing to share the locations of therapy dogs across its various social media accounts. Today, Gracie, a toy Australian shepherd, and Budge, an English bulldog, wandered the concourses at Denver International Airport, and an American Staffordshire Terrier named Hugo greeted travelers at Punta Gorda Airport in Florida. Some airports even feature other therapy pals. San Francisco International Airport’s fleet of animals includes a Flemish Giant rabbit and a hypoallergenic pig. “We cannot live on the wages that we are being paid,” ABM cabin cleaner Priscilla Hoyle said at a rally earlier Monday. “I can honestly say it’s hard every single day with my children, working a full-time job but having to look my kids in the eyes and sit there and say, ‘I don’t know if we’re going to have a home today.’” Timothy Lowe II, a wheelchair attendant, said he has to figure out where to spend the night because he doesn’t make enough for a deposit on a home. “We just want to be able to have everything that’s a necessity paid for by the job that hired us to do a great job so they can make billions,” he said. ABM said it is “committed to addressing concerns swiftly” and that there are avenues for employees to communicate issues, including a national hotline and a “general open door policy for managers at our worksite.” Employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services cast ballots Friday to authorize the work stoppage at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a hub for American Airlines. They described living paycheck to paycheck while performing jobs that keep planes running on schedule. Most of them earn $12.50 to $19 an hour, union officials said. Rev. Glencie Rhedrick of Charlotte Clergy Coalition for Justice said those workers should make $22 to $25 an hour. The strike is expected to last 24 hours. Several hundred workers participated in the work stoppage. Forty-four fights have been canceled today and nearly 1,900 were delayed by midday on the East Coast, according to FlightAware . According to the organization’s cheekily named MiseryMap , San Francisco International Airport is having the most hiccups right now, with 53 delays and three cancellations between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. EST. While that might sound like a lot of delays, they might not be so bad compared to last Friday when the airport suffered 671 delays and 69 cancellations. In an apparent effort to reduce the headaches caused by airport line cutting, American Airlines has rolled out boarding technology that alerts gate agents with an audible sound if a passenger tries to scan a ticket ahead of their assigned group. This new software won’t accept a boarding pass before the group it’s assigned to is called, so customers who get to the gate prematurely will be asked to go back and wait their turn. As of Wednesday, the airline announced, the technology is now being used in more than 100 U.S. airports that American flies out of. The official expansion arrives after successful tests in three of these locations — Albuquerque International Sunport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Tucson International Airport. ▶ Read more about American Airlines’ new boarding technology Travel can be stressful in the best of times. Now add in the high-level anxiety that seems to be baked into every holiday season and it’s clear travelers could use some help calming frazzled nerves. Here are a few ways to make your holiday journey a little less stressful: 1. Make a checklist of what you need to do and what you need to bring 2. Carry your comfort with you — think noise-canceling headphones, cozy clothes, snacks and extra medication 3. Stay hydrated 4. Keep up to date on delays, gate changes and cancellations with your airline’s app ▶ Read more tips about staying grounded during holiday travel Thanksgiving Day takes place late this year, with the fourth Thursday of November falling on Nov. 28. That shortens the traditional shopping season and changes the rhythm of holiday travel. With more time before the holiday , people tend to spread out their outbound travel over more days, but everyone returns at the same time, said Andrew Watterson, the chief operating officer of Southwest Airlines . “A late Thanksgiving leads to a big crush at the end,” Watterson said. “The Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday after Thanksgiving are usually very busy with Thanksgiving this late.” Airlines did a relatively good job of handling holiday crowds last year, when the weather was mild in most of the country. Fewer than 400 U.S. flights were canceled during Thanksgiving week in 2023 — about one out of every 450 flights. So far in 2024, airlines have canceled about 1.3% of all flights. Drivers should know that Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons will be the worst times to travel by car, but it should be smooth sailing on freeways come Thanksgiving Day, according to transportation analytics company INRIX. On the return home, the best travel times for motorists are before 1 p.m. on Sunday, and before 8 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on Monday, the company said. In metropolitan areas like Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle and Washington, “traffic is expected to be more than double what it typically is on a normal day,” INRIX transportation analyst Bob Pishue said. Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Mike Whitaker said last week that he expects his agency to use special measures at some facilities to deal with an ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers. In the past, those facilities have included airports in New York City and Florida. “If we are short on staff, we will slow traffic as needed to keep the system safe,” Whitaker said. The FAA has long struggled with a shortage of controllers that airline officials expect will last for years, despite the agency’s lofty hiring goals. 5. Auto club and insurance company AAA predicts that nearly 80 million Americans will venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday. Most of them will travel by car. 6. Drivers should get a slight break on gas prices . The nationwide average price for gasoline was $3.06 a gallon on Sunday, down from $3.27 at this time last year. 7. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 18.3 million people at U.S. airports during the same seven-day stretch. That would be 6% more than during the corresponding days last year but fit a pattern set throughout 2024. 8. The TSA predicts that 3 million people will pass through airport security checkpoints on Sunday; more than that could break the record of 3.01 million set on the Sunday after the July Fourth holiday. Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be the next busiest air travel days of Thanksgiving week. ▶ Read more about Thanksgiving travel across the U.S. Workers who clean airplanes, remove trash and help with wheelchairs at Charlotte’s airport, one of the nation’s busiest, went on strike Monday to demand higher wages. The Service Employees International Union announced the strike in a statement early Monday, saying the workers would demand “an end to poverty wages and respect on the job during the holiday travel season.” The strike was expected to last 24 hours, said union spokesperson Sean Keady. Employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services cast ballots Friday to authorize the work stoppage at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a hub for American Airlines. The two companies contract with American, one of the world’s biggest carriers, to provide services such as cleaning airplane interiors, removing trash and escorting passengers in wheelchairs. ▶ Read more about the Charlotte airport workers’ strike Parts of the Midwest and East Coast can expect to see heavy rain into Thanksgiving, and there’s potential for snow in Northeastern states. A storm last week brought rain to New York and New Jersey, where wildfires have raged in recent weeks, and heavy snow to northeastern Pennsylvania. The precipitation was expected to help ease drought conditions after an exceptionally dry fall. Heavy snow fell in northeastern Pennsylvania, including the Pocono Mountains. Higher elevations reported up to 17 inches (43 centimeters), with lesser accumulations in valley cities including Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Around 35,000 customers in 10 counties were still without power, down from 80,000 a day ago. In the Catskills region of New York, nearly 10,000 people remained without power Sunday morning, two days after a storm dumped heavy snow on parts of the region. Precipitation in West Virginia helped put a dent in the state’s worst drought in at least two decades and boosted ski resorts as they prepare to open in the weeks ahead. ▶ Read more about Thanksgiving week weather forecasts Two people died in the Pacific Northwest after a rapidly intensifying “ bomb cyclone ” hit the West Coast last Tuesday, bringing fierce winds that toppled trees and power lines and damaged homes and cars. Hundreds of thousands lost electricity in Washington state before powerful gusts and record rains moved into Northern California. Forecasters said the risk of flooding and mudslides remained as the region will get more rain starting Sunday. But the latest storm won’t be as intense as last week’s atmospheric river , a long plume of moisture that forms over an ocean and flows over land. “However, there’s still threats, smaller threats, and not as significant in terms of magnitude, that are still going to exist across the West Coast for the next two or three days,” weather service forecaster Rich Otto said. As the rain moves east throughout the week, Otto said, there’s a potential for heavy snowfall at higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada, as well as portions of Utah and Colorado. California’s Mammoth Mountain, which received 2 feet (0.6 meters) of fresh snow in the recent storm, could get another 4 feet (1.2 meters) before the newest system clears out Wednesday, the resort said. Another round of wintry weather could complicate travel leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday, according to forecasts across the U.S., while California and Washington state continue to recover from storm damage and power outages. In California, where two people were found dead in floodwaters on Saturday, authorities braced for more rain while grappling with flooding and small landslides from a previous storm . Here’s a look at some of the regional forecasts: 9. Sierra Nevada: The National Weather Service office issued a winter storm warning through Tuesday, with heavy snow expected at higher elevations and wind gusts potentially reaching 55 mph (88 kph). Total snowfall of roughly 4 feet (1.2 meters) was forecast, with the heaviest accumulations expected Monday and Tuesday. 10. Midwest and Great Lakes: The Midwest and Great Lakes regions will see rain and snow Monday and the East Coast will be the most impacted on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, forecasters said. 11. East Coast: A low pressure system is forecast to bring rain to the Southeast early Thursday before heading to the Northeast. Areas from Boston to New York could see rain and breezy conditions, with snowfall possible in parts of northern New Hampshire, northern Maine and the Adirondacks. If the system tracks further inland, there could be less snow and more rain in the mountains, forecasters said. ▶ Read more about Thanksgiving week weather forecasts

RJ Thompson scored 23 points -- including the go-ahead 3-pointer with 56 seconds left -- as Charleston Southern shocked host Miami 83-79 on Saturday afternoon. Miami entered the game as a 23.5-point favorite. Charleston (2-7) won its first game of the season away from home after losing its previous six road or neutral-court contests. The Buccaneers also got 21 points from Thompson Camara and 20 points and 11 rebounds from Taje' Kelly. Camara match his previous career point total. Miami (3-4), playing at home for the first time in two weeks, lost its fourth straight game. Brandon Johnson led Miami with 23 points and freshman Austin Swartz scored a career-high 15. Swartz entered the game averaging just 2.3 points For the first time this season, Miami was without Nijel Pack, who has a lower-body injury. Pack leads the team in scoring (15.2) and assists (4.7). With Pack out, five-star freshman Jalil Bethea made his first start and had six points. The game featured quite a contrast in coaches. Miami's Jim Larranaga, 75, has won 743 games in 41-plus seasons. Charleston Southern's Saah Nimley, 31, is in his full first season as a head coach. He was named interim coach in November 2023. In the first half, Miami raced to a 17-10 lead. However, Charleston Southern posted an 11-0 run to grab a 21-17 advantage. The Hurricanes lost control late in the first half as Miami's Johnson hit a 3-pointer and was hit with a technical foul for taunting. Later in the first half, Larranaga was also hit with a technical. By the end of the half, the Buccaneers led 45-37. Camara led Charleston Southern with 16 first-half points on 6-for-7 shooting, including 4-of-5 on 3-pointers. Johnson scored 12 for Miami in the opening half, all on 3-pointers. In the second half, Charleston Southern stretched its lead to 13. Miami rallied as the clock wound down. With 38 seconds left, Miami called a timeout while trailing 81-79. With 15 seconds left, Swartz missed a 3-pointer and the Buccaneers got the rebound. Daylen Berry made two free throws with 11 seconds left to ice the game. Up next, Miami will host No. 19 Arkansas on Tuesday night as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge. Charleston Southern will return home to face Tennessee-Martin on Tuesday night. --Field Level MediaCharleston Southern grabs late lead, stuns host MiamiRuben Amorim warned “the storm will come” eventually as Manchester United’s head coach tried to temper expectations ahead of the trip to Arsenal. The 39-year-old has been a breath of fresh air since succeeding Erik ten Hag, with his personality and approach, coupled with promising early performances, bringing hope back to Old Trafford. Amorim has been touched by his warm welcome but repeatedly urged fans to avoid jumping the gun, having followed a draw at Ipswich with home wins against Bodo/Glimt and Everton. Wednesday’s trip to Arsenal is comfortably his biggest challenge yet and victory would see United move within three points of the Premier League title contenders. Put to Amorim it will be hard to manage expectations if they won in the capital, the head coach said: “I would like to say different things, but I have to say it again: the storm will come. “I don’t know if you use that expression, but we are going to have difficult moments and we will be found out in some games. “And I know that because I’m knowing my players and I know football and I follow football, so I understand the difference between the teams. “We are in the point in that we are putting simple things in the team, without training, and you feel it in this game against Everton, they change a little bit the way they were building up. “They are very good team, and we were with a lot of problems because we cannot change it by calling one thing to the captain. A midweek trip to the capital awaits 🚆 #MUFC || #PL pic.twitter.com/1e6VrILJW3 — Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 3, 2024 “So, we don’t have this training, so let’s focus on each game, on the performance, what we have to improve, trying to win games. And that is the focus. “I know it’s really hard to be a Manchester United coach and say these things in press conferences. We want to win all the time. No matter what. “We are going to try to win, but we know that we are in a different point if you compare to Arsenal. “So, it is what it is and we will try to win it and we go with confidence to win, but we know that we need to play very well to win the next football match.” The trip to Arsenal is the second of nine December matches for United, who are looking to avoid suffering four straight league defeats to the Gunners for the first time. The Red Devils have not won a Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium since 2017, but Amorim knows a thing or two about frustrating Mikel Arteta’s men. Arsenal thrashed Sporting Lisbon 5-1 in the Champions League last week, but in 2022-23 he led the Portuguese side to a Europa League last-16 penalty triumph after a 1-1 draw in London made it 3-3 on aggregate. “Arsenal this year, they play a little bit different,” Amorim said. “They are more fluid. “For example, two years ago when we faced them with Sporting, you knew how to press because you can understand better the structure. “Now it’s more fluid with (Riccardo) Calafiori and (Jurrien) Timber in different sides. One coming inside, the other going outside. Also (Martin) Odegaard changed the team, and you can feel it during this season. “So, you can take something from that game, especially because I know so well the opponent so you can understand the weakness of that team. “But every game is different, so you take something, but you already know that you are going to face a very good team.” This hectic winter schedule means Amorim sidestepped talk of January transfer business ahead of facing Arsenal, although he was more forthcoming on Amad Diallo’s future. The 22-year-old, who put in a man of the match display in Sunday’s 4-0 win against Everton, is out of contract at the end of the season, although the club holds an option to extend by a year. Diallo has repeatedly spoken of his desire to stay at United and it has been reported an agreement is close. Amorim said: “I think he wants to stay, and we want him to stay. So that is clear and we will find a solution.”

LOS ANGELES , Nov. 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- There is still plenty of time to experience the Los Angeles Auto Show ® ! Open through Sunday, Dec. 1 , including Thanksgiving Day ( Nov. 28 ), visitors of all ages can enjoy special exhibits, major attractions, hundreds of new cars on display, and a thrilling range of test ride and drive opportunities at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Car enthusiasts and shoppers are invited to touch, feel and experience all new car, SUV and truck models, spanning gas, hybrid, and electric options, all in one location from 30 premium brands including Acura, Alfa Romeo, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, Genesis, GMC, Honda, Hummer, Hyundai, INEOS, Jeep, Kia, Lucid, Nissan, Polestar, Porsche DTLA, RAM, Rivian, Subaru, Tesla, Toyota, VinFast, Volkswagen and Volvo. Test drives and rides are the best ways to test out the latest models in a safe and stress-free environment. This year's LA Auto Show offers several indoor and outdoor test track experiences across the LA Convention Center. Included in a ticket purchase: This year's LA Auto Show offers car enthusiasts of all ages and levels of interest an experience they will never forget with the following activations: And so much more with food trucks on weekends, plenty of activities for kids and families, celebrity and sports autograph signings, luxury ride-ons, hard-to-find collectibles and something new around every corner. The Los Angeles Auto Show is open through Sunday, Dec. 1 including Thanksgiving Day. Operating hours are: Wednesday, Nov. 27 , 11AM to 7PM ; Thursday, Nov. 28 , 9AM to 4PM ; Friday, Nov. 29 - Saturday, Nov. 30 , 9AM to 10PM ; and Sunday, Dec. 1, 9AM to 6PM . Tickets Tickets for the Los Angeles Auto Show are on sale now and can be purchased online at laautoshow.com/tickets with a credit card or bank card. Stay up to date with the latest show news, updates, and information, follow the LA Auto Show on X , Facebook , Instagram , or LinkedIn and sign up for alerts at laautoshow.com . About the Los Angeles Auto Show & AutoMobility LA Founded in 1907, the Los Angeles Auto ShowTM is recognized as one of the world's most influential automotive events. The show celebrates the enduring love that Angelenos have for their cars and offers a global platform for industry debuts, technology, and innovation. Doors are open to the public Nov. 22 – Dec. 1 and the show runs for 10 full days, including Thanksgiving Day. It is a must-attend event for prospective car buyers, industry executives, influencers, car enthusiasts, and for families wanting to enjoy an unforgettable day out during the holiday season. Held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the LA Auto Show contributes several hundred million dollars to the city's economy, stimulates the local job market, and is the number one revenue generator for the Center. On Nov. 21 , AutoMobility LA 2024 , the show's media and industry day, included a range of groundbreaking debuts and announcements, and a conference program featuring the leading minds in automotive and technology. These experts explored the most pressing industry issues in a series of presentations and panel discussions from AutoMobility LA's main stage. Media Contacts Kat Kirsch kat@katkirsch.com Tania Weinkle tania@taniaweinkle.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/all-roads-lead-to-2024s-los-angeles-auto-show-offering-unmatched-guest-experiences-vehicle-debuts-and-special-exhibits-for-attendees-of-all-ages-302317764.html SOURCE Los Angeles Auto ShowNone

11 super game apk

( ), a titan in the automotive parts industry, has seen a mix of ups and downs lately, but its story is far from over. As of writing, the stock is hovering around $62.64, a modest gain of 0.43% on the day, though still down significantly from its 52-week high of $79.98 set earlier this year. This puts Magna stock at an interesting crossroads. So, what can investors expect? Recent performance Magna stock has been weighed down by broader market uncertainty and industry challenges. Yet, it remains a giant with all the tools needed to stage a strong comeback. In its third-quarter earnings, Magna stock announced sales of $10.3 billion, a 4% year-over-year decline that admittedly raised some eyebrows. The company’s adjusted earnings per share of $1.28 fell short of analyst expectations of $1.40, and Magna lowered its full-year sales guidance slightly, now expecting revenue between $42.2 billion and $43.2 billion. The tempered outlook reflects ongoing headwinds like slowing vehicle production in certain markets and higher input costs. Yet, beneath the surface, Magna’s resilience shines through. Historically, Magna stock has been a powerhouse. Over the past five years, it remained a fixture on the Fortune Global 500 list, an accolade that speaks volumes about its global scale and influence. As one of the largest automotive suppliers in the world, Magna stock has its hands in nearly every corner of the car manufacturing process. From body exteriors to advanced driver-assistance systems. The company’s partnerships with major automakers solidified its position as an industry linchpin. Yes, the stock has struggled in recent months. Yet Magna stock has weathered storms before, and its track record suggests it knows how to navigate challenging terrain. What to watch Looking ahead, the future holds significant promise for Magna stock. The automotive industry is in the middle of a revolution driven by , advanced driver-assistance systems, and autonomous driving technologies. Magna stock has been investing heavily in cutting-edge technology, positioning itself as a leader in the future of mobility. Recent moves, like its acquisition of Veoneer’s Active Safety division, underscore this commitment. By strengthening its portfolio in safety and autonomous technologies, Magna stock aligns itself with where the industry is headed, not where it’s been. Financially, Magna stock is a fortress. With a market capitalization of around $17.9 billion at writing and a trailing price-to-earnings ratio of 11.69, the stock looks relatively undervalued compared to broader market benchmarks. What makes Magna stock particularly attractive to investors, though, is its dividend. The company currently offers a forward annual dividend yield of 4.27% at writing. This is not only generous but also sustainable, with a payout ratio hovering around 50%. For income-focused investors, Magna’s combination of reliable dividends and long-term potential makes it a particularly enticing option. While short-term volatility might scare some off, those with a long-term perspective can appreciate Magna stock’s solid financial footing. Plus, it has the ability to generate consistent cash flow even during challenging periods. Bottom line While recent earnings hiccups might cause some investors to feel hesitant, it’s important to view Magna stock in the context of the broader market and industry trends. The automotive sector as a whole has faced headwinds, including supply chain disruptions and rising costs. Yet those challenges are temporary. The underlying demand for vehicles, particularly electric and connected cars, is only growing. Magna stock’s ability to innovate and adapt puts it in a prime position to benefit from this demand as automakers increasingly rely on its expertise and technology. The next few years could see Magna emerge as an even bigger player in the global automotive supply chain. Ultimately, Magna International represents a blend of stability and future growth. Magna stock is an attractive pick for investors looking to ride the wave of automotive innovation while securing reliable income through dividends. Yes, the stock has had a rough patch, but its long-term prospects remain as strong as ever. In a world where the automotive industry is reinventing itself, Magna stock isn’t just keeping up. It’s leading the way. If you’re looking for a company with solid fundamentals, innovative leadership, and a clear vision for the future, buying Magna stock might just be the easiest decision you’ll make this year.O'Neil defends Wolves position - and takes another swipe at VAR

NASDAQ Expert Calls This Viral Altcoin “The Next Solana” After Surpassing 250,000 WalletsPrep girls basketball: Wolves nearly upset Fremont

Springworks Therapeutics COO sells $839,335 in stockTrump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise prices, won't rule out revenge prosecutions

Right-wing activist Laura Loomer has warned Donald Trump that he could be impeached if he allows tech billionaire Elon Musk to continue influencing future policy decisions, amid an online debate about visas for foreign workers. Loomer and other conservative commenters claimed on Thursday that they were stripped of their verification badges on X after they criticized Musk’s support of H-1B visas for highly skilled foreign workers. In an X post, Loomer wrote that there was a "full censorship of my account simply because I called out H-1B visas. This is anti-American behavior by tech oligarchs. What happened to free speech?" Vivek Ramaswamy called 'con man' after H1-B backlash as he fails to deflect Trump stays silent as MAGA implodes over Musk and Vivek's immigration stance In an interview with Steve Bannon, Loomer added that she believed Donald Trump ’s affiliation with Musk would threaten his second term in office. "If he [Musk] is a free speech absolutist, why was my account suspended? I lost my verification, my blue check because Elon Musk does not like what I said,” she said. Laura Loomer on her X suspension: "If he's a free speech absolutist, why was my account suspended? ... I am simply trying to warn the Trump administration about something that's going to blow up in their face, & it has the risk of potentially getting President Trump impeached" pic.twitter.com/jBhxc33KIN — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 27, 2024 “I am simply trying to warn the Trump administration about something that's going to blow up in their face, and it actually has the risk of potentially getting President Trump impeached in his second term if the Democrats take back the House and are successfully able to spin and create a narrative that Big Tech is trying to buy influence and enriching themselves in the Trump administration." The debate about H-1B visas began this week when Loomer criticized Trump’s selection of Sriram Krishnan as an adviser on artificial intelligence policy in his coming administration. Krishnan favors the ability to bring more skilled immigrants into the US. Loomer declared the stance to be “not America First policy,” adding that tech executives who have aligned themselves with Trump were doing so to enrich themselves. Musk weighed in on Wednesday, saying America had too few "talented" and "motivated" engineers and needed "to recruit top talent wherever they may be." "Loomer is trolling for attention. Ignore," Musk posted on X. Donald Trump hits back at claims Elon Musk is running the US WNBA star tells Elon Musk to 'go back to Africa' after Donald Trump failure Musk warned he's 'making enemies and will get hurt' if he doesn't quit politics The debate enraged MAGA supporters, with figures from the hard-right weighing in about the need to hire US workers. Technology companies say H-1B visas for skilled workers in the industry are critical for hard-to-fill positions. But critics have said they undercut American citizens who could take those jobs. Some on the right have called for the program to be eliminated. Trump has not yet weighed in on the debate.

WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has named billionaire investment banker Warren Stephens as his envoy to Britain, a prestigious posting for the Republican donor whose contributions this year included $2 million to a Trump-backing super PAC. Trump, in a post on his Truth Social site Monday evening, announced he was selecting Stephens to be the U.S. ambassador to the Court of Saint James. The Senate is required to confirm the choice. “Warren has always dreamed of serving the United States full time. I am thrilled that he will now have that opportunity as the top Diplomat, representing the U.S.A. to one of America’s most cherished and beloved Allies,” Trump said in in his post. Stephens is the chairman, president and CEO of Little Rock, Arkansas-based financial services firm Stephens Inc., having taken over the firm from his father. Trump has already named many of his nominees for his Cabinet and high-profile diplomatic posts, assembling a roster of staunch loyalists. Over the weekend, Trump announced he intends to nominate real estate developer Charles Kushner , father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, to serve as ambassador to France. During his first term, Trump selected Robert “Woody” Johnson, a contributor to his campaign and the owner of the New York Jets football team, as his representative to the United Kingdom.Put politics aside and act on online harms, mother of sextortion victim tells MPsWolf Carbon Solutions on Monday withdrew its petition with Iowa regulators for a carbon dioxide pipeline that would have stretched from Cedar Rapids to the state's eastern border. The company had proposed about 95 miles of pipe in four counties to transport captured carbon dioxide from two ethanol producers in Cedar Rapids and Clinton to Illinois, where it would be permanently stored underground. The southeast path is the preferred trunkline route. The northeast path is the preferred lateral route. Wolf withdrew its permit request in that state more than a year ago after an engineer for the Illinois Commerce Commission questioned whether the project qualified for approval, and state lawmakers later adopted a moratorium on new CO2 pipelines there. In Wolf's withdrawal letter to Iowa’s Public Utilities Commission, the company said a "number of factors" have delayed its project, but it did not specify what they are. An attorney for Wolf did not respond Monday to a request to comment for this article. "Wolf will make a determination concerning any required new filing with the commission once more certainty exists concerning its plans to proceed with the project," the letter said. The system was proposed to connect to two Archer Daniels Midland ethanol plants. ADM also did not respond to a request to comment. Wolf is the second company to abandon a permit request for a carbon dioxide pipeline system that includes Iowa. Navigator CO2 also sought to transport carbon dioxide from ethanol plants to Illinois for underground storage or other commercial purposes, but its project was much larger. It was proposed to span more than 1,300 miles in four states. Navigator said last year that the "unpredictable nature of the regulatory and government processes" led it to halt its project. "Against all odds, we’ve stopped the Navigator and Wolf carbon pipelines," said Jess Mazour of the Sierra Club of Iowa, which has organized opposition to the projects and has challenged them throughout their regulatory processes and in court. Opponents argue the pipelines are unsafe, should not be eligible for eminent domain authority and are meant to enrich wealthy investors with the help of federal tax credits. Proponents say the pipelines would reduce greenhouse gas emissions and sustain the ethanol industry as drivers shift to low-carbon fuels and electric vehicles. A third company, Summit Carbon Solutions, has obtained route permits in Iowa and North Dakota, where it plans to transport carbon dioxide from more than 50 ethanol plants for underground storage in North Dakota. Summit increased the size of its proposed five-state pipeline system this year by adding ethanol plants that previously had agreed to be part of Navigator's project. The plan now includes about 2,500 miles of pipe. None of it is in Illinois. Summit recently reapplied for a permit in South Dakota, which it needs to start construction in Iowa. The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission rejected Summit's first route. Its new permit request includes a modified route that the company says will reduce its effect on future development near Sioux Falls. Summit is asking the South Dakota commission to overrule county ordinances that restrict pipeline placement. Wolf began its permit process in Iowa in June 2022 and pledged not to use eminent domain to force landowners to host its project. The company noted in its Monday letter that it "has continued to build relationships with landowners and stakeholders," but it did not specify how many voluntary land easements it has obtained. Landowners in the path of a pipeline can sign agreements to allow a company to construct and operate on land it doesn’t own. If landowners refuse, a company that’s been granted eminent domain authority by regulators can seek eminent domain in exchange for compensation. The Iowa Utilities Commission approved the use of eminent domain for about a quarter of Summit's initial route. That approval is the subject of court challenges that might conclude next year. "Don't risk Iowans' land or Iowans' health over profits for a few companies," Brian Bowman, of Cedar Falls, wrote recently to the commission in an objection to the projects. "I firmly object to CO2 pipelines and eminent domain to accomplish (them)." The southeast path is the preferred trunkline route. The northeast path is the preferred lateral route. Attendees look over a map of the proposed Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, at the Adler Theater in Davenport. The proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that would connect ADM plants in Cedar Rapids and Clinton to an underground storage site in central Illinois slated to go through Clinton and Scott counties. David Schmunk, president of Wolf Carbon Solutions, speaks during a public information meeting on a proposed Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, at the Adler Theater in Davenport. The proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that would connect ADM plants in Cedar Rapids and Clinton to an underground storage site in central Illinois slated to go through Clinton and Scott counties. Nick Noppinger, senior vice president of corporate development at Wolf Carbon Solutions, speaks during a public information meeting on a proposed Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, at the Adler Theater in Davenport. The proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that would connect ADM plants in Cedar Rapids and Clinton to an underground storage site in central Illinois slated to go through Clinton and Scott counties. Jeff Cook, an attorney with the Iowa Office of Consumer Advocate, speaks during a public information meeting on a proposed Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline Wednesday at the Adler Theater in Davenport. Geri Huser, Iowa Utilities Board Chair, speaks during a public information meeting on a proposed Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, at the Adler Theater in Davenport. The proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that would connect ADM plants in Cedar Rapids and Clinton to an underground storage site in central Illinois slated to go through Clinton and Scott counties. David Schmunk, president of Wolf Carbon Solutions, speaks during a public information meeting on a proposed Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, at the Adler Theater in Davenport. The proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that would connect ADM plants in Cedar Rapids and Clinton to an underground storage site in central Illinois slated to go through Clinton and Scott counties. Nick Noppinger, senior vice president of corporate development at Wolf Carbon Solutions, speaks during a public information meeting on a proposed Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, at the Adler Theater in Davenport. The proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that would connect ADM plants in Cedar Rapids and Clinton to an underground storage site in central Illinois slated to go through Clinton and Scott counties. Scott County Supervisor Ken Croken asks a question during a public information meeting on a proposed Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline Wednesday at the Adler Theater in Davenport. The proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that would connect ADM plants in Cedar Rapids and Clinton to an underground storage site in central Illinois slated to go through Clinton and Scott counties. Gail Beech, an attorney with Iowa Utilities Board , speaks during a public information meeting on a proposed Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, at the Adler Theater in Davenport. The proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that would connect ADM plants in Cedar Rapids and Clinton to an underground storage site in central Illinois slated to go through Clinton and Scott counties. Inside the Adler Theater during a public information meeting on a proposed Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, in Davenport. The proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that would connect ADM plants in Cedar Rapids and Clinton to an underground storage site in central Illinois slated to go through Clinton and Scott counties. Gail Beech, an attorney with Iowa Utilities Board , speaks during a public information meeting on a proposed Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, at the Adler Theater in Davenport. The proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that would connect ADM plants in Cedar Rapids and Clinton to an underground storage site in central Illinois slated to go through Clinton and Scott counties. Geri Huser, Iowa Utilities Board Chair, speaks during a public information meeting on a proposed Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, at the Adler Theater in Davenport. The proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that would connect ADM plants in Cedar Rapids and Clinton to an underground storage site in central Illinois slated to go through Clinton and Scott counties. David Schmunk, president of Wolf Carbon Solutions, speaks during a public information meeting on a proposed Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, at the Adler Theater in Davenport. The proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that would connect ADM plants in Cedar Rapids and Clinton to an underground storage site in central Illinois slated to go through Clinton and Scott counties. David Schmunk, president of Wolf Carbon Solutions, speaks during a public information meeting on a proposed Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, at the Adler Theater in Davenport. The proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that would connect ADM plants in Cedar Rapids and Clinton to an underground storage site in central Illinois slated to go through Clinton and Scott counties. David Schmunk, president of Wolf Carbon Solutions, speaks during a public information meeting on a proposed Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, at the Adler Theater in Davenport. The proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that would connect ADM plants in Cedar Rapids and Clinton to an underground storage site in central Illinois slated to go through Clinton and Scott counties. Jeff Cook, an attorney with the Iowa Office of Consumer Advocate, speaks during a public information meeting on a proposed Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, at the Adler Theater in Davenport. The proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that would connect ADM plants in Cedar Rapids and Clinton to an underground storage site in central Illinois slated to go through Clinton and Scott counties. Nick Noppinger, senior vice president of corporate development at Wolf Carbon Solutions, speaks during a public information meeting on a proposed Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline, Wednesday at the Adler Theater in Davenport. The proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that would connect ADM plants in Cedar Rapids and Clinton to an underground storage site in central Illinois slated to go through Clinton and Scott counties. A map of the preliminary pipeline route is displayed during a public information meeting on a proposed Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, at the Adler Theater in Davenport. The proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that would connect ADM plants in Cedar Rapids and Clinton to an underground storage site in central Illinois slated to go through Clinton and Scott counties. David Schmunk, president of Wolf Carbon Solutions, speaks during a public information meeting on a proposed Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, at the Adler Theater in Davenport. The proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that would connect ADM plants in Cedar Rapids and Clinton to an underground storage site in central Illinois slated to go through Clinton and Scott counties. Geri Huser, Iowa Utilities Board Chair, speaks during a public information meeting on a proposed Wolf Carbon Solutions pipeline, Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022, at the Adler Theater in Davenport. The proposed carbon dioxide pipeline that would connect ADM plants in Cedar Rapids and Clinton to an underground storage site in central Illinois slated to go through Clinton and Scott counties. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

Percentages: FG .463, FT .632. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Here are the scores from the 16 games involving teams from Broward and Palm Beach counties in the second round of the high school football playoffs.

Mission schools should treat all students fairly – Aheto-TsegahINSURGENTS REACH GATES OF CAPITALThe Atlanta Falcons (6-6) visit a streaking Minnesota Vikings (10-2) team on Sunday, December 8, 2024 at U.S. Bank Stadium. The Vikings have won five games in a row. What channel is Vikings vs. Falcons on? What time is Vikings vs. Falcons? The Vikings and the Falcons play at 1 p.m. ET. NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more. Vikings vs. Falcons betting odds, lines, spread Vikings vs. Falcons recent matchups Vikings schedule Falcons schedule NFL week 14 schedule This content was created for Gannett using technology provided by Data Skrive.Global Audio Visual Hardware Market Set For 6.2% Growth, Reaching $7.53 Billion By 2028

Ghana On My MindThe Revival of Indigenous Languages and Cultures in a Digital WorldHundreds of millions of customers can't be wrong: Fast food is undeniably delicious while it's also convenient, served up fast, and an usually an inexpensive alternative to sit-down restaurant dining or cooking at home. But the main goal of fast food isn't necessarily to nourish its customers or provide an amazing culinary experience: It's to make as much money as possible. Major, internationally dominant fast food chains drive the $860 billion worldwide quick-serve economy. They'll do whatever they can and whatever it takes to outpace the intense competition or carve out a niche. Attracting customers is tough, and fast food restaurants can't rely on just good food, good service, and good prices to get people through the door or in the drive-through. Creative copywriting, inventive marketing, false advertising, serving phony food, psychological trickery, and underhanded pricing techniques are just of some the tools at their disposal. , such as tricking, cheating, and scamming their customers as a matter of course. Here are some of the most egregious, anti-customer sins ever committed by fast food restaurants. Long John Silver's lobster wasn't the lobster customers thought it was , but not if it's going to obscure the identity of its seafood. In 2005, the seafood-focused chain added what seemed like a luxury item to its menu of fried whitefish, clams, and shrimp: lobster. Synonymous with high-priced formal dining, it was suddenly for sale at Long John Silver's in the form of its Buttered Langostino Lobster Bites, purportedly made from "real langostino lobster." This was all a daring and not fully legal marketing move on the part of Long John Silver's. The Buttered Lobster Bites weren't made with any of the lobster with which consumers are familiar, and there's no such thing as a langostino lobster. is another name for an inches-long shellfish more closely related to the hermit crab than lobster, also known by its unappetizing English name: squat lobster. When Olympia Snowe, a U.S. senator from the lobster-producing state of Maine, found out about the langostino lobster gambit, she asked the Food and Drug Administration to halt sales, calling the product "an insult to Maine and to the lobster industry," per . The Federal Trade Commission stepped in, and Long John Silver's was forced to rebrand Lobster Bites as Buttered Langostino Lobster Bites in order to let customers know that they weren't quite eating lobster. Long John Silver's discontinued the item in 2010. Taco Bell's light taco was heavy on deception in the 2020s, but one item not likely to reappear at the Mexican-inspired fast food chain anytime soon: the Taco Light. An increasingly health conscious population and customer base was a legitimate threat to the bottom line of fast food companies. Various healthy eating trends in the 1970s and 1980s left the peddlers of fat-laden, cheese-covered meals to come up with ideas for how to lure in new, nutritionally-minded diners or keep the customers they had amidst the new trends. In 1983, Taco Bell went the opposite direction, creating a taco longer than its standard crunchy one, adding more calorically dense seasoned ground beef, and utilizing a slightly thinner shell. Taco Bell then marketed the menu item, named Taco Light, to customers seeking lighter fare. emphasized the technology and taste, as Taco Light was made with "a flaky flour tortilla that lets all the delicious flavors inside come bursting through." Very briefly, over a shot of lettuce and tomato, a disclaimer appears in tiny letters on the screen: "Not lower in calories." Its impact on Taco Bell sales was light; the product didn't last very long. A McDonald's miracle low-fat burger was partially made from seaweed In 1991, when the desire to eat "lite," low-calorie, and low-fat was all the rage, McDonald's, the biggest name in greasy fast food, debuted what purported to be an actually healthy hamburger. If it seemed too good to be true, it's because it was, as McDonald's literally filled in some holes with questionable materials in order to make its promise technically true. McDonald's promised that the McLean Deluxe would be just as tasty as its other, full-fat burgers, even the Quarter Pounder that it visually resembled. Along with lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, and ketchup on a bun, the sandwich featured a beef patty that was 91% fat-free. With 10 grams of fat, the McLean Deluxe contained only about a third of what could be found in a Quarter Pounder with Cheese. So how did McDonald's concoct such a low-fat item? Its suppliers removed a significant portion of fat and then bolstered the weakened protein with water and a seaweed derivative that worked as a binder. The McLean Deluxe didn't exactly taste like seaweed, but it didn't exactly taste like a normal McDonald's burger, either. It faded off the menu by 1996. Subway sold chicken and tuna subs that weren't totally made with chicken and tuna Among an array of freshly sliced meats, Subway shops in the United States offer multiple kinds of chicken — heavily sauced and chopped stuff used for the Sweet Onion Teriyaki, and an Oven Roasted Chicken patty. Subway was somewhat misleading with those names, because according to an investigation, those sandwich fillers were only about half poultry. Reporters from "Marketplace," a Canadian news show from the CBC, submitted samples of both chicken products for multiple rounds of DNA testing, and researchers determined that the Sweet Onion Teriyaki chicken strips were just 42.8% chicken, and Oven Roasted Chicken patty was 53.6% chicken. Not counting trace amounts of seasonings, preservatives, and fillers, the rest of the poultry was really soy, along with more than 10 times as much salt as one would find in chicken purchased at a supermarket. Another Subway luncheon meat alternative also wasn't what the chain said it was. In 2021, two California residents filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court alleging that Subway committed fraud and intentional misrepresentation by selling a surreptitiously tuna-free concoction as tuna. The plaintiffs ordered laboratory testing of tuna filling obtained from several Subway outlets, and the results indicated that the product was made from various proteins and other foods, none of which were tuna. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2023, while Subway added a "Tuna Facts" page to its website, attesting to the authenticity of its seafood. McDonald's left the value out of its Extra Value Meals The modern fast food combo meal — generally consisting of a sandwich, fries, and a soft drink — was introduced by McDonald's in the early 1990s. Instituted partially at the behest of Coca-Cola, which wanted to sell more of its products at McDonald's, a manager named Alan Dimayuga suggested bundling otherwise individually ordered burgers, french fries, and soda, giving each a number that could become shorthand for regular customers. McDonald's made it a national program, and initially kept the price of each "Extra Value Meal" about 15 cents less than what it would cost if the three meal parts were ordered separately. However, that stipulation faded with time. In 2016, Illinois resident James Gertie sued a local multi-unit McDonald's franchisee for false advertising. Customers who purchased the two-cheeseburger Extra Value Meal at Karis Management Company-run McDonald's paid 41 cents more for the combo than if they'd individually purchased the two sandwiches, fries, and soda. Two years later, more McDonald's customers filed an Extra Value Meal lawsuit — a two sausage burritos, hash browns, and coffee meal sold on the breakfast menu was over-priced by 11 cents more than its constituent items at Chicago-area McDonald's. That case was dismissed. Dunkin' used cheap ingredients instead of the nice ones as advertised As terms, "butter" and "margarine" are often used somewhat interchangeably; in the real world, they're quite different. Butter is made from churned cream, a natural product more expensive than margarine, a factory-made imitation butter created from processed vegetable oil. Butter is viewed in a more favorable light, and that's partly why Dunkin', formerly known as Dunkin' Donuts, experienced legal fallout when it presented itself as a restaurant chain that used real butter when it really served margarine. Two lawsuits filed in Massachusetts accused about 20 franchised Dunkin' Donuts of buttering its bagels with margarine, even when it said it used butter and when customers requested real butter be used. The switch-outs all took place between June 2012 and June 2016. Around the time its lawyers were busy with the faux-butter case, Dunkin' Donuts was sued again, this time in a New York City federal court by a local who alleged "false, deceptive, and misleading" practices, per , in how the chain advertised Angus Steak-based breakfast sandwiches but served cheaper, lower quality ground beef on the items instead. And later in 2017, a Chicago Dunkin' customer filed another lawsuit, a class action matter that took issue without how the company's purportedly blueberry doughnuts and some pastries were completely devoid of any true berries. At the time, Dunkin' products were flecked with imitation blueberries, or "flavored crystals" made from blue dye and two kinds of sugar. At Subway, a foot didn't mean 12 inches In 2013, Matt Corby of Perth, Australia bought a foot-long sandwich from Subway. Sensing that it didn't quite measure up to its stated, implied length of a foot, or 12 inches, the customer measured the sandwich and discovered it was an 11-inch-long sub. He griped about it on Facebook, and a photo of the sandwich next to measuring tape confirming its undersized length went viral. Responding to the negative attention, and the notion that it was lying to its many customers and had been for years, Subway explained that its foot-long subs didn't necessarily have to be a foot long. "The length of the bread baked in the restaurant cannot be assured each and every time as the proofing process may vary slightly each time in the restaurant," a representative of the company wrote on the Subway Australia Facebook page, (via ). And furthermore, Subway claimed, "Footlong" was a registered trademark used to describe its general large sandwiches and to not make any promises about its specific size. In the U.S., a team of lawyers put together a class action lawsuit accusing Subway of deception. A judge tossed the case out of court in 2017. Chipotle lied by omission about its nutrition facts Made mostly from heavily spiced pork fat, the traditionally Spanish called chorizo is categorically not a food that is low in calories. And yet when to the list of protein choices customers could order in their burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, and salads in 2016, the Mexican-inspired chain's menu board noted that it contained just 300 calories. This presentation made it seem like any Chipotle entrée with chorizo as its foundation would provide a mere 300 calories — patently false, and the focal point of a lawsuit. Three men filed a case in Los Angeles County Superior Court after eating chorizo burritos at three separate Chipotle outlets in California. All felt way too full after consuming what they were led to believe was just 300 calories — they'd really eaten much more. Deep in Chipotle's nutrition information on its website, the company noted that those 300 calories were just for the chorizo; a nutrition calculator showed that a burrito made with the sausage, rice, black beans, salsa, and cheese in a tortilla came in at 1,055 calories. "Consumers are lulled into a false belief that the items are healthier than they really are, and thereby encouraging repeat patronage by consumers who are concerned about the nutritional values of the food they eat," the lawsuit alleged, (via the ). Burger King's ads for a chicken sandwich were blatantly false In 2010, Burger King added a chicken sandwich to its U.K. menu, the Tendercrisp. Television commercials indicated that the chicken burger (as they're known in England) was a very large product, with a male actor barely able to wrap his hands around the giant sandwich. The advertisement did what it was supposed to — drive traffic to Burger King and increase orders for the Tendercrisp. But when some customers actually got the Tendercrisp into their own hands, they were disappointed by the relatively small stature of the product. Two Burger King patrons reported the commercial to the Advertising Standards Authority, a U.K. fair trade commission and commercial watchdog. Agents investigated by purchasing three Tendercrisp sandwiches and agreed that the real-life product didn't resemble the one depicted on T.V. at all. Ruling that their Tendercrisps's height and width didn't compare favorably than the ones seen on TV, the Advertising Standards Authority ordered Burger King to stop airing the ad. "We concluded that the visuals in the advert were likely to mislead viewers as to the size and composition of the product," the ASA said in a statement, (via ). A roundup on how Chipotle kept rounding up , like the time it essentially instituted a price hike without telling customers. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the United States briefly weathered a coin shortage — to limit the spread of germs via physical contact, countless merchants stopped accepting (and customers limited their use of) hard metal money. Responding to the lack of coinage in its own way, Mexican-inspired chain Chipotle attempted to make change less of an issue. It simply rounded up its prices and totaled tabs to the next dollar; that way, customers wouldn't have to look in their pockets or purses for coins, and Chipotle wouldn't have to touch as many nickels, dimes, quarters, and pennies. Evidence of this plan led to a customer-filed lawsuit against Chipotle. "It has become very clear that this is a top-down directive form the corporation, this is how they should handle this situation," representing attorney Frank Salpietro told , adding that the practice unfairly targeted and overcharged customers who used cash rather than a debit or credit card. This wasn't the first time that Chipotle tried out the scheme. In 2012, Chipotle restaurants in New York and New Jersey were caught rounding up prices to the next 25-cent mark. How McDonald's skimps on the fries , and it may attempt to provide paying customers with as few of them as possible. It's a relatable, near-universal experience: You open your bag from McDonald's and pull out the small packet or larger box of french fries, and they inevitably seem under-filled or just scant in some way. It turns out, our eyes do not deceive us, as McDonald's may train its employees to purposely under-load french fry containers. A post from a 2017 Reddit thread called "What did your job want to hide from customers" from a former McDonald's employee went viral for seemingly confirming the theory. "I worked at McDonald's and they taught me how to punch the fry carton just right while putting the fries into them so that it looked full, but actually wasn't," the . "I only had one customer call me out on it." Other former McDonald's workers weighed in with their experience, corroborating the first account. When asked to comment on the exposé, McDonald's spokesperson Terri Hickey denied that the fast food giant ever did anything wrong. "The notion of a secret trick is absolutely false. There are strict procedures in place to ensure that fry boxes and bags are appropriately filled," Hickey told . RecommendedJohn R Schindler

Milan's Via MonteNapoleone usurps New York's Fifth Avenue as world's most upscale shopping streetAfter drubbing, San Jose Sharks look for response in South Florida

Fine Gael row erupts in Wexford amid claim of ‘old boys’ club’ favouring one candidateMitchell scores 32, Idaho defeats Pacific 95-72

Techie duped of Rs 1.2cr in online trading scamBy Jamie McGeever (Reuters) – A look at the day ahead in Asian markets. India’s central bank interest rate decision grabs the spotlight in Asia on Friday, as investors digest yet another record high for the Nasdaq and adjust positions ahead of the weekend. The U.S. employment report for November later in the day is released after Asia closes, so investors across the continent may be inclined to square positions as best they can in preparation for Monday. The main event in Asia on Friday is in India. The Reserve Bank of India is overwhelmingly expected to hold its key repo rate at 6.50%, after a sharp rise in inflation past the RBI’s 6% tolerance ceiling in October prompted many economists to push back their forecasts for the first cut to early next year. With the rupee at record lows against the dollar, standing pat makes sense. But economists at Nomura, one of the five out of 67 houses in the Reuters poll predicting a rate cut, argue that weakening growth dynamics must be taken into account now. Although the rupee has never been weaker, benchmark bond yields are at their lowest in almost four years, Indian stocks are lagging many of their regional peers, and the economy is growing at its slowest pace in nearly two years. Maybe the RBI should start the easing cycle sooner rather than later? Investors go into the final trading session of the week against a relatively calm global backdrop, all things considered. Any market impact from the political ructions in South Korea and France appears to be fading and contained, and the dollar’s dip on Thursday will be welcomed too. The dollar fell 0.5% on Thursday. It’s probably too early to read anything too deeply into it, but that was its third down day in a row, a losing streak not seen since September. It will take more than that – perhaps a return to the September lows, around 5% below current levels – to really call into question the dollar’s resilience, but could fatigue be setting in? Fatigue is something the U.S. economy doesn’t seem to be showing any signs of yet. The Atlanta Fed on Thursday raised its GDPNow model estimate for Q4 growth to a remarkable 3.3%. As investors fret about growth in Europe, China and many other key economies around the world, America appears to be the exception that continues to prove the rule. This is a double-edged sword for Asia. On the one hand it’s clearly good news as booming U.S. markets should lift all others. But if it lifts the dollar and Treasury yields, then global financial conditions tighten and capital is sucked towards the US. Indeed, net selling of Asian equities by foreigners in November was the highest since June 2022. Here are key developments that could provide more direction to markets on Friday: – India rate decision – Japan household spending (October) – South Korea current account (October) (Reporting by Jamie McGeever; Editing by Deepa Babington) Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content. var ytflag = 0;var myListener = function() {document.removeEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);lazyloadmyframes();};document.addEventListener('mousemove', myListener, false);window.addEventListener('scroll', function() {if (ytflag == 0) {lazyloadmyframes();ytflag = 1;}});function lazyloadmyframes() {var ytv = document.getElementsByClassName("klazyiframe");for (var i = 0; i < ytv.length; i++) {ytv[i].src = ytv[i].getAttribute('data-src');}} Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() );

MILAN — Shoppers laden with bags from Fendi, Loewe, Prada and other designer labels clog the narrow sidewalks of Milan's swankiest shopping street, bringing joy to the purveyors of high-end luxury goods this, and every, holiday season. There's even more to celebrate this year: a commercial real estate company crowned Via MonteNapoleone as the world's most expensive retail destination, displacing New York's Fifth Avenue. The latest version of American firm Cushman & Wakefield's annual global index, which ranks shopping areas based on the rent prices they command, is a sign of Via MonteNapoleone's desirability as an address for luxury ready-to-wear, jewelry and even pastry brands. A man walks past a shop Dec. 12 in Monte Napoleone street in Milan, Italy. The average rent on the Milan street surged to $2,047 per square foot, compared with $2,000 per square foot on an 11-block stretch of upper Fifth Avenue. Via MonteNapoleone's small size — less than a quarter-mile long — and walking distance to services and top cultural sites are among the street's key advantages, according to Guglielmo Miani, president of the MonteNapoleone District association. "Not everything can fit, which is a benefit," since the limited space makes the street even more exclusive and dynamic, said Miani, whose group also represents businesses on the intersecting side streets that together with Via MonteNapoleone form an area known as Milan's Fashion Quadrilateral. Women look a shop Dec. 12 in Monte Napoleone street in Milan, Italy. The biggest brands on the street make 50 million euros to 100 million euros in annual sales, Miani said, which goes a long way to paying the rent. Tiffany & Co. is preparing to take up residence on Via Montenapoleone, and longtime tenant Fendi is expanding. The MonteNapoleone District says 11 million people visited the area this year through November, but there's no way to say how many were big spenders vs. window shoppers. The average shopper on Via MonteNapoleone spent 2,500 euros per purchase between August and November — the highest average receipt in the world, according to the tax-free shopping firm Global Blue. The street is a magnet for holiday shoppers who arrive in Maseratis, Porsches and even Ferraris, the sports car's limited trunk space notwithstanding. A mannequin is seen Dec. 12 in a shop in Monte Napoleone street in Milan, Italy. Lights twinkle overhead, boutique windows feature mannequins engaged in warm scenes of holiday fun, and passersby snap photos of expertly decorated cakes in pastry shop displays. A visitor from China, Chen Xinghan, waited for a taxi with a half-dozen shopping bags lined up next to him on the sidewalk. He said he paid half the price for a luxury Fendi coat that he purchased in Milan than he would have at home. "I got a lot," Chen acknowledged. "It's a fantastic place, a good place for shopping." A man waits for a taxi Dec. 12 in Monte Napoleon street in Milan, Italy. A few store windows down, Franca Da Rold, who was visiting Milan from Belluno, an Italian city in the Dolomites mountain range, marveled at a chunky, yardslong knit scarf priced at 980 euros. "I could knit that in one hour, using 12-gauge knitting needles as thick as my fingers, and thick wool. Maximum two hours," Da Rold said, but acknowledged the brand appeal. Buildings are decorated Dec. 12 in Monte Napoleone street in Milan, Italy. Despite upper Fifth Avenue getting bumped to the No. 2 spot on the Cushman & Wakefield list, the organization that serves as the Manhattan street's guardian and chief promoter had praise for MonteNapoleone's achievement. "Milan's investment in its public realm is paying off, which is a win for their shoppers, businesses and city as a whole," said Madelyn Wils, interim president of the Fifth Avenue Association. She also expressed confidence that with new investments and a record year for sales on Fifth Avenue, "we'll be back on top in no time." The holiday season feels a little less jolly considering the amount of waste generated by gift-giving. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates the amount of household garbage in the U.S. increases by 25% between Thanksgiving and New Year's. After the decorations come down, all that waste heads to landfills, producing a significant contributor to climate change: methane gas. "Greening" the holidays is essential, and one simple tip is to think more about how sustainable the materials are in your decorations, decor, and, of course, gifts. Instead of plastics, you could opt for items that can be reused, are made of renewable materials or natural fibers that boast a smaller environmental impact in both production and durability. Due to consumers' desires for more eco-friendly goods, sustainable materials are among the biggest trends in home decor. Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable—and earth-conscious—home goods that make perfect holiday gifts. Made Trade rounded up a list of sustainable home decor trends in 2025 that offer dozens of creative options for holiday gift-giving. Each trend includes examples of great gifts for the home and advice for ensuring items are sustainably produced or can help create a more eco-friendly space. In the depths of winter's gray days, it's a real gift to see a little green, which is why indoor gardening gifts are a wonderful idea. Not only are they eco-friendly and promote sustainability—the more food you can grow yourself, the less you have to buy—they also foster an appreciation of nature and bring the natural world indoors to enjoy. Sprouting kits and microgreens require minimal amounts of space and sunlight, but a sunny, south-facing window will permit a small herb garden or leafy greens for salads. If you're not sure what kind of light your recipient has access to, go with gifting indoor grow lamps along with the plants, or pick a hardy, low-water houseplant—some can act as natural air purifiers too. When buying gifts for the home, consider what materials the items are made from and how far away they come from—not only are natural materials like rattan, jute, palm leaves, clay, organic cotton and linen, and ceramics more sustainable, but if they are being used by a local craftsperson, gifters are also saving on fossil fuels for the transportation. Plus, you're helping the local economy by supporting local craftspeople, so it's a win-win. Natural fiber pillows, sheets, blankets, and even doormats offer comfort and consideration of the environment. The most sustainable and eco-friendly gift is one you already have, so get creative about reusing materials already in or around your home (raid the recycling bin, find nice pieces of wood outside, wash out and reuse glass jars) to fashion them into new, thoughtful goods. Similarly, think vintage and secondhand—what items can you give a second life to by passing them along to someone who will find new meaning in them? Some of the most thoughtful gifts are small heirlooms—pieces of jewelry or a beloved ceramic dish—passed along to the next generation that will appreciate them. Green technology offers ways to reduce our carbon footprint in everyday life, and smart thermostats, solar lights, smart sprinklers, and smart plugs all make great gifts, saving people money and conserving our valuable resources. For those looking into home renovations or updating decor, try a new light fixture paired with smart blubs, or a new window treatment with smart shades. Even something as simple as a rain barrel can reduce energy use—and while the technology for that isn't very sophisticated, it certainly is, like composting, "smart." Integrated outdoor living is the ultimate gift, allowing us to bring the natural world into our homes. However, doing so sustainably takes a little more effort than simply leaving the doors to the deck open all the time. First, find eco-friendly and sustainable outdoor furniture, perhaps thrifting it or buying it used and fixing it up for a one-of-a-kind gift. If you can't go secondhand, choose furniture made of sustainable materials such as reclaimed wood, recycled plastic (great for outdoor rugs), or bamboo. For smaller gifts, consider solar lights, a water feature that recycles water, a rain barrel, or even a set of handmade wind chimes made from seashells. Story editing by Carren Jao. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller. This story originally appeared on Made Trade and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.

Photo: RNZ By Farah Hancock of RNZ More than half the government's key targets are behind track or at risk of not being met, the latest progress update shows. The number of people on the Jobseeker benefit has increased especially significantly, while a recent change to how school students' mathematics progress is measured has placed the academic achievement target at risk. RNZ has launched a series of graphics that track progress towards each of the nine targets, based on official data provided by the government agencies being measured. The graphics will be updated each quarter, with the most recent progress report covering July to September 2024. While the educational achievement and Jobseeker targets are classified as 'at risk', three other health and crime targets are considered 'feasible' - meaning they are still possible but are behind schedule and face "major risks and/or issues''. In other areas, including reducing the number of people in emergency housing and near-term greenhouse gas emissions, targets were either 'on track' or 'probable'. Photo: RNZ The nine targets were selected to focus the public sector on achieving better results in health, education, law and order, work, housing and the environment. Progress is reported quarterly, and each responsible agency assigns a status, ranging from on track to unachievable. Progress toward reaching a target can still be classed as feasible, even if there are major risks or issues in meeting it, as long as the agency in charge believes these can be resolved. In September, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon snapped at a reporter during questioning about crime rates and the national gang list, saying: "It's not about the frickin' targets, it's actually about the outcomes." The nine targets are set to be delivered by 2030, beyond the current political term. This is the second quarterly update the government has issued - so how has progress come along since the previous report? Health Photo: RNZ Achieving the goal for 95 percent of patients to be admitted, discharged or transferred from an emergency department is still some way off. The latest period of reporting shows only 71.2 percent of patients were seen within that timeframe. This is a slight increase from the last quarter when 70 percent of patients were seen in that timeframe. When setting this target, officials warned there was a risk it would not be achievable in the short term. "Most ED [emergency departments] nationwide are over capacity most of the time," a briefing to ministers read. It said wait times were affected by resourcing, community services, bed availability and seasonal changes, such as increased demand during flu season. Attempting to reduce wait times would require significant system-wide change in hospitals, primary care and aged care, the briefing said. "There would be a risk the target is achieved by focusing resources intensively in ED at the expense of other areas of the health system. This may result in improved ED wait times in the short term, but - through reduction in the quality of care elsewhere - would likely result in worse health outcomes and ultimately higher ED presentations in the medium to long term." Te Whatu Ora's approach to reach the target included plans to discharge patients promptly, and encouraging patients to seek help elsewhere such as telehealth services, GPs and community care. It also wanted ambulance staff to deal with more patients without transferring them to a hospital. Growing the health workforce was also listed as a priority. Reaching the 95 percent goal by 2030 is classed as feasible, meaning there are major risks to achievement. Photo: RNZ The target for 95 percent of people to receive elective treatment within four months is a long way away from being achieved, although tacking in the right direction. At the moment 61.4 percent of people needing elective treatments, such as hip or cataract surgeries, are seen within four months. This is slightly higher than the 56.3 percent reported in June. However, the actual percentage of people waiting for elective procedures could be worse, as RNZ revealed some patients who are referred for surgery have not been added to wait lists. A June progress report noted the appointment of Health Commissioner Lester Levy was among the actions taken to speed up access to treatment. Other activities included increasing bed and theatre capacity. The private sector is also being used to plug some of the public sector gap. A minimum of 20,000 general, 2000 orthopaedic and 3000 cataract surgeries are outsourced, according to the previous quarter's update. Delivery of this target is classified as feasible, indicating there are still major risks. Crime Photo: RNZ The number of serious and persistent youth offenders has decreased by 95 percent since the last quarterly report, but the total number still sits above the target number of 900. For a youth offender to be classed as a serious or persistent offender they must have committed three or more offences in the past 12 months, with at least one of them having a maximum penalty of seven years' imprisonment or more. Hitting the targeted 15 percent reduction by 2030 is considered probable, meaning it needs "constant attention" to ensure any risks to the target do not develop into major issues. Bootcamps are listed as one way the government is hoping to turn behaviour around, as is improving school attendance. Other initiatives aimed at addressing offending include better response systems from police and Oranga Tamariki. Photo: RNZ The goal to reduce crime is classed as "feasible" but the current number of victims is sitting at almost 40,000 more than the target. This target was kept as one of the nine government targets, despite officials suggesting it would be difficult to achieve and should be replaced with something easier to reach. The goal to reduce the number of victims of assault, robbery, and sexual assault by 20,000 by 2030 is based on data from the New Zealand Crime and Victims' Survey. Officials warned the survey data had a high margin of error and was more suitable for showing long-term trends. The survey includes crimes that victims might have experienced up to two years prior. Work to reduce the number of victims includes increasing police numbers and implementing a package of measures the government believes will increase the chance of offenders being "held to account". The September progress update notes 160 officers had been deployed to community teams and 77 officers had been assigned to target gangs. Employment Photo: RNZ The number of people receiving Jobseeker support increased by 8,800, to 204,800, since the June report, shifting the target from being 'feasible' to 'at risk'. This is nearly 14,000 above the forecast for September and almost 65,000 away from the overall goal of 140,000 or fewer people receiving support by 2030. The September progress report says economic conditions have contributed to the high number of unemployed people. A new traffic light system aimed at enforcing beneficiary obligations dramatically increased sanctions handed down to beneficiaries, with 14,400 people losing a percentage of their benefit during the June to September quarter, -133 percent higher than the same period in 2023. Most of the sanctions were for people not attending appointments which included work seminars. Education Photo: RNZ At 53.2 percent, Term 2's attendance rate is well below the target of 80 percent of students present for more than 90 percent of the term. This means students should take no more than five days off a term. The government's action plan to lift attendance rates to 80 percent includes reporting attendance daily, communications to raise awareness of the importance of attending school, issuing guidance to help parents know when an unwell child should be sent to school, and clarifying attendance expectations to school boards. It is also working on supporting the Ministry of Education to prosecute caregivers of students with low attendance. Absence is classed as either "justified" or "unjustified". Justified absences include illnesses, and other reasons which fall under school policy, such as suspensions. Unjustified absences include truancy, or taking holidays in term time. The government target of 80 percent makes no distinction between the two. Notes provided to Cabinet when the targets were being set said it would be difficult to meet the 80 percent target while Covid-19 is still circulating. The Ministry of Education said its estimated attendance levels until 2029 is not a "technical forecast" but is based on historical patterns of greater attendance drops during winter months due to illness. Since 2011, the highest percentage of students attending 90 percent of a school term was 72.8 percent, in Term 1 of 2019. The average over that time was 59.4 percent. Photo: RNZ Achievement rates for mathematics and reading are still well below the government target of 80 percent of Year 8 students being at or above the expected curriculum level. Currently 47 percent of students are at the expected level in reading and 22 percent in mathematics. Writing has not been assessed recently but the 2019 data put 35 percent of students at the expected level. A plan to raise mathematics achievement has been launched and structured literacy will be introduced for students from Year 0 to 6 in 2025. This target is measured annually, so there is no change since the last quarterly update. Housing Photo: RNZ Driving down the number of households in emergency housing is one target where progress streaked ahead of estimations. Starting from a baseline of 3141 households, the goal was to reduce the number by 75 percent, to 800 or fewer. The current number is 1179 - 1351 households ahead of forecasts and 379 away from the 2030 goal. Part of the plan to reach the target includes improving access to other forms of housing for emergency housing residents. Since a fast-track category for waitlists was created in April, 726 households have shifted from emergency housing, such as motels, to social housing. Criteria to be placed in emergency housing have also tightened despite warnings from officials that this could lead to an increase in rough sleepers. The government could not say where all households who have left emergency housing moved to, as it does not track that information. Around 200 households were unaccounted for. This target is classed as being on track to being achieved. Climate Photo: RNZ There are two targets New Zealand has committed to meeting as part of its net zero climate change goal. The first target is for total greenhouse gas emissions between 2022 and 2025 to be below 290 megatonnes. This target is on track to being achieved. Reaching the second target - for total emissions between 2026 and 2030 to be less than 309 mt - appears to be more of a challenge, though is still classified as probable. The next update on progress toward the nine targets, covering October to December 2024, will be released in 2025.

Trump selects longtime adviser Keith Kellogg as special envoy for Ukraine and Russia

NoneA retired 75-year-old ship captain from Mumbai has been conned out of Rs 11.16 crore in a cyber scam that promised high returns from stock market investments, police revealed on Wednesday. Authorities have apprehended Kaif Ibrahim Mansuri, a repeat offender, who was found with 33 debit cards and 12 chequebooks, all linked to various banks, as part of the investigation. The victim, drawn by the promise of significant profits, initially experienced gains in his portfolio but was asked for a 20% service tax upon attempting to withdraw his funds, a demand that revealed the scam. An investigation unveiled that multiple bank accounts were used to extract funds, with a woman withdrawing Rs 6 lakh allegedly on Mansuri's orders. Police continue to probe further. (With inputs from agencies.)MISTRAS Group Appoints Natalia Shuman as President and Chief Executive Officer

Assad gone, Syria in twilightAdam Clark scores 18 to help Merrimack knock off Niagara 80-62Milan's Via MonteNapoleone usurps New York's Fifth Avenue as world's most upscale shopping streetA rival south Wales to London rail service to First Great Western has a new operator. Grand Union Trains, which secured approval to run an open access service from Carmarthen to London Paddington from the Office of Rail and Road two years ago, has sold the new route to transport giant FirstGroup. The daily service is expected to launch in 2027. It follows on from Grand Union’s also selling its open access rights for a new Stirling to Euston (London) train service to FirstGroup in September. That service is scheduled to start next May. The value of the south Wales to Paddington 10-year licence deal has not been disclosed. However, it is understood that Grand Union had explored striking a deal with the Welsh Government ’s transport body, Transport for Wales. TfW, which operates services on the Wales & Borders network. For the latest analysis of the biggest stories, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . The strong projected passenger numbers between south Wales and London, including higher paying first class commuting customers, could have reduced the level of rail operating public subsidy TfW receives from the Welsh Government. One of the barriers to a possible deal was that the cost of new rolling stock for the route, through a leasing deal, would have been scored against the Welsh Government’s block grant due to a ONS classification. FirstGroup will keep to Grand Union’s aim of launching the service in December 2027. It will confirm an order for new rolling stock in due course. Grand Union were looking to secure a leasing deal of around £110m, financed over 10 years, for four five-car trains built by Hitachi. Grand Union had planned for five trains a day in both directions from Carmarthen to Paddington, stopping at Llanelli , Gowerton, Cardiff Central, Newport , Severn Tunnel and Bristol Parkway. They also planned was to add a stop at Cardiff Parkway, if the proposed mainline train station on the outskirts of the capital at St Mellons is realised. The Welsh Government is still “actively considering” the project for planning with its integrated 900,000 sq ft business park. Confirming the sale of its for its Carmarthen to London route managing director of Grand Union, Ian Yeowart, said: “We are confident that the strength and experience of FirstGroup with its experienced and focused management and delivery team, alongside the award-winning provision of its current open access operations, will provide an excellent service for passengers.” Find out about traffic and travel issues where you live:

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) visited the United States-Mexico border on Thursday to repeat big business talking points about tariffs and President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to deport millions of illegal aliens with no legal right to be in the U.S. In recent weeks, Trump has threatened 25 percent tariffs on Mexico for refusing to get a handle on the drug cartels’ billion-dollar illicit drug and human smuggling business at the southern border. “This tariff will remain in effect until such time as drugs, in particular fentanyl, and all illegal aliens stop this invasion of our country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social last month. Newsom, repeating big business talking points ripped from the pages of the Wall Street Journal , claimed such tariffs would spur inflation, eliminate American jobs, cause food shortages, and crush small businesses. “[These tariffs] would lead to, an example ... upwards of you having to spend $3,000 more to purchase a car coming from Mexico,” Newsom claimed, repeatedly calling such tariffs a “25 percent tax increase.” Likewise, Newsom trashed Trump’s plans to carry out the largest mass deportation program in American history, claiming such plans will drive up food prices and increase housing costs. “When you look at farmworkers, roughly half are undocumented,” Newsom said. “Close to 90 percent have been in this state for years and years and years ... the impact of mass deportations on the cost of food in this state and this nation are off the charts. This is serious business.” “[In the] construction industry ... we estimated 13 percent are undocumented ... [this] will impact housing costs,” he claimed. Just days ago, the Wall Street Journal ran a story highlighting the construction industry’s opposition to mass deportations as well as tariffs. One construction boss claimed such deportations will “absolutely” cause a labor shortage, even as wage data suggests otherwise. Like Newsom, the construction industry executives claim driving down illegal immigration will increase housing costs for Americans, even though research in the U.S. and around the world is clear that mass immigration is partly responsible for surging home prices. John Binder is a reporter for Breitbart News. Email him at jbinder@breitbart.com. Follow him on Twitter here .NonePRINCETON JUNCTION, N.J., Dec. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MISTRAS Group, Inc. (NYSE: MG)—a leading "one source" multinational provider of integrated technology-enabled asset protection solutions—today announced that the Company’s Board of Directors has appointed Natalia Shuman as MISTRAS Group’s new President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective January 1, 2025. Ms. Shuman brings over two decades of leadership experience to MISTRAS Group, having held executive roles at prominent global organizations in the Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) industry. Most recently, as Group Executive Vice President and Group Operating Council Member for Eurofins Scientific, she led over 12,000 employees, driving growth strategies, operational excellence, and strategic value creation. Known for scaling billion-dollar enterprises through organic growth and M&A, Ms. Shuman has a proven track record of fostering strong teams and delivering innovative, value-driven solutions. Building on a Strong Foundation Ms. Shuman succeeds Manuel (Manny) N. Stamatakis as the CEO, who has been serving as both Interim CEO and the Executive Chairman of the Board since October 2023. Mr. Stamatakis will continue in the role of Executive Chairman of the Board, providing strategic oversight and support to the CEO and the Company’s leadership team. The Board of Directors extends its gratitude to Mr. Stamatakis for his exemplary service as Interim CEO during a pivotal time for the Company, helping to advance key initiatives and positioning MISTRAS Group for future growth. Mr. Stamatakis expressed the Board’s confidence, stating: "Today's announcement is the result of a deliberate, rigorous search to find the right leader to continue MISTRAS Group’s pursuit of profitable growth and sustainable improvement in shareholder value. Natalia’s extensive experience, proven leadership, and fresh perspective make her the ideal choice to guide MISTRAS toward achieving its strategic goals and unlocking its full potential.” “I’m honored to join MISTRAS Group to lead the Company into its next phase of growth,” said Ms. Shuman. “Working alongside Manny, the Board of Directors, and the leadership team, I am committed to building on the strong foundation established and driving meaningful value for all our stakeholders." Leadership Excellence in TIC and Across Global Industries A global business leader with extensive experience across diverse industries and cultural landscapes, Ms. Shuman has demonstrated a strong ability to achieve results in business-to-business services, spanning manufacturing, energy, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, industrial services, and construction. As North American CEO for Bureau Veritas, Ms. Shuman oversaw 7,000 employees across 130 offices and laboratories in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. She spearheaded a period of significant growth and transformation, steering the company to a diversified, more resilient business model. She also championed a unified “one company” culture, elevating brand recognition in North America. Before joining Bureau Veritas, Ms. Shuman led international business operations at Kelly Services, a global staffing and human resources outsourcing company. She is also recognized as a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion, receiving accolades from several prominent organizations. Ms. Shuman earned a dual Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Columbia Business School and London Business School. About MISTRAS Group, Inc. - One Source for Asset Protection Solutions ® MISTRAS Group, Inc. (NYSE: MG) is a leading "one source" multinational provider of integrated technology-enabled asset protection solutions, helping to maximize the safety and operational uptime for civilization’s most critical industrial and civil assets. Backed by an innovative, data-driven asset protection portfolio, proprietary technologies, strong commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, and a decades-long legacy of industry leadership, MISTRAS leads clients in the oil and gas, aerospace and defense, renewable and nonrenewable power, civil infrastructure, and manufacturing industries towards achieving operational and environmental excellence. By supporting these organizations that help fuel our vehicles and power our society; inspecting components that are trusted for commercial, defense, and space craft; building real-time monitoring equipment to enable safe travel across bridges; and helping to propel sustainability, MISTRAS helps the world at large. MISTRAS enhances value for its clients by integrating asset protection throughout supply chains and centralizing integrity data through a suite of Industrial IoT-connected digital software and monitoring solutions. The company’s core capabilities also include non-destructive testing field and in-line inspections enhanced by advanced robotics, laboratory quality control and assurance testing, sensing technologies and NDT equipment, asset and mechanical integrity engineering services, and light mechanical maintenance and access services. For more information about how MISTRAS helps protect civilization’s critical infrastructure and the environment, visit https://www.mistrasgroup.com/. Contact: Nestor S. Makarigakis Group Vice President, Marketing and Communications MISTRAS Group, Inc. marcom@mistrasgroup.com +1 (609) 716-4000 A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2a06ebcd-e31e-4295-892e-c6b91f4b67fb

Keir Starmer may not be the best storyteller but he will be ultimately judged on his government's delivery