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Money Research Collective’s editorial team solely created this content. Opinions are their own, but compensation and in-depth research determine where and how companies may appear. Many featured companies advertise with us. How we make money . By Julia Glum MONEY RESEARCH COLLECTIVE December 6, 2024 Putting in the effort now to get your financial house in order will be worth it come January. We all know Santa’s making a list and checking it twice. But what kind of list, you ask? An end-of-year money to-do list, of course. Christmas and Hanukkah are fast approaching, and there’s less than a month until the ball drops, which means it’s prime time to conduct a financial checkup before the new year arrives. A lot of these tasks involve pre-planning to avoid playing catch-up or worrying about something you should have already done, according to Alanna Morey, a private wealth advisor with Ameriprise Financial. Your goal to shoot for, she says: “No surprises in 2025.” Putting in the effort now to get your financial house in order will be worth it later. With that in mind, here’s an end-of-year financial to-do list for 2024. Revisit your budget Jaime Eckels, a partner at Plante Moran Financial Advisors, says December is a great opportunity to look back at the previous year and determine whether you stayed on target. You should scrutinize your credit card statements and ask yourself: How did your plans work out? Were you able to follow your budget? Did you spend way more than you intended on, say, espresso martinis and the Eras Tour at the expense of your short-term savings for a new iPhone? “We always talk about budgeting and how important it is [but] it only works if you can actually check back and reflect and see how you did compared to what your goals were,” Eckels says. You can then take what you learned and apply it to your spending plan for 2025. For instance, if you weren’t able to stick to the recommended 50-30-20 breakdown in 2024, maybe you need to adjust those thresholds. If surging home and auto insurance premiums are dragging you down, maybe you need to shop around for better rates. Save for retirement Morey says to check in on your retirement savings plan next. If you have an individual retirement account , or IRA, there’s still time to max it out for 2024: The deadline for IRA contributions is April 15, 2025. You can put away as much as $7,000 ($8,000 for folks age 50 or older) in your traditional and Roth IRAs, though Morey points out that there are IRS income limits to consider. You can stash as much as $23,000 in your 401(k) for 2024 (people 50 and up can throw in an extra $7,500). These contributions generally have to be organized through work, but there’s still time to contact your company’s payroll department and ask to sneak in a bit more from your remaining paycheck(s). 401(k) contributions have to be made by Dec. 31. Meet end-of-year deadlines New Year’s Eve isn’t just for downing copious amounts of champagne and finally figuring out how in the world they’re going to make “2025” into glasses . It’s also the deadline for older Americans to make required minimum distributions, or RMDs, from their retirement accounts. (The rules on this recently changed because of the SECURE 2.0 Act, so pay close attention.) Dec. 31 is typically the last day to spend funds in your Flexible Spending Account , or FSA, too. (Some FSA plans have different deadlines.) This money is use-it-or-lose-it. Luckily, there are a ton of ways to use it: FSA-eligible items include sunscreen, vitamins, tampons, contacts, acupuncture, travel pillows and more. Review your portfolio Morey suggests speaking with your financial advisor about whether your investment portfolio still aligns with your goals. One easy place to start is by asking yourself whether you’re still comfortable with your asset allocation, which refers to how investments are divided among stocks, bonds and cash based on your risk tolerance, time horizon and goals. In general, investors can afford to take on more risk when they’re younger. The older you get, the less money you’ll probably want to have in stocks. Eckels says this time of year is also a good time to examine your brokerage accounts and see if there are any opportunities to harvest losses. Update your estate plan Death is not super-fun to think about when decking the halls and blasting *NSYNC’s Home for Christmas , but there’s no time like the present to establish what Eckels calls your crisis plan. Although you can create a basic will on your own through a service like LegalZoom, it’s probably smarter to reach out to an estate attorney. They can help you put together an airtight package of end-of-life documents , including medical and financial powers of attorney. Folks who are already ahead of the curve and have an existing estate plan aren’t off the hook. They should sit down and revisit everything, Eckels says. “Are the provisions appropriate? Are the individuals you named 10 years ago still the individuals you want to make your financial and health care decisions?” she says. “Because life changes, families change, and sometimes we just set it and forget it.” Give yourself a high-five Morey urges you not to forget the crucial step of self-congratulation. No, really: She says that amid the hustle and bustle of the holidays and working through this list of financial tasks, you should take a moment and hype yourself up for all the money goals you reached in 2024. That could be getting a raise at work, buying a house, taking a trip you’ve been saving for or paying for a flight with credit card points — whatever matters to you and will motivate you going forward. “Pat yourself on the back for the good work,” she says. “Congratulate yourself for the hard work you’ve been putting in, and then make a plan for what you want to do in the coming year.” Click below to begin applying to a Debt Relief program Recommended for debts above $20,000 Free consultation, 100% Confidential Serving customers with $15,000 of debt and more More from Money: The FSA Deadline Is Coming. Here Are 12 Last-Minute Ways to Spend Your Dollars Will 2025 Finally Be a Buyer’s Market in Housing? How Low Will Interest Rates Go? Julia Glum is Money's news editor, keeping her finger on the pulse of financial trends that affect Americans' wallets. She also writes Dollar Scholar, a weekly newsletter that teaches young adults how to navigate the messy world of money. A 2014 graduate of the University of Florida's journalism school, she previously covered breaking news, politics and education at Newsweek and International Business Times.Julia joined Money in 2018; during her time as a reporter, she wrote frequently about Amazon, passive income, stimulus checks and creative ways people make money online (think: Vine compilations, Cash App Friday and Facebook gift groups). As an editor, she oversees Money’s tax coverage, which includes extensive reporting on tax credits, year-to-year policy changes, tax refunds and the IRS’s ongoing efforts to modernize. For several years, Julia has assisted with Money’s annual Best Colleges rating and Best Places to Live rankings. Recently, she also led Money’s 50th anniversary celebrations, producing the Money Classic newsletter and rolling out Changemakers, a project profiling 50 innovators working to revolutionize personal finance.Julia has interviewed National Taxpayer Advocate Erin Collins, actor Danny Devito, Nobel Prize-winning economist Robert Shiller, rapper Killer Mike, real estate guru Ryan Serhant and many others. Her work has been cited or otherwise shared by the New York Times, Washington Post, Vox, theSkimm, Mashable, CNBC and POLITICO. She’s appeared on Good Morning America, CBS News, PIX11, WGN, the Mountain West News Bureau and more. Julia is based in New York City. You can find her at juliaglum.com .(Madrid, Spain, November 23, 2024).- The Governor of Yucatán, Joaquín Díaz Mena, announced an ambitious strategy to position the state as a key destination for European tourism, especially Spanish tourism. When meeting with the Mexican ambassador to Spain, Quirino Ordaz Coppel, at a dinner in the city of Madrid, he stressed that his administration maintains a total openness to attract investments that strengthen the tourist infrastructure and consolidate the state as a benchmark in the international market. “We want more European tourists to look at Yucatán, to discover the cultural, historical, and natural wealth that we have, and for their stay to be longer. This will increase the economic impact on tourist services such as hotels, restaurants, and recreational activities, directly benefiting Yucatecan families,” said the Governor. During his working visit to Europe, Díaz Mena stressed that the main objective is to increase the number of overnight stays of international visitors, ensuring that tourists do not only make one-day visits but also stay one or two nights in the state, generating a greater economic impact for the region. He also stressed the importance of taking advantage of existing air connections to turn Yucatán into a multi-destination entity that combines culture, gastronomy, traditions, Mayan essence, archaeology, sun, and beach, adapting to the interests of European tourists. The Governor emphasized that this strategy does not only seek economic benefits. The arrival of European visitors has enriched the multicultural environment of the state, strengthening the ties between Yucatán and European countries, and promoting a cultural exchange that contributes to the social and cultural life of the region. “International tourism is not only a source of income, but also an opportunity to understand and connect with other cultures, which enriches both visitors and our community,” he said. In addition, Díaz Mena highlighted the potential of Yucatán as a world-class tourist destination, thanks to its promotional efforts in key markets such as Spain.
FROM Tencent Holdings to Alibaba Group Holding, China’s tech leaders delivered underwhelming numbers for a quarter beset by economic and geopolitical uncertainty. Whether or not they can win back investors may increasingly hinge on Beijing’s actions. In call after call with investors, China’s Internet pioneers described how the uneven economy was undermining their business and clouding the future. Most offered cautious optimism for how the unprecedented government stimulus unleashed late in the summer would help grease the wheels and pleaded for patience. But the group that once defied Silicon Valley and defined the country’s private economy was short on new ideas and ambitious goals. Just over the past week, the five biggest tech firms erased US$41 billion in market value, while a gauge of sector stocks listed in Hong Kong has fallen into bear market territory. On Friday (Nov 22), a sell-off in Chinese stocks deepened as concerns over Donald Trump’s imminent return mingled with growing frustration over the pace of Beijing’s fiscal stimulus rollout. For investors that were looking to major tech earnings to revive market euphoria, this season now looks like a flop. The business environment “is not only much worse than five years ago, it’s worse than even when China started the Covid Zero policy in 2022”, said Alicia Garcia Herrero, chief Asia-Pacific economist at Natixis. “This sector is obviously supported by China’s industrial policies and intent on winning the tech race with the US, but at the same time, it’s a problematic sector.” PDD Holdings executives boasted about their cheap hairy crabs instead of offering reassurance for disappointing earnings. Tencent went through its usual pitch about building and sustaining “evergreen” games, without promising any imminent new blockbusters. Alibaba executives spent their time justifying elevated spending to ward off intense competition. Even Baidu, the frontrunner in artificial intelligence development, failed to wow with any exciting new projects. “We have not observed a notable improvement in advertisers’ spending patterns, and consumer spending remains subdued,” Baidu’s head of mobile ecosystem Luo Rong told analysts on a call on Thursday, dulling expectations for the current quarter. “Having said that, we are particularly encouraged by the strength and timeliness of recent stimulus policies which continue to be rolled out.” Pressure is building for Beijing to offer further measures, as late September’s market rally on the stimulus campaign fizzles. The parade of ho-hum numbers, vague comments about fiscal policy and warnings contrasted sharply with the pre-Covid era, when Alibaba and Tencent each approached US$1 trillion in market value and analysts talked about the threat they posed to US rivals. Alibaba once fought directly with Amazon.com’s AWS for cloud customers around the world, as it and JD.com talked openly about carving up international markets. Tencent once sketched out ambitions of marrying content with social media and online finance in an unparalleled fintech and Internet empire. That swagger has vanished since Beijing’s 2020 crackdown on a sector it deemed too powerful. Having once commanded enviable growth rates off the back of China’s burgeoning economy, these companies now face prolonged consumer malaise at home, a lack of obvious growth engines and costly ventures to expand overseas. “October retail sales were boosted by earlier Singles’ Day promotions, so it’s not indicative of the real consumption environment – which companies I spoke to are still cautious about,” said Xin-Yao Ng, investment manager for Asian equities at abrdn. “Generally, I hear of a weaker November.” PDD’s US-listed stock plunged 11 per cent after the company gave a downbeat outlook due to intensifying competition in China. The stock, once an investor darling, now trades at 7.7 times forward earnings, about a third of its three-year average. Along with Alibaba, which eked out just 1 per cent growth in domestic commerce, PDD is fighting a defensive action against upstarts like closely held ByteDance. “I don’t think they will drop back to the pre-rally levels in September, more of trading sideways due to a lack of catalysts,” Ng said. There are some bright spots. PDD’s Temu shopping platform has proven to be a hit in the US and other overseas markets. Alibaba’s international e-commerce division delivered strong growth rates for several quarters in a row, prompting the company to unify all online retail operations under the leadership of that division’s chief, Jiang Fan. Meituan – which is next on the slate of companies whose earnings will be studied for signs of domestic consumer appetites – is following the trend and bringing its takeout service to the Middle East. In the realm of games, Tencent and NetEase enjoyed a string of hit releases over the summer that revived domestic sales. Tencent-backed Black Myth: Wukong was an unexpected smash hit on PCs, tapping Chinese history and folklore and potentially opening more opportunities for similarly ambitious titles. But that growth spurt may already be petering out. “The sector is no longer considered as driving structural growth like it once did, which means that it is a lot more cyclical than before,” said Daiwa Capital Markets Hong Kong analyst John Choi. “Policy stimulus will likely play an important role for these companies to see some level of growth acceleration. I am not sure if investors will lose patience, but I do see that the fundamentals are improving going forward.” There remain questions about the full extent and timing of China’s support, which is rolling out in stages, leaving the macroeconomic outlook uncertain. One of the sharper comments this earnings season came from PDD co-chief executive officer Jiazhen Zhao on Thursday. Disillusioned with the competition, the executive appeared to find fault within his own ranks. “Our team of staff is now limited by their past experience and suffers from a lack of certain capabilities,” Zhao told analysts. BLOOMBERGTORONTO — , is pleased to announce that, pursuant to the terms of the indenture governing the Company’s 7.5% Extendible Unsecured Convertible Subordinated Debentures issued in April 2018 (the “Debentures”), it has set December 16, 2024 as the redemption date for the Debentures (the “Redemption Date”). The Redemption Date has been set in anticipation of the Company closing its previously announced sale of the auto loan assets and undertaking of Axis to Fionic Canada Ltd. (“Fionic”) and an affiliate of Fionic on or about December 12, 2024 (the “Transaction”). All of the outstanding Debentures are to be redeemed and under the terms of the indenture the Company is obligated to pay the redemption payment in up to three installments. The first installment will be an amount equal to the outstanding interest up to but excluding the Redemption Date as well as 60% of the outstanding principal amount. Based on a redemption date of December 16, 2024, the first installment will be $11,147,906.25 (comprised of $10,530,000.00 of principal and $617,906.25 of interest). The second installment, which will be equal to at least 12% of the principal amount outstanding as of the Redemption Date, will be paid following receipt of a holdback payment payable pursuant to the Transaction. The third and final installment is to be paid following receipt by the Company of an amount owing to the Company by Canada Revenue Agency. Pursuant to the indenture, the principal portion of the redemption payment is to be not less than 80% nor more than 85% of the principal amount outstanding as of the Redemption Date. The completion of the redemption is conditional on the closing of the Transaction. The Corporation will reconfirm the Redemption Date in the press release that announces the closing of the Transaction and if the Redemption Date needs to be delayed a revised redemption notice will be provided and a further press release issued. A copy of the redemption notice will be filed under the Company’s profile on and on the Company’s website . As disclosed in the information circular provided to shareholders in connection with the annual and special meeting of shareholders held on November 29, 2024, it is anticipated that the Company’s common shares will be delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange shortly following the closing of the Transaction. We will provide additional updates with respect to the timing of the delisting once they are available. Axis is a fintech lender providing alternative used vehicle financing options to non-prime borrowers. Axis loans are offered through automotive dealers to approximately 30% of Canadians (Source: Equifax) that have credit scores in the non-prime range. All Axis auto loans report to the credit bureau, resulting in over 70% of customers seeing a significant improvement of their credit scores. Further information on the Company can be found at . This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws, regarding the Company’s business and operations. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, information regarding the closing of the Transaction and the redemption of the Debentures. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of assumptions that the Company considered appropriate and reasonable as of the date such information is given, including but not limited to the assumptions that the Transaction will proceed according to the Company’s anticipated timelines. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the risk that the Company’s assumptions on which its forward-looking statements are based may not be accurate; the inability to receive, in a timely manner and on satisfactory terms, the necessary approvals for the Transaction; the inability to satisfy, in a timely manner, all other conditions to the completion of the Transaction; and the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s periodic reports publicly filed and available on its SEDAR+ profile at . No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur. There is no assurance that the Transaction will be completed in accordance with its terms or at all. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this announcement and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. For further information: Axis Auto Finance Inc. Todd Hudson CEO (416) 633-5626
AP News Summary at 4:50 p.m. ESTTrump threat: ‘You’re fired!’
On paper, Luigi Mangione had it all: wealth, intellect, athleticism, good looks. But the child of a prominent Maryland family may have spurned it all in a spasm of violence, in a killing that has mesmerized Americans. The 26-year-old was arrested Monday and charged with the murder of Brian Thompson, a health insurance chief executive and father of two who was gunned down in Manhattan last week by someone who, evidence suggests, has endured his own debilitating health crises and grew angry with the privatized US medical system. The cold-blooded killing has laid bare the deep frustration many Americans feel toward the country's labyrinthine health care system: while many have condemned the shooting, others have praised Mangione as a hero. It has also prompted considerable interest in how a young engineer with an Ivy League education could have gone off the rails to commit murder. News of his capture at a Pennsylvania McDonald's triggered an explosion of online activity, with Mangione quickly amassing new followers on social media as citizen sleuths and US media tried to understand who he is. As Americans have looked for clues about a political ideology or potential motive, a photo on his X account (formerly Twitter) includes an X-ray of an apparently injured spine. Mangione lived in Hawaii in 2022 and, according to his former roommate R.J. Martin, suffered from back pain, and was hoping to strengthen his back. After a surfing lesson, Mangione was "in bed for about a week" because of the pain, Martin told CNN. Earlier this year, Martin said, Mangione confirmed he'd had back surgery and sent him photos of the X-rays. Police said the suspect carried a hand-written manifesto of grievances in which he slammed America's "most expensive health care system in the world." "He was writing a lot about his disdain for corporate America and in particular the health care industry," New York police chief detective Joseph Kenny told ABC. According to CNN, a document recovered when Mangione was arrested included the phrase "these parasites had it coming." Meanwhile, memes and jokes proliferated, many riffing on his first name and comparing him to the "Mario Bros." video game character Luigi. Many expressed at least partial sympathy, having had their own harrowing experiences with the US health care system. More from this section "Godspeed. Please know that we all hear you," wrote one user on Facebook. Mangione hails from the Baltimore area. His wealthy Italian-American family owns local businesses, including the Hayfields Country Club, according to local outlet the Baltimore Banner, and cousin Nino Mangione is a Maryland state delegate. A standout student, Luigi graduated at the top of his high school class in 2016. A former student who knew Mangione at the elite Gilman School told AFP the suspect struck him as "a normal guy, nice kid." "There was nothing about him that was off, at least from my perception," the person said. Mangione attended the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, where he completed both a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science by 2020, according to a university spokesperson. While at Penn, Mangione co-led a group of 60 undergraduates who collaborated on video game projects, as noted in a now-deleted university webpage. On Instagram Mangione shared snapshots of his travels, and shirtless images of himself flaunting a six-pack. X users have scoured Mangione's posts for potential motives. His header photo includes an X-ray of a spine with bolts attached. Finding a political ideology that fits neatly onto the right-left divide has proved elusive, though he had written a review of Ted Kaczynski's manifesto on online site Goodreads, calling it "prescient." Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, carried out multiple bombings in the United States from 1978 to 1995, in a campaign he said was aimed at halting the advance of modern society and technology. Mangione has also linked approvingly to posts criticizing secularism as a harmful consequence of Christianity's decline, and retweeted posts on the impact mobile phones and social media have on mental health. ia/abo-mlm/nro
UCF needs an instant jolt and a surge of excitement and hope that no other candidate but Scott Frost can provide.‘Ayodhya, Sambhal, Bangladesh Share Common DNA’: Yogi’s Remark Stirs Political Row - News18
Seahawks have taken a bumpy path to first place in the NFC West
Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (D-CA) introduced the Zero-Emission Vessel Innovation Act, a bill that would support the development and deployment of clean shipping technology to transition to zero-emission vessels. The legislation would significantly reduce pollution, promote environmental justice, and green the shipping industry—a vital component of the global economy and coastal communities. Maritime shipping is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in coastal communities. As port economies continue to grow, the need for sustainable maritime solutions is more urgent than ever. “I’m proud to introduce The Zero-Emission Vessel Innovation Act, which provides critical investments to transition the maritime sector toward zero-emission technologies. This will help the U.S. meet its climate goals while addressing environmental justice concerns in our port communities, including the Port of Los Angeles in my district. By investing in the research, development, and deployment of green-shipping technologies, Congress can promote a cleaner maritime sector that aligns with the nation’s broader climate goals,” said Representative Barragan. The legislation authorizes a $1 billion a year Zero Emission Vessel Innovation Fund within the Maritime Administration to provide grants and low-interest loans to accelerate projects focused on zero-emission vessels, clean alternative fuel vessels that reduce ship emissions by at least 90%, and the necessary charging and fueling infrastructure to support both. The bill prioritizes projects that launch job training programs for maritime workers, include extensive input from port communities, use project labor agreements, and bring co-benefits such as reduced underwater noise. Funding for automated ships is prohibited, to safeguard good paying maritime jobs. By prioritizing innovative clean shipping solutions and centering the needs of impacted communities, the legislation is set to redefine the future of maritime transport, paving the way for a cleaner, greener shipping industry. “We applaud Representative Barragán for introducing the Zero-Emission Vessel Innovation Act,” said Antonio Santos, Federal Climate Policy Director, Pacific Environment. “This bill will provide much-needed dedicated funding for the research, development and deployment of zero-emission ships and supporting infrastructure. Importantly, the bill prioritizes projects that advance environmental justice, engage frontline communities disproportionately harmed by maritime pollution and support workforce development. We call on Congress to pass this bill to accelerate the shipping industry’s transition off of dirty fossil fuels and help spur the market for the green-shipping technologies of the future.” “Transitioning the shipping industry to zero-emission technologies has the power to help us meet global climate goals and improve public health, and that starts right here in the U.S. This bill would provide much needed resources to ensure that we have the vessels, technologies, and charging or fueling infrastructure needed to make the transition to clean shipping in the United States. We are grateful for Representative Barragán’s unwavering support in the pursuit of cleaner shipping in the U.S. and a future with clean air for all.” – Caroline Bonfield, Ocean Conservancy’s U.S. shipping emissions policy manager “The Zero-Emission Vessel Innovation Act is a transformative bill, positioning the U.S. to help lead the way in innovative technologies and designs that will propel a new era of green shipping,” said Regan Nelson, senior ocean advocate, Natural Resources Defense Council. “Importantly, Representative Barragan’s bill will support the transition to carbon-free and quiet ships, securing wins for the climate, public health, and marine wildlife that are harmed by ocean noise.” The legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Kevin Mullin (Calif.), Seth Magaziner (R.I.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C), Suzanne Bonamici (Ore.), Valerie Foushee (N.C.), Troy Carter (La.), and Robert Garcia (Calif.) The full text of the bill can be found here. The following organizations have supported the legislation: Pacific Environment, Ocean Conservancy, NRDC, Green Latinos, Friends of the Earth, Sierra Club, Communities for a Healthy Bay, Clean Air Task Force, Move LA, Little Manila Rising, California Environmental Voters, Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, Sunflower Alliance, Coalition for Clean Air, Brightline Defense, Ocean Defense Initiative, Stand.Earth, International Electric Marine Association, ExploMar, ZULU Associates, Fourth Tack LLC, Elliott Bay Design Group, EV Maritime, MOLABO, NT Systems, Waterfront Alliance. Source: Congressmember Nanette BarragánOn paper, Luigi Mangione had it all: wealth, intellect, athleticism, good looks. But the child of a prominent Maryland family may have spurned it all in a spasm of violence, in a killing that has mesmerized Americans. The 26-year-old was arrested Monday and charged with the murder of Brian Thompson, a health insurance chief executive and father of two who was gunned down in Manhattan last week by someone who, evidence suggests, has endured his own debilitating health crises and grew angry with the privatized US medical system. The cold-blooded killing has laid bare the deep frustration many Americans feel toward the country's labyrinthine health care system: while many have condemned the shooting, others have praised Mangione as a hero. It has also prompted considerable interest in how a young engineer with an Ivy League education could have gone off the rails to commit murder. News of his capture at a Pennsylvania McDonald's triggered an explosion of online activity, with Mangione quickly amassing new followers on social media as citizen sleuths and US media tried to understand who he is. As Americans have looked for clues about a political ideology or potential motive, a photo on his X account (formerly Twitter) includes an X-ray of an apparently injured spine. Mangione lived in Hawaii in 2022 and, according to his former roommate R.J. Martin, suffered from back pain, and was hoping to strengthen his back. After a surfing lesson, Mangione was "in bed for about a week" because of the pain, Martin told CNN. Earlier this year, Martin said, Mangione confirmed he'd had back surgery and sent him photos of the X-rays. Police said the suspect carried a hand-written manifesto of grievances in which he slammed America's "most expensive health care system in the world." "He was writing a lot about his disdain for corporate America and in particular the health care industry," New York police chief detective Joseph Kenny told ABC. According to CNN, a document recovered when Mangione was arrested included the phrase "these parasites had it coming." Meanwhile, memes and jokes proliferated, many riffing on his first name and comparing him to the "Mario Bros." video game character Luigi. Many expressed at least partial sympathy, having had their own harrowing experiences with the US health care system. "Godspeed. Please know that we all hear you," wrote one user on Facebook. Mangione hails from the Baltimore area. His wealthy Italian-American family owns local businesses, including the Hayfields Country Club, according to local outlet the Baltimore Banner, and cousin Nino Mangione is a Maryland state delegate. A standout student, Luigi graduated at the top of his high school class in 2016. A former student who knew Mangione at the elite Gilman School told AFP the suspect struck him as "a normal guy, nice kid." "There was nothing about him that was off, at least from my perception," the person said. Mangione attended the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, where he completed both a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science by 2020, according to a university spokesperson. While at Penn, Mangione co-led a group of 60 undergraduates who collaborated on video game projects, as noted in a now-deleted university webpage. On Instagram Mangione shared snapshots of his travels, and shirtless images of himself flaunting a six-pack. X users have scoured Mangione's posts for potential motives. His header photo includes an X-ray of a spine with bolts attached. Finding a political ideology that fits neatly onto the right-left divide has proved elusive, though he had written a review of Ted Kaczynski's manifesto on online site Goodreads, calling it "prescient." Kaczynski, known as the Unabomber, carried out multiple bombings in the United States from 1978 to 1995, in a campaign he said was aimed at halting the advance of modern society and technology. Mangione has also linked approvingly to posts criticizing secularism as a harmful consequence of Christianity's decline, and retweeted posts on the impact mobile phones and social media have on mental health. ia/abo-mlm/nro
AP News Summary at 4:50 p.m. ESTTrump taps Rollins as agriculture chief, completing proposed slate of Cabinet secretaries
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Republican senators pushed back on Sunday against criticism from Democrats that Tulsi Gabbard , Donald Trump's pick to lead U.S. intelligence services , is “compromised” by her comments supportive of Russia and secret meetings , as a congresswoman, with Syria’s president, a close ally of the Kremlin and Iran. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat and veteran of combat missions in Iraq, said she had concerns about Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's choice to be director of national intelligence . “I think she’s compromised," Duckworth said on CNN’s “State of the Union," citing Gabbard's 2017 trip to Syria, where she held talks with Syrian President Bashar Assad. Gabbard was a Democratic House member from Hawaii at the time. “The U.S. intelligence community has identified her as having troubling relationships with America’s foes. And so my worry is that she couldn’t pass a background check,” Duckworth said. Gabbard, who said last month she is joining the Republican Party, has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades. She was deployed to Iraq and Kuwait and, according to the Hawaii National Guard, received a Combat Medical Badge in 2005 for “participation in combat operations under enemy hostile fire in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III." Duckworth's comments drew immediate backlash from Republicans. “For her to say ridiculous and outright dangerous words like that is wrong," Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a Republican from Oklahoma, said on CNN, challenging Duckworth to retract her words. “That’s the most dangerous thing she could say — is that a United States lieutenant colonel in the United States Army is compromised and is an asset of Russia.” In recent days, other Democrats have accused Gabbard without evidence of being a “Russian asset.” Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, has claimed, without offering details, that Gabbard is in Russian President Vladimir “Putin’s pocket.” Mullin and others say the criticism from Democrats is rooted in the fact that Gabbard left their party and has become a Trump ally. Democrats say they worry that Gabbard's selection as national intelligence chief endangers ties with allies and gives Russia a win. Rep. Adam Schiff, a California Democrat just elected to the Senate, said he would not describe Gabbard as a Russian asset, but said she had “very questionable judgment.” “The problem is if our foreign allies don’t trust the head of our intelligence agencies, they’ll stop sharing information with us,” Schiff said on NBC's “Meet the Press.” Gabbard in 2022 endorsed one of Russia’s justifications for invading Ukraine : the existence of dozens of U.S.-funded biolabs working on some of the world’s nastiest pathogens. The labs are part of an international effort to control outbreaks and stop bioweapons, but Moscow claimed Ukraine was using them to create deadly bioweapons. Gabbard said she just voiced concerns about protecting the labs. Gabbard also has suggested that Russia had legitimate security concerns in deciding to invade Ukraine, given its desire to join NATO. Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri said he thought it was “totally ridiculous” that Gabbard was being cast as a Russian asset for having different political views. “It’s insulting. It’s a slur, quite frankly. There’s no evidence that she’s a asset of another country,” he said on NBC. Sen. James Lankford, another Oklahoma Republican, acknowledged having “lots of questions” for Gabbard as the Senate considers her nomination to lead the intelligence services. Lankford said on NBC that he wants to ask Gabbard about her meeting with Assad and some of her past comments about Russia. “We want to know what the purpose was and what the direction for that was. As a member of Congress, we want to get a chance to talk about past comments that she’s made and get them into full context,” Lankford said.
Kospi underwhelms as foreign, domestic investors explore greener pastures abroad Published: 24 Nov. 2024, 07:00 SHIN HA-NEE shin.hanee@joongang.co.kr Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI [GETTY] Foreign investors are pulling out of the Korean stock market, while domestic investors pour record amounts of money into securities overseas. The country’s benchmark index continues to languish, with share prices hovering well below their book value. Such a trend is summed up in a self-taunting quip that has been making rounds among Korean investors for the past few years: “The smarter you are, the faster you will cash out of the domestic market.” Related Article $143M 'Value-up' fund to begin operations in bid to stabilize market Value-up index gets dressing down from market over selection criteria EV stocks decline, defense stocks rise, as Trump victory sweeps market “Regardless of short-term fluctuations, blue chips in the United States have been proven to increase in value eventually,” said a Seoul-based, 25-year-old retail investor, who wished to be identified by her surname Shin. For the domestic stock market, on the other hand, Shin is not as confident in its long-term prospect compared to the U.S. indices — hence the reason that she has invested primarily in exchange-traded funds and stocks in the U.S. market, such as Invesco QQQ Trust and Apple since 2021. Shin is one of many who opted to bag U.S. stocks while moving away from the domestic market. The outstanding amount of Korea’s investment abroad reached a record of $2.51 trillion in the third quarter, up $118.3 billion from the preceding three-month period, according to the Bank of Korea’s preliminary international investment position issued on Thursday. Of those, the outstanding amount of securities investments by Korean residents rose $64.6 billion to $996.9 billion, also a new high. An increasing amount of investments flowing into U.S. securities, as well as a recent U.S. stock market rally and the strong dollar, drove the growth. In contrast, liabilities, meaning foreign investment in Korea, inched down $1.1 billion to $1.54 trillion, with securities investments down $26.7 billion to $957.5 billion. This is the first time Korea’s investments in foreign securities have surpassed foreign investments in Korean securities. Foreign investors, which drove the stock prices earlier this year with a robust buying spree, have turned net sellers of Korean stocks since August. They net sold shares worth 2.87 trillion won ($2.05 billion) in August, 7.92 trillion won in September, 3.84 trillion won in October and 2.44 trillion won through the first 20 days of this month, according to the Korea Exchange. The outflow of foreign capital has weighed heavily on the country’s stock market. The Kospi’s price-to-book (P/B) ratio — calculated by dividing total market capitalization by listed companies’ book value of equities — fell below 1 in August, which indicates an undervaluation, and came at 0.87 as of Thursday. The P/B ratio of Japan’s Nikkei 225 stood at 1.41, China's CSI 300 at 1.31, and the S&P 500 at 5.23. Korea was also one of the hardest hit by the post-election market volatility as the export-driven nature of its economy made the country more vulnerable to external uncertainties regarding the incoming Donald Trump administration’s tariff policies. A screen in Hana Bank's trading room in central Seoul shows the Kospi dipping below the 2,400 threshold for the first time since August on Nov. 15. [NEWS1] While the Kospi has gradually recovered after a steep drop, investors’ skepticism toward the long-term prospects of the domestic stock market persists, especially with Samsung Electronics struggling to quell concerns surrounding its waning market competence. “Investor concerns that Trump’s tariff proposals may hit Korea and China harder than others have been the primary reason [for a steeper market fall compared to others], and discussions of a looming crisis in Samsung Electronics, with the company failing to benefit from the boon in the global chip sector, also played a part,” noted Park Sang-hyun, chief economist at iM Investment & Securities. With the government’s efforts to boost the sluggish stock prices yet to bear fruition and the potential growth rate facing a slowdown, Korea needs a more fundamental shift in its economic and industrial structure to secure a breakthrough, analysts argue. In a report released on Nov. 18, Eugene Investment & Securities analyst Huh Jae-hwan cited the high volatility of corporate earnings performance, partly caused by its high reliance on manufacturing and tax rules that incentivize companies to undermine shareholder value. “For the Korean stock market to progress forward, the country needs to bolster the local service sector that can mitigate export volatility and foster the startup and venture capital market for innovation,” said Huh. “Fundamentally, enhancing the competitiveness of the domestic companies would be an inevitable solution, possibly with our own economic policies to prioritize and protect the domestic industry,” Park also suggested. The chief economist also pointed at the weak domestic demand for the sluggish stock market, saying, “A recovery in domestic demand will be crucial to be able to better defend ourselves against the impact of tariff increases and others to come.” BY SHIN HA-NEE [shin.hanee@joongang.co.kr] var admarutag = admarutag || {} admarutag.cmd = admarutag.cmd || [] admarutag.cmd.push(function () { admarutag.pageview('3bf9fc17-6e70-4776-9d65-ca3bb0c17cb7'); });Should you buy Nvidia stock before 2025? The evidence is piling up, and it says this
ATLANTA (AP) — Even the woeful NFC South, where no team has a winning record, can't hide the Atlanta Falcons' offensive shortcomings. Three straight setbacks, including an ugly 17-13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, has left the Falcons 6-6 and feeling the pressure. Only a tiebreaker advantage over Tampa Bay has kept the Falcons atop the division. Now the Falcons must prepare to visit streaking Minnesota, which has won five straight . Veteran defensive tackle Grady Jarrett knows the Falcons must solve the flaws which have been exposed in the losing streak. “It’s now or never,” Jarrett said. “You have to flip the mindset fast.” Kirk Cousins threw four interceptions in the loss, matching his career high. Coach Raheem Morris said he didn't consider playing rookie Michael Penix Jr. against the Chargers and won't think about benching Cousins this week. Morris acknowledged the Falcons can't expect to win when turning the ball over four times. It was the latest example of Atlanta's offensive decline. In the three-game losing streak, Cousins has thrown six interceptions with no touchdowns. The Falcons were held under 20 points in each loss. If not for the rash of interceptions which has contributed to the scoring problems, more attention would be devoted to the surge of big plays on defense. The defense forced two fumbles and set a season high with five sacks, including two by Arnold Ebiketie. The Falcons ranked last in the league with only 10 sacks before finding success with their pass rush against Justin Herbert. Herbert was forced to hold the ball while looking for an open receiver, so some credit for the pass-rush success belongs to Atlanta's secondary. The Falcons gave up only two first downs in the second half and 187 yards for the game. Cousins, 36, was expected to be the reliable leader on offense after he signed a four-year, $180 million contract. The four interceptions were his most since 2014 with Washington. Cousins now will be in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons as he returns to Minnesota, his NFL home from 2018-23. Cousins has thrown 13 interceptions, one shy of his career high set in 2022. His passer rating of 90.8 is his lowest since his 86.4 mark as a part-time starter in 2014 with Washington. “Certainly when you haven’t played at the standard you want to a few weeks in a row, you know, you do want to change that, turn it around,” Cousins said. Running back Bijan Robinson had his busiest day of the season, perhaps in an attempt to take heat off Cousins. Robinson's 26 carries set a career high. He ran for 102 yards with a touchdown, his third 100-yard game of the season. He also was heavily involved as a receiver with six catches for 33 yards. With 135 yards from scrimmage, Robinson has eight games this season with more than 100 yards combined as a rusher and receiver, the second-most in the league. Tight end Kyle Pitts had no catches on only two targets. He has only six catches in the last four games after appearing to establish momentum for a big season with two seven-catch games in a span of three weeks in October. Morris noted the Falcons have “so many people that we've got to get the ball to” but noted he'd like to see Pitts more involved. Younghoe Koo's hip issues were such a concern that kicker Riley Patterson was signed to the practice squad on Friday and added to the active roster Saturday. Patterson was on the inactive list as Koo was good on two of three field goals, missing from 35 yards. Koo has made 21 of 29 attempts this season. He did not have more than five misses in any of his first five seasons with Atlanta. 70 — WR Drake London had nine receptions for 86 yards, giving him 70 catches for the season. London, a 2022 first-round draft pick, is the first player in team history with at least 65 receptions in each of his first three seasons. While Ray-Ray McCloud III led the team with a career-best 95 yards on four catches against the Chargers and Darnell Mooney has had some big games, London has been the most consistent receiver. The Falcons face a difficult test Sunday in their visit to Minnesota (10-2), which has five straight wins and is 5-1 at home. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Oklahoma hired Washington State’s Ben Arbuckle as its next offensive coordinator on Monday. ESPN first reported on Monday that the Sooners are finalizing a three-year deal for the 29-year old from Canadian, Texas to take over the vacancy left following the firing of Seth Littrell on Oct. 20. Arbuckle will be head coach Brent Venables’ third offensive coordinator hire since taking over the job in 2021. Arbuckle didn’t begin his coaching career until 2018 in a quality control role at Houston Baptist. In 2021 he was brought on at Western Kentucky in a similar role. Arbuckle worked his way up to offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach during the 2022 season before being hired to lead the Cougars’ offense. In his first season in Pullman, Arbuckle had Washington State’s offense ranked fourth nationally in passing offense. Last season the Cougars were ranked ninth nationally in scoring offense. The Sooners have averaged 21.2 points per game this and parted ways with Littrell after just seven games leading the offense. Joe Jon Finley stepped up into an interim offensive coordinator role for the remainder of the season with offensive analyst Kevin Johns taking on a bigger role. They ended up going 6-6 in their first season in the SEC. Here’s a look at what Oklahoma will be getting in offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle: The hiring of the 29-year old sends a clear message that the Sooners are willing to make a big swing to change the direction of the offense. It may seem like a risky hire, but Venables hasn’t been afraid of trusting young innovative minds to help lead his team. Last offseason the Sooners fired defensive coordinator Ted Roof and replaced him with Zac Alley, a 30-year old from Jacksonville State that’s been tabbed as one of the top young minds on that side of the ball. Arbuckle has received similar praise for his quick rise up the ranks of college football. One name that hasn’t often been brought up when discussing Arbuckle’s offenses is former OU head coach Lincoln Riley. Bob Stoops hired Riley when he was just 31 coming out of a prolific stint leading Eastern Carolina. Arbuckle is from West Texas and runs a similar scheme to Riley. At previous stops, Arbuckle has run an air raid offense that tries to beat teams by spreading them out and stressing the middle of the defense with the power run game. Cam Ward ran the Cougars’ offense in 2023 and passed for 3,735 yards with 25 touchdowns. Ward transferred to Miami after the season, but the Cougars were able to repeat their success with John Mateer behind center. As a sophomore Mateer completed 65% of his passes for 3,139 yards and 29 touchdowns. Mateer has been considered a target to hit the transfer portal even before Arbuckle’s departure was announced.