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top646 GAZA: The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Friday that hospitals have only two days’ fuel left before they must restrict services, after the UN warned aid delivery to the war-devastated territory is being crippled. The warning came a day after the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defense minister Yoav Gallant more than a year into the Gaza war. The United Nations and others have repeatedly decried humanitarian conditions, particularly in northern Gaza, where Zionist entity said Friday it had killed two commanders involved in Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack that triggered the war. Gaza medics said an overnight raid on the cities of Beit Lahia and nearby Jabalia resulted in dozens killed or missing. Marwan al-Hams, director of Gaza’s field hospitals, told reporters all hospitals in the Palestinian territory “will stop working or reduce their services within 48 hours due to the occupation’s obstruction of fuel entry”. World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said he was “deeply concerned about the safety and well-being of 80 patients, including 8 in the intensive care unit” at Kamal Adwan hospital, one of just two partly operating in northern Gaza. Kamal Adwan director Hossam Abu Safia told AFP it was “deliberately hit by Zionist shelling for the second day” Friday and that “one doctor and some patients were injured”. Late Thursday, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian territories, Muhannad Hadi, said: “The delivery of critical aid across Gaza, including food, water, fuel and medical supplies, is grinding to a halt.” He said that for more than six weeks, Zionist authorities “have been banning commercial imports” while “a surge in armed looting” has hit aid convoys. Vowing to stop Hamas from regrouping, Zionists on October 6 began an air and ground operation in Jabalia and then expanded it to Beit Lahia. Gaza’s health ministry says the operation has killed thousands. The UN says more than 100,000 have been displaced from the area, and an official told the Security Council last week that people “are effectively starving”. Issuing the warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, the Hague-based ICC said there were “reasonable grounds” to believe they bore “criminal responsibility” for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare, and crimes against humanity including over “the lack of food, water, electricity and fuel, and specific medical supplies”. A furious Netanyahu said: “(Zionist entity) rejects with disgust the absurd and false actions and accusations made against it.” He said the judges were “driven by anti-Semitic hatred”. On Friday, he thanked his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban for inviting him to visit in defiance of the ICC warrant, which Orban branded “political”. Hungary currently holds the rotating EU presidency. US President Joe Biden, whose country is Zionist top military supplier, called the warrants against Ziiiist leaders “outrageous”, but other world leaders supported the court. Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said Netanyahu would be arrested if he set foot in the country. Biden and French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday discussed efforts to reach a ceasefire in Lebanon, the White House said. - AFPNEW YORK: Watching another chaotic United Nations climate confab end in disappointment brings to mind that old saw, incorrectly ascribed to Winston Churchill, about America always doing the right thing, but only after it has exhausted every alternative. Except in this case, the world’s polluting nations are stuck in the “exhausting alternatives” phase and are quickly running out of time to do the right thing. We can at least be glad that COP29 – this year’s conference for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, held in Baku, Azerbaijan – didn’t end in complete disaster like 2009’s gathering in Copenhagen. After days of bare-knuckle brawling and the near-collapse of negotiations, the bloodied parties staggered away with a commitment from developed nations to triple the amount of money they spend to help developing countries mitigate and adapt to global heating, to US$300 billion from US$100 billion per year, by 2035. They also vowed to put together a decade-long “road map” for hitting the US$1.3 trillion in annual financing that poorer countries had demanded. And they established a global carbon credits market and paid vague homage to a pledge made last year to transition the global economy away from fossil fuels. This outcome is, to put it mildly, insufficient. To put it not so mildly, it’s pathetic. PILING ON MORE DEBT Even the US$1.3 trillion developing nations wanted would have fallen far short of the US$2.4 trillion truly needed, according to an estimate by the UN’s Independent High-Level Expert Group on Climate Finance. The clean energy transition alone could cost US$215 trillion by 2050, according to BloombergNEF. So countries that have emitted almost none of the greenhouse gases heating up the planet but will suffer the brunt of the consequences will end up at least US$2 trillion per year short and a decade away from relief. Compared to the US$7 trillion in estimated explicit and implicit subsidies the world pays fossil fuel producers every year, that US$300 billion looks even more insulting . “The US$300 billion so-called ‘deal’ that poorer countries have been bullied into accepting is unserious and dangerous – a soulless triumph for the rich, but a genuine disaster for our planet and communities who are being flooded, starved, and displaced today by climate breakdown,” Oxfam International’s climate change policy lead, Nafkote Dabi, said in a statement. “The destruction of our planet is avoidable, but not with this shabby and dishonourable deal.” Almost as infuriating as the deal’s inadequate sums is its composition. Too much of that US$300 billion will come in the form of loans, which will further burden countries already staggering under too much debt. Together, the poorest pay about US$70 billion per year in debt servicing costs to richer countries, including the backers of multilateral development banks such as the World Bank, according to the Brookings Institution. That cancels out the bulk of the US$100 billion climate finance commitment that rich countries made in 2009 but have only belatedly begun to fulfil. Instead of piling on more debt, rich countries should be cancelling it. And much of what’s purchased with that US$300 billion might be the equivalent of chicken wire and wet newspaper. The World Bank has failed to account for the real climate impact of between US$24 billion and US$41 billion of its financing over the past seven years, according to Oxfam. The bank registers projects at the time of approval rather than at the time of completion, meaning many works of dubious climate benefit – think gelato shops and coal plants – go on the books as “climate finance”. "NO LONGER FIT FOR PURPOSE" Haggling over such relatively petty sums while the world burns is short-sighted and self-defeating. It betrays upside-down priorities that often favour the fossil fuel producers and rich petrostates that increasingly dominate COP negotiations. The president of COP29’s host country called oil and gas “a gift of God”, and Saudi Arabia was described as a “wrecking ball” in negotiations. It’s enough to make you wonder why we should keep holding COPs at all. Several climate leaders, including former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon, published an open letter at the start of COP29 calling to overhaul the process. “It is now clear that the COP is no longer fit for purpose,” they wrote. “Its current structure simply cannot deliver the change at exponential speed and scale, which is essential to ensure a safe climate landing for humanity.” Major polluters such as the US, China and the European Commission didn’t bother to send leaders to Baku. COP30, in Brazil, will take place during the first year of the second term of once-and-future president Donald Trump, a climate change denier who plans to pull the US out of the Paris accords (again). At a time when the goal of holding global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming above pre-industrial averages is essentially dead, the political mood around the world seems to have soured on aggressive climate action. And yet COPs, even in their present unfit state, are still essential. Requiring buy-in from everybody from the Marshall Islands to Exxon Mobil is a recipe for agonisingly slow progress, but it at least keeps the conversation going. And as my Bloomberg Opinion colleague David Fickling has written, the commitments made in these talks still produce benchmarks that governments take seriously. Otherwise, why would there be so much ferocious haggling over them? Everybody could simply pledge to spend eleventy gazillion dollars and hit Net Zero by next Tuesday and call it a day. That they don’t is actually a cause for hope, if you look at it the right – or naive – way. But being hopeful isn’t the same as ignoring that COP29 makes clear the world is still not taking the climate threat seriously enough.WASHINGTON — Special counsel Jack Smith moved to abandon two criminal cases against Donald Trump on Monday, acknowledging that Trump’s return to the White House will preclude attempts to federally prosecute him for retaining classified documents or trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat. The decision was inevitable, since longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Yet it was still a momentous finale to an unprecedented chapter in political and law enforcement history, as federal officials attempted to hold accountable a former president while he was simultaneously running for another term. Trump emerges indisputably victorious, having successfully delayed the investigations through legal maneuvers and then winning re-election despite indictments that described his actions as a threat to the country's constitutional foundations. FILE - Special counsel Jack Smith speaks to the media about an indictment of former President Donald Trump, Aug. 1, 2023, at an office of the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) “I persevered, against all odds, and WON," Trump exulted in a post on Truth Social, his social media website. He also said that “these cases, like all of the other cases I have been forced to go through, are empty and lawless, and should never have been brought.” The judge in the election case granted prosecutors' dismissal request. A decision in the documents case was still pending on Monday afternoon. The outcome makes it clear that, when it comes to a president and criminal accusations, nothing supersedes the voters' own verdict. In court filings, Smith's team emphasized that the move to end their prosecutions was not a reflection of the merit of the cases but a recognition of the legal shield that surrounds any commander in chief. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” prosecutors said in one of their filings. They wrote that Trump’s return to the White House “sets at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: on the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities . . . and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law.” In this situation, “the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated,” they concluded. Smith’s team said it was leaving intact charges against two co-defendants in the classified documents case — Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira — because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” Steven Cheung, Trump's incoming White House communications director, said Americans “want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country.” Trump has long described the investigations as politically motivated, and he has vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. Now he will start his second term free from criminal scrutiny by the government that he will lead. The election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing Trump as he tried to reclaim the White House. He was indicted for plotting to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden in 2020, an effort that climaxed with his supporters' violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. President-elect Donald Trump arrives before the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Boca Chica, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Pool via AP) But the case quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Smith’s team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence they planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of voters after he lost to Biden. In dismissing the case, Chutkan acknowledged prosecutors' request to do so “without prejudice,” raising the possibility that they could try to bring charges against Trump when his term is over. She wrote that is “consistent with the Government’s understanding that the immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office.” But such a move may be barred by the statute of limitations, and Trump may also try to pardon himself while in office. immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office. The separate case involving classified documents had been widely seen as legally clear cut, especially because the conduct in question occurred after Trump left the White House and lost the powers of the presidency. The indictment included dozens of felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified records from his presidency at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and obstructing federal efforts to get them back. He has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. The case quickly became snarled by delays, with U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon slow to issue rulings — which favored Trump’s strategy of pushing off deadlines in all his criminal cases — while also entertaining defense motions and arguments that experts said other judges would have dispensed with without hearings. In May, she indefinitely canceled the trial date amid a series of unresolved legal issues before dismissing the case outright two months later. Smith’s team appealed the decision, but now has given up that effort. Trump faced two other state prosecutions while running for president. One them, a New York case involving hush money payments, resulted in a conviction on felony charges of falsifying business records. It was the first time a former president had been found guilty of a crime. The sentencing in that case is on hold as Trump's lawyers try to have the conviction dismissed before he takes office, arguing that letting the verdict stand will interfere with his presidential transition and duties. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office is fighting the dismissal but has indicated that it would be open to delaying sentencing until Trump leaves office. Bragg, a Democrat, has said the solution needs to balance the obligations of the presidency with “the sanctity of the jury verdict." Trump was also indicted in Georgia along with 18 others accused of participating in a sprawling scheme to illegally overturn the 2020 presidential election there. Any trial appears unlikely there while Trump holds office. The prosecution already was on hold after an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Four defendants have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors. Trump and the others have pleaded not guilty. Associated Press writers Colleen Long, Michael Sisak and Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this story. ___ Special Counsel Jack Smith plans to step down before Trump’s inauguration, according to The New York Times. 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. 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.” 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. 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. 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.” Associated Press writer Colleen Long contributed to this story. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

Stock market today: Wall Street wavers at the start of a holiday-shortened weekNot only is the Nintendo Switch one of the most popular modern gaming consoles, but it is also one of the most popular consoles ever. For whatever reason, Nintendo is strangely reluctant to offer regular discounts on its consoles and games. So, the holiday shopping season is the best time to upgrade your Switch setup with a new OLED console, snag a few new games for your library, or replace Joy-Con controllers. Also: The best Black Friday deals live now Retailers like Amazon , Best Buy , and Walmart have started rolling out early holiday deals on everything Nintendo Switch ahead of Black Friday , which kicks off later this week. To help you find the best discounts, we've compiled a list of games, accessories, and console bundles to check every gamer off your shopping list. The best early Black Friday 2024 Nintendo Switch deals Nintendo Switch Mario Kart 8 and Mario Accessories bundle : $450 (save $50 at QVC): This bundle includes a standard LED Switch with a copy of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, a Mario Kart-themed carrying case, and a controller. Nintendo Switch in Neon with Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom : $450 (save $50 at QVC): If you're into racing at high speeds, QVC offers another bundle packaged with a copy of Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom plus several accessories. Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe : $48 (save $11 at Walmart): This is a remake of the original New Super Mario Bros. U introducing new features and game modes. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom : $50 (save $20 at the Nintendo E-Shop): Embark on another journey to save Hyrule from evil. Both the physical and digital copies of Tears of the Kingdom are on sale. Nintendo Switch Joy-Con pair in Neon Purple and Neon Orange : $69 (save $11 at Walmart): A backup or replacement pair of Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers in a vibrant Neon Purple and Neon Orange SanDisk 1TB microSDXC card : $90 (save $45): Instantly add more storage space to your Nintendo Switch with this microSD card with 256GB of storage for large game downloads and transferring save files. And it comes adorned with the popular Pokemon, Snorlax. Super Mario Bros. Wonder : $53 (save $7 at Walmart): Mario's latest adventure takes him to the Flower Kingdom, where he and his friends have new, unique abilities to defeat Bowser. Red Dead Redemption Standard Edition : $35 (save $15 at Best Buy): Experience the epic western on the Switch which sees John Marston trek across the American West and Mexico to settle his past for good. Nintendo Switch Lite with Mario & Luigi Brothership : $330 (save $50 at QVC): Nintendo has bundled a Switch Lite console with a free game. Mario & Luigi Brotherships sees the titular duo go on a new adventure to reconnect a fractured world. Super Mario Maker 2 : $30 (save $30 at Walmart): Super Mario Maker 2 allows players to create their very own Super Mario Bros. levels. The sequel introduced a story mode, over 100 built-in courses, and new characters. Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze : $48 (save $12 at Walmart): Fun and easy to play, this game is great for kids. The title sees Donkey Kong and his friends attempting to save their island home from a horde of cold-hearted fiends. Super Mario Party + Red and Blue Joy-Con Bundle : $90 (save $10 at Walmart): This Walmart bundle packages a pair of Joy-Con controllers inspired by the portly plumber and a download code for Super Mario Party on the Switch. PowerA Wireless Nintendo Switch Controller - Legend of Zelda Sworn Protector : $25 (save $20 at Amazon): Inspired by the Legend of Zelda, PowerA's Wireless Switch Controller is more ergonomic than the Joy-Cons, and many may find it more comfortable to hold. PowerA Joy-Con Charging Dock : $15 (save $8 at Amazon): PowerA has also discounted its charging dock, which can hold up to four Joy-Con controllers simultaneously. Nintendo Switch Mario Kart 8 and Mario Accessories bundle Current price: $450 Original price: $500 This Nintendo Switch bundle is an almost perfect gift for any gamer or Nintendo fan. It comes with a standard LED Switch model, a download code for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe (which includes every race track from the original game plus the DLC), a carrying case featuring Mario Kart 8 artwork, and a wireless controller sporting Mario himself. Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury Current price: $40 Original price: $60 Super Mario 3D World offers a fun co-op mode where you and a friend can work together to reach every stage's goal. Or you can compete with them along the way by earning the highest score and winning the crown. In this game, you can play as either Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, or Toad, with each character having a distinct playstyle. The title also includes Bowser's Fury which sees you team up with Bowser Jr to take down the tyrant turtle king. The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Current price: $40 Original price: $70 Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom expands on the original by offering new modes of gameplay. There are extra areas to explore in the sky and underground. Link now has the ability to create weapons and vehicles to aid him in his journey to save Hyrule from evil. Everything that the previous entry popular returns, including vast areas to explore and monsters to fight. Nintendo Switch Joy-Con in Neon Purple and Orange Current price: $69 Original price: $80 Grab a replacement or backup pair of Joy-Con controllers for your Nintendo Switch so you always have a controller charged and ready for marathon gaming or party games with friends. These devices come in Neon Purple and Neon Orange. SanDisk 1TB microSDXC Card Current price: $90 Original price: $135 This SanDisk microSDXC card expands the Nintendo Switch's minuscule storage space. It offers 1TB of storage, perfect for large games and transferring files to other consoles. Officially licensed by Nintendo, the card features a design inspired by the Pokemon Snorlax, fitting given its large size in the Pokemon series. Early Black Friday Nintendo Switch deals at Amazon PowerA Enhance Nintendo Switch Controller Wireless Pikachu Retro : $40 (save $20): PowerA also has a Pro controller that supports Bluetooth 5.0, a 30-hour battery, and two programmable buttons. There are many color options, but our favorite is Pikachu Retro. Ori: The Collection : $30 (save $20): This bundle includes both Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will of the Wisps for Nintendo Switch. Star Wars Heritage Pack : $40 (save $20): This game bundle includes 7 classic Star Wars game titles, including Republic Commando and Knights of the Old Republic. Sonic Frontiers : $25 (save $15): The game sees Sonic go on a journey to save himself and his friends from a cybernetic world. It introduces a new combat system never seen before in the series. Cuphead : $25 (save $14): The award-winning, hand-animated shooter/platformer features challenging run-and-gun gameplay and the Delicious Last Course expansion. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown : $18 (save $32): Beloved by critics and players, this side-scroller puts you in the role of a warrior harnessing the power of time to save a kingdom. Early Black Friday 2024 Nintendo Switch deals at Best Buy Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble Launch Edition : $20 (save $30): AiAi and the rest of the Super Monkey Ball crew are back with online and local multiplayer as well as all new puzzles and challenges. Persona 5 Royal standard edition : $48 (save $12): This version of Persona 5 includes the base game and all previously released DLC in a single convenient package. Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered : $8 (save $32): Hot Pursuit Remastered brings the classic racing title to a new generation. Play as either the police or the outlaw as you try outspeed and outmaneuver the competition. Cult of the Lamb : $20 (save $10): A deceptively cute rogue-lite game about balancing your cult's needs with your god's demands. The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword HD : $45 (save $15): An HD remaster of the Wii title with updated graphics and streamlined gameplay for modern players. Rocketfish TV dock for Nintendo Switch : $40 (save $10): A third-party replacement TV dock for your Nintendo Switch. Early Black Friday 2024 Nintendo Switch deals at Walmart Nintendo Switch Pro Controller Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Edition : $43 (save $49): A pro-grade gamepad for the Nintendo Switch with a Xenoblade Chronicles 2-themed faceplate and colored grips. Nintendo Switch - OLED Model: Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle : $399 (save $50): This version of the Switch sports a vibrant 7-inch OLED screen. The bundle includes a download code for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and a 12-month membership to Nintendo Switch Online. Sonic Mania + Team Sonic Racing Double Pack : $30 (save $10): Two games for the price of one. The double-pack bundles the 2D platformer Sonic Mania with the fast-paced Team Sonic Racing. Joy-Con controllers in Pastel Pink and Yellow : $60 (save $20): A replacement pair of Joy-Con controllers in pastel pink and yellow. Batman Arkham Trilogy : $20 (save $43): This collection includes three games: Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, and Arkham Knight and all related DLC. Super Mario RPG : $39 (save $9): An HD remake of the classic SNES title with updated graphics and streamlined gameplay for modern audiences. Hogwarts Legacy : $30 (save $30): Hogwarts awaits you as you strive to become a witch or wizard. Learn how to cast spells, brew potions, and create charms on your journey. Early Black Friday Nintendo eShop deals Lego The Incredibles : $9 (save $51: Play through the story of Pixar's The Incredibles with signature Lego humor, platforming, and puzzles. Ace Attorney Anthology : $36 (save $24): This bundle includes both the Phoenix Wright and Apollo Justice trilogies. Monster Hunter Rise + Sunbreak Deluxe : $25 (save $45): This bundle includes the digital deluxe editions of both Monster Hunter Rise and Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak. Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective : $15 (save $15): Play as a ghost that only has one night to solve your own murder. Resident Evil 4 : $10 (save $10): The iconic GameCube title is now on the Switch with enhanced visuals and streamlined gameplay. Dark Souls Remastered : $20 (save $20): FromSoftware's seminal title is now on the switch with online multiplayer and updated visuals. Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving in the United States. This year, it will fall on Nov. 29, 2024. And while you may have to wait until the day of for the very best deals and sales to go live, you can still find great early Holiday discounts at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. They can be! The holiday shopping season is traditionally when you'll see the best and most frequent discounts on gaming-related things, especially Nintendo Switch consoles and games. And if you keep a sharp eye out, you might be able to snag a retailer-specific console bundle with a digital game download or free trial for online memberships. Nintendo consoles, games, and accessories are favorites of scalpers and resellers. Especially during the holiday shopping season. Each game, accessory, and console bundle featured on this list has been vetted as being sold by a reputable retailer with a robust return/exchange policy. We've also focused on the biggest discounts for games and accessories, since consoles and bundles are harder to come by. ZDNET's experts have been searching through Black Friday sales live now to find the best discounts by category. These are the best Black Friday deals so far by category: Black Friday TV deals Black Friday phone deals Black Friday laptop deals Black Friday gaming PC deals Black Friday smartwatch and fitness tracker deals Black Friday Amazon deals Black Friday Best Buy deals Black Friday Walmart deals Black Friday Sam's Club deals Black Friday Apple deals Black Friday iPad deals Black Friday AirPods deals Black Friday Apple Watch deals Black Friday Kindle deals Black Friday streaming deals Black Friday soundbar and speaker deals Black Friday robot vacuum deals Black Friday Nintendo Switch deals Black Friday PlayStation deals And more Black Friday deals: Black Friday deals under $25 Black Friday deals under $100 Black Friday Samsung deals Black Friday Verizon deals Black Friday headphone deals Black Friday tablet deals Black Friday monitor deals Black Friday gaming deals Black Friday security camera deals Black Friday storage and SSD deals Black Friday portable power station deals Black Friday VPN deals Black Friday Chromebook deals Black Friday HP deals Black Friday Dell deals Black Friday Roku deals Black Friday Roborock deals Best Black Friday deals Black Friday phone deals Black Friday TV deals Black Friday laptop deals

AI Redefining the Home Services Market, Growth of USD 6.54 Trillion from 2024-2028 with Digital Media's Impact - Technavio Report“John Wick” filmmaker Chad Stahelski recently offered an update on how the Michael B. Jordan-led movie based on Tom Clancy’s “Rainbow Six” property is going. The film will be a follow-up to Amazon Prime Video’s “Without Remorse” film which saw Jordan starring as U.S. Navy SEAL John Kelly. The final moments of that film teased a potential “Rainbow Six” film. Speaking with , Stahelski says the team are taking the right amount of time to ensure it comes together right and so, at present, the project remains in development: “Rainbow Six. It’s a big property. It comes from a big IP. So it’s, you know, the development to do it right. You’ve seen how both video games and in Hollywood are sometimes tricky. It’s always about doing it right and finding the right I, so it gives room for the fans to love what you’re doing. But also you have to give margin to expand out and go. We’re taking our time. A lot of good ideas of being flushed around. It’s been a lot of good development work. We just want to get it right.” Speaking of projects in development, actor Glen Powell has provided an update regarding the long-gestating “Captain Planet” movie. Powell tells that he’s “very, very passionate” about the project: “I want that one to get made, and I feel like we have a very, very strong way into that world and something that I think the world wants to see, but the people that own that property have other ideas and other plans, and that’s fine. Look, I’ll just keep making movies and keep doing what I’m going to do, and eventually, we’ll see if that ever comes back around. But at the end of the day, it’s out of your control.” Powell is also attached to write the film alongside Jono Matt, and no director or other cast are currenlty attached.

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#top646 NoneIs ‘Glicked’ the new ‘Barbenheimer’? ‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator II’ collide in theaters

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(ANI photo) MUMBAI: Dalal Street witnessed huge volatility on Friday, with the sensex swinging over 2,100 points in intraday trades and finally closing 843 points up at 82,133 points - a two-month closing high. The day's gains came on the back of strong foreign fund buying at Rs 2,335 crore, BSE data showed. The sensex opened Friday's session marginally lower at 81,212 points but soon, strong selling pulled it down to 80,083. Soon after, a strong recovery started that, during the closing minutes, took it to an intraday high of 82,214 points and it closed just a tad off that mark, up 1% on the day. According to Siddhartha Khemka, head of research (wealth management) at Motilal Oswal Financial Services, buying in FMCG, IT and banking stocks supported the recovery, even as broader market sentiment remained cautious. "The intraday selloff in Indian equities followed weakness across Asian markets, which posted steep losses amid a stronger dollar, rising US Treasury yields and continued skepticism over China's economic revival. The lack of clarity in China's stimulus plans weighed on metal stocks in India," he said. Although foreign funds were net buyers during the session, market players are still not convinced the buying will sustain the short term. "US Treasury yields have surged to their highest levels this year, dampening hopes for significant Federal Reserve rate cuts going ahead. The rupee hit a new low of Rs 84.88 per dollar on Thursday, pressured by a strong dollar, FII outflows, and higher crude oil prices. Investors will watch out for manufacturing and services PMI of US and India and domestic WPI inflation to be released on Monday," that could decide the market's trend going ahead, Khemka said. At close, of the 30 sensex stocks, 26 closed with gains. In the broader market, however, declines outnumbered advances with 2,173 laggards to 1,818 winners, BSE data showed. The day's session added about Rs 6.4 lakh crore to investors' wealth, with BSE's market capitalisation now at Rs 467.3 lakh crore. In the short run, a host of domestic and global factors would decide the market's trajectory. "Despite an adverse base effect, IIP growth in Oct 2024 improved marginally to 3.5% (from 3.1% in Sept). Impact of the US economic policy, recovery in domestic consumption & investment and CPI inflation are some factors to focus on over the next few months," Shrikant Chouhan, head of equity research at Kotak Securities, said. Market players also said that once Donald Trump takes office as the US President in Jan, the new administration's policies would be in focus too. Ready to Master Stock Valuation? ET’s Workshop is just around the corner!

“Barbenheimer” was a phenomenon impossible to manufacture. But, more than a year later, that hasn’t stopped people from trying to make “Glicked” — or even “Babyratu” — happen. The counterprogramming of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” in July 2023 hit a nerve culturally and had the receipts to back it up. Unlike so many things that begin as memes, it transcended its online beginnings. Instead of an either-or, the two movies ultimately complemented and boosted one another at the box office. This combination of images shows promotional art for "Gladiator II," left, and "Wicked." And ever since, moviegoers, marketers and meme makers have been trying to recreate that moment, searching the movie release schedule for odd mashups and sending candidates off into the social media void. Most attempts have fizzled (sorry, “Saw Patrol” ). This weekend is perhaps the closest approximation yet as the Broadway musical adaptation “Wicked” opens Friday against the chest-thumping sword-and-sandals epic “Gladiator II.” Two big studio releases (Universal and Paramount), with one-name titles, opposite tones and aesthetics and big blockbuster energy — it was already halfway there before the name game began: “Wickiator,” “Wadiator,” “Gladwick” and even the eyebrow raising “Gladicked” have all been suggested. “'Glicked' rolls off the tongue a little bit more,” actor Fred Hechinger said at the New York screening of “Gladiator II” this week. “I think we should all band around ‘Glicked.’ It gets too confusing if you have four or five different names for it.” As with “Barbenheimer," as reductive as it might seem, “Glicked” also has the male/female divide that make the fan art extra silly. One is pink and bright and awash in sparkles, tulle, Broadway bangers and brand tie-ins; The other is all sweat and sand, blood and bulging muscles. Both films topped Fandango’s most anticipated holiday movie survey, where 65% of respondents said that they were interested in the “Glicked” double feature. Theaters big and small are also pulling out the stops with movie-themed tie-ins. B&B Theaters will have Roman guards tearing tickets at some locations and Maximus popcorn tubs. Marcus Theaters is doing Oz photo ops and friendship bracelet-making. Alamo Drafthouse is leaning into the singalong aspect (beware, though, not all theaters are embracing this) and the punny drinks like “Defying Gravi-Tea.” This image released by Universal Pictures shows Cynthia Erivo, left, and Ariana Grande in a scene from the film "Wicked." “Rather than it being in competition, I think they’re in conversation,” “Gladiator II” star Paul Mescal said. “This industry needs a shot in the arm. Those films gave it last year. We hope to do it this year.” And the hope is that audiences will flock to theaters to be part of this moment as well. It's a sorely needed influx of could-be blockbusters into a marketplace that's still at an 11% deficit from last year and down 27.2% from 2019, according to data from Comscore. “Competition is good for the marketplace. It’s good for consumers,” said Michael O'Leary, the president and CEO of the National Association of Theatre Owners. “Having two great movies coming out at the same time is simply a multiplier effect.” “Glicked” is currently tracking for a combined North American debut in the $165 million range, with “Wicked” forecast to earn around $100 million (up from the $80 million estimates a few weeks ago) and “Gladiator II” pegged for the $65 million range. “Barbenheimer” shattered its projections last July. Going into that weekend, “Barbie” had been pegged for $90 million and “Oppenheimer” around $40 million. Ultimately, they brought in a combined $244 million in that first outing, and nearly $2.4 billion by the end of their runs. It’s possible “Glicked” will exceed expectations, too. And it has the advantage of another behemoth coming close behind: “Moana 2,” which opens just five days later on the Wednesday before the Thanksgiving holiday. “Glickedana” triple feature anyone? This image released by Paramount Pictures shows Pedro Pascal, left, and Paul Mescal in a scene from "Gladiator II." “These are 10 important days,” O'Leary said. “It’s going to show the moviegoing audience that there’s a lot of compelling stuff out there for them to see.” There are infinite caveats to the imperfect comparison to “Barbenheimer,” as well. “Wicked” is a “Part One.” Musicals carry their own baggage with moviegoers, even those based on wildly successful productions (ahem, “Cats”). “Gladiator II” got a head start and opened internationally last weekend. In fact, in the U.K. it played alongside “Paddington in Peru,” where that double was pegged “Gladdington.” “Gladiator” reviews, while positive, are a little more divided than the others. And neither directors Ridley Scott nor Jon M. Chu has the built-in box office cache that Christopher Nolan’s name alone carries at the moment. The new films also cost more than “Barbie” ($145 million) and “Oppenheimer” ($100 million). According to reports, “Gladiator II” had a $250 million price tag; “Wicked” reportedly cost $150 million to produce (and that does not include the cost of the second film, due next year). The narrative, though, has shifted away from “who will win the weekend.” Earlier this year, Chu told The Associated Press that he loves that this is a moment where “we can root for all movies all the time.” Close behind are a bevy of Christmas releases with double feature potential, but those feel a little more niche. There’s the remake of “Nosferatu,” the Nicole Kidman kink pic “Babygirl” and the Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown.” The internet can’t even seem to decide on its angle for that batch of contenders, and none exactly screams blockbuster. Sometimes the joy is just in the game, however. Some are sticking with the one-name mashup (“Babyratu”); others are suggesting that the fact that two of the movies feature real-life exes (Timothée Chalamet and Lily-Rose Depp) is enough reason for a double feature. And getting people talking is half the battle. When in doubt, or lacking a catchy name, there’s always the default: “This is my Barbenheimer.” Associated Press journalist John Carucci and Film Writer Jake Coyle contributed reporting. Last summer, Malibu's iconic blonde faced off against Cillian Murphy and the hydrogen bomb in the unforgettable "Barbenheimer" double feature. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!Alarm grew in France on Friday over the fate of a prominent French-Algerian novelist detained in the country of his birth, with his publisher urging his immediate release and President Emmanuel Macron closely following the case. Boualem Sansal, a major figure in francophone modern literature, is known for his strong stances against both authoritarianism and Islamism as well as being a forthright campaigner on freedom of expression issues. His detention by Algeria comes against a background of tensions between France and its former colony which have also appear to have spread to the literary world. The 75-year-old writer, granted French nationality this year, was on Saturday arrested at Algiers airport after returning from France, according to several media reports including the Marianne weekly. The Gallimard publishing house, which has published his work for a quarter of a century, in a statement expressed "its very deep concern following the arrest of the writer by the Algerian security services", calling for his "immediate release". There has been no confirmation from the Algerian authorities of his arrest and no other details about his situation. Macron is "very concerned by the disappearance" of Sansal, said a French presidential official, asking not to be named. "State services are mobilised to clarify his situation," the official said, adding that "the president expresses his unwavering attachment to the freedom of a great writer and intellectual." A relative latecomer to writing, Sansal turned to novels in 1999 and has tackled subjects including the horrific 1990s civil war between authorities and Islamists. His books are not banned in Algeria but he is a controversial figure, particularly since making a visit to Israel in 2014. Sansal's hatred of Islamism has not been confined to Algeria and he has also warned of a creeping Islamisation in France, a stance that has made him a favoured author of prominent figures on the right and far-right. Prominent politicians from this side of the political spectrum rushed to echo Macron's expression of concern for the writer. Centre-right former premier and candidate in 2027 presidential elections Edouard Philippe wrote on X that Sansal "embodies everything we cherish: the call for reason, freedom and humanism against censorship, corruption and Islamism." Far-right figurehead Marine Le Pen, another possible 2027 contender, said: "This freedom fighter and courageous opponent of Islamism has reportedly been arrested by the Algerian regime. This is an unacceptable situation." In 2015, Sansal won the Grand Prix du Roman of the French Academy, the guardians of the French language, for his book "2084: The End of the World", a dystopian novel inspired by George Orwell's "Nineteen-Eighty Four" and set in an Islamist totalitarian world in the aftermath of a nuclear holocaust. His publisher said that Sansal's novels and essays "exposed the obscurantisms of all kinds which are tragically affecting the way of the world." The concerns about his reported arrest come as another prominent French-Algerian writer Kamel Daoud is under attack over his novel "Houris", which won France's top literary prize, the Goncourt. A woman has claimed the book was based on her story of surviving 1990s Islamist massacres and used without her consent. She alleged on Algerian television that Daoud used the story she confidentially recounted to a therapist -- who is now his wife -- during treatment. His publisher has denied the claims. The controversies are taking place in a tense diplomatic context between France and Algeria, after Macron renewed French support for Moroccan sovereignty over the disputed territory of Western Sahara during a landmark visit to the kingdom last month. Western Sahara, a former Spanish colony, is de facto controlled for the most part by Morocco. But it is claimed by the Sahrawi separatists of the Polisario Front, who are demanding a self-determination referendum and are supported by Algiers. Daoud meanwhile has called for Sansal's release, writing in the right-wing Le Figaro: "I sincerely hope that my friend Boualem will return to us very soon", while expressing his bafflement in the face of the "imprudence" that Sansal allegedly showed in going to Algeria. dax-vl-sjw/giv

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MINNEAPOLIS — A pair of ruby slippers that were worn by Judy Garland in “The Wizard of Oz” and stolen from a museum nearly two decades ago fetched $28 million in an auction Saturday. Ruby slippers once worn by Judy Garland in the "The Wizard of Oz," are displayed at a news conference Sept. 4, 2018, at the FBI office in Brooklyn Center, Minn. Heritage Auctions estimated the slippers would sell for $3 million or more. Online bidding opened last month and by Friday had reached $1.55 million, or $1.91 million including the buyer's premium, a commission that the buyer pays, said Robert Wilonsky, a vice president with the Dallas-based auction house. Over 800 people were tracking the slippers, and the company's web page for the auction had hit nearly 43,000 page views by Thursday, he said. As Rhys Thomas, author of the book, “The Ruby Slippers of Oz,” puts it, the sequined shoes from the beloved 1939 musical have seen “more twists and turns than the Yellow Brick Road.” They were on display at the Judy Garland Museum in her hometown of Grand Rapids, Minnesota, in 2005 when Terry Jon Martin used a hammer to smash the glass of the museum’s door and display case. People are also reading... Nebraska transportation director: Expressway system won't be done until 2042 27-year-old Beatrice man sentenced for May assault Shoplifting investigation leads to arrest for possession of controlled substance At the courthouse, Nov. 30, 2024 Nebraska football signing day preview: Potential flips and a 5-star up for grabs Gage County Sheriff's Office helps catch Fairbury suspect Mother to Mother supporting families Stabler scores 22 in Lady O's season opening win Beatrice company seeks to break China's stranglehold on rare-earth minerals Hospice foundation helps with extra support Orangemen open season with win over Nebraska City Holiday Lighted Parade happening Saturday Shatel: Emotions are still simmering, but Nebraska delivered the bottom line for 2024 — a bowl game Clarissa Ruh Missouri man sentenced for attempted sexual assault Their whereabouts remained a mystery until the FBI recovered them in 2018. Martin, now 77, who lives near Grand Rapids in northern Minnesota, wasn't publicly exposed as the thief until he was indicted in May 2023. He pleaded guilty in October 2023. He was in a wheelchair and on supplementary oxygen when he was sentenced last January to time served because of his poor health. His attorney, Dane DeKrey, explained ahead of sentencing that Martin, who had a long history of burglary and receiving stolen property, was attempting to pull off “one last score” after an old associate with connections to the mob told him the shoes had to be adorned with real jewels to justify their $1 million insured value. But a fence — a person who buys stolen goods — later told him the rubies were just glass, DeKrey said. So Martin got rid of the slippers. The attorney didn't specify how. The alleged fence, Jerry Hal Saliterman, 77, of the Minneapolis suburb of Crystal, was indicted in March. He was also in a wheelchair and on oxygen when he made his first court appearance. He's scheduled to go on trial in January and hasn't entered a plea, though his attorney has said he's not guilty. The shoes were returned in February to memorabilia collector Michael Shaw, who had loaned them to the museum. They were one of several pairs that Garland wore during the filming, but only four pairs are known to have survived. In the movie, to return from Oz to Kansas, Dorothy had to click her heels three times and repeat, “There’s no place like home.” “The Wizard of Oz” story has gained new attention in recent weeks with the release of the movie “Wicked,” an adaptation of the megahit Broadway musical, a prequel of sorts that reimagines the character of the Wicked Witch of the West. The auction also included other memorabilia from “The Wizard of Oz,” including a hat worn by Margaret Hamilton, who played the original Wicked Witch of the West. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!

Luke Humphries defeats Luke Littler to retain Players Championship Finals title

NoneThe Super Mario Bros. Movie is getting a new 4K Blu-ray release with a steelbook case on March 4, 2025 . Exclusive to Walmart and available to preorder now for $28, The Super Mario Bros. Limited Edition Steelbook is likely to sell out fast. Walmart's exclusive steelbook releases of popular films often sell out well before launch, and we're talking about the biggest video game adaptation of all time here. In a bizarre plot twist, Walmart has also restocked the original steelbook release. You can purchase the Power-Up Edition's Collectible Steelbook version for $28 , too. This edition has largely been sold out since prior to launch last June, but sporadic, briefly available restocks have popped up at major retailers over the past year. Now, the question you need to ask yourself is: Do you love Question Blocks (the new steelbook) or Super Mushrooms (the old steelbook) more? Or you could be like a-me and buy a-both. Super Mario Bros. Movie Steelbook Editions: Original 2023 release with Super Mushroom Steelbook -- $28 | Restocked at Walmart, available now New 2025 Walmart-exclusive with Question Block Steelbook -- $28 | Preorder at Walmart, releases March 4 The Super Mario Bros. Movie Special Features Leveling Up: Making The Super Mario Bros. Movie - Six-part featurette detailing the creation of the adaptation. The Super Mario Bros. Movie Field Guide - Featurette introducing the Mushroom Kingdom and its inhabitants. Getting to Know the Cast - The voice actors discuss their roles. Leadership Lessons from Anya Taylor-Joy - Princess Peach's voice actor talks about being a leader.. Peaches Lyric Video - Jack Black, also known as Bowser, sings his smash hit ballad about Princess Peach. The Super Mario Bros. Movie is also available for cheap on 4K Blu-ray without a steelbook case at Amazon and Walmart. The standard Blu-ray and DVD releases are steeply discounted right now, too: Super Mario Bros. Movie without steelbook case: Amazon 4K Blu-ray -- $13 Blu-ray -- $10.50 DVD -- $8 Walmart 4K Blu-ray -- $13 Blu-ray -- $10.50 DVD -- $8Jordan Peterson is leaving Toronto. Peterson, appearing on his daughter Mikhaila’s podcast in an episode posted Dec. 6, officially announced his move to a sunnier home in the United States, where there “are decided advantages” over living in Toronto. A psychologist who rose to prominence rallying against preferred pronoun use at the University of Toronto, Peterson has become a popular talking head among conservative and right-wing media in recent years. “The issue with the College (of Psychologists of Ontario) ... is very annoying, to say the least,” Peterson said, citing reasons why he decided to leave Toronto. “And the new legislation that the (federal) Liberals are attempting to push through, Bill C-63 (Online Harms Act) — we’d all be living in a totalitarian hellhole if it passes.” “The tax situation is out of hand, the government in Canada at the federal level is incompetent beyond belief. And it’s become uncomfortable for me in my neighbourhood in Toronto.” Peterson’s spat with the College of Psychologists of Ontario (CPO) stems from complaints over social media posts about, among other things, a “not beautiful” plus-size model. The college ordered Peterson to undergo a coaching program on professionalism in public statements. In August, three Superior Court judges comprising a panel of Divisional Court, ruled it was reasonable for the CPO to order Peterson to take a course on professionalism in communications. The governing body for psychologists made the order after receiving numerous complaints over Peterson’s commentary, which has been criticized for attacking feminism and racial diversity. Peterson has repeatedly taken aim at the Online Harms Act, or Bill C-63, which has sparked debate over how Ottawa should best strike the balance between protecting its citizens and their right to express themselves freely. There are seven categories of harm are laid out in the bill — three deal with protecting children from exploitative or harmful content, another category covers the sharing of intimate images without consent, and the remaining categories include content that promotes hatred, content that incites violence, and content that incites violent extremism or terrorism. to ensure the child safety guidelines could be passed into law. Peterson didn’t specify where in the U.S. he has moved to, but mentioned that he was near his daughter, who lives in Arizona. Peterson didn’t say exactly where he lived in Toronto, but that he had “modest semi in Seaton Village.” On the podcast episode he said he lived in a “kind of champagne socialist neighbourhood” and was “less popular in my own neighbourhood than I am anywhere else in the world, literally.” He called the Toronto District School Board “probably the most woke institution in North America, which is really saying something,” over its handling of the COVID pandemic, and said Toronto is “run by the wife (Olivia Chow) of the last leader of the socialist party in Canada (Jack Layton), and so the goal in Toronto was to turn it into Portland or San Francisco. And that’s happening.” He said he moved once he and his son, whom he lived close to, became uncomfortable living in Toronto. “I didn’t ever expect that to be something that happened in Canada. But under Justin (Trudeau) and the woke mob, that’s definitely something that’s happened,” Peterson said. It’s been almost a decade since Peterson rocketed to national consciousness — and controversy — by arguing that being forced to use pronouns such as “ze” and “zir” was a violation of free speech while lecturing at the University of Toronto. He emerged as part public intellectual, part internet celebrity and a fighter against perceived political correctness. He was author of the bestselling book, “12 Rules for Life: Antidote to Chaos,” which urged readers to seize responsibility for their own lives, sparking speaking tours, lucrative crowdfunding and official merchandise and launched him into global fame. Peterson also parted ways with U of T, writing in the National Post in 2022 that he’d resigned from the full-time, tenured position. There were a few reasons, he wrote. Chief among them was the “appalling ideology currently demolishing the universities and, downstream, the general culture.” He has since and regularly appears on conservative media, rallying against and . Then, testifying under oath at a public inquiry into foreign interference in October, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appeared to reference recent American allegations that RT — a media mouthpiece for the Russian government — had been covertly bankrolling right-wing influencers, allegedly , according to the prime minister. Peterson denied those claims, telling the National Post, “I don’t think it’s reasonable for the prime minister of this country to basically label me a traitor and I don’t find it amusing.” He has said he is considering legal action.

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When the Philadelphia 76ers signed Paul George this offseason, they signed him believing he would be the top-notch isolation scorer he’s been throughout his career. More than that, George's addition was supposed to replace what James Harden once brought to the Sixers as an iso scorer. Thus far, the results have not been promising when comparing the two. Harden may not be the same player he was at the peak of his powers with the Houston Rockets, but he's still lethal enough in that department to still be considered one of the best isolation scorers in the NBA. In fact, Harden leads all NBA players in points scored in isolation with 131 points, according to NBA.com. With Kawhi Leonard out, the Los Angeles Clippers have asked Harden to shoulder the scoring load, and he's risen to the challenge. In that same respect, compare that to George, Harden's former teammate, and the results are not pretty. Paul George’s isolation scoring has also been putrid Again, George came to the Sixers with the reputation of a wing scorer. He has that reputation because he’s earned it from his time with the Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Clippers. However, he has not started the season well in isolation. George has scored 27 points in isolation in the eight games he’s played for the Sixers. It's, of course, worth noting Harden has played in 18 games, but the trends do not point to George matching Harden's impressive total with additional appearances. That is well short of what the Sixers wanted to see from George when they signed him. Seeing how much better Harden has been in that department makes it harder to stomach how underwhelming George has been as a player. The Sixers may have other scorers around him, like Tyrese Maxey and Joel Embiid, but George was supposed to take the pressure off them and vice versa. At age 34 and with his injury history, it shouldn’t surprise anyone that George has declined a bit. However, his numbers tumbling to this extent is a major red flag that the Sixers may be unable to ignore if things don’t pick up soon. Harden thriving in this particular category may make George’s struggles even more painful to watch. MORE SIXERS NEWS: 76ers loss to Clippers goes from bad to worse with viral social media slipupMoving forward, it is essential for the electric vehicle industry to prioritize safety and take proactive measures to address any potential risks associated with windshield defects. Collaborative efforts between manufacturers, regulators, and consumers are necessary to ensure that EVs meet the highest safety standards and deliver a reliable driving experience for all users.

Title: Final Batch of New Car Declarations Summary by MIIT: Multiple High-Profile Models UnveiledCarolyn Dickens, 76, was sitting at her dining room table, struggling to catch her breath as her physician looked on with concern. “What’s going on with your breathing?” asked Peter Gliatto, director of Mount Sinai’s Visiting Doctors Program. “I don’t know,” she answered, so softly it was hard to hear. “Going from here to the bathroom or the door, I get really winded. I don’t know when it’s going to be my last breath.” Dickens, a lung cancer survivor, lives in central Harlem, barely getting by. She has serious lung disease and high blood pressure and suffers regular fainting spells. In the past year, she’s fallen several times and dropped to 85 pounds, a dangerously low weight. And she lives alone, without any help — a highly perilous situation. This is almost surely an undercount, since the data is from more than a dozen years ago. It’s a population whose numbers far exceed those living in nursing homes — about 1.2 million — and yet it receives much less attention from policymakers, legislators, and academics who study aging. Consider some eye-opening statistics about completely homebound seniors from a study published in 2020 in : Nearly 40% have five or more chronic medical conditions, such as heart or lung disease. Almost 30% are believed to have “probable dementia.” Seventy-seven percent have difficulty with at least one daily task such as bathing or dressing. Almost 40% live by themselves. That “on my own” status magnifies these individuals’ already considerable vulnerability, something that became acutely obvious during the covid-19 outbreak, when the number of sick and disabled seniors confined to their homes doubled. “People who are homebound, like other individuals who are seriously ill, rely on other people for so much,” said Katherine Ornstein, director of the Center for Equity in Aging at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. “If they don’t have someone there with them, they’re at risk of not having food, not having access to health care, not living in a safe environment.” Related Articles Research has shown that older homebound adults are less likely to receive regular primary care than other seniors. They’re also more likely to end up in the hospital with medical crises that might have been prevented if someone had been checking on them. To better understand the experiences of these seniors, I accompanied Gliatto on some home visits in New York City. Mount Sinai’s Visiting Doctors Program, established in 1995, is one of the oldest in the nation. who rarely or never leave home have access to this kind of home-based primary care. Gliatto and his staff — seven part-time doctors, three nurse practitioners, two nurses, two social workers, and three administrative staffers — serve about 1,000 patients in Manhattan each year. These patients have complicated needs and require high levels of assistance. In recent years, Gliatto has had to cut staff as Mount Sinai has reduced its financial contribution to the program. It doesn’t turn a profit, because reimbursement for services is low and expenses are high. First, Gliatto stopped in to see Sandra Pettway, 79, who never married or had children and has lived by herself in a two-bedroom Harlem apartment for 30 years. Pettway has severe spinal problems and back pain, as well as Type 2 diabetes and depression. She has difficulty moving around and rarely leaves her apartment. “Since the pandemic, it’s been awfully lonely,” she told me. When I asked who checks in on her, Pettway mentioned her next-door neighbor. There’s no one else she sees regularly. Pettway told the doctor she was increasingly apprehensive about an upcoming spinal surgery. He reassured her that Medicare would cover in-home nursing care, aides, and physical therapy services. “Someone will be with you, at least for six weeks,” he said. Left unsaid: Afterward, she would be on her own. (The surgery in April went well, Gliatto reported later.) The doctor listened carefully as Pettway talked about her memory lapses. “I can remember when I was a year old, but I can’t remember 10 minutes ago,” she said. He told her that he thought she was managing well but that he would arrange testing if there was further evidence of cognitive decline. For now, he said, he’s not particularly worried about her ability to manage on her own. Several blocks away, Gliatto visited Dickens, who has lived in her one-bedroom Harlem apartment for 31 years. Dickens told me she hasn’t seen other people regularly since her sister, who used to help her out, had a stroke. Most of the neighbors she knew well have died. Her only other close relative is a niece in the Bronx whom she sees about once a month. Dickens worked with special-education students for decades in New York City’s public schools. Now she lives on a small pension and Social Security — too much to qualify for Medicaid. (Medicaid, the program for low-income people, will pay for aides in the home. Medicare, which covers people over age 65, does not.) Like Pettway, she has only a small fixed income, so she can’t afford in-home help. Every Friday, God’s Love We Deliver, an organization that prepares medically tailored meals for sick people, delivers a week’s worth of frozen breakfasts and dinners that Dickens reheats in the microwave. She almost never goes out. When she has energy, she tries to do a bit of cleaning. Without the ongoing attention from Gliatto, Dickens doesn’t know what she’d do. “Having to get up and go out, you know, putting on your clothes, it’s a task,” she said. “And I have the fear of falling.” The next day, Gliatto visited Marianne Gluck Morrison, 73, a former survey researcher for New York City’s personnel department, in her cluttered Greenwich Village apartment. Morrison, who doesn’t have any siblings or children, was widowed in 2010 and has lived alone since. Morrison said she’d been feeling dizzy over the past few weeks, and Gliatto gave her a basic neurological exam, asking her to follow his fingers with her eyes and touch her fingers to her nose. “I think your problem is with your ear, not your brain,” he told her, describing symptoms of vertigo. Because she had severe wounds on her feet related to Type 2 diabetes, Morrison had been getting home health care for several weeks through Medicare. But those services — help from aides, nurses, and physical therapists — were due to expire in two weeks. “I don’t know what I’ll do then, probably just spend a lot of time in bed,” Morrison told me. Among her other medical conditions: congestive heart failure, osteoarthritis, an irregular heartbeat, chronic kidney disease, and depression. Morrison hasn’t left her apartment since November 2023, when she returned home after a hospitalization and several months at a rehabilitation center. Climbing the three steps that lead up into her apartment building is simply too hard. “It’s hard to be by myself so much of the time. It’s lonely,” she told me. “I would love to have people see me in the house. But at this point, because of the clutter, I can’t do it.” When I asked Morrison who she feels she can count on, she listed Gliatto and a mental health therapist from Henry Street Settlement, a social services organization. She has one close friend she speaks with on the phone most nights. “The problem is I’ve lost eight to nine friends in the last 15 years,” she said, sighing heavily. “They’ve died or moved away.” Bruce Leff, director of the Center for Transformative Geriatric Research at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, is a leading advocate of home-based medical care. “It’s kind of amazing how people find ways to get by,” he said when I asked him about homebound older adults who live alone. “There’s a significant degree of frailty and vulnerability, but there is also substantial resilience.” With the rapid expansion of the aging population in the years ahead, Leff is convinced that more kinds of care will move into the home, everything from rehab services to palliative care to hospital-level services. “It will simply be impossible to build enough hospitals and health facilities to meet the demand from an aging population,” he said. But that will be challenging for homebound older adults who are on their own. Without on-site family caregivers, there may be no one around to help manage this home-based care. ©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.The inspiration for the sculpture came from an old family photograph that Miranda stumbled upon while rummaging through her late grandmother’s belongings. In the faded image, a youthful figure with a radiant smile can be seen clutching a glass of milk, unaware of the darkness that looms on the horizon. Miranda was captivated by the raw emotion captured in the photograph and felt compelled to immortalize it in her art.

Was Donald Trump's 'Big Win' Just A Big Lie? The Answer Will Shock You

Man stalked by ex-partner of woman he had a 'one night stand' with

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top.646 OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Investor Warren Buffett renewed his Thanksgiving tradition of giving by handing out more than $1.1 billion of Berkshire Hathaway stock to four of his family's foundations Monday, and he offered new details about who will be handing out the rest of his fortune after his death. Buffett has said previously that his three kids will distribute his remaining $147.4 billion fortune in the 10 years after his death, but now he has also designated successors for them because it's possible that Buffett's children could die before giving it all away. He didn't identify the successors, but said his kids all know them and agree they would be good choices. “Father time always wins. But he can be fickle – indeed unfair and even cruel – sometimes ending life at birth or soon thereafter while, at other times, waiting a century or so before paying a visit,” the 94-year-old Buffett said in a letter to his fellow shareholders Monday. “To date, I’ve been very lucky, but, before long, he will get around to me. There is, however, a downside to my good fortune in avoiding his notice. The expected life span of my children has materially diminished since the 2006 pledge. They are now 71, 69 and 66.” Buffett said he still has no interest in creating dynastic wealth in his family — a view shared by his first and current wives. He acknowledged giving Howard, Peter and Susie millions over the years, but he has long said he believes “hugely wealthy parents should leave their children enough so they can do anything but not enough that they can do nothing.” The secret to building up such massive wealth over time has been the power of compounding interest and the steady growth of the Berkshire conglomerate Buffett leads through acquisitions and smart investments like buying billions of dollars of Apple shares as iPhone sales continued to drive growth in that company. Buffett never sold any of his Berkshire stock over the years and also resisted the trappings of wealth and never indulged in much — preferring instead to continue living in the same Omaha home he'd bought decades earlier and drive sensible luxury sedans about 20 blocks to work each day. “As a family, we have had everything we needed or simply liked, but we have not sought enjoyment from the fact that others craved what we had,” he said. If Buffett and his first wife had never given away any of their Berkshire shares, the family's fortune would be worth nearly $364 billion — easily making him the world's richest man — but Buffett said he had no regrets about his giving over the years. The family's giving began in earnest with the distribution of Susan Buffett's $3 billion estate after her death in 2004, but really took off when Warren Buffett announced plans in 2006 to make annual gifts to the foundations run by his kids along with the one he and his wife started, as well as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Warren Buffett's giving to date has favored the Gates Foundation with $55 billion in stock because his friend Bill Gates already had his foundation set up and could handle huge gifts when Buffett started giving away his fortune. But Buffett has said his kids now have enough experience in philanthropy to handle the task and he plans to cut off his Gates Foundation donations after his death. Buffett always makes his main annual gifts to all five foundations every summer, but for several years now he has been giving additional Berkshire shares to his family's foundations at Thanksgiving. Buffett reiterated Monday his advice to every parent to allow their families to read their will while they are still alive — like he has done — to make sure they have a chance to explain their decisions about how to distribute their belongings and answer their children's questions. Buffett said he and his longtime investing partner Charlie Munger, who died a year ago, “saw many families driven apart after the posthumous dictates of the will left beneficiaries confused and sometimes angry.” Today, Buffett continues to lead Berkshire Hathaway as chairman and CEO and has no plans to retire although he has handed over most of the day-to-day managing duties for the conglomerates dozens of companies to others. That allows him to focus on his favorite activity of deciding where to invest Berkshire's billions . One of Buffett's deputies who oversees all the noninsurance companies now, Greg Abel, is set to take over as CEO after Buffett's death. Even after converting 1,600 Class A shares into 2.4 million Class B Berkshire shares and giving them away, Buffett still owns 206,363 Class A shares and controls more than 30% of the vote.

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By Noam N. Levey, KFF Health News Worried that President-elect Donald Trump will curtail federal efforts to take on the nation’s medical debt problem, patient and consumer advocates are looking to states to help people who can’t afford their medical bills or pay down their debts. “The election simply shifts our focus,” said Eva Stahl, who oversees public policy at Undue Medical Debt, a nonprofit that has worked closely with the Biden administration and state leaders on medical debt. “States are going to be the epicenter of policy change to mitigate the harms of medical debt.” New state initiatives may not be enough to protect Americans from medical debt if the incoming Trump administration and congressional Republicans move forward with plans to scale back federal aid that has helped millions gain health insurance or reduce the cost of their plans in recent years. Comprehensive health coverage that limits patients’ out-of-pocket costs remains the best defense against medical debt. But in the face of federal retrenchment, advocates are eyeing new initiatives in state legislatures to keep medical bills off people’s credit reports, a consumer protection that can boost credit scores and make it easier to buy a car, rent an apartment, or even get a job. Several states are looking to strengthen oversight of medical credit cards and other financial products that can leave patients paying high interest rates on top of their medical debt. Some states are also exploring new ways to compel hospitals to bolster financial aid programs to help their patients avoid sinking into debt. “There’s an enormous amount that states can do,” said Elisabeth Benjamin, who leads health care initiatives at the nonprofit Community Service Society of New York. “Look at what’s happened here.” New York state has enacted several laws in recent years to rein in hospital debt collections and to expand financial aid for patients, often with support from both Democrats and Republicans in the legislature. “It doesn’t matter the party. No one likes medical debt,” Benjamin said. Other states that have enacted protections in recent years include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington. Many measures picked up bipartisan support. President Joe Biden’s administration has proved to be an ally in state efforts to control health care debt. Such debt burdens 100 million people in the United States, a KFF Health News investigation found . Led by Biden appointee Rohit Chopra, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has made medical debt a priority , going after aggressive collectors and exposing problematic practices across the medical debt industry. Earlier this year, the agency proposed landmark regulations to remove medical bills from consumer credit scores. The White House also championed legislation to boost access to government-subsidized health insurance and to cap out-of-pocket drug costs for seniors, both key bulwarks against medical debt. Trump hasn’t indicated whether his administration will move ahead with the CFPB credit reporting rule, which was slated to be finalized early next year. Congressional Republicans, who will control the House and Senate next year, have blasted the proposal as regulatory overreach that will compromise the value of credit reports. And Elon Musk, the billionaire whom Trump has tapped to lead his initiative to shrink government, last week called for the elimination of the watchdog agency . “Delete CFPB,” Musk posted on X. If the CFPB withdraws the proposed regulation, states could enact their own rules, following the lead of Colorado, New York, and other states that have passed credit reporting bans since 2023. Advocates in Massachusetts are pushing the legislature there to take up a ban when it reconvenes in January. “There are a lot of different levers that states have to take on medical debt,” said April Kuehnhoff, a senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center, which has helped lead national efforts to expand debt protections for patients. Kuehnhoff said she expects more states to crack down on medical credit card providers and other companies that lend money to patients to pay off medical bills, sometimes at double-digit interest rates. Under the Biden administration, the CFPB has been investigating patient financing companies amid warnings that many people may not understand that signing up for a medical credit card such as CareCredit or enrolling in a payment plan through a financial services company can pile on more debt. If the CFPB efforts stall under Trump, states could follow the lead of California, New York, and Illinois, which have all tightened rules governing patient lending in recent years. Consumer advocates say states are also likely to continue expanding efforts to get hospitals to provide more financial assistance to reduce or eliminate bills for low- and middle-income patients, a key protection that can keep people from slipping into debt. Hospitals historically have not made this aid readily available, prompting states such as California, Colorado, and Washington to set stronger standards to ensure more patients get help with bills they can’t afford. This year, North Carolina also won approval from the Biden administration to withhold federal funding from hospitals in the state unless they agreed to expand financial assistance. In Georgia, where state government is entirely in Republican control, officials have been discussing new measures to get hospitals to provide more assistance to patients. “When we talk about hospitals putting profits over patients, we get lots of nodding in the legislature from Democrats and Republicans,” said Liz Coyle, executive director of Georgia Watch, a consumer advocacy nonprofit. Many advocates caution, however, that state efforts to bolster patient protections will be critically undermined if the Trump administration cuts federal funding for health insurance programs such as Medicaid and the insurance marketplaces established through the Affordable Care Act. Trump and congressional Republicans have signaled their intent to roll back federal subsidies passed under Biden that make health plans purchased on ACA marketplaces more affordable. That could hike annual premiums by hundreds or even thousands of dollars for many enrollees, according to estimates by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a think tank. And during Trump’s first term, he backed efforts in Republican-led states to restrict enrollment in their Medicaid safety net programs through rules that would require people to work in order to receive benefits. GOP state leaders in Idaho, Louisiana, and other states have expressed a desire to renew such efforts. “That’s all a recipe for more medical debt,” said Stahl, of Undue Medical Debt. Jessica Altman, who heads the Covered California insurance marketplace, warned that federal cuts will imperil initiatives in her state that have limited copays and deductibles and curtailed debt for many state residents. “States like California that have invested in critical affordable programs for our residents will face tough decisions,” she said. ©2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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A group of anti-NATO, pro-Palestinian demonstrators wreaked havoc on the streets of Montreal on Friday night, while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attended a Taylor Swift concert in Toronto. (Credit: Reuters) Video of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau dancing at a Taylor Swift concert amid a destructive protest in Montreal drew outrage over the weekend. Trudeau, who represents a district in Montreal, had attended the Taylor Swift concert in Toronto on Friday night. A viral video posted on X shows the Canadian politician dancing and singing along to the song "You Don't Own Me" before Swift took the stage. Toronto is roughly 280 miles west of the Canadian capital of Ottowa and 330 miles west of the Montreal district that Trudeau represents. During the same night, anti-NATO demonstrators set off smoke bombs and marched through the streets of Montreal with Palestinian flags. According to the Montreal Gazette, the rioters set cars on fire and clashed with police. CANADA'S TRUDEAU FACING REVOLT FROM WITHIN AS POPULAR CONSERVATIVE LEADER LOOKS TO CAPITALIZE Protesters also threw small explosive devices and metal items at officers. At one point, the group burned an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The image of Trudeau dancing amid protests in his hometown sparked outrage online. Some social media users even compared Trudeau to Nero, the infamous Roman emperor known for "fiddling while Rome burned." Don Stewart, a Member of Parliament (MP) representing part of Toronto, called out the prime minister in a post on X. Video of Justin Trudeau dancing at a Taylor Swift concert amid a destructive protest in his city sparked criticism over the weekend. (Getty Images / Reuters) "Lawless protesters run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances," Stewart wrote. "This is the Canada built by the Liberal government." CANADA LAUNCHES SUDDEN IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN AMID PUBLIC PRESSURE: REPORT "Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved," the MP added. On Saturday, Trudeau denounced the protests and called them "appalling." Protesters set off smoke bombs at the Montreal anti-NATO demonstration. (Reuters) "What we saw on the streets of Montreal last night was appalling," the Canadian leader said. "Acts of antisemitism, intimidation, and violence must be condemned wherever we see them." "The RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police] are in communication with local police. There must be consequences, and rioters held accountable." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Demonstrators reportedly hurled metal objects at police and set vehicles on fire. (Reuters) Fox News Digital has reached out to Trudeau's office for comment. Andrea Margolis is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Readers can send story tips to andrea.margolis@fox.com .DC Shopian reviews snow clearance operations on Mughal RoadPrudential Financial Inc. stock underperforms Monday when compared to competitors despite daily gains

Cardinals' feel-good month comes to a screeching halt after a head-scratching loss to Seahawks

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East Carolina cornerback Shavon Revel Jr., a potential first-round pick, declared for the 2025 NFL Draft on Friday. Revel, who sustained a torn left ACL in practice in September, had one season of eligibility remaining. "After an incredible journey at East Carolina, I am officially declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft," the senior posted on social media. "... Pirates nation, thank you for your unwavering energy and support every game. Representing ECU is an honor, and I look forward to continuing to do so on Sundays!" Revel recorded two interceptions in three games this season, returning one 50 yards for a touchdown on Sept. 14 against Appalachian State. Over three seasons with the Pirates, Revel had three interceptions, 15 passes defensed and 70 tackles in 24 games. He was a second-team All-American Athletic Conference selection last season. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranked Revel as the No. 2 cornerback and No. 23 overall prospect in the 2025 draft class. --Field Level Media

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Cardinals' feel-good month comes to a screeching halt after a head-scratching loss to SeahawksNone

Colandrea announced Monday on social media that he’d be leaving UVa and that he’d enter the portal on Dec. 9 when it opens for undergraduate athletes. It was first reported on Sunday that Colandrea was on his way out . His choice to leave came on the heels of Elliott’s move to start veteran Tony Muskett against rival Virginia Tech this past Saturday. “Unfortunate situation with [Colandrea],” Elliott said Wednesday during his signing day press conference. “The intention was never for him to — with the decision I made — entertain or think about the portal. I was planning on him coming back and being the guy for us going forward. “But, things change,” Elliott continued, “so we now, we will have to go find a veteran guy in the portal.” Muskett is out of eligibility, too, so he’s no longer around, leaving New Mexico State transfer Gavin Frakes as the only scholarship signal-caller on the Cavaliers’ roster currently. He joined the Hoos last offseason, but had started five times in 2022 for New Mexico State and served as the backup in 2023 to Diego Pavia there. Walk-on Grady Brosterhous, who had a role as a short-yardage, running quarterback this past season, is still on the roster as well. The two quarterbacks UVa signed on Wednesday as part of its 2025 class in Deerfield Academy’s (Mass.) Cole Geer and Bishop Moore Catholic’s (Orlando, Fla.) Bjorn Jurgensen don’t arrive in Charlottesville until the summer. “I wish [Colandrea] well,” Elliott said. “He’s leaving here on good terms from my perspective. But it’s unfortunate because my intent was not for [Colandrea] to leave the program. I was excited about getting back to work this offseason and helping to get him to a place of getting his confidence back at the highest level. I knew I had a responsibility this offseason to put some more pieces in place around him, but unfortunately, we’ll be doing that with another veteran quarterback.” There are graduate transfers already in the transfer portal, and undergraduate portal recruiting can begin as soon as those players officially enter next week. As for Geer and Jurgensen, they complement each other well, according to Elliott who praised Geer’s toughness and athleticism, and lauded Jurgensen’s production. Jurgensen threw for 5,175 yards and 56 touchdowns compared to only 12 interceptions over the last two years. “We had to work hard to keep some of the bigger [schools] off of him,” Elliott said of Jurgensen. He initially committed to UVa over Appalachian State, Florida Atlantic and James Madison, and at the time of his commitment, Big 12 programs Baylor and Houston were recruiting him also. Geer chose the Hoos over other offers from Boston College, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Virginia Tech. Elliott said he was transparent with both players that he’d be taking two quarterbacks in the class. “You just got to be honest,” Elliott said when asked about how he’ll handle dealing with the two QBs, “give them a fair opportunity to compete and then go compete. “And I think we had a great example in Tony Muskett and what it should be all about,” Elliott said. “As big of a competitor as he is and even though he only started one game for us this year, he had a tremendous impact on our roster. I met with him this morning and told him that. I said I don’t think you can understand and comprehend what you did for this program with the way you conducted yourself. So, both of these guys [Geer and Jurgensen] knew on the front end.”Jimmy Carter, 100, gained Nebraska admirers during and after his presidency

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ATLANTA (AP) — Jimmy Carter, the peanut farmer who won the presidency in the wake of the Watergate scandal and Vietnam War, endured humbling defeat after one tumultuous term and then redefined life after the White House as a global humanitarian, has died. He was 100 years old. The longest-lived American president died on Sunday, more than a year after entering hospice care , at his home in the small town of Plains, Georgia, where he and his wife, Rosalynn, who died at 96 in November 2023 , spent most of their lives, The Carter Center said. “Our founder, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, passed away this afternoon in Plains, Georgia,” the center said in posting about his death on the social media platform X. It added in a statement that he died peacefully, surrounded by his family. As reaction poured in from around the world, President Joe Biden mourned Carter’s death, saying the world lost an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian” and he lost a dear friend. Biden cited Carter’s compassion and moral clarity, his work to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections, house the homeless and advocacy for the disadvantaged as an example for others. “To all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning – the good life – study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith, and humility,” Biden said in a statement. “He showed that we are a great nation because we are a good people – decent and honorable, courageous and compassionate, humble and strong.” Biden said he is ordering a state funeral for Carter in Washington. Businessman, Navy officer, evangelist, politician, negotiator, author, woodworker, citizen of the world — Carter forged a path that still challenges political assumptions and stands out among the 45 men who reached the nation’s highest office. The 39th president leveraged his ambition with a keen intellect, deep religious faith and prodigious work ethic, conducting diplomatic missions into his 80s and building houses for the poor well into his 90s. “My faith demands — this is not optional — my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can, with whatever I have to try to make a difference,” Carter once said. A moderate Democrat, Carter entered the 1976 presidential race as a little-known Georgia governor with a broad smile, outspoken Baptist mores and technocratic plans reflecting his education as an engineer. His no-frills campaign depended on public financing, and his promise not to deceive the American people resonated after Richard Nixon’s disgrace and U.S. defeat in southeast Asia. “If I ever lie to you, if I ever make a misleading statement, don’t vote for me. I would not deserve to be your president,” Carter repeated before narrowly beating Republican incumbent Gerald Ford, who had lost popularity pardoning Nixon. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978. That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. Yet Carter’s electoral coalition splintered under double-digit inflation, gasoline lines and the 444-day hostage crisis in Iran. His bleakest hour came when eight Americans died in a failed hostage rescue in April 1980, helping to ensure his landslide defeat to Republican Ronald Reagan. Carter acknowledged in his 2020 “White House Diary” that he could be “micromanaging” and “excessively autocratic,” complicating dealings with Congress and the federal bureaucracy. He also turned a cold shoulder to Washington’s news media and lobbyists, not fully appreciating their influence on his political fortunes. “It didn’t take us long to realize that the underestimation existed, but by that time we were not able to repair the mistake,” Carter told historians in 1982, suggesting that he had “an inherent incompatibility” with Washington insiders. Carter insisted his overall approach was sound and that he achieved his primary objectives — to “protect our nation’s security and interests peacefully” and “enhance human rights here and abroad” — even if he fell spectacularly short of a second term. Ignominious defeat, though, allowed for renewal. The Carters founded The Carter Center in 1982 as a first-of-its-kind base of operations, asserting themselves as international peacemakers and champions of democracy, public health and human rights. “I was not interested in just building a museum or storing my White House records and memorabilia,” Carter wrote in a memoir published after his 90th birthday. “I wanted a place where we could work.” That work included easing nuclear tensions in North and South Korea, helping to avert a U.S. invasion of Haiti and negotiating cease-fires in Bosnia and Sudan. By 2022, The Carter Center had declared at least 113 elections in Latin America, Asia and Africa to be free or fraudulent. Recently, the center began monitoring U.S. elections as well. Carter’s stubborn self-assuredness and even self-righteousness proved effective once he was unencumbered by the Washington order, sometimes to the point of frustrating his successors . He went “where others are not treading,” he said, to places like Ethiopia, Liberia and North Korea, where he secured the release of an American who had wandered across the border in 2010. “I can say what I like. I can meet whom I want. I can take on projects that please me and reject the ones that don’t,” Carter said. He announced an arms-reduction-for-aid deal with North Korea without clearing the details with Bill Clinton’s White House. He openly criticized President George W. Bush for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He also criticized America’s approach to Israel with his 2006 book “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.” And he repeatedly countered U.S. administrations by insisting North Korea should be included in international affairs, a position that most aligned Carter with Republican President Donald Trump. Among the center’s many public health initiatives, Carter vowed to eradicate the guinea worm parasite during his lifetime, and nearly achieved it: Cases dropped from millions in the 1980s to nearly a handful. With hardhats and hammers, the Carters also built homes with Habitat for Humanity. The Nobel committee’s 2002 Peace Prize cites his “untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development.” Carter should have won it alongside Sadat and Begin in 1978, the chairman added. Carter accepted the recognition saying there was more work to be done. “The world is now, in many ways, a more dangerous place,” he said. “The greater ease of travel and communication has not been matched by equal understanding and mutual respect.” Carter’s globetrotting took him to remote villages where he met little “Jimmy Carters,” so named by admiring parents. But he spent most of his days in the same one-story Plains house — expanded and guarded by Secret Service agents — where they lived before he became governor. He regularly taught Sunday School lessons at Maranatha Baptist Church until his mobility declined and the coronavirus pandemic raged. Those sessions drew visitors from around the world to the small sanctuary where Carter will receive his final send-off after a state funeral at Washington’s National Cathedral. The common assessment that he was a better ex-president than president rankled Carter and his allies. His prolific post-presidency gave him a brand above politics, particularly for Americans too young to witness him in office. But Carter also lived long enough to see biographers and historians reassess his White House years more generously. His record includes the deregulation of key industries, reduction of U.S. dependence on foreign oil, cautious management of the national debt and notable legislation on the environment, education and mental health. He focused on human rights in foreign policy, pressuring dictators to release thousands of political prisoners . He acknowledged America’s historical imperialism, pardoned Vietnam War draft evaders and relinquished control of the Panama Canal. He normalized relations with China. “I am not nominating Jimmy Carter for a place on Mount Rushmore,” Stuart Eizenstat, Carter’s domestic policy director, wrote in a 2018 book. “He was not a great president” but also not the “hapless and weak” caricature voters rejected in 1980, Eizenstat said. Rather, Carter was “good and productive” and “delivered results, many of which were realized only after he left office.” Madeleine Albright, a national security staffer for Carter and Clinton’s secretary of state, wrote in Eizenstat’s forward that Carter was “consequential and successful” and expressed hope that “perceptions will continue to evolve” about his presidency. “Our country was lucky to have him as our leader,” said Albright, who died in 2022. Jonathan Alter, who penned a comprehensive Carter biography published in 2020, said in an interview that Carter should be remembered for “an epic American life” spanning from a humble start in a home with no electricity or indoor plumbing through decades on the world stage across two centuries. “He will likely go down as one of the most misunderstood and underestimated figures in American history,” Alter told The Associated Press. James Earl Carter Jr. was born Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains and spent his early years in nearby Archery. His family was a minority in the mostly Black community, decades before the civil rights movement played out at the dawn of Carter’s political career. Carter, who campaigned as a moderate on race relations but governed more progressively, talked often of the influence of his Black caregivers and playmates but also noted his advantages: His land-owning father sat atop Archery’s tenant-farming system and owned a main street grocery. His mother, Lillian , would become a staple of his political campaigns. Seeking to broaden his world beyond Plains and its population of fewer than 1,000 — then and now — Carter won an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in 1946. That same year he married Rosalynn Smith, another Plains native, a decision he considered more important than any he made as head of state. She shared his desire to see the world, sacrificing college to support his Navy career. Carter climbed in rank to lieutenant, but then his father was diagnosed with cancer, so the submarine officer set aside his ambitions of admiralty and moved the family back to Plains. His decision angered Rosalynn, even as she dived into the peanut business alongside her husband. Carter again failed to talk with his wife before his first run for office — he later called it “inconceivable” not to have consulted her on such major life decisions — but this time, she was on board. “My wife is much more political,” Carter told the AP in 2021. He won a state Senate seat in 1962 but wasn’t long for the General Assembly and its back-slapping, deal-cutting ways. He ran for governor in 1966 — losing to arch-segregationist Lester Maddox — and then immediately focused on the next campaign. Carter had spoken out against church segregation as a Baptist deacon and opposed racist “Dixiecrats” as a state senator. Yet as a local school board leader in the 1950s he had not pushed to end school segregation even after the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision, despite his private support for integration. And in 1970, Carter ran for governor again as the more conservative Democrat against Carl Sanders, a wealthy businessman Carter mocked as “Cufflinks Carl.” Sanders never forgave him for anonymous, race-baiting flyers, which Carter disavowed. Ultimately, Carter won his races by attracting both Black voters and culturally conservative whites. Once in office, he was more direct. “I say to you quite frankly that the time for racial discrimination is over,” he declared in his 1971 inaugural address, setting a new standard for Southern governors that landed him on the cover of Time magazine. His statehouse initiatives included environmental protection, boosting rural education and overhauling antiquated executive branch structures. He proclaimed Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the slain civil rights leader’s home state. And he decided, as he received presidential candidates in 1972, that they were no more talented than he was. In 1974, he ran Democrats’ national campaign arm. Then he declared his own candidacy for 1976. An Atlanta newspaper responded with the headline: “Jimmy Who?” The Carters and a “Peanut Brigade” of family members and Georgia supporters camped out in Iowa and New Hampshire, establishing both states as presidential proving grounds. His first Senate endorsement: a young first-termer from Delaware named Joe Biden. Yet it was Carter’s ability to navigate America’s complex racial and rural politics that cemented the nomination. He swept the Deep South that November, the last Democrat to do so, as many white Southerners shifted to Republicans in response to civil rights initiatives. A self-declared “born-again Christian,” Carter drew snickers by referring to Scripture in a Playboy magazine interview, saying he “had looked on many women with lust. I’ve committed adultery in my heart many times.” The remarks gave Ford a new foothold and television comedians pounced — including NBC’s new “Saturday Night Live” show. But voters weary of cynicism in politics found it endearing. Carter chose Minnesota Sen. Walter “Fritz” Mondale as his running mate on a “Grits and Fritz” ticket. In office, he elevated the vice presidency and the first lady’s office. Mondale’s governing partnership was a model for influential successors Al Gore, Dick Cheney and Biden. Rosalynn Carter was one of the most involved presidential spouses in history, welcomed into Cabinet meetings and huddles with lawmakers and top aides. The Carters presided with uncommon informality: He used his nickname “Jimmy” even when taking the oath of office, carried his own luggage and tried to silence the Marine Band’s “Hail to the Chief.” They bought their clothes off the rack. Carter wore a cardigan for a White House address, urging Americans to conserve energy by turning down their thermostats. Amy, the youngest of four children, attended District of Columbia public school. Washington’s social and media elite scorned their style. But the larger concern was that “he hated politics,” according to Eizenstat, leaving him nowhere to turn politically once economic turmoil and foreign policy challenges took their toll. Carter partially deregulated the airline, railroad and trucking industries and established the departments of Education and Energy, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He designated millions of acres of Alaska as national parks or wildlife refuges. He appointed a then-record number of women and nonwhite people to federal posts. He never had a Supreme Court nomination, but he elevated civil rights attorney Ruth Bader Ginsburg to the nation’s second highest court, positioning her for a promotion in 1993. He appointed Paul Volker, the Federal Reserve chairman whose policies would help the economy boom in the 1980s — after Carter left office. He built on Nixon’s opening with China, and though he tolerated autocrats in Asia, pushed Latin America from dictatorships to democracy. But he couldn’t immediately tame inflation or the related energy crisis. And then came Iran. After he admitted the exiled Shah of Iran to the U.S. for medical treatment, the American Embassy in Tehran was overrun in 1979 by followers of the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. Negotiations to free the hostages broke down repeatedly ahead of the failed rescue attempt. The same year, Carter signed SALT II, the new strategic arms treaty with Leonid Brezhnev of the Soviet Union, only to pull it back, impose trade sanctions and order a U.S. boycott of the Moscow Olympics after the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. Hoping to instill optimism, he delivered what the media dubbed his “malaise” speech, although he didn’t use that word. He declared the nation was suffering “a crisis of confidence.” By then, many Americans had lost confidence in the president, not themselves. Carter campaigned sparingly for reelection because of the hostage crisis, instead sending Rosalynn as Sen. Edward M. Kennedy challenged him for the Democratic nomination. Carter famously said he’d “kick his ass,” but was hobbled by Kennedy as Reagan rallied a broad coalition with “make America great again” appeals and asking voters whether they were “better off than you were four years ago.” Reagan further capitalized on Carter’s lecturing tone, eviscerating him in their lone fall debate with the quip: “There you go again.” Carter lost all but six states and Republicans rolled to a new Senate majority. Carter successfully negotiated the hostages’ freedom after the election, but in one final, bitter turn of events, Tehran waited until hours after Carter left office to let them walk free. At 56, Carter returned to Georgia with “no idea what I would do with the rest of my life.” Four decades after launching The Carter Center, he still talked of unfinished business. “I thought when we got into politics we would have resolved everything,” Carter told the AP in 2021. “But it’s turned out to be much more long-lasting and insidious than I had thought it was. I think in general, the world itself is much more divided than in previous years.” Still, he affirmed what he said when he underwent treatment for a cancer diagnosis in his 10th decade of life. “I’m perfectly at ease with whatever comes,” he said in 2015 . “I’ve had a wonderful life. I’ve had thousands of friends, I’ve had an exciting, adventurous and gratifying existence.” Sanz is a former Associated Press reporter.

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2025-01-12   

Lisa Simpson once said during an episode of “The Simpsons:” What could be more exciting than the savage ballet that is pro football? On Monday night, the entire Simpsons universe gets to experience it in a way not many could have imagined. The prime-time matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys will also take place at Springfield’s Atoms Stadium as part of “The Simpsons Funday Football” alternate broadcast. The altcast will be streamed on ESPN+, Disney+, and NFL+ (on mobile devices). ESPN and ABC have the main broadcast, while ESPN2 will carry the final “ManningCast” of the regular season. The replay will be available on Disney+ for 30 days. Globally, more than 145 countries will have access to either live or on replay. “We’re such huge football fans, and the Simpsons audience and the football audience, I feel, are like the same audience of just American families and football. And the Simpsons are so much a part of the DNA of the American family and culture that for us to, like, mush them together in this crazy video game, it’s so fun,” said Matt Selman, executive producer of “The Simpsons.” While the game is the focal point, the alternate broadcast, in some ways, will resemble a three-hour episode of “The Simpsons.” It starts with Homer eating too many hot dogs and having a dream while watching football. Homer joins the Cowboys in the dream while Bart teams up with the Bengals. Lisa and Marge will be sideline reporters. “That’s the beginning of the story, and the story continues through the entire game until Homer wakes up from his dream at the end of the game. It is like a complete story, and the NFL game will happen in between. It’s just going to be an amazing presentation with tons of surprises,” said Michael “Spike” Szykowny, ESPN’s VP of edit and animation. This is the second year ESPN has done an alternate broadcast for an NFL game. It used the characters from “Toy Story” for last year’s Sunday morning game from London between the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars. “The Simpsons” has featured many sports-themed episodes during its 35 seasons. Even though “Homer at the Bat” remains the consensus favorite sports episode for many Simpsons fans, there have been football ones such as “Bart Star” and “Lisa The Greek.” There also was a Super Bowl-themed one after Fox’s broadcast of Super Bowl 33 between Denver and Atlanta in 1999. Even though “The Simpsons” remains a staple on Fox’s prime-time schedule, it is part of the Disney family after their acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019. All 35 seasons are on Disney+. The show’s creators have worked with ESPN and the NFL to make sure the look and sound is definitely Simpsonsesque. The theme song is a mash-up of “The Simpsons” opening and “Monday Night Football’s” iconic “Heavy Action.” There have also been pre-recorded skits and bits to use during the broadcast featuring Simpson’s legendary voices Hank Azaria, Nancy Cartwright, Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, and Yeardley Smith. The telecast will be entirely animated, with the players’ movements in sync with what is happening in real-time on the field. That is done through player-tracking data enabled by the NFL’s Next Gen Stats system and Sony’s Beyond Sports Technology. Story continues below video While Next Gen Stats tracks where players are on the field with a tracking chip in the shoulder pads, there is skeletal data tracking and limb tracking data — which uses 29 points per player — to get closer to the player’s movements. The other data tracking will allow Beyond Sports and Disney to add special characters to the game. For example, there might be a play where Lisa catches the ball and goes 30 yards instead of Cincinnati’s Tee Higgins. “Lisa is much smaller than the rest of the players. So, in real life, the ball would go over her head, but now, with data processing, we can take the ball and make it go exactly into her hands. So for the viewer, it still looks believable, and it all makes sense,” said Beyond Sports co-founder Nicolaas Westerhof. The other major challenge is making “The Simpsons” two-dimensional cartoon characters into 3-D simulations. Szykowny and his team worked to make that a reality over the past couple of months. “That’s a big leap of faith for them to say, hey, we trust you to make our characters 3-D and work with it. Our ESPN creative studio team has done a wonderful job,” Szykowny said. Lisa, Krusty, Nelson, Milhouse and Ralph will be with Bart and the Bengals; while Carl, Barney, Lenny and Moe join up with with Homer and the Cowboys. The broadcast will also feature ESPN personalities Stephen A. Smith, Peyton Manning and Eli Manning. ESPN’s Drew Carter, Mina Kimes and Dan Orlovsky will call the game from Bristol, Connecticut, and also be animated. They will wear Meta Quest Pro headsets to experience the game from Springfield using VR technology. For Kimes, being part of the broadcast and being an animated Simpsons character is a dream come true. She is a massive fan of the show and has a framed photo of Lisa Simpson — who she said is a personal hero and icon — as part of her backdrop when she makes appearances on ESPN NFL shows from her home in Los Angeles. “I didn’t have any input, and I didn’t see anything beforehand, so I wasn’t sure if it would look like me, but it kind of does, which is very funny,” said Kimes, who drew Simpsons characters when she was a kid. “To see the actual staff turn me into one was a dream.” Even though the Bengals (4-8) and Cowboys (5-7) have struggled this season, Selman thinks both teams have personalities that appeal to “The Simpsons” universe. “We were just so lucky also that the Cowboys are sort of like a Homer Simpson-type team, American team, and Mike McCarthy might be a Homer-type guy, one might imagine,” he said. ”And then you have Joe Burrow on the other side who is a cool young, spiky-haired, blonde bad boy -- he’s like Bart. And that fits our character archetypes so perfectly. “If Homer is mad at Bart and has a hot dog dream while watching ’Monday Night Football’, and then it’s basically McCarthy versus Burrow, Homer versus Bart, and that’s the simple father versus son strangling — Homer strangling Bart dynamic that has been part of the show for 35 years. I don’t know if that would have worked as well if it was like Titans versus Jacksonville. We would have found something. We would have made it work.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflBloomberg's Anurag Rana [left] talks with Anthropic's Michael Gerstenhaber [center] and Scale AI's Vijay Karunamurthy, during Bloomberg Intelligence's conference on "Gen AI: Can it deliver on the productivity promise?" Large language models and other forms of generative artificial intelligence are improving steadily at "self-correction," opening up the possibilities for new kinds of work they can do, including " agentic AI ," according to the vice president of Anthropic, a leading vendor of AI models. "It's getting very good at self-correction, self-reasoning," said Michael Gerstenhaber, head of API technologies at Anthropic, which makes the Claude family of LLMs that compete with OpenAI's GPT. "Every couple of months we've come out with a new model that has extended what LLMs can do," said Gerstenhaber during an interview Wednesday in New York with Bloomberg Intelligence's Anurag Rana. "The most interesting thing about this industry is that new use cases are unlocked with every model revision." Also: Anthropic's latest AI model can use a computer just like you - mistakes and all The most recent models include task planning, such as how to carry out tasks on a computer as a person would ; for example, ordering pizza online. "Planning interstitial steps is something that wasn't possible yesterday that is possible today," said Gerstenhaber of such step-by-step task completion. The discussion, which also included Vijay Karunamurthy, chief technologist of AI startup Scale AI, was part of a daylong conference hosted by Bloomberg Intelligence to explore the topic, " Gen AI: Can it deliver on the productivity promise?" Gerstenhaber's remarks fly in the face of arguments from AI skeptics that Gen AI, and the rest of AI more broadly, is "hitting a wall," meaning that the return from each new model generation is getting less and less. AI scholar Gary Marcus warned in 2022 that simply making AI models with more and more parameters would not yield improvements equal to the increase in size. Marcus has continued to reiterate that warning . Anthropic, said Gerstenhaber, has been pushing at what can be measured by current AI benchmarks. Also: Anthropic brings Tool Use for Claude out of beta, promising sophisticated assistants "Even if it looks like it's tapering off in some ways, that's because we're enabling entirely new classes [of functionality], but we've saturated the benchmarks, and the ability to do older tasks," said Gerstenhaber. In other words, it gets harder to measure what current Gen AI models can do. Both Gerstenhaber and Scale AI's Karunamurthy made the case that "scaling" Gen AI -- making AI models bigger -- is helping to advance such self-correcting neural networks. "We are definitely seeing more and more scaling of the intelligence," said Gerstenhaber. "One of the reasons we don't necessarily think that we're hitting a wall with planning and reasoning is that we're just learning right now what are the ways in which planning and reasoning tasks need to be structured so that the models can adapt to a wide variety of new environments they haven't tried to pass." "We're very much in the early days," said Gerstenhaber. "We're learning from application developers what they're trying to do, and what it [the language model] does poorly, and we can integrate that into the LM." Also: The best AI chatbots: ChatGPT, Copilot, and worthy alternatives Some of that discovery, said Gerstenhaber, has to do with the speed of fundamental research at Anthropic. However, some of it has to do with learning by hearing "what industry is telling us they need from us, and our ability to adapt to that -- we are very much learning in real time." Customers tend to start with big models and then sometimes down-size to simpler AI models to fit a purpose, said Scale AI's Karunamurthy. "It's very clear that first they think about whether or not an AI is intelligent enough to do a test well at all, then, whether it's fast enough to meet their needs in the application and then as cheap as possible." Google's new AI tool could be your new favorite learning aid - and it's free The best open-source AI models: All your free-to-use options explained I changed 5 ChatGPT settings and instantly became more productive - here's how The best AI search engines of 2024: Google, Perplexity, and moretop646 com login 。

Minister of information and national orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, Saturday, said the ongoing tax reforms being initiated by president Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration is crucial and timely. The minister also said the Nigeria’s tax administration system is due for reform in terms of design and implementation flaws, as well as taxpayers’ attitude. He however, called constructive dialogue on the tax reform devoid regional, ethic and religious sentiments. Idris stated this in Kaduna minister made the remarks at the National Discourse on Tax Reform Bills, organised by the Kaduna Chapter of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). The theme of the dialogue is “Tax Reforms: The Role of Public Relations in Fostering Constructive Dialogue for National Economic Renaissance.” He said, “In a democracy, constructive dialogue is essential for the advancement of society. We must give voice to diverse opinions and respect those we disagree with. We will not always agree on all issues, but we must be guided by the fact that our common humanity, nationhood, and sense of patriotism unite us more than our differences. “The Tinubu administration will never do anything to undermine the ideals of participatory democracy. “Our mandate and responsibility for governing and reforming Nigeria came by way of democracy, and we will continue to live up to those very high democratic standards and expectations.” Idris emphasised the urgent need to overhaul Nigeria’s tax system, describing it as plagued by outdated structures and a general mistrust among taxpayers. “All over the world, effective taxation is important as a source of financial power for governments to provide social services for their citizens. ” However, there is plenty of reason to believe and assert that Nigeria’s tax administration system has become long overdue for reform, on account of design and implementation flaws as well as the general attitudes of taxpayers towards taxation.” The minister commended the NIPR for organising the discourse aimed to foster dialogue on tax reforms and their role in the national economic renaissance. Idris highlighted the significance of taxation, quoting Benjamin Franklin’s phrase, “In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” “Taxation is a crucial source of financial power for governments to provide social services for their citizens “However, Nigeria’s tax administration system is due for reform, citing design and implementation flaws, as well as taxpayers’ attitudes,” he added. The minister noted that the ongoing review of the country’s tax laws and realities was timely and crucial, especially as part of a larger set of macroeconomic reforms aimed at setting the country on an irreversible path of growth and development. “The full details of the new tax bills are available in the public domain, and I commend the Presidential Committee on Fiscal and Tax Reform for their excellent job in this regard, in terms of public engagement,” Idris said. He, therefore, encouraged Nigerians to express their views on the new tax bills, assuring that the Executive would listen to stakeholders’ concerns and work towards addressing them. “It is inspiring to see Nigerians from all walks of life coming out to express their views and opinions on these matters of critical national importance. “President Tinubu has also been very clear that the Executive will listen to and work with all stakeholders to ensure that all concerns are duly and comprehensively addressed,” he added. Idris acknowledged the importance of citizen engagement in the implementation of President Bola Tinubu’s fiscal reform agenda. “As President Tinubu continues to implement an ambitious fiscal reform agenda that will devolve more resources to Nigeria’s State and Local Governments, and ultimately to the Nigerian people, in the spirit of true federalism, citizen engagement will become ever more critical,” Idris said. In his remarks, the President of NIPR, Dr. Ike Neliaku, while throwing the support of the institute behind the tax reform bills currently before the national assembly, said the institute is willing to partner with ministry to take the tax reform ‘gospel ‘ to the six geopolitical zones of the country.Dore Copper Announces Filing and Mailing of Management Information Circular in Connection with Special Meeting and Encourages Shareholders to Access Meeting Materials Electronically

House hails ‘living document’ to mark 75 years of ConstitutionMinnesota looks to stop skid vs. Bethune-CookmanSyrian opposition fighters have reached the suburbs of the capital, Damascus, and government forces abandoned the central city of Homs as the rebels' surprising offensive picks up speed. President Bashar Assad's whereabouts are unknown. Homs is an important intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces that are the Syrian leader’s base of support. In Damascus, residents described a city on edge, with security forces on the streets and many shops running out of staple foods. The rapidly developing events have shaken the region. Lebanon said it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus. Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too. Eight key countries gathered with the U.N. special envoy on Syria on the sidelines of the Doha Summit for two hours of discussions Saturday night, and more will follow. The U.N. envoy seeks urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Here's the Latest: Syrian rebels say they have taken over key city of Homs The Syrian insurgency announced Saturday that it has taken over Homs, following reports of government forces withdrawing from the strategic city. This latest development in the rebels’ swift shock offensive in the war-torn country has left embattled Syrian President Bashar Assad effectively in control of the capital Damascus and two other cities where his key support base among the Alawite Muslim population are based. Homs is an important intersection between Damascus and Syria’s coastal provinces that are the Syrian leader’s base of support. Syrian opposition fighters have reached the suburbs of the capital, Damascus as the rebels’ offensive picks up speed. President Bashar Assad’s whereabouts are unknown. Mother of hostage seen in video says ‘enough with the games’ The mother of an Israeli man held hostage in Gaza and seen in a newly released video by Hamas says “enough with the games” and calls for more pressure on the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Einav Zangauker told a demonstration in Tel Aviv on Saturday night that like her son Matan, “there are a few dozen who are currently alive. Don’t allow them to be brought back dead in bags. Take to the streets.” Matan Zangauker, speaking under duress, appealed to the public to protest in front of Netanyahu’s home and “not let him sleep even for a minute.” Zangauker also referred to 420 days of being held by Hamas militants and said “isolation is killing us.” Police used a water cannon on the demonstrators as thousands took to the streets for the weekly anti-government protests. Iran-backed militias watch Syria events before a decision on support Two officials with Iran-backed Iraqi militias in Syria say the militias are monitoring the situation and have not made a decision to enter in support of Iran’s ally, Syrian President Bashar Assad. One of the officials said Iranian militias had withdrawn to Iraq from their positions in Syria. “All the militias are waiting to see what Bashar Assad will do in Damascus. If he resists and does not allow Damascus to fall, it is possible that the Iraqi factions will intervene for the purpose of support,” he said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter. -- Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad Multi-country talks on Syria end, with more to come Multi-country discussions on Syria have ended on the sidelines of the Doha Summit. Iraqi Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein says the countries will issue a statement, and there will be follow-up talks “taking into consideration the practical and real situation on the ground.” He said the talks, which lasted over two hours Saturday evening, focused on how to stop the fighting. Eight key countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran gathered with the U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen. When asked where Syrian President Bashar Assad is, Iraq's foreign minister replied, “I don’t know.” He declined to speculate on whether Assad would be overthrown. Opposition fighters have reached the Damascus suburbs. Lebanon's Health Ministry says Israeli airstrikes kill 6 BEIRUT — Lebanon’s Health Ministry says two Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday killed six people and wounded five others. The ministry said an airstrike on the village of Beit Leif killed five people and wounded five, while a drone strike on the village of Deir Serian killed one person. Israel’s military said it was looking into the report. Despite a ceasefire that went into effect on Nov. 27 to end the 14-month fighting between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants that had escalated into all-out war, violations of the truce have continued. Northern Gaza hospital reports new Israeli bombardment The director of Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza says the facility came under heavy Israeli bombardment again on Saturday and three medical staff were killed. Dr. Hussam Abu Safia in a statement posted by Gaza’s Health Ministry said the hospital was hit by over 100 projectiles and bombs, and electricity was cut off. He said the surgery department and neonatal unit were hit, and he pleaded for “immediate coordination for repair operations.” Kamal Adwan is one of the last remaining hospitals in northern Gaza. Israeli forces are pressing an offensive that has almost completely sealed off the area from humanitarian aid for two months. Israel’s military said it wasn’t aware of any attack Saturday. The hospital director on Friday said Israeli strikes had killed at least 29 people including four medical staff. Israel's military says it isn't intervening in Syria Israeli Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi says the military is monitoring the Syrian border to make sure that “local factions do not direct actions towards us,” adding that Israel is not intervening in the events in Syria. Israel’s military has said it is reinforcing its deployment along the border with Syria. Halevi said if “confusion” arises and actions are directed toward Israel by “local factions” taking control of parts of Syria, Israel has a strong “offensive response.” U.N. says it is relocating non-critical staff from Syria The United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Syria says the U.N. is relocating non-critical staff outside the country. Adam Abdelmoula in a statement Saturday called it a precautionary measure to protect U.N. teams. “Let me emphasize—this is not an evacuation and our dedication to supporting the people of Syria remains unwavering,” Abdelmoula said. The statement did not say how many U.N. staffers were leaving Syria as opposition fighters reached the suburbs of Syria’s capital, Damascus. The statement said the fighting in Syria has displaced over 370,000 people as the humanitarian situation deteriorates, “with many seeking refuge in the northeast and others trapped in frontline areas, unable to escape.” Foreign ministers gather at Doha Summit to discuss Syria Foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran have gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit along with the U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, to discuss the situation in Syria. The talks continued late Saturday and no details were immediately available. Qatar, Jordan and Iraq also were part of the discussions as opposition fighters closed in on the Syrian capital, Damascus. About 2,000 Syrian soldiers cross into Iraq, official says BAGHDAD — An Iraqi government spokesperson says about 2,000 Syrian army soldiers have crossed into Iraq seeking refuge as opposition forces advance in Syria. Bassem al-Awadi said the soldiers’ equipment and weapons were registered and taken into custody by the Iraqi army. “We dealt with them according to the principle of good neighborliness and humanity,” he said Saturday. Al-Awadi also said Iraqi officials are concerned about the security of the al-Hol camp and other facilities in northeast Syria where suspected Islamic State group members and their families are detained. The facilities are guarded by U.S.-backed Kurdish forces. Al-Awadi said there is “high security coordination” between Iraqi officials and those forces to “prevent the prisoners from escaping.” Syria's army fortifies positions in Damascus suburbs Syria's army says it is fortifying its positions in the suburbs of Damascus and in the country’s south, as opposition fighters close in on the capital. The army statement on Saturday also asserted that Syria is being subjected to a “terrorist” and propaganda campaign aiming to destabilize and spread chaos. The statement also said the military is continuing with operations in areas including the central provinces of Hama and Homs, and that it has killed and wounded hundreds of opposition fighters. 2 wounded in car-ramming attack in the West Bank At least two people were wounded in a car-ramming attack in the West Bank on Saturday, according to the Israeli army and rescue services. The army said the attack took place in the area of the Fawwar refugee camp, near the city of Hebron. It said a soldier was severely wounded, and security forces were looking for the attacker. Israel’s Magen David Adom rescue service said another man in his 40s suffered light injuries from shrapnel. The West Bank has seen a surge in violence since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack out of Gaza sparked the war there. Israel has intensified its military raids in the West Bank, targeting what it says are militants planning attacks, and there has also been a rise in Palestinian attacks on Israelis. Israel's military assists U.N. forces against attack in Syria The Israeli military says it is helping United Nations forces to head off an attack on a U.N. position in Syria close to the Israeli border. The army said in a statement Saturday that an attack was carried out by “armed individuals” on a U.N. post near the Syrian town of Hader and it was “assisting U.N. forces in repelling the attack.” On Friday, Israel’s military said it would reinforce its forces in the Golan Heights and near the border with Syria, where civil war has reignited between the government and opposition fighters. Hamas releases a video of an Israeli hostage Hamas has released a video showing Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker making an emotional plea for his release and describing the conditions he and other hostages face in Gaza after being seized in the Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel. His mother, Einav, has become a symbol of the fight to bring back the hostages and is an outspoken critic of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. Matan Zangauker, speaking under duress, appealed to the public to protest in front of Netanyahu’s home and “not let him sleep even for a minute.” Zangauker also referred to 420 days of being held by Hamas militants. “We want to return before we go crazy. Isolation is killing us, and the darkness here is frightening,” he said, describing having little food and medicine and “undrinkable” water. Trump says on Syria that ‘this is not our fight’ President-elect Donald Trump has made his first extensive comments on dramatic advances by opposition fighters in Syria, saying the besieged President Bashar Assad didn’t deserve U.S. support to stay in power. “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT,” Trump posted on the Truth Social platform on Saturday. Syrian opposition activists and regional officials have been watching closely for any indication from both the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration of how the U.S. would handle the sudden advances against Syria’s Russian- and Iranian-allied leader. Trump condemned the overall U.S. handling of the 13-year civil war in Syria, but spoke favorably of the routing of Assad and Russian forces. Turkey says attacks on civilians in Syria were the straw that broke the camel's back ISTANBUL — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday that there was “now a new reality in Syria” following the rapid advance of rebel forces. Speaking in Gaziantep, a city less than 30 miles (48 kilometers) from the Syrian border, Erdogan said that “increasing attacks on civilians” in Syria’s northwest Idlib province “triggered the latest events like the straw that broke the camel’s back.” It was not possible for Turkey to ignore developments in a country with which it shares a lengthy border and it would not allow any threats to its national security, he added in a televised speech. “Our wish is for our neighbor Syria to attain the peace and tranquility it has been longing for for 13 years,” he told a rally of supporters. “We want to see a Syria where different identities live side by side in peace. We hope to see such a Syria in the very near future.” Erdogan claimed President Bashar Assad had erred in rebuffing Turkey’s previous efforts to establish relations, saying Damascus “could not appreciate the value of the hand Turkey extended.” Ankara has supported anti-Assad rebel groups since the early months of the conflict and hosts 3 million refugees dislodged by the fighting. While Turkey lists HTS, the group leading the latest offensive, as a terrorist organization, the Turkey-backed Syrian National Army has worked alongside it. Tension in Damascus as security forces patrol the streets BEIRUT — A resident of the Syrian capital of Damascus says the city is very tense as troops and members of security agencies are deployed on main streets and intersections. The resident told The Associated Press that many shops are closed and those that are open have run out of main commodities such as sugar. He added that if food products are available, some shops are selling them for a price three times higher than usual. “The situation is very strange. We are not used to that,” the resident said on condition of anonymity, fearing retributions. “People are worried whether there will be a battle (in Damascus) or not.” — Bassem Mroue in Beirut Russian foreign minister refuses to make predictions about Syria DOHA, Qatar — Russia’s foreign minister says he has met his Turkish and Iranian counterparts in Doha and that all three countries were calling for an “immediate end to hostile activities” in Syria. Russia and Iran are the chief supporters of Syria’s government, while Turkey backs opposition fighters trying to remove President Bashar Assad from power. Speaking at the annual Doha Forum, Sergey Lavrov said Russia continues to help the Syrian army confront insurgents, military via airstrikes. Asked whether Assad’s rule is threatened by the fast-moving rebel offensive, he said, “We are not in the business of guessing what’s gong to happen.” He blamed the United States and the West for the events in Syria and said, “We are very sorry for the Syrian people who became a subject of another geopolitical experiment. “We are doing everything we can not to make terrorists prevail, even if they say they are not terrorists,” Lavrov said, referring to the de facto leader of the Syrian insurgents, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who says he has cut links with al-Qaida. His group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, is listed as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and United Nations. He said Russia, Iran and Turkey want the full implementation of a U.N. resolution, which endorsed a road map to peace in Syria. Resolution 2254 was adopted unanimously in December 2015. The measure called for a Syrian-led political process, starting with the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Lavrov also downplayed reports that Moscow had withdrawn ships from Russia’s base in Syrian city of Tartus, saying that the vessels had left to take part in naval exercises in the Mediterranean. US envoy says Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire offers opportunity for Lebanon DOHA, Qatar — The U.S. envoy who brokered the ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah says the deal has created a new opportunity for Lebanon to reshape itself. Amos Hochstein told the Doha Forum that the weakness of Hezbollah after nearly 14 months of fighting along, along with blows to its Syrian and Iranian allies, give the Lebanese military and government a chance to reassert itself. “Now is the moment with this ceasefire to rebuild Lebanon again for a much more prosperous future and stronger state institutions,” Hochstein told The Associated Press on the sidelines of the conference. He said Lebanon needs “to do its part” by rebuilding its economy, choosing a president after years of delays and strengthening its central government to attract investors. “And the international community has a requirement and a responsibility to support Lebanon after this devastating conflict and after years of Hezbollah control,” he said. Hochstein told the conference that the turning point in ceasefire efforts was Hezbollah dropping its pledge to keep fighting as long as the war in Gaza continues. He said the change in position was the result of the heavy losses inflicted on Hezbollah, and Lebanese public opinion in favor of delinking the two conflicts. He said key tests for the ceasefire will be whether Israel carries out its promised phased withdrawal from southern Lebanon over the coming two months and whether the Lebanese army is able to move into those areas. Syrian opposition fighters advance on Damascus BEIRUT — Insurgents and a war monitor say opposition fighters are taking over military posts evacuated by Syrian government forces in the country’s south, bringing them closer to the capital, Damascus. An insurgent official known as Maj. Hassan Abdul-Ghani posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition fighters are now in the town of Sanamein, about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the southern outskirts of Damascus, President Bashar Assad’s seat of power. Rami Abdurrahman, who heads the Britain-based opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said insurgents have entered the town of Artouz, which is about 10 kilometers (6 miles) southwest of Damascus. Opposition fighters have captured wide parts of Syria, including several provincial capitals, since they began their offensive on Nov. 27. Lebanese government approves a plan to deploy more troops along the Israeli border BEIRUT — Lebanon’s government has approved a plan to deploy more troops along the border with Israel, part of the ceasefire deal that ended the Israel-Hezbollah war. In a rare Cabinet meeting outside of Beirut, held Saturday at a military base in the southern port city of Tyre, the government also approved a draft law to reconstruct buildings destroyed during the Israel-Hezbollah war that broke out in October 2023 and ended with a U.S.-brokered ceasefire last week. Information Minister Ziad Makary told reporters after the meeting that the committee whose job is to monitor the ceasefire that went into effect on Nov. 27 will hold its first meeting on Monday. The committee is made up of military officials from the U.S., France, Israel and Lebanon as well as the U.N. peacekeeping force deployed along the border. As part of the ceasefire deal, during the first 60 days Israeli troops will have to withdraw from Lebanon, while Hezbollah will have to pull its heavy weapons away from the border area to north of the Litani river. The Lebanese army said this week it will begin recruiting more soldiers, apparently to deploy them along the border with Israel. Syrian army withdraws from much of southern Syria BEIRUT — The Syrian army withdrew from much of southern Syria on Saturday, leaving more areas of the country, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters, the military and an opposition war monitor said. The redeployment away from the provinces of Daraa and Sweida came as Syria’s military sent large numbers of reinforcements to defend the key central city of Homs, Syria’s third largest, as insurgents approached its outskirts. The rapid advances by insurgents are a stunning reversal of fortunes for Syria’s President Bashar Assad , who appears to be largely on his own, with erstwhile allies preoccupied with other conflicts. His chief international backer, Russia, is busy with its war in Ukraine, and Lebanon’s powerful Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up his forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran, meanwhile, has seen its proxies across the region degraded by Israeli regular airstrikes. Israel kills Palestinian man who attacked security forces at border crossing JERUSALEM — Israeli security forces killed a Palestinian man after he attacked them at a border crossing in the Israeli-occupied West Bank on Saturday morning, police said. The man shot firecrackers at security forces at the checkpoint and threatened them with a knife, the police statement said. The man wore a t-shirt emblazoned with a symbol of the Islamic State militant group, according to an Associated Press reporter Israeli fire has killed at least 700 Palestinians in the West Bank since the Israel-Hamas war began last year, Palestinian health officials said. In that time, Palestinian militants have launched a number of attacks on soldiers at checkpoints and within Israel. Qatari prime minister sees movement in Gaza ceasefire negotiations DOHA, Qatar — The prime minister of Qatar says he has seen new momentum in Gaza ceasefire efforts since the U.S. presidential election, with the incoming Trump administration seeking an end to the conflict before it takes office. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, a key mediator in the ceasefire efforts, declined to give specifics of the negotiations but told an international conference in Doha that the gaps between the sides are not large. Qatar, which has served as a mediator throughout the 14-month war, suspended its efforts last month in frustration over the lack of progress. But Sheikh Mohammed said his government has re-engaged in recent days after determining a new willingness by both parties to reach a deal. ’We have sensed after the election that the momentum is coming back,” he told the Doha Forum on Saturday. He said has been in touch with both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration and found that while there are some differences in approach, both are committed to the same goal of ending the war. ’We have seen a lot of encouragement from the incoming administration in order to achieve a deal, even before the president comes to the office,” Sheikh Mohammed said. He declined to discuss details, saying he wanted to “protect the process,” but expressed hope for a deal “as soon as possible.” ’If you look at the gaps and the disagreements, they are not something substantial that really affects the agreement,” he said. Israeli strikes kill at least 29 at hard-hit Gaza hospital CAIRO — At least 29 people were killed, including four medical staff, when Israeli strikes pummeled the area around one of the last remaining hospitals in northern Gaza, Palestinian officials said. The situation in and around the Kamal Adwan hospital is “catastrophic,” according to Dr. Hussam Abu Safia, the director of the hospital. The dead included five children and five women, according to the hospital casualty list, which was obtained by The Associated Press. Friday’s strikes also wounded 55 people including six children and the five women, according to the hospital. Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya is one of the few hospitals still partially operating in the Gaza’s northernmost province , where Israeli forces are pressing an offensive that has almost completely sealed off the area from humanitarian aid for two months. Israel’s military denied that its forces had struck the hospital or operated inside it. The army said that in the past few weeks, “coordinated efforts with international organizations have been underway in order to transfer patients, companions, and medical staff to other hospitals.” An Indonesian medical team which had been assisting in Kamal Adwan for the past week was forced to evacuate on foot after the area was surrounded by Israeli soldiers, according to a statement from the team. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the medical team’s expulsion. Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization representative in the Palestinian territories, said an Israeli tank approached the hospital at around 4 a.m. Friday. Although no official Israeli evacuation order was issued, “people started to climb the wall to escape, and this panic attracted IDF (Israeli) fire,” he said. He spoke by video from Gaza to journalists in Geneva. Kamal Adwan Hospital has been struck multiple times over the past two months since Israel launched a fierce military operation in northern Gaza against Hamas militants. In October, Israeli forces raided the hospital, saying that militants were sheltering inside and arrested a number of people, including some staff. Hospital officials denied the claim. Saudi Arabia calls for and end to Gaza war and attacks Israel's actions MANAMA, Bahrain — Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister has reiterated the kingdom’s call for an end to the war in the Gaza Strip. Prince Faisal bin Farhan described Israel as acting with “impunity and is getting away without punishment” in its war on Hamas there. The prince said that any permanent solution requires a two-state solution, with the Palestinians having east Jerusalem as their capital. After the speech, Prince Turki al-Faisal, a prominent royal in the kingdom who led Saudi intelligence for more than two decades and served as ambassador to the U.S. and Britain, took the stage. He harshly criticized Israel’s conduct in the wars. “Israel has become an apartheid, colonial and genocidal state,” Prince Turki said. “It is about time for the world to address that issue and take the necessary steps to bring those who are thus charged by the International Criminal Court to justice.” Israeli officials could not be immediately reached for comment on Prince Turki’s remarks. The Saudis spoke at the International Institute for Security Studies’ Manama Dialogue in Bahrain.

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This decision made by Minister of Home Affairs Leon Schreiber, will allow time for consultation with affected ZEP holders and stakeholders on the future of the current dispensation. The extension comes after a court ruling that declared the Minister’s decision to terminate the ZEP as procedurally unfair and unconstitutional. The ruling, made by the Pretoria High Court, affected approximately 178,000 Zimbabwean nationals who hold the permit. “I, Dr L. A. Schreiber, MP, Minister of Home Affairs, with the powers bestowed upon me in terms of section 31(2)(b) of the Immigration Act, (“Immigration Act”) have decided to extend the validity of the Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (‘ZEP’) until 28 November 2025 in order for me to fulfill the duty placed on me by the Gauteng High Court to consult the affected ZEP holders and all other stakeholders on the future of the current dispensation,” the Minister stated in a statement. “The reactivation of the Immigration Advisory Board (‘IAB’) is currently underway and its first task will be to consider, advise and enable the steps required for compliance with the Order of the High Court on the future of the ZEP.” He added: “In order to give the IAB time to properly do its work, and a fair process to be followed, I direct that: ....existing ZEPs shall be deemed to remain valid for the next (12) twelve months; no holder of a ZEP may be arrested, ordered to depart or be detained for purposes of deportation or deported in terms of section 34 of the Immigration Act for any reason related to him or her not having any valid exemption certificate; “....the holder of an exemption certificate may be allowed to enter into or depart from the Republic of South Africa in terms of section 9 of the Immigration Act, read together with the Immigration Regulations, 2014, provided that he or she complies with all other requirements for entry into and departure from the Republic, save for the reason of not having a valid visa endorsed in his or her passport.” The Minister further announced that no ZEP holder should be required to produce a valid exemption certificate, visa or an authorisation letter to remain in South Africa as contemplated in section 32(1) of the Immigration Act when making an application for any category of the visa for temporary sojourn in the Republic as contemplated in section 10(2) of the Immigration Act. ZEP holders are individuals who hold a special permit, allowing them to live and work in South Africa. The permit was introduced in 2009 to provide a safe haven for Zimbabweans fleeing economic and political instability in their home country. The extension of the ZEP validation provides temporary relief for holders who were facing uncertainty and potential deportation. The long-term fate of the ZEP, however, remains uncertain, with the South African government yet to announce the ultimate fate of the exemption permit.Holiday Weekend Deals Stun With $100 off The Logitech G PRO X Wireless Headset

The Solano College women’s volleyball team’s most successful season in program history ended with a four-set loss to visiting Shasta in the second round of the NorCal Regionals. The 25-20, 25-18, 23-25, 25-22 loss to the Knights leaves Solano with a 26-6, who won their 69th straight Bay Valley Conference win en route to a title. One of those wins came earlier this season against Shasta on Sept. 11, but the Knights’ hitters were up for revenge the second time around. “I think tonight we were nervous. That’s all I could think of,” Solano head coach Darla Williams said, shrugging her shoulders. “They were nervous and a little apprehensive. We weren’t playing our type of ball. Definitely not how we played against Cosumnes River and Ohlone.” Shasta was led by sophomore Madelyn Frick, along with Shelbie Rogers and Emerie Brown. Frick led the Knights with 20 kills, with eight of them coming in the fourth set. Solano fell behind 14-7 midway through the first set, but soon regrouped to go on a 6-0 run to bridge the gap to 14-13. The run was sparked by two aces from Vanessa Semien and a kill from Aliyah Aguiar. Solano kept things close, but could never tie or take the lead. A kill from the Falcons’ Vanya Paopao cut the lead to 19-18, but Rogers had a kill to make it 20-18. Semien had a kill to once again cut the lead to a single point at 22-21, but once again the Knights answered. Shasta scored the last three points, the final one coming from Frick in a 25-21 win. The second set remained close as well, but Shasta went on a 7-1 run to get some breathing room. Two kills during the run come from Frick. Solano had kills from Semien and Jada Cuffie to bridge the gap to 24-19, but a Falcon ball sailed out out of bounds to give Shasta a 2-0 lead. Solano woke up in the third set. Back-to-back kills from Aguiar gave Solano a 9-7 lead, but Shasta kept things close. Solano went up 14-11 when Aguiar had a kill. Aguiar had five kills in the third set and 14 in the match to lead the Falcons. Solano seemed to be in control, but had problems serving. Up 19-17, Solano had three unforced errors in the next few minutes that could have given the Falcons more breathing room. However, Solano hung tight and a kill by Aguiar ended the set at 25-23. Shasta didn’t wait around in the fourth set. The Knights took a 8-3 lead and seemed to be cruising. Solano, seeing its season slip away, didn’t go down without a fight, using a two consecutive kills by Aguiar to tie it at 15-all. Then Frick woke up. The Knights’ outside hitter had eight kills and an ace in the fourth set, the majority of them coming near the end. Up just 23-22, Frick had two consecutive kills to get the Knights to win 25-22 and advance. “I don’t think anything changed with her. I mean she’s (Frick) a good hitter that averages in the 30 plus kills for most sets,” Williams said. “They actually didn’t go to set her as much as I thought they would. She was in the back row because she’ll be hitting back row taps. All the film we watched didn’t see any of those big hitters (Rogers and Brown). It’s like they came alive today.” Frick was happy with how her team played in the second matchup of the season. “I think everybody was there to play today,” Frick said. “I can say my team showed up and I am proud of each and every one of them. “I think after the second game we just got a little too comfortable,” Frick said. “You never want to be too comfortable in anything in life. We just let go a little bit, which is not OK. We have to always go, go, go.” Williams said rust didn’t affect how the Falcons played on Tuesday night. In the end, Williams said she is proud of the team. “This group just gets along. I wish they were a little more vocal,” Williams said, with a laugh. “One through 12 we’re pretty strong. Everyone can step up for one another. I just think this start, we started out slow. I wish I knew the secret is to avoid that, because I would love to know.”Vinod Kumar is with The Times of India’s Punjab Bureau at Chandigarh. He covers news concerning Punjab politics, Health, Education, Employment and Environment. How to make healthy Oats Palak Chilla for a kid's tiffin 10 best Fried Chicken dishes from around the world 10 ways to use turmeric in winters ​10 animals not allowed as pets in India​ 10 types of Dosa and how they are made Animals and their favourite foods 9 nuts to eat daily for hair growth in winters How to make South Indian Podi Dosa at home From tigers to cheetahs: India’s big cats and where to find them Weekend Special: How to make Multigrain Thaalipeeth

Authored by Justin Hart via 'Rational ground' substack, So here's the deal - remember when "experts" kept telling us what to do during COVID? Turns out they got pretty much everything wrong. Like, spectacularly wrong . We're talking 19 major things they completely screwed up, from how the virus spreads to whether masks actually work ( spoiler alert: those cloth masks were basically fashion accessories). Dr. Fauci is the patron saint of TERRIBLE COVID policies. He was wrong on SO MANY POINTS. It's time to set the record straight... Did he get anything right? Origin of the disease—wrong Transmission—wrong Asymptomatic spread—wrong PCR testing—wrong Fatality rate—wrong Lockdowns—wrong Community triggers—wrong Business closures—wrong School closures—wrong Quarantining the healthy—wrong Impact on youth—wrong Hospital overload—wrong Plexiglass barriers—wrong Social distancing—wrong Outdoor spread—wrong Masks—wrong Variant impact—wrong Natural immunity—wrong Vaccine efficacy—wrong Vaccine injury—wrong Last year the Norfolk Group just dropped a bomb of a document laying out all these failures. And it's not just Monday morning quarterbacking - they've got the receipts. Real studies showing how natural immunity was actually legit (while Fauci pretended it didn't exist), data proving schools could've stayed open (looking at you, Sweden), and evidence that maybe, just maybe, locking healthy people in their homes wasn't the brilliant strategy they claimed. Listen, I'm not here to say "I told you so" (okay, maybe a little), but we need to talk about this. Because if we don't learn from how badly our "experts" messed up, we're just asking for a repeat performance next time around. And honestly? I don't think any of us can handle another round of plexiglass theater and double masking. Let's break down exactly how they got it wrong, and more importantly, why they kept doubling down even when the evidence said otherwise. Buckle up - this is gonna be a wild ride through the greatest public health face-plant in modern history. These are the questions WE want answered! TRANSMISSION Why did officials insist on surface transmission protocols when evidence showed primarily respiratory spread? Why weren't hospitals evaluating transmission patterns early to inform policy? Why did the CDC not conduct studies on actual transmission patterns in schools and workplaces? Why was outdoor transmission overemphasized despite minimal evidence? Why weren't transmission studies prioritized to guide evidence-based policies? ASYMPTOMATIC SPREAD What evidence supported the claim that asymptomatic spread was a major driver? Why did health officials emphasize asymptomatic spread without solid data? Why were resources wasted testing asymptomatic people when they could have focused on symptomatic cases? How did the emphasis on asymptomatic spread affect public trust when evidence didn't support it? What data actually existed on true asymptomatic (vs presymptomatic) transmission rates? PCR TESTING Why did the CDC insist on developing its own test rather than using WHO's? Why weren't cycle threshold values standardized or reported? Why did labs use cycle thresholds up to 40 when this led to false positives? Why wasn't PCR testing prioritized for high-risk populations early on? How did high cycle thresholds affect case counts and policy decisions? FATALITY RATE Why were infection fatality rates not properly stratified by age from the beginning? Why were deaths "with COVID" vs "from COVID" not distinguished? How did inflated fatality rates affect public perception and policy? Why weren't accurate age-stratified fatality rates clearly communicated? How did misrepresenting fatality rates affect public trust? LOCKDOWNS Why were lockdowns implemented without cost-benefit analysis? Why were lockdown harms (mental health, delayed medical care, etc.) ignored? What evidence supported the effectiveness of lockdowns? Why weren't less restrictive focused protection measures tried first? How many excess deaths were caused by lockdown policies? Why weren't regional/seasonal factors considered in lockdown decisions? COMMUNITY TRIGGERS Why were arbitrary case numbers used to trigger restrictions? Why weren't hospital capacity metrics prioritized over case counts? How were community trigger thresholds determined? Why weren't triggers adjusted based on actual risk levels? Why weren't clear exit criteria established for restrictions? BUSINESS CLOSURES What evidence supported closing small businesses while keeping large retailers open? Why weren't occupancy limits tried before full closures? How many businesses were unnecessarily destroyed? Why weren't economic impacts weighed against minimal health benefits? What data supported effectiveness of business closures? SCHOOL CLOSURES Why were schools closed despite early evidence of low risk to children? Why did the US ignore data from European schools that stayed open? Why weren't the developmental/educational harms to children considered? How did school closures affect mental health and suicide rates in youth? Why weren't teachers unions' influence on closure decisions examined? What evidence supported claims that schools were major transmission vectors? QUARANTINING THE HEALTHY Why was mass quarantine implemented without precedent or evidence? Why weren't focused protection measures tried instead? What was the cost-benefit analysis of quarantining low-risk groups? How did mass quarantine affect mental health? Why weren't vulnerable populations prioritized instead? IMPACT ON YOUTH Why weren't developmental impacts on children considered? How did isolation affect mental health and suicide rates? What were the educational losses from remote learning? Why weren't sports/activities preserved for youth wellbeing? How did masks/distancing affect social development? What were the impacts on college students' mental health and development? HOSPITAL OVERLOAD Why weren't early treatment protocols developed to prevent hospitalizations? Why were field hospitals built but never used? How did "flattening the curve" messaging affect hospital preparations? Why weren't at-risk populations protected to prevent hospitalizations? What was the actual vs projected hospital capacity usage? PLEXIGLASS BARRIERS What evidence supported effectiveness of barriers? Why weren't airflow patterns considered? How did barriers affect ventilation? What was the cost-benefit of barrier installation? Why weren't barrier recommendations updated when shown ineffective? SOCIAL DISTANCING What evidence supported 6-foot distancing? Why wasn't distancing adjusted based on ventilation/masks/context? How did arbitrary distance rules affect businesses/schools? Why wasn't 3-foot distancing considered adequate earlier? What research supported outdoor distancing requirements? OUTDOOR SPREAD Why were outdoor gatherings restricted despite minimal transmission risk? Why were beaches/parks closed? Why weren't outdoor activities encouraged as safer alternatives? How did outdoor restrictions affect mental/physical health? What evidence supported masks outdoors? MASKS Why were mask mandates implemented without RCT evidence? Why weren't potential harms of masking children considered? Why were cloth masks promoted despite ineffectiveness? How did masks affect learning/development in children? Why weren't mask policies updated when studies showed limited benefit? Why was natural immunity discounted in mask policies? VARIANT IMPACT Why were variants used to justify continued restrictions? How did variant fears affect vaccine confidence? Why weren't policies adjusted for milder variants? How did variant messaging affect public trust? Why weren't seasonal patterns considered in variant projections? NATURAL IMMUNITY Why was natural immunity ignored in policy decisions? Why were recovered people required to vaccinate? Why wasn't natural immunity studied more thoroughly? How did dismissing natural immunity affect public trust? Why were natural immunity studies from other countries ignored? VACCINE EFFICACY Why were initial efficacy claims not properly qualified? Why wasn't waning efficacy communicated earlier? How did overselling efficacy affect public trust? Why weren't breakthrough cases tracked properly? Why were boosters promoted without clear evidence of benefit? VACCINE INJURY Why weren't adverse events properly tracked/investigated? Why were vaccine injuries downplayed or dismissed? How did VAERS data interpretation affect public trust? Why weren't age-stratified risk-benefit analyses conducted? Why weren't early warning signals investigated more thoroughly? How did dismissing injuries affect vaccine confidence? We have a LOT of work to do and THANKFULLY we may have people in charge who are willing to ask these questions! * * * Rational Ground by Justin Hart is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

As the leaves fall, the heat goes on, the temperatures drop and the sweaters and jackets are pulled from storage, it’s also a great time to think about making a pot of soup. Related Articles Restaurants Food and Drink | Elevate Thanksgiving leftovers with a Turkey Reuben Sandwich Restaurants Food and Drink | Combat Thanksgiving leftover fatigue with beef and broccoli stir-fry Restaurants Food and Drink | Quick Fix: Turkey Tacos with Corn and Red Pepper Salad Restaurants Food and Drink | Ditch the cloying casserole for tahini-roasted sweet potatoes with za’atar Restaurants Food and Drink | Recipe: Invigorate your fall senses with fresh pasta in Bolognese sauce Soup is one of the best comfort foods, perfect for those New England fall and winter days. Whether you fancy clam or corn chowder, a roasted butternut squash soup, a classic Italian sausage orzo or something unique like lasagna soup, there’s a special place in everyone’s heart for that big pot on the stove. We have found five recipes that are sure to make your mouth water. No matter what soup preference you may have, you’ll find something to cook for the whole family. This recipe is by Allrecipes.com . Ingredients Directions This recipe is by Allrecipes.com . Ingredients Directions This recipe is by Allrecipes.com . Ingredients Noodles: Soup Base: Cheese Mixture: Garnish: Directions This recipe is by juliasalbum.com . Ingredients Directions This recipe is by Allrecipes.com . Ingredients DirectionsNone

The partner agencies funded by the United Way of Carlisle and Cumberland County provide critical services that make a significant and lasting impact on the lives of thousands of people in our communities. At the Bosler Memorial Library, United Way funding makes it possible to provide preschool age children and their parents with educationally and developmentally appropriate experiences that are fun and free. Research shows that quality early learning experiences lead to lifelong success. Through the library, thousands of children have started on that path to success. Children like Miles, whose mother says, “We’ve been coming to the library programs since my son was 8 months old, and he’s now 18 months. We’ve gone to Baby Time, Toddler Tales, the Play group and the Holiday Storytimes. We’re currently attending the STEAM Storytime. We continue to come for the developmental skillset Miles is learning. He is learning listening, speaking and social interaction. It’s learning beyond just loving books, which is awesome for our child to get outside of the house because I am a stay-at-home mom. We love that the teachers are modeling skills that parents can then reinforce at home with their babies. We see Miles generalize skills that he’s learning in class with songs and books at home. We love that the library is such an entertaining, educational and age-appropriate place for our child. We will continue to come for years to come." The generous support provided to the United Way of Carlisle and Cumberland County by so many individuals and companies makes it possible to transform the lives of people every day. The support that the United Way provides to the library and the other partner agencies is a lifeline for today, and an investment in the future. Jeffrey Swope Executive Director of Bosler Memorial Library Get opinion pieces, letters and editorials sent directly to your inbox weekly!AMD's Ryzen X3D processors are some of the hottest on the market, and the newest and hottest of all is the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. The first 9000-series chip with extra V-cache for gaming desktops was a smash hit right out of the gate, selling out almost immediately — so if you're hunting for one this holiday season, beware of deals that are too good to be true. The 9800X3D has a retail price of $479, if you can actually find one in a store or an online shop that still has stock. Sellers on eBay are easily getting $600+ for a quick flip, and that seems likely to persist for the rest of the year and into next year. But a few shoppers... Michael CriderNov. 30 (UPI) -- Political opponents are not "enemies," House Speaker Mike Johnson , R-La., said Saturday after reports of House and Senate Democrats receiving bomb threats over the Thanksgiving holiday.

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LEDUC, Alta. - Alberta’s police watchdog says an RCMP officer is facing sexual assault charges stemming from a hotel room party two years ago. The Alberta Serious Incident Response Team says its investigation into the Leduc-based Mountie revealed evidence that gives reason to believe sexual assault offences happened and that the officer should be charged. It says they allegedly took place in an Airdrie hotel room while a group of people socialized in the early morning hours of Dec. 3, 2022. Const. Bridget Morla is charged with two counts of sexual assault. She has been released on the condition that she appear in court next week. The police watchdog says no further information would be released as the matter is before the courts. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 2, 2024.How ORIO Roller Shelf Improve the Shopping Experience 12-26-2024 07:42 PM CET | Industry, Real Estate & Construction Press release from: ABNewswire ORIO [ https://www.globalorio.com/ ] are all about enhancing retail spaces with our innovative roller shelf solutions. Our products keep your shelves displaying neat, tidy, and always fronted, make a lasting impression on every shopper! Our innovative designs help you: Neat & Tidy: Present products in a clean, organized way. Always Fronted: Ensure First-In-First-Out (FIFO) rotation for optimal freshness Full Display: Maximize shelf space for a streamlined display [ https://www.globalorio.com/ ]. Get the most out of your cooler with the widest shelf in the industry, allowing merchandisers to face more products on a single shelf. We can custom size them to ANY application - walk-in coolers, multi-deck coolers, gondolas, you name it! Contatct me [ https://www.globalorio.com/contact-us/ ] for more info: 86 177 2226 4042(whatsapp&wechat) Image: https://www.abnewswire.com/uploads/b8217cd95b766a2144b3d661e9b5e911.png Media Contact Company Name: Guangzhou Orio Technology Co., Ltd. Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=how-orio-roller-shelf-improve-the-shopping-experience ] Country: China Website: https://www.globalorio.com/ This release was published on openPR.Marie Dageville and her husband Benoit Dageville became billionaires overnight when his data cloud company, Snowflake, went public in September 2020. After that life changing moment, Marie, a former hospice nurse, then set out to learn how to urgently give away that new fortune. “We need to redistribute what we have that is too much,” she said in an interview with The Associated Press from her home in Silicon Valley. While many say giving away a lot of money is hard, that is not Dageville’s perspective. Her advice is to just get started. America’s wealthiest people have urged each other to give away more of their money since at least 1889, the year Andrew Carnegie published an essay entitled, “The Gospel of Wealth.” He argued that the richest should give away their fortunes within their lifetimes, in part to lessen the sting of growing inequality. A whole industry of advisers, courses and charitable giving vehicles has grown to help facilitate donations from the wealthy, to some extent prompted by the Giving Pledge, an initiative housed at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In 2010, Warren Buffett, Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates invited other billionaires to promise to give away half of their fortunes in their lifetimes or in their wills. So far, 244 have signed on. So, what stands in the way of the wealthiest people giving more and giving faster? Philanthropy advisers say some answers are structural, like finding the right vehicles and advisers, and some have to do with emotional and psychological factors, like negotiating with family members or wanting to look good in the eyes of their peers. “It’s like a massive, perfect storm of behavioral barriers,” said Piyush Tantia, chief innovation officer at ideas42, who recently contributed to a report funded by the Gates Foundation looking at what holds the wealthiest donors back. He points out that unlike everyday donors, who may give in response to an ask from a friend or family member, the wealthiest donors end up deliberating much more about where to give. “We might think, ‘It’s a billionaire. Who cares about a hundred grand? They make that back in the next 15 minutes’,” he said. “But it doesn’t feel like that.” His advice is to think about philanthropy as a portfolio, with different risk levels and strategies ideally working in concert. That way it’s less about the outcome of any single grant and more about the cumulative impact. Marie Dageville said she benefited from speaking with other people who had signed the Giving Pledge, especially one person who urged her to make general operating grants, meaning the organization can choose how to spend the funds themselves. She trusts nonprofits close to the communities they serve to know best how to spend the money and said she is not held back by a worry that they will misuse it. “If you are in the position where you are at now — able to redistribute this fortune — either you took risks or someone took risks on you,” she said, adding. “So why can’t you take some risk (in your philanthropy)?” Dageville also thinks there is too much focus on the wants of the donors, rather than the needs of the recipients. Private and open conversations between donors also help them move forward, advisers have found. The Center for High Impact Philanthropy at University of Pennsylvania runs an academy that convenes very wealthy donors, their advisers and the heads of foundations to learn together in cohorts. Kat Rosqueta, the center’s executive director, said donors like MacKenzie Scott, the author and now billionaire ex-wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, show it’s possible to move quickly. “Do all the ultra high net worth funders have to go slower than MacKenzie Scott? No,” she said. But she said, sometimes donors struggle with seeing how to make a difference, given that philanthropic funding is tiny compared to government spending or the business sector. Cara Bradley, deputy director of philanthropic partnerships at the Gates Foundation, said the scrutiny of billionaire philanthropy also means they feel a huge responsibility to use their funds as best as possible. “They’ve signed a pledge genuinely committed to trying to give away this tremendous amount of wealth. And then, people can get stuck because life gets busy. This is hard. Philanthropy is a real endeavor,” she said. It is also not easy to conduct empirical research on billionaires, said Deborah Small, a marketing professor at Yale School of Management. But she said, in general, current social norms value anonymity in giving, which is seen as being more virtuous because the donor isn’t recognized for their generosity. “It would be better for causes, and for philanthropy as a whole, if everybody was open about it because that would create the social norm that this is an expectation in society,” she said. Jorge Pérez, founder and CEO of the real estate developer Related Group, along with his wife, Darlene, was early to join the Giving Pledge in 2012. In an interview with The Associated Press, Pérez said he frequently speaks with his peers about giving more and faster. “I think people have stopped taking my calls,” he joked. He also has engaged his adult children in their philanthropy, much of which they conduct through The Miami Foundation. He said they decided to draw on the expertise of the foundation, rather than starting their own organizations, to speed along the evaluation of potential grantees. Even before the Pérezes joined the Giving Pledge, they were major supporters of the arts and of scholarships in Miami, where they are based. In 2011, the couple donated their art collection along with cash, together worth $40 million, to the art museum, which was renamed the Pérez Art Museum Miami after the gift. Pérez said he gives because he thinks very unequal societies are not sustainable and because he wants to leave behind a legacy. “I keep on selling the idea that you’re giving because of very selfish reasons,” he said. “One is it makes you feel good. But two, particularly in the city or the state or the country that you’re going to live in, in the long run, this is going to make a huge difference in making our society fairer, better and more progressive and probably lead to greater economic wealth.” ___ The Associated Press receives financial support for news coverage in Africa from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. ___ Associated Press coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. For all of AP’s philanthropy coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/philanthropy. Closing arguments began on Monday in the trial of a Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger has retired, the struggling chipmaker said Marie Dageville and her husband Benoit Dageville became billionaires overnight Travelers who waited until the last day to make theirtop 646.ph 。

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In the wake of Rachel Reeves' Budget, the UK is set to be outperformed economically by Portugal, according to a report from the European Commission . The tiny EU state, a popular holiday destination, is rapidly becoming a top spot for capital investors, seeking to benefit from the country's competitive tax rates and 'Golden Visa' scheme. Under the scheme, those investing £417,000 in particular funds or in a start-up employing six or more, can get a 'Golden Visa' that permits freedom of movement within the 29 Schengen states, a path to Portuguese citizenship after five years, family inclusion, and a minimum stay requirement of just seven days per year in Portugal. As a result, the small country on the Atlantic is projected to grow by 2.5 percent next year - far outstripping the UK's growth forecasted to be 2 percent in 2025. Meanwhile, a new report on Portugal’s attractiveness from Ernst & Young (EY), revealed 84 percent of investors, CEOs and entrepreneurs surveyed plan to establish or expand their operations in Portugal in the next 12 months. EY’s UK equivalent report found that just 68 percent intend to invest in the UK and 72 percent in the rest of the Eurozone. The EY report on Portugal adds that it “presents itself as an attractive, stable and safe investment destination within the European context”. Paul Stannard, Chairman and Founder of Portugal Pathways, said: “This is further fuelled by continued demand for the country’s popular Golden Visa residency-by-investment program.” Mr Stannard adds: “Portugal is one of the safest and most secure places in the world. It welcomes inward investment, entrepreneurs and talent wishing to take advantage of the tax incentives, culture, cost of living , and lifestyle. With more than 300 days of sunshine, it obviously trumps the UK for weather and sardines. “It also has a strong luxury property market, which is in high demand as the country continues to attract wealthy buyers and investors to Portugal. According to Property Market-Index, Portugal’s real estate market is set to grow by 5.8% in 2024, compared with a 2.5% decline in the UK. “While other nations continue to struggle, economically and politically, Portugal is proving a haven of stability, investment and growth.”

European countries suspend Syrian asylum decisions after Assad's fallEuropean countries suspend Syrian asylum decisions after Assad's fallManmohan Singh: technocrat who became India's accidental PM

Disabilities Awareness Week is being observed from December 1 to 7 under the theme ‘Inclusion in Action: Connecting Communities for a Better Tomorrow’. The annual observance serves as an opportunity to highlight the achievements of persons with disabilities, address challenges and underscore the importance of accessibility in all aspects of life including education, employment, healthcare, transportation, and community engagement. Executive Director of Jamaica Council for Persons with Disabilities (JCPD), Dr. Christine Hendricks, said that Disabilities Awareness Week 2024 will be a transformative event, bringing together individuals, communities and organisations to celebrate inclusion, promote accessibility, and foster a deeper understanding of the lived experiences of people with disabilities. “We are committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable society for all Jamaicans,” she said, while pointing out that this year’s theme underscores the need for tangible actions, not just words, to break down barriers and ensure that individuals with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of society. “The theme reflects our collective responsibility to create spaces where every Jamaican, regardless of ability, can thrive,” she added. The highlight of the week is a trade show, which will be hosted by the JCPD on Tuesday (December 3) at the Police Officers Club, 34 Hope Road, Kingston, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. December 3 is also celebrated globally as International Day for Persons with Disabilities. The trade show will also be used to officially launch the ‘I Am Able’ campaign, an initiative of Minister of Labour and Social Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr. that celebrates the diverse abilities of individuals with disabilities and advocates for a more inclusive society. Disabilities Awareness Week aims to amplify the voices of people with disabilities and drive conversations about equal opportunities and social inclusion.

PRESS RELEASE: Equity’s Mwangi appointed to WB Group advisory council on jobsBritain, Germany, France, Italy and several other European countries said Monday they would freeze all pending asylum requests from Syrians, a day after the ouster of president Bashar al-Assad. While Berlin and other governments said they were watching the fast-moving developments in the war-ravaged nation, Austria signalled it would soon deport refugees back to Syria. Far-right politicians elsewhere made similar demands, including in Germany -- home to Europe's largest Syrian community -- at a time when immigration has become a hot-button issue across the continent. Alice Weidel, of the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany, reacted with disdain to Sunday's mass rallies by jubilant Syrians celebrating Assad's downfall. "Anyone in Germany who celebrates 'free Syria' evidently no longer has any reason to flee," she wrote on X. "They should return to Syria immediately." World leaders and Syrians abroad watched in disbelief at the weekend as Islamist-led rebels swept into Damascus, ending Assad's brutal rule while also sparking new uncertainty. A German foreign ministry spokesman pointed out that "the fact that the Assad regime has been ended is unfortunately no guarantee of peaceful developments" in the future. Germany has taken in almost one million Syrians, with most arriving in 2015-16 under ex-chancellor Angela Merkel. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said many Syrian refugees "now finally have hope of returning to their Syrian homeland" but cautioned that "the situation in Syria is currently very unclear". The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees had imposed a freeze on decisions for ongoing asylum procedures "until the situation is clearer". She added that "concrete possibilities of return cannot yet be predicted and it would be unprofessional to speculate in such a volatile situation". Rights group Amnesty International slammed Germany's freeze on asylum decisions, stressing that for now "the human rights situation in the country is completely unclear". The head of the UN refugee agency also cautioned that "patience and vigilance" were needed on the issue of refugee returns. In Austria, where about 100,000 Syrians live, conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer instructed the interior ministry "to suspend all ongoing Syrian asylum applications and to review all asylum grants". Interior Minister Gerhard Karner added he had "instructed the ministry to prepare an orderly repatriation and deportation programme to Syria". "The political situation in Syria has changed fundamentally and, above all, rapidly in recent days," the ministry said, adding it is "currently monitoring and analysing the new situation". The French interior ministry said it too would put asylum requests from Syrians on hold, with authorities in Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway announcing similar moves. Britain's interior ministry said it was taking the same measure "whilst we assess the current situation". The Italian government said late Monday after a cabinet meeting that it too was suspending asylum request "in line with other European partners." The leader of the far-right Sweden Democrats, a coalition partner in the government, said residence permits for Syrian refugees should now be "reviewed". "Destructive Islamist forces are behind the change of power" in Syria, wrote their leader Jimmie Akesson on X. "I see that groups are happy about this development here in Sweden. You should see it as a good opportunity to go home." In Greece, a government spokesman voiced hope that Assad's fall will eventually allow "the safe return of Syrian refugees" to their country, but without announcing concrete measures. In Germany, the debate gained momentum as the country heads towards February elections. Achim Brotel, president of a grouping of German communes, called for border controls to stop fleeing Assad loyalists reaching Germany. The centre-right opposition CDU suggested that rejected Syrian asylum-seekers should now lose so-called subsidiary protection. "If the reason for protection no longer applies, then refugees will have to return to their home country," CDU legislator Thorsten Frei told Welt TV. CDU MP Jens Spahn suggested that Berlin charter flights to Syria and offer 1,000 euros ($1,057) to "anyone who wants to return". A member of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's Social Democrats criticised the debate as "populist and irresponsible". Greens party deputy Anton Hofreiter also said "it is completely unclear what will happen next in Syria" and deportation talk was "completely out of place". Many Syrians in Germany have watched the events in their home country with great joy but prefer to wait and see before deciding whether to return. "We want to go back to Syria," said Mahmoud Zaml, 25, who works in an Arabic pastry shop in Berlin, adding that he hopes to help "rebuild" his country. "But we have to wait a bit now," he told AFP. "We have to see what happens and if it is really 100 percent safe, then we will go back to Syria." burs-fz/rlp/phz/gv/giv

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2025-01-13   

top 646.ph login Share this Story : NAC CEO Christopher Deacon to step down Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Breadcrumb Trail Links Local Arts News Local News NAC CEO Christopher Deacon to step down Christopher Deacon, 66, has decided not to renew his contract when it expires on Dec. 3, 2025 Get the latest from Lynn Saxberg straight to your inbox Sign Up Author of the article: Lynn Saxberg Published Nov 25, 2024 • Last updated 35 minutes ago • 2 minute read Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account. National Arts Centre president and CEO Christopher Deacon will step down at the end of 2025. Photo by Tony Caldwell / POSTMEDIA Article content Christopher Deacon, the man who led the National Arts Centre through a six-year stretch of ups and downs that included its 50th-anniversary celebrations, the launch of the country’s first national Indigenous theatre company and a global pandemic, is leaving his job as president and CEO of the multi-disciplinary arts facility in downtown Ottawa. Deacon, 66, has decided not to renew his contract when it expires on Dec. 3, 2025, the NAC announced in a release. Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Sign In or Create an Account Email Address Continue or View more offers If you are a Home delivery print subscriber, unlimited online access is included in your subscription. Activate your Online Access Now Article content “Being the NAC’s CEO allows me to serve Canada’s artists and audiences and it’s the best job I could dream of having,” Deacon said in the statement. “Through 2025, I will continue to lead the NAC team as it presents a spectrum of wonderful shows and events, while planning an ambitious future.” After a nation-wide search in 2018, Deacon became the first person from within the organization to be appointed to the institution’s top job. “Few people know the NAC as well as Christopher Deacon,” said Adrian Burns, then-chair of the NAC board of trustees, at the time. Born in Montreal and raised in Aylmer, the bilingual Deacon first joined the NAC in 1987 as the orchestra’s tour manager. “I was convinced it would be just for a year or two because who wants to come back to where your parents are,” Deacon said in an interview with this newspaper when he became CEO. Instead, he rose to become the orchestra’s managing director. “At a certain point, I got really hooked,” Deacon added. “When I became managing director of NACO, the first big job I had to do was recruit as music director Pinchas Zukerman, and if that doesn’t get you addicted to music forever, nothing will.” Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Deacon took over from the late, legendary Peter Herrndorf, who was credited with transforming the NAC into an artistically vibrant and financially viable entity after the challenges of the 1990s. During his tenure, Deacon has championed diversity efforts, promoted bilingualism and embraced digital initiatives, particularly during the pandemic when live performances were shut down. Some of the projects he supported included the Grand Acts of Theatre series and the #CanadaPerforms livestreaming partnership with Facebook. He has also been an advocate for the mental-health benefits of the performing arts, a focus that became sharper in the era of COVID-19. “It’s been a difficult year,” he said in 2020. “The risk of a little too much solitude is something that I feel keenly and so I see this season as a re-embracing of the magic of the live experience. “But the magic only works when the audience is there to put themselves in the shoes of the main character or performer on stage, and to empathize and identify with that story. That’s a very powerful experience, and a great psychic and spiritual exercise.” The NAC board of trustees will begin a search for a new president and CEO in the coming months. (With files from Peter Hum) lsaxberg@postmedia.com Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed. Recommended from Editorial Deachman: Ottawa Public Library art must not be left orphaned What’s new at art galleries in Ottawa, from the National Gallery of Canada to artist-run studios Article content Share this article in your social network Share this Story : NAC CEO Christopher Deacon to step down Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Comments You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments. Create an Account Sign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Trending Ottawa weather: freezing rain likely on the way News Downtown Ottawa office occupancy still low despite hiked presence of public servants Public Service Old knee injury no reason to avoid Sunday shifts: labour relations board News Senators searching for help on defence after loss of Artem Zub long-term Ottawa Senators Ottawa Senators coach Travis Green comes to defence of captain Brady Tkachuk Ottawa Senators Read Next Latest National Stories Featured Local SavingsF1 expands grid, adds Cadillac brand and new American team for '26

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Tyrese Hunter scored 17 of his 26 points after halftime to lead Memphis to a 99-97 overtime win against two-time defending national champion and second-ranked UConn on Monday in the first round of the Maui Invitational. Hunter shot 7 of 10 from 3-point range for the Tigers (5-0), who were 12 of 22 from beyond at the arc as a team. PJ Haggerty had 22 points and five assists, Colby Rogers had 19 points and Dain Dainja scored 14. Tarris Reed Jr. had 22 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for the Huskies (4-1). Alex Karaban had 19 points and six assists, and Jaylin Stewart scored 16. Memphis led by as many as 13 with about four minutes left in regulation, but UConn chipped away and eventually tied it on Solo Ball’s 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining. Takeaways Memphis: The Tigers ranked second nationally in field goal percentage going into the game and shot it at a 54.7% clip. UConn: The Huskies saw their string of 17 consecutive wins dating back to February come to an end. Key moment The teams were tied at 92 with less than a minute remaining in overtime when UConn coach Dan Hurley was assessed a technical foul for his displeasure with an over-the-back call against Liam McNeeley. PJ Carter hit four straight free throws — two for the tech and the other pair for the personal foul — to give Memphis a 96-92 lead with 40.3 seconds to play. Key stat UConn had three players foul out. Memphis attempted 40 free throws and made 29 of them. Up next Memphis will play the winner of Colorado-Michigan State on Tuesday in the second round of the invitational. UConn will play the loser of that game in the consolation bracket. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up . AP college basketball: and .F1 expands grid, adds Cadillac brand and new American team for '26Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra said, “We do the best we can,” after being asked if he would change anything about his tenure. HHS, the Inspector General (IG) revealed , has lost contact with thousands of Unaccompanied Alien Children (UACs) after they were released to adult sponsors in the United States. During a hearing before the House Immigration Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA), Becerra testified that he would not change any decisions or policies about his tenure. “Would you change anything that you’ve done in the last four years, with 320,000 children unaccounted for by your administration?” Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI) asked Becerra, to which he responded: We work tirelessly to strengthen and improve the program of the unaccompanied children that come before us and we work really hard to make sure that we first and foremost protect the safety and the wellbeing of those kids. Every day is a challenge and we do the best we can. [Emphasis added] Some 365,705 UACs have been released into the United States interior from Fiscal Year 2021 through Fiscal Year 2023 — on Becerra’s watch. For comparison, the last two fiscal years of the Trump administration just about 83,100 UACs were released into the U.S. interior. Tens of thousands of UACs are not showing up to their immigration hearings following their release into the United States interior and, more alarmingly, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has failed to provide Notices to Appear (NTAs) in immigration court to hundreds of thousands of UACs. “Based on our audit work and according to ICE officials, UACs who do not appear for court are considered at higher risk for trafficking, exploitation, or forced labor,” the IG’s report states: Although we identified more than 32,000 UACs who did not appear for their immigration court dates, that number may have been much larger had ICE issued NTAs to the more than 291,000 UACs who were not placed into removal proceedings. By not issuing NTAs to all UACs, ICE limits its chances of having contact with UACs when they are released from HHS’ custody, which reduces opportunities to verify their safety. Without an ability to monitor the location and status of UACs, ICE has no assurance UACs are safe from trafficking, exploitation, or forced labor. [Emphasis added] Likewise, Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX) pressed Becerra on whether he could state without any doubt that thousands of UACs whom the agency has lost contact with are safe from harm. “Can you account for the whereabouts of those 400,000-something children — the 320,000 that were put in the report by the Inspector General and the 85,000 that we talked about before in 2023? Do you know where all of these children are and that they are safe?” Roy asked. “Congressman, as I explained the process, we get these kids when they are referred to us by the Department of Homeland Security,” Becerra responded. “We then provide them with care while they are in our custody. We lose custody of those kids once we find a vetted sponsor with whom they can stay.” In February, the HHS IG published a report revealing that in 22 percent of cases, the agency did not conduct proper and safe follow-up calls to check in with UACs released to adult sponsors in the United States. The Labor Department in Fiscal Year 2023 found an 88 percent increase in child labor trafficking compared to Fiscal Year 2019. Last year, nearly 6,000 children, many of them UACs, were discovered illegally working brutal and often life-threatening jobs. In April of last year, an HHS whistleblower testified before Congress and warned that the agency is operating a “multi-billion-dollar child trafficking operation” where UACs are being mass released to unvetted adult sponsors. “Some sponsors view children as commodities and assets to be used for earning income — this is why we are witnessing an explosion of labor trafficking,” the whistleblower said. John Binder is a reporter for Breitbart News. Email him at jbinder@breitbart.com. Follow him on Twitter here .Nebraska's Matt Rhule: 'Total overhaul' of special teams coming after Pinstripe Bowl disaster

Tyler Technologies, Inc. (NYSE:TYL) Holdings Reduced by Pathstone Holdings LLC

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Duke coach Manny Diaz says quarterback Maalik Murphy will face discipline “internally” after extending both of his middle fingers skyward in celebration after throwing a long touchdown pass early in the weekend win against Virginia Tech . Diaz said Monday that Murphy's exuberant gesture, caught on the ACC Network national broadcast, was directed at offensive coordinator Jonathan Brewer in the booth after a bit of practice “banter” from a few days earlier. Diaz said the Texas transfer just let his excitement get away from him but still called it “unacceptable in our program." “There was a practice in the middle of last week when we throwing post after post after post, and we weren't completing them,” Diaz said. “And it was again and again and again and again. And at the end of that, there was a remark made in jest that, ‘If you throw a post for a touchdown in the game, then you can flick me off,’ from Coach Brewer.” Murphy's gesture came after he uncorked a deep ball from deep in Duke's own end and caught Eli Pancol perfectly in stride across midfield, with Pancol racing untouched for an 86-yard score barely 2 minutes into the game. As he began skipping downfield to celebrate, Murphy chest-bumped teammate Star Thomas and then extended both arms in the air with his middle fingers raised. Brewer said Monday he missed the gesture in real time, but then saw it on a replay moments later. “Some things you say on the field when you're coaching obviously isn't meant to be taken literally when you're trying to get after somebody in that world,” Brewer said. Murphy threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions in the 31-28 win for the Blue Devils (8-3, 4-3 Atlantic Coast Conference), who close the regular season at Wake Forest. 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-footballWest Ham surprise Newcastle with 2-0 away win

Memphis beats No. 2 UConn 99-97 in overtime to tipoff Maui Invitational

Memphis beats No. 2 UConn 99-97 in overtime to tipoff Maui Invitational

Prospera Financial Services Inc lowered its holdings in CMS Energy Co. ( NYSE:CMS – Free Report ) by 13.0% during the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 12,330 shares of the utilities provider’s stock after selling 1,843 shares during the period. Prospera Financial Services Inc’s holdings in CMS Energy were worth $871,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the business. TruNorth Capital Management LLC increased its stake in CMS Energy by 431.3% in the second quarter. TruNorth Capital Management LLC now owns 712 shares of the utilities provider’s stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 578 shares during the last quarter. Innealta Capital LLC acquired a new stake in CMS Energy during the 2nd quarter worth $43,000. Covestor Ltd raised its stake in CMS Energy by 206.1% during the 3rd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 701 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $50,000 after acquiring an additional 472 shares in the last quarter. Values First Advisors Inc. acquired a new stake in CMS Energy during the 3rd quarter worth $56,000. Finally, Voisard Asset Management Group Inc. raised its stake in CMS Energy by 25.7% during the 3rd quarter. Voisard Asset Management Group Inc. now owns 798 shares of the utilities provider’s stock worth $56,000 after acquiring an additional 163 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.57% of the company’s stock. Insider Buying and Selling In other CMS Energy news, SVP Brandon J. Hofmeister sold 2,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.17, for a total value of $136,340.00. Following the sale, the senior vice president now owns 64,771 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $4,415,439.07. This represents a 3.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website . 0.40% of the stock is owned by insiders. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Get Our Latest Report on CMS CMS Energy Trading Up 0.4 % Shares of CMS Energy stock opened at $69.52 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $20.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.73 and a beta of 0.41. CMS Energy Co. has a 52-week low of $55.10 and a 52-week high of $72.40. The company’s 50-day simple moving average is $69.72 and its 200-day simple moving average is $65.48. The company has a quick ratio of 0.83, a current ratio of 1.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.86. CMS Energy ( NYSE:CMS – Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 31st. The utilities provider reported $0.84 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.78 by $0.06. The firm had revenue of $1.74 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.88 billion. CMS Energy had a net margin of 14.01% and a return on equity of 12.81%. The firm’s revenue was up 4.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.61 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that CMS Energy Co. will post 3.33 earnings per share for the current year. CMS Energy Increases Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 27th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.515 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 13th. This represents a $2.06 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.96%. This is an increase from CMS Energy’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.51. CMS Energy’s payout ratio is currently 58.86%. CMS Energy Company Profile ( Free Report ) CMS Energy Corporation operates as an energy company primarily in Michigan. The company operates through three segments: Electric Utility; Gas Utility; and Enterprises. The Electric Utility segment is involved in the generation, purchase, transmission, distribution, and sale of electricity. This segment generates electricity through coal, wind, gas, renewable energy, oil, and nuclear sources. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding CMS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for CMS Energy Co. ( NYSE:CMS – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for CMS Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CMS Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .By MICHAEL R. SISAK NEW YORK (AP) — Lawyers for Sean “Diddy” Combs tried for a third time Friday to persuade a judge to let him leave jail while he awaits his sex trafficking trial, but a decision won’t come until next week. Judge Arun Subramanian said at a hearing that he will release his decision on Combs’ latest request for bail after Combs’ lawyers and federal prosecutors file letters addressing outstanding issues. Those letters are due at noon on Monday, Subramanian said. Combs’ lawyers pitched having him await trial under around-the-clock surveillance either his mansion on an island near Miami Beach or — after the judge scoffed at that location — an apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Their plan essentially amounts to putting Combs on house arrest, with strict limits on who he has contact with. But prosecutors argue that Combs has routinely flouted jail rules and can’t be trusted not to interfere with witnesses or the judicial process. “The argument that he’s a lawless person who doesn’t follow instructions isn’t factually accurate,” Combs lawyer Anthony Ricco argued. “The idea that he’s an out-of-control individual who has to be detained isn’t factually accurate.” Combs, 55, has pleaded not guilty to charges that he coerced and abused women for years with help from a network of associates and employees while silencing victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings. His trial is slated to begin May 5. The Bad Boy Records founder remains locked up at a Brooklyn federal jail, where he spent his Nov. 4 birthday. Two other judges previously concluded that Combs would be a danger to the community if he is released and an appeals court judge last month denied Combs’ immediate release while a three-judge panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals weighs his bail request. Friday’s hearing was the second time Combs was in court this week. On Tuesday, a judge blocked prosecutors from using as evidence papers that were seized from his cell during jail-wide sweep for contraband and weapons at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Related Articles As he entered through a side door, Combs waved to relatives including his mother and several of his children in the courtroom gallery, tapping his hand to his heart and blowing kisses at them. He then hugged his lead attorney, Marc Agnifilo, before taking a seat at the defense table. He was not handcuffed or shackled and wore a beige jail uniform, occasionally pulling a pair of reading glasses from his pocket as he peered at papers in front of him. Prosecutors maintain that no bail conditions will mitigate the “risk of obstruction and dangerousness to others” of releasing Combs from jail. Prosecutors contend that while locked up the “I’ll Be Missing You” artist has orchestrated social media campaigns aimed at tainting the jury pool. They allege that he has also attempted to publicly leak materials he thinks would be helpful to his case and is contacting potential witnesses via third parties. “Simply put, the defendant cannot be trusted,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Christy Slavik argued. Combs’ lawyer Teny Geragos countered that, given the strict release conditions proposed, “it would be impossible for him not to follow rules.”Shares of Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. ( NYSE:HTZ – Get Free Report ) gapped down before the market opened on Thursday . The stock had previously closed at $3.50, but opened at $3.41. Hertz Global shares last traded at $3.45, with a volume of 291,925 shares trading hands. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, StockNews.com raised Hertz Global to a “sell” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 28th. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on HTZ Hertz Global Stock Down 2.9 % About Hertz Global ( Get Free Report ) Hertz Global Holdings, Inc operates as a vehicle rental company. The company operates through two segments, Americas Rental Car and International Rental Car. It offers vehicle rental services under the Hertz, Dollar, and Thrifty brands from company-operated, licensee, and franchisee locations in the United States, Africa, Asia, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and New Zealand. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Hertz Global Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Hertz Global and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

VinFast Powers Ahead: Q3 Sales Surge 49%, Vehicle Deliveries Double & MoreF1 expands grid, adds Cadillac brand and new American team for '26

KBR, Inc. ( NYSE:KBR – Get Free Report ) was the target of a large increase in short interest in the month of December. As of December 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,650,000 shares, an increase of 28.6% from the November 30th total of 2,060,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 1,490,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.8 days. Approximately 2.0% of the company’s shares are short sold. Institutional Trading of KBR Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. True Wealth Design LLC bought a new position in shares of KBR in the third quarter worth approximately $26,000. Larson Financial Group LLC raised its holdings in KBR by 2,029.2% in the 2nd quarter. Larson Financial Group LLC now owns 511 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $33,000 after acquiring an additional 487 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP lifted its position in KBR by 454.7% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 821 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $53,000 after acquiring an additional 673 shares in the last quarter. Eastern Bank purchased a new stake in KBR during the 3rd quarter valued at $65,000. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. purchased a new stake in KBR during the 3rd quarter valued at $111,000. 97.02% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms have recently commented on KBR. DA Davidson reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $84.00 target price on shares of KBR in a research report on Tuesday, November 19th. StockNews.com lowered shares of KBR from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Sunday, October 6th. Citigroup lifted their price objective on KBR from $76.00 to $82.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 22nd. KeyCorp increased their target price on KBR from $75.00 to $78.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, UBS Group lifted their price target on KBR from $77.00 to $78.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $81.14. KBR Price Performance KBR stock opened at $57.05 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.69, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.07. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $62.63 and a 200-day moving average price of $64.46. KBR has a 52-week low of $51.60 and a 52-week high of $72.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.60 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.97, a PEG ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 0.84. KBR ( NYSE:KBR – Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 23rd. The construction company reported $0.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, meeting analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.84. KBR had a return on equity of 28.87% and a net margin of 4.35%. The business had revenue of $1.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.95 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $0.75 earnings per share. The firm’s quarterly revenue was up 10.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts forecast that KBR will post 3.27 EPS for the current fiscal year. KBR Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, January 15th. Investors of record on Friday, December 13th will be given a dividend of $0.15 per share. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.05%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 13th. KBR’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 25.21%. KBR Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. It operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Read More Receive News & Ratings for KBR Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KBR and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .On December 18, incoming President Donald Trump hosted Elon Musk and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos for dinner at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida. After years of tension, Bezos was eager to build a closer relationship with Trump. He had just donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration, praised him for his “energy around reducing regulation ,” and also kept the Washington Post from endorsing a presidential candidate, which showed his willingness to deal with Trump on good terms. But as they enjoyed their luxurious dinner, Amazon workers were finalizing plans for the largest worker action across the country in the company’s history, set to begin the following day. This image encapsulates what Trump’s second presidential term could look like: on one side, billionaires strategizing how to maximize their profits and erode workers’ rights; on the other, a precarious and multi-ethnic working class organizing for higher wages, better conditions, and a voice in the workplace. As an Amazon worker said in an interview with Left Voice: “With Elon Musk, Donald Trump and Jeff Bezos together... problems.” At the picket line at Amazon’s JFK8 facility in Staten Island workers spoke with us about the grueling conditions in the logistics giant’s warehouses. pic.twitter.com/SFpTPqTxiI Far from the comfort of Trump’s estate, under adverse weather conditions, Amazon workers risked everything. In NYC, employees at warehouses in Queens and Staten Island braved the snow and cold, as well as the fear of putting their job at risk during the busy lead-up to Christmas, to walk out and protest. They would soon be joined by baristas at hundreds of Starbucks locations across the country — also fighting for their first contract — in their “strike before Christmas.” In New York, hundreds of community members joined workers in the snow at the picket line — even at the isolated JFK8 warehouse in Staten Island. Workers, students, local activists and tenant organizers, many wearing keffiyehs, stood in solidarity with Amazon workers in their struggle against the multi-trillion dollar corporate giant. A JFK8 Amazon worker with four years at the warehouse shared, “It’s not easy to be here... When I heard about the strike, I was anxious. But seeing all of you united for one common cause, I have to say: it’s worth the risk.” A new layer of rank-and-file workers took the lead in sustaining these walkouts. Despite a massive police presence and harassment from the company, many stood up to managers and police, found creative ways to endure the long hours on picket lines, and built community by sharing their frustrations and aspirations for change. These walkouts were part of a national action by drivers and warehouse workers at multiple Amazon warehouses, including DGT8 in Atlanta, DFX4, DAX5, and DAX8 in Southern California, DCK6 in San Francisco, and DIL7 in Skokie, Illinois. Additionally, on December 23, workers at Amazon’s Garner, North Carolina facility, a massive warehouse employing over 5,000 people, filed for a union election under the Carolina Amazonians United for Solidarity & Empowerment (CAUSE), independent of Teamsters. There is growing support among the public for Amazon workers. In a national poll from 2022 after the Amazon Labor Union victory at JFK8, 75 percent agreed that Amazon workers “need union representation in order to have job security, better pay, and safer working conditions.” Even the Warehouse Worker Injury Reduction Act, signed into law by New York Governor Hochul during the strike, reflects this growing support. The grueling conditions and high injury rates at the company can no longer be ignored. You might also be interested in: Essential Workers at Amazon Are Rising Up for the Whole Working Class Despite the strike’s limits, the action built important momentum toward future struggles against Amazon. Workers got a glimpse of the impact of their fight on the working class as a whole. As one worker noted, “This is just the first wave, the first push for the contract we rightfully deserve.” Before delving into the specifics, it’s essential to understand the context surrounding these walkouts. Amazon is the second-largest private employer in the U.S., where only 6 percent of private-sector workers are unionized. The company stands out with its union-busting tactics and high turnover, replacing 3 percent of its workforce weekly . However, Amazon’s impunity is increasingly being challenged. Since the historic unionization at JFK8 Fulfillment Center in Staten Island over two years ago, Amazon has been stalling the union recognition and contract negotiations. But, despite some setbacks, organizing continues to grow. The ALU’s affiliation with Teamsters and recent unionization attempts among drivers have bolstered these efforts, though not without contradictions. According to the Teamsters , 10,000 of Amazon’s 800,000 employees are unionized. While still a minority, Amazon cannot return to the “pre-ALU era” without a massive crackdown on union organizing. Yet, this is not enough to force Amazon to negotiate a contract. Breaking the “factory dictatorship” at Amazon remains a herculean task. Large-scale actions have not yet materialized. A JFK8 worker noted, “They said unionizing was impossible. Look where we are now. That day [of a full strike and a contract] will come.” “[Amazon] is acting like a Dracula, sucking the blood of people.” As workers at Amazon in Staten Island, New York geared up to take on the logistics giant, we asked workers, part of @amazonlaborunion_local1 what it was like to work in the warehouses and what this fight for a first contract meant to them. Follow us for more Amazon strike coverage! The recent actions did not significantly disrupt business but delayed some deliveries. For Teamsters President Sean O’Brien and the union leadership, one of the main goals was media attention as part of building public pressure on Amazon. Stories of grueling conditions reached millions, and Christmas package delays became a national topic. For the Teamsters leadership, this action primarily revolved around gaining union recognition and shaping the future of organizing efforts at Amazon. The International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) also represents hundreds of thousands of UPS delivery workers. Confronted with competition from Amazon’s delivery operations, the union aims to recruit new members from Amazon to expand its dues base and strengthen its influence over both competing corporations. In essence, the Teamsters are wagering that this strike could serve as a foundation for a larger, more protracted effort to organize Amazon across the United States, ultimately as a strategy for self-preservation. Last year, O’Brien diverted a potential strike at UPS that could have significantly impacted working-class organizing. While celebrated by many, the contract agreement did not eliminate the huge gap in compensation and working conditions between drivers and warehouse workers. This year’s actions at Amazon allowed O’Brien to position his leadership as “more combative”. In the run-up to the presidential elections, O’Brien spoke at the Republican National Convention and is already playing an advisor role to the Trump administration. In efforts to align the working class with the Republican Party, The Teamsters president wrote in an article that he expects the GOP to become the “the working-class party.” In an obvious demonstration of the class character of the new administration, Bezos is also seeking to expand his influence in the coming years. This positioning by O’Brien has little to do with empowering workers. While O’Brien tries to rail the working class into a far-right program led by Trump, it’s crucial to have a class independence perspective, independent from both political parties. You might also be interested in: Trump’s Success, the Democrats’ Failure, and the Fight for a Working-Class Alternative For the local leaderships — Amazon Labor Union, Amazonians United, CAUSE, for example — the goals and realities differ significantly. The organizations within the warehouses aim to expand their organizing efforts, engage more rank-and-file members, and strengthen the sectors capable of halting production. As we wrote in a previous article : the current strike at Amazon is about a lot more than just the Teamsters, union recognition, or winning a first contract. Indeed, beyond the interests of the IBT leadership, this strike is fundamentally an expression of the frustration of the hundreds of thousands of Amazon warehouse workers and drivers, who, like millions of other precarious workers across the country, were forced to risk their lives working through the pandemic but received nothing in return except runaway inflation. At JFK8, while only a minority of workers walked out, deeper support for the action was evident. The backing of 700 workers who authorized the strike and the dozens of workers who took on roles during the walk out and picket lines, signals a growing base of rank-and-file organization. Over decades of neoliberalism, unions have been weakened and the working class has become increasingly fragmented, which Amazon’s high turnover and union-busting tactics exemplify. Yet change is underway. As JFK8 worker Eulalia said before the strike, “[the union] is like family, I definitely have the support I need. You don’t get that in Amazon, definitely. Amazon treat us like slaves.” On the picket line, workers coordinated food, picketing shifts, and solidarity. At a worker’s gathering on Sunday, many shared personal stories. One worker said, “It gets cold at night, but we stay together, keep each other warm, and laugh. They don’t care about us, but we will make them care.” Amid widespread anti-immigrant rhetoric and policies , picket lines featured chants in multiple languages, and flyers were distributed in English, Spanish, Arabic, and Creole. Workers united beyond national origin as one fist against Amazon. In another display of solidarity, Staten Island JFK8 workers supported the Queens DBK4 picket lines, and DBK4 drivers joined the JFK8 walkout in the midst of a snow storm at midnight. On December 24, DBK4 drivers also joined Starbucks workers on a picket line in SoHo. Amazon workers also found out quickly that their struggle was not only against the boss, but that they would also be confronting the police, who had come, at the request of Amazon, to suppress the pickets. At JKF8, dozens of NYPD officers station themselves outside the warehouse to guarantee the free flow of vehicles in and out of the facility. In the case of DBK4, the police even set barricades to avoid trucks being blocked. Police arrested Jorgeasyn Cardenas , a driver from the facility, for simply showing solidarity with the picketers, and Anthony Rosario , a UPS driver who had turned out to show support for the strikes. As if this was not enough, at the DKB4 facility, Amazon flooded the food and warming station with freezing cold water in order to disrupt the pickets. One of the highlights of these strikes was the community support. At JFK8, which is isolated from residential areas, over one hundred people organized by the ALU Community Support committee joined the picket line at critical moments. Many community and left organizations were also a key component of holding the picket line. CUNY students and faculty, many of whom work at Amazon, consistently supported the strike. The unity among workers and students is a powerful example that needs to be expanded in future strikes. As CUNY students organized with Left Voice said : “Many students are workers and so their interests are deeply tied to the fate of the whole working class. The alliance between workers and students helps both and our fates are linked in the battle for a better world.” You might also be interested in: CUNY Stands With Amazon and Starbucks Workers on Strike Organizing and mobilizing the rank-and-file remains the major challenge. Breaking the culture of fear imposed by the company and fostering self-organization are key. Together, drivers and warehouse workers need to develop their own spaces to strategize, discuss, and decide each major step in their union struggle as a united force. This requires organizing from below; It’s the workers’ jobs and livelihoods that are on the line, so they deserve to be the protagonists of their struggle. Local organizing efforts must avoid normalizing top-down Teamsters tactics and instead focus on empowering workers through direct action and broad participation. Mike, a JFK8 worker who has over four years at Amazon and has multiple injuries, said, “This won’t stop until we get everything we deserve. Talk to coworkers, family, and supporters. Make this grow because, at the end of the day, we will win.” The strike is over, but the fight must continue. Continuing to expand rank and file strength will be essential to force Amazon to negotiate a first contract. If there is any retaliation against workers, it must be met with a wide, democratic campaign defending their rights to organize. A victory for Amazon workers will be a victory for the whole working class. Amazon Labor Movement Strike TeamstersDuke's Diaz: QB Murphy faces internal discipline for raising middle fingers in Virginia Tech winNone

T he amalgamation of technology and the legal sphere has given rise to an indispensable offshoot, the LegalTech sector. According to Future Market Insights, the LegalTech industry, currently valued at $29.60 billion, is estimated to reach $68.04 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 8.7% from 2024 to 2034. LegalTech delivers support and services to the legal industry by helping lawyers, attorneys, and firms practise law more efficiently. With Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, and blockchain being key drivers, LegalTech makes data analysis, contract review, and monetary transactions more secure and seamless. These technologies further allow professionals to automate routine tasks, providing them with ample time to focus on strategic and high-value work. With increasing dependence on AI and technology, law firms and departments worldwide are seeking tech-savvy professionals. By pursuing a career as a LegalTech professional, one can position themselves at the forefront of delivering technologically refined legal services. Here are some of the most lucrative career opportunities in this domain. Regulatory Compliance Manager : Compliance managers ensure that a company complies with all relevant laws and regulations. They are primarily responsible for monitoring legislation and industry changes, proactively implementing them, and managing risks. Getting certifications like Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP), Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM) and Advanced Executive Programme in Cybersecurity can boost credibility. Legal Technology Consultant: Legal technologists help law firms leverage technology and set up their website, provide online accounting services, and manage software and hardware systems. One can pursue a Legal Technology and Innovation Certificate or Certificates in Technology in Law Practice. AI and Machine Learning Specialist: These professionals typically provide AI solutions to automate legal processes, process large sets of legal data, and create predictive models to gauge legal outcomes. One can pursue online courses in AI and Machine Learning for legal professionals from leading institutions. E-Discovery Specialist: A relatively new part of the legal sector, an E-discovery specialist manages a large volume of electronic documents and uses automated tools to reduce human error and improve efficiency. Pursuing a career in this requires E-Discovery certification courses from universities and online platforms. Legal Operations Manager : A legal operations manager is responsible for managing a multidisciplinary team and overseeing data analytics, project management, and marketing. One can obtain a Legal Operations Certificate, a Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification, or a Law-Diploma Certification. Legal Data Analyst: This involves using data analysis techniques such as statistical analysis to derive insights and support legal decision-making. A legal data analyst gathers, interprets, and analyses court documents, papers, case outcomes and other data to extract insights to support decision-making. To start a career in this field, one can purse Data Science courses for legal professionals. Outlook From AI to machine learning, technological integration into the legal sphere is creating exciting non-traditional legal career opportunities. Professionals who can seamlessly integrate cutting-edge technology into legal procedures will be highly sought after. Over the coming years, AI will further revolutionise the legal sector, enhancing efficiency, and even reshaping traditional law practices. By strategically preparing and embracing this technological evolution, aspiring law professionals can stay ahead of the curve and redefine the way legal services are delivered. The writer is Co-Founder and CEO at Lawyer Desk. Published - December 29, 2024 06:30 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit education / The Hindu Education Plus / careers / higher education / students / university / universities and colleges / lawyer / lawsNoneNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Genesis Bryant scored 27 points, Kendall Bostic secured her third double-double this season with 12 points and 11 rebounds and No. 19 Illinois beat Maryland Eastern Shore 75-55 on Tuesday in the Music City Classic. Illinois (6-0) moved to 6-0 for the second time under third-year coach Shauna Green. Illinois scored the opening nine points of the game and took a double-digit lead for good with 2:11 left in the first quarter when Makira Cook made a 3-pointer to begin 13-2 run. UMES scored 13 straight points midway through the second quarter to get as close as 32-22, but Cook answered with a basket to end Illinois' three-minute drought. Bryant finished the first half with 14 points and Cook added 13 to help Illinois build a 43-26 lead. The pair combined to make seven of Illinois’ 14 field goals. UMES was 9 of 36 (25%), including 0 of 7 from 3-point range at halftime. Illinois also got 15 points from Cook and a career-high 11 rebounds from Brynn Shoup-Hill. Bryant, who reached double figures in the first quarter, scored 20-plus for the first time this season. Zamara Haynes led UMES (4-3) with 20 points and Mahogany Lester added 14. Illinois stays in Nashville to play No. 14 Kentucky on Wednesday. UMES travels to Piscataway, New Jersey, to face Georgia Southern in the Battle on the Banks on Friday. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball

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AAP slams Centre for not conducting Manmohan Singh’s last rites at RajghatMore unsettled weather bringing wet and windy conditions is expected in the coming days, Met Éireann has forecast. Today will be mostly dry, with a mixture of cloud and sunny spells. However, the north and west of the country might see occasional patches of light rain or drizzle. The highest temperatures will range between 8 and 11C as the day will turn breezy, with winds turning strong near the western and northwestern coasts. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. It will remain dry tonight in most areas, with only a few spots of light rain or drizzle. Later at night, the north and west might experience more frequent outbreaks of rain near northern coasts. Temperatures are set to drop to 4 to 9C while it will be the coolest in the south and southeast, with winds remaining strong in the north and west. Tomorrow will be cloudy for most, with outbreaks of rain developing through the morning for parts of Ulster and Connacht. Elsewhere might remain mostly dry for the day and enjoy some bright or sunny spells - with just the odd shower possible. Temperatures will range between 9 and 12C, with strong winds again in the north and west. A wet and rather windy Sunday night will bring showery outbreaks of rain extending eastwards over the country, with some heavy falls possible. Temperatures will drop to 6 and 9C. A stock image of windy weather. (Brian Lawless/PA) 7-Day Weather Forecast: 23rd December - 29th December 2024 Meanwhile, New Year's Eve will be rather windy for much of the day. The widespread rain will be confined mainly to Munster and south Leinster on Tuesday morning, with hazy sunny spells and isolated showers over the northern half of the country. A mixture of clouds and rain will build from the southwest in the afternoon and evening. Temperatures will range between 8 and 12C, with strong winds near western and northwestern coasts - but they will ease in the evening. It will turn wet and windy overnight on Tuesday as rain will continue to extend northeastwards and might turn heavy in places - especially in the north and west. Met Éireann has also warned of spot flooding which might be possible on New Year's Eve night. Temperatures will range between 0 to 5 degrees over the northern half of the country and 5 and 9C further south.SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to implement the “toughest” anti-U.S. policy, state media reported Sunday, less than a month before Donald Trump takes office as U.S. president. Trump’s return to the White House raises prospects for high-profile diplomacy with North Korea. During his first term, Trump met Kim three times for talks on the North's nuclear program. Many experts however say a quick resumption of Kim-Trump summitry is unlikely as Trump would first focus on conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. North Korea's support for Russia's war against Ukraine also poses a challenge to efforts to revive diplomacy, experts say. During a five-day plenary meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party that ended Friday, Kim called the U.S. “the most reactionary state that regards anti-communism as its invariable state policy.” Kim said that the U.S.-South Korea-Japan security partnership is expanding into “a nuclear military bloc for aggression." “This reality clearly shows to which direction we should advance and what we should do and how,” Kim said, according to the official Korean Central News Agency. It said Kim's speech “clarified the strategy for the toughest anti-U.S. counteraction to be launched aggressively” by North Korea for its long-term national interests and security. KCNA didn't elaborate on the anti-U.S. strategy. But it said Kim set forth tasks to bolster military capability through defense technology advancements and stressed the need to improve the mental toughness of North Korean soldiers. The previous meetings between Trump and Kim had not only put an end to their exchanges of fiery rhetoric and threats of destruction, but they developed personal connections. Trump once famously said he and Kim “fell in love.” But their talks eventually collapsed in 2019, as they wrangled over U.S.-led sanctions on the North. North Korea has since sharply increased the pace of its weapons testing activities to build more reliable nuclear missiles targeting the U.S. and its allies. The U.S. and South Korea have responded by expanding their military bilateral drills and also trilateral ones involving Japan, drawing strong rebukes from the North, which views such U.S.-led exercises as invasion rehearsals. Further complicating efforts to convince North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons in return for economic and political benefits is its deepening military cooperation with Russia. According to U.S., Ukrainian and South Korean assessments, North Korea has sent more than 10,000 troops and conventional weapons systems to support Moscow's war against Ukraine. There are concerns that Russia could give North Korea advanced weapons technology in return, including help to build more powerful nuclear missiles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said last week that 3,000 North Korean troops have been killed and wounded in the fighting in Russia's Kursk region. It was the first significant estimate by Ukraine of North Korean casualties since the North Korean troop deployment to Russia began in October. Russia and China, locked in separate disputes with the U.S., have repeatedly blocked U.S.-led pushes to levy more U.N. sanctions on North Korea despite its repeated missile tests in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions. Last month, Kim said that his past negotiations with the United States only confirmed Washington’s “unchangeable” hostility toward his country and described his nuclear buildup as the only way to counter external threats.

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The Chicago Bears (4-6) host the Minnesota Vikings (8-2) on Sunday, November 24, 2024 at Soldier Field and will attempt to break a four-game losing streak. What channel is Vikings vs. Bears on? What time is Vikings vs. Bears? The Vikings and the Bears play at 1 p.m. ET. NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more. Vikings vs. Bears betting odds, lines, spread Vikings vs. Bears recent matchups Vikings schedule Bears schedule NFL week 12 schedule This content was created for Gannett using technology provided by Data Skrive.Gamers should take advantage of this Samsung monitor discountSean Penn, 64, and girlfriend Valeria Nicov, 30, make red carpet debut at Marrakech International Film Festival - Page SixWEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that he wants real estate developer Charles Kushner , father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, to serve as ambassador to France. Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post, calling Charles Kushner “a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker." Kushner is the founder of Kushner Companies, a real estate firm. Jared Kushner is a former White House senior adviser to Trump who is married to Trump’s eldest daughter, Ivanka. The elder Kushner was pardoned by Trump in December 2020 after pleading guilty years earlier to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations. Charles Kushner arrives July 20, 2022, for the funeral of Ivana Trump in New York. Prosecutors alleged that after Charles Kushner discovered his brother-in-law was cooperating with federal authorities in an investigation, he hatched a scheme for revenge and intimidation. Kushner hired a prostitute to lure his brother-in-law, then arranged to have the encounter in a New Jersey motel room recorded with a hidden camera and the recording sent to Kushner's own sister, the man’s wife, prosecutors said. Kushner eventually pleaded guilty to 18 counts including tax evasion and witness tampering. He was sentenced in 2005 to two years in prison — the most he could receive under a plea deal, but less than what Chris Christie, the U.S. attorney for New Jersey at the time and later governor and Republican presidential candidate, sought. Christie blamed Jared Kushner for his firing from Trump’s transition team in 2016, and called Charles Kushner’s offenses “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes that I prosecuted when I was U.S. attorney.” Trump and the elder Kushner knew each other from real estate circles and their children were married in 2009. 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. 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.” 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. 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. 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. 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. William McGinley, White House counsel 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.” 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. 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. 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) Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.top646 ph 。

Harbor Advisory Corp MA increased its holdings in shares of Amazon.com, Inc. ( NASDAQ:AMZN ) by 0.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 50,083 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock after buying an additional 451 shares during the period. Amazon.com accounts for about 3.0% of Harbor Advisory Corp MA’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 9th biggest holding. Harbor Advisory Corp MA’s holdings in Amazon.com were worth $9,332,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of the business. PayPay Securities Corp grew its position in shares of Amazon.com by 64.6% during the 2nd quarter. PayPay Securities Corp now owns 163 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock worth $32,000 after buying an additional 64 shares during the period. Hoese & Co LLP bought a new position in Amazon.com during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $37,000. Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc grew its holdings in Amazon.com by 650.0% during the second quarter. Christopher J. Hasenberg Inc now owns 300 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock valued at $58,000 after purchasing an additional 260 shares during the period. Koesten Hirschmann & Crabtree INC. acquired a new position in Amazon.com during the first quarter valued at approximately $69,000. Finally, Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in Amazon.com in the second quarter valued at approximately $77,000. 72.20% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Amazon.com Price Performance NASDAQ:AMZN opened at $197.12 on Friday. Amazon.com, Inc. has a 12-month low of $142.81 and a 12-month high of $215.90. The firm has a market capitalization of $2.07 trillion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 42.21, a P/E/G ratio of 1.33 and a beta of 1.14. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $193.00 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $186.31. The company has a quick ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 1.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21. Insider Transactions at Amazon.com In other Amazon.com news, Director Jonathan Rubinstein sold 5,004 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, November 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $199.85, for a total value of $1,000,049.40. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 99,396 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $19,864,290.60. This represents a 4.79 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink . Also, CEO Douglas J. Herrington sold 5,502 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $205.81, for a total value of $1,132,366.62. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 518,911 shares in the company, valued at $106,797,072.91. The trade was a 1.05 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last 90 days, insiders sold 6,011,423 shares of company stock worth $1,249,093,896. 10.80% of the stock is owned by insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have recently issued reports on AMZN shares. DA Davidson reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $235.00 price target on shares of Amazon.com in a report on Thursday, October 10th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on Amazon.com from $225.00 to $235.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their price target on Amazon.com from $230.00 to $250.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, November 1st. Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an “equal weight” rating and set a $197.00 price objective on shares of Amazon.com in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Morgan Stanley increased their target price on Amazon.com from $210.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Monday, November 4th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, forty have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $235.77. Read Our Latest Report on Amazon.com About Amazon.com ( Free Report ) Amazon.com, Inc engages in the retail sale of consumer products, advertising, and subscriptions service through online and physical stores in North America and internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America, International, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). It also manufactures and sells electronic devices, including Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TVs, Echo, Ring, Blink, and eero; and develops and produces media content. Read More Five stocks we like better than Amazon.com What is the FTSE 100 index? Vertiv’s Cool Tech Makes Its Stock Red-Hot Trading Halts Explained MarketBeat Week in Review – 11/18 – 11/22 P/E Ratio Calculation: How to Assess Stocks 2 Finance Stocks With Competitive Advantages You Can’t Ignore Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AMZN? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Amazon.com, Inc. ( NASDAQ:AMZN – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Amazon.com Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Amazon.com and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Trump wants pardoned real estate developer Charles Kushner to be ambassador to France

Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley will be placed on IR with neck injuryNone

The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led alliance on Saturday bucked the state’s political tradition of voting out the incumbent as it retained its hold over the mineral-rich province on the back of a campaign helmed by chief minister Hemant Soren, with tribal identity and welfare as its key planks. Also Read: What clicked for JMM in Jharkhand? The alliance of JMM, Congress, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) won 56 of the state’s 81 seats, improving on its tally of 47 from five years ago. The JMM won 34 of the43 constituenciesit contested. “We have passed the exam of democracy in Jharkhand. I express my gratitude to the people for this stupendous performance. History was made today by the installation of an Abua Raj, Abua Sarkar (our state, our government),” Soren, who won from the Barihat seat by 39,791 votes, said. The verdict solidified Soren’s stature as one of the tallest tribal leaders in the country as he linked his jail term in a corruption case to the question of tribal pride during the high-voltage campaign. He accused the BJP of falsely implicating a son of the soil on false charges and said the Opposition was formulating a ploy to stop him from working for the state’s poor. The JMM-Congress alliance won 27 out of 28 seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes in the state. “This government is the government of the people of Jharkhand. The people have expressed their unwavering faith in Hemant Soren. The way he was serving Jharkhand earlier as a son, as a brother, now in the coming times, he will work even harder than that,” Soren’s wife, Kalpana Soren, who won from Gandey seat, said. Also Read: JMM's Kalpana Soren wins in Gandey seat in Jharkhand; BJP's Muniya Devi loses The JMM also bridged the tribal-non-tribal fault line in the state, stressing the need to ensure overall development in the state. When the results were counted on Saturday, the INDIA bloc members emerged victorious on the state’s 29 non-tribal seats, including the five out of nine reserved for Scheduled Castes. “Let’s resolve to remove Jharkhand’s ‘backward’ tag and make it a developed state. We invite people’s suggestions for improving industry, education, and agriculture sectors,” Soren said in a video message after the verdict. The JMM was also buoyed by the response to its Mukhyamantri Maiya Samman Yojana, which gave ₹ 1,000 to poor women. By making the cash transfer scheme the focus of its welfare outreach, the JMM was able to win over voters whose identities lay beyond the traditional buckets of community or region, resulting in it winning seats across five administrative divisions—Santal Paraganas, South Chhotanagpur, Palamu, North Chhotanagpur, and Kolhan. Also Read: Maiya Samman scheme helps JMM surge ahead in Jharkhand elections The ruling party also blunted the BJP’s aggressive campaign focussed on alleged infiltration by outsiders and Bangladeshis into Jharkhand, saying that the protection of borders was the prerogative of the central government. Every time a senior BJP leader spoke about infiltration, the JMM sought to switch the conversation to Hemant Soren’s imprisonment and the treatment of a tribal man at the hands of the central government—a pitch it was relatively more confident about. In the battle between aggression and sympathy, the latter eventually won. “The result is a combined outcome of Maiyan Samman Yojna and the NDA’s undue focus on unnecessary issues like infiltration instead of cornering the state government on governance issues. They hardly gave any importance to local leaders, and it seemed as if the entire campaign was being led by outsiders who hardly have any connect with the locals,” said Sudhir Pal, an independent political observer. Assam chief minister and BJP’s Jharkhand co-incharge, Himanta Biswa Sarma said their goal was to ensure the fulfilment of the dreams of the people of the state but added that they accept the mandate of the people. “We fought with a vision to protect the state from infiltration and to lead it on the path of development, fulfilling the aspirations of students and youth. However, we must humbly accept the mandate of the people, for that is the true essence of democracy. In these challenging times, we will stand firmly with our Karyakartas, offering them unwavering support and solidarity,” he posted on X. A meeting of the legislature party of the INDIA bloc is set to be held at the official residence of the chief minister on November 24 where Soren is set to be chosen the leader of the legislature party, people aware of the matter said. “We went into the election with a report card of five-year rule and a blueprint for the next five years. Out opponents should have come up with a similar approach but they chose other issues. People have now given their mandate, and we would serve them in the next five years,” Jharkhand Congress incharge Ghulam Ahmed Mir.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Maddie Zimmer and Ilse Tromp both had two goals and an assist in the first half and Northwestern beat Saint Joseph's 5-0 in the championship match of the NCAA Division-I women's field hockey tournament at Phyllis Ocker Field on Sunday. It was the second championship for the second-seeded Wildcats (23-1-0), who have played for the title in four straight seasons. Northwestern beat Liberty 2-0 in 2021 before losing to North Carolina the past two seasons. No. 4 seed Saint Joseph's (20-4-0) was in uncharted waters with its first trip to the final. The Hawks eliminated top-seeded North Carolina in the semifinals to advance. The Tar Heels have won the championship in half of their 22 trips to the final. Northwestern grabbed the lead 6:25 into the first quarter when Zimmer used an assist from Tromp to score. Zimmer had an assist on Olivia Bent-Cole's eighth goal of the season for a 2-0 advantage, and Tromp found the net with 25 seconds left with assists from Lauren Hunter and Ashley Sessa for a 3-0 lead. Hunter and Sessa again had the helpers on Zimmer's 10th goal of the campaign, and Hunter and Regan Cornelius assisted on Tromp's 11th goal of the season 2:42 later for a 5-0 lead at halftime and that was that. Annabel Skubisz finished with her school-record 14th shutout of the season for Northwestern. Zimmer and Tromp are the second duo to score multiple goals for their school in a championship match. Zimmer was named the tournament MVP. It was the second championship for Wildcats coach Tracey Fuchs. Northwestern joins North Carolina and Old Dominion as the only schools to reach the championship match in four straight seasons. Six schools have won multiple titles.

Builder Investment Group Inc. ADV grew its stake in Amazon.com, Inc. ( NASDAQ:AMZN – Free Report ) by 13.9% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,638 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. Builder Investment Group Inc. ADV’s holdings in Amazon.com were worth $305,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of AMZN. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in Amazon.com by 9.7% in the third quarter. Foundations Investment Advisors LLC now owns 184,594 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock valued at $34,395,000 after acquiring an additional 16,392 shares during the last quarter. Telos Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Amazon.com by 1.1% during the 3rd quarter. Telos Capital Management Inc. now owns 94,441 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock valued at $17,597,000 after purchasing an additional 998 shares during the period. Roof Eidam Maycock Peralta LLC boosted its stake in shares of Amazon.com by 2.4% in the 3rd quarter. Roof Eidam Maycock Peralta LLC now owns 7,045 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock valued at $1,313,000 after purchasing an additional 163 shares during the last quarter. Integrity Financial Corp WA grew its position in shares of Amazon.com by 2.1% during the 3rd quarter. Integrity Financial Corp WA now owns 10,334 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock worth $1,926,000 after buying an additional 208 shares during the period. Finally, Waterway Wealth Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Amazon.com by 72.6% during the third quarter. Waterway Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,729 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock worth $1,067,000 after buying an additional 2,409 shares during the last quarter. 72.20% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Insider Transactions at Amazon.com In other news, Director Jonathan Rubinstein sold 5,004 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $199.85, for a total transaction of $1,000,049.40. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 99,396 shares in the company, valued at approximately $19,864,290.60. This trade represents a 4.79 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link . Also, SVP David Zapolsky sold 2,190 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $195.00, for a total transaction of $427,050.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 62,420 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,171,900. This trade represents a 3.39 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . In the last three months, insiders sold 6,011,423 shares of company stock worth $1,249,093,896. 10.80% of the stock is owned by company insiders. Amazon.com Stock Performance Amazon.com ( NASDAQ:AMZN – Get Free Report ) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, October 31st. The e-commerce giant reported $1.43 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.14 by $0.29. The business had revenue of $158.88 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $157.28 billion. Amazon.com had a net margin of 8.04% and a return on equity of 22.41%. Amazon.com’s revenue was up 11.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.85 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Amazon.com, Inc. will post 5.27 EPS for the current year. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In AMZN has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of Amazon.com from $220.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, August 2nd. Sanford C. Bernstein lifted their price objective on Amazon.com from $225.00 to $235.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Friday, November 1st. Loop Capital increased their target price on Amazon.com from $225.00 to $275.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. Wells Fargo & Company restated an “equal weight” rating and set a $197.00 target price on shares of Amazon.com in a research report on Wednesday. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft increased their price target on shares of Amazon.com from $225.00 to $232.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, forty have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Amazon.com presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $235.77. Read Our Latest Report on Amazon.com Amazon.com Company Profile ( Free Report ) Amazon.com, Inc engages in the retail sale of consumer products, advertising, and subscriptions service through online and physical stores in North America and internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America, International, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). It also manufactures and sells electronic devices, including Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TVs, Echo, Ring, Blink, and eero; and develops and produces media content. Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Amazon.com TSX Venture Exchange (Formerly Canadian Venture Exchange) Vertiv’s Cool Tech Makes Its Stock Red-Hot Are Penny Stocks a Good Fit for Your Portfolio? MarketBeat Week in Review – 11/18 – 11/22 How the NYSE and NASDAQ are Different, Why That Matters to Investors 2 Finance Stocks With Competitive Advantages You Can’t Ignore Receive News & Ratings for Amazon.com Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Amazon.com and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Prospera Financial Services Inc trimmed its position in shares of iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF ( NASDAQ:IJT – Free Report ) by 94.0% during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 3,755 shares of the company’s stock after selling 58,403 shares during the quarter. Prospera Financial Services Inc’s holdings in iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF were worth $525,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. LPL Financial LLC grew its position in shares of iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF by 1.6% in the second quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 781,445 shares of the company’s stock valued at $100,361,000 after purchasing an additional 12,110 shares during the last quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. grew its holdings in iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF by 5.0% during the 2nd quarter. Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Co. now owns 463,739 shares of the company’s stock valued at $59,563,000 after buying an additional 22,291 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its position in iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF by 6.8% during the third quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 403,693 shares of the company’s stock worth $56,311,000 after buying an additional 25,626 shares in the last quarter. One Capital Management LLC increased its position in iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF by 0.4% during the second quarter. One Capital Management LLC now owns 326,869 shares of the company’s stock worth $41,980,000 after buying an additional 1,291 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Falcon Wealth Planning raised its holdings in shares of iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF by 10.3% in the third quarter. Falcon Wealth Planning now owns 222,889 shares of the company’s stock worth $31,091,000 after acquiring an additional 20,742 shares during the last quarter. 55.81% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF Stock Up 1.6 % IJT opened at $148.34 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $6.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.69 and a beta of 1.13. The business’s fifty day simple moving average is $139.85 and its 200 day simple moving average is $134.79. iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF has a 52 week low of $111.02 and a 52 week high of $149.58. iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF Announces Dividend iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF Profile ( Free Report ) iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF, formerly iShares S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Index Fund (the Fund), seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P SmallCap 600 Growth Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the small-capitalization growth sector of the United States equity market and consists of those stocks in the S&P SmallCap 600 Index exhibiting the strongest growth characteristics. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares S&P Small-Cap 600 Growth ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .

Work and pensions minister Sir Stephen Timms said the move aims to drive “real improvements” for disabled people, whom the ministers will be encouraged to engage with on a regular basis. He told the Commons: “I am very pleased to be able to announce today the appointment of new lead ministers for disability in each Government department, they will represent the interests of disabled people, champion disability inclusion and accessibility within their departments. “I’m going to chair regular meetings with them and will encourage them to engage directly with disabled people and their representative organisations, as they take forward their departmental priorities. “And I look forward to this new group of lead ministers for disability together driving real improvements across Government for disabled people.” This came during an adjournment debate on International Day of Persons with Disabilities, where Liberal Democrat MP Steve Darling raised concerns about “floating bus stops”, which have a cycle lane between the stop and the pavement. Intervening, the MP for Torbay, who is registered blind, said: “The Government needs to ban floating bus stops.” Sir Stephen said: “I do think this issue about floating bus stops is an important issue which we need to work across Government to reflect on.” Labour MP Debbie Abrahams, who led the debate, had earlier criticised the lack of accessibility for disabled people on trains. The Oldham East and Saddleworth MP said: “Our train network does not have level access, and we heard Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson from the other place make this plea back in the summer, absolutely outrageous what she was put through. “But I was absolutely shocked to find, when I had a presentation of the TransPennine route upgrade, that the rolling stock yet to be commissioned is not going to provide that level access. “It’s absolute nonsense, it’s not even in the design of that procurement, so we must do better than this.”Georgetown coasts to fourth straight win with domination of AlbanyHow to watch Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears: TV channel, streaming info

Uncovered: Luxury lifestyle of US lawyer set to cash in on car loan scandal By CALUM MUIRHEAD Updated: 21:50 GMT, 30 November 2024 e-mail View comments A wealthy American lawyer whose lifestyle features private jets, beachside properties and snazzy yachts is among the predatory legal eagles trying to cash in on Britain's growing car finance scandal. Harris Pogust, 61, a veteran of the US legal scene, has boasted online of his sprawling mansion which includes a pool, gym and wine cellar. His firm, London-based Pogust Goodhead (PG) provides him and his British partner Thomas Goodhead the means to live in luxury thanks to the cut the firm takes from compensation rulings on big cases which can run into hundreds of millions of pounds. The firm told The Mail on Sunday that 60,467 of its clients from previous cases had been brought on board for a car loan case. When it wins class actions, it pockets up to 50 per cent of the victims' money for itself. But consumer experts say motorists can make their own claim and keep 100 per cent of any payout. New Jersey-born Pogust, frequently flaunts his wealth on Instagram, including a post last month showcasing his six-bedroom, eight-bathroom home. His wife's social media features pictures of Pogust and their dog on a private jet and snaps on board yachts. Fishing for business: Harris Pogust shows off his catch online Goodhead is a barrister educated at both Oxford and Cambridge who co-founded the firm with Pogust in 2018. It is locked in a high-profile battle in London's High Court with Anglo-Australian mining giant BHP over the Samarco dam disaster in Brazil, which killed 19 people and contaminated waterways and land spanning several villages in 2015. The class action is estimated to be worth £36 billion. PG will reportedly receive up to 30 per cent for individuals and firms. But Brazil's former ambassador to the UK, Rubens Barbosa, accused the firm of encouraging hundreds of thousands of claimants to reject a £24 billion settlement scheme in favour of continuing action in the High Court, which they have no guarantee of winning. A PG spokesman said: 'Pogust Goodhead is representing 620,000 victims whose lives have been devastated – we make no excuses for using the means at our disposal to try to level a massively uneven playing field against some of the largest, most powerful and well-resourced companies in the world.' RELATED ARTICLES Previous 1 Next Motor finance scandal to cost lenders £25bn Car finance scandal plunging Close Brothers into turmoil Share this article Share HOW THIS IS MONEY CAN HELP How to choose the best (and cheapest) stocks and shares Isa and the right DIY investing account The firm itself is looking to save on costs as it spends millions on its legal crusades including plans to cut about 20 per cent of its staff with up to 50 job losses at its London office, according to reports. The Court of Appeal ruled last month that commissions paid to car dealers may be unlawful if they were not flagged to customers. Firms implicated include Close Brothers, one of the UK's oldest merchant banks, as well as Lloyds and Santander. DIY INVESTING PLATFORMS AJ Bell AJ Bell Easy investing and ready-made portfolios Learn More Learn More Hargreaves Lansdown Hargreaves Lansdown Free fund dealing and investment ideas Learn More Learn More interactive investor interactive investor Flat-fee investing from £4.99 per month Learn More Learn More Saxo Saxo Get £200 back in trading fees Learn More Learn More Trading 212 Trading 212 Free dealing and no account fee Learn More Learn More Affiliate links: If you take out a product This is Money may earn a commission. These deals are chosen by our editorial team, as we think they are worth highlighting. This does not affect our editorial independence. Compare the best investing account for you Share or comment on this article: Uncovered: Luxury lifestyle of US lawyer set to cash in on car loan scandal e-mail Add comment Some links in this article may be affiliate links. If you click on them we may earn a small commission. That helps us fund This Is Money, and keep it free to use. We do not write articles to promote products. We do not allow any commercial relationship to affect our editorial independence. More top storiesThe AP Top 25 men’s college basketball poll is back every week throughout the season! Get the poll delivered straight to your inbox with AP Top 25 Poll Alerts. Sign up here . NATCHITOCHES, La. (AP) — Chris Mubiru had 13 points to lead Northwestern State to a 71-58 victory over North Alabama on Sunday. Mubiru finished 5 of 6 from the field for the Demons (3-4). Jerald Colonel scored 12 points and added six rebounds. Landyn Jumawan had 12 points with two 3-pointers. Jacari Lane finished with 14 points to lead the Lions (4-3). Will Soucie added 13 points and Canin Jefferson scored nine. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .None