Formula 1 expands grid to add General Motors' Cadillac brand and new American team for 2026 season

One night last month, near the end of the Chicago International Film Festival, a particularly long line of moviegoers snaked down Southport Avenue by the Music Box Theatre. The hot ticket? This fall’s hottest ticket, in fact, all over the international festival circuit? Well, it’s a 215-minute drama about a fictional Hungarian Jewish architect who emigrates to America in 1947 after surviving the Holocaust. The film’s title, “The Brutalist,” references several things, firstly a post-World War II design imperative made of stern concrete, steel, and a collision of poetry and functionality. Director and co-writer Brady Corbet, who wrote “The Brutalist” with his filmmaker wife, Mona Fastvold, explores brutalism in other forms as well, including love, envy, capitalist economics and how the promise of America eludes someone like the visionary architect László Tóth, played by Adrien Brody. Corbet, now 36 and a good bet for Oscar nominations this coming January, says his unfashionable sprawl of a picture, being distributed by A24, is also about the “strange relationship between artist and patron, and art and commerce.” It co-stars Felicity Jones as the visionary architect’s wife, Erzsébet, trapped in Eastern Europe after the war with their niece for an agonizingly long time. Guy Pearce portrays the imperious Philadelphia blueblood who hires Tóth, a near-invisible figure in his adopted country, to design a monumental public building known as the Institute in rural Pennsylvania. The project becomes an obsession, then a breaking point and then something else. Corbet’s project, which took the better part of a decade to come together after falling apart more than once, felt like that, too. Spanning five decades and filmed in Hungary and Italy, “The Brutalist” looks like a well-spent $50 million project. In actuality, it was made for a mere $10 million, with Corbet and cinematographer Lol Crawley shooting on film, largely in the VistaVision process. The filmmaker said at the Chicago festival screening: “Who woulda thunk that for screening after screening over the last couple of months, people stood in line around the block to get into a three-and-a-half-hour movie about a mid-century designer?” He lives in Brooklyn, New York, with Fastvold and their daughter. Our conversation has been edited for clarity and length. Q: Putting together an independent movie, keeping it on track, getting it made: not easy, as you told the Music Box audience last night. Money is inevitably going to be part of the story of “The Brutalist,” since you had only so much to make a far-flung historical epic. A: Yeah, that’s right. In relation to my earlier features, “The Childhood of a Leader” had a $3 million budget. The budget for “Vox Lux” was right around $10 million, same as “The Brutalist,” although the actual production budget for “Vox Lux” was about $4.5 million. Which is to say: All the money on top of that was going to all the wrong places. For a lot of reasons, when my wife and I finished the screenplay for “The Brutalist,” we ruled out scouting locations in Philadelphia or anywhere in the northeastern United States. We needed to (film) somewhere with a lot less red tape. My wife’s previous film, “The World to Come,” she made in Romania; we shot “Childhood of a Leader” in Hungary. For “The Brutalist” we initially landed on Poland, but this was early on in COVID and Poland shut its borders the week our crew was arriving for pre-production. When we finally got things up and running again with a different iteration of the cast (the original ensemble was to star Joel Edgerton, Marion Cotillard and Mark Rylance), after nine months, the movie fell apart again because Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We couldn’t get any of the banks to cash-flow the tax credit (for location shooting in Poland). It’s completely stable now, but at that time the banks were nervous about whether the war would be contained to Ukraine or not. And then we finally got it up and running in Budapest, Hungary. Q: That’s a long time. A: Every filmmaker I know suffers from some form of post-traumatic stress (laughs). It sounds funny but it’s true. At every level. On the level of independent cinema, you’re just so damn poor. You’re not making any money, and yet from nose to tail, at minimum, a movie always takes a couple of years. With bigger projects, you might have a little more personal security but a lot less creative security with so many more cooks in the kitchen. Either route you choose, it can be an arduous and painful one. Whether you’re making a movie for a million dollars, or $10 million, or $100 million, it’s still “millions of dollars.” And if you’re concerned about the lives and livelihoods of the people working with you, it’s especially stressful. People are constantly calling you: “Is it happening? Are we starting? Should I take this other job or not?” And you have 250 people who need that answer from you. Every iteration of the project, I always thought we were really about to start in a week, two weeks. It’s just very challenging interpersonally. It’s an imposition for everyone in your life. And then there’s the imposition of screening a movie that’s three-and-a-half-hours long for film festivals, where it’s difficult to find that kind of real estate on the schedule. So essentially, making a movie means constantly apologizing. Q: At what point in your acting career did you take a strong interest in what was going on behind the camera? A: I was making short films when I was 11, 12 years old. The first thing I ever made more properly, I guess, was a short film I made when I was 18, “Protect You + Me,” shot by (cinematographer) Darius Khondji. It was supposed to be part of a triptych of films, and I went to Paris for the two films that followed it. And then all the financing fell through. But that first one screened at the London film festival, and won a prize at Sundance, and I was making music videos and other stuff by then. Q: You’ve written a lot of screenplays with your wife. How many? A: Probably 25. We work a lot for other people, too. I think we’ve done six together for our own projects. Sometimes I’ll start something at night and my wife will finish in the morning. Sometimes we work very closely together, talking and typing together. It’s always different. Right now I’m writing a lot on the road, and my wife is editing her film, which is a musical we wrote, “Ann Lee,” about the founder of the Shakers. I’m working on my next movie now, which spans a lot of time, like “The Brutalist,” with a lot of locations. And I need to make sure we can do it for not a lot of money, because it’s just not possible to have a lot of money and total autonomy. For me making a movie is like cooking. If everyone starts coming in and throwing a dash of this or that in the pot, it won’t work out. A continuity of vision is what I look for when I read a novel. Same with watching a film. A lot of stuff out there today, appropriately referred to as “content,” has more in common with a pair of Nikes than it does with narrative cinema. Q: Yeah, I can’t imagine a lot of Hollywood executives who’d sign off on “The Brutalist.” A: Well, even with our terrific producing team, I mean, everyone was up for a three-hour movie but we were sort of pushing it with three-and-a-half (laughs). I figured, worst-case scenario, it opens on a streamer. Not what I had in mind, but people watch stuff that’s eight, 12 hours long all the time. They get a cold, they watch four seasons of “Succession.” (A24 is releasing the film in theaters, gradually.) It was important for all of us to try to capture an entire century’s worth of thinking about design with “The Brutalist.” For me, making something means expressing a feeling I have about our history. I’ve described my films as poetic films about politics, that go to places politics alone cannot reach. It’s one thing to say something like “history repeats itself.” It’s another thing to make people see that, and feel it. I really want viewers to engage with the past, and the trauma of that history can be uncomfortable, or dusty, or dry. But if you can make it something vital, and tangible, the way great professors can do for their students, that’s my definition of success. “The Brutalist” opens in New York and Los Angeles on Dec. 20. The Chicago release is Jan. 10, 2025. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.

The Poundland buy that stops carrots going mouldy & keeps the veg fresh for months'Road blockades in Punjab a threat to national economy'After weeks of fear and bewilderment about the drones buzzing over parts of New York and New Jersey , U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is urging the federal government to deploy better drone-tracking technology to identify and ultimately stop the airborne pests. The New York Democrat is calling on the Department of Homeland Security to immediately deploy special technology that identifies and tracks drones back to their landing spots, according to briefings from his office. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Daniel Jones Next Team Odds: Contenders jockeying for QB?

LG Electronics India is preparing for a Rs 15,000 crore IPO. LG's IPO is likely to be India's fifth-largest IPO after Life Insurance Corporation, Hyundai Motor, Paytm and Coal India. And among the concerns that LG has listed in its draft prospectus reportedly includes the company's South Korean parent company LG. According to a report in Economic Times, LG Electronics India has expressed concerns about potential future competition from its South Korean parent company. In its draft prospectus, the Indian subsidiary highlighted the lack of an exclusivity agreement, stating that while the parent currently doesn't compete in India, it reserves the right to do so, which could create conflicts of interest and negatively impact LG India 's business. LG India’s ‘big competition concern’ This concern extends to Hi-M Solutek India, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary specializing in LG commercial air conditioner service and maintenance. Although currently focused on LG products, there's no guarantee it won't expand to serve competitors or directly compete with LG India in the future. "While our promoter is currently not engaged in businesses that compete with ours in India, the promoter may in the future engage in businesses that compete with ours because we do not have any exclusivity arrangement with them," the company said in the draft prospectus. "This may give rise to conflicts of interest, which may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations." "Currently, Hi-M Solutek India only provides services for our products. However, we do not have an exclusive contractual arrangement with them and there is no assurance that Hi-M Solutek India will not expand their business in the future to compete with ours or to provide services for our competitors," LG India said. "We plan to roll this out across our distribution network, which we believe will enable us to offer differentiated services, enhance consumer satisfaction and drive sales to consumers," the company said. The draft prospectus also says that LG India plans to build a new factory in Andhra Pradesh -- its third in the country. LG India is also scaling up component sourcing from its 280 local suppliers with the figure rising from 45% in 2022 to 58.3% in June this year.Moviegoers soared from Oz to the Colosseum over the weekend as millions around the world flocked to see “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” in theaters. In North America alone, “Wicked” dominated the box office on opening weekend, making an estimated $114 million from more than 3,800 locations. “Gladiator II,” the sequel to the 2000 historical epic, also pulled in an estimated $55.5 million from more than 3,500 locations. The opening weekend of both highly anticipated films prompted widespread comparisons to last summer’s “ Barbenheimer ” phenomenon, when “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” created an unprecedented box office event as well as a cultural moment unlike any other. With “Gladiator II” and “Wicked,” similar excitement had built up online for months, with many fans gearing up for what they deemed “Glicked” (pronounced glick-id ). Nearly 65% of people surveyed in Fandango’s 2024 most anticipated holiday movie survey said they were interested in seeing the two movies as a theatrical double feature. “Wicked” outperformed “Gladiator II,” more than doubling its earnings to take the No. 1 spot at the global and domestic box offices this weekend. But it fell short of the record-breaking performance of “Barbie,” while “Gladiator II” fell behind the strong opening of “Oppenheimer.” “Ever since ‘Barbenheimer,’ the whole industry and everyone is just looking for the next mashup that we can put together, and this weekend offered that up,” said Paul Dergarabedian, a senior media analyst at Comscore, a company that tracks box office data. Dergarabedian added that both films will individually benefit from weeks of playability due to their rave reviews, star-studded casts and creative marketing campaigns — making the “Glicked” phenomenon just the “icing on the cake.” Still, he said, “Barbenheimer” and “Glicked” have shown the industry that this kind of same-day counterprogramming “creates a social buzz that’s undeniable.” Although the glamorous pink energy around “Barbie” contrasted sharply with the dark and solemn overtones of “Oppenheimer,” the films became a must-see double feature — largely due to the power of internet memes. Similarly, “Gladiator II” and “Wicked” offered moviegoers the opportunity to lean into the contrasting themes. “Wicked,” starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, is a lively musical filled with Broadway show tunes and theater lore. By comparison, Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” is an action-packed film with swords, violent battles and ancient warfare. Universal Pictures, the distributor of “Wicked,” and Paramount Pictures, the distributor of “Gladiator II,” pulled out all the stops for their marketing campaigns — ranging from creating a free “Gladiator” experience at the Colosseum in Rome, hosted by Airbnb, to launching a barrage of green-and-pink “Wicked”-themed merch with dozens of retail partners . (NBC News and Universal Pictures share Comcast as a parent company.) David Joshua Taylor, a self-described movie buff who saw both films on opening night, said he wore a “Wicked”-themed Shiz University sweater in one theater before switching to a “Gladiator” sweater for the next. “It’s such a big event: You got your Broadway theater people, and then obviously you got people just wanting a good time at the movies,” said Taylor, 29. “The whole atmosphere, it’s electrifying.” Both films also benefited from the buzz — and memes — online. “Gladiator II” stars Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal have sparked an online fan frenzy, with the actors being affectionately dubbed “ babygirls .” “Wicked” generated attention through a playful debate online around whether it’s appropriate etiquette to sing along to the musical’s popular songs in theaters . The film’s press tour also prompted a flurry of viral videos and memes. Still, “Glicked” didn’t quite replicate the magic of “Barbenheimer,” according to Shawn Robbins, founder of Box Office Theory and director of analytics at Fandango. “You can’t capture lightning in a bottle twice. The thing’s never going to repeat itself the same way, but it certainly became part of the conversation to an extent,” Robbins said. “But I think going forward, more studios can look at this as another successful blueprint for how to release two big counterprogramming movies at the same time.” Stars from the films said the choice to participate in the double feature experience is entirely up to moviegoers. But they expressed support for how the dueling films bring people together. When asked by ET about the trend, Erivo and Grande said, “We like ‘Glicked’ Day.” Mescal, who plays Lucius in “Gladiator II,” also weighed in, telling Variety he thinks the two films “complement each other really well because they’re so different.” “And if you love cinema, get out there and support it,” he told the publication. “Don’t wait for it to come on to a streamer, because we’re at a critical junction. We have been for a little while with theatrical films. If cinema is a thing for you, get out and see both films.” With “Moana 2” hitting theaters next week, plus another batch of releases set to roll out in December, the coming holiday stretch could give movie theaters a massive boost as they close out the year. The growing trend of “eventification” in the moviegoing experience — as evidenced by the costumes, merchandise and other forms of fan involvement around “Barbenheimer” and “Glicked” — is likely to continue driving the success of many major theatrical releases, according to Robbins. It’s tapping into something, he said, that’s “inherently unique to that experience of going out to the movie theater with your family or friends, and being able to celebrate it in a way that is just not able to be replicated anywhere else.”

A former House of Representatives member, Dachung Bagos, has asserted that the level of borrowings by the Federal Government is dangerous to the country. Naija News reports that President Bola Tinubu recently sent the National Assembly a ₦1.77 trillion ($2.2b) loan request. Days after the move, the Senate approved the request, prompting questions from many Nigerians, including Bagos, who represented Jos South/Jos East. In an interview on Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today, the former lawmaker questioned FG about the borrowing and wondered how the country would pay back. Bagos said the country’s borrowing ratio is getting high and believes that with the tax reforms by President Tinubu, which are expected to come into full swing next year, Nigerians may be burdened. He said, “You are collecting loans, where are the templates? What are the templates for repayment of those loans? We are not a producing nation. We are not industrialised. We are not an exporting nation,” he said on “So, a lot of issues are wrong with our loans. You borrow to take breakfast, borrow to take lunch, borrow to take dinner every day, borrow to pay your children’s school fees, borrow to do every single thing. How are you going to pay those loans? “Today we are talking about the tax reforms which means there are going to be more tax burdens on Nigerians from next year. “From my last calculation, our borrowing ratio is almost getting to 10% per year or biannually. So, if we are getting to that level of almost 10%, it is very dangerous to us as a country.”Saquon Barkley tops 2,000 yards rushing and moves within 100 of Dickerson's record PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley became the ninth running back in NFL history to top 2,000 yards rushing in a season, reaching the milestone with a 23-yard run in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys. That rush gave Barkley 2,005 yards with one game left and left him exactly 100 yards from Eric Dickerson’s record of 2,105, set in 1984 for the Los Angeles Rams. Barkley could potentially top the record in next week’s finale against the New York Giants. However, that game will be mostly meaningless for the Eagles, who could opt to rest Barkley to protect him from injury ahead of the playoffs. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.

Allar puts critics on mute, keeps winning for Penn State

NEW YORK (AP) — Technology stocks pulled Wall Street to another record amid mixed trading. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% Monday after closing November at an all-time high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite gained 1%. Super Micro Computer, a stock that’s been on an AI-driven roller coaster, soared after saying an investigation found no evidence of misconduct by its management or the company’s board. Retailers were mixed coming off Black Friday and heading into what’s expected to be the best Cyber Monday on record. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. NEW YORK (AP) — Technology stocks are pulling Wall Street toward another record amid mixed trading on Monday. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% in afternoon trading after . The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 86 points, or 0.2%, with a little more than an hour remaining in trading, while the Nasdaq composite was 0.9% higher. Super Micro Computer, a stock that’s been on an AI-driven roller coaster, soared 31.1% to lead the market. Following accusations of misconduct and the , the maker of servers used in artificial-intelligence technology said an investigation found no evidence of misconduct by its management or by the company's board. It also said it doesn’t expect to restate its past financials and that it will find a new chief financial officer, appoint a general counsel and make other moves to strengthen its governance. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up the market. Gains of 1.8% for Microsoft and 2.9% for Meta Platforms were the two strongest forces pushing upward on the S&P 500. Intel was another propellant during the morning, but it lost an early gain to fall 1.1% after the chip company said and stepped down from the board. Intel is looking for Gelsinger’s replacement, and its chair said it’s “committed to restoring investor confidence.” Intel recently to Nvidia, which has skyrocketed in Wall Street's frenzy around AI. Stellantis, meanwhile, skidded following the . Carlos Tavares steps down after nearly four years in the top spot of the automaker, which owns car brands like Jeep, Citroën and Ram, amid an ongoing and an inventory backlog at dealerships. The world’s fourth-largest automaker’s stock fell 6.3% in Milan. The majority of stocks in the S&P 500 likewise fell, including California utility PG&E. It dropped 3.7% after saying it would sell $2.4 billion of stock and preferred shares to raise cash. Retailers were mixed amid what’s expected to be the best on record and coming off . Target, which recently gave a , fell 1.6%. , which gave a more optimistic forecast, rose 0.3%. Amazon, which looks to benefit from online sales from Cyber Monday, climbed 1.3%. The stock market largely took latest threat on tariffs in stride. The president-elect on Saturday threatened against a group of developing economies if they act to undermine the U.S. dollar. Trump said he wants the group, headlined by Brazil, Russia, India and China, to promise it won’t create a new currency or otherwise try to undercut the U.S. dollar. The dollar has long been the currency of choice for global trade. Speculation has also been around a long time that other currencies could knock it off its mantle, but no contender has come close. The U.S. dollar’s value rose Monday against several other currencies, but one of its strongest moves likely had less to do with the tariff threats. The euro fell amid a political battle in Paris . The euro sank 0.7% against the U.S. dollar and broke below $1.05. In the bond market, Treasury yields gave up early gains to hold relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed above 4.23% during the morning before falling back to 4.19%. That was just above its level of 4.18% late Friday. A report in the morning showed the U.S. manufacturing sector contracted again last month, but not by as much as economists expected. This upcoming week will bring several big updates on the job market, including the October job openings report, weekly unemployment benefits data and the all-important November jobs report. They could steer the next moves for which recently began to give support to the economy. Economists expect Friday's headliner report to show U.S. employers accelerated their hiring in November, coming off that was hampered by damaging hurricanes and strikes. “We now find ourselves in the middle of this Goldilocks zone, where economic health supports earnings growth while remaining weak enough to justify potential Fed rate cuts,” according to Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide. In financial markets abroad, Chinese stocks led gains worldwide as monthly surveys showed improving conditions for manufacturing, partly driven by a surge in orders ahead of Trump’s inauguration next month. Both official and private sector surveys of factory managers showed strong new orders and export orders, possibly partly linked to efforts by importers in the U.S. to beat potential tariff hikes by once he takes office. Indexes rose 0.7% in Hong Kong and 1.1% in Shanghai. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.

Cryptocurrencies are enormously volatile, but that volatility can create opportunities for profit if you’re looking to trade these digital assets. Cryptos such as Bitcoin and have risen a lot since their debut — but they’ve also experienced tremendous boom-bust cycles along the way. Experienced traders have been speculating on cryptocurrencies for years, but how can you get started if you’re new to the crypto market? Here’s how to start investing in cryptocurrency and the significant risks you need to watch out for. 5 steps for investing in cryptocurrency First things first, if you’re looking to invest in crypto, you need to have all your finances in order. That means having an emergency fund in place, a manageable level of debt and ideally a . Your crypto investments can become one more part of your portfolio, one that helps raise your total returns, hopefully. Pay attention to these five other things as you’re starting to invest in cryptocurrencies. As you would for any investment, understand exactly what you’re investing in. If you’re buying stocks, it’s important to read the annual report and other to analyze the companies thoroughly. Plan to , since there are literally thousands of them, they all function differently and new ones are being created every day. You need to understand the investment case for each trade. Related Articles In the case of many , they’re backed by nothing at all, neither hard assets nor cash flow of an underlying entity. That’s the case for , for example, where investors rely exclusively on someone paying more for the asset than they paid for it. In other words, unlike stock, where a company can grow its profits and drive returns for you that way, many crypto assets must rely on the market becoming more optimistic and bullish for you to profit. Some of the include Bitcoin, Ethereum, , and . So before investing, understand the potential upside and downside. If your financial investment is not backed by an asset or cash flow, it could end up being worth nothing. A mistake that many new investors make is looking at the past and extrapolating that to the future. Yes, Bitcoin used to be worth pennies, but . The key question, however, is “Will that growth continue into the future, even if it’s not at quite that meteoric rate?” Investors look to the future, not to what an asset has done in the past. What will drive future returns? Traders buying a cryptocurrency today need tomorrow’s gains, not yesterday’s. The prices of cryptocurrencies are about as volatile as an asset can get. They could drop quickly in seconds on nothing more than a rumor that ends up proving baseless. That can be great for sophisticated investors who can execute trades rapidly or who have a solid grasp on the market’s fundamentals, how the market is trending and where it could go. For new investors without these skills — or the high-powered algorithms that direct these trades — it’s a minefield. Volatility is a game for high-powered Wall Street traders, each of whom is trying to outgun other deep-pocketed investors. A new investor can easily get crushed by the volatility. That’s because volatility shakes out traders, especially beginners, who get scared. Meanwhile, other traders may step in and buy on the cheap. In short, volatility can help sophisticated traders “buy low and sell high” while inexperienced investors “buy high and sell low.” If you’re trading any asset on a short-term basis, you need to , and that can be especially true with volatile assets such as cryptocurrency. So as a newer trader, you’ll need to understand how best to manage risk and develop a process that helps you mitigate losses. And that process can vary from individual to individual: Newer traders should consider setting aside a certain amount of trading money and then using only a portion of it, at least at first. If a position moves against them, they’ll still have money in reserve to trade with later. The ultimate point is that you can’t trade if you don’t have any money. So keeping some cash in reserve means you’ll always have a bankroll to fund your trading. It’s important to manage risk, but that will come at an emotional cost. Selling a losing position hurts, but doing so can help you avoid worse losses later. Finally, it’s important to avoid putting money that you need into speculative assets. If you can’t afford to lose it — all of it — you can’t afford to put it into risky assets such as cryptocurrency, or other speculative assets, for that matter. Whether it’s a or an important upcoming purchase, money that you need in the next few years should be kept in safe accounts so that it’s there when you need it. And if you’re looking for an absolutely sure return, your best option is to pay off high-interest debt. You’re guaranteed to earn (or save) whatever interest rate you’re paying on the debt. You can’t lose there. Finally, don’t overlook the security of any exchange or broker you’re using. You may own the assets legally, but someone still has to secure them, and their security needs to be tight. If they don’t think their cryptocurrency is properly secured, some traders choose to invest in a to hold their coins offline so they’re inaccessible to hackers or others. Remember that investing in cryptocurrency can be part of a broader investment strategy, but shouldn’t be your only one. Other ways to invest in cryptocurrency While investing directly in cryptocurrency is popular, traders have other ways to get into the crypto game, some more directly than others. These include: Each of these methods varies in its riskiness and exposure to cryptocurrency, so you’ll want to understand exactly what you’re buying and whether it fits your needs. Cryptocurrency investing FAQs In theory it takes only a few dollars to invest in cryptocurrency. Most crypto exchanges, for example, have a minimum trade that might be $5 or $10. Other might have a minimum that’s even lower. However, it’s important to understand that some trading platforms will take a huge chunk of your investment as a fee if you’re trading small amounts of cryptocurrency. So it’s important to look for a broker or exchange that minimizes your fees. In fact, many so-called “free” brokers embed fees — called spread mark-ups — in the price you pay for your cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrency is based on . Blockchain is a kind of database that records and timestamps every entry into it. The best way to think of a blockchain is like a running receipt of transactions. When a blockchain database powers cryptocurrency, it records and verifies transactions in the currency, verifying the currency’s movements and who owns it. Many crypto blockchain databases are run with decentralized computer networks. That is, many redundant computers operate the database, checking and rechecking the transactions to ensure that they’re accurate. If there’s a discrepancy, the networked computers have to resolve it. Some cryptocurrencies reward those who verify the transactions on the blockchain database in a process called mining. For example, miners involved with Bitcoin solve very complex mathematical problems as part of the verification process. If they’re successful, miners receive a predetermined award of Bitcoins. To , miners need powerful processing units that consume huge amounts of energy. Many miners operate gigantic rooms full of such mining rigs in order to extract these rewards. As of October 2024, running the Bitcoin system burned as much energy per year as the country of Poland. If you’re looking to invest in Bitcoin, you have a variety of ways to do so, and you can work with a number of companies, including: If you’re looking to buy Bitcoin, pay particular attention to the fees that you’re paying. Here are other key things to watch out for as . What are altcoins? An altcoin is an alternative to Bitcoin. Many years ago, traders would use the term pejoratively. Since Bitcoin was the largest and most popular cryptocurrency, everything else was defined in relation to it. So, whatever was not Bitcoin was lumped into a catch-all category called . While Bitcoin is still the largest cryptocurrency by market capitalization by far, it’s no longer the only game in town. Other altcoins such as Ethereum and Solana have grown in popularity, making the term altcoin somewhat outmoded. Now with a reported 15,000 or more cryptocurrencies in existence, it makes less sense than ever to define the industry as “Bitcoin and then everything else.” Bottom line Cryptocurrency is a highly speculative area of the market, and many smart investors have decided to put their money elsewhere. For beginners who want to get started trading crypto, however, the best advice is to start small and only use money that you can afford to lose. ©2024 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Jaylon Johnson wasn't all that interested in discussing any bright spots or reasons to have hope for the Chicago Bears. The star cornerback made his feelings clear. “I’ve been in slumps four, five years in a row now,” Johnson said Monday. "So, I mean at the end of the day, I don’t look for, ‘OK, what is going to be better in the future?’ ... It will be better when it’s better. So, right now, it’s not better. That’s all I can go off of.” The Bears (4-7) are last in the NFC North and have five straight losses after in overtime. They wiped out an 11-point deficit in the final 22 seconds of regulation, only to come up short again when the Vikings' Parker Romo kicked a 29-yard field goal. It was the third game during this skid that came down to the final play. in Week 8 and had a in Week 11. Players have openly questioned some of the coaching decisions in recent weeks. Offensive coordinator Shane Waldron got fired before the game against Green Bay. And coach Matt Eberflus' game management came under more scrutiny against Minnesota. With the Bears trailing 17-10 in the third quarter, there was some confusion on a fourth-and-4 at the Vikings 27. Eberflus said he didn't do a good enough job communicating on the previous play that they would go for it on fourth down. That led to a chaotic sequence in which Santos and long snapper Scott Daly ran onto the field, only to get waved off by a lineman. Quarterback Caleb Williams had to rush to get everyone lined up properly in order to avoid a delay of game. He wound up barking out the wrong play because he misheard the call from offensive coordinator Thomas Brown and threw an incomplete pass. Receiver DJ Moore said Eberflus had not addressed that play with the team. The Bears were scheduled to meet later Monday. “That moment was just like, like a ‘what is going on’ moment that we could have avoided,” he said. What's working The passing game. Williams has clearly looked more comfortable in the two games since Brown replaced the fired Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator. The No. 1 draft pick followed up a solid performance against Green Bay by throwing for 340 yards and two touchdowns. It was his fourth straight turnover-free game and fifth in a row without an interception. What needs help Field goal protection. One week after his game-ending 46-yard field goal attempt against Green Bay got blocked, Santos had a 48-yarder rejected on his first try against Minnesota. It happened from the same area, in the middle of the line, when the Vikings' Jerry Tillery knocked down the kick. “I just think it’s technique," Eberflus said. "It’s getting your foot down, bracing up there, staying lower. ... We just have to do a better job there with that.” It was the third blocked field goal for Santos this year, the most for Chicago in a single season since it also had three blocked in 2012. He had a 43-yard try blocked in a win over Jacksonville on Oct. 13. Stock up Moore. The Bears have done a better job getting Moore involved under Brown. Moore caught seven passes for a season-high 106 yards and a touchdown against Minnesota. That gave him 14 receptions for 168 yards the past two games, compared to 13 for 104 yards over the previous four. Johnson's 27-yard catch down the middle set up Santos' tying field goal at the end of regulation. But it's not just deep shots. The Bears are finding ways to get the ball in his hands, allowing him to turn short passes into bigger gains. He also had a 13-yard run. Stock down RB D’Andre Swift. After a string of solid outings, Swift had just 30 yards on 13 carries. To be fair, he has been dealing with a groin issue, and he was going against the NFL's No. 1 run defense. Injuries The Bears reported no injuries during the game. Key number 5-18 — The Bears' record in one-possession games in nearly three seasons under Eberflus, including a 2-5 mark this year. They are 14-31 overall during Eberflus' tenure. Next steps The schedule doesn't get any easier, with a Thanksgiving matchup at NFC North leader Detroit. The Lions (10-1) have won nine straight since losing to Tampa Bay in Week 2. ___ AP NFL: Andrew Seligman, The Associated PressAutomated Budget Allocation Tools: Streamlining Business ExpendituresKansas once required voters to prove citizenship. That didn't work out so well

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I am not against any brilliant very young chap getting admission into our university system from either rich or poor backgrounds, if he or she deserves it. We should not forget that there is no age limit or requirements to getting wisdom or talents as Michael Jackson started his dance and music career at five while still schooling. The problem of our educational system goes beyond this. What our leaders need to be concerned more about should be how to address poor out-of-school children. If not addressed, they remain potential future terrorists, bandits and kidnappers. Imagine being afraid to move around or to continue your journey when it becomes very dark just because we have growing jobless citizens with no social security as our leaders continue to get more for themselves through constituency projects and jumbo pay. Secondly, our leaders should make our educational standard count, from primary to universities, technical and polytechnic, essentially to help create opportunities for self-employment to address the rising rate of idleness and rising youth unemployment, which are adding up to insecurity in the country. This has made more youths embrace internet scams and be recruited by unknown gunmen, terrorists, bandits and prostitutes. For God’s sake? Can our society not start helping gifted and talented people to become more productive like in other climes and to check people “japaing” (migration)? I think parents have a role to play aside from our leaders. Related News 5 ways to stay healthy as you age ‘Giving children tasks above their age hinders brain development’ School of nursing admission adverts fake — Rivers govt Accepted, you want your children to become well-read getting a degree or diploma or any certificate for that matter but try to look out for their talents as they are growing up and help to nurture them to become great just as MJ’s parents did making him become King of Pop. Parents should stop forcing their children to study what they are not prepared for. Instance, you cannot force any child to study medicine when he or she is an art or commercial student. Allow God to do His work in their lives. And after all, we have seen some that studied medicine law and others but ended up doing something else like music and other stuff they never even studied. Mind you, whatever you can survive with, remain your God’s given talents. Our youths will have no excuse to indulge in crime if we begin to encourage talented and gifted people, especially the youths and insecurity will eventually reduce. Emeka Anozie is an ex-private secretary to the former Federal Minister of Information, Otunba T. O. S. Benson. He is a writer, political analyst in mass media for good governance and human rights activist. He writes from Lagos. [email protected]California to consider requiring mental health warnings on social media sites

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes are rising toward more records Wednesday after tech companies talked up how much of a boost they're getting from artificial intelligence . The S&P 500 climbed 0.5% to add to what looks to be one of its best years of the millennium. It’s on track to set an all-time high for the 56th time this year after coming off 10 gains in the last 11 days . The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 252 points, or 0.6%, with an hour remaining in trading, while the Nasdaq composite was adding 1.2% to its own record. Salesforce helped pull the market higher after delivering stronger revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected, though its profit fell just short. CEO Mark Benioff highlighted the company’s artificial-intelligence offering for customers, saying “the rise of autonomous AI agents is revolutionizing global labor, reshaping how industries operate and scale.” The stock of the company, which helps businesses manage their customers, rose 9.3%. Marvell Technology jumped even more after delivering better results than expected, up 23.2%. CEO Matt Murphy said the semiconductor supplier is seeing strong demand from AI and gave a forecast for profit in the upcoming quarter that topped analysts’ expectations. They helped offset a 9.8% drop for Foot Locker, which reported profit and revenue that fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Mary Dillon said the company is taking a more cautious view, and it cut its forecasts for sales and profit this year. Dillon pointed to how keen customers are for discounts and how soft demand has been outside of Thanksgiving week and other key selling periods. Retailers overall have offered mixed signals about how resilient U.S. shoppers can remain. Their spending has been one of the main reasons the U.S. economy has avoided a recession that earlier seemed inevitable because of high interest rates brought by the Federal Reserve to crush inflation. But shoppers are now contending with still-high prices and a slowing job market . This week’s highlight for Wall Street will be Friday’s jobs report from the U.S. government, which will show how many people employers hired and fired last month. A narrower report released on Wednesday morning may have offered a preview of it. The report from ADP suggested employers in the private sector increased their payrolls by less last month than economists expected. Hiring in manufacturing was the weakest since the spring, according to Nela Richardson, chief economist at ADP. The report strengthened traders’ expectations that the Fed will cut its main interest rate again when it meets in two weeks. The Fed began easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high in September, hoping to offer more support for the job market. The central bank had appeared set to continue cutting rates into next year, but the election of Donald Trump has scrambled Wall Street’s expectations somewhat. Trump’s preference for higher tariffs and other policies could lead to higher economic growth and inflation , which could alter the Fed’s plans . Fed Chair Jerome Powell said Wednesday that the central bank can afford to cut its benchmark rate cautiously because inflation has slowed significantly from its peak two years ago and the economy remains sturdy. A separate report on Wednesday said health care, finance and other businesses in the U.S. services sector are continuing to grow, but not by as much as before and not by as much as economists expected. One respondent from the construction industry told the survey from the Institute for Supply Management that the Fed’s rate cuts have not pulled down mortgage rates as much as hoped yet. Plus “the unknown effect of tariffs clouds the future.” In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.18% from 4.23% late Tuesday. On Wall Street, Campbell’s fell 6% for one of the S&P 500’s sharper losses despite increasing its dividend and reporting a stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. Its revenue fell short of Wall Street’s expectations, and the National Football League’s Washington Commanders hired Campbell’s CEO Mark Clouse as its team president. Campbell’s said Mick Beekhuizen, its president of meals and beverages, will become its 15th CEO following Clouse’s departure. Gains for airline stocks helped offset that drop after JetBlue Airways said it saw stronger bookings for travel in November and December following the presidential election. It said it’s also benefiting from lower fuel prices, as well as lower costs due to improved on-time performance. JetBlue jumped 8.3%, while Southwest Airlines climbed 2.8%. In stock markets abroad, South Korea’s Kospi sank 1.4% following a night full of drama in Seoul. President Yoon Suk Yeol was facing possible impeachment after he suddenly declared martial law on Tuesday night, prompting troops to surround the parliament. Yoon accused pro-North Korean forces of plotting to overthrow one of the world’s most vibrant democracies. The martial law declaration was revoked about six hours later. Samsung Electronics fell 0.9% in Seoul. The country’s financial regulator said it was prepared to deploy 10 trillion won ($7.07 billion) into a stock market stabilization fund at any time, the Yonhap news agency reported. In the crypto market , bitcoin climbed back above $97,000 after Trump said he would nominate Paul Atkins , a cryptocurrency advocate, to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission. AP Writers Matt Ott and Zimo Zhong contributed.

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By TRÂN NGUYỄN SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California, home to some of the largest technology companies in the world, would be the first U.S. state to require mental health warning labels on social media sites if lawmakers pass a bill introduced Monday. The legislation sponsored by state Attorney General Rob Bonta is necessary to bolster safety for children online, supporters say, but industry officials vow to fight the measure and others like it under the First Amendment. Warning labels for social media gained swift bipartisan support from dozens of attorneys general, including Bonta, after U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called on Congress to establish the requirements earlier this year, saying social media is a contributing factor in the mental health crisis among young people. “These companies know the harmful impact their products can have on our children, and they refuse to take meaningful steps to make them safer,” Bonta said at a news conference Monday. “Time is up. It’s time we stepped in and demanded change.” State officials haven’t provided details on the bill, but Bonta said the warning labels could pop up once weekly. Up to 95% of youth ages 13 to 17 say they use a social media platform, and more than a third say that they use social media “almost constantly,” according to 2022 data from the Pew Research Center. Parents’ concerns prompted Australia to pass the world’s first law banning social media for children under 16 in November. “The promise of social media, although real, has turned into a situation where they’re turning our children’s attention into a commodity,” Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, who authored the California bill, said Monday. “The attention economy is using our children and their well-being to make money for these California companies.” Lawmakers instead should focus on online safety education and mental health resources, not warning label bills that are “constitutionally unsound,” said Todd O’Boyle, a vice president of the tech industry policy group Chamber of Progress. “We strongly suspect that the courts will set them aside as compelled speech,” O’Boyle told The Associated Press. Victoria Hinks’ 16-year-old daughter, Alexandra, died by suicide four months ago after being “led down dark rabbit holes” on social media that glamorized eating disorders and self-harm. Hinks said the labels would help protect children from companies that turn a blind eye to the harm caused to children’s mental health when they become addicted to social media platforms. “There’s not a bone in my body that doubts social media played a role in leading her to that final, irreversible decision,” Hinks said. “This could be your story.” Common Sense Media, a sponsor of the bill, said it plans to lobby for similar proposals in other states. California in the past decade has positioned itself as a leader in regulating and fighting the tech industry to bolster online safety for children. The state was the first in 2022 to bar online platforms from using users’ personal information in ways that could harm children. It was one of the states that sued Meta in 2023 and TikTok in October for deliberately designing addictive features that keep kids hooked on their platforms. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, also signed several bills in September to help curb the effects of social media on children, including one to prohibit social media platforms from knowingly providing addictive feeds to children without parental consent and one to limit or ban students from using smartphones on school campus. Federal lawmakers have held hearings on child online safety and legislation is in the works to force companies to take reasonable steps to prevent harm. The legislation has the support of X owner Elon Musk and the President-elect’s son, Donald Trump Jr . Still, the last federal law aimed at protecting children online was enacted in 1998, six years before Facebook’s founding.The 59-year-old Malzahn is leaving UCF after four season where he led the program to a 28-24 record but back-to-back losing seasons.

The hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO's elusive killer yields new evidence, but few answersThe step lets Trump transition aides and future administration staffers obtain security clearances before Inauguration Day to access classified information about ongoing government programs, an essential step for a smooth transition of power. It also allows those nominees who are up for Senate confirmation to face the background checks lawmakers want before voting on them. Teams of investigators have been standing by to process clearances for Trump aides and advisers. "This agreement with the Department of Justice will ensure President Trump and his team are ready on Day 1 to begin enacting the America First Agenda that an overwhelming majority of our nation supported on Election Day," said Susie Wiles, Trump's designate to be White House chief of staff. The announcement came a week after the Trump transition team signed an agreement with the Biden White House to allow transition staff to coordinate with the existing federal workforce before taking office Jan. 20. The White House agreement was supposed to have been signed by Oct. 1, according to the Presidential Transition Act, and the Biden White House issued both public and private appeals for Trump's team to sign on. Security clearances are required to access classified information, including on ongoing operations and threats to the nation, and the Biden White House and outside experts emphasized to Trump's team the importance of having cleared personnel before Inauguration Day so they could be fully briefed and ready to run the government. Republican Senators also insisted on FBI background checks for Trump's nominees before they face confirmation votes, as has been standard practice for decades. Lawmakers were particularly interested in seeing the findings of reviews into Trump's designated nominee for defense secretary, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, and for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence. "That's why it's so important that we have an FBI background check, a committee review of extensive questions and questionnaires, and a public hearing," Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Monday. John Thune, incoming Senate Republican leader, said the Trump team "understands there's going to have to be a thorough vetting of all these nominees."

A judge has once again rejected Musk’s multi-billion-dollar Tesla pay package. Now what?49ers to place OL Ben Bartch on IR after high ankle sprainAlgeria has now been confirmed as the host next edition of the Africa Military Games. This is the north African nation received the hosting right of the games third edition, following the end of second hosted by Nigeria in Abuja on Saturday November 30, 2024. At the end of the 2024 version, Nigeria won overwhelming with an overall 234 medals, comprising of 114 gold, 65 silver and 55 bronze. Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation was followed by Algeria in distant second with a total of 96 medals – 64 gold, 22 silver and 22 bronze. Occuppying the third position is Kenya with 50 medal, made up of 21 gold, 17 silver and 12 bronze. Up to 20 countries took part in the 12-day competition. Details loading...

Boston Marathon Market Industry Dynamics and Contributions by Hoka One One, Timex, John Hancock, Garmin, Nike, ASICS, PowerBar, Injinji 12-08-2024 09:25 PM CET | Sports Press release from: STATS N DATA Boston Marathon Market The Boston Marathon Market stands as a prominent sector within the global sporting event landscape, emphasizing endurance, community, and athletic excellence. This market encompasses a wide array of participants, including professional and amateur runners, wheelchair athletes, and adaptive athletes, showcasing the inclusivity and diversity that the Boston Marathon embodies. As of December 2024, the market's relevance is further amplified by an increasing number of participants, technological advancements, and strategic collaborations that are reshaping the running experience. Recent developments in the Boston Marathon Market indicate robust growth driven by several key factors. The integration of technology in race management and participant engagement has significantly transformed the landscape. For instance, the advent of mobile applications for tracking performance, live updates, and community interactions has enhanced the participant experience. Moreover, strategic partnerships between race organizers and tech companies have facilitated innovations that streamline event logistics and enhance safety measures. You can access a sample PDF report here: https://www.statsndata.org/download-sample.php?id=376871 Furthermore, the surge in interest for athletic events, particularly marathons, has been fueled by a growing emphasis on health and wellness. Individuals are increasingly recognizing the importance of physical fitness, leading to a surge in marathon participation. The Boston Marathon, with its rich history and prestige, serves as a beacon for runners worldwide, contributing to the market's expansion. Key Growth Drivers and Trends Several critical factors are influencing demand within the Boston Marathon Market. One of the most significant drivers is the increasing focus on sustainability. Participants and organizers are becoming more aware of the environmental impact of large-scale events, prompting a shift towards eco-friendly practices. This includes the use of sustainable materials for race kits, waste reduction initiatives, and the promotion of public transportation for event attendance. Digitization is another essential driver shaping the market. The rise of social media and digital platforms has transformed how events are marketed and how participants connect with one another. Runners are now able to share their experiences in real-time, fostering a sense of community that extends beyond the marathon itself. Additionally, this digital shift has led to increased consumer awareness regarding health and fitness, encouraging more individuals to participate in running events. Emerging technologies are also playing a crucial role in shaping the future of the Boston Marathon Market. The integration of artificial intelligence in training programs is enabling runners to optimize their performance through personalized training regimens. Moreover, product customization is becoming a trend, as athletes seek gear that is tailored to their specific needs, enhancing their overall running experience. Market Segmentation The Boston Marathon Market can be segmented into various categories, providing a comprehensive overview of its diverse landscape. - By Type: • Professional runners • Amateur runners • Wheelchair participants • Handcycle participants • Adaptive athletes - By Application: • Full marathon participants • Half marathon participants • Charity runners • Elite runners • Qualifying runners • Fun runners • Relay teams - By Sponsorship: • Individual self-sponsored runners • Corporate-sponsored runners • Charity-sponsored runners • Team-sponsored runners Each segment highlights a unique aspect of the Boston Marathon Market, illustrating the diversity of participants and their motivations. The inclusion of wheelchair and adaptive athletes signifies the event's commitment to inclusivity, while the various sponsorship types reflect the multifaceted nature of participation, from individual efforts to corporate involvement. Get 30% Discount On Full Report: https://www.statsndata.org/ask-for-discount.php?id=376871 Competitive Landscape The Boston Marathon Market is characterized by a competitive landscape that includes several key players, each contributing uniquely to the market dynamics. - Hoka One One: Known for their innovative footwear designed for comfort and performance, Hoka One One has made significant strides in the marathon market, catering to both professional and amateur runners. - Timex: A leader in sports watches, Timex has consistently introduced technology that aids runners in tracking their performance and enhancing their training. - John Hancock: As a major sponsor of the Boston Marathon, John Hancock plays a vital role in promoting the event while supporting various community initiatives related to health and wellness. - Garmin: Their GPS technology and fitness wearables provide runners with essential data for performance improvement, making them a favored choice among serious athletes. - Nike: A global leader in athletic apparel and footwear, Nike continues to innovate with high-performance running gear that appeals to a wide range of participants. - ASICS: Renowned for their running shoes, ASICS focuses on providing advanced technology to support runners through every stage of their journey. - PowerBar: This brand is known for its energy products that cater to endurance athletes, providing essential nutrition for marathon participants. - Injinji: Specializing in toe socks, Injinji offers a unique product designed to enhance comfort and prevent blisters for long-distance runners. - Gatorade: A staple in sports hydration, Gatorade provides essential electrolytes to keep runners energized during training and racing. - Boston Athletic Association (BAA): The BAA is instrumental in organizing the Boston Marathon, ensuring that it remains a premier event in the running world. - Body Glide: Known for their anti-chafing products, Body Glide is essential for runners looking to prevent discomfort during long races. - Rudy Project: This brand specializes in performance eyewear, providing runners with the necessary protection and visibility during their races. - TomTom: Their GPS sports watches are popular among runners for tracking distance and pace, contributing to improved training outcomes. - Nathan Sports: Focusing on hydration products, Nathan Sports offers innovative solutions to keep runners hydrated on the go. - Brooks Running: With a strong emphasis on running shoes, Brooks is committed to providing comfort and performance for all types of runners. - Honey Stinger: This brand offers organic energy food products, catering to health-conscious athletes looking for natural nutrition options. - Saucony: Known for their high-quality running shoes, Saucony has a loyal following among marathon runners for their performance-driven designs. - Nuun: Specializing in electrolyte tablets, Nuun offers hydration solutions that appeal to runners looking for convenient and effective ways to stay hydrated. - Polar: A leader in heart rate monitoring technology, Polar provides tools that help athletes train more effectively. - New Balance: With a strong heritage in running, New Balance continues to innovate in footwear and apparel for runners of all levels. - Adidas: A global sportswear powerhouse, Adidas focuses on combining style and performance in their marathon gear. - Balega: Known for their high-performance socks, Balega emphasizes comfort and durability for runners. - Skechers: Their running shoes are gaining popularity for their comfort and affordability, appealing to a broad audience. - CEP Compression: Specializing in compression gear, CEP offers products designed to enhance performance and recovery for runners. - Clif Bar: This brand is known for its energy bars, providing nutrition that supports endurance athletes during training and races. These companies, among others, are continuously innovating and expanding their offerings, ensuring that the Boston Marathon Market remains vibrant and competitive. Opportunities and Challenges As the Boston Marathon Market evolves, several opportunities and challenges are emerging. On the opportunity front, untapped regions present a significant chance for growth. Many areas around the globe are witnessing increasing interest in running events, yet they lack established marathon traditions. By fostering local events and training programs, organizers can cultivate a new generation of marathon runners. Evolving consumer preferences are also creating opportunities. The shift towards health and wellness is driving demand for running experiences that not only focus on competition but also promote community, fun, and personal achievement. Events that incorporate technology for tracking performance and social engagement are likely to attract a broader audience. However, the market is not without its challenges. Regulatory constraints can pose significant hurdles for event organizers, particularly in regions with stringent health and safety regulations. Navigating these regulations while ensuring a seamless participant experience requires strategic planning and expertise. Operational inefficiencies, such as logistical challenges in managing large-scale events, can also impact the overall success of marathons. Investing in technology and partnerships with experienced event management companies can help mitigate these issues. Talent shortages in event management and sports marketing can hinder growth. As the demand for organized running events increases, so does the need for skilled professionals who can execute these events successfully. Training and development programs, as well as partnerships with educational institutions, can help build a robust talent pipeline. Technological Advancements The integration of cutting-edge technologies is significantly impacting the Boston Marathon Market. Artificial intelligence is emerging as a powerful tool in training programs, offering runners personalized insights and recommendations based on their performance data. This technology enables athletes to optimize their training regimens, enhancing their chances of success on race day. Virtual tools are also gaining traction in the market. Virtual marathons and online training platforms are providing new avenues for participation, allowing individuals to engage with the marathon experience from anywhere in the world. These tools not only broaden access but also create inclusive environments for runners of all abilities. Additionally, the Internet of Things (IoT) is transforming how runners track their performance and stay connected during races. Wearable devices equipped with advanced sensors provide real-time data on heart rate, pace, and distance, enabling runners to monitor their performance and adjust their strategies accordingly. Research Methodology and Insights At STATS N DATA, we employ a robust research methodology to provide accurate and comprehensive insights into the Boston Marathon Market. Our approach includes both top-down and bottom-up methodologies, allowing us to capture a holistic view of the market landscape. Primary and secondary research are integral to our process. We engage with industry experts, market participants, and stakeholders to gather firsthand insights while also analyzing existing research and published data. This dual approach ensures that our findings are not only current but also grounded in real-world experiences. Triangulation is a critical component of our research methodology. By cross-referencing data from multiple sources, we validate our insights and ensure their accuracy. This meticulous approach positions STATS N DATA as a trusted authority in market analysis, empowering stakeholders to make informed decisions. In conclusion, the Boston Marathon Market is a dynamic and thriving sector, driven by a range of growth factors and shaped by emerging trends. With opportunities for expansion and innovation on the horizon, the market is poised for continued growth in the coming years. As participants, sponsors, and companies contribute to this vibrant ecosystem, the Boston Marathon will remain a symbol of endurance and community spirit, inspiring runners worldwide. For customization requests, please visit: https://www.statsndata.org/request-customization.php?id=376871 Get more information about recently published reports by STATS N DATA below: You can then follow this with links or a list of the specific reports The Ultimate Guide to the Best Protein Water: Trends, Benefits, and Choosing the Right Option: https://www.statsndata.org/blog/172/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-best-protein-water-trends-benefits-and-choosing-the-right-option The Evolution of Protein Bar Manufacturing in the USA: Top Trends, Industry Insights, and Practical Tips: https://www.statsndata.org/blog/178/the-evolution-of-protein-bar-manufacturing-in-the-usa-top-trends-industry-insights-and-practical-tips Top 10 Trends Transforming the Swimwear Market: Key Insights and Strategic Tips: https://www.statsndata.org/blog/180/top-10-trends-transforming-the-swimwear-market-key-insights-and-strategic-tips John Jones Sales & Marketing Head | Stats N Data Phone: +1 (315) 642-4324 Email: sales@statsndata.org Website: www.statsndata.org STATS N DATA is a trusted provider of industry intelligence and market research, delivering actionable insights to businesses across diverse sectors. 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For more information, visit https://www.statsndata.org or contact us today at sales@statsndata.org This release was published on openPR.Jackson Acquisition Company II Announces Pricing of $200 Million Initial Public OfferingGame of Throws: Inside Darts review – captures all the jubilant anarchy of one of the world’s greatest sports

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WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump's transition team on Tuesday signed an agreement to allow the Justice Department to conduct background checks on his nominees and appointees after a weekslong delay. The step lets Trump transition aides and future administration staffers obtain security clearances before Inauguration Day to access classified information about ongoing government programs, an essential step for a smooth transition of power. It also allows those nominees who are up for Senate confirmation to face the background checks lawmakers want before voting on them. Teams of investigators have been standing by to process clearances for Trump aides and advisers. FILE - Susie Wiles watches as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a caucus night party in Des Moines, Iowa, Jan. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) "This agreement with the Department of Justice will ensure President Trump and his team are ready on Day 1 to begin enacting the America First Agenda that an overwhelming majority of our nation supported on Election Day," said Susie Wiles, Trump's designate to be White House chief of staff. The announcement came a week after the Trump transition team signed an agreement with the Biden White House to allow transition staff to coordinate with the existing federal workforce before taking office Jan. 20. The White House agreement was supposed to have been signed by Oct. 1, according to the Presidential Transition Act, and the Biden White House issued both public and private appeals for Trump's team to sign on. Security clearances are required to access classified information, including on ongoing operations and threats to the nation, and the Biden White House and outside experts emphasized to Trump's team the importance of having cleared personnel before Inauguration Day so they could be fully briefed and ready to run the government. 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) Republican Senators also insisted on FBI background checks for Trump's nominees before they face confirmation votes, as has been standard practice for decades. Lawmakers were particularly interested in seeing the findings of reviews into Trump's designated nominee for defense secretary, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, and for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence. "That's why it's so important that we have an FBI background check, a committee review of extensive questions and questionnaires, and a public hearing," Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Monday. John Thune, incoming Senate Republican leader, said the Trump team "understands there's going to have to be a thorough vetting of all these nominees." 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 said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. 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. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

Commanders Have Cut, Traded All 2019-2023 1st-Round Draft Picks After Forbes Release

Algert Global LLC Sells 35,470 Shares of Omnicell, Inc. (NASDAQ:OMCL)

Warning labels for social media gained swift bipartisan support from dozens of attorneys general after U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called on Congress to establish the requirements earlier this year.

It goes without saying that we'd all like that can pay us at least $1,000 a month. While that amount might not be enough to fully retire, it certainly has the potential to free up some time and money in your working life. But reaching the point of receiving $1,000 a month in from the share market is easier said than done. Today, let's chart out this journey in five steps. Hopefully, this inspires readers to take the first step on their own journey to securing at least $1,000 in monthly passive income Five steps to $1,000 a month in passive income If you're hoping to secure a stream of passive income from the share market, you will first need to ensure your own financial house is in order. You'll have to start with any you might have. Owing money on your mortgage or your HECS account is one thing. But it's the 'bad debts' like credit cards, personal loans or car payments that you need to eliminate. These loans for unproductive assets are a major drag on anyone's financials. Once you've cleared any of these debts, you'll need to to ensure that you always spend less than you earn. You can't build a stream of passive income without disposable income in the first place. When you've got to the point when you're consistently spending less than you're bringing in, there's one more step to take before you start investing for passive income. That would be building a . Until you've secured a meaningful stream of secondary income, you're still at the mercy of life's ebbs and flows. If you get sick, crash the car or have some other kind of unexpected emergency, it's vital to have a rainy day fund there to catch you. The last thing you want to do is have to sell your shares at an inopportune moment, thanks to something out of your control. Having enough cash to cover three to six months' worth of living expenses is probably a good place to start. Once your financial house is in order and you have amassed a healthy rainy-day emergency fund, it's finally time to start investing in the stock market. Passive income from stocks comes in the form of payments. As such, you want to choose investments that pay a generous and rising stream of income, preferably too. You can always start with popular dividend shares like ( ), ( ) or ( ). Another solid choice is an income-focused . These investments bundle a wide range of dividend-paying stocks together in one easy investment. As , two solid choices, in my view, are the ( ) and the ( ). Building a passive income stream worth $1,000 a month won't happen overnight, of course. Remember, buying $1,000 worth of shares that pay a of 4% will only get you $3.33 in monthly dividend income to start with. That's why you need to ensure that you are investing as much as you can, as soon as you can. However, you can turbocharge the process by . This ensures that your capital is as quickly as it can, as well as ensuring that you don't miss that money. What you don't want to do is to take those dividends and spend them before you're enjoying that $1,000 a month in passive income. You're now well on your way to hitting that $1,000 in monthly dividend income. But, building on step four, our final step is to ensure that we are harnessing the power of compound interest as much as possible. This will take time, probably many years. To achieve $1,000 a month ($12,000 annually) in passive income, you'll need to have, for example, a portfolio worth $300,000 that yields 4% income every year. If one starts with $1,000 and invests $1,000 a month, it will take just over 13 years to hit $300,000. That's assuming an 8% rate of return and the reinvestment of all dividends. If you can somehow increase your monthly investment or achieve a higher average rate of return, this will cut down your timeframe dramatically. Remember, compounding exponentially increases your returns the longer you hold the investment. Although it will take just over 13 years to hit $100,00 with the conditions stated above, if you wait for 20, you'll have close to $600,000. Foolish takeaway As you can see, building a stream of passive income using ASX shares is not easy. However, it is still one of the most straightforward paths to a secondary income stream most of us have access to. The sooner you get started, the sooner you can start enjoying that $1,000 in effortless cash every month.

Adam Clark scores 18 to help Merrimack knock off Niagara 80-62President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urge judge to toss his hush money conviction

CHIPOTLE MEXICAN GRILL TO ANNOUNCE FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR 2024 RESULTS ON FEBRUARY 4, 2025

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Few people get to leave their mark on the travel world like Arthur Frommer. The founder of the Frommer’s guidebook empire – and the founder of the very idea of budget travel – died recently at the age of 95, and leaves behind an enviable legacy. Frommer pioneered budget travel in the 1950s with the release of his book Europe on 5 Dollars a Day , a tome that opened Americans’ eyes to a whole different way of seeing the world outside the five-star, grand-tour experience that was the norm then, available to only the lucky, wealthy few. Arthur Frommer in Australia in 1991. Credit: Kylie Anee Pickett Frommer’s book helped democratise travel, while also encouraging a more immersive style, one that eschewed the hermetically-sealed luxury experience in favour of a more immersive, thoughtful approach. He was a little like our own Tony Wheeler, the founder of Lonely Planet , though he didn’t just spread word of a movement, he started the whole thing. Perhaps unfortunately, or perhaps impressively, Frommer also lived long enough to see that movement boom, and then begin to disappear. Because budget travel, Frommer’s budget travel, isn’t the same as it used to be. How many people rough it when they travel these days? How many people really put up with discomfort in the name of saving a few bucks? You might be thinking that you do. You fly Jetstar all the time, right? And in that sense, yes, budget travel has never been more popular. There have never been so many options for people who would like to travel long distances and not spend much money. Budget travellers demand higher standards from their trips these days. Credit: iStock But I’m talking about the real, challenging budget travel. The super-cheap digs in Bangkok with mattresses on the floor; those grand, overland bus adventures from London to Kathmandu; the down-and-dirty camping tours around Europe. Those things don’t exist anymore. Or at least, they don’t form part of the mainstream, even for young, budget-conscious travellers, whose tastes have shifted, particularly in the past 20 years or so. There’s a desire now (and a demand) for better. Comfort is important to travellers of all ages, approaches and budgets. Quality of experience is important. Online reviews mean even the cheapest places have to have their facilities up to scratch now, with modern amenities and comforts, or no one will go there. Social media means travellers need to have something beautiful or exciting to capture on their journey, an experience to provoke envy, rather than make all your friends at home – and your followers around the world – feel sorry for you. Loading Bad news about budget travel also moves fast these days. The absolutely devastating deaths of Australian teenagers Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones last week , the result of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, will have many people reconsidering their destination and their style of travel. There’s something else that has changed, too, since Arthur Frommer first stuffed a few changes of clothes in a backpack and set off to explore the world. And that is that success in the travel world, for those of us who work in it, looks different now. Frommer was an influencer of his day, even if he never would have used such a word. He was highly successful too, and the result of that success was being able to disseminate his message, being able to publish books and create an empire, to make a very good living selling his original idea of travel. Loading It tends not to work like that these days. Success in travel means you garner attention on social media (a few old-school writers are even lucky enough to be published in a newspaper), and you begin to make money through sponsored campaigns, creating content for yourself or for various organisations. People don’t buy guidebooks anymore, they consume content, so you have to figure out how to make money from that content. That means that even if you began your career as a budget traveller, you’re probably not going to keep going that way. The jobs you’re offered and the products sold by those with enough money to pay you do not conform to that “budget” ethic. I could put myself forward as a case in point here. I began my career writing about travel as “ The Backpacker ”, describing the no-frills style of travel that I loved. But then a form of success comes and you start getting offered things like nice hotel rooms and the occasional business-class upgrade – and who’s going to knock back an upgrade ? Maybe Arthur Frommer did. Certainly, he stuck to his ideological guns through an entire lifetime. “The moment you put yourself in a first-class hotel, you become walled off from life, in a world devoted to creature comforts,” Frommer told the Associated Press in 2007. “When you go to sleep, you no longer know whether you’re in a one-star or a five-star hotel. Big rooms and amenities are all sheer nonsense.” And Frommer persuaded so many people across the world, across generations, to see travel in the same way. Few can claim an achievement like that. How we travel Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article Tips & advice Opinion For subscribers Ben Groundwater is a Sydney-based travel writer, columnist, broadcaster, author and occasional tour guide with more than 25 years’ experience in media, and a lifetime of experience traversing the globe. He specialises in food and wine – writing about it, as well as consuming it – and at any given moment in time Ben is probably thinking about either ramen in Tokyo, pintxos in San Sebastian, or carbonara in Rome. Follow him on Instagram @bengroundwater Connect via email . Most viewed on Traveller LoadingIn the first half of the year, pig prices experienced a significant decline as a result of oversupply and weak demand. However, in recent weeks, prices have started to recover, driven by increasing demand for pork products ahead of the traditional Laba Festival. This festival, which falls on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, is a time when many consumers purchase salted and cured meats to prepare for the upcoming Chinese New Year celebrations.

The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, also known as the Jing-Jin-Ji region, is a key economic hub in northern China. Its close proximity to major cities like Beijing and Tianjin makes it a crucial area for economic development and infrastructure projects.In conclusion, the BBC's investigation has brought to light the stark reality of the increased risk of brain diseases faced by former footballers due to heading. The call for action and compensation by retired players serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of prioritizing player welfare above all else in the beautiful game of football.

After the recent update to the rules regarding alleged violations by Manchester City, the number of accusations against the club has risen from 115 to a staggering 130. This development has sent shockwaves throughout the English Premier League and has raised significant questions about the integrity of one of the league's most successful clubs.For the past year, the homeowner had been oblivious to the fact that the radiators in their home were not functioning. It wasn't until a routine maintenance check that the issue was brought to light. The technician, upon inspecting the system, realized that the valves to the radiators had been completely shut off. Surprised and puzzled, the homeowner could not recall ever having turned off the valves themselves. That's when the mystery unfolded.Lawyer says ex-Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller met with NCAA for hours amid gambling probeODU Confers Nearly 1,630 Degrees During its 141st Commencement Ceremonies

One of the key features of the West Street Observation Platform is its dedication to promoting human rights. From advocating for LGBTQ+ rights to fighting against racial discrimination, the platform serves as a safe space for individuals to share their experiences and raise awareness about pressing human rights issues. Through thought-provoking articles, insightful discussions, and interactive events, the platform has succeeded in amplifying marginalized voices and challenging societal norms.SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California, home to some of the largest technology companies in the world, would be the first U.S. state to require mental health warning labels on social media sites if lawmakers pass a bill introduced Monday. The legislation sponsored by state Attorney General Rob Bonta is necessary to bolster safety for children online, supporters say, but industry officials vow to fight the measure and others like it under the First Amendment. Warning labels for social media gained swift bipartisan support from dozens of attorneys general, including Bonta, after U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called on Congress to establish the requirements earlier this year, saying social media is a contributing factor in the mental health crisis among young people. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

So, as "Black Myth: Wu Kong" secures its place at the top of Bilibili's hot search list, one question remains: are you ready to embark on the journey of a lifetime? Don't miss out on the opportunity to experience one of the most captivating and immersive gaming experiences of the year. Join the ranks of players who have already fallen in love with Black Myth and prepare to be enchanted by its beauty, challenge, and intrigue.更新ing"

In a recent interview, Yee emphasized the significance of youth actors recognizing and embracing their societal role beyond just performing on-screen. He articulated that portraying various characters and telling diverse stories through acting is not merely a job, but a powerful platform to influence and inspire audiences, particularly the younger generation. Thus, he believes that young actors should carry out their roles with a genuine intention to make a positive impact on society.The recent initiative by China to convene experts from five nuclear countries in Dubai, UAE has garnered significant attention in the international community. As China takes the lead in promoting nuclear security and non-proliferation efforts, the Foreign Ministry has highlighted the importance of global cooperation in addressing nuclear challenges.

Wall Street stocks, led by S&P 500 and the Nasdaq, ended higher overnight, as technology stocks rebounded.

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Soccer-Confidence fuels Atalanta's impressive form, says GasperiniWith a market capitalization of around $1 trillion, Berkshire Hathaway ( BRK.A 0.12% ) ( BRK.B -0.01% ) is a very large company. That's an important fact to consider when you think about what CEO Warren Buffett and his team have been doing so far in 2024. Although nothing big happened on the acquisition front in 2024, investors should be prepared for big news in 2025 and beyond, given some other things that transpired at the company in 2024. It takes a lot to move the needle at Berkshire Hathaway Size matters when it comes to companies. That's highlighted clearly with Berkshire Hathaway's most recent "big" stock investments. The business news headlines were filled with commentary about the company's purchase of shares in Pool Corp. ( POOL -0.38% ) and Domino's Pizza ( DPZ -1.25% ) . With Pool, which sells pool supplies, Berkshire Hathaway bought around $150 million or so of stock for a roughly 1% stake in the company. The Domino's Pizza investment amounted to $550 million and a 3.6% stake. When Warren Buffett buys a stock, investors generally pay close attention because of his incredible long-term success. That makes sense, but $700 million of investments for a company with a $1 trillion market cap ? Well, that's just not a huge deal. Even if those two investments turn into massive successes over time, as so many of Buffett's investments have, they aren't going to move the needle on the top or bottom line. Buffett himself explained the problem to investors in the company's 2023 annual report. Buffett is preparing to move the needle in 2025 and beyond This is where the really important moves Buffett made in 2024 come in. Berkshire Hathaway sold shares, including in Apple and Bank of America . That materially increased the size of the cash hoard sitting on the company's balance sheet . To put a number on that, at the end of 2023, Berkshire's cash balance was just shy of $168 billion. By the third quarter of 2024, that had ballooned to roughly $325 billion. The $700 million of investments Buffett made in Pool Corp. and Domino's Pizza didn't even make a dent in that giant cash pile. BRK.A cash and short-term investments (quarterly) , data by YCharts. But don't just think about today -- when you look at Buffett's decisions, you need to think down the road. That's because his approach is largely focused on the long term , with the overall goal of buying great companies at reasonable prices. Then he just sits back and lets the management of those companies do their jobs as they grow the business. Buffett -- and Berkshire Hathaway shareholders -- benefit from that growth. There's one more notable fact. Buffett doesn't have a problem sitting on cash if he can't find anything he wants to buy. With the S&P 500 index near all-time highs, it is hardly shocking that he isn't finding great stocks trading at reasonable prices. What he appears to be doing is selling stocks that have appreciated materially and socking away cash for future acquisitions -- a lot of cash since, as he noted, it takes a lot to move the needle at Berkshire Hathaway. No telling when, but Buffett is ready now What Buffett is likely preparing for is a bear market , when asset prices will be more attractive. There's no way to know when the market will turn south; it could be in 2025, it could be later. But whenever the next opportunity comes along, Berkshire Hathaway will have the cash to act on it. And that's the most important takeaway from 2024 when it comes to Buffett and the company he runs. At some point, there's likely to be a very large investment, one that makes Pool Corp. and Domino's Pizza look like child's play. Until that opportunity comes along, however, Buffett will happily wait and build more cash.

It is an ambitious social experiment of our moment in history — one that experts say could accomplish something that parents, schools and other governments have attempted with varying degrees of success: keeping kids . Australia’s new law, approved by its Parliament last week, is an attempt to swim against many tides of modern life — formidable forces like technology, marketing, globalization and, of course, the iron will of a teenager. And like efforts of the past to protect kids from things that parents believe they’re not ready for, the nation’s move is both ambitious and not exactly simple, particularly in a world where young people are often shaped, defined and judged by the online company they keep. The ban won’t go into effect for another year. But how will Australia be able to enforce it? That’s not clear, nor will it be easy. TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram have become so ingrained in young people’s lives that going cold turkey will be difficult. Other questions loom. Does the ban limit kids’ free expression and — especially for those in vulnerable groups — isolate them and curtail their opportunity to connect with members of their community? And how will social sites verify people’s ages, anyway? Can’t kids just get around such technicalities, as they so often do? This is, after all, the 21st century — an era when social media is the primary communications tool for most of those born in the past 25 years who, in a fragmented world, seek the common cultures of trends, music and memes. What happens when big swaths of that fall away? Is Australia’s initiative a good, long-time-coming development that will protect the vulnerable, or could it become a well-meaning experiment with unintended consequences? The law will make platforms including TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram liable for fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars for systemic failures to prevent children younger than 16 from holding accounts. “It’s clear that social media companies have to be held accountable, which is what Australia is trying to do,” said Jim Steyer, president and CEO of the nonprofit Common Sense Media. Leaders and parents in countries around the world are watching Australia’s policy closely as many seek to protect young kids from the internet’s dangerous corners — and, not incidentally, from each other. Most nations have taken different routes, from parental consent requirements to minimum age limits. Many child safety experts, parents and even teens who have waited to get on social media consider Australia’s move a positive step. They say there’s ample reason to ensure that children wait. “What’s most important for kids, just like adults, is real human connection. Less time alone on the screen means more time to connect, not less,” said Julie Scelfo, the founder of Mothers Against Media Addiction, or MAMA, a grassroots group of parents aimed at combatting the harms of social media to children. “I’m confident we can support our kids in interacting in any number of ways aside from sharing the latest meme.” The harms to children from social media have been well documented in the two decades since Facebook’s launch ushered in a new era in how the world communicates. Kids who spend more time on social media, especially as tweens or young teenagers, are more likely to experience depression and anxiety, according to — though it is not yet clear if there is a causal relationship. What’s more, many are exposed to content that is not appropriate for their age, including pornography and violence, as well as . They also face bullying, sexual harassment and unwanted advances from their peers as well as adult strangers. Because their brains are not fully developed, teenagers, especially younger ones the law is focused on, are also more affected by social comparisons than adults, so even happy posts from friends can send them into a negative spiral. What unintended harms could be caused? Many major initiatives, particularly those aimed at social engineering, can produce side effects — often unintended. Could that happen here? What, if anything, do kids stand to lose by separating kids and the networks in which they participate? Paul Taske, associate director of litigation at the tech lobbying group NetChoice, says he considers the ban “one of the most extreme violations of free speech on the world stage today” even as he expressed relief that the First Amendment prevents such law in the United States “These restrictions would create a massive cultural shift,” Taske said. “Not only is the Australian government preventing young people from engaging with issues they’re passionate about, but they’re also doing so even if their parents are OK with them using digital services,” he said. “Parents know their children and their needs the best, and they should be making these decisions for their families — not big government. That kind of forcible control over families inevitably will have downstream cultural impacts.” David Inserra, a fellow for Free Expression and Technology, Cato Institute, called the bill “about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike” in a . While Australia’s law doesn’t require “hard verification” such as an uploaded ID, he said, it calls for effective “age assurance.” He said no verification system can ensure accuracy while also protecting privacy and not impacting adults in the process. Privacy advocates have also raised concerns about the law’s effect on online anonymity, a cornerstone of online communications — and something that can protect teens on social platforms. “Whether it be religious minorities and dissidents, LGBTQ youth, those in abusive situations, whistleblowers, or countless other speakers in tricky situations, anonymous speech is a critical tool to safely challenge authority and express controversial opinions,” Inserra said. A spot check of kids at one mall in the Australian city of Brisbane on Wednesday didn’t turn up a great deal of worry, though. “Social media is still important because you get to talk to people, but I think it’s still good that they’re like limiting it,” said Swan Son, a 13-year-old student at Brisbane State High School. She said she has had limited exposure to social media and wouldn’t really miss it for a couple of years. Her parents already enforce a daily one-hour limit. And as for her friends? “I see them at school every day, so I think I’ll be fine.” Conor Negric, 16, said he felt he’d dodged a bullet because of his age. Still, he considers the law reasonable. “I think 16 is fine. Some kids, I know some kids like 10 who’re on Instagram, Snapchat. I only got Instagram when I was 14.” His mom, Sive Negric, who has two teenage sons, said she was happy for her boys to avoid exposure to social media too early: “That aspect of the internet, it’s a bit ‘meanland.’” Other countries are trying to figure it out, too Parents in earlier this year organized on platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram to promise not to buy smartphones for children younger than 12 or 13. This approach costs almost no money and requires no government enforcement. In the United States, some parents are either informally or as part of an organized campaign such as Wait Until 8th, a group that helps parents delay kids’ access to social media and phones. This fall, Norway announced plans to ban kids under 15 from using social media, while a smartphone ban for kids under 15 in a limited number of schools — a policy that could be rolled out nationwide if successful. U.S. lawmakers have held multiple congressional hearings — — on child online safety. Still, the last federal law aimed at protecting children online was enacted in 1998, six years before Facebook’s founding. In July, the U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation , pushing forward with what would be the first major effort by Congress in decades to hold tech companies more accountable. But the has since stalled in the House. While several states have passed laws requiring age verification, those are stuck in court. Utah became to pass laws regulating children’s social media use in 2023. In September, a against the law, which would have required social media companies to verify the ages of users, apply privacy settings and limit some features. NetChoice has also obtained injunctions temporarily halting similar laws in several other states. And last May, said there is insufficient evidence to show social media is safe for kids. He urged policymakers to treat social media like car seats, baby formula, medication and other products children use. “Why should social media products be any different? Scelfo said. “Parents cannot possibly bear the entire responsibility of keeping children safe online, because the problems are baked into the design of the products.” Associated Press Writers John Pye in Brisbane, Australia and Laurie Kellman in London contributed to this story.Ex-Colorado footballer Bloom dedicates time to fulfilling wishes for older adultsThat buzzing coming out of New Jersey? It's unclear if it's drones or something else, but for sure the nighttime sightings are producing tons of talk, a raft of conspiracy theories and craned necks looking skyward. Cropping up on local news and social media sites around Thanksgiving, the saga of the drones reported over New Jersey has reached incredible heights. This week seems to have begun a new, higher-profile chapter: Lawmakers are demanding (but so far not getting) explanations from federal and state authorities about what's behind them. Gov. Phil Murphy wrote to President Joe Biden asking for answers. New Jersey's new senator, Andy Kim, spent Thursday night on a drone hunt in rural northern New Jersey, and posted about it on X. But perhaps the most fantastic development is the dizzying proliferation of conspiracies — none of which has been confirmed or suggested by federal and state officials who say they're looking into what's happening. It has become shorthand to refer to the flying machines as drones, but there are questions about whether what people are seeing are unmanned aircraft or something else. Some theorize the drones came from an Iranian mothership. Others think they are the Secret Service making sure President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster property is secure. Others worry about China. The deep state. And on. In the face of uncertainty, people have done what they do in 2024: Create a social media group. The Facebook page, New Jersey Mystery Drones — let’s solve it, has nearly 44,000 members, up from 39,000 late Thursday. People are posting their photo and video sightings, and the online commenters take it from there. One video shows a whitish light flying in a darkened sky, and one commenter concludes it’s otherworldly. “Straight up orbs,” the person says. Others weigh in to say it’s a plane or maybe a satellite. Another group called for hunting the drones literally, shooting them down like turkeys. (Do not shoot at anything in the sky, experts warn.) Trisha Bushey, 48, of Lebanon Township, New Jersey, lives near Round Valley Reservoir where there have been numerous sightings. She said she first posted photos online last month wondering what the objects were and became convinced they were drones when she saw how they moved and when her son showed her on a flight tracking site that no planes were around. Now she's glued to the Mystery Drones page, she said. “I find myself — instead of Christmas shopping or cleaning my house — checking it,” she said. She doesn't buy what the governor said, that the drones aren't a risk to public safety. Murphy told Biden on Friday that residents need answers. The federal Homeland Security Department and FBI also said in a joint statement they have no evidence that the sightings pose “a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.” “How can you say it’s not posing a threat if you don’t know what it is?” she said. “I think that’s why so many people are uneasy.” Then there's the notion that people could misunderstand what they're seeing. William Austin is the president of Warren County Community College, which has a drone technology degree program, and is coincidentally located in one of the sighting hotspots. Austin says he has looked at videos of purported drones and that airplanes are being misidentified as drones. He cited an optical effect called parallax, which is the apparent shift of an object when viewed from different perspectives. Austin encouraged people to download flight and drone tracker apps so they can better understand what they're looking at. Nonetheless, people continue to come up with their own theories. “It represents the United States of America in 2024,” Austin said. “We’ve lost trust in our institutions, and we need it.” Federal officials echo Austin's view that many of the sightings are piloted aircraft such as planes and helicopters being mistaken for drones, according to lawmakers and Murphy. That's not really convincing for many, though, who are homing in on the sightings beyond just New Jersey and the East Coast, where others have reported seeing the objects. For Seph Divine, 34, another member of the drone hunting group who lives in Eugene, Oregon, it feels as if it’s up to citizen sleuths to solve the mystery. He said he tries to be a voice of reason, encouraging people to fact check their information, while also asking probing questions. “My main goal is I don’t want people to be caught up in the hysteria and I also want people to not just ignore it at the same time,” he said. “Whether or not it’s foreign military or some secret access program or something otherworldly, whatever it is, all I’m saying is it’s alarming that this is happening so suddenly and so consistently for hours at a time,” he added

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WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director Christopher Wray told bureau workers Wednesday he plans to resign at the end of President Joe Biden's term in January, an announcement that came a week and a half after President-elect Donald Trump said he would nominate loyalist Kash Patel for the job. Wray said at a town hall meeting that he would be stepping down “after weeks of careful thought,” roughly three years short of the completion of a 10-year term during which he tried to keep the FBI out of politics even as the bureau found itself entangled in a string of explosive investigations, including two that led to separate indictments of Trump last year. Wray’s intended resignation was not unexpected considering that Trump had settled on Patel to be director and had repeatedly aired his ire at Wray, including in a television interview broadcast Sunday. But his departure is nonetheless a reflection of how Trump's norm-breaking style has reshaped Washington, with the president-elect yet again flouting tradition by moving to replace an FBI director before his term was up and Wray — by resigning before he could be fired — opting to avert a collision with the incoming Trump administration that he said would have plunged the FBI into political fighting. “My goal is to keep the focus on our mission — the indispensable work you’re doing on behalf of the American people every day,” Wray told agency employees. "In my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to how we do our work.” The resignation would clear the way for Patel's ascension, assuming he is confirmed by the Senate. A White House staffer during Trump's first term, Patel has insisted that the federal government should be rid of “conspirators” against Trump. The comments have stirred alarm that he could seek to use the FBI for retribution against perceived enemies despite longstanding guardrails meant to ensure investigations have a proper basis. It's extremely rare for FBI directors to be ousted from their jobs before the completion of their 10-year terms, a length meant to insulate the agency from the political influence of changing administrations. But Trump has done it twice, placing Wray in the job in 2017 after firing Director James Comey amid an investigation into ties between Russia and the Republican president’s campaign. Despite having appointed Wray, Trump had telegraphed his anger with the FBI director on multiple occasions. Trump said in the recent interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that “I can’t say I’m thrilled with him. He invaded my home,” a reference to the FBI search of his Florida property , Mar-a-Lago, two years ago for classified documents from Trump’s first term as president. That search, and the recovery of boxes of sensitive government records, paved the way for one of two federal indictments against Trump. The case, and another one charging him with plotting to overturn the 2020 election, have both been dismissed. Trump applauded the resignation news on social media, calling it “a great day for America as it will end the Weaponization of what has become known as the United States Department of Injustice.” and complaining anew about the Mar-a-Lago search. Attorney General Merrick Garland, meanwhile, praised Wray for having “served our country honorably and with integrity for decades.” He said: “Under Director Wray’s principled leadership, the FBI has worked to fulfill the Justice Department’s mission to keep our country safe, protect civil rights, and uphold the rule of law.” Natalie Bara, the president of the FBI Agents Association. said in a statement Wray had led the FBI “through challenging times with a steady focus on doing the work that keeps our country safe. ” Throughout his seven years on the job, Wray brought a workmanlike approach to the job, repeatedly preaching a “keep calm and tackle hard” mantra to bureau personnel despite a steady drumbeat of attacks from Trump and his supporters. In fact, Wray was quick to distance himself and his leadership team from the FBI’s Russia investigation that was well underway when he took office. On the same day of a harshly critical inspector general report on that inquiry, Wray announced more than 40 corrective actions to the FBI’s process for applying for warrants for secret national security surveillance. He said mistakes made during the Russia inquiry were unacceptable and he helped tighten controls for investigations into candidates for federal office. FBI officials actively trumpeted those changes to make clear that Wray’s leadership had ushered in a different era at the bureau. Even then, though, Wray’s criticism of the investigation was occasionally measured — he did not agree, for instance, with Trump’s characterization of it as a “witch hunt” — and there were other instances, particularly in response to specific questions, when he memorably broke with the White House. In 2020, he said that there was “no indication” that Ukraine had interfered in the 2016 election, countering a frequent talking point at the time from Trump. When the Trump White House blessed the declassification of materials related to the surveillance of a former Trump campaign aide, Wray made known his displeasure. Wray also angered Trump for saying that antifa was a movement and an ideology but not an organization. Trump had said he would like to designate the group as a terrorist organization. Then came the FBI's Mar-a-Lago search, which officials defended as necessary given the boxes of documents that were being concealed at the Palm Beach property and the evidence of obstruction that the Justice Department said had been gathered. Trump railed against the FBI over that action and has kept up his criticism ever since, including after Wray said at a congressional hearing last summer that there was “some question about whether or not it’s a bullet or shrapnel” that struck Trump's ear during an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania in July. The FBI later stated unequivocally that it was indeed a bullet. Before being named FBI director, Wray worked at a prestigious law firm, King & Spalding, where he represented former Gov. Chris Christie, R-N.J., during the “Bridgegate” affair. He also led the Justice Department’s criminal division for a period during President George W. Bush’s administration.

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CLEVELAND , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Clearstead Advisors, LLC ("Clearstead") today announced that Bradley D. Knapp , CFA, CAIA will become President and Chief Executive Officer on January 1, 2025 . Mr. Knapp succeeds David C. Fulton, Jr. , CFA, Chief Executive since 2014, who will continue to serve on the firm's Board of Directors. Clearstead, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio , is a rapidly growing financial advisory firm advising over $47 billion * for private clients, institutions, and trust clients. The firm has offices in nine cities and a professional team of 250 individuals. In 2022, Flexpoint Ford, a private equity firm specializing in investments in the financial services and healthcare industries, acquired a majority stake in Clearstead, alongside more than 70 employees who continue to own a significant portion of the firm. Mr. Knapp takes charge of a larger and more complex firm than existed ten years ago. Under Mr. Fulton's leadership, Clearstead's revenues and earnings have grown significantly, and the number of employees and assets under advisement have increased several times. Clearstead also added capabilities in tax compliance and financial planning, and formed Clearstead Trust, a nondepository trust company. The firm has acquired eleven firms in the past ten years. Mr. Knapp's appointment is part of a longstanding management succession plan at Clearstead. Mr. Fulton comments, "Brad is a remarkable leader who has been instrumental to strategic initiatives at Clearstead, including accelerating organic growth through the addition of new channels and holistic service offerings, investing in technology to improve the client and advisor experience, and expanding our geographic footprint through integrating a number of strategic acquisitions. He has my highest endorsement." Mr. Knapp holds the Chartered Financial Analyst and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designations and joined Clearstead in 2016. Mr. Knapp has held positions in the private client and institutional groups at the firm and has served as President from 2023 to the present. Since 2018, he has run the firm's Private Client and Trust practices. Brad has over 25 years of experience in wealth advisory and investment management, having held positions with two major financial institutions prior to joining Clearstead. "I am fortunate in my new role to have an excellent team around the country dedicated to delivering value to our clients and helping them meet their financial goals," said Brad Knapp . "Clearstead's vision starts with delivering the best solutions possible for our clients and creating an environment in which our employees and advisors can thrive. I believe Clearstead has an exceptional opportunity to build on the impressive record of growth and innovation under Dave's leadership and look forward to continuing our work together." "We want to thank Dave for his partnership as CEO of Clearstead and for the instrumental role he has played to build and grow Clearstead into the business it is today," say Daniel Edelman and Steve Begleiter , Clearstead Board Members and Managing Directors at Flexpoint Ford. "The success and growth that Clearstead has experienced is a testament to Dave's leadership and we are thrilled to see that he has chosen Brad as his successor to carry on the Clearstead vision." About Clearstead Advisors, LLC: Founded in 1989, the Cleveland -based Clearstead is a leading financial advisory firm advising over $47 billion for private clients, institutions, and trust clients. For thousands of private clients – families, individuals, and related entities – Clearstead integrates financial planning, tax planning and compliance, family office, and trust services with research-driven investment management. Clearstead also serves nearly 300 institutional clients – endowments and foundations, healthcare organizations, colleges and universities, and retirement funds – by developing investment policy and asset allocation, selecting investments, and reporting on performance and policy compliance. For more information, visit www.clearstead.com *Includes the assets of Clearstead Trust and Avalon Trust, which are not registered with the SEC. SOURCE ClearsteadNoneWASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director Christopher Wray told bureau workers Wednesday that he plans to resign at the end of President Joe Biden's term in January, an announcement that came a week and a half after President-elect Donald Trump said he would nominate loyalist Kash Patel for the job. Wray said at a town hall meeting that he would be stepping down “after weeks of careful thought,” roughly three years short of the completion of a 10-year term during which he tried to keep the FBI out of politics even as the bureau found itself entangled in a string of explosive investigations, including two that led to separate indictments of Trump last year as well as inquiries into Biden and his son. “My goal is to keep the focus on our mission — the indispensable work you’re doing on behalf of the American people every day,” Wray told agency employees. “In my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to how we do our work.” The intended resignation was not unexpected considering that Trump had settled on Patel to be director and had repeatedly aired his ire at Wray, whom he appointed during his first term. But his departure is nonetheless a reflection of how Trump's norm-breaking style has reshaped Washington, with the president-elect yet again flouting tradition by moving to replace an FBI director well before his term was up and Wray resigning to avert a collision with the incoming administration. “It should go without saying, but I’ll say it anyway — this is not easy for me," Wray said. “I love this place, I love our mission, and I love our people — but my focus is, and always has been, on us and doing what’s right for the FBI.” Wray received a standing ovation following his remarks before a standing-room-only crowd at FBI headquarters and some in the audience cried, according to an FBI official who was not authorized to discuss the private gathering by name and spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press. Trump applauded the news on social media, calling it “a great day for America as it will end the Weaponization of what has become known as the United States Department of Injustice" and saying that Patel's confirmation will begin “the process of Making the FBI Great Again.” If confirmed by the Senate, Patel would herald a radical leadership transformation at the nation's premier federal law enforcement agency. He has advocated shutting down the FBI's Washington headquarters and called for ridding the federal government of “conspirators," raising alarms that he might seek to wield the FBI's significant investigative powers as an instrument of retribution against Trump's perceived enemies. Patel said in a statement Wednesday that he was looking forward to "a smooth transition. I will be ready to serve the American people on day one.” It's extremely rare for FBI directors to be ousted from their jobs before the completion of their 10-year terms, a length meant to insulate the agency from the political influence of changing administrations. But Trump has done it twice, placing Wray in the job in 2017 after firing Director James Comey amid an investigation into ties between Russia and the Republican president’s campaign. Despite having appointed Wray, Trump had telegraphed his anger with the FBI director on multiple occasions throughout the years, including as recently as the past week. In an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday, Trump said, “I can’t say I’m thrilled with him. He invaded my home,” a reference to the FBI search of his Florida property , Mar-a-Lago, two years ago for classified documents from Trump’s first term as president. That search, and the recovery of boxes of sensitive government records, paved the way for one of two federal indictments against Trump. The case, and another one charging him with plotting to overturn the 2020 election, have both been dismissed by the Justice Department special counsel that brought them in light of Trump's November victory. Attorney General Merrick Garland praised Wray for having “served our country honorably and with integrity for decades.” He said: “Under Director Wray’s principled leadership, the FBI has worked to fulfill the Justice Department’s mission to keep our country safe, protect civil rights, and uphold the rule of law.” Natalie Bara, the president of the FBI Agents Association, said in a statement that Wray had led the FBI “through challenging times with a steady focus on doing the work that keeps our country safe. ” Throughout his seven years on the job, the self-professed "low-key, understated" Wray brought a workmanlike approach to the job, repeatedly preaching a “keep calm and tackle hard” mantra to bureau personnel despite a steady drumbeat of attacks from Trump and his supporters. He also sought to avoid public conflict when possible with the Trump White House, distancing himself and his leadership team from the FBI's Russia investigation over errors that took place before he took office and announcing dozens of corrective actions meant to prevent the recurrence of the surveillance abuses that plagued the inquiry. But there were other instances when he memorably broke from Trump — he did not agree, for instance, with Trump’s characterization of the Russia investigation as a “witch hunt." He made known his displeasure when the White House blessed the declassification of materials related to the surveillance of a former Trump campaign aide and contradicted a Trump talking point by stating that Ukraine had not interfered in the 2016 election. He repeatedly sought to keep the focus on the FBI's day-to-day work, using the bulk of his resignation announcement to praise the bureau's efforts in countering everything from violent crime and cyberattacks to Chinese espionage and terrorism. Yet as he leaves office at a time of heightened threats , much of the public focus has been on the politically sensitive investigations of his tenure. Besides the inquiries into Trump, the FBI in recent years also investigated Biden's handling of classified information as well as Biden's son Hunter for tax and gun violations. Hunter Biden was pardoned by his father last week. A particular flashpoint came in August 2022, when FBI agents searched Mar-a-Lago — an action officials defended as necessary given the boxes of documents that were being concealed at the Palm Beach property and the evidence of obstruction that the Justice Department said had been gathered. Trump railed against the FBI over that search and has kept up his criticism ever since. Trump was angered by Wray's comment at a congressional hearing that there was “some question about whether or not it’s a bullet or shrapnel” that struck Trump's ear during an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania in July. The FBI later stated unequivocally that it was indeed a bullet. Before being named FBI director, Wray worked at a prestigious law firm, King & Spalding, where he represented former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie during the “Bridgegate” scandal. He also led the Justice Department’s criminal division for a period during President George W. Bush’s administration.

Verstappen captures 4th F1 championship after Mercedes sweep of Las Vegas Grand Prix LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen cruised to a fourth consecutive Formula 1 championship Saturday night by finishing fifth in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Verstappen needed only to finish ahead of Lando Norris of McLaren to give Red Bull a fourth straight driver championship. The Dutchman started fifth but was already up to second by the 10th lap around the street circuit that includes the famed Las Vegas Strip. Norris, who had to score at least three points more than Verstappen to extend the championship fight, finished sixth. Verstappen needed only to finish higher than Norris to win the title, which he did with two races remaining on the season. Dartmouth sorority, two members of fraternity face charges after student who attended party drowned HANOVER, N.H. (AP) — A sorority at Dartmouth College and two members of a fraternity faces charges related to the death of a student who drowned after attending an off-campus party. The Hanover, New Hampshire police department, where Dartmouth is located, said Friday that Alpha Phi was charged with one count of facilitating an underage alcohol house. Two members of the Beta Alpha Omega face a charge of providing alcohol to a person under 21. Won Jang, 20, of Middletown, Delaware, had attended an off-campus party in July hosted by Alpha Phi sorority. Police said the alcohol was provided by Beta Alpha Omega. Tens of thousands of Spaniards protest housing crunch and high rents in Barcelona BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Tens of thousands of Spaniards are marching in downtown Barcelona to protest the skyrocketing cost of renting an apartment in the popular tourist destination. Protesters cut off traffic on main avenues in the city center, holding up homemade signs in Spanish reading “Fewer apartments for investing and more homes for living." The lack of affordable housing has become one of the leading concerns for the southern European Union country, mirroring the housing crunch across many parts of the world, including the United States. The average rent for Spain has doubled in the last decade. In cities like Barcelona, rental prices have also been driven up by short-term renters including tourists. Jason Kelce's wife announces she is pregnant with the couple's fourth child Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce's wife is announcing she's pregnant with the couple's fourth child. Kylie Kelce posted a photo on Instagram on Friday of the couple's three young daughters reacting to the news. The oldest daughter, Wyatt, appears to be cupping her head in shock. The middle daughter, Ellioette, is smiling. The youngest, Bennett, is in tears. A caption attached to the photo reads: “I feel like we captured a very accurate representation of how each of the girls feel about getting another sister. At least Ellie, mom and dad are on the same page!” Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in UAE is missing. Israeli officials fear he may have been kidnapped DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in the United Arab Emirates has gone missing, with Israeli authorities raising the suspicion he may have been kidnapped as tensions remain high with Iran. The Israeli prime minister’s office said that Zvi Kogan has been missing since noon Thursday. It said that against the backdrop of information that this was a terrorist incident, an extensive investigation has been opened in the country. Emirati officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. State-run media in the UAE, an autocratic federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula and home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, did not immediately report the incident. Alyssa Nakken, first full-time female coach in MLB history, leaving Giants to join Guardians CLEVELAND (AP) — Alyssa Nakken, the first woman to coach in an MLB game, is leaving the San Francisco Giants to join the Cleveland Guardians. Nakken made history in 2022 when she took over as first-base coach following an ejection. A former college softball star at Sacramento State, Nakken joined the Giants in 2014 and was promoted to a spot on manager Gabe Kapler’s staff in 2020, becoming the majors’ first full-time female coach. Nakken has been hired as an assistant director within player development for the Guardians, who won the AL Central last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt. Nakken, 34, will work with former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa. Officer kills pet dog mistaken for a coyote in Massachusetts town. The owner says it was unnecessary An animal control officer shot and killed a pet dog in a Massachusetts town after mistaking it for a coyote in an incident local police are describing as a sad mix-up. Police in Northbridge, Massachusetts, say the shooting happened on Tuesday after police received a call of a report of a coyote in a residential backyard. Police say the animal control officer went into the woods to look for the coyote and found what they thought was the animal in a threatening position and shot it. The incident happened as communities around Massachusetts and the country have dealt with an uptick in interactions between coyotes and people. Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Michael B. Jordan uses timeout at women's college basketball game to sign smoldering photo LOS ANGELES (AP) — Snoop Dogg strolled in wearing a jacket with JuJu Watkins’ name and number on the front and back. Michael B. Jordan thrilled a USC female fan with an impromptu autograph during a timeout. The stars came out to the showdown between third-ranked Southern California and No. 6 Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish won 74-61 to remain undefeated in the nationally televised game. The woman held up a smoldering magazine photo of the actor and he indicated he'd sign it. With the arena DJ egging her on, she climbed out of the stands and met Jordan at his seat. He leaned in to ask her name, signed and they shared an embrace.

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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins were ready to deal veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell to the Baltimore Ravens ahead of the Nov. 5 trade deadline until Mike McDaniel stepped in. “I may or may not have thrown an adult temper tantrum,” Miami's coach said, confirming the news first reported by NFL Network Sunday morning. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.Liverpool destroy West Ham to go eight points clear, Man City stop rot

Jeannette Neumann | (TNS) Bloomberg News The Nordstrom family is joining forces with a Mexican retailer to take its namesake department store private in an all-cash transaction valued at about $6.25 billion, including debt. Related Articles Business | New shoplifting data explains why they’re locking up the toothpaste Business | Nicotine pouches are selling fast — and falling into minors’ hands Business | Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreams Business | A busy 2024 set up big challenges for Disneyland in 2025 Business | Netflix is airing 2 NFL games on Christmas Day. Here’s what to know The founding family is betting that the century-old retail chain will be more successful without the scrutiny and demands of the public market after shares in Nordstrom Inc. plunged 40% in the last five years. During the same period, the S&P 500 rose 84%. As part of the transaction, which is expected to close in the first half of 2025, the family and Mexican department-store chain El Puerto de Liverpool SAB will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Nordstrom. The Nordstrom family will have a majority ownership stake in the company of 50.1%, with Liverpool owning 49.9%. Nordstrom common shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock they hold under the terms of the agreement, the company said Monday. That’s roughly in line with where shares were trading on Monday. Shares in Nordstrom fell as much as 1.3% on Monday in New York. The company’s stock was up 33% so far this year as of Friday’s close as reports of a take-private deal boosted the stock price. The board’s acceptance of the offer underscores Nordstrom’s decline from its peak and its subdued growth prospects. In 2018, the board rejected the family’s bid to take the company private at $50 per share as too low. Nordstrom’s annual revenue, including income from credit cards, peaked at $15.9 billion in the fiscal year ended February 2019. The company was hit hard by Covid-19 and has never returned to its pre-pandemic highs. Nordstrom is expected to report $14.9 billion in total revenue at the end of the current fiscal year, according to a Bloomberg survey of analysts. Other department-store chains in the U.S. have also struggled as shoppers pivot to online competitors such as Amazon.com Inc., or brand-specific stores such as Louis Vuitton. Executives at Macy’s Inc., for example, are shrinking the company’s store fleet to cut costs, while the owners of Saks Fifth Avenue bought Neiman Marcus Group earlier this year. During the past couple of years, investors had hoped that Nordstrom Rack, its off-price chain, could help buoy the company’s growth prospects and compensate for sluggish sales at the more upscale flagship chain. Shoppers flocked to competitors such as TJ Maxx, seeking deals as inflation soared post-pandemic. But Rack’s performance has been spotty. It stumbled when executives tweaked their strategy and stopped offering as many high-end fashion brands at a discount. Rack reversed course and sales have bounced back. Company executives have focused on opening more Rack stores in recent quarters, boosting revenue. In November, Nordstrom raised the lower end of its annual sales guidance after revenue was better than expected at Rack and the flagship chain. But the outlook is still weak, highlighting the attraction of going private: The company is forecasting that annual sales, including credit-card revenues, will be flat to up 1% versus last year. The take-private deal will be financed through a combination of rollover equity by the Nordstrom family and Liverpool, cash commitments by Liverpool, up to $450 million in borrowings under a new $1.2 billion ABL bank financing, and company cash on hand. The board also intends to pay a special dividend of up to 25 cents a share in cash contingent on the deal closing. The transaction must be approved by holders of two-thirds of the company’s common stock shareholders and the holders of a majority of the shares not owned by the Nordstrom family or Liverpool. Erik and Peter Nordstrom, who are members of the company’s board, recused themselves from the vote, which unanimously approved the transaction. “On behalf of my family, we look forward to working with our teams to ensure Nordstrom thrives long into the future,” said Erik Nordstrom, chief executive officer of Nordstrom. Liverpool, run by descendants of a French shareholder group that dates back more than a century, is one of Mexico’s most important department store chains, with an ornate flagship location in the capital’s historic center. The $7 billion publicly-traded company has ventured beyond Mexico in recent years, acquiring a stake in Latin American retail operator Unicomer in 2011 and attempting unsuccessfully to acquire control of Chile’s Ripley SA in 2015 before turning its eyes to the U.S. with the Nordstrom investment. Max David Michel, part of Liverpool’s founding family and one of the richest people in the country, retired as head of Liverpool’s board earlier this year. (Updates to include what stock is trading at versus the offer price.) ©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.AP News Summary at 4:48 p.m. ESTRussian Cargo Ship Under U.S. And EU Sanctions Sinks In Mediterranean Sea

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When "Squid Game" was released on Netflix in 2021, it took the world by storm. Created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the acclaimed Korean survival drama spurred plenty of social media chatter, viral challenges and even Halloween costumes on its way to becoming the streamer's most-watched show ever. On Thursday, the Emmy-winning series returns for round two. Season 2 will once again follow Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) as he makes his way back to the deadly contest after surviving and winning the big cash prize the last time he played. But this time, his goal isn't to climb out of debt: Gi-hun wants to take out the mastermind and end the games forever. The first time around, the series was hailed as a brutal critique of economic exploitation and capitalist society thanks to its depiction of the contestants' backstories, as well as its focus on how the economically downtrodden are treated by others regardless of the reason for their circumstances. The deadly games are only possible because the future is bleak for so many. Advertisement To prepare for "Squid Game" Season 2 after a three-year hiatus, here is a quick refresher on the key players and events from Season 1. The mysterious Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), center, oversees the deadly contest in "Squid Game." (No Ju-han / Netflix) What is 'Squid Game'? "Squid Game" is a Korean-language series about a secret game that involves a group of debt-ridden contestants assembled to compete in a series of deadly children's games for the chance to win a large cash prize. Contestants who lose or break the rules are killed until only one winner remains. Advertisement Why is it called 'Squid Game'? The... Tracy BrownLam Research Corporation Announces Participation at Upcoming Conferences

U.S. stock indexes edged higher in morning trading Tuesday, as gains for some Big Tech stocks made up for weakness elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 rose 0.4%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 14 points, or 0.1%, as of 9:58 a.m. Eastern time. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite was up 0.7%. Gains in technology, financial and other sectors tempered a pullback by health care, energy and other stocks. Chip company Broadcom rose 1.3%, while semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, rose 1.2%. American Airlines fell 1.2% after the airline briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical issue. U.S. Steel slipped 0.5% a day after an influential government panel failed to reach consensus on the possible national security risks of the nearly $15 billion proposed sale to Nippon Steel of Japan. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.62% from 4.59% late Monday. European markets were mostly higher. Markets in Asia mostly gained ground. U.S. markets will close at 1 p.m. Eastern and stay closed Wednesday for Christmas. Wall Street has several economic reports to look forward to this week, including a weekly update on unemployment benefits on Thursday.Bishop T.D. Jakes experiences 'health incident' during Sunday service

MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (AP) — Uruguayans on Sunday voted in the second round of the country's presidential election , with the conservative governing party and the left-leaning coalition locked in a close runoff after failing to win an outright majority in last month’s vote . The closing of polls started a countdown to the announcement of official results as independent polling firms were preparing to release so-called quick counts. Depending on how tight the vote turns out to be, electoral officials may not call the race for days — as happened in the contentious 2019 runoff that brought center-right President Luis Lacalle Pou to office and ended 15 years of rule by Uruguay’s left-leaning Broad Front. Uruguay's staid election has turned into a hard-fought race between Álvaro Delgado, the incumbent party’s candidate who won 27% in the first round of voting on Oct. 27, and Yamandú Orsi from the Broad Front, who took 44% of the vote in the first round. But other conservative parties that make up the government coalition — in particular, the Colorado Party — notched 20% of the vote collectively, enough to give Delgado an edge over his challenger. Congress ended up evenly split in the October vote. Most polls have shown a virtual tie between Delgado and Orsi, with nearly 10% of Uruguayan voters undecided even at this late stage. Many said they believed turnout would be low if voting weren't compulsory in the country. “Neither candidate convinced me and I feel that there are many in my same situation," said Vanesa Gelezoglo, 31, in the capital, Montevideo, adding she would make up her mind at “the last minute.” Analysts say the candidates' lackluster campaigns and broad consensus on key issues have generated extraordinary indecision and apathy in an election dominated by discussions about social spending and concerns over income inequality but largely free of the anti-establishment rage that has vaulted populist outsiders to power elsewhere . “The question of whether Frente Amplio (the Broad Front) raises taxes is not an existential question, unlike what we saw in the U.S. with Trump and Kamala framing each other as threats to democracy," said Nicolás Saldías, a Latin America and Caribbean senior analyst for the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit. “That doesn't exist in Uruguay.” Both candidates are also appealing to voter angst over a surge in violent crime that has shaken a nation long regarded as one of the region’s safest, with Delgado promising tough-on-crime policies and Orsi advocating a more community-oriented approach. Delgado, 55, a rural veterinarian with a long career in the National Party, campaigned on a vow to continue the legacy of current President Lacalle Pou — in some ways making the election into a referendum on his leadership. He campaigned under the slogan “re-elect a good government." While a string of corruption scandals rattled Lacalle Pou's government last year, the president — who constitutionally cannot run for a second consecutive term — now enjoys high approval ratings and a strong economy expected to grow 3.2% this year, according to the International Monetary Fund. Inflation has also eased in recent months, boosting his coalition. Delgado served most recently as Secretary of the Presidency for Lacalle Pou and promises to pursue his predecessor's pro-business policies. He would continue pushing for a trade deal with China that has raised hackles in Mercosur, an alliance of South American countries promoting regional commerce. "We have to give the government coalition a chance to consolidate its proposals,” said Ramiro Pérez, a street vendor voting for Delgado on Sunday. Orsi, 57, a former history teacher and two-time mayor from a working-class background, is widely seen as the political heir to iconic former President José “Pepe” Mujica , an ex-Marxist guerilla who raised Uruguay's international profile as one of the region's most socially liberal and environmentally sustainable nations during his 2010-2015 term. His Broad Front coalition oversaw the legalization of abortion, same-sex marriage and the sale of marijuana in the small South American nation of 3.4 million people. “He's my candidate, not only for my sake but also for my children's,” Yeny Varone, a nurse, said of Orsi. “In the future they'll have better working conditions, health and salaries.” Mujica, now 89 and recovering from esophageal cancer , was among the first to cast his ballot after polls opened. “Uruguay is a small country, but it has earned recognition for being stable, for having a citizenry that respects institutional formalities,” he told reporters from his local polling station. “This is no small feat.” While promising to forge a “new left” in Uruguay, Orsi plans no dramatic changes. He proposes tax incentives to lure investment and social security reforms that would lower the retirement age but fall short of a radical overhaul sought by Uruguay's unions. The contentious plebiscite on whether to boost pension payouts failed to pass in October, with Uruguayans rejecting generous pensions in favor of fiscal constraint. Both candidates pledged full cooperation with each other if elected. “I want (Orsi) to know that my idea is to form a government of national unity,” Delgado told reporters after casting his vote in the capital's upscale Pocitos neighborhood. He said that if he won, he and Orsi would chat on Monday over some yerba mate, the traditional herbal drink beloved by Uruguayans. Orsi similarly pledged a smooth and respectful transition of power, describing Sunday's democratic exercise as “an incredible experience" as he voted in Canelones, the sprawling town of beaches and cattle ranches just north of Montevideo where he served as mayor for a decade. “The essence of politics is agreements,” he said. “You never end up completely satisfied.” Associated Press writer Isabel DeBre in Villa Tunari, Bolivia, contributed to this report.

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — The ball bounced through KaVonte Turpin's legs and stopped at the 1-yard line. He picked it up, made a spin move and was off to the races. Turpin's 99-yard kickoff return touchdown was the highlight of the Dallas Cowboys' 34-26 win at Washington on Sunday that ended their losing streak at five. That came with just under three minutes left, and then Juanyeh Thomas returned an onside kick for a TD to provide a little happiness in the middle of a lost season. "Feels good to win," coach Mike McCarthy said. “It’s been a minute.” Chauncey Golston ripping the ball out of Brian Robinson Jr.'s hands for what counted as an interception of Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and Donovan Wilson forcing a fumble of John Bates earlier in the game helped put the Cowboys in position to make it a game, as did the play of Cooper Rush. Turpin's monster return after initially muffing the retrieval had everyone buzzing. "He did that for timing," McCarthy said. “That was part of the plan. He’s a special young man. Obviously a huge play for us.” Commanders safety Jeremy Reaves, the All-Pro special teams selection two seasons ago, was the first one down the field and blamed himself for not tackling Turpin when he had the chance. “I’ve made that play 100 times,” Reaves said. “I didn’t make it today, and it cost us the game.” Turpin's spin move will likely be replayed over and over — and not stopped by many. Receiver CeeDee Lamb called it “his escape move” because Turpin has been showing it off in practice. “I know I can just get them going one way and then spin back the other way,” Turpin said. "That’s just one of my moves when I’m in trouble and I've got nowhere to go: something nobody ever seen before.” In a wacky finish that McCarthy likened to a game of Yahtzee, Thomas' return was almost as unexpected. It came with 14 seconds left after Washington kicker Austin Seibert missed the extra point following Daniels' 86-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin to leave Dallas up 27-26. “I kind of waited a second and I was like: ‘Should I try? Should I try?’” Thomas said. “I said, ‘I think I’m gonna score the ball,’ so just ran and I scored.” The Cowboys' playoff odds are still incredibly long at 4-7, but with the New York Giants coming to town next for the traditional Thanksgiving Day game at Dallas, players are willing to dream after winning for the first time since Oct. 6. “Lot of games left,” said Rush, who threw two TD passes. “Pretty insane. ... I think both sides of the ball and special teams picked each other up all game. I think it was a full team effort. Finally picking each other up like we’re supposed to.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflBERLIN (AP) — Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk caused uproar after backing Germany’s far-right party in a major newspaper ahead of key parliamentary elections in the Western European country, leading to the resignation of the paper’s opinion editor in protest. Germany is to vote in on after Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party governing coalition in a dispute over how to revitalize the country’s stagnant economy. Musk's guest opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag —a sister publication of POLITICO owned by the Axel Springer Group — published in German over the weekend, was the he supported the Alternative for Germany, or AfD. “The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the last spark of hope for this country," Musk wrote in his translated commentary. He went on to say the far-right party “can lead the country into a future where economic prosperity, cultural integrity and technological innovation are not just wishes, but reality.” The Tesla Motors CEO also wrote that his gave him the right to comment on the country's condition. The AfD is polling strongly, but its candidate for the top job, , has no realistic chance of becoming chancellor because other parties refuse to work with the far-right party. An ally of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, the technology billionaire challenged in his opinion piece the party's public image. “The portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party’s leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you? Please!” Musk’s commentary has led to a debate in German media over the boundaries of free speech, with the paper's own opinion editor announcing her resignation, pointedly on Musk's social media platform, X. “I always enjoyed leading the opinion section of WELT and WAMS. Today an article by Elon Musk appeared in Welt am Sonntag. I handed in my resignation yesterday after it went to print," Eva Marie Kogel wrote. A critical article by the future editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Jan Philipp Burgard, accompanied Musk’s opinion piece. “Musk’s diagnosis is correct, but his therapeutic approach, that only the AfD can save Germany, is fatally wrong,” Burgard wrote. Responding to a request for comment from the German Press Agency, dpa, the current editor-in-chief of the Welt group, Ulf Poschardt, and Burgard — who is due to take over on Jan. 1 — said in a joint statement that the discussion over Musk's piece was "very insightful. Democracy and journalism thrive on freedom of expression.” “This will continue to determine the compass of the “world” in the future. We will develop “Die Welt” even more decisively as a forum for such debates,” they wrote to dpa.

In the aftermath of the incident, authorities conducted an investigation into the beauty salon to determine the cause of the Botox poisoning. It was discovered that the injections had been administered by an untrained individual without the necessary qualifications or expertise. The salon was subsequently issued a warning and instructed to comply with regulatory standards to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Joyce Rey Presents An Incredible Gem In VeniceThe success of the "Spring Dawn Plan" can be attributed to several key factors. Firstly, by connecting factories directly with consumers, the plan has effectively reduced the cost of middlemen and improved the efficiency of the supply chain. This has allowed merchants to offer products at more competitive prices, attracting a larger customer base and driving sales growth.

Ministers warned of cuts as ‘every pound’ of spending to face reviewMichael Gray Jr., Byron Ireland rally Nicholls to 76-75 victory over LouisianaNoneTAMPA, Fla. — New guidance from Florida’s top health official could lead to an increase in cavities and other dental issues, especially among children and low-income communities, health experts are warning. Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo last month advised communities against adding fluoride to their drinking water citing studies in Canada and Mexico that found a correlation between high levels of the chemical and lower IQ scores in children. It comes after Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for secretary of Health and Human Services, posted on social media that Trump would push to remove fluoride from drinking water on his first day in office. Several communities in Florida, including Collier County and the city of Winter Haven, had already bucked scientific consensus about the substance’s effectiveness in reducing tooth decay and have voted to stop adding fluoride to their water supplies. Naples could be about to join them. But public health experts and dentists say the studies cited by Ladapo are based on exposure to larger quantities of the substance than the 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water that was set as the national drinking water standard in 2015 . Water fluoridation is supported by the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Florida Dental Association. “It’s disheartening to hear Dr. Ladapo’s misinformed and dangerous comments regarding community water fluoridation,” American Dental Association president Brett Kessler, president of the American Dental Association, said in an email. The Florida Dental Association sends member dentists and its own experts to local government meetings to advocate for the continuation of water fluoridation when the practice comes up for a vote. “We find it discouraging to say the least,” Jeff Ottley, president of the Florida Dental Association, said of Ladapo’s new guidance. “Water fluoridation has been proven for over 75 years to be safe at optimal levels to reduce tooth decay by at least 25% in children.” Ottley added that Florida has the second lowest reimbursement rate for dentists who treat children covered through Medicaid. It means very few dentists will take Medicaid patients. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral often found in water at low levels. More than 70% of communities nationwide add fluoride to drinking water based on federal government recommendations first established in the 1950s. More than 70% of Florida communities follow those recommendations, according to Florida Department of Health data . The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention called its contribution to the decline in cavities one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century. That success is because fluoride that is consumed through water is used by children’s body as they grow teeth, said Isaac Garazi, a dentist and the owner of Garazi Periodontics and Dental Implants in Miami. The mineral results in stronger enamel more resistant to the bacteria that causes decay. Garazi pointed to the Canadian communities of Windsor and Essex, which in 2019 voted to put fluoride back in drinking water six years after removing the mineral. The decision came after local health organizations reported a 51% increase in the percentage of children who had either dental decay or needed urgent dental treatment over a two-year period through 2017 compared to the most recent years when fluoride was present in the water supply. “As a dentist who grew up without this benefit, and has seen an entire generation grow up without dental decay, I say to dental schools and pediatric dentists, get ready; you will be in tremendous demand,” Garazi said. Ladapo guidance cites studies in Mexico and Canada that showed a correlation between fluoride levels found in the urine of mothers during pregnancy and IQ levels of children measured when they were older. The Canadian study found a 4.49 point lower average IQ score among boys aged 3 and 4 born to mothers with elevated fluoride levels. The Canadian study states that the findings show a possible case for reducing fluoride intake during pregnancy. The Mexican study concludes that more research is needed to determine the cause of high fluoride levels in urine. Neither study calls for the end of water fluoridation. Ladapo also points to a study that states that many municipalities in several European countries have stopped adding fluoride to their drinking water. But Mary Rose Sweeney, a professor at the Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin and one of the authors of the study, disagreed with how Ladapo represented her work. “As Dr Ladapo cited our 2018 report in his guidance document, I would like to point out that while several EU countries ceased adding fluoride to water, none of these countries cited evidence of harm or adverse effects as the reason for discontinuing the practice,” she said in an email to the Tampa Bay Times. The study was funded was funded by the Irish Water Institute at Dublin City University where Sweeney previously worked as a professor. It calls for caution by those considering the merits of water fluoridation. “Politicians/elected representatives should act on evidence before advocating for the removal of fluoride from community water schemes which could have potentially serious personal and economic consequences particularly for disadvantaged children,” it states. Ladapo’s guidance also says that the wide availability of fluoride through other means, like toothpastes, mouthwash and in-office dental applications, may mean some pregnant women and children are receiving more fluoride than necessary. But studies have shown that children in lower-income homes are less likely to brush their teeth regularly, meaning the removal of fluoride from drinking water would have a greater impact in those homes. Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Ladapo in 2021, the second year of the pandemic. Ladapo had made a name for himself with columns in the Wall Street Journal expressing skepticism about the safety of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. As the state’s top health official, he was frequently gone against the consensus of medical science to back DeSantis, including recommendations against getting newer versions of the COVID-19 vaccine and supporting Florida’s ban on gender dysphoria treatment for children. Ladapo’s guidance on water fluoridation is not binding. Decisions on what goes into drinking water supplies are the remit of elected officials in cities and counties. Pinellas County commissioners voted 4-3 in October 2011 to stop adding fluoride to drinking water. The move made national headlines and was credited with causing the election defeat of two Republican commissioners who supported the measure. The new board voted 6-1 to resume fluoridation in 2012. The lone nay vote came from Commissioner Norm Roche. Now a Tallahassee resident, Roche said it was ironic to see that two big issues of his time in office — water fluoridation and the Rays stadium — are still being hotly debated a decade later. His position remains the same, he said. “Our task is safe, clean drinking water,” he said. “Anything added to that mission — a chemical or an additive — needs to meet the strictest of standards and be subject to heavy scrutiny.” ©2024 Tampa Bay Times. Visit tampabay.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

In exciting news for Bayern Munich fans, star forward Mathis Tetze has made a triumphant return to team training after recovering from his injury. The news comes as a welcome relief for both the player and the club, as Tetze has been sidelined for several weeks with a persistent knee issue.In recent years, the hotel industry has seen a new trend of chain brands expanding rapidly into county towns, which are often considered to be untapped markets with great potential. The prospect of opening a hotel in a county town has attracted many entrepreneurs and investors, but the question remains: is it a profitable venture or not?

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Former Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller sat for a long interview with the NCAA as it looked into concerns about unusual gambling activity, his lawyer said Friday amid reports a federal probe is now under way. “Hysier Miller fully cooperated with the NCAA’s investigation. He sat for a five-hour interview and answered every question the NCAA asked. He also produced every document the NCAA requested,” lawyer Jason Bologna said in a statement. “Hysier did these things because he wanted to play basketball this season, and he is devastated that he cannot.” Miller, a three-year starter from South Philadelphia, transferred to Virginia Tech this spring. However, the Hokies released him last month due to what the program called “circumstances prior to his enrollment at Virginia Tech.” Bologna declined to confirm that a federal investigation had been opened, as did spokespeople for both the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Philadelphia. ESPN, citing unnamed sources, reported Thursday that authorities were investigating whether Miller bet on games he played in at Temple, and whether he adjusted his performance accordingly. “Hysier Miller has overcome more adversity in his 22 years than most people face in their lifetime. He will meet and overcome whatever obstacles lay ahead," Bologna said. Miller scored eight points — about half his season average of 15.9 — in a 100-72 loss to UAB on March 7 that was later flagged for unusual betting activity. Temple said it has been aware of those allegations since they became public in March, and has been cooperative. “We have been fully responsive and cooperative with the NCAA since the moment we learned of the investigation,” Temple President John Fry said in a letter Thursday to the school community. However, Fry said Temple had not received any requests for information from state or federal law enforcement agencies. He vowed to cooperate fully if they did. “Coaches, student-athletes and staff members receive mandatory training on NCAA rules and regulations, including prohibitions on involvement in sports wagering," Fry said in the letter. The same week the Temple-UAB game raised concerns, Loyola (Maryland) said it had removed a person from its basketball program after it became aware of a gambling violation. Temple played UAB again on March 17, losing 85-69 in the finals of the American Athletic Conference Tournament. League spokesman Tom Fenstermaker also declined comment on Friday. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballLongtime sports broadcaster Greg Gumbel has died from cancer at age 78

Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — A high-level meeting of Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom on Monday explored their plans to further strengthen economic ties and expand investment opportunities between the two countries. The Saudi – UK Business Roundtable 2024 was held in the presence of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Saudi Minister of Investment Eng. Khalid Al-Falih, Prince Khalid bin Bandar, Saudi ambassador to the United Kingdom, Minister of Commerce Dr. Majid Al-Qasabi and high ranking British officials, in addition to business leaders and senior executives from both countries. The meeting discussed bilateral opportunities in several areas, most notably: financial services, clean energy, healthcare, innovation, education, and major projects; which in turn are in line with the goals of Vision 2030 to diversify its economy and enable promising investment sectors. The meeting also highlighted the main sectors targeted for enhancing investments, including sustainable financing such as cross-border financing, and improving access to capital markets. Saudi bond issuers have raised more than SR268.7 billion in London since 2022, half of which is for green, social and sustainable financing. The two sides explored opportunities in the energy sector to advance efforts to achieve carbon neutrality, with key projects in this area including Al Fanar Green Fuels in the UK, which will become the largest sustainable aviation fuel project of its kind in Europe. On the healthcare front, the two sides discussed prospects for further joint studies and investments, as well as the potential role of British companies in Saudi Arabia’s drive to establish 4,000 new primary health clinics. Academic exchange was also a key area ripe for investment, with seven British schools currently in Riyadh, which will increase to 10. There are also 14,000 Saudi students who are pursuing higher studies in Britain. Saudi Arabia and Britain are strengthening their cooperation in technology and innovation through several initiatives, such as the Saudi-British Technology Centre, which was established in 2022. Saudi mega-projects also provide global investors with the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge innovations, including the NEOM project, which opened its first international office in Britain last year. Trade between the two countries reached a record high of SR78.9 billion in 2023, and the planned comprehensive free trade agreement between the UK and the Gulf Cooperation Council is expected to further strengthen trade relations between the two countries. It is noteworthy that the total Saudi investments in Britain amounted to SR40 billion until 2022, while British foreign direct investments in the Kingdom amounted to SR18 billion until 2023. More than 60 British companies have launched regional headquarters in the Kingdom, and approximately 30,000 British employees are part of the Saudi workforce. < Previous Page Next Page >

Faty's resilience and determination to get back on the field have been commendable. His rigorous rehabilitation program has paid off, and he is now ready to rejoin his teammates in the battle against Leganes. His return not only boosts the team's defensive capabilities but also serves as a morale booster for everyone involved.Americans spent a staggering $10bn online shopping on Black Friday while in-store purchases continued to dip, according to analysts. This year, consumers took advantage of deals from Amazon and Walmart to purchase desktops, laptops and phones, while sales at Best Buy and Target were stagnant. Overall, online sales rose only slightly from $10.2bn in 2023 to $10.8bn in 2024, according to an analysis from Adobe Inc. However, Salesforce , which tracks a separate selection of spending categories, reported that US online sales rose 7 percent on Friday to $17.5bn. “Crossing the $10bn mark is a big e-commerce milestone for Black Friday, for a day that in the past was more anchored towards in-store shopping,” Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights, said in a statement. “And with consumers getting more comfortable with everything from mobile shopping to chatbots, we have tailwinds that can prop up online growth for Black Friday moving forward.” Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., shoppers spent $11.3m every minute with consumers purchasing more home appliances and furniture online, the company announced. Salesforce said it analyzed the activity of more than 1.5 billion global shoppers. Some top-selling products included makeup, skincare and hair care products. Bluetooth speakers and espresso machines were also highly sought-after products. Online-only retailers like Shein and Temu saw a growth in sales in the seven days through Friday compared to a year earlier, Reuters reported. In-store purchases have only grown 0.7 percent year-over-year, according to Mastercard. Facteus reported that sales this year declined. Shoppers were more likely to visit stores to search for merchandise and deals than to spend their money in them. Despite inflation, Michelle Meyer, chief economist at Mastercard Economics Institute, told Reuters that popular holiday purchases, like clothing, appliances, sporting goods, personal care products and jewelry are increasing modestly or declining in price over the last year. It’s predicted that big department stores like Macy’s and Kohl’s might see “muted” sales this year, the outlet reported.Ravens coach John Harbaugh mum on suspended WR Diontae JohnsonWhy Travis Barker's daughter Alabama didn't celebrate 19th birthday — and her gifts worth over $35,000

The combination of these new policies has led to a surge in demand for housing upgrades, particularly among the middle-income and affluent households in Guiyang. Many homeowners are looking to trade up to larger, more luxurious properties with better amenities and facilities, driving a wave of transactions in the residential property market.The No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes hoped Saturday’s loss to the Michigan Wolverines was just a bad dream, but unfortunately, it wasn’t. For the fourth consecutive year, the Buckeyes fell to their archrivals, and this time, as 21-point underdogs ( ESPN BET ). Immediately following the 13-10 loss, a brawl started between both teams after Michigan players attempted to plant their flag on Ohio State's midfield logo. It wasn't pretty, with police even going as far as pepper spraying players to de-escalate the situation. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day was asked about it afterward, admitting his team wasn't let Michigan get away with planting its flag. "I don’t know all the details, but I know these guys were looking to put a flag on our field, and we’re not going to let that happen," Day said . © Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Fans quickly took to social media to react to Day’s comments. "What a loser," one fan wrote . "Maybe he should have told them to fight like that during the actual game," added a fan . "What a fraud he and that program are." "Just fire that clown," another said . "The best way to prevent this from happening is to win the game, Ryan," said a fan . "Hope this helps!" "Hey Ryan, be less concerned with planting a flag & more concerned with winning the game!!!" added another . "has he tried winning? that’s a pretty good way to stop them," another said . © Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images With the loss, Ryan Day’s record against Michigan drops to 1-4 in his tenure at Ohio State. The defeat likely keeps the Buckeyes out of the Big Ten Championship Game and seriously jeopardizes their hopes of securing a bye in the College Football Playoff. The only way Ohio State can still make it to the conference title game is if both Penn State and Indiana lose on Saturday. Related: Official in Ohio State-Michigan Game Involved in Dangerous Incident

Showcases Robust Development and Commitment to Sustainable Mobility Solutions MUNICH, Dec. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The solar technology company Sono Group N.V. ( OTCQB: SEVCF ) (hereafter referred to as "Sono” or the "Company”, parent company to Sono Motors GmbH or "Sono Motors”) today announced its financial results for the first six months of 2024, highlighting a €60.6 million profit and its recovery following its exit from insolvency earlier this year. Key financial highlights Managing Director, CEO and CFO George O'Leary said, "We believe our results demonstrate the resilience of our business model and the effectiveness of our strategic pivot to solar retrofit solutions. We see the €60.6 million profit and successful exit from insolvency mark as a key turning point for Sono, setting the stage for sustainable growth.” The Company remains committed to advancing its solar integration technology, providing scalable solutions for the transportation sector and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. For more information about Sono Group N.V., Sono Motors GmbH and their solar solutions, visit sonogroupnv.com and sonomotors.com . ABOUT SONO GROUP N.V. Sono Group N.V. ( OTCQB: SEVCF ) and its wholly-owned subsidiary Sono Motors GmbH are on a pioneering mission to accelerate the revolution of mobility by making every commercial vehicle solar. Our disruptive solar technology has been developed to enable seamless integration into all types of commercial vehicles to reduce the impact of CO2 emissions and pave the way for climate-friendly mobility. CONTACT: Press: [email protected] | ir.sonomotors.com/news-events Investors: [email protected] | ir.sonomotors.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sonogroupnv FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This press release may contain forward-looking statements. The words "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "aim", "forecast", "project", "target", "will” and similar expressions (or their negative) identify certain of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are statements regarding the intentions, beliefs, or current expectations of the Company and Sono Motors (together, the "companies”). Forward-looking statements involve inherent known and unknown risks, uncertainties and contingencies because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that may or may not occur in the future and could cause the companies' actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, risks, uncertainties and assumptions with respect to: our ability to access the unfunded portion of the investment from YA II PN, Ltd. ("Yorkville”), including our ability to successfully comply with the agreements related thereto and the absence of any termination event or any event of default; our ability to maintain relationships with creditors, suppliers, service providers, customers, employees and other third parties in light of the performance and credit risks associated with our constrained liquidity position and capital structure; our status as a foreign private issuer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; our ability to comply with OTCQB continuing standards, as well as our ability to have our shares admitted to trading on a national stock exchange, including the Nasdaq Capital Market, in the future; our ability to enter into a definitive agreement with Yorkville with respect to the conversion of outstanding debt into equity through the issuance of preferred shares; our ability to achieve our stated goals; our strategies, plan, objectives and goals, including, among others, the successful implementation and management of the pivot of our business to exclusively retrofitting and integrating our solar technology onto third party vehicles; our ability to raise the additional funding required beyond the investment from Yorkville to further develop and commercialize our solar technology and business as well as to continue as a going concern. For additional information concerning some of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could affect our forward-looking statements, please refer to our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC”), including our Annual Report on Form 20-F, which are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on our website at ir.sonomotors.com. Many of these risks and uncertainties relate to factors that are beyond our ability to control or estimate precisely, such as the actions of courts, regulatory authorities and other factors. Readers should therefore not place undue reliance on these statements, particularly not in connection with any contract or investment decision. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. FINANCIAL RESULTS (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) INCOME STATEMENT (unaudited) (unaudited) FOR THE PERIOD PER SHARE IN EUR 2024 Unaudited 2023 Audited

Wells Fargo & Co. stock underperforms Monday when compared to competitorsBeyond the aesthetics, the haircut between Xiaohua and Xiang Zuo also shed light on the artistry and effort behind maintaining a celebrity image. While the end result may appear effortless and flawless, it is the behind-the-scenes dedication and skill of professionals like Xiaohua that contribute to the polished appearances of stars like Xiang Zuo.

Beyond the physical consequences, the man's addiction to betel nuts also brought about social ostracization and emotional turmoil. His disfigured appearance made him a target of ridicule and mockery, further exacerbating his sense of isolation and despair. The once vibrant and engaging individual became a shell of his former self, trapped in a cycle of self-destructive behavior with no way out.Mintra Celebrates Winning HR Network Scotland’s Leading with Kindness AwardShares of Five Below ( FIVE -2.52% ) jumped 22.5% this week, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence . The discount retailer posted improving comparable store sales growth in the third quarter and announced a new CEO to lead the company. Shares of Five Below had fallen big-time this year, and are still off 52% from all-time highs. However, as of this writing at 2:33 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 6, the stock is up over 20% this week. Here's why Five Below stock recovered some losses this week. Strong Q3 earnings, new CEO Five Below's Q3 headline numbers were strong. Revenue grew 14.6% year over year to $843.7 million, with comparable-store sales growth of 0.6%. Less than 1% same-store sales growth might seem weak, but this is a big improvement for Five Below compared to previous quarters. In the second quarter of this year, Five Below had a negative 5.7% comparable sales growth, so any positive number is a major step in the right direction. Management stability is hopefully on the horizon as well. Five Below announced it was hiring Winnie Park as its new CEO. Park previously ran Forever 21, another retailer focused on serving a younger crowd. Park's turnaround of Forever 21 is likely why the board of directors sought her out as its new CEO. The quarter was not all sunshine and rainbows, however. Gross profit margin dipped in the second quarter, meaning that Five Below was discounting its merchandise in order to move inventory. Gross margin fell to 31%, which was well off its typical seasonal trend. Operating income was actually negative in the quarter, compared to a positive $16.1 million a year ago. While this will likely reverse if Five Below can keep pushing positive comparable store sales growth, it is not a good sign that the company needs to discount so much in order to hit sales figures. What comes next The stock is up a lot this week, but still well below its all-time high. The earnings ratio is not radically expensive, either. Five Below's price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) is 23, which is well below the S&P 500 level of 31. Five Below is growing faster than the average S&P 500 stock right now with its double-digit revenue growth. One key metric for investors to track is operating margin . Operating margin has slipped to 9% over the past 12 months compared to closer to 11% or 12% in prior years. If Five Below can regain this operating margin figure while also growing sales, its P/E will come down in a hurry. If you believe in this business model, there is still a lot of room for Five Below stock to run in the coming years.