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Federal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the US A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok as soon as next month, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the law - which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — is constitutional, rebuffing TikTok’s challenge that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and unfairly targeted the platform. TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. US added a strong 227,000 jobs in November in bounce-back from October slowdown WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s job market rebounded in November, adding 227,000 workers in a solid recovery from the previous month, when the effects of strikes and hurricanes had sharply diminished employers’ payrolls. Last month’s hiring growth was up considerably from a meager gain of 36,000 jobs in October. The government also revised up its estimate of job growth in September and October by a combined 56,000. Friday’s report also showed that the unemployment rate ticked up from 4.1% in October to a still-low 4.2%. The November data provided the latest evidence that the U.S. job market remains durable even though it has lost significant momentum from the 2021-2023 hiring boom, when the economy was rebounding from the pandemic recession. Stock market today: Wall Street hits more records following a just-right jobs report NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records after data suggested the job market remains solid enough to keep the economy going, but not so strong that it raises immediate worries about inflation. The S&P 500 climbed 0.2%, just enough top the all-time high set on Wednesday, as it closed a third straight winning week in what looks to be one of its best years since the 2000 dot-com bust. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8% to set its own record. Treasury yields eased after the jobs report showed stronger hiring than expected but also an uptick in the unemployment rate. Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO spotlights complex challenge companies face in protecting top brass NEW YORK (AP) — In an era when online anger and social tensions are increasingly directed at the businesses consumers count on, Meta last year spent $24.4 million to surround CEO Mark Zuckerberg with security. But the fatal shooting this week of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson while walking alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take to protect their leaders against threats. And experts say the task of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them is getting more difficult. One of the primary worries are loners whose rantings online are fed by others who are like-minded. It’s up to corporate security analysts to decide what represents a real threat. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. USDA orders nationwide testing of milk for bird flu to halt the virus The U.S. government has ordered testing of the nation’s milk supply for bird flu to better monitor the spread of the virus in dairy cows. The Agriculture Department on Friday said raw or unpasteurized milk from dairy farms and processors nationwide must be tested on request starting Dec. 16. Testing will begin in six states — California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania. The move is aimed at eliminating the virus, which has infected more than 700 dairy herds in 15 states. Words on ammo in CEO shooting echo common phrase on insurer tactics: Delay, deny, defend A message left at the scene of an insurance executive’s fatal shooting echoes a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims. The words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” were written on the ammunition used to kill UnitedHealthcare's CEO. That's according to two officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday. The words are similar to the phrase “delay, deny, defend.” That's how attorneys describe insurers denying services and payment, and the title of a 2010 book critical of the industry. Police haven’t officially commented on the words. But Thompson’s shooting and the messages on the ammunition have sparked outrage on social media and elsewhere, reflecting frustration Americans have over the cost and complexity of getting care. Michigan Democrats move to protect reproductive health data before GOP takes control of House LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Democrats in Michigan are pressing to pass reproductive health care legislation before the party loses its majority with the new legislative session next year. A bill to protect digital reproductive health data including data logged on menstrual cycle tracking apps is a Democratic priority as lawmakers meet this month. Democratic women and supporters of the legislation say they are acting with new urgency before President-elect Donald Trump takes office because they don't believe his campaign promise to leave abortion to the states. The rush is also a reaction to Republicans taking control of the state House in January. Democrats kept control of the state Senate in the November election. Japan's Nippon Steel sets sights on a growing overseas market in its bid to acquire US Steel KASHIMA, Japan (AP) — The signs at Nippon Steel read: “The world through steel,” underlining why Japan’s top steelmaker is pursuing its $15 billion bid to acquire U.S. Steel. Japan's domestic market isn't growing, so Nippon Steel has its eyes on India, Southeast Asia and the United States, where populations are still growing. Nippon Steel gave reporters a tour of one of its plants in Japan on Friday. The bid for U.S. Steet is opposed by President-elect Donald Trump, President Joe Biden and American steelworkers. If the deal goes through, U.S. Steel will keep its name and its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but become subsidiary of Nippon Steel. China's ban on key high-tech materials could have broad impact on industries, economy BANGKOK (AP) — China has banned exports of key materials used for a wide range of products, including smartphones, electric vehicles, radar systems and CT scanners, swiping back at Washington after it expanded export controls to include dozens of Chinese companies that make equipment used to produce computer chips. Both sides say the controls are justified by national security concerns. Analysts say they could have a much wider impact on manufacturing in many industries and supply chains, depending on the ability of each side to compensate for loss of access to strategically important materials, equipment and components. Here's why this could be a tipping point in trade conflict between the two biggest economies.Students and community members in Kelowna joined the Pro-Palestine movement unfolding at universities across Canada and the U.S. and have set up an encampment at the UBC Okanagan campus in May 2024. The group in Kelowna called UBCO 4 Palestine, gathered at 5 a.m. on May 13 in the UBCO Courtyard and set up tents, tables and signs. The group is calling on the University of British Columbia to divest from Israel’s “occupation and genocide” of Palestinians and to publicly condemn the ongoing violence. The protests began after Israel’s response to an attack on civilians by a terrorist organization called Hamas on Oct 7. The assault by Hamas killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians in Israel and took more as captives. In response, Israel’s military has killed over 34,500 Palestinians living in Gaza. Members of UBCO 4 Palestine requested to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions from the public, the university and law enforcement. The group includes students, members of the public, and people from diverse backgrounds including people of Jewish heritage, Palestinian descent, immigrants, international students and Indigenous people. On UBC President Benoit-Antoine Bacon issued an saying “We hope for a ceasefire and a lasting peaceful resolution in the Middle East.” He furthered the statement by explaining that to remain respectful of the broad range of opinions held by students and faculty of the university, the academic institution must remain neutral. Bacon also said that the UBC Endowment Fund does not directly own any stocks in the companies identified by However, he said a small percentage of university funds managed by external investment managers have been invested in companies that were named as being “complicit in Israel’s numerous violations of Palestinian human right,” by the People’s University for Gaza. After 46 days of protest, the encampment at UBC Okanagan concluded.
ROSEN, LEADING INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages Celsius Holdings, Inc. Investors To Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline In Securities Class Action – CELH
Mystery drones appear in US, FBI slammedAssociated Press New York can be a magical place for museumgoers. It can also be overwhelming and overcrowded at times, especially at the biggest, most famous museums. Luckily, the city has scores of great museums to choose from: Everything from small and quirky, to elegant gems housed in historic mansions, to preserved Lower East Side tenement apartments and hands-on experiences that might surprise even longtime New Yorkers. “Going to the Museum of Modern Art or the Metropolitan Museum of Art or the American Museum of Natural History is fantastic. But they can be like a big super-sized coffee drink, while we’re more like a cup of espresso,” says Alex Kalman, director of two of the city’s tiniest museums, Mmuseumm1 and Mmuseumm2. One is built into an old elevator shaft in a downtown alleyway. (Both museums are closed for the holidays but reopen in spring.) At other small museums you’ll find a cozy, Viennese-style coffee shop; kosher Jewish comfort food like bagels, blintzes, herring and house-cured salmon; and edgy gift shops to rival MoMA’s famous one. You could view the chair that George Washington sat in before giving his inaugural address to Congress (New York City was the seat of U.S. government in those days.) Or you might make seltzer or solve math puzzles. Here’s some of what’s happening at NYC’s “other” museums: The Museum at FIT 227 W 27th St. Tucked inside the Fashion Institute of Technology, behind the big sculpture in front, is the city’s only museum solely devoted to fashion. And it’s free. The current show, ”Africa’s Fashion Diaspora,” runs through Dec. 29. “It’s about Africa as an idea that continues to inspire designers from Africa and also those whose ancestors came from Africa,” says museum director Valerie Steele. Opening in February is “Fashioning Wonder: A Cabinet of Curiosities,” exploring connections between cabinets of curiosities and fashion. Neue Galerie 1048 5th Ave. This museum, housed in a 1914 Gilded Age mansion that was once home to society doyenne Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt III, focuses on art and design from Austria and Germany. Its Cafe Sabarsky is a destination of its own, with 1912 upholstery, period decor, and a grand piano in the corner used for cabaret, chamber and classical music performances. On view now is ”Egon Schiele: Living Landscapes′′ and ”Austrian Masterworks from the Neue Galerie.” The museum “transports you to Christmas in Vienna,” says director Renée Price. “We dress up our 1914 historic landmark building with wreaths and ribbons, evoking a prior era.... Delight in some Apfelstrudel and savor our Hot Chocolate with Rum in Café Sabarsky.” (Pro tip: The cafe is at its quietest for breakfast.) The Jewish Museum 1109 5th Ave. at 92nd St. Not far from the Neue Galerie. On view now are “Illit Azouley: Mere Things,” the first solo exhibit in a U.S. museum dedicated to the Berlin-based artist, and “Engaging with History: Works from the Collection.” Other displays include the “Tel Dan Stele,” a 9th century BCE stone monument fragment containing the earliest mention of the royal House of David outside of the Bible. The gift shop features an impressive array of menorahs, dreidels, Hanukkah candles and specialty gifts, including works by artist Oded Halahmy. There’s a cafe with updated takes on traditional bagels, blintzes, herring and house-cured salmon. There is also Hanukkah-related family programming. Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum 2 East 91st St. Also nearby is one of the city’s two Smithsonian museums. The Cooper Hewitt focuses on innovative design. Its gift shop rivals MoMA’s, and there’s a private garden and small restaurant. The museum is housed in the former home of industrial magnate Andrew Carnegie. Completed in 1902, the mansion was the first in the U.S. to have a structural steel frame, and one of the first in the city to have a residential Otis passenger elevator. It also was among the first homes to feature central heating. It is now LEED-certified and features other cutting-edge technologies. A major exhibit on now, “Making Home: Smithsonian Design Triennial,” explores design’s role in shaping concepts of home, physically and emotionally. It sprawls over the entire mansion and will be on view through Aug. 10. National Museum of the American Indian 1 Bowling Green The other Smithsonian in town, it’s at the lower end of Manhattan inside the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Customs House, now a city landmark. Admission is free, and current exhibitions include “Jeffrey Veregge: Of Gods and Heroes,” “Native New York” and “Infinity of Nations.” The gift shop features authentic Native American art, crafts, apparel and jewelry from a wide representation of groups, in addition to books by and about Native Americans. Tenement Museum 103 Orchard St. With something for all ages, the Tenement Museum is housed in two preserved tenement buildings, one from 1863 and the other from 1888. Each apartment is a kind of time capsule, telling the story of a different immigrant or migrant family who lived there. The museum also offers walking tours of the neighborhood. “What is most unique about the Tenement Museum is that it shines the spotlight on ‘ordinary people’ — working-class families who never imagined they’d one day be the subject of a museum,” says Tenement Museum President Annie Polland. “Whereas at the MoMA and Met you see great art, and at the AMNH you see dinosaurs, at the Tenement Museum you immerse yourself in real stories and consider what it means to be American,” she said. Certain apartments — Italian, German, Puerto Rican — are decorated for Christmas. The New York Historical 170 Central Park West A great way to learn more about the city’s history, including the fact that Washington was inaugurated here. A permanent gallery on the fourth floor features a detailed recreation of the White House Oval Office in Washington, D.C., where presidents have worked since 1909. The Meet the Presidents Gallery traces, through artwork and objects, the evolution of the presidency and executive branch. Also on view is the chair from Washington’s inauguration at Federal Hall, on Wall Street, the only presidential inauguration held in New York City. Other current exhibits include “Pets and the City,” “Fred W. McDarrah: Pride and Protest.” There’s a permanent “Gallery of Tiffany Lamps.” MoMath (National Museum of Mathematics) 225 Fifth Ave. A hands-on museum with all kinds of math-oriented puzzles and thought-inspiring curiosities, like a tricycle with square wheels that rides smoothly on a zigzagged surface. In an exhibit called “Human Tree,” visitors can make successively smaller images of themselves that combine to make a “fractal tree” that sways in response to their movements. Brooklyn Seltzer Museum 474 Hemlock St, Brooklyn An interactive museum and factory tour run in partnership with the city’s oldest seltzer works, a family business now in its fourth generation. The museum, inside Brooklyn Seltzer Boys’ active factory, is “dedicated to preserving and promoting the effervescent history of seltzer water,” and celebrates “the manufacturing of seltzer, the science of seltzer, and seltzer as a cultural force in New York City and the world beyond.” Not to mention, guests can spritz each other with seltzer.
Social media users are misrepresenting a report by the Justice Department inspector general’s office, falsely claiming that it’s proof the FBI orchestrated the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. The examined a number of areas, including whether major intelligence failures preceded the riot and whether the FBI in some way provoked the violence. Claims spreading online focus on the report’s finding that 26 FBI informants were in Washington for election-related protests on Jan. 6, including three who had been tasked with traveling to the city to report on others who were potentially planning to attend the events. Although 17 of those informants either entered the Capitol or a restricted area around the building during the riot, none of the 26 total informants were authorized to do so by the bureau, according to the report. Nor were they authorized to otherwise break the law or encourage others to do so. Here’s a closer look at the facts. CLAIM: A December 2024 report released by the Department of Justice’s Office of the Inspector General is proof that the Jan. 6 Capitol riot was a setup by the FBI. THE FACTS: That’s false. The report found that no undercover FBI employees were at the riot on Jan. 6 and that none of the bureau’s informants were authorized to participate. Informants, also known as confidential human sources, work with the FBI to provide information, but are not on the bureau’s payroll. Undercover agents are employed by the FBI. According to the report, 26 informants were in Washington on Jan. 6 in connection with the day’s events. FBI field offices only informed the Washington Field Office or FBI headquarters of five informants that were to be in the field on Jan. 6. Of the total 26 informants, four entered the Capitol during the riot and an additional 13 entered a restricted area around the Capitol. But none were authorized to do so by the FBI, nor were they given permission to break other laws or encourage others to do the same. The remaining nine informants did not engage in any illegal activities. None of the 17 informants who entered the Capitol or surrounding restricted area have been prosecuted, the report says. A footnote states that after reviewing a draft of the report, the U.S. attorney’s office in Washington said that it “generally has not charged those individuals whose only crime on January 6, 2021 was to enter restricted grounds surrounding the Capitol, which has resulted in the Office declining to charge hundreds of individuals; and we have treated the CHSs consistent with this approach.” The assistant special agent in charge of the Washington Field Office’s counterterrorism division told the inspector general’s office that he “denied a request from an FBI office to have an undercover employee engage in investigative activity on January 6.” He, along with then-Washington Field Office Assistant Director in Charge Steven D’Antuono, said that FBI policy prohibits undercover employees at First Amendment-protected events without investigative authority. Many social media users drew false conclusions from the report’s findings. “JANUARY 6th WAS A SETUP!” reads one X post that had received more than 11,400 likes and shares as of Friday. “New inspector general report shows that 26 FBI/DOJ confidential sources were in the crowd on January 6th, and some of them went into the Capitol and restricted areas. Is it a coincidence that Wray put in his resignation notice yesterday? TREASON!” The mention of Wray’s resignation refers to FBI Director Christopher Wray’s announcement Wednesday that he at the end of President Joe Biden’s term in January. Other users highlighted the fact that there were 26 FBI informants in Washington on Jan. 6, but omitted key information about the findings of the report. These claims echo a advanced by some Republicans in Congress that the FBI played a role in instigating the events of Jan. 6, 2021, when rioters determined to overturn Republican Donald Trump’s 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden stormed the Capitol in a violent clash with police. The report knocks that theory down. such theories “ludicrous” at a congressional hearing last year. Asked for comment on the false claims spreading online, Stephanie Logan, a spokesperson for the inspector general’s office, pointed The Associated Press to a about the report. In addition to its findings about the the FBI’s involvement on Jan. 6, the report said that the FBI, in an action its now-deputy director described as a “basic step that was missed,” failed to canvass informants across all 56 of its field offices for any relevant intelligence ahead of time. That was a step, the report concluded, “that could have helped the FBI and its law enforcement partners with their preparations in advance of January 6.” However, it did credit the bureau for preparing for the possibility of violence and for trying to identify known “domestic terrorism subjects” who planned to come to Washington that day. The FBI said in a letter responding to the report that it accepts the inspection general’s recommendation “regarding potential process improvements for future events.” — Find AP Fact Checks here: . By Melissa Goldin, The Associated PressIncredible coaching career of Paul Maurice still may have plenty of runway aheadAttorneys want the US Supreme Court to say Mississippi’s felony voting ban is cruel and unusual
Marc Casado has revealed the player who has surprised him most at Barcelona after cementing his place in the first team this season. The midfielder has been a revelation so far in the 2024-25 campaign and has become a key player for Hansi Flick. He’s been asked about life in the first team and had no hesitation when asked about the first teamer who has surprised him most. “Lamine Yamal, but that was when I saw him for the first time. I think I played with him against AZ in the Youth League, I think it was in the round of 16,” he told Mundo Deportivo. “And the truth is that he surprised me. You could see a lot of things in him. Nowadays, the people who come up do so with a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of quality.” Casado also revealed how much he loves playing alongside Pedri in the first team at Barca. “Well, it’s clear that he’s a world-class player,” he added. “I think he’s one of the best in his position and he shows it in every game. He makes my job on the pitch much easier. Playing with him makes everything easier. And I’m very happy to be able to share the midfield with him.” Pedri has looked back to his very best this season under Flick and formed a fine partnership with Casado. The two will be back in action in January for Barca, while Yamal is also expected to return from injury early in the New Year .The 12-3 Boston Celtics , fresh off handing the Cleveland Cavaliers their first loss of the season, have a lot of momentum going into tonight’s matchup against the Washington Wizards . Both teams met up at the beginning of the season, with the Celtics winning 122-102. Since then, the two teams have had complete opposite seasons. While the Celtics own the second-best record in the NBA, the Wizards have the second-worst with a 2-11 record. In theory, the Celtics should be able to defeat the Wizards handily. However, it may prove a bit more difficult than expected as veteran big man Al Horford will not play. Horford reportedly has an illness and will miss Boston’s game against the Wizards. It is unknown the severity of his illness or if he will miss future games. Furthermore, the Celtics are still missing Kristaps Porzingis , who has yet to make his season debut. However, he recently progressed to the next phase of his recovery from his leg injury and should return in December. Boston Celtics Big Man to Miss Tonight’s Game vs. Washington Wizards How the Celtics Will Make Up for Al Horford’s Absence In his 18th season in the NBA, Horford has shown little signs of slowing down. The 38-year-old has played and started 13 games for Boston this season. In those games, he is averaging 10.2 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. He is also shooting 51.6% from the field and 47.7% from beyond the arc. Horford is still making his presence felt on the defensive side of the ball and has come up clutch numerous times for the Celtics on both sides of the court. In his absence, the Celtics will likely start Neemias Queta at center. Queta, now in his second season with the Celtics, has gradually received an expanded role with the team. After entering the season with just 48 career games played and no starts, Queta has started four games for Boston this season. While he still needs time to polish his skills, there is a lot to like about the Portuguese native. He is athletic and brings great energy to the game. Additionally, his potential on both sides of the court is obvious. Even when Horford and Porzingis return, Queta could remain in the team’s rotation. The Last Word The Celtics once again look like one of the best teams in the league, even without Porzingis. Currently, they rank as the third-best offensive team and the second-best scoring team. Though they still lack defensively from a stats perspective, Porzingis’ return should help the Celtics improve in this area. A big reason for Boston’s success is the MVP-caliber season Jayson Tatum is having so far. Through 15 games, Tatum is averaging 29.9 points on 46.4% shooting from the field and 39.4% from the three-point line. He is also averaging 8.1 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. Tatum is in line for potentially his best campaign yet. As his season continues to progress, it will be interesting to see if Tatum can remain in MVP consideration. Regardless, he and the Celtics have their eyes on a repeat, something that has not been done since the Golden State Warriors did it in 2018. This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.
An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look onFrance celebrated the re-opening of on Saturday at a special church service that featured a standing ovation for the firefighters who saved the 12th-century landmark from destruction during a 2019 blaze. A two-hour service attended by incoming US president Donald Trump among other world leaders began with the archbishop of Paris knocking on the doors of the cathedral three times. "Notre Dame, model of faith, open your doors to bring together the far-flung children of God in joy," archbishop Laurent Ulrich commanded, banging with a wooden staff crafted from a roof beam that survived the inferno five years ago. Trump could be seen sitting on the front row as guest of honour next to French President Emmanuel Macron, with invitees marvelling at the freshly cleaned walls, new furniture and state-of-the-art lighting installed as part of the overhaul. In a short speech, Macron expressed the "gratitude of the French nation" for the restoration work, achieved at frenzied speed over the last five years. France had "rediscovered what great nations can do -- achieve the impossible", he said. One of the most moving moments came when firefighters in their protective gear walked through the congregation to thunderous applause as the word ("Thank you") was beamed on the intricate facade and famous belltowers of the Gothic masterpiece. Small crowds of Parisians and tourists braved wet weather and high winds outside to witness the renaissance of a monument, which came close to collapsing due to the intensity of the inferno that toppled its roof and spire. "I find it really beautiful, even more so now that the spire has been restored," Marie Jean, a 27-year-old dentist from southwest France, told AFP outside. The reconstruction effort cost around 700 million euros ($750 million), financed from donations, with the re-opening achieved within a five-year deadline despite predictions it could take decades. Workers had to overcome problems with lead pollution, the Covid-19 epidemic, and the army general overseeing the project falling to his death while hiking in the Pyrenees last year. Saturday's service featured classical music, the cathedral's choir as well as the "re-awakening" of the 8,000-pipe organ which is considered the voice and soul of the cathedral. A televised public concert planned outside featuring Chinese piano virtuoso Lang Lang and possibly US singer and fashion designer Pharrell Williams had to be pre-recorded on Friday night because of the stormy weather. Held up as an example of French creativity and resilience by Macron, Notre Dame's renaissance so soon after the fire comes at a difficult time for the country. The sense of national accomplishment in restoring a symbol of Paris has been undercut by political turmoil that has left France without a proper government since last week when Prime Minister Michel Barnier lost a confidence vote. Macron is hoping the re-opening might provide a fleeting sense of national pride and unity -- as the Paris Olympics did in July and August. He scored a major coup by attracting Trump along with around 40 heads of state and government, including Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky, who was given a round of applause as he entered Notre Dame. Macron hosted three-way talks with Zelensky and Trump at the presidential palace shortly before the ceremony, with future US military support for Ukraine's war effort against Russia's invasion expected to have been discussed. Trump has vowed to end the nearly three-year Ukraine war when he takes office on January 20, sparking fears in Kyiv that he will force Ukraine to make territorial concessions to Russia. "It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now and we will be talking about that," Trump told reporters as he prepared to sit down for talks with Macron. One surprising absentee on Saturday was Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church. He sent a message addressed to the French people and weighed into a row about whether the place of worship and tourist attraction should remain free to enter. The "immense" numbers set to visit Notre Dame should be welcomed "generously and free of charge", he said, clearly opposing a proposition from the French culture ministry to charge for entry. Elon Musk, the world's richest man and one of Donald Trump's closest allies, made a surprise appearance Saturday at the ceremony marking the re-opening of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. The boss of Tesla, SpaceX and social media network landed during the afternoon at Le Bourget airport north of Paris, which is frequently used by private jets, an airport source told AFP, asking not to be named. Musk was then present inside the cathedral for the ceremony on Saturday evening to mark its re-opening after the 2019 fire. His attendance had not previously been announced. He took a picture of the cathedral's immense doors before entering and also had an exchange inside with Trump who was sitting in the front row. "Magnificat Cathedrale," he posted on X with a video of the cathedral's vaulted roof. The exact cause of the 2019 blaze has never been identified despite a forensic investigation by prosecutors, who believe an accident such as an electrical fault was the most likely reason. On Sunday, the first mass with 170 bishops and more than 100 Paris priests will take place at 10:30 am (0930 GMT), followed by a second service at 6:30 pm which will be open to the public. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.Former Fresno State quarterback Mikey Keene is transferring to Michigan with one year of eligibility remaining. Confirming earlier reports, Keene posted an image of himself in a Wolverines uniform on social media on Monday. Keene passed for 2,892 yards with 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 12 games for the Bulldogs in 2024. Fresno State opened the season with a 30-10 loss at Michigan on Aug. 31, with Keene throwing for 235 yards with one touchdown and two picks. Including two seasons at UCF (2021-22), Keene has completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 8,245 yards with 65 TDs and 28 interceptions in 39 games. Keene's competition for the starting job at Michigan includes incoming freshman Bryce Underwood, the 247Sports Composite's No. 1 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class. --Field Level Media
Stock market today: Wall Street wavers at the start of a holiday-shortened weekIt's been a great year for the S&P 500 , with many top growth stocks and value stocks hitting all-time highs. But because growth stocks like Nvidia make up such a large share of the S&P 500 -- and have produced such strong gains -- exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that don't hold those names would have had a tough time beating the S&P 500 this year. The Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF ( VIG 0.01% ) , Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF ( VOOV -0.32% ) , and the Vanguard Energy ETF ( VDE -1.80% ) have all underperformed the S&P 500 so far in 2024. But they all have combinations of quality top holdings and reasonable valuations that could position them to shine bright in 2025. 1. Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF This fund is unusual because it includes a blend of growth stocks and value stocks. And, unlike some dividend-centric funds that focus primarily on yields, this one tracks the S&P U.S. Dividend Growers Index, which includes only companies that have grown their payouts annually for at least 10 straight years. The index also excludes the highest-yielding 25% of companies that would otherwise be eligible for inclusion. The fund's top five holdings are Apple , Broadcom , Microsoft , JPMorgan Chase , and ExxonMobil . While JPMorgan Chase and ExxonMobil have solid yields, Apple, Broadcom, and Microsoft have low yields in part because their stock prices have performed so well in recent years. AAPL data by YCharts. In this vein, the fund doesn't punish a company for having a low yield just because its stock price has performed well. It's also worth mentioning that Apple, Broadcom, and Microsoft all repurchase considerable amounts of their stock , which is another way for companies to pass profits back to shareholders. Because it invests in companies from all sectors that regularly increase their dividends, the Dividend Appreciation ETF doesn't get too bogged down in stodgy, low-growth sectors. One drawback of some high-yield ETFs is that they can include companies that have high yields not because they've substantially raised their payouts, but because their stock prices have underperformed. For example, imagine two stocks that both yield 3%. If one stock triples in five years while the other's price gets cut in half, then at the end of that time (assuming both keep their payouts constant), the outperforming stock will have a yield of just 1% while the falling stock would have a yield of 6%. This illustrates how underperformance can turn a stock into a high-yielding investment, but that doesn't make such a stock a better all-around source of passive income. The Dividend Appreciation ETF is well-suited for folks who view stocks' passive income potential as merely one aspect of an investment thesis rather than driving the bulk of it. The Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF has 437 holdings, but outside of the top 100 or so holdings, each component makes up 0.25% of the fund or less. However, the top 10 holdings combined make up less than 20% of the fund, so it isn't overly top-heavy either. A whopping 63% of the fund is in financials, healthcare, industrials, and consumer staples, whereas just 17.5% is in tech, consumer discretionary, and communications. By contrast, the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF , which tracks the S&P 500, has about half of its holdings in tech, consumer discretionary, and communications because of the enormous market values of Nvidia, Microsoft, Apple, Amazon , Tesla , Alphabet , and Meta Platforms . Since it does not include any of those top growth stocks, and instead invests in value stocks, the Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF will miss out on a lot of the upside potential of themes like artificial intelligence , software, hardware, automation, robotics, and social media . What investors get instead are a less expensive valuation and a better yield. The Vanguard S&P 500 ETF has a 30.3 price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio and a 1.3% yield compared to a 25.9 P/E ratio and a 2% yield for the Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF. The Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF is a good buy if you want an investment that has less exposure to premium-priced sectors and a higher yield for boosting your passive income stream . 3. Vanguard Energy ETF The Vanguard Energy ETF is designed to reflect the performance of the energy sector, which has put up decent gains this year, but not as strong as the S&P 500. ^SPX data by YCharts . Unlike the Dividend Appreciation ETF or the S&P 500 Value ETF, the Energy ETF is top-heavy: Just two stocks, ExxonMobil and Chevron , account for 36% of its portfolio value. But that level of concentration is arguably a good thing because of the volatility of the oil and natural gas industry . ExxonMobil and Chevron sport elite balance sheets, and with their diversified business models, they do far more than just produce oil and natural gas. They both have growing low-carbon divisions that invest in various technologies, such as carbon capture and storage and low-carbon fuels. They also pass along their profits to shareholders through stock buybacks and growing dividend payouts . One of the most attractive qualities of the Vanguard Energy ETF is its low P/E ratio of 8.5 and its yield of 3.3%. Across the industry, oil and natural gas companies have proven they can thrive even in the current mid-cycle price environment. A wave of consolidation has contributed to efficiency improvements and strong earnings growth . The energy sector is cheap because it is prone to downturns, is capital intensive (which can strain corporate balance sheets), and because so many legacy companies in it are threatened by the clean energy transition and falling demand for fossil fuels and other products made from oil. But these risks are arguably already baked into the valuations of companies in the space. By investing in this ETF, investors can get some diversification of risk across the sector, and also collect a sizable amount of passive income while benefiting from the upside potential of higher oil and natural gas prices. Being mindful of market volatility No one can know for sure what the S&P 500 will do in the near term. But we do know that investing in quality companies at reasonable valuations has historically been a winning long-term strategy. At the time of this writing, the S&P 500 is up by more than 57% since the start of 2023, while growth-focused ETFs like the Vanguard Mega Cap Growth ETF have more than doubled during that period. The more extended the broader rally becomes, the more pressure is put on growth-driven companies to deliver exceptional results to justify their valuations. For example, last month, Nvidia stock sold off after the chipmaker reported its latest results -- even though it exceeded analysts' expectations and raised its guidance . I fully believe that top growth companies will continue to deliver excellent results and lead the earnings growth of major indexes like the S&P 500, but I could see the market responding to even solid results with less enthusiasm. In other words, the valuations of those companies have gotten a little ahead of themselves, and the businesses will need time for their metrics to catch up. The good news is that a company like Nvidia is delivering unbelievable earnings growth , and its stock price is following that earnings growth. Until that changes, calling Nvidia a bubble stock would be unfair. In the current environment, though, putting new capital to work in top funds that sport reasonable valuations -- funds like the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF, Vanguard S&P 500 Value ETF, and the Vanguard Energy ETF, for example -- seems like a winning strategy, especially for investors looking for investments that are likely to be less volatile than the major indexes if there is a stock market sell-off in 2025.
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Tyger Drew Honey 'upset' by taunts over porn star parentsSocial media and certain pundits may have “retired” Constitution Hill twice this autumn but Nicky Henderson’s outstanding seven-year-old proved he is still the one to beat by winning – and led his jockey to call out some who had got it so wrong. The pundit in the spotlight was former Cheltenham Gold Cup-winning jockey Paddy Brennan, who declared on Sky Sports Racing that: “I can’t see him [Constitution Hill] coming back to a peak. No, just no. I think it’s impossible to beat something like Lossiemouth the way things stand today.” That prediction was made to look foolish as guided his charge to a comprehensive victory, before the jockey made his point in blunt fashion. “He felt fantastic,” he said. “He’s going to improve an awful lot. There is still a bit of ring rustiness after a year or so. I think all the credit has to go to the guv’nor because that is some training performance. It’s been a long time coming and definitely worth the wait.” He paused and then added: “And one more thing. Paddy Brennan, you can shove that where the sun don’t shine!” That just underlined what a win this was for a horse who had not raced for exactly a year after a series of unfortunate events including a cough, mild colic, and a poor racecourse gallop at Newbury in November. Now, though, make no mistake – Constitution Hill is back sprinkling star dust over the two-mile hurdle division. His big rival, the Irish mare Lossiemouth, was getting a 7lb mares’ weight advantage and had the benefit of a previous start this season but her three previous starts were all over two-and-a-half miles and she seemed to find the strong pace set by Burdett Road plenty quick enough over the first half mile. Though Paul Townend professed afterwards to having never having been happy with her she warmed into it but never got closer to the popular winner than two-and-a-half lengths at the finish. Constitution Hill, however, had a good blow going to the last in the race and a long one afterwards and it would be very surprising if he did not improve a lot for his first run for a year. “He is him,” said an emotional Henderson, winning the race for the 13th time. “The great thing is that he’s back and, I think, very nearly as good as he was. Nico said he had a good blow going to the last and he was entitled to – they went a Grade one gallop in that. There should be a lot of improvement to come from that. “Everyone at home has played their part in the jigsaw of getting him back; it’s been entertaining. We’ve done a lot of things differently and some of it’s been a bit of a struggle but the last three weeks it’s been very good. The Newbury gallop wasn’t what we were hoping for but, in a way it may have helped. It forced us to miss the Fighting Fifth and get him ready for this. “I was preparing for defeat and hoping with normal improvement we could turn it round at Cheltenham. I’d like to see how he has taken the race before deciding if we go again before the Champion. I’d like to but if he says ‘no’ we’ll go straight there. Horses like him don’t come around very often, he’s seriously talented.” It was a former human rather than equine pupil of Henderson’s, Ben Pauling, who took the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novice Chase with The Jukebox Man, a first Grade One winner for jockey Bern Jones and owner Harry Redknapp. Greater character that he is, Redknapp really has a horse to go to war with now after The Jukebox Man beat Hyland a fairly untroubled two and a half lengths. Having had to deal with the six-year-old’s cracked heels, Pauling will now take The Jukebox Man straight to Cheltenham in March.The Trojans moved up three spots in the AP Top 25 after beating the then-No. 4 Huskies 72-70 on Saturday night in a rematch of last season's Elite Eight game that UConn won. "It feels great to get the dub always," USC star JuJu Watkins said after the victory. "I think it hit a little different knowing the history of last year and how they sent us home." This was the Trojans' first win ever over UConn. "This is a really significant win, and it's a really significant win because of the stature of UConn's program and what Geno Auriemma has done for our sport," USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb said. "It doesn't matter to me that they haven't won a championship in a couple years. There's still a way that they prepare, a way that they play, that makes you better, and it made us better." UCLA, South Carolina and Notre Dame remained the top three teams. The Bruins received 30 of the 32 first-place votes from a national media panel. The Gamecocks and the Fighting Irish each got one first-place vote. UConn fell to seventh behind Texas and LSU. Maryland, Oklahoma and Ohio State rounded out the top 10 teams. Duke dropped five spots to No. 14 after losing to South Florida on Saturday. The Blue Devils' other two losses this season were to Maryland and South Carolina. The Bulls are 7-6 on the season, with four of those losses coming against ranked opponents (UConn, Louisville, TCU and South Carolina). Alabama jumped back into the poll at No. 20 two weeks after falling out. The Crimson Tide had an impressive 82-67 victory over Michigan State, handing the Spartans their first loss of the season. It was Alabama's first victory over a ranked opponent this year. The Southeastern Conference has eight teams in the poll this week with Alabama's return. The Big Ten is next with seven. The ACC has six while the Big 12 has three and the Big East one. No. 23 Michigan at No. 4 USC, Sunday. The Wolverines start Big Ten play with a trip to Los Angeles to face the Trojans on Sunday and then the Bruins a few days later. Coach Kim Barnes Arico's young team is off to a 10-2 start.Good news for Anil Ambani! One of his companies pays outstanding interest of Rs 1310745780
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks wavered in afternoon trading on Wall Street Monday at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.4%. A handful of technology companies helped support the gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 63 points, or 0.2% as of 1:18 p.m. Eastern time. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite rose 0.7%. Semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, rose 3%. Broadcom jumped 5.2% to also help support the broader market. Japanese automakers Honda Motor and Nissan said they are talking about combining in a deal that might also include Mitsubishi Motors. Honda rose 3.8% and Nissan rose 1.6% in Tokyo. Eli Lilly rose 3% after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first and only prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Department store Nordstrom fell 1.7% after it agreed to be taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. The Conference Board said that consumer confidence slipped in December. Its consumer confidence index fell back to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Wall Street was expecting a reading of 113.8. The unexpectedly weak consumer confidence update follows several generally strong economic reports last week. One report showed the overall economy grew at a 3.1% annualized rate during the summer, faster than earlier thought. The latest report on unemployment benefit applications showed that the job market remains solid. A report on Friday said a measure of inflation the Federal Reserve likes to use was slightly lower last month than economists expected. Worries about inflation edging higher again had been weighing on Wall Street and the Fed. The central bank just delivered its third cut to interest rates this year, but inflation has been hovering stubbornly above its target of 2%. It has signaled that it could deliver fewer cuts to interest rates next year than it earlier anticipated because of concerns over inflation. Expectations for more interest rate cuts have helped drive a 24% gain for the S&P 500 in 2024. That drive included 57 all-time highs this year. Inflation concerns have added to uncertainties heading into 2025, which include the labor market's path ahead and shifting economic policies under an incoming President Donald Trump. "Put simply, much of the strong market performance prior to last week was driven by expectations that a best-case scenario was the base case for 2025," said Brent Schutte, chief investment officer at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company Treasury yields edged higher in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.58% from 4.53% late Friday. European markets were mostly lower, while markets in Asia gained ground. Wall Street has several other economic reports to look forward to this week. On Tuesday, the U.S. will release its November report for sales of newly constructed homes. A weekly update on unemployment benefits is expected on Thursday. Markets in the U.S. will close early on Tuesday for Christmas Eve and will remain closed on Wednesday for Christmas.Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save TRENTON — Debra White, the state’s new “homelessness czar,” has been on the job since September, but Tuesday state officials announced the “first-ever coordinated resource effort with the City of Atlantic City, nonprofit organizations, and healthcare providers is underway.” The plan is to end chronic homelessness through collaboration, enhanced services and housing over the next three years, the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs said in a news release. “Atlantic City faces distinct challenges in addressing homelessness, including seasonal employment that affects housing stability and a concentration of social services that attract people in need from across the region,” Gov. Phil Murphy said in the release. White, of Atlantic City, was hired at a salary of $110,000, a state spokesperson has said. She has a master’s degree in business administration from Rosemont College and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from LaSalle University. Ocean City group has no shortage of ideas for area near Gillian's Wonderland Contractors continue to remove rides at former Gillian's Wonderland site in Ocean City 'Great Day Express' takes its maiden voyage to Big SNOW at American Dream Mall Body found in fridge in Belleplain State Forest 'He was one of a kind': Ex-Beach Haven lifeguard chief recalls officer killed in North Carolina shooting DEEM says financing ready to start Bader Field development in Atlantic City Long Beach Island fire damages multimillion-dollar bayfront home Atlantic City police officer accused of assaulting, pointing gun at wife Lower Township man charged with possession of child porn New Jersey 'homelessness czar' at work in Atlantic City, DCA says 2 Wildwood men accused of sexually assaulting juveniles The heartbeat of Atlantic City: How Midtown is redefining its future Who are The Press' 2024 High School Football All-Stars? Who are The Press' football Player, Team and Coach of the Year? Mays Landing's Level Up comic and video game shop to close after 18 years Her previous job was director of business services for the Chelsea Economic Development Corp., a nonprofit that works to improve the quality of life in the Chelsea neighborhood of the city. “We can get to a point where we’re either preventing homelessness before it occurs or addressing it so quickly that a person’s homelessness is very brief and nonrecurring,” DCA Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez said in the release. Suarez said White will use real-time data tracking, stakeholder engagement and partnership, and a “laser focus” to find solutions to homelessness. Others joining the effort include Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey, AtlantiCare, Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties, and the Atlantic County Continuum of Care. Atlantic City is getting some help addressing homelessness — a tough problem that has persisted for decades in spite of the efforts of dozens of nonprofits and government agencies. Mayor Marty Small Sr. said the city has been working hard to address homelessness, and has made some strides, but looks forward to this partnership with the DCA and others. In 2023, the city and its Boardwalk Improvement Group began efforts to make visitors and residents feel safer on the Boardwalk. That effort included starting a homeless outreach initiative that sends social workers out daily to engage with the unhoused. BIG was started by the city, state and Casino Association of New Jersey, Small said at an October 2023 news conference. “We hired 10 full-time people and a plethora of trucks and other equipment to give us the tools (to succeed),” Small said as he stood on a section of Tennessee Avenue between Atlantic and Pacific avenues during the news conference. It’s an area frequented by folks who loiter and panhandle, Small said. “These people are not ‘Atlantic City homeless.’ These people just happen to be in Atlantic City,” Small said at the time. “I say it all the time, it’s Greyhound therapy.” That’s a term used to describe other municipalities sending their neediest to Atlantic City on buses for help. Keeping the Atlantic City Boardwalk safe and clean is a 24/7 job, and now city workers have a Boardwalk Improvement Group behind them whose work is in full swing, Mayor Marty Small Sr. said during a Monday news conference. “Why? Because we have supreme social services,” Small said. About 3 in 10 people contacted by city workers actually want to be helped, said Kenneth Mitchem, city director of community services. The others decline services. The effort is funded by Clean and Safe funds, part of the amended casino payment-in-lieu-of-taxes bill, Small said. A July news conference updated the public on what the city was doing to address safety on the Boardwalk after a series of damaging fires there, some of which were started by homeless encampments. “We’ve brought all the departments of the city together,” Fire Chief and Emergency Management Coordinator Scott Evans said at the time. “The first time — I’ve been here 37 years — in my memory that we have every single department and outside agencies together working from a single playbook.” The fires were threatening the Boardwalk’s future as the city was embarking on a $26 million Boardwalk rebuilding project. City workers were not only clearing homeless encampments from under the historic structure, they also were clearing encampments citywide, and encouraging those living in them to accept help, officials said then. The news conference started at New Jersey Avenue and the Boardwalk, between the Ocean and Hard Rock casinos, where public works employees routinely clear up encampments and Health and Human Services employees and police regularly engage with the homeless. As Atlantic City continues to deal with homeless people living under and around its iconic Boardwalk, the mayor says the new Boardwalk Improvement Group has been working since early this year to make visitors and residents feel safe there. Watching the news conference was “AC Batman” Curtis Douglass Bordley, who said he chooses to be homeless in the summer in Atlantic City, where he dresses as Batman and accepts donations from people in exchange for photos. “I’ve had life-and-death encounters,” Bradley said of being attacked while on the street. “I’ve had my jaw wired, been hit in the head with a bike lock.” But he said he now sleeps where there are cameras and he feels safer. White REPORTER: Michelle Brunetti Post 609-841-2895 mpost@pressofac.com 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. Staff Writer Author twitter Author email {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
FBI Director Wray walked a tightrope with Trump. Here’s how it went wrongFederal appeals court upholds law requiring sale or ban of TikTok in the US A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok as soon as next month, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ruled that the law - which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — is constitutional, rebuffing TikTok’s challenge that the statute ran afoul of the First Amendment and unfairly targeted the platform. TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court. US added a strong 227,000 jobs in November in bounce-back from October slowdown WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s job market rebounded in November, adding 227,000 workers in a solid recovery from the previous month, when the effects of strikes and hurricanes had sharply diminished employers’ payrolls. Last month’s hiring growth was up considerably from a meager gain of 36,000 jobs in October. The government also revised up its estimate of job growth in September and October by a combined 56,000. Friday’s report also showed that the unemployment rate ticked up from 4.1% in October to a still-low 4.2%. The November data provided the latest evidence that the U.S. job market remains durable even though it has lost significant momentum from the 2021-2023 hiring boom, when the economy was rebounding from the pandemic recession. Stock market today: Wall Street hits more records following a just-right jobs report NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks rose to records after data suggested the job market remains solid enough to keep the economy going, but not so strong that it raises immediate worries about inflation. The S&P 500 climbed 0.2%, just enough top the all-time high set on Wednesday, as it closed a third straight winning week in what looks to be one of its best years since the 2000 dot-com bust. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dipped 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite climbed 0.8% to set its own record. Treasury yields eased after the jobs report showed stronger hiring than expected but also an uptick in the unemployment rate. Killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO spotlights complex challenge companies face in protecting top brass NEW YORK (AP) — In an era when online anger and social tensions are increasingly directed at the businesses consumers count on, Meta last year spent $24.4 million to surround CEO Mark Zuckerberg with security. But the fatal shooting this week of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson while walking alone on a New York City sidewalk has put a spotlight on the widely varied approaches companies take to protect their leaders against threats. And experts say the task of evaluating threats against executives and taking action to protect them is getting more difficult. One of the primary worries are loners whose rantings online are fed by others who are like-minded. It’s up to corporate security analysts to decide what represents a real threat. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. USDA orders nationwide testing of milk for bird flu to halt the virus The U.S. government has ordered testing of the nation’s milk supply for bird flu to better monitor the spread of the virus in dairy cows. The Agriculture Department on Friday said raw or unpasteurized milk from dairy farms and processors nationwide must be tested on request starting Dec. 16. Testing will begin in six states — California, Colorado, Michigan, Mississippi, Oregon and Pennsylvania. The move is aimed at eliminating the virus, which has infected more than 700 dairy herds in 15 states. Words on ammo in CEO shooting echo common phrase on insurer tactics: Delay, deny, defend A message left at the scene of an insurance executive’s fatal shooting echoes a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims. The words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” were written on the ammunition used to kill UnitedHealthcare's CEO. That's according to two officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Thursday. The words are similar to the phrase “delay, deny, defend.” That's how attorneys describe insurers denying services and payment, and the title of a 2010 book critical of the industry. Police haven’t officially commented on the words. But Thompson’s shooting and the messages on the ammunition have sparked outrage on social media and elsewhere, reflecting frustration Americans have over the cost and complexity of getting care. Michigan Democrats move to protect reproductive health data before GOP takes control of House LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Democrats in Michigan are pressing to pass reproductive health care legislation before the party loses its majority with the new legislative session next year. A bill to protect digital reproductive health data including data logged on menstrual cycle tracking apps is a Democratic priority as lawmakers meet this month. Democratic women and supporters of the legislation say they are acting with new urgency before President-elect Donald Trump takes office because they don't believe his campaign promise to leave abortion to the states. The rush is also a reaction to Republicans taking control of the state House in January. Democrats kept control of the state Senate in the November election. Japan's Nippon Steel sets sights on a growing overseas market in its bid to acquire US Steel KASHIMA, Japan (AP) — The signs at Nippon Steel read: “The world through steel,” underlining why Japan’s top steelmaker is pursuing its $15 billion bid to acquire U.S. Steel. Japan's domestic market isn't growing, so Nippon Steel has its eyes on India, Southeast Asia and the United States, where populations are still growing. Nippon Steel gave reporters a tour of one of its plants in Japan on Friday. The bid for U.S. Steet is opposed by President-elect Donald Trump, President Joe Biden and American steelworkers. If the deal goes through, U.S. Steel will keep its name and its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, but become subsidiary of Nippon Steel. China's ban on key high-tech materials could have broad impact on industries, economy BANGKOK (AP) — China has banned exports of key materials used for a wide range of products, including smartphones, electric vehicles, radar systems and CT scanners, swiping back at Washington after it expanded export controls to include dozens of Chinese companies that make equipment used to produce computer chips. Both sides say the controls are justified by national security concerns. Analysts say they could have a much wider impact on manufacturing in many industries and supply chains, depending on the ability of each side to compensate for loss of access to strategically important materials, equipment and components. Here's why this could be a tipping point in trade conflict between the two biggest economies.
One Nation One Election: ‘It Should Not Be Similar To What Happened With Article 370 In 2019’ Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday spoke on the ‘One Nation, One Election’ and said it should not be similar to what happened with Article 370., Speaking to news agency, Abdullah said “It has not come before the Parliament yet. It will be debated in the House. The debate should be open; it should not be similar to what happened with Article 370 in 2019. it should be discussed openly. As far as the National Conference is concerned, we will sit and form an opinion on it and tell our MPS how to vote.” The Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet’s approval of the One Nation, One Election (ONOE) Bill has sparked controversy across India’s political spectrum. Described by the BJP as a revolutionary step towards streamlining governance and boosting development, the proposal has been fiercely opposed by Opposition parties, which argue it undermines federalism and concentrates power in the hands of the centre. The Bill aims to synchronise elections for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies, and local bodies and is expected to be tabled in the Parliament during the ongoing winter session. While the BJP and its allies are pushing the idea as a significant reform, the Congress and other regional parties, have branded it as “anti-democratic” and a threat to India’s diverse political fabric. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had already articulated his party’s strong disapproval in January 2024, describing the concept as “anti-democratic.” The party’s deputy leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, accused the BJP of using the Bill to divert attention from critical issues. “There are many concerns among the INDIA bloc about the impact on the federal character of our country through this Bill,” Gogoi said, adding, “PM Modi has not walked the talk...he does Haryana and Maharashtra elections separately. He does Gujarat elections separately.” TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee minced no words, calling the legislation a “draconian” attack on democracy. “Bengal will NEVER bow to Delhi’s dictatorial whims,” she declared. Her colleague Kunal Ghosh echoed her sentiment, raising doubts about the practicality of the move. “Who will give the guarantee that after voting once, a government will last for its full term, i.e., 5 years?” Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin launched a scathing attack on the Bill, labelling it “impractical” and “anti-democratic.” He warned that it would erase regional voices and disrupt governance. “Let’s resist this attack on Indian Democracy with all our strength!” Stalin wrote on X.Judges say Namibian opposition parties can inspect election materials( MENAFN - GetNews) Dubai - 13 December, 2024 - The recent unveiling of Google's 'Willow' quantum chip has ignited significant discussion throughout the ecosystem, sparking urgent questions about its implications for blockchain security. Leaders are in a unique position of responsibility to understand where we are in this rapidly evolving landscape and determine the necessary steps to address this formidable threat. As the unveiling of Willow triggered liquidations exceeding $1.7 billion , the industry is reeling from the real-world impact of heightened fears of future vulnerabilities. The question is no longer if quantum computing will disrupt blockchain security but when. In this moment of unknowing, where panic is growing, Quranium steps forward to shed light with the release of its previously unreleased Enterprise Quantum Readiness Survey . The survey, which was conducted among nearly 100 CTOs and IT executives from large global organisations across various sectors - reveals a critical gap: while 75% of organizations acknowledge the disruptive potential of quantum computing, 60% have yet to begin concrete preparations. This lack of readiness amplifies the urgency of action, especially as quantum technology rapidly transitions from theoretical to practical applications. A New Era of Risk The Willow chip's 105-qubit power demonstrates quantum computing's potential to render current cryptographic systems obsolete. Kapil Dhiman, CEO of Quranium, stresses the immediacy of the challenge: “Quantum computing will redefine digital security. Algorithms that have protected data for decades are now at risk, and industries must act quickly to build resilient systems that withstand this quantum disruption.” This warning is echoed in reports from leading organizations like NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology), which predict the deprecation of critical encryption algorithms by 2030, alongside warnings about“harvest now, decrypt later” threats - where encrypted data is collected today for decryption in the quantum future. Survey Highlights: The State of Quantum Readiness Quranium's survey reveals critical insights into the state of enterprise quantum preparedness: What's Next? Bridging the Readiness Gap The quantum era is no longer a distant future-it is unfolding now. Quranium's Enterprise Quantum Readiness Survey highlights the urgent need for industries to shift from awareness to action. This isn't just a call for individual organizations to prepare but for the industry to unite under a cohesive strategy for resilience. DeQUIP (Decentralized Quantum-Uncrackable Infrastructure Protocol) represents a new market sector coined by Kapil Dhiman, CEO of Quranium. It serves as an industry standard that the ecosystem can join to collectively secure the decentralized world. Designed to safeguard decentralized systems against quantum threats, DeQUIP sets the standard for securing the digital future. Kapil Dhiman adds: “The industry must move beyond exploration and into execution. Quantum resilience isn't just about responding to a threat-it's about seizing the opportunity to redefine trust, security, and innovation in the digital age.” A Collective Call to Action The findings of the Enterprise Quantum Readiness Survey are a wake-up call for industries worldwide. With quantum computing already reshaping the technological landscape, the time to act is now. Organizations must assess their readiness, collaborate on solutions, and adopt quantum-resistant technologies to ensure their systems can withstand the quantum revolution. Quranium invites enterprises, policymakers, and innovators to join the movement toward a secure digital future. By aligning with standards like DeQUIP, we can collectively build a foundation that safeguards against the risks and harnesses the potential of quantum computing. For Further Details and Partnership Inquiries, Please Contact: Claire Cairns Mimi Ashmead-Bartlett Email: ... / ... About Quranium: Quranium is the quantum-uncrackable Layer 1 blockchain foundation for the future. Our decentralized ledger technology (DLT) infrastructure acts as a seamless, scalable bridge between Web2 and Web3, enabling digital adoption without compromising security. At the forefront of the ground-breaking new market sector known as DeQUIP (Decentralized Quantum-Uncrackable Infrastructure Protocol), Quranium is setting the benchmark for progress, redefining security in an ever-evolving digital landscape. We safeguard today's data while fortifying against the threats of tomorrow. Visit: Follow Quranium on Social Media: Together, let's shape a future where security, resilience, and decentralization are not just promises-they're the foundation. Join Quranium, be uncrackable. MENAFN13122024003238003268ID1108992010 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Lil Wayne, GloRilla, Camila Cabello to perform at College Football National Championship
Scottish international Adams scores long-range stunner in Serie A win for TorinoKari Dziedzic, former Minnesota Senate majority leader, dies at 62Syrian insurgents reach the capital's suburbs. Worried residents flee and stock up on supplies BEIRUT (AP) — Insurgents’ stunning march across Syria is gaining speed with news that they have reached the suburbs of the capital of Damascus. The government on Saturday was forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad had fled the country. The rebels’ moves around Damascus were reported by an opposition war monitor and a rebel commander. They came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were among the largest in recent years by opposition factions. The factions are by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. An archbishop's knock formally restores Notre Dame to life as winds howl and heads of state look on PARIS (AP) — France’s iconic Notre Dame Cathedral has formally reopened its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019. The five-year restoration is widely seen as a boost for French President Emmanuel Macron, who championed the ambitious timeline, and brings a welcome respite from his domestic political woes. World leaders, dignitaries, and worshippers gathered on Saturday evening for the celebrations under the cathedral's soaring arches. The celebration was attended by 1,500 dignitaries, including President-elect Donald Trump, Britain’s Prince William, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. For Catholics, Notre Dame’s rector said the cathedral “carries the enveloping presence of the Virgin Mary, a maternal and embracing presence.′′ Trump is welcomed by Macron to Paris with presidential pomp and joined by Zelenskyy for their talks PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has welcomed Donald Trump to Paris with a full dose of presidential pomp. And they held a hastically-arranged meeting with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy on a day that's mixing pageantry with attention to pressing global problems. The president-elect's visit to France is part of a global a celebration of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral five years after a devastating fire. Macron and other European leaders are trying to win Trump’s favor and persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine in its defense against Russia’s invasion. Trump isn't back in office but he's already pushing his agenda and negotiating with world leaders NEW YORK (AP) — Donald Trump is making threats, traveling abroad, and negotiating with world leaders. He has more than a month-and-a-half to go before he’s sworn in for a second term. But the president-elect is already moving aggressively to not only fill his Cabinet and outline policy goals, but also to try to achieve his priorities. In recent days, Trump has threatened to impose a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico, two of the country’s largest trading partners. That led to emergency calls and a visit. And he's warned of “ALL HELL TO PAY” if Hamas doesn't release the hostages still being held captive in Gaza. South Korea's president avoids an impeachment attempt over short-lived martial law SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol has avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him over his short-lived imposition of martial law. Most of Yoon's ruling party lawmakers boycotted a parliamentary vote Saturday to deny a two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The scrapping of the motion is expected to intensify protests calling for Yoon’s ouster and deepen political chaos in South Korea. A survey suggests a majority of South Koreans support the president’s impeachment. Yoon’s martial law declaration drew criticism from his own ruling conservative People Power Party. But the party also apparently fears losing the presidency to liberals. Days after gunman killed UnitedHealthcare's CEO, police push to ID him and FBI offers reward NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly four days after the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police still do not know the gunman’s name or whereabouts or have a motive for the killing. But they have made some progress in their investigation into Wednesday's killing of the leader of the largest U.S. health insurer, including that the gunman likely left New York City on a bus soon after fleeing the scene. The also found that the gunman left something behind: a backpack that was discovered in Central Park. Police are working with the FBI, which on Friday night announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. UnitedHealthcare CEO's shooting opens a door for many to vent frustrations over insurance The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's CEO has opened the door for many people to vent their frustrations and anger over the insurance industry. The feelings of exasperation, anger, resentment, and helplessness toward insurers aren’t new. But the shooting and the headlines around it have unleashed a new wave of patients sharing such sentiments and personal stories of interactions with insurance companies. Conversations at dinner tables, office water coolers, social gatherings and on social media have pivoted to the topic. Many say they hope the new amplified voices can bring about change for companies often accused of valuing profits over people. 2 Pearl Harbor survivors, ages 104 and 102, return to Hawaii to honor those killed in 1941 attack PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (AP) — The bombing of Pearl Harbor 83 years ago launched the United States into World War II. Two survivors returned to the Hawaii military base on Saturday for a remembrance ceremony on the attack's anniversary. Both are over 100 years old. They joined active-duty troops, veterans and members of the public for an observance hosted by the Navy and the National Park Service. A third survivor was planning to join them but had to cancel due to health issues. The bombing killed more than 2,300 U.S. servicemen. An explosion destroys an apartment block in a Dutch city, killing at least 3 and injuring others THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An explosion and fire has rocked a neighborhood in the Dutch city of The Hague, killing three people and injuring other people and destroying several apartments. The cause of the disaster is unclear. Emergency authorities said four people were rescued from the rubble and taken to the hospital. The mayor said rescuers were no longer looking for survivors but for eventual bodies, but could not specify how many people might still be unaccounted for. Residents of the northeastern neighborhood of Mariahoeve in The Hague heard a huge bang and screams before dawn. Dutch authorities have deployed a specialized urban search and rescue team to find victims. How 'Mufasa' rose with Aaron Pierre and Blue Ivy's voices along with new Lin-Manuel Miranda music SAN DIEGO (AP) — When Aaron Pierre was cast as Mufasa, the weight of following in the late James Earl Jones’ legendary footsteps was enough to rattle any actor. But instead of letting the pressure roar too loudly, he harnessed his nerves to breathe fresh life into his young lion character. Pierre found parallels between himself and his character while filming his leading role in “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which opens in theaters Dec. 20. He took the reigns as the new voice of Mufasa after Jones played the iconic King Mufasa in both the 1994 and 2019 versions of Disney’s “The Lion King.” The prequel offers a fresh exploration into Mufasa’s origin story.
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