9 holiday gifts to hit the right note for music loversFarage willing to work with Lord Mandelson to secure Trump trade deal
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Influential investor Scott Bessent is poised to be named U.S. Treasury Secretary as part of President-elect Donald Trump's incoming administration, according to sources familiar with the transition talks. Despite the Trump transition team's silence, the choice has sparked widespread discourse among economists and financial strategists. Quoted by multiple industry leaders, Bessent is lauded for his comprehensive market knowledge. His stance on maintaining less aggressive tariffs resonates with fiscal forecasts, potentially easing drastic trade changes. Wall Street veteran John Paulson called Bessent an 'outstanding pick,' recognizing his potential to align with Trump's economic plans. While some express concerns over regulatory adjustments, figures like Lindsey Johnson commend Bessent's deregulatory intentions, proclaiming them beneficial for small businesses and the broader economy. His expected role suggests a likelihood of tempered financial strategies in an evolving economic landscape. (With inputs from agencies.)
OAKLAND — For Cecilia Schonian, one of the hardest parts of living in her car was simply finding a place to park. She learned to avoid malls and shopping centers, where security guards quickly rousted alleged loiterers. Instead, she sought out the well-lit parking lots of hotels and motels across the East Bay. Once there, she’d peer out of her windows with a dash of envy at people sleeping indoors just feet away. “It’s depressing — you know that whoever is sleeping in those rooms are comfy, they’re showered and they’re clean,” Schonian said. “But it was just what I needed to do at the time. And I got through it.” The turning point came when Schonian, 37, walked through the front doors of Swords to Plowshares , an organization with 50 years of experience helping homeless and impoverished military veterans such as herself. Nearly a year after first visiting the nonprofit, she now lives in her own apartment and works at the front desk of the organization’s Oakland Service Center. Through the East Bay Times’ Share the Spirit campaign, which helps the neediest in our communities, Swords to Plowshares is hoping to raise $35,000 to help boost that center, which provides a wealth of services for military veterans. It’s the same place that Schonian visited in October 2023, after finding the nonprofit through a simple Google search. After tapping out the words “rental assistance for veterans around me,” she followed one of the first links to appear on her phone to discover the organization’s drop-in center located in Oakland’s Jack London Square. Upon her arrival, Schonian felt near-immediate relief. She could tell that the years of turmoil that plagued the past decade of her life — her struggles with homelessness, unemployment and alcoholism — were nearing an end. “It just felt like I was at home,” said Schonian, who served for five years in the Air Force as an active-duty airman, as well as another two years in the Air Force Reserves, before leaving the service with untreated post-traumatic stress. “I had people that understood me and cared about me, that weren’t going to judge me off of whatever was happening in my life at that time.” Swords to Plowshares traces its roots back to 1974, when Vietnam War veterans in San Francisco began searching for a way to help their fellow soldiers struggling with high rates of unemployment, homelessness and substance abuse. Their initial answer came in the form of a drop-in center, one specializing in providing legal support to people filing medical claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Over the next 50 years, the nonprofit expanded its services exponentially. Just last year, the nonprofit helped more than 3,100 military veterans, more than a third of whom were new to the organization, according to its 2023 annual report. Nearly 45% of those people had been homeless when they sought help, having spent an average of more than three years without a permanent indoor place to live. Many of those people were placed into one of the nonprofit’s 500 housing units that it operates across the Bay Area, while others were offered rental assistance. The nonprofit also helped connect veterans to mental health care, doled out more than 100,000 meals and distributed nearly 1,000 gun locks to help stem the tide of suicides among former military service members. “A lot of this growth is based on the needs of veterans and seeing what the gaps in care and services are, and making sure that there was the entity that was culturally able to provide the care and services that veterans needed and to advocate on their behalf,” Tramecia Garner, the nonprofit’s executive director, said. About 20 years ago, the nonprofit expanded its work across the Bay Bridge into the East Bay, where it opened a center at 330 Franklin St. in downtown Oakland. It’s an outlet that helps about 500 East Bay veterans every year with housing vouchers, food handouts, gas vouchers, hygiene kits and holiday backpacks. These days, Schonian is tasked with greeting most every person to walk through the center’s front doors. On a recent Thursday afternoon, Schonian handed out gourmet turkey breast sandwiches from Salt & Honey to a handful of visitors, then she sat down to enroll a man in a popular supportive housing program. She didn’t even try to convince the man to go to a crowded shelter — a place that he flat-out refused to visit. Rather, Schonian convinced him to apply for an apartment of his own. All the while, Schonian spoke with an air of credibility that newcomers to the nonprofit respond to, said James Thomas, 80. He described routinely visiting the nonprofit over the past decade for help with paying rent, keeping his wardrobe stocked or meeting the month’s bills. “You can feel that she’s caring about the individuals she’s talking to,” said Thomas, who stopped by this time for help with his water bill. “Her emotions come from the heart.” For Schonian, the goal is to help other military veterans escape that same cycle of homelessness that led her to the nonprofit’s front doors last year. “I was meant to go through everything that I went through for a reason,” Schonian said. “Now I get to celebrate those victories with them.” THE SHARE THE SPIRIT SERIES Share the Spirit is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operated by the East Bay Times, The Mercury News and Bay Area News Group that provides relief, hope and opportunities for East Bay residents by raising money for nonprofit programs in Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. WISH Donations will support Swords to Plowshares ’ Oakland Service Center, which provides direct services for 500 East Bay veterans annually. Funding will help meet 100 veterans’ basic needs by providing emergency housing, food and gas vouchers, hygiene kits, and holiday backpacks. Goal: $35,000 HOW TO GIVE Go to sharethespiriteastbay.org/donate or print and mail in this form . LEARN MORE Find additional stories at sharethespiriteastbay.org .
Five-star center Chris Cenac Jr. commits to HoustonThe game at Pittodrie looked to be heading towards stalemate, a result that would have done little to revive the home side's faltering title hopes after collecting just two points from their previous three games. But the champions ensured they pulled further clear at the top when in the 83rd minute Greg Taylor picked out the run of Hatate with a fine ball, giving the Japan international room to pick his spot and roll a finish into the corner. Rangers moved to within four points of the Dons with a 6-0 hammering of Kilmarnock at Ibrox. James Tavernier opened the scoring after 37 minutes, sliding in at the far post to turn home Ianis Hagi's wonderful cross. It was relief for the hosts to go in ahead after a tight first half but thereafter the floodgates opened as Philippe Clement's side hit five goals in 24 minutes after the break. Danilo turned home another fine cross from Hagi before Hamza Igamane rifled in the hosts' third soon after. Vaclav Cerny got on the scoresheet and Cyriel Dessers bundled in a fifth from Jefte's cross, before getting his 12th goal of the season and his team's sixth on the night from the penalty spot. Dundee moved into the top half of the table as three goals in seven second-half minutes helped them to a 4-1 win over Dundee. Oluwaseun Adewumi opened the scoring after 14 minutes for the home side before Apostolos Stamatelopoulos hit back to level for Motherwell. But the game was ended as a contest by a flurry of Dundee goals midway through the second half. Scott Tiffoney scored on the hour mark to restore the lead then Lyall Cameron netted a brace to seal a comfortable win and send his team up to fifth.Consideredamong the hottest young prospects in world tennis, thesuper-talented trio of Jakub Mensik, Flavio Cobolli andGiovanni Mpetshi-Perricard, are heading to Auckland forJanuary’s ASB Classic. Mensik (Czechia), at 19years, is the world’s highest ranked teenager, alreadyinside the ATP Top-50 in his first season on theTour. Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, 22, jumped more than70 spots in 2024 to be 32nd in the world rankings with someimpressive scalps to his credit thisyear. Mpetshi-Perricard (France) (pronouncedEm-pet-shi Perry-car) is one of only four players in theworld aged 21 years or younger ranked in the top 30 on theATP rankings. The young guns ranked above him compriseFrenchman Arthur Fils, who competed at the ASB Classic thisyear, Dane Holger Rune and world No 2 CarlosAlcaraz. ASB Classic Tournament Director, NicolasLamperin said the tournament continues to be well receivedto start the new season in the run-up to the first major inAustralia. “The entries of Jakub, Giovanni andFlavio fit ideally with the ASB Classic’s push to attracttomorrow’s superstars today,” saidLamperin. Teenager Mensik, at just 19years, has already pushed his way to No 48 in the world andthis year became the first player born 2005 or later toreach an ATP Final, after beginning the year ranked No167. The former World No 2 junior, who turnedprofessional in 2022, has enjoyed a remarkable 2024 season.This year in ATP Tour events, he was runner-up in Doha,reached the semifinals in Umag, and the quarterfinals inMallorca, Vienna and Shanghai, where he lost to NovakDjokovic. “Reaching the final rounds of ATP events,finishing top 50 in the world, and competing in the ParisOlympic Games were absolute dreams come true, giving me muchmotivation for what’s next,” said Mensik. “Whata hell of a season it was. Absolutely incredible year with alot of amazing experiences, memories, fights, struggles,emotions and love, some real highs and lows yes, but theending string is something I’m taking with me into nextyear.” Mpetshi-Perricard is a product of the Frenchdevelopment system, joining the programme at 12 years from asporting background, with a father a former footballer andsister a basketballer of note. The 21-year-old hasemerged quickly on the ATP Tour, breaking into the top-100in May and pushing to No 30 at years-end. This followed hisoutstanding ATP Tour 500 victory in Basel, Switzerland, withvictory over ASB Classic semifinalist Ben Shelton in thefinal. His other tournament conquests included wins overFelix Auger-Aliassime, Denis Shapovalov and HolgerRune. His first ATP title came in Lyon this year. Healso won three Challengers in Nottingham, Morelos, andAcapulco. Giovanni made it to the round of 16 at Wimbledon,where he became the first Lucky Loser to reach the fourthround since 1995. Mpetshi-Perricard packs a commandingfigure and big game to match his 2.03m frame. Tojuxtapose his frame and power is Flavio Cobolli, 22, whopossesses wonderful skills and touch as would be expectedfrom an Italian who loves the clay surface, and who’s herois the magician Fabio Fognini. Starting the yearoutside the top 100, he is now at No. 32. Cobolli, who iscoached by his father, accounted for Ben Shelton twice thisyear, on his way to the semifinal at Geneva and runner-up inWashington. He made the quarterfinals at Montpellier, DelrayBeach (losing to Tiafoe), Eastbourne and Beijing and thethird round at the Madrid Masters, Australian Open,Cincinnati Masters, US Open and Shanghai Masters (losing toNovak Djokovic). “Since I was young, I told myselfthat I was good at tennis and can do well in this sport.Stay calm, take your time and be patient, because theresults will come,” Cobolli said. “This year, theresults came, so I’m happy,” he said with 31 of his 37ATP career wins earned in 2024. He also soaked upbeing the alternate for Team Europe in the Laver Cup,rubbing shoulders with his heroes. “I learned a lotfrom the guys. They are amazing. They are reallyprofessional, and they never miss a thing,” he said.“They spend a lot of time recovering their bodies. All thetraining sessions are 100 per cent. At the beginning of theyear, it wasn’t like this for me. I did 70 or 80 per cent,I ate McDonald's. Now it has changed after I watched them. Ichanged it.” ASB Classic Tournament Director,Nicolas Lamperin said he was thrilled to secure some of thesport’s most celebrated rising stars toAuckland. “We are very excited to attract this trioof world-class young players, who are turning the game onits head with their exciting play and their breakthroughperformances,” said Lamperin. “Our tournament hasa reputation as an excellent platform where rising youngplayers can emerge, and I believe these young men fit thatgroup and we are excited to host them.” The WTAwomen’s tournament at the ASB Classic gets underway on 30December followed by the ATP men’s tournament from 6January 2025. Featuring insider accessand exclusive news, have alsolaunched , giving membersspecial benefits and offers to make their tournamentexperience even more memorable. includes VIP offers, upgrades, promotions,plus up-to-date news and draw information. Fans can accessClassic Club membership for free at https://asbclassic.flicket.co.nz/. The ASB Tennis Classic runs fromDecember 30th 2024, to January 11th 2025. Tickets are onsale now. The event will kick off with the Women’sTournament from December 30 to January 5, followed by theMen’s Tournament from January 6 - 11, 2025. The 2024 eventbroke records across the board, with unparalleled ticketsales, broadcast numbers, sponsorship sales and money raisedfor Youthline. The Serve will return, featuring all theoff-court action full of NZ’s best entertainment, food andbeverage offerings.
Music fans should be easy to shop for this holiday season, right? Wrong! What do you pick up for the friend who knew about that rapper months before the rest of the world? What about the audiophile, whose listening habits are particular and immovable? Your sister loves Taylor Swift, but surely she already owns everything the pop star has ever released, right? Here's a gift guide for the audio lover in your life — from a can't-miss box set for the Elvis Costello obsessive to a set of wine glasses that will be music to everyone's ears. Play it by ... wine Major Scale Musical Wine Glasses Chances are, you've seen someone play water glasses before — rubbing the rim of a glass with a finger can produce musical notes, which change depending on how full the glass is. Uncommon Goods has taken the idea a step further: What if, instead of water glasses, you used wine? And what if there was a way to determine which notes could be produced, by marking each glass like a measuring cup? Well, that's exactly what they did. Compose a symphony of one with these wine glasses. $68 People are also reading... Clear the way Herschel Classic Crossbody Clear bag A recent trend in venue security is the clear-bag policy. The goal is to streamline bag checks upon entry, making the process safer and faster. If you're looking for a great gift for a loved one who plans their life around stadium and arena shows, look no further. The clear bag is an alternative to shoving everything in your pockets and clutching your smartphone to your palm. Herschel has a few reasonably priced bags that are practical, stylish and will meet most venue guidelines. $35 Elvis Costello has entered the building “King Of America & Other Realms” by Elvis Costello A new six-disc Elvis Costello box set, " King Of America & Other Realms ," has what you'd expect from a revisit to Costello's 1986 "King of America" album — a remastered version of the original, demos of most songs, a live concert from the era, even some newly recorded takes. The "Other Realms" is what sets it apart. Building on the original album's roots-based theme, half of the set explores other Costello recording adventures in the United States — many from the 2000s — with alternate versions and previously unreleased tracks. Inventive and full of buried treasures, the box is an enriching look back — and a great gift. $139.98 Learn Korean! "Learn! Korean with BTS" There's no better gift to give or receive than one that expands horizons. In " Learn! Korean with BTS ," K-pop fans can discover a new language through their love of BTS and members Jin, Suga, J-Hope, RM, Jimin, V and Jungkook. The book package teaches Korean consonants and vowels, using the names and songs of BTS. A workbook is supplemented by video and other media. What could be better — or more rewarding — for the K-pop fan? $44.49 Loud and proud Bose QuietComfort Headphones A decent pair of headphones is step one on the journey to true bliss for the audiophile. However, carrying around a studio set may not always be in the cards. But a noise-canceling pair? That's necessary. Bose's QuietComfort Headphones are a solid investment, all high-fidelity audio perfect for a long plane ride or a daily commute in equal measure. $229 For the Swifties Gold-plated chain link bracelet, featuring the logo for Taylor Swift's album, "The Tortured Poets Department" Everyone knows someone who loves Taylor Swift. But what do you give the superfan who already owns all her albums in every colorway? Unisex jewelry, maybe? In honor of this year's release of "The Tortured Poets Department," get them the official gold-plated, stainless-steel, chain-link bracelet featuring the "TTPD" logo on the pop star's website . It comes in two sizes: a small/medium option, 7.5 inches long, and a large/extra-large option, 8.5 inches long. $40 For the soul "High and Rising: A Book About De La Soul" by Marcus J. Moore Music books are always a good idea. For the hip-hop expert, a new text from the critic Marcus J. Moore, " High and Rising: A Book About De La Soul ," is a necessary cultural history of the hip-hop trio of Kelvin "Posdnuos" Mercer, Dave "Trugoy the Dove" Jolicoeur and Vincent "Maseo" Mason, who changed music forever. The book covers their ascent, and the ways in which the group defied expectations and defined a new Black alternative music, as well as the legal troubles they faced. $27.89. Get up and go Varieties of Green Day's coffee brand Punk Bunny Coffee, from left, Dookie Roast, American Idiot Roast and Fancy Sauce Roast. Pop-punk band Green Day's coffee brand, Punk Bunny Coffee , is ideal for fans of their palm-muted power chords and political anthems — and for those who prefer their morning brew to be organic, fair trade and delicious. This holiday season, they're offering a few limited-edition roasts, including some themed after their best-known albums, like "Dookie" and "American Idiot." If coffee isn't preferable, no worries! They've got a limited-edition hot cocoa, too. $13.99-$17.99 Take a trip to West Germany "Neu Klang: The Definitive History of Krautrock" by Christoph Dallach Let's be honest: True music lovers enjoy all different genres and styles. Those with the deepest knowledge are insatiable; they want to learn as much as they can about a variety of different subcultures and niches. For those real ones, the best gift this holiday season is the first ever oral history of Krautrock, Christoph Dallach's " Neu Klang: The Definitive History of Krautrock ," featuring German bands like Can, Neu!, Amon Düül, Popul Vuh, Tangerine Dream, Faust, Cluster and, of course, Kraftwerk. $29.80 2024 holiday mailing tips: Deadlines, packaging advice and more things to know Small, luxury foods are great as stocking stuffers or other gifts. Ideas for under $50 Why your favorite catalogs are smaller this holiday season Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!Drew Lock in awe of Eli Manning’s durability compared to Giants’ current QB carousel
Lindsey Vonn takes another step in comeback at age 40, competes in a pair of downhillsEDMONTON - Alberta’s Technology Minister Nate Glubish says he’s hoping to see $100 billion worth of artificial intelligence data centres under construction within the next five years. Such centres are filled with computer servers used by companies like Meta to develop and train large-scale artificial intelligence models. Glubish says Meta, as well as other major companies including Google and Amazon, are on the hunt for space to build more facilities, and he wants Alberta to be an option. He says landing some data centres would create jobs and bring in much needed new tax revenue for the province. Glubish also says that since Alberta’s electricity grid regulations allows for off-grid power generation, he thinks the province is an ideal location. He says allowing for off-grid power connections where power generators supply data centres directly also means there’s less risk for Albertans, as there wouldn’t be major drains on the electrical grid. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 4, 2024.The stage belonged to Lindsey Vonn, the 40-year-old who took another step on her comeback trail Saturday with her first races in nearly six years. Vonn wasn't particularly speedy and finished in the middle of the pack on a cold but sunny day at Copper Mountain. Times and places weren't the mission, though, as much as getting used to the speed again and gaining the necessary points to compete on the World Cup circuit this season. Vonn accomplished both, finishing 24th in the first downhill race of the day and 27th in the second. She posted on social media after the FIS races that she had enough points to enter World Cup events. The timing couldn't be more perfect — the next stop on the women's circuit is Beaver Creek, Colorado, in a week. Vonn, who used to own a home in nearby Vail, hasn't committed to any sort of timetable for a World Cup return. “Today was a solid start and I had a blast being in start with my teammates again!” Vonn wrote on X. “While I’m sure people will speculate and say I’m not in top form because of the results, I disagree. This was training for me. I’m still testing equipment and getting back in the groove.” Her competition — a veritable who's who of high-profile ski racers — applauded her efforts. “I don't expect her to come back and win — just that she comes back and she has fun,” said Federica Brignone of Italy, a former overall World Cup champion and three-time Olympic medalist. “She's having fun, and she’s doing what she loves. That’s the best thing that she could do.” In the first race on a frigid morning, Vonn wound up 1.44 seconds behind the winning time of 1 minute, 5.79 seconds posted by Mirjam Puchner of Austria. In her second race through the course later in the morning, Vonn was 1.53 seconds behind Cornelia Huetter of Austria, who finished in 1:05.99. Huetter is the reigning season-long World Cup downhill champion. “It’s really nice to compare with her again, and nice to have her (racing) again,” Huetter said. “For sure, for the skiing World Cup, we have a lot of more attention. It's generally good for all racers because everyone is looking.” Also in the field were Nadia Delago of Italy, who won a bronze medal in downhill at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and Puchner, the Olympic silver winner in super-G in Beijing. In addition, there was Marta Bassino of Italy, a winner of the super-G at the 2023 world championships, and two-time Olympic champion Michelle Gisin of Switzerland. “For me, it was really a training, but it was fun to have a World Cup race level right here,” Gisin said. “It was a crazy race.” Vonn remains a popular figure and took the time after each run to sign autographs for young fans along with posing for photos. When she left the sport, Vonn had 82 World Cup race victories, which stood as the record for a woman and within reach of the all-time Alpine record of 86 held by Swedish standout Ingemar Stenmark. The women’s mark held by Vonn was surpassed in January 2023 by Mikaela Shiffrin, who now has 99 wins — more than any Alpine ski racer in the history of the sport. Shiffrin is currently sidelined after a crash in a giant slalom event in Killington, Vermont, last weekend. Vonn’s last major race was in February 2019, when she finished third in a downhill during the world championships in Sweden. The three-time Olympic medalist left the circuit still near the top of her game. But all the broken arms and legs, concussions and torn knee ligaments took too big a toll and sent her into retirement. She had a partial knee replacement last April and felt good enough to give racing another shot. “It's very impressive to see all the passion that Lindsey still has,” Gisin said. Also racing Saturday was 45-year-old Sarah Schleper, who once competed for the United States but now represents Mexico. Schleper was the next racer behind Vonn and they got a chance to share a moment between a pair of 40-somethings still racing. “I was like, ‘Give me some tips, Lindsey,’” Schleper said. “She’s like, ‘Oh, it’s a highway tuck, the whole thing.’ Then she’s like, ‘It’s just like the good old days.’"
AP Business SummaryBrief at 6:41 p.m. ESTVir Biotechnology EVP vanina de Verneuil sells $624 in stock
Women’s basketball: Short-handed CU Buffs roll past Southern UtahBy MIKE CATALINI CHATHAM, N.J. (AP) — That 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. Associated Press reporter Hallie Golden in Seattle contributed to this report.
The first stage of the world’s eighth and Sri Lanka’s first seven-star hotel, Aviyana’s Private Chalets will open in Kandy next May, said Chairman and Founder of the Aviyana Private Chalet Complex, Dr. Indika Thisara Hewawasam at a media briefing at Cinnamon Life on Thursday. Hailing from Elpitiya in Galle, he said that they will have 50 swimming pools in the Chalets making it the only such hotel in the region built outside a city. In response to a Sunday Observer Business query, he said that of the total estimate of around Rs 9 billion, Rs 7 billion has been invested and 70% of the construction has now been completed. The first stage is set to open in May 2025 and over 300 workers were engaged in the construction work. “This will comprise around 12 chalets; out of a 50 plus that will be built when the construction comes to completion,” he said. “We hope to have a novel global marketing campaign and market a chalet at around USD 1,000 minimum, helping to position Sri Lanka as an upmarket destination attracting billionaires and helping to set a new standard in luxury travel,” Dr Hewawasam said. Sri Lanka has untapped potential to cater to high-end travellers and celebrities seeking luxury, privacy and an unparalleled experience marketing the island’s natural beauty and biodiversity in the Knuckles Mountain range. “We hope to at least muster around USD 500 million annually as our contribution to the local tourism segment revenue annually”, he added. “I have already invested around Rs. 2 billion on this property spanning around 18 acres and the balance is raised through local professionals and locals and foreigners too could own a villa for around USD 180 million and pre purchases were now available. “Investors are guaranteed one of the highest ROIs in the market, with earnings in either USD or LKR. We’ve created a model where investors don’t need to worry about tenants or maintenance — everything is handled by our dedicated team,” Dr. Hewawasam added. When asked why they did not want to venture into the stock market and raise the balance, he said that they did not want to broad-base the ownership but limit it to a few local professionals and foreigners. Dr. Hewawasam said they had already contacted world class chefs, professionals and wellness centres to join the staff and service sector to enhance the services of the hotel.Some Canadian stocks seem almost unstoppable as they move into year’s end with the wind fully at their back. Undoubtedly, betting on such high-flying momentum plays can be rewarding over the near term for those who time their entries and exits. However, longer-term investors should proceed with caution as they look to nibble their way into a stock on strength and double down on any dips that’ll surely be found on the road higher. In any case, if you’re a new, young , the following two deserve your attention. And while it would be ideal if you bought on a near-term pullback, I’m certainly not against starting a position right here with the hope of adding should the market be correction-bound in 2025. Indeed, I think it’s safe to say we’re long overdue for a market-wide spill, perhaps after the so-called Trump put has run its course. Without further ado, here are two names I’d add to the radar this December. In this piece, we’ll examine two interesting high-momentum Canadian stocks that still look absurdly cheap. Whenever a rising share price is supported by earnings, sales, and an improving growth narrative, you may just have a momentum stock that could be destined for higher highs. Fairfax Financial Holdings It’s pretty rare to come across a stock that’s skyrocketed over 64% in a year but still boasts a ridiculously depressed single-digit price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple. Heck, such low P/E ratios tend to be associated with value traps, let alone a stock that’s been on a profoundly powerful multi-year bull rally! ( ) stock fits the bill as a high-flyer that some may also classify as a deep-value play. On the surface, FFH looks dirt-cheap at 8.75 times trailing P/E, with a 1% dividend yield. Looking a year out, FFH shares still look absurdly underpriced at 9.45 times forward P/E. As Prem Watsa’s company looks to add to his firm’s strengths in the new year, the coast could be clear for more outsized gains, especially with a rock-bottom multiple that has ample room to expand. Further, Fairfax’s underwriting has been simply sensational of late. And going into the new year, there’s no reason to believe it’ll back down after another respectable year. While sitting out on a parabolic run is always discouraging for investors, I think it makes sense to put new money to work right here at new all-time highs, just north of $2,000 per share. Constellation Software ( ) is another high-momentum play that can keep the good times going into 2025. Like Fairfax, the share price is in the quadruple digits ($4,650 per share at the time of writing), making it long overdue for a stock split. Though only time will tell if CSU will get a split that would make it more accessible to the retail crowd, I think those who can afford to punch a ticket should do so on a potential pullback to the $4,400 range. Indeed, acquisition spending may have slowed down, a trend that I believe will reverse over the next year or two once rates have a chance to fall further and valuations in the small-cap tech scene come in a bit. Either way, the growth profile looks as strong as ever as the company looks to benefit from the many Canadian software firms in its book of businesses. At 36.0 times forward P/E, you’re paying a pretty penny into the name here. However, it’s one worth paying given powerful, likely long-lasting growth drivers that could power many years’ worth of high double-digit (thinks +20%) in sales growth. In short, Constellation is a durable, high-growth tech star that’s quickly becoming a must-own for those looking to build wealth in the coming decade.
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) — Babacar Faye's 19 points helped Western Kentucky defeat Evansville 79-65 on Saturday. Faye had 12 rebounds for the Hilltoppers (5-3). Don McHenry scored 17 points and added three steals. Julius Thedford shot 4 for 7 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 7 of 9 from the free-throw line to finish with 16 points. The Purple Aces (3-6) were led by Cameron Haffner, who posted 19 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Gabriel Pozzato added 19 points, seven rebounds and two steals for Evansville. Tayshawn Comer finished with 12 points. Western Kentucky used a 10-0 run in the second half to build a 14-point lead at 55-41 with 12:30 remaining before finishing off the win. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
ATLANTA (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is trying to get the Georgia election interference case against him dismissed, asserting that the state's courts will not have jurisdiction over him once he returns to the White House next month. The Georgia case against Trump and others is mostly on hold pending a pretrial appeal of an order allowing prosecutor Fani Willis to remain on the case despite what defense attorneys say is a conflict of interest. Trump's attorneys on Wednesday filed a notice with the Georgia Court of Appeals saying a sitting president is “completely immune from indictment or any criminal process, state or federal.” The filing asks the appeals court to consider before he becomes president next month whether it has jurisdiction to continue to hear the case. It says the court should conclude that it and the trial court lack jurisdiction “as the continued indictment and prosecution of President Trump by the State of Georgia are unconstitutional.” Trump's lawyers ask that the appeals court dismiss his appeal for lack of jurisdiction and instruct the trial court to immediately dismiss the indictment against him. Also Wednesday, former Trump campaign lawyer Kenneth Chesebro, who pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge in the case, asked the trial court judge to invalidate that plea. Chesebro was one of four people to plead guilty in the case in the months following the indictment. Representatives for Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis declined to comment on Trump's and Chesebro's requests. The Georgia case, which originally included 19 defendants and dozens of charges, was the most sprawling of four criminal cases against the once-and-future president. U.S. Department of Justice special counsel Jack Smith last week told judges he was withdrawing both federal cases against Trump, citing longstanding Justice Department policy that shields a president from indictment while in office. One of those cases charged him with hoarding classified documents at his Florida estate. The other accused him of scheming to overturn the 2020 presidential election he lost. Trump on Monday asked a Manhattan judge to throw out his conviction in his hush money case , saying that continuing to pursue it would present unconstitutional “disruptions to the institution of the Presidency.“ The New York case was the only one of Trump’s four criminal indictments to go to trial, resulting in a historic verdict that made him the first former president to be convicted of a crime. In the Georgia case, Trump and some of the other remaining defendants, who have pleaded not guilty, were already seeking to have Willis removed from the prosecution or to have the indictment dismissed. They cited a romantic relationship she had with Nathan Wade , a special prosecutor she appointed to lead the case. Willis and Wade have acknowledged that they had a relationship but have said it began after he was hired and ended before the indictment against Trump was filed. Trump and other defendants argued that the relationship created a conflict of interest that should disqualify Willis and her office from continuing with her prosecution of the case. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee ruled in March that Willis’ actions showed a “tremendous lapse in judgment,” but he did not find a conflict of interest that would disqualify Willis. He said she could continue her prosecution as long as Wade stepped aside, which he did. The appeal of that ruling remains pending but must be decided by March. Chesebro was charged in August 2023, alongside Trump and 17 others , in the sprawling indictment accusing them of participating in a wide-ranging scheme to overturn Trump's loss in the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. He pleaded guilty to a single conspiracy count a few months later after reaching a deal with prosecutors just before he was to go to trial. His lawyer on Wednesday asked Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee to invalidate the plea after McAfee in September tossed out the charge to which he had pleaded guilty. “In Georgia, a defendant cannot plead guilty to a charge that does not constitute a crime,” defense attorney Manny Arora wrote, adding that a failure to invalidate his plea would violate Chesebro's constitutional right to due process. Prosecutors have said Chesebro was part of a plot to have a group of 16 Georgia Republicans sign a certificate falsely saying that Trump had won Georgia and declaring themselves the state’s “duly elected and qualified” electors. He pleaded guilty in October 2023 to one felony charge of conspiracy to commit filing false documents related to the the filing of that document with the federal court in Atlanta. In a September ruling, McAfee wrote that punishing someone for filing certain documents with a federal court would “enable a state to constrict the scope of materials assessed by a federal court and impair the administration of justice in that tribunal to police its own proceedings.” He concluded that the count must be quashed “as beyond the jurisdiction of this State.” Kate Brumback, The Associated PressUniversity of Michigan researchers have dug deeper into the numbers-only data of COVID-19-era suicides and evaluated the narratives contained in reports from coroners, medical examiners, police and vital statistics. The researchers sought to understand how the crisis influenced suicide deaths in the first year of the pandemic, how the response by governments, employers and others influenced individuals, and if their handling could inform future public health responses. The researchers used the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Violent Death Reporting System , which compiles death reports and vital statistics and uses that information to write text narratives that describe the circumstances in the person’s life at the time of their death. According to the researchers, the CDC launched the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) to address this data gap and provide information that can reveal interactions between individual and macro-correlates of suicide. The outcome is that the COVID-19 pandemic did not lead to an excess in suicide mortality in 2020. In looking at the narratives, the researchers found that the reasons behind the suicides are complex and that mental health may have been overlooked as the crisis unfolded. The analysis also points to the need for better coordination, support by employers, communities, public health leaders in future crises, especially in relation to mental health. According to lead researcher Briana Mezuk , professor of epidemiology: “We felt it was important to delve into the narratives of these deaths, rather than using numbers alone, to learn what roles the pandemic and the public health response to the pandemic might have played in these lost lives.” In looking at the deaths of individuals aged ten years old and above, the researchers found that 6.8 percent of suicide deaths in 2020, representing 2,502 cases, described an aspect of the pandemic, and 20 percent had no known circumstances described in death reports. Although many individuals experienced heightened emotional distress during that time, and some had feared this would lead to greater suicide mortality in 2020, no overall increase materialized in most countries, including the U.S. Nonetheless, research into the causes of suicide and with building mental health support remains a priority in the U.S.and other countries with similar rates. The study appears in the journal Public Library for Science One . The research is titled “Psychosocial and pandemic-related circumstances of suicide deaths in 2020: Evidence from the National Violent Death Reporting System”. Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news.Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.
Alkami Technology's chief strategy officer sells $2.63 million in stock
Trump’s lawyers rebuff DA’s idea for upholding his hush money conviction, calling it ‘absurd’North Macedonian political party demands ban on TikTok after at least 17 students injuredAP News Summary at 5:04 p.m. EST