FOX 4 consumer reporter Steve Noviello is busy preparing his annual FOX Holiday Gift Guide. From toys to tech and more, Steve will review the items that are sure to be a hit this holiday season. DALLAS - FOX 4 Consumer reporter Steve Noviello gets more than 1,000 product pitches each year. He shares the greatest gifts of the season in this 2024 Holiday Gift Guide. Steve's 4 favorite products of 2024 These products from throughout the year scored so big, Steve now uses them in his own home! His family loves couch snuggle time with an oversized blanket. He found a pair of folding sunglasses that fit in his pocket. He uses a type of sunscreen that's specially formulated for men. And his new Fokus + Headphones are always fully charged on his desk. | Read more Top 10 toys for 2024 Here are our top 10 toys of the year! This year's list includes several options for racing and RC lovers, a 4-foot-tall Paris playset for young Ladybug fans, a tool that can turn kids' drawings into playable video games, a lightsaber with advanced LED and sound effects, a doll that shows off her natural hair, a sensor playset for those who love lining up cars, and a storytime companion that can create customized stories. | Read more More toys that make great holiday gifts From classics to completely new, these toys will be tons of fun this season! Playmobil, furReal Friends, Fingerlings, Littlest Pet Shop, Lego, Razor, Minions and more... they may not have made it into the Top 10 list, but they are sure to please just about any young gift recipient. | Read more Gifts to inspire family game night Gather the family for fun! These gifts make for a winning game night! Monopoly Scrabble combines two classic favorites. Hitster combines music and fun. A new version of Trivial Pursuit is perfect for family members in different generations. And chances are your kids are already playing Imposter! | Read more Gifts that offer screen-free fun These gift ideas will keep your kids entertained- no screens needed. There's a playset for young artists and a building kit that combines the fun of magnetic connections with ramps and runs. Hero is a unique robot that teaches about sound technology. And there are new puzzles and fidgets you'll want to check out. | Read more Gifts tweens actually want Creative, curious, active and a little tech obsessed, these gifts for tweens scored high marks with our testers! The list includes kits for crafty kids, two parent-approved cellphones, a drone with RGB illuminated propellers, a VR activity set for science lovers, skill-building equipment for soccer lovers, and a paper airplane that's really powered. | Read more Great gifts for gamers Kids of all ages love video games. These consoles, games, and accessories earned high scores with us! We loved the ASUS ROG Alley X gaming device, which is a PC and a handheld gaming console all in one. WIN Reality lets you get your batting and pitching practice in at home. The Nick Watch is a new smartwatch option for kids. And don't forget about all the audio equipment to go along with those games. | Read more Cool tech gift ideas for the gadget lovers on your list From the JLab Flex wireless earbuds that clip onto your ear to Ecoflow's latest consumer power bank, the new Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra, and more, these high-tech gadgets are sure to bring big smiles. Our list even includes the Barsys 360 to revolutionize home cocktail making. | Read more Holiday gifts for men Check out these great gifts for that great guy on your list. The Stowaway Rocker gives dad comfort but doesn't compromise when it comes to storage. The Lexivon 2-in-1 digital laser tape measure is a gift that supports small businesses too. And Coofandy has the ultimate menswear line to build a fashion profile he will love. | Read more Gift ideas that support small businesses Feel great about giving these gifts knowing you're supporting a small business. Dugout Mugs are officially licensed and can be customized to make the perfect gift. It's All About Bees sells local honey and honey products that are great for teachers. And you don't have to wait until next fall to give someone a bucket of Stiffler's Mom's Cookies from the State Fair of Texas. | Read more Holiday home entertaining gift ideas Whether you're having an intimate holiday or a huge gathering, these products will make hosting a breeze. Tovolo's holiday ornament ice molds can add a touch of festivity to your next gathering. The Pizza Scizzas by William Sonoma make slicing pizza hot out the oven a breeze. And the Bruvi BV-01 Coffee Maker can brew seven different drinks for when your guests can't agree on a single option. | Read more Gifts for people who have everything Think they already have everything? They don't have all of these - guaranteed! For example, the AirUp Scentaste Water Bottle flavors water using just scent. Dink Buddy has a portable pickleball net to use in the backyard or at the park or beach. And Enso has a travel-friendly Buddha Board for an artistic "expression of the moment." | Read moreSpecial counsel moves to abandon election interference and classified documents cases against Trumphave announced a 20-man squad for Thursday’s clash against with including several youngsters. As expected, a host of senior players have been spared for the penultimate first stage fixture, with the likes of Jadon Sancho, Marc Cucurella, Levi Colwill and Nicolas Jackson all staying behind in London. Therefore a number of Cobham graduates have been selected to supplement Maresca’s usual cast of fringe players for this competition. Perhaps the most notable inclusion is that of young full-back Josh Acheampong, who is with the Blues and is in line to make his first appearance in almost three months. “He’s in the squad,” Maresca said of Acheampong in the pre-match press conference. “And probably he’s going to play from the start. “With Josh it’s quite clear. We all love Josh. The club loves Josh. I love Josh. And we are trying to find an agreement with the players. We are close. We are almost there.” In addition to Acheampong, Samuel Rak-Sakyi and Tyrique George will be hoping to add to the senior minutes they have already been handed this season. Meanwhile, the senior figures in the squad are Filip Jorgensen, Axel Diasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Renato Veiga, Carney Chukwuemeka, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Pedro Neto with Marc Guiu looking to add to his goal against FC Noah. Academy players Richard Olise, Kaiden Wilson and Ato Ampah are all involved with the Chelsea senior squad for the first time. Though Kiano Dyer, Shim Mhueka and Harrison Murray-Campbell are included once again. Filip Jorgensen, Lucas Bergstrom, Max Merrick Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Renato Veiga, Josh Acheampong, Harrison Murray-Campbell, Richard Olise, Kaiden Wilson Carney Chukwuemeka, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Kiano Dyer, Sam Rak-Sakyi, Harvey Vale Pedro Neto, Ato Ampah, Tyrique George, Marc Guiu, Shumaira Mheuka In truth, the Blues can afford to rotate heavily given their 100 percent winning record in the Conference League so far as they find themselves on the verge of securing a place in the last-16 with a couple of games to spare.
MoL announces MOL360 initiative to advance labour market in collaboration with MicrosoftAsian shares were mixed on Monday after stocks fell broadly on Friday as Wall Street closed out a holiday-shortened week on a down note. U.S. futures were lower while oil prices were little changed. In Asia, South Korea’s Kospi added 0.6% to 2,418.80. But shares of Jeju Air Co. lost 8.8% after one of the company’s jets skidded off a runway , slammed into a concrete fence and burst into flames Sunday in South Korea as its landing gear failed to deploy. 179 people died in the crash. Political turmoil continued as South Korean law enforcement officials requested a court warrant on Monday to detain impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. They are investigating whether his martial law decree on Dec. 3 amounted to rebellion. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 index lost 0.9% to 39,914.21 as the dollar gained against the Japanese yen, trading at 157.83 yen, up from 157.75 yen. The Tokyo market will wrap up trading for 2024 with a yearend ceremony as Japan begins its New Year holidays, the biggest festival of the year. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong shed 0.3% to 20,030.63 while the Shanghai Composite index was up 0.3% at 3,408.72. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dipped 0.9% to 8,191.50. On Friday, the S&P 500 fell 1.1% to 5,970.84. Roughly 90% of stocks in the benchmark index lost ground, but it managed to hold onto a modest gain of 0.7% for the week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.8% to 42,992.21. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite fell 1.5%, to 19,722.03. The losses were made worse by sharp declines for the Big Tech stocks known as the “Magnificent 7”, which can heavily influence the direction of the market because of their large size. A wide range of retailers also fell. Amazon fell 1.5% and Best Buy slipped 1.5%. The sector is being closely watched for clues on how it performed during the holiday shopping season. The S&P 500 gained nearly 3% over a 3-day stretch before breaking for the Christmas holiday. On Thursday, the index posted a small decline. Despite Friday's drop, the market is moving closer to another standout annual finish . The S&P 500 is on track for a gain of around 25% in 2024. That would mark a second consecutive yearly gain of more than 20%, the first time that has happened since 1997-1998. The gains have been driven partly by upbeat economic data showing that consumers continued spending and the labor market remained strong. Inflation, while still high, has also been steadily easing. A report on Friday showed that sales and inventory estimates for the wholesales trade industry fell 0.2% in November, following a slight gain in October. That weaker-than-expected report follows an update on the labor market Thursday that showed unemployment benefits held steady last week. The stream of upbeat economic data and easing inflation helped prompt a reversal in the Federal Reserve's interest rate policy this year. Expectations for interest rate cuts also helped drive market gains. The central bank recently delivered its third cut to interest rates in 2024. Even though inflation has come closer to the central bank's target of 2%, it remains stubbornly above that mark and worries about it heating up again have tempered the forecast for more interest rate cuts. Inflation concerns have added to uncertainties heading into 2025, which include the labor market’s path ahead and shifting economic policies under incoming President Donald Trump. Worries have risen that Trump’s preference for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , a bigger U.S. government debt and difficulties for global trade. In other dealings early Monday, U.S. benchmark crude oil picked up 1 cent to $70.61 per barrel. Brent crude, the international standard, lost 1 cent to $73.78 per barrel. The euro fell to $1.0427 from $1.0433.
NEW YORK (AP) — Thousands of Microsoft 365 customers worldwide reported having issues with services like Outlook and Teams on Monday. In social media posts and comments on platforms like outage tracker Downdetector, some impacted said that they were having trouble seeing their emails, loading calendars or opening other Microsoft 365 applications such as Powerpoint. Microsoft acknowledged “an issue impacting users attempting to access Exchange Online or functionality within Microsoft Teams calendar” earlier in the day. In updates posted on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, the company’s status page said it identified a “recent change” that it believed to be behind the problem — and was working to revert it. Microsoft shared that it was deploying a fix — which, as of shortly before noon E.T., it said had reached about 98% of “affected environments.” Still, the company’s status page later added , targeted restarts were “progressing slower than anticipated for the majority of affected users.” As of midday Monday, Downdetector showed thousands of outage reports from users of Microsoft 365 , particularly Outlook .VoxFresh, a singing group made up of singers from Basingstoke, Derby and Newbury, travelled to the Big Apple for a tour from October 27 to November 1. They sang at famous spots including Grand Central Station, Washington Square Park, the Empire State Building, and aboard the Intrepid WWII Aircraft Carrier. Each performance drew captivated crowds and created memorable moments. The trip was not just about performing, as the singers also had the chance to participate in an exclusive Broadway workshop with members of the cast of Hamilton. This gave them the opportunity to work closely with professionals in the industry and gain insights into stage presence, vocal technique, and live performance artistry. The workshop was an inspiring experience for the group, encouraging them to take their vocal talents to new heights. An audience member at the Washington Square Park performance, Kevin, reached out to VoxFresh to express his appreciation. He said: "Such beautiful voices. It was one of the best things I saw and enjoyed doing while I was in New York." Experiences like these, according to VoxFresh, help the young singers develop socially as well as musically. VoxFresh director, Kat Penn, said: "This trip was amazing for all involved. "We had singers from our groups in Newbury, Basingstoke and Derby all singing and bonding together, creating amazing memories and outstanding performances." VoxFresh is a dynamic youth singing group that learns pop hits to create performances that are both inspiring and entertaining. Known for their fresh sound and energetic shows, the group has quickly gained recognition in the UK, and now across the pond too. The group is open to singers aged four to 18. Anyone interested can find more information at voxfresh.com.
As Christmas is being celebrated globally, singer Davido's family were not left out and they made theirs remarkable The singer and his brother Adewale Adeleke shared how their father Dr. Adedeji Adeleke showed love to his grandchildren They posted videos of their children and grandpa, which had social media users mesmerised and they shared their special wishes Don't miss out! Join Legit.ng's Sports News channel on WhatsApp now! Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, the father of singer David Adeleke, aka Davido, shared some gifts to his grandchildren as they celebrated Christmas . In the beautiful video shared by the singer and his older brother Adewale Adeleke , they showed how their children got the gift packs from their dad. On Davido's Instagram stories , he noted that his dad loves his grandpa duties. The Adelekes have a close family bond and they always turn up for each other's events. Christmas was another event for them to show love to one another. Read also Cubana Chiefpriest hails Davido, shades singer's colleagues over his private jet: "So childish" Many fans hailed Davido's dad for his cool look and youthful fashion sense. They also wished that they belonged to the wealthy family. PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Instagram - get the most important news directly in your favourite app! Watch Davido's dad's video below: Reactions to Davido's dad grandchildren's Christmas gifts Legit.ng has compiled some of the reactions to Davido's dad's Christmas gifts to his grandchildren below: @danielchikeruba: "Omo, OBO papa still dey drip." @chef_bumzaga: "Does Grandpa still have room for adoption? I want to be adopted." @thehoodtv01: "Imagine say your grandparents still guide pass your papa omo." @everythingfemale_luxury_brand: "I’m his granddaughter too. I deserve some presents too." @abrahamrussia: "I hope una keep Davido children own." @rheemah_goldenslice: "This is so beautiful to watch. I want Christmas gift too o." @okekecynthia_: "Does grandpa need a grandchild in her 20s?" @iamrichboymax: "Omo, we go shuffle papa next life o. I no go gree, or else blood go flow for heaven." Davido's dad carries his daughter Read also Davido hugs Burna Boy's mum excitedly at Tony Elumelu's party, video trends: "He is warm to people" Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a viral clip of Davido's dad carrying one of the singer's twins during a recent party has caught the attention of many netizens. The singer and his wife, Chioma, attended the graduation ceremony of Davido's nephew, and they were there for the first time with their twins. A video of the singer's dad carrying one of the twins during a photo session had sparked massive reactions online. PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ find the “Recommended for you” block on the home page and enjoy! Source: Legit.ng
KOREA: The day after Christmas often comes with the realization that you may have overindulged during the holiday season—both in generosity and spending. Right on cue, the highly anticipated second season of Squid Game arrives, according to The Star. Netflix’s dark South Korean series, where financially desperate individuals compete in deadly childhood games for a life-changing cash prize, captured global attention in its first season, blending social commentary with shocking twists. Debuting in 2021, Squid Game became an unexpected cultural phenomenon, winning six Emmys and amassing 2.8 billion global streams, making it Netflix’s most successful title to date. The original nine-episode series resonated with audiences, tapping into post-pandemic anxieties through its dystopian lens of survival at any cost. Its popularity even led to an English-language spinoff, Squid Game: The Challenge, and sparked demand for multiple seasons—a rarity for Korean television. Lofty expectations Season two faces the daunting task of meeting its predecessor’s lofty expectations. While the first season thrived on its element of surprise, the follow-up feels more familiar, reintroducing iconic elements like the sinister “red light, green light” doll. Though it starts slower, the seven-episode arc delivers its signature mix of tension and shocking brutality. Returning protagonist Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), scarred by his previous victory, is now determined to dismantle the deadly game. Meanwhile, police detective Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-jun) continues his quest to expose its corrupt overseers. Despite their efforts, the lure of wealth pulls contestants back, creating fierce conflicts among them. Chilling revelations New players, including a disgraced crypto star and a gambling addict, bring fresh dynamics. Meanwhile, the show delves deeper into the shadowy figures orchestrating the games, offering chilling revelations. Although slightly rushed, season two maintains the high stakes and psychological tension fans loved. It’s a worthy continuation, blending disdain for the players and the game with undeniable entertainment.
Zelle is an easy way to send online money -- it's free, it's supported by all the major banks , and it only requires a phone number to instantly transfer funds. It's also been rife with fraud ever since the service launched in 2017, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is taking action. On Dec. 20, the CFPB filed a lawsuit against Early Warning Services (the consortium of banks that own Zelle), claiming that it "failed to safeguard the Zelle network from fraud and other defects, which resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars in consumer losses." Zelle scams in recent years have involved everything from phishing attempts on Facebook Marketplace to fake promises of puppies . Scammers count on the instantaneous nature of Zelle payments and the fact that fraudulent payments are often technically authorized by victims. In early 2024, a new change in policy allowed banks to claw money back from criminals in certain cases, but the recent lawsuit from the CPFB indicates the system may not be working Read on to learn how the peer-to-peer payment system Zelle works, how thieves use it to scam consumers, how to protect yourself from Zelle scams and what to do if you fall prey to Zelle fraud. For more about fraud prevention, check out our list of best identity theft protection and monitoring services . What is Zelle and how does it work? Launched in June 2017, Zelle is a peer-to-peer, or P2P, payment service owned by Early Warning Services -- a consortium of major US banks. Zelle is available to more than 100 million banking customers (whether they know it or not). Zelle charges no fees and works with about 1,700 banks and credit unions. In the first quarter of 2023, people and small businesses sent $180 billion through Zelle, or almost $2 billion a day . Created to compete with other electronic payment services like PayPal, Venmo and Cash App, Zelle lets banks handle casual electronic transfers without paying any fees to third parties. Customers whose banks don't support Zelle can connect a debit card with the Zelle app. Zelle allows users to send money electronically to anyone: All you need is a recipient's email address or US phone number to transfer funds. Transactions are instant and irreversible once complete, making Zelle very attractive to criminals. How do scammers use Zelle for fraud? Most of the reported Zelle scams consist of pure social engineering : manipulating people with fraudulent information and scare tactics. Scammers use false claims and representations to get people to unknowingly authorize money transfers. A common scam involves an email or text message asking a user to confirm a large, fake Zelle payment. When the user replies that they didn't authorize the transfer, the scammer follows up with a phone call pretending to represent the bank and spoofing the financial institution's phone number. They walk the caller through bogus instructions on how to reverse the unauthorized claims that instead actually transfer money to the criminals. Another popular scam starts with a message claiming that your bank account has been compromised and that you need to take action immediately to resolve the problem. If you respond, the fraudsters follow up with a phone call, pretending to be your bank and guiding you through the process of transferring money. Along with masquerading as your bank, scammers might also pose as institutions such as utility companies. A woman in Lorain, Ohio , faced threats of service disconnection from someone posing as her electric company, who then asked her for Zelle payments to keep the power on. How do I protect myself from Zelle scams? Since most Zelle scams are socially engineered, there are concrete steps you can take to avoid them. This advice holds true for all suspected scams, not just ones involving Zelle. If you receive a message that says it's from your bank, but you didn't contact them first, don't respond. Instead, call your financial institution directly to inquire about your account and any potential security issues. Assuming there are no problems with your account, you can also inform your bank that you've been phished . If you've given some personal info out because of the phishing attempt, you can work with your bank to protect your account. If someone says you need to act immediately to resolve a financial problem, alarm bells should start clanging. Scammers use scare tactics and a sense of urgency to make you panic and less likely to think critically. With the utility scams in the section above, users were told they only had 30 minutes to act before their power was shut off. If you notice any suspicious behavior from someone claiming to represent your bank, a utility or another organization asking for immediate payment, hang up immediately and call the business directly. Also be warned of requests from any banks, businesses or utilities for new Zelle payments, especially if you've never paid them via Zelle before. If you receive any requests to pay with Zelle, contact the organization directly through their official website or phone number to get more information. Also known as multifactor authentication or two-factor authentication, 2FA adds an extra layer of security to your accounts. Each time you sign into your account, you'll receive an additional one-time password, usually delivered by email or text message, that lasts for 30 to 60 seconds. Once you've set up 2FA for your banking accounts, never give out your one-time passcodes to anyone. Criminals pretending to be your bank or utility company may pressure you with lots of bogus reasons for telling them your passcode, but real institutions will never ask you for it. If you make a payment with Zelle, you may not be able to recover the money if you were scammed by mistakenly authorizing the payment . While Zelle provides a convenient and easy payment service, limiting its use to people you know personally will cut down your risk of getting scammed. In 2022, Zelle handled 2.3 billion payments adding up to $629 billion. How do I get my money back if I'm a victim of a Zelle scam? Immediately contact the financial institution that was part of the transaction. That allows the business to start investigating as soon as possible. Because of the instant nature of Zelle, you'll want to respond quickly. Here are the links and phone numbers for reporting Zelle scams to some of the biggest banks in the US: For years, according to many local reports , banks were reluctant to reimburse losses from Zelle phishing scams, since the transactions were actually approved by the account holders. Often, victims had money returned only after news reports of their scams put pressure on banks to do so. On Aug. 30, 2023, Zelle announced new safety measures including a "new consumer reimbursement benefit for specific scam types." On Nov. 14, 2023, Reuters reported that banks participating in the Zelle payment system had begun reimbursing victims of imposter scams who had been "duped into sending money to scammers claiming to be from a government agency, bank or existing service provider." New reports in 2024 indicated that Zelle's new safety policy was helping consumers. A Seattle public teacher who was defrauded of $2,000 by a person posing as a representative of his credit union was refunded by BECU thanks to the new law, according to KIRO 7 News . If your bank refuses to reimburse you for a Zelle scam, your only recourse (other than pitching your story to local media) is to file a complaint with the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau . For more on protecting yourself from fraud, see the best identity theft protection and monitoring services and learn how to avoid common holiday package scams .
WASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith moved to abandon two criminal cases against Donald Trump on Monday, acknowledging that Trump’s return to the White House will preclude attempts to federally prosecute him for retaining classified documents or trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat. The decision was inevitable, since longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Yet it was still a momentous finale to an unprecedented chapter in political and law enforcement history, as federal officials attempted to hold accountable a former president while he was simultaneously running for another term. Trump emerges indisputably victorious, having successfully delayed the investigations through legal maneuvers and then winning re-election despite indictments that described his actions as a threat to the country's constitutional foundations. “I persevered, against all odds, and WON," Trump exulted in a post on Truth Social, his social media website. He also said that “these cases, like all of the other cases I have been forced to go through, are empty and lawless, and should never have been brought.” The outcome makes it clear that, when it comes to a president and criminal accusations, nothing supersedes the voters' own verdict. In court filings, Smith's team emphasized that the move to end their prosecutions was not a reflection of the merit of the cases but a recognition of the legal shield that surrounds any commander in chief. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” prosecutors said in one of their filings. They wrote that Trump’s return to the White House “sets at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: on the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities . . . and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law.” In this situation, “the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated,” they concluded. Smith’s team said it was leaving intact charges against two co-defendants in the classified documents case — Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira — because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” Steven Cheung, Trump's incoming White House communications director, said Americans “want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country.” Trump has long described the investigations as politically motivated, and he has vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. Now he will start his second term free from criminal scrutiny by the government that he will lead. The election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing Trump as he tried to reclaim the White House. He was indicted for plotting to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden in 2020, an effort that climaxed with his supporters' violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But the case quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Smith’s team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence they planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of voters after he lost to Biden. In asking for the election case to be dismissed, prosecutors requested that Chutkan do it “without prejudice,” raising the possibility that they could try to bring charges against Trump again after he leaves office. But such a move may be barred by the statute of limitations, and Trump may also try to pardon himself while in office. The separate case involving classified documents had been widely seen as legally clear cut, especially because the conduct in question occurred after Trump left the White House and lost the powers of the presidency. The indictment included dozens of felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified records from his presidency at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and obstructing federal efforts to get them back. He has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. The case quickly became snarled by delays, with U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon slow to issue rulings — which favored Trump’s strategy of pushing off deadlines in all his criminal cases — while also entertaining defense motions and arguments that experts said other judges would have dispensed with without hearings. In May, she indefinitely canceled the trial date amid a series of unresolved legal issues before dismissing the case outright two months later. Smith’s team appealed the decision, but now has given up that effort. Trump faced two other state prosecutions while running for president. One them, a New York case involving hush money payments, resulted in a conviction on felony charges of falsifying business records. It was the first time a former president had been found guilty of a crime. The sentencing in that case is on hold as Trump's lawyers try to have the conviction dismissed before he takes office, arguing that letting the verdict stand will interfere with his presidential transition and duties. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office is fighting the dismissal but has indicated that it would be open to delaying sentencing until Trump leaves office. Bragg, a Democrat, has said the solution needs to balance the obligations of the presidency with “the sanctity of the jury verdict." Trump was also indicted in Georgia along with 18 others accused of participating in a sprawling scheme to illegally overturn the 2020 presidential election there. Any trial appears unlikely there while Trump holds office. The prosecution already was on hold after an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Four defendants have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors. Trump and the others have pleaded not guilty. Associated Press writers Colleen Long, Michael Sisak and Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this story.
Manmohan Singh: Architect of Economic Reforms in IndiaMichigan hung with No. 4 USC for much of Sunday night’s game before a cold spell doomed the visitors in a 78-58 loss. Michigan played without leading scorer Syla Swords, held out with a lower leg injury sustained in the first half of Michigan’s previous game, Dec. 20 at Akron. Swords, the star freshman guard, needed to be helped off the court that afternoon but eventually returned to the bench. A team spokesperson didn’t have any update beyond that when reached by email during Sunday’s game. Swords was in Los Angeles and on the bench, in street clothes, for Sunday’s game. USC super sophomore JuJu Watkins scored 31 points, making 13 of 14 free throws, to wear down the No. 23 Wolverines (10-3, 1-1). Michigan trailed by just one with a little more than two minutes left in the third quarter but missed 11 straight shots and lost contact. Watkins took over and, with a few minutes left, the lead had ballooned to 27. USC improved to 12-1 (2-0) in a game that ended after midnight back in Ann Arbor. It doesn’t get any easier for the Wolverines on this Los Angeles trip. They’ll face No. 1 UCLA on Wednesday (5 p.m. ET, Big Ten Network). Jordan Hobbs led Michigan with 19 points, though just five after halftime. Greta Kampschroeder added 14 points. Olivia Olson, held scoreless in the first half, finished with 11. Without Swords, Michigan used a more traditional starting lineup, going with Yulia Grabovskaia at center with the four guards who’ve started all year. The Trojans scored 10 straight to close the first quarter and open the second, grabbing a 19-11 lead. Hobbs scored 14 straight for Michigan to keep the visitors close. Michigan trailed 34-31 at half and grabbed the lead early in the third quarter. Midway through the third quarter, USC had an open 3 that would have pushed its lead to eight. Instead, Michigan went the other way. Brooke Quarles-Daniels missed two layups in succession before finally converting through a foul. Her free throw cut USC’s lead to 43-41. As Watkins continued to draw fouls, Michigan hung around. Olson’s and-one cut Michigan’s deficit to one with 2:24 left in the third. That’s when the wheels started to come off for the Wolverines. Watkins made 10 free throws in the quarter, helping USC to a 57-47 lead entering the fourth. After the Olson bucket, Michigan missed 11 straight shots, getting nothing but a single free throw until Hobbs’ jumper with 5:40 left. The cold spell turned a one-possession game into a blowout.LAS VEGAS — Players Era Festival organizers have done what so many other have tried — bet their fortunes in this city that a big payoff is coming. Such bet are usually bad ones, which is why so many massive casino-resorts have been built on Las Vegas Boulevard. But it doesn't mean the organizers are wrong. They're counting on the minimum of $1 million in guaranteed name, image and likeness money that will go to each of the eight teams competing in the neutral-site tournament that begins Tuesday will create a precedent for other such events. EverWonder Studios CEO Ian Orefice, who co-founded Players with former AND1 CEO Seth Berger, compared this event to last year's inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament that played its semifinals and final in Las Vegas by saying it "did really well to reinvigorate the fan base at the beginning of the year." "We're excited that we're able to really change the paradigm in college basketball on the economics," Orefice said. "But for us, it's about the long term. How do we use the momentum that is launching with the 2024 Players Era Festival and be the catalyst not to change one event, but to change college basketball for the future." Orefice and Berger didn't disclose financial details, but said the event will come close to breaking even this year and that revenue is in eight figures. Orefice said the bulk of the revenue will come from relationships with MGM, TNT Sports and Publicis Sport & Entertainment as well as sponsors that will be announced later. Both organizers said they are so bullish on the tournament's prospects that they already are planning ahead. Money made from this year's event, Orefice said, goes right back into the company. "We're really in this for the long haul," Orefice said. "So we're not looking at it on a one-year basis." Rick Giles is president of the Gazelle Group, which also operates several similar events, including the College Basketball Invitational. He was skeptical the financial numbers would work. Giles said in addition to more than $8 million going to the players, there were other expenses such as the guarantees to the teams. He said he didn't know if the tournament would make up the difference with ticket sales, broadcast rights and sponsorship money. The top bowl of the MGM Grand Garden Arena will be curtained off. "The math is highly challenging," Giles said. "Attendance and ticket revenues are not going to come anywhere close to covering that. They haven't announced any sponsors that I'm aware of. So it all sort of rests with their media deal with Turner and how much capital they want to commit to it to get these players paid." David Carter, a University of Southern California adjunct professor who also runs the Sports Business Group consultancy, said even if the Players isn't a financial success this year, the question is whether there will be enough interest to move forward. "If there is bandwidth for another tournament and if the TV or the streaming ratings are going to be there and people are going to want to attend and companies are going to want to sponsor, then, yeah, it's probably going to work," Carter said. "But it may take them time to gain that traction." Both founders said they initially were met with skepticism about putting together such an event, especially from teams they were interested in inviting. Houston was the first school to commit, first offering an oral pledge early in the year and then signing a contract in April. That created momentum for others to join, and including the No. 6 Cougars, half the field is ranked. "We have the relationships to operate a great event," Berger said. "We had to get coaches over those hurdles, and once they knew that we were real, schools got on board really quickly." The founders worked with the NCAA to make sure the tournament abided by that organization's rules, so players must appear at ancillary events in order to receive NIL money. Strict pay for play is not allowed, though there are incentives for performance. The champion, for example, will receive $1.5 million in NIL money. Now the pressure is on to pull off the event and not create the kind of headlines that can dog it for years to come. "I think everybody in the marketplace is watching what's going to happen (this) week and, more importantly, what happens afterwards," Giles said. "Do the players get paid on a timely basis? And if they do, that means that Turner or somebody has paid way more than the market dictates? And the question will be: Can that continue?" CREIGHTON: P oint guard Steven Ashworth likely won’t play in the No. 21 Bluejays’ game against San Diego State in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. Ashworth sprained his right ankle late in a loss to Nebraska on Friday and coach Greg McDermott said afterward he didn’t know how long he would be out. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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UN nuclear watchdog board passes resolution chiding IranTOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — Gov. Phil Murphy has asked the Biden administration to put more resources into an investigation of mysterious drone sightings that have been reported in New Jersey and nearby states. Murphy, a Democrat, made the request in a letter Thursday, noting that state and local law enforcement remain “hamstrung” by existing laws and policies in their efforts to successfully counteract any nefarious activity of unmanned aircraft. He posted a copy of the letter on the social media platform X . “This leaves action surrounding the (drones) squarely on the shoulders of the federal government,” Murphy said. “More federal resources are needed to understand what is behind this activity.” Murphy and other officials have repeatedly stressed that there is no evidence that the aircraft pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus. The Pentagon also has said they are not U.S. military drones. The drones have drawn intense public concern and curiosity since residents first reported seeing them last month. Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia said from four to 180 aircraft have been reported to authorities since Nov. 18, appearing from dusk till 11 p.m. The flying objects have been spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster, but the number of reported sightings has grown greatly since then. Drones were also spotted in Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region. The FBI, Federal Aviation Administration and other state and federal agencies involved in the investigation have not corroborated any of the reported sightings with electronic detection, and reviews of available images appear to show many of the reported drones are actually manned aircraft. They also say there have been no confirmed sightings in restricted air space. It’s also possible that a single drone has been seen and reported more than once, officials said. Some federal lawmakers have called on the military to “shoot down” the drones. The drones also appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio, according to a state lawmaker who was briefed by the Department of Homeland Security. In one case, a medevac helicopter was unable to pick up a seriously injured car accident victim in Branchburg Township in Somerset County late last month due to drones hovering near the planned landing zone, according to NJ.com. The FAA said Thursday that it does not have a report on this incident. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use but are subject to local and FAA regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified. Witnesses say the drones they think they have seen in New Jersey appear to be larger than those typically used by hobbyists.
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SEOUL — South Korea's acting leader has ordered an emergency safety inspection of the country's entire airline operations, a day after 179 people were killed in the deadliest plane crash on its soil. The Jeju Air plane burst into flames as it crash-landed in South Korea's Muan International Airport, killing everyone on board save for two victims. Acting President Choi Sang-mok has asked investigators into the incident to promptly disclose their findings to bereaved families. His request also comes as another Jeju Air flight turned back to Seoul shortly after takeoff on Monday, due to an unidentified landing gear issue. On Monday, the Jeju Air plane departed from Gimpo International Airport at 06:35 local time (21:35 GMT Sunday) and returned less than an hour later after realizing a mechanical defect caused by the landing-gear issue, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported. Landing gear refers to the set of wheels and other parts of the plane which supports the plane during takeoff, taxiing and landing. The aircraft that turned back was a Boeing B737-800, the same model as the one involved in the disaster on Sunday. Thirty-nine of the 41 aircrafts in Jeju Air's fleet are of this model. After Sunday's deadly crash, Boeing had said it was in touch with Jeju Air and that it stood "ready to support them". The 179 passengers on flight 7C2216 were aged between three and 78 years old, although most were in their 40s, 50s and 60s, according to Yonhap news agency. Two Thai nationals are among the dead and the rest are believed to be South Korean, authorities have said. On Sunday, the ill-fated plane had skidded off the runway after touching down and crashed into a wall shortly after 09:00 local time (00:00 GMT). A South Korean transport official had said that the plane had been attempting to land but was forced to hold off after air traffic control gave a bird strike warning - an alert about the risk of a collision with birds. Air traffic command later gave permission for the plane to land from the opposite direction, the official said. The airline's bosses bowed deeply as they gave a public apology at a press conference on Sunday. "We deeply apologise to all those affected by the incident. We will make every effort to resolve the situation," the firm said in a statement. Jeju Air shares were trading around 8% lower in Seoul on Monday. The accident is a national tragedy for South Korea, which has been embroiled in political turmoil after parliament voted to impech President Yoon Suk Yeol and his temporary successor Han Duck-soo. Acting President Choi, who stepped into the interim role only on Friday, said he is "heartbroken" by the accident. "To the honorable citizens of our nation, as an acting president, my heart aches as we face this unforeseen tragedy amid recent economic hardships," he said. — BBC < Previous Page Next Page >The Federal Capital Territory Primary Health Care system has emerged as one of the best in the federation at the second edition of the Primary Health Care Leadership Challenge Gala/ Awards ceremony held in Abuja. A statement from Bola Ajao, the Senior Special Assistant to the Mandate Secretary, FCT Health and Environment Secretariat, Adedalapo Fasawe, noted that the FCT emerged as the runner-up for “Best Performing and Most Improved State” with a cash incentive of $400,000 in recognition of its implemented innovations and outstanding performance in strengthening PHC system in the territory in line with Universal Health Coverage among other states in the year 2024. Meanwhile, 14 awards were presented in total—one per geo-political zone and one national award. Along with FCT, other states that shined at the ceremony were Gombe state, which won “Best Implemented Innovation,” and Anambra, which got the “Overall Best Performance” award for the 2024 edition. This year’s edition, chaired by Vice President Sen. Kashim Shettima, was represented by a former Minister of FCT, Alh. Aliyu Madibbo. The PHC Leadership Challenge award was launched in 2022 by the Nigeria Governors Forum as a commitment to strengthening and improving the PHC system across the country and to appraise state performance. The first award edition kicked off in 2023. Related News FAAC: FG, states, LGs share N1.7tn November revenue FCT health insurance scheme exceeds 2024 enrolment targets — Official Wike ready to revoke illegally acquired lands of friends, family — Aide In response to this remarkable feat, Fasawe said, “This award underscores the strategic leadership of the FCT Minister in investing in healthcare and the credible services carried out daily in PHC centres across the territory, with more to come.” Fasawe noted that the FCT healthcare system promotes and utilises the Basic Health Care Provision Fund adequately yields significant improvements in antenatal coverage, an increased proportion of women who are using modern contraceptive methods, an increased rate of women delivery with skilled birth attendants through various approaches targeted at creating awareness and educating vulnerable women on the importance of accessing quality healthcare system within their proximity. Fasawe, while appreciating the entire management and staff team of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat, and other stakeholders called for more action by putting in more work to ensure that the commitment to strengthen and improve the PHC systems in Nigeria is fully actualised. At the ceremony, the HSE Secretariat was represented by the Acting Executive Secretary, FCT Primary Health Care Board, Ruqqaya Wamako in the company of the Director, FCT Health Insurance Scheme, Dr Salamatu Belgore, who received the award on behalf of the Secretariat. The statement added that the Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Kwara state, AbdulRahaman AbdulRazaq, who was represented by the Governor of Anambra state, Prof Charles Soludo; and the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate were present at the award ceremony.