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COMMERCE, Texas (AP) — Scooter Williams Jr. had 19 points in East Texas A&M's 68-67 victory over Abilene Christian on Wednesday. Williams added six rebounds and three steals for the Lions (2-10). Khaliq Abdul-Mateen added 17 points while going 3 of 8 and 11 of 12 from the free-throw line while he also had five assists and three steals. The Lions snapped a seven-game slide. Quion Williams led the Wildcats (7-5) in scoring, finishing with 17 points and seven assists. Leonardo Bettiol added 16 points and seven rebounds for Abilene Christian. Hunter Jack Madden had 13 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Web3 Awards Night & Mixer: A Celebration of Web3 Excellence in Bengaluru
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Opinions expressed by Digital Journal contributors are their own As technology drives humanity into a hyper-connected future, the infrastructure supporting this digital revolution—networking, cybersecurity, and data centers—is the cornerstone of every industry. Praveen Kumar Gopalakrishnan has an essential role in this domain, blending expertise and innovation to redefine how organizations manage their IT ecosystems. Networking enables data to flow seamlessly between devices, applications, and users across the globe. As industries adopt increasingly complex systems, ensuring these networks remain reliable, scalable, and secure is a monumental task. With over 23 years of experience, Praveen Kumar has designed and managed high-performance networks prioritizing low latency, high availability, and scalability. He has leveraged advanced tools such as high-end switches, routers, and NGFW to enhance traffic management, strengthen security, and reduce bottlenecks. His skills in integrating advanced load balancing technologies, such as F5 Load Balancers, have optimized traffic distribution and ensured seamless user experiences, even during peak usage. Praveen ensures that organizations, whether corporate giants or nonprofits, maintain robust networks capable of supporting their critical operations. In an era where data breaches are among the greatest threats to organizations, cybersecurity has become a critical focus. The modern landscape of interconnected devices and cloud computing has expanded the attack surface, making sophisticated defenses essential. Praveen’s work in cybersecurity has fortified organizations against these threats. He implemented next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) such as Palo Alto Networks and Checkpoint to bolster threat detection and prevention. And by enforcing zero trust frameworks and adhering to stringent regulatory standards like PCI DSS, Praveen has ensured the safety of sensitive financial and donor data. Data centers form the core of IT operations, housing the infrastructure that supports applications, storage, and computing. With the rise of cloud-based solutions and hybrid environments, the role of the data center has evolved, demanding efficiency, scalability, and sustainability. Praveen has led multiple data center migrations and consolidations, ensuring seamless transitions and optimized performance. Praveen has overseen end-to-end migration projects that transitioned legacy systems to cutting-edge environments, from data collection and site assessments to system configurations. By replacing outdated hardware and centralizing resources, he has achieved significant cost and energy savings. This shows an understanding of balancing operational demands with sustainability, delivering technical performance and environmental benefits. Praveen’s transition to the nonprofit sector brings a unique perspective to his technical expertise. In his role at a major nonprofit focused on children’s health, he has applied these skills to ensure the organization’s IT systems are resilient and aligned with its life-saving mission. By strengthening network security, enhancing remote access capabilities, and reducing operational costs through data center optimizations, Praveen has redirected resources toward the organization’s humanitarian goals, making a tangible difference in the lives of many. Emerging trends such as edge and intent based computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and quantum security will change how organizations manage their IT ecosystems. Praveen Kumar Gopalakrishnan hopes for a future where these technologies not only enhance performance but also drive sustainability and inclusivity. His work is a blueprint for leveraging technology to solve complex challenges in corporate boardrooms or nonprofit mission fields. For Praveen, technology is a platform that proves that innovation and impact can interconnect with the right expertise and vision.MARKHAM, Ontario — As Canada advances toward a greener future, electric vehicles (EVs) are increasingly viewed as essential for reducing carbon emissions and combating climate change. Government incentives and growing public awareness have encouraged many Canadians to make the switch to EVs. Despite this progress, there is still room for further adoption if certain concerns, such as cost and infrastructure, can be addressed. While infrastructure development and affordability take time to improve, some barriers lie squarely within the control of manufacturers. Recognizing this, VinFast, a global electric vehicle manufacturer, has taken an innovative step to address a key consumer concern: long-term reliability. By offering an industry-leading 10-year warranty, VinFast aims to reduce anxieties and accelerate EV adoption in Canada. The shift to EVs in Canada has been steady but uneven. While provinces like Quebec and British Columbia lead with aggressive zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandates, others lag behind due to infrastructure gaps and consumer skepticism. While interest in EVs is indeed growing, unfamiliarity still hinders wider adoption. Unlike traditional gasoline vehicles, which Canadians have relied on for decades, EVs represent a new frontier with different upkeep requirements, particularly around their batteries. Studies indicate that these uncertainties can deter potential buyers from transitioning to EVs. A recent survey by Ernst & Young’s 2024 Mobility Consumer Index (MCI) revealed a global slowdown in EV sales growth, with many prospective buyers citing high maintenance and repair costs as a top concern . In Canada, the proportion of prospective car buyers intending to purchase an EV has dropped by 3%, falling to 15% compared to last year—significantly below the global figure (24%). For Canadian consumers weighing the benefits of lower fuel costs and emissions against the perceived risks of costly repairs, a strong warranty can be a game-changer. Long warranties have certainly played a role in boosting consumer confidence, but they are especially significant for EV buyers. Unlike traditional cars, where decades of experience have clarified maintenance expectations, EVs rely on advanced battery systems and cutting-edge electronics. While this technology offers efficiency and environmental benefits, it also introduces uncertainty for those unfamiliar with it. For consumers who are already cautious with big-ticket purchases, the promise of a robust warranty provides peace of mind. The Ernst & Young MCI 2023 report highlighted this emerging trend, noting that 24% of survey participants identified costly battery replacements as a barrier to EV adoption . In 2024, this concern climbed into the top three barriers for the first time. In that context, warranties that extend well beyond the standard three or five years reassure consumers that manufacturers are committed to their products and willing to cover major repair costs. This assurance is particularly compelling in the current economic climate. VinFast has recognized these consumer anxieties and positioned itself as a leader in addressing them. The company’s 10-year/200,000-kilometer vehicle warranty and the 10-year/unlimited mileage for the high voltage battery (under standard usage) is among the most generous in the EV industry, exceeding the typical coverage offered by many competitors. This long coverage directly tackles the primary concerns of EV buyers: the high cost of battery repairs and the reliability of advanced electronic systems. By standing firmly behind its technology, VinFast signals to Canadians that it is confident in the longevity and quality of its vehicles. For VinFast customers, this warranty is more than a marketing tool; it’s a reason to trust the brand. Testimonials from early adopters in North America highlight the pivotal role the warranty plays in purchase decisions. “The 10-year warranty gave us confidence to make the switch,” said Jason Cheung, a VinFast owner who values the long-term support. VinFast’s commitment to long-term reliability has not only earned consumer trust but has also propelled the company to new heights. In its home market of Vietnam, VinFast has become the leading automotive brand—surpassing foreign and gasoline-powered competitors—an impressive feat achieved in just over five years. In North America, VinFast is gaining significant momentum. September, in particular, marked a record-breaking month for the company, fueled by strong customer demand and competitive offerings. Building on this success, VinFast recently began delivering its flagship VF 9—a three-row, 7-seater SUV—in Canada. The VF 9 comes with the company’s signature market-leading 10-year/200,000-kilometer limited warranty, underscoring its commitment to customer satisfaction and long-term reliability. VinFast’s commitment doesn’t stop at its warranty. The company has introduced services aimed at easing the broader transition to EV ownership. For example, VinFast’s app provides a seamless solution by connecting drivers to a comprehensive network of public charging stations across North America. Additionally, the brand offers 24/7 roadside assistance, further enhancing its appeal to Canadian consumers who value reliability and convenience. These added services underscore VinFast’s holistic approach to building trust, not just in its vehicles but in the EV ecosystem as a whole. VinFast’s focus on delivering comprehensive warranties and services reflects a strategic understanding of consumer behavior. By addressing concerns upfront, the company is not only encouraging more Canadians to consider EVs but also challenging the broader industry to adopt similar practices. As Canada aims to meet its climate targets and phase out gas-powered vehicles, efforts like VinFast’s could play a crucial role in accelerating the transition. By removing barriers and building trust, the brand is helping Canadians see EVs not as risky investments but as reliable, long-term solutions. With the support of bold innovators like VinFast, Canada’s shift to electric transportation is not only possible—it’s inevitable. _____________________ John Lindo:Williams' 19 lead East Texas A&M over Abilene Christian 68-67
Trump expected to nominate Scott Bessent for Treasury secretaryNEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks drifted to a mixed close, as gains for tech stocks nudged the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq to more records. The S&P 500 eked out a gain of under 0.1% Tuesday, while the Nasdaq composite rose 0.4%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.2%. Treasury yields held relatively steady after a report showed U.S. employers were advertising slightly more job openings at the end of October than a month earlier. The value of the South Korean won sank against the dollar after its president declared martial law and then later said he’ll lift it. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are drifting around their records on Tuesday as Wall Street's white-hot rally lets off the accelerator. The S&P 500 was virtually flat in afternoon trading, a day after rising tech stocks helped it set an all-time high for the 54th time this year. It's climbed in nine of the last 10 days and is on track for one of its best years since the turn of the millennium. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down by 56 points, or 0.1%, with 45 minutes remaining in trading, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.2% to its own record set a day earlier. AT&T rose 3.9% after it boosted its profit forecast for the year. It also announced a $10 billion plan to send cash to its investors by buying back its own stock, while saying it expects to authorize another $10 billion of repurchases in 2027. On the losing end of Wall Street was U.S. Steel, which fell 7.9%. President-elect Donald Trump reiterated on social media that he would not let Japan’s Nippon Steel take over the iconic Pennsylvania steelmaker. Nippon Steel announced plans last December to buy the Pittsburgh-based steel producer for $14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security. Earlier this year, President Joe Biden also came out against the acquisition. Tesla s sank 2.1% after a judge in Delaware reaffirmed a previous ruling that the electric car maker must revoke Elon Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package. The judge denied a request by attorneys for Musk and Tesla’s corporate directors to vacate her ruling earlier this year requiring the company to rescind the unprecedented pay package. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady after a report showed U.S. employers were advertising slightly more job openings at the end of October than a month earlier. Continued strength there would raise optimism that the economy could keep avoiding a recession that many investors had earlier thought was inevitable. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.22 from 4.20% from late Monday. Yields have seesawed since Election Day amid worries that Trump's preferences for lower tax rates and bigger tariffs could spur higher inflation along with economic growth. But traders are still confident the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate again at its next meeting in two weeks. They’re betting on a nearly three-in-four chance of that, according to data from CME Group. Lower rates can help give the economy more juice, but they can also give inflation more fuel. The key report this week that could guide the Fed’s next move will arrive on Friday. It’s the monthly jobs report , which will show how many workers U.S. employers hired and fired during November. It could be difficult to parse given how much storms and strikes distorted figures in October. Based on trading in the options market, Friday's jobs report appears to be the biggest potential market mover until the Fed announces its next decision on interest rates Dec. 18, according to strategists at Barclays Capital. Since his victory, Trump has broadcasted his plans for tariffs , including for goods coming from China . Trade relations between the U.S. and China took another step backward after China said it is banning exports to the U.S. of gallium, germanium, antimony and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications. The counterpunch came swiftly after the U.S. Commerce Department expanded the list of Chinese technology companies subject to export controls to include many that make equipment used to make computer chips, chipmaking tools and software. The 140 companies newly included in the so-called “entity list” are nearly all based in China. In financial markets abroad, the value of South Korea's currency fell 0.9% against the U.S. dollar following a frenetic night where President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law and then later said he'd lift it after lawmakers voted to reject military rule. Stocks of Korean companies that trade in the United States also fell, including a 1.3% drop for SK Telecom. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.9% to help lead global markets. Some analysts think Japanese stocks could end up benefiting from Trump’s threats to raise tariffs on China and other countries. Indexes rose 1% in Hong Kong and 0.4% in Shanghai amid unconfirmed reports that Chinese leaders would meet next week to discuss planning for the coming year. Investors are hoping it may bring fresh stimulus to help spur growth in the world’s second-largest economy. In France, the CAC 40 rose 0.3% amid continued worries about politics in Paris , where the government is battling over the budget. ___ AP Business Writers Yuri Kageyama and Matt Ott contributed. Stan Choe, The Associated Press
Published 10:57 pm Thursday, December 12, 2024 by Steve Flowers Our legendary governor of the 1940s and 1950s was the giant, cartoonish, character James E. “Big Jim” Folsom. Ole Big Jim ran against the big businesses of Birmingham — big banks, utilities and U.S. Steel — and labeled them the “Big Mules.” He campaigned on the back of a flatbed truck in every hamlet in the state. He would dance and sing with his band, the Strawberry Pickers, and rail against the Big Mules of Birmingham and the Big Planters of the Black Belt. George Wallace came onto the scene in the 1960s. Wallace was a protégé of Big Jim Folsom. Wallace, like Big Jim, Huey Long of Louisiana and other southern political demagogues knew you had to find a boogeyman to run against. Wallace had an easy target. His boogeyman was the race issue. He became the most ardent racist segregationist in the south. However, that issue played out when Blacks were given the right to vote in 1965, and quickly constituted 25 percent of the electorate. Wallace had to find a new boogeyman to run against, so like his mentor, Big Jim, Wallace went after the last Big Mule standing — Alabama Power Company. Wallace was the ultimate demagogue, but history reveals that what is good for Alabama Power is good for Alabama. While nobody likes paying power bills, most of us fail to consider what we get for our money. We want to see the lights come on when we flip the switch and Alabama Power does a better job at making that happen than just about anybody. Email newsletter signup Three years ago, a historic winter blast of cold air on Christmas Eve made the lights go out in Georgia. They also went out in Mississippi, Tennessee and the Tennessee Valley of Alabama, as rolling blackouts spread across the South. However, the lights stayed on in Alabama Power territory. Yet, when the lights do go out in the middle of the storm, you can rest assured a lineman from Alabama Power will weather the storm, leaving his home and family to get the power back on for your home and family. Alabama Power does more than just keep the lights on. It has been the driving force behind economic development in Alabama for an entire century. Today, while industries are abandoning plans for investments in other southern states because they cannot get a reliable supply of electricity, business is booming in Alabama Power territory. This is because the leadership of Alabama Power has refused to buckle to left-wing advocates that suggest we run steel mills and factories off solar panels and windmills. A group calling itself Conservatives for Clean Energy has hired shady political operatives to attack Alabama Power and promote so-called “clean energy.” Anytime a pro-solar and pro-windmill group puts the word “conservative” in their name, you can bet there is nothing conservative about them. Fortunately, for the past decade, our Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities, has had strong leadership and the backbone to stand up to the left-wing forces that would have us sitting in the dark, freezing and paying higher bills. The president of the PSC, Twinkle Cavanaugh, is as smart and tough as they come. Along with her fellow commissioners, she has held the line on regulations that keep the lights on, the jobs coming, and the cost of electricity at about the national average. To the contrary, Texas deregulated utilities a few years ago and left power suppliers on their own to meet the demands of America’s second-biggest state. Windmills and solar panels went up everywhere and utilities cut their maintenance budgets to the bone. Then, in the winter of 2021, the sun went down, the windmills literally froze up, and people started dying. Even as late as this past August, Texas faced rolling blackouts because the utilities could not meet demand. One reason Alabama is not Texas is because our Public Service Commission demanded that Alabama Power put Alabama families, businesses and industries ahead of the left-wing environmentalist agenda. It is the PSC’s job to hold the power company and all the businesses they regulate accountable, and they do. The commission has proven it will hold the power company’s feet to the fire. For example, the PSC has not granted a rate increase since 2021, and the commission monitors the cost of fuel and other expenses on a monthly basis. The PSC has done an excellent job requiring the power company to cut the fat without sacrificing the muscle needed to care for Alabama families and create more jobs. Some people will keep taking shots at Alabama Power because they are an obvious Big Mule boogeyman — but it has always been true, if you’ve got a heavy load to pull you need a big mule. Steve Flowers served 16 years in the state legislature. He may be reached at steve@steveflowers.us. (Column) Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Will he make America healthy again? (Dave says) Your income is the key (Column) Alabama vs. Auburn, a house divided (Column) The Trump TriumphSample ballots for the 2024 primary in Hudson County show an office-block layout for the Democratic race (top) and New Jersey's unique county-line ballot for the GOP primary. A special legislative committee focused on ballot design held what may be its last hearing Thursday before the panel votes to advance a bill codifying new ballot rules Monday, with much focus left to bracketing and a controversial provision that lawmakers said would not make it into the final version of the legislation. As written, the bill would bar candidates from using the names of major political parties in their slogans without the consent of county party organizations in their county. Advocates chaffed at that proposed restriction, calling it an effort to revive the controversial county-line system in all but name. Kate Delaney, president of South Jersey Progressive Democrats, noted the provision would bar candidates backed by her group from using its name as their slogan. “This would, in essence, do what the line has done all these years: Set up one side of Democrats as the real Democrats and the others, in some way, as a cheap knockoff version,” Delaney said. Assemblyman Al Barlas (R-Essex), the panel’s Republican co-chair, said that language was meant to preserve the slogans of existing groups — political parties and others — and would see changes before the bill came up for a vote on Monday. “The intent here is to preserve those who maintain certain names ... and also to ensure that folks that may be nefarious in intent don’t try to portray themselves as something that they are not,” Barlas said. The committee is tasked with exploring options for updated ballot designs after a federal judge ruled New Jersey’s system of county lines, which group candidates backed by party organizations on primary ballots, is likely unconstitutional and ordered the use of office-block ballots, which group candidates by the office they are seeking instead. Most witnesses who spoke Thursday urged the committee to rewrite provisions in the bill that would allow candidates in races with multiple seats — for Assembly, county commission, and certain local offices, among others — to be placed on the ballot as a group rather than individually. Henal Patel, law and policy director for the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice, noted that experts in cases challenging county-line ballots presented significant evidence about the negative impact that grouping candidates has on voter choice. “Any new ballot design should not allow for any grouping or association on the ballot,” Patel said. “New Jersey’s new primary ballot design should aim to be neutral.” Patel and others said ballot draws should be conducted randomly for each candidate and election clerks should shift candidates’ ballot position in each voting precinct to ensure none enjoy a benefit from being placed at the top of their office block. The state should move to modernize its ballot draw process and replace hand draws used to determine ballot positions under current law, said Peter Chen, a senior policy analyst at New Jersey Policy Perspective. “Whether or not that randomization, rotation goes to a precinct level, I think we can say holding the box over your head and shaking it is not the most efficient way to do this,” Chen said. Jill LaZare, a former State Senate and Assembly candidate, argued against rotating ballot positions, charging it would make it more difficult for candidates to inform voters how they can find them when voting. Though lawmakers did not indicate whether they would move away from allowing bracketing, Barlas said because of procurement rules, computerized ballot draws and rotating ballot positions would not be feasible for the state’s 2025 primaries. Next year, the governor’s race and all 80 Assembly seats will be on the ballot. Advocates praised other provisions in the bill, lauding lawmakers for provisions barring incongruous ballot positions for candidates seeking the same office — a practice called ballot Siberia under the county-line system — and barring markers denoting a candidate’s incumbency. “I appreciate the effort here to do the work to get this right. There are some things that are right, and there are still some things we think should be improved on. And we appreciate the opportunity that this is for discussion so that those things can happen.,” said Maura Collinsgru, director of policy and advocacy for New Jersey Citizen Action. The Senate has not held hearings on ballot design, and party leaders in that chamber have largely remained silent on the work being done in the lower chamber. Wimberly signaled the Senate has not stayed uninvolved in the process. “I think the Senate has listened in carefully. I think they will address it,” he said. 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Professional boxer Amanda Serrano said she's ready for another rematch against Katie Taylor after losing the undisputed women's lightweight title by unanimous decision via three scores of 95-94 in the featured undercard bout ahead of last weekend's main event between Mike Tyson and Jake Paul . Taylor had retained the title after their last nail-biting fight at New York City's Madison Square Garden in 2022. "I believe I won the fight, which means we have to go for the third fight," Puerto Rico's Serrano told "CBS Mornings Plus" co-hosts Adriana Diaz and Tony Dokoupil on Thursday, confirming she's "100% interested" in a rematch. This time, she's requesting that it be fought under the men's rules, which is 3-minute rounds with a maximum of 12 rounds. There was a lot of "excessive headbutting and excessive holding" throughout the 10-round rematch, Serrano said. Serrano continued the bout despite having a huge gash over her right eye. The cut was split open even more after a clash of heads in the sixth round, but a doctor cleared Serrano to resume the match. Taylor was docked a point by the referee for a headbutt in the eighth round. "I want to apologize to everybody for that gruesome cut; it wasn't my fault," Serrano joked, adding that the doctor did a great job stitching it up afterward. Taylor "likes to come in with her head," Serrano said, adding that she doesn't necessarily believe it was intentional. "That's how she fights." According to Netflix , roughly 74 million average viewers worldwide watched the captivating fight between the pair, making it the most-watched women's sporting event in history. "Now people who've never seen boxing before, never knew women fight, know women can fight," Serrano said, adding that it was "truly an honor" to perform on such a huge platform. Serrano praised Jake Paul for bringing viewership and revenue to the sport of boxing and said she's honored to fight under the boxing promotion company Most Valuable Promotions, founded by Paul and Nakisa Bidarian in 2021. "A lot of people didn't know women fight until he brought me along," Serrano said of Paul. "And he brings in the money. My biggest payday was my first fight on his undercard and it's just gotten bigger since then." Sports Boxing Jennifer Earl is the Vice President of Growth & Engagement at CBS News and Stations. Jennifer has previously written for outlets including The Daily Herald, The Gazette, NBC News, Newsday, Fox News and more.
The top US court will hear arguments on January 10 on whether the law that would ban the platform violates free speech rights. Washington, DC – The United States Supreme Court has agreed to hear TikTok’s bid to block a law that would ban or compel the sale of the video platform over its links to China. The top justices signalled on Wednesday that they are willing to reconsider a decision by a lower court that upheld the law, but they stopped short of issuing an injunction to immediately suspend the US government’s effort to block TikTok. The Supreme Court will hear oral argument in the case on January 10, nine days before the government’s deadline to impose the ban. US President Joe Biden approved the law, dubbed the Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act , in April after years of proclaimed concerns that the popular social media app may be used to steal Americans’ data and manipulate public opinion. At the core of the case is determining whether banning TikTok is a violation of free speech rights granted by the First Amendment of the US Constitution. The government argues that the ban falls under legitimate regulations of foreign-owned companies. TikTok is owned by the China-based technology firm ByteDance. “The parties are directed to brief and argue the following question: Whether the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, as applied to petitioners, violates the First Amendment,” the Supreme Court said on Wednesday. TikTok, which says it has 170 million monthly US users , called the law in a filing to the Supreme Court a “massive and unprecedented speech restriction”, invoking the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on January 20. “The act will shutter one of America’s most popular speech platforms the day before a presidential inauguration,” TikTok’s lawyers wrote. “This, in turn, will silence the speech of applicants and the many Americans who use the platform to communicate about politics, commerce, arts, and other matters of public concern.” Trump’s ‘warm spot’ Trump previously said he has a “warm spot” for TikTok, and he met its CEO Shou Chew on Monday. TikTok noted in its petition to the Supreme Court that the US government has only raised the potential of data breaches and content manipulation without proving that these concerns have materialised. The platform’s lawyers said the ban is motivated by “the content posted by TikTok’s users and alleged editorial choices by TikTok Inc. in disseminating that content”. Some US politicians have accused TikTok of boosting pro-Palestine content and spreading anti-Semitism – allegations that the platform has categorically denied. A panel of judges on an appeals court earlier sided with the government’s argument that the effort against the platform is not about curbing free speech. “The First Amendment exists to protect free speech in the United States,” the judges wrote . “Here the government acted solely to protect that freedom from a foreign adversary nation and to limit that adversary’s ability to gather data on people in the United States.” US Attorney General Merrick Garland welcomed that ruling. “Today’s decision is an important step in blocking the Chinese government from weaponising TikTok to collect sensitive information about millions of Americans, to covertly manipulate the content delivered to American audiences, and to undermine our national security,” he said in a statement. The Supreme Court is the highest level of appeal in the US judicial system. When it takes up a case, it signals that it is of significant national importance and that it merits to be heard at the top of the judiciary. So, while the Supreme Court’s order does not mean TikTok will defeat the ban, the decision keeps the challenge alive. If the justices had dismissed the case, the litigation would have ended with the lower court’s ruling. Republican Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell filed a brief in support of the law on Wednesday, portraying the lawsuit as a delay tactic by TikTok to buy time until Trump becomes president. “This is a standard litigation play at the end of one administration, with a petitioner hoping that the next administration will provide a stay of execution,” he wrote. “This Court should no more countenance it coming from foreign adversaries than it does from hardened criminals.” The legal fight over TikTok comes amid intensifying competition between the US and China . The US federal government and several states and companies have already banned the application from their official devices. Earlier this week, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University filed a motion backing TikTok’s case. They called the ban “an egregious form of content discrimination”, citing US politicians’ publicly voiced warnings about political content on the platform. “At least 20 other legislators justified their support for the act’s provisions in content- and viewpoint-based terms, citing risks ranging from the proliferation of Chinese propaganda, to the sharing of content harmful to minors, to the alleged suppression of pro-Ukraine and pro-Israel views ,” the groups wrote.
Boxer Amanda Serrano "100% interested" in Katie Taylor rematchFounder of failed crypto lending platform Celsius Network pleads guilty to fraud charges
Even before we knew the targeted killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson by Luigi Mangione was politically motivated, many leftists were justifying , celebrating and rationalizing the shooting. There’s a real debate going on in some quarters of the progressive Left over whether slaying CEOs is a bad thing. And it’s unsurprising. Of course, if any MAGA professors or journalists were online publicly defending the killing of perceived political enemies, thousands of wringing hands would be lamenting the menacing rhetoric of conservatism. And rightly so. But the unhinged demonization of the health-insurance industry, the pharmaceutical industry and Big Oil are now the norm. A generation of college students has been indoctrinated into believing the profit motive is killing people when the opposite is true. Follow The Post’s live coverage for the latest on the UnitedHealthcare CEO murderer And there’s a clear ideological continuum between those who rationalize the shooting of a CEO and rationalize the murder and rape of Jews by Palestinian terrorists and rationalize the burning down of cities for “social justice.” One expects Mangione’s writing will be largely indistinguishable from what a person hears from elected progressives and pundits. Yet few will ponder why a seemingly rational Ivy League-educated engineer decided to become a hit man. Instead, the public is incessantly warned that white supremacists are gathering in the shadows, readying to spring their coup. So dangerous were these alleged impending “major civil disturbances” in 2023 that the Justice Department created a new category of extremists to “track and counter” the “anti-government or anti-authority violent extremism.” When BLM rioting enveloped the nation, causing billions in damage, destroying thousands of lives, one could barely get anyone in the media to admit it was even happening. To the left, parents who protest school boards over critical race theory and mask mandates are “domestic terrorists,” but people who burn down cities are “mostly peaceful.” The left has been prone to violence since Year Zero. Follow the latest on the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson : In the early 1900s, the United States was awash in communist and anarchist bombings, culminating in the deaths of 30 people on Wall Street in 1920. Most cultural depictions of the ’60s upheavals were of a genteel, peace-loving movement, but it was imbued with extremists, as well. By the 1970s, left-wing terrorist groups such as the Weather Underground were setting off bombs at the Capitol, police stations, the Pentagon and state attorneys general offices. An 18-month period in 1971-’72 saw an amazing 2,500 bombings in the United States by leftist groups. Worse, then as now, violence was often ignored or idealized by the “intellectual” left. When I was young, self-styled socialists would commemorate mass murderers such as Che Guevara or Mao Zedong on T-shirts. Today, feted contemporary public intellectuals such as Ta-Nehisi Coates write bestselling books celebrating terrorism. The late Kathy Boudin, a former Weather Underground member who was involved in the Brinks truck robbery that killed two innocent people, operated Columbia University’s “Center for Justice” for decades. And I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Angela Davis, widely considered a hero by younger progressives, who not only championed murders and terrorist regimes her entire career but bought two guns used in a courtroom kidnapping-shootout perpetrated by the Black Panthers in 1970, when three hostages and a superior court judge were killed in Marin County, Calif. There is simply no comparable mainstreaming of right-wing extremists. It was James Hodgkinson who walked onto an Alexandria, Va., baseball field in 2018 and opened fire at a Republican congressional delegation. He was a Bernie Sanders fan. Certainly, no reporter ran around the halls of Congress asking every elected Democrat if they were going to lower the rhetorical temperature. Nor did they do so when a left-wing assassin showed up at the house of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, promising to “stop roe v wade from being overturned” by “shooting for 3” justices. After years of hearing the demonizing of the Supreme Court, the man showed up with a Glock , zip ties, duct tape and various other tools. When Paul Pelosi was attacked by a deranged man, the entire media conversation revolved around conservative rhetoric. When we had two attempted assassinations of Donald Trump, most of the Left could barely stop calling him Hitler . None of this is to maintain there isn’t right-wing violence. Of course there is. It’s simply to say that we should acknowledge that a lot of our contemporary political violence emanates from the left. And a lot of it is girded by the hard-left progressive turn in mainstream America’s politics. David Harsanyi is a senior writer at the Washington Examiner. Twitter @davidharsanyiSAN DIEGO , Dec. 10, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Robbins LLP reminds investors that a class action was filed on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Xerox Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: XRX) securities between January 25, 2024 and October 28, 2024 . Xerox and its subsidiaries offer workplace technology that integrates hardware, services, and software for enterprises in the Americas, and internationally. For more information, submit a form , email attorney Aaron Dumas, Jr. , or give us a call at (800) 350-6003. The Allegations: Robbins LLP is Investigating Allegations that Xerox Holdings Corporation (XRX) Misled Investors Regarding its Business Prospects According to the complaint, during the class period, defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) after a large workforce reduction, the Company's salesforce was reorganized with new territory assignments and account coverage; (2) as a result, the Company's salesforce productivity was disrupted; (3) as a result, the Company had a lower rate of sell-through of older products; (4) the difficulties in flushing out older product would delay the launch of key products; and (5) therefore, Xerox was likely to experience lower sales and revenue. Plaintiff alleges that on October 29, 2024 , Xerox revealed "lower-than-expected improvements in sales force productivity" and "delays in the global launch of two new products" had led to "sales underperformance." The Company disclosed that for third quarter 2024, quarterly revenue was down 7.5% year-over-year to $1.53 billion , net loss fell to - $1.2 billion (down $1.3 billion year-over-year), and equipment sales declined 12.2% year over year to $339 million . In a corresponding earnings call, the Company's COO revealed the product delay was in fact a "forecasting issue" where the Company "had higher expectations that we were going to flush through the older product" which it needed to "sell through" in order to "make those transitions." On this news, the Company's share price fell $1.79 , or 17.41%, to close at $8.49 per share on October 29, 2024 . What Now : You may be eligible to participate in the class action against Xerox Holdings Corporation. Shareholders who want to serve as lead plaintiff for the class must submit their application to the court by January 21, 2025 . A lead plaintiff is a representative party who acts on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. You do not have to participate in the case to be eligible for a recovery. If you choose to take no action, you can remain an absent class member. For more information, click here . All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses. About Robbins LLP : Some law firms issuing releases about this matter do not actually litigate securities class actions; Robbins LLP does. A recognized leader in shareholder rights litigation, the attorneys and staff of Robbins LLP have been dedicated to helping shareholders recover losses, improve corporate governance structures, and hold company executives accountable for their wrongdoing since 2002. Since our inception, we have obtained over $1 billion for shareholders. To be notified if a class action against Xerox Holdings Corporation settles or to receive free alerts when corporate executives engage in wrongdoing, sign up for Stock Watch today. Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/xrx-stockholders-with-large-losses-should-contact-shareholder-rights-law-firm-robbins-llp-for-information-about-the-xerox-holdings-corporation-class-action-302328257.html SOURCE Robbins LLP
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