Stock market today: Wall Street gains ground as it notches a winning week and another Dow recordHow Trump’s bet on voters electing him managed to silence some of his legal woesHands-On: Snapdragon Dev Kit for Windows
Nathan Ake calls on Man City to show character after latest setbackStocks closed higher on Wall Street, giving the market its fifth gain in a row and notching another record high for the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The S&P 500 rose 0.3% Friday. The Dow added 1%, and the Nasdaq composite tacked on 0.2%. Retailers had some of the biggest gains. Gap soared after reporting quarterly results that easily beat analysts’ estimates. EchoStar fell after DirecTV called off its purchase of that company’s Dish Network unit. European markets closed mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. Crude oil prices gained ground. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. Stocks rose on Wall Street in afternoon trading Friday, keeping the market on track for its fifth straight gain. The S&P 500 was up 0.2% and was solidly on track for a weekly gain that will erase most of last week's loss. The Dow Jones Industrial Average climbed 333 points, or 0.8%, and the Nasdaq composite was essentially flat with a gain of less than 0.1% as of 3:07 p.m. Eastern. Markets have been volatile over the last few weeks, losing ground in the runup to elections in November, then surging following Donald Trump's victory, before falling again. The S&P 500 has been steadily rising throughout this week to within close range of its record. “Overall, market behavior has normalized following an intense few weeks,” said Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide, in a statement. Several retailers jumped after giving Wall Street encouraging financial updates. Gap soared 10.8% after handily beating analysts' third-quarter earnings and revenue expectations, while raising its own revenue forecast for the year. Discount retailer Ross Stores rose 1.5% after raising its earnings forecast for the year. EchoStar fell 2.4% after DirecTV called off its purchase of that company's Dish Network unit. Smaller company stocks had some of the biggest gains. The Russell 2000 index rose 1.8%. A majority of stocks in the S&P 500 were gaining ground, but those gains were kept in check by slumps for several big technology companies. Nvidia fell 3.3%. Its pricey valuation makes it among the heaviest influences on whether the broader market gains or loses ground. The company has grown into a nearly $3.6 trillion behemoth because of demand for its chips used in artificial-intelligence technology. Intuit, which makes TurboTax and other accounting software, fell 5.6%. It gave investors a quarterly earnings forecast that fell short of analysts’ expectations. Facebook owner Meta Platforms fell 0.8% following a decision by the Supreme Court to allow a multibillion-dollar class action investors’ lawsuit to proceed against the company. It stems from the privacy scandal involving the Cambridge Analytica political consulting firm. European markets closed mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Crude oil prices rose. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.41% from 4.42% late Thursday. In the crypto market, Bitcoin hovered around $99,000, according to CoinDesk. It has more than doubled this year and first surpassed the $99,000 level on Thursday. Retailers remained a big focus for investors this week amid close scrutiny on consumer spending habits headed into the holiday shopping season. Walmart, the nation's largest retailer, reported a quarter of strong sales and gave investors an encouraging financial forecast. Target, though, reported weaker earnings than analysts' expected and its forecast disappointed Wall Street. Consumer spending has fueled economic growth, despite a persistent squeeze from inflation and high borrowing costs. Inflation has been easing and the Federal Reserve has started trimming its benchmark interest rates. That is likely to help relieve pressure on consumers, but any major shift in spending could prompt the Fed to reassess its path ahead on interest rates. Also, any big reversals on the rate of inflation could curtail spending. Consumer sentiment remains strong, according to the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index. It revised its latest figure for November to 71.8 from an initial reading of 73 earlier this month, though economists expected a slight increase. It's still up from 70.5 in October. The survey also showed that consumers' inflation expectations for the year ahead fell slightly to 2.6%, which is the lowest reading since December of 2020. Wall Street will get another update on how consumers feel when the business group The Conference Board releases its monthly consumer confidence survey on Tuesday. A key inflation update will come on Wednesday when the U.S. releases its October personal consumption expenditures index. The PCE is the Fed's preferred measure of inflation and this will be the last PCE reading prior to the central bank's meeting in December. Damian J. Troise And Alex Veiga, The Associated PressNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans have the slimmest of playoff hopes and must win out to have any chance of keeping them alive. Figuring out who they are would be a first step in the right direction. The Titans (3-9) also must bounce back from last week's ugly loss at Washington that cost this franchise yet another chance to string together consecutive wins for the first time in more than two years. “We know that this is a big opportunity for us to develop as a team and to create and to continue developing our identity,” quarterback Will Levis said. “And so we’re going to make sure that we do our best throughout these next few weeks to do that.” The Jacksonville Jaguars (2-10) lost Trevor Lawrence for the rest of the season after the hit he took from Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair in last week's 23-20 loss to Houston. Their already dim playoff hopes were extinguished Monday night when Denver won. That leaves the Jaguars playing for pride and potentially drafting No. 1 overall for the third time in five years. “It’s all about how you finish,” tight end Evan Engram said. “How we finish probably won’t erase the feeling we have of the season. But as the pride of this franchise, the pride of the team, it’s definitely worth going to finish strong and going to get some wins and fighting for that.” The Titans went into Washington with one of the NFL's stingiest defenses and wound up shredded, giving up a season-worst 267 yards rushing. Defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson said, “We can’t allow what happened last week to happen again.” Wide receiver Calvin Ridley says he's excited to see some old teammates Sunday and downplayed a question about how close Jacksonville's offer to keep him last March might've been when he chose to sign with division rival Tennessee instead. “Doesn't matter right now,” Ridley said. “I'm excited for this week. Jags come in here, play with my boys. I'm excited.” Ridley played one season with Jacksonville after the Jaguars traded for him . He had 76 catches for 1,016 yards and eight TDs last season with the Jaguars. So far this season, Ridley has 43 receptions for 679 yards and three TDs. “I just know I'm going to be ready,” Ridley said. Jacksonville has lost 16 consecutive games when tied or trailing at halftime. It’s a complete flip from the 2022 season, in which the Jaguars rallied to beat Dallas, the Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee down the stretch to make the playoffs. The 20-16 victory against the Titans in the regular-season finale that year is the last time coach Doug Pederson’s team has come from behind to win after trailing or being tied at the break. Tennessee led 13-7 at the half in that one and was minutes from winning a third straight AFC South title . Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen needs 4 1/2 sacks to break the franchise record of 55 held by Tony Brackens. Hines-Allen has at least half a sack in four consecutive games against Tennessee, which has given up 43 sacks in 2024. “My family knows about it probably more than me,” Hines-Allen said. “My wife tells me all the time, ‘Hey, get that record. All you just need is four sacks.’ Like, you can just (get) four sacks. “I had a couple games last year where I had three, so I can’t say it’s out of the realm. But I never had four sacks; don’t know what it feels like to do that in one game. But hopefully speak it into existence.” Mac Jones will be starting at quarterback and is 0-2 with the Jaguars this season. He has one more interception (three) than touchdown passes (two) in five appearances. The Titans are looking to see if Levis can keep building on his strong play of the past month and start turning those into wins. Levis is 1-3 since returning from a strained throwing shoulder. He has seven TD passes with two interceptions for a 101.3 passer rating in his past four games. He also is completing 61.7% of his passes for 960 yards. “The cool thing right now for Will is that as we’ve corrected things, he’s corrected them,” Titans coach Brian Callahan said . “And that’s been really fun to watch as he’s made adjustments from game to game, sometimes even from in the game made an adjustment to a coverage or a read, and that part’s been good to see.” AP Pro Football Writer Mark Long in Jacksonville, Florida, contributed to this report. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson sued CNN on Tuesday over its recent report that he made explicit racial and sexual posts on a pornography website’s message board, calling the reporting reckless and defamatory. The lawsuit, filed in Wake County Superior Court, comes less than four weeks after a report that led many fellow GOP elected officials and candidates, including presidential nominee Donald Trump, to distance themselves from Robinson's gubernatorial campaign. Robinson, who announced the lawsuit at a news conference in Raleigh with a Virginia-based attorney, has denied authoring the messages. CNN “chose to publish despite knowing or recklessly disregarding that Lt. Gov. Robinson’s data — including his name, date of birth, passwords, and the email address supposedly associated with the NudeAfrica account — were previously compromised by multiple data breaches,” the lawsuit states, referencing the website. Robinson, who would be the state’s first Black governor if elected, called the report a “high-tech lynching” on a candidate "who has been targeted from Day 1 by folks who disagree with me politically and want to see me destroyed.” CNN declined to comment Tuesday, spokesperson Emily Kuhn said in an email. The CNN report, which first aired Sept. 19, said Robinson left statements over a decade ago on the message board in which, in part, he referred to himself as a “black NAZI,” said he enjoyed transgender pornography, said he preferred Hitler to then-President Barack Obama, and slammed the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. as “worse than a maggot.” The network report said it matched details of the account on the message board to other online accounts held by Robinson by comparing usernames, a known email address and his full name. CNN reported that details discussed by the account holder matched Robinson’s age, length of marriage and other biographical information. It also compared figures of speech that were used in his public Facebook profile and that appeared in discussions by the account on the pornographic website. Polls at the time of the CNN report already showed Democratic rival Josh Stein, the sitting attorney general, with a lead over Robinson. Early in-person voting begins Thursday statewide, and over 57,000 completed absentee ballots have been received so far. Robinson also in the same defamation lawsuit sued a Greensboro punk rock band singer who alleged in a music video and in an interview with a media outlet that Robinson, in the 1990s and early 2000s, frequented a porn shop the singer once worked at and purchased videos. Louis Love Money, the other named defendant, released the video and spoke with other media outlets before the CNN report. Robinson denies the allegation in the lawsuit, which reads, “Lt. Gov. Robinson was not spending hours at the video store, five nights a week. He was not renting or previewing videos, and he did not purchase ‘bootleg’ or other videos from Defendant Money.” Money said in a phone interview Tuesday that he stands by his statements and the music video's content as truthful: “My story hasn't changed.” The lawsuit, which seeks at least $50 million in damages, says the effort against Robinson “appears to be a coordinated attack aimed at derailing his campaign for governor.” It provides no evidence that the network or Money schemed with outside groups to create what Robinson alleges are false statements. Robinson’s lawyer, Jesse Binnall, said that he expects to find more “bad actors,” and that entities, which he did not identify, have stonewalled his firm's efforts to collect information. “We will use every tool at our disposal now that a lawsuit has been filed, including the subpoena power, in order to continue pursuing the facts,” said Binnall, whose clients have included Trump and his campaign. In North Carolina courts, a public official claiming defamation generally must show a defendant knew a statement was false or recklessly disregarded its untruthfulness. Most of the top staff running Robinson’s campaign and his lieutenant governor’s office quit following the CNN report, and the Republican Governors Association, which had already spent millions of dollars in advertising backing Robinson, stopped supporting his bid. And Democrats from presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris to downballot state candidates began running ads linking their opponents to Robinson. Robinson's campaign isn't running TV commercials now. He said that “we’ve chosen to go in a different direction” and focus on in-person campaign stops. Robinson already had a history of inflammatory comments about topics like abortion and LGBTQ+ rights that Stein and his allies have emphasized in opposing him on TV commercials and online. Stein spokesperson Morgan Hopkins said Tuesday in a statement that “even before the CNN report, North Carolinians have known for a long time that Mark Robinson is completely unfit to be Governor." Hurricane Helene and its aftermath took the CNN report off the front pages. Robinson worked for several days with a central North Carolina sheriff collecting relief supplies and criticized Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper — barred by term limits from seeking reelection — for state government's response in the initial stages of relief. Trump endorsed Robinson before the March gubernatorial primary, calling him “Martin Luther King on steroids” for his speaking ability. Robinson had been a frequent presence at Trump’s North Carolina campaign stops, but he hasn’t participated in such an event since the CNN report. This story was first published on Oct. 15, 2024. It was updated on Nov. 22, 2024 to correct which of Robinson’s social media accounts CNN cited in a comparison to language in messages from a pornographic website message board. CNN cited his public Facebook account, not his Twitter account.
Who are the 10 biggest UK lottery winners?RUSSELL MARTIN has told under-fire refs’ chief Howard Webb: You need to be more honest to make VAR a success. Southampton became the latest Premier League club to criticise PGMOL, in the wake of the David Coote scandal , following two controversial decisions in the 2-0 loss at Wolves this month. Former top-flight whistler Mark Halsey called for an independent investigation into the referees’ body with the state of top-flight officiating at “an all-time low”. The panel that reviews PGMOL decisions claimed VAR made only TWO mistakes this season, before Webb later admitted awarding West Ham a penalty against Manchester United last month was also wrong. But Saints boss Martin , who held a meeting with Webb during the international break, said: “If we’re going to improve VAR and make it better, we need to have real honesty and accountability.” Martin was left frustrated after a Ryan Manning goal against Wolves was ruled out before Matheus Cunha put the hosts two up with an effort that he felt should have been chalked off. READ MORE TOP STORIES He added: “I still have an issue with our goal and a foul on the second goal. I also have an issue with them coming out and saying it was a correct decision ultimately. “For it to come out as a correct decision in the match review is frustrating to me.” Saints join fellow promoted sides Ipswich and Leicester as well as Wolves themselves in fuming over controversial decisions given against them this season. Martin said: “We’ve been told a few times on decisions we’ve been on the wrong end of that it has to be a clear and obvious error. Most read in Football EXCLUSIVE by Martin Lipton NO referees or match officials have ever been tested for drugs - as David Coote’s apparent “cocaine shame” is set to end his career. While all players and other athletes in British sport are subject to drug testing rules, including post-match and out of competition action, the regulations do not apply to match officials. That is the case globally across not just football and throughout the world rather than only in the UK. All sports follow the World Anti-Doping Authority code, aimed at preventing athletes gaining an advantage by using performance-enhancing substances. The Wada banned list also includes recreational drugs . But the Wada provisions, also followed by UK Anti Doping, which conducts tests across British sport, makes no reference to match officials. UKAD explains: “Any UK athlete subject to the anti-doping rules of their sport and non-UK athlete staying, training, residing, entering a competition, "Or named as a member of a team participating in a competition at any level within the UK is eligible for testing as part of UKAD’s national anti-doping programme. “Any athlete eligible for testing can be tested anytime, anywhere.” But the regulations do not apply to match officials - because of the “performance enhancing” provision of the world code. The PGMOL have revealed they are aware of the video of him sniffing a white powder. They told The Sun: "We aware of the allegations and are taking them very seriously. David Coote remains suspended pending a full investigation. "David’s welfare continues to be of utmost importance to us and we are committed to providing him with the ongoing necessary support he needs through this period. "We are not in a position to comment further at this stage." “Ryan’s goal is open to interpretation. It’s the wrong decision because it’s not a clear and obvious error. We are going to disagree on that forever. “For the second goal, they should take longer on analysing the foul from Craig Dawson because it’s a foul. “I don’t want to be moaning about decisions all the time. “I’d love to go back to human error and balance out over the season. “But if you still make a mistake after that process it becomes even more frustrating.” PGMOL chiefs confirmed yesterday that they have yet to conclude their investigation into suspended Coote. The shamed 42-year-old made derogatory comments in an X-rated video rant at ex-Reds boss Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool . A PGMOL statement read: “We’re following an internal process and taking the allegations into David’s conduct very seriously as part of our ongoing thorough investigation. “Whilst David remains suspended, his welfare continues to be important to us and he is aware of the support network available to him.” The FA have launched their own probe into Coote, while Uefa also suspended and are investigating the Nottinghamshire ref after footage emerged of him appearing to sniff white powder in a hotel at Euro 2024. Leicester boss Steve Cooper joked his dad — former top referee Keith — would show him the red card if he gave his opinion on Coote’s suspension. Asked if the revelations about Coote would knock managers’ confidence in referees, Cooper replied: “I can’t go into that.” He then joked: “I’m more worried about what my dad would say to me if I answered that!” Martin added: “Referee are humans. They all make mistakes the same way we do. My trust probably eroded a bit more after the decision at Wolves than it did in watching a human make a mistake on a camera. “Let’s have a bit of compassion and understanding. I’m sure he’s feeling very upset and embarrassed about it. “What they do outside of their football career as a referee really has no impact in how much I trust them.” Brentford boss Thomas Frank said: “We need to think about the pressure on the referees. READ MORE SUN STORIES "No player or manager gets as much abuse on the pitch as a ref does – that’s crazy. “It’s like the mental bin where we get all our anger out and then go, ‘Ah, we feel good.’ It shouldn’t be like that.”
Officers from the state’s Counter Terrorism Command will join the investigation into the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue that has been widely condemned as an act of antisemitism. Members of the Adass Israel congregation were forced to flee in the early hours on Friday as fire engulfed the synagogue in Ripponlea, following the arson attack by two masked suspects who remain at large. The destroyed interior of the Adass Israel synagogue. The men were pouring liquid on the floor when they were disturbed by a congregant who was attending the Glen Eira Avenue synagogue, police said, prompting the suspects to flee. On Friday, police scrambled to increase security at synagogues across the city through the weekend. Yumi Friedman, founder of the popular business Yumi’s dips, said he was one of those inside the synagogue when the attack happened. He said he heard a sudden bang – like a sledgehammer on the door – and ran to his nearby shop, where a staff member called the police. When he returned to the synagogue, he found a small fire inside. Yumi Friedman (centre) was inside the synagogue when the building was firebombed. Credit: Arsineh Houspian. “So I thought maybe I’ll be able to open the doors and go inside, but when I touched the door, I burnt my hand,” Friedman said. “Before you knew it, [the fire] had spread and was totally out of control.” Another man who was at the synagogue when the attack happened was not injured, police said. Images obtained by this masthead show extensive damage inside the synagogue. The blaze gutted the building, leaving charred ruins, a tangle of wiring and a collapsed roof. After the blaze, members of the congregation rushed to salvage items including a trove of holy books and precious Torah scrolls. They formed a line, passing along artefacts and personal items – tallits (prayer shawls) and tefillin (phylacteries worn on the arm and head during prayer) – out of the blackened building. Members carefully loaded them into a car, kissing them as is customary when touching a Torah scroll. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was briefed on the incident by Australian Federal Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw, described the attack as “an outrage”. “By definition, this is an act of hate, and it’s something that should not occur in Australia or anywhere else for that matter,” he said. “People must be allowed to conduct their faith as they see fit, in a peaceful way.” Albanese said he wasn’t worried about “getting ahead” of the investigation by labelling it antisemitism, saying that “an attack on a synagogue is an act of antisemitism by definition”. Peter Khalil, the federal government’s special envoy for social cohesion, said attacks based on a person’s ethnicity or faith or on places of worship were utterly unacceptable. “They are an attack on all of us,” he said. “Places of worship like synagogues are places of peace, faith, learning and community. All of us must continually call out any hatred and violence every time they occur.” Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said the attack was predictable given the rise of antisemitism across Australia following the attack on Israel by Hamas terrorists on October 7 last year and Israel’s subsequent bombing of Gaza. “Everybody knew that antisemitism, that hatred and that vilification, that racism, was lurking beneath the surface,” Dutton said. “But what we’ve seen on our university campuses, what we’ve seen online, what we’ve seen against people of Jewish faith in the community has been completely and utterly unacceptable, and it should be totally condemned in our country.” The Australian Federation of Islamic Councils condemned the attack. “We are deeply disturbed by the violent attack on the Melbourne synagogue,” president Rateb Jneid said. “There is absolutely no justification for such acts of aggression against any community, regardless of the circumstances.” The Australia Palestine Advocacy Network also condemned the arson. “Attacks on religious institutions have no place in our community,” the group said in an Instagram post. “Racist attacks rooted in antisemitism, Islamophobia or anti-Palestinian racism must be opposed and condemned ... Our thoughts are with the Jewish community and all those impacted by these acts.” Some of the rescued Torah scrolls, covered with prayer shawls, in a car. Credit: Cassandra Morgan On Friday afternoon, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan met leaders from the Adass Israel congregation, pledging $100,000 to help rebuild the synagogue. “We all stand here today to condemn in the strongest possible terms this hateful, violent attack on a beautiful, peaceful place of worship, a place of study, the beating heart of the Adass Israel community here in Melbourne,” she said. Allan called the firebombing an “evil act” that was “most definitely antisemitic”, but refused to confirm if it constituted an act of terrorism. The premier was heckled by several frustrated congregants, who accused the state government of ignoring an escalation of vilification against Jewish people over the past year. Premier Jacinta Allan with community members outside the synagogue. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui Synagogue board member Benjamin Klein described the attack as horrendous. “For this to happen to a synagogue thousands of kilometres away from anywhere else in the world, a peaceful neighbourhood, a peaceful community,” he said. Klein said members of the congregation usually begin arriving to pray about 2am or 3am daily. “This synagogue is the busiest synagogue in Australia, so it’s a very, very active synagogue,” he said. “We’re open 20 [to] 22 hours a day.” Some Jewish people said they felt unsettled by the brazen firebombing. However, Blake Street Hebrew Congregation Rabbi Noam Sendor said the attack would not deter his congregants from attending their Sabbath services on Friday night and Saturday. “There’s no question for us,” he said. “We are responding with unity, strength and resilience.” Sendor said his synagogue would run a special program on Friday evening in anticipation of greater attendances on Friday night and Saturday during the day. Congregants outside the synagogue on Friday morning. Credit: Simon Schluter He said congregants would want to show support to their “brothers and sisters” who were directly affected by the attack. “That’s the way we respond,” Sendor said. “What terror wants to do is shift the way we think about things and instil fear. I don’t think people are going to let that happen.” However, Sendor said there would be increased security arrangements and the synagogue’s protection team would have a greater presence than usual. Community Security Group Victoria chief executive Justin Kagan said his officers had been active since the early hours of Friday morning and initiated a security plan that would continue throughout the weekend and next week. The group provides security support and training to Jewish community organisations, including schools, religious institutions, youth movements and other groups. “We’re working hard to help our community feel safe and confident as they prepare for the Sabbath period,” Kagan said. “As always, our priority is protecting Jewish life and Jewish way of life, and we continue to serve our community, ensuring they can live as proud Australian Jews.” The Counter Terrorism Command will assist an investigation by the arson and explosions squad. Detective Inspector Chris Murray, of the arson and explosives squad, assured the community that police would do everything they could to bring the attackers before the courts. “To let the community know that we’re going to do our best to make sure that they can return, as they should, to their local synagogues, doing what is absolutely Australian – that is to be able to worship without fear,” Murray said. A police spokeswoman confirmed additional patrols would be conducted around the synagogue and surrounding areas, while the force would work closely with the local community to provide reassurance. He said the blaze was the second time the synagogue had been targeted by arsonists. In 1995, Adass Israel was severely damaged by a deliberately lit fire. “My grandfather was the president at the time,” Klein said. “He was a Holocaust survivor, and I will never forget him standing among the smoke and ash and just crying. “It is the jewel of the crown of the Jewish community.” Anyone who witnessed the incident, has dash cam/CCTV footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au With Lachlan Abbott Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens. Get it here .
PRINCETON JUNCTION, N.J., Dec. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MISTRAS Group, Inc. (NYSE: MG)—a leading "one source" multinational provider of integrated technology-enabled asset protection solutions, is pleased to announce the appointment of Hani Hammad as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective January 1, 2025. This appointment follows the recent hiring of Natalia Shuman as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), to whom Mr. Hammad will report directly. In addition to his role as COO, Mr. Hammad will continue serving as MISTRAS Group Executive Vice President. Spearheading Operational Excellence In his role as COO, Mr. Hammad will continue to drive operational excellence, strategic growth, and a culture of innovation at MISTRAS Group. Working closely with both executive and operational management, Mr. Hammad will shape and implement strategies that expand market share by delivering exceptional customer value while overseeing the company’s services and data analytics solutions. MISTRAS Group Executive Chairman of the Board, Manuel (Manny) N. Stamatakis, commented, “With his value-creation approach to operational leadership, Mr. Hammad consistently uncovers growth opportunities and drives impactful changes that accelerate our organizational progress. The Board of Directors and I are confident in his ability to generate high-margin value for MISTRAS Group and our shareholders.” “MISTRAS Group leads the industry due to the strength and expertise of our operational teams,” Hani Hammad stated. “My role is to enhance our resources' position to succeed, emphasizing continuous improvement through innovation and delivering differentiated, high-value solutions that meet our customers' evolving needs.” An Architect of Efficiency and Effectiveness Mr. Hammad joined MISTRAS Group after a tenure with global consultancy firm AlixPartners and recently served as MISTRAS Group’s Chief Transformation Officer (CTO). He has been pivotal in identifying and executing transformational value-creation opportunities, leading various process efficiency and organizational optimization initiatives, and driving MISTRAS’ investments in high-margin growth areas. The goal now is to further engrain the transformational, continuous improvement culture initiated by Project Phoenix into the company’s day-to-day operations on a permanent basis. This will help create additional value creation opportunities while sustaining the progress already made. He was instrumental in designing and managing MISTRAS Group’s Project Phoenix EBITDA Improvement Program, which identified over $47M in annual run rate EBITDA improvement opportunities. His expertise in facilitating operational and financial transformations has made him a trusted advisor in the industry, adept at leading complex value creation programs through challenging landscapes, including mergers & acquisitions and strategic market repositioning. About MISTRAS Group, Inc. - One Source for Asset Protection Solutions® MISTRAS Group, Inc. (NYSE: MG) is a leading "one source" multinational provider of integrated technology-enabled asset protection solutions, helping to maximize the safety and operational uptime for civilization’s most critical industrial and civil assets. Backed by an innovative, data-driven asset protection portfolio, proprietary technologies, strong commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives, and a decades-long legacy of industry leadership, MISTRAS leads clients in the oil and gas, aerospace and defense, renewable and nonrenewable power, civil infrastructure, and manufacturing industries towards achieving operational and environmental excellence. By supporting these organizations that help fuel our vehicles and power our society; inspecting components that are trusted for commercial, defense, and space craft; building real-time monitoring equipment to enable safe travel across bridges; and helping to propel sustainability, MISTRAS helps the world at large. MISTRAS enhances value for its clients by integrating asset protection throughout supply chains and centralizing integrity data through a suite of Industrial IoT-connected digital software and monitoring solutions. The company’s core capabilities also include non-destructive testing field and in-line inspections enhanced by advanced robotics, laboratory quality control and assurance testing, sensing technologies and NDT equipment, asset and mechanical integrity engineering services, and light mechanical maintenance and access services. For more information about how MISTRAS helps protect civilization’s critical infrastructure and the environment, visit https://www.mistrasgroup.com/ . Contact: Nestor S. Makarigakis Group Vice President, Marketing and Communications MISTRAS Group, Inc. marcom@mistrasgroup.com +1 (609) 716-4000US senator says mysterious drones spotted in New Jersey should be 'shot down, if necessary' (copy)
ATLANTA , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Cousins Properties Incorporated (the "Company" or "Cousins") (NYSE:CUZ) announced today that its operating partnership, Cousins Properties LP (the "Operating Partnership"), has priced an offering of $400 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior unsecured notes due 2032 at 99.463% of the principal amount. The offering is expected to close on December 17, 2024 , subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. Cousins intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to fund a portion of the purchase price of 601 West 2nd Street, also known as Sail Tower, an 804,000 square foot trophy lifestyle office property in Austin (the "Sail Tower Acquisition"), and the remainder to repay borrowings under its credit facility and for general corporate purposes. In the event the Sail Tower Acquisition is not completed, Cousins will use the net proceeds from the offering for general corporate purposes, including the acquisition and development of office properties, other opportunistic investments and the repayment of debt. The notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by the Company. J.P. Morgan, Truist Securities, US Bancorp, BofA Securities, Morgan Stanley, PNC Capital Markets LLC, TD Securities and Wells Fargo Securities are acting as joint book-running managers. A shelf registration statement relating to these securities is effective with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The offering may be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus. Copies of these documents may be obtained by contacting J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York , 10179, Attention: Investment Grade Syndicate Desk, 3rd Floor, telephone collect at 1-212-834-4533; Truist Securities, Inc., Attention: Prospectus Department, 303 Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA 30308, telephone: 800-685-4786, or e-mail: TruistSecurities.prospectus@Truist.com ; or U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., Attention: High Grade Syndicate, 214 North Tryon Street, 26th Floor, Charlotte, NC 28202, or by telephone at: (877) 558-2607. Electronic copies of these documents are also available from the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov . This press release is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell the notes, nor shall it constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. About Cousins Properties Cousins Properties is a fully integrated, self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust ("REIT"). The Company, based in Atlanta, GA and acting through the Operating Partnership, primarily invests in Class A office buildings located in high growth Sun Belt markets. Founded in 1958, Cousins creates shareholder value through its extensive expertise in the development, acquisition, leasing, and management of high-quality real estate assets. The Company has a comprehensive strategy in place based on a simple platform, trophy assets, and opportunistic investments. Forward-Looking Statements Certain matters contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws and are subject to uncertainties and risks, as itemized in Item 1A included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024 . These forward-looking statements include information about the Company's possible or assumed future results of the business and the Company's financial condition, liquidity, results of operations, plans, and objectives. They also include, among other things, statements regarding subjects that are forward-looking by their nature, such as: guidance and underlying assumptions; business and financial strategy; future debt financings; future acquisitions and dispositions of operating assets or joint venture interests; future acquisitions and dispositions of land, including ground leases; future acquisitions of investments in real estate debt; future development and redevelopment opportunities; future issuances and repurchases of common stock, limited partnership units, or preferred stock; future distributions; projected capital expenditures; market and industry trends; future occupancy or volume and velocity of leasing activity; entry into new markets, changes in existing market concentrations, or exits from existing markets; future changes in interest rates and liquidity of capital markets; and all statements that address operating performance, events, investments, or developments that we expect or anticipate will occur in the future — including statements relating to creating value for stockholders. Any forward-looking statements are based upon management's beliefs, assumptions, and expectations of our future performance, taking into account information that is currently available. These beliefs, assumptions, and expectations may change as a result of possible events or factors, not all of which are known. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity, and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. Actual results may vary from forward-looking statements due to, but not limited to, the following: the availability and terms of capital and our ability to obtain and maintain financing arrangements on terms favorable to us or at all; the ability to refinance or repay indebtedness as it matures; any changes to our credit rating; the failure of purchase, sale, or other contracts to ultimately close; the failure to achieve anticipated benefits from acquisitions, developments, investments, or dispositions; the effect of common stock or operating partnership unit issuances, including those undertaken on a forward basis, which may negatively affect the market price of our common stock; the availability of buyers and pricing with respect to the disposition of assets; changes in national and local economic conditions, the real estate industry, and the commercial real estate markets in which we operate (including supply and demand changes), particularly in Atlanta , Austin , Tampa , Charlotte , Phoenix , Dallas , and Nashville , including the impact of high unemployment, volatility in the public equity and debt markets, and international economic and other conditions; threatened terrorist attacks or sociopolitical unrest such as political instability, civil unrest, armed hostilities, or political activism, which may result in a disruption of day-to-day building operations; changes to our strategy in regard to our real estate assets may require impairment to be recognized; leasing risks, including the ability to obtain new tenants or renew expiring tenants, the ability to lease newly-developed and/or recently acquired space, the failure of a tenant to commence or complete tenant improvements on schedule or to occupy leased space, and the risk of declining leasing rates; changes in the preferences of our tenants brought about by the desire for co-working arrangements, trends toward utilizing less office space per employee, and the effect of employees working remotely; any adverse change in the financial condition or liquidity of one or more of our tenants or borrowers under our real estate debt investments; volatility in interest rates (including the impact upon the effectiveness of forward interest rate contract arrangements) and insurance rates; inflation; competition from other developers or investors; the risks associated with real estate developments (such as zoning approval, receipt of required permits, construction delays, cost overruns, and leasing risk); supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, and increased construction costs; risks associated with security breaches through cyberattacks, cyber intrusions or otherwise, as well as other significant disruptions of our information technology networks and related systems, which support our operations and our buildings; changes in senior management, changes in the Company's board of directors, and the loss of key personnel; the potential liability for uninsured losses, condemnation, or environmental issues; the potential liability for a failure to meet regulatory requirements, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and similar laws or the impact of any investigation regarding the same; the financial condition and liquidity of, or disputes with, joint venture partners; any failure to comply with debt covenants under debt instruments and credit agreements; any failure to continue to qualify for taxation as a real estate investment trust or meet regulatory requirements; potential changes to state, local, or federal regulations applicable to our business; material changes in dividend rates on common shares or other securities or the ability to pay those dividends; potential changes to the tax laws impacting real estate investment trusts and real estate in general; risks associated with climate change and severe weather events, as well as the regulatory efforts intended to reduce the effects of climate changes and investor and public perception of our efforts to respond to the same; the impact of newly adopted accounting principles on our accounting policies and on period-to-period comparisons of financial results; risks associated with possible federal, state, local, or property tax audits; and those additional risks and environmental or other factors discussed in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by the Company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company cannot guarantee the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements contained in this press release, and the Company does not intend to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Contacts Roni Imbeaux Vice President, Finance and Investor Relations 404-407-1104 rimbeaux@cousins.com View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cousins-properties-announces-pricing-of-senior-notes-offering-302330787.html SOURCE Cousins PropertiesPrince Karim Aga Khan, the 49th Imam of the Ismaili Muslim community, marks his 88th birthday on December 13, celebrated by millions around the world. His leadership over the decades has been defined by service, humanitarian development, and cultural preservation, leaving an enduring legacy. Born on December 13, 1936, in Geneva, Switzerland, Prince Karim Aga Khan was raised in a culturally and spiritually enriched environment. He attended prestigious European schools, where he excelled academically and became known for his sportsmanship in skiing and horseback riding, gaining international recognition in sports circles. After completing his secondary education, he pursued higher studies at Harvard University, majoring in Islamic History and Eastern Civilizations. His academic pursuits laid a strong foundation for his future role as a global leader dedicated to humanitarian and development work. In 1957, at the age of 20, Prince Karim Aga Khan succeeded his grandfather, Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah (Aga Khan III), as the Imam of the Ismaili Muslim community. His grandfather’s will emphasized his intellectual merit, vision, and leadership potential. Imam Sultan Muhammad Shah himself was a visionary leader known for advancing education, healthcare, and international diplomacy. He founded Aligarh Muslim University in India and championed efforts to promote global cooperation and dialogue. Recognizing the need for community development, Prince Karim Aga Khan established the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), now one of the world’s largest private development organizations. AKDN’s efforts span healthcare, education, economic development, and cultural preservation in over 30 countries. Institutions like Aga Khan University, the Institute of Ismaili Studies, and several academic centers were founded under his leadership. These institutions continue to advance research, education, and community development. His commitment to fostering global dialogue and cultural understanding is reflected in the creation of iconic Ismaili Centers in cities such as London, Toronto, and Lisbon. These centers promote cultural exchange and social development. December 13 is celebrated by over 15 million Ismaili Muslims worldwide. The day is marked by prayers, cultural events, and charitable initiatives that reflect Prince Karim Aga Khan’s mission of community service and human development. In Afghanistan, home to a significant Ismaili population, celebrations include communal prayers, charity distributions, and cultural performances. Events held in mosques and cultural centers promote unity, social harmony, and collective well-being. Prince Karim Aga Khan has received more than 70 international honors, including the Grand Cross of Portugal, honorary degrees from leading universities, and invitations to address forums such as Canada’s Parliament and the United Nations. His work in cultural preservation includes landmark restoration projects such as Al-Azhar Park in Cairo, Baltit Fort in Pakistan, and sustainable housing developments in Central Asia. These efforts ensure that cultural heritage is preserved for future generations. The Ismaili Imams trace their lineage back to Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, the first Shia Imam and son-in-law of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This historical heritage carries spiritual and social responsibility, a legacy that Prince Karim Aga Khan has embraced through visionary leadership. As the world celebrates his 88th birthday, Prince Karim Aga Khan’s lifelong dedication to humanitarian service, education, and cultural preservation continues to inspire global progress, peace, and shared prosperity. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Δ
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Iron ore futures prices slid on Thursday as investor sentiment dampened after statemedia in top consumer China emphasized qualitative improvements ahead of a long-anticipated meeting that is expected to set the tone for economic growth next year. The most-traded January iron ore contract on China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange (DCE) ended daytime trade 1.17% lower at 800.5 yuan ($110.14) a metric ton. The benchmark January iron ore SZZFF5 on the Singapore Exchange was down 1.51% at $103.75 a ton, as of 0700 GMT. China is not wedded to achieving specific GDP growth rates, and a pace of less than 5% for the economy is acceptable as there is no need for the “worship of speed”, state newspaper People’s Daily said on Wednesday. China’s Central Economic Work Conference will meet this month, at a yet-to-be-announced date, and top leaders will set economic growth targets and plan next year’s agenda. Investors and traders had been expecting Beijing to roll out more stimulus, said analysts. “We think iron ore is currently overvalued. Therefore, a downward correction is unavoidable,” said Cheng Peng, an analyst at Sinosteel Futures. The anticipation of growing shipments, driven by rebounding prices and some miners’ motivation to meet annual targets, is also weighing on prices, said analysts. China’s Dalian Commodity Exchange said on Wednesday it would lower the daily price limits, or the maximum trading range, to 9% from 11% and adjust trade margins for speculative transactions to 11% from 15%, effective from the settlement on Dec. 6. “The move will increase speculative transactions, which will likely lift price volatility,” analysts at Jinyuan Futures said in a note. Expectations of winter stocking among steelmakers and resilient demand in winter had pushed prices of the key steelmaking ingredient up by nearly 2% from Monday to Wednesday. Other steelmaking ingredients on the DCE fell, with coking coal DJMcv1 and coke DCJcv1 down 2.42% and 0.96%, respectively. Steel benchmarks on the Shanghai Futures Exchange were weaker. Rebar SRBcv1 lost 1.41%, hot-rolled coil SHHCcv1 shed 1.53%, wire rod SWRcv1 slipped 2.59% andstainless steel SHSScv1 slid 2.02%. Source: Reuters (Reporting by Amy Lv and Mei Mei Chu; Editing by Savio D’Souza and Janane Venkatraman)
Here's How Much $1000 Invested In Acuity Brands 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth TodayHyderabad: The Congress workers staged a protest in Hyderabad on Sunday, December 22 against Union home minister Amit Shah’s remarks on Dr BR Ambedkar in Parliament. A Mashaal Rally starting from Liberty and ending at the Ambedkar statue was held demanding Amit Shah’s immediate resignation. Former Hyderabad youth Congress president Motha Rohit Mudiraj speaking to Siasat.com condemned Shah’s comments stating, “The Mashaal Rally represents the burning anger and resolve of the people to stand against attacks on our founding fathers.” “Amit Shah’s remarks in Parliament not only insult Dr Ambedkar’s legacy but also hurt the sentiments of millions of Indians. We will not stop until he issues a public apology. We will not tolerate disrespect for our history and heritage. Respect for our leaders and Constitution is non-negotiable.” he further added. VIDEO | Congress workers hold protest in Hyderabad over Union Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks on Dr BR Ambedkar in Parliament. (Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvrpG7 ) pic.twitter.com/BYAe6z56VP On December 19, Amit Shah, during the Winter Session in Rajya Sabha said that Congress leaders might get a place in Heaven had they chanted God’s name instead “following the fashion of repeating Ambedkar’s name”. “ Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai – Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar’. If they had taken God’s name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven),” Shah had said. His statement created a political storm with many Opposition leaders saying the senior BJP leader had insulted Ambedkar, who drafted the Constitution of India. However, Shah had accused the Congress of twisting facts and distorting his comments on Ambedkar asserting its malicious campaign after the discussion on Constitution “established” the Opposition party as being “anti-Ambedkar and anti-reservation”. The Union minister also accused the Congress of adopting the tactic of “misrepresenting and distorting” statements.BLUE BELL, PA — Unisys (NYSE: UIS) has been named a winner in Fast Company’s 2024 Next Big Things in Tech list under the “Enduring Impact: 15+ Years in Business” category. This recognition highlights the company’s long-standing dedication to technological advancement, particularly its transformative role in the travel and transportation sectors through the Unisys Logistics OptimizationTM solution. The solution leverages advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing to optimize cargo loading, routing, and warehousing operations. With near-real-time dynamic planning and exception management capabilities, Unisys Logistics Optimization sets a new standard in logistics efficiency for airlines and freight forwarders, helping businesses improve operations in a competitive, fast-paced digital landscape. One notable case demonstrating the solution’s impact is MAB Kargo, an airline client that implemented Unisys Logistics Optimization to increase cargo capacity utilization and reduce ground labor costs. The result was a five percent boost in utilization, underscoring the tangible benefits of the platform. “We are deeply honored to receive this prestigious recognition from Fast Company, which highlights Unisys’ unwavering pursuit of innovation and our transformative impact on the logistics industry,” said Chris Arrasmith, Senior Vice President of Enterprise Computing Solutions at Unisys. “With a proven track record and a bold vision for the future, Unisys is dedicated to driving efficiency and growth for our clients worldwide.” This acknowledgment by Fast Company marks a milestone for Unisys and spotlights its role as a leader in innovative tech solutions that redefine logistics management. Unisys stated that it remains committed to advancing efficiency and delivering value to the transportation industry, driven by cutting-edge technology and a client-focused approach. For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN .Premier League managers slam the PGMOL amid David Coote scandal as Russell Martin demands ‘honesty’
ISLETON, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 12, 2024-- unWired Broadband , a leading high-speed Internet provider in California, officially cut the ribbon on their new tower in Isleton, CA on Wednesday. This new tower is equipped with state-of-the-art fixed wireless technology from Tarana Wireless that offers up to Gig speeds. The event marked a new era of connectivity in a city that has been severely underserved by Internet service providers. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212022357/en/ The unWired Broadband team at their new tower site in Isleton, CA. (Photo: Business Wire) The ribbon cutting ceremony on December 11 was attended by executives from unWired Broadband and Tarana Wireless. Officials from numerous organizations also attended including the City of Isleton, Sacramento County, Valley Vision, The Office of Congresswoman Doris Matsui, California Emerging Technology Fund, Delta Protection Commission and the California Public Utilities Commission. Several members of the Isleton community were also in attendance. At the reception, remarks were made by: Headquartered in Fresno, CA, unWired has been in the business of connecting underserved communities across Central and Northern California since 2003. Their product offerings include both fixed wireless and fiber technologies, ensuring they can engineer the right connectivity solution for the mission. To learn more, go to getunwired.com . About unWired Broadband unWired Broadband is the leading Internet provider for rural and underserved areas in Central and Northern California. Their network includes over 200 towers connecting communities that have been ignored by cable and fiber Internet providers. Since their inception in 2003, they have expanded their connectivity suite to also include redundancy solutions, a data center and most recently, fiber Internet. About Tarana Tarana’s mission is to accelerate the deployment of fast, affordable internet access around the world. Through a decade of R&D and over $400M of investment, the Tarana team has created a unique next generation fixed wireless access (ngFWA) technology instantiated in its first commercial platform, Gigabit 1 (G1). It delivers a game-changing advance in broadband economics in both mainstream and underserved markets, using either licensed or unlicensed spectrum. G1 started production in mid-2021 and has since been embraced by more than 250 service providers in 24 countries. Tarana is headquartered in Milpitas, California, with additional research and development in Pune, India. Learn more at www.taranawireless.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212022357/en/ CONTACT: Cherish Stockdale hello@getunwired.com KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: TECHNOLOGY MOBILE/WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATIONS INTERNET CARRIERS AND SERVICES HARDWARE SOURCE: unWired Broadband Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/12/2024 05:13 PM/DISC: 12/12/2024 05:11 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241212022357/en
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WASHINGTON (AP) — One year after the , U.S. Capitol attack, Attorney General Merrick Garland the Justice Department was committed to holding accountable all perpetrators “at any level” for “the assault on our democracy.” That bold declaration won’t apply to at least one person: Donald Trump. Special counsel Jack Smith’s move on Monday to abandon the against Trump means jurors will likely never decide whether the president-elect is criminally responsible for his attempts to cling to power after losing the 2020 campaign. The decision to walk away from the election charges and the separate against Trump marks an abrupt end of the Justice Department’s unprecedented legal effort that once threatened his liberty but appears only to have galvanized his supporters. The abandonment of the cases accusing Trump of endangering American democracy and national security does away with the most serious legal threats he was facing as he returns to the White House. It was the culmination of a monthslong defense effort to delay the proceedings at every step and use the criminal allegations to Trump’s political advantage, putting the final word in the hands of voters instead of jurors. “We always knew that the rich and powerful had an advantage, but I don’t think we would have ever believed that somebody could walk away from everything,” said Stephen Saltzburg, a George Washington University law professor and former Justice Department official. “If there ever was a Teflon defendant, that’s Donald Trump.” While prosecutors left the door open to the possibility that federal charges could be re-filed against Trump after he leaves office, that seems unlikely. Meanwhile, Trump’s presidential victory has thrown into question the future of the two state criminal cases against him in New York and Georgia. Trump was supposed to be sentenced on Tuesday after his , but it’s possible the sentencing could be delayed until after Trump leaves office, and the defense is pushing to dismiss the case altogether. Smith’s team stressed that their decision to abandon the federal cases was not a reflection of the merit of the charges, but an acknowledgement that they could not move forward under longstanding Justice Department policy that says sitting presidents cannot face Trump’s presidential victory set “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,” prosecutors wrote in court papers. The move just weeks after Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris underscores the immense personal stake Trump had in the campaign in which he turned his legal woes into a political rallying cry. Trump accused prosecutors of bringing the charges in a bid to keep him out of the White House, and he promised revenge on his perceived enemies if he won a second term. “If Donald J. Trump had lost an election, he may very well have spent the rest of his life in prison,” Vice President-elect JD Vance, wrote in a social media post on Monday. “These prosecutions were always political. Now it’s time to ensure what happened to President Trump never happens in this country again.” After the Jan. 6 attack by Trump supporters that left more than 100 police officers injured, Republican leader Mitch McConnell and several other Republicans said it was up to the justice system to hold Trump accountable. The Jan. 6 case brought last year in Washington alleged an increasingly desperate criminal conspiracy to subvert the will of voters after Trump’s 2020 loss, accusing Trump of using the angry mob of supporters that attacked the Capitol as “a tool” in his campaign to pressure then-Vice President and obstruct the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory. Hundreds of Jan. 6 rioters — many of whom have said they felt called to Washington by Trump — have pleaded guilty or been convicted by juries of federal charges at the same courthouse where Trump was supposed to stand trial last year. As the trial date neared, officials at the courthouse that sits within view of the Capitol were busy making plans for the crush of reporters expected to cover the historic case. But Trump’s argument that he from prosecution quickly tied up the case in appeals all the way up to the Supreme Court. The high court ruled in July that , and sent the case back to the trial court to decide which allegations could move forward. But the case was dismissed before the trial court could get a chance to do so. The other indictment brought in Florida accused Trump of at his Mar-a-Lago estate sensitive documents on nuclear capabilities, enlisting aides and lawyers to help him hide records demanded by investigators and cavalierly showing off a Pentagon “plan of attack” and classified map. But U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon . Smith appealed to the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, but abandoned that appeal on Monday. Smith’s team said it would continue its fight in the appeals court to revive charges against Trump’s two co-defendants because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” In New York, jurors spent weeks last spring hearing evidence in a state case alleging a Trump scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through who said the two had sex. New York prosecutors recently expressed openness to delaying sentencing until after Trump’s second term, while Trump’s lawyers are fighting to have the conviction dismissed altogether. In Georgia, a trial while Trump is in office seems unlikely in a state case charging him and more than a dozen others with conspiring to overturn his 2020 election loss in the state. The case has been on hold since an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case.It’s far from panic stations, but Houston definitely has a problem. Last week’s shock loss to the Titans posed more questions of DeMeco Ryans’ side, starting with the offensive line and some of C.J. Stroud’s puzzling decisions with the football. Still on track to win the AFC South, the Texans have time to turn things around, but falling out of favor in the power rankings, this is a team that could be on a fast track to an early playoff exit. ESPN – 12th “The Texans are fifth in total defense (allowing 303.1 yards per game), with the second-most sacks (42) and interceptions (15). Kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn also set an NFL record for most 50-yard field goals (12) Sunday. The Texans' special teams and defense are playing well, but the team's issue is its offense. Houston has only one touchdown after halftime since Week 6. Quarterback C.J. Stroud hasn't played as well as he did in his rookie season and currently has 14 touchdowns to nine interceptions.” - DJ Bien-Aime The Sporting News – 13th “What was that? The Texans' pass defense and pass protection concerns continue to be big-picture bugaboos.” - Vinnie Iyer NFL.com - 12th “The Texans are flirting with disaster, having lost four of their past six games, but it says something about the AFC South that Houston remains the overwhelming favorite to host a playoff game come January. The problem is, this just doesn’t look like a playoff operation right now. Can we talk about C.J. Stroud's struggles? His two interceptions against Tennessee came on poor throws made as the result of bad decisions. The first one gifted the Titans a field goal right before half. That plus a Ka'imi Fairbairn miss (from 28 yards -- it was the second kick under 30 yards he's missed this year) cost them a net six points in a five-point loss. The defense sacked Will Levis eight times and ran back a pick-six but also allowed Levis to semi-carve Houston up when he wasn't getting hit. There are more imposing challenges on the horizon (vs. Dolphins, at Chiefs, vs. Ravens in Weeks 15-17), so the Texans have to tighten things up.” - Eric Edholm CBS – 14th “This team just isn't right. Losing at home to the Titans won't badly hurt their playoff chances in a bad division, but they need to get it going. C.J. Stroud looks off.” - Pete PriscoDon't look now, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are knocking on the doorstep of a playoff spot. Despite losing 5 of their last 6 games going into last Sunday, the Bucs now sit just one game back in the standings of the idle Atlanta Falcons after a 30-7 win over the New York Giants on Sunday. According to the NFL.com playoff picture engine , the Bucs have a 54% chance of making the playoffs despite sitting in the 9 seed and out of the playoffs through 12 weeks. That's in large part because the Bucs have the second easiest remaining schedule by win percentage entering last Sunday. That's also because the Bucs are one game back in the loss column of both the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South AND the Washington Commanders - who lost to Dallas 34-26 on Sunday - for the seventh and final Wild Card spot. The Bucs would lose a tiebreaker to the Falcons by virtue of getting swept in the season series. As such, they'll have to finish ahead of Atlanta at the end of the season since they'd lose a tie. However, they hold a head-to-head advantage over the Washington Commanders for a Wild Card tie by virtue of the Bucs' 37-20 win back in Week 1. That win could end up paying dividends for Tampa Bay. The Bucs stand in position to potentially move even closer this weekend. Tampa Bay plays at Carolina, while the Falcons host a current playoff team in the Los Angeles Chargers. The Commanders host the Titans - who just upset the Texans on Houston - on Sunday. This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.