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55bmw casino slot Guess who hasn't even started their holiday shopping yet? Yours truly. But I know, statistically speaking, surely I can't be alone. Luckily I've hunted down some Walmart deals on gear that the WIRED team has hand-tested and would recommend to a friend. Today those friends are you and me. May the odds be ever in our favor. WIRED Featured Deals A sleek-looking Chromebook: Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 for $329 ($171 off) The best fitness tracker: Fitbit Charge 6 for $120 ($40 off) Stocking stuffer earbuds: JLab Go Air Pop Earbuds for $10 ($20 off) An excellent Dyson deal: Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum for $400 ($250 off) Power up with unlimited access to WIRED . Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today . Tech Deals Samsung 65-inch S90D QD-OLED TV for $1,348 ($200 off) This discount comes close to what we saw during Black Friday. The Samsung S90D ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends ) is one of our very favorite TVs out of the dozens and dozens we've tested. The colors are vivid, but not too vivid, and the contrast and black levels are perfect. It also comes equipped for gaming with a bevy of ports and support for Samsung's Game Hub. Sony 65-inch Bravia 9 QLED TV for $2,698 ($302 off) This is another great deal that's a holdover from Black Friday sales. The Sony Bravia ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends ) is our favorite QLED TV . The mini LEDs give it super bright backlighting, and it's also packed with dimming technology to ensure contrast and black levels stay optimal. We wish it had a few more ports, but overall you're getting stunning picture quality in nearly any environment at a price that could justifiably be higher. Apple MacBook Air (M1, 2020) for $599 ($144 off) This MacBook Air ( 9/10, WIRED Recommends ) is the cheapest MacBook you can buy, and the discount makes it even more attainable. It's a little older now, but it's still a great laptop for everyday tasks like getting work done, browsing the web, or binge-watching video essays on YouTube. If you just need a computer that'll do the job without costing an arm and a leg, this is a very good option. Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 for $329 ($171 off) On the hunt for a great-looking Chromebook ? That'd be the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 ( 7/10, WIRED Recommends ). Chromebooks often look bulky or dated, but the CX34 is sleek and svelte, with an all-white design that belies its affordable price tag. It can handle multiple tabs and open apps, and the webcam looks great too. We wish the keyboard was backlit, but this is still an excellent, affordable option that might make a great gift for your household's chief homework-doer. Bose Smart Soundbar for $399 ($100 off) Everybody should have a soundbar . The Bose Smart Soundbar ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) is nice and compact, and despite its small footprint it packs in great, expansive sound that'll immerse you in whatever you're watching. Since it doesn't have a subwoofer, you won't get room-shaking bass, but it's still going to sound much better than your TV's tinny built-ins. Learn more about it and get additional recommendations in our Soundbars Buying Guide . Beats Pill (2024) Bluetooth Speaker for $100 ($50 off) The new Beats Pill ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) has the hallmark thumping bass that's characteristic of Beats audio gear. And it packs all that sound into a portable little capsule-shaped package that's got a 24-hour battery life and one-touch pairing for Apple and Android devices. It's dust- and water-resistant, and it can even charge your phone through its USB-C output. If you're looking for a portable party, this Bluetooth speaker is absolutely worth checking out, especially at this price. Fitbit Charge 6 for $120 ($40 off) The Fitbit Charge 6 is our favorite fitness tracker , and this is a very solid deal if you or a loved one have some health-related New Year's resolutions coming up. The tracker can help keep tabs on your steps, your heart rate, your skin temperature, and your sleep to name just a few key categories. Some features are locked behind a $10/month Fitbit Premium subscription, but we still think this offers a great suite of features for a very reasonable price. Find more recommendations in our Fitbit Buying Guide . Logitech G Pro X 2 Gaming Headset for $185 ($65 off) We've seen better discounts for it, but if you're in the market, you can save a decent amount on the best gaming headset . The sound quality and fit are great. It has very low latency—important when you're trying to figure out where you're landing on the Fortnite map—and crystal clear audio quality for when you're trying to tell your teammates to heal you. And it does it all wirelessly. Read more about it in our Gaming Headset Buying Guide . JLab Go Air Pop Earbuds for $10 ($20 off) This deal beats Black Friday's discount by 10 bucks. It used to be hard to find cheap headphones at stocking stuffer prices, but that's exactly what you're getting here. Resident audio expert Parker Hall keeps a pair of these in his gym bag as a backup in case he forgets his usual cans. He says they sound totally decent, and the price tag is icing on the cake. A few different, fun colors are on sale. If your kid is always losing their earbuds, or you just want a reliable backup pair, it's hard to go wrong with this deal. Home and Beauty Deals Dyson V12 Detect Slim Cordless Vacuum for $400 ($250 off) This discount beats what we saw on Black Friday by a staggering $130. The Dyson V12 Detect ( 8/10, WIRED Recommends ) is our favorite cordless Dyson vacuum for small spaces. It's got a small canister, which makes it best suited to tasks like cleaning the kitchen or the living room rather than the entire house (unless you're in a studio or one-bedroom, in which case it might be able to handle the whole shebang). It's compact and easy to store, and it has a few different attachments as well as a neat bright-green laser to help you spot any missed dust bunnies. Dyson V15 Detect Cordless Stick Vacuum for $600 ($150 off) If you want a higher-performance vacuum than the V12, you could check out the Dyson 15 Detect, which is the best Dyson vacuum overall. It's lightweight and easy to maneuver, and it also has the eye-catching neon green laser that shines a spotlight on missed dirt and dust. 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It's easy to use and gets your hair styled quickly, leaving behind volume and movement that'll make your blowouts look fresh out of the salon. The brush is also detachable if you don't need all that airflow but you still want to tame your tresses.Elon Musk Spent Over A Quarter Billion Dollars To Help Elect Donald Trump

Gippsland South MP Danny O’Brien has been appointed leader of the Victorian Nationals, replacing long-time leader Peter Walsh, who helmed the party for 10 years. The change in leadership was confirmed at a Nationals party room meeting at state parliament on Tuesday morning. Danny O’Brien is the Victorian Nationals’ new leader. Credit: Chris Hopkins Lowan MP Emma Kealy, who was Walsh’s deputy, had been floated as a candidate for leader, rivalling O’Brien, before Tuesday’s vote. In a statement, the Nationals said O’Brien was elected unopposed after Walsh recently advised the party room he would step down. Kealy will continue as deputy leader. “It is the greatest honour to have been elected as leader of the Nationals,” O’Brien said. “For over 100 years, the Nationals have served the interests of rural and regional Victoria. That will not change. “It remains our singular focus as the only party solely dedicated to serving the interests of the 25 per cent of the population who live outside the metropolitan area.” Emma Kealy will remain the party’s deputy leader. Credit: Eddie Jim Kealy said the Nationals had a “formidable” team of champions in the parliament. “I look forward to continuing my role in leadership, working with Danny, our MPs and all our members and supporters who are fighting together for a fair deal for regional Victorians,” she said. O’Brien, a former journalist, political staffer and policy adviser, has been the Coalition’s spokesman for roads, liquor and gambling regulation since the 2022 state election. Walsh, who turned 70 in January, has led the Victorian Nationals since December 2014. The member for Swan Hill was first elected in 2002 and elevated to a ministerial appointment in 2010. Outgoing Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh. Credit: Justin McManus At the last election, the party spruiked their ability to win three additional seats as their best result since 1943. They won back Mildura, Shepparton and Morwell from independent candidates. Two Nationals sources, speaking anonymously to detail private discussions, told The Age the halfway point of term was an ideal time for any leadership transition in the party, giving the new leader two years to build up their profile and grow into the role. More to come Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article Victorian Parliament Nationals Peter Walsh Kieran Rooney is a Victorian state political reporter at The Age. Connect via email . Rachel Eddie is a Victorian state political reporter for The Age. Previously, she was a city reporter and has covered breaking news. Connect via Twitter or email . Broede Carmody is a state political reporter for The Age. Previously, he was the national news blogger for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. Connect via Twitter or email . Most Viewed in Politics Loading, /PRNewswire/ -- Gravity Oilfield Services Inc. ("Gravity" or the "company"), a growth-oriented water and power infrastructure company backed by affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. ("Clearlake"), announced today that it has agreed to sell its Gravity Water Midstream division to (NYSE: DKL) ("Delek Logistics"). Gravity Water Midstream provides gathering, transportation, recycling, storage, and disposal solutions for produced water in the Midland Basin in and the Basin in . "The acquisition of Gravity Water Midstream by Delek Logistics creates a path to continue to build incredible scale in our water midstream platform in the Midland Basin," said , CEO of Gravity. "I am thankful to the employees of Gravity for their focus on service and dedication to building one of the largest commercial water management platforms in the Midland and Williston Basins. Building this water midstream platform would not be possible without the incredible support and partnership of Clearlake. I am excited to welcome in this new era for water management in the Midland and Williston Basins under the capable leadership of Delek Logistics." While Gravity is divesting its water midstream assets, the company will retain ownership and operation of its power infrastructure assets, continuing its commitment to providing critical power generation offerings. Clearlake and Gravity partnered in 2017 to pursue produced water midstream opportunities. Over the last several years, Gravity has focused on organically growing its water infrastructure business to support producers in the Midland and basins, and its water business segment has quickly grown into one of the largest commercial operators of disposal wells in the Midland Basin. Gravity Water Midstream developed a system comprised of 200+ miles of permanent pipeline, 46 SWD facilities, and 14 fresh water facilities with over six million barrels of storage capacity, all of which form an extensive and interconnected network. "We valued the opportunity to partner with the Gravity team as they executed a vision to build a leading water midstream platform in the Midland and Williston Basins," said José E. Feliciano, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, and Colin Leonard, Partner and Managing Director, of Clearlake. "We'd like to thank Rob and the entire Gravity Water Midstream team for their hard work and commitment to growing the business organically over the last several years." & Co served as exclusive financial advisor and Vinson & Elkins LLP served as legal counsel to Gravity in connection with the transaction. Gravity is a growth-oriented provider of energy infrastructure services to U.S. onshore oil and natural gas exploration and production companies, providing water midstream solutions, critical power generation offerings and other production focused services. Gravity has significant coverage density in the Permian Basin and benefits from a national footprint supported by facilities, operations and management personnel in several other key domestic resource plays including the Bakken, Eagle Ford, SCOOP/STACK, DJ Basin, Haynesville and Marcellus, among others. More information is available at . Founded in 2006, Clearlake Capital Group, L.P. is an investment firm founded operating integrated businesses across private equity, credit and other related strategies. With a sector-focused approach, the firm seeks to partner with management teams by providing patient, long-term capital to businesses that can benefit from Clearlake's operational improvement approach, The firm's core target sectors are industrials, technology, and consumer. Clearlake has over $85 billion of assets under management, and its senior investment principals have led or co-led over 400 investments. The firm is headquartered in Santa Monica, CA with affiliates in Dallas, TX, London, UK, , , and , UAE. More information is available at and on X . For Gravity , (281) 640-3043 Marketing Communication Manager For Clearlake , (845) 507-0571 Lambert View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Gravity Oilfield Services Inc.; Clearlake Capital Group Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Is Taiwan Semiconductor About to Surge? History Could Repeat ItselfWorld News | Train Collides with Fire Truck in Florida; Police Say 3 Firefighters, Several Passengers HurtRe-runs of Friends breed 'laziness' and 'mediocrity' in US culture, says Trump cost-cutter Vivek Ramaswamy By FRANCINE WOLFISZ Published: 17:11, 28 December 2024 | Updated: 17:12, 28 December 2024 e-mail View comments An entrepreneur-turned-politician set to co-lead Donald Trump's cost-cutting drive has claimed repeats of TV shows like Friends have bred 'laziness' and 'mediocrity'. His outlandish attack also featured former GOP presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy taking aim at a host of other beloved 90s sitcoms, as he made a point around 'fixing the problem' of what he perceives to be wrong with American culture today. In a long post to X, he said: 'Our American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence for way too long (at least since the 90s and likely longer). 'That doesn't start in college, it starts YOUNG. 'A culture that celebrates the prom queen over the math olympiad champ, or the jock over the valedictorian, will not produce the best engineers. 'A culture that venerates Cory from "Boy Meets World," or Zach & Slater over Screech in "Saved by the Bell," or "Stefan" over Steve Urkel in "Family Matters," will not produce the best engineers. 'More movies like Whiplash, fewer reruns of "Friends." 'More math tutoring, fewer sleepovers. More weekend science competitions, fewer Saturday morning cartoons. Trump advisor Vivek Ramaswamy has claimed repeats of TV shows like Friends have bred 'laziness' and 'mediocrity' Former GOP presidential hopeful Ramaswamy took aim at a host of other beloved 90s sitcoms, as he made a point around 'fixing the problem' of what he perceives to be wrong with American culture today Ramaswamy ignited the controversy with a lengthy and provocative post on X 'More books, less TV. More creating, less 'chillin.' More extracurriculars, less "hanging out at the mall." Ramaswamy, who was recently named co-chief of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Elon Musk , sparked a furore on Thursday after suggesting US tech firms prefer to hire foreigners because they had a better work ethic. In his message, he voiced strong support for bringing 'highly skilled' foreign workers to the US, even as MAGA voters and Trump himself have championed stricter immigration policies. 'The reason top tech companies often hire foreign-born & first-generation engineers over 'native' Americans isn't because of an innate American IQ deficit (a lazy & wrong explanation),' Ramaswamy wrote. 'A key part of it comes down to the c-word: culture. Tough questions demand tough answers & if we're really serious about fixing the problem, we have to confront the TRUTH: Our American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence for way too long.' He continued: 'If you grow up aspiring to normalcy, normalcy is what you will achieve.' Ramaswamy went on to say that he remains hopeful for the future 'only if our culture fully wakes up'. He said: 'This can be our Sputnik moment. We’ve awaken from slumber before & we can do it again. Ramaswamy was recently named co-chief of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside Elon Musk Vivek Ramaswamy , a former GOP presidential hopeful and Trump appointee, has been outspoken in his defense of the H-1B visa program which allows U.S. companies to hire highly skilled foreign workers Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, who positioned herself as a moderate during the 2024 Republican primaries, offered a biting response Nikki Haley cast herself as a moderate Republican when she launched a primary campaign against Trump in the 2024 presidential cycle Ramaswamy's post and subsequent follow-ups drew immediate criticism from Trump supporters who back the president-elect's hardline immigration stance 'Trump’s election hopefully marks the beginning of a new golden era in America, but only if our culture fully wakes up. 'A culture that once again prioritizes achievement over normalcy; excellence over mediocrity; nerdiness over conformity; hard work over laziness. The MAGA movement, long united under its 'America First' banner, is facing a deepening schism as an intense online battle over the H-1B visa programme engulfs its ranks. The programme, which allows US companies to hire highly skilled foreign workers, has become a lightning rod for controversy within President-elect Donald Trump 's ranks. Not all within the party were happy however to support Ramaswamy's provocative views. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley , who positioned herself as a moderate during the 2024 Republican primaries, offered a biting response. 'There is nothing wrong with American workers or American culture,' Haley declared. 'All you have to do is look at the border and see how many want what we have. We should be investing and prioritizing in Americans, not foreign workers.' Musk is the incoming co-chief of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) working alongside Vivek Ramaswamy Right-wing provocateur Mike Cernovich also weighed in, lambasting Ramaswamy's comments as dismissive of America's storied history of innovation. 'The Woodstock generation managed to build out aerospace, the one before went to the moon,' he wrote. 'Underlying your post is that we were all living in squalor until being rescued by H-1B's. Then why did everyone want to come here?' Ramaswamy responded: 'That version of America, the one that used to embody unbridled exceptionalism, is exactly what we want to return to. That's a point about culture, not immigration policy.' Even MAGA influencers like Jack Posobiec joined the fray, questioning why America would seek foreign workers instead of nurturing domestic talent. 'Imagine how many more JD Vances are out there,' Posobiec argued, referencing the MAGA-aligned senator known for his rags-to-riches story. Far-right commentator Laura Loomer took an even harsher stance, accusing Ramaswamy of undermining MAGA's original agenda. Her incendiary post referred to the H-1B visa program as part of a 'Great Replacement' conspiracy theory, highlighting growing fears within Trump's base about the erosion of traditional American identity. Trump allies Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy say Big Tech needs foreign workers because there aren't enough 'motivated' Americans to fill the jobs The debate has underscored some of the broader anxieties about the direction of Trump's second term. During his first administration, Trump made significant cuts to the H-1B visa program , a move applauded by his anti-immigration allies, but his current stance remains unclear, leaving immigrant communities and tech industry leaders bracing for potential shifts in policy. Critics warn that rolling back the program could harm U.S. competitiveness, particularly in sectors like technology and healthcare. However, MAGA supporters argue that limiting foreign labor would force companies to invest in training American workers. Vivek Ramaswamy Donald Trump Friends Reunion Share or comment on this article: Re-runs of Friends breed 'laziness' and 'mediocrity' in US culture, says Trump cost-cutter Vivek Ramaswamy e-mail Add comment

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, center, responds to cheers during a photo session with the North Korean Army's Battalion commanders and political Instructors in Pyongyang on Nov. 21, in this photo provided by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. Yonhap The United States has kept North Korea on its list of state sponsors of terrorism, an annual State Department report showed Thursday, noting the reclusive regime repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism. The department released the 2023 Country Reports on Terrorism, which serves as a guide for policy decisions on counterterrorism. The document entails the list of state terrorism sponsors, which includes Cuba, Iran and Syria. The North has remained on the list since November 2017, when the secretary of state redesignated it. The North was first listed as a state sponsor of terrorism in 1988 for its involvement in the 1987 bombing of a Korean Air passenger flight, but its designation was rescinded in 2008 after a legal review. The North was put back on the list in November 2017 when the secretary of state determined that the North had repeatedly supported acts of international terrorism in the nine years since its designation had been rescinded. As examples of the North's support for terrorism, the report mentioned that four Japanese Red Army members, who are wanted by the Tokyo government for participating in a 1970 Japan Airlines hijacking, continue to shelter in the North. The report also noted that Tokyo continues to seek a full accounting of the fate of numerous Japanese nationals believed to have been abducted by the North's state entities in the 1970s and 1980s. The terrorism sponsor designation can be rescinded when a designated country meets an array of requirements, such as not supporting any acts of international terrorism during the previous six months and offering assurances that it will not support terrorism in the future. (Yonhap)

New York Emerging Technology Advisory Board Publishes First Report Outlining Vision to Elevate Leadership in AI

Defense Department Going Big On Generative AI To 'Meet Critical Warfighter Problems'‘You can’t make this up’: Walmart customer can’t believe her store looks like this at this point in the yearIn case you missed Saturday’s NYT Mini Crossword puzzle, you can find the answers here: The last Lazy Sunday of the year is upon us, and I recommend you take full advantage of it. Hell, I recommend you take Monday off and just keep the weekend rolling straight through New Year’s Day. School’s out for winter. Stay home and play games, watch some of the great movies and TV shows that are out this weekend, and eat way too much food. You can get back to all your healthy, productive stuff on Thursday. But first, let’s solve today’s Mini Crossword! The NYT Mini is a smaller, quicker, more digestible, bite-sized version of the larger and more challenging NYT Crossword, and unlike its larger sibling, it’s free-to-play without a subscription to The New York Times. You can play it on the web or the app, though you’ll need the app to tackle the archive. Answers to today’s Mini Crossword below . . . . Spoilers ahead! ACROSS 1 — Getting closer, so to speak — WARM 5— First-string crew — ATEAM 7 — ___ journalism, style associated with Hunter S. Thompson — GONZO 8 — Prized "activity" for new parents — SLEEP 9 — Opposite of more — LESS DOWN 1 — Moves like an excited dog's tail — WAGS 2 — Ring-shaped reef — ATOLL 3 — Zellweger of "Bridget Jones's Diary" — RENEE 4 — Puzzles in a children's coloring book — MAZES 6 — Cleans the floor — MOPS This was a pretty quick Mini even if a couple of the words were a bit trickier than others. I actually skipped 1 and 5 ACROSS and went straight to 7—GONZO—and then 9—LESS. I kept thinking NAPS for 8-ACROSS but it ended up being SLEEP. Close enough! I had to think a bit before I came up with ATOLL for 2-DOWN but the rest were pretty obvious. Today’s Mini took me 1 minute and 11 seconds. How did you do? Let me know on Twitter , Instagram or Facebook . If you also play Wordle, I write guides about that as well. You can find those and all my TV guides, reviews and much more here on my blog . Thanks for reading!

In 2023, the Magnificent Seven stocks—Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Nvidia, Meta Platforms, and Tesla—proved their worth with substantial gains, dominating market movements. In 2024, their performance has continued to impress, further solidifying their significant influence on the market. Due to their massive market capitalizations, these stocks hold outsized influence on the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 indexes, driving broader market trends. Here’s a closer look at each of them: 1. Nvidia (NVDA) - +183.2% YTD Nvidia has been a standout performer in 2024, with a massive 183.2% year-to-date (YTD) gain. The company continues to be the leader in AI and GPU technologies, benefiting from surging demand for AI-powered applications and its dominant position in the AI chip market. Nvidia's Q3 earnings exceeded Wall Street expectations, with a substantial increase in both earnings and revenue compared to last year. However, the stock recently faced a 3% decline amid reports of an investigation in China for anti-monopoly violations. Despite this setback, Nvidia's growth prospects in the AI space remain robust, and it continues to be a key driver of the tech sector.WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden pardons for officials and allies who the White House fears could be unjustly administration, a preemptive move that would be a novel and risky use of the president’s extraordinary constitutional power. The deliberations so far are largely at the level of White House lawyers. But Biden himself has discussed the topic with some senior aides, according to two people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday to discuss the sensitive subject. No decisions have been made, the people said, and it is possible Biden opts to do nothing at all. Pardons are historically afforded to those accused of specific crimes – and usually those who have already been convicted of an offense — but Biden’s team is considering issuing them for those who have not even been investigated, let alone charged. They fear that Trump and his allies, who have boasted of enemies lists and exacting “retribution,” could launch investigations that would be reputationally and financially costly for their targets even if they don’t result in prosecutions. While the president’s pardon power is absolute, Biden’s use in this fashion would mark a significant expansion of how they are deployed, and some Biden aides fear it could lay the groundwork for an even more drastic usage by Trump. They also worry that issuing pardons would feed into claims by Trump and his allies that the individuals committed acts that necessitated immunity. Recipients could include infectious-disease specialist Dr. Anthony Fauci, who was instrumental in combating the coronavirus pandemic and who has become a pariah to conservatives angry about mask mandates and vaccines. Others include witnesses in Trump’s criminal or civil trials and Biden administration officials who have drawn the ire of the incoming president and his allies. Some fearful former officials have reached out to the Biden White House preemptively seeking some sort of protection from the future Trump administration, one of the people said. It follows Biden’s decision to — not just for his convictions on federal gun and tax violations, but for any potential federal offense committed over an 11-year period, as the president feared that Trump allies would seek to prosecute his son for other offenses. That could serve as a model for other pardons Biden might issue to those who could find themselves in legal jeopardy under Trump. Biden is not the first to consider such pardons — Trump aides considered them for him and his supporters involved in his failed efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election that culminated in a violent riot at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But he could be the first to issue them since Trump’s pardons never materialized before he left office nearly four years ago. Gerald Ford granted a “full, free, and absolute pardon” in 1974 to his predecessor, Richard Nixon, over the Watergate scandal. He believed a potential trial would “cause prolonged and divisive debate over the propriety of exposing to further punishment and degradation a man who has already paid the unprecedented penalty of relinquishing the highest elective office of the United States," as written in the pardon proclamation. Politico was first to report that Biden was studying the use of preemptive pardons. On the campaign trail, Trump made no secret of his desire to seek revenge on those who prosecuted him or crossed him. Trump has talked about and circulated social media posts that call for the jailing of Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former Vice President Mike Pence and Sens. Mitch McConnell and Chuck Schumer. He also a conservative Republican who campaigned for Harris and helped investigate Jan. 6, and he promoted a social media post that suggested he wanted military tribunals for supposed treason. as his nominee to be director of the FBI, has listed dozens of former government officials he wanted to “come after.” Richard Painter, a Trump critic who served as the top White House ethics lawyer under President George W. Bush, said he was reluctantly in support of having Biden issue sweeping pardons to people who could be targeted by Trump's administration. He said he hoped that would “clean the slate” for the incoming president and encourage him to focus on governing, not on punishing his political allies. “It’s not an ideal situation at all,” Painter said. “We have a whole lot of bad options confronting us at this point.” While the from prosecution for what could be considered official acts, his aides and allies enjoy no such shield. Some fear that Trump could use the promise of a blanket pardon to encourage his allies to take actions they might otherwise resist for fear of running afoul of the law. “There could be blatant illegal conduct over the next four years, and he can go out and pardon his people before he leaves office,” Painter said. "But if he’s going to do that, he’s going to do that anyway regardless of what Biden does." More conventional pardons from Biden, such as those for sentencing disparities for people convicted of federal crimes, are expected before the end of the year, the White House said.Dow ends at fresh record as oil prices pull back on ceasefire hopes

Michelin yesterday announced the sale of its Sri Lanka-based Midigama Tyre Division and Casting Product Division plants that manufacture bias tires and tracks for compact construction equipment, to the CEAT group, a recognised player that is a better fit for these activities. In addition to the production facilities, the sale will also include the Camso brand, a renowned brand in these segments, at the end of a three-year licensing period. The high level of performance and engagement of employees, and the quality of the production facilities, has greatly contributed to making this a successful transaction. In full agreement with CEAT, it preserves jobs and ensures business continuity for Michelin customers worldwide. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals from the relevant authorities. Michelin and CEAT are committed to working hand in hand to ensure a smooth transition for all employees, customers and suppliers. Michelin said the Group will focus on its most value accretive offers for construction application. These include radial tires, solid tires and assemblies. Michelin will thus exit from its activities related to compact line bias tires and construction tracks. The group also intends to continue its other manufacturing activities in Sri Lanka. The country remains important for Michelin, where the company plans to continue modernising its production facilities alongside improving performance – as everywhere in the group. With this operation, Michelin and CEAT are aligned and do not intend any layoffs at either of the two plants. Michelin and CEAT will work together to implement appropriate measures for all 1,587 employees at the Midigama Tyre Division and Casting Product Division plants and the related support functions, creating the right conditions for a smooth handover between the two companies. Michelin will continue to support all its teams in Sri Lanka to help ensure that activities there remain competitive. Michelin and CEAT will make every effort to ensure business continuity for customers and suppliers. Further to this announcement, the two groups will pay particular attention to providing seamless support for all their partners. Michelin Senior Vice President – Beyond Road Business Line Nour Bouhassoun said: “Michelin firmly believes that CEAT is the right fit to carry on our bias tires and tracks for compact construction equipment business. Both our companies are fully committed to ensuring a smooth transition for our employees and business continuity for our customers and suppliers. With this operation, Michelin is continuing to reshape its Beyond Road business, in line with the group’s sustainable growth strategy.” CEAT Managing Director and CEO Arnab Banerjee said: “The Camso brand is an excellent fit with the growth strategy of CEAT’s Off-Highway tire business, thereby improving our margin profile. Access to the most premium customers, a high-quality brand and a qualified workforce is what excites us the most about this acquisition. The track segment is a technologically superior segment with a limited number of global players. We also found high synergies between the two brands, CEAT and Camso, and are confident that both will benefit tremendously from their complimentary capabilities and positioning.” Michelin is building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. Pioneering engineered materials for more than 130 years, Michelin is uniquely positioned to make decisive contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world. Drawing on its deep know-how in polymer composites, Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tires and components for critical applications in demanding fields as varied as mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies, and healthcare. The care placed in its products and deep customer knowledge inspire Michelin to offer the finest experiences. This spans from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide.President Joe Biden is considering preemptive pardons for several prominent names facing possible retribution from the incoming Trump administration, US media has reported. Among those being considered for the historic pardons are Anthony Fauci, the former White House special advisor on Covid-19, and former Republican lawmaker Liz Cheney, who has become a fierce critic of Donald Trump. The president-elect has made no secret of his desire to exact vengeance against critics and those he claims stole the 2020 election from him. Biden has discussed with advisors the possibility of using his constitutional power to protectively issue preemptive pardons -- even to people yet to be charged with any crime -- before he leaves the White House on January 20. The discussions were reported by Politico and later by the New York Times, CBS News and the Washington Post, all citing anonymous sources close to the talks. Biden sparked controversy on Sunday when, in a reversal, he pardoned his son Hunter, who was due to be sentenced this month in cases involving a gun purchase and tax fraud. Democratic Representative Adam Schiff of California, who served as lead manager during the first Senate impeachment of Trump, and retired general Mark Milley might also be in line for preemptive pardons to shield them from Trump. Milley, who was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during Trump's first term, later told journalist Bob Woodward that Trump was "a total fascist" and "the most dangerous person to this country." Overseeing such prosecutions would be the man who the president-elect has nominated to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kash Patel. Patel, who held a high position in the Pentagon during the first Trump term, has said that as FBI chief he would "come after" those "who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections." "WHEN I WIN," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform in September, "those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law." Presidential pardons, issued at the end of a term, have a long history in the United States. On his last day in the White House in January 2021, Trump pardoned 74 people accused of various crimes and misdemeanors. And in September 1974, a month after Richard Nixon resigned as president during the Watergate scandal, his successor Gerald Ford announced "a full, free and absolute pardon" for any crimes against the United States which Nixon might have committed while in office. But the multiple preemptive pardons reportedly being considered by Biden -- to insulate several people from future prosecutions that might not ever happen -- could constitute a first. rle/bbk/bgs

Residents in two states have been warned electricity blackouts could leave them in the dark as a sweltering heatwave puts electricity reserves to the test. A heatwave warning remains in place for areas of NSW on Tuesday, including a severe warning for the Mid North Coast, Hunter, Metropolitan, Illawarra, South Coast and Southern Tablelands Districts. Batemans Bay, Bowral, Camden, Campbelltown, Hornsby, Liverpool, Nowra, Penrith, Parramatta and Richmond are expected to be most affected by the heatwave, with the CBD tipped to hit 31C on Tuesday while areas like Richmond are set to hit 39C. There’s a chance the soaring temperatures could lead to blackouts across the state, with NSW Premier Chris Minns on Monday acknowledging the electricity grid could be under pressure as millions turn on the air conditioning. “We will be as quick as possible with updates to the community about potential interruptions with supply,” Mr Minns said. Authorities have issued blackout warnings for Queensland, with the highest-risk blackout times being between 3.30pm and 7.30pm. NSW Minister for Energy Penny Sharpe urged people to conserve energy, asking them to consider whether it was necessary to “have every single light on in the house” on a hot day. “Do you need to have your airconditioning down at 19 degrees?” Ms Sharpe asked. The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) on Monday confirmed three generator units at Lake Macquarie near Newcastle had gone offline. “AEMO has alerted the energy industry and is working with power station operators and transmission businesses to boost electricity availability,” a spokeswoman said. “If a market response remains inadequate, AEMO will take actions available to maintain supply.” However, the operator later said that “forecast electricity reserves have improved” in NSW. “As a result, the previously forecast Lack of Reserve Level 3 (LOR3) has been downgraded to a less critical Lack of Reserve Level 2 (LOR2). This improvement is largely due to the cancellation of transmission outages in the region,” AEMO said in a statement. “AEMO remains focused on maintaining electricity reliability in both New South Wales and Queensland this week, as high temperatures are expected to drive strong energy demand amid significant generation unavailability in NSW. “If electricity supply forecasts deteriorate, AEMO will take all necessary measures, including the activation of off-market reserves, to ensure supply reliability.” CALLS TO AXE ‘FOSSIL FUEL DINOSAURS’ Member for North Sydney Kylea Tink issued a call for Australia to transition from “unreliable coal-fired power stations”, claiming it’s “time for the fossil fuel dinosaurs to face reality”. “Businesses and households around the state are being let down by our unreliable, ageing coal-fired power plants,” Ms Tink said. “The threat of blackouts before we hit summer shows the urgency at which Australia must transition to renewable energy backed by reliable storage technology.” She claimed the situation highlighted “the Coalition’s nuclear fantasy is built on a house of cards”. “There is no way Australia’s creaking coal fired power stations can support a dynamic, growing economy until the 2040s – when the first nuclear reactors could be expected to be built under Peter Dutton’s so-called ‘nuclear energy plan’,” she said. “The only way for Australians to enjoy more affordable and reliable energy is to double down on investment in renewables, and invest heavily in large-scale battery storage solutions, backed by a national small-scale battery storage target. “It’s time for the fossil fuel dinosaurs to face reality – coal is inflexible and unreliable, and any blackouts in NSW later this week will be squarely the fault of the state’s ageing and decaying coal fired power fleet.” ‘DANGEROUS’ SEVERE HEATWAVE Residents in heat affected areas of NSW have been urged to seek a cool place and use fans or air conditioners where possible, according to an alert from the Bureau of Meteorology. “Severe heatwaves can be dangerous for many people, especially older people, babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions and people who are unwell,” the alert states. “Seek a place to keep cool, such as your home, a library, community centre or shopping centre. “Close your windows and draw blinds, curtains or awnings early in the day to keep the heat out of your home.”NEW YORK, Dec. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, continues to investigate potential securities claims on behalf of shareholders of Light & Wonder, Inc. LNW resulting from allegations that Light & Wonder may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public. SO WHAT: If you purchased Light & Wonder securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=29678 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. WHAT IS THIS ABOUT: On September 24, 2024, the Las Vegas Review-Journal published an article entitled "Slot manufacturer scores major win against Las Vegas-based rival." It stated that "Aristocrat Technologies Inc.'s request for a preliminary injunction in its trade-secret and copyright infringement lawsuit against Light & Wonder" had been granted, and that the "order prohibits [Light & Wonder] from the ‘continued or planned sale, leasing, or other commercialization of Dragon Train,' which Aristocrat claims uses intellectual property developed for its Dragon Link and Lightning Link games." On this news, the price of Light & Wonder common stock fell 19.49% on September 24, 2024. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ------------------------------- Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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