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Iran's government on Tuesday said it had lifted a ban on access to WhatsApp and Google Play after more than two years, the official IRNA news agency reported. The report said the country's Supreme Council of Cyber Space made the decision in a meeting led by reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian, who has vowed to remove restrictions on social media. Iran's telecommunication minister Sattar Heshemi in a post on X called the decision a "first step" in removing restrictions and said "the path will continue'' — indicating the possibility of unblocking other services. Many people reached by The Associated Press across the capital, Tehran, and other cities said they had access to the services on computers but not yet on mobile phones. WhatsApp has been the third most popular messaging platform in Iran after Instagram and Telegram. The ban on WhatsApp and Google Play was put in place in 2022 during mass protests against the government over the death of a woman held by the country's morality police for allegedly violating the strictly enforced dress code. The protests calmed in 2023 after a crackdown by police and security forces that led to the death of hundreds of people and the imprisonment of thousands. Iran has blocked access to various social media platforms over the years but many people in the country use proxies and VPNs to access them. (This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Middle East latest: Israel's Netanyahu announces support for a cease-fire with HezbollahBronny set for G League road debut, sources say
Democracy is a system of government where people control the agenda and hold decision-makers accountable. It gives every person the power and freedom to help choose the path for their society and to take action to improve their lives. It is the only political system that can force governments to work for their citizens, not against them. The most important element of democracy is a vibrant citizenry that actively participates in society and in their government – through voting, protesting, running for office, or other ways to engage in democratic politics. Without this engagement, democracy will fail. Democracy also requires respect for human rights and the rule of law. Democracies should ensure that all persons can take part in the governance of their country through freely chosen representatives, with periodic and genuine elections by universal suffrage. They should respect the right to freedom of opinion and expression, and guarantee access to information and transparency. In turn, these rights create an environment that facilitates democracy and enables it to realize its potential as a mechanism for the protection and realization of human rights. As different as all nations and societies are, modern democracy consists of the same essential components: a people-controlled constitution; elected leaders at the national and local levels who listen to their constituents and respond to their concerns; free, fair and professional elections that allow all political parties and candidates to present their views to voters, both directly and through mass media; independent courts that uphold and enforce the laws without fear or favor; and the ability to hold elected leaders accountable for their actions. A strong democracy includes a loyal opposition that passionately advocates for its policy interests, but does not resort to violence against the democratic process or its opponents. It also includes a commitment to a free press and other mechanisms that promote a culture of tolerance, openness and pluralism. While there is a debate over what is included in a definition of democracy, most include electoral procedures, participation and accountability as core elements. Some go even further by including economic or administrative efficiency in their indices of democracy. Some argue that democratic values and principles are being undermined by the rise of populist demagogues in many parts of the world. However, a democracy that is not reliant on its own popularity can endure challenges and thrive over time. It is worth remembering that democracies exist all around the globe, with each one having its own unique characteristics and needs. Over the course of history, they have survived civil wars; racial and ethnic cleansing; famines; devastating natural disasters; economic expansions and depressions; and social, demographic, and technological change. They have also brought women, minorities and indigenous peoples closer to full equality; and reduced inequality in all its forms. It is our responsibility to defend democracy, and to educate each generation about its value. Only then can it be a force that can resist the siren call of autocratic leaders and sustain a peaceful coexistence of diverse peoples and cultures.
NEW YORK, Dec. 11, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Magnite (NASDAQ: MGNI), the world’s largest independent sell-side advertising platform, today announced the promotion of two key leaders, to further sharpen the company’s strategic focus, drive innovation, and accelerate its momentum in the market. Sean Buckley has been promoted to President, Revenue and Katie Evans has been promoted to President, Operations. Mr. Buckley and Ms. Evans will continue to report to CEO, Michael Barrett. “Sean and Katie have had an enormously positive impact on Magnite’s development,” said Michael Barrett, CEO of Magnite. “The Board and I have great confidence in their leadership, and these promotions will enhance their impact even further. As the company enters its fifth year, we have many exciting opportunities in front of us, including live sports, the continued adoption of programmatic in CTV, and a variety of innovations in DV+. With Sean and Katie in these new roles, Magnite will be able to execute better and faster than ever.” Sean Buckley , has served as the company’s Chief Revenue Officer since 2022. Mr. Buckley joined Magnite following its acquisition of SpotX in May 2021, and has served as the company's Chief Revenue Officer since January 2022. He will continue to lead Magnite's global commercial organization, spearheading top-line growth and fostering new client opportunities. Before Magnite, Mr. Buckley spent eight years at SpotX in various capacities, including Chief Operating Officer and Chief Revenue Officer and led the company's strategic investment in SpringServe. He was instrumental in expanding the company’s platform business, providing media owners with a solution to holistically manage their programmatic video strategies. Katie Evans , has served as the company’s Chief Operating Officer since 2020. Ms. Evans joined Magnite following its acquisition of Telaria in April 2020, and has served as the company's Chief Operating Officer since September 2020. She will continue to oversee the company’s client success, sales operations, technical operations, and business intelligence teams. Ms. Evans is responsible for scaling the company’s global operations and works closely with the revenue, product, and engineering organizations to drive innovation and success for Magnite’s clients. Before Magnite, she was Chief Operating Officer at Telaria, where she was critical in aligning the company’s global strategy, roadmap, and processes. Visit Magnite’s website to learn more about Sean Buckley, Katie Evans and the company’s executive team. About Magnite We’re Magnite (NASDAQ: MGNI), the world’s largest independent sell-side advertising platform. Publishers use our technology to monetize their content across all screens and formats including CTV, online video, display, and audio. The world’s leading agencies and brands trust our platform to access brand-safe, high-quality ad inventory and execute billions of advertising transactions each month. Anchored in bustling New York City, sunny Los Angeles, mile high Denver, historic London, and down under in Sydney, Magnite has offices across North America, EMEA, LATAM, and APAC. Media Contact Charlstie Veith cveith@magnite.com 516-300-3569 Investor Relations Contact Nick Kormeluk nkormeluk@magnite.comThree levers to fix crisis in open-source software
Iran writes letter to UNSC on Israel's acceptance of responsibility for assassination of Ismail Haniyeh
Pakistan Launches Air Strikes On Militant Hideouts In Afghanistan
Principal U.S. Small-Cap Multi-Factor ETF ( NASDAQ:PSC – Get Free Report ) saw unusually-high trading volume on Friday after the company announced a dividend. Approximately 103,351 shares changed hands during trading, an increase of 255% from the previous session’s volume of 29,146 shares.The stock last traded at $51.52 and had previously closed at $52.49. The newly announced dividend which will be paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 27th will be given a $0.0795 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 27th. Principal U.S. Small-Cap Multi-Factor ETF Stock Performance The firm has a fifty day moving average of $53.69 and a 200 day moving average of $51.27. The firm has a market capitalization of $668.87 million, a PE ratio of 9.54 and a beta of 1.19. Institutional Inflows and Outflows About Principal U.S. Small-Cap Multi-Factor ETF ( Get Free Report ) The Principal U.S. Small-Cap Multi-Factor ETF (PSC) is an exchange-traded fund that is based on the Russell 2000 index. The fund is actively managed to invest in small-cap US companies. The fund uses a proprietary, quantitative model to construct the portfolio. PSC was launched on Sep 21, 2016 and is managed by Principal. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Principal U.S. Small-Cap Multi-Factor ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Principal U.S. Small-Cap Multi-Factor ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Fewer people who gave birth in 2022 received adequate prenatal care compared to the prior year, and more Massachusetts residents used fertility treatment, according to a new report from the Department of Public Health. DPH’s look-back into the 68,579 births of 2022 showed some encouraging trends, such as decreases in gestational diabetes and the teen birth rate, in addition to worrisome maternal health outcomes, like the percentage of babies with a low birthweight reaching a record high when assessed over the last decade. In response to years of worsening health outcomes, especially among pregnant people of color, Beacon Hill lawmakers this session passed a sweeping maternal health care bill that’s expected to improve access to care and tackle racial disparities. The volume of births decreased by 0.8% between 2021 and 2022, after having increased slightly between 2020 and 2021, DPH reported. The teen birth rate decreased “slightly” in 2022 but racial disparities persist. Compared to the white teen birth rate, the metric is 10 times higher for Hispanic teens and nearly five times higher for Black teens. The rate of births involving people with gestational diabetes declined for the first time in six years, but DPH said the figure is “nearly triple what it was in 2000.” Nearly one out of every 13 babies was born with a low birthweight, and DPH said the metric remains “unimproved after two decades.” Data from 2022 show that 5,369 babies had a “low birthweight” defined as less than 5.5 pounds, while 741 babies had a “very low birthweight” of less than 3.3 pounds. According to DPH, preterm births are continuing to rise, with one out of every 11 births happening early, which officials define as before 37 weeks of gestation. Article continues after... Cross|Word Flipart Typeshift SpellTower Really Bad Chess Between 2021 and 2022, the share of births to individuals who received adequate prenatal care declined from 78.5% to 76.7%, though the metric varied across insurance types. Data show that 82.9% of people with private insurance had adequate prenatal care, compared to 69.8% for those with public insurance. The report also shows 82% of white people who gave birth received adequate prenatal care in 2022, compared to 66.6% of Black individuals. DPH said 4,454 people used fertility treatment in 2022, compared to 3,991 in 2021. Among those receiving treatment, more turned to assisted reproductive technology like IVF, with the rate climbing from 72.9% in 2021 to 76% in 2022. Nearly three-quarters of Massachusetts residents who used assisted reproductive technology were white, according to the report.
Get ready for a groundbreaking debut at CES 2025! Xpeng AeroHT, a trailblazer in the realm of electric vehicles, is set to unveil an astonishing innovation—the Land Aircraft Carrier. This revolutionary creation is a fusion of extended-range electric minivan genius and state-of-the-art drone technology. Breaking Boundaries in Electric Mobility Electric vehicles have evolved, offering unprecedented choices worldwide. However, Xpeng AeroHT, affiliated with China’s prominent electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng, is challenging conventional norms with its cutting-edge modular vehicle. This extraordinary hybrid, comprising two distinct elements—the “mothership” minivan and an accompanying eVTOL, represents a new vision of transportation. A New Kind of Flying Car Unlike traditional flying car concepts, Xpeng’s Land Aircraft Carrier introduces a unique paradigm. Imagine a six-wheeled electric minivan equipped with an integrated foldable drone. Aptly termed the Mothership, this electric minivan boasts an internal combustion engine that powers its electric components, as well as charging the drone nestled within its compartment. Effortless Flight Experience The eVTOL component isn’t just an accessory—it’s a functional marvel. Capable of seating two, it deploys with ease at the touch of a button. Xpeng AeroHT’s innovative controller system enhances user experience, promising a remarkable flight endeavor. With a rapid battery charge capability—30% to 80% in just 18 minutes—the drone promises multiple flights with efficiency and convenience. Eager to make its mark, Xpeng AeroHT’s bold vision envisions a production goal of 10,000 units annually by 2026. The world is on the brink of a new era in urban transport, with Xpeng AeroHT poised to lead the charge. The Future of Transport: Xpeng AeroHT’s Land Aircraft Carrier Unveiled Electric mobility is about to experience a paradigm shift as Xpeng AeroHT prepares to showcase its Land Aircraft Carrier at CES 2025. This innovation promises to push the boundaries of transportation with its unique blend of electric vehicle technology and drone capabilities. Innovative Features of the Land Aircraft Carrier The Land Aircraft Carrier redefines the notion of flying cars. It integrates a six-wheeled electric minivan, known as the Mothership, with an advanced eVTOL drone. The Mothership, an electric minivan powered by an internal combustion engine, charges the drone and enhances its operational range. This multifaceted system underscores Xpeng AeroHT’s goal to combine practicality with futuristic creativity. Advantages and Potential Use Cases – Multi-Utility Transport: The combination of a minivan and an eVTOL enables diverse applications, from urban commuting to logistics, allowing seamless integration between road and air travel. – Eco-Friendly Innovation: Equipped with an efficient hybrid system, the Land Aircraft Carrier reduces the carbon footprint by combining electric and fuel-based energy sources for optimal performance. – Rapid Deployment: The drone can be launched effortlessly, making it ideal for emergency services, quick deliveries, or even recreational purposes. Market Trends and Future Projections XPeng AeroHT’s vision aligns with rising trends in urban mobility and sustainable transportation solutions. The projected production of 10,000 units annually by 2026 indicates a robust demand and a shift towards multi-modal transportation systems in future smart cities. Security and Safety Enhancements Safety is paramount in advancing such novel technology. The Land Aircraft Carrier will not only feature advanced control systems but will also integrate safety protocols to ensure secure operation in both urban environments and complex airspaces. Challenges and Limitations While the concept is remarkable, challenges include regulatory acceptance, infrastructural adjustments for urban air mobility, and public adoption. The integration of such transformative technology requires comprehensive planning and collaborative efforts from stakeholders worldwide. Ultimately, Xpeng AeroHT’s bold invention promises to reshape the transport landscape, promoting innovative and sustainable solutions. For more on Xpeng and its breakthrough technologies, visit the XPeng website .Players have mixed feelings about being on the road on Christmas as NFL adds more holiday gamesJosh Allen passed for two touchdowns and rushed for one more as the Buffalo Bills clobbered the New York Jets 40-14 on Sunday afternoon in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills clinched the No. 2 seed in the AFC with the victory. Allen was showered with "M-V-P" chants after putting the game away with a pair of third-quarter touchdown passes -- a 30-yard connection with Amari Cooper and a 14-yard strike to a leaping Keon Coleman with 12 seconds left in the frame. Those scores sandwiched a 1-yard touchdown run by James Cook. Buffalo (13-3) took a 33-0 lead into the fourth quarter thanks to its 21-point third. Allen, who turned things over to backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky for the final 15 minutes, finished with 182 yards on 16-for-27 passing. Trubisky hit Tyrell Shavers for a 69-yard TD on his first pass of the contest to make it 40-0 with 12:37 to go. It marked Shavers' first career catch. The Bills' defense was in the spotlight just as much as Allen, forcing three turnovers and racking up four sacks. Aaron Rodgers struggled under center for New York (4-12), completing 12 of 18 passes for 112 yards. He was picked off twice. Second-string signal-caller Tyrod Taylor broke the shutout with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Garrett Wilson with 6:59 left in the game. The Jets proceeded to convert a two-point try to trim their deficit to 40-8. Wilson hauled in seven receptions for 66 yards and the TD. Tyler Conklin grabbed a 20-yard touchdown with 1:55 remaining to complete the scoring. Taylor ended up with 83 yards and the two TDs on 11-of-14 passing. A.J. Epenesa gave the Bills a boost just before the break, sacking Rodgers for a safety that put Buffalo up 9-0 with 2:31 remaining in the second quarter. Tyler Bass extended the Bills' lead with a 39-yard field goal as time expired in the first half. The teams combined for five penalties on the game's first drive, with a 5-yard defensive pass interference call setting Buffalo up at the Jets 1. Allen then got pushed into the end zone for his franchise-record-tying 65th rushing touchdown. --Field Level Media
After Trump's win, Black women are rethinking their role as America's reliable political organizers
By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump promised on Tuesday to “vigorously pursue” capital punishment after President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of most people on federal death row partly to stop Trump from pushing forward their executions. Trump criticized Biden’s decision on Monday to change the sentences of 37 of the 40 condemned people to life in prison without parole, arguing that it was senseless and insulted the families of their victims. Biden said converting their punishments to life imprisonment was consistent with the moratorium imposed on federal executions in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. “Joe Biden just commuted the Death Sentence on 37 of the worst killers in our Country,” he wrote on his social media site. “When you hear the acts of each, you won’t believe that he did this. Makes no sense. Relatives and friends are further devastated. They can’t believe this is happening!” Presidents historically have no involvement in dictating or recommending the punishments that federal prosecutors seek for defendants in criminal cases, though Trump has long sought more direct control over the Justice Department’s operations. The president-elect wrote that he would direct the department to pursue the death penalty “as soon as I am inaugurated,” but was vague on what specific actions he may take and said they would be in cases of “violent rapists, murderers, and monsters.” He highlighted the cases of two men who were on federal death row for slaying a woman and a girl, had admitted to killing more and had their sentences commuted by Biden. On the campaign trail, Trump often called for expanding the federal death penalty — including for those who kill police officers, those convicted of drug and human trafficking, and migrants who kill U.S. citizens. “Trump has been fairly consistent in wanting to sort of say that he thinks the death penalty is an important tool and he wants to use it,” said Douglas Berman, an expert on sentencing at Ohio State University’s law school. “But whether practically any of that can happen, either under existing law or other laws, is a heavy lift.” Berman said Trump’s statement at this point seems to be just a response to Biden’s commutation. “I’m inclined to think it’s still in sort of more the rhetoric phase. Just, ‘don’t worry. The new sheriff is coming. I like the death penalty,’” he said. Most Americans have historically supported the death penalty for people convicted of murder, according to decades of annual polling by Gallup, but support has declined over the past few decades. About half of Americans were in favor in an October poll, while roughly 7 in 10 Americans backed capital punishment for murderers in 2007. Before Biden’s commutation, there were 40 federal death row inmates compared with more than 2,000 who have been sentenced to death by states. “The reality is all of these crimes are typically handled by the states,” Berman said. A question is whether the Trump administration would try to take over some state murder cases, such as those related to drug trafficking or smuggling. He could also attempt to take cases from states that have abolished the death penalty. Berman said Trump’s statement, along with some recent actions by states, may present an effort to get the Supreme Court to reconsider a precedent that considers the death penalty disproportionate punishment for rape. “That would literally take decades to unfold. It’s not something that is going to happen overnight,” Berman said. Before one of Trump’s rallies on Aug. 20, his prepared remarks released to the media said he would announce he would ask for the death penalty for child rapists and child traffickers. But Trump never delivered the line. One of the men Trump highlighted on Tuesday was ex-Marine Jorge Avila Torrez, who was sentenced to death for killing a sailor in Virginia and later pleaded guilty to the fatal stabbing of an 8-year-old and a 9-year-old girl in a suburban Chicago park several years before. Related Articles The other man, Thomas Steven Sanders, was sentenced to death for the kidnapping and slaying of a 12-year-old girl in Louisiana, days after shooting the girl’s mother in a wildlife park in Arizona. Court records show he admitted to both killings. Some families of victims expressed anger with Biden’s decision, but the president had faced pressure from advocacy groups urging him to make it more difficult for Trump to increase the use of capital punishment for federal inmates. The ACLU and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops were some of the groups that applauded the decision. Biden left three federal inmates to face execution. They are Dylann Roof, who carried out the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; 2013 Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ; and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue in 2018 , the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Michelle L. Price and Eric Tucker contributed to this report.SANTA CLARA — Brock Purdy is charged with distributing the ball to the 49ers’ still-plentiful array of offensive weapons. On Tuesday, he threw disgruntled wide receiver Deebo Samuel his full support. “I want to get Deebo the ball every play if I could,” Purdy said. “I want to have him break all the records as best as possible. I want Deebo to do Deebo things, and we all do in this building.” Thing is, Samuel’s sub-par production this season has mirrored the 49ers’ rocky road to a 6-7 record entering Thursday night’s visit by the Rams (7-6). “Not struggling at all just not getting the ball!!!!!!!” Samuel wrote Monday in a since-deleted post on the social media platform X. The timing off that complaint was peculiar. The 49ers had just shaken a three-game losing streak with a 38-13 win over the Chicago Bears, a game Samuel acknowledged was their best offensive showing and most complementary outing. But the 49ers did so with minimal production again from Samuel, who had two catches for 22 yards and five carries for 13 yards. “You read what you read. A little frustrated, for sure,” Samuel said Tuesday at his locker before practice. General manager John Lynch asked 49ers fans to give Samuel “some grace,” and coach Kyle Shanahan also threw support behind Samuel’s gripes. “Deebo and I talk every day so I understand Deebo saying that,” Shanahan said. “Deebo wants to help us out, and the only way he is helping us is getting the ball more. And we’d like to get him the ball more.” Samuel, a two-time captain, has scored just two touchdowns (Week 1 run, Week 5 reception) after 12 last regular season; he had 14 in 2021. He missed the 49ers’ Week 3 loss in Los Angeles because of a calf injury. Three years removed from his All-Pro breakout season, Samuel’s production has taken a nosedive this season, even though he is getting the ball. His 72 touches (40 receptions for 533 yards, 32 carries for 92 yards) are second to only now-injured running back Jordan Mason’s 164. In an X post 10 minutes after complaining about his opportunities, Samuel wrote : “Just cause I voice my opinions don’t mean I’m hating on any of my teammates!!” Jauan Jennings (57 catches, 774 yards, six touchdowns) and tight end George Kittle (56-800-8) have seized more on their targets from Brock Purdy, while 2022-23 mainstays Brandon Aiyuk and Christian McCaffrey have missed most of the season injured. “We’d always love things to stay in-house,” Shanahan said. “It’s probably why I don’t go on social media: I’d get worked up if I was reading stuff all the time. Is it a distraction in our building? No.” “He’s one of my best friends on this team. I absolutely love Deebo and what he’s done for me,” Purdy said. “He’s right: he’s doing great right now with what we ask of him the offense. He’s not struggling. Like Ricky (Pearsall) or Aiyuk last year a little bit, there are moments through a season where guys just don’t get the ball, depending on defensive schemes and taking guys away.” Samuel has flourished in the 49ers’ rivalry against the Rams, including three years ago when his “wide back” persona emerged as he scored on both a run and a reception to lead the victorious 49ers out of a 3-5 rut and toward the playoffs. That dual-threat duty is not such an inventive concept anymore, however. “They’re not surprised anymore,” Samuel said. “We’ve been doing it almost three years now, so you’ve got a 50-50 chance whether I’m in the backfield getting a handoff or anything along those lines. They have a glimpse of what’s going on. ... There’s three or four (defenders awaiting) no matter who has the ball.” “Deebo has created such a high standard, the things he’s done, the innovation which we’ve created things for Deebo. That’s part of the problem,” said Lynch, noting that multiple teams now deploy Samuel-esque, dual-threat players that no longer surprise defenses. “... That frustration mounts. But he’s made so many plays for us, I think we need to give this guy some grace and bring him along, because we need him the rest of the way,” Lynch added. “We need him Thursday night. Deebo’s a big part of this team. We’re alright. We can all learn from different situations and a lot of things in the world these days that you can get caught up in.” Some of Samuel’s most productive efforts this season have come as a kick returner (11 returns for 333 yards, including six returns in their Dec. 1 loss at Buffalo). “We’ve got a lot of big football to play and he’ll be a big part of our season moving forward,” Lynch said. As for next season, Samuel carries a $16 million mark on the salary cap. The 49ers restructured his contract in March, so he would incur a $31.6 million hit if he’s released or traded before June 1; after that date, an exit would count $11 million in 2025 and $21 million in ’26. GUERENDO IDLING Running back Isaac Guerendo’s foot sprain Sunday kept him out of Tuesday’s light walkthrough and it’s uncertain whether he’ll make a second straight start. Guerendo ran for 78 yards and two touchdowns, and he had 50 yards on two catches, before exiting and bequeathing the backfield to Patrick Taylor Jr. Guerendo got clocked at 20.2 mph on a 30-yard, second-quarter carry that was the NFL’s fastest by a running back in Week 14. GREENLAW UPDATE The 49ers remain reluctant to declare whether linebacker Dre Greenlaw will make his season debut Thursday night, the date pegged for his comeback from an Achilles tear in the Super Bowl. Shanahan said there’s been no setback, that he merely wants to talk first to Greenlaw and see how the next two days go. OTHER INJURY UPDATES Defensive end Nick Bosa (oblique, hip) and left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) will officially miss the fourth week of practice, albeit this week’s only consisting of Tuesday’s walk-through that began at 5:10 p.m. Shanahan has not indicated whether they’ll miss a fourth straight game. While left guard Aaron Banks practiced for the first time since a Nov. 24 concussion in Green Bay, guard Ben Bartch (ankle) did not practice and is expected to go on Injured Reserve before Thursday’s kickoff. Limited were defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos, safety Malik Mustapha, and linebackers Dee Winters and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles. HARGRAVE MOVEMENT Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave’s bloated contract was restructured to lessen the 49ers’ financial restraints next year. While that could stage his potential release after two seasons, as pointed out by OverTheCap.com, Hargrave is also more affordable to keep, seeing how his 2025 salary was chopped from $19.9 million to $2.1 million, and his salary cap mark fell from $28 million to $10.3 million. “The plan for him is to be a Niner,” Shanahan said, deferring business matters to the front office staff. “The mechanics of contract stuff, those are things I don’t look into until after the offseason.” Hargrave, 31, has been on injured reserve since tearing a biceps in the Sept. 22 loss at Los Angeles. He made the Pro Bowl last season and totaled seven sacks in his first year with the 49ers. Jordan Elliott replaced him in this season’s lineup next to Maliek Collins, with rookie Evan Anderson, Kevin Givens, Kalia Davis and Khalil Davis also in the interior rotation.
NoneBy ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump promised on Tuesday to “vigorously pursue” capital punishment after President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of most people on federal death row partly to stop Trump from pushing forward their executions. Related Articles National Politics | Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreams National Politics | Trump’s picks for top health jobs not just team of rivals but ‘team of opponents’ National Politics | Biden will decide on US Steel acquisition after influential panel fails to reach consensus National Politics | Biden vetoes once-bipartisan effort to add 66 federal judgeships, citing ‘hurried’ House action National Politics | A history of the Panama Canal — and why Trump can’t take it back on his own Trump criticized Biden’s decision on Monday to change the sentences of 37 of the 40 condemned people to life in prison without parole, arguing that it was senseless and insulted the families of their victims. Biden said converting their punishments to life imprisonment was consistent with the moratorium imposed on federal executions in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. “Joe Biden just commuted the Death Sentence on 37 of the worst killers in our Country,” he wrote on his social media site. “When you hear the acts of each, you won’t believe that he did this. Makes no sense. Relatives and friends are further devastated. They can’t believe this is happening!” Presidents historically have no involvement in dictating or recommending the punishments that federal prosecutors seek for defendants in criminal cases, though Trump has long sought more direct control over the Justice Department’s operations. The president-elect wrote that he would direct the department to pursue the death penalty “as soon as I am inaugurated,” but was vague on what specific actions he may take and said they would be in cases of “violent rapists, murderers, and monsters.” He highlighted the cases of two men who were on federal death row for slaying a woman and a girl, had admitted to killing more and had their sentences commuted by Biden. On the campaign trail, Trump often called for expanding the federal death penalty — including for those who kill police officers, those convicted of drug and human trafficking, and migrants who kill U.S. citizens. “Trump has been fairly consistent in wanting to sort of say that he thinks the death penalty is an important tool and he wants to use it,” said Douglas Berman, an expert on sentencing at Ohio State University’s law school. “But whether practically any of that can happen, either under existing law or other laws, is a heavy lift.” Berman said Trump’s statement at this point seems to be just a response to Biden’s commutation. “I’m inclined to think it’s still in sort of more the rhetoric phase. Just, ‘don’t worry. The new sheriff is coming. I like the death penalty,’” he said. Most Americans have historically supported the death penalty for people convicted of murder, according to decades of annual polling by Gallup, but support has declined over the past few decades. About half of Americans were in favor in an October poll, while roughly 7 in 10 Americans backed capital punishment for murderers in 2007. Before Biden’s commutation, there were 40 federal death row inmates compared with more than 2,000 who have been sentenced to death by states. “The reality is all of these crimes are typically handled by the states,” Berman said. A question is whether the Trump administration would try to take over some state murder cases, such as those related to drug trafficking or smuggling. He could also attempt to take cases from states that have abolished the death penalty. Berman said Trump’s statement, along with some recent actions by states, may present an effort to get the Supreme Court to reconsider a precedent that considers the death penalty disproportionate punishment for rape. “That would literally take decades to unfold. It’s not something that is going to happen overnight,” Berman said. Before one of Trump’s rallies on Aug. 20, his prepared remarks released to the media said he would announce he would ask for the death penalty for child rapists and child traffickers. But Trump never delivered the line. One of the men Trump highlighted on Tuesday was ex-Marine Jorge Avila Torrez, who was sentenced to death for killing a sailor in Virginia and later pleaded guilty to the fatal stabbing of an 8-year-old and a 9-year-old girl in a suburban Chicago park several years before. The other man, Thomas Steven Sanders, was sentenced to death for the kidnapping and slaying of a 12-year-old girl in Louisiana, days after shooting the girl’s mother in a wildlife park in Arizona. Court records show he admitted to both killings. Some families of victims expressed anger with Biden’s decision, but the president had faced pressure from advocacy groups urging him to make it more difficult for Trump to increase the use of capital punishment for federal inmates. The ACLU and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops were some of the groups that applauded the decision. Biden left three federal inmates to face execution. They are Dylann Roof, who carried out the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; 2013 Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ; and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue in 2018 , the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Michelle L. Price and Eric Tucker contributed to this report.
The U.S. Supreme Court dismissed Meta 's appeal on Friday to block a multibillion-dollar class-action investors' lawsuit. The high court, who heard arguments in the case earlier this month, left in place an appellate ruling allowing the case to move forward. Meta spokesman Andy Stone expressed the company's disappointment in the Supreme Court's decision. "The plaintiff's claims are baseless and we will continue to defend ourselves as this case is considered by the District Court," Stone said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press. Why Are Investors Suing Meta? Investors allege that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram , did not fully disclose the risks that Facebook users' personal information would be misused by Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm that supported now-President-elect Donald Trump 's first successful presidential run in 2016. Inadequacy of the disclosures led to two significant Meta stock price drops in 2018 after the public learned about the extent of this privacy scandal, the investors allege. Meta has already paid a $5.1 billion fine and reached a $725 million privacy settlement with its users. What Did Cambridge Analytica Do? Cambridge Analytica—which had ties to Steve Bannon , former White House Chief Strategist under Trump's first administration—had reportedly paid a Facebook app developer for access to the personal information of roughly 87 million Facebook users. This information was then reportedly used to target U.S. voters during the 2016 election cycle. When the Cambridge Analytica scandal broke, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg , apologized for a "major breach of trust." "I am really sorry that happened," Zuckerberg said of the scandal during a CNN interview in March 2018. He said that Facebook has a "responsibility" to protect its users' data, adding that if the social media platform fails to do so, "we don't deserve to have the opportunity to serve people." Facebook rebranded to Meta in October 2021. Zuckerberg is the founder, chairman and CEO of Meta. Class Action Lawsuit Against Nvidia Nvidia, a manufacturer of chips used in artificial intelligence technology, is also involved in a class-action lawsuit. Investors allege the company misled them about its dependence on selling computer chips for the mining of cryptocurrency, a volatile digital or virtual currency. The tech company has asked the Supreme Court to appeal a lower court's decision to allow the lawsuit to continue. The high court heard arguments in the case earlier this month and has yet to issue a ruling. This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.Surprising Stock Moves! Nvidia’s Future Unveiled.