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FDA Grants IDE Approval for the Pivotal Trial of the JuxtaFlow® Renal Assist Device (RAD)WASHINGTON — Donald Trump said he can't guarantee that his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won't raise prices for American consumers and he suggested once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect, in a wide-ranging interview with NBC's “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday, also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning “things do change.” A look at some of the issues covered: Trump hems on whether trade penalties could raise prices Trump has threatened broad trade penalties, but said he didn’t believe economists' predictions that added costs on those imported goods for American companies would lead to higher prices for U.S. consumers. He stopped short of a pledge that U.S. households won't be paying more as they shop. “I can’t guarantee anything. I can’t guarantee tomorrow,” Trump said, seeming to open the door to accepting the reality of how import levies typically work as goods reach the retail market. That's a different approach from Trump's typical speeches throughout the 2024 campaign, when he framed his election as a sure way to curb inflation. In the interview, Trump defended tariffs generally, saying they are "going to make us rich.” He has pledged that, on his first day in office in January, he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada unless those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. He also has threatened additional tariffs on China to help force that country to crack down on fentanyl production. ”All I want to do is I want to have a level, fast, but fair playing field,” Trump said. Trump suggests retribution for his opponents while claiming no interest in vengeance He offered conflicting statements on how he would approach the justice system after winning election despite being convicted of 34 felonies in a New York state court and being indicted in other cases for his handling of national security secrets and efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. “Honestly, they should go to jail,” Trump said of members of Congress who investigated the Capitol riot by his supporters who wanted him to remain in power. The president-elect underscored his contention that he can use the justice system against others, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led the case on Trump’s role in the siege on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump confirmed his plan to pardon supporters who were convicted for their roles in the riot, saying he would take that action on his first day in office. As for the idea of revenge driving potential prosecutions, Trump said: “I have the absolute right. I’m the chief law enforcement officer, you do know that. I’m the president. But I’m not interested in that." At the same time, Trump singled out lawmakers on a special House committee who had investigated the insurrection, citing Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. “Cheney was behind it ... so was Bennie Thompson and everybody on that committee,” Trump said. Asked specifically whether he would direct his administration to pursue cases, he said, “No,” and suggested he did not expect the FBI to quickly undertake investigations into his political enemies. But at another point, Trump said he would leave the matter up to Pam Bondi, his pick as attorney general. “I want her to do what she wants to do,” he said. Such threats, regardless of Trump's inconsistencies, have been taken seriously enough by many top Democrats that Biden is considering issuing blanket, preemptive pardons to protect key members of his outgoing administration. Trump did seemingly back off his campaign rhetoric calling for Biden to be investigated, saying, “I’m not looking to go back into the past.” Swift action on immigration is coming Trump repeatedly mentioned his promises to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally through a mass deportation program. “I think you have to do it,” he said. He suggested he would try to use executive action to end “birthright” citizenship under which people born in the U.S. are considered citizens — although such protections are spelled out in the Constitution. Asked specifically about the future for people who were brought into the country illegally as children and have been shielded from deportation in recent years, Trump said, “I want to work something out,” indicating he might seek a solution with Congress. But Trump also said he does not “want to be breaking up families” of mixed legal status, “so the only way you don’t break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back.” Trump commits to NATO, with conditions, and waffles on Putin and Ukraine Long a critic of NATO members for not spending more on their own defense, Trump said he “absolutely” would remain in the alliance “if they pay their bills.” Pressed on whether he would withdraw if he were dissatisfied with allies’ commitments, Trump said he wants the U.S. treated “fairly” on trade and defense. He waffled on a NATO priority of containing Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Trump suggested Ukraine should prepare for less U.S. aid in its defense against Putin’s invasion. “Possibly. Yeah, probably. Sure,” Trump said of reducing Ukraine assistance from Washington. Separately, Trump has called for an immediate ceasefire . Asked about Putin, Trump said initially that he has not talked to the Russian leader since Election Day last month, but then hedged: “I haven’t spoken to him recently.” Trump said when pressed, adding that he did not want to “impede the negotiation.” Trump says Powell is safe at the Fed, but not Wray at the FBI The president-elect said he has no intention, at least for now, of asking Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to step down before Powell's term ends in 2028. Trump said during the campaign that presidents should have more say in Fed policy , including interest rates. Trump did not offer any job assurances for FBI Director Christopher Wray, whose term is to end in 2027. Asked about Wray, Trump said: “Well, I mean, it would sort of seem pretty obvious” that if the Senate confirms Kash Patel as his pick for FBI chief, then “he’s going to be taking somebody’s place, right? Somebody is the man that you’re talking about.” Trump is absolute about Social Security, not so much on abortion and health insurance Trump promised that the government efficiency effort led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will not threaten Social Security. “We're not touching Social Security, other than we make it more efficient,” he said. He added that “we're not raising ages or any of that stuff.” He was not so specific about abortion or his long-promised overhaul of the Affordable Care Act. On abortion, Trump continued his inconsistencies and said he would “probably” not move to restrict access to the abortion pills that now account for a majority of pregnancy terminations, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. But pressed on whether he would commit to that position, Trump replied, “Well, I commit. I mean, are -- things do -- things change. I think they change.” Reprising a line from his Sept. 10 debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump again said he had “concepts” of a plan to substitute for the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which he called “lousy health care.” He added a promise that any Trump version would maintain insurance protections for Americans with preexisting health conditions. He did not explain how such a design would be different from the status quo or how he could deliver on his desire for “better health care for less money.” ___ Barrow reported from Atlanta. Associated Press writers Adriana Gomez Licon in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Jill Colvin and Michelle L. Price in New York contributed to this report.
Subscribe to Merca2.0 and access more than 3,500 exclusive articles for subscribers. Subscribe to Merca2.0. The will face a highly dynamic landscape in 2025, marked by more demanding consumers, technological advancements, and economic challenges. The provides a list of insights to understand how will evolve and which changes will be essential to remain competitive. Here are the main retail marketing trends for 2025, according to the Colliers report. Investment in automation will drive operational efficiency in 2025. According to the Colliers report, will prioritize warehouse automation, emphasizing its direct impact on cost reduction and improved response times. Technology will also redefine the customer experience. While the metaverse and augmented reality have lost relevance, others, such as self-service and autonomous delivery systems, are transforming logistics and customer service. Post-pandemic supply chain disruptions have pushed companies to seek more agile solutions. In 2025, brands will focus on resilient systems that can quickly adapt to market changes, according to the report. Key tools to achieve this include: Retailers are investing more than ever in logistics systems to meet the expectations of modern consumers, who prioritize speed and transparency. In an environment where consumers seek unique experiences, personalization will be a key differentiator. According to the study on 2025 retail marketing trends, brands must design hyper-focused strategies to stand out in a saturated market. The following tools stand out in this regard: This trend not only improves customer satisfaction but also enhances retention, a crucial aspect in a competitive market. The Colliers report warns that 2025 will not be without significant challenges. Among the most important are high operating costs and regulations affecting supply chains. Regarding cost impact, the following stand out: The 2025 holiday season will be an important indicator of According to the report, sales are expected to increase by an , driven by purchases in both physical and digital stores. Balancing physical and digital experiences will be essential to capturing consumer attention during these dates. Cancela en cualquier momento Acceso exclusivo a rankings y radiografías. Análisis profundos y casos de estudio de éxito. Historial de la revista impresa en formato digital. ¡Disfruta de lo mejor del marketing sin costo alguno por unmes!3 Growth Stocks With Potential Multi-Fold Returns in a Decade
NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urged a judge again Friday to throw out his hush money conviction, balking at the prosecution’s suggestion of preserving the verdict by treating the case the way some courts do when a defendant dies. They called the idea “absurd.” The Manhattan district attorney's office is asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to “pretend as if one of the assassination attempts against President Trump had been successful,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a blistering 23-page response. In court papers made public Tuesday, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books after Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork earlier this month asking for the case to be dismissed. They include freezing the case until Trump leaves office in 2029, agreeing that any future sentence won't include jail time, or closing the case by noting he was convicted but that he wasn't sentenced and his appeal wasn’t resolved because of presidential immunity. Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove reiterated Friday their position that the only acceptable option is overturning his conviction and dismissing his indictment, writing that anything less will interfere with the transition process and his ability to lead the country. The Manhattan district attorney’s office declined comment. It’s unclear how soon Merchan will decide. He could grant Trump’s request for dismissal, go with one of the prosecution’s suggestions, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court, or choose some other option. In their response Friday, Blanche and Bove ripped each of the prosecution’s suggestions. Halting the case until Trump leaves office would force the incoming president to govern while facing the “ongoing threat” that he’ll be sentenced to imprisonment, fines or other punishment as soon as his term ends, Blanche and Bove wrote. Trump, a Republican, takes office Jan. 20. “To be clear, President Trump will never deviate from the public interest in response to these thuggish tactics,” the defense lawyers wrote. “However, the threat itself is unconstitutional.” The prosecution’s suggestion that Merchan could mitigate those concerns by promising not to sentence Trump to jail time on presidential immunity grounds is also a non-starter, Blanche and Bove wrote. The immunity statute requires dropping the case, not merely limiting sentencing options, they argued. Blanche and Bove, both of whom Trump has tabbed for high-ranking Justice Department positions, expressed outrage at the prosecution’s novel suggestion that Merchan borrow from Alabama and other states and treat the case as if Trump had died. Blanche and Bove accused prosecutors of ignoring New York precedent and attempting to “fabricate” a solution “based on an extremely troubling and irresponsible analogy between President Trump" who survived assassination attempts in Pennsylvania in July and Florida in September “and a hypothetical dead defendant.” Such an option normally comes into play when a defendant dies after being convicted but before appeals are exhausted. It is unclear whether it is viable under New York law, but prosecutors suggested that Merchan could innovate in what’s already a unique case. “This remedy would prevent defendant from being burdened during his presidency by an ongoing criminal proceeding,” prosecutors wrote in their filing this week. But at the same time, it wouldn’t “precipitously discard” the “meaningful fact that defendant was indicted and found guilty by a jury of his peers.” Prosecutors acknowledged that “presidential immunity requires accommodation” during Trump’s impending return to the White House but argued that his election to a second term should not upend the jury’s verdict, which came when he was out of office. Longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution . Other world leaders don’t enjoy the same protection. For example, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on trial on corruption charges even as he leads that nation’s wars in Lebanon and Gaza . Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his May 30 conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records . Prosecutors said he fudged the documents to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier, which Trump denies. In their filing Friday, Trump’s lawyers citing a social media post in which Sen. John Fetterman used profane language to criticize Trump’s hush money prosecution. The Pennsylvania Democrat suggested that Trump deserved a pardon, comparing his case to that of President Joe Biden’s pardoned son Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of tax and gun charges . “Weaponizing the judiciary for blatant, partisan gain diminishes the collective faith in our institutions and sows further division,” Fetterman wrote Wednesday on Truth Social. Trump’s hush money conviction was in state court, meaning a presidential pardon — issued by Biden or himself when he takes office — would not apply to the case. Presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes. Since the election, special counsel Jack Smith has ended his two federal cases , which pertained to Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss and allegations that he hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. A separate state election interference case in Fulton County, Georgia, is largely on hold. Trump denies wrongdoing in all. Trump had been scheduled for sentencing in the hush money case in late November. But following Trump’s Nov. 5 election victory, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed the former and future president’s sentencing so the defense and prosecution could weigh in on the future of the case. Merchan also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. A dismissal would erase Trump’s conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office.
If the U.S. allows unconstrained growth of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, there will be significant costs to both consumers and the climate, according to a new government report. The Department of Energy (DOE) analysis, published Dec. 17, warns that “unfettered exports of LNG would increase wholesale domestic natural gas prices by over 30 per cent” by 2050. More demand for gas to export overseas, it expects, would drive up domestic prices. Higher natural gas prices will also increase costs for manufacturers, which are then passed on to consumers, and cause electricity price hikes because gas is a key part of the power mix in many regions of the U.S., it noted. While LNG companies and exporters get wealthy, consumers (from households to farmers to heavy industry) will face price hikes: costs for the average American household will increase “well over $100 more per year by 2050,” wrote Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm. Granholm’s report dug into the climate impacts of LNG exports exceeding global demand for U.S. LNG. Natural gas is largely methane, which is responsible for roughly a quarter of global heating. Methane leaks into the atmosphere during gas production and transportation and when the gas is burned it releases plant-warming CO2. Gas is less emissions-intensive than coal, and a common industry and political argument for increasing LNG production and export is that it can displace dirtier energy sources, like coal, overseas. Granholm tackles this issue in the analysis, finding that it would be more likely that renewables, rather than coal, would be displaced in the future. “[T]he study put forward today shows a world in which additional U.S. LNG exports displace more renewables than coal globally,” she wrote. In four of the five scenarios modelled in the report, currently approved levels of U.S. LNG exports are “already more than enough to meet global demand” and exceeding that demand will have climate impacts. The DOE’s recent findings mirror the situation in Canada, where industry is pushing hard for major LNG expansion in British Columbia, said Climate Action Network Canada strategist John Young in an emailed statement. “Asian LNG markets are declining and LNG is headed for massive oversupply by the time LNG from Canada might be ready for market,” Young said. The U.S. analysis noted demand for LNG imports is high in China and expected to increase, while demand has already peaked in Japan (a key market for Canadian LNG exporters). The DOE is far from the first organization to flag the pending oversupply of LNG in global markets. The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis reported Japan’s LNG demand has dropped by 25 per cent in the last decade, and is projected to fall by another 25 per cent by 2030, as nuclear power and renewables displace gas. An October analysis from U.K.-based Carbon Tracker found global markets for LNG are likely to be oversupplied by the end of the decade, and B.C. LNG production is expected to ramp up at precisely the same time global production plateaus. “On every front, the case for LNG falls apart in the face of comprehensive economic, human health, energy market and climate analysis,” Young said. “Canada needs to take a big step toward the renewable energy transition and away from LNG.” The Pembina Institute projects the combined emissions from a suite of LNG projects in B.C. — LNG Canada Phase 1 and 2, Cedar LNG, and Woodfibre LNG — will far exceed the province’s emission reduction target for the oil and gas sector sector. According to the DOE analysis, every scenario shows increases in LNG exports cause increases in global net emissions despite “very aggressive assumptions” about the use of carbon capture, utilization, and storage technology. In the scenario where U.S. LNG exports exceed currently authorized levels, the annual emissions from production, transportation and burning the gas would be a staggering 1.5 gigatons of CO2 equivalent, or just over 25 per cent of the U.S.’s annual greenhouse gas emissions. The analysis called the pace of growth of U.S. LNG exports “truly astounding”: exports have already tripled over the past five years, are set to double again by 2030, and could still double again. Granholm’s overarching message is that “a business-as-usual approach is neither sustainable nor advisable” and the “public interest” should inform whether future LNG export authorizations go forward. — With files from John WoodsideBudzinski Announces $266,129 in Federal Grants for Local Law Enforcement in Central IllinoisGood news, everyone! Have you ever felt like you have gone so bars-in-the-window insane that you realize the only way forward is for you to assassinate someone you don't like? Well, welcome to the mainstream. According to the leftist sociopaths at The Atlantic , you are not crazy, you are not fringe, and you are not an extremist. Isn't that fun? The UnitedHealthcare-CEO shooting marks a new moment, writes @alibreland —“one in which acts of political violence are no longer confined to extremists with fringe views.” https://t.co/6cZc8kHKlM Yes, this is an actual article written by Ali Breland, who has stepped up his own crazy game from Mother Jones to now write for The Atlantic. Breland once assured us that trading GameStop stock made one a Nazi . But shooting someone in the back is totally 'normie.' Luigi Mangione, the suspected killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, doesn’t seem to fit this mold. Mangione was active on social media—but in the most average of ways. He seemingly posted on Goodreads and X, had public photos of himself on Facebook, and reportedly spent time on Reddit discussing his back pain. Perhaps more details will emerge that complicate the picture, but however extreme his political views were—he is, after all, charged with murdering a man in Midtown Manhattan, and reportedly wrote a manifesto in which he called health insurers 'parasites'—this does not appear to be a man who was radicalized in the fever swamps of some obscure corner of the dark web. On the surface, Mangione may have just been a fundamentally normal guy who snapped. Or maybe the killing demonstrates how mainstream political violence is becoming ... ... Experts have different theories as to what’s driving this, but many agree that we’re due for more acts of political violence before the trend dissipates. The response to Thompson’s death isn’t just people reveling in what they believe is vigilante justice—it may also be a sign of what’s coming ... Mangione’s alleged act and the public response suggest that there’s appetite for political, cause-oriented violence; that these acts may not be committed or applauded just by terminally online weirdos. There are millions of guys who view the world the way Mangione does, and millions more willing to cheer them on. Ahh, the 'experts have weighed in. How reassuring. What the 'experts' and Breland fail to note, of course, is how political violence has become a primary tool almost exclusively on the left and how the media is egging them on. Maybe that has something to do with it. No wonder they want to normalize this type of behavior. They are responsible for it. And the leftist media hates nothing more than they hate a mirror. Thank you for finally admitting violence among the Left isn't a fringe issue, it's a party issue. You all have adopted political violence as a tool and want more of it. Yep. Call me crazy but murder is extreme. https://t.co/ZSeQC8EhtP It's a little disturbing that this is a thought that needs to be expressed out loud. But he is an extremist with fringe views. You just can’t discern it because you’re also crazy. https://t.co/RgVxt9Wh31 B-b-b-b-ingo! Extremists who don't recognize other extremists. https://t.co/RRLaNfgJ8C Of course this is silly. Leftwing political violence has been mainstream for decades, but this time they can't dismiss it. So now they've got to pretend it's something new, when we all know the truth. The left views political violence as justified. They always have. https://t.co/lU53SvKnLS The left makes a living apologizing for political violence on their side. Because their ends ALWAYS justify the means. Any means. Welcome to the age of politically moderate assassination, I guess https://t.co/Hnpx6kQ6hG The left thinks that Mangione could be like any one of us because he IS like any one of them. So... normalizing it. The very thing you have been screaming about for 8 years on the other side, now comes with a ho-hum shoulder shrug. Fascinating. https://t.co/ZUCHv8Ye86 January 6 was worse than 9/11, Pearl Harbor, and the Civil War combined, according to the left. But executing someone on the street is how 'millions of people feel,' according to Breland. "He's not an extremist with fringe views because I agree with him," explained the journalist https://t.co/wkHokC8qlI And they wonder why the legacy media is dead. November 2024: “Most of America see us as out of touch and extreme. We should tone down the rhetoric and try to appeal to the center.” December 2024: “The majority center position of our party is now that murdering innocent people in acts of political terrorism is good.” https://t.co/zoIlYRnhLD They will never learn. Because they do not WANT to learn. They want to go even further. You should be deeply embarrassed for posting this. He should be, yes. But he won't be. Because everyone else in his leftist media bubble likely agrees with him and is probably patting him on the back. So... if a conservative commits political violence it is extremist, but if a liberal commits political violence it’s not. This is how marxists justify what they do. They've spent years calling Trump Hitler. And then they act surprised when two would-be assassins try to take him out. It is not a bug of their ideology, it is a feature. Ah, so The Atlantic, the mouthpiece of Dem elites, is essentially justifying political assassinations. Democrats, defeated at the ballot box, will now turn to murder to achieve their goals. These vile communists already tried to kill DJT (twice!) One of The Atlantic's other lunatics, Tom Nichols, even scolded Donald Trump for talking about the attempts on his life . You can't even make it up. These people are evil. https://t.co/znCx4vJBXb You're not going to get any argument from us there. Absolutely insane stuff being published at Laurene Powell Jobs’s outlet The Atlantic. https://t.co/fCUxrwYLDk Laurene Powell Jobs, the owner of The Atlantic, is a left-wing extremist. She is also a billionaire. If, God forbid, someone were to do to her what Luigi Mangione did to Brian Thompson, does anyone think that Ali Breland would be writing articles saying that wasn't extremism? Of course not. Because Breland isn't actually saying that assassinations are not extreme. He is just saying that they are not extreme when he agrees with the assassin. It is the inevitable, insane end result of one of the left's favorite arguments: 'It's (D)ifferent when we (D)o it.'
Konga, a leading composite e-commerce group, is poised to transform the Nigerian media and commerce landscape with the upcoming launch of its AI-powered FM radio station in Lagos. The groundbreaking initiative, set to debut in January 2025, will mark Africa’s first Hit Music & Commerce Station, blending Technology, Entertainment, Commerce and more to drive impactful connections across the continent and the world. A reliable source reveals that the station – KongaFM will be a pioneering platform to empower brands, distributors, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to connect with untapped markets, revolutionizing commerce in real time. While offering businesses a new avenue for product visibility and market penetration, the station promises to deliver non-stop hit music, ensuring listeners enjoy a unique mix of entertainment and commercial opportunities. It will be a completely new experience for Nigerians. Equipped with state-of-the-art broadcasting technology and staffed by a dynamic new blend of seasoned professionals and youthful talent, the station will begin test transmissions in the second week of January 2025. Konga’s latest media venture comes as part of its broader strategy to disrupt conventional marketing communications and amplify consumer engagement across sectors, including FMCG, electronics, and digital solutions. The move is expected to send ripples across Nigeria’s FX market, potentially influencing the pricing and availability of key goods and commodities. This aligns with Konga’s history of innovation in the e-commerce sector. This initiative will also complement Konga’s existing TV arm and other media services, positioning the brand as a dominant force in Marketing Communications. Together, these platforms will create synergies that set new benchmarks for how entertainment and commerce converge in Africa while streaming globally. When asked for further details, Prince Nnamdi Ekeh, CEO of Konga Group, remained tight-lipped, stating that “full details and official announcements will be made in January 2025.” The anticipation around this launch continues to grow as industry experts and media enthusiasts eagerly await what is already being hailed as the next major evolution in Africa’s media and commerce space. Konga is Africa’s leading e-commerce platform, renowned for its innovative approach to business, technology, and consumer empowerment. With a commitment to driving commerce across Africa, Konga continues to set new standards in retail, logistics, and now, media.TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — Gov. Phil Murphy has asked the Biden administration to put more resources into an investigation of mysterious drone sightings that have been reported in New Jersey and nearby states. Murphy, a Democrat, made the request in a letter Thursday, noting that state and local law enforcement remain “hamstrung” by existing laws and policies in their efforts to successfully counteract any nefarious activity of unmanned aircraft. He posted a copy of the letter on the social media platform X . “This leaves action surrounding the (drones) squarely on the shoulders of the federal government,” Murphy said. “More federal resources are needed to understand what is behind this activity.” Murphy and other officials have repeatedly stressed that there is no evidence that the aircraft pose a national security or a public safety threat, or have a foreign nexus. The Pentagon also has said they are not U.S. military drones. The drones have drawn intense public concern and curiosity since residents first reported seeing them last month. Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia said from four to 180 aircraft have been reported to authorities since Nov. 18, appearing from dusk till 11 p.m. The flying objects have been spotted near the Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. military research and manufacturing facility, and over President-elect Donald Trump’s golf course in Bedminster, but the number of reported sightings has grown greatly since then. Drones were also spotted in Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut and other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region. The FBI, Federal Aviation Administration and other state and federal agencies involved in the investigation have not corroborated any of the reported sightings with electronic detection, and reviews of available images appear to show many of the reported drones are actually manned aircraft. They also say there have been no confirmed sightings in restricted air space. It’s also possible that a single drone has been seen and reported more than once, officials said. Some federal lawmakers have called on the military to “shoot down” the drones. The drones also appear to avoid detection by traditional methods such as helicopter and radio, according to a state lawmaker who was briefed by the Department of Homeland Security. In one case, a medevac helicopter was unable to pick up a seriously injured car accident victim in Branchburg Township in Somerset County late last month due to drones hovering near the planned landing zone, according to NJ.com. The FAA said Thursday that it does not have a report on this incident. Drones are legal in New Jersey for recreational and commercial use but are subject to local and FAA regulations and flight restrictions. Operators must be FAA certified. Witnesses say the drones they think they have seen in New Jersey appear to be larger than those typically used by hobbyists.US stocks fell on Monday as tech sector risks and upcoming inflation data worried investors. Nvidia shares dropped 3% on China's probe into its 2020 acquisition of Mellanox. Investors await inflation data to gauge the potential for more Fed interest rate cuts. US stocks retreated from record highs on Monday as investors assessed a potential risk in the technology sector and prepared for new inflation data. Tech stocks led Monday's session lower, with Nvidia shares one of the biggest losers. The chipmaker's stock fell about 3% after China launched a probe into the company, investigating whether the company potentially violated anti-monpoly rules in its 2020 acquisition of chip design company Mellanox. Nvidia originally received approval from Chinese regulators to complete the deal in 2020, but regulators are now investigating whether Nvidia violated the deal's conditions. "The move comes shortly after the Biden Administration clamped down on the types of products the company can export to China to limit the country's ability to expand its military technology, causing some observers to question if the lawsuit is retaliatory or a pre-emptive move in anticipation of new tariffs," José Torres, senior economist at Interactive Brokers said on Monday. Investors are also awaiting key inflation data later this week, which should help determine whether the Federal Reserve will pursue further interest rate cuts. The November consumer price index will be released Wednesday morning and is expected to show a slight uptick from October. Economists expect the year-over-year CPI to rise to 2.7% compared to 2.6% in October. Bank of America economists expect month-over-month Core CPI to be 0.2%, and said anything above that level could be consequential for interest rates. "We are looking for a 0.2% m/m print. If that proves correct, we think it will greenlight a Fed cut in December. That said, recent Fed speak suggests it will be a live meeting and cuts beyond December aren't a guarantee," Bank of America said in a Monday note. Markets are currently pricing in an 86% chance of a 25 basis point interest rate cut from the Fed next week, according to the CME FedWatch tool. Here's where US indexes stood at the 4:00 p.m. closing bell on Monday: S&P 500 : 6,052.85, down 0.61% Dow Jones Industrial Average : 44,401.93, down 0.54% (-240.59 points) Nasdaq composite : 19,736.69, down 0.62% Here's what else happened today: These are the big economic pitfalls facing the incoming Trump presidency, according to Neil Dutta. Gen Xers are struggling to save for retirement as they take care of both their kids and parents. These are the 10 best performing stocks that debuted in 2024. A longtime stock market bear is rethinking his view after this year's strong rally. Warren Buffett's favorite stock market valuation indicator has 2 big flaws, according to Morgan Stanley. Luigi Mangione was named as a person of interest in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and arrested. In commodities, bonds, and crypto: West Texas Intermediate crude oil rose 1.41% to $68.15 a barrel. Brent crude , the international benchmark, was higher by 1.14% to $71.93 a barrel. Gold increased 0.77% to $2,680.20 an ounce. The 10-year Treasury yield increased 3 basis points to 4.202%. Bitcoin fell 4.78% to $96,357.
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Forge Institute Launches Phoenix Xcelerator to Scale Growth of Defense Tech Startups
, /PRNewswire/ -- Forge Institute is proud to announce the launch of the Phoenix Xcelerator, a pioneering program designed to empower & grow startups across the defense and aerospace sectors. Through structured programming—including a rigorous high-quality curriculum, personalized mentorship, and coaching—the Phoenix Xcelerator advances industry-informed and mission-led innovation. The program is funded in-part through a grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC). is home to over 178 aerospace and defense companies employing more than 10,900 people. Reports from federal sources highlight a decline in defense contractors, with the Department of Defense (DoD) vendors shrinking by 27.6% in the past decade. The Phoenix Xcelerator aims to reverse this trend, empowering startups to address defense challenges and reinforcing leadership in the sector. aerospace and defense exports, valued at over in 2023, represent 13% of the state's total exports, making them the top export category. Furthermore, the Air Force Base reported a economic impact in 2023. Major players like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Dassault Falcon Jet have positioned the state as a hub for defense innovation, with the Phoenix Xcelerator serving as a launchpad for the next wave of industry leaders. The Phoenix Xcelerator offers a 12-week intensive program, guiding participants through business validation, go-to-market strategies, and development of minimum viable products (MVPs) or prototypes. Participants gain expertise in non-dilutive funding opportunities such as SBIR/STTR and other grant programs, as well as access to capital networks for sustained growth. Established companies receive support in maximizing intellectual property and evaluating dual-use markets. Key features include: Access to aerospace and defense prime contractors. Site visits to defense manufacturing facilities. Technical guidance on compliance, defense standards, and government procurement. Networking with industry veterans, government experts, and successful entrepreneurs. The program emphasizes emerging technologies like directed energy, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, drones, ISR and other technologies, ensuring readiness for critical defense challenges. The Phoenix Xcelerator team brings decades of expertise to guide startups toward impactful, scalable growth. Entrepreneurs and companies working on dual-use technologies are encouraged to apply, gaining unparalleled resources and opportunities to innovate within the defense sector. To apply now, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Forge InstituteKanye West, Bianca Censori make rare appearance amid legal drama
Thousands of Syrians gathered in Damascus’ main square and a historic mosque for the first Muslim Friday prayers since former President Bashar Assad was overthrown , a major symbolic moment for the country’s dramatic change of power. The rebels are now working to establish security and start a political transition after seizing the capital on Sunday. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced visit to Iraq on Friday, pressing ahead with efforts to unify Middle East nations in support of a peaceful political transition in Syria. It’s part of Blinken’s 12th trip to the Mideast since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year in Gaza but his first after Assad was ousted. The U.S. is also making a renewed push for an ceasefire in Gaza, where the war has plunged more than 2 million Palestinians into a severe humanitarian crisis. Israel’s war against Hamas has killed over 44,800 Palestinians in Gaza, more than half of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The October 2023 attack by Hamas in southern Israel that sparked the war killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed and around 250 others were taken hostage. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Here's the latest: WASHINGTON — The U.S. military has transported out of Syria an American who disappeared seven months ago into former President Bashar Assad’s notorious prison system and was among the thousands released this week by rebels, a U.S. official said Friday. Travis Timmerman was flown out of Syria on a U.S. military helicopter, according to a U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing operation. Timmerman, 29, told The Associated Press he had gone to Syria on a Christian pilgrimage and was not ill-treated while in Palestine Branch, a notorious detention facility operated by Syrian intelligence. He said he was freed by “the liberators who came into the prison and knocked the door down (of his cell) with a hammer.” Timmerman said he was released Monday morning alongside a young Syrian man and 70 female prisoners, some of whom had their children with them. He had been held separately from Syrian and other Arab prisoners and said he didn’t know of any other Americans held in the facility. — By Lolita C. Baldor THE HAGUE, Netherlands — A Dutch court on Friday rejected a bid from human rights groups to block weapons exports to Israel and trading with the occupied territories, after finding there were sufficient checks already in place to comply with international law. The ten organizations told The Hague District Court last month that they thought the Netherlands was in violation of the 1948 Genocide Convention, drawn up following World War II, by continuing to sell weapons to Israel more than a year into the conflict in Gaza. “The government uses my own tax money, that I pay, to kill my own family. I’ve lost 18 members of my own family,” Ahmed Abofoul, a legal adviser for the pro-Palestinian organization Al-Haq, one of the groups involved in the lawsuit, told the court during a hearing in November . The court ruling said that “it is not up to the interim relief judge to order the state to reconsider government policy. That is primarily a political responsibility.” Lawyers for the government argued it wasn’t up to a judge to decide foreign policy for the Netherlands. The activist groups pointed to several emergency orders from another court, the International Court of Justice, as confirming the obligation to stop weapons sales. In January, the top U.N. court said it was plausible Palestinians were being deprived of some rights protected under the Genocide Convention. The coalition said it will review the court’s ruling and is considering an appeal. CAIRO — Israeli attacks in and around a hospital in northern Gaza wounded three medical staff overnight into Friday and caused damage to the isolated medical facility, according to its director. Dr. Hossam Abu Safiya said Israeli quadcopter drones carrying explosives deliberately targeted the emergency and reception area of Kamal Adwan Hospital, where one doctor was wounded for a third time. Abu Safiya said “relentless” drone and artillery strikes throughout the night exploded “alarmingly close” to the hospital, heavily damaging nearby buildings and destroying most of the water tanks on the hospital’s roof and blowing out doors and windows. Kamal Adwan Hospital in the town of Beit Lahiya has been hit multiple times over the past two months since Israel launched a fierce military operation against Hamas in northern Gaza. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the strikes. “We demand international protection for the hospital and its staff,” Abu Safiya said in a statement released via the U.K.-based aid group Medical Aid for Palestinians, “as well as the entry of delegations with surgical expertise, medical supplies, and essential medications to ensure we can adequately serve the people we are treating.” Abu Safiya said there were 72 wounded patients at the hospital, one of the few medical facilities left in northern Gaza. He said he expected Israeli forces would allow a World Health Organization aid convoy to bring supplies to the hospital on Friday or Saturday, as well as a team of doctors from Indonesia. Israel has allowed almost no humanitarian or medical aid to enter the three besieged communities in northern Gaza — Beit Lahiya, Beit Hanoun and the urban Jabaliya refugee camp — and ordered tens of thousands to flee to nearby Gaza City. Israeli officials have said the three communities are mostly deserted, but the United Nations humanitarian office said Tuesday it believes around 65,000 to 75,000 people are still there, with little access to food, water, electricity or health care. Experts have warned that the north may be experiencing famine . BAGHDAD — U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced stop in Iraq on Friday on his latest visit to the Middle East aimed at stabilizing the situation in Syria to prevent further regional turmoil. Blinken met in Baghdad with Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed al-Sudani as part of the hastily arranged trip, his 12th to the region since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year but his first since the weekend ouster of Syrian strongman Bashar Assad. Blinken has already been to Jordan and Turkey on his current tour and will return to Jordan for urgent meetings on Saturday with Arab foreign ministers to try to unify support for an inclusive post-Assad transition that does not allow the Islamic State group to take advantage of the political vacuum in Syria and secures suspected chemical weapons stocks. In Baghdad, Blinken “will underscore U.S. commitment to the U.S.-Iraq strategic partnership and to Iraq’s security, stability, and sovereignty,” the State Department said. “He will also discuss regional security opportunities and challenges, as well as enduring U.S. support for engagement with all communities in Syria to establish an inclusive transition,” it said in a statement. His trip comes as the Biden administration winds down with just over a month left before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Trump has been highly critical of Biden’s approach to the Middle East and skeptical of the U.S. military presence in both Iraq and Syria. The U.S. and Iraq agreed in September to wrap up U.S.-led military operations against the Islamic State in Iraq next year, although Assad’s ouster and the potential for the group taking advantage of a political vacuum in Syria could complicate the timing of the withdrawal, according to American officials. DAMASCUS — The kingdom of Bahrain sent a message Friday to Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. It said Bahrain is “fully prepared to consult with you continuously and to provide support in regional and international organizations to achieve what is in the interest of the brotherly Syrian people.” It added, “We look forward to Syria regaining its authentic role in the Arab League.” Bahrain is the current head of the Arab summit. Syria was readmitted to the Arab League last year after 12 years of ostracization. It is still unclear how the international community will deal officially with the new interim government in Syria. JERUSALEM - Israel’s defense minister told troops to prepare to remain through the winter months on the peak of Mount Hermon, Syria’s highest point, located in a swath of southern Syria that Israeli troops moved into after the fall of Damascus to insurgents. The comments by Defense Minister Israel Katz signaled that the military will extend its occupation of the zone along the border, which Israel says it seized to create a buffer zone. In a statement Friday, Katz said that holding the peak was of major importance for Israel’s security and that it would be necessary to build facilities there to sustain troops through the winter. The summit of Mount Hermon, the highest peak on the eastern Mediterranean coast at 2,814 meters (9,232 feet), gives a commanding view over the plains of southern Syria. It also positions Israeli troops about 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the center of Damascus. The mount is divided between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Lebanon and Syria. Only the United States recognizes Israel’s control of the Golan Heights. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that Israeli troops would remain in the zone until another force across the border in Syria could guarantee security. Israeli troops moved into the zone -– set as a demilitarized area inside Syrian territory under truce deals that ended the 1973 Mideast war -- after the regime of Bashar al-Assad fell last weekend. ANKARA, Turkey -- U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Friday there was “broad agreement” between Turkey and the United States on what they would like to see in Syria following the ouster of President Bashar Assad. “There’s broad agreement on what we would like to see going forward, starting with the interim government in Syria, one that is inclusive and non-sectarian and one that protects the rights of minorities and women” and does not “pose any kind of threat to any of Syria’s neighbors,” Blinken said in joint statements with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. The insurgent groups that toppled Assad in Syria have not made clear their policy or stance on Israel, whose military in recent days has bombed sites all over the country, saying it is trying to prevent weapons from falling into extremist hands. Blinken also said it was crucial to keep the Islamic State group under control. “We also discussed the imperative of continuing the efforts to keep ISIS down. Our countries worked very hard and gave a lot over many years to ensure the elimination of the territorial caliphate of ISIS to ensure that that threat doesn’t rear its head again,” Blinken said. The Turkish foreign minister said the two discussed ways of establishing prosperity in Syria and ending terrorism in the country. “Our priority is establishing stability in Syria as soon as possible, preventing terrorism from gaining ground, and ensuring that IS and the PKK aren’t dominant,” Fidan said, in a reference to the banned Kurdistan Workers Party. Blinken said: “We’re very focused on Syria, very focused on the opportunity that now is before us and before the Syrian people to move from out from under the shackles of Bashar al-Assad to a different and better future for the Syrian people, one that the Syrian people decide for themselves.” Blinken and Fidan said they had also discussed a ceasefire for Gaza. “We’ve seen in the last couple of weeks more encouraging signs that (a ceasefire) is possible,” Blinken said. Blinken, who is making his 12th trip to the Mideast since the Israel-Hamas war erupted last year but first since the weekend ouster of Assad, met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan late Thursday. The outgoing Biden administration is particularly concerned that a power vacuum in Syria could exacerbate already heightened tensions in the region, which is already wracked by multiple conflicts, and create conditions for the Islamic State group to regain territory and influence. Later Friday, Blinken is to return to Jordan for meetings on Saturday with Arab foreign ministers and senior officials from the European Union, the Arab League and the United Nations. ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkey has appointed a temporary charge d’affaires to reopen its embassy in Syria, Turkey’s state-run news agency reported. The Turkish Embassy in Damascus had suspended operations in 2012 due to the escalating security problems during the Syrian civil war and embassy staff and their families were recalled to Turkey. The Anadolu Agency said late Thursday that Turkey appointed Burhan Koroglu, its ambassador in Mauritania, to the post. UNITED NATIONS- – Two U.N. aid convoys were violently attacked in Gaza, making it virtually impossible for humanitarian agencies to operate without putting staff and civilians at risk, the U.N. food agency says. On Wednesday, a 70-truck convoy from Kerem Shalom was waiting for personnel to safeguard the food and other aid destined for central Gaza when there were reported attacks by Israeli forces in the nearby humanitarian zone, the U.N. World Food Program said Thursday. More than 50 people are now estimated to have died in the attacks, including civilians and local security personnel who had been expected to ensure the convoy’s safety, WFP said. The Rome-based agency said the convoy was forced to proceed from Kerem Shalom to central Gaza without any security arrangements, using the Philadelphi corridor, an Israeli-controlled route that had been recently approved and successfully utilized twice. On the way, WFP said, conflict and insecurity led to a loss of communication with the convoy for more than 12 hours. ”Eventually, the trucks were found but all food and aid supplies were looted,” the U.N. agency said. In a second incident, Israeli soldiers approached a WFP convoy moving out of the Kissufim crossing into central Gaza, fired warning shots, conducted extensive security checks, and temporarily detained drivers and staff, the agency said. “As the trucks were delayed, four out of the five trucks were lost to violent armed looting,” WFP said. UNITED NATIONS – The United Nations chief has a message for Israel: Stop the attacks on Syria. Secretary-General António Guterres is particularly concerned about several hundred Israeli airstrikes on several Syrian locations and stresses “the urgent need to de-escalate violence on all fronts throughout the country," U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters Thursday. The Israeli military said Tuesday it carried out more than 350 strikes in Syria over the previous 48 hours, hitting “most of the strategic weapons stockpiles” in the country to stop them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israel also acknowledged pushing into a buffer zone inside Syria following last week’s overthrow of President Bashar Assad. The buffer zone was established after Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1973 war. Dujarric said Guterres condemns all actions violating the 1974 ceasefire agreement between the two countries that remain in force. And the U.N. chief calls on the parties to uphold the agreement and end “all unauthorized presence in the area of separation” and refrain from any action undermining the ceasefire and stability in the Golan Heights, the spokesman said.
Middle East latest: Syrians celebrate Assad's fall as US seeks a peaceful political transitionAfter Rudy Giuliani’s courtroom outburst, judge warns ‘court will take action’People want to see Bilawal as PM, says governor
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