A campaign advisor for Vice President Kamala Harris, Quentin Fulks, recently sparked debate with remarks suggesting that an open Democratic primary would have upset Black women, a key voting bloc for the party. Fulks made the comments during a discussion about the Democratic National Committee’s decision to forgo a competitive primary for the 2024 presidential election. President Joe Biden dropped out of the race on July 21, and Harris had just 107 days to campaign. Trump won with 312 electoral votes to Harris’ 226 votes. She had 48.4 percent (74,946,837) of the votes; he had 49.9 percent (77,237,942 votes). He said, “To open up a Democrat primary, you would have had Black women, be highly upset if it was not Kamala Harris. I hear your concern and I am not saying that primaries are not important.” Black women are often referred to as the backbone of the Democratic Party, consistently turning out in high numbers to support Democratic candidates. In fact, many in the party see Vice President Harris, the first Black and South Asian woman to hold the office, as a symbolic representation of this voting bloc. The Democratic National Committee’s decision not to hold an open primary has been called out by many on both sides as undemocratic. Critics argue that the lack of competition stifles debate and limits voter choice. The decision to avoid an open primary could have significant implications for the Democratic Party’s unity and strategy heading into the 2024 election. While the move may secure the loyalty of Black women voters and other key constituencies, it risks alienating progressives and moderates who feel sidelined by the party’s leadership. In response to Fulks’ remarks, political commentator Torraine Walker posted on X, “Y’all, check out this thread. Everything I said was happening behind the curtain at the DNC is here. The Democrat Establishment lost an election because of vibes and pandering.”PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Former Temple basketball standout Hysier Miller sat for a long interview with the NCAA as it looked into concerns about unusual gambling activity, his lawyer said Friday amid reports a federal probe is now under way. “Hysier Miller fully cooperated with the NCAA’s investigation. He sat for a five-hour interview and answered every question the NCAA asked. He also produced every document the NCAA requested,” lawyer Jason Bologna said in a statement. “Hysier did these things because he wanted to play basketball this season, and he is devastated that he cannot.”Pakistan’s first ever Carbon Market Policy launched
NoneTALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A state attorney in Florida told his staff he can’t legally help his elected replacement take over his seat because Gov. Ron DeSantis had already suspended the Democrat from the office, according to an internal email obtained by The Associated Press. An executive order issued by DeSantis in 2023 suspending then-State Attorney Monique Worrell from office is still in effect, argued state attorney Andrew Bain in a message sent to staff on Monday. The governor appointed Bain to the 9th Judicial Circuit to replace Worrell, who beat him in last month’s election to retake the Orlando metro area’s top prosecutor’s office. “While I accept the results of the election and wish to do everything I can to ensure the Office is successful going forward, I do not yet feel I can assist her in that transition,” Bain wrote. Worrell’s new term is slated to begin Jan. 7, 2025. She is one of two elected state attorneys, both Democrats, who DeSantis has removed from office. Worrell failed to prosecute minors and didn’t seek mandatory minimum sentences for gun crimes, putting her central Florida district in danger. She disputed his criticism as false and . across the U.S. have called Democratic prosecutors’ decisions into question. Bain said in the email shared with the AP that Worrell’s suspension must be resolved by either another executive order by DeSantis or a decision by the Florida Senate, which reviews the cases of elected officials suspended from office. “Without one of these things, I do not feel I can lawfully assist in a transition to an individual whose lawful suspension was ,” Bain wrote. “We are living through an unprecedented legal event without clear answers.” Representatives for Bain did not respond to phone and email inquiries from the AP. A statement posted to the state attorney’s website Monday appeared to contradict Bain’s message to staff. “The state attorney is ready and willing to ensure a smooth transition,” reads a message released by the agency’s public information office. “The state attorney’s term ends Jan. 6, 2025, and he will no longer be in office. Ms. Worrell’s term will begin Jan. 7, 2025. It is the intent of the state attorney to enforce the will of the people.” Worrell criticized Bain’s statements as a “betrayal of democratic principles” and argued that the executive order suspending her expired with the 2024 election. “No executive order, no political maneuver, and certainly no personal grievance can override the will of the people,” Worrell said in a statement. “Any delay in the transition process is a direct affront to the very people this office serves.” A spokesperson for DeSantis pointed to the statement released by the state attorney’s public information office and didn’t respond to other questions from the AP. ___ Kate Payne is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
(Image source: YouTube/Jake Shane) A seemingly casual dance move by Sofia Richie has transformed into a viral sensation on TikTok, captivating millions and sparking a wave of recreations. Dubbed the " Sofia Dance ," this trend emerged after a video of Richie dancing to Lola Young’s song Messy garnered massive attention. The simplicity and effortless vibe of her moves struck a chord with TikTok users, making it one of the platform’s latest obsessions. While some praise its charm, others have critiqued its minimalism, fueling conversations about the nature of viral trends on social media. TikTok’s newest trend ‘Sofia Dance’ is viral; here’s how it started The phenomenon began on November 28, when TikToker Jake Shane (@octopusslover8) posted a 14-second video featuring Sofia Richie swaying to the rhythm of Messy. The clip, which captured Richie’s natural and relaxed dance style, quickly went viral, amassing over 19 million views and 1.5 million likes. Richie’s movement, a simple backward two-step paired with subtle lip-syncing, resonated with viewers, many of whom found her carefree vibe refreshing. This combination of simplicity and relatability set the stage for what would become the “Sofia Dance” trend. Session 44: Sofia Richie Grainge | Therapuss with Jake Shane The rise of the TikTok ‘Sofia Dance’ trend TikTok users embraced the trend enthusiastically, recreating Richie’s moves in videos that collectively gained millions of views. The Sofia Dance stood out from other TikTok choreography due to its accessibility—no intricate steps or technical skills were required. The dance's charm lies in its effortless execution, making it appealing to users of all ages. Unlike complex routines that dominate the platform, this trend celebrates laid-back, spontaneous movement. Mixed reactions to the TikTok newest trend While the Sofia Dance has been widely celebrated, it has also sparked a mix of reactions among TikTok users. Many appreciated its simplicity, seeing it as a refreshing departure from overproduced content. However, some expressed skepticism about the trend's validity as a "dance." One user sarcastically questioned, “Since when is this a Sofia Richie dance?” Another quipped, “Wdym [what do you mean] 'Sofia Richie dance'—you’re just stepping back and forth!” TikToker @meemshou joined the discussion with a parody video, captioned, “Love that people are making Sofia Richie dance into a trend when it’s literally just called having rhythm.” Her recreation garnered over 11.3 million views, with many commenters agreeing with her humorous critique. The impact of the ‘Sofia Dance’ on TikTok Despite the differing opinions, the Sofia Dance has taken over TikTok’s For You Pages throughout December, cementing its status as a viral trend. Fans enjoy the lighthearted nature of the dance, while others find humor in its minimalism. For Richie, this unexpected moment of internet fame highlights how unplanned actions can resonate widely, becoming cultural phenomena. It also reinforces TikTok’s power to transform everyday moments into global trends, further blurring the lines between entertainment and virality. The legacy of TikTok dance trends The Sofia Dance joins a long list of iconic TikTok trends that have shaped the platform’s culture. From highly choreographed routines to simple, relatable moves, these trends reflect the diversity of TikTok’s user base and their creative interpretations. For those interested in exploring more viral dances, TikTok regularly curates a variety of trends, making it easy for users to stay updated on the latest movements captivating the platform. Also read | Airtel recharge plans | Jio recharge plans | BSNL recharge plansPutin Launches BRICS AI Alliance, Expects Global ParticipationNYC ad agency titans Omnicom and Interpublic to form $30 billion marketing powerhouse Omnicom is buying Interpublic Group in a stock-for-stock deal that will create an advertising powerhouse with combined annual revenue of almost $26 billion. The companies have had a hand in iconic marketing campaigns like “Got Milk” for the California Milk Processor Board, “Priceless” for Mastercard, “Because I’m Worth It” for L’Oreal and “Think Different” for Apple. The combined company will be worth more than $30 billion. Shares of Interpublic jumped more than 15% before the opening bell Monday, while Omnicom’s stock fell more than 2%. How should the opioid settlements be spent? Those hit hardest often don’t have a say People with substance use disorder are not getting a direct say on how most opioid settlement money is used. Some advocates say keeping them out of the process is a major reason money is going to law enforcement efforts instead of other programs more likely to prevent overdose deaths. Companies have agreed to pay more about $50 billion over time to resolve lawsuits filed by governments. Most of the money is required to be used to fight the crisis. Figuring out exactly to do with it is up to state and local governments that have used a variety of structures to make those decisions. The Onion's bid to buy Infowars goes before judge as Alex Jones tries stopping sale The Onion's bid to buy conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' Infowars is scheduled to return to a Texas courtroom. A federal judge in Houston is set to hold a hearing Monday on whether a bankruptcy auction was run properly as Jones alleges collusion and fraud. The Onion satirical news outlet was named the winning bidder last month over a company affiliated with Jones. The auction was held to help pay nearly $1.5 billion in defamation judgments that Jones was ordered to pay families of victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The families won lawsuits against Jones for calling the shooting a hoax. It's his job to keep American's planes running on time FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — It's the job of American Airlines' chief operating officer to make sure the carrier's flights take off on time and fly safely during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. David Seymour oversees flight and airport operations for American, which expects to make about 6,500 flights a day between now and New Year’s Day. A West Point graduate and former U.S. Army infantry officer, Seymour has held a variety of operations-related jobs and was promoted to his current post in 2020. He spoke with The Associated Press recently about managing huge passenger numbers during the holidays and preventing people from getting on a plane before their boarding group is called. Stock market today: Nvidia drags Wall Street from its records as oil and gold rise NEW YORK (AP) — A slide for market superstar Nvidia helped pull U.S. stock indexes down from their records. The S&P 500 fell 0.6% Monday, coming off its 57th all-time high of the year so far. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite dropped 0.6% from its own record. Nvidia was the market's heaviest weight after China said it's probing the chip giant for potential antitrust violations. Stocks in Hong Kong jumped after top Chinese leaders agreed on a “moderately loose” monetary policy. Prices for oil and gold rose following the ouster of Syrian leader Bashar Assad. Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour ends by shattering own record, grossing an estimated $2.2B, Pollstar says NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour brought in approximately $2.2 billion in its nearly two-year run, making it the highest-grossing tour of all time for a second year in a row. That's according to Pollstar estimates from data collected across 149 shows and provided to The Associated Press on Monday. Last year, Swift’s landmark Eras Tour became the first to cross the billion-dollar mark. In North America, Swift’s tour earned an estimated $1.04 billion. Globally, that number jumps to an estimated $2.2 billion. Pollstar data is pulled from box office reports, venue capacity estimates, historical Pollstar venue ticket sales data, and other undefined research, collected from November 2022 to December 2024. Cyprus and the US double down on a joint effort to combat financial crimes with more training NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — Cyprus and the U.S. say they’re doubling down on a joint effort to crack down on illicit finance with additional training of Cypriot law enforcement authorities to identify, investigate and prosecute financial crimes. According to a joint statement issued Monday, an “ambitious” plan for next year will involve 21 weeks of training for different Cypriot law enforcement agencies on financial investigative and forensic accounting techniques, as well as the use of technology in investigations. The plan adds to a U.S. initiative launched 20 months ago following a pledge by Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides to clean up the island nation’s sullied reputation as a money laundering and sanctions evasion hub. Mexican soldiers will get a pay raise after elimination of oversight agencies, president says MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico's president says much of the money gained by eliminating independent oversight and regulatory agencies will go to the army to fund a rise in soldiers’ pay. The announcement by President Claudia Sheinbaum on Monday is the latest in a a series of strange funding sources to pay for the country's increasingly influential military. Mexico's Congress last week approved charging every cruise ship passenger a $42 immigration fee with much of that money also going to the armed forces. The military has been given powers to build and run everything from railways, airports and airlines in Mexico. And some of those projects appear to be losing money. Nvidia's stock dips after China opens probe of the AI chip company for violating anti-monopoly laws Shares of Nvidia have slipped after China said it is investigating the high-flying U.S. microchip company over suspected violations of Chinese anti-monopoly laws. In a brief press release with few details, Chinese regulators appear to be looking into Nvidia’s $6.9 billion 2019 acquisition of network and data transmission company Mellanox. Nvidia shares dipped 2.7% in early trading Monday, falling below $139 each. Considered a bellwether for artificial intelligence demand, Nvidia has led the AI sector to become one of the stock market’s biggest companies, as tech giants spend heavily on the company’s chips and data centers needed to train and operate their AI systems. TikTok asks federal appeals court to bar enforcement of potential ban until Supreme Court review TikTok on Monday asked a federal appeals court to bar the Biden administration from enforcing a law that could lead to a ban on the popular platform until the Supreme Court reviews the case. The legal filing was made after a panel of judges on the same court sided with the government last week and ruled that the law, which requires TikTok to divest from its China-based parent company or face a ban as soon as next month, was constitutional. If the law is not overturned, both TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have said the popular app will shut down by mid-January.
Best Sewing Tools (2024): Madam Sew Recognized as Top Sewing Tools Store by Expert ConsumersRepublicans pick Mast to lead House Foreign Affairs panelCowboys set to host Bengals under open roof after falling debris thwarted that plan against Texans
Dallas Cowboys star guard Zack Martin is doubtful for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders due to ankle and shoulder injuries. Martin didn't practice at all this week. He also physically struggled during Monday night's loss to the Houston Texas. Martin, who turned 34 on Wednesday, has started all 162 games played in 11 seasons with the Cowboys. He's a nine-time Pro Bowl selection and a seven-time first-team All-Pro. Tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) and safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) have been ruled out. Neither player practiced this week after being hurt against the Texans. Cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) practiced in full this week and will make his season debut. He was injured in August. Star wideout CeeDee Lamb (back/foot) was a full practice participant on Friday and is good to go. Cornerback Trevon Diggs (groin/knee) and receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) are among six players listed as questionable. The others are offensive tackle Chuma Edoga (toe), guard Tyler Smith (ankle/knee), defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (knee) and linebacker Nick Vigil (foot). --Field Level Media