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landed, or , earlier this week on PC and Xbox consoles. This cloud streaming content-centered entry in the hit simulation series essentially buckled under the load of players on day one, with the studio saying it did not expect that much interest so quickly. As the title finally moves towards server stability, its first hotfix has now been pushed out. "Good news," begins by Head of Microsoft Flight Simulator Jorg Neumann on social media. "We've made continued improvements that provide smoother access to the simulator ... We will continue to investigate any issues and keep the community informed. Thank you again for your ongoing support and enjoy your time in the skies." The update focuses mainly on fixing some critical crashing issues being faced by simmers. A minor but annoying bug that left the cursor missing on the sign-in window at the start of the title has also been resolved, finally letting PC players stop spamming tab or aiming blind for their profile. Here are all the changes in the Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 : The studio adds that moving any existing Community Packages from the title's folder to another location on the PC can resolve "stability issues or long loading times" as well. Feedback on the update and the overall game can be provided to the development team via the official .
SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who led US crackdown on cryptocurrencies, to step down
Lebenthal Global Advisors LLC lifted its stake in shares of Amazon.com, Inc. ( NASDAQ:AMZN – Free Report ) by 6.6% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 10,701 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock after buying an additional 663 shares during the quarter. Lebenthal Global Advisors LLC’s holdings in Amazon.com were worth $1,994,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC. Several other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the stock. Legal & General Group Plc raised its holdings in shares of Amazon.com by 1.5% during the 2nd quarter. Legal & General Group Plc now owns 69,686,374 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock valued at $13,466,933,000 after buying an additional 1,042,177 shares during the period. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its stake in Amazon.com by 0.4% during the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 67,745,972 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock valued at $13,091,909,000 after purchasing an additional 289,532 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. grew its stake in Amazon.com by 3.4% during the 2nd quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 40,973,804 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock valued at $7,917,906,000 after purchasing an additional 1,329,150 shares in the last quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC grew its stake in Amazon.com by 20,897.2% during the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 39,135,449 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock valued at $72,921,080,000 after purchasing an additional 38,949,065 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA grew its stake in Amazon.com by 1.5% during the 2nd quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 31,883,977 shares of the e-commerce giant’s stock valued at $6,161,579,000 after purchasing an additional 464,938 shares in the last quarter. 72.20% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Amazon.com Stock Up 2.9 % AMZN opened at $227.03 on Friday. Amazon.com, Inc. has a one year low of $143.64 and a one year high of $227.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.21, a quick ratio of 0.87 and a current ratio of 1.09. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $197.39 and its 200-day moving average is $188.12. The company has a market capitalization of $2.39 trillion, a PE ratio of 48.61, a P/E/G ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 1.16. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of equities research analysts have weighed in on AMZN shares. Pivotal Research started coverage on Amazon.com in a research note on Friday, October 11th. They set a “buy” rating and a $260.00 price objective for the company. Moffett Nathanson lifted their target price on Amazon.com from $235.00 to $248.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 26th. Stifel Nicolaus lifted their target price on Amazon.com from $224.00 to $245.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on Amazon.com from $210.00 to $230.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Monday, November 4th. Finally, Needham & Company LLC reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $250.00 target price on shares of Amazon.com in a research report on Wednesday. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, forty-one have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $236.20. Read Our Latest Research Report on AMZN Insider Buying and Selling In related news, CEO Matthew S. Garman sold 15,260 shares of Amazon.com stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.19, for a total value of $3,054,899.40. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 349,261 shares in the company, valued at $69,918,559.59. The trade was a 4.19 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link . Also, SVP David Zapolsky sold 2,190 shares of Amazon.com stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $195.00, for a total value of $427,050.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 62,420 shares in the company, valued at $12,171,900. The trade was a 3.39 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Insiders have sold 6,030,183 shares of company stock worth $1,252,883,795 in the last three months. 10.80% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Amazon.com Company Profile ( Free Report ) Amazon.com, Inc engages in the retail sale of consumer products, advertising, and subscriptions service through online and physical stores in North America and internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America, International, and Amazon Web Services (AWS). It also manufactures and sells electronic devices, including Kindle, Fire tablets, Fire TVs, Echo, Ring, Blink, and eero; and develops and produces media content. Featured Articles Five stocks we like better than Amazon.com What Does Downgrade Mean in Investing? Fast-Growing Companies That Are Still Undervalued How to Plot Fibonacci Price Inflection Levels Top Cybersecurity Stock Picks for 2025 Why Are Stock Sectors Important to Successful Investing? Archer or Joby: Which Aviation Company Might Rise Fastest? 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The Transportation Security Administration has some reminders for those heading to airports during the holidays. “People seem to forget some of the more common and routine steps that they need to take when packing for a flight or when they are going through a checkpoint, perhaps because they’re focused on being at their destination and not focusing on what needs to happen before getting there,” said TSA officer Christopher Kirchein of John F. Kennedy International Airport. “Travelers sometimes ignore the advice that we give them,” said TeaNeisha Barker, a TSA uniformed adviser. “We are providing guidance so that they get through the checkpoint as simply and conveniently as possible. Not every airport has the same technology, so listen to the guidance we are offering.” “Passengers forget that knives and other weapons are not allowed through our checkpoints. It’s shocking to see so many people with knives,” said TSA officer Aisha Hicks of Philadelphia International Airport. “Weapons of any kind are prohibited through a TSA checkpoint.” TSA officers shared this list of the common things that travelers forget and should remember when coming to a security checkpoint. Ten things that travelers need to remember when preparing to go through the security screening process: • Remember that you cannot bring bottles of water, energy drinks, juice, coffee, soda or any filled insulated reusable container through a security checkpoint. However, they can finish their beverage and bring the empty bottle or container with them. • Remember to bring your ID to the checkpoint. • Remember when TSA officers remind you to remove everything from your pockets that it does not only mean metallic items such as keys and mobile phones, but it means everything, including non-metallic items such as tissues, lip balm, breath mints, etc. • Remember that you cannot bring a firearm through a checkpoint. Instead, pack your unloaded firearm in a locked hard-sided case and declare it at your airline check-in counter and the airline will ensure it is transported in the belly of the plane where nobody has access to it. • Remember that you need to remove your shoes when getting screened and then end up barefoot on the floor. It’s probably a good idea to wear socks. • Remember that children 12 and under are allowed to travel through a TSA PreCheck screening lane with a parent who has TSA PreCheck on their boarding pass. In addition, don’t forget that children up to the age of 18 can also come into the TSA PreCheck lane with their parent if they are on the same airline reservation as their parent. • Remember that passengers that appear 12 and under or 75 and older do not need to remove their shoes and light jacket. • Remember, if you are putting a lock on your luggage, make sure it is a TSA compatible lock so that if TSA officers need to open your luggage, they can unlock it and relock it. If the lock is not TSA compliant, TSA officers who need to open your luggage will cut off the lock, rendering it useless. • Remember that you can bring medications through a security checkpoint, even liquid medication. Just let the TSA officer know that you have liquid medication with you so it can be screened separately. • Remember to get a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license sooner rather than later because REAL ID goes into effect on May 7.The hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO’s elusive killer yields new evidence, but few answersMy garden’s power of resilience was tested to the extreme on Jan. 12, 2024, when the temperature plummeted to minus 12 C. It was so cold that my hummingbird feeders froze in spite of the heat lamps underneath. I feared the worst, especially for some of the plants that had been in the garden since I started tending it fifteen years ago. My old rosemary bush had already lost several of its limbs in the freezes of previous years, on top of which its condition had been aversely affected by the teeter-tottering of warm-cold-warm-cold in a recent winter and spring. One of its limbs looked so miserable that I decided it would be an act of mercy to remove it entirely. Then I noticed something interesting. The limb had been trailing along the driveway for a few years, and in the blanket of leaves that I always keep around and under the bush, it had made lots of roots. They looked desiccated, but they were roots all the same. I decided to find out if they could be put to work and keep the amputated limb of rosemary alive. The limb was an awkward shape, like a sickle with the rooted part longer than the other, but I found a space for it along one side of a new garden bed in the front yard. Close by was a young rosemary, brought home from a nursery. I’m persuaded plants communicate (in ways we can’t yet fathom) and I hoped the old, gnarled limb and the young plant would somehow bond. I feel sure they tried their best, but a Coreopsis Grandiflora had grown between them. It must have been a seed, dropped by a bird, which hadn’t yet revealed its true nature when I planted the little rosemary. By summer, when the young rosemary was trying to soak up the sunlight, the Coreopsis had become exuberant (from the Latin exuberare , grow luxuriously). The rosemary didn’t have a chance, and today, at the start of winter, it looks stunted and its leaves are sparse. But the old, gnarled limb fared better. It grew as exuberantly as the Coreopsis over the summer and even made a few flowers. In another bed in the front yard I’d planted two more young rosemaries. They, too, are showing exuberance. Their stems have grown strong, increased in number, and are thickly clad with leaves. I’d panicked at the beginning of 2024 because I thought my grand old rosemary bush was doomed and I wanted to make sure there were successors. So now, unless we’re served another onslaught of violent, freezing weather, the garden should be well stocked with this herb. Its flowers are beloved by bees, hummingbirds and all other pollinators that visit. Hot lips sage had become a favourite of mine ever since I saw the immense bush dotted with red and white flowers that grew in a neighbour’s backyard. She gave me a cutting and it did well. But it didn’t survive past its second year. Still, I was determined not to give up. This spring I bought two young plants to grow in a new garden bed laid out in a location chosen especially for them. To begin with, the young hot lips bided their time. I worried and added other plants behind and around them. Maybe that spurred them on. By late summer they’d stretched so far upwards and sideways that they managed to obscure all traces of the plants I’d added a couple of months earlier. They ended up making masses of flowers and, to my amazement, have continued to bloom past the winter solstice, over a month longer than is normal. In 2023 I grew Matucana sweet peas for the first time. They’re an heirloom variety noted for their stunning deep violet and red colours and their intoxicating scent. They didn’t last as long as I would have liked and didn’t grow as tall as promised, but I was drawn to their colours and scent and saved the seeds. I ended up with so many Matucana seeds that this year I decided to spread them throughout the garden. The ones growing at the designated sweet pea trellis didn’t fare well (partly thanks to inquisitive squirrels), but the ones that grew in other spots performed beyond all expectations. I’d planted several to climb up the mesh on the exterior of the outdoor garden room that my handyman David had built in the backyard. The garden room is dedicated to Pomona, the Roman goddess of gardens, who must have developed a special feeling for the Matucana sweet peas because they are still, at the end of December, putting out new flowers! I’ve never seen anything like it! Now I’m bidding Pomona to let her beneficial influence extend beyond the walls of the garden room. So what’s my garden’s final report card for 2024? Well, it’s hard to imagine that it could be any more glowing. Sabine Eiche is a local writer and art historian with a PhD from Princeton University. Her passions are writing for children and protecting nature. Her columns deal with a broad range of topics and often include etymology in order to shed extra light on the subject. 📣 Got an opinion on this story or any others in Richmond? Send us a letter or email your thoughts or story tips to [email protected] . 📲 To stay updated on Richmond news, sign up for our daily headline newsletter . 💬 Words missing in article? Your adblocker might be preventing hyperlinked text from appearing.
W hen the holiday season rolls around, Katherine DeGroot digs out the glue gun, buys craft items in bulk and forages for additional supplies in her refrigerator, pantry and backyard. She then makes her own holiday decor, some of which her family gives as gifts. “We use whatever I have around the house or even outside,” said DeGroot. The Instagrammer also shares her latest projects as part of a growing social media community of DIY decor enthusiasts swapping ideas while keeping sustainability in mind. While the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, they can also be the most wasteful. According to one Stanford University study, Americans throw out an estimated 25% more trash during the holidays than at any other time of the year. To help reduce a household’s carbon footprint during this time and keep items out of landfills, the University of Minnesota’s Office of Sustainability has created a holiday guide covering tips on sustainable decorating as well as gift-giving and food practices. Carley Rice, university sustainability coordinator, said breaking old holiday habits can be difficult. The key is baby steps. “We don’t want to overwhelm anyone. Start small, and make changes that make sense to you and your family right now,” she said. For starters, try making your own holiday decorations using sustainable materials and supplies that can be purchased in bulk. Going DIY can be more economical. Want to start making a dent toward a more cost-conscious, sustainable holiday? Here are how-tos on making paper snowflakes, dried fruit garlands, candles and potpourri from Instagrammers DeGroot (@katherinelouisedegroot) and Emma O’Connor (@emmaelizabethoconnor). Paper bag snowflakes Katherine DeGroot buys inexpensive brown paper lunch bags to create DIY snowflakes. “They’re festive into the new year,” DeGroot added. “They’re great for gifting, as well.” Makes 1 Supplies: 8 brown paper lunch bags, scissors, hot glue gun. Optional: stapler, string and hole puncher. To assemble: Glue eight bags together by placing the first bag on a flat surface. Make sure the bag’s opening is on top and the smooth surface side of the bag without the crease faces upward. Draw an upside-down T with the glue onto the bag. Stack one of the unglued bags on top, facing the same way as the first bag. Repeat gluing and stacking each of the remaining bags. When you get to the last bag, stack but do not glue the top. To design: Take scissors and create a snowflake design by cutting edges of stacked bags. Creative liberties can be taken here. When finished, open the snowflake by joining the two end pieces together, which will form a circle. Glue end pieces together. Staple for an extra-secure snowflake. Use for holiday decor on mantels, tabletops, walls or windows. If hanging the snowflakes, pull a string through an existing hole or use a hole puncher. Stovetop winter potpourri One of the reasons DeGroot likes to make this as a gift is that the ingredients are versatile. In this batch, she uses cranberries, oranges, cinnamon sticks and star anise. However, cloves, fresh rosemary, lemons, apples or vanilla beans also are suitable. Any way you slice it, this spin on potpourri imbues the spirit of the holidays. Makes 4 gift bags Supplies: Generous bundle of evergreen clippings, 12 ounces of fresh cranberries, 4 oranges, 8 cinnamon sticks, 12 star anise, 4 paper sandwich bags. To assemble: In each bag, add some evergreen clippings, about 1 1⁄2 cups cranberries, 1 orange, 2 cinnamon sticks and 3 star anise. To use: Write directions for use by your recipient: Put items in a small pot, add just enough water to cover the ingredients, bring to a simmer, and enjoy the aroma! Dried fruit garland Emma O’Connor’s go-to DIY decor item adds vibrancy and color to her home during the holidays. “I have always admired using natural resources to decorate seasonally. This is also an easy craft to do with little helping hands,” she said. Makes 12 feet of garland Supplies: 4 oranges or grapefruit; 8 ounces fresh cranberries; dishcloth; parchment paper; baking sheets and baking rack; kitchen twine or string; sewing needle. To prepare: Preheat oven to 200 F. Slice oranges and grapefruit into 1⁄8- to 1⁄4-inch round slices. Pat dry with a dishcloth and arrange slices on parchment-lined baking sheets. To dry fruit: Bake for 3 to 4 hours or until dry, flipping halfway through. Let slices cool on a baking rack. To finish: Use kitchen twine or string and a sewing needle to thread through dried fruits and fresh cranberries. Beeswax jelly jar candles DeGroot especially loves this candle-making project because it’s a family activity. And while they like to make a batch during this time of year for that golden holiday glow, the effort pays off far beyond. “I love these beeswax candles because they can be used all year round,” said DeGroot, adding that she prefers beeswax over other candle bases because it burns cleaner. Makes 4 to 5 small/medium candles in jelly-sized jars Supplies: 2-pound bag of beeswax pellets or ends of beeswax candles; 4 to 5 wicks; double boiler or two pots; and 4 to 5 small- to medium-sized heat-resistant, fireproof containers, such as jelly or Mason jars. Optional: Chopsticks, clothespins or Popsicle sticks for centering the wick and essential oils for scents. To prepare: Using a double boiler, pour candle wax into the top pot and place on the stovetop. Heat on medium-high until all of the wax is melted, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat. If using, add drops of essential oils according to preference and stir into wax. Meanwhile, place one wick vertically in the center of the jar. Your wick should be a few inches taller than your vessel. You can use chopsticks, clothespins or Popsicle sticks to keep the wick in place. To assemble: Carefully pour melted wax into jars, about 1⁄4 inch from the top. If using Popsicle sticks, remove them after the wax and jars have cooled. Set aside until candles are ready to use once the wax has hardened, 1 to 2 hours. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
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A new partnership between the Child Advocacy Center of Frederick County and ThorpeWood, a nature center near Thurmont, will provide free therapeutic programs for children and caregivers healing from trauma. The Child Advocacy Center, an arm of the Frederick County Division of Family Services, works with the Department of Social Services, law enforcement agencies and the State's Attorney's Office to support children who have experienced abuse and their non-offending family members. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.By COLLEEN SLEVIN DENVER (AP) — Amid renewed interest in the killing of JonBenet Ramsey triggered in part by a new Netflix documentary, police in Boulder, Colorado, refuted assertions this week that there is viable evidence and leads about the 1996 killing of the 6-year-old girl that they are not pursuing. JonBenet Ramsey, who competed in beauty pageants, was found dead in the basement of her family’s home in the college town of Boulder the day after Christmas in 1996. Her body was found several hours after her mother called 911 to say her daughter was missing and a ransom note had been left behind. The details of the crime and video footage of JonBenet competing in pageants propelled the case into one of the highest-profile mysteries in the United States. The police comments came as part of their annual update on the investigation, a month before the 28th anniversary of JonBenet’s killing. Police said they released it a little earlier due to the increased attention on the case, apparently referring to the three-part Netflix series “Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey.” In a video statement, Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn said the department welcomes news coverage and documentaries about the killing of JonBenet, who would have been 34 this year, as a way to generate possible new leads. He said the department is committed to solving the case but needs to be careful about what it shares about the investigation to protect a possible future prosecution. “What I can tell you though, is we have thoroughly investigated multiple people as suspects throughout the years and we continue to be open-minded about what occurred as we investigate the tips that come into detectives,” he said. The Netflix documentary focuses on the mistakes made by police and the “media circus” surrounding the case. JonBenet was bludgeoned and strangled. Her death was ruled a homicide, but nobody was ever prosecuted. Police were widely criticized for mishandling the early investigation into her death amid speculation that her family was responsible. However, a prosecutor cleared her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey, and brother Burke in 2008 based on new DNA evidence from JonBenet’s clothing that pointed to the involvement of an “unexplained third party” in her slaying. The announcement by former district attorney Mary Lacy came two years after Patsy Ramsey died of cancer. Lacy called the Ramseys “victims of this crime.” Related Articles National News | Northern lights may be faintly visible across parts of the US this Thanksgiving National News | Trump transition says Cabinet picks, appointees were targeted by bomb threats, swatting attacks National News | White House pressing Ukraine to draft 18-year-olds so they have enough troops to battle Russia National News | Trump vows tariffs over immigration. What the numbers say about border crossings, drugs and crime National News | Travelers who waited to make Thanksgiving trips are hitting the biggest crowds so far John Ramsey has continued to speak out for the case to be solved. In 2022, he supported an online petition asking Colorado’s governor to intervene in the investigation by putting an outside agency in charge of DNA testing in the case. In the Netflix documentary, he said he has been advocating for several items that have not been prepared for DNA testing to be tested and for other items to be retested. He said the results should be put through a genealogy database. In recent years, investigators have identified suspects in unsolved cases by comparing DNA profiles from crime scenes and to DNA testing results shared online by people researching their family trees. In 2021, police said in their annual update that DNA hadn’t been ruled out to help solve the case, and in 2022 noted that some evidence could be “consumed” if DNA testing is done on it. Last year, police said they convened a panel of outside experts to review the investigation to give recommendations and determine if updated technologies or forensic testing might produce new leads. In the latest update, Redfearn said that review had ended but that police continue to work through and evaluate a “lengthy list of recommendations” from the panel. Amy Beth Hanson contributed to this report from Helena, Montana.
1 2 3 Nagpur: BJP's Nagpur Central MLA Pravin Datke reignited the demand for a separate Vidarbha state by concluding his oath with the slogan " Jai Vidarbha " in the Maharashtra assembly during a special session held in Mumbai. Umesh Yawalkar, BJP MLA from Morshi, also followed suit, demonstrating a shared sentiment among legislators from the region, though he did mention "Jai Maharashtra" as well. Unlike previous years, no objections or protests were raised by anti-Vidarbha parties — both factions of the Shiv Sena. This subtle shift in political dynamics hints at a gradual change in the discourse surrounding the Vidarbha statehood issue. Datke's phone remained switched off throughout the day. The sentiment is not new; it has consistently surfaced over the past decade. In 2019, the slogan was raised by three MLAs from the Nagpur district — Tekchand Sawarkar (BJP), Vikas Thakre (Congress), and Raju Parwe (Congress) — during their oath-taking ceremony. Speaking to the media later, the MLAs passionately argued for justice for Vidarbha, citing unfulfilled promises and stalled projects like the Gosikhurd irrigation project and Mihan. They lamented the lack of industrial growth, which forced local youth to migrate in search of jobs, and demanded a structured development plan. Parwe and Sawarkar echoed similar concerns, emphasizing that statehood was the only viable solution to address the region's developmental backlog. The origins of the "Jai Vidarbha" slogan during the oath ceremony can be traced back to 2014. It was the then Katol MLA Ashish Deshmukh who raised "Jai Vidarbha" slogans during his swearing-in ceremony. This act led to uproar from Shiv Sena members, who demanded Deshmukh's disqualification for allegedly undermining Maharashtra's unity. Despite warnings of suspension from the pro-tem Speaker, Deshmukh stood firm, setting a precedent for Vidarbha-focused legislators. Over the years, the Vidarbha statehood demand has been fuelled by frustrations over the region's marginalization, lack of industrial investment, and incomplete infrastructure projects. While the BJP has put the entire issue on the backburner after coming to power, social organizations argue for equitable development through statehood. The absence of resistance to the "Jai Vidarbha" slogan this year could signal evolving political attitudes, offering a glimmer of hope to Vidarbha's advocates who remain committed to their cause. As the slogan continues to echo in assembly halls, it symbolizes a deep-rooted aspiration for justice and development among Vidarbha's people, keeping the dream of statehood alive. MSID:: 116109293 413 | Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss daily games like Crossword , Sudoku , and Mini Crossword .
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 domestic prices for consumers. He stopped short of a pledge that U.S. an 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 that tariffs 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 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.” Donald Trump has sweeping plans for a second administration. Here’s what he’s proposed Trump's agenda would scale back federal government efforts on civil rights and expand presidential powers. Here's a look at what he has proposed. 1 month ago 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 cease-fire . 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 Trump’s 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 healthcare for less money.” Get daily updates from WHYY News! The free WHYY News Daily newsletter delivers the most important local stories to your inbox. WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
It's about to be one of the most active dealmaking years for media and entertainment companies in recent memory. 2024 saw crimped deal volumes as interest rates remained elevated and an unfavorable regulatory environment dampened sentiment. But 2025 has "the recipe for all the stars to be aligned," according to Bart Spiegel, partner of global entertainment and media deals at PwC. "I really do expect it to be a perfect storm for M&A to accelerate in 2025 from a deal value and a deal volume perspective," Speigel said in an interview with Yahoo Finance. He listed several catalysts for next year, including "significant dry powder on the sidelines," the expectation that interest rates will continue to move lower , and a looser regulatory environment from the incoming Trump administration. Plus, "this is not a steady state industry," he said, referencing the "constantly changing" media landscape. "You've got market players that really do want to make moves." Those moves have already begun to materialize. Last month, Comcast ( CMCSA ) said it would spin off most of its cable properties into a new company after teasing the possibility just a few weeks prior. At the time, Comcast said it wanted to "play offense" in order to combat increased cord-cutting. Wall Street analysts have said Comcast's spun-off company could acquire other beaten-down cable properties, describing it as a positive development for competitors exposed to traditional networks, like Warner Bros. Discovery ( WBD ). To that point, shortly after Comcast's announcement, WBD also said it would undergo a corporate restructuring to separate its legacy networks, including CNN, TBS, TNT, HGTV, and the Food Network, from growth drivers like studios and its streaming platform Max. "It appears we are closer to the tipping point given the combination of secular and cyclical challenges," Bank of America analyst Jessica Reif Ehrlich wrote in a note to clients on Dec. 19. Most streaming platforms are finally profitable or, at the very least, close to break-even. But the demise of the cable bundle is still a complicated mess for legacy players looking to survive in a new digital-first era. For years, linear advertising and affiliate fees, or the fees pay-TV providers pay to network owners to carry their channels, had consistently boosted revenues for legacy media. But the shift to streaming saw cable subscribers decline, hurting affiliate revenue. The pressure from deteriorating linear networks, coupled with heavy debt loads, has forced legacy media giants to cut costs wherever possible, resulting in mass layoffs and restructuring efforts. Earlier this summer, Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global ( PARA ) took a collective $15 billion hit on the values of their respective cable businesses. "Given this backdrop, it is clear further consolidation is needed," MoffettNathanson analyst Craig Moffett wrote in a report published Dec. 3. "There has been endless chatter for years in the press and from media executives around extricating the overhang of linear networks on overall company performance." Outside of Comcast and WBD, Disney ( DIS ) has also explored cleaving off its traditional TV assets , which include broadcast network ABC and cable channels like FX, Freeform, and National Geographic. Disney CEO Bob Iger has since walked back those comments , but it's still possible a spin-off or asset sale could be revisited, according to analysts. And with Paramount's deal with Skydance Media set to close in the second half of 2025 , it remains unclear what will happen to Paramount's cable and TV properties after the merger. "There are a lot of efficiencies to be had by combining many of these companies," Reif Ehrlich recently told Yahoo Finance in a separate interview. "Can these companies survive as part of a bigger entity? Yes, of course they can." One entity that might be a buyer of depressed linear assets is cable and streaming company Starz, which will complete its long-awaited separation from Lionsgate Studios ( LION ) early next year. Starz, which is expected to make its public debut on the Nasdaq around mid-January, plans to expand margins from 15% to 20%, with CEO Jeff Hirsch noting M&A can help fuel revenue growth. “If you look at the disruption going on in the business today, there’s a lot of linear networks, or ad-supported networks that serve the demos that we serve today," Hirsch said at a UBS media conference earlier this month. “I do think there’s an opportunity once we separate, once we have our own balance sheet and a currency, to go out and acquire some of those linear assets," he continued, adding he believes companies "will shed assets first before they consolidate." Regulatory easing will be the most important M&A tailwind, according to experts, even if the Federal Reserve commits to a higher-for-longer policy stance . "There's an appetite for people to go out and do deals in a much more friendly environment," PwC's Spiegel said. Total deal volumes and values in the media and telecommunications sector over the past year saw a slight uptick compared to a downbeat 2023 , according to PwC's biannual US deals outlook. Over the past 12 months ending in November, there have been 2,088 deals — a 4% year-over-year increase — with announced deal value totaling $135.5 billion, a 26% rise versus 2023. Telecom giants led the charge, with Verizon's $20 billion acquisition of Frontier Communications one of the largest deals of the year. "I think telecom deals will continue to increase," Spiegel said. "But we're also going to see much more media and entertainment M&A." President-elect Donald Trump, generally viewed as more friendly toward dealmaking than President Biden, has already signaled a looser policy stance with his Cabinet picks, like Brendan Carr as the new chair of the Federal Communications Commission. Carr, who has frequently advocated for deregulation and an intent to revisit ownership limits, could spur more consolidation within local and broadcast television at a time when companies are desperate to compete in a digital-first world. Nexstar Media Group ( NXST ) CFO Lee Ann Gliha told Yahoo Finance earlier this month that Carr's nomination served as "the first signal" of future disruption. Nexstar, which controls the CW Network, along with Fox Television Stations, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Gray Media, and others have been desperate to gobble up more TV stations in order to better compete with Big Tech in the race for viewers and ad dollars. But there's a cap on how many TV stations a single media entity can own. The current rule is that a station cannot collectively reach more than 39% of all TV households in the US. Of course, no one knows exactly what will happen once Trump takes control of the White House. Or what deregulation policies will be put into place once he does. But one thing is clear: The future of media and entertainment M&A looks a lot brighter compared to years past — and it's happening at a time when Hollywood is finally ready to shake things up. Alexandra Canal is a Senior Reporter at Yahoo Finance. Follow her on X @allie_canal , LinkedIn, and email her at alexandra.canal@yahoofinance.com. Click here for the latest stock market news and in-depth analysis, including events that move stocks Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo FinancePolice deny sitting on evidence as Netflix doc brings renewed attention to JonBenet Ramsey’s killingHUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP) — Cameron Huefner scored 20 points as Sam Houston beat Dallas 111-65 on Saturday. Huefner added eight rebounds for the Bearkats (7-6). Lamar Wilkerson went 7 of 13 from the field (3 for 8 from 3-point range) to add 17 points. Dorian Finister shot 5 for 11 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with 15 points. Thomas Fleming led the Crusaders in scoring, finishing with 16 points. Dallas also got 15 points from Johny Olmsted. Chandler Holmes finished with 13 points. Sam Houston took the lead with 16:32 remaining in the first half and did not give it up. The score was 50-34 at halftime, with Huefner racking up 11 points. Sam Houston extended its lead to 91-53 during the second half, fueled by a 17-2 scoring run. Erik Taylor scored a team-high 10 points in the second half for the Bearkats. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New York
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NEW YORK, Nov. 27, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Xcel Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: XELB) ("Xcel” or the "Company”), today announced that on November 25, 2024, it received a delinquency notification letter from the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ("Nasdaq") indicating that the Company was not in compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5250(c)(1), because it had not timely filed its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024 (the "Form 10-Q"). The Nasdaq notice has no immediate effect on the listing or trading of the Company's common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Nasdaq has informed the Company that it must submit a plan of compliance (the "Plan") within 60 calendar days, addressing how it intends to regain compliance with Nasdaq's listing rules and, if Nasdaq accepts the Plan, it may grant an extension of up to 180 calendar days from the Form 10-Q original filing due date, or until May 19, 2025, to regain compliance. The Company intends to file its Form 10-Q as soon as practicable and, in any event, within the 60-day period referenced above, and thereby regain compliance with the Nasdaq continued listing requirements and eliminate the need for the Company to submit a Plan. About Xcel Brands Xcel Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: XELB) is a media and consumer products company engaged in the design, licensing, marketing, live streaming, and social commerce sales of branded apparel, footwear, accessories, fine jewelry, home goods and other consumer products, and the acquisition of dynamic consumer lifestyle brands. Xcel was founded in 2011 with a vision to reimagine shopping, entertainment, and social media as social commerce. Xcel owns the Halston, Judith Ripka, and C. Wonder brands, as well as the Tower Hill by Christie Brinkley co-branded collaboration, and holds noncontrolling interests in the Isaac Mizrahi brand and Orme Live. Xcel also owns and manages the Longaberger brand through its controlling interest in Longaberger Licensing LLC. Xcel is pioneering a true modern consumer products sales strategy which includes the promotion and sale of products under its brands through interactive television, digital live-stream shopping, social commerce, brick-and-mortar retail, and e-commerce channels to be everywhere its customers shop. The company's brands have generated in excess of $5 billion in retail sales via livestreaming in interactive television and digital channels alone, and over 20,000 hours of live-stream and social commerce. Headquartered in New York City, Xcel Brands is led by an executive team with significant live streaming, production, merchandising, design, marketing, retailing, and licensing experience, and a proven track record of success in elevating branded consumer products companies. www.xcelbrands.com For further information please contact: Seth Burroughs Marketing and Public Relations, Xcel Band, Inc.. 347 532 5894 [email protected]
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