Putin apologizes for crash but stops short of saying Azerbaijani plane was shot downFAIRFAX, Va. (AP) — Jalen Haynes scored 18 points as George Mason beat Mount St. Mary's 64-56 on Saturday. Haynes also added 16 rebounds for the Patriots (9-4). Darius Maddox shot 5 of 11 from the field, including 1 for 5 from 3-point range, and went 2 for 3 from the line to add 13 points. Brayden O'Connor shot 2 for 5 (2 for 3 from 3-point range) and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line to finish with nine points. The Mountaineers (8-5, 1-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) were led by Dola Adebayo, who recorded 13 points and seven rebounds. Mount St. Mary's also got 11 points, nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks from Terrell Ard Jr.. Arlandus Keyes also had seven points. Haynes scored 11 points in the first half and George Mason went into halftime trailing 30-28. George Mason used a 10-3 second-half run to come back from a three-point deficit and take the lead at 34-30 with 17:54 remaining in the half before finishing off the victory. Maddox scored nine second-half points. George Mason plays Tuesday against Davidson at home, and Mount St. Mary's hosts Niagara on Sunday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Stock market today: Wall Street hits records despite tariff talk
Putin apologizes for crash but stops short of saying Azerbaijani plane was shot downNCAA finally reveals list of five local, international airlines sanctioned for violationsIsrael and Lebanon's Hezbollah agree to a ceasefire to end nearly 14 months of fighting JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel has approved a United States-brokered ceasefire agreement with Lebanon’s Hezbollah, setting the stage for an end to nearly 14 months of fighting linked to the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. Israeli warplanes meanwhile carried out the most intense wave of strikes in Beirut and its southern suburbs since the start of the conflict and issued a record number of evacuation warnings. At least 24 people were killed in strikes across the country, according to local authorities, as Israel signaled it aims to keep pummeling Hezbollah before the ceasefire is set to take hold at 4 a.m. local time on Wednesday. President Joe Biden, speaking in Washington, called the agreement “good news” and said his administration would make a renewed push for a ceasefire in Gaza. What to know about ceasefire deal between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah A ceasefire deal that could end more than a year of cross-border fighting between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group won backing from Israeli leaders. The truce that is set to take effect early Wednesday raised hopes and renewed difficult questions in a region gripped by conflict. Hezbollah leaders also signaled tentative backing for the U.S.-brokered deal, which offers both sides an off-ramp from hostilities But the deal does little directly to resolve the much deadlier war that has raged in Gaza since Hamas militants attacked southern Israel last October. Trump vows tariffs over immigration. What the numbers say about border crossings, drugs and crime. WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is threatening tariffs on Mexico and Canada as he seeks to portray them as responsible for illegal immigration and drug smuggling. Over its tenure, the Biden administration has struggled with growing numbers of migrants arriving at the southern border. But this year, the number of people crossing the border without documents has actually been falling. That's due in part to stricter enforcement by Mexican authorities as well as asylum restrictions announced earlier this year by the Biden administration. When it comes to fentanyl smuggling, much of the deadly supply comes from Mexico though statistics show more than 86% of those sentenced for fentanyl trafficking crimes in the 12 months ending September 2023 were U.S. citizens. AP finds that a Pentagon-funded study on extremism in the military relied on old data Early this year, Pete Hegseth told a Fox News audience a new, Pentagon-funded study proved that the number of military service members and veterans involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection did not indicate a wider problem in the armed forces. Hegseth, Donald Trump's pick to head the Department of Defense, wasn’t alone. The Wall Street Journal’s opinion page highlighted the same report as evidence that extremists in military communities were “phantoms” created by a “false media narrative.” The X account for Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee posted that the study showed the focus on extremism in the military was a “witch hunt.” But The Associated Press has found that the study relied on old data, misleading analyses and ignored evidence that pointed to the opposite conclusion. How Trump's bet on voters electing him managed to silence some of his legal woes WASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith move to abandon two federal cases accusing Trump of endangering American democracy and national security does away with the most serious legal threats Trump was facing as he returns to the White House. It was the culmination of a monthslong defense effort to delay the proceedings at every step and use the criminal allegations to Trump's political advantage, putting the final word in the hands of voters instead of jurors. The move just weeks after Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris underscores the immense personal stake Trump had in the campaign in which he turned his legal woes into a political rallying cry. Walmart's DEI rollback signals a profound shift in the wake of Trump's election victory NEW YORK (AP) — Walmart’s sweeping rollback of its diversity policies is the strongest indication yet of a profound shift taking hold at U.S. companies that are revaluating the legal and political risks associated with bold programs to bolster historically underrepresented groups in business. The risk associated with some of programs crystalized with the election of former President Donald Trump, whose administration is certain to make dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion programs a priority. Brazil’s Bolsonaro planned and participated in a 2022 coup plot, unsealed police report says SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro was fully aware of and actively participated in a coup plot to remain in office after his defeat in the 2022 election, according to a Federal Police report that has been unsealed. Brazil’s Federal Police last Thursday formally accused Bolsonaro and 36 other people of attempting a coup. They sent their 884-page report to the Supreme Court, which lifted the seal. Bolsonaro called a meeting in December 2022, during which he presented a draft decree to the commanders of the three divisions of the armed forces, that would have declared the vote fraudulent, to justify a possible military intervention. Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. Biden proposes Medicare and Medicaid cover costly weight-loss drugs for millions of obese Americans WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of obese Americans would be eligible to have popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy or Zepbound covered by Medicare or Medicaid under a new rule the Biden administration proposed Tuesday morning. The proposal, which would not be finalized until after President-elect Donald Trump takes office, could cost taxpayers as much as $35 billion over the next decade. It would give millions of people access to weekly injectables that have helped people shed pounds so quickly that some people have labeled them miracle drugs. New rule allows HIV-positive organ transplants People with HIV who need a kidney or liver transplant will be able to receive an organ from a donor with HIV. That's according to a new rule announced Tuesday by U.S. health officials. Previously, such transplants could be done only as part of research studies. The new rule takes effect Wednesday. It's expected to shorten the wait for organs for all, regardless of HIV status, by increasing the pool of available organs. The practice is supported by a decade of research, during which 500 transplants of kidneys and livers from HIV-positive donors have been done in the U.S. Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump's promised crackdown on immigration President-elect Donald Trump will return to power next year with a raft of technological tools at his disposal that would help deliver his campaign promise of cracking down on immigration — among them, surveillance and artificial intelligence technology that the Biden administration already uses to help make crucial decisions in tracking, detaining and ultimately deporting immigrants lacking permanent legal status. One algorithm, for example, ranks immigrants with a “Hurricane Score,” ranging from 1-5, to assess whether someone will “abscond” from the agency’s supervision.NEW YORK (AP) — Geronimo Rubio De La Rosa scored 27 points as Columbia beat Fairfield 85-72 on Saturday night. De La Rosa shot 8 of 15 from the field, including 5 for 11 from 3-point range, and went 6 for 6 from the line for the Lions (11-1). Avery Brown shot 5 of 8 from the field and 5 of 5 from the free-throw line to add 16 points. Kenny Noland went 5 of 12 from the field (3 for 7 from 3-point range) to finish with 15 points. The Stags (5-8, 1-1 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference) were led by Louis Bleechmore, who recorded 12 points. Fairfield also got 12 points and seven assists from Jamie Bergens. Deon Perry had 12 points and five assists. Columbia's next game is Monday against Rutgers on the road, and Fairfield visits Merrimack on Friday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Shedeur Sanders uses his cleats to send message about NFL DraftPutin apologizes for crash but stops short of saying Azerbaijani plane was shot down
'Sports Illustrated' model Dayle Haddon dies from suspected carbon monoxide poisoningRedmi 14C 5G to launch in India in January 2025, To offer 50MP primary camera'We need to do better': Canadian leaders respond to Trump's border concernsSUGAR LAND, Texas, Dec. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CVR Energy, Inc. CVI "CVR Energy" or the "Company")) today announced that certain of its wholly owned subsidiaries have priced a proposed $325 million aggregate principal amount senior secured term loan B due 2027 (the "Facility"). The loans under the Facility will be issued at a price equal to 99% of their face value and bear interest at SOFR plus 4.0%, with closing expected before the end of the year. The proceeds of the loans under the Facility are expected to be used primarily for capital expenditures, including the planned 2025 turnaround at the Coffeyville refinery. The Company is also in negotiations for the potential sale of its interests in one of its midstream assets, with total consideration, if the transaction is finalized, approved and closed, expected to be under $100 million. Such sale, if any is consummated, is expected to further enhance the Company's liquidity position. CVR Energy today also announced that, on December 12, 2024, it entered into a new employment agreement with Dave Lamp, its President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of its Board of Directors, which agreement is expected to commence on January 1, 2025, immediately following expiration of his existing employment agreement, and end on December 31, 2026, unless earlier terminated in accordance with its terms. This summary of the employment agreement is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the agreement, which will be reported on a Form 8-K to be filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission within four business days of execution. "As we discussed in our last earnings call, in light of current market conditions and our upcoming large turnaround at the Coffeyville refinery, we considered it prudent to further strengthen our liquidity and balance sheet. We are pleased with the positive feedback we have received relating to our potential Facility and feel confident in our ability to successfully close the Facility before year-end," said Dave Lamp, CVR Energy's President and Chief Executive Officer. "I consider these actions, as well as those announced in our last earnings call, as positioning CVR Energy to take advantage of improving market conditions when they occur, as I believe they will. I'm also pleased to announce that I have entered into a new employment agreement to extend my tenure as President and Chief Executive Officer of CVR Energy and Executive Chairman of CVR Partners' general partner. I am proud of what we have accomplished over the past seven years and look forward to leading our companies into the future." 2025 Capital Expenditure Outlook The Company also published its capital expenditure outlook for 2025 set forth below, which for its Petroleum segment and Corporate and other businesses is generally focused on projects the Company considers necessary to maintaining safe, reliable operations and projects currently underway that would incur additional costs by deferring completion such as the ongoing project to eliminate hydrofluoric acid from the Wynnewood refinery alkylation unit, which currently accounts for the majority of the growth capital spending planned for the Petroleum segment in 2025. The Petroleum segment capital expenditure outlook does not include expected turnaround expenditures of $170 million to $190 million, which is primarily associated with the turnaround at the Coffeyville refinery currently expected to commence in the first quarter of 2025. Growth capital projects in the Fertilizer segment should primarily be funded through cash reserves taken at CVR Partners, LP ("CVR Partners") over the past two years. 2025 Estimate Maintenance Growth Total Low High Low High Low High Petroleum $ 70 $ 80 $ 35 $ 45 $ 105 $ 125 Nitrogen Fertilizer 35 45 20 25 55 70 Other (1) 3 7 2 3 5 10 Total $ 108 $ 132 $ 57 $ 73 $ 165 $ 205 (1) Includes renewables spending for the Wynnewood refinery's renewable diesel unit. As of September 30, 2024, the Renewables business was not a reportable segment. Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements concerning current estimates, expectations and projections about future results, performance, prospects, opportunities, plans, actions and events and other statements, concerns, or matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined under the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: our expectations regarding the closing of the Facility on the terms or in the time indicated, and the use of proceeds thereof; the potential sale, if any, of interests in certain midstream assets and the anticipated value of any such sale and resulting benefits (if any) thereof; the expected commencement and duration of a new employment agreement with Mr. Lamp, as well as the expiration of an existing agreement therewith; the planned turnaround at our Coffeyville refinery; our capital expenditures outlook, including in respect of our segments and on a consolidated basis, and the allocation of anticipated amounts to fund certain projects and turnarounds and the use of certain cash reserves in connection therewith; continued safe and reliable operations; our future results, performance or achievements and drivers thereof; disruptions to operations (planned and unplanned), including impacts on results; general economic and business conditions; capital expenditures; and other matters. You can generally identify forward-looking statements by our use of forward-looking terminology such as "outlook," "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "explore," "evaluate," "intend," "may," "might," "plan," "potential," "predict," "seek," "should," "upcoming," "before," "future," or "will," or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Investors are cautioned that various factors may affect these forward-looking statements, including (among others): the satisfaction of the closing conditions prior to closing the Facility; our ability to negotiate terms related to the potential midstream asset sale, if any, that are acceptable; the health and economic effects of any pandemic; demand for fossil fuels and price volatility of crude oil, other feedstocks and refined products; the ability of Company to pay cash dividends and of CVR Partners to make cash distributions; potential operating hazards, including the impacts of fires at our facilities; costs of compliance with existing or new laws and regulations and potential liabilities arising therefrom; impacts of the planting season on CVR Partners; our controlling shareholder's intention regarding ownership of our common stock and potential strategic transactions involving us or CVR Partners; capital expenditures and the amount, timing, purposes and benefits thereof; general economic and business conditions; political disturbances, geopolitical instability and tensions; impacts of plant outages and weather conditions and events; and other risks. For additional discussion of risk factors which may affect our results, please see the risk factors and other disclosures included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our other Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings. These and other risks may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made only as of the date hereof. CVR Energy disclaims any intention or obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by law. About CVR Energy, Inc. Headquartered in Sugar Land, Texas, CVR Energy is a diversified holding company primarily engaged in the renewables, petroleum refining and marketing business as well as in the nitrogen fertilizer manufacturing business through its interest in CVR Partners. CVR Energy subsidiaries serve as the general partner and own 37 percent of the common units of CVR Partners. Investors and others should note that CVR Energy may announce material information using SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls, webcasts and the Investor Relations page of its website. CVR Energy may use these channels to distribute material information about the Company and to communicate important information about the Company, corporate initiatives and other matters. Information that CVR Energy posts on its website could be deemed material; therefore, CVR Energy encourages investors, the media, its customers, business partners and others interested in the Company to review the information posted on its website. Contact Information: Investor Relations Richard Roberts (281) 207-3205 InvestorRelations@CVREnergy.com Media Relations Brandee Stephens (281) 207-3516 MediaRelations@CVREnergy.com © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
NEW YORK (AP) — New York City Mayor Eric Adams met with President-elect Donald Trump's incoming “border czar” on Thursday, with the Democratic mayor expressing an enthusiasm to work with the incoming administration to pursue violent criminals in the city while Trump promises a mass deportation strategy. The mayor's meeting with Tom Homan, who will oversee the southern and northern borders and be responsible for deportation efforts in the Trump administration, came as Adams has welcomed parts of the president-elect's hardline immigration platform. Adams told reporters at a brief news conference that he and Homan agreed on pursuing people who commit violent crimes in the city but did not disclose additional details or future plans. “We’re not going to be a safe haven for those who commit repeated violent crimes against innocent migrants, immigrants and longstanding New Yorkers. That was my conversation today with the border czar, to figure out how to go after those individuals who are repeatedly committing crimes in our city,” Adams told reporters. In the weeks since Trump's election win, Adams has mused about potentially scaling back the city’s so-called sanctuary policies and coordinating with the incoming Trump administration on immigration. He has also said migrants accused of crimes shouldn't have due process rights under the Constitution, though he later walked back those comments. The mayor further stunned Democrats in the city when he sidestepped questions in two televised interviews last week on whether he would consider changing parties to become a Republican, telling journalists that he was part of the “American party.” Adams later clarified that he would remain a Democrat. For Adams, a centrist Democrat known for quarreling with the city's progressive left, the recent comments on immigration follow frustration with the Biden Administration over its immigration policies and a surge of international migrants in the city. He has maintained that his positions have not changed and argues he is trying to protect New Yorkers, pointing to the law-and-order platform he has staked out throughout his political career and during his successful campaign for mayor. At his news conference Thursday, Adams reiterated his commitment to New York’s generous social safety net. “We’re going to tell those who are here, who are law-abiding, to continue to utilize the services that are open to the city, the services that they have a right to utilize, educating their children, health care, public protection,” he said. “But we will not be the safe haven for those who commit violent acts.” While the education of all children present in the U.S. is already guaranteed by a Supreme Court ruling, New York also offers social services like healthcare and emergency shelter to low-income residents, including those in the country illegally. City and state grants also provide significant access to lawyers, which is not guaranteed in the immigration court as they are in the criminal court. Still, Adams’ recent rhetoric has been seen by some critics as an attempt to cozy up to Trump, who could potentially offer a presidential pardon in his federal corruption case. Adams has been charged with accepting luxury travel perks and illegal campaign contributions from a Turkish official and other foreign nationals looking to buy his influence. He has pleaded not guilty. Homan, who was Trump’s former acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director, also met this week with Republicans in Illinois, where he called on Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, both Democrats, to start negotiations over how Trump's mass deportation plans, according to local media. Separately, New York City officials this week announced continued efforts to shrink a huge emergency shelter system for migrants because of a steady decline in new arrivals. Among the planned shelter closures is a massive tent complex built on a federally owned former airport in Brooklyn, which advocates have warned could be a prime target for Trump's mass deportation plan. Elsewhere, Republican governors and lawmakers in some states are already rolling out proposals that could help him carry out his pledge to deport millions of people living in the U.S. illegally. Izaguirre reported from Albany, N.Y.SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- An online debate between big tech and politics continues into the weekend. At the center of the issue - the H-1B visa program. It's a gateway for skilled workers from around the world who specialize in areas that include mathematics, technology, engineering, and science; 65,000 visas are issued each year with an additional 20,000 given to those who have masters degrees or higher. Ahmed Banafa is an engineering professor at San Jose State. "This thing about having this limit about having 65,000 - I mean we could miss someone," Banafa said. MORE: Mexico tests cellphone app allowing migrants to send alert if they are about to be detained in US Google and Meta were each approved to hire 5,000 H-1B-workers this year. Trump's new AI advisor has advocated for the U.S. to remove country-specific caps on H-1B visas. Tech industry leaders and Trump advisors Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk both made long posts on X on how their businesses rely on H-1B workers. Ramaswamy pointed to the "American culture" that celebrates the prom queen over the math Olympiad. MORE: Proposed CA bill would offer protection to immigrant children in schools, child care facilities MAGA supporter Laura Loomer tweeted the H-1B program takes away jobs from American STEM students. In a comment post Musk said "OF COURSE my companies and I would prefer to hire Americans and we DO, as that is MUCH easier than going through the incredibly painful and slow work visa process. HOWEVER, there is a dire shortage of extremely talented and motivated engineers in America." "Look at Musk himself. He is one of the products of the H-1B visa. I mean, we don't have Elon Musk - you agree or disagree with him we're not going to have Tesla, we're not going to have Space X, Starlink," Musk said. ABC7 News insider Phil Matier weighed in on Musk's support for the visa program. MORE: Attorney General Bonta bolsters California's response to Trump's immigration proposals "He's not only in favor of H-1B visas, he's also in favor of expanding them. To where if someone comes to America and completes a four-year college program they should automatically get a green card. That's bringing a competitive workforce into America that will be competing with native-born Americans for jobs," Matier said. On Friday, Marjorie Taylor Greene made the case young people are spending all their time trying to be "the next YouTuber, content creator or social media influencer instead of pursuing a useful skill set, trade -education." So, what will happen to H-1B visas during Trump's second term? That's unclear. Trump restricted the program in 2020 during his first administration.
President-elect Donald Trump accused Democrats of breaking the law based on reports that Vice President Kamala Harris ' 2024 presidential campaign paid for the endorsement of celebrities like singer Beyoncé and media personality Oprah Winfrey . Newsweek has reached out to Harris' 2024 campaign and the Democratic National Committee ( DNC ) via email for comment late Saturday afternoon. Why It Matters Celebrity endorsements can boost a political campaign by reaching demographics they might have trouble reaching otherwise. Celebrities and online influencers have a lot of sway in the court of public opinion, which politicians could use to their advantage during an election cycle. Disclosing any paid-for endorsements can help bring more transparency into the election process, giving fans of celebrities and influencer audiences more insight into why their idols may choose to endorse a candidate. What To Know Trump posted on his Truth Social platform Saturday morning, "Are the Democrats allowed to pay $11,000,000, $2,000,000, and $500,000 to get the ENDORSEMENT of Beyoncé, Oprah, and Reverend Al [Sharpton]?" He added: "I don't think so! Beyoncé didn't sing, Oprah didn't do much of anything (she called it 'expenses'), and Al is just a third rate Con Man. So what is going on here??? Totally against the law, and I have heard there are many others!!!" It is not illegal for political campaigns to pay for endorsements. A spokesperson for the Federal Election Commission (FEC) told the fact-checking site Verify that "no provisions in the FEC rules specifically address paid endorsements of federal candidates." However, federal candidates are legally obligated to disclose payments made in exchange for endorsements, according to the FEC spokesperson. What People Are Saying Winfrey , who appeared at the vice president's final campaign rally in Philadelphia , has denied claims that she was paid for her endorsement. "Not true. I was paid nothing, ever," she told TMZ last month. Campaigns may pay for expenses related to celebrity events. Winfrey's production company Harpo Productions was paid by the Harris campaign for production costs for a September livestreaming event with the vice president and Winfrey, a Harpo spokesperson told Variety in November. However, the spokesperson said Winfrey was "at no point during the campaign paid a personal fee, nor did she receive a fee from Harpo." Beyoncé, who spoke at one of Harris' campaign rallies in Houston, was also accused of being paid to endorse Harris, but multiple fact-checking sites debunked the claim. FactCheck.org said a Harris campaign official told them the claim "is not true." PolitiFact said that it had found "no evidence" for the claim and that Beyoncé's publicist told them it was "beyond ridiculous." Meanwhile, the Washington Free Beacon reported in November that the Harris campaign donated two payments of $250,000 to Reverend Al Sharpton's nonprofit National Action Network, weeks before the MSNBC host conducted his interview with the vice president on October 20. Sharpton held rallies for Harris three days after his interview with the vice president aired. An MSNBC spokesman told the Washington Free Beacon in a subsequent article last month that the network was "unaware" of the contributions. What Happens Next It's unlikely that Trump's post will have any legal impact on Harris, her 2024 campaign or Democratic Party , but it might further influence the narrative among the president-elect's base that the Democrats cheat in elections, a claim Trump repeatedly made in the wake of his 2020 election loss to now-President Joe Biden . However, there is no evidence to suggest widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election.