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I love stealth games. Everything from Hitman to Splinter Cell to the old Thief games is my bag. Even horror games that encourage hiding in the shadows do it for me. I just love being sneaky (read: cowardly). So I was pleased to see that the upcoming Thick as Thieves will almost certainly be ticking that box for me. The trailer shows a new stealthy game that has you leaping about like the acrobatic burglar you are, stealing from the wealthy. What has me even more intrigued is the game is being brought to us by some of the developers behind the aforementioned Thief series, as well as Deus Ex ; classics in the genre, I’m sure you’ll agree. Specifically, we’ve got Paul Neurath, executive producer of Thief: The Dark Project and Thief 2: The Metal Age , as well as director Warren Spector, who worked on the original Deus Ex . We’ve also got game designer Greg Lopiccolo, who, along with Spector, was involved with Thief: The Deadly Shadows . Good stock, overall As for what Thick as Thieves will be like, the teaser above suggests it’s got lashings of some of the teams’ past work, along with hints of Dishonored ...and do I detect a hint of We Happy Few ? Maybe only in the visuals, but I’m quite excited about it all the same. It’s also gunning for multiplayer, so you can “match your cunning against rival thieves.” As for what the story will involve, well, here’s what the Steam page has to say: The game promises plenty of replay value, a rich world set in an alternative timeline, and an “ever-shifting, treacherous city.” So when is Thick as Thieves out? There’s no release date available, but you can wishlist the game right now. It’s also coming to PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, as well as PC. No idea if it’ll be coming to Game Pass yet, though.
Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flightsUS budget airlines are struggling. Will pursuing premium passengers solve their problems? DALLAS (AP) — Delta and United Airlines have become the most profitable U.S. airlines by targeting premium customers while also winning a significant share of budget travelers. That is squeezing smaller low-fare carriers like Spirit Airlines, which filed for bankruptcy protection on Monday. Some travel industry experts think Spirit’s troubles indicate less-wealthy passengers will have fewer choices and higher prices. Other discount airlines are on better financial footing but also are lagging far behind the full-service airlines when it comes to recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Most industry experts think Frontier and other so-called ultra-low-cost carriers will fill the vacuum if Spirit shrinks, and that there's still plenty of competition to prevent prices from spiking. Bitcoin ticks closer to $100,000 in extended surge following US elections NEW YORK (AP) — Bitcoin is jumping again, setting another new high above $99,000. The cryptocurrency has been shattering records almost daily since the U.S. presidential election, and has rocketed more than 40% higher in just two weeks. It's now at the doorstep of $100,000. Cryptocurrencies and related investments like crypto exchange-traded funds have rallied because the incoming Trump administration is expected to be more “crypto-friendly.” Still, as with everything in the volatile cryptoverse, the future is hard to predict. And while some are bullish, other experts continue to warn of investment risks. Supreme Court steps into fight over FCC's $8 billion subsidies for internet and phone services WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has stepped into a major legal fight over the $8 billion a year the federal government spends to subsidize phone and internet services in schools, libraries and rural areas, in a new test of federal regulatory power. The justices on Friday agreed to review an appellate ruling that struck down as unconstitutional the Universal Service Fund. The Federal Communications Commission collects money from telecommunications providers, who then pass the cost on to their customers. The Biden administration appealed the lower court ruling, but the case probably won’t be argued until late March. At that point, the Trump administration will be in place and it is not clear whether it will take a different view of the issue. Stock market today: Wall Street gains ground as it notches a winning week and another Dow record Stocks closed higher on Wall Street, giving the market its fifth gain in a row and notching another record high for the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The S&P 500 rose 0.3% Friday. The Dow added 1%, and the Nasdaq composite tacked on 0.2%. Retailers had some of the biggest gains. Gap soared after reporting quarterly results that easily beat analysts' estimates. EchoStar fell after DirecTV called off its purchase of that company's Dish Network unit. European markets closed mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. Crude oil prices gained ground. Australia rejects Elon Musk's claim that it plans to control access to the internet MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — An Australian Cabinet minister has rejected X Corp. owner Elon Musk’s allegation that the government intends to control all Australians' access to the internet through legislation that would ban young children from social media. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said on Friday that Musk’s criticism was “unsurprising” after the government introduced legislation to Parliament that would fine platforms including X up to $133 million for allowing children under 16 to hold social media accounts. The spat continues months of open hostility between the Australian government and the tech billionaire over regulators’ efforts to reduce public harm from social media. Parliament could pass the legislation as soon as next week. Oil company Phillips 66 faces federal charges related to alleged Clean Water Act violations LOS ANGELES (AP) — Oil company Phillips 66 has been federally indicted in connection with alleged violations of the Clean Water Act in California. The Texas-based company is accused of discharging hundreds of thousands of gallons of industrial wastewater containing excessive amounts of oil and grease. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the indictment on Thursday. Phillips is charged with two counts of negligently violating the Clean Water Act and four counts of knowingly violating the Clean Water Act. An arraignment date has not been set. A spokesperson for the company said it was cooperating with prosecutors. US regulators seek to break up Google, forcing Chrome sale as part of monopoly punishment U.S. regulators want a federal judge to break up Google to prevent the company from continuing to squash competition through its dominant search engine after a court found it had maintained an abusive monopoly over the past decade. The proposed breakup floated in a 23-page document filed late Wednesday by the U.S. Justice Department calls for Google to sell its industry-leading Chrome web browser and impose restrictions designed to prevent Android from favoring its search engine. Regulators also want to ban Google from forging multibillion-dollar deals to lock in its dominant search engine as the default option on Apple’s iPhone and other devices. New York judge rejects state efforts to shutter bitcoin mine over climate concerns NEW YORK (AP) — A New York judge has rejected an effort by state regulators to shutter a bitcoin mine over concerns about its greenhouse gas emissions. The decision will allow the Greenidge power plant to continue operating in the Finger Lakes region of the state. The state had previously found the gas-powered crypto mine ran afoul of a climate law intended to limit greenhouse gas emissions. But on Thursday, a state Supreme Court judge found Greenidge was entitled to a process to defend its continued operation. Environmental groups have protested the facility, which they allege is pumping emissions into the air while contaminating the nearby Seneca Lake. What you need to know about the proposed measures designed to curb Google's search monopoly U.S. regulators are proposing aggressive measures to restore competition to the online search market after a federal judge ruled that Google maintained an illegal monopoly. The sweeping set of recommendations filed late Wednesday could radically alter Google’s business. Regulators want Google to sell off its industry-leading Chrome web browser. They outlined a range of behavioral measures such as prohibiting Google from using search results to favor its own services such as YouTube, and forcing it to license search index data to its rivals. They're not going as far as to demand Google spin off Android, but are leaving that door open if the remedies don't work. Apple and Google face UK investigation into mobile browser dominance LONDON (AP) — A British watchdog says Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers. The watchdog's report Friday recommends they face an investigation under new U.K. digital rules taking effect next year. The Competition and Markets Authority took aim at Apple, saying the iPhone maker’s tactics hold back innovation by stopping rivals from giving users new features like faster webpage loading. The CMA’s report also found that Apple and Google manipulate the choices given to mobile phone users to make their own browsers “the clearest or easiest option.” Apple said it disagreed with the findings.
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The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) on Saturday nominated co-leader Alice Weidel as its first chancellor candidate in the party's 11-year history, setting out its bid for power ahead of a snap election due in February. The party is not likely to form part of a governing coalition any time soon because other parties have ruled out working with it, despite ranking second in opinion polls behind the main opposition conservatives. But a string of state electoral successes by the AfD are increasing pressure on the conservatives in particular to drop their firewall to the party and consider a right-wing coalition, especially given the weakness of their erstwhile traditional partner, the neoliberal Free Democrats (FDP). "We are the second-strongest force in the nationwide polls and from this we derive our claim to govern, because we want to do better, we want to bring Germany forward again, we want to be at the top of the world again," Weidel told reporters in Berlin from a stage adorned with two large German flags. "Voters clearly want a coalition of conservatives and the AfD," she said. Far-right parties have gained traction across Europe in recent years, also coming to power in Italy, Sweden, the Netherlands and Finland. Nominating a candidate could allow the AfD to boost its media presence by participating in campaign debates, said Hans Vorlaender, political scientist at Dresden's Technical University. Long dismissed as a protest party, the AfD is also seeking to establish itself more as a "normal party", said Stefan Marschall, political scientist at the University of Duesseldorf. Weidel, 45, who has co-led the party since 2022, is an unlikely public face for a male-dominated, anti-immigration party that depicts itself as a defender of traditional family values and ordinary German working people. She is raising two sons with a Sri Lankan-born, Swiss woman and speaks fluent Mandarin, having done her PhD in economics in China. Before entering politics, she worked for Goldman Sachs and Allianz Global Investors and as a freelance business consultant. Weidel's unusual profile, however, is precisely what makes her an asset to the AfD, according to political analysts who say she could have greater appeal among more moderate Germans who would normally shun a far-right party. In recent years the AfD has tapped into voter worries about high levels of immigration, a possible escalation of the Ukraine war and the crisis of Germany's economic model as well as frustration with infighting in the ruling coalition, which fell apart last month. "Germany is in one of the worst crises of its history," said Weidel, promising a turnaround with the AfD. The party wants to sharply curb immigration, particularly from Muslim countries, turn nuclear power plants back on, exit the European Union - unless it carries out major reforms - and end arms deliveries to Ukraine. Despite being suspected by authorities of pursuing anti-democratic goals, the AfD has earned credibility with some voters for openly addressing hot-button topics before mainstream parties did. The party came first in two state elections in September, despite mass anti-AfD protests and a string of scandals which included a senior figure declaring that the SS, the Nazis' main paramilitary force, were "not all criminals". A survey by pollster Wahlen published on Friday put the AfD on 17%, behind the conservatives on 33%, but ahead of the SPD on 15% and the Greens on 14%. The conservatives, the SPD and Greens all have chancellor candidates. AfD membership has swelled by 50% to about 50,600 over the past year, the party's spokesperson said, though that number represents a fraction (some 14%) of the membership of Germany's biggest parties, the CDU/CSU conservative bloc and the SPD.
TORONTO — Experts say Canada needs to be prepared to take action if U.S. president-elect Donald Trump goes through with his threats of significant tariffs when he takes office in January. Steve Verheul, former chief trade negotiator for Canada, says though the threat may not seem credible to many, the country still needs to take it seriously by engaging with the new administration and considering potential retaliation. "We’re in a very uncertain period right now," said Verheul during an online panel hosted by BMO on Wednesday. Trump has said he will introduce tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports into the U.S. unless they are able to halt the movement of illegal drugs and migrants across their borders. Experts have warned such tariffs would be damaging to the Canadian economy. "Our economies are integrated, our supply chains are closely intertwined, and we would be in for a highly disruptive period of time if such tariffs were to be put in place," said Verheul. "So I think the question now is, how will Canada respond?" Canada will do what it can to try and dissuade Trump from enacting such a dramatic policy, said Verheul, but if Trump makes good on his threat come inauguration day, Canada needs to be ready to retaliate, such as with tariffs of its own. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently flew to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, and briefed opposition leaders this week on the government's plan for the Canada-U.S. border. Verheul was joined on the panel by BMO chief economist Doug Porter and Yung-Yu Ma, chief investment officer for BMO Wealth Management in the U.S. Trump initially said he would enact 10-per-cent tariffs on all imports, with a 60-per-cent hit for China. But more recently he threatened Canada and Mexico with 25-per-cent tariffs. Porter said such high tariffs on all imports are unlikely to happen, especially on key imports like energy. Financial markets don't appear to believe the threats will become reality, he said — but that doesn't mean they should be disregarded. "I think we should take the threat seriously, or at the very least prepare and consider what broad-based tariffs could mean for the economy," he said. “The reality is, we're dealing with an overtly protectionist president who is very fond of using tariffs." Verheul said 25-per-cent tariffs across the board would be a significant hit to Canada's economy, which relies heavily on exports to the U.S., as does Mexico. Trump is a "big fan of tariffs," said Verheul, and sees them as a way to bring production back to the U.S., address trade deficits, and increase revenue. But while Trump's interest in tariffs isn't new, Ma said this time around we're dealing with a different Trump, one who is no longer a political outsider. “President Trump is definitely more emboldened with tariffs this time around than he was in 2017, 2018," he said. While Ma also doesn't think the threats of sweeping tariffs are credible, he could see Trump enacting more limited tariffs on certain goods as bargaining chips. The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is up for review in 2026, meaning 2025 is a year for negotiations, said Verheul. "I think there's a good chance that all of these tariff discussions will start to evolve into a renegotiation of the agreement, and we would attempt to address some of those issues within that negotiation," he said. "So hopefully short term, but it's going to be a rocky period and a lot of chaos in the market." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 4, 2024. Rosa Saba, The Canadian PressFORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump promised on Tuesday to “vigorously pursue” capital punishment after President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of most people on federal death row partly to stop Trump from pushing forward their executions. Trump criticized Biden’s decision on Monday to change the sentences of 37 of the 40 condemned people to life in prison without parole, arguing that it was senseless and insulted the families of their victims. Biden said converting their punishments to life imprisonment was consistent with the moratorium imposed on federal executions in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder. “Joe Biden just commuted the Death Sentence on 37 of the worst killers in our Country,” he wrote on his social media site. “When you hear the acts of each, you won’t believe that he did this. Makes no sense. Relatives and friends are further devastated. They can’t believe this is happening!” Presidents historically have no involvement in dictating or recommending the punishments that federal prosecutors seek for defendants in criminal cases, though Trump has long sought more direct control over the Justice Department's operations. The president-elect wrote that he would direct the department to pursue the death penalty “as soon as I am inaugurated,” but was vague on what specific actions he may take and said they would be in cases of “violent rapists, murderers, and monsters.” He highlighted the cases of two men who were on federal death row for slaying a woman and a girl, had admitted to killing more and had their sentences commuted by Biden. On the campaign trail, Trump often called for expanding the federal death penalty — including for those who kill police officers, those convicted of drug and human trafficking, and migrants who kill U.S. citizens. “Trump has been fairly consistent in wanting to sort of say that he thinks the death penalty is an important tool and he wants to use it,” said Douglas Berman, an expert on sentencing at Ohio State University’s law school. “But whether practically any of that can happen, either under existing law or other laws, is a heavy lift.” Berman said Trump’s statement at this point seems to be just a response to Biden’s commutation. “I’m inclined to think it’s still in sort of more the rhetoric phase. Just, ‘don’t worry. The new sheriff is coming. I like the death penalty,’” he said. Most Americans have historically supported the death penalty for people convicted of murder, according to decades of annual polling by Gallup, but support has declined over the past few decades. About half of Americans were in favor in an October poll, while roughly 7 in 10 Americans backed capital punishment for murderers in 2007. Before Biden's commutation, there were 40 federal death row inmates compared with more than 2,000 who have been sentenced to death by states. “The reality is all of these crimes are typically handled by the states,” Berman said. A question is whether the Trump administration would try to take over some state murder cases, such as those related to drug trafficking or smuggling. He could also attempt to take cases from states that have abolished the death penalty. Berman said Trump's statement, along with some recent actions by states, may present an effort to get the Supreme Court to reconsider a precedent that considers the death penalty disproportionate punishment for rape. “That would literally take decades to unfold. It’s not something that is going to happen overnight,” Berman said. Before one of Trump's rallies on Aug. 20, his prepared remarks released to the media said he would announce he would ask for the death penalty for child rapists and child traffickers. But Trump never delivered the line. One of the men Trump highlighted on Tuesday was ex-Marine Jorge Avila Torrez, who was sentenced to death for killing a sailor in Virginia and later pleaded guilty to the fatal stabbing of an 8-year-old and a 9-year-old girl in a suburban Chicago park several years before. The other man, Thomas Steven Sanders, was sentenced to death for the kidnapping and slaying of a 12-year-old girl in Louisiana, days after shooting the girl's mother in a wildlife park in Arizona. Court records show he admitted to both killings. Some families of victims expressed anger with Biden's decision, but the president had faced pressure from advocacy groups urging him to make it more difficult for Trump to increase the use of capital punishment for federal inmates. The ACLU and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops were some of the groups that applauded the decision. Biden left three federal inmates to face execution. They are Dylann Roof, who carried out the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; 2013 Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ; and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life Synagogue in 2018 , the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. _______ Associated Press writers Jill Colvin, Michelle L. Price and Eric Tucker contributed to this report.
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Gemini Daily Horoscope Today, December 25, 2024 predicts growth and successThousands of Syrians celebrate in central Damascus during first Friday prayers since Assad's fall DAMASCUS (AP) — Thousands of Syrians have celebrated in Umayyad Square, the largest in Damascus, after the first Muslim Friday prayers following the ouster of President Bashar Assad. The leader of the insurgency that toppled Assad, Ahmad al-Sharaa, appeared in a video message in which he congratulated “the great Syrian people for the victory of the blessed revolution.” Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in the Turkish capital of Ankara that there was “broad agreement” between Turkey and the United States on what they would like to see in Syria. The top U.S. diplomat also called for an “inclusive and non-sectarian" interim government. American released from Syrian prison is flown out of the country, a US official says WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. military has transported an American who was imprisoned in Syria for seven months out of the country. That's according to a U.S. official, who says Travis Timmerman was flown out on a U.S. military helicopter. Timmerman, 29, told The Associated Press he had gone to Syria on a Christian pilgrimage and was not ill-treated while in Palestine Branch, a notorious detention facility operated by Syrian intelligence. He said he was freed by “the liberators who came into the prison and knocked the door down (of his cell) with a hammer.” Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she 'sustained an injury' from fall on official trip to Luxembourg WASHINGTON (AP) — Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been hospitalized after she “sustained an injury” during an official engagement in Luxembourg, according to a spokesman. Pelosi is 84. She was in Europe to mark the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Her spokesman, Ian Krager, did not describe the nature of her injury or give any additional details, but a person familiar with the incident said that Pelosi tripped and fell while at an event with the other members of Congress. The person requested anonymity to discuss the fall because they were not authorized to speak about it publicly. Some in seafood industry see Trump as fishermen's friend, but tariffs could make for pricier fish PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump is likely to bring big changes to seafood, one of the oldest sectors of the U.S. economy. Some in the industry believe the returning president will be more responsive to its needs. Economic analysts paint a more complicated picture, as they fear Trump’s pending trade hostilities with major trading partners Canada and China could make an already pricy kind of protein more expensive. Conservationists also fear Trump’s emphasis on deregulation could jeopardize fish stocks already in peril. But many in the commercial fishing and seafood processing industries said they expect Trump to allow fishing in protected areas and crack down on offshore wind expansion. Russia targets Ukrainian infrastructure with a massive attack by cruise missiles and drones KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia has launched a massive aerial attack against Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russia fired 93 cruise and ballistic missiles and almost 200 drones in Friday's bombardments. He says it is one of the heaviest bombardments of the country’s energy sector since Russia’s full-scale invasion almost three years ago. He says Ukrainian defenses shot down 81 missiles, including 11 cruise missiles that were intercepted by F-16 warplanes provided by Western allies earlier this year. Zelenskyy renewed his plea for international unity against Russian President Vladimir Putin. But uncertainty surrounds how the war might unfold next year. President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to end the war and has thrown into doubt whether vital U.S. military support for Kyiv will continue. Veteran Daniel Penny, acquitted in NYC subway chokehold, will join Trump's suite at football game FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — A military veteran who choked an agitated New York subway rider and was acquitted of homicide this week has been invited by Vice President-elect JD Vance to join Donald Trump’s suite at the Army-Navy football game on Saturday. Daniel Penny was cleared of criminally negligent homicide in Jordan Neely’s 2023 death. A more serious manslaughter charge was dismissed last week. Vance served in the Marine Corps and had commented on the acquittal earlier this week. He said that “justice was done in this case” and Penny should never have been prosecuted. New Jersey governor wants more federal resources for probe into drone sightings TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has asked the Biden administration to put more resources into the ongoing investigation of mysterious drone sightings being reported in the state and other parts of the region. Murphy, a Democrat, made the request in a letter Thursday, noting that state and local law enforcement remain “hamstrung” by existing laws and policies in their efforts to successfully counteract any nefarious drone activity. Murphy and other officials say there is no evidence that the drones pose a national security or a public safety threat. A state lawmaker says up to 180 aircraft have been reported to authorities since Nov. 18. About 3 in 10 are highly confident in Trump on Cabinet, spending or military oversight: AP-NORC poll WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans may have elected Donald Trump to a second term in November, but that doesn’t mean they have high confidence in his ability to choose well-qualified people for his Cabinet or effectively manage government spending, the military and the White House. That's according to a new poll from the AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. About half of U.S. adults are “not at all confident” in Trump’s ability to appoint well-qualified people for high-level government positions. Only about 3 in 10 are “extremely” or “very” confident that Trump will pick qualified people to serve in his administration. President Macron names centrist ally Bayrou as France's next prime minister PARIS (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron has named centrist ally François Bayrou as prime minister, after a historic parliamentary vote ousted the previous government last week. The 73-year-old is a crucial partner in Macron’s centrist alliance and has been a well-known figure in French politics for decades. His political experience is seen as key in efforts to restore stability as no single party holds a majority in the National Assembly. Bayrou was recently cleared in a case relating to embezzlement of European Parliament funds. His predecessor resigned last week following a no-confidence vote prompted by budget disputes in the parliament, leaving France without a functioning government. Macron vowed last week to remain in office until his term ends in 2027. Yankees to get closer Devin Williams from Brewers for Nestor Cortes, Caleb Durbin, AP source says NEW YORK (AP) — A person familiar with the trade tells The Associated Press that the New York Yankees have agreed to acquire All-Star closer Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers for left-hander Nestor Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin and cash. A 30-year-old right-hander, Williams is eligible for free agency after the 2025 season. He was diagnosed during spring training with two stress fractures in his back and didn’t make his season debut until July 28.
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Former Kentucky wide receiver Dane Key, one of the top offensive players in the transfer portal, announced on social media Tuesday that he will transfer to Nebraska. Key posted a photo of himself in a Nebraska uniform wearing the No. 6 he wore at Kentucky. The simple post contained the letters "GBR," short for "Go Big Red," with an emoji heart. Key led Kentucky this past season with 47 receptions for 715 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games as the Wildcats finished 4-8. In three seasons, the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder has 126 receptions for 1,870 yards and 14 TDs in 38 games (35 starts). Key has one season of eligibility remaining after he was a four-star recruit in the class of 2022. --Field Level MediaHegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the SenateENID, Okla. — The father-son team of Jaren and Lester Browne has made history by becoming the only U.S. Department of Agriculture-certified beef jerky processing plant in the country to operate from a business incubator, setting a rare national standard. “We are incredibly proud of what Jaren and Lester have accomplished,” said Meredith Westfahl, Strate Business Center manager. “Their achievement is not only unique to Oklahoma but to the entire country, and it’s a shining example of what entrepreneurs can achieve with the right resources and support.” Jaren’s Jerky is a tenant of the Strate Business Center incubator. The adventure into the jerky business happened when Jaren wanted to work for himself and attempt to pay for his college education at Oklahoma State University. He is making it happen with hard work and the help of his father and partner Lester. Achieving USDA certification is a rigorous process that signifies the highest commitment to food safety, quality and compliance. Jaren’s Jerky’s success is a testament to the Brownes' dedication to excellence and their determination to bring top-quality beef jerky to a broader market, Westfahl said. The Strate Business Center at Autry Technology Center has played a key role in Jaren’s Jerky’s journey, offering guidance, mentorship and access to a state-of-the-art facility. This achievement underscores the value of business incubators in empowering startups to reach new heights and overcome challenges in competitive industries, Westfahl. "Jaren’s Jerky’s success paves the way for other startups to follow in their footsteps,” she said. With USDA certification now in hand, Jaren’s Jerky is poised for significant expansion, bringing their beef jerky to more consumers, Westfahl said. For more information about Jaren’s Jerky, go online to https://jarensjerky.com . For the resources available at Autry Tech’s Strate Business Center, go online to autrytech.edu or contact Westfahl at mwestfahl@autrytech.edu .
Costa Coffee shops hit by supply shortages ahead of ChristmasHouse Democrats who voted yes on NDAA lament transgender restrictionsHegseth meets with moderate Sen. Collins as he lobbies for key votes in the SenateNEW YORK, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- "It's just what I've always wanted!" How often have you heard this delighted cry when a loved one opened a gift from you? Not as often as you'd hoped? This year, there's help. This season, Mike Bako's Holiday Gift Guide is here to prove one thing: it's not about planning ahead—it's about choosing right. Here's The Holiday Gift Guide That Makes You Look Like You Had It All Planned. Tech at the holidays from LG Electronics USA The holidays are here and it's the time of year when people are looking to upgrade their tech and home entertainment systems. There's no better time to upgrade your TV than during the season of holiday movies, sports, and kids' cartoon specials. Whether you're planning a "Home Alone" marathon or watching the NFL and college football playoffs, enjoying it all on a brand-new TV is a festive way to ring in the season. LG's B4 OLED TV is going to transform your living room into a theater with cutting-edge technologies like Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos that put you right in the action with amazing visuals and immersive sound. If you are wondering why OLED is superior to miniLED TVs, it's because OLED displays excel at delivering a cinematic experience. They offer perfect blacks and infinite contrast, making them ideal for watching dark scenes or enjoying content in dimly lit rooms. Plus, with webOS, LG Smart TVs provide an intuitive and seamless streaming experience. So, you can easily access all your favorite apps and even explore over 300 free LG Channels, that provides instant access to sports, movies, TV shows and more! All you need is a wifi connection! With up to five years of software updates through LG's webOS Re:New program, your TV will stay current for years to come. This TV is a gamers dream! It's equipped with NVIDIA G-Sync and a 120Hz refresh rate so players will experience ultra-smooth gameplay and unmatched responsiveness come to life on a stunning display. Facebook Twitter (formerly X) Instagram Using tech to make your gift giving and shopping easier this season This holiday season, people will be spending more than they have in prior years. The numbers don't lie. The National Retail Federation predicts that 2024 holiday sales will grow between about 3 to 4% and that equates to over $980 billion in total holiday spending in November and December. That means everyone will be looking for ways to manage and save their money, discover deals, and most importantly, shop smart. This holiday season, Affirm is putting people back in the driver's seat of their finances. As a flexible, transparent payment option, Affirm allows eligible consumers to pay over time with no late or hidden fees. Whether it's a gaming console, headphones, or a laptop, Affirm can help approved consumers shop responsibly for the tech gifts on their holiday lists. Select Affirm at checkout or download the Affirm app to shop at hundreds of thousands of participating retailers. LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X For more information, visit LG.com and Affirm.com About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a property of D S Simon Media. The video included and release was part of a media tour that was produced by D S Simon Media on behalf of LG Electronics USA and Affirm. Dante Muccigrosso Director of Media Integration & Client Reporting E: dantem@dssimon.com C: 973.524.0104 A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4a2822a1-0bcb-41e6-b64d-a29c3d9b46d2 © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
(Bloomberg) -- Daniel Chapo, Mozambique’s incoming president, plans national-reconciliation talks to resolve an escalating political crisis that has resulted in the deaths of dozens of people and stalled growth in the gas-rich nation. The Constitutional Council on Monday proclaimed Chapo the winner of the Oct. 9 election with 65% of the vote, triggering renewed unrest in parts of the southeast African nation. The 47-year-old lawyer and former provincial governor expects to be inaugurated on Jan. 15. “I am launching a national-reconciliation and dialogue initiative,” Chapo said in an interview hours after the top electoral court confirmed his landslide win. “That will bring together political leaders, civil society and communities to address grievances, foster understanding and build trust.” The intensifying turmoil has curtailed mining operations and threatens to further delay a $20 billion natural gas export plan that TotalEnergies SE is leading. It has disrupted flights, with tourists deterred by rioting that’s now spread to the port cities of Beira and Nacala. “There is significant ongoing unrest across Mozambique following the October elections and the confirmation of the results,” the UK government said in an advisory to travelers. Standard Bank Group Ltd.’s local unit expects an economic contraction this quarter and next, which would add pressure to already-strained state finances. Local broadcasters showed mobs attacking at least three bank branches near the capital, Maputo, and torching the ruling party’s office in a town north of the city. Neighboring South Africa called on all parties in Mozambique to commit to an “urgent dialogue” and stands ready to facilitate talks, the government in Pretoria said in a statement. Protesters overnight set fire to the offices of the governing Mozambique Liberation Front, known as Frelimo, in the town of Macia, about 110 kilometers (68 miles) north of Maputo. Demonstrators blocked various roads with burning tires, while footage shared on social media showed buildings — including government institutions and a bank branch — in flames. More Fatalities Local observer group Decide Platform said 16 had died since Monday evening. It earlier counted at least 130 fatalities since the protests began in late October, with most caused by police firing on the crowds. The most obvious route to restoring peace would be negotiating a truce with the fiery opposition presidential candidate, who has orchestrated the protests via live stream since fleeing the country of almost 35 million on Oct. 21. Venâncio Mondlane, who the top electoral court said got 24% of the vote, called the elections fraudulent and on Tuesday said the demonstrations wouldn’t stop. He is open to international mediation, he said in his latest update. Sign up for the twice-weekly Next Africa newsletter for the latest business and economic news from the continent. Chapo is not yet in power and will only initiate talks with other political leaders including Mondlane after the inauguration, the president-elect said. He hasn’t considered including the opposition in a unity government and would have to consult his party first, he added. Frelimo has been in power since independence 49 years ago. Mondlane said in a previous interview he would consider forming a national unity government, but wouldn’t accept any position himself under Frelimo’s rule. Local and international election observers raised concerns over vote rigging, including signs of ballot-box stuffing. While the Constitutional Council acknowledged irregularities, it said they woould not have changed the outcome. The US State Department called the process “flawed.” “We don’t have any elections without irregularities in the world,” Chapo said when asked if the outcome called into question his legitimacy to govern. Frelimo denied it rigged the vote. Besides the unrest, Chapo will take over a government struggling to pay its bills. He plans on restoring peace as a priority to getting the economy back on track. He also committed to policy and legal stability for companies operating large projects in the country, including natural gas, telling investors: “Don’t worry about it.” “Mozambique remains a land of immense opportunity,” said Chapo. “It is very important to maintain the contract situation with these companies, our law.” More From Chapo Interview: You can follow Bloomberg’s reporting on Africa on WhatsApp. Sign up here. --With assistance from Borges Nhamire and Ntando Thukwana. (Updates with more from Chapo interview at end of story.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com ©2024 Bloomberg L.P.Miami (Ohio), Colorado State take adjustments into Arizona Bowl