Wake up the ghosts! Texas, Texas A&M rivalry that dates to 1894 is rebornStock market today: Wall Street slips as technology stocks drag on the market NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks slipped as Wall Street closes out a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 fell 1.3% Friday and the the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 418 points, or 1%. The Nasdaq composite is down 1.8%. Technology stocks were the biggest drag on the market. The S&P 500 is still headed for its second consecutive annual gain of more than 20%, the first time that has happened since 1997-1998. Energy was the best-performing sector as oil prices rose more than 1%. In Asia, stocks in South Korea fell after the main opposition party voted to impeach the country’s acting leader. 10 tips from experts to help you change your relationship with money in 2025 NEW YORK (AP) — As the calendar changes to 2025, you might be thinking about how to approach your relationship with money in the new year. Whether you’re saving to move out of your parents’ house or pay off student loan debt, financial resolutions can help you stay motivated. If you’re planning to make financial resolutions for the new year, experts recommend that you start by evaluating the state of your finances in 2024. Then, set specific goals and make sure they’re attainable for your lifestyle. An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — An online spat between factions of Donald Trump’s supporters over immigration and the tech industry has thrown internal divisions in the president-elect’s political movement into public display. The argument previews fissures and contradictory views his coalition could bring to the White House. The rift laid bare tensions between the newest flank of Trump’s movement — that is, wealthy members of the tech world who want more highly skilled workers in their industry — and people in Trump’s Make America Great Again base who championed his hardline immigration policies. A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says a ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies, as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, a deputy national security adviser, said Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. Most Americans blame insurance profits and denials alongside the killer in UHC CEO death, poll finds WASHINGTON (AP) — Most Americans believe health insurance profits and coverage denials share responsibility for the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO — although not as much as the person who pulled the trigger. So says a new poll from NORC at the University of Chicago. It finds that about 8 in 10 Americans say that the person who committed the killing has “a great deal” or “a moderate amount” of responsibility for the Dec. 4 shooting of Brian Thompson. Still, some see suspect Luigi Mangione as a heroic figure. About 7 in 10 adults say coverage denials or health insurance profits also bear at least “a moderate amount” of responsibility for Thompson’s death. Another jackpot surpasses $1 billion. Is this the new normal? Remember this moment because it probably won’t last: A U.S. lottery jackpot is projected to soar above $1 billion, and that's still a big deal. Friday’s Mega Millions drawing is worth an estimated $1.15 billion. The prize has evoked headlines across the country, despite the nation's top 10 jackpots already having boasted billion-dollar payouts. Jonathan Cohen is the author of the book “For a Dollar and a Dream: State Lotteries in Modern America.” He says he expects jackpots to continue to grow in size. Larger payouts attract more media attention, increase ticket sales and bring in new players. How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. Richard Parsons, prominent executive who led Time Warner and Citigroup, dies at 76 NEW YORK (AP) — Richard Parsons, one of corporate America’s most prominent Black executives who held top posts at Time Warner and Citigroup, has died. He was 76. Parsons died Thursday at his Manhattan home. He was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2015 and cited “unanticipated complications” from the disease for cutting back on work a few years later. Financial services company Lazard confirmed his death. Parsons was a longtime member of the company's board. His friend Ronald Lauder told The New York Times that the cause of death was cancer. Parsons stepped down Dec. 3 from the boards of Lazard and Lauder’s company, Estée Lauder, citing health reasons. He had been on Estée Lauder’s board for 25 years. Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away JERUSALEM (AP) — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen has targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports. The World Health Organization’s director-general said Thursday's bombardment took place just “meters away” as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa. He says a crew member was hurt. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks and launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. The Israeli military later said it wasn’t aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. At least three people were reported killed and dozens injured in the Sanaa airport strike. Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices New data shows holiday sales rose this year even as Americans wrestled with still high prices in many grocery necessities and other financial worries. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, a faster pace than the 3.1% increase from a year earlier. The measure tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards. This year, retailers were even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there were five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mastercard SpendingPulse says the last five days of the season accounted for 10% of the spending. Sales of clothing, electronics and Jewelry rose.
1. Enhancing consumer purchasing power: Measures to increase household income, such as wage hikes, social welfare benefits, and tax cuts, will be implemented to bolster consumers' ability to spend. By putting more money in the hands of consumers, governments aim to stimulate demand for goods and services, supporting businesses and driving economic activity.Qiong Yao dramas, also known as idol dramas in the Chinese-speaking world, have been a cultural phenomenon for decades. With their romantic storylines, emotional conflicts, and memorable characters, Qiong Yao dramas have captivated audiences of all ages. However, for young people today, interpreting and understanding these classic dramas may require a different perspective. In this article, we will explore how young people can decode Qiong Yao dramas, focusing on the shift from "Love-Focused Minds" to "Strong Female Leads."
NEW YORK (AP) — Greg Gumbel, a longtime CBS sportscaster, has died from cancer, according to a statement from family released by CBS on Friday. He was 78. “He leaves behind a legacy of love, inspiration and dedication to over 50 extraordinary years in the sports broadcast industry; and his iconic voice will never be forgotten,” his wife Marcy Gumbel and daughter Michelle Gumbel said in a statement. In March, Gumbel missed his first NCAA Tournament since 1997 due to what he said at the time were family health issues. Gumbel was the studio host for CBS since returning to the network from NBC in 1998. Gumbel signed an extension with CBS last year that allowed him to continue hosting college basketball while stepping back from NFL announcing duties. In 2001, he announced Super Bowl XXXV for CBS, becoming the first Black announcer in the U.S. to call play-by-play of a major sports championship. David Berson, president and CEO of CBS Sports, described Greg Gumbel as breaking barriers and setting standards for others during his years as a voice for fans in sports, including in the NFL and March Madness. “A tremendous broadcaster and gifted storyteller, Greg led one of the most remarkable and groundbreaking sports broadcasting careers of all time,” said Berson. Gumbel had two stints at CBS, leaving the network for NBC when it lost football in 1994 and returning when it regained the contract in 1998. He hosted CBS’ coverage of the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics and called Major League Baseball games during its four-year run broadcasting the national pastime. But it was football and basketball where he was best known and made his biggest impact. Gumbel hosted CBS’ NFL studio show, “The NFL Today” from 1990 to 1993 and again in 2004. He also called NFL games as the network’s lead play-by-play announcer from 1998 to 2003, including Super Bowl XXXV and XXXVIII. He returned to the NFL booth in 2005, leaving that role after the 2022 season.
Several altcoins look set to benefit from an upcoming market breakthrough in early 2025. Rexas Finance (RXS), Hyperliquid (HYPE), and Bitget Coin (BGB) will yield exponential profits because of their unique traits, strong presale and post-launch results, and high institutional and retail demand. Rexas Finance (RXS): Real-World Asset Tokenization’s Future Rexas Finance, a groundbreaking asset tokenization platform, is the Q4 crypto market highlight. Rexas Finance makes high-value investments accessible by converting valuable assets like real estate, art, and commodities into transferable digital tokens using blockchain technology. The platform removes outmoded constraints, increases liquidity, and provides safe, open transactions for institutions and investors. Rexas Finance has extensive market coverage. RWA tokenization has enormous potential, given the $379.7 trillion global real estate market and $486 trillion financial assets. Its ecosystem offers tools such as the Rexas Token Builder, QuickMint Bot, and AI Shield, which make token creation simpler and safer. It provides transparency, minimal costs, scalability, and security. Other features, such as staking and yield farming, attempt to help investors maximize their holdings and generate passive income. Certik’s new audit improves its security by assuring the platform’s smart contract is safe for transactions. The ongoing presale also provides an opportunity to participate in the $1 million sweepstakes, with the top 20 participants winning $50,000 in RXS. This is intended to reward early investors and keep the community involved before the project’s official launch. The current presale has been truly remarkable. In Stage 10, which is 98% complete, each RXS token is priced at $0.15, a 400% increase over the initial Stage 1 price of $0.03. The presale generated $32.3 million and sold 374 million tokens, demonstrating tremendous community support. The choice to forego venture capital funding was critical to its success, as it ensured that control remained with the community rather than outside investors. After completing all presale phases, RXS is scheduled to list on three Tier-1 exchanges at $0.20 per token, marking a significant milestone. Analysts believe that after listing, RXS will jump to $1 or higher, resulting in a 500% return by early 2025. The mix of unique features, robust tokenomics, and strategic listing intentions makes Rexas Finance a coin to consider purchasing before January 2025. Hyperliquid (HYPE): The Decentralized Binance Revolution Hyperliquid, a layer-1 blockchain network, has quickly emerged as the best-performing altcoin in decentralized finance (DeFi). The network’s native token, HYPE, has increased by an incredible 977% since its inception three weeks ago, reaching an all-time high of $34.71. With a market capitalization of $10 billion, Hyperliquid has joined the top 20 cryptocurrencies, demonstrating its enormous development potential. HYPE’s success is driven by its novel fee-to-buyback mechanism, which uses 100% of trading fees to buy back tokens. This generates persistent buying pressure, effectively raising the token’s price. Recently, Hyperliquid used $3 million in trading fees to fund buybacks, resulting in a 63% surge in just one week. HYPE’s airdrop program has also contributed to its spectacular rise. The airdrop distributed 270 million tokens to 94,000 eligible users, increasing community participation and driving instant demand. Furthermore, Hyperliquid has processed $16 billion in continuous trade volume, establishing itself as a decentralized alternative to Binance. HYPE is expected to continue its upward trend with the imminent HyperEVM launch, which promises greater capability and compatibility. Analysts forecast a spike to $60 or more by mid-2025, positioning it as a strong contender for spectacular growth in the following months. Bitget Coin (BGB): Dominates the Exchange Token Market Bitget Coin (BGB) has solidified its position as one of 2024’s best-performing exchange tokens, with a staggering 400% year-to-date return. Starting the year at $0.57, BGB surged to an all-time high of $3.3 in December, outperforming competitors such as Binance’s BNB and OKB. Bitget’s creative methods, such as creating BGB perpetual futures and staking options like Launchpad and PoolX, have increased BGB’s value. These advantages have attracted both retail and institutional investors, increasing the token’s adoption and trading volume by 190% this year. Bitget’s rapid expansion into emerging markets has also significantly contributed to BGB’s success. Localized campaigns and specialized services have increased the platform’s user base, while the ongoing cryptocurrency bull market has strengthened investor confidence. Due to strong demand and ongoing product innovation, analysts expect BGB to reach $5 by mid-2025. Its excellent foundations make it an appealing investment for individuals seeking exposure to the thriving exchange token industry. Conclusion As the cryptocurrency market prepares for a bullish January 2025, Rexas Finance , Hyperliquid, and Bitget Coin stand out as high-potential bets capable of achieving 1500% or more gains. Each of these altcoins has distinct value propositions, cementing its standing as a market leader in its own area. Rexas Finance (RXS) is especially appealing to investors looking for the next big opportunity. With a thriving presale, a creative ecosystem, and forthcoming Tier-1 exchange listings, RXS is set to dominate the tokenization sector by 2025. Don’t pass up the opportunity to acquire before January—this is a coin to watch. For more information about Rexas Finance (RXS) visit the links below: Website: https://rexas.com Win $1 Million Giveaway: https://bit.ly/Rexas1M Whitepaper: https://rexas.com/rexas-whitepaper.pdf Twitter/X: https://x.com/rexasfinance Telegram: https://t.me/rexasfinanceBoston University rallies late to beat UMaine men’s basketball
As Huang continues to strive for greatness, he remains focused on honing his skills, expanding his knowledge of the game, and pushing the boundaries of his potential. With each victory and defeat, he emerges stronger, more resilient, and more determined to conquer new heights.
The player also emphasized that Salah's relationship with his teammates and coaching staff has remained strong and supportive. "Mo is a beloved figure within the team, and his camaraderie with the players and staff is evident both on and off the pitch. He is always willing to lend a helping hand, share a joke, or offer words of encouragement to his teammates," the player shared.The bath center management released a statement expressing their deep concern for the well-being of those involved and emphasized that providing a safe and comfortable environment for customers is their top priority. They stated that immediate action was taken to assist the individuals in need and ensure that they received the necessary medical attention.
Tens of thousands of Spaniards protest housing crunch and high rents in Barcelona
This heartbreaking incident sheds light on the potential dangers of unchecked and frequent massages, emphasizing the need for individuals to be mindful of the risks involved in seeking therapeutic treatments. While massages can offer numerous health benefits, including stress relief, muscle relaxation, and improved circulation, it is crucial to approach them with caution and awareness of one's physical limits.WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court seemed likely Wednesday to uphold Tennessee's ban on gender-affirming care for minors. The justices' decision, not expected for several months, could affect similar laws enacted by another 25 states and a range of other efforts to regulate the lives of transgender people, including which sports competitions they can join and which restrooms they can use. The case is being weighed by a conservative-dominated court after a presidential election in which Donald Trump and his allies promised to roll back protections for transgender people. The Biden administration's top Supreme Court lawyer warned a decision favorable to Tennessee also could be used to justify nationwide restrictions on transgender health care for minors. Supporters of transgender rights rally Wednesday outside the Supreme Court in Washington. In arguments that lasted more than two hours, five of the six conservative justices voiced varying degrees of skepticism over arguments made by the administration and Chase Strangio, the ACLU lawyer for Tennessee families challenging the ban. Chief Justice John Roberts, who voted in the majority in a 2020 case in favor of transgender rights, questioned whether judges, rather than lawmakers, should weigh in on a question of regulating medical procedures, an area usually left to the states. "The Constitution leaves that question to the people's representatives, rather than to nine people, none of whom is a doctor," Roberts said in an exchange with Strangio. Justice Neil Gorsuch, who wrote the majority opinion in 2020, said nothing during the arguments. The court's three liberal justices seemed firmly on the side of the challengers, but it's not clear that any conservatives will go along. People attend a rally March 31, 2023, as part of a Transgender Day of Visibility, near the Capitol in Washington. Justice Sonia Sotomayor pushed back against the assertion that the democratic process would be the best way to address objections to the law. She cited a history of laws discriminating against others, noting that transgender people make up less than 1% of the U.S. population, according to studies. There are an estimated 1.3 million adults and 300,000 adolescents ages 13 to 17 who identify as transgender, according the UCLA law school's Williams Institute. "Blacks were a much larger part of the population and it didn't protect them. It didn't protect women for whole centuries," Sotomayor said in an exchange with Tennessee Solicitor General Matt Rice. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson said she saw some troubling parallels between arguments made by Tennessee and those advanced by Virginia and rejected by a unanimous court, in the 1967 Loving decision that legalized interracial marriage nationwide. Quoting from that decision, Jackson noted that Virginia argued then that "the scientific evidence is substantially in doubt and, consequently, the court should defer to the wisdom of the state legislature." ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio, left, and plaintiff Joaquin Carcano address reporters after a June 25, 2018, hearing in Winston-Salem, N.C., on their lawsuit challenging the law that replaced North Carolina's "bathroom bill." Justice Samuel Alito repeatedly pressed Strangio, the first openly transgender lawyer to argue at the nation's highest court, about whether transgender people should be legally designated as a group that's susceptible to discrimination. Strangio answered that being transgender does fit that legal definition, though he acknowledged under Alito's questioning there are a small number of people who de-transition. "So it's not an immutable characteristic, is it?" Alito said. Strangio did not retreat from his view, though he said the court did not have to decide the issue to resolve the case in his clients' favor. There were dueling rallies outside the court in the hours before the arguments. Speeches and music filled the air on the sidewalk below the court's marble steps. Advocates of the ban bore signs like "Champion God's Design" and "Kids Health Matters," while the other side proclaimed "Fight like a Mother for Trans Rights" and "Freedom to be Ourselves." Four years ago, the court ruled in favor of Aimee Stephens, who was fired by a Michigan funeral home after she informed its owner she was a transgender woman. The court held that transgender people, as well as gay and lesbian people, are protected by a landmark federal civil rights law that prohibits sex discrimination in the workplace. The Biden administration and the families and health care providers who challenged the Tennessee law urged the justices to apply the same sort of analysis that the majority, made up of liberal and conservative justices, embraced in the case four years ago when it found that "sex plays an unmistakable role" in employers' decisions to punish transgender people for traits and behavior they otherwise tolerate. Demonstrators against transgender rights protest Wednesday during a rally outside of the Supreme Court in Washington. The issue in the Tennessee case is whether the law violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, which requires the government to treat similarly situated people the same. Tennessee's law bans puberty blockers and hormone treatments for transgender minors, but allows the same drugs to be used for other purposes. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar, the administration's top Supreme Court lawyer, called the law sex-based line drawing to ban the use of drugs that have been safely prescribed for decades and said the state "decided to completely override the views of the patients, the parents, the doctors." She contrasted the Tennessee law with one enacted by West Virginia, which set conditions for the health care for transgender minors, but stopped short of an outright ban. Gender-affirming care for youth is supported by every major medical organization, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Psychiatric Association. For many trans and nonbinary people, bathrooms can be complicated places to navigate — a fact highlighted by the death of 16-year-old Nex Benedict in Oklahoma. Oklahoma is far from an outlier when it comes to failing to provide safe and equitable bathrooms for transgender people. According to the Movement Advancement Project, which tracks LGBTQ+ policy, 13 states have a policy that prevents transgender people from safely or legally using public bathrooms. But data shows that even in states with trans-friendly policies, transgender and nonbinary people report high rates of harassment in public bathrooms. Advocates say everyday people can have a big impact in interrupting discrimination in gendered restrooms. The 19th shows how anyone can help prevent abuse. Sex-segregated restrooms have historically been a hostile space for Tat Bellamy-Walker, a Seattle-based journalist and Black gender-fluid trans person. In graduate school and at journalism internships, they had to go far out of their way to find all-gender single-stall restrooms they could use safely. "You never forget being told you don't belong in a restroom, you never forget not having a place to dispose of sanitary products if you're on your period in the men's bathroom," Bellamy-Walker said. "It's just clear you do not belong in public spaces." Allies can help tremendously by locating and pointing out gender-neutral bathrooms to friends or family who might need them. This is especially important for people planning events or parties. Make sure your space has safe bathrooms. Carrie Soto, a South Dakota parent of a transgender child, said she lives by the mantra "see something, say something." That means speaking up when there is bullying and harassment and volunteering to accompany a trans/nonbinary friend or family member when they have to head into a public bathroom. "Validate a trans person's fears and anxiety about the situation," Soto said. " If [my daughter] uses a gendered restroom and feels anxious, I go with." It may seem obvious, but transgender health advocate Jamison Green notes this step can really help trans people feel safe. Consider first that according to 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey , 59 percent of trans people avoided using a public restroom due to fear of harassment. Data from 2022 found that 6 percent of trans people said they were physically or verbally attacked while trying to use a bathroom, while 4 percent were denied access to a bathroom. "If you see someone who you clock as trans or nonbinary, just smile or pay them a non-provocative compliment. ... Wish them good day or good evening, and move on," Green said. "Of course that only goes for the women's room! In the men's room, talking is extremely rare." Green recommends that cisgender people offer a kind, silent nod. Twenty-two states and Washington, D.C., allow residents to opt for "X" gender markers on their IDs in addition to selecting "M" or "F." Still, in every state, regardless of laws, most bathrooms in government buildings, schools, businesses, places of worship and cultural institutions are gendered. Advocates say people can help change this by simply asking businesses and building owners for more options to accommodate all genders. "Advocacy is the most important part of the fight for transgender rights," Lambda Legal notes in its guide to restrooms. "And if employers adopt pro-trans policies proactively, instead of waiting for a transgender person to pave the way, there's much less chance of having problems down the line." The internet is full of rants not appropriate for a news article about people using the only single-stall gender-neutral bathrooms available not for safety but for ... well, pooping. As a result, gender-neutral bathrooms, especially in airports, are almost always occupied. There are many reasons why a cisgender person might need a single-occupancy bathroom (accessibility, illness, child care and, yes, even a little more privacy). Just like accessible stalls, it's a kindness to leave gender-neutral restrooms unoccupied when you don't need them. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.The news of the arrest request has sent shockwaves through South Korea's political and defense circles. Many are now questioning the integrity of the country's defense procurement processes and calling for a thorough investigation into possible corruption within the defense ministry.
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Furthermore, Reineckel emphasized the psychological impact of set-piece goals on a team's performance. Scoring from set pieces not only boosts a team's morale and confidence but also places pressure on the opposition, forcing them to adapt their defensive approach. By neglecting the opportunities presented by set pieces, Arsenal is missing out on a valuable tool for shifting the momentum of a game in their favor.
Furthermore, President Erdogan has underscored the importance of rebuilding Syria and creating conditions for refugees to return to their country safely and voluntarily. Turkey has been actively involved in discussions with key stakeholders, including the Syrian government and international organizations, to promote peace and stability in the region. President Erdogan has emphasized the need for a political solution to the conflict that respects the rights and aspirations of the Syrian people.Nebraska defensive lineman Kai Wallin enters the transfer portalManchester United are reportedly considering selling Marcus Rashford as part of a major overhaul at the club. According to latest reports, the Red Devils are planning to offload the homegrown star, with the club open to listening to offers as early as the winter transfer window.