Hawthorn remains in the hunt for high profile Melbourne forward Tayla Harris, but will be up against the clock in the final hours of the AFLW trade period on Wednesday. Want a PAID on-air role and mentorship with Fox Footy for Super Saturday LIVE in 2025? Enter the Kayo Call Up now. Submit a creative video and 100 words here – Applications close Dec 11. Unwilling to part with their No. 14 pick in next week’s draft, the Hawks were again unable to satisfy the Demons with a price for Harris on Tuesday as a contract remains in front of the 27-year-old to stay at her third club. Two second-round picks netted by the Hawks in the trade of breakout midfielder Mattea Breed to Collingwood could help grease the wheels for a trade, but Harris was expected to sign on with Melbourne if a deal was not met by the 4pm deadline. Breed gave the lowly Magpies’ midfield stocks a much-needed boost as they handed over picks 22 and 28 for the tall on-baller and Pick 26. The Tigers remained at an impasse with Essendon over dynamic 20-year-old forward Paige Scott, but on Tuesday night were close to agreeing a deal for two-time All-Australian midfielder Eilish Sheerin to join North Melbourne. Richmond was prepared to strengthen the reigning premiers to gain North Melbourne’s Pick 18, which could help it secure the deal for Scott. North Melbourne’s Lulu Pullar was still expecting to get to Sydney on the final day of the period, while GWS former No. 1 pick Nicola Barr was on track to get her move to St Kilda in a three-way deal which would reunite the Saints’ Grace Kelly with her sister Niamh at the Crows. — NCA NewsWireOpinion: Clean energy promises can fuel Eby government's economic roadmap
Top SEC QB Announces Return For One More SeasonSwinney: I'd consider Australia-style ban on social media use for teenagers under the age of 16 Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport By TOM GORDON DEPUTY SCOTTISH POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 17:25 EST, 11 December 2024 | Updated: 18:20 EST, 11 December 2024 e-mail View comments John Swinney has said he would consider following Australia in banning social media for under-16s. The First Minister said young people had to be protected from a ‘social media storm’ and said there was a ‘strong argument’ for a similar move in the UK. Australia last month became the first country in the world to pass a law intended to stop children using platforms such as TikTok , Instagram , Snapchat , Facebook and X. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said there was a ‘clear, causal link’ between the rise of addictive social media and harm to ‘the mental health of young Australians’. Firms flouting the law, which will take at least a year to kick in, could be fined A$50million (£25 million). But there are doubts about how age restrictions can be imposed in practice, especially as privacy tools can be used to get round checks. Mr Swinney, who has a 14-year-old son, said social media could have a ‘significant effect’ on children’s wellbeing. He said: ‘I’ve called for much stronger steps to be taken to regulate the activities of social media giants. Teens face harm due to algorithms that allow them to be bombarded with toxic content ‘I think young people are being caught up in a social media storm, which can have a significant effect on their wellbeing. He said he was already in ‘dialogue’ with the UK Government about taking steps to improve protection for children and young people. When asked if that would include a ban on social media for under-16s, the First Minister said: ‘I would certainly consider that. ‘I think there’s a strong argument for it. Australia is obviously going down that direction, and it’s one of the issues that I think we should look at.’ Labour Secretary of State for Science and Technology Peter Kyle last month said a social media ban for under-16s was ‘not on the cards at the moment’ in the UK. But he revealed he was in contact with the Australian government, and wanted to do more to prevent the deaths of children linked to social media. Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesman Willie Rennie said: ‘There are many tragic stories about the effect of social media on children and young people, it’s clear both our governments and social media companies must do more to protect children from harmful content online.' A Scottish Conservative spokesman said: ‘We will carefully scrutinise the details of what this would ultimately mean if any proposals were put forward.’ Labour MSP Martin Whitfield added: ‘All options must be considered when it comes to making the internet a safer place for children and young people.’ Instagram Facebook TikTok Anthony Albanese Share or comment on this article: Swinney: I'd consider Australia-style ban on social media use for teenagers under the age of 16 e-mail Add comment
By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump loved to use tariffs on foreign goods during his first presidency. But their impact was barely noticeable in the overall economy, even if their aftershocks were clear in specific industries. The data show they never fully delivered on his promised factory jobs. Nor did they provoke the avalanche of inflation that critics feared. This time, though, his tariff threats might be different . The president-elect is talking about going much bigger — on a potential scale that creates more uncertainty about whether he’ll do what he says and what the consequences could be. “There’s going to be a lot more tariffs, I mean, he’s pretty clear,” said Michael Stumo, the CEO of Coalition for a Prosperous America, a group that has supported import taxes to help domestic manufacturing. The president-elect posted on social media Monday that on his first day in office he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada until those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. Those tariffs could essentially blow up the North American trade pact that Trump’s team negotiated during his initial term. Chinese imports would face additional tariffs of 10% until Beijing cracks down on the production of materials used in making fentanyl, Trump posted. Democrats and business groups warn of risks from Trump’s tariff threats Business groups were quick to warn about rapidly escalating inflation , while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she would counter the move with tariffs on U.S. products. House Democrats put together legislation to strip a president’s ability to unilaterally apply tariffs this drastic, warning that they would likely lead to higher prices for autos, shoes, housing and groceries. Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her administration is already working up a list of possible retaliatory tariffs “if the situation comes to that.” “The economy department is preparing it,” Sheinbaum said. “If there are tariffs, Mexico would increase tariffs, it is a technical task about what would also benefit Mexico,” she said, suggesting her country would impose targeted import duties on U.S. goods in sensitive areas. House Democrats on Tuesday introduced a bill that would require congressional approval for a president to impose tariffs due to claims of a national emergency, a largely symbolic action given Republicans’ coming control of both the House and Senate. “This legislation would enable Congress to limit this sweeping emergency authority and put in place the necessary Congressional oversight before any president – Democrat or Republican – could indiscriminately raise costs on the American people through tariffs,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash. But for Trump, tariffs are now a tested tool that seems less politically controversial even if the mandate he received in November’s election largely involved restraining inflation. The tariffs he imposed on China in his first term were continued by President Joe Biden, a Democrat who even expanded tariffs and restrictions on the world’s second largest economy. Biden administration officials looked at removing Trump’s tariffs in order to bring down inflationary pressures, only to find they were unlikely to help significantly. Tariffs were “so new and unique that it freaked everybody out in 2017,” said Stumo, but they were ultimately somewhat modest. Trump’s first term tariffs had a modest impact on economy Trump imposed tariffs on solar panels and washing machines at the start of 2018, moves that might have pushed up prices in those sectors even though they also overlapped with plans to open washing machine plants in Tennessee and South Carolina. His administration also levied tariffs on steel and aluminum, including against allies. He then increased tariffs on China, leading to a trade conflict and a limited 2020 agreement that failed to produce the promised Chinese purchases of U.S. goods. Still, the dispute changed relations with China as more U.S. companies looked for alternative suppliers in other countries. Economic research also found the United States may have sacrificed some of its “soft power” as the Chinese population began to watch fewer American movies. The Federal Reserve kept inflation roughly on target, but factory construction spending never jumped in a way that suggested a lasting gain in manufacturing jobs. Separate economic research found the tariff war with China did nothing economically for the communities hurt by offshoring, but it did help Trump and Republicans in those communities politically. When Trump first became president in 2017, the federal government collected $34.6 billion in customs, duties and fees. That sum more than doubled under Trump to $70.8 billion in 2019, according to Office of Management and Budget records. While that sum might seem meaningful, it was relatively small compared to the overall economy. America’s gross domestic product is now $29.3 trillion, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The total tariffs collected in the United States would equal less than 0.3% of GDP. Trump wants much more far-reaching tariffs going forward The new tariffs being floated by Trump now are dramatically larger and there could be far more significant impacts. If Mexico, Canada, and China faced the additional tariffs proposed by Trump on all goods imported to the United States, that could be roughly equal to $266 billion in tax collections, a number that does not assume any disruptions in trade or retaliatory moves by other countries. The cost of those taxes would likely be borne by U.S. families, importers and domestic and foreign companies in the form of higher prices or lower profits. Former Biden administration officials said they worried that companies could piggyback on Trump’s tariffs — if they’re imposed — as a rationale to raise their prices, just as many companies after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 boosted food and energy costs and gave several major companies the space to raise prices, according to their own earnings calls with investors. But what Trump didn’t really spell out is what might cause him to back down on tariffs and declare a victory. What he is creating instead with his tariff threats is a sense of uncertainty as companies and countries await the details to figure out what all of this could mean. “We know the key economic policy priorities of the incoming Trump administration, but we don’t know how or when they will be addressed,” said Greg Daco, chief U.S. economist at EY-Parthenon. AP writer Mark Stevenson contributed to this report from Mexico City.Stingy Devils open home-and-home with Hurricanes(The Center Square) – Hurricane Helene, Donald Trump and a swelling population were intriguing North Carolina storylines in 2024 as The Center Square delivered news and information. Two dozen of them are gathered here, though the list is not a ranking, does not attempt to define “the most” of anything including republications by news partners. Rather, it is a collection of interesting, important and useful news and information delivered by The Center Square news wire service. Here’s 24 from 2024. • U.S. Census Bureau estimates have pushed the population to 11.1 million . • Secretary of State Elaine Marshall, among the matriarchs of the state's Democrats, will begin work next month with a sixth different governor. She is 79 years young and on track to have 32 consecutive years in the office. Marshall told The Center Square in a one-on-one interview in September , “It’s historic, and it’s also astonishing to me because I didn’t grow up dreaming that I would be even a lawyer, let alone running a major office in government. I didn’t dream big enough for myself.” • Actions of Carolina fraternity brothers with the American flag on the famed Polk Place campus quad drew the praise of Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and led to a joint session of Congress rising for a standing ovation and chanting, “USA! USA! USA!” The April actions amid a protest about the war between Hamas and Israel also led to a guest spot at the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wis. • First bet was the Legislature approving sports wagering. Through the first 265 days, North Carolina is averaging a gain of $372,177 per day on the $98,627,032 total. • VinFast, in line to be a recipient of $1.2 billion in taxpayer money through incentives, failed this summer to start production of its $4 billion plant in Moncure . It’s bleeding money, too, with a third-quarter net loss of $550 million – a tad less than half of the $1.15 billion Mega Millions jackpot drawing on Friday night. • North Carolina is expected to remain a destination for abortions in the South following two decisions in a federal case litigating new state law. Overall, most of the law enacted Dec. 1, 2023, in the wake of Roe v. Wade being reversed in June 2022 is in place. Included are no abortions after 12 weeks, down from 20, except in cases of rape, incest, or “life-limiting anomalies." • Well beyond the halcyon days of the Bible Belt, faith still matters in eastern North Carolina. Speaking to The Center Square at a Trump rally in Rocky Mount, 1st Congressional District candidate and retired Army Col. Laurie Buckhout said, “Faith matters in this state. Faith matters in this district, more than a whole lot of people think.” And, she says, not of the old Bible Belt way. “It did get shook,” she says of the moniker, “and it came to have a not great conversation. Now, it’s a loving, accepting positive environment. It’s a wide environment. I see it all over the state.” • Agriculture, North Carolina’s No. 1 industry forever, topped $111.1 billion in economic impact in 2024 with No. 1 in production rankings nationally for sweet potatoes, tobacco, and poultry and eggs. Growth since coming out of the COVID-19 era in 2022 is $18 billion. • The school choice waiting list of about 55,000 was wiped clean when lawmakers appropriated $463 million to the Opportunity Scholarship program. • The state’s 100 sheriffs, according to a new law, are to hold suspects believed to have illegally entered or be illegally living in the United States. The detainer is up to 48 hours, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement is to be notified . • With a ruling from Judge Melissa Owens Lassiter at the Office of Administrative Hearings, Aetna is in and BlueCross BlueShield is out as the State Health Plan. • Charlotte City Council approved allocation of $650 million to the stadium project of NFL Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper and his companies. He’s the 94th richest person on the planet at an estimated $20.6 billion net worth and owns the stadium used by his Panthers, his Charlotte FC of Major League Soccer, and his Tepper Sports & Entertainment. • Kylee Alons, a two-time national champion and 31-time All-American for N.C. State, is among 16 collegiate athletes, including 12-time All-American Riley Gaines, suing the NCAA for letting men who say they are women compete against them and use the same locker rooms. • Payton McNabb, the volleyball player from Hiawassee Dam High School in the mountains injured in 2022 by a boy saying he was a girl so he could play, continued to lead the national fight to protect women’s spaces alongside notable figures such as Gaines and Paula Scanlan. The Independent Women’s Forum coalition and its Our Bodies Our Sports “Take Back Title IX” Bus Tour, of which she was a part of, was vandalized while making a stop in Chapel Hill. By year’s end, the Biden administration had withdrawn changes to Title IX in a true national grassroots movement victory. • In one of the two biggest legislative wins of the last 15 years for the fight against human trafficking, lawmakers made solicitation of prostitution a felony . Enactment was Dec. 1. • Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, 72, won a sixth term last month . North Carolina was more blue than purple in the 1990s when he felt Democrats were hostile to tobacco production and he left the party to be a Republican. • Gov. Roy Cooper, 67, was a strong consideration for the Democrats’ presidential ticket, ultimately saying he would support Harris but not be her running mate . He remains with a perfect election record, unbeaten in 13 – three for North Carolina House of Representatives, four in the state Senate, four four-year terms for attorney general, and two four-year terms for governor. There's a watch for his decision related to the U.S. Senate seat race in 2026. • Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson held a modest polling lead as late as May against Democrat Josh Stein in the governor’s race. The summer swoon of the Republican went to unthinkable depths – losing by 14 points on Election Day – in part ignited by a Sept. 19 report from CNN. • AI & Politics ’24, led by Lee Rainie and Jason Husser at Elon University, in May said 78% believe it is likely artificial intelligence will be abused to impact the outcome of the presidential race. • Between July 22 and Sept. 12, seven lawsuits were filed against the State Board of Elections that includes Democrats Alan Hirsch, its chairman, Jeff Carmon and Siobhan Millen; and Republicans Stacy Eggers and Kevin Lewis; and Executive Director Karen Brinson Bell. • Hurricane Helene killed 103 in the state, 232 across seven states, and caused an estimated $53 billion in damage to the state. Arguably, it is the state’s worst natural disaster. • Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, as well as their vice president picks and for Harris presidents present and past, were regular visitors ahead of Election Day . Trump’s win kept intact a pattern now 60 years old. • Average household spending in North Carolina is $1,017 more per month today to buy the same goods and services as it was in 2021 according to a July report from the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s 22% cumulative inflation. • Fifty-nine positions were eliminated and 131 realigned after the University of North Carolina System changed a diversity policy that ensures “equality of all persons and viewpoints.” Total reported savings are $17.1 million and total redirected savings are $16.2 million.Nebius' Valuation Update After Backing From Nvidia
GoPro Inc. stock underperforms Wednesday when compared to competitorsNorth Macedonian political party demands ban on TikTok after at least 17 students injured
Pelicans vs. Grizzlies Injury Report Today – December 27By Khari A. Thompson Jaylen Brown was talking about magic during practice at the Auerbach Center on Wednesday, and it wasn’t the kind that has to do with a basketball team from Orlando. Brown recently checked out Harry Potter: The Exhibition at the Cambridgeside Galleria mall. The exhibit, which allows fans of the movie series to relive some of their favorite scenes with authentic props, costumes, and cutting-edge technology, was a “top-tier” experience, Brown said. The series’ first film, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” was released in 2001, when Brown was five years old. He was a teenager when the two-part film finale “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” came out. Brown said he has read four of the seven books in the series, and has seen all of the movies. “I was a big fan,” Brown said. “I love to share with my younger nieces and nephews coming up and pass along the same joy that I had. It was pretty cool.” Brown said he enjoyed seeing the four houses from the magical school Hogwarts — Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin — during the exhibit. If Brown had to be sorted into one of the houses, he said, it would be Slytherin. Slytherin students are known for their cunning, ambition, pride, and shrewdness; not unlike the Celtics, the primary color that represents the house is green. Most of the series’ main antagonists were in the Slytherin house. Potter was in the rival Gryffindor house. “I’m house Slytherin by the way,” Brown said. “You don’t see it? Nah. Team Slytherin.” Brown, who won his first NBA championship with the Celtics last year, said that he would have led Slytherin to a title in quidditch, the fictional sport that Potter competed in during the series. “I would have been a Quidditch All-American for sure,” Brown said. “Would have helped lead our team to a championship.” Brown’s performance brand, 741, is scheduled to release new apparel products at 7:41 p.m. on Wednesday according to its website. Brown posted a sneak-peek on X on Tuesday. “I think people kind of understand the theme that I’m going for now that they see the shoes and the clothes all coming together,” Brown said. “I love science fiction, I love futurism so I thought to express myself creatively through that would be cool and also bring a new spark back to the design. Looking forward to just building off of that over the years.” Future of performance is here #741 pic.twitter.com/ZvcTW4Nzra Brown said launching the brand has been “a joy.” The reigning NBA Finals MVP has appreciated flexibility he has to take a hands on approach. “It’s almost like you’re getting your music directly from the musician instead of the labels,” Brown said. “You’re getting it straight from the artist. I designed everything, I’ve been a part of everything. “So if you guys support, you’re supporting independence, creativity, and ownership. It’s been fun. I look forward to doing a lot of stuff, integrating science, integrating technology also into it so kids can learn as well as being a part of the creative process.” Brown has been getting to the free-throw line more than he ever has this season. He’s averaging a career-high 6.6 free-throw attempts per game. He’s averaging more made free-throws per game (5.1) this season than his career average in attempts (3.8). “I’m stronger, I’m more physical, I’m faster, so I’ve been using my body. I’ve been screening better and getting to the paint,” he said. “That’s led to me shooting a lot more free-throws. We have a lot of 3-point shooters on our team so I try to be the guy that’s getting into the paint, getting a paint touch before we get a three.” So far, he’s shooting 76.2 percent from the charity stripe, a number that he has only topped once over the course of a full season. “Just trying to improve in all facets of my game,” Brown said. “Just all my weaknesses and things that people perceive as weaknesses and improve on them. Keep getting better and better.” Khari A. Thompson Khari Thompson covers professional sports for Boston.com. Before joining the team in 2022, Khari covered college football for The Clarion Ledger in Jackson, Miss. Sign up for Celtics updates🏀 Get breaking news and analysis delivered to your inbox during basketball season. Be civil. Be kind.Moneylion director Chris Sugden sells $2.15 million in stock
By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump loved to use tariffs on foreign goods during his first presidency. But their impact was barely noticeable in the overall economy, even if their aftershocks were clear in specific industries. The data show they never fully delivered on his promised factory jobs. Nor did they provoke the avalanche of inflation that critics feared. This time, though, his tariff threats might be different . The president-elect is talking about going much bigger — on a potential scale that creates more uncertainty about whether he’ll do what he says and what the consequences could be. “There’s going to be a lot more tariffs, I mean, he’s pretty clear,” said Michael Stumo, the CEO of Coalition for a Prosperous America, a group that has supported import taxes to help domestic manufacturing. The president-elect posted on social media Monday that on his first day in office he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada until those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. Those tariffs could essentially blow up the North American trade pact that Trump’s team negotiated during his initial term. Chinese imports would face additional tariffs of 10% until Beijing cracks down on the production of materials used in making fentanyl, Trump posted. Business groups were quick to warn about rapidly escalating inflation , while Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she would counter the move with tariffs on U.S. products. House Democrats put together legislation to strip a president’s ability to unilaterally apply tariffs this drastic, warning that they would likely lead to higher prices for autos, shoes, housing and groceries. Sheinbaum said Wednesday that her administration is already working up a list of possible retaliatory tariffs “if the situation comes to that.” “The economy department is preparing it,” Sheinbaum said. “If there are tariffs, Mexico would increase tariffs, it is a technical task about what would also benefit Mexico,” she said, suggesting her country would impose targeted import duties on U.S. goods in sensitive areas. House Democrats on Tuesday introduced a bill that would require congressional approval for a president to impose tariffs due to claims of a national emergency, a largely symbolic action given Republicans’ coming control of both the House and Senate. “This legislation would enable Congress to limit this sweeping emergency authority and put in place the necessary Congressional oversight before any president – Democrat or Republican – could indiscriminately raise costs on the American people through tariffs,” said Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash. But for Trump, tariffs are now a tested tool that seems less politically controversial even if the mandate he received in November’s election largely involved restraining inflation. The tariffs he imposed on China in his first term were continued by President Joe Biden, a Democrat who even expanded tariffs and restrictions on the world’s second largest economy. Biden administration officials looked at removing Trump’s tariffs in order to bring down inflationary pressures, only to find they were unlikely to help significantly. Tariffs were “so new and unique that it freaked everybody out in 2017,” said Stumo, but they were ultimately somewhat modest. Trump imposed tariffs on solar panels and washing machines at the start of 2018, moves that might have pushed up prices in those sectors even though they also overlapped with plans to open washing machine plants in Tennessee and South Carolina. His administration also levied tariffs on steel and aluminum, including against allies. He then increased tariffs on China, leading to a trade conflict and a limited 2020 agreement that failed to produce the promised Chinese purchases of U.S. goods. Still, the dispute changed relations with China as more U.S. companies looked for alternative suppliers in other countries. Economic research also found the United States may have sacrificed some of its “soft power” as the Chinese population began to watch fewer American movies. The Federal Reserve kept inflation roughly on target, but factory construction spending never jumped in a way that suggested a lasting gain in manufacturing jobs. Separate economic research found the tariff war with China did nothing economically for the communities hurt by offshoring, but it did help Trump and Republicans in those communities politically. When Trump first became president in 2017, the federal government collected $34.6 billion in customs, duties and fees. That sum more than doubled under Trump to $70.8 billion in 2019, according to Office of Management and Budget records. While that sum might seem meaningful, it was relatively small compared to the overall economy. America’s gross domestic product is now $29.3 trillion, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The total tariffs collected in the United States would equal less than 0.3% of GDP. The new tariffs being floated by Trump now are dramatically larger and there could be far more significant impacts. If Mexico, Canada, and China faced the additional tariffs proposed by Trump on all goods imported to the United States, that could be roughly equal to $266 billion in tax collections, a number that does not assume any disruptions in trade or retaliatory moves by other countries. The cost of those taxes would likely be borne by U.S. families, importers and domestic and foreign companies in the form of higher prices or lower profits. Former Biden administration officials said they worried that companies could piggyback on Trump’s tariffs — if they’re imposed — as a rationale to raise their prices, just as many companies after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 boosted food and energy costs and gave several major companies the space to raise prices, according to their own earnings calls with investors. But what Trump didn’t really spell out is what might cause him to back down on tariffs and declare a victory. What he is creating instead with his tariff threats is a sense of uncertainty as companies and countries await the details to figure out what all of this could mean. “We know the key economic policy priorities of the incoming Trump administration, but we don’t know how or when they will be addressed,” said Greg Daco, chief U.S. economist at EY-Parthenon. AP writer Mark Stevenson contributed to this report from Mexico City.Niagara’s wineries, restaurants and some retailers have had a busy December, crediting the federal government’s GST holiday for their increased sales. Henry of Pelham president Paul Speck said although Christmas season sales this year began slowly, they quickly increased as the holiday grew closer. “VQAO wine sales are up and wine in general,” Speck said. “That’s good to see. We think people will kind of stock up, especially when something’s on sale.” In some cases, he said consumers are saving $5 a bottle for some popular wines his company sells, when the sale price and GST break are added up. “It’s a pretty good deal, and why not get a couple extra bottles?” he said, laughing. “I think any savings, especially right now when the economy is tough, is very much welcome.” Speck said it’s also an opportunity for people to “maybe even experiment a little bit, with wines from Niagara that they may not have tried before because they’re a little bit cheaper.” Niagara wineries, restaurants and some retailers are crediting the temporary GST holiday for increased sales. For two months, a list of items including children’s toys, snacks, wine and restaurant food are exempt from the federal Goods and Services Tax. Smaller wineries like Black Bank Hill in Beamsville saw a slight sales increase, too, likely as a result of the tax savings, said owner Taylor Emerson. “People have noticed ... and bought wine because of it,” he said. “It’s an added incentive. It does make it easier.” Emerson called it a “quiet December” for many wineries as customers have less money left over to spend on wine, due to inflation, but the tax break likely helped bring customers through the door. “It hasn’t hurt for sure,” he said. Pierre Kountouris, who owns Joe Feta’s in St Catharines, said his restaurant is one of many that have seen significant increases in sales in the weeks since the GST break began Dec. 14. “I don’t think there’s any food service operation that hasn’t seen an increase” in sales. “We found that people are spending a little bit more, because you’re getting a 13 per cent break. Typically, that’s how it goes,” Kountouris said. He said this December has already been busier than last year, and he expects it to be even busier during the last week of the month. “I can see people are spending a little more money and I think the GST holiday has something to do with it. It makes a big difference when you’re not paying the extra 13 per cent.” Large corporate catering orders have also increased for his business, with taxes no longer being included in budgets, he said. Kountouris expected increased sales to continue for the weeks to come, until the GST break ends on Feb. 15. “All in all, especially in our industry it’s been a good thing,” he said. Although Albert Zappitelli recently stepped away from most of the day-to-day operations at the Niagara Falls restaurant he founded, Zappi’s Pizza and Pasta, subletting the restaurant to his employees, he said the GST break is a massive opportunity for restaurants. “This is the biggest bonus you’ll ever see,” he said. “Something like this in December, January and part of February, you’ve got to take advantage of this because this is massive. Do you even know what it feels like to buy a $15 lunch and pay $15?” Some retailers, too, are reporting increased sales. Vincent Fattore said his Port Dalhousie business, Thistle Bookshop and Café, is definitely busier than usual. “We’ve definitely seen quite the increase in sales over here,” he said. “We’re definitely seeing an increase in people coming down to Port Dalhousie and definitely have a lot more customers in the store too.” Fattore said the tax break applies to most of the items he sells, including books, games and puzzles, and the suppliers he works with helped sort out any products where taxes would still be charged.
Iconic Sydney club The Argyle announces closure after 17 years
Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) leads her closest opponent in New Jersey’s Democratic gubernatorial primary by 13 percentage points in an internal poll obtained by HuffPost that highlights her strong position in the Garden State’s June primary. In the campaign’s poll, Sherrill, a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot and federal prosecutor with a mainstream liberal voting record, has the support of 24% of likely Democratic primary voters, compared with 11% for former state Senate President Steve Sweeney, 9% each for Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) and Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, 5% for teachers union leader Sean Spiller, and 4% for Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop. There is a limit to what can be extrapolated from the survey’s findings, which Sherrill’s campaign shared with stakeholders on Wednesday afternoon. The live phone poll of 800 likely Democratic primary voters — conducted by Global Strategy Group from Nov. 20 to 24 — also found that 38% of likely primary voters were still undecided, suggesting the race is wide open. The poll’s margin of error is 3.5 percentage points under or over. But the internal poll ’s results are consistent with a survey conducted by the Laborers’ International Union of North America, which is backing Sherrill, that showed her ahead of Baraka by 12 points. A July poll conducted by a super PAC supporting Baraka found Sherrill leading the Newark mayor by a more modest six points. In the Global Strategy Group survey for Sherrill’s campaign, her support also corresponds with a net-positive favorability rating of 35 points, compared to 20 points for Gottheimer and 17 points for Baraka. That advantage is largely due to Sherrill’s higher level of name recognition, which contributed to a 41% nominal favorability rating with just 6% of those polled registering an unfavorable impression of her. In addition, the poll found that Sherrill’s numbers grew more than her rivals when respondents were given positive information about each of the candidates. The positive profile of Sherrill says her “entire life has always been about service — to our country, the Constitution, and the people of New Jersey,” while mentioning her Navy service and prosecutorial work. “Now she’s running for governor to bring new leadership to Trenton so we can reduce costs and help families get ahead, expand opportunity, and protect our rights and freedoms,” the biographical information concludes. A similar profile of Gottheimer, who many insiders see as Sherrill’s toughest rival, says he has “always put getting things done for New Jersey first, which is why he leads the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. Josh has always focused on Jersey Values like lowering costs, lowering taxes, and protecting freedoms while getting money back from the moocher states.” To test the other candidates’ strength against a fundraising advantage Gottheimer is expected to develop (which would also enable him to communicate more), the pollsters provided half of the respondents with a second positive message about Gottheimer that emphasizes his New Jersey upbringing and specific ways in which he worked to lower costs for the state’s families. After that introduction, Sherrill’s support rose to 32%, Gottheimer’s rose to 18%, Baraka’s rose to 13%, Fulop’s and Spiller’s support rose to 6% each, and Sweeney remains the same. Finally, the poll tested negative messages against all candidates but provided one twice as long about Sherrill. In that scenario, Sherrill retained 30% of support, compared to 15% each for Gottheimer and Baraka, and 5% for Fulop. Meanwhile, Sweeney’s support grew from his original 11% to 14%, and Spiller’s support grew from his original 5% to 7%. The 2025 contest to succeed term-limited New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) is sure to be closely watched following November election results that revealed a much more divided New Jersey electorate than was previously thought. Vice President Kamala Harris defeated President-elect Donald Trump in the state by less than 6 percentage points, a close margin for a reliably Democratic state. From 2020 to 2024, New Jersey moved more toward the Republican presidential nominee than any other state besides New York. Gubernatorial elections in New Jersey and Virginia have also typically been seen as a bellwether of political trends one year into a president’s new term. In 2021, Republican Glenn Youngkin took over the governorship in Virginia, and Murphy defeated a Republican challenger by just three points . The following year, however, Democrats outperformed expectations of a midterm blowout, holding onto the Senate and losing the House only narrowly. FBI Investigating Mysterious Nightly New Jersey Drone 'Cluster' National Democrats Plan $4 Million Ad Blitz For New Jersey’s Sue Altman What Tammy Murphy’s Failed Senate Campaign Says About New Jersey’s Changing PoliticsCincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's home was broken into during Monday Night Football in the latest home invasion of a professional athlete in the US. No one was injured in the break-in, but the home was ransacked, according to a report provided by the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office. Burrow was away playing in a 27-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Texas. A person employed by Burrow arrived at the Anderson Township home on Monday night to find a shattered bedroom window and the home in disarray. Deputies weren't immediately able to determine what items were stolen and have reached out to neighbours in an attempt to piece together surveillance footage. The homes of Kansas Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce were broken into in October. In the NBA, Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis had his home broken into November 2 and Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley Jr.'s home was burgled on September 15 while he was at a Minnesota Vikings game. Portis had offered a $40,000 reward for information. Both the NFL and NBA issued security alerts to players after those break-ins, urging them to take additional precautions to secure their homes. In league memos previously obtained by The Associated Press, the NFL said homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become "increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups." And the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to "transnational South American Theft Groups" that are "reportedly well-organised, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices." Some of the burglary groups have conducted extensive surveillance on targets, including attempted home deliveries and posing as grounds maintenance or joggers in the neighborhood, according to officials.
The NBA got viewers for Christmas, even while going up against NFL games. The NBA's five-game Christmas lineup was the league's most-watched in five years, with the games averaging about 5.25 million viewers per game across ABC, ESPN and its platforms, the league said Thursday based on Nielsen's preliminary numbers. It's an 84% rise over the NBA's Christmas numbers from 2023. The Los Angeles Lakers’ 115-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors — a game pitting Olympic teammates LeBron James and Stephen Curry — averaged 7.76 million viewers and peaked with about 8.32 million viewers toward the end of the contest, the league said. Those numbers represent the most-watched NBA regular season game in five years. “I love the NFL,” James said in his televised postgame interview Wednesday night. “But Christmas is our day.” The NBA said all five Christmas games on its schedule — San Antonio at New York in Victor Wembanyama's holiday debut, Minnesota at Dallas, Philadelphia at Boston, Denver at Phoenix and Lakers-Warriors — saw year-over-year viewership increases. Wednesday's numbers pushed NBA viewership for the season across ESPN platforms to up 4% over last season. The league also saw more than 500 million video views on its social media platforms Wednesday, a new record. For the NBA, those are all good signs amid cries that NBA viewership is hurting. “Ratings are down a bit at beginning of the season. But cable television viewership is down double digits so far this year versus last year," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said earlier this month. “You know, we’re almost at the inflection point where people are watching more programing on streaming than they are on traditional television. And it’s a reason why for our new television deals, which we enter into next year, every game is going to be available on a streaming service.” Part of that new package of television deals that the NBA is entering into next season also increases the number of regular season games broadcast on television from 15 to 75. AP NBA: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NBATikTok files legal challenge of federal government's shutdown order
BOZEMAN, Mont. (AP) — Tommy Mellott threw for 300 yards and four touchdowns and top-seeded Montana State tied a school record with its 13th straight win, dominating Tennessee-Martin 49-17 on Saturday in the second round of the FCS playoffs. Scottre Humphrey ran for 102 yards and a touchdown, one of three rushing touchdowns for the Bobcats (13-0), who are home next weekend against the winner of Saturday's late game between Lehigh and eighth-seeded Idaho. MSU, which has scored at least 30 points in every game this season, won 13 games in 1975-76. Mellott threw for 178 yards and three touchdowns in the first half and the Bobcats rolled to a 28-10 lead. Mellott had touchdown passes of 24 yards to Hunter Provience and 12 yards to Taco Dowler in the first quarter and 39 yards to Ty McCullouch in the second. McCullouch also had a 6-yard touchdown run. The pass to McCullouch ended a six-play, 73-yard drive that took just 53 seconds, and came immediately after Trevonte Rucker took a pass from Kinkead Dent 78 yards to the end zone that made it 21-10. The Bobcats only allowed only 10 total points in the first half of home games in the regular season. Humphrey had a 36-yard TD run and Mellott hit Dowler for a 29-yard score in the third quarter Adam Jones contributed a 30-yard scoring run in the fourth. Mellott finished 22-of-25 passing and the Bobcats had 501 total yards. Dent threw for 167 yards and two touchdowns, both to Rucker, who had six receptions for 107 yards. The Skyhawks (9-6) finished with 264 yards. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football . Sign up for the AP’s college football newsletter: https://apnews.com/cfbtop25FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Trenton McLaughlin scored 23 points as Northern Arizona beat South Dakota 95-82 on Saturday. McLaughlin shot 6 of 14 from the field, including 2 for 7 from 3-point range, and went 9 for 12 from the line for the Lumberjacks (7-3). Jayden Jackson scored 20 points while going 6 of 9 and 7 of 9 from the free-throw line and added seven assists. Monty Bowser had 14 points and shot 6 for 7, including 2 for 3 from beyond the arc. Isaac Bruns led the way for the Coyotes (7-4) with 22 points and seven rebounds. Chase Forte added 15 points, five assists and four steals for South Dakota. Paul Bruns also had nine points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
NoneBy CHRISTOPHER RUGABER WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named Andrew Ferguson as the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission . He will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars’ worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior . Ferguson is already one of the FTC’s five commissioners, which is currently made up of three Democrats and two Republicans. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” Related Articles National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television National Politics | What will happen to Social Security under Trump’s tax plan? National Politics | Republican-led states are rolling out plans that could aid Trump’s mass deportation effort The replacement of Khan likely means that the FTC will operate with a lighter touch when it comes to antitrust enforcement. The new chair is expected to appoint new directors of the FTC’s antitrust and consumer protection divisions. “These changes likely will make the FTC more favorable to business than it has been in recent years, though the extent to which is to be determined,” wrote Anthony DiResta, a consumer protection attorney at Holland & Knight, in a recent analysis . Deals that were blocked by the Biden administration could find new life with Trump in command. For example, the new leadership could be more open to a proposed merger between the country’s two biggest supermarket chains, Kroger and Albertsons, which forged a $24.6 billion deal to combine in 2022. Two judges halted the merger Tuesday night. The FTC had filed a lawsuit in federal court earlier this year to block the merger, claiming the deal would eliminate competition, leading to higher prices and lower wages for workers. The two companies say a merger would help them lower prices and compete against bigger rivals like Walmart. One of the judges said the FTC had shown it was likely to prevail in the administrative hearing. Yet given the widespread public concern over high grocery prices, the Trump administration may not fully abandon the FTC’s efforts to block the deal, some experts have said. And the FTC may continue to scrutinize Big Tech firms for any anticompetitive behavior. Many Republican politicians have accused firms such as Meta of censoring conservative views, and some officials in Trump’s orbit, most notably Vice President-elect JD Vance, have previously expressed support for Khan’s scrutiny of Big Tech firms. In addition to Fergson, Trump also announced Tuesday that he had selected Jacob Helberg as the next undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment.