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Stock market today: Wall Street slips as the 'Magnificent 7' weighs down the market NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are closing lower as Wall Street ends a holiday-shortened week on a down note. The S&P 500 fell 1.1% Friday and the the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 333 points, or 0.8%. The Nasdaq composite dropped 1.5%. The “Magnificent 7” stocks weighed on the market, led by declines in Nvidia, Tesla and Microsoft. Even with the loss, the S&P 500 had a modest gain for the week and is still headed for its second consecutive annual gain of more than 20%, the first time that has happened since 1997-1998. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.62%. 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.ITV I'm A Celebrity fans issue same demand about Richard Coles and GK BarryBBC confirms Gary Lineker podcast licensing deal will be for one year initially

Wealthica Announces U.S. Launch of Its 360° Financial PlatformThe company opens international research contest to strengthen technology leadership; open for entries until January 31, 2025 Selected researchers to receive annual research funding of up to USD 150,000 annually BIC program revamped to enhance two-way collaboration between industry and academia SEOUL, South Korea , Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Energy Solution (KRX: 373220) has announced its launch of the 'Battery Innovation Contest (BIC) 2025' to identify and support the next groundbreaking battery technologies. Innovators from universities and research institutions worldwide are encouraged to submit proposals until January 31, 2025 , at https://bridge.lgensol.com/ . Since its inaugural competition in 2017, BIC has been LG Energy Solution's flagship research contest. This year's edition has been revamped to foster greater collaboration between academia and industry. Selected researchers will receive annual research funding of up to USD 150,000 annually. Additional funding may be granted to projects making significant achievements through extended contracts. Maximizing Industry–Academia Benefits through Two-way Communication Unlike previous iterations of the competition, 'BIC 2025' allows participants to submit proposals on specific topics pre-announced by LG Energy Solution. "By presenting specific research optics, we aim to go beyond merely supporting academia and maximize the mutual benefits between the industry and academia," said an LG Energy Solution spokesperson. To facilitate active collaboration, LG Energy Solution has introduced the ' BRIDGE ' system, a platform designed to manage open innovation programs like BIC. The system facilitates seamless collaborations with features that help teams working on joint research projects track their objectives and deliverables. LG Energy Solution has unveiled the preselected 18 research topics for collaborative projects on the ' BRIDGE ' platform, such Battery Safety diagnosis algorithm technology and New materials for LFP Batteries topic. At the same time, the contest retains its traditional format to ensure participants are free to propose completely original research ideas. All research proposals must be submitted through the ' BRIDGE ' system. "Providing Differentiated Customer Value via Enhanced Technology Leadership" To protect the original ideas of every participant, LG Energy Solution has split the application process into two stages: initial proposals that provide concise information, followed by detailed proposals from a shortlist of candidates. This change aims to safeguard the ideas of researchers not selected for funding. "The BIC platform serves as a bridge of wisdom between members of academia and industry, driving technological innovation for the all-important battery sector," said Je-Young Kim , CTO of LG Energy Solution. "Through this initiative, we aim to provide differentiated value to our customers by strengthening our technology leadership." As of today, LG Energy Solution has supported 26 battery research projects through the 'BIC' initiative, with some evolving into large-scale projects that have received additional funding and resources. Thanks to the success of this competition, the company continues to establish partnerships with world-leading universities and research institutions, reinforcing its commitment to preparing the battery field for the future. About LG Energy Solution LG Energy Solution (KRX: 373220), a split-off from LG Chem, is a leading global manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, mobility, IT, and energy storage systems. With 30 years of experience in revolutionary battery technology and extensive research and development (R&D), the company is the top battery-related patent holder in the world with over 58,000 patents. Its robust global network, which spans North America, Europe, and Asia , includes battery manufacturing facilities established through joint ventures with major automakers. Committed to building sustainable battery ecosystem, LG Energy Solution aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its value chain by 2050, while embodying the value of shared growth and promoting diverse and inclusive corporate culture. To learn more about LG Energy Solution's ideas and innovations, visit https://news.lgensol.com . SOURCE LG Energy SolutionRobinson's 16 help Cleveland State beat Wright State 78-64

Home Equity Loan Platforms for Smart Investments: Making Equity Work for YouIt was a fine first win for Ruud van Nistelrooy , and perhaps one final defeat for Julen Lopetegui. Leicester marked Van Nistelrooy’s first match in charge of the team by surging to a 3-1 win over Lopetegui's West Ham in the Premier League on Tuesday. Van Nistelrooy, the former Manchester United striker, is back in English soccer this time as a manager, with Leicester taking something of a gamble on the Dutchman after his brief and impressive spell as interim coach at United this season following Erik ten Hag's departure. He faces the tough task of keeping Leicester, one of the top candidates for relegation, in the top division. For that to happen, he’s likely to need goals from Jamie Vardy — and the 37-year-old former England international delivered immediately. Nine years after breaking Van Nistelrooy’s record for scoring in consecutive games, Vardy scored the first goal of the Dutchman’s tenure at Leicester by beating the offside trap and slotting home a finish with less than two minutes gone. Morocco midfielder Bilal El Khannouss supplied the pass for Vardy’s goal and scored himself with a low shot in the 61st minute to make it 2-0. Patson Daka added a third for Leicester in the 90th minute, before a stoppage-time consolation by West Ham substitute Niclas Füllkrug. “We are very happy with the new manager," El Khannouss said of Van Nistelrooy. “He arrived two days ago, and there’s a new dynamic in the group.” Van Nistelrooy praised the “spirit and energy” in his team. “The foundation for us going forward is everyone working their socks off, fighting for every inch and defending together,” he said. “We can look further then, and they did that in an unbelievable way.” This dismal result for West Ham came three days after its 5-2 thrashing at home by Arsenal , which piled more pressure of Lopetegui early in the former Spain and Real Madrid coach's first season with the London club. West Ham's disgruntled traveling fans chanted "You’re getting sacked in the morning” toward Lopetegui during the second half — even if his team dominated large parts of the game but only had one goal to show from 31 shots on goal. “We're very frustrated but in the same way I can say nothing about the players — they fight until the end,” Lopetegui said. "It’s not easy to explain football some days.” West Ham has lost seven of its 14 games so far and is in 14th place in the 20-team league, one spot above Leicester. Guehi defies FA Crystal Palace won for just the second time in the league this season, beating relegation rival Ipswich 1-0 to pull clear of the bottom three. Jean-Philippe Mateta scored the goal in the 59th minute. Palace’s only other league victory was against Tottenham in October. While Ipswich stayed in next-to-last place, Palace moved three points above the relegation zone. Much of the focus ahead of the game was on the teams’ captains , Sam Morsy of Ipswich and Marc Guehi of Palace, during another round when the Premier League was celebrating LGBTQ+ inclusion in its campaign to promote equality and diversity. For the second straight game, Morsy chose against wearing a rainbow armband issued to the captain of each of the 20 teams in the league. He has made the decision “due to his religious beliefs,” Ipswich says. Guehi did wear the rainbow armband but defied Football Association rules by writing a religious message on the item. The message read “Jesus loves you” — using a heart sign instead of the word “loves.” During the match against Newcastle on Saturday, Guehi wrote “I love Jesus” — and was later contacted by the FA for acting in contravention of its regulations. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer Steve Douglas, The Associated Press

CEAT Kelani Holdings has broadened the scope of its flagship community initiative promoting road safety around schools by engaging with the Police and the Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police (SLCMP) of the Sri Lanka Army, two institutions that play lead roles in this domain. The company recently presented stocks of traffic management-related signboards and traffic cones to these institutions, as one of its community commitmentsthat makes up the ‘CEAT Cares’ portfolio of community projects. The signboards and traffic cones presented to the Cinnamon Gardens Police Station are to be strategically placed on main roads to facilitate traffic management near schools, government institutions and other high-traffic areas within the station’s jurisdiction, supporting CEAT’s efforts to help improve road safety and aid law enforcement maintainsmooth traffic flows. The signboards presented to the Military Police of the Sri Lanka Army will facilitate the SLCMP’s role in traffic control and ensuring safety during major national celebrations such asthe Independence Day celebrations andnational war heroescommemoration ceremonies, as well as events organised by the Sri Lanka Army. An articulation of CEAT’s credo – ‘Making mobility safer and smarter every day’ – the CEAT Cares programme has been sustained by CEAT Kelani Holdings since 2010 and has benefitted 290 schools across the country to date. It involves the presentation of traffic safety equipment to schools located close to main roads and in high congestion zones as part of the company’s continuing commitment to make commuting safer, especially for school children. This flagship community initiative was designed to reflect CEAT’s focus on safety on the roads – a key element in all its products.( MENAFN - TimesNewswire ) BitMart, a premier global digital asset trading platform, listed and debuted Advertising time trace (ATT) for all BitMart users on December 26, 2024. The ATT/USDT trading pair was officially available for trading at 10:26 (UTC). What is Advertising time trace (ATT) ? Advertising Time Trace (ATT) is a pioneering Web3.0 application that integrates real-world assets, decentralized infrastructure, and distributed ledger technology to transform digital advertising. It introduces the DA-AIOT-P mechanism, which combines Decentralized Assets, Artificial Intelligence of Things, and Payment systems to create a new ecosystem for advertisers. With a token supply of 2.1 billion, ATT aims to bridge the gap between Web2 and Web3, offering advertisers innovative ways to reach their audience. The ATT platform is designed to enhance advertising efficiency and transparency by leveraging AI-driven strategies and real-time user engagement data. As it continues to evolve, ATT is set to become a scalable solution for the advertising industry, accommodating both traditional and decentralized traffic. This integration promises to usher in a new era of advertising, where digital and physical elements coalesce into a single, cohesive ecosystem. Why is Advertising time trace (ATT) ? Advertising Time Trace (ATT) is a pioneering Web 3.0 application that tackles some of the most pressing challenges in the digital advertising space. By leveraging blockchain technology, ATT enhances transparency, efficiency, and accountability, offering a level of trust that traditional advertising platforms have struggled to provide. Through its innovative approach, ATT ensures that advertisers receive verifiable and accurate data on every campaign. 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As ATT continues to scale, it holds the potential to revolutionize digital advertising for both Web3 and Web2 traffic, providing a robust and scalable solution that could usher in a new era of advertising-one that prioritizes transparency, efficiency, and data privacy. About BitMart BitMart Exchange is a premier global digital assets trading platform. With millions of users worldwide and ranked among the top crypto exchanges on CoinGecko , BitMart currently offers 1,400+ trading pairs with one of the lowest trading fees in the industry. Constantly evolving and growing, BitMart is interested in crypto's potential to drive innovation and promote financial inclusion. To learn more about BitMart, visit their Website , follow their X (Twitter) , or join their Telegram for updates, news, and promotions. Download the BitMart App to trade anytime, anywhere. 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JANUARY Glynis Johns, 100. A Tony Award-winning stage and screen star who played the mother opposite Julie Andrews in the classic movie “Mary Poppins” and introduced the world to the bittersweet standard-to-be “Send in the Clowns” by Stephen Sondheim. Jan. 4. David Soul, 80. The actor-singer was a 1970s heartthrob who co-starred as the blond half of the crime-fighting duo “Starsky & Hutch” and topped the music charts with the ballad “Don’t Give Up on Us.” Jan. 4. Joyce Randolph, 99. A veteran stage and television actor whose role as the savvy Trixie Norton on “The Honeymooners” provided the perfect foil to her dimwitted TV husband. Jan. 13. Jack Burke Jr., 100 . He was the oldest living Masters champion and staged the greatest comeback ever at Augusta National for one of his two majors. Jan. 19. Dexter Scott King, 62. He dedicated much of his life to shepherding the civil rights legacy of his parents, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Jan. 22. Charles Osgood, 91. He anchored “CBS Sunday Morning” for more than two decades, was host of the long-running radio program “The Osgood File” and was referred to as CBS News’ poet-in-residence. Jan. 23. Chita Rivera, 91. The dynamic dancer, singer and actress who garnered 10 Tony nominations, winning twice, in a long Broadway career that forged a path for Latina artists and shrugged off a near-fatal car accident. Jan. 30. FEBRUARY Carl Weathers, 76. A former NFL linebacker who became a Hollywood action movie and comedy star, playing nemesis-turned-ally Apollo Creed in the “Rocky” movies, starring with Arnold Schwarzenegger in “Predator” and teaching golf in “Happy Gilmore.” Feb. 1. Toby Keith, 62. A hit country crafter of pro-American anthems who both riled up critics and was loved by millions of fans. Feb. 5. Stomach cancer. Alexei Navalny, 47. The fiercest foe of Russian President Vladimir Putin who crusaded against official corruption and staged massive anti-Kremlin protests. Feb. 16. Jacob Rothschild, 87. The financier and philanthropist was part of the renowned Rothschild banking dynasty. Feb. 26. Richard Lewis, 76. An acclaimed comedian known for exploring his neuroses in frantic, stream-of-consciousness diatribes while dressed in all-black, leading to his nickname “The Prince of Pain.” Feb. 27. MARCH Iris Apfel, 102. A textile expert, interior designer and fashion celebrity known for her eccentric style. March 1. David E. Harris, 89. He flew bombers for the U.S. military and broke barriers in 1964 when he became the first Black pilot hired at a major U.S. airline. March 8. Eric Carmen, 74. The singer-songwriter fronted the power-pop 1970s band the Raspberries and later had soaring pop hits like “All by Myself” and “Hungry Eyes” from the hit “Dirty Dancing” soundtrack. March 11. Joe Lieberman, 82. The former U.S. senator of Connecticut nearly won the vice presidency on the Democratic ticket with Al Gore in the disputed 2000 election and almost became Republican John McCain’s running mate eight years later. March 27. Complications from a fall. Louis Gossett Jr., 87. The first Black man to win a supporting actor Oscar and an Emmy winner for his role in the seminal TV miniseries “Roots.” March 28. APRIL Lou Conter, 102. The last living survivor of the USS Arizona battleship that exploded and sank during the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. April 1. John Sinclair, 82. A poet, music producer and counterculture figure whose lengthy prison sentence after a series of small-time pot busts inspired a John Lennon song and a star-studded 1971 concert to free him. April 2. O.J. Simpson, 76. The decorated football superstar and Hollywood actor who was acquitted of charges he killed his former wife and her friend but later found liable in a separate civil trial. April 10. Robert MacNeil, 93. He created the even-handed, no-frills PBS newscast “The MacNeil-Lehrer NewsHour” in the 1970s and co-anchored the show with his late partner, Jim Lehrer, for two decades. April 12. Faith Ringgold, 93. An award-winning author and artist who broke down barriers for Black female artists and became famous for her richly colored and detailed quilts combining painting, textiles and storytelling. April 12. Carl Erskine, 97. He pitched two no-hitters as a mainstay on the Brooklyn Dodgers and was a 20-game winner in 1953 when he struck out a then-record 14 in the World Series. April 16. Roman Gabriel, 83. The first Filipino-American quarterback in the NFL and the league MVP in 1969. April 20. MAY Dick Rutan, 85. He, along with copilot Jeana Yeager, completed one of the greatest milestones in aviation history: the first round-the-world flight with no stops or refueling. May 3. Pete McCloskey, 96. A pro-environment, anti-war California Republican who co-wrote the Endangered Species Act and co-founded Earth Day. May 8. Roger Corman, 98. The “King of the Bs” helped turn out such low-budget classics as “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Attack of the Crab Monsters” and gave many of Hollywood’s most famous actors and directors early breaks. May 9. Alice Munro, 92. The Nobel laureate was a Canadian literary giant who became one of the world’s most esteemed contemporary authors and one of history’s most honored short story writers. May 13. Dabney Coleman, 92. The mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in “9 to 5” and the nasty TV director in “Tootsie.” May 16. Morgan Spurlock, 53. The documentary filmmaker and Oscar nominee whose most famous works skewered America’s food industry. May 23. Complications of cancer. Bill Walton, 71. He starred for John Wooden’s UCLA Bruins before becoming a Hall of Fame center for his NBA career and one of the biggest stars in basketball broadcasting. May 27. JUNE Janis Paige, 101. A popular actor in Hollywood and in Broadway musicals and comedies who danced with Fred Astaire, toured with Bob Hope and continued to perform into her 90s. June 2. L ynn Conway, 86. A pioneer in the design of microchips that are at the heart of consumer electronics who overcame discrimination as a transgender person. June 9. Jerry West, 86. Selected to the Basketball Hall of Fame three times in a storied career as a player and executive, his silhouette is considered to be the basis of the NBA logo. June 12. Willie Mays, 93. The electrifying “Say Hey Kid” whose singular combination of talent, drive and exuberance made him one of baseball’s greatest and most beloved players. June 18. Donald Sutherland, 88. The Canadian actor whose wry, arresting screen presence spanned more than half a century of films from “M.A.S.H.” to “The Hunger Games.” June 20. Martin Mull, 80. His droll, esoteric comedy and acting made him a hip sensation in the 1970s and later a beloved guest star on sitcoms including “Roseanne” and “Arrested Development.” June 27. JULY Shelley Duvall, 75. The intrepid, Texas-born movie star whose wide-eyed, winsome presence was a mainstay in the films of Robert Altman and who co-starred in Stanley Kubrick’s “The Shining.” July 11. Dr. Ruth Westheimer, 96. The diminutive sex therapist became a pop icon, media star and best-selling author through her frank talk about once-taboo bedroom topics. July 12. Shannen Doherty, 53. The “Beverly Hills, 90210” star whose life and career were roiled by illness and tabloid stories. July 13. Richard Simmons, 76. He was television’s hyperactive court jester of physical fitness who built a mini-empire in his trademark tank tops and short shorts by urging the overweight to exercise and eat better. July 13. Bob Newhart, 94. The deadpan accountant-turned-comedian became one of the most popular TV stars of his time after striking gold with a classic comedy album. July 18. Lou Dobbs, 78. The conservative political pundit and veteran cable TV host was a founding anchor for CNN and later was a nightly presence on Fox Business Network for more than a decade. July 18. Francine Pascal, 92. A onetime soap opera writer whose “Sweet Valley High” novels and the ongoing adventures of twins Elizabeth and Jessica Wakefield and other teens captivated millions of young readers. July 28. AUGUST Susan Wojcicki, 56. A pioneering tech executive who helped shape Google and YouTube. Aug. 9. Wallace “Wally” Amos, 88. The creator of the Famous Amos cookie empire went on to become a children’s literacy advocate. Aug. 13. Gena Rowlands, 94. She was hailed as a guiding light in independent cinema as a star in groundbreaking movies by her director husband, John Cassavetes. She later charmed audiences in her son’s tear-jerker “The Notebook.” Aug. 14. Phil Donahue, 88. His pioneering daytime talk show launched an indelible television genre. Aug. 18. Ruth Johnson Colvin, 107. She founded Literacy Volunteers of America, was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and received the nation’s highest civilian award: the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Aug. 18. John Amos, 84. He starred as the family patriarch on the hit 1970s sitcom “Good Times” and earned an Emmy nomination for his role in the seminal 1977 miniseries “Roots.” Aug. 21. SEPTEMBER James Darren, 88. A teen idol who helped ignite the 1960s surfing craze as a charismatic beach boy paired off with Sandra Dee in the hit film “Gidget.” Sept. 2. James Earl Jones, 93. He overcame racial prejudice and a severe stutter to become a celebrated icon of stage and screen, eventually lending his deep, commanding voice to CNN, “The Lion King” and Darth Vader. Sept. 9. Frankie Beverly, 77. With his band Maze, he inspired generations of fans with his smooth, soulful voice and lasting anthems including “Before I Let Go.” Sept. 10. Tito Jackson, 70. One of the brothers who made up the beloved pop group the Jackson 5. Sept. 15. Maggie Smith, 89. The masterful, scene-stealing actor who won an Oscar for the 1969 film “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie” and gained new fans in the 21st century as the dowager Countess of Grantham in “Downton Abbey” and Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter films. Sept. 27. Kris Kristofferson, 88. A Rhodes scholar with a deft writing style and rough charisma who became a country music superstar and an A-list Hollywood actor. Sept. 28. Pete Rose, 83. Baseball’s career hits leader and fallen idol who undermined his historic achievements and Hall of Fame dreams by gambling on the game he loved and once embodied. Sept. 30. Dikembe Mutombo, 58. A basketball Hall of Famer who was one of the best defensive players in NBA history and a longtime global ambassador for the game. Sept. 30. Brain cancer. OCTOBER Cissy Houston, 91. A two-time Grammy-winning soul and gospel artist who sang with Aretha Franklin, Elvis Presley and other stars and knew triumph and heartbreak as the mother of singer Whitney Houston. Oct. 7. Ethel Kennedy, 96. The wife of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy raised their 11 children after he was assassinated and remained dedicated to social causes and the family’s legacy for decades thereafter. Oct. 10. Lilly Ledbetter, 86. A former Alabama factory manager whose lawsuit against her employer made her an icon of the equal pay movement and led to landmark wage discrimination legislation. Oct. 12. Liam Payne, 31. A former One Direction singer whose chart-topping British boy band generated a global following of swooning fans. Oct. 16. Died after falling from a hotel balcony. Mitzi Gaynor, 93. The effervescent dancer and actor starred as Nellie Forbush in the 1958 film “South Pacific” and appeared in other musicals with Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly. Oct. 17. Phil Lesh, 84. A classically trained violinist and jazz trumpeter who found his true calling by reinventing the role of rock bass guitar as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. Oct. 25. Teri Garr, 79. The quirky comedy actor rose from background dancer in Elvis Presley movies to co-star in such favorites as “Young Frankenstein” and “Tootsie.” Oct. 29. Multiple sclerosis. NOVEMBER Quincy Jones, 91. The music titan whose vast legacy ranged from producing Michael Jackson’s historic “Thriller” album to writing prize-winning film and television scores and collaborating with Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and hundreds of other recording artists. Nov. 3. Elwood Edwards, 74. He voiced America Online’s ever-present “You’ve got mail” greeting. Nov. 5. Tony Todd, 69. An actor known for his haunting portrayal of a killer in the horror film “Candyman” and for roles in many other films and television shows. Nov. 6. Bobby Allison, 86. He was founder of racing’s “Alabama Gang” and a NASCAR Hall of Famer. Nov. 9. Bela Karolyi, 82. The charismatic, if polarizing, gymnastics coach turned young women into champions and the United States into an international power in the sport. Nov. 15. Arthur Frommer, 95. His “Europe on 5 Dollars a Day” guidebooks revolutionized leisure travel by convincing average Americans to take budget vacations abroad. Nov. 18. Chuck Woolery, 83. The affable, smooth-talking game show host of “Wheel of Fortune,” “Love Connection” and “Scrabble” who later became a right-wing podcaster. Nov. 23. DECEMBER George Joseph Kresge Jr., 89. He was known to generations of TV watchers as the mesmerizing entertainer and mentalist The Amazing Kreskin. Dec. 10. Fred Lorenzen, 89. A NASCAR Hall of Famer and the 1965 Daytona 500 champion. Dec. 18. Rickey Henderson, 65. The baseball Hall of Famer was the brash speedster who shattered stolen base records and redefined baseball’s leadoff position. Dec. 20. Richard Parsons, 76. One of corporate America’s most prominent Black executives who held top posts at Time Warner and Citigroup. Dec. 26. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon went their separate ways in 2016, but they’ll always have Aspen. Divorced for eight years , both celebs have moved on in more ways than one. However, Carey and Cannon fall back on their annual tradition of Christmas in the beloved ski resort town nearly every December, including this year. Cameras spotted the singer and TV host out and about in Aspen several times. They weren’t photographed together. But we can assume their paths crossed as they celebrate the holidays with the children they share . Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon both holiday in Aspen, Colorado, for Christmas despite divorce Carey has a stronghold over the holidays. The Queen of Christmas embarked on a holiday tour this year. She visited 20 cities in November and December for Mariah Carey’s Christmas Time . After concluding the performances on December 17, the 55-year-old headed to Aspen for a much-needed vacation. With her 13-year-old twins Monroe and Moroccan in tow, the “All I Want for Christmas Is You” singer shared snaps of her trip on social media. Decked out in designer clothes and winter boots, Carey shopped, cooked, and met Santa during her Aspen trip. The “Fantasy” singer doesn’t own a home in Aspen. But Carey is known for renting out luxury mega-mansions in the area for weeks, especially during Christmastime. This year was no different as her photos hinted at a decadent rental home directly on the slopes, decorated with fresh Christmas trees, elaborate nativity scenes, and stuffed stockings. Nick Cannon divided his time between several children for Christmas Cannon also took to the Rockies for the holidays. The 44-year-old wasn’t spotted at Aspen’s designer stores. Rather, cameras saw the skier hitting the slopes in an orange down jacket, black snow pants, black hat, and headphones. He wasn’t seen with Carey, Moroccan, or Monroe. But we can’t imagine Cannon hanging out in the same city without seeing his two oldest children . Cannon notably shares little of his life with the twins on social media, perhaps due to an agreement with Carey. However, he’s known for divulging a lot about some of his other partners and kids . The Masked Singer host shared Christmas photos from his celebrations with partners, Bre Tiesi and Abby De La Rosa. Cannon and Tiesi posted a holiday photoshoot with all-white outfits, horses, and their 2-year-old son , Legendary Love Cannon. One day later, Nick took to Instagram again. He shared snaps of his Christmas celebration with De La Rosa and their 3-year-old twins Zion Mixolydian and Zillion Heir and their 2-year-old daughter Beautiful Zeppelin.

Elon Musk lost his Tesla pay fight. Here's what he can do next.President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urge judge to toss his hush money convictionStock market today: Wall Street climbs as bitcoin bursts above $99,000Article content It’s mailbag time again! The Toronto Raptors take a winless road record into Wednesday’s game at New Orleans and are close to the NBA’s cellar — yet, most fans are pretty pleased with where things stand. Why? It’s all about the stacked draft class. Losses suck, but if you’re a fan of “ethical tanking,” few teams of recent vintage have done it better than the Raptors so far. Thanks as always for the questions. You can send them my way on Twitter or Bluesky. Johary on Bluesky asks: “I suppose Gradey (Dick) is the 5th starter once the team is at full health. But who’s going to the bench– if any at all — should the Raps get one of those much coveted top prospects in the 2025 draft?” RW : It’s way too early to think hard about this one, but we’ll give it a shot. There’s no scenario where Scottie Barnes doesn’t start and Jakob Poeltl is probably a lock too if he isn’t traded since even the best centre prospect isn’t ready to step right into the NBA next season. Immanuel Quickley has the second-biggest contract in Raptors history and is a talented player and I still think he starts even if Toronto lands one of the top guard prospects. That leaves RJ Barrett and Dick. Barrett’s been solid as a Raptor, especially at home, where he’s played at an all-star level, and Dick has taken major steps forward as sophomore, but the draft is loaded with high-upside wings. If a great shooter is picked maybe it will make sense for Dick to come off the bench. But if it’s Cooper Flagg, who excels right now in other areas, maybe they’ll need Dick’s shooting and Barrett would become one of the NBA’s best sixth men? Again, it’s early. Menashe on Twitter asks: “What is your assessment of (Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic) so far? Positives? Areas to improve?” RW : Darko’s done a great job of keeping things positive both last year and early this season even with the losses piling up. Last year it was blowout after blowout, lately it’s been close defeats that could demoralize some groups, but he hasn’t let that happen. Players are getting better under the watch of Rajakovic and his staff, which was the main reason why he was hired in the first place. I think he’s had some struggles late in games with lineups, timeouts and things like that and the defence has been way too porous and foul-prone (but still better than last year), but overall has done a good job. He certainly knows the game, has great rapport with his players and works hard. Mark Russell on Bluesky asks: “I’m curious about why we’re touting the defensive abilities of certain Raptors when our team is so incredibly bad at defense. I haven’t noticed many teams have an “off night” against us.” RW : That’s fair. Before Tuesday’s games, Toronto ranked 24th in defensive efficiency and defensive rebounding percentage. But when you factor in the team leads the NBA in man games lost to injury, how exactly are they supposed to gain any defensive cohesion? Plus, I assume you’re referring to Davion Mitchell and maybe Ochai Agbaji here and NBA.com’s stats show Mitchell has done a superb job on many stars. He held De’Aaron Fox to 3-for-9 shooting when they were matched up, Anthony Edwards to 3-for-7, Jaylen Brown to 1-for-5, LaMelo Ball to 1-for-7, for example. He forced Cade Cunningham and DeMar DeRozan to each have three turnovers in eight, and three minutes matched against Mitchell, for example. He’s a really good defender. It’s the other end that’s holding him back. Agbaji didn’t do a good enough job forcing Jaden Ivey into a tougher shot on Monday at the buzzer and has tailed off a bit for sure. But, he’s often had the toughest matchup and done OK against ultra elite player like LeBron James, Jayson Tatum and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Team defence is just that – team. One or two guys can’t do it on their own. Fromthecheapseats on Bluesky asks: “Jamison Battle has taken 2 Technical free throws for the Raptors, how many free throws did he make in whatever training camp competition they most of had for him to earn that right as an undrafted rookie?” RW : Ha, I’ll have to look into this. But Battle is one heck of a shooter. I’d imagine he knocks down a ton in practice and he hit 9-of-15 three-pointers in Summer League, 8-of-14 in the pre-season and 43% in his final season in the NCAA (he also shot 88-for-95, 92.6% from the line that year). Right now he’s one of the best options. Dick and Quickley would probably be my picks over Battle, but he’s a good choice too. But you’re right. There can’t be many examples of undrafted rookies getting the job before. Fred VanVleet would be a good guess as the last Raptor in that situation to do it. Jurassic Snarked on Twitter asks: “What are the best & worst case scenarios for how the rest of this season goes for the Raptors?” RW : Worst case is they land somewhere in the middle — either in the play-in or just out of it and miss out on drafting in the top 5. Or a top player suffers a bad injury that will impact them long-term. Best case to me is things continue like this (OK, with a few more wins so they get off this 13 win or so pace to more like 25 victories or so) tough losses but they keep playing hard and improving as players. Get an asset or two for Bruce Brown/Chris Boucher and hope for lottery luck. Others might see best case as similar to the year they traded Rudy Gay and inexplicably won 48 games and the division out of nowhere. That’s not happening though.

Trump vows to block Japanese steelmaker from buying US Steel, pledges tax incentives and tariffs

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HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is underscoring his intention to block the purchase of U.S. Steel by Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel Corp. , and he's pledging to use tax incentives and tariffs to strengthen the iconic American steelmaker. Trump had vowed early in the presidential campaign that he would “instantaneously” block the deal, and he reiterated that sentiment in a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday night. “I am totally against the once great and powerful U.S. Steel being bought by a foreign company” and will use tax incentives and tariffs to make U.S. Steel “Strong and Great Again, and it will happen FAST!” he wrote. “As President," he continued, "I will block this deal from happening. Buyer Beware!!!” President Joe Biden , like Trump, also opposes Nippon Steel's purchase of Pittsburgh-based U.S. Steel. Biden’s White House in September said that it had yet to see a report from the secretive Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States , which was reviewing the transaction for national security concerns. The committee, which is chaired by the treasury secretary and includes other Cabinet members, can recommend that the president block a transaction, and federal law gives the president that power. Ahead of the November election, the proposed merger carried political importance in Pennsylvania, a critical swing state that Trump eventually won. Biden publicly sided with the United Steelworkers, the labor union, in seeking to reject the deal. When he announced his opposition in a March statement, Biden said: “U.S. Steel has been an iconic American steel company for more than a century, and it is vital for it to remain an American steel company that is domestically owned and operated.” Nippon Steel has said it is the only company that can make the necessary investment in U.S. Steel's factories and strengthen the American steel industry. Both Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel on Tuesday released statements in support of the acquisition. "This transaction should be approved on its merits. The benefits are overwhelmingly clear. Our communities, customers, investors, and employees strongly support this transaction, and we will continue to advocate for them and adherence to the rule of law," U.S. Steel said. The deal follows a long stretch of protectionist U.S. tariffs that analysts say has helped reinvigorate domestic steel, including U.S. Steel. U.S. Steel's shareholders have approved the deal, but the United Steelworkers oppose it. In a statement Tuesday, the union said the deal carries “serious long-term implications for U.S. economic and national security.” “It’s clear that President Trump understands the vital role a strong domestic steel industry plays in our national security, as well as the importance of the jobs and communities the industry supports," the union said. The deal has drawn bipartisan opposition in the U.S. Senate, including from the incoming vice president, Republican Sen. JD Vance of Ohio, although the federal government's objections to the deal have drawn criticism that the opposition is political. Some U.S. Steel workers would prefer Nippon Steel acquire the company, given that it appears to have a better financial balance sheet than another potential buyer, Cleveland-Cliffs. U.S. Steel “provided a very, very good life for our families for a lot of years,” said Jack Maskil, a vice president at the Steelworkers local branch in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania. “And we feel that with the Nippon deal that a lot more families for futures to come will be able to share the same.” West Mifflin Mayor Chris Kelly said he met with Nippon Steel executives and found himself satisfied by their commitments. Located southeast of Pittsburgh, West Mifflin is home to U.S. Steel's Mon Valley Works–Irvin Plant. “There’s no question in my mind that it’s the best deal moving forward,” Kelly said at a panel hosted on Tuesday by the conservative think tank Hudson Institute, where Maskil was also speaking. The Biden administration committee vetting the merger is scheduled later this month to decide on the acquisition or possibly extend the ongoing review. William Chou, a deputy director at the Hudson Institute specializing in relations with Japan, said that "President-elect Trump's view on the deal are important." But given the upcoming deadline, “It's up to President Biden to recognize how this deal will advance the interests of future generations of U.S. Steel union steelworkers.” Trump’s statement came two weeks after Nippon Steel’s vice chairman, Takahiro Mori, visited Pittsburgh and Washington to meet with lawmakers, local officials and workers in an ongoing persuasion campaign. That campaign has included Nippon Steel's promises to boost its capital commitments beyond the original deal and, more recently, a pledge that it won’t import steel slabs that would compete with U.S. Steel’s blast furnaces. As part of its proposed $14.9 billion purchase of U.S. Steel, Nippon Steel also pledged to invest at least $1.4 billion in USW-represented facilities, not to conduct layoffs or plant closings during the term of the basic labor agreement, and to protect the best interests of U.S. Steel in trade matters. Boak reported from Washington.NoneFormer U.S. President Jimmy Carter has died at his home in Plains, Georgia. His death comes more than a year after the former president entered hospice care. He was 100 years old. Oct. 1, 1924: James Earl Carter Jr. is born in Plains, Georgia, son of James Sr. and Lillian Gordy Carter. June 1946: Carter graduates from the U.S. Naval Academy. July 1946: Carter marries Rosalynn Smith, in Plains. They have four children, John William ("Jack"), born 1947; James Earl 3rd ("Chip"), 1950; Donnel Jeffrey (Jeff), 1952; and Amy Lynn, 1967. 1946-1953: Carter serves in a Navy nuclear submarine program, attaining rank of lieutenant commander. Summer 1953: Carter resigns from the Navy, returns to Plains after father's death. 1953-1971: Carter helps run the family peanut farm and warehouse business. 1963-1966: Carter serves in the Georgia state Senate. 1966: Carter tries unsuccessfully for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. November 1970: Carter is elected governor of Georgia. Serves 1971-75. Dec. 12, 1974: Carter announces a presidential bid. Atlanta newspaper answers with headline: "Jimmy Who?" January 1976: Carter leads the Democratic field in Iowa, a huge campaign boost that also helps to establish Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucus. July 1976: Carter accepts the Democratic nomination and announces Sen. Walter Mondale of Minnesota as running mate. November 1976: Carter defeats President Gerald R. Ford, winning 51% of the vote and 297 electoral votes to Ford's 240. January 1977: Carter is sworn in as the 39th president of the United States. On his first full day in office, he pardons most Vietnam-era draft evaders. September 1977: U.S. and Panama sign treaties to return the Panama Canal back to Panama in 1999. Senate narrowly ratifies them in 1978. September 1978: Egyptian President Anwar Sadat, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Carter sign Camp David accords, which lead to a peace deal between Egypt and Israel the following year. June 15-18, 1979: Carter attends a summit with Soviet President Leonid Brezhnev in Vienna that leads to the signing of the SALT II treaty. November 1979: Iranian militants storm the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, taking 52 hostages. All survive and are freed minutes after Carter leaves office in January 1981. April 1980: The Mariel boatlift begins, sending tens of thousands of Cubans to the U.S. Many are criminals and psychiatric patients set free by Cuban leader Fidel Castro, creating a major foreign policy crisis. April 1980: An attempt by the U.S. to free hostages fails when a helicopter crashes into a transport plane in Iran, killing eight servicemen. Nov. 4, 1980: Carter is denied a second term by Ronald Reagan, who wins 51.6% of the popular vote to 41.7% for Carter and 6.7% to independent John Anderson. 1982: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter co-found The Carter Center in Atlanta, whose mission is to resolve conflicts, protect human rights and prevent disease around the world. September 1984: The Carters spend a week building Habitat for Humanity houses, launching what becomes the annual Carter Work Project. October 1986: A dedication is held for The Carter Presidential Center in Atlanta. The center includes the Carter Presidential Library and Museum and Carter Center offices. 1989: Carter leads the Carter Center's first election monitoring mission, declaring Panamanian Gen. Manuel Noriega's election fraudulent. May 1992: Carter meets with Mikhail and Raisa Gorbachev at the Carter Center to discuss forming the Gorbachev Foundation. June 1994: Carter plays a key role in North Korea nuclear disarmament talks. September 1994: Carter leads a delegation to Haiti, arranging terms to avoid a U.S. invasion and return President Jean-Bertrand Aristide to power. December 1994: Carter negotiates tentative cease-fire in Bosnia. March 1995: Carter mediates cease-fire in Sudan's war with southern rebels. September 1995: Carter travels to Africa to advance the peace process in more troubled areas. December 1998: Carter receives U.N. Human Rights Prize on 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. August 1999: President Bill Clinton awards Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter the Presidential Medal of Freedom. September 2001: Carter joins former Presidents Ford, Bush and Clinton at a prayer service at the National Cathedral in Washington after Sept. 11 attacks. April 2002: Carter's book "An Hour Before Daylight: Memories of a Rural Boyhood" chosen as finalist for Pulitzer Prize in biography. May 2002: Carter visits Cuba and addresses the communist nation on television. He is the highest-ranking American to visit in decades. Dec. 10, 2002: Carter is awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his "untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development." July 2007: Carter joins The Elders, a group of international leaders brought together by Nelson Mandela to focus on global issues. Spring 2008: Carter remains officially neutral as Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton battle each other for the Democratic presidential nomination. April 2008: Carter stirs controversy by meeting with the Islamic militant group Hamas. August 2010: Carter travels to North Korea as the Carter Center negotiates the release of an imprisoned American teacher. August 2013: Carter joins President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton at the 50th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have A Dream" speech and the March on Washington. Oct. 1, 2014: Carter celebrates his 90th birthday. December 2014: Carter is nominated for a Grammy in the best spoken word album category, for his book "A Call To Action." May 2015: Carter returns early from an election observation visit in Guyana — the Carter Center's 100th — after feeling unwell. August 2015: Carter has a small cancerous mass removed from his liver. He plans to receive treatment at Emory Healthcare in Atlanta. August 2015: Carter announces that his grandson Jason Carter will chair the Carter Center governing board. March 6, 2016: Carter says an experimental drug has eliminated any sign of his cancer, and that he needs no further treatment. May 25, 2016: Carter steps back from a "front-line" role with The Elders to become an emeritus member. July 2016: Carter is treated for dehydration during a Habitat for Humanity build in Canada. Spring 2018: Carter publishes "Faith: A Journey for All," the last of 32 books. March 22, 2019: Carter becomes the longest-lived U.S. president, surpassing President George H.W. Bush, who died in 2018. Sept. 18, 2019: Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter deliver their final in-person annual report at the Carter Center. October 2019: At 95, still recovering from a fall, Carter joins the Work Project with Habitat for Humanity in Nashville, Tennessee. It's the last time he works personally on the annual project. Fall 2019-early 2020: Democratic presidential hopefuls visit, publicly embracing Carter as a party elder, a first for his post-presidency. November 2020: The Carter Center monitors an audit of presidential election results in the state of Georgia, marking a new era of democracy advocacy within the U.S. Jan. 20, 2021: The Carters miss President Joe Biden's swearing-in, the first presidential inauguration they don't attend since Carter's own ceremony in 1977. The Bidens later visit the Carters in Plains on April 29. Feb. 19, 2023: Carter enters home hospice care after a series of short hospital stays. July 7, 2023: The Carters celebrate their 77th and final wedding anniversary. Nov. 19, 2023: Rosalynn Carter dies at home, two days after the family announced that she had joined the former president in receiving hospice care. Oct. 1, 2024: Carter becomes the first former U.S. president to reach 100 years of age, celebrating at home with extended family and close friends. Oct. 16, 2024: Carter casts a Georgia mail ballot for Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, having told his family he wanted to live long enough to vote for her. It marks his 21st presidential election as a voter. Dec. 29, 2024: Carter dies at home.NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who passed away last week, embodied a calm resilience and nonchalance that was diametrically opposed to the chaos and high-pitched clamour representative of national politics. As the chief cartographer of India's economic reforms roadmap, Singh unshackled the country from the chains of the Licence Raj, threw open the floodgates of liberalisation, and pulled it back from the brink of catastrophe when even its gold reserve was pledged. The unassuming, erudite, and soft-spoken scholar has been described as the midwife of India's emergence as one of the world's leading economic powerhouses. To place his contribution into context, examine a period in our economic history when terminologies like GDP, forex reserves, bourses and per capita income growth weren't part of the common citizen's lexicon. During his stint as Finance Minister, between 1991-92 to 1995-96, he helped propel the economy from a near stagnation growth rate of 1.4% to a high growth trajectory of 7.3%. Similarly, during his prime ministerial tenure, the nation witnessed an unprecedented five years of over 7% GDP growth which in turn led to a never before over 6% annual jump in the average Indian's income. Between 2005-06 and 2007-08, India witnessed a growth rate in excess of 9%. Between June 1991 and June 1996, the country's foreign exchange reserves also witnessed a 5x rise — from $4.7 bn to $22.1 bn. A triple jump in annual rate of poverty decline during the UPA years (2004-05 to 2011-12) as compared to the previous decade — from 0.74% in 1993-94 to 2004-05 to 2.18% in the 2004-05 to 2011-12 period, also underscored how Singh's attempts to sync the economy with the dreams of a billion Indians were bearing fruit. His reforms in 1991 included the fearsome devaluation of the rupee from Rs 21 against the dollar to Rs 25 in two stages. Liberalisation of the trade policy entailed abolishing of export subsidies, ending the monopoly of state trading companies. The revamp of the industrial policy ended licensing for most sectors, opening up to FDI of up to 51% via automatic route in 34 sectors. Under Singh's guidance, the Controller of Capital Issues, the Indian market's regulatory authority, was abolished and Sebi was given statutory powers. Principles of social justice and inclusive growth formed the bedrock of Singh's revolutionary reforms — thanks to legislations like the Right to Information (RTI) Act, the Right to Education Act, 2009; the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005; and the National Food Security Act, 2013 and the MGNREGA. The Congress leader, who steered the country as PM for 10 years from 2004-2014, also notched up several achievements on the foreign policy front, as part of presenting a picture of a newer, headstrong India to the world. He was at the helm of the civil nuclear deal with the US that trumpeted India's long awaited arrival on the international arena. The deal permitted New Delhi to carry out nuclear commerce without signing the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Mind you, Singh had even risked his own prime ministerial perch on account of defending the nuke deal, as an indispensable pillar of the UPA, the CPM had threatened to quit the alliance on this matter, and delivered on the scare too. Singh’s passing signals the end of an epoch in our polity — of an era when civility and temperance were considered the prerequisites for a life in service of the nation.

Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive co-ordinator named as new head coach for B.C. Lions

Tweet Facebook Mail A man is in hospital after he was shot by police in southern Brisbane this morning. At about 5.50am, police were called to a business on Brickworks Place, Rochedale, following reports of a disturbance. They found a man inside a warehouse, who allegedly advanced on police with a knife while making threats. READ MORE: Man arrested, car seized after deadly western Sydney shooting A man is in hospital after he was shot by police in Brisbane. (Fairfax Media) Police said officers used a taser, which was ineffective, and then fired one bullet as the man continued to advance. The bullet struck the man, and police rendered immediate medical assistance. The man was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition. No other injuries were reported. The Ethical Standards Command is now investigating the shooting. DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP : Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play .Louisiana lawmakers pass income and corporate tax cuts, raising statewide sales tax to pay for it

Thanksgiving is almost upon us, and given that we're fresh off one of the most contentious and politically divisive election seasons of our time, it's probably not realistic to expect a holiday totally free of drama. If you're one of the lucky few whose family is united around political issues, treasure those peaceful conversations at the Thanksgiving table; for the rest of us, it can be challenging to know how best to talk to loved ones (or, to be real, tolerated-out-of-necessity ones) about anything substantive. Beides, for many of us, these issues aren't “just politics”; they directly affect the way we live our lives and the safety and happiness of our families and friends. While tapping out of such conversations doesn't feel like a responsible or realistic option in 2024, it feels equally dismal to simply accept a tense or outright hostile environment during what should be a joyful and grateful time of year. So, for some expert guidance on this issue, Vogue spoke to Dr. Audra Nuru, a professor of communication and family studies at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, about how to engage loved ones with differing views in a productive way (and, just as importantly, how to set boundaries when it feels like engagement is no longer good for you and your mental health). Find her thoughts—and some sample scripts she's provided for different conversations—below. Vogue : How do you recommend preparing for an event or gathering that might include viewpoints you disagree with or find harmful? Dr. Audra Nuru : It's true that those kinds of encounters can benefit from a bit of preparation. I like to think of it like packing for a trip to a new and unfamiliar place—you want to be prepared for the expected, but also pack with an open mind for the unexpected. So, before heading into that event, take some time to reflect on what topics might feel a bit sensitive for you, almost like checking the weather forecast so you can pack accordingly. Remember, everyone is coming to the table with their own unique experiences and perspectives. Embrace those differences with curiosity and kindness. And of course, it's always wise to set healthy boundaries—that's like having a good map and a reliable guide to help you navigate any unfamiliar territory. Is there a subtle, useful way to redirect a political conversation that's starting to feel upsetting? First and foremost, prioritize the relationship. Remember that the person you're talking to matters more than proving a point. Ask yourself, “How can I express my views while still showing respect and valuing this person?” Part of showing respect is acknowledging that you may have different perspectives. If a conversation starts to feel a little uncomfortable, try gently saying something like, “I hear you, and I hold a different perspective.” This lets the other person know you're listening and that their views matter, even if you don't agree. Secondly, listen with your heart, not just your head. Truly try to understand where they're coming from, even if you disagree. What experiences have shaped their beliefs? What emotions are they expressing? And remember, even when it's tough, try to see things from their perspective. Stepping into another's shoes, even for a moment, can foster understanding and empathy. Third, look for points of connection. Even in the midst of disagreement, there's often some shared experiences or common ground to connect on. It can also be valuable to sense when a conversation needs a pause. If things are starting to feel tense, it's completely fine to suggest taking a break or shifting to a different topic. Ultimately, navigating difficult conversations with respect is about how we connect, even when we disagree. It's about building bridges of understanding by making space for different perspectives. What's a respectful yet firm way to let someone know their comments have crossed a line? Using “I” language is such a powerful tool for navigating difficult conversations. Instead of pointing fingers, “I” language lets us shift the focus to our own experience. Imagine saying something like, “I felt uncomfortable when I heard that comment.” It's honest, it's respectful, and it avoids making the other person feel attacked. When we own our feelings, it invites the other person to do the same. It creates this space for empathy and understanding, even when we might disagree.