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Verstappen captures 4th F1 championship after Mercedes sweep of Las Vegas Grand Prix LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen cruised to a fourth consecutive Formula 1 championship Saturday night by finishing fifth in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Verstappen needed only to finish ahead of Lando Norris of McLaren to give Red Bull a fourth straight driver championship. The Dutchman started fifth but was already up to second by the 10th lap around the street circuit that includes the famed Las Vegas Strip. Norris, who had to score at least three points more than Verstappen to extend the championship fight, finished sixth. The race was won by George Russell who was followed by Lewis Hamilton in the first 1-2 sweep for the Mercedes drivers since 2022. Dartmouth sorority, two members of fraternity face charges after student who attended party drowned HANOVER, N.H. (AP) — A sorority at Dartmouth College and two members of a fraternity faces charges related to the death of a student who drowned after attending an off-campus party. The Hanover, New Hampshire police department, where Dartmouth is located, said Friday that Alpha Phi was charged with one count of facilitating an underage alcohol house. Two members of the Beta Alpha Omega face a charge of providing alcohol to a person under 21. Won Jang, 20, of Middletown, Delaware, had attended an off-campus party in July hosted by Alpha Phi sorority. Police said the alcohol was provided by Beta Alpha Omega. Tens of thousands of Spaniards protest housing crunch and high rents in Barcelona BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Tens of thousands of Spaniards are marching in downtown Barcelona to protest the skyrocketing cost of renting an apartment in the popular tourist destination. Protesters cut off traffic on main avenues in the city center, holding up homemade signs in Spanish reading “Fewer apartments for investing and more homes for living." The lack of affordable housing has become one of the leading concerns for the southern European Union country, mirroring the housing crunch across many parts of the world, including the United States. The average rent for Spain has doubled in the last decade. In cities like Barcelona, rental prices have also been driven up by short-term renters including tourists. Jason Kelce's wife announces she is pregnant with the couple's fourth child Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce's wife is announcing she's pregnant with the couple's fourth child. Kylie Kelce posted a photo on Instagram on Friday of the couple's three young daughters reacting to the news. The oldest daughter, Wyatt, appears to be cupping her head in shock. The middle daughter, Ellioette, is smiling. The youngest, Bennett, is in tears. A caption attached to the photo reads: “I feel like we captured a very accurate representation of how each of the girls feel about getting another sister. At least Ellie, mom and dad are on the same page!” Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in UAE is missing. Israeli officials fear he may have been kidnapped DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — An Israeli-Moldovan rabbi living in the United Arab Emirates has gone missing, with Israeli authorities raising the suspicion he may have been kidnapped as tensions remain high with Iran. The Israeli prime minister’s office said that Zvi Kogan has been missing since noon Thursday. It said that against the backdrop of information that this was a terrorist incident, an extensive investigation has been opened in the country. Emirati officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday. State-run media in the UAE, an autocratic federation of seven sheikhdoms on the Arabian Peninsula and home to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, did not immediately report the incident. Alyssa Nakken, first full-time female coach in MLB history, leaving Giants to join Guardians CLEVELAND (AP) — Alyssa Nakken, the first woman to coach in an MLB game, is leaving the San Francisco Giants to join the Cleveland Guardians. Nakken made history in 2022 when she took over as first-base coach following an ejection. A former college softball star at Sacramento State, Nakken joined the Giants in 2014 and was promoted to a spot on manager Gabe Kapler’s staff in 2020, becoming the majors’ first full-time female coach. Nakken has been hired as an assistant director within player development for the Guardians, who won the AL Central last season under first-year manager Stephen Vogt. Nakken, 34, will work with former Giants coaches Craig Albernaz and Kai Correa. Officer kills pet dog mistaken for a coyote in Massachusetts town. The owner says it was unnecessary An animal control officer shot and killed a pet dog in a Massachusetts town after mistaking it for a coyote in an incident local police are describing as a sad mix-up. Police in Northbridge, Massachusetts, say the shooting happened on Tuesday after police received a call of a report of a coyote in a residential backyard. Police say the animal control officer went into the woods to look for the coyote and found what they thought was the animal in a threatening position and shot it. The incident happened as communities around Massachusetts and the country have dealt with an uptick in interactions between coyotes and people. Kendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Michael B. Jordan uses timeout at women's college basketball game to sign smoldering photo LOS ANGELES (AP) — Snoop Dogg strolled in wearing a jacket with JuJu Watkins’ name and number on the front and back. Michael B. Jordan thrilled a USC female fan with an impromptu autograph during a timeout. The stars came out to the showdown between third-ranked Southern California and No. 6 Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish won 74-61 to remain undefeated in the nationally televised game. The woman held up a smoldering magazine photo of the actor and he indicated he'd sign it. With the arena DJ egging her on, she climbed out of the stands and met Jordan at his seat. He leaned in to ask her name, signed and they shared an embrace.Toy Show update One of the stars of the Toy Show , Brian Óg, opened the show by taking over Patrick Kielty’s host duties. When Kielty asked him to sing Wagon Wheel on a karaoke machine - as he had on last week’s show - Brian Óg said he’d prefer the real deal. Cue Nathan Carter arriving for a duet. “The phone’s been hopping all week,” Brian Óg said of the past week before promising he’d have Kielty’s job for real “in the next 10 or 12 years”. A post shared by Irish Examiner (@irish_examiner) It comes as this year’s Toy Show Appeal reached over €5 million in donations since its launch ahead of last week’s episode. Dancing with the Stars news The Late Late Show kicked off proceedings with a glamourous announcement: five new faces we’ll be seeing on Dancing with the Stars from January 5, 2025 onwards. Television presenter Elaine Crowley, chef Kevin Dundon, social media star Kayleigh Trappe, Olympic gold medalist Rhys McClenaghan and actress Yasmin Seky are the latest celebrity dancers added to the line-up. Earlier this week, Mickey Joe Harte, Olympian Jack Woolley, comedian Gearóid Farrelly, Mrs. Brown’s Boys actor Danny O’Carroll and former Miss Universe Ireland, Aishah Akorede were confirmed as contestants in the new season of the competition. "They haven't stopped laughing since I told them," Elaine said about telling her family the news. "I've never been so nervous in my life. I don't know why I'm doing this, I must be nuts." New judge Karen Byrne also joined the group to talk about going from pro dancer on the show to judge and why she will "say it how it is". "I could be tough but I'll be encouraging." Rupert Everett and his almost-Irish citizenship Actor Rupert Everett told Kielty about his failed attempt to become an Irish citizen after Brexit. “I decided to move to Ireland at one point when Brexit happened. Boris Johnson became the Prime Minister in England, I thought, ‘That's enough. I'm moving to Ireland’,” he said. “I have an Irish grandmother. I thought 'I can get an Irish passport'. Unfortunately, she was born in England, and then she came back to Ireland, so I couldn't get an Irish passport. So my new life was aborted, finally, unfortunately.” A post shared by Irish Examiner (@irish_examiner) Looking back on his career, he said he would consider doing a sequel to My Best Friend’s Wedding with Julia Roberts. “They're difficult to pull off, those kind of things, really,” he said, adding “it just never happened.” He said he had a “sweet” reunion with his costars on the film’s 20th anniversary and that he would “love to see a sequel”. Life after European gold Irish athlete Ciara Mageean joined Patrick Kielty to talk about winning gold at the European Championships and the disappointment she felt after an injury laid waste to her Olympic dream. ”I've been battling with this injury for quite a long time,” she said of her Achille’s tendon injury. “Unfortunately for me, something gave a little bit more in my final prep. I flew early into Paris to try to rectify it, had two cortisone injections, but ultimately, the day before I was to race my first race, I had to make the decision to withdraw.” She described the grieving process she went through after having to pause her Olympic dream and how she felt like “the biggest failure” when she came home. “In many ways, it's the death of a dream. It was my life's work to get out there and race on the Olympic stage.” Peacekeepers home from Lebanon Irish peacekeepers recently returned from South Lebanon spoke about life in Camp Shamrock. Commandant Jane O'Neill recalled her recent experience there as “the most challenging one”, describing it as “a dangerous operating environment”. “We definitely got to put all our training to the test,” she added. Private Adam Higgins, one of the youngest peacekeepers deployed as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said he would still encourage people to consider it as a career path. “I think everyone should do it least,” he said. “I think it really puts into perspective what you want to do in life.”
FBI warns NBA of 'sophisticated' home theft groups after break-ins-memoDrBalcony App Redefines Balcony Inspections with Unparalleled EfficiencyCompany powers down planned expansion of B.C. battery plant
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday said, the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) performed remarkably well in the bypolls held in the state, despite the Congress-led UDF unleashing a false campaign against the government and joining hands with communal outfits to ensure their victory. He said the LDF achieved a significant victory in the Chelakkara assembly constituency and could increase its vote share in Palakkad segment in the bypolls, the results of which were announced on Saturday. Taking a dig at the opposition front, the CM asked what had happened even after the Congress-led UDF vigorously campaigned that the bypoll would be an evaluation of the state government. Addressing a party programme here, Vijayan said that the UDF made all attempts to wrest the Chelakkara constituency and gave utmost prominence for the constituency during the campaigning. He said the Congress tried to achieve a huge political victory by winning Chelakkara. "Then, what had happened when the results were announced?" Vijayan asked. He also accused the opposition front of joining hands with outfits like SDPI and Jamaat-e-Islami to defeat the LDF in the bypolls held to Palakkad and Chelakkara assembly seats and Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency. 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The UDF candidate could not retain her vote share in Chelakkara, when compared to the performance of the party in the segment in the last Lok Sabha polls. But the LDF candidate could ensure his victory by achieving a remarkable margin, the CM added. Both the LDF and the UDF retained the Chelakkara and Palakkad Assembly seats respectively with a comfortable margin in the bypolls. The Congress won the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat with a thumping margin. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )Upstart Holdings CTO Paul Gu sells $6.08 million in stockGREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs left his team’s game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday because of a concussion. Doubs’ injury came on a third-quarter play in the end zone that resulted in a pass interference penalty against San Francisco’s Renardo Green. Doubs stayed down briefly after the play, then got up slowly before heading to the sideline. He went into the injury tent before walking to the locker room. The Packers then announced Doubs was out for the rest of the game because of a concussion. He had three catches for 54 yards before leaving. San Francisco defensive tackle Jordan Elliott left in the first half of the game to get evaluated for a concussion and was ruled out at halftime. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Satellite Phone Store Steps in to Support Malibu Wildfire Recovery with Lifesaving Communication ToolsSegall Bryant & Hamill LLC purchased a new position in Brandywine Realty Trust ( NYSE:BDN – Free Report ) during the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund purchased 355,994 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock, valued at approximately $1,937,000. Segall Bryant & Hamill LLC owned 0.21% of Brandywine Realty Trust at the end of the most recent quarter. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Point72 Asset Management L.P. raised its stake in shares of Brandywine Realty Trust by 7,435.2% in the second quarter. Point72 Asset Management L.P. now owns 2,087,242 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $9,351,000 after buying an additional 2,059,542 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in Brandywine Realty Trust by 2.4% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 28,280,532 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock valued at $135,747,000 after acquiring an additional 651,299 shares during the period. Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new stake in Brandywine Realty Trust during the third quarter valued at about $2,546,000. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. boosted its position in Brandywine Realty Trust by 85.0% during the third quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 700,647 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $3,812,000 after purchasing an additional 321,907 shares during the period. Finally, Lighthouse Investment Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of Brandywine Realty Trust by 50.6% in the second quarter. Lighthouse Investment Partners LLC now owns 640,000 shares of the real estate investment trust’s stock worth $2,867,000 after purchasing an additional 215,000 shares in the last quarter. 87.27% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Brandywine Realty Trust Price Performance Shares of NYSE BDN opened at $5.55 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.05, a quick ratio of 1.74 and a current ratio of 1.74. Brandywine Realty Trust has a fifty-two week low of $3.85 and a fifty-two week high of $6.54. The stock has a market cap of $958.30 million, a PE ratio of -3.08 and a beta of 1.33. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $5.52 and a 200-day moving average of $5.04. Brandywine Realty Trust Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 24th. Investors of record on Wednesday, October 9th were paid a dividend of $0.15 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, October 9th. This represents a $0.60 annualized dividend and a yield of 10.81%. Brandywine Realty Trust’s dividend payout ratio is currently -33.33%. Analyst Ratings Changes Separately, Evercore ISI upped their price target on shares of Brandywine Realty Trust from $5.50 to $6.00 and gave the company an “in-line” rating in a research note on Monday, September 16th. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on BDN Brandywine Realty Trust Profile ( Free Report ) Brandywine Realty Trust (NYSE: BDN) is one of the largest, publicly traded, full-service, integrated real estate companies in the United States with a core focus in the Philadelphia and Austin markets. Organized as a real estate investment trust (REIT), we own, develop, lease and manage an urban, town center and transit-oriented portfolio comprising 160 properties and 22.6 million square feet as of September 30, 2023 which excludes assets held for sale. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Brandywine Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brandywine Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Image via Imagn Images Russell Wilson has been known for his exceptional skillset on the field and also because of his philanthropic nature outside the field. Over the years, Wilson has continued to support many young athletes and local teams by mentoring them or by providing financial assistance to them. One of the teams that has benefited from his support is Maine-Endwell Spartans which features as one of the toughest high school football programs in New York. The Spartans are now looking forward to bagging their eighth state championship and proceeding further onto their legacy of excellence. Russ Wilson Cheers on the Spartans In a display of support and encouragement, former NFL quarterback Russell Wilson took time to deliver a heartfelt message to the Spartans. Posting on their official X, Wilson said, "Hey, Maine-Endwell Spartans, wanna wish you guys good luck on your journey of winning another championship... Keep winning, keep doing the hard work, and I'll see you guys later." His message reminded one about hard work and perseverance leading to greatness. He surely gave this team a much-needed motivation as they got ready for another title hunt. Wilson's words also spoke to how far the Spartans have come and how much respect they hold within football circles. Team Chemistry That Inspires Success What marks this Spartans unit apart is the outstanding team chemistry it carries. "The chemistry is great, and I think this group loves to play football," said head coach Gallagher. The bond between the players is strongly felt and when a team really enjoys playing and supports one another, amazing things can happen. Their winning formula also includes the commitment that they all share to each other on and off the field. Also Read - Sauce Gardner’s Social Media Slip-Up: A Leaked DM and a Public Apology Championship in Sight As the Spartans pursue their eighth state title, there is no doubt that this team can and will deliver. With strong team chemistry, unwavering determination, and support from their community coupled with football legends like Russell Wilson on their list, Maine-Endwell Spartans come out on a mission to continue on their winning legacy. In the history of the team, they have proven that anything is possible if they stick together.
AP Business SummaryBrief at 4:44 p.m. EST
Exclusive-Major cloud providers could get key role in AI chip access outside the US, sources say
Aspac III Holdings reports stock transactions with no salesPackers wide receiver Romeo Doubs leaves game because of concussion
Freezing rain hits Lincoln at drive-time Friday; city treating streets
By MICHAEL R. SISAK and JENNIFER PELTZ NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urged a judge again Friday to throw out his hush money conviction, balking at the prosecution’s suggestion of preserving the verdict by treating the case the way some courts do when a defendant dies. They called the idea “absurd.” Related Articles National Politics | Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time National Politics | How ruling by a conservative Supreme Court could help blue states resist Trump policies National Politics | A nonprofit leader, a social worker: Here are the stories of the people on President Biden’s clemency list National Politics | Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she ‘sustained an injury’ on official trip to Luxembourg National Politics | Bank groups sue the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau over a proposed cap on overdraft fees The Manhattan district attorney’s office is asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to “pretend as if one of the assassination attempts against President Trump had been successful,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a blistering 23-page response. In court papers made public Tuesday, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books after Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork earlier this month asking for the case to be dismissed. They include freezing the case until Trump leaves office in 2029, agreeing that any future sentence won’t include jail time, or closing the case by noting he was convicted but that he wasn’t sentenced and his appeal wasn’t resolved because of presidential immunity. Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove reiterated Friday their position that the only acceptable option is overturning his conviction and dismissing his indictment, writing that anything less will interfere with the transition process and his ability to lead the country. The Manhattan district attorney’s office declined comment. It’s unclear how soon Merchan will decide. He could grant Trump’s request for dismissal, go with one of the prosecution’s suggestions, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court, or choose some other option. In their response Friday, Blanche and Bove ripped each of the prosecution’s suggestions. Halting the case until Trump leaves office would force the incoming president to govern while facing the “ongoing threat” that he’ll be sentenced to imprisonment, fines or other punishment as soon as his term ends, Blanche and Bove wrote. Trump, a Republican, takes office Jan. 20. “To be clear, President Trump will never deviate from the public interest in response to these thuggish tactics,” the defense lawyers wrote. “However, the threat itself is unconstitutional.” The prosecution’s suggestion that Merchan could mitigate those concerns by promising not to sentence Trump to jail time on presidential immunity grounds is also a non-starter, Blanche and Bove wrote. The immunity statute requires dropping the case, not merely limiting sentencing options, they argued. Blanche and Bove, both of whom Trump has tabbed for high-ranking Justice Department positions, expressed outrage at the prosecution’s novel suggestion that Merchan borrow from Alabama and other states and treat the case as if Trump had died. Blanche and Bove accused prosecutors of ignoring New York precedent and attempting to “fabricate” a solution “based on an extremely troubling and irresponsible analogy between President Trump” who survived assassination attempts in Pennsylvania in July and Florida in September “and a hypothetical dead defendant.” Such an option normally comes into play when a defendant dies after being convicted but before appeals are exhausted. It is unclear whether it is viable under New York law, but prosecutors suggested that Merchan could innovate in what’s already a unique case. “This remedy would prevent defendant from being burdened during his presidency by an ongoing criminal proceeding,” prosecutors wrote in their filing this week. But at the same time, it wouldn’t “precipitously discard” the “meaningful fact that defendant was indicted and found guilty by a jury of his peers.” Prosecutors acknowledged that “presidential immunity requires accommodation” during Trump’s impending return to the White House but argued that his election to a second term should not upend the jury’s verdict, which came when he was out of office. Longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution . Other world leaders don’t enjoy the same protection. For example, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on trial on corruption charges even as he leads that nation’s wars in Lebanon and Gaza . Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his May 30 conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records . Prosecutors said he fudged the documents to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier, which Trump denies. In their filing Friday, Trump’s lawyers citing a social media post in which Sen. John Fetterman used profane language to criticize Trump’s hush money prosecution. The Pennsylvania Democrat suggested that Trump deserved a pardon, comparing his case to that of President Joe Biden’s pardoned son Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of tax and gun charges . “Weaponizing the judiciary for blatant, partisan gain diminishes the collective faith in our institutions and sows further division,” Fetterman wrote Wednesday on Truth Social. Trump’s hush money conviction was in state court, meaning a presidential pardon — issued by Biden or himself when he takes office — would not apply to the case. Presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes. Since the election, special counsel Jack Smith has ended his two federal cases , which pertained to Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss and allegations that he hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. A separate state election interference case in Fulton County, Georgia, is largely on hold. Trump denies wrongdoing in all. Trump had been scheduled for sentencing in the hush money case in late November. But following Trump’s Nov. 5 election victory, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed the former and future president’s sentencing so the defense and prosecution could weigh in on the future of the case. Merchan also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. A dismissal would erase Trump’s conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office.WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s allies on Capitol Hill rallied around Pete Hegseth , Trump’s Pentagon pick, on Thursday even as new details surfaced about allegations that he had sexually assaulted a woman in 2017. The GOP embrace of Hegseth came as another controversial Trump nominee, Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration for attorney general. Gaetz said it was clear he had become a “distraction" amid pressure on the House to release an ethics report about allegations of his own sexual misconduct. An attorney for two women has said that his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman. Fresh questions over the two nominees' pasts, and their treatment of women, arose with Republicans under pressure from Trump and his allies to quickly confirm his Cabinet. At the same time, his transition has so far balked at the vetting and background checks that have traditionally been required. While few Republican senators have publicly criticized any of Trump's nominees, it became clear after Gaetz's withdrawal that many had been harboring private concerns about him. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who served with Gaetz in the House, said it was a “positive move.” Mississippi Sen. Roger Wicker said it was a “positive development.” Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Gaetz “put country first and I am pleased with his decision.” After meeting with Hegseth, though, Republicans rallied around him. “I think he’s going to be in pretty good shape,” said Wicker, who is expected to chair the Senate Armed Services Committee in the next Congress. Republican senators' careful words, and their early reluctance to publicly question Trump's picks, illustrated not only their fear of retribution from the incoming president but also some of their hopes that the confirmation process can proceed normally, with proper vetting and background checks that could potentially disqualify problematic nominees earlier. Gaetz withdrew after meeting with senators on Wednesday. Sen. Thom Tillis said Gaetz was “in a pressure cooker” when he decided to withdraw, but suggested that it would have little bearing on Trump’s other nominees. “Transactions — one at a time,” he said. As the Hegseth nomination proceeds, Republicans also appear to be betting that they won't face much backlash for publicly setting aside the allegations of sexual misconduct — especially after Trump won election after being found liable for sexual abuse last year. Hegseth held a round of private meetings alongside incoming Vice President JD Vance on Thursday in an attempt to shore up support and told reporters afterward: “The matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared, and that’s where I’m gonna leave it.” A 22-page police report report made public late Wednesday offered the first detailed account of the allegations against him. A woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave. The report cited police interviews with the alleged victim, a nurse who treated her, a hotel staffer, another woman at the event and Hegseth. Hegseth’s lawyer, Timothy Palatore, said the incident was “fully investigated and police found the allegations to be false.” Hegseth paid the woman in 2023 as part of a confidential settlement to head off the threat of what he described as a baseless lawsuit, Palatore has said. Wicker played down the allegations against Hegseth, a former Fox News host, saying that “since no charges were brought from the authorities, we only have press reports.” Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., said after his meeting with Hegseth that he "shared with him the fact that I was saddened by the attacks that are coming his way.” Hagerty dismissed the allegations as “a he-said, she-said thing” and called it a “shame” that they were being raised at all. The senator said attention should instead be focused on the Defense Department that Hegseth would head. It's one of the most complex parts of the federal government with more than 3 million employees, including military service members and civilians. Sexual assault has been a persistent problem in the military, though Pentagon officials have been cautiously optimistic they are seeing a decline in reported sexual assaults among active-duty service members and the military academies. Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, who will be the No. 2 Republican in the Senate next year, said after his meeting with Hegseth that the nominee is a strong candidate who “pledged that the Pentagon will focus on strength and hard power – not the current administration’s woke political agenda.” Senate Republicans are under pressure to hold hearings once they take office in January and confirm nominees as soon as Trump is inaugurated, despite questions about whether Trump’s choices will be properly screened or if some, like Hegseth, have enough experience for the job. Senate Armed Services Chairman Jack Reed, who will be the top Democrat on the panel next year, said the reports on Hegseth “emphasized the need for a thorough investigation by the FBI on the background of all the nominees.” It takes a simple majority to approve Cabinet nominations, meaning that if Democrats all opposed a nominee, four Republican senators would also have to defect for any Trump choice to be defeated. Trump has made clear he’s willing to put maximum pressure on Senate Republicans to give him the nominees he wants – even suggesting at one point that they allow him to just appoint his nominees with no Senate votes. But senators insist, for now, that they are not giving up their constitutional power to have a say. “The president has the right to make the nominations that he sees fit, but the Senate also has a responsibility for advice and consent,” said Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota. In the case of Gaetz, he said, “I think there was advice offered rather than consent.”
Emerging tight end Noah Gray gives Mahomes and the Chiefs another option in passing game
Alex Ovechkin is expected to miss 4 to 6 weeks with a broken left legDuke of York ‘ceased all contact’ with spy-accused man after concerns raised
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israeli aircraft struck a sprawling tent camp housing displaced Palestinians in Gaza on Wednesday, killing at least 21 people, according to a local health official, setting off fires in the coastal tent city that Israel has designated a humanitarian zone but which has been repeatedly targeted. The Israeli military said it struck senior Hamas militants “involved in terrorist activities” in the area, without providing additional details, and said it took precautions to minimize harm to civilians. The strikes were the latest deadly assault in the war-wracked Gaza Strip , where Israel's offensive against Hamas is nearly 14 months old and showing no end in sight, despite international efforts to revive negotiations toward a ceasefire. The Biden administration has pledged to make a new push to get a ceasefire for Gaza after Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah agreed to end more than a year of cross-border fighting. And President-elect Donald Trump demanded in a social media post this week the release of hostages held by Hamas before he is sworn into office in January. The strike Wednesday in Muwasi, a desolate area with few public services that holds hundreds of thousands of displaced people , also wounded at least 28 people, according to Atif Al-Hout, the director of Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis. An Associated Press journalist at the hospital counted at least 15 bodies, but he said reaching a precise number was difficult because many of the dead were dismembered, some without heads or badly burned. Videos and photos shared widely on social media showed flames and a column of black smoke rising into the night sky, as well as twisted metal tent frames and shredded fabric. Palestinian men searched through the still-burning wreckage, shouting “Over here guys!” Further away, civilians stood at a distance, observing the destruction. The military said the strikes had set off secondary explosions, indicating explosives present in the area had detonated. It was not possible to independently confirm the Israeli claims, and the strikes could also have ignited fuel, cooking gas canisters or other materials in the camp. The strikes followed earlier Israeli attacks on other parts of the Gaza Strip that killed eight people, four of them children, according to Palestinian medics. The military said it had struck “terrorist targets” in a series of strikes. On Wednesday, Israel said its forces recovered the body of one hostage who was captured alive during Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack that sparked the war, yet who Israel believes was killed by his captors. Israel believes about a third of the remaining 100 hostages are dead. The war in Gaza began when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 people. Some 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Israel’s offensive has killed over 44,500 Palestinians in Gaza, mostly women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not say how many were combatants. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. Israel says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames Hamas for their deaths because the militants often operate in residential areas and are known to position tunnels, rocket launchers and other infrastructure near homes, schools and mosques. The United States, Qatar and Egypt have spent much of the past year trying to broker a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the remaining hostages, but those efforts stalled as Israel rejected Hamas’ demand for a complete withdrawal from the territory . Associated Press writer Tia Goldenberg in Jerusalem contributed to this report. Follow AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/mideast-warsUnlike scores of people who scrambled for the blockbuster drugs Ozempic and Wegovy to lose weight in recent years, Danielle Griffin had no trouble getting them. The 38-year-old information technology worker from New Mexico had a prescription. Her pharmacy had the drugs in stock. And her health insurance covered all but $25 to $50 of the monthly cost.
New overnight safe space for youth in Winnipeg's North End aims to offer 'a place to belong'GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs left his team’s game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday because of a concussion. Doubs’ injury came on a third-quarter play in the end zone that resulted in a pass interference penalty against San Francisco’s Renardo Green. Doubs stayed down briefly after the play, then got up slowly before heading to the sideline. He went into the injury tent before walking to the locker room. The Packers then announced Doubs was out for the rest of the game because of a concussion. He had three catches for 54 yards before leaving. San Francisco defensive tackle Jordan Elliott left in the first half of the game to get evaluated for a concussion and was ruled out at halftime. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLThe Dallas Cowboys ended five weeks of frustration with a 34-26 win at Washington in a Sunday decision overflowing with both hilarious and historic moments. And one guy who obviously feels he's earned an at-least temporary last laugh? Micah Parsons, who not once but twice last week in the buildup for this game proclaiming that his Cowboys are a "damn good football team.'' They came into this game with a five-game losing streak and a 3-7 record and the organization quite obviously (no matter what they say) keeping one eye on the Tankathon. And they come out of it - after somehow topping old pal Dan Quinn, the former Dallas defensive coordinator now in charge in D.C. - feeling there might be a turnaround in store. Said Parsons via social media: "Like I said, we ain’t done.'' And in the postgame locker room? "I just wish we finished better at the end,'' he said . "Letting 'em get that touchdown at the end, that really bothered me. ... But we're on our way to being a team that we want to be." Washington’s standout rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels eventually showcased his dual-threat ability with 274 passing yards, two touchdown passes and a rushing touchdown. Daniels also led the team on the ground with 74 rushing yards. But costly mistakes - many of them forced by Micah and the defense - overshadowed his efforts. Related: Cowboys Shock Commanders in All-Time Wild Finish Parsons recorded two sacks in this one, and Dallas had four total. The Cowboys defense also stole a pair of interceptions here. ... and so yes, with Dallas QB Cooper Rush playing "elite bus driver,'' there is reason to understand why Micah has some optimism. The Cowboys' upcoming slate includes have-nots in the Giants, the Bengals and the Panthers. While the franchise might benefit from tanking, it's the job of the players and coaches to attempt to win. They deserve credit for accomplishing that and more here. "Ending the losing streak is good, but what are you gonna do the next couple weeks?" said Parsons, already turning his attention to Thanksgiving's visitor. "You can do it one time but, consistency, so do it again against the Giants." Related: 'Special' Cowboys Stun Commanders; Top 10 Whitty Observations
There are a lot of things to like about Altria ( MO 1.25% ) , particularly if you are a dividend investor. But there are also a few very important things to be worried about. No company is perfect, so you always have to take some bad with the good. But if you are hoping to retire a millionaire on Altria's dividend, you'll want to think extra hard about the bad here. Altria is an industry leader To give credit where credit is due, Altria owns the most important brand in its category in North America. And it isn't even close when you look at the market share numbers. Altria's market share in cigarettes was a huge 45.7% in the third quarter of 2024. The Marlboro brand alone accounted for 41.7 percentage points of that total. Put simply, Altria's Marlboro brand is a category dominator. The strength of the Marlboro brand has allowed Altria to increase its dividend annually for decades. And given the dividend yield of 7.3% today, it makes sense for income-focused investors to take a close look. Think about that yield for a second. All Altria needs to do is increase the dividend 2.7 percentage points and you would likely be getting the 10% total return investors generally expect from the broader market over time. For investors who are already retired, buying Altria certainly looks like a chance to set up a lifetime of lofty dividend payments. For those not ready to turn on that income stream, dividend reinvesting would allow the payout to compound over time. It isn't unreasonable to think that Altria could help you retire a millionaire. There's just one problem: the product. Altria is facing down a major headwind Cigarettes are increasingly falling out of favor in the North American market that Altria serves. Having the most important high-end cigarette brand in a cigarette market that is, effectively, drying up isn't necessarily a great long-term proposition for shareholders. The numbers are getting worse, too, not better. In 2022, Altria's cigarette volume fell 9.7%. In 2023, the decline was 9.9%. And through the first nine months of 2024, the drop was 10.6%. Sure, that trend could turn around, but are you willing to bet your retirement on it? So far, Altria has been able to offset those declines with price increases. That's great, for now. But at some point, price increases are likely to make the volume declines worse. At that point, the price increases may have to slow down or possibly even stop. Or the company may have to consider other options for conserving cash, such as cutting its dividend. The other big issue here is that Altria knows there's a problem and so far hasn't had much success doing anything about it. It has tried. For example, it bought a stake in vape maker Juul and a marijuana company , but neither worked out, and the company had to take massive write-offs. The recent acquisition of vape maker Njoy appears to be working out better, but the business is too small to have much impact on the company's results (it is still classified in an "other" catchall revenue category). Is it worth betting your retirement on the success of a tiny little business that isn't even big enough to break out on its own yet? Altria is a high-risk, high-yield stock Altria has a storied history, but the future is not going to look like the past given the changes taking shape in the cigarette market. The company is trying to adjust as best it can, but Wall Street is worried that it won't succeed, which is why the dividend yield is so high. Given the failures so far and the small size of the one successful new business that the company hopes will solve its cigarette problems, most dividend investors should tread with extreme caution here. Could Altria help you retire a millionaire? Sure, but it could also leave you broke. The risk/reward balance is probably tilted too far to the risk side right now for all but the most aggressive investors.French lawmakers on Wednesday voted to oust the government of Prime Minister Michel Barnier after just three months in office, a historic move which hurled the country further into political uncertainty. For the first time in over sixty years, the National Assembly lower house toppled the incumbent government, approving a no-confidence motion that had been proposed by the hard left but which crucially was backed by the far-right headed by Marine Le Pen. Barnier's rapid ejection from office comes after snap parliamentary elections this summer which resulted in a hung parliament with no party having an overall majority and the far-right holding the key to the government's survival. President Emmanuel Macron now has the difficult task of picking a viable successor with over two years of his presidential term left. He is to address the nation at 1900 GMT on Thursday, the Elysee said. Earlier in the day, Macron is to receive Barnier at 0900 GMT who will submit the resignation of the government. The National Assembly debated a motion brought by the hard left in a standoff over next year's austerity budget, after the prime minister on Monday forced through a social security financing bill without a vote. With the support of the far-right, a majority of 331 MPs in the 577-member chamber voted to oust the government. - 'Calling on Macron to go' - Macron flew back into Paris just ahead of the vote after wrapping up his three-day state visit to Saudi Arabia, an apparent world away from the domestic crisis. He strolled earlier Wednesday through the desert sands of the Al-Ula oasis, an iconic tourist project of the kingdom, marvelling at ancient landmarks. After landing, he headed direct to the Elysee Palace. "We are now calling on Macron to go," Mathilde Panot, the head of the parliamentary faction of the hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) party told reporters, urging "early presidential elections" to solve the deepening political crisis. But taking care not to crow over the fall of the government, Le Pen said in a television interview that her party -- once a new premier is appointed -- "would let them work" and help create a "budget that is acceptable for everyone". Laurent Wauquiez, the head of right-wing deputies in parliament, said the far-right and hard-left bore the responsibility for a no-confidence vote that would "plunge the country into instability". - 'His failure' - Macron on Tuesday had rejected calls to resign, saying such a scenario amounted to "political fiction". With markets nervous and France bracing for public-sector strikes against the threat of cutbacks, action that will shut schools and hit air and rail traffic, there is a growing sense of crisis. The unions have called for civil servants, including teachers and air traffic controllers, to strike on Thursday over separate cost-cutting measures proposed by their respective ministries this autumn. Meanwhile, Macron is due to host a major international event Saturday, with the reopening of the Notre-Dame cathedral after the 2019 fire, with guests including Donald Trump on his first foreign trip since he was elected to be the next US president. "His failure," was left-wing daily Liberation's front-page headline, with a picture of Macron, whose term runs until 2027. - 'Shattered strategy' - In an editorial, Le Monde said Le Pen's move risked upsetting her own supporters, such as retirees and business leaders, by toppling the government. "In the space of a few minutes, she shattered the strategy of normalisation she had consistently pursued," the daily said. Some observers have suggested that Le Pen, 56, is seeking to bring down Macron before his term ends by ousting Barnier. Le Pen is embroiled in a high-profile embezzlement trial. If found guilty in March, she could be blocked from participating in France's next presidential election. But if Macron stepped down soon, an election would have to be called within a month, potentially ahead of the verdict in her trial. Candidates for the post of premier are few, but loyalist Defence Minister Sebastien Lecornu and Macron's centrist ally Francois Bayrou are possible contenders. On the left, Macron could turn to former Socialist premier and interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve, a contender in September. Macron is minded to appoint the new premier rapidly, several sources told AFP. It was the first successful no-confidence vote since a defeat for Georges Pompidou's government in 1962, when Charles de Gaulle was president. The lifespan of Barnier's government is also the shortest of any administration since the Fifth Republic began in 1958. bur-jh-sjw/rlp Originally published as French government falls in historic no-confidence vote Breaking News Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. More related stories Breaking News ‘No guard rails’: State’s vow on drug reform One state has moved to tackle a “pervasive” issue at a major health summit, with promises there will be “no guard rails” placed on those trying to address problems with drug reforms. 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