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B.C. premier says feds and premiers have right-left strategy to tackle Trump tariffsWe've reached the knockout round of the NBA Cup, where the eight remaining teams face win-or-go-home games Tuesday and Wednesday night. First up is the Orlando Magic visiting the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. Orlando Magic The Magic went 3-1 in Group A games, winning their first three matchups by double-digit scores thanks to Franz Wagner, who averaged 30.5 points in the four group-play games. They couldn't take down the New York Knicks in their final game, but having a +45 point differential going into that matchup was enough to earn them the Eastern Conference wild -card spot. But their chances took a hit when Wagner suffered a torn oblique muscle on Friday. He'll be out for at least the next month, which means Orlando has to face Milwaukee without Wagner or All-Star Paolo Banchero, who is out with the same injury. That means Orlando will have to lean on its third-ranked defense, hoping that the combination of Wendell Carter Jr., Goga Bitadze and Moe Wagner can slow down Giannis Antetokounmpo inside. They wanted to have Jonathan Isaac back, but he has been ruled "out" with a hamstring ailment. They'll also need to find scoring beyond Jalen Suggs, who could thrive against the Bucks' porous perimeter defense. Sunday, the Magic's second scorer was Bitadze in a win over the Phoenix Suns. On Tuesday, look for Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to look for his shot after a quiet offensive season where he's taking 7.1 attempts per game. Milwaukee Bucks The Bucks haven't lost an opening-round game in two years of the in-season tournament. Perhaps Doc Rivers' team finds a new level of play for the NBA Cup, though the more likely explanation is that three of the five teams in the Bucks' group have a combined record of 27-48. That's also the best explanation of how the Bucks turned around their season after starting 2-8: They started playing more bad teams. But they also went 2-8 in part because they were playing really good teams to start the season. Without Wagner and Banchero, the Magic are still a good defense but don't have the offense of a 17-9 team. Meanwhile the Bucks appear to be healthy. Both Antetokounmpo and Khris Middleton are available after being considered "probable" for Tuesday's game. Middleton has been a huge help for Milwaukee in his two games back, picking up 11 assists in limited minutes off the bench. The Bucks are a thin team, and Middleton's availability for 20-25 minutes really elevates the team. There's also the Damian Lillard factor. "Dame Time" broke a six-game stretch of scoring 25 or more points Sunday, but he tends to do well in the playoffs — or a semi-playoff situation like the Cup. Lillard was MVP of the All-Star Game last season and won the newly created "Bubble MVP" award during the 2020 pandemic — literally a Mickey Mouse award. Throwback to when Damian Lillard went crazy in the Bubble 37.0 PPG 4.3 RPG 9.6 APG 49% FG 43% 3P 88% FT Bubble MVP! pic.twitter.com/Q4NqxPg8IR The Magic are banged up, and with the Bucks' season disappointing, expect Milwaukee to push hard to come out of 2024-25 with some kind of trophy, even if it's the NBA Cup. Milwaukee should advance to the Final Four in Las Vegas.
BSD Builders, Inc. Advanced Microgrid Solutions Receives California Seismic Certification for Uninterruptible Power SupplyNEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes fell Thursday following some potentially discouraging data on the economy . The S&P 500 slipped 0.5% for its fourth loss in the last six days. It’s a pause for the index, which has been rallying toward one of its best years of the millennium . The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 234 points, or 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 0.7% from its record set the day before. A report early in the morning said more U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week than expected. A separate update, meanwhile, showed that inflation at the wholesale level, before it reaches U.S. consumers, was hotter last month than economists expected. Neither report points to imminent disaster, but they dilute one of the hopes that’s driven the S&P 500 to 57 all-time highs so far this year : Inflation is slowing enough to convince the Federal Reserve to keep cutting interest rates, while the economy is remaining solid enough to stay out of a recession. Of the two reports, the weaker update on the job market may be the bigger deal for the market, according to Chris Larkin, managing director, trading and investing, at E-Trade from Morgan Stanley. A surge in egg prices may have been behind the worse-than-expected inflation numbers. “One week doesn’t negate what has been a relatively steady stream of solid labor market data, but the Fed is primed to be sensitive to any signs of a softening jobs picture,” he said. Traders are widely expecting the Fed will ease its main interest rate at its meeting next week. If they’re correct, it would be a third straight cut by the Fed after it began lowering rates in September from a two-decade high. It’s hoping to support a slowing job market after getting inflation nearly all the way down to its 2% target. Lower rates would give a boost to the economy and to prices for investments, but they could also provide more fuel for inflation. A cut next week would have the Fed following other central banks, which lowered rates on Thursday. The European Central Bank cut rates by a quarter of a percentage point, as many investors expected, and the Swiss National Bank cut its policy rate by a steeper half of a percentage point. Following its decision, Switzerland’s central bank pointed to uncertainty about how U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s victory will affect economic policies, as well as about where politics in Europe is heading. Trump has talked up tariffs and other policies that could upend global trade. He rang the bell marking the start of trading at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday to chants of “USA.” On Wall Street, Adobe fell 13.7% and was one of the heaviest weights on the market despite reporting stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The company gave forecasts for profit and revenue in its upcoming fiscal year that fell a bit shy of analysts’. Warner Bros. Discovery soared 15.4% after unveiling a new corporate structure that separates its streaming business and film studios from its traditional television business. CEO David Zaslav said the move “enhances our flexibility with potential future strategic opportunities,” raising speculation about a spinoff or sale. Kroger rose 3.2% after saying it would get back to buying back its own stock now that its attempt to merge with Albertsons is off . Kroger’s board approved a program to repurchase up to $7.5 billion of its stock, replacing an existing $1 billion authorization. All told, the S&P 500 fell 32.94 points to 6,051.25. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 234.55 to 43,914.12, and the Nasdaq composite sank 132.05 to 19,902.84. In stock markets abroad, European indexes held relatively steady following the European Central Bank’s cut to rates. Asian markets were stronger. Indexes rose 1.2% in Hong Kong and 0.8% in Shanghai as leaders met in Beijing to set economic plans and targets for the coming year. South Korea’s Kospi rose 1.6% for its third straight gain of at least 1%, as it pulls back following last week’s political turmoil where its president briefly declared martial law. In the bond market, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose to 4.33% from 4.27% late Wednesday. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.The man accused of killing a security guard inside a central Edmonton apartment building last week has an extensive criminal history of violent crimes dating back more than a decade. Harshandeep Singh, 20, who had been on the job only three days, was gunned down early Dec. 6 while patrolling a building in the Central McDougall neighbourhood. Surveillance videos circulating online appear to show the moments leading up the shooting: a man in a yellow security jacket is shoved into a stairwell, then shot in the back. Evan Chase Rain, 30, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in Singh's killing alongside Judith Saulteaux, who is facing the same charge. Court records show Rain has a violent history. Parole documents obtained by CBC detail Rain's troubled history and track his movements through the federal corrections system following his conviction on a string of charges related to an altercation with Edmonton police in June 2019. The documents detail some of Rain's previous crimes and paint a picture of a repeat offender with a propensity for violence. Rain's previous crimes include kidnapping, assault and carrying a sawed-off shotgun during a high-speed chase with police. The parole board found that Rain lived a life of crime, with his deep-seated addictions fuelling a string of violent and impulsive acts. "You have a lengthy and versatile criminal history involving weapons, violence, property, substance abuse, and breach of trust offences most often committed while under the influence of either drugs and or alcohol," parole board member Marilyn Kenny wrote in a decision dated April 2023. "You have shown you are willing to use violence with and without weapons." According to the documents, Rain was on court-imposed conditions in June 2019 when he led officers and a police helicopter in a high-speed chase in a stolen vehicle. Following his arrest, officers discovered a bag loaded with a sawed-off shotgun, ammunition and methamphetamine. Rain pleaded guilty and was handed a sentence of more than three years and two months, and a lifetime prohibition banning him from owning firearms. As Rain served federal time for the police chase, he picked up additional charges for assaulting fellow inmates, and for an attempted carjacking. In January 2021, he punched another inmate in the face while the other man was using a prison phone, breaking the man's nose. In February 2021, he punched another inmate in the head and stabbed him with a prison-made blade five times in the back and arms. The man escaped the attack without major injury. Rain's adult criminal history began in 2012 and includes previous convictions for drugs, failing to comply with court orders, impaired driving and uttering threats. The documents detail how Rain kidnapped a woman in July 2018. He put her in the trunk of a vehicle after using zip ties and tape to constrain her. The woman escaped when Rain was stopped at a car wash in Wetaskiwin, Alta. Parole officials noted that Rain appeared unwilling to accept responsibility for his crimes or participate in programs aimed at rehabilitation. "You demonstrate a pattern of propensity for violence since 2010, to deal with interpersonal issues and many are impulsive in nature," parole board officials wrote. "[Your record] speaks to your inability to control your anger." Singh, from India, was a student at Edmonton's NorQuest College. He had only been on the job three days before he was killed. (Gagandeep Singh Ghuman/GoFundme) Rain, who is Indigenous, had a chaotic and dysfunctional upbringing, according to parole board officials. His childhood was marred by generational trauma, all forms of abuse and addiction in the home, the parole board found. His childhood trauma left him struggling with addictions and anti-social behaviour and drew him into a criminal lifestyle. Rain began abusing hard drugs and alcohol at a young age. He became involved with street gangs as a teen and began trafficking drugs at 16, the parole board found. At the time of his arrest in 2019, he was using meth and fentanyl daily. He reported having little contact with his two children and having grown violent with his partner. Rain claimed that his time with street gangs was over but continued to show affiliation tattoos and was caught attempting to recruit other offenders during his time in maximum security. During his time in the federal correctional system, his release into the community was repeatedly revoked. He was first released in March 2022 but was caught using meth at his halfway house, drugs he had bought while out attending a narcotics treatment meeting. In December 2022, warrants were again issued for Rain's arrest after he snuck out from his court-imposed halfway house past curfew and fled to Saskatchewan. He was arrested weeks later while attempting to steal a stolen vehicle. Officers had located Rain standing near a vehicle in the ditch. He and an accomplice, both armed, were attempting to carjack a passing driver, according to the parole board documents. "Your last release lasted a few days before you made the choice to go unlawfully at large, use drugs and incur further charges," Kenny wrote. "You had a condition that required you to reside at a community residential facility or correctional facility given you are a high-risk high needs offender with a significant history of offending that includes violence and weapons. "You have yet to mitigate the risk you pose in society by completing programs or gaining stability and credibility in the community." In its most recent decision, the parole board expressed its concern over the risk Rain could pose to the community. However, due to the legislation surrounding statutory release for federal offenders, the board said it had little choice but to release him — albeit on strict conditions. "According to the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, you will be released again on statutory release, subject to supervision, until the expiration of your sentence according to law," board member Marilyn Kenny told Rain in the April 6, 2023, decision. Rain was released on a series of conditions, including that he live in a designated halfway house, that he not consume alcohol or drugs, and that he avoid interacting with criminals. Rain repeatedly blamed his circumstances in Edmonton for bringing him back to a life of crime, saying that "any other release destination would be better" and that he "wanted a fresh start" somewhere outside Alberta, the documents said. "You are an untreated violent offender," parole board officials wrote in 2022. "You are a maximum security offender with low reintegration potential and a high risk to public safety." Court records show the 30-year-old Saulteaux also has an extensive criminal history with convictions for aggravated assault, robbery and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public. Rain and Saulteaux remain in custody awaiting their next court appearance in January. Singh's death has raised questions about the kind of training he received and the safety of Alberta's private security guard sector. A family spokesperson said Singh, a student from India enrolled at Edmonton's NorQuest College, had only been on the job three days before he was shot. A series of community memorials have been held in Singh's honour. A funeral, including an honour guard ceremony, is planned in Edmonton for Sunday.
Elway: Remorse over passing on Allen mitigated by play of NixATHEX: Banks send main index soaring
The Ravens looked better defensively last week, but now Roquan Smith's injury is a concernPope Francis kicks off a yearlong Jubilee that will test his stamina and Rome's patience VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has opened the great Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica. The ceremony kicks off the 2025 Holy Year. It's a celebration of the Catholic Church that is expected to draw some 32 million pilgrims to Rome. And it will test the pope’s stamina and the ability of the Eternal City to welcome them. This begins the Christmas Eve Mass. The ceremony inaugurates the once-every-25-year tradition of a Jubilee. Francis has dedicated the 2025 Jubilee to the theme of hope. Bethlehem marks a second subdued Christmas Eve during the war in Gaza BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem is marking another somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of war in Gaza. Manger Square lacked its usual festive lights and crowds of tourists on Tuesday. Instead, the area outside the Nativity Church was quiet. The church was built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. The war, the violence in the occupied West Bank it has spurred and the lack of festivities has deeply hurt Bethlehem's economy. The town relies heavily on Christmas tourism. The economy in the West Bank was already reeling because of restrictions placed on laborers preventing them from entering Israel during the war. Heavy travel day starts with brief grounding of all American Airlines flights WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical problem just as the Christmas travel season kicked into overdrive and winter weather threatened more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. Government regulators cleared American flights to get airborne Tuesday about one hour after the Federal Aviation Administration ordered a national ground stop, which prevented planes from taking off. American said in an email that the problem was caused by an issue with a vendor technology that maintains its flight operating system. Aviation analytics company Cirium said flights were delayed across American’s major hubs, with only 37% leaving on time. Nineteen flights were cancelled. Middle East latest: Israel expels patients from a hospital in Gaza TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The Palestinian Health Ministry says Israeli soldiers raided a hospital in isolated northern Gaza after forcing all the patients and most of the doctors to leave. The Israeli military confirmed its troops had entered the Indonesian Hospital in the town of Jabaliya on Tuesday, as part of an operation searching for Hamas fighters. Winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. In the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian city of Bethlehem was marking a somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of war in Gaza, with most festivities cancelled and crowds of tourists absent. Caitlin Clark honored as AP Female Athlete of the Year following her impact on women's sports Caitlin Clark has been named the AP Female Athlete of the Year after raising the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented levels in both college and the WNBA. She led Iowa to the national championship game, was the top pick in the WNBA draft and captured rookie of the year honors in the league. Fans packed sold-out arenas and millions of television viewers followed her journey on and off the court. Clark's exploits also put other women's sports leagues in the spotlight. A group of 74 sports journalists from AP and its members voted on the award. Other athletes who received votes included Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and boxer Imane Khelif. Clark’s only the fourth women’s basketball player to win the award since it was first given in 1931. Major storm pounds California's central coast, blamed for man's death and partially collapsing pier SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — A major storm has pounded California’s central coast bringing flooding and high surf that was blamed for fatally trapping a man beneath debris on a beach and later partially collapsing a pier, tossing three people into the Pacific Ocean. The storm was expected to bring hurricane-force winds and waves up to 60 feet Monday as it gained strength from California to the Pacific Northwest. Some California cities have ordered beachfront homes and hotels to evacuate early Monday afternoon. Forecasters have warned that storm swells would continue to increase throughout the day. Medellin Cartel victims demand truth and justice as cartel boss Fabio Ochoa walks free in Colombia BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — The return of the notorious drug trafficker Fabio Ochoa to Colombia, following his deportation from the United States, has reopened old wounds among the victims of the Medellin cartel, with some expressing their dismay at the decision of Colombian authorities to let the former mafia boss walk free.Some of the cartel victims said on Tuesday that they are hoping the former drug lord will at least cooperate with ongoing efforts by human rights groups to investigate one of the most violent periods of Colombia’s history, and demanded that Colombian prosecutors also take Ochoa in for questioning. Man arraigned on murder charges in NYC subway death fanned flames with a shirt, prosecutors say NEW YORK (AP) — Prosecutors say a man accused of burning a woman to death inside a New York City subway train used a shirt to fan the flames, causing her to become engulfed. The suspect, identified by police as Sebastian Zapeta, was arraigned in Brooklyn criminal court on Tuesday. He faces murder charges that could put him in prison for life. Federal immigration officials say 33-year-old Zapeta is a Guatemalan citizen who entered the U.S. illegally after being deported in 2018. The apparently random attack occurred Sunday morning on a stationary F train at the Coney Island station in Brooklyn. Amsterdam court sentences 5 men over violence linked to Ajax-Maccabi soccer game THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — An Amsterdam District Court has issued sentences of up to six months in jail against 5 men who were involved in violent disorder after a soccer match between the Dutch club Ajax and Israel’s Maccabi Tel Aviv in November. The riots caused an international outcry and accusations of deliberate anti-Semitic attacks. The violence following a UEFA Europa League match left 5 people in hospital. More than 60 suspects were detained. The court on Tuesday sentenced one man to 6 months in prison, another to 2 1/2 months, two to 1 month and one to 100 hours of community service.
If you have an avid cook or food lover in your life, your gifting opportunities these days are vast and deep. There are authentic ingredients and creative concoctions in brick-and-mortar shops and online. The global pantry beckons. Plus, in many cases, the packaging is gorgeous! Many of these affordable luxuries can be tucked into a stocking, but they also make great presents for a co-worker, mail carrier, nephew or teacher. As a slightly compulsive and obsessive gift giver, matching the right edible treat to the recipient is my jam (another great gifting option!). All of these items cost under $50, but make a big splash. Let’s go! Two Chinese American friends took the flavors of their favorite childhood treats and transformed them into sweet spreads, ready to be slathered on toast, apples or just eaten with a spoon. Rooted Fare sells spreads like Crunchy Black Sesame Butter (inspired by tang yuan, a Lunar New Year dessert ), Pineapple Cake Cashew Butter, and Chinese Almond Cookie Butter. $15 per jar. Il Colle del Gusto makes some sweet and unusual nut-based spreads with an Italian twist: Coarse Hazelnut and Cocoa, Crunchy Peanut, and Sicilian Pistachio, all blended with olive oil. Swirl them into ice cream, slather them onto toast. Each jar under $10. Related: Sesame lovers will be delighted with either an assortment of tahini products such as Chocolate Sesame Sauce, or a tub of flaky, melt-in-your-mouth halva in flavors like cardamom and pistachio from Seed + Mill . Some great gift sets available for under $50. Chile crunch condiments have taken the cooking world by storm, and there are some highly giftable options. Fly By Jing makes a large assortment of Asian-inspired chile crunches, and they have some attractively packaged gift sets for the holidays . The mini sampler set is around $20. The aptly named Chile Crunch sells several varieties of their crunchy condiment, including hot, chipotle, mild and original, all for about $13 per jar. Somos' Salsa Macha Mexican Chili Crisps explode with texture thanks to a whole lot of nuts and seeds. Scoop these spicy-crunchy sauces over everything from avocado toast to tacos — and try the sweeter one on ice cream! The gift set of two comes with a cute spoon for $35. Chef Patricia Quintana has created a line of salsas, sauces, dressings and condiments that preserves the heritage of traditional Mexican cooking. Treat someone to a jar of Achiote sauce or Pineapple Habanero Salsa (and hope you get invited over for the ensuing meal). $15 to $20 per jar. Ever heard of Secret Aardvark sauces ? You might be tempted to spread the word. This Caribbean/Tex-Mex line of condiments has a big following for what they call their “flavor that kicks you in the mouth.” There are many choices, including Drunken Jerk Jamaican Marinade, and Aardvark Habanero Hot Sauce. $10 each, with combo packs starting at $20. Tinned fish is also having a blockbuster culinary moment (and in many cases the packaging is super fun). Fishwife cans ethically sourced fish, like salmon, anchovies and trout, from around the world, with some attractive gift boxes under $50. La Narval focuses on combinations of fish and sauce, such as their mussels in Spanish sauce. Each tin is about $10. The Drinks Bakery creates savory snacks with flavor profiles meant to match up perfectly with your favorite libations. Munch on a Lancashire Cheese and Spring Onion biscuit with a hoppy IPA or a sauvignon blanc. Serve the Parmesan, Toasted Pine Nut and Basil biscuits with a whiskey highball or champagne. Choose from small or larger boxes. I can’t think of a food gift I’m happier to see than a high-quality bottle of oil or vinegar, two of the most-used ingredients in my kitchen. Bona Furtuna's selection of Sicilian olive oils is fresh and fragrant, and their aged balsamic vinegars are thick, sweet and rich. The Invecchiato 7-Year Aged Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, for instance, sells for $44.95; Forte Extra Virgin Olive Oil from $10.95 to $39.95. Metafora olive oil comes in a beautiful bottle and is a nice introduction to Portuguese olive oil. $40. Alvear makes lovely Andalusian sherry vinegars. For the salad makers and Spanish chefs in your life, think about gifting one each of the bottles, a sweet and a dry , about $20 apop. Tartuflanghe makes all sorts of luxury ingredients infused with white and black truffles. Elevate your cooking game with truffle-infused butters with flavors like porcini or anchovy (about $10 each). Pick up a box of decadent, truffle-flavored Tartufissima 19 for $32. Or how about a little jar of black truffle pearls, which look like caviar, and are the most elegant way to finish off a risotto or a deviled egg ($40)? ’Tis the season for sweet things, but there's no need to settle for the same old bonbons. Sanders is known for decadent, chocolate-covered caramels, and this holiday season they have some limited-edition flavors. Do you know someone who might like a bag of bourbon, maple or peppermint dark-chocolate sea-salt caramels? I do! $10. Perhaps you’ve seen the elegant Lady M layered crepe cakes? Well this holiday, try their more portable and giftable Holiday Crepe Biscuit Collection . Eight wedge-shaped boxes contain a delicate crepe biscuit with fillings such as vanilla, chocolate hazelnut and green tea. $28. André’s Confiserie Suisse makes handmade chocolate with deep rich flavor, a result of generations of Swiss chocolate-making expertise. Some unusual classics include the Nussbergerli Sticks, a mix of caramel, candied orange peel and nuts, covered in either dark or milk chocolate, as well as a lovely assortment of chocolate-covered almonds. Also check out the festive, almond-stuffed chocolate pinecones, a cute edible ornament. Offerings start at $7. There are chocolate bars and then there are chocolate bars. At Chocopologie , it's hard to decide among the creative confections. Burnt Caramel Hawaiian Sea Salt? A S'Mores Bar that includes organic graham crackers and vegan marshmallows? At $10 each, you might need to buy a few. The bakers you know will love playing around with the Salted Caramel Crumbles from Kitty Keller. These toffee-like crumbles are made from the butter and salted caramel of Brittany, France, and can be used to finish all kinds of sweet treats with a crunchy little panache. $12. I could go on (quite clearly), but suffice it to say that a little special treat can have a big impact. Those stockings aren’t going to stuff themselves! For more AP gift guides and holiday coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/gift-guide and https://apnews.com/hub/holidays . This story was first published on Nov. 20, 2024. It was updated on Dec. 12, 2024 to correct the spelling of Bona Furtuna.
Positive Signal: Joseph P Kelley Shows Faith, Buying $293K In Nordson StockCelebrity chef Matt Tebbutt has been a familiar face on BBC One's Saturday Kitchen since 2009, when he became a regular alongside former host James Martin . Having hosted the hit weekend show since July 2016, Matt has showcased his cooking expertise to the nation weekly for years. But the chef reserves some of his culinary secrets for special occasions, like Christmas. In an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk, the Buckinghamshire-born presenter divulged the specifics of his Christmas dinner table. Matt revealed that he'd be the one "pottering in the kitchen" while cooking lunch for the people he loves this year—something he says is "very convivial and lovely" when there's a bottle of fizz on the go and Christmas carols on the speaker. But the chef made a shocking revelation: His festive feast won't be cooked with an air fryer, and he won't add red wine to his homemade gravy. He told Express.co.uk: "I don't have an air fryer - I've got mixed views on them. I think they're great for one or two people. I just don't, I can't get my head around the fact that in order to keep the food warm while you cook the rest in an air fryer, you've got to put your oven on, so it seems to negate it." Instead, Matt prefers using the oven and stove to whip up a hearty, classic feast. "I'm quite a traditionalist. When it comes to Christmas, I love the sprouts, parsnips, and stuffing," said Matt. The Saturday Kitchen host continued, "I've got a lovely Turkey... I always say, you know, buy the best quality when you can get your hands on it because it makes a big difference about how it's reared, the amount of fat in the skin, and just the flavour of the legs. "So I'm quite excited about my turkey. I've also ordered a goose, and that's pretty indulgent. Goose is expensive. It doesn't yield a lot of meat, but what there is, you only need a few slithers, and it is so delicious. It is worth it - you also get about two pints of goose fat off the thing, which will keep in your fridge quite happily, indefinitely, as long as you keep it." Matt advocates for "well-roasted potatoes and goose fat", which are "just delicious" when combined. But his approach to gravy is more unique. The chef urged those thinking of skipping homemade gravy for granules to realise that making it from scratch is "absolutely worth it". He suggests starting with a base of liquid stock, then adding the juices from "whatever you're roasting", be it a bird of vegetarian alternative. Matt explained: "And then I would add a splash of Madeira - I always have a bottle of Madeira to hand. I think Madeira is just my secret weapon; it gives a little sweetness, warmth from the alcohol, and that lovely Madeira taste. "And then I would put the stock into that and scrape all the bits and pieces off the bottom of the pan, and then just simmer it away, if you roast whatever you're roasting on top of a bed of onions and carrot and celery and garlic, throw some bay leaves in there, some thyme, bit of rosemary, already, you've got a fantastic base." He caveated that with a plea: "Don't make it too thick. The one thing I can't stand is gravy that you know you need to eat with a knife and fork. For some reason, it's quite a traditional thing to make thick gravy. And I don't like that at all." For the sweet treats that are impossible not to indulge in, the TV chef revealed that he's taking a new approach to the festivities this year. Matt won't be saying no to biscuits, cakes or mince pies, and especially not booze. But he is diversifying his options for "grazing". The chef said: "I've been wearing this Lingo device for a couple of weeks. And I suppose what's been interesting is just keeping track of these glucose spikes. I was aware of what sorts of foods create these spikes and dips. I've learned that things like avocados, fibre, low-release sugars, and stuff like that are much more beneficial to maintaining glucose steadily throughout the day." He continued: "It's Christmas. We all indulge. That's what it's all for. I'm still going to be just eating mince pies and cheese and everything, but throughout the day, you kind of, if you can balance with a few nuts here and there, and a bit of protein just to, sort of to moderate it all out, then it's so much the better. "Indulgence is still the key. But if you indulge with the glucose spikes in mind, you can sort of temper it, moderate it. Therefore, you don't get the peaks, you don't get the troughs. You don't get that kind of that five o'clock slump." Matt's top "swaps" this year include swapping indulgent Christmas breakfast items for avocados, yoghurts, and soft-boiled eggs. For dessert, he admitted that the coffee and brandy cake his mum makes him for his birthday on Christmas Eve will still go down as a treat. But those seeking a healthier pudding could look to seasonal fruits like clementines, pomegranates and pineapple. Pair with some Greek yoghurt and roast nuts, then top with cinnamon to complete the festive dish. Celebrity chef and presenter Matt Tebbutt has been working with Lingo to create a series of tips to assist individuals during the festive period. Lingo is designed to help individuals monitor and understand their glucose levels, promote a healthier lifestyle, and empower people to make informed dietary choices, especially during the festive season. For more information, visit Lingo - Your personal metabolic coach
Manchester United’s new winger Ruben Amorim made his mark with his squad registering a cinematic 4-0 victory against Everton on Saturday. The stellar win came as a big boost in uplifting the down morale of the players and fans as well as gave a ray of hope to the English club’s dismal going campaign this season. While Marcus Rashford and Joshua Zirkzee stole the show with two goals each, the new manager was quite impressed with one of their notable right-wingers, who was brilliant as well. Though he failed to score, the youngster made two stellar assists and made himself ticked in the good books of his new Portuguese boss. With four points from two league games and a Europa League victory over Bodo/Glimt, the new manager stands undefeated. Amorim heaps praise on Amad Diallo Amorim heaped praises on his young right winger Amad Diallo following their cinematic win at the Old Trafford. The Portuguese also underscored the crucial role of United’s former assistant coach Ruud Van Nistelrooy in polishing the Ivory Coast international. “He is really big in talent, but small in size. He did a great job but he also has to improve. He is a great moment. Ruud van Nistelrooy helped him a lot in his games in charge and now he’s helping me.” Amorim on Diallo via The Mirror It is worth noting that Nistelrooy bid goodbye to Old Trafford following Amorim’s takeover as the new manager was not interested in keeping the Dutch legend in his assistant team. Diallo’s mixture of youthful finesse and aligning himself with the Portuguese manager’s offensive attitude make his future bright. Amorim, a great source of rising stars and a constant supporter of creative, fast-paced soccer, can be a perfect environment for the 24-year-old to thrive in. Amorim’s tactical scheme involves players utilizing the wide areas and engaging in the high pressing transitions which might open up the doors for Diallo’s playing time, United is going for depth in the offensive play. His impressive loan stint at Sunderland last season, where he perfected his goal-scoring instincts, is another point in his favour to be more often played. Diallo can be, perhaps, one of the leaders of United’s long-term plans, thus having the opportunity to style creatively in the team which can be what his manager would appreciate most. The Red Devils now gear up for a tough assignment ahead as they will face Mikel Artreta’s Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on December 5. This article first appeared on We All Follow United and was syndicated with permission.
morgantown — West Virginia University offensive tackle Wyatt Milum, defensive lineman TJ Jackson II and linebacker Josiah Trotter were named as 2024 All-Big 12 Conference postseason award winners, selected by the league’s 16 head coaches and announced today by the conference. Milum, a senior from Kenova, West Virginia, was honored as the Big 12 Conference Offensive Lineman of the Year and was named to all-conference first-team squad. Last year, he was named a second-team honoree. Jackson, a senior from Millbrook, Alabama, also earned all-conference first-team honors, while Trotter, a redshirt freshman from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was awarded the league’s defensive freshman of the year. Milum is the third Mountaineer to win the lineman of the year award (Yodny Cajuste, 2018; Colton McKivitz, 2019) and the first outright winner. He has played in 47 games, started 43, and has been used on 2,951 snaps over his four-year career. This season, he has helped WVU rank No. 9 among Power 4 schools in rushing yards per game (192.7). WVU is one of two FBS school with three players to have at least 600 rushing yards. In 2023, he helped the Mountaineer rushing attack claim the No. 1 spot among Power 4 schools, averaging 228.9 yards per game Milum also has not allowed a sack in 34 of the past 36 games in which he played, including not allowing any over the past two seasons. He was named a semifinalist for the Outland Trophy, given to the nation’s best interior lineman. In 2024, Milum also has not allowed a quarterback hurry and only seven pressures. PFF College lists Milum as its No. 3 offensive tackle in the nation, grading out at 90.1. His 84.2 run-blocking grade is No. 6 and his pass-blocking grade (89.8) is No. 4. The offense has run for at least 140 rushing yards in 26 of its last 28 games since 2022. West Virginia is tied for No. 10 nationally with 83 rushes gaining 10-plus yards, tied for No. 8 with 128 missed tackles forced on runs, No. 14 with 1,647 rushing yards after contact and No. 19 with 141 rushes gaining a first down. Jackson played in all 12 games in 2024, starting nine after transferring for the 2024 season. He finished the regular season with 38 tackles, including 20 solo stops, 6.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss and a fumble recovery. He is currently No. 1 nationally in run defense grade (90.6) by PFF College and tied for No. 25 nationally (82.3) among edge rushers overall. He is currently ranked No. 5 in the Big 12 in sacks. He had a season-high six tackles against Pitt, Kansas and Arizona and finished with at least one tackle for loss in eight games and had at least one sack in six games. His top performance of the season was at Pitt where he finished with a career-best four tackles for loss, tying him for fourth-best in school history and the most in a games since 2018. Trotter, WVU’s first Big 12 Conference Defensive Freshman of the Year, played in all 12 games and started 11. He was the nation’s leading freshman tackler with 92 tackles, including 36 unassisted tackles, assisted on a sack, four tackles for loss, give quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and an interception. He also was WVU’s second-leading tackler and was the team’s leading tackler in five of 12 games this year. He finished with four double-figure tackle games and had a career best 12 tackles against Iowa State and Cincinnati. He also recorded at least one tackle for loss in three games, had a season-high 1.5 tackles for loss at Cincinnati and registered an interception at Oklahoma State. Sixty-nine players were recognized on the two all-conference football teams announced today. West Virginia’s honorable-mention choices include tight end Kole Taylor, offensive lineman Nick Malone, offensive lineman Tomas Rimac, kickoff/punt returner Preston Fox, defensive lineman Sean Martin and Trotter. Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders was the Offensive Player of the Year, Colorado cornerback Travis Hunter was the Defensive Player of the Year and Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham was the Chuck Neinas Coach of the Year after leading the Sun Devils to this weekend’s Big 12 Championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, after being predicted to finish 16th in the preseason poll. Arizona State will face Iowa State in the championship game. West Virginia will play No. 25 Memphis in the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl in Frisco, Texas, on Tuesday, Dec. 17, at 9 p.m.
Jeannette Neumann | (TNS) Bloomberg News The Nordstrom family is joining forces with a Mexican retailer to take its namesake department store private in an all-cash transaction valued at about $6.25 billion, including debt. Related Articles Business | New shoplifting data explains why they’re locking up the toothpaste Business | Nicotine pouches are selling fast — and falling into minors’ hands Business | Elon Musk’s preschool is the next step in his anti-woke education dreams Business | A busy 2024 set up big challenges for Disneyland in 2025 Business | Netflix is airing 2 NFL games on Christmas Day. Here’s what to know The founding family is betting that the century-old retail chain will be more successful without the scrutiny and demands of the public market after shares in Nordstrom Inc. plunged 40% in the last five years. During the same period, the S&P 500 rose 84%. As part of the transaction, which is expected to close in the first half of 2025, the family and Mexican department-store chain El Puerto de Liverpool SAB will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Nordstrom. The Nordstrom family will have a majority ownership stake in the company of 50.1%, with Liverpool owning 49.9%. Nordstrom common shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock they hold under the terms of the agreement, the company said Monday. That’s roughly in line with where shares were trading on Monday. Shares in Nordstrom fell as much as 1.3% on Monday in New York. The company’s stock was up 33% so far this year as of Friday’s close as reports of a take-private deal boosted the stock price. The board’s acceptance of the offer underscores Nordstrom’s decline from its peak and its subdued growth prospects. In 2018, the board rejected the family’s bid to take the company private at $50 per share as too low. Nordstrom’s annual revenue, including income from credit cards, peaked at $15.9 billion in the fiscal year ended February 2019. The company was hit hard by Covid-19 and has never returned to its pre-pandemic highs. Nordstrom is expected to report $14.9 billion in total revenue at the end of the current fiscal year, according to a Bloomberg survey of analysts. Other department-store chains in the U.S. have also struggled as shoppers pivot to online competitors such as Amazon.com Inc., or brand-specific stores such as Louis Vuitton. Executives at Macy’s Inc., for example, are shrinking the company’s store fleet to cut costs, while the owners of Saks Fifth Avenue bought Neiman Marcus Group earlier this year. During the past couple of years, investors had hoped that Nordstrom Rack, its off-price chain, could help buoy the company’s growth prospects and compensate for sluggish sales at the more upscale flagship chain. Shoppers flocked to competitors such as TJ Maxx, seeking deals as inflation soared post-pandemic. But Rack’s performance has been spotty. It stumbled when executives tweaked their strategy and stopped offering as many high-end fashion brands at a discount. Rack reversed course and sales have bounced back. Company executives have focused on opening more Rack stores in recent quarters, boosting revenue. In November, Nordstrom raised the lower end of its annual sales guidance after revenue was better than expected at Rack and the flagship chain. But the outlook is still weak, highlighting the attraction of going private: The company is forecasting that annual sales, including credit-card revenues, will be flat to up 1% versus last year. The take-private deal will be financed through a combination of rollover equity by the Nordstrom family and Liverpool, cash commitments by Liverpool, up to $450 million in borrowings under a new $1.2 billion ABL bank financing, and company cash on hand. The board also intends to pay a special dividend of up to 25 cents a share in cash contingent on the deal closing. The transaction must be approved by holders of two-thirds of the company’s common stock shareholders and the holders of a majority of the shares not owned by the Nordstrom family or Liverpool. Erik and Peter Nordstrom, who are members of the company’s board, recused themselves from the vote, which unanimously approved the transaction. “On behalf of my family, we look forward to working with our teams to ensure Nordstrom thrives long into the future,” said Erik Nordstrom, chief executive officer of Nordstrom. Liverpool, run by descendants of a French shareholder group that dates back more than a century, is one of Mexico’s most important department store chains, with an ornate flagship location in the capital’s historic center. The $7 billion publicly-traded company has ventured beyond Mexico in recent years, acquiring a stake in Latin American retail operator Unicomer in 2011 and attempting unsuccessfully to acquire control of Chile’s Ripley SA in 2015 before turning its eyes to the U.S. with the Nordstrom investment. Max David Michel, part of Liverpool’s founding family and one of the richest people in the country, retired as head of Liverpool’s board earlier this year. (Updates to include what stock is trading at versus the offer price.) ©2024 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Dolphins pass rusher Bradley Chubb will not play this season
NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes fell Thursday following some potentially discouraging data on the economy . The S&P 500 slipped 0.5% for its fourth loss in the last six days. It’s a pause for the index, which has been rallying toward one of its best years of the millennium . The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 234 points, or 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 0.7% from its record set the day before. A report early in the morning said more U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week than expected. A separate update, meanwhile, showed that inflation at the wholesale level, before it reaches U.S. consumers, was hotter last month than economists expected. Neither report points to imminent disaster, but they dilute one of the hopes that’s driven the S&P 500 to 57 all-time highs so far this year : Inflation is slowing enough to convince the Federal Reserve to keep cutting interest rates, while the economy is remaining solid enough to stay out of a recession. Of the two reports, the weaker update on the job market may be the bigger deal for the market, according to Chris Larkin, managing director, trading and investing, at E-Trade from Morgan Stanley. A surge in egg prices may have been behind the worse-than-expected inflation numbers. “One week doesn’t negate what has been a relatively steady stream of solid labor market data, but the Fed is primed to be sensitive to any signs of a softening jobs picture,” he said. Traders are widely expecting the Fed will ease its main interest rate at its meeting next week. If they’re correct, it would be a third straight cut by the Fed after it began lowering rates in September from a two-decade high. It’s hoping to support a slowing job market after getting inflation nearly all the way down to its 2% target. Lower rates would give a boost to the economy and to prices for investments, but they could also provide more fuel for inflation. A cut next week would have the Fed following other central banks, which lowered rates on Thursday. The European Central Bank cut rates by a quarter of a percentage point, as many investors expected, and the Swiss National Bank cut its policy rate by a steeper half of a percentage point. Following its decision, Switzerland’s central bank pointed to uncertainty about how U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s victory will affect economic policies, as well as about where politics in Europe is heading. Trump has talked up tariffs and other policies that could upend global trade. He rang the bell marking the start of trading at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday to chants of “USA.” On Wall Street, Adobe fell 13.7% and was one of the heaviest weights on the market despite reporting stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The company gave forecasts for profit and revenue in its upcoming fiscal year that fell a bit shy of analysts’. Warner Bros. Discovery soared 15.4% after unveiling a new corporate structure that separates its streaming business and film studios from its traditional television business. CEO David Zaslav said the move “enhances our flexibility with potential future strategic opportunities,” raising speculation about a spinoff or sale. Kroger rose 3.2% after saying it would get back to buying back its own stock now that its attempt to merge with Albertsons is off . Kroger’s board approved a program to repurchase up to $7.5 billion of its stock, replacing an existing $1 billion authorization. All told, the S&P 500 fell 32.94 points to 6,051.25. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 234.55 to 43,914.12, and the Nasdaq composite sank 132.05 to 19,902.84. In stock markets abroad, European indexes held relatively steady following the European Central Bank’s cut to rates. Asian markets were stronger. Indexes rose 1.2% in Hong Kong and 0.8% in Shanghai as leaders met in Beijing to set economic plans and targets for the coming year. South Korea’s Kospi rose 1.6% for its third straight gain of at least 1%, as it pulls back following last week’s political turmoil where its president briefly declared martial law. In the bond market, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose to 4.33% from 4.27% late Wednesday. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.
Labour leader holds exploratory coalition talks with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael
Can Rolls-Royce shares keep on soaring in 2025?Christmas Eve is a magical time of year, full of tradition and family, as people gather together to celebrate. This is no different across Yorkshire, as people across the county prepare for Christmas Day. For many, it will be a time to perform some of the usual Christmas Eve traditions. Get all the latest and breaking news in Yorkshire by signing up to our newsletter here. Some of these may not be specific to just Yorkshire, but many of them are intrinsically linked to this country and the people in it. There are lots of traditions as well which originated here before spreading across the country. For example, it is believed that Yorkshireman William Strickland introduced the tradition of eating a turkey on Christmas Day in the 1500s, while the tradition of eating cheese with Christmas cake also originates here. Here are some of the traditions which take place across Yorkshire. In Richmond, every Christmas Eve in the marketplace, a person wearing a horse's head is sung to by a group of huntsmen, who then bring it to life with hunting sticks and a horn. Seeing T'Owd 'Oss, as the animal is known, is supposed to bring good luck and is rooted in pagan tradition. In Dewsbury on Christmas Eve the bells at the Minster Church are rung once for every year since Christ was born, with the last toll at midnight. For many across Yorkshire and the rest of the country, a midnight mass in your local church is likely to be a tradition. During the rest of the day there will likely be the last-minute rush into town to do some Christmas present shopping And later some wrapping In the evening the Christmas pyjamas will make an appearance as you gather around the telly And a classic Christmas film to get you into the spirit A takeaway for dinner is in order to save energy for the big Christmas dinner cook tomorrow Remembering all of the Christmas presents you forgot to buy and realising it's too late now Being told (or telling others) to "get out that cupboard" Planning to a tee the running order of events for Christmas Day Despite knowing you'll fail to stick to it as you'll opt to stay in bed and do as little as possible Putting satsumas inside stockings as well as a lump of coal Going to the pantomime at the city hall A trip to the local pub(s) to get merry with school friends you haven't seen since last Christmas Eve Scoffing the cookies and sherry left for Santa after the kids have gone to bed Having one too many drinks and swearing you'll not go overboard next year Singing Fairytale Of New York at full blast Lots of hugging Getting home and raiding the fridgeBy MICHELLE L. PRICE NEW YORK — President-elect Donald Trump rang the opening bell Thursday at the New York Stock Exchange after being recognized for the second time by Time magazine as its person of the year. The honors for the businessman-turned-politician are a measure of Trump’s remarkable comeback from an ostracized former president who refused to accept his election loss four years ago to a president-elect who won the White House decisively in November. Before Trump rang the opening bell at 9:30 a.m., a first for the native New Yorker, he spoke at the exchange and called it “a tremendous honor.” President-elect Donald Trump, with Lynn Martin, President NYSE, center, Melania Trump, right and trader Peter Giacchi, left, walks the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President-elect Donald Trump arrives on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange after ringing the opening bell, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President-elect Donald Trump is greeted by traders, as he walks the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President-elect Donald Trump, with Lynn Martin, President NYSE, right, is greeted by trader Peter Giacchi, as he walks the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President-elect Donald Trump walks the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President-elect Donald Trump is handed a coat by trader Peter Giacchi, as he walks the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in New York, as Melania Trump, right, looks on. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) FILE – New York Stock Exchange President Stacey Cunningham, right, and first lady Melania Trump, with the help of students from the United Nations International School, ring the opening bell of the NYSE in New York, Sept. 23, 2019. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) President-elect Donald Trump signs a guest book after ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President-elect Donald Trump pauses for a photograph after ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President-elect Donald Trump stands for a selfie after ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President-elect Donald Trump gestures after ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President-elect Donald Trump arrives to ring the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President-elect Donald Trump gestures after ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a Time magazine Person of the Year event at the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) A cover of Time magazine’s person of the year, shows President-elect Donald Trump, on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) A cover of Time magazine’s person of the year, shows President-elect Donald Trump, before a ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) FILE – President-elect Donald Trump attends a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris, Dec. 7, 2024. (Sarah Meyssonnier/Pool via AP, File) FILE – American flags hang from the front the New York Stock Exchange, right, on April 11, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan, File) President-elect Donald Trump takes the stage before speaking at the FOX Nation Patriot Awards, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Greenvale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa) FILE – Signs marking the intersection of Broad and Walls streets appear near the New York Stock Exchange, Oct. 1, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan, File) A banner for Alaska Air Group hangs on the front of the New York Stock Exchange in New York’s Financial District on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan, File) President-elect Donald Trump, with Lynn Martin, President NYSE, center, Melania Trump, right and trader Peter Giacchi, left, walks the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) “Time magazine, getting this honor for the second time, I think I like it better this time actually,” he said. Trump, accompanied by his wife, Melania Trump, daughters Ivanka and Tiffany and Vice President-elect JD Vance, grinned as people chanted “USA” before he opened the trading day. He then raised his fist. In his remarks, he promoted some of the people he has named to his incoming administration, including Treasury pick Scott Bessent, and some of his policies, including a promise that the federal government will expedite permits for projects and construction worth more than $1 billion. “I think we’re going to have a tremendous run. We have to straighten out some problems, some big problems in the world,” he said. Sam Jacobs, the magazine’s editor in chief, made the announcement on NBC’s “Today” show, saying Trump was someone who “for better or for worse, had the most influence on the news in 2024.” Trump was Time’s Person of the Year in 2016, when he was first elected to the White House. “This is someone who made an historic comeback, who reshaped the American presidency and who’s reordering American politics,” Jacobs said. In an interview with the magazine that was published Thursday, Trump spoke about his final campaign blitz and election win. “I called it ‘72 Days of Fury,’” Trump said. “We hit the nerve of the country. The country was angry.” As Trump marked the ceremonial start of the day’s trading, the magazine cover featuring him was projected onto a wall at the NYSE. He was flanked by family and members of his incoming administration while his favored walk-on song, “God Bless the U.S.A.,” played. Afterward, he returned to his home in Florida. The NYSE regularly invites celebrities and business leaders to participate in the bell-ringing, which has become a marker of culture and politics. Trump has long had a fascination with being on the cover of Time, where he first made an appearance in 1989. He has falsely claimed to hold the record for cover appearances, and The Washington Post reported in 2017 that Trump had a fake picture of himself on the cover of the magazine hanging in several of his golf country clubs. Earlier this year, Trump sat for interviews with the magazine for a story that ran in April. Time’s billionaire owner, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, criticized Harris for not granting the magazine an interview during her campaign with Trump. In his latest interview, Trump reaffirmed plans to pardon most of those convicted in the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. “It’s going to start in the first hour,” he said of the pardons. He said he would not ask members of his administration to sign a loyalty pledge. “I think I will be able to, for the most part, determine who’s loyal,” he said. But he said he will fire anyone who doesn’t follow his policies. The incoming president also reflected on the future of his “Make America Great Again” political movement. “I hope when I leave office, I’ll be able to also leave people that are extremely competent and get it. And we do have those people. We have far more than you think,” he said. Trump said some of those people include family members and that some of his children would do well in politics. He suggested that daughter-in-law Lara Trump , who recently announced she is stepping down from her role as co-chair of the Republican National Committee, could be a part of his political dynasty. “I think there could be, yeah. I see the people we’re talking about. Lara has been amazing. Look, she was the head of the Republican Party,” he said. With Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., awaiting confirmation to be secretary of state, Lara Trump has said serving in the Senate is “something I would seriously consider.” Trump crafted his image as a wealthy real estate developer, which he played up as the star of the TV reality show “The Apprentice” and during his presidential campaign. He won the election in part by channeling Americans’ anxieties about the economy’s ability to provide for the middle class. In an interview on CNBC after he rang the NYSE bell, Trump likened the broad cuts to the federal workforce that he and his advisers have telegraphed to the TV firings he made of contestants. “We’re going to be doing the same thing, I can tell you. Unfortunately, there’s too many of them,” Trump said. Afterward, he walked the floor of the exchange and shook hands with traders. Associated Press writers Colleen Long and Josh Boak in Washington and Jill Colvin and David Bauder in New York contributed to this report.CooperCompanies Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results
NEW YORK (AP) — Technology stocks pulled Wall Street to another record amid a mixed Monday of trading. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% from its all-time high set on Friday to post a record for the 54th time this year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 128 points, or 0.3%, while the Nasdaq composite gained 1%. Super Micro Computer, a stock that’s been on an AI-driven roller coaster, soared 28.7% to lead the market. Following allegations of misconduct and the resignation of its public auditor , the maker of servers used in artificial-intelligence technology said an investigation found no evidence of misconduct by its management or by the company’s board. It also said that it doesn’t expect to restate its past financials and that it will find a new chief financial officer, appoint a general counsel and make other moves to strengthen its governance. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up the market. Gains of 1.8% for Microsoft and 3.2% for Meta Platforms were the two strongest forces pushing upward on the S&P 500. Intel was another propellant during the morning, but it lost an early gain to fall 0.5% after the chip company said CEO Pat Gelsinger has retired and stepped down from the board. Intel is looking for Gelsinger’s replacement, and its chair said it’s “committed to restoring investor confidence.” Intel recently lost its spot in the Dow Jones Industrial Average to Nvidia, which has skyrocketed in Wall Street’s frenzy around AI. Stellantis, meanwhile, skidded following the announcement of its CEO’s departure . Carlos Tavares steps down after nearly four years in the top spot of the automaker, which owns car brands like Jeep, Citroën and Ram, amid an ongoing struggle with slumping sales and an inventory backlog at dealerships. The world’s fourth-largest automaker’s stock fell 6.3% in Milan. The majority of stocks in the S&P 500 likewise fell, including California utility PG&E. It dropped 5% after saying it would sell $2.4 billion of stock and preferred shares to raise cash. Retailers were mixed amid what’s expected to be the best Cyber Monday on record and coming off Black Friday . Target, which recently gave a forecast for the holiday season that left investors discouraged , fell 1.2%. Walmart , which gave a more optimistic forecast, rose 0.2%. Amazon, which looks to benefit from online sales from Cyber Monday, climbed 1.4%. All told, the S&P 500 added 14.77 points to 6,047.15. The Dow fell 128.65 to 44,782.00, and the Nasdaq composite climbed 185.78 to 19,403.95. The stock market largely took Donald Trump’s latest threat on tariffs in stride. The president-elect on Saturday threatened 100% tariffs against a group of developing economies if they act to undermine the U.S. dollar. Trump said he wants the group, headlined by Brazil, Russia, India and China, to promise it won’t create a new currency or otherwise try to undercut the U.S. dollar. The dollar has long been the currency of choice for global trade. Speculation has also been around a long time that other currencies could knock it off its mantle, but no contender has come close. The U.S. dollar’s value rose Monday against several other currencies, but one of its strongest moves likely had less to do with the tariff threats. The euro fell amid a political battle in Paris over the French government’s budget . The euro sank 0.7% against the U.S. dollar and broke below $1.05. In the bond market, Treasury yields gave up early gains to hold relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed above 4.23% during the morning before falling back to 4.19%. That was just above its level of 4.18% late Friday. A report in the morning showed the U.S. manufacturing sector contracted again last month, but not by as much as economists expected. This upcoming week will bring several big updates on the job market, including the October job openings report, weekly unemployment benefits data and the all-important November jobs report. They could steer the next moves for Federal Reserve, which recently began pulling interest rates lower to give support to the economy. Economists expect Friday’s headliner report to show U.S. employers accelerated their hiring in November, coming off October’s lackluster growth that was hampered by damaging hurricanes and strikes. “We now find ourselves in the middle of this Goldilocks zone, where economic health supports earnings growth while remaining weak enough to justify potential Fed rate cuts,” according to Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide. In financial markets abroad, Chinese stocks led gains worldwide as monthly surveys showed improving conditions for manufacturing, partly driven by a surge in orders ahead of Trump’s inauguration next month. Both official and private sector surveys of factory managers showed strong new orders and export orders, possibly partly linked to efforts by importers in the U.S. to beat potential tariff hikes by Trump once he takes office. Indexes rose 0.7% in Hong Kong and 1.1% in Shanghai. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.hen the Supreme Court hears on Dec. 4, trans youth and LGBTQ+ advocates across the country will be watching with bated breath. The case, which centers on a Tennessee law, will allow the U.S. Supreme Court Justices to decide whether gender-affirming-care bans for minors are unconstitutional under the basis of sex discrimination. It’s the first major trans rights case to reach the nation’s highest court after statehouses have passed scores of in recent years restricting transgender Americans’ ability to use the of their choice, , and access certain kinds of . “The central arguments are about not just the legitimacy of trans healthcare, but about, in some sense, the legitimacy of trans people as members of civic life and public life,” Chase Strangio, co-Director for Transgender Justice with the ACLU’s LGBT & HIV Project who is arguing for the plaintiffs in this case, . Tennessee’s law Senate Bill 1 (SB1), which the Biden Administration, a doctor, and three families challenged, prohibits doctors from prescribing pharmaceutical and surgical care for transgender minors that are looking to gender transition. Tennessee is home to more than 3,000 transgender adolescents, and across the U.S. there are some 300,000 aged 13 to 17, according to UCLA School of Law’s Williams Institute. Gender-affirming care refers to the social, psychological, and medical care prescribed to trans individuals to support their gender identity when it conflicts with the sex they were assigned at birth. The type of care a minor receives varies from child to child, but the Association of American Medical Colleges says gender-affirming care counseling on changes in a child’s social expression (like name changes or hairstyle), puberty blockers, hormone therapy, or surgery—though research from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health minimal to no use of gender-affirming surgeries on transgender and gender diverse minors in the U.S. Decisions on the type of gender-affirming care a minor patient receives require consultation between a parent and doctor. Twenty-four states passed gender-affirming care bans for minors, though some are not currently in effect, . Other states, including Florida, have ongoing litigation challenging care restrictions for transgender adults. What the Supreme Court Justices decide will have significant ramifications for trans youth in Tennessee and beyond—and the stakes could extend to trans adults as well, says Human Right Campaign (HRC) senior director of litigation Cynthia Weaver. “Certainly, how the Court comes out in this case will have some impact on laws that further restrict care for adults,” she says. “It may also encourage or discourage other states to contemplate further restrictions on adult care.” In , the Supreme Court will decide whether Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for transgender youth violates the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. The case was filed in 2023 on behalf of Dr. Susan Lacy, a medical doctor, Samantha and Brian Williams of Nashville, Tenn. and their teenage transgender daughter, and two other anonymous families. The Biden Administration is also a party in the case in support of plaintiffs. Tennessee’s Senate Bill 1 (SB1) prohibits doctors from prescribing certain types of treatment for transgender minors, including puberty blockers and hormones. Minors who are seeking that same medication “for other medical purposes,” the state , are permitted to take that medication. “The legislature determines that medical procedures that alter a minor's hormonal balance, remove a minor's sex organs, or otherwise change a minor's physical appearance are harmful to a minor when these medical procedures are performed for the purpose of enabling a minor to identify with,” a gender identity different from the minor’s sex at birth, to “protect the health and welfare of minors,” SB1 . The plaintiffs, however, argue that Tennessee’s law violates the Equal Protection Clause, because it bans medical treatment in what they say are “explicitly sex-based terms,” according to their brief. The Supreme Court will need to decide what level of scrutiny is applicable for Tennessee’s gender-affirming care ban. Respondents believe SB1 should be subject to rational basis review. Laws that do not discriminate against people based on their sex, gender, or other protected class have to pass the rational basis test. “[It] basically means that they have to be rationally related to a legitimate government interest,” says UCLA Law School professor emeritus Eugene Volokh. Volokh uses state laws regulating medical marijuana as an example. “If a state wants to say, ‘We don't want to allow marijuana even for medical purposes, because we think that, on balance, marijuana doesn't have sufficient medical benefits to outweigh the harms that it can cause,’ that's a rational decision for a state,” he says. The plaintiffs, on the other hand, are arguing for a higher bar for the law to meet, which would make it harder for Tennessee to justify the ban. Under heightened scrutiny, the Supreme Court would have to analyze the laws the state is passing under a more careful review because they would impact a particular population based on a protected characteristic: race, sex, religion, etc. The District Court applied heightened scrutiny to the case and enjoined the law, but the Sixth Circuit disagreed and applied a rational basis test, which allowed the law to stand. That decision was appealed up to the Supreme Court. There’s also an important precedent that may affect this case. In 2020’s , which concerned a plaintiff who was fired after expressing interest in a work gay softball league, and , which was heard alongside and involved a woman who was fired for being transgender, the Supreme Court ruled in plaintiffs’ favor. It was the first time the Supreme Court found that sex discrimination protections extended to sexuality and gender identity. If the Court rules in favor of the plaintiffs in , it would reaffirm that position. The Supreme Court could rule in a number of different ways. It could find that SB1 violates the Constitution and overturn the ban, which would be a win for LGBTQ+ advocates. Or it could hand down a narrow ruling that would determine the level of scrutiny that applies but send the case back to a lower court to apply that standard. It could instead find that gender-affirming care bans for minors should only receive a rational basis review, which would likely leave the law in place and also affect laws restricting gender affirming care for adult patients and healthcare more broadly. “There's potential, because this is a sex-based argument, for this court to say, ‘Actually, we don't really think that differentiation based on sex deserves any heightened protection.’ And so that could also alter any other types of cases that are broad based on sex discrimination, beyond transgender people,” says Ulrich. The incoming Trump Administration could also affect the case. The United States is a party in this case, because the Biden Administration sided with the plaintiffs. But “most people expect that the federal government, once the administration changes, will change their position and switch to supporting Tennessee's law,” says Ulrich. Experts are mixed on what effect that could have. Weaver says that with oral arguments already in motion, and the independence of the Supreme Court from other branches of government, there should be no impact. But Ulrich says it is possible the Court could decide to take on a new hearing to see whether they want to accept the petition from the ACLU and Lambda Legal, who are representing plaintiffs. No matter the outcome, the Supreme Court is set to weigh in on one of the most contentious issues in the country. Transgender rights have become a potent political talking point, and about 50% of Americans believe changing their gender is morally wrong, per a June 2024 Gallup . But only 34% are in favor of banning gender-affirming-care for transgender minors, the same poll found. Medical providers are largely in support of this type of care. Every major medical and mental health association in the U.S. has espoused the benefits of gender-affirming-care on the mental health of transgender youth . A peer-reviewed study in the journal Nature Human Behavior found that when anti-transgender laws are passed, suicide attempts by trans and nonbinary minors increase anywhere from 7 to 72%. “Looking at the LGBTQ+ movement broadly as it relates to gay and lesbian people versus where we are with trans people, I think this is really an inflection point,” Strangio said. “It's not just affecting trans people, it'll affect all LGBTQ people. It'll affect all people who experience gender-based discrimination.”