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The decision by special counsel Jack Smith, who had fiercely sought to hold Mr Trump criminally accountable for his efforts to subvert the 2020 election, represented the end of the federal effort against the former president following his election victory this month despite the election-related cases and multiple other unrelated criminal charges against him. The move, announced in court papers, marks the end of the Justice Department’s landmark effort to hold Mr Trump accountable for what prosecutors called a criminal conspiracy to cling to power in the run-up to his supporters’ attack on the US Capitol on January 6 2021. In court papers, prosecutors said the Justice Department’s position “is that the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated”. Mr Smith’s team emphasised that the move to abandon the prosecutions, in federal courts in Washington and Florida, was not a reflection of their view on the merits of the cases but rather a reflection of their commitment to longstanding department policy. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” the prosecutors wrote in Monday’s court filing in the election interference case. The decision was expected after Mr Smith’s team began assessing how to wind down both the 2020 election interference case and the separate classified documents case in the wake of Mr Trump’s victory over Vice President Kamala Harris. The Justice Department believes Trump can no longer be tried in accordance with longstanding policy that says sitting presidents cannot be prosecuted. Mr Trump has cast both cases as politically motivated and has vowed to fire Mr Smith as soon as he takes office in January. The 2020 election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing the Republican as he vied to reclaim the White House. However, it quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Mr Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The US Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to US District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Mr Smith’s team filed a lengthy brief in October laying out new evidence they planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will over voters after he lost to President Joe Biden.
Initial plans released for 75th season in 2026, including 75th anniversary logo and rings, commemorative ticket and more INDIANAPOLIS , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Set to celebrate its landmark 75th season in 2026, NHRA officials revealed a series of special plans today to kick off the campaign for the historic year in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series. NHRA revealed a special 75th anniversary logo for the 2026 season to launch the campaign, as NHRA looks to celebrate 75 years of incredible racing, founder Wally Parks and the incredible legends that have played a huge role in NHRA's illustrious history. The buildup to the landmark 75th season in 2026 will take place throughout the 2025 campaign with several initiatives set to take place this year, starting at the season-kickoff NHRA Gatornationals on March 6-9 at Gainesville Raceway. Some of the items introduced today at the 75th anniversary campaign launch include: 75TH ANNIVERSARY RINGS: NHRA also revealed special 75th anniversary replica rings that will be given to fans who renew their tickets for the 2026 race throughout the upcoming season. These rings will be a replica of the 75th anniversary rings given to the Mission Foods Drag Racing Series world champions in 2026. COMMEMORATIVE TICKETS : Each fan can purchase a special commemorative ticket for 2026 events to celebrate the landmark 75th season. SPECIAL 2026 WALLY TROPHY: The NHRA will introduce a new and unique Wally trophy that will be given to all race winners during the 2026 season. The 75th anniversary Wally will only be given out during the 2026 year. WALLY PARKS DOCUMENTARY: A comprehensive and first-time full-length documentary on iconic NHRA Founder Wally Parks will be released during the 2026 season. TOP 75 DRIVER LIST: Much like the Top 50 NHRA Driver List that was released during the 50th anniversary season in 2001, the NHRA will release its Top 75 Driver List during the 2026 season. The Top 75 Drivers list will also be released in book form. 75TH ANNIVERSARY COFFEE TABLE BOOK: A high-quality hardcover coffee table book will be released in alignment with the 75th anniversary as a must-have for any fan, detailing the incredible history of the NHRA, from its humble beginnings to its current status. "The 75th anniversary of NHRA drag racing marks a landmark moment in our sport's history and we're excited to kick off the campaign for that historic season in 2026 throughout our upcoming 2025 season," NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. "From a special logo and 75th anniversary rings, we're thrilled to introduce several initiatives already for that celebratory season in 2026 and we will have many more to announce throughout 2025 in this exciting year-long buildup. NHRA has an incredible history – as well as a bright future – and we look forward to celebrating that with our fans, race teams, member track and partners." Additional announcements and initiatives for the 75th anniversary season in 2026 will be released throughout the 2025 campaign. NHRA legends will also be included in the year-long celebration that year, with appearances and special celebrations to be announced in the coming weeks and months. For more information on NHRA, including the full 2025 schedule, please visit www.nhra.com . About Mission Foods MISSION®, owned by GRUMA, S.A.B. de C.V., is the world's leading brand for tortillas and wraps. MISSION® is also globally renowned for flatbreads, dips, salsas and Mexican food products. With presence in over 112 countries, MISSION® products are suited to the lifestyles and the local tastes of each country. With innovation and customer needs in mind, MISSION® focuses on the highest quality, authentic flavors, and providing healthy options that families and friends can enjoy together. For more information, please visit https://www.missionfoods.com/ About NHRA NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States . NHRA presents 20 national events featuring the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series and NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, as well as the Congruity NHRA Pro Mod Drag Racing Series, NHRA Flexjet Factory Stock ShowdownTM, NHRA Holley EFI Factory X, Pingel Top Fuel Motorcycle and Johnson's Horsepowered Garage NHRA Mountain Motor Pro Stock at select national events. NHRA provides competition opportunities for drivers of all levels in the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street LegalTM. NHRA also offers the NHRA Jr. Street® program for teens and the Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League® for youth ages 5 to 17. With 110 Member Tracks, NHRA allows racers to compete at a variety of locations nationally and internationally. NHRA's Youth and Education Services® (YES) Program reaches over 30,000 students annually to ignite their interest in automotive and racing related careers. NHRA's streaming service, NHRA.tv®, allows fans to view all NHRA national events as well as exclusive features of the sport. In addition, NHRA owns and operates three racing facilities: Gainesville Raceway in Florida ; Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park; and In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip in Southern California . For more information, log on to www.NHRA.com , or visit the official NHRA pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nhra-announces-launch-of-landmark-75th-anniversary-campaign-for-2026-season-302330705.html SOURCE NHRA © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
Man City blow three-goal lead in Champions League, Bayern beat PSGCrow's Shadow Institute of the Arts’ annual open house, native market set Dec. 14
8 Things to Remember About Dexter’s Childhood Before ‘Original Sin’Google is ramping up its push into smart glasses and augmented reality headgear, taking on rivals Apple and Meta with help from its sophisticated Gemini artificial intelligence. The internet titan on Thursday unveiled an Android XR operating system created in a collaboration with Samsung, which will use it in a device being built in what is called internally "Project Moohan," according to Google. The software is designed to power augmented and virtual reality experiences enhanced with artificial intelligence, XR vice president Shahram Izadi said in a blog post. "With headsets, you can effortlessly switch between being fully immersed in a virtual environment and staying present in the real world," Izadi said. "You can fill the space around you with apps and content, and with Gemini, our AI assistant, you can even have conversations about what you're seeing or control your device." Google this week announced the launch of Gemini 2.0, its most advanced artificial intelligence model to date, as the world's tech giants race to take the lead in the fast-developing technology. CEO Sundar Pichai said the new model would mark what the company calls "a new agentic era" in AI development, with AI models designed to understand and make decisions about the world around you. Android XR infused with Gemini promises to put digital assistants into eyewear, tapping into what users are seeing and hearing. An AI "agent," the latest Silicon Valley trend, is a digital helper that is supposed to sense surroundings, make decisions, and take actions to achieve specific goals. "Gemini can understand your intent, helping you plan, research topics and guide you through tasks," Izadi said. "Android XR will first launch on headsets that transform how you watch, work and explore." The Android XR release was a preview for developers so they can start building games and other apps for headgear, ideally fun or useful enough to get people to buy the hardware. This is not Google's first foray into smart eyewear. Its first offering, Google Glass, debuted in 2013 only to be treated as an unflattering tech status symbol and met with privacy concerns due to camera capabilities. The market has evolved since then, with Meta investing heavily in a Quest virtual reality headgear line priced for mainstream adoption and Apple hitting the market with pricey Vision Pro "spacial reality" gear. Google plans to soon begin testing prototype Android XR-powered glasses with a small group of users. Google will also adapt popular apps such as YouTube, Photos, Maps, and Google TV for immersive experiences using Android XR, according to Izadi. Gemini AI in glasses will enable tasks like directions and language translations, he added. "It's all within your line of sight, or directly in your ear," Izadi said. gc/dwWalmart’s DEI rollback signals a profound shift in the wake of Trump’s election victory
In this interview, Senior Banking Advisor, Retail Banking at Access Bank Plc, Robert Gill, spoke extensively on the anticipated growth in remittances and the transformative impact this will have on Nigeria’s economy. He also spoke on the bank’s innovative strategies for advancing financial inclusion and digital banking, while addressing key developments in the nation’s digital financial landscape. Nume Ekeghe presents excepts: What role has digital innovation played in Access Bank’s retail banking strategy, and how has it impacted customer engagement? Digital innovation is at the heart of everything we do as a bank. With over 60 million customers, our journey over the past 15 to 20 years reflects a significant transformation. In the early days, customers would visit a branch, fill out paper forms, and officially become part of the bank. This was the foundation of financial inclusion, which initially focused on corporates and businesses before expanding through the rapid proliferation of branch-based banking to include the wider population. However, achieving 60 million customers with a paper-based system would have been impossible, or at least very inefficient, we would have needed tens of thousands of branches nationwide. This is where digital innovation came in. Pioneering one of the first mobile apps in the country and introducing USSD banking laid the foundation for our truly digital-first strategy. Today, most customers find us online. They come across us on news platforms, entertainment sites, and social media channels like Instagram, Facebook, and X where they can find out more about what we do and interact with us. From there, they can easily open an account from the comfort of their home, workplace, or anywhere else—simply by dialing #901. It’s that simple. The same applies to our mobile app where you can find out about us online, download the app and open an account and begin a relationship. The days when banks had to urge customers to explore digital channels as an alternative to branch banking are long behind us. Now, digital is no longer an alternate channel, it is the primary one. Branches have become the alternative. Today, more than 90 per cent of transactions occur outside the branch, predominantly on phones—whether feature phones or smartphones. This shift has revolutionized banking from the moment customers discover us to account opening to ongoing services, whether transactional or extending to non-traditional banking products. Digital has redefined customer engagement and continues to shape the future of financial services. What are the strategies put in place to increase the adoption of digital channels by retail customers and how does it enhance financial inclusion? Financial inclusion is central to our mission and a cornerstone of Nigeria’s broader economic objectives, as championed by the Bankers’ Committee and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Historically, Nigeria struggled with financial inclusion, ranking amongst the lowest on the continent. However, we have made remarkable progress in closing that gap through the co-ordinated leadership of the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Bankers Committee. According to the Enhancing Financial Innovation and Access (EFInA) reports, which show financial inclusion rates growing from less than 50% in 2008 to 74 per cent in 2023, Nigeria is now amongst the better-ranked countries for financial inclusion, largely driven by innovations in mobile financial services. This is also a continental phenomenon, with account ownership in Sub Saharan Africa more than doubling since 2011. This progress has been achieved through collaboration between banks and fintech’s’, leveraging tools such as USSD technology, mobile banking applications, and agency banking to reach underserved communities. The traditional branch-based banking model, while transformative in its time, is no longer sufficient to meet the needs of modern customers. For someone working in a company, government, or as a trader or small business owner, the time required to visit a branch to open an account or complete transactions is time lost from productive activities or family. Today, customers demand convenience, and digital innovation allows us to meet them where they are. Our network of over 600,000 AccessClosa agents ensures that customers are never far from financial services. While digital tools are critical, personal interaction remains essential for financial inclusion. Our agent network plays a crucial role in bridging this gap. Beyond accessibility, digital tools have significantly reduced the cost of serving customers. Consider the transportation costs and lost time involved in traveling to a branch—time that could be spent trading, working, or attending to other priorities. By bringing services directly to customers through mobile and digital channels, we have transformed the banking experience, ensuring customers are served where and how they prefer, rather than requiring them to adapt to our systems. This approach underscores our commitment to reshaping financial services to genuinely meet customer needs. How has the bank’s digital transformation journey addressed pain points in the retail banking customer experience? One of the key points we frequently emphasise in our team planning sessions is that customers don’t necessarily want to bank or make payments in the traditional sense; what they truly want is to keep their money secure, travel, work, eat, shop, and manage their lives with ease. When they engage with financial services, we must focus on understanding what they are trying to achieve, not just the transactions they need to complete. For example, services like embedded finance or buy-now-pay-later options are great ways to align financial products with everyday needs without thinking about the financial product as an extra step. Instead of going to a branch to apply for a personal loan, a customer can now make an online purchase and pay for it in installments. This approach brings us closer to the customer, providing financial solutions that are seamlessly integrated into their lives. Another critical area we’ve worked on is simplifying the Know Your Customer (KYC) process and reducing the documentation required to open an account. The banking sector in Nigeria has made significant strides in this regard, with the introduction of tiered KYC, allowing individuals to open basic accounts remotely by simply creating a digital wallet. This development has played a pivotal role in advancing financial inclusion. Regarding transactions, we’ve enhanced the customer experience by offering greater flexibility and accessibility. Customers now have multiple ways to pay through cards, mobile access, or peer-to-peer transfers. For example, with our Access More platform, you can make QR payments, order a new debit card, or even request a statement—all instantly. If you need a stamped statement for visa purposes or a loan, there’s no need to visit the branch. We already have your transaction history, turnover, and salary information, allowing us to pre-qualify you for a loan. With just a few clicks on the app, the loan can be in your account within seconds. By removing these pain points and shifting many traditional banking processes from the branch to the digital space, we are not just offering convenience but also ensuring that services are fast, accessible, and available at the customer’s fingertips. This is the future of banking—focused on understanding customer needs, simplifying processes, and providing instant, on-demand services through technology. Can we know some of the digital payment solutions you have and how they have helped retail business growth? Digital payments are a critical driver of economic activity; they are the lifeblood of business success. Without the ability to process payments efficiently, businesses face significant challenges. At Access Bank, we understand this dynamic, which is why, after transitioning into a financial holding company a few years ago, we diversified into multiple verticals, including banking, payments, lending, insurance, and pensions. One of our strategic partnerships has been with Hydrogen, enabling us to better serve merchants nationwide. Hydrogen’s innovative Instant Payment Links allow customers to make payments via links or codes, receiving instant confirmation and value at the point of sale, further enhancing the merchant experience. You’ll likely have seen Hydrogen’s branding on POS terminals, reflecting the success of this collaboration. In Nigeria, most transactions still occur on a person-to-person basis, often seen as individual payments. Through data and analytics, we’ve identified that a significant number of customers, around 7.5 million, are small business owners. We now have the capability to serve these individuals more effectively, providing them not only with financial products but also with non-financial services through our SME team. This includes business seminars on topics like setting up and managing a business, keeping personal and business finances separate, and best practices for growing a company. Payments are now more accessible than ever. Beyond traditional methods, customers can make payments via USSD, mobile apps, or even interact with our chatbot, Tamada, on the banking app. To simplify transactions, we’re pioneering payments through phone numbers, allowing customers who prefer not to remember their account number to simply use a phone number to send payments. This approach is a testament to how digital solutions transform people’s engagement with financial services, making transactions faster, more convenient, and more inclusive. Can you give us some insight into some specific products by the bank, especially women, SMEs and youths? At Access Bank, women are at the heart of everything we do and I’m extremely fortunate that the majority of the leaders in my team are women. Our W Banking initiative has evolved into a thriving community, going beyond just offering financial products to creating a comprehensive ecosystem that supports women in multiple dimensions of their lives. Access W is not just a Nigeria-focused solution; it’s a pan-African proposition, with Access Bank’s presence in numerous countries across the continent. We have recently launched Access W in Botswana, and our mission is to impact women across Africa, not just locally in Nigeria. Our aim is to foster intra-African trade and connect women across the continent with global markets. One of the key offerings under Access W is the W Power loan, which has been in place for over a decade, providing women with preferential rates and terms to fund their businesses. Additionally, our digital lending team provides instant loans accessible via mobile devices, ensuring that women, regardless of the size of their business, can access financing quickly and conveniently. The W-branded debit card helps identify and serve women within our community, and we organize a range of seminars and events tailored to support women in business. We also have partnerships designed to help women learn practical skills, such as driving, and access loans for purchasing their first cars. Our training programs empower women with the tools they need to grow and succeed in their businesses. Just this week, we held our 6 th annual Womenpreneur ‘Pitch a Ton’ event where we celebrated over 100 graduates of the mini MBA programme we run in conjunction with the IFC for women-led small and medium businesses. These businesses are all doing amazing things on the continent, solving problems, creating employment and wealth. At Access Bank, we understand that empowering women leads to broader societal benefits. When we support women, we uplift families and contribute to the overall economic growth. This commitment to women’s economic empowerment is central to our values, and we continue to invest heavily in W Banking. Our youth solutions are also tailored to different life stages. For younger children, we offer Access Solo, an account that transitions from a parent-operated to a child-operated account once they turn 18. This progressive approach ensures that as children grow, they become more financially literate and prepared to manage their own finances. By the time they reach adulthood, they have their own debit cards, mobile apps, and full control over their accounts, empowering them to take charge of their financial future. How do you collaborate with fintechs companies? Some bankers view fintech companies primarily as competitors, but the potential for collaboration far outweighs the competitive angle. Despite the increasing digitalization of the financial sector, most transactions in the market are still conducted in cash, presenting a significant opportunity for partnership. Fintechs, working with banks as part of the overall financial ecosystem, have helped to bridge the financial inclusion divide and increase the velocity of money in the economy. To tap into this potential, we established a dedicated team—the Partnership and Digital Capabilities Team. Their primary role is to forge strategic partnerships with fintech companies, helping them gain better market access. This includes collaborating to provide payment services such as instant payments, leveraging partnerships like the one with Hydrogen to facilitate quick transactions, and even supporting fintechs in issuing payment cards. This approach is central to our strategy and has been a key focus for several years. We are moving beyond the traditional banking partnerships focused on payments, lending, and deposits. We have expanded into more strategic collaborations, such as our partnership with Coronation, which allows our customers to access the stock market and invest in Nigerian equities in real-time via our mobile app. This innovation lowers the barriers to entry for investing, allowing customers to easily view the market and make real-time transactions directly from their mobile phones. This is a part of our broader financial inclusion strategy to provide customers with access to a wider range of financial services beyond traditional deposit products, enabling them to build long-term wealth and contribute to economic growth in the community. What upcoming digital innovations or initiatives will further drive retail business growth? We foresee significant growth in the remittance space, with Nigeria receiving over $20 billion annually in remittances. Digital solutions are driving down the cost of international money transfers, enhancing speed and efficiency. Our partnerships with fintechs and international remittance operators aim to expand financial access, ensuring that more funds flow into the formal economy. What is Access Bank doing in this regard? With presence in over 15 countries, Access Bank is building its proprietary payment route, Access Africa, which connects all our countries of presence facilitating individual and business payments on the continent. We also collaborate with global payment schemes like Visa and Mastercard to facilitate seamless international transfers to over 150 countries in the world. By partnering with fintechs, we broaden access to financial services enabling remittances into mobile wallets, making money transfers more affordable and efficient The reduction in remittance costs will not only benefit the economy but also increase the flow of funds through formal channels. This will drive economic growth and prosperity within the continent. What is the future of remittances, and how is Access Bank preparing for it? We anticipate that remittances will evolve beyond cash transfers to include goods and services. For example, remittances could directly fund education fees, support online food retailers, or pay for medical expenses. This approach ensures that remittances are used for their intended purpose while helping to grow commerce and lower costs.Biden Administration Poised to Halt Nippon Steel Acquisition Over Security Concerns
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