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Why Luke Lango sees stocks rising in December ... China bans exports to the U.S. of a key rare earth metal ... pricing challenges at MCD ... ADP jobs data ... and Apple partners with Coinbase It was a blistering November for stocks. The S&P 500 rose 5.73% and the Dow jumped 7.54%, marking their best monthly performance of 2024. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq climbed 6.21% for its largest gain since May. Where does the market go next? According to our tech expert Luke Lango, the answer is “even higher.” Let’s quickly tour through his four reasons, the first of which is “bullish seasonality.” From Luke: Since 1950, the stock market has risen about 80% of the time between Thanksgiving and the New Year. And for the past five years, the market rallied from Dec. 2 into the end of the year all but once. The second is “a dovish Fed”: The Federal Reserve will likely play the part of Santa, not the Grinch, later this month... It is widely expected to cut interest rates by 25 basis points at that upcoming meeting. But more important than the actual rate-cut decision will be Fed Board Chair Jerome Powell’s tone in the post-meeting press conference... [We think he will sound] dovish and signal that the cuts will keep coming. Third, Luke points toward “robust consumer spending”: It looks like this holiday shopping season will be quite a strong one. According to data from Mastercard ( MA ), Adobe Analytics, and Salesforce ( CRM ), the 2024 holiday shopping season is off to a record start... By some metrics, we’re looking at potentially the best holiday shopping season since Covid emerged more than four years ago. Finally, Luke highlights “falling inflation:” Reinflation fears have, in our view, been the one obstacle holding the market back in recent weeks – and rightfully so. For a while there, real-time measures of inflation had been reheating... But [Truflation’s U.S. Inflation Index] has slid to 2.7% over the past two weeks. This seems to suggest that the recent bout of reinflation has at least temporarily stalled. Put it altogether and Luke believes we’re in for a strong Santa Rally to end the year. This comes after what was an extraordinary November for Luke’s Innovation Investor subscribers. They locked in the following profits: We’re thrilled to highlight these wins for subscribers and couldn’t be prouder of Luke . Better still, if he’s right, more profits are on the way as we round out the year. Yesterday brought news that China has tightened its grip on two obscure yet indispensable elements that are cornerstones for next-gen technologies. Here’s Bloomberg with more: China ratcheted up trade tensions with the US with a ban on several materials with high-tech and military applications, in a tit-for-tat move after President Joe Biden’s government escalated technology curbs on Beijing. Gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials are no longer allowed to be shipped to America, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement Tuesday. Beijing will also place tighter controls on sales of graphite, it added. This is important because these elements have a wide range of applications – from semiconductors, to satellites, to night-vision goggles, and beyond. Here’s a graphic illustrating how many industries rely on gallium. If you can’t see/read it, the takeaway is basically “all things tech.” After news broke yesterday, western-based rare-earth materials companies popped. For example, Las Vegas-based Mp Materials Corp ( MP ) shot up 11%, Canadian-based Ucore Rare Metals added 23%, and tiny Texas Mineral Resources Corp erupted 34% (and it’s up another 15% as I write Wednesday). This could serve as a preview of what’s on the way if Trump ratchets up the trade war with China. It risks putting upward pressure on inflation for related tech products in 2025 – a dynamic we’ve been warning about repeatedly here in the Digest . We’ll keep you updated as this story unfolds. In the wake of the pandemic and supply chain problems, McDonald’s raised prices as its input costs soared. You may recall last May when the president of McDonald’s U.S. business, Joe Erlinger penned an open letter, explaining why the average price of a Big Mac in the U.S. is 21% higher than in 2019. He pointed toward the company’s own higher costs. The problem is that these higher prices (which protected McDonald’s profit margins) have made the fast-food giant no longer affordable for a huge percentage of Americans. From Bloomberg : After decades of stagnant wages, depleted pandemic savings and the highest inflation since the disco era, many Americans are broke. So much so that in February, McDonald’s Chief Executive Officer Chris Kempczinski told investors that fewer “low-income consumers,” by which he means households earning $45,000 a year or less, are showing up for meals at McDonald’s. According to the latest Census Bureau data, roughly 28% of US households earn less than $45,000 a year. This translates into roughly 90 million Americans. Now, so far, this hasn’t made a dent in McDonald’s overall profitability. But at some point, the fast-food icon will have trouble passing along inflationary cost increases to protect its margins without kneecapping revenues. Back to Bloomberg : [If inflation rises], someone will have to pick up the tab. Companies shouldn’t assume it will be consumers, as McDonald’s has discovered... What is clear is that McDonald’s can no longer serve the broad public, as it always has, without absorbing some of the cost because a substantial portion of its customers have reached their spending limit. It’s a balance that many U.S. executives may have to navigate in 2025: Do you raise prices to protect margins, while risking raising them too high, resulting in fewer customers... or do you eat some of your higher input costs to keep customers happy, which means lower profit margins? At the end of the day, which will have the greatest positive impact on overall profitability? Keep in mind that analysts are projecting calendar year 2025 earnings growth of 15% and revenue growth of 5.7% for the S&P. That’s a lot. For context, for 2024, analysts project earnings growth of 12% and revenue growth of 4.7%. This is happening as the labor market tightens up, which could mean even tighter purse strings for some Americans, which brings us to our next story... ADP released its latest private payrolls report showing that U.S. businesses added 146,000 jobs on the month. That was shy of the downwardly revised 184,000 in October and less than the Dow Jones estimate for 163,000. In positive news, wage growth accelerated by 4.8%, which was faster than October’s increase. Here’s ADP’s chief economist, Nela Richardson: While overall growth for the month was healthy, industry performance was mixed. Manufacturing was the weakest we’ve seen since spring. Financial services and leisure and hospitality were also soft. The more closely watched labor report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics comes out Friday. You’ll recall that its October release showed an increase of just 12,000 jobs. This was artificially lowered by the Boeing strike and hurricanes in the south. The estimate for November is 214,000 jobs. You can be sure the Fed will be watching closely as it tries to thread the needle between maintaining a healthy labor market and taming inflation. In what marks a momentous step into the mainstream, Apple announced that it’s partnering with crypto platform Coinbase to enable crypto purchases through Apple Pay in third-party apps. From CEO Today : The integration is part of Coinbase Onramp—a service designed to streamline the conversion of traditional currencies, such as USD, into digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The move signifies a turning point for the cryptocurrency ecosystem, as two major tech and financial players join forces to simplify the notoriously complex process of acquiring digital currencies. By leveraging Apple Pay’s widespread adoption and Coinbase’s crypto expertise, this partnership could redefine how consumers and developers interact with cryptocurrencies. Here’s more from Coinbase’s CEO, Brian Armstrong: This partnership is a game-changer. It eliminates many of the barriers that have kept average consumers from exploring cryptocurrencies. By integrating with Apple Pay, we’re bringing crypto to the fingertips of millions of users. We continue to be bullish on Bitcoin and the emerging “altcoin season.” If you missed yesterday’s Digest on altcoins, click here to catch it . Bottom line: We believe a tremendous amount of wealth will be made in the crypto sector in 2025. This latest news from Apple and Coinbase only adds to that conviction. We’ll end today by circling back to Luke’s bullishness at the start of the issue. Yes, there are reasons to maintain caution today, and we’ll continue highlighting them so that you’re not caught off-guard as we move into 2025. But we’re in a money-making market. So, until bullish momentum turns, stay invested. While it may or may not be a white Christmas, from the looks of it, it’ll be plenty green. Have a good evening, Jeff Remsburg
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Government Accountability Office says leadership is needed to fully define quantum threat mitigation strategy. A new report released by the agency emphasizes the urgent need for comprehensive federal leadership to address the emerging cybersecurity risks posed by quantum computing, warning that without prompt and coordinated action, adversarial nations might exploit quantum technology to undermine national security. "It is important for the Office of the National Cyber Director to act on our recommendation now for several reasons," Marisol Cruz Cain, director with GAO's Information Technology and Cybersecurity team, wrote in an email to The Center Square. "Adversaries could copy data protected by cryptography today and store it with the intention of accessing it later once a cryptographically relevant quantum computer is developed." The director is also the lead author of The Future of Cybersecurity. "The key to successful migrations is to start planning now and not wait until a CRQC is on the horizon," Cain wrote. "A fully comprehensive strategy will provide agencies with more clarity on their responsibilities and the common outcomes they are aiming to achieve. It will also provide the nation a better-defined roadmap for allocating and managing resources and holding participants accountable for achieving results." A cryptographically relevant quantum computer is a quantum computer that can run algorithms to crack or weaken existing cryptography. Quantum computing is a rapidly advancing technology that has the potential to solve complex problems at an unprecedented speed, which also poses significant risks in today's cybersecurity. The report says various documents have been developed over the past eight years that have contributed to an emerging U.S. national quantum computing cybersecurity strategy. The Government Accountability Office has identified three goals moving forward. The first goal is to standardize post-quantum cryptography, the second would be to migrate federal systems to that cryptography, and the third would encourage all sectors of the economy to prepare for the threat. The report identifies gaps in federal agency preparedness and a lack of clear leadership to oversee the transition to quantum-safe systems, as "No single federal organization is responsible for the U.S. strategy’s coordination." While agencies like the National Institute of Standards and Technology have taken necessary steps to develop quantum-resistant cryptographic standards, the report found inconsistencies in how federal agencies implement recommendations. The Government Accountability Office says national strategies should ideally contain six characteristics: • Purpose, scope, and methodology. • Problem definition and risk assessment. • Objectives, activities, milestones, and performance measures. • Resources, investments, and risk management. • Organizational roles, responsibilities, and coordination. • Implementation and integration. According to the report, the accountability office was asked to investigate the federal government's strategy for addressing threats posed by quantum computers to the nation's cryptography. The current encryption methods are designed to secure sensitive data, but unfortunately, could potentially become vulnerable to future efforts of quantum-enabled decryption in the future. The report also stresses that the federal government will need to act swiftly to implement quantum-resistant cryptography in order to ensure that those critical systems would remain secure. According to the report, "some experts predict that a quantum computer capable of breaking certain cryptography – referred to as a cryptographically relevant quantum computer – may be developed in the next 10 to 20 years." The agency also identified challenges in workforce development and noted a shortage of professionals with expertise in quantum computing and cybersecurity, suggesting federal agencies invest in training programs and collaborate with private sector leaders to ensure a skilled future workforce that is ready to tackle any quantum-related threats. The report serves as a roadmap for quantum threat mitigation and outlines ways the federal government could appoint a centralized leadership body to oversee the implementation of quantum-safe measures. The report also calls for increased funding for quantum research and development and stronger public-private partnerships to address other vulnerabilities while also emphasizing that proactive leadership is critical to ensuring the United States remains at the forefront of cybersecurity in the quantum era.
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With Black Friday deals in full swing, now is the time to kit yourself out with some great accessories to enrich your life. We’re talking about these Black Friday Yeti deals. Yeti makes some great tumblers, cooler storage bags, and anything else to keep your drinks and food at the right temperature for your needs. A wise investment, Yeti is even more appealing when its products are on sale like they are now. We’ve picked out all the best Yeti deals, and we also have some great advice on what to think about before buying any of them. Read on, and we’ll take you through it all. We also have some great other Black Friday gift ideas, and for anyone keen to spend more on something high-end, there are some excellent Black Friday tablet deals out there, too. Yeti Rambler 10-ounce Wine Tumbler — $17 $25 30% off The Yeti Rambler 10-ounce Wine Tumbler is made from durable stainless steel with double-wall vacuum insulation, so it’s perfect for hot or cold beverages. It comes with a Yeti MagSlider Lid, so its magnets keep your drink safe. It’s BPA-free and dishwasher safe, so it’s perfect for storing your glass of wine outdoors. Yeti Rambler 26-ounce Straw Cup — $23 $35 35% off Ideal for big swigs and fewer refills, the Yeti Rambler 26-ounce Straw Cup is a great size for many people. It comes with the Yeti Straw, which is easy to sip, while the Straw Lid has a built-in stopper to keep your reusable straw safely in place. It’s made from durable stainless steel with double-wall vacuum insulation, so your beverage is always safe. Yeti Daytrip Lunch Bag — $64 $80 20% off Perfect for storing your lunch safely, the Yeti Daytrip Lunch Bag means no more soggy sandwiches in your future. It has a thermosnap magnetic closure, so it keeps your food hot or cold — whichever is needed — while there’s a lightweight, closed-cell foam that folds over for great temperature-holding power. It’s easy to use and looks good, too. Yeti Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler — $300 $400 25% off The Yeti Roadie 48 Wheeled Cooler is perfect for long treks thanks to its large design and its periscope handle. The latter is retractable for convenience but built to handle a lot. It has never flat wheels, so it can handle impacts and punctures, while the barefoot, non-slip feet are perfect to prevent sliding around. Yeti Rambler Tumbler with Handle and Straw Lid — $27 $38 30% off With an elevated handle and a cup holder-compatible design, the Yeti Rambler Tumbler with Handle and Straw Lid is perfect for off-road trips and for taking you on the golf course. It has a no-sweat design, so there is no need to worry about condensation, while the double wall vacuum insulation keeps everything safe and can even resist dents and drops. How to choose a Yeti on Black Friday Yeti makes some of the best-insulated water bottles around, so you’re in good hands when you buy something Yeti-related. The company also makes the best coolers , so it’s up to you to figure out what you need. The first thing to consider is which Yeti size is best for your needs. Yeti makes a wide range of products, from small wine tumblers to large drink containers, lunch bags, and wheeled coolers. Think about how you plan on using your Yeti and what you need to store, then work from there. It’s also important to note that the bigger the container, the more expensive it is, but you can also store more of your favorite drink just how you like it. Weigh up if you’re in need of a container for your drink at the office or if you need something bigger to keep you hydrated all day long. Similarly, if you need a bag to take camping, a simple tumbler isn’t going to cut it. How we chose these Yeti Black Friday deals Our Yeti Black Friday deals are extensively researched. We spend our days looking for great deals. That extends to everything from popular technology to homeware like that which Yeti provides. Our approach is simple: we search through all the major retailers, collect all the best discounts, work out which products we would recommend you own (and that we would love to own ourselves), and then write about them here. That way, you get a good quality item at a great price and that is made to last you a long time. This list is full of Yeti products that we would personally gift to our friends and family, as well as those we’d personally want to use. We bear in mind different budgets, so we include a little bit of everything so every scenario is catered to. We also avoid anything that feels inferior in quality for the price, although, for the most part, you can’t go wrong with anything that Yeti produces.Israel Says Hit Hezbollah Targets In LebanonNoneCelia Holman Lee, CEO of Holman Lee Agency FASHION icon and well-known model agency CEO, Celia Holman Lee shares a precious story of love, keepsakes, and a sprinkle of nostalgia. Keeping a babydoll for over 70 years in her attic, Celia never forgot the cherished memories of the toy she received at the age of six or seven. “They were all the rage and very popular those times, and my dear mother went off and got me one,” she said. Rummaging the antique toy out of her loft for a photograph, the nostalgia came flooding back. “That doll sticks out in my mind and I’m lucky that I still have her,” Celia said. “I was very young, and in those times, there weren’t many surprises. We woke up on Christmas Day and the doll was just sitting there. Gifting was different in those times. “It’s memories for me and I’m thrilled that I kept the doll all these years and looked after her. When I played with her I adored her, thanks to my incredible mother.” Peter Nash, Limerick footballer / Hurling Development Officer ONE LIMERICK senior footballer turns out to be a gamer too, it seems, as Peter Nash divulges his multi-faceted interests through what he says was his favourite Christmas present ever. “It was a PlayStation 2 in limited edition silver,” he recalled. “I asked for a PlayStation 2 but the silver edition was a surprise!” The Limerick City Hurling Development Officer and Kildimo-Pallaskenry man said he received the console at age 10 in 2002. “I still have it and it still works,” Peter said. “Myself and my brother spent that whole Christmas playing FIFA 2002 and so many of the following years playing other games on it. Might even break it out this year to get more enjoyment out of it than it’s already given me!” Peter won the inaugural Golden Boot Award for the 2023 Limerick Senior Football Championship. Mick Dolan, Owner of Dolan’s Limerick HOUSEHOLD name Mick Dolan recalls an unforgettable memory he has of surprise concert tickets he received to see one of his all-time favourite musicians. “I got a present from my nephew, Ivan McMahon, to see one of my favourite artists, Tom Waits, perform in the Phoenix Park in Dublin around 15 years ago,” he said. “It was a surprise. It was an incredible experience.” Tom Waits is known for his unique blend of jazz, blues, and rock. He rose to prominence in the 1970s with albums like Closing Time and Small Change. Owning a renowned music venue in the heart of Limerick city on the Docklands, concerts are the focal point of Mick’s trade and music accounts for a huge portion of his life, with Dolans being an iconic spot for audiences and musicians alike for 30 years. “I had always wanted to see this artist live [Tom Waits]. I will never forget it!,” he said. Chloe Walsh, Influencer / Entrepreneur FOR CHLOE Walsh, nothing beats flight tickets in her stocking at Christmas, as “going on little city breaks” are her and boyfriend Andrew La Touche’s “favourite thing to do”. “For Christmas 2022, my boyfriend surprised me with a trip to Budapest,” she said. “It was the best trip, filled with so much fun and adventure and we got to spend time together exploring another city of Europe. It was a total surprise present for Christmas. “We started off our trip at the Zoo Cafe where they have animals crawling around everywhere while you have a coffee, it was so fun!” The 27-year-old said they also visited other tourist attractions like St Stephen’s Basilica, The Light Art Museum, the Széchenyi Thermal Baths “and we finished off our trip at the secret garden spa” at the hotel. “The highlight moment was spending time together and exploring another new place because that’s what life is all about travelling and exploring the world.” Eve Stafford, Soprano singer / Network Limerick FOR SOPRANO singer Eve Stafford, becoming a Spice Girl was the dream at age nine. A memory that stands out for the newly-elected Network Limerick President 2025 is something of mischief and tears, before delight. “My favourite present I got was the Spice World album, on tape, from my big brother, Robert. “What’s funny is he gave me a lump of coal first! When I was a kid, I was a devil for trying to guess what the presents were under the tree. “I couldn’t figure out this one present, I was shaking it and it was an irregular shape. I was ready to burst out crying when I opened it. “My brother then, behind his back, gave me the Spice Girls tape. I was then screaming and running around the house, delighted with myself.” Eve says to this day, her favourite Spice Girl was Posh Spice, albeit “she wasn’t the best singer”. She received the gift in 1997, with her favourite song being ‘Two Become One’. Conor Sheehan TD, Labour politician FOR NEWLY-elected Labour TD Conor Sheehan, he cast his mind back to the early 2000’s, where he got a “big, clunky desktop computer” from Santa at age 10 or 11. “The thing was slower than a Sunday afternoon in November, but I loved it,” he said. “I used to play the Sims when I was a child. My other favourite present I got when I was 12 was a go-kart. It was black with red seats. “It was a pedal go-kart and it had a back seat, but if somebody who was too heavy sat on the back the whole thing tipped over.” Saying that, the Windows XP computer “was a surprise”, the now 31-year-old had asked for the go-kart because “one of the neighbours had one.” “I used the computer for donkey's years. I’ve a funny feeling we still have it in the attic. I thought it was the height of technology and I remember playing solitaire on the thing. I grew out of the go-kart but had great fun on it.”
NEW YORK — U.S. stock indexes rose to more records Wednesday after tech companies talked up how much of a boost they’re getting from the artificial intelligence boom. The Standard & Poor’s 500 climbed 0.6% to add to what’s set to be one of its best years of the millennium. It’s the 56th time the index has hit an all-time high this year after climbing in 11 of the last 12 days. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 0.7%, while the Nasdaq composite added 1.3% to its own record. Salesforce helped pull the market higher after delivering stronger revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected, though its profit fell just short. Chief Executive Mark Benioff highlighted the company’s artificial intelligence offering for customers, saying “the rise of autonomous AI agents is revolutionizing global labor, reshaping how industries operate and scale.” The stock price of the company, which helps businesses manage their customers, jumped 11%. Marvell Technology leaped even more after delivering better results than expected, up 23.2%. CEO Matt Murphy said the semiconductor supplier is seeing strong demand from AI and gave a forecast for profit in the upcoming quarter that topped analysts’ expectations. All the optimistic talk helped Nvidia, the company whose chips are powering much of the move into AI, rally 3.5%. It was the strongest force pushing upward on the S&P 500 by far. They helped offset an 8.9% drop for Foot Locker, which reported profit and revenue that fell short of analysts’ expectations. CEO Mary Dillon said the company is taking a more cautious view, and it cut its forecasts for sales and profit this year. Dillon pointed to how keen customers are for discounts and how soft demand has been outside of Thanksgiving week and other key selling periods. Retailers overall have offered mixed signals about how resilient U.S. shoppers can remain. Their spending has been one of the main reasons the U.S. economy has avoided a recession that earlier seemed inevitable after the Federal Reserve increased interest rates to crush inflation. But shoppers are now contending with still-high prices and a slowing job market. This week’s highlight for Wall Street will be Friday’s jobs report from the U.S. government, which will show how many people employers hired and fired last month. A narrower report released Wednesday morning suggested that employers in the private sector increased their payrolls by less last month than economists expected. Hiring in manufacturing was the weakest since the spring, according to Nela Richardson, chief economist at ADP. The report strengthened traders’ expectations that the Fed will cut its main interest rate again when it meets in two weeks. The Fed began easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high in September, hoping to offer more support for the job market. The central bank had appeared set to continue cutting rates into next year, but the election of Donald Trump has scrambled Wall Street’s expectations somewhat. Trump’s preference for higher tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation, which could alter the Fed’s plans. Fed Chair Jerome H. Powell said Wednesday that the central bank can afford to cut rates cautiously because inflation has slowed from its peak two years ago and the economy remains sturdy. A separate report Wednesday said healthcare, finance and other businesses in the U.S. services sector are continuing to grow, but not by as much as before and not by as much as economists expected. One respondent from the construction industry told the survey from the Institute for Supply Management that the Fed’s rate cuts haven’t pulled down mortgage rates as much as hoped. Plus, “the unknown effect of tariffs clouds the future.” In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.18% from 4.23% late Tuesday. On Wall Street, Campbell’s sank 6.2% for one of the S&P 500’s sharper losses despite increasing its dividend and reporting a stronger profit than analysts expected. Its revenue fell short of Wall Street’s expectations, and the National Football League’s Washington Commanders hired Campbell’s CEO, Mark Clouse, as its team president. Gains for airline stocks helped offset that drop after JetBlue Airways said it saw stronger bookings for travel in November and December after the presidential election. It also said it’s benefiting from lower fuel prices, as well as lower costs due to improved on-time performance. JetBlue jumped 8.3%, while Southwest Airlines climbed 3.5%. All told, the S&P 500 rose 36.61 points to 6,086.49. The Dow climbed 308.51 points to 45,014.04, and the Nasdaq composite rallied 254.21 points to 19,735.12. In stock markets abroad, South Korea’s Kospi sank 1.4% after a night full of drama in Seoul. President Yoon Suk Yeol was facing possible impeachment after he suddenly declared martial law Tuesday night, prompting troops to surround the parliament. He revoked the martial law declaration six hours later. In the crypto market, bitcoin climbed near $99,000 after Trump said he would nominate Paul Atkins, a cryptocurrency advocate, to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission. Choe writes for the Associated Press. AP Writers Matt Ott and Zimo Zhong contributed.Shortly after issuing a provincewide Amber Alert, Quebec provincial police say a child who was allegedly abducted by a woman has since been found safe and sound. The Sûreté du Québec (SQ) in the province's Montérégie region had said the child was taken at around 1:50 p.m. on Wednesday. An Amber Alert was issued just before 5:30 p.m. On the social media platform X, the SQ announced at 5:40 p.m. that the boy was found. EDITOR'S NOTE: CBC has removed the name and photo from this story. Now that this person is no longer missing, the identity is no longer in the public interest.
WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump is promising expedited federal permits for energy projects and other construction worth more than $1 billion. But like other Trump plans, the idea is likely to run into regulatory and legislative hurdles, including a landmark law that requires federal agencies to consider the environmental impact before deciding on major projects. In a post on his Truth Social site Tuesday, Trump said anyone making a $1 billion investment in the United States “will receive fully expedited approvals and permits, including, but in no way limited to, all Environmental approvals.” “GET READY TO ROCK!!!” he added. While Trump did not specify who would be eligible for accelerated approvals, dozens of energy projects proposed nationwide, from natural gas pipelines and export terminals to solar farms and offshore wind turbines, meet the billion-dollar criteria. Environmental groups slammed the proposal, calling it illegal on its face and a clear violation of the National Environmental Policy Act, a 54-year-old law that requires federal agencies to study the potential environmental impact of proposed actions and consider alternatives. “Trump is unabashedly and literally offering to sell out America to the highest corporate bidder,” said Lena Moffitt, executive director of Evergreen Action, an environmental group. She said the plan was “obviously illegal” and another example of Trump “putting special interests and corporate polluters in the driver’s seat, which would result in more pollution, higher costs and fewer energy choices for the American people.” Alexandra Adams, chief policy advocacy officer at the Natural Resources Defense Council, said Trump should be careful what he wishes for. “What if someone wants to build a waste incinerator next to Mar-a-Lago or a coal mine next to Bedminster golf course?” she asked, referring to Trump’s Florida home and New Jersey golf club, respectively. “There’s a reason Congress requires the government to take a hard look at community impacts to make sure we don’t greenlight projects that do more harm than good. Cheerleading on social media doesn’t change that reality,” Adams said. Energy analyst Kevin Book said Trump’s post showed his usual flair for showmanship but said there was a real concern underlying it: a bipartisan push for permitting reform to speed up major environmental projects that now take years to win approval. “The substance here is he is really serious about trying to get permitting reform done,” said Book, managing partner at ClearView Energy Partners, a Washington research firm. “Permitting delays are an impediment in many sectors — including energy — and there are multiple billion-dollar investments waiting for permitting reform,” Book said. A bipartisan plan championed by Senate Energy Committee Chairman Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso, the committee’s top Republican, would speed up permitting for major energy and mineral projects, but its chances are uncertain in the final few weeks of the current Congress. Their plan would boost energy projects of all types, bringing down prices, creating domestic jobs and allowing the U.S. to continue as a global energy leader, Barrasso and Manchin say. Critics say the bill would open major expanses of public lands and waters for oil and gas drilling and gut executive and judicial review. “Checking off wish lists for oil, gas and mining companies is not permitting reform,” said Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona, the top Democrat on the House Natural Resources Committee. He called the bill “a dirty deal” that would exempt some oil and gas drilling projects from federal review and “let mining companies dump even more toxic waste on our public lands.” Jason Miller, a senior adviser to Trump, said Trump’s second term will be a “golden age of regulation-cutting,” including a promise to “drill, baby, drill.” “If you want to bring in money, he’s going to move heaven and earth to get that money in the door and get it invested in the United States,” Miller said Tuesday at a conference organized by the Wall Street Journal. The plan applies to both domestic and foreign investment, Miller said: “He wants to get the money and he wants to get the regulations cut and get the economy moving again. ” In the short term, Trump’s post makes permitting reform less likely this year, Book said, as Republicans seek to wait until next year when they will control both chambers of Congress and the White House. But the issue is likely to return quickly in the new year.Former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah has already found a new program in Duke, while Mississippi State's Michael Van Buren Jr., Wisconsin's Braedyn Locke and Cal’s Fernando Mendoza are exploring changes of their own in the transfer portal . Mensah, a redshirt freshman with three years of eligibility remaining, told ESPN on Wednesday he has transferred to Duke. He attended the Blue Devils men's basketball game against Incarnate Word on Tuesday night. The Blue Devils (9-3) will face Mississippi in the Gator Bowl, but without 2024 starting quarterback Maalik Murphy and backup Grayson Loftis, who also entered the portal. Mensah, viewed as one of the top players in the portal, threw for 2,723 yards and 22 touchdowns and completed 65.9% of his passes. He led the Green Wave to a 9-4 record and the American Athletic Conference championship game, where they lost 35-14 to Army. Tulane will play Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl on Sunday. Van Buren, Mendoza and Locke announced on social media they had entered the portal. Van Buren started eight games as a true freshmen for the Bulldogs. He threw for 1,886 yards on 55% passing with 16 total touchdowns and seven interceptions for the Bulldogs (2-10, 0-8 Southeastern Conference). He took over as the starter when Blake Shapen suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in a 45-28 loss to Florida on Sept. 21. Shapen has said he plans to return next season. Van Buren, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound passer from St. Frances Academy in Maryland, had two 300-yard performances for the Bulldogs, including 306 yards and three touchdown passes in a 41-31 road loss against Georgia. Mendoza threw for 3,004 yards in 2024 with 16 TDs, six interceptions and a 68.7 completion percentage. “For the sake of my football future this is the decision I have reached,” he posted. Locke passed for 1,936 yards with 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions for Wisconsin this season. He said he will have two years of eligibility remaining at his next school. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football