Stock market today: Wall Street edges back from its records as bitcoin briefly pops above $100,000‘Mass carnage’: 56 dead after football game as horrific footage shocks world
The decision by President Joe Biden to pardon his son, Hunter , despite previously suggesting he would not do so , has reopened debate over the use of the presidential pardon. Hunter Biden will be spared potential jail time not simply over his convictions for gun and tax offenses, but any “offenses against the United States which he has committed or may have committed or taken part in during the period Jan. 1, 2014 through December 1, 2024.” During his first tenure in the White House, Donald Trump issued a total of 144 pardons . Following Biden’s move to pardon his son, Trump raised the issue of those convicted over involvement in the Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol, raising expectations that he may use the pardon in their cases – something Trump has repeatedly promised to do . But should the pardon power be solely up to the president’s discretion? Or should there be restrictions on who can be granted a pardon? As a scholar of ethics and political philosophy , I find that much of the public debate around pardons needs to be framed within a more fundamental question: Should there be a presidential pardon power at all in a democracy governed by the rule of law? What, after all, is the purpose of a pardon? From royal roots... Black’s Law Dictionary, the go-to book for legal terms, defines the pardon power as, “an act of grace...which exempts the individual on whom it is bestowed from the punishment the law inflicts for a crime he has committed.” Although the power to pardon is probably as old as politics, the roots of the presidential pardon in the U.S. can be traced back to English law. The English Parliament legally placed an absolute pardon power in the hands of the monarch in 1535 during the reign of King Henry VIII. In the centuries that followed, however, Parliament imposed some limitations on this power, such as preventing pardons of outrageous crimes and pardons during an impeachment. The Founding Fathers followed the English model in establishing the powers of the executive branch in Article II of the U.S. Constitution . Section 2 of that article specifically grants the president the “power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States” and acknowledges one limitation to this power “in cases of impeachment.” But the anti-democratic roots of the pardon power were a point of contention during the drafting and ratification of the Constitution. In a 1788 debate, Virginia delegate George Mason, for example, said that the president “ ought not to have the power of pardoning , because he may frequently pardon crimes which were advised by himself. It may happen, at some future day, that he will establish a monarchy, and destroy the republic.” Mason’s concern clearly identifies this vestige of the absolute powers of the English monarchy as a potential threat to the new democracy. In reply, based on the assumption that the president would exercise this power cautiously, James Madison contended that the restriction on the pardon power in cases of impeachment would be a sufficient safeguard against future presidential abuse. ...to religious reasoning The political concept of pardon is linked with the theological concept of divine mercy or the charity of an all-powerful God. Pardon, as Supreme Court Justice Marshall noted in the 1833 United States v. Wilson ruling, is defined as “ an act of grace .” Just as in the Abrahamic faiths – Islam, Judaism and Christianity – God has the power to give and to take life , kings wield the power to take life through executions and to grant life through the exercise of pardons. Echoing the command of the Lord’s Prayer “to forgive the trespasses of others,” English philosopher Thomas Hobbes ’ book “Leviathan” asserts that the sovereign ought to display grace by pardoning the offenses of those who, repenting those offenses, want pardon. Hobbes’ choice – an image from ‘Leviathan.’ Photo by DeAgostini/Getty Images Yet, this analogy with divine mercy for all individuals collides with the legal principle of treating different cases differently. If all trespasses were forgiven, pardon would be granted to all crimes equally. There would be no need for distinctions between the wrongly and the rightly convicted or the repentant and unrepentant criminal. All would be forgiven equally. Universal pardon thus violates the legal principle that each individual should receive their due . In the eyes of law, it is impossible to pardon everything and everyone. The incognito of pardon What Hobbes recognized, if imperfectly, is that the power of pardon is just as essential to political life as to our personal lives. It helps to overcome the antagonisms of the past and opens a path to peace and reconciliation with others. The act of forgiving, as political theorist Hannah Arendt puts it, allows us “ to begin again ” and to create a new future together. But how can we reconcile this need for pardon with the impossibility to forgive everything? One answer can be found in the work of French philosopher Paul Ricoeur . Ricoeur talks about the “ incognito of forgiveness ” – “forgiveness” literally translates to “pardon” in French. Acknowledging the difficulty of turning pardon into a universal legal rule or norm, Ricoeur suggests that pardon can exist only as an exception to legal rules and institutions. Pardon, in Ricoeur’s words , “can find refuge only in gestures incapable of being transformed into institutions. These gestures...designate the ineluctable space of consideration due to every human being, in particular to the guilty.” In other words, it has to fly under the radar of rules and institutions. This insight is alluded to by Justice Marshall in his Wilson ruling . Marshall states that pardon is “the private, though official act of the executive magistrate, delivered to the individual for whose benefit it is intended, and not communicated officially to the Court.” The pardon remains incognito, or under the radar, in the sense that it is an extra-legal act that does not pass through legal institutions. In these last days of the Biden administration, this incognito of pardon offers an important reminder of the need for pardon as well as its limitations. The democratic transfer of power always involves an implicit act of pardon that remains incognito. It allows for a fresh start in which society can acknowledge the past transgressions of an outgoing administration, but move on with the hope to begin again. Though critics of the president may reject individual acts of pardon, especially involving family members, society should not give up on the power of pardon itself: It brings a renewal of hope to democracy. Editor’s note: This is an updated version of an article first published on Dec. 15, 2024. Scott Davidson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
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A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok in a few short months, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied TikTok's petition to overturn the law — which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January — and rebuffed the company's challenge of the statute, which it argued had ran afoul of the First Amendment. “The First Amendment exists to protect free speech in the United States,” said the court's opinion, which was written by Judge Douglas Ginsburg. “Here the Government acted solely to protect that freedom from a foreign adversary nation and to limit that adversary’s ability to gather data on people in the United States.” TikTok and ByteDance — another plaintiff in the lawsuit — are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court, though its unclear whether the court will take up the case. “The Supreme Court has an established historical record of protecting Americans’ right to free speech, and we expect they will do just that on this important constitutional issue," TikTok spokesperson Michael Hughes said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the TikTok ban was conceived and pushed through based upon inaccurate, flawed and hypothetical information, resulting in outright censorship of the American people,” Hughes said. Unless stopped, he argued the statute “will silence the voices of over 170 million Americans here in the US and around the world on January 19th, 2025.” Though the case is squarely in the court system, its also possible the two companies might be thrown some sort of a lifeline by President-elect Donald Trump, who tried to ban TikTok during his first term but said during the presidential campaign that he is now against such action . The law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, was the culmination of a years-long saga in Washington over the short-form video-sharing app, which the government sees as a national security threat due to its connections to China. The U.S. has said it’s concerned about TikTok collecting vast swaths of user data, including sensitive information on viewing habits , that could fall into the hands of the Chinese government through coercion. Officials have also warned the proprietary algorithm that fuels what users see on the app is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, who can use it to shape content on the platform in a way that’s difficult to detect — a concern mirrored by the European Union on Friday as it scrutinizes the video-sharing app’s role in the Romanian elections. TikTok, which sued the government over the law in May, has long denied it could be used by Beijing to spy on or manipulate Americans. Its attorneys have accurately pointed out that the U.S. hasn’t provided evidence to show that the company handed over user data to the Chinese government, or manipulated content for Beijing’s benefit in the U.S. They have also argued the law is predicated on future risks, which the Department of Justice has emphasized pointing in part to unspecified action it claims the two companies have taken in the past due to demands from the Chinese government. Friday’s ruling came after the appeals court panel, composed of two Republican and one Democrat appointed judges, heard oral arguments in September. In the hearing, which lasted more than two hours, the panel appeared to grapple with how TikTok’s foreign ownership affects its rights under the Constitution and how far the government could go to curtail potential influence from abroad on a foreign-owned platform. On Friday, all three of them denied TikTok’s petition. In the court's ruling, Ginsburg, a Republican appointee, rejected TikTok's main legal arguments against the law, including that the statute was an unlawful bill of attainder or a taking of property in violation of the Fifth Amendment. He also said the law did not violate the First Amendment because the government is not looking to "suppress content or require a certain mix of content” on TikTok. “Content on the platform could in principle remain unchanged after divestiture, and people in the United States would remain free to read and share as much PRC propaganda (or any other content) as they desire on TikTok or any other platform of their choosing,” Ginsburg wrote, using the abbreviation for the People’s Republic of China. Judge Sri Srinivasan, the chief judge on the court, issued a concurring opinion. TikTok’s lawsuit was consolidated with a second legal challenge brought by several content creators - for which the company is covering legal costs - as well as a third one filed on behalf of conservative creators who work with a nonprofit called BASED Politics Inc. Other organizations, including the Knight First Amendment Institute, had also filed amicus briefs supporting TikTok. “This is a deeply misguided ruling that reads important First Amendment precedents too narrowly and gives the government sweeping power to restrict Americans’ access to information, ideas, and media from abroad,” said Jameel Jaffer, the executive director of the organization. “We hope that the appeals court’s ruling won’t be the last word.” Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, lawmakers who had pushed for the legislation celebrated the court's ruling. "I am optimistic that President Trump will facilitate an American takeover of TikTok to allow its continued use in the United States and I look forward to welcoming the app in America under new ownership,” said Republican Rep. John Moolenaar of Michigan, chairman of the House Select Committee on China. Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who co-authored the law, said “it's time for ByteDance to accept” the law. To assuage concerns about the company’s owners, TikTok says it has invested more than $2 billion to bolster protections around U.S. user data. The company has also argued the government’s broader concerns could have been resolved in a draft agreement it provided the Biden administration more than two years ago during talks between the two sides. It has blamed the government for walking away from further negotiations on the agreement, which the Justice Department argues is insufficient. Attorneys for the two companies have claimed it’s impossible to divest the platform commercially and technologically. They also say any sale of TikTok without the coveted algorithm - the platform’s secret sauce that Chinese authorities would likely block under any divesture plan - would turn the U.S. version of TikTok into an island disconnected from other global content. Still, some investors, including Trump’s former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and billionaire Frank McCourt, have expressed interest in purchasing the platform. Both men said earlier this year that they were launching a consortium to purchase TikTok’s U.S. business. This week, a spokesperson for McCourt’s Project Liberty initiative, which aims to protect online privacy, said unnamed participants in their bid have made informal commitments of more than $20 billion in capital.BETHESDA, Md. , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DiamondRock Hospitality Company (the "Company") DRH announced today it is the recipient of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts' ("Nareit") 2024 Leader in the Light Award for the lodging and resorts sector. The award recognizes member companies that demonstrate leadership in implementing sustainable and socially responsible investment and operating practices, good governance, and transparency. The 2024 Leader in the Light Awards are based on the results of the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) Annual Survey, as well as scored responses to supplemental questions by a panel of judges. The Company participated in the 2024 GRESB Real Estate Assessment for the ninth consecutive year and achieved Sector Leader Status and a #1 ranking among hotel peers for the fifth consecutive year. "We are extremely honored to receive Nareit's Leader in the Light award and also to be recognized by GRESB as a sector leader again. These acknowledgements highlight the Company's dedication to sustainable practices, social responsibility, and transparent governance," said Jeffery Donnelly , Chief Executive Officer of DiamondRock Hospitality Company. "We believe that integrating these principles into our investment and operating practices not only benefits our stakeholders but also contributes to a healthier planet and stronger communities. We remain committed to driving meaningful progress and setting the standard for sustainable leadership in the hospitality industry." GRESB Real Estate Assessment (2024) Awarded Sector Leader status across multiple public and private sectors: Global Listed Sector Leader/Hotel Regional Listed Sector Leader/Americas/Hotel Regional Sector Leader Americas/Hotel Awarded 4 Green Stars and achieved Green Star status for 7 th consecutive year GRESB Public Disclosure (2024) Ranked 1 st within the U.S. Hotels with a score of "A" compared to the Peer Group Average of "B" and the GRESB Global Average of "B" The GRESB Real Estate Assessment is the investor-driven global ESG benchmark and reporting framework for listed property companies, private property funds, developers and investors that invest directly in real estate. The Assessment is shaped by what investors and the industry consider to be material issues in the sustainability performance of real estate investments. The methodology is consistent across different regions, investment vehicles and property types and aligns with international reporting frameworks. About the Company DiamondRock Hospitality Company is a self-advised real estate investment trust (REIT) that is an owner of a leading portfolio of geographically diversified hotels concentrated in leisure destinations and top gateway markets. The Company currently owns 37 premium quality hotels and resorts with over 10,000 rooms. The Company has strategically positioned its portfolio to be operated both under leading global brand families as well as independent boutique hotels in the lifestyle segment. For further information on the Company and its portfolio, please visit DiamondRock Hospitality Company's website at www.drhc.com . About GRESB GRESB is a mission-driven and investor-led organization that provides actionable and transparent Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) data to financial markets. For more information, visit www.gresb.com . View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/diamondrock-hospitality-receives-nareits-2024-leader-in-the-light-award-and-is-recognized-as-a-sector-leader-by-gresb-for-the-fifth-consecutive-year-302320125.html SOURCE DiamondRock Hospitality Company © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.What to consider when exchanging currency
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Brandel Chamblee and Todd Lewis discuss Scottie Scheffler's impressive showing during Round 2 of the Hero World Challenge, breaking down what has worked for the world No. 1 in The Bahamas. Brandel Chamblee and Todd Lewis discuss Tiger Woods' historic year in 2000, explaining how a run like that has yet to be replicated 24 years later. Grass League co-founder Jake Hoselton breaks down how the league works, including the notable pro players involved, how the league was created and what to look forward to with the Troon Access Grass League Championship. The Golf Central crew breaks down Max Homa's struggles during Round 2 of the Nedbank Golf Challenge, where the 34-year-old couldn't find his way at Gary Player Country Club. Brandel Chamblee and Todd Lewis break down Justin Thomas' Round 1 showing at the Hero World Challenge, discussing what the 15-time PGA Tour winner did well to start things off in The Bahamas. Todd Lewis and Brandel Chamblee analyze Scottie Scheffler's first-round 67 at the Hero World Challenge, and hear from the defending champion regarding his new putting grip and starting the new year strong. U.S. Ryder Cup pay has become a "hot-button topic" around the PGA Tour, and Brandel Chamblee calls out how this idea could "corrupt" the nature of Ryder Cup participation in an event that is all about "patriotism." Watch highlights from Round 1 of the Nedbank Golf Challenge, taking place at Gary Player Country Club in Sun City, South Africa. Justin Thomas speaks with Rex Hoggard about the birth of daughter Molly Grace and his renewed hopes for the new season after a rough 2024. Scottie Scheffler's the favorite at the Hero World Challenge as the top player in the world, defending champion, and runner-up from two years prior. Todd Lewis provides an update on his plan to play plenty of early golf. Golf Central takes a look back on the 2024 LPGA season, highlighting the top players, performances and moments -- and what it could all mean for the game moving forward.Markham jewelry store targeted for 3rd time in smash-and-grab robbery at Markville Mall
The Las Vegas Raiders have had a rough go in 2024 and are 2-8 through Week 11. Despite being unable to win games, the team has had some bright spots to look forward to in the future, particularly rookie tight end Brock Bowers . Quarterback Garnder Minshew was asked about his thoughts on Bowers and if he will win the Rookie of the Year award this season. The veteran said, "He's really good... I don't know if anyone's said that yet." “He’s really good....I don’t know if anyone’s said that yet.” Raiders QB Gardner Minshew gives his thoughts on Brock Bowers’ Rookie of the Year campaign and if he will win the award this season. 🎥: By @Sean_Zittel , Vegas Sports Today #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/oeIlFGJ8Rt Minshew continues on giving high praise to his rookie tight end and what he is capable of doing. Bowers is coming off of his best game of the season against the Miami Dolphins , amounting to 126 receiving yards and a touchdown on thirteen catches. Despite having one of the best rookie seasons for a tight end, Bowers has often been overlooked this year because of the Raiders' struggles. The award also usually goes to a quarterback, so Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders and Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos have been the top two in the discussion. Even if Bowers does not win the award, he has still broken numerous records on the Raiders, like having the most receptions for a tight end through his first ten games in franchise history. Related: Las Vegas Raiders Star Goes Viral For Donald Trump Touchdown Celebration
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SS&C Signs Agreement with Insignia FinancialBETHESDA, Md. , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- DiamondRock Hospitality Company (the "Company") (NYSE: DRH ) announced today it is the recipient of the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts' ("Nareit") 2024 Leader in the Light Award for the lodging and resorts sector. The award recognizes member companies that demonstrate leadership in implementing sustainable and socially responsible investment and operating practices, good governance, and transparency. The 2024 Leader in the Light Awards are based on the results of the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) Annual Survey, as well as scored responses to supplemental questions by a panel of judges. The Company participated in the 2024 GRESB Real Estate Assessment for the ninth consecutive year and achieved Sector Leader Status and a #1 ranking among hotel peers for the fifth consecutive year. "We are extremely honored to receive Nareit's Leader in the Light award and also to be recognized by GRESB as a sector leader again. These acknowledgements highlight the Company's dedication to sustainable practices, social responsibility, and transparent governance," said Jeffery Donnelly , Chief Executive Officer of DiamondRock Hospitality Company. "We believe that integrating these principles into our investment and operating practices not only benefits our stakeholders but also contributes to a healthier planet and stronger communities. We remain committed to driving meaningful progress and setting the standard for sustainable leadership in the hospitality industry." GRESB Real Estate Assessment (2024) Awarded Sector Leader status across multiple public and private sectors: Global Listed Sector Leader/Hotel Regional Listed Sector Leader/Americas/Hotel Regional Sector Leader Americas/Hotel Awarded 4 Green Stars and achieved Green Star status for 7 th consecutive year GRESB Public Disclosure (2024) Ranked 1 st within the U.S. Hotels with a score of "A" compared to the Peer Group Average of "B" and the GRESB Global Average of "B" The GRESB Real Estate Assessment is the investor-driven global ESG benchmark and reporting framework for listed property companies, private property funds, developers and investors that invest directly in real estate. The Assessment is shaped by what investors and the industry consider to be material issues in the sustainability performance of real estate investments. The methodology is consistent across different regions, investment vehicles and property types and aligns with international reporting frameworks. About the Company DiamondRock Hospitality Company is a self-advised real estate investment trust (REIT) that is an owner of a leading portfolio of geographically diversified hotels concentrated in leisure destinations and top gateway markets. The Company currently owns 37 premium quality hotels and resorts with over 10,000 rooms. The Company has strategically positioned its portfolio to be operated both under leading global brand families as well as independent boutique hotels in the lifestyle segment. For further information on the Company and its portfolio, please visit DiamondRock Hospitality Company's website at www.drhc.com . About GRESB GRESB is a mission-driven and investor-led organization that provides actionable and transparent Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) data to financial markets. For more information, visit www.gresb.com . SOURCE DiamondRock Hospitality Company
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PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. , Dec. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Carrier Global Corporation (NYSE: CARR), global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions, announced today that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.225 per outstanding share of Carrier common stock. The dividend will be payable on February 7, 2025 to shareowners of record at the close of business on December 20, 2024 . "Today's 18% dividend increase further demonstrates our commitment to disciplined capital allocation," said Carrier Chairman & CEO David Gitlin . "After successfully executing on our transformation, we remain laser-focused on delivering outsized value for our customers, employees, and shareowners." Carrier Carrier Global Corporation, global leader in intelligent climate and energy solutions, is committed to creating solutions that matter for people and our planet for generations to come. From the beginning, we've led in inventing new technologies and entirely new industries. Today, we continue to lead because we have a world-class, diverse workforce that puts the customer at the center of everything we do. For more information, visit corporate.carrier.com or follow Carrier on social media at @Carrier . Cautionary Statement : This communication contains statements which, to the extent they are not statements of historical or present fact, constitute "forward-looking statements" under the securities laws. These forward-looking statements are intended to provide management's current expectations or plans for Carrier's future payment of a dividend, based on assumptions currently believed to be valid. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "believe," "expect," "expectations," "plans," "strategy," "prospects," "estimate," "project," "target," "anticipate," "will," "should," "see," "guidance," "outlook," "confident," "scenario" and other words of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of future operating or financial performance. Forward-looking statements may include, among other things, statements relating to future sales, earnings, cash flow, results of operations, uses of cash, share repurchases, tax rates and other measures of financial performance or potential future plans, strategies or transactions of Carrier, Carrier's plans with respect to its indebtedness and other statements that are not historical facts. All forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. For additional information on identifying factors that may cause actual results to vary materially from those stated in forward-looking statements, see Carrier's reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K filed with or furnished to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and Carrier assumes no obligation to update or revise such statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. CARR-IR Contact: Media Inquiries Jason Shockley 561-542-0207 Jason.Shockley@carrier.com Investor Relations Michael Rednor 561-365-2020 Michael.Rednor@carrier.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/carrier-board-of-directors-announces-an-18-percent-increase-in-quarterly-dividend-to-0-225-per-share-302324348.html SOURCE Carrier Global Corporation
Bowlero CFO Lavan acquires $1,506 in stockNone