IRWINDALE, Calif. , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BIC America continues to showcase its legacy of delivering exceptional sound solutions with the Acoustech Architectural Series, featuring five expertly engineered in-ceiling speaker models: AU510, AU610, AU620, AU810, and AU820. These speakers demonstrate the company's commitment to providing superior audio performance across various applications for both residential and commercial installations.Acoustech Architectural Series: Delivering Excellence Across Every Model Acoustech Architectural Series: Unmatched Quality and Design Each speaker in the Acoustech Architectural Series is crafted with durability and performance in mind. Featuring innovative pivoting tweeters and precision-engineered drivers, these speakers provide tailored sound while maintaining a discreet, seamless ceiling integration. Key Differentiators: About BIC America With over 50 years of audio expertise, BIC America continues to be a trusted name in sound technology. The company remains dedicated to creating high-quality audio systems that enhance listening experiences for home theater enthusiasts and music lovers. Contact: Eric Huang , bic@bicamerica.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bic-america-spotlights-acoustech-architectural-in-ceiling-speaker-series-302326616.html SOURCE BIC America
WASHINGTON (AP) — Special counsel Jack Smith moved to abandon two criminal cases against Donald Trump on Monday, acknowledging that Trump’s return to the White House will preclude attempts to federally prosecute him for retaining classified documents or trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat. The decision was inevitable, since longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Yet it was still a momentous finale to an unprecedented chapter in political and law enforcement history, as federal officials attempted to hold accountable a former president while he was simultaneously running for another term. In court filings, Smith's team emphasized that the move to abandon their prosecutions was not a reflection of the merit of the cases but a recognition of the legal shield that surrounds any commander in chief. “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 one of their filings. Smith’s team said it was leaving intact charges against two co-defendants in the classified documents case — Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira — because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” Steven Cheung, Trump's incoming White House communications director, welcomed the decision to drop the prosecutions against the president-elect, describing it as a “major victory for the rule of law.” "The American People and President Trump want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country,” Cheung said in a statement. Trump has long described the investigations as politically motivated, and he has vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. Now he will re-enter the White House free from criminal scrutiny by the government that he will lead. The election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing Trump as he tried to reclaim the White House. He was indicted for plotting to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden in 2020, an effort that climaxed with his supporters' violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But the case quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. 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. Smith’s team in October filed a lengthy brief 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 of voters after he lost to Biden. The separate case involving classified documents had been widely seen as legally clear cut, especially because the conduct in question occurred after Trump left the White House and lost the powers of the presidency. The indictment included dozens of felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified records from his presidency at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and obstructing federal efforts to get them back. He has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. The case quickly became snarled by delays, with U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon slow to issue rulings — which favored Trump’s strategy of pushing off deadlines in all his criminal cases — while also entertaining defense motions and arguments that experts said other judges would have dispensed with without hearings. In May, she indefinitely canceled the trial date amid a series of unresolved legal issues before dismissing the case outright two months later. Smith’s team appealed the decision, but now has given up that effort. ___ Associated Press writer Colleen Long contributed to this story. Alanna Durkin Richer, Eric Tucker And Chris Megerian, The Associated Press
While you may think about shopping for electronics, clothing and other high-ticket items throughout Black November, it's also a great time to toss some subtler, more ethereal treats into your virtual shopping bag. Like some new candles to make your (or someone else's) home feel extra cozy. The warm glow of a candle and the inviting scents of the season — cinnamon donuts, spiced apples, a pine tree farm, pumpkin pie, freshly baked cookies — can make any space feel more inviting. With that in mind, you'll be happy to know that Amazon has slashed prices on some of bestselling autumn and holiday scents by up to 50%. Along with stylish glass holders, extra-long burn times (we're talking 110 hours or more) and high-quality paraffin wax, the variety of delicious-smelling offerings is unbelievable. Some of the most popular varieties are marked down right now, including , and . Now is the perfect time to stock up for the season, whether you plan to keep your new scents to yourself or gift them to some very lucky folks. Are you craving the ambience of a winter forest hike? This blend features aromatic balsam, cedarwood and juniper berry and smells just like a walk in the woods right after a rainfall. And its supersized burn time (110–150 hours) means it'll take you through the holidays and beyond. that just smelling your favorite foods can be just as satisfying as eating them. Not that we’d ever say "no" to a freshly baked cookie, but how about enjoying their delicious aroma without the labor of making them? this buttery, rich, vanilla scent smells like there's "always cookies in the oven." No wonder they're a No. 1 bestseller! Yum! There are few things more soul-soothing than the scent of salted caramel. It's delicious over pie, scooped onto a crunchy fall apple ... or wafting from a glowing candle. This yummy option boasts over 5,000 five-star ratings, with calling the scent "sumptuous." A little crispy and a whole lotta homey, the notes in this No. 1 bestseller are fall and Christmas all rolled into one. Sweet apples and cinnamon blended with walnuts and maple create a scent that describe as "Perfect: not too sweet, not too pine-tree, just the right spice and warmth for the season." This yummy candle is 50% off right now! Even if you're not one to hang up a wreath as soon as the leaves start to fall, you can enjoy the smell of that evocative moment with this candle that combines scents of spicy cinnamon apples and fall leaves. Shoppers say it's super fragrant even before lighting it. For tons of folks, pumpkin spice is the main scent signifier of autumn — which may be why more than 10,000 of these have been sold in the past month at Amazon. If you're a fan of the popular drink (or just the smell of it), you'll want to bask in its aroma of baked pumpkins spiced with cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon and sweetened with brown sugar. This fan-favorite scent might just get you in the mood to finally start readying your house for holiday guests. the cozy scent has notes of cinnamon, baking spices and tea. Others say it has a fragrance that's so comforting it smells like a " ." The holiday season isn't complete without pumpkin- and apple-based desserts. But, let's be honest — most of their charm and nostalgia comes from the smell when they're baking. This candle will bring you right back to your childhood in Grandma's holiday kitchen. Aside from its titular notes, it packs in hints of clove, nutmeg, cinnamon and brown sugar — all in all, a scrumptious treat for your senses. See all of Shop the best expert-picked on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for . And find to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you. If you have , you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. . (And by the way, those without still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.) DeWalt 20V Cordless Handheld Vacuum Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Wet Dry Vacuum ArtiGifts Pro Outdoor Faucet Cover, 2-Pack Handy Laundry Wool Dryer Balls, Pack of 6 CGK Unlimited Sheet Set, Queen Fab Totes Clothes Storage Bags, 6-Pack Vibelite Telescoping Magnetic Pick Up Tool Pocaland Bidet Attachment Saker Mini Chain Saw Levoit 4L Smart Cool Mist Humidifier Morento Air Purifier Dyson Hot+Cool Jet Focus Heater and Fan Kitinjoy 100% Cotton Kitchen Dish Cloths, 6-Pack JoyJolt JoyFul Food Storage Containers, 24 Pieces Best Choice Products 6-Foot Artificial Christmas Tree Henckels Knife Set, 15-Piece KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer Squishmallows Tahoe Tortoiseshell Cat Lego Icons Plum Blossom Building Set Pillow Pets Bluey Afunx Magnetic Tiles Lego Disney Advent Calendar 2024
LAS VEGAS — Players Era Festival organizers have done what so many other have tried — bet their fortunes in this city that a big payoff is coming. Such bet are usually bad ones, which is why so many massive casino-resorts have been built on Las Vegas Boulevard. But it doesn't mean the organizers are wrong. They're counting on the minimum of $1 million in guaranteed name, image and likeness money that will go to each of the eight teams competing in the neutral-site tournament that begins Tuesday will create a precedent for other such events. EverWonder Studios CEO Ian Orefice, who co-founded Players with former AND1 CEO Seth Berger, compared this event to last year's inaugural NBA In-Season Tournament that played its semifinals and final in Las Vegas by saying it "did really well to reinvigorate the fan base at the beginning of the year." "We're excited that we're able to really change the paradigm in college basketball on the economics," Orefice said. "But for us, it's about the long term. How do we use the momentum that is launching with the 2024 Players Era Festival and be the catalyst not to change one event, but to change college basketball for the future." Orefice and Berger didn't disclose financial details, but said the event will come close to breaking even this year and that revenue is in eight figures. Orefice said the bulk of the revenue will come from relationships with MGM, TNT Sports and Publicis Sport & Entertainment as well as sponsors that will be announced later. Both organizers said they are so bullish on the tournament's prospects that they already are planning ahead. Money made from this year's event, Orefice said, goes right back into the company. "We're really in this for the long haul," Orefice said. "So we're not looking at it on a one-year basis." Rick Giles is president of the Gazelle Group, which also operates several similar events, including the College Basketball Invitational. He was skeptical the financial numbers would work. Giles said in addition to more than $8 million going to the players, there were other expenses such as the guarantees to the teams. He said he didn't know if the tournament would make up the difference with ticket sales, broadcast rights and sponsorship money. The top bowl of the MGM Grand Garden Arena will be curtained off. "The math is highly challenging," Giles said. "Attendance and ticket revenues are not going to come anywhere close to covering that. They haven't announced any sponsors that I'm aware of. So it all sort of rests with their media deal with Turner and how much capital they want to commit to it to get these players paid." David Carter, a University of Southern California adjunct professor who also runs the Sports Business Group consultancy, said even if the Players isn't a financial success this year, the question is whether there will be enough interest to move forward. "If there is bandwidth for another tournament and if the TV or the streaming ratings are going to be there and people are going to want to attend and companies are going to want to sponsor, then, yeah, it's probably going to work," Carter said. "But it may take them time to gain that traction." Both founders said they initially were met with skepticism about putting together such an event, especially from teams they were interested in inviting. Houston was the first school to commit, first offering an oral pledge early in the year and then signing a contract in April. That created momentum for others to join, and including the No. 6 Cougars, half the field is ranked. "We have the relationships to operate a great event," Berger said. "We had to get coaches over those hurdles, and once they knew that we were real, schools got on board really quickly." The founders worked with the NCAA to make sure the tournament abided by that organization's rules, so players must appear at ancillary events in order to receive NIL money. Strict pay for play is not allowed, though there are incentives for performance. The champion, for example, will receive $1.5 million in NIL money. Now the pressure is on to pull off the event and not create the kind of headlines that can dog it for years to come. "I think everybody in the marketplace is watching what's going to happen (this) week and, more importantly, what happens afterwards," Giles said. "Do the players get paid on a timely basis? And if they do, that means that Turner or somebody has paid way more than the market dictates? And the question will be: Can that continue?" CREIGHTON: P oint guard Steven Ashworth likely won’t play in the No. 21 Bluejays’ game against San Diego State in the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas. Ashworth sprained his right ankle late in a loss to Nebraska on Friday and coach Greg McDermott said afterward he didn’t know how long he would be out. Get local news delivered to your inbox!President-elect Trump wants to again rename North America’s tallest peak
Thunderbird Entertainment Group Announces Arrangements to Address Mailing Delays Resulting from Canada Post StrikeAP Trending SummaryBrief at 3:51 p.m. ESTSecondary Tickets Market size is set to grow by USD 132.1 billion from 2024-2028, rising popularity of sports events to boost the revenue- Technavio
BEIRUT —Israeli airstrikes killed a hospital director at his home in northeastern Lebanon and six others, while at least five paramedics were killed by Israeli strikes in the country’s south on Friday, Lebanon’s Health Ministry said. The strike targeted Dr. Ali Allam’s house near Dar Al-Amal Hospital, the largest health center in Baalbek-Hermel province, which has provided vital health services amid Israel’s campaign of airstrikes, the Health Ministry said. State-run media reported that the strike came without warning. The ministry described his death as a “great loss,” and provincial governor Bachir Khodr said in a post on X that, “Mr. Allam was one of the best citizens of Baalbek.” In two separate episodes on Friday, Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon killed five paramedics with Hezbollah’s medical arm, the Health Ministry said, describing it as “war crime.” The militant group provides extensive social services, including running schools and health clinics. In a report published Friday, the World Health Organization said nearly half of all attacks on health care in Lebanon since Oct. 7, 2023, have resulted in fatalities. “This is a higher percentage than in any active conflict today across the globe,” WHO said. In Lebanon, 226 health workers and patients were killed and 199 were injured between Oct. 7, 2023, and Nov. 18, 2024, the report said. The Health Ministry said Friday that 3,645 people have been killed in nearly 14 months of war between Hezbollah and Israel, while 15,356 were wounded, the majority following Israel’s escalation in late September. The death count includes 692 women and 231 children. Israeli strike on besieged hospital in northern Gaza wounds 6 medics Hospital in north Gaza also hit Israeli strikes also hit Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the few hospitals still partially operating in the northernmost part of Gaza, wounding six medical staff and damaging its generator and oxygen systems, its director said Friday. Hossam Abu Safiya said the strikes before dawn Friday hit the entrance of the emergency unit as well as in the hospital courtyard. He said two members of the nursing staff suffered critical injuries. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Abu Safiya said the strikes caused damage to the functioning of the generator and disrupted oxygen supplies. The hospital is currently treating 85 wounded, 14 children in the pediatric ward and four newborns in the neonatal unit, he said. During the past month, Kamal Adwan Hospital has been hit several times, was put under siege and was raided by Israeli troops, who are waging a heavy offensive in the nearby Jabaliya refugee camp and towns of Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya. The Israeli military says it detained Hamas fighters hiding in the hospital, a claim its staff denies.Is Outlook down? Thousands of Microsoft 365 users report outage issues
Single-stock investing remains a worthwhile strategy, but today’s practical advice is diversifying. You reduce or spread the risk if you hold stocks from various sectors. However, if you’re a (TFSA) investor, you can buy one high-quality stock now and hold it forever. ( ) is a no-nonsense investment if you through your TFSA. This $97.4 billion bank, Canada’s oldest financial institution, has endured two World Wars, the Great Depression, and numerous financial crises since its founding in 1817. There are compelling reasons to own BMO besides its strong capital position. With a fresh $7,000 annual contribution limit in 2025, consider making BMO your anchor stock in your TFSA stock portfolio if it isn’t yet. Due to its lengthy dividend payment history, dividend pioneer BMO is the undisputable choice of passive-income investors. The track record is 195 years and counting, which no investor or retiree could outlive. If you invest today, the share price is $134.09 (+7.37% year to date), and the dividend yield is 4.64%. The payout frequency is quarterly. BMO has growth goals, and acquiring Bank of the West in February 2023 is one way to expand its presence in key U.S. growth markets. The footprint in 32 states would accelerate the growth of BMO’s national specialty commercial businesses and give more customers access to its digital banking platform. Darryl White, chief executive officer of BMO Financial Group, said about the strategic acquisition, “We will deliver a highly competitive offering to new growth markets, combining the strength of our digital banking platform and a strong team of bankers to generate leading customer growth.” Bank of the West operates in the largest and fastest-growing U.S. markets, which should also help fuel BMO’s growth. The US16.3 billion deal is the most significant in Canada’s banking history. BMO completed the core and digital platform after eight months. According to Mahen Namaswayan, Head of Technology and Operations Mergers and Acquisitions at BMO, the bank boasts a Digital-First model. It will deliver greater convenience and speed to customers while providing scale and product options across the U.S. The high interest rate environment affected bank stocks, including BMO. Fortunately, the Bank of Canada’s rate-cutting cycle is ongoing, and inflation has moderated. In the first three quarters of fiscal 2024 (nine months ending July 31, 2024), BMO’s net income rose 84.2% year over year to $5 billion. However, provision for credit losses (PCL) increased 29.2% to $2.2 billion from a year ago. Nonetheless, BMO announced a 5% dividend hike for Q4 fiscal 2024. “With our strategic goals firmly in place, a strong balance sheet, robust capital and liquidity, we are well positioned to deliver sustainable returns to our shareholders,” White said. The TFSA lifetime contribution limit will rise to $102,000 on January 1, 2025, for those who turned 18 before 2009 and have never contributed to a TFSA. An investment of the same amount in BMO converts into $1,183.20 in tax-free, pension-like quarterly income, and the principal remains intact.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee on Monday accused Matt Gaetz of “regularly” paying for sex, including once with a 17-year-old girl, and purchasing and using illicit drugs as a member of Congress, as lawmakers released the conclusions of a nearly four-year investigation that helped sink his nomination for attorney general. The 37-page report by the bipartisan panel includes explicit details of sex-filled parties and vacations that Gaetz, now 42, took part in from 2017 to 2020 while the Republican represented Florida's western Panhandle. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Let’s get the good news in Philadelphia out of the way first. The Eagles are riding a nine-game winning streak, Saquon Barkley is making a serious run at the NFL season rushing record and a playoff berth was clinched for the fourth straight year under coach Nick Sirianni. Now, about all that grumbling ... . Yes, Philly sports fans, media and social media doomsayers are usually the ones with a complaint even in the best of times for the pro teams. Perhaps it’s a bit unsettling around Philadelphia, then, that the grousing after a win over Carolina this weekend came from inside the locker room. Wide receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown, and even Jalen Hurts, made public their complaints about the state of the (diminishing) passing game, putting the coaching staff on notice that enough was enough and it was time to rev up the engine on a pair of 1,000-yard receivers and get the offense humming headed into the postseason. Even Sirianni conceded that yes, it was fair to raise questions about an offense that allowed Smith and Brown to combine for only eight catches and 80 yards. The problem this week? “Being on the same page,” Smith said. Smith is coming off consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons and has yet to break 100 in a game this season. Brown has four 100-yard games, well off last season's run when he topped 100 yards in six straight games and seven times overall. Hurts threw for just 108 yards with two TDs passing and one rushing score. Should an offense getting on the same page develop into this much of a concern for the Eagles (11-2) after 13 games? “No. I just say no," Hurts said. There are reasons the numbers are down. The easy one, of course, is that the traditionally pass-happy Eagles have leaned on Barkley and his team-record 1,623 yards to steer the offense in his first season. Hurts also shoulders his share of the blame given his propensity for holding on to the ball. He was sacked four times and missed Smith and Brown the few times he did chuck the ball deep to open receivers on long routes. Hurts didn’t throw Brown the ball a couple of times when he was open, including on a TD pass to Smith. “Have to find a way to come together and come and sync as a unit and play complementary ball,” Hurts said. Hurts has topped 300 yards passing only once this season and his last three games are at 179-118-108. He does have only five interceptions and has thrown just one during the winning streak. The offensive woes start at the beginning. The Eagles have yet to score a touchdown on their opening possession through the first 13 games and average only 10.7 points in the first half. They had only 46 total yards in the first quarter. The slow starts are one reason why teams with losing records such as Carolina, Jacksonville and Cleveland are able to keep games close at the Linc and make last-gasp drives at an upset victory. The running game. That really only means one name: Barkley. Barkley rushed for 124 yards to break the Eagles' season record, and Eric Dickerson's NFL mark is in his sights. Barkley needed just 13 games to pass McCoy, who rushed for 1,607 yards in 2013. Barkley also maintained his pace to break Dickerson’s NFL single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards, set in 1984 with the Los Angeles Rams. Barkley is averaging 124.8 yards per game. At that pace and with one more game to play than Dickerson, he would become the top single-season rusher in NFL history. He needs 483 yards over the final four games to top Dickerson’s 40-year-old record. Barkley is one pace for 2,122 yards, just 17 yards beyond Dickerson’s 2,105 total. Linebackers Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean. Dean led the Eagles with 12 tackles while Baun had 11 tackles and a sack. They both had strong games in shutting down Carolina's — albeit banged-up — running game. Jake Elliott. Elliott was wide right on a 52-yard attempt in the third quarter and has missed all five attempts of 50-plus yards this season. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was evaluated for a concussion and treated for an additional injury in the fourth quarter but had a game-changing interception. 9 — The Eagles won nine straight games only three other times, in the 2017, 2003 and 1960 seasons. The Eagles host cross-state rival Pittsburgh in a potential all-Pennsylvania Super Bowl preview. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl