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President-elect Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he intends to nominate cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission. Trump said Atkins, the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner, was a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. “He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The commission oversees U.S. securities markets and investments and is currently led by Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Gensler, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, announced last month that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated — Jan. 20, 2025. Trump, once a crypto skeptic, had pledged to make the U.S. “the crypto capital of the planet” and create a “strategic reserve” of bitcoin. Money has poured into crypto assets since he won . Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency, is now above $95,000. And shares in crypto platform Coinbase have surged more than 70% since the election. Paul Grewal, chief legal officer of Coinbase, congratulated Atkins in a post on X. “We appreciate his commitment to balance in regulating U.S. securities markets and look forward to his fresh leadership at (the SEC),” Grewal wrote. “It’s sorely needed and cannot come a day too soon.” Atkins began his career as a lawyer and has a long history working in the financial markets sector, both in government and private practice. In the 1990s, he worked on the staffs of two former SEC chairmen, Richard C. Breeden and Arthur Levitt. His work as an SEC commissioner started in 2002, a time when the fallout from corporate scandals at Enron and WorldCom had turned up the heat on Wall Street and its government regulators. Atkins was widely considered the most conservative member of the SEC during his tenure at the agency and known to have a strong free-market bent. As a commissioner, he called for greater transparency in and analysis of the costs and benefits of new SEC rules. He also emphasized investor education and increased enforcement efforts against those who steal from investors over the internet, manipulate markets, engage in Ponzi schemes and other types of fraud. At the same time, Atkins objected to stiff penalties imposed on companies accused of fraudulent conduct, contending that they did not deter crime. He caused a stir in the summer of 2006 when he said the practice of granting stock options to executives before the disclosure of news that was certain to increase the share price did not constitute insider trading. U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry, a North Carolina Republican and chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, said Atkins has the experience needed to “restore faith in the SEC.” “I’m confident his leadership will lead to clarity for the digital asset ecosystem and ensure U.S. capital markets remain the envy of the world,” McHenry posted on X. Atkins already has some experience working for Trump. During Trump's first term, Atkins was a member of the President’s Strategic and Policy Forum , an advisory group of more than a dozen CEOs and business leaders who offered input on how to create jobs and speed economic growth. In 2017, Atkins joined the Token Alliance, a cryptocurrency advocacy organization. Crypto industry players welcomed Trump’s victory in the hopes that he would push through legislative and regulatory changes that they’ve long lobbied for. Trump himself has launched World Liberty Financial, a new venture with family members to trade cryptocurrencies.
It started so quickly and so promisingly. President-elect Donald Trump began announcing his team Nov. 7 by naming America’s first female White House chief of staff, Susie Wiles. After a three-day break, Mr. Trump renewed staffing his administration the following Sunday by proposing an ambassador to the United Nations and a border czar. The next day he announced his pick for Environmental Protection Agency administrator. That Tuesday Mr. Trump revealed his choices for national security adviser, Central Intelligence Agency director, homeland security secretary, ambassador to Israel and co-chairmen of a new commission called the Department of Government Efficiency. Though his nomination that day of Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary raised questions, all these other picks were defensible. Overall, the president-elect was coming across as purposeful, focused and energetic. Then came Wednesday. On Nov. 13, the future president picked for his attorney general Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz. It was a catastrophically bad selection that eventually led to Gaetz withdrawing from consideration. The nomination couldn’t be defended by referring to Mr. Gaetz’s record as an attorney. He has barely practiced law. He has no prosecutorial experience except as a prosecution’s target. And his law license was briefly suspended in 2021 because he stopped paying his bar-association dues. Nor could the pick be justified because of his outstanding legislative record. He doesn’t have one. To the degree he’s known for doing anything on the House floor, it’s reportedly for sharing the details of his latest female conquests. Then, of course, there’s his turn on former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Mr. Gaetz’s behavior then made appeals to party unity to confirm him now unpersuasive. He led seven other House GOP renegades to ally with 208 Democrats to remove Mr. McCarthy over the objections of 210 fellow Republicans. There’s also the House Ethics Committee investigation into Mr. Gaetz for allegations that he used illicit drugs, paid to have sex with a minor and accepted improper gifts. Mr. Gaetz denies all these accusations. But his abrupt resignation from the House upon his nomination halted the committee’s process, and it’s unclear if it will release the report. Rather than for any particular skill or competency, Mr. Gaetz was selected because he promised he would smite Mr. Trump’s enemies within the Justice Department and hound his opponents outside it. Vengeance is a powerful motive but not a sound foundation for public confidence in the nation’s chief law-enforcement officer. It’s likely that the only way Mr. Gaetz could have been approved was if Mr. Trump expended enormous political capital to browbeat Senate Republicans into backing him. But no president has infinite sway, no matter how remarkable his electoral victory. Second-term chief executives tend to have even less. The confirmation proceedings for Mr. Trump’s director of national intelligence nominee, Tulsi Gabbard, and Mr. Hegseth could also be messy and full of bad press. His in particular could entail unpleasant surprises, given that the Trump transition team was reportedly blindsided after his nomination by the news that he had reached a settlement with a woman who accused him of sexual assault in 2017. Mr. Hegseth denies any wrongdoing. The former president made one other mistake with his nominations. By revealing his early choices through posts on Truth Social, Mr. Trump missed opportunities to deliver powerful messages to the American people about what he intends to do and why.
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Honey, they shrunk the catalogs. While retailers hope to go big this , customers may notice that the printed gift guides arriving in their mailboxes are smaller. Many of the millions of catalogs getting sent to U.S. homes were indeed scaled down to save and paper, resulting in pint-sized editions. Lands’ End, Duluth Trading Company and Hammacher Schlemmer are among gift purveyors using smaller editions. Some retailers are saving even more money with postcards. Lisa Ayoob, a tech-savvy, online shopper in Portland, Maine, was surprised by the size of a recent catalog she received from outdoor apparel company Carbon2Cobalt. “It almost felt like it was a pamphlet compared to a catalog,” she said. Catalogs have undergone over the years in response to technological changes and consumer behavior. The thick, heavy Sears and catalogs that brought store displays to American living rooms slimmed down and gave way to targeted mailings once websites could do the same thing. Recent postal rate increases accelerated the latest shift to compact formats. The number of catalogs mailed each year dropped about 40% between 2006 to 2018, when an estimated 11.5 billion were mailed to homes, according to the trade group formerly known as the American Catalog Mailers Association. In a sign of the times, the group based in Washington rebranded itself in May as the American Commerce Marketing Association, reflecting a broadened focus. But don’t expect catalogs to go the way of dinosaurs yet. Defying predictions of doom, they have managed to in the e-commerce era. Retail companies found that could treat catalogs with fewer pages as a marketing tool and include QR and promo codes to entice customers to browse online and complete a purchase. Despite no longer carrying an extended inventory of goods, catalogs are costly to produce and ship. But they hold their own in value because of growing digital advertising costs, helping retailers cut through the noise for consumers barraged by multi-format advertisements, industry officials say. In an unlikely twist, notable e-commerce companies like Amazon and started distributing catalogs in recent years. Amazon began mailing a toy catalog in 2018. That was the same year Sears, which produced an annual Christmas Wish Book Wish starting in 1933, y. Fans of printed information may rejoice to hear that apparel retailer relaunched its glossy catalog this year. Research shows that the hands-on experience of thumbing through a catalog leaves a greater impression on consumers, said Jonathan Zhang, a professor of marketing at Colorado State University. “The reason why these paper formats are so effective is that our human brains haven’t evolved as fast as technology and computers over the past 10 to 20 years. We retain more information when we read something on paper. That’s why paper books remain relevant,” Zhang said. “The psychology shows that three-dimensional, tactile experiences are more memorable.” Pint-sized presentations still can work, though, because the purpose of catalogs these days is simply to get customers’ attention, Zhang said. Conserving paper also works better with younger consumers who are worried about the holiday shopping season’s impact on the planet, he said. Postal increases are hastening changes. The latest round of postage hikes in July included the category with the 8.5-by-11-inch size that used to be ubiquitous for the catalog industry. Many retailers responded by reducing the size of catalogs, putting them in a lower-cost letter category, said Paul Miller, executive vice president and managing director of the American Commerce Marketing Association. One size, called a “slim jim,” measures 10.5 by 5.5 inches. But there other sizes. Some retailers have further reduced costs by mailing large postcards to consumers. Lands’ End, for one, is testing new compact formats to supplement its traditional catalogs. This year, that included folded glossy brochures and postcards, along with other formats, Chief Transformation Officer Angie Rieger said. Maine resident Ayoob said she understands why retailers still use catalogs even though she no longer is a fan of the format. These days, she prefers to browse for products on the internet, not by flipping through paper pages. “Everybody wants eyeballs. There’s so much out there — so many websites, so many brands,” said Ayoob, who spent 35 years working in department stores and in the wholesale industry. Targeting customers at home is not a new concept. was a pioneer of the mail-order catalog after its founder promoted his famous “Maine Hunting Shoe” to hunting license holders from out-of-state in 1912. The outdoor clothing and equipment company based in Freeport, Maine, is sticking to mailing out regular-sized catalogs for now. “By showcasing our icons, the catalog became an icon itself,” L.L. Bean spokesperson Amanda Hannah said. “Even as we invest more in our digital and brand marketing channels, the catalog retains a strong association with our brand, and is therefore an important part of our omni-channel strategy, especially for our loyal customers.”Big Brother 26's MJ Makes A Stunning Relationship Announcement, And I Didn't See This ComingThis whole presidential pardon thing has gotten completely out of control. Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution, at the end of Part (1) simply states, “and he shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.” There is no reference as to blanket pardons, no mention of preemptive pardons, and no guidance as to when or how this power should be exercised. And there is absolutely no indication that it should ever be used for personal or political reasons. Sadly, it is increasingly being used for these reasons. I can understand, accept and agree with Abraham Lincoln’s blanket pardon of Confederate soldiers following the Civil War and Jimmy Carter’s blanket pardon of draft dodgers following the Vietnam War. Both served to aid in the healing process of a divided nation. On the other hand, I don’t think Gerald Ford should have pardoned Richard Nixon. Nor should Bill Clinton have pardoned his brother. Donald Trump should not have pardoned Charles Kushner or Roger Stone, et al. And Joe Biden should not have pardoned Hunter. Personal and political pardons need to stop. They only serve to reinforce the feeling that there are two standards of justice, one for the rich and powerful and one for the rest of us. Congress needs to act. Now. If Biden becomes a “pardon factory” and enacts a preemptive pardon for all those involved in the Jan. 6 Commission and those pursuing legal remedies, it will only embolden Trump to do something similar, as well as justify his likely pardon of the Jan. 6 rioters. Besides, those on the commission and those testifying before it, and those pursuing legal remedies did nothing illegal that would require a pardon. They were simply exercising their constitutional duties to uphold the laws of the United States. Were our Founding Fathers to witness what is currently happening with their “Grand Experiment,” they may not be ashamed, but they would most certainly have cause to be embarrassed. We can do better, much better. I’d like to be able to say we deserve better. But we do not. At least not until we do a much better job of electing leaders with integrity, morals, ethics and honesty to represent us. Jack Crawford Saugus
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Honey, they shrunk the catalogs. While retailers hope to go big this holiday season , customers may notice that the printed gift guides arriving in their mailboxes are smaller. Many of the millions of catalogs getting sent to U.S. homes were indeed scaled down to save on postage and paper, resulting in pint-sized editions. Lands’ End, Duluth Trading Company and Hammacher Schlemmer are among gift purveyors using smaller editions. Some retailers are saving even more money with postcards. Lisa Ayoob, a tech-savvy, online shopper in Portland, Maine, was surprised by the size of a recent catalog she received from outdoor apparel company Carbon2Cobalt. “It almost felt like it was a pamphlet compared to a catalog,” she said. Catalogs have undergone a steady recalibration over the years in response to technological changes and consumer behavior. The thick, heavy Sears and J.C. Penney catalogs that brought store displays to American living rooms slimmed down and gave way to targeted mailings once websites could do the same thing. Recent postal rate increases accelerated the latest shift to compact formats. The number of catalogs mailed each year dropped about 40% between 2006 to 2018, when an estimated 11.5 billion were mailed to homes, according to the trade group formerly known as the American Catalog Mailers Association. In a sign of the times, the group based in Washington rebranded itself in May as the American Commerce Marketing Association, reflecting a broadened focus. But don't expect catalogs to go the way of dinosaurs yet. Defying predictions of doom, they have managed to remain relevant in the e-commerce era. Retail companies found that could treat catalogs with fewer pages as a marketing tool and include QR and promo codes to entice customers to browse online and complete a purchase. Despite no longer carrying an extended inventory of goods, catalogs are costly to produce and ship. But they hold their own in value because of growing digital advertising costs, helping retailers cut through the noise for consumers barraged by multi-format advertisements, industry officials say. In an unlikely twist, notable e-commerce companies like Amazon and home goods supplier Wayfair started distributing catalogs in recent years. Amazon began mailing a toy catalog in 2018. That was the same year Sears, which produced an annual Christmas Wish Book Wish starting in 1933, filed for bankruptc y. Fans of printed information may rejoice to hear that apparel retailer J.Crew relaunched its glossy catalog this year. Research shows that the hands-on experience of thumbing through a catalog leaves a greater impression on consumers, said Jonathan Zhang, a professor of marketing at Colorado State University. “The reason why these paper formats are so effective is that our human brains haven’t evolved as fast as technology and computers over the past 10 to 20 years. We retain more information when we read something on paper. That's why paper books remain relevant," Zhang said. “The psychology shows that three-dimensional, tactile experiences are more memorable.” Pint-sized presentations still can work, though, because the purpose of catalogs these days is simply to get customers’ attention, Zhang said. Conserving paper also works better with younger consumers who are worried about the holiday shopping season's impact on the planet, he said. Postal increases are hastening changes. The latest round of postage hikes in July included the category with the 8.5-by-11-inch size that used to be ubiquitous for the catalog industry. Many retailers responded by reducing the size of catalogs, putting them in a lower-cost letter category, said Paul Miller, executive vice president and managing director of the American Commerce Marketing Association. One size, called a “slim jim,” measures 10.5 by 5.5 inches. But there other sizes. Some retailers have further reduced costs by mailing large postcards to consumers. Lands' End, for one, is testing new compact formats to supplement its traditional catalogs. This year, that included folded glossy brochures and postcards, along with other formats, Chief Transformation Officer Angie Rieger said. Maine resident Ayoob said she understands why retailers still use catalogs even though she no longer is a fan of the format. These days, she prefers to browse for products on the internet, not by flipping through paper pages. “Everybody wants eyeballs. There’s so much out there -- so many websites, so many brands,” said Ayoob, who spent 35 years working in department stores and in the wholesale industry. Targeting customers at home is not a new concept. L.L. Bean was a pioneer of the mail-order catalog after its founder promoted his famous “Maine Hunting Shoe” to hunting license holders from out-of-state in 1912. The outdoor clothing and equipment company based in Freeport, Maine, is sticking to mailing out regular-sized catalogs for now. “By showcasing our icons, the catalog became an icon itself,” L.L. Bean spokesperson Amanda Hannah said. "Even as we invest more in our digital and brand marketing channels, the catalog retains a strong association with our brand, and is therefore an important part of our omni-channel strategy, especially for our loyal customers.”
Leinster Rugby strength and conditioning coach Dave Fagan dies after short illness as tributes flood inWe needed it – Pep Guardiola relieved to end Man City’s winless run
New Jersey lawmaker SLAMS White House's John Kirby for downplaying drone threat as MORE confirmed over the state Republican lawmaker repeats drone claim about Iran after Pentagon refutes him Sign up for the latest with DailyMail.com's U.S. politics newsletter By GEOFF EARLE, DEPUTY U.S. POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 18:00, 13 December 2024 | Updated: 19:21, 13 December 2024 e-mail 2 View comments White House national security spokesman John Kirby took heat from New Jersey lawmakers for downplaying the drone threat after repeat sightings – including one at a U.S. Navy facility hours after he briefed reporters. Kirby, a retired Navy admiral, said at the White House Thursday that there was no evidence that a series of drone sightings posed a national security threat, and even said many of the aircraft appeared to be manned. The latest encounter came at a Naval Weapons Station Earle in New Jersey, where there 'at least' two confirmed drone sightings. 'While no direct threats to the installation have been identified, we can confirm at least two instances of an unidentified drone entering the airspace above Naval Weapons Station Earle,' according to a statement issued by the base, which posts a long pier to supply U.S. warships with munitions. 'The base remains prepared to respond to any potential risks, leveraging robust security measures and advanced detection capabilities. We encourage members of the community to report any suspicious activity near the base to local law enforcement,' it said. New Jersey Assemblyman Brian Bergen (R) tore into Kirby for his latest explanation. 'That guy is an idiot. That I can tell you right now,' the former U.S. Army helicopter pilot told Fox News Thursday evening. 'Naval Weapons Station Earle confirmed this morning that there were unmanned aerial drones above their facilities, and that's a fact, New Jersey Assemblyman Paul Kinatra told CNN . 'And we were told in our briefing that they were over Picatinny Arsenal as well just a couple days ago,' he said. National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby was under fire Friday for comments he made to address reports of drone sightings over New Jersey. He said there was no evidence of a 'national security or a public safety threat or have a foreign nexus' Describing the function of Naval Station Earle, he said it was a place 'where some very serious machinery and ordnance is based on. 'And that's on the heels of coming out of my district, the coast guard cutter that was trailed by about 12 drones and was harassing their crew, and they confirmed that to us as well. so there's very real incidence of this occurring.' The base says it provides 'shore services and infrastructure that enable the deployment of lethal forces over the horizon.' The pushback came after the White House provided an odd response to a string of reported drone sightings over New Jersey. Kirby was pressed about a lawmaker's claim the drones could be from an 'Iranian mothership.' But Kirby said they're not foreign, and they may not even be drones. 'We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or a public safety threat or have a foreign nexus,' Kirby told reporters Thursday. Kirby addressed the matter after New Jersey Rep. Jeff Van Drew said the repeat activity could be from an Iranian 'mothership' offshore, as federal and local agencies have fielded reports of drone sightings. 'That guy is an idiot. That I can tell you right now,' said New Jersey state Assemblyman Brian Bergen The White House shot down the idea of foreign direction and sought to assuage anxiety, even while failing to offer a full explanation of what was going on. Instead, Kirby said there was 'no malicious activity' and that there were no 'confirmed sightings' inside restricted airspace. 'The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI are investigating these sightings, and they're working closely with the state and local law enforcement to provide resources using numerous detection methods to better understand their origin,' Kirby said. He said the agencies used 'very sophisticated electronic detection technologies' but 'have not been able to – and neither state or local law enforcement – corroborate any of the reported visual sightings.' 'To the contrary, upon review of available imagery, it appears that many of the reported sightings are actually manned aircraft being operated lawfully,' he said, denying the aircraft were even drones. Swarms of drones have been spotted in the skies of New Jersey for weeks, sparking officials to call for a 'limited state of emergency' He said the Coast Guard is providing support and 'confirmed that there is no evidence of any foreign based involvement from coastal vessels. And importantly, there are no reported or confirmed drone sightings in any restricted airspace,' he said – amid concerns about a nearby military base. He said the administration takes 'seriously the threat that can be posed by unmanned aircraft systems, which is why law enforcement and other agencies continue to support New Jersey and investigate the reports, even though they have uncovered no malicious activity or intent at this particular stage.' 'Naval Weapons Station Earle confirmed this morning that there were unmanned aerial drones above their facilities, and that's a fact, said New Jersey Assemblyman Paul Kinatra The Department of Homeland Security and the FBI put out a joint statement Thursday saying that there is no national security risk. 'We have no evidence at this time that the reported drone sightings pose a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus,' the statement reads. With the drone story taking off online and filling time on cable news, Kirby also appeared to raise doubts about the footage being circulated. 'I'm not aware that we have U.S. Government-produced imagery ourselves,' he said, adding that the government had done 'thorough analysis of the existing imagery.' He made one legislative pitch, seeking authority from Congress to 'extend and expand existing counter drone authorities' – although there is no predicting how long it could take to pass such a law. Pressed by a Fox News reporter on how he could guarantee there was no security threat, with objects as large as bicycles or cars reported over populated areas, Kirby responded that 'the analysis thus far in an investigation that is ongoing has not revealed any national security or criminal activity.' Then he offered a remidner that 'we're at the beginning here, not the end.' Democratic senators from New York and New Jersey have written the administration seeking answers, and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy posted that he spoke to Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall 'to discuss my concerns over the federal government’s response.' The sightings date to mid November, and include FAA reports of sightings near Morris County. 'Witnesses have spotted the cluster of what look to be drones and a possible fixed wing aircraft,' the FBI field office in Newark said December 3rd. They have even sparked calls for a 'state of emergency' and that they be shot down. There are even theories they are of Russian origin . The Coast Guard has reported 'multiple low-altitude aircraft' being observed near one of its vessels near Island Beach State Park.' They have also been sighted near President-elect Donald Trump 's Bedminster, New Jersey golf course, and near the Picatinny Arsenal research facility. The Picatinny Arsenal PD confirmed 11 reports of what was called drone activity during evenings over a period of days between November 13 and December 6. Van Drew accused the Pentagon of being 'incredibly stupid and incredibly weak' when it comes to addressing the drones. 'I had credible individuals who have high security ratings, and they came to me and again, these are dependable, credible individuals that have security clearance that felt they wanted to clear the air,' Van Drew told Fox News on Thursday. 'They were in essence whistleblowers and said look, they believe there's a real possibility it could be Iran ,' the lawmaker insisted. 'There could be a ship out. Not right on the coast of New Jersey , not right there, but these drones as sighted by the coast guard are coming in and out of the ocean,' he continued. It came one day after Van Drew make the jaw-dropping claim point blank that his sources said Iran had launched a 'mothership' about a month ago where the drones are based, and it's now stationed off the coast. Rep. Jeff Van Drew doubled down that the mysterious drones sighted over New Jersey could be coming from Iran, one day after the Pentagon rejected his original claim that sources said there's an 'Iranian mothership' off the U.S. coast Van Drew argued Thursday the U.S. is not being told the truth and the American public are being treated as 'stupid.' His accusations came in response to the Pentagon, which shot down his initial claim almost immediately Wednesday afternoon. 'There's no Iranian ship off the coast of the United States, and there's no so-called "mothership" launching drones toward the United States,' said Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh. She reiterated the Pentagon does not believe the drones are coming from a foreign adversary but also stated they are not U.S. military drones. 'The government claims it's not them. They say it's not them, so who is it?' Van Drew asked Thursday. The GOP lawmaker claimed the drones are not the 'backyard drones' of a hobbyist and more sophisticated than those commercially available. He said the U.S. needs some real answers, but when asked to respond directly to the Pentagon rejecting his Iran claim, Van Drew expanded his accusations. 'These drones very well could be launched from a ship,' he insisted. 'It could be hundreds of miles out at sea. These types of drones go much greater distances.' 'So there is a real possibility. Could it be China? Absolutely. Could it be something else? It sure could,' he said. Van Drew said 'they don't know what it is, what it's about. They haven't taken one down to analyze it.' He said even if officials give more information, it's 'a month too late.' The sightings started mid-November with footage capturing 'car-sized' drones with flashing lights According to one NJ local, this image depicts roughly nine of the unidentified drones flying in to the Garden State from the Atlantic Ocean on Thursday night, December 5 But the Pentagon was not the only one to dismiss the lawmaker's 'mothership' claims. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy also slammed Van Drew's original comments about the drones coming from Iran as a 'wild assertation.' He noted the FBI said there was zero evidence to support Van Drew's original claim. 'I'm not sure what he's been watching lately, but he might want to watch the news,' Murphy responded in a radio interview with WNYC. He has been in contact with the White House over the situation. The governor said he understands people are frustrated and called it a top priority. The FBI and local and state officials have been investigating the mysterious drone sightings that witnesses have spotted on numerous occasions. Residents have noted the unexplained cluster of 'drones' and a possible fixed wing aircraft for several weeks which have sparked concerns as they have been seen flying over sensitive locations, such as military instillations. A top FBI official told House lawmakers on Tuesday that they still do not know where the drones are coming from or who is responsible for them. But he did note some of the drones are believed to be bigger than those commercially available. New Jersey Fox News Iran Politics Pentagon Share or comment on this article: New Jersey lawmaker SLAMS White House's John Kirby for downplaying drone threat as MORE confirmed over the state e-mail Add comment
Lyft CFO to Participate in Fireside Chat Hosted by BarclaysNone
Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau flies to Florida to meet with Trump after tariffs threat WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has flown to Florida to have dinner with President-elect Donald Trump at his Mar-a-Lago club after Trump threatened to impose sweeping tariffs on Canadian products. Joining Trump and Trudeau at dinner were Trump's picks for commerce secretary, interior secretary and national security adviser, and the three men's wives. From the Canadian side, the dinner guests included Public Safety Minister Dominic LeBlanc, whose responsibilities include border security. Trump’s transition did not respond to questions about what they had discussed or whether the conversation alleviated Trump’s concerns about the border. A smiling Trudeau declined comment upon returning to his West Palm Beach hotel late Friday. Emboldened 'manosphere' accelerates threats and demeaning language toward women after US election CHICAGO (AP) — An emboldened fringe of right-wing “manosphere” influencers has seized on Donald Trump’s presidential win to justify and amplify misogynistic derision and threats online. Many have appropriated a 1960s abortion rights rallying cry, declaring “Your body, my choice,” and have been using it publicly on college campuses and even in public schools. While none of the current online rhetoric is being amplified by Trump, experts say many young men see the former president’s return to the White House as vindication of their views on women. For many women, the words are a worrying sign of what might lie ahead as some men perceive the election results as a rebuke of reproductive rights and women’s rights. Syrian insurgents are inside Aleppo in a major setback for Assad as government forces regroup BEIRUT (AP) — Thousands of Syrian insurgents have fanned out inside Syria's largest city Aleppo a day after storming it with little resistance from government troops. Syria's army said troops have redeployed to prepare for a counteroffensive. Witnesses said insurgents were seen Saturday at landmarks in Aleppo for the first time since 2016, when they were expelled by government forces backed by Russia and Iran. The surprise offensive is a major embarrassment for Syrian President Bashar Assad, who has regained total control of the city eight years ago. An Israeli strike in Gaza kills workers with World Central Kitchen charity DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — An Israeli airstrike on a car in the Gaza Strip on Saturday killed five people including employees of World Central Kitchen. The charity says it is “urgently seeking more details” after Israel’s military said it targeted a WCK worker who had been part of the Hamas attack that sparked the war. The charity in an email says it is “heartbroken” by the airstrike and that it had no knowledge anyone in the car had alleged ties to the Oct. 7, 2023 attack, saying it is “working with incomplete information.” It says it is pausing operations in Gaza. Lebanese fisherman hope ceasefire with Israel means normal life returning TYRE, Lebanon (AP) — The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah is bringing hope for normality back to many in southern Lebanon. That includes fishermen who’ve long launched their single-engine wooden boats into the Mediterranean at dawn. For months, Israel imposed a siege that kept hundreds of fishermen at this ancient Phoenician port ashore. That upended their lives and dealt the industry a major blow. The port siege also cut people off from key ingredients for traditional Lebanese dishes. As war devastated their country, the loss of fish damaged a deep association with home. Now, the possibility of renewed fishing is helping fuel hope. How Brazilian police say Bolsonaro plotted a coup to stay in office SAO PAULO (AP) — Brazil’s Federal Police have formally accused former far-right President Jair Bolsonaro and 36 others of plotting a coup to keep him in office. The plot was allegedly comprised of several components and substantiated by evidence and testimony in the agency's 884-page report. The pieces of the puzzle include laying the groundwork by systematically sowing distrust of the electoral system among the populace. It also includes drafting a decree to give the plot a veneer of legal basis and pressuring top military brass to go along with the plan. Bolsonaro and his main allies have denied any wrongdoing or involvement and accuse authorities of political persecution. More than 100 arrested as Georgian police clash with protesters over suspension of EU talks TBILISI, Georgia (AP) — More than 100 demonstrators were arrested overnight in Georgia as protesters clashed with police following the government’s decision to suspend negotiations to join the European Union, the country’s Interior Ministry said. Friday marked the second straight night of protests after Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze of the country’s ruling Georgian Dream party announced the suspension the previous day. The Associated Press saw protesters in Tbilisi being chased and beaten by police as demonstrators rallied in front of the country's parliament building. The violence follows Georgian Dream’s disputed victory in the Oct. 26 election, which was widely seen as a referendum on the country’s aspirations to join the European Union. Romania's parliamentary vote risks being overshadowed by presidential race chaos BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanians are preparing to go to the polls in a parliamentary vote that will determine a new government and prime minister to lead the European Union and NATO member country. However, Sunday's vote is sandwiched between a two-round presidential race and is overshadowed by controversies and chaos following the outcome of the first vote. While the president has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security and foreign policy, the prime minister is the head of the nation’s government. Sunday’s vote will determine the formation of the country’s 466-seat legislature. North Korea's Kim vows steadfast support for Russia’s war in Ukraine SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country will “invariably support” Russia’s war in Ukraine as he met Russia's visiting defense chief. A Russia military delegation led by Defense Minister Andrei Belousov arrived in North Korea on Friday as international concerns about the two countries’ expanding cooperation deepened after North Korea sent thousands of troops to Russia. During a Friday meeting, Kim and Belousov reached “a satisfactory consensus” on issues on how to further boost strategic partnership and defend each country’s sovereignty and security interests, state media said. Great Lakes, Plains and Midwest forecast to be hit with snow and dangerous cold into next week BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — The first big snowfall of the season is threatening to bury towns in New York along lakes Erie and Ontario as the hectic holiday travel and shopping weekend winds down. Numbing cold and heavy snow could persist into next week and cause hazards in the Great Lakes, Plains and Midwest regions. A state of emergency was declared for parts of New York, making it problematic for scores of Thanksgiving travelers trying to return home. This week’s blast of frigid Arctic air also brought bitterly cold temperatures of 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit below average to the Northern Plains. Cold air was expected to move over the eastern third of the U.S. by Monday, the weather service said, with temperatures about 10 degrees below average.Canada needs to take Trump's tariff threats seriously: experts TORONTO — Experts say Canada needs to be prepared to take action if U.S. president-elect Donald Trump goes through with his threats of significant tariffs when he takes office in January. Rosa Saba, The Canadian Press Dec 4, 2024 1:58 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message President-elect Donald Trump attends UFC 309 at Madison Square Garden, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, in New York, with Kid Rock, Dana White and Elon Musk. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Evan Vucci TORONTO — Experts say Canada needs to be prepared to take action if U.S. president-elect Donald Trump goes through with his threats of significant tariffs when he takes office in January. Steve Verheul, former chief trade negotiator for Canada, says though the threat may not seem credible to many, the country still needs to take it seriously by engaging with the new administration and considering potential retaliation. "We’re in a very uncertain period right now," said Verheul during an online panel hosted by BMO on Wednesday. Trump has said he will introduce tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports into the U.S. unless they are able to halt the movement of illegal drugs and migrants across their borders. Experts have warned such tariffs would be damaging to the Canadian economy. "Our economies are integrated, our supply chains are closely intertwined, and we would be in for a highly disruptive period of time if such tariffs were to be put in place," said Verheul. "So I think the question now is, how will Canada respond?" Canada will do what it can to try and dissuade Trump from enacting such a dramatic policy, said Verheul, but if Trump makes good on his threat come inauguration day, Canada needs to be ready to retaliate, such as with tariffs of its own. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau recently flew to meet with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, and briefed opposition leaders this week on the government's plan for the Canada-U.S. border. Verheul was joined on the panel by BMO chief economist Doug Porter and Yung-Yu Ma, chief investment officer for BMO Wealth Management in the U.S. Trump initially said he would enact 10-per-cent tariffs on all imports, with a 60-per-cent hit for China. But more recently he threatened Canada and Mexico with 25-per-cent tariffs. Porter said such high tariffs on all imports are unlikely to happen, especially on key imports like energy. Financial markets don't appear to believe the threats will become reality, he said — but that doesn't mean they should be disregarded. "I think we should take the threat seriously, or at the very least prepare and consider what broad-based tariffs could mean for the economy," he said. “The reality is, we're dealing with an overtly protectionist president who is very fond of using tariffs." Verheul said 25-per-cent tariffs across the board would be a significant hit to Canada's economy, which relies heavily on exports to the U.S., as does Mexico. Trump is a "big fan of tariffs," said Verheul, and sees them as a way to bring production back to the U.S., address trade deficits, and increase revenue. But while Trump's interest in tariffs isn't new, Ma said this time around we're dealing with a different Trump, one who is no longer a political outsider. “President Trump is definitely more emboldened with tariffs this time around than he was in 2017, 2018," he said. While Ma also doesn't think the threats of sweeping tariffs are credible, he could see Trump enacting more limited tariffs on certain goods as bargaining chips. The Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) is up for review in 2026, meaning 2025 is a year for negotiations, said Verheul. "I think there's a good chance that all of these tariff discussions will start to evolve into a renegotiation of the agreement, and we would attempt to address some of those issues within that negotiation," he said. "So hopefully short term, but it's going to be a rocky period and a lot of chaos in the market." This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 4, 2024. Rosa Saba, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More The Mix Pete Hegseth's mother says The New York Times made 'threats' by asking her to comment on a story Dec 4, 2024 2:50 PM Japan's famous sake joins UNESCO's cultural heritage list, a boost to brewers and enthusiasts Dec 4, 2024 2:48 PM Dollarama buys land for Calgary warehouse, targets 2,200 Canadian stores by 2034 Dec 4, 2024 2:44 PM Featured Flyer
I loved Big Brother 26 , and so did many others, so I guess it's natural that fans remain obsessed with updates on the Houseguests after the season. On the heels of learning the official relationship status of Rubina Bernabe and Tucker Des Lauriers , Makensy "MJ" Manbeck gave a shocking romantic update. MJ surprised winner Chelsie Baham by going easy on her in the finale Q&A, and with her latest life update, she has certainly shocked the many fans anticipating Season 27 hitting the 2025 TV schedule . Here's what the Season 26 runner-up had to share, which I still am shocked about. MJ "Hard Launched" A Relationship With Former Houseguest Matt Hardeman It seems love is in the air for the Big Brother 26 cast, and MJ just broke the internet with a reveal wilder than when we learned Derek Xiao and Claire Rehfuss were dating . The reality star confirmed on Instagram that she's now dating former Houseguest Matt Hardeman and had plenty of pictures to prove it was legit: A post shared by Makensy Jo Manbeck (@makensyjomanbeck) A photo posted by on If you were watching Big Brother 's live feeds with a Paramount+ subscription this season, your jaw is probably on the floor. I was just able to pick mine up because I can't believe the showmance that never really got started is now an official relationship. Why MJ And Matt Dating Is So Shocking While Matt and MJ seemed to be forming a mild connection in the Big Brother house, he would quickly exit after Angela Murray had a wild call out of him . MJ, in later weeks, would talk about how she didn't feel like she was actually into Matt, and he started to focus his energy inside the house on taunting Angela on social media . I Loved Big Brother Season 26, And I Think Other Fans Will Be Just As Excited About What Producers Are 'Very Likely' Bringing Back In Future Seasons Now that the game is over, it appears that Matt and MJ have had some time to talk and have decided that a relationship can work between them. In fairness, I would imagine it's much easier to discuss the possibility of dating when you're in the outside world and not being watched by reality TV cameras while competing to win a large chunk of prize money. Also, there's something to be said of the pressure associated with knowing your friends, family, and thousands of strangers are watching your every move on the live feeds. While I'm sure there will be some snarky responses to MJ and Matt becoming a couple, I think it's important for Big Brother fans just to be happy for them and move on. After all, most Houseguests go back to being normal people after Big Brother unless they get caught up in the circuit of competing on The Challenge or The Traitors , so it feels a bit unfair to dogpile on them for simply pursuing romance outside of the game. CINEMABLEND NEWSLETTER Your Daily Blend of Entertainment News Big Brother Season 26 is over, but as many already know, it's all available to stream on Paramount+. Anyone burnt out on Christmas movies but in desperate need of entertainment would benefit from rewatching it, and maybe now pay extra attention to that first week that Matt and MJ were together.WASHINGTON D.C., DC — The Dallas Mavericks take on the Washington Wizards at 6 p.m. CT Thursday on KFAA! Not sure how to watch? Here's a breakdown on how to tune in – and guarantee you get the clearest signal possible of the broadcast. The Dallas Mavericks (14-8) have won five in a row and are looking to ride that hot streak into Thursday night when they take on the Washington Wizards (2-17). The Mavs earned the wildcard spot in the NBA Cup Tuesday night against the Grizzlies and now will have work to carry that momentum over in this regular season matchup against a struggling, injured Wizards team. This will be the first of a three-away-game stint for the Mavs. If they lose in Tuesday's Cup Night Quarterfinals matchup against OKC, the Mavs won't return home for a game until Dec. 19 against the Clippers. Dallas Mavericks injury report Kessler Edwards: Out (G-League Two-way) Dante Exum: Out (right wrist surgery) Jazian Gortman: Out (G-League Two-way) Naji Marshall: Out (illness) Brandon Williams: Out (G-League Two-way) Washington Wizards injury report Patrick Baldwin Jr.: Out (right ankle soreness) Saddiq Bey: Out (left knee ACL surgery) Malcolm Brogdon: Available (right knee soreness) Kyshawn George: Out (left ankle sprain) Corey Kispert: Out (left ankle sprain Kyle Kuzma: Out (left rib sprain) Tristan Vukcevic: Out (left knee contusion) What's next Following tonight's matchup with the Wizards, the Mavericks will travel up to Toronto to take on the Raptors. Saturday, Dec. 7: at Toronto Raptors on KFAA at 6:30 p.m. CT Thursday, Dec. 19: at LA Clippers on WFAA/KFAA at 7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday, Dec. 10: at OKC Thunder on TNT at 8:30 p.m. CT *Cup Night Quarterfinals
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PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Honey, they shrunk the catalogs. While retailers hope to go big this holiday season , customers may notice that the printed gift guides arriving in their mailboxes are smaller. Many of the millions of catalogs getting sent to U.S. homes were indeed scaled down to save on postage and paper, resulting in pint-sized editions. Lands’ End, Duluth Trading Company and Hammacher Schlemmer are among gift purveyors using smaller editions. Some retailers are saving even more money with postcards. Lisa Ayoob, a tech-savvy, online shopper in Portland, Maine, was surprised by the size of a recent catalog she received from outdoor apparel company Carbon2Cobalt. “It almost felt like it was a pamphlet compared to a catalog,” she said. Catalogs have undergone a steady recalibration over the years in response to technological changes and consumer behavior. The thick, heavy Sears and J.C. Penney catalogs that brought store displays to American living rooms slimmed down and gave way to targeted mailings once websites could do the same thing. Recent postal rate increases accelerated the latest shift to compact formats. The number of catalogs mailed each year dropped about 40% between 2006 to 2018, when an estimated 11.5 billion were mailed to homes, according to the trade group formerly known as the American Catalog Mailers Association. In a sign of the times, the group based in Washington rebranded itself in May as the American Commerce Marketing Association, reflecting a broadened focus. But don't expect catalogs to go the way of dinosaurs yet. Defying predictions of doom, they have managed to remain relevant in the e-commerce era. Retail companies found that could treat catalogs with fewer pages as a marketing tool and include QR and promo codes to entice customers to browse online and complete a purchase. Despite no longer carrying an extended inventory of goods, catalogs are costly to produce and ship. But they hold their own in value because of growing digital advertising costs, helping retailers cut through the noise for consumers barraged by multi-format advertisements, industry officials say. In an unlikely twist, notable e-commerce companies like Amazon and home goods supplier Wayfair started distributing catalogs in recent years. Amazon began mailing a toy catalog in 2018. That was the same year Sears, which produced an annual Christmas Wish Book Wish starting in 1933, filed for bankruptc y. Fans of printed information may rejoice to hear that apparel retailer J.Crew relaunched its glossy catalog this year. Research shows that the hands-on experience of thumbing through a catalog leaves a greater impression on consumers, said Jonathan Zhang, a professor of marketing at Colorado State University. “The reason why these paper formats are so effective is that our human brains haven’t evolved as fast as technology and computers over the past 10 to 20 years. We retain more information when we read something on paper. That's why paper books remain relevant," Zhang said. “The psychology shows that three-dimensional, tactile experiences are more memorable.” Pint-sized presentations still can work, though, because the purpose of catalogs these days is simply to get customers’ attention, Zhang said. Conserving paper also works better with younger consumers who are worried about the holiday shopping season's impact on the planet, he said. Postal increases are hastening changes. The latest round of postage hikes in July included the category with the 8.5-by-11-inch size that used to be ubiquitous for the catalog industry. Many retailers responded by reducing the size of catalogs, putting them in a lower-cost letter category, said Paul Miller, executive vice president and managing director of the American Commerce Marketing Association. One size, called a “slim jim,” measures 10.5 by 5.5 inches. But there other sizes. Some retailers have further reduced costs by mailing large postcards to consumers. Lands' End, for one, is testing new compact formats to supplement its traditional catalogs. This year, that included folded glossy brochures and postcards, along with other formats, Chief Transformation Officer Angie Rieger said. Maine resident Ayoob said she understands why retailers still use catalogs even though she no longer is a fan of the format. These days, she prefers to browse for products on the internet, not by flipping through paper pages. “Everybody wants eyeballs. There’s so much out there -- so many websites, so many brands,” said Ayoob, who spent 35 years working in department stores and in the wholesale industry. Targeting customers at home is not a new concept. L.L. Bean was a pioneer of the mail-order catalog after its founder promoted his famous “Maine Hunting Shoe” to hunting license holders from out-of-state in 1912. The outdoor clothing and equipment company based in Freeport, Maine, is sticking to mailing out regular-sized catalogs for now. “By showcasing our icons, the catalog became an icon itself,” L.L. Bean spokesperson Amanda Hannah said. "Even as we invest more in our digital and brand marketing channels, the catalog retains a strong association with our brand, and is therefore an important part of our omni-channel strategy, especially for our loyal customers.”
DURHAM, N.H. (AP) — Kinkead Dent threw for 246 yards and ran for another 56 yards and a touchdown as UT Martin rolled to a 41-10 win over New Hampshire in an FCS first-round game on Saturday. The Skyhawks (9-4) advance to face unbeaten and top-seeded Montana State (12-0) in the second round. UT Martin's rushing game amassed 236 yards on 52 carries and five different backs reached the end zone. Meanwhile, the Skyhawks limited New Hampshire to 124 yards of total offense and held the Wildcats' run game to just 53 yards on 16 carries. Rashad Raymond scored from 4-yards out midway through the first quarter to put UT Martin on the board first and All-Big South/OVC first-team running back Patrick Smith added a 3-yard scoring run in the second to take a 17-7 lead. Dent capped an eight-play, 80-yard drive by nosing in from the 2 and Jaren Van Winkle kicked field goals from 30- and 36-yards to make it 24-7 at intermission. Trevonte Rucker scored from the 4 to start the fourth quarter and Glover Cook III punched in from the 1 to complete the scoring. Dent Completed 17 of 26 passes without an interception. Rucker caught nine passes for 98 yards and DeVonte Tanksley caught four for 81, including a 56-yard reception. Smith carried 15 times for 71 yards. Glover had 12 carries for 56. Seth Morgan was held to 14 of 35 passing with an interception for New Hampshire (8-5). 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