WASHINGTON (AP) — FBI Director Christopher Wray told bureau workers Wednesday he plans to resign at the end of President Joe Biden's term in January, an announcement that came a week and a half after President-elect Donald Trump said he would nominate loyalist Kash Patel for the job. Wray said at a town hall meeting that he would be stepping down “after weeks of careful thought,” roughly three years short of the completion of a 10-year term during which he tried to keep the FBI out of politics even as the bureau found itself entangled in a string of explosive investigations, including two that led to separate indictments of Trump last year. Wray’s intended resignation was not unexpected considering that Trump had settled on Patel to be director and had repeatedly aired his ire at Wray, including in a television interview broadcast Sunday. But his departure is nonetheless a reflection of how Trump's norm-breaking style has reshaped Washington, with the president-elect yet again flouting tradition by moving to replace an FBI director before his term was up and Wray — by resigning before he could be fired — opting to avert a collision with the incoming Trump administration that he said would have plunged the FBI into political fighting. “My goal is to keep the focus on our mission — the indispensable work you’re doing on behalf of the American people every day,” Wray told agency employees. "In my view, this is the best way to avoid dragging the bureau deeper into the fray, while reinforcing the values and principles that are so important to how we do our work.” The resignation would clear the way for Patel's ascension, assuming he is confirmed by the Senate. A White House staffer during Trump's first term, Patel has insisted that the federal government should be rid of “conspirators” against Trump. The comments have stirred alarm that he could seek to use the FBI for retribution against perceived enemies despite longstanding guardrails meant to ensure investigations have a proper basis. It's extremely rare for FBI directors to be ousted from their jobs before the completion of their 10-year terms, a length meant to insulate the agency from the political influence of changing administrations. But Trump has done it twice, placing Wray in the job in 2017 after firing Director James Comey amid an investigation into ties between Russia and the Republican president’s campaign. Despite having appointed Wray, Trump had telegraphed his anger with the FBI director on multiple occasions. Trump said in the recent interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that “I can’t say I’m thrilled with him. He invaded my home,” a reference to the FBI search of his Florida property , Mar-a-Lago, two years ago for classified documents from Trump’s first term as president. That search, and the recovery of boxes of sensitive government records, paved the way for one of two federal indictments against Trump. The case, and another one charging him with plotting to overturn the 2020 election, have both been dismissed. Trump applauded the resignation news on social media, calling it “a great day for America as it will end the Weaponization of what has become known as the United States Department of Injustice.” and complaining anew about the Mar-a-Lago search. Attorney General Merrick Garland, meanwhile, praised Wray for having “served our country honorably and with integrity for decades.” He said: “Under Director Wray’s principled leadership, the FBI has worked to fulfill the Justice Department’s mission to keep our country safe, protect civil rights, and uphold the rule of law.” Natalie Bara, the president of the FBI Agents Association. said in a statement Wray had led the FBI “through challenging times with a steady focus on doing the work that keeps our country safe. ” Throughout his seven years on the job, Wray brought a workmanlike approach to the job, repeatedly preaching a “keep calm and tackle hard” mantra to bureau personnel despite a steady drumbeat of attacks from Trump and his supporters. In fact, Wray was quick to distance himself and his leadership team from the FBI’s Russia investigation that was well underway when he took office. On the same day of a harshly critical inspector general report on that inquiry, Wray announced more than 40 corrective actions to the FBI’s process for applying for warrants for secret national security surveillance. He said mistakes made during the Russia inquiry were unacceptable and he helped tighten controls for investigations into candidates for federal office. FBI officials actively trumpeted those changes to make clear that Wray’s leadership had ushered in a different era at the bureau. Even then, though, Wray’s criticism of the investigation was occasionally measured — he did not agree, for instance, with Trump’s characterization of it as a “witch hunt” — and there were other instances, particularly in response to specific questions, when he memorably broke with the White House. In 2020, he said that there was “no indication” that Ukraine had interfered in the 2016 election, countering a frequent talking point at the time from Trump. When the Trump White House blessed the declassification of materials related to the surveillance of a former Trump campaign aide, Wray made known his displeasure. Wray also angered Trump for saying that antifa was a movement and an ideology but not an organization. Trump had said he would like to designate the group as a terrorist organization. Then came the FBI's Mar-a-Lago search, which officials defended as necessary given the boxes of documents that were being concealed at the Palm Beach property and the evidence of obstruction that the Justice Department said had been gathered. Trump railed against the FBI over that action and has kept up his criticism ever since, including after Wray said at a congressional hearing last summer that there was “some question about whether or not it’s a bullet or shrapnel” that struck Trump's ear during an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania in July. The FBI later stated unequivocally that it was indeed a bullet. Before being named FBI director, Wray worked at a prestigious law firm, King & Spalding, where he represented former Gov. Chris Christie, R-N.J., during the “Bridgegate” affair. He also led the Justice Department’s criminal division for a period during President George W. Bush’s administration.Greater Idaho movement asks Trump to help move Oregon border
Tetairoa McMillan, one of the best wide receivers in Arizona history, will skip his final year of eligibility and enter the 2025 NFL Draft, he announced on social media on Thursday. Projected as a top-10 draft pick, the 6-foot-5, 212-pound McMillan finished his illustrious career at Arizona with 3,423 receiving yards, breaking the mark set by Bobby Wade (3,351). In three seasons, the Hawaii native also posted the fourth-most catches (213) and third-most touchdowns (26) in school history. "Wildcat Nation, this journey has been everything I dreamed of and more," McMillan wrote on Instagram. "From the moment I committed to the University of Arizona, to every second spent wearing that Arizona jersey ... it's been an absolute honor. "The University of Arizona has provided me with the platform to grow and chase my dreams. ... Thank you from the bottom of my heart. To the best fans in the country, I appreciate you for all of the love and support you have given me these last 3 years. I will always be a Wildcat." In 2024, McMillan totaled 84 grabs (ninth in Division I) for 1,319 yards (third in Division I) and eight touchdowns for the 4-8 Wildcats. He also ranked third in Division I with 109.9 receiving yards per game. McMillan is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award, given to the most outstanding receiver in college football. --Field Level MediaNone
NoneDe Vrij: "One game at a time, big results only come like this"Pearl Diver Credit Company Inc. Announces Offering of Series A Preferred Stock
Homebound seniors living alone often slip through health system’s cracksNEW YORK , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --The global travel market size is estimated to grow by USD 5.50 trillion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 18.52% during the forecast period. Growing popularity of experiential travel is driving market growth, with a trend towards increasing international tourist footfall. However, threat from growing terrorism poses a challenge. Key market players include Accor S.A., American Express Global Business Travel GBT, Balkan Holidays Ltd., BCD Travel Services BV, Booking Holdings Inc., Carlson Inc., Corporate Travel Management Ltd., Expedia Group Inc., Fareportal Inc., Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd., G Adventures, JPMorgan Chase and Co., JTB Corp., MakeMyTrip Ltd., Marriott International Inc., Omega World Travel Inc., PT Global Digital Niaga, Traveloka, The Scott Travel Group Ltd., Travel Leaders Group Holdings LLC, World Travel Holdings, and World Travel Inc., Airbnb, Inc., Hilton Worldwide, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Travel Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 18.52% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 5506.7 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 15.17 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa, Performing market contribution APAC at 39% Key countries US, France, China, UK, and Japan, Spain, Italy, Germany, Thailand, Australia Key companies profiled Accor S.A., American Express Global Business Travel GBT, Balkan Holidays Ltd., BCD Travel Services BV, Booking Holdings Inc., Carlson Inc., Corporate Travel Management Ltd., Expedia Group Inc., Fareportal Inc., Flight Centre Travel Group Ltd., G Adventures, JPMorgan Chase and Co., JTB Corp., MakeMyTrip Ltd., Marriott International Inc., Omega World Travel Inc., PT Global Digital Niaga, Traveloka, The Scott Travel Group Ltd., Travel Leaders Group Holdings LLC, World Travel Holdings, and World Travel Inc., Airbnb, Inc., Hilton Worldwide, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean Group Market Driver Inbound tourism has experienced significant growth worldwide, leading to an increase in the number of tourists and demand for travel activities. Business travel, both international and domestic, is a significant contributor to this trend. The presence of numerous multinational corporations drives corporate visits, boosting the travel industry. Online travel platforms cater to the rising demand for travel activities from an increasing number of international tourists, primarily from North America , Europe , and the Pacific region. Government initiatives, such as improved connectivity through new airports, further fuel tourism growth. Overall, these factors are expected to expand the global travel market during the forecast period. The travel industry is experiencing significant shifts driven by trends such as the growing middle class population, heightened security and health concerns, and the increasing role of foreign tour operators and online platforms. Digital transformation is at the forefront, with tourists relying on online resources for trip planning, booking flight tickets and hotels, and even renting cars. Economic stability and leisure activities continue to be key motivators for vacations and holiday packages. The pandemic has created an acquisition opportunity for online travel agents, with promotional activities and new year holidays driving bookings. Mobile apps and holiday packages for international cities cater to elite travelers seeking new experiences in unexplored destinations. The luxury travel market remains strong, with a focus on security and personalized services. Overall, the online travel market is thriving, offering tourists convenience, affordability, and access to a world of new opportunities. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This travel market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Transportation- The Travel Market is a thriving industry that connects service providers with customers seeking unique travel experiences. It offers various opportunities for businesses to expand their reach and increase sales. By utilizing effective marketing strategies and providing exceptional customer service, companies can attract and retain customers. The Travel Market also encourages innovation and collaboration, allowing businesses to offer competitive prices and diverse offerings. Overall, it is a dynamic and profitable sector that continues to grow and evolve. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The online travel market has experienced significant shifts in the wake of the pandemic, with a growth in domestic tourism and an increase in bookings for New Year holidays. Mobile apps have become essential tools for travelers, allowing them to easily compare holiday packages, book flights, hotels, car rentals, and more. The adoption of IoT technology in the tourism sector offers new experiences and personalized services, creating opportunities for innovation. However, political instability, natural disasters, and stringent immigration policies pose challenges. The acquisition of smaller players in the online travel market presents opportunities for growth, particularly in the luxury travel market catering to elite travelers. Unexplored destinations and micro trips are also gaining popularity as travelers seek new experiences. Business and sports travel are expected to rebound as restrictions ease. Despite these trends, the tourism sector continues to face uncertainty and must adapt to changing consumer preferences and external factors. Market Research Overview The online travel market has seen a significant growth during the pandemic as people look for acquisition opportunities in the tourism sector. Domestic tourism has become a popular choice for travelers, leading to an increase in bookings for new year holidays. Mobile apps and online travel agents offer convenience for holiday packages, car rentals, and international city explorations. The luxury travel market caters to elite travelers seeking new experiences in unexplored destinations. Micro trips and personalized services are also in demand, as is reliable transport and professional interaction. Political stability, customized tours, and private tours are essential for some travelers, while others prioritize baby boomers, Gen X, and millennials' preferences. Technological advancements, such as the adoption of IoT, have transformed the industry, with online booking platforms, travel websites, and rapid globalization playing key roles. However, challenges such as political instability, natural disasters, and stringent immigration policies persist. Business, sports, and leisure activities continue to drive travel, with economic stability and infrastructure development crucial for the tourist industry's digital transformation. Online resources, flight tickets, hotels, and trip planning remain essential, with health and security concerns also influencing travel decisions. Foreign tour operators and online platforms cater to various tourist destinations, while influencer marketing, travel blogs, and user-generated content shape travel trends. Country revenue depends on public transportation, accommodation facilities, and the middle class population's growing demand for travel. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/travel-market-size-is-set-to-grow-by-usd-5-50-trillion-from-2024-2028--growing-popularity-of-experiential-travel-boost-the-market--technavio-302314953.html SOURCE Technavio
Alaska Air Group, Inc . ALK shares are trading higher on Thursday. Goldman Sachs analyst Catherine O’Brien indicates that there could be potential upside to the company’s 2027 EPS target, taking into account factors such as the recently announced $1 billion share repurchase authorization, improvements in the industry environment, the full recovery of Hawaiian’s revenue, the economic benefits from a new joint co-brand credit card deal, and potential solutions to mitigate the current volatility in West Coast jet fuel crack spreads. The analyst notes that the company plans to transition to a single loyalty program in the second half of 2025. Also Read: Stocks Fall As Producer Inflation Spikes, Jobless Claims Jump: ‘What Is Happening Here?’ Per O’Brien, a new agreement is expected to follow this transition, likely before the current contracts expire, based on industry practices of renegotiating ahead of expiration. The analyst writes that the company’s $70 price forecast is based on a normalized EBITDAR valuation methodology, applying a 3.1x EV/EBITDAR multiple to a normalized EBITDAR estimate of $3.7 billion. The analyst highlights key risks, including potential integration challenges from the recent merger with Hawaiian, higher-than-expected costs from open labor agreements, and possible future delivery disruptions from Boeing Company. The analyst estimates the company’s FY24 revenues of $11.711 billion. The analyst projects FY25 revenues of $14.734 billion. Price Action: ALK shares are trading lower by 0.05% to $64.06 at last check Thursday. Read Next: Trump Rings NYSE Opening Bell, Says Economy ‘Is Going To Be Very Strong’ Image via Shutterstock. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump’s personnel choices for his new Cabinet and White House reflect his signature positions on immigration and trade but also a range of viewpoints and backgrounds that raise questions about what ideological anchors might guide his Oval Office encore. With a rapid assembly of his second administration — faster than his effort eight years ago — the former and incoming president has combined television personalities , former Democrats, a wrestling executive and traditional elected Republicans into a mix that makes clear his intentions to impose tariffs on imported goods and crack down on illegal immigration but leaves open a range of possibilities on other policy pursuits. “The president has his two big priorities and doesn’t feel as strongly about anything else — so it’s going to be a real jump ball and zigzag,” predicted Marc Short, chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence during Trump’s 2017-21 term. “In the first administration, he surrounded himself with more conservative thinkers, and the results showed we were mostly rowing in the same direction. This is more eclectic.” Indeed, Secretary of State-designee Marco Rubio , the Florida senator who has pilloried authoritarian regimes around the world, is in line to serve as top diplomat to a president who praises autocratic leaders like Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Hungary’s Viktor Orban. Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon has been tapped to sit at the Cabinet table as a pro-union labor secretary alongside multiple billionaires, former governors and others who oppose making it easier for workers to organize themselves. The prospective treasury secretary, Scott Bessent , wants to cut deficits for a president who promised more tax cuts, better veterans services and no rollbacks of the largest federal outlays: Social Security, Medicare and national defense. Abortion-rights supporter Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is Trump's choice to lead the Health and Human Services Department, which Trump’s conservative Christian base has long targeted as an agency where the anti-abortion movement must wield more influence. Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich allowed that members of Trump’s slate will not always agree with the president and certainly not with one another. But he minimized the potential for irreconcilable differences: “A strong Cabinet, by definition, means you’re going to have people with different opinions and different skills.” That kind of unpredictability is at the core of Trump’s political identity. He is the erstwhile reality TV star who already upended Washington once and is returning to power with sweeping, sometimes contradictory promises that convinced voters, especially those in the working class, that he will do it all again. “What Donald Trump has done is reorient political leadership and activism to a more entrepreneurial spirit,” Gingrich said. There's also plenty of room for conflict, given the breadth of Trump's 2024 campaign promises and his pattern of cycling through Cabinet members and national security personnel during his first term. This time, Trump has pledged to impose tariffs on foreign goods, end illegal immigration and launch a mass deportation force, goose U.S. energy production and exact retribution on people who opposed — and prosecuted — him. He's added promises to cut taxes, raise wages, end wars in Israel and Ukraine , streamline government, protect Social Security and Medicare, help veterans and squelch cultural progressivism. Trump alluded to some of those promises in recent weeks as he completed his proposed roster of federal department heads and named top White House staff members. But his announcements skimmed over any policy paradoxes or potential complications. Bessent has crusaded as a deficit hawk, warning that the ballooning national debt , paired with higher interest rates, drives consumer inflation. But he also supports extending Trump’s 2017 tax cuts that added to the overall debt and annual debt service payments to investors who buy Treasury notes. A hedge-fund billionaire, Bessent built his wealth in world markets. Yet, generally speaking, he’s endorsed Trump's tariffs. He rejects the idea that they feed inflation and instead frames tariffs as one-time price adjustments and leverage to achieve U.S. foreign policy and domestic economic aims. Trump, for his part, declared that Bessent would “help me usher in a new Golden Age for the United States.” Chavez-DeRemer, Trump promised, “will achieve historic cooperation between Business and Labor that will restore the American Dream for Working Families.” Trump did not address the Oregon congresswoman’s staunch support for the PRO-Act, a Democratic-backed measure that would make it easier for workers to unionize, among other provisions. That proposal passed the House when Democrats held a majority. But it’s never had measurable Republican support in either chamber on Capitol Hill, and Trump has never made it part of his agenda. When Trump named Kennedy as his pick for health secretary, he did not mention the former Democrat’s support for abortion rights. Instead, Trump put the focus on Kennedy’s intention to take on the U.S. agriculture, food processing and drug manufacturing sectors. The vagaries of Trump’s foreign policy stand out, as well. Trump's choice for national security adviser , Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, offered mixed messages Sunday when discussing the Russia-Ukraine war, which Trump claims never would have started had he been president, because he would have prevailed on Putin not to invade his neighboring country. Speaking on “Fox News Sunday,” Waltz repeated Trump’s concerns over recent escalations, which include President Joe Biden approving sending antipersonnel mines to Ukrainian forces. “We need to restore deterrence, restore peace and get ahead of this escalation ladder, rather than responding to it,” Waltz said. But in the same interview, Waltz declared the mines necessary to help Ukraine “stop Russian gains” and said he’s working “hand in glove” with Biden’s team during the transition. Meanwhile, Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for director of national intelligence , the top intelligence post in government, is an outspoken defender of Putin and Syrian President Bashar al Assad, a close ally of Russia and Iran. Perhaps the biggest wildcards of Trump’s governing constellation are budget-and-spending advisers Russell Vought, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Vought led Trump’s Office of Management and Budget in his first term and is in line for the same post again. Musk, the world’s wealthiest man, and Ramaswamy, a mega-millionaire venture capitalist, are leading an outside advisory panel known as the “Department of Government Efficiency.” The latter effort is a quasi-official exercise to identify waste. It carries no statutory authority, but Trump can route Musk’s and Ramaswamy’s recommendations to official government pathways, including via Vought. A leading author of Project 2025 , the conservative movement’s blueprint for a hard-right turn in U.S. government and society, Vought envisions OMB not just as an influential office to shape Trump’s budget proposals for Congress but a power center of the executive branch, “powerful enough to override implementing agencies’ bureaucracies.” As for how Trump might navigate differences across his administration, Gingrich pointed to Chavez-DeRemer. “He might not agree with her on union issues, but he might not stop her from pushing it herself,” Gingrich said of the PRO-Act. “And he will listen to anybody. If you convince him, he absolutely will spend presidential capital.” Short said other factors are more likely to influence Trump: personalities and, of course, loyalty . Vought “brought him potential spending cuts” in the first administration, Short said, “that Trump wouldn’t go along with.” This time, Short continued, “maybe Elon and Vivek provide backup,” giving Vought the imprimatur of two wealthy businessmen. “He will always calculate who has been good to him,” Short said. “You already see that: The unions got the labor secretary they wanted, and Putin and Assad got the DNI (intelligence chief) they wanted. ... This is not so much a team-of-rivals situation. I think it’s going to look a lot like a reality TV show.”
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SafeSport Center changes targeted in new bill aimed at sex abuse in sports
Despite being one of the pioneers of artificial intelligence research, Google ( GOOGL +1.72% ) isn’t poised to be a winner of the transformation, according to a business professor. “While Google may have blazed the trail in artificial intelligence, it’s Meta ( META +1.06% ) that’s poised to reap the rewards,” Howard Yu, LEGO Professor of Management and Innovation at IMD Business School, said in a written piece shared with Quartz. The reason according to Yu, who also leads the Center for Future Readiness, is about business models. “Google’s core business model — built on the elegance of simple search and link-clicking — is actually being undermined by AI,” Yu said, “while Meta’s advertising ecosystem is being supercharged by it.” For example, Meta’s AI-powered advertising system has been able to adapt after Apple’s ( AAPL +1.34% ) introduction of its App Tracking Transparency feature, Yu said, which requires iOS apps to request user permission to track activity. Before, advertisers could track how users bought a product after seeing an ad. The tech giant’s probabilistic models “are working better than the old tracking system ever did,” Yu said. Meta is also “erasing the line between content and advertising,” Yu said, by using AI to make items in images and videos on social media feeds purchasable. The company “isn’t just creating ad inventory — it’s turning everything into potential inventory. And Meta’s partnership with EssilorLuxottica ( EL +4.33% ) on Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses gives it an AI-advantage that doesn’t threaten its business. Meanwhile, Google is struggling to integrate AI into its products without threatening its search business, Yu said, which “thrives on simplicity, directing users to click on links that generate ad revenue.” With AI chatbots that can provide direct answers to queries, users don’t have to visit web pages where ads are placed. And Google’s other AI features, such as NotebookLM, “don’t necessarily strengthen its primary revenue stream.” Meta was the third-highest tech company on the Center for Future Readiness’s Future Readiness Indicator after Nvidia ( NVDA -4.27% ) and Microsoft ( MSFT +0.43% ), due to its “aggressive investments in AI” that show “strong momentum, impacting nearly all aspects of its operations,” the report said. Google parent Alphabet was the fourth-highest tech company on the list. 📬 Sign up for the Daily Brief Our free, fast, and fun briefing on the global economy, delivered every weekday morning.
AP News Summary at 6:10 p.m. ESTThe rivalry between No. 6 Notre Dame and No. 17 Army is back and it has major playoff implications. The Fighting Irish (9-1) and the Black Knights (9-0) will face off against each other at Yankee Stadium on Saturday , marking the first matchup between the two programs since 2016, when Notre Dame handily defeated Army, 44-6. Notre Dame has beaten Army in the last 15 matchups and hasn't dropped a game in the series since 1958. Both Notre Dame and Army are vying for a spot in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff . Notre Dame got off to a rough start this season after suffering a shocking upset to Northern Illinois in Week 2 , but the Fighting Irish were projected to be the No. 8 seed in the latest College Football Playoff bracket after winning their last eight games. Army, on the other hand, is undefeated and has already secured a spot in the American Athletic Conference championship game against Tulane in December, but a win over ranked Notre Dame will only bolster their resume. Can Army snap Notre Dame's 15-game winning streak? Can the Fighting Irish keep their playoff hopes alive? Here's how to tune into the matchup on Saturday: WEEK 13 GAMES TO WATCH: Ohio State, Notre Dame face tests on Saturday ARMY: Readies for Notre Dame with playoff possibilites on the line When is Army vs. Notre Dame? Kickoff is set for Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m. ET from Yankee Stadium in New York. How to watch Army vs. Notre Dame? Saturday's matchup between No. 6 Notre Dame and No. 17 Army will be broadcast nationally on NBC. The game can also be streamed on Peacock and Fubo . The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast . Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more . We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.Batcho 4-6 5-7 13, Abram 3-13 4-4 12, Cooper 6-10 3-4 16, Newman 4-11 1-1 12, Ree 3-5 0-0 9, Green 0-4 0-0 0, Allen 1-2 1-2 3, Bates 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 21-52 14-18 65. Beagle 2-6 1-2 5, Roumoglou 2-7 0-0 6, Hunt 10-16 5-5 26, Roche 0-3 0-0 0, Tyne 3-9 0-0 6, Walz 2-4 2-4 7, Neskovic 4-9 0-1 9, Graham 1-2 0-0 3, Tanner 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 24-57 8-12 62. Halftime_Richmond 35-27. 3-Point Goals_Louisiana Tech 9-25 (Ree 3-5, Newman 3-6, Abram 2-7, Cooper 1-3, Bates 0-1, Green 0-3), Richmond 6-29 (Roumoglou 2-6, Walz 1-1, Graham 1-2, Hunt 1-5, Neskovic 1-5, Beagle 0-1, Tanner 0-1, Roche 0-3, Tyne 0-5). Rebounds_Louisiana Tech 31 (Cooper, Ree 9), Richmond 30 (Roumoglou 10). Assists_Louisiana Tech 13 (Newman 8), Richmond 10 (Beagle 4). Total Fouls_Louisiana Tech 14, Richmond 13. A_451 (7,186).
PML-N agrees to conditional talks with PTI, demands withdrawal of civil disobedience callBETHESDA, Md. , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AGNC Investment Corp. (Nasdaq: AGNC) announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a cash dividend of $0.12 per share of common stock for December 2024 . The dividend is payable on January 10, 2025 to common stockholders of record as of December 31, 2024 . For further information or questions, please contact Investor Relations at (301) 968-9300 or IR@AGNC.com . ABOUT AGNC INVESTMENT CORP. Founded in 2008, AGNC Investment Corp. (Nasdaq: AGNC) is a leading investor in Agency residential mortgage-backed securities (Agency MBS), which benefit from a guarantee against credit losses by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or Ginnie Mae . We invest on a leveraged basis, financing our Agency MBS assets primarily through repurchase agreements, and utilize dynamic risk management strategies intended to protect the value of our portfolio from interest rate and other market risks. AGNC has a track record of providing favorable long-term returns for our stockholders through substantial monthly dividend income, with over $13 billion of common stock dividends paid since inception. Our business is a significant source of private capital for the U.S. residential housing market, and our team has extensive experience managing mortgage assets across market cycles. To learn more about The Premier Agency Residential Mortgage REIT , please visit www.AGNC.com , follow us on LinkedIn and X , and sign up for Investor Alerts . CONTACT: Investor Relations - (301) 968-9300 View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/agnc-investment-corp-declares-monthly-common-stock-dividend-of-0-12-per-common-share-for-december-2024--302329440.html SOURCE AGNC Investment Corp.NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks climbed Thursday after market superstar Nvidia and another round of companies said they’re making even fatter profits than expected. The S&P 500 pulled 0.5% higher after flipping between gains and losses several times during the day. Banks, smaller companies and other areas of the stock market that tend to do best when the economy is strong helped lead the way, while bitcoin briefly broke above $99,000. Crude oil, meanwhile, continued to rise. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 461 points, or 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite edged up by less than 0.1%. Nvidia rose just 0.5% after beating analysts’ estimates for profit and revenue yet again, but it was still the strongest force pulling the S&P 500 upward. It also gave a forecast for revenue in the current quarter that topped most analysts’ expectations due to voracious demand for its chips used in artificial-intelligence technology. Its stock initially sank in afterhours trading Wednesday following the release of the results. Some investors said the market might have been looking for Nvidia’s revenue forecast to surpass expectations by even more. But its stock recovered in premarket trading Thursday, and Wedbush analyst Dan Ives said it was another “flawless” profit report provided by Nvidia and CEO Jensen Huang, whom Ives calls “the Godfather of AI.” The stock meandered through Thursday as well, dragging the S&P 500 and other indexes back and forth. How Nvidia’s stock performs has more impact than any other because it’s grown into Wall Street’s most valuable company at roughly $3.6 trillion. The frenzy around AI is sweeping up other stocks, and Snowflake jumped 32.7% after reporting stronger results for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The company, whose platform helps customers get a better view of all their silos of data and use AI, also reported stronger revenue growth than expected. BJ’S Wholesale Club rose 8.3% after likewise delivering a bigger profit than expected. That may help calm worries about how resilient U.S. shoppers can remain, given high prices across the economy and still-high interest rates. A day earlier, Target tumbled after reporting sluggish sales in the latest quarter and giving a dour forecast for the holiday shopping season. It followed Walmart , which gave a much more encouraging outlook. Nearly 90% of the stocks in the S&P 500 ended up rising Thursday, and the gains were even bigger among smaller companies. The Russell 2000 index of smaller stocks jumped a market-leading 1.7%. Google’s parent company, Alphabet, helped keep indexes in check. It fell 4.7% after U.S. regulators asked a judge to break up the tech giant by forcing it to sell its industry-leading Chrome web browser. In a 23-page document filed late Wednesday, the U.S. Department of Justice called for sweeping punishments that would include restrictions preventing Android from favoring its own search engine. Regulators stopped short of demanding Google sell Android but left the door open to it if the company’s oversight committee continues to see evidence of misconduct. All told, the S&P 500 rose 31.60 points to 5,948.71. The Dow jumped 461.88 to 43,870.35, and the Nasdaq composite added 6.28 to 18,972.42. In the crypto market, bitcoin eclipsed $99,000 for the first time before pulling back toward $98,000, according to CoinDesk. It’s more than doubled so far this year, and its climb has accelerated since Election Day. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to make the country “the crypto capital of the planet” and create a “strategic reserve” of bitcoin. Bitcoin got a further boost after Gary Gensler, the chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, said Thursday he would step down in January . Gensler has pushed for more protections for crypto investors. Bitcoin and related investment have a notorious history of big price swings in both directions. MicroStrategy, a company that’s been raising cash expressly to buy bitcoin, saw an early Thursday gain of 14.6% for its stock quickly disappear. It finished the day with a loss of 16.2%. In the oil market, a barrel of benchmark U.S. crude rose 2% to bring its gain for the week to 4.8%. Brent crude, the international standard, climbed 1.8%. Oil has been rising amid escalations in the Russia-Ukraine war. In stock markets abroad, shares of India’s Adani Enterprises plunged 22.6% Thursday after the U.S. charged founder Gautam Adani in a federal indictment with securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud. The businessman and one of the world’s richest people is accused of concealing that his company’s huge solar energy project on the subcontinent was being facilitated by an alleged bribery scheme. Stock indexes elsewhere in Asia and Europe were mixed. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury inched up to 4.43% from 4.41% late Wednesday following some mixed reports on the U.S. economy. One said fewer U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week in the latest signal that the job market remains solid. Another report, though, said manufacturing in the mid-Atlantic region unexpectedly shrank. Sales of previously occupied homes, meanwhile, strengthened last month by more than expected. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Yuri Kageyama contributed.
The top US securities regulator, a skeptic towards cryptocurrency who was appointed by President Joe Biden, announced Thursday he will step down in January when Donald Trump takes office. Gary Gensler, chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), said he will resign on January 20, the same day Trump assumes the presidency. The move clears the way for the president-elect to pick Gensler's successor. The news comes as bitcoin hit a fresh record, trading above $99,000 and nearing the symbolic $100,000 level. Gensler's five-year term does not end until 2026, but agency chairs customarily step down when the party of presidential administration turns over. During the election campaign, Trump promised to fire him. Gensler took office in April 2021 shortly after the so-called "meme stock" frenzy in January 2021 prompted massive volatility in GameStop and a handful of other stocks. A former mergers and acquisitions partner at Goldman Sachs, Gensler led rulemaking proposals intended to improve efficiency in capital markets. But his future in Washington looked precarious in light of the SEC's confrontational approach to cryptocurrency throughout the Biden years. Gensler referred to crypto as "the Wild West." During the campaign, Trump drew heavy financial support from cryptocurrency backers, some of whom are also close to the Republican's close ally, Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. In the absence of clear regulations, Gensler took an aggressive stance toward digital currencies, treating them like traditional financial securities such as stocks and bonds. The approach has prompted SEC lawsuits against major trading platforms including Binance, Coinbase, and Kraken, along with various smaller startups. Legislation currently in Congress would shift oversight of cryptocurrency supervision to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, known for its lighter-touch approach to regulation. Gensler thanked Biden and fellow commissioners, saying in a statement, "The SEC has met our mission and enforced the law without fear or favor." But the SEC's announcement drew cheers from the crypto industry. The Blockchain Association posted a waving hand emoji on X in response to Gensler's impending exit, while its CEO, Kristin Smith, noted the announcement came the same day as a favorable US court ruling in Texas for cryptocurrency. The Texas ruling constitutes "a fitting turning point of the SEC's harassment campaign of the crypto industry, and the beginning of a new era," Smith said on X. Smith warned Gensler against "sneak" last-minute enforcement and called for a "better-functioning" SEC that avoids overreach and is willing to work "with industry to find fit-for-purpose solutions." Hailey Lennon, a partner at law firm Brown Rudnick who was formerly general counsel at Coinbase, said the SEC under Gensler "played gatekeeper and stalled innovation." Citing Gensler's departing comments, she wrote on X that "saying the SEC has regulated without fear or favor is insane gaslighting." tu-jmb/bjt