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vj ayi CME Gr's CME short percent of float has risen 5.94% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 3.83 million shares sold short , which is 1.07% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 2.71 days to cover their short positions on average. Why Short Interest Matters Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. Short selling is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises. Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish. See Also: List of the most shorted stocks CME Gr Short Interest Graph (3 Months) As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for CME Gr has grown since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to fall in the near-term but traders should be aware that more shares are being shorted. Comparing CME Gr's Short Interest Against Its Peers Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis. According to Benzinga Pro , CME Gr's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 2.81%, which means the company has less short interest than most of its peers. Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it. This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Among the 500,000 objects in the collection of the Powerhouse museum, its new trust president nominates a shopping arcade sign as his favourite. Business leader, and former Labor roads minister, David Borger, has the job of delivering the largest cultural infrastructure project in Australia since the Sydney Opera House. Powerhouse president, David Borger, says there is a lot riding on the opening of the Parramatta museum. Credit: James Brickwood All of that will be during an election campaign year, smack bang in the middle of one of the most marginal seats in NSW. “I’d be derelict in my duty if I didn’t feel pressure because there’s a lot riding on the opening of this museum,” Borger says. The electric neon sign to which he shares an emotional attachment once belonged to a mall he’d take his mum. Representative of the 1980s commercial retail development in Parramatta CBD – much of it flattened in a local building boom – it will be hung in one of the museum’s opening exhibitions showcasing the psychology of the shopping mall. “Mum had a mental illness,” Borger says. “She would be in Cumberland Hospital every three years, and we would come for a cup of tea in the Parramall cafe. “Now that sign from that little old shopping centre is going to be a part of something bigger. It’s remnant of a place that’s probably changed more than Dubai.” Born and bred nearby to Parramatta, Borger has been a longtime critic of the lop-sided distribution of cultural investment to city museums and galleries. He was, therefore, an obvious choice to step into the shoes of former Coalition arts minister Peter Collins to lead the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences trust from January 1. The trust has oversight of a $300 million revamp of the shuttered Ultimo campus, as well as the museum’s new $915 million Parramatta headquarters, the region’s first state-run cultural institution due to open in 2026. On the Parramatta riverside, more than 70 per cent of its 1300 pieces of exterior structure of the building are in place. Inside the concierge room of the Powerhouse where visitors will be welcomed. Credit: James Brickwood Installation of doors in the largest of the presentation spaces is underway where visitors will marvel at large objects showcasing the history of air travel and space exploration and First Nations stargazing. Visitors will spill out to a northern terrace. The museum will serve a region home to one-eighth of NSW’s population, one in five of whom are under 15 years, and half born outside Australia. For many, it will be the first time they step into a museum. “We’ve got to be a bit unpretentious here,” Borger says. “We don’t want to be too stuffy and conservative; we have to be welcoming. We have to deliver a great experience when someone walks in the door for the first time, something that knocks their socks off.” Suzette Meade, who led protests against the demolition of the historic villa, Willow Grove, which made way for the Powerhouse, questions spending on authors, chefs and photographers appointed as museum associates alongside professional curators and conservators. She is looking for the trust, led by Borger, to focus on delivering what was promised to the families of western Sydney – a museum of science and technology to rival the Smithsonian, as well as celebrating Parramatta’s rich cultural heritage. Borger is promising dedicated family exhibitions, with the interests of families and children embedded in all its offerings. He is “unapologetic” about finding new ways to present the collection. Nor should the public mind, he says, if weddings share presentation floor space. All but one of the seven Parramatta display spaces will be available for commercial hire. “The hope is that there’s some great experiences here and some revenue generating opportunities that can go to help with the operational costs. “We need to make sure that people come back for multiple visits, that they feel a connection to the museum because quite frankly a lot of people haven’t felt close to their museums for a long time. They’ve lived so far away from them, it’s been hard to get to them.” Borger’s first challenge is meeting the government’s $75 million goal for private donations for building costs. Some $53 million has been raised for capital works over three years, $27 million short of its target. The museum is without a campaign director. Borger says there was a pipeline of prospective donors to the museum with “real weight” and was confident of “closing the gap”. Should he fall short, the bill will be picked up by taxpayers. To rumours of overruns in fitout and program, Borger concedes budgets can move. “I’m confident we will deliver an amazing series of exhibitions within the money that has been given to us,” he said, adding: “I think some people frankly don’t believe western Sydney could host a tier-one cultural institution. There’s some who still don’t. We’re going to prove them wrong.” Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday .

SINGAPORE , Nov. 30, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Amber DWM Holding Limited ("Amber DWM"), the holding entity of Amber Group's digital wealth management business, known as Amber Premium ("Amber Premium"), today announced that it has entered into a definitive Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited ("iClick" or the "Listco") (NASDAQ: ICLK) and Overlord Merger Sub Ltd. ("Merger Sub"), a Cayman Islands exempted company and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the Listco. Under the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub will merge with and into Amber DWM, with Amber DWM continuing as the surviving entity and becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Listco (the "Merger"). Amber DWM's shareholders will exchange all of their issued and outstanding share capital for a mix of newly issued Class A and Class B ordinary shares of the Listco on the terms and conditions set forth therein in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements under the Securities Act of 1933. Wayne Huo , Chief Executive Officer and Director of Amber DWM , said: " We are thrilled to embark on this transformative journey with iClick. This merger represents a significant milestone, bringing together Amber Premium's expertise in digital wealth management and iClick's innovative marketing technology. Together, we aim to redefine the digital financial ecosystem, delivering unparalleled value to our clients and stakeholders. By bridging the worlds of blockchain, fintech and digital marketing, we are unlocking new opportunities to revolutionize how value is created and exchanged in the digital economy ." The transaction values Amber DWM at US$360 million and the Listco at US$40 million by equity value on a fully diluted basis (assuming completion of certain restructuring as set forth in the Merger Agreement). Upon closing of the Merger (the "Closing"), the Amber DWM shareholders and the Listco shareholders (including holders of ADSs) will own approximately 90% and 10%, respectively, of the outstanding shares of the combined company, or 97% and 3% voting power, respectively. The Merger Agreement also contemplates that, upon the Closing, the Listco will change its name to "Amber International Holding Limited" and adopt the tenth amended and restated memorandum and articles of association of the Listco, in each case immediately before the effective time of the Merger (the "Effective Time"), following which the authorized share capital of the Listco shall only consist of Class A ordinary shares and Class B ordinary shares (with different voting powers but equal economic rights), a par value of US$0.001 each. Please refer to the Merger Agreement filed as Exhibit 99.2 to the Form 6-K furnished by the Listco to the SEC on November 29, 2024 for more details. The Listco's board of directors (the "Board") approved the Merger Agreement and other transaction documents, including but not limited to the voting agreement entered into by and among certain shareholders of the Listco (who holds approximately 36% of the outstanding shares representing 71% voting power of the Listco as of the date of this press release), the Listco and Amber DWM (the "Voting Agreement") (collectively, the "Transaction Documents"), and the transactions contemplated thereunder (the "Transactions"), with the assistance of its financial and legal advisors. The Board also resolved to recommend that the Listco's shareholders vote to authorize and approve the Transaction Documents and the Transactions when they are submitted for shareholder approval. In connection with the Transaction, each of the shareholders of Amber DWM immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger is entering into a lock-up agreement with the Listco pursuant to which they have agreed not to transfer the shares received in consideration of the Merger for a period of 12 months following the Merger closing. The completion of the Transactions is subject to the satisfaction of closing conditions set forth in the Merger Agreement, including, among other things, receipt of the Listco's shareholder approval and regulatory/stock exchange approvals (if applicable). The Merger Agreement provides for a long-stop date for any party to terminate the agreement if the Merger is not completed by June 30, 2025 . " This merger represents a transformative opportunity to broaden our business portfolio by integrating Amber Premium's state-of-the-art digital wealth management solutions. By uniting iClick's robust data analytic and enterprise software expertise with Amber Premium's advanced digital wealth management services, we aim to unblock synergies between traditional finance and the rapidly evolving digital asset ecosystem, particularly benefitting corporate and high net worth individual clients ", said Mr. Jian Tang , Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of iClick . The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement and the Voting Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety to the full text of the Merger Agreement and the Voting Agreement, which are filed as Exhibits 99.2 and 99.3 to the Form 6-K furnished by the Listco to the SEC on 29, 2024, respectively. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is serving as U.S. legal counsel to Amber DWM. Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP is serving as U.S. legal counsel to iClick. About Amber Premium Amber Premium, the business brand behind Amber DWM Holding Limited, is a leading digital wealth management platform offering private banking-level solutions tailored for the dynamic crypto economy. Serving a premium clientele of esteemed institutions and qualified individuals, Amber Premium develops and supports innovative digital wealth management products. Its institutional-grade access and operations makes it the top choice for one-stop digital wealth management services, providing tailored, secure solutions that drive growth in the Web3 economy. About iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited Founded in 2009, iClick Interactive Asia Group Limited (NASDAQ: ICLK) is a renowned online marketing and enterprise solutions provider in Asia . With its leading proprietary technologies, iClick's full suite of data-driven solutions helps brands drive significant business growth and profitability throughout the full consumer lifecycle. For more information, please visit https://ir.i-click.com . Safe Harbor Statement This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements." These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the pending transactions described herein, and the parties' perspectives and expectations, are forward-looking statements. The words "will," "expect," "believe," "estimate," "intend," "plan" and similar expressions indicate forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and shareholders and other potential investors must recognize that actual results may differ materially from the expectations as a result of a variety of factors. Such forward-looking statements are based upon management's current expectations and include known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are hard to predict or control, that may cause the actual results, performance, or plans to differ materially from any future results, performance or plans expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i) risks related to the expected timing and likelihood of completion of the proposed transaction, including the risk that the transaction may not close due to one or more closing conditions to the transaction not being satisfied or waived; (ii) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the applicable transaction agreements; (iii) the risk that there may be a material adverse change with respect to the financial position, performance, operations or prospects of the Listco, Amber DWM or the combined entity; (iv) risks related to disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the proposed transaction; (v) the risk that any announcements relating to the proposed transaction could have adverse effects on the market price of the Listco's securities; (vi) the risk that the proposed transaction and its announcement could have an adverse effect on the ability of Amber DWM or the combined entity to retain customers and retain and hire key personnel and maintain relationships with their suppliers and customers and on their operating results and businesses generally; (vii) any changes in the business or operating prospects of Amber DWM and the combined entity or their businesses; (viii) changes in applicable laws and regulations; and (ix) risks relating to Amber DWM's and the combined company's ability to enhance their services and products, execute their business strategy, expand their customer base and maintain stable relationship with their business partners. A further list and description of risks and uncertainties can be found in the proxy statement that will be filed with the SEC by the Listco in connection with the proposed transactions, and other documents that the parties may file or furnish with the SEC, which you are encouraged to read. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate only to the date they were made, and the Listco, Amber DWM and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made except as required by law or applicable regulation. No Offer or Solicitation This press release is not a proxy statement or solicitation of a proxy, consent or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the transactions described above and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities of Amber DWM, the Listco or the combined company, nor shall there be any sale of any such securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. Participants in the Solicitation The Listco, Amber DWM and their respective directors and executive officers may also be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of the Listco in connection with the proposed transaction. A list of the names of such directors and executive officers and information regarding their interests in the proposed transaction will be included in the proxy statement pertaining to the proposed transaction when it becomes available for the proposed transaction. Additional Information and Where to Find It The Listco will file with the SEC and mail to its shareholders a proxy statement in connection with the proposed transaction. Investors and securityholders are urged to read the proxy statement when it becomes available because it will contain important information regarding the proposed arrangement. You may access the proxy statement (when available) and other related documents filed by the Listco with the SEC at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov . You also may obtain the proxy statement (when it is available) and other documents filed by the Listco with the SEC relating to the proposed arrangement for free by accessing the Listco's website at ir.i-click.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/amber-groups-subsidiary-amber-dwm-holding-limited-and-nasdaq-listed-iclick-interactive-asia-group-limited-enter-into-a-definitive-merger-agreement-302319082.html SOURCE Amber GroupDigital Access, AI, and 99% e-Prescriptions: Estonia's e-Health Revolution and What It Could Mean for the GCC's FuturePresident Joe Biden's administration said Friday that it has cemented deals for billions in funding to South Korean semiconductor giant Samsung Electronics and Texas Instruments to boost their chipmaking facilities in the United States. US officials have been working to solidify Biden's legacy to bolster domestic semiconductor manufacturing ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's White House return -- and these agreements are among the latest efforts to do so. The United States has been trying to reduce its dependence on other countries for semiconductors, while also seeking to maintain its scientific and technological edge as competition with China intensifies. Samsung's award of up to $4.7 billion in direct funding goes towards its effort to grow its Texas presence into a full-fledged operation for developing and producing leading-edge chips, said the US Commerce Department. The funding will supplement the company's investment of more than $37 billion in the coming years, the department added. Samsung's expansion will help "ensure we have a steady, domestic supply of the most advanced semiconductors that are essential to AI and national security, while also creating tens of thousands of good-paying jobs," Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a statement. National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard added that Samsung is "the only semiconductor company that is a leader in both advanced memory and advanced logic chips." In a separate notice, the Commerce Department said it also had finalized an award of up to $1.6 billion for Texas Instruments, supporting its efforts to build new facilities. Raimondo noted that shortages of current-generation semiconductors were a problem during the supply chain disruptions sparked by the Covid-19 pandemic, adding that TI now plans to grow its US capacity in making these devices. The Biden administration has unveiled billions in grants through the CHIPS and Science Act, a major law passed during the veteran Democrat's term aimed at strengthening the US semiconductor industry. Officials have managed to get many deals across the finish line before Trump returns to the Oval Office, awarding the vast majority of more than $36 billion in proposed incentives that have been allocated. The finalized deals mean funds can be disbursed as companies hit project milestones. bys/sst

Michigan upsets No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 for Wolverines' 4th straight win over bitter rival COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Dominic Zvada kicked a 21-yard field goal with 45 seconds left and Michigan stunned No. 2 Ohio State 13-10, likely ending the Buckeyes’ hopes of returning to the Big Ten title game next week. Late in the game, Kalel Mullings broke away for a 27-yard run, setting up the Wolverines at Ohio State’s 17-yard line with two minutes remaining. The drive stalled at the 3, and Zvada came on for the chip shot. Ohio State got the ball back but couldn’t move it, with Will Howard throwing incomplete on fourth down to seal the Wolverines’ fourth straight win over their bitter rival. Sellers' 20-yard TD run with 1:08 to go lifts No. 16 South Carolina to 17-14 win over No. 12 Clemson CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — LaNorris Sellers' 20-yard TD run with 1:08 to play lifted No. 16 South Carolina to a 17-14 victory over No. 12 Clemson. The Gamecocks won their sixth straight game, including four over ranked opponents, and may have played themselves into the College Football Playoff's 12-team field. They wouldn't have done it without Sellers, who spun away from a defender in the backfield, broke through the line and cut left on his way to the winning score. Sellers rushed for 166 yards and threw for 164 in South Carolina's second straight win at Clemson. Mikaela Shiffrin is alert and being evaluated after crashing in final run of World Cup giant slalom KILLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — American ski racer Mikaela Shiffrin is alert and being evaluated for injuries after crashing in her second run of a World Cup giant slalom race. Shiffrin was going for her 100th World Cup win when she crashed, did a flip and slid into the protective fencing. She stayed down on the course for quite some time as the ski patrol attended to her. The 29-year-old was taken off the hill on a sled and waved to the cheering crowd. The U.S. Ski Team said she was taken to a medical clinic for evaluation. Shiffrin was leading after the first run of the GS. Reigning Olympic champion Sara Hector of Sweden won. Andrew Luck returns to Stanford as the GM of the football program STANFORD, Calif. (AP) — Andrew Luck is returning to Stanford in hopes of turning around a struggling football program that he once helped become a national power. Athletic director Bernard Muir announced that Luck has been hired as the general manager of the Stanford football team and tasked with overseeing all aspects of the program that just finished its fourth straight 3-9 season. Luck will work with coach Troy Taylor on recruiting and roster management, and with athletic department and university leadership on fundraising, alumni relations, sponsorships, student-athlete support and stadium experience. Luck has kept a low profile since his surprise retirement from the NFL at age 29 in 2019. Saka stars in Arsenal rout at West Ham as Van Nistelrooy watches new team Leicester lose Arsenal was inspired by Bukayo Saka in scoring five goals in a wild first half before settling for a 5-2 win over West Ham that lifted the team into second place in the Premier League. Arsenal is attempting to chase down Liverpool and is now six points behind the leader. Saka was one of five different scorers for Arsenal at the Olympic Stadium and also had a hand in three goals, by Gabriel, Leandro Trossard and Martin Odegaard. Ruud van Nistelrooy witnessed at first hand the scale of his task to keep Leicester in the league. Leicester was beaten at Brentford 4-1 in front of Van Nistelrooy, who watched from the stands after being hired on Friday. US and England women draw 0-0 in Emma Hayes' homecoming LONDON (AP) — Emma Hayes witnessed a dominant display from her players at a packed Wembley stadium, but the U.S. coach could not taste victory on her return to England. Hayes, who led the U.S. women team to the Olympic gold medal this summer after winning 14 major trophies at Chelsea, came back to her home country on Saturday for a friendly against England. The U.S had the best chances but the game ended in a goalless draw. Jared Porter acknowledges he sent inappropriate text message to reporter, leading Mets to fire him Jared Porter acknowledged he sent an inappropriate text message to a reporter while he was a Chicago Cubs executive in 2016, which led to the New York Mets firing him as general manager in 2021 after just 38 days. Porter made his first public comments on his firing during an episode of the “Baseball Isn’t Boring” podcast released Friday. Porter was hired by the Mets on Dec. 13, 2020, and fired on Jan. 19, 2021, about nine hours after an ESPN report detailing that he sent sexually explicit, uninvited text messages and images to a female reporter. Norris defies orders and gives Piastri the Qatar sprint while Verstappen takes pole LUSAIL, Qatar (AP) — Lando Norris ignored team orders as he handed his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri the win the sprint race at the Qatar Grand Prix in a one-two finish for the team. Norris started on pole position and kept the lead at the start as Piastri squeezed past the Mercedes of George Russell for second. Norris gave the lead to Piastri with the finish line in sight, paying back Piastri for gifting him a win in a sprint race in Brazil when Norris was still fighting Max Verstappen for the drivers’ title. Champion Max Verstappen secured pole position for Sunday’s Grand Prix. Face facts: Statues of stars like Kane and Ronaldo don't always deliver. Sculptors offer advice LONDON (AP) — One art critic compared the new Harry Kane bronze statue to a bulging-jawed comic strip character. The infamous Cristiano Ronaldo bust in 2017 gave the chiseled soccer star a chubby face and goofy smile. Sculptors are offering tips to avoid pitfalls. London-based Hywel Pratley says sculptors must first get the subject's profile correct “and then you can go forward with more confidence.” Probably best to avoid smiles, Pratley adds because it's “really difficult to do teeth looking good in sculpture." London-based sculptural conservator Lucy Branch suggests an open vote because the public tends "to know whether the artist has hit the nail on the head.” Colorado State advances to MW volleyball final and will take the court against San Jose State LAS VEGAS (AP) — Colorado State coach Emily Kohan said her team will take the floor against San Jose State in the Mountain West volleyball championship rather than become the latest team to forfeit to the Spartans. The top-seeded Rams advanced to the tournament final on Friday by beating San Diego State 20-25, 25-23, 25-21, 25-23. An automatic bid to the 64-team NCAA Tournament is on the line in Saturday’s final. Several schools have forfeited to San Jose State this season. In a lawsuit recently filed by players from various schools against the conference and San Jose State officials, plaintiffs cited unspecified reports asserting there was a transgender player on the San Jose State team.The Boston Celtics have been on a tear this season, and a former member has been as well. The team’s former center, Robert Williams III, has been excelling with the Portland Trail Blazers, to a point multiple teams are interested in trading for him, such as the LA Lakers, the New Orleans Pelicans, and Sacramento Kings, per Brett Siegel . “...Out of the three big men, Williams is expected to hold the biggest market. The Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Pelicans, and Sacramento Kings have held interest in the Portland Trail Blazers' big man dating back to the offseason.” In his last season with the Celtics in the 2022-23 season, the Time Lord averaged eight points, eight rebounds, one assist, and one block per game. He also was an amazing rim protector, making it borderline impossible to finish at the rim. This year with the Blazers, he’s playing the best he ever has. He’s averaging 11 points, seven rebounds, two assists, a steal, and a block per game. All teams interested definitely need a big man, especially the Pelicans. If they can land him, they would be a solid lock for a playoff appearance. MORE CELTICS CONTENT: Celtics superstar said he asked to be traded after team signed Gordon Hayward in 2017 Former NBA champion apologizes to Celtics superstar for not including him in more conversations NBA media CEO sides with Celtics superstar Jaylen Brown over ongoing beef with Nike ESPN ranks Celtics' Big 3 as best in the NBA Celtics are targeting a December return for star center Kristaps Porzingis

Elephant Robotics to Exhibit at CES 2025: Featuring Cutting-Edge Innovative Robotics Solutions and AI Bionic Robots DebutThe world according to Jim: • Sad to say, but the evidence is mounting that the traditional bowl game, historically considered an end-of-season reward for all of the toil that college football players put in during the year, might be reaching its expiration date. Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin may have been the loudest voice, willing to call out the current procedure as a “dumb system,” but I’d guarantee he wasn’t and isn’t the only coach complaining about the perfect storm of the early signing period and opening of the transfer portal coming right on the heels of the end of the sport’s regular season and right before the bowls. Or maybe we should just refer to them as “non-playoff games,” as differentiated from those games, beginning this weekend, that really have something at stake. ... • The main impact, of course, is that players intending to transfer – as well as those who are already thinking about their NFL draft status – are more inclined to skip the bowl game. Really, since the choice exists and their futures are at stake here, can you blame them? ... • But the issue really came into stark relief this past week. Marshall, scheduled to face Army in the Independence Bowl – um, actually the “Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl” – pulled out because it ran out of players. Marshall head coach Charles Huff, who was in the final year of his contract, took the Southern Mississippi job, and more than 20 players immediately hit the portal. (For those familiar with the school’s nickname, this was a different sort of Thundering Herd.) Could the Radiance Techologies people, whoever they are, have come up with enough NIL money to convince those players to stay just one more game? We’ll never know. Instead, Louisiana Tech – a 5-7 team during the regular season, but conveniently located an hour’s drive from the game site in Shreveport – took Marshall’s place. ... • This reminds us of the 2021 Holiday Bowl at Petco Park. UCLA was scheduled to play North Carolina State, but a little more than five hours before kickoff the Bruins had to bow out because a COVID-19 outbreak depleted their defensive line. • As it turned out, four other bowl games that year were canceled and two others had to replace teams that pulled out, in the days of the Omicron variant. That was unforeseen, although by then we were deep enough into the pandemic that it shouldn’t have been a total surprise. (And the portal, first instituted in 2018, was just beginning to turn college football into a form of mass free agency.) The date that the portal opens now practically invites bowl opt-outs, so this should be not at all surprising. Indeed, it’s another example of how the leadership void at the top of college sports has turned the whole enterprise, and especially football, into one big squirrel derby. ... • That description, incidentally, came from a football guy: Gene Murphy, the late Cal State Fullerton (and later Fullerton JC) coach who had, shall we say, a distinctive way with the language. The definition of squirrel derby: Utter chaos. ... • Can we blame Christian McCaffrey and Leonard Fournette for this trend? Both skipped bowl games at the end of 2016 to prepare for the NFL draft (and to avoid the risk of an injury that could send them spiraling on draft lists). Stanford’s McCaffrey skipped the Sun Bowl and LSU’s Fournette the Citrus Bowl. It was an outlier then but wouldn’t be for long. ... • So what happens the first time a player on one of the playoff teams decides to opt out? The suspicion here: He certainly wouldn’t be helping his draft status. ... • Along those same lines, would anyone else in the NFL dare take a chance on soon to be former 49ers linebacker De’Vondre Campbell now? As you might expect, after Campbell declined to play in the second half last week against the Rams, and then walked to the locker room during the fourth quarter, the club suspended him for the rest of the regular season and cleared out his locker. Whatever the player’s reasons, if you’re a coach or a personnel guy would you even think of signing someone who walked out on his previous team in such an egregious fashion? Opting out is one thing. Flat out quitting is another. ... • We are now approaching the third anniversary of the schoolyard 3-pointer seen around the world, the half-court (or so) shot that third-grade teacher and former college player Kathleen Fitzpatrick (aka Ms. Fitz) sank, earning her entire class at Holy Trininty School in Georgetown hot chocolate. That clip never gets old. ... • What seems less relevant, NBA fans? The NBA Cup final, or the league’s attempt to reinvent an All-Star Game that has become increasingly unwatchable? ... • Reminder: From the moment the banner celebrating the “in-season tournament” championship went up on the wall at the Arena Formerly Known As Staples Center a year ago, the Lakers lost 11 of their next 15. So when the Milwaukee Bucks talk about using this year’s mini-title as an impetus toward a real one in June, take it for what it’s worth (i.e., not much). ... • If they need a reminder, Darvin Ham – Lakers head coach then, Bucks assistant now – can provide it. Related Articles College Sports | Alexander: Chargers’ playoff hopes dwindle as margin for error shrinks College Sports | Alexander: Melissa Ludtke recalls her battle for access College Sports | Alexander: Golden at-bat? It would only tarnish baseball College Sports | Alexander: Trojans’ season filled with valuable lessons College Sports | Alexander: Kings goalie Erik Portillo can be proud after dazzling NHL debut Ham’s Lakers had the same record through 27 games last season, 15-12, that JJ Redick’s team has at the same point this year. Last year’s team finished 47-35 with a roster full of play-in level players beyond LeBron James and Anthony Davis, and there’s not that much difference in talent level this year. In an interview with Andscape Ham noted, “Anywhere else I’m probably looking at an extension with what I did.” He’s not wrong, and that’s the savage part of Laker Exceptionalism. ... • Their best plan right now? Try to work a couple more of those weeks off for LeBron into the middle of the schedule. The most recent one seemed to have the desired effect. The goal has to be to make sure he’s at his best by playoff time, and if that means running afoul of the league’s load management standards, so be it. jalexander@scng.com

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NoneTrump's threat to impose tariffs could raise prices for consumers, colliding with promise for relief DETROIT (AP) — If Donald Trump makes good on his threat to slap 25% tariffs on everything imported from Mexico and Canada, the price increases that could follow will collide with his campaign promise to give American families a break from inflation. Economists and industry officials say companies would have little choice but to pass along the added costs, dramatically raising prices for food, clothing, automobiles, booze and other goods. The president-elect floated the tariff idea and an additional 10% tax on goods from China, as a way to force the countries to halt the flow of illegal immigrants and drugs into the U.S. But his posts Monday threatening tariffs on his first day in office could be a negotiating ploy to get the countries to change behavior. Trump’s latest tariff plan aims at multiple countries. What does it mean for the US? WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has identified what he sees as an all-purpose fix for what ails America: Slap huge new tariffs on foreign goods entering the United States. On Monday, Trump sent shockwaves across the nation’s northern and southern borders, vowing sweeping new tariffs on Mexico, Canada, as well as China, as part of his effort to crack down on illegal immigration and drugs. Trump said he will impose a 25% tax on all products entering the country from Canada and Mexico, and an additional 10% tariff on goods from China, as one of his first executive orders. Federal Reserve officials signal cautious path for rate cuts amid still-high inflation WASHINGTON (AP) — With inflation still elevated, Federal Reserve officials expressed caution at their last meeting about cutting interest rates too quickly, adding to uncertainty about their next moves. Even if inflation continued declining to the Fed’s 2% target, officials said, “it would likely be appropriate to move gradually” in lowering rates, according to minutes of the November 6-7 meeting. The minutes don’t specifically provide much guidance about what the Fed will do at its next meeting in December. Wall Street investors see the odds of another quarter-point reduction in the Fed’s key rate at that meeting as nearly even, according to CME Fedwatch. Canadian officials blast Trump's tariff threat and one calls Mexico comparison an insult TORONTO (AP) — Canadian officials are blasting President-elect Donald’s Trump’s threat to impose sweeping tariffs. The leader of Canada's most populous province on Tuesday called Trump’s comparison of Canada to Mexico “the most insulting thing I’ve ever heard.” Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada, Mexico and China as soon as he takes office in January as part of efforts to crack down on illegal immigration and drugs. He said he would impose a 25% tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. Canadians say their economy and the U.S. one are deeply intertwined and Americans would feel tariffs, too. Biden proposes Medicare and Medicaid cover costly weight-loss drugs for millions of obese Americans WASHINGTON (AP) — Millions of obese Americans would be eligible to have popular weight-loss drugs like Wegovy or Zepbound covered by Medicare or Medicaid under a new rule the Biden administration proposed Tuesday morning. The proposal, which would not be finalized until after President-elect Donald Trump takes office, could cost taxpayers as much as $35 billion over the next decade. It would give millions of people access to weekly injectables that have helped people shed pounds so quickly that some people have labeled them miracle drugs. Surveillance tech advances by Biden could aid in Trump's promised crackdown on immigration President-elect Donald Trump will return to power next year with a raft of technological tools at his disposal that would help deliver his campaign promise of cracking down on immigration — among them, surveillance and artificial intelligence technology that the Biden administration already uses to help make crucial decisions in tracking, detaining and ultimately deporting immigrants lacking permanent legal status. One algorithm, for example, ranks immigrants with a “Hurricane Score,” ranging from 1-5, to assess whether someone will “abscond” from the agency’s supervision. It’s almost time for Spotify Wrapped. When can you expect your 2024 recap? NEW YORK (AP) — It’s almost that time of year. Spotify is gearing up to release its annual Spotify Wrapped, a personalized recap of its users' listening habits and year in audio. The streaming service has been sharing these personalized analyses with since 2016. And each year, it’s become a bigger production than the last. Spotify claimed its 2023 Wrapped was the “biggest ever created” in terms of audience reach and the kind of data it provided to users. But information on Wrapped's 2024 release has been kept under ... er, wraps. In previous years, it’s been released after Thanksgiving, between Nov. 30 and Dec. 6. Thanksgiving travel is cranking up. Will the weather cooperate? The Thanksgiving travel rush is picking up, with Tuesday and Wednesday expected to be much busier than the last couple days. A lot of travelers will be watching weather forecasts to see if rain or snow could slow them down. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen more than 2.8 million people on Tuesday and 2.9 million on Wednesday after handling more than 2.5 million people on Monday. So far, relatively few flights have been canceled this week, but there have been thousands of delayed flights every day. That is becoming normal for U.S. airlines. Federal agency raises the size of most single-family loans the government can guarantee to $806,500 The Federal Housing Finance Agency is increasing the size of home loans that the government can guarantee against default as it takes into account rising housing prices. Beginning next year, mortgage buyers Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will be able to acquire loans of up to $806,500 on single-family homes in most of the country, the agency said Tuesday. The new conforming loan limit is a 5.2% increase from its 2024 level. FHFA oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which buy home loans from banks and other lenders. FHFA adjusts the loan limits annually to reflect changes in U.S. home values, which have been rising this year despite a national home sales slump. The IRS is at risk of losing $20 billion in funding without legislative intervention WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Already bracing for funding cuts under a new Trump administration, U.S. Treasury officials are calling on Congress to unlock $20 billion in IRS enforcement money that is tied up in legislative language that has effectively rendered the money frozen. Hoping to unlock the funds in upcoming budget negotiations, Treasury officials are rushing for action before President Joe Biden’s term ends. The $20 billion in question is separate from another $20 billion rescinded from the agency last year. However, the legislative mechanism keeping the government afloat inadvertently duplicated that one-time $20 billion cut to IRS funding.Trump wants pardoned real estate developer Charles Kushner to be ambassador to France