nice88 casino mandaluyong NEW YORK — A number of President- elect Donald Trump's most prominent Cabinet picks and appointees have been targeted by bomb threats and “swatting attacks," Trump's transition team said Wednesday. The FBI said it was investigating. “Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees and Administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them," Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. The attacks ranged from bomb threats to swatting, in which attackers initiate an emergency law enforcement response against a target victim under false pretenses, she said. The tactic has become a popular one in recent years. Leavitt said law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted and Trump and his transition team are grateful. Among those targeted were New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump’s pick to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations ; Matt Gaetz, Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general ; Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, whom Trump chose to lead the Department of Labor , and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin, who has been tapped to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Law enforcement officials are also looking into whether Susie Wiles, Trump’s incoming chief of staff, and Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general whom Trump has chosen as Gaetz’s replacement, and other incoming administration officials were also victims — as well as how each was targeted, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity as the investigation continues. Wiles and Bondi did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The FBI said in a statement that it was “aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees" and was investigating with its law enforcement partners. White House spokesperson Saloni Sharma said President Joe Biden had been briefed and the White House is in touch with federal law enforcement and Trump's transition team. Biden “continues to monitor the situation closely," Sharma said, adding the president and his administration “condemn threats of political violence.” Stefanik's office said that, on Wednesday morning, she, her husband, and their 3-year-old son were driving home from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence in Saratoga County. Police swept Stefanik’s home on Wednesday morning in response to the bomb threat but did not locate any explosive devices, New York State Police said. Zeldin said in a social media post that he and his family had also been threatened. “A pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian themed message,” he wrote on X . “My family and I were not home at the time and are safe." In Florida, the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office said on Facebook that it “received notification of a bomb threat referencing former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s supposed mailbox at a home in the Niceville area" Wednesday. While a family member resides at the address, the office said, Gaetz “is NOT a resident.” No threatening devices were found. Gaetz was Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general, but he withdrew from consideration after allegations that he paid women for sex and slept with underage women. Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, and a Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations ended with no charges against him. The threats follow a political campaign marked by disturbing and unprecedented violence. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing the then-candidate in the ear with a bullet and killing one of his supporters. The Secret Service later thwarted a subsequent assassination attempt at Trump's West Palm Beach, Florida, golf course when an agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through a perimeter fence while Trump was golfing. Trump was also the subject of an Iranian murder-for-hire plot , with a man saying he had been tasked with planning the assassination of the Republican president-elect. Also this week, authorities arrested a man they say posted videos on social media threatening to kill Trump, according to court documents. In one video posted on Nov. 13, Manuel Tamayo-Torres threatened to shoot the former president while holding what appeared to be an AR-15 style rifle, authorities said Among the other videos he posted was one from an arena in Glendale, Arizona on Aug. 23, the same day Trump held a campaign rally there, according to court papers. An attorney for Tamayo-Torres did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Public figures across the political spectrum have been targeted in recent years by hoax bomb threats and false reports of shootings at their homes. About a year ago the FBI responded to an uptick in such incidents at the homes of public officials, state capitols and courthouses across the country around the holidays. Many were locked down and evacuated in early January after receiving bomb threats. No explosives were found and no one was hurt. Some of those targeted last year were Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. The judges overseeing the civil fraud case against Trump in New York and the criminal election interference case against him in Washington were both targeted earlier this year. Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, who recently abandoned the two criminal cases he brought against Trump, was also the subject of a fake emergency call on Christmas Day last year. Earlier this year, schools, government buildings and the homes of city officials in Springfield, Ohio, received a string of hoax bomb threats after Trump falsely accused members of Springfield’s Haitian community of abducting and eating cats and dogs. And in 2022, a slew of historically Black colleges and universities nationwide were targeted with dozens of bomb threats, with the vast majority arriving during the celebration of Black History Month. The U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement Wednesday that anytime a member of Congress is the victim of a swatting' incident, “we work closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners.” The force declined to provide further details, in part to “minimize the risk of copy-cats.” Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson called the threats “dangerous and unhinged.” “This year, there was not just one but TWO assassination attempts on President Trump," he wrote on X . “Now some of his Cabinet nominees and their families are facing bomb threats.” He added: “It is not who we are in America.” ___ Richer reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Colleen Long and Eric Tucker in Washington, Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin, and Anthony Izaguirre in Albany, New York, contributed to this report.Major poll puts Ireland’s lead parties near neck-and-neck

Hindu Groups Urge PM Modi And Law Minister To Fast-Track Kashi Gyanvapi And Mathura Janmabhoomi DisputesIt didn't take Syracuse first-year coach Fran Brown long to figure out the key matchup for Saturday afternoon's Atlantic Coast Conference game visiting Miami. "Syracuse has a really good quarterback," Brown said of Kyle McCord, "and Miami has a really good quarterback (Cam Ward)." With a win on Saturday, the No. 6 Hurricanes (10-1, 6-1 ACC) can clinch a berth in the league championship game against SMU. Miami is a 10 1/2-point favorite for Saturday's game. Syracuse (8-3, 4-3) has reached eight wins for just the fourth time since 2002, going 8-5 in 2010 and 2012 and 10-3 in 2018. However, the Orange haven't defeated a Top-10 team since knocking off Clemson in 2017. Miami leads the nation in scoring (44.7), and the Hurricanes will count on perfect passing conditions in Syracuse's dome. That could be huge for Ward, who leads the nation with 34 touchdown passes, ranking second in passing yards (3,774) and fourth in passing efficiency. Ward's top target is wide receiver Xavier Restrepo, who needs just 21 yards to reach 1,000 for the second straight season. Restrepo also ranks tied for seventh in the nation with 10 TD receptions. Ward has some other top targets, including 6-foot-4, 245-pound tight end Elijah Arroyo, who is a walking mismatch because of his size and speed. He leads Miami with 18.5 yards per reception. Hurricanes wide receivers Isaiah Horton and Jacolby George have combined for 12 TD passes, and Sam Brown has added two more. Each of them has more than 500 receiving yards this season. Miami's running game features battering ram Damien Martinez (739 yards, 5.5 average, eight TDs); versatile Mark Fletcher Jr. (499 yards, 5.7 average, six TDs); and game-breaking freshman Jordan Lyle (361 yards, 8.6 average, four TDs). Defensively, Miami's big-play man is safety Mishael Powell, who ranks second in the ACC with five interceptions. "He's all about winning," Miami coach Mario Cristobal said of Powell. "He's a smart, self-starting team player." On special teams, Miami kicker Andres Borregales ranks second in the ACC with 97 points. He is 52-for-52 on extra points and 15-for-16 on field goals. Meanwhile, McCord ranks No. 1 in the nation in passing yards (3,946) and tied for seventh in TD passes (26). McCord, a transfer from Ohio State, has also set Syracuse's single-season record for passing yards. In last week's 31-24 win over Connecticut, McCord passed for a career-high 470 yards. However, McCord is just 46th in the nation in passing efficiency, due in part to his high total of interceptions (12). Syracuse also has three of the top six pass-catchers in the ACC in terms of yards: tight end Oronde Gadsden II (810) and wide receivers Jackson Meeks (801) and Trebor Pena (743). Gadsden, who is from the greater Miami area, has had three straight 100-yard games. He is the son of former Miami Dolphins wide receiver Oronde Gadsden. Syracuse's run game is led by LeQuint Allen, who has rushed for 819 yards, a 4.3 average and 12 TDs. The issue for Syracuse could be its defense, which ranks 13th in the ACC in points allowed (27.8). Miami's defense is fourth (22.3). Even so, Syracuse coach Brown said he's excited about this matchup. "I heard Miami is going to come deep," Brown said of Miami fans. "It's going to be intense in the stands. It's going to be intense on the field. I think this is a game everyone wants to see." --Field Level MediaInter beats Como and closes gap at the top of Serie A while Bove back on Fiorentina sidelineElliot Health System to begin offering open heart surgery in 2026

If beyond the good cheer and titters, there is one lesson to be learnt from the news that the first Surat-Bangkok Air India flight last Friday saw a 'record' intake of in-flight alcohol by passengers from the 'dry state', it is this: repressed supply heightens demand. While the value of liquor sold has not been shared by Air India, the fact was that enthusiasm for purchasing 50 ml miniature bottles of a whisky brand for ₹600 and 330 ml of a beer brand for ₹300 was undoubtedly higher than in usual international flights that couldn't be simply explained by Christmas cheer. That Gujarat has a thriving black market for alcohol is well known. While the loss of tax revenue has been estimated to be over ₹16k cr (about $2 bn), the real worm in the bottle has been the hazard posed for many in the form of illicit liquor. By dint of being contraband, no quality control applies to these non-branded concoctions. So, the virtue-signalling in 'dry states' like Gujarat and Bihar is actually viceful. The 'hooch tragedy' claiming 136 lives in Ahmedabad in 2009 still hangs as a warning - not for the dangers of drinking but of prohibition. At a wider level, a 'mai-baap' state treating its citizens as children creates a split-personality citizenry that is moral and amoral at the same time. Whether it be consumption of alcohol or pornography, or gambling, 'sins' have a human tendency of finding dark avenues when prohibited. Instead of 'Gandhian virtue-signalling', efforts should be made to provide safe alcoholic beverages for those who choose to partake in such an adult leisure. To club everyone who imbibes in drink to be a menace - socially or morally, or both - is a recipe for the kind of exaggerated behaviour witnessed on the way to Bangkok. ET Year-end Special Reads An Indian's guide to moving abroad as the world looks for 'better' immigrants The year of the HNIs: How India's rich splurged in 2024

Education Minister Nara Lokesh said on Sunday that the state has initiated a Skill Census programme, first of its kind in the country, to develop self-employment-based skills among the youth. The state would also be providing training for courses in such a way that youths are equipped for jobs both internally and abroad, he said. On the Skill Census, Lokesh said an agreement was signed recently with Centurion University to develop self-employment-based skill programmes for the youth in rural areas. “Through this, enterprise clusters will be established in sectors such as garment manufacturing, auto parts, dragon fruit cultivation, smart agriculture and drone technology. Vocational training will be provided in these sectors.” He noted, “Recently, an agreement was signed with 2COMS to provide skill training to youths in courses that can fetch them jobs abroad too.” The first phase of the skill census of 1.12 lakh households and 2.77 lakh residents of Mangalagiri assembly constituency and Thullur mandals has been completed. “Arrangements have been made to start the skill census across the state soon and complete it within six months. Vocational training programmes were conducted for 6,035 candidates under the DDUGKY scheme,” the minister said. Focusing on aerospace, automotive and shipbuilding, 2,506 candidates from 63 engineering colleges were trained in high-end Dassault Systems labs. In collaboration with organisations like Wadhwani Foundation and NASSCOM, 27,928 candidates were trained in technical, employability and soft skills in 483 degree colleges, he said. Lokesh gave a route map of the activities to be undertaken in the Skill Development department in the next six months. He said, “APAAR IDs should be given to all (100%) polytechnic and ITI students in the state. Skill Census programme should be effectively carried out across the state.” Some 20,000 candidates should be trained in 200 skill hubs, 2,000 candidates in 37 skill colleges and 2,000 candidates in skill spokes with industry participation. 2,500 workers should be trained in NAC centers from the AP Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. Training programmes should be conducted for 150 people through Power Grid CSR, 30 people under the National Institute of Solar Energy CSR component at NAC centres, he said. The minister said employment should be provided to 26,000 candidates through DDUGKY skill development. Some 20,000 students from engineering colleges should be trained through CM Excellence Centres, 25,000-degree students in Employability Skill Centres and 10,000 students in Dassault Centres (CAD training). He said, “Under Skill International Programme, necessary training programmes should be completed through CEDAP to recruit candidates in sectors like Nursing, Construction and Automobile. Indo-Euro Synchronisation, 2Coms Consulting Pvt Ltd should facilitate overseas recruitment for nurses in Germany.” For artisans under the Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Scheme, training programmes wuld be conducted for candidates under Nal Jal Mitra Scheme. He said the PM Internship awareness campaigns would be launched for industry onboarding and community awareness through DET & APSSDC. State-wide job fairs would be organised and job opportunities provided to the unemployed youth. Laboratories in government polytechnic colleges would be modernised and upgraded, and industrial laboratories would be set up in ITIs. The 5th semester textbooks and lab-manuals would be printed and provided to six departments through SBTET for diploma students in a timely manner, Lokesh said.

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This Thanksgiving, as you pass the mashed potatoes and carve the turkey, why not elevate the dinner table chatter with insights about the U.S. economy? On Wednesday, the economics team at Bank of America, led by Aditya Bhave , tackled 10 of the most pressing economic questions Americans are asking today, from stubbornly high food prices to the country's soaring deficit. Their answers provide clarity on the challenges and opportunities shaping the nation’s financial outlook, and could spark some spirited family debates. 1) Food Is So Expensive These Days. Why Do Economists Keep Saying Inflation Is Down? It's a question that's been on everyone's mind as they scan grocery receipts. While inflation is slowing down, the impact of prior price hikes still lingers. Inflation—defined as the year-over-year increase in prices—has cooled significantly since its peak in mid-2022. However, that doesn't mean prices are returning to pre-pandemic levels. Although food prices rose by just 1.2% over the past year, they remain far above where they were in 2019. That's why groceries still feel expensive, even as economists declare victory over inflation's worst days. 2) Will Prices Ever Go Back To 2019 Levels? Forget about it, and you should hope that doesn’t happen. For prices to revert to 2019 levels, the economy would need to experience a prolonged period of deflation, which means negative inflation rates. But as Bank of America highlights, deflation is “usually a sign of economic malaise that is very hard to break out of.” Since 1960, the U.S. has only experienced one brief episode of mild deflation, during the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis. Higher prices, while painful, are now baked into the economy. Instead of looking backward, economists suggest focusing on income growth and productivity improvements to maintain purchasing power in an elevated price environment. Also Read: Amazon Dominates Holiday Shopping As Black Friday Spending Soars: Goldman Sachs 3) Why Haven’t We Had A Recession? Is It Now Looming? The dreaded "R-word" has haunted financial markets since the Federal Reserve began its aggressive rate hikes. Yet, against all odds, the U.S. economy has not only avoided a downturn, but even expanded strongly. Why? Bank of America credits several factors for the economy's surprising resilience. First, real income growth has outpaced inflation over the last two years, boosting household purchasing power. Second, fiscal policies have counteracted the tightening effects of monetary policy. Third, many households locked in ultra-low borrowing rates during the pandemic, insulating them from the Federal Reserve's higher rates. With 2025 expected to be another solid year, a recession might not be on the immediate horizon. 4) Why It’s Difficult To Find A Job In A Strong Economy? The labor market is still tight, but hiring patterns have shifted. Bank of America describes the current job market as a "low-hire, low-fire" environment. Job openings have fallen from their 2022 highs, leaving fewer opportunities for workers seeking new roles. While sectors like healthcare, education, and hospitality continue to drive hiring, others have stagnated. On the bright side, layoffs remain historically low, signaling stability for those already employed. Read Also: Consumer Confidence Hits 2-Year High As Recession Fears Fade: Stock Market Optimism Soars To Record High 5) Housing Prices Are Too High, and Mortgage Rates Aren't Dropping. Will This Ever Change? If you're feeling priced out of the housing market, you're not alone. Bank of America expects housing affordability to remain a challenge into 2024 and beyond. While mortgage rates have marginally eased this year, they are unlikely to return to pre-pandemic levels anytime soon. Compounding the issue is the so-called "lock-in effect," where existing homeowners with low mortgage rates are reluctant to sell, limiting the supply of available homes. With demand still strong and supply constrained, home prices remain elevated. The median home price relative to income is now higher than at the peak of the 2005 housing bubble—a sobering statistic for aspiring buyers. 6) Fed Chair Powell Said Interest Rates Could Fall Gradually. Yet, By How Much? Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has indicated that rate cuts will happen gradually, and Bank of America predicts the central bank will trim rates by another 75 basis points by mid-2025. Inflation, while dropping sharply from sky-high levels in recent years, still remains above the Fed's 2% target, particularly when measured by the Core Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) price index, the Fed’s favorite inflation gauge. In October 2024, a basket of consumer goods that excludes groceries and energy costs, was up 2.8% compared to a year earlier. Bank of America forecasts inflation hovering between 2.5% and 3% for the next couple of years, which could limit the Fed's appetite for aggressive rate cuts. Read Also: Fed Minutes Reveal ‘Confidence’ In Inflation Reduction, Yet Flag Divergent Views On Interest Rate Path Ahead 7) Trump Is Back, What Policies Should I Expect? Will He Cut Taxes Again? According to Bank of America, a key priority for Republicans would be extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), which is set to expire in 2025. Other proposals include introducing modest corporate tax cuts for domestic manufacturers, and slightly raising the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap. On trade, tariffs on Chinese imports are expected to rise, adding inflationary pressure, while deregulation in the energy and financial sectors could bolster corporate profits. On Monday, Donald Trump vowed to impose 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico unless the neighboring countries adopt stricter measures to combat drug trafficking and illegal immigration. “On immigration, significant tightening in the flow of migrants appears to be more likely than large changes to the migrant population that is already in the US,” the analysts said. Read also: US–Mexico Trade Tensions Escalate As Mexican Peso Hits August 2022 Lows: Why Is Auto Industry Most At Risk? 8) How Will These Policies Affect The Economy? According to Bank of America, fiscal stimulus from lower taxes and deregulation could boost growth, but tighter trade restrictions and immigration curbs might offset these gains. The net impact? Modest economic growth with inflation remaining above 2.5%. 9) Why Is The US Running A $2 Trillion Deficit? Deficits are nothing new for the U.S., but their current size is unprecedented during a period of strong economic growth. At nearly $2 trillion in FY 2024, the deficit is 6.4% of GDP—well above historical norms. This surge is largely driven by higher interest costs on the national debt and inflation-linked increases in programs like Social Security and Medicare. Adding to the strain, federal tax revenue growth has failed to keep pace with spending, creating a widening gap. Without meaningful fiscal reforms to either rein in spending or boost revenues, the deficit is likely to remain elevated, posing long-term risks to the economy. 10) Will The Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Solve The Deficit Problem? The recently formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) aims to cut wasteful spending, but Bank of America is skeptical of its impact. History shows that past attempts to rein in deficits through efficiency gains have fallen short. From the Reagan administration's Grace Commission to Clinton-era initiatives, similar efforts failed to produce meaningful savings. Moreover, political resistance to cutting mandatory spending programs like Social Security and Medicare remains a significant hurdle. The bottom line: The deficit problem won't be fixed overnight, and any solution will require tough, politically charged decisions, the analysts said. Read Next: ‘It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year’ For The Stock Market, History Says Photo: Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Rosen Law Firm Announces Investigation of Breaches of Fiduciary Duties by the Directors and Officers of Southwest Airlines Co. - LUV

The age of COVID-initiated supply shortages at car dealers is over. And that’s placed pressure on carmakers and dealers to price their unsold wares more aggressively , The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported Sunday (Dec. 29) . During this month’s hectic shopping season, car buyers got — on average — about $3,400 in discounts and other incentives. That’s up more than 25% from the previous year, WSJ said, citing data from research firm J.D. Power . An uptick in promotions like zero-percent interest rates and cash-back offers , the report added, has been a balm to inflation-weary consumers after years of paying steep prices for cars . These stronger promotions, the report said, have helped U.S. vehicle sales, which were up 7% for December, according to J.D. Power projections. Most carmakers will release sales figures on Friday, WSJ said. “There are good deals to be had out there,” said Geoffrey Pohanka, a Maryland auto dealer for brands like Chevrolet, Jeep and Nissan. According to the report, U.S. vehicle sales for the year were projected to climb 3% to around 16 million sales, down from the 12% increase in 2023. Industry forecasts show sales to rise again next year, WSJ said. In related news, PYMNTS wrote earlier this month about car dealers’ embrace of artificial intelligence (AI). This move has led these dealers to report revenue gains , according to a recent survey by auto customer information company Fullpath. That survey also found that 80% of car dealers plan to increase their AI spending in the new year, using the technology for things like customer support, personalized marketing campaigns and optimization of digital advertising. As PYMNTS wrote, this tech is transforming the traditional dealership model by analyzing customer data gathered during sales to personalize offers and provide digital tools that give consumers more control over their purchases. Other dealerships have added AI-powered chatbots to their websites to promptly address customer inquiries and schedule appointments, improving response times substantially. “With AI platforms, dealerships gain a comprehensive view of the buying experience from start to finish, including online browsing habits and past purchase history, allowing them to accurately predict who is most likely to buy and when,” David Boice , the CEO and co-founder of Team Velocity , a B2B automotive tech company, told PYMNTS. “These predictive capabilities have transformed dealerships’ approach, allowing them to prioritize leads with the highest likelihood of conversion, ultimately driving more effective sales strategies.”Airship Announces 2024 Altitude Award Winners