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Celtic defender's shock at FIFA honour as messages had him 'fearing the worst'UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Jackie Johnson III led Fordham with 29 points and Joshua Rivera hit the game-winning 3-pointer with eight seconds left as the Rams knocked off Bryant 86-84 on Saturday. Johnson added four steals for the Rams (7-5). Rivera scored 17 points and added five rebounds. Japhet Medor shot 5 for 12 (0 for 3 from 3-point range) and 7 of 8 from the free-throw line to finish with 17 points. The Bulldogs (6-7) were led in scoring by Kvonn Cramer, who finished with 23 points. Bryant also got 21 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists and two steals from Earl Timberlake. Barry Evans had 10 points, nine rebounds and two steals. Medor scored 12 second-half points for Fordham. Up next for Fordham is a matchup Saturday with Albany (NY) at home. Bryant visits Towson on Sunday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Boeing busted by employee over plans to surveil workers, quickly reverses course

Marshall withdraws from Independence Bowl matchup against Army

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Senate Republicans recommended on Friday that the state write laws banning transgender girls and women from participating in high school and college sports, setting the stage for action in the 2025 legislative session. The vote by a committee that was studying the issue is hardly a surprise. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones — a possible Republican contender for governor in 2026 — announced almost identical goals at the panel's first meeting in August . It’s an issue that’s already been addressed in Georgia. Legislators in 2022 empowered the Georgia High School Association to regulate transgender students' participation in sports. The association, which regulates sports and activities for all public schools and some private schools, then banned transgender boys and girls from playing on the school sports teams matching their gender identity. Jones and others argue that doesn't go far enough and that lawmakers themselves need to act. It's a sign Republicans believe there is more political gain in fears about transgender women playing women’s sports or using women’s bathrooms. At least 26 mostly Republican states have passed laws or rules to restrict transgender girls from participating high school sports and, in some cases, transgender women from college sports , according to the Movement Advancement Project, a gay rights group. In Georgia, additional action appears more likely now after House Speaker Jon Burns and Gov. Brian Kemp, both Republicans, have voiced support for further legislation. Jeff Graham, executive director of the LGBTQ+ advocacy group Georgia Equality, said his group is playing defense, concerned about the possibility of other bills that could further restrict gender-affirming care or ban transgender people from using public bathrooms that match their gender identity. “We’re expecting that it’ll be at least what we saw in 2023 and 2024, with the number of bills and more than likely laws,” Graham told reporters Friday. But Burns, from Newington, has said he's not interested in other bills dealing with transgender people besides those dealing with girls' and women's sports. Republican State Sen. Greg Dolezal, of Cumming, who led the Senate study committee, said Friday that he, too, is not interested in a broader bill regulating bathroom usage, although his committee recommended that schools that host sporting events require athletes to use locker rooms based on their assigned sex at birth. Dolezal said senators would seek to write legislation that regulated public schools and colleges, as well as private institutions that compete against public schools and colleges. The committee also recommends that people be able to sue or file grievances if schools break the rules, and that state money be withheld from schools that break the rules. Supporters of more action have focused on the 2022 NCAA women’s swimming championships at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, where Lia Thomas, a transgender woman, swam for the University of Pennsylvania and won the 500-meter freestyle . The NCAA has since revised its policy on transgender women’s participation, saying it will follow the rules of respective athletics federations. World Aquatics, the swimming governing body, banned transgender women who have been through male puberty from competing in women’s races. That means Thomas wouldn’t be allowed to swim in NCAA events today. “My basic contention that this is a solution in search of a problem remains,” Graham said. He said he fears that many people who oppose laws that seek to restrict transgender people will be afraid to testify and lobby at the Georgia Capitol, citing assault charges against a man accused of shaking U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace in a Capitol office building in Washington, D.C. Dolezal repeatedly tried to turn down the emotional temperature of the issue on Friday. “I think that there’s a group of people that wants to be respected and I think that they deserve respect,” Dolezal told reporters. “But I also think that you can be respectful, but also recognize that in the sporting arena, fairness and competition is important.”

Marshall withdraws from Independence Bowl matchup against ArmySon of NFL head coach transferring from Georgia

DALLAS (AP) — The championship vision that led Nathan Eovaldi to sign with Texas as a free agent two years ago is the same one that brought him back to the Rangers. A World Series title in his first season was followed by a losing record this year. “I believe in the guys in the group that we have. We were able to do it in ‘23. I don’t feel a lot has changed,” Eovaldi said Friday, a day after finalizing a $75 million, three-year contract . “We had a down year last year, but I've said it before, you learn a lot from losing seasons.” Eovaldi had declined a $20 million player option to become a free agent again and reached an agreement during the winter meetings in Dallas. Texas also acquired slugging corner infielder Jake Burger in a swap with Miami. Burger had fallen asleep before getting a call late Tuesday night that he had been traded to Texas, where his family is planning to move after the October birth of a daughter with Down syndrome. “The other city that is really good other than Nashville in terms of children's hospital and resources for her Downs is in Dallas," Burger said. “Not just from the baseball spectrum, from the life aspect as well ... I feel like it was meant to be, and we couldn’t be more more excited about that.” In the Nashville area, Burger lives close to Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, whom he plans to visit with soon. His former Marlins manager, Skip Schumaker , was hired last month by the Rangers as a senior adviser for baseball operations, and Luis Urueta, Miami’s bench coach the past two seasons, recently joined Bochy’s on-field coaching staff for 2025. Burger and Rangers pitcher Dane Dunning were once roommates in the Chicago White Sox organization. Burger hit .250 with 29 home runs and 76 RBIs in 137 games for the Marlins last season, when he started 59 games at third base and 50 starts at first. He was with the White Sox in Texas when he got traded to Miami on Aug. 1, 2023, and four days later hit his first homer with the Marlins at Globe Life Field. When the Rangers made the title run in 2023, Eovaldi was 5-0 with a 2.95 ERA in six postseason starts. He was the winning pitcher in their World Series-clinching Game 5 at Arizona. He was also part of Boston’s 2018 title. Eovaldi was 12-8 this year with a 3.80 ERA in 29 starts, the last seven scoreless innings in the regular-season finale. He is 24-13 with a 3.72 ERA in 54 starts for Texas the past two seasons. The new deal for the Texas native, who who turns 35 in February, includes a $12 million signing bonus, half payable on Nov. 15, 2026, and the rest on Jan. 15, 2028, and salaries of $18 million next season, $25 million in 2026 and $20 million in 2027. He gets a full no-trade provision. After being welcomed back by Chris Young, the team's president of baseball operations, the pitcher said he never felt like he really left. The Rangers stayed in contact throughout the process after he declined his option Nov. 4. “Kind of listening to the market and everything, I’m extremely happy to be back. I’m glad we were we were able to make it all work out,” Eovaldi said. “We had a lot of teams reach out right away and we were in contact with most them across the league. Ultimately we were able to make it back here.” AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlbRecently, a 60-year-old male manager at a local private company fell victim to an investment scam while browsing social media. He was drawn to an advertisement promoting cryptocurrency investments. After clicking the ad, he was directed to an investment platform called UVKXEVIP. Following instructions from a WhatsApp group he joined, he accessed the platform via https://uvkxevip.com/, downloaded its app, and began investing. Over the next few days, the manager transferred a total of RM300,000 to bank accounts provided by the scammers, hoping for high returns. However, when he attempted to withdraw his profits, he discovered that his funds were locked, making withdrawals impossible. It was only then that he realized he had been scammed and reported the incident to the police. Warning: UVKXEVIP is a Fraudulent Platform This serves as a public alert that https://uvkxevip.com/ is a scam website. Those unfamiliar with cryptocurrency investments are especially vulnerable. Scammers typically use fake investment advertisements and misleading links to lure victims into downloading counterfeit apps. Once engaged, they manipulate victims into transferring funds repeatedly to maximize their illicit gains. How to Avoid Investment Scams Do Not Trust Unsolicited Investment Opportunities Avoid offers from social media platforms or recommendations by strangers. Verify Platform Legitimacy Always research and confirm the credibility of any investment platform, particularly those promising high returns. Report Issues Promptly If you experience difficulty withdrawing funds or notice unusual activity, report it to the authorities immediately. Stay Alert Be cautious and proactive to safeguard your finances from exploitation by fraudsters. Source: https://technomaniax.com/beware-of-the-uvkxevip-investment-scam-male-manager-loses-rm300000-do-not-trust-suspicious-investment-links/CHATHAM, N.J. (AP) — That buzzing coming out of New Jersey? It’s unclear if it’s drones or something else, but for sure the nighttime sightings are producing tons of talk, a raft of conspiracy theories and craned necks looking skyward. Cropping up on local news and social media sites around Thanksgiving, reported over New Jersey has reached incredible heights. This week seems to have begun a new, higher-profile chapter: (but so far not getting) explanations from federal and state authorities about what’s behind them. Gov. Phil Murphy asking for answers. New Jersey’s new senator, Andy Kim, spent Thursday night on a drone hunt in rural northern New Jersey, and posted about it on X. But perhaps the most fantastic development is the dizzying proliferation of conspiracies — none of which has been confirmed or suggested by federal and state officials who say they’re looking into what’s happening. It has become shorthand to refer to the flying machines as drones, but there are questions about whether what people are seeing are unmanned aircraft or something else. Some theorize the drones came from an Iranian mothership. Others think they are the Secret Service making sure President-elect Donald Trump’s Bedminster property is secure. Others worry about China. The deep state. And on. In the face of uncertainty, people have done what they do in 2024: Create a social media group. The Facebook page, , has nearly 44,000 members, up from 39,000 late Thursday. People are posting their photo and video sightings, and the online commenters take it from there. One video shows a whitish light flying in a darkened sky, and one commenter concludes it’s otherworldly. “Straight up orbs,” the person says. Others weigh in to say it’s a plane or maybe a satellite. Another group called for hunting the drones literally, shooting them down like turkeys. (Do not shoot at anything in the sky, experts warn.) Trisha Bushey, 48, of Lebanon Township, New Jersey, lives near Round Valley Reservoir where there have been numerous sightings. She said she first posted photos online last month wondering what the objects were and became convinced they were drones when she saw how they moved and when her son showed her on a flight tracking site that no planes were around. Now she’s glued to the Mystery Drones page, she said. “I find myself — instead of Christmas shopping or cleaning my house — checking it,” she said. She doesn’t buy what the governor said, that Murphy told Biden on Friday that residents need answers. The federal Homeland Security Department and FBI also said in a joint statement they have no evidence that the sightings pose “a national security or public safety threat or have a foreign nexus.” “How can you say it’s not posing a threat if you don’t know what it is?” she said. “I think that’s why so many people are uneasy.” Then there’s the notion that people could misunderstand what they’re seeing. William Austin is the president of Warren County Community College, which has a drone technology degree program, and is coincidentally located in one of the sighting hotspots. Austin says he has looked at videos of purported drones and that airplanes are being misidentified as drones. He cited an optical effect called parallax, which is the apparent shift of an object when viewed from different perspectives. Austin encouraged people to download flight and drone tracker apps so they can better understand what they’re looking at. Nonetheless, people continue to come up with their own theories. “It represents the United States of America in 2024,” Austin said. “We’ve lost trust in our institutions, and we need it.” Federal officials echo Austin’s view that many of the sightings are piloted aircraft such as planes and helicopters being mistaken for drones, according to lawmakers and Murphy. That’s not really convincing for many, though, who are homing in on the sightings beyond just New Jersey and the East Coast, where others have reported seeing the objects. For Seph Divine, 34, another member of the drone hunting group who lives in Eugene, Oregon, it feels as if it’s up to citizen sleuths to solve the mystery. He said he tries to be a voice of reason, encouraging people to fact check their information, while also asking probing questions. “My main goal is I don’t want people to be caught up in the hysteria and I also want people to not just ignore it at the same time,” he said. “Whether or not it’s foreign military or some secret access program or something otherworldly, whatever it is, all I’m saying is it’s alarming that this is happening so suddenly and so consistently for hours at a time,” he added.

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 6, 2024-- Comcast today announced the exclusive premiere of Our Blues Makes Us Gold, a feature-length documentary that examines the history and global impact of North Carolina Agriculture and Technical State University, the country’s largest historically Black university, from filmmakers Brandon Gerard and Ashley Shanté. The documentary is available for free as part of Comcast’s Black Experience on Xfinity and Xumo Play. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241206243624/en/ Comcast Premieres "Our Blues Makes Us Gold" on Black Experience on Xfinity (Graphic: Business Wire) Launched in 2021, Comcast’s Black Experience is a comprehensive content destination that features the ultimate in Black storytelling from diverse programming partners and film studios and has released a variety of original documentaries to showcase diverse talent and content creators. Black Experience is available across Xfinity’s entertainment devices, including X1, Flex and Xumo Stream Box, as well as on Xumo Play, a free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) app available on major streaming platforms. Our Blues Makes Us Gold explores the legacy and future of North Carolina A&T and captures the university’s unique position as both a powerhouse in STEM education and a historically agricultural institution, sharing the voices and viewpoints of alumni and students who bring its story to life. “We are honored to collaborate with filmmakers Ashley and Brandon to bring this remarkable documentary to the Black Experience on Xfinity and Xumo Play,” said Loren Hudson, SVP & Chief Diversity Officer, Connectivity and Platforms, Comcast. Behind the lens are Ashley and Brandon, a husband-and-wife duo with over 20 years of professional experience in film production. Through their production company, From A2B Entertainment, they deliver stories that blend emotional depth with a fresh, contemporary style. "A few years ago, I was in the writers room pitching for a new character to be an HBCU graduate,” shared Ashley. “The painfully loud silence of my colleagues was eventually followed by really insulting questions. I left the room feeling angry that day. That anger fueled the conversation I had with Brandon, which resulted in our big idea, to show the greatness and impact of a real life HBCU and bring it to a mainstream audience. We were told many times this couldn't be done. We refused to accept that." “We wanted this film to feel like stories by the campfire with ancestors, mixed with the urgency of a call to action to protect sacred and necessary institutions like North Carolina A&T,” said Brandon. “We are thankful to Comcast, Xfinity and Xumo for partnering with us to amplify the stories of our community’s real-life superheroes.” Xfinity customers can find the Black Experience on X1, Flex or Xumo Stream Box by saying “Black Experience” into their voice remote. X1 customers can also enjoy a curated channel of some of the best and most popular programming Black Experience has to offer on channel 1622 within the programming guide. Additionally, the Black Experience destination and channel are both available on Xumo Play, bringing programming like Our Blues Makes Us Gold to customers across the country. About Comcast Corporation Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241206243624/en/ CONTACT: William Bell Comcast Corporation william_bell2@comcast.com KEYWORD: PENNSYLVANIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: CARRIERS AND SERVICES ENTERTAINMENT INTERNET FILM & MOTION PICTURES PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TECHNOLOGY UNIVERSITY DEI (DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION) GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT OTHER ENTERTAINMENT EDUCATION TV AND RADIO SOURCE: Comcast Corporation Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/06/2024 03:00 PM/DISC: 12/06/2024 03:00 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241206243624/enThis week, executives from Japan's largest automakers, Honda ( HMC +1.34% ), Nissan, and Mitsubishi held a press conference in Tokyo to reveal a new merger that aims to be completed by 2026. The agreement would see Honda, the nation's top car manufacturer, effectively take control of Nissan as the first step. However, Mitsubishi hasn’t announced full participation yet. Here's what you need to know. Honda Nissan Merger – A Major Reshaping of the Industry This merger would be one of the largest corporate reshuffles in automotive history and would create the third-largest auto group in the world, following Toyota and Volkswagen. Executives believe this maneuver is necessary to protect the Japanese auto industry against rising competition, shifting consumer interests, and a push towards EVs. The new conglomerate has projected combined sales of +$191B yearly. Terms of the Honda Nissan Merger While much of the details of the merger remain to be negotiated, there are some tidbits of info that the public received. For one, the merger would see Honda take over Nissan's management. However, the agreement states that both brands would remain separate and retain their core principles. What that means in practice is yet to be seen. Share Resources One of the key benefits of the merger is that the manufacturers will now be able to share resources. This approach will improve innovations, reduce costs, and drive cooperation in the market. To start off, the firms have agreed to cooperate on a software platform and EV designs. This cooperation demonstrates the group's desire to remain competitive in the fast-changing market. Scale The merger will allow both companies to scale up their EV production lines to compete with China. The sharing of resources will allow manufacturers to create new vehicles that leverage the best aspects of both platforms. This strategy should reduce costs and improve quality. New Honda Nissan Merger Auto Group The Honda Nissan auto group will have a market cap of $55B. Interstingly, Honda and Nissan executives agreed to complete negotiations by June 2025. Next, a holding company will launch as both automakers delist their current shares. Mitsubishi So far, only Nissan and Honda have inked a deal, with Mitsubishi Motors delaying its commitment until January. Notably, Mitsubishi Motors has over 50 years in the global auto market and would push the auto group's projected yearly sales for 2025 to +8M vehicles. Why Do the Japanese Automakers Want to Merge Now? There are several reasons why Japanese automakers see now as the ideal time to merge. For one, they are facing stiff competition from Chinese automakers. China is the world's largest EV manufacturer with +31% of the market share and growing. The Chinese EV market has a projected CAGR of 15.6% and revenue of $100B by 2028. Impressively, local manufacturers control 80% of the massive Chinese market and enjoy full government support. These factors have led Japanese automakers to worry that they need to go into high gear or risk being left behind in the new auto market. As such, Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe stressed that the merger shouldn’t be viewed as Honda bailing out Nissan, but rather a coming together of the manufacturers to bolster their market positioning and capabilities. Source – theicct Mibe then spoke on how Nissan must turn around its low sales as part of the agreement. Nissan has suffered from lackluster sales and consumer enthusiasm over the last 5 years. Sadly, the company recently announced massive layoffs as part of its strategy to reduce losses. Specifically, 9,000 jobs will be eliminated, representing a 6.7% decrease in its overall workforce. Mibe went on to discuss how Japanese automakers need to make these changes to remain competitive in 2030. He described how Chinese automakers managed to beat traditional automakers to the mainstream EV market, despite Nissan offering the first electric vehicle, and how their offerings are becoming more well-received by the public. Issues with the Honda Nissan Merger to be Addressed There are several issues that a merger of this size must address. For one, there are no specifics in regard to how the companies are going to maintain their brands while sharing resources, management, and other vital aspects of the manufacturing process. More Cuts Coming Another issue that the two must contend with is the large number of duplicate positions that will need to be removed. Large portions of both companies will have to be merged and trimmed down to ensure the best quality and talented individuals drive innovation for the group moving forward. Culture Clashes Another concern that has some worried is the potential for culture clashes. Honda and Nissan have long and celebrated histories. As such, some speculate the merger could result in some headbutting. Carlos Ghosn, Nissan's former CEO and now wanted man, spoke about the potential for companies not to see eye to eye. He stated that these differences could pose a major issue if not resolved immediately. Honda and Nissan – True Automotive Innovators The automotive industry would not be what it is today if these manufacturers had never existed. Both have provided the car community with timeless classics that still bring joy to people's faces, alongside reliable daily drivers and family vehicles. Here's some background on how these manufacturers pioneered new tech that changed cars for the better. Honda Innovations Honda entered the market in 1946 as the brainchild of Soichiro Honda. The company quickly saw success after creating its first in-house motor. Today, it’s the largest auto manufacturer in Japan and one of the most recognized brands globally. Honda's pioneering spirit has been present since its earliest days. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. ( HMC +1.34% ) Vtec In the mid-1980s, Honda introduced Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (Vtec). Vtech provided much better performance for their vehicle, allowing the motor to alter the valve performance to meet the driving scenario. This capability helps Hondas achieve better efficiency and power while reducing weight. Hydrogen Fuel Cell In 2008, Honda introduced the world to the first zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicles. The CX Clarity was produced from 2008-2014. It features a single-speed transmission, a custom hydrogen fuel cell, and a range of 240 mi. Four Wheel Steering Honda reshaped the automotive industry again with the introduction of 4-wheel steering. The 1987 Prelude was the first car to integrate this performance feature, giving the vehicle exceptional handling around tight curves. The vehicle utilized a slider that connected to the rear tie rods, allowing for a 2.5-degree turn radius of the rear tires. Hybrid The 2000 Honda Insight was another pioneering effort to launch Honda into the future auto market. The Insight was the first gas-electric hybrid to hit the market. The car utilized Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) technology to seamlessly combine the combustion and electric motor operations. Manufacturing Honda also led the way in manufacturing innovations throughout its history. For example, it was the first to use environmentally friendly waterborne basecoat paint on its vehicles. Additionally, it was the first automotive manufacturer to utilize wind turbines to supplement power. Specifically, the Ohio manufacturing plant has a windmill field located adjacent to it, providing power. Nissan Nissan entered the market in 1933 and quickly grew to become the second-largest auto manufacturer in the country. The company produced epic sports cars in the 90s and was a favorite among car culture enthusiasts. Today, it remains a popular brand with iconic vehicles. However, slumping sales have left the company with a hard decision to make across its production facilities located in Japan, North America, South America, Asia, Africa, Europe, and Oceania. Nissan Innovations Like Honda, Nissan never slouched on innovation. The company introduced several technologies that became standard on all vehicles. This forward-looking stance drove Nissan to become a leading brand throughout the 1990s and a pioneer that was often a little ahead of its time in many instances. Nissan Leaf The Nissan Leaf was the first commercially available mass-produced electric vehicle. It entered the market in 2010 with a range of 73 miles, which increased to 226 miles in 2017. Notably, major battery upgrades provide the additional power required. The Leaf features fast charging, NissanConnect services for remote monitoring, and a reliable front wheel design. Satellite Navigation The 1990s saw the first vehicles equipped with satellite navigation systems. Nissan was the first manufacturer to introduce this game-changing feature into its cars. Today, nearly all new vehicles come with some form of GPS system or the capability to work with your phone's options. However, in the mid-1990s, this was a monumental task that required Nissan engineers to think outside the box. Cruise Control That’s right. Nissan was the first manufacturer to add cruise control to their vehicles way back in the 1960s. Cruise control allows drivers to maintain a certain speed while on the highway. For those taking long trips, it can reduce fatigue and improve comfort. As such, when Nissan introduced this option, it was a huge upgrade that competitors quickly copied. Honda Nissan Merger – Future Plans and Technologies Given their innovative history, there is no reason to think that either company will abandon its approach in the future. Both manufacturers have some game-changing tech under development that could help Japanese automakers compete with their neighbors. Here's some of the future tech that these companies have in the works. Go All Electric Honda plans to switch its product line to 100% Evs by 2040. This maneuver will allow the company to reduce its environmental impact. As part of this strategy, the company foresees a mix of EV and fuel cell-powered vehicles replacing their combustion option. Nissan shares the desire to create a cleaner environment. It has listed goals to achieve full carbon neutrality by 2050. As part of this approach, the company will expand its EV models to offer 27 options in the coming years. Powering these vehicles will be Nissan's new All-Solid-State Battery (ASSB), which will improve performance, lower weight, and provide faster charging times compared to today's standards. Autonomous Vehicles Honda started work on its autonomous work vehicles program years ago. This program revolves around durable off-road capable worksite vehicles that can be set up to complete repetitive tasks often required on job sites, like delivering material or removing items. Honda envisions these vehicles, making the job sites of the future safer and more efficient. Nissan has two autonomous driving programs in the works, the roPILOT and ProPILOT Park. These systems will enhance autonomous driving for Nissan owners, allowing them to focus on other tasks while their vehicle navigates the congested streets to get them to their appointments on time. Personal Travel Honda has ventured into the personal travel sector with its Micro Commuter concept. This small 2-wheel electric vehicle is a single-seater, offering an affordable and reliable way to get around town. Honda sees a future where this style of personal transport is more practical in urban environments versus owning a vehicle. Ridesharing Interestingly, Nissan plans to venture into the ride-sharing market in the future. The company wants to offer more transportation options to the market, including self-driving taxis. Honda Nissan Merger – IS it a Good Thing? The Honda-Nissan Merger can be looked at as a good or bad thing, depending on your stance. For long-time Nissan and Honda enthusiasts, there is a risk of the brands being dismantled and never returning to glory. However, for those in the industry, the prospect of a new Japanese auto group opens the door to exciting investment opportunities. For now, the first steps of the merger are underway as the market watches patiently. Stay Up to date on the Latest Market News .

The Return-To-Office Debate Continues In 2025

TikTok is one step closer to being banned in the US after a federal appeals court upheld a law requiring its Chinese owner ByteDance to sell the app or face a nationwide ban by January 19, 2025. The court rejected TikTok’s argument that the law violates the US Constitution, saying the law is about national security. “The law targets control by a foreign adversary, not the content or speech on TikTok,” the judges said. TikTok will appeal to the Supreme Court. Spokesperson Michael Hughes said, “This ban is based on flawed and hypothetical concerns, amounting to censorship. If enforced, it will silence over 170 million Americans.” Following the court verdict, ByteDance has said it won’t sell TikTok, calling that impossible. US officials say TikTok could allow the Chinese government to access user data or manipulate content for propaganda. No evidence has been shown but the government says the ownership is the risk. The court agreed, saying, “Even without evidence of manipulation in the US, the risk is great enough to act.” The law also allows President Biden to extend the January deadline once, but no decision has been made. If the ban happens, app stores and internet providers will face penalties for hosting TikTok. Analysts say that social media platforms like Meta, YouTube, and Snapchat will gain from TikTok’s removal. American content creators are worried. “I don’t want Zuckerberg to own TikTok. This is insane,” one said. Another said, “I hope TikTok survives but it doesn’t look good.” Critics say the ban is too much. Patrick Toomey from the ACLU said it sets a “bad precedent,” adding, “The government has no evidence of harm.” Civil rights groups and experts have also said a broader privacy law could address the concerns without targeting specific apps. As the deadline looms, TikTok’s fate in the US is up to its appeal or a last-minute deal. For now, its 170 million American users are in limbo.

Tampa Bay (7-6) at Los Angeles Chargers (8-5) Sunday, 4:25 p.m. EST, FOX BetMGM NFL odds: Chargers by 3. Against the spread: Buccaneers 8-5; Chargers 9-4. Series record: Chargers lead 8-4. Last meeting: Chargers beat Buccaneers 38-31 in Tampa, Fla., on Oct. 4, 2020. Last week: Buccaneers beat Las Vegas 28-13; Chargers lost to Kansas City 19-17. Buccaneers offense: overall (3), rush (8), pass (6), scoring (5). Buccaneers defense: overall (28), rush (11), pass (30), scoring (22). Chargers offense: overall (24), rush (19), pass (25), scoring (13). Chargers defense: overall (11), rush (T-14), pass (8), scoring (1). Turnover differential: Buccaneers minus-2; Chargers plus-11. QB Baker Mayfield is trying to lead Tampa Bay to a fourth consecutive NFC South title. He’s already matched a career-best for touchdown passes with 28, but also hasn’t done as good a job of taking care of the football as a year ago. He threw for 295 yards and three TDs in last week’s 15-point win over Las Vegas. He also turned the ball over three times in the first half to help the Raiders stay close until the fourth quarter. Story continues below video WR Quentin Johnston bounced back from a couple of tough performances to make five catches for 48 yards and a touchdown against the Chiefs. But inconsistency has been the defining trait of the slow start to Johnston’s NFL career, so being able to follow it up will be telling. The Chargers needed the 2023 first-round pick to step up with rookie Ladd McConkey sidelined because of knee and shoulder injuries last week. With McConkey's status to play Sunday uncertain, Johnston could be called on again. Chargers RB Kimani Vidal vs. Buccaneers LB Lavonte David. Vidal, a rookie from Troy, seems to have increased his standing in the Chargers’ backfield that definitely missed J.K. Dobbins (knee). Vidal had eight carries for 34 yards while playing 53% of the offensive snaps in Kansas City, more than starter Gus Edwards. The Chargers are going to stick to the run under coach Jim Harbaugh, which means the newcomer Vidal will have to outfox a 13-season veteran in David. At 34, David remains a force, making seven tackles, a sack, a tackle for loss and recovering a fumble against the Raiders. He is eight tackles away from his 11th season of triple-digit stops. Bucs S Antoine Winfield Jr. left last week’s game with a knee sprain and is expected to be sidelined a couple of weeks. S Mike Edwards (hamstring), OLB Markees Watts (knee), LB K.J. Britt (ankle) and WR Kameron Johnson (ankle) will also miss Sunday's game. Leading rusher Bucky Irving has a back injury and is listed as questionable. ... Chargers QB Justin Herbert is dealing with a sprained left ankle, but was a full participant in practice Friday. TE Will Dissly (shoulder) and WR Jalen Reagor (finger) are out. While the Chargers won eight of the first nine meetings between the franchises, Tampa Bay took the past three. ... This will be the Buccaneers’ third trip to Los Angeles and second to SoFi Stadium, where they lost 34-24 to the Rams in September 2021. The Bucs are 7-1 in December/January regular-season games going back to last season. They’re 19-5 in those games going back to 2020, the first of Tom Brady’s three years with Tampa Bay. ... WR Mike Evans needs 17 receptions and 426 yards over the next four games to finish with his 11th consecutive season with at least 60 catches and 1,000 yards receiving. ... Evans had seven receptions for 122 yards and a TD the previous time Tampa Bay faced the Chargers (Oct. 4, 2020). ... The Bucs have rushed for 100-plus yards in 10 of 13 games. That’s after doing it just nine times over 34 games the past two regular seasons. ... With leading rusher Bucky Irving sitting out most of last week’s game against Las Vegas with a back injury, starter Rachaad White took up the slack with 90 yards rushing on 17 attempts — both season highs. He also scored two TDs, one receiving. ... White’s rushing TD was the 14th for Tampa Bay. That’s more than the Bucs scored on the ground in 2022 (five) and 2023 (eight) combined. ... The Chargers have turned the ball over a league-low six times. The franchise record for fewest giveaways in a season is 15, which they did in 2006 and 2017. ... Herbert hasn’t thrown an interception in 11 straight games. That is tied with Brady for the longest streak in NFL history. Brady closed out the 2010 regular season for New England without being picked off after Week 5. ... S Derwin James Jr. has three tackles for loss and two sacks in his past three games. ... PK Cameron Dicker has made 65 of 66 field goals under 50 yards in his career, with his 98.5% success rate the best in league history. Dicker has made all 30 attempts inside of 50 yards at home. ... The Chargers defense allowed 17 of 31 third down conversions (54.8%) in two games against the Chiefs. They have held their other 11 opponents to 45 of 146 (30.8%). The Buccaneers find ways to play shootouts, with eight of their games seeing the winner score 30 or more points. The Chargers find ways to play grinding affairs, with only two of their games seeing the winner score 28 or more points. Whoever dictates the style of play will determine how much fantasy value comes out of this game. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLNone

The United States is expected to announce that it will send 1.25 billion dollars (£1 billion) in military assistance to Ukraine, US officials said on Friday, as the Biden administration pushes to get as much aid to Kyiv as possible before leaving office on January 20. The large package of aid includes a significant amount of munitions, including for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the Hawk air defence system. Advertisement It also will provide Stinger missiles and 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, officials said. The officials, who said they expect the announcement to be made on Monday, spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public. US President Joe Biden has supported Ukraine since the Russian invasion (Susan Walsh/AP) Advertisement The new aid comes as Russia launched a barrage of attacks against Ukraine’s power facilities in recent days, although Ukraine has said it intercepted a significant number of the missiles and drones. Russian and Ukrainian forces are also still in a bitter battle around the Russian border region of Kursk, where Moscow has sent thousands of North Korean troops to help reclaim territory taken by Ukraine. Earlier this month, senior defence officials acknowledged that the US Defence Department may not be able to send all of the remaining 5.6 billion dollars (£4.5 billion) in Pentagon weapons and equipment stocks passed by Congress for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. Mr Trump has talked about getting some type of negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia, and spoken about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Advertisement Many US and European leaders are concerned that it might result in a poor deal for Ukraine and they worry that he will not provide Ukraine with all the weapons funding approved by Congress. The aid in the new package is in presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon to take weapons off the shelves and send them quickly to Ukraine. This latest assistance would reduce the remaining amount to about 4.35 billion dollars (£3.46 billion). Advertisement Officials have said they hope that an influx of aid will help strengthen Ukraine’s hand, should Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky decide it is time to negotiate. One senior defence official said that while the US will continue to provide weapons to Ukraine until January 20, there may well be funds remaining that will be available for the incoming Trump administration to spend. According to the Pentagon, there is also about 1.2 billion dollars (£0.9 billion) remaining in longer-term funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is used to pay for weapons contracts that would not be delivered for a year or more. Advertisement Officials have said the administration anticipates releasing all of that money before the end of the calendar year. If the new package is included, the US will have provided more than 64 billion dollars (£50.8 billion) in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.DURHAM, N.C., Dec. 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Chimerix (NASDAQ:CMRX), today announced that on December 2, 2024, the Compensation Committee of Chimerix's Board of Directors granted inducement awards to three new employees of non-statutory stock options to purchase up to a total of 385,000 shares of Chimerix's common stock. The Compensation Committee of Chimerix's Board of Directors approved the awards as an inducement material to the new employees' employment in accordance with Nasdaq Listing rule 5635(c)(4). The stock options have an exercise price per share equal to Chimerix's closing trading price as of the grant date. 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CONTACTS: Will O'Connor Stern Investor Relations 212-362-1200 [email protected] [email protected]The United States is expected to announce that it will send 1.25 billion dollars (£1 billion) in military assistance to Ukraine, US officials said on Friday, as the Biden administration pushes to get as much aid to Kyiv as possible before leaving office on January 20. The large package of aid includes a significant amount of munitions, including for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the Hawk air defence system. It also will provide Stinger missiles and 155mm and 105mm artillery rounds, officials said. The officials, who said they expect the announcement to be made on Monday, spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public. Russian and Ukrainian forces are also still in a bitter battle around the Russian border region of Kursk, where Moscow has sent thousands of North Korean troops to help reclaim territory taken by Ukraine. Earlier this month, senior defence officials acknowledged that the US Defence Department may not be able to send all of the remaining 5.6 billion dollars (£4.5 billion) in Pentagon weapons and equipment stocks passed by Congress for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. Mr Trump has talked about getting some type of negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia, and spoken about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Many US and European leaders are concerned that it might result in a poor deal for Ukraine and they worry that he will not provide Ukraine with all the weapons funding approved by Congress. The aid in the new package is in presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon to take weapons off the shelves and send them quickly to Ukraine. This latest assistance would reduce the remaining amount to about 4.35 billion dollars (£3.46 billion). One senior defence official said that while the US will continue to provide weapons to Ukraine until January 20, there may well be funds remaining that will be available for the incoming Trump administration to spend. According to the Pentagon, there is also about 1.2 billion dollars (£0.9 billion) remaining in longer-term funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is used to pay for weapons contracts that would not be delivered for a year or more. Officials have said the administration anticipates releasing all of that money before the end of the calendar year. If the new package is included, the US will have provided more than 64 billion dollars (£50.8 billion) in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.