Another stowaway caught on Delta flight raises major concerns about airport safetyStock markets in the Gulf were mostly subdued on Sunday, weighed down by concerns that the U.S. Federal Reserve will make fewer rate cuts next year, though a cooler-than-expected inflation report kept the losses in check. Markets were jolted after the Fed forecast only two rate reductions in 2025 and raised its inflation estimate, in a nod to the economy’s continued resilience and still-high price rises. Following the November inflation data, traders raised their rate cut bets for 2025, now expecting a rate cut first in March and then again by October. The Fed’s decisions have a significant impact on the Gulf region’s monetary policy, as most currencies there are pegged to the U.S. dollar. Saudi Arabia’s benchmark index was down for a second straight session, falling 0.4%, with most sectors in the red. UAE markets gain ahead of key US inflation data Healthcare provider Dr Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Services slipped 4% and Saudi Aramco lost 1.9%. SABIC Agri-Nutrients Company gained 3% after the fertilizer and chemicals maker declared a cash dividend of 3 riyals per share for the second half of the year and said it has amended the protocol for declaration and distribution of interim dividends. The Qatari benchmark index rose 1% as it resumed trading after a two-day break for a national holiday, lifted by gains in almost all stocks. Qatar Islamic Bank climbed 1.6%, while Industries Qatar gained 0.9%. Meanwhile, Qatar’s energy minister told the Financial Times the country would stop shipping gas to the European Union if member states strictly enforce a new law cracking down on forced labour and environmental damage. Outside the Gulf, Egypt’s blue-chip index eased 0.5% with Commercial International Bank shedding 0.5% and E-Finance for Digital falling 2.5%. SAUDI ARABIA down 0.4% to 11,849 KUWAIT rose 0.2% to 7,818 QATAR gained 1% to 10,559 EGYPT down 0.5% to 30,373 BAHRAIN fell 0.3% to 1,994 OMAN lost 0.5% to 4,488
WASHINGTON (AP) — A ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans, a top White House official said Friday. Biden administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies , as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, the deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technologies, told reporters Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. The update from Neuberger is the latest development in a massive hacking operation that has alarmed national security officials, exposed cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the private sector and laid bare China's hacking sophistication. The hackers compromised the networks of telecommunications companies to obtain customer call records and gain access to the private communications of “a limited number of individuals." Though the FBI has not publicly identified any of the victims, officials believe senior U.S. government officials and prominent political figures are among those whose whose communications were accessed. Neuberger said officials did not yet have a precise sense how many Americans overall were affected by Salt Typhoon, in part because the Chinese were careful about their techniques, but a “large number" were in the Washington-Virginia area. Officials believe the goal of the hackers was to identify who owned the phones and, if they were “government targets of interest,” spy on their texts and phone calls, she said. The FBI said most of the people targeted by the hackers are "primarily involved in government or political activity.” Neuberger said the episode highlighted the need for required cybersecurity practices in the telecommunications industry, something the Federal Communications Commission is to take up at a meeting next month. “We know that voluntary cyber security practices are inadequate to protect against China, Russia and Iran hacking of our critical infrastructure,” she said. The Chinese government has denied responsibility for the hacking.
Who is Jeanette Núñez? The first in line to replace Ron DeSantis as Florida governor
The House Ethics Committee found evidence former Rep. Matt Gaetz paid multiple women, including a 17-year-old girl, for sex, according to a final draft of the panel’s report on the Florida Republican released on Monday. The committee concluded that Gaetz violated multiple state laws related to sexual misconduct while in office, including the state’s statutory rape law. “The Committee determined there is substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, impermissible gifts, special favors or privileges, and obstruction of Congress,” panel investigators wrote. Gaetz has repeatedly denied all wrongdoing and on Monday filed a lawsuit seeking to block the report’s release, saying it contains “untruthful and defamatory information” that would “significantly damage” his “standing and reputation in the community.” The panel investigated transactions Gaetz personally made, often using PayPal or Venmo, to more than a dozen women during his time in Congress, according to the report. "From 2017 to 2020, Representative Gaetz made tens of thousands of dollars in payments to women that the Committee determined were likely in connection with sexual activity and/or drug use," the report said. According to the report, in 2018 Gaetz arranged for his Chief of Staff to assist a woman with whom he engaged in sexual activity in obtaining a passport, falsely indicating to the U.S. Department of State that she was a constituent. The committee said it also received testimony that at a 2017 party, Gaetz twice had sex with "Victim A," who was just 17 years old at the time and had just completed her junior year in high school. "Victim A recalled receiving $400 in cash from Representative Gaetz that evening, which she understood to be payment for sex," the committee wrote. "Victim A said that she did not inform Representative Gaetz that she was under 18 at the time, nor did he ask her age." The committee said it did not find sufficient evidence to conclude that Gaetz violated the federal sex trafficking statute. "Although Representative Gaetz did cause the transportation of women across state lines for purposes of commercial sex, the Committee did not find evidence that any of those women were under 18 at the time of travel, nor did the Committee find sufficient evidence to conclude that the commercial sex acts were induced by force, fraud, or coercion." The release of the report comes after at least one Republican joined all five Democrats on the panel earlier this month in a secret vote to release the report about their former colleague despite initial opposition from GOP lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, to publishing findings about a former member of Congress, the Associated Press reported. While ethics reports have previously been released after a member’s resignation, it is extremely rare. Ahead of the report’s release Gaetz denied any wrongdoing and criticized the committee's process. “Giving funds to someone you are dating — that they didn’t ask for — and that isn’t ‘charged’ for sex is now prostitution?!?” he wrote in one post. “There is a reason they did this to me in a Christmas Eve-Eve report and not in a courtroom of any kind where I could present evidence and challenge witnesses.” Back in November, after resigning from the House, Gaetz announced on X that he is withdrawing from consideration for the role of attorney general under President-elect Donald Trump . "I had excellent meetings with Senators yesterday. I appreciate their thoughtful feedback — and the incredible support of so many. While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition," he began the post. "There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1," he continued. "I remain fully committed to see that Donald J. Trump is the most successful President in history. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the Department of Justice and I'm certain he will Save America."
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Eye Drop Recall Sparks Warning Nationwide
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) — As much enjoyment as Micah Hyde was having coaching his son’s soccer team in sunny San Diego, the lure of resuming his playing career and one last opportunity to bring a championship to Buffalo was too much to pass up for the Bills veteran safety. And Hyde chose to return to wintry Buffalo on Wednesday without any guarantee he’ll play by signing to the practice squad. In doing so, the 33-year-old willingly accepted taking on an expanded leadership role as mentor and sideline coach. “Listen, I’m here to help. I left my ego in San Diego,” Hyde said. “The goal has always been to bring a championship back to Buffalo, and if I can help in any way, if I’m able to give T-Rapp or D-Ham or whoever’s out there a nugget to make a big play in a big game, I did my job,” he added, referring to Buffalo’s starting safety tandem of Taylor Rapp and Damar Hamlin . Hyde isn’t so much coming out of retirement after going unsigned once the final year of his contract expired in March. In rejecting interest from other teams, Hyde stuck to his vision in keeping the door open to resume playing but only in Buffalo, where he spent the final seven of his 11 NFL seasons. “Match made in heaven, baby,” he said. “Everyone’s saying, ‘Welcome back' It’s more like ‘Welcome home.’” For Buffalo (10-2), Hyde is a late-season addition who brings experience, stability, leadership and familiarity with the defensive scheme to the now five-time defending AFC East champions . “You're just excited because you know what type of energy he brings to the locker room, you know his personality,” edge rusher Von Miller said. “We just got better by adding Micah Hyde, whether that’s on the football field or off the football field. ... It’s all plus-plus in each and every category.” Coach Sean McDermott stressed that as much as he welcomes Hyde’s addition, it in no way reflects on Buffalo’s safety group. And yet, Hyde does provide insurance down the stretch in the event of an injury. “We’re in a good spot, very confident in the guys that have played there all season long and have both done a nice job,” McDermott said. “It’s about the team. It’s always about the team, and it’s never about one person. And in this case, Micah would not want that to be, in this case, about him.” The Bills never ruled out the possibility of Hyde’s return, by keeping his former locker stall vacant and not assigning his familiar No. 23 to another player. Hyde’s signing comes on the heels of Buffalo’s division-clinching 35-10 win over the San Francisco 49ers . The Bills, who travel to play the Rams (6-6) on Sunday, now have their sights set on chasing down Kansas City (11-1), a team they defeated last month, to win the AFC’s top seed entering the playoffs. McDermott’s bond with Hyde runs deep, going back to 2017. That’s when the then-first-year coach identified Hyde and safety Jordan Poyer to become Buffalo’s first key free agent signings. Hyde and Poyer signed hours apart and opened seven straight seasons as Buffalo's starting tandem. Hyde, who spent his first four seasons in Green Bay, earned second-team All-Pro honors in 2017 and 2021. Poyer, an All-Pro selection in ’21, is now with Miami after being released by Buffalo in March. Hyde missed a majority of the 2022 season with a severe neck injury. He started 14 games last season, though he missed three games because of injury. Hyde said he’s injury free and also lost weight in spending his time off working out regularly. The only thing certain, he said, is this will be his final NFL season, whenever and however it might end. “After the last game, that (retirement) paper’s going to be right here and it’s getting signed,” Hyde said. “You can guarantee that, for sure.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nflI went to Aldi and faced my fears and now I am totally convertedWARMINGTON: They call it ‘winter village,’ but it will always be Toronto’s Christmas market
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Analysis: Getting benched may have been best thing that happened to Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson
