is super ace legit Palantir Technologies Inc PLTR can thank Elon Musk for its 275% year-to-date gain, according to Jim Cramer . What To Know: Palantir, which rallied nearly 50% over just the past month, maybe the only stock outshining Nvidia Corp NVDA this year, Cramer said Tuesday on CNBC’s “Squawk On The Street.” While both companies have recorded significant gains in 2024 driven by their positioning in the AI space, Cramer credits Musk for driving the recent momentum in Palantir shares. “Palantir is up a lot because I believe Musk is going to turn to them and say, ‘The Defense Department, it’s yours ... get rid of all those people,'” Cramer said. President-elect Donald Trump recently announced plans to nominate Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to a new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in an effort to curtail government spending. Cramer suggested that DOGE could turn to Palantir for help cutting defense budget spending. He noted that most people don’t realize that some government departments could be cut back substantially. The Tesla CEO could look to Palantir to modernize the Defense Department and reduce reliance on outdated methods of warfare. Palantir is adamant about creating systems that don’t put people in harm’s way, but the Defense Department is stuck in its ways, Cramer said. See Also: Musk, Ramaswamy Should Target TransDigm In Budget Cuts, Short Report Says: ‘Target #1’ For D.O.G.E. Why It Matters : Cramer’s take underscores how influential Musk is expected to be under the incoming Trump administration. It’s worth noting that DOGE wouldn’t actually be able to cut federal spending since it isn’t a real government department, and would need to be created with congressional approval. And Congress authorizes all federal spending, including to the Defense Department. “They like big things. Big expensive programs. Alex [Karp] is not like that,” Cramer said, referring to Palantir’s CEO. “Palantir has the next generation of how we’re going to do cyber warfare and the idea of just hardware, hardware, hardware that is constantly over budget is the kind of thing that I think Musk is really after.” Palantir shares ripped higher at the beginning of November after the company reported strong quarterly results driven by “unrelenting” AI demand. Revenue jumped 30% year-over-year and customer count climbed 39% on continued strength in the U.S. “The growth of our business is accelerating, and our financial performance is exceeding expectations as we meet an unwavering demand for the most advanced artificial intelligence technologies from our U.S. government and commercial customers," Karp said earlier this month. Price Action: Palantir shares were up 0.31% at $64.85 at the time of publication, according to Benzinga Pro . Read Next: Jim Cramer’s Apple Endorsement Sparks ‘Inverse Cramer’ Backlash As Social Media Users Mock His ‘Own It’ Advice Photo: Shutterstock. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson will not appear at former President Donald Trump ’s rally on Saturday in the battleground state following a CNN report about Robinson’s alleged disturbing online posts, an absence that illustrates the liability the gubernatorial candidate poses for Trump and downballot GOP candidates. Robinson is not expected to attend the event in Wilmington, according to a person on the Trump campaign and a second person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal planning. Robinson has been a frequent presence at Trump's North Carolina campaign stops. The Republican nominee has referred to Robinson, who is Black, as “Martin Luther King on steroids" and long praised him. But in the wake of Thursday's CNN report , the Trump campaign issued a statement that didn't mention Robinson and instead spoke generally about how North Carolina was key to the campaign's efforts. Robinson's campaign didn't respond to a text Friday seeking confirmation on his Saturday plans. The deadline in state law for Robinson to withdraw as the Republican candidate for governor passed late Thursday. State Republican leaders could have picked a replacement had a withdrawal occurred. Robinson has denied writing the posts, which include racial and sexual comments. He said he wouldn't be forced out of the race by “salacious tabloid lies.” While Robinson won his GOP gubernatorial primary in March, he's been trailing in several recent polls to Democratic nominee Josh Stein , the state's attorney general. “Let me reassure you the things that you will see in that story — those are not the words of Mark Robinson,” he told supporters in a video released Thursday by his campaign. “You know my words. You know my character.” State law says a gubernatorial nominee had until the day before the first absentee ballots requested by military and overseas voters are distributed to withdraw. They were distributed starting Friday. Robinson has a history of inflammatory comments that Stein has said made him too extreme to lead North Carolina. They already have contributed to the prospect that campaign struggles for Robinson could help Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris win the state’s 16 electoral votes. Democrats jumped on Robinson and other Republicans after the report aired, showing on social media photos of Robinson with Trump or with other GOP candidates, attempting to tarnish them by association. Losing swing district races for a congressional seat and the General Assembly would endanger the GOP’s control of the U.S. House and retaining veto-proof majorities at the legislature. “The fallout is going to be huge,” Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University, said Friday. “The Democrats are counting on this ... having a big effect.” But Cooper said Republicans could limit problems to the governor's race only if upward ticket-splitting trends among voters continue. Harris' campaign rolled out a new ad Friday it calls the first to link Trump to a down-ballot candidate. The commercial alternates between Trump’s praise for Robinson and the lieutenant governor’s comments which his critics have argued show his support for a statewide abortion ban without exceptions. Robinson's campaign have said that's not true. The Democratic National Committee is also running billboards in three major North Carolina cities showing a photo of Robinson and Trump and comments Trump has said about him. And a fundraising appeal Friday by Jeff Jackson, Democratic attorney general candidate, also includes a past video showing Republican opponent Dan Bishop saying he endorsed Robinson. “Every North Carolinian when they go to vote ought to look at whether a candidate has done that, because that sends a strong message about who you are as a candidate,” Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, a top Harris surrogate, said at a Friday news conference. CNN's story, which describes a series of comments that it said Robinson posted on the message board more than a decade ago, sent tremors through the state’s political class, particularly Republicans. While the state Republican Party came to Robinson’s defense late Thursday pointing out he's “categorically denied the allegations,” party Chairman Jason Simmons put out his own statement Friday calling them “deeply troubling” and that Robinson "needs to explain them to the people of North Carolina.” U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis , R-N.C., who endorsed a Robinson rival in the primary, said on X that Thursday “was a tough day, but we must stay focused on the races we can win.” He didn't mention the governor's race. U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina, chairman of House Republicans' campaign arm, discounted Robinson’s impact in North Carolina congressional races. CNN reported that Robinson, who would be North Carolina’s first Black governor, attacked on the message board civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. in searing terms and once referred to himself as a “black NAZI.” CNN also reported that Robinson wrote of being aroused by a memory of “peeping” women in gym showers when he was 14 along with an appreciation of transgender pornography. Robinson at one point referred to himself as a “perv,” according to CNN. The Associated Press has not independently confirmed that Robinson wrote and posted the messages. CNN said it matched details of the account on the pornographic website forum to other online accounts held by Robinson by comparing usernames, a known email address and his full name. CNN reported that details discussed by the account holder matched Robinson’s age, length of marriage and other biographical information. It also compared figures of speech that were used in his public Facebook profile and that appeared in discussions by the account on the pornographic website. This story was first published on Sep. 20, 2024. It was updated on Nov. 22, 2024 to correct which of Robinson’s social media accounts CNN cited in a comparison to language in messages from a pornographic website message board. CNN cited his public Facebook account, not his Twitter account. Price reported from New York. Associated Press writers Kevin Freking in Washington, Meg Kinnard in Chapin, South Carolina and Makiya Seminera in Raleigh contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

Every great nation has its great romantic tragedies, those star-crossed lovers who succumb to reckless passion, heedless of convention or personal cost. Ancient Rome had Antony and Cleopatra. France had Napoleon and Josephine. And modern America has the Republican Party’s helpless, hopeless love affair with shutting down the government. As with all great loves, their fervor is wholly irrational. Shutdowns annoy voters, who tend to blame Republicans for that annoyance. Nor does it save any appreciable amount of money, because the major entitlement programs keep rolling out checks, and the furloughed federal workers eventually collect back pay for the time they spent twiddling their thumbs. As for using a shutdown as a political bargaining chip ... well, as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) told reporters last year, “They never have produced a policy change, and they’ve always been a loser for Republicans politically.” Why, then, do Republicans keep flirting with this destructive, abusive old flame? Because too many Republicans haven’t grasped a basic political lesson: In the game of politics, it is not enough for your enemies to lose. You actually have to win. Try to think back to the last time the Republican Party had an agenda that didn’t boil down to “no”? It’s pretty difficult, isn’t it? What is the core of Donald Trump’s appeal to his base? That he owns the libs and refuses to kowtow to progressive pieties. What is his most prominent economic policy? Tariffs that represent a big fat “no” to global trade. What was the most successful political ad campaign of the 2024 campaign? The infamous “they/them” ads that painted Vice President Kamala Harris as a freak who wants to provide government-funded transition surgeries to transgender prisoners. And what have been the biggest recent conservative successes at the Supreme Court? The 2023 Students for Fair Admissions decision in which the court said “no” to affirmative action practices and the recent arguments in U.S. v. Skrmetti, which suggested that the justices are set to uphold state bans on giving puberty blockers and hormones to gender-dysphoric kids. The problem isn’t that conservatives are wrong about all these things. I disagree with Trump on the merits of tariffs, but I also have serious reservations about the current research base and practice of youth gender medicine. The prison system shouldn’t provide expensive transition surgeries to people who have committed horrible crimes, or house anyone with male genitalia in a women’s prison. Like many Americans, I think that our nation’s affirmative action programs had an element of unfairness to them and became unworkable as the nation diversified. But “no,” by itself, is not an agenda. And that’s basically all the Republican Party is selling right now, to voters and to itself. No to wokeness, no to foreign aid, no to gun control or vaccine mandates - no, in fact, to anything the left says, including “Happy holidays.” No might be enough to curb the worst excesses of the left, but it leaves massive gaps that the party has mostly filled by rhetorical posturing and empty gestures. A serious Republican agenda would lay out exactly what should be taxed, and what the money should be spent on - make those numbers roughly balance each other out. Anything else is a recipe for endless deficits, perennial policy failures and constant crisis. The lack of a positive agenda keeps bringing us back to the same pointless battles over raising the debt ceiling and funding the government. Democrats have a list of things they want to get done, which forces them to make deals. Republicans have a list of things they don’t want done, and it’s hard to rally your conference around a black hole, or a vague notion that taxes should be lower and so should spending, especially on Democratic constituencies, but no plausible plan for making it so. So, when the debt ceiling inevitably needs to be raised, or the government funded, a chunk of their caucus simply retreats into “No, not that!” without ever answering the question “Okay, then what?” This tactic never worked very well, but it’s becoming increasingly untenable as America’s fiscal problems mount. Republicans can scream “no” as loud as they want, but unless they stabilize Social Security and Medicare, those programs will run out of money, just the same. Nor will it fix other problems that voters - and Republicans - care about. Saying “no” to abortion won’t undo the cultural and economic forces that have made it hard for young people to form healthy, fertile families. Saying “no” to immigration won’t end our housing crisis if you are also deporting construction workers who build new homes. Saying “no” to trade won’t magically bring back the old manufacturing economy that so many Republicans long for. Many of the jobs we lost were displaced by modern machinery, not cheap foreign labor, and many of our current manufacturing jobs depend on inputs from elsewhere, like the high-tech Dutch photolithography machines that are used to make advanced semiconductors. Oh, sure, Republicans can nope out some taxes, as they have done every time they’ve come to power for the last two decades. But unless they are also willing to say no to major spending programs - defense, old age entitlements, veterans’ benefits - the resulting deficits will translate into higher inflation and interest rates. Voters will give that the same resounding “no” they just delivered to President Joe Biden and Harris. If they want to keep the new-won affections of the American voter, they need to ditch their destructive ex.See how Hoda Kotb honors ex-fiance Joel Schiffman in her new house’s holiday decor

Israel strikes Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital while the WHO chief says he was meters away JERUSALEM (AP) — A new round of Israeli airstrikes in Yemen have targeted the Houthi rebel-held capital of Sanaa and multiple ports. The World Health Organization’s director-general said the bombardment on Thursday took place near him, as he was about to board a flight in Sanaa. He says a crew member was hurt. The strikes followed several days of Houthi attacks and launches setting off sirens in Israel. Israel's military says it attacked infrastructure used by the Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa, power stations and ports. The Israeli military didn't immediate respond to questions about the WHO chief's statement. Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen ATLANTA (AP) — Republicans in Congress plan to move quickly in their effort to overhaul the nation’s voting procedures, seeing an opportunity with control of the White House and both chambers of Congress. They want to push through long-sought changes such as voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements. They say the measures are needed to restore public confidence in elections. That's after an erosion of trust that Democrats note has been fueled by false claims from Donald Trump and his allies of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Democrats say they are willing to work with the GOP but want any changes to make it easier, not harder, to vote. Americans are exhausted by political news. TV ratings and a new AP-NORC poll show they're tuning out NEW YORK (AP) — A lot of Americans, after an intense presidential election campaign, are looking for a break in political news. That's evident in cable television news ratings and a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. The poll found nearly two-thirds of Americans saying they've found the need recently to cut down on their consumption of political and government news. That's particularly true among Democrats following President-elect Donald Trump's victory, although a significant number of Republicans and independents feel the same way. Cable networks MSNBC and CNN are really seeing a slump. That's also happened in years past for networks that particularly appeal to supporters of one candidate. Israel's plan to double the number of settlers in the Golan Heights is met with conflicting emotions EIN ZIVAN, Golan Heights (AP) — Earlier this month, Syrian leader Bashar Assad was ousted after nearly 25 years in power. Within hours, Israeli tanks rolled into the Golan Heights' demilitarized buffer zone in Syria created as part of a 1974 ceasefire between the countries. Days later, the Israeli government approved a plan to double the population of settlers in the Golan Heights. Israel seized the mountainous region from Syria in 1967, and most of the world considers it occupied Syrian territory. In the towns and kibbutzim of Israeli-controlled Golan, the news has been met with a mixture of skepticism, excitement and shock. Previous attempts to encourage more settlement in the Golan have received a lukewarm response. How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbers NEW YORK (AP) — What a wonderful year 2024 has been for investors. U.S. stocks ripped higher and carried the S&P 500 to records as the economy kept growing and the Federal Reserve began cutting interest rates. The benchmark index posted its first back-to-back annual gains of more than 20% since 1998. The year featured many familiar winners, such as Big Tech, which got even bigger as their stock prices kept growing. But it wasn’t just Apple, Nvidia and the like. Bitcoin and gold surged and “Roaring Kitty” reappeared to briefly reignite the meme stock craze. 6,000 inmates escape from a high-security prison in Mozambique amid post-election violence MAPUTO, Mozambique. (AP) — Mozambique’s police chief has said that at least 6,000 inmates have escaped from a high-security prison in the capital on Christmas Day after a rebellion, as widespread post-election riots and violence continue to engulf the country. The police chief Bernardino Rafael said 33 prisoners died and 15 others were injured during a confrontation with the security forces. The escape from the Maputo Central Prison, located 14 km southwest of the capital, started around midday Wednesday after “agitation” by a “group of subversive protesters” nearby, Rafael said, adding that prisoners at the facility snatched weapons from prison warders and started freeing other detainees. Holiday shoppers increased spending by 3.8% despite higher prices New data shows holiday sales rose this year even as Americans wrestled with still high prices in many grocery necessities and other financial worries. According to Mastercard SpendingPulse, holiday sales from the beginning of November through Christmas Eve climbed 3.8%, a faster pace than the 3.1% increase from a year earlier. The measure tracks all kinds of payments including cash and debit cards. This year, retailers were even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there were five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Mastercard SpendingPulse says the last five days of the season accounted for 10% of the spending. Sales of clothing, electronics and Jewelry rose. Pope brings Holy Year and prayers for better future to Rome prison, a 'cathedral of pain and hope' ROME (AP) — Pope Francis is bringing his Holy Year to Rome’s main prison. Francis traveled to Rebibbia prison Thursday on a frigid morning. He knocked on the door to the chapel and walked across the threshold. It was reenacting the gesture he performed at St. Peter’s Basilica two nights earlier on Christmas Eve. The opening of the Basilica's Holy Door officially kicked off the Jubilee year. It's a church tradition dating to 1300 that nowadays occurs every 25 years and involves the faithful coming to Rome on pilgrimages. About 32 million people are expected in Rome in 2025. India's former prime minister Manmohan Singh, architect of economic reforms, dies aged 92 NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, widely regarded as the architect of India’s economic reform program and a landmark nuclear deal with the United States, has died. He was 92. The hospital said Singh was admitted to New Delhi’s All India Institute of Medical Sciences late Thursday after his health deteriorated due to “sudden loss of consciousness at home.". He was “being treated for age-related medical conditions,” the statement added. A mild-mannered technocrat, Singh became one of India’s longest-serving prime ministers for 10 years and earned a reputation as a man of great personal integrity. But his sterling image was tainted by allegations of corruption against his ministers. Why this Mexican American woman played a vital role in the US sacramental peyote trade MIRANDO CITY, Texas (AP) — Amada Cardenas, a Mexican American woman who lived in the tiny border town of Mirando City in South Texas, played an important role in the history of the peyote trade. She and her husband were the first federally licensed peyote dealers who harvested and sold the sacramental plant to followers of the Native American Church in the 1930s. After her husband's death in 1967, Cardenas continued to welcome generations of Native American Church members to her home until her death in 2005, just before her 101st birthday.Katy Perry leaves fans furious amid resurfaced rumors she's set to join reality show despite calls for Chappell Roan

Stock market today: Wall Street rises toward records despite tariff talklululemon athletica inc. Announces Third Quarter Fiscal 2024 Results

I never thought I’d be the person to evangelize a toilet seat, but here we are. The Bio Bidet BB-2000 Bliss Electric Bidet Toilet Seat has not only revolutionized my bathroom experience but also turned me into that host — the one whose guests emerge from the restroom with wide eyes and a whispered, “Where did you get that?” Forget scented candles or fancy hand soaps; this is the real MVP of bathroom upgrades. RELATED : Best at-home ice baths and cold plunges to buy for 2025 In 2025, we’re all about wellness , sustainability, and unapologetic luxury — and nothing embodies this trifecta better than a bidet. It’s hygienic, eco-friendly, and, frankly, a life-changing indulgence. Plus, it’s a conversation starter that makes your bathroom feel less like a utility space and more like a spa retreat . Trust me, once you’ve experienced the BB-2000’s heated seat and customizable cleansing options, there’s no going back to the barbaric ways of dry toilet paper. Let’s be real: we spend a significant portion of our lives in the bathroom, so why not make it as comfortable and efficient as possible? This bidet has become my best investment of the past four years, hands down. It’s like having a personal hygiene butler at your service 24/7. And the compliments? Oh, they’re endless. From family members to first-time guests, everyone leaves my bathroom feeling like royalty. If 2024 was the year of smart homes, 2025 is definitely the year of smart bathrooms — and the Bio Bidet BB-2000 is leading the charge. Bio Bidet BB2000 Bliss Electric Bidet Toilet Seat The BB-2000 is the Rolls-Royce of bidet seats, boasting an adjustable heated seat, unlimited warm water via hybrid heating technology, and a soothing night light for those midnight trips. Its patented 3-in-1 stainless steel nozzle offers oscillating, pulsating, and vortex wash options for ultimate hygiene. With a wireless remote control featuring an LCD screen, customization is effortless. The integrated air dryer and deodorizer keep things fresh while reducing toilet paper usage. This bidet isn’t just a purchase; it’s an investment in cleanliness and comfort. Your tush will thank you, your guests will envy you, and your bathroom will never be the same again. Hunting for a headline-worthy haul? Keep shopping with Post Wanted . Why Trust Post Wanted by the New York Post For over 200 years, the New York Post has been America’s go-to source for bold news, engaging stories, in-depth reporting, and now, insightful shopping guidance . We’re not just thorough reporters – we sift through mountains of information, test and compare products , and consult experts on any topics we aren’t already schooled specialists in to deliver useful, realistic product recommendations based on our extensive and hands-on analysis. Here at The Post, we’re known for being brutally honest – we clearly label partnership content, and whether we receive anything from affiliate links, so you always know where we stand. We routinely update content to reflect current research and expert advice, provide context (and wit) and ensure our links work. Please note that deals can expire, and all prices are subject to change.Stock market today: Wall Street rises toward records despite tariff talk

Total number of Texas fans caught and punished for throwing bottles in Georgia game: Zero

Sprouts Farmers Market SFM has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 32.99% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 45.92%. Currently, Sprouts Farmers Market has a market capitalization of $12.93 billion. Buying $100 In SFM: If an investor had bought $100 of SFM stock 5 years ago, it would be worth $654.85 today based on a price of $129.31 for SFM at the time of writing. Sprouts Farmers Market's Performance Over Last 5 Years Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time. This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Lots of folks are enjoying their new holiday gifts right now — but some might not love that new sweater. The week following Christmas is the biggest week of returns in the U.S., and this year, some major retailers are making some major changes to their return policies. Outlets including Amazon, REI, and Target are changing who can return items and how they return them. It's to combat fraud, which has cost retailers tens of billions of dollars each year. And while you might not be trying to game the system, the changes will affect you nonetheless. In June, Amazon added processing fees for high-return items. That charge varies, since it's based on an item's popularity and how often it's returned. But shoes and apparel are excepted due to sizing issues — so you can still get rid of those reindeer socks without a penalty. Outdoor retailer REI also announced it could refuse a return — but that's limited to frequent returners. The company says the changes will affect only 0.02% of members who show a pattern of policy abuse. Similar changes are at Target, which announced it reserves the right to also refuse refunds suspected of fraud. RELATED STORY | Get ready for the post-Christmas return frenzy The changes come as cases of fraud have increased in recent years. The National Retail Federation estimates return scams cost retailers over $100 billion in 2023 alone. That's after $743 billion in items were returned. By the end of 2024, the group estimates that number will rise to nearly $900 billion. Online shopping it where most returns occur. According to the software company Elite Extra, the cost of handling a return is roughly 17% of the purchase cost. So for every $100 in accepted returns, a company loses $17. You can thank the "wardrobers" out there who return used items, or the folks who fake receipts for stolen goods. Or those who switch high-value items with knockoffs. And don't forget to thank Dear Aunt Sally for the sweatshirt. She meant well.By Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald (TNS) MIAMI — As her students finished their online exam, Arlet Lara got up to make a cafe con leche . Her 16-year-old son found her on the kitchen floor. First, he called Dad in a panic. Then 911. “I had a stroke and my life made a 180-degree turn,” Lara told the Miami Herald, recalling the medical scare she experienced in May 2020 in the early months of the COVID pandemic. “The stroke affected my left side of the body,” the North Miami woman and former high school math teacher said. Lara, an avid runner and gym goer, couldn’t even walk. “It was hard,” the 50-year-old mom said. After years of rehabilitation therapy and a foot surgery, Lara can walk again. But she still struggles with moving. This summer, she became the first patient in South Florida to get an implant of a new and only FDA-approved nerve stimulation device designed to help ischemic stroke survivors regain movement in their arms and hands. This first procedure was at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Lara’s rehab was at at the Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, part of a partnership between Jackson Health System and UHealth. Every year, thousands in the United States have a stroke , with one occurring every 40 seconds, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of strokes are ischemic, often caused by blood clots that obstruct blood flow to the brain. For survivors, most of whom are left with some level of disability, the Vivistim Paired VNS System, the device implanted in Lara’s chest, could be a game changer in recovery, said Dr. Robert Starke, a UHealth neurosurgeon and interventional neuroradiologist. He also serves as co-director of endovascular neurosurgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital, part of Miami-Dade’s public hospital system. Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, right, runs into her rehabilitation neurology physician Dr. Gemayaret Alvarez, before her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms, goes through exercises while her therapist activates the device during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The activation works as positive reinforcement to her muscles when she completes the exercise correctly. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, does an exercise while Neil Batungbakal, rehabilitation therapist, activates the implant with the black trigger during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. The activation works as positive reinforcement to her muscles when she completes the exercise correctly. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA- approved nerve stimulation implant, does an exercise while Neil Batungbakal, rehabilitation therapist, activates the implant with the black trigger during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, right, runs into her rehabilitation neurology physician Dr. Gemayaret Alvarez, before her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) The Vivistim Paired VNS System is a small pacemaker-like device implanted in the upper chest and neck area. Patients can go home the same day. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the stroke rehabilitation system in 2021 to be used alongside post-ischemic stroke rehabilitation therapy to treat moderate to severe mobility issues in hands and arms. Lara’s occupational therapist can activate the device during rehabilitation sessions to electrically stimulate the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain down to the abdomen and regulates various parts of the body’s nervous system. The electrical stimulation rewires the brain to improve a stroke survivor’s ability to move their arms and hands. Lara also has a magnet she can use to activate the device when she wants to practice at home. Her therapy consists of repetitive tasks, including coloring, pinching cubes and grabbing and releasing cylindrical shapes. After several weeks of rehabilitation therapy with the device, Lara has seen improvement. “Little by little, I’m noticing that my hand is getting stronger. I am already able to brush my teeth with the left hand,” she told the Miami Herald in September. Since then, Lara has finished the initial six-week Vivitism therapy program, and is continuing to use the device in her rehabilitation therapy. She continues to improve and can now eat better with her left hand and can brush her hair with less difficulty, according to her occupational therapist, Neil Batungbakal. Lara learned about the device through an online group for stroke survivors and contacted the company to inquire. She then connected them with her Jackson medical team. Now a year later, the device is available to Jackson patients. So far, four patients have received the implant at Jackson. Starke sees the device as an opportunity to help bring survivors one step closer to regaining full mobility. Strokes are a leading cause of disability worldwide. While most stroke survivors can usually recover some function through treatment and rehabilitation, they tend to hit a “major plateau” after the first six months of recovery, he said. Vivistim, when paired with rehabilitation therapy, could change that. Jackson Health said results of a clinical trial published in the peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet in 2021 showed that the device, “when paired with high-repetition, task-specific occupational or physical therapy, helps generate two to three times more hand and arm function for stroke survivors than rehabilitation therapy alone.” The device has even shown to benefit patients 20 years from their original stroke, according to Starke. “So now a lot of these patients that had strokes 10-15 years ago that thought that they would never be able to use their arm in any sort of real functional way are now able to have a real meaningful function, which is pretty tremendous,” Starke said. Vivistim’s vagus-nerve stimulation technology was developed by researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas’ Texas Biomedical Device Center and is being sold commercially by Austin-based MicroTransponder, a company started by university graduates. Similar devices are used to treat epilepsy and depression . For Lara, the device is a new tool to help her recovery journey. “Everything becomes a challenge so we are working with small things every day because I want to get back as many functions as possible,” Lara said. Patients interested in Vivistim should speak with their doctor to check their eligibility. The FDA said patients should make sure to discuss any prior medical history, including concurrent forms of brain stimulation, current diathermy treatment, previous brain surgery, depression, respiratory diseases and disorders such as asthma, and cardiac abnormalities. “Adverse events included but were not limited to dysphonia (difficulty speaking), bruising, falling, general hoarseness, general pain, hoarseness after surgery, low mood, muscle pain, fracture, headache, rash, dizziness, throat irritation, urinary tract infection and fatigue,” the FDA said. MicroTransponder says the device is “covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance with prior authorization on a case-by-case basis.” To learn more about the device, visit vivistim.com. ©2024 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Megan Fox has "learned all the tricks" of pregnancy now that she is expecting baby number four

'He is not Mitt Romney and he is not Donald Trump': Romney's Senate successor makes an early markNone

VIVOTEK Wins Double Honors for Its Commitment to SustainabilityPublished 5:28 pm Tuesday, November 26, 2024 By Data Skrive The Cornell Big Red versus the Syracuse Orange is one of many solid options on Wednesday in college basketball play — suggested picks against the spread for 10 games are available below. Watch men’s college basketball, other live sports and more on Fubo. What is Fubo? Fubo is a streaming service that gives you access to your favorite live sports and shows on demand. Use our link to sign up for a free trial. Bet on this or any men’s college basketball matchup at BetMGM. Not all offers available in all states, please visit BetMGM for the latest promotions for your area. Must be 21+ to gamble, please wager responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact 1-800-GAMBLER .CVB Financial approves new stock repurchase programBy Michelle Marchante, Miami Herald (TNS) MIAMI — As her students finished their online exam, Arlet Lara got up to make a cafe con leche . Her 16-year-old son found her on the kitchen floor. First, he called Dad in a panic. Then 911. “I had a stroke and my life made a 180-degree turn,” Lara told the Miami Herald, recalling the medical scare she experienced in May 2020 in the early months of the COVID pandemic. “The stroke affected my left side of the body,” the North Miami woman and former high school math teacher said. Lara, an avid runner and gym goer, couldn’t even walk. “It was hard,” the 50-year-old mom said. After years of rehabilitation therapy and a foot surgery, Lara can walk again. But she still struggles with moving. This summer, she became the first patient in South Florida to get an implant of a new and only FDA-approved nerve stimulation device designed to help ischemic stroke survivors regain movement in their arms and hands. This first procedure was at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami. Lara’s rehab was at at the Christine E. Lynn Rehabilitation Center for The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, part of a partnership between Jackson Health System and UHealth. Every year, thousands in the United States have a stroke , with one occurring every 40 seconds, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The majority of strokes are ischemic, often caused by blood clots that obstruct blood flow to the brain. For survivors, most of whom are left with some level of disability, the Vivistim Paired VNS System, the device implanted in Lara’s chest, could be a game changer in recovery, said Dr. Robert Starke, a UHealth neurosurgeon and interventional neuroradiologist. He also serves as co-director of endovascular neurosurgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital, part of Miami-Dade’s public hospital system. Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, right, runs into her rehabilitation neurology physician Dr. Gemayaret Alvarez, before her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms, goes through exercises while her therapist activates the device during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The activation works as positive reinforcement to her muscles when she completes the exercise correctly. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, does an exercise while Neil Batungbakal, rehabilitation therapist, activates the implant with the black trigger during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. The activation works as positive reinforcement to her muscles when she completes the exercise correctly. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA- approved nerve stimulation implant, does an exercise while Neil Batungbakal, rehabilitation therapist, activates the implant with the black trigger during her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Arlet Lara, the first patient in South Florida to get an FDA-approved nerve stimulation implant, right, runs into her rehabilitation neurology physician Dr. Gemayaret Alvarez, before her physical therapy appointment on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, at Lynn Rehabilitation Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. The implant is designed to help stroke survivors regain function in their arms. (Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald/TNS) The Vivistim Paired VNS System is a small pacemaker-like device implanted in the upper chest and neck area. Patients can go home the same day. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the stroke rehabilitation system in 2021 to be used alongside post-ischemic stroke rehabilitation therapy to treat moderate to severe mobility issues in hands and arms. Lara’s occupational therapist can activate the device during rehabilitation sessions to electrically stimulate the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain down to the abdomen and regulates various parts of the body’s nervous system. The electrical stimulation rewires the brain to improve a stroke survivor’s ability to move their arms and hands. Lara also has a magnet she can use to activate the device when she wants to practice at home. Her therapy consists of repetitive tasks, including coloring, pinching cubes and grabbing and releasing cylindrical shapes. After several weeks of rehabilitation therapy with the device, Lara has seen improvement. “Little by little, I’m noticing that my hand is getting stronger. I am already able to brush my teeth with the left hand,” she told the Miami Herald in September. Since then, Lara has finished the initial six-week Vivitism therapy program, and is continuing to use the device in her rehabilitation therapy. She continues to improve and can now eat better with her left hand and can brush her hair with less difficulty, according to her occupational therapist, Neil Batungbakal. Lara learned about the device through an online group for stroke survivors and contacted the company to inquire. She then connected them with her Jackson medical team. Now a year later, the device is available to Jackson patients. So far, four patients have received the implant at Jackson. Related Articles Starke sees the device as an opportunity to help bring survivors one step closer to regaining full mobility. Strokes are a leading cause of disability worldwide. While most stroke survivors can usually recover some function through treatment and rehabilitation, they tend to hit a “major plateau” after the first six months of recovery, he said. Vivistim, when paired with rehabilitation therapy, could change that. Jackson Health said results of a clinical trial published in the peer-reviewed medical journal The Lancet in 2021 showed that the device, “when paired with high-repetition, task-specific occupational or physical therapy, helps generate two to three times more hand and arm function for stroke survivors than rehabilitation therapy alone.” The device has even shown to benefit patients 20 years from their original stroke, according to Starke. “So now a lot of these patients that had strokes 10-15 years ago that thought that they would never be able to use their arm in any sort of real functional way are now able to have a real meaningful function, which is pretty tremendous,” Starke said. Vivistim’s vagus-nerve stimulation technology was developed by researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas’ Texas Biomedical Device Center and is being sold commercially by Austin-based MicroTransponder, a company started by university graduates. Similar devices are used to treat epilepsy and depression . For Lara, the device is a new tool to help her recovery journey. “Everything becomes a challenge so we are working with small things every day because I want to get back as many functions as possible,” Lara said. Patients interested in Vivistim should speak with their doctor to check their eligibility. The FDA said patients should make sure to discuss any prior medical history, including concurrent forms of brain stimulation, current diathermy treatment, previous brain surgery, depression, respiratory diseases and disorders such as asthma, and cardiac abnormalities. “Adverse events included but were not limited to dysphonia (difficulty speaking), bruising, falling, general hoarseness, general pain, hoarseness after surgery, low mood, muscle pain, fracture, headache, rash, dizziness, throat irritation, urinary tract infection and fatigue,” the FDA said. MicroTransponder says the device is “covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and private insurance with prior authorization on a case-by-case basis.” To learn more about the device, visit vivistim.com. ©2024 Miami Herald. Visit at miamiherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

The best women’s snow pants for skiing, sledding and beyond( MENAFN - GetNews) Dubai, renowned for its innovation and grandeur, is set to host the Winter City Expo from December 6 to December 31, 2024, at Expo City Dubai. This annual event transforms the city into a winter wonderland, offering a blend of cultural festivities, technological showcases, and family-friendly entertainment. Event Highlights Attractions and Activities Ticket Information New Year's Eve 2025 in Dubai: A Spectacular Celebration As the year draws to a close, Dubai prepares to host some of the most extravagant New Year's Eve celebrations worldwide. Here's what to expect as you welcome 2025 in this vibrant city. Iconic Fireworks Displays Exclusive Events and Parties Family-Friendly Celebrations Planning Your Visit Safety Measures Conclusion Dubai's Winter City Expo 2024 and New Year's Eve in Dubai 2025 celebrations offer a unique blend of cultural experiences, entertainment, and luxury. Whether you're exploring the winter-themed attractions at the Expo or witnessing the city's iconic fireworks displays, Dubai provides an unforgettable setting to conclude the year and usher in new beginnings. Follow Dubai weeklys to explore more about Dubai MENAFN23122024003238003268ID1109025405 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Teen actor Hudson Meek, who appeared in ‘Baby Driver,’ dies after falling from moving vehicle

In a span of 30 years, SM Prime Holdings (PSE: SMPH) has become a dominant force in the Philippine property sector, driven by its iconic SM malls and the market-leading developments of SM Development Corporation (SMDC). Tracing its origins back to a small shoe store founded by Henry Sy, Sr. in downtown Manila, SMPH has grown into one of the most valuable firms in the country and a leading integrated property developer in Southeast Asia. Beyond its impressive scale, SM Prime stands as a bellwether for the Philippines—its progression following the same arc as the nation’s economic and social advancement. Turning Headwinds into Headway In the 1990s, the Philippines posted an average real GDP growth rate of 2.8% per year, owing to political instability, natural disasters and the Asian Financial Crisis. During the same period, average lending interest rate was over 19%, reflecting the broader economic challenges faced by the country. Against this backdrop, the SM Group founded and listed SMPH in July 1994 to organize and expand its chain of shopping malls. At the time, it only had four in its portfolio: SM North EDSA, SM City Sta. Mesa, SM Megamall and SM City Cebu. After raising nearly P6 billion from the capital market, SM Prime aggressively expanded its mall network, cementing its position as the country’s largest mall operator and securing a spot in the Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) since October 1994. Reorganizing for Growth Entering its second decade as a listed company, SM Prime led a transformative consolidation that altered the course of its growth trajectory. Through a series of well-executed transactions, the SM Group unified its sprawling real estate interests under SM Prime, effectively turning the mall operator into a property conglomerate. The entire process, from announcement to final regulatory approval, took l ess than five months. Its speed and ingenuity earned SM Prime the “Most Innovative Deal” award from the financial publication Alpha Southeast Asia. Post-consolidation, SMPH’s market capitalization surged 133% to P950 billion by the close of 2023, up from approximately PHP 408 billion in 2013. Setting Records Since its reorganization, SM Prime has consistently pushed boundaries in value generation. In 2017, the property titan made history as the first company on the PSE to reach a P1 trillion market capitalization, closing at P1.01 trillion on June 9. SM Prime also crossed key milestones in revenue recognition, surpassing the P104 billion mark in 2018 and recording P128 billion in 2023, its highest to date. Over the last 10 years, its annual net income has expanded by 146% from P16 billion to a record high of P40 billion in 2023, the highest among its listed peers. The company is poised to break another profit record in 2024, with first-half earnings surging 13% to P22 billion, up from P19 billion a year earlier. Beyond Profitability SM Prime’s growth transcends financial metrics and shareholder returns. It has been a catalyst for national progress—creating jobs, contributing tax revenues, building communities and advancing sustainable urbanization across the Philippines. “As SM Prime marks its 30th anniversary, our focus remains on innovation and sustainability. With the strong foundation we’ve built, we believe our best projects are still to come,” said SM Prime President Jeffrey Lim. “We have integrated project developments in our five-year pipeline, which we expect will drive the company to a new level of growth,” he added. Being business-savvy should be fun, attainable and A+. BMPlus is BusinessMirror's digital arm with practical tips & success stories for aspiring and thriving millennial entrepreneurs.HAMILTON BEACH BRANDS HOLDING COMPANY DECLARES QUARTERLY DIVIDEND

Baby Cribs and Cots Market Valuation is Poised to Surpass US$ 3,027.6 Million By 2033 | Standard Wooden Cribs to Remain at Top of Consumers Pick Says Astute AnalyticaWinter is perhaps my favourite time of year for several reasons. The dark nights, the miserable weather and the excuse to have a tipple here and there. You can stick your G&T summers. Log fires, lamb shanks and lots of fun. What can make this even better? A red wine accompaniment. Awh stop you guys (seriously carry on) https://t.co/1E9An1JNiZ But as I'm sure you're all aware, red wine doesn't come cheap, especially when you're stocking up for a period such as Christmas, so which supermarket should you head to? According to finedininglovers.com , these are the most popular red wines in the world: Malbec is by far my favourite red wine and my go-to when browsing in supermarkets. That said, I did have an incredible experience in Scotland that made me question this choice. During a trip to Loch Lomond I was treated to a bottle of Barolo in a restaurant (I won't say how much) and it defied all expectations. Needing to be on my best behaviour, I drank it slow and sensibly and it was a heavenly experience . Although I've since seen bottles of Barolo being sold in Tesco, you're talking around £25/£30 for a bottle. So that experience will likely remain a one-off, for now. However, can you get a decent bottle of red for a fraction of the price? Well being the martyr that I am, I went and found that out for you last Christmas. I went to Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, Asda and my nearest Co-Op to see if any of the big names could offer up a decent bottle for a good price. I've always wanted to go to a wine tasting in southern France or some similarly fancy vineyard, so instead of diving into the wine straight away, I had someone mix the bottles up and pour. Instead of a lounger in Napa Valley, I was in a kitchen in North Wales, work with what you're given. With five goblets of goodness in front of me, I conducted my first-ever blind wine tasting. Could I pick out my favourite? The Malbec? (In order right to left) Co-Op, Asda, Tesco, Lidl, Aldi red wines (Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) At the time of writing, it was the cheapest bottle of red I could find at the time in Tesco and it was actually £5.75, but £5 with a Clubcard. I was surprised as I swear Tesco sell cheaper wines. If you don't have a Clubcard, this is the most expensive 'cheap' red wine that you can get in the supermarket. It was the first wine I tasted and things got off to an okay start. Despite not having a tonne of flavour, watery if anything, it will do when all else has run dry and you're too drunk to care. Better yet, use/save some for cooking. 6/10 Another Merlot, this time from Tesco's main rival, Asda. However, this one didn't have a flat bottom. Similar to their closest competitor this wine was light-bodied, plain and not that exciting but for £4.95 you can't expect the world. It was good value that's for sure. Again if you leave this bottle till last, you won't be too fussed. 6/10 Avoid at all costs. My initial notes were "This tastes like ****", but it was actually a hell of a lot worse than that. I'm not sure what process they used to make this 'South African Red', however, I assume they used a can of Special Brew as an ashtray and then left it in the sun for a week. I think that was the flavour they were going for and by god they achieved it. Foul. 0/10. It's a hard life, isn't it? (Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest) This offering from Lidl was the first wine (let's forget Co-Op) to provide me with some decent fruity flavour. Not overpowering but it had a nice rich taste to it. For £4.88 (at the time of writing) this is a steal and will go well with any beef dish. On the palate, it felt smooth. 7/10 Did I call it? Absolutely I did. The best wine by far that you can sense from the very first taste. It was rich, velvety and felt full-bodied to me which is how I like them. Forget saving it till last, I challenge anyone to say this isn't a decent wine that doesn't belong on the dinner table. Aldi have done themselves proud here by selling the cheapest and best wine. Looking for decent cheap wine? It's simple, head to the cheapest supermarkets. Also, drink responsibly. 8/10