queenbet live casino alt WASHINGTON ― Donald Trump instigated a violent attack on the Capitol, was impeached for it by the House, was criminally indicted for it, but in the end was given a pass for it by key voters in the seven swing states, new polling confirms, because they were more concerned about inflation and other pocketbook issues. “It’s clear that voters were thinking about their economic situation,” said Nick Ahamed from Priorities USA, a Democratic-aligned group that on Thursday released a post-election survey to quantify why Vice President Kamala Harris lost to a man who attempted a coup to remain in power the last time he held the White House. Ahamed said voters were not necessarily making a conscious tradeoff between democracy and lower living costs. It’s more that they largely did not believe that Trump represents a continued threat to democracy, despite his history. Even worse for Harris’ campaign, the voters she most needed to hang on to, those who flipped from Democratic President Joe Biden in 2020 to Trump in 2024, were even less likely to see Trump as a danger to the republic than the average voter. Only 24% of voters in Arizona, Nevada, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Georgia and North Carolina believe that Trump is “very likely” to overturn the Constitution to remain in power ― which is still higher than the 18% of Biden-to-Trump voters who believe that. And while just 29% of voters thought it’s very likely that Trump would try to use the U.S. military to go after his political opponents and critics, among Biden-to-Trump voters that figure is just 24%. While both the Harris campaign and outside groups helping her focused on economic issues, the limited attempt to warn voters about Trump’s autocratic tendencies failed, Ahamed acknowledged. “We didn’t connect Trump’s authoritarian behavior and what it would mean for them in the next year and in the next four years,” he said. A more basic problem Democratic campaign operatives had, Ahamed added, is the assumption that most Americans saw Trump the same way they did. “Themes like ‘stronger together,’ ‘restore the soul of the nation,’ ‘we’re not going back,’ all are predicated on a hatred of Donald Trump that voters ... and the voters specifically that we lost, don’t necessarily feel,” he said. Polling, for example, showed Trump’s continued success at pushing the image that made him famous: his portrayal of a genius billionaire businessman on the television game show “The Apprentice.” Among Black men between 18 and 44, a full 38% like Trump because he “tells it like it is,” even though the former president has been a notorious liar his entire adult life, while 35% believe he is a “successful businessman and entrepreneur,” even though he inherited his wealth, and his business record includes bankrupting casinos. The poll also had warnings for Democrats about opposing “cultural heroes” of those voters they need to win over to win elections. Billionaire Trump supporter Elon Musk, for instance, is liked and disliked about equally among all voters. Among those who voted for Biden in 2020 but for Trump in 2024, he is seen favorably by 64% and unfavorably by only 20%. Democracy advocates, including anti-Trump Republicans, warned months ahead of the election that Jan. 6 was not likely to work as a campaign issue in 2024 because Trump successfully made his lie that the 2020 election had been stolen from him, and his follow-up claim that those arrested for their participation in the Capitol attack were “political prisoners” and “hostages” that deserved pardons, articles of faith within the Republican Party. While public opinion in the days and weeks after Jan. 6 ran overwhelmingly against the attack and Trump, those numbers began to shift over the months as Trump and pro-Trump media pushed conspiracy theories about the election as well as the violence on that day. The need to avoid alienating Trump’s hard-core supporters, in fact, in February 2021 led to Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell and most Republicans refusing to convict Trump on his impeachment, which would have led to his prohibition from holding federal office again. “Ultimately this comes down to Mitch McConnell,” Ahamed said. Dean Phillips, Early Challenger To Biden In 2024: I Would Do It All Again Tommy Tuberville Suggests GOP Senators Should Blindly Support Trump's Nominees Trump Moves To End His Criminal Case In Georgia

Wake Forest keeps trying new things early in the season, even if not all of the adjustments are by design. The Demon Deacons will try to stick to the script when Detroit Mercy visits for Saturday's game in Winston-Salem, N.C. The Demon Deacons (5-1) will be at home for the final time prior to three consecutive road games. Detroit Mercy (3-2) already has two more victories than all of last season. After a couple of narrow wins and a loss at Xavier, Wake Forest had a smoother time earlier this week in defeating visiting Western Carolina 82-69 on Tuesday night. Yet these are games when teams have to figure where contributions are going to come from in certain situations. The experimenting took a turn for Wake Forest in the Western Carolina game. Center Efton Reid III had limited minutes because of migraines, so there was a shift in responsibilities. Normal backcourt players Cameron Hildreth and Juke Harris logged time at the power forward slot. "That's just part of it," coach Steve Forbes said. "They did a good job adjusting. We ran a lot of stuff and there are several guys learning different positions. ... I give credit to those guys for doing the best job that they could do on the fly and adjusting to the play calls that we ran and the stuff that we changed." Wake Forest could excel if both Parker Friedrichsen and Davin Cosby can be consistent 3-point threats. Friedrichsen slumped with shooting in the first few games of the season and was replaced in the starting lineup by Cosby. In Tuesday's game, Friedrichsen drained four 3-pointers, while Cosby hit two. "It was really good to see Parker and Davin both make shots together," Forbes said. Not everything was solved for the Demon Deacons. Western Carolina collected 12 offensive rebounds, and that took some of the shine off Wake Forest's defensive efforts. "We can't be a good defensive team, or a really good defensive team, unless we rebound the ball," Forbes said. "It's demoralizing to your defense to get stops and then not get the ball." In Detroit Mercy's 70-59 win at Ball State on Wednesday, Orlando Lovejoy tallied 19 points, seven rebounds and five assists. "We got the ball to the shooters and playmakers," first-year Titans coach Mark Montgomery said. "You could tell by the guys' body language that we were going to get a road win. It had been a long time coming." On Saturday, the Titans will look for their second road victory since February 2023. The outcome at Ball State seemed significant to Montgomery. "We had to get over the hump," he said. "Our guys grinded it out." --Field Level Media

The One Investing “Mantra” You Need to Know for 2025The rumor mill has been churning for years, but whispers of a foldable iPhone are getting louder. Analysts predict Apple may finally unveil its entry into the foldable phone arena as early as 2025. But this won’t be just another foldable. Leaks and patents suggest Apple is packing this device with groundbreaking technology never before seen in a smartphone, potentially leapfrogging Samsung and other competitors. Imagine a phone that folds open to reveal a tablet-sized display, with a revolutionary hinge design and a camera system that redefines mobile photography. Could this be the game-changer that reshapes the smartphone landscape? Let’s dive into the exciting possibilities. For years, tech enthusiasts have anticipated Apple’s entry into the foldable phone market . While companies like Samsung have already released several iterations of their folding devices, Apple has remained characteristically silent, fueling speculation and anticipation. The “why” behind Apple’s delayed entry is likely multifaceted. Firstly, Apple is known for its meticulous approach to design and engineering, preferring to perfect a technology before releasing it to the masses. Secondly, foldable phones have faced challenges with durability and usability, issues Apple is likely determined to overcome. Now, with a potential 2025 release date on the horizon, it seems Apple is finally ready to unveil its vision for the future of smartphones. But what can we expect from this highly anticipated device? A Display That Defies Expectations Rumors suggest the foldable iPhone will boast a flexible OLED display that unfolds to reveal a screen size comparable to an iPad mini. Imagine the possibilities: However, Apple isn’t simply aiming for a bigger screen. Reports indicate they are developing a display with an unprecedented pixel density and refresh rate, delivering unparalleled visual clarity and smoothness. This could be a significant leap forward in display technology, setting a new standard for the industry. A Hinge Unlike Any Other One of the biggest challenges with foldable phones is the hinge mechanism. Early foldable devices suffered from creases, durability issues, and a noticeable gap when folded. Apple appears to be tackling these problems head-on. Patents reveal a sophisticated hinge design that aims to: This advanced hinge technology could be a key differentiator for the foldable iPhone , offering a superior user experience compared to existing foldable devices. A Camera System That Redefines Mobile Photography Apple has consistently pushed the boundaries of mobile photography, and the foldable iPhone is expected to continue this trend. Rumors point to a camera system that leverages the foldable design in innovative ways: Imagine a phone that can capture stunning portraits with shallow depth of field, shoot breathtaking landscapes with ultra-wide lenses, and zoom in on distant subjects with incredible clarity. The foldable iPhone’s camera system has the potential to revolutionize how we capture and share the world around us. Beyond the Fold: Next-Gen Features While the foldable display, hinge, and camera system are undoubtedly exciting, Apple is also rumored to be exploring other cutting-edge technologies for its foldable device. These could include: These next-gen features could further differentiate the foldable iPhone from the competition, solidifying its position as a true technological marvel. My Take on the Foldable iPhone Having closely followed Apple’s product launches for years, I’m particularly excited about the potential of a foldable iPhone. While I appreciate the innovation from other manufacturers, Apple has a knack for refining existing technologies and delivering a polished, user-friendly experience. I believe the foldable iPhone could be the device that finally convinces mainstream consumers to embrace foldable technology . Personally, I’m most intrigued by the possibilities of the larger display. As someone who relies heavily on their phone for work and entertainment, the ability to seamlessly transition between a phone and a tablet-sized device is incredibly appealing. I also believe Apple’s focus on camera technology could make the foldable iPhone a game-changer for mobile photography enthusiasts. However, I do have some reservations. Durability remains a concern with foldable phones, and I’m curious to see how Apple addresses this issue. Pricing is another factor. Foldable phones are currently quite expensive, and it’s likely the foldable iPhone will carry a premium price tag. Despite these concerns, I’m optimistic about the future of the foldable iPhone . If Apple can deliver on its promise of groundbreaking technology and a seamless user experience, this device could be a true game-changer, ushering in a new era of mobile innovation. The foldable iPhone is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated tech releases in recent memory. With its potential for groundbreaking technology and a refined user experience, it could redefine our expectations for smartphones. While we await official confirmation from Apple, the rumors and leaks paint a picture of a device that is truly ahead of its time. Will the foldable iPhone live up to the hype? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: the future of mobile technology is unfolding before our eyes.

Fidelity National Information Services Inc. stock outperforms competitors despite losses on the dayArizona (7-8) at Los Angeles Rams (9-6) Saturday, 8:15 p.m. EST, NFL Network BetMGM NFL odds : Rams by 6 1/2. Against the spread: Cardinals 9-6; Rams 8-7. Series record: Rams lead 50-41-2. Last meeting: Cardinals beat Rams 41-10 in Glendale, Ariz. on Sept. 15. Last week: Cardinals lost to Carolina 36-30, OT; Rams beat New York Jets 19-9. Cardinals offense: overall (11), rush (5), pass (20), scoring (14). Cardinals defense: overall (20), rush (22), pass (13), scoring (T-13). Rams offense: overall (15), rush (20), pass (13), scoring (17). Rams defense: overall (24), rush (25), pass (19), scoring (21). Turnover differential: Cardinals minus-4; Rams plus-5. WR Marvin Harrison Jr. has had a relatively productive rookie season with 51 catches for 726 yards and seven touchdowns. But it’s also true that he hasn’t always looked like the true franchise changing force the Cardinals expected when they took him with the No. 4 overall pick. Arizona might be out of the playoff race, but Harrison’s development continues to be a major focus for the team down the stretch. RB Kyren Williams is coming off his best game of the season after rushing for 122 yards and a touchdown on 23 carries to help Los Angeles grind out a win at the Meadowlands. He hardly factored into the first meeting against Arizona, a game the Rams trailed 14-0 halfway into the first quarter and 24-3 at halftime, getting 12 carries and running for 25 yards and a touchdown behind a battered offensive line. Cardinals QB Kyler Murray vs. Rams defensive line. Los Angeles had no answers for Murray in September as he threw for 266 yards and three touchdowns without an interception and added 59 yards rushing. But their defensive front is much more cohesive than it was in the second week of the season, with rookies Jared Verse and Braden Fiske proving to be menaces in the backfield. If Murray feels that pressure and can’t keep his eyes downfield, the Rams will be in much better shape to limit Arizona’s passing game. The Cardinals have been beat up over the past two games. Both of the starting tackles — Paris Johnson Jr. (knee) and Jonah Williams (knee) — are out for the season after they were put on injured reserve this week. Others such as RB James Conner (knee), LB Baron Browning (neck), LB Mack Wilson Sr. (concussion) and DL Darius Robinson (calf) have been limited during practice. ... The Rams are in good shape, a far cry from where they were to start the season. RT Rob Havenstein was the only name on their injury report through Wednesday, when he was limited because of a shoulder injury. Arizona has not swept the season series since 2014 when the Rams were playing in St. Louis. ... The Rams and Cardinals have split the past four meetings. Arizona had dropped 11 of the previous 12 in the series. ... Los Angeles is 3-2 against Arizona since moving into SoFi Stadium in 2020, kickstarting its run to the Super Bowl after the 2021 season with a 34-11 win in an NFC wild-card game. The Cardinals have lost four of their past five games and were eliminated from the playoff race after last week’s 36-30 loss to the Carolina Panthers. The Cardinals have made the playoffs just once over the past nine seasons. That was in 2021 ... Harrison had four catches for 130 yards and two TDs vs. the Rams in Week 2. All of that production came in the span of seven plays in the first quarter. ... The Cardinals are No. 5 in the NFL with 145.8 yards rushing per game. They also rank No. 2 with 5.28 yards per carry. ... Chad Ryland has made 25 field goals since his debut in Week 5, which ranks fourth in the NFL over that span. ... Safety Budda Baker has a career-high 148 tackles this season, which broke his previous high of 147 set in 2019. ... James Conner has 1,500 yards from scrimmage this season, including 1,090 rushing and 410 receiving. ... Trey McBride has caught 91 passes this season, which is a franchise record at tight end for the Cardinals. ... The Rams can clinch a playoff spot with a win and either a Seahawks loss or tie or a series of results elsewhere to secure the strength of victory tiebreaker. ... Rams QB Matthew Stafford threw for 110 yards against the Jets. Los Angeles has won all four games this season where Stafford has finished with fewer than 200 yards through the air. ... WR Puka Nacua had a record-setting rookie season, but Arizona was the one team that kept him in check. Nacua made four catches in each of the two meetings in 2023, finishing with 26 and 27 yards. ... The Rams didn’t have LT Alaric Jackson (suspension), LG Steve Avila (knee) or Nacua (knee) in the Week 2 game against the Cardinals. ... Los Angeles has run for at least 132 yards in four straight games, with Williams accounting for at least 87 yards in each outing that span. Cooper Kupp likely sank many a fantasy title push with his limited production over the past month, and the Rams WR should remain on benches this week for any owners still in the mix. Kupp has topped 44 yards receiving once in his past five games against Arizona. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLTrump names Lebanese-American Boulos as Middle East advisorStocks wavered on Wall Street in afternoon trading Thursday, as gains in tech companies and retailers helped temper losses elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 was down less than 0.1% after drifting between small gains and losses. The benchmark index is coming off a three-day winning streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up 6 points, or less than 0.1%, as of 1:52 p.m. Eastern time. The Nasdaq composite was down less than 0.1%. Trading volume was lighter than usual as U.S. markets reopened after the Christmas holiday. Chip company Broadcom rose 2.9%, Micron Technology was up 1% and Adobe gained 0.8%. While tech stocks overall were in the green, some heavyweights were a drag on the market. Semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, slipped 0.1%. Meta Platforms fell 0.7%, Amazon was down 0.6%, and Netflix gave up 1.1%. Tesla was among the biggest decliners in the S&P 500, down 1.9%. Health care stocks helped lift the market. CVS Health rose 1.7% and Walgreens Boots Alliance rose 3% for the biggest gain among S&P 500 stocks. Several retailers also gained ground. Target rose 2.8%, Best Buy was up 2.2% and Dollar Tree gained 2.7%. Retailers are hoping for a solid sales this holiday season, and the day after Christmas traditionally ranks among the top 10 biggest shopping days of the year, as consumers go online or rush to stores to cash in gift cards and raid bargain bins. U.S.-listed shares in Honda and Nissan rose 4% and 16%, respectively. The Japanese automakers announced earlier this week that the two companies are in talks to combine. Traders got a labor market update. U.S. applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week , though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years, the Labor Department reported. Treasury yields turned mostly lower in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.57% from 4.59% late Tuesday. Major European markets were closed, as well as Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. Trading was expected to be subdued this week with a thin slate of economic data on the calendar. Still, U.S. markets have historically gotten a boost at year’s end despite lower trading volumes. The last five trading days of each year, plus the first two in the new year, have brought an average gain of 1.3% since 1950. So far this month, the U.S. stock market has lost some of its gains since President-elect Donald Trump’s win on Election Day, which raised hopes for faster economic growth and more lax regulations that would boost corporate profits. Worries have risen that Trump’s preference for tariffs and other policies could lead to higher inflation , a bigger U.S. government debt and difficulties for global trade. Even so, the U.S. market remains on pace to deliver strong returns for 2024. The benchmark S&P 500 is up roughly 26% so far this year and remains near its most recent all-time high it set earlier this month — its latest of 57 record highs this year. Wall Street has several economic reports to look forward to next week, including updates on pending home sales and home prices, a report on U.S. construction spending and snapshots of manufacturing activity. AP Business Writers Elaine Kurtenbach and Matt Ott contributed.

US sex-abuse watchdog fires investigator after learning of his arrest for stealing drug money DENVER (AP) — The U.S. Center for SafeSport abruptly fired one of its investigators last month after learning he’d been arrested for stealing money confiscated after a drug bust he was part of during his previous job as a police officer. Jason Krasley left his job with the Allentown Police Department in Pennsylvania in 2021 and was hired by the Denver-based SafeSport center to look into sensitive cases involving sex abuse and harassment. The center said it conducts multiple interviews and a “comprehensive background check” of potential employees. The center said it was looking into cases Krasley handled to make sure they were dealt with appropriately. Jim Larrañaga steps down at Miami, Bill Courtney takes over to finish season CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Jim Larrañaga has stepped down as Miami’s men’s basketball coach effective immediately. Larrañaga will be replaced by associate head coach Bill Courtney — one of Larrañaga’s best friends for the past three decades or so — for the remainder of the season. The now-former coach says he loves the university but believes it's the right time to step away. Larrañaga says "I’ve tried every which way to keep this going.” Larrañaga joins a long line of prominent college basketball coaches who have left their jobs in recent years citing the changes in the game and the challenge of coaching in the Name, Image and Likeness era. Detroit Red Wings fire coach Derek Lalonde, name Todd McLellan as his replacement The Detroit Red Wings have fired coach Derek Lalonde and named Todd McLellan as his replacement. The move a day after Christmas comes after the Red Wings lost 21 of their first 34 games this season. They're on a three-game skid. Assistant Bob Boughner was also fired and Trent Yawney hired to work on McLellan's staff. McLellan signed a multiyear contract to start his fourth NHL head coaching job. Lalonde was nearly midway through his third season with Detroit after winning the Stanley Cup twice as an assistant with Tampa Bay. Pat Riley says the Miami Heat will not trade Jimmy Butler ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — If Jimmy Butler wants a trade, the Miami Heat have no plans to make him happy. Heat President Pat Riley — in a rare move — spoke out to address rumors Thursday, saying the team has no plans to trade Butler. It’s a clear sign that, if necessary, the team will be willing to let Butler leave as a free agent and get nothing in return. Riley says in a release distributed by the team "we usually don’t comment on rumors, but all this speculation has become a distraction to the team and is not fair to the players and coaches.” Haaland penalty failure and Fernandes red card pile on woes for City and United in Premier League Erling Haaland’s failure from the penalty spot and Bruno Fernandes’ latest red card have compounded the woes of Manchester City and Manchester United on another tough day for the two Premier League giants. City dropped more points in its improbably poor run of form by drawing 1-1 at home to Everton. Haaland had a spot kick saved by England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford in the 53rd minute. The four-time defending champions have only won one of its last 13 games in all competitions. While City is languishing in seventh place, United is even further adrift in 14th place after a 2-0 loss at lowly Wolverhampton. Fernandes was sent off in the 47th. Simona Halep withdraws from Australian Open qualifying because of knee and shoulder pain MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep has pulled out of Australian Open qualifying and a tuneup tournament in Auckland, New Zealand, because of pain in her knee and shoulder. Thursday's news represents the latest interruption of her comeback from a drug suspension. Halep posted on social media that she was feeling poorly after participating in an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi. The 33-year-old Romanian said she is planning to next enter the Transylvania Open in her home country, where play begins Feb. 3. Halep was granted a wild-card entry for qualifying in the Australian Open last week. Mahomes throws 3 TDs as Chiefs clinch AFC's top seed by breezing past the skidding Steelers 29-10 PITTSBURGH (AP) — Patrick Mahomes passed for 320 yards and three touchdowns and the Kansas City Chiefs locked up the top seed in the AFC for the fourth time in seven seasons with a 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The two-time defending Super Bowl champions raced to an early 13-point lead and were never really threatened by the Steelers (10-6). Pittsburgh has dropped three straight to see its chances of capturing the AFC North take another hit. Travis Kelce caught eight passes for 84 yards and a touchdown. Kelce also became the third tight end in NFL history to reach 1,000 receptions, joining Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten. Jackson breaks Vick's NFL rushing record for QBs in Ravens' rout over Texans HOUSTON (AP) — Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson passed Michael Vick for the most yards rushing by a quarterback in NFL history in a 31-2 win over the Houston Texans in Wednesday. Jackson moved past Vick on a 6-yard run in the third quarter. Jackson had 87 yards rushing to give him 6,110 yards, moving him past Vick, who piled up 6,109 in his 13-year career. LeBron James scores 31 in record 19th Christmas Day game as Lakers hold off Curry, Warriors 115-113 SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Austin Reaves scored the winning layup with one second left after Stephen Curry tied it on a 31-foot 3-pointer with seven seconds remaining, LeBron James had 31 points and 10 assists playing in his NBA-record 19th Christmas Day game, and the Los Angeles Lakers held off the Golden State Warriors 115-113. Curry scored 38 with eight 3s, hitting one under pressure from the baseline with 12 seconds left and another with 2:49 remaining only for James to answer from long range on the other end. Reaves recorded a triple-double. Bridges scores season-high 41, Knicks withstand Wembanyama's monster Christmas debut to edge Spurs NEW YORK (AP) — Mikal Bridges scored a season-high 41 points, and the New York Knicks overcame 42 from Victor Wembanyama in a monster Christmas debut to edge the San Antonio Spurs 117-114 on Wednesday. Wembanyama set a Spurs record for points on the holiday and added 18 rebounds, four assists and four blocked shots. The reigning Western Conference player of the week made six 3-pointers. But Bridges shot 17 for 25 from the field, 6 for 9 behind the arc, to make sure the Knicks had just enough offense to win their fifth in a row and improve to 20-10.

Crystal Intelligence and Banxa Announce Strategic Partnership to Enhance Compliance for Embedded Crypto SolutionsWhile LeBron James is one-half of a long-discussed debate about the greatest of all time, there’s no question that the NBA ‘s Yuletide matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors delivered — ratings – and thrill-wise. Per the league, the game was the most-watched NBA Regular Season and Christmas Day game in five years, with viewership up 84% when compared with the year prior. The Lakers-Warriors showdown, which saw James and Stephen Curry go head-to-head in a nail-biting game finishing with a narrow Los Angeles victory 115-113, averaged 7.76 million viewers per game in the U.S. across ABC, ESPN, ESPN2, Disney+ and ESPN+ (according to Nielsen Fast Nationals), up almost 500% from 2023. Audience viewership peaked around 10:30 p.m. ET with 8.32 million tuning in. The Christmas Day opener, featuring the New York Knicks’ 117-114 win over the San Antonio Spurs, averaged 4.91 million viewers, making it the most-viewed such game in 13 years and up 98% from last year. All five of yesterday’s matchups yielded year-over-year viewership increases, averaging 5.25 million overall across Philadelphia 76ers vs. Boston Celtics (5.16 million viewers, up 3%), Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Dallas Mavericks (4.38 million viewers, up 6%) and Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns (3.84 million viewers, up 161%). The lattermost showdown was the most-watched late window ever on Christmas Day. According to the association, the day generated more than 500 million video views across all NBA social media platforms — an all-time record. Distributed in 214 countries and territories, the five-game slate also garnered the most-viewed Christmas Day ever on NBA League Pass, the organization’s subscription-based cable channel. Leading into Christmas Day, NBA viewership across ABC, ESPN and TNT increased every week of December, with an average week-over-week increase of 7%. Season to date, the NBA has generated a record 11 billion views across its social and digital channels. Across ESPN platforms, this season’s NBA viewership is up 4% versus last year.

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The president-elect criticized what he described as unfair tariffs on U.S. ships to pass through the canal U.S. President-elect Donald Trump criticized what he described as unfair tariffs on U.S. ships to pass through the Panama Canal and threatened to demand that Washington retake control of the strategic passageway. A complete swindle of USA “Our Navy and commerce have been threatened in a very unfair and reckless way. The fees charged by Panama are ridiculous,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.The president-elect also denounced a growing influence of China in the canal, a worrisome situation that threatens his country’s interests, since U.S. businesses depend on the canal to transport goods between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. “This complete swindle of our country will cease immediately,” he said. The Panama Canal, which was completed by the United States in 1914, was returned to the Central American country under the 1977 agreement signed by Democratic President Jimmy Cater. Panama retook full control of the commercial passage in 1999. Not China or anyone else “It was exclusively for Panama to administer, not China or anyone else,” Trump said. “We would never and will never let it fall into the wrong hands!” If Panama cannot guarantee a “safe, efficient and reliable operation” of the canal, “then we will demand that the Panama Canal be returned to us in full and without question,” the Republican added. Panamanian authorities did not immediately respond to Trump’s statements . Although he will take office on January 20, Trump has been exerting his political influence in the last days of President Joe Biden’s administration. Some 5% of the world’s maritime trade passes through the Panama Canal, which allows ships from Asia to the east coast of the United States to avoid the long and dangerous journey around the southern tip of South America. The countries that use the Panama Canal the most are the United States, China, Japan and South Korea. In October, the Panama Canal Authority reported profits of nearly $5 billion in the last fiscal year. Tags costa rica costa rica news Daily News National News news news costa rica Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. document.addEventListener("DOMContentLiteSpeedLoaded",function(){document.body.addEventListener("click",function(event){if(event.target.matches(".comment-reply-link, #cancel-comment-reply-link")){turnstile.reset(".comment-form .cf-turnstile")}})}) jQuery(document).ajaxComplete(function(){setTimeout(function(){turnstile.render("#cf-turnstile-c-1119451554")},1000)})NEW YORK — U.S. stock indexes drifted amid mixed trading Dec. 16, ahead of this week's upcoming meeting by the Federal Reserve that could set Wall Street's direction into next year. The S&P 500 rose 0.4 percent Monday, coming off its first losing week in the last four. The Nasdaq composite climbed 1.2 percent to a record, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.3 percent. Broadcom leaped 11.2 percent to help lead the S&P 500 for a second straight day after delivering a profit report last week that beat expectations. The technology company is riding a wave of enthusiasm about its artificial-intelligence offerings in particular. The market's main event, though, will arrive on Wednesday when the Fed will announce its last move on interest rates for the year. The widespread expectation is that it will cut its main rate for a third straight time, as it tries to boost the slowing job market after getting inflation nearly all the way down to its target of 2 percent. The question is how much more it will cut rates next year, and Fed officials will release projections for where they see the federal funds rate ending 2025, along with other economic indicators, once their meeting concludes. Fed chair Jerome Powell will also answer questions in a press conference following the meeting. NEW YORK — Honeywell is considering selling its aerospace division as an activist investor pushes for change. The announcement arrives about one month after Elliott Investment Management revealed a stake of more than $5 billion in the company. In a letter sent to Honeywell's board, Elliott said that the company needed to simplify its structure as it deals with uneven execution, inconsistent financial results and an underperforming stock price. Elliott wants the the Charlotte-based company to separate its automation and aerospace businesses. The board of Honeywell International Inc. has been exploring strategic options for the company since earlier this year. It has said there will be an update in late January when it releases its fourth-quarter earnings results. A number of US conglomerates, like General Electric and Dow Chemical, have already broken up their companies to become more nimble. Honeywell, which makes everything from eye solution to barcode readers, is already shifting. Since last December, Honeywell announced plans to spin off its advanced materials business, entered an agreement to sell its personal protective equipment business and made several acquisitions. PALM BEACH, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump joined SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son on Dec. 16 to announce plans by the Japanese company to invest $100 billion in U.S. projects over the next four years. Trump announced the planned investment at his Mar-a-Lago resort with Son at his side, along with Howard Lutnick, head of investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and Trump’s pick for commerce secretary. In a post on his Truth Social site last week, Trump said anyone making a $1 billion investment in the United States “will receive fully expedited approvals and permits, including, but in no way limited to, all Environmental approvals.” WASHINGTON — A U.S. Senate committee says at least two internal Amazon studies have found a relationship between worker speed and injuries in the online retailer's warehouses. A 160-page report issued late Dec. 15 by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions alleges Amazon rejected many of the studies' safety recommendations out of concern the proposed changes might reduce productivity. The report was the final product of a probe into Amazon’s warehouse safety practices that U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders initiated last year. Amazon responded Dec. 16 by saying the report is "wrong on the facts and features selective, outdated information that lacks context and isn’t grounded in reality.” NEW YORK — Former talk show host Carlos Watson was sentenced Dec. 16 to nearly 10 years in prison in a federal financial conspiracy case that cast his once-buzzy Ozy Media as an extreme of fake-it-'til-you-make-it startup culture. So extreme that another Ozy executive impersonated a YouTube executive to hype Ozy to investment bankers — while Watson coached him, prosecutors said. Watson, 55, and the now-defunct company were found guilty last summer of charges including wire fraud conspiracy. He has denied the allegations and plans to appeal. Watson told the judge he was a target of "selective prosecution" as a Black entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, where African American executives have been disproportionately few, and called the case "a modern lynching." "I made mistakes. I'm very, very sorry that people are hurt, myself included," he said, but "I don't think it's fair." Watson, who faced a mandatory minimum sentence of two years in prison and potentially as much as 37 years, remains free for now on $3 million bond. Ozy, founded in 2012, was styled as a hub of news and culture for millennials with a global outlook.AP Sports SummaryBrief at 4:19 p.m. EST

Brazil’S Ibovespa Climbs Back Above 121,000 PointsSir Keir Starmer was speaking at the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) conference in Estonia where he met leaders of other Baltic states. After signing an energy partnership with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Bergen, Sir Keir flew to Estonia where he spoke alongside Mr Store and their Estonian counterpart Kristen Michal. Asked what else could be done to support Ukraine, Sir Keir said: “There is an ever-increasing demand for more capability. That is understandable, and Ukraine needs all the capability that it can get, so I think all of us have put in more capability into Ukraine by way of equipment.” He added: “A lot of money has been raised, funding has been raised, but more is going to be needed.” The Prime Minister’s also discussed making the economic case at home for continued support for Ukraine. Sir Keir said: “Making the case on the significance of Ukraine, making the case, to double down, linking it back to each of our countries – what does it mean for us if Russia succeeds, is a really important question that we have to answer with our people to make it clear why it is that we are so supportive of Ukraine, why it is that we must stand with our allies on this, why it is we must make sure that Nato is put in the strongest position as well. “Now, this is a different world to the world of 10, 20 years ago, to recognise the world that we are living in, there’s a positive case as well to be made. “Defence spending doesn’t sort of sit in a silo over here with no effect on the rest of the economy, no effect on technology. “It has a huge effect on technologies, the cutting edge of technology and change which can then be used in other areas. “It binds countries together. I think all of us have got joint projects on in terms of defence capabilities that bind us together. There’s a huge number of well-paid jobs that are very important to our economy in defence spending as well. “But we have to make that positive case. I don’t personally feel that we can sort of sit back and assume that all of those in our respective countries necessarily accept all of our arguments unless we make them in that positive way, which I do think the argument can and should and must be made. “But the challenge that you put to us is the right challenge, which is it’s very difficult when finances are tight, as they are in all of our countries.” On Tuesday morning the Prime Minister will meet Taavi Madiberk, the founder of Estonian tech start-up manufacturing low-cost air defence missiles, Frankenburg Technologies, which is planning to open a new office in London Specialising in the manufacture of the missiles, the rapidly growing company already collaborates closely with the UK defence industry, sourcing a significant portion of its subsystems locally, including from propulsion specialists Roxel in Worcestershire. The Prime Minister will again attend the JEF summit, joining leaders from the Nordics and Baltics to discuss support for Ukraine, the sustained threat posed by Russia and wider European security. He will then visit British forces serving in the region to deter malign Russian threats.

A South West city has announced several recipients for this year’s event and community assistance funding. Recipients of the city of Busselton’s Events Sponsorship Program have been locked in to receive the city’s pledge of more than $1 million to help reinforce Busselton’s events capital status. Seven events were approve for funding at the city’s November council meeting, with the Festival of Busselton, Carols by the Jetty, Cape Naturaliste Pro and Busselton Runners Club Bay Run some of the recipients. At the meeting, councillors also endorsed round two of the city’s Community Assistance Program 2024-25 recipients for community groups and not-for-profits looking to deliver programs, services and projects to enhance social, environmental and cultural development within the city. Mayor Phill Cronin said the event funding helped support a diverse calendar of events to maximise economic and social benefits for the community and local businesses. He said 12 community and not-for-profit organisations would receive funding through the Community Assistance Program. “The program is an integral part of the city’s Community Development Plan and its aspirations to continue supporting projects that promote a safe, healthy, and capable community,” Mr Cronin said.Injured Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts won't play Sunday against Dallas