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Quarter of British adults to buy second-hand children's gifts this Christmas, study showsPUSC vive choque entre tendencias de Juan Carlos Hidalgo y Leslye BojorgesThe best-selling video game "Minecraft" is to become a real-life destination, as part of a multi-million-pound deal between theme park operator Merlin Entertainments and video game developer Mojang Studios. Merlin said it had agreed an initial £85-million ($107.5-million) deal with the Swedish company to create attractions based on the game at its existing parks in Britain and the United States in 2026 and 2027. It then plans to expand the concept to accommodation, retail and restaurants, plus a ride based on the popular 3D sandbox game, before widening it out across the world. Merlin Entertainments chief executive Scott O'Neil called the deal "a significant milestone". "'Minecraft' is the best-selling video game of all time and this world-first will see fans experience its thrill and creativity in real life at theme parks and city center attractions in leading tourist destinations," he added. Kayleen Walters, vice-president, franchise development for gaming at Microsoft, which acquired Mojang in 2014, called it "an incredibly exciting step" which would help broaden the game's appeal. "Minecraft" is the best-selling video game of all time, with more than 140 million players each month. A live-action movie is due for release next year, while Netflix has also announced plans for an animated series. Merlin operates a number of leading theme parks and tourist attractions, including Legoland, Peppa Pig Theme Park and Madame Tussauds waxwork museum.
Cowboys shutting down CeeDee Lamb with 2 games to go over receiver's shoulder issue
ASUNCION, Paraguay (AP) — Gaston Martirena and Adrian Martinez scored first-half goals as Argentina's Racing won its first Copa Sudamericana championship by beating Brazil's Cruzeiro 3-1 in the final on Saturday. Martirena opened the scoring in the 15th minute and Martinez added a goal five minutes later to give “La Academia” its first international title since 1988 when it won the Supercopa Sudamericana. “Maravilla” Martinez scored 10 goals in 13 matches and finished as the top scorer in the competition. Roger Martinez sealed the victory with a goal in the 90th. Kaio Jorge scored in the 52nd for Cruzeiro. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer The Associated Press
No. 7 Alabama looks to remain in playoff contention with a visit to OklahomaThat's why this week, naturally, is too early for them to talk about making the inaugural 12-team tournament — as enticing as their prospects might be. “I think the quality of teams that we go in and play each week speaks for itself,” quarterback Drew Allar said. "But as far as rankings, it doesn’t really matter until it matters.” Penn State (9-1, 6-1 Big Ten) is fourth in both the AP poll and the CFP rankings this week, needing help for a long-shot hope of reaching the Big Ten title game because of a loss to now-No. 2 Ohio State on Nov. 2. In this new era of playoff expansion, the Nittany Lions are on firm footing for an at-large bid. Lose to the unranked Gophers (6-4, 4-3), however, and that ground could become shaky given the current collection of standout two-loss teams in the SEC. In case the Nittany Lions needed proof of the danger of letting focus diverge, coach James Franklin and his staff can call up the tape from Nov. 9, 2019. That's when an undefeated Penn State team came to Minnesota and lost 31-26 . The Nittany Lions lost again at Ohio State two weeks later and finished 11-2, one of several not-quite performances for this storied program that last went unbeaten in 1994 and hasn't been recognized as national champions since 1986. The Gophers were undefeated themselves after that game before losses to rivals Iowa and Wisconsin ended their Rose Bowl quest. This team isn't on that level of talent and success from five years ago, but the chemistry has been off the charts. Coach P.J. Fleck drew attention to some of the individual standout performances that fueled the signature victory in 2019 in meetings with players this week. “We need our best playmakers to play their best. Penn State’s going to need their playmakers to be their best. That’s what happens in November,” Fleck said. Tyler Warren has already shattered nearly every record for Penn State tight ends. The do-it-all senior become such a force his teammates insist he’s worthy of the Heisman Trophy, tracking toward the top of the NFL draft board for his position next spring. “He’s the best tight end in America, but he’s also the most complete tight end in America," Allar said. Warren is coming off a 190-yard performance at Purdue that included 63 yards on three rushes and 127 yards on eight receptions. “He has the ability to take a play that should be 2 or 3 yards and turn it into 30 or 40,” Gophers defensive end Danny Striggow said. Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter has 171⁄2 tackles for loss, the second-most in the FBS, and eight sacks to match the third-most in the Big Ten. He has a challenging matchup this week with Minnesota left tackle Aireontae Ersery across from him in a battle of projected first-round NFL draft picks. Gophers coaches told Striggow and his fellow defensive linemen a couple of seasons ago to relish the opportunity to face Ersery in practice. “That’s one of the best looks in the country that you’re going to get,” Striggow said. Carter has successfully made the transition from linebacker this season. “He is impacting the game in a number of ways, which creates opportunities for other guys on our defensive line and within our defense and causes a lot of headaches,” Franklin said. “He is becoming more and more of a leader every single day.” Allar and the Nittany Lions have paid particular attention to protecting the ball this week, given the Gophers have 16 interceptions, one short of the national lead. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar feels he’ll need to be especially accurate this weekend considering Minnesota has 16 interceptions on the season. “We’re just going to have to be disciplined and stick to our game plan,” Allar said. The Gophers have a strong group of departing players who will take the field at Huntington Bank Stadium for the final time, including Ersery, quarterback Max Brosmer, wide receiver Daniel Jackson, right guard Quinn Carroll, cornerback Justin Walley, kicker Dragan Kesich and Striggow. “It’s been good to reflect, but it’s not over yet," Striggow said. "Those short windows of reflection, I cut ’em out and then say, ‘We’ve got some more memories to make.’” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football .
Week 12 of the NFL season kicked off Thursday with the Cleveland Browns winning a snowy battle against the Pittsburgh Steelers . Sunday started with a handful of thrillers. The Dallas Cowboys snapped their five-game skid, beating the Washington Commanders , and the Tennessee Titans upset the Houston Texans . The Minnesota Vikings earned an overtime win against the Chicago Bears , and the Kansas City Chiefs narrowly beat the Carolina Panthers . Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all the action, answering lingering questions coming out of each game and detailing everything else you need to know for every team. Let's get to it. Jump to: PIT-CLE | TB-NYG | DET-IND KC-CAR | NE-MIA | TEN-HOU DAL-WSH | MIN-CHI Minnesota 30, Chicago 27 Vikings How did the Vikings let this game get to overtime? Simply put, weird things happen to the Vikings at Soldier Field. The Vikings were up by 11 points with 22 seconds remaining. Although their defense allowed Bears quarterback Caleb Williams to run all over it in the fourth quarter, the real issue was tight end Johnny Mundt letting an onside kick hit him in the foot. That allowed the Bears to recover the kick long before it went the required 10 yards. If it had not been for that fluke bounce, the conversation would have been much different. Most surprising performance: No. 2 receiver Jordan Addison had a huge day, catching seven passes for a career-high 162 yards and a touchdown. The Vikings finally made an opponent pay for the attention it was paying to Justin Jefferson , but he managed only seven receiving yards in regulation. That would have been a career low before Jefferson caught a 20-yard pass in overtime. What we learned about the QB today: Quarterback Sam Darnold is tough, and he might have had his best stretch as an NFL player in overtime. He left Sunday's game for two plays in the fourth quarter because of what appeared to be an ankle injury. But he returned and completed all six of his pass attempts in overtime to salvage the game. -- Kevin Seifert Next game: vs. Cardinals (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) Bears Has Caleb Williams been more efficient with Thomas Brown as offensive coordinator? Williams has averaged 2.42 seconds on passes in Brown's two games as interim OC, which marks his quickest throws this season. That helped him go 9-of-12 for 128 yards and two touchdowns against the blitz, which is his first multi-TD game versus the blitz this season. He was 5-of-12 for 141 yards on passes with at least 15 air yards, which was his season-best. Williams also showed an ability to evade pressure and make difficult throws on the run, highlighted by throws to Keenan Allen and D'Andre Swift on Chicago's first touchdown drive. Most surprising performance: Allen was a late addition to the injury report Friday after rolling his ankle in practice, but he turned in a season-high, team-best nine catches for 86 yards and a touchdown. He ignited the Bears' dormant deep passing game when he hauled in a 40-yard reception from Williams that set up Chicago's lone touchdown in the first quarter. This was Allen's third game with double-digit targets. Eye-popping stat: After his blocked game-winner against Green Bay, Cairo Santos ' first field goal attempt of the afternoon was blocked by the Vikings. His three blocked field goals are the most in the NFL this season and Chicago's most in a season since 2012 (also three). He converted on two other attempts, including a 48-yarder to send the game into overtime. -- Courtney Cronin Next game: at Lions (Thursday, 12:30 p.m. ET) Dallas 34, Washington 26 Cowboys How the heck did the Cowboys pull that off? The Cowboys entered the game with more than $100 million in salary cap space on injured reserve in Dak Prescott , DeMarcus Lawrence , Zack Martin , Trevon Diggs and Brandin Cooks . Their best offensive lineman, Tyler Smith (ankle), was also ruled out Sunday. They overcame two missed field goals, a deflected punt, a penalty on a kickoff and iced the game on a pair of kickoff returns by KaVontae Turpin (99 yards) and Juanyeh Thomas (43 yards) after Washington nearly pulled off its second miracle of the season. What we learned about the QB today: Cooper Rush is steady, and that's what teams need from their backup quarterback. Against the Commanders, Rush completed a season-high 78.5% of his passes and avoided big mistakes. His previous best as a starter was 67.7% in a 2022 win against the Giants. He threw two touchdown passes in the second half and looked like the quarterback who went 4-1 as Dak Prescott's replacement in 2022. Early prediction for next week: When the Cowboys host the Giants, don't expect an uptick in the quality of football after the Giants lost 30-7 to the Buccaneers. This will be just the fourth time in the Super Bowl era that both teams are under .500 when playing on Thanksgiving. At least the Cowboys enter the game with a win. -- Todd Archer Next game: vs. Giants (Thursday, 4:30 p.m. ET) Commanders What's wrong with the offense? Washington's offense powered its 7-2 start. Now it's responsible for its past two losses. Dallas' defense entered the game ranked 29th in scoring and 23rd in yards, but Washington managed only 319 yards, surpassing 300 for the first time in three games. The offensive line is banged up, and in the past three games, its running backs have averaged 3.2 yards per carry and gained 181 yards combined. What we learned about the QB today: It hasn't been good. The pass game lacked any rhythm, and quarterback Jayden Daniels averaged just 3.9 yards per attempt until he had to throw downfield to play catch-up late in the game. Daniels was considered an MVP contender early in the season. Now they just need to get him back to being the presumptive Offensive Rookie of the Year. Biggest hole in the game plan: The kicking game. Austin Seibert missed two extra points and a 51-yard field goal. Entering the game, Seibert had made 25 of 28 field goals and all 22 extra-point attempts. However, he had missed the past two weeks with a hip injury and was bad Sunday. Tyler Ott 's low snaps and a 99-yard kick return by the Cowboys didn't help either. -- John Keim Next game: vs. Titans (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) Tennessee 32, Houston 27 Titans Is the Titans' offense starting to wake up? The Titans scored 30 points for the second time this season. Before reaching that threshold against the Dolphins in Week 4, Tennessee had not done it since Jan 2, 2022. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine continued his hot play with his sixth touchdown over the previous six games. The suddenly explosive passing game produced three plays of 30 yards or more, matching last week's output against the Vikings. Eye-popping stat: Will Levis absorbed seven sacks in the first half, becoming the first QB to be sacked at least seven times in multiple halves of a season since Randall Cunningham with the Eagles in 1986. Levis was also sacked seven times by the Packers in the second half of a Week 3 loss. What we learned about the QB today: Levis continues to be late on throws or avoid making them. At least three of Houston's eight sacks could have been avoided if he saw receivers coming open. His predetermined read kept him from seeing Texans safety Jimmie Ward in the passing lane, leading to a pick-six. But Levis showed resilience, connecting with Chig Okonkwo for a 70-yard touchdown that held up as the game-winner. -- Turron Davenport Next game: at Commanders (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) Texans Will the Texans' defensive struggles become a trend? The Texans allowed quarterback Will Levis to go 18-of-23 for 278 passing yards and two touchdowns. In December, Houston faces the Dolphins, Chiefs and Ravens, whose offenses can score in bunches. Those issues must get fixed or the hopes of a deep playoff run won't materialize. Eye-popping stat: Ka'imi Fairbairn 's missed 28-yard field goal in the fourth quarter was unexpected. It moved NFL teams to 155-159 (97.5%) on field goals of 29 or fewer yards (98.0%) in 2024. Two of those misses are by Fairbairn. What we learned about the QB today: C.J. Stroud 's performance was a mixed bag. He threw multiple touchdown passes for the first time since Oct. 13, but he also threw multiple interceptions for the second time in three weeks and was sacked four times. Houston's line has allowed 17 sacks in its last four games. -- DJ Bien-Aime Next game: at Jaguars (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) Miami 34, New England 15 Dolphins Can Miami's offense continue to be efficient at Green Bay on Thanksgiving? The temperatures for the Dolphins' game against the Packers are expected to drop below freezing -- which has historically been the Dolphins' kryptonite. But with a convicted emphasis on high-efficiency passes and ball control this season, Miami appears to be better equipped to play in frigid temperatures than it was in either of the past two seasons. If it can overcome the weather, Thursday night presents an intriguing matchup for Miami against a Packers defense that ranks 22nd in defensive expected points added since Week 8. What we learned about the QB today: Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has matured as a passer and that was on full display Sunday with a four-touchdown performance. He completed 72.5% of his passes against the Patriots -- not far from his career-high 74% this season. It's clear he is less insistent on attempting deep passes and more willing to take what defenses give him. Early prediction for next week: Tight end Jonnu Smith will have another big game against the Packers. He has scored three touchdowns in his past two games and faces a Green Bay defense that's allowed the 13th-most yards to opposing tight ends this season (entering Sunday). Miami's intention to run the passing offense through Smith is no secret, but Green Bay is still more likely to shade coverage toward receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle . -- Marcel Louis-Jacques Next game: at Packers (Thursday, 8:20 p.m. ET) Patriots Was this no-show effort an outlier or a sign of things to come in the final five games? The Patriots had played competitively in four games since coach Jerod Mayo called the team out for " playing soft ," so this was a big step back. It was a poor reflection on Mayo and his staff, as well as the players. The Patriots return home to face the Colts on Sunday, then they have their bye week before finishing the season against the Cardinals, Bills, Chargers and Bills again. Mayo has said he hopes to be a team that no one wants to play coming down the homestretch. They hardly looked like that against Miami. Describe the game in two words: Undisciplined mess. The Patriots had nine penalties in the first half, six of which were pre-snap infractions -- four false starts, one offensive offside and one defensive neutral zone infraction. Before a team can beat an opponent, it has to not beat itself. Biggest hole in the game plan: Was there a game plan? The Dolphins ran circles around them, especially in a 24-0 second quarter, which was the largest margin in any NFL quarter this season. Tackling on defense was also shoddy. -- Mike Reiss Next game: vs. Colts (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) Kansas City 30, Carolina 27 Chiefs What does the emergence of more receiver options mean for the rest of the Chiefs' season? The Chiefs can't have too many threats, so having another reliable receiver is a welcome development for them. It's unlikely their passing game will feature as many big plays as they envisioned before the start of the season, but the Chiefs showed against the Panthers they can be effective with mostly shorter gains. Wide receiver Hollywood Brown could return later in the season, which would give the Chiefs yet another threat. Eye-popping stat: Tight end Noah Gray had 11.9 yards of separation on his first touchdown, which is the most yards of separation on a Chiefs receiving touchdown in the past two seasons. He was wide open. Most surprising performance: The Chiefs' defense had more trouble with quarterback Bryce Young and the Carolina offense than expected. The Panthers entered the game averaging 281 yards (last in the league) and 17 points (30th). But the Chiefs failed to contain them. Carolina had 249 passing yards, allowing them to tie the game with less than two minutes left. -- Adam Teicher Next game: vs. Raiders (Friday, 3 p.m. ET) Chiefs Spencer Shrader sinks 31-yard game-winning field goal as time expires. Panthers Did Bryce Young earn the right to start the rest of the season? Coach Dave Canales has been careful not to name Young the starter each week until evaluating the film. No further need. The top pick of the 2023 draft had his best game, considering the opponent, and deserves to play out the season. He handled the blitz in particular like a seasoned pro. He was blitzed on 38% of dropbacks. He was 11 of 13 for a season-high 135 yards with a touchdown against five or more defenders. Describe the game in two words: Turning point? Despite the loss, Carolina went toe-to-toe with the two-time defending Super Bowl champions. This may have been a bigger confidence booster than the consecutive wins against the Saints and Giants entering the day. Young looked great. The defense created pressure (5 sacks). This team had an identity. Biggest hole in the game plan: Defending the Chiefs' second tight end, Noah Gray. He had four catches for 66 yards and two touchdowns, including a 35-yarder on the first series. The Panthers did a decent job on star Travis Kelce , but Gray made them pay throughout the afternoon. -- David Newton Next game: vs. Bucs (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET) Detroit 24, Indianapolis 6 Lions Are Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery the NFL's top rushing duo? Nicknamed "Sonic & Knuckles," Gibbs and Montgomery combined for three rushing touchdowns against the Colts, becoming the first duo in NFL history with 10 rushing touchdowns each in consecutive seasons. Sunday's game also marked the 11th time the duo has each scored a touchdown in the same game -- including the playoffs -- which is the most such games by an RB duo in NFL history, per ESPN Research. At this point, it's not a question of whether they're the best in the league; the production speaks for itself. It's now time to decide their place in league history if they can keep it up. Biggest hole in the game plan: Defending the deep ball. Dealing with a groin injury , rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold was ruled out for Sunday's game and didn't travel with the team. His absence was felt. Detroit's defense allowed Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson to connect with Michael Pittman Jr . for a 30-yard pass and another 39-yard bomb to Alec Pierce . Most surprising performance: Lions wideout Tim Patrick . In Detroit's previous four games, Patrick logged five receptions for 38 yards, but he found a groove against the Colts. He grabbed four receptions for 55 yards, including a 27-yard catch at the end of the first quarter, which helped the Lions offense find an early rhythm. -- Eric Woodyard Next game: vs. Bears (Thursday, 12:30 p.m. ET) Colts Do the Colts still have a realistic shot at the postseason? The Colts entered the day in the eighth position among AFC playoff contenders and didn't help their case with a loss. After starting the day with a 34% shot at the playoffs, according to ESPN Analytics, the defeat lowered those chances to 27% independent of other outcomes. On the other hand, the Colts have one of the more favorable schedules down the stretch, with four of their five remaining opponents currently under .500. In any case, it will take significant work for them to reverse the damage done to their postseason hopes by losing four of their past five games. What we learned about the QB today: Sunday demonstrated that Anthony Richardson needs more help from his supporting cast. Indianapolis was flagged for a season-high eight offensive penalties, several of them proving to be crushing by negating big plays from the quarterback. Richardson also had some underwhelming performances from his pass targets, including a dropped touchdown by tight end Drew Ogletree . Eye-popping stat: This was the first loss in a game in which the Colts did not commit a turnover since a loss to the Raiders on Jan. 2, 2022. In the past five seasons, the Colts have 22 games in which they have avoided a turnover. They are now 19-3 in those contests. The Colts' six points Sunday is the fewest scored in any of those three losses. -- Stephen Holder Next game: at Patriots (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) Tampa Bay 30, N.Y. Giants 7 Buccaneers Is this the jolt the Bucs needed to ignite a playoff push? Yes, as long as quarterback Baker Mayfield 's stinger isn't serious and these late-game fumbles stop. Getting franchise leading scorer Mike Evans back was huge. So was having both starting cornerbacks in Jamel Dean and Zyon McCollum , and the waiver wire pickup of safety Mike Edwards , who came in on third-down passing situations and then to relieve Jordan Whitehead after he had a pectoral injury in the fourth quarter. Only one of their remaining opponents -- the Chargers -- has a winning record. What we learned about the QB today: Mayfield still has some of that Oklahoma swag, or "spavalderia" if we're speaking Italian. Never mind the Bucs came into Sunday's game on a four-game losing streak. He hurdled Giants cornerback Cor'Dale Flott , did Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito 's signature celebration and sprinted downfield to deliver a block on Bucky Irving 's 56-yard run. Eye-popping stat: The Bucs had 11 different receiving targets catch passes, tied for their most in a game in franchise history. This was last done Week 16 of 2020, when Tom Brady threw for four touchdowns in a 47-7 win over the Lions, according to ESPN Research. -- Jenna Laine Next game: at Panthers (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET) Bucky Irving dances through the Giants defense for an impressive 56-yard gain for the Buccaneers. Giants How much did the release of Daniel Jones lead to this blowout loss? It's hard to imagine it wasn't a significant factor. The Giants benched their starting quarterback, saw him step in as a scout-team safety during a walk-through period at practice Thursday, and he was released by Friday. Players such as captain Dexter Lawrence II said publicly they thought Jones was still the team's best quarterback. Clearly, it had an effect. DeVito hardly provided the "spark" or energy that coach Brian Daboll thought it would while his team fell behind 23-0 by halftime. What we learned about the QB today: DeVito wasn't the answer. He went 3-of-5 passing for 31 yards with three sacks in the first half. He finished 21 of 31 passing for 189 yards. He was also sacked four times. Not that DeVito stood a chance. The Giants lost left tackle Jermaine Eluemunor on the opening drive. That put third-string left tackle Chris Hubbard into the game opposite Evan Neal for what was already the lowest-scoring offense in the NFL. Most surprising performance: A no-show by the Giants defense coming out of the bye week. Inexcusable. At points, Lawrence stood despondent, by himself, on the sideline. Perhaps it was because the defense barely sniffed Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield during a sackless afternoon while allowing 400-plus yards of offense. -- Jordan Raanan Next game: at Cowboys (Thursday, 4:30 p.m. ET) Pittsburgh 24, Cleveland 19 Steelers Is this loss a wake up call for the Steelers offense? Don't be distracted by the first part of Russell Wilson 's stat line. Yes, the quarterback completed 21 of 28 attempts for 270 yards and a touchdown, but he was also sacked four times. And the offense had six empty possessions that ended either with a punt, turnover on downs or a turnover. Wilson had some moments of field-stretching brilliance, firing off three deep balls on third-down completions to Calvin Austin, Van Jefferson and George Pickens , but he also struggled against pressure. Winning like they did against the Ravens, with six Chris Boswell field goals, isn't sustainable. It wasn't against the Browns, and it won't be as the gauntlet of AFC North games continues. Describe the game in two words: Trap game. Hindsight is 20/20, but this had all the makings of a trap game. Though the Steelers said they didn't overlook the hapless Browns, they were clearly overpowered and outwitted by a motivated team playing with nothing to lose. Browns coach Kevin Stefanski took risks that paid off, while Steelers coach Mike Tomlin did the opposite. Eye-popping stat: Though they briefly erased their 12-point deficit, the Steelers are the only franchise that hasn't overcome a deficit of 12 or more points in the fourth quarter of a regular season game since 2000, per ESPN Research. -- Brooke Pryor Next game: at Bengals (Sunday, 1 p.m. ET) Browns Will the Browns play spoiler during the final stretch of the season? Thursday night's win over the Steelers marked the Browns' second upset victory over a divisional opponent, coming weeks after they stunned the Ravens. With four of its final six games coming against teams with winning records, Cleveland has the opportunity to play spoiler a few more times and a strong finish could raise optimism heading into the offseason with a roster that disappointed in the first half of the season. Describe the game in two words: No quit. Four days after giving up 21 points in the fourth quarter of a blowout loss to the Saints -- their seventh defeat in their previous eight games -- the Browns delivered a gritty victory at home against the division-leading Steelers. Most surprising performance: Browns offensive tackle Jack Conklin . The veteran lineman held outside linebacker T.J. Watt to just one pressure across 24 matchups. It was just the second game this season that Watt was held to one pressure. -- Daniel Oyefusi Next game: at Broncos (Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET)IN RECENT years, global attention has increasingly shifted towards South-east Asia, with many analysts acknowledging the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) as a rising force on the global stage. Often described as an underdog in geopolitics and economics, Asean’s emergence may seem understated, but its influence is growing rapidly. This bloc of 10 member states – Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam – has proven itself to be a critical player in shaping regional stability, economic growth and diplomatic dialogue. With a combined population of over 680 million and a collective gross domestic product exceeding US$3 trillion, Asean is positioning itself as a key actor in the global balance of power. One of the defining features of Asean’s emergence as a global player is its robust economic growth. The region has seen consistent GDP growth rates of around 5 per cent annually over the past two decades, outpacing many other parts of the world. Asean’s diverse economies, ranging from the highly developed financial hub of Singapore to the rapidly industrialising Vietnam and Indonesia, offer a mix of opportunities for investors and businesses alike. Foreign direct investment (FDI) into the region has surged, with Asean attracting more than US$174 billion in 2022 alone. Much of this growth is linked to Asean’s strategic location along vital global trade routes, as well as the region’s relatively low labour costs and improving infrastructure. Its economic policies, particularly efforts to reduce tariffs and streamline regulatory frameworks, have made it a magnet for businesses seeking to tap a young and growing consumer base. Furthermore, Asean’s youthful and growing population presents a significant market opportunity. With a median age of just 29.8 years, Asean’s demographic advantage contrasts sharply with the ageing populations of developed economies such as Japan and much of Europe. This young population fuels domestic demand for consumer goods, technology, and services, positioning Asean as an increasingly important consumption hub. The pathway for Asean to become an economic powerhouse is closely linked to its role in global supply chains. As companies seek to diversify their production bases, the region has emerged as an alternative hub for manufacturing and assembly, particularly in industries such as electronics, textiles, and automotive. The trend has accelerated with the “China-plus-one” strategy, where multinational firms aim to reduce their over-reliance on China by expanding production to nearby countries. Vietnam, for example, has become a major centre for electronics manufacturing, attracting investment from global giants such as Samsung and Apple. Indonesia and Malaysia, with their large domestic markets and resource-rich economies, have also seen a surge in manufacturing investments. Asean’s favourable demographics, competitive labour costs, and improving infrastructure have made it an ideal location for companies looking to ensure resilience and flexibility in their global supply chains. In addition to manufacturing, Asean’s strategic location along vital maritime routes, including the Straits of Malacca, has established it as a critical hub for global trade. Its connectivity between East Asia, South Asia, and beyond enhances its role as a vital conduit for goods and services. Major ports in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand continue to expand their capacities to serve as key links in the global logistics network. One of Asean’s most promising growth drivers is its commitment to digital transformation. The region’s digital economy is expected to exceed US$300 billion by 2025, driven by increased Internet penetration, a growing middle class, and a young, tech-savvy population. E-commerce, fintech and digital services are booming across Asean, with platforms such as Grab, Gojek and Shopee leading the way in transforming how people shop, pay, and commute. Governments across the region are investing heavily in digital infrastructure, such as 5G networks and smart cities, to support this growth. These investments are aimed at ensuring that Asean remains competitive in the global digital economy and can attract more investment from technology companies. The digital transformation also extends to industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and finance. The adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things is helping Asean companies streamline their operations and integrate more efficiently into global supply chains. This ongoing digital shift will likely propel Asean to the forefront of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, further solidifying its role as a global economic powerhouse. Asean markets vary greatly in size, growth prospects and industries. Thailand and Malaysia have ageing populations, while the Philippines and Indonesia have younger demographics. This diversity means different services are needed in each country. In the Philippines and Indonesia, trade modernisation is key, whereas Thailand focuses on services for an ageing population. Younger, lower GDP markets will see some premiumisation, where brand power and local competition are crucial. The question for active investors is how to best capture this diversity and structural tailwinds via the equity markets. Whereas the populations are large, the stock markets are relatively small both in terms of the number of listed companies and their liquidity. That said, the markets are rich in opportunities for stock pickers as there is a high dispersion of returns across and within countries. It pays to be selective. Typically, our favoured way of investing in these markets is via the banks which provide direct exposure to the economic and demographic trends outlined above. In contrast to many of their global peers, Asean banks, most notably in Indonesia and Philippines, are high return on equity, high growth companies. We also find opportunities in some of the more established, lower growth sectors such as telecoms and property, where a benign competitive landscape allied to a focus on free cash flow rather than capex has seen profitability inflect. In more mature markets such as Thailand, we see opportunities via industries such as healthcare and logistics which are well placed to capture medical tourism and FDI trends respectively. At an aggregate level we have a positive view on the region. Valuations are attractive relative to history and the US Federal Reserve’s rate cuts give central banks across the region the flexibility to cut rates to underpin economic growth rather than keep rates high to defend their currencies. Asean’s rise as an “emerging force” on the global stage is no longer a matter of speculation; it is a reality. With its economic dynamism, strategic location, and diplomatic agility, Asean has transformed itself from a regional bloc focused on peace and stability into a global player with growing influence. However, the road ahead is not without challenges. Political divisions, economic inequality and regional security concerns will test Asean’s unity and resilience. Yet, if the bloc continues to navigate these challenges as skilfully as it has in the past, it stands poised to be a central actor in shaping the future of global geopolitics and economics. Emerging markets are less established than developed markets and therefore involve higher risks. The writer is portfolio manager in the equity division and lead portfolio manager for the Asia ex-Japan equity strategy at T Rowe Price.
LeBron James is going to have to make room for the NFL. Wednesday’s doubleheader on set records as the most-streamed NFL games in U.S. history, with numbers nearly five times more than the . The Baltimore Ravens’ 31-2 victory over the Houston Texans averaged 24.3 million while Kansas City’s 29-10 win at Pittsburgh averaged 24.1 according to early viewer figures released by Nielsen on Thursday. Nielsen also said there were 65 million U.S. viewers who tuned in for at least one minute of one of the two games. The five-game slate averaged about 5.25 million viewers per game across ABC, ESPN and its platforms, according to the league and Nielsen. “I love the NFL,” James said in his televised postgame interview Wednesday night. “But Christmas is our day.” While the Christmas lineup has its best viewer numbers in five years, the NFL has made Christmas one of its tentpole events during the regular season, joining Kickoff Weekend and Thanksgiving. “The numbers speak for themselves and LeBron can have his own view, and I’m sure more people will look at that because of this,” said Hans Schroeder, the executive vice president of NFL Media. “But, you know, we’re focused on the NFL and we’re thrilled with the results this year with the Christmas on and we’re excited to continue to build that over the next couple of years.” Both NFL games surpassed the previous mark of 23 million for last season’s AFC wild-card game between the Miami Dolphins and Chiefs on Peacock. Viewership for Ravens-Texans peaked with the Beyoncé Bowl. The 20-minute halftime performance averaged over 27 million viewers. The viewer figures include the audience on , mobile viewership on NFL+ and those who tuned in on CBS stations in Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Baltimore and Houston. Global ratings and final U.S. numbers are expected to be available on Tuesday. The NFL’s Christmas numbers decreased from last season, but not at the rate that usually happens when something goes from broadcast to streaming. Last year’s three games averaged 28.68 million viewers. The early afternoon contest between the Las Vegas Raiders and Chiefs led the way, averaging 29.48 million on CBS. Once global and first-party data is released, both Christmas games should surpass 30 million. The lineup saw an 84% rise over 2023. One reason for the increase is that all five games were on ABC, compared to two last year. The Los Angeles Lakers’ 115-113 victory over the Golden State Warriors — a game pitting Olympic teammates LeBron James and Stephen Curry — averaged 7.76 million viewers and peaked with about 8.32 million viewers toward the end of the contest, the league said. Those numbers represent the most-watched regular season game in five years. The said all five Christmas games on its schedule - San Antonio at New York in Victor Wembanyama’s holiday debut, Minnesota at Dallas, Philadelphia at Boston, Denver at Phoenix and Lakers-Warriors — saw year-over-year viewership increases. Wednesday’s numbers pushed viewership for the season across ESPN platforms to up 4% over last season. The league also saw more than 500 million video views on its social media platforms Wednesday, a new record. For the , those are all good signs amid cries that viewership is hurting. “Ratings are down a bit at beginning of the season. But cable television viewership is down double digits so far this year versus last year,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said earlier this month. “You know, we’re almost at the inflection point where people are watching more programing on streaming than they are on traditional television. And it’s a reason why for our new television deals, which we enter into next year, every game is going to be available on a streaming service.” Part of that new package of television deals that the is entering into next season also increases the number of regular season games broadcast on television from 15 to 75. Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC.The Roman writer Claudius Aelian (2nd–3rd century CE) tells us a curious story about a boy and a pet snake: A boy bought a small snake and reared it with great care. When it grew he spoke to it as if it could hear, played with it and let it stay in his bed while he was sleeping. When it became very big the city had it sent to an uninhabited spot. Later, when the child, now a young man, came back from an entertainment, he and his companions were set upon by brigands. There was a commotion, and the snake appeared. It dispersed some of the attackers and killed others, saving the young man. The boy was lucky. His pet snake remembered his earlier kindness, and came to save him in his moment of need, if we can believe the story. This is one of many tales from the Greco-Roman world about people and their pets. Just like today, people back then loved and enjoyed the company of animals in their homes. So, what sorts of pets did they keep and what do we know about them? Some famous stories about pets Many stories about pets survive from Greco-Roman times. These stories usually attest to the close bonds humans and animals can form with one another. Here are a few of them. One day, the Roman general Paulus Aemilius (229–160 BCE) arrived home after work and found his little daughter Tertia crying. Why was she crying? The biographer Plutarch (1st–2nd century CE) tells us what happened: Paulus asked the reason. And she said, “Our Perseus is dead”. Perseus was the name of their pet dog. We don’t know what Perseus died from, but Paulus’ daughter was obviously deeply fond of the animal. In some ancient stories, people’s pets were sometimes their only source of support in difficult times. The Theban general Epaminondas (410–362 BCE) was charged with various petty crimes by his political enemies at Thebes. After proving himself innocent of the charges in court, he finally got to go home : when he returned from the court his little Melitaean dog greeted him with a wag of the tail. This led him to say to those who were present: “This dog thanks me for my favours, but the Thebans, after the benefits I conferred on them, tried me on a capital charge”. The philosopher Lacydes of Cyrene (died 205 BCE) had a close bond with his pet goose : when he went for a walk, it went too. When he sat down, it would remain still and would not leave him for a moment. And when it died Lacydes gave it a most costly funeral as though he were burying a son or a brother. But one of the most famous ancient pet stories is about Darius III (died 330 BCE), the King of Persia. He was defeated by Alexander the Great and then betrayed by one of the Persians, called Bessus : when Darius, the last king of Persia, was struck by Bessus in the battle against Alexander and lay dead, all abandoned the corpse, only the dog which had been reared under his care remained faithfully at his side, unwilling to abandon, as though he was still alive, the man who could no longer tend him. Darius’ dog stayed loyal to him to the end, unlike the people around him. Different types of pets Dogs were the most popular house pet in Greco-Roman times. The favourite breed of dog was called the Melitaean . This breed of dog was originally from Carthaginian Africa. It was very small with long hair, a bushy tail and sharp nose, and apparently barked with a squeaky voice. Other favourite pets were monkeys, snakes and birds of many different kinds. Even the Roman emperor Tiberius (42 BCE to 37 CE) had a pet snake. Pet cats of the kind we are familiar with were, for a long time, mainly found in Egypt. The Egyptians’ word for “cat” actually sounded like the noise cats make, “meow”. Ancient Greeks and Romans seem not to have kept these sorts of household cats as pets. But there is evidence that in Athens in the 5th century BCE, it was trendy for wealthy people to own exotic big cats such as cheetahs, possibly for hunting purposes. Some wealthy people even had lions as house pets. For example, Berenice (273–226 BCE), wife of Ptolemy III of Egypt, had a tame lion as her companion. “It would softly wash her face with its tongue and smooth away her wrinkles”, says Aelian. It would also eat at her table at dinnertime. The loyalty of animals Ancient writers such as Aelian praised animals for their loyalty. Aelian says animals become loyal when you do simple things for them like giving them food and love, whereas human beings can be disloyal no matter how much you do for them: well-treated animals are good at remembering kindness [...] a human being however [...] can become the bitter enemy of a friend and for some trifling and casual reason blurt out confidences to betray the very man who trusted him. Aelian gives as an example of this the story of a boy who was given a baby eagle to care for: he reared the bird not as a plaything to sport with, but as a favourite or as a younger brother [...] as time passed it lit the flame of a strong mutual friendship. It happened that the youth fell sick, and the eagle stayed at his side and nursed its keeper. While he slept, the bird remained quiet. When he woke, it was there. If he took no food, it refused to eat. And when the youth at last died, the eagle also followed him to the tomb, and as the body burned it threw itself on to the pyre. So, if there’s one message that Greco-Roman writers give about pets, it’s that the bonds between humans and animals can sometimes be stronger than the bonds between humans and other humans.FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys are shutting down CeeDee Lamb with two games remaining after their 2023 All-Pro receiver spent the second half of the season dealing with a sprained right shoulder. The team said Thursday that additional exams revealed enough damage to keep Lamb off the field Sunday at Philadelphia and in the final game at home against Washington. The team said surgery was not expected to be required. Dallas was eliminated from playoff contention a few hours before last weekend's 26-24 victory over Tampa Bay . The decision on Lamb means the Cowboys will finish the regular season with at least five former Pro Bowlers on injured reserve. Among the others are quarterback Dak Prescott, who was limited to eight games before a season-ending hamstring tear, and right guard Zack Martin. The seven-time All-Pro made it through 10 games before deciding on season-ending ankle surgery. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence didn't playing after Week 4 because of a foot injury, and cornerback Trevon Diggs battled a variety of injuries while playing 11 games before a knee injury ended his season. Lamb initially injured his right shoulder when it hit the turf hard twice in a 27-21 loss at Atlanta on Nov. 3. He kept playing and had at least 100 yards in each of his last two games — both victories — before getting shut down. The 25-year-old Lamb sat out the entire offseason and preseason in a contract dispute after getting career highs in catches (an NFL-best 135), yards receiving (club-record 1,749) and touchdowns (12) in 2023. The holdout finally ended with a $136 million, four-year extension in late August, but neither the Cowboys nor their star receiver could get that production going again this season. Dallas (7-8) is missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020, Lamb's rookie year. Lamb finishes the season with 101 catches for 1,194 yards and six TDs. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL
Chicago's top 10 news stories of 2024KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Chaz Lanier scored 18 and No. 7 Tennessee extended its season-opening winning streak to seven games with a 78-35 victory over UT Martin on Wednesday. Felix Okpara had 10 points and 11 rebounds for the Volunteers (7-0). Zakai Zeigler added 11 points and nine assists, and Igor Milicic had 13 rebounds and nine points. The Skyhawks (2-5) were led by Josu Grullon's 15 points. Lanier scored 11 points in the first half as Tennessee built a 35-20 lead at the half. Grullon had 10 for UT Martin. UT Martin: Dropped its fifth straight after two opening wins under first-year coach Jeremy Shulman. After 21 wins last year, the Skyhawks brought in 16 newcomers this season. They are picked to finish 10th in the Ohio Valley Conference. Tennessee: After receiving the news that 6-foot-9 sophomore J.P. Estrella will miss the entire season with a foot injury, the Vols have had to go back to the drawing board to determine their rotation on the front court. Estrella had been coming off the bench with Cade Phillips to spell Igor Milicic and Felix Okpara. What that big man rotation looks like will be interesting. From late in the first half to early in the second half, Tennessee scored 14 straight points and turned a 10-point lead into a 44-20 advantage. Zakai Zeigler had five of those points. UT Martin committed 18 turnovers. Five of those were shot-clock violations. Tennessee scored 24 points off the turnovers. UT Martin will be at Charleston Southern next Tuesday. Tennessee will host Syracuse next Tuesday in the SEC/ACC Challenge. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketballSAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 27, 2024-- Peak Technology, a leading provider of Rapid Prototyping and Advanced Manufacturing Solutions to the Semiconductor, Bio-Medical, Aerospace and other Deep Tech industries, has approved a definitive agreement to acquire all the intellectual property (IP) and assets of former 3D printer technology company Type A Machines. With this acquisition augmenting an already broad range of custom engineering, fabrication, assembly, and integration services, Peak Technology will significantly improve its position as an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) capable provider of design, prototyping and manufacturing solutions to global manufacturers of high-tech products and equipment. "By adding 3D printing services and product technology to our corporate portfolio, we are making a statement to the industry that we have a world-class production system specifically designed to address the product development and manufacturing challenges faced by our customers as they navigate the ever changing requirements of the 4th Industrial Revolution,” commented Robert de Neve, COO & Head of Corporate Venture for Peak Technology. Mr. de Neve added, “3D printing, also known as Additive Manufacturing, will be the catalyst that drives Peak Technology to expand into new markets and continue to hit the key objectives mandated by our strategic growth plan.” “I am very excited about this addition to our capabilities,” said Sharon Woo, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Peak Technology. Ms. Woo continued, “Our focus on continuous adaptation and innovation highlights our commitment to address the evolving needs of our customers.” This acquisition is totally complementary to Peak Technology’s portfolio of products and services and will allow the company to enter CY25 as the only supplier to offer a full spectrum and comprehensive suite of Additive Manufacturing (AM) services. In addition to complementing Peak’s state-of-the-art Subtractive Manufacturing (CNC machining) capabilities, pre-AM, in situ-AM, and post-AM processes such as the material selection, forming, fabricating, machining, and assembling of highly engineered plastics-based components, assemblies and subsystems, provide one of a kind productization and realization solutions to OEMs around the world. About Type A Machines Type A Machines was a company known for producing high-quality, large build volume 3D printers, particularly their "Series 1" model, and multi-unit “Printer Pod,” which offered a cubic foot of printing space, making it suitable for larger projects and professional applications; the company was recognized for its focus on modularity, and parallel production level printing, allowing users to easily upgrade, customize and optimize their machines for prototype and production environments. Key points about Type A Machines 3D printing: About Peak Technology Headquartered in Silicon Valley, CA, Peak Technology is an Advanced Prototype & Manufacturing Solutions company specializing in producing components, assemblies and modules made from highly engineered plastics and other technical materials. The company provides the following services to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) building complex electro-mechanical, optical, and mechatronic products and equipment: Peak Technology is committed to building a best in class business operating system and fostering a corporate culture based on four core principles: 1) Execute with Heart, 2) Operate with Extraordinary Customer Focus, 3) Be Growth Centric and 4) Exhibit Extreme Ownership and Accountability. Additional information may be found at www.peakfab.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241127391210/en/ CONTACT: For more information, please contact:Lotus Miranda Business Administration Manager Peak Technology Enterprises 408.748.1102 Lotus@peakfab.com www.peakfab.com KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE GENERAL HEALTH MACHINERY HARDWARE ELECTRONIC DESIGN AUTOMATION TECHNOLOGY SEMICONDUCTOR ENGINEERING CHEMICALS/PLASTICS AEROSPACE MANUFACTURING HEALTH SOURCE: Peak Technology Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/27/2024 04:09 PM/DISC: 11/27/2024 04:09 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241127391210/en
By MICHAEL R. SISAK and JENNIFER PELTZ NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urged a judge again Friday to throw out his hush money conviction, balking at the prosecution’s suggestion of preserving the verdict by treating the case the way some courts do when a defendant dies. They called the idea “absurd.” Related Articles National Politics | Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time National Politics | Ruling by a conservative Supreme Court could help blue states resist Trump policies National Politics | A nonprofit leader, a social worker: Here are the stories of the people on Biden’s clemency list National Politics | Nancy Pelosi hospitalized after she ‘sustained an injury’ on official trip to Luxembourg National Politics | Veteran Daniel Penny, acquitted in NYC subway chokehold, will join Trump’s suite at football game The Manhattan district attorney’s office is asking Judge Juan M. Merchan to “pretend as if one of the assassination attempts against President Trump had been successful,” Trump’s lawyers wrote in a blistering 23-page response. In court papers made public Tuesday, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office proposed an array of options for keeping the historic conviction on the books after Trump’s lawyers filed paperwork earlier this month asking for the case to be dismissed. They include freezing the case until Trump leaves office in 2029, agreeing that any future sentence won’t include jail time, or closing the case by noting he was convicted but that he wasn’t sentenced and his appeal wasn’t resolved because of presidential immunity. Trump lawyers Todd Blanche and Emil Bove reiterated Friday their position that the only acceptable option is overturning his conviction and dismissing his indictment, writing that anything less will interfere with the transition process and his ability to lead the country. The Manhattan district attorney’s office declined comment. It’s unclear how soon Merchan will decide. He could grant Trump’s request for dismissal, go with one of the prosecution’s suggestions, wait until a federal appeals court rules on Trump’s parallel effort to get the case moved out of state court, or choose some other option. In their response Friday, Blanche and Bove ripped each of the prosecution’s suggestions. Halting the case until Trump leaves office would force the incoming president to govern while facing the “ongoing threat” that he’ll be sentenced to imprisonment, fines or other punishment as soon as his term ends, Blanche and Bove wrote. Trump, a Republican, takes office Jan. 20. “To be clear, President Trump will never deviate from the public interest in response to these thuggish tactics,” the defense lawyers wrote. “However, the threat itself is unconstitutional.” The prosecution’s suggestion that Merchan could mitigate those concerns by promising not to sentence Trump to jail time on presidential immunity grounds is also a non-starter, Blanche and Bove wrote. The immunity statute requires dropping the case, not merely limiting sentencing options, they argued. Blanche and Bove, both of whom Trump has tabbed for high-ranking Justice Department positions, expressed outrage at the prosecution’s novel suggestion that Merchan borrow from Alabama and other states and treat the case as if Trump had died. Blanche and Bove accused prosecutors of ignoring New York precedent and attempting to “fabricate” a solution “based on an extremely troubling and irresponsible analogy between President Trump” who survived assassination attempts in Pennsylvania in July and Florida in September “and a hypothetical dead defendant.” Such an option normally comes into play when a defendant dies after being convicted but before appeals are exhausted. It is unclear whether it is viable under New York law, but prosecutors suggested that Merchan could innovate in what’s already a unique case. “This remedy would prevent defendant from being burdened during his presidency by an ongoing criminal proceeding,” prosecutors wrote in their filing this week. But at the same time, it wouldn’t “precipitously discard” the “meaningful fact that defendant was indicted and found guilty by a jury of his peers.” Prosecutors acknowledged that “presidential immunity requires accommodation” during Trump’s impending return to the White House but argued that his election to a second term should not upend the jury’s verdict, which came when he was out of office. Longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution . Other world leaders don’t enjoy the same protection. For example, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on trial on corruption charges even as he leads that nation’s wars in Lebanon and Gaza . Trump has been fighting for months to reverse his May 30 conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records . Prosecutors said he fudged the documents to conceal a $130,000 payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels to suppress her claim that they had sex a decade earlier, which Trump denies. In their filing Friday, Trump’s lawyers citing a social media post in which Sen. John Fetterman used profane language to criticize Trump’s hush money prosecution. The Pennsylvania Democrat suggested that Trump deserved a pardon, comparing his case to that of President Joe Biden’s pardoned son Hunter Biden, who had been convicted of tax and gun charges . “Weaponizing the judiciary for blatant, partisan gain diminishes the collective faith in our institutions and sows further division,” Fetterman wrote Wednesday on Truth Social. Trump’s hush money conviction was in state court, meaning a presidential pardon — issued by Biden or himself when he takes office — would not apply to the case. Presidential pardons only apply to federal crimes. Since the election, special counsel Jack Smith has ended his two federal cases , which pertained to Trump’s efforts to overturn his 2020 election loss and allegations that he hoarded classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate. A separate state election interference case in Fulton County, Georgia, is largely on hold. Trump denies wrongdoing in all. Trump had been scheduled for sentencing in the hush money case in late November. But following Trump’s Nov. 5 election victory, Merchan halted proceedings and indefinitely postponed the former and future president’s sentencing so the defense and prosecution could weigh in on the future of the case. Merchan also delayed a decision on Trump’s prior bid to dismiss the case on immunity grounds. A dismissal would erase Trump’s conviction, sparing him the cloud of a criminal record and possible prison sentence. Trump is the first former president to be convicted of a crime and the first convicted criminal to be elected to the office.
1 / 11 Quite a year it has been for the Nifty 50 index in 2024. The index has gained 9% so far this year. But there are some stocks that have made records, but not necessarily in a good connotation. Here is a look at some of these names: 2 / 11 Starting with the index heavyweight reliance industries. With a 5.5% drop so far this year, this may end up being the first year that reliance will deliver negative returns after 2014. Yet, the street remains bullish. Most analysts have a buy rating and targets range from ₹1,350 to as high as ₹1,950 on the stock. 3 / 11 On to India's largest paint company, Asian Paints. It wasn't a bad year until the last quarter results and the drop since then, has taken it to the worst calendar year on record for the company. In fact, since 2010, the stock has delivered negative annual returns only thrice, two of those years being 2022 and this one. Most analysts now have a sell call on the stock with targets ranging from ₹2,080 to as high as ₹3,750. 4 / 11 On the flip side, Trent has been a giant wealth creator and is also the top performer on the nifty this year. The stock doubled last year, doubled this year too and has had positive returns every year starting 2014. The street continues to remain bullish with targets hitting as high as ₹9,350. 5 / 11 Mahindra & Mahindra is a turnaround story and the stock has had its best year in terms of returns since 2009. The stock is up 70% this year so far and had gained close to 300% 15 years ago with only three negative annual returns in the interim. The street remains constructive. Price targets range between ₹2,700 to ₹3,700. 6 / 11 HDFC Bank has been delivering positive returns every year since 2013. But three of those last four years, the returns are in single digits. Yet, no analyst on the street has a sell rating on the stock with price targets ranging up to as high as ₹2,550. 7 / 11 FMCG is a sector that has disappointed this year and HUL is among those disappointment, with a 12% drop so far this year. This is the worst calendar year for the stock since 2004 and has delivered negative returns only four times since 2007. The street though remains optimistic on the stock with analysts giving price targets of up to ₹3,400. 8 / 11 Staying with consumption, Titan is set for its first negative calendar year returns after 2016. Gains since 2016 have ranged between 10% to as high as 150%. The street though, expects the stock to touch as high as ₹5,000 but the bears keep it at ₹2,819. 9 / 11 And rounding off the consumption theme is Nestle India. If HUL had its worst year since 2004, this is the worst for Nestle India since 2002. Only five time since 2002 has the MNC stock given negative calendar year returns. Most analysts have a hold rating on the stock with the highest price target of close to ₹2,900 rupees. 10 / 11 Banks make an appearance in this list with IndusInd bank. The stock is among the worst performer on the Nifty this year, down over 40%, and this is the fifth time in the last seven years that the stock has had negative returns. Yet, 37 analysts continue to maintain a buy rating on the stock with price targets ranging up to ₹1,950 rupees. 11 / 11 And lastly, despite all the newsflow this year and last, Adani Ports has managed a positive calendar year, the fifth time in a row it has done so. And analysts too have a near-consensus buy rating on the stock with price targets ranging close to ₹2,000 rupees apiece.FAAC shares N1.827trn revenue with federal, state, local governments in November
