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Trump nominated Pam Bondi for attorney general on Thursday. Trump said he wants to refocus the Department of Justice on crime and safety. Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration for the role earlier on Thursday. President-elect announced Thursday he would nominate Pam Bondi, former attorney general of Florida, for US attorney general after his first pick withdrew from consideration. "For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans - Not anymore," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social announcing the nomination. "Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again." Trump chose Bondi, a longtime Trump ally who served as Florida's attorney general from 2011 to 2019, after former congressman withdrew from consideration for the role earlier on Thursday. Bondi also represented Trump during his first in 2020, when he was accused of trying to coerce Ukraine into investigating the Biden family. A representative for Trump did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. was nominated for attorney general on November 13 and submitted his resignation from Congress the same day. But his appointment faced an uphill battle over lingering concerns about sex-trafficking investigations involving the former congressman. The opened an investigation into Gaetz in 2021 but ultimately declined to press charges against the lawmaker. The also launched a probe into the allegations in 2021. On Wednesday, the committee met to determine whether it would release a report on its investigation but deadlocked. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing. Read the original article onNEW YORK (AP) — A number of President-elect Donald Trump 's most prominent Cabinet picks and appointees have been targeted by bomb threats and “swatting attacks," Trump's transition team said Wednesday. The FBI said it was investigating. “Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees and Administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them," Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. She said the attacks ranged from bomb threats to swatting, in which attackers initiate an emergency law enforcement response against a target victim under false pretenses. The tactic has become a popular one in recent years. Leavitt said law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted and Trump and his transition team are grateful. Among those targeted were New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump’s pick to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations ; Matt Gaetz, Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general ; and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin, who has been tapped to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Law enforcement officials are also looking into whether Susie Wiles, Trump’s incoming chief of staff, and Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general whom Trump has chosen as Gaetz’s replacement, and other incoming administration officials were also victims — as well as how each was targeted, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity as the investigation continues. Wiles and Bondi did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The FBI said in a statement that it was “aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees" and was investigating with its law enforcement partners. The FBI added: "We take all potential threats seriously, and as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.” White House spokesperson Saloni Sharma said President Joe Biden had been briefed and the White House is in touch with federal law enforcement and Trump's transition team. Biden “continues to monitor the situation closely," Sharma said, adding the president and his administration “condemn threats of political violence.” Stefanik's office said that, on Wednesday morning, she, her husband, and their 3-year-old son were driving home from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence in Saratoga County. Her office said “New York State, County law enforcement, and U.S. Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism.” The New York State Police said a team was dispatched to sweep Stefanik’s home on Wednesday morning in response to the bomb threat but did not locate any explosive devices. The agency directed further questions to the FBI. Zeldin said in a social media post that he and his family had been threatened. “A pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian themed message,” he wrote on X . “My family and I were not home at the time and are safe. We are working with law enforcement to learn more as this situation develops.” Police in Suffolk County, Long Island, said emergency officers responded to a bomb threat Wednesday morning at an address listed in public records as Zeldin’s home and were checking the property. In Florida, the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office said on Facebook that it “received notification of a bomb threat referencing former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s supposed mailbox at a home in the Niceville area" around 9 a.m. Wednesday. While a family member resides at the address, the office said, Gaetz “is NOT a resident.” No threatening devices were found. Gaetz was Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general, but he withdrew from consideration after allegations that he paid women for sex and slept with underage women. Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and said last year that a Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls had ended with no federal charges against him. The threats follow a political campaign marked by disturbing and unprecedented violence. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing the then-candidate in the ear with a bullet and killing one of his supporters. The Secret Service later thwarted a subsequent assassination attempt at Trump's West Palm Beach, Florida, golf course when an agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through a perimeter fence while Trump was golfing. Trump was also the subject of an Iranian murder-for-hire plot , with a man saying he had been tasked with planning the assassination of the Republican president-elect. Also this week, authorities arrested a man they say posted videos on social media threatening to kill Trump, according to court documents. In one video posted on Nov. 13, Manuel Tamayo-Torres threatened to shoot the former president while holding what appeared to be an AR-15 style rifle, authorities said Among the other videos he posted was one from an arena in Glendale, Arizona on Aug. 23, the same day Trump held a campaign rally there, according to court papers. An attorney for Tamayo-Torres did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Public figures across the political spectrum have been targeted in recent years by hoax bomb threats and false reports of shootings at their homes. About a year ago the FBI responded to an uptick in such incidents at the homes of public officials, state capitols and courthouses across the country around the holidays. Many were locked down and evacuated in early January after receiving bomb threats. No explosives were found and no one was hurt. Some of those targeted last year were Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. In Wu’s case, a male caller told police he had shot his own wife and tied another man up. When police and EMT responders arrived at the address given by the caller, they quickly realized it was the Boston mayor’s home. Wu, a Democrat, has also been targeted by many swatting calls since she took office in 2021. The judges overseeing the civil fraud case against Trump in New York and the criminal election interference case against him in Washington were both targeted earlier this year. Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, who recently abandoned the two criminal cases he brought against Trump, was also the subject of a fake emergency call on Christmas Day last year. Earlier this year, schools, government buildings and the homes of city officials in Springfield, Ohio, received a string of hoax bomb threats after Trump falsely accused members of Springfield’s Haitian community of abducting and eating cats and dogs. And in 2022, a slew of historically Black colleges and universities nationwide were targeted with dozens of bomb threats, with the vast majority arriving during the celebration of Black History Month. The U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement Wednesday that anytime a member of Congress is the victim of a swatting' incident, “we work closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners.” The force declined to provide further details, in part to “minimize the risk of copy-cats.” Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson called the threats “dangerous and unhinged.” “This year, there was not just one but TWO assassination attempts on President Trump," he wrote on X . “Now some of his Cabinet nominees and their families are facing bomb threats.” He added: “It is not who we are in America.” ___ Richer reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Colleen Long and Eric Tucker in Washington, Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin, and Anthony Izaguirre in Albany, New York, contributed to this report.

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Ottawa native Sean Stoqua joins Oklahoma City Thunder as athletic performance coachNEW YORK (AP) — A number of President-elect Donald Trump 's most prominent Cabinet picks and appointees have been targeted by bomb threats and “swatting attacks," Trump's transition team said Wednesday. The FBI said it was investigating. “Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees and Administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them," Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. The attacks ranged from bomb threats to swatting, in which attackers initiate an emergency law enforcement response against a target victim under false pretenses, she said. The tactic has become a popular one in recent years. Leavitt said law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted and Trump and his transition team are grateful. Among those targeted were New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump’s pick to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations ; Matt Gaetz, Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general ; Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, whom Trump chose to lead the Department of Labor , and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin, who has been tapped to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Law enforcement officials are also looking into whether Susie Wiles, Trump’s incoming chief of staff, and Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general whom Trump has chosen as Gaetz’s replacement, and other incoming administration officials were also victims — as well as how each was targeted, according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity as the investigation continues. Wiles and Bondi did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The FBI said in a statement that it was “aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees" and was investigating with its law enforcement partners. White House spokesperson Saloni Sharma said President Joe Biden had been briefed and the White House is in touch with federal law enforcement and Trump's transition team. Biden “continues to monitor the situation closely," Sharma said, adding the president and his administration “condemn threats of political violence.” Stefanik's office said that, on Wednesday morning, she, her husband, and their 3-year-old son were driving home from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence in Saratoga County. Police swept Stefanik’s home on Wednesday morning in response to the bomb threat but did not locate any explosive devices, New York State Police said. Zeldin said in a social media post that he and his family had also been threatened. “A pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian themed message,” he wrote on X . “My family and I were not home at the time and are safe." In Florida, the Okaloosa County sheriff’s office said on Facebook that it “received notification of a bomb threat referencing former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s supposed mailbox at a home in the Niceville area" Wednesday. While a family member resides at the address, the office said, Gaetz “is NOT a resident.” No threatening devices were found. Gaetz was Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general, but he withdrew from consideration after allegations that he paid women for sex and slept with underage women. Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, and a Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations ended with no charges against him. The threats follow a political campaign marked by disturbing and unprecedented violence. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing the then-candidate in the ear with a bullet and killing one of his supporters. The Secret Service later thwarted a subsequent assassination attempt at Trump's West Palm Beach, Florida, golf course when an agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through a perimeter fence while Trump was golfing. Trump was also the subject of an Iranian murder-for-hire plot , with a man saying he had been tasked with planning the assassination of the Republican president-elect. Also this week, authorities arrested a man they say posted videos on social media threatening to kill Trump, according to court documents. In one video posted on Nov. 13, Manuel Tamayo-Torres threatened to shoot the former president while holding what appeared to be an AR-15 style rifle, authorities said Among the other videos he posted was one from an arena in Glendale, Arizona on Aug. 23, the same day Trump held a campaign rally there, according to court papers. An attorney for Tamayo-Torres did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Public figures across the political spectrum have been targeted in recent years by hoax bomb threats and false reports of shootings at their homes. About a year ago the FBI responded to an uptick in such incidents at the homes of public officials, state capitols and courthouses across the country around the holidays. Many were locked down and evacuated in early January after receiving bomb threats. No explosives were found and no one was hurt. Some of those targeted last year were Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost. The judges overseeing the civil fraud case against Trump in New York and the criminal election interference case against him in Washington were both targeted earlier this year. Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith, who recently abandoned the two criminal cases he brought against Trump, was also the subject of a fake emergency call on Christmas Day last year. Earlier this year, schools, government buildings and the homes of city officials in Springfield, Ohio, received a string of hoax bomb threats after Trump falsely accused members of Springfield’s Haitian community of abducting and eating cats and dogs. And in 2022, a slew of historically Black colleges and universities nationwide were targeted with dozens of bomb threats, with the vast majority arriving during the celebration of Black History Month. The U.S. Capitol Police said in a statement Wednesday that anytime a member of Congress is the victim of a swatting' incident, “we work closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners.” The force declined to provide further details, in part to “minimize the risk of copy-cats.” Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson called the threats “dangerous and unhinged.” “This year, there was not just one but TWO assassination attempts on President Trump," he wrote on X . “Now some of his Cabinet nominees and their families are facing bomb threats.” He added: “It is not who we are in America.” ___ Richer reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Colleen Long and Eric Tucker in Washington, Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin, and Anthony Izaguirre in Albany, New York, contributed to this report.

S&P/TSX composite up almost 150 at closing, U.S. markets also higher TORONTO — Canada's main stock index pushed higher to end Monday up almost 150 points on light trading action, while U.S. stock markets also gained ahead of the Christmas break. Ritika Dubey, The Canadian Press Dec 23, 2024 2:27 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message The TMX Market Centre is shown in Toronto, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paige Taylor White TORONTO — Canada's main stock index pushed higher to end Monday up almost 150 points on light trading action, while U.S. stock markets also gained ahead of the Christmas break. "Today is a quiet pre-Christmas Day of trading," said Kevin Burkett, a portfolio manager at Victoria, B.C.-based Burkett Asset Management. While markets in both Canada and the U.S. were mild, Burkett suggests watching the markets closely during the holiday season, a contrast to what's typically a sleepy period for markets. "We're continuing to watch markets very closely here because you've got some tectonic plate shifting in terms of the macroeconomic backdrop," he said. "It's all the political conversations both in Canada and in the U.S." Burkett added fiscal policy seems to be disconnected from monetary policy in the post-pandemic period. "The fiscal policy may shift and that shift absolutely has market implications both in the short and long term," he said. The S&P/TSX composite index was up 149.50 points at 24,748.98. Statistics Canada released its latest numbers on Canada's economic growth, up 0.3 per cent in October — driven by the mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction sector. The loonie continued its slide, trading for 69.47 cents US compared with 69.61 cents US on Friday. The telecom sector was the biggest loser at the closing on TSX, which Burkett attributed to "tax loss selling happening at the end of the year." Competition Bureau Canada announced on Monday it was suing Rogers Communications Inc. for allegedly making misleading claims about its infinite wireless plans. The stock price for Rogers, which is hovering near 52-week lows, fell 0.7 per cent on Monday. Meanwhile, BCE was down almost 1.4 per cent and Telus dropped 0.9 per cent. Burkett suggested the day's poor performance among telecom companies was likely tax loss selling since it's almost the end of the year. "It's been a tough year for the communication services sector," he said. South of the border, communications services was the top-performing sector, led by large-cap tech companies. Several big technology companies helped support the gains, including chip companies Nvidia and Broadcom. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 66.69 points at 42,906.95. The S&P 500 index was up 43.22 points at 5,974.07, while the Nasdaq composite was up 192.29 points at 19,764.89. The February crude oil contract was down 22 cents at US$69.24 per barrel and the February natural gas contract was down six cents at US$3.35 per mmBTU. The February gold contract was down US$16.90 at US$2,628.20 an ounce and the March copper contract was down one cent at US$4.09 a pound. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 23, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX: GSPTSE, TSX: CADUSD, TSE: BCE, TSE: RCI. B) Ritika Dubey, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More The Mix Revised airline compensation rules will do little to change status quo: experts Dec 23, 2024 2:25 PM Burt, the huge Australian crocodile who had a cameo in ‘Crocodile Dundee,’ dies at 90 Dec 23, 2024 2:00 PM Scheifele notches hat trick as Jets top Maple Leafs 5-2 ahead of NHL's holiday break Dec 23, 2024 1:58 PM Featured FlyerAs TikTok bill steams forward, online influencers put on their lobbying hats to visit Washington WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers, meet your latest lobbyists: online influencers from TikTok. Haleluya Hadero, The Associated Press Dec 23, 2024 2:52 PM Dec 23, 2024 3:20 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers, meet your latest lobbyists: online influencers from TikTok. The platform is once again bringing influencers to Washington, this time to lobby members of Congress to reject a fast-moving bill that would force TikTok's Beijing-based parent company to sell or be banned in the United States. On Tuesday, some influencers began a two-day advocacy event in support of TikTok, which arranged their trip ahead of a House floor vote on the legislation on Wednesday. But unlike a similar lobbying event the company put together last March when talks of a TikTok ban reached a fever pitch, this year’s effort appeared more rushed as the company scrambles to counter the legislation, which advanced rapidly on Capitol Hill. Summer Lucille, a TikTok content creator with 1.4 million followers who is visiting Washington this week, said if TikTok is banned, she “don’t know what it will do” to her business, a plus-sized boutique in Charlotte, North Carolina. “It will be devastating,” Lucille said in an interview arranged by the platform. The legislation is drawing unusual support in Congress In an unusual showing of bipartisanship, a House panel unanimously approved the measure last week. President Joe Biden has said he will sign the legislation if lawmakers pass it. But it’s unclear what will happen in the Senate, where several bills aimed at banning TikTok have stalled. The legislation faces other roadblocks. Former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump, who holds sway over both House and Senate Republicans, has voiced opposition to the bill, saying it would empower Meta-owned Facebook, which he continues to lambast over his 2020 election loss. The bill also faces pushback from some progressive lawmakers in the House as well as civil liberties groups who argue it infringes on the First Amendment. TikTok could be banned if ByteDance, the parent company, doesn’t sell its stakes in the platform and other applications it owns within six months of the bill’s enactment. The fight over the platform takes place as U.S.-China relations have shifted to that of strategic rivalry, especially in areas such as advanced technologies and data security, seen as essential to each country’s economic prowess and national security. The shift, which started during the Trump years and has continued under Biden, has placed restrictions on export of advanced technologies and outflow of U.S. monies to China, as well as access to the U.S. market by certain Chinese businesses. The Biden administration also has cited human rights concerns in blacklisting a number of Chinese companies accused of assisting the state surveillance campaign against ethnic minorities. TikTok isn’t short on lobbyists. Its Beijing-based parent company ByteDance has a strong lobbying apparatus in Washington that includes dozens of lobbyists from well-known consulting and legal firms as well as influential insiders, such as former members of Congress and ex-aides to powerful lawmakers, according to the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew will also be in Washington this week and plans to meet with lawmakers, according to a company spokesperson who said Chew’s visit was previously scheduled. Influencers descend on Washington But influencers, who have big followings on social media and can share personal stories of how the platform boosted their businesses — or simply gave them a voice — are still perhaps one of the most powerful tools the company has in its arsenal. A TikTok spokesperson said dozens of influencers will attend the two-day event, including some who came last year. The spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions about how many new people would be attending this year’s lobbying blitz. The company is briefing them ahead of meetings with their representatives and media interviews. Lucille, who runs the boutique in North Carolina, says has seen a substantial surge in revenue because of her TikTok page. The 34-year-old began making TikTok content focusing on plus-sized fashion in March 2022, more than a decade after she started her business. She quickly amassed thousands of followers after posting a nine-second video about her boutique. Because of her popularity on the platform, her business has more online exposure and customers, some of whom have visited from as far as Europe. She says she also routinely hears from followers who are finding support through her content about fashion and confidence. JT Laybourne, an influencer who also came to Washington, said he joined TikTok in early 2019 after getting some negative comments on videos he posted on Instagram while singing in the car with his children. Laybourne, who lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, said he was attracted to the short-form video platform because it was easy to create videos that contained music. Like Lucille, he quickly gained traction on the app. He says he also received more support from TikTok users, who reacted positively to content he produced on love and positivity. Laybourne says the community he built on the platform rallied around his family when he had to undergo heart surgery in 2020. Following the surgery, he said he used the platform to help raise $1 million for the American Heart Association in less than two years. His family now run an apparel company that gets most of its traffic from TikTok. “I will fight tooth-and-nail for this app,” he said. But whether the opposition the company is mounting through lobbyists or influencers will be enough to derail the bill is yet to be seen. On Tuesday, House lawmakers received a briefing on national security concerns regarding TikTok from the FBI, Justice Department and intelligence officials. ____ AP Journalist Didi Tang contributed to this report. ___ This story was originally published on March 12, 2024. It was updated on December 23, 2024 to clarify a quote by TikTok content creator Summer Lucille. Haleluya Hadero, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More Entertainment News Clarification: TikTok-Bill-Lobbying story Dec 23, 2024 2:49 PM Elaborate holiday light displays are making spirits bright in a big way Dec 23, 2024 2:34 PM Burt, the huge Australian crocodile who had a cameo in ‘Crocodile Dundee,’ dies at 90 Dec 23, 2024 2:00 PM Featured Flyer

The Masked Singer fans don't have to wait for the new year to tune into the popular singing competition. On Boxing Day, the family can gather together to unwind and watch the Christmas special on the ITV programme. Of course, there will be festive-themed costumes as viewers try to guess the celebrity behind the masks. Although Love Island star Maya Jama has been announced as a new judge on the main show, she won't be present for the special. The special will see judges Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Jonathan Ross and Mo Gilligan come together to solve the mystery behind the costumes. Like every series, the judges will have to guess who is singing by following clues, listening to the songs and watching the mystery celebrities dance. This year, fans will be treated with performances from Christmas Cracker, Star, Turkey Crown and a Nutcracker. Here's everything we know about the Christmas special, including all the costumes... The celebrity behind the Christmas Cracker could be seen rocking an elaborate costume that resembled a Christmas Cracker. It looked like the cracker was already half pulled open as gadgets were spilling out of the cracker to resemble all the fun gifts we get in a cracker every Christmas. Meanwhile, Star is a much simpler costume featuring lots of different patterns and colours. To make it even more adorable, two giant eyes are emblazoned on the top. Meanwhile, one celebrity is rocking a full-roasted Turkey costume, complete with a giant crown where the turkey's head would have been. You can't have a Christmas event without turkey! We also have Nutcracker ready to perform, but it's not ordinary Nutcracker. Instead of a normal human, the star is dressed as what looks like a Fox in a Nutcracker costume. ITV teased the show on their Instagram Stories with a short clip they captioned: "id you REALLY think we'd make you wait for series 6!? As if!" Meanwhile, Maya Jama has replaced Rita Ora as a judge on the main competition. Speaking about joining the programme, Maya said in September: "I'm such a Masked Singer fan, so joining the panel alongside Davina, Jonathan, and Mo — and of course working with Joel— is going to be so much fun! "I can't wait to figure out who's underneath all those incredible costumes, vibe to their performances, and get front-row seats to the unmaskings. I've watched the show for a long time, so I'm definitely bringing my A-game to the panel!" Maya responded to The Masked Singer's social media announcement adding: "So excited." The Masked Singer: Christmas Special will air on ITV1 at 7.30pm on Boxing Day Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Shares in Navitas Semiconductor Corporation saw a skyrocketing ascent of up to 24.6% on Monday, concluding with a hefty 20.4% gain by mid-afternoon EST. This surge wasn’t driven by any direct announcements from Navitas but rather by broader geopolitical developments that incited a wave of investor optimism across the semiconductor industry. In a strategic maneuver, the Biden administration initiated an investigation into the practices of Chinese semiconductor firms focusing on trailing-edge chips crucial to numerous industries. These chips, based on materials like silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), although considered “less advanced,” play pivotal roles in sectors such as automotive, industrial, and medical systems, among others. Navitas, which specializes in these specific chip types, emerged as a key benefactor from this news. The market responded with enthusiasm, pushing Navitas’s stock higher along with other players in the trailing-edge semiconductor space. Unlike its larger counterparts, Navitas—being a smaller entity—experienced a sharper increase. This can be attributed to its higher risk profile and the severe downturn it faced earlier, being down over 50% earlier this year. The high short interest rate of 18.8% in November potentially triggered a short squeezing phenomenon, amplifying Monday’s gains. Despite the exuberance, Navitas remains a volatile choice for investors. Profits have been elusive, and the company’s trajectory could be swayed by external factors like geopolitical tensions and economic shifts. Caution might be advisable, as retaliatory actions by China could pose risks to U.S. chip firms, including Navitas, which has significant business ties with Chinese manufacturers. Explosive Surge in Navitas Semiconductor’s Stock: What’s Driving the Gains? In a recent dramatic stock market event, Navitas Semiconductor Corporation saw its stock prices soar by up to 24.6%, finally settling at a 20.4% increase by mid-afternoon EST. While the company itself did not release any announcements to spark this rise, broader geopolitical events significantly affected investor behavior in the semiconductor sector. Navitas, a specialist in trailing-edge chips utilizing materials like silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), has directly benefitted from the Biden administration’s investigation into Chinese semiconductor practices. This focus on the trailing-edge technology, crucial for industries such as automotive, industrial, and medical systems, created a ripple of optimism among investors, boosting Navitas shares. FAQ: Understanding Navitas Semiconductor’s Stock Surge 1. What caused Navitas’s stock to rise? – The recent increase in stock value was linked to the U.S. government’s probe into Chinese semiconductor companies. Navitas, a leader in trailing-edge chip technology, was favorably impacted by this development. 2. Why did Navitas experience a sharper increase than its competitors? – Being a smaller company, Navitas had a higher risk profile and has suffered a significant downturn earlier this year. This situation, coupled with a high short interest rate, triggered a short squeeze, further propelling its stock gains. Pros and Cons of Investing in Navitas Semiconductor – Pros: – Specialization in Key Technologies : Navitas focuses on SiC and GaN chips, critical for multiple industries’ future growth. – Potential Growth Opportunities : Geopolitical developments could restrict competitors, offering Navitas a chance to capture more market share. – Cons: – Volatility : The company’s stock remains highly volatile, influenced by geopolitical and economic uncertainties. – Profitability Challenges : Navitas has yet to achieve consistent profitability, adding an element of risk for investors. Market Analysis and Future Predictions With a trajectory marked by sudden gains, Navitas’s future in the market relies heavily on external geopolitical and economic forces. While investor enthusiasm has buoyed its stock price, potential retaliations from China could disrupt operations, given the company’s business ties with Chinese manufacturers. Moving forward, Navitas must navigate these global complexities while striving towards profitability. The semiconductor sector is under continual evolution, and the ability to innovate and adapt will be key to sustaining growth. Investors are advised to stay informed about geopolitical shifts and global market trends that could impact Navitas and other semiconductor players. For further details on the semiconductor industry and trends, visit the Navitas Semiconductor Corporation website.

Fox News Flash top entertainment and celebrity headlines are here. Hallmark actor John Reardon revealed he's on a "long road" to recovery after battling tonsil cancer. The "Believe in Christmas" star shared a health update on social media as he posted a photo of himself hospitalized. "Last night was my first night out after my recovery from tonsil cancer. Has been a long road between these two pictures and the difference is from the love and support I received from my people in my life," Reardon, 49, wrote on Instagram earlier this week. HALLMARK STARS LACEY CHABERT AND HOLLY ROBINSON PEETE ALLEGEDLY 'TOO OLD' FOR COMPANY, PER NEW LAWSUIT Hallmark star John Reardon revealed he was on a "long road" to recovery as he battled tonsil cancer. (John Reardon/Instagram) "My amazing partner for taking on our whole world to help me get better. My brave kids who inspired me. My Dad who took me for a walk everyday even when it was hard for me to get out of bed - and I’m sure hard for him to see his son in pain," he said in part. Reardon continued to show his gratitude towards his loved ones during his tumultuous journey, as he thanked his other family members and health care workers. APP USERS CLICK HERE TO VIEW POST A post shared by John Reardon (@johnny_reardon_) "My Mom who made me soups... ginger honey tea and green juices so I could get calories into my body. My sister and brother who helped with the kids and the challenges of life when I couldn’t," he wrote. WHY HALLMARK’S HOLIDAY CONTENT SUCCEEDS IN THE AGE OF STREAMING Reardon stars in the Hallmark holiday movie "Believe in Christmas." (Dominique Charriau/WireImage/Getty Images) The Canadian actor shared a photo of himself smiling in a black jacket, and then another of himself hospitalized, as he wore a mask with a medical tube on his lap. "Kindness is an under appreciated quality in people. We should never under value it. Celebrate it and distribute it as much as possible. It is free and life changing. Happy Holidays," Reardon concluded in his social media caption. LIKE WHAT YOU’RE READING? CLICK HERE FOR MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS Reardon shares three kids with his wife, Meghan Ory. (John Lamparski/WireImage/Getty Images) Oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, commonly known as throat cancer or tonsil cancer, is "a type of head and neck cancer that refers to the cancer of the base and posterior one-third of the tongue, the tonsils, soft palate and posterior and lateral pharyngeal walls," according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) . CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR THE ENTERTAINMENT NEWSLETTER Reardon made his Hallmark debut in the 2014 series "When Calls the Heart." The actor did not share any further details of his cancer journey . Reardon shares three kids with his longtime wife, Meghan Ory. The two met on the 2006 show "Merlin’s Apprentice." He made his Hallmark debut in the 2014 series "When Calls the Heart." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Stephanie Giang-Paunon is an Entertainment Writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to stephanie.giang@fox.com and on Twitter: @SGiangPaunon.

Independent MP Kylea Tink has announced she will step down from federal politics at the next election after the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) abolished her seat of North Sydney. Ms Tink made the announcement on Saturday, months after AEC presiding member Susan Kenny announced they would retire the North Sydney seat and modify the boundaries of nine electoral divisions at the 2025 federal election. The Independent MP has held the seat since 2022 - which includes Australia’s third largest business district made up of professional services, property, wholesale and retail industries. North Sydney MP Kylea Tink has announced she will step down from federal politics at the next election after her seat was abolished by the Australian Electoral Commission. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman Ms Tink, the former chief executive officer of the McGrath Foundation, said she has not decided what she will do next, but was fully behind the community independent movement and believed it achieved better results in parliament. “The results of any parliament are better when you have multiple voices around the decisions that need to be made,” she said. “When it comes to 2025 there are 20 communities across the country now that have a community independent candidate identified and have already launched.” Community independent candidate Nicolette Boele will run for the seat of Bradfield which includes the local government areas of Ku-ring-gai, North Sydney and Willoughby. Ms Tink has thrown her support behind independent Warringah MP Zali Steggall and community independent candidate Nicolette Boele, who will run for the newly gazetted seat of Bradfield. The electorate is made up of three local government areas in northern Sydney including Ku-ring-gai, North Sydney and Willoughby. Ms Tink said Ms Beole ran in 2022 and brought that seat so close and has been committed to the community for the last few years. “I’m really excited to see what she can achieve in the 2025 election.” Originally published as Independent MP Kylea Tink to step down at the 2025 election after AEC abolished her seat of North Sydney Electorates Don't miss out on the headlines from Electorates. Followed categories will be added to My News. More related stories Breaking News Long-serving MP bows out A long-serving MP will bow out at the next election after 17 years in the job, with the Prime Minister announcing a new candidate for the seat. Read more Breaking News ‘Follow me’: Albo’s election date tease Anthony Albanese has attacked the Coalition’s nuclear policy again as he announced two new Labor candidates for the next election. Read moreBy Michele Brosius The holiday season sparks lively discussions about traditions and preferences – from pumpkin spice to candy corn and the timing of Christmas decorations. Once the tree is up and the halls are decked, the question becomes how long holiday decorations should stay – is there a perfect timeline, or is it all about personal choice and sentimental value? For some, clearing the decorations right after New Year’s symbolizes a fresh start. Others follow tradition and keep the festive spirit alive until the Twelfth Night on Jan. 5. Then, some stretch the season further – leaving lights aglow months after the holiday ends – prompting the age-old question: When to take down Christmas decorations? Once central to winter solstice celebrations, evergreen trees symbolized life during the darkest days. By the 16th century, candles were added to represent Christ’s light, and the tradition spread through Europe and America, evolving with tinsel, glass ornaments and electric lights. Today, Christmas decor reflects diverse styles, from traditional red and green to minimalist or trendy themes like pink Christmas. Whether rustic, glamorous or nature inspired, modern decorations allow for a personalized festive atmosphere. In some families, tradition dictates that all decorations come down on Epiphany, Jan. 6, marking the Twelfth Night when the Wise Men visited baby Jesus. Others prefer not to wait that long, taking down the tree the morning after Christmas and cleaning the house in time for New Year’s Eve festivities. You might be one of those people who would appreciate a year-round tree if you love Christmas, the holiday candies that come with it and the warm and cozy feeling of having a glowing tree in the corner of your room. The internet is full of year-round Christmas tree decor ideas like a sparkly heart-themed Valentine’s Day tree or a pretty pastel tree to welcome spring. According to a 2023 poll on Bob Vila , 16% of respondents said they take their Christmas decor down immediately following the holiday. Just over 60% of respondents said they typically leave decorations up until the conclusion of Epiphany – and the remainder – 21% of poll participants – indicated that they enjoy keeping their decorations in place at least until the end of January. For many, deciding when to take holiday decor down results from several factors. These include whether or not they need to get their closets or garage storage space back in order, the types of decor and if it’s fragile or a family heirloom that requires greater care. The availability of community recycling and environmental waste disposal can also be a factor for those opting for a real tree over an artificial one. The National Fire Protection Association reports that most Christmas tree fires occur in January, often due to dried-out trees that pose a heightened fire risk. Safety is key if you plan to keep your real tree up for an extended period. Proper care and precautions can help ensure Christmas tree safety throughout the holiday season. Water your tree daily to keep it from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. Position the tree away from heat sources like radiators or fireplaces, which can accelerate drying and increase risk. Check that all lights are in good condition, avoid any frayed cords or broken bulbs and always turn off the lights before leaving the house or going to bed. Another important consideration is the higher energy bills in keeping Christmas tree lights and outdoor holiday lighting running throughout the day. While there are energy-efficient LED lights on the market, given the additional expenses acquired during the holiday season, keeping electricity bills down during this time can be a priority for some. When you finally put your decorations away, making them last will require proper care and storage. Wrap fragile decorations individually in tissue paper or bubble wrap, and store them in sturdy, divided containers to prevent breakage. Wrap string lights around cardboard or a spool to avoid tangling, and check for any damaged bulbs before storage. Artificial trees should be disassembled and stored in their original box or a tree bag to protect against dust and moisture. Keep all decorations in a cool, dry space, away from extreme temperatures or humidity. Proper storage ensures your decorations stay in great condition for many holiday seasons to come. Deciding when to take down Christmas decorations is a personal choice shaped by tradition, practicality and lifestyle. Whether you follow a historical timeline like Epiphany, embrace a New Year’s refresh or extend the festive spirit, the key is finding what suits your home and schedule. Your lifestyle and preferences will dictate the best answer to how long Christmas decorations should stay up, and when it comes down to it, if someone isn’t contributing to the household or paying your energy bill, then their opinion on the topic shouldn’t matter. Do what makes you and your family happy and let the grinches of the world scowl from afar. Michele Brosius is the creator of Midlife Healthy Living where she expertly combines her love for cooking with budget-conscious nutrition strategies. Through her blog, she encourages women to embrace a healthier lifestyle with simple recipes and wellness tips.None

Benazir Bhutto: A real champion of democracyHouse Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girlMatthew Knies did not participate in Friday's practice for the Leafs, but Craig Berube provided a fairly positive update on his health following the skate. Midway through the second period of the Leafs' 3-0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, the Leafs lost Matthew Knies following a check to the head from Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud. Knies was carrying the puck through the neutral zone when Whitecloud stepped up and caught him with a huge hit that left Knies wobbly and forced him into concussion protocol. There was no immediate update on his status following the game on Wednesday, but Craig Berube noted on Thursday during his media availability that, surprisingly, he was feeling okay . However, Knies was absent from practice on Friday. Following practice, Berube confirmed that Knies is progressing well, but did mention that the 22-year-old former second-round pick would not be playing Sunday against the Utah Hockey Club. Already without Auston Matthews , who is expected to return on Wednesday , David Kampf , Max Domi, Max Pacioretty and Calle Jarnkrok due to injury and Ryan Reaves due to his suspension, the Leafs' forward depth will be tested even more on Sunday without Knies. Berube was unable to provide a firm timeline for a return to action for Knies, but the team will likely be cautious with this one given the nature of the injury. This article first appeared on Maple Leafs Daily and was syndicated with permission.

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