President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday tapped Federal Trade Commissioner Andrew Ferguson to lead the consumer protection and antitrust agency. Ferguson has said the agency should tackle perceived censorship of conservative viewpoints online. If social media platforms collaborate to suppress such views or advertisers coordinate pulling business from platforms such as Elon Musk's X, they should be charged with violating U.S. antitrust law, Ferguson has said. "We must vigorously enforce the antitrust laws against any platforms found to be unlawfully limiting Americans' ability to exchange ideas freely and openly," Ferguson said in a recent statement . The agency became a political flashpoint under FTC Chair Lina Khan, who promoted antitrust enforcement as a check on corporate power. Her efforts won fans among some Republicans, including incoming Vice President JD Vance , but drew criticism as overly aggressive from some antitrust lawyers and business groups. Her successor will inherit a full slate of cases against Big Tech companies, a lawsuit against the three largest pharmacy benefit managers , and at least a half dozen lawsuits by companies arguing it has outstripped its authority. It is unclear whether the incoming chair would continue with unfinished probes, including into practices at Microsoft , that competitors have complained keep customers from switching to other cloud service providers, and potential privacy concerns involving OpenAI. New leadership could also shift course in two major FTC cases against Amazon.com. One takes aim at practices the agency says keep sellers bound to its platform and help Amazon unlawfully dominate the landscape for online marketplaces, and another over practices allegedly meant to trick Prime subscribers out of cancelling service. The new FTC chair would also oversee a case brought against Meta Platforms, then known as Facebook, in 2020, during Trump's first term. The agency is seeking to unwind its acquisition of Instagram and Whatsapp. But the judge overseeing the case has cast doubt on whether the agency can prevail at trial in April. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington and Jody Godoy in New York; Editing by Jasper Ward and Rosalba O'Brien)RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — In a story published Sep. 20, 2024, about a CNN report on North Carolina gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson, The Associated Press erroneously reported which of his social media accounts CNN cited in a comparison to language in messages from a pornographic website message board. CNN cited his public Facebook account, not his Twitter account.n7771 。

Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling

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11 states sue three largest institutional investors for anticompetitive trade practices

WASHINGTON (AP) — President said Tuesday he was “stupid” not to put his own name on pandemic relief checks in 2021, noting that had and likely got credit for helping people out through this simple, effective act of branding. Biden did the second-guessing as he delivered a speech at the Brookings Institution defending his economic record and challenging Trump to preserve Democratic policy ideas when he returns to the White House next month. As Biden focused on his legacy with his term ending, he suggested Trump should keep the Democrats’ momentum going and ignore the policies of his allies. The president laid out favorable recent economic data but acknowledged his rare public regret that he had not been more self-promotional in advertising the financial support provided by his administration as the country emerged from the pandemic. “I signed the American Rescue Plan, the most significant economic recovery package in our history, and also learned something from Donald Trump,” Biden said at the Washington-based think tank. “He signed checks for people for 7,400 bucks ... and I didn’t. Stupid.” The decision by the former reality TV star and real estate developer to add his name to the checks sent by the U.S. Treasury to millions of Americans struggling during the coronavirus marked the first time a president’s name appeared on any IRS payments. Biden and Vice President , who , largely failed to convince the American public of the strength of the economy. The addition of 16 million jobs, funding for infrastructure, new factories and investments in renewable energy were not enough to overcome public exhaustion over inflation, which spiked in 2022 and left many households coping with elevated grocery, gasoline and housing costs. More than 6 in 10 voters in November’s election described the economy as “poor” or “not so good,” according to AP VoteCast, an extensive survey of the electorate. who felt the economy was in bad shape, paving the way for a second term as president after his 2020 loss to Biden. Biden used his speech to argue that Trump was inheriting a strong economy that is the envy of the world. The inflation rate fell without a recession that many economists had viewed as inevitable, while the and applications to start new businesses are at record levels. Biden called the numbers under his watch “a new set of benchmarks to measure against the next four years.” “President-elect Trump is receiving the strongest economy in modern history,” said Biden, who warned that Trump’s planned tax cuts could lead to massive deficits or deep spending cuts. He also said that Trump’s promise of broad tariffs on foreign imports would be a mistake, part of a broader push Tuesday by the administration to warn against Trump’s threatened action. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also issued a word of caution about them at a summit of The Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council. “I think the imposition of broad based tariffs, at least of the type that have been discussed, almost all economists agree this would raise prices on American consumers,” she said. Biden was also critical of Trump allies who have pushed , a policy blueprint from the Heritage Foundation that calls for a complete overhaul of the federal government. Trump has disavowed participation in it, though parts were written by his allies and on economics, immigration, education policy and civil rights. “I pray to God the president-elect throws away Project 2025,” Biden said. “I think it would be an economic disaster.”

Ousted Syrian leader Assad flees to Moscow after fall of Damascus, Russian state media say DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Russia media say ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad has fled to Moscow and received asylum from his longtime ally. The reports came hours after a stunning rebel advance swept into Damascus to cheers and ended the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule. Thousands of Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire, joyful after a stifling, nearly 14-year civil war. But the swiftly moving events raised questions about the future of the country and the wider region. The rebels face the daunting task of healing bitter divisions in a country still split among armed factions. One rebel commander said “we will not deal with people the way the Assad family did." Analysis: Collapse of Syria's Assad is a blow to Iran's 'Axis of Resistance' MANAMA, Bahrain (AP) — For Iran’s theocratic government, it keeps getting worse. Its decadeslong strategy of building an “Axis of Resistance” supporting militant groups and proxies around the region is falling apart. Hamas has been batttered by Israel's campaign in Gaza. In Lebanon, Israeli bombardment has crippled Iran’s most powerful ally, Hezbollah, even as Israel has launched successful airstrikes openly inside of Iran for the first time. And now Iran’s longtime stalwart ally and client in Syria, President Bashar Assad, is gone. Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syria's Assad? BEIRUT (AP) — Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader who led the stunning insurgency that toppled Syria’s President Bashar Assad, has spent years working to remake his public image and that of his fighters. He renounced longtime ties to al-Qaida and depicts himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. The extent of that transformation from jihadi extremist to would-be state builder is now put to the test. The 42-year-old al-Golani is labeled a terrorist by the United States. He has not appeared publicly since Damascus fell early Sunday. But he and his insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, stand to be a major player in whatever comes next. Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise US prices and won't rule out revenge prosecutions WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump says he can’t guarantee his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won’t raise prices for American consumers. And he's suggesting once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” that aired Sunday. He also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning “things do change.” The hunt for UnitedHealthcare CEO's elusive killer yields new evidence, but few answers NEW YORK (AP) — Police don’t know who he is, where he is, or why he did it. As the frustrating search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s killer got underway for a fifth day Sunday, investigators reckoned with a tantalizing contradiction: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. One conclusion they are confident of, however: It was a targeted attack, not a random one. On Sunday morning, police declined to comment on the contents of a backpack found in Central Park that they believe was carried by the killer. Thompson was shot and killed Wednesday outside of a hotel in Manhattan. Trump calls for immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and says a US withdrawal from NATO is possible WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump is pushing Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine. Trump describes it as part of his active efforts as president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office. Trump also said he would be open to reducing military aid to Ukraine and pulling the United States out of NATO. Those are two threats that have alarmed Ukraine, NATO allies and many in the U.S. national security community. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says any deal would have to pave the way to a lasting peace. The Kremlin's spokesman says Moscow is open to talks with Ukraine. Gaza health officials say latest Israeli airstrikes kill at least 14 including children DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Palestinian health officials say Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza have killed at least 14 people including children, while the bombing of a hospital in northern Gaza has wounded a half-dozen patients. Israel’s military continues its latest offensive against Hamas militants in northern Gaza, whose remaining Palestinians have been almost completely cut off from the rest of the territory amid a growing humanitarian crisis. One airstrike flattened a residential building in the urban Bureij refugee camp Sunday afternoon. That's according to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the nearby city of Deir al-Balah, where the casualties were taken. South Korea's democracy held after a 6-hour power play. What does it say for democracies elsewhere? SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A short-lived martial law decree by South Korea's leader last week raised worries about budding authoritarianism around the world. In the end, though, democracy prevailed. President Yoon Suk Yeol announced that he was declaring martial law and giving his government sweeping powers to crack down on protesters, ban political parties and control the media. Members of the military blocked lawmakers from using the legislature's constitutional power to cancel the power grab. But the National Assembly within hours unanimously voted to do so. Trump's return may be a boon for Netanyahu, but challenges abound in a changed Middle East TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is jubilant about President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House. Trump's first term policies skewed heavily in favor of Israel, and he has picked stalwart Israel supporters for key positions in his administration. But much has transpired since Trump left office in early 2021. The turmoil in the Middle East, the lofty ambitions of Netanyahu’s far-right governing coalition and Netanyahu’s own personal relationship with the president-elect could dampen that enthusiasm and complicate what on the surface looks like a seamless alliance. College Football Playoff's first 12-team bracket is set with Oregon No. 1 and SMU in, Alabama out SMU captured the last open spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff, bumping Alabama to land in a bracket that placed undefeated Oregon at No. 1. The selection committee preferred the Mustangs, losers of a heartbreaker in the Atlantic Coast Conference title game, who had a far less difficult schedule than Alabama of the SEC but one fewer loss. The inaugural 12-team bracket marks a new era for college football, though the Alabama-SMU debate made clear there is no perfect formula. The tournament starts Dec. 20-21 with four first-round games. It concludes Jan. 20 with the national title game in Atlanta.

Vikings withstand Bears' furious rally, win on field goal in OTIt’s Christmas time again in Japan, which means children everywhere are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Kris Kringle and his bag of toys for all the good girls and boys. It’s all enough to make anyone suddenly get filled with the Christmas spirit and go out to spread some cheer. However, cheer in general has been in short order in recent years so whenever it presents itself, people aren’t so quick to take it at face value. That’s precisely why on December 18, police in the town of Yuasa in Wakayama Prefecture were called out to investigate a young man dressed as Santa Claus who was spotted handing out treats in front of Yuasa Municipal Elementary School. The rogue Santa was first seen at approximately 4 p.m. on December 17 and reported to police by the town’s board of education. The following day police located the man and questioned him. As a result, they sent out an email announcing that the suspicious Santa was acting purely out of “goodwill” but reminded residents to remain vigilant to ensure public safety. The incident attracted attention on social media and quickly spread around the country. Many comments online applauded taking action against strangers handing food out to children, while others lamented that society has come to a place where we have to drop a dime on Santa. “That’s not goodwill. It’s potentially dangerous and a nuisance to others.” “There are people who pass off illegal drugs as candy.” “In this day and age, even Santa is suspect.” “Even if he is sincere, he should know better these days.” “There have been a lot of strange incidents recently, so people are on guard.” “This is the most depressing news story I’ve heard in a while.” “Did we forget about drug gummies? Cannabis gummies are regulated as narcotics.” “If you want to hand out candy, get permission from the school first.” It’s always interesting how people are quick to assume it would be illegal drugs like weed mixed in with the snacks, as if most drug fiends are sitting on a mountain of the stuff and have no problem giving it away for free rather than keep if for themselves. Even if the intent is simply to poison or intoxicate kids for some sick thrill, there are way easier ways to do it than procuring illicit narcotics in Japan. But the point stands that there could have been anything in that food from the guy’s boogers to antifreeze, so, as sad a reflection on society as it is, it’s hard to argue with putting a stop to this guy’s impromptu generosity. The last comment said it best that anyone who genuinely wants to play Santa should just go through the proper channels first. We’re sure they would be more than happy to set up a Santa event in front of the school with a willing volunteer. Heck, they’d probably even provide the food themselves. Let’s practice safe Santa out there folks. Source: Yomiuri Shimbun Online, My Game News Flash Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Mysterious Santa puts smiles on childrens’ faces with a generous gift of 3,000 books! -- Japan destroys Santa Claus with science: “If he were real, we’d all be dead from his sonic boom.” -- Japanese idol group asks fans to be respectful towards pre-teen singer for heartwarming reasonRIVERDALE, N.Y. (AP) — Josh Pascarelli scored 24 points as Marist beat Manhattan 82-75 on Sunday. Pascarelli had six rebounds for the Red Foxes (6-2, 2-0 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference). Elijah Lewis added 18 points and eight rebounds. Jason Schofield had 12 points and finished 6 of 10 from the floor. Will Sydnor led the way for the Jaspers (4-5, 1-1) with 15 points and two blocks. Wesley Robinson added 14 points, six rebounds and two steals. Masiah Gilyard had 13 points and six rebounds. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

(The Center Square) – Eleven states, led by Texas, have sued the three largest institutional investors in the world for allegedly conspiring to buy coal company stocks to control the market, reduce competition and violate federal and state antitrust laws. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas Tyler Division and demands a trial by jury. It names as defendants BlackRock, Inc., State Street Corporation, and Vanguard Group, Inc., which combined manage more than $26 trillion in assets. The companies were sued for “acquiring substantial stockholdings in every significant publicly held coal producer in the United States” in order to gain “power to control the policies of the coal companies,” Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said. According to the 109-page brief , defendants own 30.43% of Peabody Energy, 34.19% of Arch Resources, 10.85% of NACCO Industries, 28.97% of CONSOL Energy, 29.7% of Alpha Metallurgical Resources, 24.94% of Vistra Energy, 8.3% of Hallador Energy, 31.62% of Warrior Met Coal and 32.87% of Black Hills Corporation. Under the Biden administration, in the past four years, “America’s coal producers have been responding not to the price signals of the free market, but to the commands of Larry Fink, BlackRock’s chairman and CEO, and his fellow asset managers,” the brief states. “As demand for the electricity Americans need to heat their homes and power their businesses has gone up, the supply of the coal used to generate that electricity has been artificially depressed – and the price has skyrocketed. Defendants have reaped the rewards of higher returns, higher fees, and higher profits, while American consumers have paid the price in higher utility bills and higher costs.” Consumer costs went up because the companies “weaponized” their shares to push through a so-called green energy agenda, including reducing coal output by more than half by 2030, the lawsuit alleges. In response, publicly traded coal producers reduced output and energy prices skyrocketed. The companies advanced their policies primarily through two programs, the Climate Action 100 and Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative, signaling “their mutual intent to reduce the output of thermal coal, which predictably increased the cost of electricity for Americans” nationwide, Paxton said. The firms also allegedly deceived thousands of investors “who elected to invest in non-ESG funds to maximize their profits,” Paxton said. “Yet these funds pursued ESG strategies notwithstanding the defendants’ representations to the contrary.” While they allegedly directly restrained competition among the companies whose shares they acquired, “their war on competition has consequences for the entire industry,” the brief states. “Texas will not tolerate the illegal weaponization of the financial industry in service of a destructive, politicized ‘environmental’ agenda. BlackRock, Vanguard, and State Street formed a cartel to rig the coal market, artificially reduce the energy supply, and raise prices,” Paxton said. “Their conspiracy has harmed American energy production and hurt consumers. This is a stunning violation of state and federal law.” The lawsuit alleges the companies’ actions violated the Clayton Act, which prohibits any acquisition of stock where “the effect of such acquisition may be substantially to lessen competition;” and the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, 15 U.S.C. § 1 in a conspiracy to restrain trade. It also alleges the companies violated state antitrust laws of Texas, Montana and West Virginia; Blackrock also allegedly violated the Texas Business and Commerce Code by committing “false, deceptive, or misleading acts.” It asks the court to rule that the companies violated the federal and state statutes, provide injunctive and equitable relief and prohibit them from engaging in such acts. It requests that civil fines be paid, including requiring Blackrock to pay $10,000 per violation. Joining Paxton in the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, West Virginia and Wyoming. The Buzbee Law Firm and Cooper & Kirk are serving as outside counsel. The companies have yet to issue a statement on the lawsuit. The lawsuit follows one filed by 25 states led by Texas against the Biden administration asking the court to halt a federal ESG policy that could negatively impact the retirement savings of 152 million Americans. It also comes after Texas has listed hundreds of companies and publicly traded investment funds, including Blackrock, on its divestment list for advancing ESG and anti-oil and natural gas policies.John Parker Romo made a 29-yard field goal to lift the Minnesota Vikings to a 30-27 overtime win against the host Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon. Romo buried the game-winning kick in his third career game for Minnesota (9-2), which won its fourth game in a row. The score capped a 10-play, 68-yard drive for the Vikings after the Bears went three-and-out on the first overtime possession. Sam Darnold completed 22 of 34 passes for 330 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Vikings. Wideout Jordan Addison finished with eight catches for a career-high 162 yards and a touchdown. The overtime defeat spoiled an impressive performance from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, who completed 32 of 47 passes for 340 yards and two touchdowns for Chicago (4-7). D.J. Moore had seven catches for 106 yards and a touchdown, and Keenan Allen finished with nine catches for 86 yards and a score. Chicago erased an 11-point deficit in the final 22 seconds of regulation to send the game to overtime. Romo had put Minnesota on top 27-16 when he made a 26-yard field goal with 1:56 remaining in the fourth quarter. Williams trimmed the Bears' deficit to 27-24 with 22 seconds to go. He rolled right and found Allen wide open in the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown, and moments later he fired a strike to Moore for a two-point conversion. The Bears recovered an onside kick on the next play to regain possession at their 43-yard line with 21 seconds left. Cairo Santos' onside kick bounced off the foot of Vikings tight end Johnny Mundt, and Tarvarius Moore recovered it. D.J. Moore put the Bears in field-goal position with a 27-yard reception across the middle of the field, and Santos made a 48-yarder as time expired to even the score at 27-all. Minnesota led 24-10 after three quarters. Romo made a 40-yard field goal early in the third quarter, and Aaron Jones punched in a 2-yard run with 1:22 left in the period to put the Vikings on top by two touchdowns. Addison and Jalen Nailor each had receiving touchdowns in the first half for Minnesota. Roschon Johnson scored on a 1-yard run for the Bears' only touchdown of the first half. Chicago trailed 14-10 at the break. --Field Level Media

A whiff of hope in the air as urgent calls go out for the good ole hunnycart to ride again in the name of local life beyond the pail. Well, more like a modern version, a sort of park-and-ride relief service with enough mod cons to counter savage cuts in numbers of public toilets across our county. These closures in the name of saving councils money will put most pressure on summer holiday hotspots like North Norfolk but locals and visitors alike are bound to feel the strain at all times of year. And that goes for several other aspects of day-to-day existence as pressures pile up about an overloaded care system, policing resources, rocketing energy bills, crumbling classrooms, struggling pubs, shopping shudders and car parking hikes. There’s supreme irony hanging over a lengthy list of street lights waiting to be turned off just as so many expectant locations switch on twinkling invitations to mark start of our festive season of peace, goodwill and upsurges in community spirit. For those MPs, councillors and officers too young to recall the heydays (and nights) of a vital takeaway service before indoor toilets, mains electricity and other luxuries now taken for granted, let me offer a potted history from a comfortable seat in a little shud at bottom of the garden, Here’ a potent extract from The Short History of a Mid-Norfolk Village (Litcham) by Dr Eric Puddy first published in 1957: “ At the appointed times, the night soil cart could be heard rumbling up the street, lit by an old-fashioned candle lantern swinging from the outside shaft. Rumblings of the wheels would cease and within seconds arose the snoring of Wally Feeke’s old mule. Pails clanked, the midnight air became less ambient, the mule awoke and moved along to the next cottage as if in a fantasy”. Can there be any wonder that Wally and his hunnycart should drive such deep stakes of envy into hearts of boys from just over the border in my home parish of Beeston? With no signs of setting up a rival service, we knew instinctively one of the key chapters in local social history was being play out - .and all we could do was stand admire. It didn’t help when fresh stirring escapades were growing to a living legend. – Wally lived with danger inherent in his calling . It really started that night in wartime when his hunnycart was hijacked. He was busy patrolling Back Street. While away from the cart for a couple of minutes, two American servicemen stationed at Beeston jumped on his chariot and charged up the Lexham Road at full gallop . An hour later they returned with more than a smell of scandal. They travelled at such rate that movement of the cart’s contents had opened the lid and the hijackers were soaked. Wally didn’t bother to ring up the White House after an adventure to stretch Litcham – USA relations to the limit. He simply scowled” That’ll larn them bludder Yanks!” Perhaps Wally’s most telling pronouncement on how every job carries its perks came with Friday night calls at Lenny Allison’s local fish-and-chips shop. A packed house parted like the Red Sea as he walked in. He never had to wait for his piece and six. Many were tempted to ask if he might get theirs while was there. His band of ardent admirers continued to grow, especially in snowy weather when he could only make progress by placing sacks in front of the mule and cart. and expeditions took twice as long. There were times when he fell days behind schedule but he never shirked a challenge as many more memorable yarns piled up . Eventually envy had to give way to unstinting admiration. To some extent ,Wally’s career fired my abiding interest in village life and lore . One of my proudest possession is a framed picture of a Litcham legend getting on with a job that had so many others turning up their noses. It was presented to me by Wally’s widow, Mabel, on behalf of Litcham Historical Society. Now, the time must be ripe for our current elected representative at all levels to come out of their comfortable closets and join forces to fashion something more practical than slogans like “Don’t forget to go before you come !” to answer fundamental Calls of Nature for folk on the move. We need a battalion of honorary lootieunants to find inspiration for a brand new mobile carriage of convenience , preferably sponsored by a few water company bosses flushed with loot. Perhaps it can have a bell fixed and be named The Humdinger.Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trollingMichigan, Ohio State fight broken up with police pepper spray after Wolverines stun Buckeyes 13-10