Croatia's incumbent president and NATO critic leads in exit poll after presidential election

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Quion Burns scored 17 points as Maine beat Canisius 84-79 on Saturday. Burns had seven rebounds for the Black Bears (8-5). Kellen Tynes scored 15 points while shooting 5 of 5 from the field and 4 for 4 from the line and added nine assists. Christopher Mantis had 15 points and went 5 of 8 from the field (3 for 5 from 3-point range). Jasman Sangha led the way for the Golden Griffins (0-11) with 26 points and three steals. Paul McMillan IV added 22 points and six assists for Canisius. Tana Kopa also had 16 points and two steals. The Golden Griffins prolonged their losing streak to 11 in a row. Maine plays Saturday against Stony Brook on the road, and Canisius visits Loyola Chicago on Wednesday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Sunday, December 15, 2024 As the global travel industry steadily moves into a post-pandemic era, business travel is surging back with renewed energy. However, the travel landscape has changed significantly, bringing new costs, challenges, and opportunities for companies and travel managers alike. The latest FCM Consulting Q3 2024 Business Travel Report sheds light on the state of corporate travel, revealing that while prices are rising, travel has also become more predictable. This predictability offers companies a chance to adopt proactive strategies, manage costs, and maximize the value of every business trip. Bonnie Smith, General Manager of FCM South Africa, underscores this dual reality. “Yes, travel is getting more expensive, but it’s also becoming more predictable,” she says, urging travel managers to seize the moment for smarter, data-driven travel planning. Her advice comes as corporate travel faces rising business class fares, increased hotel rates, and crowded flights across key global hubs like London, New York, and Dubai. The pandemic-induced lull in global travel has now given way to a travel surge. Airports, once eerily empty, are now bustling with travelers. Passenger demand grew by 8.6% in August 2024 compared to the previous year, leading to an 86.2% flight load factor — the percentage of available seats that are filled with passengers. Business travelers are feeling this pressure firsthand. Business class fares have seen a 6% to 8% increase from 2023, adding strain to corporate budgets. While economy fares have dipped by 1% to 4%, this offers little relief to companies that prioritize comfort, speed, and productivity for their executives. The days of “last-minute Larry” bookings are over, says Bonnie Smith. Companies delaying their bookings risk paying significantly higher prices. Strategic planners are urged to book early to avoid price hikes and secure seats on crowded flights. Last-minute bookings, especially to high-demand destinations like New York, London, and Dubai, will likely be met with sky-high ticket prices and limited seating options. Hotel rates have also surged, further adding to the cost burden on business travelers. According to the FCM report, the average price of a hotel room in Johannesburg jumped 14%, while the cost of a stay in New York City now averages $490 per night — a 15% increase. North America saw a 6.8% rise in hotel prices, while South America experienced a staggering 25.4% increase. Rates in Europe also climbed by 5.3%, reflecting the heightened demand for business travel accommodation. While the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Australia saw slight price declines, these regions remain competitive business destinations that require strategic planning. With soaring hotel bills, companies are being advised to reconsider their accommodation strategies. Business hotels located just outside major city centers often offer lower rates and better facilities for productivity. “Some of the best business hotels are just a short ride from the city center,” says Smith, emphasizing that location is not everything. To navigate these rising hotel rates, companies are encouraged to work with Travel Management Corporations (TMCs), which negotiate corporate rates with hotel chains and offer greater flexibility in booking terms. Travel Management Corporations (TMCs) will play a vital role in helping companies navigate the turbulent travel landscape of 2025. TMCs leverage their buying power to secure better rates on flights, hotels, and car rentals, offering flexibility and support when plans change. Bonnie Smith highlights the benefits of using a TMC: “We’re booking thousands of room nights and flights, which means better rates and more flexible terms for our clients.” By consolidating purchasing power, TMCs can negotiate exclusive corporate deals that individual companies could not secure on their own. Additionally, TMCs offer centralized booking systems, allowing companies to track travel expenses, monitor employee movements, and enforce company travel policies. This helps organizations optimize their travel budgets while enhancing employee safety and compliance. Despite rising costs, 2025 offers an unprecedented opportunity for companies to be more strategic with travel. Booking ahead and locking in rates for flights and hotels will be essential for cost control. Early bookings not only secure lower rates but also guarantee better availability of business class seats and preferred hotel rooms. Companies that invest in travel technology and data analytics can gain a competitive edge. By tracking pricing trends and forecasting demand, travel managers can make better-informed decisions. The rise of predictive travel technology allows companies to anticipate price hikes and secure bookings at the right time. According to FCM, proactive planning could become the key to thriving in the 2025 corporate travel space. The “early bird” approach has never been more relevant. Booking flights, hotels, and car rentals months in advance will no longer be a suggestion — it will be a necessity. There is, however, a glimmer of hope. Airlines have announced plans to expand seat availability by 1.8% globally and by 2.1% in Africa in the first half of 2025. While this increase will create more flight options, it does not necessarily mean cheaper fares. As demand for face-to-face meetings remains high, ticket prices are expected to stay elevated. To take advantage of new route announcements, travel managers are encouraged to maintain close relationships with airline representatives or collaborate with their TMCs. Airlines often bundle new routes with promotional rates or corporate deals, providing companies with a chance to lock in early-bird discounts. The companies that succeed in 2025’s travel landscape won’t be the ones with the biggest budgets — they’ll be the ones with the smartest strategies. Proactive planning, early bookings, and the support of TMCs will be essential. By locking in rates early, tracking data trends, and leveraging TMC-negotiated deals, companies can minimize costs while maximizing the value of each business trip. Savvy companies will also diversify their accommodation choices, booking hotels outside city centers or selecting properties with better facilities for productivity. The ability to adapt and stay ahead of changing trends will define success in 2025. Business travel in 2025 will be shaped by rising costs, but also by newfound predictability. Companies that adopt strategic planning, leverage TMCs, and use predictive travel tools will be better positioned to control costs and enhance value. With early bookings, smarter accommodation choices, and greater access to predictive pricing data, companies can turn the challenges of 2025 into a competitive advantage. From crowded airports and pricier hotels to smarter booking strategies, the future of business travel belongs to the well-prepared. As airlines expand seat capacity and TMCs offer better rates, companies have every reason to plan ahead and travel smarter. The early bird truly gets the window seat — and the savings. Read Travel Industry News in 104 different regional platforms Get our daily dose of news, by subscribing to our newsletters. Subscribe here . Watch Travel And Tour World Interviews here . Read more Travel News , Daily Travel Alert , and Travel Industry News on Travel And Tour World only.

CHICAGO (AP) — Jacob Meyer scored 23 points as DePaul beat Wichita State 91-72 on Saturday. Meyer shot 6 of 9 from the field, including 4 for 6 from 3-point range, and went 7 for 7 from the line for the Blue Demons (8-2). CJ Gunn scored 22 points, shooting 9 for 12, including 4 for 6 from beyond the arc. Isaiah Rivera shot 6 for 11, including 5 for 8 from beyond the arc to finish with 17 points, while adding seven rebounds. Harlond Beverly led the Shockers (8-2) in scoring, finishing with 14 points. Xavier Bell added 14 points for Wichita State. Quincy Ballard also had 12 points. Rivera scored 14 points in the first half and DePaul went into halftime trailing 47-42. Meyer led DePaul with 14 points in the second half and the Blue Demons outscored Wichita State by 24 points over the final half. ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by and data from . The Associated PressNJ lawmaker calls for limited state of emergency to combat mysterious dronesDuring school holidays, playdates can provide a brilliant opportunity for social interactions for both children and their parents. They can help children get to know kids at their current or future daycare and school. So, what makes a great playdate – and how can parents make them less stressful? Here are some things to consider. Play is good for children Play is how children learn and make sense of the world around them. Through play, children can: develop their social and emotional skills practice sharing and taking turns get better at reading other children’s emotions learn to negotiate conflict solve problems navigate challenges develop thinking skills as they make up new games and encounter new ideas. Play can support children’s executive functions , meaning the mental skills we use when we think flexibly, use our memory and practise self-control. Play nurtures a child’s imagination, allowing them to build on each other’s ideas to invent new imaginary worlds. Imagination helps us develop the skills for abstract thinking. Playdates can also help parents find support and understanding from someone going through the same thing. They can discuss challenges and share solutions for common parenting struggles, such as sleep routines and healthy meal ideas. Offering your child a diverse buffet of playdate options Playdates can also provide children with possibilities they can’t get in the family home. That includes giving them an understanding of our diverse communities. So, it’s great for parents to put some intention into who their child plays with and who gets invited to a playdate. Think about how diverse your child’s world is now and if you are limiting their world to people just like you. Is there an opportunity to open their world to the rich diversity they will experience in society as they grow? It is important for children to value difference, embrace diversity and be exposed to different languages. This can help children think about language, improve their cultural awareness and develop more flexible and inclusive social skills . A little planning can go a long way Planning a playdate can be stressful. Parents can end up worrying about where to go, what to do, whether the house is tidy enough, or that you might be judged about the food you offer. Meeting in a public space such as a local park or playground can help. Parents also worry their child might misbehave, not play well with others or announce they’re bored. But playdates are about giving kids a chance to learn social skills and resolve conflicts. When disputes arise, support them to identify their feelings and brainstorm solutions . If you are meeting at home, think up some play activities that are open-ended and suitable for a range of age groups and interests. Examples include: painting drawing pavement chalk cutting and gluing from magazines playing or constructing things with cardboard boxes ball games with simple targets (like a saucepan or laundry basket) building blanket forts camping indoors or outdoors with a small tent. For a playdate in a park, a nature scavenger hunt is fun – can the kids each find a feather? A gumnut? A special rock? Another idea for an outdoor playdate might be a bush walk, where kids can learn to identify local native plants. My own research has found many adults and children know very little about native plants. Building this knowledge is important to be able to recognise toxic plants, as well to understand some Indigenous knowledges about the plants in our local environment. Some can be used to make delicious drinks or to add to food, or to take the sting out of an ant bite. Learning together with another family using a plant app such as Inaturalist can make learning more enjoyable. Ditch the stress and don’t compare During playdates, it is common for parents to compare their child with other children. They can end up stressing about milestones and if their child is “behind”. Research shows while there are general milestones that most children will reach, this can happen within a broad timeframe. Usually, there’s nothing to worry about. If you’re really concerned, your local child health nurse or your GP is the best place to go. Instead of talking in depth about “milestones” during playdates, try chatting instead about local places to play, books you or your child enjoys or recipe ideas for families. For a successful playdate, try to focus on the enjoyment of the children and supporting them to play. Have in mind some activities suitable for the venue you choose. Then step back and let the children explore the world around them while they get to know each other.

By REBECCA SANTANA WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has promised to end birthright citizenship as soon as he gets into office to make good on campaign promises aiming to restrict immigration and redefining what it means to be American. But any efforts to halt the policy would face steep legal hurdles. Birthright citizenship means anyone born in the United States automatically becomes an American citizen. It’s been in place for decades and applies to children born to someone in the country illegally or in the U.S. on a tourist or student visa who plans to return to their home country. It’s not the practice of every country, and Trump and his supporters have argued that the system is being abused and that there should be tougher standards for becoming an American citizen. But others say this is a right enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, it would be extremely difficult to overturn and even if it’s possible, it’s a bad idea. Here’s a look at birthright citizenship, what Trump has said about it and the prospects for ending it: During an interview Sunday on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Trump said he “absolutely” planned to halt birthright citizenship once in office. “We’re going to end that because it’s ridiculous,” he said. Trump and other opponents of birthright citizenship have argued that it creates an incentive for people to come to the U.S. illegally or take part in “birth tourism,” in which pregnant women enter the U.S. specifically to give birth so their children can have citizenship before returning to their home countries. “Simply crossing the border and having a child should not entitle anyone to citizenship,” said Eric Ruark, director of research for NumbersUSA, which argues for reducing immigration. The organization supports changes that would require at least one parent to be a permanent legal resident or a U.S. citizen for their children to automatically get citizenship. Others have argued that ending birthright citizenship would profoundly damage the country. “One of our big benefits is that people born here are citizens, are not an illegal underclass. There’s better assimilation and integration of immigrants and their children because of birthright citizenship,” said Alex Nowrasteh, vice president for economic and social policy studies at the pro-immigration Cato Institute. In 2019, the Migration Policy Institute estimated that 5.5 million children under age 18 lived with at least one parent in the country illegally in 2019, representing 7% of the U.S. child population. The vast majority of those children were U.S. citizens. The nonpartisan think tank said during Trump’s campaign for president in 2015 that the number of people in the country illegally would “balloon” if birthright citizenship were repealed, creating “a self-perpetuating class that would be excluded from social membership for generations.” In the aftermath of the Civil War, Congress ratified the 14th Amendment in July 1868. That amendment assured citizenship for all, including Black people. “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside,” the 14th Amendment says. “No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.” But the 14th Amendment didn’t always translate to everyone being afforded birthright citizenship. For example, it wasn’t until 1924 that Congress finally granted citizenship to all Native Americans born in the U.S. A key case in the history of birthright citizenship came in 1898, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Wong Kim Ark, born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrants, was a U.S. citizen because he was born in the states. The federal government had tried to deny him reentry into the county after a trip abroad on grounds he wasn’t a citizen under the Chinese Exclusion Act. But some have argued that the 1898 case clearly applied to children born of parents who are both legal immigrants to America but that it’s less clear whether it applies to children born to parents without legal status or, for example, who come for a short-term like a tourist visa. “That is the leading case on this. In fact, it’s the only case on this,” said Andrew Arthur, a fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, which supports immigration restrictions. “It’s a lot more of an open legal question than most people think.” Some proponents of immigration restrictions have argued the words “subject to the jurisdiction thereof” in the 14th Amendment allows the U.S. to deny citizenship to babies born to those in the country illegally. Trump himself used that language in his 2023 announcement that he would aim to end birthright citizenship if reelected. Trump wasn’t clear in his Sunday interview how he aims to end birthright citizenship. Asked how he could get around the 14th Amendment with an executive action, Trump said: “Well, we’re going to have to get it changed. We’ll maybe have to go back to the people. But we have to end it.” Pressed further on whether he’d use an executive order, Trump said “if we can, through executive action.” He gave a lot more details in a 2023 post on his campaign website . In it, he said he would issue an executive order the first day of his presidency, making it clear that federal agencies “require that at least one parent be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident for their future children to become automatic U.S. citizens.” Related Articles National Politics | Trump has flip-flopped on abortion policy. His appointees may offer clues to what happens next National Politics | In promising to shake up Washington, Trump is in a class of his own National Politics | Election Day has long passed. In some states, legislatures are working to undermine the results National Politics | Trump attorney Alina Habba, a Lehigh University grad, to serve as counselor to the president National Politics | With Trump on the way, advocates look to states to pick up medical debt fight Trump wrote that the executive order would make clear that children of people in the U.S. illegally “should not be issued passports, Social Security numbers, or be eligible for certain taxpayer funded welfare benefits.” This would almost certainly end up in litigation. Nowrasteh from the Cato Institute said the law is clear that birthright citizenship can’t be ended by executive order but that Trump may be inclined to take a shot anyway through the courts. “I don’t take his statements very seriously. He has been saying things like this for almost a decade,” Nowrasteh said. “He didn’t do anything to further this agenda when he was president before. The law and judges are near uniformly opposed to his legal theory that the children of illegal immigrants born in the United States are not citizens.” Trump could steer Congress to pass a law to end birthright citizenship but would still face a legal challenge that it violates the Constitution. Associated Press reporter Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report.

Trump is named Time's Person of the Year and rings the New York Stock Exchange's opening bell NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange after being recognized by Time magazine as its person of the year. The honors Thursday for the businessman-turned-politician are a measure of Trump’s remarkable comeback from an ostracized former president who refused to accept his election loss four years ago to a president-elect who won the White House decisively in November. At the stock exchange, Trump was accompanied by his wife, Melania Trump, daughters Ivanka and Tiffany and Vice President-elect JD Vance. Trump grinned as people chanted “USA” before he opened the trading day and raised his fist. YouTube TV is hiking its monthly price, again. Here's what to know NEW YORK (AP) — Are you a YouTube TV subscriber? Your monthly bills are about to get more expensive again. YouTube has announced that it’s upping the price of its streaming service’s base plan by $10 — citing rising content costs and other investments. The new $82.99 per month price tag will go into effect starting Jan. 13 for existing subscribers, and immediately for new customers who sign up going forward. YouTube TV has rolled out a series of price hikes over the years. When launched back in 2017, the going price of its streaming package was $35 a month. By 2019, that fee rose to $50 — and has climbed higher and higher since. Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre's brotherhood is still strong after 30 years with new album 'Missionary' LOS ANGELES (AP) — When it comes to music, there’s one person in particular Snoop Dogg trusts to steer the ship without question: hit-making producer Dr. Dre. Their bond, built over 30 years of brotherhood, began when Dr. Dre shaped Snoop’s game-changing debut, “Doggystyle,” a cornerstone of hip-hop history. From young dreamers chasing stardom to legends cementing their legacies, the duo has always moved in sync. Now, the dynamic pair reunites for Snoop’s “Missionary,” his milestone 20th studio album, which releases Friday. The 15-track project features several big-name guest appearances including Eminem, 50 Cent, Sting, Method Man, Jelly Roll, Tom Petty, Jhené Aiko and Method Man. Country star Morgan Wallen sentenced in chair-throwing case NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country music star Morgan Wallen has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of reckless endangerment. He had been charged for throwing a chair from the rooftop of a six-story bar in Nashville and nearly hitting two police officers with it. Wallen appeared in court alongside his attorney on Thursday. He was sentenced to spend seven days in a DUI education center and will be under supervised probation for two years. According to the arrest affidavit, Wallen was accused of throwing a chair off the roof of Chief’s bar on April 7. The chair landed about a yard from the officers. Witnesses told police they saw Wallen pick up a chair, throw it off the roof and laugh about it. Indian teen Gukesh Dommaraju becomes the youngest chess world champion after beating Chinese rival NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest chess world champion after beating the defending champion Ding Liren of China. Dommaraju, 18, secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival in Thursday's game which was played in Singapore. He has surpassed the achievement of Russia’s Garry Kasparov who won the title at the age of 22. Dommaraju is now also the second Indian to win the title after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand. The Indian teen prodigy has long been considered a rising star in the chess world after he became a chess grandmaster at 12. He had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year. 'Vanderpump Rules' star James Kennedy arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence BURBANK, Calif. (AP) — Police say “Vanderpump Rules” star James Kennedy has been arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor domestic violence. Police in Burbank, California, say officers investigated reports of an argument between a man and a woman at a residence late Tuesday night and arrested the 32-year-old Kennedy. He was released from jail after posting bail. A representative of Kennedy did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. The Burbank city attorney will decide whether to file charges. Kennedy is a DJ and reality TV star who has appeared for 10 seasons on “Vanderpump Rules” — the Bravo series about the lives of employees at a set of swank restaurants. The wife of a Wisconsin kayaker who faked his own death moves to end their marriage MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The wife of a Wisconsin kayaker who faked his own drowning so he could abscond to Europe has filed a court action to end the couple's marriage. Online court records indicate Emily Borgwardt filed a petition in Dodge County Circuit Court on Thursday seeking to annul her marriage to Ryan Borgwardt. A hearing has been set for April. According to court documents, Ryan Borgwardt staged his own drowning by leaving his overturned kayak floating on Green Lake. He flew to Eastern Europe, where he spent several days in a hotel with a woman before taking up residence in the country of Georgia. He is charged with misdemeanor obstruction in Green Lake County. San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A block in downtown San Francisco has been renamed for acclaimed photojournalist Joe Rosenthal, who won the Pulitzer Prize for his iconic photo of U.S. Marines raising the flag on the Japanese island of Iwo Jima during WWII. The longtime staff photographer for the San Francisco Chronicle, who died in 2006 at age 94, is also remembered for the 35 years he spent documenting the city's famous and not so famous for the daily newspaper. He photographed a young Willie Mays getting his hat fitted as a San Francisco Giant in 1957. He also photographed joyous children making a mad dash for freedom on the last day of school in 1965. Nearly half of US teens are online 'constantly,' Pew report finds Nearly half of American teenagers say they are online “constantly,” despite concerns about the effects of social media and smartphones on their mental health. That's according to a new report published Thursday by the Pew Research Center. As in past years, YouTube was the single most popular platform teenagers used — 90% said they watched videos on the site, down slightly from 95% in 2022. There was a slight downward trend in several popular apps teens used. For instance, 63% of teens said they used TikTok, down from 67% and Snapchat slipped to 55% from 59%. Wander Franco's sex abuse trial has been postponed 5 months PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) — The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, has been postponed until June 2, 2025. Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing Thursday at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case. Franco’s lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February. The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment.Lafayette Street Dollar General Becomes Flashpoint for Council Tensions

Jacksonville defeats East Tennessee State 60-52NEW YORK (AP) — The huge rally for U.S. stocks lost momentum on Thursday as Wall Street counted down to a big jobs report that’s coming on Friday. The crypto market had more action, and bitcoin briefly burst to a record above $103,000 before pulling back. The S&P 500 slipped 0.2% from the all-time high it had set the day before, its 56th of the year so far, to shave a bit off what’s set to be one of its best years of the millennium . The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 248 points, or 0.6%, while the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.2% from its own record set the day before. Bitcoin powered above $100,000 for the first time the night before, after President-elect Donald Trump chose Paul Atkins, who's seen as a crypto advocate, as his nominee to head the Securities and Exchange Commission. The cryptocurrency has climbed dramatically from less than $70,000 on Election Day, but it fell back as Thursday progressed toward $99,000, according to CoinDesk. Sharp swings for bitcoin are nothing new, and they took stocks of companies enmeshed in the crypto world on a similar ride. After rising as much as 9% in early trading, MicroStrategy, a company that’s been raising cash just to buy bitcoin, swung to a loss of 4.8%. Crypto exchange Coinbase Global fell 3.1% after likewise erasing a big early gain. Elsewhere on Wall Street, stocks of airlines helped lead the way following the latest bumps up to financial forecasts from carriers. American Airlines Group soared 16.8% after saying it’s making more in revenue during the last three months of 2024 than it expected, and it will likely make a bigger profit than it had earlier forecast. The airline also chose Citi to be its exclusive partner for credit cards that give miles in its loyalty program. That should help its cash coming in from co-branded credit card and other partners grow by about 10% annually. Southwest Airlines climbed 2% after saying it’s seeing stronger demand from leisure travelers than it expected. It also raised its forecast for revenue for the holiday traveling season. On the losing end of Wall Street was Synposys, which tumbled 12.4%. The supplier for the semiconductor industry reported better profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected, but it also warned of “continued macro uncertainties” and gave a forecast for revenue in the current quarter that fell short of some analysts’ estimates. American Eagle Outfitters fell even more, 14.3%, after the retailer said it’s preparing for “potential choppiness” outside of peak selling periods. It was reminiscent of a warning from Foot Locker earlier in the week and raised more concerns about how resilient U.S. shoppers can remain. Solid spending by U.S. consumers has been one of the main reasons the U.S. economy has avoided a recession that earlier seemed inevitable after the Federal Reserve hiked interest rates to crush inflation. But shoppers are now contending with still-high prices and a slowing job market . This week’s highlight for Wall Street will be Friday’s jobs report from the U.S. government, which will show how many people employers hired and fired last month. A report on Thursday said the number of U.S. workers applying for unemployment benefits rose last week but remains at historically healthy levels. Expectations are high that the Fed will cut its main interest rate again when it meets in two weeks. The Fed began easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high in September, hoping to offer more support for the job market. In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury edged down to 4.17% from 4.18% late Wednesday. The S&P 500 fell 11.38 points to 6,075.11. The Dow sank 248.33 to 44,765.71, and the Nasdaq composite lost 34.86 to 19,700.26. In stock markets abroad, indexes were mostly calm in Europe after far-right and left-wing lawmakers in France joined together to vote on a no-confidence motion that will force Prime Minister Michel Barnier and his Cabinet to resign. The CAC 40 index in Paris added 0.4%. In South Korea, the Kospi fell 0.9% to compound its 1.4% decline from the day before. President Yoon Suk Yeol was facing possible impeachment after he suddenly declared martial law on Tuesday night. He revoked the martial law declaration six hours later. Crude oil prices slipped after eight members of the OPEC+ alliance of oil exporting countries decided to put off increasing oil production. AP Business Writers Yuri Kageyama and Matt Ott contributed.Horror shark attack as 'inspirational leader', 40, mauled to death while fishing

Relay Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:RLAY) Stock Holdings Increased by Geode Capital Management LLCZAGREB, Croatia (AP) — Croatia’s incumbent President Zoran Milanovic has a sweeping lead in Sunday’s election and could win the five-year presidency in the first round, according to an exit poll released immediately after the voting. The poll by the Ipsos polling agency and released by the state HRT television showed Milanovic winning over 50% of the votes, while his main challenger Dragan Primorac, a candidate of the conservative HDZ ruling party trailed far behind with 19%. Milanovic thanked voters in a post on social networks. The first official results are yet to be published. Pre-election polls predicted that the two would face off in the second round on Jan. 12, as none of all 8 presidential election contenders were projected to get more than 50% of the vote. Left-leaning Milanovic is an outspoken critic of Western military support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. He is often compared to Donald Trump for his combative style of communication with political opponents. The most popular politician in Croatia, 58-year-old Milanović has served as prime minister in the past. Populist in style, he has been a fierce critic of current Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and continuous sparring between the two has lately marked Croatia’s political scene. Plenković, the prime minister, has sought to portray the vote as one about Croatia’s future in the EU and NATO. He has labeled Milanović “pro-Russian” and a threat to Croatia’s international standing. “The difference between him and Milanović is quite simple: Milanović is leading us East, Primorac is leading us West,” he said. Though the presidency is largely ceremonial in Croatia, an elected president holds political authority and acts as the supreme military commander. Milanović has criticized the NATO and European Union support for Ukraine and has often insisted that Croatia should not take sides. He has said Croatia should stay away from global disputes, though it is a member of both NATO and the EU. Milanović has also blocked Croatia’s participation in a NATO-led training mission for Ukraine, declaring that “no Croatian soldier will take part in somebody else’s war.” His main rival in the election, Primorac, has stated that “Croatia’s place is in the West, not the East.” His presidency bid, however, has been marred by a high-level corruption case that landed Croatia’s health minister in jail last month and featured prominently in pre-election debates. During the election campaign, Primorac has sought to portray himself as a unifier and Milanović as divisive. “Today is an extremely important day,” Primorac said after casting his ballot. "Croatia is going forward into the future. Croatia needs unity, Croatia needs its global positioning, and above all Croatia needs peaceful life.” Trailing a distant third in the pre-election polls is Marija Selak Raspudić, a conservative independent candidate. She has focused her election campaign on the economic troubles of ordinary citizens, corruption and issues such as population decline in the country of some 3.8 million. Sunday’s presidential election is Croatia’s third vote this year, following a parliamentary election in April and the European Parliament balloting in June.

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