PENN STATE 85, FORDHAM 66nice88 zone 。

Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson attracted more than 100 million total viewers to watch the boxing match between a social influencer against an all-time great heavyweight but the event wasn’t without distractions thanks to a multitude of streaming issues at Netflix. With a platform that boasts over 282 million subscribers worldwide, Netflix has only dabbled in live event programming over the years but that business ramps up in a massive way starting in December with a pair of NFL games on Christmas day followed by the debut of WWE’s flagship show Monday Night Raw in January. While there were plenty of complaints about streams freezing, dying or just becoming inaccessible during the fight, Netflix chief content officer Bela Bajaria says the experience was a necessary growing pain as the company moves more and more into live streaming. “We expected a big number, for sure,” Bajaria said during a press event on Wednesday. “It was a big number. But again, you don’t know, and you can’t learn these things until you do them so you take a big swing. Our teams and our engineers are amazing, moved super quickly, and stabilized it, and many of the members had it back up and running pretty quickly. “But we learn from those things. And we’ve all obviously done a lot of stuff to learn and get ready for the NFL and Beyoncé at halftime and so we’re totally ready and excited for WWE.” WWE inked a huge 10 year deal worth $5 billion to move Raw to Netflix from the USA Network as the company that shares space with the UFC under TKO Group Holdings continues to embrace streaming platforms for major shows and events. A few years ago, WWE shifted focus from pay-per-view to what they now call “premium live events” that currently air on the Peacock network exclusively with fans required to have a subscription to that service but pay no other cost to watch those shows. Now WWE is banking on Netflix providing the company an even bigger platform starting in January and that relationship could potentially serve as a harbinger for the UFC’s upcoming broadcast rights deal with negotiations kicking off in 2025. But issues over the stability of streaming at Netflix had many fans concerned about future live broadcasts but Netflix seems ready to answer the call after a few unexpected hiccups. “Whenever we do live events, we want it to go smoothly for every single one of our members,” Bajaria said. “That’s really important—also, to put it in perspective, it was 65 million concurrent streams, right? It was a very successful night. A lot of people [watched], the scale was very big, which is great. There’s a lot of interest in it.” As of now, the UFC’s deal with ESPN runs through the end of 2025 so there’s no telling if Netflix could potentially become a player for the broadcast rights deal but talks are expected to begin early next year. While streaming problems plagued the Paul vs. Tyson card, WWE chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque admitted that for over 60 million viewers, the professional wrestling outfit won’t complain about a few bumps in the road. “I’ll just say, if it blinks a couple of times and we do 60 million, I’m good with that,” Levesque said with a laugh.

The political face of India has undergone great changes with the leadership of those who have guided this nation to its present stature. Among them, a giant of a man recently passed away, former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, at the age of 92. His demise has affected many politicians and citizens alike. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi put this grief into words in a poignant post on X, where he described Singh as “a mentor and guide.” Table of Contents A Leader of Integrity Manmohan Singh and his role in Indian economy A Complex Legacy A Leader of Integrity In his tribute, Gandhi said Singh had distinguished qualities, with his leadership marked by wisdom and integrity. “He led India with a profound sense of humility and a thorough understanding of economics,” Gandhi recalled, pointing to the significance of Singh in the life of the nation. “I have lost a mentor. Millions will remember him with pride,” he declared, his words striking the hearts of many who felt that Singh had served the country for decades. Similarly, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Rahul’s sister, praised Singh for the deep respect he commanded in the political arena. She said that he was a man of utmost honesty and that he stood tall in adversity, which reflected his character. This feeling of praise was expressed on social media platforms by people who were celebrating Singh’s legacy. Manmohan Singh and his role in Indian economy From humble beginnings, Dr. Manmohan Singh rose to become a towering figure in Indian politics and economy. His role as Union Finance Minister during the 1991 economic crisis made him a reluctant yet powerful architect of India’s economic reforms. Singh’s guidance ushered India into the world of global markets, completely changing the country’s economic scenario. He carried this transformation further when he entered the position of Prime Minister as the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance won the elections of 2004—a career landmark for him. He relentlessly worked on bringing the Indian economy up, and he worked on upgrading millions of people. One of the first to pay tributes was Prime Minister Narendra Modi , who described Singh as “one of India’s most distinguished leaders.” Modi highlighted Singh’s background from humble beginnings to being a respected economist. He acknowledged that Singh had an immense impact on economic policies during his tenure in different official capacities, which forms a testament to his legacy in India’s development. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also condoled, saying Singh had been a very valuable contribution to the country and a very strong Finance Minister. These tributes speak to the broad appeal and respect that transcended party lines. A Complex Legacy Dr. Singh’s journey was not without challenges. Though he was admired for his integrity, his government was substantially criticized for allegations of corruption and inaction. But 2G spectrum and the Commonwealth Games scams marred the latter half of the tenure of his government; hence, some people regarded him as the “Accidental Prime Minister.” For his part, Singh claimed to believe that history was going to treat him differently, a feeling that defines the complexity of his times. Manmohan Singh’s life and accomplishments only reflect the gigantic figure of Indian politics that he formed. His commitment to reforming India’s economy as well as his dedication to the betterment of public welfare leaves an indelible mark on the country. That is evident by the spate of sorrow and homage paid after he breathed his last. True, it is but another way to say that the legend has come to pass away; yet its legacy will shape and form many more in the future. Also, see: Watch video: Lamborghini catches fire on Mumbai’s Coastal Road, questions raised on safety standards

Patriots’ Jabrill Peppers’s trial scheduled for January, but he could be playing this SundayThe reigning Super Bowl champions saw their run of 15 straight wins ended by the Buffalo Bills last week, but got back to winning ways thanks to star quarterback Patrick Mahomes. After a late Chuba Hubbard touchdown and two-point conversion had made it 27-27, the Chiefs got the ball back with less than two minutes on the clock and a 33-yard run from Mahomes helped set up Spencer Shrader for a game-winning field goal. THE CHIEFS SURVIVE AGAIN. 🔥 Patrick Mahomes comes up CLUTCH with a 33-yard run late, before Spencer Shrader wins it as time expires! Get your #NFL action on ESPN! pic.twitter.com/POt57HQYig — ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) November 24, 2024 Mahomes finished the game with 269 yards and three touchdowns, two of them to Noah Gray in the first half. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs scored two touchdowns as the Detroit Lions beat the Indianapolis Colts 24-6 to improve their record to 10-1, matching that of the Chiefs. David Montgomery also ran for a score before having to leave the game with a shoulder injury. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ended a four-game losing streak with a 30-7 win over the New York Giants, who “mutually agreed” to terminate the contract of quarterback Daniel Jones earlier this week. Jones’ replacement Tommy DeVito was sacked four times while opposite number Baker Mayfield ran for a touchdown and completed 24 of 30 pass attempts for 294 yards. Rachaad White, Bucky Irving and Sean Tucker also ran for touchdowns in a one-sided contest. The Dallas Cowboys ended their five-game losing streak with a remarkable 34-26 win over the Washington Commanders, with 30 points scored in the final three minutes. KaVontae Turpin’s 99-yard kick-off return for a touchdown looked to have sealed victory for the Cowboys, only for the Commanders to respond with a field goal before getting the ball back with 33 seconds remaining. Wide receiver Terry McLaurin sprinted 86 yards through the Dallas defence for a touchdown, only for Austin Seibert to miss the extra point. 99 YARDS TO THE 🏡 @KaVontaeTurpin was gone!! 📺: #DALvsWAS on FOX📲: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/LvklCbYJ1e pic.twitter.com/4ckMWDEDPL — Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 24, 2024 The Commanders tried an onside kick and Juanyeh Thomas returned it 43 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw four touchdown passes as the Miami Dolphins cruised to a 34-15 win over the New England Patriots, while the Tennessee Titans pulled off a surprise 32-27 victory at the Houston Texans. The Minnesota Vikings improved to 9-2 thanks to a 30-27 overtime win against the Chicago Bears, Parker Romo kicking the decisive field goal from 29 yards.

21 dead as Mozambique erupts in violence after election court ruling

Drop in Boxing Day footfall ‘signals return to declining pre-pandemic levels’

Townsquare is Gamuda Cove’s first retail entertainment destination, showcasing lifestyle shops designed with European-inspired architecture. ARE you ready to launch your business in a vibrant, thriving township? Gamuda Land is committed to fostering growth and innovation within its communities by supporting local businesses through impactful initiatives. One such initiative is the Business Get Set, Go Programme, which offers financial assistance to help entrepreneurs scale and succeed within its townships. This programme plays a vital role in creating vibrant, sustainable communities that offer opportunities for businesses and residents alike to prosper. All you need is a compelling proposal—no pitching sessions required. If you're ready to elevate your business, let your ideas shine and become part of a community dedicated to your success. Fueling local business growth Gamuda Land’s Business Get Set, Go Programme is a transformative initiative aimed at fueling the growth of local businesses in its townships. With a total grant pool of RM1.8mil dedicated to capital expenditure (capex) and rental subsidies, the programme aims to provide vital financial assistance to businesses looking to establish or expand their operations in one of Gamuda Land's diverse townships. By reducing barriers to entry, the programme makes it easier for businesses to set up stores or operations in prime locations such as Gamuda Cove in Kuala Langat, Gamuda Gardens north of Sungai Buloh, twentyfive.7 south of Kota Kemuning, The Robertson in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, HighPark Suites in Petaling Jaya, GM Klang, GMBB in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur and many more. This initiative goes beyond simple business support. By helping businesses reduce their initial setup costs, Gamuda Land fosters an environment where local entrepreneurs can thrive. The programme encourages new ventures while supporting established businesses to grow, creating an ecosystem where businesses, residents and visitors benefit from a thriving, diverse commercial environment. Local businesses play a significant role in stimulating economic activity within the township, offering products, services and job opportunities that benefit the entire community. Gamuda Land understands that the success of a business is inextricably linked to the prosperity of the community it serves. By supporting businesses, the programme helps create a positive feedback loop: thriving businesses lead to more jobs, increased local spending and improved infrastructure, which, in turn, makes the community more attractive to future residents and investors. Transforming townships At the core of Gamuda Land’s mission is its commitment to turning its townships into vibrant, experience-driven destinations that go beyond residential spaces. The programme plays an essential role in this transformation. By investing in local businesses, Gamuda Land is enhancing the overall experience for residents and visitors alike, creating lively, engaging environments where commerce, culture and community come together. This focus on placemaking—a strategy to design and develop public spaces that encourage social interaction—helps build townships that are not just places to live, but places to engage, relax and enjoy life. Local businesses contribute directly to the atmosphere of each township. From boutique retail stores and artisanal food outlets to service providers and leisure activities, these businesses help shape the overall identity of the township. Instead of generic shopping malls or chain establishments, Gamuda Land aims to support locally-run ventures that offer unique products, services and experiences, making each township feel authentic and tailored to the needs of its residents. Whether it's a family-run restaurant, a specialised fitness centre, or a creative studio, the businesses in each township contribute to a diverse, dynamic community where people can connect and engage with their surroundings in meaningful ways. By prioritising local businesses, the programme ensures that each township is a hub of cultural and economic activity. The presence of vibrant businesses creates spaces where residents can gather, connect and interact with one another. Whether enjoying a local meal, attending an event, or simply browsing a unique shop, the businesses supported by this programme help transform everyday life into a rich, immersive experience. Gardens Square, the first commercial development in Gamuda Gardens, brings the vibrant KL city lifestyle to Klang Valley with its premium two-and three-storey shop lots and offices. Building sustainable, connected communities Gamuda Land’s commitment to sustainability is at the heart of the Business Get Set, Go Programme. The initiative is designed not only to support business growth but also to build self-sustaining, connected communities that can thrive in the long term. By empowering local businesses, Gamuda Land is creating a dynamic ecosystem within each township. This interconnected network of businesses, residents and public spaces fosters a sense of ownership and pride among the community, ensuring that the townships are resilient and future-ready. Supporting businesses aligns with Gamuda Land’s broader sustainability goals, ensuring that each township is not only economically viable but also socially and environmentally balanced. Local businesses contribute to sustainability by sourcing products and services locally, reducing the carbon footprint associated with long-distance transport and fostering community pride. In turn, businesses benefit from being part of a sustainable, interconnected ecosystem that creates opportunities for collaboration, networking and shared growth. This holistic approach to development ensures that each township is not just a place to live but a thriving, integrated community. By enabling businesses to grow, Gamuda Land is contributing to the creation of self-sustaining townships where residents, businesses and the environment work together to create a better, more prosperous future. Who is eligible? To apply for the Gamuda Land Business Get Set, Go Programme, businesses must meet the following eligibility criteria: > Business operation and registration : Businesses must have been in operation for over two years, with an annual turnover of RM500,000 (as of Sept 30) and must be registered with the Companies Commission of Malaysia (SSM). > Business type : The programme is open to all types of businesses, with a focus on local businesses in the F&B and retail sectors. Due to Gamuda Land’s close relationship with major banks, the developer can assist these businesses to get bank loans at a preferential rate. In addition, these businesses can enjoy free publicity through the developer’s selected social media platforms for their participation in the programme. Where to apply? Businesses interested in applying can submit their proposals through the official Gamuda Land Business Get Set, Go Programme portal at www.gamudaland.com.my/glbusinessgetsetgo This portal provides all the necessary details for submitting applications and other programme-related information. Applicants must prepare and upload a comprehensive business proposal, including their unique selling proposition (USP), marketing rollout plan, target market and a two-year sales projection. Once submitted, applicants should look out for an email confirming their successful application. The developer will then contact shortlisted applicants to schedule a meeting, where they will present their business proposals and ideas for further evaluation. When to apply? The application timeline for the programme is as follows: > Submission period: From Nov 25 to Dec 31. > Shortlisting of successful applicants: Successful applicants will be shortlisted by Jan 10, 2025. > Announcement of grant winners: The winners of the RM1.8mil grant will be announced on Jan 22, 2025. Key dates for events > Initiation of the programme: Nov 25 > Radio personality, actor, entrepreneur and programme ambassador Chan Fong brand talk: Nov 27 and 28 at M Resort & Hotel Kuala Lumpur > GL Biz Cruise episodes: Airing from Dec 6 to Jan 10, 2025, featuring interviews with entrepreneurs, business influencers and others such as the programme advisor cum MyStartr founder Goh Boon Peng, providing invaluable exposure and guidance for applicants. Gamuda Land will also be providing professional coaching and mentoring to these grant winners, with the full support by Goh. > Grand event: The announcement of the successful recipients of the grant will be made on Jan 22, 2025. These key dates highlight important milestones for both applicants and interested parties to stay informed. To learn more about Gamuda Land, visit https://www.gamudaland.com.my/Wisconsin at Nebraska: How we see the game playing out, and over/under picks

If you’re reading this, you value a free press, and you should be alarmed by President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Kash Patel to head the FBI. Current FBI Director Christopher Wray, a Trump appointee, is about to be dismissed for perceived disloyalty after the FBI retrieved classified documents that Trump had kept at Mar-a-Lago. Wray would be the second FBI director to be sacked by Trump, after James Comey’s firing in 2017. Expect no independence of thought or action from Patel, known for unwavering loyalty to Trump. Patel has vowed to target government officials who leak information to reporters and to push for legal changes making it easier to sue journalists. He told Steve Bannon in a 2023 podcast, “We’re going to come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections,” as part of a comprehensive housecleaning of the Justice Department and the FBI. Patel will t urn the nation’s top law enforcement agency into a tool for Trump, punishing critics and dissenters while undermining the press. This approach threatens the independence of the FBI and the vital role of the Fourth Estate in defending democracy. Those who value a free and accountable government have every reason to be deeply concerned. Mervyn Turner, Scotch Plains Putin won’t drop nukes on Ukraine Regarding Paul Mulshine’s recent column, “World War III? Nukes don’t give you time to relax”: It’s Mulshine who should relax. Vladimir Putin wants to re-create the Great Russian Empire, including Ukraine, which is why he will not use nuclear weapons in his war there. The state of Kievan Rus , established in the ninth century, was Russia’s first great empire, and that is why Putin wants to control Ukraine. What is now modern-day Kyiv was the center of Kievan Rus, and has many historic and religious relics important to the Russian Orthodox Church. Kievan Rus was situated along the Dnieper River and traded with the Byzantine Empire, resulting in the conversion of many Russians to Orthodox Christianity. The Russians adapted this version to their own Russian Orthodox Christianity, which is practiced today, and of which Putin claims to be an adherent. The Mongols destroyed the state of Kievan Rus in the 13th century. If Putin wants to reassemble the Great Russian Empire, he cannot do it by nuking Ukraine, which would make Kiev and vicinity inaccessible beyond his lifetime. Shirley Allen, Hopewell Township No water-saving deed goes unpunished Once again, we are experiencing severe drought conditions and are being asked to conserve water. I remember the last time we had a problem and our politicians asked us to conserve water. Many of us did not shower or shave every day. We let our lawns burn out, and we used dirty washing machine water for our plants. A lot of us followed the toilet-flushing guideline popularized by then-New York City Mayor Ed Koch during a 1980s water shortage: “If it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, flush it down.” We saved a lot of water. But, because the water companies did not sell enough water to make big enough profits, we were rewarded with surcharges on our bills. Hopefully, if we get into those dire straights again, the politicians will protect the people that they represent and not let this robbery occur once again. Robert E. Malinowski, Point Pleasant You can’t fix stupid I read the very sad recent article, “ 5 bears hit by cars in a week in Delaware Water Gap in ‘troubling’ trend,” about the five bears hit by cars in one week up in the Delaware Water Gap. Happily, the solution (?) to the problem was contained in another article a few days ago about proposed legislation to restrict homeowners’ use of bear-attracting bird feeders in New Jersey from April to November. Because if we outlaw bird feeders, the bears will ... go away? This is quite possibly the stupidest legislative suggestion ever. And, that includes Prohibition, which was pretty stupid. I also read about the cold snap we’re experiencing. Happily (?), according to U.S. Rep. Marjorie Tyler Green, R-Ga., the government — specifically President Joe Biden and the current Democratic administration — controls the weather. It’s obvious. Just look at the “evidence” of the Red-State areas where recent hurricanes struck. Unhappily, while the Democrats still have control, they’ll probably use the weather to punish the country for electing Donald Trump and Republicans congressional majorities. The evidence is going to be right in front of you. There’s a common thread running through these two episodes: You can’t fix stupid. John S. Rounds, Lawrence Middletown mayor wrong in Facebook feud Concerning the recent article “Facebook group shuts down after calling for boycott of N.J. businesses over MAGA support”: I read Middletown Mayor Tony Perry’s comments about this Facebook group that discouraged patronizing of businesses in the Monmouth County township, based on their alleged support of President-elect Donald Trump. Perry, a Republican, had called the Facebook group’s actions “outrageous,” and said that the targeted businesses are “important members of our community.” Perry’s simplistic explanation ignores that Trump’s issues go way beyond political differences. Trump’s genital-grabbing support, housing discrimination, business fraud, charity fraud and tax evasion should not be considered mere political issues. They are ethical and character issues. I, too, have concerns about the people and businesses that support such an unethical candidate, and the party that put him on the ballot. Andy Babij , Livingston MeMaw probably ate pawpaws When I read the article, “This American fruit could outcompete apples and peaches on a hotter planet,” about the U.S. resurgence of the pawpaw fruit, it reminded me of an old American folk song I learned as a child, “Way down yonder in the pawpaw patch.” The song described a group of children searching for one of their friends who was in the pawpaw patch, picking up pawpaws and putting them in her pocket. Pawpaw have been grown and eaten by Americans for a long time. Ellen Moxley, East Orange A holiday gift from felon, to felon Concerning President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to appoint New Jersey’s Charles Kushner as U.S. ambassador to France: Kushner, a property developer, spent two years in prison after pleading guilty in 2005 to tax evasion and witness tampering. Kushner’s son Jared is Trump’s son-in-law, married to Ivanka. Trump pardoned Charles Kushner in December 2020. What a sad thought it is that the choice for the best representative of American interests in France is a convicted felon, whose son is married to the daughter of another convicted felon, Trump himself. RECOMMENDED • nj .com Who would Trump FBI nominee Kash Patel target? He compiled a lengthy list Dec. 2, 2024, 1:22 p.m. After mysterious flights, FAA bans drones over Trump’s N.J. golf course Dec. 2, 2024, 5:44 p.m. Paul L. Newman, Merion Station, Pa. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion . Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion . Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion . Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com’s newsletters .Consumers in the United States scoured the internet for online deals as they looked to take advantage of the post-Thanksgiving shopping marathon with Cyber Monday. Even though e-commerce is now part and parcel of many people's regular routines and the holiday shopping season, Cyber Monday — a term coined in 2005 by the National Retail Federation — has become the biggest online shopping day of the year, thanks to the deals and the hype the industry has created to fuel it. Adobe Analytics, which tracks online shopping, expected consumers to spend $13.2 billion Monday — a record, and 6.1% more than last year. That would make it the biggest shopping day for e-commerce for the season — and the year. Online spending was expected to peak between the hours of 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. on Monday night, per Adobe — reaching an estimated $15.7 million spent every minute. For several major retailers, a Cyber Monday sale is a dayslong event that began over the Thanksgiving weekend. An Amazon Prime delivery person lifts packages while making a stop Nov. 28, 2023, in Denver. Amazon kicked off its sales event right after midnight Pacific time on Saturday. Target's two days of discount offers on its website and app began overnight Sunday. Walmart rolled out its Cyber Monday offers for Walmart+ members Sunday afternoon and opened it up to all customers three hours later, at 8 p.m. Eastern time. Consumer spending for Cyber Week — the five major shopping days between Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday — provides a strong indication of how much shoppers are willing to spend for the holidays. Many U.S. consumers continue to experience sticker shock after the period of post-pandemic inflation, which left prices for many goods and services higher than they were three years ago. But retail sales nonetheless remain strong, and the economy kept growing at a healthy pace. At the same time, credit card debt and delinquencies are rising. More shoppers than ever are also on track to use "buy now, pay later" plans this holiday season, which allows them to delay payments on holiday decor, gifts and other items. Many economists also warned that President-elect Donald Trump's plan to impose tariffs next year on foreign goods coming into the United States would lead to higher prices on everything from food to clothing to automobiles. A FedEx delivery person carries a package from a truck Nov. 17, 2022, in Denver. The National Retail Federation expects holiday shoppers to spend more this year both in stores and online than last year. But the pace of spending growth will slow slightly, the trade group said, growing 2.5% to 3.5% — compared to 3.9% in 2023. A clear sense of consumer spending patterns during the holiday season won't emerge until the government releases sales data for the period, but some preliminary data from other sources shows some encouraging signs for retailers. Vivek Pandya, lead analyst at Adobe Digital Insights, noted that discounts from Thanksgiving onward "exceeded expectations" and online spending throughout Cyber Week is on track to cross a record $40 billion mark combined. U.S. shoppers spent $10.8 billion online on Black Friday, a 10.2% increase over last year, according to Adobe Analytics. That's also more than double what consumers spent in 2017, when Black Friday pulled in about $5 billion in online sales. Consumers also spent a record $6.1 billion online on Thanksgiving Day, Adobe said. Meanwhile, software company Salesforce, which also tracks online shopping, estimated that Black Friday online sales totaled $17.5 billion in the U.S. and $74.4 billion globally. Mastercard SpendingPulse, which tracks in-person and online spending, reported that overall Black Friday sales excluding automotive rose 3.4% from a year ago. A United Parcel Service driver sorts deliveries July 15, 2023, on New York's Upper West Side. E-commerce platform Shopify said its merchants raked in a record $5 billion in sales worldwide on Black Friday. At its peak, sales reached $4.6 million per minute — with top categories by volume including clothing, cosmetics and fitness products, according to the Canadian company. Toys, electronics, home goods, self-care and beauty categories were among the key drivers of holiday spending on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, according to Adobe. "Hot products" included Lego sets, espresso machines, fitness trackers, makeup and skin care. Other data showed physical stores saw fewer customers on Black Friday, underscoring how the huge crowds that were once synonymous with the day after Thanksgiving are now more than happy to shop from the comfort of their homes. RetailNext, which measures real-time foot traffic in stores, said its early data showed store traffic on Friday was down 3.2% in the U.S. compared to last year, with the biggest dip happening in the Midwest. Sensormatic Solutions, which also tracks store traffic, said its preliminary analysis showed retail store traffic on Black Friday was down 8.2% compared to 2023. Grant Gustafson, head of retail consulting and analytics at Sensormatic Solutions, noted that in-store traffic was getting spread across multiple days since many retailers offered generous discounts before and after Black Friday. "Some of the extended Black Friday promotions really ended up leading to a little bit of a softer day-of traffic than expected," Gustafson said. In 2024, staying small on purpose seems to be paying off big for small businesses. They're keeping operations small and targeting niche, highly specialized customers. And some business owners find this strategy results in more time, energy, and money to intentionally capitalize on unique, small cap opportunities. The data tells the story of growth in small businesses for the year. According to NEXT , the Small Business Administration (SBA) reports awarding 38,000 SBA 7(a) loans under $150,000: double the amount they awarded in 2020. Here are the related small-business trends paying off in 2024. Commercial real estate agent Ryan Beckenhauer of Market Real Estate in Boulder, Colorado, has noticed that small businesses are growing smaller, and that their office and warehouse spaces are starting to reflect that as they shop for business space. In commercial real estate, many small business owners gravitate toward industrial condos and other flexible spaces. These are small-scale industrial spaces with a 90:10 or 80:20 split of warehouse to office. "More individuals are leveraging skills acquired at larger organizations to venture out on their own," explains Beckenhauer. And he goes on to say that they don't need a large commercial space as they make that leap to start a business. His clients include engineers, consultants, builders and other tradespeople. Beckenhauer's clients like the flexibility of being out of an office and being close to their inventory and workshop space. "The clients want to see and touch the finishes," he says. Small business owners both rent or buy these spaces. But he's seeing his clients opt to own industrial condos to stabilize costs due to rent increases in Boulder. And because these spaces are smaller, it can be easier for new buyers to qualify for financing. Mariana Alvarez, owner of Controller Works , an online bookkeeping and advisory firm, has noticed that small business owners outsource financial support services because they don't want to increase headcount. "Outsourcing gives them the possibility of having access to the knowledge and the skills of a CFO without having to pay for the salary," she says. "They don't have to manage or deal with the workload, employment taxes , and all that comes with it," says Alvarez. Additionally, many small business owners in fields like construction are family-owned, and this makes it easier for business owners to hand off delicate financial work to a trusted person with financial experience. Every small business has recurring tasks that can benefit from some level of artificial intelligence automation . And Alvarez sees a lot of value in using AI for small business bookkeeping. She explains that you can automate the data entry on Quickbooks. "When you create rules, as long as you create the rules correctly, it pretty much does itself," says Alvarez. From there, you can lean on financial experts to help you analyze the data and make more informed decisions. She uses AI as a background resource when guiding her accounting clients. "I believe that we still need the human-to-human interaction that comes with more perspective for financial analysis," she explains. According to the SBA , 77% of consumers feel that human interaction is still required for a positive customer experience. People turn to small businesses every day for a human experience. According to Arvind Rongala, CEO of Edstellar , small business workers can show up for their customers but still use AI for routine tasks like customer queries. "This balance allows companies to scale their operations without losing the personal touch that makes them unique. It's important to remember that AI isn't there to replace the human element—it's there to enhance it," he says. "By really focusing on one very small weakness that Amazon has, I've been able to carve out a successful business by offering something different," says Lou Harvey owner of Tank Retailer , a retailer of commercial water and fuel tanks. "When you read our customer reviews, many of them actually mention me by name because of how much we focus on customer service and go the extra mile." One of Harvey's most successful business strategies this year has been to lean into his small, niche market and offer the kind of customer experience that large retailers like Amazon don't. "Any small weaknesses that Amazon has (however small those weaknesses may be) needs to become a strength of a smaller business focusing on a niche market," says Harvey. Harvey has his company's customer service phone number front and center on the website to help earn customer trust. "I prominently feature our phone number, and a real person always answers the phone (usually it's me)," says Harvey. Lucie Voves, CEO and founder of Church Hill Classics , an online, woman-owned diploma framing company that uses sustainable materials, has noticed an uptick in customers seeking services from a business on a mission. "This year, we've seen a growing inclination for consumers to actively seek out and support small businesses owned by women and minorities," says Voves. When consumers shop small, they choose to make their dollars count. "Customers are fueled by a desire to promote social impact through purchasing power," says Voves. Long gone are the days of online retailers "building it and they will come." In 2024 we've seen more small businesses than ever turn to social commerce to sell directly on social media platforms like Instagram Shopping , Facebook Marketplace , and TikTok . Small business owners are turning toward influencers, social media ads, and organic content to target their customers. Mike Vannelli of Envy Creative creates online ads for businesses, and he has seen his clients succeed on TikTok of late. "I've seen businesses, especially in retail, use TikTok's short-form video format to make their products go viral. Think of it as word-of-mouth marketing on steroids," says Vannelli. He uses the platform's algorithm to push a company's content to the right audiences, and it works because TikTok loves storytelling. "I know small brands that use behind-the-scenes videos, customer testimonials, and even playful challenges that tap into trends to humanize their products and build trust," explains Vannelli. To stand out on TikTok, he says, smaller brands need to embrace authenticity and emotional connection. Show your team, share your journey, and involve your community in content creation. This story was produced by NEXT and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly.

Audi is in the midst of a massive model line transformation with all of its even-numbered cars becoming EVs and all of its odd-numbered cars staying gas-powered. This shift aims to make electric vehicles like the all-new Audi A6 and S6 E-Tron extremely important in its portfolio. While it might be called the A6, this mid-size liftback is more of a replacement for the A7 , just with the addition of electric power. Regardless of naming scheme, I found both the entry-level A6 E-Tron and higher-power S6 E-Tron to be compelling vehicles that are a welcome — and rather handsome — addition to the mid-size luxury segment, where they’ll go toe-to-toe with the BMW i5 and Mercedes-Benz EQE. The two Audis also make it very apparent that for 95 percent of driving, you do not need the faster EV. Full Disclosure : Audi flew me all the way to Tenerife, put me up in fancy hotels and fed me all so I could drive the 2025 A6 and S6. Gone are the four- and six-cylinder motors that powered the previous A6 and S6. In their place are either one or two electric motors depending on your trim level. In the U.S., the model lineup will have three power levels to choose from. First, we’ve got the base-level A6 E-Tron. It comes equipped with a single motor at the rear axle that puts out 375 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque and has an EPA-estimated 370 miles of range. Audi says it’s working on a long-range model with smaller wheels that can hit 390 miles, which would make it one of the longest-range EVs on the market. Next up is the A6 E-Tron Quattro . That adds a second motor at the front axle to give the A6 all-wheel drive, and it makes 456 horsepower and a 333-mile driving range. Finally, we’ve got the big-dog S6 E-Tron. It keeps the two-motor setup of the Quattro, but with much more power. Horsepower rises to 543, but range takes a dip to 324 miles. That’s still pretty solid, but it isn’t going to set any records. It should be noted that Audi hasn’t released official torque figures yet for AWD cars. Those should pop up closer to launch. Regardless of motor configuration, the A6 and S6 E-Tron come with a sizable 100kWh battery pack (of which a 94.4-kWh net is usable), and they run on an 800-volt architecture. The new A6 is built on Volkswagen Group’s Premium Platform Electric that is shared with other vehicles like the Audi Q6 E-Tron and Porsche Macan . Audi says the A6’s battery can fast-charge at a max of 270 kW, and it’s able to go from 10 percent to 80 percent in just 21 minutes. It can also gain about 135 miles of range in 10 minutes of charging. That’s not too shabby at all. Regardless of which model you go with, you’ve also got multiple levels of regenerative braking. You can turn regen braking all the way off, select one of two regen braking intensities or crank it all the way up to full one-pedal driving. I’ll be honest, though, one-pedal isn’t very intense in this car. It’ll bring the car to a stop, but it takes a while. Now that I’ve got all of those boring technical details out of the way, I should talk about how the A6 and S6 E-Trons drive. I’ll just say this: Both cars are certainly geared for luxury over sportiness, and I don’t mind that one bit. I drove the entry-level single-motor A6 and the top-dog S6 — the Quattro wasn’t available for testing and neither were the Avants that we won’t get in America, so don’t ask. Both cars offered decent dynamics, but they weren’t exactly inspiring to drive. According to Audi, the 375-hp A6 E-Tron got from 0-60 in 5.2 seconds, and it can go on to a top speed of 130 mph. Those are both pretty good numbers, but I get the feeling it would much rather cruise down the highway at Autobahn speeds than attack a corner. Like most Audis, it tends to understeer when you come into a corner a bit too hot, as I did a few times on the twisty roads of Tenerife . Regardless of drive mode (there’s Balanced, Dynamic, Comfort and Efficiency), the A6 E-Tron doesn’t inspire a ton of confidence when it comes to performance driving, and a lot of that comes from the adaptive air suspension and steering tuning. The suspension was rather soft even in Dynamic mode, and the steering was very light. Please don’t take this to mean I didn’t care for the way the A6 drove — I did it’s just not a performance vehicle. To me, that’s OK, because the world is sorely missing luxury cars that are only trying to be luxurious right now. Driving down the highway with the excellent adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping systems working while getting a massage from the wonderfully comfy front seats was more than enough to win me over. Unfortunately, a lot of the A6 E-Tron’s driving foibles continue to the S6. These two cars put in perspective how, 99 percent of the time, different variants of an EV all sort of feel the same. Years ago, you’d buy an S6 because it had a massive V10 engine versus the lowly six-cylinder of an A6, and that felt special all the time. Now, the only real material differences between the A6 and S6 are some slightly different styling cues and a stiffer suspension. The steering is still far too light, and even with a rear-biased AWD system, the S6 pushes when you get into a corner. However, this means the positive driving characteristics of the A6 continue in the S6 as well. It’s still wonderfully comfy on the highway, meaning it’s sure to be an Autobahn bomber with its 149-mph top speed. To be fair, the S6 isn’t completely hopeless dynamically either. It’s very flat in the corners thanks to that stiffer suspension, and you can carry immense speeds thanks to the 21-inch Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires, though it’s still not very confidence-inspiring to drive quickly thanks to the extremely light steering. Overall, it drives rather well, but the S6 E-Tron isn’t going to be the sporty sedan (or liftback) you were hoping for. Inside the A6 and S6 E-Tron, you’re greeted with the sort of build quality and tech we’ve come to expect from Audi. There are two real highlights in the cabin: the technology and the seats. I’ve put my ass down in a lot of car seats in my life, and these are right up there with the best when it comes to comfort and a sporty feel. It also helps that they’re heated, ventilated and, of course, can massage your back. On certain packages, you even get speakers in the headrest, so it’s pretty much a Mazda Miata . Aside from the comfort, they’re also well-bolstered enough that you’re kept firmly in place going around corners. I don’t know how Audi was able to pull off such wonderful seats, but they’re pretty much second to none. The other aspect where the E-Tron siblings’ interior excels is when it comes to technology. The focal points are, unsurprisingly, the screens. There’s an 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit gauge cluster screen and a massive 14.5-inch infotainment screen that are meant to form some sort of panoramic display, and you can get an optional 10.9-inch front passenger display that may be the most useful one I’ve ever interacted with. All three work exceedingly well together and never feel overwhelming, even if there’s a ton of screen real estate taking up space in the cabin . Above all of that is a huge augmented reality head-up display that can flash turn-by-turn directions like a video game and trace the lane lines and cars in front of you when you’ve got adaptive cruise control engaged. It’s a really neat system, and I’m excited to see it pop up in more vehicles. The rest of the interior is pretty well thought out as well, including the squircle steering wheel that does a good job of not blocking the gauge cluster screen. My one real gripe is the use of capacitive touch buttons. They’re everywhere from the steering wheel and the control panel to the left of the driver and on the center console. There’s also a little bit too much piano black plastic for my liking, especially on the oddly big bezels surrounding the screens, but these are just small grips. Other than a couple of other cheap-ish feeling plastic pieces, the interior materials feel very premium, whether you’re touching metals, soft-touch plastics, fabrics or leathers. Something else the A6 and S6 E-Tron excel in interior-wise is space. There’s a lot of it. At 6-foot-1 I can sit behind myself rather comfortably, and because this car is a liftback now there’s a ton of trunk space. Audi says it has 26 cubic feet of trunk space behind the rear seats. That jumps up to 40 cubic feet with the rear seats folded For reference, the ICE-powered A6 and A7 have 13.7 and 24.9 cubic feet of truck space, behind the rear seats respectively. If that isn’t quite enough, there’s a modest frunk with 0.95 cubic feet of space. That’ll be more than enough for a charger and a couple of other things. Moving outside, the A6 and S6 are both very handsome, though other than some badges and wheel choices, it’s hard to tell the two cars apart. Audi did a really good job of hiding some of the car’s chunk with a side blade that runs along the bottom of the doors. Up front, there’s a lot of black plastic that surrounds the car’s “grille,” and it does a good job of hiding the main headlights. The light pods above those are just for running lights (and they can be configured to different styles depending on what you like). Out back, it’s classic Audi with a light bar and light-up rings, though the chunk is a bit less hidden out here. There are also eight light signatures to choose from to make your A6 or S6 your own. Up top, there’s an optional panoramic glass roof that you can switch up the transparency of, similar to what Porsche has on the Taycan . Audi’s engineers and designers put a lot of thought into how the A6 and S6 would slip through the air. The automaker says the car has a drag coefficient of just 0.21, lower than the i5’s 0.23 and EQE’s 0.22 coefficients, which is partially how the A6 and S6 get such good range out. One thing I haven’t touched on yet is pricing. Well, that’s because there isn’t anything to report yet. Audi says we should know more closer to the vehicles’ release in the spring or summer of 2025. That being said, German prices are listed online, so we should be able to get some idea of what they’ll cost. Before adding the 19 percent German VAT , the A6 E-Tron starts around $52,700 and a base S6 E-Tron comes in around $83,600. If it were my money, I’d go with the rear-drive A6 E-Tron. Sure, the power and performance of the S6 would be nice, but the financial savings and excellent range of the lower-tier car make it a hard argument to overcome. A typical issue with high-performance EVs is that they feel like lower-power cars in most driving conditions, and because of that, I don’t feel like you’d miss out too much if you just go for the cheaper car. The new A6 and S6 E-Trons are setting the stage for a more electrically-focused Audi , and if that’s the future the brand is going with, it’s shaping up to be a rather good one. These cars offer a compelling alternative for the BMW i5 and Mercedes EQE buyers of the world, and I think the Audis are better looking and offer slicker tech than either of those cars. Still, it’s not perfect. For people looking for a German sports sedan , look elsewhere, because these cars are certainly geared toward luxury over sportiness. I’m honestly happy about that.ISLAMABAD — Supporters seeking the release of imprisoned Pakistani former premier Imran Khan on Tuesday broke through a ring of shipping containers locking down the capital Islamabad, battled police, and ignored a government threat to respond with gunfire. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowds and at least one person has died in clashes. Scores more have been injured, including journalists who were attacked by Khan supporters. Dozens of Khan supporters beat a videographer covering the protest for The Associated Press and broke his camera. He sustained head injuries and was being treated in a hospital. Shortly after midnight, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had threatened protesters that police would respond with live fire if protesters fired weapons at them. “If they again fire bullets, the bullet will be responded with the bullet.” he said. Khan, who has been in jail for over a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases, remains popular. His party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, or PTI, says the cases are politically motivated. Get the latest breaking news as it happens. By clicking Sign up, you agree to our privacy policy . Authorities say only courts can order the release of Khan, who was ousted in 2022 through a no-confidence vote in Parliament. He has been imprisoned since his first conviction in a graft case, in August 2023, and has been sentenced in several cases. Khan’s supporters were around 10 km (6.2 miles) from their destination, the city’s Red Zone that houses key government buildings. Naqvi said Khan's party rejected a government offer to rally on the outskirts of the city. In a bid to foil the protest, police have arrested more than 4,000 Khan supporters since Friday and suspended mobile and internet services in some parts of the country. On Thursday, a court prohibited rallies in the capital and Naqvi said anyone violating the ban would be arrested. Travel between Islamabad and other cities has become nearly impossible because of shipping containers blocking the roads. All educational institutions remain closed. Mobile internet services and messaging platforms are experiencing severe disruption in the capital. The PTI relies heavily on social media to demand his release and uses messaging platforms like WhatsApp to share information, including details of events. The violence comes during an official visit by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko.Social media sites call for Australia to delay its ban on children younger than 16After eight years as secretary of state and a disappointing third place in the Republican primary for governor, Jay Ashcroft says he’s finished with elective office. Ashcroft is the only statewide official elected in 2016 who still holds the same post that voters bestowed. In that time there have been two governors, two lieutenant governors, three state treasurers and three attorneys general. “I don’t have any intention to run for office again,” Ashcroft said in an interview with The Independent. “I somewhat jokingly, but also truthfully, say I’ve done my time. I think I should be paroled after eight years.” Before he leaves office Jan. 13, Ashcroft has one more public function to perform. On Jan. 8, he will call the Missouri House of Representatives to order and preside while the body elects temporary officers. His personal plans for the future, Ashcroft said, are not settled. Katie Ashcroft, his wife, will be chief of staff to incoming Lt. Gov. David Wasinger, so the family will remain in Jefferson City. “Hopefully I will find something else that I will be able to make a difference and increase opportunity for other people to live their life to the fullest,” Ashcroft said. “I’ve had serious discussions but nothing concrete.” Ashcroft’s entry card into Missouri politics was his last name. He’s the son of John Ashcroft, who was state auditor, attorney general, governor, U.S. Senator and U.S. attorney general. Unlike his father, who was 29 when he filed for political office the first time, Jay Ashcroft did not run for the first time until 2014, at age 41, in a losing bid for a state Senate seat. Trained in engineering and law, Ashcroft at an early age didn’t want to run for office. “When I was a little kid, I made the decision that I wasn’t going to go into politics,” he said in an interview with The Independent after announcing his candidacy for governor. “I said, ‘I’m never going to go into politics. I’m never going to be an attorney. I’m going to have a real job.’ Famous last words.” The most visible role of the secretary of state is overseeing Missouri elections. But the office also registers businesses; regulates the sale of investments; manages the State Archive and the State Library; and keeps state administrative rules organized and published. Ashcroft hasn’t hesitated to put an ideological stamp on the work of his office. But he said he’s tried to use the authority allowed in law, not assume he can do things because he favors the action. “As a public official, I need to live within the constraints of what I’m authorized to do by the Constitution and the statute, not what I can get away with,” he said. “I wanted to be able to look at myself in the mirror and say, I’m still ugly, but at least I did the right thing.” The courts haven’t always agreed with Ashcroft’s view of his authority. A federal judge in August rejected Ashcroft’s attempt to regulate investing when it blocked enforcement of rules that would have required brokers to obtain consent to include a “social objective” or other “nonfinancial objective” into their investment advice. U.S. District Judge Stephen Bough decided the rule intruded on federal securities regulations and blocked enforcement. Ashcroft did not appeal the decision but insisted he felt he was working within his authority. “We didn’t say you couldn’t invest in that or you had to invest in that,” Ashcroft said. “What we said was there has to be disclosure, and that you as a company to protect yourself from someone coming back five years later and saying, ‘hey, they never told me this.’” Libraries around the state grumbled, but did not challenge, a condition Ashcroft added to the rules for receiving state aid distributed by his office. The rules require written policies on what materials are “age-appropriate,” to keep non-appropriate materials and displays out of areas designated for minors and post whether events and presentations are suitable for some or all age groups. Parents must give permission for their children to borrow any material from the library, either in person by monitoring selections or by a blanket approval agreement tied to issuing the child a library card. The rule also allows parents to challenge the age designation of any item in the library. “We didn’t stop them from having anything,” Ashcroft said. “We just said, ‘look, if you’re gonna have it, you need to make sure that you’re responsive to the parents of your locality for how you provision those to children.’” The rules could be reversed by a future secretary. Ashcroft said he doesn’t believe the authority could be used to require libraries to give minors full access to all materials without parental notification. “I don’t think that the secretary would have the authority to say that a minor’s interest in what they read trumps the parents interest,” Ashcroft said. For the past two general elections, voters in Missouri have been required to present Missouri- or federally issued identification that includes their birthdate, photo and an expiration date. A Cole County judge recently upheld the law, a decision being appealed to the Missouri Supreme Court. Ashcroft has advocated for the requirement since his 2016 campaign. If the high court upholds the trial court ruling, it would be a final victory for a long-sought Republican initiative. Despite arguments that hundreds of thousands of Missourians would be prevented from voting because they lack the proper credentials, Ashcroft said the law has been a success. “People can whine and say whatever they want, but the facts are it worked just fine,” he said. Republicans have dominated the General Assembly for two decades, leading Missourians who support liberal policies to use the initiative process to pass Medicaid expansion and abortion rights and force a referendum on a right to work law. The secretary of state’s office receives proposed ballot measures and determines if they are ready for circulation. The office writes the ballot language voters see and checks signatures to decide whether petitioners have met the requirements for being on the ballot. On several occasions, the courts ruled Ashcroft had not performed those duties properly. A judge in 2018 rewrote Ashcroft’s ballot language for a referendum on right to work, and last year the Western District Court of Appeals declared his ballot language for an abortion initiative was “replete with politically partisan language.” Ashcroft got the same result when backers of the proposal, which was passed as Amendment 3 this year, challenged his fair ballot language. In that case, the judge determined Ashcroft’s description was improper because it “sows voter confusion about the effects of the measure.” And during an earlier attempt to overturn Missouri’s abortion ban, the courts ruled Ashcroft improperly decided the legislation was immune to a referendum effort because one provision had taken effect through an emergency clause. Ashcroft isn’t the only secretary of state to have ballot language revised by the courts. “What I strived to do was, I strived to follow the law,” Ashcroft said. He’s worked to streamline the signature-checking process for initiatives. By scanning all the pages instead of making physical copies, local election authorities can begin earlier and share the workload. Ashcroft’s replacement, state Sen. Denny Hoskins, wants to eliminate ballot counting by machine and replace it with hand counting. There is a role for hand-counting to double-check results, which is done in post-election audits, but Ashcroft did not endorse it as the primary count. And he doesn’t support efforts to move municipal elections like school board races from April to November. It would multiply the ballots each election authority must prepare because school district and municipal boundaries don’t always align with legislative district lines, he said. “What seems like a great idea on paper and works in 70 of the counties doesn’t work in all of them,” Ashcroft said. “And you’re going to create a big problem if you don’t take into account what they’re living with.” In every statewide election contested by John Aschcroft, Democrats won at least one office. Since Jay Ashcroft filed for office for the first time in 2014, Democrats have won a statewide office only once, in 2018. “The state is changing,” Ashcroft said. “I think there are a lot of people that 40 years ago were Democrats that are now Republicans.” He hasn’t, however, taken for granted that voters will continue that trend. Every year he has been in office, Ashcroft has visited every county at least once. “One, it was an act of service to the people of the state,” he said. “It was a reminder that I might have a title, but it was my responsibility to act for them. “Secondly, I think it sent the right message to them. I wanted the people of the state to know that I cared about their situation and I cared about what they were going through, because I hoped that would make them more likely to reach out to our office or to tell me so we could do something about it.” The difference between today and when his father was in office is that voters now associate local Democrats with policies pursued by the Democratic Party leadership in Washington. There are no more Democrats who oppose abortion and support expanding Second Amendment rights in the General Assembly, he noted. In 1976, the year his father was elected attorney general, voters put Democratic candidate Joe Teasdale in the governor’s office. “I’ve got a picture from when I was four or five years old, in front of the (Jefferson City) News-Tribune, where I was handing him a flower in commemoration of him being pro-life,” he said. His father’s legacy from those years has been an important asset, Ashcroft said. “There are times when it was extremely beneficial because of my name that I had because of him, and it was a good name, and a good name is to be treasured because of what he had done,” Ashcroft said. And I’m not sure it still stands for integrity after some of the campaign ads this past year, but I was thankful to have a good name.” The lessons his father taught him have guided his public life, Ashcroft said. “I’m thankful to have a father that taught me about public service,” he said. “I’m thankful that I had a father that did what he could to teach me to act with integrity, to tell the truth.”

The Canadian government condemned China on Tuesday for taking steps against two Canadian institutions and 20 people involved in human rights issues concerning the Uyghurs and Tibet. China announced the measures, which included asset freezes and bans on entry, on Sunday. Its targets included the Canada-based Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project and the Canada-Tibet Committee, China's foreign ministry said. "Global Affairs Canada expresses solidarity with the members of the Canadian Tibet Committee and the Uyghur Rights Advocacy Project and condemns the decision by the Chinese Government to punish them for speaking out for human rights," the Canadian government said in a statement. The Canadian statement urged China to respect its obligations under international law while also urging Canadians to exercise a high degree of caution in China due to the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws. Rights groups accuse Beijing of widespread abuses of Uyghurs, a mainly Muslim ethnic minority that numbers around 10 million in the western region of Xinjiang, including the mass use of forced labour in camps. Beijing denies any abuses. China seized control of Tibet in 1950 in what it describes as a "peaceful liberation" from feudalistic serfdom. International human rights groups and exiles, however, have routinely condemned what they call China's oppressive rule in Tibetan areas. "The Government of Canada will not tolerate any threats, acts of violence or harassment of people in Canada or their family and friends because of their political opinions or to silence dissenting viewpoints," the Canadian government said. (This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Special counsel Jack Smith moved to abandon two criminal cases against Donald Trump on Monday, acknowledging that Trump’s return to the White House will preclude attempts to federally prosecute him for retaining classified documents or trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat. The decision was inevitable, since longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Yet it was still a momentous finale to an unprecedented chapter in political and law enforcement history, as federal officials attempted to hold accountable a former president while he was simultaneously running for another term. Trump emerges indisputably victorious, having successfully delayed the investigations through legal maneuvers and then winning reelection despite indictments that described his actions as a threat to the country’s constitutional foundations. “I persevered, against all odds, and WON,” Trump exulted in a post on Truth Social, his social media website. He also said that “these cases, like all of the other cases I have been forced to go through, are empty and lawless, and should never have been brought.” The judge in the election case granted prosecutors’ dismissal request. A decision in the documents case was still pending on Monday evening. The outcome makes it clear that, when it comes to a president and criminal accusations, nothing supersedes the voters’ own verdict. In court filings, Smith’s team emphasized that the move to end their prosecutions was not a reflection of the merit of the cases but a recognition of the legal shield that surrounds any commander in chief. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” prosecutors said in one of their filings. They wrote that Trump’s return to the White House “sets at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: on the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities ... and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law.” In this situation, “the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated,” they concluded. Smith’s team said it was leaving intact charges against two co-defendants in the classified documents case — Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira — because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” Steven Cheung, Trump’s incoming White House communications director, said Americans “want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country.” Trump has long described the investigations as politically motivated, and he has vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. Now he will start his second term free from criminal scrutiny by the government that he will lead. The election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing Trump as he tried to reclaim the White House. He was indicted for plotting to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden in 2020, an effort that climaxed with his supporters’ violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But the case quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Smith’s team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence it planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of voters after he lost to Biden. In dismissing the case, Chutkan acknowledged prosecutors’ request to do so “without prejudice,” raising the possibility that they could try to bring charges against Trump when his term is over. She wrote that is “consistent with the Government’s understanding that the immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office.” But such a move may be barred by the statute of limitations, and Trump may also try to pardon himself while in office. The separate case involving classified documents had been widely seen as legally clear cut, especially because the conduct in question occurred after Trump left the White House and lost the powers of the presidency. The indictment included dozens of felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified records from his presidency at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and obstructing federal efforts to get them back. He has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. The case quickly became snarled by delays, with U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon slow to issue rulings — which favored Trump’s strategy of pushing off deadlines in all his criminal cases — while also entertaining defense motions and arguments that experts said other judges would have dispensed with without hearings. In May, she indefinitely canceled the trial date amid a series of unresolved legal issues before dismissing the case outright two months later. Smith’s team appealed the decision, but now has given up that effort. Trump faced two other state prosecutions while running for president. One of them, a New York case involving hush money payments, resulted in a conviction on felony charges of falsifying business records. It was the first time a former president had been found guilty of a crime. The sentencing in that case is on hold as Trump’s lawyers try to have the conviction dismissed before he takes office, arguing that letting the verdict stand will interfere with his presidential transition and duties. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office is fighting the dismissal but has indicated that it would be open to delaying sentencing until Trump leaves office. Bragg, a Democrat, has said the solution needs to balance the obligations of the presidency with “the sanctity of the jury verdict.” Trump was also indicted in Georgia along with 18 others accused of participating in a sprawling scheme to illegally overturn the 2020 presidential election there. Any trial appears unlikely there while Trump holds office. The prosecution already was on hold after an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Four defendants have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors. Trump and the others have pleaded not guilty.

Countdown to The Battle of Faith 2025

Lithium Americas: Long-Term Value And Growth As US Poised To Dominate Lithium By 2035'Huh?' How a cat from Victoria became one of the internet's biggest memes

The curtains are about to close on the U.S. women's national team's 2024 season. After winning the first ever Concacaf W Gold Cup and claiming gold at the Paris Olympics , among other achievements, the U.S. will wrap up the year with an international friendly in Europe. The U.S. played to a 0-0 draw Saturday against a robust England side, with the Netherlands up next in what will be another test for Emma Hayes' roster. It will also mark the last international game for star goalie Alyssa Naeher , who will now only sport her gloves for the Chicago Red Stars . Here's how and where to watch and stream the last USWNT game of the year: The USWNT and Netherlands will meet on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Kickoff time is slated for 2:45 p.m. ET, 11:45 a.m. PT. Ado Den Haag Stadium in the Hague, Netherlands, is the venue for the match. The USWNT vs. Netherlands game will be broadcast in English on TNT and truTV, while NBC's Universo will carry the game in Spanish. The USWNT-Netherlands game will be available to stream in English on Max and in Spanish on Peacock . Following the game against the Netherlands, the USWNT's next match currently is slated for Jan. 18, 2025. It will be a friendly against Venezuela at Chase Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Race to be next Oakland mayor somewhat stalled as Rep. Barbara Lee makes up her mind