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Special Counsel files to drop all federal charges against TrumpBy KENYA HUNTER, Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — As she checked into a recent flight to Mexico for vacation, Teja Smith chuckled at the idea of joining another Women’s March on Washington . As a Black woman, she just couldn’t see herself helping to replicate the largest act of resistance against then-President Donald Trump’s first term in January 2017. Even in an election this year where Trump questioned his opponent’s race , held rallies featuring racist insults and falsely claimed Black migrants in Ohio were eating residents’ pets , he didn’t just win a second term. He became the first Republican in two decades to clinch the popular vote, although by a small margin. “It’s like the people have spoken and this is what America looks like,” said Smith, the Los Angeles-based founder of the advocacy social media agency, Get Social. “And there’s not too much more fighting that you’re going to be able to do without losing your own sanity.” After Trump was declared the winner over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris , many politically engaged Black women said they were so dismayed by the outcome that they were reassessing — but not completely abandoning — their enthusiasm for electoral politics and movement organizing. Black women often carry much of the work of getting out the vote in their communities. They had vigorously supported the historic candidacy of Harris, who would have been the first woman of Black and South Asian descent to win the presidency. Harris’ loss spurred a wave of Black women across social media resolving to prioritize themselves, before giving so much to a country that over and over has shown its indifference to their concerns. AP VoteCast , a survey of more than 120,000 voters, found that 6 in 10 Black women said the future of democracy in the United States was the single most important factor for their vote this year, a higher share than for other demographic groups. But now, with Trump set to return to office in two months, some Black women are renewing calls to emphasize rest, focus on mental health and become more selective about what fight they lend their organizing power to. “America is going to have to save herself,” said LaTosha Brown, the co-founder of the national voting rights group Black Voters Matter. She compared Black women’s presence in social justice movements as “core strategists and core organizers” to the North Star, known as the most consistent and dependable star in the galaxy because of its seemingly fixed position in the sky. People can rely on Black women to lead change, Brown said, but the next four years will look different. “That’s not a herculean task that’s for us. We don’t want that title. ... I have no goals to be a martyr for a nation that cares nothing about me,” she said. AP VoteCast paints a clear picture of Black women’s concerns. Black female voters were most likely to say that democracy was the single most important factor for their vote, compared to other motivators such as high prices or abortion. More than 7 in 10 Black female voters said they were “very concerned” that electing Trump would lead the nation toward authoritarianism, while only about 2 in 10 said this about Harris. About 9 in 10 Black female voters supported Harris in 2024, according to AP VoteCast, similar to the share that backed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020. Trump received support from more than half of white voters, who made up the vast majority of his coalition in both years. Like voters overall, Black women were most likely to say the economy and jobs were the most important issues facing the country, with about one-third saying that. But they were more likely than many other groups to say that abortion and racism were the top issues, and much less likely than other groups to say immigration was the top issue. Despite those concerns, which were well-voiced by Black women throughout the campaign, increased support from young men of color and white women helped expand Trump’s lead and secured his victory. Politically engaged Black women said they don’t plan to continue positioning themselves in the vertebrae of the “backbone” of America’s democracy. The growing movement prompting Black women to withdraw is a shift from history, where they are often present and at the forefront of political and social change. One of the earliest examples is the women’s suffrage movement that led to ratification in 1920 of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution , which gave women the right to vote. Black women, however, were prevented from voting for decades afterward because of Jim Crow-era literacy tests, poll taxes and laws that blocked the grandchildren of slaves from voting. Most Black women couldn’t vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Black women were among the organizers and counted among the marchers brutalized on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Alabama, during the historic march in 1965 from Selma to Montgomery that preceded federal legislation. Decades later, Black women were prominent organizers of the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police and vigilantes. In his 2024 campaign, Trump called for leveraging federal money to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs in government programs and discussions of race, gender or sexual orientation in schools. His rhetoric on immigration, including false claims that Black Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating cats and dogs, drove support for his plan to deport millions of people . Tenita Taylor, a Black resident of Atlanta who supported Trump this year, said she was initially excited about Harris’ candidacy. But after thinking about how high her grocery bills have been, she feels that voting for Trump in hopes of finally getting lower prices was a form of self-prioritization. “People say, ‘Well, that’s selfish, it was gonna be better for the greater good,”’ she said. “I’m a mother of five kids. ... The things that (Democrats) do either affect the rich or the poor.” Some of Trump’s plans affect people in Olivia Gordon’s immediate community, which is why she struggled to get behind the “Black women rest” wave. Gordon, a New York-based lawyer who supported the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s presidential nominee, Claudia de la Cruz, worries about who may be left behind if the 92% of Black women voters who backed Harris simply stopped advocating. “We’re talking millions of Black women here. If millions of Black women take a step back, it absolutely leaves holes, but for other Black women,” she said. “I think we sometimes are in the bubble of if it’s not in your immediate circle, maybe it doesn’t apply to you. And I truly implore people to understand that it does.” Nicole Lewis, an Alabama-based therapist who specializes in treating Black women’s stress, said she’s aware that Black women withdrawing from social impact movements could have a fallout. But she also hopes that it forces a reckoning for the nation to understand the consequences of not standing in solidarity with Black women. “It could impact things negatively because there isn’t that voice from the most empathetic group,” she said. “I also think it’s going to give other groups an opportunity to step up. ... My hope is that they do show up for themselves and everyone else.” Brown said a reckoning might be exactly what the country needs, but it’s a reckoning for everyone else. Black women, she said, did their job when they supported Harris in droves in hopes they could thwart the massive changes expected under Trump. “This ain’t our reckoning,” she said. “I don’t feel no guilt.” AP polling editor Amelia Thomson DeVeaux and Associated Press writer Linley Sanders in Washington contributed to this report. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

By KENYA HUNTER, Associated Press ATLANTA (AP) — As she checked into a recent flight to Mexico for vacation, Teja Smith chuckled at the idea of joining another Women’s March on Washington . As a Black woman, she just couldn’t see herself helping to replicate the largest act of resistance against then-President Donald Trump’s first term in January 2017. Even in an election this year where Trump questioned his opponent’s race , held rallies featuring racist insults and falsely claimed Black migrants in Ohio were eating residents’ pets , he didn’t just win a second term. He became the first Republican in two decades to clinch the popular vote, although by a small margin. “It’s like the people have spoken and this is what America looks like,” said Smith, the Los Angeles-based founder of the advocacy social media agency, Get Social. “And there’s not too much more fighting that you’re going to be able to do without losing your own sanity.” After Trump was declared the winner over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris , many politically engaged Black women said they were so dismayed by the outcome that they were reassessing — but not completely abandoning — their enthusiasm for electoral politics and movement organizing. Black women often carry much of the work of getting out the vote in their communities. They had vigorously supported the historic candidacy of Harris, who would have been the first woman of Black and South Asian descent to win the presidency. Harris’ loss spurred a wave of Black women across social media resolving to prioritize themselves, before giving so much to a country that over and over has shown its indifference to their concerns. AP VoteCast , a survey of more than 120,000 voters, found that 6 in 10 Black women said the future of democracy in the United States was the single most important factor for their vote this year, a higher share than for other demographic groups. But now, with Trump set to return to office in two months, some Black women are renewing calls to emphasize rest, focus on mental health and become more selective about what fight they lend their organizing power to. “America is going to have to save herself,” said LaTosha Brown, the co-founder of the national voting rights group Black Voters Matter. She compared Black women’s presence in social justice movements as “core strategists and core organizers” to the North Star, known as the most consistent and dependable star in the galaxy because of its seemingly fixed position in the sky. People can rely on Black women to lead change, Brown said, but the next four years will look different. “That’s not a herculean task that’s for us. We don’t want that title. ... I have no goals to be a martyr for a nation that cares nothing about me,” she said. AP VoteCast paints a clear picture of Black women’s concerns. Black female voters were most likely to say that democracy was the single most important factor for their vote, compared to other motivators such as high prices or abortion. More than 7 in 10 Black female voters said they were “very concerned” that electing Trump would lead the nation toward authoritarianism, while only about 2 in 10 said this about Harris. About 9 in 10 Black female voters supported Harris in 2024, according to AP VoteCast, similar to the share that backed Democrat Joe Biden in 2020. Trump received support from more than half of white voters, who made up the vast majority of his coalition in both years. Like voters overall, Black women were most likely to say the economy and jobs were the most important issues facing the country, with about one-third saying that. But they were more likely than many other groups to say that abortion and racism were the top issues, and much less likely than other groups to say immigration was the top issue. Despite those concerns, which were well-voiced by Black women throughout the campaign, increased support from young men of color and white women helped expand Trump’s lead and secured his victory. Politically engaged Black women said they don’t plan to continue positioning themselves in the vertebrae of the “backbone” of America’s democracy. The growing movement prompting Black women to withdraw is a shift from history, where they are often present and at the forefront of political and social change. One of the earliest examples is the women’s suffrage movement that led to ratification in 1920 of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution , which gave women the right to vote. Black women, however, were prevented from voting for decades afterward because of Jim Crow-era literacy tests, poll taxes and laws that blocked the grandchildren of slaves from voting. Most Black women couldn’t vote until the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Black women were among the organizers and counted among the marchers brutalized on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Alabama, during the historic march in 1965 from Selma to Montgomery that preceded federal legislation. Decades later, Black women were prominent organizers of the Black Lives Matter movement in response to the deaths of Black Americans at the hands of police and vigilantes. In his 2024 campaign, Trump called for leveraging federal money to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs in government programs and discussions of race, gender or sexual orientation in schools. His rhetoric on immigration, including false claims that Black Haitian immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, were eating cats and dogs, drove support for his plan to deport millions of people . Tenita Taylor, a Black resident of Atlanta who supported Trump this year, said she was initially excited about Harris’ candidacy. But after thinking about how high her grocery bills have been, she feels that voting for Trump in hopes of finally getting lower prices was a form of self-prioritization. “People say, ‘Well, that’s selfish, it was gonna be better for the greater good,”’ she said. “I’m a mother of five kids. ... The things that (Democrats) do either affect the rich or the poor.” Some of Trump’s plans affect people in Olivia Gordon’s immediate community, which is why she struggled to get behind the “Black women rest” wave. Gordon, a New York-based lawyer who supported the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s presidential nominee, Claudia de la Cruz, worries about who may be left behind if the 92% of Black women voters who backed Harris simply stopped advocating. “We’re talking millions of Black women here. If millions of Black women take a step back, it absolutely leaves holes, but for other Black women,” she said. “I think we sometimes are in the bubble of if it’s not in your immediate circle, maybe it doesn’t apply to you. And I truly implore people to understand that it does.” Nicole Lewis, an Alabama-based therapist who specializes in treating Black women’s stress, said she’s aware that Black women withdrawing from social impact movements could have a fallout. But she also hopes that it forces a reckoning for the nation to understand the consequences of not standing in solidarity with Black women. “It could impact things negatively because there isn’t that voice from the most empathetic group,” she said. “I also think it’s going to give other groups an opportunity to step up. ... My hope is that they do show up for themselves and everyone else.” Brown said a reckoning might be exactly what the country needs, but it’s a reckoning for everyone else. Black women, she said, did their job when they supported Harris in droves in hopes they could thwart the massive changes expected under Trump. “This ain’t our reckoning,” she said. “I don’t feel no guilt.” AP polling editor Amelia Thomson DeVeaux and Associated Press writer Linley Sanders in Washington contributed to this report. The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.

Colts need help for playoff shot, while Giants seek end to record skid

Reports: Eagles coach Nick Sirianni apologizes to Commanders TE Zach ErtzWomen have outnumbered men in law schools nationwide for decades, but in 2024, men continue to dominate the legal sector’s leadership positions. That’s despite the sector seeing significant changes in how legal work is carried out, including remote work, evolving tech and artificial intelligence and the move to outsourcing. However, some significant changes have occurred in firms adopting more family-friendly policies, such as gender-neutral paid parental leave and more flexible career options. This sector is also one where the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly bolstered the push to remote work. Back in 2015, one analysis by found that more women than men were leaving the industry within five years of starting. It also revealed that the number of women practising as lawyers dropped by around 75 per cent once they reached 35 to 55. Today, data shows that women make up in Australia. A survey by the Australian Financial Review reveals that women make up more than at 13 of the biggest law firms in Australia. But at the top 50 firms, of the partner cohort are women. Meanwhile, 34 of the 69 legal workplaces that report to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency have a gender pay gap larger than the national average of 21.7 per cent recorded in the 2022-23 period. The College of Law Australian Legal Survey 2024 recently reported a gender pay gap across all levels from graduate to principal/partner. The NSW Annual Profile of Solicitors has also reported a gender pay gap across all age groups and all practice sectors, including those more likely to be dominated by women. At the bar, challenges remain for women, who are underrepresented across every state and territory in Australia, making up just 23 per cent of barristers in NSW and a tiny 18 per cent in Tasmania. These figures drop below when it comes to identifying the proportion of senior counsel, for example, from 31 per cent of barristers in Victoria to just 20 per cent of SCs. So, what will make the difference? Many intertwining factors have seen some progress. Ultimately, it comes down to leadership, according to Emma Walsh, founder of Parents at Work and Family Friendly Workplaces. Especially leadership on culture, a commitment to targets, as well as adopting – and actively demonstrating and supporting – family friendly policies, and cross all things that go into supporting the health and wellbeing of team members and their families. explored how the legal sector is faring for the , in partnership with Parents At Work and Family Friendly Workplaces. Below, we share more on what was covered. For Alison Deitz, Chief Executive Partner of law firm Norton Rose Fulbright, flexible leave was a key part of her career journey in the legal sector. She was one of the first partners in the firm to take parental leave – now almost 20 years ago. She was also one of the first to return while still breastfeeding – and recalls those early days when she spent so much time using a manual pump to express milk during the workday that she suffered RSI in her right hand. Ever since, she’s seen some dramatic shifts in how we work, including the opportunities that blackberries, and later iPhones, provided for supporting clients outside of the office. “I didn’t even have an iPhone in those days, but I had a device and I remember that device was a game changer because it allowed me to be out of the office but still in contact,” says Deitz, adding that “technology has been an enabler” and “gamechanger” for flexible work options. “We’ve also seen more women who work flexibly, taking positions as general counsel, in-house counsel, etc.”, says Deitz. “It’s very important for our clients to see us being able to work in a flexible way and to promote men and women equally through our leadership pipeline.” While the legal profession was once a notoriously inflexible space– pushing many talented women out of the industry once they’d started families– much change has been made. This freedom and flexibility is something that Silje Andersen–Cooke, director of the Australian Multiple Birth Association, says she would have valued immensely when she first started out. When Silje became pregnant for the second time, she’d already taken a break from her career in law. And while she and her partner were trying to have a second baby, it surprised them to find out she was pregnant with triplets. “It’s a confronting experience, and definitely one of those thoughts is, ‘is this going to torpedo my whole career as well?’,” she says, adding, “I really enjoyed work. I love being a lawyer. It’s such a big part of my identity and who I am as a person.” Silje has since found a way to juggle four children and her family with a career in law and running a support organisation for parents having multiple births at one time. Her employer, Maddocks, has played an important role in empowering her to follow all her passions while raising kids. “Most law firms have come a long way in terms of culture,” she says, noting that through her experience, she feels “having a supportive team and manager is critical”. “It’s so important to acknowledge that being a parent is as valuable a role as your role at work,” says Silje. “I think when law firms acknowledge that, it makes you feel like you can bring your whole self to work.” Demographic shifts in the legal sector have changed what people expect from their employers. Law firms rapidly adopted competitive parental leave options to keep up with the growing numbers of women entering the profession, which – for at least some in the sector – have evolved to ensure all new parents can access such options. But there have also been shifting expectations around what younger generations expect from firms. “The younger generation of employees coming through are expecting greater family-friendly provisions than the generation before them, and there still is a competitive war for talent on the best candidates,” says Emma Walsh. “The reality is we’re having fewer babies. So every year, unless we suddenly have a big migration intake, there are fewer candidates that employers will be able to choose from.” She says legal workplaces are increasingly becoming more family friendly, but there’s still work to do. When it comes to remote hybrid work to support employees with caring responsibilities, Walsh says “there has been a lot of gains made from flexible work with COVID, particularly in the legal sector– suddenly there was a court available online.” And with the introduction of AI to the legal sector, Walsh says this new technology is playing a role in giving flexibility back to workers. She points out that AI is “proving that [work] can be done more efficiently, giving power back to employees, [and the] ability to have more autonomous decision making around how they use their time and where they spend their time to get that work done.” “Flexible work is the first greatest lever around being able to drive less work-life conflict for people,” Walsh says. “The second one is actually about leadership culture and how a leader will allow an individual to avail themselves of family-friendly provisions without that having a negative impact, and we still see that that’s low.”

Dec. 28: The Graniteers to ring in the release of new EP at The ShakseenStock indexes drifted to a mixed finish on Wall Street on Thursday as some heavyweight technology and communications sector stocks offset gains elsewhere in the market. The S&P 500 fell less than 0.1% after spending the day wavering between small gains and losses. The tiny loss ended the benchmark index’s three-day winning streak. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.1% and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.1%. Trading volume was lighter than usual as US markets reopened following the Christmas holiday. Semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, slipped 0.2%. Meta Platforms fell 0.7%, and Amazon and Netflix each fell 0.9%. Tesla was among the biggest decliners in the S&P 500, finishing 1.8% lower. Some tech companies fared better. Chip company Broadcom rose 2.4%, Micron Technology added 0.6% and Adobe gained 0.5%. Health care stocks were a bright spot. CVS Health rose 1.5% and Walgreens Boots Alliance added 5.3% for the biggest gain among S&P 500 stocks. Several retailers also gained ground. Target rose 3%, Ross Stores added 2.3%, Best Buy rose 2.9% and Dollar Tree gained 3.8%. Traders are watching to see whether retailers have a strong holiday season. The day after Christmas traditionally ranks among the top 10 biggest shopping days of the year, as consumers go online or rush to stores to cash in gift cards and raid bargain bins. US-listed shares in Honda and Nissan rose 4.1% and 16.4% respectively. The Japanese car makers announced earlier this week that the two companies are in talks to combine. All told, the S&P 500 fell 2.45 points to 6,037.59. The Dow added 28.77 points to 43,325.80. The Nasdaq fell 10.77 points to close at 20,020.36. Wall Street also got a labour market update. US applications for unemployment benefits held steady last week, though continuing claims rose to the highest level in three years, the Labour Department reported. Treasury yields mostly fell in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury slipped to 4.58% from 4.59% late on Tuesday. Major European markets were closed, as well as Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. Trading was expected to be subdued this week with a thin slate of economic data on the calendar.Things to watch this week in the Big 12 Conference: Game of the week No. 14 BYU (9-1, 6-1 Big 12, No. 14 CFP) at No. 21 Arizona State (8-2, 5-2, No. 21), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) League newcomer Arizona State has a three-game winning streak and BYU is coming off its first loss. The Cougars, after losing at home to Kansas, still control their own destiny in making the Big 12 championship game. They can clinch a spot in that Dec. 7 game as early as Saturday, if they win and instate rival Utah wins at home against No. 22 Iowa State. Arizona State was picked at the bottom of the 16-team league in the preseason media poll, but already has a five-win improvement in coach Kenny Dillingham's second season. The undercard People are also reading... No. 16 Colorado (8-2, 6-1, No. 16 CFP) at Kansas (4-6, 3-4), Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (Fox) Coach Deion Sanders and the Buffaloes are in prime position to make the Big 12 title game in their return to the league after 13 seasons in the Pac-12. If BYU and Utah win, Colorado would be able to claim the other title game spot with a win over Kansas. The Buffs have a four-game winning streak. The Jayhawks need another November win over a ranked Big 12 contender while trying to get bowl eligible for the third season in a row. Kansas has won consecutive games over Top 25 teams for the first time in school history, knocking off Iowa State before BYU. Impact players Iowa State quarterback Rocco Becht has thrown a touchdown in a school-record 14 consecutive games, while receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel both have more than 800 yards receiving. San Jose State is the only other FBS team with a pair of 800-yard receivers. Becht has 2,628 yards and 17 touchdowns passing for the Cyclones (8-2, 5-2), who are still in Big 12 contention. Inside the numbers Oklahoma State goes into its home finale against Texas Tech with a seven-game losing streak, its longest since a nine-game skid from 1977-78. The only longer winless streak since was an 0-10-1 season in 1991. This is Mike Gundy's 20th season as head coach, and his longest losing streak before now was five in a row in 2005, his first season and the last time the Cowboys didn't make a bowl game. ... Baylor plays at Houston for the first time since 1995, the final Southwest Conference season. The Cougars won last year in the only meeting since to even the series 14-14-1. ... Eight Big 12 teams are bowl eligible. As many as six more teams could reach six wins. Repeating 1,000 The Big 12 already has four 1,000-yard rushers, including three who did it last season. UCF's RJ Harvey is the league's top rusher (1,328 yards) and top scorer with 21 touchdowns (19 rushing/two receiving). The others with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons are Texas Tech career rushing leader Tahj Brooks (1,184 yards) and Kansas State's DJ Giddens (1,128 yards). Cam Skattebo with league newcomer Arizona State has 1,074 yards. Devin Neal, the career rushing leader at his hometown university, is 74 yards shy of being the first Kansas player with three 1,000-yard seasons. Cincinnati's Corey Kiner needs 97 yards to reach 1,000 again. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Spanish actor Javier Bardem "never" wanted to meet Erik and Lyle Menéndez while filming the Ryan Murphy Netflix limited series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story . Javier played José Menéndez, Erik and Lyle's father, who was murdered by the brothers alongside his wife Kitty (played by Chloe Sevigny) in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. The series tells the story of the infamous murders , including claims that the brothers were sexually and physically abused by their father. The brothers have been in court recently seeking resentencing and possible freedom after serving the last 35 years in prison. Unlike other members of the cast , Javier opted out of visiting them during filming. Menendez Brothers won't be home for the holidays in latest court update Menendez brothers' family slams 'gross' Netflix show for being 'all about Ryan Murphy' The 55-year-old actor claims that he "didn't want to" meet the brothers in prison, especially not while portraying their late father. He told Variety: "First of all, I didn't know much or basically anything about the story when Ryan Murphy talked to me, because it wasn't that big in Spain. And then once I dig in, I was like 'Wow, this is really, really sensitive material.'" When it came to his role, Javier explains that he tried to get into character and "search for material" so that he could "see or understand" the real-life person that he was portraying, but there was nothing other than what others have said about him, "especially his children." And what his children have to say about him is that he was, in fact, the monster in their home. "It was all there in the writing," he said, "I don’t need to talk to anybody." Erik and Lyle testified in court about the physical and sexual abuse they suffered at the hands of their father José, that their mother Kitty allegedly knew about and failed to protect them from, which was the motive behind the heinous crime. Cooper Koch, who plays Erik in the series, actually visited the brothers at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility just outside of San Diego with reality star Kim Kardashian, recalling that he felt an "instant connection" with the brothers. Even still, Javier was adamant that a visit with Erik and Lyle was not something he was interested in. "I was very, very...the word is not scared, but I never felt for a second that I would be able to sit down with the murderers." Click here to follow the Mirror US on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest news, sport and entertainment stories. DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter.Defence Minister Judith Collins says it makes sense for the armed forces to tap more into the local high technology industry to counter growing threats . The Defence Force (NZDF) has been making moves this year to link more strongly with high-tech companies, in line with a push by militaries globally to acquire much more "emerging technology". Collins told Corin Dann on Morning Report on Thursday this was a sensible way for the country to prepare for future threats. "We should certainly make use of the fact we have some great tech going on here, particularly around things like surveillance but also around drones," she said. Was making lethal tech on the table? "Well, of course, when someone is trying to take you out, in terms of a country, you need to be able to defend yourself." New Zealand's allies the US, UK and Australia have begun developing and sharing more advanced defence technology under the Aukus pact. But Collins, asked if New Zealand could get the defence tech it needed and not be in Aukus Pillar Two, said, "Well, of course, and that's what we are doing. "This has always been about tech. "Defence has not been about looking to the past. It's always about what might be on the horizon, what might be a future threat. "If we sat around and said let's just have the cavalry out there, I mean, you would be laughing at us." The latest official briefings say New Zealand is still exploring joining Pillar Two but needed a "clear picture of specific technology areas". There are eight general areas, including quantum computing, autonomous systems (which NZDF has been buying more of) and hypersonics. Collins said wonderful work was going on at NZDF's Science and Technology unit (DST), and among private local tech companies, to be able to "properly surveil, to deal with issues like what's going on in Ukraine at the moment". DST is at the forefront of exploring joining Pillar Two, papers show. Asked if China was the biggest threat, as is indicated in internal official briefings to ministers, Collins said everyone in defence and the Pacific was very aware that after Beijing's launch of an intercontinental missile into the Pacific recently, "things have changed unfortunately". "We believe that we've just got to do our part and make sure that we protect New Zealand." One high-tech addition no longer in the government's scope, though it was up until a few months ago, is a rocket launchpad south of Christchurch. Collins has ruled out subsidising any vertical rocket launches from the fledgling Tāwhaki aerospace centre at Kaitorete Spit, to focus instead on the horizontal launches off its new runway that advanced aircraft like drones can use. Earlier official studies said vertical launchpads could be viable, including for military or dual-use launches - and there remains the option of private investment going towards that - but Collins told RNZ: "When you are talking about vertical launches as opposed to horizontal launches, that requires an enormous amount of money. "We don't actually have spare money. "But also, you need to have customers. Because this is not a Kevin Costner movie - we can't just build it and hope that they're going to come." However, Tāwhaki said talks with potential partners for vertical launch were carrying on, and the aerospace industry said it new of customer interest here and overseas, if facilities were built. Tāwhaki earlier in the year alluded to being a "white elephant" if it did not get launchpads. Collins noted New Zealand was among the world's busiest rocket launch sites anyway. However, these all rely on Rocket Lab's private and exclusive launchpad at Māhia.

MANCHESTER, NH – Ever since I started covering live music in Manchester and other cities around New Hampshire, I’ve mentioned a few times in the Ink Ink how “The Queen City” has a very vibrant punk rock scene. There’s a ton of great bands who call the city home while infusing numerous elements into their sound, whether it’s blue-collar folk, 2000s era pop punk or a gritty edge that echoes their surroundings. A band that identifies with the latter is The Graniteers, who consist of guitarist & vocalist Nick Ferrero, bassist Monica Grasso and drummer Andy Mattern. This trio has been putting out records since the late 2010s, with their latest being the “Shine” EP that came out back on December 13. On December 28, they’re going to be celebrating its release at The Shaskeen starting at 9 p.m. with Boston punks Already Dead, local garage rockers The Doldrums, and hardcore rippers TFR rounding out the bill. During the creation process, the band took on a lot of the production themselves while working with an engineer who is based in the midwest. When it comes to the songwriting, there’s more of an intense vibe than their previous material that’s influenced by the current social landscape. “From a production standpoint, our latest EP was a mix of our usual DIY ethic with an immense amount of help from our friend John Espy, who is a mixing and mastering engineer,” Ferrero says about the new record. “All the music and vocals were tracked at our own recording space, and then sent to John, who lives in Ohio. He was able to mix in real time along with input from us while using an app, which is pretty much Zoom for audio engineers. From a creative standpoint, this new batch of songs turned out to be a bit darker and heavier than our older stuff, maybe it’s the times we’re living in. Lyrically, it’s the usual cynicism with dashes of positivity thrown in.” “Notably, our song “Burnout,” is a bit of a slam on people whose sole purpose is to obtain money, and present themselves as wealthy, whether they are or not,” he adds. “It’s also about how we use the term ‘burnout’ to describe someone who’s done too many drugs but also the feeling of working too hard interchangeably.” “Get Undone” starts the EP off in pulsating fashion with Mattern setting the tone from behind the kit. The song that Ferrero just mentioned, “Burnout,” is a sonic shock to the senses and it exemplifies the intense quality that’s present throughout the release. There’s more melody within “Dotted Lines” along with some harmony as well, but this is all counteracted through the tune’s amplified essence. The title track concludes things with a thunderous display of riffs, screams and beats. The energy never lets up from beginning to end, which is what I enjoy the most about The Graniteers’ new record. The “Shine” EP is currently available on an assortment of streaming services that include Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube. For folks who plan on coming out to The Shaskeen this Saturday night, there will be a special 7′′ full color cover vinyl of the EP that they can buy along with a bunch of other merch. The new record is excellent and it’s ideal for anyone who enjoys genuine punk rock. It’s highly recommended to give it a listen, and the same can be said for attending the upcoming extravaganza. EP Stream: Shine – EP by The Graniteers | Spotify Shaskeen Pub 909 Elm St, Manchester, NH 03101-2003 Dec. 28 Show Tickets: $10 at the door We don’t spam! You're on the list! Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy took part in some light throwing on Monday after missing his first career game because of an injury and the 49ers are hoping he can return this week. during a loss to Seattle on Nov. 17. Purdy underwent two MRIs last week that showed no structural damage. But Purdy he felt discomfort after making a few throws at practice on Thursday and was shut down for the game at Green Bay on Sunday that . Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Purdy made it through the session without pain and will rest on Tuesday and hopefully be able to return to practice on Wednesday as the Niners prepare to play at Buffalo this coming week. “We rested it throughout the weekend hoping that would help,” Shanahan said. “He threw lighter today to see if that rest helps and the rest did help him. So we’ll see again, going through the same things we did last week. We’re going to let him rest all the way up to Wednesday. We’ll see how it feels on Wednesday and then we’ll take the exact same course throughout the week. Hopefully it responds better this week than it did last week with the rest.” went 17 for 29 for 199 yards with a touchdown, an interception and a lost fumble in his first start since the 2021 season. Allen would play once again if Purdy is unable to go on Sunday at Buffalo. Purdy wasn’t the only star player missing for the 49ers on Sunday with defensive end Nick Bosa missing the game with injuries to his left hip and oblique and left tackle Trent Williams out with an ankle injury. “Just waiting to see how they respond,” Shanahan said. “They didn’t respond great last week. That’s why they weren’t able to go. Nick and Trent are both in the same boat. ... We’ll evaluate as this week progresses and hopefully it turns a better corner than it did last week.” In other injury news, linebacker Dre Greenlaw will return to practice this week for the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon in the Super Bowl last season. Greenlaw will likely need at least a couple of weeks of practice before being able to return to play. Offensive lineman Jon Feliciano will be shut down for the rest of the season after his knee injury didn’t fully heal. Feliciano’s three-week practice window ended Monday and the Niners decided to keep him on injured reserve instead of activating him. Left guard Aaron Banks, defensive tackle Jordan Elliott and receiver Jacob Cowing all remain in concussion protocol to start this week and their status is unknown. Right guard Dominick Puni (shoulder) and cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (knee) underwent MRIs on Monday and the team is waiting for results. Cornerback Renardo Green (neck) and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (knee) are day to day. Defensive tackle Kevin Givens is expected to return to practice this week after missing the past four games with a groin injury. ___ AP NFL:

Quest Partners LLC lifted its stake in Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc. ( NYSE:FBRT – Free Report ) by 3,544,900.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 35,450 shares of the company’s stock after purchasing an additional 35,449 shares during the quarter. Quest Partners LLC’s holdings in Franklin BSP Realty Trust were worth $463,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of FBRT. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its stake in Franklin BSP Realty Trust by 0.5% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 8,973,474 shares of the company’s stock valued at $119,886,000 after purchasing an additional 48,171 shares in the last quarter. Strong Tower Advisory Services increased its position in shares of Franklin BSP Realty Trust by 28.7% during the third quarter. Strong Tower Advisory Services now owns 1,055,160 shares of the company’s stock valued at $13,780,000 after acquiring an additional 235,548 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its holdings in Franklin BSP Realty Trust by 5.9% in the 2nd quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 702,184 shares of the company’s stock worth $8,848,000 after acquiring an additional 39,000 shares during the last quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. lifted its position in Franklin BSP Realty Trust by 55.6% in the 2nd quarter. 1832 Asset Management L.P. now owns 700,000 shares of the company’s stock valued at $8,820,000 after acquiring an additional 250,000 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp boosted its stake in Franklin BSP Realty Trust by 33.6% during the 2nd quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 659,801 shares of the company’s stock valued at $8,313,000 after purchasing an additional 166,120 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 59.87% of the company’s stock. Franklin BSP Realty Trust Stock Performance Shares of FBRT opened at $13.01 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.87 and a beta of 1.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.67, a current ratio of 90.45 and a quick ratio of 90.45. Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc. has a one year low of $11.99 and a one year high of $14.66. The business has a fifty day moving average of $13.05 and a 200 day moving average of $12.99. Franklin BSP Realty Trust Dividend Announcement Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Raymond James boosted their price target on Franklin BSP Realty Trust from $15.00 to $15.50 and gave the stock a “strong-buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, September 19th. Read Our Latest Analysis on FBRT Franklin BSP Realty Trust Profile ( Free Report ) Benefit Street Partners operates as a self-managed real estate investment trust (REIT). BSP earns income from investing in a leveraged portfolio of residential mortgage pass-through securities consisting almost exclusively of adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) securities issued and guaranteed by government-sponsored enterprises, either Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) or Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) (together, the government-sponsored enterprises (GSEs)), or by an agency of the federal government, Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae). Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FBRT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Franklin BSP Realty Trust, Inc. ( NYSE:FBRT – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for Franklin BSP Realty Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Franklin BSP Realty Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Microsoft outage affects Outlook, Teams, other apps

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Caprock Group LLC trimmed its position in shares of Qualys, Inc. ( NASDAQ:QLYS – Free Report ) by 5.8% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 2,878 shares of the software maker’s stock after selling 178 shares during the quarter. Caprock Group LLC’s holdings in Qualys were worth $370,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Financial Enhancement Group LLC lifted its position in Qualys by 1.5% during the third quarter. Financial Enhancement Group LLC now owns 6,100 shares of the software maker’s stock valued at $784,000 after acquiring an additional 91 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can increased its position in shares of Qualys by 2.2% during the second quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 4,896 shares of the software maker’s stock worth $699,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Legacy Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Qualys by 1.4% during the 2nd quarter. Legacy Advisors LLC now owns 8,272 shares of the software maker’s stock valued at $1,180,000 after purchasing an additional 113 shares during the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of Qualys by 8.1% in the 1st quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 1,684 shares of the software maker’s stock worth $281,000 after purchasing an additional 126 shares in the last quarter. Finally, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its stake in Qualys by 0.3% during the 2nd quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 46,436 shares of the software maker’s stock worth $6,622,000 after buying an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. 99.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades QLYS has been the subject of a number of research analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Qualys from $150.00 to $162.00 and gave the company a “sector perform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. Needham & Company LLC started coverage on shares of Qualys in a research report on Wednesday, November 6th. They issued a “hold” rating for the company. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on shares of Qualys from $123.00 to $126.00 and gave the stock an “underweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. Truist Financial upped their price target on shares of Qualys from $120.00 to $145.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their price objective on shares of Qualys from $160.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, November 6th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $152.80. Qualys Stock Up 2.1 % Shares of QLYS opened at $153.37 on Friday. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $131.26 and its 200-day moving average price is $135.03. The company has a market capitalization of $5.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.78 and a beta of 0.47. Qualys, Inc. has a 52 week low of $119.17 and a 52 week high of $206.35. Qualys ( NASDAQ:QLYS – Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 5th. The software maker reported $1.56 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.33 by $0.23. Qualys had a net margin of 28.72% and a return on equity of 40.24%. The business had revenue of $153.87 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $150.74 million. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.24 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 8.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Qualys, Inc. will post 4.34 EPS for the current fiscal year. Insider Buying and Selling at Qualys In other news, insider Bruce K. Posey sold 1,330 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $123.80, for a total transaction of $164,654.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 55,618 shares in the company, valued at $6,885,508.40. This trade represents a 2.34 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website . Also, Director Jeffrey P. Hank sold 4,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $146.31, for a total value of $585,240.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 12,666 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,853,162.46. The trade was a 24.00 % decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last quarter, insiders sold 21,919 shares of company stock valued at $2,993,000. Corporate insiders own 1.00% of the company’s stock. Qualys Company Profile ( Free Report ) Qualys, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides cloud-based platform delivering information technology (IT), security, and compliance solutions in the United States and internationally. It offers Qualys Cloud Apps, which include Cybersecurity Asset Management and External Attack Surface Management; Vulnerability Management, Detection and Response; Web Application Scanning; Patch Management; Custom Assessment and Remediation; Multi-Vector Endpoint Detection and Response; Context Extended Detection and Response; Policy Compliance; File Integrity Monitoring; and Qualys TotalCloud, as well as Cloud Workload Protection, Cloud Detection and Response, Cloud Security Posture Management, Infrastructure as Code, and Container Security. Further Reading Receive News & Ratings for Qualys Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Qualys and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .AP Trending SummaryBrief at 6:06 p.m. EST

D.R. Horton director Barbara Allen sells $921,515 in stockAP News Summary at 4:42 p.m. EST

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