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Kiwi killed in South Africa robbery remembered as 'one-of-a-kind person'NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes drifted lower Tuesday in the runup to the highlight of the week for the market, the latest update on inflation that’s coming on Wednesday. The S&P 500 dipped 0.3%, a day after pulling back from its latest all-time high . They’re the first back-to-back losses for the index in nearly a month, as momentum slows following a big rally that has it on track for one of its best years of the millennium .
Ontario's drug-site law violates Charter, Constitution, group says in legal challenge
Can Anything Stop Nvidia?NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes drifted lower Tuesday in the runup to the highlight of the week for the market, the latest update on inflation that’s coming on Wednesday. The S&P 500 dipped 0.3%, a day after pulling back from its latest all-time high . They’re the first back-to-back losses for the index in nearly a month, as momentum slows following a big rally that has it on track for one of its best years of the millennium . The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 154 points, or 0.3%, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 0.3%. Tech titan Oracle dragged on the market and sank 6.7% after reporting growth for the latest quarter that fell just short of analysts’ expectations. It was one of the heaviest weights on the S&P 500, even though CEO Safra Catz said the company saw record demand related to artificial-intelligence technology for its cloud infrastructure business, which trains generative AI models. AI has been a big source of growth that’s helped many companies’ stock prices skyrocket. Oracle’s stock had already leaped more than 80% for the year coming into Tuesday, which raised the bar of expectations for its profit report. In the bond market, Treasury yields ticked higher ahead of Wednesday’s report on the inflation that U.S. consumers are feeling. Economists expect it to show similar increases as the month before. Wednesday’s update and a report on Thursday about inflation at the wholesale level will be the final big pieces of data the Federal Reserve will get before its meeting next week, where many investors expect the year’s third cut to interest rates . The Fed has been easing its main interest rate from a two-decade high since September to take pressure off the slowing jobs market, after bringing inflation nearly down to its 2% target. Lower rates would help give support to the economy, but they could also provide more fuel for inflation. Expectations for a series of cuts through next year have been a big reason the S&P 500 has set so many records this year. Trading in the options market suggests traders aren’t expecting a very big move for U.S. stocks following Wednesday’s report, according to strategists at Barclays. But a reading far off expectations in either direction could quickly change that. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.22% from 4.20% late Monday. Even though the Fed has been cutting its main interest rate, mortgage rates have been more stubborn to stay high and have been volatile since the autumn. That has hampered the housing industry, and homebuilder Toll Brothers’ stock fell 6.9% even though it delivered profit and revenue for the latest quarter that topped analysts’ expectations. CEO Douglas Yearley Jr. said the luxury builder has been seeing strong demand since the start of its fiscal year six weeks ago, an encouraging signal as it approaches the beginning of the spring selling season in mid-January. Elsewhere on Wall Street, Alaska Air Group soared 13.2% after raising its forecast for profit in the current quarter. The airline said demand for flying around the holidays has been stronger than expected. It also approved a plan to buy back up to $1 billion of its stock, along with new service from Seattle to Tokyo and Seoul . Boeing climbed 4.5% after saying it’s resuming production of its bestselling plane , the 737 Max, for the first time since 33,000 workers began a seven-week strike that ended in early November. Vail Resorts rose 2.5% after the ski resort operator reported a smaller first-quarter loss than analysts expected in what is traditionally its worst quarter. All told, the S&P 500 fell 17.94 points to 6,034.91. The Dow dipped 154.10 to 44,247.83, and the Nasdaq composite slipped 49.45 to 19,687.24. In stock markets abroad, indexes were mixed in China after the world’s second-largest economy said its exports rose by less than expected in November. Stocks rose 0.6% in Shanghai but fell 0.5% in Hong Kong. Indexes fell across much of Europe ahead of a meeting this week by the European Central Bank, where the widespread expectation is for another cut in interest rates. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Kīngi Tūheitia, Tūrangi homicide and tree vaccinations: The big stories of August 2024NAMPA — Despite controversy that has spread throughout the community, Nampa’s LGBTQ+ club for youths, CLUTCH, met Thursday and proceeded with its weekly meeting as usual. “We did our normal routine. We had a meal, we had some great chili, and we did an awesome yarn craft, and we just hung out,” Director of Operations Mindy OldenKamp said. Its members are mostly in their teens with a handful of young adults. CLUTCH and its mission have been brought into question this past week by Nampa Sen. Brian Lenney. Lenney is completing his first term as a Republican senator and recently won reelection for his next term. Originally from California, Lenney has labeled himself as a political refugee and moved to Idaho in 2010, according to his website. After spotting a CLUTCH flyer on Nampa Public Library’s bulletin board, in emails with the library director, Lenney questioned how a flyer promoting CLUTCH was appropriate for a library bulletin board. “So your policy means adults can invite kids to talk about sex?” Lenney wrote in a Nov. 18 email. Lenney declined an interview with the Idaho Press over the phone and did not respond to emailed questions. The flyer includes the weekly meeting time and location and states its membership age range of 14 to 20 years old. There are no mentions of sex. A flyer from CLUTCH, a Nampa LGBTQ+ club for youths, was targeted by a state senator on social media this week. “No pressure, no judgments, just you,” the flyer reads. “Creating an affirming space in our community for LGBTQ+ youth.” Lenney has gone on to claim that the flyer promotes a group that is complicit in grooming and pedophilia. His social media posts regarding the flyer have sparked outrage. One of Lenney’s posts received 14,000 views as of Friday and multiple posts have dozens of replies supporting Lenney’s position. “So their policy allows inappropriate sexual perversion towards children and no one there has the guts to stand up and rip the flyer down to protect children,” one X user wrote. “Sounds standard for those freaks. And this is why I do not take my kids to public libraries.” AT THE LIBRARY Since Lenney’s initial Nov. 20 post, the library has received approximately 30 to 40 complaints via phone and email, according to library Director Claire Connley. In an interview with the Idaho Press, Connley said that the flyer does not go against library policy. “It’s merely inviting people to a meeting,” Connley said. “So no, I do not find that inappropriate.” While her staff will take a look at the bulletin boards a few times a week, flyers are not individually vetted by library staff or the board before they are posted. At any time, Connley said the library will have dozens of flyers on display. Before this, Connley can not recall ever receiving complaints about materials on the bulletin boards. “It’s been quite negative,” Connley said. “It’s been accusing the library staff of all kinds of things.” During this difficult week for her staff, Connley noted that complaints have come in from out of state as well. “When people have agendas, a lot of the time it’s their own, personal agenda,” Connley said. “We just try to do what we believe is right, and we’re a great resource for the community.” CITY COUNCILMEMBER RESPONDS Following communication with Connley, Lenney forwarded the email thread to multiple city councilors and leadership. “I know you’ve probably all seen this,” Lenney wrote in the Nov. 20 email. “But, wow... this is the response from our library when child groomers are on the prowl?” Councilmember Natalie Jangula, a self-proclaimed staunch conservative, disagreed with Lenney’s representation of CLUTCH, questioning where his accusations came from. “Where does it say or imply that adults will be talking to kids about sex?” Jangula wrote in response. Jangula is in her second term as a city councilmember and has stated that she does not align herself with LGBTQ+ values. Despite this, Jangula said that Lenney’s accusations were unfounded and that he was impeding on the group’s rights with “made–up information.” “As a constitutional conservative, I will never stand in the way of anyone’s rights that I believe God has given them,” Jangula wrote. “The right to peacefully and lawfully assemble, even if I don’t agree with it, is something I will defend.” Rather than being concerned about grooming allegations, Jangula said she has recognized a pattern of closed-mindedness. “I don’t think it’s relevant to the discussion because it’s made-up information,” Jangula said in an interview with the Idaho Press. “I don’t know where this is coming from. I think that we have had a shift in our politics here in Idaho, and it’s becoming more dangerous.” Jangula has previously been criticized online for attending the controversial Canyon County Pride Festival , which was held in June. In particular, Jangula said it was harmful for Lenney as a public leader to perpetuate a false narrative against a group he doesn’t agree with. “Brian Lenney’s remarks are a place of authority,” Jangula said. “He is coming from a place of saying, ‘if you don’t align with me, you don’t have rights,’ and I think that that’s very dangerous for a state senator to have that viewpoint.” If a parent doesn’t agree with the group’s mission, Jangula said, don’t send them there. “The last couple of days have just shone a whole new light on a lot of things going on in Idaho,” Jangula said. “And I’m just — I’m really saddened by it, honestly.” CLUTCH RECEIVES SUPPORT Contrary to all the attention the group has recently received, OldenKamp said that the library has taken more flak for it than CLUTCH has. “I can honestly say we have had very little negative contact, and we’ve been receiving many, many, many positive messages of support,” OldenKamp said. “We’ve received some donations, and so our community really just showed up for us, which we are so grateful for.” In total, as of Friday morning, CLUTCH has received four negative communications and many more positive ones. As for assumptions of pedophilia and grooming taking place, OldenKamp said that all of CLUTCH’s adult volunteers are vetted with a background check. She also said that CLUTCH’s parents have been very supportive and positive, often dropping their kids off at meetings. “We know exactly what adults are present,” she said. Rather than a political movement or discussion group, CLUTCH’s weekly meetings are geared toward having a good time within a supportive group. Meetings vary between learning a new skill, crafting and playing games. “What a weird thought process,” OldenKamp said about assumptions of pedophilia. “It’s just unfortunate because no one’s asking us. None of the folks who are making the negative comments have reached out to actually find out what we do or who we are.” Those interested in learning more about CLUTCH can visit the website at clutchnampa.org . Questions can be submitted through the group’s contact form.Michigan aims to cap lost season by beating Ohio State
Coming off a highly successful West Coast road trip, the Buffalo Sabres return to home ice on Wednesday to face the Minnesota Wild, when they will likely welcome back their leading goal-scorer. Tage Thompson told reporters after practice Tuesday that he would be "ready to go" against the second-place team in the Central Division. The 27-year-old center, who scored 47 goals and 94 points two seasons ago, has not played since Nov. 11 due to a lower-body injury. Despite missing five games, his 11 goals still lead the team, and he ranks third in points with 18. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Each year, an estimated 46 million turkeys are consumed on Thanksgiving alone, with production largely concentrated in a handful of states. To determine the top turkey producers in the U.S., researchers ranked states based on 2023 total turkey production, measured in pounds. Click for more. Thanksgiving's Hometown Heroes: The States You Can Thank for Your Turkey Dinner
He played with Michael Jordan , coached in multiple NBA Finals against LeBron James , and watched Kobe Bryant evolve into one of the more transformative offensive players in league history. That person is Steve Kerr, the current head coach of the Golden State Warriors and someone with nine NBA championships across his playing and coaching careers. Kerr has often been asked to pick between teams, especially his Warriors and the Jordan-led Chicago Bulls squads he has been on. And while the former sharpshooter has mostly been diplomatic when answering these questions, a particular area he hasn't been reluctant to share his opinion on is discussing the greatest players of all time. Like Mike? Since he left the sport in 2003, the basketball universe has been craving to crown the next MJ. Many came close to receiving the label, but virtually no one has been able to carry it over time, perhaps except the Los Angeles Lakers ' iconic shooting guard, who has long been considered the player most similar to Jordan. While James has been religiously pitted against Mike in the GOAT debate, few argue that Bryant didn't at least remind them of the Bulls legend, at least in movement, playstyle, and approach to the game. And that's not to mention that both were six-foot-six shooting guards. "Kobe is the closest thing to Michael," Kerr said . "Everybody's been compared to Michael. LeBron's been compared to Michael; I don't think LeBron is Michael at all. I think he's a very different player with a very different mentality and mindset. Kobe has the same mentality and mindset as MJ. The assassin, the 'I'm gonna rip your throat out with my scoring,' low-post dominant fadeaway jumper, footwork." Related: "Dr. J" opposed the idea of retiring KB's number league-wide: "I wouldn't even try to compare Kobe Bryant to Russell" A tight comparison Perhaps the Warriors' head coach meant that Bryant was more similar to Jordan in playstyle and not so much rank. There's a big difference. Vince Carter played more like Mike and Kobe than LeBron does. But no one says Carter ranks higher all-time than the "King." James, especially at his peak, was a freight train, a player whose game was predicated on running in transition and being the main set-up guy on offense. "His Airness" and "Bean," although they had tremendous explosive athleticism, got their points in different ways. Watching a minute of tape on these three players will instantly show you which two are alike and which are a bit different. That said, as much as LeBron did (and perhaps still does) want to be Jordan, he wasn't the one who modeled his game after the five-time MVP. That was Kobe. "I don't think I would lose, other than to Kobe Bryant, because he steals all of my moves," Jordan famously stated in a 2014 interview when asked about who could beat him in a game of one-on-one. There were a lot of things Bryant did like Jordan, although many would argue that the latter did most of these things slightly better. If there is one aspect of Mike's game that the late NBA legend stole and perhaps did better, it was footwork. The incredible coordination, balance, and ability to create an open shot without much movement or dribbling made No. 24 someone who many of today's players try to emulate. "I thought Kobe's footwork was one of the best parts of his game," Kerr said. "[It was] probably the most underrated because everybody focused on his shooting and his athleticism, but his footwork got him open. That's why he was so similar to Michael. He could just get any shot he wanted." Bryant's passing has since put him on an even higher scale, although he was already on the Mount Rushmore of basketball, according to most current and former players, analysts, and fans. Regardless of how "close" he was to MJ, there is no denying that Kobe carved out his own identity and inspired the next generation of athletes in a way unlike anyone before him. As the "Mamba Mentality" lives strong, so will the legend of the "Black Mamba." Related: “There won't be another Michael” – Karl Malone never thought Kobe Bryant should have been compared to Michael Jordan
It’s not hard to understand the value tight end Josh Oliver brings to the Vikings. Just listen to the way people talk about him. “He’s an animal,” tight end T.J. Hockenson said. “Once he gets his hands on somebody, it’s kind of like, ‘Good luck.'” It was similar sentiment from offensive coordinator Wes Phillips. “He’s the best blocking tight end in the league, and that’s no disrespect to anybody else,” Phillips said. “We will take Josh over anybody in this league in the role that he’s in. It’s not only that he’s physically imposing as a 270-pound man. It’s the attitude that he plays with out there.” What are the Vikings losing now that Oliver has been ruled out with an ankle injury? His absence will be felt most when the Vikings try to run the ball against the Chicago Bears on Sunday afternoon at Soldier Field. Though he has proved he can contribute in the passing game, Oliver has been a force in the running game since signing with the Vikings. There have been multiple times this season that Oliver had singlehandedly carved out space for running back Aaron Jones to go to work. That’s partially why Hockenson has played only about 50% of the offensive snaps since returning from a torn anterior cruciate ligament a few weeks ago. Even if the Vikings are often telegraphing a run when Oliver is on the field, they don’t care because they feel that strongly about his ability as a blocker. “You see it every single week,” Phillips said. “He’s moving large men and putting them on the ground.” It’s safe to assume Oliver would suit up for the Vikings if he were able to do so. He’s been playing through a wrist injury for the past few weeks, for example, and has still been extremely effective at the point of attack. How tough is it to replace Oliver in a vacuum? “It’s a big challenge because of all the things he does on a snap in and snap out basis,” head coach Kevin O’Connell said. “We will see some guys make some impacts on some different downs and distances than we have maybe seen up to this point.” Briefly The only other players on the injury report for the Vikings are tight end Nick Muse (hand) and edge rusher Gabe Murphy (knee). Both players were officially listed as questionable and being full participants in the walkthrough on Friday afternoon at TCO Performance Center.Gulfstream Special Missions Awarded Significant Contract to Service U.S. Military Aircraft SAVANNAH, Ga. , Nov. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE: GD), has been awarded a contractor logistics support services (CLS) contract from the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center for C-20 and C-37 fleets. This contract extends over a seven-year period and provides services to the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army and U.S. Coast Guard. "For nearly 60 years, Gulfstream has been a trusted partner to governments and military organizations worldwide, and we are honored that the U.S. Air Force has once again selected our company to support the U.S. military's fleet," said Mark Burns , president, Gulfstream. "This demonstrates the strength of our world-class Customer Support network and its ability to support all of our customers' missions. Gulfstream's Special Missions business delivers cutting-edge aircraft expertly engineered for a wide range of critical operations and is currently experiencing unprecedented activity with customers around the world." The latest CLS contract is valued at $991 million and includes a wide variety of support such as global maintenance, component overhaul, repair and modification services. Gulfstream Customer Support will perform the work at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland ; Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii ; Ramstein Air Base, Germany ; Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay; and Naval Base Ventura County, California . To date, Gulfstream has delivered more than 200 special missions aircraft to over 40 countries, including all branches of the U.S. military and key U.S. government agencies. NOTE TO EDITORS Inspired by the belief that aviation could fuel business growth, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. invented the first purpose-built business aircraft, the Gulfstream I, which first flew in 1958. Today, more than 3,200 aircraft are in service around the world. Together with parent company General Dynamics, Gulfstream consistently invests in the future, dedicating resources to researching and developing innovative new aircraft, technologies and services. With a fleet that includes the super-midsize Gulfstream G280, the record-setting Gulfstream G650 and Gulfstream G650ER, and a next-generation family of aircraft including the category-leading Gulfstream G400, the award-winning Gulfstream G500 and Gulfstream G600, the ultralarge-cabin Gulfstream G700 and the ultralong-range Gulfstream G800, Gulfstream offers an aircraft for every mission. All are backed by the worldwide Gulfstream Customer Support network. Learn more at gulfstream.com . Headquartered in Reston, Virginia , General Dynamics is a global aerospace and defense company that offers a broad portfolio of products and services in business aviation; ship construction and repair; land combat vehicles, weapons systems and munitions; and technology products and services. General Dynamics employs more than 100,000 people worldwide and generated $42.3 billion in revenue in 2023. More information is available at www.gd.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-air-force-again-selects-gulfstream-for-fleet-support-302314414.html SOURCE Gulfstream Aerospace Corp.
Trump’s win is part of a mysterious — and ominous — worldwide trendThe Israeli prime minister says he is asking his ministers to approve a ceasefire agreement to end the current war between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. In a TV address, Benjamin Netanyahu said his government was ready for a ceasefire but would “respond forcefully to any violation” of a deal. The Iran-backed armed group and Israel have traded cross-border fire since October 2023. But fighting escalated in late September when Israel dramatically intensified aerial bombardments and launched a limited ground invasion. The conflict has been Lebanon’s deadliest in decades, killing more than 3,823 people say local officials. On Tuesday, Netanyahu said how long the ceasefire lasted would depend on what happened in Lebanon. He also said ending the fighting against Hezbollah in Lebanon, Israel’s northern neighbour, would allow the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to increase pressure on Hamas in Gaza and focus on “the Iranian threat”. The US, a key ally of Israel, has led the charge in negotiating a ceasefire deal in Lebanon. Netanyahu still requires approval from his security cabinet but this is expected to be granted as early as Tuesday evening. It is expected there will be an immediate 60-day ceasefire which will see both Israeli forces and Hezbollah’s armed presence withdraw from Lebanon’s south, the BBC’s US partner CBS says. Hezbollah fighters and weapons will be removed from the south of the Litani River, a boundary roughly 30km (19 miles) north of the border, that was established during the last Israel-Hezbollah war in 2006. France, which administered Lebanon for more than 20 years in the last century, and is a long-term ally, is also expected to be involved through the monitoring of the truce. Israel went on the offensive against Hezbollah – which is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by Israel and many Western countries – after almost a year of cross-border fighting sparked by the war in Gaza. It says it wants to ensure the safe return of about 60,000 residents of northern Israeli areas displaced by rocket attacks, which Hezbollah launched in support of Palestinians the day after its ally Hamas’s deadly attack on Israel on 7 October 2023. The war has been devastating for Lebanon, where, in addition to the 3,823 people killed and 15,859 injured, one million residents have been displaced in areas where Hezbollah holds sway. On the Israeli side, the hostilities have killed at least 82 soldiers and 47 civilians, authorities say. The World Bank estimates $8.5bn (£6.8bn) in economic losses and damage in Lebanon. Recovery will take time, and it is unknown how this will be funded. Hezbollah, too, has been devastated. Many of its leaders have been killed, including long-time chief Hassan Nasrallah, in an IDF strike on Beirut on 27 September. A week later Israel also killed his presumed successor, Hashem Safieddine, in another strike. With much of its infrastructure also damaged, how Hezbollah will look after the war remains unclear. The group has been severely weakened but it has not been destroyed. In Lebanon, it is also more than a militia: it is a political party with representation in parliament, and a social organisation, with significant support among Shia Muslims. Hezbollah’s opponents will probably see it as an opportunity to limit its influence – it was often described as “a state within a state” in Lebanon before the conflict – and many fear this could lead to internal violence. Since intensifying the fighting in September, Israel has carried out hundreds of daily strikes in Lebanon, targeting what it said were Hezbollah areas in the south, east and in the capital Beirut. As reports emerged that Netanyahu was discussing a ceasefire deal with his cabinet on Tuesday, the IDF continued its strikes – targeting Beirut with strikes that killed at least seven people.
Longtime NFL wide receiver DeSean Jackson will take over as head coach at Delaware State, Victory Formation Media and ESPN reported Thursday. If confirmed, it would be the latest data point in a growing trend of FCS football teams hiring well-known former players -- with little to no prior coaching experience -- in an effort to stand out. Jackson, 38, has no connection to Delaware State but according to ESPN, "it has always been a dream" of his to coach at an HBCU (historically black colleges and universities). Earlier this month, Norfolk State hired Michael Vick to take over the Spartans' program. Vick, who also reportedly heard from Sacramento State, hails from the Norfolk, Va., area. Norfolk State is one of Delaware State's rivals in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Colorado coach Deion Sanders spent three seasons (2020-22) as the head coach of Jackson State before moving up to the FBS level. His only prior coaching experience came at the high school level, including at his own short-lived charter school in Texas, "Prime Prep Academy." Jackson last played for the Baltimore Ravens in 2022. He is best known for two stints with the Philadelphia Eagles (2008-13, 2019-20) and played for a total of six teams in a 15-year NFL career. Jackson caught 641 passes for 11,263 yards and 58 touchdowns, adding four rushing touchdowns and four punt return touchdowns in 183 career games. Delaware State went 1-11 in 2024 (0-5 MEAC) and fired coach Lee Hull after the season. The Hornets have not had a winning season since going 6-5 in 2012. --Field Level MediaTeen actor Hudson Meek, who appeared in ‘Baby Driver,’ dies after falling from moving vehicle
