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jili super win WASHINGTON — For years, Pat Verhaeghe didn’t think highly of Donald Trump as a leader. Then Verhaeghe began seeing more of Trump’s campaign speeches online and his appearances at sporting events. There was even the former president’s pairing with Bryson DeChambeau as part of the pro golfer’s YouTube channel series to shoot an under-50 round of golf while engaging in chitchat with his partner. “I regret saying this, but a while ago I thought he was an idiot and that he wouldn’t be a good president,” said the 18-year-old first-time voter. “I think he’s a great guy now.” Verhaeghe isn’t alone among his friends in suburban Detroit or young men across America. Although much of the electorate shifted right to varying degrees in 2024, young men were one of the groups that swung sharply toward Trump. More than half of men under 30 supported Trump, according to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters, while Democrat Joe Biden had won a similar share of this group four years earlier. White men under 30 were solidly in Trump’s camp this year — about 6 in 10 voted for him — while young Latino men were split between the two candidates. Most Black men under 30 supported Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, but about one-third were behind former President Trump. Young Latino men’s views of the Democratic Party were much more negative than in 2020, while young Black men’s views of the party didn’t really move. About 6 in 10 Latino men under 30 had a somewhat or very favorable view of the Democrats in 2020, which fell to about 4 in 10 this year. On the other hand, about two-thirds of young Black men had a favorable view of the Democrats this year, which was almost identical to how they saw the party four years ago. “Young Hispanic men, and really young men in general, they want to feel valued,” said Rafael Struve, deputy communications director for Bienvenido, a conservative group that focused on reaching young Latino voters for Republicans this year. “They’re looking for someone who fights for them, who sees their potential and not just their struggles.” Struve cited the attempted assassination of Trump during a July rally in Pennsylvania as one of the catalyzing moments for Trump’s image among many young men. Trump raised his arm afterword and repeated, “Fight! Fight!” The image was quickly emblazoned on T-shirts. Trump, Struve said, was also able to reach young men more effectively by focusing on nontraditional platforms such as podcasts and digital media outlets. “Getting to hear from Trump directly, I think, really made all the difference,” Struve said of the former president’s appearances on digital media platforms and media catering to Latino communities, including town halls and business roundtables he attended in Las Vegas and Miami. Not only did Trump spend three hours on Joe Rogan’s chart-topping podcast, but also he took up DeChambeau’s “Break 50” challenge for the golfer’s more than 1.6 million YouTube subscribers. Trump already had an edge among young white men four years ago, although he widened the gap this year. About half of white men under 30 supported Trump in 2020, and slightly less than half supported Biden. Trump’s gains among young Latino and Black men were bigger. His support among both groups increased by about 20 percentage points, according to AP VoteCast. It wasn’t just Trump. The share of young men who identified as Republicans in 2024 rose as well, mostly aligning with support for Trump across all three groups. “What is most alarming to me is that the election is clear that America has shifted right by a lot,” said William He, founder of Dream For America, a liberal group that works to turn out young voters and supported Harris’ presidential bid. With Trump’s bombastic demeanor and a policy agenda centered on a more macho understanding of culture, he framed much of his campaign as a pitch to men who felt scorned by the country’s economy, culture and political system. Young women also slightly swung toward the former president, though not to the degree of their male counterparts. It’s unclear how many men simply did not vote this year. But there’s no doubt the last four years brought changes in youth culture and how political campaigns set out to reach younger voters. Harris’ campaign rolled out policy agendas tailored to Black and Latino men, and the campaign enlisted a range of leaders in their communities to make the case for the vice president. Her campaign began with a flurry of enthusiasm from many young voters, epitomized in memes and the campaign’s embrace of pop culture trends like the pop star Charli XCX’s “brat” aesthetic. Democrats hoped to channel that energy into their youth voter mobilization efforts. “I think most young voters just didn’t hear the message,” said Santiago Mayer, executive director of Voters of Tomorrow, a liberal group that engages younger voters. Mayer said the Harris campaign’s pitch to the country was “largely convoluted” and centered on economic messaging that he said wasn’t easily conveyed to younger voters who were not already coming to political media. “And I think that the policies themselves were also very narrow and targeted, when what we really needed was a simple, bold economic vision,” said Mayer. Harris’ campaign included pitches from an array of pop culture, sports and music stars, including Beyoncé, Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, Megan Thee Stallion, Lizzo and Oprah Winfrey. Trump also embraced pop culture by appearing at UFC fights, football games and appearing alongside comedians, musicians and social media influencers. His strategists believed that the former president’s ability to grab attention and make his remarks go viral did more for the campaign than paid advertisements or traditional media appearances. Trump’s campaign also heavily cultivated networks of online conservative platforms and personalities supportive of him while also engaging a broader universe of podcasts, streaming sites, digital media channels and meme pages open to hearing him. “The right has been wildly successful in infiltrating youth political culture online and on campus in the last couple of years, thus radicalizing young people towards extremism,” said He, who cited conservative activist groups like Turning Point USA as having an outsize effect in online discourse. “And Democrats have been running campaigns in a very old-fashioned way. The battleground these days is cultural and increasingly on the internet.” Republicans may lose their broad support if they don’t deliver on improving Americans’ lives, Struve said. Young men, especially, may drift from the party in a post-Trump era if the party loses the president-elect’s authenticity and bravado. Bienvenido, Struve said, will double down in the coming years to solidify and accelerate the voting pattern shifts seen this year. “We don’t want this to be a one-and-done thing,” he said. Brown writes for the Associated Press. Associated Press writer Joey Cappelletti in Lansing, Mich., and AP polling editor Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux contributed to this report.

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Colorado hands No. 2 UConn second straight loss in Maui

A man has been sentenced to decades behind bars for a courtroom outburst early this year that went viral on social media. It all stemmed from 31-year-old Deobra Redden's sentencing hearing on Jan. 3 for an attempted battery charge. As Judge Mary Kay Holthus began announcing that he would be going to prison, Redden leapt over the judge's bench in an attempt to attack her. Courtroom quickly intervened. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.NEW YORK , Nov. 21, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape - The global pulp market size is estimated to grow by USD 38.1 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of almost 3.53% during the forecast period. increased consumption of chemical wood pulp is driving market growth, with a trend towards rising use of fluff pulp due to increased absorbency. However, high costs involved in production of pulp poses a challenge.Key market players include Arctic Paper SA, Billerud AB, Canny Tissue Paper Industry, Gulf Paper Manufacturing Co., Hitachi Ltd., International Paper Co., Koch Industries Inc., Mercer International Inc., Metropolic Paper Industries, Metsa Board Oyj, Nath Industries Ltd., Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Ltd., Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd., Oji Holdings Corp., Sappi Ltd., Shanying International Holding Co. Ltd., Sinar Mas , Stora Enso Oyj, UPM Kymmene Corp., and WestRock Co.. AI-Powered Market Evolution Insights. Our comprehensive market report ready with the latest trends, growth opportunities, and strategic analysis- View Free Sample Report PDF Key Market Trends Fueling Growth The pulp market is witnessing significant trends in various industries like food and beverage, personal care, and paper packaging. Eco-friendliness is a major focus with the demand for green packaging increasing. Leading paper producers like International Paper and Stora Enso are investing in renewable energy operations and producing eco-friendly packaging products. The food and beverage industry is shifting towards paper-based packaging solutions due to consumer inclination and anti-plastic sentiments. Paper packaging materials such as white paper, recycled paper, and specialty papers are in high demand. FMCG companies like Unilever are partnering with the Pulpex Consortium to develop laundry detergent solutions using recycled paper pulp. The personal care industry is also embracing green packaging, with an emphasis on recyclability and sustainability. Toilet papers and antimicrobial tissue products are popular choices. The retail sector is also adopting paper packaging for its lightweight and recyclable properties, reducing plastic use and logistics costs. The paper industry is the largest forest-based industry, using wood, bamboo, rice husk, and wheat straw as raw materials. The production line includes chemical pulping and the conversion of paper into various forms such as wrapping paper, writing paper, printing paper, tissue paper, rolls, and specialty papers. The rapid penetration of the internet, smartphones, and online retailing has led to an increase in paper packaging demand for e-commerce. The paper industry is essential for socio-economic development, providing employment opportunities in developing countries. However, it's crucial to address deforestation concerns and focus on sustainable forest management. The water-consuming industries, including paper and pulp, are under pressure to reduce water usage and greenhouse gas emissions. The wrapping paper segment is also gaining popularity, especially during festive seasons. The paper industry is continually innovating to meet the needs of modern consumers while minimizing its environmental impact. The diaper and hygiene sanitary pad market holds significant importance in the global business landscape. This sector's growth is driven by the increasing awareness of safety and health practices. The primary raw material for these products is fluff pulp, derived from softwood, which enhances absorbency and prevents leaks. With rising birth rates in Latin America and Asia , the diaper industry is projected to expand by around 50% by 2023. Additionally, the convenience of disposable diapers caters to the fast-paced lifestyle of modern consumers. Fluff pulp's long fibers effectively absorb liquids and semi-solids, ensuring user comfort and reliability. This market trend is expected to continue as health and hygiene remain top priorities for consumers worldwide. Insights on how AI is driving innovation, efficiency, and market growth- Request Sample! Market Challenges The pulp market faces significant challenges in various industries like food and beverage, personal care, and paper packaging. Eco-friendly packaging products are in high demand due to anti-plastic sentiments and consumer inclination towards green packaging. Renewable energy operations and reduced greenhouse gas emissions are essential for forest-based mills like International Paper and Stora Enso. The food and beverage industry requires paper-based packaging solutions for their products, while the personal care industry relies on tissue paper for hygiene products. Recycling infrastructure is crucial for the recycling of paper packaging materials, including white paper, printing paper, and specialty papers. FMCG companies like Unilever are collaborating with the Pulpex Consortium to develop laundry detergent solutions using paper-based packaging instead of plastic. The retail sector's rapid penetration by e-commerce and online shoppers necessitates lightweight and recyclable packaging like corrugated boxes and paper bags. The paper industry's largest competitors, including International Paper and Stora Enso, are investing in mills that use renewable energy and produce recycled paper pulp from wood fibers, bamboo, rice husk, wheat straw, and other sustainable sources. Socio-economic development in developing countries presents opportunities for the paper industry's growth, particularly in the production of paper-based packaging materials for kitchens, toilets, and households. However, challenges like deforestation and the use of chemical pulp remain concerns. The paper industry's sustainability is crucial in addressing plastic packaging waste, particularly in the wrapping paper segment. Leading paper producers are focusing on commercial printing papers, converting papers, digital papers, and office papers to cater to various industries' demands. The paper industry's future lies in its ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences, reduce water consumption, and address the challenges of plastic use and recyclability in various segments, including tissue paper products, newsprint, and packaging. The pulp market is characterized by significant investments from existing vendors in technological advancements to boost pulp production. This strategy primarily involves acquiring smaller pulp vendors or assets, leading to increased production capacity but high costs. Integration with established vendors facilitates access to raw materials. The pulp industry's engineering is sophisticated and productive. However, the energy consumption in pulp and paper production is substantial. Capital-intensive machinery requires large amounts of energy and water to process forest materials and extract fibers, as well as to remove water during the papermaking process. Insights into how AI is reshaping industries and driving growth- Download a Sample Report Segment Overview This pulp market report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Printing and writing paper 1.2 Tissue paper 1.3 Specialty paper 1.4 Packaging paper 1.5 Others 2.1 Chemical pulp 2.2 Mechanical and semi-chemical pulp 2.3 Non-wood pulp 3.1 North America 3.2 APAC 3.3 Europe 3.4 South America 3.5 Middle East and Africa 1.1 Printing and writing paper- The printing and writing paper market is experiencing growth due to the increased demand for dyes and pigments in developing countries. China , India , and Indonesia are major consumers of printing and writing paper, driven by rising literacy rates and population growth. This segment includes various types of paper used for books, office applications, and personal use. Uncoated freesheet paper is the largest category, accounting for office reprographics, business applications, and envelope paper. Uncoated mechanical paper is an alternative, used for newspaper inserts, paperback books, and directories. Coated freesheet paper, with an added clay or additive coating, is suitable for highly illustrated books, advertising materials, and magazines. Coated mechanical paper, made of mechanical fibers with an added coating, is used for catalogs and coupons. The pulp market will grow as a result of the increased production of these types of printing and writing paper. Download complimentary Sample Report to gain insights into AI's impact on market dynamics, emerging trends, and future opportunities- including forecast (2024-2028) and historic data (2018 - 2022) Research Analysis The pulp market encompasses a vast array of industries, including food and beverage, personal care, and paper packaging. This sector is currently the largest industry globally, with a significant focus on eco-friendly packaging products due to growing anti-plastic sentiments and consumer inclination towards sustainability. Forest-based materials like wood and bamboo, as well as agricultural waste such as rice husk and wheat straw, are increasingly used to produce paper packaging materials. These materials offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional chemical pulp and reduce deforestation. The paper packaging industry includes various products like wrapping paper, writing paper, and more. The personal care industry also relies heavily on pulp for products like kitchen and bathroom paper for households and personal hygiene, contributing significantly to the market's growth. Recycling infrastructure plays a crucial role in the circular economy of pulp and paper products. Market Research Overview The pulp market encompasses various industries, including food and beverage, personal care, and paper packaging. With growing anti-plastic sentiments and consumer inclination towards eco-friendly products, the demand for green packaging solutions is surging. Paper packaging materials, such as white paper, recycled paper, and specialty papers, are gaining popularity. Leading paper producers like International Paper and Stora Enso are investing in renewable energy operations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Forest-based raw materials, including wood, bamboo, rice husk, and wheat straw, are the primary sources of pulp. The paper industry is the largest consumer of water, making water conservation a critical concern. The rapid penetration of the internet, smartphones, and online retailing has led to an increase in demand for lightweight and recyclable packaging, particularly corrugated boxes and paper bags. The paper packaging market is expected to grow significantly due to its sustainability advantages over plastic packaging waste. FMCG companies are also exploring paper-based packaging solutions for their laundry detergent and toilet paper products. The market for writing and printing papers, newsprint, and converting papers is also expanding. Socio-economic development in developing countries is driving the demand for paper-based packaging solutions. However, concerns over deforestation and the use of chemical pulp remain challenges for the industry. The kitchen and household sectors, including personal hygiene and sanitation, are major consumers of paper products. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Application Printing And Writing Paper Tissue Paper Specialty Paper Packaging Paper Others Grade Type Chemical Pulp Mechanical And Semi-chemical Pulp Non-wood Pulp Geography North America APAC Europe South America Middle East And Africa 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio

Zach Kittley finalizing agreement to take over as Florida Atlantic coach, AP source saysBrazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will undergo another operation Thursday to “minimize the risk of future bleeding” in an area under his skull that received emergency surgery this week, his doctor said. The 79-year-old president’s doctor, Roberto Kalil, told journalists on Wednesday outside the Hospital Sirio-Libanes where Lula is convalescing that the procedure was an “expected” follow-up to the surgery carried out on Tuesday. He said Thursday’s operation, estimated to last an hour, would involve inserting a catheter in Lula’s femoral artery, and added that the procedure was “relatively simple and low-risk.” The hospital said in a medical bulletin: “As part of his treatment, complementary to the surgery, an endovascular procedure (embolization of the middle meningeal artery) will be carried out tomorrow morning.” The facility added that Lula was otherwise well. On Wednesday, it said, he “carried out physiotherapy, walked and received family visits.” Doctors performed emergency surgery Tuesday on Lula to relieve pressure on his brain from bleeding in cranial membranes linked to a fall he had in October, in a bathroom at the presidential residence. After complaining of a headache in Brasilia on Monday, an MRI scan found a hemorrhage between his brain and the dura mater membrane that protects it. He was rushed to the Hospital Sirio-Libanes — the country’s top medical facility — where doctors carried out a trepanation, involving drilling through his skull to relieve pressure. Earlier Wednesday, the hospital said Lula was alert and had “progressed well” since the surgery, “without incident.” In a post-surgery news conference on Tuesday, his medical team said he had suffered no brain damage. They said he would spend a couple of days in intensive care, under observation, and he was expected to be released from hospital next week. After suffering his fall on October 19, Lula told an official from his Workers’ Party that the accident had been “serious”. In the weeks following, the president skipped planned overseas trips. But from mid-November he resumed his active schedule, hosting a G20 summit in Rio and attending a Mercosur summit last week in Uruguay. With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.

FBI Director Christopher Wray announced on Dec. 11 he was stepping down as head of the bureau, just days after Republicans expressed a loss of confidence in him. Wray, 57, told FBI employees in an afternoon town hall that “after weeks of careful thought,” he had decided to resign in January at the end of the current administration, caving to pressure from GOP senators and President-elect Donald Trump. NY Post Politics Reporter Josh Christenson shares this story.

'The snow will be magical': Annual Santa's Parade of Lights in Orléans back this SaturdayA Tennessee man is convicted of killing 2 at a high school basketball game in 2021Andrej Jakimovski hit a layup with 8 seconds left, and Colorado upset No. 2 UConn 73-72 in the consolation bracket of the Maui Invitational on Tuesday in Lahaina, Hawaii. Colorado (5-1) rallied from down 11 in the first half to get the win over the two-time defending national champions Huskies. Jakimovski finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds and Julian Hammond III and Elijah Malone each scored 16 for the Buffaloes, who advanced to the fifth-place game in Maui on Wednesday. Down 72-71, Jakimovski drove the right side of the lane and made a scoop shot as he was falling down. UConn called timeout to set up the final play but Hassan Diarra missed a 3-pointer with 2 seconds left. Liam McNeeley led UConn with 20 points, Solo Ball scored 16 and Diarra finished with 11. The Huskies (4-2) lost two straight for the first time since dropping three in a row from Jan. 11-18, 2023. Colorado trailed by eight at halftime and Diarra hit two 3-pointers early in the second half that made it 46-37. The Buffaloes scored the next 11 points to take a 48-46 lead, their first of the game. Hammond bookended that run with a pair of triples. UConn went back in front 55-52 on Tarris Reed Jr.'s driving layup but Malone's bucket with 8:34 left tied it at 59. McNeeley's hook shot gave the Huskies a 63-60 lead before Jakimovski drained a 3-pointer to tie it again with 5:16 left. Ball hit a 3-pointer and a layup to give UConn a five-point lead but Colorado got within 70-69 on two free throws by Malone with 2:04 left. A putback from Jaylin Stewart made it a three-point game with 1:29 remaining. Malone answered with a layup, Javon Ruffin blocked Diarra's shot and Colorado got an offensive rebound with 24 seconds left to set up the winning basket. McNeeley made his first four shots from deep and had 16 points by intermission to lead the Huskies. Colorado had opportunities to make it a close game by halftime but went just 12-for-19 from the foul line and trailed 40-32. UConn attempted only four free throws in the first half and had five players with two or more fouls, including Reed, who had three. --Field Level MediaBethlehem marks a second subdued Christmas during the war in Gaza BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Bethlehem is marking another somber Christmas Eve under the shadow of war in Gaza. Manger Square lacked its usual festive lights and crowds of tourists on Tuesday. Instead, the area outside the Nativity Church was quiet. The church was built atop the spot where Jesus is believed to have been born. The war, the violence in the occupied West Bank it has spurred and the lack of festivities has deeply hurt Bethlehem's economy. The town relies heavily on Christmas tourism. The economy in the West Bank was already reeling because of restrictions placed on laborers preventing them from entering Israel during the war. Middle East latest: Bethlehem marks a somber Christmas Eve amid war in Gaza TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The Palestinian city of Bethlehem is preparing for another somber Christmas under the shadow of war in Gaza. Most festivities cancelled and crowds of tourists absent in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Winter is hitting the Gaza Strip and many of the nearly 2 million Palestinians displaced by the devastating 15-month war with Israel are struggling to protect themselves from the wind, cold and rain. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s bombardment and ground invasion has killed over 45,000 Palestinians, more than half of them women and children. The Health Ministry does not distinguish between fighters and civilians in its count. Heavy travel day off to a rough start after American Airlines briefly grounds all flights WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide due to a technical issue just as the Christmas travel season kicks into overdrive and winter weather is threatening more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. American flights were cleared to fly by federal regulators about one hour after a national ground stop order was issued by federal regulators Tuesday. The American groundings couldn’t come at a worse time for the millions of travelers expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers over the holidays and through January 2. Major storm pounds California's central coast, blamed for man's death and partially collapsing pier SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — A major storm has pounded California’s central coast bringing flooding and high surf that was blamed for fatally trapping a man beneath debris on a beach and later partially collapsing a pier, tossing three people into the Pacific Ocean. The storm was expected to bring hurricane-force winds and waves up to 60 feet Monday as it gained strength from California to the Pacific Northwest. Some California cities have ordered beachfront homes and hotels to evacuate early Monday afternoon. Forecasters have warned that storm swells would continue to increase throughout the day. Caitlin Clark honored as AP Female Athlete of the Year following her impact on women's sports Caitlin Clark has been named the AP Female Athlete of the Year after raising the profile of women’s basketball to unprecedented levels in both college and the WNBA. She led Iowa to the national championship game, was the top pick in the WNBA draft and captured rookie of the year honors in the league. Fans packed sold-out arenas and millions of television viewers followed her journey on and off the court. Clark's exploits also put other women's sports leagues in the spotlight. A group of 74 sports journalists from AP and its members voted on the award. Other athletes who received votes included Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles and boxer Imane Khelif. Clark’s only the fourth women’s basketball player to win the award since it was first given in 1931. 20 years after the Indian Ocean tsunami, a boy found in the mud embraces being known as 'Baby 81' KURUKKAL MADAM, Sri Lanka (AP) — The boy once known as “Baby 81,” who was pulled from the mud as an infant after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 and reunited with his parents following an emotional court battle, is now a 20-year-old dreaming of higher education. Jayarasa Abilash’s story symbolizes that of the many families torn apart by one of the worst natural calamities in modern history, but it also offers hope. He grew up being followed by the nickname “Baby 81” and feeling embarrassed until he learned more about the events that tore him from his family and brought him back. He has lost his fear. A blast at a Turkish ammunition factory kills 11 people ISTANBUL (AP) — An explosion at an ammunition factory in northwest Turkey left 11 dead and five injured Tuesday morning. The state-run Anadolu Agency says the blast occurred in Balikesir province, in a rural area away from population centers. The provincial governor says one building collapsed and others were damaged, The governor says the explosion was due to a technical issue and there was no possibility of sabotage. An investigation has begun. France has a new government, again. Politics and crushing debt complicate next steps PARIS (AP) — France’s president and prime minister have managed to form a new government just in time for the holidays. Now comes the hard part. Crushing debt, pressure from the nationalist far right, wars in Europe and the Mideast. The hallenges abound for President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Francois Bayrou. They already had a tumultuous 2024. The most urgent order of business is passing a 2025 budget. Financial markets, ratings agencies and the European Commission are pushing France to bring down its deficit. It is threatening the stability and prosperity of all countries that share the euro currency. Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug use WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee’s long-awaited report into Rep. Matt Gaetz documents a trove of salacious allegations of misconduct, including sex with an underage girl, that tanked the Florida Republican’s nomination to lead the Justice Department. Citing text messages, travel receipts, online payments and other evidence, the committee painted a picture of a lifestyle in which Gaetz and others connected with younger women for drug-fueled parties, events or trips, with the expectation the women would be paid for their participation. Gaetz, who had filed a last-minute lawsuit to try to block the report’s release Monday, slammed the committee’s findings. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and has insisted he never had sex with a minor. Legendary Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal dies at age 90 NEW DELHI (AP) — Shyam Benegal, a renowned Indian filmmaker known for pioneering a cinema movement that tackled social issues in the 1970s, has died after chronic kidney disease. He was 90. His contribution to cinema was recognized as a director, editor and screenwriter. He came into the limelight with films that challenged mainstream Bollywood by dealing with the social realities of a poor nation. He also was a mentor to top Indian actors. India's prime minister says he is “deeply saddened” by Benegal's death.

The 27th annual Santa's Parade of Lights is taking place Saturday afternoon in Orléans . It will kick off at 6 p.m. from St. Joseph Boulevard and Youville Drive, and make its way down to Place D’Orléans and Preston Drive. "We have an incredible lineup this year ... We heard from the public that they love the parade," Bob Rainboth, chairman and founder of Santa's Parade of Lights told CFRA Live with Andrew Pinsent Saturday. "The snow will be magical." Rainboth says the parade is expected to be at the end point by at 7:30 p.m. He asks people to come early on Youville Drive side and make sure they get a parking spot if they're on the east side. Spectators can also make a cash or food donation to the Ottawa Fire Fighter Association. More information about the parade is available online. Shopping Trends The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us. 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Toronto man accused of posing as surgeon, performing cosmetic procedures on several women A 29-year-old Toronto man has been charged after allegedly posing as a surgeon and providing cosmetic procedures on several women. W5 Investigates | 'I never took part in beheadings': Canadian ISIS sniper has warning about future of terror group An admitted Canadian ISIS sniper held in one of northeast Syria’s highest-security prisons has issued a stark warning about the potential resurgence of the terror group. Trump threatens 100% tariff on the BRIC bloc of nations if they act to undermine U.S. dollar U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on Saturday threatened 100 per cent tariffs against a bloc of nine nations if they act to undermine the U.S. dollar. 'Disappointing': Toronto speed camera cut down less than 24 hours after being reinstalled A Toronto speed camera notorious for issuing tens of thousands of tickets to drivers has been cut down again less than 24 hours after it was reinstalled. Poilievre suggests Trudeau is too weak to engage with Trump, Ford won't go there While federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has taken aim at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week, calling him too 'weak' to engage with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, Ontario Premier Doug Ford declined to echo the characterization in an exclusive Canadian broadcast interview set to air this Sunday on CTV's Question Period. Bruce the tiny Vancouver parrot lands internet fame with abstract art Mononymous painter Bruce has carved a lucrative niche on social media with his abstract artworks, crafted entirely from the colourful juices of fruits. Why this Toronto man ran so a giant stickman could dance Colleagues would ask Duncan McCabe if he was training for a marathon, but, really, the 32-year-old accountant was committing multiple hours of his week, for 10 months, to stylistically run on the same few streets in Toronto's west end with absolutely no race in mind. 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Edmonton Canadian team told Trump's tariffs unavoidable in short term in surprise Mar-a-Lago meeting During a surprise dinner at Mar-a-Lago, representatives of the federal government were told U.S. tariffs from the incoming Donald Trump administration cannot be avoided in the immediate term, two government sources tell CTV News. Massage therapist charged in connection with sexual assault at Mill Woods clinic An Edmonton massage therapist has been charged with sexual assault in connection with an incident earlier this year. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scores in OT to lift Oilers to 4-3 win over Utah Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored 1:18 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Utah Hockey Club 4-3 on Friday night. Regina Regina's LED volume wall leaving Sask. months after opening Less than a year after an LED volume wall was introduced to the film world in Saskatchewan, the equipment is making its exit from the province. 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Akash A. of Kozhikode, Kerala who has been arrested by Mangaluru police in connection with defrauding ₹1.71 crore​. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRAGEMENT The Mangaluru city police have arrested a 22-year-old man from Mavoor in Kozhikode district of Kerala who was allegedly involved in extorting ₹ 1.71 crore by ‘digitally arresting’ a resident of Mangaluru. The police gave name of the accused as A. Akash. In the complaint to Cyber Economic and Narcotic Crime (CEN) police station, the victim said he received a call from a person who claimed himself as an officer of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The caller told the victim that another mobile number registered in latter’s name was being used for illegal activities, including for harassing people by promising good returns on investment, and a case for the same is registered in Andheri East Police Station in Mumbai. Further the caller said an account in victim’s name has been opened in Canara Bank in Andheri branch and it was being used for cheating people. The caller threatened that a sim card has been purchased using the bank account of the victim for identity. The caller asked the victim to confine himself to a room (digital arrest). Later the victim paid a total of ₹ 1.71 crore to fraudsters in installments. Following the compliant, the CEN police tracked the trail of accounts to which the amounts were transferred by the victim. During this, the CEN police found Akash withdrawing ₹ 7 lakh from an account. A team led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Ravish Nayak and Police Inspector M.P. Satish arrested Akash in Kerala. Search is on for other accused persons allegedly associated with Akash, the police said. Investment fraud The CEN police have arrested K. Jaffer, 49, of Pullapatta in Mallapuram district of Kerala for his alleged involvement in cheating a Mangaluru resident of ₹ 10.84 lakh. In a statement, the CEN police said the victim received ‘Stock frontline’ link on his mobile phone to which fraudsters assured the victim of good return for investment. The victim invested ₹10.84 lakh and he failed to get any return. The CEN police followed the money trail and found that the money had been transferred to the account of Jaffer. A team of CEN police went to Kerala and arrested Jaffer on Monday. Search is on for other alleged associates of Jaffer, the police said. Published - December 24, 2024 10:20 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit

Colorado hands No. 2 UConn second straight loss in MauiAnd today, through madame’s Instagram account, we learn that the Gallagher family is growing. They are expecting their first child this winter. Congratulations to Brendan Gallagher and his wife, Emma Fortin, who are expecting their first child! ( : IG/emmafortin14) — RDS (@RDSca) One can say that this child will be showered with gifts during the holidays. Not only does his father have an excellent salary, but the proximity of Christmas and his birthday will promise a rather exciting time for him. And he can count himself lucky to see his father around as he grows up. Indeed, Gally is still only 32 years old and has just two and a half years left on his contract with the CH. Let’s expect him to miss one or two games soon when baby Gallagher finally arrives. – Well done. 50 YEARS OF CARRIERE FOR BERG Michel Bergeron had no idea that a special tribute awaited him when he appeared on the JiC set for his segment. His reaction... — TVA Sports (@TVASports) – To watch. Kirill Kaprizov has entered the early MVP conversation as he quickly climbs the Wild’s all-time scoring charts. Don’t miss this one from : — Star Tribune Sports (@StribSports) – A new challenge for the legend. The experienced coach is back in action. — TVA Sports (@TVASports)

Percentages: FG .379, FT .895. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Amanda Hernández | (TNS) Stateline.org CHICAGO — Shoplifting rates in the three largest U.S. cities — New York, Los Angeles and Chicago — remain higher than they were before the pandemic, according to a report last month from the nonpartisan research group Council on Criminal Justice. Related Articles National News | Nicotine pouches are selling fast — and falling into minors’ hands National News | NORAD’s Santa tracker was a Cold War morale boost. Now it attracts millions of kids National News | Heavy travel day off to a rough start after American Airlines briefly grounds all flights National News | Prosecutors withdraw appeal of dismissed case against Alec Baldwin in fatal movie set shooting National News | Bill Clinton is hospitalized with a fever but in good spirits, spokesperson says The sharp rise in retail theft in recent years has made shoplifting a hot-button issue, especially for politicians looking to address public safety concerns in their communities. Since 2020, when viral videos of smash-and-grab robberies flooded social media during the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans have expressed fears that crime is out of control. Polls show that perceptions have improved recently, but a majority of Americans still say crime is worse than in previous years. “There is this sense of brazenness that people have — they can just walk in and steal stuff. ... That hurts the consumer, and it hurts the company,” said Alex Piquero, a criminology professor at the University of Miami and former director of the federal Bureau of Justice Statistics, in an interview. “That’s just the world we live in,” he said. “We need to get people to realize that you have to obey the law.” At least eight states — Arizona, California, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, New York and Vermont — passed a total of 14 bills in 2024 aimed at tackling retail theft, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The measures range from redefining retail crimes and adjusting penalties to allowing cross-county aggregation of theft charges and protecting retail workers. Major retailers have responded to rising theft since 2020 by locking up merchandise, upgrading security cameras, hiring private security firms and even closing stores. Still, the report indicates that shoplifting remains a stubborn problem. In Chicago, the rate of reported shoplifting incidents remained below pre-pandemic levels throughout 2023 — but surged by 46% from January to October 2024 compared with the same period a year ago. Shoplifting in Los Angeles was 87% higher in 2023 than in 2019. Police reports of shoplifting from January to October 2024 were lower than in 2023. Los Angeles adopted a new crime reporting system in March 2024, which has likely led to an undercount, according to the report. In New York, shoplifting rose 48% from 2021 to 2022, then dipped slightly last year. Still, the shoplifting rate was 55% higher in 2023 than in 2019. This year, the shoplifting rate increased by 3% from January to September compared with the same period last year. While shoplifting rates tend to rise in November and December, which coincides with in-person holiday shopping, data from the Council on Criminal Justice’s sample of 23 U.S. cities shows higher rates in the first half of 2024 compared with 2023. Researchers found it surprising that rates went up despite retailers doing more to fight shoplifting. Experts say the spike might reflect improved reporting efforts rather than a spike in theft. “As retailers have been paying more attention to shoplifting, we would not expect the numbers to increase,” said Ernesto Lopez, the report’s author and a senior research specialist with the council. “It makes it a challenge to understand the trends of shoplifting.” Impact on retailers, communities In downtown Chicago on a recent early afternoon, potential shoppers shuffled through the streets and nearby malls, browsing for gifts ahead of the holidays. Edward Johnson, a guard at The Shops at North Bridge, said that malls have become quieter in the dozen or so years he has worked in mall security, with the rise of online retailers. As for shoplifters, Johnson said there isn’t a single type of person to look out for — they can come from any background. “I think good-hearted people see something they can’t afford and figure nothing is lost if they take something from the store,” Johnson said as he patrolled the mall, keeping an eye out for lost or suspicious items. Between 2018 and 2023, most shoplifting in Chicago was reported in the downtown area, as well as in the Old Town, River North and Lincoln Park neighborhoods, according to a separate analysis by the Council on Criminal Justice. Newly sworn-in Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke this month lowered the threshold for charging retail theft as a felony in the county, which includes Chicago, from $1,000 to $300, aligning it with state law. “It sends a signal that she’s taking it seriously,” Rob Karr, the president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, told Stateline. Nationally, retailers are worried about organized theft. The National Retail Federation’s latest report attributed 36% of the $112.1 billion in lost merchandise in 2022 to “external theft,” which includes organized retail crime. Organized retail crime typically involves coordinated efforts by groups to steal items with the intent to resell them for a profit. Commonly targeted goods include high-demand items such as baby formula, laundry detergent and electronics. The same report found that retailers’ fear of violence associated with theft also is on the rise, with more retailers taking a “hands-off approach.” More than 41% of respondents to the organization’s 2023 survey, up from 38% in 2022, reported that no employee is authorized to try and stop a shoplifter. (The federation’s reporting has come under criticism. It retracted a claim last year that attributed nearly half of lost merchandise in 2021 to organized retail crime; such theft accounted for only about 5%. The group announced this fall it will no longer publish its reports on lost merchandise.) Increased penalties Policy experts say shoplifting and organized retail theft can significantly harm critical industries, drive up costs for consumers and reduce sales tax revenue for states. Those worries have driven recent state-level action to boost penalties for shoplifting. California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a package of 10 bills into law in August aimed at addressing retail theft. These measures make repeated theft convictions a felony, allow aggregation of crimes across multiple counties to be charged as a single felony, and permit police to arrest suspects for retail theft even if the crime wasn’t witnessed directly by an officer. In September, Newsom signed an additional bill that imposes steeper felony penalties for large-scale theft offenses. California voters also overwhelmingly approved a ballot measure in November that increases penalties for specific drug-related and theft crimes. Under the new law, people who are convicted of theft at least twice may face felony charges on their third offense, regardless of the stolen item’s value. “With these changes in the law, really it comes down to making sure that law enforcement is showing up to our stores in a timely manner, and that the prosecutors and the [district attorneys] are prosecuting,” Rachel Michelin, the president and CEO of the California Retailers Association, told Stateline. “That’s the only way we’re going to deter retail theft in our communities.” In New Jersey, a bipartisan bill making its way through the legislature would increase penalties for leading a shoplifting ring and allow extended sentences for repeat offenders. “This bill is going after a formally organized band of criminals that deliver such destruction to a critical business in our community. We have to act. We have to create a deterrence,” Democratic Assemblymember Joseph Danielsen, one of the bill’s prime sponsors, said in an interview with Stateline. The legislation would allow extended sentences for people convicted of shoplifting three times within 10 years or within 10 years of their release from prison, and would increase penalties to 10 to 20 years in prison for leading a retail crime ring. The bill also would allow law enforcement to aggregate the value of stolen goods over the course of a year to charge serial shoplifters with more serious offenses. Additionally, the bill would increase penalties for assaults committed against retail workers, and would require retailers to train employees on detecting gift card scams. Maryland legislators considered a similar bill during this year’s legislative session that would have defined organized retail theft and made it a felony. The bill didn’t make it out of committee, but Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance, said the group plans to propose a bill during next year’s legislative session that would target gift card fraud. Retail theft data Better, more thorough reporting from retailers is essential to truly understanding shoplifting trends and its full impact, in part because some retail-related crimes, such as gift card fraud, are frequently underreported, according to Lopez, of the Council on Criminal Justice. Measuring crime across jurisdictions is notoriously difficult , and the council does not track organized retail theft specifically because law enforcement typically doesn’t identify it as such at the time of arrest — if an arrest even occurs — requiring further investigation, Lopez said. The council’s latest report found conflicting trends in the FBI’s national crime reporting systems. The FBI’s older system, the Summary Reporting System, known as SRS, suggests that reported shoplifting hadn’t gone up through 2023, remaining on par with 2019 levels. In contrast, the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System, or NIBRS, shows a 93% increase in shoplifting over the same period. The discrepancy may stem from the type of law enforcement agencies that have adopted the latter system, Lopez said. Some of those communities may have higher levels of shoplifting or other types of property crime, which could be what is driving the spike, Lopez said. Despite the discrepancies and varying levels of shoplifting across the country, Lopez said, it’s important for retailers to report these incidents, as doing so could help allocate law enforcement resources more effectively. “All law enforcement agencies have limited resources, and having the most accurate information allows for not just better policy, but also better implementation — better use of strategic resources,” Lopez said. Stateline staff writer Robbie Sequeira contributed to this report. ©2024 States Newsroom. Visit at stateline.org. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin public worker and teachers unions scored a major legal victory Monday with a ruling that restores collective bargaining rights they lost under a 2011 state law that sparked weeks of protests and made the state the center of the national battle over union rights. That law, known as Act 10, effectively ended the ability of most public employees to bargain for wage increases and other issues, and forced them to pay more for health insurance and retirement benefits. Under the ruling by Dane County Circuit Judge Jacob Frost, all public sector workers who lost their collective bargaining power would have it restored to what was in place prior to 2011. They would be treated the same as the police, firefighter and other public safety unions that were exempted under the law. Republicans vowed to immediately appeal the ruling, which ultimately is likely to go before the Wisconsin Supreme Court. That only amplifies the importance of the April election that will determine whether the court remains controlled 4-3 by liberal justices. Former Gov. Scott Walker, who proposed the law that catapulted him onto the national political stage, decried the ruling in a post on the social media platform X as “brazen political activism.” He said it makes the state Supreme Court election “that much more important.” Supporters of the law have said it provided local governments more control over workers and the powers they needed to cut costs. Repealing the law, which allowed schools and local governments to raise money through higher employee contributions for benefits, would bankrupt those entities, backers of Act 10 have argued. Democratic opponents argue that the law has hurt schools and other government agencies by taking away the ability of employees to collectively bargain for their pay and working conditions. Union leaders were overjoyed with the ruling, which affects tens of thousands of public employees. “We realize there may still be a fight ahead of us in the courts, but make no mistake, we’re ready to keep fighting until we all have a seat at the table again,” said Ben Gruber, a conservation warden and president of AFSCME Local 1215. The law was proposed by Walker and enacted by the Republican-controlled Legislature in spite of massive protests that went on for weeks and drew as many as 100,000 people to the Capitol. The law has withstood numerous legal challenges over the years, but this was the first brought since the Wisconsin Supreme Court flipped to liberal control in 2023. The seven unions and three union leaders that brought the lawsuit argued that the law should be struck down because it creates unconstitutional exemptions for firefighters and other public safety workers. Attorneys for the Legislature and state agencies countered that the exemptions are legal, have already been upheld by other courts, and that the case should be dismissed. But Frost sided with the unions in July, saying the law violates equal protection guarantees in the Wisconsin Constitution by dividing public employees into “general” and “public safety” employees. He ruled that general employee unions, like those representing teachers, can not be treated differently from public safety unions that were exempt from the law. His ruling Monday delineated the dozens of specific provisions in the law that must be struck. Wisconsin Republican Assembly Speaker Robin Vos said he looked forward to appealing the ruling. “This lawsuit came more than a decade after Act 10 became law and after many courts rejected the same meritless legal challenges,” Vos said in a statement. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the state's largest business lobbying organization, also decried the ruling. WMC President Kurt Bauer called Act 10 “a critical tool for policymakers and elected officials to balance budgets and find taxpayer savings." The Legislature said in court filings that arguments made in the current case were rejected in 2014 by the state Supreme Court. The only change since that ruling is the makeup of Wisconsin Supreme Court, attorneys for the Legislature argued. The Act 10 law effectively ended collective bargaining for most public unions by allowing them to bargain solely over base wage increases no greater than inflation. It also disallowed the automatic withdrawal of union dues, required annual recertification votes for unions, and forced public workers to pay more for health insurance and retirement benefits. The law was the signature legislative achievement of Walker, who was targeted for a recall election he won. Walker used his fights with unions to mount an unsuccessful presidential run in 2016. Frost, the judge who issued Monday's ruling, appeared to have signed the petition to recall Walker from office. None of the attorneys sought his removal from the case and he did not step down. Frost was appointed to the bench by Democratic Gov. Tony Evers, who signed the Walker recall petition. The law has also led to a dramatic decrease in union membership across the state. The nonpartisan Wisconsin Policy Forum said in a 2022 analysis that since 2000, Wisconsin had the largest decline in the proportion of its workforce that is unionized. In 2015, the GOP-controlled Wisconsin Legislature approved a right-to-work law that limited the power of private-sector unions. Public sector unions that brought the lawsuit are the Abbotsford Education Association; the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Locals 47 and 1215; the Beaver Dam Education Association; SEIU Wisconsin; the Teaching Assistants’ Association Local 3220 and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 695.New shoplifting data explains why they’re locking up the toothpaste