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NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes fell Thursday following some potentially discouraging data on the economy . The S&P 500 slipped 0.5% for its fourth loss in the last six days. It’s a pause for the index, which has been rallying toward one of its best years of the millennium . The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost 234 points, or 0.5%, and the Nasdaq composite sank 0.7% from its record set the day before. A report early in the morning said more U.S. workers applied for unemployment benefits last week than expected. A separate update, meanwhile, showed that inflation at the wholesale level, before it reaches U.S. consumers, was hotter last month than economists expected. Neither report points to imminent disaster, but they dilute one of the hopes that’s driven the S&P 500 to 57 all-time highs so far this year : Inflation is slowing enough to convince the Federal Reserve to keep cutting interest rates, while the economy is remaining solid enough to stay out of a recession. Of the two reports, the weaker update on the job market may be the bigger deal for the market, according to Chris Larkin, managing director, trading and investing, at E-Trade from Morgan Stanley. A surge in egg prices may have been behind the worse-than-expected inflation numbers. “One week doesn’t negate what has been a relatively steady stream of solid labor market data, but the Fed is primed to be sensitive to any signs of a softening jobs picture,” he said. Traders are widely expecting the Fed will ease its main interest rate at its meeting next week. If they’re correct, it would be a third straight cut by the Fed after it began lowering rates in September from a two-decade high. It’s hoping to support a slowing job market after getting inflation nearly all the way down to its 2% target. Lower rates would give a boost to the economy and to prices for investments, but they could also provide more fuel for inflation. A cut next week would have the Fed following other central banks, which lowered rates on Thursday. The European Central Bank cut rates by a quarter of a percentage point, as many investors expected, and the Swiss National Bank cut its policy rate by a steeper half of a percentage point. Following its decision, Switzerland’s central bank pointed to uncertainty about how U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s victory will affect economic policies, as well as about where politics in Europe is heading. Trump has talked up tariffs and other policies that could upend global trade. He rang the bell marking the start of trading at the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday to chants of “USA.” On Wall Street, Adobe fell 13.7% and was one of the heaviest weights on the market despite reporting stronger profit for the latest quarter than analysts expected. The company gave forecasts for profit and revenue in its upcoming fiscal year that fell a bit shy of analysts’. Warner Bros. Discovery soared 15.4% after unveiling a new corporate structure that separates its streaming business and film studios from its traditional television business. CEO David Zaslav said the move “enhances our flexibility with potential future strategic opportunities,” raising speculation about a spinoff or sale. Kroger rose 3.2% after saying it would get back to buying back its own stock now that its attempt to merge with Albertsons is off . Kroger’s board approved a program to repurchase up to $7.5 billion of its stock, replacing an existing $1 billion authorization. All told, the S&P 500 fell 32.94 points to 6,051.25. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 234.55 to 43,914.12, and the Nasdaq composite sank 132.05 to 19,902.84. In stock markets abroad, European indexes held relatively steady following the European Central Bank’s cut to rates. Asian markets were stronger. Indexes rose 1.2% in Hong Kong and 0.8% in Shanghai as leaders met in Beijing to set economic plans and targets for the coming year. South Korea’s Kospi rose 1.6% for its third straight gain of at least 1%, as it pulls back following last week’s political turmoil where its president briefly declared martial law. In the bond market, the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose to 4.33% from 4.27% late Wednesday. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.

Nancy Mace, now targeting transgender lawmaker, called herself ‘pro-transgender rights’ in 2023

The Latest: Former President Jimmy Carter is Dead at age 100TORONTO - Live streams of Taylor Swift’s sold-out Eras Tour concerts in Toronto give devoted fans a window into the spectacle of outfits, surprise songs and elaborate stages from one of the biggest cultural events in recent memory. As the massive tour inches toward its final three shows in Vancouver early next month, feeding Swifties’ insatiable appetite has become a nightly tradition for a handful of live stream hosts based all over the world. They act as ringleaders for tens of thousands of viewers witnessing Swift’s constantly evolving show through unofficial channels. “I never saw it being as big as it is,” said Tess Bohne, one of the personalities credited as a pioneer of the Swift live streams. “There is a big idea of community (and) being present without being there.” Broadcasting unauthorized concert live streams on social platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook isn’t an entirely new phenomenon, but it’s one that’s been amplified with Swift’s tour. As their popularity grows, the streams are sparking conversations about copyright law and the delicate balance between protecting intellectual property and allowing listeners to embrace their fandom. “We’ve gone beyond art being a one-way conversation from the artist to the audience,” said Jay Kerr-Wilson, an IP lawyer and co-leader of Fasken’s Technology, Media and Telecommunications Group in Ottawa. “Copyright owners, generally speaking, are being more flexible and they’re not necessarily (thinking) black-and-white.” Representatives for the singer did not respond to requests for comment. For fans, the lines are already blurred. Bohne got wrapped up in the Swift live-streaming phenomenon nearly two years ago after she attended the second night of the Eras Tour, in Glendale, Ariz., and found herself consumed by the experience for days afterward. “(Often) you go to a concert and you’re like, ‘That was great, let’s move on with my life,’” the 33-year-old explained in a video call from Salt Lake City. “But there was something different. It was like, ‘No, that wasn’t enough. I’m not done.’” Eager to relive the high she felt, Bohne chased down the TikTok profiles of fellow Swifties streaming other stops on the tour. With little technical experience, she began rebroadcasting their videos, with credit, on her own TikTok profile. She would place an iPad playing their feed in front of her phone’s camera, and then swap it out with her other iPad when she found a user with a better angle of the concert. The crude setup initially drew a few thousand viewers, she said, and with more effort put into the productionher audience has grown to 100,000 to 200,000 during peak moments. Since her initial broadcast, Bohne estimates she’s streamed more than 110 of Swift’s concerts in a split-screen format, streaming the concert in one corner and munching on snacks in the other while discussing all things Swift with a chat room of strangers. Some fans donate cash, and her social media status has helped attract influencer partnerships. But the stay-at-home mom of three children said this is primarily a labour of love. Bohne is credited by many of her contemporaries as the one who inspired them to take a shot at hosting their own Eras Tour with live commentary. “A lot of people say it’s like religion for them,” explained Lucas Chalub, a Twitch streamer and longtime Swiftie. Chalub first experimented with hosting streams in August 2023. Rumours swirled that the singer might announce the release date for one of her re-recorded albums on stage in Los Angeles, so many Swifties sought out live feeds, which included his impromptu setup that night. “A lot of people joined,” remembered the 27-year-old sports journalist from Argentina. “That’s the first night that I said, ‘Why not do this every night?’” Chalub said he usually draws on streams from 10 to 15 concertgoers who are often aware their recordings might get picked up by the streaming hosts. Many bring power banks to recharge their devices and sometimes a backup phone. “We are not the heroes that people think we are,” Chalub added of his fellow streamers, crediting fans on the ground who do their work pro bono. “The real heroes are the people in the venue spending — or wasting — their time trying to live stream for us instead of enjoying the show.” The legality around live streaming Swift’s concerts is murky. In the simplest terms, the rebroadcasting of copyrighted music without a licence isn’t allowed, and platforms such as YouTube and TikTok have sometimes shut down live feeds mid-stream at the behest of record labels. It happened to Ammir Shar, a 25-year-old streamer from Blackpool, U.K., who saw his YouTube feed for the fourth Toronto concert yanked down while the show was in progress. Hosts say they worry about racking up too many takedown notices, which can risk permanently shutting down their channels. Usually after a live stream ends, they delete the footage from platforms like YouTube. However, they say attempts to silence them won’t amount to much. When one streamer falls, sometimes two others turn up. Copyright owners are still grappling with that perspective, especially when unsanctioned live streams can impact other financial stakes, said Kerr-Wilson. In Swift’s case, she sold the streaming rights to her “The Eras Tour” film to Disney Plus for US$75 million. Arguably, the lawyer suggested, a company might take issue with similar options on the market, such as a live stream. But even that seems to be an evolving conversation. “People have realized that social media and user-generated content isn’t the enemy, and, in fact, can be a powerful way to engage with fans and to be part of the conversation,” he said. “I think the trend is going to continue.” While Swift hasn’t publicly said much about the streams, several streamers believe she is aware of them. They also argue the vast majority of people tuning into their feeds already have an investment in Swift’s success. Last November, a group of technologically savvy Swifties launched Swift Alert, a phone app that sends out alerts for the highlights of each Eras Tour show. Inside the app, the creators also launched a game called Mastermind — named after a Swift song, of course — where fans can win prizes by guessing which of Swift’s rotating selection of outfits she’ll wear for each “era” of her performance. Using Swift Alert in tandem with the live streams, many fans tune in for the standout moments of the three-hour concert. “A lot of people compare it to fantasy football,” Shah said. “This kind of stuff brings us closer together.” With the Eras Tour set to end in Vancouver on Dec. 8, many live streamers say they’re uncertain how the future looks. Recently, Bohne experimented with a live stream from pop singer Meghan Trainor’s concert to see if there’s similar interest. While it was enjoyable, she said the experience wasn’t quite the same. Others have started streaming Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet Tour. They say her shows are closest to Swift’s because Carpenter is a natural at witty banter, performs nightly surprise songs and changes up her outfits. “I’ve considered doing a few other (musicians, but they) are more like normal concerts — the artist on the stage with a microphone in one outfit, just singing their songs,” said Shah. “It’s not something that people at home will be like, ‘What outfit is she going to wear?’” Some wonder how live streaming will look without the intrigue of Swift’s tour. Added Bohne: “No concert is like The Eras Tour.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 23, 2024.

Jimmy Carter has sadly passed away at the age of 100. The former 39th president has died his hometown of Plains, Georgia after entering hospice in 2023. He previously survived metastatic brain cancer, liver cancer and a series of health scares. Carter's known for his work for peace and justice as well as his devotion to his faith, family, and country. His death was announced on Sunday, December 29, by his son Chip Carter. Chip did not disclose the matter of death of his father. "My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love," Chip said in a statement. "My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs." Jimmy Carter dead at 100: 39th president of U.S. passes after 11 months in Georgia home hospice care Jimmy Carter's tragic 10-word dying wish as he faces death's door in hospice in Plains, Georgia At the time of his death, Carter's net worth was at $10 Million according to Celebrity Net Worth . Carter was born in Plains, Georgia, in October 1924, ad was raised on his family's peanut farmer. The peanut former soon transition to a career in the US Navy. In 1953, his navy career ended when his father passed away due to pancreatic caner. Carter stepped in as the head of the family peanut farming business and run it. He eventually turned to politics with the help of his late wife Rosalynn, who died in November 2023. He ran for the Georgia State Senate in 1962 and won, serving from 1963 to 1967. He went on to serve as the Governor from 1971 to 1975. Throughout his time as both the Senator and Governor, he championed the civil rights movement and advocated for integration. That also continue along with advocating for human rights and peace outside of the United States when he became president in 1976 and served one term (1977-1981). He lost his bid for re-election in 1980 against Ronald Reagan. Post-presidency, Carter was also well known for his philanthropy. He co-founded with Rosalynn the Carter Center in 1982, a nonprofit organization that does humanitarian work globally. Carter also actively helped with building homes for those in need with Habitat for Humanity over the years. Carter is survived by his four children, 11 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter.Get ready for a game-changer in the world of mini PCs! ASUS is preparing to launch its highly anticipated ROG NUC 2025, a powerful and compact gaming system that promises to push the boundaries of performance and cooling. Equipped with Intel’s upcoming “Arrow Lake-H” processors and NVIDIA’s awaited “RTX 50” series, this new model promises to cater to demanding gamers and tech enthusiasts. The ROG NUC 2025 is the latest evolution in ASUS’s prestigious lineup of gaming PCs, featuring top-of-the-line components. An exciting detail leaked on Chinese platform Weibo shows a design slightly revised from its predecessor. With rumors hinting at an enhanced cooling solution, possibly due to an additional fan, this NUC model ensures optimal performance without overheating issues. Under the hood, the ROG NUC 2025 is expected to sport the Core Ultra 200H series CPUs, potentially the flagship Core Ultra 9 285H processor, a step up from the Meteor Lake architecture. Complementing the CPU is the move to NVIDIA’s desktop RTX 50 series, replacing the RTX 4060 and 4070 used in prior models. This shift symbolizes a leap in graphical prowess, hinting at the inclusion of an RTX 5060 or 5070. Notably, the front panel of the ROG NUC 2025 reveals modern connectivity options, including USB Type-A and Type-C ports. Missing, however, is the card reader available in earlier versions. As anticipation builds for CES 2025, details like release dates and pricing are yet to be announced. Nonetheless, expect a price tag north of the previous model’s $2000, given the advanced specifications and features. Unveiling ASUS ROG NUC 2025: A Compact Powerhouse Poised to Revolutionize Gaming The ASUS ROG NUC 2025 is emerging as a groundbreaking mini PC, set to redefine performance and efficiency in the world of compact gaming systems. This highly anticipated release boasts cutting-edge specifications that align with evolving tech trends, promising to cater to both discerning gamers and tech aficionados. Features and Specifications The ROG NUC 2025 is equipped with Intel’s next-generation “Arrow Lake-H” processors, specifically the Core Ultra 200H series, potentially featuring the powerhouse Core Ultra 9 285H processor. This latest advancement offers a significant improvement in performance over the previous Meteor Lake architecture. Complementing this CPU innovation, the mini PC houses NVIDIA’s upcoming “RTX 50” series GPUs—likely incorporating the RTX 5060 or 5070—ushering in superior graphical performance and visual fidelity. Additional innovations in the ROG NUC 2025 include a slightly redesigned chassis as per leaks on China’s Weibo platform. The system incorporates enhanced cooling mechanisms, potentially through an additional fan, to ensure peak performance under heavy loads without overheating. Connectivity and Design The front panel design emphasizes modern connectivity. It includes both USB Type-A and Type-C ports, providing versatile options for peripheral compatibility. However, this iteration forgoes the card reader found in previous models, aligning with the trend towards wireless and cloud-based data solutions. Market Predictions and Pricing Insights As we approach CES 2025, anticipation for the ROG NUC 2025 grows, with enthusiasts eager for official announcements on release dates and pricing. Given the anticipated high-end components and performance capabilities, market experts predict a starting price exceeding $2000, surpassing its predecessor. This follows a general trend in the rising costs of advanced gaming hardware given the increasing demand for powerful, compact systems. Trend Analysis and Market Position The ROG NUC 2025 is expected to set new standards in the mini PC market, appealing to a niche segment of gamers seeking desktop-grade performance in a compact form factor. This release underscores ASUS’s commitment to innovation and performance, reinforcing its position as a leader in the gaming technology space. By marrying compact design with uncompromising power, the ROG NUC 2025 not only caters to the immediate needs of the gaming community but also anticipates future gaming and multimedia demands. To learn more about ASUS’s technological innovations, visit the ASUS official website . Conclusion The ASUS ROG NUC 2025 is shaping up to be a transformative product in the mini PC landscape. Equipped with state-of-the-art components and designed for optimal cooling, it promises to deliver an unrivaled gaming experience. As more details emerge, gamers and tech enthusiasts worldwide await what could be a new benchmark in compact gaming innovation.

Prohibition was a difficult time for those who enjoyed a tipple. In an effort to get a drink, or made moonshine at home. Many others visited speakeasies. After Repeal Day, speakeasies all but disappeared as regular pubs, bars, and clubs took their place. Speakeasies only re-emerged in the 1990s and early 2000s, acting not as a secret location to indulge in illicit drinks but a quiet, calm setting that placed cocktail artistry – and the appreciation of it — front and center. While location, décor, and a sense of discovery have all come to form a part of speakeasies over the years, craft cocktails remain a fundamental part of the speakeasy experience. However, lengthening and increasingly complicated menus mean many customers are unsure of what to order when visiting one of the nation's many speakeasies. To aid you with this decision, we have interviewed three leading mixologists based in Las Vegas who work in some most respected speakeasies in Las Vegas: Anthony Partridge, lead bartender at , Pahola Figueroa, bartender at Wax Rabbit a speakeasy located within , and Tony Arnone, lead mixologist at . Each of these experts has years of experience helping customers find their perfect speakeasy drink. We're sure they can do the same for you. Order: Manhattan As with any other bar, the quality of a speakeasy can be judged on how it makes classic cocktails; tried and tested drinks that have been enjoyed for generations such as the old fashioned, daiquiri, and martini. If a speakeasy gets these staples wrong, you can probably assume the rest of the mixed drinks will also fail to hit the mark. As Anthony Partridge told us, "Poor execution of an old-fashioned Manhattan, or even a daiquiri, would have me ordering something neat or on the rocks afterward." While as good a yard stick as any classic cocktail, our experts don't solely order Manhattans — or — to test a bartender's skills. In actual fact, many knowledgeable people, Tony Arnone included, recommend ordering this simple mixture of whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters because it stands as an excellent introduction to the type of cocktails enjoyed during The Prohibition Era. Arnone said, "Personally, I would recommend the Manhattan. Not only does this classic give you a glimpse into the style of cocktails for that era but also shows the beauty of simplicity when it comes to cocktail creation." Order: Vieux Carré Those of us who visit speakeasies are easily intimidated by cocktails that have names we don't recognize. All too often, we avoid ordering these drinks no matter how enticing they sound. The Vieux Carré, a drink , is one such cocktail. Tony Arnone is on a mission to change that by championing the drink wherever possible. He told us, "The Vieux Carré is an amazing cocktail that was created as a tribute to the diversity of social groups within the French Quarter in the 1930s. It encompasses a wide range of sweetness and bitterness by using an array of different spirits and is an amazing piece of history as well as a delicious drink." It's easy to see why lead mixologists like Arnone are enamored with this drink. When made well, it presents a fantastic balance of bitterness and sweetness, wrapped in a smooth, boozy body. What's more, it was invented only a few years after Prohibition ended, making it well-suited to the traditional speakeasy setting. Avoid: Wine and beer Just about all speakeasies specialize in craft cocktails. That being said, the majority also carry a select offering of beer and wine. This gives customers a greater degree of choice and allows those who don't want a spirit-based drink to still indulge in something alcoholic. That being said, both Tony Arnone and Anthony Partridge generally don't encourage people to order beer or wine when visiting a speakeasy for the simple reason that it's not that adventurous. In our interview, Partridge said, "Pouring a beer or wine is missing the point [...] You risk defaulting to a safe and run-of-the-mill experience with beer and wine." Arnone added, "Personally, I wouldn't recommend ordering beer or wine because it's generally not the focus of a speakeasy, and there are many better options available." This touches on an important point: customers get the most enjoyment when they visit a venue that caters to their specific wants and needs. If that "need" happens to be craft beer, customers are better off visiting a taproom or craft beer bar instead of a speakeasy. This isn't to say that wine or beer lovers can't have a wonderful time in a speakeasy, rather that they will have the best time only if they choose to indulge in the speakeasy's specialties. Order: Dark spirits Although Wax Rabbit, The Barbershop, and The Laundry Room all serve a range of exceptional cocktails, our experts often give suggestions to those who would rather drink something a little simpler. In these instances, they usually suggest one of several dark spirits. Given that Wax Rabbit specializes in Mexican spirits, it's no surprise that Pahola Figueroa recommends two of the country's most famous exports. She said, "Go for something dark to match the room. Personally, I would recommend an aged tequila or mezcal [...] if you aren't feeling that adventurous, a good bourbon or scotch can also give those Prohibition vibes." Tony Arnone echoed the latter statement, adding, "The Barbershop Cuts and Cocktails, where I work, is a whiskey and rock 'n' roll-themed speakeasy, so I'd say dark [spirits]. I'd recommend drinking whiskey, not only for the venue but because it's a personal favorite as well." The Barbershop also happens to stock over 60 whiskeys, including Suntory Whisky Toki and Drambuie, making Arnone's job of recommending an exceptional whiskey that much easier. Aside from matching the dark atmosphere of speakeasies, dark spirits like aged mezcal and whiskey are also more flavorful than their light counterparts thanks to the greater maturation period they have undergone . This means that, while initially challenging for some drinkers, dark spirits hold layers of flavor that many people appreciate. Order: Something you wouldn't usually drink One of the few things all our experts mentioned in their interview was that speakeasies are places where drinkers should try something new. As Pahola Figueroa said, "I always encourage people to try something different and new, it's a great chance to broaden your horizons." Visiting a speakeasy is a great opportunity to do this thanks to the range of unique drinks that are usually on offer. For example, Wax Rabbit uses premium Mexican spirits in novel ways, creating drinks like Medusa, a blend of extra añejo tequila, raspberries, egg whites, lemon, and agave syrup. Customers will be hard pressed to find anything similar to this drink at other bars. While Figueroa encourages drinkers to try something new, Tony Arnone goes one step further. In our interview he said, "I always encourage people to step outside their comfort zone. If there is something you tell me you don't like, my response is 'You haven't found a way in which you enjoy it.' [...] If there is something you usually avoid, you could be surprised by how the bartender incorporates those flavors into a cocktail that you may end up loving." In other words, challenge the experts to change your opinion on spirits you don't often enjoy. Who knows, one such challenge may lead you to a lifetime of enjoyment. Order: Mai tai Tiki cocktails might not be the first thing customers think of when they visit a speakeasy, however many speakeasy venues across the United States include a couple of tiki-inspired drinks on their menu. Wax Rabbit is one of them, as Pahola Figueroa explained. "At Wax Rabbit we have our 'Hidden Passion' which is sweet and fruity, with subtle hints of citrus and topped off with aromatic bitters [...] it's our take on a Mai Tai with tequila." Many customers may scoff at the idea of ordering a Mai Tai, especially in a speakeasy setting. The cocktail's reputation has, after all, suffered in recent decades as substandard iterations, far removed from , have become the norm. However, craft-orientated speakeasies are the perfect place to indulge in this Tiki classic for reasons explained by Tony Arnone who said, "I feel that most people haven't had a real one. One made with fresh ingredients at a craft/mixology/speakeasy setting. It is an amazing cocktail with so much depth and flavor, and worth getting from someone who knows what they're doing." Avoid: Anything involving a blender Although it wasn't mentioned by any of our experts, a general rule when ordering drinks at a speakeasy is that drinks which require the use of a blender are off limits. In fact, the vast majority of speakeasies won't even offer blended drinks in the first place. This is for a couple of reasons. Firstly, blenders are loud, messy, and can ruin the ambiance of any bar let alone that of a chilled speakeasy. As bar owner Duggan McDonnell highlighted to : "I worked in one restaurant that did blender drinks and I'm telling you the noise, the whirring, you're going through blades in the middle of service, and craziness abounds." Secondly, the majority of drinks that are made in blenders, such as the Miami Vice, don't really conform to most people's idea of Prohibition-style cocktails. Add to this blended drinks' reputation for getting people plastered, and it is no wonder that most bartenders suggest avoiding them. Order: Paloma Known as the "lazy man's margarita," that is notoriously simple to make. Traditional recipes only call for three ingredients: tequila, lime juice, and grapefruit soda. The drink's simplicity has done nothing to hamper its popularity and many bartenders, including Pahola Figueroa, encourage customers to order one. She said, "A paloma is a must, especially at Wax Rabbit. It's the national drink of Mexico, and we elevate it by using a smoky mezcal to deepen its flavor profile and make it unique. Everyone loves a good paloma." One of the reasons why the drink is so popular is that these ingredients create a surprisingly complex cocktail with the spirit — whether it is tequila or mezcal — adding earthy notes that mix well with the cocktail's bright citrus flavors. Such a flavor profile ensures that the paloma offers a welcome relief from the dark, heavy cocktails that often dominate speakeasy menus. Order: Non-alcoholic aviation It has been a whirlwind few years for low and no alcohol businesses. Growing demand for non-alcoholic drinks has come in conjunction with a boom in alcohol-free spirit innovation. To put it simply, bartenders and mixologists now have the tools and demand necessary to create a host of wonderful mocktails. In our interview, Tony Arnone reflected this, saying, "It's not a question of what works and what doesn't, but how to make them work. I would build the mocktail menu around the setting and theme of the venue. For example: in a classic speakeasy setting, one may design a variation of a non-alcoholic Aviation." For those who are unaware, the aviation is a cocktail that includes gin, crème de violette, maraschino liqueur, and lemon juice. It has a wonderful, floral taste and an appetizing light blue color. It has also been served since the early 20th century, making it a popular feature of many modern speakeasies. Until a few years ago, making a non-alcoholic version of this cocktail would have been incredibly difficult as non-alcoholic gins lacked the quality and complexity of their full strength counterparts. This, however, has changed, meaning that non-alcoholic aviations are now interesting and engaging despite containing non-alcoholic gin and violet syrup in place of crème de violette. Order: Sidecar The sidecar is a Prohibition-era classic that was served in venues across Europe and the United States, including Paris' famous Harry's New York Bar. Despite being one of the premier cocktails of its time, this mixture of brandy, orange liqueur, and lemon juice is one of few classic cocktails that have failed to regain their standing in recent decades. While martinis and negronis are ordered the world over, few people ever order a sidecar. Pahola Figueroa is trying to change that. "A sidecar is always a great choice. A cognac-based cocktail that is spirit-forward and delicious, it's easy to drink and looks great served in a martini glass with sugar. You can't go wrong with it." And yet, so often bartenders manage to create a poor version that lacks the sidecar's distinct tart, dry flavor profile. Make it with too much cognac and the drink becomes overbearingly boozy; too weak and it'll quickly become sweet and flabby. That being said, the drink is truly exceptional when made well so, if you trust the bartender at your local speakeasy, take Figueroa's advice and give this underappreciated Prohibition classic a try. Order: Anything from the signature menu Drinks listed on a speakeasy's signature cocktail menu are often the bar's best work. They frequently use local ingredients and have been designed with the speakeasy's unique atmosphere, setting, and location in mind. Aside from this, the signature menu often contains the drinks bartenders and mixologists have put the most work into and are proudest of. In intimate settings, such as The Laundry Room's 22-seat space, customers have the opportunity to pick the mixologist's brains about signatures like hindsight, the speakeasy's delightful take on a rum sour. It's for these reasons that Tony Arnone turns to signature menus whenever he is ordering drinks at a speakeasy he's never been to. "I always ask to see the signature cocktail menu if one is available. I know how much passion and time goes into creating cocktails, as I've done for over 10 years. With that respect and regard, I'll order from there." Admittedly, such an approach requires nerve, a willingness to take a chance, and the courage to put your trust in the person serving you. Although daunting, the opportunity to try new things is the modern speakeasy's main appeal, and our experts encourage customers to make the most of it. Order: Non-alcoholic mojitos Given advances in non-alcoholic spirit production, many popular cocktails now retain their quality when made in a non-alcoholic format. The mojito is a shining example. Usually made with white rum, sugar, lime juice, mint, and soda water, this enormously popular cocktail loses no quality when the rum is substituted for non-alcoholic alternative such as Lyre's white cane spirit. Other recipes, which replace the rum with fruit juice, also abound. Each offers a unique but recognizable take on what is one of the most popular cocktails around. As a leading bartender and mixologist, Pahola Figueroa is more than aware of a non-alcoholic mojito's charm and encourages those looking for low and no options to order one. She said, "Mojitos are a great conversion to mocktails as they are refreshing and can be flavored or lightly adjusted to make something delicious. While not every bartender enjoys making them, I enjoy it and love how they look." Avoid: Some non-alcoholic drinks Mixologists, like everyone else, have different opinions, and while our experts agree on the majority of drinks mentioned in this article, there was one point of contention: the presence of non-alcoholic drinks in speakeasies. As we've seen, both Pahola Figueroa and Tony Arnone encourage customers to enjoy the range of non-alcoholic options speakeasies serve. Anthony Partridge has a slightly different view. In our interview, Partridge said, "I don't believe n/a's are suited to speakeasies. Speakeasies are supposed to be your seeking out the illegal alcohol experience. No one needs the cloak and dagger for juice and soda. This is not to say you can't have a fine n/a beverage, but it's missing the point." These days, just about all speakeasies put a great deal of care into their non-alcoholic options. This was not the case when speakeasies were popularized during Prohibition. As we all know, during this period speakeasies were where customers went to get drunk, not to enjoy a non-alcoholic beverage. In this regard Partridge has a point; for a modern speakeasy visit to come anywhere close to recreating the Prohibition-era experience, alcohol is a must. Order: Anything with interesting flavor combinations While each of our experts has their own personal likes and dislikes when it comes to speakeasy drinks, they all agree that customers should adopt an open and adventurous approach when ordering. One way of doing this is to look for interesting flavor combinations. As Anthony Partridge said, "I look for odd combinations in cocktails. After tasting the drink, I can piece together the measurements to understand the intent and art of the target taste values. Reading "Masala infused Peychaud's" is one thing, but experiencing it in the cocktail as a segment of its whole is another. It's like knowing that there's a cello in an orchestra but not knowing its place in a symphony." Aside from ensuring that customers try something slightly off-piste, focusing on flavor combinations also allows novice drinkers to navigate intimidating menus. While a cocktail's name might confuse them, the list of ingredients gives a tangible means of deciphering the drink's nature. Pahola Figueroa reminded us that searching for unusual flavor combinations also opens customers up to exciting possibilities, saying, "I always look for the most intricate, show-stopping cocktails that are unique to that specific speakeasy. When I go out, I'm there for the experience first and the booze second." If you remember anything from this article, make it that; it's a sure fire way to order the perfect drink when you next visit a speakeasy. Recommended

NoneThe Pittsburgh Penguins announced today that they have acquired F Philip Tomasino from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a 2027 fourth-round pick. Tomasino, 23, is a former first-round pick of the Preds, being selected 24th overall in 2019. Tomasino has one assist in 11 games so far this season, and 23 goals and 71 points in 159 career NHL games, all with the Predators. Tomasino is a versatile forward who can play all three forward positions. He is talented, but lacking the speed that most young players have. The Mississauga, Ontario native played in 190 OHL games with the Niagara Ice Dogs and Oshawa Generals, putting up 79 goals and 196 points. He has also played 89 AHL games with the Chicago Wolves and Milwaukee Admirals, putting up 36 goals and 82 points. This article first appeared on Inside The Rink and was syndicated with permission.

( ), a $10.5 billion Canadian technology stock that carried some investor hopes going into 2024, has faced a turbulent year, with organic revenue shrinking by 1.8% in the past quarter, persistent challenges from formidable competitors like , a revived , and , and increasingly subdued investor sentiment. However, with a robust 3.7% dividend yield, upsized share repurchases, and promising AI-focused initiatives planned for the next year, could the Waterloo-based tech giant make a compelling comeback in 2025? Can OpenText reverse its revenue decline? Despite cutting costs and enhancing its adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) margins, OpenText stock’s struggle with organic growth has been a persistent concern. Management’s Fiscal Year 2025 revenue guidance implies just 1% annual growth. This tepid outlook reflects limited success in capturing new market share despite substantial investments in generative AI over the past 12 to 18 months. The company’s “Titanium X” project aims to integrate AI agents across its cloud product offerings in 2025, a move that could help retain existing customers and perhaps attract new ones. AI integration, while necessary, has so far failed to grow OpenText’s sales meaningfully. For 2025, success will hinge on accelerating sign-ons for its AI-powered products, supported by expanded contract durations and new partnerships with cloud providers. Falling interest rates and broader AI adoption trends may provide a tailwind for the company to achieve moderate growth. OpenText stock’s cash flow supports shareholder returns OpenText remains a cash flow juggernaut. It plans to return a record $570 million to shareholders in 2024 through dividends and share repurchases. The company’s robust free cash flow generation ensures these payouts are sustainable. However, such capital-allocation strategies often signify a mature business with limited growth opportunities, a point not lost on wary investors. The current dividend yield of 3.7% is attractive in today’s high-interest-rate environment, offering steady income for long-term investors. Share buybacks, while reducing the float and boosting per-share metrics, have done little to offset the 35% decline in OpenText’s share price over the past three years. For meaningful investor sentiment revival, OpenText must prove that AI-led initiatives can deliver sustainable revenue and earnings growth. A cheaply valued tech stock? OpenText’s enterprise value-to-free cash flow (EV/FCF) multiple of 19.2 is less than half its industry’s average multiple of 41.7. Valuation metrics, such as price-to-earnings (P/E) and price-to-free cash flow (P/FCF) ratios, suggest OTEX stock trades at a discount relative to peers. However, this discount reflects market skepticism about its growth trajectory. The company faces intense competition in enterprise software, particularly from Microsoft, which leverages AI with its Copilot suite, and Dropbox, which offers similar enterprise content solutions. These competitors enjoy equally broader customer bases and strong ecosystems, putting OpenText in a tight spot despite its disciplined acquisition strategy. What could turn the tide for OpenText stock in 2025? To regain investor confidence in OpenText stock and reverse its negative organic growth, the company will focus on AI-driven product success, strategic partnerships in cloud rollouts, and cost efficiencies in 2025. AI-driven products include Titanium X, which should demonstrate measurable traction, driving customer acquisition and revenue. The company mentioned closing 20 new AI-related customer wins during its recent earnings event in November. Sustained success in AI-powered solutions will be critical to reviving demand for its products and reviving investor interest in the stock. Strategic partnerships with cloud computing platform providers have built alliances that boost product adoption rates among enterprise customers, while continued focus on operational efficiency to maintain EBITDA margins while navigating a highly competitive landscape will ensure steady profitability. A sustained recovery in organic growth, coupled with falling interest rates, could propel OpenText stock’s valuation higher, rewarding patient investors. Investor takeaway: Buy, sell, or hold? Given its current challenges, OpenText stock could be in a drawn-out transitional phase. For , the stock might not be a top pick until there is evidence of revenue acceleration. That said, the yield and ongoing share buybacks offer value for income-oriented investors. I view OpenText as a Hold for 2025. While near-term growth is unlikely to be transformative, the company’s cash flow stability and AI ambitions provide a long-term case for cautious optimism. Investors should monitor its progress closely as the Titanium X rollout unfolds.SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed to implement the “toughest” anti-U.S. policy, state media reported Sunday, less than a month before Donald Trump takes office as U.S. president. Trump’s return to the White House raises prospects for high-profile diplomacy with North Korea. During his first term, Trump met Kim three times for talks on the North's nuclear program. Many experts however say a quick resumption of Kim-Trump summitry is unlikely as Trump would first focus on conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. North Korea's support for Russia's war against Ukraine also poses a challenge to efforts to revive diplomacy, experts say. During a five-day plenary meeting of the ruling Workers’ Party that ended Friday, Kim called the U.S. “the most reactionary state that regards anti-communism as its invariable state policy.” Kim said that the U.S.-South Korea-Japan security partnership is expanding into “a nuclear military bloc for aggression." “This reality clearly shows to which direction we should advance and what we should do and how,” Kim said, according to the official Korean Central News Agency. It said Kim's speech “clarified the strategy for the toughest anti-U.S. counteraction to be launched aggressively” by North Korea for its long-term national interests and security. KCNA didn't elaborate on the anti-U.S. strategy. But it said Kim set forth tasks to bolster military capability through defense technology advancements and stressed the need to improve the mental toughness of North Korean soldiers. The previous meetings between Trump and Kim had not only put an end to their exchanges of fiery rhetoric and threats of destruction, but they developed personal connections. Trump once famously said he and Kim “fell in love.” But their talks eventually collapsed in 2019, as they wrangled over U.S.-led sanctions on the North. North Korea has since sharply increased the pace of its weapons testing activities to build more reliable nuclear missiles targeting the U.S. and its allies. The U.S. and South Korea have responded by expanding their military bilateral drills and also trilateral ones involving Japan, drawing strong rebukes from the North, which views such U.S.-led exercises as invasion rehearsals. Further complicating efforts to convince North Korea to abandon its nuclear weapons in return for economic and political benefits is its deepening military cooperation with Russia. According to U.S., Ukrainian and South Korean assessments, North Korea has sent more than 10,000 troops and conventional weapons systems to support Moscow's war against Ukraine. There are concerns that Russia could give North Korea advanced weapons technology in return, including help to build more powerful nuclear missiles. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said last week that 3,000 North Korean troops have been killed and wounded in the fighting in Russia's Kursk region. It was the first significant estimate by Ukraine of North Korean casualties since the North Korean troop deployment to Russia began in October. Russia and China, locked in separate disputes with the U.S., have repeatedly blocked U.S.-led pushes to levy more U.N. sanctions on North Korea despite its repeated missile tests in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions. Last month, Kim said that his past negotiations with the United States only confirmed Washington’s “unchangeable” hostility toward his country and described his nuclear buildup as the only way to counter external threats.Top footie clubs, players and agents cough up £800million after HMRC blitz

The country's social safety net could be in danger as Trump looks to slash spendingLoras had the magic. It just ran out in the clutchest of moments. Kyndall Kells made a penalty kick save in the final round of the shootout, but Emory’s goalkeeper did the same as the Eagles ousted top-seeded Loras in the NCAA Division III tournament sectional semifinal on Saturday at the Rock Bowl. Emory won the shootout, 4-3, after the teams battled to a 1-1 draw through 110 minutes. Emory (13-3-4) advanced to play Amherst or Illinois Institute of Technology in Sunday’s sectional final at the Rock Bowl. Loras (20-0-2) was seeking its second trip to the Elite Eight and was in the Sweet 16 for the fourth consecutive season. “I’m so proud of the whole team, it’s an amazing accomplishment,” Loras coach Matt Pucci said. “We’re one of three teams in the country to be in four straight Sweet 16s and that’s not easy to do. Our seniors graduate with four losses in their career. That’s absurd. Four goals against all season. That’s absurd. “Credit to the whole team and the program before and after us as well because to do this year in and year out, I think it becomes white noise and it shouldn’t because this is an incredible accomplishment. I’ve said it before, there’s over 430 schools (in Division III) and four years in a row we’re in the top 16 and one of those years we’re in the top four, so credit to all our players.” Savannah Johnson, Sierra Morgano and Isabel Russmann scored in the shootout for Loras. Emerson Gasmann’s shootout attempt missed wide right and Reagan Lindsay’s shot in the fifth and final round was saved by Emory goalkeeper Sophia Garcia. “Penalties are tough,” Pucci said. “It’s a mental thing as much as a technical thing. We train it, we work hard and I have full faith in every one of the 10 that went up there. Credit to their keeper, she made a save in a big moment. Our keeper made a save in her big moment as well. It was just kind of indicative of what the game was like: back and forth and two good teams going at it.” The Eagles, who also defeated Loras in the 2012 Sweet 16, will be making their third appearance in the Elite Eight. They finished as national runners-up in 2012. “We’re sad about losing in the Sweet 16 (but) we hold our chin high with that,” Russmann said. “We get here every year and if this is the worst part of our season, I’ll take it. We work hard day in and day out and I think that coming into here, it wasn’t like this when we got here. Having four seasons in a row getting to the Sweet 16, getting to the Final Four, can’t ask for more. Johnson opened the scoring in the 25th minute. Lindsay sent a free kick into the box, but it eventually came back to her after a failed clearance attempt by the Emory defense. Lindsay sent it into the box again and Athena Sheets tapped it over to Johnson, who slotted it past a diving Garcia. It was Johnson’s 18th goal of the season and the 53rd of her career, which left her fourth on the program’s all-time list behind Ryleigh O’Brien (54), Katie Truesdale (58) and Michelle Wieser (87). “When she came in, we didn’t know we were getting a future All-American,” Pucci said. “She worked her butt to get to where she’s at and that’s just the mantra of who we are as a team. Everybody comes in and starts at a certain level and nowhere near their ceiling. I like to think that our seniors get to that ceiling by the end of their career. Savannah is another one just like the rest, you come in and see what’s it like and you can either raise the bar or stand still and she sure as heck didn’t stand still.” Johnson, a fifth-year senior, finishes with two entries on the program’s single-season goals chart. Her career-high 24 goals last year ranks third; her total from this season is tied with Wieser’s 2001 freshman season for seventh. It was also the first goal allowed in the tournament by Emory, which out had outscored its first two NCAA opponents, 7-0. The Eagles pulled even with just less than 25 minutes left in the match. Samantha Lim drove toward the corner before sending the ball back for Kaitlyn Nimmer to take a shot. Emily Woodall was in the perfect spot to redirect and used her head to deflect the shot past Loras goalkeeper Kyndal Kells. Kells, who has already shattered the program’s career record with 44 shutouts, finished with 11 saves, including a punch over the crossbar that denied Emory a potential-go-ahead goal with 9 minutes left in regulation.

The exploration include getting rocks and soil from the moon on Earth, the proposed Bharatiya Antariksha Station and landing an astronaut on the lunar surface. “This mission will mark India's entry into the exclusive league of nations capable of mastering space docking,” Union science minister Jitendra Singh said. “The primary objective of the SpaDeX mission is to develop and demonstrate the technology needed for rendezvous, docking, and undocking of two small spacecraft in a low-Earth circular orbit,” an Isro official said. The secondary objective of the mission includes demonstration of the transfer of electric power between the docked spacecraft, which is essential for future applications such as in-space robotics; composite spacecraft control and payload operations after undocking. “This capability is vital for India's lunar and interplanetary missions. Docking technology enables multi-launch missions and supports future human spaceflight,” Singh said. After the demonstration of docking and undocking experiments, the satellites will continue to orbit the Earth for standalone missions for two years. SDX01 is equipped with a high resolution camera (HRC) and SDX02 has two payloads — a miniature multispectral (MMX) payload and radiation monitor (RadMon). These payloads will provide high-resolution images, natural resource monitoring, vegetation studies and on-orbit radiation environment measurements which have numerous applications, Isro said. The PSLV-C60 mission also carries 24 payloads from various Isro labs, private start-ups and educational institutions for carrying out experiments in space. These 24 payloads are mounted on the fourth stage of the PSLV rocket which will remain in orbit for a few weeks before falling back on the Earth. PS4-Orbital Experiment Module (POEM) provides an opportunity for the scientific community to carry out certain in-orbit microgravity experiments for an extended duration of up to three months using the platform, which otherwise would end up as space debris immediately after the mission objective of injecting the primary payloads of the mission.Queensland marks first paediatric robotic surgery in TownsvilleLAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Tyrese Hunter scored 17 of his 26 points after halftime to lead Memphis to a 99-97 overtime win against two-time defending national champion and second-ranked UConn on Monday in the first round of the Maui Invitational . Hunter shot 7 of 10 from 3-point range for the Tigers (5-0), who were 12 of 22 from beyond at the arc as a team. PJ Haggerty had 22 points and five assists, Colby Rogers had 19 points and Dain Dainja scored 14. Tarris Reed Jr. had 22 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for the Huskies (4-1). Alex Karaban had 19 points and six assists, and Jaylin Stewart scored 16. Memphis led by as many as 13 with about four minutes left in regulation, but UConn chipped away and eventually tied it on Solo Ball’s 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining. Memphis: The Tigers ranked second nationally in field goal percentage going into the game and shot it at a 54.7% clip. UConn: The Huskies saw their string of 17 consecutive wins dating back to February come to an end. The teams were tied at 92 with less than a minute remaining in overtime when UConn coach Dan Hurley was assessed a technical foul for his displeasure with an over-the-back call against Liam McNeeley. PJ Carter hit four straight free throws — two for the tech and the other pair for the personal foul — to give Memphis a 96-92 lead with 40.3 seconds to play. UConn had three players foul out. Memphis attempted 40 free throws and made 29 of them. Memphis will play the winner of Colorado-Michigan State on Tuesday in the second round of the invitational. UConn will play the loser of that game in the consolation bracket. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball . 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!

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Tyrese Hunter scored 17 of his 26 points after halftime to lead Memphis to a 99-97 overtime win against two-time defending national champion and second-ranked UConn on Monday in the first round of the Maui Invitational . Hunter shot 7 of 10 from 3-point range for the Tigers (5-0), who were 12 of 22 from beyond at the arc as a team. PJ Haggerty had 22 points and five assists, Colby Rogers had 19 points and Dain Dainja scored 14. Tarris Reed Jr. had 22 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for the Huskies (4-1). Alex Karaban had 19 points and six assists, and Jaylin Stewart scored 16. Memphis led by as many as 13 with about four minutes left in regulation, but UConn chipped away and eventually tied it on Solo Ball’s 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining. Memphis: The Tigers ranked second nationally in field goal percentage going into the game and shot it at a 54.7% clip. UConn: The Huskies saw their string of 17 consecutive wins dating back to February come to an end. The teams were tied at 92 with less than a minute remaining in overtime when UConn coach Dan Hurley was assessed a technical foul for his displeasure with an over-the-back call against Liam McNeeley. PJ Carter hit four straight free throws — two for the tech and the other pair for the personal foul — to give Memphis a 96-92 lead with 40.3 seconds to play. UConn had three players foul out. Memphis attempted 40 free throws and made 29 of them. Memphis will play the winner of Colorado-Michigan State on Tuesday in the second round of the invitational. UConn will play the loser of that game in the consolation bracket. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball .Two Sasquatch hunters were found dead after they went missing while searching for the mythical beast on Christmas Eve . The men, aged 37 and 59, were found after a 60-strong volunteer search and rescue team joined authorities in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington State . They had intended to be home for Christmas Day, but a family member reported them missing to Skamania County authorities after they didn’t return by the morning. Police said the harsh weather conditions and their ill-preparedness for the forest contributed to the men’s deaths. Seven law enforcement agencies and the Coast Guard used canines, drones, ground teams and helicopters to locate them. “Their exhaustive search efforts resulted in bringing family members home to their loved ones,” the sheriff’s office said of the search teams. The force extended their “deepest sympathies and condolences to the families” involved. Loved ones of Hudson Meek, the teen actor who died in a car accident last week, gathered to celebrate his life on Saturday. The “celebration of life” service, held at a Baptist church in Homewood, Alabama, was livestreamed on the Baby Driver star’s Instagram. Several of the loved ones shared their favorite memories of the 16-year-old, and a choir sang in tribute. Fans expressed their appreciation for the service and their condolences in the comment section. “Wonderful celebration of Hudson’s life,” wrote user @melindaeubankswest, while @jeanniecmom added, “Praying for Hudson’s family at this difficult time. Fellow teen actor Grace Culwell shared in the comments that she was in attendance, writing: ”Such a beautiful service & so glad we were able to be there. Sending so much love & prayers to you all.” Meek died on Dec. 21 in from injuries sustained during a fall from a moving car on Dec. 19 in his hometown, Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Meek was known best for appearing in the 2017 crime movie Baby Driver alongside Ansel Elgort, Jon Hamm and Jamie Foxx. A post shared by Hudson Meek (@hudsonmeek) Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. Boxing Week sales are still in full swing, folks! As an avid J.Crew fan , I can honestly say that the brand’s discount-laden factory store (the brand’s online outlet) is a great way to get high-quality wardrobe staples without the big price tag. J.Crew Factory always offers discounts up to 40 percent off J.Crew, but for a limited time, you can unlock even more savings from already discounted items. Right now, J.Crew Factory is offering 70 percent off clearance items with the code SALE70 at checkout. Now’s the time to invest in evergreen staples like jeans and office-friendly blazers while they’re half off, or grab a few outwear essentials to round out your cold-weather lineup. The sale also includes tons of denim for just $50, pure cotton crewneck T-shirts for $20, and even new arrivals like NYE frocks and cashmere items. And the sale is not just for women; the gents’ and kids’ sections are equally full of additional savings. Andy Cohen’s biggest gripe with CNN star and New Year’s Eve partner-in-crime Anderson Cooper? Cooper’s annual giggle fit. Cohen explained to People why the anchor’s unceasing laughter adds extra chaos throughout their annual special. “Well, [it’s] that I have to be the straight guy,” Cohen said. “Literally, he’s in a puddle of giggles for the last 90 minutes of the broadcast, and I’m the one that’s hitting all the commercial breaks.” Cohen said he turns “into Mr. CNN for the last 90 minutes” while Cooper becomes “Mr. Bravo.” “It’s a very funny role reversal,” the Bravo star said. The longtime friends have hosted the CNN event together since 2017 after former co-host Kathy Griffin was booted in the wake of backlash for posing with a mask depicting the severed head of Donald Trump. Cohen and Cooper have found themselves in various antics since then— some alcoholic , some not —leading to Cooper’s own frustrations with the Bravo host. Cooper joked on Cohen’s Watch What Happens Live earlier this month that he constantly worries about “who [Cohen’s] gonna insult and what the clean up on aisle 3 is gonna be in the morning.” Billionaire businessman Charles Dolan, who founded HBO and Cablevision and whose family owns Madison Square Garden and a number of New York City sports teams, died on Saturday—he was 98. Dolan created Cablevision Systems Corporation in 1973, merging several small Long Island cable TV systems, according to the New York Times . At the time, the company served just 1,500 customers. But when he sold it for $17.7 billion in 2015, it supplied cable TV to over three million households in the New York metropolitan area, the Times reported. He also launched HBO in the early ’70s—it was at the time a pioneering cable TV channel that offered feature-length movies with no commercials. After his death, Dolan’s family will continue to be a powerful and influential force in the worlds of media and sports. His son Patrick is the owner of Newsday , the Long Island-based newspaper he and Charles bought in 2016. The family also owns MSG in New York City and the professional sports teams that play there, the NHL’s Rangers and the NBA’s Knicks. All three entities are led by Dolan’s son James. Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. If you’re looking to revamp your at-home fitness lineup ahead of 2025 and don’t have hours to commit to exercising each day, allow us to introduce you to the CAROL Bike . The science-backed and AI-powered fitness bike is engineered to give you maximum results in the shortest time possible—and by the shortest time, we mean as little as five minutes. In fact, according to the brand, the CAROL bike is “proven to deliver double the health and fitness benefits in 90 percent less time compared to regular cardio.” Free Returns | Free Shipping Not only is it a huge time-saver, but the CAROL Bike is also designed to be personalized to the rider’s individual fitness levels, goals, and preferences, making the workouts easy to follow, time-efficient, and super effective. CAROL’s AI and Reduced Exertion HIIT (REHIT) technology optimizes the workout to your ability and fitness level, so every second matters. The personalized, optimal resistance levels are automatically adjusted as you work out—at exactly the right time—making the most efficient workouts easy to follow. “ CAROL Bike is designed to maximize training efficiency, with the shortest, most effective workouts, backed by science. And new rider-inspired features that give riders more flexibility to exercise their way,” says Ulrich Dempfle, CEO & Co-Founder at CAROL. You can try the CAROL Bike for yourself risk-free for 100 days, and the brand offers free shipping (7-10 business days) in the U.S. Tina Knowles sprang to her daughter Beyoncé’s defense after online trolls criticized her NFL halftime show performance on Christmas Day. Knowles clapped back at critics by reposting a message about her famous daughter on her Instagram on Friday. In the screenshot, user @iamkrisiman praised Beyoncé and wrote that “no matter how undeniably talented you are, people will always, ALWAYS, always have some negative ish to say.” Knowles cosigned the post in a lengthy caption. “It is mind-boggling to me that you would take your precious Christmas day and watch a performance of someone you hate and you don’t think has talent so that you can go talk ish about it later,” she wrote. “Obviously you are so obsessed with them, addicted to them, and secretly admire them,” she added. According to the New York Post, Knowles’ post came after some social media users called Beyoncé “overrated.” Fans and celebrities in the comments of Knowles’ response seemed to love her mama bear energy. “Period!!! Ms. T,” singer LeToya Luckett wrote. “All. Of. This!!!!!!” Oscar winner Octavia Spencer added. A post shared by Tina Knowles (@mstinaknowles) Elon Musk appeared to borrow a line from the 2008 film Tropic Thunder in an ongoing social media fight about H1B visas. Musk hit back against MAGA’s top players in a series of X posts, alleging that H1B visas are the reason why he, “and hundreds of other companies that made America strong,” are in the country. To a skeptical X user, Musk blasted: “Take a big step back and F--- YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend.” Although some were shocked by Musk’s sudden escalation—with former Trump strategist Steve Bannon calling him a “toddler”—others noticed that the disparaging remark was similar to a line in Tropic Thunder . Character Les Grossman, played by Tom Cruise, says in the film: “First, take a big step back, and literally, F--- YOUR OWN FACE ... I don’t know what kind of pan-pacific bulls--t power play you’re trying to pull here, but Asia, Jack, is my territory. So whatever you’re thinking, you’d better think again.” In response to Musk’s comment, the X user tweeted, “Bro was just memeing. I wouldn’t take it too seriously.” Nothing beats the classics pic.twitter.com/MRSdXifhH5 Charles Shyer, the writer-director best known for directing the 1991 Steve Martin comedy Father of the Bride has died at 83. According to Deadline, Shyer died Friday and no cause of death was given by his family in a statement. “His loss leaves an unfillable hole in our lives, but his legacy lives on through his children and the five decades of wonderful work he’s left behind. We honor the extraordinary life he led and know there will never be another quite like him,” his family told the outlet. In addition to directing, Shyer gained notoriety for his screenwriting and nabbed an Oscar nomination in 1981 for co-writing the Goldie Hawn-led military comedy Private Benjamin alongside Harvey Miller, and fellow writer-director Nancy Meyers. Meyers and Shyer married in 1980 before calling it quits in 1999. They share two daughters. Other notable films co-written by Shyer include Jumpin’ Jack Flash , The Parent Trap , and Baby Boom , which he also directed. His most recent credit behind the camera was co-writing and directing the 2023 Netflix Holiday film Best. Christmas. Ever. A Norwegian chess champion left mid-tournament after refusing to change his outfit for judges. Magnus Carlsen, a five-time World Chess Champion, was competing in New York’s FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships on Friday when he was asked to change. According to The Telegraph , Carlsen was first fined $200 for breaking the wardrobe rule before being told he would have to leave if he didn’t change. “I said, ‘I’ll change tomorrow if that’s OK.’ I didn’t even realize it today, but they said, ‘Well you have to change now.’ At that point it became a bit of a matter of principle for me,” Carlsen told chess outlet Take Take Take in an interview. “Honestly, I am too old at this point to care too much. If this is what they want to do,” he added. As for why he wore the jeans in the first place, Carlsen said he had little time to change before the tournament as he was coming from a meeting. The grandmaster made light of the debacle on X where he tweeted a photo of the now notorious jeans. “OOTD,” he captioned the snap. OOTD pic.twitter.com/9reOP6zuJv Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission. 2025 is quickly approaching, and there’s no better way to celebrate the new year than with 2024’s cocktail du jour—the espresso martini. It’s the perfect way to toast 2025 with sophistication, flavor, and an energy boost. Think you can’t make the buzzy beverage at home because you’re not a bartender? Think again. You can create this beloved cocktail effortlessly with just a cocktail shaker, fresh espresso, vodka, coffee beans, and Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur . It all starts in the land Down Under—Australia. Mr Black sources its ingredients, including 100 percent specialty-grade Arabica coffee, from local farmers and cooperatives. The liqueur is then slowly brewed with purified cold water to preserve its delicate, complex flavors. The result? A bittersweet masterpiece with bold flavor, balanced sweetness, and a lasting coffee kick. Its rich, coffee-forward taste is a crowd-pleaser, and the sleek bottle design adds a touch of elegance to any bar cart. Making an espresso martini is simple. Combine Mr Black , vodka, and freshly brewed espresso in a shaker. Add ice and shake vigorously until cold. Then, strain the mixture into a martini glass and finish with three coffee beans as a garnish. Skip the champagne toast this year and ensure you stay awake for the countdown to 2025 with a Mr Black espresso martini. Gossip Girl star Chanel Maya Banks , who made headlines last month after denying her family’s claims that she had gone missing, has filed a restraining order against her mother and cousin. The 36-year-old submitted the request in Los Angeles on Thursday, alleging her mom, Lutchmin Judy Kumar, and cousin, Danielle Singh have harassed her, TMZ reported. The actor also claimed that her mother and cousin were working to destroy her credibility. In October, Banks’ family reported her missing. She denied the claims in a post days later. Banks wrote in the restraining order filing that Kumar and Singh broke into her apartment in November while she was gone and attacked her husband. She also alleged that an Apple AirTag was put on her car to track her. After the attack, she alleged that her mother and cousin accused her husband of murder and said that Banks should be in a psychiatric hold. Sources told TMZ that they’re happy she is safe and are “moving on with their lives.” R&B singer Ne-Yo announced Friday that a popular professional boxer under his management has died at age 35. In a joint statement posted by the Grammy-winner and the boxer’s family, Ne-Yo, real name Shaffer Chimere Smith, announced “the passing of beloved son, brother, friend and boxing champion Paul Bamba, whose light and love touched countless lives.” Hailing from Puerto Rico, Bamba became one of the first boxing talents to sign to Ne-Yo’s management company in 2024. Bamba won all of his bouts in 2024 by knock out and recently claimed WBA’s secondary “gold” cruiserweight title after knocking out Rogelio Medina. “He was a fierce yet confident competitor with an unrelenting ambition to achieve greatness. But more than anything, he was a tremendous individual who inspired many with his exceptional drive and determination,” the statement added. Bamba was the No. 12 ranked contender by the WBA and seemed set on fighting in more high profile matches—challenging boxer Jake Paul to “holla at us” in one post. Paul shared his condolences on X, writing, “RIP Paul Bamba.” RIP Paul Bamba https://t.co/ovu7egrGHnBRASILIA (AP) — El apoyo del gigante de supermercados Carrefour a las protestas de agricultores franceses contra un acuerdo comercial entre la Unión Europea y el bloque Mercosur ha provocado una fuerte reacción en Brasil, incluida la negativa de suministrar carne de res a las tiendas de la cadena en el país sudamericano. El director general de Carrefour, Alexandre Bompard, anunció en redes sociales la semana pasada que la compañía francesa dejaría de comprar carne de res de todos los países del Mercosur, que también incluye a Argentina, Paraguay y Uruguay. Bompard escribió que está de acuerdo con los argumentos de los productores franceses de que la carne de res del bloque sudamericano es competencia desleal debido a que tiene menores costos de producción, lo cual es resultado de que hay menores requisitos ambientales y sanitarios. El ejecutivo alentó a otros minoristas a seguir el ejemplo de Carrefour. El Ministerio de Agricultura de Brasil dijo que la medida de Bompard era proteccionista, y señaló que se hizo “sin ningún criterio técnico”. La decisión también hizo enfurecer a los empacadores de carne de Brasil. Aunque Francia constituye sólo una pequeña parte de las exportaciones de carne de res brasileña, a los empacadores les preocupaba que la decisión de Carrefour pudiera dañar su reputación en otros mercados. RELATED COVERAGE Investigadores en Filipinas citan a la vicepresidenta Duterte por amenazas contra el presidente Rescatistas recuperan 20 cuerpos tras inundaciones y deslaves en Indonesia Partidarios de Imran Khan protestan en la capital de Pakistán; 6 fallecidos Los gigantes de la carne JBS y Marfrig suspendieron los suministros el viernes pasado a la extensa cadena de supermercados de Carrefour en Brasil, incluyendo al gigante de almacenes de alimentos Atacadao. Ambas compañías se negaron a hacer comentarios a The Associated Press sobre el boicot, pero el ministro de Agricultura Carlos Fávaro lo confirmó. “Apoyamos la reacción de los empacadores de carne. Si la carne de res de Brasil no es lo suficientemente buena para los estantes de Carrefour en Francia, tampoco lo es para los estantes de Carrefour en Brasil”, dijo Fávaro al periódico Folha de S.Paulo el lunes. El Grupo Carrefour en Brasil reconoció el boicot en un comunicado, aunque dijo que aún no hay escasez de carne en las tiendas. Indicó que tiene “estima y confianza en el sector agrícola brasileño, con el que mantiene una relación sólida y colaboración”. “Desafortunadamente, la decisión de suspender el suministro de carne tiene un impacto en los clientes, especialmente en aquellos que dependen de la empresa para abastecer sus hogares con productos de calidad y responsables”, indicó en el comunicado. “Está en constante diálogo en busca de soluciones que permitan reanudar el suministro de carne a sus tiendas lo más rápido posible, respetando los compromisos que tiene con sus más de 130.000 empleados brasileños y millones de clientes brasileños en todo el país”. El trasfondo del conflicto es el acuerdo comercial UE-Mercosur, que incrementaría las importaciones agrícolas a los países de la UE desde Sudamérica. Los agricultores franceses temen que afecte sus medios de sustento. Se alcanzó un acuerdo inicial en 2019, pero desde entonces las negociaciones se han tambaleado debido a la oposición, que también incluye a algunos gobiernos europeos. El sector agroindustrial de Brasil también teme que la próxima Regulación de Deforestación de la Unión Europea prohíba la venta de productos derivados de los bosques dentro del bloque de 27 naciones de la UE si las compañías no pueden demostrar que sus artículos no están vinculados a la deforestación. Dicha regulación incluye la soya y el ganado, las principales exportaciones agrícolas de Brasil. Casi la mitad del ganado del país se cría en la región amazónica, donde el 90% de la tierra deforestada desde 1985 se ha convertido en pastizales, según MapBiomas, una red sin fines de lucro. La fecha de su implementación sigue siendo incierta. ___ La cobertura climática y ambiental de The Associated Press recibe respaldo financiero de varias fundaciones privadas. La AP es la única responsable de todo el contenido. ___ Esta historia fue traducida del inglés por un editor de la AP con la ayuda de una herramienta de inteligencia artificial generativa.