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.milyon88 apk 。

Bashar al-Assad’s downfall came not with a bang but a whimper. The Syrian dictator reportedly fled his home in the wake of a blitzkrieg advance by a coalition of anti-government rebels. Now, he’s gone — leaving armed groups as the country’s dominant political players. A spirit of anti-Assad sentiment surged across Syria, manifesting itself through displays of both celebration and defiance. The question now is whether this unleashed energy — brutally suppressed by fear and authoritarian control — will become a unifying force in building a new nation or, rather, a precursor to deeper divisions. The fall of the House of Assad, which has ruled Syria for more than half a century, should be a warning to dictatorial regimes. Assad’s departure underscores a broader truth: Societies cannot indefinitely tolerate systemic abuses, such as state-sponsored propaganda, corruption and violence. The fish rots from the head down. ... The Syrian people were often forsaken. In this moment of fragile hope, the world must not fail them again. A concerted effort toward political stability, reconciliation and reconstruction is essential to ensure their sacrifices lead to a lasting peace. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Soccer-Dominant Liverpool beat Real Madrid 2-0 to top Champions League

WASHINGTON (AP) — She’s an Iraq War combat veteran and sexual assault survivor who has advocated for years to improve how the military handles claims of sexual misconduct. But when Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, appeared initially cool to the nomination of President-elect Donald Trump ’s choice of Pete Hegseth to serve as defense secretary — a man who once said women should not serve in combat and who has himself been accused of sexual assault — she faced an onslaught of criticism from within her own party, including threats of a potential primary challenge in 2026. “The American people spoke,” said Bob Vander Plaats, president and CEO of the Family Leader and a conservative activist in Ernst’s home state. “When you sign up for this job, it’s a big boy and big girl job, and she’s feeling the pressure of people vocalizing their disappointment, their concern with how she’s handling this.” The pressure campaign against Ernst, once a rising member of the GOP leadership, shows there is little room in Trump’s party for those who can’t get to yes on Hegseth or any of his other picks for his incoming administration It underscores the power Trump is expected to wield on Capitol Hill in a second term and serves as a warning to other lawmakers who may be harboring their own concerns about other Trump selections, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary and Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence. “If the king wants a different senator from Iowa, we’ll have one. If he doesn’t, we won’t,” said Iowa talk show host Steve Deace, suggesting on his show Monday that he would be willing to jump in against Ernst if Trump wanted a challenger. “I think someone’s got to be made an example out of, whether it’s Joni or someone else.” People close to Ernst, a retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel, stress her mettle and say her eventual decision will depend on her assessment of Hegseth, a former “Fox & Friends Weekend” host and veteran, and nothing else. “Has there been Twitter pressure? Sure. But Joni’s a combat veteran. She’s not easily pressured,” said David Kochel, an Iowa Republican strategist and longtime Ernst friend and adviser. Ernst has worked steadily to shore up her relationship with Trump after declining to endorse him before the Iowa caucuses that kicked off this year’s campaign for the Republican presidential nomination. During a recent visit to Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s Florida club, she met with Trump and billionaire Elon Musk with ideas for their budget-slashing Department of Government Efficiency. She heads up a newly formed DOGE caucus in the Senate. Trump has not tried personallty to pressure Ernst to back Hegseth, according to a person familiar with their conversations who spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose them. And he has not targeted her — or any potential holdouts — publicly in social media posts. He also hasn’t had to. The response to Ernst built quickly, first in whispers following her initially cool remarks after meeting with Hegseth, then into a pile-on from powerful figures in the “Make America Great Again” movement. Only about 2 in 10 Americans approve of Hegseth’s nomination, according to Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs polling . About one-third of Republicans approve of him as a pick, and 16% disapprove. Another 1 in 10 Republicans, roughly, are neutral and say they neither approve nor disapprove. Trump allies had been concerned that a successful effort to derail Hegseth’s candidacy would empower opposition to other nominees, undermining his projections of complete dominance of the party. In the narrowly held Senate, with a 53-47 GOP majority in the new year, any Trump nominee can only afford a few Republican “no” votes if all Democrats are opposed. Those piling on included Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., and conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who warned that Ernst’s political career was “in serious jeopardy” and that primary challengers stood at the ready. One social media post from the CEO of The Federalist featured side-by-side photos comparing Ernst to ousted Rep. Liz Cheney , R-Wyo., whom Trump recently said deserves to be jailed, along with other members of the House committee that investigated the Capitol riot. Building America’s Future, a conservative nonprofit, announced plans to spend half a million dollars supporting Trump’s pick of Hegseth, the Daily Caller first reported . The group has already spent thousands on Facebook and Instagram ads featuring Ernst’s photo and is running a commercial urging viewers to call their senators to back him. Criticism mounted at home, too. Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, who quickly endeared herself to Trump when she became the highest-ranking state official to endorse him ahead of this year’s caucuses, wrote an op-ed for the conservative Breitbart news site that was seen as a not-so-subtle warning. “What we’re witnessing in Washington right now is a Deep State attempt to undermine the will of the people,” she wrote. Local Republican groups also encouraged Iowans to call Ernst’s office and urged her to back Trump’s picks. While incumbents have particular staying power in Iowa, Trump has a track record of ending the careers of those who cross him. Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller defended the tactics. “Right now, this is President Trump’s party,” he said Tuesday at The Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council Summit in Washington. “I think voters want to see the president being able to put in his people.” Ernst has gradually appeared to soften on Hegseth. By Monday, after meeting with him once again, she issued a statement saying they had had “encouraging conversations.” Ernst said Hegseth committed “to completing a full audit of the Pentagon” and to hire a senior official who will “prioritize and strengthen my work to prevent sexual assault within the ranks.” “As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources,” she said. But for many Republican senators who have found themselves on the wrong side of Trump, it was hard not to see the campaign against Ernst as a warning. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the Alaska Republican who also met with Hegseth this week, said the attacks seemed “a little more intense than usual,” while acknowledging that she is “no stranger” to similar MAGA-led campaigns. She was reelected in 2022 after beating a Trump-endorsed challenger. Murkowski said the potential attacks don’t weigh into her decision-making, but added, “I’m sure that it factors into Sen. Ernst’s.”NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Despite making a huge splash in NHL free agency over the summer with the signings of Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault and Brady Skjei, Nashville sits last in the Central Division and at the bottom of the NHL’s point standings. The Predators lost 4-3 to the Calgary Flames Tuesday night at Bridgestone Arena, extending their losing streak to eight games ahead of a two-game road trip to Dallas Thursday and Colorado Saturday. I was joined by Predators color analyst Chris Mason, who shared his thoughts on what it means for Nashville to now be able to land big name players in free agency, why it hasn’t worked so far this season and why this team still could turn things around. You can watch the Preds take on the Avalanche Saturday night at 8 p.m. on NewsChannel 5. Coverage begins with me and Jon Burton in Predators: Pursuit of Glory sponsored by the Tennessee Unclaimed Property Project at 7 p.m., followed by Predators LIVE from Denver at 7:30, leading up to puck drop at 8 p.m. Get NewsChannel 5 Now , wherever, whenever, always free.

LOUDONVILLE, N.Y. — Gov. Kathy Hochul has a negative 39-49% favorability rating, up slightly from 36-51% in October (then among likely voters), and her job approval rating also got a bump to 46-49%, up from 41-51%, according to a Siena College poll of New York State registered voters.When asked if they would vote to re-elect [...]My 1p an hour hack has kept me so warm, I’ve not had to turn my heating on for the last 3 yearsRainham man jailed over drugs found in car after number plate recognition alert

SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who led US crackdown on cryptocurrencies, to step downMeet Maggie Keating, pregnant girlfriend to Donald Trump supporter Zachary Levi, who played Shazam: she’s been in Drake Bell’s music videos – but what made her appearance on ANTM so controversial?Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save UPPER TOWNSHIP — A few weeks after her dramatic birth, Amelia Charlotte Marsden joined a celebration of the first responders who were there to help. The call came in a little after 9 p.m. Nov. 21 of a mother in labor, pulled over to the side of the Garden State Parkway. Firefighters, emergency medical service personnel, State Police and an Ocean City police officer were on their way. This week, Amelia was in her mother Joanna Elswick’s arms, with her 2-year-old sister Daisy Mae and her dad, James Marsden, surrounded by a team of people who responded to the call. They were there for a celebration of the township’s emergency services. Members packed the meeting room Monday at Township Hall for the event, which celebrated rescues on highways, in the water and at homes over the past year. Body matching description of missing 84-year-old found in Galloway Township 1 injured in Egg Harbor Township crash Absecon police detain suspect in dollar store robbery Pentagon refutes Van Drew Iran claims as New Jersey officials meet to discuss mystery drones Work on Mike Trout's Vineland golf course completed, but play still more than a year away Could American Airlines bus program lead to more flights at Atlantic City airport? Atlantic City now has more weed shops than casinos with dozens more on the way These South Jersey bars and restaurants have transformed into holiday wonderlands Latest on New Jersey mystery drones: White House officials say there is no threat LGBTQ+ restaurant the ByrdCage to open in Atlantic City in January Questions about Gillian’s Wonderland finances draw angry response from Mita Egg Harbor Township installing 4-way stop signs at troubled intersections Large drones spotted in Philadelphia area as FBI investigates mysterious drone sightings in NJ Egg Harbor City church celebrates its inspiration with 1,700-year-old artifact Bridgeton nursing home barred from Medicaid after NJ comptroller finds fraud and abuse Those honored included police, firefighters, lifeguards and EMS responders, as well as civilians who helped out their neighbors. Among them were Linda Giuffrida, a school bus driver who got children safely out of a burning school bus on the parkway and kept them safe as firefighters arrived. Volunteer firefighters from the Seaville and Marmora fire companies responded. “The bus driver escorted all of the students over 100 yards down the road, away from the hazardous flames. These actions were lifesaving,” a citation read at the event states. Chief Perry Coker recounted a harrowing incident in April, in which a child was struck by a riding lawn mower. The injuries were described as severe and traumatic. The child, who was not identified, was airlifted to Cooper University Hospital, then transferred to Children’s Hosptial in Philadelphia for extensive treatment. “Weeks later, the patient was released and able to return to his home where he was greeted by family, including his new family of first responders,” the citation reads. It includes 24 names. Officials at the event said the child has made a remarkable recovery and loves to visit the fire company and see the fire trucks. Mayor Jay Newman, who has long served as chief of the Marmora Volunteer Fire Company, said it was important for the community to recognize the efforts that help keep them safe, and to understand that the services they rely on in an emergency require extensive planning and training. A baby girl was delivered Thursday night on the side of the Garden State Parkway in Upper Township, the Seaville Volunteer Fire Company said. Come January, Newman will no longer be on the Township Committee. He asked the elected officials who will remain to continue honoring first responders each year. As New Jersey watches the night skies for drones with increasing trepidation, the event this week celebrated the use of a drone in a rescue. On June 20, a father reported his son was missing for about 15 hours and may have jumped off the bridge at Tyler Road into the water. EMS, the Marmora Volunteer Fire Company and State Police began a search, and were joined by the marine units of the State Police and the Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company. They asked for help from Ocean City police, who have a drone with a mounted camera, which streams video that can be shared to the phones of several responders. Three Ocean City officers launched the drone, and the missing person was found within minutes in the knee-deep water about 1,300 feet from the bridge. He was evaluated by an ambulance crew and then transported to a hospital. In another incident, Ocean City police used a drone to locate a fire deep in the woods near Corsons Tavern Road, which could have taken firefighters far longer to locate. Over the past year, emergency responders turned out for a collapsed stairway, someone choking in a restaurant, extractions from a vehicle after a serious collision, and swimmers in distress, including one in Corsons Inlet on Sept. 15, when six-foot swells were breaking on the sandbars. As members of the Upper Township Beach Patrol turned out, a passing boater took the swimmer to a nearby boat ramp. Also among those honored were Chief Coker of the Seaville Volunteer Fire Company and Chief Andy Ferrier with the Tuckahoe Volunteer Fire Company. By 9:18 p.m. Nov. 21, Amelia Charlotte was born. Mother and child were transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, Mainland Campus in Galloway Township. The first responders who helped that night were each presented with a stork pin, a tradition for those who assist in a birth. Those honored for their work that night included EMT Jessica Wriggins, EMT William Handley from Upper Township Emergency Medical Services, Deputy Chief Brian Allegretto, Capt. Charles Wiel, Capt. Robert E. Lane, Firefighter Robert L. Lane and Firefighter Justin Laielli of the Seaville Volunteer Fire Company, State Police Troopers Christopher Vargas and Christopher Lavance, and James Haggar, who is a dispatcher with Ocean City police. Contact Bill Barlow: 609-272-7290 bbarlow@pressofac.com Twitter @jerseynews_bill Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Author email {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.

Week of Live Coverage Brings Free Music to Audiences Anywhere DALLAS , Dec. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The JAMBALOO Music Festival is excited to announce a major expansion to its artist lineup and a new partnership with WFAA+ to bring live streaming coverage to audiences nationwide. From February 1st – 8th 2025, the festival will feature performances from a diverse array of local and touring artists across venues throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, with WFAA+ offering free, live streaming of the event to viewers everywhere. The lineup for JAMBALOO continues to grow, with the addition of renowned artists such as The Black Angels, Kolton Moore , RJD2, Mystery Skulls, Lou CharLe$, Black Tie Dynasty, and Daiistar. These new performers will join a diverse selection of local favorites and emerging talent at four iconic venues: Ferris Wheelers ( Dallas ), Club Dada (Deep Ellum), Tulips ( Fort Worth ), and Andy's ( Denton ). Alongside the in-person festival experience, JAMBALOO is partnering with WFAA+ to livestream all shows taking place at the Tulips venue in Fort Worth throughout the festival week. This collaboration ensures that audiences around the world can experience the energy of JAMBALOO in real time, completely free of charge. Fans can tune in through WFAA+'s innovative streaming platform, available on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and other smart devices, bringing the excitement of Tulips' performances directly to their screens. "JAMBALOO is all about celebrating the rich and diverse music scene of the DFW Metroplex, and with the addition of these incredible artists, we're ensuring there's something for every music lover," said Joe Morrison of Mullen & Mullen, a JAMBALOO co-founder. "Partnering with WFAA+ allows us to extend this celebration beyond the venues and into homes across the globe, so everyone can experience the magic of live music, no matter where they are." How to Watch and Attend: Download WFAA+ : Tune in to daily live streams of JAMBALOO performances from February 1-8, 2025 . The WFAA+ app is available for free on Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, and other smart platforms. RSVP for In-Person Shows : Visit the JAMBALOO website to reserve spots for free performances at your favorite venues. About JAMBALOO: The JAMBALOO Music Festival is more than just a music event—it's a celebration of the DFW music scene, with a mission to revitalize the local music community and support independent artists and venues. Kicking off with a JAMBALOO Symposium on February 1 , the festival will offer a week of performances, community engagement, and special events that will leave a lasting impact on the area's cultural landscape. About Our Partners: Mullen & Mullen Law Firm For over 41 years, Mullen & Mullen has been representing injured North Texans, and is committed to supporting the local community and music scene. Website: mullenandmullen.com Spune Productions A leader in Texas music events, Spune Productions curates experiences that bring people together through the power of music. Website: spune.com WFAA+ A next-generation streaming platform, WFAA+ offers live news, special reports, and event coverage. With its cutting-edge technology, it bridges the gap between traditional broadcasting and modern streaming, making it easier than ever for communities to stay connected. Website: WFAA.com KXT 91.7 North Texas' premier public radio station, KXT 91.7 showcases the region's best local and emerging musical talent. Website: kxt.org SOURCE Mullen & Mullen Law Firm

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Front Row Motorsports, one of two teams suing NASCAR in federal court, accused the stock car series Thursday of rejecting the planned purchase of a valuable charter unless the lawsuit was dropped. Front Row made the claim in a court filing and said it involved its proposed purchase of the charter from Stewart-Haas Racing. Front Row said the series would only approve it if Front Row and 23XI Racing dropped their court case. "Specifically, NASCAR informed us that it would not approve the (charter) transfer unless we agreed to drop our current antitrust lawsuit against them," Jerry Freeze, general manager of Front Row, said in an affidavit filed in the U.S. District Court of Western North Carolina. The two teams in September refused to sign NASCAR's "take-it-or-leave-it" final offer on a new revenue sharing agreement. All other 13 teams signed the deal. Front Row and 23XI balked and are now in court. 23XI co-owner Michael Jordan has said he took the fight to court on behalf of all teams competing in the top motorsports series in the United States. NASCAR has argued that the two teams simply do not like the terms of the final charter agreement and asked for the lawsuit be dismissed. Earlier this week, the suit was transferred to a different judge than the one who heard the first round of arguments and ruled against the two teams in their request for a temporary injunction to be recognized in 2025 as chartered teams as the case proceeds. The latest filing is heavily redacted as it lays out alleged retaliatory actions by NASCAR the teams say have caused irreparable harm. Both Front Row and 23XI want to expand from two full-time cars to three, and have agreements with SHR to purchase one charter each as SHR goes from four cars to one for 2025. The teams can still compete next season but would have to do so as "open" teams that don't have the same protections or financial gains that come from holding a charter. Freeze claimed in the affidavit that Front Row signed a purchase agreement with SHR in April and NASCAR President Steve Phelps told Freeze in September the deal had been approved. But when Front Row submitted the paperwork last month, NASCAR began asking for additional information. A Dec. 4 request from NASCAR was "primarily related to our ongoing lawsuit with NASCAR," Freeze said. "NASCAR informed us on December 5, 2024, that it objected to the transfer and would not approve it, in contrast to the previous oral approval for the transfer confirmed by Phelps before we filed the lawsuit," Freeze said. "NASCAR made it clear that the reason it was now changing course and objecting to the transfer is because NASCAR is insisting that we drop the lawsuit and antitrust claims against it as a condition of being approved." A second affidavit from Steve Lauletta, the president of 23XI Racing, claims NASCAR accused 23XI and Front Row of manufacturing "new circumstances" in a renewed motion for an injunction and of a "coordinated effort behind the scenes." "This is completely false," Lauletta said. Front Row is owned by businessman Bob Jenkins, while 23XI is owned by retired NBA Hall of Famer Jordan, three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin and longtime Jordan adviser Curtis Polk. NASCAR had been operating with 36 chartered teams and four open spots since the charter agreement began in 2016. NASCAR now says it will move forward in 2025 with 32 chartered teams and eight open spots, with offers on charters for Front Row and 23XI rescinded and the SHR charters in limbo. The teams contend they must be chartered under some of their contractual agreements with current sponsors and drivers, and competing next year as open teams will cause significant losses. "23XI exists to compete at the highest level of stock car racing, striving to become the best team it can be. But that ambition can only be pursued within NASCAR, which has monopolized the market as the sole top-tier circuit for stock car racing," Lauletta said. "Our efforts to expand – purchasing more cars and increasing our presence on the track – are integral to achieving this goal. "It is not hypocritical to operate within the only system available while striving for excellence and contending for championships," he continued. "It is a necessity because NASCAR's monopoly leaves 23XI no alternative circuit, no different terms, and no other viable avenue to compete at this level."

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Aaron Cooley's 17 points helped Brown defeat Stony Brook 77-54 on Wednesday. Cooley also contributed five rebounds for the Bears (4-3). AJ Lesburt Jr. scored 16 points, going 6 of 10 (4 for 8 from 3-point range). Landon Lewis shot 5 of 8 from the field to finish with 12 points, while adding eight rebounds. Joseph Octave finished with 24 points, seven rebounds and two steals for the Seawolves (2-5). Stony Brook also got 17 points and three steals from Ben Wight. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .