Moreover, the customer experience and service quality play a vital role in the profitability of a hotel. Providing excellent customer service, personalized experiences, and top-notch amenities can help create a loyal customer base and attract positive reviews, leading to increased bookings and revenue. Investing in staff training, maintaining cleanliness and hygiene standards, and continuously improving guest satisfaction are essential for hotels in county towns to stay competitive and profitable in the long run.Xbox has added nearly 400 titles that aren’t available with Game Pass to its app. “Earlier this [Northern] summer, we began working with partners to bring all PC games with Xbox features into the Xbox app,” said Chris Charla, GM of Content Curation and Programs at Xbox. “We’re super excited to see what Xbox games come to Windows PC from game creators in the future and to welcome nearly 400 titles that previously weren’t discoverable or purchasable in the Xbox app.” Members of the Xbox Insiders Program have had access to the new Xbox Home “experience” since late October, and it’s now available in the Xbox app on Windows PC for all players. Among the titles in the app are dozens of games from Japanese studios Kemco and Kairosoft, and games collections such as Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove and The Jackbox Party Pack. More than 100 of the newly added titles are Xbox Play Anywhere, meaning if players buy the Xbox console version, they can play the Xbox PC version as well (and vice versa). The new Home “highlights featured content so players can stay up to date on game releases, new events, Game Pass content, sales, and more”. Xbox said there are new curated collections and recommendations, deals and discounts, and the Jump back in feature, which enables players in Compact Mode to click on any game card and jump back into gameplay from the game’s hub. Charla said that with growth in the Windows handheld gaming category, the app is “a great way for developers to meet current and future players where they are, so they have the freedom and ability to play the games they want, with the friends they want, anywhere they want”. He said in coming months Xbox would be piloting and testing new features. In December a small collection of casual games including Candy Crush Soda Saga and Angry Birds 2 will be tested in the Xbox app.Bosses at a major UK supermarket are considering bringing in facial recognition to curb . With warnings being issued earlier this year about a horrific rise in the crime – with videos often going viral showing staff and security seemingly unable to stop many incidents – the bosses at Iceland are now looking at more impactful ways of stopping it. Richard Walker, the boss of Iceland, confirmed on Linkedin that he would “happily” give facial recognition a trial in his stores, as long as it was “legal and proportionate”. Discussing shoplifting overall – and reacting to a House of Lords report into it and how security guards should be given more legal powers to stop it, he said: “I make no apologies for putting the safety of Iceland colleagues and customers first. "We urgently need further reform to address the growing severity of this issue. I won’t post on here some of the pictures and details of the serious incidents from the report that I receive every week - but safe to say they are really upsetting. “Right now, security guards are very limited in their ability to act against brazen, professional criminals who operate without fear of consequence. Enhanced legal powers - to search and safely detain offenders - would create a stronger deterrent for criminals and help restore safer high streets for everyone. “And as I’ve been saying for a while now, we need confirmation from the Information Commissioner's Office that we should be able to share images of perpetrators on social media groups. The safety of my colleagues is more important than the data protection rights of known offenders. “Lastly...whilst we don’t yet use it, I will HAPPILY trial and use legal, proportionate facial recognition technology as an effective response to the very real threat my colleagues face.” The HoL report revealed that around 17 million shoplifting incidents take place every year, costing retailers a whopping £2billion.This report is from today's CNBC Daily Open, our international markets newsletter. CNBC Daily Open brings investors up to speed on everything they need to know, no matter where they are. Like what you see? You can subscribe here . > Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are U.S. government shutdown suspended The U.S. government narrowly avoided a shutdown after President Joe Biden signed a stopgap government funding bill on Saturday. President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk thwarted an initial, negotiated funding plan Wednesday by harshly criticizing its provisions, and specifically insisted on suspending the U.S. debt limit for two years. Slight chill in price increases U.S. headline inflation in November rose just 0.1% from October , according to the personal consumption expenditures price index. On an annual basis, prices increased 2.4%. Both readings were 10 basis points lower than expected. Core inflation also came in 10 basis points below forecast. The PCE is the U.S. Federal Reserve's preferred gauge of inflation. Markets in the U.S. bounced On Friday, the S&P 500 rose 1.09%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average added 1.18% and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 1.03%. But all indexes fell on the week . The pan-European Stoxx 600 fell 0.88% to end the week 1.9% lower . Novo Nordisk shares plunged 17.8% after the Danish pharmaceutical company reported disappointing trial results for a new weight loss drug. CEOs see the door Blue-chip companies, such as Boeing , Intel and Starbucks , announced changes in their chief executive officers this year. They're not alone. There were 327 CEO departures in U.S. public companies this year through November, according to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. That's the highest level since the firm started tracking data in 2010. [PRO] Will Rudolph's red nose outshine Santa? After a few rocky weeks of trading, stocks are poised to end December in the red. But the Santa Claus rally , traditionally occurring on the last five trading days of the year and the first two of the next, could reignite seasonal cheer. In data going back to 1969, the S&P has added 1.3% on average, according to the Stock Trader's Almanac. Stocks sold off on Wednesday after the Fed indicated it sees two quarter-point rate cuts in the year ahead, fewer than the four previously projected. "We have been moving sideways on 12-month inflation," said Fed Chair Jerome Powell at his news conference. But November's PCE came in cooler than expected. "Sticky inflation appeared to be a little less stuck this morning," said Chris Larkin, managing director of trading and investing at E-Trade Morgan Stanley. The Fed has emphasized again and again that it's "data-dependent." Would the Fed, then, have presented the world with a slightly different dot plot, if they'd had the chance to review the PCE data first? Giving slight credence to that train of thought, Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee told CNBC's Steve Liesman he's hopeful November's inflation reading "suggests that the couple of months of firming were more of a bump than a change in path." In other words, the economy is "still on path to get to 2%," said Goolsbee. Then again, Powell said in July that the central bank would be "data dependent, but not data-point dependent" in determining when to cut rates. Even if November's PCE index did signal inflation returning to its downward trajectory, one month's data wouldn't have shifted the dots around. Perhaps two consecutive months of cooler reading might have? Those questions are rhetorical. Conditional questions are unanswerable, especially in markets. But in their indeterminacy and circuitous nature, they highlight the fact that trying to time or game the market, especially in volatile times like these, might not be the best idea. Instead, dig deep into the fundamentals — earnings, cash flow, future income — which sway stocks even as inflation and interest rates rise and fall. Remember the days when inflation reports and Fed meetings were just another day in markets? (Not a rhetorical question.) — CNBC's Jesse Pound, Brian Evans and Sean Conlon contributed to this report.jili free 58 。

One of the key implications of a move towards moderate easing is the potential impact on financial markets. As central banks signal their intention to loosen monetary policy, investors are likely to adjust their expectations and investment strategies accordingly. This could lead to increased demand for equities, bonds, and other assets, as well as lower borrowing costs for businesses and consumers.

( ) and startup Anduril are talking with many other tech companies, including OpenAI and Elon Musk's SpaceX, to form a consortium to jointly bid on U.S. government contracts, The Financial Times reported Sunday. The aim is to take on traditional defense giants such as ( ), ( ), ( ) and ( ). Palantir and Anduril also reportedly are talking to Saronic and ScaleAI. Palantir and Anduril aim to announce a series of alliances next month, the FT said. Musk, as co-leader of President-elect Donald Trump's government efficiency drive, has signaled he will target Pentagon spending. He has specifically criticized the F-35 fighter jet as wasteful. Lockheed Martin makes the F-35, with Northrop Grumman a major sub-contractor. Boeing is a would-be competitor to SpaceX in private space fight. ( ) has soared since the election in the belief that the Trump administration will favor the EV giant. But there may be more scope for Trump to aid SpaceX, via defense and space government contracts. Palantir stock jumped 8.5% on Friday to 80.55, a record close. PLTR stock is by far the top performer in the S&P 500 index this year, up 369%.Beyond the pampering and relaxation, the bathhouses also serve as meeting grounds for socializing and bonding. Friends and family gather in the communal bathing areas to catch up, share stories, and strengthen relationships in a setting that promotes intimacy and connection. The communal experience of bathing together fosters a sense of community and camaraderie that is cherished by both locals and visitors alike.

'Is This A Joke?': Don Lemon Slams Time For Making Trump 'Person Of The Year'

1. **Faulty or improperly maintained heating systems:** One common cause of carbon monoxide poisoning is a malfunctioning or poorly maintained heating system. Furnaces, boilers, and water heaters that are not regularly serviced can produce high levels of carbon monoxide. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning from heating systems may include headaches, dizziness, nausea, and confusion.GE Vernova Unusual Options Activity For December 16Big Data Institute (BDI), a public organisation, is set to launch the initial phase of the national big data platform in 2025 through the further development of four existing key platforms -- the Health Link, Envi Link, Travel Link and the Smart Data Analytics platforms. BDI president Tiranee Achalakul said the move will pave the way to transform the BDI to become the central intelligence organisation in the future. The launch of the national big data platform is part of the institute's strategic roadmap for 2025–27. The BDI targets generating over 1 billion baht in combined economic, social and environmental impact via big data and related technologies in 2025. Moreover, it aims to create more than 10,000 new data-related jobs in 2025. The draft of the strategic roadmap is under the review of the National Economic and Social Development Council. The roadmap contains four key strategies: creating and utilising the national big data platform, promoting the creation of a data value chain, building a data talent pool, and advancing artificial intelligence (AI) development and utilisation. Ms Tiranee said that next year the BDI will focus on expanding the connectivity of the Health Link national health data platform to cover more health units registered with the National Health Security Office, ensuring the link's nationwide coverage. It will also expand coverage of Envi Link, the environmental data service platform for smart cities. Moreover, it will expand the operation of the Travel Link national tourism intelligence platform to include additional key tourist destinations. The platform is entering its second phase of development. It will foster the Smart Data Analytics platform, which is dedicated to advancing smart city development. The platform creates data solutions tailored to the specific characteristics of at least five additional provinces: Nan, Uttaradit, Ubon Ratchathani, Songkhla and Nakhon Si Thammarat. "The four key platforms are being maximised and centralised to become the initial phase of the national big data platform in 2025," Ms Tiranee said. "The primary objective of the national big data platform is to provide the government with a secure and centralised big data system, enabling seamless and safe data integration across agencies working on shared issues." This will facilitate advanced data analysis and promote the broader utilisation of data in the future, Ms Tiranee said. The BDI is actively supporting the incubation of skilled professionals in the public and private sectors. She added that the Thai Large Language Model (ThaiLLM) project, funded by the Office of National Digital Economy and Society Commission, aims to develop and enhance language models using vast amounts of Thai-language sources. The BDI, in collaboration with key partners such as the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center, Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology, the Artificial Intelligence Entrepreneurs Association of Thailand, the Artificial Intelligence Association of Thailand, Chulalongkorn University and Mahidol University, is advancing the development of the ThaiLLM V.1 model. The initial phase focuses on building a foundation model to enable further applications, along with specialised models tailored to healthcare and environmental sectors.

Dearborn Heights, MI (Planet Detroit) A poll released Tuesday found a majority of those who voted for President-elect Donald Trump oppose efforts to weaken the Environmental Protection Agency, as local advocates warn that EPA cuts could impact Michigan environmental programs. The poll, which also found that support from all voters for the agency has increased since 2017, was commissioned by the Environmental Protection Network, a group founded by former EPA scientists and officials during the first Trump administration to support environmental agencies and communities impacted by environmental injustice. "These numbers were frankly astounding to me," said Matt George, head of research for the communications firm Seven Letter, which performed the poll. However, he noted that there has historically been strong bipartisan support for the EPA. Sean McBrearty, Michigan director for the nonprofit Clean Water Action, told Planet Detroit the poll results were similar to other surveys that found overwhelming bipartisan support in Michigan for protecting the Great Lakes and reinstating "polluter pay" legislation to hold businesses accountable for cleaning up pollution. "Holding corporations accountable was actually one of the arguments that Republicans used in their State House campaigns," he said. Despite broad support for environmental action and Trump's promises to protect air and water quality, former EPA staffers on a Tuesday press call said the President-elect will seek to roll back regulations, decline to defend established rules from corporate lawsuits and find ways to shrink the agency. The result could be weaker environmental protections and declining support for Michigan's environmental programs. "Trump tried to dismantle EPA in the past, and he seems dead set on trying again," said Michelle Roos, executive director for EPN. Roos said the poll confirms that Trump does not have a mandate to weaken the EPA. Trump won a majority of electoral votes in this year's election but secured less than 50% of the popular vote. The poll, conducted between Nov. 7 and 13, included responses from 1,000 voters. It found that 76% of Trump voters and 86% of all voters wanted to either strengthen the EPA or protect it at its current level. Sixty-four percent of Trump voters (and 88% of all voters) expressed concern that Trump would hand EPA leadership to a director who will "put the interests of polluting corporations ahead of protecting clean water, clean air, and public health." Trump has picked former U.S. Rep. Lee Zeldin to lead the EPA. Zeldin has questioned whether climate change is an urgent problem and voted to expand oil and gas drilling on federal lands. He's widely seen as someone who will be loyal to Trump's agenda of shrinking the EPA and eliminating environmental protections. Former EPA officials on the Tuesday call said widespread support for the agency may not influence the incoming administration, which has discussed using a "schedule F" order to fire as many as 50,000 federal employees. Jeremy Symons, senior advisor for EPN and former climate policy advisor for EPA's Office of Air and Radiation, said the Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 blueprint for radically restructuring the executive branch is a "novel plan" for dismantling the EPA and driving staff out. Although Republicans will gain control of the U.S. House and Senate next year, they could still resist the Trump administration's efforts to slash EPA's budget. However, Project 2025's chapter on the EPA proposes relocating regional offices "so that they are more accessible to the areas they serve and deliver cost savings to the American people," which could drive out EPA workers. When the Trump administration moved the Bureau of Land Management's headquarters from Washington D.C. to Grand Junction, Colorado, in 2020, it led to an exodus of workers in leadership positions. Russel Vought, former director of the Office of Management and Budget who worked on Project 2025, previously described plans to inflict "trauma" on EPA employees. "We want the bureaucrats to be traumatically affected," Vought said. "When they wake up in the morning, we want them to not want to go to work because they are increasingly viewed as the villains." Recently released EPA data shows over 143 million Americans are exposed to PFAS in drinking water, which has been detected in drinking water systems across Metro Detroit. If the Trump administration proposes different PFAS regulations, the 2029 deadline for complying with the rules will automatically be pushed back by a decade, according to Elizabeth Southerland, former director of the Office of Science and Technology in the EPA's Office of Water. If Congress were to approve EPA budget cuts, it could have a dramatic impact on Michigan. The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy received roughly 35% of its funding from the EPA in the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Bentley Johnson, federal government affairs director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, said the president-elect and Republican lawmakers are likely to cut programs that largely serve low-income people and communities of color, such as Biden's Justice 40 Initiative, which directs climate and infrastructure funding to historically disadvantaged communities. Johnson said this would force EGLE and the state to make difficult decisions about what programs to support. Budget cuts and a loss of staff at EPA could also drain support for environmental enforcement and cleaning up contaminated sites, Johnson said. EPA administers the Superfund program, which is involved in the cleanup of over 60 highly contaminated sites in Michigan. But the agency also provides support for the cleanup of other sites that aren't on the list. "When the EPA is there, we've heard from impacted residents that it does make a difference," Johnson said. In 2017, the Trump administration sought to reduce the agency's budget by a third, although Congress resisted these cuts. If Trump finds more success securing cuts in his coming term, it would add to a long decline in agency funding. According to an EPN report, the EPA's inflation-adjusted spending decreased by 50% between 1980 and 2019, while the U.S. population increased by 44%. McBrearty stressed the need for grassroots opposition to the budget cuts and deregulation that political donors often support. He said it was important to support environmental groups and organizations like labor unions, which have previously worked collectively to push for environmental protections and workplace safety. "We need to take every step we can to build a system that makes lawmakers accountable to the people, not to the corporations funding their campaigns," he said. This story is provided as a service of the Institute for Nonprofit News’ On the Ground news wire. The Institute for Nonprofit News (INN) is a network of more than 475 independent, nonprofit newsrooms serving communities throughout the US, Canada, and globally. On the Ground is a service of INN, which aggregates the best of its members’ elections and political content, and provides it free for republication. Read more about INN here: https://inn.org/ . Please coordinate with nina@planetdetroit.org should you want to publish photos for this piece. This content cannot be modified, apart from rewriting the headline. To view the original version, visit: https://planetdetroit.org/2024/11/trump-voters-oppose-epa-budget-cuts/Guan Zhiou Appointed as Party Secretary of Ministry of Natural ResourcesShare Tweet Share Share Email What if the biggest financial crisis you’ve ever known turned into the greatest investment opportunity of your life? Imagine being in 1973, during the economic crash, where chaos reigned supreme. Stocks tanked, inflation soared, and people scrambled to cut losses. Yet, legends like Warren Buffett thrived by buying undervalued stocks amid the panic. Fast forward to today, and history’s lesson is clear—opportunity hides in chaos. In the ever-evolving world of meme coins, BTFD Coin (BTFD) mirrors this strategy by encouraging you to “Buy the Dip.” With its presale storming past $4.3 million and a community-driven approach, BTFD is rewriting the playbook for meme coins with its BIG50 bonus code that unlocks stage 7 price in the ongoing presale stage. Alongside the likes of Just a Chill Guy (CHILLGUY) and Dogs (DOGS), BTFD is proving that meme coins aren’t just fun—they’re formidable investments. Let’s break it down. BTFD Coin: Turning Dips into Opportunities BTFD Coin is redefining the rules of presales, offering a rare chance to purchase tokens in Stage 12 at the unbeatable Stage 7 price of $0.000064. This opportunity is not just exciting but potentially life-changing, with an expected ROI of 837.5% once the coin lists at $0.0006. By using the exclusive code “ BIG50 ,” investors can unlock this massive discount and position themselves for substantial gains. The discounted price aligns with BTFD Coin’s strategy of rewarding early adopters and creating buzz in the crypto market. For seasoned investors or those new to the crypto space, this rollback represents a golden chance to maximise returns with minimal risk. Don’t let this unique opportunity slip away—secure your spot in the presale, use the BIG50 code, and set the stage for your financial success. Opportunities like this are rare, and BTFD Coin is ready to deliver exceptional value to its growing community. BTFD Coin isn’t just a meme coin—it’s a movement. Inspired by the classic investing mantra, “ Buy the Dip ,” BTFD is for those who spot uncertain opportunities. The BTFD Coin’s presale has already sold over 57 billion tokens to over 6,300 holders, with analysts predicting even bigger moves post-launch. The BTFD Edge BTFD’s Play-to-Earn (P2E) game, introduced in Stage 10, is a game-changer. Although the beta version doesn’t yet reward players, it’s setting the stage for a vibrant gaming ecosystem. Players will soon earn tokens while enjoying an immersive experience with the Bulls Squad, the mascots symbolising resilience, creativity, and community strength. BTFD’s 90% APY staking program is a no-brainer for those looking to grow their holdings. Active since December 2, staking stabilises the ecosystem and offers hefty returns for long-term investors. Add in the referral programme, where top referrers earn 10% of purchases made through their codes, and you’ve got a recipe for community-driven growth. Want numbers? Let’s say you invest $3,000 at the current price of $0.000064. That nets you a whopping 46,875,000 $BTFD. When the coin lists at $0.0006, your holdings shoot up to $28,125—nearly 9x your initial investment. Not bad, right? Dogs (DOGS): An Old Favourite Among Meme Enthusiasts DOGS has been around for a while, serving as a beacon for meme coin lovers. Its charm lies in its community-focused approach, attracting crypto enthusiasts looking for a less conventional investment path. DOGS has firmly established itself as a top-tier meme coin, thanks to its playful branding and utility-focused updates. What makes DOGS special? Beyond its meme appeal, it’s carved out a niche in the charity space, often donating portions of its profits to animal welfare initiatives. As a long-term player in the meme coin market, DOGS maintains its relevance by staying true to its roots while consistently innovating. Though it’s a reliable choice for meme coin collectors, its price volatility mirrors the unpredictable nature of the meme coin market. While DOGS remains an iconic project, its community is its backbone, driving its value. Just a Chill Guy (CHILLGUY): A Breath of Fresh Air CHILLGUY offers a more relaxed take on the meme coin scene. With its chill vibe and steady growth, it appeals to crypto investors who want to keep things light. But don’t let its laid-back branding fool you—CHILLGUY is serious about creating value for its holders. Known for its transparent approach, CHILLGUY thrives on fostering trust within its community. Its staking rewards, though not as high as BTFD’s, still provide a passive income stream for those willing to hold. CHILLGUY has also dabbled in NFTs, adding another layer of utility to its ecosystem. While it doesn’t offer the adrenaline rush of a fast-paced presale, CHILLGUY remains a solid option for long-term meme coin enthusiasts. Lessons from 1973: Buy the Dip, Change the Game The 1973–74 financial crash taught us that crisis breeds opportunity. When the Bretton Woods system collapsed and OPEC’s oil embargo quadrupled prices, markets tanked nearly 50%. But amidst the chaos, investors like Warren Buffett thrived by identifying undervalued assets. Today, BTFD Coin embraces this ethos. Its name is a rallying cry, urging investors to act decisively when others hesitate. With its presale offering Stage 7 pricing in Stage 12, this is your chance to follow in Buffett’s footsteps—grab the dip before the next big run. How to Join the BTFD Movement Ready to get started? Here’s how: Go to the Presale Page . Connect Your Wallet: Choose MetaMask, Trust Wallet, or another compatible option. Enter the Bonus Code: Use code “BIG50” to unlock the Stage 7 price. Input Purchase Details: Specify how much $BTFD you want to buy. Confirm Your Transaction: Complete the purchase and watch your wallet grow. The Final Words: Why BTFD Coin is Your Best Bet Today When it comes to the best new meme coins to invest in for long term, BTFD Coin checks all the boxes. Its impressive presale performance, staking rewards, and P2E game position it as more than just a meme—it’s a movement. While DOGS and CHILLGUY are excellent options for collectors, BTFD stands out as the ultimate choice for investors seeking significant returns. Don’t wait—join the presale now and secure your spot before the bull run takes off. Because in the world of meme coins, timing is everything, and BTFD Coin is your ticket to the top. Find Out More: Website: https://www.btfd.io/ X/Twitter: https://x.com/BTFD_COIN Telegram: https://t.me/btfd_coin Related Items: Blockchain , BTFD Share Tweet Share Share Email Recommended for you Why Crypto Enthusiasts Are Scrambling to Grab These Top Five Digital Gems: Discover the Best Coins to Join This Month and Secure Your Slice of the Blockchain Revolution Before It’s Too Late! Best Cryptos to Join in December 2024: Why Qubetics, Ethereum, and Monero Are Essential for Building a Winning Portfolio Islamic FinTech: Adapting Financial Technology to Sharia Compliance Comments

In a steady session on Friday, U.S. stocks rounded off the week near unchanged marks despite Broadcom's AI chip optimism boosting its shares and market cap past $1 trillion. The Nasdaq advanced for the fourth consecutive week, as tech stocks continued their ascent. Meanwhile, yields on U.S. Treasuries rose, spotlighting investors' focus on interest rates. Anticipation builds for a Federal Reserve rate cut, motivated by an in-line inflation report. Yet, the stock markets took a breather, reflecting investor sentiment swayed by potential profitability shifts under Donald Trump's incoming administration. (With inputs from agencies.)

Is he a hero? A killer? Both? About the same time the #FreeLuigi memes featuring the mustachioed plumber from “Super Mario Brothers” mushroomed online, commenters shared memes showing Tony Soprano pronouncing Luigi Mangione , the man charged with murdering the UnitedHealthcare CEO in Manhattan , a hero. There were posts lionizing Mangione’s physique and appearance, the ones speculating about who could play him on “Saturday Night Live,” and the ones denouncing and even threatening people at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s for spotting him and calling police. It was all too much for Pennsylvania's governor, a rising Democrat who was nearly the vice presidential nominee this year. Josh Shapiro — dealing with a case somewhere else that happened to land in his lap — decried what he saw as growing support for “vigilante justice.” The curious case of Brian Thompson and Luigi Mangione captivated and polarized a media-saturated nation. It also offers a glimpse into how, in a connected world, so many different aspects of modern American life can be surreally linked — from public violence to politics, from health care to humor (or attempts at it) . It summons a question, too: How can so many people consider someone a hero when the rules that govern American society — the laws — are treating him as the complete opposite? Luigi Mangione, a suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, on Monday at the police station in Altoona, Pa. Writings found in Mangione's possession hinted at a vague hatred of corporate greed and an expression of anger toward “parasitic” health insurance companies. Bullets recovered from the crime scene had the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose,” reflecting words used by insurance industry critics, written on them. A number of online posts combine an apparent disdain for health insurers — with no mention of the loss of life. “He took action against private health insurance corporations is what he did. he was a brave italian martyr. in this house, luigi mangione is a hero, end of story!” one anonymous person said in a post on X that has nearly 2 million views. On Monday, Shapiro took issue with comments like those. It was an extraordinary moment that he tumbled into simply because Mangione was apprehended in Pennsylvania. Shapiro's comments — pointed, impassioned and, inevitably, political — yanked the conversation unfolding on so many people's phone screens into real life. “We do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint,” the governor said. “In a civil society, we are all less safe when ideologues engage in vigilante justice.” But to hear some of his fellow citizens tell it, that's not the case at all. Like Bonnie and Clyde, John Dillinger, D.B. Cooper and other notorious names from the American past, Mangione is being cast as someone to admire. Luigi Nicholas Mangione is escorted into Blair County Courthouse on Tuesday in Hollidaysburg, Pa. Regina Bateson, an assistant political science professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder, has studied vigilantism, the term to which Shapiro alluded. She doesn’t see this case as a good fit for the word, she says, because the victim wasn’t linked to any specific crime or offense. As she sees it, it's more akin to domestic terrorism. But Bateson views the threats against election workers , prosecutors and judges ticking up — plus the assassination attempts against President-elect Donald Trump this past summer — as possible signs that personal grievances or political agendas could erupt. “Americans are voicing more support for — or at least understanding of — political violence,” she said. Shapiro praised the police and the people of Blair County, who abided by a 9/11-era dictum of seeing something and saying something. The commenters have Mangione wrong, the governor said: “Hear me on this: He is no hero. The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 at McDonald’s this morning." A person demonstrates Monday near the McDonald's restaurant in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where police earlier in the day arrested Luigi Nicholas Mangione, 26, in the Dec. 4 killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO in Manhattan. Even shy of supporting violence, there are many instances of people who vent over how health insurers deny claims. Tim Anderson's wife, Mary, dealt with UnitedHealthcare coverage denials before she died from Lou Gehrig’s disease in 2022. “The business model for insurance is don’t pay,” Anderson, 67, of Centerville, Ohio, told The Associated Press . The discourse around the killing and Mangione is more than just memes. Conversations about the interconnectedness of various parts of American life are unfolding online as well. One Reddit user said he was banned for three days for supporting Kyle Rittenhouse, who was acquitted after testifying he acted in self-defense when he fatally shot two people in 2020 during protests. “Do you think people are getting banned for supporting Luigi?” the poster wondered. The comments cover a lot of ground. They include people saying the UnitedHealthcare slaying isn't a “right or left issue" and wondering what it would take to get knocked off the platform. “You probably just have to cross the line over into promoting violence,” one commenter wrote. “Not just laughing about how you don’t care about this guy.” Luigi Mangione is taken into the Blair County Courthouse on Tuesday in Hollidaysburg, Pa. Memes and online posts in support of the 26-year-old man, who's charged with killing UnitedHealthcare's CEO, have mushroomed online. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email.

Top 20 Companies Benefitting from Government Subsidies

DEF State-Owned Enterprises demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability in the ever-evolving real estate market of Jiangsu Province. Leveraging its strong financial backing and government support, DEF State-Owned Enterprises excelled in both residential and commercial property sales, earning a well-deserved spot among the top performers.Russian rising star makes shocking confession about Jannik Sinner’s tennis matches

One of the primary benefits of tiptoeing is its ability to engage multiple muscle groups simultaneously. When you rise up onto your tiptoes, you activate the muscles in your calves, thighs, and buttocks, creating a challenging workout for your lower body. Additionally, maintaining your balance on tiptoe requires the activation of core muscles, helping to strengthen your abdominal and back muscles. By regularly practicing tiptoeing, you can tone and sculpt your muscles, leading to improved strength and endurance throughout your body.TORONTO — Canada's main stock index gained more than 350 points Thursday in a broad rally led by energy and technology stocks, while U.S. markets also rose, led by a one-per-cent gain on the Dow. The S&P/TSX composite index closed up 354.22 points at 25,390.68. In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 461.88 points at 43,870.35. The S&P 500 index was up 31.60 points at 5,948.71, while the Nasdaq composite was up 6.28 points at 18,972.42. The Nasdaq lagged an otherwise decent day for Wall St., rising just 0.03 per cent as it was dragged down by Google parent Alphabet and some of its tech giant peers. The tech company’s stock fell 4.6 per cent after U.S. regulators asked a judge to break it up by forcing a sale of the Chrome web browser. Amazon shares traded down 2.2 per cent while Meta and Apple both moved lower as well. After a substantial run for major tech stocks this year, that kind of news “shakes people a bit,” said John Zechner, chairman and lead equity manager at J. Zechner Associates. Meanwhile, semiconductor giant Nvidia saw its stock tick up modestly by 0.5 per cent after it reported earnings Wednesday evening. The company yet again beat expectations for profit and revenue, and gave a better revenue forecast for the current quarter than expected. But expectations for Nvidia have been so high amid the optimism over artificial intelligence that even beating forecasts wasn’t enough to send its stock flying the way it has in previous quarters, said Zechner. Nvidia essentially caps earnings season in the U.S., with companies largely beating expectations, said Zechner — though those expectations weren’t exactly lofty for companies outside the tech and AI sphere, he added. The Dow led major U.S. markets as the post-election hopes for economic growth continued to fuel a broadening of market strength, said Zechner. There are a lot of unknowns when it comes to U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, said Zechner, and there’s no guarantee he will do what he’s promised. “There’s a lot of unknowns, but for now the markets seem to be assuming that whatever comes of this, the U.S. will continue to lead global growth,” he said. However, some of Trump’s promises — chief among them widespread tariffs on imports — have sparked bets that inflation may rear its head again. The market has pared back its expectations for interest rate cuts as a result, said Zechner. “Nobody’s talking about a half-point cut, that’s for sure,” he said. The Canadian dollar traded for 71.63 cents US compared with 71.46 cents US on Wednesday. The January crude oil contract was up US$1.35 at US$70.10 per barrel and the January natural gas contract was up nine cents at US$3.48 per mmBTU. The December gold contract was up US$23.20 at US$2,674.90 an ounce and the December copper contract was down three cents at US$4.13 a pound. — With files from The Associated Press This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 21, 2024. Companies in this story: (TSX:GSPTSE, TSX:CADUSD) Rosa Saba, The Canadian Press