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online games with friends NEW YORK — There's a Christmas Day basketball game at Walt Disney World, featuring Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Wemby. An animated game, anyway. The real game takes place at Madison Square Garden, where Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs face the New York Knicks in a game televised on ABC and ESPN and streamed on Disney+ and ESPN+. The special alt-cast, the first animated presentation of an NBA game, will be shown on ESPN2 and also stream on Disney+ and ESPN+. Madison Square Garden is a staple of the NBA's Christmas schedule. Now it merges with a bigger home of the holidays, because the "Dunk the Halls" game will be staged at Disney, on a court set up right smack in the middle of where countless families have posed for vacation photos. Why that location? Because it was Mickey Mouse's Christmas wish. "Basketball courts often have the ability to make a normal environment look special, but in Disney it can only turn out incredible," Wembanyama said in an ESPN video promoting his Christmas debut. The story — this is Disney, after all — begins with Mickey penning a letter to Santa Claus, asking if he and his pals can host a basketball game. They'll not only get to watch one with NBA players, but some of them will even get to play. Goofy and Donald Duck will sub in for a couple Knicks players, while Mickey and Minnie Mouse will come on to play for the Spurs. "It looks to me like Goofy and Jalen Brunson have a really good pick-and-roll at the elite level," said Phil Orlins, an ESPN vice president of production. Walt Disney World hosted real NBA games in 2020, when the league set up there to complete its season that had been suspended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Those games were played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. The setting for the Christmas game will be Main Street USA, at the entrance of the Magic Kingdom. Viewers will recognize Cinderella's castle behind one baseline and the train station at the other end, and perhaps some shops they have visited in between. Previous alternate animated broadcasts included an NFL game taking place in Andy's room from "Toy Story;" the "NHL Big City Greens Classic" during a game between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers; and earlier this month, another NFL matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys also taking place at Springfield's Atoms Stadium as part of "The Simpsons Funday Football." Unlike basketball, the players are helmeted in those sports. So, this telecast required an extra level of detail and cooperation with players and teams to create accurate appearances of their faces and hairstyles. "So, this is a level of detail that we've never gone, that we've never done on any other broadcast," said David Sparrgrove, the senior director of creative animation for ESPN. Wembanyama, the 7-foot-3 phenom from France who was last season's NBA Rookie of the Year, looks huge even among most NBA players. The creators of the alternate telecast had to design how he'd look not only among his teammates and rivals, but among mice, ducks and chipmunks. "Like, Victor Wembanyama, seeing him in person is insane. It's like seeing an alien descend on a basketball court, and I think we kind of captured that in his animated character," said Drew Carter, who will again handle play-by-play duties, as he had in the previous animated telecasts, and will get an assist from sideline reporter Daisy Duck. Wembanyama's presence is one reason the Spurs-Knicks matchup, the leadoff to the NBA's five-game Christmas slate, was the obvious choice to do the animated telecast. The noon EST start means it will begin in the early evening in France and should draw well there. Also, it comes after ABC televises the "Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade" for the previous two hours, providing more time to hype the broadcast. Recognizing that some viewers who then switch over to the animated game may be Disney experts but NBA novices, there will be 10 educational explainers to help with basketball lingo and rules. Beyond Sports' visualization technology and Sony's Hawk-Eye tracking allow the animated players to make the same movements and plays made moments earlier by the real ones at MSG. Carter and analyst Monica McNutt will be animated in the style of the telecast, donning VR headsets to experience the game from Main Street, USA. Other animated faces recognizable to some viewers include NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who will judge a halftime dunk contest among Mickey and his friends, and Santa himself, who will operate ESPN's "SkyCam" during the game. The players are curious how the production — and themselves — will look. "It's going to be so crazy to see the game animated," Spurs veteran Chris Paul said. "I think what's dope about it is it will give kids another opportunity to watch a game and to see us, basically, as characters."

Denton is a city like no other. As 2024 heads out the door to usher in 2025, let’s take a look back at what this past year had in store for the city — month-by-month. The Denton Black Film Festival brought the comedy experience with a standup show at the Patterson Appleton Arts Center. The year kicked off with good news. The rocky, pothole-pocked portion of Eagle Drive between Elm Street and Dallas Drive was finally slated for repairs . If you drive over there today, you’ll find a smoothly paved road and newly timed stoplight at the intersection of Eagle and Elm. The Denton Black Film Festival celebrated its 10th anniversary with a festival theme of “Share Joy.” The festival featured four days of live film showings, director talks, digital screenings, workshops and more , all over town. Reminisce with the photos here . Additionally, the Denton Ambassador program was set to begin , but with mixed reception. A few were skeptical about the program’s price tag of $708,000 and if it was an appropriate allocation of city funds. Others were hopeful about possible tourism increases and help for the homeless population. Ambassador responsibilities included picking up trash, offering advice, accompanying people who don’t want to walk to their cars alone and recommending outreach services to those in need, including people experiencing homelessness. February was a tumultuous month for all, but especially for Denton’s universities. The passage of Senate Bill 17 (SB 17) saw the closure of many school clubs, classes and events at Denton’s universities, including the halting of pride celebrations normally hosted by UNT’s libraries . This would be the first of many higher education changes made this year. In early February, The Associated Press reported that, since Oct. 7, about 1,200 Israelis and more than 27,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, had been killed and more than 66,000 wounded. Protests and vigils sprung up around the world in solidarity with Palestinians, including in Denton. Several U.S. cities, including Chicago, passed resolutions calling for a ceasefire from President Joe Biden. A group called Free Palestine Denton began taking steps to encourage Denton leaders to do the same , amid reminders from online skeptics claiming, “Hmmm ... I didn’t know the city of Denton was bombing Gaza.” More protests and rallies would spring up in Denton as the year progressed. Demonstrators protest diversity, equity and inclusion-related staff firings at the University of Texas at Austin on April 29. March saw local elections creeping up steadily, and early voting was underway . More than 72,000 Denton County residents cast their ballots early in preparation for Tuesday’s primaries, and votes in the Republican primary outnumbered those in the Democratic races during the Feb. 20-March 1 early voting period. Book banning, public fund allocation, education and more were some of many topics on the table. Council members approved and directed animal services staff to move forward with updates to the animal code. These legally binding updates included requiring pet owners to microchip their animals and prohibiting retail pet stores from selling dogs and cats. Despite Mayor Gerard Hudspeth’s request, several public meetings were held to gauge public perception and opinion. Students at UNT continued to grapple with the statewide diversity, equity and inclusion ban brought about by SB 17 as resources like the Multicultural Center were stripped away. One of these resources included UNT’s Eagle Dreamers, a group that supports UNT students who are in the U.S. without legal permission, or DACA students, while also working to educate the campus community on the issues such students face. Eagle Dreamers members saw their DACA resources disappear from their website, spurring concerns. Athletes at Denton’s colleges were thriving. The UNT women’s basketball team was heading into the American Athletic Conference playoffs , and coach Jason Burton was named AAC’s Coach of the Year . At TWU, the all-woman team was soaring above the rest as they began the month as the No. 1 seed in the LSC Tournament, won to take home the LSC title , made it to the Elite Eight in the DII tournament and all the way up to the DII National Championship. Although they lost the championship to Minnesota State Mankato, the team made Denton proud and proved their tenacity. Sanger ISD approved a four-day school week , citing improving teacher retention and recruitment. Meanwhile, Denton ISD rejected hiring chaplains to serve on campus in response to a law passed last year stating that Texas schools can use safety funds to hire them as counselors. The state was also gearing up for the eclipse , which would take place on April 8. From the jump, it seemed Denton residents would have to travel a bit to get a good view of the eclipse as the city was not in the path of totality. On April 3, a new map of the eclipse’s path was published , and Denton was even further from totality. Even Forbes listed Denton as one of the 15 “edge location” cities to avoid for the eclipse. Unexpectedly, the historic Fry Street Fair was announced as happening this year , to the confusion of longtime residents who knew the festival in its first days with the Delta Lodge. Across the city, more things were taking shape. The mysterious business set to take over the McNeill’s building was revealed to be Rose Costumes , a large costume shop previously relegated to Presidio Plaza off of north I-35W near the Explorium Denton Children’s Museum. The shop has flourished since its relocation. Additionally, the City Council approved $1.6 million in funding to renovate the historic Fine Arts Theater on the Square. The building has since seen a repaint and update on the neon lighting. The lineup for the resurrected Fry Street Fair was released , with some still confused or skeptical about the festival’s revival and organization . Still, the fair raged on at the end of April to a decent crowd and with plans to bring the event back for 2025. The May 4 municipal election was just around the corner, and representatives were preparing for the fight. Mayor Hudspeth was one of them, announcing his final run for reelection to serve his third and last term. On the ballot were spots on the DISD school board , City Council Places 5 and 6 and places on the Denton Central Appraisal District board of directors , to name a few. Despite concern over how much of the eclipse would be visible, many locals traveled just a few minutes away and got the experience of a lifetime. It went off without a hitch , with lots of watch parties taking place around town so everyone could catch the phenomenon. Demonstrations concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict were taking place at universities across the country, and UNT was no exception . Many protesters took issue with the invitation of Israeli Army members for a virtual Q&A by UNT Hillel, the campus’ Jewish student organization. The sun sets on the Shell station on Lone Oak Road at Interstate 35 in Valley View on Wednesday, days after it was hit by an EF2 tornado. Winds of 135 mph twisted the steel structure that supported the walls. Cooke County officials said seven people were killed, including two children, when severe storms swept through Cooke County and northern Denton County on Saturday night, May 25. The Denton Chamber of Commerce’s annual Small Business Awards took place , recognizing Soma Massage Therapy, LashUp BrowDown, Boka Feliz and more for their tenacity and service to the community. Not long after the return of Fry Street Fair, Fry Street legend “Big Mike” Sutton passed away at age 70 . He was known for his big personality, parties and ability to bring community to Fry Street businesses. After a tornado and severe storms tore through North Texas , damages were almost insurmountable , many lost power for extended periods of time, runoff voting was impacted and seven lives were lost. Kicking off a series of back-and-forth communication with the city, Clara’s Kitchen, a Southeast Denton restaurant, began a fight concerning regulations as the city claimed that the restaurant’s large gatherings had become a public safety issue . While DISD made foreboding decisions to cut costs by leaving faculty positions vacant , some of the district’s middle school students took it upon themselves to transform the former Chairy Orchard into a butterfly garden . The experience was educational for students as they studied math and nature to construct the garden and provided some much-needed beauty to the former attraction space. A Salvation Army sign advertises a cooling station open during another hot summer. The Denton City Council moved to make air conditioning a requirement for all rental properties in the city for the first time. Juneteenth celebrations in Denton were slated for a whole week , including free events at Fred Moore Park, sporting competitions, concerts and more. It goes without saying that this summer was hot. Like, really hot. Triple-digit heat indexes had the county under frequent heat advisories , and cooling centers were placed around town . To the dismay of Denton cinephiles, Alamo Drafthouse declared bankruptcy and abruptly closed its doors , leaving employees bewildered. A GoFundMe for now unemployed Alamo staff was launched and raised more than $5,000. Within a few days, Sony acquired the theater chain , but Denton residents were still unsure if their beloved theater would reopen. Then, merely weeks later, Denton’s Alamo announced it would be reopening in August . The theater is back up and operating today. Finally, to the delight of longtime Denton locals, The Tomato Pizza re-re-re-opened its beloved food truck . Sky Elements’ drones form the word “Denton” near City Hall West during the Independence Day drone show, presented by the Denton Noon Kiwanis Club. First thing in July, UNT regents unanimously voted to appoint Harrison Keller to the presidential position to start the fall semester. Hopes were high for a second go at the July Fourth drone show, with the drone company even being featured on America’s Got Talent . While the drone show avoided being rained out and went ahead as planned , many residents were dissatisfied, citing a lack of visibility across downtown and inability to get a decent view. The drone company later apologized for the poor showing , stating that they would conduct more thorough testing to find the best location for the drones. Local favorites Milpa Kitchen & Cantina and Pepitas Vegan Taqueria made the decision to close their brick-and-mortar restaurants to merge into one large ghost kitchen that would handle deliveries of their food. Boca 31 was set to join the merger. After much anticipation, the new Union Bear opened its doors in the building on Bell Avenue formerly occupied by Armadillo Ale Works, and with a new mural painted by a local. The city and Denton Municipal Electric approved another price hike on electricity rates. The increase came at 5% this time around, following an increase of about 20% in April. After local elections wrap up and America began to look toward the national election, the challenging of voter rolls and eligibility became a pastime for some in Denton. The city was even featured in an episode of Last Week Tonight on the subject of election subversion, as well as a clip of Denton County Elections Administrator Frank Phillips giving an interview with CNN. Bull riding was a main attraction during the North Texas Fair and Rodeo. Scandal rocked North Texas as several pastors had stepped down or been fired since May , three of whom had been arrested on charges related to sex offenses and another under an internal church investigation for similar allegations. The pastors included Josiah Anthony of Cross Timbers Church , who had been accused of inappropriate conduct with women of the church. Not long after, Cross Timbers executive pastor Byron Copeland also resigned . To no one’s surprise, it was still sweltering in August. Denton residents were asked to reduce water usage to combat drought conditions, more heat advisories were issued , and North Texas Fair and Rodeo officials considered closing several attractions due to the excessive heat. On Aug. 13, Denton County reported its first West Nile virus death of 2024 , and concerns surrounding mosquitoes and West Nile continued to rise. In mid-August, the city released its Design Downtown Denton plan , a massive and comprehensive plan spanning the next decade to transform the area. The plan is set to improve things like walkability, urban heat reduction, build new gathering spaces and support nightlife. The Linda McNatt Animal Care and Adoption Center was involved in a controversy over the euthanasia of a lost dog. At the beginning of September, the murder of a 20-year-old woman, Dylan Gurley, sparked discussions around homelessness and the transgender community in Denton . While police determined that her slaying was not hate-fueled, the chair of the Denton County Homeless Coalition urged residents to consider how her identity and marginalization made her vulnerable to the crime . Officers from the Denton County Sheriff’s office conducted a raid of local dispensary Green Goddess Revival, seizing $10,000 in products . Manager Jack Howell said he had paperwork to prove that the stores products are in compliance with the law, as only products with less than 0.3% of THC are legal in Texas. However, Howell said the officers didn’t seem interested in reviewing the paperwork. The raid sparked discussion about the legality of marijuana in Denton and Texas as a whole. On Tuesday, Sept. 3, a Denton County resident’s pet Labrador, Gunner, went missing. It was later found that Gunner was picked up and at the Denton’s Linda McNatt Animal Care & Adoption Center. Upon arrival to pick up Gunner and take him home, Gilcrease was told that Gunner had been euthanized without knowledge or consent well before the 72-hour stray hold period. Shelter staff cited Gunner’s old age and accompanying arthritis as reason for the euthanasia. The incident sparked an investigation of the shelter, revealing that staff did not consult a vet before euthanizing Gunner. The shelter’s lack of oversight and proper procedure prompted the city to have a consultant conduct a thorough review of the shelter and suggest improvements. Locals were incensed at Gunner’s death and protested on social media and at council meetings , repeating their chant, “Justice for Gunner.” Denton animal services manager Mindy Henry was “relieved from duty” after the incident. After five months as interim police chief, Jessica Robledo was officially sworn in as Denton Police Department chief on Sept. 12 . Denton residents and visitors alike found themselves inconvenienced by major road construction on the Square. To their delight, the project was completed two weeks early , and everyone could enjoy their evenings on the Square again. Almost immediately after, it was announced that the new roadwork had failed an asphalt test, and the work would have to resume and end on the originally scheduled date. People go in and out of Discover Denton, enjoying an evening of Halloween and interaction on the Square on Oct. 18. The North Texas city, renamed Halloween for the month of October, has been hosting 31 days of Halloween, including multiple activities per day and a town full of Halloween decorations. Denton’s first 31 Days of Halloween kicked off with a bang. Halloweentown Star Kimberly J. Brown wished the whole city a happy Halloween and praised the city’s efforts in a personalized video. The schedule of spooky events seemed endless , with something for every Denton resident and visitor every day of the month in as many locations around town as possible. Plus, the photo ops were impeccable. Denton’s 31 Days of Halloween proved to be a lucrative time for the city , bringing 145,000 more visitors and a $43,000 merchandise sale boost. A Denton-themed Monopoly game was released in early October, chock-full of inside jokes, historic locations like the Old Alton Bridge/Goatman’s Bridge, iconic events and more. The city announced a new initiative in which you can pay your neighbor’s utility bills . The idea is that residents will send donations or gifts to lift each other up and foster community. Residents can also make tax-deductible donations to families in need. Now nine months from its beginnings, the Downtown Ambassador program still has mostly mixed reviews , with Square employees and regulars calling the ambassadors themselves “harmless,” but still unsure if the hefty $700,000 annual cost was being put to good use. Many residents still have questions about how ambassadors handle interactions with the unhoused. Still, 77% of business owners reported positive opinions on the program. As fall elections rolled around, residents were urged to get registered and vote early, setting an early voting record of over 94,000 voters in two days . Locally, the election saw victories for Representative-elect Brandon Gill, Sen. Ted Cruz, Rep. Brent Hagenbuch, Rep. Andy Hopper, Sheriff Tracy Murphree and Denton Mayor Gerard Hudspeth . After much back and forth between the City Council and local real estate agents and landlords, short-term rental regulations were finally put into place. The Denton Community Shelter, operated by Our Daily Bread, Together with Monsignor King Outreach Center, is a day center and overnight shelter at 909 N. Loop 288. The nonprofit serves people experiencing homelessness in Denton. As TWU also grappled with a tight budget, the decision was made to increase tuition by 3.78% . Days later, Gov. Greg Abbott announced an extension of a current tuition freeze , halting TWU’s planned hike. For two more years, TWU students will not see an increase in tuition. A sidewalk alongside northern Loop 288 is set to be constructed where only a dirt path was available before. This area is home to the Denton Community Shelter, which needs the gap in pedestrian infrastructure filled to protect visitors. The homeless population in Denton is only increasing as nearby cities close shelters and even give out bus tickets so the unhoused can travel to utilize Denton’s resources. The city is looking to find ways to share the cost of assisting the homeless in the area , such as formally requesting funding from neighboring towns. To round out 2024, the city looks ahead to what's to come in the new year. From what will take over the space longtime Square resident Barley & Board is soon vacating to what will happen in the city's protest against a sewage treatment plant that would halt a lagoon community development in nearby Sanger . Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request.Urvara Fertility Centre Receives Prestigious National And International Awards For Excellence In IVFIsrael confirms assassination of ex-Hamas leader Haniyeh in TehranNEW YORK — There's a Christmas Day basketball game at Walt Disney World, featuring Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Wemby. An animated game, anyway. The real game takes place at Madison Square Garden, where Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs face the New York Knicks in a game televised on ABC and ESPN and streamed on Disney+ and ESPN+. The special alt-cast, the first animated presentation of an NBA game, will be shown on ESPN2 and also stream on Disney+ and ESPN+. Madison Square Garden is a staple of the NBA's Christmas schedule. Now it merges with a bigger home of the holidays, because the "Dunk the Halls" game will be staged at Disney, on a court set up right smack in the middle of where countless families have posed for vacation photos. Why that location? Because it was Mickey Mouse's Christmas wish. "Basketball courts often have the ability to make a normal environment look special, but in Disney it can only turn out incredible," Wembanyama said in an ESPN video promoting his Christmas debut. The story — this is Disney, after all — begins with Mickey penning a letter to Santa Claus, asking if he and his pals can host a basketball game. They'll not only get to watch one with NBA players, but some of them will even get to play. Goofy and Donald Duck will sub in for a couple Knicks players, while Mickey and Minnie Mouse will come on to play for the Spurs. "It looks to me like Goofy and Jalen Brunson have a really good pick-and-roll at the elite level," said Phil Orlins, an ESPN vice president of production. Walt Disney World hosted real NBA games in 2020, when the league set up there to complete its season that had been suspended by the COVID-19 pandemic. Those games were played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports. The setting for the Christmas game will be Main Street USA, at the entrance of the Magic Kingdom. Viewers will recognize Cinderella's castle behind one baseline and the train station at the other end, and perhaps some shops they have visited in between. Previous alternate animated broadcasts included an NFL game taking place in Andy's room from "Toy Story;" the "NHL Big City Greens Classic" during a game between the Washington Capitals and New York Rangers; and earlier this month, another NFL matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Dallas Cowboys also taking place at Springfield's Atoms Stadium as part of "The Simpsons Funday Football." Unlike basketball, the players are helmeted in those sports. So, this telecast required an extra level of detail and cooperation with players and teams to create accurate appearances of their faces and hairstyles. "So, this is a level of detail that we've never gone, that we've never done on any other broadcast," said David Sparrgrove, the senior director of creative animation for ESPN. Wembanyama, the 7-foot-3 phenom from France who was last season's NBA Rookie of the Year, looks huge even among most NBA players. The creators of the alternate telecast had to design how he'd look not only among his teammates and rivals, but among mice, ducks and chipmunks. "Like, Victor Wembanyama, seeing him in person is insane. It's like seeing an alien descend on a basketball court, and I think we kind of captured that in his animated character," said Drew Carter, who will again handle play-by-play duties, as he had in the previous animated telecasts, and will get an assist from sideline reporter Daisy Duck. Wembanyama's presence is one reason the Spurs-Knicks matchup, the leadoff to the NBA's five-game Christmas slate, was the obvious choice to do the animated telecast. The noon EST start means it will begin in the early evening in France and should draw well there. Also, it comes after ABC televises the "Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade" for the previous two hours, providing more time to hype the broadcast. Recognizing that some viewers who then switch over to the animated game may be Disney experts but NBA novices, there will be 10 educational explainers to help with basketball lingo and rules. Beyond Sports' visualization technology and Sony's Hawk-Eye tracking allow the animated players to make the same movements and plays made moments earlier by the real ones at MSG. Carter and analyst Monica McNutt will be animated in the style of the telecast, donning VR headsets to experience the game from Main Street, USA. Other animated faces recognizable to some viewers include NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, who will judge a halftime dunk contest among Mickey and his friends, and Santa himself, who will operate ESPN's "SkyCam" during the game. The players are curious how the production — and themselves — will look. "It's going to be so crazy to see the game animated," Spurs veteran Chris Paul said. "I think what's dope about it is it will give kids another opportunity to watch a game and to see us, basically, as characters." Get local news delivered to your inbox!

AP Sports SummaryBrief at 4:39 p.m. ESTNissan and Honda to attempt a merger that would create the world's No. 3 automaker TOKYO (AP) — Japanese automakers Nissan and Honda have announced plans to work toward a merger that would catapult them to a top position in an industry in the midst of tectonic shifts as it transitions away from its reliance on fossil fuels. The two companies said they signed an agreement on integrating their businesses on Monday. Smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors agreed to join the talks. News of a possible merger surfaced earlier this month. Japanese automakers face a strong challenge from their Chinese rivals and Tesla as they make inroads into markets at home and abroad. What a merger between Nissan and Honda means for the automakers and the industry BANGKOK (AP) — Japanese automakers Honda and Nissan will attempt to merge and create the world’s third-largest automaker by sales as the industry undergoes dramatic changes in its transition away from fossil fuels. The two companies said they had signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday and that smaller Nissan alliance member Mitsubishi Motors also had agreed to join the talks on integrating their businesses. Honda will initially lead the new management, retaining the principles and brands of each company. Following is a quick look at what a combined Honda and Nissan would mean for the companies, and for the auto industry. Nordstrom to be acquired by Nordstrom family and a Mexican retail group in $6.25 billion deal Century-old department store Nordstrom has agreed to be acquired and taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. Nordstrom shareholders will receive $24.25 in cash for each share of Nordstrom common stock, representing a 42% premium on the company’s stock as of March 18. Nordstrom’s board of directors unanimously approved the the proposed transaction, while Erik and Pete Nordstrom — part of the Nordstrom family taking over the company — recused themselves from voting. Following the close of the transaction, the Nordstrom Family will have a majority ownership stake in the company. An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump won a return to the White House in part by promising big changes in economic policy — more tax cuts, huge tariffs on imports, mass deportations of immigrants working in the United States illegally. In some ways, his victory marked a repudiation of President Joe Biden’s economic stewardship and a protest against inflation. It came despite low unemployment and steady growth under the Biden administration. What lies ahead for the economy under Trump? Paul Ashworth of Capital Economics spoke recently to The Associated Press. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. American consumers feeling less confident in December, Conference Board says American consumers are feeling less confident in December, a business research group says. The Conference Board said Monday that its consumer confidence index fell back in December to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Consumers had been feeling increasingly confident in recent months. The consumer confidence index measures both Americans’ assessment of current economic conditions and their outlook for the next six months. The measure of Americans’ short-term expectations for income, business and the job market tumbled more than a dozen points to 81.1. The Conference Board says a reading under 80 can signal a potential recession in the near future. Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week Stocks closed higher on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Monday. Several big technology companies helped support the gains, including chip companies Nvidia and Broadcom. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1%. Honda's U.S.-listed shares rose sharply after the company said it was in talks about a combination with Nissan in a deal that could also include Mitsubishi Motors. Eli Lilly rose after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. The internet is rife with fake reviews. Will AI make it worse? Researchers and watchdog groups say the emergence of generative artificial intelligence tools that allow people to efficiently produce detailed and novel online reviews has put merchants, service providers and consumers in uncharted territory. Phony reviews have long plagued many popular consumer websites, such as Amazon and Yelp. But AI-infused text generation tools enable fraudsters to produce reviews faster and in greater volume, according to tech industry experts. The deceptive practice is illegal in the U.S. and becomes a bigger problem for consumers during the holiday shopping season, when many people rely on reviews to buy gifts. A tech company and watchdog group that uses software to detect fake reviews says AI-generated reviews have multiplied. Romanian lawmakers narrowly approve new pro-European coalition during period of political turmoil BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) — Romanian lawmakers have voted narrowly in favor of a new pro-European coalition government led by incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. The move on Monday could usher in an end to a protracted political crisis in the European Union country following the annulment of a presidential election. Parliament approved the new administration in a 240-143 vote in the 466-seat legislature. The new coalition is made up of the leftist Social Democratic Party, the center-right National Liberal Party, the small ethnic Hungarian UDMR party and national minorities. President Klaus Iohannis swore in the new government on Monday night. Government regulators close investigation into Ford Focus recalls Government safety regulators are closing an investigation into two previous recalls of the Ford Focus after determining that Ford Motor Co. has satisfied its concerns. Ford recalled around 1.5 million Ford Focus sedans from the 2012-2018 model years in 2018 because they could lose power. The issue was a malfunctioning canister purge valve and software that didn’t adequately detect when it was stuck open. Ford fixed the software in two separate recalls, but after cars continued to stall, the government opened an inquiry last year. Earlier this fall, Ford offered to replace the canister purge valve on all of the vehicles, satisfying regulators' concerns. AI will eavesdrop on world's wildest places to track and help protect endangered wildlife PUERTO JIMÉNEZ, Costa Rica (AP) — A biologist hid 350 audio monitors across Costa Rica’s tropical rainforests to spy on endangered spider monkeys in order to help protect them. But she had to go back to collect the data and feed those sounds into artificial intelligence systems that can recognize monkey calls. Now tech giant Microsoft's philanthropic arm is hoping to supercharge AI-assisted wildlife research with new solar-powered devices that can capture sounds, images and other wilderness data for a year or more without human intervention. Researchers say more AI wildlife surveillance is urgently needed to monitor the health of species at risk of extinction.Cart.com Partners With Greenwing Technology to Revolutionize E-Procurement for Institutional Buyers 12-26-2024 11:06 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: White Label SEO Firm Image: https://www.globalnewslines.com/uploads/2024/12/1735215457.jpg Cart.com, a leading provider of unified commerce and logistics software and services, has teamed up with Greenwing Technology, a pioneer in punchout integrations, to make e-procurement [ https://www.greenwingtechnology.com/eprocurement-solutions/ ] easier and more efficient for institutional buyers like universities, government agencies, and large corporations. By combining Cart.com's robust B2B Commerce Platform with Greenwing Technology's advanced punchout integration, this collaboration enables suppliers and distributors to directly connect with buyers' e-procurement systems. Popular platforms such as SAP Ariba, Coupa, and Jaggaer are now seamlessly supported, making procurement workflows faster and easier for everyone involved. How the Integration Benefits Businesses For Suppliers Using Cart.com's Platform:Suppliers gain powerful tools to streamline operations and reach more customers, including: * Direct Integration: Automatically connect to buyers' e-procurement platforms, ensuring real-time product availability and accurate pricing. * Automated Workflows: Simplify the purchasing process from start to finish, reducing errors and saving time. * Scalability: Support a wide range of e-procurement systems, making it ideal for businesses of all sizes. For Institutional Buyers:Buyers benefit from a streamlined procurement experience that improves compliance, enhances transparency, and simplifies purchasing. With these capabilities, suppliers can easily meet the unique requirements of institutional buyers, unlocking new business opportunities and building stronger partnerships. Innovation Driving Growth This integration highlights the shared commitment of Cart.com and Greenwing Technology to innovation and operational excellence. By automating and simplifying the e-procurement process, businesses can enhance their capabilities, reduce inefficiencies, and stay competitive in a fast-evolving market. "We're excited to partner with Greenwing Technology to make e-procurement easier for our customers," said Jack Cravy, VP of B2B Commerce at Cart.com. "This integration streamlines the buying process, saves time, and opens up new opportunities for suppliers to work with large organizations. It's all about making B2B commerce simple and efficient." Whether you're a supplier looking to grow or a buyer aiming for a smoother procurement process, this collaboration is designed to create value for everyone. For more information about Cart.com's B2B Commerce Platform or Greenwing Technology's punchout integrations, visit Cart.com [ http://cart.com ] and Greenwing Technology [ https://www.greenwingtechnology.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgJa6BhCOARIsAMiL7V9lGoClnLNJGyXf959eefcbTYt9tdeKEQQH513OtaciSl6moGoeg1IaAqE-EALw_wcB ]. Location: https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d3070.433402872646!2d-75.74060140000002!3d39.6849583!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x89c6fd3f0ada4b95%3A0xf9fc566a06290e11!2sGreenwing%20Technology%2C%20Inc.!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1734538737102!5m2!1sen!2sus " width= About Greenwing Technology Greenwing Technology is a leading Punchout Catalog and eProcurement service provider with 15+ years of industry expertise. Our integrations connect 25+ supplier e-commerce systems with 130+ buyer eProcurement platforms through a simple, cloud-based solution. Greenwing Technology offers Punchout Catalog Integrations, electronic Purchase Orders and Invoicing, Advanced Shipping Notices (ASN), and eQuote capabilities on a cloud-based system. Media Contact Company Name: Greenwing Technology, Inc. Contact Person: Jessica Smith Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=cartcom-partners-with-greenwing-technology-to-revolutionize-eprocurement-for-institutional-buyers ] Phone: 1-877-415-3237 Address:314 E Main St Suite 401 City: Newark State: DE 19711 Country: United States Website: https://www.greenwingtechnology.com/ This release was published on openPR.

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[ ] President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, an Indian American Stanford University professor and vocal critic of COVID-19 lockdowns, as the next director of the National Institutes of Health. believes Bhattacharya and , a vaccine skeptic he has chosen to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), would work to restore the nation to health. “Together, Jay and RFK Jr. will restore the NIH to a Gold Standard of Medical Research as they examine the underlying causes of, and solutions to, America’s biggest Health challenges, including our Crisis of Chronic Illness and Disease,” Trump on Tuesday. “Together, they will work hard to Make America Healthy Again!” Both appointments, along with as HHS deputy secretary, are subject to Senate confirmation. If confirmed, Bhattacharya would lead the ’s $47.7 billion budget and oversee 27 institutes and centers. Responding in an , Bhattacharya said he is “honored and humbled” by Trump’s appointment. “We will reform American scientific institutions so that they are worthy of trust again and will deploy the fruits of excellent science to make America healthy again,” he noted. Bhattacharya, a physician and economist, gained prominence in 2020 as a co-author of the , which opposed lockdowns and advocated for achieving herd immunity through natural infection among low-risk groups while protecting the vulnerable. However, many , including former NIH director , dismissed the declaration as “dangerous” and “fringe.” Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also deemed the approach “unethical,” adding that herd immunity has never been used as a response to an outbreak. Meanwhile, Bhattacharya’s criticism of NIH leadership during the pandemic and his call for reforms have from figures like and . With his nomination, the future of NIH policies and public health strategies may pivot sharply, reflecting Trump’s broader vision for health care reform.From historic polls in Kashmir that were held after for the first time after scrapping of Article 370 to removal of BJD from power in Odisha after over 24 years, the electoral landscape of this year changed, the year 2024 saw intense face-offs in regional battleground with state elections held in atleast eight states. As curtains come down on year 2024, parties have already started with preparations for their next fight in Delhi and Bihar. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for In 2024, India's poll panel held elections in Kashmir, ending six years of presidential rule in the aftermath of the abrogation of Article 370 through tight three-phase assembly polls in J&K even as there were serious security concerns amid reports of a hundred plus infiltrators and a spate of terror attacks in Jammu region. The ECI continued its performance streak going with smooth conduct of assembly polls in Haryana, Jharkhand and Maharashtra later in the year. After Lok Sabha elections, the opposition was confident for the next set of state elections in 2024, owing to BJP being brusied after poor results. However, the BJP bounced back in spectacular fashion in the assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra, regaining its electoral power. Here are eight elections that changed political landscape of India: Arunachal Pradesh: The incumbent Arunachal Pradesh government of BJP retained their government and bettered their number as they won 46 seats in the 2024 elections , which is 5 more than their numbers in 2019. As the performance of the other parties in the state is concerned, the National People’s Party secured the second position with 5 seats, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) got 3, the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) got 2, the Indian National Congress got just 1, while three seats were claimed by independent candidates. Artificial Intelligence(AI) Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Basics of Generative AI: Unveiling Tomorrows Innovations By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Generative AI for Dynamic Java Web Applications with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Office Productivity Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance A2Z Of Money By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Marketing Modern Marketing Masterclass by Seth Godin By - Seth Godin, Former dot com Business Executive and Best Selling Author View Program Astrology Vastu Shastra Course By - Sachenkumar Rai, Vastu Shashtri View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI and Analytics based Business Strategy By - Tanusree De, Managing Director- Accenture Technology Lead, Trustworthy AI Center of Excellence: ATCI View Program Web Development A Comprehensive ASP.NET Core MVC 6 Project Guide for 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) AI-Powered Python Mastery with Tabnine: Boost Your Coding Skills By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital marketing - Wordpress Website Development By - Shraddha Somani, Digital Marketing Trainer, Consultant, Strategiest and Subject Matter expert View Program Office Productivity Mastering Google Sheets: Unleash the Power of Excel and Advance Analysis By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Mastering Full Stack Development: From Frontend to Backend Excellence By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Data Science SQL Server Bootcamp 2024: Transform from Beginner to Pro By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Historically, Congress dominated the Arunachal Pradesh State Assembly elections after the very first elections in 1985, the 2019 election was the first instance Congress lost the state assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh. Notably, BJP already won 10 seats unopposed in the state as the opposition failed to field any contestant on all these 10 seats. Sikkim: The ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) increased its tally to 31 seats in the Assembly elections 2024, up from 17 in 2019. In March, the BJP had called off its alliance with the SKM describing it as “corrupt”. On the other hand, the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), which ruled the state for 25 years in a row till 2019, won one seat. In 2019, the party had won 15. This follows the trend of the SDF’s decline from 2009 when it won all seats in the State. Since 2014, when SDF first contested in the elections, the party has unseated the SKM from the Assembly. The BJP contested in 31 assembly seats but failed to win a single one in Sikkim where it had 12 members in the outgoing House. The BJP could secure only 5.18 per cent of the votes in the Himalayan state. The saffron party decided to go alone in the Sikkim Assembly polls after severing its alliance with the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) led by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang after the seat-sharing talks broke down on the latter's reluctance to meet the BJP's demand for a respectable number of seats. Andhra Pradesh: It was a landslide victory in the Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly polls as the Chandrababu Naidu-led TDP-BJPJSP alliance routed the YSR Jagan Mohan Reddy regime, winning 165 out of 175 seats. The TDP alone cleared the majority mark with 136 seats, cementing former CM Naidu’s position as he makes his comeback after his party’s crushing defeat in the 2019 assembly polls, months after he was arrested under allegations of being involved in the Skill Development Corporation scam. The BJP won eight seats in the state, an improvement from winning nothing in the 2019 polls. Odisha: It was historic win for BJP in the the that was ruled by Biju Janata Dal for decaded. In the polls, Patnaik's BJD was defeated by the Bharatiya Janata Party in the state elections, dethroning Patnaik after five terms in power. The BJP stormed to power in Odisha, ending the 24-year rule of the BJD, by winning 78 seats in the 147-member assembly. The Patnaik-led party, on the other hand, bagged 51 seats, while the Congress won 14 constituencies, the CPI (M) one. Three Independent nominees also emerged victorious. thE BJD failed to win any of the Lok Sabha seats in the state, with the BJP bagging 20 and the Congress one. Jammu and Kashmir: BJP won 29 seats in Jammu and Kashmir elections surpassing its previous highest tally of 25 seats in the 2014 election. As per Election Commission of India data, BJP secured 25.64 per cent vote share. After a decade, Jammu and Kashmir has elected its representatives for the legislative Assembly. The Union Territory’s people have given a historic mandate to the National Conference (NC)-Congress-CPI(M) alliance, with 49 of the 90 Assembly seats. The last time any party or pre-election bloc crossed the majority mark was in the 1996 Assembly election. Haryana: The BJP on Tuesday won a historic third consecutive term in Haryana after winning 48 of the 90 seats. The win is significant for several reasons, reflecting both the party's strategic positioning and the evolving political landscape in Haryana. The saffron party became the first to achieve a hattrick of wins in Haryana. The achievement not only highlights the party's dominance in the state's politics but also sets a precedent for future elections. BJP has shown once again that it can maintain power over terms and battle anti-incumbency. Jharkhand: The year 2024 in Jharkhand unfolded like a gripping political drama, a narrative filled with suspense, unexpected twists, and electrifying comebacks. The year began like a Bollywood thriller with Chief Minister Hemant Soren's mysterious disappearance from Delhi sparking widespread speculations. This prompted JMM to elect Champai Soren, a loyal aide of JMM supremo Shibu Soren, who earned the sobriquet 'Jharkhand's Tiger' for his contribution to the long fight for the creation of a separate state in the 1990s, as party leader. Champai ascended to the chair of the state's chief minister in February and the ruling JMM-led alliance proved its majority. In a stunning comeback, Hemant Soren's JMM-led alliance in November stormed to power for a second consecutive term, winning 56 seats in the 81-member assembly, despite an all-out blitz by the BJP-led NDA which managed only 24 seats. Maharashtra: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has scripted a landslide victory in Maharashtra. It has won (leading) in over 130 seats on its own while the Mahayuti alliance got 225 seats - way more than the required halfway mark of 145. This was in stark contrast to BJP's big setback during the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Just six months back, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP had an ambitious target of 400 plus seats. But the party failed terribly and the saffron party could not even cross the majority mark, winning only 240 seats in the Lok Sabha, down from 303 in 2019. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )

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Stock market 12-02-24: Rising tech stocks pull Wall Street to another recordFormer President Barack Obama is stepping back into the spotlight after President-elect Donald Trump ’s decisive 312 to 226 Electoral College victory last month, raising questions about his role in the Democratic Party moving forward. Obama is participating in a conversation with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel about her new book at the Anthem in Washington, D.C., on Monday. Merkel's book offers an extensive list of complaints about Trump in her new memoir, describing her experience working with him in an unflattering light. The former president also plans to headline the 2024 Obama Democracy Forum in Chicago later this week with actor Ryan Reynolds and country singer Reyna Roberts to discuss “pluralism,” in which diverse communities find ways to work together. Obama’s public appearances come less than a month after the presidential election left Democrats attempting to understand why the party appears to be disconnected from working-class voters. The results of the election also have led some to question whether Obama’s influence remains relevant. Longtime Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf believes Obama is a critical figure within the Democratic Party. “His influence is not waning — you can’t get rid of heroes if you can’t replace them,” he said. “The Democrats have a generational issue and a fundamental identity issue." “The party has to regroup. The question is — can Barack Obama and the heroes of the past help them do that, or do they need an entire new generation to get to work?” Sheinkopf said. Topics that will be addressed at the Obama Foundation Forum on Thursday will be “Why Pluralism Matters,” “How to Make Progress in Polarized Times,” and “The Power of Culture and Connection." Attendees will participate in workshops where they will “learn new tools to foster productive dialogue essential to inclusive and resilient communities,” according to the Obama Foundation. Brad Bannon, a Democratic strategist, believes Obama feels more comfortable appearing in public in an effort to speak out about Trump’s plans. “He is stepping back in the spotlight — you’ll see him talk about national security issues because I think he’s concerned about the direction that the president-elect will take in dismantling NATO and withdrawing support for Ukrainians,” Bannon said. “I think he’s very concerned about the direction that Trump will take in foreign policy and believes that Trump will undermine our national and international posture — so I think that’s what this conversation with Merkel is about, but he wants to stay above the partisan fray," the strategist said. CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER Obama was active on the campaign trail, crisscrossing the country for Vice President Kamala Harris's presidential bid and, at one point, scolded black men who were finding " excuses " for not wanting to support the first black female president. Obama unleashed scathing criticism of Trump in the final months of the campaign, portraying him as unfit for office. "We do not need to see what an older, loonier Donald Trump looks like with no guardrails," he said at an Arizona rally in October. Bannon predicts Obama will try to be less visible in internal Democratic Party politics and wield his influence beyond the scenes. “I think he purposely doesn’t enjoy partisan politics very much. I think he stepped up in the last month for Harris, but I don’t think you’ll see him doing a lot of Democratic Party politics,” he explained. “He prefers to be in the background and make his influence felt indirectly. “It would be a surprise to me if he didn’t weigh in behind the scenes on the new choice of a Democratic National Party chair — and I think a lot of Democrats respect his advice and counsel, but he’s going to do that indirectly.”Dundee commended for 'thinking outside the box' as manager explains Monterrey link-up

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Relief defiance anger Families and advocates react to Biden's death row commutationsA ship-to-shore data connection seems to have been compromised. Do you pull the plug right away or wait for more details to better assess the risks? What decisions need to be made and who needs to be informed? These are just some of the questions you might face if you participate in a cyber incident exercise. How would you manage and what would you learn? As the maritime industry becomes ever more connected and data driven, there are enormous new opportunities, but also intensifying threats. Cyber criminals are constantly finding new and clever ways to hack systems and steal data. Until recently, however, there was very little in terms of mandatory cyber security requirements on maritime equipment. In the summer of 2022, the International Association of Classification Societies adopted two new Unified Requirements on maritime cyber security. If you contract a newbuild vessel on or after July 1, 2024, it will need to comply with these requirements. Some of the responsibility lies with the owner, some with the shipyards and some with the equipment vendors who supply the equipment for the vessel. With new standards and equipment, the maritime industry should be a lot better prepared to face cyberattacks. But as with any safety equipment or procedures, they need to be tested regularly so that you know how to respond effectively if things ever go wrong. Just like an office fire drill, the aim of a cyber incident exercise is to prepare you for the real thing – to give your people the experience and skills they need to make the right decisions when it really matters. Wärtsilä regularly conducts these cyber incident exercises. In a recent exercise, participants from the Wärtsilä Marine management team were told that there had been a potential hack of the Wärtsilä connection for sending and receiving data between shoreside operations and cruise vessels. The connection is working properly but somebody might have taken over the system with unknown consequences. Do we pull the plug immediately, causing service disruptions and costing everyone involved significant amounts of money, or do we wait for more details to assess risks more accurately? Is this even a real attack? The aim of the exercise was not to find technical solutions but to enhance decision making, cooperation and communication skills. Participants focused on risk assessment, mitigation planning and crisis management, while the exercise evolved in real time as more information became available and new issues were thrown into the mix. “The exercise was very realistic and pretty stressful – and that was before things took an unexpected twist. Suddenly a call came into the situation room from Leigh Carr, Vice President, Maritime Cybersafety at Carnival Corporation. This was not an actor but a genuine customer, and she wanted to know what was happening. Suddenly things became even more realistic,” explains participant Andrea Morgante, Vice President Performance Services, Marine at Wärtsilä. At first the participants felt uncomfortable, but it soon became clear that transparency, open communication and a united front against the common threat was the best line of defence. Because knowledge is power, the more information that is available – and the faster it is shared within the team – the more each party can bring their own experiences and expertise to the table. And this is not just in terms of finding technical solutions to the problem, but also aspects such as communicating to employees, stakeholders and, in this case, passengers. The best teams don’t win by just turning up to the game and doing their best. They win because their skills and the way the players interact have been perfected over countless hours of practice. Cyber resilience is no different. The more you practice, the better you play together and the harder it is for the opposition to divide and conquer you. For the participants from the Wärtsilä Marine management team, the exercise with a participant from Carnival was a great opportunity to share and develop best practices as well as to test plans and procedures. Exercises like this mean that if there ever is a real situation, the affected parties will have a big head start when it comes to neutralising the threat because the basics will be second nature. Joint preparedness raises collective resilience. “Wherever you are in the maritime value chain – a ship owner or operator, a yard, a port or a supplier – the value of joint cyber incident exercises cannot be overstated. If you have a cyber security team and see cyber resilience as a key focus area, let’s learn and develop together,” says Morgante. Source: WärtsiläWhen Claire realised she needed protection from a former partner, the warning she received was stark. Black Friday Sale Subscribe Now! Login or signup to continue reading All articles from our website The digital version of Today's Paper Breaking news alerts direct to your inbox All articles from the other regional websites in your area Continue "If you go down this pathway, don't be surprised if the abuse gets worse. Don't be surprised if his behaviour towards you gets worse," she says police and lawyers told her about starting civil proceedings. "But you know, just call us. We're only a phone call away." The feeling of security a court-issued family violence order initially gave her was fleeting. "It doesn't really give you any safety. It's just words at the end of the day. So, you just are living in this constant state of fear," she tells ACM. Like Claire, Olivia's order doesn't make her feel any safer from a man she fears so much she has fled the ACT multiple times during civil and criminal proceedings. "What it did was made me feel like that was now the highest risk time," she says about the order being served. Thousands marched to Parliament House in April in the wake of Australian women dying at the hands of men. Picture by Keegan Carroll, Shutterstock Claire and Olivia's cases are, in many ways, similar examples of family violence. The pair have feared for the safety of their children and shared crisis services, and both describe the court orders purportedly protecting them as "just a piece of paper". They are also both referred to using pseudonyms for their safety and because identifying parties involved in protection order proceedings is illegal in the ACT. Messages, threats, murder Family violence order breaches are frequent in the territory and range from overt to surreptitious. They can be frighteningly creative, intimidating and, in some cases, fatal. Acts of violence, letters, stalking, deliveries, threats, notes, phone calls, bank transfer messages, or even a Spotify playlist have all been used to terrify victims who sought a legal form of security. One such order failed to stop a man from sending his ex-partner almost 1000 messages and threatening her life with a hunting knife . Another local abuser ignored the order his ex-wife obtained when he sent her 290 messages in one day and threatened to share a video of the pair having sex. In August, a serial perpetrator was sentenced in the ACT Supreme Court for raping his former partner only hours after being released from jail. Justice David Mossop described the NSW apprehended domestic violence order in place designed to protect that territory victim as "completely ineffective". An order also didn't stop a man from sending his ex-partner pipe bomb and napalm-related threats, or an image of himself defiantly burning the legal document. Nor did the court's protection prevent Marcus Rappel from forcing his way into Tara Costigan's home and murdering her with an axe as she fed their newborn baby . A judge found the horrific attack was his retaliation to the interim order granted the previous day. Tara Costigan, who was murdered a day after being granted a family violence order. Picture supplied On the frontline, ACT police attended 3352 family violence incidents last financial year. Of the 1053 related apprehensions made, being any action commencing legal proceedings by charging someone, about 40 per cent of those people had been previously apprehended for family violence. This two-part series gives a voice to those whose accounts of abuse have been heard and vindicated by the courts but who feel let down, marginalised and left to fend for themselves by the criminal justice system. 'Just a piece of paper' Before splitting up with her high school sweetheart, Claire believed she was in a good marriage with a supportive and loving man. Looking back, she says: "I was 100 per cent in an abusive - emotionally abusive, financially abusive - relationship." "I see it now clear as day." After they separated, his communication turned into abusive text messages, berating calls and veiled threats. "The mask came off," she says, and she was eventually granted a family violence order after presenting the man's conduct to a court. The ACT Magistrates Court. Picture by Karleen Minney It would take police nearly two months to serve the order due to inter-jurisdictional complications. "Obviously I felt a bit of relief when I had the [order] granted. It was the first time I'd ever been in a situation like that and I thought, 'OK, I will feel safe from now on'," Claire recalls. "But of course, that's not the case. At the end of the day, it's just a piece of paper. It really doesn't do much in terms of stopping the behaviour. "More often than not they know that, they understand that, and they continue to do it." But despite the order being granted, Claire claims her ex-husband frequently breaches its conditions or purposefully hovers around its edges. "There have been occasions where he's been only a couple of metres away from me and he thinks it's quite funny," she says. "He will regularly staunch or stare at me or intimidate me, flex his muscles during drop off. And he does this in front of our kids - they've commented on it before." Claire believes it's the man's way of showing he can still scare and control her despite a court finding that type of behaviour warranted protection. ACT Magistrates can deal with dozens of family violence cases in a day. Picture by Karleen Minney "Breach left, right and centre - each time that has happened and nothing has been done. It emboldens the perpetrator," she says. "They already believe they're untouchable, and they can do whatever they want, and there are no consequences." 'You're on your own' Claire says police haven't taken alleged order breaches seriously and, for example, told her the man "could spin that and say that's not what actually happened". She recalls an occasion when her child joked about killing her if she didn't read them a book. The child told her they heard the chilling words from her ex-husband and been asked if they, too, wanted to "kill mummy". But it was the man's word against hers, Claire says police told her, and their child was too young to be considered a credible witness. April's National Rally Against Violence in Canberra. Picture by Keegan Carroll More recently, her ex-husband walked by her at an after-school event against the distance terms of the order and in sight of a witness who provided a supportive statement. But Claire says an officer told her they couldn't charge the man with a breach because he had simply taken "the most logical" route to his car. "This is the simplest example of why women don't trust police and why [orders] mean nothing," she says. "The overwhelming conclusion I have gotten from the court system - from the child protection systems, from the family violence systems, from the policing systems - is that unless you're experiencing the absolute worst of the worst, and even then, we probably won't help you." Claire was fortunate to be supported, both emotionally and financially, by her family. But she says many women aren't so lucky and "are essentially dropped on their asses and have to start over". "I think a lot of people start the process and go, 'This is f---ed, there's no point'," she says. "There is no point because nobody actually does anything and you're kind of left on your own to figure it out." 'Psychological torture of waiting' Like Claire, Olivia is disillusioned with the system after her former partner was convicted of multiple breaches of a protection order. It took police over a week and a half to serve him with that order and for it to take effect. Olivia acknowledges demands on the system but says the anxiety of waiting was unbearable during a time of extreme stress, change and uncertainty. The victim had already fled interstate by the time her former life partner was served, an action she was warned would increase her risk. The ACT Magistrates Court, where family violence orders are sought. Picture by Karleen Minney "The psychological torture of waiting, knowing that your risk could go through the roof at any minute, and you're expecting it ASAP," she says. "Every day you're just waiting for the phone call and you don't know when it's going to come." Olivia says the only thing the order being served did was give her more official recourse and force police to take her seriously if the man did something that was "not lethal". "But when your fear is that it's going to be lethal, it doesn't exactly do much for that. Does it?" she says. She escaped the relationship after making a startling and confronting discovery about her partner. "I went to the lawyer, and they called in [the Domestic Violence Crisis Service], and I didn't go home again," she says. "And then [my child] didn't go home again, so we didn't get to bring anything with us. We had what we were wearing when we left and then we went into hiding, effectively." An application form for an ACT family violence order. Picture supplied Olivia was later forced to wait multiple days before she could make a formal statement about the order's breaches and the man could subsequently be arrested. Coercive control Since leaving her former partner, Olivia and her child have been frequently displaced. "Relocating permanently, relocating temporarily, is all part of the considerations with safety planning and a very real aspect impacting people in this situation," she says. "[People incur] additional expenses with travel or the disruption to your life, to children's lives, to education, to your social connections, to your family, to your pets, to your home." According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 38 per cent of clients using specialist homelessness services in 2022-23 had experienced family and domestic violence. But Olivia says there is another part of her experience not getting enough coverage in the national conversation around violence. She believes there is a poor community understanding of coercive control, a pattern of abusive behaviour designed to undermine another person's autonomy. "I spent years in this relationship asking, 'Is this coercive control?' I know logically and rationally it is," she says. "But you don't trust your judgement." Olivia says perpetrators like her ex can hide their abuse from everyone outside the relationship, including police. ACT Policing says while coercive control is not criminalised in the ACT, it acknowledges it as a 'concerning behaviour and a risk factor'. Picture by Karleen Minney "He will present as very polite, very agreeable. And then he will manipulate that," she says. While a protection order can be sought over the controlling conduct in the ACT, the jurisdiction has not yet made coercive control a standalone criminal offence. Some local advocates believe the territory government should wait for greater community understanding before introducing laws , while others say the ACT is needlessly falling behind . But for Olivia, the "law is not good enough" and the territory government needs to criminalise coercive control as soon as possible because "lives are at stake". Based on her experience, the victim questions whether those working in the justice system are appropriately trained. "I just don't know that the police understand the perpetrator could completely believe they're the victim, wholeheartedly, genuinely believe they're the victim," she says. "They're going to behave like a victim, in a sense. But it's only with the specialist knowledge around coercive control you're going to pick up things in the way they present their victim side." An ACT Policing spokesperson said all new officers undertake an extensive domestic and family violence training package delivered with the assistance of external non-governmental organisations and academics. "This package educates new police on coercive control and equips police to identify and respond to coercive control in domestic and family violence situations," they said. Police are preparing to launch a new domestic and family violence investigations unit . "New investigators, amongst other things, will also receive training on trauma-informed policing methodologies," they said. "ACT Policing expects to take this opportunity to further enhance the training it provides all police on misidentification." 'Low risk' But Olivia also believes a lack of information about her experience and the nuances around coercive control affected the community-based jail sentence her perpetrator received. "The court deemed him low risk of reoffending," she says, also noting the magistrate's focus on the man's lack of criminal history. "I was horrified by that. On what planet could someone possibly make that comment?" DVCS chief executive officer Sue Webeck. Picture by Sitthixay Ditthavong Earlier this year, Domestic Violence Crisis Service chief executive Sue Webeck said she hoped the territory was listening to those harmed by the justice system. "There is a really big disconnect at the moment between what we as a society hope happens to keep people in our community safe versus what the courts and policing do and respond to," she told this masthead. "You cannot change an institutional culture from within the institution. "You need to bring outside frontline expertise into the conversation." Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Domestic Violence Crisis Service 6280 0900; Lifeline 13 11 14; MensLine 1300 789 978; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732. Share Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Email Copy Tim Piccione Court reporter Tim is a journalist with the Canberra Times covering the ACT courts. He came to the nation's capital via the Daily Advertiser in Wagga. Contact: tim.piccione@canberratimes.com.au. Tim is a journalist with the Canberra Times covering the ACT courts. He came to the nation's capital via the Daily Advertiser in Wagga. Contact: tim.piccione@canberratimes.com.au. More from Court and Crime 'Just a piece of paper': Domestic violence orders don't make Claire and Olivia safe 54m ago Young people being targeted by sexual harassment predators Yes, a small number die from vaccines. We can't let it play into anti-vax hands Man caught on CCTV allegedly robbing Manuka Coles during minute of silence Parents' joy as mementoes of dead son are returned after grave theft Racism sadly reminiscent of my experience finally called out

By CLAIRE RUSH President-elect Donald Trump has once again suggested he wants to revert the name of North America’s tallest mountain — Alaska’s Denali — to Mount McKinley, wading into a sensitive and decades-old conflict about what the peak should be called. Related Articles National Politics | Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug use National Politics | An analyst looks ahead to how the US economy might fare under Trump National Politics | Trump again calls to buy Greenland after eyeing Canada and the Panama Canal National Politics | House Ethics Committee accuses Gaetz of ‘regularly’ paying for sex, including with 17-year-old girl National Politics | Trump wants mass deportations. For the agents removing immigrants, it’s a painstaking process Former President Barack Obama changed the official name to Denali in 2015 to reflect the traditions of Alaska Natives as well as the preference of many Alaska residents. The federal government in recent years has endeavored to change place-names considered disrespectful to Native people. “Denali” is an Athabascan word meaning “the high one” or “the great one.” A prospector in 1896 dubbed the peak “Mount McKinley” after President William McKinley, who had never been to Alaska. That name was formally recognized by the U.S. government until Obama changed it over opposition from lawmakers in McKinley’s home state of Ohio. Trump suggested in 2016 that he might undo Obama’s action, but he dropped that notion after Alaska’s senators objected. He raised it again during a rally in Phoenix on Sunday. “McKinley was a very good, maybe a great president,” Trump said Sunday. “They took his name off Mount McKinley, right? That’s what they do to people.” Once again, Trump’s suggestion drew quick opposition within Alaska. “Uh. Nope. It’s Denali,” Democratic state Sen. Scott Kawasaki posted on the social platform X Sunday night. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski , who for years pushed for legislation to change the name to Denali, conveyed a similar sentiment in a post of her own. “There is only one name worthy of North America’s tallest mountain: Denali — the Great One,” Murkowski wrote on X. Various tribes of Athabascan people have lived in the shadow of the 20,310-foot (6,190-meter) mountain for thousands of years. McKinley, a Republican native of Ohio who served as the 25th president, was assassinated early in his second term in 1901 in Buffalo, New York. Alaska and Ohio have been at odds over the name since at least the 1970s. Alaska had a standing request to change the name since 1975, when the legislature passed a resolution and then-Gov. Jay Hammond appealed to the federal government. Known for its majestic views, the mountain is dotted with glaciers and covered at the top with snow year-round, with powerful winds that make it difficult for the adventurous few who seek to climb it. Rush reported from Portland, Oregon.

Dallas (7-8) at Philadelphia (12-3) Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, Fox BetMGM NFL Odds: Eagles by 7 1/2 Against the spread: Dallas 6-9; Philadelphia 9-6 Series record: Cowboys lead 74-58. Last meeting: Jalen Hurts threw two touchdowns and ran for two more in the Eagles’ 34-6 rout of the Cowboys at Dallas on Nov. 10. Last week: Cowboys defeated the Buccaneers 26-24; Eagles lost 36-33 at Washington. Cowboys offense: overall (16), rush (28), pass (10), scoring (20) Cowboys defense: overall (27), rush (27), pass (21), scoring (30) Eagles offense: overall (6), rush (1), pass (31), scoring (8) Eagles defense: overall (1), rush (9), pass (2), scoring (5) Turnover differential: Cowboys minus-3; Eagles plus-6 Eagles player to watch RB Saquon Barkley is 162 yards shy of becoming the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season and needs 268 yards to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards, set in 1984. Cowboys player to watch In his past five games, QB Cooper Rush has passed for nine touchdowns and one interception, looking more comfortable of late after taking over for Dak Prescott in November. Rush is 9-2 as a starter against teams that are not the Eagles. RELATED COVERAGE Dolphins are on the outside of AFC playoffs and need help and a win over Browns to have any chance Bills seek to shore up playoff positioning in hosting Jets team looking ahead to uncertain offseason Surging Rams host the eliminated Cardinals in the rematch of a rare blowout loss for Sean McVay Key matchup Dallas’s rushing defense vs. Barkley. Can anyone stop him? The Cowboys will be the latest to try to corral Barkley, who has 1,838 rushing yards and 2,114 scrimmage yards, both of which lead the NFL. Dallas ranks 28th in the NFL in rushing defense, allowing an average of 135.9 yards a game. Philadelphia, behind Barkley’s stellar play, tops the league at 187.9 yards a game on the ground. Key injuries Cowboys: WR CeeDee Lamb will miss the final two games after getting shut down over the sprained right shoulder he’s been dealing with the second half of the season. ... LB Eric Kendricks (calf) warmed up but wasn’t able to play against Tampa Bay last week. Eagles: Hurts is in concussion protocol after leaving the game following a 13-yard scramble with 9:52 left in the first quarter last week. ... DE Josh Sweat (ankle) and Jordan Davis also left the game at Washington early. ... QB Ian Book was signed to the practice squad Thursday. Series notes The Cowboys made the playoffs in each of the previous three seasons, but were eliminated prior to their game against Tampa Bay last week when the Commanders came back from a 13-point, fourth-quarter deficit to beat Philadelphia. ... Dallas is 5-2 on the road. ... The Eagles can clinch the NFC East and one of the conference’s top two seeds with a victory. ... On Jan. 11, 1981, the Eagles defeated the Cowboys 20-7 at their former home, Veterans Stadium. Wilbert Montgomery rushed for a 42-yard touchdown to give Philadelphia an early lead that propelled the Eagles to their first Super Bowl appearance. Stats and stuff LB Micah Parsons needs half a sack to reach double digits in sacks for the fourth straight season to begin his career and would become just the fifth player to accomplish the feat in NFL history. ... K Brandon Aubrey made a 53-yard and two 58-yard field goals against the Buccaneers, upping his league-leading total to 14 made of 50-plus yards. ... Kenny Pickett went 14 of 24 for 143 yards and a TD in relief of Hurts last week. If he can’t go because of the rib injury and Hurts remains unavailable, Philadelphia could turn to third-stringer Tanner McKee, a 2023 sixth-round pick. Pickett, a 2022 first-round pick, is no stranger to starting, going 14-10 as Pittsburgh’s QB earlier in his career. ... Defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson was ejected against Washington for committing two unsportsmanlike penalties. ... The Eagles already set a team record for rushing yards in a season with 2,818, and they are within four rushing touchdowns of tying the club’s best single-season mark of 32, set in 2022. ... Barkley needs just 33 yards from scrimmage to break McCoy’s mark of 2,146 scrimmage yards, set in 2013. ... WR A.J. Brown leads the NFL with 16.3 yards a catch and ranks ninth in the league with 1,043 receiving yards, joining Mike Quick (1983–85) as the only Philadelphia players to have three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Fantasy tip Philadelphia’s defense is tied for ninth in the NFL with a plus-6 turnover margin. With Hurts possibly sidelined, Philadelphia giving up an uncharacteristic 36 points last week and the chance to clinch the division, the Eagles defense likely will be extra motivated to have a good performance against a Dallas offense that ranks 21st in the league in points. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLCLEVELAND (AP) — Two days before recording another milestone, resume-building sack on Sunday at Cincinnati, Myles Garrett delivered a jarring hit — on the Browns. In this case, any roughness could be deemed necessary. Garrett piled on to what has been a painful and puzzling season in Cleveland by and wants to know exactly what the organization's offseason plans are to fix things. If that wasn't enough, Garrett indicated for the first time that he would consider leaving the Browns if his vision doesn't mesh with the team's ambitions. “It’s a possibility,” he said of playing elsewhere. "But I want to be a Cleveland Brown. I want to play my career here.” It's unclear how Garrett's comments were received by owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam, who have plenty to consider as the Browns (3-12) head into the final two weeks of a season that began with playoff expectations and could be followed by upheaval. The Browns haven't been this bad since going 0-16 in 2017. Garrett, who reached 100 career sacks by taking down Cincinnati's Joe Burrow late in the first half of Sunday's , may have either added to the Haslams' long list of concerns — the is a priority — or brought them clarity. There's no denying that Garrett's remarks carry substantial weight, which is partly why he spoke up. He's the Browns' best player, a franchise cornerstone, a future Hall of Famer and arguably the most disruptive defensive force in the game today. He's also leading with actions. Garrett showed extraordinary effort in chasing down and tackling Burrow before tumbling out of bounds and crashing into Cleveland's bench and some portable heaters. He might be frustrated, but he's not giving up. “A testament of who he is as a player and who he is as a person,” linebacker Jordan Hicks said. What the reigning Defensive Player of the Year says matters. It will be interesting to see if the Haslams listen. At this point, there are indications the Browns intend to stick with coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry, whose major misses in recent drafts have become more magnified with each loss. There will be changes; it's just a matter of how drastic and if they'll be enough to satisfy Garrett's wishes. He turns 29 on Dec. 29 and has two years left on a $125 million contract extension. The All-Pro is in his prime and doesn't want to waste another season in a pointless pursuit of a Super Bowl title. His goal is to win a championship with Cleveland — or someone. Garrett's serious. He's asking the Browns to show him they are, too. Cleveland's defense is doing its part. For the second week in a row, the Browns contained one of the NFL's most talented offenses, holding the Bengals and their top-ranked passing game below most of their season averages. Burrow did throw three TD passes — for the seventh game in a row — but Cincinnati scored fewer than 27 points for the first time in seven games. The Browns continue to beat themselves with costly turnovers, some more costly than others. They drove to the Cincinnati 1-yard line in the opening minutes only to have D'Onta Foreman fumble as he neared the goal line. The Bengals capitalized by driving 99 yards to take a 7-0 lead that could have been Cleveland's. Running back Jerome Ford is making the most of a heavier workload and finishing strong. He ripped off a 66-yard run on the game's first play and finished with 131 all-purpose yards, including 92 on 11 carries and scored Cleveland's only TD. Ford's emergence as a potential No. 1 back — Nick Chubb's injuries have clouded his future — gives the team one less thing to worry about as it retools the roster. Kicker Dustin Hopkins hasn't shaken a startling slump. After being benched for a week to work through his struggles, Hopkins missed his only kick, pushing an extra point to the right. Hopkins felt confident going in, but he's back to trying to identify issues that could be equally mechanical and mental. He's just 16 of 25 on field goals, 16 of 19 on PATs and the Browns' decision to sign him to a three-year, $15.9 million extension this summer looks worse every week. QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson injured his calf early in Sunday's game, leaving his status in doubt for a second straight start this week. If Thompson-Robinson can't go, the Browns could go back to Jameis Winston, but he's dealing with a sore right shoulder. ... Tight end David Njoku is dealing with yet another injury after hurting his knee. The team is awaiting results on an MRI, perhaps a sign of the severity. Njoku has missed time with injuries all season. He finished with eight catches for 66 yards. 20 — Interceptions for the Browns this season. Thompson-Robinson's two picks on Sunday gave the team 10 in the last four games. Probably a half-empty stadium for a final home game on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins, who are still in the hunt for a wild-card spot. AP NFL:

Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week Stocks closed higher on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Monday. Several big technology companies helped support the gains, including chip companies Nvidia and Broadcom. Damian J. Troise And Alex Veiga, The Associated Press Dec 23, 2024 1:04 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message FILE - Signs mark the intersection of Wall and South Streets in New York's Financial District on Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan, File) Listen to this article 00:03:50 Stocks closed higher on Wall Street at the start of a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.7% Monday. Several big technology companies helped support the gains, including chip companies Nvidia and Broadcom. The Dow Jones Industrial Average added 0.2%, and the Nasdaq composite rose 1%. Honda’s U.S.-listed shares rose sharply after the company said it was in talks about a combination with Nissan in a deal that could also include Mitsubishi Motors. Eli Lilly rose after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Treasury yields rose in the bond market. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. Major stock indexes rose on Wall Street in afternoon trading Monday, after a choppy start to a holiday-shortened week. The S&P 500 rose 0.6%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average recovered from an early slide to gain 29 points, or 0.1% as of 3:40 p.m. Eastern time. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite rose 0.8%. Gains in technology and communications stocks helped outweigh losses in consumer goods companies and elsewhere in the market. Semiconductor giant Nvidia, whose enormous valuation gives it an outsize influence on indexes, rose 3.3%. Broadcom climbed 5.5% to also help support the broader market. Walmart fell 2% and PepsiCo slid 1.2%. Japanese automakers Honda Motor and Nissan said they are talking about combining in a deal that might also include Mitsubishi Motors. U.S.-listed shares in Honda jumped 13.4%, while Nissan slipped 0.2%. Eli Lilly rose 3.5% after announcing that regulators approved Zepbound as the first and only prescription medicine for adults with sleep apnea. Department store Nordstrom fell 1.6% after it agreed to be taken private by Nordstrom family members and a Mexican retail group in a $6.25 billion deal. The Conference Board said that consumer confidence slipped in December. Its consumer confidence index fell back to 104.7 from 112.8 in November. Wall Street was expecting a reading of 113.8. The unexpectedly weak consumer confidence update follows several generally strong economic reports last week. One report showed the overall economy grew at a 3.1% annualized rate during the summer, faster than earlier thought. The latest report on unemployment benefit applications showed that the job market remains solid. A report on Friday said a measure of inflation the Federal Reserve likes to use was slightly lower last month than economists expected. Worries about inflation edging higher again had been weighing on Wall Street and the Fed. The central bank just delivered its third cut to interest rates this year, but inflation has been hovering stubbornly above its target of 2%. It has signaled that it could deliver fewer cuts to interest rates next year than it earlier anticipated because of concerns over inflation. Expectations for more interest rate cuts have helped drive a roughly 25% gain for the S&P 500 in 2024. That drive included 57 all-time highs this year. Inflation concerns have added to uncertainties heading into 2025, which include the labor market's path ahead and shifting economic policies under an incoming President Donald Trump. "Put simply, much of the strong market performance prior to last week was driven by expectations that a best-case scenario was the base case for 2025," said Brent Schutte, chief investment officer at Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company Treasury yields rose in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.59% from 4.53% late Friday. European markets were mostly lower, while markets in Asia gained ground. Wall Street has several other economic reports to look forward to this week. On Tuesday, the U.S. will release its November report for sales of newly constructed homes. A weekly update on unemployment benefits is expected on Thursday. Markets in the U.S. will close at 1 p.m. Eastern on Tuesday for Christmas Eve and will remain closed on Wednesday for Christmas. Damian J. Troise And Alex Veiga, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More National Business S&P/TSX composite closes up nearly 150 points on Monday, U.S. stock markets up Dec 23, 2024 1:28 PM What to know before agreeing to be someone's power of attorney Dec 23, 2024 12:49 PM Competition Bureau suing Rogers over unlimited data claim Dec 23, 2024 12:48 PM Featured Flyer