US stocks are rising near records and adding to last week’s gains. The S&P 500 was 0.1 per cent higher, as of 12:56 p.m. Eastern time, and sitting a bit below its all-time high set two weeks ago. The Dow Jones added 286 points, or 0.7 per cent, to its own record set on Friday, while the Nasdaq composite was 0.1 per cent higher. Wall Street has kicked off the week with more gains. Credit: AP The Australian sharemarket is set to edge higher, with futures at 4.54 pointing to a rise of 12 points, or 0.1 per cent, at the open. The ASX added 0.3 per cent on Monday. Treasury yields also eased in the bond market amid what some analysts called a “Bessent bounce” after President-elect Donald Trump said he wants Scott Bessent, a hedge fund manager, to be his Treasury Secretary. Bessent has advocated for reducing the US government’s deficit, which is how much more it spends than it takes in through tax and other revenue. Such an approach could soothe worries on Wall Street that Trump’s policies may lead to a much bigger deficit, which in turn would put upward pressure on Treasury yields. After climbing above 4.44 per cent immediately after Trump’s election, the yield on the 10-year Treasury fell back to 4.30 per cent Monday, down from 4.41 per cent late on Friday. That’s a notable move, and lower yields help make it cheaper for all kinds of companies and households to borrow money. They also give a boost to prices for stocks and other investments. Loading The two-year Treasury yield, which more closely tracks the market’s expectations for what the Federal Reserve will do with overnight interest rates, also slid. The Fed began cutting its main interest rate just a couple of months ago from a two-decade high, hoping to keep the job market humming after bringing high inflation nearly all the way down to its 2 per cent target. But immediately after Trump’s victory, traders reduced bets for how many cuts the Fed may deliver next year. They were worried Trump’s preference for lower tax rates and higher spending on the border would balloon the national debt. On Monday, traders went back to increasing their bets for the number of cuts possible in 2025, according to data from CME Group.

Hunter numbers and harvest success mixed in north-central Montana during fourth week of hunting season

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The financial incentives provided months ago to Greeks who wish to relocate to northern Evros is a pilot program for all rural regions Greece, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in an interview to the newspaper 'Ta Choriatika' in Proti, near Serres, on Saturday. "Our job is to take care of problems of all Greek citizens and take particular care of the most isolated regions of our homeland," Mitsotakis told journalist Fotini Gallou. The prime minister also reiterated the further strengthening of the primary sector and of small-scale tourism as issues in rural Greece. Speaking of renewable energy sources, he said that their use will reduce energy prices, but "the first ones to benefit should be the municipalities that welcome them." Mitsotakis and Gallou spoke of how younger people could be encouraged to relocate to villages, and of what the benefits would be. One of the benefits, he said, was that smaller schools allowed more time between a teacher and a student, thsu improving the standard of education, adding also the help of digital education. "A child that may live in a remote village could have the same technological foundation as a child living in Athens or Thessaloniki. Technology is a bridge that breaks up isolation, and that is why I believe that gradually but steadily there will be more people who will be able to work from a distance and to think of the alternative of the village," the PM said. Responding to the question of young people founding innovative businesses in villages, and how they would be taxed, Mitsotakis said that the government had changed the lower tax rates to include people who live in villages with up to 1,500 residents (from 500). "It is for this reason, let's say, we are prioritizing the plans to support young farmers. I have instructed the Ministry of Agricultural Development to see to it that we can include as many young farmers as possible, because the farmers in regional Greece support the villages. We must have a realistic sense of what the economic activities are that are linked to the villages, and surely the primary sector plays a very important role," he noted.Trump has promised again to release the last JFK files. But experts say don’t expect big revelations DALLAS (AP) — The nation is set to mark 61 years since President John F. Kennedy was assassinated as his motorcade passed through downtown Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. Even after over six decades, conspiracy theories about what happened that day still swirl and the desire to follow every thread of information hasn’t waned. President-elect Donald Trump made promises over the summer that if reelected he would declassify the remaining records. At this point, only a few thousand of millions of pages of governmental records related to the assassination have yet to be fully released. And those who have studied what's been released so far say that the public shouldn’t anticipate any earth-shattering revelations even if the remaining files are declassified. Bitcoin is at the doorstep of $100,000 as post-election rally rolls on NEW YORK (AP) — Bitcoin is jumping again, rising above $98,000 for the first time Thursday. The cryptocurrency has been shattering records almost daily since the U.S. presidential election, and has rocketed more than 40% higher in just two weeks. It's now at the doorstep of $100,000. Cryptocurrencies and related investments like crypto exchange-traded funds have rallied because the incoming Trump administration is expected to be more “crypto-friendly.” Still, as with everything in the volatile cryptoverse, the future is hard to predict. And while some are bullish, other experts continue to warn of investment risks. NFL issues security alert to teams and the players' union following recent burglaries The NFL has issued a security alert to teams and the players’ union following recent burglaries involving the homes of Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo obtained by The Associated Press, the league says homes of professional athletes across multiple sports have become “increasingly targeted for burglaries by organized and skilled groups.” Law enforcement officials noted these groups target the homes on days the athletes have games. Players were told to take precautions and implement home security measures to reduce the risk of being targeted. Some of the burglary groups have conducted extensive surveillance on targets. Penn State wins trademark case over retailer's use of vintage logos, images PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Penn State has won a closely watched trademark fight over an online retailer’s use of its vintage logos and images. A Pennsylvania jury awarded Penn State $28,000 in damages earlier this week over products made and sold by the firms Vintage Brand and Sportswear Inc. Penn State accused them of selling “counterfeit” clothing and accessories. The defendants said their website makes clear they are not affiliated with Penn State. At least a dozen other schools have sued the defendants on similar grounds, but the Pennsylvania case was the first to go to trial. Has a waltz written by composer Frederic Chopin been discovered in an NYC museum? NEW YORK (AP) — A previously unknown musical work written by composer Frederic Chopin appears to have been found in a library in New York City. The Morgan Library & Museum says the untitled and unsigned piece is the first new manuscript of the Romantic era virtuoso to be discovered in nearly a century. Robinson McClellan, the museum’s curator, says he stumbled across the work in May while going through a collection brought to the Manhattan museum years earlier. He worked with outside experts to verify the document's authenticity. But there’s debate whether the waltz is an original Chopin work or merely one written in his hand. Volcano on Iceland's Reykjanes Peninsula erupts for the 7th time in a year GRINDAVIK, Iceland (AP) — A volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula in southwestern Iceland is spewing lava from a fissure in its seventh eruption since December. Iceland's seismic monitors said the eruption started with little warning late Wednesday and created a long fissure but looked to be smaller than eruptions in August and May. Around 50 houses were evacuated after the Civil Protection agency issued the alert, along with guests at the famous Blue Lagoon resort, according to the national broadcaster. The repeated eruptions over the past year have caused damage to the town of Grindavík and forced people to relocate. Australian teen and British woman who drank tainted alcohol in Laos have died, bringing toll to 5 VIENTIANE, Laos (AP) — An Australian teenager and a British woman have died after drinking tainted alcohol in Laos in what Australia’s prime minister said was every parent’s nightmare. Officials earlier said an American and two Danish tourists also had died following reports that multiple people had been sickened in town popular with backpackers. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told Parliament that 19-year-old Bianca Jones had died after being evacuated from Vang Vieng, Laos, for treatment in a Thai hospital. Her friend, also 19, remains hospitalized in Thailand. Later Thursday, Britain said a British woman also died and the media in the U.K. identified her as 28-year-old Simone White. US ahead in AI innovation, easily surpassing China in Stanford's new ranking The U.S. leads the world in developing artificial intelligence technology, surpassing China in research and other important measures of AI innovation, according to a newly released Stanford University index. There’s no surefire way to rank global AI leadership but Stanford researchers have made an attempt by measuring the “vibrancy” of the AI industry across a variety of dimensions, from how much research and investment is happening to how responsibly the technology is being pursued to prevent harm. Following the U.S. and China were the United Kingdom, India and the United Arab Emirates. Pop star Ed Sheeran helps favorite soccer team sign player before getting on stage with Taylor Swift It turns out British pop star Ed Sheeran is also good at recruiting soccer players. Sheeran is a minority shareholder at English soccer team Ipswich Town and it needed his help over the summer to get a player to join the club. Ipswich CEO Mark Ashton tells a Soccerex industry event in Miami: “Ed jumped on a Zoom call with him at the training ground, just before he stepped on stage with Taylor Swift. Hopefully that was a key part in getting the player across the line.” Ashton didn’t disclose the player in question, saying only: “He’s certainly scoring a few goals.” Chris Stapleton wins 4 CMA Awards, but Morgan Wallen gets entertainer of the year It was mostly Chris Stapleton’s night at the Country Music Association Awards. Stapleton won four times and took the stage to perform three times Wednesday night at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. But an absent Morgan Wallen won the biggest award, entertainer of the year. Stapleton's wins included single of the year and song of the year for “White Horse,” and his eighth trophy as male vocalist of the year. Best female vocalist of the year went to Laney Johnson. An all-star ensemble including both Stapleton and Johnson performed in tribute to George Strait, who won the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Gaetz withdraws as Trump's pick for attorney general, averting confirmation battle in the SenateTHE latest trend is for pared-back festive decor, but interior design guru Laurence, 59, slams it for being Scrooge-like. Quite frankly, anyone involved in minimalism at Christmas needs to get a grip. 9 Interior design guru Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has slammed the latest Xmas trend 9 Minimalism is all the rave this Christmas Credit: Getty Bare wooden branches and industrial metal frames? There’s just no excuse for it. I fear that anyone following this trend, which is growing in popularity across the high street this year, must be severely insecure — and they probably own hairless cats. The whole point of this mid-winter festival is indulgence and absolutely giving in to excess and enjoyment. We should be trying to build up a stock of gorgeous, fabulously overdecorated memories that will take us right through into dreary January and February — not strip things back. READ MORE CHRISTMAS NEWS FAB FIND Fashionistas flock to Primark for ultimate budget Christmas party outfit SUN SAVERS Five top tips for making your own front-door wreath this Christmas This whole idea of trying to make Christmas “modern”, with sad, sparse trees and other dull decor is just the most ridiculous concept ever. It will never be modern. The whole point of Christmas is that it is a time of tradition and child-like wonder. It’s when you see how beautiful and sparkly your world can be, when everything outside is boring. I learnt this the hard way when my two daughters, Celine, 29, and Hermione, 25, were very small. Most read in Fabulous ZAR-AAH! ‘Xmas party outfits we can afford’ cries shopper after finding Zara sale shop HEATED ROW Bonnie Blue slammed for saying men have 'right' to cheat in heated debate WEIGH TO GO My husband feels like he's having an affair with a new woman after I shed 12st TOUGH LUCK I’m single mum & I’m refusing to host Christmas this year - it’s exhausting I’d been on a Christmas-themed photoshoot for a magazine and I brought home some tiny terracotta pots with jute bows for our Christmas tree. Celine gasped: “No, this cannot be Christmas — this is not what it looks like.” Arthur Gourounlian decorates home for Christmas She was appalled — and rightly so. Christmas should be ornate and beautiful. The idea of having a “low-fat” Christmas, when it comes to decor, is just the worst thing in the world. I feel sorry for who feel they can get away with making bows out of trendy bits of linen. Lurex and cocktails Or that having a twig in the corner of the room is going to impart some sort of festive spirit. It’s not. They may as well have a mummified Scrooge in the lounge. It would have the same effect. I’m actually very tolerant of those people who go completely over the top and cover the outside of their house in hundreds of lights Laurence Historically, Christmas is a festival of light. Everywhere you go in the world, people are lighting up the darkest of places, even in the darkest moments. I’m actually very tolerant of those people who go completely over the top and cover the outside of their house in hundreds of lights. Why not? You see it in America, where the whole place radiates a rather garish glow. But indulgence is very personal. The worst thing you can do is to follow what everyone else does. Even slaves to the dreadful grey-naissance that has been taking over homes in recent years take this opportunity to break free and add some sparkle. I say you should be as sparkly as possible, wear as much Lurex as you can think of, drink cocktails and eat wonderful things. 9 Laurence says: 'Christmas should be ornate and beautiful' Credit: Getty That said, there simply has to be some sophistication when you dress your home — and yourselves. So please, none of those synthetic festive onesies and matching pyjamas. Or those awful slippers that you put two feet into. They’re dreadfully dangerous and not at all glamorous. Christmas is about becoming something you’re normally not. It’s a time to pimp up your life and flirt with the dark art of some quite scary colour combinations around the home. I’m enjoying bright oranges and peacock greens this winter. There’s a lot of this in the shops right now. And I’ve always been a fan of festive garlands — the bushier the better. You can always trim them down. I’ve been known to garland everything in sight — even the flat-screen TV. You can hang baubles and little presents from the chunkier garlands and drape some LED lights over them. They look spectacular. While it’s wonderful to have your own family traditions, it’s also nice to keep moving forward and create a few new ones along the way. When I moved to the Cotswolds , I had to embrace my new low ceilings and ditch my usual enormous real tree. That’s when my garlanding began. Years ago, we had this Christmas nativity scene that we would wheel out every December when my daughters were young. But one year Jesus’ crib went missing — you can imagine the sadness — so we plonked him on a ridged crisp instead. Yes, really. I can’t remember the flavour of the crisp, but it worked a treat and we brought out that same crisp crib every Christmas. Shiny and ornate It lasted for about 20 years before it finally crumbled. This year, my eight-year-old grandson Albion is hoping to inject his Manga obsession into our Christmas. I can work with that and craft some Manga-themed decorations of sorts. If you are trying to fight against this with minimalism, then it really does show that you ARE a Scrooge and you ARE a Grinch Laurence One of the most important things that I would wish for everyone, for Christmas, is to surrender all control and welcome absolutely everything into your home. I’m talking about sparkle, light, colour and anything shiny and ornate. If you are trying to fight against this with minimalism, then it really does show that you ARE a Scrooge and you ARE a Grinch. And the worst thing is that you’re denying yourself, not to mention risking accidentally impaling yourself on the branches of your spartan metal tree. 9 Christmas trees shouldn't be made from dull metal frames Credit: Cox & Cox Having said all this, I grew up with the Christmases of the Sixties and Seventies, which spanned a period of Scandi-chic in the home. But this was all shelved for two weeks of the year, when my family would bring out a bold gold-and-white tinsel tree. It was like a space-age incarnation of Christmas — which was all rather wonderful. One of my best childhood memories of Christmas was when the fairy lights came out. They were almost kinky and inappropriate with their bright berry-red colour. Coloured lights were quite a rarity back then. Today, what I hate almost as much as minimalism at Christmas is a fake Dickensian Christmas. And those that have been influenced by films like Home Alone, with their enormous unachievable baubles that hide the whole tree. But I would like to end on a positive festive note. A huge part of Christmas — and one of the best parts — is the effort it takes to get everything ready. Making time in our busy lives to do something that is fundamentally pointless is both rare and wonderful. Read more on the Scottish Sun REY-LY EXCITING US pop superstar announces first Scots show in almost 10 years BALLSED UP Lorraine apologises on air for using phrase she 'didn't know' was a swear word It’s about shying away from that easy fix, showing those you love that they are worth the effort — and that you are too. So I’m encouraging you to go even further with your decor this year and see how original you can really be. LAURENCE’S XMAS DECOR PICKS 9 Peacock bauble, Gifts From Handpicked, £4. 'Forget boring green and red' Credit: Supplied 9 Clip-on candle tree lights, Argos, £9.60: 'Stand these lights tall and upright – like yourself' Credit: Supplied 9 Hyacinth pot, Sainsbury’s, £3: 'The perfect object for your pre-Christmas planting' Credit: Supplied 9 LED mistletoe garland, Dunelm, £28: 'Display your mistletoe with pride' Credit: Supplied 9 Pebeo Cerne Relief paint in King Gold, Amazon, £4.80: 'Pimp up your plain baubles by personalising them with this shimmering paint' Credit: SuppliedRethinking government

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Sex in space 'dolphin-style' is the new frontier as scientists call for snuggies, straddling and Velcro READ MORE: Human couples could soon give birth to babies in SPACE By ELLYN LAPOINTE FOR DAILYMAIL.COM Published: 17:58, 28 December 2024 | Updated: 17:58, 28 December 2024 e-mail View comments More than 675 people have traveled to space, but according to NASA , none of them have had sex in the final frontier. Experts believe this will soon change as more civilians pay commercial spaceflight companies, such as Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and Richard Branson 's Virgin Galactic , to venture into space—albeit for a hefty price. With this new era of spaceflight, physician, astronaut, and 'space sexology' expert Dr. Shawna Pandya has revealed specific 'moves' and technologies designed to provide an out-of-this-world experience. She suggested trying 'dolphin-style' to overcome the challenges of low gravity . 'Dolphins are kind of in a neutral buoyancy environment,' Dr. Pandya explained on Scientific American's Science Quickly podcast. 'When two dolphins are trying to mate, a third dolphin comes in, takes one for the team, and holds a partner in place so the two dolphins can successfully mate.' Other experts in the field have also proposed Velcro suits to keep couples from drifting apart or even a specially designed suit that fits two people. Dr Pandya said there is good reason for researchers to get serious about testing some of these strategies and investigating others. ' More people are going to want to go to space for fun , for leisure and for pleasure... We need to think about how we approach sexuality, sexual health, reproduction in space in a way that is very considered, mindful, inclusive and ethical,' she said While NASA insists that 'no humans have had sex in space', that could change very soon with the arrival of space tourism (stock image) While NASA doesn't explicitly ban sex in space, its astronaut code of conduct calls for 'relationships of trust' and 'professional standards' to be maintained at all times. The space agency has also banned any married couples from going into space together – although this is mostly due to group dynamics, rather than worries of them having sex. But the issue to why astronauts are not copulating could be low gravity inside the International Space Station (ISS). 'So we need to think about Newton's third law of physics,' Dr Pandya explained during the podcast . 'Every action has an equal and opposite reaction, including thrust, right? You need to figure out the mechanics of how you're going to stay entwined in order to, to be able to actually, successfully, copulate. 'There's people who thought about that,' she added. One such person is the late Vanna Bonta, an American actress and inventor who designed the '2Suit' in 2006. 'It's like a snuggie for two people, but they get to bind together,' Dr Pandya explained . From Star Trek to Passengers (pictured), sex in space has been depicted in science fiction blockbusters for years The 2suit is a flight suit with a large front flap that can be opened and attached to another 2suit using Velcro strips. It can also fasten to a stable surface. Paul Root Wolpe, a former NASA Bioethicist, previously told DW.com : 'Everything on the walls of the space station is covered in Velcro, so you could take advantage of that by velcroing one partner to the wall.' The roominess of the suit can be adjusted from within, and it is lined with inner harnesses that can be used to adjust the alignment of the wearers' bodies. It is even equipped with a 'quick-disrobe' function that removes the garments. In 2008, the History Channel manufactured and tested the first 2Suit, calling it 'one small step for humankind colonizing the universe.' But these futuristic sex suits have yet to be produced or utilized on a larger scale. Another forward-thinking space sexologist was German astronaut Ulrich Walter. In the 1980s, he suggested that humans should look to the animal kingdom for inspiration on how to achieve sex in space. 'So then his suggestion is: Why doesn't an astronaut take one for the team so they can all do it dolphin-style in the name of the greater good, so we can copulate in space,' Dr Pandya said. Read More Can you have sex in space? How astronauts stuck on board the ISS could join the '220-mile-high club' (although NASA insists that no humans have done it before!) But it's not just low gravity that stands in the way. Dr Adam Watkins, associate professor in reproductive and developmental physiology, at the University of Nottingham previously told DailyMail.com that lack of privacy on space stations poses another challenge, as well as difficulty getting and maintaining an erection due to the blood pressure changes that occur while in space. What's more, having sex in space could come with serious consequences. If a non-civilian astronaut get pregnant in space, it would raise a lot of questions that experts are not currently sure how to answer. 'Can we mandate a termination of mission? Can we mandate a termination of that pregnancy if they're on Mars due to the health risks involved? There are so many ethical threads to pull on here,' Dr Pandya asked. And those health risks could be life threatening to both the astronaut mother and her baby. 'DNA damage from the high levels of cosmic radiation is a real concern. Astronauts who spend six months in space are exposed to roughly the same amount of radiation as 1,000 chest X-rays,' Dr Watkins previously said. 'A pregnant woman, and her developing fetus, would also be exposed to that cosmic radiation while in space. This could be harmful to the embryos and the fetus.' A recent study conducted on the ISS found that mice embryos developed for four days on the ISS showed no signs of damage. But an earlier study published in 2020 conversely found that mouse embryos developed in space 'contain severe DNA damage.' Likewise, since only a few people have gone to space we don't have enough data to really know what the effects would be on an unborn child. 'Until recently, reproduction in space has not been a major priority for the different space agencies,' Dr Watkins said. 'Now that there are plans to colonize the moon and even Mars, how we would populate other worlds has become more of a focus and will need to be addressed if we are to establish, maintain and grow human colonies off Earth.' Jeff Bezos Nasa Virgin Galactic Blue Origin Share or comment on this article: Sex in space 'dolphin-style' is the new frontier as scientists call for snuggies, straddling and Velcro e-mail Add commentSpecial counsel Jack Smith moved to abandon two criminal cases against Donald Trump on Monday, acknowledging that Trump’s return to the White House will preclude attempts to federally prosecute him for retaining classified documents or trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat. The decision was inevitable, since longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Yet it was still a momentous finale to an unprecedented chapter in political and law enforcement history, as federal officials attempted to hold accountable a former president while he was simultaneously running for another term. Trump emerges indisputably victorious, having successfully delayed the investigations through legal maneuvers and then winning reelection despite indictments that described his actions as a threat to the country’s constitutional foundations. “I persevered, against all odds, and WON,” Trump exulted in a post on Truth Social, his social media website. He also said that “these cases, like all of the other cases I have been forced to go through, are empty and lawless, and should never have been brought.” The judge in the election case granted prosecutors’ dismissal request. A decision in the documents case was still pending on Monday evening. The outcome makes it clear that, when it comes to a president and criminal accusations, nothing supersedes the voters’ own verdict. In court filings, Smith’s team emphasized that the move to end their prosecutions was not a reflection of the merit of the cases but a recognition of the legal shield that surrounds any commander in chief. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” prosecutors said in one of their filings. They wrote that Trump’s return to the White House “sets at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: on the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities ... and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law.” In this situation, “the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated,” they concluded. Smith’s team said it was leaving intact charges against two co-defendants in the classified documents case — Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira — because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” Steven Cheung, Trump’s incoming White House communications director, said Americans “want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country.” Trump has long described the investigations as politically motivated, and he has vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. Now he will start his second term free from criminal scrutiny by the government that he will lead. The election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing Trump as he tried to reclaim the White House. He was indicted for plotting to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden in 2020, an effort that climaxed with his supporters’ violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But the case quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Smith’s team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence it planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of voters after he lost to Biden. In dismissing the case, Chutkan acknowledged prosecutors’ request to do so “without prejudice,” raising the possibility that they could try to bring charges against Trump when his term is over. She wrote that is “consistent with the Government’s understanding that the immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office.” But such a move may be barred by the statute of limitations, and Trump may also try to pardon himself while in office. The separate case involving classified documents had been widely seen as legally clear cut, especially because the conduct in question occurred after Trump left the White House and lost the powers of the presidency. The indictment included dozens of felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified records from his presidency at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and obstructing federal efforts to get them back. He has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. The case quickly became snarled by delays, with U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon slow to issue rulings — which favored Trump’s strategy of pushing off deadlines in all his criminal cases — while also entertaining defense motions and arguments that experts said other judges would have dispensed with without hearings. In May, she indefinitely canceled the trial date amid a series of unresolved legal issues before dismissing the case outright two months later. Smith’s team appealed the decision, but now has given up that effort. Trump faced two other state prosecutions while running for president. One of them, a New York case involving hush money payments, resulted in a conviction on felony charges of falsifying business records. It was the first time a former president had been found guilty of a crime. The sentencing in that case is on hold as Trump’s lawyers try to have the conviction dismissed before he takes office, arguing that letting the verdict stand will interfere with his presidential transition and duties. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office is fighting the dismissal but has indicated that it would be open to delaying sentencing until Trump leaves office. Bragg, a Democrat, has said the solution needs to balance the obligations of the presidency with “the sanctity of the jury verdict.” Trump was also indicted in Georgia along with 18 others accused of participating in a sprawling scheme to illegally overturn the 2020 presidential election there. Any trial appears unlikely there while Trump holds office. The prosecution already was on hold after an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Four defendants have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors. Trump and the others have pleaded not guilty.

Gaetz withdraws as Trump's pick for attorney general, averting confirmation battle in the SenateNordVPN Black Friday Deal: Save up to 74% on yearly subscriptions

The New York Knicks are on a high following a statement win on the road to the Denver Nuggets, who had just demolished the LA Lakers. Winning in Denver was one thing. Winning while scoring 145 points was quite another. The Knicks showcased their potent offense, recording a winning margin of 145-118 that even had Nuggets coach Michael Malone calling out MVP Nikola Jokic . On top of that, Jamal Murray caused a storm with his comments after the game . On the other hand, it is sunshine and rainbows in New York. OG Anunoby shines The top scoring New York Knicks star on the night was not Karl-Anthony Towns or Jalen Brunson – but it was OG Anunoby. Anunoby had a career night, putting up 40 points , putting a new high on an excellent run of form. The former Raptors star was praised on ESPN by Kendrick Perkins , who spoke highly of Anunoby, believing he could have played two decades ago. He said: “If you want him to play in the 90s, he could have done that. Early 2000s, he could have done that. “This man what he provides and brings to the table, I think he’s a modern day Scottie Pippen. “The way he’s able to shoot the three, he defends at a high level, he’s strong as an ox. “OG Anunoby in my opinion has been the best most consistent player on both ends of the floor this season for the New York Knicks.” Anunoby scoring is a bonus When the Knicks traded for Anunoby in December 2023, coach Tom Thibodeau made clear that the reason was to improve defensively. Thibodeau said at the time: “We feel like we’re scoring plenty, but we have to shore up our defense,” per SI . To have him score 40 points in a big road game is a huge bonus. And the comparison to 90s great Scottie Pippen shows how highly he is regarded, one of the biggest compliments he could get. This article first appeared on NBA Analysis Network and was syndicated with permission.

B/R Experts Week 13 NFL Power Rankings: Where Does Every Team Stand?

Georgia has a chance to post its best start to a season in 94 years ahead of its home meeting with South Carolina State in Athens, Ga., on Sunday. Georgia (11-1) hasn't appeared in the NCAA Tournament in 10 seasons and hasn't won a tournament game since 2002, but the Bulldogs seem primed to make a return. The Bulldogs have won six straight games and a seventh would mark their best start since beginning 13-0 in the 1930-31 campaign. Georgia hasn't played since a Dec. 22 home win over Charleston Southern. Head coach Mike White knows the intensity of the schedule will soon increase as Southeastern Conference play revs up, but that's not to say his team will overlook its next opponent. "We've had a much-needed break, both mentally and physically," White said. "Our guys need to get away from it a little bit, miss it, then come back rejuvenated for one more tune up for the grind of the SEC -- the best league in the country. But we'll be prepared for South Carolina State. They're dangerous, they play really hard, they've been really competitive. They're another good team." Adding to Georgia's success has been the play of De'Shayne Montgomery. After being academically ineligible for the first 10 games of the season, the Mount St. Mary's transfer has averaged 19 points per game in two contests. Asa Newell follows with 15.8 points in 12 games, while fellow Mount St. Mary's transfer Dakota Leffew chips in 12.9. South Carolina State (6-8) will play its fourth road game of a six-game stretch away from home. The other Bulldogs prepare for their final regular season meeting with a power conference team following losses at South Carolina Upstate and Xavier. South Carolina State faces Morgan State on Jan. 4 to start Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play. Led by third-year head coach Erik Martin, the team boasts a rare roster figure in today's college basketball landscape. "We brought back 90 percent of our returnable student athletes this year," Martin said. "I can pretty much guarantee I'm the only person in America that did that." Sophomore Drayton Jones leads the team with 13 points per game, followed by Omar Croskey's 9.4. Georgia is 2-0 all-time against South Carolina State, last earning a 76-60 win in Nov. 2021. --Field Level MediaIf any film has the power to change the world, it’s “Wicked.” When I saw it on stage, I thought it was an above-average show that would best be remembered for turning Gen Z-ers onto theater. And seeing young girls in the lobby dressed as princesses and witches was as uplifting as hearing “Defying Gravity.” But the movie version stirred me even more by doubling down on the show’s anti-bullying theme and the consequences of shutting out those who don’t look like us, messages that resonate more than ever. Plenty of people have already experienced the magic. It made $162.5 million in its opening weekend, setting it up to be the most successful film ever based on a Broadway production. It’s bound to be a contender during awards season. One of the reasons for its popularity is that it’s a companion piece to the beloved “The Wizard of Oz,” one in which we discover that Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West (Cynthia Erivo) isn’t all wicked and Glinda the Good Witch (Ariana Grande) isn’t all good. For others, that plot line is a major turn off. They’d rather face down flying monkeys than sit through a musical. But I urge skeptics to suffer through the sappy songs and focus on the moments that remind you of times you’ve felt like an outsider. Sandy Lor, a 29-year-old social influencer based in the Twin Cities, had never seen the musical when she attended a special preview before the Nov. 22 release. The initial draw for her was Grande and director Jon M. Chu, who previously helmed 2018′s “Crazy Rich Asians,” one of the best rom-coms of the last decade. Lor didn’t expect to get so emotional during the scene in which the green-faced Elphaba is ridiculed at a party for wearing a crooked, black hat and doing a dance that may remind you of Elaine Benes’ herky-jerky moves on “Seinfeld.” But the heart-wrenching moment turns to pure joy when she is joined on the floor by her college roommate Glinda, transforming them from bitter rivals to tight friends. “I’ve been in Elphaba’s shoes before,” said Lor, who uses the name @sandysprosium when offering fashion and lifestyle tips online. “Her walking onto the dance floor was like me walking into the lunch area in high school and not knowing where to sit because I didn’t have a clique. That scene shows that it takes just one person to be on your side to make a big change. I didn’t know a movie could move me this much.” The bond between the two future witches is a huge part of both the film and the musical. The crowd I saw it with erupted into applause when the original version’s pair, Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, made unexpected screen cameos. But I had completely forgotten about the dark sub-plot in which there’s a campaign to domesticate Oz’s talking animals by caging them and slowly robbing them of their ability to speak. Chu emphasizes that story line in the film by adding some sympathetic characters, including a bear nanny who nurses Elphaba through her childhood, and a cub that grows up to be the Cowardly Lion. One of the film’s more harrowing moments is when Dr. Dillamond (voiced by Peter Dinklage) is arrested for the “crime” of being a brilliant goat. “When he’s taken away, Elphaba asks, ‘What are we going to do?”' said Dan McNeil, executive director at Peacemaker Minnesota, a Roseville-based, non-profit group committed to fighting harassment in schools. “I hope that’s a question everyone asks when they see bullying going on.” The film also has a direct correlation to debates around the world about immigration, assimilating — or rejecting — other cultures. That theme was one of the reasons Chu, whose parents were born in Taiwan and China, jumped at the chance to direct “Wicked.” ‘‘’The Wizard of Oz’ had such an influence on my own family — an immigrant family that came to America with these dreams,’’ Chu told the New York Times. ‘’We’re going through such a changing period in our culture, and this hit it so on the nose — that change is difficult, that the Yellow Brick Road may not be the path for all of us.” McNeil thinks the film might inspire conversations with friends and family during the holiday season. At the very least, it may make those already standing up against discrimination feel like they’ve got reinforcements. But can a movie, even a blockbuster, really bring us closer together? It can’t hurt. “It takes schools, political leadership, corporate leadership, but also cultural influences like movies and music,” McNeil said. “Every little bit helps.”