Elon Musk has spent much of 2024 claiming that the internet is the "new media." While people may have varying opinions on this statement's validity, there is no doubt that social media — and the influencers that drive it — played a major role throughout the year. Influencers who were once seen merely as a form of entertainment seemingly steered much of the conservation in 2024, particularly regarding the presidential election. While there was a continued push for spots in mainstream newspapers and cable television, podcasters also snagged interviews with both major candidates, racking up millions of views and listens. Some pundits have claimed that this focus on influencer media is a large reason why Kamala Harris lost and Donald Trump won. This dissemination of the news through podcasts isn't likely to go away anytime soon, and about one in five Americans "regularly get news from influencers on social media," according to the Pew Research Center . Who were 2024's biggest influencer news sources? Many of them are podcasters , and two of the biggest names in question are Joe Rogan and Alex Cooper. Rogan, the host of "The Joe Rogan Experience" podcast, is massively influential online, "attracting almost three times the amount of subscribers than his nearest competitor," said Newsweek . Despite some controversial views, including comments on vaccines that angered the medical community, Rogan's "role can't be minimized," said Variety , particularly among his conservative-leaning audience. Rogan's podcast has 14.5 million Spotify listeners, and his episode with Trump netted 53 million views on YouTube. Cooper, who Rolling Stone described as "Gen-Z's Barbara Walters," hosts the widely popular "Call Her Daddy" podcast. She reportedly signed a $125 million deal with SiriusXM, and the success of her show means Cooper has "become the most listened-to female podcaster in the world," said CNN . While her show rarely gets political, Cooper hosted Harris for an interview prior to the election, which "was a no-brainer" for the vice president, said Politico . Even though Cooper stated in the interview that she strays away from politics, the "fact that Cooper was willing to rethink that calculus, and open herself up to backlash from her own fans," was a "win for the Harris campaign." Cooper's episode with Harris brought in 938,000 views on YouTube. How did these influencers become mainstream? Given the ubiquity of social media , podcasters and influencers are "now a source of news for a significant number of Americans, especially when it comes to politics," said NPR . In contrast with traditional journalists , influencers make people "feel like they're speaking to them, right? Like, this is somebody who is just like me, who is sharing information, and who is communicating in a way that really resonates," Georgetown University researcher Renee DiResta said to NPR. While "trained journalists do the work of actually producing news content, influencers mostly talk about the content or provide their own (often partisan) analysis," Kelly Fincham, a communications lecturer at Ireland's University of Galway, said at The Conversation . People may find this type of information easier to digest compared to traditional journalism. Conservative podcasts remain the top-rated and most widespread, but American influencer consumption appears to reach across population metrics, especially on Elon Musk's X. One of the "more surprising findings in the Pew report was that most of the news influencers included in the study have X accounts (85%)," said Wired . Most creators see the "platform as the primary avenue for receiving and sharing news online," even with other options springing up. The ability for influencers to disseminate information on the website, however, "doesn't account for the post-election shift away from X," said Wired, and doesn't take other competing platforms into account. And many people are looking at this rise in influencer status as a legitimate career . A "growing number of universities are looking at classes and majors aimed at giving influencers the skills needed to spot misinformation, communicate effectively with audiences and understand business contracts they could enter," said The Hill .Johnson & Johnson stock outperforms competitors on strong trading day

NoneLAS VEGAS – Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) and The Venetian Resort Las Vegas today announced a long-term licensing agreement to make the iconic luxury property on the Las Vegas Strip bookable through Hyatt channels, including Hyatt.com and the World of Hyatt mobile app, in the near future. Soon, World of Hyatt members and eligible meeting and event planners will be able to earn and redeem loyalty points on qualifying stays, earn credit toward the Brand Explorer Award and, for World of Hyatt elite members, enjoy additional on-property benefits. With this long-term licensing agreement, Hyatt will offer more choice for rewarding travel experiences and stays in the all-suite resort at the heart of the Las Vegas Strip. “Las Vegas is a perennial favorite for World of Hyatt members and our group business customers are requesting rooms at a higher volume than pre-pandemic due to the world-class entertainment and unique experiences offered by this dynamic destination,” said Mark Vondrasek, Chief Commercial Officer, Hyatt. “The licensing agreement with The Venetian Resort Las Vegas adds 7,000 rooms and 2.25 million square feet of meeting space, inviting Hyatt’s loyalty members and valued customers to have even more options to earn and redeem loyalty points when visiting Las Vegas.” The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, home to two luxury hotels – The Venetian and The Palazzo – is the only all-suite resort on the Las Vegas Strip. Combining the romance of Venice with the vibrant energy of Las Vegas, this iconic destination offers an experience that delights all the senses. Whether strolling along picturesque canals, enjoying a gondola ride, savoring culinary masterpieces crafted by some of the most celebrated chefs and restaurants on the Strip or experiencing world-class entertainment, including the revolutionary Sphere at The Venetian, World of Hyatt members will soon be able to earn and redeem points at this extraordinary resort. “Our legendary resort continues to lead the way on the Strip, setting the benchmark for innovation, luxury, and unforgettable guest experiences,” said Patrick Nichols, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Venetian Resort Las Vegas. “From unveiling reimagined suites and collaborating with world-renowned chefs to delivering unparalleled entertainment, we have consistently stayed at the forefront of this ever-evolving destination. As we embrace a new era for The Venetian Resort, this relationship enables us to expand our reach and connect with new audiences.” Following a transformative $1.5 billion reinvestment, The Venetian’s suites – the largest on the Las Vegas Strip – have been reimagined with designs inspired by the ornate costumes of the Venetian Carnival. Guests can drift along the Grand Canal aboard an iconic gondola, immersing themselves in the romance of Venice, Italy’s “Floating City.” At The Venetian, the charm of Venice meets the excitement of Las Vegas, while The Palazzo offers a contemporary take on luxury with sleek and modern sophistication. Together, these iconic properties offer an extraordinary getaway, complemented by award-winning dining from culinary legends like Wolfgang Puck, Thomas Keller, and Tetsuya Wakuda. A stay at The Venetian isn’t just a visit – it’s a feast for the senses. As part of this long-term licensing agreement, World of Hyatt will, in the future, offer elite Venetian Rewards members benefits within World of Hyatt. Additionally, in the near future, these two hospitality powerhouses will work together in the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) and convention space to also complement each other’s strengths in group business. Stay tuned for additional information on when and how The Venetian Resort will participate in World of Hyatt. The term “Hyatt” is used in this release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates. ### About Hyatt Hotels Corporation Hyatt Hotels Corporation, headquartered in Chicago, is a leading global hospitality company guided by its purpose – to care for people so they can be their best. As of September 30, 2024, the Company’s portfolio included more than 1,350 hotels and all-inclusive properties in 79 countries across six continents. The Company’s offering includes brands in the Luxury Portfolio, including Park Hyatt®, Alila®, Miraval®, Impression by Secrets, and The Unbound Collection by Hyatt®; the Lifestyle Portfolio, including Andaz®, Thompson Hotels®, The Standard®, Dream® Hotels, The StandardX, Breathless Resorts & Spas®, JdV by Hyatt®, Bunkhouse® Hotels, and me and all hotels; the Inclusive Portfolio, including Zoëtry® Wellness & Spa Resorts, Hyatt Ziva®, Hyatt Zilara®, Secrets® Resorts & Spas, Dreams® Resorts & Spas, Hyatt Vivid Hotels & Resorts, Sunscape® Resorts & Spas, and Alua Hotels & Resorts®; the Classics Portfolio, including Grand Hyatt®, Hyatt Regency®, Destination by Hyatt®, Hyatt Centric®, Hyatt Vacation Club®, and Hyatt®; and the Essentials Portfolio, including Caption by Hyatt®, Hyatt Place®, Hyatt House®, Hyatt Studios, and UrCove. Subsidiaries of the Company operate the World of Hyatt® loyalty program, ALG Vacations®, Mr & Mrs Smith, Unlimited Vacation Club®, Amstar DMC destination management services, and Trisept Solutions® technology services. For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com . About The Venetian Resort Las Vegas The Venetian Resort Las Vegas features all-suite accommodations across The Venetian and The Palazzo. The iconic resort’s experience is marked by a commitment to sophisticated play and light-hearted luxury, with world-class restaurants from celebrated chefs including Cote by Simon Kim, Bazaar Meat by José Andrés, and Southern California favorite Gjelina; the rejuvenating Canyon Ranch spa + fitness; a five-acre pool and garden deck inspired by the Italian Riviera including TAO Beach Dayclub, a Balinese-inspired tropical oasis; two landmark casinos and a poker room; Voltaire, a destination nightlife venue that blurs the lines between and intimate club and is home to the Queen of burlesque, Dita Von Teese; concert and non-stop entertainment including master illusionist Shin Lim; TAO Nightclub, and unparalleled retail experiences at Grand Canal Shoppes. A premier events and conference center, the resort is home to more than 2.25 million square feet of meeting, exposition, and convention space. The Venetian Resort’s brand-new loyalty program, Venetian Rewards, offers resort-wide earning and redemption for gaming play, including slots and tables, as well as experiential spend, such as dining, entertainment, hotel reservations, and more. The Venetian Resort Las Vegas is the only place fans can get the full experience of Sphere at The Venetian with concert and hotel packages including preferred seating. Sphere is a next-generation venue that will redefine the future of live entertainment. The Venetian® and other trademarks are used under license. The names and brands mentioned above are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of their respective owners. MEDIA CONTACTS: Hyatt Kaitlyn Sheehy kaitlyn.sheehy@hyatt.com The Venetian Resort Las Vegas Anna Schmid Anna.Schmid@VenetianLasVegas.com INVESTOR CONTACT: Adam Rohman Adam.rohman@hyatt.com Related

The win stretched Bayern’s lead to eight points ahead of the rest of the 11th round, and Kane took his goals tally to a league-leading 14. However, coach Vincent Kompany should be concerned by his team’s ongoing difficulty of scoring in games it dominates. Bayern previously defeated St. Pauli and Benfica only 1-0. Kompany’s team had to wait until stoppage time before Kane sealed the result with his second penalty. The England star scored with a header two minutes later for a flattering scoreline. Bayern had possession and chances, but the visitors defended resolutely with Augsburg goalkeeper Nediljko Labrović denying Kane, then twice Jamal Musiala to keep the game scoreless at halftime. Bayern counterpart Manuel Neuer, who overcame a rib injury to start, had little to do at the other end. Musiala, Leon Goretzka and Michael Olise all went close after the break. Labrović and the Augsburg defense held on. Then Mads Pedersen was penalized for handball following a VAR review and Kane duly broke the deadlock in the 63rd. Bayern continued as before with 80% possession, but had to wait for Keven Schlotterbeck to be penalized through VAR for a foul on Kane. Kane sealed the result in the third minute of stoppage time and there was still time for him to grab another. It’s Bayern’s seventh consecutive win since Oct. 23 when it lost at Barcelona 4-1 in the Champions League. Bayern next hosts Paris Saint-Germain in that competition on Tuesday, then Borussia Dortmund away in the Bundesliga next weekend, before defending champion Bayer Leverkusen visits in the third round of the German Cup. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

John Whelan: Chinese FDI could be an insurance policy for Ireland against US volatility

Today, more than 50 years after independence, Bangladesh has made remarkable progress. From economic growth to advancements in education, technology, and social welfare, the country has achieved milestones that many nations still aspire to reach. The steady rise of Bangladesh as a significant player in global markets, its leadership in climate resilience, and its success in reducing poverty are all noteworthy achievements. The writer is a student of Department of Mass Communication and Journalism of Begum Rokeya UniversityWhat is a biblically accurate angel? And do you need one to top your Christmas tree?