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The last time a president signed an executive order with a price tag in the hundreds of billions of dollars, that president was Joe Biden , and the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the policy as administrative overreach. Now, president-elect Donald Trump has announced his own executive order worth hundreds of billions of dollars, promising to sign a massive tariff hike on goods from Mexico, Canada and China on his first day in office. Those tariffs could be the first test of just how cravenly loyal the Supreme Court’s conservative wing is to the man who appointed three of the sitting justices to the bench. ADVERTISEMENT “Tariff” is just a fancy word for a tax paid by U.S. businesses on imported goods, with the added costs passed on to American consumers. Trump’s proposed tariffs of 25 percent on all products from Mexico and Canada, and 10 percent on all products from China, will cost about $272 billion per year, economists told CNN. The president does have some congressional power to enact tariffs, but a policy as massive as the one Trump is proposing would normally trigger something called the “major questions doctrine,” legal analysts have pointed out . That’s the same doctrine the Supreme Court used to strike down Biden’s student loan forgiveness program and to hamper his efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It basically says that anytime a federal agency tries to enact a policy with “vast economic and political significance,” the courts have to scrutinize whether Congress actually intended to give the agency that power, the justices decided in 2022 in West Virginia v. Environmental Protection Agency . In that case, the Supreme Court held that even though Congress had given the EPA the power to set environmental performance standards by applying “the best system of emission reduction,” Biden’s EPA couldn’t reduce emissions by phasing out coal and gas plants. A year later, in Biden v. Nebraska , the court struck down Biden’s $400 billion student loan forgiveness plan, even though Congress had given the Secretary of Education the power to “waive or modify” laws and regulations governing student loan programs. Critics have blasted both decisions as a “judicial power grab” and accused the justices of legislating from the bench. But whatever the merits of the rule itself, the exact same justices that struck down Biden’s policies in 2022 and 2023 are likely to decide on Trump’s tariffs. Companies that will be impacted by the new taxes have been preparing lawsuits for weeks, according to a report from NBC, meaning the rule will almost certainly end up litigation. The big question now is whether the Supreme Court will apply the same legal standard for Trump. In his statement on Monday, Trump seemed to hint at some type of national security justification for the tariffs. His planned executive order is in response to “thousands of people... pouring through Mexico and Canada, bringing crime and drugs at levels never seen before,” including fentanyl originating in China, he said. But so far, national security hasn’t figured in the major questions doctrine. In fact, critics argue that the rule itself threatens national security. And even if there were an exception, it’s not clear what an import tax paid by American companies has to do with illegal border crossings. Of course, it’s completely possible the Supreme Court’s conservative majority will suddenly, conveniently decide the major questions doctrine doesn’t apply to issues of national security, and that all a president has to do is say the phrase “national security” to end any legal scrutiny. In that case, the Supreme Court will have passed its first MAGA loyalty test.None

Celebs Attending 'The Root 100' Awards Show

Nearly three years after his last visit to India in December 2021, Russian President Vladimir Putin will be in New Delhi for the forthcoming reciprocal 23rd annual bilateral summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pending the announcement of specific dates. Putin’s visit will be at Modi’s invitation extended during their bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the October 2024 Kazan BRICS summit . The two leaders had earlier met at the 22nd India-Russia summit held on the sidelines of the Eastern Economic Forum in Russia in July 2024. At that time, both sides reconfirmed their commitment to strengthen their “ special and privileged ” strategic partnership and its historical, time-tested and all-weather nature. The upcoming summit is significant as Putin’s priority would be to advance multipolarity amid a rapidly changing global order from unipolar dominance to multipolar balance. The Kazan BRICS summit declaration resembled a testament to building a fairer and more just world order, which will be represented by the voice of the global south/global majority that remains marginalised in Western-centric international institutions. Like China, India is expected to be considered a civilisational state and an important partner in building a multipolar order in the emerging global balance of power led by Russia’s initiatives. Russian philosopher Alexander Dugin, whose ideas have much influence on Putin and Moscow’s policy, considers China, India and his country as civilisational states rather than nation-states in the Westphalian model of international relations. For him, multipolarity should be based on dialogue among Russia, China and India which form the Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa (BRICS) grouping that challenges Western dominance. Dugin emphasises the crucial role India can play in the new global order and balance of power, which includes liberation from a colonial mindset and keeping away from West-dominated narratives. Questioning Western dominance The discourse in academic and policy circles, especially in Russia and the Global South, questions the Western dominance and the marginalisation of non-Western voices and experiences. The debate calls for commitment to diversity, inclusiveness, pluralistic universalism and grounding in world history. Besides, the NATO expansion to the East, political instability, the rebirth of fascism in Europe and the US and confronting the new Cold War are the reasons for Russia’s call for building a multipolar world order with the support of Turkey, Egypt, India, China, Brazil, South Africa and others, through Eurasian integration and strengthening multilateral platforms like BRICS, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, G20, etc. BRICS is the most crucial institution in the new Cold War and for establishing a multipolar world order. The changing global context and cooperation with Russia in the Global South, especially under the framework of BRICS, shows that isolating Russia is difficult. Russia is now committed to building a fairer and just multipolar world order as envisioned in the Kazan Declaration , which calls for strengthening multilateralism, enhancing economic cooperation, strengthening people-to-people exchanges, respecting the UN Charter and international law, fighting terrorism and climate change, etc. A consensus was sought to be reached about viewing “ unlawful unilateral coercive measures ”, such as sanctions, as detrimental to the global economy and sustainable development goals. Therefore, the expanded BRICS agreed to de-dollarise and trade in national currencies. India’s position in global order Putin sees the current significance of Russia, India and China in the East to confront Containment II – US’s post-Cold War containment policy – in the 21st century; in the same way Lenin observed in 1923 the significance of Russia’s alliance with India and China for ensuring the success of socialism in its struggle against imperialist countries. In the context of the emergence of a multipolar world, former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger also said, “India will be a fulcrum of 21st-century order: an indispensable element...” Putin views that Russia, China and India’s alliance might counter NATO expansion and neo-liberal capitalism, strengthen multipolarity and ensure the emergence of a multipolar world order which will be more democratic, equitable, prosperous and peaceful. In a recent speech at Valdai International Discussion Club’s plenary meeting in Sochi, considering its fast technological and economic growth, Putin said, “India should be included in the list of great powers.” There is speculation that Putin may have played a role in bringing together Chinese President Xi Jinping and Modi for a successful meeting at Kazan. They agreed to keep the overall relationship cooperative, contribute to regional and global peace and act with a long-term perspective to advance multipolarity. Importantly, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi asserted that Beijing and New Delhi are non-aligned, uphold multilateralism and that the two countries would contribute to the process of building global multipolarity. Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar, who met Wang Yi on the sidelines of the Rio de Janeiro G20 meeting recently, said that the two sides agreed to work together towards rebuilding trust and mutual understanding. Progress will be expected in resuming direct flights, exchanging journalists and facilitating visa issuance. At the July 22 India-Russia summit, Putin and Modi reaffirmed their commitment to the “special and privileged strategic partnership”. India has also adopted a neutral position in the Ukraine-Russia war, urging the latter to resolve the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy in accordance with international law. After the Ukraine war, India-Russia trade expanded considerably. India is one of the main importers of Russian oil despite pressure from US-West partners. The target is to increase trade volume from US$65 billion in 2023 to US$100 billion by 2030. The forthcoming 23rd India-Russia summit will reflect upon and review the partnership, discuss future directions and trajectories and a roadmap for cooperation towards building global multipolarity. Defence cooperation is the major focus of Russia’s strategic partnership, though trade and economic cooperation is expanding. KB Usha is an Associate Professor at the Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi . Originally published under Creative Commons by 360info TM.“Wait, slow down! I can’t see !” It’s an average Wednesday afternoon in New York City, and I am strutting around the streets of SoHo in a very non-average pair of sunglasses. My co-worker, Kya, is just a few feet in front of me, but I’m having trouble keeping tabs on him, let alone the sidewalk directly in front of me. I’m wearing Balenciaga’s 24/7 Mask—futuristic pair of shield shades that make me feel half-human, half-robot. What I lack in basic peripheral vision, I make up for in other heightened senses: I can just feel the gazes of strangers as they walk past me, many of whom are likely wondering, What the hell are those ? And why is he wearing them ? There is a reason why I have slipped into such an avant-garde accessory. Debuting on the label’s fall 2024 runway , I first noticed the Balenciaga shield shades earlier this year, and have been intrigued by them ever since. Average sun-blocking shades these are not: The 24/7 Mask requires the wearer to slip one’s ears into built-in earholes—meaning once you put them on, they are on . There is a level of commitment and dedication to wearing them, not to mention the 180-degrees of darkness slightly impairs your vision. To sport them is to slightly remove yourself from reality and the world we live in; you only see parts of it, and it is even easier to block out the parts you don’t wish to see. I loved this idea of fashion as a form of armor and protection, and began to wonder if they could be conducive to a mundane work day commute. Cue the test-drive. Wearing them on the New York City subway was certainly an experience. Real New Yorkers are privy to the horrors that one can bear witness to on the morning commute to work—like riding with the acrobatic dancers who almost kick your head while performing their routines for money. But in the shield shades, you could block all that out. Holding onto the hand rails for dear life, I could barely see who was in my subway car, let alone what was happening around me on the 1 train. Dare I say the ride felt peaceful for once? Looking like a Marvel villain, I was left alone the entire duration of the trip; they are the perfect statement piece to scare away strangers from talking to you or asking you for directions. As an introvert, this part was pure bliss. Sure, the 24/7 Mask does not render you literally invisible—but wearing them, you feel as though you are wearing some sort of magical Harry Potte r cloak. And you have to admit: In these uncertain times, especially given the current political climate , we often feel like we want to wither away and disappear. Fashion, then, can offer that temporary solution—giving you a false sense of reprieve, even if just for a moment. Next up, Kya and I (because let’s face it: I needed someone to lead the way) headed to a Walgreens to run some errands, with my shield shades still in tow. The sales clerk look worried upon my entry to the store, like I was possibly an armed robber. Again, I took delight in going about my day while blissfully unaware of my surroundings. I perused the rotating sunglasses rack and noticed that my Balenciaga shields were not dissimilar to the cheap, sporty wrap-around sunnies on display. (It’s clear where Demna got his inspiration.) Leaving the store and heading back into the office, I expected the 24/7 Mask to garner me at least one comment from a passerby, but I didn’t get one single “Cool sunglasses!” or “Freak!” comment. Sure, this is Manhattan, where New Yorkers are largely unfazed about everything and anything. But I believe the inconspicuousness lies in the shades. There is something to them that keeps you feeling sheltered—and a little safe, even. They are the perfect sunglasses for the moment. Consider reserving a pair for January 20, 2025. (Look it up.)

Orioles to non-tender reliever Jacob Webb; decisions loom ahead of deadlineCongress has an ‘old’ problem to deal with

What does Big Tech hope to gain from warming up to Trump?None

Telangana not to allow benefit shows of movies, actors’ theatres visitsDirecTV extends its agreement as title sponsor of the Holiday BowlBRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Supermarket giant Carrefour’s support for French farmers’ protests against a trade agreement between the European Union and the South American bloc Mercosur has sparked a strong reaction in Brazil, including a refusal to supply beef to Carrefour stores in Brazil. Carrefour CEO Alexandre Bompard announced in social media posts last week that the French company would stop buying beef from all Mercosur countries, which also include Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Bompard wrote that he agrees with French producers' arguments that Mercosur beef is an unfair competitor due to lower production costs resulting from fewer environmental and sanitary requirements. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams will not be charged with a crime after he was found with a gun in a car driven by his brother, a prosecutor said Monday. The gun on the floor was registered to Williams, but he didn't have a concealed-carry permit. His brother did. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, obituaries, sports, and more.

Google on Monday announced that it will invest an additional $930 million across its three data center campuses in Nebraska, including the one under construction in Lincoln. Karen Dahut, CEO of Google Public Sector, said the additional investment will bring Google's total investment in Nebraska to more than $4.4 billion. She was joined for the announcement at Innovation Campus in Lincoln by Sen. Pete Ricketts, Rep. Don Bacon, University of Nebraska President Jeffrey Gold and Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird. Dahut also announced that the company will donate $250,000 to the University of Nebraska system to support research into artificial intelligence on its various campuses. Gaylor Baird also announced that Google will donate $100,000 to the Foundation for Lincoln Public Schools to help fund the Spark Summer Learning program, which is a hands-on summer camp focusing on STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) for Lincoln-area elementary students. People are also reading... Google has previously said the data center under construction on about 600 acres of land northwest of the 56th Street exit on Interstate 80, will employ at least 30 people. The company has applied for $600 million in state tax incentives for the project and plans it submitted to the city indicate it could eventually grow to 2 million square feet of space if fully built out. Google's other Nebraska data centers are both in the Omaha area. It also has a data center across the river in Council Bluffs, Iowa. This is a developing story. Stay with JournalStar.com for updates. Top Journal Star photos for November 2024 Lincoln firefighter Andrew Brenner sprays water from the top of a ladder truck on to the roof of a former Village Inn at 29th and O streets Wednesday morning. Luca Gustafson, 6, rides to school Tuesday with the bike bus at Riley Elementary School. Each Tuesday, students can bike to school with adult chaperones along a specific route. Wahoo's Braylon Iversen celebrates with Warrior players after they defeated Auburn in a Class C-1 state semifinal game Friday in Wahoo. Lincoln Fire Fighters Association member Andy Evans works to assemble a headboard during a bed-building day hosted by Sleep in Heavenly Peace on Saturday at Hampton Enterprises. Volunteers helped build 20 beds for children in need. Second-time mother giraffe Allie nuzzles her new calf in the giraffe experience enclosure on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at the Lincoln Children's Zoo. Nebraska celebrates during the first set of the match against Minnesota on Thursday at the Devaney Sports Center. Iris Gonnerman, 8 (from right), her brother Oliver, 6, and cousin Noreen Milana, 9, wave flags while watching Veterans Parade outside the state Capitol on Sunday. Nebraska's Connor Essegian scores against Bethune-Cookma on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Covered by a canopy of changing leaves, a car cruises along A street in a neighborhood north of Downtown Lincoln on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. Mild temperatures continue into the mid weeks of November. Wednesday calls for a chance of rain showers before noon with gusty winds. Most days this week are expected to be accompanied by mostly sunny skies and consistent breezes. Norris' Anna Jelinek (left) lifts the the Class B championship trophy alongside Rya Borer on Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center. Lincoln Lutheran players embrace one another as threy celebrate defeating Thayer Central in four sets to win the Class C-2 championship match Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center. Superior players celebrate their three set win over EMF during the Class D-1 championship match Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center. Reflected in a ceiling beam, Leyton takes on Shelton in the first set of the Class D-2 championship match Saturday at the Devaney Sports Center. Omaha Skutt's Nicole Ott (left) and Addison West react after a point in the second set during a Class B semifinal match Friday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Hasan Khalil, owner of Golden Scissors, trims the beard of Vitaliy Martynyuk on Friday at his barbershop in Lincoln. Southwest fans Kylea Stritt (from left), Peg Rice, and Stacey Wilson cheer on their team as the "horsemen" during a Class D-1 first-round match Thursday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Millard West players dogpile on the floor after defeating Lincoln Southwest in five set match during a Class A first-round match Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Lincoln Southwest's Shelby Harding dives to save the ball from hitting the ground in the first set during a Class A first-round match Wednesday at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Second graders Eli Gonzalez (left) and Shrutoshome Datta look at drawings that first and second grade students made at the Monster Jam Art Show on Wednesday at Elliott Elementary School. The elementary school students made drawings of monsters to be turned into different types of art by Lincoln High School students. Norris players celebrate a point against Lincoln Pius X in a Class B state volleyball tournament match, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (right) talks with supporters, including Darlene Starman of Lincoln, at her campaign office on Tuesday in Lincoln. A cutout of Jesus watches over voters on Tuesday at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Lincoln. Abigail Webb votes on Tuesday at F Street Community Center. Nebraska's Rollie Worster (24) shoots a layup while defended by Texas Rio Grande Valley's Marshal Destremau (left) and Trey Miller (right) on Nov. 4 at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Nebraska's Allison Weidner (left) autographs a poster for Freeman Public Schools student Godwil Muthiani, 12 (center), after the game against UNO on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024, at Pinnacle Bank Arena. Muthiani's sign says, "#3 Allison Weinder is the GOAT! Sorry I'm only 12." Nebraska Head Coach Matt Rhule speaks to an official after a targeting call on Nebraska during the first quarter of the game against UCLA on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at Memorial Stadium. The call was overturned after review. Nebraska's Dante Dowdell scores against UCLA in the fourth quarter on Saturday at Memorial Stadium. Cadet Elena Burgwald (left) and Cadet Mason Beck look up as a B-1B Lancer flies over Memorial Stadium before the UCLA game against Nebraska on Saturday. UCLA's K.J. Wallace (7) defends Nebraska's Jacory Barney (17) as he makes a diving 40-yard catch in the second quarter on Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, at Memorial Stadium. Lincoln Southeast quarterback Tre Bollen (left) and Tate Sandman react after losing a Class A football playoff game against Millard North on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Seacrest Field. Millard North won 10-3. After the field clears, Norris' Jarrett Behrends (17) kicks his helmet after the Titans fell to Waverly 16-17 in a Class B football playoff game on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024, at Waverly High School. A line of people waiting to vote has been normal at the Lancaster County Election Commission Office at 601 N. 46th St., as it was Friday afternoon. The office will be open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to allow voters to cast an early ballot. If they wait until Election Day, they will need to go to their precinct or drop off their ballots at one of five drop boxes across the city. For more stories about about Tuesday's election, go to Journalstar.com . The business news you need Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. Associate managing editor {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Local government reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.It’s a daunting reality for Democrats: Republican Donald Trump's support has grown broadly since he last sought the presidency. In his defeat of Democrat Kamala Harris , Trump won a bigger percentage of the vote in each one of the 50 states, and Washington, D.C., than he did four years ago. He won more actual votes than in 2020 in 40 states, according to an Associated Press analysis. Certainly, Harris’ more than 7 million vote decline from President Joe Biden’s 2020 total was a factor in her loss, especially in swing-state metropolitan areas that have been the party’s winning electoral strongholds. But, despite national turnout that was lower than in the high-enthusiasm 2020 election, Trump received 2.5 million more votes than he did four years ago. He swept the seven most competitive states to win a convincing Electoral College victory, becoming the first Republican nominee in 20 years to win a majority of the popular vote. Trump cut into places where Harris needed to overperform to win a close election. Now Democrats are weighing how to regain traction ahead of the midterm elections in two years, when control of Congress will again be up for grabs and dozens of governors elected. There were some notable pieces to how Trump's victory came together: Though Trump improved across the map, his gains were particularly noteworthy in urban counties home to the cities of Detroit, Milwaukee and Philadelphia, electoral engines that stalled for Harris in industrial swing states Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. Harris fell more than 50,000 votes — and 5 percentage points — short of Biden's total in Wayne County, Michigan, which makes up the lion's share of the Detroit metro area. She was almost 36,000 votes off Biden's mark in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, and about 1,000 short in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. It wasn't only Harris' shortfall that helped Trump carry the states, a trio that Democrats had collectively carried in six of the seven previous elections before Nov. 5. Trump added to his 2020 totals in all three metro counties, netting more than 24,000 votes in Wayne County, more than 11,000 in Philadelphia County and almost 4,000 in Milwaukee County. It’s not yet possible to determine whether Harris fell short of Biden’s performance because Biden voters stayed home or switched their vote to Trump — or how some combination of the two produced the rightward drift evident in each of these states. Harris advertised heavily and campaigned regularly in each, and made Milwaukee County her first stop as a candidate with a rally in July. These swings alone were not the difference in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, but her weaker performance than Biden across the three metros helped Trump, who held on to big 2020 margins in the three states' broad rural areas and improved or held steady in populous suburbs. Trump's team and outside groups supporting him knew from their data that he was making inroads with Black voters, particularly Black men younger than 50, more concentrated in these urban areas that have been key to Democratic victories. When James Blair, Trump's political director, saw results coming in from Philadelphia on election night, he knew Trump had cut into the more predominantly Black precincts, a gain that would echo in Wayne and Milwaukee counties. “The data made clear there was an opportunity there,” Blair said. AP VoteCast, a nationwide survey of more than 120,000 voters, found Trump won a larger share of Black and Latino voters than he did in 2020, and most notably among men under age 45. Democrats won Senate races in Michigan and Wisconsin but lost in Pennsylvania. In 2026, they will be defending governorships in all three states and a Senate seat in Michigan. Despite the burst of enthusiasm Harris' candidacy created among the Democratic base when she entered the race in July, she ended up receiving fewer votes than Biden in three of the seven states where she campaigned almost exclusively. In Arizona, she received about 90,000 fewer votes than Biden. She received about 67,000 fewer in Michigan and 39,000 fewer in Pennsylvania. In four others — Georgia, Nevada, North Carolina and Wisconsin — Harris won more votes than Biden did. But Trump's support grew by more — in some states, significantly more. That dynamic is glaring in Georgia, where Harris received almost 73,000 more votes than Biden did when he very narrowly carried the state. But Trump added more than 200,000 to his 2020 total, en route to winning Georgia by roughly 2 percentage points. In Wisconsin, Trump's team reacted to slippage it saw in GOP-leaning counties in suburban Milwaukee by targeting once-Democratic-leaning, working-class areas, where Trump made notable gains. In the three largest suburban Milwaukee counties — Ozaukee, Washington and Waukesha — which have formed the backbone of GOP victories for decades, Harris performed better than Biden did in 2020. She also gained more votes than Trump gained over 2020, though he still won the counties. That made Trump's focus on Rock County, a blue-collar area in south central Wisconsin, critical. Trump received 3,084 more votes in Rock County, home of the former automotive manufacturing city of Janesville, than he did in 2020, while Harris underperformed Biden's 2020 total by seven votes. That helped Trump offset Harris' improvement in Milwaukee's suburbs. The focus speaks to the strength Trump has had and continued to grow with middle-income, non-college educated voters, the Trump campaign's senior data analyst Tim Saler said. “If you're going to have to lean into working-class voters, they are particularly strong in Wisconsin,” Saler said. “We saw huge shifts from 2020 to 2024 in our favor.” Of the seven most competitive states, Arizona saw the smallest increase in the number of votes cast in the presidential contest — slightly more than 4,000 votes, in a state with more than 3.3 million ballots cast. That was despite nearly 30 campaign visits to Arizona by Trump, Harris and their running mates and more than $432 million spent on advertising by the campaigns and allied outside groups, according to the ad-monitoring firm AdImpact. Arizona, alone of the seven swing states, saw Harris fall short of Biden across small, midsize and large counties. In the other six states, she was able to hold on in at least one of these categories. Even more telling, it is also the only swing state where Trump improved his margin in every single county. While turnout in Maricopa County, Arizona's most populous as the home to Phoenix, dipped slightly from 2020 — by 14,199 votes, a tiny change in a county where more than 2 million people voted — Trump gained almost 56,000 more votes than four years ago. Meanwhile, Harris fell more than 60,000 votes short of Biden's total, contributing to a shift significant enough to swing the county and state to Trump, who lost Arizona by fewer than 11,000 votes in 2020. The biggest leaps to the right weren't taking place exclusively among Republican-leaning counties, but also among the most Democratic-leaning counties in the states. Michigan's Wayne County swung 9 points toward Trump, tying the more Republican-leaning Antrim County for the largest movement in the state. AP VoteCast found that voters were most likely to say the economy was the most important issue facing the country in 2024, followed by immigration. Trump supporters were more motivated by economic issues and immigration than Harris', the survey showed. “It’s still all about the economy," said North Carolina Democratic strategist Morgan Jackson, a senior adviser to Democrat Josh Stein, who won North Carolina’s governorship on Nov. 5 as Trump also carried the state. “Democrats have to embrace an economic message that actually works for real people and talk about it in the kind of terms that people get, rather than giving them a dissertation of economic policy,” he said. Governor’s elections in 2026 give Democrats a chance to test their understanding and messaging on the issue, said Democratic pollster Margie Omero, whose firm has advised Wisconsin’s Democratic Gov. Tony Evers in the past and winning Arizona Senate candidate Ruben Gallego this year. “So there’s an opportunity to really make sure people, who governors have a connection to, are feeling some specificity and clarity with the Democratic economic message,” Omero said.A user opens SK Telecom's conversational AI agent adot.ai service via a smartphone. Courtesy of SK Telecom SK Telecom topped the industry-wide National Customer Satisfaction Index (NCSI) rankings for the 27th year, according to the Korea Productivity Center (KPC) on Friday. Securing over 80 points this year, the company has topped the mobile carrier category for 27 years since the KPC started the list in 1998. “SK Telecom has continuously done its best to satisfy the needs of our customers," SK Telecom said in a press release. “We believe the list has reflected our long(-term) efforts.” In a bid to maximize its customers' experience with artificial intelligence (AI), SK Telecom updated its conversational AI service, adot.ai, in August. The update includes upgrading its large language model (LLM) to offer a more natural conversation experience with users, strengthening its calendar scheduling service and revamping the app’s user interface. Thanks to the upgrade, customers can now use the world’s cutting-edge LLM agents such as Perplexity, ChatGPT, Claude and A.X. The adot.ai agent also allows them to use customized services in music and media recommendations as well as stock investment. In September, SK Telecom also released the iOS version of the ZEM app, a self-monitoring app for customers aged under 14. Via the app, users can plan how much they will use their smartphone and what apps they will use during the day. Up to five guardians, who install the ZEM-For Parents app, can monitor the amount of time their kids spend on their smartphones and which apps they use. SK Telecom is the only mobile carrier that provides such services both on iOS and Android platforms. Last year, it also introduced a service plan exclusively designed for customers aged under 34 to offer up to 50 percent more 5G data in its package along with various coffee and movie ticket vouchers. According to the mobile carrier, seven out of 10 customers under 24 are using the plan. Hy Central Laboratory in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province / Courtesy of hy Dairy producer hy also topped the NCSI rankings for the 27th year in the milk/fermented milk category, the KPC said. It has held the top position on the list since the KPC began announcing rankings in 1998. The company stated in a press release that its relentless efforts to strengthen its probiotic technology are the reason behind its dominant position on the list. “Hy has continuously worked on its probiotics technology to compete in the global market,” hy Central Laboratory head Lee Jae-hwan said. “Hy has been the No. 1 brand in fermented milk. We will continue our efforts to introduce better products in the future.” Hy was the nation's first food company to establish a research center focused on dairy production technologies in 1976. Approximately 90 percent of the company's workforce hold master's or doctoral degrees. In a bid to strengthen its competitiveness, it also formed the Future Insight Advisory Committee, a joint study group with outside scholars to comprehensively analyze the dairy producer’s various probiotics. Renowned scholars, including Kim Yeon-soo, former Seoul National University Hospital head, and Gloria Kim, a cognitive science professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, are part of the group’s advisory members. Samsung Card's promotional image for its new credit card lineup / Courtesy of Samsung Card Samsung Card also secured the top position in the industry-wide NCSI rankings in the credit card category for the 11th consecutive year, according to the KPC. The company’s strong performance reflects its unwavering commitment to safeguarding customers from the possibility of fraud. The credit card issuer also provides a comprehensive expenditure monitoring service to customers via its recently renovated in-app user interface. Collecting related data from its sister firms, Samsung Life, Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance and Samsung Securities, it allows customers to get a wide range of financial analytic services in consumption, insurance, investment and pensions. In 2021, Samsung Card introduced the Samsung iD Card, a custom-made credit card designed by each cardholder. Each card is made with reusable plastic and low-carbon paper, a measure to fulfill its commitment to conserving environmental resources. To assist hearing-impaired customers, Samsung Card has provided an instant messaging service and a video-calling service. For disabled and older adult customers, its employees visit their houses during the credit card application review process. Samsung Securities employees consult a customer in asset management. Courtesy of Samsung Securities Samsung Securities claimed the top spot in the NCSI in the overall Securities and consignment trading category, according to the KPC. The brokerage said in a statement that it offered differentiated asset management services for customers thanks to its diverse investment experts at home and abroad. “Samsung Securities specializes in asset management for corporate customers,” a Samsung Securities official said. “We also provide networking events for CEOs and chief financial officers of renowned businesses here.” It also offers custom-made digitalized asset management services for the mid and lower-income brackets as well as those in younger generations who just landed a job. Studying and analyzing each customer’s income and consumption flow, the firm’s one-stop digitalized consulting agent offers an ideal financial product for each customer. The brokerage also regularly collects each customer’s feedback to optimize the firm’s service structure, the official added. NCSI logo Surveying over 300 companies, colleges and state-run institutions in over 80 industry sectors, the KPC has collected and studied related data to release the NCSI rankings with customer evaluations of products and services since 1998. This year’s overall customer satisfaction index averaged 78 points in 2024, down 0.2 points from the previous year. “The NCSI has experienced a decline in two consecutive years,” the KPC said in a press release. “The prolonged downturn followed by low consumption adversely influenced the figure." To remove this article -

OTTAWA — Former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney says Canada didn’t live up to its values on immigration over the last few years as it allowed more people into the country than it could absorb. Carney, who is currently a special adviser to the Liberal party, made those comments during an event in Ottawa held by Cardus, a Christian think tank. Carney says Canada let newcomers down by admitting more workers and students than it could provide for, including with housing, health care and social services. Earlier this fall, the Liberal government announced a plan to significantly reduced its immigration target for permanent residents and to dramatically scale back the number of temporary residents in Canada. Those changes came about after a period of strong population growth that led to mounting criticism of the Liberal government’s immigration policies. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has acknowledged that the federal government did not get the balance right on immigration after the COVID-19 pandemic. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 27, 2024. Nojoud Al Mallees, The Canadian Press