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Presidential waiting game: GOP hopefuls hold off campaigns

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:53:08 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — They are meeting with campaign donors and giving frequent interviews on cable news. They’re delivering speeches in early voting states like Iowa and New Hampshire and hobnobbing with local Republican groups. Some are even quietly discussing campaign jobs with political operatives. But don’t call them presidential candidates — at least, not yet.From Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to former Vice President Mike Pence and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott, there appears to be little rush to join the field of official presidential candidates. The reluctance reflects the unsettled nature of U.S. politics as Republicans game out whether Donald Trump will maintain his grip on the party, particularly if a criminal indictment is leveled against the former president in New York as early as this week. While such a move would mark a historic moment in American politics, the presidential campaign still moves forward with the first debates slated for August and Iowa’s leadoff ca...

Sakamoto leads after short program at figure skating worlds

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:53:08 GMT

SAITAMA, Japan (AP) — Defending champion Kaori Sakamoto took the lead after the women’s short program at the world figure skating championships on Wednesday.Aiming to become the first Japanese skater to win back-to-back world titles, Sakamoto received 79.24 points at Saitama Super Arena for a routine that featured a double axel, a triple lutz and a triple flip, triple toeloop combination.Russia’s typically dominant skating team has been excluded from the world championships for the second straight year because of the invasion of Ukraine. That ruled out Olympic champion Anna Shcherbakova and teammates Alexandra Trusova and Kamila Valieva from the women’s event.Sakamoto is 5.62 points ahead of Lee Hae-in of South Korea going to Friday’s free skate. Mai Mihara of Japan was third with 73.46 points.“Hearing the crowd cheering reminded me of the last time the worlds were held here four years ago,” Sakamoto said. “I was pleased with today’s short program and will just try to stay focused f...

Quick spring refreshes: Making the old place feel like new

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:53:08 GMT

Maybe you had hoped to be in a new home this year but were deterred by high housing prices. Maybe it’s just the arrival of spring that’s got you looking around your rooms and wanting something fresh.To make the old place feel like a new place, or just an updated place, designers and home editors say there’s lots you can do without spending a lot of money. Those include switching out a few furnishings or decorative items, rearranging others, and perhaps changing the purpose of a room.A DIFFERENT VIEWNew perspectives are often just as refreshing as new stuff.Caroline Utz of the home and lifestyle website The Spruce says that for renters in particular, there’s a simple trick that costs nothing but time.“I love leaning art on top of dressers, desks, mantels or bookshelves. When I’m looking for a change, I move the art to different rooms until I find a fresh combination,” she said. “The best part is that no nails, drywall repair kits or hanging equipment are...

Sen. Scott poised to give 2024 ‘political update’ to donors

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:53:08 GMT

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina is inching ever closer to a presidential bid in 2024, scheduling his latest swing through early-voting states before returning home afterward to give donors a “political update.”According to an invitation obtained by The Associated Press, Scott will meet with donors to hold what’s being advertised as a “Faith in America Summit” next month in Charleston. The schedule notes a reception and dinner on April 14, as well as “breakfast, policy discussions, and political update” the following day.The event, characterized by a person familiar with Scott’s plans as a gathering of “high-level fundraisers and supporters,” directly follows Scott’s stops in Iowa and New Hampshire. The schedule was first reported by Politico.The senator is expected to soon make a decision on whether to launch a 2024 campaign, according to the person familiar with his plans who was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly...

Ship dislodges, tips over in Scotland dry dock; 25 injured

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:53:08 GMT

LONDON (AP) — A ship tipped over while dry-docked in Scotland, injuring 25 people Wednesday, emergency workers said. Police and emergency services were called to the Imperial Dock in Edinburgh after receiving reports that a ship had become dislodged from its holding.The Scottish Ambulance Service said 15 people were taken to the hospital, while 10 others were treated and discharged at the scene. Photos from the scene showed the ship leaning to the side at a 45-degree angle. Adam McVey, a local official, tweeted that it became dislodged due to strong winds. British media reports said the 76-meter (250-feet) ship was a research vessel previously bought and outfitted by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.The BBC reported the ship had been moored since 2020 due to challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.Source

GameStop leads meme stock rally in pandemic trade comeback

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:53:08 GMT

Meme stocks jumped Wednesday after GameStop, one of the most heavily traded off-brand stocks during the pandemic, posted a surprise profit for the fourth quarter, its first quarterly profit in two years. Rather than a per-share loss of 16 cents as Wall Street had expected, the video game retailer reported a profit of 16 cents per share, or $48.2 million in all. GameStop’s revenue fell and much of the profit gain came from aggressive cost cutting, including store closures and layoffs. However, as was the case during the pandemic, fundamentals that typically drive stock movement appear to be being pushed aside. Shares of GameStop Corp., Grapevine, Texas, surged 51% at the opening bell and it pulled other meme stocks along for the ride. During the pandemic, GameStop was a member of a group of beat-down stocks that drew smaller investors in huge numbers. The theory was that if enough small investors got in the game and drove the stock higher, it would force large hedge funds with ...

From Cheerios to Haagen-Dazs: Nestle vows to make foods, drinks healthier

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:53:08 GMT

It’s convenient to reach into your pantry, but the world’s largest food and beverage maker says less than half of its products can be considered healthy.Nestle said that, according to the results of an international nutrient profiling system, most of the foods and drinks they make were rated as unhealthy.Nestle’s popular products range from Cheerios and Shredded Wheat breakfast cereals, to lunchbox and workplace staples Lean Cuisine and Hot Pockets. Not to mention instant coffee, Haagen-Dazs ice cream and Nesquik chocolate power, syrup, and ready-to-drink products.And, of course, treats including Nestle Crunch bars and KitKat bars.More Business and Finance NewsMore Lifestyle NewsIn its 2022 annual report, Nestle said it is the first company to use the international Health Star Rating system to evaluate its entire portfolio of foods and drink products. The system assigns ratings from a low of half-a-star up to five stars, and provides guidance on foods which should ...

Wall Street holds steady ahead of Fed decision on rates

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:53:08 GMT

NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks are holding steady as Wall Street bides its time until the Federal Reserve announces whether it will tighten the screws further on the economy. The S&P 500 was 0.1% lower early Wednesday. It’s coming off its first back-to-back gain in two weeks, before the second- and third-largest U.S. bank failures in history threw the industry into turmoil. A few weeks ago, much of Wall Street was convinced the Fed would pick up the pace on its hikes to interest rates given how stubbornly high inflation has remained. With banks straining under higher rates, that’s not as certain anymore. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.Wall Street quietly drifted between small gains and losses early Wednesday ahead of a closely-watched decision by the Federal Reserve on whether to raise interest rates in the midst of a global banking crisis.Futures for the Dow Jones Industrials inched less than 0.1% higher, while futures for the S&P 500 were essentia...

Suspect at large after attempting to run over deputy, patrol cars

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:53:08 GMT

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — Deputies are investigating an officer-involved shooting after a suspect allegedly rammed into patrol cars and got away. According to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, multiple deputies are in the area of West Bowles Avenue and South Chase Street in Columbine. The area is just south of Marston Lake. JCSO said a deputy who was on foot fired at a tan Lincoln Navigator as the car drove directly toward the deputy. The suspect also allegedly rammed into other patrol cars several times before fleeing the scene. Pueblo mom shot twice, survived attempted carjacking Thankfully, no injuries were reported.Deputies said the suspect is still at large. They believe the Lincoln Navigator has heavy passenger-side damage. The suspect in the car is described as a white or Hispanic man.The suspect was last seen traveling north on Chase Street toward Grant Ranch.Deputies are still searching the area for the suspect. JCSO is asking everyone to avoid the area as dep...

‘Don’t Say Gay’ lawmaker pleads guilty to COVID relief fraud

Published Fri, 27 Dec 2024 12:53:08 GMT

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The former Florida lawmaker who sponsored the controversial law critics call “Don’t Say Gay” pleaded guilty Tuesday to committing $150,000 in COVID-19 relief fraud.Joseph Harding, a 35-year-old Republican, pleaded guilty in Gainesville federal court to wire fraud, money laundering, and making false statements in connection with COVID-19 relief fraud, according to court records. He faces up to 35 years in prison at a hearing scheduled for July 25.Harding resigned from the Florida House in December, a day after federal prosecutors announced his indictment.According to court documents, Harding made false statements to the Small Business Administration while applying for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan for one of his dormant business entities. After obtaining $150,000 in COVID-19 relief funds, prosecutors said Harding conducted three monetary transactions, each involving more than $10,000 in fraudulently obtained funds: a transfer to his joint bank account, a p...