Furthermore, the government will focus on improving the regulatory framework and governance structure of the real estate market to enhance transparency, accountability, and integrity. By strengthening enforcement mechanisms, promoting compliance with laws and regulations, and cracking down on illegal practices, the government aims to foster a more stable and trustworthy market environment.From Matt Gaetz to Pete Hegseth to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., several of President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks have faced major blowback and media opposition campaigns aimed at derailing their nominations. But one pick conservatives were bracing for a knock-down, drag-out fight over is seemingly sailing toward confirmation despite early wailing from Democrats: would-be FBI Director Kash Patel. Patel was the former Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Defense and rose to prominence after being a vocal critic of the Mueller investigation into “Russian interference” during the 2016 election, which turned up nothing but caused a major distraction during Trump’s first term. Democrats viciously opposed the Patel pick, citing an “enemies list” from his book and his pledges to clean out the federal bureaucracy of disruptive and disloyal elements , but if the Senate is at all phased by it, it’s unnoticeable. Sources said Patel has been able to rise above the fray due to the legwork he’s put in with lawmakers in the years leading up to Trump’s second election. A source close to Patel said his commitment to advancing the MAGA agenda drove him to continue cultivating relationships with Senate Republicans even while Trump was out of office. That singular focus paid off, and the work he put in now has him on the cusp of serving in a critical position in the second Trump administration he hoped would eventually arrive. (RELATED: Kash Patel Wants The FBI Out Of The Spying Game — Here’s Where He Could Start) “I was aware of Kash Patel by reputation during the Trump administration, but really got to know him over the last couple of years. We’d often chat when he would swing through town. I found he had keen political instincts and was also just a delightful person to talk and strategize with,” Utah Sen. Mike Lee told the Caller. “Long before his name was on the shortlist to lead the FBI, I knew he was a dedicated patriot who has experienced firsthand the corrupt bureaucracy we’re going to hold accountable in Trump’s second term,” the senator added. Patel has met with more than a dozen senators since getting the FBI nod, and many have publicly come out in support of him. The Trump transition, Politico reported , expected more pushback to the FBI pick. But it hasn’t materialized, in part because senators already know Patel and what to expect from him in office. Several key senators told the Caller that over the last three years they have cultivated a relationship with Patel, discussing national security and the America first agenda. Working with Devin Nunes, Kash Patel was instrumental in dismantling the Russia Hoax. He was the author of the famous memo that exposed how the FBI lied in FISA warrants to spy on Carter Page. He exposed how the bogus Steele Dossier was funded by Hillary’s campaign and used... — Greg Price (@greg_price11) December 1, 2024 “I’ve been following his career for a while since he was working with Devin Nunes and exposing the Russia Hoax and FISA abuse. We connected at a few events and have stayed in touch over the years. He’s come by my office and been a great sounding board on national security and beyond,” Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall told the Caller. Ahead of Trump’s announcement, Patel was floated to be in the running for a top role in the FBI or the Department of Justice. When Gaetz withdrew his name from the attorney general running and former Florida AG Pam Bondi was tapped to replace him, the noise about Patel to the FBI got louder. The anticipated choice of Patel caused “shockwaves” – but only for a short time. One former official told CBS News that he was “by far the most dangerous pick.” NBC News wrote that he hosted a show for “a conspiracy-filled, far-right media organization,” the Epoch Times. Slate complained about Patel’s “terrifying” “enemies list.” (RELATED: James Carville Apparently Thinks All Indians Look Alike, Mixes Up Kash Patel With Daily Caller Publisher) But one by one, senators pledged their support. And perhaps the strongest sign yet that Patel is likely to be confirmed came when his would-be predecessor, Chris Wray, resigned this month . “Since I got to DC, Kash has been one of my go-to people to call with questions about defense or national security. His breadth of experience and handle on these critical issues is truly unmatched,” Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville told the Caller. Before Patel entered the Trump administration, he was known around the Capitol as a national security advisor and senior counsel for the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. That experience has proven fruitful in building relationships with Congressional leaders over the past few years. “His work to help uncover the FBI’s mishandling of the Russia collusion hoax, known as the Crossfire Hurricane investigation, make him uniquely positioned to begin a new day at the bureau, ensuring they can return to their number one mission of fighting crime and protecting the country,” a spokesperson for Republican South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham told the Caller. Ahead of his appointment, Patel earned attention for speaking out against the weaponization of the surveillance state and recently called for a “24/7 declassification office.” He has previously proposed taking the FBI headquarters, shutting it down and turning it into a museum. this kind of thing remains the bull case for Kash Patel: how many senior GOP officials are former public defenders (thankless work Patel did for 8 years in Miami)? Work echoed by a hostage rescue drive into Syria in summer 2020– when few in the world cared about Syria pic.twitter.com/XVz0LmbDLz — Curt Mills (@CurtMills) December 22, 2024 “Kash’s drive to lead the FBI is deeply personal, rooted in his family’s story. His father fled a genocidal dictatorship where there was no law and order, seeking the safety and opportunity America provides,” Erica Knight, a spokesperson for Patel, told the Caller. “He’s spent the last few years deliberately building relationships with senators, meeting with them, and preparing for this moment,” she continued.
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powel l adopted a hawkish stance during his Wednesday press conference after the December Fed meeting, sparking a market bloodbath as the New York session headed to the close. Although the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates by 0.25% to a range of 4.25%-4.5%, as widely anticipated, the updated economic projections suggest just two potential rate cuts in 2025 — down from four projected in September and fewer than the three anticipated by markets before the meeting. Powell described the shift as “a new phase” for monetary policy, emphasizing that after 100 basis points of rate cuts in 2024, rates are now significantly closer to a neutral stance. Stocks tumbled across the board, the U.S. dollar soared to two-year highs and Bitcoin BTC/USD cratered over 5%, as investors digested the reality of a shift in the monetary policy stance by the Federal Reserve. The CBOE Volatility Index, known as the VIX and Wall Street’s fear gauge, skyrocketed 58% to 25, reflecting a spike in investor uncertainty and heightened anxiety over the future of interest rates. Wall Street Wipeout: Major Indices Slammed The Dow Jones Industrial Average, as tracked by the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF DIA , dropped 1,123 points, falling 2.6% to close at 42,326, marking its worst one-day drop since September 2022. Amazon.com Inc. AMZN recorded the worst performance among blue-chip stocks, down 4.6%. The S&P 500 index — tracked by the SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust SPY — fell 178 points, down 2.9% to 5,872, also marking its worst day since September 2022. Paycom Software Inc. PAYC was the major laggard within the S&P 500, down 10%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq 100, tracked by the Invesco QQQ Trust, Series 1 QQQ , experienced an even sharper drop of 3.6%, closing at 21,209 as interest rate-sensitive technology stocks took a beating. Tesla Inc. TSLA tumbled 8.1%, marking the worst performance within the Nasdaq 100. Every Magnificent Seven company ended the day in the red, collectively erasing more than $600 billion in market value on Wednesday. Small caps in the Russell 2000 posted the steepest losses, plummeting 4.7% to 2,225. With Wednesday’s move, the iShares Russell 2000 ETF IWM has fully erased the post-election rally. All major U.S. equity sectors finished in the red. Consumer Discretionary stocks suffered the most, plunging 4.5%, followed by Real Estate, which dropped 4% as rising rates weigh heavily on growth-oriented and interest-rate-sensitive industries. Technology, the largest sector by market capitalization, fell 3.2%, with chipmakers and software companies bearing the brunt of the selloff. Communications and Materials both declined 2.9%, while Financials dropped 3%, reflecting pressure across cyclical areas of the market. Even traditionally defensive sectors failed to escape the selloff. Utilities and Consumer Staples fell 2.4% and 1.5%, respectively. Dollar Surges To 2-Year Highs, Hammers Gold And Bitcoin The U.S. dollar emerged as the day's clear winner, with the dollar index (DXY), followed by the Invesco DB USD Index Bullish Fund ETF UUP , climbing 1.2% to reach its highest level since November 2022. As the greenback rallied, gold failed to provide a safe haven, falling 2.1% to $2,580 per ounce, while silver dropped 3.5%. Risk-off sentiment extended into alternative assets. Bitcoin plunged 5.5%, trading just above $101,500. During the press conference, Powell was asked whether the U.S. government should consider building a strategic reserve of Bitcoin. Powell quickly dismissed the idea, making it clear that such a move is not on the Fed’s radar. "We're not allowed to own Bitcoin," Powell said, emphasizing the legal and structural limitations of the Federal Reserve. "The Federal Reserve Act dictates what we can own, and we're not seeking any changes to that law." Read Next: Fed Slashes Interest Rates By 0.25% As Predicted: December Dot Plot Flags Only 2 Potential Cuts In 2025 Illustration generated with AI via Dall-E. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.In a stunning development, authorities have made a major breakthrough in the murder case of the CEO of a prominent insurance giant. The suspect, who has been on the run since the brutal killing, was finally apprehended after an extensive manhunt.After three years, is finally back. The South Korean thriller is returning this December with seven new episodes packed full of stressful, murderous children’s games that will make you question your own morality. Created, written and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, “Squid Game” first premiered in September of 2021. The dystopian thriller quickly became a hit, jumping to the top of Netflix’s internal charts to become its most-watched series of all time. The series was renewed in the summer of 2022 before it won six Primetime Emmys. Now it’s officially back with a whole new cast of characters and a slew of new challenges to give you nightmares. Wondering when you can watch new episodes? Here’s everything you need to know about how to watch “Squid Game” Season 2 on Netflix. This new installment of the South Korean thriller will premiere on Dec. 26, the day after Christmas. All episodes will be available that day. The second season of “Squid Game” will premiere on Netflix on Dec. 26 at 3 a.m. ET / 12 a.m. PT. Altogether, there will be seven hourlong episodes in this new season. Previously, Season 1 had nine episodes. The third and final season of the series will premiere in 2025. It’s unknown how many episodes will be in this upcoming installment, but we know that Season 3 was filmed at the same time as Season 2. It’s expected that this upcoming season will pick up right after the events of the second season. 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The incident occurred during a televised interview in which the advisor, speaking on behalf of the Trump camp, insensitively remarked on President Zelensky's choice of clothing during a recent diplomatic visit. The advisor's disparaging comments, which were deemed as undiplomatic and inappropriate, immediately sparked a flurry of criticism and condemnation.
It is crucial for the public to fact-check information before sharing it online to prevent the spread of misinformation and false rumors. In the age of social media and instant communication, fake news can easily gain traction and cause confusion among the public. By verifying the accuracy of information and relying on reputable sources, we can help combat the dissemination of false information.Existing VIP members need not worry about losing any other benefits they currently enjoy. Tencent Video confirmed that all other VIP privileges, such as ad-free viewing, exclusive content, and early access to new releases, will remain unchanged. The platform is committed to providing a premium entertainment experience for its subscribers and will continue to introduce new features and content to enhance user satisfaction.
We didn’t pledge support for Aiyedatiwa, NNPP’s Edema disowns alleged meetingAs a result of these clashes, Lewandowski has found himself increasingly ostracized within the Barcelona dressing room. The Polish striker, known for his prolific goal-scoring record and leadership qualities, is said to have become isolated from the rest of the squad, with reports suggesting that he no longer communicates with certain teammates both on and off the pitch.
Lastly, the increasing prominence of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in investment decisions is reshaping the A-share market. As investors place greater emphasis on sustainability and ethical practices, companies with strong ESG performance are likely to attract more attention and capital. This trend is transforming the investment landscape by highlighting the importance of responsible investing and the long-term implications of environmental and social factors on financial performance.The UK must become less dependent on China for critical minerals, an influential thinktank has concluded before a government strategy decision in the spring. In a report on rare earth minerals, which are essential components for hi-tech products from mobile phones to missiles, Labour Together said ministers should “de-risk” supply chains and reduce reliance on China by building partnerships with other countries. The report said China’s dominance in critical mineral supply chains created “vulnerability” and the UK was at greater risk of being singled out after Brexit. Amid escalating trade tensions with the US before Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration, China banned shipments of antimony, gallium and germanium to the country earlier this month. The UK government has said it will produce a new strategy on critical minerals in the spring. Labour Together said this should be closely informed by the government’s industrial strategy, also due in the spring, to determine which critical minerals and stages of the supply chain the UK will be most reliant on in the future. Critical minerals are essential for the green transition. Data suggests China extracts about 70% of the world’s rare earth metal ore, dominates the processing and refining of it and uses it to manufacture 90% of the global supply of neodymium magnets, the magnet most commonly used in wind turbines. The report also said it was important for China to be “engaged where possible, eg on mining standards, rather than treated as an adversary”. A paper by the Royal United Services Institute thinktank in October said the UK should work with China on improving environmental and labour practices in mining and engage with Chinese companies operating in countries eligible for international aid. Labour Together said the government should improve the coordination of cross-Whitehall work on critical minerals, work more closely with the EU, promote responsible mining standards internationally and lead a campaign to drive investment. The Conservative party published a critical minerals strategy in 2022, which the foreign affairs committee said was “too broad and does not convey the sense of urgency”. Alicia Kearns, the Tory committee chair at the time, said that for three decades governments had been “asleep at the wheel”. Labour Together described the Tory approach as “too slow, too general and given too little support”. Felix Cazalet, a policy fellow at the thinktank and author of the report, said: “The new government should be more alert than the last to risks, including from the concentration of production in countries like China, while taking a pragmatic and targeted approach in the new strategy. “This should focus on the key things that matter for the UK, and include working more closely with international partners such as the EU to increase responsible investment in resilient supply. The new strategy is an opportunity to secure the materials we need for the UK’s growth, security and green ambitions.” Ruby Osman, a China policy adviser at the Tony Blair Institute, said ministers needed to prepare for disruption if the critical mineral export restrictions targeted at the US were extended to the UK. “When it comes to China, our biggest problem has been timing. China has been building its remarkable market dominance for decades – the UK only released its first critical mineral strategy in 2022,” Osman said. “Diversification is, rightly, likely to be at the heart of Labour’s new strategy. But the UK’s strategy also needs to be realistic – we can’t ignore quite how dominant China is at every step of these supply chains. Even if it wanted to, the UK is never going to be able to cut China out entirely, and that means we’re going to need some considered engagement.” In 2010, China introduced an export ban on rare earth elements to Japan after a dispute. The clampdown lasted only two months but led Japan to diversify its supply chains and become less dependent on China.
WASHINGTON (AP) — American Airlines briefly grounded flights nationwide Tuesday due to a technical issu e just as the Christmas travel season kicks into overdrive and winter weather is threatening more potential problems for those planning to fly or drive. American flights were cleared to fly by federal regulators about one hour after a national ground stop order was issued by the Federal Aviation Administration. There were 1,447 delays for flights entering or leaving the U.S. early in the day, with 28 cancellations. Snow was falling early in New York and Dallas-Fort Worth International, which is American Airlines' main hub, was getting hit with rain. Dallas-Fort Worth had the most delays, followed by Charlotte, North Carolina, Washington, New York, Chicago and Miami Because the holiday travel period lasts weeks, airports and airlines typically have smaller peak days than they do during the rush around Thanksgiving, but the grind of one hectic day followed by another takes a toll on flight crews. And any hiccups — a winter storm or a computer outage — can snowball into massive disruptions. That is how Southwest Airlines stranded 2 million travelers in December 2022, and Delta Air Lines suffered a smaller but significant meltdown after a worldwide technology outage in July caused by a faulty software update from cybersecurity company CrowdStrike. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations even more disruptive than during slower periods. That is especially true for smaller budget airlines that have fewer flights and fewer options for rebooking passengers. Only the largest airlines, including American, Delta and United, have “interline agreements” that let them put stranded customers on another carrier’s flights. This will be the first holiday season since a Transportation Department rule took effect that requires airlines to give customers an automatic cash refund for a canceled or significantly delayed flight. Most air travelers were already eligible for refunds, but they often had to request them. Passengers still can ask to get rebooked, which is often a better option than a refund during peak travel periods. That’s because finding a last-minute flight on another airline yourself tends to be very expensive. Just before 7 a.m. Eastern time, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered all American Airlines flights grounded in the U.S. at the airline’s request. American had reported a technical issue affecting its entire system with millions traveling for the holiday. American said in an email that the problem Tuesday morning was caused by a vendor technology issue that “impacted systems needed to release flights.” The groundings couldn’t come at a worse time for the millions of travelers expected to fly over the next 10 days. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 40 million passengers over the holidays and through January 2. Airlines expect to have their busiest days on Friday and Sunday, and on Dec. 26, Dec. 27 and Dec. 29. Many flights during the holidays are sold out, which makes cancellations more disruptive than during slower periods. Even with just a brief outage, the cancellations have a cascading effect that can take days to clear up. About 90% of Americans traveling far from home over the holidays will be in cars, according to AAA. “Airline travel is just really high right now, but most people do drive to their destinations, and that is true for every holiday,” AAA spokesperson Aixa Diaz said. Gasoline prices are similar to last year. The nationwide average Thursday was $3.04 a gallon, down from $3.13 a year ago, according to AAA. Charging an electric vehicle averages just under 35 cents per per kilowatt hour, but varies by state. Transportation-data firm INRIX says travel times on the nation’s highways could be up to 30% longer than normal over the holidays, with Sunday expected to see the heaviest traffic. Boston, New York City, Seattle and Washington, D.C., are the metropolitan areas primed for the greatest delays, according to the company. —— AP Reporters David Koenig, Mae Anderson and Mike Pesoli contributed to this report.Radu, who hails from Romania, joined Inter's youth academy in 2016 and quickly made a name for himself with his impressive shot-stopping abilities and commanding presence in goal. However, despite his potential and talent, Radu has found it difficult to break into the first team due to the presence of established goalkeepers like Samir Handanovic and Andrei Radu.If Srouji were to join Intel as CEO, he would bring a fresh perspective and a deep understanding of the evolving semiconductor landscape. His experience in overseeing large-scale chip projects, managing complex supply chains, and driving innovation could provide Intel with the strategic direction needed to regain its competitive edge and accelerate its technological advancements.
One of the key drivers of the current resurgence in growth stocks is the increasing realization among policymakers of the importance of fostering technological innovation as a means to drive economic growth and competitiveness. Governments around the world are enacting policies and initiatives aimed at supporting and incentivizing companies that are driving innovation in key sectors such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and clean energy.His story serves as a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope waiting to be discovered. The 30-year-old MIT PhD's quest for his birth parents may have been filled with twists and turns, but in the end, it led him to a place of love, acceptance, and belonging.