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☆ Here are Friday's biggest analyst calls: Nvidia, Apple, Nike, Microsoft, Flutter, Amazon, Arm, Affirm, AbbVie & more
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-22 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Here are Friday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Goldman Sachs initiates Flutter as buy Goldman said the online gambling company is well positioned. " Redburn Atlantic Equities reiterates Microsoft as buy The firm said investors should buy the dip in Microsoft shares. Baird upgrades KinderCare to outperform from neutral Baird said investors should buy the dip in shares of the daycare company. Baird upgrades Bright Horizons to outperform from neutral Baird said the daycare company is well positioned. Baird upgrades Elastic to outperform from neutral Baird said the software company is an AI beneficiary.

Persons: Goldman Sachs, Goldman, Piper Sandler downgrades Sunrun, Piper, KeyBanc, Baird, Klarna, Phillip, JPMorgan, it's, Carpenter, Needham, it's bullish, John Donohoe, Elliott Hill, they've, Wells, Truist, Leerink Organizations: Citi, Apple, UBS, Microsoft, RBC, Bank of America, Apple Pay, Phillip Securities, Nvidia, Carpenter Technology, JPMorgan, Nike, " Bank of America, KD, Semiconductors, Global Business Travel Group Locations: 2H25, North America

☆ Inside the push for dietary guidance on ultraprocessed foods — and why it’s failing right now
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-22 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +22 min

These additives, along with high levels of sugar, salt and fat, help create the overwhelming lure of ultraprocessed foods. Ultraprocessed foods are typically high in added sugars, fats and salt; low in dietary fiber; and full of chemical additives, such as artificial colors, flavors and stabilizers. “There’s a lot of debate about whether or not all ultraprocessed foods are bad for you,” Hall said. Reduce intake of ultraprocessed foods — it’s really that simple.”Unfortunately, advisory committees are instructed to make recommendations using only the strictest science, Nestle added. It takes two overflowing trays of a mix of minimal and ultraprocessed foods to match the same energy density as one trayful of ultraprocessed foods.

Persons: Sam Srisatta, Srisatta, ”, Kevin Hall, Bert Lahr, Oz, “, Jeff Greenberg, ” Hall, Marion Nestle, Paulette Goddard, Nestle, Hall, ” Nestle, “ It’s, It’s, LaMotte, Walter Willett, ” Willett, Dr, Fatima Cody Stanford, ’ ” Stanford, Deirdre Tobias, ” Tobias, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Donald Trump’s, Kennedy, Bonnie Liebman, Liebman, they’ve, ” It’s, Kevin Hall’s, it’s, ” Srisatta, Sara Turner, ” Turner, Tera Fazzino, Fazzino, Sam Srisatta’s, won’t Organizations: CNN, Unit, National Institutes of Health Clinical, National Institute of Diabetes, Diseases, Cowardly, US Food and Drug Administration, Universal, FDA, Volunteers, Nutrition, Food Studies, Public Health, New York University, “, World Health Organization, US Department of Agriculture, US Department of Health, Human Services, Harvard, of Public Health, Disease Prevention, Health, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, ‘, ’, Brigham, Women’s Hospital, Assistance, SNAP, Center for Science, NIH, University of Kansas Locations: Bethesda , Maryland, Bethesda, Japan, United States, Chan, Boston, Massachusetts

☆ WNBA star Cameron Brink on the No. 1 negotiation skill that's helped her sign deals with New Balance, Skims and more
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-22 | by ( Morgan Smith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

WNBA star Cameron Brink had to learn how to negotiate her worth sooner than most 22-year-olds. Despite suffering a torn ACL in June that sidelined her rookie season, Brink's momentum off the court hasn't slowed. "Building my confidence in negotiations has been a journey for me, but I remind myself that my skills and hard work are valuable," Brink told CNBC Make It in an email. The most important step she takes to prepare for any negotiation, Brink says, is to research the companies she negotiates with. By contrast, the highest-paid players in the NBA are earning more than $50 million a year — and that's before factoring in sponsorships.

Persons: Cameron Brink, Brink, New Balance's, Caitlin Clark —, She's, Hamby, Steph Curry, Adam Broda, Taylor, you've Organizations: New, Stanford University, Sports Illustrated, Los Angeles Sparks, CNBC, Amazon, WNBA, Women's, Basketball Players, Vogue Business, NBA

☆ Startups that rely on Chinese manufacturers are bracing for Trump's impact
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-22 | by ( Melia Russell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

AdvertisementTrump's proposed tariffs could raise costs for hardware startups making physical goods. Hardware startups rely on a host of manufacturers that are mostly based in China. When China-based manufacturers ship the final products back, the hardware startups may get hit with levees of up to 60 percent on goods from China, according to Trump's statements during his campaign. AdvertisementThe impact on startups: 'We're done here'In the aftermath of Trump's election win, euphoria is sweeping through the business world. AdvertisementHe said he's worried about the potential for Trump tariffs to spark a recession.

Persons: Donald Trump's, Nikhil Basu Trivedi, Jared Friedman, Combinator, Friedman, Graham Anderson, Marc Andreessen, Elon Musk, Bradley Tusk, Santosh Sankar, Trump's, Tim Cook, Cook, Donald Trump, Ivanka Trump, Steven Mnuchin, Mandel Ngan, Alan Deardorff, Trump, Deardorff, he'll, Lea Suzuki, Spencer Penn, Tesla, Penn, —, Chris Van Dyke's, he's, Van Dyke Organizations: Investors, Elon, Washington Post, Washington, Dynamo Ventures, Apple, Trump, Mac, Getty, Big Tech, University of Michigan, Tesla, San Francisco Locations: China, Asia, When China, Flexport, Austin , Texas, AFP, Fremont , California, Europe

☆ Why some U.S. companies are scaling back DEI programs
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-22 | by ( Delon Thornton | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Donald Trump's election has left some concerned that his policies could harm diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, especially given some of his outspoken Cabinet picks and his interest in potentially dismantling the Department of Education. Though some companies are pulling back, many still view DEI as essential. DEI became a top priority for U.S. companies after the 2020 protests following George Floyd's murder. But in the past couple of years, some of these same companies like Google, Meta , Lowe's and Ford have scaled back their DEI initiatives, citing political pressure, high costs and economic uncertainty. Watch the video above to find out more about why some companies are pulling back from DEI initiatives.

Persons: Donald Trump's, Mary, Frances Winters, George Floyd's Organizations: of Education, The, Companies, Harvard Kennedy School, Fortune, McKinsey Institute, Google, Ford

☆ The Pentagon's battle inside the U.S. for control of a new Cyber Force
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-22 | by ( Barbara Booth | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +8 min

The revelations highlight the rising cyberthreats tied to geopolitics and nation-state actor rivals of the U.S., but inside the federal government, there's disagreement on how to fight back, with some advocates calling for the creation of an independent federal U.S. Cyber Force. Talent shortages, inconsistent training, and misaligned missions, are undermining CYBERCOM's capacity to respond effectively to complex cyber threats, it says. Known for his assertive national security measures, Trump's 2018 National Cyber Strategy emphasized embedding cyber capabilities across all elements of national power and focusing on cross-departmental coordination and public-private partnerships rather than creating a standalone cyber entity. Austin Berglas, a former head of the FBI's cyber program in New York who worked on consolidation efforts inside the Bureau, believes a separate cyber force could enhance U.S. capabilities by centralizing resources and priorities. "When I first took over the [FBI] cyber program … the assets were scattered," said Berglas, who is now the global head of professional services at supply chain cyber defense company BlueVoyant.

Persons: Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump, J.D, Vance, Mark Warner of Virginia, Paul Nakasone, Nakasone, Trump, Kristi Noem, Jen, John Cohen, Cohen, Austin Berglas, Berglas Organizations: Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Pentagon, U.S . Department of Defense, Senate Intelligence, New York Times, U.S . Cyber Force, Department of Defense, Foundation for Defense of Democracies, U.S . Cyber Command, Army, Navy, Air Force, Cyber Command, Department of Homeland Security, of Defense, of Homeland Security, Trump, Energy Department, Infrastructure Security Agency, Command, U.S, Center for Internet Security, CYBERCOM, Mission Force, Force Locations: ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, Ronald Reagan Washington, Arlington , Virginia, China, U.S, America, Dakota, stovepipes, Russia, New York, Iran, North Korea

☆ Trump's Cabinet selection is off to a rocky start: From the Politics Desk
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( The Politics Desk | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +8 min

But it’s not even Thanksgiving, and Donald Trump is already looking for a backup top law enforcement officer after Matt Gaetz withdrew his AG bid Thursday. The last time around, Trump lost just one of his initial Cabinet picks, when Andrew Puzder withdrew as the labor secretary nominee in February 2017. ➡️ More on the Trump transitionAside from Gaetz, two of Trump’s other Cabinet picks, Hegseth and Kennedy, have also faced serious allegations of sexual impropriety, which they have both denied. 🗞️ Today’s other top stories 👀 Buckeye State battle brewing: The jockeying for JD Vance’s Ohio Senate seat has begun, and the potential candidates’ statements about Trump’s Cabinet picks are being closely watched. Read more →The jockeying for JD Vance’s Ohio Senate seat has begun, and the potential candidates’ statements about Trump’s Cabinet picks are being closely watched.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Jonathan Allen, Henry J, Gomez, Olympia Sonnier, Jake Traylor, Julie Tsirkin Matt Gaetz’s, Donald Trump, ”, Gaetz, MAGA, Trump, Sens, Mitch McConnell of, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins of, Markwayne Mullin, John Curtis of Utah, Read, Jonathan Allen It’s, George H.W, Texas Sen, John Tower, it’s, — Trump, Bill Clinton’s, Zoë Baird, Kimba Wood, Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Barack Obama’s, Tom Daschle, Bill Richardson, Judd Gregg, Andrew Puzder, ➡️, Hegseth, Kennedy, Mehmet Oz, El Organizations: NBC, White House, Capitol, Republican, The Justice Department, Republicans, Gaetz, Pentagon, Former Fox News, Human Services, Commerce, ., Medicare, Services Locations: Florida, Washington, Trump, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Oklahoma, Texas, Obamacare

A missing Kansas woman who disappeared this year and was found in a freezer buried in a cow pasture in the Oklahoma panhandle was killed in a stabbing attack that left her with dozens of wounds, according to a medical examiner’s report. Veronica Butler, 27, died from sharp force trauma and had 30 wounds, 10 of which were consistent with her trying to defend herself, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Oklahoma said in its report. Texas County Sheriff's DepartmentButler and Jilian Kelley, 39, a court supervisor in a children’s custody case, disappeared March 30. The defendants are Tifany Adams; Adams’ boyfriend, Tad Bert Cullum; Cole Earl Twombly; Cora Twombly and Paul Grice. On the day she disappeared, a day she had visitation, Butler planned to take her daughter to a birthday party.

Persons: Veronica Butler, Jilian D, Kelley, Veronica C, Butler, Butler . Texas County Sheriff's Department Butler, Jilian Kelley, Tifany Adams, Adams, Tad Bert Cullum, Cole Earl Twombly, Cora Twombly, Paul Grice ., Tim Laughlin, Cullum Organizations: Butler . Texas County Sheriff's Department, Oklahoma State Bureau of, State Bureau of Investigation Locations: Kansas, Oklahoma, Butler . Texas, Texas County , Oklahoma

Some major tech companies including Meta are taking steps to combat “pig butchering” scams, which trick Americans out of billions of dollars each year through fake online friendships and romances. Pig butchering scams are elaborate and often take months to unfold. Meta on Thursday announced it has taken its first major steps into addressing the scams, including dedicating staff to identify where scammers operate, sharing that information with international law enforcement, and taking down more than 2 million accounts this year. The announcement reflects how more tech companies are recognizing the severity of pig butchering scams. Calling themselves the Tech Against Scams coalition, the companies pledged to share scammer information with each other and better educate users.

Persons: they’ve, Meta, Jeff Lunglhofer, ”, Jake Sims, Operation Shamrock, “, ” Sims Organizations: Meta, Facebook, FBI, Tech, NBC News Locations: WhatsApp, France, Cambodia, OpenAI

☆ Vaccination rates for flu and Covid are low this season, CDC says
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Marlene Lenthang | Marlene Lenthang Is A Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News Digital. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

As of Nov. 9, an estimated 35% of U.S. adults had gotten the new flu vaccine, and nearly 18% had received the new Covid vaccines, CDC data shows. The vaccination rate for the flu as of October was roughly equivalent to the same time last year, the CDC found. The rate of Covid vaccination is also similar to last November, around 15%. The new CDC report warns that flu, Covid and RSV can cause serious illness, particularly for people ages 65 and up and those with certain medical conditions. A second CDC report released Thursday found low vaccination coverage among residents of nursing homes.

Persons: Donald Trump, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Pediatricians Organizations: Centers for Disease Control, CDC Locations: U.S

Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal Thursday as a candidate for attorney general illustrates the roadblocks President-elect Donald Trump could face as he attempts to convert his campaign of “retribution” into a governing coalition capable of working within the realities of Washington. In Gaetz, Trump would finally get the loyal attorney general he felt like he never had in his first term. But it was a tough sell from the moment Trump announced Gaetz as his choice eight days ago — in a pick that shocked much of Washington. In the end, it was the “combination of the ethics report and opposition among Senate Republicans,” that doomed Gaetz’s candidacy, a senior Senate aide told NBC News. Before Gaetz’s withdrawal Thursday, Trump allies were pushing hard on GOP senators and other ambitious Republicans to publicly support his embattled Cabinet picks.

Persons: Matt Gaetz’s, Donald Trump, ”, Gaetz, MAGA, Trump, “, Vance, ” Gaetz, Sens, Mitch McConnell of, Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins of, Markwayne Mullin, John Curtis of Utah, JD Vance, ” Sen, Mike Rounds, ” Rounds, Pete Hegseth, shouldn’t, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Tulsi Gabbard, Matt, they’re Organizations: Republican, The Justice Department, Republicans, NBC News, Trump, Capitol, Gaetz, “, Senate, Fox News, Justice Department Locations: Washington, Florida, Trump, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Alaska, Susan Collins of Maine, Oklahoma, Ohio, Hawaii

☆ 73% of workers worry Social Security won’t be able to pay retirement benefits. Here’s what advisors say
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Lorie Konish | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +4 min

Most Americans are concerned about what may happen to Social Security when its retirement trust fund crosses a projected 2033 depletion date, according to a new Bankrate survey. Nearly three-quarters, 73%, of non-retired adults and 71% retired adults say they worry they won’t receive their benefits if the trust fund runs out. Social Security’s actuaries project the fund the program relies on to pay retirement benefits will be depleted in 2033. Retirees can claim Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, though they take a permanent lifetime reduction. Social Security is “inflation indexed longevity insurance,” said CFP David Haas, owner of Cereus Financial Advisors in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey.

Persons: Gen Xers, someone’s, ”, Mark Hamrick, Zers, it’s, —, they’ve, George Gagliardi, ” Gagliardi, David Haas, ” Haas, Xers, Haas Organizations: Security, Bankrate, Social, actuaries, Social Security, Cereus Financial Locations: millennials, Lexington , Massachusetts, Franklin Lakes , New Jersey

Percival Everett’s new novel, “James,” a retelling of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” from the perspective of Huck’s enslaved companion, won the National Book Award for fiction on Wednesday. Critics have called Everett’s retelling “a slyly funny masterpiece.”The National Book Award is the latest in a string of accolades for the 67-year-old author, who has dozens of books and short stories under his belt. One of Everett’s books, “Erasure,” was adapted in 2023 into a film, “American Fiction,” starring Jeffrey Wright. The National Book Foundation awarded Jason De León’s “Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling” in the nonfiction category. In response, National Book Foundation executive director Ruth Dickey has said Coates was being honored for his body of work rather than any individual publication.

Persons: Percival Everett’s, “ James, ”, Huckleberry Finn ”, “ James ”, Mark Twain, Jim, Everett, ” Everett, “, Huck Finn, James ”, Booker, Jeffrey Wright, Jason De León’s, Barbara Kingsolver, Paul Coates, Critics, Coates, Ruth Dickey Organizations: BBC, Foundation, Black Classic Press, Book Foundation Locations: America

“We’ve been dealing with severe challenges due to gang violence, which has essentially cut off ground transportation,” Thelemaque said. “Although the FAA says the ban will lift on Dec. 12, most airlines are rescheduling flights for February,” she said. “Families are consumed by the news of worsening violence and are mourning senseless killings.”The flight ban is also disrupting long-standing holiday traditions in this mostly Catholic and Christian country. “Now, that opportunity has been taken away.”Williams noted that the ban extends beyond Port-au-Prince to airports throughout the country, further isolating Haitians. “Some passengers have had to return to Europe or elsewhere.”Police officers coduct searches in a suburb of Port-au-Prince, Haiti on Tuesday.

Persons: Prince, Linda Thelemaque, Les Cayes, Hope, We’ve, ” Thelemaque, “, ”, Yolette Williams, ” Williams, coduct, Guerinault Louis, Williams Organizations: U.S, Federal Aviation Administration, Spirit Airlines, FAA, Sunrise Airways, NBC News, American Airlines, Miami, U.S . State Department, Haitian American Alliance of New, Independence, ” Police, Anadolu, Getty Locations: Haiti, Port, Les, Caribbean, Miami, Haitian American Alliance of New York, United States, Dominican Republic, Haitian, Europe, Prince

If Steel wins, that number would be 151, the same number of women serving in Congress on Election Day, and the first stall in progress since 2016, when President-elect Donald Trump won his first term. Both scenarios mean the number of women in the next Congress will also fall short of the current record of 152 women, following Texas Democratic Rep. Erica Lee Carter’s special election win this month. Senate Republican women will also meet their current record, with nine in the chamber. The number of House Republican women will decrease because of some losses and retirements, falling from 34 in the current Congress to 31 or 32, depending on Steel and Miller-Meeks’ races. After Trump’s first election in 2016, Democrats did see a surge in women running for Congress in 2018, and a wave of Republican women stepped up to run two years later in 2020.

Persons: Mary Peltola, Republican Nick Begich, Michelle Steel, Derek Tran, Steel, Mariannette Miller, Meeks, Christina Bohannon, Donald Trump, Kelly Dittmar, Erica Lee Carter’s, ” Dittmar, Maryland’s Angela Alsobrooks, Delaware’s Lisa Blunt Rochester, North Dakota Republican Julie Fedorchak, South Carolina Republican Sheri Biggs, Elise Stefanik, Stefanik, ” Danielle Barrow, Sara Spain, Dittmar, ’ ”, Oregon’s Janelle Bynum, Laura Gillen, House Republicans ’, Trump’s, It’s, “ We’ve Organizations: Democratic Rep, NBC News, Republican, Senate, Center for American Women, Rutgers University's Eagleton Institute, Politics, Steel, Trump, Texas Democratic, Democratic, Senate Republican, North Dakota Republican, South Carolina Republican, United Nations, GOP, House Republicans Locations: Alaska, Southern California, Iowa’s, South, West Virginia , Ohio, Montana

A Wisconsin man is alive and well and likely in Uzbekistan after faking his own death in a staged kayaking accident — and is now in talks with officials hoping to bring him home to his family, authorities said Thursday. "Good evening, it's Ryan Borgwardt," he told the camera. While investigators did not go into detail about why Borgwardt went to Uzbekistan, they said he wasn't being held against his will. Ryan Borgwardt. Despite the manpower spent to look for him, Podoll didn't rule out that Borgwardt could avoid criminal charges if he just came home.

Persons: Ryan Borgwardt, it's Ryan Borgwardt, Borgwardt, Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll, wasn't, Podoll, it's, Ryan, We're Organizations: Lake County Sheriff, Dodge, Ocean, Investigators Locations: Wisconsin, Uzbekistan, Lake, it's, Green, Lake County, Madison, Detroit, Canada, America, U.S, Dodge Memorial

☆ Golfer Brian Harman says woman is in coma after trying to save his son from drowning
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Minyvonne Burke | Minyvonne Burke Is A Senior Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

Golfer Brian Harman said a family friend has been in a coma for nearly six weeks after she jumped into the water to save his 6-year-old son from drowning. Harman told reporters ahead of the RSM Classic on St. Simons Island, Georgia, on Tuesday that his family was on vacation in Florida along with their friend, Cathy Dowdy, when the incident occurred. When I was in China, my wife took my kids and our family friend Cathy Dowdy down to Ponte Vedra for vacation. My son ... was out boogie boarding with one of his really good friends, he got ripped out to sea by just a rip current. The professional golfer said Dowdy was "injured really badly in the water” and has spent the past six weeks in a hospital.

Persons: Brian Harman, Harman, Cathy Dowdy, “ I’ll, ”, Dowdy, “, Cathy, ” Harman, that’s Organizations: RSM, Macau Locations: St, , Georgia, Florida, China

The search for Vice President-elect JD Vance’s successor in the Senate is reinforcing a rift among Ohio Republicans, whose loyalties are divided between the establishment-friendly Gov. Vance has consulted with DeWine on the Senate appointment, two sources familiar with the discussions said. When asked if Trump’s Cabinet picks were a part of DeWine’s considerations, Tierney emphasized the governor’s wish that his pick be able to win the GOP primary that year. Moreno, for his part, singled out Gaetz, Gabbard, Hegseth and Kennedy this week in a statement pledging to support Trump’s Cabinet choices. “The American people delivered President Trump a mandate, and it is crucial that Senate Republicans confirm his nominees quickly,” he said.

Persons: JD Vance’s, Mike DeWine, Donald Trump, DeWine, Vance, ”, Dan Tierney, “, Trump’s, Trump, Pete Hegseth, shouldn’t, Robert F, Kennedy Jr, Tulsi Gabbard, Matt Gaetz, Gaetz, Hegseth, “ We’re, Kennedy, Robert Sprague, Frank LaRose, they’ll, Dan Lusheck, Lusheck, Mike Carey, Carey, Justice Department “, ” Carey, “ I’d, Jay Edwards, ” Mehek Cooke, John Kasich’s, ” Cooke, Jane Timken, Jon Husted —, —, Tierney, Sprague, Dave Yost, Yost, Vivek Ramaswamy, Elon Musk, ” Tierney, Timken, Sen, Matt Dolan, Dolan, Bernie Moreno, Moreno, LaRose, Democratic Sen, Sherrod Brown Organizations: Ohio Republicans, Trump, NBC News, GOP, Fox News, Justice Department, “, U.S, Spectrum, Gov, Republican, Democrat, Republican National Committee, Senate, Democratic, America Locations: Ohio, Hawaii, Florida, Hegseth, Washington, DeWine

Former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., on Thursday announced that he would withdraw his name from consideration to be President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general. In a post on TruthSocial, Trump praised Gaetz and said he had been doing "very well" in the confirmation process. "I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. Gaetz has vehemently denied those allegations and the investigation ended with the Justice Department electing not to charge Gaetz. The committee had been looking into the allegations against Gaetz on and off since 2021.

Persons: Matt Gaetz, Donald Trump's, Vance, Gaetz, Trump, Matt, “, ”, Joni Ernst, John Cornyn, Ernst, “ I’m, Grassley, ” Ernst, I’m, Cornyn, “ Everything’s, ” Cornyn Organizations: Trump, DOJ, Administration, Justice Department, Capitol, Sens, NBC News Locations: Washington, Gaetz, Iowa, Texas

The conviction against actor Jussie Smollett for falsely reporting a hate crime to Chicago police in 2019 has been overturned by the Illinois Supreme Court over prosecutorial issues. The judges noted that the case generated "significant public interest" and many felt the case's original resolution was unjust. But the Chicago Police Department later said that Smollett recruited the brothers to help him stage the attack. Smollett was arrested in February 2019 and indicted that March on 16 felony counts over allegedly filing a false police report. Both brothers said during the trial that Smollett hired them to stage an attack as a ploy for public attention, noting a $3,500 check Smollett paid them.

Persons: Jussie Smollett, Dan Webb, Smollett, ”, —, ” Webb, Ola, Abimbola Osundairo —, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Kimberly Foxx, Emanuel, Abimbola Osundairo Organizations: Chicago police, Illinois Supreme, Chicago Police Department, Chicago Mayor Locations: Cook, Illinois, Chicago’s Streeterville

A sharp drop in mortgage rates brought homebuyers off the fence in October after a slow summer. Sales were 2.9% higher than October of last year, marking the first annual increase in more than three years. While mortgage rates remain elevated, they are expected to stabilize.”There were 1.37 million units for sale at the end of October, an increase of 19.1% from October 2023. That is still high historically, but lower mortgage rates likely caused that share to drop. Mortgage rates are much higher now, at 7.05% on the 30-year fixed.

Persons: ”, Lawrence Yun, ” Yun, Chen Zhao Organizations: National Association of Realtors, Mortgage News, Fed Locations: Redfin

☆ CFPB expands oversight of digital payments services including Apple Pay, Cash App, PayPal and Zelle
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Hugh Son | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Thursday issued a finalized version of a rule saying it will soon supervise nonbank firms that offer financial services likes payments and wallet apps. That would include payments services from Apple, Google and Amazon, as well as fintech firms including PayPal and Block and peer-to-peer services Venmo and Zelle. While the CFPB already had some authority over digital payment companies because of its oversight of electronic fund transfers, the new rule allows it to treat tech companies more like banks. “Digital payments have gone from novelty to necessity and our oversight must reflect this reality,” said CFPB Director Rohit Chopra. The CFPB said the rule will take effect 30 days after its publication in the Federal Register.

Persons: ”, Rohit Chopra, CFPB, Trump Organizations: Consumer Financial, Tech, Apple, Google, PayPal, “, Federal

☆ HBO says 'Harry Potter' series will 'benefit' from J.K. Rowling's involvement
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +9 min

Two of the biggest Harry Potter fan communities, MuggleNet and The Leaky Cauldron, denounced Rowling’s views and severed ties with the author’s future projects. On Sept. 10, she posted the U.K. open casting call for the roles of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley to her 14.2 million followers on X. “Every time we sit down to have a fun conversation about Harry Potter, the conversation becomes angry and depressing, and so we end up not publishing,” she says. “There are so many fans who deeply disagree with what Rowling is saying, but still want to engage in the Harry Potter fandom.”Ironically, while Rowling’s actions have undermined many Potter fans’ dedication to her, they also appear to have strengthened those fans’ solidarity with each other. We can love and enjoy that without the author.”The question now is whether HBO can cast the same spell.

Persons: J.K, Rowling, Harry Potter ”, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Eddie Redmayne —, Harry Potter, Francesca Gardiner, Mark Mylod, ”, Casey Bloys, Harry Potter —, “ J.K, Gardiner, Hermione Granger, Ron Weasley, “, Potter, She’s, It’s, Melissa Anelli, “ Harry, “ It’s, Maggie Smith, Murray, Kat Miller, MuggleNet, Miller, Radcliffe, “ Potter, Ralph Fiennes, Helena Bonham Carter, Jim Broadbent, traumatised detransitioners, rebuking John Oliver —, Lumos, Trump, ” Miller, —, Anelli, Tylor Starr, Starr Organizations: Warner Bros, Discovery, ” HBO, J.K, HBO, Potter Locations: “

☆ Police report details alleged sexual assault by Trump's defense pick Pete Hegseth
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Patrick-Smith-Circle-Byline-Template.Jpg | Patrick Smith | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

A woman told police she was sexually assaulted by a man she identified as Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's choice for defense secretary, according to official records of a police investigation released in California on Wednesday night. John Lamparski / Getty Images fileHegseth’s attorney, Timothy Parlatore, told NBC News that the allegation of sexual assault against his client is false. Hegseth is innocent, eyewitness and video evidence confirms that she was the aggressor, and years later, she extorted Mr. Hegseth for money. The report said the unidentified woman, who later went to a hospital for a sexual assault exam, confronted Hegseth at the event because "she did not appreciate how he treated women," the report said. She and a group of other women went to a bar attached to the hotel, where she had more drinks, while Hegseth was allegedly also present.

Persons: Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump's, Jane Doe, Hegseth, John Lamparski, Timothy Parlatore, Mr, ”, —, JANE, “ JANE DOE’s, HEGSETH Organizations: Monterey Police Department, Fox, NBC News, Trump, NBC, Fox News, JANE DOE Locations: California, Monterey, New York City

☆ The Western tourists going to Iraq for vacation
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-21 | by ( Richard Collett | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +18 min

“It was peaceful, calm, and rather quiet,” Driskill told CNN Travel after visiting Iraq in 2024. “Every year we’re seeing more people come to Iraq than before,” he told CNN Travel. Newenham first visited in August 2021 and told CNN Travel that she never imagined Iraq becoming one of her favorite travel destinations. Anmar Khalil/AP“Visiting the [ninth-century] Great Mosque of Samarra is a must,” he told CNN Travel. For Sarah Sanbar, Iraq researcher at Human Rights Watch, tourism to the country is allowing visitors to see the real Iraq.

Persons: Tommy Driskill, ’, ” Driskill, Saddam Hussein’s, Iraq’s, Driskill, ”, “ I’m, I’ve, “ We’ve, ” Robert Kyle Molina, Molina, Ali Al Makhzomy, ” Al Makhzomy, Janet Newenham, Newenham, “, ” Newenham, they’ve, Pope Francis, Al Makhzomy, Ur, Sergio Arce, Bil, Anmar Khalil, Imam Hussain, Abbas, Hussain ibn Ali, Prophet Mohammed, Arce, I’d, Jan Bakker, James Wilcox, we’ve, Travel’s Molina, Sarah Sanbar, Iraq —, ” Sergio Arce, Sanbar, ‘, ’ Heck Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, Tourism Capital, US Department of State, United, Foreign, Commonwealth, Development, Human Rights Watch, ISIS, Bil, US State Department, US, Federal Government, Baghdad International Airport, European, Kurdistan Regional Government Tourism Board, International, Federal, “, Vatican Media, Reuters, Borders, Erbil Marathon, Sergio Arce Military Locations: Hawaii, Baghdad, Iraq, Iraqi Kurdistan, Babylon, Kurdistan, Iraqi, Karbala, European Union, Kurdistan Chronicle, Federal Iraq, Mosul, “, Janet Newenham Iraq, Cork, Ireland, Baghdad . “ Iraq, Islam, ” Iraq, East, Palestine, Eden, Samarra, Al, Arba’een, Sweden, Iran, Kuwait, Pakistan, India, Erbil, Berlin’s, Today, birdwatch

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