vegas vip slots By FARNOUSH AMIRI, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Rep. Matt Gaetz said Friday that he will not be returning to Congress after withdrawing his name from consideration to be attorney general under President-elect Donald Trump amid growing allegations of sexual misconduct. “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz told conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, adding that he has “some other goals in life that I’m eager to pursue with my wife and my family.” Related Articles The announcement comes a day after Gaetz, a Florida Republican, stepped aside from the Cabinet nomination process amid growing fallout from federal and House Ethics investigations that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. The 42-year-old has vehemently denied the allegations against him. Gaetz’s nomination as attorney general had stunned many career lawyers inside the Justice Department, but reflected Trump’s desire to place a loyalist in a department he has marked for retribution following the criminal cases against him. Hours after Gaetz withdrew, Trump nominated Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, who would come to the job with years of legal work under her belt and that other trait Trump prizes above all: loyalty. It’s unclear what’s next for Gaetz, who is no longer a member of the House. He surprised colleagues by resigning from Congress the same day that Trump nominated him for attorney general. Some speculated he could still be sworn into office for another two-year term on Jan. 3, given that he had just won reelection earlier this month. But Gaetz, who has been in state and national politics for 14 years, said he’s done with Congress. “I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress,” he said.

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Trump Leveled This Condescending Remark At A Female Journalist — And Experts Have ThoughtsCanadians' confidence in a strengthening economy has taken a hit since president-elect Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election Nov. 5 , according to new polling data from Nanos. There are now almost four times as many Canadians who think the economy is likely to get weaker in the next six months, rather than stronger, the Weekly Bloomberg Nanos Canadian Confidence Index found. One month ago, about twice as many Canadians thought the economy would get weaker within six months, rather than stronger, according to Nanos' research. Trump on Nov. 25 threatened to slap a 25-per-cent tariff on all imports from Canada and from Mexico until those countries stemmed what he said is a tide of drugs and illegal immigrants coming into the U.S. – something that no doubt added to chilled consumer confidence, according to Nanos' chief data scientist Nik Nanos. Nanos surveyed 1,000 Canadians in months leading up to Dec. 6, with its survey dropping 250 responses each month and adding 250 new ones to create a rolling total. Its index for expectations dropped below 50 per cent for the first time in about a year, and was at 48.69, as of Dec. 6. That is nearing the year low of 46.03, one year ago . Concerns about jobs are on the rise, and are becoming more significant than are fears of inflation or housing, Nanos said. Nanos separately tracks what the company calls a pocketbook index, which is based on perceptions of personal finances and job security. When that index is mixed with the expectations index, it creates what the company calls an economic mood index. The newest measure for that index is 51.54 out of 100 Canada-wide. British Columbians have a slightly more sour economic mood than do counterparts in the rest of Canada, given their score of 50.3 out of 100, according to Nanos. The finding that British Columbians are feeling less confident than other Canadians about their economic futures conforms with what other surveys have found. B.C. small-business owners are the least confident in Canada that their ventures will perform better in the next three months, according to a Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) survey conducted in October for a November report . Their responses determined that they were also the second least confident in Canada that their businesses will perform better in 12 months than they are today, according to the survey. Only Newfoundland-based small-business owners in October said that they were less confident than counterparts B.C. for that year-ahead outlook. What makes the low confidence about economic improvement within 12 months most striking is that B.C.’s small-business confidence rate for one year in the future has historically, on average, been No. 1 among provinces, B.C.-based CFIB policy analyst Emily Boston told BIV. “It's not just the comparison over time, it's comparison to where we are relative to other provinces in Canada,” she said. [email protected] @GlenKorstrom glenkorstrom.bsky.social

Topline The Santa Claus stock market rally got off to a sizzling start Tuesday, as stocks leapt to their strongest Christmas Eve showing in five decades, stuffing the stockings of many investors. Key Facts Tangent There were no major economic, earnings or news catalysts Tuesday, reflected in the unusually low trading activity even for a holiday-shortened session (markets closed at 1 p.m. EST). In fact, Tuesday was the lowest volume day for the S&P since March 2, 2011, according to Yahoo Finance data. What Is The Santa Claus Rally? The term refers to the phenomenon of better-than-average stock market returns over the final five trading days of a year and first two sessions of the following year. Since 1950, the S&P has gained 1.3% on average over that seven-session period, far outstripping the 0.3% average advance over a typical seven-day stretch, according to LPL Financial research. This year’s Santa Claus rally lasts from Tuesday to next Friday. Surprising Fact It’s been a December to remember for stock market historians. Earlier this month, the Dow Jones Industrial Average suffered its longest losing streak in 50 years, falling for 11 consecutive trading sessions. The Dow, which tracks 30 American companies, has gained more than 2% since breaking the losing streak last week. Further ReadingPokémon as a franchise has been around for more than 25 years, and in that time we've seen hundreds of characters introduced across the games, anime, manga, movies, and even the trading card game. While there are plenty of no-name carbon copy trainers and NPCs scattered throughout Pokémon, the characters that are part of the story tend to be wildly varied, with no two major characters being all that alike. You've got the eclectic cowboy gym leader Clay from the Unova region, the flamboyant gym leader-turned-champion Wallace, the Twitch streamer gym leader Iono, and so many more. What's largely lacking among these major characters, though, is LGBT+ representation. In recent years, The Pokémon Company has made some efforts to be a little more LGBT-friendly – the decision to let either gender player character in Scarlet and Violet wear any clothes, accessories, and hairstyles is a welcome move – but actual canon LGBT+ characters are few and far between. It might surprise you to learn, though, that there are actually a few canon LGBT+ Pokémon characters, and a few more that are heavily implied but not outright confirmed — yet, at least. Some characters are better than others, but the franchise has actually had LGBT+ characters for almost as long as it's been around. Pokémon's first foray into LGBT+ representation was all the way back in 1999, with the release of a manga called How I Became a Pokémon Card. This series featured largely standalone stories with each chapter, each designed to expand upon the artwork of a specific Pokémon card. The 38th and final chapter of How I Became a Pokémon Card introduced a character called Akari, a trans boy who longed to be a cool trainer. He begged his mom to get him a cool Pokémon to have as his first partner – his friend Akira bagged himself a Scyther – but his mom thought that a cute Pokémon like Pikachu was a better choice. Akari is actually handled surprisingly well, given it's Pokémon in Japan in the 90s — not typically a great combination for LGBT+ representation. There are small hints at the struggles he faces as a trans boy, along with some much more overt issues, like being forced to wear a skirt in middle school. Akari wasn't featured in anything else beyond that one chapter of a Japan-exclusive manga, and that's a bit of a bummer, given it's handled as well as it is. The next canon LGBT+ character wouldn't come for another decade and change, and if you weren't paying attention, you might have missed them altogether. There's a random Beauty Nova in Pokémon X and Y who has the following line when defeated: "A mere half year ago I was a Black Belt! Quite the transformation, wouldn't you say?" On its face, this probably doesn't seem particularly indicative of LGBT+ representation, but reading between the lines makes things much more interesting. The Black Belt class in Pokémon X and Y – and most other games in which they appear – is exclusively masculine-presenting. There are no Black Belt trainers that are women, and likewise, there are no Beauty Nova trainers that are men. The logical conclusion, then, is that this character once presented as a man – a Black Belt – and now presents as a woman. If that's not enough to convince you, though, we should look at the Japanese text for the same character. Here it is, as translated by Legends of Localization : "I was a Karate King just half a year ago; the power of medical science is awesome, wouldn't you say?!" The explicit mention of medical science makes clear that this isn't just a change in careers, it's a change in gender identity as a whole. It's a small detail for a minor character, and one that was made more ambiguous in the localization process, but it's definitely there, and it's definitely real. The most recent canon LGBT+ representation in Pokémon comes from a bit of an unlikely source: Pokémon Go. And it's not in the form of some random NPC either — the Team Mystic team leader Blanche, who roughly a third of players interact with every day in the game, is explicitly non-binary. There's a swathe of evidence for this, too. No piece of official English media has ever used gendered pronouns for the character — every single one either refers to Blanche directly by name, or uses they/them pronouns. Languages that are inherently gendered, like Spanish and French, use feminine prose when referring to Blanche, but it's worth noting that in many of those languages, it's common for non-binary people to use feminine-gendered language as the default, in lieu of other options. Japanese is not a particularly gendered language at all, so Blanche's (along with every other character's) pronouns are largely not used there, but German is a gendered language, and the German version of Pokémon Go, as well as social media accounts, have made concerted efforts to use non-gendered language when referring to them, after initially using feminine language. Blanche actually shares this trait with Rhi, a member of the GO Ultra Recon Squad, who typically resides in Ultra Space. Rhi is referred to explicitly with they/them pronouns in English, though in an opposite situation to Blanche, they're typically referred to using masculine pronouns in heavily gendered languages. These three – or four, if you count Rhi – characters are, so far, the only canon LGBT+ characters confirmed so far, but that doesn't mean they're the only ones in the franchise. There have been hints here and there in Pokémon Masters, for example, that Steven and Wallace might be in some kind of romantic relationship. A Valentine's Day update added new dialogue where they express affection for each other, and Barry stops short of saying the two are romantically involved, but it's certainly implied, nonetheless. The franchise's latest anime series, Pokémon Horizons, similarly hints at the potential for queer romance. Many fans have interpreted Murdock – the Brave Olivine's chef – and his history with another man named Mitchell as potentially romantic. Similarly, in a more recent episode, ship mechanic Orla said some very interesting things towards Poké Ball craftswoman Karnathat certainly seemed to have some level of romance behind them. None of these are outright confirmed, of course, but the sexualities and gender expressions of most characters in most media rarely is. More explicit LGBT+ representation in Pokémon would be a massive win for the franchise, and I'd absolutely love to see gay and lesbian couples represented in some way, in much the same way that straight relationships are shown. Whether or not that will happen anytime soon is anyone's guess, but as time marches on, so too does social progress, and it's really only a matter of time before we see real representation front and center.CES 2025 Preview: TESSAN to Showcase Charging Solutions for Enhanced Connectivity and Convenience

India bolsters naval fleet with new Russia-built warshipFormer Australian all-rounder Shane Lee still chuckles at a mistake his champion brother Brett Lee made prior to a remarkable Test debut against India in Melbourne 25 years ago. Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer . Having decimated a Western Australian team featuring Adam Gilchrist, Damien Martyn and Mike Hussey days earlier, the younger Lee was added to the Australian squad for the Boxing Day Test. The 23-year-old had bowled with fire and fury in the Sheffield Shield game at the WACA, breaking former Test quick Jo Angel’s arm on the way to man of the match honours . In a chat with Fox Sports during the pandemic, Lee confessed that even now he is not particularly comfortable with the events that preceded his call-up for the Australian team. Wanting to impress the “who’s who” of Australian cricket playing in that match, with the Test captain Steve Waugh standing in slips alongside stars of the sport, he unleashed on WA. “There was a moment which I’m not particularly proud of,” Lee said. “(I warned Jo), ‘You’ve got two options here, mate. Either tread on your wicket and get out, or I’ll come around the wicket and break your arm’. I felt horrible.” But it did the trick. Steve Waugh approached national selector Geoff Marsh at the WACA after the Shield game and told him to get him into the team because “the Indians will hate it”. The following day, Lee was photographed outside the WACA after confirmation that he would join a team that had thrashed India in Adelaide for the second Test in Melbourne. Shane Lee, who had featured in the Shield match that led to Lee earning his first baggy green, grabbed a couple of close mates from home and headed down to Victoria. Before touching on the pride he has for a younger brother whose “pies” he once belted around the backyard as boys back in Wollongong, the older Lee sibling still laughs about a mishap that Brett experienced ahead of his Boxing Day debut. “A funny memory of that is that he had tried to put some highlights in his hair to blond his hair up a bit — he was trying to impress the young ladies back then — but his hair went slightly orange, so we gave him a bit stick about that,” Shane Lee told Fox Cricket’s The Follow On podcast. When relayed that tale last week, Angel had a laugh about it. Between breaking the Western Australia’s arm and the ‘hair-tastrophe’ prior to his debut, Lee had broken bread with the big man in hospital in Perth and there was never any bad blood between the pair. “He always liked to be a pretty boy, I think, Binga,” Angel said. “If you muck around with that sort of hair dye stuff, you are guaranteed to come unstuck at some stage. But that would be a good stage to do it on, before your first Test. You are going to make sure you get noticed, aren’t you? “But when you can bowl that quick, and swing the ball like he did, people are going to notice you, so I definitely wouldn’t have thought you were going to need highlights in the hair.” A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD Brett Lee was a bundle of nerves on the morning of the Boxing Day Test. Fresh from bowling more than 150km/h at the WACA, Lee had posed for photoshoots leading into the game, with the expectation that he would be unleashed against India. In a recent chat with The Follow On podcast, Lee said he was still not sure whether or not he would get the nod ahead of Michael Kasprowicz to debut until the morning of the match. That is understandable, for the friendly ghost “Kasper” had snared seven wickets against Pakistan in Perth during late November when preferred to the newcomer from New South Wales. “Probably just the whole build up, there was a lot of expectation and a lot of conjecture around, ‘Would I play or not?’” he told The Follow On. “Michael Kasprowicz was looking to get the nod ahead of me and then I found out on the morning of the match that I was playing, so all of those memories flicking back to when I was a nine-year-old kid flooded in and all the hard work, the sacrifices, the injuries, overcoming adversity, the people saying I was not good enough, those (thoughts) flashed through my mind in that instant. “I was like, ‘You know what? I’ve worked so hard to get here, let’s just have fun and enjoy it’. And that is exactly what I did.” But those who had watched Lee in the Sheffield Shield match a week earlier were far from surprised, with Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist saying his quality demanded a debut. “It was just dynamic. We all knew at that point in time that Australian cricket had an unbelievable talent on their hands,” he said. “It was just a matter of when he would make the transition from state cricket up to the biggest stage. And there is no bigger stage than the Boxing Day Test match and he looked very comfortable right from the start.” So rapidly was Lee bowling, Mark Waugh was forced to stand further back in the slips cordon than ever before in the Sheffield Shield match and was certain he would play. “We knew how good he was,” he said. “He had done well for New South Wales and when you are bowling 150km/h and you can swing the ball as well — he could swing the ball and a couple of his deliveries did swing away from the left-handers and back into the right-handers — and he had the intimidation factor as well.” Angel, who played the last of his four Tests for Australia against England in 1995, could testify to that. “It was no real surprise because he bowled beautifully in Perth. He bowled quickly but he swung the ball. And he did the same in Melbourne in that Test match against India,” he said. “When you can bowl that quick, that is one thing, but when you are swinging the ball, it is just a double-edged sword. It is a bit like when Mitchell Starc is at the top of his game. That is when he is swinging the ball, because he bowls quick enough, but then you have to factor in the swing as well, and it makes it very hard. “Binga bowled brilliantly in Perth and he just carried it on in the Test match. They got him in while he was doing well and he went from strength to strength from there.” THE PUPPY DOG UNLEASHED: “HE WAS ALWAYS GOING TO BE A HANDFUL” Lee may have felt nervous but he had time to settle after Australia batted first at the MCG, in a weather-interrupted innings as they sought to further their dominance of India. While none of Australia’s star-studded top order made centuries, several scored heavily as the hosts batted through to the third day on the way to a first innings total of 405. Michael Slater top-scored with 91, while Gilchrist made 78 and Ricky Ponting 67 batting at No.6. But in a sign that Lee, who batted at No.10, had an appetite for the occasion, he shared a 59-run partnership with Damien Fleming before falling caught and bowled to Javagal Srinath for 27. It was not long before he demonstrated the nightmare he would become for rival batsmen, with Waugh deciding he would give the emerging star “a crack at it” before lunch. As Lee stood at the top of his mark when introduced into the attack in the fifth over of the Indian innings, he took a moment to “enjoy the experience”. While the MCG was not at its 100,000 capacity, it felt like that to the young Australian living out a boyhood dream as he prepared to bowl with Indian champion VVS Laxman and the left-hander Sadagoppan Ramesh at the crease. “It is weird, because being an Australian and having 100,000 people there — 90-odd thousand were barracking for Australia — and being the new kid on the block, I think a lot of people want to see that young kid do well,” Lee said. “People, I think, appreciate fast bowling. It wasn’t a hard sell for me. I wanted to make sure I delivered and hopefully get some wickets. “But personally, and looking at the calibre of players I had around me — Steve and Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer, Matthew Hayden, Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath — I could not believe I was in the team, to be honest. It was the most surreal, unbelievable feeling.” On his fourth delivery, Lee ran in and knocked Ramesh’s off-stump over. A star was born. “I remember him charging in and looking a little bit nervous, but then the fourth ball cluttered into the stumps and he got his first wicket,” Gilchrist said. “It was like a big sigh of relief from him, not just to make his debut, but to have an impact, and he ticked that box. Then he really just got into his work and it was so impressive.” In an interview not long after his debut, Lee conceded he was “anxious” and that he was “happy to hit the pitch first-up”. But it sparked his appetite further. “I thought now I have taken one wicket, I wouldn’t mind a few more. And that becomes that love affair that you have with cricket,” he said. The second wicket was a special one, with Lee tempting Rahul Dravid into a luxurious bid for a cover drive that he instead edged through to Gilchrist behind the stumps. “He was just like a big puppy dog who had been let off the lead,” Mark Waugh said. “He had that raw energy and he just lifted the mood of the dressing room because he was always smiling. I wouldn’t have liked to bat against him but he was always good to play with if he was on your side. I don’t think there is anything more exciting in cricket than watching a fast bowler rip in and when he is on your side, it is even more exciting. “India would not have seen much of him, so those factors — the raw pace, that he could swing the ball, the intimidation, charging in like a puppy dog off a leash — he was always going to be a handful.” “HE GAVE AS GOOD AS HE GOT”: FROM THE BACKYARD TO THE BIG TIME It is no surprise that Lee initially thought of his boyhood in the instant after being told he would debut for Australia, because it was in the backyard where his skills were honed. That ability to swing the ball? Early lessons controlling a taped tennis ball helped. His defiance with the bat? As a little boy pitted against Shane, he wore some blows. “We used to cut the edges off the bat, so they were quite thin. We would tape up the tennis balls, so we could swing it both ways,” Shane Lee said. “And like Bradman used to do with a cricket stump against a corrugated iron tank, we would do similar things and try and make it harder for us in the backyard, so that when you finally went out into the middle, it was a lot easier. “I have really fond memories of growing up down on the south coast, (because) having a young fast bowler Brett Lee was always good practice in the backyard.” It was not the only lesson Lee learned when pitted against Shane and their younger brother Grant, who the Australian star once said could well have been the best of them all. He was also taught that life in the middle is never easy, no matter how skilled you are. “My highest score in the backyard was 434 and then I bowled Brett out about second ball and I went inside and Brett was crying and mum gave me a smack and said, ‘Go out and bowl to your brother. He has just bowled at you for four hours’,” Shane Lee said. “So I did that (and) I think I knocked him over for 12 in the second innings. (But) it was always good fun. “He gave as good as he got and he always had a beautiful action from a young age. It was very, very rhythmic and very strong. I think Brett bowled 150km/h for nearly 20 years and he was a tremendous athlete.” While Lee was a handful immediately at Test level, from the Boxing Day Test he was taught by the “Little Master” that international cricket was a step up from the domestic scene. Sachin Tendulkar was imperious at the MCG, making a superb 116 when playing an almost lone hand, though he did share a 77-run partnership with Sourav Ganguly. “I think Sachin scored one of the great hundreds in that innings but he faced some terrorising bowling from Brett, and that was the start of a really healthy rivalry between those two and a very healthy rivalry between us and that Indian group of players as well,” Gilchrist said. LEE LEVELS WITH LILLEE IN HISTORIC DEBUT After Glenn McGrath secured Ganguly, Lee returned to the fray, with his pace and swing proving far too good for the Indian lower order in a dazzling burst of brilliance. In the space of an over — the 59th of the Indian innings — Lee bowled MSK Prasad and trapped Ajit Agarkar LBW to set up a hat-trick ball. That eluded him but at the end of the over he claimed his fifth wicket for the innings when Srinath fended a short-pitched delivery to Mark Waugh at second slip. In commentary, the excitement in former English captain Tony Greig’s voice was clear. “What a day. Five wickets on debut. Brett Lee has brought the MCG alive,” Greig said. In finishing with 5-47 from 16 overs, the new sensation became the first Australian fast bowler since Dennis Lillee in Adelaide during the 1970/71 Ashes to take five wickets on debut. “I played as good as I possibly could but to pick up five wickets against India at the MCG in 1999, with close to 100,000 people watching, I still can’t believe it happened, to be honest,” Lee said. Determined to chase quick runs in a rain-marred Test, Gilchrist was promoted to No.4 and made 51 from 73 balls, while Mark Waugh finished unbeaten on 55 as Australia declared at 5-208, setting India a target of 376 to win in four sessions. It was never going to happen. The Aussies steamrolled India for 195, with Lee snaring the wickets of Dravid and Srinath for the second time in the match to finish with figures of 2-31 from 19 overs. It was a debut that caught the attention of world cricket, with old rival England in particular keeping a close watch on the new speedster from the south. “I do remember his debut because I was watching it and I thought, ‘Oh no. I might have to face him soon’. He was barging in with those blond locks and bowling rockets,” former England captain Michael Vaughan said. “He had a pure action, so he actually showed you the ball, but when it is coming at 92 to 95m/ph, and there was always a bit of away shape to the right hander, it didn’t matter that he had a pure action and you can see it, because it was coming down at a huge rate of knots. “And he was nasty. He is a beautiful guy. A lovely guy off the pitch who will do anything for you. But when he had a ball in his hand, he wanted to hurt you. As a batter, that is never nice.” THE FAST TRACK TO A FULFILLING FRIENDSHIP Lee played 76 Tests and sits in Australia’s elite bracket in terms of wickets at that level with 310 at an average of 30.81, retiring after a match against South Africa at the MCG in 2008. The Fox Cricket expert also secured 380 wickets in 221 one-day internationals for Australia and played professionally until 2015. His deeds at the MCG are among his favourite, with good reason, for it was the start of a positive relationship with India and its cricketers that he has cultivated for three decades. “I’ve been coming to India for 30 years and I think my count is 165 times that I have been there,” he told The Follow On. “I have been through several passports in terms of the book being filled up, but I have just taken so many great memories away from India. “The hospitality — people over there are so generous — and when they find out that you have played cricket and you have been lucky enough to represent your country, you get looked after pretty well in India.”

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In this article INTU AMZN Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Sasan Goodarzi, president and CEO of Intuit Inc. and Andy Jassy, CEO of Amazon. David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images Amazon has for years counted on millions of third-party sellers to provide the bulk of the inventory that consumers buy. But keeping track of their finances has long been a challenge for outside merchants, particularly smaller mom-and-pop shops. Amazon said Monday that it's partnering with Intuit to bring the software company's online accounting tools to its vast network of sellers in mid-2025. Intuit QuickBooks will be available on Amazon Seller Central, the hub sellers use to manage their Amazon businesses, the companies said. Eligible sellers will also have access to loans through QuickBooks Capital. "Together with Intuit, we're working to equip our selling partners with additional financial tools and access to capital to help them scale efficiently," Dharmesh Mehta, Amazon's vice president of worldwide selling partner services, said in the joint release. The companies said sellers will see a real-time view of the financial health of their business, getting a clear picture of profitability, cash flow and tax estimates. While the Intuit integration isn't expected to go live until the middle of next year, the announcement comes as sellers ramp up their businesses for the holiday season, the busiest time of the year for most retailers. Representatives from both companies declined to provide specific terms of the agreement, including how revenue will be shared. The marketplace is a critical part of Amazon's retail strategy. In addition to accounting for about 60% of products sold, Amazon generates fees from providing fulfillment and shipping services as well as by offering customer support to sellers and charging them to advertise on the site. In the third quarter , seller services revenue increased 10% to $37.9 billion, accounting for 24% of total revenue, a number that's steadily increased in recent years. Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said on the earnings call that "[third-party] demand is still strong and unit volumes are strong." Amazon shares are up almost 50% this year, climbing to a fresh record Friday, and topping the Nasdaq's 31% gain for the year. Meanwhile, Intuit has underperformed the broader tech index, with its stock up less than 4% in 2024. Intuit shares dropped 5% on Nov. 19 after The Washington Post reported that President-elect Donald Trump's government efficiency team is considering creating a free tax-filing app. They fell almost 6% three days later after the company issued a revenue forecast for the current quarter that trailed analysts' estimates due to some sales being delayed. QuickBooks, which is particularly popular as an all-in-one accounting, expense management and payroll tool for small businesses, has been one of Intuit's key drivers for growth. The company said in November that its QuickBooks Online Accounting segment expanded by 21% in the latest quarter, while total revenue increased 10% to $3.28 billion. Intuit has been adding generative artificial intelligence tools into QuickBooks and other small business services, such as its Mailchimp email marketing offering, to provide more automated insights for users. "You can imagine, as we look ahead, our goal is to create a done-for-you experience across the entire platform, across Mailchimp and QuickBooks and all of the services," Intuit CEO Sasan Goodarzi said on the fiscal first-quarter earnings call. Goodarzi said in Monday's release that the company is bringing its "AI-driven expert platform to help sellers boost their revenue and profitability, save time, and grow with confidence." WATCH: Margin story is the biggest support for Amazon watch now VIDEO 4:05 04:05 Margin story is the biggest support for Amazon, says Rosenblatt's Barton Crockett Squawk on the Street

According to a report from Reuters, major companies in the finance and technology industries committed significant contributions to Donald Trump’s 2025 inaugural fund. Trump, who is scheduled to assume the presidency on January 20, 2025, formed a nonprofit organization named Trump-Vance Inaugural Committee, Inc., to manage the inaugural activities. This 501(c)(4) organization is permitted to receive unlimited donations. Significant Corporate Donations So FarRobinhood: The retail trading platform contributed $2 million, a company spokesperson confirmed.Uber Technologies: Uber and its CEO Dara Khosrowshahi each donated $1 million.Amazon: Amazon pledged $1 million and committed to broadcasting the inauguration on Prime Video.Meta Platforms: Meta provided $1 million, according to a spokesperson.OpenAI: CEO Sam Altman announced a personal donation of $1 million. Altman expressed support for Trump's vision to position the U.S. as a leader in artificial intelligence.Ford: The automaker pledged $1 million and offered a fleet of vehicles.Hedge Fund Manager Ken Griffin: Griffin confirmed plans to contribute $1 million.Bank of America and Goldman Sachs: Both financial giants indicated plans to donate but have not finalized amounts. Donations Reflect Business StrategyTrump’s significant electoral victory has captured the interest of sectors ready to gain from his policy plans. Industries like fossil fuels and artificial intelligence anticipate positive results during his administration. Trump's dependence on direct interaction with business executives has similarly fostered contributions. Business executives have progressively pursued entry to Trump's transition base at Mar-a-Lago, his resort located in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump underscored the surge of interest with a post on Truth Social, stating, “EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND!!!” Role of the Inaugural FundInaugural committees, designated by the presidents-elect, oversee financing for ceremonial activities celebrating the transition of authority. In contrast to political action committees, these funds concentrate on nonpartisan initiatives and carry less reputational risk. Brendan Glavin from OpenSecrets pointed out that inaugural contributions offer distinct entry for companies aiming for influence. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News, World and around the world.

Stuart Piltch Grant for Tech Innovators: Championing Entrepreneurship and AI Solutions for National Security Challenges 12-23-2024 07:04 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Talley Digital Media Image: https://www.globalnewslines.com/uploads/2024/12/1734833171.jpg Stuart Piltch New York, NY - The Stuart Piltch [ https://stuartpiltch.io/ ] Grant for Tech Innovators offers a groundbreaking opportunity for undergraduate students to showcase their entrepreneurial spirit and contribute innovative solutions to one of today's most pressing global challenges: leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance national security. With a vision deeply rooted in fostering creativity, resilience, and impactful innovation, Stuart Piltch establishes this $1,000 grant to inspire the next generation of tech leaders. A Prestigious Initiative Led by Stuart Piltch The Stuart Piltch [ https://stuartpiltchscholarship.com/ ] Grant for Tech Innovators reflects the remarkable journey of its founder, Stuart Piltch, a trailblazer across intelligence, healthcare, and technology sectors. His illustrious career, marked by high honors from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, pioneering ventures such as Cambridge Advisory Group and Certilytics, and expertise in data analytics and machine-based learning (MBL), embodies the values of innovation and community impact. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Stuart Piltch is known for his philanthropic endeavors, including the establishment of the Mildred's Dream Foundation. His work has consistently exemplified intellect, innovation, and a profound commitment to fostering positive change, making this grant a testament to his enduring legacy. Scholarship Details The Stuart Piltch [ https://stuartpiltch.org/ ] Grant for Tech Innovators is designed to encourage students with a passion for entrepreneurship and a deep understanding of AI's transformative potential. The grant provides financial support of $1,000 to the winner, who will be selected based on an insightful and compelling essay addressing the role of AI in advancing national security. Eligibility Criteria: The scholarship is open to undergraduate students across the United States who meet the following criteria: * Innovation and Creativity: Demonstrating a unique and innovative approach to entrepreneurship and problem-solving. * Impact and Feasibility: Articulating a clear vision for a project with tangible benefits for its target audience or community. * Entrepreneurial Spirit: Showcasing resilience, determination, and a commitment to entrepreneurial goals. * Clarity and Persuasiveness: Presenting a well-structured, persuasive, and impactful essay. Essay Prompt: With the rise of technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), the landscape of national security is evolving rapidly. In what ways can AI be utilized to enhance national security measures, and how can entrepreneurial ventures contribute to this endeavor? Describe your innovative approach, its potential impact, and your strategy for implementation. Reflect on your passion for entrepreneurship, how securing this grant will aid you in realizing your goals, and how your vision aligns with the values of Stuart Piltch. Important Dates: * Application Deadline: December 15, 2024 * Winner Announcement: January 15, 2025 Honoring Innovation and the Legacy of Stuart Piltch The Stuart Piltch [ https://stuartpiltchgrant.com/ ] Grant for Tech Innovators is more than a scholarship; it is a platform that champions the values and vision of its founder. Stuart Piltch's unparalleled expertise in game theory, chaos theory, and national security, combined with his deep commitment to philanthropy, positions him as a leader who inspires innovation and transformative thinking. By supporting undergraduate students, this grant underscores Stuart Piltch's dedication to nurturing future entrepreneurs who will make significant contributions to technology and society. Applicants are invited to present ideas that not only advance AI-driven national security but also embody the entrepreneurial resilience that defines Stuart Piltch's career. Fostering a New Generation of Innovators As the digital age continues to reshape the global landscape, the Stuart Piltch [ https://x.com/PiltchStuart ] Grant for Tech Innovators aims to encourage students to harness AI's potential for the betterment of society. Through this initiative, Stuart Piltch continues to build on his legacy of combining technological expertise with a commitment to meaningful and lasting change. Students who share Stuart Piltch's vision of fostering innovation and addressing critical challenges are encouraged to apply. For more information about the grant and application details, visit the official website: https://stuartpiltchgrant.com/ or https://stuartpiltchgrant.com/stuart-piltch-grant/ . About Stuart Piltch Stuart Piltch's journey is a beacon of excellence, marked by groundbreaking achievements in intelligence, healthcare, and technology. From founding leading data analytics firms to revolutionizing healthcare with machine-based learning, his career reflects an unwavering commitment to innovation. Stuart Piltch's philanthropic contributions further illustrate his dedication to uplifting communities and nurturing the next generation of leaders. The Stuart Piltch Grant for Tech Innovators is a tribute to his remarkable legacy and a step toward empowering young visionaries to transform challenges into opportunities. Media Contact Company Name: Stuart Piltch Grant Contact Person: Stuart Piltch Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=stuart-piltch-grant-for-tech-innovators-championing-entrepreneurship-and-ai-solutions-for-national-security-challenges ] City: New York State: New York Country: United States Website: https://stuartpiltchgrant.com This release was published on openPR.US STOCKS-Wall Street ends higher as Santa rally begins

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Bruce Willis may have retreated from the spotlight in recent years amid his frontotemporal dementia (FTD) battle, but every now and then fans are delighted with a glimpse of him on social media. The latest comes from his wife Emma Heming Willis , who often shares heartwarming throwback photos and videos of him with their daughters. The Die Hard actor shares daughters Mabel Ray, 12, and Evelyn Penn, 10 with the Make Time Wellness co-founder, as well as Rumer , 35, Scout , 33, and Tallulah , 30, with ex-wife Demi Moore , to whom he was married from 1987 to 2000. Over the weekend and ahead of Christmas, Emma took to Instagram and shared a round of throwback photos of Bruce, including a video of him singing in their backyard. She started with a black-and-white portrait of the four of them and wrote: "Them. Always," followed by two throwback photos of Mabel with her dad when she was younger, and finally the video of Bruce singing and smiling, on which she wrote: "Him. Always." Demi Moore gives update on 'stable' Bruce Willis amid health battle Emma recently opened up to Town & Country about how she has been coping the last couple of years, and how she has approached explaining Bruce's condition to their daughters. "I'm trying to find that balance between the grief and the sadness that I feel, which can just crack open at any given moment, and finding joy," she said, and though it was a heartbreaking diagnosis to receive, she noted: "This disease is misdiagnosed, it's missed, it's misunderstood, so finally getting to a diagnosis was key so that I could learn what fronto­temporal dementia is and I could educate our children." MORE: Tallulah Willis shares 'authentic' look at the stunning home she was raised in by Bruce Willis and Demi Moore MORE: Emma Heming Willis shares glimpse inside family Christmas with Bruce Willis at $9.8M home "They've grown up with Bruce declining over the years. I'm not trying to shield them from it," she added, and explained: "What I learned from our therapist was that if children ask questions, they're ready to know the answer. If we could see that Bruce was struggling, I would address it with the kids so they could understand." "But this disease is chronic, progressive, and terminal. There is no cure," she further shared, noting that "obviously, I don't like to speak about the terminal side of this with them, nor have they asked," however, "they know that Daddy's not going to get better." MORE: Bruce Willis and Demi Moore's daughter shows off wild new look in revealing personal video She continued: "There is no treatment, which is why I'm out there raising awareness, so that they can see that we have some agency in this. I'm not going to allow FTD to take our whole family down," and emphasized: "Bruce wouldn't want that. They're going to see me fight for our family, have some hope, and help the next family out there." MORE: Bruce Willis embraces daughter Scout in new video as she shares life update Still, she reflected: "We had so many plans, so many beautiful things we wanted to do with our girls, so many things that we wanted to experience together," though maintained: "This is not the opportunity that I would want, but it's the opportunity that's been presented." "We've been able to raise awareness on a global scale, and they could see the reach and impact that their father has. That's a beautiful thing."