WASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge terminated the gun case against Hunter Biden on Tuesday after President Joe Biden issued a sweeping pardon for his son. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika closed the case the week before Hunter Biden was to be sentenced. He could have faced up to 25 years in prison, though as a first-time offender he likely would have gotten far less time or avoided prison entirely. Prosecutors opposed dismissing the case, arguing in court documents that a pardon shouldn't wipe away the case “as if it never occurred." Hunter Biden was convicted on three felonies after he lied on a federal form to purchase a gun in Delaware by saying he wasn’t a drug user in 2018, a period when he has acknowledged being addicted. The judge's order ends the case but does not toss out the conviction. The Justice Department special counsel is also opposed to dismissing a case filed in California after Hunter Biden failed to pay $1.4 million in taxes . U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi in Los Angeles indicted he would dismiss the case once the pardon is formally received. Still, Scarsi was critical of the president's assertion that his son was singled out for political reasons, saying two judges had rejected similar arguments from his defense attorneys. The president's Sunday decision to go back on previous pledges and issue his son a blanket federal pardon for actions over the past 11 years has sparked a political uproar in Washington, drawing criticism from many Democrats as well as Republicans and threatening to cloud Biden’s legacy as he prepares to leave office on Jan. 20. Hunter Biden was originally supposed to strike a plea deal with prosecutors last year that would have spared him prison time, but the agreement fell apart after Noreika questioned unusual aspects of it. This story was first published Dec. 3, 2024. It was updated Dec. 4, 2024, to explain that the case was terminated, which ends the case but doesn’t toss out the conviction. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!I REFER to the story regarding Newcastle council's "modest surplus" ( Newcastle Herald 12/11). While it presents a fairly positive view of the 2023-24 financials, I have a different view when taking into account the history leading to this point. This administration always places great stock in the Audit Office's report. It is good that the dollars have been put in the right boxes, but the AO always has a disclaimer that the " audit does not include, nor provide assurance that the council has carried out its activities effectively, efficiently and economically". Login or signup to continue reading I believe the $4.2 million surplus does not stack up against the fact that rates have gone up 72 per cent since the big rate rise introduced in 2016. This is three times the inflation rate and yielded an extra $75 million in rates in 2023-24 alone. Over the same period, fees and charges have gone up 72 per cent. It is easy to make a surplus when ratepayers are contributing so much more every year. Where is all the extra money going? Well, workforce costs alone have gone up 37 per cent over the past five years. The waste business made a surplus of $14 million last year, and this was on top of a $12 million surplus in each of the two previous years. However, domestic waste charges went up 10 per cent last year, and have gone up 50 per cent over the last five years. Despite spending $40 million on infrastructure renewal last year, this is 20 per cent behind the NSW government target. In fact, this council has not met the target in any of the last seven years and is now $100 million behind what it should have spent over that period. This is driving up the infrastructure backlog, which is now double the target and increasing. If the council had not changed the accounting method and wiped $101 million of the backlog a couple of years ago, it would now be 11 per cent versus the target of 2 per cent. In 2015 the council promised IPART that it would achieve 2 per cent, under the old measurement system, with proceeds from the rate increase. It is very difficult to determine where the money is going because there are large chunks of operating expenditure where the split-up of costs is not visible. For a number of years, ratepayers have been complaining that project budgets, costs and delivery times have been hidden from the public. It appears to me that the public is getting a raw deal, and I hope that the messages delivered by the electorate in the recent election are taken seriously by the new council. GLENDALE offers an unprecedented opportunity for Newcastle Basketball to be involved in the largest sporting complex in NSW with existing facilities. Consider that within kilometres there is already is conglomerate of venues such as a first class golf course, bowling, sailing, boating, fishing, rugby league, Aussie rules, baseball, swimming, croquet, cricket, BMX, netball, roller and ice skating, soccer, walking and cycling. Combine the above with uncomplicated access. Sorry, did I miss a sport? The area also has motels, hotels, licenced clubs, schools and TAFE. Build the stadium at Glendale. Look at the bigger picture in the future. The Hunter may become the mecca for sport and recreation. WHY is it that Woolworths and Coles are copping a hammering because they are trying to do well to keep shareholders happy? Why is it that our major airlines go over and above to look after their shareholders and nothing is said? They double their prices in peak times like Christmas and school holidays and we don't hear a whisper. Yet if our supermarkets were to price gouge in those times, they would be hauled over the coals. Can someone tell me the difference? Major supermarkets have cost of living to take into account such as warehousing, power costs and everything that goes into it like transport. It's all a balancing act to make a profit over all their stores, and to make a profit for the shareholders. Major airlines have static costs all year round yet they take advantage of the travelling public and don't give a damn. I'M so pleased that a choir has once again been created for dementia patients in Newcastle. In 2010, a singing group was formed at the Alzheimer's Centre in Percy Street, Hamilton, for dementia patients and their carers. It was a social morning with tea and biscuits followed by an hour of singing. The group was dubbed The Percy Street Singers. COVID put a stop to this, but the group was apparently never allowed back into the centre. Since Dementia Australia took over the centre, in my view all the activities virtually stopped. Like so many things in Newcastle, it seemed to become a Sydney-centric organisation. My husband died 10 years ago, and by then could not hold a conversation but could sing every word in every song. It was a great joy for him. The centre also provided a men's cooking group, movie afternoons, coffee groups, art and creative afternoons, and memory loss courses for people with dementia and their careers. The funding for so much was gradually removed, and staff dwindled. What a sad time for Newcastle. Destiny on Dyke Point has welcomed visitors to our safe, beautiful harbour for almost 25 years. It was Destiny's birthday on Sunday (November 24). She was sculpted by Julie Squires, a wonderfully talented local sculptor. When you stroll the promenade at Honeysuckle check her out. She is so beautiful and gracious: we are your destiny, you are safe and welcomed. Cheers to her. I arrived at the protest site about 9:15am on Friday. It was too early for any action but the police presence was way over the top. They also had a visible presence down as far as Honeysuckle, so it would be in the interest of balanced reporting could the Herald get official figures on police numbers? And yes, I rode there by bike - 39km return trip. ALAN Jones's high-profile supporters have deserted him, like rats deserting a sinking ship. "A friend in need is a friend indeed" seems to not apply here. AS one who occasionally uses the word 'woke', I'd like make it clear that to me it refers to those who think they are superior to the rest, never wrong, overuse - often incorrectly - words such as 'racist' and 'misogynist', and jump on every left-wing bandwagon in their never-ending search for popularity. LABOR'S latest Orwellian attempt to control public debate, its Misinformation and Disinformation (MAD) Bill, seems dead in the water in the face of growing Senate opposition. The price of liberty is eternal vigilance. DON Owers ("Disruptions aren't all equal", Letters, 21/11), doesn't seem to know that no government has authority over industrial action. It's the domain of the Fair Work Commission. I don't remember anything from Mr Owers when the Liberal government closed the rail network for a day in 2022, claiming "safety issues". It blamed striking workers despite them not being on strike and at work. Quietly dropped with no apology when the FWC demanded to see their risk assessment. DAILY Today's top stories curated by our news team. Also includes evening update. WEEKDAYS Grab a quick bite of today's latest news from around the region and the nation. WEEKLY The latest news, results & expert analysis. WEEKDAYS Catch up on the news of the day and unwind with great reading for your evening. WEEKLY Get the editor's insights: what's happening & why it matters. WEEKLY Love footy? We've got all the action covered. WEEKLY Every Saturday and Tuesday, explore destinations deals, tips & travel writing to transport you around the globe. WEEKLY Get the latest property and development news here. WEEKLY Going out or staying in? Find out what's on. WEEKDAYS Sharp. Close to the ground. Digging deep. Your weekday morning newsletter on national affairs, politics and more. WEEKLY Follow the Newcastle Knights in the NRL? Don't miss your weekly Knights update. TWICE WEEKLY Your essential national news digest: all the big issues on Wednesday and great reading every Saturday. WEEKLY Get news, reviews and expert insights every Thursday from CarExpert, ACM's exclusive motoring partner. TWICE WEEKLY Get real, Australia! Let the ACM network's editors and journalists bring you news and views from all over. AS IT HAPPENS Be the first to know when news breaks. DAILY Your digital replica of Today's Paper. Ready to read from 5am! DAILY Test your skills with interactive crosswords, sudoku & trivia. Fresh daily!234u 。

South Korean President Yoon's impeachment fails as his ruling party boycotts vote

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KUWAIT: Zain, Kuwait’s leading technology innovator, announced its platinum sponsorship of NEXUS—the largest technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship gathering of its kind. The three-day event was held at The Arena Kuwait, featuring participation from over 100 entities from the public and private sectors, under the patronage and presence of Minister of State for Communications Affairs Omar Al-Omar. Zain took part in the exhibition’s opening ceremony, which was attended by officials, executives, and experts representing a wide range of industries. The company’s support to this event aligns with its strategy to contribute to the national economy, emphasize the private sector’s role in supporting the country’s digital transformation plans, accelerate the entrepreneurial ecosystem, and empower Kuwaiti talent. How technology shapes future During the event, a panel discussion titled “How AI, data, and IoT will shape the future” was held, joined by Hamad Al-Marzouq, Chief Enterprise Business Officer at Zain Kuwait and Abdullah Al-Ajmi, Acting Chairman of the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA), along with other experts. During the panel, Al-Marzouq highlighted Zain’s leading role in digital transformation and how the company employs IoT and AI technologies to enhance customer experience and promote digital lifestyles. He also discussed some of Zain’s innovative solutions to integrate data analytics in smart city projects. He also discussed key projects in collaboration with government and private institutions to advance smart city initiatives and explored the opportunities that 5G and IoT technologies bring to Kuwait’s digital future. “At Zain, we take pride in being pioneers in adopting AI solutions and new technologies. We extend our gratitude to CITRA for their role in supporting our initiatives and facilitating the necessary licenses for launching technologies such as 5G, data centers, and cloud services in the market,” said Al-Marzouq during the panel discussion. “On the consumer side, we were the first to introduce AI-powered customer service solutions, such as our interactive smart platform, zBot, that we launched years ago. We also offer a comprehensive portfolio of IoT solutions that enrich our customers’ smart home experiences.” Al-Marzouq talked about Zain’s contributions in the enterprise sector. “We have numerous success stories where we empowered public and private sector entities to adopt the latest solutions such as 5G and 5G Advanced connectivity, and we’ve worked to enhance the smart city ecosystem by deploying 800,000 smart meters in collaboration with the Ministry of Electricity and Water,” he said. The discussion also touched on Zain’s collaboration with international tech companies. “Our solid partnerships with global technology giants such as Microsoft, Amazon (AWS), Google Cloud, and others have strengthened our digital infrastructure to provide the best services and solutions for business clients in the Kuwaiti market, including large corporations, SMEs, and the public sector,” said Al-Marzouq. He also highlighted a recent AI-driven platform developed by Zain for enterprise clients to help track project progress using data-driven insights. Among the notable success stories was the partnership with the Kuwait Credit Bank to provide an engineering inspection platform using drones, significantly enhancing citizens’ experiences. Discussing the significance of data in decision making, Al-Marzouq stated: “Data has become one of the most valuable resources today. At Zain, we recently launched the Zain Data Office, which assists us in making data-driven decisions. We harness the power of data to offer solutions that help overcome societal challenges and create exclusive offerings tailored to our customers’ unique needs.” Zain had an engaging presence at NEXUS, showcasing its leading experience in digital transformation, support for Kuwaiti entrepreneurs, and the latest fintech solutions, through its dedicated booth and by sharing expertise during engaging panel discussions and specialized workshops throughout the three-day event. Exclusive bundles for SMEs During its participation at NEXUS, Zain launched all-new exclusive bundles tailored for SME customers. Designed specifically for startups, these packages include a variety of offerings from Zain’s business portfolio, such as cloud solutions, 5G services, IoT, 5G connectivity, and more. The new plans provide customized and integrated solutions specifically designed for SMEs, helping them manage and operate their businesses seamlessly. The plans are cost-effective by bundling several services at a competitive price, with flexibility to customize the plans and opt in for add-ons as needed, ensuring small businesses have the tools and support needed for success and sustainable growth. The bundles target SMEs looking to enhance operational efficiency by providing reliable and fast 5G internet connectivity, hosted collaboration services, access to the latest productivity tools, high-level security, and flexible payment options. Additionally, Zain’s booth featured a notable contribution from FOO, Zain’s fintech partner, showcasing cutting-edge fintech solutions for institutions, including digital wallets, digital banking, banking-as-a-service, cloud-as-a-service, payment solutions, digital transformation enablement, and more. Fostering growth for entrepreneurs During the event, Haya AlManaa, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Expert at Zain Kuwait, participated in a panel titled “Ecosystem Builders and Enablers.” She highlighted Zain’s innovation strategy, which aims to support entrepreneurs and empower startups by providing world-class mentorship and acceleration resources. AlManaa spoke about Zain’s role in providing resources and mentorship to new entrepreneurs through its award-winning tech startup accelerator, Zain Great Idea (ZGI). She also discussed the challenges startups face in the tech space and how to overcome them to achieve sustainable growth, as well as Zain’s efforts to foster innovation and inclusion, especially for women in entrepreneurship. Zain’s booth featured participation from three Kuwaiti entrepreneurs from the finalists of the ZGI program, which recently concluded its global acceleration phase in Silicon Valley in the US. The participants included Faisal Tawfiqi and Fahad Alzuabi from USim — an internet roaming app, Abdullah Albusairi from EYON— an Arab live streaming platform, and Abdullah Shaban from Mawqif — a parking app. They highlighted their competitive services to visitors and shared their experiences from the ZGI program. NEXUS featured the first-of-its-kind startup challenge, where 100 startups competed for six major awards totaling KD 30,000, including a grand prize of KD 10,000. Three startups from the current ZGI cohort participated in the competition: Ghaneema Al-Mutawa, Yousur Al-Mutawa, and Yasmeen Al-Kandari from Seeds Academy; Mohammed Al-Kandari and Khaled Ibrahim from Caliery; and Abdulrahman Al-Fneisan from ADWAA. They presented their pioneering ideas and business models to the judging panel and audience. Partnership with ‘Raha’ On the sidelines of the exhibition, Zain announced a collaboration with Raha, the rapidly growing logistics technology company in Kuwait. Through this collaboration, Raha’s subsidiary, Smooth Logistics, will support Zain’s logistics operations, leveraging its expertise in advanced AI-powered robotics and automation solutions, considered to be among the best in their class in the logistics industry. The partnership was announced in the presence of Ahmad Al-Habib, Outbound Department Manager in the Channels Division at Zain Kuwait, and Saleh Al-Tunaib, co-founder and CEO of Raha. Smooth Logistics will provide support in managing Zain’s logistics operations, including transporting, storing, and shipping products and orders, following the highest standards of quality and efficiency, and utilizing AI-powered robotic solutions in its state-of-the-art facilities in Kuwait. Hamad Al-Marzouq: “Data has become one of today’s most valuable resources. At Zain, we harness the power of data to enhance customer experiences and enrich their digital lifestyle.”One of the reasons why the proposed 30-year extension of the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit tax fell far short of passing in 2020 was the agency’s slow pace at fulfilling its promise to build a parallel bike/pedestrian path. It was their goal of creating a “North-South Greenway” that led Marin bicyclists to support the 2008 passage of the bi-county tax that launched the Marin-Sonoma rail service. Understandably, SMART’s primary focus was getting the long-planned Larkspur-to-Santa Rosa rail service started, but the bike community, which had worked hard for Measure Q, was less enthusiastic about the extension. The progress in making the promised pathway a reality was lagging far behind. Since the 2020 defeat, SMART’s leadership has worked to remedy that political gap, devoting more money to closing gaps in the path. The latest is a 1-mile path from the Marin County Civic Center to Smith Ranch Road near McInnis Park. The cost was $4.8 million. It is a welcomed alternative to bicyclists and pedestrians having to make the trek via the Redwood Highway frontage road and crossing the busy Manuel T. Freitas Parkway interchange. As Warren Wells, policy and advocacy director of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition, put it, the new path is “safer, faster and more pleasant.” Next on the list is a connector following the rail tracks under Highway 101, connecting Merrydale Road and Civic Center Drive. It is methodical progress toward fulfilling that 2008 promise of a multi-modal system that could provide a safe, viable and “greener” alternative to Highway 101’s gridlock. The bi-county quarter-cent sales tax that launched SMART is due to expire in 2029. SMART’s progress on the pathway and building ridership have been substantive advances over where the agency was four years ago when it asked voters to extend the tax and voter support fell far short of the two-thirds majority required for passage. On the path, SMART still has many gaps it needs to close, but it is committed to making diligent progress. Fulfilling promises and rebuilding a strong coalition is going to be vital when SMART returns again to voters.

Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron mimicked "superheroes" or "battleground comrades" ahead of the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Saturday. Body language expert Judi James said President-elect Donald Trump and French leader Emmanuel Macron put their "bros" relationship on full display as they tightly shook hands in front of Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy . The meeting, which took place at around 6 p.m. local time at the Palais de l'Élysée ahead of the grand opening ceremony for the newly refurbished Notre Dame Cathedral , featured an hour-long meeting between Trump and Macron before Zelenskyy joined them for the last 35 minutes. Notre Dame under ring of steel with surface-to-air missiles for Donald Trump and Prince William's visit Elon Musk blew more than a quarter of a billion dollars helping Donald Trump win US election When Trump and Macron met, they tightly clasped hands in what body language expert Judi James called a show of "valor, courage and bonding." Trump reportedly said it was a "great honor" to reconnect with the French president, with whom he said he enjoys a "great relationship." The encounter was photographed as part of a red carpet event ahead of their meeting inside the historic presidential palace, where they discussed a world he said has gone "a little crazy." "The 'bros' relationship between Trump and Macron seems to hold true with a very macho bonding greeting ritual that you'd normally see between superheroes in movies or battleground comrades, with the tight clutching of the upright hands hinting at valor, courage and bonding," Judi James told TheMirror.com, referencing the greeting on the red carpet. Macron was likely trying to win Trump's favor as he hosted the former and future president as part of the global ceremony that came five years after a fire burned down the historic monument. He and other world leaders have been attempting to win Trump's political favor as they attempt to persuade him to maintain support for Ukraine as it works to defend against Russia following the February 2022 invasion. They also planned to discuss the conflicts playing out in the Middle East . Click here to follow the Mirror US on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest news, sports and entertainment stories. The topic of the war in Ukraine what prompted the unplanned meeting between Macron and Trump and Zelenskyy, who joined the two to discuss it. Trump has previously pledged to end the war in Ukraine swiftly, but he hasn't specified how, though he raised concerns in Kyiv about what terms may be laid out for any future negotiations. James said the greeting between Trump and Zelenskyy appeared "frosty," detailing the "very difficult, frosty-looking body language" between them as Macron seemed to "place himself in the role of mediator and, at one point, pacifier." " Trump looks subdued but not submissive here, standing upright with his arms hanging at his sides, looking ahead but not into the cameras, with a jutting of his lower lip giving an expression of sulky displeasure," she said of the president-elect's body language. "He looks unwilling to socialize or to showboat here, looking distant rather than present and socially active in the moment." Zelenskyy, on the other hand, appeared "keen to address the cameras with his facial expression." What piqued James' interest, however, was the body language of all three world leaders as they sat together in the palace. "There is a pose where the three leaders sit together and, as Trump leans forward to make his point with an index finger point of authority, Macron leans a hand across to hold Zelenskyy’s arm in what looks like an appeasement gesture, as though stepping in to diffuse a fight or disagreement," she said. At the end of the meeting, Zelenskyy and Trump shook hands and chatted briefly, and then Trump waved at photographers before turning and leaving. Trump was joined in Paris by a small contingent of staff that included incoming chief of staff Susie Wiles. It was the Republican's first trip to Paris since becoming president-elect and one of his first abroad.Christmas came a little early for fans of indie and alternative artists with Nashville ties. After debuting a performance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon , Julien Baker and TORRES released their country single “Sugar in the Tank,” the first taste of a long-rumored collaboration album. The steady-rolling song is a change of pace for both artists, with pedal steel and banjo backing up simple, sweet lyrics promising serious devotion to a lover in the face of hesitation. The combination of TORRES’ low croon and Baker’s earnest high harmony communicate a desperation beyond words, as they sing: “I hate just watching through the window when you pull up / And I’m still thinking I should stay home / Come on baby, put a little sugar in the tank / And I love you all the way.” Though it’s the artists’ first foray into the genre’s twangiest regions, the song is a masterful ode to classic country love songs. And while TORRES (aka Mackenzie Scott) has written plenty of hopeful romantic tunes — see 2021’s Thirstier — this may be the first time Julien Baker has put out an upbeat song, at least without her boygenius bandmates. It’s nice to switch it up sometimes! Decked out with bolo ties and Nudie suits, the duo christened the tune with a live debut on Fallon on Tuesday and the track hit streaming services Friday. They’ve also announced a run of festival dates next year, including a stop at Knoxville’s Big Ears Festival in March. You can keep an eye for further dates and music announcements on their website , or by following Baker and TORRES on Instagram. LCD Soundsystem, Steve Lacy, boygenius and More Bring the Heat Julien Baker’s Little Oblivions Manifests a Change of Pace Year in Music 2018: Changing the Game Julien Baker Brings Hope to Marathon Music Works On Sprinter , Belmont alum Torres proves music still mattersALT X unveils “eCom 360” revolutionising eCommerce solutions in Sri Lanka

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — Jacksen Moni's 25 points helped North Dakota State defeat Wisconsin-Stout 91-62 on Friday for its sixth straight win. Moni shot 9 for 13 (4 for 6 from 3-point range) and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line for the Bison (9-4). Treyson Anderson scored eight points and added seven rebounds. Darik Dissette shot 3 of 3 from the field to finish with eight points. Carson Hoffman led the Blue Devils in scoring, finishing with 11 points. Justin Nelson added nine points and Dominic Croci recorded eight points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Every Past Game Of The Year Winner At The Game Awards

How ‘Yellowstone’ is inspiring the comeback of the Roy Rogers fast food chainWASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge terminated the gun case against Hunter Biden on Tuesday after President Joe Biden issued a sweeping pardon for his son. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika closed the case the week before Hunter Biden was to be sentenced. He could have faced up to 25 years in prison, though as a first-time offender he likely would have gotten far less time or avoided prison entirely. Prosecutors opposed dismissing the case, arguing in court documents that a pardon shouldn't wipe away the case “as if it never occurred." Hunter Biden was convicted on three felonies after he lied on a federal form to purchase a gun in Delaware by saying he wasn’t a drug user in 2018, a period when he has acknowledged being addicted. The judge's order ends the case but does not toss out the conviction. The Justice Department special counsel is also opposed to dismissing a case filed in California after Hunter Biden failed to pay $1.4 million in taxes . U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi in Los Angeles indicted he would dismiss the case once the pardon is formally received. Still, Scarsi was critical of the president's assertion that his son was singled out for political reasons, saying two judges had rejected similar arguments from his defense attorneys. The president's Sunday decision to go back on previous pledges and issue his son a blanket federal pardon for actions over the past 11 years has sparked a political uproar in Washington, drawing criticism from many Democrats as well as Republicans and threatening to cloud Biden’s legacy as he prepares to leave office on Jan. 20. Hunter Biden was originally supposed to strike a plea deal with prosecutors last year that would have spared him prison time, but the agreement fell apart after Noreika questioned unusual aspects of it. This story was first published Dec. 3, 2024. It was updated Dec. 4, 2024, to explain that the case was terminated, which ends the case but doesn’t toss out the conviction.

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Powell: Fed's independence from politics is vital to its interest rate decisions WASHINGTON (AP) — Chair Jerome Powell said the Federal Reserve’s ability to set interest rates free of political interference is necessary for it to make decisions to serve “all Americans” rather than a political party or political outcome. Speaking at the New York Times’ DealBook summit, Powell addressed a question about President-elect Donald Trump’s numerous public criticisms of the Fed and of Powell himself. During the election campaign, Trump had insisted that as president, he should have a “say” in the Fed’s interest rate policies. Despite Trump’s comments, the Fed chair said he was confident of widespread support in Congress for maintaining the central bank’s independence. UnitedHealthcare CEO kept a low public profile. Then he was shot to death in New York NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the US but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. The fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare's chief executive on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk Wednesday became a mystery that riveted the nation. Police say it was a targeted killing. Thompson was 50. He had worked at the company for 20 years and had run health care giant UnitedHealth Group Inc.'s insurance business since 2021. It provides health coverage for more than 49 million Americans and brought in $281 billion in revenue last year. Thompson's $10.2 million annual compensation made him one of the company’s highest-paid executives. Trump nominates cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins as SEC chair President-elect Donald Trump says he intends to nominate cryptocurrency advocate Paul Atkins to chair the Securities and Exchange Commission. Atkins is the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner. Trump calls Atkins a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. The SEC oversees U.S. securities markets and investments. If confirmed next year by the new Republican-led Senate, Atkins would replace Gary Gensler, who's been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Atkins was widely considered the most conservative SEC member during his tenure and known to have a strong free-market bent. Australia is banning social media for people under 16. Could this work elsewhere — or even there? It is an ambitious social experiment of our moment in history. Experts say it could accomplish something that parents, schools and other governments have attempted with varying degrees of success — keeping kids off social media until they turn 16. Australia’s new law was approved by its Parliament last week. It's an attempt to swim against many tides of modern life — formidable forces like technology, marketing, globalization and, of course, the iron will of a teenager. The ban won’t go into effect for another year. But how will Australia be able to enforce it? That’s not clear, nor will it be easy. White House says at least 8 US telecom firms, dozens of nations impacted by China hacking campaign WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says at least eight U.S. telecom firms and dozens of nations have been impacted by a Chinese hacking campaign. Deputy national security adviser Anne Neuberger offered the new details Wednesday about the breadth of the sprawling Chinese hacking campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Neuberger divulged the scope of the hack a day after the FBI and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency issued guidance intended to help root out the hackers and prevent similar cyberespionage in the future. White House officials cautioned that a number of telecommunication firms and countries impacted could still grow. Pete Hegseth's mother says The New York Times made 'threats' by asking her to comment on a story A basic tenet of journalism — calling someone for comment on a story — was seen as a threat by defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth's mother. Penelope Hegseth appeared on Fox News Channel to talk about her son, whose nomination by President-elect Trump to lead the Pentagon is threatened by a series of stories about his past behavior. One came this past weekend, when The New York Times wrote about a private email Penelope Hegseth sent to her son about his treatment of women. She said on Fox News that she felt threatened when the Times called her about the email, which she had quickly regretted sending. The Times said they were engaging in routine journalism. District of Columbia says Amazon secretly stopped fast deliveries to 2 predominantly Black ZIP codes The District of Columbia is alleging in a lawsuit that Amazon secretly stopped providing its fastest delivery service to residents of two predominantly Black neighborhoods in the city. The district says the online retailer still charged residents of two ZIP codes millions of dollars for a service that provides speedy deliveries. The complaint filed on Wednesday in District of Columbia Superior Court revolves around Amazon’s Prime membership service. The lawsuit alleges Amazon in mid-2022 imposed what it called a delivery “exclusion” on the two low-income ZIP codes. An Amazon spokesperson says the company made the change based on concerns about driver safety. The spokesperson says claims that Amazon's business practices are discriminatory are “categorically false.” Biden says 'Africa is the future' as he pledges millions more on the last day of Angola visit LOBITO, Angola (AP) — President Joe Biden has pledged another $600 million for an ambitious multi-country rail project in Africa as one of the final foreign policy moves of his administration. He told African leaders Wednesday that the resource-rich continent of more than 1.4 billion people had been “left behind for much too long. But not anymore. Africa is the future.” Biden used the third and final day of his visit to Angola to showcase the Lobito Corridor railway. The U.S. and allies are investing heavily to refurbish train lines in Zambia, Congo and Angola in a region rich in critical minerals to counter China's influence. The end of an Eras tour approaches, marking a bittersweet moment for Taylor Swift fans NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The global phenomenon that is Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour is coming to an end after the popstar performed more than 150 shows across five continents over nearly two years. Since launching the tour in 2023, Swift has shattered sales and attendance records. It's even created such an economic boom that the Federal Reserve took note. But for many who attended the concerts, and the millions more who eagerly watched on their screens, the tour also became a beacon of joy. It's become a chance not only to appreciate Swift’s expansive music career, but also celebrate the yearslong journey fans have taken with her. US senators grill officials from 5 airlines over fees for seats and checked bags A U.S. Senate subcommittee is taking aim at airlines and their growing use of fees for things like early boarding and better seats. Members of the Senate Permanent on Investigations say airlines have raised billions of dollars by imposing fees that are getting hard to understand and even harder to avoid paying. The senators and the Biden administration call them “junk fees,” and they say the extra charges are making travel less affordable. Some senators expressed frustration during a hearing on Wednesday hearing when airline executives couldn't explain how they set various fees. Airlines say fees let consumers pay for things they want, like more legroom, and avoid paying for things they don't want.After announcing he would not return to Congress, Matt Gaetz appears to be trying out a new career option: creating personalized videos for his fans on Cameo. Gaetz, a former Florida representative, joined the platform Friday, a day after he withdrew his name from consideration to serve as President-elect Donald Trump’s attorney general amid sexual misconduct allegations. Philadelphia news 24/7: Watch NBC10 free wherever you are There, he’s been doling out paid holiday wishes, marriage congratulations and career pep talks. As of Sunday night, Gaetz is charging a minimum of $550 per video, which so far have averaged about a minute and a half in length. “I served in Congress,” his Cameo page reads, alluding to his recent resignation and subsequent announcement that he does not plan to retake his House seat. “Trump nominated me to be US Attorney General (that didn’t work out). Once I fired the House Speaker.” The speaker he "fired" hints at his feud with Kevin McCarthy, whom he played a pivotal role in ousting last year when Gaetz forced a House vote that led to McCarthy's removal from office. A representative for Gaetz did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Gaetz announced Thursday his decision to take himself out of the running for attorney general, writing on X , “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition.” Stories that affect your life across the U.S. and around the world. His potential appointment was overshadowed by several allegations of sexual misconduct, including allegations that he had sex with a 17-year-old at a party in 2017 . He was also investigated by the Justice Department — which he would have led had he been confirmed — related to allegations of sex trafficking and sex with a minor. Gaetz has vehemently denied allegations of sexual misconduct, and the investigation ended with no charges against him. Gaetz’s resignation last week also effectively ended a House Ethics Committee investigation into the allegations against him, which had been ongoing intermittently since 2021. From Capitol Hill to Cameo Cameo, the celebrity video message app, which launched in 2017, allows users to purchase custom shoutouts from famous figures who join the app. Fans on Cameo commonly request these videos, priced by the celebrities themselves, for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries and graduations. Despite facing some financial trouble in recent years, Cameo has remained a fixture for some public figures seeking an extra source of income. It’s become a notorious marketplace for fan-requested videos from pop culture’s most dramatic and villainized personalities, which often go viral when posted to social media platforms like TikTok and X. In one video, Gaetz, a Republican, filmed himself congratulating a recipient for making partner at their law firm while acknowledging their political differences. “Look, I know your politics and mine may not align specifically, but you know, our career trajectories might not be either. I mean, here you are making partner, and my legal career took a little bit of a different turn this last week,” Gaetz said. “But you know what? Work hard, get paid a lot of money, do a lot of great things as a practitioner and counselor at law, and you know, you never know. You could be an attorney general nominee, too.” Other videos feature Gaetz thanking his recipients for “backing President Trump and all of our efforts to save the country” and being “there for MAGA.” He also roasted one recipient for “betting on things like... Kamala Harris to be the President of the United States. You got to get better habits for that — bet on Trump.” Gaetz is following in the footsteps of other embattled politicians such as former Rep. George Santos , who turned to the platform after he was ousted from the House late last year amid allegations of wire fraud and identity theft. Earlier this year, Santos made his drag queen persona available on the app as well. He has since pleaded guilty to a pair of felony fraud charges. Also on Cameo are Rod Blagojevich, the former Illinois governor who was removed from office and incarcerated on charges of public corruption, and Rudy Giuliani, the former New York City mayor who was indicted on charges related to alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia. Giuliani has pleaded not guilty to the charges in the Georgia election interference case. He was also found liable for defaming two Georgia election workers . Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney who pleaded guilty to and served time in prison for federal crimes, is also active on the app. Other political figures on Cameo include former Alaska governor Sarah Palin, former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski and Fox News commentator Tomi Lahren. This article first appeared on NBCNews.com . Read more from NBC News here: