phlboss is legit DENVER — So you're the most valuable player of that annual Thanksgiving Day backyard flag football game. Or played tackle football on any level. Or ran track. Or dabbled in basketball. Or toyed with any sport, really. Well, this may be just for you: USA Football is holding talent identification camps all over the country to find that next flag football star. It's "America's Got Talent" meets "American Idol," with the stage being the field and the grand prize a chance to compete for a spot on a national team. Because it's never too early to start planning for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, where flag football will make its Summer Games debut. Know this, though — it's not an easy team to make. The men's and women's national team rosters are at "Dream Team" status given the men's side has captured six of the last seven world championships and the women three in a row. To remain on top, the sport's national governing body is scouring every football field, park, track, basketball court and gym to find hidden talent to cultivate. USA Football has organized camps and tryouts from coast to coast for anyone ages 11 to 23. There are more than a dozen sites set up so far, ranging from Dallas (Sunday) to Chicago (Dec. 14) to Tampa (March 29) to Los Angeles (TBD) and the Boston area (April 27), where it will be held at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. The organization has already partnered with the NFL on flag football initiatives and programs. The numbers have been through the roof, with engagement on social media platforms increasing by 86% since flag football was announced as an Olympic invitational sport in October 2023. The participation of boys and girls ages 6 to 17 in flag football last year peaked at more than 1.6 million, according to USA Football research. "We pride ourselves on elevating the gold standard across the sport," said Eric Mayes, the managing director of the high performance and national teams for USA Football. "We want to be the best in the world — and stay the best in the world." Flag football was one of five new sports added to the LA28 program. The already soaring profile of American football only figures to be enhanced by an Olympic appearance. Imagine, say, a few familiar faces take the field, too. Perhaps even NFL stars such as Tyreek Hill or Patrick Mahomes, maybe even past pro football greats donning a flag belt for a country to which they may have ties. Soon after flag football's inclusion, there was chatter of NFL players possibly joining in on the fun. Of course, there are logistical issues to tackle before their inclusion at the LA Olympics, which open July 14, 2028. Among them, training camp, because the Olympics will be right in the middle of it. The big question is this: Will owners permit high-priced players to duck out for a gold-medal pursuit? No decisions have yet been made on the status of NFL players for the Olympics. For now, it's simply about growing the game. There are currently 13 states that sanction girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. Just recently, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles helped pave the way to get it adopted in Pennsylvania. Around the world, it's catching on, too. The women's team from Japan took third at the recent word championships, while one of the best players on the planet is Mexico quarterback Diana Flores. "Could flag football globally become the new soccer? That's something to aspire to," said Stephanie Kwok, the NFL's vice president of flag football. This type of flag football though, isn't your Thanksgiving Day game with family and friends. There's a learning curve. And given the small roster sizes, versatility is essential. Most national team members need to be a version of Colorado's two-way standout and Heisman hopeful Travis Hunter. Forget bump-and-run coverage, too, because there's no contact. None. That took some adjusting for Mike Daniels, a defensive back out of West Virginia who earned a rookie minicamp invitation with the Cleveland Browns in 2017. "If a receiver is running around, I'm thinking, 'OK, I can kind of bump him here and there and nudge him,'" Daniels explained. "They're like, 'No, you can't.' I'm just like, 'So I'm supposed to let this guy just run?!' I really rebelled at the idea at first. But you learn." The competition for an Olympic roster spot is going to be fierce because only 10 players are expected to make a squad. The best 10 will earn it, too, as credentials such as college All-American or NFL All-Pro take a backseat. "I would actually love" seeing NFL players try out, said Daniels, who's also a personal trainer in Miami. "I'm not going to let you just waltz in here, thinking, 'I played NFL football for five years. I'm popular. I have a huge name.' I'm still better than you and I'm going to prove it — until you prove otherwise." Around the house, Bruce Mapp constantly swivels his hips when turning a hallway corner or if his daughter tries to reach for a hug. It's his way of working on avoiding a "defender" trying to snare the flag. That approach has earned the receiver out of Coastal Carolina four gold medals with USA Football. The 31-year-old fully plans on going for more gold in Los Angeles. "You grow up watching Usain Bolt (win gold) and the 'Redeem Team' led by Kobe Bryant win a gold medal, you're always thinking, 'That's insane.' Obviously, you couldn't do it in your sport, because I played football," said Mapp, who owns a food truck in the Dallas area. "With the Olympics approaching, that (gold medal) is what my mind is set on." It's a common thought, which is why everything — including talent camps — starts now. "Everybody thinks, 'Yeah, the U.S. just wins,'" Daniels said. "But we work hard all the time. We don't just walk in. We don't just get off the bus thinking, 'We're going to beat people.'"An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition

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OOH Campaign Highlights the Power of Donating During the Thanksgiving Season NEW YORK , Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- OUTFRONT Media (NYSE: OUT), one of the largest out-of-home (OOH) media companies in the U.S., has unveiled a new campaign with The Farmlink Project, the fastest-growing solution in the charitable food space, to drive home an important food insecurity fact on Thanksgiving. The campaign, running now through Friday, Dec. 6 , features the line " $1 = 17 lbs of food saved" to jolt audiences into action. OUTFRONT Studios and Farmlink's creative team produced the campaign, which also marks the debut of Farmlink's rebrand. The creative can be seen on digital billboards across the country, securing additional impressions with holiday traffic at an all time high. The campaign's message encourages audiences to make a big impact toward battling food insecurity through a small action during Thanksgiving, the largest event for food consumption in the U.S., and Giving Tuesday, an annual global generosity movement. For the month of December, every dollar donated to Farmlink will be matched to provide 32 pounds of food to families in need. "In collaboration with OUTFRONT, we are able to expand our mission of supporting farmers and feeding families by inspiring people to take simple actions," said Aidan Reilly , Head of Partnerships at Farmlink. "Collectively, those efforts can add up to help us reach our goal of raising $100K in December." As a partner of OUTFRONT since 2021, Farmlink has helped further OUTFRONT's purpose of helping people, places and businesses grow stronger. "Fighting food insecurity continues to be one of OUTFRONT's most important causes, driven by our employees," said Liz Rave , Vice President, Marketing at OUTFRONT. "This timely Thanksgiving campaign is our latest effort to support and amplify Farmlink's mission at a critical time for food insecurity solutions. We are also proud to be making a monetary donation of our own this holiday season." The Farmlink Project was born as a student movement at the onset of the pandemic in an effort to support a local food bank in Los Angeles . Having delivered nearly 300 million pounds of food which otherwise would have gone to waste to families across North America , Farmlink is driven by the belief that hunger can be solved in the U.S. using already grown food. About OUTFRONT Media Inc. OUTFRONT leverages the power of technology, location and creativity to connect brands with consumers outside of their homes through one of the largest and most diverse sets of billboard, transit, and mobile assets in the United States . Through its technology platform, OUTFRONT will fundamentally change the ways advertisers engage audiences on-the-go. OUTFRONT Media Contacts: Matt Biscuiti Courtney Richards The Lippin Group OUTFRONT Media 212-986-7080 646-876-9404 outfront@lippingroup.com courtney.richards@OUTFRONT.com Stephan Bisson OUTFRONT Media 212-297-6573 stephan.bisson@outfront.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/outfront-media-and-the-farmlink-project-unveil-new-campaign-to-fight-food-insecurity-302317001.html SOURCE OUTFRONT Media Inc.Coeptis Therapeutics Holdings, Inc. COEP shares are trading lower on Friday. The firm announced plans to implement a 1-for-20 reverse stock split, which will take effect on December 31 . The decision follows authorization from the company's board of directors and majority stockholders. The reverse stock split aims to help the company meet the Nasdaq Capital Market's minimum bid price requirement of $1.00 per share, which is necessary to maintain its listing on the exchange. Also Read: 3 Russell 2000 Tech Stocks That Skyrocketed 1,000% Or More In 2024: Analysts Say They're Just Getting Started Under the terms of the reverse stock split, every 20 shares of the company's outstanding common stock will be converted into one share. The split will not result in fractional shares, as any fractional shares will be rounded up to the next whole number. According to Benzinga Pro , COEP stock has lost over 20% in the past month. Yesterday, the company announced the completion of its acquisition of the NexGenAI Affiliates Network platform and the launch of Coeptis Technologies. This new division is designed to diversify the company's growth potential, specifically in highly regulated industries like biotech, pharmaceuticals, and multi-level marketing. The NexGenAI Affiliates Network platform, developed by NexGenAI Solutions Group, is an AI-powered marketing software and robotic process automation (RPA) solution. This tool helps marketers process large volumes of data, optimize campaigns, improve customer engagement, and streamline operations—key factors for success in the competitive and regulated sectors Coeptis serves. Price Action: COEP shares are trading lower by 22.5% to $0.1636 at last check Friday. Read Next: Quantum Computing: The New AI? A Look at the Rapidly Expanding Market and Top Stocks For 2025 Photo by solarseven via Shutterstock © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

Lowe scores career-high 22, leads Pitt over LSU 74-63 in Greenbrier Tip-Off

Ian Schieffelin, Clemson topple Penn State to win Sunshine SlamKendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Ancient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is opening a new subway system, blending ancient archaeological treasures with modern transit technology like driverless trains and platform screen doors. The project, which began in 2003, uncovered over 300,000 artifacts, including a Roman-era thoroughfare and Byzantine relics, many of which are now displayed in its 13 stations. Despite delays caused by preserving these findings, the inaugural line has been completed, with a second line set to open next year. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. At least 19 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 19 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 167,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat this week after Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli O157:H7, which can cause life-threatening infections. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration. Actor Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops assault and defamation lawsuit against once-rising star NEW YORK (AP) — Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend has dropped her assault and defamation lawsuit against the once-rising Hollywood star after reaching a settlement. Lawyers for Majors and Grace Jabbari agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice Thursday. Jabbari is a British dancer who had accused Majors of subjecting her to escalating incidents of physical and verbal abuse during their relationship. Representatives for Majors didn’t respond to emails seeking comment Friday. Jabbari’s lawyer said the suit was “favorably settled” and her client is moving on with “her head held high.” Majors was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment last December and sentenced to a yearlong counseling program. Hyundai, Kia recall over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix problem that can cause loss of power DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a pesky problem that can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. The recalls cover more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles including the 2022 through 2024 Ioniq 5, the 2023 through 2025 Ioniq 6, GV60 and GV70, and the 2023 and 2024 G80. Also included are nearly 63,000 Kia EV 6 vehicles from 2022 through 2024. The affiliated Korean automakers say in government documents that a transistor in a charging control unit can be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. Dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed. They also will update software. Christmas TV movies are in their Taylor Swift era, with two Swift-inspired films airing this year Two of the new holiday movies coming to TV this season have a Taylor Swift connection that her fans would have no problem decoding. “Christmas in the Spotlight” debuts Saturday on Lifetime. It stars Jessica Lord as the world’s biggest pop star and Laith Wallschleger, playing a pro football player, who meet and fall in love, not unlike Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. On Nov. 30, Hallmark will air “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” Instead of a nod to Swift, it’s an ode to family traditions and bonding, like rooting for a sports team. Hallmark’s headquarters is also in Kansas City. Top football recruit Bryce Underwood changes commitment to Michigan instead of LSU, AP source says ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Top football recruit Bryce Underwood has flipped to Michigan after pledging to play at LSU. That's according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the recruit’s plans to join the Wolverines. Underwood pinned a post on his Instagram account, showing a post in which On3.com reported that he has committed to Michigan. The 6-foot-3 quarterback played at Belleville High School about 15 miles east of Michigan's campus, and told LSU nearly a year ago he intended to enroll there. Emperor penguin released at sea 20 days after waddling onto Australian beach MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The only emperor penguin known to have swum from Antarctica to Australia has been released at sea 20 days after he waddled ashore on a popular tourist beach. The adult male was found on Nov. 1 on sand dunes in temperate southwest Australia about 2,200 miles north of the Antarctic coast. He was released Wednesday from a boat that traveled several hours from Western Australia state's most southerly city of Albany. His caregiver Carol Biddulph wasn't sure at first if the penguin would live. She said a mirror was important to his rehabilitation because they provide a sense of company. Biddulph said: “They’re social birds and he stands next to the mirror most of the time.”Traders working on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, during morning trading on Nov 26, 2024 in New York City. NEW YORK - Wall Street stocks powered to fresh records Nov 26, shrugging off a threat from President-elect Donald Trump to enact new tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China. The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished up 0.3 per cent at 44,860.31, its third straight closing record. The broad-based S&P 500 rose 0.6 per cent to 6,021.63, also a record, while the tech-rich Nasdaq Composite Index gained 0.6 per cent to 19,174.30. Trump, who doesn’t take office until Jan 20, made his threat in social media posts Nov 25 night, announcing huge import tariffs against neighbours Canada and Mexico and also rival China if they do not stop illegal immigration and drug smuggling into the United States. Investors view Trump’s inclination towards trade protectionism as a headwind to economic growth and higher equity prices. But Tuesday’s response suggests the market views the warning as a bargaining chip. “In theory, higher tariffs should not be good news for stocks. But, you know, I think the market’s chosen to think of (it) as a negotiating tactic,” said Mr Steve Sosnick, of Interactive Brokers. “You have bullish sentiment,” said LBBW’s Karl Haeling. “People are tending to look at things as positively as possible.” In other economic news, the Conference Board’s consumer confidence index rose to 111.7 this month, up from 109.6 in October, boosted by greater optimism surrounding the labour market. Among individual companies, Best Buy tumbled 4.9 per cent as it cut its full-year sales outlook after a big slowdown in sales leading into the presidential election. The electronics retailer said sales have rebounded since the election. Other retailers also fell, including Burlington Stores, down 1.6 per cent; Dick’s Sporting Goods, down 1.4 per cent; and Kohl’s, down 17 per cent. Amgen dropped 4.8 per cent after reporting that trials of its MariTide drug led to weight loss of up to 20 percent after 52 weeks. The drop in shares appeared to show disappointment that the impact was not even greater. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel nowFormer Chelsea defender Jason Cundy insists the 'wheels have come off' at Manchester City after their three-goal implosion on Tuesday night. Pep Guardiola 's side looked to be in cruise control when Erling Haaland scored in the 53rd minute to put City up 3-0 at home against Feyenoord in the Champions League. But in the space of 14 staggering minutes, Feyenoord had equalised thanks to David Hancko in the 89th minute, sending the Etihad into a stunned silence aside from the pocket of travelling fans. Although the 3-3 result snapped a five-game losing streak for City across all competitions, blowing a three-goal lead will have felt like a defeat for Guardiola and his troops. Reacting on talkSPORT's Sports Bar immediately after the contest, Cundy and ex-Tottenham midfielder Jamie O'Hara couldn't believe the capitulation that had just transpired. "It's a stinker, that," O'Hara said. "3-0 up? What are they doing?" Cundy added: "Tonight, wheels have come off. "Look, Spurs were brilliant on the weekend. City were terrible, they got turned over in the Premier League. "3-0 up against Feyenoord with 15 minutes to go? And you draw 3-3? Wheels have come off. That's it." Some fans will point out City look a completely - and not for the better - team without Ballon d'Or winner Rodri in their midfield. However, given Rodri tore his ACL against Arsenal in September, O'Hara wasn't having that excuse any more. "It can't just be about Rodri," O'Hara said. "We've got past that now. There's something going on at Manchester City that no-one seems to have the answer for." Cundy then delivered a brutal dissection of just what had gone wrong for City, with plenty of warning signs presenting themselves during a 4-0 loss to Tottenham last Sunday. "They are so open," Cundy said. "Their press, there is no joined-up thinking. Pep has signed a new deal , which is good for City. "But right now, this is probably going to be his biggest job ever in management to turn this around. They are a mess. "I'm watching Man City against your lot (Tottenham) on the weekend. I'm watching Spurs bop the ball around deep in their own half. Not only that, Spurs get out, there's an overload, three versus one, on the right-hand side. How is that happening? That never happens. "Spurs were magnificent. City, terrible. Watching tonight, they don't look comfortable at 3-0 up. How can that happen? "The wheels have come off tonight, officially. Spurs at the weekend, they were wobbling. Tonight, the wheels have come off." O'Hara noted that with City's dreadful run of form, 'Liverpool must be licking their lips.' As it stands, Premier League leaders Liverpool hold an eight-point advantage over second-placed City. That gap could easily become 11 when Arne Slot's side welcome a battered and bruised City to Anfield on Sunday. If Liverpool can snag three points from that contest, it could lead some to boldly declare City have too much ground to catch up in the race for the Premier League title. Should City lose to Liverpool on Sunday, they may end the weekend as low as fifth given Chelsea, Arsenal and Brighton are all on 22 points. Safe to say, there will be a lot of soul-searching among Guardiola and City's stars before that match as they look to snap a six-game winless streak.

OUTFRONT Media and The Farmlink Project Unveil New Campaign to Fight Food Insecurity

Some tech industry leaders are pushing the incoming Trump administration to increase visas for highly skilled workers from other nations. Related Articles National Politics | Trump threat to immigrant health care tempered by economic hopes National Politics | In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families National Politics | Court rules Georgia lawmakers can subpoena Fani Willis for information related to her Trump case National Politics | New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns National Politics | Trump has pressed for voting changes. GOP majorities in Congress will try to make that happen The heart of the argument is, for America to remain competitive, the country needs to expand the number of skilled visas it gives out. The previous Trump administration did not increase the skilled visa program, instead clamping down on visas for students and educated workers, increasing denial rates. Not everyone in corporate America thinks the skilled worker program is great. Former workers at IT company Cognizant recently won a federal class-action lawsuit that said the company favored Indian employees over Americans from 2013 to 2022. A Bloomberg investigation found Cognizant, and other similar outsourcing companies, mainly used its skilled work visas for lower-level positions. Workers alleged Cognizant preferred Indian workers because they could be paid less and were more willing to accept inconvenient or less-favorable assignments. Question: Should the U.S. increase immigration levels for highly skilled workers? Economists Caroline Freund, UC San Diego School of Global Policy and Strategy YES: Innovation is our superpower and it relies on people. Sourcing talent from 8 billion people in the world instead of 330 million here makes sense. Nearly half our Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children. Growing them also relies on expanding our skilled workforce. The cap on skilled-worker visas has hardly changed since the computer age started. With AI on the horizon, attracting and building talent is more important than ever. Kelly Cunningham, San Diego Institute for Economic Research YES: After years of openly allowing millions of undocumented entrants into the country, why is there controversy over legally increasing somewhat the number having desirable skills? Undocumented immigration significantly impacts lower skill level jobs and wages competing with domestic workers at every skill level. Why should special cases be made against those having higher skills? Could they just not walk across the border anyway, why make it more inconvenient to those with desirable skills? James Hamilton, UC San Diego YES: Knowledge and technology are key drivers of the U.S. economy. Students come from all over the world to learn at U.S. universities, and their spending contributed $50 billion to U.S. exports last year. Technological advantage is what keeps us ahead of the rest of the world. Highly skilled immigrants contribute much more in taxes than they receive in public benefits. The skills immigrants bring to America can make us all better off. Norm Miller, University of San Diego YES: According to Forbes, the majority of billion-dollar startups were founded by foreigners. I’ve interviewed dozens of data analysts and programmers from Berkeley, UCSD, USD and a few other schools and 75% of them are foreign. There simply are not enough American graduates to fill the AI and data mining related jobs now exploding in the U.S. If we wish to remain a competitive economy, we need highly skilled and bright immigrants to come here and stay. David Ely, San Diego State University YES: Being able to employ highly skilled workers from a larger pool of candidates would strengthen the competitiveness of U.S. companies by increasing their capacity to perform research and innovate. This would boost the country’s economic output. Skilled workers from other nations that cannot remain in the U.S. will find jobs working for foreign rivals. The demand for H-1B visas far exceeds the current cap of 85,000, demonstrating a need to modify this program. Executives Phil Blair, Manpower YES: Every country needs skilled workers, at all levels, to grow its economy. We should take advantage of the opportunity these workers provide our employers who need these skills. It should be blended into our immigration policies allowing for both short and long term visas. Gary London, London Moeder Advisors YES: San Diego is a premiere example of how highly skilled workers from around the globe enrich a community and its regional economy. Of course Visa levels need to be increased. But let’s go further. Tie visas and immigration with a provision that those who are admitted and educated at a U.S. university be incentivized, or even required, to be employed in the U.S. in exchange for their admittance. Bob Rauch, R.A. Rauch & Associates NO: While attracting high-skilled immigrants can fill critical gaps in sectors like technology, health care and advanced manufacturing, increasing high-skilled immigration could displace American workers and drive down wages in certain industries. There are already many qualified American workers available for some of these jobs. We should balance the need for specialized skills with the impact on the domestic workforce. I believe we can begin to increase the number of visas after a careful review of abuse. Austin Neudecker, Weave Growth YES: We should expand skilled visas to drive innovation and economic growth. Individuals who perform high-skilled work in labor-restricted industries or graduate from respected colleges with relevant degrees should be prioritized for naturalization. We depend on immigration for GDP growth, tax revenue, research, and so much more. Despite the abhorrent rhetoric and curtailing of visas in the first term, I hope the incoming administration can be persuaded to enact positive changes to a clearly flawed system. Chris Van Gorder, Scripps Health YES: But it should be based upon need, not politics. There are several industries that have or could have skilled workforce shortages, especially if the next administration tightens immigration as promised and expected. Over the years, there have been nursing shortages that have been met partially by trained and skilled nurses from other countries. The physician shortage is expected to get worse in the years to come. So, this visa program may very well be needed. Jamie Moraga, Franklin Revere NO: While skilled immigration could boost our economy and competitiveness, the U.S. should prioritize developing our domestic workforce. Hiring foreign nationals in sensitive industries or government-related work, especially in advanced technology or defense, raises security concerns. A balanced approach could involve targeted increases in non-sensitive high-demand fields coupled with investment in domestic STEM education and training programs. This could address immediate needs while strengthening the long-term STEM capabilities of the American workforce. Not participating this week: Alan Gin, University of San DiegoHaney Hong, San Diego County Taxpayers AssociationRay Major, economist Have an idea for an Econometer question? Email me at phillip.molnar@sduniontribune.com . Follow me on Threads: @phillip020TransMedics Reports Inducement Grants Under NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4)

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NoneThe Senate on Thursday approved President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s loan request of $2.209 billion, equivalent to N1.767 trillion, just 48 hours after receiving the proposal. The President had on Tuesday sent separate letters to both chambers of the National Assembly seeking approval for the loan, which is part of the N9.7 trillion deficit in the N28.7 trillion 2024 budget. Upon receiving the request, the Senate mandated its Committee on Local and Foreign Debts to expedite its review and report back within 24 hours. During plenary, the committee chairman, Senator Aliyu Wamakko (APC, Sokoto North), presented the report, recommending approval of the loan. The report, titled “Implementation of New External Borrowing of N1,767,610,321,779.00 Equivalent to $2.209 Billion in the 2024 Appropriation Act through the Issuance of Eurobonds and Other Sources,” emphasized the critical nature of the loan for national growth and development. According to Senator Wamakko, the loan is earmarked for ongoing projects and programs captured in the 2024 budget, which are essential for Nigeria’s economic growth. “This loan will support the implementation of the Debt Management Strategy aimed at reducing borrowing costs, extending the maturity of the public debt stock, creating space in the domestic market for other borrowers, and bolstering Nigeria’s external reserves,” he explained. The report further detailed that the loan could be sourced entirely or partly through the issuance of Eurobonds in the International Capital Market (ICM) to address the budget deficit. Accordingly, the committee made the following recommendations, which the Senate approved: the new external borrowing of N1.767 trillion (equivalent to $2.209 billion at an exchange rate of $1/N800) as outlined in the 2024 Appropriation Act. Raise the loan through one or more sources, including:Issuance of Eurobonds in the ICM, Issuance of debut sovereign Sukuk in the ICM, Bridge/syndicated loans, subject to favorable market conditions. Utilize any exchange rate gains resulting from an increase in the official exchange rate (from $1/N800 to approximately $1/N1,640) exclusively for capital projects in 2024 to enhance infrastructure development and national stability. The Senate unanimously adopted the recommendations without opposition. Deputy Senate President Senator Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, praised the Wamakko-led committee for its diligence and timely delivery.

By Jarrell Dillard, Prashant Gopal and Maria Clara Cobo | Bloomberg Before Donald Trump’s election, Redfin Corp. projected mortgage rates would average 6.1% next year. But three days after the election, they revised their estimate upward to 6.8% – basically unchanged from today’s high levels. “The difference is Trump,” said Daryl Fairweather, chief economist at Redfin. “The market seems to be pricing in that he’ll move forward with at least some of the tariffs, but it’s really hard to know what Trump is going to do.” It’s another hit for the housing market, which has been dealing with a rise in borrowing costs that’s pushed at least one measure of mortgage rates above 7%. Economists expecting higher-for-longer borrowing costs shows just how tough the market is likely to be for homebuyers trying to find affordable options. “There was a view that rates would gradually fall, but that no longer seems to be the case,” said Thomas Ryan, North America economist at Capital Economics. “As a result, the housing market is going to stay frozen — as it is — for longer than we and other economists had expected.” While the stock market rallied the day after Trump’s victory, the bond market has reacted with more trepidation given how tariffs and other policies might impact inflation. After the election, Barclays Plc economists raised their inflation projections for the next two years and lowered their outlook for economic growth, due to tariffs and potential immigration restrictions. Trump’s proposal for an up to 20% tariff on all imports, and an even higher 60% tariff on Chinese goods, is one of the major causes of uncertainty. Economists have said this could lead to inflation as companies would likely pass on those cost increases to consumers. If he also imposes tax cuts, that could lower fiscal revenue and drive up the US deficit, pushing long-term rates even higher. Some economists have also warned that Trump’s plan to deport millions of undocumented immigrants could further exacerbate the nation’s housing shortage. If Trump’s policies lead to an even smaller labor force for the construction industry, it would make it difficult to build new homes and make costs even more expensive. “We need labor,” said Nadia Evangelou, senior economist at the National Association of Realtors. “Sometimes homebuilders are not able to deliver affordable homes, or the price point that people can afford to buy. And the reason is because of the labor shortage.” Trump’s impacts on the economy will likely influence how the Federal Reserve proceeds. And while the Fed’s decisions on short-term interest rates do not directly set mortgage rates, monetary policy does have some influence. Mortgage rates closely follow yields on 10-year Treasuries, and are affected by market expectations for inflation and economic growth. Capital Economics expects higher rates to be another “setback” for buyers and cause a home-sale recovery to be even shallower than expected. Mortgage rates will likely stay high around 7% in 2024 and drop only a quarter point by the end of 2025, according to Capital Economics’ Ryan. “There’s a general consensus that the net effect of Trump’s policies will be inflationary,” Ryan said. “That’s what’s driving changes in the bond market at the moment.” Other economists have also dialed back their mortgage-rate expectations. Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Analytics, predicts 30-year fixed mortgage rates will now remain around 7%. “I don’t think I’d count on mortgage rates coming down anytime until next fall, later next year,” Zandi said. “And even then, I’m not sure. It really depends on what his policies are, how aggressively he pursues them.” Forging aAhead For buyers, the picture remains a little uncertain. High borrowing costs have weighed on shoppers, fueling a drop in contracts to buy previously owned homes in October, according to Redfin. While prices held up in October, homes stayed a median of 41 days on the market, about a week longer than a year ago, according to Redfin. If higher borrowing costs slow the market even more, that could help spur more deals for buyers. For now, election uncertainty has cleared, giving some consumers more confidence to forge ahead. Erica Diaz, an agent with Homevest in Florida, said her business has seen a significant increase in both potential buyers and sellers since the election. Malvin Le, a real estate agent based in Orange County, California, said his phone lit up immediately after the election with a few buyers ready to go shopping again. “The day after the election, I got three or four calls from buyers who wanted to see a house that weekend,” Le said. “There are still buyers waiting to buy, they’re just waiting for a good deal.” Related Articles Housing | Criminal charges and jail time now part of predatory mortgage lending law in California Housing | 30-year mortgage hit highest level since July Housing | Mortgage refinancing, auto loans rejected at highest rate since 2013 Housing | US mortgage rates dip, but economists see volatility ahead Housing | Mortgage rates fell, then rose. What comes next?Micah Richards was 'banned' from discussing Brest on Tuesday night, leading to a hilariously immature conversation about the French side. Brest were facing Barcelona in the Champions League and as part of CBS Sport's coverage of the night's action, Kate Abdo , Thierry Henry , Jamie Carragher and Richards were set to take a look at the side. CBS Sports have built a reputation for combining sports content with comedy and entertainment, leading to a number of memorable moments in their recent coverage. Knowing that ex- Manchester City star Richards has a somewhat immature sense of humour, Abdo took the opportunity to have some fun and try to make him laugh when discussing the unfortunately-named French side. “We are going to do a segment about Brest, but unfortunately you’ve consistently proven that you can’t stay professional when talking about Brest so production would ask are you comfortable just staying silent?” Richards responded: “Come on, Kate. I can do this! You can’t trust me?," to which Abdo replied: “No, we can’t. Experience has taught us not to trust you.” Beginning the segment, Abdo asked: “So after four games, who here likes Brest?," to which Carragher immediately raised his hand. “You like Brest?” asked Abdo, with Carragher replying: “I like the shape of them.” This led Richards to burst out laughing as he watched on in disbelief. Abdo continued: “You look at the setup that the manager has got – do you think he’s going with a front two tonight?” Henry replied: “Yeah, two big – a big pair up front who will try to...” “work off each other,” interrupted Carragher. Abdo then asked: “I’m interested to know how much you like to watch them, would you pay to watch them?” Carragher then replied: “I have done,” which led to hysterical laughter from Henry and Richards. Henry then added: “One thing you have to say is that you don’t have to be big, you can be small to compete,” with Abdo replying: “Hmm, that’s interesting.” The anchor then asked: “Do you think Brest could get exposed tonight?” with Carragher cheekily replying: “I hope so!” With a look of disbelief on his face, Richards asked: “What is this? What is this? Nonsense! HR? Wow!” Abdo then asked: “What do you think Micah? Do you think Barcelona could come a bit quickly for Brest tonight?,” to which Carragher replied: “Oooh, I think we might have crossed the line.” Richards then responded: “You’re trying to get me sacked! I’m taking the fifth (amendment),” with a big exhale. The panel then went on to properly analyse the French side, before Abdo wrapped up the segment. She said: "Daydreaming about Brest, I'm sure you can all relate," to which Richards replied: "What is going on here?" Brest ended up losing the clash 3-0, with Robert Lewandowski helping himself to a double.