Stock market today: Wall Street climbs as bitcoin bursts above $99,000ATLANTA (AP) — Deliberations are underway in Atlanta after a year of testimony in the gang and racketeering trial that originally included the rapper Young Thug. Jurors are considering whether to convict Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick, who raps as Yak Gotti, on gang, murder, drug and gun charges. The original indictment charged 28 people with conspiring to violate Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. Opening statements in the trial for six of those defendants happened a year ago . Four of them, including Young Thug, pleaded guilty last month. The rapper was freed on probation. Stillwell and Kendrick rejected plea deals after more than a week of negotiations, and their lawyers chose not to present evidence or witnesses. Both seemed to be in good spirits Tuesday morning after closings wrapped the previous night. Kendrick was chatting and laughing with Stillwell and his lawyers before the jury arrived for instructions. The jury started deliberating Tuesday afternoon and was dismissed at 5 p.m. Jurors are expected to resume deliberations Wednesday morning. If they don’t reach a verdict by 3 p.m. Wednesday, the judge will send them home for the Thanksgiving weekend and they will return Monday morning. Kendrick and Stillwell were charged in the 2015 killing of Donovan Thomas Jr., also known as “Big Nut,” in an Atlanta barbershop. Prosecutors painted Stillwell and Kendrick as members of a violent street gang called Young Slime Life, or YSL, co-founded in 2012 by Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams. During closings on Monday, they pointed to tattoos, song lyrics and social media posts they said proved members, including Stillwell, admitted to killing people in rival gangs. Prosecutors say Thomas was in a rival gang. Stillwell was also charged in the 2022 killing of Shymel Drinks, which prosecutors said was in retaliation for the killing of two YSL associates days earlier. Defense attorneys Doug Weinstein and Max Schardt said the state presented unreliable witnesses, weak evidence and cherry-picked lyrics and social media posts to push a false narrative about Stillwell, Kendrick and the members of YSL. Schardt, Stillwell's attorney, reminded the jury that alleged YSL affiliates said during the trial that they had lied to police. Law enforcement played a “sick game” by promising they would escape long prison sentences if they said what police wanted them to say, Schardt said. He theorized that one of those witnesses could have killed Thomas. The truth is that their clients were just trying to escape poverty through music, Schardt said. “As a whole, we know the struggles that these communities have had,” Schardt said. “A sad, tacit acceptance that it’s either rap, prison or death.” Young Thug’s record label is also known as YSL, an acronym of Young Stoner Life. Kendrick was featured on two popular songs from the label’s compilation album Slime Language 2, “Take It to Trial" and “Slatty," which prosecutors presented as evidence in the trial. Weinstein, Kendrick’s defense attorney, said during closings it was wrong for prosecutors to target the defendants for their music and lyrics. Prosecutor Simone Hylton disagreed, and said surveillance footage and phone evidence supported her case. “They have the audacity to think they can just brag about killing somebody and nobody’s gonna hold them accountable,” Hylton said. The trial had more than its fair share of delays. Jury selection took nearly 10 months , and Stillwell was stabbed last year at the Fulton County jail, which paused trial proceedings. Judge Paige Reese Whitaker took over after Fulton County Superior Court Chief Judge Ural Glanville was removed from the case in July because he had a meeting with prosecutors and a state witness without defense attorneys present. Whitaker often lost patience with prosecutors over moves such as not sharing evidence with defense attorneys, once accusing them of “poor lawyering.” But the trial sped up under her watch. In October, four defendants, including Young Thug , pleaded guilty, with the rapper entering a non-negotiated or “blind” plea, meaning he didn't have a deal worked out with prosecutors. Nine people charged in the indictment, including rapper Gunna , accepted plea deals before the trial began. Charges against 12 others are pending. Prosecutors dropped charges against one defendant after he was convicted of murder in an unrelated case. Kramon is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. Follow Kramon on X: @charlottekramon
Yuri Williams and Pico Baseball Boys Join Forces to Bring Holiday Joy to Pico Rivera with Toys for Tots GiveawayWASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden on Monday announced that he is commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 people on federal death row, converting their punishments to life imprisonment just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump , an outspoken proponent of expanding capital punishment, takes office. The move spares the lives of people convicted in killings , including the slayings of police and military officers, people on federal land and those involved in deadly bank robberies or drug deals, as well as the killings of guards or prisoners in federal facilities. The decision leaves three federal inmates to face execution. They are Dylann Roof, who carried out the 2015 racist slayings of nine Black members of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina; 2013 Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev ; and Robert Bowers, who fatally shot 11 congregants at Pittsburgh’s Tree of life Synagogue in 2018 , the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S history. “I’ve dedicated my career to reducing violent crime and ensuring a fair and effective justice system,” Biden said in a statement . “Today, I am commuting the sentences of 37 of the 40 individuals on federal death row to life sentences without the possibility of parole. These commutations are consistent with the moratorium my administration has imposed on federal executions, in cases other than terrorism and hate-motivated mass murder.” Reaction was strong, both for and against. A Trump spokesperson called the decision “abhorrent.” “These are among the worst killers in the world and this abhorrent decision by Joe Biden is a slap in the face to the victims, their families, and their loved ones." said Trump spokesman Steven Cheung. "President Trump stands for the rule of law, which will return when he is back in the White House after he was elected with a massive mandate from the American people.” Heather Turner, whose mother was killed during the 2017 robbery of a Conway, South Carolina, bank, blasted the decision in a social media post, saying Biden didn't consider the victims of these crimes. “The pain and trauma we have endured over the last 7 years has been indescribable,” Turner wrote on Facebook, describing weeks spent in court in search of justice as “now just a waste of time.” “Our judicial system is broken. Our government is a joke,” she said. "Joe Biden’s decision is a clear gross abuse of power. He, and his supporters, have blood on their hands.” Some of Roof's victims supported Biden's decision to leave him on death row. Michael Graham, whose sister Cynthia Hurd was killed by Roof, said Roof's lack of remorse and simmering white nationalism in the U.S. means Roof is the kind of dangerous and evil person the death penalty is intended for. “This was a crime against a race of people who were doing something all Americans do on a Wednesday night — go to Bible study,” Graham said. “It didn’t matter who was there, only that they were Black.” The Biden administration in 2021 announced a moratorium on federal capital punishment to study the protocols used, which suspended executions during Biden's term. But Biden actually had promised to go further on the issue in the past, pledging to end federal executions without the caveats for terrorism and hate-motivated, mass killings. While running for president in 2020, Biden's campaign website said he would “work to pass legislation to eliminate the death penalty at the federal level , and incentivize states to follow the federal government’s example.” Similar language didn't appear on Biden's reelection website before he left the presidential race in July. “Make no mistake: I condemn these murderers, grieve for the victims of their despicable acts, and ache for all the families who have suffered unimaginable and irreparable loss,” Biden's statement said. “But guided by my conscience and my experience as a public defender, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, vice president, and now president, I am more convinced than ever that we must stop the use of the death penalty at the federal level.” He took a political jab at Trump, saying, “In good conscience, I cannot stand back and let a new administration resume executions that I halted.” Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, has spoken frequently of expanding executions. In a speech announcing his 2024 campaign , Trump called for those “caught selling drugs to receive the death penalty for their heinous acts.” He later promised to execute drug and human smugglers and even praised China's harsher treatment of drug peddlers. During his first term as president, Trump also advocated for the death penalty for drug dealers . There were 13 federal executions during Trump's first term, more than under any president in modern history, and some may have happened fast enough to have contributed to the spread of the coronavirus at the federal death row facility in Indiana. Those were the first federal executions since 2003. The final three occurred after Election Day in November 2020 but before Trump left office the following January, the first time federal prisoners were put to death by a lame-duck president since Grover Cleveland in 1889. Biden faced recent pressure from advocacy groups urging him to act to make it more difficult for Trump to increase the use of capital punishment for federal inmates. The president's announcement also comes less than two weeks after he commuted the sentences of roughly 1,500 people who were released from prison and placed on home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic, and of 39 others convicted of nonviolent crimes, the largest single-day act of clemency in modern history. The announcement also followed the post-election pardon that Biden granted his son Hunter on federal gun and tax charges after long saying he would not issue one, sparking an uproar in Washington. The pardon also raised questions about whether he would issue sweeping preemptive pardons for administration officials and other allies who the White House worries could be unjustly targeted by Trump’s second administration. Speculation that Biden could commute federal death sentences intensified last week after the White House announced he plans to visit Italy on the final foreign trip of his presidency next month. Biden, a practicing Catholic, will meet with Pope Francis, who recently called for prayers for U.S. death row inmates in hopes their sentences will be commuted. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, which has long called for an end to the death penalty, said Biden's decision is a “significant step in advancing the cause of human dignity in our nation” and moves the country “a step closer to building a culture of life.” Martin Luther King III, who publicly urged Biden to change the death sentences, said in a statement shared by the White House that the president "has done what no president before him was willing to do: take meaningful and lasting action not just to acknowledge the death penalty’s racist roots but also to remedy its persistent unfairness.” Madeline Cohen, an attorney for Norris Holder, who faced death for the 1997 fatal shooting of a guard during a bank robbery in St. Louis, said his case “exemplifies the racial bias and arbitrariness that led the President to commute federal death sentences,” Cohen said. Holder, who is Black, was sentenced by an all-white jury. Weissert reported from West Palm Beach, Florida. Associated Press writers Jeffrey Collins in Columbia, South Carolina, and Jim Salter in O'Fallon, Missouri, contributed to this report.
Noodles and wine are the secret ingredients for a strange new twist in China's doping sagaCornell University has issued detailed guidance to its international community as the United States prepares for potential immigration changes under President-elect Donald Trump . The advisory, released Tuesday, urges students, faculty, and staff to prepare for a likely travel ban and increased visa scrutiny as the new administration takes office in January 2025. Cornell identifies citizens from countries targeted during Trump's first presidency, including Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria and Somalia, as likely to face renewed restrictions. The university also warns that additional countries, such as China and India, could be added to the list. Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Myanmar, Sudan, Tanzania, Yemen and Venezuela are also on Cornell's list . "International students from these countries are advised to return to Ithaca before the semester begins on January 21, 2025," the advisory states, emphasizing the importance of timely travel arrangements and proper documentation. The guidance also addresses undocumented students, offering resources and support through its student support office. While acknowledging the possibility of mass deportations, Cornell notes that such actions could face legal challenges. "Mass deportations are likely to initially target individuals with final orders of deportation," the statement explains, adding that court proceedings could delay enforcement efforts. Cornell advises students to start the application process for employment visas, such as H-1B or O-1 visas, well in advance of deadlines to avoid complications. Newsweek reached out to Cornell University for comment on Tuesday. During his 2024 campaign, Trump positioned himself as a champion of legal immigration, distinguishing between those who enter the United States lawfully and those who do not. He even promised to issue green cards to all foreign students upon graduation as part of his "Day One" agenda. However, the experience of his first term raises concerns among students and universities, especially with over 400,000 undocumented students currently enrolled in U.S. higher education, according to the Higher Ed Immigration Portal. Between 2016 and 2019, visa and work permit processing times increased by 46 percent, according to the American Immigration Lawyers Association. These delays were largely attributed to policies implemented by Stephen Miller , Trump's adviser, who is expected to return to the White House in a higher-ranking role as deputy chief of policy. The potential return of travel bans recalls Trump's executive orders during his first term, which restricted entry for citizens from several predominantly Muslim countries. These policies caused widespread confusion and detentions at U.S. airports, disrupting travel for many students and scholars. Now in 2025, Trump's proposed immigration policies, including mass deportations and tighter visa restrictions, have heightened concerns across U.S. universities. Academic institutions fear a repeat of past disruptions, compounded by additional measures such as visa suspensions and stricter enforcement. Other universities, including the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Wesleyan University, have issued similar warnings, advising students to return to campus before the January 20 inauguration to avoid potential travel issues. Yale University recently hosted a webinar on the future of immigration policy following Trump's reelection, while the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) has urged students to reassess their winter break travel plans immediately.
The major U.S. stock indexes—the S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average, and Nasdaq Composite—all closed higher on Monday, driven by strong performances from many of the so-called “Magnificent Seven” tech stocks. The S&P 500 rose by 43.22 points, or 0.73%, to 5,974.07, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 192.29 points, or 0.98%, reaching 19,764.89. The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 66.69 points, or 0.16%, closing at 42,906.95. The performance of large-cap stocks has a significant impact on the markets, and with many investors taking time off this week, their movements will be even more influential. Trading volumes on U.S. exchanges were 12.76 billion shares, down from the 14.89 billion shares averaged over the previous 20 trading days. Apple, Amazon, and Google’s parent company Alphabet also contributed to the positive momentum, boosting both the Nasdaq Composite and Dow Jones Industrial Average for their third consecutive gains. The S&P 500 saw its second increase in three sessions. Northlight’s Zaccarelli noted that conditions were favorable for this rally, as investors likely held onto their positions for potential gains, rather than selling to book losses for tax purposes. Qualcomm’s stock rose 3.5% following a jury’s decision that its central processors are properly licensed under an agreement with UK-based Arm Holdings. In contrast, Arm’s shares fell 4% as it plans to seek a retrial. Walmart saw a 2% drop after being accused by the U.S. consumer finance watchdog of forcing over a million delivery drivers to use accounts that cost them more than $10 million in fees. Meanwhile, Eli Lilly’s shares surged 3.7% after the U.S. FDA approved its weight-loss drug, Zepbound, for obstructive sleep apnea, causing shares of sleep apnea device makers ResMed and Inspire Medical to fall by 2.6% and 0.1%, respectively. Nordstrom’s shares fell 1.5% following news that the department store’s founding family and Mexican retailer El Puerto de Liverpool agreed to take the company private. (INPUT FROM AGENCIES)Walmart's DEI rollback signals a profound shift in the wake of Trump's election victory
The Vancouver Police Board says its vice-chair has resigned following statements she posted to social media that were inconsistent with its code of conduct. Screenshots of the Instagram posts made by Comfort Sakoma-Fadugba were shared on the online discussion website Reddit, where they drew criticism from users for their commentary on immigration and religion. Speaking with CBC News Friday, Sakoma-Fadugba apologized for the content of her posts, but said the screenshots were missing context from her original posts. She said she resigned from the board for personal reasons. CBC News has not independently verified the social media posts, as both they and the Instagram account they were posted on have since been removed. Comfort Sakoma-Fadugba is seen on the far right in this set of portraits of police board members from January 2023. (Ben Nelms/CBC) Of the screenshots shared to Reddit, one post discusses how "mass immigration" and "a growing aversion to assimilation" are "transforming Canada into a place where a shared identity is disappearing." Another post questions Diwali celebrations at schools, saying the "push for secular education isn't about religion — it's about erasing Christian values from the lives of our children." A third post references "gender transitions" while criticizing a "woke culture that pits children against their parents." Another claims Christian values serve as Canada's moral compass and questions what would happen to the country if a different religion became more dominant. Sakoma-Fadugba told CBC News the screenshots posted to Reddit were taken out of context and do not "capture the entirety of the conversation that was being had." "I'm genuinely sorry that it has caused so much harm," she said. "That was not my intent." Comfort Sakoma-Fadugba is seen in this portrait, formerly posted on the Vancouver Police Board website. (Vancouver Police Board) Sakoma-Fadugba said she immigrated to Canada from Nigeria as a young child. She said she joined the police board in 2021 amid the Black Lives Matter movement and the COVID-19 pandemic. One of her goals, she said, was to serve as a bridge between Black and South Asian communities. She added that she has a deep respect for Hinduism, and said learning about the religion has strengthened her Christian faith. "What I was trying to express was the fact that I would really love to see a lot more unity around Canada," she said. "And I think, obviously, I sadly did not get to communicate that as well as I would have wanted to." In a statement issued Friday, Vancouver Police Board chair Frank Chong said recent statements posted to social media by Sakoma-Fadugba "do not reflect the values of the board and are inconsistent with our code of conduct." The has a section in which the board says one of its guiding values is to do work in a manner that recognizes and values diversity. "Internally, we create an environment that is free of discrimination, we respect diversity, create equitable systems and processes, and build an inclusive workplace culture," the manual reads. Garry Begg, B.C.'s solicitor general, said the comments attributed to Sakoma-Fadugba 'spread hate and division amongst communities.' (Mike McArthur/CBC) Garry Begg, B.C.'s solicitor general and minister of public safety, said in a statement that the comments "spread hate and division amongst communities and they will not be tolerated." Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said the views shared by Sakoma-Fadugba don't reflect his beliefs nor the policies of the City of Vancouver or police board. "As public leaders, it's our responsibility to bring people together and focus on what unites us, not what divides us," Sim said in a statement. B.C. Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko, who was a longtime RCMP officer, called the comments offensive. (Ben Nelms/CBC) Elenore Sturko, the B.C. Conservative MLA for South Surrey and a former RCMP officer, said she thought it was appropriate for the board to accept Sakoma-Fadugba's resignation, adding that her comments were offensive, particularly to the transgender community. "It comes down to trust," Sturko said. "When we have statements being made that erode the public's trust, or their comfort with their police service, it makes it that much harder on the frontline officers."Inside The F-16 Cockpit's Golden Bubble Canopy
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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Cam Ward keeps rewriting the Miami record book. Ward, a Heisman Trophy contender who already holds the Hurricanes' single-season record for touchdown passes and is on pace to break the school marks for completion percentage, set two more school records on Saturday — both at Bernie Kosar's expense. Ward now has 3,774 yards on 268 completions this season. Kosar threw for 3,642 yards on 262 completions in 1984, and for the next 40 years nobody matched those numbers — until now. “Congrats #CamWard,” Kosar posted on social media. “U R Awesome.” Everyone seems to think so — except Ward, that is. He has made clear all season that personal accomplishments and stats are of little, if any, importance to him. “It really doesn't mean anything ... The receiving group that I have, the O-line that I have, any quarterback in this position could set records," Ward said. Ward's 13-yard completion to Damien Martinez with 1:27 left in the second quarter gave him 3,643 yards for the season and broke that record. And in the third quarter, Ward threw a 15-yard pass to Xavier Restrepo for his 263rd completion of the year — topping another of Kosar's marks. Ward is up to 34 touchdown passes this season; the previous Miami record was 29 by Steve Walsh in 1988. And with a completion rate of 67.2%, Ward is on pace to break Miami's single-season completion percentage mark of 65.8% set last year by Tyler Van Dyke as well as the Miami career mark of 64.3% set by D'Eriq King in 2020 and 2021. “He only cares about winning,” wide receiver Jacolby George said. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
Global Times: People's Daily article says favorable conditions for China's economic development remain unchanged