Brazil shares higher at close of trade; Bovespa up 0.72%Inside the Gaetz ethics report, a trove of new details alleging payments for sex and drug use

West Ham show support for hospitalized Antonio before Premier League matchAP Sports SummaryBrief at 4:44 p.m. EST

Charted: The popularity of Butterball's Turkey Talk-LineMelinda French Gates is offering to match up to $1 million in gifts to two nonprofit organizations to help spur donations on GivingTuesday, which has become a major annual fundraising day for nonprofits. For more than a decade, on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, charitable organizations have asked for donations or other support from their networks. “It’s a great time to remind people that we’re better off when we give something back and we all have something to give back,” said French Gates in an interview, speaking about her enthusiasm for GivingTuesday. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation was an early supporter of GivingTuesday, which started as a hashtag and a project at the 92nd Street Y in New York and has since become its own organization. Last year, donors gave an estimated $3.1 billion on GivingTuesday, but the overall number of people who participated declined. Asha Curran, CEO of the nonprofit GivingTuesday, who calculated that estimate, said matches like French Gates' help catalyze people to give. “We really share a commitment to the idea also that philanthropy is not just in the hands of the ultra wealthy," she said. "That it really takes everyone to contribute to a healthy society through generosity.” Una Osili, associate dean at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, says that even if fewer households are giving, donations may be holding steady because those who donate are giving more. “The optimist in me would certainly say there are lots of reasons to think that giving will at least hold steady," Osili said. "But what we’ve seen in the past few years is that inflation especially, even though it’s moderated, is a concern for many everyday households.” French Gates, through her organization Pivotal, plans to match up to $500,000 in donations to two organizations — Vote Mama Foundation, which supports mothers running for political office, and the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers, which advocates for people caring for others. The organizations have 10 days to raise the funds and will direct donors to give through the nonprofit crowdfunding platform Every.org, which will track the donations that will be matched. “This was Melinda. This was a complete surprise to us,” said Liuba Grechen Shirley, founder and CEO of Vote Mama Foundation. Her organization wants to make it easier for mothers to hold political office, from local school boards to the Senate. She founded the organization after running for Congress in 2018 when she successfully petitioned the Federal Election Commission to use campaign funds to pay for childcare. Now, all federal candidates can pay for childcare with campaign funds and many states have passed similar laws. “It’s used by men. It’s used by women. It’s used by moms and dads and Democrats and Republicans,” Grechen Shirley said. “But the majority of funds are used by women, and a majority of those funds are used by women of color. So it really does have the ability to transform the political landscape.” Through her giving and advocacy, French Gates has championed paid family leave, support for caregivers and making child care less expensive. She endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential race but said that Harris' defeat won't stop her from continuing her work. The Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers is one of the first organizations to speak out about the work of caregiving, French Gates said. Paurvi Bhatt, who leads the institute, said French Gates had a long and cherished relationship with former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who passed away last year. “It is based on a hand-in-glove relationship we’ve had for a number of years,” Bhatt said of the matching gift. This public match on GivingTuesday is the latest commitment French Gates has made since stepping down from the Gates Foundation in May. (French Gates and Bill Gates, her ex-husband and the billionaire co-founder of Microsoft, announced their divorce in 2021.) She pledged $1 billion to support women and families over two years. That included $250 million to support improving women's health globally and she gave 12 leaders each $20 million to distribute to nonprofit organizations of their choice before the end of 2026. “The reason I’ve come out so strongly saying, ‘This is what I am doing next,’ is because I wanted people to know I’m not going away,” said French Gates. “My values are still here. And this work around ‘How do we make a more equitable society?’ There is so much work to be done in the United States.”

Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra has raised concerns about the increasing use of divisive rhetoric related to religion, caste, and ethnicity, posing significant challenges to fraternity and unity within India. While speaking to the Akhil Bharatiya Adhivakta Parishad, he warned against politicians exploiting identity politics for votes, risking deepening social divides. He stressed the shared responsibility among citizens, institutions, and leaders to bridge economic disparities and promote fraternity to ensure justice, equality, and freedom endure in society. (With inputs from agencies.)

2GB has revealed that broadcaster Mark Levy will take over as host of 2GB Mornings in 2025, stepping into the shoes of the legendary Ray Hadley , who recently announced his retirement after an illustrious 43-year career. Levy, a seasoned broadcaster with an 18-year tenure at 2GB, has been a trusted voice for Sydneysiders, regularly filling in for Hadley and Ben Fordham . His deep connection with the audience and sharp understanding of the issues that resonate with the community make him a natural successor. Starting on 16th December, exactly 18 years since he first joined the station, Levy will bring his distinctive voice to the 9:00am–12:00pm timeslot, ensuring the legacy of 2GB Mornings remains strong. His appointment also signals a fresh perspective for the program, which will continue to focus on live and local content tailored to Sydney’s diverse audience. Levy’s broadcasting roots lie in sports, having covered major events such as the NRL finals, State of Origin, and the Olympic Games as a key figure in Wide World of Sports and The Continuous Call Team . He will continue his sports broadcasting duties on Friday nights and Saturdays during the NRL season. His versatility extends beyond sports. This year, he won the coveted Australian Commercial Radio Award (ACRA) for Best News Coverage for his swift reporting on the Bondi Junction attacks. Teaming up with Ben Fordham and Will Bottom, Levy’s work led to a 40% surge in listenership during the event. 2GB content manager, Luke Davis , praised Levy’s expertise, saying, “Over almost two decades, Mark Levy has proven himself to be one of Australia’s most gifted, hard-working, and versatile broadcasters—and a favourite of 2GB listeners. As we usher in a new era of 2GB Mornings , Mark will make the 9:00am–12:00pm timeslot his own, with a fresh take on what matters most to Sydneysiders.” For Levy, this opportunity is both a professional milestone and a personal honour. “As a young kid, I grew up listening to the talkback kings, and to be taking over a timeslot that’s been owned by a mentor and a friend for the last 20 years is something I am excited about and extremely honoured to do,” Levy said. “I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead and I can’t wait to speak to our loyal listeners every morning about the issues affecting them in what’s shaping up as an important election year.” Levy’s arrival in the mornings solidifies 2GB’s commitment to delivering engaging, relevant, and community-focused content year-round. Listeners can tune in from Monday, 16th December, to hear Mark Levy take the reins and start what promises to be a compelling new chapter in Sydney radio. Keep on top of the most important media, marketing, and agency news each day with the Mediaweek Morning Report – delivered for free every morning to your inbox.