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New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns

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Stock market today: Rising tech stocks pull Wall Street toward another record

Merry & Mindful: PG&E's Energy-Efficient Solutions for a Season of SavingsNew 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire gunsCentral Texan Mario Ochoa Wins $134,000 in Home Upgrades The winner of the Home of the Future Contest, Mario Ochoa, is a father of two and resident of McCormick Ranch on Lake Austin Ochoa received $134,000 of cutting-edge smart home technology and future-proof solutions Service Experts' popular Austin center, Strand Brothers, began work on Ochoa's home this month The team installed a new HVAC unit, water heater, water filtration system and more "When the house becomes more seamlessly integrated, allowing a central unit to coordinate and run major equipment through apps that determine what your comfort preferences are and how to best achieve those, also saving you money along the way, you definitely have a Home of the Future,” Ochoa said. Service Experts' popular Austin center, Strand Brothers, began working on Ochoa's home this month, installing equipment that will both reduce energy costs and provide support in case of grid failures so essential systems can keep running. The company has more than 100 locations like Strand Brothers across 31 U.S. states that provide local HVAC repair, maintenance, new equipment sales and related services, including plumbing and solar to help homeowners like Ochoa realize their own homes of the future. "We work daily to make our customers feel right at home, and we're excited one of our local customer's won this incredible national giveaway,” said Jason Parton, General Manager of Strand Brothers Service Experts. "Energy-saving technologies and services are transforming homes, from advancements in personalized temperature control to worry-free electric power via solar and whole-home generators, these innovations not only save energy but also make every home a haven of well-being.” ABOUT SERVICE EXPERTS Founded in 1996, Service Experts is a leading provider of HVAC repair, maintenance, new equipment sales and related services to residential and commercial customers in 31 U.S. states. Headquartered in Richardson, Texas, Service Experts is one of North America's largest heating and air conditioning service companies, with more than 100 locations serving approximately 2,500 homes and businesses, on average, each working day. HVAC services include: residential HVAC service, replacement and leasing through the Service Experts Advantage Program. For more information on Service Experts sales, rebates, products and services, visit ServiceExperts.com . Attachments The winner of the Home of the Future Contest, Mario Ochoa, is a father of two and resident of McCormick Ranch on Lake Austin Service Experts' popular Austin center, Strand Brothers, began work on Ochoa's home this month CONTACT: Delaney Nicodemus Service Experts 4692352708 [email protected]

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Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Ko Wen-je, center, is escorted out of the Taipei District Court in Taipei yesterday after being released on NT$30 million bail.Photo: CNA TERMS:The TPP chairman is barred from changing his residence, departing the nation and having one-on-one meetings with defendants and witnesses By Lee Wen-hsin and Jason Pan / Staff reporters 請繼續往下閱讀... The Taipei District Court yesterday released Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) on bail of NT$30 million (US$916,870), rejecting a request by prosecutors to extend his incommunicado detention. The request came after prosecutors on Thursday indicted Ko on charges of bribery and corruption in connection with real-estate dealings during his second term as Taipei mayor from 2018 to 2022. Ko is accused of accepting bribes of up to NT$17.1 million to help real-estate company Core Pacific Group (威京集團) illegally increase the floor area ratio of the Core Pacific City Co (京華城) redevelopment project in a bid to raise the financial value of the property. Ko is also accused of embezzling more than NT$68 million of political donations during his campaign for this year’s presidential election and illegally using donations to a foundation, established by Ko in 2022, to pay the salaries of his campaign staff. Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of 28 years, 6 months for Ko — 15 years for bribery, 5 years and 6 years for separate cases of embezzlement, and 2 years, 6 months for breach of public trust. While the court allowed Ko to be released on bail, he is barred from changing his residence or departing the nation. He is also not permitted to have contact with defendants and witnesses who gave testimony in the case. “Since Ko still serves as TPP chairman, he would preside over some party meetings, and has the need to engage in normal interactions at the workplace. Therefore he is permitted to have contact with other defendants and witnesses in the case, but he must not meet them in one-on-one situations, nor is he allowed to call a meeting to discuss issues pertaining to the case,” the Taipei District Court said in a statement. Prior to Thursday’s indictment, Ko had been imprisoned without charge since Sept. 5. After TPP officials paid the bail, Ko walked out of the Taipei District Court at about 1pm yesterday to a crowd of cheering TPP supporters. The former Taipei mayor left in a car and returned to his Taipei residence, where reporters were awaiting his arrival. Ko spoke briefly to the reporters. “I thank God for giving me the chance to reflect on my life,” he said, adding that the case had not filled his heart with hatred. “I still believe in myself — I am not the kind of person to engage in illegal profiteering, corruption and unlawful activities.” Ko at 2:30pm, accompanied by his wife, Peggy Chen (陳佩琪), and TPP official Chiu Chen-yuan (邱臣遠), who serves as Hsinchu interim mayor, drove to Zhubei City (竹北) to see his father, who is receiving medical treatment for cancer at National Taiwan University Hospital’s Hsinchu branch. Taipei prosecutors said they would appeal the release and file another motion to place Ko in pretrial detention, although they would do so only after receiving the official court documents. Prosecutors are likely to file a motion to detain Ko based on the likelihood of him destroying evidence or colluding in testimony with others in the case. The court yesterday also released four other defendants in the Core Pacific City case — former Taipei deputy mayor Pong Cheng-sheng (彭振聲), Taipei City Councilor Angela Ying (應曉薇), Sheen Ching-jing (沈慶京), founder and chairman of Core Pacific Group, and Lee Wen-tsung (李文宗), finance chief of Ko’s presidential election campaign. Pong was released on bail of NT$5 million, Ying NT$15 million, Sheen NT$40 million and Lee NT$10 million. Additional reporting by CNA 新聞來源: TAIPEI TIMES 不用抽 不用搶 現在用APP看新聞 保證天天中獎 點我下載APP 按我看活動辦法Maker's Market planned Thursday at Phileo's in WorthingtonNone

Antonio Brown has always got jokes. The former NFL star and social media presence has gotten in hot water for making fun of pretty much everyone. He decided to keep his trolling streak going on November 26, when he targeted Kim Kardashian . While most celebrities have been supportive of Kardashian taking an interest in law, AB decided to target the celebrity's intelligence with a meme from a classic Adam Sandler movie. No caption needed, the message was loud and clear. Kim Kardashian posted a photo of herself to Instagram with the caption: "law school." As we previously noted, the celebrity's foray into law has been met with praise from fans. But this particular post turned a few heads. Fans were perplexed as to why Kardashian was still in law school. Especially since a standard law degree takes three years. Antonio Brown saw a wide opening with regards to mockery, and he took it. He posted a photo of Adam Sandler from the 1995 cult classic Billy Madison . Sandler's titular character sits among elementary school students while AB's caption reads: "Kim Kardashian begins year 7 of law school." Read More: Young Thug Reunites With Antonio Brown In The Studio After His Release The plot of Billy Madison sees Sandler's character attend grades 1-12 in an attempt to inherit his dad's fortune. Antonio Brown knew exactly what he was doing when he posted the photo, and fans flocked to the comment section with laughing emojis. Kim Kardashian has spoken at length about her aspiration to become a lawyer. She cited her late father, Robert Kardashian, as her biggest career influence. She also admitted that she failed her first year of law school, which has likely contributed to her lengthy degree process. Kim Kardashian provided an update on her law school progress during a 2023 appearance on Today. "I'm still studying," she conceded. "I'm actually in constitutional law 1 and 2 right now. Not the biggest fan of it, I've been sharing my struggle. But with that said, I took a midterm yesterday. I got 100 percent... That gives me that boost of confidence again just to push through." Kim Kardashian will not be deterred from achieving her dream, even if people like Antonio Brown are going to clown her for it.Trump vows an additional 10% tariff on China, 25% tariffs on Canada and MexicoAfter a sprawling hacking campaign exposed the communications of an unknown number of Americans, U.S. cybersecurity officials are advising people to use encryption in their communications. To safeguard against the risks highlighted by the campaign, which originated in China, federal cybersecurity authorities released an extensive list of security recommendations for U.S. telecom companies — such as Verizon and AT&T — that were targeted. The advice includes one tip we can all put into practice with our phones: “Ensure that traffic is end-to-end encrypted to the maximum extent possible.” End-to-end encryption, also known as E2EE, means that messages are scrambled so that only the sender and recipient can see them. If anyone else intercepts the message, all they will see is garble that can't be unscrambled without the key. Law enforcement officials had until now resisted this type of encryption because it means the technology companies themselves won't be able to look at the messages, nor respond to law enforcement requests to turn the data over. Here's a look at various ways ordinary consumers can use end-to-end encryption: Officials said the hackers targeted the metadata of a large number of customers, including information on the dates, times and recipients of calls and texts. They also managed to see the content from texts from a much smaller number of victims. If you're an iPhone user, information in text messages that you send to someone else who also has an iPhone will be encrypted end-to-end. Just look for the blue text bubbles, which indicate that they are encrypted iMessages. The same goes for Android users sending texts through Google Messages. There will be a lock next to the timestamp on each message to indicate the encryption is on. But there's a weakness. When iPhone and Android users text each other, the messages are encrypted only using Rich Communication Services, an industry standard for instant messaging that replaces the older SMS and MMS standards. Apple has noted that RCS messages “aren’t end-to-end encrypted, which means they’re not protected from a third party reading them while they’re sent between devices.” Samsung, which sells Android smartphones, has also hinted at the issue in a footnote at the bottom of a press release last month on RCS, saying, “Encryption only available for Android to Android communication.” To avoid getting caught out when trading texts, experts recommend using encrypted messaging apps. Privacy advocates are big fans of Signal, which applies end-to-end encryption to all messages and voice calls. The independent nonprofit group behind the app promises never to sell, rent or lease customer data and has made its source code publicly available so that it can be audited by anyone to examine it “for security and correctness.” Signal's encryption protocol is so reputable that it has been integrated into rival WhatsApp, so users will enjoy the same level of security protection as Signal, which has a much smaller user base. End-to-end encryption is also the default mode for Facebook Messenger, which like WhatsApp is owned by Meta Platforms. Telegram is an app that can be used for one-on-one conversations, group chats and broadcast “channels" but contrary to popular perception, it doesn't turn on end-to-end encryption by default. Users have to switch on the option. And it doesn’t work with group chats. Cybersecurity experts have warned people against using Telegram for private communications and pointed out that only its opt-in ‘secret chat’ feature is encrypted from end-to-end. The app also has a reputation for being a haven for scammers and criminal activity, highlighted by founder and CEO Pavel Durov's arrest in France. Instead of using your phone to make calls through a wireless cellular network, you can make voice calls with Signal and WhatsApp. Both apps encrypt calls with the same technology that they use to encrypt messages. There are other options. If you have an iPhone you can use Facetime for calls, while Android owners can use the Google Fi service, which are both end-to-end encrypted. The only catch with all these options is that, as with using the chat services to send messages, the person on the other end will also have to have the app installed. WhatsApp and Signal users can customize their privacy preferences in the settings, including hiding an IP address during calls to prevent your general location from being guessed. Receive the latest in local entertainment news in your inbox weekly!They were all exceptional – Mikel Arteta loved seeing Arsenal run riot in Lisbon

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Mikel Arteta hailed the best away European performance of his Arsenal reign after watching his side dismantle Sporting Lisbon 5-1. The Gunners delivered the statement Champions League victory their manager had demanded to bounce back from a narrow defeat at Inter Milan last time out. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard got their continental campaign back on track, lifting them to seventh place with 10 points in the new-look 36-team table. It was Arsenal’s biggest away win in the Champions League since beating Inter by the same scoreline in 2003. “For sure, especially against opposition we played at their home who have not lost a game in 18 months – they have been in top form here – so to play with the level, the determination, the purpose and the fluidity we showed today, I am very pleased,” said Arteta. “The team played with so much courage, because they are so good. When I’m watching them live they are so good! They were all exceptional today. It was a big performance, a big win and we are really happy. “The performance was there a few times when we have played big teams. That’s the level that we have to be able to cope and you have to make it happen, and that creates belief.” A memorable victory also ended Sporting’s unbeaten start to the season, a streak of 17 wins and one draw, the vast majority of which prompted Manchester United to prise away head coach Ruben Amorim. The Gunners took the lead after only seven minutes when Martinelli tucked in Jurrien Timber’s cross, and Saka teed up Havertz for a tap-in to double the advantage. Arsenal added a third on the stroke of half-time, Gabriel charging in to head Declan Rice’s corner into the back of the net. To rub salt in the wound, the Brazilian defender mimicked Viktor Gyokeres’ hands-over-his-face goal celebration. That may have wound Sporting up as they came out after the interval meaning business, and they pulled one back after David Raya tipped Hidemasa Morita’s shot behind, with Goncalo Inacio netting at the near post from the corner. But when Martin Odegaard’s darting run into the area was halted by Ousmane Diomande’s foul, Saka tucked away the penalty. Substitute Trossard added the fifth with eight minutes remaining, heading in the rebound after Mikel Merino’s shot was saved. A miserable night for prolific Sporting striker Gyokeres was summed up when his late shot crashed back off the post.

Portugal’s Economic Growth in 2025: A Unique Opportunity in Challenging TimesPrice-conscious holiday shoppers opened their wallets for last-minute online discounts on clothing and stocking stuffers, potentially benefiting retailers that also offered such convenient options as free delivery and curbside pickup. The popularity of online shopping has surged due to its convenience, similar or lower prices than in-store, the availability of services like “buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS)” and fast, free deliveries, said Michael Schulman, a retail expert at Running Point Capital Advisors. “The shortened holidays season this year compared to last year, with a tighter scrunch between Thanksgiving and Christmas, also left less time for in-store retail shopping and probably incentivized more phone and computer browsing and purchases,” he said. While there were deals aplenty, retailers appeared to have been disciplined with promotions. Target TGT and Dollar Tree’s shares were up nearly 3% in noon trading, while Walmart WMT was flat. According to a Mastercard SpendingPulse report, online spending during the holiday shopping period from Nov. 1 to Dec. 24 grew by 6.7% over last year, compared to a 2.9% increase for in-store sales. This contributed to a total spending increase of 3.8% over 2023, surpassing the previously forecast rise of 3.2% and topping the 3.1% increase during the same period last year. Steve Sadove, senior adviser to Mastercard and former Saks CEO and chairman, told Reuters that spending rose even when higher prices due to inflation were factored in. He noted that the last five days of the holiday season accounted for 10% of all holiday spending, showing “a lot of strength in the end.” With just 27 days between Thanksgiving and Christmas — five fewer than last year – retail executives were less exuberant going into the holiday season. They described their consumers as “selective,” “cautious” and “conservative,” and making “needs-based” purchases. As a result, many retailers doubled down on cutting prices and offering promotions, Bernstein analysts said earlier this month. Walmart WMT said it would continue to bring down prices through rollbacks, while rival Target TGT said it would increase its promotional intensity as shoppers were not as engaged without promotions. Dollar General DG said it expects profits to be pressured from increased promotions in the fourth quarter, while Kroger KR and Five Below FIVE also said they had to reduce prices to be competitive. Walmart and Target spent more on ads to reach shoppers on short-video app TikTok and streaming platforms like Peacock and Hulu during the season, highlighting their membership programs that offer quick delivery and BOPIS. Some of these efforts appear to have worked. Salesforce estimated that the number of BOPIS orders could double during the weekend before Christmas, making up nearly 40% of all online orders for retailers. And deliveries are also strong, with FedEx FDX estimating stronger-than-expected holiday delivery volume last week. Huntsville, Alabama-resident Aireale Hobbs, 40, started Christmas shopping for pajama sets, Stanley drink tumblers, and toys for her family online on Black Friday. She said she chose to do a bulk of her shopping online because of convenience, more options and better deals. “I got some things from Target that were discounted when using the app,” said Hobbs, who works at as a front desk clerk at a doctor’s office. Laptops and TVs with new technology, lower prices and growing acceptance of lab-grown diamonds, and athleisure apparel also encouraged shoppers to spend this holiday season, even though promotions were at the same levels as last year, Sadove said. “Promotions were controlled. Nothing was extra deep and there were no panicked promotions. What we saw was some real consumer strength,” Sadove said, adding that low unemployment and higher wages were buffering personal finances. Sales in the apparel, jewelry and electronics categories were up 3.6%, 4% and 3.7%, respectively over last year, according to Mastercard. Online sales of apparel, in particular, grew 6.7%, compared to 0.2% in stores. Source: Reuters

Friday, December 27, 2024 Phuket welcomes global luxury enthusiasts to the Thailand International Boat Show 2025, showcasing superyachts, villas, marine tech, and lifestyle from Jan 9-12. PHUKET, THAILAND – From January 9–12, 2025, the picturesque island of Phuket will host the highly anticipated Thailand International Boat Show at Phuket Yacht Haven Marina. Renowned as a hub for high-net-worth individuals and luxury enthusiasts, this prestigious event will spotlight an impressive array of superyachts, luxury villas, marine innovations, and lifestyle experiences, solidifying Phuket’s status as a global luxury destination. Building on its record-breaking success, the 2025 Thailand International Boat Show promises to be the largest and most exciting edition yet. With over 50 boats on display in the water, 60+ exhibitors, and expanded exhibition spaces both onshore and offshore, organizers are forecasting the event to generate over one billion baht for Thailand’s marine leisure and luxury lifestyle industries. Phuket’s tourism resurgence further sets the stage for the event’s success. As reported by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the island is on track to welcome 13 million international visitors this year. This surge has also bolstered its appeal as Asia’s premier destination for luxury holiday homes, drawing high-net-worth individuals seeking exclusive villas and embracing Phuket’s unique blend of yachting and opulent living. Thailand’s government is leveraging events like the Thailand International Boat Show to bolster luxury tourism and marine development. This includes enhancing facilities for visiting superyachts and growing the cruise tourism sector. In alignment with these goals, the 2025 event will host a diverse lineup of exhibitors featuring not only yachts and marine services but also luxury real estate and lifestyle offerings. Esteemed international boat brands and brokers will be in attendance, with highlights including: Additional participants like DCH Marine, Sunreef Yachts, and Asiamarine will contribute to an unparalleled display of craftsmanship and innovation. Newcomer Primus Marine is set to impress with the largest in-water lineup, including six boats from Aquila and Beneteau. Onshore, visitors can explore cutting-edge marine technology, water toys, and luxury real estate developments such as Aquella Lakeside Villas and The Standard Residence, Bangtao. The 2025 event offers unique experiences, including the VIP Lounge hosted aboard the Superyacht Lady Eileen II and the Exhibitors and Captain’s Lounge on the Free Bird . This marks the first time these exclusive spaces are set aboard superyachts, elevating the event’s allure. The Thailand International Boat Show is more than a business event; it’s a celebration of culture and lifestyle. From live DJ performances and alfresco dining to Children’s Day activities on January 11, there’s something for everyone. The four-day event will also feature the Thailand Yachting Conference and Gala Dinner on January 8 at the Splash Beach Resort, kicking off the festivities in style. The Thailand International Boat Show runs daily from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM, except for an earlier closing at 7:00 PM on Sunday, January 12. Admission is free, ensuring accessibility for all to enjoy this grand showcase of luxury and innovation. Prepare to be captivated as Phuket opens its doors to the world, celebrating the finest in marine leisure, luxury, and lifestyle at the Thailand International Boat Show 2025.

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NEW YORK (AP) — Technology stocks are pulling Wall Street toward another record amid mixed trading on Monday. The S&P 500 rose 0.2% in afternoon trading after closing its best month of the year at an all-time high . The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 86 points, or 0.2%, with a little more than an hour remaining in trading, while the Nasdaq composite was 0.9% higher. Super Micro Computer, a stock that’s been on an AI-driven roller coaster, soared 31.1% to lead the market. Following accusations of misconduct and the resignation of its public auditor , the maker of servers used in artificial-intelligence technology said an investigation found no evidence of misconduct by its management or by the company's board. It also said it doesn’t expect to restate its past financials and that it will find a new chief financial officer, appoint a general counsel and make other moves to strengthen its governance. Big Tech stocks also helped prop up the market. Gains of 1.8% for Microsoft and 2.9% for Meta Platforms were the two strongest forces pushing upward on the S&P 500. Intel was another propellant during the morning, but it lost an early gain to fall 1.1% after the chip company said CEO Pat Gelsinger has retired and stepped down from the board. Intel is looking for Gelsinger’s replacement, and its chair said it’s “committed to restoring investor confidence.” Intel recently lost its spot in the Dow Jones Industrial Average to Nvidia, which has skyrocketed in Wall Street's frenzy around AI. Stellantis, meanwhile, skidded following the announcement of its CEO’s departure . Carlos Tavares steps down after nearly four years in the top spot of the automaker, which owns car brands like Jeep, Citroën and Ram, amid an ongoing struggle with slumping sales and an inventory backlog at dealerships. The world’s fourth-largest automaker’s stock fell 6.3% in Milan. The majority of stocks in the S&P 500 likewise fell, including California utility PG&E. It dropped 3.7% after saying it would sell $2.4 billion of stock and preferred shares to raise cash. Retailers were mixed amid what’s expected to be the best Cyber Monday on record and coming off Black Friday . Target, which recently gave a forecast for the holiday season that left investors discouraged , fell 1.6%. Walmart , which gave a more optimistic forecast, rose 0.3%. Amazon, which looks to benefit from online sales from Cyber Monday, climbed 1.3%. The stock market largely took Donald Trump’s latest threat on tariffs in stride. The president-elect on Saturday threatened 100% tariffs against a group of developing economies if they act to undermine the U.S. dollar. Trump said he wants the group, headlined by Brazil, Russia, India and China, to promise it won’t create a new currency or otherwise try to undercut the U.S. dollar. The dollar has long been the currency of choice for global trade. Speculation has also been around a long time that other currencies could knock it off its mantle, but no contender has come close. The U.S. dollar’s value rose Monday against several other currencies, but one of its strongest moves likely had less to do with the tariff threats. The euro fell amid a political battle in Paris over the French government’s budget . The euro sank 0.7% against the U.S. dollar and broke below $1.05. In the bond market, Treasury yields gave up early gains to hold relatively steady. The yield on the 10-year Treasury climbed above 4.23% during the morning before falling back to 4.19%. That was just above its level of 4.18% late Friday. A report in the morning showed the U.S. manufacturing sector contracted again last month, but not by as much as economists expected. This upcoming week will bring several big updates on the job market, including the October job openings report, weekly unemployment benefits data and the all-important November jobs report. They could steer the next moves for Federal Reserve, which recently began pulling interest rates lower to give support to the economy. Economists expect Friday's headliner report to show U.S. employers accelerated their hiring in November, coming off October's lackluster growth that was hampered by damaging hurricanes and strikes. “We now find ourselves in the middle of this Goldilocks zone, where economic health supports earnings growth while remaining weak enough to justify potential Fed rate cuts,” according to Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide. In financial markets abroad, Chinese stocks led gains worldwide as monthly surveys showed improving conditions for manufacturing, partly driven by a surge in orders ahead of Trump’s inauguration next month. Both official and private sector surveys of factory managers showed strong new orders and export orders, possibly partly linked to efforts by importers in the U.S. to beat potential tariff hikes by Trump once he takes office. Indexes rose 0.7% in Hong Kong and 1.1% in Shanghai. AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.

Here’s How Wall Street Expects S&P 500 To Perform In 2025