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However, some state workers failed to return to their jobs and a United Nations official said the country’s public sector had come “to a complete and abrupt halt”. Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighbouring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Mr Assad’s brutal rule. There were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country. The alliance is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant, who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said they would not tell women how to dress. “It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women’s dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty,” the command said in a statement on social media. Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services had shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the UN official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid. Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali for the first time. Mr Jalali stayed in Syria when Mr Assad fled and has sought to project normalcy since. “We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth,” he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation had already improved from the day before. At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said that judges were ready to resume work quickly. “We want to give everyone their rights,” Mr Haddad said outside the courthouse. “We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods.” But a UN official said some government services had been paralysed as worried state employees stayed at home. The public sector “has just come to a complete and abrupt halt,” said Adam Abdelmoula, UN resident and humanitarian co-ordinator for Syria, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies had been put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. “This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonised by the public media are now in charge in the nation’s capital,” Mr Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. “I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again.” In a video shared on a rebel messaging channel, Mr al-Sharaa said: “You will see there are skills” among the rebels. The Kremlin said Russia has granted political asylum to Mr Assad, a decision made by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Mr Assad’s specific whereabouts and said Mr Putin did not plan to meet with him. Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people were still celebrating. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores. There was little sign of any security presence though in some areas, small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets.Vikings have ruled out tight end Josh Oliver. What does that mean for the running game?

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NEW YORK , Dec. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of ordinary shares of ASML Holding N.V. (NASDAQ: ASML) between January 24, 2024 and October 15, 2024 , both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important January 13, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. So what: If you purchased ASML ordinary shares during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. What to do next: To join the ASML class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31159 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for more information. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than January 13 , 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) the issues being faced by suppliers, like ASML, in the semiconductor industry were much more severe than defendants had indicated to investors; (2) the pace of recovery of sales in the semiconductor industry was much slower than defendants had publicly acknowledged; (3) defendants had created the false impression that they possessed reliable information pertaining to customer demand and anticipated growth, while also downplaying risk from macroeconomic and industry fluctuations, as well as stronger regulations restricting the export of semiconductor technology, including the products that ASML sells; and (4) as a result, defendants' statements about ASML's business, operations, and prospects lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the ASML class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31159 mailto: or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ . Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ------------------------------- Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/asml-deadline-asml-investors-with-losses-in-excess-of-100k-have-opportunity-to-lead-asml-holding-nv-securities-fraud-lawsuit-302331928.html SOURCE THE ROSEN LAW FIRM, P. A.East Carolina wins 71-64 over Stetson

None, the former governor of New Jersey, has slammed Homeland Security Secretary for playing down the threat of drones buzzing around the state—and warned that “drone vigilantes” may soon start taking matters into their own hands. Appearing on ’s on Sunday after the show interviewed Mayorkas, Christie said he had seen several drones himself. In response to a reference made by ABC host George Stephanopoulos to Mayrokas’ statement that the drones did not present any “unusual activity” or immediate threat, Christie said: “To say this is not unusual activity, it’s just wrong!” “I have lived in New Jersey my whole life. This is the first time that I’ve noticed drones over my house. And I was in a restaurant in Monmouth County on Friday night, had people at the bar coming up to me and saying, Governor Murphy won’t tell me anything. The president won’t tell me anything. Do you know? Like, well, I don’t know,” he also said. Mayorkas explained that he wanted his “authority” to be expanded in order to deal with the drones mystifying local residents and other onlookers in New Jersey. “I’ve lived in New Jersey my whole life. This is the first time that I’ve noticed drones over my house.” Former NJ Gov. Chris Christie warns that conspiracy theories will grow if the federal government does not address reported aerial sightings. — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) In an earlier interview with Stephanopoulos, Mayorkas said he was not able to order the drones to be taken down by US state agencies. Christie, once a candidate to be the Republicans’ presidential nominee, blamed the Biden administration for failing to be truthful with the American population. “If you don’t fill that vacuum, all the conspiracy theories get filled in there,” he said. “You’ve got people like Congressman Jeff Van drew saying there’s an Iranian mothership off the coast of New Jersey. Absolutely not true, and provably now not true, and he’s had to back off that.” “You can’t have conspiracy theorists filling the space, but the Biden administration and state authorities have to be more vocal and let people know exactly what they’re doing,” he added. He also explained how sightings of drones were likely to affect locals who may have heard about drones being used in more dangerous contexts. “It’s a newish technology to most people, and they’re worried about it and concerned. And to the extent they’re following things around the world, they hear about drones being deployed in Ukraine all the time as weapons, and us deploying drones as weapons at times. So you can see why people are concerned.” Christie called on the government to end the matter once and for all by attacking the drones. “I’d want our state police to be able to have the authority to bring those drones down and find out why they’re doing what they’re doing” “What we’re going to find, George, is you’re going to have individuals acting as drone vigilantes, and they’re going to start taking them down. That’s not what we want, because they’re now an important part of commerce, and law enforcement uses them frequently for surveillance and other things we need to be able to operate a safe way, and we’re not doing that.” His appearance on ABC came just a day after president-elect Donald Trump trolled Christie with an AI-generated meme of drones appearing to deliver McDonalds to Christie. The pair once enjoyed a friendly relationship but it soured after Trump claimed to win the 2020 election.

Listing: TSX (Toronto Stock Exchange) Symbol: CMR TORONTO, Dec. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited (“ BlackRock Canada ”), an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of BlackRock, Inc. (“ BlackRock ”) (NYSE: BLK) announced on November 8, 2024, that it called a special meeting of unitholders (the “ Meeting ”) of the iShares Premium Money Market ETF (the “ iShares Fund ”), to originally be held on or about January 22, 2025 to approve a change to the investment objective of the iShares Fund to permit investments in asset-backed commercial paper (the “ Proposal ”). As a result of the Canada Post labour disruption, BlackRock Canada is postponing the Meeting to February 3, 2025. BlackRock Canada is holding the Meeting solely as a virtual (online) meeting by way of live audio webcast. In accordance with applicable securities laws, a management information circular relating to the Proposal (the “ Circular ”) will be made available to unitholders in advance of the Meeting. Notice of the Meeting and information outlining the procedures for accessing the Circular online (or requesting a copy thereof) will be mailed on or about January 3, 2025. Unitholders of record of the iShares Fund at the close of business on December 5, 2024, will be entitled to receive notice of, and vote at, the Meeting. The Circular will also be made available on www.sedarplus.ca and www.blackrock.com/ca and will include additional details regarding the Proposal. Unitholders of record are entitled to vote: (i) by completing, signing and dating their voting instruction form and returning it by mail following the directions provided in the voting instruction form; (ii) via the Internet at www.proxyvote.com ; or (iii) by calling the applicable number listed on the voting instruction form. Unitholders of record may experience significant delays in mail delivery due to the impacts of the Canada Post labour disruption. Unitholders of record are encouraged to use the alternative methods to submit voting instructions to avoid any delay. Unitholders of record who have not received their control numbers as a result of the Canada Post labour disruption may contact their brokers in order to obtain their control numbers in order to vote their units. If the change to the investment objective is approved by unitholders of the iShares Fund, BlackRock Canada expects that the Proposal will be effective as of February 7, 2025. For more information about the iShares Fund, please visit www.blackrock.com/ca . About BlackRock BlackRock’s purpose is to help more and more people experience financial well-being. As a fiduciary to investors and a leading provider of financial technology, we help millions of people build savings that serve them throughout their lives by making investing easier and more affordable. For additional information on BlackRock, please visit www.blackrock.com/corporate . About iShares iShares unlocks opportunity across markets to meet the evolving needs of investors. With more than twenty years of experience, a global line-up of 1400+ exchange traded funds (ETFs) and US$4.2 trillion in assets under management as of September 30, 2024, iShares continues to drive progress for the financial industry. iShares funds are powered by the expert portfolio and risk management of BlackRock. iShares® ETFs are managed by BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited. Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with investing in iShares ETFs. Please read the relevant prospectus before investing. The funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated. Tax, investment and all other decisions should be made, as appropriate, only with guidance from a qualified professional. Contact for Media: Sydney Punchard Email: Sydney.Punchard@blackrock.com

Pitt quarterback Eli Holstein leaves game with left leg injury against Louisville

World Don't miss out on the headlines from World. Followed categories will be added to My News. There’s no getting around it, 2024 left the world shaken and in some cases irrevocably altered — and there’s good reason to be concerned about 2025. Given the state of play between multiple superpower adversaries, the next 12 months may turn out to be some of the most consequential in recent history. In an ominous omen for the coming year eagle-eyed social media users have noted that the first three days of the year are Wednesday (1st), Thursday (2nd), and Friday (3rd) which in people’s phone calendars spells out “WTF”. The last time that happened was 2020, and we all know how that played out. Gulp... But it’s not just calendar details have have people concerned. It’s safe to say there’s a fair bit going on in the world that could boil over. From Ukraine to Washington, from the South China Sea to the Korean Peninsula and then the Middle East, the landscape of global politics is a volatile mosaic of crises that demand attention from the world’s leaders. It’s been a year where the balance of power has been tested and old tensions have resurfaced in force. Then thrown into the mix: Trump 2.0, the rapidly evolving AI revolution and cost of living pressures putting the general public in a vicegrip. There’s quite a lot on the plate for the “developed” world. Take a look a some of the biggest issues pressing against the globe in 2025 below. Ukraine War: An Unresolved Crisis In February 2022, Russia launched its brutal invasion of Ukraine and the world has been held hostage, in some way or another, by the ongoing bloodshed ever since. 2024 was another year of devastation for the nation of 37 million. Almost three years on, Ukraine’s military continues to resist Russia’s territorial ambitions, but life for the average citizen has deteriorated, with children in particularly prone locations being forced to spend their days underground. Despite tireless resistance and continual Western support, the situation remains anything but resolved with Russia periodically reclaiming ground. Vladimir Putin has not eased on his initial pledge to reclaim the nation as part of his “special military campaign” and has resisted Western efforts to whittle away his nation’s economy, while simultaneously pouring everything he can into maintaining the conveyor belt of military aged men to the frontlines. The introduction of North Korean troops to Russia’s side has also painted a bleak picture, with some analysts going so far as claiming it is the “unofficial” beginning of WWIII given two “axis” powers are now working together on the same battlefield. Verified reports of what they are actually doing to assist the war effort have been hard to come by however. Vladimir Putin has not eased on his initial pledge to reclaim the nation as part of his “special military campaign” and has resisted Western efforts to whittle away his nation’s economy. (Photo by Valery SHARIFULIN / POOL / AFP) A Ukrainian infantry soldier of the 23rd Mechanized Brigade sits as he waits to deploy toward the frontline in the Avdiivka direction, in the Donetsk region (Photo by Roman PILIPEY / AFP) Jeffrey W. Hornung of the non-profit research organisation RAND goes so far as arguing that the increasing involvement of East Asian powers could be grounds for labelling it a proxy war. “Besides the recent arrival of at least 10,000 North Korean soldiers on the Russian side, the evolving roles of China, Japan, and South Korea raise the question of whether a widening proxy war is being fought in Ukraine,” he said in a November report. “By all indications, the answer is yes: The war is setting a new precedent for Indo-Pacific nations to compete for their interests on the global stage.” Foreign interests aside, Ukraine’s efforts to reclaim occupied territories will remain a focal point in the first quarter of 2025. The challenge for NATO and the US will be to balance continued support for Ukraine without triggering a broader confrontation with Russia. Donald Trump has vowed to end the conflict as soon as he gets in office, but we’ve all heard a politician say things like that before. Korean Peninsula heating up On the other side of the world, the Korean Peninsula is going through a particularly tense period of politics, both internal and external. North Korea conducted a series of provocative missile tests and trash balloon launches in 2024, stoking the patience of its more democratic neighbour to the South. Experts at the Asan Institute of Policy Studies told news.com.au this year that Kim Jong-un is growing his nuclear weapons arsenal by almost a dozen a month. While most analysts agree the North would never dare to flex its nuclear might, the worrying rhetoric pushed out by Pyongyang’s ruling elite has continued to put a cloud over the region. Kim Jong Un meeting with Russia's Minister of Defence Andrei Belousov. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / AFP) South Korea is also going through a turbulent political period after President Yoon Suk Yeol abruptly declared martial law (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP) A tightened relationship with Russia has also done little to ease tensions as South Korean officials scramble to keep the 70-year peace with the North intact. Kim Jong-un has managed to not only defy global sanctions but also strengthen his position at home through the renewed partnership with Vladimir Putin, which was solidified when the Russian leader flew into Pyongyang in June. South Korea is also going through a turbulent political period after President Yoon Suk Yeol abruptly declared martial law, running counter to his nation’s purported stance against the authoritarianism of the North. He now faces the possibility of impeachment and will appear in front of the nation’s corruption watchdogs. All eyes on the South China Sea 2024 saw China continue to expand its influence through both diplomatic and military means, warning neighbouring nations to steer clear of its dispute with Taiwan. Beijing’s claim over virtually all of the South China Sea, one of the world’s busiest maritime routes, is a point of fierce contention with several Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines and Vietnam. The US, under Biden’s administration, has made clear that it will not back down in the face of China’s growing military presence in the region. Australia has also committed to defending Taiwan’s sovereignty. “The failure of Chinese and Southeast Asian leaders to resolve the disputes diplomatically could undermine international laws governing maritime disputes and encourage destabilising arms build-ups,” the Center for Preventive Action wrote in a September report. The situation in 2025 looks poised to further test international waters. As China continues its militarisation of islands in the region, and with the US committed to supporting its allies through freedom of navigation operations, the South China Sea could become the flashpoint for another direct military conflict. As it stands, the region remains a volatile mix of rising nationalism, conflicting territorial claims, and an increasingly assertive China. Beijing’s claim over virtually all of the South China Sea, one of the world’s busiest maritime routes, is a point of fierce contention with several Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines and Vietnam. (Photo by Handout / Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) / AFP) The Trump Factor: A New Era in the US Donald Trump’s landslide victory indicated that a large portion of America was flat-out fed up with the current state of affairs. Witnessing four years of outrageous Joe Biden gaffes was simply too much for the nation of 330 million. Kamala Harris took up the reins of his campaign and spent two months refusing to do off-the-cuff interviews with certain people outside the mainstream media lexicon, and that was that. Several million middle-of-the-road voters took another punt with Trump, rejecting the Democrats’ state of affairs which many believe have accelerated the decline of the nation, especially for those on low and middle incomes, the demographic the American left purport to bat for. Whether Trump 2.0 does anything for the bulk of American taxpayers remains to be seen. But his definitive victory in 2024, like in 2016, was clearly a battle won on the cultural battleground, with voters indicating they are tired of political correctness, career politicians and government bloat. The controversial appointment of Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, to declutter the US government has also lit a flame under staunch left wing mouthpieces. Strap in, folks. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) Some believe Musk’s shuffle towards Trump in recent years are part of a masterplan to scrap regulations on his already booming businesses to make more money, while others believe he is a good-hearted US constitutionalist who only wants to see his nation thrive. Australia will no doubt feel the effects of the Trump presidency, but it will take a few years before we can judge if he truly did “make America great again”. Middle East in turmoil The Middle East is at yet another pivotal point in its history. Conflict has unfortunately defined the region for many years, and the recent reshuffling of order in countries like Syria, coupled with the ongoing crisis between Israel and Palestine and several terrorist group supporters have left several questions unanswered about the future. The conflict in Gaza escalated further in 2024, following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel’s subsequent military response resulted in widespread devastation, with tens of thousands of civilians and children killed as part of the “collateral damage”. In 2025, the situation will continue to sit on a knife’s edge. Palestinians gather at the site of an Israeli strike on a camp for internally displaced people in Rafah on May 27, 2024. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP) The international community continues to grapple with the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with efforts to broker ceasefires and humanitarian aid facing massive challenges. The prospects for a lasting peace hinge on the willingness of both parties to engage in meaningful dialogue and the ability of global powers to facilitate such discussions. Meanwhile in Syria, fall of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime has left an ominous power vacuum. The international community is actively engaged in efforts to stabilise the country, stressing the importance of respecting minority and women’s rights, preventing terrorism, and securing humanitarian aid. The intense rivalry between Israel and Iran is also anticipated to persist, with each side seeking to expand its influence in the region. President Trump is likely to adopt a more assertive stance in the Middle East, focusing on countering Iranian influence and addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. AI: The robots are getting buff It’s almost become a cliche to say “artificial intelligence stands at a precipice”. But there’s no other way of putting it. We are currently gazing into a bizarre future brimming with potential, but the real question is: just how long am I going to be in a job? The past year has been another massive leap forward in the AI renaissance, with breakthroughs that have redefined the boundaries of what is possible. The launch of Google’s Veo 2, an AI video generator, has also set new standards in video content creation, outperforming its predecessors with remarkable accuracy and creativity. They’re getting smarter. (Photo by Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP) In the corporate sphere, Salesforce unveiled Agentforce 2.0, an AI agent program that integrates with Slack, enhancing reasoning, integration, and customisation capabilities. One Aussie AI developer, who chose to remain nameless, predicted to me that it would be “less than five years” before most jobs done solely with a computer could be reliably replaced with AI. We’ll just have to wait and see if the world’s major employers opt to embrace a complete shift towards machine workers and usher in a new era of absurdity. Maybe we can all get behind universal basic income once the inevitable comes to pass. Maybe. What can you do about all this? Probably nothing. Just stay informed and hope to hell some maniacal dictator doesn’t hit his big red nuke button. Originally published as 2025 calendar detail is freaking everyone out as global challenges loom for Planet Earth More related stories World Illegal migrant charged with subway horror An illegal Guatemalan migrant accused of torching a sleeping woman on a Brooklyn subway train has been hit with murder and arson charges. Read more World Underage sex: Trump ally’s bombshell claims The man who Donald Trump wanted to be the US’ top legal official has been accused of “statutory rape” of an underage teen in a damning report. Read morePay first, deliver later: Some women are being asked to prepay for their babyThe official start of winter is just days away so if you’re readying yourself for three or more months of hibernation, then Amazon has a deal you won’t want to let go . Bedsure’s Heated Blanket Electric Throw is on sale for 20% off, which means you’ll only have to pay $30, instead of $39, to keep yourself warm and cozy through the cold season — at least that’s the hope! This luxurious and durable blanket is made from ultra-soft 220 GSM flannel on one side and 200 GSM premium sherpa on the other — which are total winter comfort staples. It features advanced heating wire technology that offers six heating levels and four time-settings so you can tailor the perfect temperature and warmth duration for your precise level of chill . And with 74 safety tests conducted in a quality-control-observant Intertek-recognized Satellite Lab, the blanket surpasses UL standards for safety. It’s also ETL and FCC-certified so all the important quality and compliance requisites are met. Beyond industry safety and performance benchmarks, though, the Bedsure throw has a 3-hour auto shut-off feature for peace of mind. According to the brand, the plush blanket is machine washable, fade-resistant, and energy-efficient , consuming only one-thirtieth the power of traditional heaters. Whether you’d like to add an extra layer of insulation to your bed at night or just want something warm to snuggle under on the couch while Netflix streams in the background, this Bedsure electric blanket brings the heat. Shop the Bedsure Heated Blanket Electric Throw at Amazon for $30, but not for long. More deals to stay warm this season The Best Deals in December Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com . Danielle Halibey can be reached at dhalibey@njadvancemedia.com . Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips .

, the former governor of New Jersey, has slammed Homeland Security Secretary for playing down the threat of drones buzzing around the state—and warned that “drone vigilantes” may soon start taking matters into their own hands. Appearing on ’s on Sunday after the show interviewed Mayorkas, Christie said he had seen several drones himself. In response to a reference made by ABC host George Stephanopoulos to Mayrokas’ statement that the drones did not present any “unusual activity” or immediate threat, Christie said: “To say this is not unusual activity, it’s just wrong!” “I have lived in New Jersey my whole life. This is the first time that I’ve noticed drones over my house. And I was in a restaurant in Monmouth County on Friday night, had people at the bar coming up to me and saying, Governor Murphy won’t tell me anything. The president won’t tell me anything. Do you know? Like, well, I don’t know,” he also said. Mayorkas explained that he wanted his “authority” to be expanded in order to deal with the drones mystifying local residents and other onlookers in New Jersey. “I’ve lived in New Jersey my whole life. This is the first time that I’ve noticed drones over my house.” Former NJ Gov. Chris Christie warns that conspiracy theories will grow if the federal government does not address reported aerial sightings. — This Week (@ThisWeekABC) In an earlier interview with Stephanopoulos, Mayorkas said he was not able to order the drones to be taken down by US state agencies. Christie, once a candidate to be the Republicans’ presidential nominee, blamed the Biden administration for failing to be truthful with the American population. “If you don’t fill that vacuum, all the conspiracy theories get filled in there,” he said. “You’ve got people like Congressman Jeff Van drew saying there’s an Iranian mothership off the coast of New Jersey. Absolutely not true, and provably now not true, and he’s had to back off that.” “You can’t have conspiracy theorists filling the space, but the Biden administration and state authorities have to be more vocal and let people know exactly what they’re doing,” he added. He also explained how sightings of drones were likely to affect locals who may have heard about drones being used in more dangerous contexts. “It’s a newish technology to most people, and they’re worried about it and concerned. And to the extent they’re following things around the world, they hear about drones being deployed in Ukraine all the time as weapons, and us deploying drones as weapons at times. So you can see why people are concerned.” Christie called on the government to end the matter once and for all by attacking the drones. “I’d want our state police to be able to have the authority to bring those drones down and find out why they’re doing what they’re doing” “What we’re going to find, George, is you’re going to have individuals acting as drone vigilantes, and they’re going to start taking them down. That’s not what we want, because they’re now an important part of commerce, and law enforcement uses them frequently for surveillance and other things we need to be able to operate a safe way, and we’re not doing that.” His appearance on ABC came just a day after president-elect Donald Trump trolled Christie with an AI-generated meme of drones appearing to deliver McDonalds to Christie. The pair once enjoyed a friendly relationship but it soured after Trump claimed to win the 2020 election.Stock futures were calm on Sunday evening, with Dow riding a seven-day losing streak into a week highlighted by a key central bank meeting. Futures tied to the Dow Jones Industrial Average ticked up 31 points, or less than 0.1%. S&P 500 futures were also up less than 0.1%. Nasdaq 100 futures dipped by less than 0.1%. The stock market is coming off a sluggish week. The Dow lost 1.8% last week and has lost ground in each of the last seven sessions. The S&P 500 dipped 0.64%, and has retreated in four of the past five sessions. The Nasdaq Composite outperformed, grinding out a gain of 0.34% for the week. After a broad rally following President-elect Donald Trump's November win, the stock market appears to have reverted to a narrow tech-led move in recent days. "The breadth that we're seeing is really starting to dissipate a bit. It's becoming a much more concentrated rally within a few names. And I don't know how long that can sustain, but there's a chance that carries forward through at least the end of the year," Joe Mazzola, Charles Schwab's head trading and derivatives strategist, said on Friday's " Closing Bell: Overtime ." The main draw of this week is the Federal Open Market Committee's meeting on Tuesday and Wednesday, when Federal Reserve officials are widely expected to lower the benchmark interest rate again. On Monday, investors will get some updated economic data, with preliminary purchasing managers index readings due out before the bell. And on the individual stock level, shares of MicroStrategy could be on the move after the bitcoin proxy was announced as a new addition to the Nasdaq 100 index. Nasdaq Composite up more than 32% year to date With less than three weeks left in 2024, the three major market averages are on track for a banner year. The Nasdaq Composite leads the way, with a gain of 32.74% year to date. The S&P 500 has jumped 26.86%, while the Dow is trailing but still up 16.29%. All 11 sectors are positive for the year, led by a 43.10% gain for communications services. — Jesse Pound, Christopher Hayes MicroStrategy, Palantir to join Nasdaq 100 Three new stocks are set to join the Nasdaq 100 one week from Monday. Palantir Technologies , MicroStrategy and Axon Enterprise will all join the index prior to the market open on Dec. 23, Nasdaq announced on Friday. The stocks will also be added to the holdings of the Invesco QQQ Trust , which has more than $300 billion in assets. Of those three, MicroStrategy is the most volatile. The stock has become a bitcoin proxy for investors as the former enterprise software company has added the cryptocurrency to its balance sheet, financed in part through debt sales. Illumina , Super Micro Computer and Moderna will all be removed from the index. — Jesse Pound Stock futures open little changed Stock futures were little changed at 6 p.m. ET Sunday, with the contracts for the three major averages marginally lower. — Jesse PoundNBC Sports makes its first foray into doing an NFL alternate broadcast on Saturday when it puts the matchup between the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs into the realm of the Madden video game universe. The Madden altcast will be streamed on Peacock with the main broadcast airing on NBC, beginning at 1 p.m. EST. It is the first time NBC has done an alternate broadcast of an NFL game. CBS has done at least one game on Nickelodeon since the 2020 season, while ESPN/ABC have the “ManningCast” as well as animated presentations featuring “ The Simpsons ” and “ Toy Story .” Amazon Prime Video also has “Prime Vision with Next Gen Stats” during “Thursday Night Football.” “It’s ironic that you want to make the video game as much as actual live play as possible and now you are doing the opposite of trying to make the real game look like the video game,” said Josh Helmrich, the NFL's senior director of media and Next Gen Stats. The altcast on Peacock will blend video game elements — such as Madden 25 graphics, route trees, player cards, button icons on eligible receivers and player ratings — with live action. GenuisIQ will provide real-time data via the league’s Next Gen Stats. There will also be times when animations from the video game — such as touchdown celebrations — will be used instead of live action. NBC has used the “Sunday Night Football” games the last two weeks as test broadcasts to make sure all the technology was working as well as build cohesion in the studio in Stamford, Connecticut, with the announcers doing the game. Paul Burmeister will handle the play-by-play with Madden NFL expert Kurt Benkert and six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Ochocinco providing commentary. Ochocinco will serve as a real-time player “ratings adjuster.” Henry Leverette, who won the Ultimate Madden Bowl championship ring in February, will also be part of the broadcast. Burmeister noted earlier this week that there will be more hard core football schematic chess match talk on the altcast compared to what might happen on a traditional football broadcast. “I’m really excited to toe that line and weave this in to show how much parallel the game has to the real game itself,” Benkert said. “I think will resonate really well with the younger audience and with people that are used to seeing it in the video game that way.” While the Madden video game is known for the high camera view above the quarterback, that will be used only for replays or to show formations before plays. The traditional sideline camera will be used the most since that better shows route trees and other features most associated with the game. In an added twist, Ochocinco will be able to adjust a player's rating depending on what happens during the game. The Texans (9-5) have clinched the AFC South while the AFC West champion Chiefs (13-1) are looking to remain the conference's top seed. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce were two of only six players to begin the season with 99 overall ratings in the Madden game. Houston's highest-rated players in Madden are offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (95) and running back Joe Mixon (93). Eleven players on the Texans and Chiefs rosters have a Madden rating above 90. The Madden altcast also takes on personal meaning for NBC Sports Executive Producer of NFL Fred Gaudelli, who was Madden's producer during the final seven years of his broadcast career. Madden joined ABC's “Monday Night Football” in 2002 before Madden and Gaudelli moved to NBC for the start of “Sunday Night Football” in 2006. “The one thing John held fast is you couldn't put something in the video game that you couldn't do in a real game,” Gaudelli said. “I had some memorable times picking his brain about the advent of the video game and what led him to it. He has been foremost in my mind as we’ve all tried to strategize what this should look like on Saturday.” AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl