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13Jan

By Alexander W. FergusonNo Comments

Social Responsibility

Candi Castleberry detalla cambios en las iniciativas de DEI de Amazon

On December 16, 2024, Candi Castleberry, serving as Amazon's Vice President of Inclusive Experiences and Technology, released an internal memo sharing that the company intends to gradually discontinue and reassess certain DEI initiatives. This action includes "removing antiquated programs and resources" as a segment of Amazon's continual strategy to tackle issues of representation and inclusion.Castleberry elaborated that in recent years, Amazon has been evaluating its company-wide programs, all crafted to tackle distinct disparities. She stated that these initiatives aim to wrap up once their respective issues are resolved. The memo additionally highlighted the move towards developing programs that are “open to everyone” instead of letting separate groups initiate their own efforts.Amazon...

Notre Dame is from Indiana and advances to the Sugar Bowl against Georgia

8Jan

By Alexander W. FergusonNo Comments

Sports

Notre Dame is from Indiana and advances to the Sugar Bowl against Georgia

No. 7-ranked Notre Dame earned a decisive 27-17 victory over No. 10 Indiana in the opening game of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff on Friday night in South Bend, Indiana. The Fighting Irish now turn their attention to their highly anticipated matchup against top-seeded Georgia in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1. This win marked a significant moment for Notre Dame, as they demonstrated their defensive supremacy and postseason readiness in front of their home crowd. . The game started with a bang as Notre Dame's Jeremiyah Love stunned fans with a breathtaking 98-yard touchdown run. This first play set the tone for what would become a defensive showcase for the Irish. Indiana, despite entering the game with one of the most prolific offenses in the nation, found itself struggl...

European markets slide in the last full trading session of the year

7Jan

By Alexander W. FergusonNo Comments

European markets slide in the last full trading session of the year

European stock markets traded lower on Monday in the last full trading session of 2024, as investors braced for a quiet end to the year. The pan-European Stoxx 600 index fell 0.5% in early afternoon trading in London, with most sectors posting losses. Technology, industrial and media stocks led the declines, while oil and gas stocks managed to post gains. Trading volumes remained light as markets across the region prepared to close early or remain closed until January 2 for the New Year holiday. Despite Monday's modest performance, European stocks are on track to end the year with moderate gains. The Stoxx 600 is up about 5.5% in 2024, in stark contrast to the U.S. S&P 500 index, which is up about 25% over the same period. U.S. markets also opened lower on Monday, reflecting ligh...

Jake Paul vs. Conor McGregor: Potential blockbuster fight sparks sports betting

6Jan

By Alexander W. FergusonNo Comments

Sports

Jake Paul vs. Conor McGregor: Potential blockbuster fight sparks sports betting

UFC superstar Conor McGregor has revealed his plans to return to the ring, teasing a potential fight against social media influencer and WWE star Logan Paul's older brother Jake Paul. The news has sent shockwaves through the world of combat sports, with fans and pundits speculating about the bout's implications, while bookmakers are already crunching numbers for what could become one of the most-watched boxing events in history. The hype for a McGregor-Jake Paul bout isn't entirely new; Rumors about this possibility have been circulating for months. Now, according to ESPN's Salvador Rodriguez, the matchup is officially under consideration for the summer of 2025, with discussions pointing to a game in July, August or September. If the fight takes place, it will likely follow stand...

Border detentions in December remain stable, reaching the lowest levels since 2020

6Jan

By Alexander W. FergusonNo Comments

Politics

Border detentions in December remain stable, reaching the lowest levels since 2020

Border detentions for unauthorized crossings from Mexico into the United States in December showed little change from the previous month, maintaining the lowest levels since July 2020. A senior U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official, speaking on condition on condition of anonymity, revealed Monday that December detentions are expected to finish near November's total of 46,612. The official added that preliminary data suggests around 44,000 arrests earlier this month. December marks the sixth consecutive month that detentions at the southern border were lower than the monthly averages seen in 2019, signaling a continued decline in unauthorized crossings. The official also noted that President Joe Biden's final month in office is on track to record the lowest incarcerati...

New York City’s congestion pricing will begin amid legal challenges

6Jan

By Alexander W. FergusonNo Comments

New York City’s congestion pricing will begin amid legal challenges

Cars traveling through Manhattan will face new tolls starting just after midnight on January 5, 2025, as New York City implements the nation's first congestion pricing plan. However, the plan continues to face legal challenges, particularly from the state of New Jersey, which argues that the program could lead to environmental damage and economic consequences beyond the river. Key details on congestion pricing Under the congestion pricing system, motorists entering Manhattan below 60th Street will pay: Peak times (weekdays 5am-9pm, weekends 9am-9pm): $9 Off-peak hours: $2.25 (a 75% discount) The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) expects a 10% reduction in cars and trucks entering the city, with billions of dollars in toll revenue going toward modernizing public transp...

Panama celebrates 25 years of sovereignty over the Panama Canal

5Jan

By Alexander W. FergusonNo Comments

Politics

Panama celebrates 25 years of sovereignty over the Panama Canal

This year marks a significant milestone for Panama as the nation celebrates 25 years since it assumed full control of the Panama Canal. On December 31, 1999, the canal was officially transferred to Panama by the United States under the terms of the Torrijos-Carter treaties signed in 1977. The historic transfer symbolized a triumph of sovereignty and national pride for the Panamanian people, who see the canal as vital part of their identity and economic backbone. President José Raúl Mulino presided over the anniversary celebrations, underlining the importance of the canal to Panama's sovereignty and development. In a message shared on social media, government officials reflected on the significance of the occasion: “This date represents the life, sacrifice and sovereignty of our n...

Ukraine blocks the transit of Russian gas to Europe, ending decades of energy dominance

5Jan

By Alexander W. FergusonNo Comments

Ukraine blocks the transit of Russian gas to Europe, ending decades of energy dominance

On New Year's Day, Ukraine officially cut off the flow of Russian natural gas to several European countries, marking the end of Moscow's long-standing dominance of European energy markets. The move, which had been widely anticipated, comes as the five-year transit agreement between Russia and Ukraine expired without renewal amid the ongoing war between the two nations. At around 8am local time on Wednesday, Russian state energy giant Gazprom confirmed that gas exports to Europe via Ukrainian pipelines had stopped. This development, which follows more than three decades of transit of Russian gas through Ukraine, highlights changing energy dynamics in Europe as the EU continues to push to reduce dependence on Russian supplies. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made clear last...

Boise State’s magical season ends with Fiesta Bowl loss, exposing flaws in College Football Playoff seeding

4Jan

By Alexander W. FergusonNo Comments

Sports

Boise State’s magical season ends with Fiesta Bowl loss, exposing flaws in College Football Playoff seeding

One was the resilient, conference-champion team that stormed into the College Football Playoff with determination, a breakout season fueled by star running back Ashton Jeanty, and a legacy of excellence among Group of 5 programs. The other was a team outmatched, overwhelmed and wracked by mistakes in a 31-14 loss to Penn State. For Broncos fans, the outcome was bittersweet. Boise State's improbable run to the CFP quarterfinals deserves to be celebrated, but the loss also underscored the challenge of competing at the highest level against a stronger, more talented team. Penn State, the Big Ten's runner-up and No. 6 seed, controlled the game from start to finish, capitalizing on Boise State's four turnovers and 13 penalties. While the Broncos showed flashes of brilliance, outgainin...

John Thune prepares to lead Senate majority amid political challenges

4Jan

By Alexander W. FergusonNo Comments

Politics

John Thune prepares to lead Senate majority amid political challenges

John Thune's political career has been defined by resilience, strategic thinking, and the ability to tackle complex challenges. After ousting Sen. Tom Daschle, the influential Democratic majority leader, in 2004, Thune quickly faced one of his toughest battles: preventing the closure of Ellsworth Air Force Base, a key economic pillar in his home state of South Dakota . Successfully fending off that threat not only ensured his political future, but also taught him lessons that would shape his rise to the Senate. Now, as Thune takes over as Senate majority leader, he faces another formidable test. Leading a chamber of 53 Republican senators, Thune must manage competing priorities while working with President-elect Donald J. Trump, whose demands often clash with the legislative proc...