One day after he threatened to punish countries with tariffs if they do not support U.S. control of Greenland, President Donald Trump announced tariffs against eight European countries starting Feb. 1.
He has repeatedly said the United States needs Greenland for national security. Greenland is a self-governing territory that is part of the Kingdom of Denmark.
Trump said that starting Feb. 1, imports from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, France, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Finland will be levied a 10% tariff. Those tariffs would increase to 25% on June 1.
Tariffs are not actually paid by the country of origin, but by the company importing the items.
European and NATO leaders have joined Denmark in saying the United States cannot take control of the worlds largest island.
"The EU stands in full solidarity with Denmark and the people of Greenland," European Union President Ursula von der Leyen said. "Dialogue remains essential, and we are committed to building on the process begun already last week between the Kingdom of Denmark and the US. Tariffs would undermine transatlantic relations and risk a dangerous downward spiral. Europe will remain united, coordinated, and committed to upholding its sovereignty."
Trumps remarks came days after Germany and France were among the nations that sent a small number of troops to show support for Greenlands sovereignty. His announcement also comes a day after a bipartisan congressional delegation visited Denmark to express support for Greenland determining its own future.
"We have subsidized Denmark, and all of the Countries of the European Union, and others, for many years by not charging them Tariffs, or any other forms of remuneration," Trump wrote on Truth Social on Saturday. "Now, after Centuries, it is time for Denmark to give back World Peace is at stake! China and Russia want Greenland, and there is not a thing that Denmark can do about it. They currently have two dogsleds as protection, one added recently. Only the United States of America, under PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP, can play in this game, and very successfully, at that!"
Earlier this week, the federal government relaxed limits on whole milk and 2% milk in school menus. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed legislation ending bans on those varieties.
The measure passed the House and Senate with unanimous support before landing on Trumps desk.
Schools may still serve skim and 1% milk. U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said whole milk is proven for brain growth, activity, energy and bone strength.
Farm councils say the change will provide farmers and consumers with more flexibility.
Although the Trump administration has promoted whole milk, some health experts have raised concerns about replacing lower-fat options with whole milk.
Whats the difference between high-fat and low-fat milk?
The difference between whole, 2%, 1% and skim milk is the amount of fat in the product. Before milk is pasteurized, it contains at least 3.25% milk fat.
To reduce fat content, milk is spun at high speed in a centrifuge, which separates the fat from the rest of the liquid.
Removing fat generally does not change the amount of protein or vitamins in milk. A serving of whole milk contains 150 calories, eight grams of protein and 300 milligrams of calcium, along with about 10% of the daily value for vitamin D and 8% for potassium.
Skim milk has similar nutrition facts but only 80 calories. Whole milk contains eight grams of fat, compared with virtually no fat in skim milk.
The main concern for whole milk is it contains 4.5 grams of saturated fat, which scientists say can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Whole milk also contains more calories, which can lead to obesity.
Nutritionally, all dairy milks provide similar amounts of protein, calcium, vitamin D and potassium, but the fat content and therefore calorie content is what mainly distinguishes them, said Sapna Batheja, a dietary behavior expert and associate professor at George Mason University.
Is whole milk healthier?
While the Trump administration has promoted whole milk alongside low-fat milk as a healthy choice, scientists caution that its saturated fat content could contribute to heart disease.
The administration has sent mixed messages on whether Americans should increase saturated fat intake. Earlier this month, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said the government was ending its war on saturated fat by promoting meat-based proteins and fat sources such as butter and beef tallow in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
Kennedys Department of Health largely ignored a panel of experts who emphasized plant-based proteins such as beans and lentils. However, the new guidelines retained the recommendation to limit saturated fat to no more than 10% of daily calories.
Although high levels of saturated fat have been linked to heart disease, Batheja said research is mixed on whether whole milk is better or worse for overall health.
Whole milk is higher in unhealthy saturated fat, which may raise LDL cholesterol, the bad form of cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is a known risk factor for heart disease for some people, Batheja said. However, some studies suggest that dairy fat may not be as harmful as once thought, and whole milk could have no effect or even protective effects on digestive health and weight management in certain populations. Whole milk provides protein, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins A and D, which are important for bone health and overall nutrition.
There are protein cookies, chips and Starbucks drinks. You can now add protein pizza crusts to the list.
Papa Johns unveiled a new 8-inch pizza this week with a crust that contains 23 grams of protein on its own.
The pizza comes in two varieties: The Meats, which contains 55 grams of protein and a six-cheese blend topped with sausage and pepperoni; and The Veggie, which has 49 grams of protein and is topped with mushrooms, green peppers and onions.
By comparison, a standard The Meats personal pizza has 44 grams of protein, while a veggie pizza has about 28 grams.
The pizzas will be sold as a one-day offer at an Atlanta-area location Jan. 21 on a first-come, first-served basis. Papa Johns said the one-day sale will be a test.
People are thinking differently about how their favorite foods fit into their wellness-driven lifestyles, said Shivram Vaideeswaran, senior vice president of brand marketing at Papa Johns. The demand for meals that are satisfying and protein-packed has never been higher. This drop gives our most loyal fans a first taste of what weve been working on, and if they love it, they might see it on the menu soon.
The new pizzas come a week after the Trump administration released updated Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which recommend nearly double the amount of protein as previous guidelines.
The report now suggests that adults consume 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. For example, a 200-pound person should eat between 109 and 146 grams of protein daily. Previous FDA recommendations for a person that size were about 73 grams.
The Cleveland Clinic suggests that getting protein from whole foods such as meat and beans is better than relying on sources like protein powders.
So, if youre having salad, think about what protein is going to go on there you could throw on some chickpeas, some tuna, some grilled chicken, something like that. And same with breakfast, if youre having breakfast, you want to think about what protein source could be added something like eggs or Greek yogurt could be a good choice there, said Cleveland Clinic registered dietitian Alexis Supan.
Aldi announced this week plans to open 180 new locations in 2026, bringing its total to nearly 2,800 stores by years end. The expansion is part of the companys goal to add 800 stores over five years, putting the grocery chain at 3,200 locations by 2028.
The 180 stores will be spread across 31 states. Among them will be Maine, which will see its first Aldi store open in Portland. Aldi is also targeting Colorado with 50 new stores. The growth includes converting former Southeastern Grocers locations into Aldi stores. So far, Aldi has converted 90 locations, with plans to convert 200 more by 2027.
In 2025, amid the opening of 200 new stores, Aldi said it welcomed 17 million new customers.
One in three U.S. households shopped at Aldi this past year, and in 2026 were focused on making it even easier for customers to shop our aisles first, said Atty McGrath, CEO of Aldi U.S. That means bringing Aldi to even more neighborhoods, upgrading our website and adding distribution centers to keep our shelves stocked with the products shoppers love.
To support its expansion, Aldi said it plans to open distribution centers in Florida, Arizona and Colorado.
According to U.S. News & World Report, Aldi ranked No. 5 among the cheapest grocery store chains in the United States.
Unlike many grocery chains, Aldi relies heavily on private-label brands and keeps a limited selection of products in stock.
The Transportation Security Administration is reminding travelers that it will start charging passengers $45 for traveling without a Real ID or passport Feb. 1.
The agency has said the fee would help cover costs associated with enhanced screenings, including software and staffing. It would also fund technology used to verify passengers biographic and biometric information.
TSA says the process could take about 30 minutes, so it encourages travelers to arrive early. The agency is encouraging passengers to pay in advance through the ConfirmID website to avoid additional delays.
TSA ConfirmID will be an option for travelers that do not bring a REAL ID or other acceptable form of ID to the TSA checkpoint and still want to fly, said interim deputy administrator for TSA Adam Stahl. Impacted travelers will have the option to pay $45 and use the TSA ConfirmID process. This fee ensures that non-compliant travelers, not taxpayers, cover the cost of processing travelers without acceptable IDs. To avoid delays or missed flights, all travelers should obtain a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification before heading to the airport.
According to the TSA, more than 94% of passengers use their REAL ID or other acceptable forms of identification.
Real ID requirements have been in effect since May 2025, requiring travelers to present either a Real ID-compliant driver's license, enhanced driver's license, or acceptable alternative such as a passport for domestic flights.
Girl Scout cookie season is back, featuring a new flavor and a digital twist.
The organization is introducing Exploramores, a rocky road ice cream-inspired sandwich cookie with chocolate and marshmallow filling.
The 2026 cookie lineup will also include classics like Thin Mints, Samoas and others.
This year, the Girl Scouts are partnering with Adobe to teach digital skills through cookie sales. Scouts will be able to create digital marketing materials and learn about online entrepreneurship. Girls Scouts of the USA said 700,000 Girl Scouts participate in the annual cookie-selling program.
The program aims to prepare girls for future careers in the digital economy.
Girl Scout Cookie season is always a moment of joy and tradition, and this year promises to be incredibly exciting, said Wendy Lou, who oversees the cookie program. We're thrilled to introduce the new, delicious Exploremores cookie to the iconic cookie lineup people know and love. With every purchase, consumers directly support local Girl Scouts' abilities to explore more opportunities in STEM, the outdoors and more.
Where to buy Girl Scout Cookies
If you know a family involved in Girl Scouts, that is one of the best ways to find cookies.
But if you don't know a family involved in Girl Scouts, there are other ways. You can use the Girl Scout Cookie Finder online to find a booth selling cookies.
Renee Nicole Good, 37, was killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis on Wednesday. She was a former resident of Kansas City, Missouri, who had recently moved to the Twin Cities.
Renee was one of the kindest people Ive ever known, Ganger told the newspaper. She was extremely compassionate. Shes taken care of people all her life. She was loving, forgiving and affectionate. She was an amazing human being.
Authorities said Good was driving an SUV and pulling away when an ICE agent fired at her. While the Trump administration defended the agents actions, local officials in Minneapolis, including the citys mayor and Minnesotas governor, called the shooting unjustified.
A Kansas City neighbor said Good lived there for about two years. Neighbors told Scripps News Kansas City that they were saddened when she moved about eight months ago. One neighbor, who declined to be identified, said she was an awesome neighbor who was great with her kids.
The Scripps News Group confirmed that Goods vehicle was registered to a Kansas City address. Court records show she had three children and, in October 2023, petitioned to change her name to match her partners.
The Star Tribune also reported that Good was previously married to Timmy Ray Macklin Jr., who died in 2023.
Good was a graduate of Old Dominion University in Virginia, where she earned a degree in English, university President Brian I. Hemphill confirmed.
The newest 10-page report is far shorter than the 164-page version released in 2020. The guidelines encourage choosing whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains over those that are processed, refined or high in added sugar.
RFK Jr. talks with Scripps News about new dietary guidelines
"We're now doing a science-based reassessment in which we are urging Americans to use, to eat, real food, real protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains and to limit sugars, to limit salts and to limit particularly refined carbohydrates and ultra-processed foods," Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in an interview with Scripps News.
The report now suggests that adults consume 1.2 to 1.6 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. For example, a 200-pound person should eat between 109 and 146 grams of protein daily. Previous recommendations from the FDA for a person of that weight were about 73 grams.
It also advises Americans to consider oils, butter and beef tallow when adding fats to meals, while continuing to recommend limiting saturated fat to no more than 10% of total daily calories. In December 2024, nutrition experts released their recommendations for the newest update. Their assertion reiterated previous reports: A healthy diet is lower in red and processed meats, as well as sugar-sweetened foods, refined grains and saturated fats.
However, the final guidelines did not make a distinction between red meat and white meat, such as chicken or turkey.
Kennedy disputed the panel's findings on saturated fats and red meat sources, suggesting they can play a larger role in Americans' diets.
"I don't think Americans are getting enough red meat. I think 40 to 50% of calories the kids get today are coming from ultra-processed foods, and that's because of the former recommendations the American Heart Association and some of the other associations were following dogma, and it was dogma that was dictated by commercial interests rather than science," Kennedy said.
He added, "All Americans should be eating a lot of protein, a lot of protein, a lot of vegetables, and I would not prioritize plant-based proteins over meat proteins. I don't think there's any scientific basis for that. Those recommendations are based upon a 1960 study that has been utterly debunked."
The guidelines, updated every five years, help shape policy and influence menus for school lunches, Meals on Wheels and other federally funded food programs.
Following the early Saturday operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro in Caracas, Democratic members of Congress lamented not being notified of the mission ahead of time.
Many Republicans, on the other hand, applauded the Trump administration for taking action to capture Maduro, who was indicted by the Department of Justice in 2020 on drug trafficking charges.
The Justice Department said Maduro and his wife, first lady Cilia Flores, will be tried in the Southern District of New York.
Sen. Mark R. Warner, D-Va., vice chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, suggested the raid might have violated the rule of law.
When we abandon those principles, even in the name of confronting bad actors, we weaken our credibility, endanger global stability and invite abuses of power that will long outlast any single presidency, Warner said.
PREVIOUS REPORTING WHAT'S BEHIND THE TENSION
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, offered a similar reaction.
The American people and Congress deserve transparency and real, concrete answers about what is happening in our own hemisphere, she said. We need to hear directly from the president on why his varying justifications to date warrant dragging America into an armed conflict without a clear end. We need to know how President Trump will prevent Maduros lieutenants and criminal gangs from filling the power vacuum that his unilateral action is likely to create.
Republicans, however, struck a more supportive tone toward the administrations approach.
I commend President Trump for ordering a successful mission to arrest illegitimate Venezuelan dictator Nicols Maduro and bring him to the United States to face justice, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said. Our military performed an incredibly complex mission with characteristic precision and professionalism. Today, we owe a debt of gratitude to the brave individuals who were able to accomplish such a daring operation.
Wicker added that his committee would convene as soon as possible to discuss the raid.
Why werent lawmakers notified?
It has been customary, though not always followed, to notify the socalled Gang of Eight members of Congress of covert operations. The group includes the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate intelligence committees, in addition to the House and Senate party leaders.
While in practice the full Congress is often briefed before major military action, the Pentagon can limit briefings to the Gang of Eight when actions are considered covert.
The Trump administration has argued that the operation to capture Maduro was a law enforcement action carried out with assistance from the U.S. military.
Gang of Eight members were briefed by the Obama administration on events leading up to the 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the decision not to notify lawmakers beforehand.
We called members of Congress immediately after, Rubio said. This was not the kind of mission you can do congressional notification on it was a triggerbased mission. Its just not the kind of mission that you can prenotify because it endangers the mission.
Democrats had previously accused Trump administration of war crimes
Last month, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth briefed lawmakers on U.S. strikes against suspected drugsmuggling boats off the coast of Venezuela.
Some lawmakers called for closeddoor hearings amid concerns that the United States committed war crimes by striking a boat multiple times.
The Trump administration says the operations are intended to prevent illegal narcotics from entering the United States and to reduce overdose deaths.
Some observers have suggested the maritime operations were aimed at regime change in Venezuela, whose leader, Nicols Maduro, is not recognized as legitimate by the U.S. government. U.S. officials contend Maduro stole the last election, while Maduro has long blamed the United States for his countrys problems.
The United States conducted a large-scale strike early Saturday in Venezuela and captured its president, Nicols Maduro, flying him and his wife out of the country, President Donald Trump said. Videos showed multiple explosions and low-flying aircraft in Caracas, the capital.
Hours after the operation, President Trump said that the U.S. would "run the country" until there is a proper transition.
"We are going to run the country until such time as we can do a safe, proper and judicious transition, and it has to be judicious because that's what we're all about," President Trump said.
Additionally, President Trump said U.S. oil companies will have a presence in Venezuela.
PREVIOUS REPORTING: WHAT'S BEHIND THE TENSION
"We're going to have our very large United States oil companies, the biggest anywhere in the world, go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure, the oil infrastructure, and start making money for the country," he said.
The Associated Press reported that Venezuelan security forces appeared to still have control of key government sites.
President Trump released a photo of Maduro following his arrest.
After the attack, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed that Maduro would be tried in the United States. He had previously been indicted in 2020 for drug-related charges. At the time, the U.S. had offered up to a $15 million reward for Maduro's arrest; the U.S. had since increased the amount to $50 million.
Nicols Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, have been indicted in the Southern District of New York, Bondi said. Maduro has been charged with narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess machine guns and destructive devices against the United States.
Bondi added: They will soon face the full wrath of American justice on American soil in American courts. On behalf of the entire U.S. Department of Justice, I would like to thank President Trump for having the courage to demand accountability on behalf of the American people, and a huge thank you to our brave military who conducted the incredible and highly successful mission to capture these two alleged international narco traffickers.
President Trump said Saturday that Maduro and Flores were on the U.S. warship Iwo Jima.
"They'll be heading in to New York. The helicopters took them out, and they went by helicopter, a nice flight. I'm sure they loved it," Trump told Fox News. "But they've killed a lot of people, remember that. They killed a lot of people, even people in their own country. Today killed a lot of people to maintain the power."
Trump had suggested for weeks that the United States could conduct an attack in Venezuela after targeting boats accused of smuggling drugs.
Members of Congress were not consulted before Saturdays pre-dawn attack.
Sen. Mike Lee said he spoke with Secretary of State Marco Rubio following the attacks, stating that the kinetic action we saw tonight was deployed to protect and defend those executing the arrest warrant. This action likely falls within the presidents inherent authority under Article II of the Constitution to protect U.S. personnel from an actual or imminent attack."
Rubio stated that members of Congress were not notified due to concerns of possible leaks, mystifying Democrats.
Venezuelas reaction
Vice President Delcy Rodriguez expressed outrage over the strike and called on Trump to provide proof of life for Maduro.
The Venezuelan people are outraged, Rodriguez said. The birthplace of our liberator, the capital city of Caracas, was attacked. The capital city that saw the birth of the liberator of our great homeland, that saw the birth of the greatest man of our continent, has been violated, attacked and assaulted. In light of this brutal situation and this brutal attack, we do not know the whereabouts of President Nicols Maduro and first lady Cilia Flores.
International reaction
While some of America's foes such as Iran and Russia stood opposed to the raid, other groups offered mixed reactions.
UN Secretary-General Antnio Guterres expressed concern over the raid.
"Independently of the situation in Venezuela, these developments constitute a dangerous precedent. The Secretary-General continues to emphasize the importance of full respect - by all - of international law, including the UN Charter. Hes deeply concerned that the rules of international law have not been respected," a UN statement read.
The European Union was more deferential in its response.
"I am following the situation in Venezuela with great concern. The European Union calls for de-escalation and a resolution in full respect of international law and the principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations. The European Union will continue to support a peaceful, democratic, and inclusive solution in Venezuela," said Antnio Costa, European Union Council president.
President Trump watches raid live
As the raid was ongoing, President Trump said that he watched the raid unfold on video feeds.
"We watched it from a room, we had a room, and we watched it, and we watched every aspect of it. We were surrounded by lots of people including generals, and they knew everything that was happening, and it was very complex. Extremely complex. The whole maneuver, the landings, the number of aircraft which were massive number. The number of helicopters, the different type of helicopters, different type of fighter jets. We had a fighter jet for every possible situation," Trump told Fox News.
Trump suggested that the raid was scheduled to occur earlier in the week, but was held off due to weather.
The Department of Justice said Disney will pay the government $10 million after allegedly violating the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act. A federal judge on Tuesday approved a settlement between Disney and the Federal Trade Commission.
Federal prosecutors said Disney failed to properly label its YouTube content as directed to children. All YouTube content creators are required to indicate whether videos are intended for children. Under the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act, YouTube cannot collect data on videos intended for children.
By failing to mark the videos as for children, Disney enabled targeted advertising to kids, and personal information was collected without parental notice or consent, prosecutors said.
The law prohibits collecting personal information from children under 13 without parental consent.
The Justice Department is firmly devoted to ensuring parents have a say in how their childrens information is collected and used, Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate of the Justice Departments Civil Division said in a statement. The department will take swift action to root out any unlawful infringement on parents rights to protect their childrens privacy.
As part of the settlement, Disney must establish a program to review each video it publishes on YouTube to determine if it is targeted to children.
Disneys YouTube channel has more than 6.5 million subscribers. Its main page features dozens of videos that have each generated more than 10 million views.
Many Americans set goals to lose weight, exercise more and eat a better diet. According to a YouGov poll, these are among the most popular New Years resolutions for 2026.
The poll found that 25% of Americans say they want to exercise more in 2026, making it the most popular resolution. Eating healthier is also among the top resolutions at 22%. The survey showed that 17% of Americans want to lose weight.
According to Cleveland Clinic dietitian Julia Zumpano, eating in a calorie deficit is a tried-and-true method for losing weight. The concept involves a little math but is relatively simple: consuming fewer calories than a person burns leads to weight loss.
A calorie deficit is when you calculate the total calories your body needs, called resting energy expenditure, or REE, Zumpano said. Thats what your body needs to maintain its current weight. We take your calorie needs and subtract a certain amount based on your weight-loss goal. For a weight loss of about a pound a week, we would create a calorie deficit of 500 calories a day.
Many people might not know how many calories they burn in a day. That is why Zumpano recommends using online calculators to estimate daily calorie expenditure.
The Mayo Clinic offers a calorie calculator on its website. According to the tool, a 40-year-old moderately active man who weighs 200 pounds burns about 2,600 calories per day. For that person to lose a pound a week, they would need to consume about 2,100 calories per day.
This approach requires diligently tracking calorie intake, Zumpano notes. Small items such as ketchup or olive oil can add hundreds of calories a day, erasing a calorie deficit.
She also said a small amount of physical activity can help increase calorie deficits.
I tend to encourage deficits coming from activity, Zumpano said. I highly encourage extra movement, extra activity to burn, say, 300 calories. Then you only have to create a 200-calorie deficit from your diet.
Zumpano also suggests avoiding ultra-processed foods as well as sugary and alcoholic drinks.
While calorie deficits can be a useful tool for weight loss, there are potential drawbacks. Zumpano advises those with chronic health problems or eating disorders to consult a doctor before trying a calorie deficit.
For the second time in a week, a major event at the Kennedy Center has been canceled.
The Cookers announced that their pair of New Years Eve concerts will not take place. The announcement follows the centers renaming as the Trump-Kennedy Center after President Donald Trumps hand-picked board voted to change the name.
Although the center has already updated its logos on its website and building, the name was established by Congress, and some have argued that it would take an act of Congress to officially change it.
The Cookers did not specifically cite the renaming as their reason for canceling.
Jazz was born from struggle and from a relentless insistence on freedom: freedom of thought, of expression, and of the full human voice, the band said on its website. Some of us have been making this music for many decades, and that history still shapes us. We are not turning away from our audience, and we do want to make sure that when we do return to the bandstand, the room is able to celebrate the full presence of the music and everyone in it. Our hope is that this moment will leave space for reflection, not resentment.
The announcement comes a week after Chuck Redd canceled his annual Christmas Eve jazz concert at the Kennedy Center. The center then said it would seek $1 million in lost revenue from Redd because of the cancellation.
The Kennedy Center opened in 1971 as a living memorial to President John F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963.
Earlier this year, Trump fired the Kennedy Centers Board of Trustees and appointed himself as chair.
Players in the ECHL, the third tier of professional hockey in North America, went on strike Friday after their union failed to reach an agreement with the league.
Five games scheduled for Friday were postponed, and dozens more set for Saturday and Sunday were scrapped. The league has not said whether the games will be made up after the strike ends.
Unfortunately, union leaders deprived players of the opportunity to vote on our last, best and final offer an offer that would dramatically raise player salaries by 20% in the first year, boost the per diem rate, guarantee more off days and expand the top-of-the-line equipment available to players, the ECHL said in a statement. We did everything possible to avoid this outcome and hope the union leadership will drop its unworkable scheduling demands, let the players vote on our offer and make it possible for players to return to work.
The Professional Hockey Players Association, which represents ECHL and AHL players, has called for eliminating back-to-back travel days, maintaining uninterrupted health insurance and guaranteeing pay.
The union requested a weekly salary cap of $19,500, which it said would average out to about $975 per player per week. It also accused the league of failing to negotiate in good faith.
We recognize how important ECHL hockey is to fans, families and local communities. Our members are simply seeking reasonable improvements that allow them to work safely and earn a sustainable living while continuing to perform at a high level, PHPA Executive Director Brian Ramsay said. We remain ready to continue discussions with the league to reach a fair agreement.
The ECHL drew 5.3 million fans last season, averaging about 5,000 per game, and has produced 776 future NHL players.
Residents near the largest Dunkin facility in the United States in Haverhill, Massachusetts, are raising concerns about air quality, saying the odor of doughnuts from the bakery has become overwhelming.
Sean Wilson, who lives about a quarter-mile from the facility, voiced his concerns during a recent City Council meeting. Council members were considering a proposal to allow the plant to install tanks that would store thousands of pounds of shortening.
My house has smelled like doughnuts all the time for the last two months. Its distracting, and its heavy, Wilson told councilors. Youre just overwhelmed by the smell of doughnuts.
Wilson said the odor has him worried about air quality near the facility. He told councilors he was not sure whether he opposed the installation of the tanks but wanted reassurance that the air is safe to breathe.
J.T. Couch, who represents Creek Brook CML, the owner of the facility that produces Dunkin doughnuts, said the bakery makes 1 million doughnuts per day. That number could increase if the tanks are installed, he said.
The facility, which opened earlier this year, currently supplies about 300 stores; with the tanks, that could rise to about 800.
With the size of the facility, we do take extreme measures to limit our air effluents. Each of the fryers has a dedicated hood system that you would find in a normal kitchen, Couch said.
Councilor Shaun Toohey said he has also heard concerns from residents about the smell. He suggested postponing the vote on the tanks until January to allow time for an air quality assessment.
The NCAA has long prohibited former professional athletes from playing the same sport in college, but the organization is softening its stance.
This week, Baylor announced that former Detroit Pistons draft pick James Nnaji will join the team for the second half of the season after playing professionally in Spain. His draft rights were later traded to Charlotte and then to New York.
Because he never played in an NBA regular-season game or the NBA G League the leagues developmental circuit the Knicks still own Nnajis rights. New York could theoretically use those rights as a trade asset with other NBA teams.
Nnaji also wore a Knicks jersey during the NBA Summer League.
Regardless, Baylor will finish the season with an experienced center who could help the Bears reach the NCAA Tournament later this year.
James is a really talented young player with a ton of potential, and were excited to welcome him to the Baylor family, Baylor coach Scott Drew said. Any time you add someone to the roster midseason, its going to be a process to get them acclimated and up to speed, but we know James will do everything he can to make it a seamless transition. Our immediate focus is on helping him take things step by step to ensure its best for both him and the team when hes able to take the court.
Although Nnaji is the first NBA draftee in decades to be added to a college roster, he is not the first player with professional experience to join the collegiate ranks. Earlier this year, Thierry Darlan, who previously played for the Delaware Blue Coats and NBA G League Ignite, was granted two years of eligibility by the NCAA.
Most Americans say they enjoy getting gift cards, but sometimes they go to waste.
According to Capital One Shopping Research, nearly $23 billion in gift cards go unspent. The group estimates that 43% of Americans surveyed said they have at least one unused gift card.
The National Retail Federation said it expected Americans to spend $29 billion on holiday gift cards this year.
According to Capital One Shopping Research, on average, Americans have unused gift cards totaling $244, and 17% of people have lost at least one gift card in their lifetime.
Although it might make sense to wait to use a gift card for a special occasion, experts say that might not be a good idea. With inflation at nearly 3%, as prices go up, gift cards lose their value.
Additionally, gift card recipients run the risk of a company going out of business or of the person losing the card. Capital One Shopping Research noted that 12% of gift card holders said that they had a business close permanently before being able to use their gift cards.
There are many ways the value of them can go to zero, Peter Harms, professor of management at the University of Alabama, said in a release. You can lose the card, misplace it, the target business can stop accepting them or go bankrupt. But even if none of those things happen, the current rampant inflation will eat away its value regardless.
Experts say its OK to sell gift cards rather than letting them go to waste.
My advice, if you receive a gift card, is to treat yourself immediately before you lose the card or forget you have it, Dorothy Kelly, personal finance lecturer at the University of Virginia McIntire School of Commerce, said in a release. If possible, add it to your digital wallet, or your online account with that vendor.
Those two options will make it more likely that you will actually use the entire balance. For givers, I recommend gift cards from well-known retailers that are ubiquitous and have an easy-to-use app which can accept and track electronic gift card balances.
Although gift cards can lose value, many Americans say they enjoy receiving them. Amazon, restaurant and grocery stores are among the most-liked cards.
The main advantage of gift cards is that they are easy to purchase, Steven Meyers, professor of psychology at Roosevelt University, said in a release. They dont require special insights into what the recipient may want or need. They are easy to store and deliver, and it reduces the likelihood that the person would need to return an item that they do not like.
One person in Arkansas is having a very Merry Christmas, as Powerball finally ended its streak of 46 drawings without a winner on Wednesday, awarding the second-largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history.
Wednesdays jackpot was worth $1.817 billion the largest offered by any U.S. lottery since 2022. The only larger jackpot came in November 2022, when a $2.04 billion Powerball ticket was sold in California.
For those checking their numbers, the winning combination was: white balls 4, 25, 31, 52, 59 and red Powerball 19.
The jackpot winner can choose between the full $1.817 billion paid in annual installments over 29 years or a one-time lump sum of $834.9 million.
Congratulations to the newest Powerball jackpot winner! This is truly an extraordinary, life-changing prize, said Matt Strawn, Powerball Product Group Chair and CEO of the Iowa Lottery. We also want to thank all the players who joined in this jackpot streak every ticket purchased helps support public programs and services across the country.This is the first time in 15 years that someone in Arkansas has claimed a Powerball jackpot.
With the win, Saturdays Powerball drawing will reset to $20 million.
Eight other players won at least $1 million each by matching all five white balls.
For perspective, the odds of winning the jackpot are about 1 in 292 million. Powerball also offers smaller prizes ranging from $4 to $2 million, with the odds of winning any prize at about 1 in 25.
Powerball is played in 45 states, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Since the game lengthened the odds in 2015, Powerball has averaged six to nine jackpot winners annually and all 10 of its largest jackpots have occurred since that change. The record $2.04 billion jackpot was won on Nov. 7, 2022.
Eli Lilly has asked the Food and Drug Administration to approve orforglipron after completing a Phase 3 trial showing it helped people maintain weight loss after stopping injectable drugs such as Wegovy and Zepbound.
The request follows another Phase 3 trial indicating the drug produced double-digit weight loss in people with Type 2 diabetes.
Currently, GLP-1 drugs used to treat obesity and diabetes are injectable. Eli Lilly is among several companies developing an oral GLP-1 medication, though pill versions typically have more restrictions than injections. Lilly says orforglipron could be a more convenient alternative.
Obesity is a chronic, progressive disease, and sustaining weight loss remains a significant challenge for many, said Kenneth Custer, executive vice president and president of Lilly Cardiometabolic Health. He said the medication helped people maintain the weight they worked hard to lose and allowed patients to switch directly from the highest tolerated doses of available injectable therapies onto oral doses of orforglipron.
In the latest study, participants who had used Wegovy lost an average of 41 pounds. After a year on orforglipron, they regained about 2 pounds. Participants who used Zepbound lost an average of 55 pounds, and those who switched to orforglipron regained 11 pounds over the same period.
Lilly says the pill helped participants keep more weight off compared to those taking a placebo, even with similar diet and exercise counseling.
In an earlier study involving people with Type 2 diabetes, participants taking the highest dose of orforglipron lost an average of 10.5% of their body weight after 72 weeks. Those on lower doses lost between 5.5% and 7.8%. All participants were considered overweight or obese and had Type 2 diabetes.
Login
