NBA GMs believe Nets will win title, Durant will win MVP

Associated Press
Only 8 monkeys remain free after more than a week outside a South Carolina compound
Just eight monkeys remain free from the group who more than a week ago broke out of a South Carolina compound that breeds the primates for medical research, authorities said. Three more Rhesus macaques were recaptured Wednesday outside the Alpha Genesis facility in Yemassee, police said in a statement. Forty-three monkeys made a break for it on Nov. 6 after an employee at what locals call “the monkey farm” didn't fully lock their enclosure, police said.
USA TODAY
Satire publication The Onion acquires Alex Jones' Infowars at auction
Infowars was put up for auction by court order. Alex Jones owes more than $1 billion to the families of Sandy Hook school shooting victims.
USA TODAY
'The Hammer of Justice is coming:' Elon Musk defends Matt Gaetz
Top Trump aide suggests that Gaetz will help investigate political opponents
Yahoo Finance
Cava stock on a tear as fast-casual players continue to outperform the industry
Shares of Cava and Sweetgreen are up triple digits year to date.
Reuters
Israel expects Trump to take a hard line on Iran, minister says
Israel expects the incoming Trump administration to take a hard line against Iran and its nuclear ambitions, which will create an opportunity for more peace deals with Arab neighbors, a senior member of Israel's security cabinet said. Energy Minister Eli Cohen, in an interview with Reuters, also said that Israel is closer than ever to reaching an agreement to end fighting in Lebanon and push Iran-backed Hezbollah away from the border, while insisting that Israel maintains the right to act military should it be violated. Israel has been in a multi-front war since Hamas, which is also supported by Iran, launched its assault from Gaza on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
NBC News
France ramps up security ahead of Israel soccer match after Amsterdam violence
Thousands of police officers are set to be deployed around Paris on Thursday ahead of a soccer game between France and Israel, seeking to avoid a repeat of last week's violence in Amsterdam involving locals and Israeli fans.
CBS News
With gold's price high should beginners still invest? Experts weigh in
For some investors, it may still be smart to buy gold right now, even with the price still high. Here's why.
AFP
Iran tells UN nuclear chief willing to resolve 'ambiguities'
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian told the visiting head of the UN nuclear watchdog on Thursday that his government was willing to resolve doubts about its atomic programme, ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump's arrival in office. "As we have repeatedly proven our goodwill, we announce our readiness to cooperate and converge with this international organisation to resolve the alleged ambiguities and doubts about the peaceful nuclear activity of our country," Pezeshkian told Grossi.
Yahoo Finance
Disney posts earnings beat as streaming profit, guidance top estimates
Disney reported fiscal fourth quarter earnings that beat expectations on both the top and bottom lines as its streaming business swung to a profit.
Associated Press
Food prices worried most voters, but Trump's plans likely won't lower their grocery bills
Americans are fed up with the price of food, and many are looking to President-elect Donald Trump to lower their grocery bills. Trump often railed on the campaign trail against hefty price increases for bacon, cereal, crackers and other items. As of October, U.S. prices for food eaten at home were up 28% from 2019, according to government figures released Wednesday.
Yahoo Finance
Stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq waver with Powell speech, Trump-led sweep in focus
Comments from Jerome Powell could set the tone for rate cuts as the market assesses the impact of a Republican sweep in DC.
AFP
Coach owner Tapestry calls off Capri bid on regulatory blocks
Fashion group Tapestry said Thursday that it was dropping its $8.5 billion bid for Capri, the owner of luxury brands including Michael Kors and Versace, following a successful legal challenge by US regulators."Capri and Tapestry mutually agreed that terminating the merger agreement was in the best interests of both companies," Capri said in a statement.
AFP
UK government announces ban on new coal mines
The UK announced Thursday that it will introduce legislation to ban new coal mines, as the Labour government ramps up its plans to make Britain a clean energy leader.Energy minister Michael Shanks said in a statement that "consigning coal power to the past" would "pave the way for a clean, secure energy system that will protect billpayers and create a new generation of skilled workers".
Associated Press
AirBnB users will play gladiators in Rome's Colosseum under $1.5-million sponsorship deal
The ancient Roman Colosseum will be the venue of gladiator fights for the first time in two millennia under a $1.5-million sponsorship deal with AirBnB that aims to promote “a more conscious tourism.” Under the deal announced by Airbnb and the Colosseum on Wednesday, the sponsorship by the short-term rental giant will cover the renewal of an educational program inside the ancient Roman amphitheater covering the history of the structure and gladiators. Eight of the platform's users and their plus-ones will be able to participate in faux gladiator fights after the Colosseum's closing time on May 7-8, taking the same underground route used by gladiators in ancient Rome to reach the arena.
Associated Press
In Cyprus, Ukrainians learn how to dispose of landmines that kill and maim hundreds
In a Cypriot National Guard camp, Ukrainians are being trained on how to identify, locate and dispose of landmines and other unexploded munitions that litter huge swaths of their country, killing and maiming hundreds of people, including children. Analysts say Ukraine is among the countries that are the most affected by landmines and discarded explosives, as a result of Russia’s ongoing war. According to U.N. figures, some 399 people have been killed and 915 wounded from landmines and other munitions since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, equal to the number of casualties reported from 2014-2021.
Reuters
Fibre optic cables should be considered 'critical infrastructure' in Africa, Google says
African governments should give fibre optic cables greater protection from attacks and harmonize policies around layouts to encourage the development of tech infrastructure, a Google executive said on Thursday. Charles Murito, Google's head of government relations and public policy in Africa, wants fibre classified as critical infrastructure, giving the terrestrial and subsea cables that underpin the continent's communications more protection. Damage caused by criminal syndicates seeking to steal batteries and generators from tower base stations and dig up fibre optic cables has increased significantly in recent years, creating extra costs for network infrastructure providers.
Associated Press
Maker of Coach handbags calls off merger with company that produces Michael Kors accessories
Fashion company Tapestry on Thursday said it's terminating its proposed merger with Capri because the two luxury groups don't expect to overcome an antitrust challenge within an acceptable time frame. The companies agreed to a $8.5 billion deal in August 2023 that would have united Capri, the maker of Versace, Jimmy Choo and Michael Kors shoes, handbags and accessories, with Tapestry, which produces the same products under the Coach, Kate Spade New York, and Stuart Weitzman brands. In April, the Federal Trade Commission sued to block Tapestry's acquisition of Capri, saying the deal would eliminate direct competition between the companies’ brands in the so-called affordable luxury handbag arena.
NBC News
World’s largest coral found in the Pacific
The world's largest coral has been discovered by a National Geographic expedition to the Solomon Islands.
NBC News
Reaction to Trump's Matt Gaetz pick and X users quit in droves: Morning Rundown
Donald Trump cabinet, Matt Gaetz, Tulsi Gabbard, Pete Hegseth, Elon Musk, Jackson bribery scheme, restaurant menu prices, Michael McCaul, New Jersey wildfires
CNN
Marine Le Pen’s next bid for French presidency threatened as prosecutors seek political ban
French prosecutors have asked for prison time and a five-year ban from politics for far-right leader Marine Le Pen, potentially derailing her bid to become president in 2027.

Latest Stories