Report: Josh Minott has no plans to return to Memphis, will test NBA Draft

AFP
Global stocks mostly rise in thin pre-Christmas trade
Global stocks were mostly higher on Tuesday, boosted by a tech rally on Wall Street, but gains remained modest in thin Christmas Eve trade."The US stock market closed with a mixed bag of results yesterday, but the gift under the tree was a tech-driven rally that lit up the broader market," said Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown.
Reuters
Uncertainty clouds fate of Syrians in Egypt after Assad ouster
Syrian refugees and residents in Egypt face an uncertain future as new regulations may jeopardise their right to remain in the country after Bashar al-Assad's ouster earlier this month. European countries quickly suspended Syrian asylum applications after the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham swept into Damascus on Dec. 8, forcing Assad to flee after a 13-year civil war. Egypt last week ratified a new law giving the government the power to determine refugee status.
Reuters
Turkey aiming for maritime agreement with Syria, transport minister says
Turkey is aiming to strike a maritime demarcation agreement with Syria after a permanent government is formed in Damascus, Turkish Transport Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu said on Tuesday. Turkey, which backed Syrian rebels who toppled President Bashar al-Assad this month after a 13-year civil war, has been in close contact with the new interim administration of its neighbour, including Turkey's intelligence chief and foreign minister meeting with de-facto Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Reuters
Looting cripples food supply in Gaza despite Israeli pledge to tackle gangs, sources say
Israel has failed to crack down on armed gangs attacking food convoys in Gaza, despite a pledge to do so in mid-October to help ward off famine in the Palestinian enclave, according to three U.N. and U.S. officials familiar with the matter. The commitment, made behind closed doors, seemed like a breakthrough because, since the beginning of the war in October 2023, the international community has struggled to enlist Israel's support to improve the dire humanitarian situation in the war-ravaged territory, the three senior officials said. But the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has remained focused on its fight against Hamas and taken only limited actions against the handful of gangs operating in parts of Gaza under Israeli control, according to the three officials, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the information.
Associated Press
American Airlines operations up and running again after technical issue grounded US flights
American Airlines flights were cleared to fly by regulators early Tuesday after a brief grounding due to a systemwide technical issue. Just before 7 a.m. Eastern time, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered all American Airlines flights grounded in the U.S. at the airline’s request. American had reported a technical issue affecting its entire system with millions traveling for the holiday.
NBC News
Europe's far-right tap into fears over German market attack — despite the suspect's Islamophobic views
When a Saudi Arabian national was accused of ramming a car into a German Christmas market, members of the frequently anti-Muslim European far right said it proved their point.
Yahoo Finance
Stock market today: Nasdaq, S&P 500 futures edge higher ahead of Christmas break
US stocks looked set for a mostly muted open to a final, shortened trading session before the Christmas holiday,
CNN
A study on SpaceX’s mega rocket hints at a risk that helped kill the Concorde. How dangerous are sonic booms?
SpaceX stunned onlookers when it returned a Super Heavy booster to a precise landing at its launchpad. But the resulting sonic boom may spark environmental concerns.
CBS News
What's open on Christmas Eve 2024? Stores you can visit today.
Here's which food stores, restaurants and other chains are open and closed today, Christmas Eve 2024.
CNN
Russian cargo ship sinks in Mediterranean after engine room explosion, Moscow says
An explosion sank a sanctioned Russian cargo ship in the Mediterranean Sea on Monday night, Russian authorities said, leaving two crew members missing.
CNN
Christians protest in Syrian capital after burning of Christmas tree
Protests erupted in Christian neighborhoods of the Syrian capital Damascus after a Christmas tree was set on fire in another town by unidentified men on Monday evening.
CNN
How much is too much alcohol over the holidays? A doctor explains
Holiday get-togethers often feature a lot of alcohol. If you’re trying to reduce your intake, here’s how to plan ahead and still have a celebratory holiday season.
Associated Press
Staying in office is the main challenge for troubled France's new government
France’s president and prime minister managed to form a new government just in time for the holidays. Crushing debt, intensifying pressure from the nationalist far right, wars in Europe and the Mideast: Challenges abound for President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, after an already tumultuous 2024. What's wrong with French finances? Financial markets, ratings agencies and the European Commission are pushing France to bring down its deficit, which threatens the stability and prosperity of all countries that share the euro currency.
CBS News
Where is Santa right now? NORAD tracker maps his Christmas flight
NORAD, the North American Aerospace Command, is tracking Santa on his trip around the world this Christmas, so children and families can see where he is right now.
Associated Press
After fighting virus, storms and Republicans, departing North Carolina Gov. Cooper focuses on wins
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper is leaving his job after eight years in which the southern Democrat picked his moments against a Republican-dominated legislature, winning big on Medicaid expansion and clean energy while falling short in fights over private-school vouchers and abortion rights. Cooper, who steered the state through the coronavirus pandemic, Hurricanes Helene and Florence and an early flashpoint in the culture wars over access to public restrooms, was barred from seeking a third consecutive term. In a December interview with The Associated Press at the executive mansion, Cooper reflected on his gubernatorial terms with an emphasis on the positive — an easier undertaking compared with many Democrats around the country in the aftermath of this year's election.
CBS News
Will it snow on Christmas? Maps show holiday weather forecast
Dreaming of a white Christmas? Dream on. Only a few areas of the U.S. are likely to see snow in the weather forecast for Christmas 2024.
Associated Press
Baby mammoth preserved for 50,000 years unveiled in Russia's Siberia
The remains of a 50,000-year-old baby mammoth uncovered by melting permafrost in Russia’s Siberia have been unveiled to the public. Nicknamed Yana, the female mammoth weighs more than 100 kilograms 220 pounds and is 120 centimeters (47 inches) tall and 200 centimeters (79 inches) long. Scientists believe that Yana was only 1 year old when she died some 50,000 years ago.
NBC News
Hong Kong’s plan to lure back visitors? It’s black, white and eats bamboo
The Chinese territory of Hong Kong, which now has more giant pandas than anywhere outside mainland China, hopes they will help revive tourism.
NBC News
DOJ finds Tennessee board discriminated against lawyer over opioid disorder medication
DOJ found that two organizations that run Tennessee's attorney licensing program discriminated against a lawyer over his opioid use disorder medication.
NBC News
Holiday tips are topping out at pandemic-era levels
Many people are tipping their babysitters, housekeepers and teachers this holiday season, but often by the same amounts as three years ago.

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