An online debate over foreign workers in tech shows tensions in Trump's political coalition( ) has been steadily making its mark as one of Canada’s prominent financial institutions. As we look toward 2025, the stock presents an intriguing blend of opportunity and caution. Known for its strong regional dominance, particularly in Quebec, and its ability to diversify income streams, National Bank stock is well-positioned to deliver solid shareholder . Let’s break down the key elements shaping its outlook as we move into the new year – from recent earnings to broader market sentiment. Into earnings In its most recent earnings report for the fourth quarter of 2024, National Bank posted a net income of $955 million. A remarkable 27% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) came in at $2.66, up from $2.09. This exceeded analysts’ expectations and underscored the bank’s continued financial strength. This impressive growth was driven by exceptional performance in wealth management. This saw adjusted net income grow by 17% year-over-year to $219 million. Looking at the big picture, National Bank’s revenue for the trailing 12 months reached $10.6 billion, thus representing 19.7% year-over-year growth. The return on equity (ROE), a key metric that measures profitability against shareholder equity, stands at 15.2%, thereby affirming the bank’s effective use of its capital to drive returns. Notably, analysts project that the bank will maintain a strong ROE of 16.1% over the next three years. This is well above industry averages. Dividends and value One area where National Bank stock shines is its dividend performance. The bank offers a forward annual dividend rate of $4.40. With a payout ratio of 41.3%, this dividend appears highly sustainable, leaving ample room for reinvestment in growth initiatives. National Bank consistently rewards shareholders while maintaining a strong balance sheet. This should give income-focused investors confidence as they look to 2025. Over the past five years, the bank’s average dividend yield has hovered around 3.7%, further cementing its reputation as a reliable dividend stock. From a valuation perspective, National Bank stock is trading at a trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 12.5, and a forward P/E of 12.4, thus making it more affordable than some of its larger peers. While not the cheapest on the market, its valuation is reasonable given its growth trajectory, strong profitability, and robust financial health. Its price-to-book ratio of 1.9 remains attractive when compared to its historical averages and suggests that the stock isn’t overpriced at current levels. Looking ahead While National Bank’s fundamentals remain strong, there are areas investors should monitor heading into 2025. The gross impaired loan ratio, which increased to 68 basis points in Q4, is a sign of potential pressure in its credit portfolio. While this remains manageable, it reflects broader economic uncertainties, such as the risk of higher interest rates impacting borrowers. That said, National Bank’s conservative approach to risk management and strong cash reserves, over $163 billion in total cash, position it well to absorb any near-term shocks. Strategically, National Bank has been making moves to expand its presence in wealth management, fintech partnerships, and sustainable finance initiatives. These efforts, paired with the bank’s focus on digital transformation, are expected to support long-term growth. For instance, its investment in advanced technology and mobile banking solutions has allowed it to remain competitive in attracting younger clients while improving operational efficiency. As Canada’s economy continues to recover, these growth strategies should drive value for shareholders in the years ahead. Bottom line National Bank offers a compelling story for investors as we move into 2025. With solid earnings growth, a sustainable dividend, and a reasonable valuation, the stock remains an attractive option for both growth and income-focused investors. Some challenges lie ahead, such as rising impaired loans and margin pressures. Yet the strong capital position, strategic initiatives, and consistent performance provide confidence that it can navigate any economic turbulence. National Bank stands out as a solid Canadian investment poised to hold its own in the financial sector, especially for those seeking stability and income.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs have not been whole on offense all season, the byproduct of injuries to Marquise Brown on the very first game of the preseason and a season-ending injury to fellow wide receiver Rashee Rice at the end of September. They are close to it now. And it showed on Saturday. Brown made his regular-season debut after recovering from shoulder surgery, and made his presence felt on the first offensive series against Houston. The Chiefs were driving downfield but faced fourth-and-2 at the Texans 30, and Brown came open across the field for a 13-yard reception, resulting in a first down and eventually leading to a Kansas City touchdown. Brown went on to catch five passes for 45 yards in a 27-19 victory that pushed the Chiefs closer to the No. 1 seed in the AFC. “I thought he did a great job,” Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes said. “I missed him here and there on a couple of throws, but I thought he was getting open. He was winning against man coverage, which was huge.” In fact, as the Chiefs (14-1) prepare to visit Pittsburgh on Christmas Day, they now have a receiving group that can win against just about any coverage. Brown and first-round pick Xavier Worthy, who had seven catches for 65 yards and a score, have the game-breaking speed to beat man-to-man defenses. And three-time All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins, along with four-time All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce, have the catch radius and veteran savvy to find the holes in any sort of zone. That makes the Chiefs offense as potent as it's been all season. “Kansas City made the plays. That’s why, you know, they’re at the top echelon of the NFL,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “They found ways to win, especially in situational football. they did a really good job on third down, staying on the field.” The Chiefs finished 7 of 13 on third down. They were 3 for 5 in the red zone and 2 for 2 in goal-to-go situations. That is the kind of efficiency they have had while winning the past two Super Bowls. “What can we do? The sky's the limit,” said Worthy, who has caught at least four passes in each of his past six games. “I feel like we're a hard team to beat. We just have to keep stacking.” What’s working The Chiefs defense, which had turned opponents over just 10 times in their first 13 games, has now created eight turnovers in the past two. That included two interceptions of Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud on Saturday. “They talked about breaking the seal last week,” said Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie, who had no interceptions in his first 48 games but has now picked off a pass in each of his past two. “You get around defensive backs, they talk about how it will come in bunches. I'm seeing it play out, being in the right place at the right time.” What needs help After piling up five sacks last week against Cleveland, the Chiefs struggled to capture Stroud on Saturday. They only managed two sacks, one of which was a cornerback blitz in the closing minutes that forced Houston to punt the ball away; the Chiefs were able to run out the clock on offense without giving the Texans another chance with it. Stock up The Chiefs started All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney at tackle for the second straight week, trying to solve their problem protecting Mahomes' blind side. He played admirably against a good Houston pass rush, and that was even more important when the Chiefs had to juggle the offensive line again following right tackle Jawaan Taylor's knee strain. Stock down Running back Isiah Pacheco carried nine times for just 26 yards, and he was stuffed on third-and-1 and fourth-and-1 early in the second half, forcing a turnover on downs. Meanwhile, Kareem Hunt gained 55 yards on 11 carries and caught two passes for 24 yards, showing more versatility and explosiveness out of the backfield. Injuries DT Chris Jones (calf strain) and RT Jawaan Taylor (knee strain) did not finish the game against the Texans. LB Jack Cochrane will miss the rest of the season after fracturing his ankle. Key number 14 — The Chiefs matched the franchise record for regular-season wins, set during the 2020 season and matched two years ago. They have two opportunities to break it with Pittsburgh on Wednesday and Denver in their regular-season finale. What’s next The Chiefs visit the Steelers on Christmas Day. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLRAHWAY, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 22, 2024-- Merck (NYSE: MRK), known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, has been notified that TRC Capital Investment Corporation (TRC Capital) has commenced an unsolicited “mini-tender” offer, dated November 12, 2024, to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of Merck common stock at $96.38 per share. The offer price is approximately 4.32% below the closing price of the Merck common stock on November 11, 2024 ($100.73), the last trading day before the date of the offer, and approximately 3.48% below the closing price of the Merck common stock on November 21, 2024 ($99.86), the day prior to this release. Merck does not endorse TRC Capital’s offer and recommends that Merck shareholders reject the offer and not tender their shares in response to TRC Capital’s unsolicited mini-tender offer. This mini-tender offer is at a price below the closing price for Merck’s shares (as of the day prior to this release) and is subject to numerous conditions, including TRC Capital’s ability to obtain financing. Merck is not associated in any way with TRC Capital, its mini-tender offer or the offer documentation. TRC Capital has made similar unsolicited mini-tender offers for shares of other publicly traded companies. Mini-tender offers seek to acquire less than 5% of a company's outstanding shares. This lets the offering company avoid many of the disclosure and procedural requirements the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires for tender offers. As a result, mini-tender offers do not provide investors the same level of protections as provided by larger tender offers under U.S. federal securities laws. On its website , the SEC advises that the people behind mini tender-offers “frequently use mini-tender offers to catch shareholders off guard” and that investors “may end up selling at below-market prices.” The SEC's website also contains important tips for investors regarding mini-tender offers. Like TRC Capital’s other offers, this one puts individual investors at risk because they may not realize they are selling their shares at a discount. Merck urges shareholders to obtain current stock quotes for their shares of Merck common stock, to review the terms and conditions of the offer, to consult with their brokers or financial advisers, and to exercise caution with respect to TRC Capital’s mini-tender offer. Merck shareholders who have already tendered are advised they may withdraw their shares by following the procedures for withdrawal described in the TRC Capital offer documents prior to the expiration of the offer, which is currently scheduled for 11:59 a.m. EST on December 11, 2024. Merck encourages brokers, dealers, and other investors to review the SEC’s letter regarding broker-dealer mini-tender offer dissemination and disclosure. Merck requests that a copy of this news release be included with all distribution of materials related to TRC Capital’s offer for shares of Merck common stock. About Merck At Merck, known as MSD outside of the United States and Canada, we are unified around our purpose: We use the power of leading-edge science to save and improve lives around the world. For more than 130 years, we have brought hope to humanity through the development of important medicines and vaccines. We aspire to be the premier research-intensive biopharmaceutical company in the world – and today, we are at the forefront of research to deliver innovative health solutions that advance the prevention and treatment of diseases in people and animals. We foster a diverse and inclusive global workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable and healthy future for all people and communities. For more information, visit www.merck.com and connect with us on X (formerly Twitter) , Facebook , Instagram , YouTube and LinkedIn . Forward-Looking Statement of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA This news release of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (the “company”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of the company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to, general industry conditions and competition; general economic factors, including interest rate and currency exchange rate fluctuations; the impact of pharmaceutical industry regulation and health care legislation in the United States and internationally; global trends toward health care cost containment; technological advances, new products and patents attained by competitors; challenges inherent in new product development, including obtaining regulatory approval; the company’s ability to accurately predict future market conditions; manufacturing difficulties or delays; financial instability of international economies and sovereign risk; dependence on the effectiveness of the company’s patents and other protections for innovative products; and the exposure to litigation, including patent litigation, and/or regulatory actions. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and the company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) available at the SEC’s Internet site ( www.sec.gov ). View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241122275388/en/ CONTACT: Media Contacts:Robert Josephson (203) 914-2372 robert.josephson@merck.comMichael Levey (215) 872-1462 michael.levey@merck.comInvestor Contacts:Peter Dannenbaum (732) 594-1579 peter.dannenbaum@merck.comSteven Graziano (732) 594-1583 steven.graziano@merck.com KEYWORD: NEW JERSEY UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES HEALTH FINANCE GENERAL HEALTH PHARMACEUTICAL BIOTECHNOLOGY SOURCE: Merck & Co., Inc. Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/22/2024 04:17 PM/DISC: 11/22/2024 04:17 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241122275388/en
A Canadian criminologist who once worked on inland immigration enforcement for the Canada Border Services Agency says Canada needs to better track foreign nationals who arrive in the country on student visas. Kelly Sundberg, a professor at Mount Royal University, says it does not surprise him at all that Indian law enforcement agencies are investigating links between Canadian colleges and a scheme to ferry international students across the Canada-U. S. border. India's Enforcement Directorate said on Tuesday it had uncovered evidence of human trafficking after probing the Indian connection to a family that died in a frigid winter trying to cross the border from Manitoba into Minnesota in 2022. Neither Public Safety Canada nor the RCMP would comment on the allegations Friday, which have not been proven in court. Sundberg says Canada needs to collect biometric data of people coming to Canada, tie that to immigration documents, and have a way of determining when people leave the country. These latest allegations land as Canada is making major changes to its immigration system, including significant cutbacks on the number of student visas it issues. At an immigration committee meeting last month, the Conservatives asked how Canada tracks international students if they leave the country. Immigration Minister Marc Miller said the vast majority of people on temporary visas, including students, leave once their visa expires. He said there is work to do to curb asylum claims from international students. The problem of people crossing into the U.S. illegally has also become a thorn in the Canada-U.S. relationship ahead of the return of Donald Trump as president next month. Trump has threatened steep tariffs on all Canadian goods if Canada doesn't do more to end illegal border crossings and the flow of illegal drugs into the United States. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 27, 2024. -With files from Dylan Robertson
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Syria's U.S.-backed Kurdish coalition faces an uncertain future after Assad's ousterLefties -- unable to cope with electoral defeat and different opinions -- are leaving X and going over to Bluesky, an alternative social media platform that is really just an echo chamber for some of the most unhinged Leftists we've ever seen . Dissent and diversity of thought are labeled 'intolerance' and stating the biological fact there are only two genders gets you banned within seconds. But sometimes, it's just downright pathetically funny. Like this: New line uploaded to the NPCs. pic.twitter.com/sQNK4fVdX0 Good Lord. There are a few things to parse here, so let's get to it: For starters, the fact they're all reposting the exact same thing shows how incapable of independent thought they really are. It's like the talking points memo goes out and they all repeat it ad nauseam without thinking because Donald Trump lives rent-free in their heads. And, of course, there's the snobbery: 'Har har! Those stupid MAGA morons don't know where the library is! We're so smart!' But are they really? Nope. Their bug out plan for literal CIVIL WAR -- where resources are limited, food and water will be scarce, and things will get violent and ugly really quick -- is to go to the library. Where there's no food, no weapons, and other limited resources. Look, this writer loves the library. She takes her son once a month for a few books so he can read ( she's been told that's privileged and racist ). It's a great place. It's not where she'd go if there was a civil war. She'd stockpile food, bottled water, and ammo. Then again, these are the same people who tried to 'farm' in the Seattle CHAZ by throwing some dirt on cardboard . Survival skills are not their forte, clearly. So we're not gonna tell the Lefties what to do. If they want to go into battle by hurling copies of The Communist Manifesto at their opponents, be our guest. We suppose you can burn the books for heat so you stay warm while you starve to death. Hee hee...one of the things that undid them is the skeeters unshakeable belief (despite contradictory evidence) that they are smart. They don't even rise to the level of mediocrity - but don't burst their bubble. Let them keep doing our work for us. We agree. In advance, I want to say I appreciate the enemy all gathering in one place. Bonus: Their battle with the bums who live inside the libraries will weaken their ranks. That and the starvation. The library is down by the big crossroads. It's where early voting happened this year. All of us "they" types know where it is. Look, we're not exactly dealing with Albert Einstein here. Well the library is half a block away, & I live “on the high ground”.... You win. Sounds like they got the echo chamber up and running in record time... How long before they get bored and begin to eat each other? They already are. I know where all the libraries are. I was one of those racist parents that read to her children to give them an “unfair head start” in school. https://t.co/v4mZNBOl20 Girl, same. If Civil War breaks out, meet me at the library to point and laugh. https://t.co/go7lb1bPZ2 It's a date. If civil war breaks out, you can find all the soft, unarmed idiots at the library telling each other what their pronouns are. https://t.co/Z8P3JSDkN1 Where they're sitting ducks. This is rich because I've never seen a lefty discuss anything more complex than a marvel movie while 4chan will regular have nuanced debate of obscure medieval texts. https://t.co/08MeQPq3Dt They think they're so smart. They're not.NEW YORK (AP) — The masked gunman who stalked and killed the head of one of the largest U.S. health insurers had the words “deny,” “defend” and “depose” emblazoned on his ammunition, echoing a phrase used by industry critics, two law enforcement officials said Thursday. The words were written in permanent marker, according to one of the officials, who were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation into the shooting early Wednesday outside a Manhattan hotel and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity. With the gunman still at large, police also released photos of a "person of interest" wanted for questioning in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson . The images, showing an unmasked man in the lobby of a Manhattan hostel, add to a collection of photos and video that have circulated since the shooting — including footage of the attack itself, as well as still frames of the suspected gunman stopping at a Starbucks beforehand. Thompson, 50, died in a dawn ambush as he walked from his midtown hotel to the company’s annual investor conference at a Hilton across the street, blocks from tourist draws such as Radio City Music Hall, the Museum of Modern Art and Rockefeller Center, where the famed Christmas tree was lit Wednesday night. The reason for the killing remained unknown , but New York City police say evidence firmly points to it being a targeted attack. The messages on the ammunition mimic the phrase “delay, deny, defend,” which is commonly used by lawyers and insurance industry critics to describe tactics used to avoid paying claims. It refers to insurers delaying payment, denying a claim and then defending their actions. Health insurers like UnitedHealthcare have become frequent targets of criticism from doctors and patients for denying claims or complicating access to care. Investigators recovered several 9 mm shell casings from outside the Hilton and a cellphone from the alleyway through which the shooter fled. Inside a nearby trash can, they found a water bottle and protein bar wrapper that they say the gunman purchased from Starbucks minutes before the shooting. The city's crime lab is examining those items for DNA and fingerprints. The killing and the shooter’s movements in the minutes before and afterward were captured on some of the multitude of security cameras in that part of the city. The shooter fled on a bicycle and was last seen riding into Central Park. A tip that the shooter may have stayed at a hostel brought police Thursday morning to at least two such establishments on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, according to one of the law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation. The photos made public Thursday were taken in the lobby of the HI New York City hostel. “We are fully cooperating with the NYPD and, as this is an active investigation, can not comment at this time,” hostel spokesperson Danielle Brumfitt said in an emailed statement. Members of the public have flooded police with tips — many unfounded. Police searched a Long Island Rail Road train Wednesday night after a commuter claimed to have spotted the shooter, but they found no sign of the gunman. “We’re following up on every single tip that comes in,” Assistant Commissioner Carlos Nieves, a police spokesperson, said. ”That little piece of information could be the missing piece of the puzzle that ties everything together.” Based on surveillance video and evidence from the scene, investigators believe the shooter had at least some firearms training and experience with guns and that the weapon was equipped with a silencer, one of the law enforcement officials told the AP. Investigators were also looking into whether the suspect had pre-positioned a bike as part of an escape plan, the official said. Security video shows the killer approaching Thompson from behind, leveling his pistol and firing several shots, barely pausing to clear a gun jam while the executive tumbled to the sidewalk. Cameras showed him fleeing the block across a pedestrian plaza before getting on the bicycle. Police released several images of the man wearing a hooded jacket and a mask that concealed most of his face — a look that would not have attracted attention on a chilly morning. They've also used drones, helicopters and dogs in an intensive search for the killer, while also interviewing Thompson's coworkers, searching his hotel room and scouring his social media. Thompson, a father of two sons who lived in a Minneapolis suburb, had been with Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare since 2004 and served as CEO for more than three years. His wife, Paulette, told NBC News on Wednesday that he told her “there were some people that had been threatening him.” She didn’t have details but suggested the threats may have involved issues with insurance coverage. The insurer’s parent company, UnitedHealth Group Inc., was holding its annual meeting in New York to update investors on its direction and expectations for the coming year. The company ended the conference early in the wake of Thompson’s death. UnitedHealthcare provides coverage for more than 49 million Americans and brought in more than $281 billion in revenue last year. It is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans in the U.S. and manages health insurance coverage for employers and state and federally funded Medicaid programs. In October, UnitedHealthcare was named along with Humana and CVS in a Senate report detailing how its denial rate for prior authorizations for some Medicare Advantage patients has surged in recent years. Balsamo reported from Washington.
The Detroit Lions announced some roster moves on Saturday, as rookie cornerback Ennis Rakestraw Jr. has been placed on injured reserve and fellow cornerback Emmanuel Moseley has been activated. Rakestraw was ruled out of Friday's practice and ahead of Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts with a hamstring injury. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Thanks for the feedback.MINNEAPOLIS — President Biden signed the Stop Campus Hazing Act into law earlier this week — a piece of legislation that will combat a serious and sometimes deadly issue on college campuses. The bipartisan bill was first introduced by U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana in September with the aim of forcing colleges and universities to disclose how many hazing incidents happen on their campus each year. The bill will also increase transparency by providing better information about hazing incidents at student organizations. "When parents send their kids away to college, they expect they will get a good education and make new friends. They don't expect them to be harassed and hazed," said Klobuchar. "Unfortunately, hazing is a dangerous—and at times deadly—reality that students are confronted with. After years of effort from parents, students, advocates and lawmakers, our bipartisan legislation to improve hazing prevention efforts on college campuses has now been signed into law." In 2021, Minnesota student Danny Santulli became a victim of hazing after deciding to join the fraternity Phi Gamma Delta. According to a lawsuit filed after the incident, Santulli was forced to drink an entire bottle of vodka which resulted in a coma. Santulli woke up from his coma, but as a result of the hazing he is unable to walk, talk or see. Santulli's parents, Mary Pat and Tom Santulli, have been advocates of better hazing legislation since. "If my wife or I had known of the many sanctions that were against the fraternity that Danny was pledging, we would have never allowed him to pledge that fraternity. Parents and incoming students have the right to know the background of any organization they are going to join," said Tom and Mary Pat Santulli. Note: The video above first aired in Dec. 26. Chloe is a digital producer at CBS Minnesota in Minneapolis and has worked in numerous positions at the station, including Assignment Editor, Digital Line Producer and Web Producer. She started her career at CBS Minnesota in 2015.
Elon Musk's defense of the H-1B visa as a necessary component to empower the American tech workforce has come under scrutiny, especially in light of the lack of such visas needed to keep SpaceX at the top of its field in space exploration and rocket engineering. Why It Matters Musk, along with Vivek Ramaswamy, has been at odds with MAGA faithful over the issue of H-1B visas, which allow foreign workers with specified skillsets to live and work in the United States so long as they have an employer willing to sponsor them. Musk himself benefited greatly from the H-1B visa program, having first entered the U.S. on a J-1 academic visa that he says changed to an H-1B visa. Some of his companies, such as Tesla , rely on the program for their workforce: Tesla brought in 724 employees in 2023 on H-1B visas. However, he also represents a counter-example in his company Space Exploration Technologies Corp., known colloquially as SpaceX. What To Know SpaceX, which is privately held, has an estimated market capitalization of roughly $350 billion , based on a secondary share sale. That would make it one of the top 30 companies by market cap in the country (private companies do not have to publicly release detailed financial data). The company has had a banner year: its Starlink satellite-based internet constellation has grown into a behemoth as traffic tripled in 2024, with Musk himself estimating Starlink could represent at least half of SpaceX's overall valuation. In October SpaceX also demonstrated the reusability of its Starship rocket technology by "catching" its booster with mechanical arms for the first time. To reach those and other milestones, SpaceX has hired just 17 H-1B workers between 2011 and 2024, according to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Data on the service's website shows a single H-1B rejection in that period. This is largely because the U.S. has for years mandated the hiring of U.S. citizens and green-card holders over foreign workers for certain sensitive industries and technologies, such as defense, under a set of regulations known as International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). SpaceX is a significant defense contractor. Other defense contractors operate with similarly few foreign workers. Northrop Grumman does not even come up in the H-1B database, while Lockheed Martin, one of the largest defense contractors in the country, had a grand total of 11 H-1B visas approved. Boeing had just under 100 H-1B visas approved since 2009. Newsweek reached out to SpaceX, Elon Musk and Northrop Grumman by email for comment on Friday morning. By comparison, Big Tech companies that do not contract with the federal government on defense in any significant way have higher numbers: Spotify has had dozens of approved H-1B visas almost every year, especially after the pandemic, with 35 approved in 2020, 43 approved in 2021, 45 approved in 2022, 22 approved in 2023 and 41 approved in 2024. Google pulled around 1,043 H-1B visa approvals in 2024 alone, while the IT consulting firm Cognizant secured 6,321 H-1B approvals this year. What People Are Saying President-elect Donald Trump earlier this year said that anyone graduating from a U.S. college should get a green card automatically in order to keep jobs in the U.S.: "If you graduate from a U.S. college—two-year, four-year, or doctoral—you should automatically get a green card to stay," Trump said during an appearance on "The All-In Podcast" in June. "Too often, talented grads are forced to leave and start billion-dollar companies in India or China instead of here. That success and those jobs should be in America." David Axelrod, President Barack Obama's chief campaign strategist and former Senior Advisor to the President in the White House, wrote on X Friday: "This was one of the inevitable schisms between Elon and the billionaire techies who funded Trump's campaign, and the voters who elected him. They are globalists bankrolling a populist movement for their own purposes." Ed Krassenstein, a Trump-critical influencer, wrote on X Friday: "MAGA is outraged that Elon Musk is pro H-1B Visa. Someone should tell them that Trump Organization and Trump's Mar-a-Lag resorts frequently used H-1B visas to hire employees from outside of America." What Happens Next Musk and Ramaswamy, who have been given charge of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) , have continued to press their case even against the backdrop of a days-long MAGA backlash over the need for H-1B labor. The president-elect, meanwhile, has been quiet on the issue since his remarks during the campaign. Trump will have wide authority to rework the H-1B system should he want it, using executive orders as he did in 2020. Update, 12/27/24 at 2:36 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to correct a spelling error.
Luke Humphries stormed into the fourth round of the World Darts Championship with a straight-sets win over Nick Kenny, on the same night Gerwyn Price triumphed in a thrilling final-leg decider against Joe Cullen. World No 1 Humphries won nine of the last 10 legs and averaged 98.59 in powering to a 4-0 victory over Kenny, setting up a corker of a last-16 clash between the defending champion and two-time winner Peter Wright. Wright, despite visibly battling illness, put in arguably his best performance of a difficult 2024 when beating Jermaine Wattimena 4-2. World Darts Championship: Day 10 Evening Results Price overcomes Cullen despite 'Big Fish' in epic finish Earlier, Price came through a remarkable opening match against Cullen in which he coughed up a 3-0 lead in sets and spurned three match darts while being broken three times when throwing for the match. Two of those missed match darts preceded an incredible 170 ' Big Fish ' finish from Cullen - only a second for the tournament - that levelled the final set at 5-5 and forced a sudden-death leg. Trending It was 2021 winner Price, however, who would finally secure his spot in the fourth round with a seventh-straight break of throw as he finally found tops with his fourth match dart, setting up a meeting with fellow Welshman Jonny Clayton next. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player "The crowd were well behind him, and I actually thought I was going to lose that game," Price said afterwards. Also See: Full schedule: World Darts Championship Stream the World Darts Championship with no contract Bunting cruises into fourth round at Alexandra Palace Heta's spectacular nine-darts | Best Darts videos "I put myself in that position, but I got myself out of it. I kept in it right till the end and thankfully got the win. "I've got a lot more in the tank and I'll play a lot better than I played tonight. I did enough to win - and I'm just happy with that." Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player In the evening's second match, Wright produced a performance that belied his health struggles, 'Snakebite' apologetically denying the crowd his trademark walk-on dance moves before coughing his way through his win over Wattimena. The 2020 and 2022 champion averaged an impressive 96.19, and while Wattimena himself was up at 96.50, it was Wright who delivered in the key moments to keep the Dutchman at bay. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player He will now face Humphries in the next round who, despite not producing his very best darts, made light work of Kenny in the final contest of Friday night. The reigning champion stole the first set with a final-leg break of throw after a costly Kenny missed dart at double 16, while he was broken to start the second but any thoughts of a closely-contested battle were swiftly put to bed as Humphries reeled off nine of the next 10 legs - including a 145 checkout in the fourth set. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Humphries relishing Wright clash | 'So much more to give' "It was one of those games where I didn't want to take it for granted," Humphries said. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player "I wasn't firing. I felt there was so much more to give, it just wasn't coming out of me, but a solid performance. As long as I can keep winning every set, no sets lost, is all that matters. "I'm not going to give up this world title without a fight. It's not my best, but when someone pushes me I know I can provide the goods." Looking ahead to his meeting with Wright, Humphries added: "He said a few things in the last round. He said Barney [Raymond van Barneveld] was going to smash me and that he was going to smash Jermaine [Wattimena]. "He said he don't fear me and Luke Littler, so we'll see when we play again." Bunting cruises into fourth round after Heta hits nine-darter in defeat In the afternoon session, Stephen Bunting cruised into the fourth round with victory over Latvia's Madars Razma, while Damon Heta threw a sensational nine-darter in defeat to Luke Woodhouse. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Bunting is one of the dark horses for the tournament, particularly as half of the original 32 seeds are already out, and he saw off Razma 4-1 despite not being at his best. World Darts Championship: Day 10 Afternoon Results The former Lakeside champion - whose previous best run at Alexandra Palace came in 2021 when reaching the semi-finals - will play Woodhouse next after he roared back from 3-1 down, rattling off nine legs on the spin to beat Heta 4-3 and reach the last 16 for the first time in his career. The first match after the short Christmas break saw Heta produce the second perfect leg at this year's tournament, sending the Ally Pally crowd into raptures during the second set - Woodhouse also celebrating wildly in a special moment. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Dutchman Christian Kist made the first perfect leg in the opening round last week and also lost his match. The record for the most nine-darters at the World Championship is three in 2022, so one more would equal that feat. PDC World Darts Championship nine-darters Heta does win £60,000 for his nine-darter though, as did a lucky fan in the Ally Pally crowd, with tournament sponsors Paddy Power also donating £60,000 to Prostate Cancer to mark the moment. Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player The other match of the afternoon was won by Clayton as he held off a fightback from Northern Ireland's Daryl Gurney to win 4-3. Who will win the Paddy Power World Darts Championship? Watch every match exclusively live until Friday, January 3 on Sky Sports' dedicated darts channel. Stream darts and more top sport with NOWHouse rejects Democratic efforts to force release of Matt Gaetz ethics report