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winph99. com Trump asks Supreme Court to delay TikTok ban so he can weigh in after he takes office

The Los Angeles Lakers have traded veteran point guard D'Angelo Russell and three second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for wing Dorian Finney-Smith and guard Shake Milton . The deal ends Russell's tumultuous second tenure with the Lakers, which has been defined by constant trade rumors as the team has struggled to replicate the success of its 2023 trip to the Western Conference finals. In his place, the Lakers land Finney-Smith, a solid supporting wing who does just what the Lakers need. Though his 3-point shooting is somewhat inconsistent, Finney-Smith is making 43.5% of his triples thus far this season, and he was doing that on a Nets team with pretty limited shot-creation. Now he'll have LeBron James to set him up from deep, potentially recreating the success he had with Luka Doncic on the Dallas Mavericks . Defensively, Finney-Smith is a long and sturdy 6-foot-7 wing. While not quite as quick as he was earlier in his career, he should form a nice pairing with Max Christie , who is now 7-2 as a starter this season. Christie isn't quite as strong as Finney-Smith, but he's better suited to defending small guards, and now that his shooting has stabilized, the two figure to form a versatile duo of supporting wings with James, Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves serving as the team's primary scorers. Russell, meanwhile, returns to Brooklyn, where he was an All-Star in 2019 and figures to replace Dennis Schroder , who was traded to the Golden State Warriors , as the stabilizing, veteran guard in their lineup. How long he will stick with the Nets, however, remains to be seen. Part of the reason the Nets traded Schroder in the first place was because his presence was winning them too many games. The Nets traded a bounty of future picks from other teams to regain control of their own first-round picks in 2025 and 2026, so losing is the goal in Brooklyn right now. Where Russell fits into that, it's too early to say, but if there is further interest in him on the trade market, the Nets are likely to explore it. Both the Nets and Lakers will likely continue exploring the market overall. The Lakers have been looking for a true backup center to potentially play some minutes with Davis, but mostly to spell him while he rests. The Nets still have other veterans who could return sizable trade packages, most notably Cam Johnson. For now, though, the deal makes sense for both sides. The Nets continue their rebuild while the Lakers take a step towards contention.When the Lower Boise Watershed Council first set goals for improving water quality in the Lower Boise River in the 2000s, the challenge seemed profoundly daunting for all concerned. At the time, the Lower Boise River did not meet state or federal water quality standards for temperature, sediment, phosphorous and bacteria. Municipal wastewater treatment plants from Boise, Nampa, Meridian and other cities were all discharging increasing amounts of Class A treated water to the Boise River due to population growth. Agricultural return flows, drains and river-side livestock operations caused the Lower Boise to run chocolate brown below Caldwell and Middleton, carrying heavy loads of sediment and phosphorous into the river. Water quality standards initially developed through Total Maximum Daily Load baseline plans created by the Idaho Soil and Water Conservation Commission and the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality in 2003 and 2009 projected it would take 140 years to reach recommended water quality standards just for total phosphorous, for example. “I didn’t ever think I’d see the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Dan Steenson, an attorney for Nampa-Meridian Irrigation District who has served agricultural interests on the Lower Boise Watershed Council for more than 20 years. Lower Boise farmers and ranchers were not required to make immediate improvements from a legal and regulatory standpoint, but as an attorney, Steenson knew that the ag producers could be vulnerable to a lawsuit under the Clean Water Act. So in 2009, he rolled up his sleeves to work together with the members of the Lower Boise Watershed Council, the cities, the Canyon Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Idaho Legislature to beef-up funding for ag-based conservation projects in the area. “My thought was our best defense would be to create a good offense with more funding for the implementation of conservation projects in the Lower Boise River watershed,” Steenson said. “Participation is voluntary for ag groups, but the cities were spending hundreds of millions of dollars to make water quality improvements, and it made sense for us to do what we could to make improvements. “Today, we can show that ag has stepped up, and there have been significant reductions in sediment and phosphorous levels in the Lower Boise River.” Indeed, recent U.S. Geological Survey data included in a 2024 report on the Lower Boise River water quality from the Lower Boise Watershed Council and Idaho DEQ show a strong trendline of substantial water quality improvements since 2009. On the ag side, approximately 60 conservation projects have been implemented on Lower Boise River farms and ranches with more than $10 million invested to treat 18,600 acres of land, reducing sediment by 25,500 tons per year and total phosphorous loads of 53,770 pounds per year, according to the 2024 Lower Boise River Total Maximum Daily Load Implementation Plan, authored by the Lower Boise Watershed Council and Idaho DEQ. Many of those improvements have been made via converting flood-irrigated lands to more efficient pivot irrigation systems and installing livestock best management practices such as riparian fencing or off-stream water troughs. In addition, there’s also been a major increase in no-till, direct-seed farming in the lower Boise River area. Over the last 10 years, the implementation of ag best management practices on farms, including pivots, has reduced total phosphorous levels by 92,896 pounds, a savings of 9,290 pounds per year. Urbanization is playing a big role, too. The growth of subdivisions in the Lower Boise area is playing a big factor in reducing sediment and phosphorous loads. Farms converted to subdivisions over the last 10 years have taken about 36,000 acres of land out of production, resulting in a reduction of 216,828 pounds of total phosphorous, according to the Lower Boise DEQ report. Combined, best management practices projects and urbanization have resulted in a total phosphorous reduction of 412,392 pounds per year in the Lower Boise River over the last 10 years. Now Steenson can see the light at the end of the tunnel. “With continued implementation of our water-quality improvement projects and urbanization, we’re seeing that we could reach our total phosphorous goals within a 30 year period,” he said. The Lower Boise Watershed Council, combining their efforts with the Canyon Soil and Conservation District to improve water quality on ag lands, operate like a well-oiled machine – the council wins a steady stream funding for conservation projects, the Canyon district has a roster of landowners ready to step up and implement projects. The Canyon district has seasoned conservation professionals on staff to plan and implement projects with the landowners. “I think they’re making really good headway, and I think we all are,” said Jeff Barnes, Director of Water Resources for the city of Nampa and secretary of the Lower Boise Watershed Council. “The funding that they have secured for ag conservation projects is super helpful in directly helping farmers and ranchers in basin. “Everybody’s chipping in, and it’s going to lead to a healthier river.” Short- and long-range plans for the Lower Boise Watershed identify the highest-priority areas for treatment by sub-watershed. The U.S. Geological Survey has set up additional water-quality monitoring stations to track progress. Stan Haye, a soil conservation technician for Canyon Soil and Conservation District, has a strong working knowledge of which state and federal funding programs will work best for producers, having worked with and for farmers, canal companies and the Natural Resources Conservation Services in the past. He stays busy working with landowners to implement a steady stream of new conservation projects. “It’s been fun for me, I’m really enjoying it,” Haye says. “I really like working with farmers to install soil and water conservation projects at the ground level. We have a good relationship with our ag partners, and they get me new producers all the time who are interested in making improvements on their farms.” The Lower Boise Watershed Council has been tapping into several key funding sources for the on-farm conservation work, beginning with Section 319 grant projects funded by the Environmental Protection Agency/Idaho DEQ, the Commission’s Water Quality Program for Agriculture grant program, and NRCS EQIP funding. During the Recession in 2009-2012, the Commission’s Water Quality Program funding was suspended. In the meantime, Steenson worked with water users to create the State Agriculture best management practices grant fund, administered by Idaho DEQ. The Water Quality Program for Agriculture grant program was restored in 2021-2024. “Since 2009, the Lower Boise Watershed Council has had a consistent flow of grant money to use for ag conservation projects, partnering with farmers to make improvements,” Steenson said. “Knowing that we can count on consistent funding, it’s easier to plan and implement projects in partnership with the Canyon Soil and Water Conservation District. They’ve got great connections with farmers and ranchers who are ready to implement projects.” Jeff Johnson, a Canyon County cattle rancher, recently completed a conservation project that converts a flood irrigation system to three pivots, utilizing funds from the Water Quality Program for Agriculture, Lower Boise Watershed Council, and the landowner. The project also involves installing a new pumping station with a Variable Frequency Drive technology for water-efficiency, a water-control structure and filtering systems. Johnson is converting an open-ditch irrigation system to 1,750 feet of buried pipelines for additional water savings. “Converting to buried pipelines from open ditches further exemplifies water savings of the water supply by yielding no loss at all,” Haye said. The project location is directly adjacent to the lower Boise River. “The goal of this project will be not only to improve the water use efficiency of the landowner’s operation but make a considerable impact in reducing the amount of sediment and nutrients from running into the lower Boise River,” he said. The project also will improve operations and crop yield on the 136-acre farm. By converting to sprinkler irrigation through center pivots, the water savings is estimated to be one to two acre-feet per acre, while crop production will increase between 12 and 20 percent, depending on the crop. The benefits analysis indicates that pre-project, the sediment loading was 4 tons per acre. By converting the 136-acre farm parcel to sprinkler irrigation will prevent 551 tons of sediment, 1,100 pounds of phosphorus, and 1,763 pounds of nitrogen from flowing into the Boise River each year. While the water quality improvements are significant, Haye said the big incentives for producers to convert to pivot irrigation are reduced labor costs, water efficiencies and often times, increased crop yields. Chris Gross raises mint, as well as wheat, beans, carrot seed, teff and popcorn seed on her farm in Canyon County near Wilder. With a Water Quality Program for Agriculture grant, she wanted to explore installing a drip-irrigation system on two fields that were previously flood-irrigated. The $290,000 project received funds from Water Quality Program for Agriculture, the Mint Research Industry Council, AM Todd (Mint Buyer), and Gross to convert two separate parcels, one 48 acres, and another 30 acres (approximately one mile apart), from flood-irrigated cropland to a drip-tape irrigation system. The new irrigation system includes a buried mainline at both field locations that converts a concrete/open ditch conveyance system to a buried pipeline. “This was really more of an experimental project to see how it worked with raising the mint crop. It’s very labor-intensive,” Gross said. “We see it as a pilot project that others could learn from.” The time and cost of installing the drip tape system in the fields was too high to justify normally, she said, because the income from the mint crop wouldn’t cover the cost. But there were water savings and water quality benefits to the Lower Boise River from converting to the drip system. The project reduced sediment by 226 tons/year, nitrogen by 361 pounds/year and phosphorous by 723 pounds/year, the grant report said. The Canyon Soil Conservation District has three no-till direct-seed drills that are available for rent in the Lower Boise area and beyond – a 6-foot drill, a 12-foot drill and a 15-foot drill. A map of no-till projects shows that the practice is becoming more widespread. “We have dairies that are seeding triticale behind the corn crop to keep a cover on the soil,” Haye said. “We also have producers who are seeding triticale following a wheat crop. Some landowners with cattle are seeding cover crops following wheat harvest, and then grazing the cover crop. And some are drilling in alfalfa.” Jeff Johnson is one cattle producer in the Lower Boise who is grazing cattle on cover crops. He said that is working well on some hilly cropland he has near Parma. “It helps with holding the soil in place,” he said. Boise River Flood Control District #10 is another partner in the Lower Boise River Watershed Council. It gets funds through the Idaho Water Resource Board’s Flood Management Grant Program for a variety of projects that reduce sediment via streambank repairs on the Lower Boise River. Flood #10 has two projects on tap for the winter of 2024-25 in the Middleton area that will address streambank erosion with a series of bank barbs and rock rip rap to deflect the force of the main current of the river away from the streambank. One project will address streambank erosion on 80 feet of the river on the Mulchay property with two bank barbs and some gravel removal; a second project will address 280 feet of eroding riverbank with three bank barbs and some gravel removal. Boise River Flood Control District #10 recently completed a $350,000 flood management project on the Boise River near Middleton to enhance river flow and prevent bank erosion on private property. Half of the project’s cost was funded by a $175,000 flood management grant from the Idaho Water Resource Board. Contractors for Flood #10 recently finished in-stream and riverbank-restoration work, including the integration of willows and riparian vegetation for bank stability. They also removed approximately 48,000 cubic yards of gravel in a 3⁄4-mile section of the Boise River. A graphic from the 2024 Implementation Plan shows water-quality trends for the main Boise River and its tributaries. For the main-stem Lower Boise River, the trends for most non-point sources are improving (shown in blue); the same is true for most of the tributaries. It takes a team effort to improve water quality in the watershed, Barnes noted. “The Lower Boise Watershed Council is a great group of people working together toward a common goal. What I’ve noticed is that we have really good communication between all of the groups and agencies involved on the Council. In my experience, that’s extremely rare.”

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The Nasdaq ( ^IXIC ) and S&P 500 ( ^GSPC ) closed at record highs on Monday as stocks kicked off the final month of a banner 2024 on a high note. The S&P 500 edged up 0.2% to extend its recent record , while the Dow Jones Industrial Average ( ^DJI ) slipped almost 0.3% from its recent all-time closing high. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite popped almost 1%, with Apple ( AAPL ) shares also touching a record. Other tech stocks gained including Tesla ( TSLA ) and Meta ( META ), both up more than 3%. The S&P 500 and Dow are entering December on a roll, having ended November with their best monthly gains in a year. The rally got a boost last month thanks to optimism around President-elect Donald Trump's victory. Year to date, the benchmark S&P is up over 25%, while the Dow has gained nearly 20%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq has gained nearly 30%. In individual stocks, shares in Jeep maker Stellantis ( STLA ) sank after CEO Carlos Tavares suddenly resigned . Meanwhile, Intel ( INTC ) stock ended lower after the company said its CEO, Pat Gelsinger, had retired from the struggling chipmaker. Investors are starting to count down to the November jobs report on Friday, a key input for the Federal Reserve's policy making, as well as to job openings and private payrolls readings. A surprise monthly jobs print could reset the expectations for rate cuts that have supported stocks' stellar performance this year. That said, bets on a slower path of Fed easing haven't made a significant dent in the recent appetite for stocks. Meanwhile, the dollar ( DX=F ) climbed as investors assessed Trump's latest tariff threat. The incoming president warned BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) not to create a rival to the US currency , saying on Saturday that they will face 100% tariffs if they move away from it. Trump has already put markets on alert with promises to hit Canada , Mexico , and China with big new tariffs . By subscribing, you are agreeing to Yahoo's Terms and Privacy Policy The Nasdaq and S&P 500 closed at record highs on Monday as investors looked ahead towards a crucial jobs report later this week. The S&P 500 ( ^GSPC ) rose 0.2% to notch a new all-time closing high while the Dow Jones Industrial Average ( ^DJI ) slipped almost 0.3%. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite ( ^IXIC ) popped nearly 1% with tech stocks leading the gains. The "Magnificent Seven" stocks gained, with Apple ( AAPL ) touching new highs. Tesla ( TSLA ) shares also gained on the heels of bullish calls. Nvidia ( NVDA ) shares closed just above the flat line. On Friday, investors will receive crucial labor market data, which could give the Federal Reserve more clues on whether it should hold rates steady or continue its cutting cycle. The Federal Open Market Committee will meet later this month. Fed governor Christopher Waller said on Monday he's leaning toward supporting another rate cut, but he may change his mind if inflation data surprises to the upside. Federal Reserve governor Christopher Waller said on Monday he leans toward supporting another rate cut when the Federal Open Market Committee meets this month, but he may change his mind if inflation data surprises to the upside. "Based on the economic data in hand today and forecasts that show that inflation will continue on its downward path to 2% over the medium term, at present I lean toward supporting a cut to the policy rate at our December meeting," Waller said during prepared remarks at a conference in D.C. on Monday. He went on to say, "But that decision will depend on whether data that we will receive before then surprises to the upside and alters my forecast for the path of inflation." “I will be watching the incoming data closely over the next couple weeks to help me make my decision as to what path to take,” added Waller. The FOMC is expected to meet on Dec 17 and 18. Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul reports: Donald Trump's latest tariff threat appears to have stemmed at least in part from a nascent blockchain-based entrant into the influential world of global financial messaging. The president-elect's move came in a Saturday afternoon post where he promised 100% tariffs on countries looking to move away from the dollar. "[A]ny Country that tries should wave goodbye to America," he wrote . The target was an organization called BRICS, which currently boasts 10 nations and is led by the Western adversaries of China and Russia. One new product offering appears to be a key stumbling block. Read more here. Yahoo Finance's Hamza Shaban reports; The end of the holiday weekend added two fresh examples of a historic shift on Wall Street: More CEOs than ever are heading for the exits. Over the past 24 hours, the leaders of chipmaker Intel ( INTC ) and auto giant Stellantis ( STLA ) have both announced their departures, bolstering the CEO turnover tally. The leadership changes highlight the idiosyncrasies and challenges of each company — from a struggling auto lineup to a too-late computer chip turnaround. But they also reflect a broader trend across corporate America. Read more here. Yahoo Finance's Pras Subramanian reports: The Stellantis ( STLA ) 2024 roller coaster hit a new low with CEO Carlos Tavares’s abrupt resignation on Sunday. Stellantis’ senior independent director Henri de Castries said in a statement that “in recent weeks different views have emerged,” which have resulted in the board and Tavares parting ways. “Speculation is likely to be rife as to what has happened, but it was already known that Tavares would resign in 2026 at the end of his contract and a search for his successor was underway. That leaves the main question — why now?” HSBC analyst Mike Tyndall wrote in a short note Monday morning. Read more here. Super Micro Computer ( SMCI ) stock jumped to a session high by mid-day trading on Monday, gaining more than 30% after the server maker announced that the final findings from an independent review of its business found no evidence of fraud or misconduct. The company, which partners with Nvidia ( NVDA ) to provide high-tech servers with its AI chips, also said it will look for a new chief financial officer based on recommendations of the special committee conducting the review. Its current financial chief, David Weigand, will continue to serve in that position until his successor is appointed. The S&P 500 Consumer Discretionary ( XLY ) sector hit an all-time high on Monday. XLY, which houses names like Amazon ( AMZN ) and Tesla ( TSLA ), was up roughly 1% during the session. Year to date, the sector has gained more than 25%. US manufacturing activity may be slowly climbing out of its slump. On Monday, the ISM Manufacturing PMI showed a reading of 48.4 in November, an increase from the 46.5 seen last month and above economists' expectations for a reading of 47.5. This marked the highest reading for the index since June 2024, though notably the reading coming in under 50 indicates overall contraction in the sector. The sector has been above the 50 mark just once since October 2022, but Monday's reading could be an early sign that "better days lie ahead," according to Jefferies US economist Thomas Simons. "Looking ahead, we see significantly more positive signs for the U.S. manufacturing outlook than negative ones," Simons wrote in a note to clients on Monday. "Rate cuts will slow into next year, but more are coming. The Trump administration is focused on doing things that (it thinks) will improve U.S. competitiveness in manufacturing, including deregulation, a more accommodative tax environment, and protectionist tariffs. The jury is still out on the net benefit of the tariffs, but the other positive forces are unambiguous." Yahoo Finance's David Hollerith reports: BlackRock ( BLK ) is close to making a $12 billion bet that would take it deeper into the hottest trade on Wall Street : private credit. The world’s largest money manager is discussing a deal to buy HPS Investment Partners, a firm run by three ex-employees of Goldman Sachs ( GS ) and JPMorgan Chase ( JPM ) that specializes in lending money to riskier companies. The transaction of $12 billion or more could be announced as soon as this week, according to reports in the Financial Times and Bloomberg . The deal could also still fall apart. Rad more there. Yahoo Finance's Yasmin Khorram reports: Tesla ( TSLA ) investors have good reason to watch the bromance between billionaire CEO Elon Musk and President-elect Donald Trump very closely. If the close relationship continues, it could eventually prove quite lucrative for the electric vehicle maker. Trump's transition team is looking for policymakers for the Department of Transportation and one of its agencies, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), to spearhead self-driving regulation, likely easing the rules to enable faster development, according to a report by Bloomberg. However, experts interviewed by Yahoo Finance say changing the rules of the road may be a lot more complicated. Currently, self-driving is regulated on a state-by-state basis, and Tesla likely does not have the technology nailed down for total autonomous driving. Read more here. Tech stocks helped lift the Nasdaq Composite ( ^IXIC ) to record intraday highs on Monday morning. Shares of Apple ( AAPL ) rose 1% to touch a new record. All of the "Magnificent Seven" stocks gained in early trading, including Nvidia ( NVDA ) and Tesla ( TSLA ) Super Micro Computer ( SMCI ) shares jumped as much as 12% in early trading after the server maker said an independent review of its business by a special committee found no evidence of fraud or misconduct. "The evidence reviewed by the Special Committee does not give rise to any substantial concerns about the integrity of the Company’s senior management or Audit Committee, or their commitment to ensuring that the Company’s financial statements are materially accurate," the company said in a filing to the SEC. Super Micro also said it is searching for a new CFO. Its current financial chief, David Weigand, will continue to serve in that position until his successor is appointed. Shares of the server maker have been on a roller coaster ride after an August report by short seller firm Hindenburg Research claimed accounting malpractice. Last month, Super Micro hired a new auditor, BDO, after its accountant, EY, resigned in late October. Tesla stock ( TSLA ) rose more than 3% in early trading amid bullish analyst commentary. The gains in the stock helped lift the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite ( ^IXIC ). Roth MKM upgraded shares of the electric vehicle giant to Buy from Hold, while Stifel raised its price target on the stock from $287 to $411 per share. Tesla's shares have surged amid optimism surrounding CEO Elon Musk's close relationship with President-elect Donald Trump. The stock is up more than 40% since the presidential election on Nov. 5. US stocks were little changed on Monday, holding near record highs, as investors awaited an important monthly jobs report at the end of the week. The S&P 500 ( ^GSPC ) was relatively flat, coming off a record close , while the Dow Jones Industrial Average ( ^DJI ) was little changed on the heels of the index's own all-time high. The tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite ( ^IXIC ) was up 0.2%. Consumer Discretionary ( XLY ) stocks gained in early trading, while Utilities ( XLU ) and Industrials ( XLI ) slipped. On Monday, Intel ( INTC ) shares gained after the struggling semiconductor maker said CEO Pat Gelsinger had stepped down as of Dec. 1. Intel ( INTC ) CEO Pat Gelsinger has retired and stepped down from the board of directors, effective Dec. 1, according to the company. Intel shares were up more than 4% in premarket trading following the announcement . In a statement, Intel said it has named David Zinsner and Michelle (MJ) Johnston Holthaus as interim co-CEOs while the board of directors conducts a search for a new CEO. The semiconductor giant has struggled to keep up with peers or implement an effective turnaround plan amid a series of quarters of declining revenue. The stock is down over 50% year to-date. In November, Intel was removed from the Dow Jones Industrial Average (^ DJI ) and replaced by rival Nvidia ( NVDA ). Economic data: S&P Global US manufacturing PMI (November final); Construction spending (October); ISM Manufacturing & prices paid (November) Earnings: Zscaler ( ZS ) Here are some of the biggest stories you may have missed over the weekend and early this morning: Jobs report to test stock rally's staying power: The week ahead Stellantis stock sinks as CEO's early exit leaves void Bezos backs AI chipmaker vying with Nvidia at $2.6B value Trump's pick to run FCC is an ominous sign for Big Tech New Biden strike on China's chips to hit toolmakers President Biden pardons his son Hunter despite promise Dollar faces treacherous December as Trump, rate risks boil over Trump’s Plans Risk Inflating Bullish Stock Market Into a Bubble It may be the holiday season on Wall Street, but that doesn't mean analysts aren't out and about making calls into year-end. Here are three notes that caught my attention before 6 a.m. ET. After a recent management meeting, JPMorgan's longtime retail analyst Matt Boss is upgrading his rating on Gap ( GAP ) to Overweight (Buy equivalent). His price target went to $30 from $28. "With the foundation set under CEO Richard Dickson to support a consistent playbook of improved merchandising & marketing across all four brands, we see Gap at an inflection point to support low-to-mid-single-digit sales growth, annual operating margin expansion targeting historical levels of profitability," Boss said. A recent chat I had with Dickson helps to shed light on Boss's call. There is more going on here besides me shopping more at Banana Republic Factory, and additional insight on the analyst vibe on Gap can be found via Yahoo Finance's analyst recommendation tool . Ahead of Lululemon's ( LULU ) earnings on Dec. 5, Citi analyst Paul Lejuez is sticking with a Neutral rating (Hold equivalent) on the stock. But it's this call out on the stock from Lejuez that caught my eye: "Short interest currently sits at 6% of the float, above the 4% level three months ago and the highest short interest level in two years. Based on our conversations with investors, sentiment on Lulemon remains negative on the trajectory of Lululemon's US business, although most expect a sales/EPS beat in 3Q (driven by stronger international sales) and do not see another 2024 EPS guide down this quarter. Most bearish investors believe it will be difficult for Lululemon to grow EPS in 2025." Here is more on Lululemon's short interest and other stats from the Yahoo Finance platform . Veteran tech analyst Mark Mahaney at Evercore ISI is hiking his price target on Netflix ( NFLX ) to $950 from $775 per share. Netflix stock currently trades at $886. Mahaney called Netflix shares a "small buy" and reiterated an Outperform rating. "At a high level, what our survey results and recent events (e.g., Q3 EPS and the massive success of the Tyson-Paul fight) suggest is that Netflix is in the strongest position financially, fundamentally and competitively that we have ever seen," Mahaney wrote. "Its overall streaming leadership — in terms of both market share and content quality — is commanding. And the clearly positive churn intent and price sensitivity results across all three of this quarter’s surveys are material positives for a subscription business. We also see four notable near-term catalysts — Christmas Day NFL games, the 12/26 release of Squid Games II, WWE Raw in January, and pending price increases," he added.

Chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen returns to a tournament after a dispute over jeans is resolved

The claim: NASA footage shows fly on Mars rover An Oct. 24 Facebook video ( direct link , archive link ) shows purported images from a NASA Mars rover mission. The video appears to scan the landscape before zooming in on the front of the rover. The close-up shows a blurry shape that resembles a fly. "Things that make you scratch your head a fly on the Mars rover they really need to get some better video editors for when they film the 'mars missions' on devon island, ridiculous (sic)," reads the post's caption. The post was shared more than 100 times in about nine weeks. More from the Fact-Check Team: How we pick and research claims | Email newsletter | Facebook page Our rating: Altered The image with the purported fly in the post is altered, according to NASA. The images in the post match an authentic panoramic compiled from images captured by the NASA Mars Perseverance rover, a robotic mission launched in 2020. However, the purported fly is not in the original image. NASA's Mars Perseverance rover panoramic image altered The video in the post appears to have been created by panning and zooming in on a still panoramic image that was compiled from many images captured by NASA's Mars Perseverance rover in 2021. The position of rocks on the Martian surface and shadows near the purported fly match the authentic panoramic image − which can be seen on Arizona State University's website. However, the blurry fly shape is not present in the original image. "The content of the post you reference includes an image from Mars that has been changed from the original," Alana Johnson, a NASA spokesperson told USA TODAY. Fact check : Gases on exoplanet K2-18b can be produced by things besides aliens Devon Island, referenced in the post, is an uninhabited Canadian island with a harsh climate that "mimics the environmental conditions on Mars and other planets," according to NASA . The agency uses the island to test vehicles and other technology related to planetary exploration. But the images from the Perseverance rover were taken on Mars, not in Canada. Evidence that Mars missions are real includes photos captured by Perseverance and other Martian rovers and satellite missions . NASA includes descriptions of various Mars missions on its website. USA TODAY has debunked other posts that claimed NASA space missions were staged on Earth. For instance, some social media users spread an image of an International Space Station training facility and wrongly claimed it showed the actual space station was located in a pool. USA TODAY reached out to the Facebook user who shared the post for comment but did not immediately receive a response. Reuters also debunked the claim. Our fact-check sources Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here . USA TODAY is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network, which requires a demonstrated commitment to nonpartisanship, fairness and transparency. Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Meta .

Photos: Remembering former President Jimmy CarterStock market rises by 0.99% in one week

By HALELUYA HADERO, Associated Press President-elect Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court on Friday to pause the potential TikTok ban from going into effect until his administration can pursue a “political resolution” to the issue. The request came as TikTok and the Biden administration filed opposing briefs to the court, in which the company argued the court should strike down a law that could ban the platform by Jan. 19 while the government emphasized its position that the statute is needed to eliminate a national security risk. “President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute. Instead, he respectfully requests that the Court consider staying the Act’s deadline for divestment of January 19, 2025, while it considers the merits of this case,” said Trump’s amicus brief, which supported neither party in the case. The filings come ahead of oral arguments scheduled for Jan. 10 on whether the law, which requires TikTok to divest from its China-based parent company or face a ban, unlawfully restricts speech in violation of the First Amendment. Earlier this month, a panel of three federal judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit unanimously upheld the statute , leading TikTok to appeal the case to the Supreme Court. The brief from Trump said he opposes banning TikTok at this junction and “seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office.”By HALELUYA HADERO, Associated Press President-elect Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court on Friday to pause the potential TikTok ban from going into effect until his administration can pursue a “political resolution” to the issue. The request came as TikTok and the Biden administration filed opposing briefs to the court, in which the company argued the court should strike down a law that could ban the platform by Jan. 19 while the government emphasized its position that the statute is needed to eliminate a national security risk. “President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute. Instead, he respectfully requests that the Court consider staying the Act’s deadline for divestment of January 19, 2025, while it considers the merits of this case,” said Trump’s amicus brief, which supported neither party in the case and was written by D. John Sauer, Trump’s choice for solicitor general. Related Articles The argument submitted to the court is the latest example of Trump inserting himself in national issues before he takes office. The Republican president-elect has already begun negotiating with other countries over his plans to impose tariffs, and he intervened earlier this month in a plan to fund the federal government, calling for a bipartisan plan to be rejected and sending Republicans back to the negotiating table. He has been holding meetings with foreign leaders and business officials at his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida while he assembles his administration, including a meeting last week with TikTok CEO Shou Chew. Trump has reversed his position on the popular app, having tried to ban it during his first term in office over national security concerns. He joined the TikTok during his 2024 presidential campaign and his team used it to connect with younger voters, especially male voters, by pushing content that was often macho and aimed at going viral. He said earlier this year that he still believed there were national security risks with TikTok, but that he opposed banning it. The filings Friday come ahead of oral arguments scheduled for Jan. 10 on whether the law, which requires TikTok to divest from its China-based parent company or face a ban, unlawfully restricts speech in violation of the First Amendment. The law was was signed by President Joe Biden in April after it passed Congress with broad bipartisan support. TikTok and ByteDance filed a legal challenge afterwards. Earlier this month, a panel of three federal judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit unanimously upheld the statute , leading TikTok to appeal the case to the Supreme Court. The brief from Trump said he opposes banning TikTok at this junction and “seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office.” In their brief to the Supreme Court on Friday, attorneys for TikTok and its parent company ByteDance argued the federal appeals court erred in its ruling and based its decision on “alleged ‘risks’ that China could exercise control” over TikTok’s U.S. platform by pressuring its foreign affiliates. The Biden administration has argued in court that TikTok poses a national security risk due to its connections to China. Officials say Chinese authorities can compel ByteDance to hand over information on TikTok’s U.S. patrons or use the platform to spread or suppress information. But the government “concedes that it has no evidence China has ever attempted to do so,” TikTok’s legal filing said, adding that the U.S. fears are predicated on future risks. In its filing Friday, the Biden administration said because TikTok “is integrated with ByteDance and relies on its propriety engine developed and maintained in China,” its corporate structure carries with it risk.

By HALELUYA HADERO, Associated Press President-elect Donald Trump asked the Supreme Court on Friday to pause the potential TikTok ban from going into effect until his administration can pursue a “political resolution” to the issue. The request came as TikTok and the Biden administration filed opposing briefs to the court, in which the company argued the court should strike down a law that could ban the platform by Jan. 19 while the government emphasized its position that the statute is needed to eliminate a national security risk. “President Trump takes no position on the underlying merits of this dispute. Instead, he respectfully requests that the Court consider staying the Act’s deadline for divestment of January 19, 2025, while it considers the merits of this case,” said Trump’s amicus brief, which supported neither party in the case. The filings come ahead of oral arguments scheduled for Jan. 10 on whether the law, which requires TikTok to divest from its China-based parent company or face a ban, unlawfully restricts speech in violation of the First Amendment. Earlier this month, a panel of three federal judges on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit unanimously upheld the statute , leading TikTok to appeal the case to the Supreme Court. The brief from Trump said he opposes banning TikTok at this junction and “seeks the ability to resolve the issues at hand through political means once he takes office.”The Reserve Bank of India 's ( RBI ) move to draw capital flows by allowing banks to offer higher interest rates for foreign currency deposits for a specific period appears to have had few takers in the three weeks since the plan's announcement. Bankers said the rupee's recent sharp fall and a narrowing in the interest rate gap between the US and India will make it even more difficult to attract depositors. ET Year-end Special Reads What kept India's stock market investors on toes in 2024? India's car race: How far EVs went in 2024 Investing in 2025: Six wealth management trends to watch out for In its December monetary policy, the RBI temporarily raised the ceiling on interest rates banks can offer on foreign currency non-resident accounts or FCNR (B) deposits. Yet, the relevant pages on their respective websites showed that none of the commercial lenders raised interest rates since the central bank gave them the leeway. The RBI allowed banks to raise deposits at a spread of 400 basis points over an Alternate Reference Rate (ARR) for one to three years as against 250 bps spread earlier. For deposits between three and five years, the spread is raised to 500 bps over ARR against a cap of 350 bps. One basis point is a hundredth of a percentage point. "Banks were generally not even offering deposits close to the earlier ceiling," said Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at Bank of Baroda . "Hence, the new ceiling has not made much difference for most banks." 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"Some of the niche private banks will find this useful as they cater more to the expat population. Banks typically match such deposits with foreign currency loan requirements," Sabnavis said. "With this being stable at lower levels, it may not be economical given that the rupee is falling and forex risk is borne by banks." Forex Stockpile The RBI's move to raise the ceiling is to shore up foreign exchange (forex) reserves, which have fallen by $60 billion after touching an all-time high of $706 billion at the end of September. The forex reserves have declined as the RBI is selling dollars to support the rupee, which has consistently weakened against the greenback and hit new record lows of 85.80 Friday. Bankers say the existing spreads of 250-350 bps already offer sufficient flexibility and room for banks to adjust FCNR rates upward. "The spread between US and Indian interest rates has narrowed to its lowest level in recent years, making Indian foreign currency deposits less appealing to the Indian diaspora," said VRC Reddy, head of treasury, Karur Vysya Bank . "On the other hand, demand for export credit in rupee terms remains robust due to interest subvention benefits for MSME borrowers, reducing the attractiveness of borrowing in foreign currency for export credit, particularly when hedging costs are factored in. Even when using FX deposits for rupee-based purposes, the landed cost often exceeds that of rupee deposits, further limiting their appeal." Rather, many banks are offering rates that are lower than the earlier ceiling. The ARR for dollar deposits is pegged around 4.24% for December and an increase in the ceiling by 400 bps allows lenders to offer 8.24% on dollar deposits. However, most banks are offering just about 150-200 bps above the ARR. For instance, the State Bank of India (SBI) is giving savers 5.35% on one-year rate dollar deposits under the FCNR (B) scheme, and the rate has remained the same since mid-October. This shows the rates are lower than the previous spread of 250 bps. SBI offers 3.90% for five FCNB (B) deposits, which is still lower than the revised 500 bps spread. The revised caps announced in the monetary policy review are applicable only until the end of March 2025. "The cash reserve ratio (CRR) exemption on incremental FCNR deposits may encourage banks to raise FCNR deposit rates, thereby attracting more foreign exchange flows-an essential measure in the current economic context," Reddy said. Foreign currency deposits mobilised by banks in rupee equivalent stood at ₹1.98 lakh crore as of March 31, 2024, up 46% over the previous financial year, according to the latest Trends and Progress of Banking report published last week. In 2013, the then governor, Raghuram Rajan, launched the FCNR (B) plan, wherein the RBI effectively provided banks with a cushion against risks of adverse currency movements through the period of a committed deposit. This programme helped banks mobilise nearly $30 billion in overseas deposits. Nominations for ET MSME Awards are now open. The last day to apply is December 31, 2024. Click here to submit your entry for any one or more of the 22 categories and stand a chance to win a prestigious award. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )Since taking office in June 2023, Adeniyi has tackled deeply rooted challenges within the NCS, such as systemic inefficiencies, entrenched corruption, and outdated operational practices. With his clear vision and unwavering dedication, he has systematically restructured the agency, demonstrating the remarkable potential for reform within Nigeria’s public sector. Adeniyi’s commitment to simplifying customs operations and enhancing trade facilitation has been central to his approach. One of his pivotal reforms was dissolving the excessive enforcement layers that had previously hampered efficient trade flows. By merging the Strike Force Teams into the Federal Operations Unit (FOU), he reduced checkpoints from five to two per route, thereby streamlining trade and reducing the opportunities for corrupt practices at border points. This reform has both enhanced operational transparency and supported legitimate trade, setting a new standard for efficiency within the NCS. Under Adeniyi’s leadership, the NCS has also strengthened international collaboration, notably with the World Customs Organisation (WCO), reinforcing its commitment to global best practices in customs administration. The acquisition of a Cessna Grand Caravan EX-208B aircraft for air surveillance exemplifies Adeniyi’s strategic approach to combating smuggling across Nigeria’s borders. Known for its versatility and rugged capabilities, this aircraft is now a critical asset for NCS’s border security efforts, enabling more effective patrols across even the most remote areas. Another hallmark of Adeniyi’s tenure is the emphasis on modernisation through technology. He has prioritised innovative solutions, including the Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) programme, which simplifies customs procedures for compliant traders, enhancing their global competitiveness. Additionally, the launch of the Time Release Study (TRS) and the integration of geospatial technology demonstrate his commitment to harnessing technology to advance customs efficiency and accuracy. Adeniyi’s reforms have yielded impressive financial outcomes, a testament to the effectiveness of his strategies. Monthly revenue collections have surged by 70.13%, climbing from N202 billion to over N343 billion. Despite a reduction in transaction volume, the NCS achieved a record N3.2 trillion in revenue in 2023 – a 21.4% increase over the previous year – demonstrating Adeniyi’s ability to boost fiscal performance through systemic improvements. Adeniyi has also significantly bolstered the NCS’s enforcement capabilities. With 1,763 seizures valued at N11.9 billion in Duty Paid Value and the conviction of 52 offenders in 2023, the NCS has become a formidable force against smuggling and illicit trade. This rigorous enforcement posture underscores his dedication to safeguarding Nigeria’s economy from the adverse impacts of contraband goods. While tremendous progress has been made, Comptroller General Adeniyi remains focused on further enhancing trade facilitation and continuing to push for the modernisation of border infrastructure and customs checkpoints. His vision for the future includes the full implementation of the TRS, AEO programme, and other initiatives aimed at reducing bureaucratic delays, improving public awareness on the economic impacts of smuggling’, and ultimately positioning Nigeria as a competitive player in the global economy.

Union members held a celebration for a new building for future builders in East Moline Friday morning. The Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council held a ribbon cutting in honor of the grand opening of its new Quad-Cities campus. The 55,000 square foot building at 408 Carpenter Court in East Moline will be home to both the Associated General Contractors of the Quad Cities and the Millwright Contractors Associates. The Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council had a big day on Friday, Nov. 22, when it celebrated the grand opening of its new 55,000 square foot training facility at 408 Carpenter Court in East Moline. Phil Davidson, director of communications for MACRC, said the new building is outfitted with classrooms, to allow for both classroom work and ongoing training in the field. For the millwrights, it offers more floor space and updated technology to allow them to work on the newest machines available, to help prepare students for the real world. Each of the two unions had previous buildings they were using, but outgrew them due to increased recruitment. During a welcome ceremony Friday, MACRC Executive Secretary-Treasurer Kevin McLaughlin spoke about the importance of the moment and the building. He became an apprentice in 1984 and worked his way up over the last 40 years. It was an honor to open the new building, he said to the crowd. "The fact that we have this many people that we have here today is a testament to the value and impact that this new training center will have on our unique partners and millwrights, as well as our Quad-Cities region as a whole," he said. "We've always said that the Mid-American Carpenters Regional Councils are positive for communities, and this partnership with East Moline is a perfect example of that." That partnership was a point East Moline Mayor Reggie Freeman hit on during his own speech. When the city was first approached about the idea of building a new facility, he said, the first thing he looked for was the opportunity to work with business partners, bring new jobs to the area and work toward economic development. Freeman said in high school he had dreams of being a carpenter himself, but ultimately followed a different path. Still, the profession is needed and developing those skills in East Moline strengthens both the job market and the economy as a whole. "You're looking at a profession now that's going to get you somewhere. You're looking at a profession now that brings continuity to the people in the Quad-Cities area, and around this area," he said to the crowd. "Not only do we have economic development here, we're bringing other things here. When all the students arrive in East Moline, they're staying in our city, they're spending money in our city and the communities around around us." Speaking from the state perspective, state Sen. Mike Halpin said Illinois a place where labor is valued, and the creation of the new building proves that. There are more than 350 apprentices enrolled across the two programs, showing a strong value and dedication in the labor force. "This building is the end result of a vision many years in the making, and I think by far the most important thing is that this center ... is of the members, by the members and for the members," he said. "You guys built this yourself the same way that you built the industry here in the Quad-Cities, throughout the State of Illinois and throughout the nation." Halpin said the building was a symbol of the path to the middle class, the path to workers being able to support their families, the path a comfortable living and a retirement that can be spent comfortably and with dignity. "That's all in part because of the collective nature of what we do for the brothers and sisters in the labor movement, providing for each other, negotiating ways and working conditions that are going to benefit you, and in exchange, you are giving the contractors a great product with higher quality work, faster completion times and the skills you can bring," he said. Local 46, union represented prison employees in East Moline, demand safer workplace conditions from IDOC. Union membership in the United States reached a historic low last year with a 2023 rate of just 10%—half that of 1983—according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics . Despite lower rates of membership, labor-movement contributions and milestones continue. Decades of union reform work culminated in 2023 with historic contract victories for Teamsters and the United Auto Workers. In September 2023, President Joe Biden became the first sitting president to appear on a picket line, joining autoworkers in Michigan striking for higher wages. Stacker compiled a list of 30 consequential victories that unions fought for in the name of workers' rights. The list includes information about the milestones unions achieved and the circumstances that made those victories worth fighting for. There have been far more losses than victories over the decades, but the victories made earning a living in the United States a much more equitable, fair, safe, and profitable proposition. American workers today have a host of rights and resources should their workplaces be hostile or harmful because of a rich labor-movement history that put an end to child labor, 16-hour workdays, and unsafe working conditions. Organized labor—namely, unions—is also responsible for securing a 40-hour workweek, minimum wage (such as it is), anti-discrimination laws, and other basic protections that were once far-off pipe dreams for millions of American men, women, and children laboring in subpar and dangerous conditions for poverty wages. These wins show what is possible for the modern labor movement. Keep reading to explore 30 hard-fought victories that America's working class won in our names. You may also like: The states with the most gambling revenue growth in 2023 The rise of so-called journeymen societies in 1794 led to the creation of the Federal Society of Journeymen Cordwainers of Philadelphia, which worked to protect the wages of shoemakers, who toiled in a large and profitable industry. The society was the first true union and can be considered the genesis of the American labor movement. The moment is also significant because it was the first time tradespeople organized for protection against "scabs," workers willing to undermine demands for better pay by agreeing to work for cheaper wages—a dynamic that would remain a central theme throughout the entire history of the labor movement. A court in 1806 ruled against the shoemakers and declared organizing for higher wages a criminal conspiracy. More than three decades later, in 1842, a high court in Massachusetts overturned that precedent in Commonwealth v. Hunt, declaring that workers do, in fact, have a right to organize and strike. The end of slavery emboldened laborers around the country to capitalize on the national sentiment and pursue better conditions for themselves. A year after the Civil War, the formation of the National Labor Union represented the first nationally organized workers' rights group. The organization's efforts went a long way to raising awareness, but the group dissolved in 1873 and soon after, a series of violent strikes and successful corporate anti-labor campaigns compelled much of America to sour on the movement. On Sept. 5, 1882, New York City hosted the country's first Labor Day Parade; around 10,000 workers marched in what is now an annual event, and the holiday was soon moved to the first Monday in September, just as it is celebrated today. Although a parade, of course, didn't directly improve working conditions, the moment signified a psychological victory for labor and indicated a shift in public opinion that would ultimately lead to the rise of the progressive era in the 20th century. In the second half of the 19th century, several major labor groups like the American Federation of Labor emerged as major strikers and often-brutal government and corporate reprisals created a nearly constant state of unrest. Much of that unrest was concentrated around railroad work, most notably, the Pullman Strike of 1894. In an effort to quell tensions, the federal government passed the Erdman Act, which provided workers with arbitration and mediation options, while banning railroad companies from firing or refusing to hire workers for joining a union, a common intimidation tactic known as yellow-dog contracts. It would eventually lead to the more comprehensive Railway Labor Act of 1926, but not before the Supreme Court struck down the Erdman Act's key provisions 10 years later in 1908. You may also like: These 25 counties have the most debt in collections in the US In 1909, the women's rights movement and the labor movement converged with the Uprising of the 20,000, a strike launched by sweatshop laborers known as shirtwaist workers, who were mostly young, immigrant women. The strikers protested low wages, long hours, and appalling conditions, especially the frequent and intentional locking of doors and fire escapes to prevent workers from leaving or even from taking breaks. The uprising secured the support of the powerful and well-heeled Women's Trade Union League, and by 1910, most of the protestor's employers agreed to sign union contracts. On March 25, 1911, the deadliest industrial disaster in New York City history changed the course of the labor movement when the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire killed 146 sweatshop workers, mostly women. Although the owners and management staff escaped unharmed, the workers found themselves in a death trap of locked doors, blocked fire escapes, and highly flammable material, like the kind the 1909 protestors had warned about. Although the fire itself, of course, was hardly a victory for labor, the death of the workers was not in vain—it galvanized the previously scattered and frequently infighting labor movement to unify, and stoked public outrage and demand for change. On March 4, 1913, the efforts of generations of labor activists were realized, at least in part, when President William Howard Taft signed a law creating the U.S. Department of Labor. The labor movement now had representation in a Cabinet-level agency. By the turn of the 20th century, 2 million children were laboring on farms, on city streets, and in mills, mines, factories, and stores. The work of social reformers and a nationwide campaign by National Child Labor Committee photographer Lewis W. Hine to chronicle and publicize the abuses led to calls for reform. In 1916, the Keating-Owen Act limited the number of hours children could work and prohibited interstate sale of merchandise produced by child labor, but the Supreme Court ruled the act unconstitutional just nine months later. The disparaging term "redneck" can be traced to 1921 when 10,000 West Virginia coal miners rose up against mining companies, managers, and their allies in government after decades of abuses in what was the largest uprising in labor history and the most significant armed insurrection since the Civil War. Tying red bandanas around their necks in a show of unity, the miners faced off against thousands of heavily armed company agents, scab workers, law enforcement officers, and military personnel who confronted the workers with heavy machine guns and, eventually, the only aerial bombardment of American civilians in U.S. history. At least 100 people died and 1 million rounds of ammunition were fired before the rebellion was put down, but the efforts of the miners would lead to some immediate improvement in conditions and, more importantly, a larger voice during FDR's future New Deal negotiations. You may also like: In-person, online, or hybrid shopping? American consumer habits are changing in surprising ways Shortly after the Civil War, George Pullman revolutionized travel with luxurious railroad sleeping cars, each of which came with a personal attendant called a Pullman Car porter. Consisting entirely of black men—originally recently freed slaves—the position was considered prestigious in the African American community, but the reality was grueling work, long hours, low pay, and daily indignities and mistreatment. In 1925, after 12 years of struggle, the Pullman Porters formed their own union, becoming the first black labor union in history to force a powerful corporation to the negotiating table, marking a triumph of both labor rights and civil rights. After decades of widespread, public, and often violent labor strikes—which were commonly put down by force with the aid of government troops—President Calvin Coolidge compelled unions and railroad bosses to agree on a different means of conflict resolution. In 1926, the Railway Labor Act substituted strikes for bargaining, mediation, and arbitration, and gave both unions and railroad companies the opportunity and responsibility to negotiate before resorting to strikes. It was the first federal law that guaranteed workers the right to organize, unionize, and choose their own leaders without company interference. By 1931, the Great Depression was raging; the masses were desperate for work and employers found it easy to offer take-it-or-leave-it wage ultimatums. The Davis-Bacon Act required private contractors on all significant public-works construction projects to pay workers the "prevailing wage." Those wages generally corresponded with union wages, and the standard now covers one in five construction projects and one in four construction workers at any given time. In 1932, labor made major gains when the Norris-LaGuardia Act prevented federal courts from issuing injunctions to stop peaceful union strikes and protests, which had long hurt their ability to organize. It also protected workers from being fired for joining a union or from being forced to sign yellow-dog contracts, which demanded a vow not to join a union. History was made in 1933 when Frances Perkins became the first woman ever to serve in a presidential Cabinet position—but the milestone was literally forged in fire. Twenty-two years earlier, Perkins was in New York City, having tea in Washington Square, when sirens and growing commotion compelled her to join a gathering crowd outside the towering inferno of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, where she watched helplessly as 47 workers, mostly young women, made the agonizing choice to jump to their deaths instead of burning alive. She later called the catastrophe "the day the New Deal was born." You may also like: What kinds of mobile apps are performing the best? Frances Perkins is a towering figure in American labor, having dedicated her life and career to the common worker and the downtrodden in general. When FDR asked Perkins to join his Cabinet, the woman who would become the principal architect of the New Deal made it clear that she would only agree if Roosevelt backed her priorities, which the president promised he would. Those priorities, according to the Frances Perkins Center , were an amalgamation of the ideals the labor movement had pursued for generations: "a 40-hour work week, a minimum wage, unemployment compensation, worker's compensation, abolition of child labor, direct federal aid to the states for unemployment relief, Social Security, a revitalized federal employment service, and universal health insurance." The National Labor Relations Act legitimized, enfranchised, and vindicated the workers' rights movement more than any provision that had come before. The culmination of decades of union struggle, the act guaranteed the rights of private-sector workers to unionize, engage in collective bargaining for higher wages and better conditions, and, if necessary, to strike. It remains the foundation of modern American labor law. At 8 p.m. on the night before Christmas Eve in 1936, autoworkers in Flint, Mich., took over one—and later, several—major GM factories, locking themselves in, refusing to work, and bringing production to a standstill. The company tried to freeze and starve them out, and the courts deemed the strike illegal, but the workers refused to budge. The governor also refused to send in the National Guard. In February 1937, after 44 days of dramatic stalemate, GM—arguably the most powerful and politically influential company in the world—capitulated to most of the workers' demands, which included a fair minimum wage scale, protections against injury for assembly line workers, a grievance system, and the recognition of the United Auto Workers (UAW) union. The crowning achievement of the American union movement came in 1938 with the signing of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which guaranteed a minimum wage, an eight-hour workday, a 40-hour workweek, and time-and-a-half overtime. It also mandated that minors under 18 be barred from certain hazardous work and prevented children under 16 from working in mines or manufacturing, or in any job during school hours. The act ushered American labor into the modern era, gave 700,000 Americans an immediate raise, and continues to serve as the basic foundation of workers' rights and protections in the United States. In 1941, the Fair Employment Practice Commission (FEPC) was assembled to enforce an executive order from President Roosevelt that barred employment discrimination based on race, national origin, color, or creed in defense or government industries that received federal funding. FEPC served as the teeth of the executive order, as the commission was authorized to investigate complaints of discrimination and take action against offending companies or organizations. You may also like: Forcing people back into the office is once again leading to increased carbon emissions On Jan. 17, 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed an executive order that for the first time gave federal employees the right to unionize and engage in collective bargaining. Although private-sector employees had enjoyed these basic rights for decades, the moment was a milestone for federal workers. The women's rights movement and the labor movement ran parallel to each other and often intertwined from the very beginning. In 1963, the two movements achieved a mutual milestone when JFK signed the Equal Pay Act. An amendment to the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Equal Pay Act banned pay disparity for equal work based on gender. Although the 1964 Civil Rights Act mandated sweeping social reforms that were by no means limited to labor, union-backed workers' rights campaigns were central to the civil rights movement—Martin Luther King Jr. was murdered in Memphis while supporting a strike by sanitation workers. The landmark civil rights legislation, in part, banned workplace discrimination based on race, gender, religion, color, or national origin. Organized labor continued its run of success in 1967 with the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. It prevented hiring discrimination based on age and protected workers over 40 or those collecting age-related federal benefits from termination or forced retirement. The act basically extended to older workers the rights associated with the 1964 Civil Rights Act. From black lung and mine collapses to farming accidents and factory fires, American workers were driven to unionize first and foremost for their own safety, health, and wellbeing, which were often afterthoughts for the companies that used their labor. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) required employers to protect their workers from toxic substances, mechanical dangers, unsanitary conditions, excessive heat and cold, and other known physical hazards. The legislation created OSHA to inspect, investigate, and enforce the measure. You may also like: These states offer the greatest benefits to veteran-owned businesses A central thesis of the workers' rights movement is that a lifetime of labor should guarantee a stable retirement. In 1974, the Employee Retirement and Security Income Act protected workers enrolled in private-industry pension plans by setting minimum standards for how those plans are managed. The legislation required companies to disclose information about the plans to their employees and also put fiduciary responsibility on the people or organizations in charge of their assets. Union workers long lived with the knowledge that a decision could be made to close their auto plant or coal mine without them knowing that their next paycheck would be their last. In 1988, however, Congress signed the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act without President Ronald Reagan's signature. The act required most companies with more than 100 workers to give 60-days advance written notice if mass layoffs or plant closings were imminent. The Americans With Disabilities Act amended the 1964 Civil Rights Act to include workers with disabilities. It also required employers to make reasonable accommodations in terms of accessibility and other special needs. The Family and Medical Leave Act required employers to allow their workers to take off 12 job-protected workweeks in a year for things like the birth or adoption of a child, a serious illness, or to care for a seriously ill child or spouse. There are also extended considerations involving military families. Unlike in most wealthy Western countries, however, the act does not mandate paid maternity or paternity leave, which means the time off is guaranteed, but uncompensated. The 2009 amendment to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, was so-named for the plaintiff in a Supreme Court case that spurred the legislation. Prior to 2009, the mandated 180-day statute of limitations for a worker to file an equal-pay lawsuit began when the employer made the initial discriminatory pay decision, meaning that if a woman found out she was being paid less than a man for equal work six months after she agreed to her salary, it was too late for her to file suit. The 2009 legislation reset the statute of limitations with every discriminatory paycheck received. Additional writing by Nicole Caldwell. You may also like: Robots are starting to deliver takeout orders. Are they here to stay? Get the latest local business news delivered FREE to your inbox weekly. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.