Category: Around the World
International news, world events, society, travel, and stories beyond the other editorial categories.
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FIFA Says 2030 World Cup Final Host Decision Will Be Made ‘in due course’
FIFA Delays Decision on 2030 World Cup Final Host as Morocco and Spain Stake Claims
FIFA said on Thursday that the decision over whether Morocco or Spain would host the 2030 World Cup final would be made
in due course
, pushing back against a declaration by the Morocco Football Federation president that the match would be played at the Grand Stade Hassan II in Casablanca—a venue still under construction.The governing body has yet to officially announce which country will host the final. The uncertainty arrives even though the 2026 edition just finished with Spain winning the title this summer, prompting Moroccan and Spanish officials to publicly stake their claim on the next showpiece.
FIFA Maintains Official Timeline
A FIFA spokesperson told Efe news agency that,
as the organization announced
on Aug. 5, the decision will be madein due course.
On that date, FIFA had already denied promising Morocco the hosting rights for the World Cup final—a tournament it will co-host with Spain and Portugal—in exchange for support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino in next March’s elections.Morocco Asserts Final Is Locked In
Moroccan federation president Fouzi Lakjaa told a political rally on Thursday that Morocco had secured the final.
The city of Benslimane will host the World Cup final. Hate it or love it, and if anyone wants to talk on top of that, let them talk,
he said.The city is Benslimane, the Hassan II stadium is the stadium, and I hope that Morocco will be playing it.
Spain Counters with Champion Status
This week, the head of the Spanish football federation, Rafael Louzán, insisted it was Spain that deserved the game, while acknowledging that the honor has not been guaranteed.
We all signed to accept the candidacy … it’s too bad that, regarding the final, it wasn’t made clear, totally clear, where it is to be played,
Louzán said.Spain, as world champion both in men’s and women’s football, must host the final.
European officials believe that the sprawling, multi-nation 2030 event should be considered a European event with the final on the continent.
Centenary Format Adds Complexity
In addition to Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, Uruguay, Argentina, and Paraguay will host the opening matches for their respective national teams during the 2030 World Cup, as a tribute to the centenary of the 1930 World Cup, which was held entirely in Montevideo.
Infantino Under Pressure Amid Governance Disputes
The dispute over the final comes with Infantino under intense pressure after UEFA, the umbrella organization of European federations, led a successful revolt to scuttle his plan to sell stakes in the World Cup. By contrast, six Arab nation federations, including Morocco’s, have backed him since that fiasco.
Stadium Capacities: Morocco Offers Larger Venue
Barcelona’s Camp Nou will hold 105,000 people once renovated. The King Hassan II Stadium near Casablanca is being built in Benslimane, on the outskirts of Casablanca. It is planned to seat 115,000 spectators. Spain can offer the home stadiums of Real Madrid or Barcelona as potential sites for the final. Following its renovation, Barcelona’s Camp Nou will have a capacity of 105,000, while Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu holds 78,297.
Diplomatic Tensions Shadow the Bid
Infantino has recently made two trips to Morocco, meeting with King Mohammed VI during annual celebrations of his ascent to the throne in July and then holding a FIFA crisis meeting there in August.
When confirmed three years ago, the joint candidacy between Spain, Portugal and Morocco looked like a perfect event to bridge Europe and Africa and strengthen bonds between the western Mediterranean neighbors. But the dispute over the final comes with diplomatic tensions between Madrid and Rabat already frayed over who was responsible when tens of thousands of mostly Moroccans driven by posts on social media pushed into the small Spanish enclave of Ceuta that borders Morocco. Spain’s prime minister said 140 people died in the crossing.
Spain’s government has been under political pressure at home to get tough on Morocco, which it has said acted in good faith in the border crisis. Spanish police assessments couldn’t rule out complicity by Moroccan security forces but said that it was unlikely the Moroccan government had intentionally orchestrated it.
Information from Efe and The Associated Press was used in this report.
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George W. Bush says Americans “don’t pay attention to the lesson of 9/11”
Former President George W. Bush delivered rare public remarks Wednesday as the United States marks 25 years since the September 11 terrorist attacks, warning that a growing isolationist sentiment ignores the core lesson of that day: events overseas directly affect national security at home.
Bush Warns Against Isolationism on 9/11 Anniversary
Speaking at his presidential library in Dallas alongside former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who served as national security adviser during the attacks, Bush said the country periodically turns inward.
“Our nation occasionally goes through isolationist periods, where the attitude is, ‘Well, we’ve got too many problems at home. Therefore, who cares about what happens overseas?’”
“Which really means to me they just don’t pay attention to the lessons of 9/11, because what happens overseas matters to our national security at home.”
Standing With Those Fighting for Freedom
Bush argued that the United States should support people struggling against tyranny, even without deploying troops.
“We don’t have to send troops,”
“We ought to at least stand with them and stand beside them because this is what we went through 250 years ago. And again, it’s a belief that everybody wants to be free and we saw that in Afghanistan.”
Bush launched the war in Afghanistan after the 2001 attacks and supported building a democratic government following years of Taliban abuses. The conflict lasted 20 years, becoming America’s longest war, before the U.S. withdrawal in 2021 returned the country to Taliban control.
Bush pushed back against the view that Afghans do not understand freedom.
“Of course they know the difference,”
“Young girls going to school for the first time in their lives know the difference. Women becoming doctors and professors know the difference between a free society and a tyrannical society. And sadly, these women who begin to realize their full potential no longer have a chance to realize their full potential.”
Recalling the Morning of Sept. 11, 2001
Bush recounted being at an elementary school when Chief of Staff Andy Card informed him of the attacks.
“I became a wartime president,”
“This was a war, and that the job of the president and the country and his team is to rally the nation and to do what’s necessary to protect our people.”
Bush and Rice described the chaotic hours when officials believed every aircraft could be a weapon, ordering all planes to land or risk being shot down. Then-Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta worked to land planes “on a legal pad,” they said, while officials feared United Flight 93 had been downed by the U.S. military. The plane ultimately crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers fought the hijackers.
“There was this horrible moment where the vice president kept trying to get confirmation as to what had happened, and for about 10 minutes, we thought we’d shot down a civilian aircraft,”
“And that always to me represented just how hard the decisions that you had to take under a lot of pressure.”
Ground Zero Visit and Defining the Response
Bush said he sensed trauma in the attacks’ aftermath but did not grasp the full scale until visiting Ground Zero on September 14, 2001, where he addressed first responders amid the wreckage. He said his highest priority became helping the country return to normal.
“I didn’t want us to lose our soul,”
“I wanted, as we defended our freedoms, I wanted people to remember how precious they are.”
Bush also recalled visiting a mosque shortly after the attacks, driven by reports of harassment against Muslim women, particularly in Michigan.
“It became clear to me that this is an ideological struggle, which is what I viewed it as, and we forego one of the most important parts of our ideology, which is the freedom to worship the way you want to worship,”
“All of a sudden, the enemy has won a victory, and so that was part of my thinking.”
Bush and Rice described shifting to a “Sept. 12” mentality, moving onto the offense to prevent further attacks.
“People now don’t understand the heaviness of the days after 9/11 in trying to protect the country,”
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Call of Duty Anti-Cheat Chief Explains Why System Shadow Bans Players
Call of Duty’s senior director of game security, David Andrews, has detailed why Activision uses shadow bans—internally known as limited matchmaking—instead of immediate permanent bans for suspected cheaters. In an exclusive interview with IGN, Andrews explained that the approach serves as a protective stopgap while the Ricochet anti-cheat system completes its review process.
Why Shadow Bans Replace Instant Permanent Bans
Andrews described limited matchmaking as a critical isolation tool. “We have limited matchmaking that we will put a suspicious account into to isolate them while other checks are either running or we’re waiting on other data,” said Andrews. “We’re kind of doing this review process of looking at that account more holistically and seeing what’s really going on here. It’s kind of this stopgap measure to immediately remove them without making it be permanent [or without creating] irrevocable impact to that account and to that player, giving us some breathing room to figure out what is going on with this account and then either restoring them to the player population because it was kind of a false alarm situation.”
This method addresses a persistent friction point in anti-cheat enforcement: false positives. By quarantining suspicious accounts rather than banning them outright, Activision preserves the ability to reverse errors without permanent damage to a player’s standing.
A Tiered Enforcement Strategy
Beyond shadow bans, Andrews outlined a spectrum of enforcement tools tailored to specific cheating behaviors. “We have also done some rehabilitation through the limited matchmaking saying, ‘Hey, you can’t do that behavior that you’ve just been engaged in and you can come back if you stop,’ or whatever. We have a lot of enforcement capabilities. We have limited matchmaking, we have ranked play bans, we’ve got remote play bans, we’ve got temporary and permanent account suspensions, we’ve got hardware bans. We can do all kinds of things, and each time we’re dealing with a particular style or type of cheating, we’re sort of evaluating which one of these kind of makes sense for this group of cheaters. Can they be rehabilitated? Are we ultimately 100% confident in this? Is more research required? Whatever the case might be, we’ll figure out what to do that’s appropriate.”
The tiered system allows the security team to match the response to the offense, offering a path back for some offenders while escalating to hardware bans for persistent or sophisticated cheat developers.
Ricochet Tested in Modern Warfare 4 Beta
The interview comes as Infinity Ward prepares to launch Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 next month. The studio recently stress-tested Ricochet’s implementation during the game’s beta period. That test produced at least one high-profile false positive when a former professional player was accidentally banned—a mistake the Call of Duty communications team acknowledged and corrected.
Ongoing Battle Against Cheat Developers
Call of Duty’s free-to-play battle royale, Warzone, has long struggled with a cheating reputation. Activision has responded with significant investment in anti-cheat technology and legal action against cheat sellers. Despite these efforts, Andrews’ comments underscore that the war on cheaters remains an evolving challenge requiring both automated detection and human review.
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Fenerbahçe vs Roma Live
Fenerbahçe vs Roma: Champions League Live Coverage
Radio Marca provides live coverage of the UEFA Champions League match between Fenerbahçe and Roma. The fixture is part of the 2026-27 Champions League campaign.
Match Details
- Competition: UEFA Champions League
- Teams: Fenerbahçe vs AS Roma
- Coverage: Live updates and minute-by-minute commentary
- Source: Radio Marca (Spain)
Follow the latest developments, team news, and real-time analysis as the Turkish hosts welcome the Italian side for this European encounter.
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Braves Load Up on Right-Handed Batters Against Nick Martinez, Rays
Braves Lineup Shakeup vs. Rays: Platoon Logic Questioned
The Atlanta Braves appear to be chasing platoon advantages that the underlying numbers don’t clearly support. In a move that echoes recent roster decisions, manager Brian Snitker has loaded the lineup with right-handed bats against Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Martín Pérez, benching left-handed hitters Sean Murphy, Ozzie Albies, and Mike Yastrzemski in favor of Lane Thomas, Brewer Hicklen, and Ha-Seong Kim.
Nick Martinez Platoon Splits Analyzed
Facing Braves right-hander Nick Martinez, the Tampa Bay lineup features added right-handed options Ryan Vilade and Nick Madrigal, though left-handed hitters Chandler Simpson and Cedric Mullins remain in the nine.
A wide view of Martinez’s 2026 season statistics reveals a muddy platoon picture. Left-handed batters have posted a .283 wOBA against him, while right-handers sit at .310. Expected ERA (xERA) backs that split: 3.78 vs. lefties, 4.89 vs. righties.
However, fielding-independent metrics tell a different story. Martinez has a 3.96 FIP and 4.50 xFIP against left-handed hitters, nearly identical to his 3.94 FIP and 4.45 xFIP against right-handers. “He seems more platoon-neutral than anything else.”
Considering that Lane Thomas himself performs worse against right-handed pitching, the strategic rationale is questionable. As the author noted, “I’m not a huge fan of this, but whatever.”
Career Trends Support Neutral Profile
Expanding the lens to Martinez’s full career reinforces the platoon-neutral conclusion. His career wOBA-against is within .001 between left- and right-handed batters. His career xERA is marginally lower against lefties (4.19 to 4.39), while FIP (4.53 vs. 4.45) and xFIP (4.66 vs. 4.49) show only a marginal split in the expected direction.
“So, I wouldn’t do this, but the Braves are.”
Rays Counter with Right-Handed Bats
On the other side, the Rays are presenting Pérez with a few extra right-handed looks. The lineup construction mirrors Atlanta’s approach, though Tampa Bay retains left-handed regulars Simpson and Mullins.
Batter-vs-Pitcher History: Familiarity on Both Sides
Historical matchups add another layer, though the sample sizes remain small. Every Braves batter except Hicklen and Drake Baldwin has faced Martinez at least twice. Matt Olson leads the group with 19 plate appearances and a dominant .508 wOBA / .384 xwOBA. Austin Riley, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Mauricio Dubón have also produced strong results in limited chances. Collectively, Atlanta’s active roster owns a .351 wOBA / .336 xwOBA in 53 PAs against Martinez.
The Rays’ familiarity with Pérez is comparable. Six of their nine hitters have faced the veteran lefty. Yandy Díaz owns 32 career PAs with a .468 wOBA / .358 xwOBA. Mullins has struggled, posting roughly a .210-.220 wOBA/xwOBA in 14 PAs. As a group, Tampa Bay’s lineup carries a .364 wOBA / .316 xwOBA across 64 PAs against Pérez.
“Collectively, it’s 64 PAs with a .364 wOBA / .316 xwOBA, so basically there’s a similar level of familiarity and performance in that sample by both of these teams against the scheduled starter.”
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Remembering 9/11: FBI Agents in New York, South Florida Share Case Stories
On September 11, 2001, FBI agents and staff from South Florida to New York—each at different stages in their careers—recognized instantly that everything had changed. As the nation marks the 25th anniversary of the attacks, several former and current agents are sharing their firsthand accounts of that day and its enduring impact on the bureau.
Evacuation and Immediate Response in New York
Jeffrey Koch, based in Manhattan, was forced to evacuate the FBI’s New York office as the towers fell.
“We found a pay phone, put a quarter in it, and we called our boss from the pay phone,” he said.
In the hours following the attack, with the nation reeling and the perpetrators still unknown, FBI agents across the country mobilized rapidly.
Miami Agents Pivot to Flight School Investigation
Willie Creech, an FBI agent based in Miami, recalled his initial impulse.
“My first thought was, ‘I have to get ready to go to New York,’” said Willie Creech, FBI agent based in Miami.
A phone call to the Miami field office redirected his mission.
“The gist of it was, ‘Hey, I think there’s some people that may be interested in,’ and it was about the flight schools,” said James Kaelin, a new FBI agent in Miami.
Creech remained in Florida, tasked with searching homes, apartments, and any locations the hijackers reportedly frequented for forensic evidence.
“Hairs, fibers, so that we could – things to identify them, but also anything they may have left behind — plans, contacts,” Creech said.
Operations Aboard the USS Intrepid
Back in New York, Koch eventually reported to the FBI’s temporary headquarters established on the docked aircraft carrier Intrepid. The bureau faced an investigation of unprecedented scale.
“They set up computer systems in there. We were there for probably four to six weeks,” Koch said. “Our job was to address all leads; thousands of leads came in from the public.”
Deserted Airports and Surreal Scenes
Kaelin was dispatched to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, which stood empty after the nationwide ground stop.
“There was planes abandoned, just on the tarmac, just everywhere, and there was no passengers,” he said. “It was very surreal, and all of the flights internationally were grounded.”
Fresh Kills: Supporting the Investigators
In New York, debris from the towers—twisted metal, crushed vehicles, concrete, personal effects, and human remains—was transported to the Fresh Kills Landfill on Staten Island for meticulous examination. Jeff Green, community relations coordinator from the FBI’s Miami office, was deployed there to support the personnel sifting through the wreckage.
“They couldn’t believe that we, as a nation, were experiencing this, what our country was going to look like, they mentioned that they had families, just, I think, at times overwhelmed,” he said. “We were there just to support them, and oftentimes that meant, ‘Hey, what do you need? Do you need a cup of coffee? Do you need a glass of water?’”
A Fundamental Shift in FBI Mission
For decades, the FBI concentrated primarily on violent crime and white-collar offenses. The 19 hijackers forced a paradigm shift. The bureau established a National Security Division in 2006, and according to the Department of Justice, began hiring analysts and linguists to prioritize prevention.
“I think it changed the mindset of the FBI, and it caused the FBI to evolve, because we had to,” said Brett Skiles, then FBI applicant who is now the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Miami office.
Enduring Memories of Ground Zero
Despite years of debate and controversy surrounding the response, the weight of responsibility on September 11 remains vivid for those who worked that day.
“I saw human beings jumping. I mean, can you imagine making a decision whether to just be incinerated in the fumes and the heat and the fire? I saw neckties kind of like the one I’m wearing wrapped around these steel pillars,” Koch said. “I’ll never forget that smell, the smell of ground zero, the metallic smell. You know, it was just something I’ll never forget.”
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Quarterfinal Preview: Can France Maintain Form Against China?
France Faces China in FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Quarter-Finals
BERLIN — France aims to validate its status as tournament favorites when it takes on China in Thursday’s FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026 Quarter-Finals. The winner advances to Saturday’s Semi-Finals.
Historical Context
France has never secured a top-four finish since the inaugural edition in 1953, and this quarterfinal represents a chance to end that decades-long drought. China, meanwhile, sits two victories away from replicating its run to the title game at the 2022 World Cup in Sydney.
Key Matchup: Malonga vs. Xu Han
A pivotal individual battle looms in the paint. Rising star Dominique Malonga, still only 20 years old, may be tasked with containing China’s marquee center Xu Han. Both players are dominant physical presences who have heavily influenced their teams’ progress.
Han has powered China to this stage with four consecutive double-doubles. Malonga ranks among France’s top three players in efficiency, scoring, rebounding, steals, and blocks despite her youth.
Statistical Breakdown
France enters with a significant offensive advantage, averaging 101.7 points per game compared to China’s 68.7 — a 33-point gap. The French are also devastating in transition, scoring 32 points per game off opponent turnovers, while China averages just seven points off turnovers.
China holds slight statistical edges in rebounding and points in the paint, but those may not be enough to offset France’s overall firepower.
Tempo and Tactical Questions
China demonstrated an ability to play at a faster pace when it outlasted Puerto Rico in the previous round. However, controlling tempo will be critical. A slower game increases China’s upset chances, while a “run and gun” scenario heavily favors France.
France has rolled through all three group-stage opponents. The quarterfinal presents its sternest test yet: maintaining defensive intensity and offensive fluidity both inside and on the perimeter.
Recent Head-to-Head History
This is a rematch of the 2022 World Cup Quarter-Finals in Sydney, where China prevailed 85-71 behind a near double-double from Xu Han (13 points, 9 rebounds).
Since that meeting, the teams clashed once more at the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 2024. France exacted revenge with a dominant 82-50 victory.
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‘WARDOGS’ Joins GeForce NOW for GFN Thursday
GeForce NOW Adds Nine New Titles Including WARDOGS, Valheim 1.0, and Bus Simulator 27
GeForce NOW members can dive into a fresh batch of PC games this week, with nine new titles joining the cloud streaming service. The lineup features the early-access launch of tactical shooter WARDOGS, the full 1.0 release of Valheim with its Deep North biome, and the debut of Bus Simulator 27 — all playable without downloads or local storage management.
By leveraging GeForce RTX-powered performance in the cloud, GeForce NOW lets players jump into demanding new releases across supported devices without expensive hardware upgrades. Ultimate members gain access to RTX 5080-class performance for a competitive edge.
WARDOGS Launches in Early Access
BULKHEAD’s large-scale tactical first-person shooter WARDOGS arrives on GeForce NOW today. Up to 100 players across three teams battle for control of randomized zones in a military sandbox where tactical gunplay, combined-arms combat, building, and destruction shape each match. Players outfit loadouts, coordinate squads, fortify positions, or engage with vehicles, earning cash for every team action to invest in gear that can turn the tide.
Valheim 1.0 Brings the Deep North
Iron Gate’s Viking survival saga has left early access with its 1.0 update, now streamable via Steam and Xbox Store. The update introduces the Deep North — a frozen frontier filled with new enemies, craftable weapons, and strongholds to build before the cold closes in. Full crossplay support across PC, Mac, Steam Deck, and Amazon Fire TV Stick makes it easier to rally a clan, with no download waits.
Bus Simulator 27 Hits the Road
Players can build a bus empire in Bus Simulator 27, driving a fleet of over 45 officially licensed buses from 13 manufacturers through Felicia Bay — a sunny region with two cities, 20 districts, and a full day-night cycle. Story, Career, and Sandbox modes let members manage timetables, create routes, and grow a successful company from the cloud.
Full List of This Week’s New Additions
- Bus Simulator 27 (Steam, Sept. 8)
- Halloween: The Game (Steam, Sept. 8)
- Honeycomb: The World Beyond (Steam, Sept. 8)
- Wanderburg (Steam, Sept. 8)
- Shroom and Gloom (Steam, Sept. 10)
- Train Sim World 7 – Advanced Access (Steam, Sept. 10)
- WARDOGS (Steam, Sept. 10)
- Welcome to Elderfield (Steam, Sept. 10)
- Death Stranding Director’s Cut (Epic Games Store)
Release dates reflect store availability; GeForce NOW onboarding may vary as games are added throughout the week. Members should watch GeForce NOW channels and GFN Thursdays for updates.
Community Spotlight and Trial Options
A returning GFN community member noted that NVIDIA DLSS 5 technology renewed their interest in cloud gaming after a six-year hiatus. New users can test premium cloud gaming with a day pass, with the cost applicable toward a first monthly membership.
What will you play this weekend? Share your plans on X or in the comments below.
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PPI Data Shows Wholesale Prices Rose as Expected
Wholesale Inflation Rises as Expected in August, Producer Prices Climb 0.4%
U.S. wholesale inflation advanced largely in line with forecasts in August, according to data released Wednesday by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The report arrives days before the closely watched Consumer Price Index release and as traders weigh the likelihood of another Federal Reserve rate hike this year.
Monthly Producer Price Gains Accelerate
The headline Producer Price Index (PPI) increased 0.4% in August from the previous month, matching economists’ consensus estimates. The reading marks a notable pickup from July’s revised gain of 0.1%.
The “core” reading — which excludes the more volatile food and energy costs — showed producer prices advanced by 0.2% over the previous month. That came in slightly below the 0.3% growth economists had predicted and below July’s revised gain of 0.3%.
Year-Over-Year Inflation Remains Elevated
On an annual basis, headline producer prices rose 5.4% in August, slightly above the 5.3% estimate and accelerating from the previous month’s revised 4.8% print. Core inflation came in at 4.6%, in line with estimates but above July’s 4.2% increase.
CPI Report Next in Focus for Fed Clues
Today’s wholesale inflation data precedes the monthly Consumer Price Index report due Friday. Market participants will scrutinize the CPI for signals on the Federal Reserve’s policy trajectory.
Economists expect the upcoming CPI data to show that headline consumer prices ticked up month over month but remained flat from a year ago at 3.4%. The “core” CPI — the more closely watched metric — is projected to tick down slightly on a yearly basis to 2.4%.
Rate-Hike Bets Firm After Hawkish Jackson Hole Remarks
Following Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh’s speech last month at the Jackson Hole symposium, where he took a more hawkish stance than expected, market positioning has shifted further toward a 25 basis point rate hike by year-end.
Traders are currently pricing in roughly a 64% chance of a hike at the September meeting next week, while bets for at least one increase by the Fed’s December meeting sit at approximately 90%.
Jake Conley is a breaking news reporter covering U.S. equities for Yahoo Finance. Follow him on X at @byjakeconley or email him at [email protected].
