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Starbucks is giving incoming CEO Brian Niccol $85 million in cash and stock as he departs Chipotle

Starbucks offered incoming CEO and Chair Brian Niccol a pay bump and hefty one-time awards to lure him from his prior role as chief executive at Chipotle Mexican Grill.

Niccol officially takes the reins at the embattled coffee chain on Sept. 9. As CEO, he’ll be tasked with turning around the company’s slumping sales, improving customers’ experience inside stores and figuring out what to do with its struggling China business. It’s a big undertaking — for which he will be well compensated.

Starbucks disclosed Niccol’s incoming pay plan in a filing on Wednesday. The majority of his compensation package is made up of equity that vests over time, and is based on company performance targets and other metrics. In his first year, his pay package could be worth as much as $116.8 million if the company hits its targets and it fully vests.

Niccol will be paid a base salary of $1.6 million annually, with the opportunity to earn up to $7.2 million more in cash. He’ll also be eligible for annual equity awards worth up to $23 million.

And for leaving Chipotle, Niccol will receive a $10 million cash bonus and $75 million in equity to make up for what he’s forfeiting with his departure from the burrito chain. The equity will vest over a three-to-four-year period, based on company performance and Niccol’s tenure.

“Brian Niccol has proven himself to be one of the most effective leaders in our industry, generating significant financial returns over many years,” Starbucks said in a statement. “His compensation at Starbucks is tied directly to the company’s performance and the shared success of all our stakeholders. We’re confident in his ability to deliver long-term, enduring value for our partners, customers and shareholders.”

At Chipotle, Niccol collected a $1.3 million base salary last year, with a total compensation of $22.5 million. Stock awards and options accounted for the bulk of his earnings, but he also took home a cash bonus of $5.2 million.

During his tenure at Chipotle, the stock climbed 773%, fattening the value of his overall compensation.

Niccol’s pay package is also more generous than that of his ousted predecessor, Laxman Narasimhan. His base salary was $1.3 million, with possible cash bonuses of up to $5.85 million and equity awards of $13.6 million, according to filings. In fiscal 2023, Narasimhan’s compensation was valued at $14.6 million, largely from stock awards.

Unlike Narasimhan, who was previously based in the U.K., Niccol won’t be required to relocate to Starbucks’ headquarters in Seattle.

— CNBC’s Kate Rogers contributed to this report

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS
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Jalen Hurts sits again, increasing likelihood his first game action is Week 1

Last season, when the Philadelphia Eagles were shaky in beating the New England Patriots in the regular-season opener, head coach Nick Sirianni said he would ‘re-evaluate some of the preseason stuff,’ specifically whether he would play his starters during the preseason games.

But Jalen Hurts and most of the offensive starters sat for a second straight preseason game when the Eagles played the Patriots on Thursday night.

The reasoning for preseason Week 2 is clear. For one, it was raining in Foxborough in the hours leading up to the game. Secondly, the Eagles practiced against the Patriots on Tuesday, which Sirianni considers better work than the game at this point. And with a new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore, and a new offensive philosophy, Sirianni likes to have a ‘competitive advantage’ heading into the regular season.

So it’s likely Hurts’ first live action will come Sept. 6 in Brazil in the Eagles’ regular-season opener against Green Bay.

Here are some takeaways and observations from the Eagles’ 14-13 win:

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Did Tanner McKee make a case for backup QB job?

As for the game, the Eagles might have a competition for backup quarterback after all.

That’s because second-year quarterback Tanner McKee, who has gotten occasional second-team reps in practice, outplayed Kenny Pickett, the 2022 first-round pick of the Steelers whom the Eagles traded for in the spring.

McKee led the go-ahead touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, highlighted by a 28-yard pass to Joseph Ngata down to the 4 yard line. Kendall Milton’s 1-yard run with 4:23 left gave the Eagles a 14-12 lead.

McKee went 15-for-19 for 140 yards. He was better than Pickett, who played the first half, albeit against many of the Patriots starters on defense.

And while Pickett completed 11 of 13 passes for 67 yards, only two went further than 10 yards. Pickett was also sacked four times.

McKee took over in the third quarter. He completed four passes of more than 10 yards, including a 23-yard strike to Ngata. He left for a series in the third quarter and returned in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles clinched the victory when linebacker Brandon Smith recovered a fumble on a bad snap to Patriots QB Bailey Zappe.

E.J. Jenkins, Ngata shine, O-line struggles

Jenkins, vying for a third tight end spot, had a 19-yard reception from Will Grier. He finished with 5 catches for 47 yards before leaving in the fourth quarter with a leg injury.

Ngata finished with 5 catches for 88 yards.

But the game also showed that the Eagles don’t have a lot of depth on the offensive line behind the starters. That was exposed more when right guard Tyler Steen left in the first quarter when he re-injured his ankle. Steen was in the running at right guard although it already appeared that Mekhi Becton won that job.

Nakobe Dean, Nolan Smith make big plays

Both Nakobe Dean and Nolan Smith had difficult rookie seasons. But the former Georgia stars made strong plays on back-to-back plays in the third quarter.

On 2nd-and-10 from midfield, New England’s Drake Maye threw short to rookie wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk. Dean met him right away and tackled him for no gain. On the next play, Smith sacked Maye for an eight-yard loss, forcing a Patriots punt.

Kenny Pickett struggles in first half

Kenny Pickett started at quarterback and was accurate when he had time to throw, which wasn’t often, as the Eagles trailed 10-3 at halftime. Then again, Pickett was with backups on the offensive line and wide receiver. He didn’t have Saquon Barkley to hand off to, or AJ Brown or DeVonta Smith to throw to.

And then right guard Tyler Steen re-injured his ankle. Pickett was sacked four times in the Eagles’ first two drives without Steen.

Pickett was 11 of 13 for 67 yards in the first half. As a team, the Eagles had just 65 yards in the first half. But Pickett didn’t help himself, often holding the ball too long.

It could have been worse as Avonte Maddox stopped one Patriots drive with an interception in the end zone and 47-yard return that led to the Eagles’ only points, a Jake Elliott 42-yard field goal with 3:04 left in the first quarter.

But the Pats tied it up, then took a 10-3 lead as rookie QB Drake Maye scored from 4 yards out with 1:57 left in the second quarter.

Drake Maye scores first NFL touchdown

Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye scored the first touchdown of his NFL career, and it wasn’t through the air. Instead, he ran the ball into the end zone to put the finishing touches on a methodical touchdown drive.

The drive went eight plays for 49 yards, and it shaved 3:58 off the game clock. It was a drive that featured a little bit of everything with Maye leading a balanced offensive attack that kept the Eagles on their heels.

WR John Ross leaves with injury

John Ross, one of the receivers vying for the third WR spot, left the game to be evaluated for a concussion. Johnny Wilson was placed in the concussion protocol after Tuesday’s practice.

Tyler Steen injures ankle as Mekhi Becton might have already won RG spot

The right guard competition appeared to be over even before Tyler Steen left in a cart at the end of the first quarter. Steen suffered an ankle injury, the same injury that kept him out for 10 days earlier in camp, allowing Mekhi Becton to take over.

Becton was among the starters sitting out Thursday while Steen suited up. Then Steen got hurt. Nick Gates took over for Steen.

Becton played the first series last week against Baltimore. Now, he’s in bubble wrap with the other starters. Sirianni hasn’t verbally declared the competition over, but he might have with his actions.

Avonte Maddox INT helps Eagles to early lead vs Patriots

Both of the Eagles starting safeties in Reed Blankenship and CJ Gardner-Johnson (shoulder) sat out, so converted corners in veterans Avonte Maddox and James Bradberry started.

Maddox made an impact right away. On New England’s second possession, he stepped in front of Austin Hooper in the end zone and intercepted Jacoby Brissett’s pass and returned it 47 yards to the Eagles’ 45. The Eagles got a field goal for a 3-0 lead with 3:04 left in the first quarter.

Many defensive starters did play, including edge rusher Bryce Huff, who had tackles on the Patriots’ first two plays.

Rookie WR sitting out with concussion

Johnny Wilson, the Eagles’ sixth-round pick who was having a good preseason, did not play Thursday because he was placed in the concussion protocol after Tuesday’s practice.

Wilson had one catch for seven yards against Baltimore last week. The 6-foot-6 receiver is in the running for the third wide receiver spot.

Eagles 53-man roster: Who’s leading 3rd WR battle?

It’s becoming more and more likely that the Eagles’ third wide receiver isn’t on the roster yet.

None of the receivers behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith took advantage of their chances in the Eagles’ 16-13 win over Baltimore last week. And that could possibly lead to outside help before the start of the season. It just so happens that veteran Juju Smith-Schuster was released last week by the New England Patriots.

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Phillies rookie hits for cycle in 24th MLB game

Rookie Weston Wilson hit for the cycle and Alec Bohm and Nick Castellanos belted back-to-back homers in the first inning, lifting the host Philadelphia Phillies to a convincing 13-3 victory over the Washington Nationals on Thursday.

Wilson struck out in the first inning, tripled and singled in the fourth, crushed a solo homer in the seventh and completed the cycle with a double in the eighth.

Bohm launched a three-run homer to left field in the first inning and Castellanos also went deep to stake Philadelphia to an early 4-0 lead. Castellanos added an RBI single to cap a five-run fourth inning that put the hosts up 9-0.

Philadelphia’s Johan Rojas drove in three runs and Trea Turner ripped a two-run double among his three hits. The Phillies banged out 17 hits en route to winning their second straight after losing 17 of their previous 24 games.

Zack Wheeler (12-5) allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits and no walks while striking out six in six innings to defeat Washington for the second time this season. He permitted two runs on three hits in 7⅓ innings of a 4-2 win over the Nationals on May 17.

All things Phillies: Latest Philadelphia Phillies news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

Keibert Ruiz belted two solo homers for the Nationals, who fell to 1-6 against Philadelphia this season.

In the first inning, Turner and Bryce Harper hit one-out singles before Bohm deposited an 0-1 fastball from rookie Mitchell Parker (6-7) over the wall in left field. The homer was Bohm’s 13th of the season and first since Aug. 4.

Castellanos tacked on another run by sending an 0-1 splitter from Parker over the wall in left field. Castellanos’ 16th homer of the season was his first since July 27.

Philadelphia put the game out of reach in the fourth inning.

Wilson hit a leadoff triple and scored on Rojas’ single to left field. Schwarber followed with a single and joined Rojas in scoring following Turner’s double to left field. Turner scampered home on Harper’s RBI single to right field that sent Parker to the showers.

Castellanos’ single off Eduardo Salazar scored Harper to close the book on Parker, who permitted nine runs on 10 hits in three-plus innings to take the loss. Parker fanned six and walked two.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY
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Politics

House Oversight investigating Walz over ‘longstanding connections’ to China

The House Oversight Committee is investigating Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, and his alleged ‘longstanding connections’ to China and CCP-linked entities, Fox News Digital has learned. 

Fox News Digital exclusively obtained a letter that House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., penned to FBI Director Christopher Wray, notifying the bureau of the committee’s investigation into Walz. 

‘The Committee on Oversight and Accountability is conducting a government-wide investigation into the Chinese Communist Party’s political warfare operations against America and the response from federal agencies,’ he wrote. ‘Vice President Kamala Harris recently announced her vice presidential running mate, Timothy Walz, the current governor of Minnesota.’ 

Comer said that the committee had been briefed by the FBI on April 22 and July 17 — both briefings occurred before Walz was named Harris’ running mate. 

However, Comer said that FBI briefers told the committee that the bureau’s Foreign Influence Task Force ‘investigates exactly the kind of activity that has since come to light about Governor Walz.’ 

Comer is now seeking information about the Chinese entities and officials Walz has ‘engaged and partnered with,’ as well as any ‘warnings or advice the FBI may have given to Governor Walz about U.S. political figures being targeted by or recruited for CCP influence operations.’ 

Comer said Walz has ‘longstanding connections to CCP-connected entities and officials that make him susceptible’ to the CCP’s strategy of ‘elite capture,’ which seeks to co-opt influential figures in elite political, cultural and academic circles to ‘influence the United States to the benefit of the communist regime and the detriment of Americans.’ 

Comer pointed to reports of Walz’s ‘extensive engagement with CCP officials and entities while serving in public office,’ saying it raises questions about ‘possible CCP influence in his decision-making as governor — and, should he be elected, as vice president.’ 

‘Recent reporting reveals that Governor Walz has concerning ties to the People’s Republic of China,’ Comer wrote.

Comer pointed to reports that suggest that while Walz was a teacher in the early 1990s, he organized a trip to China for Alliance High School students, where the costs were reportedly ‘paid by the Chinese government.’  

‘In 1994, Mr. Walz set up a private company named ‘Educational Travel Adventures, Inc.,’ which coordinated annual student trips to the PRC until 2003, and was led by Mr. Walz himself,’ Comer wrote, adding that the corporation was ‘reportedly dissolved four days after he took congressional office in 2007.’ 

Comer also said Walz has traveled to China an estimated ’30 times.’ 

‘In its investigation, the Committee has highlighted the importance of U.S. officials being cognizant of CCP political and psychological warfare efforts that seek to threaten national security,’ Comer wrote. 

Comer then pointed to Walz’s time in Congress, noting he served as a fellow at the Macau Polytechnic University — a Chinese institution that characterizes itself as having a ‘long-held devotion to and love for the motherland.’ 

‘At the time he disclosed serving as a Macau fellow, Mr. Walz also had significant credit card debt,’ Comer wrote, noting that in 2019, Walz headlined the 27th National Convention for the U.S. China Peoples Friendship Association in Minnesota.

‘Governor Walz spoke alongside the president of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, which, a year later, the Department of State exposed as ‘a Beijing-based organization tasked with co-opting subnational governments,’ including efforts to ‘directly and malignly influence state and local leaders to promote the PRC’s global agenda,’’ Comer wrote. 

Comer said Walz himself has ‘admitted that he does not ‘fall into the category that China necessarily needs to be an adversarial relationship.’’ 

‘Despite bipartisan efforts to identify and defeat CCP unrestricted warfare against America, Governor Walz continues problematic engagement with concerning entities and individuals,’ Comer wrote. 

Comer also pointed to a March 2024 meeting Walz had with Consul General Zhao Jian to discuss ‘China-U.S. relations and sub-national cooperation.’

‘Despite his knowledge and condemnation of communist China’s human rights violations, Governor Walz has said he ‘applaud[s] the accomplishments of the Chinese people and recognize[s] that some in the Chinese Government advocate for greater rule of law,’’ Comer wrote. 

Comer is now requesting that the FBI assist in the committee’s investigation by providing documents and information related to any Chinese entity or individual with whom Walz may have engaged or partnered. 

Comer is also asking for any records between the FBI and Walz, or his gubernatorial office pertaining to warnings or guidance about subnational government officials engaging with the PRC, CCP and the CCP’s proxies. 

Comer, in a statement to Fox News Digital, said ‘the CCP has sought to destroy the United States through coordinated influence and infiltration campaigns that target every aspect of American life, including our own elected officials.’ 

‘Americans should be deeply concerned that Governor Walz, Kamala Harris’s vice-presidential running mate, has a longstanding and cozy relationship with China,’ Comer said. ‘Mr. Walz has visited China dozens of times, served as a fellow at a Chinese institution that maintains a devotion to the CCP, and spoke alongside the President of a Chinese organization the State Department exposed as a CCP effort to influence and co-opt local leaders.’ 

Comer added, ‘FBI briefers recently informed the Committee that the Bureau’s Foreign Influence Task Force investigates CCP activity that is similar to China’s engagement with Governor Walz.’ 

‘The American people deserve to fully understand how deep Governor Walz’s relationship with China goes,’ Comer told Fox News Digital. 

The Harris-Walz campaign did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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Politics

RFK denies report that he asked for position in Harris cabinet

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is denying reports that he sought a position in a hypothetical Democratic administration.

Kennedy was accused this week of reaching out to Democratic presidential nominee and Vice President Kamala Harris’ team to discuss the possibility of working inside a future Cabinet — the claim appeared in a report from the Washington Post.

‘That’s fake news. I didn’t ask Kamala Harris for a Cabinet position but I’ve reached out to all the candidates. I’ve met with some,’ Kennedy told guests during his ‘TikTok Town Hall’ live-streamed event.

The independent candidate claimed that he had met with all other candidates in the presidential election — specifically mentioning a meeting with Libertarian Party candidate Chase Oliver.

‘I wanted to meet with all the candidates to talk about dampening down the rhetoric and unifying our country and also talk about some of the issues — ending the wars, et cetera.’

Kennedy said he wasn’t sure he would be able to serve in a Harris-Walz administration unless ‘a lot of different changes’ were made.

‘The other candidates have met with me, Kamala Harris has said she doesn’t want to,’ Kennedy said. ‘I believe it would be tough for me to work with their administration unless they committed to a lot of different changes.’

The report from the Washington Post on Wednesday claimed Kennedy — whose long-shot bid for president took a hit earlier this week when a judge ruled his name should not appear on New York’s ballot — sought out a meeting with Harris in hopes of landing a potential Cabinet secretary position in her future administration. 

Kennedy was previously recorded on video speaking to former President Trump during a meeting at last month’s convention in Milwaukee, in which Trump appeared to allude to potential positions in his administration.

Nevertheless, Kennedy has continued to campaign and make regular media appearances with the expectation that he can win the election, the report notes, though he has left open the possibility of meeting with or getting out of the way of either Harris or Trump if they share an openness about his vision for the country.

Polling has shown Kennedy is one of the most disruptive independent candidates in decades in both breadth of appeal and commitment of his supporters.

Fox News Digital’s Michael Lee contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS
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Stocks

The SCTR Report: Dell Is Gaining Strength. Here’s Why the Stock Is a Strong Buy.

When the general market is recovering from a pullback, there can be great opportunities to buy on the dip. But how do you identify which stocks to buy?

In making this critical judgment, the StockCharts Technical Rank (SCTR) can be an essential tool.

There are many ways to use the SCTR report. One way is to use the top-performing stocks, similar to last week’s SCTR report. Another is to find stocks that have increased the most from the Top Up tab on the SCTR Reports panel on Your Dashboard. As you can see, Dell Technologies, Inc. (DELL) is at the top of this list (see below).

FIGURE 1. TOP-UP SCTR STOCKS IN THE LARGE-CAP CATEGORY. The SCTR Reports can be used to identify stocks that have the potential to soar.

Dell Stock’s Price Action

Does Dell look like a promising opportunity? Let’s examine Dell stock, starting with the weekly chart.

FIGURE 2. WEEKLY CHART OF DELL. The stock has broken above an upward-sloping trendline and is trading above its 52-week moving average. Watch for the SCTR score to cross 70.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.Looking back over three years, Dell’s stock price broke out of a trading range in the middle of 2023, exploded higher, and hit a high at the end of May 2024. Since then, the stock price has struggled, but it looks like it may be coming out the other end.

Dell’s stock price is trading above its 52-week simple moving average. The stock price has also broken above the upward-sloping trendline from the March 2023 low. The SCTR line (see top panel) spiked higher and is shy of the 70 level. 

When Should You Buy DELL?

Often, a break above 70 in the SCTR line is a sign of gaining strength. The last time Dell’s stock crossed above the 70 SCTR level was in early April 2023, when the stock was in the early stages of its uptrend. It would have been a great investment if you had entered when the SCTR crossed 70 and exited the trade when the indicator fell below 70 in July 2024.

To determine if a stock is worth buying, it’s best to look shorter-term. In this case, let’s examine the daily chart.

FIGURE 3. DAILY CHART OF DELL. The stock has crossed above its 21-day exponential moving average and is starting to gain strength relative to the S&P 500. Momentum needs to increase, and an upward trend has to be established before buying the stock.Chart source: StockCharts.com. For educational purposes.

DELL is trending lower, although it has exceeded its 21-day exponential moving average. Strong volume, which is not evident on the daily chart, is needed to sustain the upside movement.If the stock gains momentum, several resistance levels have favorable risk-to-reward ratios (dashed blue lines). These levels could also serve as entry and exit levels.The relative strength of DELL vs. the S&P 500 ($SPX) is rising, another indication of the stock gaining strength.

The bottom line: Wait for the SCTR line to cross above 70. Then, make sure the stock is in an uptrend (series of higher highs and higher lows) and is gaining relative strength.

When Should You Exit DELL?

Since your entry depends on the stock gaining strength and momentum, it’s best to exit your position when the price action slows down. It’s still too early to jump into the stock, but identify key support and resistance levels, use them to determine your entry and exit points, and, more importantly, identify where your stop losses will be.

When a stock looks like it will rise higher, map out the different scenarios that could play out and plan a strategy for each scenario. There’s nothing better than making a well-planned trade or investment.

DELL is a stock to add to your ChartList. But there may be others to consider, which is why it’s a good habit to review the SCTR Reports. It’s a great way to catch the next big stock!

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Business

Trader Joe’s recalls 653,000 scented candles due to fire hazard

Trader Joe’s is recalling 653,000 scented candles because they pose an elevated fire hazard.

In a release on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website posted Thursday, Trader Joe’s said the flame on its Mango Tangerine candles can spread from the wick to the wax, causing a larger than expected flame.

The products were sold in June.

Trader Joe’s said it had received three reports of minor property damage and two reports of minor burns from users of the products.

Users should return the candle to any Trader Joe’s store for a full cash refund of $4, or complete a product feedback form online to receive a $4 Trader Joe’s gift card by mail. Consumers will receive a response from its customer relations team requesting a receipt or a photo of the candle.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS
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Business

United CEO expresses ‘renewed confidence’ in Boeing after meeting with new leader

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby says he is optimistic about Boeing’s recovery after meeting with the manufacturer’s new chief executive.

It’s an upbeat change of tune from the head of United, a top Boeing customer that has been among the most publicly frustrated about the plane maker’s problems, which have led to delayed deliveries of dozens of aircraft.

Kirby and Boeing’s new CEO, Robert “Kelly” Ortberg, had lunch earlier this week in the Dallas area. Kirby said in a LinkedIn post on Thursday that he “was not only encouraged by what I heard, but I also came away with a renewed confidence that Boeing is on the right path and will recover faster than most expect.”

United has 484 unfilled orders with Boeing, according to the manufacturer’s website.

Ortberg also met with American Airlines CEO Robert Isom earlier this week, according to a person familiar with the matter who wasn’t authorized to speak with the media.

Read more CNBC airline news

Delta says chaos after CrowdStrike outage cost it $380 million in revenue

Boeing’s new outsider CEO takes the helm from the factory floor

NTSB 737 Max hearing puts Boeing’s troubled factories in the spotlight

Ortberg, who previously ran commercial and defense supplier Rockwell Collins and has more than three decades of experience in the aerospace industry, took the reins at Boeing a week ago, spending part of his first day at Boeing’s 737 factory floor in Renton, Washington. Ortberg will be based in Seattle, a shift from previous leaders.

“His engineering background at Rockwell Collins, combined with an instinct to be close to his frontline teams in Seattle, makes for a winning combination,” Kirby wrote on Thursday. “It was clear from our discussion that he’s 100% engaged, understands the cultural changes needed to turn things around and is committed to listening to his employees and customers.”

United and other major customers such as Southwest Airlines have been grappling with delayed jetliners as Boeing tries to recover from its latest safety crisis in the wake of a door plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 earlier this year.

No one was seriously injured in the accident — which occurred after bolts that hold the door plug in place weren’t installed before the airline received the plane — but it came after a host of other manufacturing defects on Boeing planes.

“In speaking with our customers and industry partners leading up to today, I can tell you that without exception, everyone wants us to succeed,” Ortberg said in a note to staff on his first day last Thursday. “In many cases, they NEED us to succeed.”

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS
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First College Football Playoff rankings to be released on Election Day

With the college football season less than two weeks away from starting, the dates for the highly anticipated College Football Playoff rankings releases are now known.

The College Football Playoff Selection Committee announced on Thursday the dates its rankings will be released this season as selection committee members met in Southern California this week.

The rankings will first be unveiled on Tuesday, Nov. 5 — Election Day in America and Week 11 of the 2024 season — and will be released over the next four and a half weeks, leading up to the release of the first 12-team College Football Playoff on Dec. 8. The committee also announced that since the five highest-ranked conference champions will get automatic spots in the playoff — with the top four getting first-round byes — conference titles will no longer be used as a tiebreaker during the selection process.

Here are the dates and times for the College Football Playoff rankings release:

College Football Playoff rankings release dates, times

Tuesday, Nov. 5: 7 p.m. ET
Tuesday, Nov. 12: 9 p.m. ET (will be announced in between games of the State Farm Champions Classic college basketball doubleheader)
Tuesday, Nov. 19: 7 p.m. ET
Tuesday Nov. 26: 8 p.m. ET
Tuesday, Dec. 3: 7 p.m. ET
Sunday, Dec. 8 (Selection Sunday): 12 p.m. ET

When is the College Football Playoff?

The 12-team College Football Playoff will begin on Dec. 20 and will culminate with the national championship game on Jan. 20, 2025: Here is the full schedule:

First round

Friday, Dec. 20, 2024: One game (Campus sites)
Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024: Three games (Campus siteS)

Quarterfinals

Tuesday, Dec. 31, 2024: Fiesta Bowl
Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025: Peach Bowl, Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl

Semifinals

Thursday, Jan. 9: Orange Bowl
Friday, Jan. 10, 2025: Cotton Bowl

National Championship

Monday, Jan. 20, 2025: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta

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Which NBA teams play on Christmas Day 2024?

LeBron James is headed for his record 19th Christmas Day game, including his 17th consecutive, when the Los Angeles Lakers visit the Golden State Warriors on Dec. 25.

That game is one of five on Christmas this season, and it is the 17th consecutive season with five NBA games on Christmas. San Antonio Spurs second-year star Victor Wembanyama, the 2023-24 Rookie of the Year who starred for France at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is on target to play in his first Christmas game.

Here is the NBA’s 2024 Christmas Day schedule:

San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks, noon ET, ESPN
Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks, 2:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics, 5 p.m. ET, ABC
Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors, 8 p.m. ET, ABC
Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

A closer look at the NBA’s Christmas Day games:

2024 NBA Christmas Day games

San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks, noon ET, ESPN

The Knicks played in the league’s first Christmas games in 1947, beating the Providence Steamrollers 89-61.  The improving Knicks are scheduled for their fourth consecutive Christmas game, and this is the Spurs’ first Christmas game since 2016. Wembanyama is the reason for that.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks, 2:30 p.m. ET, ABC

In a rematch of last season’s Western Conference finals, Dallas’ Luka Dončić and Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards are the featured stars as both should be part of the MVP conversation. Last season on Christmas, Dončić became the first player in NBA history to have at least 50 points, 15 assists, six rebounds, four steals and three blocks in a game since steals and blocks were first recorded in 1973-74.

Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics, 5 p.m. ET, ABC

The defending champion Celtics will play in their ninth consecutive Christmas game. They are 5-3 in the previous eight, including victories in 2023 and 2022. It will be another chance to see how the Joel Embiid-Paul George-Tyrese Maxey combination is working. Embiid averages 31.3 points in four Christmas games, however, he missed last year’s Dec. 25 contest against Miami.

Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors, 8 p.m. ET, ABC

James is 10-8 on Christmas, including three consecutive losses in 2021, 2022 and 2023. James is the NBA’s all-time leader in games played (18), points scored (477), field goals made (168), No. 2 in assists (127) and No. 6 in rebounds (139) in Christmas games.

Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

After the Olympics, Denver star Nikola Jokic of Serbia is probably tired of playing against Phoenix and U.S. stars Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. The schedule-maker was sly with this matchup. Durant (315) is one of five players with at least 300 points on Christmas and averages 28.6 points in Dec. 25 games.

∎ The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast. Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on social media @JeffZillgitt

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