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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson kept the overall lead in fan voting numbers revealed Monday for the NFL Pro Bowl Games with Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley a close second. Jackson topped vote-getters with 82,402 and Barkley was next, only 320 votes behind. Barkley was 4,079 votes back of Jackson in last week's first voting results. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.None
ATLANTA (AP) — Ethan Vasko threw three touchdown passes and ran for a fourth as Coastal Carolina became bowl eligible by beating Georgia State 48-27 for its sixth win of the season in the regular season finale on Saturday. The Chanticleers evened their season record at 6-6 with the win and finished 3-5 in the Sun Belt East. The loss leaves Georgia State (3-9) with just one win in eight conference games. Vasko threw 10 yards to Senika McKie for the game's first score midway through the first quarter, but the Panthers got a Liam Rickman 28-yard field goal and a 19-yard touchdown run by Freddie Brock to take a 10-7 second-quarter lead. Vasko threw his second TD pass, this one a five-yard strike to Zach Courtney to take the lead and Kade Hensley booted a 43-yard field goal as time expired to put Coastal Carolina up 17-10 at halftime. Christian Washington ran 18-yards for a touchdown to open up a 24-10 lead four minutes into the third quarter. Vasko hit McKie for their second touchdown, this one from 31-yards out and Vasko ran 10 yards for a fourth-quarter touchdown to make it 38-10 with under 10 minutes to play. Vasko was 13 of 17 passing for 200 yards and carried 13 times for another 68. Washington carried 20 times for 124 yards. McKie caught five passes for 81 yards Georgia State amassed 428 yards of offense, but the Panthers turned the ball over six times. Christian Veilleux completed 15 of 26 passes for 205 yards but was picked off four times and fumbled. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballLamar Jackson takes on Philadelphia's top-ranked defense when the Ravens host the Eagles
A fight broke out at midfield after Michigan stunned No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday as Wolverines players attempted to plant their flag and were met by Buckeyes who confronted them. Police had to use pepper spray to break up the players, who threw punches and shoves in the melee that overshadowed the rivalry game. Ohio State police said in a statement “multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray.” Ohio State police will investigate the fight, according to the statement. After the Ohio State players confronted their bitter rivals at midfield, defensive end Jack Sawyer grabbed the top of the Wolverines’ flag and ripped it off the pole as the brawl moved toward the Michigan bench. Eventually, police officers rushed into the ugly scene. Ohio State coach Ryan Day said he understood the actions of his players. “There are some prideful guys on our team who weren’t going to sit back and let that happen,” Day said. The two Ohio State players made available after the game brushed off questions about it. Michigan running back Kalel Mullings, who rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown, didn’t like how the Buckeyes players involved themselves in the Wolverines’ postgame celebration. He called it “classless.” “For such a great game, you hate to see stuff like that after the game,” he said in an on-field interview with Fox Sports. “It’s just bad for the sport, bad for college football. But at the end of the day, you know some people got to — they got to learn how to lose, man. ... We had 60 minutes, we had four quarters, to do all that fighting.” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said everybody needs to do better. “So much emotions on both sides,” he said. “Rivalry games get heated, especially this one. It’s the biggest one in the country, so we got to handle that better.”Trevor Lawrence could very well be done for the season. The Jaguars have placed the quarterback on injured reserve with a concussion and his time on the field during the 2024 NFL season is likely over. Lawrence would be eligible to return in Week 18, though it will be Mac Jones under center to finish the season with the Jags at 2-10 and mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Lawrence was injured during Sunday’s loss to the Texans when Azeez Al-Shaair hit him in the head area as the QB slid during a run. The Jaguars star remained down on the ground for several moments and was quickly ruled out for the rest of the game. The hit has drawn plenty of criticism for Al-Shaair who was handed a three-game suspension on Tuesday. In a statement on his social media, Lawrence wrote on Dec. 1 that he had been “home and feeling better” while thanking everyone for their concern. While speaking with reporters on Wednesday, Jags running back Travis Etienne told reporters that Lawrence was “in great spirits.” “Just seeing him on that field, just kind of running over and seeing him like that, I never seen that ever,” Etienne said about the moment the injury occurred. “You kind of hate that. You kind of hate that feeling because we’re brothers first and we’re football players second. ... I’m just happy he’s in a better place mentally. “I told him, ‘you have a daughter — you have a blessing that’s coming. So get right, take care of yourself, take care of your family. And we’ll be here holding it down and waiting til’ you get back next year” If Lawrence has played his final game of the season then he’ll finish the year with 2,045 passing yards, 11 touchdown passes and seven interceptions. His best game of the season occurred during Week 5 when the Jaguars defeated the Colts and Lawrence finished the day with 371 passing yards, two touchdown passes and an 82.4 completion percentage.
Jetta Productions Inc Investment Thesis Last time I talked about FedEx Corp (NYSE: NYSE: FDX ), I dissected the company’s Q1 report and argued why the management’s optimism in Europe could be short-lived. I also argued once more on why a Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
Flux Power Receives Non-Compliance Letter from NasdaqNonePercentages: FG .375, FT .563. 3-Point Goals: 5-14, .357 (Gaten 2-2, Carver 1-2, Smith 1-2, Forrester-Jhagroo 1-4, Beckwith 0-1, Cunningham 0-1, Marion 0-2). Team Rebounds: 0. Team Turnovers: 3. Blocked Shots: 2 (Gaten, Smith). Turnovers: 16 (Beckwith 3, Forrester-Jhagroo 3, Cunningham 2, Fulp 2, Marion, Peacock, Robinson, Sidney, Smith, Sucarichi). Steals: 4 (Fulp 2, Cunningham, Smith). Technical Fouls: None. Percentages: FG .439, FT .789. 3-Point Goals: 8-25, .320 (Johnston 2-3, Williams 2-3, Hausen 1-1, Pettiford 1-1, Giffa 1-3, K.Hamilton 1-3, Fonville 0-1, Thiam 0-2, Anderson 0-3, Benham 0-5). Team Rebounds: 1. Team Turnovers: 1. Blocked Shots: 10 (Ibukunoluwa 4, Bodo Bodo 3, Matlekovic 2, K.Hamilton). Turnovers: 9 (Johnston 2, Williams 2, Bodo Bodo, Giffa, K.Hamilton, Pettiford, Thiam). Steals: 8 (Ibukunoluwa 3, Williams 2, Bodo Bodo, Johnston, K.Hamilton). Technical Fouls: None. A_1,846 (4,500).
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U.S. President Joe Biden is set to unveil a significant $600 million investment in Angola's Lobito rail corridor during his forthcoming visit, according to inside sources. The fund will support various projects in solar energy, critical minerals, and telecommunications along the corridor. This announcement marks a historic moment as President Biden becomes the first U.S. president to visit Angola, as well as making his inaugural trip to Sub-Saharan Africa in his presidential capacity. The financial infusion underlines the U.S. commitment to bolster infrastructure and technological advancement in the region, aiming to enhance economic growth and connectivity. (With inputs from agencies.)PTI reschedules civil disobedience movementOur community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Stephen Robinson heaped praise on shock troops Aberdeen – but is confident his Buddies will meet the moment this weekend. St Mirren return to Premiership action following the international window with the unbeaten Dons arriving at the SMiSA Stadium. Club chiefs reported that over 7,200 tickets had been sold while the Red Army are expected to snap up their entire allocation. Only goal difference keeps Aberdeen off top spot but, while Saints boss Robbo is impressed with the work of counterpart Jimmy Thelin, he reckons his own team can producing a winning performance. He said: “I think Aberdeen have had a terrific start. There wasn’t a lot in the first game we played them but they have grown since then. The results have been fantastic so credit to the manager and the players but also to Dave Cormack [chairman], the board and Alan Burrows [chief executive] for the backing they have given financially. You have to admire and respect that. “They have a really good squad so that after 60-70 minutes, they change it. They have a real energy coming off the bench. Renfrewshire Live, the new free app dedicated to bringing you around the clock breaking news, is now available to download. Powered by the Paisley Daily Express, Renfrewshire Live is your go-to source for news, features and sport with live coverage provided direct to the app, seven days a week. The dedicated team of experienced journalists, responsible for the publication of the award-winning Express, will focus on breaking news, day and night, across Renfrewshire’s towns and villages. There is also a dedicated St Mirren section that will follow every kick of the ball with the Buddies. Available on both Android and Apple. D ownload here: smarturl.it/RenfrewLiveSocial “Not loads has changed but the changes have been very positive. A lot of the players were already there and he seems to be getting the very best out of people. Credit to him for coming in and adjusting to the Scottish game straight away. He has been a huge success. “We’re facing a team that is really in form and staying on the tails of Celtic but we’re looking forward to it. We’re confident at home and confident in how we’re playing at the moment.” Saints have their sights set on a mini rebuild in the new year following the departures of experienced players. “We have a tough run now until March but we will add to the squad in January,” Robbo acknowledged. “There will be money available to bolster the squad again. We’ve got targets and you need a long, long list when you’re St Mirren manager because most of them disappear for financial reasons or because they don’t want to come to Scotland.” Robbo says back-up keeper Peter Urminsky has agreed a contract extension but isn’t hopeful Richard Taylor and Toyosi Olusanya will accept deals currently on the table. “There’s been no further progress,” he added. “It looks at this moment in time that we won’t be able to come to an agreement which we respect. “We won’t give up. We will see where we are come the end of January, and to see if we can go further, but they are very good offers from the football club so I’m not sure we can.” New short-term signing Declan John looks set to feature in Saturday's matchday squad while Alex Iacovitti has resumed training following a serious hamstring injury but fellow centre-back Charles Dunne (hamstring) is still out. He said: “Declan played a 90-minute [bounce] game against Kilmarnock so he has that under his belt. Now it’s about getting him up to speed but he has shown his quality.” Meanwhile, over in Norway, SK Brann appear on the verge of clinching the Eliteserien title. The Bergen men – who beat Saints 4-2 on aggregate in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League – are two points clear at the top with just two games remaining. On Saturday, Brann travel to Molde FK while second-placed Bodo/Glimt visit rock-bottom Odd and Robbo insists Saints can look back fondly on well they performed against a top team clearly going places. “They had very good technical players,” he reflected. “I watched their warm-up and it scared the life out of me. “The second game showed what a good performance we had. You can look back with pride and you can see that it is a really competitive league and they are a really talented side.” Don't miss the latest Renfrewshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
MARPAI ANNOUNCES GENERAL UPDATES FOR Q4At the age of 58, Gong Li, the renowned Chinese actress, continues to defy stereotypes and showcase her vitality and charm by engaging in late-night badminton sessions. Gong Li, known for her exceptional beauty and acting prowess, is setting a shining example of how age is just a number and staying active can keep one's spirit youthful and energy levels high.
As the investigations into the incidents at the bath centers in Zhengzhou continue, it is important for the authorities to take swift action to address any safety concerns and hold accountable those responsible for endangering the health and well-being of others. By raising awareness about the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning and promoting preventive measures, we can help ensure a safer environment for everyone in the community.One of the game's most distinctive features is its emphasis on player creativity and experimentation. In "Serenade," there is no one right way to solve a puzzle. Players are encouraged to improvise, harmonize, and infuse their own style into the music, allowing for endless possibilities and unique outcomes. This freedom of expression not only enhances the gameplay experience but also fosters a deeper connection between the player and the world of "Serenade."
One of the key highlights of this overseas promotion is the fusion of traditional elements with modern flair. By bringing together historical accuracy with contemporary storytelling techniques, "Ming Dynasty Reimagined" offers a fresh perspective on a time-honored tale. Through this innovative approach, audiences are able to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the Ming Dynasty in a whole new light.
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Yue Yunpeng and Sun Yue, two well-known comedians and actors, have been chosen to participate in the review process, adding a touch of wit and humor to the proceedings. Their presence is expected to inject a lively and entertaining element into the selection process, which can often be a tense and high-pressure experience for participants.One of the key features of the "Rail + Land" demonstration line is its integration with urban planning. The project focuses not only on building a metro line but also on optimizing land use and promoting sustainable development. By strategically planning the development of the surrounding areas, the project aims to create a livable and well-connected urban environment that meets the needs of residents and businesses alike.
In the first 11 months of 2024, the real estate market in Lianyungang has seen a remarkable performance, with numerous projects achieving outstanding sales results. Let's take a closer look at the top 10 real estate projects in Lianyungang that have made significant sales achievements from January to November 2024.Secondly, Disneyland provides a break from the monotony of traditional study spaces. Instead of being cooped up in a library or coffee shop, young people can enjoy the thrill of being surrounded by the magic and excitement of one of the most iconic theme parks in the world. This change of scenery can help alleviate boredom and keep students motivated and engaged in their studies.
The seamless integration of HarmonyOS across smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, smart TVs, and other connected devices is reshaping the digital landscape in Fujian. Users can now enjoy a seamless and consistent user experience across different devices, enabling greater convenience and efficiency in their daily lives.Furthermore, the roundtable recognized the importance of fostering sustainable consumption patterns to ensure long-term prosperity and well-being. By promoting green initiatives, sustainable practices, and responsible consumption habits, China can not only reduce environmental impact but also create new opportunities for businesses and industries. Embracing the principles of sustainability is crucial for building a resilient and inclusive economy for future generations.
Manchester City, on the other hand, could target La Liga stars such as Darwin Nunez of Benfica and Dusan Vlahovic of Fiorentina as potential striking options. Both young forwards have showcased their goal-scoring prowess and could provide the cutting edge that Manchester City have been missing in Aguero's absence. In defense, players like Pervis Estupinan of Villarreal and Robin Le Normand of Real Sociedad offer quality alternatives to shore up Manchester City's backline.
LAKE FOREST, Calif, Dec. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ATIF Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: ATIF , the "Company" or "ATIF") announced today that the Company plans on changing its Nasdaq ticker symbol from “ATIF” to “ZBAI”. The Company plans to announce the date and detailed plans for the official stock ticker symbol change by the end of December 2024. No actions will be required by existing shareholders with respect to the planned ticker symbol change. The Company’s Ordinary Shares will continue to be listed on Nasdaq and the CUSIP will remain unchanged. About ATIF ATIF Holdings Limited (NASDAQ: ATIF ) is a Lake Forest-based business consulting company that specializes in providing professional IPO, M&A advisory and post-IPO compliance services to small and medium-sized companies seeking to go public on a stock exchange in the United States. The company has a proven track record in successfully delivering comprehensive U.S. IPO consulting services to clients primarily in the United States but also internationally. The mission of ATIF is to provide one-stop, comprehensive consulting services that guide clients through the complex and often challenging process of going public. ATIF recognizes the complexity and challenges associated with the process of going public, and endeavors to simplify it while ensuring optimal outcomes for its clients through its comprehensive consulting services. ATIF has been awarded the "Golden Bauhinia Award", the highest award in the financial and securities industry in Hong Kong, for "Top 10 Best Listed Companies". Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe Harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this press release, "estimated," "projected," Words such as "expect", "anticipate", "predict", "plan", "intend", "believe", "seek", "may", "will", "should", "future", "propose" and variations of these words or similar expressions (or the opposite of such words or expressions) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements do not guarantee future performance, conditions or results and involve a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the Company's control and may cause actual results or achievements to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors include future financial and operating results, including revenues, income, expenses, cash balances and other financial items; Ability to manage growth and expansion; Current and future economic and political conditions; The ability to compete in industries with low barriers to entry; The ability to obtain additional financing to fund capital expenditure in the future. Ability to attract new customers and further enhance brand awareness; Ability to hire and retain qualified management and key staff; Trends and competition in the financial advisory services industry; Pandemic or epidemic disease; Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, the Company cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions you that actual results may differ materially from the expected results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements we make. You should not interpret forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements represent only the beliefs and assumptions of our management as of the date such statements are made. The above forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release. Contact Information Kenny@atifchina.com ctan@htflawyers.com jwu@htflawyers.comDon’t be a Scrooge: Where to get your festive on this Christmas
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Eight hours of consistent, uninterrupted sleep is essential. Not only does it drastically improve your mood , but it also boosts your energy and productivity , resets your metabolism and even increases your body's ability to fight disease and illness. But it's hard to get a good night's sleep if you keep waking up every few hours, soaked in sweat. Even in the wintertime, staying cool during the night can be a struggle. Night sweats aren't just annoying; they can also rob you of the restful sleep you need. Even if you go to bed early enough, you might wake up sweating a few hours later, kick the covers off, toss and turn, then force yourself to get up, peel off your damp pajamas and put a clean set of sheets on the bed. If you're waking up too hot, don't sweat it -- there are ways to stay cool while you sleep . We'll discuss the seven leading causes of irritating night sweats and the best remedies to help you sleep soundly through the night. For even better sleep, read about our favorite mattresses and pillows of the year. How to stop sweating while sleeping Tara Youngblood , a sleep expert and founder of Chili Technology (appropriately, a manufacturer of temperature-controlled bed accessories), says that ending night sweats for good is about attacking the root cause. Here, she offers tips for four of the most common causes of night sweats. " Your body is an engine," Youngblood says. "It is constantly giving off heat while you sleep, [and] there are some materials that actually increase your body temperature while you sleep." She points to foam as a common culprit, noting that some foam mattresses can reflect heat back to you, causing you to sweat more. " Make sure your covers aren't working against you," Youngblood says. "Your blankets could be restricting you from cooling off by blocking out the cool air your fan or AC is bringing." Youngblood says that when you sleep under covers, you create a "cave" for your body to sleep in, and it's important to make sure that your cave stays cold with cooling blankets or airy materials like linen and cotton. Your covers and blankets could actually be working against you. Make sure you lower the temperature in the bedroom before going to sleep. This activates your body to cool down naturally. If your room stays the same temperature all day, your body becomes accustomed to the temperature and will not lower in your sleep. If you cannot lower the temperature of your room, take a cool or cold shower before jumping into bed. Read more: Lower Your Electric, Gas and Water Bills This Summer: 8 Hacks That Actually Work Youngblood says alcohol and dense food before bed can also crank up your body heat at night. Try to avoid both a few hours before bed to encourage your core body temperature to lower, which will reduce sweating during sleep. If you need to eat a meal before bed or have a late-night snack, learn about the best foods for better sleep . What causes night sweats? Here are 7 potential reasons The easy answer would be that your AC isn't set low enough , but people who sweat in their sleep no matter the temperature know it's not that simple. When you feel like you've tried everything -- from frigid AC temps and fans on full blast to " cooling sheets " and sleeping in the nude -- but nothing has worked, you may want to give up and accept daily sheet-changing as your destiny. Not so fast: The first step to solving any health-related condition is understanding the cause. From there, you can work with a health professional or try home remedies to eliminate the symptom. Night sweats can come about for a ton of reasons. Here are some of the most common. Your sleep setup might honestly be the problem. Your sheets, mattress pad, pillows and mattress itself may be causing you to sweat at night. Look into cooling or temperature-regulating sheets -- best-case scenario is you solve your night sweats; worst-case scenario is you get some nice new sheets . When your hormone levels fluctuate wildly or go through a period of change, you might sweat at night. A common example is women going through menopause . One of the unpleasant symptoms of menopause is night sweats, and it's mainly due to the decreasing levels of estrogen in a woman's body. Pregnancy and menstrual cycles may also influence your body's core temperature at night. For men, low testosterone might contribute. Some prescription medications may cause you to sweat at night. If you're on any prescriptions, ask your doctor if night sweats are a side effect. Likewise, many medical conditions can cause night sweats. According to Mayo Clinic , that includes hyperthyroidism, anxiety disorders, autoimmune disorders, sleep apnea, drug addictions, neurological conditions and more. Viral infections can also cause night sweats due to a fever. Drinking alcohol before bed can cause you to sweat at night because it affects your nervous system functioning and core body temperature. While there's little evidence to suggest that food alone can cause night sweats, it's thought that certain types of food, especially spicy and high-fat foods, can make preexisting night sweats worse. Since we're talking about sweat, hyperhidrosis -- excessive sweating -- deserves a special mention. If you tend to sweat excessively during the day and at night, you may want to talk to your doctor about this condition and whether you could have it. High levels of stress can manifest as physical symptoms, including night sweats. Stress-induced night sweats may be accompanied by scary nightmares or stressful dreams , rapid breathing, elevated heart rate and trouble falling asleep because of worries or anxiety . 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CJ Stroud showed his emotions on the field when his best friend and teammate, Tank Dell, sustained a nasty injury. As a result, the second-year Texans quarterback faced a lot of backlash — with some arguing that he shouldn’t have lost composure at a nationally broadcast game. Some critics also suggested Stroud should have toughened up. However, like the majority of fans, CJ’s mother showed her support for her son’s reaction. Kim Stroud shared a powerful bible verse on Twitter, accompanied by a heartfelt message reading, “Keep loving CJ# very proud you are my son# Jesus lives in you.” It’s a powerful verse, showing that loving and caring about someone to the point of getting emotional over them shouldn’t be looked down upon. It shows that you’re empathetic and have a good heart — something we should all aspire to have/be. Kim also included an IG link in her post that leads directly to CJ’s post-game reaction to the injury and the backlash that followed his emotional moment. In the snippet from his presser, the QB made sure to share his thoughts on why it was such a somber, emotional moment for him. Although, it’s unfortunate that he had to even explain it. Stroud further stated that, growing up, like many men, society encouraged him to suppress his emotions. Especially tears. But it’s a new world today, he said. Crying is okay. It shows you’re human and that you care. Many people suppress their emotions, letting them build up until they turn into anger. That’s not a healthy way to handle any situation. What Stroud did was totally fine. And quite honestly, we’re starting to get a little too “nit-picky” when it comes to how we critique athletes. These men and women are on camera more than ever, on and off the field. It takes a toll mentally to have to constantly deal with the ups and downs of a sports season as well. There can be high highs and very low lows. And at the end of the day, players like Stroud are just expected to look on as a brother-in-arms is down, to what could be a career-ending, gruesome injury, and just be okay with that? No, that would mess anybody up mentally. Stroud even shared how he does bible study with Dell twice a week. These two aren’t just friends, they are almost brothers. We should definitely stop bothering him for showing a little emotion.As the dust settled on this harrowing ordeal, Ms. Li emerged as a cautionary tale of the dangers of greed and the perils of falling victim to online scams. Her story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and due diligence when engaging in online transactions, and the need to exercise caution when faced with offers that seem too good to be true.
Trump taps Brooke Rollins for agriculture; Pam Bondi selected for attorney general after Gaetz withdraws: Live
What Did Miley Cyrus Say About Her Relationship With Boyfriend Maxx Morando? By dished what works for her and her Gen Z boyfriend ‘s private relationship in her new Harper’s Bazaar cover story. The former Disney star dwelled on their age gap, given she is 32 while he is 26, placing him in a whole different generation. Cyrus discussed the impact of social media on her boyfriend’s life compared to hers, admitting that she doesn’t even have her Instagram password. She began dating the musician in 2021 more than a decade after her highly-publicized relationship with ex-husband Liam Hemsworth. Miley Cyrus reveals what works for her and boyfriend Maxx Morando miley cyrus and maxx morando ✨ In her new December/January cover story for , Miley Cyrus admitted that she and her boyfriend, Maxx Morando, are “very similar.” She noted, “We just don’t take life too seriously,” However she admitted that he “looks at life really differently than I do.” Morando, who is six years younger than her, “grew up with a laptop,” she said, contrary to the desktop computer she shared with her siblings growing up. The singer even confessed that they share a dog whom Morando “raised our dog off Reddit,” pointing at notable differences between her millennial practices and his Gen Z approaches. Cyrus then recalled questioning his methods, “I’m like, Are you sure we’re supposed to be doing this? And he’s like, On Reddit it says blah, blah, blah.” In addition, she disclosed in the cover story that receiving memes from her boyfriend is the only time she is active online. Miley Cyrus admitted that Maxx Morando, a producer and member of the band Liily, has introduced her to different kinds of music. They even worked together on her new album, with Morando producing several songs and helping her word the lyrics to the title track, “Something Beautiful.” Not only that, Cryus and her boyfriend often collaborate, with her professing, “Maxx just inspires me so much.” Besides talking about new music and her beau, the Grammy winner also posed for glamorous cover story photos for Harper’s Bazaar. . Share articleLeading NFL MVP candidate Josh Allen had the best fantasy performance by a quarterback ever in Week 14, logging an incredible six touchdowns (three through the air, three on the ground) en route to 51.88 fantasy points. Not only is Allen’s monster day the best of the fantasy era, if you applied fantasy scoring rules to earlier pro football contests, Allen still tops the charts. The second-best historical QB performance was over six decades ago, in 1961, when Houston Oiler George Blanda would have produced a 49.72-point game. Coincidentally, his teammate Billy Cannon had the best-ever fantasy performance by a player at any position (68 points) during the same season. Advertisement To better contextualize Allen’s accomplishment for the modern era, here are the best fantasy performances by quarterbacks since 2004. Rankings and statistics in this article are from Stathead. 5. Nick Foles , Philadelphia Eagles , Nov. 3, 2013 Nick Foles threw for seven — seven! — touchdown passes and 406 yards on 22-of-28 passing, supplementing 10 yards on the ground to lead the Eagles over the Raiders in 2013. In that 49-20 trouncing of Oakland , Foles tied the NFL record for passing touchdowns and told reporters, “A couple of people came up to me and said that I tied the record with seven touchdowns,” adding, “It’s a great honor. Hats off to our guys for doing a great job.” Along with Foles, George Blanda, Drew Brees, Adrian Burk, Joe Kapp, Sid Luckman, Peyton Manning and Y.A. Tittle still hold the single-game record for passing TDs. 4. Aaron Rodgers , Green Bay Packers , Oct. 2, 2011 During a 49-23 rout of the Broncos, Aaron Rodgers threw four touchdowns and ran for two more, completing 29 passes for 408 yards to the tune of a 134.5 passer rating. He rushed for another 36 yards. One interception (and sitting out the Packers’ final two drives) kept him out of third place on this list. The Denver Post’s Mike Klis likened Rodgers’ performance against the Broncos to playing “with a new toy.” He wrote, “Rodgers smiled and threw a touchdown pass. He smiled and ran for a touchdown. He smiled and smiled and smiled.” Greg Jennings (103 receiving yards, one TD) and Jordy Nelson (91 receiving yards, one TD) led Green Bay receivers in this historic (in the fantasy sense) game. What the 2024 New York Jets wouldn’t do for 2011 regular-season Aaron Rodgers. 3. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos, Sept. 5, 2013 In another seven-passing-touchdown performance, Peyton Manning and the Broncos crushed the Ravens 49-27 on “Thursday Night Football.” Manning threw for 462 yards and had a passer rating of 141.1. While he didn’t throw an interception, he was unable to pad his stats on the ground — because Peyton Manning — posting negative two yards, . Advertisement The late Demaryius Thomas ended the game with 161 yards receiving and two touchdowns, while Julius Thomas also had over 100 yards receiving and two TDs. The latter Thomas spoke highly of his QB, according to ESPN : “He’s phenomenal. To continue to come out every year and put that kind of performance on for us, it’s amazing.” Manning made fantasy-quarterback history during his 15th season at 37 years old. 2. Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles, Nov. 15, 2010 The second Eagle on the list, Michael Vick had a career game against Washington , leading Philadelphia to a 59-28 win. In a game nicknamed “The Monday Night Massacre,” the under-center speedster rushed for 80 yards and two touchdowns and threw for 333 yards, adding another four touchdowns through the air. He was never intercepted and finished with a 150.7 passer rating. Vick’s first play of the game was an 88-yard touchdown pass to Philly great DeSean Jackson . He also played most of the contest (three quarters) without his signature visor due to rain. Ten years after the fact, Vick recalled the historic game and told The Athletic , “I could remember everything because I saw it clear. I didn’t see it behind the tint of a visor. I saw it in the right perspective. And I’m glad it happened.” 1. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills , Dec. 8, 2024 Josh Allen tops this list but he is the only quarterback here who didn’t secure a win. After trailing 38-21 entering the fourth quarter, Buffalo lost 44-42 , partially due to the mishandling of timeouts and a lack of awareness on the final punt. Head coach Sean McDermott called a costly timeout late in the game, and rookie Brandon Codrington let the final punt drop to the 1-yard line as time expired. Allen’s 342 yards passing and 82 yards rushing, Khalil Shakir ’s 106 yards receiving with a touchdown, and Amari Cooper ’s 95 yards receiving weren’t enough. Advertisement But the Bills are still 10-3, have clinched the AFC East and are looking toward the playoffs. In Week 15, Buffalo will face the Detroit Lions in what could be a precursor to a potential Super Bowl matchup. The Bills’ final two games are against the New York Jets and New England Patriots — two bottom-of-the-barrel opponents who should hope they don’t have to face the Josh Allen of Week 14. And Allen is still most likely to be the 2024-25 MVP. For all the NFL/pop-culture fans out there, he also proposed to now-fiancé Hailee Steinfeld last month. All in all, Allen is having a career year, but I bet he wants this one back. (Photo of Josh Allen: Katelyn Mulcahy / Getty Images)Chiefs survive Panthers as Patrick Mahomes' clutch run sets up winning kick: Key takeaways
LOS ANGELES –– The Kings defeated one of the NHL’s hottest teams and turned in a perfect afternoon on special teams as they beat the Seattle Kraken 2-1 on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena. The Kings scored the game’s only power-play goal, reversing a troubling recent trend in the process, and were 3 for 3 on the penalty kill. They entered the match as losers of three of their last four games while Seattle had prevailed in five of its past six clashes. Adrian Kempe and Quinton Byfield, who was playing in his 200th career game, each found the net for the Kings. Anže Kopitar assisted on both goals. David Rittich stopped 19 shots. Brandon Montour scored late for Seattle on an active night for the former Ducks defenseman. Joey Daccord made 19 saves. Two of the NHL’s 10 best teams defensively produced a predictably low-event first period – while the Kraken and Kings once combined for 17 goals in a game, they had only nine combined shots in the opening 20 minutes – but the Kings flipped the script with goals at the 4:19 and 6:03 marks of the middle frame. First, it was the vision of Alex Turcotte synergizing the finishing ability of Kempe, who scored his 10th goal of the season and his 11th point in his past 11 games. Turcotte received the puck behind the net, curled toward the right-wing boards and sold a play along the wall as he sucked in four Kraken defenders. His no-look pass hit Kempe in the slot, with Adam Larsson unable to close his gap and Daccord having little chance at Kempe’s searing short-side wrister. Then, two weights were lifted at once when the power play scored its first goal since Brandt Clarke’s Nov. 9 empty-netter and Byfield tallied for the first time since he scored in consecutive games Nov. 5 and Nov. 7. He scored his third goal of the year and the first for the newly configured top power-play unit with a kneeling one-timer from the right faceoff circle. The primary assist was Kevin Fiala’s first point in seven games and the secondary one, as it did on Kempe’s goal, went to Kopitar. The captain’s pair of helpers brought him to 14 points in his past 11 games, remaining a beacon of consistency even in lean offensive stretches for the team. Related Articles The Kings had the opportunity to slam the door at the end of the period when a bizarre sequence during a Seattle power play left Byfield and Warren Foegele with a two-on-none shorthanded rush. After four passes across Daccord’s crease, Foegele’s eventual shot was negated by the handle of Daccord’s stick. Foegele would have another brush with glory in the third period, right after Montour had two of his own. His slap shot was saved by Rittich but his follow-up bid beat the big Czech, only to dent the right post just below the crossbar. Montour broke through 23 seconds after the Kings survived a six-on-four sequence, when his slap shot roared past Rittich with 1:34 to play, but Seattle drew no nearer.WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that he will nominate former White House aide Brooke Rollins to be his agriculture secretary, the last of his picks to lead executive agencies and another choice from within his established circle of advisers and allies. The nomination must be confirmed by the Senate, which will be controlled by Republicans when Trump takes office Jan. 20. Rollins would succeed Tom Vilsack , President Joe Biden’s agriculture secretary who oversees the sprawling agency that controls policies, regulations and aid programs related to farming, forestry, ranching, food quality and nutrition. Then-President Donald Trump looks to Brooke Rollins, president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, as she speaks during a Jan. 11, 2018, prison reform roundtable in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. Rollins previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. The pick completes Trump’s selection of the heads of executive branch departments, just two and a half weeks after the former president won the White House once again. Several other picks that are traditionally Cabinet-level remain, including U.S. Trade Representative and head of the small business administration. Brooke Rollins, assistant to the president and director of the Domestic Policy Council at the time, speaks during a May 18, 2020, meeting with restaurant industry executives about the coronavirus response in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. Rollins, speaking on the Christian talk show “Family Talk" earlier this year, said Trump was an “amazing boss” and confessed that she thought in 2015, during his first presidential campaign, that he would not last as a candidate in a crowded Republican primary field. “I was the person that said, ‘Oh, Donald Trump is not going to go more than two or three weeks in the Republican primary. This is to up his TV show ratings. And then we’ll get back to normal,’” she said. “Fast forward a couple of years, and I am running his domestic policy agenda.” Trump didn’t offer many specifics about his agriculture policies during the campaign, but farmers could be affected if he carries out his pledge to impose widespread tariffs. During the first Trump administration, countries like China responded to Trump’s tariffs by imposing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports like the corn and soybeans routinely sold overseas. Trump countered by offering massive multibillion-dollar aid to farmers to help them weather the trade war. Brooke Rollins speaks at an Oct. 27 campaign rally for then-Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden in New York. President Abraham Lincoln founded the USDA in 1862, when about half of all Americans lived on farms. The USDA oversees multiple support programs for farmers; animal and plant health; and the safety of meat, poultry and eggs that anchor the nation’s food supply. Its federal nutrition programs provide food to low-income people, pregnant women and young children. And the agency sets standards for school meals. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has vowed to strip ultraprocessed foods from school lunches and to stop allowing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program beneficiaries from using food stamps to buy soda, candy or other so-called junk foods. But it would be the USDA, not HHS, that would be responsible for enacting those changes. In addition, HHS and USDA will work together to finalize the 2025-2030 edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They are due late next year, with guidance for healthy diets and standards for federal nutrition programs. Gomez Licon reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Associated Press writers Josh Funk and JoNel Aleccia contributed to this report. Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration, and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign. In a statement, Trump called McGinley “a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda, while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement.” Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
Former White House aide picked as agriculture secretary
Mission Produce: Appetizing Risk/RewardWASHINGTON (AP) — As a former and potentially future president, Donald Trump hailed what would become Project 2025 as a road map for “exactly what our movement will do” with another crack at the White House. As the blueprint for a hard-right turn in America became a liability during the 2024 campaign, Trump pulled an about-face . He denied knowing anything about the “ridiculous and abysmal” plans written in part by his first-term aides and allies. Now, after being elected the 47th president on Nov. 5, Trump is stocking his second administration with key players in the detailed effort he temporarily shunned. Most notably, Trump has tapped Russell Vought for an encore as director of the Office of Management and Budget; Tom Homan, his former immigration chief, as “border czar;” and immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of policy . Those moves have accelerated criticisms from Democrats who warn that Trump's election hands government reins to movement conservatives who spent years envisioning how to concentrate power in the West Wing and impose a starkly rightward shift across the U.S. government and society. Trump and his aides maintain that he won a mandate to overhaul Washington. But they maintain the specifics are his alone. “President Trump never had anything to do with Project 2025,” said Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt in a statement. “All of President Trumps' Cabinet nominees and appointments are whole-heartedly committed to President Trump's agenda, not the agenda of outside groups.” Here is a look at what some of Trump's choices portend for his second presidency. The Office of Management and Budget director, a role Vought held under Trump previously and requires Senate confirmation, prepares a president's proposed budget and is generally responsible for implementing the administration's agenda across agencies. The job is influential but Vought made clear as author of a Project 2025 chapter on presidential authority that he wants the post to wield more direct power. “The Director must view his job as the best, most comprehensive approximation of the President’s mind,” Vought wrote. The OMB, he wrote, “is a President’s air-traffic control system” and should be “involved in all aspects of the White House policy process,” becoming “powerful enough to override implementing agencies’ bureaucracies.” Trump did not go into such details when naming Vought but implicitly endorsed aggressive action. Vought, the president-elect said, “knows exactly how to dismantle the Deep State” — Trump’s catch-all for federal bureaucracy — and would help “restore fiscal sanity.” In June, speaking on former Trump aide Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast, Vought relished the potential tension: “We’re not going to save our country without a little confrontation.” The strategy of further concentrating federal authority in the presidency permeates Project 2025's and Trump's campaign proposals. Vought's vision is especially striking when paired with Trump's proposals to dramatically expand the president's control over federal workers and government purse strings — ideas intertwined with the president-elect tapping mega-billionaire Elon Musk and venture capitalist Vivek Ramaswamy to lead a “Department of Government Efficiency.” Trump in his first term sought to remake the federal civil service by reclassifying tens of thousands of federal civil service workers — who have job protection through changes in administration — as political appointees, making them easier to fire and replace with loyalists. Currently, only about 4,000 of the federal government's roughly 2 million workers are political appointees. President Joe Biden rescinded Trump's changes. Trump can now reinstate them. Meanwhile, Musk's and Ramaswamy's sweeping “efficiency” mandates from Trump could turn on an old, defunct constitutional theory that the president — not Congress — is the real gatekeeper of federal spending. In his “Agenda 47,” Trump endorsed so-called “impoundment,” which holds that when lawmakers pass appropriations bills, they simply set a spending ceiling, but not a floor. The president, the theory holds, can simply decide not to spend money on anything he deems unnecessary. Vought did not venture into impoundment in his Project 2025 chapter. But, he wrote, “The President should use every possible tool to propose and impose fiscal discipline on the federal government. Anything short of that would constitute abject failure.” Trump's choice immediately sparked backlash. “Russ Vought is a far-right ideologue who has tried to break the law to give President Trump unilateral authority he does not possess to override the spending decisions of Congress (and) who has and will again fight to give Trump the ability to summarily fire tens of thousands of civil servants,” said Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, a Democrat and outgoing Senate Appropriations chairwoman. Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico, leading Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, said Vought wants to “dismantle the expert federal workforce” to the detriment of Americans who depend on everything from veterans' health care to Social Security benefits. “Pain itself is the agenda,” they said. Trump’s protests about Project 2025 always glossed over overlaps in the two agendas . Both want to reimpose Trump-era immigration limits. Project 2025 includes a litany of detailed proposals for various U.S. immigration statutes, executive branch rules and agreements with other countries — reducing the number of refugees, work visa recipients and asylum seekers, for example. Miller is one of Trump's longest-serving advisers and architect of his immigration ideas, including his promise of the largest deportation force in U.S. history. As deputy policy chief, which is not subject to Senate confirmation, Miller would remain in Trump's West Wing inner circle. “America is for Americans and Americans only,” Miller said at Trump’s Madison Square Garden rally on Oct. 27. “America First Legal,” Miller’s organization founded as an ideological counter to the American Civil Liberties Union, was listed as an advisory group to Project 2025 until Miller asked that the name be removed because of negative attention. Homan, a Project 2025 named contributor, was an acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director during Trump’s first presidency, playing a key role in what became known as Trump's “family separation policy.” Previewing Trump 2.0 earlier this year, Homan said: “No one’s off the table. If you’re here illegally, you better be looking over your shoulder.” John Ratcliffe, Trump's pick to lead the CIA , was previously one of Trump's directors of national intelligence. He is a Project 2025 contributor. The document's chapter on U.S. intelligence was written by Dustin Carmack, Ratcliffe's chief of staff in the first Trump administration. Reflecting Ratcliffe's and Trump's approach, Carmack declared the intelligence establishment too cautious. Ratcliffe, like the chapter attributed to Carmack, is hawkish toward China. Throughout the Project 2025 document, Beijing is framed as a U.S. adversary that cannot be trusted. Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, wrote Project 2025's FCC chapter and is now Trump's pick to chair the panel. Carr wrote that the FCC chairman “is empowered with significant authority that is not shared” with other FCC members. He called for the FCC to address “threats to individual liberty posed by corporations that are abusing dominant positions in the market,” specifically “Big Tech and its attempts to drive diverse political viewpoints from the digital town square.” He called for more stringent transparency rules for social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube and “empower consumers to choose their own content filters and fact checkers, if any.” Carr and Ratcliffe would require Senate confirmation for their posts.
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WISeKey’s Subsidiary SEALCOIN 2025 Roadmap: Leading Machine-to-Machine Transactions Through Blockchain and Space Innovation Zug, Switzerland — December 30, 2024 - WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: WKEY; SIX: WIHN), a global leader in cybersecurity, AI, blockchain, and IoT technologies, that its subsidiary, SEALCOIN AG, ends 2024 as a leader in secure, decentralized IoT ecosystems. Utilizing its blockchain-based TIOT token, SEALCOIN empowers IoT devices to autonomously exchange data, energy, and services, transforming real-time interactions with unmatched trust and efficiency. In January 2025, SEALCOIN will achieve a major milestone in cooperation with WISeSat AG, another WISeKey subsidiary which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, with the launch of a new generation of WISeSat satellites designed to support autonomous machine-to-machine (M2M) transactions from space. This Proof of Concept (PoC) will demonstrate secure, satellite-initiated transactions with IoT devices, marking a significant step toward creating a scalable Transactional IoT (t-IoT) infrastructure. By combining SEALCOIN’s decentralized platform with WISeSat’s capabilities, the PoC will showcase how blockchain and space technologies can enable global IoT networks with unparalleled security and scalability. Earlier in 2024, SEALCOIN successfully conducted a PoC for t-IoT transactions between two devices, proving its ability to disintermediate service providers and securely manage decentralized device interactions. The upcoming generation of WISeSat satellites will feature enhanced operational capabilities tailored for M2M transactions, reinforcing SEALCOIN’s position as a pioneer in space-based digital ecosystems. With decentralized ledger technology ensuring secure, tamper-proof exchanges, SEALCOIN is driving innovation in industries like energy, logistics, and environmental monitoring, expanding the possibilities for IoT devices to interact autonomously in real-time. SEALCOIN’s roadmap for 2025 focuses on scaling its space-based IoT initiatives, refining blockchain solutions for advanced security and scalability, and exploring partnerships to expand the transactional IoT ecosystem. By addressing real-world challenges with innovative solutions, SEALCOIN continues to deliver long-term value to stakeholders and set new standards for global IoT ecosystems. With Swiss regulatory compliance, advanced encryption, and collaboration with cutting-edge technologies like Hedera Hashgraph, SEALCOIN’s decentralized architecture ensures trust, transparency, and privacy in IoT transactions. SEALCOIN AG is revolutionizing the future of machine-to-machine transactions with its innovative integration of blockchain and space technology. SEALCOIN is committed to fostering secure, scalable, and autonomous IoT ecosystems, enabling a new era of interconnected devices. About WISeKey WISeKey International Holding Ltd (“WISeKey”, SIX: WIHN; Nasdaq: WKEY) is a global leader in cybersecurity, digital identity, and IoT solutions platform. It operates as a Swiss-based holding company through several operational subsidiaries, each dedicated to specific aspects of its technology portfolio. The subsidiaries include (i) SEALSQ Corp (Nasdaq: LAES), which focuses on semiconductors, PKI, and post-quantum technology products, (ii) WISeKey SA which specializes in RoT and PKI solutions for secure authentication and identification in IoT, Blockchain, and AI, (iii) WISeSat AG which focuses on space technology for secure satellite communication, specifically for IoT applications, (iv) WISe.ART Corp which focuses on trusted blockchain NFTs and operates the WISe.ART marketplace for secure NFT transactions, and (v) SEALCOIN AG which focuses on decentralized physical internet with DePIN technology and house the development of the SEALCOIN platform. Each subsidiary contributes to WISeKey’s mission of securing the internet while focusing on their respective areas of research and expertise. Their technologies seamlessly integrate into the comprehensive WISeKey platform. WISeKey secures digital identity ecosystems for individuals and objects using Blockchain, AI, and IoT technologies. With over 1.6 billion microchips deployed across various IoT sectors, WISeKey plays a vital role in securing the Internet of Everything. The company’s semiconductors generate valuable Big Data that, when analyzed with AI, enable predictive equipment failure prevention. Trusted by the OISTE/WISeKey cryptographic Root of Trust, WISeKey provides secure authentication and identification for IoT, Blockchain, and AI applications. The WISeKey Root of Trust ensures the integrity of online transactions between objects and people. For more information on WISeKey’s strategic direction and its subsidiary companies, please visit www.wisekey.com . Disclaimer This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning WISeKey International Holding Ltd and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of WISeKey International Holding Ltd to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. WISeKey International Holding Ltd is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities, and it does not constitute an offering prospectus within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”), the FinSa's predecessor legislation or advertising within the meaning of the FinSA. Investors must rely on their own evaluation of WISeKey and its securities, including the merits and risks involved. Nothing contained herein is, or shall be relied on as, a promise or representation as to the future performance of WISeKey. Press and Investor Contacts
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Duke coach Manny Diaz says quarterback Maalik Murphy will face discipline “internally” after extending both of his middle fingers skyward in celebration after throwing a long touchdown pass early in the weekend win against Virginia Tech . Diaz said Monday that Murphy's exuberant gesture, caught on the ACC Network national broadcast, was directed at offensive coordinator Jonathan Brewer in the booth after a bit of practice “banter” from a few days earlier. Diaz said the Texas transfer just let his excitement get away from him but still called it “unacceptable in our program." “There was a practice in the middle of last week when we throwing post after post after post, and we weren't completing them,” Diaz said. “And it was again and again and again and again. And at the end of that, there was a remark made in jest that, ‘If you throw a post for a touchdown in the game, then you can flick me off,’ from Coach Brewer.” Murphy's gesture came after he uncorked a deep ball from deep in Duke's own end and caught Eli Pancol perfectly in stride across midfield, with Pancol racing untouched for an 86-yard score barely 2 minutes into the game. As he began skipping downfield to celebrate, Murphy chest-bumped teammate Star Thomas and then extended both arms in the air with his middle fingers raised. Brewer said Monday he missed the gesture in real time, but then saw it on a replay moments later. “Some things you say on the field when you're coaching obviously isn't meant to be taken literally when you're trying to get after somebody in that world,” Brewer said. Murphy threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions in the 31-28 win for the Blue Devils (8-3, 4-3 Atlantic Coast Conference), who close the regular season at Wake Forest. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballNoneB.C. Premier David Eby said he supports the proposed “all-of-Canada approach” to respond to president-elect Donald Trump’s tariffs threat. Trump has said both Canada and Mexico need to address illegal migration and fentanyl trafficking into the U.S. or face tariffs on all American imports. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held a second virtual First Ministers’ Meeting on the Canada-U.S. relationship. In the past, Eby has had some strong words about the proposed tariffs and the impact they could have in British Columbia. That did not change following the meeting on Wednesday. “President-elect Trump’s unjustified threat of tariffs on Canadian goods would be a disaster for workers and businesses on both sides of the border, and we support the proposed all-of-Canada approach to respond to this threat,” Eby said in a statement. “At (Wednesday’s) national meeting, I brought forward the issues and the solutions I have been hearing from people and businesses in British Columbia. We will keep doing our part in B.C. to bring together business and labour leaders to safeguard local industries against Trump’s tariffs, and keep good jobs right here in B.C.” Ontario Premier Doug Ford said after the meeting that the federal government has agreed to his “specific asks” to add police resources to the border and have Health Canada share data on where fentanyl found in Canada is originating from. “They have a plan, but it’s one thing to have a plan. Now we have to implement it,” he told reporters at Queen’s Park. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who also co-chairs the revived cabinet committee on U.S. relations with LeBlanc, told reporters several premiers spoke “strongly in favour of a robust Canadian response to unjustified tariffs” if Trump follows through on his threat in January.
Jim Montgomery made an immediate impact with the St. Louis Blues after replacing Drew Bannister as head coach, earning a 5-2 road victory over the New York Rangers in his debut. "It felt like something," Blues captain Brayden Schenn said. "It felt like we were having fun out there. That's the main part. It felt like we weren't sitting back and we played with energy tonight, and we played with the puck. Just wasn't a couple chances we were able to generate. Power play had a couple good looks. It was just fun to be out there." The Blues will try to keep the good times rolling Wednesday night in Newark, N.J. against the New Jersey Devils. St. Louis lost 3-1 at the New York Islanders Saturday night to fall to 9-12-1. Come Sunday morning, Blues general manager Doug Armstrong hired Montgomery to take over for Bannister. Montgomery, who was fired as head coach of the Boston Bruins last week, previously worked as an assistant coach for the Blues and forged a relationship with about half of the team's current players. "He brings a ton of energy to the rink," Schenn said. "He likes to have fun. At the same time, he's detailed and he's serious and he's respected. It's our job to bring the energy with him." When the coaching change was made, the Blues ranked 26th in the NHL standings by points percentage, 25th on the power play and 24th in penalty killing. They are scoring 2.48 goals per game, which is the league's fifth-worst average. "This is a talented roster," Montgomery said. "We've got a lot of guys with really good offensive hockey sense. If we're committed to checking like we were, the offense is going to come." The Blues will catch the Devils in the middle of a prolonged hot streak. New Jersey has won three straight games and eight of 10. After starting the season 5-4-2, the Devils have gone 10-3-0. They are coming off a 5-2 victory over the Nashville Predators on Monday night at home. "Every game, we have a plan," Devils captains Nico Hischier said. "If you execute it, gives ourselves a chance to win a hockey game. The plan switches, depends who you're playing." Hischier led the charge in Nashville by scoring his first NHL hat trick. "Just happy for him," Devils center Erik Haula said. "He's just such an important player for us, obviously. Eight years and first hat trick. You'd think he has five or six of them." Prior to that outburst, Hischier had gone 10 games without scoring a goal. "He starts the season on absolute fire, and then he goes cold for a while there," Devils coach Sheldon Keefe said. "His demeanor didn't change, his game didn't change, most importantly he didn't cheat the game. He continued to meet the tough matchups every night head on, continued to lead the way for us in the faceoff circle and penalty kill." New Jersey will be without forward Timo Meier on Wednesday after he was given a one-game suspension for cross-checking Nashville's Zachary L'Heureux and drawing blood. This article first appeared on Field Level Media and was syndicated with permission.
Former five-star defensive end Williams Nwaneri transfers from Missouri to Nebraska
Duke's Diaz: QB Murphy faces internal discipline for raising middle fingers in Virginia Tech winTikTok and its Chinese parent company asked the US Supreme Court to block a government ban set to take effect next month, making a late push to keep the social-media platform operating in a market with more than 170 million users. The emergency request comes after a federal appeals court upheld a new law banning TikTok in the US if the parent company doesn’t sell the app by Jan. 19. The three-judge panel rejected TikTok’s free speech claims, saying Congress was legitimately acting to protect national security and user privacy. Barring Supreme Court intervention, the ban will kick in the day before President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated. Because the Justice Department is charged with enforcing the law, Trump’s stance could also affect how the ban plays out in practice after Jan. 20. Trump said Monday he would consider reversing the hard-line approach he took toward the app when he was president in 2020. “We’ll take a look at TikTok. You know, I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok,” Trump said Monday at press conference at Mar-a-Lago, attributing Republican gains with young voters to the platform. “TikTok had an impact, so we’re taking a look at it.” TikTok and its parent company ByteDance Ltd. asked the Supreme Court to act by Jan. 6. “It would not be in the interest of anyone — not the parties, the public, or the courts — for the act’s ban on TikTok to take effect only for the new administration to halt its enforcement hours, days, or even weeks later,” TikTok argued. In its Dec. 6 ruling, the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit rejected contentions by TikTok, ByteDance and a group of content creators. They argued that Congress violated the Constitution’s First Amendment by singling out the company. With assistance from Zoe Tillman. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.Farmers in Punjab have announced a statewide shutdown on Monday which is set to disrupt road and rail traffic between 7:00 am and 4:00 pm. The call for the bandh comes as part of an ongoing protest led by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. These groups have been staging protests at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13, following their halted march to Delhi by security forces. Prominent farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal (67) has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border since November 26 to push for the fulfillment of their demands. Among their key demands is the legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, a long-standing issue in agricultural reforms. As per reports, the bandh is expected to impact transportation and public services, as farmers seek to intensify their pressure on the central government to address their concerns. In solidarity with the farmers' statewide bandh, bus services across Punjab will be suspended for varying durations on Monday. The Punjab Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) bus services will remain inactive from 10 am to 2 pm, following the announcement by the PRTC Punbus Employee Union in support of the ongoing farmer agitation. Meanwhile, private bus operators have extended full backing, declaring the suspension of services statewide from 7 am to 4 am. The bandh will also disrupt both road and rail traffic during these hours. As per reports, government and private institutions across the state will also remain closed from 7 am to 4 pm. However, emergency services will remain unaffected to ensure essential operations. Various groups, including traders, transporters, employees’ unions, toll plaza workers, ex-servicemen, sarpanches, teachers' unions, and social organisations, have announced their support for the farmers’ cause. Kisan Mazdoor Sanghrash Committee's leader Sarvan Singh Pandher confirmed that the bandh is part of their ongoing protest and is aimed at raising their demands. This bandh will force the Centre to accept the demands of farmers, the farmer leader said as he slammed the union government for failing to accept the demands of farmers, he added. The decision to give a call for a 'Punjab bandh' was taken last week by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha. Besides a legal guarantee on the MSP for crops, the farmers are demanding a debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in the electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases and "justice" for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Farmers under the banner of SKM (Non-Political) and KMM have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces. A "jatha" (group) of 101 farmers made three attempts to enter Delhi on foot on December 6, December 8 and again on December 14. They were not allowed to proceed by security personnel in Haryana. Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal (70) has been sitting on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border since November 26 to put pressure on the Centre to accept the farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP).
TikTok and its Chinese parent company asked the US Supreme Court to block a government ban set to take effect next month, making a late push to keep the social-media platform operating in a market with more than 170 million users. The emergency request comes after a federal appeals court upheld a new law banning TikTok in the US if the parent company doesn’t sell the app by Jan. 19. The three-judge panel rejected TikTok’s free speech claims, saying Congress was legitimately acting to protect national security and user privacy. Barring Supreme Court intervention, the ban will kick in the day before President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated. Because the Justice Department is charged with enforcing the law, Trump’s stance could also affect how the ban plays out in practice after Jan. 20. Trump said Monday he would consider reversing the hard-line approach he took toward the app when he was president in 2020. “We’ll take a look at TikTok. You know, I have a warm spot in my heart for TikTok,” Trump said Monday at press conference at Mar-a-Lago, attributing Republican gains with young voters to the platform. “TikTok had an impact, so we’re taking a look at it.” TikTok and its parent company ByteDance Ltd. asked the Supreme Court to act by Jan. 6. “It would not be in the interest of anyone — not the parties, the public, or the courts — for the act’s ban on TikTok to take effect only for the new administration to halt its enforcement hours, days, or even weeks later,” TikTok argued. In its Dec. 6 ruling, the US Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit rejected contentions by TikTok, ByteDance and a group of content creators. They argued that Congress violated the Constitution’s First Amendment by singling out the company. With assistance from Zoe Tillman. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Kennedy Tull happy she joined siblings at Oregon Tech to play women's basketball
Homebound seniors living alone often slip through health system’s cracksCompanies tighten security after a health care CEO's killing leads to a surge of threats
Suzhou AND Science&Technology Development Corporation: Lumbar Intervertebral Disc EndoscopeNo hiding place for new Rangers CEO Patrick Stewart as VAR controversy follows Hampden heartache By STEPHEN MCGOWAN Published: 15:36 EST, 16 December 2024 | Updated: 15:36 EST, 16 December 2024 e-mail 1 View comments Patrick Stewart no doubt hoped for a low-profile start to life as chief executive of Rangers . In an ideal world, day one would have brought nothing more taxing than an ascent of the marble staircase to find the Scottish League Cup glistening in the trophy room at the top. Management and players would have been left to bask in the glory of a long-awaited victory over Celtic while the new man spent the day adjusting his seat and updating his computer password. In football, the best laid plans rarely come to pass. For Stewart, a lawyer who has spent a career in football doing his best to avoid controversy or headlines, visions of a quiet induction were shattered by the aftermath of another defeat to Celtic in the Premier Sports Cup final. Philippe Clement’s record in Old Firm games now reads no wins from six and, for some supporters, that represents grounds for an immediate sacking. A more measured analysis would allow some mitigation for the nature of a defeat at Hampden where a controversial decision three minutes into the first period of extra-time proved critical to the outcome. New Rangers CEO Patrick Stewart had plenty to contend with on his first day in the Ibrox job The VAR officials chose not to intervene after Scales' tangle with Cerny at Hampden on Sunday Philippe Clement is under pressure after failing to win any of his six matches against Celtic With a thrilling game finely poised at 3-3, Parkhead defender Liam Scales entangled himself in a right old mess on the edge of his own penalty area. Losing possession to Vaclav Cerny, a panicked foul outside the area was followed by a tug on the Czech winger’s jersey which continued into the penalty area. Oddly, the incident barely rated a mention on coverage by broadcasters Premier Sports. There were no images from the camera on the 18-yard line, former Celtic manager Neil Lennon noting only that Scales was a ‘lucky boy’. Equally surprising was the failure of Rangers players to lobby and clamour for a spot-kick. The story only caught fire when former referee Bobby Madden posted a still image on social media claiming it was ‘100 per cent a penalty kick’, while expressing amazement that the VAR officials failed to recommend an upgrade. Clement cited ‘hundreds of messages’ after the match asking why video assistant Alan Muir and his assistant Frank Connor had failed to draw the matter to the attention of match referee John Beaton. There would have been no obligation on Beaton to take a look at the pitchside monitor for a factual error. Talk of the referee already awarding a free-kick before the pull, meanwhile, appears to be based on assumption and wishful thinking rather than hard evidence. When the Key Match Incident panel convene to consider the week’s key VAR incidents in the upcoming days, their view on the matter will be seized upon. For Rangers and their fans, Sunday’s defeat felt like a carbon copy of the 2019 League Cup final. Awarded a spot kick that day, Alfredo Morelos failed to beat Fraser Forster. Celtic went on to win the cup when Christopher Jullien scored and looked offside. Back then, Scotland had no access to video technology. In October 2022, Premiership clubs agreed to pay for the appliance of VAR and, while their cash bought them gizmos and hardware, the one thing it can’t buy them is officials guaranteed to exercise sound judgment. With a system cursed by subjectivity and human error, the percentage of correct decisions has increased, but perfection remains an unattainable goal. And when high-profile errors are made in a showpiece final, it feels like nothing has changed. A former referee, Muir was appointed a full-time VAR this season. Despite an independent panel ruling that he’d erred by failing to award Celtic’s Daizen Maeda a penalty against Motherwell earlier this season, he was awarded the first major final of the season. While head of referees Willie Collum will offer his take on Sunday’s flashpoint later this week, he’ll be hard pressed to explain that. Back in the 1990s, when the late Walter Smith’s Rangers dominated the scene, Celtic defeats would invariably be followed by bitter, prolonged complaints over a refereeing controversy. Thirty years later, the tables have turned. Sunday’s penalty shoot-out triumph saw Celtic nudge ahead of their bitter rivals by 119 trophies to 118, Rangers’ frustration over their inability to change the situation amplifying the anger which follows every decision against them. None of this made for a quiet first day at the office for the new chief executive. Employed for his political nous and working knowledge of football’s corridors of power, part of Stewart’s remit is the need to manage and improve relationships with the SFA, the SPFL and other clubs. A judgment call on whether to go to war with the governing body on day one of a new job in a different country presented an unenviable — if unavoidable — dilemma. While Rangers have asked for an explanation on why the Cerny decision played out as it did, Collum can say nothing likely to place the League Cup back in the Ibrox trophy cabinet. Rangers managers are usually judged on two things. One is their trophy haul and the other is their record against Celtic. On both counts, Clement remains unconvincing. Accused of having no style or system as recently as a month ago, the Belgian actually got his game plan spot on against Tottenham and then Celtic. Aggressive in the press, closing down the space, going toe-to-toe, Rangers gave themselves a chance at Hampden when they scored first for the first time in seven derbies. Their first goal against Rodgers’ team in more than four hours of football, it was the first time they’d led them in more than nine hours. They were closing down Celtic’s influential skipper Callum McGregor. They nullified Kyogo Furuhashi until a chance just before the equaliser. And, still, they lost three goals to a Celtic team playing below their best. Even when Clement coaches his team to set traps and pounce on mistakes of opponents, they’re too busy making mistakes of their own to capitalise. The Rangers boss acknowledged the role his team played in their own demise when, 1-0 ahead early in the second half, they failed to capitalise on another Greg Taylor slip. Breaking free at pace, images showed four Rangers players converging on Cameron Carter-Vickers on the edge of the Celtic area. A second goal would surely have won the cup against under-par opponents. A poor attempt at a cross from Nedim Bajrami allowed Carter-Vickers to block and the chance was gone. With it went the League Cup won last season. Beating Celtic on January 2 at Ibrox has now become a non-negotiable. The law of averages, allied to recent improvements, suggest they’re on the right path. The trouble is that supporters find it hard to peer through a glass half-full when losing game after game to their oldest rivals. Creative, smart recruitment in January would help, while Clement might also be thinking of clearing out some of the players ill-equipped to take the fight to their rivals. Starting with Cyriel Dessers, the centre-forward who allowed his goalkeeper Jack Butland to take a spot-kick in a sudden-death shoot-out in a Hampden final while he watched from the centre circle. Share or comment on this article: No hiding place for new Rangers CEO Patrick Stewart as VAR controversy follows Hampden heartache e-mail Add comment
DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Duke coach Manny Diaz says quarterback Maalik Murphy will face discipline “internally” after extending both of his middle fingers skyward in celebration after throwing a long touchdown pass early in the weekend win against Virginia Tech . Diaz said Monday that Murphy's exuberant gesture, caught on the ACC Network national broadcast, was directed at offensive coordinator Jonathan Brewer in the booth after a bit of practice “banter” from a few days earlier. Diaz said the Texas transfer just let his excitement get away from him but still called it “unacceptable in our program." “There was a practice in the middle of last week when we throwing post after post after post, and we weren't completing them,” Diaz said. “And it was again and again and again and again. And at the end of that, there was a remark made in jest that, ‘If you throw a post for a touchdown in the game, then you can flick me off,’ from Coach Brewer.” Murphy's gesture came after he uncorked a deep ball from deep in Duke's own end and caught Eli Pancol perfectly in stride across midfield, with Pancol racing untouched for an 86-yard score barely 2 minutes into the game. As he began skipping downfield to celebrate, Murphy chest-bumped teammate Star Thomas and then extended both arms in the air with his middle fingers raised. Brewer said Monday he missed the gesture in real time, but then saw it on a replay moments later. “Some things you say on the field when you're coaching obviously isn't meant to be taken literally when you're trying to get after somebody in that world,” Brewer said. Murphy threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns with three interceptions in the 31-28 win for the Blue Devils (8-3, 4-3 Atlantic Coast Conference), who close the regular season at Wake Forest. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
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Elon Musk’s apparent power flex to block The Onion’s purchase of Infowars follows a long history of the billionaire’s own personal vendetta against the satirical publication. On Nov. 25, Musk’s attorneys filed a narrow objection that would block The Onion from taking over the social media accounts of what was once conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ controversial platform. The filing claimed that X owns all its social media profiles and added that it “merely grants its users a non-exclusive license to use their accounts.” “While X Corp. takes no position as to the sale of any Content posted on the X Accounts, X Corp. is the sole owner of the Services being sold as part of the sale of the X Accounts,” attorneys argued. Emphasizing that “neither Jones nor his bankruptcy estate” own the X profiles, attorneys added that Jones’ accounts “may not be sold, assigned, or otherwise transferred as part of the Sale nor can any X account, including any maintained personally by Jones, including the Jones X Account, be sold to any third party.” Nearly two weeks before X’s legal temper tantrum, The Onion—a recent purchase of Global Tetrahedron— bought the bankrupt platform . While X’s declaration of social media account ownership raises its own questions, Musk’s involvement in The Onion’s dealings brings up old quarrels the SpaceX exec previously had with the satire site. In a time long, long ago when X was called Twitter and wasn’t controlled by Musk, the eccentric billionaire sang the praises of The Onion. Retweeting and @’ing across the Twittersphere, Musk would compliment the writers and editors for their quips and jabs—even emailing the staffers personally. In a 2017 interview with Rolling Stone , Musk said, “In order to understand the essential truth of things, I think you can find it in The Onion and occasionally on Reddit.” A source told Daily Beast that Musk had even considered buying The Onion in 2014—before he poached staffers from the site to launch his own (failed) satirical publication, Thud. However, tides shifted years later when The Onion came for Musk’s lore. Poking at the source of Musk’s wealth, The Onion published the satirical piece , “The Richest Person In Every State And How They Made Their Money.” “Elon Musk, Texas: Apartheid,” the satire site tweeted alongside the article. The Onion’s joke directly challenged Musk’s rag-to-riches claims, pointing out the popularized rumors that Musk’s father, Errol, once owned shares in a Zambian emerald mine. In the same 2017 Rolling Stone report, the outlet wrote that “Errol was, by his own account, making money in the often dangerous worlds of construction and emerald mining—at times so much that he claims he couldn’t close his safe.” However, The Onion’s apartheid comment hit a sore spot for Musk, who replied to the tweet : “Shame on you, Onion. This is why people are switching to @TheBabylonBee!” The Onion still posts satirical content of Musk today, with headlines like: “Trump Locks Bathroom Door So Elon Musk Can’t Follow Him In.” While Musk has drawn a line in the sand with The Onion, he has also recently forged an alliance with Jones. Following his purchase of X, Musk used his power not solely to reinstate Jones’ banned platform. The memester also hopped on a livestream with Jones —as well as accused human trafficker Andrew Tate and other controversial figures—urging social media users to follow Infowars again. Daily Kos reached out to X and The Onion for comment but did not immediately hear back. Controversy still surrounds the platform purchase, with Jones contesting the validity of the auction results. Approval of the purchase is currently awaiting a federal judge’s orders sometime this month.
Stock up on batteries for the holiday seasonNov 17, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) rolls out against the Buffalo Bills during the second half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images/ File Photo Nov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) on the sidelines against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images/ File Photo NEW YORK - The NFL urged its players to exercise caution on social media and ramp up home security on Thursday, saying they were becoming "increasingly targeted" for burglaries. Organized groups are targeting homes of professional athletes across multiple leagues, the NFL said in a memo obtained by Reuters, exploiting team schedules and gathering information through "extensive surveillance." "The burglary groups appear to be gathering information on potential victims through public records, media reports and social media," the memo read. "Surveillance tactics have included attempted home deliveries and posing as grounds maintenance or joggers in a neighborhood." The NFL advised players to make their homes appear as though they are occupied at all times, leaving on interior lights or a television when they depart their property, and to limit the information they post to social media. "Avoid updating any social media with check-ins or daily activities until the conclusion of the day," the league said. "Do not post images or comments about your residence or hotel accommodations." The residences of twice MVP Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce, who is dating pop superstar Taylor Swift, were both reportedly burgled last month. NBC reported on Thursday that the FBI is investigating whether the break-ins are related to a transnational crime ring. Two NBA players also had their homes broken into in recent weeks, according to media reports. "It is important for players to maintain situational awareness, practice social media safety, and implement home security measures to reduce the risk of becoming a target," the league said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. Read 3 articles and stand to win rewards Spin the wheel nowCredo Technology surges as Q2 results, guidance top expectations
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Irish premier praises Dublin woman who won civil case against Conor McGregorDakhliyah hosted a grand equestrian festival in Bahla on Friday to celebrate the 54th National Day and to pay tribute to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. The festivities commenced with a march flagged off at Jabreen Castle, passing through Saih al Shamikhat and culminating at the equestrian field. Over 1,000 participants representing various sports, social and adventure groups from across Oman proudly carried the national flag in a show of national pride and patriotism. The highlight of the event was an equestrian show, organised by Bahla Equestrian Society and supervised by Oman Equestrian and Racing Federation. More than 120 horsemen dazzled the audience with horseback stunts, tent pegging, archery and hurdle jumping. Adding to the cultural grandeur, folk troupes from Bahla performed traditional Omani Al Razha, a celebrated and enduring tradition. While Al Razha refers primarily to a sword dance, the performance incorporates elements of dance, drums, clapping and rowing. “Al Razha has become a beautiful combination of poetry, singing and swordplay,” said one participant. “Performed mainly by men, these dances and sword fights are deeply rooted in Oman’s cultural legacy. They narrate stories unique to each wilayat and are performed during important occasions such as weddings and Eid celebrations.” On the sidelines, an exhibition showcased the region’s rich craftsmanship, small and medium enterprises, and productive families. Displays featured Bahla’s renowned handicrafts, traditional sweets, pottery, weaving and homemade products, underscoring the region’s artistic traditions. The celebration climaxed with a breathtaking performance by Muscat Paragliding Team. Carrying Omani flags and portraits of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, paragliders put on an exhilarating aerial show captivating the audience.Strictly’s Nick Knowles gives update on show injury and operation - and lengthy recovery process
Hair has served as a symbolic and narrative medium in postmodern and contemporary art, touching on themes of identity, gender and memory. In the upcoming art exhibition at the , Gozitan artist Godwin Cutajar uses human hair as both a medium and a narrative tool. Before him, artists like Jannis Kounellis, Mona Hatoum and others have used human hair to evoke primal connections to the body and to explore themes of exile and identity. Other artists, such as Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Wenda Gu and Sonya Clark, have also employed hair to address issues of cultural heritage and personal identity. Hair, with its strong associations to the body, becomes a vessel for expressing intimate, social and historical narratives. Another exhibit using human hair. Each piece operates on both a physical and psychological level. Cutajar’s work could be interpreted by using psychoanalytic theories. Hair, in the artist’s compositions, symbolises complex emotions and unconscious drives, echoing Freudian, Jungian and Lacanian ideas. Freudian theories suggest that hair may represent libidinal energy and childhood fixation, while Jung views hair as an archetype tied to vitality and the process of individuation. Lacan’s concept of – a blend of pleasure and pain – adds depth to Cutajar’s exploration of the tension between desire and discomfort. Through these out-of-the-ordinary abstract works, where dark strands of hair are set against crumpled paper, Cutajar invites viewers into a dialogue between the personal and the universal. Each piece operates on both a physical and psychological level, offering a reflection on identity, memory and the residue of human experience. Banca Giuratale You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.quarterback has stirred speculation about his NFL future, particularly regarding a potential connection to the , after a curious move on social media. Sanders, who is expected to enter the NFL Draft after his final college season, has been linked to several teams, including the and the Giants. Rumors about his preferences gained momentum after the made a significant roster change this week, releasing quarterback . , who had been benched earlier, reportedly requested the release himself, as confirmed by team owner John Mara. "Daniel came to see me this morning and asked if we would release him,'' Mara said. "We mutually agreed that would be best for him and the team. Daniel has been a great representative of our organization, first class in every way. "His handling of the situation yesterday exemplifies just that. We are all disappointed in how things have worked out. We hold Daniel in high regard and have a great appreciation for him. We wish him nothing but the best in the future.'' Sanders' gesture on social media The shared the news on their social media platforms, and fans quickly noticed Sanders liking the announcement on Instagram. His gesture fueled excitement, especially in light of ' recent lack of comments about the Giants. During a podcast interview, when asked if he'd like to join the team, laughed and offered a coy "no comment," leaving fans guessing about his intentions. With his skill set and on-field charisma, has been seen as a potential franchise-changing quarterback. The prospect of him joining forces with a talent such as Malik Nabers, should their paths cross in the NFL, has sparked buzz among fans.
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WASHINGTON — There's a common trait that President-elect Donald Trump is clearly prizing as he selects those to serve in his new administration: experience on television. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., speaks during a hearing July 18, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Duffy to be Transportation Secretary. Trump loves that "central casting" look, as he likes to call it. Some, like his choices for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, and transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, were until recently TV hosts on Trump's favorite network, Fox News. Mike Huckabee, his pick for U.S. ambassador to Israel, hosted the Fox show “Huckabee” from 2008 to 2015 after his time as Arkansas governor. Dr. Mehmet Oz, a former syndicated talk show host and heart surgeon, was tapped to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the agency that oversees health insurance programs for millions of older, poor and disabled Americans. He would report to Trump's choice for health and human services secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., himself a regular on the cable news circuit. Mehmet Oz visits the AW Driving School & License Testing Center on Sept. 23, 2022, in Allentown, Pa. Trump, a former reality television star himself, has made no secret of his intention to stack his administration with loyalists after his decisive 2024 election win — including some whose lack of relevant experience has raised concerns among lawmakers. But he's also working to set up a more forceful administration in this term, and in his eyes, many of those people happen to intersect with celebrity. The trend was not lost on Democratic Rep. Jim Himes of Connecticut, who posted on social media after the Oz nomination: “We are becoming the world’s first nuclear-armed reality television show.” For good measure, Himes added: “Just spitballing here, but what if the Attorney General and the Secretary of HHS fight each other in an octagonal cage?” That was a reference to Trump's affinity for the UFC fighters who do battle in the octagon. Choosing TV personalities isn't that unusual for the once-and-future president: A number of his first-term choices — John Bolton, Larry Kudlow, Heather Nauert and Mercedes Schlapp, were all on TV — mostly also on Fox. Omarosa Manigault Newman, a confrontational first-season member of Trump's NBC show “The Apprentice," was briefly at the White House before she was fired. Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican who ran Trump’s 2016 transition team until he was fired, said that eight years ago, Trump held “Apprentice-like interviews at Bedminster,” summoning potential hires to his club in New Jersey. On a call on Tuesday organized by the Council on Foreign Relations, Christie said this year’s Cabinet choices are different than 2016’s but it’s still “Donald Trump casting a TV show.” “He’s casting,” Christie said. Trump has readily highlighted the media experience of his choices as he's announced them. He said Duffy, a former lawmaker and onetime cast member of MTV’s “The Real World," was “a STAR on Fox News.” Pete Hegseth walks to an elevator for a meeting with President-elect Donald Trump at Trump Tower on Dec. 15, 2016, in New York. Hegseth, a military veteran, “has been a host at FOX News for eight years, where he used that platform to fight for our Military and Veterans,” Trump said. He also noted that Hegseth's book “The War on Warriors” spent nine weeks on The New York Times “best-sellers list, including two weeks at NUMBER ONE.” As for Oz, Trump said: “He won nine Daytime Emmy Awards hosting ‘The Dr. Oz Show,’ where he taught millions of Americans how to make healthier lifestyle choices." It's also true that those seeking positions in Trump's orbit often take to the airwaves to audition for an audience of one. Tom Homan, Trump's choice for “border czar,” is a frequent Fox contributor. Ohio Sen. JD Vance was chosen as Trump's running mate in part because of how well he comes across on air. Trump's choice to lead the Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, upped his profile when he took to Fox News to argue that a pre-election appearance on NBC's “Saturday Night Live” by Democratic nominee Kamala Harris was a violation of the “equal time” rule governing candidate appearances on television. The White House-to-cable news pundit pipeline tends to cut across administrations of both parties, to some extent. President Joe Biden had three MSNBC contributors on his transition team and his former press secretary went to the network after she left the White House. Biden, though, looked to career diplomats, longtime government workers and military leaders for key posts like the Defense Department. Trump's affinity for Fox News is well-documented, though the romance cooled for a time after Fox made an early call of Arizona for Biden in 2020, a move that infuriated Trump and many of the network’s viewers. Trump suggested viewers should migrate to other conservative news outlets. While the Arizona call ultimately proved correct, it set in motion internal second-guessing and led some Fox personalities to embrace conspiracy theories, which ultimately cost the network $787 million to settle a defamation lawsuit by Dominion Voting Systems. But Trump is still an avid watcher — the network provides Trump a window into conservative thinking, with commentary from Republican lawmakers and thinkers who are, often, speaking directly to the president-elect. Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration, and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign. In a statement, Trump called McGinley “a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda, while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
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Drone operators worry that anxiety over mystery sightings will lead to new restrictionsTrump says Microsoft's Bill Gates wants to meet
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Trump says Microsoft's Bill Gates wants to meetDrones for commercial and recreational use have grown rapidly in popularity, despite restrictions on who can operate them and where they can be flown. No-fly zones are enforced around airports, military installations, nuclear plants, certain landmarks including the Statue of Liberty, and sports stadiums during games. Not everybody follows the rules. Sightings at airports have shut down flights in a few instances. Reported sightings of what appear to be drones flying over New Jersey at night in recent weeks have created anxiety among some residents, in part because it is not clear who is operating them or why. Some state and local officials have called for stricter rules to govern drones. After receiving reports of drone activity last month near Morris County, New Jersey, the Federal Aviation Administration issued temporary bans on drone flights over a golf course in Bedminster , New Jersey, that is owned by President-elect Donald Trump, and over Picatinny Arsenal Military Base . The FAA says the bans are in response to requests from “federal security partners.” Who regulates drones? The FAA is responsible for the regulations governing their use , and Congress has written some requirements into law. Who enforces the rules? With a 2018 law, the Preventing Emerging Threats Act, Congress gave certain agencies in the Homeland Security and Justice departments authority to counter threats from unmanned aircraft to protect the safety of certain facilities. New drones must be outfitted with equipment allowing law enforcement to identify the operator, and Congress gave the agencies the power to detect and take down unmanned aircraft that they consider dangerous. The law spells out where the counter-drone measures can be used, including “national special security events” such as presidential inaugurations and other large gatherings of people. What does it take to become a drone pilot? To get a “remote pilot certificate,” you must be at least 16 years old, be proficient in English, pass an aeronautics exam, and not suffer from a ”mental condition that would interfere with the safe operation of a small unmanned aircraft system.” Are drones allowed to fly at night? Yes, but the FAA imposes restrictions on nighttime operations. Most drones are not allowed to fly at night unless they are equipped with anti-collision lights that are visible for at least 3 miles (4.8 kilometers). Are drones a hazard? Over the past decade, pilots have reported hundreds of close calls between drones and airplanes including airline jets. In some cases, airplane pilots have had to take evasive action to avoid collisions. Drones buzzing over a runway caused flights to be stopped at London’s Gatwick Airport during the Christmas travel rush in 2018 and again in May 2023 . Police dismissed the idea of shooting down the drones, fearing that stray bullets could kill someone. Advances in drone technology have made it harder for law enforcement to find rogue drone operators — bigger drones in particular have more range and power. Will drone rules get tougher? Some state and local officials in New Jersey are calling for stronger restrictions because of the recent sightings, and that has the drone industry worried. Scott Shtofman, director of government affairs at the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, said putting more limits on drones could have a “chilling effect” on “a growing economic engine for the United States.” “We would definitely oppose anything that is blindly pushing for new regulation of what are right now legal drone operations,” he said. AirSight, a company that sells software against “drone threats,” says more than 20 states have enacted laws against privacy invasion by drones, including Peeping Toms. Will Austin, president of Warren County Community College in New Jersey, and founder of its drone program, says it's up to users to reduce public concern about the machines. He said operators must explain why they are flying when confronted by people worried about privacy or safety. “It's a brand new technology that's not really understood real well, so it will raise fear and anxiety in a lot of people,” Austin said. “We want to be good professional aviators and alleviate that.” ___ Associated Press reporter Rebecca Santana in Washington, D.C., contributed. David Koenig, The Associated Press
If you have an avid cook or food lover in your life, your gifting opportunities these days are vast and deep. There are authentic ingredients and creative concoctions in brick-and-mortar shops and online. The global pantry beckons. Plus, in many cases, the packaging is gorgeous! Many of these affordable luxuries can be tucked into a stocking, but they also make great presents for a co-worker, mail carrier, nephew or teacher. As a slightly compulsive and obsessive gift giver, matching the right edible treat to the recipient is my jam (another great gifting option!). All of these items cost under $50, but make a big splash. Let’s go! Two Chinese American friends took the flavors of their favorite childhood treats and transformed them into sweet spreads, ready to be slathered on toast, apples or just eaten with a spoon. Rooted Fare sells spreads like Crunchy Black Sesame Butter (inspired by tang yuan, a Lunar New Year dessert ), Pineapple Cake Cashew Butter, and Chinese Almond Cookie Butter. $15 per jar. Il Colle del Gusto makes some sweet and unusual nut-based spreads with an Italian twist: Coarse Hazelnut and Cocoa, Crunchy Peanut, and Sicilian Pistachio, all blended with olive oil. Swirl them into ice cream, slather them onto toast. Each jar under $10. Related: Sesame lovers will be delighted with either an assortment of tahini products such as Chocolate Sesame Sauce, or a tub of flaky, melt-in-your-mouth halva in flavors like cardamom and pistachio from Seed + Mill . Some great gift sets available for under $50. Chile crunch condiments have taken the cooking world by storm, and there are some highly giftable options. Fly By Jing makes a large assortment of Asian-inspired chile crunches, and they have some attractively packaged gift sets for the holidays . The mini sampler set is around $20. The aptly named Chile Crunch sells several varieties of their crunchy condiment, including hot, chipotle, mild and original, all for about $13 per jar. Somos' Salsa Macha Mexican Chili Crisps explode with texture thanks to a whole lot of nuts and seeds. Scoop these spicy-crunchy sauces over everything from avocado toast to tacos — and try the sweeter one on ice cream! The gift set of two comes with a cute spoon for $35. Chef Patricia Quintana has created a line of salsas, sauces, dressings and condiments that preserves the heritage of traditional Mexican cooking. Treat someone to a jar of Achiote sauce or Pineapple Habanero Salsa (and hope you get invited over for the ensuing meal). $15 to $20 per jar. Ever heard of Secret Aardvark sauces ? You might be tempted to spread the word. This Caribbean/Tex-Mex line of condiments has a big following for what they call their “flavor that kicks you in the mouth.” There are many choices, including Drunken Jerk Jamaican Marinade, and Aardvark Habanero Hot Sauce. $10 each, with combo packs starting at $20. Tinned fish is also having a blockbuster culinary moment (and in many cases the packaging is super fun). Fishwife cans ethically sourced fish, like salmon, anchovies and trout, from around the world, with some attractive gift boxes under $50. La Narval focuses on combinations of fish and sauce, such as their mussels in Spanish sauce. Each tin is about $10. The Drinks Bakery creates savory snacks with flavor profiles meant to match up perfectly with your favorite libations. Munch on a Lancashire Cheese and Spring Onion biscuit with a hoppy IPA or a sauvignon blanc. Serve the Parmesan, Toasted Pine Nut and Basil biscuits with a whiskey highball or champagne. Choose from small or larger boxes. I can’t think of a food gift I’m happier to see than a high-quality bottle of oil or vinegar, two of the most-used ingredients in my kitchen. Bona Furtuna's selection of Sicilian olive oils is fresh and fragrant, and their aged balsamic vinegars are thick, sweet and rich. The Invecchiato 7-Year Aged Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, for instance, sells for $44.95; Forte Extra Virgin Olive Oil from $10.95 to $39.95. Metafora olive oil comes in a beautiful bottle and is a nice introduction to Portuguese olive oil. $40. Alvear makes lovely Andalusian sherry vinegars. For the salad makers and Spanish chefs in your life, think about gifting one each of the bottles, a sweet and a dry , about $20 apop. Tartuflanghe makes all sorts of luxury ingredients infused with white and black truffles. Elevate your cooking game with truffle-infused butters with flavors like porcini or anchovy (about $10 each). Pick up a box of decadent, truffle-flavored Tartufissima 19 for $32. Or how about a little jar of black truffle pearls, which look like caviar, and are the most elegant way to finish off a risotto or a deviled egg ($40)? ’Tis the season for sweet things, but there's no need to settle for the same old bonbons. Sanders is known for decadent, chocolate-covered caramels, and this holiday season they have some limited-edition flavors. Do you know someone who might like a bag of bourbon, maple or peppermint dark-chocolate sea-salt caramels? I do! $10. Perhaps you’ve seen the elegant Lady M layered crepe cakes? Well this holiday, try their more portable and giftable Holiday Crepe Biscuit Collection . Eight wedge-shaped boxes contain a delicate crepe biscuit with fillings such as vanilla, chocolate hazelnut and green tea. $28. André’s Confiserie Suisse makes handmade chocolate with deep rich flavor, a result of generations of Swiss chocolate-making expertise. Some unusual classics include the Nussbergerli Sticks, a mix of caramel, candied orange peel and nuts, covered in either dark or milk chocolate, as well as a lovely assortment of chocolate-covered almonds. Also check out the festive, almond-stuffed chocolate pinecones, a cute edible ornament. Offerings start at $7. There are chocolate bars and then there are chocolate bars. At Chocopologie , it's hard to decide among the creative confections. Burnt Caramel Hawaiian Sea Salt? A S'Mores Bar that includes organic graham crackers and vegan marshmallows? At $10 each, you might need to buy a few. The bakers you know will love playing around with the Salted Caramel Crumbles from Kitty Keller. These toffee-like crumbles are made from the butter and salted caramel of Brittany, France, and can be used to finish all kinds of sweet treats with a crunchy little panache. $12. I could go on (quite clearly), but suffice it to say that a little special treat can have a big impact. Those stockings aren’t going to stuff themselves! For more AP gift guides and holiday coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/gift-guide and https://apnews.com/hub/holidays . This story was first published on Nov. 20, 2024. It was updated on Dec. 12, 2024 to correct the spelling of Bona Furtuna.As 2025 approaches, investors may start to think about how they want to approach the second half of the decade. Given technological trends, stocks driven by artificial intelligence (AI) will likely continue to prosper. The emergence of ChatGPT helped make Nvidia the AI stock of the decade's first half. But with its red-hot growth beginning to cool, many investors moved on to other stocks. While it is nearly impossible to predict the best performer for the rest of the decade, investors can expect that several stocks will probably deliver strong returns. Knowing that, three contributors at Fool.com have ideas as to which stocks might deliver those sought-after gains. Meta hits a new all-time high, but the party is just getting started Justin Pope (Meta Platforms): It's hard to overstate how remarkable a business Meta Platforms ( META 2.44% ) is. The company has a stranglehold on the world's social media landscape, with 3.29 billion people logging on to Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, or Threads daily. Social media apps are a fantastic distribution mechanism to serve digital ads, primarily how Meta generates more than $156 billion in (very profitable) annual revenue. Meta has leaned hard into artificial intelligence. The company has invested billions of dollars into data centers for computing capacity, developed a proprietary AI model (Llama), and woven AI technology into its digital ads business to make them more effective for customers. The stock's appeal is twofold. First, the company's digital ads business makes Meta a juggernaut in its present form. Analysts estimate Meta will grow earnings by 20% annually over the next three to five years. Yet, the stock's PEG ratio of 1.3 signals that Meta is still very reasonably priced for that growth -- even at all-time highs. In other words, Meta's growth outlook for the remainder of the 2020s looks strong, and you aren't overpaying for it. Second, Meta continually invests tons of money into Reality Labs, its AI and augmented reality segment. Reality Labs posted an operating loss of $11.4 billion through the first nine months in 2024. CEO Mark Zuckerberg believes it will turn profitable over time; otherwise, the company wouldn't invest the money and effort. Does that guarantee Mark Zuckerberg is right? Of course not. Still, Meta has proven its foresight and ability to position itself for success in years past ( Instagram and Reels ). The stock's strong existing ads business and hefty AI investments could make Meta a continued winner, especially if Reality Labs starts bearing fruit later this decade. SoundHound AI is a leader within the growing field of voice AI Jake Lerch (SoundHound AI): My pick is SoundHound AI ( SOUN 12.60% ) . First, a little background. SoundHound is a leader in the field of voice AI solutions. Its products help bridge the gap between human voices and AI models. For example, SoundHound has partnered with automakers like Honda , Hyundai , Mercedes-Benz , and others to power their in-car voice-activated chat. In addition to its automotive partnerships, SoundHound has made inroads in the casual-dining sector. As of this writing, its list of restaurant clients has grown to more than a dozen well-known brands, including Papa John's , Chipotle Mexican Grill , and Jersey Mike's. There are at least two big reasons why these high-profile companies are seeking out SoundHound: So, what is SoundHound's competitive advantage? In short, it has what's called a first-mover advantage. The company was founded in 2005, and its proprietary tech helps its tools deliver best-in-class speed and accuracy -- mimicking human-to-human conversation. Moreover, since SoundHound isn't a major tech conglomerate, some clients may feel more comfortable partnering with the company. In other words, SoundHound AI offers its clients an alternative to big-tech voice AI provided by Amazon , Apple , or Google ( Alphabet ). Finally, the company's position within the ongoing AI boom bodes well for the future. As noted, it seems every business is eagerly chasing down opportunities to utilize AI tools to drive higher profitability. As the public becomes more and more familiar with AI voice interactions, more industries will roll out voice-powered AI for customer interactions. SoundHound AI is an up-and-coming AI stock that still has plenty of room to grow -- and it's a name that investors should remember. This cybersecurity stock should strike a chord with investors Will Healy (CrowdStrike): When it comes to cybersecurity stocks , CrowdStrike ( CRWD 0.22% ) may look closer to a stock to avoid. The company continues to deal with the fallout from its July 19 outage, and with the stock having recovered most of its lost value, it may appear to have little upside left. Indeed, the stock has risen more than 50% over the last year, even when accounting for the summer outage. Moreover, its price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of 24 makes it is a more expensive stock than its most direct competitors. Nonetheless, the outage may have strangely increased trust in the company. CrowdStrike quickly admitted fault when the incident occurred and promptly issued a fix. Such a move shows CrowdStrike cares more about its long-term reputation than its short-term performance. Furthermore, CrowdStrike has positioned itself to capitalize on the growing need for cybersecurity. Fortune Business Insights forecasts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14% through 2032 amid a growing need to protect cloud and AI workloads. CrowdStrike plans to capture more of this increasing demand with the company's Falcon platform, an AI-native cybersecurity ecosystem. Also, its Charlotte AI security product can use plain language questions to discover hidden threats, speed up decision-making, and automate error-prone tasks that can lead to security breaches. Additionally, CrowdStrike's numerous offerings help it capture more business from new and current customers. According to the company, 66% of customers subscribe to five or more modules. In the first nine months of fiscal 2025 (ended Oct. 31), this increased adoption led to $2.9 billion in revenue, 31% more than the same period in fiscal 2024. Admittedly, investors may not want to buy the stock as long as it maintains an elevated valuation. However, five years of sales growth will make that multiple less significant over time, and as the company moves on from the outage, its continuing growth should mean stock gains over the second half of the decade.This year came in like a drunk on a weeklong bender — and left like a glue-sniffing drunk on a yearlong bender. In other words, what the hell just happened in 2024? A Kennedy joined forces with a Republican . The Dems switched candidates four months before the election. MAGA ruled MSG , and the far left’s heartthrob is a rich white kid who assassinated a CEO in Midtown Manhattan. Joe Rogan became a presidential kingmaker while Donald Trump worked a shift at McDonald’s. It was tumultous and unpredictable. At least there’s Taylor Swift to bring us some consistency: She’s still getting richer, ruling the NFL discourse and influencing grown men to wear friendship bracelets . But in the shifting landscape, a semblance of sanity returned. Cancel culture, DEI, trans lunacy and group think receded — while free speech thrived. Politics and pop culture became almost indistinguishable from each other. Kamala Harris’ “brat” status and Trump’s stilted “YMCA” dance overtook everything (the latter was even the preferred celebration of athletes). But only one side was victorious. The pantsuit is now 0 and 2 in presidential elections after the drubbing that Kamala Harris took in November. (My prediction: The first female president will be a Republican in a skirt.) Harris was never up to snuff, despite what the Dems and the media in the KHive tried to sell us. Speaking of duds, the Democrat establishment was exposed as covering up Joe Biden’s cognitive decline while assuring us he was completing daily Iron Mans. Party leaders like Barack Obama lost influence and likability after peddling fascist fear porn and berating black men for supporting Trump over Harris. Can’t keep a good Trump down, or out of the White House . He was indicted four times and convicted by a Manhattan jury in the Stormy Daniels hush money case — and still emerged stronger and bigger in 2024. He built a new working-class coalition, tapped into the dissatisfaction with Biden’s policies and, with the help of Elon Musk, led a great political realignment. Trump’s victory meant brutal defeat for Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, who managed a conviction of the soon-to-be 47th President only to see it stuck in limbo. As are Bragg’s fortunes after subway Samaritan Daniel Penny was, thankfully, acquitted earlier this month. It felt like bros ruled politics in 2024 — but the ladies got it done in sports. Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark dazzled — winning Rookie of the Year, making the playoffs and boosting WNBA attendance by whopping figures. As a result, the league is winning bigly, even if folks like Washington Mystics co-owner Sheila Johnson are loath to give Clark credit. At the Paris Olympics, Simone Biles made a triumphant comeback and Katie Ledecky became the first female swimmer to win gold at four different games. Meanwhile, Aussie competitor Raygun , with her intersectional approach to her “sport,” broke breakdancing — and our tolerance for nonsense. Gloves-off comedy roared in 2024. Netflix’s outrageous “The Roast of Tom Brady,” which saw the one-time golden boy take stronger hits than he did in 23 NFL seasons, slaughtered every sacred cow . It also launched Tony Hinchcliffe and Nikki Glaser into another stratosphere. Shane Gillis became comedy’s Lazarus, hosting “Saturday Night Live” five years after getting canned from the show. He’s also reviving Bud Lite in its post Dylan Mulvaney era. Unfortunately, the phrase “freak off” is now in our vernacular thanks to hip-hop’s all-powerful Sean “Diddy” Combs, whose spectacular downfall is due to his alleged sexual proclivities. Good old sex appeal reigned. After a years-long apology tour for, um, selling lingerie, Victoria’s Secret once again staged a fashion show with scantily clad Angels. “SNL” host Sydney Sweeney’s boobs caused a cultural eruption and proved that a nice set of girls are back. And Jeremy Allen White stripped to his Calvins for billboards, harkening to the golden era of undies ads with Marky Mark Wahlberg. Haliey Welch, otherwise known as “Hawk Tuah girl,” was on her way to total domination. The 21-year-old factory worker rose to international prominence the old-fashioned way: by drunkenly making a fellatio joke. She launched a podcast — then attached her name to a meme coin that tanked and led to accusations of a scam. She went into hiding and now says she’s cooperating with lawyers . Welch remains a cautionary tale about instant viral fame. Last year, Spotify parted with “f–king gifters” Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. This year, they delivered another bomb with “Polo” — leaving their $100 million Netlfix deal looking more precarious . Hunter Biden scored big with a pardon , but the sun has set on the Biden family’s decades-long power grip. Hey, at least Jill Biden can still call herself “Dr.” Going into 2025, there remains a sense of optimism that we’re headed in the right direction. Now if we can only figure out what’s going on with drones causing sky gridlock over Jersey.
Oil company Phillips 66 faces federal charges related to alleged Clean Water Act violations LOS ANGELES (AP) — Oil company Phillips 66 has been federally indicted in connection with alleged violations of the Clean Water Act in California. The Texas-based company is accused of discharging hundreds of thousands of gallons of industrial wastewater containing excessive amounts of oil and grease. The U.S. Department of Justice announced the indictment on Thursday. Phillips is charged with two counts of negligently violating the Clean Water Act and four counts of knowingly violating the Clean Water Act. An arraignment date has not been set. A spokesperson for the company said it was cooperating with prosecutors. US regulators seek to break up Google, forcing Chrome sale as part of monopoly punishment U.S. regulators want a federal judge to break up Google to prevent the company from continuing to squash competition through its dominant search engine after a court found it had maintained an abusive monopoly over the past decade. The proposed breakup floated in a 23-page document filed late Wednesday by the U.S. Justice Department calls for Google to sell its industry-leading Chrome web browser and impose restrictions designed to prevent Android from favoring its search engine. Regulators also want to ban Google from forging multibillion-dollar deals to lock in its dominant search engine as the default option on Apple’s iPhone and other devices. What you need to know about the proposed measures designed to curb Google's search monopoly U.S. regulators are proposing aggressive measures to restore competition to the online search market after a federal judge ruled that Google maintained an illegal monopoly. The sweeping set of recommendations filed late Wednesday could radically alter Google’s business. Regulators want Google to sell off its industry-leading Chrome web browser. They outlined a range of behavioral measures such as prohibiting Google from using search results to favor its own services such as YouTube, and forcing it to license search index data to its rivals. They're not going as far as to demand Google spin off Android, but are leaving that door open if the remedies don't work. SEC Chair Gary Gensler, who led US crackdown on cryptocurrencies, to step down Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Gary Gensler will step down from his post on January 20. Since taking the lead at the SEC, the commission has been aggressive in its oversight of cryptocurrencies and other regulatory issues. President-elect Donald Trump had promised during his campaign that he would remove Gensler, who has led the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry and repeatedly called for more oversight. But Gensler on Thursday announced that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated. Bitcoin has jumped 40% since Trump’s victory. US intelligence warns defense companies of Russian sabotage threat WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. intelligence officials are warning American defense companies to increase their security after a wave of sabotage in Europe blamed on Russia. The National Counterintelligence and Security Center issued a public bulletin Thursday advising companies that work in the defense industry that Russia may seek to carry out acts of sabotage as part of its effort to undercut Ukraine's allies and their ability to support Ukraine in its defense against Russia. Western authorities say they believe Russian intelligence is behind several recent acts of sabotage targeting European defense companies. Russia has denied the allegations. Elon Musk's budget crusade could cause a constitutional clash in Trump's second term WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump has put Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy in charge of finding ways to cut government spending and regulations. It's possible that their efforts will lead to a constitutional clash. This week, Musk and Ramaswamy said they would encourage the Republican president-elect to refuse to spend money allocated by Congress, which would conflict with a 1974 law that's intended to prevent presidents from blocking funds. If Trump takes such a step, it would quickly become one of the most closely watched legal battles of his second administration. Musk and Ramaswamy also aim to dramatically reduce the size of the federal workforce. Bitcoin is at the doorstep of $100,000 as post-election rally rolls on NEW YORK (AP) — Bitcoin is jumping again, rising above $98,000 for the first time Thursday. The cryptocurrency has been shattering records almost daily since the U.S. presidential election, and has rocketed more than 40% higher in just two weeks. It's now at the doorstep of $100,000. Cryptocurrencies and related investments like crypto exchange-traded funds have rallied because the incoming Trump administration is expected to be more “crypto-friendly.” Still, as with everything in the volatile cryptoverse, the future is hard to predict. And while some are bullish, other experts continue to warn of investment risks. Cutting in line? American Airlines' new boarding tech might stop you at now over 100 airports NEW YORK (AP) — Sneaking a little ahead of line to get on that plane faster? American Airlines might stop you. In an apparent effort to reduce the headaches caused airport line cutting, American has rolled out boarding technology that alerts gate agents with an audible sound if a passenger tries to scan a ticket ahead of their assigned group. This new software won’t accept a boarding pass before the group it’s assigned to is called, so customers who get to the gate prematurely will be asked to go back and wait their turn. As of Wednesday, the airline announced, this technology is now being used in more than 100 U.S. airports that American flies out of. The official expansion arrives after successful tests in three of these locations. Stock market today: Wall Street rises with Nvidia as bitcoin bursts above $99,000 NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks climbed after market superstar Nvidia and another round of companies said they’re making even fatter profits than expected. The S&P 500 pulled 0.5% higher Thursday after flipping between modest gains and losses several times in the morning. The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite edged up by less than 0.1%. Banks, smaller companies and other areas of the stock market that tend to do best when the economy is strong helped lead the way, while bitcoin briefly broke above $99,000. Crude oil, meanwhile, continued to rise. Treasury yields inched higher in the bond market. What will happen to CNBC and MSNBC when they no longer have a corporate connection to NBC News? Two television networks with “NBC” in their names — MSNBC and CNBC — will no longer have any corporate connection to NBC News once a spinoff formally takes effect in about a year. Comcast is cutting loose several of its cable companies into a separate company in order to improve its bottom line. It leaves several questions, particularly for MSNBC. Will the news network geared to liberal viewers continue to use NBC News personnel? Will it have to leave its offices and studios at the NBC News headquarters in New York's Rockefeller Center? Will they even keep the same names?
Nearly half of US teens are online 'constantly,' Pew report findsIt’s time for the 2024 Liga MX Torneo Apertura final as Club América takes on Monterrey in the first leg match. Thursday night’s match will air on TV in Spanish via TUDN and Univision. Fans can watch the match streaming via FuboTV . Club América comes into the finals as the reigning Liga MX champs, having won the Torneo Clausura title earlier this year. The Mexico City club had a lackluster regular season, but have come on strong in the playoffs. Meanwhile, high-scoring Monterrey will be looking for its first title since 2019. How Club América vs. Moterrey | Liga MX Finals, 1st Leg What time does the game start? What TV channel will it air on? - Thursday night’s match will start at 9 p.m. EST from Estadio Cuauhtémoc in Puebla, Mexico. The match will air on TV in Spanish via TUDN and Univision. There is no English broadcast on conventional TV channels. Stream : fuboTV (Latino package) ; or Sling ; or DirecTV Stream Sling provides one of the cheapest streaming options on the market.
Trump's casting call as he builds out his administration: TV experience preferred
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JOHANNESBURG South Africa on Monday reiterated its call for an immediate cease-fire in Palestine and Lebanon and the initiation of a political process to secure a just and lasting peace. "South Africa once again calls on the State of Israel to realize that the only way to achieve peace is a two-state solution where Israel will be able to exist side-by-side in peace with a viable and fully independent Palestinian State within internationally recognized parameters," said a statement marking the 47th United Nations International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. Pretoria highlighted that the unresolved Palestinian issue, now spanning 75 years, remains central to tensions in the Middle East. "This occasion (International Day of Solidarity) provides us with a crucial opportunity to reflect and take stock of the plight of the people of Palestine," the statement said. South Africa reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to strengthening its bond of solidarity, friendship and cooperation with Palestine. "In keeping with South Africa’s long-term and principled support for the Palestinian people, the Government of South Africa remains committed to supporting initiatives aimed at refocusing the international agenda on Palestine and a revived Middle East peace process," the statement added. The government also urged the international community to intensify efforts to assist Palestinians in achieving their aspirations for freedom, justice and the establishment of an independent state.
West Ham surprise Newcastle with 2-0 away winWASHINGTON — Donald Trump said he can't guarantee his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won't raise prices for American consumers and suggested once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect, in a wide-ranging interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" that aired Sunday, also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning "things do change." Here's a look at some of the issues covered: President-elect Donald Trump takes the stage before he speaks at the FOX Nation Patriot Awards, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Greenvale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa) Trump threatened broad trade penalties, but said he didn't believe economists' predictions that added costs on those imported goods for American companies would lead to higher domestic prices for consumers. He stopped short of a pledge that U.S. an households won't be paying more as they shop. "I can't guarantee anything. I can't guarantee tomorrow," Trump said, seeming to open the door to accepting the reality of how import levies typically work as goods reach the retail market. That's a different approach from Trump's typical speeches throughout the 2024 campaign, when he framed his election as a sure way to curb inflation. In the interview, Trump defended tariffs generally, saying that tariffs are "going to make us rich." He has pledged that, on his first day in office in January, he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada unless those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. He also has threatened tariffs on China to help force that country to crack down on fentanyl production. "All I want to do is I want to have a level, fast, but fair playing field," Trump said. He offered conflicting statements on how he would approach the justice system after winning election despite being convicted of 34 felonies in a New York state court and being indicted in other cases for his handling of national security secrets and efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. "Honestly, they should go to jail," Trump said of members of Congress who investigated the Capitol riot by his supporters who wanted him to remain in power. The president-elect underscored his contention that he can use the justice system against others, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led the case on Trump's role in the siege on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump confirmed his plan to pardon supporters who were convicted for their roles in the riot, saying he would take that action on his first day in office. As for the idea of revenge driving potential prosecutions, Trump said: "I have the absolute right. I'm the chief law enforcement officer, you do know that. I'm the president. But I'm not interested in that." At the same time, Trump singled out lawmakers on a special House committee who investigated the insurrection, citing Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. "Cheney was behind it ... so was Bennie Thompson and everybody on that committee," Trump said. Asked specifically whether he would direct his administration to pursue cases, he said, "No," and suggested he did not expect the FBI to quickly undertake investigations into his political enemies. At another point, Trump said he would leave the matter up to Pam Bondi, his pick as attorney general. "I want her to do what she wants to do," he said. Such threats, regardless of Trump's inconsistencies, have been taken seriously enough by many top Democrats that Biden is considering issuing blanket, preemptive pardons to protect key members of his outgoing administration. Trump did seemingly back off his campaign rhetoric calling for Biden to be investigated, saying, "I'm not looking to go back into the past." Immigration advocates hold a rally in Sacramento, Calif. on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, to protest President-Elect Donald Trump's plans to conduct mass deportation of immigrants without legal status. (AP Photo/Haven Daley) Trump repeatedly mentioned his promises to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally through a mass deportation program. "I think you have to do it," he said. He suggested he would try to use executive action to end "birthright" citizenship under which people born in the U.S. are considered citizens — though such protections are spelled out in the Constitution. Asked specifically about the future for people who were brought into the country illegally as children and were shielded from deportation in recent years, Trump said, "I want to work something out," indicating he might seek a solution with Congress. But Trump also said he does not "want to be breaking up families" of mixed legal status, "so the only way you don't break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back." President-elect Donald Trump shakes hands with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Notre Dame Cathedral as France's iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Saturday Dec.7, 2024 in Paris ( Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP) Long a critic of NATO members for not spending more on their own defense, Trump said he "absolutely" would remain in the alliance "if they pay their bills." Pressed on whether he would withdraw if he were dissatisfied with allies' commitments, Trump said he wants the U.S. treated "fairly" on trade and defense. He waffled on a NATO priority of containing Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Trump suggested Ukraine should prepare for less U.S. aid in its defense against Putin's invasion. "Possibly. Yeah, probably. Sure," Trump said of reducing Ukraine assistance from Washington. Separately, Trump called for an immediate cease-fire. Asked about Putin, Trump said initially that he has not talked to the Russian leader since Election Day last month, but then hedged. "I haven't spoken to him recently," Trump said when pressed, adding that he did not want to "impede the negotiation." Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference at the Federal Reserve in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) The president-elect said he has no intention, at least for now, of asking Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to step down before Powell's term ends in 2028. Trump said during the campaign that presidents should have more say in Fed policy, including interest rates. Trump did not offer any job assurances for FBI Director Christopher Wray, whose term is to end in 2027. Asked about Wray, Trump said: "Well, I mean, it would sort of seem pretty obvious" that if the Senate confirms Kash Patel as Trump's pick for FBI chief, then "he's going to be taking somebody's place, right? Somebody is the man that you're talking about." Trump promised that the government efficiency effort led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will not threaten Social Security. "We're not touching Social Security, other than we make it more efficient," he said. He added that "we're not raising ages or any of that stuff." He was not so specific about abortion or his long-promised overhaul of the Affordable Care Act. On abortion, Trump continued his inconsistencies and said he would "probably" not move to restrict access to the abortion pills that now account for a majority of pregnancy terminations, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. But pressed on whether he would commit to that position, Trump replied, "Well, I commit. I mean, are — things do — things change. I think they change." Reprising a line from his Sept. 10 debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump again said he had "concepts" of a plan to substitute for the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which he called "lousy health care." He added a promise that any Trump version would maintain insurance protections for Americans with preexisting health conditions. He did not explain how such a design would be different from the status quo or how he could deliver on his desire for "better health care for less money." Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Kash Patel spent several years as a Justice Department prosecutor before catching the Trump administration’s attention as a staffer on Capitol Hill who helped investigate the Russia probe. Patel called for dramatically reducing the agency’s footprint, a perspective that sets him apart from earlier directors who sought additional resources for the bureau. Though the Justice Department in 2021 halted the practice of secretly seizing reporters’ phone records during leak investigations, Patel said he intends to aggressively hunt down government officials who leak information to reporters. Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Trump said Atkins, the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner, was a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. “He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The commission oversees U.S. securities markets and investments and is currently led by Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Gensler, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, announced last month that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated — Jan. 20, 2025. Atkins began his career as a lawyer and has a long history working in the financial markets sector, both in government and private practice. In the 1990s, he worked on the staffs of two former SEC chairmen, Richard C. Breeden and Arthur Levitt. Jared Isaacman, 41, is a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk . He is the founder and CEO of a card-processing company and has collaborated closely with Musk ever since buying his first chartered SpaceX flight. He took contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. President-elect Donald Trump tapped former Sen. David Perdue of Georgia to be ambassador to China, saying in a social media post that the former CEO “brings valuable expertise to help build our relationship with China.” Perdue lost his Senate seat to Democrat Jon Ossoff four years ago and ran unsuccessfully in a primary against Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Perdue pushed Trump's debunked lies about electoral fraud during his failed bid for governor. Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Customs and Border Protection, with its roughly 60,000 employees, falls under the Department of Homeland Security. It includes the Border Patrol, which Rodney Scott led during Trump's first term, and is essentially responsible for protecting the country's borders while facilitating trade and travel. Scott comes to the job firmly from the Border Patrol side of the house. He became an agent in 1992 and spent much of his career in San Diego. When he was appointed head of the border agency in January 2020, he enthusiastically embraced Trump's policies. After being forced out under the Biden administration, Scott has been a vocal supporter of Trump's hard-line immigration agenda. He appeared frequently on Fox News and testified in Congress. He's also a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Former Rep. Billy Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor to Fox News. Dr. Dave Weldon, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Sana Biotechnology to Present at December 2024 Investor Conferences
Airports and highways are expected to be jam-packed during Thanksgiving week, a holiday period likely to end with another record day for air travel in the United States. AAA predicts that nearly 80 million Americans will venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday, most of them by car. However, travelers could be impacted by ongoing weather challenges and those flying to their destinations could be grounded by delays brought on by airline staffing shortages and an airport service workers strike . Here's the latest: U.S. airlines are preparing for a Thanksgiving holiday rush, and so are the U.S. Postal Service, United Parcel Service and FedEx. Shipping companies will deliver about 2.2 billion packages to homes and businesses across the U.S. from Thanksgiving to Dec. 31, said Satish Jindel, a shipping and logistics expert and president of ShipMatrix. That’s down from 2.3 billion packages last year. Because the shopping period is a week shorter than in 2023, consumers are shopping further ahead of Black Friday and more purchases are taking place in physical stores, he said. The number of holiday package shipments grew 27% in 2020 and by more than 3% the following year during the pandemic. The numbers have been falling since then, with a projected decline of about 6% this holiday season. Looking to de-stress while waiting for your flight? Many airports have a fleet of therapy dogs — designated fidos and puppers that are eager to receive pets and snuggles from weary travelers. Rules and schedules vary from airport to airport, but the group AirportTherapyDogs uses online crowdsourcing to share the locations of therapy dogs across its various social media accounts. Today, Gracie, a toy Australian shepherd, and Budge, an English bulldog, wandered the concourses at Denver International Airport, and an American Staffordshire Terrier named Hugo greeted travelers at Punta Gorda Airport in Florida. Some airports even feature other therapy pals. San Francisco International Airport’s fleet of animals includes a Flemish Giant rabbit and a hypoallergenic pig. “We cannot live on the wages that we are being paid,” ABM cabin cleaner Priscilla Hoyle said at a rally earlier Monday. “I can honestly say it’s hard every single day with my children, working a full-time job but having to look my kids in the eyes and sit there and say, ‘I don’t know if we’re going to have a home today.’” Timothy Lowe II, a wheelchair attendant, said he has to figure out where to spend the night because he doesn’t make enough for a deposit on a home. “We just want to be able to have everything that’s a necessity paid for by the job that hired us to do a great job so they can make billions,” he said. ABM said it is “committed to addressing concerns swiftly” and that there are avenues for employees to communicate issues, including a national hotline and a “general open door policy for managers at our worksite.” Employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services cast ballots Friday to authorize the work stoppage at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a hub for American Airlines. They described living paycheck to paycheck while performing jobs that keep planes running on schedule. Most of them earn $12.50 to $19 an hour, union officials said. Rev. Glencie Rhedrick of Charlotte Clergy Coalition for Justice said those workers should make $22 to $25 an hour. The strike is expected to last 24 hours. Several hundred workers participated in the work stoppage. Forty-four fights have been canceled today and nearly 1,900 were delayed by midday on the East Coast, according to FlightAware . According to the organization’s cheekily named MiseryMap , San Francisco International Airport is having the most hiccups right now, with 53 delays and three cancellations between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. EST. While that might sound like a lot of delays, they might not be so bad compared to last Friday when the airport suffered 671 delays and 69 cancellations. In an apparent effort to reduce the headaches caused by airport line cutting, American Airlines has rolled out boarding technology that alerts gate agents with an audible sound if a passenger tries to scan a ticket ahead of their assigned group. This new software won’t accept a boarding pass before the group it’s assigned to is called, so customers who get to the gate prematurely will be asked to go back and wait their turn. As of Wednesday, the airline announced, the technology is now being used in more than 100 U.S. airports that American flies out of. The official expansion arrives after successful tests in three of these locations — Albuquerque International Sunport, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport and Tucson International Airport. ▶ Read more about American Airlines’ new boarding technology Travel can be stressful in the best of times. Now add in the high-level anxiety that seems to be baked into every holiday season and it’s clear travelers could use some help calming frazzled nerves. Here are a few ways to make your holiday journey a little less stressful: 1. Make a checklist of what you need to do and what you need to bring 2. Carry your comfort with you — think noise-canceling headphones, cozy clothes, snacks and extra medication 3. Stay hydrated 4. Keep up to date on delays, gate changes and cancellations with your airline’s app ▶ Read more tips about staying grounded during holiday travel Thanksgiving Day takes place late this year, with the fourth Thursday of November falling on Nov. 28. That shortens the traditional shopping season and changes the rhythm of holiday travel. With more time before the holiday , people tend to spread out their outbound travel over more days, but everyone returns at the same time, said Andrew Watterson, the chief operating officer of Southwest Airlines . “A late Thanksgiving leads to a big crush at the end,” Watterson said. “The Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday after Thanksgiving are usually very busy with Thanksgiving this late.” Airlines did a relatively good job of handling holiday crowds last year, when the weather was mild in most of the country. Fewer than 400 U.S. flights were canceled during Thanksgiving week in 2023 — about one out of every 450 flights. So far in 2024, airlines have canceled about 1.3% of all flights. Drivers should know that Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons will be the worst times to travel by car, but it should be smooth sailing on freeways come Thanksgiving Day, according to transportation analytics company INRIX. On the return home, the best travel times for motorists are before 1 p.m. on Sunday, and before 8 a.m. or after 7 p.m. on Monday, the company said. In metropolitan areas like Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle and Washington, “traffic is expected to be more than double what it typically is on a normal day,” INRIX transportation analyst Bob Pishue said. Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Mike Whitaker said last week that he expects his agency to use special measures at some facilities to deal with an ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers. In the past, those facilities have included airports in New York City and Florida. “If we are short on staff, we will slow traffic as needed to keep the system safe,” Whitaker said. The FAA has long struggled with a shortage of controllers that airline officials expect will last for years, despite the agency’s lofty hiring goals. 5. Auto club and insurance company AAA predicts that nearly 80 million Americans will venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday. Most of them will travel by car. 6. Drivers should get a slight break on gas prices . The nationwide average price for gasoline was $3.06 a gallon on Sunday, down from $3.27 at this time last year. 7. The Transportation Security Administration expects to screen 18.3 million people at U.S. airports during the same seven-day stretch. That would be 6% more than during the corresponding days last year but fit a pattern set throughout 2024. 8. The TSA predicts that 3 million people will pass through airport security checkpoints on Sunday; more than that could break the record of 3.01 million set on the Sunday after the July Fourth holiday. Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to be the next busiest air travel days of Thanksgiving week. ▶ Read more about Thanksgiving travel across the U.S. Workers who clean airplanes, remove trash and help with wheelchairs at Charlotte’s airport, one of the nation’s busiest, went on strike Monday to demand higher wages. The Service Employees International Union announced the strike in a statement early Monday, saying the workers would demand “an end to poverty wages and respect on the job during the holiday travel season.” The strike was expected to last 24 hours, said union spokesperson Sean Keady. Employees of ABM and Prospect Airport Services cast ballots Friday to authorize the work stoppage at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a hub for American Airlines. The two companies contract with American, one of the world’s biggest carriers, to provide services such as cleaning airplane interiors, removing trash and escorting passengers in wheelchairs. ▶ Read more about the Charlotte airport workers’ strike Parts of the Midwest and East Coast can expect to see heavy rain into Thanksgiving, and there’s potential for snow in Northeastern states. A storm last week brought rain to New York and New Jersey, where wildfires have raged in recent weeks, and heavy snow to northeastern Pennsylvania. The precipitation was expected to help ease drought conditions after an exceptionally dry fall. Heavy snow fell in northeastern Pennsylvania, including the Pocono Mountains. Higher elevations reported up to 17 inches (43 centimeters), with lesser accumulations in valley cities including Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Around 35,000 customers in 10 counties were still without power, down from 80,000 a day ago. In the Catskills region of New York, nearly 10,000 people remained without power Sunday morning, two days after a storm dumped heavy snow on parts of the region. Precipitation in West Virginia helped put a dent in the state’s worst drought in at least two decades and boosted ski resorts as they prepare to open in the weeks ahead. ▶ Read more about Thanksgiving week weather forecasts Two people died in the Pacific Northwest after a rapidly intensifying “ bomb cyclone ” hit the West Coast last Tuesday, bringing fierce winds that toppled trees and power lines and damaged homes and cars. Hundreds of thousands lost electricity in Washington state before powerful gusts and record rains moved into Northern California. Forecasters said the risk of flooding and mudslides remained as the region will get more rain starting Sunday. But the latest storm won’t be as intense as last week’s atmospheric river , a long plume of moisture that forms over an ocean and flows over land. “However, there’s still threats, smaller threats, and not as significant in terms of magnitude, that are still going to exist across the West Coast for the next two or three days,” weather service forecaster Rich Otto said. As the rain moves east throughout the week, Otto said, there’s a potential for heavy snowfall at higher elevations of the Sierra Nevada, as well as portions of Utah and Colorado. California’s Mammoth Mountain, which received 2 feet (0.6 meters) of fresh snow in the recent storm, could get another 4 feet (1.2 meters) before the newest system clears out Wednesday, the resort said. Another round of wintry weather could complicate travel leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday, according to forecasts across the U.S., while California and Washington state continue to recover from storm damage and power outages. In California, where two people were found dead in floodwaters on Saturday, authorities braced for more rain while grappling with flooding and small landslides from a previous storm . Here’s a look at some of the regional forecasts: 9. Sierra Nevada: The National Weather Service office issued a winter storm warning through Tuesday, with heavy snow expected at higher elevations and wind gusts potentially reaching 55 mph (88 kph). Total snowfall of roughly 4 feet (1.2 meters) was forecast, with the heaviest accumulations expected Monday and Tuesday. 10. Midwest and Great Lakes: The Midwest and Great Lakes regions will see rain and snow Monday and the East Coast will be the most impacted on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, forecasters said. 11. East Coast: A low pressure system is forecast to bring rain to the Southeast early Thursday before heading to the Northeast. Areas from Boston to New York could see rain and breezy conditions, with snowfall possible in parts of northern New Hampshire, northern Maine and the Adirondacks. If the system tracks further inland, there could be less snow and more rain in the mountains, forecasters said. ▶ Read more about Thanksgiving week weather forecasts Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Shiver Cast: Iman Vellani Lands First Non-Marvel Movie With Greg Kinnear & More By After starring in last year’s , MCU breakout has finally found her next major movie project in the form of , the upcoming adaptation of Maggie Stiefvater’s bestselling YA fantasy novel. This serves as Vellani’s first non-Marvel project, after over two years since her acting debut in Disney+’s Ms. Marvel series. Who is in the Shiver cast? Besides Vellani, (As Good As It Gets), (The Hunger Games), Sofia Wylie (High School Musical: The Musical Series), Ross Butler (Shazam! Fury of the Gods), Alicia Witt (Longlegs), and Lyon Daniels (The Spiderwick Chronicles) have also joined the Shiver cast, which will be led by Maddie Ziegler (My Old Ass) and Levi Miller (Kraven the Hunter). Further details about their respective characters are still being kept under wraps. The film is being directed by Claire McCarthy from a screenplay written by McCarthy and Jett Tattersall. It is produced by Ziegler, Addam Bramich, Ryan Hamilton, Volodymyr Artemenko, and Jeanette Volturno, with Anna Todd set as an executive producer. It is a production by Simple House Films and CatchLight Studios. At the moment, the cast and crew are now in production in Vancouver, Canada. Sign-up today for access to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ “Shiver follows Grace, who was attacked by a pack of wolves as a child. However, one of them—a yellow-eyed wolf — saved her, creating an inexplicable bond between them,” reads the official synopsis (via ). “Years later, she meets a young man named Sam with the exact same yellow eyes and immediately feels a connection to him. Their love story unfolds against the backdrop of mystical events, mysterious disappearances, and intrigues that reveal to Grace the true nature of Sam and his connection to the wolves. At the same time, as winter approaches, Sam must fight to hold on to his humanity — or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.” Maggie Dela Paz has been writing about the movie and TV industry for more than four years now. Besides being a fan of coming-of-age films and shows, she also enjoys watching K-Dramas and listening to her favorite K-Pop groups. Her current TV obsessions right now are FX’s The Bear and the popular anime My Hero Academia. Share article
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If you get your phone wet, your first thought is probably to put it in rice. But please don't. You shouldn't use rice to dry out a wet smartphone , period. Experts have been saying for years that the rice method actually works slower than simply setting the phone on a counter. It can even make the situation worse by leaving goopy, wet grains stuck in your phone's crevices. Yet this myth is so pervasive that Apple explicitly told people to stop doing it as late as 2024. People keep doing it despite all the warnings against it. Case in point, smartphone myths don't take much to get started and become almost impossible to debunk once they do. And trust us, the rice myth is only one in a very, very long list. Some myths are more or less harmless. Others could put your entire digital life in peril. Here are 12 smartphone myths that we all need to stop believing yesterday. For many people, it's become a sort of end-of-the-day ritual to open the app switcher and close all the background apps they've used during the day. The logic comes from computers — open background programs consume resources, so closing them frees those resources. Except, smartphones work differently. This one has been known to be wrong for a long time. Back in 2016, an Apple executive confirmed there was no reason to do it. Apple's support page on closing an app corroborates this, recommending it only if an app is unresponsive. The same goes for Android. In fact, experts say closing background apps probably makes things worse. Smartphones are extremely efficient with their limited horsepower, automatically freeing up system resources by suspending apps as necessary. To actually limit which apps are running in the background and eating up resources, go to General > Background App Refresh on your iPhone and toggle off any offending apps. On Android, go to Battery > Battery Saver and enable Adaptive Battery. If you want to go even further, go to the app's setting page and disable Allow background usage. Just be aware that this could cause notification problems . Sometimes, a myth starts as good advice, then time goes by, and it becomes problematic. You've probably been told by tech-savvy people over the years that leaving your phone plugged in overnight will ruin the battery. It used to be that your phone was effectively topping itself off nonstop throughout the night — dropping from 100% to 99%, charging back up to 100%, and ad nauseam — which is bad news for a lithium-ion battery's health. Nowadays, though, optimized battery charging modes are commonplace. Optimized charging should be enabled by default, but just in case, head to Settings > Battery > Charging and enable Optimized Battery Charging on iPhone. On Android, it's in Settings > Battery > Charging optimization. Your phone learns from your daily sleep schedule, charging up to 80%, then waiting to charge the rest of the way a few minutes before you wake up. Really, the bigger issue here is that people shouldn't be charging their phones to 100% and letting them drop to 0%. Lithium-ion batteries last the longest when you keep them in the Goldilocks zone of 20% to 80% — or, if you're especially dedicated, 40% to 80%. Hopefully, new revolutionary battery technologies will make all this fussing with charging optimization a thing of the past. Yet another piece of wisdom that, if someone told you this 15 years ago, was probably true to an extent. Phone manufacturers used to ship proprietary charging bricks and cables with their devices and often recommended only charging with same-brand hardware for safety reasons. Perhaps you heard a secondhand story or two of someone's phone dying after plugging into a mystery charger. Times have changed. Nowadays, you can charge an iPhone or Android device without the proprietary brick or cable. Smartphones have improved drastically, with built-in protections to prevent battery damage if a brick supports a higher charge level than the phone. It's only when you need fast-charge speeds that using the right brick matters. The real issue is using cheap bricks and cables from questionable companies. In other words, maybe skip that $5 charger you found at the gas station or on Alibaba. Buy from a highly-rated third-party brand like Anker. Invest in that iPhone 3-in-1 charger , and your phone will thank you for it. This goes double for a wireless charger, which can be bad for your phone's battery even if it's a brand-name product. One thing that most certainly is not a myth is how dangerous it is to click on unknown download links. All it takes is opening one malicious executable on your desktop computer to blow the doors wide open for a hacker. Fortunately, smartphones get most of their apps from the tightly regulated, closely controlled Google Play Store and Apple App Store, so they're safe ... right? Not exactly. For years, both app stores have been negligent enough to allow outright malware and scams to be distributed through their platforms. In 2024, Zscaler found 90 malicious applications that had gotten 5.5 million downloads on the Google Play Store — and this is only one report in 2024. The situation isn't necessarily better on Apple's famously strict App Store. In 2019, 18 malware-laden apps slipped through Apple's defenses. In 2021, The Washington Post reported that 2% of the top 1,000 App Store apps were effectively scams. We could keep giving examples, but the evidence makes the point: just because an app is on the official store doesn't mean it's safe. The takeaway here is to "drive defensively" online. Avoid the worst cybersecurity mistakes , whether it's using simple passwords or thoughtlessly clicking on links. Check an app's user reviews and use common sense. If you're getting a weird gut feeling, heed it and keep your distance. Smartphones have given DSLRs a run for their money in the past decade, and you only need a handful of photography tips to take great photos. Thing is, progress has stagnated. Cheap Android phones can take excellent shots, while flagship devices from this year produce only marginally better pictures than their predecessors from five years ago. Despite this, cameras remain the marquee selling point of just about every smartphone these days, and the big statistic they always focus on is the megapixel count. For the layman, it seems fairly straightforward: more megapixels, better pictures. But this isn't necessarily true. More megapixels do produce bigger, more detailed images. Zooming in, you will find more detail in a 24 MP picture compared to a 12 MP one. However, what really makes a good smartphone picture is the onboard processing. The Google Pixel doesn't necessarily have the biggest or best camera sensor, but it did win the top three spots in Marques Brownlee's blind smartphone camera test. It's not about how much money you spend, either. The $1,200 Sony Xperia 1 V produced some of the worst portrait shots in Brownlee's testing. At the end of the day, what matters is choosing a smartphone with processing that produces pictures you like, not a smartphone with top-of-the-line camera specs. Aside from having a phone that supports fast charging, there's not much else you can do to speed up charging. That is (some might say) unless you disable Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, turn on low power mode, set screen brightness as low as it will go — and most importantly, turn on airplane mode. Airplane mode is touted as a one-tap way to do most of that without creating a shortcut or changing a whole bunch of settings that you'll have to revert later. Or is it? CNET tested this theory way back in 2014. According to them, enabling airplane mode only reduced charging time by about four minutes, and in some cases, 11 minutes. That might seem like an open-and-shut case, but there are a couple of things to consider. One, airplane mode isn't technically charging your phone faster. It disables settings (like Wi-Fi and cellular) that consume energy, allowing more power to go toward charging. But those settings are going to consume varying amounts of energy depending on how strong your Wi-Fi and cellular signal is in a given place. Two, this test was conducted 10 years ago. Smartphones have become much more efficient since then, and the test would need to be replicated on dozens of modern smartphone models to reach a definitive conclusion. Finally, most smartphones take about an hour to charge anyway — making an 11-minute improvement almost negligible — and you'd be robbed of the smartphone's functionality in the meantime. Over the past decade or so, it's come to light (pun intended) that blue light from your phone's screen disrupts your circadian rhythm, making it difficult to fall asleep after exposure to it. To combat this, smartphone manufacturers introduced dark mode and features like Night Shift on iPhone that give your screen an orange hue to help you sleep better. It seemed like we had the problem solved — until recent research. A 2019 study by the University of Manchester suggested that blue light has less impact on sleeping patterns than yellow light, and a 2023 study published in Nature Human Behavior concurred. We may have gone on this blue-light-eradicating craze based entirely on earlier, misunderstood research. So what's keeping us awake, then? Short answer: screens, regardless of color. It makes sense when you think about it. Light (like the sun) tells your body to wake up and be alert, so shining a bright light in your face — your screen — clearly isn't going to help you feel sleepy. Get away from those screens a couple of hours before bedtime. Read a book, listen to some relaxing music, and give your poor eyes a break for once. When 5G started rolling out in 2019, it was supposed to revolutionize mobile data. Instead, many people disable it because it drains battery. What 5G did revolutionize, however, was a new era of disinformation — particularly the scary idea that 5G emits dangerous radiation that causes cancer and headaches. To all the people who believe this, let's be abundantly clear: 5G has no proven, conclusive negative health effects. None. Nada. Zilch. Some studies have claimed to find a link between 5G and potential health issues, but they haven't been replicated enough and are often contradicted by other studies. This isn't to say more research won't change the paradigm later, but extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. A raft of independent, replicable studies would be needed before anyone can credibly claim that 5G is harmful. Anyone who champions the claim of harm despite this is either acting in bad faith or is dangerously misinformed. Humans have been exposed to electromagnetic radiation from cell towers (and many, many other sources) for decades, and there's still no evidence that it's hurting us. If you're worried about harmful radiation, then you are much better off focusing on wearing sunscreen. The evidence is indisputable: UV rays from the sun damage your DNA and increase your skin cancer risk. Never open banking apps or sensitive accounts on public Wi-Fi, people often say, unless you're using a VPN. Otherwise, hackers will intercept your information, steal your money, and leave you high and dry. Except ... no, not really. This used to be true when HTTP (unencrypted web traffic) was the norm and Wi-Fi protocols were weak. These days, the vast majority of websites use HTTPS (encrypted web traffic), and most web browsers warn you before connecting to an unencrypted website. Further, modern devices notify you if the network security is weak. Using HTTPS on properly configured Wi-Fi networks is generally enough to stay safe on public Wi-Fi. The real threat isn't hackers lurking on trustworthy public Wi-Fi networks — it's hackers pretending to be trustworthy public Wi-Fi networks. This is known as an "evil twin" attack. According to NordVPN , hackers go to places with free public Wi-Fi and create a false network with the exact same name — or better yet, provide a free network where none exists. Once you connect to an evil twin, the hacker redirects you to fake websites that mimic the ones you use, like your email or bank account. They skim your credentials when you try to log in, using them to access your accounts. Evil twins pop up anywhere you'd expect to find free Wi-Fi — airports, universities, even your nearby Starbucks — and it's virtually impossible to differentiate a legitimate network from an evil twin. Basically, you should avoid public Wi-Fi as much as reasonably possible. If you can't avoid it, at least don't log in to sensitive accounts or services while using it. Aside from putting bags under seats, buckling up, and watching tired flight attendants teach you how to strap on an oxygen mask, you know you'll inevitably be required to put your phone in airplane mode. We've been told for years that cellphone signals interfere with sensitive equipment, conjuring a scary image of the plane dropping out of the sky just because you were too lazy to toggle it on. But is there any truth to this? No, not really. According to CNN , smartphones not set to airplane mode don't pose a threat to the airplane's signal-sensitive gear. There was some concern in the early days of mobile phones about this theoretical interference, but studies have yet to demonstrate any issues — even after the rollout of 5G, which has so far proven harmless despite its proximity to airline frequencies. One reason for airplane mode may be to avoid disrupting the flight crew. According to Britannica , smartphones occasionally provoke audio artifacts that, while not risky to the plane, can annoy the pilots. Another reason may be to prevent inconsiderate people from being more disruptive than they already are. Imagine how annoying it would be to have a whole bunch of loud, chatty passengers taking calls during a flight that's already uncomfortable. It's a recipe for so-called "air rage." The EU has already allowed in-flight phone usage, so it may only be a matter of time before the myth gets debunked and the U.S. allows the same. Until then, the biggest reason to enable airplane mode (aside from complying with the flight crew) is to save your battery. Your phone wastes a ton of energy searching for signals, which could leave you with a dead battery on arrival. We've discussed how efficient phones are and why it's pointless to close background apps unless they are misbehaving. But this has led to another myth that requires debunking: your phone never needs to be restarted except for updates. This isn't true. Phones, like computers, have apps that suffer memory leaks, experience bugs, and don't always succeed in clearing RAM or resolving issues. These problems can accumulate and worsen performance. Restarting is a quick and easy way to freshen up a sluggish phone. So how often should you restart? About once a week is ideal. It only takes a minute, so set a reminder to do so each weekend. Another reason for this weekly restart comes from the NSA. Ostensibly, certain types of cyberattacks can be thwarted just by powering off regularly. Restarting keeps your phone fast and protected in one simple step. We saved the best for last: The biggest myth that needs debunking is this – updating your phone slows it down. Over the years, we've seen various seeming confirmations that smartphone manufacturers quietly slow older devices in an effort to get people to buy new ones. Apple famously got busted big time with "Batterygate," where it confirmed it was slowing down older iPhones. Many people took this as a cue to stop updating their phones to prevent being throttled by software updates. However, this myth is a misunderstanding of a well-intentioned decision, and heeding it puts you in grave digital danger. It's hard to defend Apple's anti-consumer practices, but as far as Batterygate goes, they were in the right. Worn-out batteries in old devices don't just lose capacity; they also put out less current, which could cause random shutdowns. To prevent this, Apple underclocked older devices. Replacing the battery on an old device is all it takes to bring it back to maximum performance. Updates don't just include new features and bug fixes — they also patch known vulnerabilities. Failing to update puts you at the mercy of hackers, who scan for vulnerable devices within 15 minutes of a vulnerability becoming public. Finally, the apps you use will eventually drop support for outdated operating systems. Trust us, updating your phone is in your best interest.LAS VEGAS — Formula 1 on Monday at last said it will expand its grid in 2026 to make room for an American team that is partnered with General Motors. "As the pinnacle of motorsports, F1 demands boundary-pushing innovation and excellence. It's an honor for General Motors and Cadillac to join the world's premier racing series, and we're committed to competing with passion and integrity to elevate the sport for race fans around the world," GM President Mark Reuss said. "This is a global stage for us to demonstrate GM's engineering expertise and technology leadership at an entirely new level." The approval ends years of wrangling that launched a U.S. Justice Department investigation into why Colorado-based Liberty Media, the commercial rights holder of F1, would not approve the team initially started by Michael Andretti. Andretti in September stepped aside from leading his namesake organization, so the 11th team will be called Cadillac F1 and be run by new Andretti Global majority owners Dan Towriss and Mark Walter. The team will use Ferrari engines its first two years until GM has a Cadillac engine built for competition in time for the 2028 season. Towriss is the the CEO and president of Group 1001 and entered motorsports via Andretti's IndyCar team when he signed on financial savings platform Gainbridge as a sponsor. Towriss is now a major part of the motorsports scene with ownership stakes in both Spire Motorsports' NASCAR team and Wayne Taylor Racing's sports car team. Walter is the chief executive of financial services firm Guggenheim Partners and the controlling owner of both the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers and Premier League club Chelsea. "We're excited to partner with General Motors in bringing a dynamic presence to Formula 1," Towriss said. "Together, we're assembling a world-class team that will embody American innovation and deliver unforgettable moments to race fans around the world." Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 world champion, will have an ambassador role with Cadillac F1. But his son, Michael, will have no official position with the organization now that he has scaled back his involvement with Andretti Global. "The Cadillac F1 Team is made up of a strong group of people that have worked tirelessly to build an American works team," Michael Andretti posted on social media. "I'm very proud of the hard work they have put in and congratulate all involved on this momentous next step. I will be cheering for you!" The approval has been in works for weeks but was held until after last weekend's Las Vegas Grand Prix to not overshadow the showcase event of the Liberty Media portfolio. Max Verstappen won his fourth consecutive championship in Saturday night's race, the third and final stop in the United States for the top motorsports series in the world. Grid expansion in F1 is both infrequent and often unsuccessful. Four teams were granted entries in 2010 that should have pushed the grid to 13 teams and 26 cars for the first time since 1995. One team never made it to the grid and the other three had vanished by 2017. There is only one American team on the current F1 grid — owned by California businessman Gene Haas — but it is not particularly competitive and does not field American drivers. Andretti's dream was to field a truly American team with American drivers. The fight to add this team has been going on for three-plus years, and F1 initially denied the application despite approval from F1 sanctioning body FIA. The existing 10 teams, who have no voice in the matter, also largely opposed expansion because of the dilution in prize money and the billions of dollars they've already invested in the series. Andretti in 2020 tried and failed to buy the existing Sauber team. From there, he applied for grid expansion and partnered with GM, the top-selling manufacturer in the United States. The inclusion of GM was championed by the FIA and president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who said Michael Andretti's application was the only one of seven applicants to meet all required criteria to expand F1's current grid. "General Motors is a huge global brand and powerhouse in the OEM world and is working with impressive partners," Ben Sulayem said Monday. "I am fully supportive of the efforts made by the FIA, Formula 1, GM and the team to maintain dialogue and work towards this outcome of an agreement in principle to progress this application." Despite the FIA's acceptance of Andretti and General Motors from the start, F1 wasn't interested in Andretti — but did want GM. At one point, F1 asked GM to find another team to partner with besides Andretti. GM refused and F1 said it would revisit the Andretti application if and when Cadillac had an engine ready to compete. "Formula 1 has maintained a dialogue with General Motors, and its partners at TWG Global, regarding the viability of an entry following the commercial assessment and decision made by Formula 1 in January 2024," F1 said in a statement. "Over the course of this year, they have achieved operational milestones and made clear their commitment to brand the 11th team GM/Cadillac, and that GM will enter as an engine supplier at a later time. Formula 1 is therefore pleased to move forward with this application process." Yet another major shift in the debate over grid expansion occurred earlier this month with the announced resignation of Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei, who was largely believed to be one of the biggest opponents of the Andretti entry. "With Formula 1's continued growth plans in the US, we have always believed that welcoming an impressive US brand like GM/Cadillac to the grid and GM as a future power unit supplier could bring additional value and interest to the sport," Maffei said. "We credit the leadership of General Motors and their partners with significant progress in their readiness to enter Formula 1." Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise prices, won't rule out revenge prosecutionsDisneyland 'Gangs' Struggling to Afford the Theme ParkLabour plans to make spiking a specific offence and has laid out plans for venue staff to be trained in relation to spiking, with a pilot to begin within weeks before a wider rollout next year. Ms Davies-Jones, asked about why it was worthwhile to make spiking a new offence when it is already illegal, said: “Spiking is a crime already. “A lot of people don’t realise that it is a crime already, which is part of the problem.” She said there were around 6,000 reports of spiking last year but that because it is an underreported crime, it is not clear how big of a problem it is. “Part of the problem we’ve got is around the data collection, so you don’t know if you’ve been spiked with a drink, a needle, a vape, for example,” she told Politics Hub on Sky News. Modernising the offence and giving police the tools to get accurate data allows a clearer picture of where, how and how often spiking is happening, she said. It is about “clarifying it, modernising it, making sure that people know exactly what this is...the law isn’t quite, it isn’t up to date. “It isn’t modern enough.” Sir Keir Starmer earlier said he hopes the change will give people “the confidence to come forward”, in a meeting of police bosses, transport figures and hospitality executives in Downing Street. Ms Davies-Jones and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper were among the attendees at the round-table discussion on Monday morning. Labour pledged in its manifesto to introduce a new offence for spiking, but there was no detail in the King’s Speech this year about a specific crime, though it promised to ensure an improved police response to cases. According to information published by the Metropolitan Police, spiking offences are currently covered by more than one law, but most come under the Offences Against the Person Act 1861. Sir Keir told the meeting: “There are a number of measures that we are setting out this morning – we want to talk it through with you. “The first is to make spiking a specific offence so that it counts, it’s reported.” He said that such a measure would mean that it “enables everybody to have the confidence to come forward” and also “it allows perpetrators to know that it’s a specific offence”. Detailing the training scheme, he went on: “We’re beginning the piloting of training for staff in venues.” He said the scheme would be “partly to spot what’s happening, but also to know what to do in the event that there is an incident in a venue”. “That will start in December with a pilot then it will be rolled out from March of next year,” Sir Keir added. He also said that the “final” point of discussion for the morning was “police indexing – (the) way that we count it across different police forces”. Sir Keir added: “At the moment it’s quite hard to get your arms around the pure numbers.” Plain clothes officers are being deployed in areas around bars and clubs to spot predatory behaviour. The text-to-report number, 61016, that allows women to contact British Transport Police to report harassment on the train, is due to be relaunched. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “Spiking is a disturbing and serious crime which can have a damaging and long-lasting impact on victims. “That’s why today we are taking decisive action to prevent this devastating crime and to crack down on perpetrators, by introducing a new criminal offence for spiking and launching specialist training for thousands of bar staff nationwide. “People shouldn’t have to worry about the safety of their drinks on a night out. “These changes are about giving victims greater confidence to come forward, and ensuring that there is a robust response from the police whenever these appalling crimes take place.”
New York Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Aaron Rodgers “absolutely” will remain the team's starting quarterback and start Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. Rodgers, who turns 41 next Monday, has been hampered at times during the Jets' 3-8 start by various injuries to his left leg, including a sore knee, sprained ankle and balky hamstring. Ulbrich said Monday the quarterback came back from the team's bye-week break ready to go. “All I can say, and you'd have to ask Aaron if he's fully healthy, but he's better off today than he's been as of late,” Ulbrich said. "So he's definitely feeling healthier than he has probably for the past month. A healthy Aaron Rodgers is the Aaron Rodgers we all love. “So, I'm excited about what that looks like.” NFL Network reported on Sunday that Rodgers, who missed all but four snaps last season with a torn left Achilles tendon, has declined having medical scans on his injured leg so he can continue to play. GM: The New York Jets are turning to one of their former general managers to help them find their next GM and head coach. The franchise announced Monday that The 33rd Team, a football media, analytics and consulting group founded by former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum, will assist team owner Woody Johnson in the searches. Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman, former GM of the Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings, will be The 33rd Team's primary representatives in helping find replacements for former coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas. SANTA CLARA, Calif. — San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy took part in some light throwing on Monday after missing his first career game because of an injury and the 49ers are hoping he can return this week. Purdy hurt his throwing shoulder during a loss to Seattle on Nov. 17. Purdy underwent two MRIs last week that showed no structural damage. But Purdy he felt discomfort after making a few throws at practice on Thursday and was shut down for the game at Green Bay on Sunday that San Francisco lost 38-10. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Monday that Purdy made it through the session without pain and will rest on Tuesday and hopefully be able to return to practice on Wednesday as the Niners prepare to play at Buffalo this coming week. “We rested it throughout the weekend hoping that would help,” Shanahan said. “He threw lighter today to see if that rest helps and the rest did help him. So we’ll see again, going through the same things we did last week. We’re going to let him rest all the way up to Wednesday. We’ll see how it feels on Wednesday and then we’ll take the exact same course throughout the week. Hopefully it responds better this week than it did last week with the rest.” Brandon Allen went 17 for 29 for 199 yards with a touchdown, an interception and a lost fumble in his first start since the 2021 season. Allen would play once again if Purdy is unable to go on Sunday at Buffalo. FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The NFL removed New England Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers from the commissioner exempt list on Monday, making him eligible to participate in practice and play in the team’s games. Peppers missed seven games since being placed on the list on Oct. 9 after he was arrested and charged with shoving his girlfriend’s head into a wall and choking her. The league said its review is ongoing and is not affected by the change in Peppers’ roster status. Braintree, Massachusetts, police said they were called to a home for an altercation between two people on Oct. 7, and a woman told them Peppers choked her. Police said they found at the home a clear plastic bag containing a white powder, which later tested positive for cocaine. Peppers, 29, pleaded not guilty in Quincy District Court to charges of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and possession of a Class “B” substance believed to be cocaine. At a court appearance last week a trial date was set for Jan. 22. HENDERSON, Nev. — Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew is out for the rest of the season with a broken collarbone, coach Antonio Pierce said Monday. Minshew was injured with 3:12 left in Sunday's 29-19 loss to the Denver Broncos. Pierce will have to decide whether Aidan O'Connell or Desmond Ridder will start Friday's game at Kansas City. The Raiders, who have lost seven consecutive games to fall to 2-9, could use a spark. Minshew's grip on the starting job was tenuous even before he was injured. He threw 10 interceptions to just nine touchdown passes this season and Minshew also lost four fumbles. JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence will practice Monday and “we'll see where he's at from there,” coach Doug Pederson said. Lawrence missed the past two games, losses to Minnesota and Detroit, with a sprained left shoulder. Lawrence had extra time to rest during Jacksonville's bye week. The Jaguars (2-9) host AFC South-leading Houston (7-5) on Sunday and need a victory to avoid being eliminated from playoff contention. Pederson said Lawrence is “feeling better" and they will know more about his playing status following practice Wednesday. Lawrence took a hit to his left shoulder while scrambling at Philadelphia on Nov. 3. Instead of sliding, he chose to go head-first and got hammered by linebacker Zack Baun. Lawrence has practiced some in a limited role since, but was inactive for both games. BRIEFLY LIONS: Detroit wide receiver Jameson Williams won't be charged with a crime after he was found with a gun in a car driven by his brother in October. Prosecutor Kym Worthy says Michigan law is “far from clear” when applied to the 1 a.m. traffic stop in Detroit. Get local news delivered to your inbox!