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Instead of whining over the election results, I I will work rebuilding my faith in the American experiment, retired Navy officer Michael Crockett writes in a guest column. Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Click to share on X (Opens in new window) Most Popular Underground fire still burning at Williamsburg Premium Outlets; officials advise caution Underground fire still burning at Williamsburg Premium Outlets; officials advise caution 7 people in custody after barricade situation in Norfolk 7 people in custody after barricade situation in Norfolk Underground fire causes partial parking lot collapse at Williamsburg Premium Outlets Underground fire causes partial parking lot collapse at Williamsburg Premium Outlets One nation, under watch: Flock Safety cameras help the police solve crime. But how much should privacy matter? One nation, under watch: Flock Safety cameras help the police solve crime. But how much should privacy matter? Teel: Return as columnist at The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press is a privilege Teel: Return as columnist at The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press is a privilege Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of ‘Love Connection’ and ‘Scrabble,’ dies at 83 Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of ‘Love Connection’ and ‘Scrabble,’ dies at 83 Corey Hairston retires as Warwick football coach; defensive coordinator Thomas Sykes is named successor Corey Hairston retires as Warwick football coach; defensive coordinator Thomas Sykes is named successor Special counsel moves to abandon election interference, classified documents cases against Trump Special counsel moves to abandon election interference, classified documents cases against Trump Virginia live election results Virginia live election results Newport News man dies, 1 seriously injured in Isle of Wight crash Newport News man dies, 1 seriously injured in Isle of Wight crash Trending Nationally Holiday homecoming for 1,300 Camp Pendleton Marines brings smiles One nation, under watch: Flock Safety cameras help the police solve crime. But how much should privacy matter? Lizzo shows off dramatic weight loss in new photos Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths here in Florida. Here’s why After bankruptcy court, Spirit sees future as a higher value airline ‘for years to come’US prosecutors have decided to drop two criminal cases against president-elect Donald Trump. Special prosecutor Jack Smith has told courts in Washington DC and Florida he is discontinuing the cases, which related to alleged election interference and mishandling of classified documents. In a motion filed in Washington, he cited a longstanding Department of Justice (DOJ) policy not to prosecute a sitting president. "The government's position on the merits of the defendant's prosecution has not changed," the motion says. "But the circumstances have." What was Trump charged with? Last year, Mr Smith brought two criminal cases against Trump. In one, he alleged that Trump had conspired to defraud the US through an illegal scheme to overturn Joe Biden's 2020 election win, and cling on to power himself. The prosecution argued Trump used "pervasive and destabilising lies" to try to convince the public the election had been rigged. He was also accused of using fraudulent electors to manipulate the electoral college system, and to sign up his vice-president, Mike Pence, to help carry out the scheme. Trump pleaded not guilty in August last year, a couple of weeks after the charges were brought. In the second case, in Florida, Mr Smith had attempted to prosecute Trump for illegally retaining classified documents after his time in the White House. Trump allegedly kept the documents, which contained sensitive national security information, at his Mar-a-Lago estate, and then obstructed government efforts to retrieve them. A Trump-appointed judge dismissed that case in July , finding that Mr Smith had been unlawfully appointed. Mr Smith had initially appealed that decision, but has now decided not to pursue that appeal. After Mr Smith's motions were filed today, Trump used social media to attack the cases as "empty and lawless" and say they "should never have been brought". "Over $100 million dollars of taxpayer dollars [sic] has been wasted in the Democrat Party's fight against their political opponent, me," he wrote. "Nothing like this has ever happened in our country before." Why have the charges been dropped? Mr Smith's motion to dismiss the election interference case said the decision did "not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the government's proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the government stands fully behind". It instead points to the DOJ's long-held belief that the Constitution does not allow a president to be prosecuted: "It has long been the position of the Department of Justice that the United States Constitution forbids the federal indictment and subsequent criminal prosecution of a sitting president. "But the department and the country have never faced the circumstance here, where a federal indictment against a private citizen has been returned by a grand jury and a criminal prosecution is already underway when the defendant is elected president. "Confronted with this unprecedented situation, the Special Counsel's Office consulted with the Department's Office of Legal Counsel (OLC), whose interpretation of constitutional questions such as those raised here is binding on department prosecutors. "After careful consideration, the department has determined that OLC's prior opinions concerning the Constitution's prohibition on federal indictment and prosecution of a sitting president apply to this situation and that as a result this prosecution must be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated." Trump will return to the White House early next year after a decisive win in the US presidential election this month. His inauguration will be on January 20. What about the other cases against Trump? As well as these federal cases, Trump was charged under state law in two separate cases last year. One of those cases, in Georgia, also related to alleged election interference. In that state, Trump and 18 of his associates were charged under anti-racketeering laws that are usually directed at outlaw gangs or mafia-style organised crime networks . That case remains alive, and four of Trump's co-defendants have already pleaded guilty. But it's been in limbo while Trump's lawyers fight to have District Attorney Fani Willis removed from the case, because she had an "inappropriate" relationship with a lawyer who was contracted to work on it with her . A hearing set for December 5 was last week cancelled until further notice. Ms Willis has indicated she intended to continue pursuing the case. The other case, in New York, related to "hush money" paid to porn star Stormy Daniels while Trump was campaigning to win the 2016 election. In May, a jury found Trump guilty of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records . That verdict stands, but sentencing has been delayed. Judge Juan Merchan is considering whether to postpone sentencing until after Trump serves his four-year term as president. Trump's lawyers have indicated they would fight to have the case dismissed completely. They have until December 2 to file their arguments to the New York court.
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Green is poised to help scale Mechanized AI's revolutionary technology and drive operational excellence as the company enters a phase of rapid growth. ATLANTA , Dec. 12, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Mechanized AI , a pioneer in the enterprise AI and application modernization space, proudly announces the designation of Amy Green as its new Chief Operating Officer. With over 15 years of industry experience, Green brings a wealth of expertise in operations, professional services and technology product marketing to the trailblazing enterprise AI and application transformation startup. Her appointment underscores Mechanized AI's commitment to combining groundbreaking technology with top-tier leadership to maintain its competitive edge in the marketplace. Based in Dallas , Green joins the team with an extensive background in operational management and strategic execution at Deloitte Consulting, where she built and grew the Product Engineering group within their Application Modernization & Innovation practice with Charles Wright , CEO of Mechanized AI. Prior to this, Green served on Deloitte's Global Strategy & Innovation team, where she advised teams across the global network on bringing technology products to market and driving scalable growth. A former Executive Search Consultant with Russell Reynolds Associates, Green has advised Fortune 100 clients on complex leadership challenges and recruited top executives to lead transformation at public and private organizations. Previously, Green also served as Strategic Engagement Director at AIG within the Office of the Chief Technology Officer. Green obtained her undergraduate degree from Harvard University and her MBA from UC San Diego's Rady School of Management. "Amy's deep expertise in managing world-class organizations will be critical to ensure we have the people, processes and technology in the right places to drive our operations forward," says Wright. "Her mastery of leading companies through transformation journeys and category creations will be invaluable as we roll out new products and strengthen our collaboration with strategic partners. Amy has already hit the ground running as COO and she will be a crucial asset in building a client-centric business as we position ourselves for sustainable growth." As COO, Green will oversee delivery and customer success, human resources, operations and marketing—key areas vital to Mechanized AI's ongoing success and ambitious growth objectives. She joins a veteran team of startup and consulting executives, including Aditya Muralidhar (Chief AI Officer), Matias Kreder (CTO), Ian Easton (CCO) and recently, Jenny Allen (CMO). "I'm honored to join Mechanized AI as COO and to collaborate with such a talented, passionate team in the rapidly evolving AI space," Green remarked. "Having had the privilege of working with Charles in the past, I'm confident in his ability to drive the company's vision and direction. Mechanized AI is uniquely positioned for growth and innovation, so I'm excited to help scale the organization and deliver impactful solutions that drive transformation for our clients." Launched in 2023, Mechanized AI has grown its team of experts by over 50 percent in 2024 and has locations throughout the U.S. and South America . Green's appointment comes at a pivotal moment as Mechanized AI expands its global operations and scales its enterprise AI and application modernization solutions across industries. About Mechanized AI: Mechanized AI was launched in 2023 to help companies unlock the power of enterprise AI and accelerate their application modernization journeys. Built and backed by a team with over four decades of combined AI/ML experience, the product suite enables end-to-end AI development and deployment and transforms traditional modernization workflows by automating complex, manual processes. The AI Factory platform is a turnkey solution to build Fortune 500-quality production AI for both enterprise and mid-market businesses. The mAI Modernize suite of products provides AI-powered code modernization for any tech stack, empowering clients to understand and modernize legacy code in hours versus months. For more information, set up a demo at Mechanized.ai , follow us on LinkedIn and X , and view open positions on our Careers page . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mechanized-ai-announces-expansion-of-executive-team-with-appointment-of-amy-green-as-coo-302330807.html SOURCE Mechanized AIAirports 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: 2.2 billion packages are expected to ship between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve 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. Does your airport offer therapy dogs? 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. What the striking airport workers are saying “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.” What are striking Charlotte airport workers’ demands? 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. U.S. flights are running normally 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. Cutting in line? American Airlines’s new boarding tech might stop you now at over 100 airports 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. Tips to make holiday travel a bit easier 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: Make a checklist of what you need to do and what you need to bring Carry your comfort with you — think noise-canceling headphones, cozy clothes, snacks and extra medication Stay hydrated Keep up to date on delays, gate changes and cancellations with your airline’s app The timing of this year’s holiday shapes travel patterns 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. Advice for drivers 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. FAA staffing shortage could cause flight delays 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. Thanksgiving travel, by the numbers 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. 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. 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. 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. Charlotte airport workers strike over low wages 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. Northeast should get needed precipitation 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. More rain expected after deadly “bomb cyclone” on West Coast 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. Forecasts warn of possible winter storms across U.S. during Thanksgiving week 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: 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. 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. 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. —The Associated Press The application deadline for Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas Awards is Friday, December 6, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today.Aaron Rodgers is feeling healthy and will be the New York Jets' starting quarterback as long as that remains the case. Whether he's in the huddle beyond this season is still to be decided — by the Jets and Rodgers. “Football life is interesting because there’s no guarantees,” Rodgers said Wednesday. "Even with injuries, obviously, with contract situations, with age, with coaching changes, new scheme possibly, new system. There’s a lot of unknowns, so that stuff is out of my control. “I’m just going to enjoy these times here and let the future take care of itself.” Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Rodgers returned from the team's bye-week break appearing physically refreshed and ready to go. The quarterback was not on the Jets' injury report Wednesday for the first time since Week 4. “Definitely, as long as he’s healthy, my plan is to play him,” Ulbrich said. “And I know talking to him, that’s the way he wants to do it, too.” Rodgers, who turns 41 on Monday, has dealt with various injuries to his left leg, including a sore knee, sprained ankle and balky hamstring. And that’s after coming off a torn Achilles tendon in the same leg that limited him to just four snaps last season. “He’s doing better today than he has for quite a while now,” Ulbrich said. “After my conversations with him the last five or six weeks, he has felt healthier today than he’s felt in that time span.” That echoes what Rodgers said during his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, when he said he “feels good.” Rodgers said he's still contemplating whether he wants to play football next season, but would prefer it be with the Jets if he does return. He reiterated that Wednesday after practice and explained why his tone has changed a bit from a few weeks ago when he said “I think so, yeah,” when he was asked if he planned to play next year. “If you look at what transpired in those two weeks, Joe (Douglas) got axed,” Rodgers said, referring to the Jets' former general manager who was fired last week. "Joe brought me in here. There’s uncertainty with, you know, everybody on the staff, so I’m not naive to what the situation is. And if a new GM comes in and they don’t retain Brick, I have to fit in those plans, so that’s kind of the first part. “Like I said, on ”The Pat McAfee Show," this is my first option. I’d love to play here if I end up deciding to play. But there’s got to be a want for them to want to bring me back, and for me to want to play. But ‘I think so’ was the truth, and ‘I’m not 100% sure’ is also the truth today." Rodgers, who is having a subpar season statistically, has been noticeably affected by his leg ailments — and that's something that could be much improved starting Sunday against Seattle. “I’m super excited about getting him going, whether it’s the keepers, the boots, a little bit more quarterback movement,” Ulbrich said. “Taking advantage of the stuff that he’s done at a Hall of Fame level his entire career. So, excited to see a healthier version of Aaron out there.” There was some speculation that the Jets, who are 3-8 and close to falling mathematically out of the playoff hunt, could opt to sit Rodgers in favor of Tyrod Taylor with his playing future uncertain. “He is a very prideful person,” Ulbrich said. “He wants to finish this thing off right. He wants to celebrate this team that we have and have a good taste in our mouths as we leave this season.” Rodgers has been very complimentary of Ulbrich as a leader, saying he's “definitely all-in” on the interim coach and would like to see him get the full-time job for next season. “Again, that’s out of my control,” Rodgers said. "I mean, I’m not going to say Brick or nothing. I need to see how I’m feeling. Obviously, I would love to play for Brick again. He’s a fantastic human being, but there’s a lot of things that can change in the next six weeks. “There could be some really good feelings coming out of this or there could be wholesale changes — and I might be a part of that.” Those changes could include two coaches Rodgers is closest with in offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and passing game coordinator Todd Downing. “Them not being here would not be a deal breaker for me,” Rodgers said, “although I obviously love them.” Owner Woody Johnson is using The 33rd Team, with former GMs Mike Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman leading the project, to identify and analyze candidates for the Jets' coach and GM searches. Rodgers is unsure if Johnson will seek his input on those decisions. “I’m always available if my opinion is wanted, but I’m going to focus on playing right now,” Rodgers said. “If I get drawn in those conversations, fantastic. If I don’t, that’s fantastic, too.” ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Dennis Waszak Jr., The Associated Press
Burhan rules out negotiations with RSF, calls for their surrenderAmy Rogers catches up with several new teams ahead of this year's Grant Thornton Invitational, including Tom Kim-Jeeno Thitikul and Allisen Corpuz-Sahith Theegala. Brentley Romine and Jim Gallagher Jr. join Golf Central to highlight notable golfers making waves at PGA Tour Q-School action in Florida and the pressure of trying to earn a PGA Tour card. Amy Rogers reports on the latest surrounding Mollie Marcoux Samaan stepping down as LPGA Tour commissioner, where she hears from Mel Reid and Megan Khang about what they'd like to see in the next commissioner. The Golf Central crew reflects on the wild storylines that came out of the 2024 men's major golf events and looks forward to 2025. Justin Thomas had a brutal day around the greens to end the Hero World Challenge, but Golf Central thinks he's trending in the right direction after a solid tournament as a whole. Todd Lewis and Brandel Chamblee analyze Scottie Scheffler's game at the Hero World Challenge and how he flexed his incredible overall skillset to cap a successful 2024 with a win. Tom Kim took a big leap on moving day at the Hero World Challenge, knocking in a dozen birdies and putting himself in contention for a win in the Bahamas. Todd Lewis and Brandel Chamblee look at the birdie-filled scorecard of Tom Kim's third round at the Hero World Challenge and how he was able to put himself in position to win on the final day. Scottie Scheffler is firmly in the mix at the Hero World Challenge, just one shot off the lead, but Golf Central says he'll have to capitalize more on scoring opportunities in the final round. Golf Central breaks down what went right for Justin Thomas in Round 3 of the PGA Tour's Hero World Challenge, in which putting -- typically a weakness for him -- carried him atop the leaderboard. Brandel Chamblee and Todd Lewis discuss Scottie Scheffler's impressive showing during Round 2 of the Hero World Challenge, breaking down what has worked for the world No. 1 in The Bahamas.
Jets running back Breece Hall dealing with a knee issue, left tackle Tyron Smith could go on IRAs plant-based diets gain popularity worldwide, a new study reveals a troubling trend: vegetarians and vegans may consume more ultra-processed foods (UPFs) than their meat-eating counterparts. The study, published in the journal eClinicalMedicine , found that participants following plant-based diets in the UK Biobank project had a slightly higher intake of UPFs compared to those who consumed modest amounts of meat or fish. The findings underscore the complexity of balancing dietary shifts toward sustainability with nutritional health. Plant-based diets and processed foods Researchers analyzed the eating habits of nearly 200,000 individuals, discovering that vegetarians consumed 1.3 percentage points more ultra-processed foods compared to meat eaters. For vegans, the difference was marginally smaller at 1.2 percentage points. The study concluded: “This UK-based study found higher UPF consumption in vegetarian diets and lower in diets with a modest amount of meat or fish.” Gardein The findings highlight a critical challenge for consumers seeking to reduce meat consumption. Many plant-based diets in industrialized nations rely heavily on convenience foods, such as meat substitutes and ready-made meals, which are often laden with calories, saturated fats, sugars, and additives. Defining ultra-processed foods The term “ultra-processed foods” remains contentious among experts, though the NOVA classification system offers a widely accepted framework. According to NOVA, UPFs are industrially formulated items primarily made from substances extracted from food or synthesized in laboratories. These include frozen pizzas , instant noodles, sugary sodas, pre-packaged burgers, and sweetened cereals. While such foods are engineered for convenience and appeal, they are often criticized for their health implications. A previous study linked high consumption of plant-based UPFs to an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, further complicating the narrative that all plant-based diets are inherently healthier. Daiya Foods RELATED: 2 New Studies Link Ultra-Processed Foods to Premature Aging, Teen Health Risks Despite concerns about UPFs, plant-based diets, when well-planned, offer significant health benefits, including reduced risks of type 2 diabetes , hypertension, and some cancers. Conversely, high red meat consumption has been strongly associated with heart disease, cancer, and premature death. However, researchers note that the health risks of meat consumption are often tied to processed products rather than high-quality, unprocessed meat. Industry influence and intimidation tactics The ultra-processed food industry, much like tobacco and alcohol sectors, has faced growing scrutiny from researchers and advocates calling for stricter regulations. A recent study published in Health Promotion International highlights the tactics employed by these industries to undermine public health initiatives, silence advocates, and delay regulatory measures. “Public discreditation, followed by legal threats and action, complaints, and Freedom of Information Requests were most frequently mentioned and often attributed to health-harming industries.” Evans-Reeves further explained that language used to discredit public health advocates often includes inflammatory and derogatory terms such as “zealots” or “extremists.” These attacks, though damaging, rarely deter researchers from continuing their work. “The dominant narrative was of perseverance,” she said, noting that most researchers remained committed to their advocacy despite facing public and legal challenges. Urgency for public health reform According to research published in The Lancet , ultra-processed foods, like tobacco and alcohol, contribute to a significant proportion of global non-communicable diseases. These conditions are responsible for nearly three-quarters of deaths worldwide. The findings underscore the urgent need for systemic change in food production and consumption patterns. In a bid to address the global health crisis linked to poor diets and obesity, a coalition of investors managing more than $3 trillion in assets has urged leading food companies to disclose more information about the healthiness of their products. This group, coordinated by the responsible investment nonprofit ShareAction, sent a letter to the executives of Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz , General Mills, Mondelez International , and Kellanova. They are calling for these corporations to adopt internationally recognized nutrition standards and to annually report health metrics for their product portfolios. Impossible Foods The investor coalition includes Legal & General Investment Management, Nest, Pictet Asset Management, and Trinity Health. Together, these groups are advocating for companies to adopt Nutrient Profiling Models (NPMs), tools that evaluate the nutritional content of food and beverages. Systems such as Nutri-Score, the Health Star Rating, and the UK NPM were suggested as benchmarks. Tom Sanders, senior ESG analyst at Nest, highlighted the urgency of the issue, stating, “The increased consumption of unhealthy products harms public health and could reduce worker productivity, creating externalities that can impact our long-term investment returns as a globally diversified investor. Food and drink companies must take responsibility in helping manage these risks by being more transparent, using internationally recognized nutrition standards as an important first step.” Cottonbro Studio | Pexels BECOME A VEGNEWS VIP : Get exclusive product deals, freebies, and perks galore! The coalition’s letter also emphasized the financial risks associated with an over-reliance on unhealthy product sales. The letter cited a study projecting that the global obesity epidemic could cost the economy $4 trillion annually by 2035, a figure comparable to the economic toll of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Beyond economic risks, investors argue that failing to act on this issue exposes companies to reputational harm and regulatory scrutiny. Thomas Abrams, co-head of health at ShareAction, framed the issue as both a public health crisis and a financial imperative. “By adopting a responsible investment approach to public health, investors can not only manage financial risks but also help more people to enjoy healthier lives for longer,” Abrams said in a statement. Transparency and health metrics The letter asks food and beverage giants to disclose the sales-weighted average NPM scores of their global portfolios annually. It also calls for transparency by product category, total revenue from NPM-assessable products, and the percentage of sales from healthier versus less healthy items. Investors argue that this level of transparency is essential for assessing corporate progress toward healthier offerings. Some companies have already responded to pressure from ShareAction’s campaigns, which began in 2019. Unilever , Nestlé , and Tesco have implemented measures to report on and improve the health profile of their products. However, ShareAction noted that many companies are still lagging. Getty The signatories contend that prioritizing healthier product development can drive long-term value for businesses, consumers, and investors alike. They argue that systemic risks, such as widespread health issues caused by poor diets, threaten economic productivity and growth. By contrast, producing and marketing healthier products can align corporate interests with broader social and economic goals. The Long-Term Investors in People’s Health Initiative, a program within ShareAction, has been a driving force behind the coalition. It seeks to embed health considerations into responsible investment strategies, urging companies to recognize the intertwined relationship between consumer well-being and corporate sustainability. As public scrutiny on the food industry grows, the demands outlined in the letter signal a broader shift toward accountability and transparency in addressing public health challenges. Whether the targeted companies will act on these calls remains to be seen, but the growing momentum among investors could make inaction increasingly untenable. “We expect more transparency and better disclosures from the entire sector,” reads the letter. “By leading the way, you have a clear opportunity to meet the growing investor, consumer and regulatory demand for responsible business practices, and to lead in shaping fairer, healthier societies.” DON'T MISS OUT : Get breaking news, recipes, and our weekly vegan deal by signing up for our FREE VegNewsletter Are Ultra-Processed Foods Really That Bad for You? We Asked a Dietitian Turn to Colorful Fruits and Vegetables to Fight Dementia and Alzheimer’s, Study Says Lessons From the Boomer Diet: Cook From Scratch and Skip the UPFs JUMP TO ... Latest News | Recipes | Guides | Health | Shop
SEALSQ Announces Completion of a $25.0 Million Registered Direct OfferingAaron Rodgers is feeling healthy and will be the New York Jets’ starting quarterback as long as that remains the case. Whether he’s in the huddle beyond this season is still to be decided — by the Jets and Rodgers. “Football life is interesting because there’s no guarantees,” Rodgers said Wednesday. “Even with injuries, obviously, with contract situations, with age, with coaching changes, new scheme possibly, new system. There’s a lot of unknowns, so that stuff is out of my control. “I’m just going to enjoy these times here and let the future take care of itself.” Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich said Rodgers returned from the team’s bye-week break appearing physically refreshed and ready to go. The quarterback was not on the Jets’ injury report Wednesday for the first time since Week 4. “Definitely, as long as he’s healthy, my plan is to play him,” Ulbrich said. “And I know talking to him, that’s the way he wants to do it, too.” Rodgers, who turns 41 on Monday, has dealt with various injuries to his left leg, including a sore knee, sprained ankle and balky hamstring. And that’s after coming off a torn Achilles tendon in the same leg that limited him to just four snaps last season. “He’s doing better today than he has for quite a while now,” Ulbrich said. “After my conversations with him the last five or six weeks, he has felt healthier today than he’s felt in that time span.” That echoes what Rodgers said during his weekly appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday, when he said he “feels good.” Rodgers said he’s still contemplating whether he wants to play football next season, but would prefer it be with the Jets if he does return. He reiterated that Wednesday after practice and explained why his tone has changed a bit from a few weeks ago when he said “I think so, yeah,” when he was asked if he planned to play next year. “If you look at what transpired in those two weeks, Joe (Douglas) got axed,” Rodgers said, referring to the Jets’ former general manager who was fired last week. “Joe brought me in here. There’s uncertainty with, you know, everybody on the staff, so I’m not naive to what the situation is. And if a new GM comes in and they don’t retain Brick, I have to fit in those plans, so that’s kind of the first part. “Like I said, on ”The Pat McAfee Show,” this is my first option. I’d love to play here if I end up deciding to play. But there’s got to be a want for them to want to bring me back, and for me to want to play. But ‘I think so’ was the truth, and ‘I’m not 100% sure’ is also the truth today.” Rodgers, who is having a subpar season statistically, has been noticeably affected by his leg ailments — and that’s something that could be much improved starting Sunday against Seattle. “I’m super excited about getting him going, whether it’s the keepers, the boots, a little bit more quarterback movement,” Ulbrich said. “Taking advantage of the stuff that he’s done at a Hall of Fame level his entire career. So, excited to see a healthier version of Aaron out there.” There was some speculation that the Jets, who are 3-8 and close to falling mathematically out of the playoff hunt, could opt to sit Rodgers in favor of Tyrod Taylor with his playing future uncertain. “He is a very prideful person,” Ulbrich said. “He wants to finish this thing off right. He wants to celebrate this team that we have and have a good taste in our mouths as we leave this season.” Rodgers has been very complimentary of Ulbrich as a leader, saying he’s “definitely all-in” on the interim coach and would like to see him get the full-time job for next season. “Again, that’s out of my control,” Rodgers said. “I mean, I’m not going to say Brick or nothing. I need to see how I’m feeling. Obviously, I would love to play for Brick again. He’s a fantastic human being, but there’s a lot of things that can change in the next six weeks. “There could be some really good feelings coming out of this or there could be wholesale changes — and I might be a part of that.” Those changes could include two coaches Rodgers is closest with in offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett and passing game coordinator Todd Downing. “Them not being here would not be a deal breaker for me,” Rodgers said, “although I obviously love them.” Owner Woody Johnson is using The 33rd Team, with former GMs Mike Tannenbaum and Rick Spielman leading the project, to identify and analyze candidates for the Jets’ coach and GM searches. Rodgers is unsure if Johnson will seek his input on those decisions. “I’m always available if my opinion is wanted, but I’m going to focus on playing right now,” Rodgers said. “If I get drawn in those conversations, fantastic. If I don’t, that’s fantastic, too.”
KYIV, Ukraine — NATO and Ukraine will hold emergency talks Tuesday after Russia attacked a central city with an experimental, hypersonic ballistic missile. escalating the nearly 33-month-old war. The conflict is “entering a decisive phase,” Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Friday, and “taking on very dramatic dimensions.” Ukraine’s parliament canceled a session as security was tightened following Thursday’s Russian strike on a military facility in the city of Dnipro. In a stark warning to the West, President Vladimir Putin said in a nationally televised speech the attack with the intermediate-range Oreshnik missile was in retaliation for Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British longer-range missiles capable of striking deeper into Russian territory. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks Friday during a meeting with the leadership of the Russian Ministry of Defense, representatives of the military-industrial complex and developers of missile systems at the Kremlin in Moscow. Putin said Western air defense systems would be powerless to stop the new missile. Ukrainian military officials said the missile that hit Dnipro reached a speed of Mach 11 and carried six nonnuclear warheads, each releasing six submunitions. Speaking Friday to military and weapons industries officials, Putin said Russia will launch production of the Oreshnik. “No one in the world has such weapons,” he said. “Sooner or later, other leading countries will also get them. We are aware that they are under development. “We have this system now,” he added. “And this is important.” Putin said that while it isn’t an intercontinental missile, it’s so powerful that the use of several of them fitted with conventional warheads in one attack could be as devastating as a strike with strategic — or nuclear — weapons. Gen. Sergei Karakayev, head of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, said the Oreshnik could reach targets across Europe and be fitted with nuclear or conventional warheads, echoing Putin’s claim that even with conventional warheads, “the massive use of the weapon would be comparable in effect to the use of nuclear weapons.” In this photo taken from a video released Friday, a Russian serviceman operates at an undisclosed location in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov kept up Russia's bellicose tone on Friday, blaming “the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries” in supplying weapons to Ukraine to strike Russia. "The Russian side has clearly demonstrated its capabilities, and the contours of further retaliatory actions in the event that our concerns were not taken into account have also been quite clearly outlined," he said. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, widely seen as having the warmest relations with the Kremlin in the European Union, echoed Moscow’s talking points, suggesting the use of U.S.-supplied weapons in Ukraine likely requires direct American involvement. “These are rockets that are fired and then guided to a target via an electronic system, which requires the world’s most advanced technology and satellite communications capability,” Orbán said on state radio. “There is a strong assumption ... that these missiles cannot be guided without the assistance of American personnel.” Orbán cautioned against underestimating Russia’s responses, emphasizing that the country’s recent modifications to its nuclear deployment doctrine should not be dismissed as a “bluff.” “It’s not a trick ... there will be consequences,” he said. Czech Republic's Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky speaks to journalists Friday during a joint news conference with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriiy Sybiha in Kyiv, Ukraine. Separately in Kyiv, Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský called Thursday’s missile strike an “escalatory step and an attempt of the Russian dictator to scare the population of Ukraine and to scare the population of Europe.” At a news conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Lipavský also expressed his full support for delivering the necessary additional air defense systems to protect Ukrainian civilians from the “heinous attacks.” He said the Czech Republic will impose no limits on the use of its weapons and equipment given to Ukraine. Three lawmakers from Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, confirmed that Friday's previously scheduled session was called off due to the ongoing threat of Russian missiles targeting government buildings in central Kyiv. In addition, there also was a recommendation to limit the work of all commercial offices and nongovernmental organizations "in that perimeter, and local residents were warned of the increased threat,” said lawmaker Mykyta Poturaiev, who said it's not the first time such a threat has been received. Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate said the Oreshnik missile was fired from the Kapustin Yar 4th Missile Test Range in Russia’s Astrakhan region and flew 15 minutes before striking Dnipro. Test launches of a similar missile were conducted in October 2023 and June 2024, the directorate said. The Pentagon confirmed the missile was a new, experimental type of intermediate-range missile based on its RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. Thursday's attack struck the Pivdenmash plant that built ICBMs when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. The military facility is located about 4 miles southwest of the center of Dnipro, a city of about 1 million that is Ukraine’s fourth-largest and a key hub for military supplies and humanitarian aid, and is home to one of the country’s largest hospitals for treating wounded soldiers from the front before their transfer to Kyiv or abroad. We're all going to die someday. Still, how it happens—and when—can point to a historical moment defined by the scientific advancements and public health programs available at the time to contain disease and prevent accidents. In the early 1900s, America's efforts to improve sanitation, hygiene, and routine vaccinations were still in their infancy. Maternal and infant mortality rates were high, as were contagious diseases that spread between people and animals. Combined with the devastation of two World Wars—and the Spanish Flu pandemic in between—the leading causes of death changed significantly after this period. So, too, did the way we diagnose and control the spread of disease. Starting with reforms as part of Roosevelt's New Deal in the 1930s, massive-scale, federal interventions in the U.S. eventually helped stave off disease transmission. It took comprehensive government programs and the establishment of state and local health agencies to educate the public on preventing disease transmission. Seemingly simple behavioral shifts, such as handwashing, were critical in thwarting the spread of germs, much like discoveries in medicine, such as vaccines, and increased access to deliver them across geographies. Over the course of the 20th century, life expectancy increased by 56% and is estimated to keep increasing slightly, according to an annual summary of vital statistics published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in 2000. Death Records examined data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to see how the leading causes of death in America have evolved over time and to pinpoint how some major mortality trends have dropped off. According to a report published in the journal Annual Review of Public Health in 2000, pneumonia was the leading cause of death in the early 1900s, accounting for nearly 1 in 4 deaths. By the time World War I ended in 1918, during which people and animals were housed together for long periods, a new virus emerged: the Spanish Flu. Originating in a bird before spreading to humans, the virus killed 10 times as many Americans as the war. Many died of secondary pneumonia after the initial infection. Pneumonia deaths eventually plummeted throughout the century, partly prevented by increased flu vaccine uptake rates in high-risk groups, particularly older people. Per the CDC, tuberculosis was a close second leading cause of death, killing 194 of every 10,000 people in 1900, mainly concentrated in dense urban areas where the infection could more easily spread. Eventually, public health interventions led to drastic declines in mortality from the disease, such as public education, reducing crowded housing, quarantining people with active disease, improving hygiene, and using antibiotics. Once the death rates lagged, so did the public health infrastructure built to control the disease, leading to a resurgence in the mid-1980s. Diarrhea was the third leading cause of death in 1900, surging every summer among children before the impacts of the pathogen died out in 1930. Adopting water filtration, better nutrition, and improved refrigeration were all associated with its decline. In the 1940s and 1950s, polio outbreaks killed or paralyzed upward of half a million people worldwide every year. Even at its peak, polio wasn't a leading cause of death, it was a much-feared one, particularly among parents of young children, some of whom kept them from crowded public places and interacting with other children. By 1955, when Jonah Salk discovered the polio vaccine, the U.S. had ended the "golden age of medicine." During this period, the causes of mortality shifted dramatically as scientists worldwide began to collaborate on infectious disease control, surgical techniques, vaccines, and other drugs. From the 1950s onward, once quick-spreading deadly contagions weren't prematurely killing American residents en masse, scientists also began to understand better how to diagnose and treat these diseases. As a result, Americans were living longer lives and instead succumbing to noncommunicable diseases, or NCDs. The risk of chronic diseases increased with age and, in some cases, was exacerbated by unhealthy lifestyles. Cancer and heart disease shot up across the century, increasing 90-fold from 1900 to 1998, according to CDC data. Following the post-Spanish Flu years, heart disease killed more Americans than any other cause, peaking in the 1960s and contributing to 1 in 3 deaths. Cigarette smoking rates peaked at the same time, a major risk factor for heart disease. Obesity rates also rose, creating another risk factor for heart disease and many types of cancers. This coincides with the introduction of ultra-processed foods into diets, which plays a more significant role in larger waistlines than the increasing predominance of sedentary work and lifestyles. In the early 1970s, deaths from heart disease began to fall as more Americans prevented and managed their risk factors, like quitting smoking or taking blood pressure medicine. However, the disease remains the biggest killer of Americans. Cancer remains the second leading cause of death and rates still indicate an upward trajectory over time. Only a few types of cancer are detected early by screening, and some treatments for aggressive cancers like glioblastoma—the most common type of brain cancer—have also stalled, unable to improve prognosis much over time. In recent years, early-onset cancers, those diagnosed before age 50 or sometimes even earlier, have seen a drastic rise among younger Americans. While highly processed foods and sedentary lifestyles may contribute to rising rates, a spike in cancer rates among otherwise healthy young individuals has baffled some medical professionals. This follows the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020. At its peak, high transmission rates made the virus the third leading cause of death in America. It's often compared to the Spanish Flu of 1918, though COVID-19 had a far larger global impact, spurring international collaborations among scientists who developed a vaccine in an unprecedented time. Public policy around issues of safety and access also influences causes of death, particularly—and tragically—among young Americans. Gun control measures in the U.S. are far less stringent than in peer nations; compared to other nations, however, the U.S. leads in gun violence. Firearms are the leading cause of death for children and teens (around 2 in 3 are homicides, and 1 in 3 are suicides), and deaths from opioids remain a leading cause of death among younger people. Globally, the leading causes of death mirror differences in social and geographic factors. NCDs are primarily associated with socio-economic status and comprise 7 out of 10 leading causes of death, 85% of those occurring in low- and middle-income countries, according to the World Health Organization. However, one of the best health measures is life expectancy at birth. People in the U.S. have been living longer lives since 2000, except for a slight dip in longevity due to COVID-19. According to the most recent CDC estimates, Americans' life expectancy is 77.5 years on average and is expected to increase slightly in the coming decades. Story editing by Alizah Salario. Additional editing by Kelly Glass. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick. This story originally appeared on Death Records and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Get local news delivered to your inbox!More than 18,000 people expressed interest in standing as candidates in Mexico’s first ever judicial elections in 2025, the federal government announced Monday. Arturo Zaldívar, coordinator of policy and government in the administration led by President Claudia Sheinbaum, thanked 18,447 people for registering their interest in participating in the judicial elections scheduled to be held on June 1, 2025. Zaldívar, a former Supreme Court justice who resigned in late 2023 to join Sheinbaum’s presidential election campaign team , noted that the registrations were made on an “executive power” website. Mexico’s Congress and the judiciary also accepted registrations, as they — in addition to an “executive power” committee headed up by Zaldívar — will select candidates to contest the judicial elections. The Congress received more than 11,900 registrations while the judiciary received over 3,800. Some would-be judges likely submitted registrations to the federal executive, the Congress and the judiciary. A total of 881 judges, including nine Supreme Court justices, are set to be elected by popular vote next year. Mexico’s inaugural judicial elections will take place as a result of the enactment of a controversial judicial reform that was approved by Congress in September . Sheinbaum said that the registration process for judicial aspirants — which began on Nov. 5 and concluded at midnight Monday — was “a complete success.” “[It was] something unprecedented, historic,” she said. A second round of judicial elections is scheduled to be held in 2027. Critics of the judicial reform argue that the direct election of judges will politicize the judiciary, but Sheinabum and other government officials reject claims that Mexico’s courts will lose their independence. The president asserts that a judicial overhaul via the election of judges is necessary to eliminate corruption and other ills from Mexico’s justice system. Zaldívar said that 10,862 men, 6,101 women and 106 people who identify as nonbinary successfully registered their interest in contesting next year’s judicial elections. An additional 1,378 people made errors when submitting their registrations and will therefore not be considered by the executive’s candidate evaluation committee. Zaldivar said that 480 people “aspire” to become Supreme Court (SCJN) justices. But just 27 will ultimately be selected to contest the election to win one of nine positions on the bench of Mexico’s highest court. More than 10,000 people registered their interest in contesting federal district judge elections, while over 5,000 want to stand as candidates in circuit court elections. The remainder of those who registered on the federal government website want to become electoral judges or magistrates with the Judicial Discipline Tribunal. Minerva Martínez Garza, an academic and former president of the Nuevo León Human Rights Commission, is among those hoping to win a position on the SCJN. She told the Associated Press that the election of judges will help Mexico’s justice system overcome “the legitimacy crisis” it suffers. “We need a justice system that provides results,” Martínez said, adding that the recently-enacted judicial reform will help to eradicate corruption in the judiciary and favor a more rapid delivery of justice. “This change is profound,” she said. Sergio Méndez Silva, a legal official with the Fundación para la Justicia (Foundation for Justice), a Mexico City-based non-governmental organization, has a different view about the direct election of judges. “One doesn’t choose a doctor for an operation based on popularity,” he said, explaining that a surgeon is chosen because of his or her “technical knowledge, expertise and skill.” “... The same thing [should] apply for a judge,” Méndez said. He expressed concern about the makeup of the executive, congressional and judicial committees that will assess the qualifications and experience of those vying to become judges, asserting that people aligned with the ruling Morena party are among their members. Of the 11 current SCJN justices, just three — all of whom are widely seen as sympathetic to Morena’s agenda – intend to contest the 2025 judicial elections . Over the next three weeks, the federal executive’s candidate evaluation committee will look at the qualifications and experience of those who expressed interest in becoming judges to determine whether they comply with the “formal requirements,” Zaldívar said. Among the requirements are the following: Lawmakers had proposed setting a minimum age of 35 for judges but ultimately decided against that requirement. Zaldívar said that the executive’s evaluation committee will be looking for people who are “honest, qualified” and “committed” to delivering “the justice we all expect” as well as “building a better justice system.” “It’s clear that the one we have now doesn’t satisfy the yearnings and legitimate demands of the people of Mexico,” he said. Zaldívar said that the “most suitable” candidates will be selected by Dec. 14. Those “finalists” will participate in a public interview process after which some of them will be selected as candidates via sortition , or selection by lottery. The official said that the response from Mexico’s lawyers to the call to register as judicial election candidates was “amazing.” “The results are spectacular, they exceeded all expectations, which demonstrates the interest of the people of Mexico in this process,” he said. “... It’s a historic event because for the first time we’re going to elect judges in Mexico, it’s an event that will completely transform our democratic, social and political life,” Zaldívar said. With reports from Infobae , Reforma , El Financiero and APHow Congolese Women Are Recapturing Their Visual Narratives In The Fight For Liberation
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After withdrawing his nomination , former Rep. Matt Gaetz will not be President-elect Donald Trump's attorney general. For some, including fellow Republicans, this may not have been such a shock, considering he was a controversial pick from the beginning due to sexual misconduct allegations . Gaetz, who represented Florida's 1st congressional district from January 2017 until his resignation in November 2024, announced his withdrawal on Thursday. "It is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition," Gaetz wrote on Thursday in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General." Trump commented on Gaetz's withdrawal on Truth Social , saying his fellow Republican "was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect." Trump's nomination of Gaetz came as the House Ethics Committee, a bipartisan panel equally divided between Democrats and Republicans, was concluding its three-year investigation into the former congressman concerning allegations of sexual misconduct with a 17-year-girl, illegal drug use and the acceptance of "improper gifts." Gaetz resigned before the committee announced the results of its investigation, and it is unclear if the group's findings will ever be released. They are scheduled to reconvene on Dec. 5 to discuss the matter further. Here's what to know about Gaetz and why many saw him as a questionable pick for attorney general. Who is Matt Gaetz? Gaetz grew up in Hollywood, Florida, and was introduced to politics by his father Don Gaetz, a businessman and current member of the Florida State Senate. Matt Gaetz would go on to serve in the Florida House of Representatives from 2010 until 2016, where he became nationally recognized for defending the state's "stand-your-ground law." The 42-year-old then got elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2016 and was re-elected in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024. In 2021, the Justice Department – which Gaetz would have led if he became attorney general – was investigating Gaetz for child sex trafficking and the statutory rape of a 17-year-old girl who the former congressman allegedly paid to travel across state lines for sexual favors. The DOJ ultimately dropped the probe into Gaetz and did not file any charges against him. Although the DOJ stopped its investigation, the House Ethics Committee continued theirs up until Gaetz's resignation this year. Why were Republicans skeptical about Gaetz's nomination? Despite the GOP controlling the U.S. Senate 53-47 next year, Gaetz's withdrawal signals there may not have been enough Republicans willing to support Trump's controversial nominee. Republican senators, including Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), questioned Gaetz's selection before his confirmation hearing. Murkowski called Trump's choice not "a serious nomination," while Collins said she was "shocked" to learn about Gaetz's selection and indicated that "there will be a lot of questions raised at his hearing." While speaking with CNN on Monday, Texas Sen. John Cornyn said, "Whether we get the ethics report or not, the facts are going to come out one way or the other, and I would think it would be in everybody’s best interest, including the president’s, not to be surprised by some information that might come out during the confirmation hearing and the background check." "So we're going to do our job and under the Constitution and in the process, I believe, provide the president some assurance that he knows exactly what the facts are about each of his nominees." What is next for Matt Gaetz? It is unclear whether Gaetz, who was reelected this year, will reclaim his seat in the House come January, which is when his next term was set to begin. The release of the House Ethics Committee's report on Gaetz remains uncertain, and the former congressman's political future could hang in the balance depending on the group's findings. Gaetz could also face further legal issues, as a Florida lawyer who represented two women in the House Ethics Committee investigation into the former congressman accused the politician of paying them for sex . One of the women said she witnessed Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old, according to reports from the Washington Post and ABC News , both of which spoke with attorney Joel Leppard, who represented the two women. On Monday, Alex Pfeiffer, a spokesperson for Trump's transition, called the allegations against Gaetz a "baseless" attempt to derail the president-elect's upcoming administration. "The Biden Justice Department investigated Gaetz for years and cleared him of wrongdoing," Pfeiffer wrote in a statement obtained by USA TODAY. "Matt Gaetz will be the next Attorney General. He’s the right man for the job and will end the weaponization of our justice system." Contributing: Aysha Bagchi & Riley Beggin/ USA TODAYTrump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
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Duke of York ‘ceased all contact’ with spy-accused man after concerns raised
