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NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks tiptoed to more records amid a mixed Tuesday of trading, tacking a touch more onto what’s already been a stellar year so far. The S&P 500 edged up by 2 points, or less than 0.1%, to set an all-time high for the 55th time this year. It’s climbed in 10 of the last 11 days and is on track for one of its best years since the turn of the millennium. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 76 points, or 0.2%, while the Nasdaq composite added 0.4% to its own record set a day earlier. AT&T rose 4.6% after it boosted its profit forecast for the year. It also announced a $10 billion plan to send cash to its investors by buying back its own stock, while saying it expects to authorize another $10 billion of repurchases in 2027. On the losing end of Wall Street was U.S. Steel, which fell 8%. President-elect Donald Trump reiterated on social media that he would not let Japan’s Nippon Steel take over the iconic Pennsylvania steelmaker. Nippon Steel announced plans last December to buy the Pittsburgh-based steel producer for $14.1 billion in cash, raising concerns about what the transaction could mean for unionized workers, supply chains and U.S. national security. Earlier this year, President Joe Biden also came out against the acquisition. Tesla sank 1.6% after a judge in Delaware reaffirmed a previous ruling that the electric car maker must revoke Elon Musk’s multibillion-dollar pay package. The judge denied a request by attorneys for Musk and Tesla’s corporate directors to vacate her ruling earlier this year requiring the company to rescind the unprecedented pay package. All told, the S&P 500 rose 2.73 points to 6,049.88. The Dow fell 76.47 to 44,705.53, and the Nasdaq composite gained 76.96 to 19,480.91. In the bond market, Treasury yields held relatively steady after a report showed U.S. employers were advertising slightly more job openings at the end of October than a month earlier. Continued strength there would raise optimism that the economy could remain out of a recession that many investors had earlier worried was inevitable. The yield on the 10-year Treasury rose to 4.23% from 4.20% from late Monday. Yields have seesawed since Election Day amid worries that Trump’s preferences for lower tax rates and bigger tariffs could spur higher inflation along with economic growth. But traders are still confident the Federal Reserve will cut its main interest rate again at its next meeting in two weeks. They’re betting on a nearly three-in-four chance of that, according to data from CME Group. Lower rates can give the economy more juice, but they can also give inflation more fuel. The key report this week that could guide the Fed’s next move will arrive on Friday. It’s the monthly jobs report , which will show how many workers U.S. employers hired and fired during November. It could be difficult to parse given how much storms and strikes distorted figures in October. Based on trading in the options market, Friday’s jobs report appears to be the biggest potential market mover until the Fed announces its next decision on interest rates Dec. 18, according to strategists at Barclays Capital. In financial markets abroad, the value of South Korea’s currency fell 1.1% against the U.S. dollar following a frenetic night where President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law and then later said he’d lift it after lawmakers voted to reject military rule. Stocks of Korean companies that trade in the United States also fell, including a 1.6% drop for SK Telecom. Japan’s Nikkei 225 jumped 1.9% to help lead global markets. Some analysts think Japanese stocks could end up benefiting from Trump’s threats to raise tariffs , including for goods coming from China . Trade relations between the U.S. and China took another step backward after China said it is banning exports to the U.S. of gallium, germanium, antimony and other key high-tech materials with potential military applications. The counterpunch came swiftly after the U.S. Commerce Department expanded the list of Chinese technology companies subject to export controls to include many that make equipment used to make computer chips, chipmaking tools and software. The 140 companies newly included in the so-called “entity list” are nearly all based in China. In China, stock indexes rose 1% in Hong Kong and 0.4% in Shanghai amid unconfirmed reports that Chinese leaders would meet next week to discuss planning for the coming year. Investors are hoping it may bring fresh stimulus to help spur growth in the world’s second-largest economy. In France, the CAC 40 rose 0.3% amid continued worries about politics in Paris , where the government is battling over the budget. AP Business Writers Yuri Kageyama and Matt Ott contributed.Recently, an incident at Shanxi University has sparked controversy and concern within the academic community. Reports emerged that an international student at the university had allegedly touched a female student inappropriately by placing his hand on her buttocks. The incident has raised questions about campus safety, cultural differences, and the rights and responsibilities of both domestic and international students. In response to the incident, Shanxi University has issued a statement addressing the situation and reaffirming its commitment to creating a safe and respectful campus environment.80jili mobile app 。

Critics of Trump's approach argue that his emphasis on financial contributions undermines the broader strategic and diplomatic benefits of NATO. They contend that the alliance serves as a crucial platform for collective defense, security cooperation, and deterrence against common threats. By focusing solely on financial metrics, critics warn that Trump risks eroding trust and unity among NATO allies.

WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump's transition team on Tuesday signed an agreement to allow the Justice Department to conduct background checks on his nominees and appointees after a weekslong delay. The step lets Trump transition aides and future administration staffers obtain security clearances before Inauguration Day to access classified information about ongoing government programs, an essential step for a smooth transition of power. It also allows those nominees who are up for Senate confirmation to face the background checks lawmakers want before voting on them. Teams of investigators have been standing by to process clearances for Trump aides and advisers. FILE - Susie Wiles watches as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a caucus night party in Des Moines, Iowa, Jan. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) "This agreement with the Department of Justice will ensure President Trump and his team are ready on Day 1 to begin enacting the America First Agenda that an overwhelming majority of our nation supported on Election Day," said Susie Wiles, Trump's designate to be White House chief of staff. The announcement came a week after the Trump transition team signed an agreement with the Biden White House to allow transition staff to coordinate with the existing federal workforce before taking office Jan. 20. The White House agreement was supposed to have been signed by Oct. 1, according to the Presidential Transition Act, and the Biden White House issued both public and private appeals for Trump's team to sign on. Security clearances are required to access classified information, including on ongoing operations and threats to the nation, and the Biden White House and outside experts emphasized to Trump's team the importance of having cleared personnel before Inauguration Day so they could be fully briefed and ready to run the government. President-elect Donald Trump arrives before the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Boca Chica, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Pool via AP) Republican Senators also insisted on FBI background checks for Trump's nominees before they face confirmation votes, as has been standard practice for decades. Lawmakers were particularly interested in seeing the findings of reviews into Trump's designated nominee for defense secretary, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, and for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence. "That's why it's so important that we have an FBI background check, a committee review of extensive questions and questionnaires, and a public hearing," Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Monday. John Thune, incoming Senate Republican leader, said the Trump team "understands there's going to have to be a thorough vetting of all these nominees." 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. 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 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. 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. William McGinley, White House counsel 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.” 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. 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.

Concerns raised over hospitality staff after smoking curbs ditched

The meeting also emphasized the importance of deepening structural reforms to address long-standing issues and foster sustainable growth. By emphasizing the need for structural adjustments, the government aims to enhance the resilience and competitiveness of the economy, thereby laying the foundation for long-term development.Another reason why fans are hopeful for a Need for Speed 9 reboot is the chance to see classic cars and tracks reimagined with modern technology. Imagine racing through iconic locations like Palmont City or Seacrest County with stunning visuals and enhanced details. The nostalgia factor alone would be enough to draw in long-time fans who have been craving a return to the series' roots.

Bilawal resolves to carry forward Benazir’s legacy Bilawal says Benazir's life was embodiment of courage, resilience, and hope for millions of Pakistanis PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari addressing an event at the CM House in Karachi on October 14, 2024. — Facebook/@Bilawalhouse ISLAMABAD: Paying glowing tributes to Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Thursday commemorated her unparalleled sacrifices, unwavering leadership and enduring legacy for Pakistan and reaffirmed his resolve to carry forward the legacy of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1700472799616-0'); }); In his message on the eve 17th martyrdom of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, Bialwal said her life was an embodiment of courage, resilience, and hope for millions of Pakistanis, rooted deeply in the vision of her father, Quaid-e-Awam Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Benazir was not just a political figure but a beacon of hope for the marginalized, the oppressed, and the forgotten. “Her unwavering commitment to her father’s vision of an egalitarian and prosperous Pakistan remains an inspiration for all of us,” he said. He said that like Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto believed in the power of the people and the importance of empowering workers, farmers, and the underprivileged as cornerstones for national progress. “Her philosophy of reconciliation, consultation, and understanding diverse perspectives laid the foundation for a forward-looking Pakistan,” he said. Bilawal reaffirmed his resolve to carry forward his mother’s legacy. “We are determined to follow her philosophy of human liberty and democratic norms, continuing our fight against terrorism, extremism, and any forces that threaten Pakistan’s stability,” he stated. In his message, President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed his commitment as the president to advance the vision of Shaheed Benazir of a peaceful, progressive and democratic Pakistan. “Her ideas live on, urging us to rise above differences and build a Pakistan that is united, inclusive, and just. So, let us not merely mourn her loss but commit to follow her enduring legacy.” He said Shaheed Benazir Bhutto was a trailblazer who dreamt of a Pakistan where the rights of all citizens, irrespective of colour, class and creed, would be protected, and the power of the people would reign supreme. Quoting Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, the president said Shaheed Benazir Bhutto once said, “Democracy is the best revenge” and these words were not just a defiant response to tyranny and dictatorship but reflected her profound belief in the transformative power of the people. He said Shaheed Benazir envisioned a Pakistan where every child could access education, where women could progress as equals, and where justice was not a privilege but a right. “Throughout her life, she raised her voice and worked for the uplift of the downtrodden segments of society and women’s empowerment,” he said. “Her legacy is eternal, her courage unmatched, and her vision our guiding star. Pakistan Khappay!,” he concluded. In her message on the occasion, PPP Vice-President and party’s parliamentary leader in the Senate Sherry Rehman paid a heartfelt tribute to the legacy of the trailblazing leader. She said: “Her loss was not just a devastating blow to the PPP; it was an unparalleled tragedy for the nation. The void left by her absence continues to be felt deeply across Pakistan.” She underscored the historical significance of December 27, describing it as one of the darkest days in Pakistan’s history. Sherry Rehman applauded Shaheed Benazir’s transformative contributions to the country’s socio-economic fabric. “Among her many achievements, the Lady Health Worker Programme stands as a testament to her commitment to public health,” Senator Rehman noted. “Lauded as a ‘gold standard’ by the World Bank, this initiative brought healthcare to the doorsteps of millions in rural and underserved areas.” She also underscored the pivotal role of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) in uplifting the marginalised, which continues to uplift millions of impoverished families. From the Benazir Kafalat programme offering direct cash transfers, to Benazir Nashonuma, which promotes maternal and child health, and the Benazir Taleemi Wazaif initiative that invests in education, BISP has become a beacon of hope for millions. In a related development, President Asif Ali Zardari arrived in Sukkur on a three-day visit to attend the anniversary of his late wife and former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Zardari will address the 17th death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto at Gharhi Khuda Bux Bhutto on Friday (today). On his arrival, the president was received by Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah, governors of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and PPP senior leadership. Earlier, talking to the media at the Sukkur Airport, CM Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah said PPP and PPPP activists and leaders from all over the country will pay tribute to martyred Benazir Bhutto on her death anniversary tomorrow. He said PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto will be the next prime minister by getting a clear majority in the next general elections. Shah demanded Sindh’s rightful share from the federal government saying the process of releasing provincial funds has been very slow. Talking about PTI’s Imran Khan, Murad Ali Shah said the US has no authority to interfere in the affairs of Pakistan by demanding his release. Imran is involved in cases and courts alone will decide his fate. The PTI founder’s call for civil disobedience will be ignored and will have no effect anywhere in the country. Speaking next, KP’s Governor Faisal Karim Kundi said that the PPP handed over a peaceful Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2013. However, after several years of PTI rule, there is severe unrest in the province. He said the Kurram situation has been mishandled by the provincial government. Kundi said the decision about the governor’s rule has to be taken by the federal government. Such a disposition is allowed under the Constitution. Member PPP CEC Qamar Zaman Kaira said party cadres from all over the country will attend BB’s death anniversary today. Meanwhile, all is set for the death anniversary of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto here. A 60-foot-wide main stage has been decorated with party flags, and portraits of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto, Governor KP and Governor Punjab, Chief Minister Sindh and several other leaders will address the death anniversary. To boost security and surveillance, CCTV cameras have been installed around Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Bhutto and other places by Larkana Police, and 8,500 police officers and personnel will also perform their duties, including SSU commandos and traffic police personnel.Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes has established himself as one of the NHL’s best players over the past two seasons, but local fans still feel like he’s disrespected on the national level. Canucks fans are known for voicing their opinions on social media and did so today when an with thoughts from real voters. Seventy-five percent of those surveyed in the article picked Colorado Avalanche defenceman Cale Makar as the Norris Trophy leader. The other 25% was split between Hughes and Zack Werenski. Within minutes of Wyshynski posting the article to social media, Canucks fans were making it known that Hughes deserves more love, as they often feel he does from east coast fans and media. Hughes and Makar have been compared since they entered the league. The Canucks captain has 32 points in 26 games so far this season, while Makar has 35 points in 29 contests. Wyshynski’s page was flooded with angry Canucks fans, although he later clarified that Hughes would be his pick. Fans took specific issue with one line from a voter in the article, saying, “Makar is not only lapping the field offensively, he’s taking on primary matchup role in Colorado, which is something that players like Quinn Hughes and Victor Hedman are not.” Hughes has scored more per game than Makar so far this season and often faces off against the other team’s best players. This year’s Norris Trophy race will likely come down to the wire. Both Hughes and Makar have gotten off to excellent starts this season, and it could still go either way. The two are redefining what it means to play defence in the modern NHL, and fans are lucky to watch them on a nightly basis.

NoneSharpton's 'pay to play' scandal 'ricocheting around the halls' of MSNBC, insider says: 'Can't be acceptable'The man, whose identity remains confidential, was born in a remote village in China. At the tender age of 5, he was snatched from his family and sold into child trafficking. This initial abduction marked the beginning of a long and agonizing search for his true origins.

President-elect Donald Trump’s lawyers urge judge to toss his hush money convictionS.Korea political upheaval shows global democracy's fragility - and resilienceIn a recent development that has captured public attention, rumors have surfaced regarding the alleged involvement of the chairman of Greenland Group in scandalous photographs. The incident has resulted in the penalization of the distributor of these photos, with Greenland Group taking swift action by reporting the case to the authorities and dispelling false information.

Moving forward, it is crucial for universities and educational institutions to continue fostering a culture of respect, understanding, and diversity among their student populations. By promoting dialogue, awareness, and mutual respect, universities can work towards creating a more harmonious and inclusive community where all students feel safe, valued, and empowered to express themselves freely. As this incident at Shanxi University shows, addressing issues of misconduct and inappropriate behavior is essential to upholding the core values of integrity, dignity, and respect within the academic community.In the world of finance, there are often stories that blur the lines between reality and intrigue. One such tale is that of a mysterious fund on Wall Street that has managed to accumulate a staggering $1 billion in floating profits by strategically allocating assets in China. This enigmatic entity, whose name remains undisclosed, has become the subject of much speculation and curiosity among industry insiders.The incident occurred during a televised interview in which the advisor, speaking on behalf of the Trump camp, insensitively remarked on President Zelensky's choice of clothing during a recent diplomatic visit. The advisor's disparaging comments, which were deemed as undiplomatic and inappropriate, immediately sparked a flurry of criticism and condemnation.

对于S-埃斯波西托来说，这可能是一个重要的抉择。他需要考虑自己的未来发展以及在哪里能够获得更多的比赛机会和成长空间。恩波利提供了一个稳定的平台，可以让他不断进步和展示自己的技术。而国际米兰虽然是一支豪门球队，但他在那里可能会面临更多的竞争和挑战。

In a recent development at Real Madrid, the coaching staff has come to a consensus that Jules Bellerin, commonly known as "AS" among fans, is currently the best shooter in the entire team. This revelation comes as a surprise to many, considering the wealth of talent and experience present in the Real Madrid squad. However, the performance and consistency displayed by Bellerin on the training ground and during matches have left no doubt in the minds of the coaching staff about his exceptional shooting abilities.Rodrigo Duterte —Bing Gonzales MANILA, Pilippines — The House quad committee will be recommending the filing of charges against “close to 10” people as it is set to wrap up its hearings for the year, its lead chair Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers said on Tuesday. In an interview, Barbers said they were planning to recommend the filing of criminal and administrative cases against “active, retired and recently retired” officials, though he declined to disclose names or the nature of the complaints they would be filing. Since August, the megapanel composed of the House committees on dangerous drugs (chaired by Barbers); public order and safety (Laguna Rep. Dan Fernandez); public accounts (Abang Lingkod Rep. Joseph Paduano), and human rights (Manila Rep. Bienvenido Abante) have been investigating the connections among Philippine offshore gaming operators (Pogos), illegal drug trade and extrajudicial killings under the Duterte administration. READ: Duterte takes ‘full legal, moral responsibility’ for drug war Former President Rodrigo Duterte himself testified before the panel on Nov. 13, where he made several incriminating statements about his involvement in his bloody campaign that saw thousands of Filipinos dead. In that same hearing, he said he was assuming full responsibility for all the abuses committed by his police officers during the drug war and even egged on the International Criminal Court to hurry up and issue a warrant against him. Previous hearings have scrutinized the following people: retired police colonel and former Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)General Manager Royina Garma and former National Police Commissioner Edilberto Leonardo, for their role in the 2022 assassination of former PCSO board member Wesley Barayuga and for supposedly having a hand in the rewards system that incentivized killings in the drug war; Duterte’s former economic adviser Michael Yang and his brother, Antonio Yang, seen as masterminds in the illegal Pogo system; Pharmally executive Lin Weixiong, believed to be the same Allan Lim involved in Pogos, and Davao Rep. Paolo Duterte and Duterte’s son-in-law Manases Carpio, tagged by former Bureau of Customs (BOC) intelligence officer Jimmy Guban as co-owning a massive “shabu” shipment that slipped through the BOC in 2018. For Thursday’s upcoming hearing—the last for the Pogo part of their inquiry—Barbers said they have invited a resource person known as the “king of all kings” of offshore gaming, which was banned by President Marcos by the end of the year. He did not name who it was, but last October, the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission arrested a man named Lin Xunhan in Laguna province, believed to be the “kingpin” of Pogos. Lin supposedly arrived in the Philippines in 2016 and has set up alleged scam farms in Ilocos Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Cebu and Metro Manila. As to Duterte’s role in illegal Pogos, Justice Undersecretary Nicholas Felix Ty on Tuesday said there was no concrete evidence that would warrant an investigation against him. Ty said the former President’s association with Yang was “not enough evidence” to summon him for investigation. According to Ty, the government is tackling the issue of Pogos by looking at individual illegal enterprises, unlike its probe on the drug war, which is investigating the former administration’s antinarcotics campaign as a whole, including high-ranking personalities who may be held accountable for the thousands of extrajudicial killings. “Clearly when it comes to Pogos, we tackle illegal Pogos at the level of each illegal enterprise ... So at the level of individual Pogos, we haven’t seen yet any evidence to connect former President Duterte to [the illegal activities],” Ty said during a forum on Pogos organized by Stratbase ADR Institute in Makati City. The Department of Justice official noted that Duterte was merely associated with Yang and that “it won’t be enough to bring an investigation against him.” “You can’t just go through some kind of fishing expedition. But as I mentioned earlier, when it comes to Pogos, our investigation of Pogos is really on establishment level and so far, the establishments that have been investigated, there’s no link to [Duterte] yet,” Ty said, adding that for a criminal investigation to prosper, there has to be more than intelligence information. In Congress, senators are not leaving anything to chance as they pushed for the passage of a law that would fortify and make permanent President Marcos’ order to banish Pogos. “This proposal aligns with the President’s directive and seeks to institutionalize it, ensuring that this ban extends beyond the current administration,” Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said in his sponsorship of the proposed Senate Bill No. 2868, or the Anti-Pogo Act of 2024, on Monday. Gatchalian, who chairs the Senate ways and means committee, introduced the measure after conducting hearings on the social and economic costs of the country’s hosting of Pogos, which flourished during the Duterte administration. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . According to him, those behind the online gambling facilities, which were supposed to cater only to bettors abroad, particularly in mainland China, had turned the Philippines into a “haven for money laundering.”