Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save NEW YORK — Several of President-elect Donald Trump 's Cabinet picks and appointees have been targeted by bomb threats and "swatting attacks," Trump's transition said Wednesday. "Last night and this morning, several of President Trump's Cabinet nominees and Administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them," Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. She said the attacks "ranged from bomb threats to 'swatting.' In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire Transition team are grateful for their swift action." President-elect Donald Trump arrives to speak at a meeting of the House GOP conference, followed by Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Swatting entails generating an emergency law enforcement response against a target victim under false pretenses. The FBI said in a statement that it is "aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees, and we are working with our law enforcement partners. We take all potential threats seriously, and as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement." People are also reading... Margaret Atwood OSU event altered over threats The real reason Corvallis' Pastega Lights moved to Linn County Tree farm fiasco has Corvallis homelessness under microscope Commentary: Gulbranson shows he should be starter in thrilling win over Cougars Head-on crash on Highway 228 kills 1, injures 2 2 bucks illegally killed with crossbow in Corvallis Philomath woman suspected in Eugene Airport bomb scare Linn County deputy resigns during menacing case Corvallis man gets prison for armed robbery case Corvallis homes in on layout options for a new government center How is the OSU grad strike impacting students? UPDATED: Feds halt drawdown at Green Peter Reservoir after local cities complain OSU women's basketball: Ferreira brings versatility to the Beavers' lineup OSU football: Game notes for the Beavers' win over Washington State OSU football: Hayes makes game-winning field goal as Beavers down Cougars Among those targeted was New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's pick to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., is seated before President-elect Donald Trump arrives at a meeting of the House GOP conference, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Her office said that, Wednesday morning, she, her husband, and their 3-year-old son were driving home from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence in Saratoga County. "New York State, County law enforcement, and U.S. Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism," her office said in a statement. "We are incredibly appreciative of the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe 24/7." In Florida, meanwhile, the Okaloosa County sheriff's office said in an advisory posted on Facebook that it "received notification of a bomb threat referencing former Congressman Matt Gaetz's supposed mailbox at a home in the Niceville area around 9 a.m. this morning." While a family member resides at the address, they said "former Congressman Gaetz is NOT a resident. "The mailbox however was cleared and no devices were located. The immediate area was also searched with negative results." Gaetz was Trump's initial pick to serve as attorney general, but he withdrew from consideration amid allegations that he paid women for sex and slept with underage women. Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and said last year that a Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls had ended with no federal charges against him. The threats follow a political campaign marked by unusual violence. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing the then-candidate in the ear with a bullet and killing one of his supporters. The U.S. Secret Service later thwarted a subsequent assassination attempt at Trump's West Palm Beach, Florida, golf course when an agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through a perimeter fence while Trump was golfing. Here are the people Trump has picked for key positions so far President-elect Donald Trump 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, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Marco Rubio, Secretary of State 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, Secretary of Defense 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. Pam Bondi, Attorney General 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. Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security 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. Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior 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., Secretary of Health and Human Services 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, Treasury Secretary 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. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Labor Secretary 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, Housing and Urban Development 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, Secretary of Transportation 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. Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy 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. Linda McMahon, Secretary of Education 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, Secretary of Agriculture 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. Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce 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, Secretary of Veterans Affairs 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, White House press secretary 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. Tulsi Gabbard, National Intelligence Director 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. John Ratcliffe, Central Intelligence Agency Director 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.” Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator 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.” Brendan Carr, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission 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. Elise Stefanik, Ambassador to the United Nations 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. Matt Whitaker, Ambassador to NATO 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. Pete Hoekstra, Ambassador to Canada 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.” Mike Huckabee, Ambassador to Israel 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. Steven Witkoff, Special Envoy to the Middle East 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. Keith Kellogg, Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia 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) Mike Waltz, National Security Adviser 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, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy 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. Tom Homan, ‘Border Czar’ 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, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services administrator 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 and Vivek Ramaswamy to advise White House on government efficiency 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, Office of Management and Budget 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. Additional selections to the incoming White House 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. Associated Press writers Alanna Durkin Richer and Eric Tucker contributed to this report from Washington. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.jilibet 020 login 。

A look back at 2024 in photosTrump Cabinet picks, appointees targeted by bomb threats and swatting attacks

Bennington and Omaha Skutt are a combined 46-4 over the last two seasons, with three of the losses to each other. So it's safe to say we'll get a deserving champion one way or the other on Tuesday night. While those two have a stranglehold on the rest of Class B, the battles between them are almost always worth the price of admission. (Note: Journal Star rankings are used instead of playoff seeds.) Time and day: 7:15 p.m. Tuesday Place: Memorial Stadium TV: Nebraska Public Media Omaha Skutt's Dylan Van Dyke (12) passes the ball while pressured by Seward's Cardin Goracke (11) last Friday in Seward. No. 1 Omaha Skutt Record: 11-1 Coach: Matt Turman Road to the finals: First round — def. York 49-7. Quarterfinals — def. Waverly 38-21. Semifinals — def. Seward 42-21. People are also reading... State playoff appearances: 24 Finals appearances: 10th Impact players QB Dylan VanDyke, 6-1, 185, sr., 3,077 passing yards, 39 TDs, 374 rushing yards, 13 TDs; WR/DB/K Joe Kolega, 6-0, 180, sr., 68 catches, 1,449 yards, 19 TDs, 57-61 PATs, 3-6 field goals, long of 43, 57 tackles, 6 INTs, 2 fumble recoveries; RB/LB George Hassenstab, 5-10, 180, sr., 692 rushing yards, 4 TDs, 66 tackles; FB/LB Gage Guenther, 5-10, 185, sr., 392 rushing yards, 5 TDs, 7 catches, 194 yards, 3 TDs, 89 tackles, 2 sacks; TE/LB Luke VanDyke, 6-1, 205, sr., 26 catches, 262 yards, 3 TDs, 126 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INTs, 1 blocked kick, 1 fumble recovery. Bread and butter The SkyHawks can sling it all over the place. Quarterback Dylan VanDyke (3,077 yards, 39 TDs) is 345 yards shy of the Class B record for passing yards in a season and five touchdowns short of the single-season record. Receiver Joe Kolega already owns the Class B records for receiving yards (1,449) and touchdowns (19) in a season, is 10 catches away from the Class B record for receptions in a season and is 76 yards shy of Nebraska's single-season 11-man record for receiving yards in a season. Two other players have 20 or more catches and three more after that have double-digit receptions. No. 2 Bennington Record: 11-1 Coach: Kameron Lenhart Road to the finals: First round — def. Grand Island Northwest 41-7. Quarterfinals — def. McCook 39-0. Semifinals — def. Elkhorn North 16-7. State playoff appearances: 30 Finals appearances: Fifth Impact players LB Kyler Lauridsen, 6-0, 180, sr., 100 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INTs, 2 blocked kicks, 33.6 yards per punt; DE Tysen Fleischman, 6-3, 195, sr., 56 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery; RB William Gutz, 5-10, 175, so., 1,205 rushing yards, 11 TDs; QB Houston Hill, 6-2, 215, sr., 1,560 passing yards, 16 TDs, 306 rushing yards, 4 TDs; WR Cooper Johnson, 6-1, 170, sr., 49 catches, 665 yards, 8 TDs; WR Elliott Andersen, 6-0, 180, sr., 26 catches, 343 yards, 5 TDs. Bread and butter Defense, defense, defense. In 10 of 12 games so far this season, the Badgers have given up seven or fewer points. Those other two games? Gretna scored 21 fourth-quarter points in a 56-35 loss, and Omaha Skutt had 38 in its wild 38-30 win over the Badgers. Linebacker Kyler Lauridsen is one of the best defensive players in the state, and the Badgers have 20 sacks, 15 interceptions and seven fumble recoveries. Basnett's pick It had to be these two. With apologies to Elkhorn North, which gave Skutt its only regular-season loss, the SkyHawks and Bennington are the cream of the Class B crop. The schools have combined to win five of the last six Class B titles — Bennington with the last three, Skutt with two in a row in 2018 and 2019. One program or the other has played in seven of the last eight Class B championship games and nine of the last 11. Skutt earlier this year ended Bennington's Class B-record 46-game winning streak in one of the season's best games. On Tuesday, though, Bennington finds a way to avenge its only loss of the last four seasons and win its fourth straight title in a thriller. Photos: Omaha Skutt, Seward meet in Class B semifinal — Nov. 15 A Seward player can be seen walking into the locker room during halftime of the game against Omaha Skutt on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Bulldog Stadium, in Seward. Seward runs out onto the field before the game against Omaha Skutt on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Bulldog Stadium, in Seward. Omaha Skutt's Dylan Van Dyke (12) dives into the end zone for a touchdown against Seward during a Class B state semifinal game on Friday in Seward. Seward's Jack Vyhnalek (6) runs with the ball during the first quarter of the game against Omaha Skutt on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Bulldog Stadium, in Seward. Vyhnalek scored a touchdown on the play. Omaha Skutt's Dylan Van Dyke (12) passes the ball while pressured by Seward's Cardin Goracke (11) last Friday in Seward. Omaha Skutt's Wyatt Liebentritt (9) breaks up a pass intended for Seward's Edison Knott (14) during the first quarter of the game on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Bulldog Stadium, in Seward. Seward's Kayson Salyer (left) breaks up a pass intended for Omaha Skutt's Lucas Heller (81) during the second quarter of the game on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Bulldog Stadium, in Seward. Seward's Jack Vyhnalek (6) catches a touchdown pass during the second quarter of the game against Omaha Skutt on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Bulldog Stadium, in Seward. Seward's Jack Vyhnalek (center) runs through a tackle by Omaha Skutt's Luke Van Dyke (5) during the first quarter of the game on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Bulldog Stadium, in Seward. Seward's Jack Vyhnalek (6) runs the ball while Omaha Skutt's Luke Van Dyke pursues during a Class B state semifinal game on Friday in Seward. Seward's Tresten Hass (5) celebrates a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against Omaha Skutt on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Bulldog Stadium, in Seward. Seward's Jack Vyhnalek (6) stiff-arms Omaha Skutt's Brenden Ruth during the first quarter of the game on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Bulldog Stadium, in Seward. Seward's Jack Vyhnalek (6) stiff-arms Omaha Skutt's Brenden Ruth during the first quarter of the game on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Bulldog Stadium, in Seward. Omaha Skutt's Nate Christensen (left) brings down Seward's Daylon Salyer (1) during the first quarter of the game on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Bulldog Stadium, in Seward. Omaha Skutt's Joe Kolega (2) catches a pass during the first quarter of the game against Seward on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Bulldog Stadium, in Seward. Seward's Cardin Goracke (11) tackles Omaha Skutt's Dylan Van Dyke (12) during the first quarter of the game on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Bulldog Stadium, in Seward. Omaha Skutt's Brenden Ruth (22) celebrates a defensive stop after breaking up a pass intended for Seward's Lathan Janousek (on the ground) during the fourth quarter of the game on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Bulldog Stadium, in Seward. Seward's Lathan Janousek (3), Daylon Salyer (1) and Tresten Hass (5) celebrate a touchdown during the second quarter of the game against Omaha Skutt on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Bulldog Stadium, in Seward. Seward and Omaha Skutt play a game on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Bulldog Stadium, in Seward. Seward Head Coach Jamie Opfer speaks to an official during the second quarter of the game against Omaha Skutt on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Bulldog Stadium, in Seward. A Seward player can be seen walking into the locker room during the halftime of the game against Omaha Skutt on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Bulldog Stadium, in Seward. Seward's Cardin Goracke (11) raises his arms to signal a defensive stop during the first quarter of the game against Omaha Skutt on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Bulldog Stadium, in Seward. Omaha Skutt scored a touchdown on the play. Omaha Skutt's Dylan Van Dyke (12) smiles as he runs off the field after winning the game against Seward on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024, at Bulldog Stadium, in Seward. Reach the writer at (402) 473-7436 or cbasnett@journalstar.com . On Twitter @ChrisBasnettLJS. .​ Get in the game with our Prep Sports Newsletter Sent weekly directly to your inbox! 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WASHINGTON — Pete Hegseth fought to save his nomination to be Donald Trump’s defense secretary Wednesday as the president-elect considered possible replacements in the face of growing questions about the former Fox News host’s personal conduct and ability to win Senate confirmation. Hegseth met with legislators on Capitol Hill and conducted a radio interview to deny allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking, insisting he was “not backing down one bit” and that Trump still supports him. The president-elect’s team was looking at alternatives including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Trump remained quiet about Hegseth while issuing a flurry of statements on social media Wednesday about other nominees and his news coverage. Hegseth is the latest nominee-designate to be imperiled by personal baggage after the recent withdrawal of Trump’s initial pick for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, whose vulnerabilities were well-documented. But Hegseth’s past, including the revelation that he made a settlement payment after being accused of a sexual assault that he denies, was not widely known. Hegseth paid a woman who accused him of sexual assault at a California hotel in 2017 after Hegseth had given a speech at a Republican event. His lawyer said the payment was to head off the threat of a baseless lawsuit. The Trump transition team was increasingly concerned about Hegseth’s path to Senate confirmation and actively looking at potential replacements, a person familiar with the matter said. Three other people said DeSantis, who competed against Trump for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, was being discussed as an option if Hegseth’s nomination does not move forward. The people spoke on condition of anonymity. Beyond DeSantis, there have also been discussions about shifting Michael Waltz, who was chosen by Trump for national security adviser, to the Defense Department, according to another person familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. As he made the rounds on Capitol Hill, Hegseth told reporters that he had received a fresh message of support from Trump. He ignored questions about the allegations he faced. Hegseth, accompanied by his wife, held talks in private with GOP senators before shifting to the House to meet with legislators there. While House members have no direct role in the confirmation process, conservatives can hold outsize influence on the debate. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Wilko slashes the price of Christmas trees by up to 48% as festive shoppers flock to storesChiefs president Mark Donovan remembers when the organization practically begged the NFL for a prime piece of broadcast real estate. In 2010, the Chiefs wanted to show off a renovated Arrowhead Stadium with a “Monday Night Football” appearance for the opening game. “We lobbied hard, and the NFL came back and said no initially,” Donovan said. “It was going to be the biggest thing for the franchise. We had to have that.” The Chiefs got the game, but how things have changed. Now, as one of the NFL’s most watched teams , the Chiefs have become a top choice for not only the networks but for streaming services that have recently entered the sports-rights market. Two remaining games will be streamed: Friday’s contest at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium against the Las Vegas Raiders will be on Prime Video. It’s the second year for a Black Friday contest on the streaming service, following the Miami Dolphins-New York Jets matchup last season. On Christmas, Netflix will show its first NFL game: the Chiefs at the Pittsburgh Steelers. Netflix is the world’s largest streaming service with some 283 million subscribers. Amazon Prime is next at 230 million. Both games will be broadcast locally on network television. KSHB (Channel 41) will carry Friday’s game. The Christmas game will be on KCTV (Channel 5). The Chiefs were the first team to appear on a streaming service. Two years ago, Prime Video became the first service with exclusive rights to the NFL when it took over “Thursday Night Football” for $1 billion annually through 2033. The Chiefs defeated the L.A. Chargers that night in a thriller that turned on Jaylen Watson’s 99-yard interception return for a touchdown. In 2023, the Chiefs were involved in the first playoff game that was streamed, when they defeated the Miami Dolphins on Peacock. Call the Chiefs ... the NFL’s stream team? “It’s a compliment, but it’s also a credit to what our culture has created and what our fans have created,” Donovan said. “Think about how the NFL has grown, going from radio to television, to “Monday Night Football” to cable and now streaming. “I don’t think people understand the power of being on a worldwide broadcast.” The franchise that has won consecutive Super Bowls — and three championships in the past five seasons — takes a 10-1 record into Friday. In beating the Carolina Panthers last weekend, the Chiefs became the third team in NFL history to post double-digit victories in at least 10 consecutive seasons. This Chiefs golden era has been shaped by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight end Travis Kelce and head coach Andy Reid, who have become the faces not only of the franchise but of the league and whatever commercial is being shown during a game. It’s all helped grow the brand, and has coincided with streaming services entering the NFL. “The (NFL) looks at this and says, ‘Here’s an opportunity, here’s an opportunity,’” Donovan said. “For us, as a franchise, the timing of the consistent success, all of it is a wave we’re riding and we’re trying to be strategic in taking advantage of it.” Even if it means playing games on six different days of the week, which the Chiefs are doing this year. The Christmas game is on a Wednesday. With the Chiefs and Steelers playing the previous Saturday, the teams will have three off days between games instead of the usual six. But next year, Christmas is on a Thursday, then a Friday and a Saturday. Perhaps the Chiefs could become something of a streaming fixture on that date. “Over the next few years, we can be to Christmas what Dallas and Detroit are to Thanksgiving,” Donovan said. To Donovan, no team is better positioned to take advantage of the technology. “It’s an amazing opportunity, and an important responsibility,” Donovan said. “If we don’t take advantage of everything we can capitalize on right now, we’ll look back 20 years from now and say we missed.” This story was originally published November 26, 2024, 11:55 AM.

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Republicans rally around Hegseth, Trump’s Pentagon pick, as Gaetz withdraws for attorney generalNEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday's targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company's highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company's face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company's shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson's social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. "He did not have a security detail.” AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis.Tang Int’l delegation visits PBTE LAHORE : A delegation from Tang International Education China visited Punjab Board of Technical Education (PBTE) and held a meeting with its Chairperson Sahibzadi Waseema Umar and other officials on Saturday. The Chinese delegation comprised Li Jin Song President Tang International Education and others discussed matters related to progress on the Dual Diploma Programme in detail. Li Jin Song, briefed about the working system of his organisation and said that almost 1,000 universities and institutes were getting benefit of Tang cloud platform by which the facilities of online classes, online assessment and record of day-to-day academia activities were maintained. Sahibzadi Waseema said that PBTE was striving to bring the new technologies under the Dual Diploma Programme to ensure that quality workforce shall be produced for national and international markets. Li Jin Song proposed that in order to make students well understood about Chinese language and culture, a new module shall be added in the scheme of studies of Dual Diploma Programme.

Travel: Colorado’s winter huts blend adventure, luxury, and scenic beautyAmbulatory Surgery Center Market Size on Track to Surpass USD 190.6 Billion by 2032 at a 6.5% CAGR | VMRMost Americans think that health insurance profits and claim denials played a role in the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, according to a new survey by NORC at the University of Chicago. Since his killing on December 4, social media users have repeatedly expressed their anger with the health insurance industry and thirsted over the person charged with the crime, Luigi Mangione . Evidence suggests that the killer’s motive was related to the health insurance industry. According to law enforcement, the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were written on ammunition from the crime scene. These words appear to be a reference to the health insurance industry’s playbook to avoid paying for health care — “delay, deny, defend.” UnitedHealthcare, the nation’s largest health insurer, made $16 billion in profit last year. As Rolling Stone recently noted , the company helps explains why America’s health care system is unusually expensive and produces poor outcomes . Corporate parent UnitedHealth Group is the fourth-largest company in America by revenue. UnitedHealth is an insurer, a major health care provider, and a middleman between patients and pharmacies. It also offers its allegedly very faulty AI claims-handling software to other insurers. The NORC poll finds a staggering percentage of Americans attributed Thompson’s death, at least in part, to the health insurance industry’s business practices. Sixty-nine percent said that denials for health care coverage by health insurance companies bear a “great deal” or a “moderate amount” of responsibility for Thompson’s killing. Sixty-seven percent said profits made by health insurance companies played a great or a moderate role in his killing. More broadly, about half of Americans said that wealth inequality played a great or moderate role in his killing. (Thompson made $10.2 million annually.) Younger Americans, according to the Associated Press, were more likely to believe that multiple factors contributed to his killing. Editor’s picks The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time The 250 Greatest Guitarists of All Time Somehow, the poll found a significant number of Americans think the killer played no role at all in Thompson’s murder: 11 percent said that the individual who committed the killing played no role at all in the murder, while 9 percent said “a little.” However, 78 percent said that the shooter played a great deal or a moderate amount in the killing. Some respondents reported having negative experiences with health insurance themselves. Fifteen percent of Americans said they had had a claim denied by an insurance company in the past year. Sixteen percent said they had a problem finding a suitable provider within the insurance company’s network. Respondents reported similar numbers for friends and family. Among those who reported having issues with their health insurance, 43 percent said they had to pay for some or all of the related health care costs, 28 percent said they were unable to receive recommended care, and 39 percent said the issue had not yet been resolved. Seven percent had no health insurance at all, which makes it even more difficult for people to receive necessary medical care. The poll, conducted between December 12-16, was based on interviews with 1,001 adults across the country from a variety of economic backgrounds. In the weeks since Thompson’s killing, the conversation around health care reform has been reinvigorated. Patients, as well as their friends and families, have voiced their frustration about the costs of health care, their claims being denied, and having difficulty finding a provider within their insurance networks.

When the cathedral of went up in flames in 2019, few people believed could fulfil his promise to restore it by the end of this year. Yet he succeeded in mobilising donors, and a small army of restorers and craftsmen to put back together in five years a medieval masterpiece that had taken almost centuries to originally complete. Today’s reopening ceremony should have been a triumph for Macron comparable only to de Gaulle’s in Notre-Dame at the liberation in August 1944, or Napoleon’s self-crowning there in December 1804. France’s youngest head of state since Napoleon III expected his own apotheosis today. Instead, the former whizz-kid banker finds he has developed a perverse Midas touch: everything he handles these days turns to soot and ashes in his mouth. Over the last six months, Macron has blundered from one setback to another defeat, culminating in the current paralysis in France’s political system. Poor results for his Renaissance Party in the European Parliament elections in June triggered him into calling early elections for France’s own national assembly. His supporters promptly lost their majority and France. The hard left and the hard right can’t agree on anything except stymieing Macron by voting down his hand-picked prime minister, , and his austerity measures – which were meant to reignite French entrepreneurship and cut the state’s huge deficit, projected to exceed 6 per cent of GDP. So instead of De Gaulle’s vision of the French president as the guarantor of the Fifth Republic’s stability, Macron has become the embodiment of systemic failure and chaos. France is obviously too important as our major neighbour for its agonies to be ignored – and Britain, or France’s neighbours, like , cannot overlook how much our woes have in common with Emmanuel Macron’s. Across , conventional parties of centre-left and centre-right are no longer able to win enough votes to form a government on their own or at the head of a coherent coalition. Germany’s odd thrupple coalition of Social Democrats, Greens and free market Liberals has just collapsed, in the wake of the in recent, regional elections. This was as much a reflection of the country’s sharp economic downturn as the AfD’s playing up anti-immigration policies – and suggests it will be hard for the centre-right Christian Democrats to form a classic coalition in Berlin after next February’s election. Across Europe to the east, after its Constitutional Court cancelled the country’s presidential election as a nationalist, anti-EU, and anti-Nato jack-in-a-box candidate looked likely to win. At first sight, Labour’s thumping majority in our general election in July bucked the trend in the EU. But with the nosedive in Sir Keir Starmer’s personal ratings since then – and Labour’s rapidly sinking poll numbers – post-Brexit Britain seems to align with the EU’s members in a sour public mood about our country’s governance. In fact, all of western Europe’s once industrialised economies are suffering similar symptoms, including the haemorrhaging of highly skilled jobs at the same time migrants from sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East risk their lives to get here. Waning affluence is the key to public attitudes to immigration shifting in the west European states, which still remain magnets for people from the global south. In reality, Europe, including Britain, is trapped as the world’s third-ranking economic unit between the top two: the USA and China. This is a face evident in the ways we handle the race to decarbonise the global economy. The shift to a is taking a huge toll on German carmakers as well as any other energy-intensive industry. It is one thing for governments to promote “green” alternatives but quite another for European companies to actually design and manufacture cars people want and can afford to buy, for instance. Compare this to China and the US: whatever Donald Trump’s climate scepticism, his No 1 booster, Elon Musk, has made his Tesla into the signature Western-manufactured electric car. China might be pumping vast amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere but its manufacturers are and electric vehicles that have cut swathes through European markets. Meanwhile, the EU and Britain remain faithful to the free trade shibboleths of the increasingly redundant Washington Consensus, ahead of threatened tariffs under Trump 2.0. Trying to mix free trade with net zero regulation is a real contradiction which is becoming a living nightmare for European societies squeezed by the kind of external competitive and technological challenges which they haven’t experienced before and still haven’t thought through. The challenges are many, and the paths through unclear. President Macron is today’s high-profile European leader battered by these surging problems besetting France. In some ways, his triumphant restoration of Notre-Dame is symbolic of . Just as King Charles’s coronation was a masterpiece of public theatre, so reopening a pristine Notre-Dame shows how good we Europeans are at the past! For all that I welcome the return of Notre-Dame as the spiritual centre of Paris – its reconstruction is a tribute to former glories rather than a sign that France in particular, or Europe in general, is about to enjoy a renaissance. Today’s ceremonies are a wake for an old France, maybe for old Europe too.A Labour MP has attacked his party’s plans to impose inheritance tax on farmers, saying that it broke the promises he made to constituents during the election campaign. Markus Campbell-Savours, who won the newly created seat of Penrith & Solway with a 5,000 majority in July, said he was “no rebel” but could not defend the chancellor Rachel Reeves’s decision to end exemptions for farmers to pass on their estates tax-free. He was speaking as the Tories launched a parliamentary motion calling for the policy to be removed that was rejected by MPs. Campbell-Savours said he could not support the Tories in the vote because the party did not “acknowledge how they failed to deliver for my farmers”. However, he was sharply critical of his own party, saying it had not been clear with voters about its intentions before the election.Finding the perfect gift can be daunting. The only way to truly ensure you get it right would be to ask the recipient what they want, but that wouldn’t be much fun for either of you. Luckily, there’s another tactic to help you earn a “gift whisperer” reputation: seeking out unique, practical, game-changing gifts that will truly surprise and delight. But that’s about as easy as it sounds, which is to say it’s not easy at all. So, we’ve done the legwork for you. Start making your list with this compilation of some of the most innovative, functional and fun gifts of 2024. There’s something for every budget. This image provided by FinaMill shows the FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder Set. The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Bear with me: The new FinaMill Ultimate Spice Grinder set elevates the pedestrian pepper and spice mill in both function and style. Available in three colors (Sangria Red, Midnight Black and Soft Cream), the rechargeable-battery unit grinds with a light touch rather than hand-tiring twists. That’s easier for everyone and especially helpful for those experiencing hand or wrist issues such as arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis. And it’s fun to use. The set includes a stackable storage tray and four pods that can be easily swapped as needed: The GT microplane grater for hard spices, nuts and chocolate; the MAX for large spices and dried herbs; the ProPlus for smaller and oily spices; and the Pepper Pod for, well, pepper. $110. This image provided by Pull Start Fire shows the matchless fire igniter in use. Made of 89% recycled materials, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Campers and backyard firepit lovers who have experienced the heartbreak of wet wood will appreciate having a three-pack of Pull Start Fire on hand. Made of 89% recycled materials, including sanding dust, wax and flint, the food-safe, eco-friendly, 3-by-2-by-1-inch fire starters will light a fire quickly without matches, lighters or kindling. Just loop the attached green string around a log, incorporate it into a wood stack, and pull the attached red string to ignite. Each windproof, rainproof block burns for 30 minutes. $29.99. This image provided by Souper Cubes shows No Mess Utensils held upright on pot edges. The No Mess Utensil lives up to its name. The utensils, a serving spoon and a ladle, have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot. The No Mess Utensil Set from Souper Cubes , a company known for its portioned, silicone freezer trays, lives up to its name. The utensils — a serving spoon and a ladle — have innovative, S-shaped handles designed to rest on the edge of a pot, keeping them upright so they won’t slip in. The design also eliminates the need for a spoon rest or, worse, placing dirty utensils on the kitchen counter or stovetop between stirs. A silicone coating in a choice of Aqua, Charcoal, Cranberry or Blueberry keeps handles cool to the touch. $24.99. This image provided by FeatherSnap shows a female cardinal bird perched on a FeatherSnap Wi-Fi Solar Powered Camera Smart Bird Feeder. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. The FeatherSnap Wi-Fi smart bird feeder could turn anyone into an avid birdwatcher. Equipped with an HD camera, the dual-chamber feeder enables up-close livestreaming of avian visitors, as well as species-logging via the free mobile app. An optional premium subscription ($59.99 annually or $6.99 monthly) includes unlimited photo and video storage, AI identification with species-specific details, and the opportunity to earn badges for logging new visitors. Turn on notifications to get alerts sent to your phone whenever there’s activity at the feeder. $179.99. This image provided by FUJIFILM North America Corporation and FUJIFILM Corporation Tokyo shows a smartphone printer. Fujifilm Instax's Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the printer with film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. Fujifilm's Instax Mini Link 3 smartphone printer offers a touch of nostalgia without sacrificing technology. Just load the 4.9-by-3.5-by-1.3-inch printer with Instax Mini instant film and connect it to your Android or iOS device via Bluetooth to print wallet-size photos. If you want to get fancy, you can adjust brightness, contrast and saturation, or apply filters, including 3D augmented-reality effects, via the free Instax Mini Link app. It can also make collages of up to six images, or animate photos to share on social media. Available in Rose Pink, Clay White and Sage Green. $99.95. This image provided by easyplant shows a Marxii Calathea plant in a small, beige, self-watering pot. The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. The appropriately named easyplant is one of the best gifts you can give your houseplant-loving friends, regardless of their experience level. Select a pot color, size and plant (or get recommendations based on sunlight requirements, pet friendliness and other attributes) and fill the self-watering container’s built-in reservoir roughly once a month. Moisture will permeate the soil from the bottom as needed, eliminating the often-fatal consequences of over- or under-watering. It’s also a literal lifesaver come vacation time. $49-$259. This image provided by Nama shows the M1 plant-based milk maker. If you've got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid unnecessary ingredients like sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. If you’ve got a no-dairy friend on your list, a plant-based milk maker could save them money while allowing them to avoid sugar, stabilizers, thickeners and preservatives. The Nama M1 appliance both blends and strains ingredients, converting nuts, seeds, grains or oats into velvety-smooth milk in just one minute, with zero grit. And for zero waste, the pasty leftover pulp can be used in other recipes for added nutrients. The device also makes infused oils, flavored waters and soups. And, importantly, cleanup is easy. Available in white and black. $400. This image provided by QelviQ shows a wine bottle chiller. For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses "smart" technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. For friends who prefer stronger beverages, the QelviQ personal sommelier uses “smart” technology to ensure wine is served at its ideal temperature. Unlike traditional wine refrigerators, this device doesn’t take up any floor space. It also doesn’t chill wine to just one or two temperatures based on its color. Instead — paired with the free QelviQ app — the tabletop chiller relies on a database of more than 350,000 wines to bring a bottle to its specific recommended serving temperature in as little as 20 minutes. It also suggests food-wine and wine-food pairings. Plus, the appliance serves as a great icebreaker to inspire dinnertime conversation. Available in Exciting Red, Dashing Black and Dreamy White. $495. This image provided by Uncommon Goods shows a 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set. Uncommon Good's 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. Grilling food after dark — and ascertaining its doneness — can prove challenging without outdoor lighting, and it’s nearly impossible to cook while holding a flashlight. But as is often the case, the simplest of solutions can make the biggest of impacts: Uncommon Good’s 2-piece LED Grilling Tool Set puts illumination into the handles of its stainless-steel spatula and tongs. After use, the lights can be removed and the utensils run through the dishwasher. $40. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. With our weekly newsletter packed with the latest in everything food.

'Sickfluencers' teach Brits how to beat DWP system and cash in on benefitsYaluyun Group to List on the New York NASDAQ: The New Generation of Consulting Capital Leading the Future 12-27-2024 10:44 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: Getnews / PR Agency: Press Release Agency In the wave of the globalized economy, Chinese enterprises are stepping onto the world stage at an unprecedented speed and scale. Among them, Yaluyun Group, as a leading player in the new generation of consulting capital, is about to land on the NASDAQ capital market in the spotlight. This not only marks an important milestone in its corporate development but also represents a magnificent appearance of Chinese enterprises on the international capital market. Since its establishment, Yaluyun Group has been committed to building a globalized and diversified consulting service platform with the core concept of "driving development through innovation and leading the future with services". The group's business covers multiple fields such as real estate, capital operation, operation management consulting, and human resources services. Relying on its profound industry accumulation, outstanding professional capabilities, and forward-looking market insights, it has rapidly grown into a well-known comprehensive service enterprise in the industry. In the real estate field, Yaluyun Group has successfully created a series of landmark buildings and high-quality residential projects by virtue of its precise market positioning, efficient project management, and excellent customer service. The group not only pays attention to the economic benefits of projects but also attaches great importance to their social value and environmental sustainability, striving to achieve harmonious coexistence between humans and nature while promoting urban development. Through continuous exploration and practice, Yaluyun has established a good brand image in the real estate market and won high recognition from a wide range of customers and both inside and outside the industry. Capital operation is another core business segment of Yaluyun Group. The group has an elite team composed of senior financial experts, investment advisors, and legal advisors. With rich experience in the capital market and a keen market sense, it provides clients with a full range of capital operation services, from strategic planning, financing design to mergers and acquisitions, restructuring, and listing guidance. Especially in helping enterprises expand overseas markets, Yaluyun, relying on its deep international resource network and professional service capabilities, has successfully assisted many enterprises in achieving cross-border mergers and acquisitions and overseas listings, providing strong support for Chinese enterprises to go global. To help clients operate smoothly in overseas markets, Yaluyun Group provides comprehensive operation management consulting and human resources services. In terms of operation management, the group has a professional consulting team that can provide all-round consulting services, including financial management, tax planning, supply chain management, and marketing strategy formulation, according to the actual needs of clients. Through scientific analysis and precise strategy formulation, it helps clients optimize their operation processes, improve management efficiency, and reduce cost risks. Image: https://www.globalnewslines.com/uploads/2024/12/5b91a839a750e8b092a2ee3c8c678a79.jpg In terms of human resources, Yaluyun Group also performs excellently. The group has extensive recruitment channels and a professional recruitment team, which can quickly match suitable talents according to client needs. In addition, the group also provides human resources management services such as employee training and performance appraisal. By building a complete talent development system, it helps clients build efficient and stable teams, providing a solid talent guarantee for the sustainable development of enterprises. Regarding the future development of Yaluyun Group, Mr. Hui Yubo, the chairman, said, "We have always been committed to providing enterprises with refined and professional comprehensive business services and are dedicated to becoming long-term partners trusted by clients. Listing on the NASDAQ is an important node in the development history of Yaluyun Group and a brand-new starting point for us to step onto the international stage and achieve higher-quality development. In the future, we will continue to adhere to the business philosophy of innovation and pragmatism, deepen business expansion, improve service quality, and create brilliance together with our clients." Image: https://www.globalnewslines.com/uploads/2024/12/8e72958e74c6ec247b9a8d03f1a9f529.jpg In the future, Yaluyun Group will seize the opportunities of globalization, further expand the international market, and deepen cooperation and exchanges with enterprises from various countries. Meanwhile, the group will continue to increase investment in research and development, promote technological innovation and service upgrading, and provide clients with more intelligent and personalized service experiences. In terms of capital operation, Yaluyun will continue to give play to its professional advantages in the financial field, help more Chinese enterprises go global, and achieve the optimal allocation of global resources and win-win development. The listing of Yaluyun Group on the NASDAQ is not only a display of corporate strength but also a wonderful appearance of Chinese enterprises on the international stage. We look forward to Yaluyun Group continuing to write a glorious chapter belonging to Chinese enterprises at this new starting point. Media Contact Company Name: Global News Online Contact Person: Media Relations Email: Send Email [ http://www.universalpressrelease.com/?pr=yaluyun-group-to-list-on-the-new-york-nasdaq-the-new-generation-of-consulting-capital-leading-the-future ] City: NY Country: United States Website: http://www.globalnewsonline.info This release was published on openPR.How to Break Up Better