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In the midst of the buzz surrounding Xiaohua's bold declaration, some fans couldn't help but wonder about the deeper significance behind her words. Was this just a friendly jest between two artists, or did it hint at a larger message about self-expression and individuality? Xiaohua's playful challenge to Dao Lang seemed to resonate with a broader theme of embracing one's unique identity and breaking free from societal norms.Texans get visit from longtime foe Derrick Henry when the Ravens visit on Christmas Day
As Keita settles into his new surroundings in Hungary, fans of Ferencváros are eagerly anticipating his debut and the impact he will have on the team. With his skillset and vision on the field, Keita has the potential to become a fan favorite and a key player for the club.WASHINGTON — The House shut down Democrats' efforts Thursday to release the long-awaited ethics report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz, pushing the fate of any resolution to the yearslong investigation of sexual misconduct allegations into further uncertainty. The nearly party-line votes came after Democrats had been pressing for the findings to be published even though the Florida Republican left Congress and withdrew as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general. Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., was the sole Republican to support the effort. Most Republicans have argued that any congressional probe into Gaetz ended when he resigned from the House. Speaker Mike Johnson also requested that the committee not publish its report, saying it would be a terrible precedent to set. While ethics reports have previously been released after a member’s resignation, it is extremely rare. Shortly before the votes took place, Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., who introduced one of the bills to force the release, said that if Republicans reject the release, they will have “succeeded in sweeping credible allegations of sexual misconduct under the rug.” Gaetz has repeatedly denied the claims. Earlier Thursday, the Ethics panel met to discuss the Gaetz report but made no decision, saying in a short statement that the matter is still being discussed. It's unclear now whether the document will ever see the light of day as lawmakers have only a few weeks left before a new session of Congress begins. It's the culmination of weeks of pressure on the Ethics committee's five Republicans and five Democrats who mostly work in secret as they investigate allegations of misconduct against lawmakers. The status of the Gaetz investigation became an open question last month when he abruptly resigned from Congress after Trump's announcement that he wanted his ally in the Cabinet. It is standard practice for the committee to end investigations when members of Congress depart, but the circumstances surrounding Gaetz were unusual, given his potential role in the new administration. Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., the committee chairman, said Wednesday that there is no longer the same urgency to release the report given that Gaetz has left Congress and stepped aside as Trump's choice to head the Justice Department. “I’ve been steadfast about that. He’s no longer a member. He is no longer going to be confirmed by the Senate because he withdrew his nomination to be the attorney general,” Guest said. The Gaetz report has also caused tensions between lawmakers on the bipartisan committee. Pennsylvania Rep. Susan Wild, the top Democrat on the panel, publicly admonished Guest last month for mischaracterizing a previous meeting to the press. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and said last year that the Justice Department’s separate investigation against him into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls ended without federal charges. His onetime political ally Joel Greenberg, a fellow Republican who served as the tax collector in Florida’s Seminole County, admitted as part of a plea deal with prosecutors in 2021 that he paid women and an underage girl to have sex with him and other men. The men were not identified in court documents when he pleaded guilty. Greenberg was sentenced in late 2022 to 11 years in prison. Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Kash Patel spent several years as a Justice Department prosecutor before catching the Trump administration’s attention as a staffer on Capitol Hill who helped investigate the Russia probe. Patel called for dramatically reducing the agency’s footprint, a perspective that sets him apart from earlier directors who sought additional resources for the bureau. Though the Justice Department in 2021 halted the practice of secretly seizing reporters’ phone records during leak investigations, Patel said he intends to aggressively hunt down government officials who leak information to reporters. Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Trump said Atkins, the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner, was a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. “He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The commission oversees U.S. securities markets and investments and is currently led by Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Gensler, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, announced last month that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated — Jan. 20, 2025. Atkins began his career as a lawyer and has a long history working in the financial markets sector, both in government and private practice. In the 1990s, he worked on the staffs of two former SEC chairmen, Richard C. Breeden and Arthur Levitt. Jared Isaacman, 41, is a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk . He is the founder and CEO of a card-processing company and has collaborated closely with Musk ever since buying his first chartered SpaceX flight. He took contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. 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. Former Rep. Billy Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor to Fox News. Dr. Dave Weldon, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Thomas Sorber collected 22 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks to pace Georgetown to an 83-53 win against shorthanded Coppin State on Saturday afternoon in Washington, D.C. The Hoyas pulled away from the Eagles with a 21-2 run early in the second half. Georgetown held Coppin State to 22 percent shooting in the second half and 18 percent from behind the arc. Georgetown (11-2) is off to its best start since the 2011-12 season. Drew Fielder recorded 20 points and 13 rebounds while Malik Mack had 15 points and 11 assists for the Hoyas. Georgetown played without its leading scorer Jayden Epps, who missed the game with a lower-body injury. Toby Nnadozie scored 22 points and Julius Ellerbe III added 12 to go along with six steals for the Eagles (1-13). The Hoyas' decisive second-half run started with Caleb Williams' steal that led to a Fielder lay up as Georgetown took 49-37 lead. Moments later, Fielder's turnaround in the lane put the Hoyas up 56-37. Sorber's jam with 6:36 left gave Georgetown a 67-41 advantage. The pesky Eagles rattled off a 7-0 run but got no closer than 19 points the rest of the game. The Eagles played without three of their top four scorers but forced 14 Georgetown turnovers in the first half and hit 5-of-8 3-pointers. Ellerbe corralled a loose ball near half court and distributed it to Nnadozie who converted a contested layup to pull CSU within 12-11. But the Hoyas held a 24-10 rebounding edge in the first half as Sorber and Fielder were a force inside the paint. The Hoyas created separation as Sorber worked the high-low game with a catch in the lane and a left finger roll for a 25-15 Hoyas' lead with 8:40 left in the first half. Zahree Harrison's 3-pointer kept the dogged visitors close and capped a 5-0 run that cut the Georgetown lead to 25-20. Nnadozie closed the first half with a 3-pointer and the Hoyas held a 37-30 lead. --Field Level Media
CAIRO: Early-stage startups across the Middle East and North Africa region secure investments to drive innovation in sectors such as logistics, fintech, and climate tech. Saudi-based Nama Ventures co-led Egypt’s Nowlun $1.7 million seed funding round along with venture capital firm A15. The round also saw participation from Sanabil 500 Global and other angel investors. Founded in 2021 by Moataz Khamis, Ahmed Emara, and Mahmoud Khaled, Nowlun’s platform provides businesses with access to real-time pricing across major shipping lines, enabling them to make faster and more informed decisions. The company plans to utilize the raised capital for expansion and the development of its technology. Mohammed Al-Zubi, founder of Nama Ventures, and Bassem Raafat, principal at A15, lauded the company’s mission and strategy. Saudi investment firm Naif Al Rajhi Investment has acquired a strategic stake in Jordan-based artificial intelligence Arabic content platform Mawdoo3 for an undisclosed amount. Founded in 2010 by Mohammad Jaber and Rami Al-Qawasmi, Mawdoo3 specializes in AI technologies and large language models tailored to the Arabic language. The deal aligns with Naif Al Rajhi Investment’s focus on emerging sectors, while providing the Jordan-based firm with the resources to expand into the Saudi market. Mawdoo3, which has raised $25 million over three funding rounds – including a $10 million series B in 2019 – is poised to strengthen its regional presence through this partnership. Geidea, a prominent Saudi provider of digital payment solutions, is set to launch its SoftPos service in Egypt after successful rollouts in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The SoftPos technology enables merchants to accept secure contactless payments via smartphones, eliminating the need for traditional point-of-sale devices. This expansion is part of Geidea’s strategy to drive digital transformation across the region by enhancing payment efficiency and accessibility for businesses of all sizes. SoftPos allows merchants to process secure payments directly from smartphones, adhering to global data protection and transaction safety standards, the company explained. Flat6Labs, a seed and early-stage venture capital firm operating in the MENA region, has invested in 10 Saudi startups as part of its fourth Riyadh Seed Program cycle. The startups span a variety of sectors, including e-commerce, logistics, Software-as-a-Service, and cybersecurity, and each received $133,000 in funding. The initiative is supported by the Saudi Venture Capital Co., Jada Fund of Funds, and Riyadh Valley Company, with additional backing from the National Technology Development Program. Since launching its Riyadh program in 2023, Flat6Labs has funded 41 startups, solidifying its role in fostering innovation in Saudi Arabia’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. Egypt-based used car marketplace Sylndr has raised $7.46 million in a capital facility to support its operations and growth. EFG Hermes acted as the sole financial advisor for the transaction, with financing provided by EFG Corp-Solutions, Bank NXT, and EG Bank, among others. Founded in 2021 by Amr Mazen and Omar El-Defrawy, Sylndr enables users to buy and sell used cars while offering financing solutions. The new capital will be used to enhance customer experience, diversify inventory, and expand financing options. This follows a $12.6 million pre-seed round in 2022, led by RAED Ventures and Algebra Ventures. Premium Technology & Services, a Morocco-based fintech startup, has secured $500,000 from BMCE Capital Investments, the private equity arm of BMCE Capital Group. The funding will be used to advance PTS’s solutions for digitizing traditional banking cards, which are tailored to meet the evolving needs of banks and businesses. Founded in 2020 by Samir Younes and two others, PTS plans to leverage the investment to drive innovation and scale operations to meet increasing demand in the region. UK-based climate tech company Watercycle Technologies has closed a $5.6 million series A investment round led by Par Equity, alongside participation from Aer Ventures, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and the University of Manchester Innovation Factory. Founded in 2020 by Ahmed Abdelkarim and Sebastian Leaper, Watercycle Technologies focuses on sustainable critical mineral recovery while producing clean, drinkable water. This investment will help the company expand its operations, with plans to extend services into the MENA region to support global Net Zero initiatives. Eduba, an Iraq-based education tech startup, has been acquired by an undisclosed telecommunications conglomerate in a seven-figure deal. Founded in 2019 by Azad Hassan, Haider Shaaban, and Raed Kadhem, Eduba began as a school management app and gained traction among private schools, securing accreditation from Iraq’s Ministry of Education. This acquisition highlights the growing value of edtech solutions in the region and positions Eduba for further expansion under its new ownership. Japan-based AI startup Recursive Inc. has signed a memorandum of understanding with the King Abdullah International Medical Research Center in Saudi Arabia to jointly develop an advanced system for the early detection of tuberculosis. The partnership, formalized during the Riyadh Global Medical Biotechnology Summit, aims to leverage Recursive’s AI expertise and KAIMRC’s medical research capabilities to improve TB screening accuracy and diagnosis speed in the Kingdom. This collaboration, supported by the Ministry of National Guard-Health Affairs, aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 goals to transform its healthcare system and improve public health. Using chest X-ray imaging data, the AI solution will enable timely TB diagnosis and treatment, reducing mortality and transmission risks. “We are truly honored to partner with KAIMRC on this groundbreaking initiative,” said Tiago Ramalho, CEO of Recursive Inc. “By combining KAIMRC’s pioneering medical research with our AI expertise, we are confident we can make a meaningful impact, not only in Saudi Arabia but also in regions worldwide that face the increasing challenge of TB and other infectious diseases,” he added. The initiative also supports Saudi Arabia’s National Tuberculosis Program, which seeks to reduce TB mortality and incidence rates by 95 percent and 90 percent, respectively, by 2035 compared to 2015 levels. Through this collaboration, Recursive and KAIMRC aim to create a scalable TB screening model for broader application in high-burden regions while exploring the use of AI to address other infectious diseases.
Suspected Case of New World Screwworm (Cochliomyia Hominivorax) Identified
NextNav CEO Mariam Sorond sells $4.15 million in stockIn the end, as the battle draws to a close and the dust settles, viewers are left with a sense of awe and admiration for the skill and dedication of the Bilibili streamer. Through their courage, cunning, and unwavering determination, they have triumphed against the odds and emerged victorious in the face of overwhelming adversity. And as the stream ends, viewers are already counting down the moments until the next epic battle begins, eagerly anticipating the next thrilling chapter in the saga of "Dark Myth."
VanderSat, a renowned expert in remote sensing and data analysis, has long championed the idea that everything in the world is interconnected. Through the use of advanced satellite technology and complex algorithms, VanderSat has been able to uncover hidden patterns and relationships that transcend traditional boundaries.In a world where football transcends borders, unites cultures, and bridges divides, the emergence of the second Chinese player to start against Atletico Madrid is a testament to the power of the beautiful game to inspire, unite, and empower individuals from all walks of life. It highlights the universal language of football, the universal dreams shared by players around the world, and the universal impact that sports can have in shaping lives, communities, and nations.
WPP plc (LON:WPP) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by BrokeragesChandigarh: The Bhagavad Gita is a legacy of India’s cultural history and a scripture for the welfare of all humanity, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said on Thursday. He was addressing the 9th International Gita Conference on the theme ‘Balanced Nature-Pure Environment Based on Srimad Bhagavad Gita’. The event was organised in Kurukshetra University, Haryana as part of the International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra. “It reflects the unity and integrity of India,” Khan said. According to an official statement, the Kerala governor said the Gita plays an important role in environmental conservation, and it is essential to spread its environmental protection message worldwide. It encapsulates the essence of the ‘Upanishads’ and vedic texts, he added. Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya said the Gita conveys a message of environmental protection to the world. It is a sacred text for the welfare of all humanity, offering solutions to all the challenges related to human life, Dattatreya said. Before the address at the Kurukshetra University, Dattatreya, who is also the Chancellor of the university, and other dignitaries formally inaugurated the conference by lighting a lamp and unveiling the conference’s souvenir. In his address, the Governor of Uttarakhand, Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (retd), emphasized that the Gita represents the essence of the philosophy of life for all humanity. He noted that coming to Kurukshetra brings a sense of completeness. The 18-day International Gita Mahotsav, organized by the Haryana government, will help the world understand the teachings of the Gita, he said. “The knowledge in the Gita guides us to the right path in life, helping us overcome confusion, dilemmas, and doubts,” Singh said. The Gita is a religious and moral text that provides strength, clarity, and the ability to make the right decisions in times of crisis, he said. Swami Gyananand Maharaj, a scholar of the Gita, said that the Bhagavad Gita contains a global message of environmental protection. Kurukshetra, the sacred land of the Gita, is the birthplace of these teachings. Balance is essential in every area of life, and the Gita provides solutions to all problems, he said. At the conference, Tanzania’s Minister for Information, Youth, Culture and Sports Tabia Maulid Mwita, stated that there is a deep connection between India and Tanzania in the fields of education and agriculture. “The sacred land of Kurukshetra is where Lord Krishna delivered the message of the Gita to Arjuna. Such events will strengthen the relationship between Tanzania and India, benefiting areas like culture, agriculture, health, trade, education, and research,” the minister said. Earlier in the day, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini formally inaugurated the International Gita Mahotsav (IGM), organised on the banks of the Brahmasarovar in Kurukshetra. Tanzania is the partner country while Odisha is the partner state for this year’s IGM, which is being held from November 28 to December 15. The main events of the festival will be held from December 5 to December 11. Meanwhile, Haryana Governor Dattatreya inaugurated the Haryana Pavilion on Thursday at Purushottampura Bagh, located on the sacred banks of Brahmasarovar. The pavilion, established under the joint aegis of the Kurukshetra University and the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB), was lauded by the governor as a “mirror of Haryanvi culture”, showcasing the state’s vibrant folk art and heritage. Dattatreya praised the Kurukshetra University for its commendable efforts in promoting and preserving Haryanvi culture. He remarked that as part of the International Gita Mahotsav celebrations, the university and KDB have successfully brought the essence of Haryana’s folk traditions to a global audience. Kerala Governor Khan highlighted the pavilion’s role in educating the younger generation about Haryana’s ancient culture and heritage, emphasizing its global recognition. Uttarakhand Governor Singh expressed pride in the preservation of cultural values and commended the pavilion for celebrating the richness of Haryanvi traditions.
Overall, the absence of Gabriel, Paul Kalāfiōrė, Alexander Zinchenko, Ben Thornbell, and Thomas from Arsenal's training sessions has left fans and the coaching staff on edge. The upcoming matches will present a significant challenge for Arsenal, as they will have to cope without some of their key players. It remains to be seen whether these players will be available for selection and how their absence will impact the team's performance on the pitch. Arsenal fans will be hoping for a swift return to training for these players and a quick resolution to the current situation.In addition, China Life has implemented effective marketing and distribution strategies to reach a wider audience and enhance its market presence. By leveraging digital technologies and enhancing online channels, China Life has been able to engage with customers more effectively and strengthen its brand awareness.
The frustration among the Real Madrid fans was palpable as Mbappé continued to be caught offside, disrupting the flow of their attacks. The usually clinical forward looked visibly dejected as his efforts to time his runs better went unrewarded. Barcelona, sensing an opportunity to capitalize on their opponent's frustration, tightened up their defense even further, suffocating any space in behind for Mbappé to exploit.House rejects Democratic efforts to force release of Matt Gaetz ethics reportT.Johnson 10-30 0-2 21, Bratcher 5-15 0-0 10, Corrigan 0-1 0-0 0, Newman 5-15 9-12 19, Joppy 0-1 0-0 0, Crews 0-4 0-0 0. Totals 20-66 9-14 50. Story continues below video Davis 4-9 0-0 9, Henry 3-4 4-6 10, Atwell 6-14 4-4 21, Giles 4-10 0-0 12, Polite 4-7 2-2 12, Ahemed 3-5 0-0 7, Breath 3-6 2-5 8, Jones 0-0 0-0 0, Reath 5-6 0-0 10, Saizonou 2-7 2-2 7, Kauzonas 3-4 0-0 6, Webb 0-0 0-0 0, Bailey 1-2 0-0 3. Totals 38-74 14-19 105. Halftime_UNC-Greensboro 56-26. 3-Point Goals_Va.-Lynchburg 1-12 (T.Johnson 1-5, Corrigan 0-1, Crews 0-1, Joppy 0-1, Newman 0-1, Bratcher 0-3), UNC-Greensboro 15-38 (Atwell 5-10, Giles 4-9, Polite 2-5, Bailey 1-2, Ahemed 1-3, Davis 1-4, Saizonou 1-4, Reath 0-1). Rebounds_Va.-Lynchburg 24 (T.Johnson 10), UNC-Greensboro 52 (Davis, Henry, Reath 7). Assists_Va.-Lynchburg 4 (Bratcher 3), UNC-Greensboro 29 (Polite 7). Total Fouls_Va.-Lynchburg 15, UNC-Greensboro 11. A_462 (23,500).
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