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betfred casino WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — If last month's election wasn't painful enough for Florida Democrats, they're losing another state House seat after one of their members announced Monday that she's switching parties. State Rep. Susan Valdés, a former school board member who was reelected as a Democrat last month, said on X that she is “tired of being the party of protesting.” Valdés ran to be chairperson for her local county’s Democratic executive committee earlier this month. She won her current term by nearly 5 percentage points but can't run for reelection again because of term limits. Republicans have controlled the governor’s office and both branches of the Legislature since 1999. Valdés is serving her final two years before leaving office due to term limits. Republicans now have an 86-34 majority in the House. “I got into politics to be part of the party of progress,” Valdés wrote. “I know that I won’t agree with my fellow Republican House members on every issue, but I know that in their caucus, I will be welcomed and treated with respect.” House Speaker Daniel Perez reposted Valdés’ statement and welcomed her into the House, where Republicans have a supermajority of 86-34. House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell said she was surprised and disappointed by Valdés’ announcement. “It is sad that she has elevated her own aspirations above the needs of her district,” Driskell wrote in a statement on X.Jim Montgomery was hired as coach of the NHL's St. Louis Blues on Sunday, five days after being fired as coach of the Boston Bruins. The 55-year-old Canadian, who guided Boston to an NHL record for wins and points in a season but never got past the second round of the playoffs, replaced Drew Bannister, who was fired after a 9-12-1 start by the Blues this season. An 8-9-3 start this season by the Bruins led to Montgomery's firing, but he signed a five-year contract with the Blues. "This was more an opportunity to get someone of Jim's caliber more than anything else," Blues president of hockey operations Doug Armstrong said. "We've had to deal with our situations off the ice with injuries and everyone deals with that, but this decision was based 100% on having someone of Jim's caliber becoming available when I didn't know that was going to happen." Montgomery is 180-84-33 as an NHL coach, having guided Dallas for two seasons and Boston for just over two campaigns, going 120-41-23 with the Bruins. In the 2022-23 season, the Bruins won an NHL record 65 games and compiled a record 135 points under Montgomery, who was named the NHL's Coach of the Year, but were upset by Florida in the first round of the playoffs. Boston also lost to the eventual 2024 Stanley Cup champions in last year's playoffs. Montgomery was dropped by the Bruins last Tuesday and replaced by Joe Sacco. "He certainly has a very positive demeanour, works well with the top players in the organizations that he's been with," Armstrong said. "He has a wealth of experience and he's at the prime of his coaching career." The Blues, who won the 2019 Stanley Cup, have missed the playoffs the past two seasons. Bannister went 39-31-6 as the Blues coach after replacing Craig Berube last December. Montgomery gets his first test with the Blues on Monday when they visit the New York Rangers. js/sev

Nokia Corporation Stock Exchange Release 12 December 2024 at 22:30 EET Nokia Corporation: Repurchase of own shares on 12.12.2024 Espoo, Finland – On 12 December 2024 Nokia Corporation (LEI: 549300A0JPRWG1KI7U06) has acquired its own shares (ISIN FI0009000681) as follows: * Rounded to two decimals On 22 November 2024, Nokia announced that its Board of Directors is initiating a share buyback program to offset the dilutive effect of new Nokia shares issued to the shareholders of Infinera Corporation and certain Infinera Corporation share-based incentives. The repurchases in compliance with the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 (MAR), the Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/1052 and under the authorization granted by Nokia’s Annual General Meeting on 3 April 2024 started on 25 November 2024 and end by 31 December 2025 and target to repurchase 150 million shares for a maximum aggregate purchase price of EUR 900 million. Total cost of transactions executed on 12 December 2024 was EUR 3,676,744. After the disclosed transactions, Nokia Corporation holds 213,393,499 treasury shares. Details of transactions are included as an appendix to this announcement. On behalf of Nokia Corporation BofA Securities Europe SA About Nokia At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act together. As a B2B technology innovation leader, we are pioneering networks that sense, think and act by leveraging our work across mobile, fixed and cloud networks. In addition, we create value with intellectual property and long-term research, led by the award-winning Nokia Bell Labs. With truly open architectures that seamlessly integrate into any ecosystem, our high-performance networks create new opportunities for monetization and scale. Service providers, enterprises and partners worldwide trust Nokia to deliver secure, reliable and sustainable networks today – and work with us to create the digital services and applications of the future. Inquiries: Nokia Communications Phone: +358 10 448 4900 Email: press.services@nokia.com Maria Vaismaa, Global Head of External Communications Nokia Investor Relations Phone: +358 40 803 4080 Email: investor.relations@nokia.com Attachment Daily Report 2024-12-12

Washington Capitals (13-6-1, in the Metropolitan Division) vs. Florida Panthers (12-8-1, in the Atlantic Division) Sunrise, Florida; Monday, 7 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: The Florida Panthers take on the Washington Capitals as losers of three straight games. Florida is 12-8-1 overall and 6-4-1 at home. The Panthers are fourth in league play serving 10.2 penalty minutes per game. Washington has a 13-6-1 record overall and a 6-2-0 record on the road. The Capitals have a +26 scoring differential, with 81 total goals scored and 55 allowed. Monday's game is the first meeting between these teams this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Aleksander Barkov Jr. has four goals and 15 assists for the Panthers. Uvis Balinskis has over the last 10 games. Connor McMichael has 13 goals and seven assists for the Capitals. Ivan Miroshnichenko has over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Panthers: 5-5-0, averaging 3.5 goals, 6.7 assists, 4.7 penalties and 12.2 penalty minutes while giving up 3.1 goals per game. Capitals: 5-4-1, averaging 3.7 goals, 6.1 assists, 3.4 penalties and 7.4 penalty minutes while giving up 2.4 goals per game. INJURIES: Panthers: None listed. Capitals: None listed. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .TEHRAN – A strategic cooperation agreement is poised to deepen the partnership between Iran and Russia, a development welcomed by insiders and despised by those who hope to decouple the two challengers of Western hegemony. A 20-year strategic agreement signed in 2001 marked the first major cooperation pact between Tehran and Moscow, establishing collaboration in areas such as industry, technology, security, energy, and nuclear energy. Extended for five years in 2020, this initial agreement is now being replaced by a new At a press conference on Monday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, revealed that both parties are consulting to identify the optimal time to sign the agreement. “We hope that the deal will be finalized and signed by the end of January,” he stated. Baghaei's remarks were quickly validated when a high-ranking Russian diplomatic delegation arrived in Tehran hours later for meetings with President Masoud Pezeshkian. Word has come that the new strategic cooperation agreement between Iran and Russia will be signed during Pezeshkian’s long-anticipated visit to Moscow next year. A strategic cooperation agreement between two countries is a high-level, long-term pact designed to foster deep and enduring collaboration across multiple areas of mutual interest. These agreements establish a framework for broad cooperation, often encompassing political, security nergy, and educational sectors. The most significant and widely reported strategic agreement Iran has signed recently is the 25-year Cooperation Program with China in March 2021. The deal has been described as a “cooperation road map” by former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif who oversaw its signing. Zarif is now back as the Vice President for Strategic Affairs under Pezeshkian’s government. The upcoming strategic cooperation agreement will be similar to the one Iran signed with China, said Mahmoud Shouri, a Russia expert and director of the Institute of Iran and Eurasia Studies. It will, however, be more expansive than the 2001 pact with Moscow. The expert told the Tehran Times that the agreement's text is already drafted, and both countries are now focused on scheduling a signing ceremony. "The agreement will be broader in scope," he explained, "encompassing defense, security, and political aspects, while also including new areas of cooperation such as medical, customs, and novel economic fields." Shouri said both countries have considered the changes in the regional and international landscape. "Many developments have occurred since 2001," he stated, "and Tehran and Moscow are addressing these issues in a way that benefits them both." Western media coverage of the impending agreement with Russia is also expected to mirror the attention given to the previous agreement with China: malicious and diabolical. "Based on this deal Iran will sell Kish Island to China,” said an anti-Iran analyst on a Western-based Persian-language TV news channel, maintaining a composed demeanor while spewing nonsense. Similar unfounded and ridiculous claims circulated on other comparable programs and channels. The details of the agreement with Beijing have yet to be disclosed. According to Shoaib Bahman, an expert in international affairs and head of the Institute of Contemporary International Studies in Tehran, Western states will be concerned and provoked into launching media campaigns against any cooperative pacts involving Iran, Russia, and China. “These countries are averse to the current existing Western-dominated world order. The West considers each a threat and naturally observes their collaboration with anxiety,” the expert remarked. Bahman acknowledged that the forthcoming Iran-Russia cooperation agreement will come under attack by the same propaganda campaign, but he predicts it will be more fruitful than the agreement with China. He attributed the challenges with China to sanctions, which have impeded the practical implementation of many deals. "Sanctions have been a constant obstacle for collaboration between Iran and China," he noted. In contrast, he believes that Iran and Russia will have more freedom in future agreements because "Russia is already subject to extensive sanctions and won't be negatively impacted by those aimed at Iran." Since the beginning of the Ukraine war and the subsequent storm of accusations against Iran for its refuted role in the conflict, Western think tanks, institutes, and media outlets have been exploring methods to drive Iran and Russia apart. The West has tried everything—from secondary sanctions and propaganda campaigns to promoting dissent, cyber-attacks, and exploiting differences—in its ongoing attempts to separate Tehran and Moscow, and it is still exploring additional measures. Not only have past attempts failed, but future efforts are also likely to be fruitless. The only significant shift observed between Iran and Russia is their growing closeness, fueled by a mutual desire to push back against Western dominance and pressure. During his October meeting with Pezeshkian, Russian President Vladimir Putin said ties with Iran are a “top priority”. That came after the Iranian president said Tehran will not forget the “friends that aided it during difficult days”.Suspect Luigi Mangione is taken into the Blair County Courthouse on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024, in Hollidaysburg, Pa. —Benjamin B. Braun/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette via AP ALTOONA, Pennsylvania — The suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO struggled with deputies and shouted Tuesday while arriving for a court appearance in Pennsylvania, a day after he was arrested at a McDonald’s and charged with murder. Luigi Nicholas Mangione emerged from a patrol car, spun toward reporters and shouted something partly unintelligible referring to an “insult to the intelligence of the American people” while deputies pushed him inside. Prosecutors were beginning to take steps to bring Mangione back to New York to face a murder charge while new details emerged about his life and how he was captured. The 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family was charged with murder hours after he was arrested in the Manhattan killing of Brian Thompson, who led the United States’ largest medical insurance company. At the brief hearing, defense lawyer Thomas Dickey informed the court that Mangione would not waive extradition to New York but instead wants a hearing on the issue. He has 14 days to challenge detention. Mangione, wearing an orange prison jumpsuit, mostly stared straight ahead at the hearing, occasionally consulting papers, rocking in his chair or looking back at the gallery. At one point, he began to speak to respond to the court discussion but was quieted by his lawyer. Mangione likely was motivated by his anger with what he called “parasitic” health insurance companies and a disdain for corporate greed, a law enforcement bulletin obtained by The Associated Press said. He wrote that the U.S. has the most expensive health care system in the world and that profits of major corporations continue to rise while “our life expectancy” does not, according to the bulletin, based on a review of his hand-written notes and social media posts. Mangione called “Unabomber” Ted Kaczynski a “political revolutionary” and may have found inspiration from the man who carried out a series of bombings while railing against modern society and technology, according to police bulletin. Mangione remained jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was initially charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police. Manhattan prosecutors have obtained an arrest warrant, a step that could help expedite his extradition from Pennsylvania. Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania — about 230 miles (about 370 kilometers) west of New York City — after a McDonald’s customer recognized him and notified an employee, authorities said. Officers found him sitting at a back table, wearing a blue medical mask and looking at a laptop, according to a Pennsylvania police criminal complaint. He initially gave them a fake ID, but when an officer asked Mangione whether he’d been to New York recently, he “became quiet and started to shake,” the complaint says. When he pulled his mask down at officers’ request, “we knew that was our guy,” rookie Officer Tyler Frye said. Images of Mangione released Tuesday by Pennsylvania State Police showed him pulling down his mask in the corner of the McDonald’s while holding what appeared to be hash browns and wearing a winter jacket and beanie. In another photo from a holding cell, he stood unsmiling with rumpled hair. New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Mangione was carrying a gun like the one used to kill Thompson and the same fake ID the shooter had used to check into a New York hostel, along with a passport and other fraudulent IDs. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Mangione also had a three-page, handwritten document that shows “some ill will toward corporate America.” A law enforcement official who wasn’t authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity said the document included a line in which Mangione claimed to have acted alone. “To the Feds, I’ll keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country. To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasn’t working with anyone,” the document said, according to the official. It also had a line that said, “I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming.” Pennsylvania prosecutor Peter Weeks said in court that Mangione was found with a passport and $10,000 in cash, $2,000 of it in foreign currency. Mangione disputed the amount. Thompson, 50, was killed Wednesday as he walked alone to a Manhattan hotel for an investor conference. Police quickly came to see the shooting as a targeted attack by a gunman who appeared to wait for Thompson, came up behind him and fired a 9 mm pistol. Investigators have said “delay,” “deny” and “depose” were written on ammunition found near Thompson’s body. The words mimic “delay, deny, defend,” a phrase used to criticize the insurance industry. From surveillance video, New York investigators determined the shooter quickly fled fled the city, likely by bus. A grandson of a wealthy, self-made real estate developer and philanthropist, Mangione is a cousin of a current Maryland state legislator. Valedictorian at his elite Baltimore prep school, he went on to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a spokesperson said. “Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi’s arrest,” Mangione’s family said in a statement posted on social media late Monday by his cousin, Maryland Del. Nino Mangione. “We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.” From January to June 2022, Luigi Mangione lived at Surfbreak, a “co-living” space at the edge of touristy Waikiki in Honolulu. Like other residents of the shared penthouse catering to remote workers, Mangione underwent a background check, said Josiah Ryan, a spokesperson for owner and founder R.J. Martin. “Luigi was just widely considered to be a great guy. There were no complaints,” Ryan said. “There was no sign that might point to these alleged crimes they’re saying he committed.” At Surfbreak, Martin learned Mangione had severe back pain from childhood that interfered with many aspects of his life, from surfing to romance, Ryan said. “He went surfing with R.J. once but it didn’t work out because of his back,” Ryan said, but noted that Mangione and Martin often went together to a rock-climbing gym. Mangione left Surfbreak to get surgery on the mainland, Ryan said, then later returned to Honolulu and rented an apartment. Subscribe to our daily newsletter By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . Martin stopped hearing from Mangione six months to a year ago. —APUSC women move to No. 4 in AP poll as top three unchanged

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Taylor Swift once raved about the sweet potato casserole served at a New York City restaurant and now that recipe pops up every now and again at Thanksgiving. The holidays encourage many of us to try new recipes. Social media right now is flooded with recipes for appetizers, side dishes and desserts. Anyone making that cornbread casserole from TikTok? While we might not get to share a Thanksgiving feast with Swift — is your name Blake Lively? — or other celebrities beloved by Kansas City, we can eat like them. So here’s the recipe for that casserole Swift loved so much, and favorite family side dish recipes from Donna Kelce and Eric Stonestreet. Enjoy. Travis Kelce's mother, Donna Kelce, seen here last year at her son's music festival, dined on a cheesesteak made by actor Bradley Cooper at QVC festivities in Las Vegas this week. (Emily Curiel/Kansas City Star/TNS) Emily Curiel//Kansas City Star/TNS If we tried to guess how many holiday dinner rolls Travis Kelce and his brother, Jason Kelce, have scarfed over the years, would it be in the hundreds? Thousands? Their mom has spoken often about the batches of holiday crescent rolls she has baked over the years. Based on the recipe that won the 1969 Pillsbury Bake-Off, Pillsbury’s Magic Marshmallow Crescent Puffs , they’re now known as Mama Kelce’s Dinner Rolls. They blend the crescent roll pastry with marshmallows, cinnamon and sugar. Dinner roll or dessert? We bet they didn’t last long enough in front of Travis and Jason for that debate. Ingredients Rolls •1/4 cup granulated sugar •2 tablespoons Pillsbury Best all-purpose flour •1 teaspoon ground cinnamon •2 (8-ounce) cans refrigerated Pillsbury Original Crescent Rolls (8 Count) •16 large marshmallows •1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted Glaze •1/2 cup powdered sugar •1/2 teaspoon vanilla •2-3 teaspoons milk •1/4 cup chopped nuts Directions Make the rolls 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray 16 medium muffin cups with nonstick baking spray. 2. In a small bowl, mix the granulated sugar, flour and cinnamon. 3. Separate the dough into 16 triangles. For each roll, dip 1 marshmallow into melted butter; roll in the sugar mixture. Place marshmallow on the shortest side of a triangle. Roll up, starting at shortest side and rolling to opposite point. Completely cover the marshmallow with the dough; firmly pinch edges to seal. Dip 1 end in remaining butter; place butter side down in muffin cup. 4. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. 5. When done, remove from the oven and let the puffs cool in the pan for 1 minute. Remove rolls from muffin cups; place on cooling racks set over waxed paper. Make the glaze and assemble In a small bowl, mix the powdered sugar, vanilla and enough milk for desired drizzling consistency. Drizzle glaze over warm rolls. Sprinkle with nuts. Serve warm. Eric Stonestreet attends 'Eric Stonestreet visits The SiriusXM Hollywood Studios in Los Angeles' at SiriusXM Studios on Oct. 8, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for SiriusXM/TNS) Emma McIntyre/Getty Images North America/TNS Thanksgiving is one of the “Modern Family” star’s favorite holidays. Three years ago, as part of a campaign honoring hometown heroes , he shared one of his favorite recipe with McCormick Spices: Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Butternut Squash . This recipe serves eight. Ingredients •1 pound Brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved •1 pound butternut squash, peeled and cut into bite-size cubes •1 tablespoon olive oil •1/2 teaspoon garlic powder •1/2 teaspoon thyme leaves •1/2 teaspoon salt •1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper •5 slices bacon, chopped •1 shallot, finely chopped •1/2 cup dried cranberries •1/4 cup balsamic vinegar •1 teaspoon whole grain mustard •1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted (optional) •1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese, (optional) Directions 1. Preheat oven to 475°F. Spray large shallow baking pan with no stick cooking spray; set aside. Place Brussels sprouts and squash in large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, thyme, salt and pepper; toss to coat evenly. Spread in single layer on prepared pan. 2. Roast 16 to 18 minutes or until tender and lightly browned, stirring halfway through cooking. 3. Meanwhile, cook bacon in medium skillet on medium heat about 6 minutes or until crispy. Remove using slotted spoon and place on paper towels to drain. Add shallot to same skillet; cook and stir 2 minutes until softened and lightly browned. Stir in cranberries, vinegar and mustard until well blended. Transfer mixture to small bowl; set aside. 4. Arrange roasted Brussels sprouts and squash on serving platter. Drizzle with cranberry balsamic glaze and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with cooked bacon, toasted pecans, and crumbled blue cheese, if desired. Serve immediately. Donna Kelce, left, mother of Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce watched the game with pop superstar Taylor Swift, center, during the first-half on Sunday, Sept. 24, 2023, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. (Tammy Ljungblad/Kansas City Star/TNS) Tammy Ljungblad/Kansas City Star/TNS Swift gushed about the sweet potato casserole served at Del Frisco’s Grille in New York City, a dish crowned with a crunchy candied pecan and oatmeal crumble. “I’ve never enjoyed anything with the word casserole in it ever before, but it’s basically sweet potatoes with this brown sugary crust,” she told InStyle. ”Oh my God, it’s amazing.” The media rushed to find the recipe, which Parade has published this Thanksgiving season . “Similar to T. Swift herself, we think this recipe is a mastermind, especially if you’ve been asked to bring the sweet potato side dish to this year’s Thanksgiving feast. It seriously begs the question: who needs pumpkin pie?” the magazine writes. Ingredients •4 lbs sweet potatoes •1⁄3 cup oats •12 oz unsalted butter, divided •1⁄2 cup packed brown sugar •1⁄2 cup toasted pecans •1⁄2 cup granulated sugar •1 tsp kosher salt •2 tsp vanilla extract •4 large eggs, beaten Directions Preheat oven to 375°F. 1. Scrub sweet potatoes. Pierce each several times with a fork and wrap tightly in foil. Place on a sheet pan. Bake 90 minutes or until tender. Set aside until cool enough to handle. 2. Meanwhile, place oats in a food processor; process 1 minute. Add 4 oz butter, brown sugar and pecans; pulse five times to combine. Spread mixture on a baking sheet; bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven, crumble. Bake 5 minutes or until golden brown. 3. Melt remaining 8 oz butter. Remove skin from cooled sweet potatoes. In a large bowl, whisk sweet potatoes, melted butter, granulated sugar and remaining ingredients until slightly lumpy. Transfer to a greased baking dish, smoothing surface evenly. Top with oat mixture. Bake 12 minutes or until heated through. Make-ahead tips •Sweet potato filling can be made up to 2 days in advance. Prepare the sweet potato filling, cool, place in a casserole dish and keep refrigerated. •Oat-pecan crust can also be made up to 2 days ahead. Make the crust according to recipe directions, cool and store in an airtight container at room temperature. Sprinkle over the sweet potato filling just before baking.WASHINGTON, DC – President-elect Donald Trump announced Monday that prominent D.C. lawyer Mark Paoletta will return to the White House as general counsel of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under returning Director Russ Vought, the tip of the spear for reversing the direction of federal regulations and spending, building the border wall, and implementing recommendations from Elon and Vivek’s DOGE to overhaul the federal government. “Mark is a brilliant and tenacious lawyer, who worked tirelessly to advance my Agenda in the First Term,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “As OMB GC in my First Administration, Mark led the charge to identify funding to build the Southern Border Wall, and worked with then-OMB Director Russ Vought to rein in woke and weaponized Government spending. Trump noted that Paoletta is currently a partner at the law firm Schaerr Jaffe and a senior fellow at Vought’s nonprofit organization, the Center for Renewing America. Paoletta is widely regarded as one of the toughest lawyers in Washington, a battle-hardened political veteran of over 30 years. That started as a junior lawyer in the White House Counsel’s Office during the Bush 41 years (1989-1993), where a young Paoletta ended up as the primary workhorse on the confirmation of Justice Clarence Thomas to the U.S. Supreme Court. Thomas and Paoletta have been close friends ever since, and Paoletta’s success in the Thomas fight in 1991 made him a go-to for Republican White Houses in judicial confirmation fights. An unflinching conservative who is among the most vocal supporters of Trump’s MAGA agenda, Paoletta is embraced both in elite law circles and in the Federalist Society, while also celebrated among grassroots activists and anti-establishment groups. During the Clinton years, Paoletta led dozens of investigations for the Republican-controlled House, gaining a reputation as a no-holds-barred Doberman when teeing up subpoenas and planning congressional hearings. He then went to the private sector as a partner at a major law firm, DLA Piper, where he was highly sought after by organizations and corporate executives who had to deal with Congress, especially for those being dragged into confrontational hearings by Democrats. Paoletta returned to the White House when Trump was first elected, serving as counsel for the vice president and then as general counsel at OMB. Also while serving in the Trump White House, Paoletta played a major role in confirming two of Trump’s Supreme Court appointees, Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, and well as scores of lower-court nominees. During his tenure at OMB, as Trump noted, Paoletta crafted the legal strategy that successfully directed billions of dollars to begin construction of Trump’s border wall even while congressional Democrats were blocking appropriations for that signature Trump issue, designating funding from the military construction budget and also interdicted drug money. Vought acted on Paoletta’s legal analysis, and once wall funding began flowing from OMB, Democrats couldn’t hold the middle of their opposition to the wall. Billions more were then explicitly appropriated by Congress, and the Trump administration built hundreds of miles of wall. Vought also took to social media yesterday, posting that he “could not be happier” with Paoletta’s return to OMB, and advising everyone to, “Buckle. Up.” OMB is the operations center of the White House, and is one of the most powerful actors in government, though most Americans have never heard of it and even many inside the Beltway do not understand how it works. OMB approval is required for all changes in federal regulations. It develops the president’s budget each year, controls the dispersing of all federal funding after Congress passes its annual spending bills, and is the clearinghouse for countless governmental processes. And OMB will be regularly in the news over the next couple years as it implements recommendations from Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Rather than a literal department, DOGE will actually be a presidential advisory commission, serving as an ideas factory to revolutionize the size, scope, cost, and functional efficiency of the federal government. As Trump decides which recommendations to adopt, Vought’s OMB – including Paoletta’s Office of General Counsel with more than 20 lawyers – will have the primary role in implementing those massive changes to how the federal government works, including finding creative legal theories to make many of those changes when Congress cannot muster the will to change current law. While Vought requires Senate confirmation as director and thus cannot be running OMB on Day One, the general counsel position is a direct appointment without the Senate, so Paoletta will be able to get to work on January 20. OMB occupies much of the second floor of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building (EEOB) in the White House campus, with nonstop traffic between its many offices and the West Wing. Given the incoming president’s aggressive agenda, Americans will likely not be waiting long to see big changes, courtesy of the team President Trump is bringing back to OMB with Vought and Paoletta. Breitbart News senior legal contributor Ken Klukowski is a lawyer who served in the White House Office of Management and Budget under Russ Vought and Mark Paoletta. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @kenklukowski .

Fresno State QB Mikey Keene transferring to Michigan

NoneChase Hawks Rough Stock Rodeo at First Interstate Arena at MetraPark Saturday, Dec. 21 Bareback: 1. (tie) Bradlee Miller, and Sam Petersen, 88.5, $8,825 each; 3. (tie) Mason Clements, Cole Franks and Garrett Shadbolt, 86.5, $3,885 each; 6. Clay Jorgenson, 86, $1,665; 7. Lane McGehee, 83.5, $1,332; 8. (tie) Richmond Champion, Bronc Marriott and Weston Timberman, 83, $333 each. Saddle bronc: 1. Lucas Macza, 88.5, $9,945; 2. Riggin Smith, 85.5, $7,625; 3. (tie) Kade Bruno and Isaac Diaz, 84.5, $4,641 each; 5. (tie) Chase Brooks, Wyatt Casper and Sage Newman, 83.5, $1,768 each; 8. Jesse Kruse, 83, $995. Bull riding: 1. Jake Lockwood, 86, $9,945; 2. (tie) Ethan Skogquist and Stran Smith, 83.5, $6,630 each; 4. Hawk Whitt, 80, $3,647; 5. Dylan Rice, 79, $2,321; 6. Trey Holston, 78, $1,658; 7. Chase Dougherty, 75.5, $1,326; 8. Jate Frost, 73, $995. Photos: 2024 Chase Hawks Rough Stock Rodeo Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!Vancouver Island First Nation whose ex-chief met Capt. Cook files claim against B.C.The Latest: UnitedHealthcare shooting suspect contests his extradition back to New York

Five days after Bruins firing, Montgomery named NHL Blues coachJohn Healey said that the Government’s “interest” in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is “that they live up to their promises to protect” rights, when he spoke to reporters after a Cobra meeting on Thursday. HTS is banned in the UK because of its past association with al Qaida, the terrorist organisation once led by Osama bin Laden. But its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, cut ties with al Qaida years ago and has sought to present his group as a more moderate and inclusive organisation, leading some to suggest the group should no longer be proscribed. When asked whether the Government was considering the status of the group, Mr Healey said: “Proscription is not a matter for now. “It doesn’t stop us talking to all the parties, and our interest in HTS is that they live up to their promises to protect the rights of all individuals and all groups, to respect international law and to prevent Syria becoming a base for a fresh terrorist threat.” Mr Healey said that Thursday’s meeting was “about making sure we have, as a Government, a laser focus on the role that we can play with allies to see a stable, peaceful transition. “So that the Syrians get the government they need for the future, and the region can see the stability in the future that it also needs.” Cobra meetings are called when ministers or officials need to respond to urgent matters. Following the toppling of the Bashar Assad regime over the weekend, the UK has paused decisions on asylum applications from Syria. Thousands of Syrians have been granted asylum in the UK but, earlier this week, the Home Office said decisions on applications would be paused while events unfold in Damascus. When asked how long the system would be paused for, and whether the move was fair, Mr Healey said on Thursday: “This is early days. “It’s a measure in response to rapidly changing developments, and the most important thing for us now is that the UK plays and will continue to play a full role with allies to see a stable, peaceful, orderly transition and that requires a political process. “It requires dialogue at the heart of it, and today’s ministerial meeting, the Cobra meeting, was about making sure that we do just that.” Earlier on Thursday, G7 leaders said that they “stand with the people of Syria” and “denounce terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms”. In a statement, Sir Keir Starmer and his counterparts said: “The G7 will work with and fully support a future Syrian government that abides by those standards and results from that process.” It went on: “After decades of atrocities committed by the Assad regime, we stand with the people of Syria. We denounce terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms. “We are hopeful that anyone seeking a role in governing Syria will demonstrate a commitment to the rights of all Syrians, prevent the collapse of state institutions, work on the recovery and rehabilitation of the country, and ensure the conditions for safe and dignified voluntary return to Syria of all those who were forced to flee the country.”

Healey: Proscription status of Syria’s new rulers is not a matter for nowFormer Fresno State quarterback Mikey Keene is transferring to Michigan with one year of eligibility remaining. Confirming earlier reports, Keene posted an image of himself in a Wolverines uniform on social media on Monday. Keene passed for 2,892 yards with 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 12 games for the Bulldogs in 2024. Fresno State opened the season with a 30-10 loss at Michigan on Aug. 31, with Keene throwing for 235 yards with one touchdown and two picks. Including two seasons at UCF (2021-22), Keene has completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 8,245 yards with 65 TDs and 28 interceptions in 39 games. Keene's competition for the starting job at Michigan includes incoming freshman Bryce Underwood, the 247Sports Composite's No. 1 overall player in the 2025 recruiting class. --Field Level Media

THE cost of a family Christmas dinner has jumped by an inflation-busting 6.5 per cent, figures show. Rising prices of turkey and the trimmings have pushed up the average festive feast to £32.57 for a family of four. 4 The cost of a family Christmas dinner has jumped by 6.5 per cent Credit: Alamy 4 The average frozen turkey is 8.5 per cent more expensive than last year at £13.08 Credit: Getty Spuds saw the biggest annual rise on the Yuletide table — a stonking 16.2 per cent higher than last year, and now making up £1.65 of the total. Cauliflower is 14.6 per cent more expensive at £1.18. Parsnips are up 12.7 per cent at 71p, and carrots are up 11.4 per cent at 49p. The average frozen turkey is 8.5 per cent more expensive than last year at £13.08, according to market research analysts Kantar. READ MORE ON INFLATION RATE IT UK inflation rate rises to 2.3% in October - what it means for your money Some items rose in price less dramatically, with Christmas puddings up 4.4 per cent at £3.32, gravy granules up the same to £2.14 and Brussels sprouts up 1.1 per cent to 89p. And revellers can raise a glass to toast the fact that sparkling wine remained the same price at an average £6.40 of the total. Vegetable prices have been affected by wet weather ­earlier this year. And potato farmers in particular have been hard hit by rising energy costs as spuds are kept refrigerated once harvested. Most read in Money PIZZA THE ACTION US chain famed for legendary kids parties to launch first Scots branch ROYAL REIGN Exactly how much of Scotland is owned by Royals shown in new interactive map BYE BYE Cineworld to close SIX more locations - see the full list CASH IN Thousands of State Pensioners in Scotland can claim new benefit over £100 Shoppers hoping for bargains are expected to cash in on last-minute super­market promotions — with big chains expected to rake in a record £13billion over the festive period. Fraser McKevitt, of Kantar, said: “Monday December 23 is likely to be the single busiest day for the supermarkets this year, although there are clear signs that shoppers are already stocking up their cupboards. “Sales of assorted sweet biscuits and biscuits for cheese both doubled in November compared with the month before, while eight per cent of us bought a Christmas pudding.” I'm a skincare pro, don't chuck your Christmas dinner leftovers, use them for skincare 4 Sparkling wine has remained the same price at an average £6.40 Credit: Alamy 4 How much Xmas dinner foods have gone up byTexans foiled by mistake after mistake in 32-27 loss to Titans HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans made mistakes in every facet of the game Sunday against the Tennessee Titans to lose for the third time in four games. C.J. Kristie Rieken, The Associated Press Nov 24, 2024 3:44 PM Nov 24, 2024 4:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) stands on the field after the team's loss against the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans made mistakes in every facet of the game Sunday against the Tennessee Titans to lose for the third time in four games. C.J. Stroud threw two interceptions, the defense gave up multiple big passing plays and Ka′imi Fairbairn missed a 28-yard field goal that would have tied it late in a 32-27 loss . “Just a disappointing loss for us,” coach DeMeco Ryans said. “We didn’t do anything well enough to win this game. Out of all the positives that we did have, there were way too many negatives, too many negative plays.” Jimmie Ward had a 65-yard interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter and the Texans tied a franchise record with eight sacks. Danielle Hunter led the group with a season-high three sacks and Will Anderson Jr. added two in his return after missing two games with an ankle injury. But the offense sputtered for most of the game as Joe Mixon was held to 22 yards on 14 carries. But Ryans refused to blame the offense for the loss. “Our offense did plenty," Ryans said. "They gave us enough points. On defense, we have to be able to stop them.” Chig Okonkwo grabbed a short pass and rumbled 70 yards for a touchdown to put the Titans (3-8) up 30-27 with 9 1/2 minutes remaining. Safety Eric Murray missed a tackle that would have stopped him near midfield. It was the last of three big passing plays the Titans had Sunday. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine got in front of the defense and was wide open for a 38-yard TD catch that made it 10-7 late in the first quarter. Calvin Ridley had a 63-yard reception that set up their next touchdown in the second. “It was just way too many negative plays,” Ryans said. “Defensively, unexplainable explosives for touchdowns. We didn’t play good across the board and that starts with me.” Despite this, the Texans (7-5) had a chance to tie it with less than two minutes remaining, but Fairbairn’s short field-goal attempt sailed wide left. He fell to the ground after the miss before getting up and slamming his helmet on the field. “The most frustrating part about it is out of all the bad things that happened, we still had a chance to finish the game,” Ryans said. “Everything that could go wrong, it went wrong. We still had a chance there to tie it up and finish the game, and we didn’t.” The Texans forced a three-and-out, but couldn’t move the ball after that and Harold Landry sacked Stroud in the end zone for a safety to make it 32-27 and allow Tennessee to snap a two-game skid. Stroud threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns, but his two interceptions Sunday give him five combined in the past three games. He now has more interceptions in 12 games this season (nine) than he had in 15 games as a rookie last season (five). “It’s no secret that I haven’t been playing well ... I’ve got to be harder on myself,” he said. “I’m not going to hold my head down. I know I can be a great player, but I’ve got to make better plays.” ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl Kristie Rieken, The Associated Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Football (NFL) Richardson's rocky start proves costly in 2nd straight home loss as Colts fall to Lions 24-6 Nov 24, 2024 4:03 PM Special teams miscues prove costly for Bears in overtime loss to Vikings Nov 24, 2024 3:57 PM Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs leaves game because of concussion Nov 24, 2024 3:51 PM

The atmosphere was festive at the Brar brothers' farm in South Surrey last Wednesday, as volunteers including Surrey Eagles hockey players packed hundreds of hampers for local families in need. With Christmas tunes playing in the background, the mood was jolly as the junior hockey team prepared carrots, potatoes, canned and dry goods, squash and much more, even playfully creating a tower of boxes that nearly reached the high ceilings of the farm facility. Farming brothers TJ and Ron Brar, who own the British Columbia Hockey League team as well as their farming business, reached out to their agricultural neighbours to help fill the hampers, including Evergreen Herbs, Heppell's Potatoes, North American Produce, Fresh Direct Produce, Windset Farms, RGR Produce, Little Potato Company and Sun Rich Foods. "We have such amazing fans around our rink, and giving back to them the way that they give back to us... they've been amazing. Giving back to people who may be struggling this Christmas season feels great," said Eagles winger Savek Brar, while packing the hampers. "It's a great team thing we're doing, and it's really important for us as an organization." His teammate Ryan Evenhuis agreed. "I think it's good to give back, because there's people who are less fortunate than us and they don't get a Christmas like us," he said, as his teammates packed hampers and also built a tower of boxes that nearly reached the ceiling. "I feel like it's a good thing ... to make someone else's Christmas a little bit better." Prior to the game starting at South Surrey Arena Friday (Dec. 20), the players and other volunteers handed out the fully stocked hampers — which also included tickets to a 2025 Eagles game — to those who showed up, who were very grateful, Ron Brar said. "It went fantastic! We helped a lot of people ... it was amazing," he said Monday (Dec. 23). "There was a real mixture — young families, older families, individuals — a real variety." While they were able to give away at least 100 hampers, 400 went to the Surrey Food Bank, Brar said, noting the location may have been harder to get to, for some, but the hampers and goods inside are still going to local people in need. Next year, they may look at publicizing it more, further in advance, or doing it in a different place, he added. Eagles won their Friday game vs. the Alberni Valley Bulldogs 4-1, with a nice break until their next game Jan. 3 vs. the Prince George Spruce Kings at home in South Surrey. The Dec. 20 game was also the team's "teddy toss" night, which was also a big success, Brar said, with numbers still being tallied. He wished the entire community a very merry Christmas and happy New Year, and extended wishes for "only the very best" for all in 2025.

Amber Heard has claimed social media spreads lies more quickly than it does the truth, in the wake of Blake Lively’s complaint against her It Ends With Us co-star and director Justin Baldoni. US actress Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment, hostile work environment and embarking on a “multi-tiered plan” to damage her reputation with claims of a targeted social media campaign. The legal complaint states that Baldoni, 40, hired crisis communications specialist Melissa Nathan, the same publicist who actor Johnny Depp is said to have hired during his high-profile defamation trial against Heard in 2022. In a statement given to NBC News, Aquaman star Heard said: “Social media is the absolute personification of the classic saying, a lie travels halfway around the world before truth can get its boots on. “I saw this first-hand and up close. “It’s as horrifying as it is destructive.” Depp successfully sued ex-wife Heard over a 2018 article she wrote for The Washington Post about her experiences as a survivor of domestic abuse, which his lawyers said falsely accused him of being an abuser. At the time, Heard said the jury’s verdict “sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated”. Bryan Freedman, a lawyer representing Baldoni and the other named defendants, said Lively’s claims were “completely false, outrageous and intentionally salacious”, adding that the studio “made the decision to proactively hire a crisis manager prior to the marketing campaign of the film”. It Ends With Us, based on Colleen Hoover’s novel of the same name, is about a woman’s pursuit of a loving and healthy relationship, with Lively playing lead character Lily Bloom and Baldoni as her love interest Ryle Kincaid amid a backdrop of domestic violence. After the legal action was filed, Hoover appeared to voice support for 37-year-old Lively, writing on her Instagram stories: “@blakelively you have been nothing but honest, kind, supportive and patient since the day we met. “Thank you for being exactly the human that you are. “Never change. Never wilt.” Hoover posted a link to a New York Times article titled We Can Bury Anyone: Inside A Hollywood Smear Machine. Lively’s former cast members from the 2005 film The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants, America Ferrera, Amber Tamblyn, and Alexis Bledel, also released a joint social media statement to defend their long-time friend. “As Blake’s friends and sisters for over 20 years, we stand with her in solidarity as she fights back against the reported campaign waged to destroy her reputation,” the statement said. “Throughout the filming of It Ends With Us, we saw her summon the courage to ask for a safe workplace for herself and colleagues on set, and we are appalled to read the evidence of a premeditated and vindictive effort that ensued to discredit her voice.” They added: “We are struck by the reality that even if a woman is as strong, celebrated, and resourced as our friend Blake, she can face forceful retaliation for daring to ask for a safe working environment,” the statement continues. “We are inspired by our sister’s courage to stand up for herself and others.”Top 7 must-read transportation stories of 2024 — Interesting EngineeringJohn Healey said that the Government’s “interest” in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is “that they live up to their promises to protect” rights, when he spoke to reporters after a Cobra meeting on Thursday. HTS is banned in the UK because of its past association with al Qaida, the terrorist organisation once led by Osama bin Laden. But its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, cut ties with al Qaida years ago and has sought to present his group as a more moderate and inclusive organisation, leading some to suggest the group should no longer be proscribed. When asked whether the Government was considering the status of the group, Mr Healey said: “Proscription is not a matter for now. “It doesn’t stop us talking to all the parties, and our interest in HTS is that they live up to their promises to protect the rights of all individuals and all groups, to respect international law and to prevent Syria becoming a base for a fresh terrorist threat.” Mr Healey said that Thursday’s meeting was “about making sure we have, as a Government, a laser focus on the role that we can play with allies to see a stable, peaceful transition. “So that the Syrians get the government they need for the future, and the region can see the stability in the future that it also needs.” Cobra meetings are called when ministers or officials need to respond to urgent matters. Following the toppling of the Bashar Assad regime over the weekend, the UK has paused decisions on asylum applications from Syria. Thousands of Syrians have been granted asylum in the UK but, earlier this week, the Home Office said decisions on applications would be paused while events unfold in Damascus. When asked how long the system would be paused for, and whether the move was fair, Mr Healey said on Thursday: “This is early days. “It’s a measure in response to rapidly changing developments, and the most important thing for us now is that the UK plays and will continue to play a full role with allies to see a stable, peaceful, orderly transition and that requires a political process. “It requires dialogue at the heart of it, and today’s ministerial meeting, the Cobra meeting, was about making sure that we do just that.” Earlier on Thursday, G7 leaders said that they “stand with the people of Syria” and “denounce terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms”. In a statement, Sir Keir Starmer and his counterparts said: “The G7 will work with and fully support a future Syrian government that abides by those standards and results from that process.” It went on: “After decades of atrocities committed by the Assad regime, we stand with the people of Syria. We denounce terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms. “We are hopeful that anyone seeking a role in governing Syria will demonstrate a commitment to the rights of all Syrians, prevent the collapse of state institutions, work on the recovery and rehabilitation of the country, and ensure the conditions for safe and dignified voluntary return to Syria of all those who were forced to flee the country.”