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WASHINGTON (AP) — Matt Gaetz withdrew Thursday as President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general amid continued fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation's chief federal law enforcement officer. The announcement caps a turbulent eight-day period in which Trump sought to capitalize on his decisive election win to force Senate Republicans to accept provocative selections like Gaetz, who had been investigated by the Justice Department before being tapped last week to lead it. The decision could heighten scrutiny on other controversial Trump nominees, including Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth , who faces sexual assault allegations that he denies. “While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance Transition,” Gaetz, a Florida Republican who one day earlier met with senators in an effort to win their support, said in a statement. “There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I’ll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General. Trump’s DOJ must be in place and ready on Day 1," he added. Trump, in a social media post, said: “I greatly appreciate the recent efforts of Matt Gaetz in seeking approval to be Attorney General. He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the Administration, for which he has much respect. Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do!” He did not immediately announce a new selection. Last week, he named personal lawyers Todd Blanche, Emil Bove and D. John Sauer to senior roles in the department. Another possible contender, Matt Whitaker, was announced Wednesday as the U.S. ambassador to NATO. The withdrawal, just a week after the pick was announced, averts what was shaping up to be a pitched confirmation fight that would have tested how far Senate Republicans were willing to go to support Trump’s Cabinet picks. The selection of the fierce Trump ally over well-regarded veteran lawyers whose names had circulated as possible contenders stirred concern for the Justice Department's independence at a time when Trump has openly threatened to seek retribution against political adversaries. It underscored the premium Trump places on personal loyalty and reflected the president-elect's desire to have a disruptor lead a Justice Department that for years investigated and ultimately indicted him. In the Senate, deeply skeptical lawmakers sought more information about Justice Department and congressional investigations into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls, which Gaetz has denied. Meanwhile, Justice Department lawyers were taken aback by the pick of a partisan lawmaker with limited legal experience who has echoed Trump's claims of a weaponized criminal justice system. As Gaetz sought to lock down Senate support, concern over the sex trafficking allegations showed no signs of abating. In recent days, an attorney for two women said his clients told House Ethics Committee investigators that Gaetz paid them for sex on multiple occasions beginning in 2017, when Gaetz was a Florida congressman. One of the women testified she saw Gaetz having sex with a 17-year-old at a party in Florida in 2017, according to the attorney, Joel Leppard. Leppard has said that his client testified she didn’t think Gaetz knew the girl was underage, stopped their relationship when he found out and did not resume it until after she turned 18. The age of consent in Florida is 18. "They’re grateful for the opportunity to move forward with their lives,” Leppard said Thursday of his clients. “They’re hoping that this brings final closure for all the parties involved.” Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. The Justice Department’s investigation ended last year with no charges against him. Gaetz’s political future is uncertain. He had abruptly resigned his congressional seat upon being selected as attorney general, a move seen as a way to shut down the ethics investigation into sexual misconduct allegations. He did win reelection in November for the new Congress, which convenes Jan. 3, 2025, but he said in his resignation letter last week to House Speaker Mike Johnson that he did not intend to take the oath of office. He transmitted a similar letter to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as the state launched a special election process to fill the vacancy. Republicans on the House Ethics Committee declined this week to release the panel's findings, over objections from Democrats in a split vote. But the committee did agree to finish its work and is scheduled to meet again Dec. 5 to discuss the matter. As word of Gaetz's decision spread across the Capitol, Republican senators seemed divided. Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who served with Gaetz in the House, called it a “positive move." Maine Sen. Susan Collins said Gaetz “put country first and I am pleased with his decision.” Others said they had hoped Gaetz could have overhauled the department. Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a close ally of Trump, said he was “disappointed. I like Matt and I think he would have changed the way DOJ is run.” Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul said he hoped that Trump will pick someone “equally as tenacious and equally as committed to rooting out and eliminating bias and politicization at the DOJ.” Gaetz is not the only Trump pick facing congressional scrutiny over past allegations. A detailed investigative police report made public Wednesday shows that a woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth, the former Fox News host now tapped to lead the Pentagon, after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave. “The matter was fully investigated and I was completely cleared,” Hegseth told reporters Thursday at the Capitol, where he was meeting with senators to build support for his nomination. Associated Press writers Michelle L. Price, Lisa Mascaro, Mary Clare Jalonick and Adriana Gomez Licon contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
Market Alert: Beyond Oil (CSE: BOIL) Appoints Top Tier Food Industry Executive as COO as it Eyes a Growing Global Footprint 11-25-2024 10:54 PM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: ABNewswire TL;DR: Beyond Oil Ltd has appointed Aviran Fine, former COO of KFC Israel, as its new COO to drive global expansion and operational efficiency. Fine's expertise in cost management and successful use of Beyond Oil's filtration technology at KFC Israel aligns with the company's sustainability goals. Recent developments, including entry into Asia and Europe and a $1.77M funding boost, highlight its focus on innovation, market growth, and leadership alignment for long-term success. Beyond Oil Ltd. (CSE: BOIL) (OTCQB: BEOLF) (Frankfurt: UH9), a forward-thinking food-tech company dedicated to innovation in health and sustainability, has signaled its strategic intent to strengthen operational capacities through the appointment of Aviran Fine as Chief Operating Officer. This development highlights the company's ongoing commitment to broadening its global footprint while reinforcing its internal capabilities, particularly amidst a period characterized by significant international expansion. Fine, who transitions from a position as COO at KFC Israel, brings with him a wealth of industry experience accrued during his tenure at internationally recognized fast-food chains such as Burger King and KFC. His remarkable journey from a line cook to a senior executive role underscores an intrinsic understanding of operational excellence and adaptive strategy, qualities that are poised to drive Beyond Oil's ambitious worldwide growth plans forward. His successful track record,marked by transformative improvements in operational efficiency and cost management, aligns seamlessly with Beyond Oil's mission to optimize its innovative solutions through expert leadership. Its rare for a CEO to comment publicly on his COO's choice to leave the company - but this seems to be one of the unique case. Shai Carmona's the CEO of KFC Israel's franchise company (MAFCO) commented on the appointment noting Aviran's strong managments skiils and the impressive results he saw first hand from the pilot conducted with Beyod Oil: "Aviran joined MAFCO about two years ago as the company's COO and immediately rushed to improve the efficiency of the company's branches and procurement. During his tenure, operational and financial data improved singnificantly by tens of percent, and savings and efficiency were noticeable from his first months of work. Aviran is moving to Beyond Oil, a young and dynamic company that is in constant growth. After a successful pilot of about a year, Beyond Oil has become an integral part of our fryers. Since the beginning of working together and using Beyond Oil's 'magic powder' for oil filtering, our operations has become even more efficient, we reduced oil consumption, saved tens of thousands of shekels, and most importantly, workers breathe clean air in the company's kitchens. I wish Aviran much success and of course to Beyond Oil." In a competitive food-tech landscape, the integration of experienced professionals like Fine could potentially enhance Beyond Oil's operational efficiency as it ramps up its market presence across continents. Recent key announcements by the company have emphasized its strategic approach to expansion, including a notable entry into Asian markets through an alliance with Hap Chan, a prominent restaurant chain in the Philippines. This move complements previous inroads into Eastern and Western European territories, indicating a deliberate effort to establish and solidify regional market footholdswith tailored strategies and partnerships. Beyond Oil's ability to secure a C$1.77 million funding injection through warrant exercises, led by strategic partner West Coast Reduction, further underscores its financial health and readiness to support its expansionary projects. This financial stability sets the stage for the effective implementation of its growth agenda, facilitated through Fine's operational insight and industry relationships, which are likely to prove instrumental in sustaining Beyond Oil's ongoing projects and scaling efforts. The appointment of Fine also underscores an important strategic alignment of leadership with Beyond Oil's innovative objectives. His firsthand experience with Beyond Oil's product during its pilot phase at KFC Israel reportedly left a strong impression, especially concerning its potential to significantly reduce costs and healthrisks associated with the use of frying oil. This practical exposure to Beyond Oil's core product offerings could facilitate a streamlined implementation of strategic initiatives, ensuring operationa coherence as the company continues to innovate within the food-techsector.Navigating the complexities of different regulatory environments, consumer preferences, and competitive pressures are vital to sustaining Beyond Oil's momentum. 2The inherent value of Fine's expertise could potentially mitigate these challenges, combining his operational insight with Beyond Oil's innovative prowess, thus optimizing product differentiation and market penetration.Recent successes in Europe, illustrated by purchase orders from significant entities like Mister Noodles in Spain, exemplify Beyond Oil's expanding influence in global markets. Complementarily, Fine's previous experience in managing complex operational systems within fast-food franchises is anticipated to bolster Beyond Oil's capabilities in logistics, supply chain management, and regulatory compliance as it navigates diverse international markets. Moreover, Beyond Oil's reported integration of its innovative oil filtration technology, heralded for its capacity to prolong oil life while maintaining quality and safety standards, signals a commitment to sustainable practices. This commitment aligns with global consumer trends favoring healthier, eco-friendly food processing solutions, potentially elevating the company's value proposition amidst increasing sustainability-focused competition. Beyond Oil's recent leadership enhancement, coupled with its robust expansion trajectory, illustrates a strategic alignment of internal expertise and market ambitions. As the company continues to navigate its evolution within the global food-tech landscape, Aviran Fine's appointment as COO may potentially play a pivotal role in optimizing operations and steering Beyond Oil towards accelerated growth and strategic success. Still, as with any market player, the path forward requires balanced execution and continuous adaptation to emerging industry trends and challenges. Read More: * Beyond Oil Secures Vote of Confidence from Strategic Partner, Raises Additional $1.77M in Funding [ https://thefinanceherald.com/beyond-oil-secures-vote-of-confidence-from-strategic-partner-raises-additional-1-77m-in-funding/ ] * Beyond Oil Accelerates Global Market Penetration with Strategic Entry into Asia [ https://venture-block.com/beyond-oil-accelerates-global-market-penetration-with-strategic-entry-into-asia/ ] * Beyond Oil Continues to Expand Globally with 16-Ton Order from Major Eastern European Player; Advances towards Industrial Frying Market [file:///Beyond%20Oil%20(CSE/%20BOIL)%20Continues%20to%20Expand%20Globally%20with%2016-Ton%20Order%20from%20Major%20Eastern%20European%20Player%3B%20Advances%20towards%20Industrial%20Frying%20Market] Image: https://www.abnewswire.com/uploads/d2d61a84dcac890534609405dcd466f2.jpg This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as financial, investment or any form of professional advice, recommendation or endorsement. The article was written in collaboration with Global Markets News Network, a commercially operated digital brand compensated by the issuer (beyond oil) to provide coverage of its news and developments, among other things. Readers are encouraged to read the full disclaimers and disclosures document [ https://justpaste.it/7796t/pdf ] that the article is subject to. This article may include forward looking statements which cannot be guaranteed as discussed in the above-linked disclaimers. Media Contact Company Name: Global Markets News Network Contact Person: Editorial Desk Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=market-alert-beyond-oil-cse-boil-appoints-top-tier-food-industry-executive-as-coo-as-it-eyes-a-growing-global-footprint ] Country: Canada Website: https://www.futuremarketsresearch.com/global-markets-news This release was published on openPR.Kennedy Center pays tribute to Coppola, the Grateful Dead, Raitt, Sandoval, The ApolloIowa QB Cade McNamara slams 'ridiculous' rumors
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NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 26, 2024-- Better Home & Finance Holding Company (NASDAQ: BETR, BETRW) (“Better”), a leading digital homeownership company, today announced that senior management will host meetings at the following investor conferences: UBS Global Technology and AI Conference Date: December 3 - 5, 2024 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Wolfe Research Small and Mid-Cap Conference Date: December 5, 2024 Location: Virtual Benchmark Discovery One-On-One Investor Conference Date: December 11, 2024 Location: New York, NY About Better Since 2017, Better Home & Finance Holding Company (NASDAQ: BETR; BETRW) has leveraged its industry-leading technology platform, TinmanTM, to fund more than $100 billion in mortgage volume. TinmanTM allows customers to see their rate options in seconds, get pre-approved in minutes, lock in rates and close their loan in as little as three weeks. Better’s mortgage offerings include GSE-conforming mortgage loans, FHA and VA loans, and jumbo mortgage loans. Better launched its “One Day Mortgage” program in January 2023, which allows eligible customers to go from click to Commitment Letter within 24 hours. Better was named Best Online Mortgage Lender by Forbes and Best Mortgage Lender for Affordability by WSJ in 2023, ranked #1 on LinkedIn’s Top Startups List for 2021 and 2020, #1 on Fortune’s Best Small and Medium Workplaces in New York, #15 on CNBC’s Disruptor 50 2020 list, and was listed on Forbes FinTech 50 for 2020. Better serves customers in all 50 US states and the United Kingdom. View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126685898/en/ For investor relations inquiries, please emailir@better.com KEYWORD: ARIZONA NEW YORK UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY FINANCE BANKING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TECHNOLOGY FINTECH RESIDENTIAL BUILDING & REAL ESTATE SOURCE: Better Home & Finance Holding Company Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/26/2024 05:30 PM/DISC: 11/26/2024 05:28 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241126685898/en
Haiti gang massacres around 180 people, targeting elderlyA bid by The Onion satirical news outlet to buy Alex Jones' conspiracy theory platform Infowars returned Monday to a Texas courtroom, where a judge heard arguments on whether a bankruptcy auction was properly run as Jones alleges collusion and fraud. U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston is looking into the November auction and how a trustee chose The Onion over the only other bidder — a company affiliated with Jones that offered twice as much money as The Onion. The judge said the hearing would last into Monday evening and pick up again on Tuesday afternoon. The sale of Infowars is part of Jones' personal bankruptcy case , which he filed in late 2022 after he was ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion in defamation lawsuits in Connecticut and Texas filed by relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut. Jones repeatedly called the 2012 shooting that killed 20 children and six educators a hoax staged by actors and aimed at increasing gun control. Most of the proceeds from the sale of Infowars, as well as many of Jones' personal assets, will go to the Sandy Hook families to help satisfy judgments issued by juries and judges in state courts in Connecticut and Texas. Some proceeds will go to Jones' other creditors. The Onion, which wants to turn Infowars' website and social media accounts into parodies , offered $1.75 million for Infowars' assets in the auction, while First United American Companies — which runs a website in Jones’ name that sells nutritional supplements — bid $3.5 million. The Onion's bid also included a pledge by many of the Sandy Hook families to forgo some or all of the auction proceeds due to them to give other creditors a total of $100,000 more than they would receive under other bids. The trustee, Christopher Murray, chose The Onion, saying its proposal was better for creditors because they would receive more money. Joshua Wolfshohl, an attorney for Murray, told the judge Monday that no wrongdoing occurred during the auction. He called the complaints by Jones and First United American Companies unfounded. “The vast majority of their complaints are just fantastic, imagined conspiracy theories that have no basis in reality," he said. Jones' lawyer, Ben Broocks, questioned Murray's rationale for choosing The Onion and alleged that a recent deposition of the trustee showed improprieties. He also questioned the validity of The Onion's bid, saying it was technically valued at $7 million because of the incentive offered by the Sandy Hook families. An auction company executive involved in the sale testified most of the afternoon. In court filings, Jones and First United American Companies accused Murray, The Onion and the Sandy Hook families of illegally colluding on the bidding, committing fraud and violating the judge's rules for the auction. Murray, The Onion and the families deny the allegations. In his own court filing, Murray called the allegations “a disappointed bidder’s improper attempt to influence an otherwise fair and open auction process.” Up for sale at the auction were all the equipment and other assets in the Infowars studio in Austin, Texas, as well as its social media accounts, websites, video archive and product trademarks. Jones uses the studio to broadcast his far-right, conspiracy theory-filled shows on the Infowars website, his account on the social platform X and radio stations. Jones has set up another studio, websites and social media accounts in case The Onion wins approval to buy Infowars and kicks him out. Jones has said he could continue using the Infowars platforms if the auction winner is friendly to him. Jones is appealing the $1.5 billion in judgments citing free speech rights but has acknowledged that the school shooting happened . On Friday, a Connecticut appeals court reduced by $150 million the original $1.44 billion judgment against Jones in the lawsuit against him in that state, but upheld the rest of the award. Jones' lawyer said he will ask Connecticut's highest court to review the appellate ruling. Jones is also appealing a $50 million judgment in a similar Texas defamation lawsuit.
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Cardinals' sudden 3-game tailspin has turned their once solid playoff hopes into a long shot The midseason four-game winning streak that lifted the Arizona Cardinals into the playoff picture seemed as though it happened fast. Their subsequent free fall has been even more jarring. David Brandt, The Associated Press Dec 9, 2024 2:52 PM Dec 9, 2024 3:05 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon looks for a call during the second half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin) The midseason four-game winning streak that lifted the Arizona Cardinals into the playoff picture seemed as though it happened fast. Their subsequent free fall has been even more jarring. The Cardinals could have moved into a tie for first place in the NFC West with a home win over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Instead, they were thoroughly outplayed in a 30-18 loss and are now tied for last in the tightly packed division. Arizona has lost three straight and will face an uphill battle to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2021. The Seahawks (8-5) are in first place, followed by the Rams (7-6), Cardinals (6-7) and 49ers (6-7). Even more daunting for their playoff hopes, the Cardinals lost both of their games against the Seahawks this season, meaning a tiebreaker would go to Seattle. Four games remain. “I just told them we put ourselves in a little bit of a hole now, but all you can do is attack tomorrow, learn tomorrow and have a good week of practice,” second-year coach Jonathan Gannon said. There are plenty of reasons the Cardinals lost to the Seahawks, including Kyler Murray's two interceptions, a handful of holding penalties, a porous run defense and a brutal missed field goal. It all adds up to the fact Arizona is playing its worst football of the season at a time when it needed its best. “I’m sure we’ll stick to our process, but we have to tweak some things,” Gannon said. "I have to tweak some things.” What’s working It's probably faint praise, but the Cardinals did make the game interesting in the second half while trying to fight back from a 27-10 deficit. Murray's shovel pass to James Conner for a 2-yard touchdown and subsequent 2-point conversion cut the margin to 27-18. The Cardinals had a chance to make it a one-score contest early in the fourth quarter, but Chad Ryland's 40-yard field goal attempt bounced off the left upright. “I thought we spotted them a lot of points there, but then we battled back,” Gannon said. “I appreciate their effort. That was good. We battled back there, had a couple chances to even cut the lead a little more, but ultimately didn’t get it done." What needs help Murray's in a bit of a mini-slump after throwing two interceptions in back-to-back games for the first time in his career. He also didn't do much in the run game against the Seahawks, with 16 yards on three carries. The quarterback's decision-making was nearly flawless for much of the season and the Cardinals need that good judgment to return. “I’m not looking at it like I have to try to be Superman,” Murray said. “I don’t think that’s the answer. I just need to play within the offense like we’ve done for the majority of the season. Today, I didn’t. Like I said, throwing two picks puts yourself behind the eight ball.” Said Gannon: “I thought he stuck in there and made some big time throws, though, but he has to protect the ball a little bit better. That’s not just him, that’s all 11. So there’ll be a lot of corrections off those plays." Stock up The defense didn't have its best day, but it's not Budda Baker's fault. The two-time All-Pro safety is having another phenomenal season and was all over the field against the Seahawks, finishing with 18 tackles. Baker's energy is relentless and he's the unquestioned leader of a group that has been better than expected this season, even with Sunday's mediocre performance. Stock down Left tackle Paris Johnson Jr. had a tough day, getting flagged for holding three times, though one of those penalties was declined by the Seahawks. The second-year player moved from right tackle to the left side during the offseason and the transition has gone well, but Sunday was a step backward. Injuries The Cardinals remain fairly healthy. DL Roy Lopez (ankle) and P Blake Gillikin (ankle) left Sunday's game, but neither injury is expected to be long term. Key number 9 — It looks as if the Cardinals will go a ninth straight season without winning the NFC West. The last time they won the division was 2015 with coach Bruce Arians and a core offense of quarterback Carson Palmer, running back David Johnson and receiver Larry Fitzgerald. What’s next The Cardinals are in must-win territory now for any chance at the playoffs. They'll host the New England Patriots on Sunday. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL David Brandt, 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) The Saints are making contingency plans to play without QB Derek Carr as they try to stay alive Dec 9, 2024 3:07 PM Cowboys set to host Bengals under open roof after falling debris thwarted that plan against Texans Dec 9, 2024 2:57 PM The 49ers' playoff hopes are still teetering even after get-right game against the Bears Dec 9, 2024 2:49 PMGoogle: 2024 capital investment in NE is $930M, for a five-year tally of $4.4BDow ends at fresh record as oil prices pull back on ceasefire hopes