Calin Georgescu, who ran independently, will face reformist Elena Lasconi in a Dec. 8. runoff after most local surveys predicted he would win less than 10% of the vote. Georgescu, 62, was ahead after nearly all ballots were counted with around 22.95%. According to local media, Georgescu in the past has praised Russian President Vladimir Putin as “a man who loves his country” and called Ukraine “an invented state.” He has also sparked controversy for describing Romanian fascist and nationalist leaders from the 1930s and 1940s as national heroes. Lasconi, of the progressive Save Romania Union party, or USR, followed with 19.17%. She beat by a slim margin incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu of the Social Democratic Party, or PSD, who stood at 19.15%. Lasconi on Monday warned that Romania is now in “a historical confrontation between preserving Romania’s young democracy ... and those who want to return Romania to the Russian sphere of influence.” She added: “Let us be very clear, Calin Georgescu is an open admirer of Vladimir Putin. He is open against NATO and the European Union ... He is for Romania’s isolation, which he calls neutrality ... And without NATO we are at the mercy of Russia.” Georgescu on Monday denied charges of being an extremist as “false, totally fake” and said he is “completely dedicated” to the Romanian people. “We remain directly linked to European values, but we must find our (own) values,” he said. “I’m not an extremist, I’m not a fascist, I’m a Romanian who loves his country.” Many observers have attributed Georgescu’s success to his TikTok account , which has 3.7 million likes and 274,000 followers. He gained huge traction and popularity in recent weeks. It is the first time in Romania’s 35-year post-communist history that the country’s most powerful party, the PSD, doesn't have a candidate in the second round of a presidential race, underscoring voters’ anti-establishment sentiment. Ciolacu's shocking defeat prompted him to submit his resignation as party leader on Monday. After polls closed on Sunday, the Central Election Bureau said 9.4 million people — about 52.5% of eligible voters — had cast ballots. Georgescu won 43.3% of the vote in Romania's large diaspora, while Lasconi got 26.8%. Romania's president serves a five-year term in the European Union and NATO member country and has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security, foreign policy and judicial appointments. According to his website, Georgescu holds a doctorate in pedology, a branch of soil science, and held positions in Romania’s environment ministry in the 1990s. Between 1999 and 2012, he was a representative for Romania on the national committee of the United Nations Environment Program. His campaign positions included supporting farmers, reducing import dependence and ramping up local energy and food production. Georgescu's rising popularity will be tested when he faces Lasconi, who may attract more moderate voters who initially choose other candidates. Lasconi, a former journalist, told The Associated Press ahead of the vote that she saw corruption as one of Romania's biggest problems and expressed support for increased defense spending and continued aid to Ukraine. If she wins the final vote, she will be the first female president in Romania's history. Romania will also hold parliamentary elections on Dec. 1 that will determine the country’s next government and prime minister.Why Is JLL (JLL) Stock Rocketing Higher Today
HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec 9, 2024-- Hess Midstream LP (NYSE: HESM) today announced publication of its 2023 Sustainability Report as part of its commitment to transparency about environmental, social and governance plans and performance. The report is available on the Hess Midstream website . Leading sustainability reporting frameworks were used to develop the Hess Midstream Sustainability Report including the Energy Infrastructure Council and GPA Midstream Association Environment, Social and Governance Reporting Template; the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board standard for oil and gas – midstream; the Taskforce for Climate-Related Financial Disclosures; and the Global Reporting Initiative Standards. About Hess Midstream Hess Midstream is a fee based, growth oriented midstream company that owns, operates, develops and acquires a diverse set of midstream assets to provide services to Hess and third party customers. Hess Midstream owns oil, gas and produced water handling assets that are primarily located in the Bakken and Three Forks Shale plays in the Williston Basin area of North Dakota. More information is available at www.hessmidstream.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209216780/en/ CONTACT: Investor: Jennifer Gordon (212) 536-8244Media: Lorrie Hecker (212) 536-8250 KEYWORD: TEXAS NORTH AMERICA UNITED STATES IRELAND UNITED KINGDOM EUROPE INDUSTRY KEYWORD: UTILITIES OIL/GAS SUSTAINABILITY ENVIRONMENT FINANCE ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE (ESG) ENERGY PROFESSIONAL SERVICES SOURCE: Hess Midstream LP Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 12/09/2024 05:21 PM/DISC: 12/09/2024 05:20 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209216780/en
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Cardinals' sudden 3-game tailspin has turned their once solid playoff hopes into a long shotSpecial counsel Jack Smith filed a motion Monday in a Washington, D.C., federal court to dismiss all four felony charges against President-elect Donald Trump related to alleged interference in the 2020 election. “The Government’s position on the merits of the defendant’s prosecution has not changed. But the circumstances have as a result of the election held on November 5, 2024, the defendant will be certified as President-elect on January 6, 2025, and inaugurated on January 20, 2025: as a result of the election held on November 5, 2024, the defendant will be certified as President-elect on January 6, 2025, and inaugurated on January 20, 2025,” the reads. “This sets at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: on the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities...and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law and the longstanding principle that ‘[n]o man in this country is so high that he is above the law,’” the document continues. explained that in light of the long-held position of the Justice Department that a sitting president cannot be prosecuted, the charges must be dropped. BREAKING: Jack Smith moves to dismiss the case against Trump in Washington. — Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) Trump spokesman Steven Cheung responded in a statement saying, “Today’s decision by the DOJ ends the unconstitutional federal cases against President Trump, and is a major victory for the rule of law. The American People and President Trump want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country.” “The American People re-elected President Trump with an overwhelming mandate to Make America Great Again. Today’s decision by the DOJ ends the unconstitutional federal cases against President Trump, and is a major victory for the rule of law. The American People and President... — Gayle Trotter (@gayletrotter) Smith Trump with obstructing an official proceeding, conspiracy to defraud the United States and conspiracy against rights in his 2020 election interference case that he filed in Washington, D.C. However, the Supreme Court in July that presidents have immunity for official acts taken while in office. The decision required Smith to redo his indictment and pushed a potential trial until after the election. And in Florida, Smith indicted Trump for allegedly retaining classified documents containing national defense information, as well as obstruction and making false statements. But Judge Aileen Cannon in July that the DOJ’s appointment of Smith as special counsel was unconstitutional, concluding the move needed congressional approval. The DOJ has appealed the case to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Presumably, Smith’s office will also be filing a motion to dismiss the documents case. reported that Smith and his team plan to resign before Trump takes office, according to a source. That leaves still outstanding against the president-elect. On Friday New York Judge Juan Merchan the sentencing hearing from the court calendar in Trump’s business records case by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and is allowing the president-elect’s attorneys to file a motion to dismiss it. Finally, Fulton County, Georgia, District Attorney Fani Willis’ 2020 election interference case against Trump is currently at the state Court of Appeals. But the court issued an order Nov. 18 saying oral arguments were until further notice. We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. .DETROIT (AP) — Starting in September of 2027, all new passenger vehicles in the U.S. will have to sound a warning if rear-seat passengers don’t buckle up. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Monday that it finalized the rule, which also requires enhanced warnings when front seat belts aren’t fastened. The agency estimates that the new rule will save 50 lives per year and prevent 500 injuries when fully in effect, according to a statement. The new rule will apply to passenger cars, trucks, buses except for school buses, and multipurpose vehicles weighing up to 10,000 pounds. Before the rule, seat belt warnings were required only for the driver’s seat. Under the new rule, outboard front-seat passengers also must get a warning if they don’t fasten their belts. Front-center seats will not get a warning because NHTSA found that it wouldn’t be cost effective. The agency said most vehicles already have warnings for the outboard passenger seats. The rule also lengthens the duration of audio and visual warnings for the driver’s seat. The front-seat rules are effective starting Sept. 1 of 2026. Rear passengers consistently use seat belts at a lower rate than front passengers, the agency says. In 2022, front belt use was just under 92%, while rear use dropped to about 82%. About half of automobile passengers who died in crashes two years ago weren’t wearing belts, according to NHTSA data. The seat belt rule is the second significant regulation to come from NHTSA in the past two months. In November the agency bolstered its Safety advocates want the Department of Transportation, which includes NHTSA, to finish several more rules before the end of the Biden administration, because President-elect Donald Trump has said he’s against new government regulations. Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, urged the department to approve automatic emergency braking for heavy trucks and technology to prevent impaired driving.Malique Ewin finished with team highs of 17 points and seven rebounds to lead the Florida State Seminoles to a 92-59 victory over the Massachusetts Minutemen in each team's final game of the Naismith Hall of Fame Tip-Off on Sunday afternoon in Uncasville, Conn. The Seminoles (6-1) won their third consecutive game and went 2-0 in the event as they pulled away in the second half, leading by as many as 36 points. It's Florida State's best start since the 2019-20 season when it went 7-1. UMass (1-5) dropped its fifth in a row following a season-opening win over New Hampshire despite a strong game on Sunday from Jaylen Curry, who scored 17 points. Curry, with six free throws, helped propel the Minutemen on a 10-0 run over a four-plus minute span in the first half to take a 24-23 lead with 4:22 left. FSU closed the half on a 13-3 run to lead 37-27 at halftime. A 15-4 surge to open the second half helped the Seminoles break the game open. Florida State's defense frustrated UMass shooters throughout the contest, especially on the perimeter, limiting the Minutemen to 3-for-24 shooting (12.5 percent) from 3-point range and 18-for-58 (31 percent) overall. The Seminoles finished with 22 points off 17 UMass turnovers. On the flipside, Florida State had one of its best shooting games of the season. The Seminoles moved the ball well throughout the game and finished with 25 assists while only turning the ball over 10 times. The Seminoles shot 33 for 58 (57 percent) from the field and made 9 of 18 three-pointers to put together a season-high scoring output. Once again, Florida State shined thanks to its depth as 10 players scored and four scored in double figures. The Seminoles were able to have 16 players participate in the game as well. Jamir Watkins finished with 14 points while Jerry Deng and Justin Thomas each had 10 points. For UMass, Daniel Rivera finished with 12 points and six rebounds while Nate Guerengomba had 10 points. Daniel Hankins-Sanford collected a game-high 13 rebounds. --Field Level Media
Something to look forward to: Dual monitors are quite common in desktop setups these days, but enjoying the same experience on the go has rarely been an option. However, a new product from Minisforum – a portable monitor that unfolds into two screens – could change that. The MDSA156 is a unique portable monitor that unfolds to reveal two 15.6-inch 1080p IPS displays connected by a 315-degree hinge. The bottom screen includes a built-in kickstand, allowing you to prop it up in various orientations and angles to suit your needs. Weighing just 2.2 pounds, it's impressively lightweight for a dual-screen setup. With dual USB-C ports and an HDMI input, the MDSA156 easily connects to laptops, tablets, or even smartphones, providing a quick and convenient way to expand your screen real estate on the go. The monitor also features stereo speakers and consumes up to 30 watts of power, though actual power usage is typically lower than the advertised maximum. Minisforum highlights a variety of use cases, including office work, business meetings, stock analysis, gaming, travel, and online courses. Promotional graphics showcase versatile configurations, such as vertically stacking the dual screens to mimic a larger monitor, angling them apart for easier sharing between two users, or folding them completely flat for single-screen use when needed. Additionally, the company emphasizes that the monitor's unique design promotes ergonomic comfort, reducing neck strain during prolonged use and supporting a more natural posture for reading and typing. The package does come with some compromises. The 250-nit peak brightness and limited 45 percent NTSC color gamut (equivalent to roughly 100 percent sRGB) make it less suitable for professional photo or video editing or other color-critical work. That said, at $231, the MDSA156 offers an affordable price point for a unique dual-screen form factor. While it may not replace a full desktop monitor setup, it's an ingenious solution for digital nomads looking to boost productivity and multitasking without adding significant bulk to their gear. However, if your workflow involves graphically intensive tasks and requires high color accuracy, you might consider alternatives like the Edge 4K OLED Ultralight Portable Magnetic Monitor. This model boasts 100 percent DCI-P3 color gamut coverage, 10-bit color support, and a peak brightness of 400 nits, making it ideal for professional-grade work.
I always ignored my dad's money advice until I watched him use a 4-step strategy to retire at 55Trump vows to pursue executions after Biden commutes most of federal death row