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Jason Aldean told Fox News Digital that he has no problem speaking his mind when it comes to "things I believe in." Country music star Jason Aldean ‘s wife, Brittany Aldean, is blaming "woke" politics for why her husband was left off Billboard Magazine's "100 Greatest Country Artists of All Time" list this week. Billboard published its staff-selected list this week of the 100 best country artists spanning over the past 100 years. The list drew criticism on social media from some country music fans, who complained about the magazine including artists who have left country music, like Maren Morris, but snubbing Aldean, who has sold over 20 million albums and had over two dozen #1 singles over his career. "Despite holding the crown as the reigning ACM Artist of the Decade with 28 number one hits in his back pocket, Jason Aldean was somehow not listed as one of Billboard’s 100 Greatest Country Artists of All-Time," social media account, the Country Music Wire , reported. Aldean's wife Brittany shared the social media post to her Instagram stories and suggested Billboard didn't like her husband's conservative political beliefs. BRITTANY ALDEAN SAYS TRUMP WILL DO ‘GREAT THINGS’ FOR AMERICA, ‘TIDE IS TURNING’ Brittany Aldean accused Billboard Magazine of "wokeness" for leaving her husband, Jason Aldean, off of its 100 Greatest Country Artists list. (Steve Granitz) "Remember when I said it's been a journey standing up for what we believe in??" she wrote. "This is a prime example of Jason being left out of things in the industry."[Billboard] your wokeness obviously overrides your ability to give credit where it's due, and it's sad," her post continued. The "Try That in a Small Town" singer and his wife have been outspoken supporters of President-elect Donald Trump over the years, and were spotted sitting next to Trump on the fourth night of the Republican National Convention this past July. Two of Aldean's bandmates, bassist Tully Kennedy and guitarist Kurt Allison, also suggested the magazine's snub was influenced by politics. "It ain’t always easy standing up for what you believe in," Kennedy wrote in an Instagram post . "I don’t know whats funnier @billboard .. How ridiculous this makes you look or the fact that you think it would bother us. Thx for making that chip on our shoulder just a little bit bigger. Proud to make this music and be on that stage with ya every night @jasonaldean .. love ya brother." LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 06: Recording artist Jason Aldean performs during the launch of his three-night "JASON ALDEAN: RIDE ALL NIGHT VEGAS" engagement at Park Theater. (David Becker/Getty Images) JASON ALDEAN IS ‘PROUD’ OF AMERICA EVEN THOUGH ‘SOMETIMES IT GETS A LITTLE SIDEWAYS’ "What a joke @billboard — but not surprising considering the source," Allison posted. Jason Aldean also responded in a comment under Allison's post. "This shouldn’t come as a shock. And people ask if we still have a chip on our shoulder and feel like we have something to prove???" he posted with a laughing emoji. "Hell yea we do and this is a prime example why!! We’ll just keep hammerin and do what we do. Same as we always have," he posted with a fist bump emoji. Billboard did not return Fox News Digital's request for comment. DULUTH, GEORGIA - OCTOBER 23: Country music singer Jason Aldean delivers remarks at a Turning Point PAC campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump at the Gas South Arena on October 23, 2024 in Duluth, Georgia. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images) The magazine's editors explained in the article that commercial success was not the only factor that influenced their choices. "While commercial success was a factor, artistry, longevity and enduring influence counted just as much. Because it’s too early to gauge the long-term impact of many of the newer acts yet, the list leans largely on artists whose place in country music history is already secure," the article said. The Aldeans said recently that they do not regret their vocal support for Trump, despite the backlash they've faced over the years. "We've taken a lot of heat from the entertainment industry and the media for our support of @realDonaldTrump," Jason Aldean wrote in a November 5 social media post. "As a father and an American citizen, I want to see our country get back to its values and principles that made us great to begin with. Vote so our kids can have a safe and secure future. I proudly voted for Trump and encourage everyone to et out today and VOTE!! IT MATTERS," he wrote with the hashtag, #Noregrets. MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - JULY 18: Republican presidential candidate, former U.S. President Donald Trump greets Brittany Aldean (C) and country music artist Jason Aldean (R) as he arrives on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention. (Getty Images/Leon Neal/Getty Images) CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP Brittany Aldean posted a similar message to her followers on the same day. "Even after all the media bashing, business deals lost, relationship changes, being left out of music industry events and multiple attempts to vilify our character - I wouldn’t change a thing," she wrote on a Nov. 5 Instagram post . Kristine Parks is an associate editor for Fox News Digital. Read more.Retailers coax Black Friday shoppers into stores with big discounts and giveaways NEW YORK (AP) — Retailers in the U.S. have used giveaways and bigger-than expected discounts to reward shoppers who ventured out on Black Friday. The day after Thanksgiving still reigns for now as the unofficial kickoff of the holiday shopping season even if it’s lost some luster. Analysts reported seeing the biggest crowds at stores that offered real savings. They say many shoppers are being cautious with their discretionary spending despite the easing of inflation. Stores are even more under the gun to get shoppers in to buy early and in bulk since there are five fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. Online sales figures from Thanksgiving Day gave retailers a reason to remain hopeful for a lucrative end to the year. Canada's Trudeau says he had an 'excellent conversation' with Trump in Florida after tariffs threat WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he had an “excellent conversation” with Donald Trump in Florida after the president-elect’s threat to impose significant tariffs on two of America’s leading trade partners raised alarms in Ottawa and Mexico City. It's unclear, as Trudeau headed back to Canada on Saturday, whether the conversation had alleviated Trump’s concerns. Trump’s transition team hasn't responded to questions about what the leaders had discussed at their dinner Friday night at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club. The Republican president-elect has threatened to impose tariffs on products from Canada and Mexico if the countries don’t stop what he said was the flow of drugs and migrants across their borders. Trump and Republicans in Congress eye an ambitious 100-day agenda, starting with tax cuts WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans swept to power on Election Day and now control the House, the Senate and the White House, with plans for an ambitious 100-day agenda come January. Their to-do list includes extending tax breaks, cutting social programs, building the border wall to stop immigration and rolling back President Joe Biden's green energy policies. Atop that list is a plan to renew some $4 trillion in expiring tax cuts that were a signature domestic achievement of Republican Donald Trump’s first term as president. It's an issue that may define his return to the White House. The ruble's in a slump. For the Kremlin, that's a two-edged sword Russia’s ruble is sagging against other currencies, complicating the Kremlin’s efforts to keep consumer inflation under control with one hand even as it overheats the economy with spending on the war against Ukraine with the other. Over time a weaker ruble could mean higher prices for imports from China, Russia's main trade partner these days. President Vladimir Putin says things are under control. One wild card is sanctions against a key Russian bank that have disrupted foreign trade payments. If Russia finds a workaround for that, the ruble could regain some of its recent losses. Why your favorite catalogs are smaller this holiday season PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — While retailers hope to go big this holiday season, customers may notice that the catalogs arriving in their mailboxes are smaller. Many of the millions of catalogs getting sent to U.S. homes were scaled down to save on postage and paper. Some gift purveyors are sending out postcards. In a sign of the times, the American Catalog Mailers Association rebranded itself in May as the American Commerce Marketing Association. Despite no longer carrying an extended inventory of goods, industry experts say catalogs help retailers cut through the noise and still hold their own in value because of growing digital advertising costs. Iceland votes for a new parliament after political disagreements force an early election REYKJAVIK, Iceland (AP) — Icelanders are electing a new parliament after disagreements over immigration, energy policy and the economy forced Prime Minister Bjarni Benediktsson to pull the plug on his coalition government and call early elections. This will be Iceland’s sixth general election since the 2008 financial crisis devastated the economy of the North Atlantic island nation and ushered in a new era of political instability. Opinion polls suggest the country may be in for another upheaval, with support for the three governing parties plunging. Benediktsson, who was named prime minister in April following the resignation of his predecessor, struggled to hold together the unlikely coalition of his conservative Independence Party with the centrist Progressive Party and the Left-Green Movement. Massachusetts lawmakers push for an effort to ban all tobacco sales over time BOSTON (AP) — A handful of Massachusetts lawmakers are hoping to persuade their colleagues to support a proposal that would make the state the first to adopt a ban meant to eliminate the use of tobacco products over time. Other locations have weighed similar “generational tobacco bans.” The bans phase out the use of tobacco products based not just on a person's age but on birth year. Lawmakers plan to file the proposal next year. If approved, the bill would set a date and ban the sale of tobacco to anyone born after that date forever, eventually banning all sales. Vietnam approves $67 billion high-speed railway project between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh city HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Vietnam has approved the construction of a high-speed railway connecting the capital Hanoi in the north with the financial capital of Ho Chi Minh in the south. It is expected to cost $67 billion and will stretch 1,541 kilometers (957 miles). The new train is expected to travel at speeds of up to 350 kph (217 mph), reducing the journey from the current 30 hours to just five hours. The decision was taken by Vietnam’s National Assembly on Saturday. Construction is expected to begin in 2027 and Vietnam hopes that the first trains will start operating by 2035. But the country has been beleaguered by delays to its previous infrastructure projects. Inflation rose to 2.3% in Europe. That won't stop the central bank from cutting interest rates FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Inflation in the 20 countries that use the euro currency rose in November — but that likely won’t stop the European Central Bank from cutting interest rates as the prospect of new U.S. tariffs from the incoming Trump administration adds to the gloom over weak growth. The European Union’s harmonized index of consumer prices rose 2.3 percent, up from 2.0% in October, according to EU statistics agency Eurostat. However, worries about growth mean the Dec. 12 ECB meeting is not about whether to cut rates, but by how much. Market buzz says there could be a larger than usual half-point cut in the benchmark rate, currently 3.25%. Stock market today: S&P 500 and Dow post gains and close out best month of 2024 NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks closed with solid gains as Wall Street put the finishing touches on one of its best months of the year. The S&P 500 rose 0.6% while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 188 points, or 0.4%. The Nasdaq added 0.8%. Friday was an abbreviated trading day, with stocks closing at 1 p.m. ET and the bond market an hour later. Investors were looking to see how much shoppers are willing to spend on gifts for the holidays. Black Friday unofficially kicked off the holiday shopping season, although retailers had been offering early deals for weeks. Macy’s and Best Buy each gained around 2%.
Michigan RB Kalel Mullings Assigns Blame After Ohio State FightDAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Jao Ituka led Jacksonville State over East Carolina on Thursday night with 18 points off of the bench in an 86-78 victory. Ituka shot 5 for 10 (2 for 6 from 3-point range) and 6 of 8 from the free-throw line for the Gamecocks (4-1). Jaron Pierre Jr. added 16 points while shooting 4 of 10 from the field and 7 for 11 from the line while he also had six rebounds and six assists. Michael Houge had 15 points and shot 6 of 11 from the field and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line. RJ Felton led the Pirates (4-1) in scoring, finishing with 20 points, seven rebounds and three blocks. C.J. Walker added 20 points and seven rebounds for East Carolina. Yann Farell also had 12 points. Ituka scored 10 points in the first half and Jacksonville State went into halftime trailing 39-37. Jacksonville State used a 13-2 second-half run to take the lead at 71-66 with 3:52 remaining. Houge scored 12 second-half points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs: 'We're a .500 club right now'
READER POLL: Do you think Maryland’s budget shortfall could be reduced by cutting government waste and fraud?Laurie Baratti | (TNS) TravelPulse As the holidays approach, travelers hoping for smooth journeys will want to know at which U.S. airports the weather most often wreaks havoc. A recent analysis by Upgraded Points, using data from the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, revealed which airports are most likely to experience weather-related delays from November through January. Related Articles What dynamic pricing means for Black Friday shopping Small, luxury foods are great as stocking stuffers or other gifts. Ideas for under $50 From fashion to sports, coffee table books are great holiday options 10 holiday gifts to hit the right note for music lovers ‘Tis the season for holiday albums, from Jennifer Hudson to Toby Keith and Jimmy Fallon The analysis identifies five major U.S. airports that regularly see high numbers of weather-related delays during the holiday months. These airports, which include both coastal and northern hubs, are vulnerable to various weather disruptions, from heavy rains and fog to snow and icy conditions. Travelers flying through these locations should be prepared for longer waits and potential rescheduling. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) tops the list, with a striking 42.3% of holiday delays caused by weather. December is particularly challenging at SFO, where over half of all delays in that month (50.5%) are weather-related, often due to rain and fog. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) follows closely, with 42.1% weather-related delays, driven by the frequent winter storms that hit the East Coast. LaGuardia Airport (LGA), an East Coast hub, ranks third with 38.3% of delays attributed to inclement weather, reflecting the challenges of winter travel in the Northeast. In Seattle, November rain and fog are common, contributing to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s (SEA) 38.1% weather-delay rate. Rounding out the top five, Boston’s Logan International Airport (BOS) has a 31.3% weather-delay rate, which spikes during the city’s harsh winter season. For travelers looking to avoid weather-related delays, several U.S. airports typically experience fewer disruptions during the holiday months. Warm coastal climates and reliably milder weather conditions help keep these airports running smoothly. With a low weather-related delay rate of 11%, Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) is the most reliable option for those aiming for hassle-free holiday travel. Thanks to Hawaii’s tropical climate, flights here face few weather disruptions even during peak travel periods. Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) are close behind, each with around 12% of delays attributed to weather. Meanwhile, Dallas Love Field (DAL), San Diego International Airport (SAN) and Miami International Airport (MIA) all see weather-related delays at rates under 13.5%, making them solid options for travelers seeking smoother travel experiences. 1. San Francisco International Airport (SFO) – 42.3% of delays due to weather 2. Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) – 42.1% 3. LaGuardia Airport (LGA) – 38.3% 4. Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA) – 38.1% 5. Logan International Airport (BOS) – 31.3% 1. Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) – 11% 2. William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) – 12.3% 3. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – 12.4% 4. Dallas Love Field (DAL) – 12.7% 5. San Diego International Airport (SAN), Miami International Airport (MIA) – 13.1% (tied) ©2024 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Visit at travelpulse.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Robert Kennedy , a business owner, said political parties are promising to build hundreds of thousands of houses but he remained unconvinced about how this could be done. “What I can’t figure out is how they’re going to build them. We know they can finance the houses. Who’s going to build them?” The panel was asked if it had heard anything in the campaign so far that sounded like a feasible solution on this topic. Ken Harper , a former railway executive from the UK, said he was canvassed by Sinn Féin and was given their Home of Your Own housing policy document during that. He felt there was a willingness in their policies to address certain issues that needed to be looked at before building could start, such as making sure the sites were serviced. “I suppose that was a step change in recognising that it’s not just a question of promising to build houses, but actually getting the ducks in a row before work can actually commence. I get the sense that Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats and Labour are willing to embrace something a bit different...whereas with the big two parties it’s really just promising more of the same.” Rebecca Saunders, a primary schoolteacher, recently bought her first home. She said that in Dublin, “all you can see is cranes on the skyline. Stuff is getting built everywhere but what is getting built are hotels and build to rent developments”. She believes the Government’s Help To Buy scheme is “not providing housing in any meaningful way”. Aisling O’Reilly , a 29-year-old tech worker, said she had a “baffling” conversation with Fine Gael Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe when she was canvassed by him during the week. She said she asked him about the Help To Buy scheme, telling him it could not help her buy anything in the area around her as it does not extend to homes that are not newly built. “His response to it was ‘sure we couldn’t extend it to the second hand homes because that would push up the price’...I just thought it was a really interesting one.” Jo Cahalan , from Abbeyleix, Co Laois, said she has not been impressed with anything that she has heard. “They are just giving away money now. I’m kind of calling it the political version of Black Friday.” Jo felt that “we don’t have a real alternative. We will simply have a mismatch of all different parties, amounting to the same thing.” She said the number of election promises being made “makes me very nervous”. Gretta Fitzgerald , an advocacy adviser with Concern Worldwide, said she believes the “more left-leaning parties do seem to have a bit more ambition around really tackling some of the issues, such as housing” rather than “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results”. Seán Ryan , who lives in rural Co Limerick, said there are “two main government parties (who) are going to get the same vote that they got the last time. The combined opposition, if everyone were organised in three or four parties, then there’d be an alternative. But if 20-25 per cent of the population are going to vote for their local Independent, most of whom are gene pool from one of the traditional parties anyway...” Rebecca Saunders said in relation to Sinn Féin: “They’re not going to be an alternative. They won’t get in. And if they do I think there would be concerns about how they run their party.” Catherine Bergin , a public service worker living in Dundalk, said “I wouldn’t be a supporter of either Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael, but I certainly wouldn’t want to see Sinn Féin in.” She said there may be anxiety among the public about a possible shock to the public finances, which would mean people may not want to “rock the boat”. Tommy Cole , who lives in Tralee, Co Kerry, said that in terms of the parties who are seeking change, “there needs to be the numbers. And most of these parties don’t have the numbers.” However he said that if people did not vote for change then the future would look much the same. Robert Kennedy felt that Mary Lou McDonald came across as “a touch nervous” in the Katie Hannon leaders’ debate. Rebecca Saunders was unimpressed with Simon Harris, and said he was “the worst kind of insincere”. Catherine Bergin felt Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin was “an honourable person in comparison to a lot of the more recent leaders” and she felt he was “assertive” in the debate. Tommy Cole was impressed with the performance of People Before Profit leader Richard Boyd Barrett in the debate. Jo Cahalan said she felt Ivana Bacik came across “really well and genuine”. Jennifer Bray is a Political Correspondent with The Irish TimesSwapo nomalunduluko molwa omahogololo omatilithiEfforts on to install Alluri Sitaramaraju statues in Vijayawada, Hyderabad: MinisterLittler, Humphries reach Players quarters to remain on collision course
Events Ojobaro describes comedy shows as goldmine, export commodity By Gbenga Akinfenwa 23 November 2024 | 3:48 pm Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on WhatsApp Share on Telegram Comedy shows in Nigeria have been described as a goldmine, but they have yet to achieve their full potential as most Nigerians have Comedy shows in Nigeria have been described as a goldmine, but they have yet to achieve their full potential as most Nigerians have not fully tapped into their array of benefits. This was the view of Babatunde Ojobaro, popularly known as Mister Rain, in a chat with Journalists. He disclosed that as a multi-talented individual, he had always believed that talent goes way beyond what it looks like. “Comedy shows have achieved a very huge milestone in the past decade, and the improvement cannot be ignored. I feel that these comedy styles – satire, farce, parody and slapstick are the most popular and have been explored quite a lot to a certain extent and to be honest, they have worked for the people who have distinctively employed any of all of them in their standup comedy style. “Other comedy styles like comedy of humor, classical comedy, comedy of errors, romantic comedy, and a few others are more in tune for TV, drama, and films than it is to stand-up comedy,” he said. Ojobaro revealed that as a comedian, he believes comedy is more than just making people laugh. “One of my favourite quotes is that ‘If you can make them laugh, you can get their attention, and if you can get their attention, you can tell them anything.’ “I believe there’s so much that can be done with the opportunity of having a lot of people listening to you at the same time. I am a sucker for capacity building, social change, community development and anything that encourages personal and communal growth and performing comedy on a regular show where you get just five to 10 minutes, doesn’t give me enough time to really preach my message while making people laugh. “I decided to curate my comedy show, which will give me enough time to make them laugh while touching on issues that can preach my ideals that generally address the essence of personal and communal growth. “I also wanted to do something different from the usual, something that will challenge me to give the whole of myself to my craft and performance and then I feel like doing what allows me to service audience and clients in my niche satisfactorily,” he said. Ojobaro, who stressed that every endeavour has its own challenges, said in the case of one-man comedy show, it comes with the challenge of changing the narratives. “People are used to comedy shows with variety of comedians, which is not bad at all and sometimes it feels like good value for their time and money, compared to just coming to sit down for just one person who is not even a popular figure in that sense. Having to convince people to pick a one-man comedy show for a fee that can get them into another comedy show with a variety of comedians is a top-notch challenge. “The other challenge would be getting the full attention of your guest as the only comedian for the advertised duration. You have to serve variety as an individual; that’s some very hard work, but with the track record of five successful one-man comedy shows, that challenge has been mastered and overcome. He encouraged his colleagues to embrace one-man comedy, when it comes to stand-up comedy, saying it is a litmus test, not necessarily for how good the person is, but a test in the real sense of it. “It paints you as a comedian in a more brilliant light. It could also test how popular or not you are amongst many other things.” While noting that comedy is already an export commodity for Nigeria, he said: “I can name a lot of comedians who have put the Nigeria comedy scene on the international map. It can be better than it is now, but it is already an export. While speaking on his journey as an entertainer, he said: “I started out as a dancer. Dancing for fun and entertaining people as a very young boy, then got into acting and comedy in the university as far back as 2003, and then I combined all three. In fact, it became so serious after my first degree. I had to take JAMB again to study Theatre Arts, and I have never looked back since then. As an award winner – Radio presenter, actor for screen, director and producer for theatre, a stand-up comedian, I would cumulatively say I have been in entertainment for more than 20 years (this is inclusive of my years in the university). Ojobaro said that he believes everyone who does something wants to either be the best at it or get due recognition or just be at that space where a lot of people can reckon with your work. “Sometimes when that doesn’t happen either as fast as you want or as large, you may begin to worry but again there are a lot of other talents jostling for the same thing. The ripple effect of this is, that when one is not at that stage yet, getting funding and sponsorship may become a very big deal and it can hinder personal projects and stuff like that if one is not even careful it can hinder growth and I considered that a very huge challenge for a long time but not anymore. “I know that not everyone can be an RMD or an Ali Baba, but you can carve out your niche, build your own client and audience base, begin to nurture and service them satisfactorily and that’s what I have been doing in the last couple of years. “As a comedian, I am not as popular as most comedians, but all my stand-up comedy shows are usually sold out weeks before the show. I don’t know how many comedians can do a one-man comedy show in October and November of the same year in the same city, charging different fees per show and still sell out the auditorium for both shows but I did. “As an actor, especially for stage and theatre, my shows are also usually sold out. A very recent instance is my participation at the Lagos International Theatre Festival and even the Lagos Fringe, the play “Who Tif Mona Lisa?” When I featured as an actor was a massive success. “So the idea is, I don’t want to rule the world; I want to rule my world, and that’s how I’m able to constantly overcome the challenges.”
Shares of Netflix, Inc. ( NASDAQ:NFLX – Get Free Report ) shot up 0.5% during trading on Thursday . The stock traded as high as $880.95 and last traded at $877.34. 2,575,914 shares changed hands during mid-day trading, a decline of 30% from the average session volume of 3,668,794 shares. The stock had previously closed at $872.60. Analysts Set New Price Targets NFLX has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wedbush reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $950.00 price target (up previously from $800.00) on shares of Netflix in a research note on Monday, November 18th. StockNews.com upgraded Netflix from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 24th. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Netflix from $820.00 to $830.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Friday, October 18th. Pivotal Research increased their price objective on shares of Netflix from $925.00 to $1,100.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, November 20th. Finally, Guggenheim boosted their target price on shares of Netflix from $810.00 to $825.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 29th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating and twenty-five have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $764.82. Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on NFLX Netflix Stock Performance Netflix ( NASDAQ:NFLX – Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 17th. The Internet television network reported $5.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.09 by $0.31. The firm had revenue of $9.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $9.77 billion. Netflix had a net margin of 20.70% and a return on equity of 35.86%. On average, analysts anticipate that Netflix, Inc. will post 19.78 earnings per share for the current year. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Director Timothy M. Haley sold 647 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $800.19, for a total transaction of $517,722.93. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Also, Director Anne M. Sweeney sold 589 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $880.00, for a total transaction of $518,320.00. The disclosure for this sale can be found here . Over the last three months, insiders sold 185,866 shares of company stock worth $133,393,921. Corporate insiders own 1.76% of the company’s stock. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Large investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. American Trust bought a new position in Netflix in the third quarter worth about $323,000. Old North State Trust LLC raised its position in shares of Netflix by 3.2% during the 3rd quarter. Old North State Trust LLC now owns 699 shares of the Internet television network’s stock worth $496,000 after purchasing an additional 22 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its position in Netflix by 11.5% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 1,236,539 shares of the Internet television network’s stock valued at $881,652,000 after purchasing an additional 127,541 shares during the period. Synovus Financial Corp boosted its position in Netflix by 43.9% during the 3rd quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 12,667 shares of the Internet television network’s stock valued at $8,984,000 after purchasing an additional 3,864 shares during the period. Finally, Destination Wealth Management grew its stake in Netflix by 7.5% during the 3rd quarter. Destination Wealth Management now owns 1,083 shares of the Internet television network’s stock worth $768,000 after buying an additional 76 shares during the last quarter. 80.93% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Netflix Company Profile ( Get Free Report ) Netflix, Inc provides entertainment services. It offers TV series, documentaries, feature films, and games across various genres and languages. The company also provides members the ability to receive streaming content through a host of internet-connected devices, including TVs, digital video players, TV set-top boxes, and mobile devices. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Netflix Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Netflix and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .
Lightning ride electric power play to 4-2 victory over Canucks
Iceland votes for a new parliament amid disagreements on immigration, energy policy and the economyMILWAUKEE — Charlotte Hornets forward Grant Williams left Saturday night's 125-119 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks late in the fourth quarter with a right knee injury. “I think it has just been diagnosed as a right knee injury,” Hornets coach Charles Lee said after the game. “We’ll continue to get some imaging and evaluations. The most important thing is that all of our prayers are with Grant and hoping the news comes back as good as possible.” Williams was hurt on a drive to the basket with just under four minutes remaining with the Bucks leading 114-101. He finished 2 of 6 with eight points and seven rebounds in 32 minutes.Police say they’ve arrested several people following an anti-NATO protest that included two car fires and left some businesses with smashed windows. Montreal police say they made at least three arrests following a demonstration that began late afternoon Friday. Police say that during the march, smoke bombs were deployed, metal barriers were thrown into the street and windows of businesses and at the convention centre were smashed. Delegates from NATO member states and partner countries are in Montreal this weekend to discuss issues including support for Ukraine, climate change and the future of the alliance. The protest was planned by the groups Divest for Palestine and the Convergence of Anti-Capitalist Struggles, who did not immediately respond to requests for comment Saturday. Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly condemned the protests in a Saturday morning post on social media platform X, saying that “rioting is not peaceful protest and has no place in Montreal or anywhere in Canada.” “Those who spread hate and antisemitism, use violence, loot and destroy property must be condemned and held accountable,” she added. Police spokesperson Manuel Couture says the demonstrators were completely dispersed at around 7 p.m. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 23, 2024.
MAI Capital Management cut its stake in First Solar, Inc. ( NASDAQ:FSLR – Free Report ) by 8.6% during the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 1,724 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock after selling 163 shares during the quarter. MAI Capital Management’s holdings in First Solar were worth $430,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Electron Capital Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of First Solar by 81,947.0% in the 2nd quarter. Electron Capital Partners LLC now owns 7,669,757 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $1,729,223,000 after buying an additional 7,660,409 shares in the last quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. grew its position in First Solar by 1,757.2% in the third quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 546,193 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock worth $136,242,000 after acquiring an additional 516,783 shares in the last quarter. Anomaly Capital Management LP acquired a new position in shares of First Solar during the 2nd quarter worth $53,752,000. International Assets Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of First Solar by 24,844.0% during the 3rd quarter. International Assets Investment Management LLC now owns 217,512 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $542,560,000 after purchasing an additional 216,640 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board lifted its stake in shares of First Solar by 2,429.1% in the 2nd quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 174,530 shares of the solar cell manufacturer’s stock valued at $39,350,000 after purchasing an additional 167,629 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 92.08% of the company’s stock. First Solar Price Performance NASDAQ:FSLR opened at $186.05 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $19.92 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.02, a PEG ratio of 0.33 and a beta of 1.48. The company has a 50-day moving average of $212.65 and a 200-day moving average of $225.35. First Solar, Inc. has a 52 week low of $135.88 and a 52 week high of $306.77. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.05, a quick ratio of 1.44 and a current ratio of 2.14. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research firms have commented on FSLR. StockNews.com raised shares of First Solar from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on First Solar from $315.00 to $280.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 30th. Roth Mkm decreased their target price on First Solar from $320.00 to $280.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, October 15th. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $260.00 price target (down previously from $286.00) on shares of First Solar in a report on Wednesday, October 30th. Finally, UBS Group boosted their price objective on shares of First Solar from $350.00 to $360.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, twenty-three have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $279.04. Check Out Our Latest Research Report on FSLR First Solar Profile ( Free Report ) First Solar, Inc, a solar technology company, provides photovoltaic (PV) solar energy solutions in the United States, France, Japan, Chile, and internationally. The company manufactures and sells PV solar modules with a thin film semiconductor technology that provides a lower-carbon alternative to conventional crystalline silicon PV solar modules. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding FSLR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for First Solar, Inc. ( NASDAQ:FSLR – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for First Solar Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for First Solar and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .'Patient data leaked' after cyber attack on Alder Hey Children's Hospital
Argument at NYC subway stop leads to teen slashed in face, NYPD says
Trump EV Skepticism Threatens $54 Billion in Korean Investments
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WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that he will nominate former White House aide Brooke Rollins to be his agriculture secretary, the last of his picks to lead executive agencies and another choice from within his established circle of advisers and allies. The nomination must be confirmed by the Senate, which will be controlled by Republicans when Trump takes office Jan. 20. Rollins would succeed Tom Vilsack , President Joe Biden’s agriculture secretary who oversees the sprawling agency that controls policies, regulations and aid programs related to farming, forestry, ranching, food quality and nutrition. Then-President Donald Trump looks to Brooke Rollins, president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, as she speaks during a Jan. 11, 2018, prison reform roundtable in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. Rollins previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. The pick completes Trump’s selection of the heads of executive branch departments, just two and a half weeks after the former president won the White House once again. Several other picks that are traditionally Cabinet-level remain, including U.S. Trade Representative and head of the small business administration. Brooke Rollins, assistant to the president and director of the Domestic Policy Council at the time, speaks during a May 18, 2020, meeting with restaurant industry executives about the coronavirus response in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. Rollins, speaking on the Christian talk show “Family Talk" earlier this year, said Trump was an “amazing boss” and confessed that she thought in 2015, during his first presidential campaign, that he would not last as a candidate in a crowded Republican primary field. “I was the person that said, ‘Oh, Donald Trump is not going to go more than two or three weeks in the Republican primary. This is to up his TV show ratings. And then we’ll get back to normal,’” she said. “Fast forward a couple of years, and I am running his domestic policy agenda.” Trump didn’t offer many specifics about his agriculture policies during the campaign, but farmers could be affected if he carries out his pledge to impose widespread tariffs. During the first Trump administration, countries like China responded to Trump’s tariffs by imposing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports like the corn and soybeans routinely sold overseas. Trump countered by offering massive multibillion-dollar aid to farmers to help them weather the trade war. Brooke Rollins speaks at an Oct. 27 campaign rally for then-Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at Madison Square Garden in New York. President Abraham Lincoln founded the USDA in 1862, when about half of all Americans lived on farms. The USDA oversees multiple support programs for farmers; animal and plant health; and the safety of meat, poultry and eggs that anchor the nation’s food supply. Its federal nutrition programs provide food to low-income people, pregnant women and young children. And the agency sets standards for school meals. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has vowed to strip ultraprocessed foods from school lunches and to stop allowing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program beneficiaries from using food stamps to buy soda, candy or other so-called junk foods. But it would be the USDA, not HHS, that would be responsible for enacting those changes. In addition, HHS and USDA will work together to finalize the 2025-2030 edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They are due late next year, with guidance for healthy diets and standards for federal nutrition programs. Gomez Licon reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Associated Press writers Josh Funk and JoNel Aleccia contributed to this report. Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration, and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign. In a statement, Trump called McGinley “a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda, while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement.” Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.