Trump Cabinet picks, appointees targeted by bomb threats and swatting attacksThe New York Times published its first crossword puzzle on February 15, 1942, in the Sunday Magazine, created by Charles Erlenkotter and edited by Margaret Farrar. It was the first major newspaper to introduce a crossword puzzle at the time. Since then, the NYT has launched several popular games, including the Mini Crossword in 2014, followed by Spelling Bee, Letter Boxed, and Tiles. In 2022, the NYT released the highly popular Wordle, followed by Connections and Strands. NYT Strands is the newest addition to the NYT puzzle lineup. This daily game features fresh themes each day, where players are tasked with uncovering all the words on the grid, including a special Spangram that spans two sides of the board. NYT Strands December 24, 2024 – Hints, answers, Spangram Having trouble solving today’s NYT Strands puzzle? We’re here to help with some easy hints to fuel your curiosity even more. Plus, we’ve got today’s answer waiting for you – just keep reading. Today's NYT Strands puzzle theme The theme for today’s Strands is “Who on earth ...?''. Hints for today’s Strands Below, we’ve shared the hints, answers, and Spangram for today ’s NYT Strands puzzle. The hints may give away part or all of the Strands, so proceed with caution. Scroll down to continue: Hints The first word is the cheerful foliage adorning the holiday spaces. The second word is the elegant tree that moves like a dancer in the breeze. The third word is the serene stream that murmurs as it winds through the forest. The fourth word is the verdant crown, perfect for a poetic victor. The fifth word is the powerful current that shapes the earth beneath. The sixth word is the sweet, tangy pop of sunshine encased in a small rind. NYT Strands December 24, 2024 – Hints, answers, Spangram Spangram for today ‘Naturenames’ is the Spangram for today’s NYT Strands puzzle. Today's Strands’ answers: The first word is holly. The second word is willow. The third word is brook. The fourth word is laurel. The fifth word is river. The sixth word is clementine. What are NYT Strands and how to play the game? Strands is a puzzle game that blends elements of Connections, Spelling Bee, and classic crossword puzzles. Players are given 48 letters arranged on a 6 x 8-inch grid, along with a daily theme. The goal is to solve the Spangram and uncover all the theme-related words. To play, connect letters on the grid to form words by dragging your mouse or fingers (on a touchscreen) in horizontal, vertical, or diagonal directions. Start by identifying the central theme word or Spangram, which will help you understand the puzzle’s theme. In addition to the Spangram, you must also find other words related to the theme hidden in the grid. Once you’ve uncovered them all, the puzzle is complete. Tips for solving NYT Strands puzzle Identify the theme words: Fill in the grid with the theme words. Once found, they will be highlighted in blue and won't overlap with each other. Find the Spangram: Identify the Spangram, a key part of the puzzle that connects two opposite sides of the grid. It encapsulates the theme and may consist of two words. The Spangram will be highlighted in yellow once you’ve located it. Take advantage of hints: Pay attention to off-topic words for clues. For every three non-theme words you uncover, letters will be highlighted to give you a hint toward finding a theme word, without directly revealing it. Also Read: Wordle today: Clues and hints for December 24 2024Arkansas DE Landon Jackson carted off field and taken to hospital with neck injury
The Democratic chief executive gave his approval Monday to Braun's " Mark Our Place Act " authorizing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to furnish or replace a headstone, marker or medallion at the grave of an eligible Medal of Honor recipient — regardless of when the person served in the armed forces. Previously, grave site Medal of Honor recognition only was available to Medal of Honor recipients who served in the military after 1917, when the United States entered the First World War. Approximately 65% of Medal of Honor recipients served prior to World War I, according to records maintained by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society . "Our Medal of Honor recipients represent the best America has to offer. They should be honored regardless of when they served," Braun said. "I am proud to see this bill that will memorialize the valor of these American heroes be signed into law." Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts A total of 3,538 Medals of Honor have been awarded since the designation was established during the Civil War by Republican President Abraham Lincoln — who grew up in southern Indiana from the age of 7 to 21. Sammy Davis , a Vietnam War veteran and the only living Hoosier recipient of the Medal of Honor, expressed thanks to everyone who helped the Mark Our Place Act become law. "This is a great bill to recognize the recipients of America's highest medal for valor, the Medal of Honor, and I fully support it," Davis said. Braun's single term in the U.S. Senate is scheduled to end Jan. 3 after he opted not to seek reelection this year and instead successfully ran for Indiana governor. The Jasper, Indiana, native will take his oath of office as the Hoosier State's 52nd governor during a Jan. 13 ceremony at the Hilbert Circle Theater in Indianapolis.
First 12-team CFP set: Oregon seeded No. 1, SMU edges Alabama for final spotNEW YORK — Several of President-elect Donald Trump 's Cabinet picks and appointees have been targeted by bomb threats and "swatting attacks," Trump's transition said Wednesday. "Last night and this morning, several of President Trump's Cabinet nominees and Administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them," Trump transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. She said the attacks "ranged from bomb threats to 'swatting.' In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire Transition team are grateful for their swift action." President-elect Donald Trump arrives to speak at a meeting of the House GOP conference, followed by Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Swatting entails generating an emergency law enforcement response against a target victim under false pretenses. The FBI said in a statement that it is "aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees, and we are working with our law enforcement partners. We take all potential threats seriously, and as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement." People are also reading... Sheriff: 1 arrested, 1 wanted after Statesville man strangled, robbed Basketball transfer Patterson back home at West Iredell to 'bring in some wins' Baseball league cries foul as Iredell plans to charge to use Jennings Park fields Silverado stolen in Iredell County linked to federal charges against multi-state car theft ring Iredell deputies charge Catawba County men with stealing Duke Energy wire Lake Norman residents voice concerns with Marshall Steam Station changes Alexander County man charged with murder in death of grandmother Cabinet manufacturer closing Statesville facility, laying off all 74 employees Statesville falls to Hickory, Mooresville tops NW Guilford in football playoffs Mooresville's Farmer, Graham picked to play in Shrine Bowl Historian, writer Bill Moose subject of Iredell County Historical Society event Monday Statesville Police Department welcomes first police attorney, Stephanie Adkins Statesville man hands out free meals at Thanksgiving to keep promise to God The Tulsa World and Lee Enterprises deadly police chase investigation 16 siblings were to be separated until Cornerstone Christian Academy staff stepped up in Statesville Among those targeted was New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's pick to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., is seated before President-elect Donald Trump arrives at a meeting of the House GOP conference, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Her office said that, Wednesday morning, she, her husband, and their 3-year-old son were driving home from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence in Saratoga County. "New York State, County law enforcement, and U.S. Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism," her office said in a statement. "We are incredibly appreciative of the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe 24/7." In Florida, meanwhile, the Okaloosa County sheriff's office said in an advisory posted on Facebook that it "received notification of a bomb threat referencing former Congressman Matt Gaetz's supposed mailbox at a home in the Niceville area around 9 a.m. this morning." While a family member resides at the address, they said "former Congressman Gaetz is NOT a resident. "The mailbox however was cleared and no devices were located. The immediate area was also searched with negative results." Gaetz was Trump's initial pick to serve as attorney general, but he withdrew from consideration amid allegations that he paid women for sex and slept with underage women. Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and said last year that a Justice Department investigation into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls had ended with no federal charges against him. The threats follow a political campaign marked by unusual violence. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing the then-candidate in the ear with a bullet and killing one of his supporters. The U.S. Secret Service later thwarted a subsequent assassination attempt at Trump's West Palm Beach, Florida, golf course when an agent spotted the barrel of a gun poking through a perimeter fence while Trump was golfing. Here are the people Trump has picked for key positions so far President-elect Donald Trump 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, White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Marco Rubio, Secretary of State 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, Secretary of Defense 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. Pam Bondi, Attorney General 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. Kristi Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security 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. Doug Burgum, Secretary of the Interior 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., Secretary of Health and Human Services 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, Treasury Secretary 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. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Labor Secretary 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, Housing and Urban Development 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, Secretary of Transportation 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. Chris Wright, Secretary of Energy 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. Linda McMahon, Secretary of Education 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, Secretary of Agriculture 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. Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce 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, Secretary of Veterans Affairs 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, White House press secretary 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. Tulsi Gabbard, National Intelligence Director 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. John Ratcliffe, Central Intelligence Agency Director 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.” Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator 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.” Brendan Carr, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission 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. Elise Stefanik, Ambassador to the United Nations 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. Matt Whitaker, Ambassador to NATO 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. Mike Huckabee, Ambassador to Israel 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. Steven Witkoff, Special Envoy to the Middle East 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. Keith Kellogg, Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Mike Waltz, National Security Adviser 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, Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy 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. Tom Homan, ‘Border Czar’ 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, Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services administrator 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 and Vivek Ramaswamy to advise White House on government efficiency 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, Office of Management and Budget 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. Additional selections to the incoming White House Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. William McGinley, White House counsel 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.” Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Associated Press writers Alanna Durkin Richer and Eric Tucker contributed to this report from Washington. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
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As Namibia inches closer to the presidential and National Assembly elections, a unique event promises to bring a fresh perspective to the national discourse.The Windhoek Comedy Fes ... If you are an active subscriber and the article is not showing, please log out and back in. Free access to articles from 12:00.After further review, has reversed his stance on one central figure in the halftime brouhaha during the crosstown rivalry game. The coach acknowledged Wednesday that head performance coach Corey Miller — — escalated tensions between the teams last weekend after video surfaced showing Miller making a mock crying gesture and giving USC players the middle finger. Miller expressed regret for his actions, Foster said, and would face unspecified discipline. “We talked about it, sat down and was able to figure that out internally and he felt pretty bad about that,” Foster said, “so he expressed his sentiments to the team, to the coaches and everybody and you’ve got to lead by example out here. You can’t be completely — you just can’t be out of control in any situation, especially when you’re in a [position] of power, so it was an unfortunate situation and he feels awful about what happened and getting a penalty and he made sure he made it right with the team.” Miller received one of three unsportsmanlike conduct penalties that went against UCLA, joining wide receiver Kwazi Gilmer and safety Bryan Addison. Foster said after the game that he was told the fracas started when a USC player punched Gilmer. UCLA was forced to kick off from its own five-yard line to start the third quarter as a result of the penalties, but the Trojans could not gain a first down and gave the ball back to the Bruins following a turnover on downs. Foster brought Miller back to UCLA to be part of his new staff before the season after Miller had spent the 2022 season as the Bruins’ director of speed and movement. Miller was the assistant director of strength and conditioning for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers during the 2023 season. “With his added NFL experience,” Foster said at the time of Miller’s hiring, “I feel there is no one better to uphold our pillars while preparing the Bruins for Big Ten Conference play and beyond." Foster said he nominated defensive coordinator for the Broyles Award that goes to the top assistant coach in college football. Might Foster also need to give Malloe a raise given that UCLA lost its last doubled his salary by moving across town to USC? “This is a real family over here, so I think that he’s pretty comfortable,” Foster said, “but we still want to make sure that we honor him and let him know that we do value you and you’re a great coach for us.” Malloe’s two-year contract that expires after the 2025 season pays him $1 million annually — the same rate that Lynn made before his departure. Despite massive personnel losses in the offseason, Malloe has presided over a defense that ranks No. 7 in the country against the run by allowing just 99.3 rushing yards per game. UCLA ranks No. 46 nationally in total defense, giving up 346.3 yards per game. UCLA’s defense could get a major boost next season if stays put. The linebacker who has gone from a walk-on to a finalist for the Butkus Award has another season of eligibility remaining, should he choose to use it. “He’s let me know early like, coach, we’re just going to finish the season and then assess everything after the season,” Foster said of Schwesinger’s message regarding his future. “He’s truly locked in on finishing this year the right way and I can respect that from a guy like that. I didn’t want to even want to put anything in his ear because whatever decisions he makes, I’m going to respect that because Carson’s that type of kid. He’s really going to do whatever’s best for him in that situation, especially if he gets the Butkus Award and the way that he came on and performed this season, you do deserve to get a shot and go to the NFL.” With the transfer portal set to open Dec. 9, Foster said, with a chuckle, that he wanted to know his players’ intentions about their futures by Dec. 5. “There’s a hard turnaround,” Foster said, “so we just want to make sure that we know exactly what’s going on with our team and how guys are feeling, so we know what we need to fill and what we need to do.” This story originally appeared in .Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai, who was popularly known as Vikram Sarabhai, was an Indian physicist and astronomer who was born in Gujarat on August 12, 1919. His significant contributions shaped the scientific landscape, especially in space exploration. Sarabhai was not just a visionary in science but also in other fields, including space, education, the pharmaceutical industry, and more. Sarabhai, who initiated space research, founded the INCOSPAR, which later converted into Indian Space Research Organisation. Vikram Sarabhai was born to Ambalal Sarabhai (a major industrialist), who contributed to the Indian independence movement, and Mrinalini (a classical dancer), who died on 1971 December 30, at the age of 52 due to cardiac arrest in Kovalam. His body was cremated in Ahmedabad. Learn some interesting facts about the legendary figure who is popularly known as the Father of India's Space Program in the detail mentioned below. Early Life and Education Vikram Sarabhai was born into a wealthy family of progressive industrialists, and he was one of the eight children of Ambalal and Sarla Devi in Gujarat's capital, Ahmedabad. From a young age, Sarabhai developed a deep interest in mathematics, science and space. When the Indian poet and writer Rabindranath Tagore visited Sarabhai's home, upon seeing Sarabhai's large skull, he remarked that Sarabhai would accomplish something significant in his life. Dr Sarabhai enjoyed a privileged childhood as he was among the few students who got a chance to pursue all the education he wanted. His early education took place at Retreat, a private school run by his parents. Sarabhai went to England to pursue his higher education. After that, he was enrolled at St John's College, University of Cambridge, from where he received the Tripos in Natural Sciences in 1940. Vikram Sarabhai | Vikram Sarabhai returned to India Sarabhai's vision was always very clear. As he returned to India after World War 1 broke out, he joined the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru as a research scholar under the guidance of Nobel Prize winner and one of the most celebrated scientists of all time, Dr CV Raman. He conducted research and published his first scientific paper, ' Time Distribution of Cosmic Rays', in 1942 on Cosmic ray investigations in tropical latitudes completed his PHD by 1947, when India got the Independence. His curiosity and interest in solar physics and cosmic rays led him to establish The Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad on November 11, 1947, which acted as the Retreat for his research on cosmic rays. At that time, Sarabhai was 28 years old. It is one of the significant research laboratories, which is a unit of the Department of Space, Government of India, which conducts deep research in areas including physics, astronomy, solar physics, atmospheric science, space, astrophysics, planetary, and geosciences. Sputnik's launch led ISRO establishment When America's space agency NASA was preparing for a moon mission and on the other side the USSR (now Russia) launched Sputnik-I in 1957, this inspired Sarabhai, and he pleaded with the Indian government to have its own Space Agency to convince the government of the importance of a space program for India. His efforts and dedication led to the establishment of the Indian Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) in 1962, which later became the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). With the help of Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha, Sarabhai set up India's first rocket launching station at Thumba near Thiruvananthapuram in 1963. Vikram Sarabhai's contributions in space and science Vikram Sarabhai was a visionary who always worked for societal development so that our nation could be developed. He always believed that science plays a crucial role in the nation's development. His dream comes true when Television was introduced in India for the first time on September 15, 1959 in Delhi. To connect villagers to urban cities and to the world, Vikram Sarabhai started a dialogue with NASA that led to the foundation of the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE). The idea behind SITE was to use NASA's direct broadcasting satellite and made-in-India hardware to beam TV programs to remote Indian villagers. Dr APJ Abdul kalam who always admired Sarabhai for his visions, once said, "Vikram Sarabhai was my guru. I worked with him for 7 years. You ask what is his unique quality? He was a visionary, which means that in the 1970s, there was no operational communication satellite. He said India should have a launch vehicle to launch its communication satellite the people will be connected. All our villagers will be connected. India will connect elsewhere, and his dream will be realized. Dr. Kalam also said that Sarabhai had the ability to see the future, and he always worked for human civilization. Contribution behind India's first satellite Aryabhata In the early 1970s, Vikram Sarabhai appointed a team of scientists and engineers to develop a satellite. He was the mastermind behind India's first satellite, Aryabhata, which became a landmark moment in the nation's history after it was launched into space on April 19, 1975, with the help of a Soviet Kosmos-3M rocket. Other contributions and awards In addition to his work in the field of space and technology, Sarabhai was dedicated to science education. In 1966, he founded the Community Science Centre in Ahmedabad, which is now known as the Vikram Sarabhai Community Science Centre and Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. He received numerous accolades such as India's third-highest civilian award, Padma Bhushan in 1966. In 1972, he was honoured posthumously with Padma Vibhushan-- India's second-highest civilian award. Vikram Sarabhai Legacy After two years of his death, the International Astronomical Union made a decision to rename the lunar crater Bessel A in the Sea of Serenity as the Sarabhai crater. Dr Sarabhai initiated a project that resulted in the creation of India's inaugural artificial satellite circling Earth. Aryabhata was the inaugural Indian satellite launched in July 1976, four years following Dr Sarabhai's passing, aboard a Russian rocket at Kapustin Yar. It was called in honour of an Indian astronomer and mathematician. The lander for India's moon mission Chandrayaan-2, scheduled to land near the moon's South Pole on September 20, 2019, was named Vikram in tribute to him.
Shoats has 18 in Siena's 66-53 victory against CanisiusIn a country where monkeys are revered as symbols of Hanuman Ji , a beautiful occurrence has captured hearts worldwide. A heartwarming video, which has gone viral on social media not just in India but around the globe, shows an elderly man calmly sharing his food with a monkey. This simple act of kindness has stirred powerful emotions, leaving viewers reflecting on the beauty of compassion and the unexpected connections we can make with the natural world. The video, which was recorded in what looks like a temple, showcases a man sitting on the floor, enjoying a traditional pooja meal served to him and other people. While he was peacefully eating, a monkey came by and approached the man’s plate. Instead of reacting with fear, astonishment, or trying to shoo away the animal, the man watches calmly and lets the monkey reach into his plate. What more surprising was that the monkey, without any hesitation, began to pick at the food in the man’s meal. The animal gently picks up Kheer from the plate and starts eating. What makes this interaction stand out is not just the fact that the monkey is eating from the man’s plate, but the man’s beautiful and welcoming response. Rather than shooing the animal away or showing signs of discomfort, the man remains calm and seems almost amused by the situation, allowing the monkey to continue eating. View this post on Instagram A post shared by shalu Sharma (@shalu_weightlifter) The video has been widely shared and praised for the man's gentle behaviour towards the monkey. His polite attitude toward the monkey’s presence and his willingness to share his meal have touched the hearts of uncountable people. In the comment sections across social media platforms, many users have expressed admiration for the man's behaviour, calling it a beautiful example of humility and kindness . Some have even suggested that the monkey might represent Hanuman Ji himself, symbolizing the man’s immense devotion. This connection has added spiritual significance for some viewers, enhancing the emotional impact of the video. The video went viral in a matter of seconds, and it is truly easy to see why. People from different cultures and backgrounds have commented on the man's rare demonstration of patience and compassion. Adorable comments like ‘Respect for the uncle’ and ‘This is so pure’ are flooding the post, with viewers expressing how deeply they were moved by the situation. The video has sparked ultimate positivity, with many saying that witnessing such an act of kindness brought them a sense of peace and joy. Image credit: Instagram/@shalu_weightlifter
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Referee David Coote will not appeal against termination of contractCP-CML | Image Credit: © สุพัฒตรา แสนพลี – stock.adobe.com Olverembatinib may be a safe and effective second-line option for patients with chronic-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML), particularly those for whom treatment with first-line second-generation TKIs had been unsuccessful. Findings from the single-arm, multicenter, open-label ChiCTR2200061655 study were presented at the 2024 ASH Annual Meeting & Exposition . “This is the first report of olverembatinib as a second-line TKI therapy in patients with CML,” Dr. Li Weiming of the Department of Hematology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology in Wuhan, China, said in a presentation of the data at the conference . “Olverembatinib demonstrated remarkable efficacy in patients with CP-CML, without T315I mutations who [were] resistant or intolerant to prior first-line TKI treatment, and especially of the patients who experienced failure on first-line second-generation TKI treatment, and of those who harbored BCR-ABL mutations other than T315I , and no new safety signals emerged with olverembatinib treatment as compared with those previously reported.” This preliminary data, he said, “suggest that olverembatinib may be a viable second-line treatment option for patients with CP-CML, especially for those who experience failure on first-line, second-generation TKIs.” Researchers reported that although the third-generation BCR-ABL1 TKIs had previously been found to be safe and effective among patients with CML who were either resistant or intolerant to 2 prior TKIs or those who had the T315I mutation, the current study intended to evaluate the treatment in the second line among patients without the T315I mutation. The study enrolled 43 patients with CP-CML, 93.9% of whom were first line TKI-resistant and 6.9% of whom were first line TKI-intolerant. Participants’ median age was 45.0 (19-70) years, and 69.8% of patients were male. Regarding best responses, as of a data cutoff of Nov. 15, 2024, 33 patients had undergone at least 1 efficacy assessment, 28 (66.7%) had at least 2, and 23 (54.8%) had at least 3. By the cutoff date, at a median follow-up of 16.0 (2-18) months, among efficacy-evaluable patients 74.1% (20 of 27 patients) had achieved complete cytogenic response (CCyR) and 40.6% (13 of 32 patients) had experienced major molecular response (MMR). In an abstract of the study’s findings release prior to the meeting, researchers reported that the CCyR and MMR rates at the end of Cycles 6, 9, 12, and 18 were 53.4% and 28.6%, 64.8% and 32.5%, 69.1% and 32.5%, and 77.7% and 43.9%, respectively, which they said suggested that efficacy improved over time. Among the 33 efficacy-evaluable patients, 24 had been pretreated with a second generation TKI as their first line treatment, and of them 78.9% achieved CCyR and 43.5% achieved MMR. For the 9 patients who had been pretreated with imatinib, 50% achieved CCyR and 33.3% achieved MMR. Patients who were less than 10% on the with BCR-ABL International Scale (8 patients) achieved CCyR in all cases and MMR in half of cases, while patients with greater than 10% on the scale (25 patients) achieved CCyR in 69.6% of cases and MMR in 37.5% of cases. When analyzing by BCR-ABL1 mutation status, for patients with no mutations (24 patients) 65.0% achieved CCyR and 34.8% achieved MMR, while among patients with mutations (9 patients) 85.7% achieved CCyr and 55.6% achieved MMR. In the safety population of 43 patients who received at least 1 dose of olverembatinib, 6 patients (14.0%) experienced treatment-related serious adverse events, including 3 patients (7%) with decreased platelet counts. Researchers reported no deaths. Eligibility criteria for participation in the trial included an ECOG performance score of 0 to 2, adequate liver and renal function and a life expectancy of at least three months. Patients received 40 mg of olverembatinib orally every other day in 2 olverembatinib in 28-day cycles, with the cytogenetic response, molecular response, and safety profile being evaluated every 3 cycles. First-line imatinib (Gleevec) was received by 12 (28.6%) patients, and 30 patients (71.4%) were treated with a first-line second-generation TKI, including dasatinib (Sprycel, 3 patients, 12.5%), nilotinib (Tasigna, 11 patients, 45.8%), or flumatinib (10 patients, 41.7%). No mutation was found in 32 of 43, or 74.4%, of patients, and 11 patients (25.7%) had mutations other than T315I at baseline. As of the data cutoff date, 11 patients (25.6%) discontinued treatment due to factors including adverse events (3 patients, 7%), treatment failure (2 patients, 4.7%), and disease progression (1 patient, 2.3%). Weiming L, Zhang Y, Zhu H, et al. Olverembatinib as second-line (2L) therapy in patients (pts) with chronic phase-chronic myeloid leukemia (CP-CML). Blood. 2024;144(suppl 1):480. doi:10.1182/blood-2024-204996Stock market today: Wall Street rises at the start of a holiday-shortened week
Main accused arrested in honey trap caseFirst 12-team CFP set: Oregon seeded No. 1, SMU edges Alabama for final spot