WASHINGTON (AP) — As a former and potentially future president, Donald Trump hailed what would become Project 2025 as a road map for “exactly what our movement will do” with another crack at the White House. As for a hard-right turn in America became a liability during the 2024 campaign, . He denied knowing anything about the “ridiculous and abysmal” plans written in part by his first-term aides and allies. Now, after being elected the 47th president on Nov. 5, Trump is stocking his second administration with key players in the detailed effort he temporarily shunned. Most notably, Trump has tapped for an encore as director of the Office of Management and Budget; Tom Homan, his former immigration chief, as and immigration hardliner Stephen Miller as . Those moves have accelerated criticisms from Democrats who warn that Trump’s election hands government reins to movement conservatives who spent years envisioning how to concentrate power in the West Wing and impose a starkly rightward shift across the U.S. government and society. Trump and his aides maintain that he won a mandate to overhaul Washington. But they maintain the specifics are his alone. “President Trump never had anything to do with Project 2025,” said Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt in a statement. “All of President Trumps’ Cabinet nominees and appointments are whole-heartedly committed to President Trump’s agenda, not the agenda of outside groups.” Here is a look at what some of Trump’s choices portend for his second presidency. As budget chief, Vought envisions a sweeping, powerful perch The Office of Management and Budget director, a role Vought held under Trump previously and requires Senate confirmation, prepares a president’s proposed budget and is generally responsible for implementing the administration’s agenda across agencies. The job is influential but Vought made clear as author of a Project 2025 chapter on presidential authority that he wants the post to wield more direct power. “The Director must view his job as the best, most comprehensive approximation of the President’s mind,” Vought wrote. The OMB, he wrote, “is a President’s air-traffic control system” and should be “involved in all aspects of the White House policy process,” becoming “powerful enough to override implementing agencies’ bureaucracies.” Trump did not go into such details when naming Vought but implicitly endorsed aggressive action. Vought, the president-elect said, “knows exactly how to dismantle the Deep State” — Trump’s catch-all for federal bureaucracy — and would help “restore fiscal sanity.” In June, speaking on former Trump aide Steve Bannon’s “War Room” podcast, Vought relished the potential tension: “We’re not going to save our country without a little confrontation.” Vought could help Musk and Trump remake government’s role and scope The strategy of further concentrating federal authority in the presidency permeates Project 2025’s and Trump’s campaign proposals. Vought’s vision is especially striking when paired with Trump’s proposals to dramatically expand the president’s control over federal workers and government purse strings — ideas intertwined with the president-elect tapping mega-billionaire Elon Musk and venture capitalist Vivek Ramaswamy to Trump in his first term sought to remake the federal civil service by reclassifying tens of thousands of federal civil service workers — who have job protection through changes in administration — as political appointees, making them easier to fire and replace with loyalists. Currently, only about 4,000 of the federal government’s roughly 2 million workers are political appointees. President Joe Biden rescinded Trump’s changes. Trump can now reinstate them. Meanwhile, Musk’s and Ramaswamy’s sweeping “efficiency” mandates from Trump could turn on an old, defunct constitutional theory that the president — not Congress — is the real gatekeeper of federal spending. In his “Agenda 47,” Trump endorsed so-called “impoundment,” which holds that when lawmakers pass appropriations bills, they simply set a spending ceiling, but not a floor. The president, the theory holds, can simply decide not to spend money on anything he deems unnecessary. Vought did not venture into impoundment in his Project 2025 chapter. But, he wrote, “The President should use every possible tool to propose and impose fiscal discipline on the federal government. Anything short of that would constitute abject failure.” Trump’s choice immediately sparked backlash. “Russ Vought is a far-right ideologue who has tried to break the law to give President Trump unilateral authority he does not possess to override the spending decisions of Congress (and) who has and will again fight to give Trump the ability to summarily fire tens of thousands of civil servants,” said Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, a Democrat and outgoing Senate Appropriations chairwoman. Reps. Jamie Raskin of Maryland and Melanie Stansbury of New Mexico, leading Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, said Vought wants to “dismantle the expert federal workforce” to the detriment of Americans who depend on everything from veterans’ health care to Social Security benefits. “Pain itself is the agenda,” they said. Homan and Miller reflect Trump’s and Project 2025’s immigration overl ap Trump’s protests about Project 2025 always glossed over . Both want to reimpose Trump-era immigration limits. Project 2025 includes a litany of detailed proposals for various U.S. immigration statutes, executive branch rules and agreements with other countries — reducing the number of refugees, work visa recipients and asylum seekers, for example. Miller is one of Trump’s longest-serving advisers and architect of his immigration ideas, including his promise of the largest deportation force in U.S. history. As deputy policy chief, which is not subject to Senate confirmation, Miller would remain in Trump’s West Wing inner circle. “America is for Americans and Americans only,” Miller said at Trump’s on Oct. 27. “America First Legal,” Miller’s organization founded as an ideological counter to the American Civil Liberties Union, was listed as an advisory group to Project 2025 until Miller asked that the name be removed because of negative attention. Homan, a Project 2025 named contributor, was an acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement director during Trump’s first presidency, playing a key role in what became known as Trump’s Previewing Trump 2.0 earlier this year, Homan said: “No one’s off the table. If you’re here illegally, you better be looking over your shoulder.” Project 2025 contributors slated for CIA and Federal Communications chiefs John Ratcliffe, Trump’s , was previously one of Trump’s directors of national intelligence. He is a Project 2025 contributor. The document’s chapter on U.S. intelligence was written by Dustin Carmack, Ratcliffe’s chief of staff in the first Trump administration. Reflecting Ratcliffe’s and Trump’s approach, Carmack declared the intelligence establishment too cautious. Ratcliffe, like the chapter attributed to Carmack, is hawkish toward China. Throughout the Project 2025 document, Beijing is framed as a U.S. adversary that cannot be trusted. Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, wrote Project 2025’s FCC chapter and is to chair the panel. Carr wrote that the FCC chairman “is empowered with significant authority that is not shared” with other FCC members. He called for the FCC to address “threats to individual liberty posed by corporations that are abusing dominant positions in the market,” specifically “Big Tech and its attempts to drive diverse political viewpoints from the digital town square.” He called for more stringent transparency rules for social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube and “empower consumers to choose their own content filters and fact checkers, if any.” Carr and Ratcliffe would require Senate confirmation for their posts. ___NoneGolden at-bat idea brings critics to the plate: ‘Absolutely stupid and ridiculous’
will recruit an extra 13,000 neighbourhood police to tackle anti-social behaviour between now and the general election, will pledge on Thursday. The prime minister will unveil the plan in a major speech as he attempts to relaunch his government after a turbulent first five months in office. Every community will have a “named, contactable officer” tasked with patrolling their neighbourhood and who cannot be used to plug policing shortages in other areas, the PM will say. The new “neighbourhood policing guarantee” is part of a “plan for change” setting out how Labour intends to achieve its five missions for government and will include separate pledges on clearing hospital backlogs, improving education, tackling the cost of living and bringing down energy bills. But No.10 has denied that the PM has been forced into the reset by the controversies and scandals which have dogged the government since Labour’s landslide election victory in July. They have included a row over Labour donor Lord Alli buying clothes and glasses for the prime minister, the sacking of Starmer’s chief of staff , and last week’s resignation by transport secretary . In his speech, Starmer will say: “The neighbourhood policing guarantee will deliver 13,000 extra neighbourhood police, visible on your streets, cracking down on anti-social behaviour. “A named, contactable officer in every community. A relief to millions of people scared to walk their streets they call home.” The extra numbers will be made up of police, community support officers and special constables. Home secretary said the move was “about rebuilding the vital connection between the public and the police”. “This marks a return to the founding principles of British policing - where officers are part of the communities they serve,” she said. “Through this visible, responsive police presence in every neighbourhood, we will restore the trust and partnership that lies at the heart of keeping our communities safe.” Starmer is also expected to address public concerns about high immigration in his speech, as well as announce a major programme of public sector reform. He will say: “My government was elected to deliver change, and today marks the next step. People are tired of being promised the world, but short-term sticking plaster politics letting them down. “Hardworking Brits are going out grafting every day but are getting short shrift from a politics that should serve them. “They reasonably want a stable economy, their country to be safe, their borders secure, more cash in their pocket, safer streets in their town, opportunities for their children, secure British energy in their home, and an NHS that is there when they need it. My mission-led government will deliver.” Related...Oracle Announces Fiscal 2025 Second Quarter Financial Results
Blame it on the food and drink?Sunday, November 24, 2024 The UAE has solidified its position as a global leader in golf tourism and hospitality by earning top honors at the 11th World Golf Awards, held in Madeira, Portugal. This prestigious event, which recognizes excellence in the international golf industry, showcased the UAE’s world-class facilities, sustainable initiatives, and luxurious offerings. The UAE’s golf venues and operators received widespread acclaim, earning accolades in several prominent categories. The UAE continues to shine on the international golf stage, with its premier courses and facilities earning prestigious accolades at global events. The following achievements highlight the nation’s dedication to providing world-class golfing experiences: These accolades affirm the UAE’s commitment to excellence in the golf industry, combining innovative course designs, luxurious hospitality, and sustainable initiatives to attract players and tourists from around the globe. These honors highlight the UAE’s ability to deliver exceptional golfing experiences while maintaining a focus on sustainability and innovation. The UAE’s vibrant golf industry has been honored with several key accolades, reinforcing its reputation for world-class facilities and exceptional service. These awards reflect the country’s commitment to delivering unparalleled experiences for both local and international golf enthusiasts: These accolades highlight the UAE’s position as a premier golfing destination, driven by a strong focus on quality, innovation, and hospitality. With its impressive courses, luxurious accommodations, and expert travel services, the country continues to attract golfers from around the world. The UAE’s success at the World Golf Awards underscores its growing prominence as a global golf destination. With innovative course designs, eco-conscious facilities, and luxury-driven services, the country continues to attract golf enthusiasts from around the world. Looking ahead, the UAE’s commitment to excellence and sustainability positions it as a leader in the industry, with even greater achievements anticipated in the coming years.
NoneNEW YORK — Stocks closed higher on Wall Street as the market posted its fifth straight gain Nov. 22 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average notched another record high. The S&P 500 rose 0.3 percent Friday. The benchmark index's 1.7 percent gain since Monday erased most of its loss from last week. The blue-chip Dow rose 1 percent as it nudged past its most recent high set last week, and the Nasdaq composite gained 0.2 percent. Markets have been volatile over the last few weeks, losing ground in the runup to elections in November, then surging following Donald Trump's presidential victory, before falling again. The S&P 500 has been steadily rising throughout this week to within close range of its record. It's now within about 0.5 percent of its all-time high set last week. "Overall, market behavior has normalized following an intense few weeks," said Mark Hackett, chief of investment research at Nationwide, in a statement. Several retailers jumped after giving Wall Street encouraging financial updates. Gap soared 12.8 percent after handily beating third-quarter earnings and revenue expectations, while raising its own revenue forecast for the year. Discount merchandiser Ross Stores rose 2.2 percent after raising its earnings forecast for the year. EchoStar fell 2.8 percent after the sale of its Dish Network subscription TV business was called off. Smaller company stocks had some of the biggest gains. The Russell 2000 index rose 1.8 percent. A majority of stocks in the S&P 500 gained ground, but those gains were kept in check by slumps for several big technology companies. Nvidia fell 3.2 percent. Its pricey valuation makes it among the heaviest influences on whether the broader market gains or loses ground. The company has grown into a nearly $3.6 trillion behemoth because of demand for its chips used in artificial-intelligence technology. Intuit, which makes TurboTax and other accounting software, fell 5.7 percent after it gave investors a disappointing quarterly earnings forecast. Facebook owner Meta Platforms fell 0.7 percent following a decision by the Supreme Court to allow a multibillion-dollar class action lawsuit filed by investors to proceed against the company. The complaint stemmed from a 2018 privacy scandal involving the Cambridge Analytica political consulting firm. European markets closed mostly higher and Asian markets ended mixed. Crude oil prices rose. Treasury yields held relatively steady in the bond market. The yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.41% from 4.42% late Thursday. In the crypto market, bitcoin hovered around $99,000, a day after breaking through that price point, according to CoinDesk. It has more than doubled this year. Retailers remained a big focus for investors this week amid close scrutiny on consumer spending habits headed into the holiday shopping season. Walmart, the nation's largest retailer, reported a quarter of strong sales and gave investors an encouraging financial forecast. Rival chain Target, though, reported weaker earnings than expected and its outlook disappointed Wall Street. Consumer spending has fueled economic growth, despite a persistent squeeze from inflation and high borrowing costs. Inflation has been easing and the Federal Reserve has started trimming its benchmark interest rates. That is likely to help relieve pressure on consumers, but any major shift in spending could prompt the Fed to reassess its path ahead on interest rates. Also, any big reversals on the rate of inflation could curtail spending. Consumer sentiment remains strong, according to an index developed by the University of Michigan. The survey also showed that inflation expectations among shoppers for the year ahead fell slightly to 2.6 percent, which is the lowest reading since December of 2020. Wall Street will get another update on how consumers feel when the business group The Conference Board releases its monthly consumer confidence survey on Tuesday. A key inflation update will come on Wednesday when the U.S. releases its October personal consumption expenditures index. It is the Fed's preferred measure of inflation and this will be the last reading before the central bank's next policy meeting in December.
LUKE LITTLER stormed into the quarter-finals of the Players Championship Finals with a 10-3 win over Danny Noppert. The Nuke, 17, breezed into the third round earlier in the day with a 6-23 victory over Ritchie Edhouse - having already beaten Rob Cross 6-0 in his opening match . 2 Luke Littler moved into the quarter-finals with a convincing win over Danny Noppert Credit: Rex 2 Danny Noppert had no answer to Littler's scintillating display Credit: Rex Edhouse was left applauding Littler after he hit double bullseye to complete a 120 checkout. And it was more exhibition stuff from the teenager in the evening session as he booked a last-eight clash with Mike De Decker. Littler won the opening two legs before Noppert pegged him back to level at 2-2. That sparked the world championship runner-up into life as he proceeded to claim six legs on the spin to effectively put the match to bed. READ MORE ON LUKE LITTLER LUK AT THAT Luke Littler leaves opponent applauding with moment of genius Noppert pulled one back to add some respectability to the scoreline, before Littler finished it off. Littler averaged a breathtaking 104.70 to Noppert's 88.92. But the supreme talent batted away talk of breaking 16-time world champion Phil Taylor's records when asked in his post-match interview. He said: "It’s crazy to think about trying to beat Phil Taylor’s records of 16 world titles. But I guess I’ll just have to keep going for years and years!" Most read in Darts BERT BATTERS SCOTS Storm Bert wreaks havoc across Scotland as weather bomb kills 3 in UK MY LORD Rangers poised to name new chairman as Lord emerges as main contender for top job RANGERS 1 DUNDEE UTD 1 Snow joke as Clement gets blizzard of abuse over more dropped points COLD BEERS SPFL side spotted going for a PINT after their bus got stuck in the snow CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS On the potential of a nine-dart finish, he added: "Every time I start any leg with a 180 they expect me to follow up. "Tomorrow if I do get a shot it’s going to be treble 17 for double 15, so I’ll switch it up." IMPERIOUS LITTLER WHITEWASHES CROSS Littler also took the time to speak about his next opponent, De Decker. He said: "I’m sure it will be another great game. Obviously at the Grand Slam it was incredible to be a part of that game against Mike. "I’ll go back now and chill out on my phone and play a bit of my Nintendo Switch. Go to bed and up early." Reacting to the performance, one darts fan said: "Different class to anyone right now." While another added: "Didn’t get out of second gear, such maturity from Littler 🎯🎯🎯." And a third said: "No contest, different class again." Littler has won both of his previous meetings against De Decker. The latest of those came last week at the Grand Slam of Darts where the pair battled it out in an epic. Read more on the Scottish Sun FESTIVE FIZZ Coca-Cola Christmas truck in Scotland: Dates, locations & all you need to know AND RELAX Scots seaside hotel with outdoor hot tub and firepit named UK's top spa resort Littler trailed 8-4 but came roaring back to claim a 10-9 win in the last-16 clash. He then went on to win the tournament - his first ranking title.None
By FARNOUSH AMIRI, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Rep. Matt Gaetz said Friday that he will not be returning to Congress after withdrawing his name from consideration to be attorney general under President-elect Donald Trump amid growing allegations of sexual misconduct. “I’m still going to be in the fight, but it’s going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress,” Gaetz told conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, adding that he has “some other goals in life that I’m eager to pursue with my wife and my family.” The announcement comes a day after Gaetz, a Florida Republican, stepped aside from the Cabinet nomination process amid growing fallout from federal and House Ethics investigations that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed as the nation’s chief federal law enforcement officer. The 42-year-old has vehemently denied the allegations against him. Gaetz’s nomination as attorney general had stunned many career lawyers inside the Justice Department, but reflected Trump’s desire to place a loyalist in a department he has marked for retribution following the criminal cases against him. Hours after Gaetz withdrew, Trump nominated Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, who would come to the job with years of legal work under her belt and that other trait Trump prizes above all: loyalty. It’s unclear what’s next for Gaetz, who is no longer a member of the House. He surprised colleagues by resigning from Congress the same day that Trump nominated him for attorney general. Some speculated he could still be sworn into office for another two-year term on Jan. 3, given that he had just won reelection earlier this month. But Gaetz, who has been in state and national politics for 14 years, said he’s done with Congress. “I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress,” he said.
Vail Resorts Reports Fiscal 2025 First Quarter and Season Pass Sales Results, and Announces 2025 Capital PlanLiverpool boss Arne Slot hailed “special” Mohamed Salah after seeing him fire the Premier League leaders to the brink of victory at Newcastle. The Reds ultimately left St James’ Park with only a point after Fabian Schar snatched a 3-3 draw at the end of a pulsating encounter, but Salah’s double – his 14th and 15th goals of the season – transformed a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead before the Switzerland defender’s late intervention. The 32-year-old Egypt international’s future at Anfield remains a topic of debate with his current contract running down. Asked about Salah’s future, Slot said: “It’s difficult for me to predict the long-term future, but the only thing I can expect or predict is that he is in a very good place at the moment. Two goals and an assist for Mo tonight 👏 pic.twitter.com/tMXidgeA0P — Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 4, 2024 “He plays in a very good team that provides him with good opportunities and then he is able to do special things. “And what makes him for me even more special is that in the first hour or before we scored to make it 1-1, you thought, ‘He’s not playing his best game today’, and to then come up with a half-hour or 45 minutes – I don’t know how long it was – afterwards with an assist, two goals, having a shot on the bar, being a constant threat, that is something not many players can do if they’ve played the first hour like he did. “That is also what makes him special. If you just look at the goals, his finish is so clinical. He’s a special player, but that’s what we all know.” Salah did indeed endure a quiet opening 45 minutes by his standards and it was the Magpies who went in at the break a goal to the good after Alexander Isak’s stunning 35th-minute finish. Slot said: “The shot from Isak, I don’t even know if Caoimh (keeper Caoimhin Kelleher) saw that ball, as hard as it was.” Salah set up Curtis Jones to level five minutes into the second half and after Anthony Gordon has restored the hosts’ lead, levelled himself from substitute Trent Alexander-Arnold’s 68th-minute cross. He looked to have won it with a fine turn and finish – his ninth goal in seven league games – seven minutes from time, only for Schar to pounce from a tight angle in the 90th minute. Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe was delighted with the way his team took the game to the Reds four days after their disappointing 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace. Howe, who admitted his surprise that VAR official Stuart Attwell had not taken a dimmer view of a Virgil van Dijk shoulder barge on Gordon, said: “It’s mixed emotions. “Part of me feels we should have won it – a big part of me – but part of me is pleased we didn’t lose either because it was such a late goal for us. “Generally, I’m just pleased with the performance. There was much more attacking output, a much better feel about the team. “There was much better energy, and it was a really good performance against, for me, the best team we’ve played so far this season in the Premier League, so it was a big jump forward for us.”Hidalgo leads No. 6 Notre Dame over JuJu Watkins and third-ranked USC 74-61 in big matchup out West
The suspect in the high-profile killing of a health insurance CEO that has gripped the United States graduated from an Ivy League university, reportedly hails from a wealthy family, and wrote social media posts brimming with cerebral musings. Luigi Mangione, 26, was thrust into the spotlight Monday after police revealed his identity as their person of interest, crediting his arrest to a tip from a McDonald’s worker. He has been connected by police to the fatal shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week in broad daylight, in a case that has laid bare deep frustrations and anger with the nation’s privatized medical system. News of his capture triggered an explosion of online activity, with Mangione quickly amassing new followers on social media as citizen sleuths and US media try to understand who he is. While some lauded him as a hero and lamented his arrest, others analyzed his intellectual takes in search of ideological clues. A photo on one of his social media accounts includes an X-ray of an apparently injured spine, though no explicit political affiliation has emerged. Meanwhile, memes and jokes proliferated, many riffing on his first name and comparing him to the “Mario Bros.” character Luigi, sometimes depicted in AI-altered images wielding a gun or holding a Big Mac. “Godspeed. Please know that we all hear you,” wrote one user on Facebook. “I want to donate to your defense fund,” added another. According to Mangione’s LinkedIn profile, he is employed as a data engineer at TrueCar, a California-based online auto marketplace. A company spokesperson told AFP Mangione “has not been an employee of our company since 2023.” Although he had been living in Hawaii ahead of the killing, he originally hails from Towson, Maryland, near Baltimore. He comes from a prominent and wealthy Italian-American family, according to the Baltimore Banner. The family owns local businesses, including the Hayfields Country Club, per the club’s website. – Standout student – A standout student, Mangione graduated at the top of his high school class in 2016. In an interview with his local paper at the time, he praised his teachers for fostering a passion for learning beyond grades and encouraging intellectual curiosity. He went on to attend the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, where he completed both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in computer science by 2020, according to a university spokesperson. While at Penn, Mangione co-led a group of 60 undergraduates who collaborated on video game projects, as noted in a now-deleted university webpage, archived on the Wayback Machine. On Instagram, where his following has skyrocketed from hundreds to tens of thousands, Mangione shared snapshots of his travels in Mexico, Puerto Rico and Hawaii. He also posted shirtless photos flaunting a six-pack and appeared in celebratory posts with fellow members of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. However, it is on X (formerly Twitter) that users have scoured Mangione’s posts for potential motives. His header photo — an X-ray of a spine with bolts — remains cryptic, with no public explanation. Finding a coherent political ideology has also proved elusive. Mangione has linked approvingly to posts criticizing secularism as a harmful consequence of Christianity’s decline. In April, he wrote, “Horror vacui (nature abhors a vacuum).” The following month, he posted an essay he wrote in high school titled “How Christianity Prospered by Appealing to the Lower Classes of Ancient Rome.” In another post from April, he speculated that Japan’s low birthrate stems from societal disconnection, adding that “fleshlights” and other vaginal-replica sex toys should be banned. With 2,400 staff representing 100 different nationalities, AFP covers the world as a leading global news agency. AFP provides fast, comprehensive and verified coverage of the issues affecting our daily lives.