ph365 vip
Israel’s battlefield superiority is a result of extraordinary innovation{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "NewsArticle", "dateCreated": "2024-12-09T22:42:15+02:00", "datePublished": "2024-12-09T22:42:15+02:00", "dateModified": "2024-12-10T13:15:56+02:00", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22480/news/politics/what-keeps-rutaremara-awake-at-night-the-other-side-of-the-veteran-politician", "headline": "What keeps Rutaremara awake at night: The other side of the veteran politician", "description": "Mention the name Tito Rutaremara and many in Rwanda will picture a politician, an important figure in the country’s history over the past four decades...", "keywords": "", "inLanguage": "en", "mainEntityOfPage":{ "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/article/22480/news/politics/what-keeps-rutaremara-awake-at-night-the-other-side-of-the-veteran-politician" }, "thumbnailUrl": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/12/09/66046.jpg", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/thenewtimes/uploads/images/2024/12/09/66046.jpg" }, "articleBody": "Mention the name Tito Rutaremara and many in Rwanda will picture a politician, an important figure in the country’s history over the past four decades and a stalwart in the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF). Rutaremara’s life has been shaped by political struggle and leadership, and he helped shape the country’s recovery from its darkest chapter in history – the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Rutaremara, 80, took part in the liberation of the country, has been a Senator, and Ombudsman, in addition to being a senior member in the RPF, which he helped create in 1987. ALLSO READ: Mzee Tito on his 'greatest pleasure', Kagame, and his surprise 80th birthday bash But beyond his political career, who is Tito Rutaremara, or Mzee Tito as he is fondly called? What is his life like when he is not working? From his daily routine to his favorite foods and the simple pleasures that keep him grounded, this is the story of the man behind the politician—a man whose choices and experiences go far beyond the headlines. In an exclusive interview with The New Times, a few days after celebrating his 80th birthday on November 23, Rutaremara opened up about his personal time, favorite food, what his day looks like, his favorite social media, among other things. Early Life Tito Rutaremara was born in 1944 in Gatsibo, which was in Kibungo territory at that time, in today’s Eastern Province. His family was forced to flee the country in the early 1960s and escaped to Uganda after the persecution of the Tutsi, which had begun in 1950. When I went back home from school, I found that my parents had left, and I had become a refugee myself. That time started with big problems. In any refugee camp, you were not well received, and they would help you only for three months; afterwards, you depended upon yourself, Rutaremara recalled. “As I was the eldest son, the struggle of trying to get food for the family started with me; later on, we happened to get some schools, he said. Growing up as a refugee, Rutaremara didn’t have the luxury of dreaming about his future. Life as a refugee made it impossible to think about anything beyond daily survival; for him, dreaming about a career or future ambitions was out of the question. “You can't have a dream. You don't even have life; how can you have a dream? You have a dream when you are having a stable life. But for someone living in a refugee camp, with no certainty about even the most basic needs, there was no space for such aspirations,” he said. Hobbies, dreams, and aspirations Thirty years after the end of liberation struggle and the Genocide against the Tutsi, Rutaremara says the country has come a long way – though the journey ahead even longer. He has hope for the future in which every child can have a dream that can come true. Though he didn’t have the chance to dream when he was young, his vision now is focused on the growth and progress of his country. “I started dreaming when we reached here in Rwanda. At that time, I was dreaming about how we could make our country really develop like other countries. And now, looking at where other countries are, for example, in terms of artificial intelligence (AI), I wish Rwanda could participate in making all these advancements in every sector,” he said. When asked about his regrets in life, Rutaremara expressed that his only regret was that he was getting old when things are getting better and when Rwandans have more opportunities today than they ever had. He said wished he was 20 so that he could fully engage in the current era of advancements, particularly in the field of AI. He believes it’s a time of great progress, but it has only come late in his life. Although he cannot run kilometres, he said he enjoys walking a long distance and he can visit people in any part of the country, thanks to the infrastructure and easier means of transport available today. What could keep Mzee Tito awake at night? For a Chairperson of the Rwanda Elders Advisory Forum, one might wonder what keeps Rutaremara awake at night. Are his thoughts consumed by national matters, family issues, or perhaps both? He revealed that during times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the uncertainty about the country’s future weighed heavily on him. “During the Covid-19 pandemic, I could not sleep; I kept wondering, What if what we have built until now is collapsing? What if this thing is going to take us back? But Rwanda was able to navigate the pandemic with fewer casualties than most other countries,” he said. On a more personal level, Rutaremara’s thoughts also turn to his family. With many children, he feels the responsibility of helping them through their problems. “Well, usually one of my many children has a problem. So, I stay awake saying, what is the problem? How can we go about this?” His favorite food, social media and reading books Rutaremara’s day usually starts around 9 a.m., and his work begins at 10 a.m. Before his meetings, he often checks social media. He explained that he uses social media to check what is going on around the world, educate the youth by sharing his knowledge. “I found that the one which is easier to use, Twitter, which became X, and YouTube – well, there is also Instagram and so on – but those the two, X and YouTube, I use them to teach and contribute ideas on various subjects,” he said. ALSO READ: Bonding with youngsters, telenovelas, and dancing: The other side of Tito Rutaremara Rutaremara also added that in his free time he used to enjoy reading books, but now social media has taken over much of his time as he spends time exploring ideas and finding interesting content, especially on YouTube. “I used to read two books a week, but nowadays I can go three months without finishing a book, yet I always carry a book everywhere I go,” he added. Asked about his favorite food, Rutaremara said he liked French fries and orange soda. Rutaremara’s message to Rwandans His thoughts are dominated by a wish for the country’s development. He said Rwandan youth have an opportunity to dedicate their time to technology, particularly through AI, machine learning and the Internet of Things. He envisions a future where these technologies have improved everyday life, from agriculture to security. He said Rwanda, like any other African country, should be able to manufacture cars and make products which are imported. Rutaremara’s message to young people in Rwanda is summarized in his own slogan: “Fight the good fight with all your might.” He encouraged them to recognize the unique opportunities they have, thanks to the hard work of the previous generation. “They are in the hands of a state that was made by young people who created themselves into leaders. I would like to urge the youth to take full advantage of this rare opportunity for education, leadership, and involvement in decision-making,” Rutaremara said.", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jessica Agasaro" }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/", "sameAs": ["https://www.facebook.com/TheNewTimesRwanda/","https://twitter.com/NewTimesRwanda","https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuZbZj6DF9zWXpdZVceDZkg"], "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "/theme_newtimes/images/logo.png", "width": 270, "height": 57 } }, "copyrightHolder": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "The New Times", "url": "https://www.newtimes.co.rw/" } }
Throughout her career, Huang Yaqiong has faced numerous challenges and setbacks, but she has always maintained a positive attitude. Instead of dwelling on failures, she uses them as stepping stones for growth and improvement. With a heart full of gratitude, she acknowledges the support of her coaches, teammates, and fans, recognizing that her success is not achieved in isolation but through collective effort and encouragement.Nick Malone is a rare and special senior
Wilcox, known for his in-depth investigative reporting and fearless pursuit of the truth, has been chosen to step into Ashworth's shoes during this transitional period. Ashworth, a veteran journalist known for his insightful commentary and thought-provoking pieces, is said to be taking a sabbatical to focus on personal projects. His absence will undoubtedly be felt in the newsroom, but the team is confident that Wilcox will rise to the occasion and deliver the quality journalism that readers have come to expect from The Daily Gazette.WASHINGTON — The House shut down Democrats' efforts Thursday to release the long-awaited ethics report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz, pushing the fate of any resolution to the yearslong investigation of sexual misconduct allegations into further uncertainty. Matt Gaetz talks before President-elect Donald Trump speaks during an America First Policy Institute gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate Nov. 14 in Palm Beach, Fla. The nearly party-line votes came after Democrats had been pressing for the findings to be published even though the Florida Republican left Congress and withdrew as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general. Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., was the sole Republican to support the effort. Most Republicans have argued that any congressional probe into Gaetz ended when he resigned from the House. Speaker Mike Johnson also requested that the committee not publish its report, saying it would be a terrible precedent to set. While ethics reports have previously been released after a member’s resignation, it is extremely rare. Shortly before the votes took place, Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., who introduced one of the bills to force the release, said that if Republicans reject the release, they will have “succeeded in sweeping credible allegations of sexual misconduct under the rug.” Gaetz has repeatedly denied the claims. Earlier Thursday, the Ethics panel met to discuss the Gaetz report but made no decision, saying in a short statement that the matter is still being discussed. It's unclear now whether the document will ever see the light of day as lawmakers have only a few weeks left before a new session of Congress begins. It's the culmination of weeks of pressure on the Ethics committee's five Republicans and five Democrats who mostly work in secret as they investigate allegations of misconduct against lawmakers. The status of the Gaetz investigation became an open question last month when he abruptly resigned from Congress after Trump's announcement that he wanted his ally in the Cabinet. It is standard practice for the committee to end investigations when members of Congress depart, but the circumstances surrounding Gaetz were unusual, given his potential role in the new administration. Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., the committee chairman, said Wednesday that there is no longer the same urgency to release the report given that Gaetz has left Congress and stepped aside as Trump's choice to head the Justice Department. “I’ve been steadfast about that. He’s no longer a member. He is no longer going to be confirmed by the Senate because he withdrew his nomination to be the attorney general,” Guest said. The Gaetz report has also caused tensions between lawmakers on the bipartisan committee. Pennsylvania Rep. Susan Wild, the top Democrat on the panel, publicly admonished Guest last month for mischaracterizing a previous meeting to the press. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and said last year that the Justice Department’s separate investigation against him into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls ended without federal charges. His onetime political ally Joel Greenberg, a fellow Republican who served as the tax collector in Florida’s Seminole County, admitted as part of a plea deal with prosecutors in 2021 that he paid women and an underage girl to have sex with him and other men. The men were not identified in court documents when he pleaded guilty. Greenberg was sentenced in late 2022 to 11 years in prison. 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.” Kash Patel spent several years as a Justice Department prosecutor before catching the Trump administration’s attention as a staffer on Capitol Hill who helped investigate the Russia probe. Patel called for dramatically reducing the agency’s footprint, a perspective that sets him apart from earlier directors who sought additional resources for the bureau. Though the Justice Department in 2021 halted the practice of secretly seizing reporters’ phone records during leak investigations, Patel said he intends to aggressively hunt down government officials who leak information to reporters. 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. Trump said Atkins, the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner, was a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. “He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The commission oversees U.S. securities markets and investments and is currently led by Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Gensler, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, announced last month that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated — Jan. 20, 2025. Atkins began his career as a lawyer and has a long history working in the financial markets sector, both in government and private practice. In the 1990s, he worked on the staffs of two former SEC chairmen, Richard C. Breeden and Arthur Levitt. Jared Isaacman, 41, is a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk . He is the founder and CEO of a card-processing company and has collaborated closely with Musk ever since buying his first chartered SpaceX flight. He took contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits. 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. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” 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 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) 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. Former Rep. Billy Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. 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. 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. 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. Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor to Fox News. Dr. Dave Weldon, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. 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. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
Microsoft Introduces Zero Water Consumption Data Center Design
When properly frozen and stored at the correct temperature, frozen steamed buns are safe for consumption. The freezing process can help prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and preserve the texture and taste of the buns. To ensure the safety of frozen foods, it is important to follow proper thawing and cooking instructions as recommended by the manufacturer.MEN'S BASKETBALL AP TOP 25: Kansas stays at No. 1 ahead of showdown vs. No. 11 Duke
Bondi isn’t Gaetz but don't 'recalibrate' — this can't be 'new normal': Ex-prosecutor
In a groundbreaking collaboration, Amazon announced that it is joining forces with Intuit to offer QuickBooks Online accounting software to millions of third-party sellers operating on the Amazon platform. This strategic partnership seeks to empower sellers with innovative financial management tools and enhance their overall efficiency and success in conducting business on the world's largest online marketplace.QuickBooks Online, developed by Intuit, is a cloud-based accounting software that offers a wide range of capabilities, including tracking income and expenses, invoicing, managing bills and payments, generating financial reports, and more. By integrating QuickBooks Online directly into the Amazon seller platform, sellers will benefit from seamless synchronization of their sales and financial data, enabling them to have real-time insights into their financial performance and make timely adjustments to their business strategies.
November 25, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – Sudan’s military leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, on Monday ruled out any negotiations with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), saying the only solution is for them to lay down their arms and gather in designated areas. Since its launch on September 26, the army has made significant gains in its military campaign against the RSF, reclaiming numerous positions in the capital, Khartoum, and Sennar state. “There is no settlement and no negotiation,” Burhan said during a conference on women’s issues in eastern Sudan. “We have proposed a settlement: that these rebels lay down their arms and gather in specific areas, then the Sudanese people will consider their fate.” He accused the RSF of besieging El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, as well as South and West Kordofan, and parts of other states, cutting off food and water supplies, killing civilians, and raping women. “Negotiate with him about what? We will not negotiate with him,” Burhan said. He stressed that the army and other security forces are determined to “eliminate the rebellion and eradicate the criminal terrorist militia of the Daglo family,” referring to the RSF. Burhan also denied calling for a conference of political forces, saying “this talk is untrue and we have not invited politicians or anyone to negotiate and establish a platform.” He added: “Our hands are extended to every sincere Sudanese who is jealous for his country and has repented. The door to repentance is open to all, and repentance has conditions. It is known that those who repent deprecate the work they were doing before.” The military-led government has pursued criminal charges against leaders of the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition, accusing them of collaborating with the RSF. The public prosecutor’s office says it has evidence that some FFC leaders were involved in war crimes, which the coalition denies. Burhan also praised Sudanese women for standing with the armed forces and supporting them in defending the country, calling for the utilization of resources in the east to develop and empower women in the region. He acknowledged harmful practices that have marginalized large segments of society, saying: “I have seen women living on the margins of life in remote areas without education or health. We want to correct this matter and care for these communities.” Women have paid a heavy price due to the ongoing conflict, especially those heading households after the widespread destruction of infrastructure and livelihoods. They also face horrific violations, including rape, forced displacement, and sexual exploitation.
The Sacramento Kings continue to lose, and that means that the vultures for De’Aaron Fox may be multiplying. ESPN’s Tim MacMahon reported on “The Hoop Collective” podcast this week that the Houston Rockets are a team to watch regarding a potential trade for the Kings star Fox. MacMahon also notes that there have been talks about the Miami Heat getting involved (Fox was college teammates with Heat star Bam Adebayo) as well as the Los Angeles Lakers doing so (Fox is a Klutch Sports client). Additionally, MacMahon mentions the San Antonio Spurs as another team to watch for Fox, which had already been reported prior . The 27-year-old Fox is a rare homegrown Kings All-Star and is also their longest-tenured player. But the trade buzz has steadily increased in recent weeks, especially with Sacramento now sitting at a disappointing 13-18 (No. 12 in the West). Fox’s agent, Rich Paul, also reportedly met with Kings management recently to discuss the direction of the team. Averaging 26.2 points and 6.1 assists per game this season, Fox is under contract for $34.8 million this year and $37.1 million next year. That means it would be far easier for an asset-rich, non-luxury-tax team like the Spurs or Rockets to make a play for him rather than a high-payroll team such as the Heat or Lakers. In any case though, an interested team would also have to navigate around Fox’s trickier longer-term financial situation . H/T NBA Reddit This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.The incident has sparked outrage among the public, with many calling for accountability and justice for Liu Dabeili. Questions have been raised about the qualifications and practices of the medical staff involved in her treatment, as well as the overall safety measures in place at the hospital. Authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Liu Dabeili's death, promising to hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
7.0 earthquake off Northern California prompts brief tsunami warningHouse rejects Democratic efforts to force release of Matt Gaetz ethics report
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Tyrese Hunter scored 17 of his 26 points after halftime to lead Memphis to a 99-97 overtime win against two-time defending national champion and second-ranked UConn on Monday in the first round of the Maui Invitational . Hunter shot 7 of 10 from 3-point range for the Tigers (5-0), who were 12 of 22 from beyond at the arc as a team. PJ Haggerty had 22 points and five assists, Colby Rogers had 19 points and Dain Dainja scored 14. Tarris Reed Jr. had 22 points and 11 rebounds off the bench for the Huskies (4-1). Alex Karaban had 19 points and six assists, and Jaylin Stewart scored 16. Memphis led by as many as 13 with about four minutes left in regulation, but UConn chipped away and eventually tied it on Solo Ball’s 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds remaining. Memphis: The Tigers ranked second nationally in field goal percentage going into the game and shot it at a 54.7% clip. UConn: The Huskies saw their string of 17 consecutive wins dating back to February come to an end. The teams were tied at 92 with less than a minute remaining in overtime when UConn coach Dan Hurley was assessed a technical foul for his displeasure with an over-the-back call against Liam McNeeley. PJ Carter hit four straight free throws — two for the tech and the other pair for the personal foul — to give Memphis a 96-92 lead with 40.3 seconds to play. UConn had three players foul out. Memphis attempted 40 free throws and made 29 of them. Memphis will play the winner of Colorado-Michigan State on Tuesday in the second round of the invitational. UConn will play the loser of that game in the consolation bracket. Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball .US homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people Federal officials say the United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness, a dramatic rise driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing as well as devastating natural disasters and a surge of migrants in several parts of the country. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said that federally required tallies taken across the country in January found that more than 770,000 people were counted as homeless. That increase comes on top of a 12% increase in 2023, which HUD blamed on soaring rents and the end of pandemic assistance. Among the most concerning trends was a nearly 40% rise in family homelessness. A 9th telecoms firm has been hit by a massive Chinese espionage campaign, the White House says WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House official says a ninth U.S. telecoms firm has been confirmed to have been hacked as part of a sprawling Chinese espionage campaign that gave officials in Beijing access to private texts and phone conversations of an unknown number of Americans. Administration officials said this month that at least eight telecommunications companies, as well as dozens of nations, had been affected by the Chinese hacking blitz known as Salt Typhoon. But Anne Neuberger, a deputy national security adviser, said Friday that a ninth victim had been identified after the administration released guidance to companies about how to hunt for Chinese culprits in their networks. Israeli troops burn northern Gaza hospital after forcibly removing staff and patients, officials say DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza's Health Ministry says Israeli troops have stormed one of the last hospitals operating in the territory's north on Friday and forced many of the staff and patients outside. Then they had to remove their clothes in winter weather. It was the latest assault on Kamal Adwan Hospital. Parts of it were set on fire. Staff say it has been hit multiple times in the past three months by Israeli troops waging an offensive against Hamas fighters in surrounding neighborhoods. Israel's military says Hamas uses the hospital as a base. It did not provide evidence, and hospital officials have denied it. Azerbaijani and U.S. officials suggest plane that crashed may have been hit by weapons fire U.S. and Azerbaijani officials have said weapons fire may have brought down an Azerbaijani airliner that crashed on Wednesday, killing 38 people. The statements from Rashad Nabiyev and White House national security spokesman John Kirby on Friday raised pressure on Russia. Officials in Moscow have said a drone attack was underway in the region that the Azerbaijan Airlines flight was destined for but have not addressed statements from aviation experts who blamed the crash on Russian air defenses responding to a Ukrainian attack. The plane was flying from Azerbaijan’s capital of Baku to Chechnya on Wednesday when it crashed, killing 38 people and leaving all 29 survivors injured. New 2025 laws hit hot topics from AI in movies to rapid-fire guns New laws taking effect with the new year will affect Hollywood actors, social media stars and chatty motorists. In many states, minimum wage workers will see a pay raise in January. New laws in California will provide protections to actors against unauthorized use of artificial intelligence and require parents to set aside social media earnings generated by children. In Florida and Tennessee, new laws restricting social media use by minors face legal challenges. In Missouri, drivers holding their cellphones could face new fines. Other new laws will restrict certain guns in Minnesota, allow medical marijuana in Kentucky and outlaw drug use on public transit in Oregon. In states that ban abortion, social safety net programs often fail families MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee has a nearly total abortion ban and a porous safety net for mothers and young children. GOP state leaders in Tennessee and other states that banned abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 argue that they are bolstering services for families. Recent research and an analysis by The Associated Press has found that from the time a Tennessee woman gets pregnant, she faces greater obstacles to a healthy pregnancy, a healthy child and a financially stable family life than the average American mom. Maryland sues maker of Gore-Tex over pollution from toxic 'forever chemicals' Maryland is suing the company that produces the waterproof material Gore-Tex. State officials say the company's leaders kept using so-called “forever chemicals” long after learning about serious health risks. The federal complaint alleges Delaware-based W.L. Gore & Associates polluted the air and water around 13 facilities in northeastern Maryland with chemicals that have been linked to certain cancers, reproductive issues and high cholesterol. They’re nearly indestructible and can build up in various environments, including the human body. The company stopped using the harmful chemicals in 2014 and says it’s working with state regulators on testing and cleanup efforts. Man indicted in burning death of woman inside a New York City subway train, prosecutors say NEW YORK (AP) — The man accused of burning a woman to death inside a New York City subway train has been indicted on state charges. A prosecutor announced Sebastian Zapeta’s indictment at a court hearing Friday. The development comes days after Zapeta’s arrest and subsequent police questioning in which they say he identified himself in photos and surveillance video showing the fire being lit. The indictment will be under seal until Jan. 7. He remains jailed. Federal immigration officials say the 33-year-old Zapeta is from Guatemala and entered the U.S. illegally. Authorities are continuing to work to identify the victim. Father of Raiders star Malcolm Koonce has 1983 conviction tossed after DA says it was tainted NEW YORK (AP) — Years before Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Malcolm Koonce was born, his father spent time in prison for an armed robbery conviction that prosecutors now say was tainted by a detective’s lies and “highly suggestive” photo identification techniques. Jeffrey Koonce, now 67, had his conviction vacated and his indictment dismissed by New York judge Friday. Koonce spent nearly eight years in prison for a 1981 robbery at Vernon Stars Rod and Gun Club in Mount Vernon, where three people were struck by shotgun pellets as patrons were looted of cash and jewelry. He has always maintained his innocence. Alex Ovechkin is on track to break Wayne Gretzky's NHL career goals record Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals is chasing the NHL career goals record of 894 held by Wayne Gretzky. Ovechkin entered the season 42 goals short of breaking a record that long seemed unapproachable. He is set to play again Saturday at the Toronto Maple Leafs after missing more than a month with a broken left fibula. Ovechkin was on pace to get to 895 sometime in February before getting injured. At 868, he his 27 goals away from passing Gretzky.First Commercial Nuclear Fusion Project Announced
I'm A Celebrity viewers have said that one campmate 'needed that' after she secured herself immunity with an impressive 'winning strategy'. Over the past two days, a twist to the usual format of the ITV show has seen the celebrities battling it out for the coveted 'Ticket to Cyclone', as well as immunity from the next two public votes. At the start of Thursday's show (December 5), Ant and Dec entered camp to reveal the four finalists for ‘Ticket to Cyclone’ were Danny, Maura, Oti and Coleen. As they headed off to face the final challenge, which would determine the winner of the golden ticket to Cyclone, it was all to play for. Back at the Arcade of Agony once again, Danny, Maura, Oti and Coleen greeted Ant and Dec and got ready for ‘Battle Blocks’. READ MORE: I'm A Celebrity Danny Jones' 'estranged' relationship with father as he 'finds dad' in Barry McGuigan With a lot at stake, Ant and Dec then explained what they’d be facing in the challenge. Each celebrity was placed inside one of four game play areas. Within each of these areas were ten battle blocks, they needed to find all ten and remove them, placing them into a grid in front of them to make a perfect rectangle. The first to fit all of their battle blocks into the grid in front of them and run and press the golden buzzer would be the winner of the Ticket to Cyclone. Ready and in place for the grand final for the ticket to Cyclone, Oti, Maura, Danny and Coleen sprang into action at the sound of the klaxon. Observing the different tactics at play, Ant remarked: “There’s different ways of doing it here.” Covered in jungle slime and fish guts, and having to put their hands into different hell holes filled with critters to find all ten battle blocks, Maura screamed, as Danny laughed his way through. Meanwhile, Oti and Coleen both kept their game faces on. Oti had a different strategy to the rest, putting her civil engineering degree to good use, with her tactic to lay all ten blocks out on the floor and fit them like a puzzle to determine which way round they would successfully fit in the grid. Ant and Dec watched on saying: “That’s an interesting strategy, putting it on the floor first, even with stuff dropping down." With tension building, Oti picked her blocks up off the floor, as Dec questioned: “She’s getting them off the floor, straight in. Do you think she’s done it?”. Coleen, Danny and Oti were then neck and neck, all filling up their grids at a fast pace, whilst Maura hadn’t yet started putting blocks into the grid in front of her. Suddenly Oti burst out of her game play area and ran to press the golden buzzer, as golden confetti filled the air and she jumped up and down celebrating. Oti had the 'winning strategy' (Image: YouTube) Dec remarked: “Oti! That was incredible!” Ant added: “Absolutely brilliant.” Telling them all about her tactic to lay out the blocks on the floor, her fellow celebrities clapped and congratulated her, whilst Ant said: “Work smart, not harder!” The moment then came for Dec to hand Oti the coveted golden ticket to Cyclone, granting her immunity for the next two vote offs, and a guaranteed place in the Celebrity Cyclone. A very happy Oti grinned and said: “It feels amazing, I’ve got to wash my underwear more now!”. And fans of the ITV show took to X to praise Oti's strategy, saying that she 'needed that' win to save her from the public vote. @geordiegalg wrote: "Absolutely brilliant strategy from Oti! Well done." @AAngels05 said: "Oti building the Tetris on the floor is a winning strategy yknow," as @lloydallred wrote: "OTI IS THE WINNER TEARS IN THE NATIONS EYES #imacelebrity2024 #imaceleb." @sagalhatesyou said: "oti ate again. she needed that knowing how the british public is. #ImACeleb," as @languageloves wrote: "OTI HAS A TICKET TO THE CYCLONE, SHE IS OFFICIALLY A FINALIST #ImACeleb." @Ammyh1993 added: "Out of all of them I’m glad it was oti, Danny is guaranteed a place in the final anyway because of people like me who grew up in love with him #imaceleb." @IrishLaurinah echoed: "I think oti needs it most and I want her in the cyclone with Maura grace and rev #ImACeleb."California to consider requiring mental health warnings on social media sites
In the wake of this heartbreaking incident, the music community has come together to honor the memory of the young singer and raise awareness about the importance of exercising caution when it comes to physical therapies like massages. Her tragic story serves as a powerful reminder that health and well-being should always be top priorities, and that seeking out professional guidance and advice is crucial in ensuring one's safety and security.SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California, home to some of the largest technology companies in the world, would be the first U.S. state to require mental health warning labels on social media sites if lawmakers pass a bill introduced Monday. The legislation sponsored by state Attorney General Rob Bonta is necessary to bolster safety for children online, supporters say, but industry officials vow to fight the measure and others like it under the First Amendment. Warning labels for social media gained swift bipartisan support from dozens of attorneys general, including Bonta, after U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy called on Congress to establish the requirements earlier this year, saying social media is a contributing factor in the mental health crisis among young people. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
November 21 - The Washington Capitals will be without their captain and goal-scoring machine Alex Ovechkin for four to six weeks after he was diagnosed Thursday with a fractured left fibula. Ovechkin, 39, exited Monday's 6-2 win over the Utah Hockey Club with 14:30 remaining following a collision with Utah forward Jack McBain. A teammate had to help him off the ice. The Capitals announced Tuesday that Ovechkin was considered week-to-week as he underwent further evaluation on his leg. On Wednesday, the team placed him on injured reserve and recalled forward prospect Ivan Miroshnichenko from AHL affiliate Hershey. The injury interrupted Ovechkin while he was on a hot streak. He scored two goals in the Utah game before going down and has 13 goals in his past 11. Before Thursday's games, he owned the NHL lead with 15 goals on the season. Ovechkin's pursuit of history will now be postponed as well. With 868 goals in his career, the Russian needs 27 to break Wayne Gretzky's all-time mark of 894. --Field Level Media Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles. , opens new tab