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9 pa Ex-Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio delivers combative testimony in ex-cops defenseThe Securities Appellate Tribunal (SAT) has ordered an interim stay on SEBI’s order against Trafiksol ITS Technologies. On December 3, SEBI, in an unprecedented move, had asked Trafiksol ITS Technologies to refund the money paid by investors towards subscribing to the company’s IPO. SEBI had also asked Trafiksol to return the interest amount accrued on the money back to the investors who were allotted the company’s shares in the said IPO. Share Market View All Nifty Gainers View All Company Value Change %Change Trafiksol had challenged SEBI’s order against itself before the SAT and after hearing both parties, SAT ordered an interim stay on SEBI’s order against Trafiksol. The matter continues to be heard at the SAT. As per SEBI’s order, the market regulator received a complaint which alleged that the objects of Trafiksol’s IPO included the purchase of software valued at nearly ₹ 18 crore from a vendor which, inter alia, had questionable financials and failed to file its annual financial statements with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA). In view of the above complaint, BSE in consultation with SEBI deferred the listing of the shares of Trafiksol and initiated its investigation into the matter. SEBI’s investigation in the matter found an intent of diversion of funds through misleading objects of the issue. SEBI also found mis-statement of financial statements and concealment of material facts in the IPO prospectus of Trafiksol.

If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above. ← BackI love nothing more than going to an infrared sauna and sweating it out — my mind immediately feels clearer, and my body feels better too. However, it can get expensive going to a bathhouse or a gym with a sauna on a weekly basis. That’s why this incredible world-first, accessible at-home portable infrared sauna is a game changer. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Vital+, a wellness brand known for its innovative products, has launched the infrared sauna which retails for $985 and offers a high-end wellness experience at a fraction of the cost of traditional saunas, which typically retail for more than $2000. It’s the perfect way to reap the benefits of infrared heat therapy without breaking the bank. VITAL+ was first established in March 2023 by Cameron Mehr and Tom Mansfield, who were inspired to start a wellness brand after discovering a significant gap in the market for at-home wellness products. The SaunaPod is designed for both indoor and covered outdoor spaces, providing flexibility and convenience for its users. Its compact pentagon design, just 1m by 1m, ensures it can fit comfortably in corners, making it ideal for small spaces. The sauna is also extremely easy to set up, with a simple 15-minute installation process, and can be packed down in just five minutes for easy storage. The SaunaPod can reach temperatures of up to 65C, offering a deeply relaxing and detoxifying experience. It operates using six infrared panels, which generate heat that penetrates deeply into the skin, promoting relaxation, improved circulation, and recovery. One of the standout features of the SaunaPod is its low electromagnetic field (EMF) levels, so the sauna ensures a safe and healthy environment for users. The sauna includes 660nm red light therapy, which is known to support skin rejuvenation and promote overall wellness. Additionally, the sauna features chromotherapy lights in four different colours, which can be used to enhance mood, energy, and relaxation. Plus, the SaunaPod is equipped with a heat-insulated cover that helps prevent mould and bacteria buildup. It also includes a quick-dry, machine-washable absorbent sweat mat for easy cleaning, after each use — you simply leave the door flap open to air out the sauna. The launch of the SaunaPod is perfectly timed for the holiday season, making it an ideal gift for wellness enthusiasts or anyone looking to start the new year with a focus on health and recovery. Its portable, affordable, and space-saving design makes it the perfect solution for those seeking a high-quality sauna experience in the comfort of their own home. To purchase the Infrared sauna, head to the VITAL+ website here.

The Syrian government fell early Sunday in a stunning end to the 50-year rule of the Assad family after a sudden rebel offensive sprinted across government-held territory and entered the capital in 10 days. Syrian state television aired a video statement by a group of men saying that President Bashar Assad has been overthrown and all detainees in jails have been set free. The man who read the statement said the Operations Room to Conquer Damascus, an opposition group, called on all opposition fighters and citizens to preserve state institutions of “the free Syrian state.” The statement emerged hours after the head of a Syrian opposition war monitor said Assad had left the country for an undisclosed location, fleeing ahead of insurgents who said they had entered Damascus following the remarkably swift advance across the country. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali said the government was ready to “extend its hand” to the opposition and turn its functions over to a transitional government. “I am in my house and I have not left, and this is because of my belonging to this country,” Jalili said in a video statement. He said he would go to his office to continue work in the morning and called on Syrian citizens not to deface public property. He did not address reports that Assad had fled. Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told The Associated Press that Assad took a flight Sunday from Damascus. State television in Iran, Assad’s main backer in the years of war in Syria, reported that Assad had left the capital. It cited Qatar’s Al Jazeera news network for the information and did not elaborate. There was no immediate statement from the Syrian government As daylight broke over Damascus, crowds gathered to pray in the city’s mosques and to celebrate in the squares, chanting “God is great.” People also chanted anti-Assad slogans and honked car horns. In some areas, celebratory gunshots rang out. Soldiers and police officers left their posts and fled, and looters broke into the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense. “My feelings are indescribable,” said Omar Daher, a 29-year-old lawyer. “After the fear that he (Assad) and his father made us live in for many years, and the panic and state of terror that I was living in, I can’t believe it.” Daher said his father was killed by security forces and his brother was in detention, his fate unknown. Assad “is a criminal, a tyrant and a dog,” he said.” “Damn his soul and the soul of the entire Assad family,” said Ghazal al-Sharif, another reveler in central Damascus. “It is the prayer of every oppressed person and God answered it today. We thought we would never see it, but thank God, we saw it.” The police headquarters in the capital appeared to be abandoned, its door left ajar with no officers outside. An Associated Press journalist shot footage of an abandoned army checkpoint where uniforms were discarded on the ground under a poster of Assad’s face. Footage broadcast on opposition-linked media showed a tank in one of the capital’s central squares. It was the first time opposition forces had reached Damascus since 2018, when Syrian troops recaptured areas on the outskirts of the capital following a yearslong siege. The pro-government Sham FM radio reported that the Damascus airport had been evacuated and all flights halted. The insurgents also announced they had entered the notorious Saydnaya military prison north of the capital and “liberated” their prisoners there. The night before, opposition forces took the central city of Homs, Syria’s third largest, as government forces abandoned it. The city stands at an important intersection between Damascus, the capital, and Syria’s coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus — the Syrian leader’s base of support and home to a Russian strategic naval base. The rebels had already seized the cities of Aleppo and Hama, as well as large parts of the south, in a lightning offensive that began Nov. 27. Analysts said rebel control of Homs would be a game-changer. The rebels’ moves into Damascus came after the Syrian army withdrew from much of southern part of the country, leaving more areas, including several provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters. The advances in the past week were by far the largest in recent years by opposition factions, led by a group that has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. In their push to overthrow Assad’s government, the insurgents, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, have met little resistance from the Syrian army. The U.N.’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called Saturday for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition.” Speaking to reporters at the annual Doha Forum in Qatar, he said the situation in Syria was changing by the minute. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, whose country is Assad’s chief international backer, said he feels “sorry for the Syrian people.” In Damascus, people rushed to stock up on supplies. Thousands went to Syria’s border with Lebanon, trying to leave the country. Lebanese border officials closed the main Masnaa border crossing late Saturday, leaving many stuck waiting. Many shops in the capital were shuttered, a resident told The Associated Press, and those still open ran out of staples such as sugar. Some were selling items at three times the normal price. The U.N. said it was moving noncritical staff outside the country as a precaution. Assad’s status Syria’s state media denied social media rumors that Assad left the country, saying he was performing his duties in Damascus. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said Sunday he does not know where Assad or the defense minister are. He told Saudi television network Al-Arabiyya early Sunday that they lost communication Saturday night. He has had little, if any, help from his allies. Russia is busy with its war in Ukraine. Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad’s forces, has been weakened by a yearlong conflict with Israel. Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular Israeli airstrikes. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday posted on social media that the United States should avoid engaging militarily in Syria. Separately, President Joe Biden’s national security adviser said the Biden administration had no intention of intervening there. Pedersen said a date for talks in Geneva on the implementation of a U.N. resolution, adopted in 2015 and calling for a Syrian-led political process, would be announced later. The resolution calls for the establishment of a transitional governing body, followed by the drafting of a new constitution and ending with U.N.-supervised elections. Later Saturday, foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran, along with Pederson, gathered on the sidelines of the Doha Summit to discuss the situation in Syria. In a statement, the participants affirmed their support for a political solution to the Syrian crisis “that would lead to the end of military activity and protect civilians.” The insurgents’ march A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces had begun the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. HTS controls much of northwest Syria and in 2017 set up a “salvation government” to run day-to-day affairs in the region. In recent years, HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has sought to remake the group’s image, cutting ties with al-Qaida, ditching hard-line officials and vowing to embrace pluralism and religious tolerance. The shock offensive began Nov. 27, during which gunmen captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria’s largest, and the central city of Hama, the country’s fourth-largest city. The Syrian government has referred to opposition gunmen as terrorists since conflict broke out in March 2011. Qatar’s top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, criticized Assad for failing to take advantage of the lull in fighting in recent years to address the country’s underlying problems. “Assad didn’t seize this opportunity to start engaging and restoring his relationship with his people,” he said. (AP)NoneEx-Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio delivers combative testimony in ex-cops defense

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A search for a convicted murderer in a California town has put residents on edge, with schools closing and Christmas events being postponed. Cesar Hernandez, who was sentenced in 2019 to 80 years to life with the possibility of parole for first-degree murder, escaped Monday morning shortly after arriving at the Kern County courthouse in Delano, a city of around 50,000 in central California. State prison officials said late Thursday that he had likely fled the area and no longer posed a security risk to the town. He was being transported to appear in court after pleading no contest to manufacturing a weapon and possessing alcohol or drugs in prison when he evaded staff and jumped out of the van, officials said. “Hernandez is considered dangerous,” Delano police said in a social media post. “If you see him, do not approach.” Cesar Guzmán, 32, was only blocks away at his barber shop from the intersection where Hernandez escaped. It’s been the “number one topic at the shop” since. “Everyday we talk about it,” Guzmán said. “The clients are, they’re scared because they haven’t found him. We’re really close to where it happened.” RELATED COVERAGE Quake prompts brief tsunami warning on the West Coast. Here’s what to know about tsunamis 7.0 earthquake off Northern California prompts brief tsunami warning EPA hails ‘revitalized’ enforcement efforts as Biden administration heads to exit Delano has been inundated with a heavy law enforcement presence since Hernandez’s escape, with police knocking on doors and helicopters whirring overhead. Guzmán said it’s the first time something like this has happened in the town, where he has lived his whole life. Several local schools locked down Monday, and they remained closed through Thursday as the search continued, local school districts posted on Facebook. The city postponed its tree-lighting ceremony originally scheduled for Wednesday, and the Delano Chamber of Commerce delayed its annual Christmas parade scheduled for Thursday night. Hernandez remaining at large puts a damper on the festivities, which Guzmán and his family have attended every year. “Honestly, now we’re kind of like, ‘How can he get away from them? What the heck happened?’” Guzmán said. Hernandez, 34, was convicted of shooting a man after leaving a bar in south Los Angeles, according to appellate court filings. He had gotten into a “heated argument” with his girlfriend at the bar earlier that night and was looking for her after she left. The victim was at the bar but did not have contact with either Hernandez or his girlfriend, the filings said. As the man drove away from the bar in his pickup truck, Hernandez was seen following him in his car before getting out to shoot him. It’s unclear from the filings what motivated the shooting. Hernandez was last seen wearing an orange top and pants. He is 5 feet, 5 inches tall, weighs about 160 pounds, and has brown eyes and black hair. He was transferred from Los Angeles County in June 2019. Anyone who sees Hernandez or has knowledge of his location is asked to contact law enforcement or call 911. On the other side of the country, another search was underway for the man who gunned down United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York on Monday. Police were following tips related to his whereabouts, including searching two hostels where the man may have stayed.There may be five stages of grief, but there’s usually just one when it comes to political defeat — pretend to soul-search, then carry on as if nothing happened.{/div} In the wake of Donald Trump’s clearcut victory on Nov. 5, Democrats and their media allies acknowledged mistakes were made, but their mea culpa sounded more like humble brags as they suggested their real problem was a failure to communicate . If only we’d done a better job of describing our wonderful accomplishments and the dangers of fascism. Next time, our commercials will be much more effective. The stand-pat strategy makes some sense in a two-party system where many elections are akin to a coin flip. Ironically, each side banks the other’s unwillingness to change to provide the opening they need to keep on keeping on. The Democratic Party may well rise from the canvas in the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential race — but this would likely be more a result of potential Republican overreach than the wisdom of their policies. For the good of the country, however, Democrats should use their recent defeat as an opportunity to rethink and reorient their approach to governance. It won’t be easy, because a fundamental reason Democrats lost goes to the core of their identity: competence. Polls show a large majority of Americans have lost faith in their ability to govern effectively . The GOP’s campaign slogan homed in on this failure: “Trump Will Fix It.” Since the rise of the progressive movement more than a century ago, Democrats have argued that an expansive government run by experts can solve the nation’s problems. Especially through the ambitious legislative programs put forward by presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson, and Joe Biden, Democrats have assured voters: We know what works . Decades of experience have proven otherwise. Democrat-run states and major cities have distinguished themselves not only for their poorly run schools, high crime, and massive debts, but also their corruption. The New York Times reported in August that California has now become the leader in political malfeasance, “exceeding the number of cases in states better known for public corruption, including [the deep blue states of] New York, New Jersey and Illinois.” For its part, the Biden administration has taken a series of missteps — personified for all to see by the president’s weak, wobbly gait — that directly led to Kamala Harris’ defeat. Who thought it was a good idea to: • Open the southern U.S. border to millions of unvetted migrants? • Pass bills costing trillions that fueled inflation? • Hastily withdraw from Afghanistan, leaving behind billions in equipment to arm the Taliban? • Unlock billions of dollars that Iran used to fund the Hamas terrorists who attacked Israel on Oct. 7, leading to the wider regional war? • Weaponize the justice system to target Trump personally, increasing his popularity by turning him into a victim? • Pretend Joe Biden was sharp as a tack when it was clear to all that he was in decline? While these and many other failures weakened confidence in the Democrats’ ability to steer the ship of state, their embrace of the woke agenda showed that the party was not just wrong about certain issues, but in the grips of an unhinged ideology. Claims that America is irredeemably racist, that illegal aliens should be allowed to vote, that gender is not a biological fact and that children should have the right to decide to mutilate their bodies without parental consent, struck most citizens as incomprehensible. Yes, Harris and other Democrats tried to distance themselves from some of these positions, but they never repudiated them. If you have to run to the center so you can govern from the far left, your politics have become an exercise in deceptive cynicism. Post-election revelations that the Harris campaign burned through $1.5 billion in 15 weeks — including showering celebrities with huge paydays to draw crowds to her rallies — reinforces the perception that Democrats see money as a slush fund for their allies . Perhaps the greatest indictment of Democrats’ competence is the rise of Donald Trump. After eight years of Barack Obama — an exemplar of well-polished progressivism — the American people elected a man with no government experience, whose campaign focused on the failures of the ruling elites of both parties. Entrenched Republicans were, in fact, as disdainful of Trump as Democrats were. Then, despite titanic efforts to undercut and delegitimize him at every turn, this quintessential outsider led a largely successful administration. Polls suggested he was likely to be reelected before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. Trump was returned to office earlier this month because many Americans remembered the policies of the man Democrats dismissed as a failed real estate developer and superficial reality TV star as far more effective than those advanced by his highly credentialed opponents. The visceral hatred for Trump stems in large part from his competence. As he calls out the failures and corruption of the rulers on the left and the right, he has succeeded at their game without their alleged expertise. He points out obvious facts — China and Iran are not our friends, we can no longer pay the world’s bills — that they have long obscured. They call him a liar, and he does do that, but it’s his truth-telling they can’t forgive. His chief character flaw is that he isn’t part of the club. All of which is to say, Democrats need their own Trump — a wrecking ball who will challenge the party’s dogmas; a disruptive outsider who can force them out of their ideological cul-de-sac. The radical transformation Democrats need seems beyond the capacity of the party’s entrenched leadership: To expect people who cannot admit error to change their minds and ways seems like wishful thinking. They probably don’t need a Trump-like figure to win elections, but they need one to find a way to govern effectively. This would not require abandoning progressive ideals, but developing new ways to actually achieve them. This will not be easy. As a spur, Democrats should consider the fate of their allies in the legacy media. The partisan, left-wing turn many news organizations have taken in the last decade has undermined the trust Americans once had in their reporting — while contributing to shrinking audiences and mass layoffs . That failure is a major reason millions of Americans are turning to alternative outlets , including X, Substack, and podcasters such as Joe Rogan, for news. Political parties are not subject to the swift and ruthless forces of the market. But Democrats would be wise to see the decline of their media allies as a canary in the coal mine. It should inspire them to begin a true process of soul-searching and change for their own good and for that of the nation. (J. Peder Zane is a RealClearInvestigations editor and columnist.)Georgetown is set to play its first road game of the season while West Virginia attempts to build off its successful 2-1 trip to the Bahamas when the former conference rivals meet on Friday in Morgantown, W. Va., as part of the Big 12-Big East Battle. Picked 13th out of 16 in the Big 12 preseason coaches' poll, West Virginia (5-2) has been riding the hot shooting of Javon Small and Tucker DeVries. Small averages a team-high 19 points and shoots 41.3 percent on 3-pointers while DeVries adds 14.9 points per game and hits on 46.9 percent of his threes. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

Key posts 6.19am Dashcam captures dangerous motorcycle stunt 6.10am Man, 80, charged with historical child sexual offences after tip-off 5.29am Dutton implies Aboriginal flag should not be flown on Harbour Bridge 5.16am Dutton stands by claim nuclear will be cheaper, despite CSIRO findings Hide key posts Posts area Latest 1 of 1 Go to latest Pinned post from 5.01am Meta outage affecting Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp By Josefine Ganko Social media users report they cannot access Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp, as Meta confirms a mass outage of its platforms. Outage tracking website Downdetector.com was flooded with more than 100,000 reports of problems, which started about 3am (AEST). In a statement posted to X, Meta confirmed it was aware that a “technical issue” was impacting “some users” of their apps. It’s not clear how extensive the outage is, but reports suggest it is worldwide. “We’re working to get things back to normal as quickly as possible and apologise for any inconvenience,” the statement read. Similar statements were issued by Instagram and WhatsApp acknowledging and apologising for the issue. The WhatsApp statement concluded: “We expect things to be back to normal shortly”. Latest posts Latest posts 6.19am Dashcam captures dangerous motorcycle stunt By William Davis Police are trying to catch a motorcyclist who was filmed swerving between oncoming traffic while riding without a helmet. The incident was captured by a dashcam about 2.30pm, November 13, on Gehrke Road in the Lockyer Valley. Police are appealing for anyone who recognises the rider or his passenger, who police said appeared to be female, to come forward. They do not believe anyone was injured in the stunt. 6.10am Man, 80, charged with historical child sexual offences after tip-off By Catherine Strohfeldt An 80-year-old man has been charged with historical child sexual offences almost a month after police arrested him in his Rosemount home, but investigators suspected the man had committed further offences. He was arrested on November 15, after an alleged victim tipped off police and officers executed a search warrant on the man’s property. He was charged with 17 offences – 12 counts of indecent treatment of children, and five counts of unlawful intercourse – with police reporting the man used his involvement in a sports club in the 1990s to repeatedly offend against a child. Sunshine Coast CPIU Detective Senior Sergeant Kerri Della-Vedova thanked the person who had spoken to police and offered information that led to the arrest, but suspected more children had been involved. “If anyone else relates to this offending or has more information, I encourage you to speak to police,” Della-Vedova said. “I’d like to reinforce to anyone who has experienced sexual violence or abuse, even decades ago, that police will listen, we will investigate while respecting your wishes, privacy, health and safety needs.” The 80-year-old man was expected to appear before Maroochydore Magistrates Court today. 5.46am Police believe house was deliberately set on fire overnight By William Davis An overnight house fire is being treated as arson by police. Officers believe the property, on Bindi Street in Logan Central, was reportedly set alight about 11.35pm. No one was home at the time and no injuries have been reported. Queensland Police declared a crime scene and investigations were under way at the house. Anyone with information or CCTV was urged to come forward. Advertisement 5.29am Dutton implies Aboriginal flag should not be flown on Harbour Bridge By Josefine Ganko After confirming he would not stand in front of Indigenous flags if elected prime minister, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has suggested it’s his view that only the Australian flag should be flown on national landmarks such as the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The Aboriginal flag permanently replaced the NSW state flag atop the bridge in June 2022, after a protracted debate about whether it should be flown. The Australian Aboriginal Flag flies high atop the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Credit: Dylan Coker Asked on Seven’s Sunrise if his stance on the Aboriginal flag at press conferences extended to it being flown on the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Dutton didn’t directly answer. He noted it was a state government issue before implying his personal preference was that only the Australian flag was flown. “My preference would be that we just, frankly, accept that we have one national flag,” he said. “For us at a federal level, I’m not going to pretend that our country can be united when we’re asking people to identify in different ways.” He concluded that while we should be “very proud of our Indigenous heritage”, he doesn’t believe the country can be united under three flags. 5.16am Dutton stands by claim nuclear will be cheaper, despite CSIRO findings By Josefine Ganko The Coalition’s nuclear energy policy, set to be released this week, will be cheaper than Labor’s plan, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has maintained. On Monday, the CSIRO released a report that found nuclear power was still about 50 per cent more expensive than renewables, even after the science organisation changed its modelling to accommodate criticism from the Coalition that it had unfairly favoured wind and solar energy sources. Dutton denied he was reconsidering his promise that energy bills would be cheaper using nuclear power because of the reissued report. Loading He said the “international experience” had shown that they couldn’t meet net zero targets with renewable and that energy was cheaper. Pushed on the fact that most of the countries he regularly cites established their nuclear industries in the 20th century and therefore couldn’t be used to demonstrate the cost of an Australian plant, Dutton promised he would release the Coalition’s costings this week. “The costings show that ... it’s cheaper than what the government’s proposing, and we can deliver stability in the market,” he said. “So you need to decarbonise. We need to make sure that we’ve got stability. We can’t operate an economy with blackouts and brownouts.” 5.01am Meta outage affecting Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp By Josefine Ganko Social media users report they cannot access Facebook, Instagram or WhatsApp, as Meta confirms a mass outage of its platforms. Outage tracking website Downdetector.com was flooded with more than 100,000 reports of problems, which started about 3am (AEST). In a statement posted to X, Meta confirmed it was aware that a “technical issue” was impacting “some users” of their apps. It’s not clear how extensive the outage is, but reports suggest it is worldwide. “We’re working to get things back to normal as quickly as possible and apologise for any inconvenience,” the statement read. Similar statements were issued by Instagram and WhatsApp acknowledging and apologising for the issue. The WhatsApp statement concluded: “We expect things to be back to normal shortly”. Advertisement 4.58am Here comes the sun, again The deluge of earlier this week in Brisbane is in the rear-view mirror, with a sunny day forecast this Thursday The temperature is expected to reach a top of 30 degrees, and the next few days are expected to be even warmer. Here’s your seven-day outlook: 4.57am At a glance: headlines beyond Brisbane Here are the stories making the rounds further afield this morning: Labor will force big tech companies to pay for Australian journalism under a new scheme that seeks to punish platforms such as Facebook for refusing to sign content deals, raising the prospect of a financial penalty if they do not contribute to local news. What really goes on at Mar-a-Lago? Donald Trump’s Palm Beach palace has effectively become a shadow White House as a roll-call of global statesmen, businessmen and political loyalists fly in to pay court, all striving to serve in, or influence, the president-elect. “What do you do? You wack the CEO.” Authorities say writings found in the possession of Luigi Mangione , who police allege gunned down UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, hinted at a hatred of corporate greed. The Reserve Bank says it stands ready to respond to any economic turmoil caused by US President-elect Donald Trump’s ambitious tariff plans. Papua New Guinea will officially be granted a National Rugby League licence at an announcement today. Read more about the deal here. 4.54am The top stories for today Good morning, thanks for joining us for Brisbane Times’ live news blog. It’s Thursday, December 12, and we’re expecting a sunny day and a top temperature of 30 degrees. In this morning’s local headlines: Star Casino has asked cyclists to dismount for 100 metres on the Bicentennial Bikeway at Queen’s Wharf during the Sono Lumo event. Now riders plan to protest in the casino’s driveway. If you’re stuck for Christmas gift ideas, Brisbane Times city reporter Courtney Kruk has compiled some of Brisbane’s best stores for gift-buying – from books and music to antiques and plants. Australian basketball great Leroy Loggins has thrown down the gauntlet to a history-making Brisbane Bullets star, and the way he responds could be what takes his side from the NBL doldrums to championship contention. And Brisbane’s The Gabba is set for a “green mamba” pitch in the third Test against India. Can Nathan McSweeney deal with another Jasprit Bumrah onslaught? Latest 1 of 1 Latest Most Viewed in National Loading

News Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News. A well-regarded club rugby player and coach rolled his brother’s troopy at Marrara after the Northern Territory Rugby Union grand final last year, ejecting his friend who became pinned under the vehicle, suffering horrific injuries, a court has heard. Fannie Bay man Peter Ace Nibbs, 30, then compounded his error by claiming his crushed friend was the driver, a position he maintained across three police interviews, Nibbs’ sentencing hearing in the Supreme Court at Darwin on November 28 heard. Nibbs pleaded guilty to a charge of dangerous driving causing serious harm. The court heard the rollover occurred in the hours after last year’s NTRU grand final at Marrara on March 25. After the grand final, Nibbs and three friends decided to continue the party at a licensed premises in Palmerston (the defendant had been drinking but Justice Sonia Brownhill accepted he was not intoxicated or affected by alcohol). Justice Sonia Brownhill. Picture: File The victim and another friend were unrestrained in the back of the troop carrier – the victim lying on his stomach, the other friend sitting on a mattress. When leaving the car park, Nibbs “drove erratically whilst accelerating,” hitting a kerb, then overcorrecting into another kerb, ultimately causing the troopy to tip onto its side. The victim was ejected from the vehicle, which came to land on him, the court heard. Justice Brownhill said the injuries caused to the victim were nothing short of catastrophic, such that he will never be able to play rugby again. “He [the victim] underwent spinal fusion surgery which fused three vertebrae with two stabilising rods and screws,” Justice Brownhill said. “He had multiple fractures of his spine and ribs. “He had air and fluid in the space around his lung and avulsion injury to his hip and flank which is where bone fragments are pulled away by the muscles. Nibbs pleaded guilty in the Supreme Court at Darwin (pictured) to a charge of dangerous driving causing serious harm. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin “He had bleeding into the space behind his abdominal organs and bruising and grazes. “He was in hospital for about three weeks.” Over the course of three police interviews, Nibbs maintained his crushed friend was in fact the driver. Touching on his background, Justice Brownhill said Nibbs was born in Alice Springs and had spent various periods in Darwin for work and sport. He had previously worked as a “youth carer and role model for disadvantaged young people,” the judge said, and was currently working for a concrete company at Timber Creek. Nibbs had previously been in trouble in 2017, with convictions for aggravated assault and dangerous driving, but little offending outside that annus horribilis . Although describing Nibbs’ offending as a “reckless act of deliberate erratic driving, which younger men frequently engage in, often in order to impress other young men,” Justice Brownhill concluded it was at the lower end of the spectrum of seriousness. She sentenced Nibbs to a 13-month intensive corrections order, six months of which is to be served as home detention. He was also barred from consuming, purchasing or possessing alcohol for the duration of the order. More Coverage Cunningham: No more excuses for DV against Aboriginal women, girls Matt Cunningham NT corrections officers injured in rollover north of Alice Springs Gera Kazakov Originally published as Peter Ace Nibbs guilty of dangerous driving causing serious harm at Marrara More related stories Northern Territory Amye Un-Kon Vatskalis Facebook saga brought to close by tribunal Darwin’s ‘Laksa Queen’, an elected City of Darwin councillor, sought to overturn a decision that the Lord Mayor did not breach the Code of Conduct when he returned fire in their sordid social media war, but she has failed. Read more News From swag to spotlight: Top NT teacher receives national award A “remarkable” remote Territory teacher who regularly sleeps in a swag on the classroom floor has been recognised as one of Australia’s most outstanding educators. Read the details. Read moreStock futures fall slightly with Wall Street on track for a winning week: Live updates - CNBC

WASHINGTON — Donald Trump said he can't guarantee his promised tariffs on key U.S. foreign trade partners won't raise prices for American consumers and suggested once more that some political rivals and federal officials who pursued legal cases against him should be imprisoned. The president-elect, in a wide-ranging interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" that aired Sunday, also touched on monetary policy, immigration, abortion and health care, and U.S. involvement in Ukraine, Israel and elsewhere. Trump often mixed declarative statements with caveats, at one point cautioning "things do change." Here's a look at some of the issues covered: President-elect Donald Trump takes the stage before he speaks at the FOX Nation Patriot Awards, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024, in Greenvale, N.Y. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa) Trump threatened broad trade penalties, but said he didn't believe economists' predictions that added costs on those imported goods for American companies would lead to higher domestic prices for consumers. He stopped short of a pledge that U.S. an households won't be paying more as they shop. "I can't guarantee anything. I can't guarantee tomorrow," Trump said, seeming to open the door to accepting the reality of how import levies typically work as goods reach the retail market. That's a different approach from Trump's typical speeches throughout the 2024 campaign, when he framed his election as a sure way to curb inflation. In the interview, Trump defended tariffs generally, saying that tariffs are "going to make us rich." He has pledged that, on his first day in office in January, he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada unless those countries satisfactorily stop illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. He also has threatened tariffs on China to help force that country to crack down on fentanyl production. "All I want to do is I want to have a level, fast, but fair playing field," Trump said. He offered conflicting statements on how he would approach the justice system after winning election despite being convicted of 34 felonies in a New York state court and being indicted in other cases for his handling of national security secrets and efforts to overturn his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. "Honestly, they should go to jail," Trump said of members of Congress who investigated the Capitol riot by his supporters who wanted him to remain in power. The president-elect underscored his contention that he can use the justice system against others, including special prosecutor Jack Smith, who led the case on Trump's role in the siege on Jan. 6, 2021. Trump confirmed his plan to pardon supporters who were convicted for their roles in the riot, saying he would take that action on his first day in office. As for the idea of revenge driving potential prosecutions, Trump said: "I have the absolute right. I'm the chief law enforcement officer, you do know that. I'm the president. But I'm not interested in that." At the same time, Trump singled out lawmakers on a special House committee who investigated the insurrection, citing Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo. "Cheney was behind it ... so was Bennie Thompson and everybody on that committee," Trump said. Asked specifically whether he would direct his administration to pursue cases, he said, "No," and suggested he did not expect the FBI to quickly undertake investigations into his political enemies. At another point, Trump said he would leave the matter up to Pam Bondi, his pick as attorney general. "I want her to do what she wants to do," he said. Such threats, regardless of Trump's inconsistencies, have been taken seriously enough by many top Democrats that Biden is considering issuing blanket, preemptive pardons to protect key members of his outgoing administration. Trump did seemingly back off his campaign rhetoric calling for Biden to be investigated, saying, "I'm not looking to go back into the past." Immigration advocates hold a rally in Sacramento, Calif. on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024, to protest President-Elect Donald Trump's plans to conduct mass deportation of immigrants without legal status. (AP Photo/Haven Daley) Trump repeatedly mentioned his promises to seal the U.S.-Mexico border and deport millions of people who are in the U.S. illegally through a mass deportation program. "I think you have to do it," he said. He suggested he would try to use executive action to end "birthright" citizenship under which people born in the U.S. are considered citizens — though such protections are spelled out in the Constitution. Asked specifically about the future for people who were brought into the country illegally as children and were shielded from deportation in recent years, Trump said, "I want to work something out," indicating he might seek a solution with Congress. But Trump also said he does not "want to be breaking up families" of mixed legal status, "so the only way you don't break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back." President-elect Donald Trump shakes hands with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Notre Dame Cathedral as France's iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Saturday Dec.7, 2024 in Paris ( Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP) Long a critic of NATO members for not spending more on their own defense, Trump said he "absolutely" would remain in the alliance "if they pay their bills." Pressed on whether he would withdraw if he were dissatisfied with allies' commitments, Trump said he wants the U.S. treated "fairly" on trade and defense. He waffled on a NATO priority of containing Russia and President Vladimir Putin. Trump suggested Ukraine should prepare for less U.S. aid in its defense against Putin's invasion. "Possibly. Yeah, probably. Sure," Trump said of reducing Ukraine assistance from Washington. Separately, Trump called for an immediate cease-fire. Asked about Putin, Trump said initially that he has not talked to the Russian leader since Election Day last month, but then hedged. "I haven't spoken to him recently," Trump said when pressed, adding that he did not want to "impede the negotiation." Federal Reserve Board Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference at the Federal Reserve in Washington, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) The president-elect said he has no intention, at least for now, of asking Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to step down before Powell's term ends in 2028. Trump said during the campaign that presidents should have more say in Fed policy, including interest rates. Trump did not offer any job assurances for FBI Director Christopher Wray, whose term is to end in 2027. Asked about Wray, Trump said: "Well, I mean, it would sort of seem pretty obvious" that if the Senate confirms Kash Patel as Trump's pick for FBI chief, then "he's going to be taking somebody's place, right? Somebody is the man that you're talking about." Trump promised that the government efficiency effort led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy will not threaten Social Security. "We're not touching Social Security, other than we make it more efficient," he said. He added that "we're not raising ages or any of that stuff." He was not so specific about abortion or his long-promised overhaul of the Affordable Care Act. On abortion, Trump continued his inconsistencies and said he would "probably" not move to restrict access to the abortion pills that now account for a majority of pregnancy terminations, according to the Guttmacher Institute, which supports abortion rights. But pressed on whether he would commit to that position, Trump replied, "Well, I commit. I mean, are — things do — things change. I think they change." Reprising a line from his Sept. 10 debate against Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump again said he had "concepts" of a plan to substitute for the 2010 Affordable Care Act, which he called "lousy health care." He added a promise that any Trump version would maintain insurance protections for Americans with preexisting health conditions. He did not explain how such a design would be different from the status quo or how he could deliver on his desire for "better health care for less money." 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. President-elect Donald Trump tapped former Sen. David Perdue of Georgia to be ambassador to China, saying in a social media post that the former CEO “brings valuable expertise to help build our relationship with China.” Perdue lost his Senate seat to Democrat Jon Ossoff four years ago and ran unsuccessfully in a primary against Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Perdue pushed Trump's debunked lies about electoral fraud during his failed bid for governor. 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. Customs and Border Protection, with its roughly 60,000 employees, falls under the Department of Homeland Security. It includes the Border Patrol, which Rodney Scott led during Trump's first term, and is essentially responsible for protecting the country's borders while facilitating trade and travel. Scott comes to the job firmly from the Border Patrol side of the house. He became an agent in 1992 and spent much of his career in San Diego. When he was appointed head of the border agency in January 2020, he enthusiastically embraced Trump's policies. After being forced out under the Biden administration, Scott has been a vocal supporter of Trump's hard-line immigration agenda. He appeared frequently on Fox News and testified in Congress. He's also a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation. 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.

While This High-Yield Dividend ETF Holds 75 Stocks, Its Top 2 Comprise 16.5% of Its Total Holdings

NEW YORK — Albertsons gave up on its merger with Kroger and sued its rival grocery chain on Dec. 11, saying the Harris Teeter parent didn't do enough to secure regulatory approval for the $24.6 billion tie-up. Kroger said that it disagreed "in the strongest possible terms." It said early Wednesday that Albertsons was responsible for "repeated intentional material breaches and interference throughout the merger process." The finger-pointing came a day after two judges halted the merger in separate court cases. Kroger and Albertsons in 2022 proposed what would be the largest grocery store combination in U.S. history. The companies said the deal would help them better compete with big retailers like Walmart, Costco and Amazon. Under the merger agreement, Kroger and Albertsons — who compete in 22 states but not South Carolina — agreed to sell 579 stores in places where their locations. But the Federal Trade Commission sued to block the merger earlier this year, saying it would raise prices and lower wages by eliminating competition. It also said the divestiture plan was inadequate and that C&S was ill-equipped to take on so many stores. NEW YORK — Macy's profit and sales declined in the third quarter as the department store chain wrestled with cautious spending by customers, rising competition and sluggish demand for cold-weather goods. The company's full quarterly financial report was delayed after it discovered late last month that an employee intentionally hid as much as $154 million in company expenses between late 2021 and the third quarter of this year, according to a Dec. 11 regulatory filing. Macy's said its internal investigation of the incident is completed and it found that the employee, who acted alone, hid $151 million in company delivery expenses, but that there will be no material impact on company's finances. It also said it was strengthening its existing controls and implemented additional changes designed to prevent a recurrence. The New York retailer which owns upscale Bloomingdale's and the cosmetics chain Bluemercury raised sales expectations for the year but lowered profit projections, sending it shares plunging. Earlier this week, activist investor Barington Capital Group asked Macy's to create a real estate arm, reduce spending and explore strategic options for some of its businesses. SAN FRANCISCO — Google on Dec. 11 unleashed another wave of artificial intelligence designed to tackle more of the work and thinking done by humans as it tries to stay on the technology's cutting edge while also trying to fend off regulatory threats to its empire. The next generation is being packaged under the Gemini umbrella, which was unveiled a year ago. Google is framing its release of Gemini 2.0 as a springboard for AI agents built to interpret images shown through a smartphone, perform a variety of tedious chores, remember the conversations consumers have with people, help video game players plot strategy and even tackle the task of doing online searches. Most of the latest AI technology will initially be confined to test groups and subscribers who pay $20 per month for Gemini Advanced, but some features will be made available through its search engine and mobile apps. Google is planning wider releases next year. Besides trying to outshine OpenAI and other startups, Google is trying to stay a step ahead of Apple. It's pushing forward even as the Justice Department is trying to break up the company to prevent further abusive practices by its search engine, which a judge recently declared is an illegal monopoly. SAN FRANCISCO — Apple is pumping more artificial intelligence into the latest iPhones during the holiday shopping season. It comes in the form of a free software update that includes a feature that enables users to create customized emojis within a matter of seconds. The Dec. 11 release of the upgraded operating system extends Apple’s expansion into AI months after rivals such as Samsung and Google began implanting the revolutionary on their devices. The update builds upon another one that came out in late October. The latest round of AI tricks includes “Genmojis,” Apple’s description of emojis that iPhone users will be able to ask the technology to create and then share. WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court is allowing a class-action lawsuit that accuses artificial-intelligence titan Nvidia of misleading investors about its past dependence on selling computer chips for the mining of volatile cryptocurrency to proceed. The justices heard arguments four weeks ago in Nvidia's bid to shut down the lawsuit, then decided that they were wrong to take up the case in the first place. They dismissed the company's appeal, leaving in place an appellate ruling allowing the case to go forward. The Dec. 11 decision comes the same week that China said it is investigating the the chip company over suspected violations of anti-monopoly laws. NEW YORK — Two luxury real estate brokers and their brother have been charged with sex trafficking, according to a federal indictment unsealed in Manhattan on Dec. 11. State charges were also filed in Florida against two of the brothers and a third man stemming from three alleged sexual assaults over the past decade. Federal prosecutors allege in the New York indictment that Oren and Tal Alexander, known for brokering deals on high-end properties in New York City and Miami, and sibling Alon Alexander worked together to "repeatedly and violently drug, sexually assault, and rape dozens of victims." The government said the Miami brothers used their wealth and influence to take advantage of victims from at least 2010 to 2021. Lawyers for the siblings did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. TORONTO — Canada's central bank lowered its key interest rate by half a percentage point while highlighting the risk of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's threat of tariffs on all Canadian products. The Bank of Canada's decision marked the fifth consecutive reduction since June and brings the its key rate down to 3.25 percent. The central bank noted a number of risks to the Canadian economy, including U.S. tariffs. Trump has threatened to impose a 25 percent tax on all products entering the U.S. from Canada and Mexico unless they stem the flow of migrants and drugs.How Kendrick Lamar Enlisted Mariachi Singer Deyra Barrera for ‘GNX’: ‘Everything He Makes Is Magic’Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise prices, won't rule out revenge prosecutions