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betfred zoominfo WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump's transition team on Tuesday signed an agreement to allow the Justice Department to conduct background checks on his nominees and appointees after a weekslong delay. The step lets Trump transition aides and future administration staffers obtain security clearances before Inauguration Day to access classified information about ongoing government programs, an essential step for a smooth transition of power. It also allows those nominees who are up for Senate confirmation to face the background checks lawmakers want before voting on them. Teams of investigators have been standing by to process clearances for Trump aides and advisers. FILE - Susie Wiles watches as Republican presidential candidate former President Donald Trump speaks at a caucus night party in Des Moines, Iowa, Jan. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) "This agreement with the Department of Justice will ensure President Trump and his team are ready on Day 1 to begin enacting the America First Agenda that an overwhelming majority of our nation supported on Election Day," said Susie Wiles, Trump's designate to be White House chief of staff. The announcement came a week after the Trump transition team signed an agreement with the Biden White House to allow transition staff to coordinate with the existing federal workforce before taking office Jan. 20. The White House agreement was supposed to have been signed by Oct. 1, according to the Presidential Transition Act, and the Biden White House issued both public and private appeals for Trump's team to sign on. Security clearances are required to access classified information, including on ongoing operations and threats to the nation, and the Biden White House and outside experts emphasized to Trump's team the importance of having cleared personnel before Inauguration Day so they could be fully briefed and ready to run the government. President-elect Donald Trump arrives before the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024 in Boca Chica, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Pool via AP) Republican Senators also insisted on FBI background checks for Trump's nominees before they face confirmation votes, as has been standard practice for decades. Lawmakers were particularly interested in seeing the findings of reviews into Trump's designated nominee for defense secretary, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, and for Rep. Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence. "That's why it's so important that we have an FBI background check, a committee review of extensive questions and questionnaires, and a public hearing," Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Monday. John Thune, incoming Senate Republican leader, said the Trump team "understands there's going to have to be a thorough vetting of all these nominees." Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. 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 asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. William McGinley, White House counsel McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration, and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign. In a statement, Trump called McGinley “a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda, while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement.” Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. 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) Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.The political and social fabric of Mozambique is disintegrating, largely due to the reckless actions and incendiary rhetoric of the leader of the opposition party RENAMO. Following the controversial October 9, 2024 elections, which were contested over allegations of fraud, he has escalated the situation by encouraging violence and civil disobedience. His rhetoric is not merely political dissent — it is a direct and dangerous incitement to violence. At least 110 people have already lost their lives, most of them civilians, caught in the crossfire of protests and police action that he stoked. His role in this crisis must not go unchallenged. The international community, particularly the International Criminal Court (ICC), must intervene immediately to hold him accountable. If his actions are left unchecked, Mozambique could face a humanitarian catastrophe from which it may never recover. Following the disputed election, Mozambique has descended into chaos. The Council of State, an advisory body to the president, issued a call for electoral reform, urging greater transparency and the de-politicisation of the electoral process. This was a sign of the government’s willingness to address opposition grievances and pursue meaningful reform. Yet, despite this olive branch, the leader of the opposition responded by escalating calls for unrest, actively undermining any hope for peaceful dialogue. The situation on the ground is dire. Human rights observers report that at least 110 people have died in the violent protests that followed Mondlane’s call to reject the election results. Most of the casualties were civilians gunned down by police during confrontations that involved road blockades, attacks on security forces, and widespread destruction. He has not only failed to call for calm but has further incited violence. His inflammatory rhetoric encourages his supporters to persist in their protests, disregarding the inevitable consequences for innocent lives. As BBC News reported, he has vowed to bring down the government by force. He has transformed peaceful protests into violent confrontations, causing suffering on a massive scale. It is crucial to differentiate between political dissent and incitement to violence. Political opposition is a fundamental right in any democracy, but his actions extend far beyond mere disagreement with the government. His rhetoric is deliberately designed to create instability, division, and fear. When he declares that “we will bring the government to its knees” or insists that “the protests will not stop until the government listens,” he is not calling for peaceful protests. He is inciting insurrection and encouraging violent actions against the state. His repeated promises to extend these protests for months, as reported by AfricaNews, are an invitation for further lawlessness. His words have fueled looting, vandalism, and attacks on public institutions, creating an atmosphere of chaos and fear. Instead of seeking dialogue, he rallied his followers to escalate the violence, emboldening them to confront the state with no regard for the safety of the general population. This is not simply political opposition — it is a deliberate effort to destabilise the nation. The damage is already evident. The Club of Mozambique reported that his supporters have clashed violently with security forces, disrupting key sectors of the economy, including the operations of major corporations such as South32 Ltd. and the closure of vital border crossings, including the main one with South Africa. The international community must understand that these actions are not about defending the rights of the people; they are about creating an environment of chaos to achieve political goals. The humanitarian toll of this violence cannot be overstated, and the international community must take immediate action to hold those responsible for inciting it accountable. It is vital to remember that peaceful transitions of political power are possible, even during the most challenging times. Global examples of such transitions demonstrate that democracies can resolve political disputes without resorting to violence. In the UK, for example, Rishi Sunak left office peacefully as Prime Minister in 2024, following his defeat to Keir Starmer’s Labour Party in the general election. Sunak’s resignation led to a smooth transfer of power, with Starmer assuming leadership without conflict. Similarly, in the United States, President Joe Biden accepted the results of the 2024 election, reinforcing the idea that power can change hands peacefully through democratic means. Despite challenges and claims of fraud, Biden chose to focus on unity, advocating for progress instead of division. Also, in Zambia, President Edgar Lungu’s peaceful exit in 2021 after losing the election to Hakainde Hichilema showed that democratic institutions and respect for the will of the people can guide a country through contested elections. In Botswana, under President Mokgweetsi Masisi, political transitions have consistently been peaceful and handled with cooperation and legal order. In Brazil, President Lula da Silva’s return to power in 2023 was also marked by peaceful democratic processes, despite significant opposition. These examples stand in stark contrast to the current situation in Mozambique, where respect for democratic norms is under threat. Rather than following the examples of peaceful transitions seen in these countries, the opposition’s call for violent resistance is a dangerous regression. As U.S. President-elect Donald Trump seeks to reshape the global landscape with his renewed focus on securing U.S. markets and reinforcing a world order centred around American interests, he must take a closer look at Mozambique’s ongoing crisis. The unrest in Mozambique is not just a local issue confined to the African continent; it is a global concern that requires immediate attention from global powers, particularly the United States. Trump, who has consistently prioritised U.S. economic and geopolitical interests, must understand that the instability in Mozambique poses far-reaching risks to global peace and security. At the heart of this crisis are Mozambique’s critical mineral resources, including lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements, which are essential to the manufacturing of technologies powering industries worldwide — from electric vehicles to renewable energy systems. These minerals have become a linchpin in the global transition to clean energy, and any disruption in their supply from Mozambique would send shockwaves through international markets, affecting economies across the globe. But the threat posed by the crisis extends beyond the disruption of supply chains. Mozambique’s instability threatens to destabilise not only its own borders but the entire southern African region. As the conflict deepens, it could spill over into neighbouring countries, creating a wider regional conflict that would strain already fragile political systems and security infrastructures. The ripple effects of such instability could undermine progress made on key global challenges, from combating climate change to addressing poverty and human rights abuses. A destabilised Mozambique could also provide fertile ground for extremist groups and transnational criminal networks, further exacerbating global security concerns. For the United States, which has significant economic and strategic interests in the region, inaction is not an option. Mozambique plays a key role in the broader geopolitical context of Africa, particularly in terms of its energy resources and strategic position in the Indian Ocean. As a major player in global trade and energy markets, the U.S. has a responsibility to lead efforts to address the crisis before it escalates further. The long-term stability of the African continent, and by extension global economic stability, depends on the resolution of this crisis. The United States cannot afford to stand on the sidelines while Mozambique teeters on the brink of civil war. It is not just in the interest of Mozambique but in the interest of global peace and prosperity that this crisis be addressed swiftly and decisively. The U.S., together with international partners, must use diplomatic leverage, humanitarian aid, and, where necessary, targeted sanctions, to bring all parties to the negotiating table. However, these actions must be coupled with a robust commitment to supporting the democratic processes and human rights in Mozambique. Trump’s foreign policy, which has focused on American interests and economic security, must now expand to consider the interconnectedness of global markets and security. Mozambique’s crisis is a reminder that geopolitical stability is not a zero-sum game. The instability of one nation can have profound consequences for many others. A peaceful, democratic Mozambique is in the best interests of not only its citizens but of the global community. The time for inaction is over. Global leadership — especially from the U.S. — is required to ensure that Mozambique’s crisis does not spiral further into chaos. This is not just a matter of regional importance; it is a matter of global urgency. One of the most concerning aspects of the ongoing political crisis in Mozambique is the potential role of foreign influence in exacerbating the violence. Both Russian and Chinese interests are believed to be playing a role in stoking unrest and supporting opposition groups. Moscow and Beijing have been increasing their political, military, and economic presence in Africa, and Mozambique, with its vast natural resources and strategic location, is no exception. Russia’s involvement in Africa is growing, particularly through the deployment of mercenaries and military advisors under the Wagner Group. Moscow has cultivated relationships with governments and opposition groups to gain access to vital resources and to expand its geopolitical footprint. Given Mozambique’s reserves of natural gas, lithium, and other critical minerals, it is not beyond reason to suspect that Russia might be playing a destabilising role in the country’s turmoil. Russian mercenaries have previously been involved in other African nations, contributing to the destabilisation of governments that were less favourable to Russian interests. China, meanwhile, has long been a dominant economic player in Mozambique, investing heavily in infrastructure and energy sectors. China’s growing influence in the country allows it to leverage considerable power over the political landscape. It is conceivable that China might prefer a more stable, yet strategically pliable, government, even if that means tolerating the continuation of government-backed violence. Both Russia and China have vested interests in ensuring that Mozambique remains a stable resource hub, but their methods often involve fostering instability. The increasing foreign meddling in Mozambique underscores that the crisis may not be entirely domestic — it could be part of a larger geopolitical struggle. The role of external actors should be thoroughly investigated, and any interference that exacerbates the violence and undermines Mozambique’s sovereignty must be condemned. Mozambique’s crisis is not only a political and humanitarian issue — it has far-reaching implications for global stability. The country is one of the largest producers of critical minerals, including cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements — vital for the global energy transition and technologies such as electric vehicles and smartphones. Moreover, Mozambique’s offshore natural gas reserves are crucial for the energy needs of Asia and Europe. If the political unrest continues to escalate, it could disrupt global supply chains for these essential resources, sending shockwaves throughout markets worldwide. In an age where competition for critical minerals is intensifying, instability in Mozambique could have disastrous effects, not only on African economies but also on industries across the globe. Furthermore, the chaos could derail efforts to fight climate change, as renewable energy sectors are heavily reliant on minerals sourced from Mozambique. The international community must recognise that Mozambique’s stability is intertwined with global economic and environmental interests. The country is a linchpin in the global supply of minerals critical for future technologies, and its destabilisation could have severe consequences for both developed and developing nations. As Mozambique’s political and social fabric continues to unravel, the international community cannot remain passive. The United Nations, the African Union, and other global institutions must take decisive action to prevent further escalation. Diplomacy should aim to de-escalate tensions and bring all parties to the negotiating table. But words alone will not suffice — the international community must hold accountable those leaders, both domestic and foreign, whose actions and rhetoric are fueling the violence. In this context, the ICC must play a pivotal role. The court should investigate the fellow who is inciting violence and threatening Mozambique’s fragile peace. Countries and institutions must pressure Mozambique to cooperate with the ICC and allow for a full investigation into these acts of incitement. Mozambique is at a critical crossroads. The government has shown a willingness to engage in electoral reform and peaceful dialogue, but these efforts are being undermined by violent rhetoric. The ICC must act swiftly to investigate his incitement to violence, and the international community must take decisive action to prevent a full-blown humanitarian disaster. The world must send a clear message: Incitement to violence will not be tolerated. Mozambique’s future hangs in the balance, and the time for action is now.

Invest more in women’s sports, Mchezo boss Ntoudi urges

Dharwad: With technology changing at high speed, the coming years will throw new challenges to all professionals and the need of the hour is to be equipped to tackle them successfully, said renowned scientist and dean IIT-Dharwad Professor SM Shivaprasad . Inaugurating the new building of the teachers training centre at KE Board campus in Malamaddi in Dharwad on Saturday, he said the teachers have a big role to play in making the future generations ready for new challenges. Ruing that despite having the best talents, India has not been able to make much headway in innovations, Shivaprasad attributed this to the faulty education system in the country. He said it is necessary to have a sound education policy and efficient teachers to implement the policy successfully in letter and spirit. "If any one of these is missing, then there will be no success," he said. Shivaprasad said the teachers should motivate the students to think and ask questions. "In the present system, teachers ask questions and expect the students to answer them. The one who gives the correct answer is considered intelligent. Many students return home without their doubts getting cleared," he said. KE Board chairman Shrikant Patil said the board has been conducting orientation/refresher courses for teachers regularly to keep them abreast of latest developments in various fields so that they can guide the students properly. KE Board president Prof MN Joshi presided over the function. Secretary DS Rajpurohit, Smita Kulkarni and treasurer Narasimha S Kulkarni also spoke on the occasion.Robbins LLP Urges PACS Stockholders with Large Losses to Contact the Firm for Information About ...

Walgreens Boots Alliance is considering selling the company to a private equity firm — a move that would take the publicly traded company private, according to a Wall Street Journal report. Deerfield, Illinois-based Walgreens has been in discussions with Sycamore Partners over a deal that could be completed early next year, the Journal wrote, citing unnamed “people familiar with the matter.” A Walgreens spokesperson declined to comment on the report Tuesday, telling the Tribune, “we don’t comment on rumors or speculation about our business.” A spokesperson for Sycamore also declined to comment. Walgreens’ stock shot up 21% on the news early Tuesday afternoon. New York-based Sycamore specializes in retail and consumer investment, and would likely sell off pieces of the business or work with partners, the Journal reported. The report follows years of struggles for the massive retail pharmacy chain, some of which are related to industrywide challenges over reimbursements for medications, while others stem from past moves made by Walgreens. The company announced plans in October to close 1,200 stores — about 14% of its U.S. locations — over the next three years, saying that only about three-quarters of its U.S. stores are profitable. Walgreens has also conducted several rounds of layoffs, eliminating more than 1,000 jobs over the last few years, including many in Illinois. The company has had a cost-cutting program in place for years, and exceeded its goal of cutting $1 billion in costs last fiscal year, following years of similar measures. Many of the cuts came as Walgreens worked in recent years to become more of a health care destination, partnering with various health care providers. Walgreens invested billions in primary care provider VillageMD and had planned to put Village Medical clinics in 1,000 of its stores by 2027. But Walgreens has since backtracked on that plan. In March, CEO Tim Wentworth said Walgreens had recorded a $5.8 billion impairment charge related to VillageMD, and that VillageMD would close 160 clinics. In August, Walgreens said in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it was considering selling all or part of its VillageMD business. In recent months, Wentworth has indicated that Walgreens is now working on a different strategy of focusing more on its historic work as a retail pharmacy-led organization. ©2024 Chicago Tribune. Visit at chicagotribune.com . Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Article content After President-elect Donald Trump revealed that he told NHL great Wayne Gretzky that he should be Canada’s next leader, the Great One’s wife has co-signed the idea that he could be an exceptional prime minister. “I just left Wayne Gretzky, ’The Great One’ as he is known in ice-hockey circles,” Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Christmas Day. “I said, ’Wayne, why don’t you run for prime minister of Canada, soon to be known as the governor of Canada — you would win easily, you wouldn’t even have to campaign.’ He had no interest.’” Trump tells Wayne Gretzky to run for Governor of Canada🤣 pic.twitter.com/yg1C4lRlix Despite Gretzky saying he held no political aspirations, Trump urged Canadians to “start a DRAFT WAYNE GRETZKY Movement.” “It would be so much fun to watch!” he concluded. According to Fox News , Gretzky’s wife, Janet, who was born in Missouri, reposted Trump’s message to her Instagram Stories. The mother-of-five also added her own endorsement in support of her husband running for office north of the border. “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” she shared, quoting one of Gretzky’s most famous statements . On Instagram, many of Janet’s followers backed the idea of the Brantford, Ont.-born Gretzky running for prime minister. “GOT FOR IT 99 ... SAVE CANADA,” one person wrote, while another asked, “Is this a ‘running for PM’ announcement?” Last month, Gretzky and some of his family appeared at Trump’s victory party after he was re-elected as America’s 47th president. His wife is a fan of Trump, with her mother, Jean, reportedly a fanatical supporter of The Donald. Dustin Johnson, the professional golfer and husband of the NHL’s all-time leading scorer and Hockey Hall of Famer’s daughter Paulina, has been golfing with Trump since 2017. Back in 2015, Gretzky, who is ineligible to vote in Canada, endorsed Conservative Leader Stephen Harper . “I think you have been an unreal prime minister,” Gretzky said during an event in Toronto, adding that he had been “wonderful to the country.” “I know you have nothing but the country’s best interests at heart,” Gretzky added. Gretzky’s comments divided social media, but the former Edmonton Oilers great said he has always lent a hand when a sitting prime minister has asked for his help. “In 1981, I did a luncheon for prime minister (Pierre) Trudeau at the time. In 1986, Mr. (Brian) Mulroney and (his wife) Mila asked me to host an event for a charity of their choice, which I did,” he said. “When Mr. Harper reached out to me and asked me to do a Q&A with him it’s simple: I can’t vote in this country. But ... when the prime minister of Canada calls you, you say: ‘OK, I’ll do the favour for you.’ So whoever is going to be the next prime minister, if they call me for the favour I’d reach out again,” he said . “I have known Patrick Brown for a number of years now,” Gretzky said in a statement . “Hard working and dedicated, Patrick is a strong Conservative. He has the passion and vision to lead Ontario.” Elsewhere, Trump continued teasing Canada’s deeply unpopular Prime Minster Justin Trudeau as he prepares to take over as America’s next president in January. On Wednesday, Trump also offered his Christmas greetings to Trudeau, calling him a “governor” and boasting that Canadians would enjoy a tax cut of more than 60% if the country became a U.S. state. “Their businesses would immediately double in size, and they would be militarily protected like no other country anywhere in the world,” he wrote. These comments followed a pre-Christmas message in which he asserted “ Many Canadians want Canada to become the 51st State.” “They would save massively on taxes and military protection. I think it is a great idea. 51st State!!!” he wrote. Trump also welcomed the departure of Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, calling her “totally toxic.” Trudeau has been largely quiet about Trump’s taunts. But on Boxing Day he shared a six-word message alongside a video narrated by Tom Brokaw that provided an overview of Canadian politics, landscapes and formative moments in the national memory in the leadup to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. “Some information about Canada for Americans,” Trudeau wrote on X. Meanwhile, Trudeau’s political rival Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has been a vociferous opponent of Trump’s takeover rhetoric. “W e need a strong, smart prime minister who has the brains and backbone to first and foremost say to President Trump, ‘Canada will never be the 51st state. We will be an independent, proud, sovereign country, as we always have been,'” he said in an exclusive interview with the Toronto Sun . mdaniell@postmedia.comAn anti-corruption probe into one of the state’s busiest hospitals is examining claims that surgeons charged the Transport Accident Commission for operating on multiple patients at the same time. This masthead revealed on Sunday that the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission was investigating a handful of surgeons at the Royal Melbourne Hospital over allegations they billed the TAC for medical procedures never carried out on patients, and fraudulently claimed assistant surgeon fees. IBAC is investigating claims that surgeons fraudulently billed the TAC. Credit: iStock Four sources – speaking on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal – have revealed that surgeons would simultaneously run multiple theatres, often staffed by registrars, and then claim to the TAC they had operated in all theatres at the same time. This, the sources said, enabled them to attract higher rebates from the public insurer. Registrars are not allowed to charge the TAC. “The primary surgeon is jumping from one theatre to the next and not being meaningfully involved in the actual surgery but just writing operation reports,” one hospital source said. “They might write these reports from the tearoom. It is really disgusting.” The government-owned TAC is funded by Victorian motorists to pay for the treatment of road accident victims, and reimburses hospitals, surgeons and anaesthetists for each TAC patient they treat. Loading Surgeons and anaesthetists bill the TAC for this work in addition to receiving an hourly rate from their hospital, an arrangement insiders say creates a perverse financial incentive for some surgeons to harvest TAC patients. It can also be revealed that IBAC is looking into concerns that some surgeons at the Parkville hospital cherry-picked lucrative TAC patients, prioritising them over public patients waiting for urgent surgery. “Some surgeons have monopolised the trauma ... they have gone out of their way to treat TAC cases ... to make sure they are the only ones who bill for it,” said one hospital source, who did not want to be identified for fear of reprisals. This masthead has seen evidence of one injured TAC patient being moved to a rehabilitation facility before their operation and then transported to the Royal Melbourne Hospital to allegedly coincide with a particular surgeon being rostered on. A hospital source claimed this was orchestrated to allow the particular surgeon to bill the TAC for the patient’s surgery. “Everyone knows what happens; they are too frightened to say anything,” another hospital source said. Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas. Credit: Nine On Sunday, Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas welcomed the IBAC investigation, saying that while there was no evidence the alleged behaviour was widespread, if the allegations were true that would be “a gross misuse of public funds and breach of trust”. “If this is true, I’m absolutely devastated. This is a breach of trust with the Victorian people,” she said. “The integrity of our health system is absolutely paramount, and it’s important that Victorians can have the highest trust in our healthcare system.” Both Thomas and TAC Minister Danny Pearson said they were not aware of the allegations before Friday, despite three hospital sources telling The Age the accusations were the worst-kept secret among Melbourne’s medical community. Thomas said there was no reason to believe the TAC incentives gave surgeons and anaesthetists the opportunity to abuse the state’s system. Pearson told media he would not comment on an ongoing investigation other than to say he had not been aware of the allegations until he read about them in this masthead. “I think it’s appropriate that that investigation be allowed to run its course without providing a running commentary,” he said. Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier called on IBAC to release its findings and said she believed the alleged scam was costing taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars a day. “These allegations were reported to the TAC years ago, reported to IBAC years ago, reported to the Royal Melbourne Hospital executive years ago,” she said. Credit: Paul Harris “Victorians deserve better than a health system that is mired in corruption and scandals like this ... we’ve got corruption rorting in one of Victoria’s largest and most prominent hospitals – and it’s just not acceptable.” Crozier said the relevant ministers should be stepping in to resolve these issues. While the exact scale of the IBAC investigation is unknown, medical fraud and compliance expert Dr Margaret Faux said better technology was needed to crack down on incorrect claims. While the TAC has adopted the Medicare Benefits Schedule items, definitions and rules for services provided by medical practitioners, Faux said it did not have a rigorous system to interrogate claims. “As soon as they have a TAC number, it is open slather,” said Faux, who runs a company that processes medical bills for doctors and hospitals. “They do as many things as they can to these patients because they are cash cows.” A recent hospital patient, who did not receive treatment at the Royal Melbourne, contacted The Age after reading about the claims and agreed that the system was open to “all kinds of manipulation”. The Victorian resident, who requested anonymity, said that after managing to check their surgery item numbers, they were surprised by how many there were. “What other business transaction can be made without the receiver seeing an account?” A Royal Melbourne Hospital spokesperson said the health service upheld strict governance and was proud to deliver exceptional care. Loading Both IBAC and the TAC have said it would be inappropriate to comment on an any investigation. The TAC finalised 14 prosecutions last financial year, resulting in $484,124 in restitution payments for the public insurer. Thirty warning letters were sent over the same period in cases that did not meet the prosecution threshold. With Selina Zhang Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter . Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. License this article Healthcare IBAC For subscribers Henrietta Cook is a senior reporter covering health for The Age. Henrietta joined The Age in 2012 and has previously covered state politics, education and consumer affairs. Connect via Twitter , Facebook or email . Broede Carmody is a state political reporter for The Age. Previously, he was the national news blogger for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald. Connect via Twitter or email . Carla Jaeger is a Victorian state political reporter at The Age. She has previously covered sports affairs and worked in the investigations unit. Connect via Twitter or email . Most Viewed in National Loading

Revolutionise Hiring Process With Cutting-Edge Staffing Solutions 11-22-2024 08:30 PM CET | Associations & Organizations Press release from: ABNewswire Image: https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXchucuMZQo8KGvDxzeJzbsjpXzfwqVDCls8qhxzrlIkF5sIRCkLWLFj3927oGPvMGi1iKbe-nyWbov2wg16o4paG4_chlO9vU0H9MX0qPwXOJ6dfZeLY3RWEFN-xBkgRnarNdi--HTMG_vrYzkuJ9E?key=v5VtZEWdpfk8i83AkNCp2H0G Staffing London, the city's premier temp agency, is excited to announce a significant enhancement to our recruitment services, setting new industry standards in flexible hiring and rapid workforce solutions. Our innovative approach is designed to meet the evolving needs of businesses and job seekers alike, ensuring efficiency, effectiveness, and satisfaction for all parties involved. In today's fast-paced business environment, the demand for adaptable staffing solutions has never been greater. Staffing London [ https://staffing.london/ ] is proud to offer state-of-the-art services that streamline the hiring process, allowing employers to connect with qualified candidates swiftly and seamlessly. Our commitment to excellence and rapid response times has positioned us as London's leading temp agency. Whether you are a small business seeking to fill temporary positions or a large corporation in need of specialized talent, our tailored staffing solutions are designed to accommodate your unique requirements. Our dedicated team of recruitment professionals leverages the latest technology and industry insights to provide a comprehensive suite of services that include: - Access to a diverse pool of pre-screened candidates - Customized staffing solutions to meet specific business needs - Flexible hiring options to adapt to fluctuating demands - Ongoing support and consultation throughout the hiring process At Staffing London, we understand that time is of the essence. Our goal is to provide fast, reliable, and efficient staffing solutions that empower businesses to thrive without the delays typically associated with traditional hiring methods. We invite businesses of all sizes to experience the future of recruitment with Staffing London. Revolutionise your hiring process today and discover how our cutting-edge staffing solutions can drive your success. About Staffing London: Staffing London [ https://staffing.london/ ] is dedicated to providing flexible hiring solutions and fast staffing services to businesses across London. With a focus on innovation and customer satisfaction, we are committed to connecting employers with the right talent quickly and efficiently. Location: https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m14!1m8!1m3!1d9929.688044389148!2d-0.1103317!3d51.5238191!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x48761b192814daf7%3A0xfe4ae7d7a522284e!2sStaffing%20London!5e0!3m2!1sen!2suk!4v1730471554375!5m2!1sen!2suk Media Contact Company Name: Staffing London Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=revolutionise-hiring-process-with-cuttingedge-staffing-solutions ] Address:Coldbath Square City: London EC1R 5HL Country: United Kingdom Website: https://staffing.london This release was published on openPR.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Defending the run has been one of the Green Bay Packers’ weaknesses over the last several years. Not so much lately, though. Green Bay limited San Francisco to 16 carries for 44 yards in a 38-10 rout of the 49ers on Nov. 24, with two-time All-Pro Christian McCaffrey gaining 31 yards on 11 attempts. Four nights later, the Packers beat Miami 30-17 by holding the Dolphins to 39 yards on 14 carries. It was the first time since 1995 — and only the second time since 1950 — that the Packers had allowed fewer than 45 yards rushing in back-to-back games within the same season. “I think we’re playing harder and harder each week,” first-year defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley said. “And that’s how you play good defense.” That defense needs to be at its best Thursday as the Packers (9-3) close a stretch of three games in 12 days by visiting the NFC North-leading Detroit Lions (12-1), who have the NFL’s highest-scoring offense thanks in part to a rushing attack featuring the speedy Jahmyr Gibbs and the physical David Montgomery. “Gibbs is a great running back,” defensive lineman Kenny Clark said. “I really think the offense really starts with him, honestly. He can do everything — receive, in-and-out runner, can do stretch, duo plays. We’ve got to have all hands on deck with Gibbs. And then Montgomery, he’s a great complement to him. He can do everything, also.” The Lions were the first team since the 1975 Miami Dolphins to rush for at least 100 yards and a touchdown in each of their first 11 games. The streak ended on Thanksgiving when the Lions rushed for 194 yards but didn’t have a touchdown on the ground in a 23-20 victory over the Chicago Bears. Green Bay outrushed Detroit 138-124 in the Packers’ 24-14 loss to the Lions on Nov. 3 at Lambeau Field. Montgomery rushed for 73 yards while Gibbs ran for 65 yards and a touchdown. Gibbs has 973 yards this season, which ranks fourth in the NFL. Montgomery ran for a combined 192 yards and four touchdowns in the Lions’ two games against the Packers last season. Green Bay’s run defense has come a long way since. The Packers have allowed 106.6 yards rushing per game this season, which ranks eighth in the league. The Packers haven’t closed a season in the top 10 in run defense since 2016 and have finished outside the top 20 in four of the last six years, including 26th in 2022 and 28th in 2023. “I think Haf’s doing a good job of mixing up the fronts and some of the coverages, but really it’s ultimately about tackling, swarming, getting many hats to the football,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “And our guys have really embraced that style of play.” The Packers are yielding 4.2 yards per carry to rank seventh in the league after finishing 22nd or worst in that category each of the last three seasons. They haven’t closed a season ranked in the top 10 in yards allowed per carry since 2017. Hafley says the improvement starts up front. “The interior part of our D-line has done such a good job these last few games,” Hafley said. “They really have. They’re hard to block. They’re staying in their gaps. They’re tearing off of blocks, and it’s the same thing with those defensive ends. They’re setting edges, they’re forcing the ball back inside, they’re getting off blocks and then we’re tackling and we’re running to the ball and there’s multiple people to the ball. “And when you turn on our tape right now and when you freeze it, you see that. You see a lot of guys around the football. And then you’re not afraid, right? Like if I have an open-field tackle and I know eight other guys are coming, I’m going to take my shot because I know if I miss, it’s going to be, ‘Bang, bang, bang,’ we’ve got three or four other guys there, and we’re starting to play faster.” Green Bay's defense has the Lions’ attention. “They’ve been playing well,” Detroit coach Dan Campbell said. “I mean, they have, really, all season, and nothing has changed.” AP Sports Writer Larry Lage contributed to this report. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFLCenk Uygur Tells Brian Tyler Cohen He’s ‘Wrong’ About Trump Supporters Having ‘No Long-Standing Principles’Swedish gigafactory maker Northvolt filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US on Thursday after months of urgently hunting for a cash lifeline. As it looks to restructure, there’s a lot of money on the line: Northvolt has raised $13bn in debt and equity and owes creditors $5.8bn. The company, which was founded in 2016, had struggled to meet production targets, culminating in car maker BMW canceling a billion dollar battery cell order from the company in June. Northvolt then underwent a strategic review of its operations, laying off staff and cutting overheads by focusing on its flagship factory in northern Sweden. Having struggled in its hunt for further capital, Northvolt filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US. Chapter 11 will allow Northvolt to restructure its debt and operations, as well as seek new funding to keep the company going long term. Northvolt’s CEO Peter Carlsson resigned on Friday, leaving CFO Pia Aaltonen-Forsell, COO Matthias Arleth and restructuring officer Scott Millar to lead the process. If a current shareholder, or new financier, stumps up the new funding, they’d likely take ownership of the business. Companies emerge from Chapter 11 with fundamentally different ownership — so which existing shareholders stand to lose the most? The existing cap table Northvolt has raised over $13bn in debt and equity over its lifetime. Its largest shareholder is German car manufacturer Volkswagen. Volkswagen invested about €900m into Northvolt in June 2019 to acquire a 20% stake and take a board seat. It doubled down in November that year with another €500m cash injection, retaining its 20% stake. Northvolt’s next largest shareholder is asset manager Goldman Sachs — though it's unclear how much it has put into the company in total. It entered the cap table in 2019 at the same time as VW. In 2021, Goldman backed the company again as part of a mammoth $2.8bn equity raise alongside investment manager Baillie Gifford, truck maker Scania, Canadian pension fund OMERS and a host of other investors. Goldman currently has a 19% stake in Northvolt. Northvolt’s next largest shareholder is Vargas, the company builder headed by Swedish financier Harald Mix, which seeded Northvolt with its first cash. Vargas is likely to have given Northvolt a much smaller amount than the rest of its largest shareholders, having entered the cap table so early on. Other shareholders include Danish pension fund Arbejdsmarkedets Tillægspension, car maker BMW and the IMAS Foundation, which invests the wealth of the IKEA foundation. Northvolt's creditors When Northvolt filed for its Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the company had $5.8bn in debts — and a long list of creditors. According to the filing, Volta Vision, a German company that tests and develops battery and automotive systems, is owed the most ($3.8bn) by Northvolt AB — Northvolt’s parent company. German public bank KfW, which loaned Northvolt funding for the development of its flagship factory Northvolt Ett, is owed $695m. Volkswagen, its largest shareholder, is also owed $355m for a convertible loan. Other companies owed money by Northvolt include contractors and vendors who work on the sites. SFA Engineering Corp, which provides turnkey factory equipment, is owed $30m, for example. Chinese creditors Notable on the list of creditors are Chinese companies Wuxi Lead and Easpring Technology. Wuxi Lead supplies manufacturing equipment to gigafactories, while Easpring sells cathode material for lithium-ion batteries. Northvolt had billed itself as central to ending European reliance on Chinese production for batteries, but its list of creditors underscores that the Swedish company has ended up relying on equipment and materials from the Asian country. China dominates the battery market, supplying the majority of the world’s batteries and components. Not exposed: the EU and the German state Notable omissions from Northvolt’s list of creditors are many of the governments and public institutions which pledged funding to the company. Governments and public institutions have pledged the company more than €2.7bn over its lifetime. Those include the European Investment Bank (EIB), which promised €943m. Earlier Sifted reporting showed the EIB’s stake was yet to be handed over because it was ring-fenced for the expansion of a factory which is yet to happen. Northvolt was also promised €902m from the German state, a combination of €700m as a grant and €202m as loan guarantees. Sifted understands none of the €700m has been sent to Northvolt yet, and that the loan guarantee would only be triggered if the company defaults on payments — it’s not clear if it is yet to do so. Canada is more exposed. Its Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) and Invest Québec, the Québec government’s investment arm, invested €134m and €181m respectively, as convertible notes. Several Canadian pension funds are also invested in Northvolt’s parent company. The Investment Management Corporation of Ontario (IMCO), Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments) and CDPQ have collectively invested around $1.1bn into the battery maker, according to Reuters. Canadian public pension fund OMERS has also been a long-term backer of Northvolt. Sweden, where Northvolt is headquartered, has invested far less into the company than countries like Germany and Canada. In total, through a variety of grants, Northvolt has received SEK 625m (€55m) in government money from Sweden. The other Swedish public money invested in Northvolt comes from pension funds, several of which are on the battery maker’s cap table. AP-fonden, the Swedish public pension system's leader, has invested SEK 5.8bn (€513m) in equity and convertible notes in Northvolt via four subfunds (AP1-AP4), which collectively hold a 3.7% stake in the company. The pension fund with the biggest share in Northvolt is the Danish pension fund ATP, which has invested DKK 2.3bn (€308m) and owns around 5.3% of the company.

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CBI files fifth charge sheet against five in NEET paper leak case(CNN) — A California man confessed to helping the North Korean regime prepare for an attack in a “sophisticated scheme” to illegally obtain restricted weapons and military grade technology, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday. Shenghua Wen, a Chinese national residing unlawfully in Ontario, California, conspired with North Korean officials to obtain prohibited items before traveling to the US as a student in 2012, the Justice Department alleged in a criminal complaint. Wen, who allegedly overstayed his visa and remained in the US illegally, was arrested Tuesday by the FBI. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.

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JERUSALEM/DAMASCUS —Israel aims to impose a "sterile defense zone" in southern Syria that would be enforced without a permanent troop presence, Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday, as the military said a wave of air strikes had destroyed the bulk of Syria's strategic weapons stockpiles. Over the past 48 hours, following the collapse of the government of President Bashar al-Assad, the military said jets had conducted more than 350 strikes on targets including anti-aircraft batteries, military airfields, weapons production sites, combat aircraft and missiles. In addition, missile vessels struck the Syrian naval facilities of Al-Bayda port and Latakia port, where 15 Syrian naval vessels were docked. Israeli officials said the strikes across Syria were aimed at destroying strategic weapons and military infrastructure to prevent them being used by rebel groups that drove Assad from power, some of which grew from movements linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State. "We have no intention of interfering in Syria's internal affairs, but we clearly intend to do what is necessary to ensure our security," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. "I authorized the air force to bomb strategic military capabilities left by the Syrian army, so that they would not fall into the hands of the jihadists." Following Assad's flight on Sunday, Israeli troops moved into the demilitarised zone inside Syria created after the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, including the Syrian side of the strategic Mount Hermon that overlooks Damascus, where it took over an abandoned Syrian military post. A military spokesperson said Israeli troops remained in the buffer zone as well as "a few additional points" in the vicinity. But he denied that forces had penetrated Syrian territory significantly beyond the area, after a Syrian source said they had reached the town of Qatana, several km (miles) to the east of the zone and just a short drive from Damascus airport. "IDF forces are not advancing towards Damascus. This is not something we are doing or pursuing in any way," Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, the military spokesperson, told a briefing with reporters. 'TEMPORARY, LIMITED MEASURE' Israel, which has just agreed to a ceasefire in Lebanon following weeks of fighting the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement, calls the incursion into Syrian territory a limited and temporary measure to ensure border security. But the scale of the Israeli strikes echoed a similar wave of attacks in southern Lebanon in September that destroyed a significant quantity of Hezbollah's missile stocks. According to the Israeli military the strikes hit most of the strategic weapons stockpiles in Syria as well as production sites in the cities of Damascus, Homs, Tartus, Latakia and Palmyra. Scud and cruise missiles as well as sea-to-sea missiles, drones, launchers and firing positions were destroyed, it said in a statement. Strikes against military airfields and bases also destroyed Syrian military attack helicopters, fighter jets and tanks. Israel welcomed the fall of Assad, an ally of its main enemy Iran, but has reacted cautiously to the leading rebel faction, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. HTS has roots in Islamist movements including al Qaeda and Islamic State though it has sought for years to moderate its image. Katz gave no details of the "sterile defence zone" Israel aims to impose in southern Syria but the extent of the operation underlined the power of its air force. "We want relations with the new regime in Syria," Netanyahu said but added that if Iranian weapons were transferred through Syria to Hezbollah or if Israel were attacked "we will respond forcefully and we will exact a heavy price." —Reuters

Florida State Rep. Hillary Cassel announced Friday that she is switching her party affiliation from Democrat to Republican. Cassel, who represents Florida’s 101st House district, announced the switch in a Twitter post. She cited concerns over the Democratic Party’s “failure to unequivocally support Israel” and what she calls its disconnect from everyday Floridians. Cassel is now the second Florida Democrat to join the GOP, along with Rep. Susan Valdés from Tampa. “Today, I am announcing my decision to change my party affiliation from Democrat to Republican. This decision was not made lightly but comes from a deep sense of responsibility to my constituents and my commitment to the values that guide my service. I will be joining the Republican Conference of the Florida House of Representatives because I believe in their vision for a better, more prosperous Florida,” Cassel wrote in a statement. (RELATED: Voters Are Increasingly Ditching The Democratic Party For The GOP In Crucial Swing State) See statement below. pic.twitter.com/YJbqjpt8Kh — Rep. Hillary Cassel (@RepCassel) December 27, 2024 “As a proud Jewish woman,” she continued. “I have been increasingly troubled by the Democratic Party’s failure to unequivocally support Israel and its willingness to tolerate extreme progressive voices that justify or condone acts of terrorism. I’m constantly troubled by the inability of the current Democratic Party to relate to everyday Floridians. I can no longer remain in a party that doesn’t represent my values.” Cassel seemed to signal the switch earlier in December, tweeting an infographic depicting the overwhelming Republican majorities in Florida’s upcoming legislative session. “Understanding the makeup of our State Legislature is key to navigating the upcoming session and addressing the needs of Floridians,” she wrote. (RELATED: Republican Rep. Paul Mitchell To Change Parties Because Of Trump) Here’s a look at the 2025 Florida House & Senate ratios. Understanding the makeup of our State Legislature is key to navigating the upcoming session and addressing the needs of Floridians. Let’s work together to ensure every voice is heard. #FloridaPolitics #FloridaLegislature pic.twitter.com/5vRHwzde7U — Rep. Hillary Cassel (@RepCassel) December 3, 2024 Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez endorsed the move, writing, “ I am proud to share that @RepCassel has joined our House Republican Conference. Welcome to the team!” I am proud to share that @RepCassel has joined our House Republican Conference. Welcome to the team! https://t.co/UiFVrcny4L pic.twitter.com/6UdFrDj5eW — Daniel Perez (@Daniel_PerezFL) December 27, 2024 House District 101 includes Dania Beach and portions of Broward County. Cassel won the seat in 2022 with 53% of the vote, defeating Republican challenger Guy Silla, who won 46% of the vote. Her current term expires in November 2026. The 101st District also swung 16 points towards the GOP, shifting from Joe Biden +14 in 2020 to Donald Trump +2 in 2024, according to a tweet from @Uncrewed, who writes about statewide elections on Substack . The Florida Republicans had another really good year this year, but they did end up leaving a Trump district uncontested in the State House. Democrat Hillary Cassel in #HD101 (Davie/southeastern Broward) won uncontested, even though her district shifted from Biden+14 to Trump+2! — Uncrewed (@Uncrewed) December 23, 2024

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