State Administration Council Chairman Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing received a delegation led by Mr Sholban Kara-Ool, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, at the Credentials Hall of the Office of the State Administration Council Chairman in Nay Pyi Taw yesterday morning. At the meeting, the two parties exchanged views on existing relations between the two countries, the ongoing progress in friendship and cooperation, exchange of visits by senior officials, the stance of Russia towards political changes in Myanmar among the international communities, and the standpoint of Myanmar towards political changes in the Russian Federation, preparations for free and fair elections and invitations to Russian observers at the time of elections, potential cooperation in the legal, religious, cultural and youth sectors, potential expansion of tourism and trade, enhancement of technological cooperation in manufacturing and agriculture, further collaboration in fertilizer production and farming industries, and promotion of sector-wise cooperation in addition to power and energy production. After the meeting, the Senior General and the Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation exchanged gifts and posed for the documentary photo. — MNA/KTZHWASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 30, 2024-- On National Small Business Saturday, The Wright Way Enterprises (TWW) celebrates its continued success with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Cybersecurity organization, marking its second contract award: a $4.4 million sole-source 8(a) award to establish and lead the Cybersecurity Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and Zero Trust (ZT) Project Management Office (PMO). This milestone demonstrates TWW’s pivotal role in federal cybersecurity modernization and highlights the vital contributions of small businesses to national security and economic growth. Small businesses account for nearly 44% of U.S. economic activity and employ more than 61 million Americans, according to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). Programs like the SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program empower small businesses, especially those from historically disadvantaged communities, to drive innovation and provide critical services across federal agencies. “The SBA’s 8(a) program has been instrumental in enabling TWW to secure opportunities that not only contribute to our growth but also to the modernization and resilience of U.S. cybersecurity,” said Kenice Middleton, Managing Partner of TWW. “On this National Small Business Saturday, we reflect on the importance of investing in small businesses, which are the backbone of the U.S. economy. As a Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), TWW takes pride in supporting the federal government’s mission to allocate 15% of contract spending to SDBs by FY 2025. Our deep expertise in cybersecurity, Zero Trust architecture, and IT modernization positions us to help agencies like the IRS meet critical objectives while safeguarding the nation’s assets.” The Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law in August 2022, provides unprecedented funding to the IRS to transform tax administration and enhance services. Cybersecurity is the foundation of this transformation, requiring robust implementation of Zero Trust architecture to meet federal mandates. TWW’s support of the Cybersecurity PMO integrates IRA and ZT initiatives under a unified framework, ensuring compliance, risk mitigation, and operational excellence. As a trusted partner to the IRS, TWW provides comprehensive support, including: Kenice Middleton, a former Senior Executive Service (SES) Director in the IRS Cybersecurity organization, brings invaluable insight into the complexities of safeguarding federal systems that support trillions of dollars in revenue. “Our leadership in developing the Cybersecurity PMO reflects TWW’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and delivering measurable results,” Middleton added. National Small Business Saturday shines a spotlight on the power of small businesses in spurring innovation, creating jobs, and driving economic resilience. TWW is proud to exemplify how small businesses play a transformative role in shaping the federal cybersecurity landscape. About TWW The Wright Way Enterprises (TWW) is certified as an SBA 8(a) and HUBZone minority-owned, small business, stewarding organizations in addressing the dynamic needs of an ever-changing global economy. Founded in 2020, TWW’s comprehensive capabilities fortify federal and private infrastructure. The impact-driven consultancy specializes in program management, auditing, cyber risk management, environmental consulting, and compliance. TWW’s vision is to be globally trusted advisors in delivering robust solutions that protect data, preserve vital resources, ensure compliance, and optimize operations for excellence. For more information, visit twwenterprises.com . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241130362118/en/ CONTACT: Maxwell Young Marketing Communications Manager Email:maxwell.young@twwenterprises.com KEYWORD: DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE ACCOUNTING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES FINTECH DATA MANAGEMENT WHITE HOUSE/FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TECHNOLOGY OTHER POLICY ISSUES SECURITY HOMELAND SECURITY CONSULTING PUBLIC POLICY/GOVERNMENT SOURCE: The Wright Way Enterprises Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/30/2024 09:00 AM/DISC: 11/30/2024 08:58 AM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241130362118/enbelieves that should be “pushing for European football every year”, but his manager insists the focus must instead be on becoming a “good team”. West Ham earned a crucial win on Monday night when they to ease the pressure on Lopetegui. The Hammers scored either side of the break through Tomas Soucek and Aaron Wan-Bissaka to earn their fourth Premier League win of the season, but they remain 14th in the table. “I think we should be pushing for European football every year,” said captain Bowen, who scored the winning goal in the final of the Europa Conference League as West Ham won the competition under Lopetegui's predecessor David Moyes in the 2022/23 season. “We had three years at it, and in a season where we finished I think 14th, we came away with a trophy. Those are the standards of this club. “We have a really good side, a really good manager. We haven’t been to those levels, but it’s not for the want of trying. When we step on that pitch, it’s down to us players. Tonight, everyone involved, it was a really big moment. “That was more the level it takes to play for this club. And then quality shows; we have top-quality players. It’s important now that we rest up.” Bowen added: “I’ve said before, we need to be consistently winning games on the bounce. This has started tonight. “[Next opponents] Arsenal are a top, top side pushing for Premier League titles, but we’re at home, we can use that to our advantage, and put in again another top performance and go to win the game.” When told what Bowen had said about European football aims, Lopetegui replied: “I think that West Ham should be a team - a good team. That is the more important thing. “Tomorrow we are working hard, looking forward to the next challenge. Looking at the long-[term] future doesn’t help anyone. Our big challenge is trying to be able to be a good team.” Lopetegui is suspended from the touchline for Saturday’s home match against Arsenal after picking up his third yellow card of the season against Newcastle.
GILBERT, Ariz. — If you're driving in Gilbert, keep an eye out for some road closures for the Gilbert Days Parade and the Gilbert Half Marathon, 10K and 5K. Parade road closures The Gilbert Days Parade is here! The annual festivities kick off at 8:30 a.m. at the Gilbert Heritage District. There will be 75 floats and parade entries for this year's event. From 5 a.m. to 11 a.m., Gilbert Road from Guadalupe Road to Elliot Road will be closed. Race road closures The Gilbert Half Marathon, 10K and 5K also kick off on Saturday. Whether you are running the half marathon, 10K, 5K or spectating, you need to know which roads are closed during race time. From 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., Recker Road will be closed from Elliot Road to Warner Road. From 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., Recker Road will be closed from Warner Road to Ray Road. From 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Recker Road will be closed from Ray Road to Williams Field Road. From 6 a.m. to 11 a.m., Recker Road will be closed at Williams Field Road. For more information about the road closures, head to the Gilbert city website. You can now watch 12News content anytime, anywhere thanks to the 12News+ app! The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV . 12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona. Users can also watch on-demand videos of top stories, local politics, I-Team investigations, Arizona-specific features and vintage videos from the 12News archives. Roku: Add the channel from the Roku store or by searching for "12 News KPNX." Amazon Fire TV: Search for "12 News KPNX" to find the free 12News+ app to add to your account , or have the 12News+ app delivered directly to your Amazon Fire TV through Amazon.com or the Amazon app. Up to Speed Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.Rays will play 19 of their first 22 games at home as MLB switches series to avoid summer rain
How Polarized Politics Led South Korea to a Plunge Into Martial LawWASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump’s personnel choices for his new Cabinet and White House reflect his signature positions on immigration and trade but also a range of viewpoints and backgrounds that raise questions about what ideological anchors might guide his Oval Office encore. With a rapid assembly of his second administration — faster than his effort eight years ago — the former and incoming president has combined television personalities , former Democrats, a wrestling executive and traditional elected Republicans into a mix that makes clear his intentions to impose tariffs on imported goods and crack down on illegal immigration but leaves open a range of possibilities on other policy pursuits. “The president has his two big priorities and doesn’t feel as strongly about anything else — so it’s going to be a real jump ball and zigzag,” predicted Marc Short, chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence during Trump’s 2017-21 term. “In the first administration, he surrounded himself with more conservative thinkers, and the results showed we were mostly rowing in the same direction. This is more eclectic.” Indeed, Secretary of State-designee Marco Rubio , the Florida senator who has pilloried authoritarian regimes around the world, is in line to serve as top diplomat to a president who praises autocratic leaders like Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Hungary’s Viktor Orban. Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon has been tapped to sit at the Cabinet table as a pro-union labor secretary alongside multiple billionaires, former governors and others who oppose making it easier for workers to organize themselves. The prospective treasury secretary, Scott Bessent , wants to cut deficits for a president who promised more tax cuts, better veterans services and no rollbacks of the largest federal outlays: Social Security, Medicare and national defense. Abortion-rights supporter Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is Trump's choice to lead the Health and Human Services Department, which Trump’s conservative Christian base has long targeted as an agency where the anti-abortion movement must wield more influence. Former Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich allowed that members of Trump’s slate will not always agree with the president and certainly not with one another. But he minimized the potential for irreconcilable differences: “A strong Cabinet, by definition, means you’re going to have people with different opinions and different skills.” That kind of unpredictability is at the core of Trump’s political identity. He is the erstwhile reality TV star who already upended Washington once and is returning to power with sweeping, sometimes contradictory promises that convinced voters, especially those in the working class, that he will do it all again. “What Donald Trump has done is reorient political leadership and activism to a more entrepreneurial spirit,” Gingrich said. There's also plenty of room for conflict, given the breadth of Trump's 2024 campaign promises and his pattern of cycling through Cabinet members and national security personnel during his first term. This time, Trump has pledged to impose tariffs on foreign goods, end illegal immigration and launch a mass deportation force, goose U.S. energy production and exact retribution on people who opposed — and prosecuted — him. He's added promises to cut taxes, raise wages, end wars in Israel and Ukraine , streamline government, protect Social Security and Medicare, help veterans and squelch cultural progressivism. Trump alluded to some of those promises in recent weeks as he completed his proposed roster of federal department heads and named top White House staff members. But his announcements skimmed over any policy paradoxes or potential complications. Bessent has crusaded as a deficit hawk, warning that the ballooning national debt , paired with higher interest rates, drives consumer inflation. But he also supports extending Trump’s 2017 tax cuts that added to the overall debt and annual debt service payments to investors who buy Treasury notes. A hedge-fund billionaire, Bessent built his wealth in world markets. Yet, generally speaking, he’s endorsed Trump's tariffs. He rejects the idea that they feed inflation and instead frames tariffs as one-time price adjustments and leverage to achieve U.S. foreign policy and domestic economic aims. Trump, for his part, declared that Bessent would “help me usher in a new Golden Age for the United States.” Chavez-DeRemer, Trump promised, “will achieve historic cooperation between Business and Labor that will restore the American Dream for Working Families.” Trump did not address the Oregon congresswoman’s staunch support for the PRO-Act, a Democratic-backed measure that would make it easier for workers to unionize, among other provisions. That proposal passed the House when Democrats held a majority. But it’s never had measurable Republican support in either chamber on Capitol Hill, and Trump has never made it part of his agenda. When Trump named Kennedy as his pick for health secretary, he did not mention the former Democrat’s support for abortion rights. Instead, Trump put the focus on Kennedy’s intention to take on the U.S. agriculture, food processing and drug manufacturing sectors. The vagaries of Trump’s foreign policy stand out, as well. Trump's choice for national security adviser , Florida Rep. Mike Waltz, offered mixed messages Sunday when discussing the Russia-Ukraine war, which Trump claims never would have started had he been president, because he would have prevailed on Putin not to invade his neighboring country. Speaking on “Fox News Sunday,” Waltz repeated Trump’s concerns over recent escalations, which include President Joe Biden approving sending antipersonnel mines to Ukrainian forces. “We need to restore deterrence, restore peace and get ahead of this escalation ladder, rather than responding to it,” Waltz said. But in the same interview, Waltz declared the mines necessary to help Ukraine “stop Russian gains” and said he’s working “hand in glove” with Biden’s team during the transition. Meanwhile, Tulsi Gabbard, Trump’s pick for director of national intelligence , the top intelligence post in government, is an outspoken defender of Putin and Syrian President Bashar al Assad, a close ally of Russia and Iran. Perhaps the biggest wildcards of Trump’s governing constellation are budget-and-spending advisers Russell Vought, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy. Vought led Trump’s Office of Management and Budget in his first term and is in line for the same post again. Musk, the world’s wealthiest man, and Ramaswamy, a mega-millionaire venture capitalist, are leading an outside advisory panel known as the “Department of Government Efficiency.” The latter effort is a quasi-official exercise to identify waste. It carries no statutory authority, but Trump can route Musk’s and Ramaswamy’s recommendations to official government pathways, including via Vought. A leading author of Project 2025 , the conservative movement’s blueprint for a hard-right turn in U.S. government and society, Vought envisions OMB not just as an influential office to shape Trump’s budget proposals for Congress but a power center of the executive branch, “powerful enough to override implementing agencies’ bureaucracies.” As for how Trump might navigate differences across his administration, Gingrich pointed to Chavez-DeRemer. “He might not agree with her on union issues, but he might not stop her from pushing it herself,” Gingrich said of the PRO-Act. “And he will listen to anybody. If you convince him, he absolutely will spend presidential capital.” Short said other factors are more likely to influence Trump: personalities and, of course, loyalty . Vought “brought him potential spending cuts” in the first administration, Short said, “that Trump wouldn’t go along with.” This time, Short continued, “maybe Elon and Vivek provide backup,” giving Vought the imprimatur of two wealthy businessmen. “He will always calculate who has been good to him,” Short said. “You already see that: The unions got the labor secretary they wanted, and Putin and Assad got the DNI (intelligence chief) they wanted. ... This is not so much a team-of-rivals situation. I think it’s going to look a lot like a reality TV show.”