WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that he wants real estate developer Charles Kushner , father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, to serve as ambassador to France. Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post, calling Charles Kushner “a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker." Kushner is the founder of Kushner Companies, a real estate firm. Jared Kushner is a former White House senior adviser to Trump who is married to Trump’s eldest daughter, Ivanka. The elder Kushner was pardoned by Trump in December 2020 after pleading guilty years earlier to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations. Charles Kushner arrives July 20, 2022, for the funeral of Ivana Trump in New York. Prosecutors alleged that after Charles Kushner discovered his brother-in-law was cooperating with federal authorities in an investigation, he hatched a scheme for revenge and intimidation. Kushner hired a prostitute to lure his brother-in-law, then arranged to have the encounter in a New Jersey motel room recorded with a hidden camera and the recording sent to Kushner's own sister, the man’s wife, prosecutors said. Kushner eventually pleaded guilty to 18 counts including tax evasion and witness tampering. He was sentenced in 2005 to two years in prison — the most he could receive under a plea deal, but less than what Chris Christie, the U.S. attorney for New Jersey at the time and later governor and Republican presidential candidate, sought. Christie blamed Jared Kushner for his firing from Trump’s transition team in 2016, and called Charles Kushner’s offenses “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes that I prosecuted when I was U.S. attorney.” Trump and the elder Kushner knew each other from real estate circles and their children were married in 2009. 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. Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. 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. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
Florida 6, Carolina 0BOCA RATON, Fla. , Dec. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Boca Woods Country Club is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its newly redesigned Woods golf course. This momentous occasion took place on Sunday, December 8th at 12:00 PM , with a celebration and ribbon cutting ceremony marking the culmination of a remarkable $9M transformation that has captivated the attention of golf enthusiasts far and wide. More than 450 Members and distinguished guests from industry and government joined the Club for the ribbon cutting ceremony, cocktails and hors d' oeuvres. Attendees included PGA Junior Club Members standing aside past Club Presidents, sharing a commitment to excellence demonstrated by the investment to fully renovate the Woods Course. The ceremony concluded with the presentation of a lifetime Boca Woods Country Club Membership accepted by Rees Jones . The outcome of this extensive renovation: a formidable championship golf course, meticulously designed by the renowned Rees Jones and delivered through the craftsmanship of LaBar Golf. Stretching to a maximum yardage of 7,043 yards, the course boasts key risk/reward decisions for the experienced golfer while offering better playable options for those less experienced. Some key highlights of the renovation include: " The Woods course is now a true championship layout, playing to a maximum yardage of 7,043 yards." Said Jeff Gullett , Director of Golf. He continued, " Rees Jones has incorporated a combination of green complexes and bunkering that will test every golfer's ability. We are confident that our Members will be delighted with the results." The Woods golf course offers an inspired blend of challenging greens and strategically placed bunkers, promising to test the mettle of even the most seasoned golfers. The harmonious fusion of design elements guarantees a truly exceptional and unforgettable round of golf. What truly distinguishes the Woods course is its serene and secluded setting. Nestled away from the luxury homes that dot the community, the course immerses players in the tranquility of South Florida's nature, offering a respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. " Bryce Swanson and I are pleased that the Woods Course at Boca Woods is reopening on time and on budget. The redesign of the golf course enhances the course's playability, strategy, and variety. The remodeled golf course will provide an enjoyable and thought-provoking experience for the Members and their guests on a continuing basis. It has been a pleasure to work with all involved in this project," said Rees Jones . This renovation is particularly significant due to Boca Woods' unique position in the golfing world. With 36 holes of championship golf and a limited Membership of only 590 golfers, Boca Woods provides an unparalleled level of exclusivity and access. The newly renovated Woods course further solidifies the club's reputation as a golfer's paradise, offering a rare combination of world-class amenities and a close-knit community of passionate enthusiasts. " It is amazing to witness the evolution taking place at this Club." Says David Sweet, General Manager/ COO. He continues, "In the last four years, Members have supported the development of modern amenities: a new Clubhouse with state-of-the-art virtual meeting spaces, a sports and wellness complex that offers 10,000 sq ft of fitness, modern racquet sports facilities including lights for night play, and now this championship course developed in partnership with the best names in the business. Rees has left his mark on Boca Woods, and the Club's future is bright!" Central to the course's allure is the masterful touch of Rees Jones , whose design philosophy seamlessly integrates the natural beauty of the surroundings with the strategic demands of the game. The result is a golfing experience that is both visually captivating and intellectually stimulating. "The Rees Jones' update to our Woods Course is inspirational. Coupled with renovations designed by Kipp Schulties on the Lakes Course, we offer a small community of players a wide range of golfing opportunities. As President of Boca Woods, I am proud of what we accomplished and the time frame we worked within. We listened to our players: men and women, scratch players and weekenders... the result is 36 holes of magnificent golf course architecture that challenges the best and offers playable options for every level. Our demographics say it all (reference the generations photo), and there are tee boxes for every player at every age to enjoy. Boca Woods is setting the standard" said Howard Mittleman , Board President for Boca Woods Country Club. The renovation of the Woods golf course represents a substantial investment in elevating the club's amenities, ensuring Members have exceptional golf experiences. The comprehensive project followed a $14.5M building and facilities renovation. For more information on the new Woods golf course or to inquire about membership opportunities, please visit bocawoodscc.com . The Club foresees many future investments, including the installation of TopTracer (technology owned and used by Top Golf Entertainment Group) on the driving range, sharing information about every shot for Members through fully integrated technology inclusive of ballistics scopes delivering multiple data points for every shot. About Boca Woods Country Club Boca Woods Country Club is an established residential country club community located in Boca Raton, Florida . Membership at Boca Woods offers extraordinary value in a golf community that features two championship golf courses and all the amenities that private country club living has to offer. Boca Woods Country Club is dedicated to providing a residential country club lifestyle featuring a community and club culture characterized by friendliness, civility and respect for its members and staff in an overall setting of refinement and casual elegance. Media Contact: membership@bocawoodscc.com View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/grand-opening-of-the-rees-jones-woods-golf-course-announced-at-boca-woods-country-club-302334242.html SOURCE Boca Woods Country ClubIncoming US President Donald Trump is reportedly wasting no time in making changes to the nation’s vehicle policies, with electric vehicles (EVs) in the firing line while autonomous cars are set for greater freedoms. News agency Reuters reports Mr Trump’s transition team is recommending the axing of the federal tax credit for EVs, worth up to US$7500 (A$11,625), shortly after his inauguration in January. At present, the incentive is available for EVs built in North America and below certain price points – US$55,000 (A$85,250) for passenger cars, and US$80,000 (A$124,000) for pickups and SUVs – with just 16 models eligible for the full amount. According to Reuters, this is set to be one part of Mr Trump’s plans to cut off support for EVs and charging stations, which threatens to stagnate or reverse the sales growth of battery-powered vehicles in the nation. 100s of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now . The publication reports the transition team plans to redirect money spent on EV chargers – which had been earmarked to receive US$7.5 billion (A$11.8bn) under Joe Biden – to the “national defense supply chain and critical infrastructure”. A transition team document seen by Reuters reportedly says EV batteries, minerals and other related components are “critical to defense production”, however EVs themselves and charging stations aren’t. Mr Trump is also reportedly planning to wind back the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) emissions and fuel economy standards to 2019 levels, undoing the recent work of the government department. The EPA has a target for EVs to account for between 35 to 56 per cent of sales on the new vehicle market by 2032, however this is not an enforcement or mandate, rather an outline of what carmakers will need to do to meet wider emissions regulations across their fleets. This target was previously as high as 67 per cent before being walked back in April this year, following cooling demand for EVs. In the leadup to the US election, Mr Trump falsely claimed the US government has mandates which will require EV sales to reach 100 per cent, promising to repeal these if he was elected. Reuters reports that if the 2019 emissions regulations are revived, vehicles will on average be allowed to emit about 25 per cent more than under the 2025 regulations, while using up to 15 per cent more fuel. Additional proposals include restricting even more “adversarial nations” from receiving EV battery technology from the US; implementing tariffs as a means of negotiating with foreign markets to export EVs to; and removing requirements for US federal agencies to buy EVs by 2027. Meanwhile, another Reuters report claims Mr Trump’s transition team is looking to repeal a requirement for crashes involving autonomous vehicles to be reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The most vocal opponent of the requirement has been EV specialist Tesla, whose CEO Elon Musk reportedly spent more than US$250 million ($392m) towards Mr Trump’s election campaign. Autonomous driving has been a major focus of Tesla, not only via the ‘Autopilot’ and ‘Full Self-Driving’ systems in its current model range, but also with its upcoming driverless Cybercab robotaxi. Under the crash reporting requirement, Tesla has reported more than 1500 incidents to the NHTSA, which has led to the organisation launching multiple investigations against the company. According to Reuters, from when reporting first started to October 15, 2024, Tesla’s vehicles accounted for 40 out of 45 fatal crashes reported to NHTSA involving semi-autonomous vehicles. While the potential repeal of the crash reporting requirement would be of benefit to Tesla as it wouldn’t need to jump through as many regulatory hoops, the axing of pro-EV policies may also help the company. Mr Musk has previously welcomed the prospect of EV tax credits being cut, as it’s more likely to harm Tesla’s potential rivals, which need to trade on their price advantage in an effort to dislodge the EV sales leader. Following the November election, Tesla share prices have increased to record highs. MORE: Donald Trump is against everyone having an EV MORE: US Government walks back electric car sales targets MORE: Tesla shares surge to record high after Donald Trump election win
Grand Opening of the Rees Jones "Woods" golf course announced at Boca Woods Country ClubEarlier this year, on February 11th to be precise, Denver International Airport (DIA) celebrated Blucifer's 16th birthday with the following X post . However, there was something of a fiery response from users, some calling for the sculpture to be removed, and others calling it satanic. The airport has long been the focus of many conspiracy theories, some involving the rearing blue stallion. "That’s the entrance to the tunnel filled with lizard people / politicians," said one user in the thread, referring to rumors of secret tunnels beneath the airport. Indeed, Denver International has been speculated to have been the Illuminati headquarters since its construction. The sculpture, which gained the nickname 'Blucifer' among Denver residents, was installed after a tumultuous creative process, and cost over twice as much as was planned. CPR News (Colorado Public Radio) reported in the following piece , that the artist, Luis Jiménez, died two years prior when part of the statue fell on him. As a result, some call the sculpture cursed, and when you look at Blucifer, it's easy to see why. It is certainly striking, but what was the artist's intention when creating this statue? How did it come to be blue? Why do its eyes glow red? Most importantly, do any of the conspiracy theories about Denver International hold water? To learn the answers to these questions, read on and join me for a deep dive into Blucifer and Denver International Masonic temp - *ahem* - Airport. The most reviled resident of Colorado Springs? As it turns out, not quite. On April Fools' Day this year, Downtown Colorado Springs posted a fictitious Facebook announcement stating that they had placed Blucifer in the middle of the intersection of Platte and Nevada avenues, a busy downtown location. A close reading of the post revealed it to be a joke, but many were fooled. Like Blucifer's birthday announcement a couple of months before, some expressed their desire for the statue to be removed in the comments section. Still, others online expressed their appreciation for the quirky statue. It does appear that opinions among locals are split on the subject of Blucifer, some hating it and others being fond of it, considering it to be something akin to a quirky local landmark. The Denver area is also known for another quirky sculpture called I See What You Mean , also known as the Big Blue Bear. This 40-foot tall polygonal bear statue peers into a nearby window. A short report below by local news network Denver 7 was aired in 2018. It features both the bear and some anecdotes by locals on Blucifer. Kayleigh Warwick, who was not a fan of Blucifer, said the following: Even though I do think it's creepy, now when I come here I expect to see it. So there's that. See the Denver 7 feature below: A tenuous commission It might surprise you to learn that Blucifer is not the sculpture's official title, though the nickname has become synonymous with it. As I learned thanks to an article by Confluence Denver, the work was named 'Mustang' (not Blue Mustang) by Luis Jiménez. According to the Denver Gazette , Luis was commissioned for $300,000 to create the sculpture by the airport in 1998, only three years after its opening in 1995. He received an upfront payment of $160,000 for the work, which the airport eventually sued him for when delivery of the finished work was delayed. What followed was a legal battle, in which Luis counter-sued the airport. By 2006, the case was resolved and Luis agreed to deliver the finished 32-foot tall, 9000 lb sculpture. Eventually, the airport paid $650,000 for the sculpture and now insures it for $2,000,000. What inspired Blucifer's design, and why is it blue? Luis Jiménez modeled Mustang after a horse he owned called Black Jack, who happened to be a blue Appaloosa. The above lithograph was drawn by Luis, presumably modeled on the very same horse. Now, when animal breeds are described as 'blue', they are not usually a literal shade of vivid blue, like Blucifer ended up being. Blue animals, like Weimaraner dogs, are a shade of light gray. In the Appaloosa breed, particularly blue examples, their ghost-like spotty pattern is created by the interaction of layers of black and white hairs. Here's what they look like in real life: So why did Blucifer end up being so very blue? Well, Luis's early sketches included yellow and pink variations, but he ended up using an airbrushed vibrant blue. According to an article from Adobe Airstream, an arts publication, Luis drew inspiration from a local myth regarding a blue stallion, originating from the local San Luis Valley. The area has both Native American and Mexican roots in terms of heritage, and as Luis's family originated in Mexico, the legend and the sculpture are direct links to Luis and his heritage. The article cites the myth as being from the San Luis Valley Dweller , and it goes as follows: "(...) A mustang who led all the others, (...) One who could run even faster than the wind. He would gather the herd from the plains and lead them to where the sweetest grass and water were to be found. They tell of a blue mustang whose eyes glowed red. (...) He could run so fast some said he could fly." That sounds a lot like the Blucifer sculpture we know today. Interestingly, if you ask any Central American, Azul Maya (Maya Blue) is a well-known pigment that can be traced back to the ancient Mayan civilization, and according to Al-Jazeera, a researcher managed to re-create it , as reported earlier this month. This pigment was used to paint sculptures in the Mayan culture, but also to paint jewelry, murals, and even people, especially those who were to be offered up in human sacrifice. Original examples of Maya Blue can be found in 800-year-old murals at Chichen Itza today, another deep link to Central American culture. Despite a delayed celebration flight, the budget ariline has been offering flights to the Mexican capital for over a decade. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder As it turns out, a lot is going on regarding Blucifer's glowing red eyes. Of course, there is the first reference to the myth about the blue stallion with glowing red eyes, but Appaloosa horses also have eyes with white scleras, which is very unusual to see in any other breed. For reference, the sclera is the white part of the eyeball in humans, and it surrounds the iris and lens. Luis also said that Mustang's glowing eyes were a call back to his time working in his father's neon sign workshop, which he had done as a youth. Confluence Denver reported that Luis also suffered an injury to his left eye due to an accident with a BB gun. The injury caused him migraines for his entire life until he eventually had the eye removed, and opted to use an artificial glass eye from that point forward. After all this, it seems strangely fitting that his final work would also draw attention to its eyes as well. Did you know we have a podcast? Check out Episode 238 for a discussion on Denver International Airport's virtual golf lounge. Read our article on it here while you listen! Blucifer, the art that killed the artist Luis never got to see his work completed, as unfortunately, a section of the Mustang sculpture fell on him when it was being hoisted up, with some reports saying it was the midsection and others saying it was the hindquarters. Classed as an industrial accident, the heavy fiberglass and steel section, weighing hundreds of pounds, landed on Luis. It pinned him to the ground and severed an artery in his leg. Sadly, Luis Jiménez had bled out and died before reaching the nearest hospital, 28 miles away. At this point, the head of Mustang had been painted, and the rest of it was eventually completed by others, presumably his family, in the same airbrushed blue finish. The completed sculpture was finally delivered and installed at Denver International in February 2008. Something very spooky about this turn of events, as referenced in the CPR article mentioned earlier, is that Luis's friend Dale Kronkright can recall a phone conversation he had with Luis about Mustang's progress. Kronkright said the following: "He said, ‘You know, this work is gonna kill me’, and that was just this, at the time, humorous comment about how exhausting it was trying to figure out the engineering." All things considered... Taking a look at Blucifer's story, there are certainly some strange coincidences, especially centering around Luis's death and his unintentional prediction of that very event. However, Blucifer does appear to have legitimate reasons for being... well, a giant blue demon horse, with personal, cultural, and mythological reasons for its appearance. That said, I wasn't going to let a chance to look into Denver International's conspiracy theories pass me by, so I did a little digging into the airport's other oddities. For many years, these paired murals by Leo Tanguma attracted a great deal of attention while being displayed at Denver International. With depictions of trees burning, dead people in coffins, and the apparent worship of a magical plant, they seem like an ayahuasca trip filled with apocalyptic visions of the future. According to Rocky Mountain PBS , the murals had been temporarily put into storage as of last year, presumably due to the intense criticism they attracted. After the Georgia Guide Stones were blown up , as reported by The New Yorker in 2022, many people became fascinated by the idea that a secret shadow organization wanted to reduce the world's population to 500 million, transitioning to an age in which humanity lives in rational order and harmony. They thought this for good reason because the Guide Stones essentially had this inscribed upon them. Mysteries still swirl around who exactly had commissioned the Guide Stones and why, but people were certain that they didn't have good plans for people who weren't one of that number. Leo Tanguma's murals appear to tell a similar story, with themes of war and destruction, then societal collapse and harmonious rebirth. Despite all the controversy, Denver International appears to be the most-served airport in the Southwest this December, according to our article by James Pearson. That's a lot of people seeing old Blucifer. DIA might be a little bit suspicious Another similarity between Denver International and the Guide Stones is that they both have a time capsule buried on site. Pictured above is the dedication stone for Denver International, laid at the time of construction by the New World Airport Commission. The stone indicates that the airport has been dedicated by Free Masons, much like a temple would be. Does this mean the Masons commissioned the Guide Stones? I could go on for another 10,000 words on this subject, as I love conspiracy theories, but I'll leave you with this last nugget. Being curious about where the rumor of underground bunkers at Denver International originated, I unearthed the following anonymous two-part interview with a construction worker who claims to have built a portion of an underground tunnel there. It was uploaded in 2011 by DPCWebmaster (Digital Preservation Coalition). Forgive the audio quality, but it appears to have been recorded on VHS within a few years of the construction being finished. I don't know about you, but I'm intrigued. The airport has invested in new technologies to streamline boarding times for international flights.
Dog food recalled in 7 states for salmonella risk after puppy litter gets sick, FDA saysWASHINGTON (AP) — A federal judge terminated the gun case against Hunter Biden on Tuesday after President Joe Biden issued a sweeping pardon for his son. U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika closed the case the week before Hunter Biden was to be sentenced. He could have faced up to 25 years in prison, though as a first-time offender he likely would have gotten far less time or avoided prison entirely. Prosecutors opposed dismissing the case, arguing in court documents that a pardon shouldn't wipe away the case “as if it never occurred." Hunter Biden was convicted on three felonies after he lied on a federal form to purchase a gun in Delaware by saying he wasn’t a drug user in 2018, a period when he has acknowledged being addicted. The judge's order ends the case but does not toss out the conviction. The Justice Department special counsel is also opposed to dismissing a case filed in California after Hunter Biden failed to pay $1.4 million in taxes . U.S. District Judge Mark Scarsi in Los Angeles indicted he would dismiss the case once the pardon is formally received. Still, Scarsi was critical of the president's assertion that his son was singled out for political reasons, saying two judges had rejected similar arguments from his defense attorneys. The president's Sunday decision to go back on previous pledges and issue his son a blanket federal pardon for actions over the past 11 years has sparked a political uproar in Washington, drawing criticism from many Democrats as well as Republicans and threatening to cloud Biden’s legacy as he prepares to leave office on Jan. 20. Hunter Biden was originally supposed to strike a plea deal with prosecutors last year that would have spared him prison time, but the agreement fell apart after Noreika questioned unusual aspects of it. This story was first published Dec. 3, 2024. It was updated Dec. 4, 2024, to explain that the case was terminated, which ends the case but doesn’t toss out the conviction.
The Ducks will ring in December by hosting the Ottawa Senators on Sunday in a matchup of teams that are an eyelash under .500 with designs on gaining some upward momentum. They’ll enter the clash with identical .477 points percentages that situate them near the bottom of their respective divisions but not far behind a crowded pack of middling clubs. The Ducks have had more of a defensive inclination while the Senators have shown more scoring pop to date. Ducks coach Greg Cronin said his team hadn’t “had too many stinkers” of late, and that’s been reflected by their 5-3-1 record across their past nine games, with four of their five-plus-goal games this season arriving in that span. “Since we got back from that New York trip, I think we’ve been on a pretty good path in terms of playing with an identity and competing,” Cronin said. They had to grind hard on Black Friday, when they played what Cronin described as something of a postseason-style game against the Kings at Honda Center. Though they fell 2-1 to what veteran forward Ryan Strome described as a “mature, veteran team” that they couldn’t quite edge past despite playing a “disciplined, structured and north-south” game, the Ducks still felt they carried forward some positive indicators from their recent play. “It was a good hockey game. We competed hard. I thought we dictated a lot of the game. We played similar to the way we’ve been playing,” Strome said. Kings coach Jim Hiller concurred. With teams frequently playing the Southern California franchises back to back, he and Cronin get constant looks at one another’s teams during pre-scouts, and Hiller assessed the Ducks’ performance quite favorably. “I thought – we’ve played them this year, I’ve scouted them this year – I thought that’s the best game they’ve played this year. I thought they played very well,” Hiller said. Time will tell if Sunday’s match elicits similar plaudits from Ottawa coach Travis Green, who spent parts of two seasons with the Ducks as a player and is in his first year as the Sens’ head coach after previously guiding the Vancouver Canucks and New Jersey Devils briefly. Though Brock McGinn has made some progress in his return, he and Robby Fabbri remained unavailable. So, too, did Leo Carlsson, whose upper-body injury has kept him out of the Ducks’ past two matches. Cam Fowler will be a game-time decision. Troy Terry has four points across his three-game scoring streak, while Trevor Zegras just snapped a four-gamer that saw him compile six points. For Ottawa, forwards Tim Stützle and Drake Batherson each have seven points in the Sens’ past five outings. Captain Brady Tkachuk, whom Cronin suggested could be a model for his own power forward Mason McTavish, has racked up five points during a three-game surge. Those are the three Senators scoring above a point per game this season, with Stützle’s 28 points in 22 games leading the way. Ottawa at Ducks When: 5 p.m. Sunday Where: Honda Center How to watch: Victory+
Knight stops 20 shots, Florida rolls past Carolina 6-0 for 2nd win over 'Canes in as many daysWhat happens when a search for authenticity collides with ambition and deception? These universal themes take center stage in True Heiress vs. Fake Queen Bee , the drama series that has captured over 60 million views across social media. If you’ve been intrigued by the buzz, here’s a comprehensive explainer on this viral sensation. Synopsis True Heiress vs. Fake Queen Bee tells the story of Hailey Kaplan, a teenager born into immense wealth. Tired of being defined solely by her family’s fortune, Hailey decides to start anew at Western High, a public school, under a veil of anonymity. She hopes to forge genuine friendships and live the life of an ordinary teenager. However, her carefully crafted plan unravels when Candice Mathis, the daughter of the Kaplan family’s maid, enrolls at the same school and falsely claims to be the Kaplan heiress. Candice’s audacious deception earns her popularity and influence, while Hailey, trapped in her new identity, faces social rejection and bullying. The series unpacks their complex rivalry, with themes of self-discovery, power struggles, and the quest for authenticity driving the drama forward. READ MORE: ‘Squid Game’: Real-life violence that inspired South Korean show ‘Squid Game’ returns looking for win with season 2 ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ beats ‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ at box office Why it’s gaining traction The series owes its massive popularity to its engaging storyline and the compelling performances of its lead actors. Maya Jenson, portraying Hailey, skillfully conveys the struggles of a young woman yearning for acceptance. Daniela Cuoso, as Candice, delivers a layered performance that brings depth to her character’s manipulative yet vulnerable nature. Adding to its appeal is ReelShort’s unique approach to content delivery. The platform caters to today’s fast-paced viewing habits with episodes tailored for quick consumption. The first nine episodes are free, while access to all 86 episodes would require a subscription. Social media frenzy The series has sparked a wave of reactions online, with fans eagerly dissecting every twist and turn. One viewer exclaimed, “I just watched all [episodes] of the Kaplan heiress and huhu, what is wrong with me? This is the best picture of 2024 if you ask me.” Another post, written in a mix of Cebuano and English, “Sa mga naputol ang kalagot sa mga kabuang ni Candice nga feeling Kaplan Heiress kay nasobraan sa iyang pamati bisag anak ra ni Dedruhh nga Mayordoma nila Hailey.” (To those whose anger were fueled by the shenanigans of Candice, feeling as if she was the Kaplan Heiress went overboard eventhough she was just the daughter of Dedruhh the mayor doma of the family of Hailey.) Some have also critiqued the production, with one user noting, “Why are we so obsessed with such poorly acted series? Pero sino nga ba ang totoong Kaplan Heiress?” If you haven’t joined the craze yet, True Heiress vs. Fake Queen Bee is exclusively available on ReelShort. Whether you’re drawn by the intrigue, the performances, or the social commentary, this series is a must-watch for anyone looking to dive into a modern tale of identity and ambition.
The Story of Centenary Hotel Central Book Launch & Documentary Screening
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Nick Dorn's 21 points helped Elon defeat Navy 69-63 on Saturday night. Dorn shot 6 of 15 from the field, including 6 for 13 from 3-point range, and went 3 for 4 from the line for the Phoenix (4-3). TK Simpkins scored 20 points while shooting 6 for 14 (4 for 7 from 3-point range) and 4 of 4 from the free-throw line and added six rebounds. TJ Simpkins had 15 points and shot 4 of 11 from the field, including 0 for 3 from 3-point range, and went 7 for 10 from the line. The Midshipmen (3-5) were led by Austin Benigni, who recorded 18 points. Sam Krist added 12 points and two steals for Navy. Cam Cole also recorded 11 points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
NEW YORK (AP) — Police don't know who he is, where he is, or why he did it. As the frustrating search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson’s killer got underway for a fifth day Sunday, investigators reckoned with a tantalizing contradiction: They have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma. One conclusion they are confident of, however: It was a targeted attack , not a random one. They know he ambushed Thompson at 6:44 a.m. Wednesday as the executive arrived at the Hilton for his company’s annual investor conference, using a 9 mm pistol that resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise. They know ammunition found near Thompson’s body bore the words “delay,” “deny” and “depose,” mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics . The fact that the shooter knew UnitedHealthcare group was holding a conference at the hotel and what route Thompson might take to get there suggested that he could possibly be a disgruntled employee or client, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Over the weekend, police divers were seen searching a pond in Central Park, where the killer fled after the shooting. Officers have been scouring the park for days for any possible clues and found his backpack there Friday. They didn’t immediately reveal what, if anything, it contained but said it would be tested and analyzed. Early Sunday afternoon, police declined to comment on the contents of the backpack, or on the results of the search in the pond, saying no updates were planned. The bag’s apparent manufacturer did not immediately respond to questions from The Associated Press. Investigators have urged patience, saying the process of logging evidence that stands up in court isn’t as quick as it looks like on TV . Hundreds of detectives are combing through video recordings and social media, vetting tips from the public and interviewing people who might have information, including Thompson’s family and coworkers and the shooter’s randomly assigned roommates at the Manhattan hostel where he stayed. Investigators caught a break when they came across security camera images of an unguarded moment at the hostel in which he briefly showed his face. Retracing the gunman’s steps using surveillance video, police say, it appears he left the city by bus soon after the shooting outside the New York Hilton Midtown. He was seen on video at an uptown bus station about 45 minutes later, Kenny said. With the high-profile search expanding across state lines, the FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to $10,000 that the NYPD has offered. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone. Police distributed the images to news outlets and on social media but so far haven’t been able to ID him using facial recognition — possibly because of the angle of the images or limitations on how the NYPD is allowed to use that technology, Kenny said. Late Saturday, police released two additional photos of the suspected shooter that appeared to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi. The first shows him outside the vehicle and the second shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. In both, his face is partially obscured by a blue, medical-style mask.HE is on a mission to help our pets . . . and is here to answer YOUR questions. Sean, who is the head vet at tailored pet food firm tails.com, has helped with owners’ queries for ten years. 4 A reader's miniature Schnauzer just won’t lie down Credit: Getty 4 Sean McCormack, head vet at tails.com, promises he can 'help keep pets happy and healthy' Q: OUR 13-year-old miniature Schnauzer just won’t lie down. Bosco sits up all the time, even to sleep, then he collapses and wakes himself up. He runs around on the field and he doesn’t yelp when I touch his back. But since Friday this has been happening. He’s looking lost and down in the dumps. READ MORE ON PETS SICK ACT Woman admits having sex with pet pug Charlie - as lover also faces jail over abuse GOING HAM Pet owner nearly dies after HAMSTER attack with partner forced to pry it off him We don’t think it is pancreatitis, which is common, as his poop and appetite seem fine. We suspect he might have dementia. What do you think? Simon Smith, Hove, East Sussex Sean says: This doesn’t sound great for Bosco, from a sleep deprivation point of view. Most read in Money SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP Major Scots city named as one of UK's best for Xmas shopping FEEL GOOD FOOD First look at Sebb's - Glasgow's latest underground bar in Merchant City HOUSE THAT Inside the Poundland family home with hidden swimming pool that's on sale LET'S DOUGH First look inside new Glasgow bakery popular with Noel Gallagher & Foo Fighters There are various things that spring to mind, and one is indeed dementia, or more accurately a condition called Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD). This is similar to senile dementia in humans, and it can present as restlessness, confusion or agitation. Inside Britain’s first pet CLONING clinic bringing cats & dogs back to life I’m also wondering if there may be a heart or lung issue, which could mean his breathing is laboured when he lies down due to fluid build-up. But you would usually hear coughing. If it continues for more than a few more days, take him to the vet for a physical exam. Q: MY horse Barnaby whinnies a lot in the day after we lost his equine companion Petra. I regret not taking him to see her at the vet so he understood fully what happened. Do you think it is a good idea to show pets their companion has died? Or could something else be making him do this? He seems healthy. Vicky Brown, Truro, Cornwall Sean says: Poor Barnaby. Normally I recommend our animal friends get to say goodbye after their companion has passed away. But transporting a horse to the scene might be traumatic for them and it could build a very negative association with the horsebox. Think about getting another companion for Barnaby. Horses are social creatures. Perhaps see if anyone with a horse or pony nearby would benefit from them having a new companion. Q: EVERY day in my garden I feed a very beautiful lady fox. She looks in good health with no sign of mange. ut my husband was worried she might be a health risk to our greyhound Woodster. Is she? We keep Woodster in when I feed her so their paths don’t cross. Anne Green, Barnstaple, Devon Sean says: As long as they are not coming in direct contact, it is pretty low risk. No more so than our dogs being out in the park, sniffing and smelling fox poo or urine, or rolling in mess as they are weirdly prone to. There are a few risks, the main one being mange but if your vixen shows no sign, we can largely rule it out. Ensure Woodster’s worming is up to date, and he is covered for lungworm in particular. Q: I HAVE a 4ft deep and 6ft wide pond with about six fairly good sized goldfish in it. Is it OK to keep them out after the harder winters we seem to have had? What do you recommend in terms of feeding too as they definitely get quieter when it is cold. Steve Brown, Middlesbrough Sean says: As long as you have a good depth of water, fish will retreat to the bottom of the pond and do fine as it’s quite insulated down there. A minimum 2-3ft depth is needed, the deeper the better in colder areas. If the pond is frozen for several days, place a bucket of hot water on the ice to melt a hole for airflow. Do not smash the ice as the vibrations harm fish. And do not add hot water to the pond as it can shock fish. Don’t feed outdoor pond fish over winter, as their appetite reduces. Uneaten food will pollute the water. WIN: Faux fur dog bed SWEET dreams are guaranteed for the winner of this luxurious dog bed and treats prize. We’re offering a lucky reader a large Lords & Labradors High Wall Bed in fawn faux fur worth £149.99, plus a £100 voucher to spend on dog treats by gourmet firm Ruffingtons. Send an email headed RUFFINGTONS to sundaypets@the-sun.co.uk by December 29. T&Cs apply. See ruffingtons.co.uk. Star of the week AURORA and her six kittens are lucky to be alive after being dumped in a box on the hottest day of the year. Xico Brito, a helper at Hopefield Animal Sanctuary in Brentwood, Essex, stumbled on the cardboard box after taking a detour on his lunch break. 4 Aurora the cat is lucky to be alive after being dumped in a box on the hottest day of the year Credit: supplied The three-week old moggies had been left outside a closed school, dehydrated and riddled with fleas. Hopefield’s marketing officer Tracy Tristram says: “We found their mum the next day and christened her Aurora after the Northern Lights, due to happen that night, August 13.” She adds: “Aurora is proving an amazing mum. She and the kittens are now thriving.” See hopefield.org.uk/help-hopefield-animal-sanctuary. Carbon monoxide a paws for alarm WE are devoted to our pets but many of us are not aware of a silent killer. The RSPCA has joined forces with the Gas Safe Register to highlight the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning after research reveals 99 per cent of owners would not spot the warning signs. 4 Carbon Monoxide is very deadly to pets Credit: Getty Rob Denman, of the UK’s official body for gas engineers and businesses, says: “Carbon monoxide can be extremely dangerous, even deadly, especially as it’s an odourless gas. “As a nation of pet lovers, it is concerning that the majority of owners could not identify potential signs.” Reddened gums, ears and lips are just some of the signs, says RSPCA Chief Vet Caroline Allen, who adds: “If there’s a carbon monoxide leak in your home, pets would be the first to feel the impact because they are generally smaller in size and have less lung capacity than us.” Other signals also include unusual irritability, wobbliness and vomiting. Read more on the Scottish Sun SIP SIP HOORAY Exact time Coca-Cola truck arrives in Scotland tomorrow for Xmas tour FESTIVE CHEER Scots Xmas market tops London's Winter Wonderland as 'most stunning' in UK Take your pet outside for fresh air if they display symptoms and get an audible carbon monoxide alarm as it could save their life – and yours. See gassaferegister.co.uk for more info.
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EMERYVILLE, Calif., Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NMI Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: NMIH) announced today that Mohammad Yousaf, currently the company’s Executive Vice President, Operations and Information Technology, has been appointed to the newly created position of Chief of Operations and Technology, effective January 1, 2025. Upon his appointment, Mr. Yousaf will continue to lead the innovation of National MI’s customer platform and technology roadmap and play an important role in shaping the company’s future success in collaboration with the broader executive team. “Mohammad has been instrumental in our success and this new role reflects his dedication, leadership and significant contributions to National MI. This is a well-deserved promotion and I look forward to working with Mohammad and our broader executive team as we continue to deliver differentiated solutions and value for National MI’s customers, community, employees and shareholders,” said Adam Pollitzer, National MI’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Yousaf joined National MI in 2018 and previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Business Transformation Officer from 2020 to 2021 and Vice President, Business Development and Technology Partnerships from 2018 to 2020. Prior to joining National MI, Mr. Yousaf was a Senior Managing Director in charge of servicing operations for Home Point Financial and held leadership positions with Mr. Cooper and Wells Fargo. “National MI has the most modern and efficient operating platform in the private mortgage insurance industry and I’m proud to lead our operations and technology teams as we continue to develop innovative solutions for our customers,” said Mr. Yousaf. “Our goal has always been to support lenders and borrowers with a differentiated commitment and standard of service and, today, we lead the private MI industry from a position of strength and success. I am excited to leverage this expanded role to drive continued momentum and results across our business.” About National MI National Mortgage Insurance Corporation (National MI), a subsidiary of NMI Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: NMIH), is a U.S.-based, private mortgage insurance company enabling low down payment borrowers to realize home ownership while protecting lenders and investors against losses related to a borrower’s default. To learn more, please visit www.nationalmi.com Press Contact for National MI Lesley Alli Senior Vice President, Industry Relations, Marketing and Communications media@nationalmi.com (510) 858-0568 Investor Contact for National MI John M. Swenson Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasury investor.relations@nationalmi.com (510)788-8417EMERYVILLE, Calif., Dec. 17, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NMI Holdings, Inc., (NASDAQ: NMIH) announced today that Mohammad Yousaf, currently the company’s Executive Vice President, Operations and Information Technology, has been appointed to the newly created position of Chief of Operations and Technology, effective January 1, 2025. Upon his appointment, Mr. Yousaf will continue to lead the innovation of National MI’s customer platform and technology roadmap and play an important role in shaping the company’s future success in collaboration with the broader executive team. “Mohammad has been instrumental in our success and this new role reflects his dedication, leadership and significant contributions to National MI. This is a well-deserved promotion and I look forward to working with Mohammad and our broader executive team as we continue to deliver differentiated solutions and value for National MI’s customers, community, employees and shareholders,” said Adam Pollitzer, National MI’s President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Yousaf joined National MI in 2018 and previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Business Transformation Officer from 2020 to 2021 and Vice President, Business Development and Technology Partnerships from 2018 to 2020. Prior to joining National MI, Mr. Yousaf was a Senior Managing Director in charge of servicing operations for Home Point Financial and held leadership positions with Mr. Cooper and Wells Fargo. “National MI has the most modern and efficient operating platform in the private mortgage insurance industry and I’m proud to lead our operations and technology teams as we continue to develop innovative solutions for our customers,” said Mr. Yousaf. “Our goal has always been to support lenders and borrowers with a differentiated commitment and standard of service and, today, we lead the private MI industry from a position of strength and success. I am excited to leverage this expanded role to drive continued momentum and results across our business.” About National MI National Mortgage Insurance Corporation (National MI), a subsidiary of NMI Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: NMIH), is a U.S.-based, private mortgage insurance company enabling low down payment borrowers to realize home ownership while protecting lenders and investors against losses related to a borrower’s default. To learn more, please visit www.nationalmi.com Press Contact for National MI Lesley Alli Senior Vice President, Industry Relations, Marketing and Communications media@nationalmi.com (510) 858-0568 Investor Contact for National MI John M. Swenson Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasury investor.relations@nationalmi.com (510)788-8417UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson killed in ‘brazen, targeted attack’ in NYC; manhunt underway
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