Matt Gaetz withdraws from consideration as attorney general, citing opposition of John Curtis and othersPride players, fans celebrate soccer championship with parade and rally
The Gibbes Museum of Art , located in the American South since 1858, recently honoured acclaimed director Spike Lee at the Museum’s 2024 Distinguished Lecture Series annual event. The Museum provided free live-streaming of the event for students from across the U.S. and has subsequently made the video accessible to all viewers. In the video, Spike Lee speaks about the important role of Black artists in the American South. He also discussed the dangers of AI. Lee has received five Academy Award nominations, winning the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay and an Honorary Academy Award for Lifetime Achievement. Other awards include: Primetime Emmy Awards, British Academy Film Awards, Peabody Award, Golden Globe Award nominations, Grammy Award nomination, the Board of Governor’s Award from the American Society of Cinematographers, a Gala Tribute from the Film Society of Lincoln Center, and the Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize, among his many accolades. Lee’s movies include She’s Gotta Have It , Do the Right Thing , and Malcolm X . Of these movies, Malcolm X is regarded by many (including myself) as a masterpiece. The conversation took place at the Charleston Music Hall. The venue was filled to capacity and moderated by Pauline Forlenza, Director and CEO of the American Federation of Arts and co-presented with Angela Mack, President and CEO of the Gibbes Museum of Art. The conversation revealed new insights into the art world’s continued recognition of Spike Lee’s cultural impact. Lee’s legacy as a visionary icon worldwide is anchored by his longstanding commitment to authenticity and social justice. During the conversation, Lee highlighted artworks from his collection by African American southern artists that influenced his work, including: William H. Johnson (born in South Carolina); Romare Bearden (born in North Carolina); Deborah Roberts (Texas); Radcliffe Bailey (Georgia); and Michael Ray Charles (Louisiana). In addition, Lee discussed how these artists have always been creative sources of artistic expression for his film work, and for his ongoing creativity in arts and entertainment. Later in the conversation, Lee and Forlenza pointed out how many of the characters and themes from Lee’s films of the 1980s and 1990s foretold issues we are currently living through today, including: gentrification, global warming, and racial tensions. “History is repeating itself now,” says Spike Lee in the video of the lecture. “Looking back at these beloved characters, and the struggles they faced in these films, we can see how they forecasted back then (40 and 30 years ago) what’s happening now. The stuff you run away from follows you,” adds Lee. During Lee’s presentation for the Gibbes Museum of Art Distinguished Lecture Series event at the Charleston Music Hall, Lee also spoke about the dangers of AI on arts and culture, social media, news, and the entertainment industry. “I think that sometimes technology can go too far,” said Spike Lee. “I’m scared of what people can use AI to do and pass off as the real thing.” “Some of the things AI portrays people as saying is the opposite of what those people are all about.” “Especially with the Writers Guild trying to get the studios and networks to agree not to have these computers writing scripts. It’s scary, you don’t know what’s what.” When asked about his advice for young artists and filmmakers, including how art addresses current social issues, Lee said — “I tell my students they have to be committed and put the work in.” “Artists have to choose their own path.” “Artists have to do what their hearts and souls tell them to do.” Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news.Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.NEW DELHI: Fertilisers stocks were trading higher on Thursday at 10:29AM Paradeep Phosphates Ltd.(up 6.53%), Mangalore Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd.(up 3.75%), The Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Ltd.(up 3.59%), Sikko Industries Ltd.(up 2.58%), Aries Agro Ltd.(up 2.05%), National Fertilizers Ltd.(up 2.00%), Deepak Fertilisers & Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd.(up 1.71%), Chambal Fertilisers & Chemicals Ltd.(up 1.64%), Southern Petrochemicals Industries Corporation Ltd.(up 1.61%) and Zuari Agro Chemicals Ltd.(up 1.38%) were among the top gainers. Gujarat Narmada Valley Fertilizers & Chemicals Ltd.(down 0.52%) and Nagarjuna Fertilizers and Chemicals Ltd.(down 0.50%) were among the top losers. The NSE Nifty50 index was trading 63.5 points at 24403.95, while the 30-share BSE Sensex was down 147.82 points at 80808.51 at around 10:29AM. Bharti Airtel Ltd.(up 1.0%), Tata Consultancy Services Ltd.(up 0.65%), Infosys Ltd.(up 0.46%), Tech Mahindra Ltd.(up 0.41%), Wipro Ltd.(up 0.38%), State Bank of India(up 0.2%), Titan Company Ltd.(up 0.2%), UltraTech Cement Ltd.(up 0.17%), Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd.(up 0.16%) and Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.(up 0.16%) were among the top gainers in the Nifty pack. Stock Trading Technical Trading Made Easy: Online Certification Course By - Souradeep Dey, Equity and Commodity Trader, Trainer View Program Stock Trading Stock Markets Made Easy By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Stock Trading Market 104: Options Trading: Kickstart Your F&O Adventure By - Saketh R, Founder- QuickAlpha, Full Time Options Trader View Program Stock Trading Options Trading Course For Beginners By - Chetan Panchamia, Options Trader View Program Stock Trading Candlesticks Made Easy: Candlestick Pattern Course By - elearnmarkets, Financial Education by StockEdge View Program Stock Trading RSI Made Easy: RSI Trading Course By - Souradeep Dey, Equity and Commodity Trader, Trainer View Program Stock Trading Complete Guide to Stock Market Trading: From Basics to Advanced By - Harneet Singh Kharbanda, Full Time Trader View Program Stock Trading Introduction to Technical Analysis & Candlestick Theory By - Dinesh Nagpal, Full Time Trader, Ichimoku & Trading Psychology Expert View Program Stock Trading Point & Figure Chart Mastery: A Comprehensive Trading Guide By - Mukta Dhamankar, Full Time Trader, 15 Years Experience, Instructor View Program Stock Trading Options Trading Made Easy: Options Trading Course By - Anirudh Saraf, Founder- Saraf A & Associates, Chartered Accountant View Program Stock Trading Stock Valuation Made Easy By - Rounak Gouti, Investment commentary writer, Experience in equity research View Program Stock Trading Markets 102: Mastering Sentiment Indicators for Swing and Positional Trading By - Rohit Srivastava, Founder- Indiacharts.com View Program Stock Trading Mastering Options Selling: Advanced Strategies for Success By - CA Manish Singh, Chartered Accountant, Professional Equity and Derivative Trader View Program On the other hand, Bajaj Auto Ltd.(down 1.94%), NTPC Ltd.(down 1.63%), Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd.(down 1.56%), SBI Life Insurance Company Ltd.(down 1.42%), JSW Steel Ltd.(down 1.36%), Cipla Ltd.(down 1.34%), Nestle India Ltd.(down 1.22%), Asian Paints Ltd.(down 1.18%), HDFC Life Insurance Company Ltd.(down 1.12%) and Shriram Finance Ltd.(down 1.02%) were trading in the red. (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel )
Browns Investments, ComBank and Sampath Bank lead trading activity on CSE
Hegseth nomination sinking fast in the SenateWASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that he will nominate former White House aide Brooke Rollins to be his agriculture secretary, the last of his picks to lead executive agencies and another choice from within his established circle of advisers and allies. The nomination must be confirmed by the Senate, which will be controlled by Republicans when Trump takes office Jan. 20. Rollins would succeed Tom Vilsack , President Joe Biden’s agriculture secretary who oversees the sprawling agency that controls policies, regulations and aid programs related to farming, forestry, ranching, food quality and nutrition. Then-President Donald Trump looks to Brooke Rollins, president and CEO of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, as she speaks during a Jan. 11, 2018, prison reform roundtable in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. Carolyn Kaster, Associated Press 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. Rollins previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. The pick completes Trump’s selection of the heads of executive branch departments, just two and a half weeks after the former president won the White House once again. Several other picks that are traditionally Cabinet-level remain, including U.S. Trade Representative and head of the small business administration. Brooke Rollins, assistant to the president and director of the Domestic Policy Council at the time, speaks during a May 18, 2020, meeting with restaurant industry executives about the coronavirus response in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts Rollins, speaking on the Christian talk show “Family Talk" earlier this year, said Trump was an “amazing boss” and confessed that she thought in 2015, during his first presidential campaign, that he would not last as a candidate in a crowded Republican primary field. “I was the person that said, ‘Oh, Donald Trump is not going to go more than two or three weeks in the Republican primary. This is to up his TV show ratings. And then we’ll get back to normal,’” she said. “Fast forward a couple of years, and I am running his domestic policy agenda.” Trump didn’t offer many specifics about his agriculture policies during the campaign, but farmers could be affected if he carries out his pledge to impose widespread tariffs. During the first Trump administration, countries like China responded to Trump’s tariffs by imposing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports like the corn and soybeans routinely sold overseas. Trump countered by offering massive multibillion-dollar aid to farmers to help them weather the trade war. President Abraham Lincoln founded the USDA in 1862, when about half of all Americans lived on farms. The USDA oversees multiple support programs for farmers; animal and plant health; and the safety of meat, poultry and eggs that anchor the nation’s food supply. Its federal nutrition programs provide food to low-income people, pregnant women and young children. And the agency sets standards for school meals. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, has vowed to strip ultraprocessed foods from school lunches and to stop allowing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program beneficiaries from using food stamps to buy soda, candy or other so-called junk foods. But it would be the USDA, not HHS, that would be responsible for enacting those changes. In addition, HHS and USDA will work together to finalize the 2025-2030 edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. They are due late next year, with guidance for healthy diets and standards for federal nutrition programs. Gomez Licon reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Associated Press writers Josh Funk and JoNel Aleccia contributed to this report. 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. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Evan Vucci, Associated Press 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. Wilfredo Lee, Associated Press 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. George Walker IV, Associated Press 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. Derik Hamilton 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. Matt Rourke, Associated Press 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. AP Photo/Alex Brandon 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. Evan Vucci, Associated Press 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. Matt Kelley, Associated Press 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. Andrew Harnik, Associated Press 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.” Andrew Harnik, Associated Press 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. Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press 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. Andy Cross, The Denver Post via AP 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. Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press 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. Evan Vucci 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. AP Photo/Evan Vucci 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. John Bazemore, Associated Press 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. Ted Shaffrey, Associated Press 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. Evan Vucci, Associated Press 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.” Manuel Balce Ceneta, Associated Press 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.” Matt Rourke, Associated Press 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. Jonathan Newton - pool, ASSOCIATED PRESS 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. Jose Luis Magana, Associated Press 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. Andrew Harnik, Associated Press A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Paul Sancya, Associated Press 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. Oded Balilty, Associated Press 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. Evan Vucci, Associated Press 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. Ted Shaffrey, Associated Press 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. Evan Vucci, Associated Press 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. John Bazemore, Associated Press 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. Matt Rourke, Associated Press 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.” Evan Vucci, Associated Press photos 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. Evan Vucci, Associated Press 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.” Jose Luis Magana, Associated PressMalik Nabers bemoans lack of early targets after ‘soft’ Giants’ blowout loss to Buccaneers
Australia's proposal to ban under-16s from social media platforms is "rushed", social media companies claimed Tuesday, expressing "serious concerns" about potential unintended consequences. The landmark legislation would force social media firms to prevent young teens from accessing their platforms or face fines of up to Aus$50 million (US$32.5 million). Platforms such as X, Snapchat, TikTok, and Meta have criticised the 24-hour time frame given for stakeholder comments, claiming a lack of consultation and inadequate details about how the legislation would work. X said in its submission that it had "serious concerns" the ban would have "a negative impact" on children, adding it breached their "rights to freedom of expression and access to information". The company added that the proposed law was "vague" and "highly problematic" and that there was "no evidence" that it would work. Australia is among the vanguard of nations trying to clean up social media, and the proposed age limit would be among the world's strictest measures aimed at children. The proposed laws, which were presented to parliament last week, would also include robust privacy provisions that require tech platforms to delete any age-verification information collected. The government is trying to approve the law this week, before parliament breaks for the rest of the year. Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, said in its submission the ban would "fail" in its current form because there was not enough consultation with stakeholders. "More time should be taken to get this bill right," it said. TikTok raised concerns over the privacy provisions -- including that they overlapped and contradicted other legislation -- and the limited time to consult stakeholders. "Its rushed passage poses a serious risk of further unintended consequences," the company's submission said. Key details about how social media companies are expected to enforce the ban remain unclear. Some companies will be granted exemptions from the ban, such as YouTube, which teenagers may need to use for school work or other reasons. Once celebrated as a means of staying connected and informed, social media platforms have been tarnished by cyberbullying, the spread of illegal content, and election-meddling claims. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese insisted Tuesday that "social media is causing social harm". "It can be a weapon for bullies, a platform for peer pressure, a driver of anxiety, a vehicle for scammers and, worst of all, a tool for online predators," he wrote in an opinion piece. "And because it is young Australians who are most engaged with this technology -- it is young Australians who are most at risk." The laws would give families "peace of mind" that their children's well-being and mental health were being prioritised, he said. If the proposed law passes, tech platforms would be given a one-year grace period to figure out how to implement and enforce the ban. The proposal comes just months before Australians go to the polls in a general election that must be held in the first half of 2025. lec/arb/fox
NEW YORK (AP) — Brian Thompson led one of the biggest health insurers in the U.S. but was unknown to millions of people his decisions affected. Then Wednesday’s targeted fatal shooting of the UnitedHealthcare CEO on a midtown Manhattan sidewalk thrust the executive and his business into the national spotlight. Thompson, who was 50, had worked at the giant UnitedHealth Group Inc for 20 years and run the insurance arm since 2021 after running its Medicare and retirement business. As CEO, Thompson led a firm that provides health coverage to more than 49 million Americans — more than the population of Spain. United is the largest provider of Medicare Advantage plans, the privately run versions of the U.S. government’s Medicare program for people age 65 and older. The company also sells individual insurance and administers health-insurance coverage for thousands of employers and state-and federally funded Medicaid programs. The business run by Thompson brought in $281 billion in revenue last year, making it the largest subsidiary of the Minnetonka, Minnesota-based UnitedHealth Group. His $10.2 million annual pay package, including salary, bonus and stock options awards, made him one of the company’s highest-paid executives. The University of Iowa graduate began his career as a certified public accountant at PwC and had little name recognition beyond the health care industry. Even to investors who own its stock, the parent company’s face belonged to CEO Andrew Witty, a knighted British triathlete who has testified before Congress. When Thompson did occasionally draw attention, it was because of his role in shaping the way Americans get health care. At an investor meeting last year, he outlined his company’s shift to “value-based care,” paying doctors and other caregivers to keep patients healthy rather than focusing on treating them once sick. “Health care should be easier for people,” Thompson said at the time. “We are cognizant of the challenges. But navigating a future through value-based care unlocks a situation where the ... family doesn’t have to make the decisions on their own.” Thompson also drew attention in 2021 when the insurer, like its competitors, was widely criticized for a plan to start denying payment for what it deemed non-critical visits to hospital emergency rooms. “Patients are not medical experts and should not be expected to self-diagnose during what they believe is a medical emergency,” the chief executive of the American Hospital Association wrote in an open letter addressed to Thompson. “Threatening patients with a financial penalty for making the wrong decision could have a chilling effect on seeking emergency care.” United Healthcare responded by delaying rollout of the change. Thompson, who lived in a Minneapolis suburb and was the married father of two sons in high school, was set to speak at an investor meeting in a midtown New York hotel. He was on his own and about to enter the building when he was shot in the back by a masked assailant who fled on foot before pedaling an e-bike into Central Park a few blocks away, the New York Police Department said. Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said investigators were looking at Thompson’s social media accounts and interviewing employees and family members. “Didn’t seem like he had any issues at all,” Kenny said. “He did not have a security detail.” ___ AP reporters Michael R. Sisak and Steve Karnowski contributed to this report. Murphy reported from Indianapolis. Related From Our Partner
Hong Kong police a HK$1 million reward for information leading to the arrest of six pro-democracy activists now residing in the UK and Canada on Monday. The bounties were issued for alleged violations of the . One of the wanted individuals, including Tony Chung, a former pro-independence group leader, has been accused of violating Hong Kong’s national security law. Chung, who fled to the UK last year, is joined on the list by former district councillor , activist , political commentator Chung Kim-wah, former actor Joseph Tay, and YouTuber Victor Ho. Charges vary from subversion to inciting secession and collusion with foreign forces. In a statement, the Hong Kong Police the wanted individuals have allegedly violated the National Security Law, including “i “This will not affect my work—in fact, it strengthens my resolve and reassures me that I’m on the right path. Having a bounty placed on my head only confirms that I’m standing up against what authoritarian regimes fear most. It fills me with even greater courage to speak out boldly for what I believe in, and I will continue to fight tirelessly for Hong Kong.” Consul General in Macau and Hong Kong, , and UK Foreign Secretary, , similarly denounced the actions as silencing dissents and attempts to intimidate critics overseas. This marks the of arrest warrants under the Beijing-imposed National Security Law. While Beijing justifies the law as a means to ensure stability, critics argue it stifles autonomy and suppresses freedom. China’s foreign ministry has endorsed ‘s actions, highlighting adherence to the rule of law. This comes as China 20 Canadians for calling out Beijing’s human rights violations and transnational repression against Tibetans & Uyghurs on Sunday. Ku Klux Klan founded The US hate group known as the Ku Klux Klan was founded on December 24, 1865 in Pulaski, Tennessee as a reaction to reconstruction efforts following the Union victory in the American Civil War. The group would later become notorious for its attacks on Black Americans, being targeted by the Enforcement Act of 1871, which imposed civil and criminal liability for deprivation of constitutional rights. the Enforcement Act of 1871. Treaty of Ghent signed, ending War of 1812 On December 24, 1814, the "Treaty of Ghent" was signed by the United States and Great Britain, ending hostilities in the War of 1812.Review the articles of the . Hamid Karzai born On December 24, 1957, was born in Karz, Afghanistan. He would go on to become in 2004 his country's first elected president after the end of Taliban rule in 2001.
AP Business SummaryBrief at 6:05 p.m. EST
NoneIf the thought of a cranberry vodka slush or frozen hot chocolate raises your holiday spirits high, then Walmart might have exactly what you want to see underneath your Christmas tree . The Ninja SLUSHi 3-in-1 Professional Frozen Drink Maker is back in stock at Walmart, and it doesn’t come with the typical $300 price tag that you’ll see on the Ninja website (or at retailers like Kohl’s and Target, when it’s actually in stock). This Walmart-exclusive special edition SLUSHi is marked down from $300 to $249, for a total $51 savings, and you can’t find it anywhere else. Shop Walmart’s full Black Friday sale now. With Ninja’s proprietary RapidChill Technology, you can turn your favorite cold drinks into frosty delights in just 15 minutes. The machine works by swirling liquids around a chilling cylinder and adjusting the temperature and texture to get a perfect, smooth consistency without any ice. The 72-ounce version is perfect for smaller kitchens, but also just as suitable for people who can appreciate a frozen bevvy once in a while, but don’t need to have everything they’re drinking on the frozen side. Instead of the larger 88-ounce iteration that has five presets — Slush, Spiked Slush, Milkshake, Frappé and Frozen Juice — this one just has the Slush, Spiked Slush and Milkshake. So, if you’re not a frozen ‘snow salt chococcino’ connoisseur or a fan of icy juices, then you definitely don’t need to have the bigger slush machine. You can still everything from cranberry orange slushies to candy cane mocha iced martinis and even gingerbread milkshakes or fizzy and frozen pomegranate champagne floats. Whether you’re hosting a party or just enjoying a cozy night in during the busy holiday season, your Ninja SLUSHi will be the biggest conversation piece in your kitchen. I say this, too, because it has been a major hit in mine ever since I got it in August. I can’t wait to make some “toasted elves” (think: amaretto, coffee liquor, vodka and chocolate syrup) when we’re putting up our tree in the next few weeks! Shop the Ninja SLUSHi 72 oz. 3-Programs Professional Frozen Drink Maker for $249 at Walmart here. And keep these other Ninja deals in mind, as well. Ninja Blast 16-Ounce Personal Portable Blender for $40, instead of $50 Ninja THIRSTi Drink System for $119, instead of $169 Ninja 5-Preset CREAMi Ice Cream Maker for $149, instead of $199 The Best Black Friday Deals in 2024 Amazon is having a secret sale on the GE Profile smart indoor smoker that makes it even cheaper for Black Friday Amazon has this enormous 77-inch Samsung OLED 4K TV on sale for $900 off in an unbeatable Black Friday deal Walmart has this giant JBL Partybox speaker on sale for a whopping $201 off for Black Friday — but this deal won’t last 31 Black Friday mattress sales to shop, including holiday deals from Walmart, Amazon, Sealy, Serta and more Amazon has Hey Dude sneakers on sale for up to 59% off for Black Friday Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com . Danielle Halibey can be reached at dhalibey@njadvancemedia.com . Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips .
Charles attended the show at the Royal Albert Hall in London for the first time as patron of the Royal Variety charity, following in the footsteps of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II. In a statement from Buckingham Palace, he said: “The charity’s crucial work in assisting those who have fallen ill, had an accident or hit hard times is as essential now as it ever has been. “I would like to thank all of those who have worked so hard to stage this year’s production and wish everyone a very enjoyable evening.” The performance saw political comic Forde reference the unfounded claims Mr Trump repeated during his presidential debate against Democrat candidate Kamala Harris earlier this year, that illegal immigrants from Haiti were eating locals’ pets in the small Ohio city of Springfield. Forde exclaimed in the president-elect’s voice: “They’re eating the cats, they’re eating the dogs!” He then turned to address Charles from the stage, saying in Mr Trump’s voice: “Your Majesty King Charles, you’re named after a spaniel – be very careful, they’ll eat you alive.” The King was seen laughing in response to the joke from the royal box. Charles appeared at the event without the Queen, who insisted the “show must go on” after pulling out of attending the performance on Friday evening as doctors advised that she should prioritise rest. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: “Following a recent chest infection, the Queen continues to experience some lingering post-viral symptoms, as a result of which doctors have advised that, after a busy week of engagements, Her Majesty should prioritise sufficient rest. “With great regret, she has therefore withdrawn from attendance at tonight’s Royal Variety Performance. His Majesty will attend as planned.” A royal source said the Queen was “naturally disappointed to miss the evening’s entertainments and sends her sincere apologies to all those involved, but is a great believer that ‘the show must go on'”. “She hopes to be back to full strength and regular public duties very soon,” the source added. The Royal Variety Performance will air on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player in December. Money raised from the show will go to help people from the world of entertainment in need of care and assistance, with the Royal Variety Charity launching an initiative to help those with mental health issues this year.PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 25, 2024-- University of Phoenix is pleased to announce that Vice President of Accessibility, Equity and Inclusion Kelly Hermann co-presented at the 2024 1EdTech Member Meeting on November 12-14 at the North Charleston Marriott in North Charleston, South Carolina. The presentation, titled “US Department of Justice Guidelines and the 1EdTech Accessibility Rubric,” focused on the importance of ensuring mobile apps and web content are accessible and compliant with the newest Web Content Accessibility Guidelines . “It is crucial for educational institutions to stay informed about the latest accessibility guidelines to help ensure that all learners have equal access to digital resources,” Hermann stated. “Our discussion at the 1EdTech Member Meeting provided attendees with valuable insights into the new guidelines and how tools like the 1EdTech accessibility rubric can support institutions in creating accessible ecosystems.” Hermann’s presentation delved into the new guidelines and offered practical advice on making learning resources, websites, and mobile apps accessible for users. The discussion also emphasized the importance of understanding and leveraging the guidelines to help foster an inclusive educational environment. Hermann chairs the Accessibility Taskforce for 1EdTech and collaborated on the project to develop an accessibility vetting rubric to help institutions improve access for students with disabilities, and to improve trust by evaluating the non-technical aspects of accessibility that can impact purchasing decisions and helping to establish a common tool evaluation framework. Outside of her work with 1EdTech, Hermann’s accessibility leadership is broadly recognized in the education technology community, and she has co-authored a chapter on accessibility to the Routledge text, Leading the eLearning Transformation of Higher Education , as well as other organizational texts by Anthology, D2L, WCET, and OLC, and by leading educational publications including Inside Higher Ed , EdSurge , Diverse: Issues In Higher Education , The evolllution , and eCampus News . Earlier this year, Hermann was instrumental in developing and deploying a survey on workplace accessibility awareness, understanding, and development opportunities . University of Phoenix commissioned The Harris Poll to conduct a study of 459 managers across the fields of information technology, healthcare, and education to better understand workplace commitment to accessibility, accessibility understanding and skills of workers, and opportunities for development of accessibility skills. The survey was developed in collaboration with Teach Access , a national non-profit organization strategically partnering with students, educators, industry, government, and nonprofit advocacy organizations. In her role at University of Phoenix, Hermann serves as the Vice President of Accessibility, Equity and Inclusion. She has oversight of the university’s accessibility initiative, including the evaluation and remediation of curricular resources, the Student Accommodations office, which provides accommodations to students with disabilities, and the Office of Educational Equity (OEE), which works with University stakeholders, community partners, and corporate sponsors to create an inclusive educational environment for the students, faculty, and staff. The OEE supports students and faculty year-round with programs like the Inclusive Leadership Summit and an internal offering for staff and faculty, The Inclusive Café. Earlier this year, Hermann received global recognition as a 1EdTech Leader for her work in creating open, trusted, and innovative digital ecosystems that power learner potential. Learn more about accessibility at University of Phoenix here . About University of Phoenix University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelor’s and master’s degree programs and a Career Services for Life® commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu . View source version on businesswire.com : https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125291196/en/ CONTACT: MEDIA CONTACT: Michele Mitchum University of Phoenix michele.mitchum@phoenix.edu KEYWORD: UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA ARIZONA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: PROFESSIONAL SERVICES EDUCATION DEI (DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION) CONSUMER OTHER EDUCATION UNIVERSITY PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES SOURCE: University of Phoenix Copyright Business Wire 2024. PUB: 11/25/2024 06:46 PM/DISC: 11/25/2024 06:47 PM http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241125291196/enMichael Bublé to host 2025 Juno Awards, Sum 41 to be inducted into Music Hall of Fame Pop crooner Michael Bublé is set to host the Juno Awards for the third time next year. The Vancouver native and 15-time Juno Award winner said in a release he's excited to helm the ceremony in his hometown. Alex Nino Gheciu, The Canadian Press Nov 22, 2024 2:29 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Canadian signer and songwriter, Michael Buble sings during the "One Year to Go" Invictus Games dinner in Vancouver on Friday, Feb. 16, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns Pop crooner Michael Bublé is set to host the Juno Awards for the third time next year. The Vancouver native and 15-time Juno Award winner said in a release he's excited to helm the ceremony in his hometown. Bublé, who is a coach on "The Voice," has a long-standing relationship with the annual celebration of Canadian music. He previously hosted in 2013 and 2018. Juno organizers also announced rock band Sum 41 will be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. The show will feature a final performance by the band, who are currently on their farewell tour. The 2025 Juno Awards will be broadcast on CBC March 30. Tickets to the event go on sale next Friday. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 22, 2024. Alex Nino Gheciu, The Canadian Press See a typo/mistake? Have a story/tip? This has been shared 0 times 0 Shares Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message More The Mix Alberta Premier Smith says passenger train system key to meeting tourism goals Nov 22, 2024 2:24 PM Extreme weather remains the wild card as Alberta aims to fix auto insurance system Nov 22, 2024 2:06 PM Walmart Canada axing some property controls amid grocery competition scrutiny Nov 22, 2024 2:06 PM Featured Flyer
Vancouver city council approves 3.9% property tax increase– South African Brenthurst Foundation-sponsored opposition leader Mmusi Maimane has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration to intervene in Mozambique’s ongoing electoral dispute, warning of potential regional instability if the crisis is ignored. The Brenthurst Foundation is a Johannesburg-based regime change organisation established by the Oppenheimer family in 2004 to protect their economic interest in the Southern African region; of particular interest are their diamond and gold mining interests. Their foundation was formed to topple ruling liberation parties in the region. Mozambique has been rocked by sporadic violence and protests following the October 9 general election, which the opposition has rejected as fraudulent. International observers and local citizens have raised concerns about alleged irregularities, internet blackouts, and police brutality during the electoral process. On December 23, Mozambique’s Constitutional Council confirmed the governing party, FRELIMO’s, victory but revised presidential candidate Daniel Chapo’s winning margin. Initially reported as a 71% victory over opposition candidate Venâncio Mondlane’s 20%, the council reduced the figures to 65% for Chapo and 24% for Mondlane. Maimane, the leader of Build One South Africa (BOSA), cautioned President Ramaphosa against turning a blind eye to the crisis, likening it to South Africa’s passive stance during Zimbabwe’s contested 2008 election. He argued that South Africa’s inaction then led to a humanitarian crisis, with mass migration to the country. “South Africa looked the other way when Robert Mugabe and Emmerson Mnangagwa rigged an election in 2008, and it created an immigration crisis here,” Maimane said. “Now, Mozambique faces an election crisis. Political leaders were assassinated during the election, and ZANU-PF sent people to vote from Zimbabwe—this was captured on video.” Maimane criticized the African National Congress (ANC) for prioritizing historical ties with FRELIMO and ZANU-PF over the democratic concerns of Mozambicans. “We cannot roar overseas about Ukraine, Morocco, and the Middle East while we mew in our own neighbourhood,” Maimane asserted. “Why are we failing to raise our voice for the black children in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and eSwatini?” The BOSA leader warned that ignoring Mozambique’s opposition could exacerbate socio-economic hardships and lead to mass migration into South Africa. He urged the Ramaphosa administration to reject the election results and advocate for electoral fairness. “South Africa must stand with the people of Mozambique today,” Maimane declared. “We must not rubber-stamp illegitimate elections. The ANC must recognize that historical friendships cannot come before the current crisis affecting the people on the ground.” International observers have also raised concerns about the credibility of Mozambique’s election process, further amplifying calls for regional intervention. Maimane’s remarks come amidst growing pressure for South Africa to take a more active role in addressing political instability in neighbouring countries.