Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis slated to make season debut on Monday night vs LA ClippersPresident-elect Donald Trump has filled the key posts for his second term in office, prioritizing loyalty to him after he felt bruised and hampered by internal squabbling during his first term. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * President-elect Donald Trump has filled the key posts for his second term in office, prioritizing loyalty to him after he felt bruised and hampered by internal squabbling during his first term. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? President-elect Donald Trump has filled the key posts for his second term in office, prioritizing loyalty to him after he felt bruised and hampered by internal squabbling during his first term. Some of his choices could face difficult confirmation fights in the Senate, even with Republicans in control, and one candidate has already withdrawn from consideration. Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz was Trump’s initial pick for attorney general, but he ultimately withdrew following scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation he was embroiled in. Here’s a look at Trump’s choices: CABINET: Secretary of state: Marco Rubio Trump would turn a former critic into an ally as the nation’s top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump’s running mate before the slot went to JD Vance. Rubio is vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. His selection punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator once called a “con man” during his own unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. Defense secretary: Pete Hegseth Hegseth, 44, was a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox and Friends Weekend” and had been a contributor with the network since 2014. He developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth served in the Army National Guard from 2002 to 2021, deploying to Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2011 and earning two Bronze Stars. He lacks senior military and national security experience and would oversee global crises ranging from Europe to the Middle East. A woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a detailed investigative report recently made public. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and has denied any wrongdoing. Treasury secretary: Scott Bessent Bessent, 62, is a former money manager for George Soros, a big Democratic donor, and an advocate for deficit reduction. He founded the hedge fund Key Square Capital Management after having worked on and off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, Bessent 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. Director of national intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard Gabbard, 43, is a former Democratic House member from Hawaii who has been accused of echoing Russian propaganda. She unsuccessfully sought the party’s 2020 presidential nomination and left the party in 2022. Gabbard endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him. Gabbard has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades and deployed to Iraq and Kuwait. If confirmed she would come to the role as an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, spent several years in top national security and intelligence positions. Attorney general: Pam Bondi Bondi, 59, was Florida’s first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, Bondi also has served with the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-allied group that has helped lay the groundwork for his future administration. 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 appeared on Fox News and has been critical of the criminal cases against him. Labor secretary: Lori Chavez-DeRemer The Republican U.S. House member narrowly lost her reelection bid on Nov. 5 but had received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, Chavez-DeRemer would oversee the department’s workforce and budget and put forth priorities that affect workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of a few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act that would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and penalize companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws in more than half the states. Commerce secretary: Howard Lutnick Lutnick heads the brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and is a cryptocurrency enthusiast. He is co-chair of Trump’s transition operation, charged along with Linda McMahon, a former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration, with helping the president-elect fill key jobs in his second administration. As secretary, Lutnick would play a key role in carrying out Trump’s plans to raise and enforce tariffs. He would oversee a sprawling Cabinet department whose oversight ranges from funding new computer chip factories and imposing trade restrictions to releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. Homeland security secretary: Kristi Noem Noem is a well-known conservative who used her two terms as South Dakota’s governor to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions like other states, instead declaring South Dakota “open for business.” More recently, Noem faced sharp criticism for writing in her memoir about shooting and killing her dog. She is set to lead a department crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda as well as other missions. Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. CIA director: John Ratcliffe Ratcliffe, a former U.S. House member from Texas, was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump’s first term. He led U.S. government’s spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. If confirmed, Ratcliffe will have held the highest intelligence positions in the U.S. Health and human services secretary: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy, 70, ran for president as a Democrat, then as an independent before he dropped out and then endorsed Trump. He’s the son of Democratic icon Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968 during his own presidential campaign. Kennedy’s nomination 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. Agriculture secretary: Brooke Rollins Rollins, 52, is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for Trump’s second administration. She is a Texas attorney who was Trump’s domestic policy adviser and director of his office of American innovation during his first term. Rollins previously was an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who also served in Trump’s first term. Rollins also ran the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Transportation secretary: Sean Duffy 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. Veterans affairs secretary: Doug Collins Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential campaign, but was acquitted by the Senate. Collins also served in the armed forces himself. He is a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. Interior secretary: Doug Burgum The North Dakota governor, 68, is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump after he dropped out of the running. Burgum then became a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice in part because of his executive experience and business savvy. He also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump said Burgum would chair a new National Energy Council and have a seat on the National Security Council, which would be a first for the Interior secretary. Energy secretary: Chris Wright A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Wright 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. He also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. Wright 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. Education secretary: Linda McMahon McMahon, a billionaire professional wrestling mogul, would make a return appearance in a second Trump administration. She led the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019 in Trump’s first term and twice ran unsuccessfully in Connecticut as a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate. 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. She has expressed support for charter schools and school choice. Environmental Protection Agency administrator: Lee Zeldin 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” and “we will do so while protecting access to clean air and water.” Trump often attacked the Biden administration’s promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referred to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often said his administration would “drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. Housing and Urban Development: Scott Turner 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.” U.S. Trade Representative: Jamieson Greer Greer is a partner at King & Spalding, a Washington law firm. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be responsible for negotiating directly with foreign governments on trade deals and disputes, as well as memberships in international trade bodies such as the World Trade Organization. He previously was chief of staff to Robert Lighthizer, who was the trade representative in Trump’s first term. ___ WHITE HOUSE STAFF: Chief of staff: Susie Wiles Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. She has a background in Florida politics, helping Ron DeSantis win his first race for Florida governor. Six years later, she was key to Trump’s defeat of him in the 2024 Republican primary. Wiles’ hire was Trump’s first major decision as president-elect and one that could be a defining test of his incoming administration considering her close relationship with him. Wiles is said to have earned Trump’s trust in part by guiding what was the most disciplined of Trump’s three presidential campaigns. National security adviser: Mike Waltz Waltz is a three-term Republican congressman from east-central Florida. A former Army Green Beret, he served multiple tours in Afghanistan and 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. National Economic Council: Kevin Hassett Hassett, 62, is a major advocate of tax cuts who was chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers in the first Trump term. In the new role as chairman of the National Economic Council, Trump said Hassett will play an important role in helping American families recover from inflation as well as in renewing and improving tax cuts Trump enacted in 2017, many of which are set to expire after 2025. Border czar: Tom Homan Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. He led the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Trump’s first administration. Democrats have criticized Homan for defending Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings in the first term, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Office of Management and Budget: Russell Vought Vought, 48, held the position during Trump’s first presidency. He the 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 also was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that Trump tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Deputy chief of staff for policy: Stephen Miller 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 term. 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 living illegally in the U.S. Deputy chief of staff: Dan Scavino Scavino was an adviser in all three of the president-elect’s campaigns and was described by the transition team as one of “Trump’s longest serving and most trusted aides.” He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino previously ran Trump’s social media profile in the White House. Deputy chief of staff: James Blair 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 an assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump’s economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign. Deputy chief of staff: Taylor Budowich 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. White House press secretary: Karoline Leavitt 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. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump’s first term. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. White House Counsel: William McGinley McGinley was 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. ____ AMBASSADORS, ENVOYS AND OTHER KEY POSTS: Special envoy to the Middle East: Steven Witkoff The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect’s golf partner and they were golfing at Trump’s club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Special envoy for Ukraine and Russia: Keith Kellogg Kellogg, 80, is a highly decorated retired three-star general and one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book that lays out an “America First” national security agenda for Trump’s second term. He has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues and served as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence. Kellogg also was chief of staff of the National Security Council under Trump and stepped in as an acting national security adviser for Trump after Michael Flynn resigned the post. Ambassador to Israel: Mike Huckabee 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. 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. Huckabee has rejected a Palestinian homeland in territory occupied by Israel. His daughter, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, served as White House press secretary in Trump’s first term. Ambassador to the United Nations: Elise Stefanik Stefanik, 40, is a U.S. representative from New York and one of Trump’s staunchest defenders dating to his first impeachment trial. She was elected chair of the House Republican Conference in 2021, the third-highest position in House leadership, after then-Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after she publicly criticized Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. Ambassador to NATO: Matthew Whitaker A former acting attorney general during Trump’s first administration and tight end on the University of Iowa football team, Whitaker, 55, has a background in law enforcement but not in foreign policy. A fierce Trump localist, Whitaker, is also a former U.S. attorney in Iowa and served as acting attorney general between November 2018 and February 2019 without Senate confirmation, until William Barr was confirmed for the role. That was when special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian election interference was drawing to a close. Whitaker also faced questions about his past business dealings, including his ties to an invention-promotion company that was accused of misleading consumers. Ambassador to Canada: Pete Hoekstra A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump’s first term. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Dr. Mehmet Oz Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime TV 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. Food and Drug Administration: Dr. Marty Makary Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Surgeon General: Dr. Janette Nesheiwat Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor on Fox News. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Dr. Dave Weldon Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative after cardiac arrest, state should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. National Institutes of Health: Dr. Jay Bhattacharya Bhattacharya, 56, is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. As head of the NIH, the leading medical research agency in the United States, Trump said Bhattacharya would work with Kennedy Jr. to direct U.S. medical research and make important discoveries that will improve health and save lives. Bhattacharya is professor at Stanford University School of Medicine and was one of three authors of the Great Barrington Declaration, an October 2020 open letter maintaining that lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic were causing irreparable harm. WITHDRAWN Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Matt Gaetz for Attorney General: Gaetz, 42, withdrew from consideration to become the top law enforcement officer of the United States amid fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed by the Senate. In choosing Gaetz, Trump had passed over more established lawyers whose names had been floated as possible contenders for the job. Gaetz resigned from Congress after Trump announced him on Nov. 13. The House Ethics Committee has been investigating an allegation that he paid for sex with a 17-year-old. Gaetz has denied wrongdoing. ___ Associated Press writers Colleen Long, Zeke Miller, Farnoush Amiri, Lolita C. Baldor, Jill Colvin, Matthew Daly, Edith M. Lederer, Adriana Gomez Licon, Lisa Mascaro, Chris Megerian, Michelle L. Price, Will Weissert and Darlene Superville contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement
How major US stock indexes fared Wednesday, 11/27/2024How to buy Clemson Tigers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks ticketsNo. 22 Xavier unbeaten but looking for more effort vs. South Carolina
NoneWriter Baragur Ramachandrappa has urged the State government to include education under the guarantee schemes and implement ‘uniform education’ at least at the primary school level. He was speaking at the ‘Dharege Doddavaru’ programme organised by the Karnatak Vidyavardhak Sangha to mark the golden jubilee of renaming the State as Karnataka, in Dharwad on Saturday. Prof. Ramachandrappa said that implementing uniform education would mean respecting democracy. He said that there were several examples of government schools being improved and the government should interact with such teachers and get advice from them. “There is no uniform school education policy in the country. Removing inequalities among anganwadis, nursery schools, government schools, private schools, English medium and Kannada medium should be the basic policy of education. However none of the governments are seriously looking into it,” he said. Prof. Ramachandrappa said that too much interference of technology in classrooms would spoil the teacher-student relation. “Classroom is a democratic space. There should be a good rapport between teachers and students. However technology is making us forget philosophy. Technology use should be limited to the minimum,” he said. Expressing concern over a lack of interest in humanities in colleges, he said that as per a survey carried out a decade ago, only 5% of students were studying humanities. “I personally believe that without a basic knowledge of literature, history, sociology, and political science, it is difficult become a good engineer, doctor or a technician. Cultural interests groom us as human beings,” he said. Vice-president of the sangha Malati Pattanashetti, general secretary Shankar Halagatti, and other office-bearers were present. Published - November 30, 2024 11:35 pm IST Copy link Email Facebook Twitter Telegram LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit
Resilient St. Mary’s squad headed to Ford Field with 28-27 OT semifinal win over GrovesNoneLARAMIE, Wy. — Ashton Jeanty rushed for 169 yards and a touchdown to lead No. 12 Boise State to a 17-13 win over Wyoming on Saturday night and a berth in the Mountain West Conference title game. The Broncos (10-1 overall, 7-0) will play in the conference championship game for the seventh time in the eight seasons against an opponent to be determined and kept their College Football Playoff hopes alive. Boise State was the provisional No. 4 seed in the playoff in this week’s rankings. Boise State finished the Mountain West unbeaten, extended its winning streak to nine games and beat Wyoming (2-9, 2-5) for the eighth straight time, dating to 2016. Wyoming, which entered as a heavy underdog, gave the Broncos plenty of problems and held a 13-10 lead midway through the fourth quarter. But Boise State's Jambres Dubar scored on a 2-yard run with just over five minutes left to play and the Broncos defense came up with one final stop to seal the win. Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen was 14 for 25 passing for 168 yards. Wyoming used a pair of quarterback. Kaden Anderson was 9 for 14 for 116 yards and a touchdown before being knocked out the game. Evan Svoboda took over and connected on 6 of 13 passes for 87 yards. Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty runs into the end zone for a touchdown past Wyoming defensive back Wrook Brown in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Laramie, Wyo. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski Led by Heisman candidate Jeanty, who surpassed 2,000 yards for the season and averaged 8.5 yards per carry, the Broncos outgained the Cowboys 353-319 in total yardage, despite going 1 for 10 on third down. John Hoyland opened the scoring with a 54-yard field goal, giving the Cowboys an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter. Boise State’s Jonah Dalmas had a chance to tie it with a 49-yard field goal on the ensuing drive, but his attempt missed wide left. After Hoyland missed a 53-yard field goal try, Jeanty put the Broncos up 7-3 with a 61-yard touchdown run with 3:40 left in the first. The Cowboys reclaimed a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter when a four-play, 67-yard drive was capped by a 5-yard touchdown pass from Anderson to Justin Stevenson. Boise State wide receiver Chris Marshall leads teammates on to the field in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wyoming Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Laramie, Wyo. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski Boise State tacked on a 24-yard field goal from Dalmas as time expired in the first half, sending the teams into the break tied at 10. After a scoreless third quarter, Hoyland put the Cowboys back in the lead with a 25-yard field goal. But, Boise State answered with an eight-play, 75-yard drive capped by Dubar’s touchdown run. It was likely the Broncos’ last trip to Wyoming, as the Cowboys are set to join the Pac-12 in 2026. Boise State leads the all-time series 18-1, with its lone loss coming against Josh Allen’s 2016 squad in Laramie. The takeaway Boise State: Will likely retain its spot as the No. 4 seed in the College Football Playoff rankings going into its final regular-season game. Wyoming: The Cowboys are in the midst of their worst season since 2015, when they finished 2-10. Up next Boise State: Hosts Oregon State on Friday night in its regular-season finale. Wyoming: Travels to face No. 25 Washington State on Saturday.
UAB secures 98-86 win against LouisianaSunday, December 29, 2024 China has unveiled the CR450 prototype, an advanced high-speed bullet train capable of reaching a record-breaking speed of 450 kilometers per hour, making it the world’s fastest high-speed train, state media reported on Sunday. Developed by the China State Railway Group Co. (China Railway), the CR450 is designed to significantly reduce travel times and enhance connectivity across the country, promising a more convenient and efficient travel experience for passengers. The train achieved its impressive speed during test runs, with key performance indicators such as operational speed, energy efficiency, interior noise, and braking distance setting new international standards, according to official reports. The CR450 outpaces the CR400 Fuxing high-speed rail currently in operation, which runs at speeds of 350 kilometers per hour. China Railway announced plans for further line tests and optimization of technical parameters to expedite the CR450’s entry into commercial service. China’s high-speed rail network, already the largest in the world, spans approximately 47,000 kilometers, connecting major cities across the nation. The introduction of the CR450 is expected to reinforce China’s leadership in high-speed rail technology, enhancing the efficiency and competitiveness of its transportation infrastructure.
NEW YORK , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is driving market transformation - The global lighting market size is estimated to grow by USD 54.76 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.89% during the forecast period. Growing number of developments and lighting product launches is driving market growth, with a trend towards advances in automotive lighting systems. However, sustainability issue in the lighting industry poses a challenge.Key market players include Acuity Brands Inc., ams OSRAM AG, Bridgelux Inc., Dialight Plc, Digital Lumens Inc., Eaton Corp. Plc, Ennostar Inc., General Electric Co., GrowRay Lighting Technologies, Havells India Ltd., Hubbell Inc., IDEAL INDUSTRIES Inc., Koninklijke Philips N.V., LSI Industries Inc., Lumileds Holding BV, Panasonic Holdings Corp., Sharp Corp., SMART Holdings Inc., Syska Led Lights Pvt. Ltd., and Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.. Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Lighting Market Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018 - 2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.89% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 54.76 billion Market structure Fragmented YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 6.45 Regional analysis APAC, Europe, North America, Middle East and Africa, and South America Performing market contribution APAC at 45% Key countries US, China, Japan, Germany, and UK Key companies profiled Acuity Brands Inc., ams OSRAM AG, Bridgelux Inc., Dialight Plc, Digital Lumens Inc., Eaton Corp. Plc, Ennostar Inc., General Electric Co., GrowRay Lighting Technologies, Havells India Ltd., Hubbell Inc., IDEAL INDUSTRIES Inc., Koninklijke Philips N.V., LSI Industries Inc., Lumileds Holding BV, Panasonic Holdings Corp., Sharp Corp., SMART Global Holdings Inc., Syska Led Lights Pvt. Ltd., and Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd. Market Driver The lighting market is witnessing significant trends in various sectors including interior designing, photography, and scientific research. LED lights are leading the charge with their energy efficiency and long life span, replacing traditional incandescent, CFL, LFL, HID, and halogen bulbs. Scientists are also exploring the use of LEDs for growing plants and in developing countries for off-grid solar solutions. In the automotive sector, LED lighting is becoming standard in headlamps and taillights, while solar is powering outdoor lighting in urban cities and commercial buildings. Effective manufacturers like Signify are launching energy-efficient luminaires and smart lighting systems, reducing electricity consumption and operating costs. The Biden Harris Administration is promoting energy efficiency and environmental sustainability initiatives, driving demand for cost-effective, energy-saving solutions. Smart lighting solutions are also being integrated into HVAC, security, and building automation systems, improving urban infrastructure and reducing logistics inefficiency. The horticulture sector is using LEDs for growing plants, and smart LED bulbs are being used in advertising, aviation, medical devices, and camera flashes. The market for LED lights in residential sector, retail, and commercial buildings is expected to grow significantly due to their cost-effectiveness and life expectancy. The semiconductor industry is also investing in research and development to improve the performance and affordability of LEDs. However, environmental degradation and energy problems remain challenges that need to be addressed, making energy efficiency and environmental sustainability key priorities. The CEA systems and EcoLink range are also gaining popularity for their smart outdoor lighting solutions. The market for LED fixtures in real estate, parking lots, and smart cities initiatives is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Adaptive lighting systems are gaining popularity in both commercial and automotive industries due to their enhanced safety and comfort features. These systems are designed to improve visibility during nighttime and low-light conditions, particularly around curves and hills. Traditional headlights illuminate the road directly ahead, leaving the sides unlit. In contrast, adaptive headlamps adjust their beams according to steering input, ensuring the vehicle's path is illuminated. Additionally, when climbing a hill, conventional headlights may point upward, reducing visibility. Adaptive lighting systems address these issues, providing a safer and more comfortable driving experience. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges The lighting market faces various challenges in sectors like interior designing, photography, and scientific research, requiring different types of lights such as white light for houses and LEDs for plants. Scientists are focusing on energy-efficient LEDs to reduce electricity consumption and environmental degradation. Developing and under-developing nations face energy problems, with off-grid solar sector solutions gaining popularity. Effective manufacturers like Signify offer energy-efficient luminaires and smart lighting systems. In the residential sector, capital costs and logistics inefficiency hinder LED adoption over incandescent, CFL, LFL, HID, halogen, and fluorescent bulbs. LEDs are increasingly used in automotive, retail, and commercial sectors due to energy costs and long life expectancy. Smart LED bulbs and outdoor lighting systems are cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions for real estate, urban cities, highways, commercial buildings, and parking lots. Governments and organizations promote energy efficiency and environmental sustainability through initiatives like the Biden Harris Administration's focus on smart cities and the CEA systems' Color Rendering Index. The horticulture sector uses specialized LED lighting for plant growth, while building automation systems integrate HVAC, security, and smart lighting solutions. In industries like aviation, advertising, medical devices, camera flashes, traffic signals, and automotive headlamps, energy-efficient lighting is essential for reducing electricity consumption and operating costs. Solar and LED fixtures are becoming increasingly popular in developing nations, while smart outdoor lighting solutions are cost-effective and eco-friendly. In conclusion, the lighting market faces challenges in various sectors, including cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Effective manufacturers like Signify offer energy-efficient solutions, while governments and organizations promote initiatives to address these challenges. The future of lighting lies in smart, energy-efficient, and cost-effective technologies like LEDs and solar. The lighting market faces a significant challenge in ensuring sustainability as the demand for environmentally friendly and energy-efficient solutions, such as CFLs and LED lighting, increases. The limited supply of rare earth elements, like those used in Phosphor-based LEDs, can lead to price fluctuations and supply chain disruptions. Addressing sustainability concerns in the lighting industry is crucial to prevent potential growth hindrances. Companies must explore alternative sources for rare earth elements or develop new technologies using less of these materials to maintain a steady supply and keep costs competitive. Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! This lighting market report extensively covers market segmentation by Application 1.1 General lighting 1.2 Automotive lighting 1.3 Backlighting Type 2.1 LED technology 2.2 Traditional technology Geography 3.1 APAC 3.2 Europe 3.3 North America 3.4 Middle East and Africa 3.5 South America 1.1 General lighting- The general lighting market encompasses various lighting solutions including lamps, electronics, consumer luminaires, systems, and professional luminaires and systems. This segment is the most widely used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications such as homes, offices, factories, streets, stadiums, and theaters. Market leaders like Signify NV, OSRAM, and IDEAL INDUSTRIES Inc's Cree dominate this segment. The introduction of LED technology has significantly boosted the general lighting market. LEDs offer several advantages over traditional lighting sources, including low maintenance cost, long lifespan, energy efficiency, and eco-friendliness. The continuous price reduction of LEDs further enhances their appeal. Developed countries are witnessing the trend of connected lighting, where lighting fixtures can be controlled via smartphones. Although not yet mainstream, this innovation will add a new dimension to the general lighting segment, contributing to the growth of the global lighting market. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The lighting market encompasses various applications of light for interior designing, photography, and scientific research. LED lights have revolutionized the industry with their energy efficiency and long lifespan, replacing traditional incandescent bulbs and Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFLs). Scientists continue to explore the properties of white light, impacting electricity consumption and energy costs. Metals play a crucial role in lighting production, while electricity is the primary power source. LEDs are not just limited to residential and commercial use but also extend to automotive headlamps, aviation, advertising, and traffic signals. The Biden Harris Administration's focus on energy efficiency and sustainability further boosts the market growth. The Color Rendering Index (CRI) is a critical factor in evaluating the quality of light for various industries, including horticulture and medical devices. Building automation systems, HVAC, security, and smart lighting solutions are integral components of modern infrastructure. LED lighting and CEA systems are at the forefront of innovation, offering advanced features and energy savings. Camera flashes and lighted wallpapers cater to niche markets, while the horticulture sector benefits from specialized grow lights. Market Research Overview The lighting market encompasses various applications, from interior designing and photography to scientific research and automotive industries. Lighting solutions range from LEDs to traditional incandescent, CFL, LFL, HID, and halogen bulbs. Scientists continue to innovate, developing energy-efficient luminaires and light control systems. Plants and urban cities benefit from LEDs, while developing and under-developing nations explore off-grid solar sector solutions. Effective manufacturers produce cost-effective, energy-efficient LED fixtures for residential and commercial sectors, including houses, malls, stores, restaurants, hospitals, schools, parking lots, and real estate. Solar and semiconductor industries play crucial roles in reducing electricity consumption and environmental degradation. Smart LED bulbs and outdoor lighting systems, along with building automation systems, HVAC, and security, contribute to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability initiatives. The Biden Harris Administration smart cities, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability, while various industries, including aviation, advertising, and medical devices, utilize specialized lighting solutions. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Application General Lighting Automotive Lighting Backlighting Type LED Technology Traditional Technology Geography APAC Europe North America Middle East And Africa South America 7 Customer Landscape 8 Geographic Landscape 9 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 10 Company Landscape 11 Company Analysis 12 Appendix About Technavio Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios. Contacts Technavio Research Jesse Maida Media & Marketing Executive US: +1 844 364 1100 UK: +44 203 893 3200 Email: media@technavio.com Website: www.technavio.com/ View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lighting-market-to-expand-by-usd-54-76-billion-2024-2028-driven-by-new-product-launches-and-developments-market--evolution-powered-by-ai---technavio-302314004.html SOURCE Technavio © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Data Monetization Market to grow by USD 8.03 Billion from 2024-2028, driven by widespread adoption and AI-driven market transformation - Technavio
This Timberwolves roster is different than the one from a year ago. That much is obvious in games, as Karl-Anthony Towns’ consistent scoring and general size is missed, as is the playmaking and ball security of guys like Kyle Anderson and Jordan McLaughlin. But their absences have been felt in the locker room, as well. Towns was a consistent source of positivity for the team. Anderson was one of the loudest vocal leaders. The latter can be especially difficult to replace, especially because it can be uncomfortable to speak up when things are going poorly and something needs to change. That was the position Anthony Edwards has found himself in early this season. Edwards has been praised for his leadership through his first four years on Minnesota’s roster. Mostly, that all came via positivity and example. Edwards can be coached hard, which gave the greenlight for the coaches to treat everyone else the same way. Edwards was also quick to credit his teammates around him for their contributions to the cause, and was eager and willing to spend time with and talk to anyone on the roster, players No. 1-15. He’ll also stand up for any of his teammates if the occasion ever arises. That’s why he has been so beloved in the locker room and why he was viewed as such a leader, even at his young age. But with Anderson’s departure, Edwards was now tasked with leading even through choppy waters. And the waves have been rather large through the first quarter of the season. Minnesota’s defense has fallen off a cliff in comparison to where it was a year ago. After never even as many as three consecutive games during the 2023-24 regular season, the Wolves endured a four-game losing skid earlier this week. At that point, words were exchanged, both publicly and privately. A halftime hash out during Minnesota’s loss Wednesday to Sacramento got the conversation rolling. Mike Conley got the dialogue started, but all indications are that Edwards was a healthy participant. Edwards noted it’s difficult to know what to say in those times. “Because you look at everybody, and everybody got a different agenda. It’s like, ‘What the (heck) am I supposed to say?’ You know what I mean?” Edwards said. “I’m trying to get better in that aspect, figure out what the hell to say to get everybody on the same agenda, because everybody right now is on different agendas. I think that’s one of the main culprits of why we’re losing, because everybody out there got their own agenda. I guess their imagination of what’s supposed to be going on, and what’s really happening.” Nickeil Alexander-Walker told reporters at Friday’s shootaround that this is the most vocal Edwards has ever been. And while the intention of everyone’s messages are pure, “sometimes it’s not always worded the right way.” “I think we’ve crossed that line of, ‘Man, I feel like you’re not hearing the message.’ It’s tough to be called out, because you start to feel like, ‘OK, are you saying I’m the reason?’ No one wants to be at fault,” Alexander-Walker said. “But at the end of the day, I definitely think that guys are open to hearing it better. And I think it just came from a stand point of, at a point and time in the conversation, there was a comeback. It was going back and forth now, as opposed to receiving it (and saying), ‘OK, I got you.’ That’s how it’s going to be. It’s very rare that someone is just going to be able to be called out and not have anything to say. “It’s human nature to be defensive, at the end of the day. But kind of remembering what we’re here for, and if I’m being called out, chances are I’ve got to look in the mirror and be better.” It’s a delicate dance. There has to be an environment rooted in accountability, but you also have to be sure not to lose teammates, as Jimmy Butler was criticized for doing during his short stint in Minnesota a few years ago. And while it’s never ideal for a team to be living through a stretch of basketball the quality of which falls significantly short of the expectation, these stretches will likely lead to growth for Edwards, if not on the court, then in the locker room. You can’t steer a ship to a title if you don’t know how to navigate turbulent tides. Day by day, loss by loss, Edwards is learning how to spin the wheel.
Barcelona loses at home for the first time this season BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona lost at home for the first time this season when the Liga leader was stunned by Las Palmas 2-1 on Saturday. Joseph Wilson, The Associated Press Nov 30, 2024 2:26 PM Share by Email Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Print Share via Text Message Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski, right, reacts after missing a chance to score a goal against Las Palmas during a Spanish La Liga soccer match at the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday Nov. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort) BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona lost at home for the first time this season when the Liga leader was stunned by Las Palmas 2-1 on Saturday. Sandro Ramirez and Fábio Silva scored for the Canary Islands club on either side of Raphinha’s equalizer to give Las Palmas its first win at Barcelona in more than 50 years. Barcelona played superbly in the first three months under new coach Hansi Flick and was flying high after convincing victories over Real Madrid in the domestic competition and Bayern Munich in the Champions League. It had won all eight of its home games. But it has gone three rounds of La Liga without a win. Before Las Palmas, it fell at Real Sociedad 1-0 and drew at Celta Vigo 2-2 after squandering a two-goal lead in the final minutes. The dropped points mean Madrid, despite its own troubles , especially in the Champions League, can move ahead of Barcelona in La Liga. It trails Barcelona by four points with two games in hand. “I don’t care about scoring, I care about winning,” Raphinha said after his standout performance was unable to end Barcelona's slump. “We have to take a hard look at what we are doing wrong. We have slipped in our form and are letting games get away form us. We have our next game on Tuesday (at Mallorca), and we need to turn this around so we can win the league.” Atletico Madrid was only two points behind Barcelona in second place — and with the same number of games played — after Antoine Griezmann scored a gem of a goal in a 5-0 demolition of last-placed Valladolid. History for Las Palmas Las Palmas savored its first victory at Barcelona since the 1971-72 season and just its third victory at the Catalan club overall. The other visits by the modest side that wears all yellow uniforms to Barcelona have ended in 34 defeats and three draws. “We are thrilled because we have made history,” Sandro said. “When you start the season you think that these games are usually going to end in wins for the bigger side, but if there is one thing we believe in is our capacity to work hard all week to get results like this.” Barcelona's Lamine Yamal returned from a right ankle injury that sidelined him for three weeks. Yamal appeared as a halftime substitute and Jasper Cillessen saved his best shot. The Las Palmas goalkeeper also palmed a Raphinha free kick over his bar in the final minutes. Sandro, a former Barcelona youth player, capped a fine five-pass buildup by Las Palmas from its own box as it masterfully undid Barcelona’s high pressure in the 49th minute. Raphinha had already hit the crossbar in the first half before he equalized in the 61st. The Brazil forward took a short pass from Pedri just outside the area, skirted across the edge and drilled a shot between two defenders. But Barcelona was caught pushing forward for a second goal when Silva controlled a ball from Javi Muñoz and sent in a shot bouncing past Iñaki Peña in the 67th. The unexpected loss dampened Barcelona’s celebration of its 125th anniversary, which included the debut of its new mascot “Cat,” a large, yellow feline wearing its team kit. Balde carried off Barcelona lost left back Alejandro Balde early in the game when he couldn’t continue after he crashed into Sandro at full speed. Balde appeared to hurt his upper chest or neck area when he ran into Sandro’s shoulder. He was carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Gerard Martín. Griezmann applauded Griezmann scored one of the goals of the season when the forward exchanged a quick one-two with Julián Alvarez and used a sleek touch of the inside of his boot to roll the ball with him as he spun before dinking it over the Valladolid goalkeeper. That was the visitor's fourth goal. Shortly after, Valladolid fans stood up and applauded when Griezmann was substituted. “That is what every players wants, to make people enjoy what we do. So I appreciate their warmth,” Griezmann said. Atletico also got goals from Alvarez, Clement Lenglet, Rodrigo de Paul, and Alexander Sorloth. Espanyol ends losing streak Espanyol beat Celta 3-1 to end a streak of four losses in the league and relieve pressure on coach Manolo González. Alaves also drew with Leganes 1-1 at home. ___ AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer Joseph Wilson, The Associated 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 Get your daily Victoria news briefing Email Sign Up More Soccer 10-man Botafogo wins its first Copa Libertadores title Nov 30, 2024 2:57 PM Djokovic takes part in the ceremony before the Copa Libertadores final Nov 30, 2024 2:46 PM Kalimuendo has hat trick in Rennes rout while PSG held at home Nov 30, 2024 2:43 PM
Former US President and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Jimmy Carter dies at 100The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and a Hamas military leader, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity. The announcement came as health officials in the Gaza Strip said the death toll from the 13-month-old war between Israel and Hamas has surpassed 44,000. The warrant marked the first time that a sitting leader of a major Western ally has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity by a global court of justice. The ICC panel said there were reasonable grounds to believe that both Netanyahu and his ex-defense minister bear responsibility for the war crime of starvation and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts. Israel’s war has caused heavy destruction across Gaza, decimated parts of the territory and driven almost the entire population of 2.3 million people from their homes, leaving most dependent on aid to survive. Israel launched its war in Gaza after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250 . Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Here’s the Latest: WASHINGTON — The White House fundamentally rejects the International Criminal Court’s decision to issue arrest warrants for senior Israeli officials, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said Thursday. She said the Biden administration was “deeply concerned by the prosecutor’s rush to seek arrest warrants and the troubling process errors that led to this decision.” The Biden administration has increased its warnings and appeals to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to do more to spare civilians in airstrikes and other attacks, and to allow more aid to reach Gaza. However, a 30-day Biden administration deadline came and went earlier this month for Israel to meet specific U.S. targets to improve its treatment of Palestinian civilians in Gaza trapped in the war. U.S. demands included that Israel lift a near-total ban on delivery of aid to hard-hit north Gaza for starving civilians there. KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — The three children were playing outside a cluster of tents housing displaced people in the Gaza Strip when an Israeli airstrike killed them, along with six other people. It’s become a grim, near-daily ritual more than 13 months into the Israel-Hamas war, which local health authorities said Thursday has killed over 44,000 Palestinians. Israel carries out frequent strikes against what it says are militants hiding in civilian areas, and women and children are nearly always among the dead. Wednesday’s strike killed Hamza al-Qadi, 7, his brother Abdulaziz, 5, and their sister Laila, 4, in a tent camp in the southern city of Khan Younis. Areej al-Qadi, their mother, says they were playing outside when they were killed. “All that’s left of them are their notebooks, their books and a blood-stained jacket,” she said as she broke into tears. “They were children who did nothing.” The Israeli military did not respond to a request for comment on the strike. Gaza’s Health Ministry said Thursday that 44,056 Palestinians have been killed and 104,268 wounded since the start of the war, which was ignited by Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack into Israel. Palestinian militants killed some 1,200 people that day, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250 people. The Health Ministry does not say how many of those killed in Gaza were fighters but says women and children make up more than half the fatalities. Israel, which rarely comments on individual strikes, says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. Hours after the ministry announced the latest toll, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and a Hamas military leader. Mahmoud bin Hassan, the children’s father, said he buried them on Thursday. He asked when the international community would take action to stop the war. “When the entire Palestinian population has been killed?” he said. NEW YORK — Human Rights Watch applauded the International Criminal Court's arrest warrants issued Thursday against both Israeli and Hamas officials. The warrants “break through the perception that certain individuals are beyond the reach of the law,” the associate international justice director at Human Rights Watch, Balkees Jarrah, said in a statement. The New York-based rights group earlier this month released a report saying Israel has committed war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip, including massive forced displacements that amount to ethnic cleansing. JERUSALEM — Israeli prosecutors have charged a former aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with leaking classified documents to international media, apparently to protect the Israeli leader from criticism as a hostage deal was collapsing. Eli Feldstein, a former media adviser to Netanyahu, was charged Thursday with leaking classified information with the intent of harming state security and obstruction of justice. The leaked documents are said to have formed the basis of a widely discredited article in the London-based Jewish Chronicle — which was later withdrawn — suggesting Hamas planned to spirit hostages out of Gaza through Egypt, and an article in Germany’s Bild newspaper that said Hamas was drawing out the hostage talks as a form of psychological warfare on Israel. Critics say the leaks were aimed at giving Netanyahu political cover as the case-fire talks ground to a halt. Some have accused Netanyahu of resisting a deal in to preserve his governing coalition, which includes hard-line members who have threatened to bring down the government if he makes concessions to Hamas. The leaks came at a time of public uproar over the deaths of six hostages who were killed by their Hamas captors as Israeli soldiers were closing in. The indictment said the leaks were meant “to create media influence on the public discourse in Israel in regards to the handling of the hostage situation, after the news of the murder of six hostages.” The indictment identified two other Netanyahu aides as being connected to the scheme, but only Feldstein and an unidentified reservist in Israeli military intelligence were charged. Netanyahu, who denies the accusations, has not been identified as a suspect in the burgeoning investigation. Israeli media say if convicted, Feldstein could potentially face life in prison. JERUSALEM -- The Israeli military has launched an investigation into the death of a 70-year-old Israeli man who entered Lebanon with Israeli forces and was killed in a Hezbollah ambush. Investigators are trying to determine, among other things, who allowed Zeev Erlich into the combat zone with the forces and why he was permitted to enter. According to Israeli media reports, Erlich was not on active duty when he was shot, but was wearing a military uniform and had a weapon. The army said he was a reservist with the rank of major and identified him as a “fallen soldier” when it announced his death. Erlich was a well-known West Bank settler and researcher of Jewish history. Media reports said Erlich was permitted to enter Lebanon to explore a local archaeological site. The army said a 20-year-old soldier was killed in the same incident, while an officer was badly wounded. The army announced Thursday that the chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, has appointed a team of experts “to examine and strengthen operational discipline and military culture” following the incident. It said its commander for northern Israel, Maj. Gen. Ori Gordin, would launch a separate “command inquiry,” while Israeli military police conduct a separate probe. Such investigations can lead to criminal charges. BEIRUT — At least 29 people were killed Thursday in Israeli strikes on different towns and villages across Lebanon, according to Lebanon’s Health Ministry and state-run media. In eastern Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes killed 26 people in six different towns in Baalbek province, the health ministry and the National News Agency said. In Tyre province, southern Lebanon, three people were killed in an Israeli strike, the health ministry said. The health ministry Wednesday said that over 3,550 people have been killed in the 13-month war between Hezbollah and Israel, the majority following Israel’s escalation in late September. The European Union's foreign policy chief has underlined that the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas officials are a legal and not political matter, and that they are binding on all 27 EU member countries and other signatories to the ICC to implement. “The tragedy in Gaza has to stop," Josep Borrell told reporters during a visit to Jordan. “It is not a political decision. It is the decision of an international court of justice, and the decision of the court has to be respected, and implemented.” “This decision is a binding decision on all state parties of the court, which include all members of the European Union," he added. ANKARA — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling partyhas welcomed the decision by the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamn Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, calling it a judgement made for the sake of “humanity.” Omer Celik, spokesman for the Erdogan’s party, said on the social media platform X that Netanyahu and Gallant would “eventually be held accountable for genocide.” Celik also criticised Israeli officials who described the ICC decision as antisemitic. Turkey is among the most vocal critics of Israel’s military actions in Gaza and has submitted a formal request to join a genocide case that South Africa has filed against Israel at the U.N.’s International Court of Justice. Dutch foreign minister Caspar Veldkamp, whose country hosts the International Criminal Court, has confirmed The Netherlands would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he arrived on Dutch soil. “The line from the government is clear. We are obliged to cooperate with the ICC ... we abide 100% by the Rome Statute,” he said in response to a question in parliament Thursday. Other European officials were more cautious. In France, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry said he supported the International Criminal Court's prosecutor but declined to comment when asked more specifically if France would arrest Netanyahu if he were to step on French soil. “Today, combating impunity is our priority. We ratified the ICC Statute in 2000 and have consistently supported the court’s actions. Our response will align with these principles,” Christophe Lemoine told reporters at a press conference. Lemoine added that the warrants were “a complex legal issue ... It’s a situation that requires a lot of legal precautions.” In Italy, the foreign and justice ministries didn’t immediately respond to emails seeking comment about whether Italy, an ICC member which hosted the Rome conference that gave birth to the court, would honor the arrest warrant. Premier Giorgia Meloni hosted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in March 2023 and has strongly supported Israel since Oct. 7, while providing humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza. JERUSALEM — Israel’s mostly ceremonial president, Isaac Herzog, has called the International Criminal Court's arrest warrants against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “a dark day for justice. A dark day for humanity.” In a post on X, he said the international court “has chosen the side of terror and evil over democracy and freedom, and turned the very system of justice into a human shield for Hamas’ crimes against humanity." Israel Katz, Israel’s new defense minister, said the decision was “a moral disgrace, entirely tainted by antisemitism, and drags the international judicial system to an unprecedented low.” He said it “serves Iran, the head of the snake, and its proxies.” Benny Gantz, a retired general and political rival to Netanyahu, also condemned the decision, saying it showed “moral blindness” and was a “shameful stain of historic proportion that will never be forgotten.” Hamas has welcomed the decision by the International Criminal Court to issue warrants against Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defense minister Yoav Gallant, calling it an “important and historic precedent” after what it said was decades of injustice at the hands of a “fascist occupation.” The statement did not refer to the warrants issued for the militant group’s own leaders. Hamas called on all nations to “cooperate with the court in bringing the Zionist war criminals, Netanyahu and Gallant, to justice, and to work immediately to stop the crimes of genocide against innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip.” DEIR AL-BALAH, The Gaza Strip — Bakeries have reopened in the central Gaza Strip after being closed for several days because of flour shortages. The shortages appear to have been linked to the looting of nearly 100 truckloads of aid by armed men in southern Gaza last weekend. Associated Press footage showed a crowd of hundreds pushing and shouting outside a bakery in the central city of Deir al-Balah on Thursday. The day before the reopening, the price of a bag of 15 loaves of pita bread had climbed above $13. “In my house, there is not a morsel of bread, and the children are hungry,” said Sultan Abu Sultan, who was displaced from northern Gaza during the war. The amount of aid entering Gaza plunged in October as Israel launched a major offensive in the isolated north, where experts say famine may be underway . Hunger is widespread across the territory, even in central Gaza where aid groups have more access. Humanitarian organizations say Israeli restrictions, ongoing fighting and the breakdown of law and order make it difficult to deliver assistance. Israel’s offensive, launched after Hamas’ October 2023 attack, has displaced around 90% of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million people. Hundreds of thousands are crammed into tent camps with little in the way of public services and are reliant on international food aid. NICOSIA — The president of Cyprus says the European Union must play a bigger role in the Middle East as it can no longer stand by as an observer. President Nikos Christodoulides said the 27-member bloc needs to establish closer ties with countries that bolster regional stability like Egypt, Jordan and the Gulf states. “The conflict in the Middle East is taking place on the EU’s doorstep, in an area of vital interest to the bloc’s interests, where any escalation or regional spillover will have significant consequences on its security and stability,” Christodoulides told an Economist conference in the Cypriot capital. Christodoulides said EU member Cyprus for years has tried to get this message across to Brussels. The island nation earlier this year was the staging ground for a maritime corridor delivering some 20,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The EU is wracked by members’ divisions over how peace should come about in the Middle East THE HAGUE — The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants on Thursday for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and Hamas officials, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity over the war in Gaza and the October 2023 attacks that triggered Israel’s offensive in the Palestinian territory. The decision turns Netanyahu and the others into internationally wanted suspects and is likely to further isolate them and complicate efforts to negotiate a cease-fire to end the 13-month conflict. But its practical implications could be limited since Israel and its major ally, the United States, are not members of the court and several of the Hamas officials have been subsequently killed in the conflict. Netanyahu and other Israeli leaders have previously condemned ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan’s request for the warrants as disgraceful and antisemitic. U.S. President Joe Biden also blasted the prosecutor and expressed support for Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas. Hamas also slammed the request. The death toll in the Gaza Strip from the 13-month-old war between Israel and Hamas has surpassed 44,000, local health officials said Thursday. The Gaza Health Ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count, but it has said that more than half of the fatalities are women and children. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The Health Ministry said 44,056 people have been killed and 104,268 wounded since the start of the war. It has said the real toll is higher because thousands of bodies are buried under rubble or in areas that medics cannot access. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250 . Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Most of the rest were released during a cease-fire last year. Around 90% of Gaza's population of 2.3 million people have been displaced, often multiple times, and hundreds of thousands are living in squalid tent camps with little food, water or basic services. Israel says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames their deaths on Hamas because the militants operate in residential areas, where they have built tunnels, rocket launchers and other military infrastructure. JERUSALEM — A rocket fired from Lebanon killed a man and wounded two others in northern Israel on Thursday, according to the Magen David Adom rescue service. The service said paramedics found the body of the man in his 30s near a playground in the town of Nahariya, near the border with Lebanon, after a rocket attack on Thursday. Israel meanwhile struck targets in southern Lebanon and several buildings south of Beirut, the Lebanese capital, after warning people to evacuate.
Liverpool eye Leverkusen's Frimpong - Thursday's gossipMicrosoft Dynamics NAV Consulting Service Market Set for Exceptional Growth from 2024 to 2032ecent press accounts indicate that Republican intermediaries— —meddled in the Iranian hostage crisis to benefit Ronald Reagan’s 1980 presidential campaign. This reporting has raised anew one of the major “what if” questions in recent American political history: would Jimmy Carter, who died on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, aged 100, have gotten re-elected if he had secured the release of the hostages? As always, historical counterfactuals are impossible to prove or disprove. But in this instance, while it’s tempting to think that freeing the hostages would have upended the race, a closer look at history reveals that Carter’s political troubles ran far deeper than the Iran crisis. One the best contemporaneous narrators of Carter’s political struggles turned out to be Peter Jay, the British ambassador to the United States for two years of the 39th president’s term. Jay—a journalist by training—was an acute observer, so his secret dispatches back to London ably illuminated Carter’s political rise and fall. Jay’s initial cables from Washington in 1977 described unique historical conditions that had permitted an unknown southern governor to win the presidency. For more than a decade, dating to the assassination of , a constant stream of blows—from race riots to assassinations to Vietnam to Watergate had “shaken profoundly” what Jay called “the pillars of American self-esteem—morality, invincibility, stability, and growth.” In Jay’s mind, Carter’s election expressed “as clearly as anything the yearning of the American people for a fresh start.” After years of unrelenting calamity, Americans were ready for something new and different. Jay recognized that the new president brought to the White House a unique combination of personal attributes: spotless ethics, “a subtle, penetrating and ice-cold mind” and a commitment to tackling hard problems head-on—all of which stood in stark contrast to the failings of his immediate predecessors from both parties. Carter’s chief virtue was “his boldness” in identifying big policy problems and proposing solutions guided largely by “his perception of the national interest, with little regard to short-term or narrow sectional political considerations.” When presented with conventional wisdom to avoid political pain, Carter’s standard rejoinder to those around him was, effectively, “Don’t chicken out.” Jay lauded Carter’s assessment of “the bankruptcy of pressure group politics ... and his commendable determination to take the high road of national leadership.” If given an array of options ranging from “the most immediately unpopular but, on the merits, correct” to “the most popular, but, on merits, wrong,” Carter could be reliably counted upon to choose the former. Perhaps the best manifestation of this trait came in September 1977, when Carter’s aggressive lobbying secured ratification of the Panama Canal treaties. The president was convinced that the national interest was best served by conveying control of the canal to Panama—despite vigorous opposition to what conservative critics called a “giveaway.” His opponents were by Carter’s lights either ill-informed or ill-intentioned. While he sensed that their arguments were potent politically, any price he had to pay at the polls was an acceptable consequence of doing the right thing. A mere two months later, however, Jay began to detect significant unease with the president’s unique approach. In a confidential cable to London titled “Is Mr. Carter in Trouble?”, the ambassador observed increasing doubts about the president’s capacity to translate his high aspirations into political reality. This cable remarked how quickly Carter, as president, had become buffeted by problems that, ironically, emerged from those very forces that brought him into office. He came to the presidency at a moment when it was an impaired institution. “The abuses of the Vietnam War, the scandal of , and the changing structure and attitudes of the Congress” all combined to “hamper the work of the would-be active President.” A huge class of independent legislators elected in 1974—the “Watergate babies”—was intent on reasserting the authority of Congress in governing the nation. This surge of legislative independence included members of the president’s own party, who seemed more comfortable in opposing the White House than in doing Carter’s bidding on Capitol Hill. According to Jay, some of Carter’s aides privately acknowledged that when they came to the White House “they had no idea ... how deeply the [institution of the] Presidency has been damaged.” But Jay also acknowledged subsequently that Carter’s problems weren’t all structural. Instead, there was “a muffled and uncertain quality” about how he handled “people and problems,” which left “even those who are best disposed to him puzzled, disappointed, and occasionally irritated.” The president lacked “the imagination to see how things will affect and look to others” who didn’t share Carter’s habit of considering “all sides of every issue.” Carter exacerbated this lack of perceptiveness with what Jay termed a “dangerous proclivity” for seeing truth as “its own messenger.” Rather than explaining himself or selling his policies, Carter thought it was “enough to have a good reason [for policy].” In sum, Carter had “proved [to be] a better statesman and a worse politician than could have been expected.” These observations came while Americans were enduring a constant parade of negative news, especially on the economy. Significant successes for Carter, capped by the Camp David Accords in September 1978, at best merely interrupted this steady stream. What Reagan started calling the “misery index”—a sum of the inflation and unemployment numbers—reached an all-time high in Carter’s term. The president seemed increasingly powerless to reverse the misery. In July 1979, Carter’s most famous speech confirmed Jay’s tepid assessment of his political instincts. While the president’s main focus was supposed to be energy policy, he chose to delve simultaneously into a deeper “crisis of confidence” among the American people (later lampooned as a national “malaise”). Although the speech was received far better than history remembers, Carter, in his own words, “frittered away” any advantage he might have gained from it by immediately insisting that his entire Cabinet resign, which communicated instability. Once again, he had miscalculated political optics in such a way as to undermine his policies. Jay’s outlook by the end of his term as ambassador had considerably darkened. Carter was “not much loved in America," Jay admitted. "Nor has he yet inspired full confidence in other world leaders, friendly or otherwise.” Carter’s insular, “highly unconventional style of Government,” plus his lack of sensitivity to politics, were at the root of these problems. In over two years as president, he had failed “to win sufficiently widespread understanding of the virtue and necessity of this radical departure.” Carter’s approval rating when Jay filed this final cable sat at 29%. Importantly, this was five months the hostages were seized in Tehran. Carter’s polling numbers remained in that rough neighborhood for the balance of his presidency—except for a temporary jump, just after the hostages were taken, when Americans rallied around the flag. Massive interest rates (the Federal Reserve’s painful antidote to inflation), rising gas prices, and a primary challenge from Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.) all also hurt Carter in 1980. But as Jay had observed, the president was plagued by increasing doubts about his unconventional leadership and his ability to combat any of these problems in a way that would satisfy the public. So, would the hostages’ return have made a difference? The evidence suggests probably not. A more persuasive case might be made that had the Republican efforts to interfere become public, it would have generated sufficient outrage to torpedo Reagan’s chances. But whatever did happen in those secret conversations, the Reagan campaign made every effort, successfully, to preserve deniability. On his way out the door, after being replaced by new prime minister Margaret Thatcher, Jay predicted that even if Carter lost, the United States “is most certainly not going to disappear ... Give it only a visible enemy and a fast horse, and you will still see all that old American ‘can-do.’” This prediction proved prescient. Carter lost in 1980 to a man who specialized in fast horses and visible enemies.
Losses for big technology stocks pulled major indexes lower on Wall Street. The S&P 500 fell 0.4% Wednesday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.3% from its record high a day earlier, and the Nasdaq composite lost 0.6%. Losses for Nvidia, Microsoft and Broadcom were the biggest weights on the market. Dell sank 12.2% after reporting revenue that fell shy of forecasts, and HP dropped 11.4% after giving a weaker-than-expected outlook. Treasury yields fell in the bond market. U.S. financial markets will be closed Thursday for Thanksgiving, and will reopen for a half day on Friday. On Wednesday: The S&P 500 fell 22.89 points, or 0.4%, to 5,998.74. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 138.25 points, or 0.3%, to 44,722.06. The Nasdaq composite fell 115.10 points, or 0.6%, to 19,060.48. The Russell 2000 index of smaller companies rose 1.88 points, or 0.1%, to 2,426.19. For the week: The S&P 500 is up 29.40 points, or 0.5%. The Dow is up 425.55 points, or 1%. The Nasdaq is up 56.83 points, or 0.3%. The Russell 2000 is up 19.52 points, or 0.8%. For the year: The S&P 500 is up 1,228.91 points, or 25.8%. The Dow is up 7,032.52 points, or 18.7%. The Nasdaq is up 4,449.12 points, or 27%. The Russell 2000 is up 399.12 points, or 19.7%.Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (HST) to Issue Quarterly Dividend of $0.20 on January 15th