Microsoft and OpenAI have a financial definition of AGI: reportWhat sets "Sleeping Gate" apart from other online trends is its emphasis on self-care and mental well-being. In a world constantly inundated with deadlines, responsibilities, and digital distractions, the allure of stepping into a world where sleep reigns supreme is undeniably appealing. Whether it's a brief power nap or a leisurely siesta, participants of "Sleeping Gate" are encouraged to prioritize their own rest and rejuvenation, fostering a sense of balance and harmony in their lives.
In recent times, a new phrase known as "Sleeping Gate" has taken the internet by storm, capturing the attention and curiosity of young adults around the world. Initially coined within online communities and social media platforms, this term has now transcended its origins to become a cultural phenomenon that embodies a unique blend of relaxation, escapism, and social interaction.The repercussions of this incident are far-reaching, not only affecting the financial stability of the company but also eroding the trust and reputation it has built over the years. The misappropriation of such a substantial amount of funds has undoubtedly tarnished the integrity and credibility of the organization, necessitating a thorough review of internal control mechanisms and oversight procedures.Two charged in connection with Iran drone strike that killed 3 US troops in the Middle East
Doo Hoi Kem, affectionately known as Hong Kong's "Queen of Table Tennis," has been making waves in the international table tennis scene with her exceptional skills and unwavering determination. Her recent performance on the global stage has not only solidified her position as the top player from Hong Kong but has also garnered attention and respect from fans and competitors worldwide.Blinken Comes Under Fire Over State Department 'Therapy Sessions' After Trump Win
Author Michelle Prak is known for her tense outback thriller but software delivered the ultimate plot twist when AI showed up in her latest manuscript and refused to go away. or signup to continue reading The South Australian writer says Microsoft's artificially intelligent assistant Copilot swept into her workspace uninvited after a software update and, despite her best efforts, she cannot evict it. "It's a bit of an insult and really maddening that they want to offer their help every time I press enter," she said. "The sanctity of the blank page is gone." But Microsoft is not the only tech firm adding AI to its platform. Social network X recently changed its terms of service to allow tweets, photos and videos to train its AI model Grok, and Meta confirmed it is scraping data from its Australian Facebook and Instagram users. Artificial intelligence experts say these firms owe it to users to provide more clarity about their AI features and should make them optional. If companies fail to do so, they warn, laws and lawsuits will likely have the final say. Ms Prak, whose novel The Rush was published earlier this year, says seeing an AI assistant appear in her Microsoft word-processing software was a "really nasty, rude surprise". Avoiding the use of AI tools is important for authors, she says, to avoid questions about copyright, creativity and authenticity. "I really want all my work to be pure – I don't want anything to do with AI," she said. "If I submit my work to a publisher or a literary magazine, will it trip up their AI detectors? I do not like it there." But completely removing the AI feature has proven impossible, Ms Prak says. Users can opt out of allowing Microsoft Word to use their data for AI training in its privacy menu but cannot completely remove Copilot from Microsoft Word software. A spokeswoman for Microsoft Australia says existing subscribers may be able to disable the AI tool by removing updates but new subscribers will not be given that choice. The dogmatic approach to AI is concerning, RMIT information sciences professor Lisa Given says, as many people will not research new software features or read terms and conditions to find out how their data is being used. Tech firms offering AI and using customers' information need to be transparent about their intentions, she says, and give users the opportunity to activate services rather than switching them on by default. "I have concerns about people having to opt out because that requires time, knowledge and education," she says. "When you have something that's opt-in, it's a much more deliberate choice." Introducing and activating AI features without consultation can also lead to dangerous outcomes for organisations, she says, which could find their sensitive data is being shared incorrectly. Mandatory AI guardrails currently being drafted in Australia should consider opt-in provisions, she says, as data-hungry companies were unlikely to offer them. "AI is not only ahead of regulation and the lawmakers but it's also ahead of everyday workers trying to make choices," she said. "The onus is often left on us but it's a constantly moving landscape." Rules around high-risk AI use cases are currently being considered by the federal government after wrapped in October. But protecting Australians from unintended AI consequences could also involve reforming privacy laws, UNSW AI Institute chief scientist Toby Walsh says. Meta is harvesting data from Facebook and Instagram users to train its AI model Llama, for example, but will not let Australians opt out of the act like it does for users in the European Union. "There are various privacies that we don't have that they have in Europe because they have better data protection," Prof Walsh says. "Sadly, we haven't updated our privacy laws as quickly as they have in Europe and elsewhere." AI companies have been keen to push copyright boundaries, he says, as they need huge amounts of information to train their large-language models. While more are signing licensing agreements with publishers for access to work, such as a three-year deal struck with HarperCollins over non-fiction books last week, Prof Walsh says it may ultimately take lawsuits to change the industry's approach to copyright material. A contentious court battle between the New York Times and OpenAI, for example, is being fought over whether the firm scraped stories from behind its paywall to train AI without its permission. "There's a number of lawsuits in place and class action suits that will decide what's to happen but it's critical that we work out where our values are and that we appreciate the contributions of authors, musicians, painters and all the other people that add to our society," Prof Walsh said. "We have to push back against the premise that just because things are available, companies have consent to use them." Advertisement Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date. We care about the protection of your data. Read our . Advertisement
Ex-Nine chief Hugh Marks appointed new ABC bossCritics, however, argue that Netanyahu's hardline position only serves to further inflame tensions with Israel's neighbors and deepen the ongoing conflict in the region. They call for dialogue and negotiation as the best way to resolve the dispute over the Golan Heights and achieve lasting peace in the Middle East.None
In addition to its advanced technological features, the Samsung AI Diamond Black Heat Pump Wash-Dry sets itself apart with its innovative wash-dry capabilities. Equipped with dual functionality, this appliance eliminates the need for separate washing and drying machines, effectively freeing up valuable space in the laundry room. Users can seamlessly transition from washing to drying with a single touch, saving time and effort in the process.In a tragic incident that serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of blind self-medication, a man recently lost his life after attempting to self-prescribe a concoction of herbs and supplements to combat the cold. The man, whose name has not been disclosed, reportedly had a fear of the cold and believed that boosting his body with herbal remedies would help him stay warm. However, his misguided attempt at self-care ultimately proved fatal, highlighting the importance of exercising caution when it comes to health and wellness practices.
As word spread about the 90's guy from Shenyang who had resigned for love and ventured into the ice cream business in Wuhan, more and more people came to support him. Strangers became friends, customers became loyal patrons, and the small ice cream stall transformed into a heartwarming community hub where stories were shared and smiles were exchanged.WASHINGTON — Special counsel Jack Smith moved to abandon two criminal cases against Donald Trump on Monday, acknowledging that Trump’s return to the White House will preclude attempts to federally prosecute him for retaining classified documents or trying to overturn his 2020 election defeat. The decision was inevitable, since longstanding Justice Department policy says sitting presidents cannot face criminal prosecution. Yet it was still a momentous finale to an unprecedented chapter in political and law enforcement history, as federal officials attempted to hold accountable a former president while he was simultaneously running for another term. Trump emerges indisputably victorious, having successfully delayed the investigations through legal maneuvers and then winning re-election despite indictments that described his actions as a threat to the country's constitutional foundations. FILE - Special counsel Jack Smith speaks to the media about an indictment of former President Donald Trump, Aug. 1, 2023, at an office of the Department of Justice in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) “I persevered, against all odds, and WON," Trump exulted in a post on Truth Social, his social media website. He also said that “these cases, like all of the other cases I have been forced to go through, are empty and lawless, and should never have been brought.” The judge in the election case granted prosecutors' dismissal request. A decision in the documents case was still pending on Monday afternoon. The outcome makes it clear that, when it comes to a president and criminal accusations, nothing supersedes the voters' own verdict. In court filings, Smith's team emphasized that the move to end their prosecutions was not a reflection of the merit of the cases but a recognition of the legal shield that surrounds any commander in chief. “That prohibition is categorical and does not turn on the gravity of the crimes charged, the strength of the Government’s proof, or the merits of the prosecution, which the Government stands fully behind,” prosecutors said in one of their filings. They wrote that Trump’s return to the White House “sets at odds two fundamental and compelling national interests: on the one hand, the Constitution’s requirement that the President must not be unduly encumbered in fulfilling his weighty responsibilities . . . and on the other hand, the Nation’s commitment to the rule of law.” In this situation, “the Constitution requires that this case be dismissed before the defendant is inaugurated,” they concluded. Smith’s team said it was leaving intact charges against two co-defendants in the classified documents case — Trump valet Walt Nauta and Mar-a-Lago property manager Carlos De Oliveira — because “no principle of temporary immunity applies to them.” Steven Cheung, Trump's incoming White House communications director, said Americans “want an immediate end to the political weaponization of our justice system and we look forward to uniting our country.” Trump has long described the investigations as politically motivated, and he has vowed to fire Smith as soon as he takes office in January. Now he will start his second term free from criminal scrutiny by the government that he will lead. The election case brought last year was once seen as one of the most serious legal threats facing Trump as he tried to reclaim the White House. He was indicted for plotting to overturn his defeat to Joe Biden in 2020, an effort that climaxed with his supporters' violent attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. But the case quickly stalled amid legal fighting over Trump’s sweeping claims of immunity from prosecution for acts he took while in the White House. The U.S. Supreme Court in July ruled for the first time that former presidents have broad immunity from prosecution, and sent the case back to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to determine which allegations in the indictment, if any, could proceed to trial. The case was just beginning to pick up steam again in the trial court in the weeks leading up to this year’s election. Smith’s team in October filed a lengthy brief laying out new evidence they planned to use against him at trial, accusing him of “resorting to crimes” in an increasingly desperate effort to overturn the will of voters after he lost to Biden. In dismissing the case, Chutkan acknowledged prosecutors' request to do so “without prejudice,” raising the possibility that they could try to bring charges against Trump when his term is over. She wrote that is “consistent with the Government’s understanding that the immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office.” But such a move may be barred by the statute of limitations, and Trump may also try to pardon himself while in office. immunity afforded to a sitting President is temporary, expiring when they leave office. The separate case involving classified documents had been widely seen as legally clear cut, especially because the conduct in question occurred after Trump left the White House and lost the powers of the presidency. The indictment included dozens of felony counts accusing him of illegally hoarding classified records from his presidency at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, and obstructing federal efforts to get them back. He has pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. The case quickly became snarled by delays, with U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon slow to issue rulings — which favored Trump’s strategy of pushing off deadlines in all his criminal cases — while also entertaining defense motions and arguments that experts said other judges would have dispensed with without hearings. In May, she indefinitely canceled the trial date amid a series of unresolved legal issues before dismissing the case outright two months later. Smith’s team appealed the decision, but now has given up that effort. Trump faced two other state prosecutions while running for president. One them, a New York case involving hush money payments, resulted in a conviction on felony charges of falsifying business records. It was the first time a former president had been found guilty of a crime. The sentencing in that case is on hold as Trump's lawyers try to have the conviction dismissed before he takes office, arguing that letting the verdict stand will interfere with his presidential transition and duties. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's office is fighting the dismissal but has indicated that it would be open to delaying sentencing until Trump leaves office. Bragg, a Democrat, has said the solution needs to balance the obligations of the presidency with “the sanctity of the jury verdict." Trump was also indicted in Georgia along with 18 others accused of participating in a sprawling scheme to illegally overturn the 2020 presidential election there. Any trial appears unlikely there while Trump holds office. The prosecution already was on hold after an appeals court agreed to review whether to remove Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis over her romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she had hired to lead the case. Four defendants have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors. Trump and the others have pleaded not guilty. Associated Press writers Colleen Long, Michael Sisak and Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this story. ___ Special Counsel Jack Smith plans to step down before Trump’s inauguration, according to The New York Times. Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. “In my Second Term, Pete will help me once again put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump said in a statement announcing his choice. “He did an outstanding job as United States Ambassador to the Netherlands during our first four years, and I am confident that he will continue to represent our Country well in this new role.” Trump will nominate former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel. Huckabee is a staunch defender of Israel and his intended nomination comes as Trump has promised to align U.S. foreign policy more closely with Israel's interests as it wages wars against the Iran-backed Hamas and Hezbollah. “He loves Israel, and likewise the people of Israel love him,” Trump said in a statement. “Mike will work tirelessly to bring about peace in the Middle East.” Huckabee, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008 and 2016, has been a popular figure among evangelical Christian conservatives, many of whom support Israel due to Old Testament writings that Jews are God’s chosen people and that Israel is their rightful homeland. Trump has been praised by some in this important Republican voting bloc for moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Trump on Tuesday named real estate investor Steven Witkoff to be special envoy to the Middle East. The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and was golfing with him at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Witkoff “is a Highly Respected Leader in Business and Philanthropy,” Trump said of Witkoff in a statement. “Steve will be an unrelenting Voice for PEACE, and make us all proud." Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. 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. 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. 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. 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.” 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. Associated Press writer Colleen Long contributed to this story. Respond: Write a letter to the editor | Write a guest opinion Subscribe to stay connected to Tucson. A subscription helps you access more of the local stories that keep you connected to the community. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! 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Six-time Olympic gold medallist Emma McKeon has announced her retirement from competitive swimming as one of the most successful Australian athletes. The 30-year-old confirmed the news on her Instagram on Monday morning, saying she was "proud" and she had gave her swimming career "absolutely everything". "Today I am officially retiring from competitive swimming. Leading into Paris, I knew it would be my last Olympics, and the months since have given me time to reflect on my journey, and think about what I wanted my future to look like in swimming," she wrote. "I am proud of myself for giving my swimming career absolutely everything, both physically and mentally. I wanted to see what I was capable of - and I did." McKeon added she had been "given so much" since taking the sport up at the age of five through to representing Australia on the world stage at three consecutive Games. "I have so many lessons, experiences, friendships and memories that I am so thankful for. Along with every person who supported me, worked hard with me, and cheered me on. THANKYOU," she continued in the social media post. "Now I am excited to see how I can push myself in other ways, and for all the things that life has in store." The post was accompanied by a video showing her highlights in and out of the water. McKeon - who has won six golds, three silvers and five bronze medals at Rio, Tokyo and Paris - previously said she has a "love-hate" relationship with swimming. In her teenage years she stopped going to the pool, but quickly found out she missed being in the water, as well as "working hard for a goal". As her career grew she had to learn to cope with the pressure of the sport which included on missing out on making the Australian team at the 2012 London Games. McKeon won her first gold four years later at Rio, but it was not until 2021 during the COVID-interrupted Tokyo Games when she caught the world's attention. The then 27-year-old became the first woman to win seven medals at a Games, four of which were gold, and also set three Olympic records and one world record. Her first Olympic gold in the 100 metre freestyle in Rio is one of her highlights. McKeon struggled leading up to the Paris Games this year. She missed out on qualifying for her individual pet events in the Australia trials a few months before the Olympics, only advancing into the relays and the 100m butterfly. The champion swimmer did however help Australia win gold in the 4x100m freestyle alongside Mollie O'Callaghan, Shayna Jack and Meg Harris to beat the USA and China. This is a breaking story. More to come.As fans and followers showered Wu Jinyan with well-wishes and blessings for a safe delivery, the actress expressed her gratitude for the love and support she has received throughout her pregnancy journey. In her heartfelt captions accompanying the photos, she shared her excitement and anticipation for the new chapter in her life as she prepares to welcome her little one into the world.
In conclusion, the fan-designed FC Barcelona x Kobe Bryant co-branded away jersey for the upcoming season represents a harmonious fusion of tradition, innovation, and excellence. This collaborative effort between two sporting giants has captured the imagination of fans and enthusiasts worldwide, showcasing the power of sports to inspire creativity and unite diverse communities. Whether you prefer a design that pays homage to tradition or one that embraces modernity, the FC Barcelona x Kobe Bryant away jersey is sure to be a collector's item that embodies the spirit of greatness and legacy.The case of the former elite university graduate highlights the importance of staying true to one's initial aspirations and values. When these individuals first entered their university, they likely harbored dreams of making a positive impact on society, contributing to the betterment of their nation, and upholding the principles of honesty and integrity. However, somewhere along the way, these noble intentions were overshadowed by greed, ambition, or a desire for personal gain.
Representative. HYDERABAD: India's tech firms have stepped up their game to draw more millennial and Gen Z employees to their offices. From offering unlimited sick leave to giving them time off to bond with their pets or enjoy the company of their aging grandparents, firms are doing all this and more to retain the young workforce and enhance their productivity. According to the India Technology Industry Compensation Benchmarking Survey 2024 by Deloitte India and Nasscom, many firms earmark "well-being days" and offer joining bonuses, albeit tied to a two-year clawback. The survey was conducted across over 200 tech companies nationwide. "With Gen Z prioritising work-life balance , mental health and professional growth, it's essential for companies to adapt their approaches to attract and retain this emerging talent," states the report. Benefits offered to Gen Z aim toprevent burnout,up productivity These benefits are aimed at preventing "employee burnout" and ensuring a sustainable workforce while enhancing overall well-being and productivity. The other focus areas are helping employees grow by integrating AI skills, improving women's representation within organisations, and offering reward programmes that align with the new generation. "Just this year, our company started observing well-being week. We get a day off to take care of our mental health. The company also reimburses our gym membership and gives Rs 25,000 annually to buy well-being equipment," said Vishal B, a 27-year-old working with an MNC in Hyderabad. Saketh S, an IT professional based in Hyderabad, said his office calendar includes "live music days", apart from a "grandparents' day" and a "journaling day" to keep everyone motivated to turn up at work. "These days help us unwind and return to work with pumped-up energy," he said. Tech company founders admit to being more "accommodating" with Gen Z with an eye on "better output". "I have noticed that Gen Z needs more emotional support. They need their space. Be it in communicating or vacation hours, we are more flexible with them. It is also true that though they might ask for more leave, they give more than 100% when at work," said Gopi Krishna Lakkepuram, founder of Hyperleap AI. The Deloitte India-Nasscom report also highlights how the young resource pool is often given the option to personalise their work hours and even locations to achieve a better work-life balance. Ready to Master Stock Valuation? ET’s Workshop is just around the corner!
Tagovailoa carves up Pats with 4 TDs, Dolphins win 3rd straight game with 34-15 rout of New England
Recently, a popular bathhouse faced a severe incident as multiple individuals reported feeling unwell and required medical assistance after their visit. The management swiftly responded to the situation by shutting down the establishment for renovation and providing immediate medical care to those affected. This incident has raised concerns about health and safety regulations in public facilities and highlighted the importance of proactive measures to ensure the well-being of all visitors.
Kyle Shanahan shares blunt truth about 49ers' playoff chancesOn a damp dull Saturday morning in late January 1987, Charles Haughey stepped out from the passenger seat of his detective-driven Mercedes into a dense fog outside Langtons Hotel in Kilkenny. He glanced around and waved to the large crowd of spectators who had waited for hours to get a glimpse of the Boss, and then engaged in some flesh-pressing. As he was about to board the campaign bus, he apologised for his late arrival. “It’ll take more than fog to stop Fianna Fáil this time round,” he shouted to the roars of the crowd. The country was in tatters, buckling under the harshest tax rates in Europe, with a quarter of a million of its workers unemployed. Garret FitzGerald’s coalition government had imploded only days before as a result of the withdrawal of the Labour Party — caused by a disagreement over budget proposals for massive cuts in social spending. Haughey’s genius was his charm, mixed with a large helping of obscurity. Despite promising little of interest in the hope of swaying the public vote, he simply reminded voters that coalition governments were unreliable. He urged the country to give him a strong majority, but the population back then had more to worry about than an election. Fianna Fáil received 44.1% of the overall vote, and went on to form a minority single-party government which had the qualified support of Fine Gael, the main opposition party; but typically Haughey was far from comfortable governing by consensus. Concessions and compromises didn’t come easily to him unless they were exclusively his. What resulted was a cobbled-together government. You would be forgiven for thinking that history has repeated itself in recent times, especially if you replace Haughey’s and FitzGerald’s names with Martin and Harris. Ireland is a very different country from what it was in 1987, but the game of politics with its vague snakes-and-ladders effect has remained the same. Perhaps the only change is an absence of trust on the part of voters The days of the Soldiers of Destiny, the wartime name ascribed to Fianna Fáil, are long gone, as are the pedestals that voters once placed their politicians on. Gone also are the days when a crowd of hundreds would wait for hours on a cold foggy Saturday to see any Charles Haughey-type. November is the month of early darkness and cooler temperatures. Leaves are falling as we reach for the winter clothes. This month is all about change. It’s as though there’s a routine we follow that’s strict and checked — same as last year and every year in memory. Its heralding of winter is a reminder of the importance of looking after our health, both mental and physical. It’s a month for being excessively gentle as we remember those who won’t be here this Christmas. It’s both sad and sentimental in equal measure. What November doesn’t need is an election — the second in six months. The fog that Haughey encountered on the campaign trail in 1987 has descended again; except this time it’s a different type of fog. In fact, there are two fogs swirling around. One is the fog of indifference, felt by those who’ve had enough of political elitism; the second is the fog of entitlement that many politicians are cluelessly lost in — detached from a reality of life lived by almost 700,000 people whose incomes are below the poverty line I believe we have reached a point where many people are no longer wondering who they will vote for next Friday; now they’re wondering will they bother voting at all. I fell asleep 15 minutes into the leaders' first televised debate on RTÉ last Monday. I thanked my wife the following morning for not waking me. She then confessed she had also missed it because she was watching I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! Wise choice if you ask me. Law and order It’s a year since the Dublin riots shocked the country and beyond when a major part of the capital’s north city was plunged into a blazing hellscape of violence, destruction and looting following multiple stabbings at a nearby school earlier that day. It’s nothing short of a miracle that no lives were lost. Responsibility for restoring law and order fell to the gardaí, 60 of whom were assaulted, while three were seriously injured. Could it happen again? Of course, it could. Would the gardaí be better equipped if it did? Unlikely. One young garda, a member of the Public Order Unit, told me confidentially that he received a call shortly after 5pm that Thursday evening to prepare for duty with one of the units. He had to drive home in heavy rush-hour traffic to collect his body armour, helmet, and riot shield because there was nowhere to store them at the garda station. He agreed that many of his colleagues took huge risks that evening because they were left with no choice. He laughed when I asked him if the resources they had at their disposal were adequate for what they were faced with. “Absolutely not,” he replied. A record 459 gardaí were injured while on duty last year. None of this was mentioned on Monday’s debate. Micheál Martin last weekend revealed that Fianna Fáil wants the Justice portfolio in the next government, as if his party is better equipped to protect the country. He was only short of embracing Martin Luther King Jr’s famous words “I have a dream” as he discussed plans for his new Department of Domestic Affairs, which would incorporate justice, immigration, integration, and children’s rights — somewhat like moving chairs around on Titanic. Daft stuff. At one point he was starting to sound like Paul Mescal’s character Lucius Verus in Gladiator II . And just for good measure, as though Justice should be more crime-friendly, he plans to legalise drugs, while also pledging to recruit 5,000 gardaí over the next five years, a thousand less than Fine Gael’s pledge A son of a friend of mine quit the gardaí last year and emigrated to Perth. He is now a member of the WA Police Force. His father sent him a link to each of the party’s justice manifestos. His son sent him back a photo of the BMW X5 SUV highway police vehicle he drives, with all its eye-catching decals and flashing lights. Below the photo were the words “Loving it here Dad. Living the dream.” And what about all those would-be parents if Fine Gael is re-elected? Simon Harris will put €1,000 into a trust fund for every newborn baby in the next five years, payable on their 18th birthday, at a snippety-snap cost to the taxpayer of half a billion. So even if you can’t afford childcare — that’s if you can find a creche that’s not full — at least the 18th birthday party is paid for. Not a single mention of the 4,170 children who are homeless. What's your view on this issue? You can tell us here Dense fog sums up this election campaign, with its harebrained manifestos full of cobbled-together bluff. I think the biggest shock next week will be the number of politicians who lose their seats, including some who give the impression that retaining the old seat is an on-the-nose certainty. Nor would it surprise me if the turnout was the lowest ever. No doubt many of them are sniggering at Gerry Hutch’s political ambitions, and his chances of getting elected in Dublin. Hutch could have the last laugh, even if he doesn’t get in. Haughey’s charm, with its blatant sense of entitlement, might have been what got him elected in 1987, but those days are long gone. Sometimes it’s better to promise nothing. History might remember you more favourably.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the woman at the center of the debate has remained silent on the matter. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the situation to determine the facts and ensure the woman's safety. Meanwhile, the villagers remain divided over the true nature of the case.Special counsel moves to dismiss election interference and classified documents cases against TrumpAs the team celebrates this hard-earned win, they will also be keeping a close eye on Harrison Barnes' injury and hoping for a speedy recovery for their star player. But in the meantime, they can take pride in the performance of Karl-Anthony Towns, who proved once again why he is considered one of the best players in the league.
Sir Keir Starmer was speaking at the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) conference in Estonia where he met leaders of other Baltic states. After signing an energy partnership with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Bergen, Sir Keir flew to Estonia where he spoke alongside Mr Store and their Estonian counterpart Kristen Michal. Asked what else could be done to support Ukraine, Sir Keir said: “There is an ever-increasing demand for more capability. That is understandable, and Ukraine needs all the capability that it can get, so I think all of us have put in more capability into Ukraine by way of equipment.” He added: “A lot of money has been raised, funding has been raised, but more is going to be needed.” The Prime Minister’s also discussed making the economic case at home for continued support for Ukraine. Sir Keir said: “Making the case on the significance of Ukraine, making the case, to double down, linking it back to each of our countries – what does it mean for us if Russia succeeds, is a really important question that we have to answer with our people to make it clear why it is that we are so supportive of Ukraine, why it is that we must stand with our allies on this, why it is we must make sure that Nato is put in the strongest position as well. “Now, this is a different world to the world of 10, 20 years ago, to recognise the world that we are living in, there’s a positive case as well to be made. “Defence spending doesn’t sort of sit in a silo over here with no effect on the rest of the economy, no effect on technology. “It has a huge effect on technologies, the cutting edge of technology and change which can then be used in other areas. “It binds countries together. I think all of us have got joint projects on in terms of defence capabilities that bind us together. There’s a huge number of well-paid jobs that are very important to our economy in defence spending as well. “But we have to make that positive case. I don’t personally feel that we can sort of sit back and assume that all of those in our respective countries necessarily accept all of our arguments unless we make them in that positive way, which I do think the argument can and should and must be made. “But the challenge that you put to us is the right challenge, which is it’s very difficult when finances are tight, as they are in all of our countries.” On Tuesday morning the Prime Minister will meet Taavi Madiberk, the founder of Estonian tech start-up manufacturing low-cost air defence missiles, Frankenburg Technologies, which is planning to open a new office in London Specialising in the manufacture of the missiles, the rapidly growing company already collaborates closely with the UK defence industry, sourcing a significant portion of its subsystems locally, including from propulsion specialists Roxel in Worcestershire. The Prime Minister will again attend the JEF summit, joining leaders from the Nordics and Baltics to discuss support for Ukraine, the sustained threat posed by Russia and wider European security. He will then visit British forces serving in the region to deter malign Russian threats.ROC latent biometrics software integrated with Smytek contactless forensic cameraMoreover, the consequences of betraying one's country by selling national secrets can have far-reaching implications. The security and stability of a nation can be severely undermined by the actions of individuals who prioritize personal gain over the common good. The repercussions of such actions extend beyond the individual to impact entire communities, jeopardize international relations, and compromise the safety and well-being of countless individuals.