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If there was one unforgettable weekend destination in 2024, it was the Visayas Art Fair (VAF), which transformed 31 galleries into an artistic labyrinth inviting everyone to lose themselves in creativity. Over three vibrant days from Nov. 22 to 24 at Oakridge Business Park, VAF 2024 turned creativity into an interactive experience. With live demos, workshops, film screenings and artist talks, the event drew visitors of all ages eager to immerse themselves in the world of art. The fair, which has historically united artists from the country’s Visayas region while engaging those from the National Capital Region, continues to push boundaries by boosting the economic potential of the art scene. VAF emphasizes that art should never exist in isolation, as the creative process thrives on external influences such as conversations with other artists, exposure to different cultures and the cross-pollination of ideas. Now in its fourth run, VAF has remained steadfast in its goal of transcending geographic and cultural divides.NoneThe Provincial Development Working Party (PDWP) has approved projects worth billions of rupees, including the Ehsaas Hunarmand (Skilled Workforce) Programme. The ninth meeting of the PDWP was chaired by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Additional Chief Secretary Ikramullah Khan and was attended by PDWP members and officials from relevant departments. The forum approved the Ehsaas Hunarmand Program, a Rs3 billion initiative aimed at providing skilled youth with interest-free loans of up to Rs. 500,000 to support their entrepreneurial endeavors. Over 35,000 skilled individuals across the province are expected to benefit from this programme. The meeting also approved a 26-kilometer road construction project in the Chitral district, along with several key initiatives in sectors such as irrigation, education, health, social welfare, and local government. Under the Accelerated Development Programme, approval was granted for the command areas of small dams already completed. Additional projects include the construction of flood protection structures and bridges in Matta tehsil, Swat, restoration of the CRBC and Paharpur Canal systems in Dera Ismail Khan, and the development of solar lift irrigation schemes and feasibility studies in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Moreover, initiatives for the rehabilitation of flood-affected infrastructure in districts Swat, Shangla, and Buner, and the construction of essential facilities like tube wells and crossings in Alpuri and Bisham tehsils of Shangla were approved. The forum sanctioned multiple other projects, such as improving irrigation facilities in Swat, reconstructing agriculture research facilities, and upgrading health infrastructure, including the elevation of a Basic Health Unit in Dir Lower to a Category-D hospital. The establishment of specialised facilities, such as a Thalassemia Department at District Headquarters Hospital Batkhela, Malakand, and schools for special children in Swat and Malakand Division, was also approved. Additionally, the government sanctioned the creation of a monitoring and evaluation system for Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, blacktop road construction in South Waziristan's Wana, and secondary hospitals' capacity enhancement in merged districts. Educational initiatives include the establishment of five model schools in Karak, Haripur, Charsadda, Hangu, and Battagram, along with a pilot project for three model religious seminaries and the creation of computer labs in registered religious seminaries across the province. Infrastructure projects such as the Batkhela bypass road, restoration of the Bonny-Buzand-Torkho road in Upper Chitral, and rehabilitation of bridges in North Waziristan were also approved. Lastly, the upgrading and restoration of the Lawrencepur-Tarbela road, under the PSDP, was cleared during the session. These projects signify a comprehensive effort to foster development across multiple sectors in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, addressing the province's infrastructural, social, and economic needs. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) is actively pursuing development projects to address its socio-economic challenges and enhance infrastructure. COMMENTS Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive. For more information, please see our

NOVI, MI -- Lumen Christi is heading back to Ford Field. The Titans topped Marine City in an MHSAA Division 6 semifinal at Novi High School on Saturday, Nov. 23. MLive was there to document the action, both on and off of the field. Check out photos from the game in the gallery above. Click here for a direct link to the gallery. You must be a subscriber to view the photo gallery. Subscribers click the “Get photo” link to download high-resolution images right to their device for free as part of their subscription. To subscribe, click this link .Personalized Shopping Made Easy: Perplexity’s New AI Shop Feature Explained

Vermont News & Media partners with Thruhike to promote all things Southern Vermont15 Life-Changing Books Recommended by Bryan JohnsonLumen Christi back in state title game, will face Lansing CatholicHEARTWARMING footage shows the moment Prince William made a hilarious dig at his son Prince Louis as the family were gifted chocolates from wellwishers. The Royal Family attended St Mary Magdalene's Church on the Norfolk estate for the Yuletide service at 11am on Christmas Day. 7 This is the heartwarming moment Prince William told a young fan not to give Prince Louis Christmas chocolates Credit: X @tokkianami 7 Wills was heard telling a young fan to ‘keep them for yourself’ instead Credit: X @tokkianami 7 Prince Louis with his hands full of presents Credit: Bav Media 7 George, Charlotte and Louis joined their parents Credit: PA After attending the traditional festive service on the Norfolk estate, the Prince of Wales, 42, stepped into full "dad mode" as he shook hands with crowds offering gifts to the royal children. Among the excited well-wishers was a fan handing over chocolates intended for six-year-old Prince Louis. But William playfully intervened, saying: "No, no, you can't give all the chocolates! Definitely not. "You've got to keep them for yourself as well." Read More in Royals THE ONE SHOW King seen getting hands-on with Christmas speech in behind-the-scenes footage OUT OF FAVOUR Andrew 'snubs Charles Xmas speech' after not joining family at church A video shared on social media captured the lighthearted moment, showing a visibly excited Prince Louis standing behind his father with his hands already full of presents from the crowd. At one point, Louis moved forward, seemingly eager for more gifts, but he quickly stopped and stood still after William's gentle command. The heartwarming exchange highlighted the Prince's firm yet affectionate parenting style as he managed the flow of chocolates, stuffed animals, and bouquets being handed to his children. Prince William, his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, and their three children - Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis - looked the picture of festive elegance as they greeted the public. Most read in Royals FOOTIE SHOCK Footage emerges of Hibs star in vow about 'Jambo b*******' before derby win TOUGH CALLS Former top refs issue strong verdicts on Celtic-Motherwell penalty flash points SNOW END Exact date snow storms to hit Scotland as weather map reveals Arctic freeze on way HEARTBROKEN Shankland heckled by Hearts fans during hospitality speech as VIP host steps in The young royals, dressed in coordinated navy blue outfits, carried an assortment of gifts, including a large teddy bear and chocolates. During the walkabout, Prince Louis drew smiles when he accepted a Father Christmas headband from a well-wisher, graciously thanking them before asking his father for help carrying his growing haul. "Papa, can you carry some?" he sweetly asked, prompting laughter from the crowd. Radiant Princess Kate & King Charles lead royals as they head to church for Christmas service – after Andrew ‘opted out’ The festive outing marked an annual royal tradition, with senior family members, including King Charles and Queen Camilla, also greeting well-wishers after the church service. Hundreds of royal fans gathered outside the gates of Sandringham this morning hoping to catch a glimpse of t he royal family on Christmas. The King, wearing a camel coat and carrying an umbrella, waved to well-wishers and shook hands with the Rev Can Dr Paul Rhys Williams as he led the family into the church. He was followed closely behind by Queen Camilla, wearing an ivy green coat and beret. They were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales, in a similar green outfit to the Queen, and their children Princes George and Louis, and Princess Charlotte, who waved at the crowds. Outcast Prince Andrew did not join the family amid his Chinese spy scandal . Mike Tindall followed behind the Kensingtons with his daughter Mia. He could be seen sharing a joke with niece Savannah Phillips as they waited to go into the chapel. His wife Zara, in a burgundy coat and matching headband, walked separately with her brother Peter Phillips and his other daughter Isla. Princess Kate shares touching hug with fellow cancer patient By EMILY-JANE HEAP PENSIONER Karen MacLean was given a hug by the Princess of Wales outside Sandringham this morning after revealing she is battling cancer. The 73-year-old, from Humberston near Cleethorpes, Lincs, described the moment Kate embraced her as "overwhelmingly good". She told The Sun: "We were talking about our illnesses, because we're both cancer victims, when she reached out and hugged me. "It was really unexpected and such a joy... I gave her a tight squeeze back. It was such a surreal moment. "I wasn't expecting that at all. It was so overwhelmingly good." She added: "You get a camaraderie with other cancer victims. Unless you've been on that journey you can't understand what it's like." Karen, who is still under treatment for cancer, also spoke briefly to the King, Princess Beatrice and Prince George. She continued: "Kate is looking really well and The King looks quite good too. "They've not had the best of years, so it's nice to see them all back out together and united." She held hands with her youngest daughter Lena. Also in attendance was Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and stepson Christopher Woolf. Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh , in a pale pink coat, walked alongside her daughter Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, in a blue coat and beret. They were joined by Sir Timothy Laurence. Read more on the Scottish Sun SNOW WAY Weather maps show heavy snow for Scotland in DAYS – with -2C New Year’s chill NO CRIME Orange Order slam cops after Celtic activist was cleared over 'sectarian rants' Prince Edward and James Mountbatten-Windsor, Earl of Wessex, followed behind with the Princess Royal, in a red jacket and black skirt. The Royal Family was seen leaving the church at around 11.45am before mingling among the huge crowds of fans. 7 The royals at Sandringham two days ago Credit: Rex 7 King Charles III waves to the large crowd on Christmas Day Credit: AP 7 Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince William Credit: Rex

NEW YORK , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The vehicle leasing market in europe size is estimated to grow by USD 12.17 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period. Cost-effective ways of obtaining vehicle is driving market growth, with a trend towards rise in demand for leasing evs to optimize vehicle performance and reduce emissions globally. However, challenge posed by on-demand taxi operators poses a challenge. Key market players include ALD SA , Allane SE, Arval Service Lease, Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, Central Contract S.O.T Ltd., Central UK Vehicle Leasing Ltd., Deutsche Leasing AG, ExpatRide International Inc., Groupe BPCE, King and Mayr GmbH and Co. KG, LocautoRent S.p.A., Mercedes Benz Group AG, Millennium Leasing sp zoo, PKO Bank Polski, Porsche Automobil Holding SE, PSA Automobiles SA, Rivervale Cars Ltd., Sofina SA, and Stellantis NV, LeasePlan Corporation, Hertz Global Holdings, Avis Budget Group, Enterprise Holdings, Europcar Mobility Group Key insights into market evolution with AI-powered analysis. Explore trends, segmentation, and growth drivers- View Free Sample PDF Market Driver The European vehicle leasing market is experiencing significant trends, with electric vehicles (EVs) leading the charge. E-commerce platforms are transforming the way people lease cars, enabling easy access to leasing companies and their offerings. Big data and IoT technology are revolutionizing the industry, providing real-time diagnostic data for efficient vehicle management. Blockchain technology ensures secure and verified data exchange between sellers and buyers. Customer service is a priority, with automobile leasing companies focusing on providing excellent service to meet the needs of the tourism industry, smart cities, and corporate fleets. Utility trailers, commuter cars, buses, recreational vehicles, and even lease contracts for car equipment rental are available. Finance leasing, mobility solutions, and long-term leasing are popular options. Awareness among consumers about the benefits of EVs, hybrid electric vehicles, and low maintenance vehicles is growing. Rapid urbanization, busy lifestyles, and population demand call for efficient transportation systems to combat traffic congestion. Lease cars without driver facilities are on-demand, reducing traveling time and air pollution. Emission norms and carbon emissions are crucial concerns, with IoT technology and machine learning helping to monitor and reduce them. Additional fees, such as gap insurance, are common considerations in the leasing process. The used car industry is also adapting to these trends, with e-commerce platforms and finance leasing options available. The future of vehicle leasing is bright, with a focus on sustainability, convenience, and cost-effectiveness. The European vehicle leasing market is witnessing significant growth due to the increasing popularity of Electric Vehicles (EVs). EVs utilize an electric motor, which features only one moving part, leading to reduced maintenance costs compared to Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles. The compact electric motor also contributes to the vehicle's weight reduction, allowing for additional features. The efficiency of the electric motor, with its absence of multiple moving parts, delivers instant torque and high performance. Regenerative braking further enhances the vehicle's range. Air pollution is a pressing concern in political and economic circles, making the environmental benefits of EVs an attractive proposition for businesses leasing vehicles. Request Sample of our comprehensive report now to stay ahead in the AI-driven market evolution! Market Challenges The European vehicle leasing market faces several challenges in the current business landscape. Electric vehicles are gaining popularity, requiring leasing companies to adapt to the changing technology and consumer preferences. E-commerce platforms are disrupting traditional sales models, necessitating innovative strategies. Big data and IoT technology are transforming the industry, offering opportunities for improved customer service and real-time vehicle diagnostics. The tourism industry, smart cities, and utility trailers present new markets for automobile leasing companies. However, challenges persist in sectors like commuter cars, buses, and recreational vehicles due to increasing competition and changing consumer behavior. Lease contracts, finance leasing, and mobility solutions continue to be key areas of focus. Awareness among consumers about electric cars, hybrid electric vehicles, and the used car industry is crucial. Rapid urbanization, busy lifestyles, and population demand call for efficient transportation systems to mitigate traffic congestion. Leasing companies must address challenges like residual value, gap insurance, long-term leasing, and additional fees. Carbon emissions and climate change are pressing concerns, with emission norms and verified data playing a significant role. Blockchain technology and machine learning can streamline processes and enhance transparency. Collaboration between sellers, buyers, and leasing companies is essential to meet the evolving needs of the market. In Europe , urban areas witness significant demand for on-demand taxi services due to the convenience they offer in terms of time and cost. Parking spaces are scarce in congested urban areas, making finding a parking spot a challenge. Traffic congestion further complicates driving in cities, making on-demand taxis an attractive alternative to car leasing. This trend is particularly noticeable in urban regions where car leasing services are readily available. As a result, the growing popularity of on-demand taxis is impacting the demand for car leasing in Europe . Discover how AI is revolutionizing market trends- Get your access now! Segment Overview This vehicle leasing market in Europe report extensively covers market segmentation by 1.1 Passenger cars 1.2 Commercial vehicles 2.1 Online 2.2 Offline 3.1 Europe 1.1 Passenger cars- The European vehicle leasing market is experiencing significant growth due to the cost-effective nature of leasing cars compared to buying them. Factors such as urbanization and increased Internet penetration are driving awareness about car leasing. Leasing offers customers the flexibility to upgrade to new models and purchase the vehicle at lease end. Car manufacturers, like AB Volvo with Care by Volvo, offer subscription-based leasing programs to boost revenue and brand penetration. The demand for SUVs, hatchbacks, and sedans in Europe is fueling growth in the passenger car segment. Customers' preference for convenience, safety, and modern technologies in vehicles is driving the adoption of advanced features and electrification. These trends, coupled with industry advancements, encourage customers to lease cars, leading to market expansion in Europe's passenger car segment during the forecast period. Download a Sample of our comprehensive report today to discover how AI-driven innovations are reshaping competitive dynamics Research Analysis The European vehicle leasing market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the shift towards electric and hybrid electric vehicles. E-commerce platforms are increasingly becoming popular channels for buyers to lease new cars, enabling a seamless and convenient experience. Big data and blockchain technology are transforming the industry by providing insights into customer preferences and streamlining lease contracts. The tourism industry and smart cities are major sectors adopting vehicle leasing for their fleet needs. Automobile leasing companies offer a range of options from commuter cars to buses, recreational vehicles, and utility trailers. Car equipment rental is another growing segment, allowing lessees to customize their vehicles. The residual value of leased vehicles is a key consideration for both sellers and buyers, making the role of a leasing company crucial in determining fair market value. Rapid urbanization and the need for new vehicles continue to fuel the demand for leasing solutions. Market Research Overview The European vehicle leasing market is experiencing significant growth, driven by various factors including the rise of electric vehicles, e-commerce, and smart cities. Electric cars and hybrid electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular due to awareness among consumers about air pollution and emission norms. The tourism industry and commuters are embracing on-demand mobility solutions, leading to increased demand for lease cars. Big data, IoT technology, machine learning, and blockchain are transforming the industry by providing verified data in real-time, enabling predictive maintenance and efficient transportation systems. Leasing companies offer finance leasing, long-term leasing, and gap insurance to cater to the diverse needs of buyers. The market also includes utility trailers, buses, recreational vehicles, and car equipment rental. Rapid urbanization, busy lifestyles, and population demand have led to the adoption of efficient transportation systems and the reduction of traffic congestion. The used car industry is also benefiting from the growth of the leasing market. Additional fees, carbon emissions, and climate change are becoming important considerations for both sellers and buyers. Leasing companies are focusing on customer service, providing diagnostic services for vehicles, and leveraging technology to enhance the leasing experience. The future of the vehicle leasing market in Europe looks promising, with continued innovation and the integration of technology to meet the evolving needs of consumers. Table of Contents: 1 Executive Summary 2 Market Landscape 3 Market Sizing 4 Historic Market Size 5 Five Forces Analysis 6 Market Segmentation Type Passenger Cars Commercial Vehicles Mode Of Booking Online Offline Leasing Type End User Geography Europe 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: [email protected] Website: www.technavio.com/ SOURCE Technavio

SAN JOSE – Former San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl was a bit curious about what kind of reception he would get Friday night While Hertl became one of the Sharks’ most popular and productive players in his 11 seasons in a teal uniform, he was also returning – for the first time — , San Jose’s once-fierce rival. “I think the rivalry kind of slipped away, but it will hopefully be good. I think it was a nice 11 years,” Hertl said Friday morning when asked about the reception he might get. “But it’s maybe up to the fans now. (There’s) nothing I can do about it really right now.” The reception was expected to be positive, considering Hertl had 484 points in 712 regular-season games for the Sharks . Team officials plan to recognize Hertl for his time in San Jose with a pregame tribute similar to the ones they bestowed upon longtime Sharks Joe Pavelski and Brent Burns in their first games back in San Jose. But while Hertl’s time with the Sharks will not be forgotten, his departure from San Jose has perhaps created a complicated legacy. Hertl could have opted to become an unrestricted free agent in 2022. Instead, he signed an eight-year, $65.1 contract extension with the Sharks, hoping the team’s fortunes could quickly turn around after what would become — at that point — three years without a playoff appearance. The Sharks, too, did not entertain any trade offers for Hertl that year, hoping he could be an organizational tent pole as they remained in a transitional phase. However, the Sharks hired Mike Grier as their new general manager less than four months after the deal. Grier knew that for the Sharks to become Stanley Cup contenders again, he would have to rebuild the team from the ground up. That meant taking some steps back to have the opportunity to draft future stars with lottery picks. Grier also traded some high-profile players on long-term contracts, such as Burns, Timo Meier, and Erik Karlsson, to gain prospects, draft capital, and free up valuable cap space. Speaking about Hertl as the 2023 training camp began “If there ever were to come a time when they felt like they needed or wanted to go somewhere else, it’s definitely something I would listen to, and if it made sense for us, I would explore it.” Some of Tomas Hertl — Curtis Pashelka (@CurtisPashelka) While Couture, injured and out indefinitely, remains a Shark, Hertl, a playoff participant in five of his first six NHL seasons, knew at that time it could be years before he could legitimately compete for a Cup again. He had a decision to make. Ultimately, Hertl, with a full no-movement clause in the first three years of his contract, decided it was best to move on and join a contender. Going into Friday, the Golden Knights led the Pacific Division and the Sharks were in eighth and last place. “I couldn’t say one bad word about the organization, about the teammates in the locker room right away, how they (included) me in the team, even the fans around the city,” Hertl said. “Obviously, when you win a lot of hockey games, everything gets pretty easy around it. I almost forgot over the last couple years, honestly, how fun is to win a lot of games. “The last couple of years (in San Jose) was pretty tough. When you’re one of the leaders and you try to help, but the winning wasn’t coming, it wasn’t easy. So this is definitely the fun part.” It turns out Grier and Golden Knights GM Kelly McCrimmon began talking about a Hertl deal before the all-star break, and on March 7, just minutes before the deadline, the Sharks sent the No. 1 centerman, plus third-round picks in 2025 and 2027, to Vegas for center prospect David Edstrom and a 2025 first-round pick. “I just heard, like, maybe in January, before I was hurt, that (Vegas) was thinking about (trading for me) from my agent, but nothing happened,” said Hertl, who injured his knee earlier in a Jan. 27 game against the Buffalo Sabres. Hertl participated in the NHL All-Star Game in Toronto, and trade talks between the Sharks and Golden Knights began to ramp up again a few days before the deadline. Hertl then had to waive his no-trade clause to make it happen. “I’m a competitive guy,” Hertl said Friday. “The Sharks give me everything and they give me a great career, they’ve been always great to me. (When) the offer came, I just couldn’t say no, because I think I’m still in my prime, I can help teams win hockey games, and Vegas, they are in a great spot, a great team, and I couldn’t say no. “Nobody can obviously guarantee you can win the Stanley Cup, but I thought there’s a chance (with Vegas), and I just want to grab it and try to fight for it.” Hertl has several friends within the Sharks’ organization and still cheers for the team. “After our games, I will be always cheering for them because I was here so long here and I want to see them do obviously better and turn this team around,” Hertl said. “But at that time I felt it could be my last chance and I was happy both sides could figure it out and work it out, and I could move.”US to send $1.25 billion in weapons to Ukraine, in push to get aid out before leaving office

WHEELING, W.Va. , Nov. 25, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WesBanco, Inc. (Nasdaq: WSBC), a diversified, multi-state bank holding company, announced today the appointment of Jan Pattishall-Krupinski to the role of Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, effective immediately. This strategic move underscores the organization's commitment to advancing its leadership structure to support sustainable long-term growth and align with evolving business and stakeholder needs. In her new role, Pattishall-Krupinski, a WesBanco veteran, reports directly to WesBanco President and Chief Executive Officer Jeff Jackson and oversees bank and loan operations, customer service, corporate strategy and project management. Her expanded structure and scope reflect WesBanco's focus on operational excellence and strategic alignment, which is designed to drive greater agility and accelerate the execution of organizational goals. "Jan's promotion to Chief Administrative Officer recognizes her exceptional leadership and strategic contributions over her past 13 years of service to our organization," said Jackson. "Her expertise has been instrumental in guiding transformative initiatives, including leadership roles in multiple acquisitions, our core banking system transformation and advancements in technology and operations. This new role elevates the importance of integrating business operations and strategy at the executive level, ensuring we continue to be positioned for success in a dynamic marketplace." Pattishall-Krupinski joined WesBanco in 2011, most recently serving as Executive Vice President and Director of Operations. "I am honored to step into the role of Chief Administrative Officer as WesBanco continues its growth and transformation. This opportunity is a testament to the collaboration and excellence of our teams, who have been instrumental in shaping our success. I look forward to building on this foundation to drive operational excellence, embrace innovation and enhance the customer experience in every interaction," said Pattishall-Krupinski. Pattishall-Krupinski has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Penn State University and graduated from the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School . She serves on the boards of Crittenton Services, Leadership West Virginia and The Junior League of Wheeling . She is based at WesBanco's corporate headquarters in Wheeling, West Virginia . About Wesbanco, Inc. With over 150 years as a community-focused, regional financial services partner, WesBanco Inc. (NASDAQ: WSBC) and its subsidiaries build lasting prosperity through relationships and solutions that empower our customers for success in their financial journeys. Customers across our eight-state footprint choose WesBanco for the comprehensive range and personalized delivery of our retail and commercial banking solutions, as well as trust, brokerage, wealth management and insurance services, all designed to advance their financial goals. Through the strength of our teams, we leverage large bank capabilities and local focus to help make every community we serve a better place for people and businesses to thrive. Headquartered in Wheeling, West Virginia , WesBanco has $18.5 billion in total assets, with our Trust and Investment Services holding $6.1 billion of assets under management and securities account values (including annuities) of $1.9 billion through our broker/dealer, as of September 30, 2024 . Learn more at www.wesbanco.com and follow @WesBanco on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wesbanco-inc-names-jan-pattishall-krupinski-as-chief-administrative-officer-302315495.html SOURCE WesBanco, Inc.Anti-NATO protest in Montreal erupts in fires, smashed windows, arrests, say policeUS to send $1.25 billion in weapons to Ukraine, pushing to get aid out before Biden leaves office

Stock market today: Wall Street gains ground as it notches a winning week and another Dow recordBitcoin catapulted above US$100,000 (NZ$170,000) for the first time on Thursday (US time), a milestone hailed even by sceptics as a coming-of-age for digital assets as investors bet on a friendly US administration to cement the place of cryptocurrencies in financial markets. Once it broke US$100,000 in Thursday's Asian morning, boosted by US President-elect Trump's nomination of pro-crypto Paul Atkins to run the Securities and Exchange Commission, it was soon at an all-time high of US$103,619 (NZ$176,000). It last fetched US$101,139 ($NZ172,000), up about 3.2 percent on the day. The total value of the cryptocurrency market has almost doubled over the year so far to hit a record over $3.8 trillion (NZ$6.46t) according to data provider CoinGecko. By comparison, Apple alone is worth about $3.7t (NZ$3.6t). Bitcoin's march from the libertarian fringe to Wall Street has minted millionaires, a new asset class and popularised the concept of "decentralised finance" in a volatile and often controversial period since its creation 16 years ago. Bitcoin has more than doubled in value this year and is up more than 50 percent in the four weeks since Donald Trump's sweeping election victory, which also saw a slew of pro-crypto lawmakers being elected to Congress. "CONGRATULATIONS BITCOINERS!!! $100,000!!! YOU-RE WELCOME!!! Together, we will Make America Great Again!" Trump said on Truth Social, his social media network, on Thursday. "We're witnessing a paradigm shift," said Mike Novogratz, founder and CEO of US crypto firm Galaxy Digital. "Bitcoin and the entire digital asset ecosystem are on the brink of entering the financial mainstream - this momentum is fuelled by institutional adoption, advancements in tokenisation and payments, and a clearer regulatory path." Trump - who once labelled crypto a scam - embraced digital assets during his campaign, promising to make the United States the "crypto capital of the planet" and to accumulate a national stockpile of bitcoin. "We were trading basically sideways for about seven months, then immediately after 5 November, US investors resumed buying hand-over-fist," said Joe McCann, CEO and founder of Asymmetric, a Miami digital assets hedge fund. Bitcoin's proponents cheered Trump's nomination of Atkins to the SEC. A former SEC commissioner, Atkins has been involved in crypto policy as co-chair of the Token Alliance, which works to "develop best practices for digital asset issuances and trading platforms," and the Chamber of Digital Commerce. "Atkins will offer a new perspective, anchored by a deep understanding of the digital asset ecosystem," said Blockchain Association CEO Kristin Smith. "We look forward to working with him ... and ushering in - together - a new wave of American crypto innovation." A slew of crypto companies including Ripple, Kraken and Circle are also jostling for a seat on Trump's promised crypto advisory council. Part of the landscape Bitcoin has proven a survivor through precipitous downturns. Its move into six-figure territory is a remarkable comeback from a dip below $16,000 (NZ$27,200) in 2022 when the industry was reeling from the collapse of the FTX exchange . Founder Sam Bankman-Fried was subsequently jailed . Analysts say the growing embrace of bitcoin by big investors this year has been a driving force behind the record-breaking rally. US-listed bitcoin exchange-traded funds were approved in January and have been a conduit for large-scale buying, with more than $4b (NZ$6.8b) streaming into these funds since the election. "Roughly 3 percent of the total supply of bitcoins that will ever exist have been purchased in 2024 by institutional money," said Geoff Kendrick, global head of digital assets research at Standard Chartered. "Digital assets, as an asset class, is becoming normalised," he said. It is already becoming increasingly financialised, with the launch of bitcoin futures in 2017 and a strong debut for options on BlackRock's ETF in November. Crypto-related stocks have soared along with the bitcoin price, with shares in bitcoin miner MARA Holdings and exchange operator Coinbase each up around 65 percent in November. Software firm Microstrategy, which has repeatedly raised funds to buy bitcoin and held an aggregate of about 402,100 bitcoins as of 1 December, has gained around 540 percent this year. Trump himself unveiled a new crypto business, World Liberty Financial, in September, although details have been scarce and billionaire Elon Musk, a major Trump ally, is also a proponent of cryptocurrencies. Some say the asset remains a speculative or investment vehicle and not an instrument for payments. On Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell likened bitcoin to gold, "only its virtual, its digital". "People are not using it as a form of payment, or as a store of value. It's highly volatile, it's not a competitor for the dollar." While earlier big bitcoin rallies have been followed by significant pullbacks, its wider adoption now may help tamp down volatility, analysts said. "That is not to say that there will not be 30-50 percent drawdowns over time, but my base case is that the nature of the drawdowns will be less severe than what we saw in the last bear market," Sean Farrell, head of digital asset strategy at Fundstrat Global Advisors, said. "Passive flows into ETFs, a liquid options market, corporate treasury adoption, and nation state adoption will likely play a large role in dampening volatility," Farrell said. 'Who can prohibit it?' Cryptocurrencies have been criticised for their massive energy consumption and use in crime around the world, and the underlying technology is far from delivering a revolution in the way money moves around the globe. The US and Britain announced on Wednesday they had disrupted what they described as a global money laundering ring which used cryptocurrency to help rich Russians to evade sanctions and launder cash for drug traffickers. Although calculations vary, the Cambridge University Centre for Alternative Finance estimates bitcoin uses around the same amount of electricity each year as Poland or South Africa. Still, as Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out at an investment conference on Wednesday: "Who can prohibit it? No one." And its longevity is perhaps testament to a degree of resilience. "As time goes by it's proving itself as part of the financial landscape," said Shane Oliver, chief economist and head of investment strategy at AMP in Sydney. "I find it very hard to value it... it's anyone's guess. But it does have a momentum aspect to it and at the moment the momentum is up." - Reuters

WASHINGTON — The House shut down Democrats' efforts Thursday to release the long-awaited ethics report into former Rep. Matt Gaetz, pushing the fate of any resolution to the yearslong investigation of sexual misconduct allegations into further uncertainty. Matt Gaetz talks before President-elect Donald Trump speaks during an America First Policy Institute gala at his Mar-a-Lago estate Nov. 14 in Palm Beach, Fla. The nearly party-line votes came after Democrats had been pressing for the findings to be published even though the Florida Republican left Congress and withdrew as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general. Rep. Tom McClintock, R-Calif., was the sole Republican to support the effort. Most Republicans have argued that any congressional probe into Gaetz ended when he resigned from the House. Speaker Mike Johnson also requested that the committee not publish its report, saying it would be a terrible precedent to set. While ethics reports have previously been released after a member’s resignation, it is extremely rare. Shortly before the votes took place, Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., who introduced one of the bills to force the release, said that if Republicans reject the release, they will have “succeeded in sweeping credible allegations of sexual misconduct under the rug.” Gaetz has repeatedly denied the claims. Earlier Thursday, the Ethics panel met to discuss the Gaetz report but made no decision, saying in a short statement that the matter is still being discussed. It's unclear now whether the document will ever see the light of day as lawmakers have only a few weeks left before a new session of Congress begins. It's the culmination of weeks of pressure on the Ethics committee's five Republicans and five Democrats who mostly work in secret as they investigate allegations of misconduct against lawmakers. The status of the Gaetz investigation became an open question last month when he abruptly resigned from Congress after Trump's announcement that he wanted his ally in the Cabinet. It is standard practice for the committee to end investigations when members of Congress depart, but the circumstances surrounding Gaetz were unusual, given his potential role in the new administration. Rep. Michael Guest, R-Miss., the committee chairman, said Wednesday that there is no longer the same urgency to release the report given that Gaetz has left Congress and stepped aside as Trump's choice to head the Justice Department. “I’ve been steadfast about that. He’s no longer a member. He is no longer going to be confirmed by the Senate because he withdrew his nomination to be the attorney general,” Guest said. The Gaetz report has also caused tensions between lawmakers on the bipartisan committee. Pennsylvania Rep. Susan Wild, the top Democrat on the panel, publicly admonished Guest last month for mischaracterizing a previous meeting to the press. Gaetz has denied any wrongdoing and said last year that the Justice Department’s separate investigation against him into sex trafficking allegations involving underage girls ended without federal charges. His onetime political ally Joel Greenberg, a fellow Republican who served as the tax collector in Florida’s Seminole County, admitted as part of a plea deal with prosecutors in 2021 that he paid women and an underage girl to have sex with him and other men. The men were not identified in court documents when he pleaded guilty. Greenberg was sentenced in late 2022 to 11 years in prison. Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Kash Patel spent several years as a Justice Department prosecutor before catching the Trump administration’s attention as a staffer on Capitol Hill who helped investigate the Russia probe. Patel called for dramatically reducing the agency’s footprint, a perspective that sets him apart from earlier directors who sought additional resources for the bureau. Though the Justice Department in 2021 halted the practice of secretly seizing reporters’ phone records during leak investigations, Patel said he intends to aggressively hunt down government officials who leak information to reporters. 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. Trump said Atkins, the CEO of Patomak Partners and a former SEC commissioner, was a “proven leader for common sense regulations.” In the years since leaving the SEC, Atkins has made the case against too much market regulation. “He believes in the promise of robust, innovative capital markets that are responsive to the needs of Investors, & that provide capital to make our Economy the best in the World. He also recognizes that digital assets & other innovations are crucial to Making America Greater than Ever Before,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. The commission oversees U.S. securities markets and investments and is currently led by Gary Gensler, who has been leading the U.S. government’s crackdown on the crypto industry. Gensler, who was nominated by President Joe Biden, announced last month that he would be stepping down from his post on the day that Trump is inaugurated — Jan. 20, 2025. Atkins began his career as a lawyer and has a long history working in the financial markets sector, both in government and private practice. In the 1990s, he worked on the staffs of two former SEC chairmen, Richard C. Breeden and Arthur Levitt. Jared Isaacman, 41, is a tech billionaire who bought a series of spaceflights from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and conducted the first private spacewalk . He is the founder and CEO of a card-processing company and has collaborated closely with Musk ever since buying his first chartered SpaceX flight. He took contest winners on that 2021 trip and followed it in September with a mission where he briefly popped out the hatch to test SpaceX’s new spacewalking suits. 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 said Wednesday that he will nominate Gen. Keith Kellogg to serve as assistant to the president and special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, a retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as National Security Advisor to Trump's former Vice President Mike Pence. For the America First Policy Institute, one of several groups formed after Trump left office to help lay the groundwork for the next Republican administration, Kellogg in April wrote that “bringing the Russia-Ukraine war to a close will require strong, America First leadership to deliver a peace deal and immediately end the hostilities between the two warring parties.” (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) Trump asked Rep. Michael Waltz, R-Fla., a retired Army National Guard officer and war veteran, to be his national security adviser, Trump announced in a statement Tuesday. The move puts Waltz in the middle of national security crises, ranging from efforts to provide weapons to Ukraine and worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea to the persistent attacks in the Middle East by Iran proxies and the push for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas and Hezbollah. “Mike has been a strong champion of my America First Foreign Policy agenda,” Trump's statement said, "and will be a tremendous champion of our pursuit of Peace through Strength!” Waltz is a three-term GOP congressman from east-central Florida. He served multiple tours in Afghanistan and also worked in the Pentagon as a policy adviser when Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates were defense chiefs. He is considered hawkish on China, and called for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing due to its involvement in the origin of COVID-19 and its mistreatment of the minority Muslim Uighur population. Stephen Miller, an immigration hardliner , was a vocal spokesperson during the presidential campaign for Trump's priority of mass deportations. The 39-year-old was a senior adviser during Trump's first administration. Miller has been a central figure in some of Trump's policy decisions, notably his move to separate thousands of immigrant families. Trump argued throughout the campaign that the nation's economic, national security and social priorities could be met by deporting people who are in the United States illegally. Since Trump left office in 2021, Miller has served as the president of America First Legal, an organization made up of former Trump advisers aimed at challenging the Biden administration, media companies, universities and others over issues such as free speech and national security. Thomas Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. Homan, who served under Trump in his first administration leading U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, was widely expected to be offered a position related to the border, an issue Trump made central to his campaign. Though Homan has insisted such a massive undertaking would be humane, he has long been a loyal supporter of Trump's policy proposals, suggesting at a July conference in Washington that he would be willing to "run the biggest deportation operation this country’s ever seen.” Democrats have criticized Homan for his defending Trump's “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings during his first administration, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Former Rep. Billy Long represented Missouri in the U.S. House from 2011 to 2023. Since leaving Congress, Trump said, Long “has worked as a Business and Tax advisor, helping Small Businesses navigate the complexities of complying with the IRS Rules and Regulations.” Former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler was appointed in January 2020 by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp and then lost a runoff election a year later. She started a conservative voter registration organization and dived into GOP fundraising, becoming one of the top individual donors and bundlers to Trump’s 2024 comeback campaign. Even before nominating her for agriculture secretary, the president-elect already had tapped Loeffler as co-chair of his inaugural committee. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Dr. Marty Makary, Food and Drug Administration 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. Dr. Janette Nesheiwat, Surgeon General 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 to Fox News. Dr. Dave Weldon, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 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 state after cardiac arrest, should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.

Family member books relative a vacation as Christmas gift - and then cancels it without telling themNo. 11 Tennessee crushes UTEP to enhance CFP chances

Maye Musk, Elon's mother, joined 'America's Newsroom' to discuss her take on the plan to eliminate wasteful government spending and her reaction to Rep. Adam Schiff blaming the Democrats for Harris' loss. FIRST ON FOX: Vivek Ramaswamy, who was recently tapped by President-Elect Trump to head the nascent Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) alongside tech billionaire Elon Musk, said there are several "low-hanging fruit" to weed out "a lot of waste" through executive action when Trump takes office. "One of the low-hanging fruit areas is to look at areas under the executive branch, through executive action that we can actually put an end to a lot of the money that hasn't been authorized by Congress, but it's still being spent, a lot of the waste, fraud and abuse, even in entitlement programs that are resulting in a lot of frictional cost, and ultimately tame the administrative state itself back down to the size that would make our Founding Fathers proud," Ramaswamy said on "Unmuted," Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn 's podcast. 'EFFICIENT AND ACCOUNTABLE': GOP-LED DOGE BILL AIMS TO SLASH OUTFLOW OF FEDERAL DOLLARS Vivek Ramaswamy and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images | Shannon Finney/Getty Images for RIAA) Last week, both Musk and Ramaswamy took to X, formerly Twitter, to say they'll also focus on defense spending cuts while heading up the DOGE advisory panel. "We need to strengthen our military by focusing on the *effectiveness* of our defense spending, rather than just reflexively increasing the magnitude," Ramaswamy wrote. DOGE will expire in July 2026, he noted, on the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. "I think it was Reagan who famously said there's no such thing as a government program that doesn't live, it's the best evidence we have for eternal life," Ramaswamy said. "And you know, I don't think it has to be that way." 'MORNING JOE' CO-HOSTS HOLD FACE-TO-FACE MEETING WITH TRUMP FOR FIRST TIME IN SEVEN YEARS Trump announced Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy would lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on Nov. 12, 2024. (Getty Images) Blackburn added that she has introduced legislation to halt federal salary increases and hiring until recommendations from DOGE are implemented, as well as a bill to reform the federal workforce, advocating for a shift from tenure-based promotions to a merit-based system. "And those are things that need to be enacted," Blackburn said. "We are just so pleased that President Trump has said now's the time. We're so pleased that he has said that you and Elon are the people to make this happen." CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP When announcing the Department of Government Efficiency, Trump said the panel would help his administration "slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies." House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., recently announced a new subcommittee for the 119th Congress to correspond with the Department of Government Efficiency. STATE LAWMAKERS, COMPANIES PREPARE TO PUSH BACK AGAINST DEI, 'WOKE' INITIATIVES: EXPERTS Congress is racing to be ready to execute the recommendations of Trump's DOGE. (Getty Images) House Republicans are also jumping on the bandwagon to slash spending. Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Okla., introduced a new bill last week – the "Decreasing Overlapping Grants Efficiently (DOGE) Act" – that would establish a system for cutting down on redundant government grants across multiple departments. "It's a big undertaking," Ramaswamy said. "But I do think that if we bring the public along and even allow the public to participate in airing areas where they're encountering government waste or bureaucracy and surface that we're able to make this something that isn't just top down, but also bottom up." Fox News Digital's Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report. Jamie Joseph is a writer who covers politics. She leads Fox News Digital coverage of the Senate.

House rejects Democratic efforts to force release of Matt Gaetz ethics reportThe Green Bay Packers have released their inactive list for the Week 14 Thursday Night Football game against the Detroit Lions. Wide receiver Romeo Doubs (concussion), cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee), linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring), cornerback Corey Ballentine (knee) and offensive lineman Jacob Monk will miss the important NFC North battle. Doubs suffered a concussion against the San Francisco 49ers and hasn’t cleared concussion protocol. Alexander injured his knee in the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 27. He aggravated the injury during the game against the Chicago Bears last month. The Packers enter Thursday’s game with a lot of momentum, winning seven of their last eight games after starting the season 2-2. Interestingly enough, the loss the Packers suffered during that stretch was against the Lions at Lambeau Field. “It’s not like our first hostile environment,” Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said about playing in Detroit, per the team’s official website. “Chicago was pretty loud, but I get it. This is going to be louder. It’s going to be a dome stadium and their fan base is going crazy right now getting behind the Lions. More on the Packers vs. Lions TNF matchup “So it’s going to be a fun environment. I love it where it’s just the guys in the locker room going out and competing for one another.” The Packers won’t be intimidated by Ford Field since they won there last season. “Yeah, you can lean on that, but I think no matter who it is, if we had a whole new team, guys would be confident,” Packers QB Jordan Love said. “We’re confident every game we go into and obviously I think we have enough motivation having lost the first game to these guys, so we owe them and we’ll be able to put up a good fight in Detroit.” The Packers come into the game with a 9-3 record, while the Lions are 11-1. It’s a must-win game for Green Bay if they want to give themselves a chance to win the division and host a playoff game. This article first appeared on 5 GOATs and was syndicated with permission.

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