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Trump wants pardoned real estate developer Charles Kushner to be ambassador to France
A user manual for yeast's genetic switches December 19, 2024 Kobe University When introducing genes into yeast to make it produce drugs and other useful substances, it is also necessary to reliably switch the production on or off. Researchers have found three gene regulation design principles that provide a flexible guideline for the effective control of microbiological production. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIN Email When introducing genes into yeast to make it produce drugs and other useful substances, it is also necessary to reliably switch the production on or off. A Kobe University team found three gene regulation design principles that provide a flexible guideline for the effective control of microbiological production. It's said that DNA is the blueprint of life, telling our cells what to produce. But DNA also contains the switches telling those cells when to produce something and how much of it. Therefore, when introducing new genes into cells to produce useful chemicals such as drugs or raw materials for chemical production, it is also necessary to include a genetic switch, a piece of DNA called a "promoter," that tells the cells to start production as needed. Kobe University bioengineer TOMINAGA Masahiro says: "The problem is that these promoters cannot be used in a plug-and-play manner unless researchers deeply understand how they interact with other genetic elements. Indeed, there are not so many cases in which researchers use artificial promoters to precisely control the cellular production and achieve their research purpose." Sometimes the production is too low, sometimes it is "leaky," meaning that it cannot be turned off at will. This is especially true for bioengineering yeast, which is more complex in its genetic regulation compared to bacteria. But this increased complexity also enables its use to produce many useful chemicals. As experts in modifying yeast cells, Tominaga and colleagues from the team led by ISHII Jun took a systematic approach to working out how to design effective promoters. "We came up with the idea that by carefully describing our process of improving a prototype promoter, we could prepare a 'user manual' for how to achieve high-performance and precise control so that these genetic systems could be more widely used," Tominaga explains. In a paper now published in the journal Nature Communications , they describe three design principles for yeast promoters. First, if researchers not only need large amounts of the product but also the ability to switch the production on or off at will, they should introduce multiple copies of the regulatory elements enabling this within the promoter. This reduces leakiness and increases the productivity. Second, the distance between promoter elements should be as small as possible to enhance the productivity even more. And third, the promoter should be insulated from surrounding DNA by including extra DNA before it to further reduce leakiness. Tominaga says: "We showed that a promoter's performance can be improved more than 100-fold by simply modifying its surrounding sequence. This is the first study to clearly propose a solution to the problem why potent yeast promoters work in some environments and not in others." The Kobe University bioengineers demonstrated the usefulness of their system by showcasing the production of two pharmaceutically useful proteins, so-called "biologics." Not only could they produce these two biologics in separate yeast strains but also in the same strain and with the ability to independently control which biologic is produced at any time. The latter is important because it has potential applications in hospitals, as the team explains in the study: "In addition to the conventional fermentation of single biologics, the rapid and single-dose production of multiple biologics with a single yeast strain at the point of care is crucial for emergencies that require production speed and flexibility rather than purity and productivity." They also achieved the notoriously difficult production of a coronavirus protein that can be used for the production of treatments, further showcasing both the usefulness and the flexibility of their design principles. Tominaga explains his wider outlook on the implications of this study: "Synthetic biology advocates creating new biological functions by rewriting genome sequences. The reality is however that we are often confused by unexpected changes resulting from our edits. We hope that our study is the first step towards the ability to design every single base in the genome with clear intentions." This research was funded by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (grants JP21ae0121002, JP21ae0121005, JP21ae0121006, JP21ae0121007, JP20ae0101055 and JP20ae0101060), the Japan Science and Technology Agency (grants JPMJCR21N2 and JPMJGX23B4) and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (grants JP23K26469, JP23H01776 and JP18K14374). It was conducted in collaboration with researchers from the Pharma Foods International Co. Ltd and National Institute of Health Sciences. Story Source: Materials provided by Kobe University . Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Journal Reference : Cite This Page :COA: BSP spent P5.95B for new peso banknotes
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Financial giants have made a conspicuous bullish move on Alphabet. Our analysis of options history for Alphabet GOOGL revealed 45 unusual trades. Delving into the details, we found 55% of traders were bullish, while 33% showed bearish tendencies. Out of all the trades we spotted, 15 were puts, with a value of $1,256,958, and 30 were calls, valued at $1,436,733. Expected Price Movements After evaluating the trading volumes and Open Interest, it's evident that the major market movers are focusing on a price band between $110.0 and $300.0 for Alphabet, spanning the last three months. Volume & Open Interest Development Assessing the volume and open interest is a strategic step in options trading. These metrics shed light on the liquidity and investor interest in Alphabet's options at specified strike prices. The forthcoming data visualizes the fluctuation in volume and open interest for both calls and puts, linked to Alphabet's substantial trades, within a strike price spectrum from $110.0 to $300.0 over the preceding 30 days. Alphabet Call and Put Volume: 30-Day Overview Noteworthy Options Activity: Symbol PUT/CALL Trade Type Sentiment Exp. Date Ask Bid Price Strike Price Total Trade Price Open Interest Volume GOOGL PUT TRADE BULLISH 12/19/25 $4.85 $4.7 $4.7 $130.00 $305.5K 591 662 GOOGL PUT TRADE BEARISH 06/20/25 $24.0 $23.95 $24.0 $185.00 $144.0K 1.0K 60 GOOGL CALL TRADE BEARISH 06/20/25 $41.9 $41.85 $41.85 $130.00 $125.5K 1.1K 30 GOOGL PUT SWEEP BULLISH 04/17/25 $8.0 $7.9 $7.9 $160.00 $115.3K 3.3K 318 GOOGL CALL TRADE BULLISH 01/16/26 $10.85 $10.85 $10.85 $200.00 $108.5K 4.3K 431 About Alphabet Alphabet is a holding company that wholly owns internet giant Google. The California-based company derives slightly less than 90% of its revenue from Google services, the vast majority of which is advertising sales. Alongside online ads, Google services houses sales stemming from Google's subscription services (YouTube TV, YouTube Music among others), platforms (sales and in-app purchases on Play Store), and devices (Chromebooks, Pixel smartphones, and smart home products such as Chromecast). Google's cloud computing platform, or GCP, accounts for roughly 10% of Alphabet's revenue with the firm's investments in up-and-coming technologies such as self-driving cars (Waymo), health (Verily), and internet access (Google Fiber) making up the rest. After a thorough review of the options trading surrounding Alphabet, we move to examine the company in more detail. This includes an assessment of its current market status and performance. Present Market Standing of Alphabet With a volume of 23,824,736, the price of GOOGL is down -1.64% at $164.88. RSI indicators hint that the underlying stock is currently neutral between overbought and oversold. Next earnings are expected to be released in 67 days. What The Experts Say On Alphabet Over the past month, 5 industry analysts have shared their insights on this stock, proposing an average target price of $202.8. Turn $1000 into $1270 in just 20 days? 20-year pro options trader reveals his one-line chart technique that shows when to buy and sell. Copy his trades, which have had averaged a 27% profit every 20 days. Click here for access .* Consistent in their evaluation, an analyst from Loop Capital keeps a Hold rating on Alphabet with a target price of $185. * An analyst from Wells Fargo persists with their Equal-Weight rating on Alphabet, maintaining a target price of $187. * Maintaining their stance, an analyst from Keybanc continues to hold a Overweight rating for Alphabet, targeting a price of $215. * An analyst from B of A Securities has decided to maintain their Buy rating on Alphabet, which currently sits at a price target of $210. * Reflecting concerns, an analyst from BMO Capital lowers its rating to Outperform with a new price target of $217. Options are a riskier asset compared to just trading the stock, but they have higher profit potential. Serious options traders manage this risk by educating themselves daily, scaling in and out of trades, following more than one indicator, and following the markets closely. If you want to stay updated on the latest options trades for Alphabet, Benzinga Pro gives you real-time options trades alerts. © 2024 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.Trump wants pardoned real estate developer Charles Kushner to be ambassador to France
The series was originally set for release in 2026 The new Harry Potter series from HBO has been pushed back until 2027. During a technology and media conference held by Wells Fargo yesterday (December 3), it was announced that the upcoming series would now arrived a year later than initially scheduled (as per Variety ). Warner Bros. Discovery global streaming chief JB Perrette said of the move: “As you look at ’26 and into ’27, you begin a 10-year journey on the ‘Harry Potter’ series, which we’re super excited about. And I’d argue, may be the biggest event by the time we get to that series.” The show is expected to run for seven seasons, with each adapting one of the books in J.K. Rowling ’s series. It was recently announced that the show would see Succession duo Francesca Gardiner as its writer and showrunner, and Mark Mylod as director on multiple episodes. So far, no one has been cast in the upcoming HBO series, though open castings for the series leads opened in the UK and Ireland in September . Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint at the New York premiere of ‘Harry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone’ in 2001 CREDIT Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images Meanwhile, Ralph Fiennes recently backed Cillian Murphy to play Voldemort in the forthcoming series. Fans have been discussing the possibility of the Oppenheimer star in the role since September and now Fiennes, who played the villain from Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire onwards in the original films, has endorsed Murphy. When asked by a fan while making an appearance on Bravo’s Watch What Happens Live what he thought about the possibility, Fiennes replied: “Cillian is a fantastic actor. That’s a wonderful suggestion. I would be all in favour of Cillian. Yeah.” You can view the moment below. It comes after it was recently reported that Mark Rylance is reportedly the frontrunner for the role of Dumbledore in the HBO series. It was also recently confirmed that Rowling still remains “fairly involved” in the forthcoming series, despite her past anti-trans sentiments and many fans previously objecting to her involvement . Related Topics Harry Potter HBO J. K. RowlingNoneTrump vows speed on energy plans
Michigan TE Colston Loveland, a top-20 prospect, declares for 2025 NFL DraftTrump wants pardoned real estate developer Charles Kushner to be ambassador to France
If you still have holiday shopping to do, Saturday's the day to start. A federal tax "holiday" will kick in this weekend, lasting for two months. It waives the tax on some categories of essential goods, a measure the federal government says is meant to help Canadians battle the high cost of living. Thought it's a federal measure, in Ontario the entire 13 per cent harmonized sales tax will disappear off categories of items including children's clothing, prepared foods, restaurant meals, toys and book and even real Christmas trees, even though the federal portion of the tax is just five per cent. "We'll start marketing first thing tomorrow morning that it's available," Richard Peddie, owner of River Bookshop in Amherstburg, told CBC's . "So yes, I would hope [we see more business]. I mean 13 per cent is pretty significant." Nicole Sekela is one of the owners of Rock Bottom Bar and Grill. She says that she's heard customers talking about the tax break, but hasn't seen anyone delay dining out in anticipation. "We've got lots of parties booked already, so I'm hoping more people come out. I hope they take advantage of it," she said. The tax holiday was announced last month. Shoppers don't need to do or claim the exemption; rather, it will not be charged at the point of sale. The break will be in place until Feb.15, 2025. Initially, Sekela says she worried about the tech side of it — having to make changes to each individual menu item to turn off the tax. But instead her software allowed her to do it by menu category — sandwiches, beers, etcetera — so it was easier than anticipated. But, she said, there are items like cocktails that are not tax-exempt, so she's had to educate her staff in preparation for customer questions. Both Peddie and Sekela agreed the move was largely political — but Sekela says she's still planning to capitalize on it. "Historically for restaurants, you know, January and February is our slow time. So I guess we'll just take advantage." At River Bookshop, Peddie says staff were combing through titles one by one until nearly the end of the week to make sure the tax was turned off. It's been a bit of added complexity at an already-busy time of year. "I think ... the whole idea was done by a bunch of people who really didn't understand retail," he said. "The bookshop we have 40,000 titles... available and we had to go through everything. "So it was a challenge. It's still going to be worthwhile. We've got high unemployment in this area, the highest in in Canada, inflation still really high. There's going to be a lot of people that take advantage of this. "So, on balance we'll take it for sure." Here's a list of items getting a tax break: Prepared foods such as sandwiches, salads, platters and pre-made meals. Snacks including chips, candy, baked goods, fruit-based snacks and granola bars. Energy bars, but only if they are considered to be food by Health Canada are not enhanced by protein, caffeine, vitamins and/or minerals and meets other qualifications. Gift baskets, as long as at least 90 per cent of the contents are qualifying food or beverage items. Prepared meals and beverages, including delivery, but only when the food establishment delivers the meal. Prepared meals delivered by a third party (the delivery cost is not tax-exempt). All non-alcoholic drinks, such as coffee, tea, carbonated drinks, juices and smoothies, provided they aren't sold through a vending machine. Alcoholic beverages such as beer, wine, cider and sake, so long as the alcohol volume is 22.9 per cent or less. Spirit mixed coolers and premixed alcoholic beverages with an alcohol volume of seven per cent or less. Energy and protein shakes, provided they aren't enhanced with protein, caffeine, vitamins and/or minerals, and provided Health Canada considers them to be a food or beverage. Meals purchased at pubs, bars, food trucks or other places serving food and beverages. Mixed drinks served in restaurants and bars if they are qualifying beverages — sparkling wine and orange juice qualify, but a vodka and soda does not. Tips paid on meals and drinks, but only if they are included in the bill. Catering services that provide qualifying food and beverages. Infant and children's clothes, including accessories such as bibs, blankets, hats, belts, suspenders, gloves and mittens. Footwear with an insole length of 24.25 cm or less. Some sports clothing, such as jerseys, ski jackets, leotards, unitards and bodysuits that can be worn outside of sports or dance activities. Diapers, both cloth and disposable, training pants or rubber pants designed to be used with diapers. Children's car seats, provided they meet Canadian safety standards and are not part of a stroller/carrier travel system. Specialized items of clothing — including wetsuits, soccer cleats, bowling shoes, skates, ski boots and tap shoes — do not qualify. Board games and card games, including playing cards and Pokémon cards. Toys that involve building, creating or assembling structures. Dolls, plush toys and soft toys and their accessories. Toys marketed for children below 14 years of age. Jigsaw puzzles for all ages. Video game consoles and video games for consoles qualify, but downloadable or online-only games do not. Collectibles — including hockey cards, dolls or other toys marketed to adults — do not qualify. Most published books, including guide books and audio books. Bound or unbound printed versions of scripture associated with any religion. Magazines and periodicals bought with a subscription which have no more than five per cent of their printed space devoted to advertising. Newspapers that contain news stories, editorials, features, or other information of interest to the general public and are published daily, weekly or monthly.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — President-elect Donald Trump said Saturday that he wants real estate developer Charles Kushner , father of Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, to serve as ambassador to France. Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post, calling Charles Kushner “a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, & dealmaker." Kushner is the founder of Kushner Companies, a real estate firm. Jared Kushner is a former White House senior adviser to Trump who is married to Trump’s eldest daughter, Ivanka. The elder Kushner was pardoned by Trump in December 2020 after pleading guilty years earlier to tax evasion and making illegal campaign donations. Prosecutors alleged that after Charles Kushner discovered his brother-in-law was cooperating with federal authorities in an investigation, he hatched a scheme for revenge and intimidation. Kushner hired a prostitute to lure his brother-in-law, then arranged to have the encounter in a New Jersey motel room recorded with a hidden camera and the recording sent to Kushner's own sister, the man’s wife, prosecutors said. Kushner eventually pleaded guilty to 18 counts including tax evasion and witness tampering. He was sentenced in 2005 to two years in prison — the most he could receive under a plea deal, but less than what Chris Christie, the U.S. attorney for New Jersey at the time and later governor and Republican presidential candidate, sought. Christie blamed Jared Kushner for his firing from Trump’s transition team in 2016, and called Charles Kushner’s offenses “one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes that I prosecuted when I was U.S. attorney.” Trump and the elder Kushner knew each other from real estate circles and their children were married in 2009. Among President-elect Donald Trump's picks are Susie Wiles for chief of staff, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, former Democratic House member Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence and Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Susie Wiles, 67, was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. Trump named Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be secretary of state, making a former sharp critic his choice to be the new administration's top diplomat. Rubio, 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate on the Republican ticket last summer. Rubio is the vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “He will be a strong Advocate for our Nation, a true friend to our Allies, and a fearless Warrior who will never back down to our adversaries,” Trump said of Rubio in a statement. The announcement punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator called a “con man" during his unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. And as Trump campaigned for the presidency a third time, Rubio cheered his proposals. For instance, Rubio, who more than a decade ago helped craft immigration legislation that included a path to citizenship for people in the U.S. illegally, now supports Trump's plan to use the U.S. military for mass deportations. Pete Hegseth, 44, is a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends Weekend” and has been a contributor with the network since 2014, where he developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth lacks senior military or national security experience. If confirmed by the Senate, he would inherit the top job during a series of global crises — ranging from Russia’s war in Ukraine and the ongoing attacks in the Middle East by Iranian proxies to the push for a cease-fire between Israel, Hamas and Hezbollah and escalating worries about the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Hegseth is also the author of “The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free,” published earlier this year. Trump tapped Pam Bondi, 59, to be attorney general after U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew his name from consideration. She was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She also was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist, she served as part of a Trump-allied outside group that helped lay the groundwork for his future administration called the America First Policy Institute. Bondi was among a group of Republicans who showed up to support Trump at his hush money criminal trial in New York that ended in May with a conviction on 34 felony counts. A fierce defender of Trump, she also frequently appears on Fox News and has been a critic of the criminal cases against him. Trump picked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a well-known conservative who faced sharp criticism for telling a story in her memoir about shooting a rambunctious dog, to lead an agency crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda. Noem used her two terms leading a tiny state to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. South Dakota is usually a political afterthought. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions that other states had issued and instead declared her state “open for business.” Trump held a fireworks rally at Mount Rushmore in July 2020 in one of the first large gatherings of the pandemic. She takes over a department with a sprawling mission. In addition to key immigration agencies, the Department of Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service, and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. The governor of North Dakota, who was once little-known outside his state, Burgum is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump, and spent months traveling to drum up support for him, after dropping out of the race. Burgum was a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice this summer. The two-term governor was seen as a possible pick because of his executive experience and business savvy. Burgum also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump made the announcement about Burgum joining his incoming administration while addressing a gala at his Mar-a-Lago club, and said a formal statement would be coming the following day. In comments to reporters before Trump took the stage, Burgum said that, in recent years, the power grid is deteriorating in many parts of the country, which he said could raise national security concerns but also drive up prices enough to increase inflation. “There's just a sense of urgency, and a sense of understanding in the Trump administration,” Burgum said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. ran for president as a Democrat, than as an independent, and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated during his own presidential campaign. The nomination of Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services alarmed people who are concerned about his record of spreading unfounded fears about vaccines . For example, he has long advanced the debunked idea that vaccines cause autism. Scott Bessent, 62, is a former George Soros money manager and an advocate for deficit reduction. He's the founder of hedge fund Key Square Capital Management, after having worked on-and-off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be the nation’s first openly gay treasury secretary. He told Bloomberg in August that he decided to join Trump’s campaign in part to attack the mounting U.S. national debt. That would include slashing government programs and other spending. “This election cycle is the last chance for the U.S. to grow our way out of this mountain of debt without becoming a sort of European-style socialist democracy,” he said then. Oregon Republican U.S. Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer narrowly lost her reelection bid this month, but received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, she would oversee the Labor Department’s workforce, its budget and put forth priorities that impact workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and would add penalties for companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws that allow employees in more than half the states to avoid participating in or paying dues to unions that represent workers at their places of employment. Scott Turner is a former NFL player and White House aide. He ran the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council during Trump’s first term in office. Trump, in a statement, credited Turner, the highest-ranking Black person he’s yet selected for his administration, with “helping to lead an Unprecedented Effort that Transformed our Country’s most distressed communities.” Sean Duffy is a former House member from Wisconsin who was one of Trump's most visible defenders on cable news. Duffy served in the House for nearly nine years, sitting on the Financial Services Committee and chairing the subcommittee on insurance and housing. He left Congress in 2019 for a TV career and has been the host of “The Bottom Line” on Fox Business. Before entering politics, Duffy was a reality TV star on MTV, where he met his wife, “Fox and Friends Weekend” co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy. They have nine children. A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Write is a vocal advocate of oil and gas development, including fracking — a key pillar of Trump’s quest to achieve U.S. “energy dominance” in the global market. Wright also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. He said the climate movement around the world is “collapsing under its own weight.” The Energy Department is responsible for advancing energy, environmental and nuclear security of the United States. Wright also won support from influential conservatives, including oil and gas tycoon Harold Hamm. Hamm, executive chairman of Oklahoma-based Continental Resources, a major shale oil company, is a longtime Trump supporter and adviser who played a key role on energy issues in Trump’s first term. President-elect Donald Trump tapped billionaire professional wrestling mogul Linda McMahon to be secretary of the Education Department, tasked with overseeing an agency Trump promised to dismantle. McMahon led the Small Business Administration during Trump’s initial term from 2017 to 2019 and twice ran unsuccessfully as a Republican for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut. She’s seen as a relative unknown in education circles, though she expressed support for charter schools and school choice. She served on the Connecticut Board of Education for a year starting in 2009 and has spent years on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Brooke Rollins, who graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in agricultural development, is a longtime Trump associate who served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. The 52-year-old is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for a second Trump administration. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Trump chose Howard Lutnick, head of brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and a cryptocurrency enthusiast, as his nominee for commerce secretary, a position in which he'd have a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. Trump made the announcement Tuesday on his social media platform, Truth Social. Lutnick is a co-chair of Trump’s transition team, along with Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration. Both are tasked with putting forward candidates for key roles in the next administration. The nomination would put Lutnick in charge of a sprawling Cabinet agency that is involved in funding new computer chip factories, imposing trade restrictions, releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. It is also a position in which connections to CEOs and the wider business community are crucial. Doug Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial, which centered on U.S. assistance for Ukraine. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential nomination, but he was acquitted by the Senate. Collins has also served in the armed forces himself and is currently a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. "We must take care of our brave men and women in uniform, and Doug will be a great advocate for our Active Duty Servicemembers, Veterans, and Military Families to ensure they have the support they need," Trump said in a statement about nominating Collins to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. Karoline Leavitt, 27, was Trump's campaign press secretary and currently a spokesperson for his transition. She would be the youngest White House press secretary in history. The White House press secretary typically serves as the public face of the administration and historically has held daily briefings for the press corps. Leavitt, a New Hampshire native, was a spokesperson for MAGA Inc., a super PAC supporting Trump, before joining his 2024 campaign. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term before she became communications director for New York Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump's choice for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard has been tapped by Trump to be director of national intelligence, keeping with the trend to stock his Cabinet with loyal personalities rather than veteran professionals in their requisite fields. Gabbard, 43, was a Democratic House member who unsuccessfully sought the party's 2020 presidential nomination before leaving the party in 2022. She endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him this fall. “I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community,” Trump said in a statement. Gabbard, who has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades, deploying to Iraq and Kuwait, would come to the role as somewhat of an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, was confirmed by the Senate in 2021 following several years in a number of top national security and intelligence positions. Trump has picked John Ratcliffe, a former Texas congressman who served as director of national intelligence during his first administration, to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency in his next. Ratcliffe was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump's first term, leading the U.S. government's spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. “I look forward to John being the first person ever to serve in both of our Nation's highest Intelligence positions,” Trump said in a statement, calling him a “fearless fighter for the Constitutional Rights of all Americans” who would ensure “the Highest Levels of National Security, and PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH.” Trump has chosen former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin to serve as his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Zeldin does not appear to have any experience in environmental issues, but is a longtime supporter of the former president. The 44-year-old former U.S. House member from New York wrote on X , “We will restore US energy dominance, revitalize our auto industry to bring back American jobs, and make the US the global leader of AI.” “We will do so while protecting access to clean air and water,” he added. During his campaign, Trump often attacked the Biden administration's promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referring to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often told his audiences during the campaign his administration would “Drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. In a statement, Trump said Zeldin “will ensure fair and swift deregulatory decisions that will be enacted in a way to unleash the power of American businesses, while at the same time maintaining the highest environmental standards, including the cleanest air and water on the planet.” Trump has named Brendan Carr, the senior Republican on the Federal Communications Commission, as the new chairman of the agency tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC’s general counsel. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission. Carr made past appearances on “Fox News Channel," including when he decried Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris' pre-Election Day appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He wrote an op-ed last month defending a satellite company owned by Trump supporter Elon Musk. Rep. Elise Stefanik is a representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders going back to his first impeachment. Elected to the House in 2014, Stefanik was selected by her GOP House colleagues as House Republican Conference chair in 2021, when former Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after publicly criticizing Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik, 40, has served in that role ever since as the third-ranking member of House leadership. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. If confirmed, she would represent American interests at the U.N. as Trump vows to end the war waged by Russia against Ukraine begun in 2022. He has also called for peace as Israel continues its offensive against Hamas in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon to target Hezbollah. President-elect Donald Trump says he's chosen former acting Attorney General Matt Whitaker to serve as U.S. ambassador to NATO. Trump has expressed skepticism about the Western military alliance for years. Trump said in a statement Wednesday that Whitaker is “a strong warrior and loyal Patriot” who “will ensure the United States’ interests are advanced and defended” and “strengthen relationships with our NATO Allies, and stand firm in the face of threats to Peace and Stability.” The choice of Whitaker as the nation’s representative to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is an unusual one, given his background is as a lawyer and not in foreign policy. 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. Dr. Mehmet Oz, 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime television talk show. He ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate as the Republican nominee in 2022 and is an outspoken supporter of Trump, who endorsed Oz's bid for elected office. Elon Musk, left, and Vivek Ramaswamy speak before Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump at an Oct. 27 campaign rally at Madison Square Garden in New York. Trump on Tuesday said Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Ramaswamy will lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency" — which is not, despite the name, a government agency. The acronym “DOGE” is a nod to Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, dogecoin. Trump said Musk and Ramaswamy will work from outside the government to offer the White House “advice and guidance” and will partner with the Office of Management and Budget to “drive large scale structural reform, and create an entrepreneurial approach to Government never seen before.” He added the move would shock government systems. It's not clear how the organization will operate. Musk, owner of X and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has been a constant presence at Mar-a-Lago since Trump won the presidential election. Ramaswamy suspended his campaign in January and threw his support behind Trump. Trump said the two will “pave the way for my Administration to dismantle Government Bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure Federal Agencies.” Russell Vought held the position during Trump’s first presidency. After Trump’s initial term ended, Vought founded the Center for Renewing America, a think tank that describes its mission as “renew a consensus of America as a nation under God.” Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that he tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Vought has also previously worked as the executive and budget director for the Republican Study Committee, a caucus for conservative House Republicans. He also worked at Heritage Action, the political group tied to The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank. Dan Scavino, deputy chief of staff Scavino, whom Trump's transition referred to in a statement as one of “Trump's longest serving and most trusted aides,” was a senior adviser to Trump's 2024 campaign, as well as his 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino had run Trump's social media profile in the White House during his first administration. He was also held in contempt of Congress in 2022 after a month-long refusal to comply with a subpoena from the House committee’s investigation into the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. James Blair, deputy chief of staff Blair was political director for Trump's 2024 campaign and for the Republican National Committee. He will be deputy chief of staff for legislative, political and public affairs and assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump's economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign this year, a driving force behind the candidate's “Trump can fix it” slogan and his query to audiences this fall if they were better off than four years ago. Taylor Budowich, deputy chief of staff Budowich is a veteran Trump campaign aide who launched and directed Make America Great Again, Inc., a super PAC that supported Trump's 2024 campaign. He will be deputy chief of staff for communications and personnel and assistant to the president. Budowich also had served as a spokesman for Trump after his presidency. William McGinley, White House counsel McGinley was White House Cabinet secretary during Trump's first administration, and was outside legal counsel for the Republican National Committee's election integrity effort during the 2024 campaign. In a statement, Trump called McGinley “a smart and tenacious lawyer who will help me advance our America First agenda, while fighting for election integrity and against the weaponization of law enforcement.” Jay Bhattacharya, National Institutes of Health Trump has chosen Dr. Jay Bhattacharya to lead the National Institutes of Health. Bhattacharya is a physician and professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, and is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. He promoted the idea of herd immunity during the pandemic, arguing that people at low risk should live normally while building up immunity to COVID-19 through infection. The National Institutes of Health funds medical research through competitive grants to researchers at institutions throughout the nation. NIH also conducts its own research with thousands of scientists working at its labs in Bethesda, Maryland. Jamieson Greer, U.S. trade representative Kevin Hassett, Director of the White House National Economic Council Trump is turning to two officials with experience navigating not only Washington but the key issues of income taxes and tariffs as he fills out his economic team. He announced he has chosen international trade attorney Jamieson Greer to be his U.S. trade representative and Kevin Hassett as director of the White House National Economic Council. While Trump has in several cases nominated outsiders to key posts, these picks reflect a recognition that his reputation will likely hinge on restoring the public’s confidence in the economy. Trump said in a statement that Greer was instrumental in his first term in imposing tariffs on China and others and replacing the trade agreement with Canada and Mexico, “therefore making it much better for American Workers.” Hassett, 62, served in the first Trump term as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. He has a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania and worked at the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute before joining the Trump White House in 2017. Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Walmart has this mega-sized 75-inch 4K UltraHD Roku TV on sale for less than $480 in a huge holiday deal
The Chicago Bears (4-6) look to halt their four-game losing streak when they host the Minnesota Vikings (8-2) on Sunday at Soldier Field. For the Bears, it’s the first of two NFC North games in five days with the Thanksgiving game at the Detroit Lions (9-1) to follow. As kickoff approaches, here’s our snapshot look at the game. Caleb Williams The Bears rookie quarterback saw quick results from his new partnership with offensive coordinator Thomas Brown in Week 11 against the Green Bay Packers. While the Bears offense scored only 19 points, they did manage 391 yards, including 23-for-31 passing for 231 yards from Williams in the loss . The ability of Brown and Williams to quickly get on the same page after Williams spent so long learning former coordinator Shane Waldron’s offense was promising. Brown said his plan is about finding what’s right for the players. “It’s simple. It doesn’t matter what I’m comfortable with. I don’t play,” Brown said. “So I can always adapt or adjust. To me, it’s my job as a coordinator to adapt and adjust to our players, to what our guys are doing. So, whether it’s Caleb, whether it’s the O-line, whether it’s the receivers, tight ends or backs, it’s our job to design a plan to obviously attack a defense but also to play to what we do well.” They Bears don’t have an easy second test against a Vikings defense under coordinator Brian Flores that Brown said doesn’t have many weaknesses. They boast the top run defense in the league and also are first with 16 interceptions. Brown said he has met Flores only a couple of times, but he was highly complimentary of the unit he runs. The Caleb Williams File: How the Chicago Bears QB is preparing for a massive Week 12 test “One of the biggest compliments you can get as a coach is your unit takes on your personality,” Brown said. “They are aggressive, they are attacking, they are opportunistic, and so it’s going to be important for us to go into the game, first and foremost, and play with no fear. We’re never going to coach fear, never play with fear. For me, that starts first with preparation. ... Our guys being able to have confidence in the game plan, to do that based on preparation in the week. Then let it rip, man.” Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold scrambles while pressured by Rams linebacker Byron Young on Oct. 24, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (Mark J. Terrill/AP) Can the Bears get their pass rush going? Defensive end Montez Sweat was forthright Thursday when asked how he is feeling as the Bears prep for the Vikings. “We’re on a three- or four-game losing streak? I’m pretty (expletive) frustrated,” he said. It’s not just the losing streak that has dampened Sweat’s spirits recently. He has been on the injury report more than he has been used to, first with a shin bruise and then with an ankle injury, though he is now off it and good to play Sunday. And he hasn’t recorded a sack since Oct. 27, sitting at 31⁄2 for the season. The Bears pass rush in general has been lacking of late, with just one sack in each of the last two games, and that’s obviously something they’d like to change as they attack Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold. Darnold has experienced a bit of a renaissance this season, throwing for 2,387 yards with a 100 passer rating in 10 starts after rookie J.J. McCarthy had meniscus surgery in the preseason. But Darnold also has thrown 10 interceptions — including five in Weeks 9 and 10 — and been sacked 28 times, the latter tied for sixth most in the NFL. “That’s a weekly aspiration and goal,” Bears defensive coordinator Eric Washington said of getting the pass rush going. “Everything that we like to do starts with our four-man rush, first through third down and including two-minute. Whatever we desire to do in terms of sending an extra player should complement that. We have to have the production with our four-man rush.” Bears offensive coordinator Thomas Brown walks on the field before a game against the Packers on Nov. 17, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) The Bears’ communication Coach Matt Eberflus stressed early in the week that the Bears needed to come up with a manageable and effective plan to combat the defense of Flores, whom Williams called “the king of the Cover-0 blitz.” Brown said the Bears need to use motions to help “undress” what the Vikings are doing presnap, and Williams said he needs to be aware of where his hot routes will be. Eberflus on Friday stressed that the next step is execution of the plan and “elite communication” throughout the game as they try to help Williams conquer the challenge. “High-pressure team. There’s no hiding it. That’s who they are,” left guard Teven Jenkins said. “That’s one thing we have to be very conscious of up front, being able to communicate all the way through the tight ends, just to let you know there’s pressure coming from the front side, back side.” Jenkins returns to the lineup after missing the Packers game with an ankle injury . He said the ankle is good enough to play this week, giving the Bears a healthier line for the first time in weeks. “I’m going to keep pushing through,” he said. “That’s what my team needs from me and that’s what I need from myself as well.” The Bears offensive line has its work cut out against a Vikings unit that is third with 35 sacks. Outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel leads the Vikings with eight sacks. Jonathan Greenard and Patrick Jones II each have seven. “(Van Ginkel) is a really good, all-around football player,” Eberflus said. “The instincts are elite, and he makes a lot of plays for him.” Bears safety Jonathan Owens celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown on a blocked-punt return in the third quarter against the Titans on Sept. 8, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune) The Bears will be without starting safety Elijah Hicks, who was declared out with an ankle injury. Hicks started five games in place of Jaquan Brisker, who is on injured reserve with a concussion . Now the Bears turn to sixth-year safety Jonathan Owens, who has played in 10 games without a start this season. But Owens is experienced, with 30 starts the last three seasons with the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans. “Jonathan’s doing a really good job in there, and he’s started some games last year, so he’s familiar in terms of being in that role,” Eberflus said. “He’s done a good job communicating with Kevin (Byard) and everybody else in the secondary.” The secondary as a whole, including cornerback Jaylon Johnson, is going to have to buckle down against Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson . The Bears gave up passes of 60, 48 and 25 yards last week to Packers receiver Christian Watson. Jefferson is averaging 91.2 receiving yards per game. Bears running back D’Andre Swift scores a touchdown against the Packers on Nov. 17, 2024, at Soldier Field. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune) Bears running back D’Andre Swift said he expects to be good to go Sunday after battling a groin injury during the week. He rested Wednesday but practiced in a limited fashion Thursday and was back in full Friday. The Bears listed him as questionable. Wide receiver Keenan Allen also is questionable after rolling his ankle in practice Friday. Eberflus said the Bears don’t think it is severe and are hopeful he can play Sunday. Along with Hicks, guard/center Ryan Bates also is out with a concussion. Offensive tackle Kiran Amegadjie (calf) is questionable. For the Vikings, tight end Josh Oliver (wrist/ankle) is out. Outside linebacker Gabe Murphy (knee) and tight end Nick Muse (hand) are questionable. There have been plenty of Minnesota teams as good or better than the current one that have had a hard time at Soldier Field against average to mediocre Bears teams. The Bears have won the turnover margin in three consecutive games (all losses) and six of seven. They should be in position to make a play or two against quarterback Sam Darnold, and ball security has been a real positive for Caleb Williams of late. A path to victory for the Bears must include stealing a possession or two. It’s hard to believe the Bears are going to have a lot of success running the ball against Minnesota’s stout front, though, and if the Vikings get Williams in second-and-long and third-and-uncomfortable, that will be problematic. Vikings 23, Bears 13 The Bears could really use this win, considering they have to turn around and travel to Detroit to face the NFC North-leading Lions five days later. And it feels like one they could steal if the defense forces Sam Darnold into some turnovers and Caleb Williams and the offense under Thomas Brown can manage the Vikings defense and continue to show some of the positives that came out of the loss to the Packers. But still, it seems unwise to pick the Bears until I see they can put it all together against a good team. We haven’t seen that recently. Vikings 23, Bears 20 The Bears can definitely win this game. And it starts with creating enough pressure with their front four to make life difficult for Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold. Get that done and create a couple of turnovers and maybe this painful losing streak comes to a close. Still, containing Justin Jefferson will be a struggle. The challenge for Caleb Williams in solving Brian Flores’ defense is real. And it’s almost impossible to pick the Bears to win again until they actually win again. Vikings 19, Bears 13
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Trump wants pardoned real estate developer Charles Kushner to become US ambassador to FranceGavin McKenna will suit up for Canada at the world junior hockey championship. Set to turn 17 next week, the star forward with the Western Hockey League’s Medicine Hat Tigers headlines the country’s 25-player roster for the annual tournament announced Friday. McKenna, who is projected as the potential top pick at the 2026 NHL draft, will be joined by a pair of fellow youngsters battling for the No. 1 selection spot in June — 18-year-old winger Porter Martone and 17-year-old defenceman Matthew Schaefer. Five of seven eligible returnees from last year’s squad that finished a disappointing fifth in Sweden are back, with forwards Easton Cowan, Brayden Yager and Carson Rehkopf getting the nod, while defencemen Oliver Bonk and Tanner Molendyk will anchor the blue line. The two players unable to hold onto their spots for the event set to run Dec. 26 to Jan. 5 in Ottawa are forward Matthew Wood and goaltender Scott Ratzlaff. Making up the rest of the group up front are Bradly Nadeau, Jett Luchanko, Luca Pinelli, Berkly Catton, Ethan Gauthier, Calum Ritchie, Tanner Howe, Cole Beaudoin and Mathieu Cataford. Nadeau didn’t attend selection camp in Ottawa this week, but was guaranteed a spot after being made available by the NHL’s Carolina Hurricanes from their American Hockey League affiliate. Canada’s defence corps also includes Andrew Gibson, Sam Dickinson, Caden Price, Sawyer Mynio and Beau Akey. The hockey powerhouse’s three-headed crease contingent is made up of goaltenders Jack Ivankovic — another 17-year-old eligible for June’s NHL draft — Carter George and Carson Bjarnason. “We believe we have assembled a competitive and talented roster that will give us the best opportunity to win a gold medal on home ice,” Hockey Canada’s Peter Anholt, who leads the under-20 program’s management group, said in a statement. “We look forward to them wearing the Maple Leaf with pride.” The Canadians, who will be looking to add to a record 20 gold medals at the annual showcase, were ousted in last year’s quarterfinals thanks to a last-minute loss to Czechia. Among the other notable cuts Friday were Calgary Flames defence prospect Zayne Parekh and Beckett Sennecke, who was selected No. 3 overall by the Anaheim Ducks at the 2024 draft. Both players were late injury additions for selection camp and are eligible to try out again next year. Canada will now hold training camp in Petawawa, Ont., before pre-tournament games against Switzerland, Sweden and Czechia. The hosts open Group A at the Canadian Tire Centre, home of the NHL’s Ottawa Senators, on Boxing Day against Finland. The defending champions United States, Latvia and Germany make up the rest of the field. Group B at TD Place, home of the Ontario Hockey League’s Ottawa 67’s, includes Sweden, Czechia, Slovakia, Switzerland and Kazakhstan. Russia remains banned by the International Ice Hockey Federation due to that country’s ongoing war in Ukraine. Ottawa last hosted the world juniors in 2009 when Canada defeated Sweden to secure a record-tying fifth straight gold. Cameron, who guided the country atop the podium in 2022 after winning silver in 2011, was an assistant coach on the staff of the late Pat Quinn at that tournament 15 years ago in the nation’s capital. “This group of 25 players is excited for the opportunity to wear the Maple Leaf in front of Canadian fans in Ottawa, and to represent their country in our quest to win a gold medal,” he said in a statement. “This is a great accomplishment for these players and their families. “We know they will enjoy the world juniors experience while bringing the competitiveness needed for us to be successful and accomplish our goal.” This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 13, 2024.
Trump wants pardoned real estate developer Charles Kushner to be ambassador to France
President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy travelled to and Qatar in a push to seal a ceasefire deal in before Trump’s inauguration in January. Incoming Middle East envoy Steven Witkoff met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in November, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing an unnamed source. The meetings underscore how diplomacy's centre of gravity has shifted from the Biden administration to the incoming Trump administration, with roughly one month to go before the inauguration. Trump made ending wars in the Middle East a key part of his presidential campaign. The Biden administration brokered a 60-day ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel in November. That agreement has been fragile, with Israel attacking Lebanon since the day after the agreement was made. A senior US official told reporters last month that the Trump transition team was briefed on the deal as it was negotiated. Trump on Monday waded into Israel's war on Gaza directly, warning on social media of massive repercussions if hostages there are not released by the time he takes office in January. Trump’s comment comes after Hamas on Saturday released a video of 20-year-old Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, who was captured while serving in the Israeli military. Alexander pleaded tearfully to Netanyahu to cut a deal for the hostages' release. Qatar’s involvement in the talks is notable because the Gulf state said previously it was suspending its mediator role amid a lack of progress in the talks. The source told Reuters that Hamas negotiators could return to Doha "soon" for a fresh round of talks. "They are supportive of a Gaza ceasefire deal," the source told Reuters. The Biden administration has tried to broker a ceasefire that would start with the release of hostages held in Gaza. It regularly blamed Hamas for standing in the way of a deal, particularly saying that Hamas chief Yayha Sinwar was the “main obstacle” to a settlement. However, since his killing in October, there has been no progress towards a ceasefire. Analysts Israel has been the main roadblock to ending the war and that Netanyahu has an interest in dragging out the fighting, as he faces domestic political issues, including a corruption trial and a possible inquiry into the Hamas attack if the conflict ends. Witkoff, a Jewish-American real estate developer and Trump's golfing friend, has struck several business deals with Gulf states, including the $623m sale of New York’s Park Lane Hotel to Qatar’s investment fund. Trump has also named , father-in-law of Trump's daughter, as his senior advisor on the Middle East.
Jaguars place QB Trevor Lawrence (concussion) on IRKendrick Lamar surprises with new album 'GNX' LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kendrick Lamar gave music listeners an early holiday present with a new album. The Grammy winner released his sixth studio album “GNX” on Friday. The 12-track project is the rapper’s first release since 2022’s “Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers.” Lamar’s new album comes just months after his rap battle with Drake. The rap megastar will headline February's Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in New Orleans. The 37-year-old has experienced massive success since his debut album “good kid, m.A.A.d city” in 2012. Since then, he’s accumulated 17 Grammy wins and became the first non-classical, non-jazz musician to win a Pulitzer Prize. NBA memo to players urges increased vigilance regarding home security following break-ins MIAMI (AP) — The NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes following reports of recent high-profile burglaries of dwellings owned by Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce. In a memo sent to team officials, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press, the NBA revealed that the FBI has connected some burglaries to “transnational South American Theft Groups” that are “reportedly well-organized, sophisticated rings that incorporate advanced techniques and technologies, including pre-surveillance, drones, and signal jamming devices.” Ancient meets modern as a new subway in Greece showcases archaeological treasures THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — Thessaloniki, Greece’s second-largest city, is opening a new subway system, blending ancient archaeological treasures with modern transit technology like driverless trains and platform screen doors. The project, which began in 2003, uncovered over 300,000 artifacts, including a Roman-era thoroughfare and Byzantine relics, many of which are now displayed in its 13 stations. Despite delays caused by preserving these findings, the inaugural line has been completed, with a second line set to open next year. Conor McGregor must pay $250K to woman who says he raped her, civil jury rules LONDON (AP) — A civil jury in Ireland has awarded more than $250,000 to a woman who says she was raped by mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor in a Dublin hotel penthouse after a night of heavy partying. The jury on Friday awarded Nikita Hand in her lawsuit that claimed McGregor “brutally raped and battered” her in 2018. The lawsuit says the assault left her heavily bruised and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. McGregor testified that he never forced her to do anything and that Hand fabricated her allegations after the two had consensual sex. McGregor says he will appeal the verdict. At least 19 people are sick in Minnesota from ground beef tied to E. coli recall U.S. health officials say at least 19 people in Minnesota have been sickened by E. coli poisoning tied to a national recall of more than 167,000 pounds of potentially tainted ground beef. Detroit-based Wolverine Packing Co. recalled the meat sent to restaurants nationwide. Minnesota state agriculture officials reported multiple illnesses and found that a sample of the product tested positive for E. coli, which can cause life-threatening infections. No illnesses have been reported outside of Minnesota. Symptoms of E. coli poisoning include fever, vomiting, diarrhea and signs of dehydration. Actor Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend drops assault and defamation lawsuit against once-rising star NEW YORK (AP) — Jonathan Majors’ ex-girlfriend has dropped her assault and defamation lawsuit against the once-rising Hollywood star after reaching a settlement. Lawyers for Majors and Grace Jabbari agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice Thursday. Jabbari is a British dancer who had accused Majors of subjecting her to escalating incidents of physical and verbal abuse during their relationship. Representatives for Majors didn’t respond to emails seeking comment Friday. Jabbari’s lawyer said the suit was “favorably settled” and her client is moving on with “her head held high.” Majors was convicted of misdemeanor assault and harassment last December and sentenced to a yearlong counseling program. Hyundai, Kia recall over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix problem that can cause loss of power DETROIT (AP) — Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a pesky problem that can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. The recalls cover more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles including the 2022 through 2024 Ioniq 5, the 2023 through 2025 Ioniq 6, GV60 and GV70, and the 2023 and 2024 G80. Also included are nearly 63,000 Kia EV 6 vehicles from 2022 through 2024. The affiliated Korean automakers say in government documents that a transistor in a charging control unit can be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. Dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed. They also will update software. Christmas TV movies are in their Taylor Swift era, with two Swift-inspired films airing this year Two of the new holiday movies coming to TV this season have a Taylor Swift connection that her fans would have no problem decoding. “Christmas in the Spotlight” debuts Saturday on Lifetime. It stars Jessica Lord as the world’s biggest pop star and Laith Wallschleger, playing a pro football player, who meet and fall in love, not unlike Swift and her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. On Nov. 30, Hallmark will air “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.” Instead of a nod to Swift, it’s an ode to family traditions and bonding, like rooting for a sports team. Hallmark’s headquarters is also in Kansas City. Top football recruit Bryce Underwood changes commitment to Michigan instead of LSU, AP source says ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) — Top football recruit Bryce Underwood has flipped to Michigan after pledging to play at LSU. That's according to a person familiar with the situation who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the recruit’s plans to join the Wolverines. Underwood pinned a post on his Instagram account, showing a post in which On3.com reported that he has committed to Michigan. The 6-foot-3 quarterback played at Belleville High School about 15 miles east of Michigan's campus, and told LSU nearly a year ago he intended to enroll there. Emperor penguin released at sea 20 days after waddling onto Australian beach MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The only emperor penguin known to have swum from Antarctica to Australia has been released at sea 20 days after he waddled ashore on a popular tourist beach. The adult male was found on Nov. 1 on sand dunes in temperate southwest Australia about 2,200 miles north of the Antarctic coast. He was released Wednesday from a boat that traveled several hours from Western Australia state's most southerly city of Albany. His caregiver Carol Biddulph wasn't sure at first if the penguin would live. She said a mirror was important to his rehabilitation because they provide a sense of company. Biddulph said: “They’re social birds and he stands next to the mirror most of the time.”