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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Secret Service chief told lawmakers on Capitol Hill Thursday that “much-needed reform” and accountability measures are underway in the wake of the agency’s “abject failure” on July 13, when a 20-year-old gunman opened fire at a Butler County rally in one of two attempts on President-elect Donald Trump’s life during a turbulent campaign season. “I recognize we did not meet the expectations of the American public, Congress and our protectees,” testified Ronald Rowe, the Secret Service’s acting director, in the final hearing of the House task force investigating the assassination attempts, which also included a thwarted attempt at Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Sept. 15. “The sniper ... the lone-wolf gunman, must be lucky once. The Secret Service must be perfect every time.” Rowe told the bipartisan 13-member panel that since taking over for Kimberly Cheatle, who resigned shortly after the Butler shooting, he has implemented a series of practical reforms. These include bolstering training and advance team security checks, streamlining communications, acquiring and using more equipment such as drones and ballistic counter measures, and improving hiring and retention to relieve an overworked agency grappling with a heightened threat environment. He also pledged to “be an agent of change” when it comes to the Secret Service’s culture — promising to find and cultivate strong leaders earlier in their careers, to “challenge previous assumptions” and to foster a “shared collective responsibility” that empowers agents and state and local partners at every level to raise security concerns or questions. “Our agency isn’t defined by one failure,” he said, but by learning from mistakes and answering “a call to duty with unwavering resolve.” While several members of the panel on both sides of the aisle, including chairman Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler, thanked Rowe for his service and leadership over the last few months, the director faced some pointed questioning and criticism from a few members who accused the agency of negligence and mismanagement. The hearing devolved into a shouting match when Rep. Pat Fallon, R-Texas, who implied that Rowe should have responded more quickly as deputy director following the Butler shooting, asked Rowe about security during a 9/11 memorial ceremony this year. Fallon appeared to suggest potential security mishaps at the 9/11 memorial, and Rowe, who was a first responder at Ground Zero after the terrorist attacks, took extreme offense and accused Fallon of being “out of line” and using the 3,000-plus victims for politics. The two men then yelled and pointed at each other for nearly two full minutes until Rep. Glenn Ivey, D-Md., pleaded with the chairman to shut the pair up as Fallon’s clock for questioning ran out. Rowe told Kelly the most glaring failure on July 13 was the “failure to recognize the significance of the AGR building,” from where Bethel Park gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire from a roof within range of Trump’s stage. The Secret Service has said it failed to have an adequate presence in the area — and should have cordoned it off entirely — despite advance team concerns that did not make it up the chain of command or were not acted on. The preparation and handling of the Trump rally “underscored critical gaps in Secret Service operations,” Rowe acknowledged. “Let me be clear: there will be accountability and that accountability is occurring,” he said, noting the due process involved takes time and frustrates him. “But it is essential that we recognize the gravity of our failure.” Kelly, who was at the July rally and whose hometown is Butler, said the events that day and the investigations since “bring out the best of us and the worst of us,” describing the experience as “very emotional” for everyone involved. He said that many Americans “come up with conspiracy theories because they don’t get answers when they need it,” and the task force’s work has been to provide those answers and help prevent future failures. “We are suffering from a lack of trust and faith in our government,” he said. “We know you had questions. We got you the answers.” The task force earlier this year said it found security failures on three key fronts: the Secret Service failed to adequately plan for the Butler rally, creating confusion among local law enforcement partners; public access to the site less than 150 yards from the stage was poorly managed; and communications breakdowns — with agencies struggling with heavy radio traffic and unable to fully communicate across various channels — led to “information in a moment of crisis (going) through radio, texts and phone calls, way too slowly,” according to Kelly. Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., said the assassination attempts marked a “need for significant reform” at the tactical level and “agency-wide,” noting the Butler shooting represented the closest a president’s been to being killed since then-President Ronald Reagan was shot while returning to his limousine outside the Washington Hilton in 1981. Green urged Rowe to find a way to instill greater urgency and solid leadership across the agency. “Your guys showed up that day and didn’t give a shit,” he said. “There was apathy and complacency, period. This is a leadership issue, a command climate issue, a culture issue.” Rowe pledged to review how the agency promotes its agents, with the aim of improving training and identifying potential strong leaders early on as opposed to simply promoting agents with the most years under the belts. A detailed report on the security failures, and recommendations by the task force, is coming within the next day or two, according to Kelly and the panel’s top Democrat, Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado. Since its inception in July following House approval and appointments made by Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., the task force reviewed almost 20,000 documents, interviewed hundreds of personnel from federal, state and local agencies, conducted site visits in Pennsylvania and Florida, and reviewed physical evidence from the assassination attempts at FBI Quantico. But Crow said the FBI did not provide key information, including records and interview transcripts, related to Crooks and his activities leading up to the shooting. “If their intent was to slow walk us ... they are sorely mistaken,” Crow said of the FBI and Justice Department, noting several members would return in the next Congress. “America deserves to know what happened with Mr. Crooks ... who he was talking to ... that is an important part of the story.” Asked by the Post-Gazette what reason the FBI and Justice Department gave for denying the task force’s requests for certain records, the congressman said the agencies claim the information cannot be shared pending an active criminal investigation. “We completely disagree with that,” Crow said. “We’re the first branch, and we have the authority to conduct oversight over all of government. Constitutionally we have that authority. We have members on the Intelligence Committee ... defense committees ... members who are regularly briefed and oversee our nation’s most sensitive secrets. So you cannot tell me that we can’t come up with a process to get information about an ongoing investigation and to treat that information properly and securely in a manner that’s consistent with their needs.” The FBI did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. In September, the FBI told the Post-Gazette that, “any suggestion the FBI is interfering with congressional efforts to look into the attempted assassination which took place in Butler, Pennsylvania, is inaccurate and unfounded.” “The FBI has been working closely with our law enforcement partners to conduct a thorough investigation into the shooting, and we have followed normal procedures in the handling of the crime scene and evidence,” the agency said at the time. “The FBI continues its painstaking work on the investigation to develop as complete a picture as possible of what led to the shooting, and we remain committed to maximum transparency as we continue to brief Congress and publish information for the public regarding the ongoing investigation.”Where to Watch Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Chicago Blackhawks on TV or Streaming Live – December 1online games.io 。

Newby scores 16, UNC Wilmington knocks off Appalachian State 76-61Farage: Badenoch must apologise for ‘crazy conspiracy theory’ on Reform numbersMajor stock indexes on Wall Street drifted to a mixed finish Friday, capping a rare bumpy week for the market. The S&P 500 ended essentially flat — down 0.16 point, or less than 0.1%, to close at 6,051.09 — after wavering between tiny gains and losses most of the day. The benchmark index posted a loss for the week, its first after three straight weekly gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 86.06 points, or 0.2%, to 43,828.06, while the Nasdaq composite rose 23.88 points, or 0.1%, ending at 19,926.72 — just below the record high it set Wednesday. There were more than twice as many decliners than gainers on the New York Stock Exchange. Gains in technology stocks helped temper losses in communication services, financials and other sectors of the market. Broadcom surged 24.4% for the biggest gain in the S&P 500 after the semiconductor company beat Wall Street's profit targets and gave a glowing forecast, highlighting its artificial intelligence products. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox!

Navy QB Blake Horvath's 95-yard TD run in Armed Forces Bowl win is longest play in school historyRapidTranslate.org Centralizes Language Resources and Expands Certified Translation Services Globallyhttps://arab.news/pcpr4 DUBAI: As Saudi Arabia cements its position as a global centre for luxury, the Kingdom’s burgeoning fashion market is capturing the attention of high-end retailers worldwide. Mytheresa, one of the leading luxury e-commerce platforms, is at the forefront of this shift, catering to a growing and increasingly discerning Saudi clientele. Michael Kliger, CEO of Mytheresa, revealed how the brand is evolving alongside the Kingdom’s dynamic landscape, with a focus on personalization and cultural connection. A post shared by Mytheresa (@mytheresa.com) “We’re witnessing incredible changes in the Saudi market,” Kliger said. “More Saudis are staying in the region, with some even moving back permanently, which has created a significant increase in local demand for luxury fashion. “Events like weddings and receptions have always been important here, but now, with cinemas and fine dining experiences becoming more common, there are even more occasions for people to dress up.” While Mytheresa does not yet have a physical presence in Saudi Arabia, its strategy focuses on creating meaningful connections with local clients. A post shared by Mytheresa (@mytheresa.com) “We host a variety of events to engage directly with our Saudi customers,” Kliger said. “Recently, we had a dinner at Hia Hub in Riyadh with the designers of Oscar de la Renta, and in Jeddah, one of our clients hosted 100 of her friends for us at a hotel. These gatherings, along with style suites where customers can try curated collections, allow us to bring the Mytheresa experience to them in a personal and exclusive way.” Additionally, the e-tailer frequently collaborates with local creatives to create authentic connections with their customers. Kliger said that understanding the timing of local events and traditions, such as Ramadan and other festive gatherings, is essential. He highlighted the importance of working with local influencers and ambassadors to ensure the brand’s messaging feels genuine and accessible, making it easier for Saudi customers to engage with Mytheresa. Michael Kliger. (Supplied) Personalization too, is at the heart of Mytheresa’s approach. “It’s not about catering to a ‘Saudi style,’ but understanding each individual client,” Kliger said. “For example, one of our clients in Riyadh loves Yamamoto and Sacai. It’s about identifying those preferences and curating options that resonate with their personal taste. That’s what makes our service unique.” Kliger also touched on the recent acquisition of Net-a-Porter by Mytheresa’s parent company, YNAP, and its implications for the Saudi market. “Net-a-Porter complements what we do at Mytheresa,” he said. “They’re strong in discovery and editorial, while we focus on highly curated, established luxury brands. Together, we can cater to different corners of the luxury market without diluting our individual strengths.” As Saudi Arabia’s young, tech-savvy population drives the growth of e-commerce, Kliger emphasized the importance of adapting to the Kingdom’s digital preferences. “Social media usage here is unique, with platforms like TikTok and Snapchat playing a major role in how people interact and shop. Understanding these behaviors is key to connecting with this market,” he said. With a focus on personalization, community engagement, and digital strategy, Mytheresa is poised to strengthen its position in Saudi Arabia’s thriving luxury landscape. “The Saudi market is one of the most dynamic regions for us,” Kliger said.

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President-elect Donald Trump appointed Truth Social CEO Devin Nunes to serve as the Chairman of a presidential Intelligence Advisory Board. In a post on Truth Social, Trump wrote that Nunes would “draw on his experience as former Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee” in order to provide Trump “with independent assessments of the effectiveness and propriety of the U.S. Intelligence Community’s activities.” “I am pleased to announce that I will appoint Truth Social CEO Devine Nunes as Chairman of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board, which consists of distinguished citizens from outside of the Federal Government,” Trump wrote. Trump added: “While continuing his leadership of Trump Media & Technology Group, Devin will draw on his experience as former Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, and his key role in exposing the Russia, Russia, Russia Hoax, to provide me with independent assessments of the effectiveness and propriety of the U.S. Intelligence Community’s activities.” In response to Trump’s announcement, Nunes issued a statement that he was “honored by this appointment” “I’m honored by this appointment, and I look forward to providing a channel of oversight by board members from outside the government to ensure our intelligence agencies are functioning optimally without political influence,” Nunes said in his statement. “I aim to make certain that encroachments on Americans’ civil rights and abusive surveillance practices will be immediately exposed and stopped, while anyone ordering or engaging in such abuses will be quickly held to account.” Truth Social is the social media platform where Trump posts political statements, reactions to current events, and endorsements of candidates. As Breitbart News’s Wendell Husebo previously reported , in March, Trump was reported to have grown his net worth by billions after his social media company merged with Digital World Acquisition Corp. and became Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG).

‘Failure is not an option’: Fire-torn Jasper entering new year with hope, anxietyAston Villa fails in its bid to overturn Jhon Duran’s red card at Newcastle

Farage: Badenoch must apologise for ‘crazy conspiracy theory’ on Reform numbersJacksonville St. 86, East Carolina 78GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — After losing to San Francisco in the playoffs three of the last five seasons, the Green Bay Packers wouldn’t mind seeing the 49ers get left out of the postseason entirely. The Packers (7-3) could damage San Francisco’s playoff hopes Sunday by beating the 49ers at Lambeau Field. San Francisco (5-5) dropped to .500 after losing at home to the Seattle Seahawks, though the 49ers remain just a game behind the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West. “I think we’re motivated to keep winning more than anything,” Packers center Josh Myers said. “Obviously, they have knocked us out quite a bit. There’s that extra motivation behind it, but at this point, we’re just trying to churn out wins.” The 49ers will be playing this game without starting quarterback Brock Purdy, who injured his right shoulder in the Seahawks game. Although an MRI showed no structural damage, Purdy's shoulder didn't improve as the week wore on. Brandon Allen will start in Purdy's place. Green Bay is third in the NFC North and two games behind the Detroit Lions, but the Packers appear on track to at least earn a wild-card playoff berth. History suggests their path to a potential Super Bowl would get much clearer if the 49ers aren’t standing in their way. The 49ers trailed 21-14 in the fourth quarter before rallying to beat the Packers 24-21 in the divisional playoffs last year on Christian McCaffrey’s 6-yard touchdown run with 1:07 left. Now, it’s the 49ers who are struggling to protect late leads, as they’ve blown fourth-quarter advantages in three games against divisional opponents. “You could look at, ‘Hey, we’re three possessions away from being 8-2,’ but you can’t really live like that,” 49ers tight end George Kittle said. “Those are the mistakes that we’ve made to be 5-5. It’s not exactly where we want to be. It is frustrating. The nice thing is we have seven games left to go out there and play Niners football and take advantage of those opportunities.” Green Bay’s recent history of playoff frustration against the 49ers also includes a 13-10 loss at Lambeau Field in the 2021 divisional playoffs and a 37-20 road defeat in the 2019 NFC championship game. Even the Packers players who weren’t around for last season’s playoff loss realize what this game means. “I think one of the first meetings that I was in here, we had a conversation about the Niners beating us,” said Green Bay safety Xavier McKinney, who joined the Packers this season. “So I understand how important it is, and we all do.” Both teams must figure out how to convert red-zone opportunities into touchdowns. The 49ers are scoring touchdowns on just 48.8% of their drives inside an opponent’s 20-yard line to rank 27th in the NFL. The Packers are slightly worse in that regard, scoring touchdowns on 48.7% of their red-zone possessions to rank 28th. In their 20-19 victory at Chicago on Sunday, Green Bay drove to the Bears 5 without scoring on two separate series. Purdy isn't the only notable player who won't be participating in Sunday's game. San Francisco won't have four-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Nick Bosa available after he hurt his left hip and oblique against the Seahawks. Packers cornerback Jaire Alexander (knee) and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper (hamstring) also have been ruled out. Kittle expects to play for the 49ers on Sunday after missing the Seahawks game with a hamstring injury. 49ers left tackle Trent Williams (ankle) is questionable. Green Bay’s defense feasted on turnovers the first part of the season, but hasn’t been as effective in getting those takeaways lately. The Packers have 19 takeaways – already exceeding their 2023 total – but haven’t forced any turnovers in their last two games. 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan hasn’t eased McCaffrey back into the lineup in his return after missing the first eight games with Achilles tendinitis. McCaffrey has played 91% of the 49ers’ offensive snaps the past two weeks. Jordan Mason, who rushed for 685 yards during McCaffrey’s absence, has just five snaps on offense the last two games. Shanahan said he’d like to get Mason more opportunities, but it’s hard to take McCaffrey off the field. Green Bay nearly lost to the Bears because of its third-down struggles on both sides of the ball. The Packers were 1 of 5 on third-down opportunities, while the Bears went 9 of 16. The Packers’ defense could have a tough time correcting that problem against San Francisco, which has converted 45.4% of its third-down situations to rank fourth in the league. AP Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow contributed to this report. AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

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Top 25 Capsules: No. 7 Vols beat Vandy; No. 16 South Carolina defeats No. 12 ClemsonThis year, Kim Stark’s kids took responsibility for decorating the family Christmas tree. Ornaments include toy cars, puzzle pieces, string and a pair of binoculars — things her three young daughters had handy after the family lost their home in summer’s devastating Jasper wildfire. “I have the most wonderful tree on the planet,” said Stark. “It’s part of our story and part of who we are. “If (the kids) are happy, I’m happy.” Stark is part of the fabric of the Jasper townsite, a 10-year member of the fire department and owner of a coffee shop and bakery. Her family, plus three furry pets and a fish, are living in a condo as they navigate rebuilding their home. “(The kids) miss our house, and we talk about our house,” said Stark. “We make sure we go to our neighbourhood, so that it doesn’t become somebody else’s neighbourhood.” Stark and other residents are anxious and nervous for the future following the fire that hit the town July 24. About 5,000 residents and 20,000 visitors were safely evacuated before the fire breached the western edge of town and destroyed 350 homes and businesses, including 820 housings units. The Insurance Bureau of Canada pegged the damage at $880 million. Six months after the fire, debris is still being cleared — lot by lot. Locals including Stark are quick to say things could have been worse. But anxiety over temporary living situations and what may be a long and slow rebuild process has many residents and municipal leaders feeling unsettled heading into 2025. For Sabrina Charlebois and David Leoni, the top concern is the Alberta government’s $112-million modular housing project. It’s to put up 250 pre-built rental units in the town and rent them to those displaced by the fire. Social Services Minister Jason Nixon said the first homes should be ready by late January or early February, with the rest in April. The majority are to be multi-bedroom suites to accommodate families. “If we can get all of our approvals on time, we definitely are on time to be able to build in the context of what we promised,” Nixon said. It’s complicated, he added, given there are layers of government with an Alberta town in a national park. Charlebois was born and raised in Jasper. The fire destroyed her childhood home, which her late father built, as well as the salon where she worked. “It’s better than nothing,” she said of the housing project, noting at least 2,000 residents were displaced so demand could outnumber the new units. Charlebois, who has been staying in a hotel, said it’s understandable projects like this take time. But “we’re six months into this, and there’s no homes for anyone.” “My fear is not finding a place to live, because I have to be out of my hotel by the spring,” she said. Leoni, a dentist and former Olympic biathlete, and his family also lost their home, as did seven staff at his clinic. He said the April cutoff date Charlebois is facing also applies to his staff staying in hotels. “Hopefully that’s concurrent with the provincial government’s opening of these modular units that they’re putting in, because we’re going to lose staff,” said Leoni. “Without them I can’t do anything.” The clinic needed to replace $160,000 worth of equipment and required a top-to-bottom scrub before appointments resumed in October. Leoni estimates his patient list is down one-third because of the fire. Whether those patients return remains to be seen. Charlebois and Leoni both said their anxiety is heightened when they consider the unpredictable nature of the town’s tourism economy and how it could complicate the pace of rebuilding. It’s a catch-22: residents need houses in order to rebuild and restart the economy, but they can’t restart the economy without tourists. And tourists require services, which require workers, who require housing. Bill Given, the town’s chief administrator, said he’s optimistic the municipality can “thread the needle.” But he has his own anxieties when it comes to rebuilding, namely the complexity of Jasper operating under both federal and provincial oversight. “An associated risk of that is that individual agendas from different orders of government overtake the public interest in delivering on what Jasper needs,” Given said. “I think there’s also a risk, maybe somewhat smaller, that private interests overtake the broader public interest.” Jasper Mayor Richard Ireland, who lost his home in the fire, said they have to find a way. “Failure is not an option for anybody,” said Ireland. “We have one chance to get this right, and that’s what we have to do.” In the meantime, Stark and her daughters watch from behind a fence as what’s left of their home is cleared away. “I’m super excited just to have a hole instead of a burnt spiral staircase that was coming up in my backyard. “Now,” she said, “it’s just this beautiful dirt. “There’s future there.”

Young holds 3-shot lead over Scheffler in Bahamas

Anthony Edwards’ leadership had to take another step forward this week for Timberwolves