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Hedge fund manager Scott Bessent is a credible, safe choice for US Treasury secretary -- and one that is likely positive for markets -- observers said Saturday following President-elect Donald Trump's highly anticipated nomination. His selection came after competition for the top economic job spilled into the open last weekend, with the world's richest man Elon Musk throwing his support instead behind Trump's transition team co-chair Howard Lutnick. Lutnick has since been named commerce secretary to lead Trump's tariff and trade agenda, and Bessent's nomination days later appears to be uncontroversial for now. "Scott Bessent is a credible, mainstream pick for Treasury Secretary," said Jason Furman, a professor at Harvard University and former top White House economic adviser. "I could see previous administrations as having chosen him," Furman, a former chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, told AFP. But a key difference is that Bessent, 62, has had to adopt and defend views on topics like tariffs, in a way "he never would have in pursuit of the job for a previous Republican administration." Tariffs are a key part of Trump's economic agenda, with the Republican president-elect vowing sweeping duties on allies and adversaries alike. In an opinion piece published earlier this month on Fox News, Bessent defended the potential use of tariffs as a means to raise revenue for the government, protect strategic US industries and negotiate with trading partners. He would be one of the first openly gay Cabinet officials if confirmed by the Senate, and the first at the helm of the Treasury Department. Jens Nordvig, chief executive of data and analytics firm Exante Data who has worked with Bessent, drew a contrast between his demeanor and that of other Trump supporters. While some Trump allies have a tendency towards "general sweeping statements," Bessent is an "analytical thinker, and he communicates accordingly," Nordvig told AFP. He counts Bessent among his early clients. "I would expect his messaging to be very focused, to get his key points across, without any unnecessary flamboyance or gusto," Nordvig added of the Wall Street veteran. Calling Bessent a "safe choice," Brookings senior fellow in economic studies David Wessel told AFP: "He will be an adult in the room for the Trump administration." Besides Bessent, others seen as top contenders for Treasury chief in recent days included former Federal Reserve governor Kevin Warsh, Apollo Global Management chief executive Marc Rowan, and Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty. It remains to be seen if Bessent will be a big influence "moderating some of the administration's more aggressive trade policy" or simply be a spokesman, Wessel said. He does not have much experience in dealing with Congress either, and this would be important next year as the Trump administration works to raise the debt ceiling and effort a tax bill to deliver on his economic promises. Bessent would also have to grapple with the country's debt burden, with debt borrowed at much lower interest rates previously and Trump's plans estimated to add trillions over time. In an open letter published Saturday, Nordvig called for "thoughtful leadership" at the Treasury, saying a realistic approach to tax cuts and bond issuance was needed. He also sounded a hopeful note, saying Bessent would work to reduce extreme risks for markets. Krishna Guha, vice chairman of Evercore ISI, believes Bessent's nomination "will be well received by financial markets," given his deep understanding of markets and macro conditions. Guha also warned of the risk of bond yields spiking and "pushing up mortgage rates and tanking the housing market, while also causing stocks to sell off." In his past administration, Trump has viewed the stock market as a gauge of his success. bys/md
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A federal judge ruled Monday that a San José State University volleyball player, who teammates say is transgender, can continue to participate in a volleyball tournament this week. The ruling by Judge S. Kato Crews, an appointee of President Biden to the U.S. District Court in Colorado, comes ahead of the three-day Mountain West Conference in Las Vegas that is set to begin Wednesday. The federal lawsuit filed on behalf of several volleyball players, including former students and a San José State associate head coach, not only sought to ban the player from participating in the tournament but also to rescind wins granted to San José State University’s volleyball team after previous rival teams forfeited matches due to the participation of the transgender player. At least four universities forfeited matches against San José State University following controversy over the player. Blaire Fleming, the student who teammates say is transgender, could not immediately be reached for comment. Fleming, who has been on the team’s roster since 2022, has not spoken publicly about the issue. A spokesperson for San José State University could not immediately be reached for comment. The lawsuit, filed two weeks ago, is the latest in the ongoing debate about transgender athletes, particularly transgender women competing in women’s sports. It comes a month after a video showing a play in which the player is seen spiking a ball, hitting a San Diego State player in the arm and briefly knocking her down. The San Diego State player, Keira Herron, a junior, successfully kept the ball in play with the dig and immediately stood up and smiled. But the play circulated on social media accompanied by claims that the San Diego State player was hit on the head and that the San Jose State player is transgender. President-elect Donald Trump, who has previously referenced the video, said he plans to ban all transgender women from competing in women’s sports. Plaintiffs in the case accused San José State University of recruiting a transgender player and argued that allowing the player to participate in the tournament discriminates against female athletes and deprives them of equal opportunities, including access to playing time and scholarships. In his ruling, Crews said the Mountain West Conference Board of Directors had approved a Transgender Participation Policy in 2022 when the player was also on the roster and because no issues were raised ahead of the tournament, the plaintiffs then failed to meet their burden to show irreparable harm had been caused. “Until the filing of this lawsuit, there was no dispute between the parties over the applicability or enforceability of the [Transgender Participation Policy],” Crews wrote. “Concerning SJSU’s alleged trans teammate, she has been a member of the team since the 2022 season and has played on the team each season since.” “It was not until the spring of 2024, at the earliest, that questions arose from Plaintiffs regarding her gender.”
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Greene to lead subcommittee taking on government spendingPlanned Parenthood, the nonprofit organization that provides reproductive and sexual healthcare, is reporting a surge in demand for long-acting and permanent contraceptive options following the recent presidential election. Nationally, Planned Parenthood Health Centers saw vasectomy appointments increase by 1,200 percent. IUD appointments, meanwhile, increased by more than 760 percent, while birth control and gender-affirming appointments increased by 350 percent and 140 percent, respectively. RELATED STORY | Trump would veto legislation establishing a federal abortion ban, Vance says Planned Parenthood said the uptick "reflects patients' intensified concerns over preserving their reproductive choices as political uncertainties grow." “We’re seeing record numbers of patients making proactive reproductive health choices to help secure their ability to control pregnancy outcomes,” said Rebecca Gibron, CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Northwest, Hawaii, Alaska, Indiana, Kentucky. “In a landscape where reproductive health care access is increasingly under threat, expanded access to effective contraception options — supported by essential programs like Title X and Medicaid — has become even more urgent.” RELATED STORY | Patients have paid over $1 million for contraception care that should be free Planned Parenthood of Northern New England also reported a rise in people volunteering with the organization, which operates 15 clinics in the region. CEO Nicole Clegg said it reflects a growing concern among Americans that they may not be able to access the care that they need in the future. "The day after the election and in the weeks since, our health centers have opened their doors, and our staff has done what they’ve always done: care for our patients," Clegg said in a statement. "We understand the fear and the uncertainty, and unfortunately, we anticipate more chaos and confusion in the coming months and years."
Jeers rang around the Etihad Stadium after the final whistle of a dramatic 3-3 draw. After five-straight losses in all competitions, City looked to be cruising to victory after going three up inside 50 minutes. But Feyenoord mounted an improbable comeback and leveled the game in the 89th minute to leave the home crowd stunned. While the worst losing streak of Guardiola’s managerial career was brought to an end, his wait for a first win since Oct. 26 goes on. Erling Haaland had scored twice, with Ilkay Gundogan also on target to put City in control. But goals from Anis Hadj Moussa in the 75th, Santiago Gimenez in the 82nd and David Hancko in the 89th turned the game on its head. City's players, including Bernardo Silva, Josko Gvardiol and Haaland looked visibly frustrated as they left the field to cheers of the delirious traveling Dutch fans in the away section of the stadium. City plays Premier League leader Liverpool on Sunday — defeat would leave it 11 points adrift of its title rival. James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccerA candlelight vigil in Seoul calling for the resignation of South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES It "felt like the coup d’etat in Myanmar", as one Seoul resident put it. South Korea is a very long way from Myanmar both geographically and politically. Myanmar is an impoverished Southeast Asian country which has spent almost all its post-independence history under the mafia-like rule of a predatory army. South Korea is a rich East Asian country that has been civilian-ruled and fully democratic for four decades. There was no threat from "North Korea’s communist forces" beyond the standing menace of its swollen armed forces, which has endured since an armistice ended the Korean War 70 years ago. As for the need to "eliminate anti-state elements", Yoon may have been referring to the opposition parties, which are consistently thwarting his policy initiatives. Yoon had other political problems, including a looming investigation into his wife’s alleged influence-peddling and stock manipulation, but nothing huge enough to warrant what would have amounted to a coup. "It was very impulsive. Maybe he’s not in his right mind," speculated Joon Hyung Kim, an opposition member of the National Assembly. Even more bizarrely, Yoon cancelled martial law within a few hours of his late-night declaration, as if he was shocked by the almost unanimous public rejection of military rule. Could he have been so ignorant of the country he was living in? It would seem that the answer is yes. South Korean politicians and ordinary citizens both mobilised with admirable speed. Hundreds of thousands of civilians were in the streets in hours, while politicians of all parties headed immediately to the National Assembly. Even Yoon’s own party condemned his actions. By Wednesday morning, enough politicians had struggled through the police lines to constitute a quorum. (The police had tried to force their way into the building but had been repelled by parliamentary officials.) First, members of the National Assembly cancelled martial law by a unanimous vote, and then they voted to impeach the president. It was an exemplary defence of democracy, and South Koreans of all political colours should be congratulated for their actions. With the partial exception of the many senior members of the military and police forces, who largely obeyed Yoon’s orders until he panicked and cancelled them. You can sympathise with their dilemma. The president is the commander-in-chief of the armed forces and he might have information unavailable to the soldiers that justifies his orders. Even if he does not, disobeying the orders of a lawful superior officer is a fateful and irrevocable step. If you are wrong, you may be charged with treason and rebellion. What the South Korean military and police seem to have done in practice was to obey all of the president’s orders up to but not including the use of lethal violence against the civilian population (which Yoon may not have ordered in any case). Happily, the rapid reaction of the civilian defenders of democracy made further debate within the South Korean armed forces unnecessary, but what might happen if such a dilemma arose in a democracy with a deeply divided and fiercely partisan population? A democracy like the United States, for example? Speculation on this topic was building even before Donald Trump’s return to the White House became certain, but seeing just such an event play out in a stable country like South Korea sharpens the focus considerably. Which way would the US armed forces jump if Trump gave a similar order? Like the Korean constitution, the US Constitution strictly subordinates the military to elected civilian authorities, but Trump will be just such an authority. He regularly generates fantasies just as far-fetched as Joon Suk Yeol’s justifications for declaring martial law nationwide, and the American military authorities would face the same dilemma in deciding whether or not to obey him. One suspects that the US armed forces would initially respond rather like the South Korean army did, obeying the president’s orders in general but stopping short of using lethal force. However, it would be much harder to maintain that stance for more than a few days in the United States, where the population is heavily armed. Trump’s rhetoric is often extreme but his actions are usually much less so. In a weird way, the fact that he now effectively controls both Houses of Congress and the Supreme Court means that a resort to radical measures like martial law becomes less likely, so lying awake worrying about it would be excessive. But the Koreans weren’t lying awake either. — Gwynne Dyer is an independent London journalist.Former Member of Parliament (MP) Gloria Julia King has donated VT1 million to the Mele Union of Moderate Parties Sub-committee (MUS) for road infrastructure. However, the project is currently on hold as there is constant rainfall due to the cyclone season. Former MP King has been recognised by the community for her contributions, particularly in facilitating donations during the holiday season to support celebrations. She has consistently been a primary resource in times of need. Mr. Ati George Sokomanu, Vanuatu’s first President, reaffirmed his support for the former MP, commending her community efforts in providing financial assistance to her constituents. He emphasised the necessity for the MUS to work together with the local and collaborate on improving the road conditions, which are currently inadequate. “I must stress the importance of ensuring that residents have access to reliable transportation, particularly as the village is the largest in Vanuatu,” he said. The village committee establishment an agreement with the World Bank regarding road infrastructure three years ago. However, there is now uncertainly regarding the allocation of the funds, as it is suspected that political interference may have redirected the money to another province. The village road leading from the main road into the Mele community is plagued by large potholes, which blocks vehicle passage, often taking several minutes to navigate. During the rainy season, these potholes accumulate water and can remain filled for up to a week before drying out, creating considerable difficulties for residents attempting to access transportation for work and school. The villagers frequently encounter various difficulties, particularly concerning the river during rainy periods. The rainfall often results in damage to homes and gardens, as the locals typically construct bridges using manual labour. To address widespread unemployment among the youth in the community to sustain their living, the Area Council is assisting individuals in travelling for seasonal work in order to generate income that will help support their families. Leaders have urged the residents to collaborate and unite in order to build a resilient community and ensure that operations align with both traditional customs and government regulations.