The subsequent defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League only added to the growing concerns surrounding Manchester City. The loss not only dented City's title hopes but also highlighted their vulnerability against top-quality opposition. Guardiola's tactical decisions came under scrutiny as City failed to contain Liverpool's attacking prowess and were outclassed in key moments of the match.“They also have access to indoor holding areas in the winter, so if they want to go into a space that’s completely enclosed and warmer, they can go in there whenever they like,” said Dave Bernier, the zoo’s general curator. “We give them the choice, and luckily, they choose the exhibit spaces a lot more than they choose the holding spaces.” Lions aren’t the only species that are better equipped for the winter than one might expect. Specialists at Chicago’s zoos say they use a combination of technology and habitat features to prepare months in advance to properly care for every animal with unique requirements for the season, from polar bears to koalas to flamingoes. The Lincoln Park Zoo prefers to find species that can be outside for the four seasons, based on their temperature guidelines, Bernier said. But, like for the lions, which are found in sub-Saharan Africa, where temperatures usually range between 65 to 85 degrees, there’s a bit of creativity involved to give them a boost in the winter. The lion exhibit, Bernier said, has about 20 of the heated rocks, which have a surface temperature between 55 and 60 degrees. He said the zoo determined the size and placement of the rocks — which helped make them as comfortable as possible — using behavioral data from the previous lion exhibit. There’s also an overhanging shelter so the lions can escape the rain or snow, and they can head inside to a holding area if they want to, he said. Some animals require a bit more oversight, however, including the two male koalas named Brumby and Willum at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. The fuzzy animals, which are native to Australia and made their debut at the zoo this summer , are allowed outdoors only if it’s above 40, said Mark Wanner, the associate vice president of animal care and conservation. Unlike most other mammals, a koala has a smooth surface on its brain, meaning it’s unable to draw conclusions or make simple decisions. This means that the zoo staff keeps a close eye on the duo when it’s between 40 and 60 degrees, because the koalas can’t always choose themselves to head inside. “Their cognitive ability is not quite what it would be in a lion, so to speak,” Wanner said. When it starts getting cold out, Wanner said, specialists decide day by day whether it’s safe for various animals to be outside. The wind is also a big factor, he added. “We tend to err on the side of caution, because we do get such drastic drops in temperature and such extreme temperatures here,” he said, adding that some animals, such as brown bears, grow additional hair or fur during the winter to cope with colder weather. To monitor surface and ambient temperatures, humidity and wind speeds, the zoo uses a tool called a “thermal neutral zone kit,” Wanner said. Employees point it at an animal’s habitat to track thermal zones, checking, for example, whether a rock is putting off a sufficient amount of heat. The zoo also has temperature sensors installed in buildings that notify the staff if something goes awry, he said. Both zoos start “weatherproofing” for the winter around September, including switching on heating elements and, at Lincoln Park, a snow melt system for the penguin exhibit. Brookfield employees lay out extra bedding for some animals inside their indoor habitats, what Wanner called their “bedroom,” and make sure water lines are protected. On the flip side, the zoos provide fans, ice and cooling areas to some animals in the summer, such as polar bears and gorillas. Bernier said it’s important to find animals to bring into the zoo that are the right match for Chicago’s climate. When the Lincoln Park Zoo opened the Pepper Family Wildlife Center, it opted to bring in the Canada lynx and snow leopard, rather than an ocelot or margay, small carnivores that live in tropical climates, because they wouldn’t have been able to handle the winters, he said. Snow leopards, which are large cats that weigh up to 120 pounds and found in central Asia, can be outside when it’s below freezing. But Bernier said the animal care team may consider bringing them inside for short periods of time if it hits 20 degrees. It’s one of the “hardy” species at the zoo that are actually suited to cool climates and are quite active during the season. Others include the red pandas and Sichuan takins, as well as the Mexican gray wolf at Brookfield. Lincoln Park Zoo’s plains zebras, which Bernier said are found in very far southern Africa and experience more seasonal rather than temperate climates, can be outside almost all year round in Chicago. The zoo also chose African penguins rather than Antarctic ones, so they don’t have to be kept cool through refrigeration all year. Their pool is heated in the winter and cooled in the summer, he added. The animal Bernier said visitors are usually the most surprised to see outside in the winter is the pink flamingoes. The zoo is home to Chilean flamingoes, which are smaller, live in high altitudes and can tolerate extreme temperatures — even well below freezing — much more so than the Caribbean kind, which Bernier said the zoo once owned and had to put inside a building for half the year. Bernier said the winter is a “fantastic” time to visit the zoo, and that some of his favorite moments are watching the rhinos and polar bears play in the snow. “They like to be out in the snow, and it’s kind of fun to watch them roll around in the snow and see how much they enjoy that kind of weather,” he said.
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By CHRISTOPHER RUGABER WASHINGTON (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday named Andrew Ferguson as the next chair of the Federal Trade Commission . He will replace Lina Khan, who became a lightning rod for Wall Street and Silicon Valley by blocking billions of dollars’ worth of corporate acquisitions and suing Amazon and Meta while alleging anticompetitive behavior . Ferguson is already one of the FTC’s five commissioners, which is currently made up of three Democrats and two Republicans. “Andrew has a proven record of standing up to Big Tech censorship, and protecting Freedom of Speech in our Great Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social, adding, “Andrew will be the most America First, and pro-innovation FTC Chair in our Country’s History.” Related Articles National Politics | Donald Trump is returning to the world stage. So is his trolling National Politics | Biden says he was ‘stupid’ not to put his name on pandemic relief checks like Trump did National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television The replacement of Khan likely means that the FTC will operate with a lighter touch when it comes to antitrust enforcement. The new chair is expected to appoint new directors of the FTC’s antitrust and consumer protection divisions. “These changes likely will make the FTC more favorable to business than it has been in recent years, though the extent to which is to be determined,” wrote Anthony DiResta, a consumer protection attorney at Holland & Knight, in a recent analysis . Deals that were blocked by the Biden administration could find new life with Trump in command. For example, the new leadership could be more open to a proposed merger between the country’s two biggest supermarket chains, Kroger and Albertsons, which forged a $24.6 billion deal to combine in 2022. Two judges halted the merger Tuesday night. The FTC had filed a lawsuit in federal court earlier this year to block the merger, claiming the deal would eliminate competition, leading to higher prices and lower wages for workers. The two companies say a merger would help them lower prices and compete against bigger rivals like Walmart. One of the judges said the FTC had shown it was likely to prevail in the administrative hearing. Yet given the widespread public concern over high grocery prices, the Trump administration may not fully abandon the FTC’s efforts to block the deal, some experts have said. And the FTC may continue to scrutinize Big Tech firms for any anticompetitive behavior. Many Republican politicians have accused firms such as Meta of censoring conservative views, and some officials in Trump’s orbit, most notably Vice President-elect JD Vance, have previously expressed support for Khan’s scrutiny of Big Tech firms. In addition to Fergson, Trump also announced Tuesday that he had selected Jacob Helberg as the next undersecretary of state for economic growth, energy and the environment.“Gladiator II” asks the question: Are you not moderately entertained for roughly 60% of this sequel? Truly, this is a movie dependent on managed expectations and a forgiving attitude toward its tendency to overserve. More of a thrash-and-burn schlock epic than the comparatively restrained 2000 “Gladiator,” also directed by Ridley Scott, the new one recycles a fair bit of the old one’s narrative cries for freedom while tossing in some digital sharks for the flooded Colosseum and a bout of deadly sea-battle theatrics. They really did flood the Colosseum in those days, though no historical evidence suggests shark deployment, real or digital. On the other hand (checks notes), “Gladiator II” is fiction. Screenwriter David Scarpa picks things up 16 years after “Gladiator,” which gave us the noble death of the noble warrior Maximus, shortly after slaying the ignoble emperor and returning Rome to the control of the Senate. Our new hero, Lucius (Paul Mescal), has fled Rome for Numidia, on the North African coast. The time is 200 A.D., and for the corrupt, party-time twins running the empire (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger), that means invasion time. Pedro Pascal takes the role of Acacius, the deeply conflicted general, sick of war and tired of taking orders from a pair of depraved ferrets. The new film winds around the old one this way: Acacius is married to Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, in a welcome return), daughter of the now-deceased emperor Aurelius and the love of the late Maximus’s life. Enslaved and dragged to Rome to gladiate, the widower Lucius vows revenge on the general whose armies killed his wife. But there are things this angry young phenom must learn, about his ancestry and his destiny. It’s the movie’s worst-kept secret, but there’s a reason he keeps seeing footage of Russell Crowe from the first movie in his fever dreams. Battle follows battle, on the field, in the arena, in the nearest river, wherever, and usually with endless splurches of computer-generated blood. “Gladiator II” essentially bumper-cars its way through the mayhem, pausing for long periods of expository scheming about overthrowing the current regime. The prince of all fixers, a wily operative with interests in both managing gladiators and stocking munitions, goes by the name Macrinus. He’s played by Denzel Washington, who at one point makes a full meal out of pronouncing the word “politics” like it’s a poisoned fig. Also, if you want a masterclass in letting your robes do a lot of your acting for you, watch what Washington does here. He’s more fun than the movie but you can’t have everything. The movie tries everything, all right, and twice. Ridley Scott marshals the chaotic action sequences well enough, though he’s undercut by frenetic cutting rhythms, with that now-familiar, slightly sped-up visual acceleration in frequent use. (Claire Simpson and Sam Restivo are the editors.) Mescal acquits himself well in his first big-budget commercial walloper of an assignment, confined though he is to a narrower range of seething resentments than Crowe’s in the first film. I left thinking about two things: the word “politics” as savored/spit out by Washington, and the innate paradox of how Scott, whose best work over the decades has been wonderful, delivers spectacle. The director and his lavishly talented design team built all the rough-hewn sets with actual tangible materials the massive budget allowed. They took care to find the right locations in Morocco and Malta. Yet when combined in post-production with scads of medium-grade digital effects work in crowd scenes and the like, never mind the sharks, the movie’s a somewhat frustrating amalgam. With an uneven script on top of it, the visual texture of “Gladiator II” grows increasingly less enveloping and atmospherically persuasive, not more. But I hung there, for some of the acting, for some of the callbacks, and for the many individual moments, or single shots, that could only have come from Ridley Scott. And in the end, yes, you too may be moderately entertained. “Gladiator II” — 2.5 stars (out of 4) MPA rating: R (for strong bloody violence) Running time: 2:28 How to watch: Premieres in theaters Nov. 21. Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.Pamela Anderson isn’t naming names, but she tells me that she’s heard from “a lot of great directors” following her awards buzzy work in “ The Last Showgirl .” “It’s exciting because I want to keep working,” Anderson said Tuesday at the Golden Globes First-Time Nominee Luncheon at the Montage in Beverly Hills. However, she insists all the praise and attention isn’t going to her head. “I’m going to pretend that I belong here,” Anderson said. “It’s all so surreal. Sometimes I’ll wake up in the middle of the night and I’m like, ‘I’m a Golden Globes nominee – how did that happen?’” She said she’s feeling more secure as awards season ramps up. “It’s getting better, but it’s still a little hard to walk into these rooms and and see people who you’ve admired for so long,” Anderson said. “You put out your hand, shake their hand, and have a conversation. It’s scary and hard, but it’s exciting. I’m challenging myself to do that.” She continued, “Time is an illusion. Sometimes it’s feels like it’s just been one day between ‘Baywatch’ and now. It’s hard to think about how much time has passed. What was I doing these last few decades and now I’m here? Again, it’s all very surreal, but I’m very happy to be here in this moment right now.” Anderson credits her “Last Showgirl” co-star Jamie Lee Curtis for providing guidance and support . “She’s a force,” Anderson said. Anderson wore a vintage champagne color dress to the afternoon celebration, a look she planned as an homage to “Hitchcock blondes.” Just a couple of days after the event, Anderson’s son Brandon Lee, who served as a producer on “The Last Showgirl,” told Variety ‘s Jazz Tangcay that he has been on a “personal mission” to shatter Hollywood’s views and feelings about his mom. ... Someone please get Tim Cook on the line – Kathryn Hahn can use your help. Or maybe the help of a magical witch. “Patti LuPone left me a voice note singing ‘Happy Birthday’ – in full amazing voice! – and I freaking don’t know where it is,” Hahn told me. “I thought I had saved it but it’s nowhere to be found.” Their “Agatha All Along” co-star Joe Locke tried to comfort Hahn. “I texted Joe because technologically I’m not great. I was like, ‘What do I do?’” Hahn said. “He was like, ‘Ask her to do it again or she’ll probably do it every year for you.’” Fans are anxiously waiting to find out if “Agatha” is getting a second season. “That is a good question,” Hahn said. “We have yet to get anything. We’ll be the last to know.” Hahn definitely wants more: “I love this part. I love this group.” Fun fact: Hahn told me that the cast’s group chat name is “My Pretty Coven.” ... I also talked to “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” star Cooper Koch. When I caught up with him at Academy Museum Gala in October, he said he would love to play Patrick Bateman in Luca Guadagnino’s new adaptation of “American Psycho.” But as Variety exclusively reported Dec. 11, it looks like the part is going to Austin Butler. “Here’s the thing, I never really wanted it. I just had seen it in the trades right before I had gotten to [the gala], and was like, ‘Oh, that would be cool,’” Koch said me at the Globes luncheon. “I think Austin Butler is going be amazing in that role. It’s perfect for him. I’m excited to see it.” Koch has yet to announce his follow-up to “Monsters.” He said he is still considering different projects. While we were chatting, “Wicked” star Ariana Grande stepped onto the carpet . “I would love to work with Ariana Grande,” Koch said. He’d even consider a musical. “I could sing. I’m a baritone,” Koch said. “I heard they’re doing ‘Spring Awakening.’ That would be cool.” But he also joked, “Maybe I’m done with acting. I’m retiring. I’m moving to a farm. I’m going to ride horses and raise cows.” ... Mikey Madison addressed naysayers who question if her film “Anora,” from writer-director Sean Baker, qualifies for the Globes’ comedy category. Madison is nominated for best actress in a musical or comedy motion picture and the movie is up for best musical or comedy motion picture. “It is absolutely a comedy. It’s a dark comedy,” she said. “I think that Sean sees the humor in darkness. I think that you see a lot of humanity through this film, but you have to laugh at it because some of the things that happen are just so absurd and ridiculous. And there’s a lot of physical comedy.” She continued, “I’ve been in theaters and people are howling.” Variety parent company PMC owns Dick Clark Prods. in a joint venture with Eldridge.
By JOSH BOAK WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden said Tuesday he was “stupid” not to put his own name on pandemic relief checks in 2021, noting that Donald Trump had done so in 2020 and likely got credit for helping people out through this simple, effective act of branding. Biden did the second-guessing as he delivered a speech at the Brookings Institution defending his economic record and challenging Trump to preserve Democratic policy ideas when he returns to the White House next month. Related Articles National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television National Politics | What will happen to Social Security under Trump’s tax plan? National Politics | Republican-led states are rolling out plans that could aid Trump’s mass deportation effort As Biden focused on his legacy with his term ending, he suggested Trump should keep the Democrats’ momentum going and ignore the policies of his allies. The president laid out favorable recent economic data but acknowledged his rare public regret that he had not been more self-promotional in advertising the financial support provided by his administration as the country emerged from the pandemic. “I signed the American Rescue Plan, the most significant economic recovery package in our history, and also learned something from Donald Trump,” Biden said at the Washington-based think tank. “He signed checks for people for 7,400 bucks ... and I didn’t. Stupid.” The decision by the former reality TV star and real estate developer to add his name to the checks sent by the U.S. Treasury to millions of Americans struggling during the coronavirus marked the first time a president’s name appeared on any IRS payments. Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris , who replaced him as the Democratic nominee , largely failed to convince the American public of the strength of the economy. The addition of 16 million jobs, funding for infrastructure, new factories and investments in renewable energy were not enough to overcome public exhaustion over inflation, which spiked in 2022 and left many households coping with elevated grocery, gasoline and housing costs. More than 6 in 10 voters in November’s election described the economy as “poor” or “not so good,” according to AP VoteCast, an extensive survey of the electorate. Trump won nearly 7 in 10 of the voters who felt the economy was in bad shape, paving the way for a second term as president after his 2020 loss to Biden. Biden used his speech to argue that Trump was inheriting a strong economy that is the envy of the world. The inflation rate fell without a recession that many economists had viewed as inevitable, while the unemployment rate is a healthy 4.2% and applications to start new businesses are at record levels. Biden called the numbers under his watch “a new set of benchmarks to measure against the next four years.” “President-elect Trump is receiving the strongest economy in modern history,” said Biden, who warned that Trump’s planned tax cuts could lead to massive deficits or deep spending cuts. He also said that Trump’s promise of broad tariffs on foreign imports would be a mistake, part of a broader push Tuesday by the administration to warn against Trump’s threatened action. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen also issued a word of caution about them at a summit of The Wall Street Journal’s CEO Council. “I think the imposition of broad based tariffs, at least of the type that have been discussed, almost all economists agree this would raise prices on American consumers,” she said. Biden was also critical of Trump allies who have pushed Project 2025 , a policy blueprint from the Heritage Foundation that calls for a complete overhaul of the federal government. Trump has disavowed participation in it, though parts were written by his allies and overlap with his stated views on economics, immigration, education policy and civil rights. “I pray to God the president-elect throws away Project 2025,” Biden said. “I think it would be an economic disaster.” Associated Press writer Fatima Hussein in Washington contributed to this report.First batch of Canadian-made low-carbon jet fuel emerges from B.C. refinery
A majority of Americans are satisfied with Donald Trump ’s election victory and approve of the transition process into his new administration, according to a CBS/YouGov poll released on Monday. According to the poll, 59 percent of respondents approve of the transition process and 55 percent are happy or satisfied with Trump’s victory. That support, however, is highly fractured on partisan lines, with 95 percent of Republicans optimistic or excited about Trump compared with just 15 percent of Democrats. A similar pattern appears regarding support for the Trump administration’s top nominees, whose confirmation process has been marked with an unusual level of controversy. Forty-four percent of people said Marco Rubio , tapped for Secretary of State, was a good choice, compared with 75 percent of Trump supporters. Health and Human Services nominee RFK saw similar margins, with 47 percent general approval and 80 percent support among Trump fans. Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, meanwhile, saw slightly less support, garnering just a third of respondents overall who approved of the choice, with 64 percent approval from Trump supporters. The transition in the Trump administration has been unusual in a number of ways, including nominees without formal government experience and with serious accusations of misconduct being put into consideration for high-level positions. Last week, attorney general nominee Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration amid the potential release of a House ethics probe into sexual misconduct allegations, which he denies are true. Military veteran and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, tapped to lead the Defense Department, meanwhile, was accused of sexual assault over a 2017 incident in California. Hegseth has denied wrongdoing, said the encounter was consensual, and did not face any criminal charges. Other nominees, like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., have proved more controversial because of their views. Kennedy, a vaccine skeptic without a medical background, has been nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, alarming doctors and public health experts . Others have raised questions about efforts like the administration-aligned Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) , a technically non-governmental effort led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to identify massive potential cuts in the federal budget. Musk, the richest person in the world, through his companies like SpaceX, does billions of dollars of business with the federal government, and has considerable business interests at stake in matters of federal regulation and enforcement, making his position at the DOGE is an unprecedented one.In a recent interview, Lin Shidong, a professional basketball player known for his incredible accuracy on the court, shared his thoughts on the challenges he faced during a particularly tough game, where he had to rely on his sharp eyesight and the support of his teammates to secure a victory.
At the same time, calls for transparency and accountability have been growing among members of the public and the medical community. Many are demanding a thorough and impartial investigation to uncover the truth behind the allegations and hold those responsible to account. The case has also raised broader questions about the importance of upholding ethical standards and professional integrity in the practice of medicine.Ferguson is already one of the FTC’s five commissioners, which is currently made up of three Democrats and two Republicans. Subscribe to continue reading this article. Already subscribed? To login in, click here.The return of Alisson Becker to the starting XI is a significant boost for Liverpool, as the Brazilian goalkeeper is known for his exceptional shot-stopping abilities and commanding presence in the box. Alisson's return will provide a sense of stability to Liverpool's defense and offer reassurance to the team as they face their opponents in tomorrow's crucial match. His leadership and experience will be invaluable in guiding the team to victory and maintaining a solid defensive stance throughout the game.
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And so, as this family embarks on a new chapter together, they do so with renewed hope, strengthened bonds, and a profound appreciation for the precious gift of togetherness. The journey may have been long and arduous, but the destination of reunion and reconciliation is a beautiful reward that will forever be cherished in their hearts.
This screenshot from Donald Trump Truth Social account shows an image of President-elect Donald Trump and first lady Jill Biden attending the ceremony in Notre Dame Cathedral as France’s iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Dec .7, 2024 in Paris. Trump’s recent summit with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in negotiating trade policy and diplomacy. For Trump, they’ve also become fodder for trolling. (Truth Social via AP) This screenshot from Donald Trump’s Truth Social account shows am image of President-elect Donald Trump standing beside a Canadian flag. Trump’s recent summit with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in negotiating trade policy and diplomacy. For Trump, they’ve also become fodder for trolling. (Truth Social via AP) This screenshot from Donald Trump Truth Social account shows an image of President-elect Donald Trump and first lady Jill Biden attending the ceremony in Notre Dame Cathedral as France’s iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Dec .7, 2024 in Paris. Trump’s recent summit with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in negotiating trade policy and diplomacy. For Trump, they’ve also become fodder for trolling. ( Truth Social via AP) This screenshot from Donald Trump Truth Social account shows an image of President-elect Donald Trump and first lady Jill Biden attending the ceremony in Notre Dame Cathedral as France’s iconic cathedral is formally reopening its doors for the first time since a devastating fire nearly destroyed the 861-year-old landmark in 2019, Dec .7, 2024 in Paris. Trump’s recent summit with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in negotiating trade policy and diplomacy. For Trump, they’ve also become fodder for trolling. (Truth Social via AP) By MICHELLE L. PRICE and ROB GILLIES NEW YORK (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump’s recent dinner with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his visit to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral were not just exercises in policy and diplomacy. They were also prime trolling opportunities for Trump. Related Articles National Politics | Biden issues veto threat on bill expanding federal judiciary as partisan split emerges National Politics | Trump lawyers and aide hit with 10 additional felony charges in Wisconsin over 2020 fake electors National Politics | After withdrawing as attorney general nominee, Matt Gaetz lands a talk show on OANN television National Politics | What will happen to Social Security under Trump’s tax plan? National Politics | Republican-led states are rolling out plans that could aid Trump’s mass deportation effort Throughout his first term in the White House and during his campaign to return, Trump has spun out countless provocative, antagonizing and mocking statements. There were his belittling nicknames for political opponents, his impressions of other political figures and the plentiful memes he shared on social media. Now that’s he’s preparing to return to the Oval Office, Trump is back at it, and his trolling is attracting more attention — and eyerolls. On Sunday, Trump turned a photo of himself seated near a smiling first lady Jill Biden at the Notre Dame ceremony into a social media promo for his new perfume and cologne line, with the tag line, “A fragrance your enemies can’t resist!” The first lady’s office declined to comment. When Trudeau hastily flew to Florida to meet with Trump last month over the president-elect’s threat to impose a 25% tax on all Canadian products entering the U.S., the Republican tossed out the idea that Canada become the 51st U.S. state. The Canadians passed off the comment as a joke, but Trump has continued to play up the dig, including in a post Tuesday morning on his social media network referring to the prime minister as “Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada.” After decades as an entertainer and tabloid fixture, Trump has a flair for the provocative that is aimed at attracting attention and, in his most recent incarnation as a politician, mobilizing fans. He has long relished poking at his opponents, both to demean and minimize them and to delight supporters who share his irreverent comments and posts widely online and cheer for them in person. Trump, to the joy of his fans, first publicly needled Canada on his social media network a week ago when he posted an AI-generated image that showed him standing on a mountain with a Canadian flag next to him and the caption “Oh Canada!” After his latest post, Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller said Tuesday: “It sounds like we’re living in a episode of South Park.” Trudeau said earlier this week that when it comes to Trump, “his approach will often be to challenge people, to destabilize a negotiating partner, to offer uncertainty and even sometimes a bit of chaos into the well established hallways of democracies and institutions and one of the most important things for us to do is not to freak out, not to panic.” Even Thanksgiving dinner isn’t a trolling-free zone for Trump’s adversaries. On Thanksgiving Day, Trump posted a movie clip from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” with President Joe Biden and other Democrats’ faces superimposed on the characters in a spoof of the turkey-carving scene. The video shows Trump appearing to explode out of the turkey in a swirl of purple sparks, with the former president stiffly dancing to one of his favorite songs, Village People’s “Y.M.C.A.” In his most recent presidential campaign, Trump mocked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, refusing to call his GOP primary opponent by his real name and instead dubbing him “Ron DeSanctimonious.” He added, for good measure, in a post on his Truth Social network: “I will never call Ron DeSanctimonious ‘Meatball’ Ron, as the Fake News is insisting I will.” As he campaigned against Biden, Trump taunted him in online posts and with comments and impressions at his rallies, deriding the president over his intellect, his walk, his golf game and even his beach body. After Vice President Kamala Harris took over Biden’s spot as the Democratic nominee, Trump repeatedly suggested she never worked at McDonalds while in college. Trump, true to form, turned his mocking into a spectacle by appearing at a Pennsylvania McDonalds in October, when he manned the fries station and held an impromptu news conference from the restaurant drive-thru. Trump’s team thinks people should get a sense of humor. “President Trump is a master at messaging and he’s always relatable to the average person, whereas many media members take themselves too seriously and have no concept of anything else other than suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome,” said Steven Cheung, Trump’s communications director. “President Trump will Make America Great Again and we are getting back to a sense of optimism after a tumultuous four years.” Though both the Biden and Harris campaigns created and shared memes and launched other stunts to respond to Trump’s taunts, so far America’s neighbors to the north are not taking the bait. “I don’t think we should necessarily look on Truth Social for public policy,” Miller said. Gerald Butts, a former top adviser to Trudeau and a close friend, said Trump brought up the 51st state line to Trudeau repeatedly during Trump’s first term in office. “Oh God,” Butts said Tuesday, “At least a half dozen times.” “This is who he is and what he does. He’s trying to destabilize everybody and make people anxious,” Butts said. “He’s trying to get people on the defensive and anxious and therefore willing to do things they wouldn’t otherwise entertain if they had their wits about them. I don’t know why anybody is surprised by it.” Gillies reported from Toronto. Associated Press writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.
Li Gangren, known for his successful investments in the technology and real estate sectors, has been a prominent figure in Parisian high society for decades. His latest wealth update reflects the continued success of his business ventures, as well as his savvy investment strategies. With a diverse portfolio and a keen eye for emerging trends, Li Gangren has managed to stay ahead in the competitive world of high finance.