Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Prof. Ahsan Iqbal said on Sunday that the PTI wanted to sabotage the journey of national development once again. Addressing a press conference here at Model Town, he said that only courts were empowered to release the PTI founder, and “we will never let Pakistan to be damaged for the ego of a single person”. He said the PTI founder could not be released through an executive order, and he should prove his innocence in the court. He said the PTI founder was in jail not to fulfill legal requirements but on the charges of theft, fraud and sedition. During the PTI regime, he said, the PML-N leaders got justice from the courts and did not appeal to the government for their release from jails. Ahsan Iqbal said that there was irrefutable evidence against the PTI founder in the cases of Tosha Khana and Al-Qadir Trust, and his legal team was using delaying tactics in his cases. Bushra Bibi is not appearing in the court despite taking bail, as she fears that she would not be able to avoid punishment by participating in the court process, he added. The federal minister said that Pakistan was moving on the way to development, and the stock market was showing bullish trends. He said maintaining law and order was a responsibility of the government. Necessary measures were inevitable to thwart ambitions of the “anarchist” group, he said and offered apology for the inconvenience caused to citizens due to road closures. The PTI acted like a terrorist organisation on May 9, and no good could be expected from it now, the minister said adding that those who invited external powers to intervene in Pakistan could not be well-wishers of the country. Ahsan said those calling for protests and sit-ins again and again had been rejected by people, as their real faces had been exposed now. He said the PTI wanted to spread chaos in the country through sit-ins, and people would not fall for their deception anymore, and thwart its designs. Ahsan Iqbal said KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur was fully focused on the federation and Punjab, and he was not worried at all about the law and order situation in Kurram and Parachinar. He said bloodshed was going on in those areas, but the KP government resources were being used for the PTI protests and sit-ins. He said that the PTI founder had been portrayed on social media as a big leader, and that he was fighting for the constitution and law. However, he asserted that he was the same ‘Mahatma’ who reached the power corridors by halting the RTS system in 2018 elections. He is the same person, who received 190 million pounds the public money from the British government, and instead of depositing it in the national kitty, he had used it for his personal gain, for Al-Qadir Trust. The PTI always obstructed the country’s development process as they could not digest it, he said and added that Pakistan’s friendly countries were offended during the PTI tenure in government. The first attack was made on Pakistan-China friendship by levelling allegations against the CPEC project; the second attack was made when his government was coming to an end and they tried to harm Pakistan-US relations by accusing America of conspiracy; while the third attack was made through Bushra Bibi’s recent false statement regarding Saudi Arabia in a bid to create rift in Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations. The minister said Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif would present a five-year economic vision to the nation on Nov 28. He said that instead of formulating laws in the assemblies, the PTI members were doing politics of anarchy, besides taking full perks and privileges as parliamentarians. In response to another question, he said that the government was aware of the difficulties of people due to closure of roads, “for which we are sorry. But these measures are for the security of the state”.
Chad Chronister, chosen by President-elect Donald Trump to head the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), announced his withdrawal from consideration on Tuesday. Chronister, a Florida sheriff, cited the significant responsibility of the position as the reason for his decision. Chronister's withdrawal comes after Trump's announcement on Sunday, where he emphasized Chronister's potential focus on curbing fentanyl trafficking across the U.S.-Mexico border. The DEA, a crucial part of the Justice Department, is tasked with enforcing U.S. drug laws. The Trump transition team is currently navigating its own challenges, including securing agreements with the Justice Department for background checks necessary for handling classified materials, after an earlier nominee for Attorney General was also withdrawn. (With inputs from agencies.)In the midst of a fiercely competitive NBA season, the Dallas Mavericks have found themselves a new king in the realm of one-on-one battles - none other than the electrifying point guard, Kyrie Irving. Known for his unmatched ball-handling skills, footwork, and scoring prowess, Irving has been dominating his teammates in practice sessions, leaving fans and analysts in awe of his abilities.This explanation has raised questions about the current regulations regarding what items passengers are allowed to bring on trains. While it is important to have strict security measures in place to ensure the safety of all passengers, it is also crucial to have clear and consistent guidelines that are easy for passengers to understand and follow.
Palo Alto Networks ' ( PANW -3.61% ) troubles early in the year are beginning to seem like a distant memory after the company once again posted solid earnings results. The stock plunged in February after the cybersecurity company said it was seeing "spending fatigue" among its customers and embarked on a new "platformization" strategy. This strategy was designed to switch customers from point solutions to using a suite of the company's products. However, this move came at a price, as in order to entice customers to move away from a bunch of single-problem solutions from various vendors with different contract lengths, it agreed to give some of its solutions away for free so customers would not have to pay for duplicate programs. At the time, the company said this would be the equivalent of giving customers about six months of free product capabilities. While a bold move, it is not all that dissimilar from streaming services offering customers highly discounted trial rates, or cellphone providers buying out contracts to obtain customers. Let's take a closer look at Palo Alto's fiscal first-quarter results, how its strategy to bundle services is working, and whether the stock's momentum can continue. Platformization momentum continues Palo Alto's platformization strategy continued to show strong momentum in its fiscal 2025 Q1 (ended Oct. 31, 2024), with it adding 70 new customers using its suite of security services in the quarter. About a third of those came from the company's September acquisition of security information and event management platform QRadar from IBM . It is looking for half of QRadar customers to transition to its extended security intelligence and automation management (XSIAM) platform by the end of its current fiscal year. It ended the quarter with 1,100 platformized customers. It also said that the annual recurring revenue (ARR) from this group of customers increased by 6% in the quarter. The company is looking to have between 2,500 and 3,500 service-bundling deals by fiscal year 2030 and said it is on track to accomplish this goal. Palo Alto management said it believes that in the coming years, the cybersecurity market will have fewer platforms and that point solutions will eventually get subsumed by these winning platforms. Overall, Palo Alto's fiscal first-quarter revenue climbed 14% year over year to $2.14 billion, which was just ahead of the company's guidance for revenue of between $2.1 billion and $2.13 billion. Service revenue increased 16%, with subscription revenue jumping 21% and support revenue up 8%. Product revenue rose 4%. It forecast fiscal 2025 revenue to grow by about 14% to a range of $9.11 billion to $9.17 billion, up from prior guidance of $9.1 billion to $9.15 billion. It projected adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of between $6.26 and $6.39, up from a previous outlook of between $6.18 and $6.31, representing growth between 10% and 13%. Below is a chart of the company's guidance revisions. Metric Revenue Revenue Growth Adjusted EPS EPS Growth Original guidance $9.10 billion to $9.15 billion 13% to 14% $6.18 and $6.31 9% to 11% New guidance $9.11 billion to $9.17 billion 14% $6.26 to $6.39 10% to 13% Data source: Palo Alto Networks. For fiscal Q2, Palo Alto management guided for revenue growth of between 12% and 14% to a range of $2.22 billion and $2.25 billion. It is looking for adjusted EPS growth of between 5% and 6% to a range of $1.54 to $1.56. The company also announced a 2-for-1 stock split that will become effective in mid-December. Palo Alto Networks is the latest company to initiate a split this year, joining companies ranging from Walmart to Nvidia to Chipotle Mexican Grill . Generally, a stock split makes share prices more accessible to a wider range of investors and can lead to increased trading activity. After the market closes on Dec. 13, Palo Alto shareholders get an additional share for each share they own. Is it time to buy Palo Alto stock? While Palo Alto is still going through a transition period as it implements its service bundling strategy, it does appear the strategy is paying off. While there is some worry about the company discounting pricing as it platforms customers, at the end of the day it needed to make this move and deals are getting larger as a result. A mishmash of cybersecurity point solutions was becoming less effective for customers who were starting to see diminishing returns on their cybersecurity investments. Palo Alto has a large base of legacy firewall customers, so getting them onto a more effective cybersecurity platform will be a key driver in the years ahead. The company's next-generation security offerings are making nice strides, with next-gen ARR up 40% in the quarter. Palo Alto stock trades at a forward price-to-sales ratio (P/S) of over 14 times fiscal 2025 estimates for a company projecting to grow revenue by 14%. PANW PS Ratio (Forward) data by YCharts While I would expect growth to begin to accelerate as the headwind from its platformization strategy eventually shifts to a tailwind, the valuation is still pretty pricey given its growth outlook. While I think the stock will be a long-term winner, I would not look to chase the stock at these levels.
The spotlight is firmly on the returning hero as he steps onto the pitch for the first time in what feels like an eternity. The cheers of the crowd wash over him, spurring him on as he prepares to face his opponents. There is a steely determination in his eyes, a fire burning deep within his soul.Citigroup Inc. grew its position in shares of KB Home ( NYSE:KBH – Free Report ) by 62.1% during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 107,051 shares of the construction company’s stock after purchasing an additional 40,992 shares during the period. Citigroup Inc. owned 0.15% of KB Home worth $9,173,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Tidal Investments LLC acquired a new stake in KB Home during the first quarter worth approximately $1,177,000. Comerica Bank increased its position in KB Home by 123.0% during the first quarter. Comerica Bank now owns 75,154 shares of the construction company’s stock worth $5,327,000 after purchasing an additional 41,452 shares during the last quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers acquired a new position in shares of KB Home in the 1st quarter valued at $1,588,000. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in shares of KB Home by 22.1% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 906,236 shares of the construction company’s stock valued at $77,655,000 after buying an additional 164,010 shares during the period. Finally, AdvisorShares Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of KB Home during the 2nd quarter worth $479,000. 96.09% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. KB Home Stock Performance NYSE:KBH opened at $82.79 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $6.07 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.71 and a beta of 1.81. KB Home has a one year low of $51.53 and a one year high of $89.70. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $81.24 and its 200 day simple moving average is $77.95. KB Home Announces Dividend The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 27th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, November 14th were issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.21%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, November 14th. KB Home’s dividend payout ratio is currently 12.82%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades KBH has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Bank of America upped their price target on KB Home from $75.00 to $90.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, September 19th. Wells Fargo & Company cut shares of KB Home from an “equal weight” rating to an “underweight” rating and lifted their price target for the company from $80.00 to $83.00 in a research report on Monday, October 7th. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of KB Home from $78.00 to $99.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 25th. Royal Bank of Canada lowered shares of KB Home from a “sector perform” rating to an “underperform” rating and set a $70.00 target price on the stock. in a report on Thursday, September 5th. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on shares of KB Home from $72.00 to $82.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 3rd. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating and four have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $77.50. Get Our Latest Stock Report on KBH Insider Transactions at KB Home In other KB Home news, CFO Jeff Kaminski sold 27,500 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $79.40, for a total transaction of $2,183,500.00. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 34,473 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,737,156.20. This trade represents a 44.37 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website . Insiders own 4.44% of the company’s stock. KB Home Profile ( Free Report ) KB Home operates as a homebuilding company in the United States. It operates through four segments: West Coast, Southwest, Central, and Southeast. It builds and sells various homes, including attached and detached single-family residential homes, townhomes, and condominiums primarily for first-time, first move-up, second move-up, and active adult homebuyers. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding KBH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for KB Home ( NYSE:KBH – Free Report ). Receive News & Ratings for KB Home Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for KB Home and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter .Manson Market, a notorious hub for cybercriminals selling a variety of illicit goods and services, had been operating in the shadows of the dark web for years. The market facilitated the buying and selling of stolen data, malware, hacking tools, and other illegal items, making it a prime target for law enforcement agencies across Europe.
Jennings 2-3 5-6 11, Ousmane 3-8 5-8 11, Brantley 2-5 5-6 9, Davis 0-0 0-0 0, Thompson 1-9 5-7 7, Avery 5-11 3-4 15, Dean 5-8 2-2 13, Newman 1-3 2-2 4, Keller 1-2 2-4 5, Suemnick 1-1 1-2 3. Totals 21-50 30-41 78. T.Coleman 2-9 2-2 6, Davidson 9-16 4-7 23, Love 5-5 1-2 11, DuSell 3-5 0-0 8, Sanders 7-10 10-13 27, Rolison 1-3 0-0 3, Hymes 2-3 0-0 4, McBride 2-3 0-1 4, Bailey 2-2 0-0 4. Totals 33-56 17-25 90. Halftime_Nevada 40-33. 3-Point Goals_Oklahoma St. 6-21 (Jennings 2-3, Avery 2-8, Dean 1-2, Keller 1-2, Newman 0-2, Thompson 0-4), Nevada 7-18 (Sanders 3-5, DuSell 2-4, Rolison 1-2, Davidson 1-4, T.Coleman 0-3). Fouled Out_Davis, Rolison. Rebounds_Oklahoma St. 27 (Ousmane 6), Nevada 31 (T.Coleman, McBride 6). Assists_Oklahoma St. 8 (Brantley 3), Nevada 14 (T.Coleman 8). Total Fouls_Oklahoma St. 23, Nevada 26. A_2,063 (5,100).OAKLAND, Calif. , Dec. 2, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On November 29, 2024 , PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG) declared its fourth-quarter 2024 regular cash dividend of $0.025 per share on the Corporation's common stock. The dividend is payable on January 15, 2025 , to shareholders of record as of December 31, 2024 . In addition, PG&E Corporation's utility subsidiary, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), declared the regular preferred stock dividend for the three-month period ending January 31, 2025 , to be payable on February 15, 2025 , to shareholders of record as of January 31, 2025 . PG&E will pay dividends on its eight series of preferred stock as follows: First Preferred Stock, $25 Par Value Quarterly Dividend to be Paid Per Share Redeemable 5.00 % $0.31250 5.00% Series A $0.31250 4.80 % $0.30000 4.50 % $0.28125 4.36 % $0.27250 Non-Redeemable 6.00 % $0.37500 5.50 % $0.34375 5.00 % $0.31250 About PG&E Corporation PG&E Corporation (NYSE: PCG) is a holding company headquartered in Oakland, California . It is the parent company of Pacific Gas and Electric Company, an energy company that serves 16 million Californians across a 70,000-square-mile service area in Northern and Central California . For more information, visit http://www.pgecorp.com . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dates-set-for-pge-quarterly-stock-dividends-302319353.html SOURCE PG&E CorporationPresident-elect Donald Trump has filled the key posts for his second term in office, prioritizing loyalty to him after he felt bruised and hampered by internal squabbling during his first term. Some of his choices could face difficult confirmation fights in the Senate, even with Republicans in control, and one candidate has already withdrawn from consideration. Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz was Trump's initial pick for attorney general, but he ultimately withdrew following scrutiny over a federal sex trafficking investigation he was embroiled in. Here's a look at Trump's choices: CABINET: Secretary of state: Marco Rubio Trump would turn a former critic into an ally as the nation's top diplomat. Rubio , 53, is a noted hawk on China, Cuba and Iran, and was a finalist to be Trump's running mate before the slot went to JD Vance. Rubio is vice chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. His selection punctuates the hard pivot Rubio has made with Trump, whom the senator once called a “con man" during his own unsuccessful campaign for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination. Their relationship improved dramatically while Trump was in the White House. Defense secretary: Pete Hegseth Hegseth , 44, was a co-host of Fox News Channel’s “Fox and Friends Weekend” and had been a contributor with the network since 2014. He developed a friendship with Trump, who made regular appearances on the show. Hegseth served in the Army National Guard from 2002 to 2021, deploying to Iraq in 2005 and Afghanistan in 2011 and earning two Bronze Stars. He lacks senior military and national security experience and would oversee global crises ranging from Europe to the Middle East. A woman told police that she was sexually assaulted in 2017 by Hegseth after he took her phone, blocked the door to a California hotel room and refused to let her leave, according to a detailed investigative report recently made public. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and has denied any wrongdoing. Treasury secretary: Scott Bessent Bessent , 62, is a former money manager for George Soros , a big Democratic donor, and an advocate for deficit reduction . He founded the hedge fund Key Square Capital Management after having worked on and off for Soros Fund Management since 1991. If confirmed by the Senate, Bessent 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. Director of national intelligence: Tulsi Gabbard Gabbard, 43, is a former Democratic House member from Hawaii who has been accused of echoing Russian propaganda. She unsuccessfully sought the party’s 2020 presidential nomination and left the party in 2022. Gabbard endorsed Trump in August and campaigned often with him. Gabbard has served in the Army National Guard for more than two decades and deployed to Iraq and Kuwait. If confirmed she would come to the role as an outsider compared to her predecessor. The current director, Avril Haines, spent several years in top national security and intelligence positions. Attorney general: Pam Bondi Bondi , 59, was Florida's first female attorney general, serving between 2011 and 2019. She was on Trump’s legal team during his first impeachment trial in 2020. Considered a loyalist , Bondi also has served with the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-allied group that has helped lay the groundwork for his future administration. 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 appeared on Fox News and has been critical of the criminal cases against him. Labor secretary: Lori Chavez-DeRemer The Republican U.S. House member narrowly lost her reelection bid on Nov. 5 but had received strong backing from union members in her district. As a potential labor secretary, Chavez-DeRemer would oversee the department's workforce and budget and put forth priorities that affect workers’ wages, health and safety, ability to unionize, and employer’s rights to fire employers, among other responsibilities. Chavez-DeRemer is one of a few House Republicans to endorse the “Protecting the Right to Organize” or PRO Act that would allow more workers to conduct organizing campaigns and penalize companies that violate workers’ rights. The act would also weaken “right-to-work” laws in more than half the states. Commerce secretary: Howard Lutnick Lutnick heads the brokerage and investment bank Cantor Fitzgerald and is a cryptocurrency enthusiast. He is co-chair of Trump's transition operation, charged along with Linda McMahon, a former wrestling executive who previously led Trump’s Small Business Administration, with helping the president-elect fill key jobs in his second administration. As secretary, Lutnick would play a key role in carrying out Trump's plans to raise and enforce tariffs. He would oversee a sprawling Cabinet department whose oversight ranges from funding new computer chip factories and imposing trade restrictions to releasing economic data and monitoring the weather. Homeland security secretary: Kristi Noem Noem is a well-known conservative who used her two terms as South Dakota's governor to vault to a prominent position in Republican politics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Noem did not order restrictions like other states, instead declaring South Dakota “open for business.” More recently, Noem faced sharp criticism for writing in her memoir about shooting and killing her dog. She is set to lead a department crucial to the president-elect’s hardline immigration agenda as well as other missions. Homeland Security oversees natural disaster response, the U.S. Secret Service and Transportation Security Administration agents who work at airports. CIA director: John Ratcliffe Ratcliffe , a former U.S. House member from Texas, was director of national intelligence during the final year and a half of Trump’s first term. He led U.S. government’s spy agencies during the coronavirus pandemic. If confirmed, Ratcliffe will have held the highest intelligence positions in the U.S. Health and human services secretary: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Kennedy , 70, ran for president as a Democrat, then as an independent before he dropped out and then endorsed Trump . He's the son of Democratic icon Robert F. Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1968 during his own presidential campaign. Kennedy's nomination 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. Agriculture secretary: Brooke Rollins Rollins , 52, is president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute, a group helping to lay the groundwork for Trump's second administration. She is a Texas attorney who was Trump's domestic policy adviser and director of his office of American innovation during his first term. Rollins previously was an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry , who also served in Trump's first term. Rollins also ran the Texas Public Policy Foundation. Transportation secretary: Sean Duffy 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. Veterans affairs secretary: Doug Collins Collins is a former Republican congressman from Georgia who gained recognition for defending Trump during his first impeachment trial. Trump was impeached for urging Ukraine to investigate Joe Biden in 2019 during the Democratic presidential campaign, but was acquitted by the Senate. Collins also served in the armed forces himself. He is a chaplain in the United States Air Force Reserve Command. Interior secretary: Doug Burgum The North Dakota governor , 68, is a former Republican presidential primary contender who endorsed Trump after he dropped out of the running. Burgum then became a serious contender to be Trump’s vice presidential choice in part because of his executive experience and business savvy. He also has close ties to deep-pocketed energy industry CEOs. Trump said Burgum would chair a new National Energy Council and have a seat on the National Security Council, which would be a first for the Interior secretary. Energy secretary: Chris Wright A campaign donor and CEO of Denver-based Liberty Energy, Wright 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. He also has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change. Wright 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. Education secretary: Linda McMahon McMahon, a billionaire professional wrestling mogul , would make a return appearance in a second Trump administration. She led the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019 in Trump’s first term and twice ran unsuccessfully in Connecticut as a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate. 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. She has expressed support for charter schools and school choice. Environmental Protection Agency administrator: Lee Zeldin 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" and "we will do so while protecting access to clean air and water.” Trump often attacked the Biden administration’s promotion of electric vehicles, and incorrectly referred to a tax credit for EV purchases as a government mandate. Trump also often said his administration would “drill, baby, drill,” referring to his support for expanded petroleum exploration. Housing and Urban Development: Scott Turner 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.” U.S. Trade Representative: Jamieson Greer Greer is a partner at King & Spalding, a Washington law firm. If confirmed by the Senate, he would be responsible for negotiating directly with foreign governments on trade deals and disputes, as well as memberships in international trade bodies such as the World Trade Organization. He previously was chief of staff to Robert Lighthizer, who was the trade representative in Trump's first term. ___ WHITE HOUSE STAFF: Chief of staff: Susie Wiles Wiles , 67, was a senior adviser to Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and its de facto manager. She has a background in Florida politics , helping Ron DeSantis win his first race for Florida governor. Six years later, she was key to Trump’s defeat of him in the 2024 Republican primary. Wiles’ hire was Trump’s first major decision as president-elect and one that could be a defining test of his incoming administration considering her close relationship with him. Wiles is said to have earned Trump’s trust in part by guiding what was the most disciplined of Trump’s three presidential campaigns. National security adviser: Mike Waltz Waltz is a three-term Republican congressman from east-central Florida. A former Army Green Beret , he served multiple tours in Afghanistan and 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. National Economic Council: Kevin Hassett Hassett, 62, is a major advocate of tax cuts who was chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers in the first Trump term. In the new role as chairman of the National Economic Council, Trump said Hassett will play an important role in helping American families recover from inflation as well as in renewing and improving tax cuts Trump enacted in 2017, many of which are set to expire after 2025. Border czar: Tom Homan Homan, 62, has been tasked with Trump’s top priority of carrying out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history. He led the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Trump's first administration. Democrats have criticized Homan for defending Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy on border crossings in the first term, which led to the separation of thousands of parents and children seeking asylum at the border. Office of Management and Budget: Russell Vought Vought, 48, held the position during Trump’s first presidency. He the 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 also was closely involved with Project 2025 , a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that Trump tried to distance himself from during the campaign. Deputy chief of staff for policy: Stephen Miller 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 term. 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 living illegally in the U.S. Deputy chief of staff: Dan Scavino Scavino was an adviser in all three of the president-elect's campaigns and was described by the transition team as one of “Trump’s longest serving and most trusted aides." He will be deputy chief of staff and assistant to the president. Scavino previously ran Trump’s social media profile in the White House. Deputy chief of staff: James Blair 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 an assistant to the president. Blair was key to Trump’s economic messaging during his winning White House comeback campaign. Deputy chief of staff: Taylor Budowich 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. White House press secretary: Karoline Leavitt 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. Leavitt worked in the White House press office during Trump's first term. In 2022, she ran for Congress in New Hampshire, winning a 10-way Republican primary before losing to Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas. White House Counsel: William McGinley McGinley was 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. ____ AMBASSADORS, ENVOYS AND OTHER KEY POSTS: Special envoy to the Middle East: Steven Witkoff The 67-year-old Witkoff is the president-elect's golf partner and they were golfing at Trump's club in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Sept. 15, when the former president was the target of a second attempted assassination. Trump also named Witkoff co-chair, with former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler, of his inaugural committee. Special envoy for Ukraine and Russia: Keith Kellogg Kellogg , 80, is a highly decorated retired three-star general and one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book that lays out an “America First” national security agenda for Trump's second term. He has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues and served as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence . Kellogg also was chief of staff of the National Security Council under Trump and stepped in as an acting national security adviser for Trump after Michael Flynn resigned the post. Ambassador to Israel: Mike Huckabee 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. 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. Huckabee has rejected a Palestinian homeland in territory occupied by Israel. His daughter, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, served as White House press secretary in Trump's first term. Ambassador to the United Nations: Elise Stefanik Stefanik, 40, is a U.S. representative from New York and one of Trump's staunchest defenders dating to his first impeachment trial. She was elected chair of the House Republican Conference in 2021, the third-highest position in House leadership, after then-Rep. Liz Cheney was removed from the post after she publicly criticized Trump for falsely claiming he won the 2020 election. Stefanik’s questioning of university presidents over antisemitism on their campuses helped lead to two of those presidents resigning, further raising her national profile. Ambassador to NATO: Matthew Whitaker A former acting attorney general during Trump's first administration and tight end on the University of Iowa football team, Whitaker , 55, has a background in law enforcement but not in foreign policy. A fierce Trump localist, Whitaker, is also a former U.S. attorney in Iowa and served as acting attorney general between November 2018 and February 2019 without Senate confirmation, until William Barr was confirmed for the role. That was when special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation into Russian election interference was drawing to a close. Whitaker also faced questions about his past business dealings, including his ties to an invention-promotion company that was accused of misleading consumers. Ambassador to Canada: Pete Hoekstra A Republican congressman from Michigan who served from 1993 to 2011, Hoekstra was ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services: Dr. Mehmet Oz Oz , 64, is a former heart surgeon who hosted “The Dr. Oz Show,” a long-running daytime TV 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. Food and Drug Administration: Dr. Marty Makary Makary is a Johns Hopkins surgeon and author who argued against pandemic lockdowns. He routinely appeared on Fox News during the COVID-19 pandemic and wrote opinion articles questioning masks for children. He cast doubt on vaccine mandates but supported vaccines generally. Makary also cast doubt on whether booster shots worked, which was against federal recommendations on the vaccine. Surgeon General: Dr. Janette Nesheiwat Nesheiwat is a general practitioner who serves as medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. She has been a contributor on Fox News. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Dr. Dave Weldon Weldon is a former Florida congressman who recently ran for a Florida state legislative seat and lost; Trump backed Weldon’s opponent. In Congress, Weldon weighed in on one of the nation’s most heated debates of the 1990s over quality of life and a right-to-die and whether Terri Schiavo, who was in a persistent vegetative after cardiac arrest, state should have been allowed to have her feeding tube removed. He sided with the parents who did not want it removed. National Institutes of Health: Dr. Jay Bhattacharya Bhattacharya , 56, is a critic of pandemic lockdowns and vaccine mandates. As head of the NIH, the leading medical research agency in the United States, Trump said Bhattacharya would work with Kennedy Jr. to direct U.S. medical research and make important discoveries that will improve health and save lives. Bhattacharya is professor at Stanford University School of Medicine and was one of three authors of the Great Barrington Declaration, an October 2020 open letter maintaining that lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic were causing irreparable harm. WITHDRAWN Matt Gaetz for Attorney General: Gaetz, 42, withdrew from consideration to become the top law enforcement officer of the United States amid fallout over a federal sex trafficking investigation that cast doubt on his ability to be confirmed by the Senate. In choosing Gaetz, Trump had passed over more established lawyers whose names had been floated as possible contenders for the job. Gaetz resigned from Congress after Trump announced him on Nov. 13. The House Ethics Committee has been investigating an allegation that he paid for sex with a 17-year-old. Gaetz has denied wrongdoing. ___ Associated Press writers Colleen Long, Zeke Miller, Farnoush Amiri, Lolita C. Baldor, Jill Colvin, Matthew Daly, Edith M. Lederer, Adriana Gomez Licon, Lisa Mascaro, Chris Megerian, Michelle L. Price, Will Weissert and Darlene Superville contributed to this report. Thomas Beaumont, The Associated Press
By LOLITA BALDOR and FATIMA HUSSEIN WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump said Wednesday that he has chosen Keith Kellogg, a highly decorated retired three-star general, to serve as his special envoy for Ukraine and Russia. Kellogg, who is one of the architects of a staunchly conservative policy book that lays out an “America First” national security agenda for the incoming administration, will come into the role as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third year in February. Trump made the announcement on his Truth Social account, and said “He was with me right from the beginning! Together, we will secure PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH, and Make America, and the World, SAFE AGAIN!” Kellogg, an 80 year-old retired Army lieutenant general who has long been Trump’s top adviser on defense issues, served as national security adviser to Vice President Mike Pence , was chief of staff of the National Security Council and then stepped in as an acting security adviser for Trump after Michael Flynn resigned. As special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Kellogg will have to navigate an increasingly untenable war between the two nations. The Biden administration has begun urging Ukraine to quickly increase the size of its military by drafting more troops and revamping its mobilization laws to allow for the conscription of troops as young as 18. The White House has pushed more than $56 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since the start of Russia’s February 2022 invasion and expects to send billions more to Kyiv before Biden leaves office in less than months. Trump has criticized the billions that the Biden administration has poured into Ukraine. Washington has recently stepped up weapons shipments and has forgiven billions in loans provided to Kyiv. The incoming Republican president has said he could end the war in 24 hours, comments that appear to suggest he would press Ukraine to surrender territory that Russia now occupies. As a co-chairman of the American First Policy Institute’s Center for American Security, Kellogg wrote several of the chapters in the group’s policy book. The book, like the Heritage Foundation’s “Project 2025,” is a move to lay out a Trump national security agenda and avoid the mistakes of 2016 when he entered the White House largely unprepared. 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.” Trump’s proposed national security advisor U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.) tweeted Wednesday that “Keith has dedicated his life to defending our great country and is committed to bringing the war in Ukraine to a peaceful resolution.” Kellogg was a character in multiple Trump investigations dating to his first term. He was among the administration officials who listened in on the July 2019 call between Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which Trump prodded his Ukrainian counterpart to pursue investigations into the Bidens. The call, which Kellogg would later say did not raise any concerns on his end, was at the center of the first of two House impeachment cases against Trump, who was acquitted by the Senate both times. On Jan. 6, 2021, hours before pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol, Kellogg, who was then Pence’s national security adviser, listened in on a heated call in which Trump told his vice president to object or delay the certification in Congress of President Joe Biden ’s victory. He later told House investigators that he recalled Trump saying to Pence words to the effect of: “You’re not tough enough to make the call.” Baldor reported from Washington. AP writer Eric Tucker in Washington contributed to this report.7. Crystal Lake Apartments
In addition to the stellar performances from the leads, "Moonlight Bang!" features a talented supporting cast, including veteran actors such as Li Hua, Zhang Wei, and Liu Ming, who add depth and dimension to the film's colorful ensemble of characters. The film's sharp dialogue, clever sight gags, and energetic pacing ensure that there is never a dull moment on screen.MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Mexican lower house lawmakers on Tuesday overwhelmingly passed a proposal to alter the constitution to include a ban on e-cigarettes and vaping devices as well as a crackdown on synthetic drugs such as fentanyl. WHY IT'S IMPORTANT Former President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who sent the proposal to Congress before leaving office this year, had argued that smoking devices were damaging public health, with children particularly susceptible to getting hooked. ADDITIONAL CONTEXT Lopez Obrador had already banned such devices through a presidential decree, though they remain widely available for purchase. Millions of Mexicans, meanwhile, smoke traditional cigarettes, which remain legal. The reform passed by the legislature on Tuesday also sanctions "production, distribution and sale of toxic substances, chemical precursors, the illicit use of fentanyl and other non-authorized synthetic drugs." Fentanyl, while approved for some use medically, is also by and large banned in Mexico. BY THE NUMBERS The measure passed, in general terms, with 410 votes in favor and 24 against. Less than 1 million people from ages 12 to 65 reported regularly using a vape in 2022, according to federal data cited by lawmakers. Meanwhile, around 500,000 teens and 300,000 adults used e-cigarettes. KEY QUOTES "We value girls', boys', and young people's right to good health above economic and political interests," said Workers' Party lawmaker Mary Carmen Bernal, who belongs to the ruling bloc. Opposition legislator Ector Jaime Ramirez, meanwhile, said banning fentanyl and vaping in the same reform was excessive and "trivializing to the effort being made to combat the most addictive and dangerous drugs." WHAT'S NEXT The reform is now set to head to the senate, where the ruling Morena party and its allies hold a strong majority. (Reporting by Kylie Madry; Editing by David Gregorio) Copyright 2024 Thomson Reuters .
Furthermore, the recent announcement by the People's Bank of China to maintain a flexible exchange rate regime has served to reassure investors and market participants about the stability and strength of the Chinese currency. This strategic move by the central bank underscores China's commitment to market-driven reforms and its desire to foster a more open and transparent financial system.In a recent statement released by the Trump administration, President Trump has called for the expulsion of millions of undocumented immigrants from the United States. This controversial move has sparked heated debate across the nation, with supporters lauding it as a necessary step to preserve national security and uphold the rule of law, while opponents decry it as a gross violation of human rights and a betrayal of America's values as a nation of immigrants.Lions rush for 3 scores and use stingy defense to beat Colts 24-6 for 9th straight win
Prospera Financial Services Inc Has $710,000 Stake in iShares Treasury Floating Rate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:TFLO)Nestled amidst lush greenery, Green Valley Villas offers a tranquil living environment coupled with top-notch facilities. Its eco-friendly design and spacious layouts have made it a popular choice among families looking for a harmonious blend of nature and comfort.In conclusion, Netanyahu's strong stance on the Golan Heights underscores the complexity and sensitivity of the issues at play in the Middle East. While critics may question the wisdom of his approach, there is no denying that the Prime Minister's unwavering commitment to Israel's security and sovereignty is a reflection of the challenges and realities that the country faces in a turbulent and volatile region.
In conclusion, while the top 30 positions in the ITTF World Ranking for men and women remain unchanged, the rise of Doo Hoi Kem to world number 35 is a notable highlight in the world of table tennis. Her dedication, skill, and determination have propelled her to new heights, and her ascent in the rankings is a testament to her hard work and talent. As she continues her journey in the sport, Doo Hoi Kem is sure to captivate audiences with her exceptional abilities and competitive spirit.
As the transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on Manchester United to see what decision they make regarding Marcus Rashford's future. With Ruben Amorim's admiration for the player adding to the intrigue, the speculation is likely to continue until a final resolution is reached. Whether Rashford stays at Old Trafford or moves on to new pastures, one thing is certain: his talent and potential will ensure that he remains a player to watch in the world of football.