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v fortune hardware Villa came into the game winless in eight matches in all competitions but they jumped back into the top half of the Premier League with a scintillating performance in the opening 45 minutes. Unai Emery has never gone nine matches without a win as manager but Brentford never posed a threat to prolong that run as Villa cashed in on a dominant first period with goals from Morgan Rogers, Ollie Watkins and Matty Cash. Brentford have only managed one point away from home all season and Mikkel Damsgaard’s effort after the break proved to be in vain as their miserable run on the road continued. Tyrone Mings made his first start in the Premier League since August 2023 in place of Pau Torres while Leon Bailey was brought into the side following their heavy loss to Chelsea. Bees boss Thomas Frank opted for Vitaly Janelt and Yehor Yarmoliuk over Christian Norgaard and Mathias Jensen. Kevin Schade completed his first career hat-trick at the weekend and showed his confidence six minutes in when his drilled shot was deflected narrowly behind. It took a quarter of an hour but Villa began to knock the ball about and Watkins bent an effort towards goal but Mark Flekken was brought into action for the first time to collect. The tension inside Villa Park alleviated as the hosts took the lead in the 21st minute. Boubacar Kamara’s beautiful turn in the middle of the park set Watkins on his way and he teed up Rogers outside the box who whipped into the far corner in magnificent fashion. The hosts almost added a second straight away as Bailey got in behind the Bees back line but blasted straight at Flekken. Villa had another opportunity to go two in front when Ethan Pinnock dragged Watkins down inside the area and the penalty was eventually given by referee Lewis Smith. And England striker Watkins dusted himself down and snuck his spot-kick into the bottom right corner from 12 yards. Emery’s side showed no mercy and added a third 11 minutes before the break as Lucas Digne’s cross fell to Cash who was waiting at the back post to slam home. Things threatened to get worse for Brentford after the interval when Flekken came to punch Youri Tielemans’ corner away but almost diverted it into his own goal before he got back to push behind for a corner. The Bees got themselves on the scoresheet in the 54th minute as Bryan Mbeumo’s cross was diverted into the path of Damsgaard who cut back and lashed high into the net. Watkins wasted an opportunity to restore Villa’s three-goal advantage as he pounced on a loose pass but aimed straight at Flekken. The visiting goalkeeper was again called on to deny substitute Jhon Duran but Villa settle dfor three goals as they returned to winning ways.

Social media has dramatically reshaped the beauty industry, particularly in 2024, with platforms like Instagram and YouTube serving as key drivers of beauty trends, consumer behavior, and brand marketing strategies. From influencer partnerships and live streaming events to the rise of virtual beauty consultations, social media’s influence is undeniable. The industry has adapted to these changes, capitalizing on the interactive nature of these platforms to engage directly with their audience and foster a more inclusive and personalized approach to beauty. New era of beauty communication In recent years, social media has emerged as an essential communication tool in the beauty industry. It is no longer just a platform for sharing advertisements or celebrity endorsements; it has become an interactive space where consumers can engage with brands, share their experiences, and receive real-time feedback. As Niharika Jhunjhunwala, Founder and CEO of ClayCo, points out, “The young audience, which makes up the largest market share of the beauty industry today, spends most of their time on various social media platforms. As a result, social media has become an essential channel for communication within the beauty industry.” The ability to directly communicate with consumers without geographical or time zone limitations has allowed brands to build stronger connections with their audiences. Skincare, in particular, has benefitted from this shift. Through social media, skincare routines, ingredient benefits, and product usage tips are shared more effectively than ever before. Social platforms like Instagram and YouTube are filled with content from dermatologists, beauty influencers, and real users sharing their skincare journeys. This democratization of beauty knowledge has made skincare more accessible and personalized, enabling consumers to find solutions that work for their individual needs. Social commerce: A game changer for beauty brands Social commerce has become one of the most significant trends in 2024, as it merges shopping with social media interaction. Brands are using social media platforms not just to promote products but to sell them directly. Riya Pant, Founder of Blur India, emphasizes how social media has revolutionized the shopping experience, saying, “Social media has taken the traditional shopping experience and made it better, faster, and way more engaging. Think about it—you’re scrolling through your feed, and suddenly there’s a live stream from your favorite beauty brand or influencer. In that moment, you’re not just watching; you’re part of an interactive session where you can see the product in action, ask questions, and even get tips tailored to your concerns.” This direct, engaging method of shopping has turned social media into a virtual storefront, where consumers can make purchases in real time, compare prices, and get answers to their questions immediately. The shift to social commerce is not just about product visibility but also about building trust. Consumers are more likely to make a purchase when they can see real people using the products and sharing their experiences. The power of influencer marketing plays a major role in this dynamic. Influencers have built large, engaged audiences, and their recommendations often carry more weight than traditional celebrity endorsements. This has led to a shift in how beauty brands approach marketing—moving away from glossy advertisements to more authentic, relatable content that feels personal and trustworthy. Building communities and driving advocacy For beauty brands, social media has become a platform for community building and brand advocacy. Natasha Tuli, Co-founder & CEO of Soulflower, describes how social media has enabled the brand to grow and connect with like-minded individuals: “For a modest, home-grown brand like ours, social media has helped immensely in amplifying our voice and spreading to millions across not just India but the world. In a way, it has solidified our vision and aim of being someone who speaks for the voiceless, whether it's cats or dogs or your hair and skin.” Brands that embrace authenticity and ethics can leverage social media to foster communities centered around shared values. Soulflower, for instance, has used platforms like Instagram and Facebook to not only promote its natural products but also to raise awareness about ethical issues in the beauty industry, such as adulterated products and sustainable beauty practices. This shift towards community engagement on social media has also brought about a focus on inclusivity. Beauty brands are increasingly embracing diverse skin tones, types, and concerns. The real beauty conversations happening online have led to a more inclusive representation of beauty, with consumers seeking products that meet their specific needs, whether it be for darker skin tones, sensitive skin, or ethical considerations. The rise of user-generated content (UGC) on platforms like Instagram has further supported this trend, as real consumers share their results and experiences, which in turn influences the purchasing decisions of their followers. Influencer marketing and trend amplification Influencer marketing continues to be a driving force behind beauty trends. Influencers—ranging from makeup artists and beauty bloggers to skincare enthusiasts—hold significant sway in shaping consumer preferences. Sarah Sarosh , a beauty content creator, highlights the power of real-person try-ons, stating, “People no longer just want celebrity advertisements; they also want reviews from real people. That’s exactly what social media provides to consumers: real-person try-ons, wear tests, trends, and everything in between, all demonstrated on different skin tones.” Social media has allowed beauty influencers to showcase products on various skin tones, encouraging inclusivity and authenticity in a way that traditional media never could. As Sarosh notes, trends spread quickly on social media. One example of this is the rise of the “blush blindness” trend, where the use of blush has become increasingly popular. “There was once a time when we hated having any color on our cheeks,” Sarosh explains, “but now, girls are completely obsessed with blush, and ‘blush blindness’ has gone viral.” Trends like these demonstrate how social media can amplify niche interests and create viral sensations that impact product development. Brands are quick to pick up on these trends, launching new products to meet the growing demand. In 2024, social media has become the primary channel for beauty trend amplification, allowing trends to emerge, evolve, and spread faster than ever. The role of AI and technology in beauty marketing In addition to influencers and user-generated content, technology—especially artificial intelligence (AI)—is playing an increasingly important role in the beauty industry’s digital transformation. Dr. Sagar Gujjar , MD Dermatologist and Founder of Skinwood, explains that social media has become a virtual classroom where skincare routines and ingredients are explained in detail. “Social media platforms are no longer just communication channels but have become virtual classrooms where dermatologists and AI-powered diagnostics explain ingredients and educate consumers about the benefits of minimalist, results-oriented routines,” he says. AI has also revolutionized the beauty industry by allowing brands to offer personalized skincare recommendations based on consumers’ unique needs. Tools like virtual try-ons, where consumers can see how makeup or skincare products would look on their skin, have become increasingly popular. These AI-powered tools are not only enhancing the shopping experience but also enabling consumers to make more informed decisions about the products they purchase. How 2024 beauty trends celebrated diversity and inclusivity The rise of personalized skincare for brides and grooms Additionally, AI tools can help brands track trends, analyze consumer behavior, and optimize marketing strategies in real-time. This data-driven approach allows beauty brands to tailor their content and offerings to meet the evolving needs of their audience, creating more personalized experiences for consumers. The mental health and wellness connection The relationship between beauty and mental health has also been amplified through social media. Platforms like Instagram have become spaces where conversations around self-care, wellness, and mental health are front and center. Many beauty brands are aligning themselves with these movements, promoting the philosophy that beauty should be about feeling good as much as looking good. Social Media Addiction Costs Mumbai Influencer: Aanvi Kamdar Falls To Death At Kumbhe Waterfall Malvika Jain, Founder of SEREKO, notes that social media has played a significant role in spreading awareness about holistic wellness and mental health. “Social media has also played a significant role in spreading awareness about mental health, encouraging conversations around holistic wellness & self-care,” she says. This shift in focus has helped create a more positive and inclusive narrative around beauty, one that values mental well-being as much as physical appearance. As mental health continues to be a major conversation in the beauty industry, brands are increasingly using social media to promote messages of self-love, body positivity, and mental wellness. These conversations have not only shaped how beauty is defined but have also led to a more responsible approach to marketing, with brands being held accountable for the way they represent beauty standards. The road ahead: Sustainability and inclusivity One of the most significant trends in the beauty industry in 2024 is a growing focus on sustainability and ethical practices. Social media has given consumers a platform to voice their concerns about environmental issues, and beauty brands have responded by incorporating more sustainable practices into their production processes. From cruelty-free products to eco-friendly packaging, the demand for sustainable beauty is stronger than ever. Shriram Balasubramanian , Director at Zuventus Healthcare Ltd, notes that social media has driven a shift towards sustainability in the beauty industry. “Social media platforms have evolved to become virtual storefronts for building brand reputation. The content creators in this space have amplified audience reach and engagements offering relatable, diverse perspectives, driving consumer purchase decisions that are informed.” The transparency afforded by social media has forced brands to be more accountable for their sustainability practices, and this trend is only expected to grow in the coming years. The influence of social media on the beauty industry in 2024 is undeniable. Platforms like Instagram and YouTube have become essential tools for beauty brands, allowing them to connect with consumers in new and innovative ways. From influencer marketing and live shopping events to AI-powered skincare consultations and sustainability-focused campaigns, social media has completely transformed how beauty products are marketed and consumed. As the industry continues to evolve, social media will remain a powerful engine for trend amplification, community engagement, and authentic brand-building. The future of beauty is digital, interactive, and driven by the collective power of consumers and content creators alike.Rajkot: Amreli police busted a racket to defame BJP MLA Kaushik Vekariya after a complaint was lodged with Amreli city police station by Kishor Kanpariya, who is the president of Amreli Taluka Panchayat. He stated that his fake letterhead was created and circulated with a defamatory message about Vekariya. The police arrested Manish Vaghasiya and Ashok Mangroliya, both BJP workers, and Mangroliya is also a sarpanch of Jasvantgadh village. The police also arrested their aide Jeetu Khatra and Payal Goti, a computer operator, on Saturday. The police took all the accused for reconstruction of crime scene at Vaghasiya's office on Sunday in Amreli town. Talking to media persons, Sanjay Kharat, superintendent of police Amreli, said, "These four people committed this crime in connivance with each other. In a very short period of time, the district police arrested the accused with the help of technical analysis and human intelligence. We are investigating where this fake letterhead was created, who provided the guidance, and who else is involved in this." According to the FIR, a letter went viral on social media in which serious allegations were made. This letter was made using a fake letter pad of the Amreli Taluka Panchayat president and went viral. The letter was addressed to the state BJP office, in which it was written that "Vekariya was doing the administration of taluka panchayat and I have to sign the papers as per the instruction of Vekariya." The letter also allegedly stated that "Vekariya is promoting Congress people and BJP workers are upset with him and nobody is able to speak against him." The letter also alleged a nexus between the MLA and police. As this letter circulated Kanpariya told police that completely false allegations have been made to tarnish the reputation of the local MLA by misusing my fake letter pad and forging signatures.The police registered the offence under various sections of BNS and the Information Technology Act. Stay updated with the latest news on Times of India . Don't miss the yearly horoscope 2025 and Chinese horoscope 2025 for Rat , Ox , Tiger , Rabbit , Dragon , Snake , Horse , Goat , Monkey , Rooster , Dog , and Pig zodiac signs. Spread love this holiday season with these New Year wishes and messages .

Unretired two-time Pro Bowl LB Shaquil Barrett signs to resume career with Tampa Bay BuccaneersWhy Luke Lango sees stocks rising in December ... China bans exports to the U.S. of a key rare earth metal ... pricing challenges at MCD ... ADP jobs data ... and Apple partners with Coinbase It was a blistering November for stocks. The S&P 500 rose 5.73% and the Dow jumped 7.54%, marking their best monthly performance of 2024. Meanwhile, the Nasdaq climbed 6.21% for its largest gain since May. Where does the market go next? According to our tech expert Luke Lango, the answer is “even higher.” Let’s quickly tour through his four reasons, the first of which is “bullish seasonality.” From Luke: Since 1950, the stock market has risen about 80% of the time between Thanksgiving and the New Year. And for the past five years, the market rallied from Dec. 2 into the end of the year all but once. The second is “a dovish Fed”: The Federal Reserve will likely play the part of Santa, not the Grinch, later this month... It is widely expected to cut interest rates by 25 basis points at that upcoming meeting. But more important than the actual rate-cut decision will be Fed Board Chair Jerome Powell’s tone in the post-meeting press conference... [We think he will sound] dovish and signal that the cuts will keep coming. Third, Luke points toward “robust consumer spending”: It looks like this holiday shopping season will be quite a strong one. According to data from Mastercard ( MA ), Adobe Analytics, and Salesforce ( CRM ), the 2024 holiday shopping season is off to a record start... By some metrics, we’re looking at potentially the best holiday shopping season since Covid emerged more than four years ago. Finally, Luke highlights “falling inflation:” Reinflation fears have, in our view, been the one obstacle holding the market back in recent weeks – and rightfully so. For a while there, real-time measures of inflation had been reheating... But [Truflation’s U.S. Inflation Index] has slid to 2.7% over the past two weeks. This seems to suggest that the recent bout of reinflation has at least temporarily stalled. Put it altogether and Luke believes we’re in for a strong Santa Rally to end the year. This comes after what was an extraordinary November for Luke’s Innovation Investor subscribers. They locked in the following profits: We’re thrilled to highlight these wins for subscribers and couldn’t be prouder of Luke . Better still, if he’s right, more profits are on the way as we round out the year. Yesterday brought news that China has tightened its grip on two obscure yet indispensable elements that are cornerstones for next-gen technologies. Here’s Bloomberg with more: China ratcheted up trade tensions with the US with a ban on several materials with high-tech and military applications, in a tit-for-tat move after President Joe Biden’s government escalated technology curbs on Beijing. Gallium, germanium, antimony and superhard materials are no longer allowed to be shipped to America, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement Tuesday. Beijing will also place tighter controls on sales of graphite, it added. This is important because these elements have a wide range of applications – from semiconductors, to satellites, to night-vision goggles, and beyond. Here’s a graphic illustrating how many industries rely on gallium. If you can’t see/read it, the takeaway is basically “all things tech.” After news broke yesterday, western-based rare-earth materials companies popped. For example, Las Vegas-based Mp Materials Corp ( MP ) shot up 11%, Canadian-based Ucore Rare Metals added 23%, and tiny Texas Mineral Resources Corp erupted 34% (and it’s up another 15% as I write Wednesday). This could serve as a preview of what’s on the way if Trump ratchets up the trade war with China. It risks putting upward pressure on inflation for related tech products in 2025 – a dynamic we’ve been warning about repeatedly here in the Digest . We’ll keep you updated as this story unfolds. In the wake of the pandemic and supply chain problems, McDonald’s raised prices as its input costs soared. You may recall last May when the president of McDonald’s U.S. business, Joe Erlinger penned an open letter, explaining why the average price of a Big Mac in the U.S. is 21% higher than in 2019. He pointed toward the company’s own higher costs. The problem is that these higher prices (which protected McDonald’s profit margins) have made the fast-food giant no longer affordable for a huge percentage of Americans. From Bloomberg : After decades of stagnant wages, depleted pandemic savings and the highest inflation since the disco era, many Americans are broke. So much so that in February, McDonald’s Chief Executive Officer Chris Kempczinski told investors that fewer “low-income consumers,” by which he means households earning $45,000 a year or less, are showing up for meals at McDonald’s. According to the latest Census Bureau data, roughly 28% of US households earn less than $45,000 a year. This translates into roughly 90 million Americans. Now, so far, this hasn’t made a dent in McDonald’s overall profitability. But at some point, the fast-food icon will have trouble passing along inflationary cost increases to protect its margins without kneecapping revenues. Back to Bloomberg : [If inflation rises], someone will have to pick up the tab. Companies shouldn’t assume it will be consumers, as McDonald’s has discovered... What is clear is that McDonald’s can no longer serve the broad public, as it always has, without absorbing some of the cost because a substantial portion of its customers have reached their spending limit. It’s a balance that many U.S. executives may have to navigate in 2025: Do you raise prices to protect margins, while risking raising them too high, resulting in fewer customers... or do you eat some of your higher input costs to keep customers happy, which means lower profit margins? At the end of the day, which will have the greatest positive impact on overall profitability? Keep in mind that analysts are projecting calendar year 2025 earnings growth of 15% and revenue growth of 5.7% for the S&P. That’s a lot. For context, for 2024, analysts project earnings growth of 12% and revenue growth of 4.7%. This is happening as the labor market tightens up, which could mean even tighter purse strings for some Americans, which brings us to our next story... ADP released its latest private payrolls report showing that U.S. businesses added 146,000 jobs on the month. That was shy of the downwardly revised 184,000 in October and less than the Dow Jones estimate for 163,000. In positive news, wage growth accelerated by 4.8%, which was faster than October’s increase. Here’s ADP’s chief economist, Nela Richardson: While overall growth for the month was healthy, industry performance was mixed. Manufacturing was the weakest we’ve seen since spring. Financial services and leisure and hospitality were also soft. The more closely watched labor report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics comes out Friday. You’ll recall that its October release showed an increase of just 12,000 jobs. This was artificially lowered by the Boeing strike and hurricanes in the south. The estimate for November is 214,000 jobs. You can be sure the Fed will be watching closely as it tries to thread the needle between maintaining a healthy labor market and taming inflation. In what marks a momentous step into the mainstream, Apple announced that it’s partnering with crypto platform Coinbase to enable crypto purchases through Apple Pay in third-party apps. From CEO Today : The integration is part of Coinbase Onramp—a service designed to streamline the conversion of traditional currencies, such as USD, into digital assets like Bitcoin and Ethereum. The move signifies a turning point for the cryptocurrency ecosystem, as two major tech and financial players join forces to simplify the notoriously complex process of acquiring digital currencies. By leveraging Apple Pay’s widespread adoption and Coinbase’s crypto expertise, this partnership could redefine how consumers and developers interact with cryptocurrencies. Here’s more from Coinbase’s CEO, Brian Armstrong: This partnership is a game-changer. It eliminates many of the barriers that have kept average consumers from exploring cryptocurrencies. By integrating with Apple Pay, we’re bringing crypto to the fingertips of millions of users. We continue to be bullish on Bitcoin and the emerging “altcoin season.” If you missed yesterday’s Digest on altcoins, click here to catch it . Bottom line: We believe a tremendous amount of wealth will be made in the crypto sector in 2025. This latest news from Apple and Coinbase only adds to that conviction. We’ll end today by circling back to Luke’s bullishness at the start of the issue. Yes, there are reasons to maintain caution today, and we’ll continue highlighting them so that you’re not caught off-guard as we move into 2025. But we’re in a money-making market. So, until bullish momentum turns, stay invested. While it may or may not be a white Christmas, from the looks of it, it’ll be plenty green. Have a good evening, Jeff RemsburgSenate Outlook Dims For Bill Charities And Nonprofits Worry Could Be Used Against Them

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By JILL COLVIN and STEPHEN GROVES WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working mostly behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role: Helping Donald Trump try to get his most contentious Cabinet picks to confirmation in the Senate, where Vance has served for the last two years. Vance arrived at the Capitol on Wednesday with former Rep. Matt Gaetz and spent the morning sitting in on meetings between Trump’s choice for attorney general and key Republicans, including members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The effort was for naught: Gaetz announced a day later that he was withdrawing his name amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations and the reality that he was unlikely to be confirmed. Thursday morning Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth, the “Fox & Friends Weekend” host whom Trump has tapped to be the next secretary of defense. Hegseth also has faced allegations of sexual assault that he denies. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings in coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump’s picks. Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., center, and Vice President-elect JD Vance, left, walk out of a meeting with Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, departs the chamber at the Capitol in Washington, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, center speaks during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, right, speaks with Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, before testifying at a hearing, March 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a classified briefing on China, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a vote on Capitol Hill, Sept. 12, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance R-Ohio speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) The role of introducing nominees around Capitol Hill is an unusual one for a vice president-elect. Usually the job goes to a former senator who has close relationships on the Hill, or a more junior aide. But this time the role fits Vance, said Marc Short, who served as Trump’s first director of legislative affairs as well as chief of staff to Trump’s first vice president, Mike Pence, who spent more than a decade in Congress and led the former president’s transition ahead of his first term. ”JD probably has a lot of current allies in the Senate and so it makes sense to have him utilized in that capacity,” Short said. Unlike the first Trump transition, which played out before cameras at Trump Tower in New York and at the president-elect’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, this one has largely happened behind closed doors in Palm Beach, Florida. There, a small group of officials and aides meet daily at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to run through possible contenders and interview job candidates. The group includes Elon Musk, the billionaire who has spent so much time at the club that Trump has joked he can’t get rid of him. Vance has been a constant presence, even as he’s kept a lower profile. The Ohio senator has spent much of the last two weeks in Palm Beach, according to people familiar with his plans, playing an active role in the transition, on which he serves as honorary chair. Vance has been staying at a cottage on the property of the gilded club, where rooms are adorned with cherubs, oriental rugs and intricate golden inlays. It’s a world away from the famously hardscrabble upbringing that Vance documented in the memoir that made him famous, “Hillbilly Elegy.” His young children have also joined him at Mar-a-Lago, at times. Vance was photographed in shorts and a polo shirt playing with his kids on the seawall of the property with a large palm frond, a U.S. Secret Service robotic security dog in the distance. On the rare days when he is not in Palm Beach, Vance has been joining the sessions remotely via Zoom. Though he has taken a break from TV interviews after months of constant appearances, Vance has been active in the meetings, which began immediately after the election and include interviews and as well as presentations on candidates’ pluses and minuses. Among those interviewed: Contenders to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray , as Vance wrote in a since-deleted social media post. Defending himself from criticism that he’d missed a Senate vote in which one of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees was confirmed, Vance wrote that he was meeting at the time “with President Trump to interview multiple positions for our government, including for FBI Director.” “I tend to think it’s more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45,” Vance added on X. “But that’s just me.” While Vance did not come in to the transition with a list of people he wanted to see in specific roles, he and his friend, Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who is also a member of the transition team, were eager to see former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. find roles in the administration. Trump ended up selecting Gabbard as the next director of national intelligence , a powerful position that sits atop the nation’s spy agencies and acts as the president’s top intelligence adviser. And he chose Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services , a massive agency that oversees everything from drug and food safety to Medicare and Medicaid. Vance was also a big booster of Tom Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who will serve as Trump’s “border czar.” In another sign of Vance’s influence, James Braid, a top aide to the senator, is expected to serve as Trump’s legislative affairs director. Allies say it’s too early to discuss what portfolio Vance might take on in the White House. While he gravitates to issues like trade, immigration and tech policy, Vance sees his role as doing whatever Trump needs. Vance was spotted days after the election giving his son’s Boy Scout troop a tour of the Capitol and was there the day of leadership elections. He returned in earnest this week, first with Gaetz — arguably Trump’s most divisive pick — and then Hegseth, who has was been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2017, according to an investigative report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing. Vance hosted Hegseth in his Senate office as GOP senators, including those who sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee, filtered in to meet with the nominee for defense secretary. While a president’s nominees usually visit individual senators’ offices, meeting them on their own turf, the freshman senator — who is accompanied everywhere by a large Secret Service detail that makes moving around more unwieldy — instead brought Gaetz to a room in the Capitol on Wednesday and Hegseth to his office on Thursday. Senators came to them. Vance made it to votes Wednesday and Thursday, but missed others on Thursday afternoon. Vance is expected to continue to leverage his relationships in the Senate after Trump takes office. But many Republicans there have longer relationships with Trump himself. Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, said that Trump was often the first person to call him back when he was trying to reach high-level White House officials during Trump’s first term. “He has the most active Rolodex of just about anybody I’ve ever known,” Cramer said, adding that Vance would make a good addition. “They’ll divide names up by who has the most persuasion here,” Cramer said, but added, “Whoever his liaison is will not work as hard at it as he will.” Cramer was complimentary of the Ohio senator, saying he was “pleasant” and ” interesting” to be around. ′′He doesn’t have the long relationships,” he said. “But we all like people that have done what we’ve done. I mean, that’s sort of a natural kinship, just probably not as personally tied.” Under the Constitution, Vance will also have a role presiding over the Senate and breaking tie votes. But he’s not likely to be needed for that as often as was Kamala Harris, who broke a record number of ties for Democrats as vice president, since Republicans will have a bigger cushion in the chamber next year. Colvin reported from New York. Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.

Nicole Kidman's rarely seen daughter Faith is her twin in latest appearanceSergel is heading towards generating Tk 1,000 crore in annual sales as over Tk 900 crore worth of the gastrological medicine was sold in the first nine months of this year, according to information technology company IMS Health. This is one of the largest selling products in the country. Md Halimuzzaman, CEO of Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Ltd, said he was proud of this single brand of the company reaching such high sales, although it had not reached Tk 1,000 crore yet. Since the customer base is high, the sales growth now appears low compared to previous years but there is potential for further growth, he said. The second and third-highest selling medicine brands are also from the same gastrological generic. Sales of Maxpro and Pantonix have reached Tk 486 crore and Tk 376 crore respectively. In the pharmaceuticals market, the market share of gastrologic products is the highest and Sergel has earned the highest market share over the years for its acceptance among doctors and patients, said Halimuzzaman. Among the 10 top-selling drug brands, five are gastrological medicines. Sergel holds a 2.67 percent market share, with sales worth Tk 918 crore in the nine-month period. Maxpro holds a 1.41 percent market share and the market share of Pantonix is 1.10 percent, the data showed. Apart from Sergel, some other brands have become popular over the years, said Halimuzzaman. The fourth-highest selling drug in the nine months period was Napa, with sales reaching Tk 338 crore. Sales of Cef-3, Monas, Exium, Seclo and Bizoran are also above Tk 200 crore. Almost all the drug companies have their own brands of these drugs, which bear the same molecular formula, but some gained popularity on gaining people's confidence. And this confidence passes from person to person, he said. There are 31 generic drugs that sell for over Tk 100 crore. The data showed that sales of 79 generic medicine were above Tk 50 crore. The data indicates that although the sales of individual brands of products of some companies may not be high, but the brand value of the companies themselves ensures high sales of all their medicines. Jubayer Alam, company secretary of Renata PLC, said most people over 18 years of age take gastrological medicine as there is no discipline when it comes to food intake and habits. Due to this, many people suffer from ailments affecting the digestive system, he said. Demand is growing for rosuvastatin drugs, which lowers cholesterol, as many people are dying of heart attacks, he added. Even in developed countries, demand for such medicine is growing, so it also may see a good growth in the country, he added. "We are really happy that we can serve a huge number of patients to overcome ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease and hyperacidity related problems with Maxpro," Alam said. "All Maxpro formulations are manufactured in USFDA, UKMHRA and Anvisa approved facilities so that patients get the best esomeprazole of the country," he added. Sergel is heading towards generating Tk 1,000 crore in annual sales as over Tk 900 crore worth of the gastrological medicine was sold in the first nine months of this year, according to information technology company IMS Health. This is one of the largest selling products in the country. Md Halimuzzaman, CEO of Healthcare Pharmaceuticals Ltd, said he was proud of this single brand of the company reaching such high sales, although it had not reached Tk 1,000 crore yet. Since the customer base is high, the sales growth now appears low compared to previous years but there is potential for further growth, he said. The second and third-highest selling medicine brands are also from the same gastrological generic. Sales of Maxpro and Pantonix have reached Tk 486 crore and Tk 376 crore respectively. In the pharmaceuticals market, the market share of gastrologic products is the highest and Sergel has earned the highest market share over the years for its acceptance among doctors and patients, said Halimuzzaman. Among the 10 top-selling drug brands, five are gastrological medicines. Sergel holds a 2.67 percent market share, with sales worth Tk 918 crore in the nine-month period. Maxpro holds a 1.41 percent market share and the market share of Pantonix is 1.10 percent, the data showed. Apart from Sergel, some other brands have become popular over the years, said Halimuzzaman. The fourth-highest selling drug in the nine months period was Napa, with sales reaching Tk 338 crore. Sales of Cef-3, Monas, Exium, Seclo and Bizoran are also above Tk 200 crore. Almost all the drug companies have their own brands of these drugs, which bear the same molecular formula, but some gained popularity on gaining people's confidence. And this confidence passes from person to person, he said. There are 31 generic drugs that sell for over Tk 100 crore. The data showed that sales of 79 generic medicine were above Tk 50 crore. The data indicates that although the sales of individual brands of products of some companies may not be high, but the brand value of the companies themselves ensures high sales of all their medicines. Jubayer Alam, company secretary of Renata PLC, said most people over 18 years of age take gastrological medicine as there is no discipline when it comes to food intake and habits. Due to this, many people suffer from ailments affecting the digestive system, he said. Demand is growing for rosuvastatin drugs, which lowers cholesterol, as many people are dying of heart attacks, he added. Even in developed countries, demand for such medicine is growing, so it also may see a good growth in the country, he added. "We are really happy that we can serve a huge number of patients to overcome ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease and hyperacidity related problems with Maxpro," Alam said. "All Maxpro formulations are manufactured in USFDA, UKMHRA and Anvisa approved facilities so that patients get the best esomeprazole of the country," he added.

Trump backs dockworkers' fight against automation. He risks price hikes, experts sayNoneFormer US president Jimmy Carter dies aged 100

WASHINGTON — Linda McMahon once claimed an unearned education degree from East Carolina University. Now she is nominated to lead President-elect Donald Trump’s Department of Education. Trump announced Tuesday that McMahon, best known as a founder of World Wrestling Entertainment, is nominated to be the next education secretary. She is his first nominee to have served in his previous administration. “It is my great honor to announce that Linda McMahon, former Administrator of the Small Business Administration, will be the United States Secretary of Education,” Trump wrote in a news release. McMahon now must wait for the Senate to confirm her nomination. North Carolina roots McMahon grew up in New Bern. Her parents worked 30 minutes away at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, and she attended the nearby Havelock High School. It was during high school that she met her now-estranged husband and business partner, Vince McMahon. Together they attended East Carolina University where, in 1969, she earned a degree in French. After college, they moved away from the Tar Heel State. But in 2010, McMahon’s ties to North Carolina would be noted in a story by the Hartford Courant, which reported that she received a position on the Connecticut Board of Education after wrongfully claiming to then-Gov. M. Jodi Rell that she graduated from ECU with an education degree. In response to the allegations, McMahon told the Courant, “she first thought she had been right, because she did a semester of student-teaching, and after state testing, emerged with the certificate to teach — although she never did,” the Courant reported. Education background Her college degree was one of several misleading statements the newspaper reported McMahon had made on her application. McMahon’s opponents had argued her connection to WWE, and its violent, sexual and vulgar content, sent the wrong kind of message. They also criticized her lack of experience in education, though supporters saw that as a win. She still faces that criticism as Trump’s nominee. McMahon’s resume also includes serving on the board of trustees for Sacred Heart University in Connecticut. Despite the opposition, and news of her misidentified degree breaking in the Stamford Advocate a month before her confirmation hearing, the Connecticut legislature approved Rell’s nomination of McMahon. She would serve on the board for around a year. McMahon took to social media Thursday following the news that Rell died suddenly at 78. “Her dedication and approach to public service is the gold standard to which we all should aspire to,” McMahon wrote. “I was honored to have her appoint me to serve on the CT State Board of Education and so enjoyed working with her.” When McMahon resigned from Connecticut’s board in 2010, she told the Courant it didn’t have to do with their pending story. She said it was instead because of the board’s rules wouldn’t allow her to raise money for her Senate campaign while serving. She would go on to lose two separate Senate campaigns. Political work But McMahon never walked away from politics. She became a major donor and fundraiser for Republicans. During Trump’s 2024 campaign, she donated more than $20 million to the former and future president, NBC News reported. McMahon supported Trump from the beginning of his political career and it paid off for her when he nominated her to lead the Small Business Administration. After three years, McMahon resigned to lead America First Action, a Trump super-PAC. She chairs the America First Policy Institute board. Trump’s news release about her most recent nomination credits her for working on parents’ rights and universal school choice policy at the institute. She also serves as co-chair of Trump’s transition team. Education’s future McMahon is one of several of Trump’s nominees who could face a tough nomination process. For McMahon, she’s accused of allowing one of her employees to use his position to sexually abuse five teenagers 15 and under The accusation is part of a lawsuit filed anonymously by former teenage employees. If McMahon clears the Senate nomination, she faces a different hurdle. It’s unclear how long her position might even exist. And once again, that might be left up to Congress to decide. One of Trump’s constant campaign promises was to shutter the Department of Education. However, that’s a promise Trump can’t keep without congressional approval.Liverpool manager Arne Slot opted not to make a double change at half-time against West Ham despite Jamie Carragher's pleas. The trip to the London Stadium rounded off the 19th gameweek of the season for Slot's team, though they have played just 18 times as a match against Everton was postponed . Players picking up five yellow cards during the first 19 games in the league earn a one-match ban, though the threshold for a ban climbs to 10 bookings after that point. With Liverpool up against Manchester United in their next game, Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo needed to avoid bookings against West Ham if they wanted to play a part at Anfield on January 5. Gakpo was one of three Reds stars to score before half=time in an eventual 5-0 win , prompting Carragher to call for changes. "Gravenberch & Gakpo off at [half-time] please Arne," the former Liverpool defender wrote on social media. Slot ended up waiting a little longer, though, only withdrawing the pair after a fourth goal had gone in. Luis Diaz put Liverpool in front at the London Stadium, with Mohammed Kudus inches away from an equaliser as he beat Alisson but only found the foot of the post. Gakpo doubled the lead after fine work from Mohamed Salah , and there was no way back for the hosts when Salah made it three before the break, Gravenberch had a hand in the fourth, feeding Trent Alexander-Arnold to fire a deflected effort out of the reach of Alphonse Areola in the West Ham goal, The Dutch international then made way for Wataru Endo shortly before the hour mark, with compatriot Gakpo leaving the field to be replaced by Diogo Jota. Jota scored the fifth in the closing stages, with West Ham hitting the woodwork two more times but failing to deliver a shot on target. The result kept Liverpool eight points clear of Nottingham Forest , who beat Everton earlier in the afternoon, while Chelsea and Arsenal can close the gap to Slot's side in the coming days. Should Arne Slot have made changes sooner? Have your say in the comments section "Yeah [lots of goals] but loads of chances as well," Slot told Match of the Day after Liverpool's win. "It was 3-0 at half time but soon after that we could have scored three. "On the other side it was good that not every chance that they had went in, they had two or three, one hit the post and one hit the bar. Against Leicester they had one chance and scored. We were a bit unlucky that we did not score in the first few minutes but as well we were lucky that at 1-0 Kudus hit the post." Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui was full of praise for Liverpool, who had already put five past his team in the Carabao Cup earlier in the season. "Today we have played against one of the best teams in the world in this current moment, but it is true that we have to do much better," he said. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Sky has slashed the price of its Sky Sports, Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix bundle in an unbeatable new deal that saves £240 and includes 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.

By JILL COLVIN and STEPHEN GROVES WASHINGTON (AP) — After several weeks working mostly behind closed doors, Vice President-elect JD Vance returned to Capitol Hill this week in a new, more visible role: Helping Donald Trump try to get his most contentious Cabinet picks to confirmation in the Senate, where Vance has served for the last two years. Vance arrived at the Capitol on Wednesday with former Rep. Matt Gaetz and spent the morning sitting in on meetings between Trump’s choice for attorney general and key Republicans, including members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The effort was for naught: Gaetz announced a day later that he was withdrawing his name amid scrutiny over sex trafficking allegations and the reality that he was unlikely to be confirmed. Thursday morning Vance was back, this time accompanying Pete Hegseth, the “Fox & Friends Weekend” host whom Trump has tapped to be the next secretary of defense. Hegseth also has faced allegations of sexual assault that he denies. Vance is expected to accompany other nominees for meetings in coming weeks as he tries to leverage the two years he has spent in the Senate to help push through Trump’s picks. Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., center, and Vice President-elect JD Vance, left, walk out of a meeting with Republican Senate Judiciary Committee members, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, departs the chamber at the Capitol in Washington, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, center speaks during a Senate Banking Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, March 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, right, speaks with Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, before testifying at a hearing, March 9, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Kevin Wolf, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a classified briefing on China, at the Capitol in Washington, Feb. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance, R-Ohio, arrives for a vote on Capitol Hill, Sept. 12, 2023 in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File) FILE – Sen. JD Vance R-Ohio speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Feb. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, File) Vice President-elect JD Vance, still a Republican senator from Ohio, walks from a private meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) The role of introducing nominees around Capitol Hill is an unusual one for a vice president-elect. Usually the job goes to a former senator who has close relationships on the Hill, or a more junior aide. But this time the role fits Vance, said Marc Short, who served as Trump’s first director of legislative affairs as well as chief of staff to Trump’s first vice president, Mike Pence, who spent more than a decade in Congress and led the former president’s transition ahead of his first term. ”JD probably has a lot of current allies in the Senate and so it makes sense to have him utilized in that capacity,” Short said. Unlike the first Trump transition, which played out before cameras at Trump Tower in New York and at the president-elect’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, this one has largely happened behind closed doors in Palm Beach, Florida. There, a small group of officials and aides meet daily at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort to run through possible contenders and interview job candidates. The group includes Elon Musk, the billionaire who has spent so much time at the club that Trump has joked he can’t get rid of him. Vance has been a constant presence, even as he’s kept a lower profile. The Ohio senator has spent much of the last two weeks in Palm Beach, according to people familiar with his plans, playing an active role in the transition, on which he serves as honorary chair. Vance has been staying at a cottage on the property of the gilded club, where rooms are adorned with cherubs, oriental rugs and intricate golden inlays. It’s a world away from the famously hardscrabble upbringing that Vance documented in the memoir that made him famous, “Hillbilly Elegy.” His young children have also joined him at Mar-a-Lago, at times. Vance was photographed in shorts and a polo shirt playing with his kids on the seawall of the property with a large palm frond, a U.S. Secret Service robotic security dog in the distance. On the rare days when he is not in Palm Beach, Vance has been joining the sessions remotely via Zoom. Though he has taken a break from TV interviews after months of constant appearances, Vance has been active in the meetings, which began immediately after the election and include interviews and as well as presentations on candidates’ pluses and minuses. Among those interviewed: Contenders to replace FBI Director Christopher Wray , as Vance wrote in a since-deleted social media post. Defending himself from criticism that he’d missed a Senate vote in which one of President Joe Biden’s judicial nominees was confirmed, Vance wrote that he was meeting at the time “with President Trump to interview multiple positions for our government, including for FBI Director.” “I tend to think it’s more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45,” Vance added on X. “But that’s just me.” While Vance did not come in to the transition with a list of people he wanted to see in specific roles, he and his friend, Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr., who is also a member of the transition team, were eager to see former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. find roles in the administration. Trump ended up selecting Gabbard as the next director of national intelligence , a powerful position that sits atop the nation’s spy agencies and acts as the president’s top intelligence adviser. And he chose Kennedy to lead the Department of Health and Human Services , a massive agency that oversees everything from drug and food safety to Medicare and Medicaid. Vance was also a big booster of Tom Homan, the former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, who will serve as Trump’s “border czar.” In another sign of Vance’s influence, James Braid, a top aide to the senator, is expected to serve as Trump’s legislative affairs director. Allies say it’s too early to discuss what portfolio Vance might take on in the White House. While he gravitates to issues like trade, immigration and tech policy, Vance sees his role as doing whatever Trump needs. Vance was spotted days after the election giving his son’s Boy Scout troop a tour of the Capitol and was there the day of leadership elections. He returned in earnest this week, first with Gaetz — arguably Trump’s most divisive pick — and then Hegseth, who has was been accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2017, according to an investigative report made public this week. Hegseth told police at the time that the encounter had been consensual and denied any wrongdoing. Vance hosted Hegseth in his Senate office as GOP senators, including those who sit on the Senate Armed Services Committee, filtered in to meet with the nominee for defense secretary. While a president’s nominees usually visit individual senators’ offices, meeting them on their own turf, the freshman senator — who is accompanied everywhere by a large Secret Service detail that makes moving around more unwieldy — instead brought Gaetz to a room in the Capitol on Wednesday and Hegseth to his office on Thursday. Senators came to them. Vance made it to votes Wednesday and Thursday, but missed others on Thursday afternoon. Vance is expected to continue to leverage his relationships in the Senate after Trump takes office. But many Republicans there have longer relationships with Trump himself. Sen. Kevin Cramer, a North Dakota Republican, said that Trump was often the first person to call him back when he was trying to reach high-level White House officials during Trump’s first term. “He has the most active Rolodex of just about anybody I’ve ever known,” Cramer said, adding that Vance would make a good addition. “They’ll divide names up by who has the most persuasion here,” Cramer said, but added, “Whoever his liaison is will not work as hard at it as he will.” Cramer was complimentary of the Ohio senator, saying he was “pleasant” and ” interesting” to be around. ′′He doesn’t have the long relationships,” he said. “But we all like people that have done what we’ve done. I mean, that’s sort of a natural kinship, just probably not as personally tied.” Under the Constitution, Vance will also have a role presiding over the Senate and breaking tie votes. But he’s not likely to be needed for that as often as was Kamala Harris, who broke a record number of ties for Democrats as vice president, since Republicans will have a bigger cushion in the chamber next year. Colvin reported from New York. Associated Press writer Mary Clare Jalonick contributed to this report.Bitget Becomes the First Exchange to Support VND Bank Transfer via VietQR

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