(Reuters) - Intel will have a CEO with manufacturing expertise as well as experience in the product side of the business, interim co-CEO David Zinsner said at the UBS technology conference on Wednesday. Reuters reported on Tuesday that Intel has started evaluating a handful of outsiders including former board member Lip-Bu Tan to take the reins of the struggling chipmaker. Intel's "core strategy remains intact", Zinsner said at the conference, two days after the struggling U.S. chipmaker announced the resignation of CEO Pat Gelsinger following impatience with the pace of a costly turnaround. The company also requires a "significant cultural change" to become a successful foundry player as well as in the semiconductor business, Intel's head of foundry manufacturing and supply chain Naga Chandrasekaran said. (Reporting by Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)James, Quigley and Hayes combine for 59 points as No. 20 NC State women beat Coastal Carolina 89-68None

Republican Gov. Brad Little looks to the gallery as he gives the annual State of the State address on Jan. 9, 2023, at the state Capitol building in Boise. BOISE — Idaho Gov. Brad Little joined 25 other Republican governors in signing a public statement supporting President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration and deportation policies, Little announced late Wednesday. Trump has promised to take executive actions to increase immigration enforcement beginning on his first day in office as part of his pledge to deport a record number of undocumented immigrants who are in the United States. Such actions include giving federal immigration officers the ability to arrest people with no criminal records, increasing American troops at the U.S. border with Mexico and resuming building the border wall, Reuters reported. Trump migrant deportations could threaten states’ agricultural economies In this week’s public statement, Little and the other Republican governors said they are “fully committed to supporting the Trump administration’s efforts to deport dangerous criminals.” “As Republican governors, we stand united in support of President Donald Trump’s unwavering commitment to make America safe again by addressing the illegal immigration crisis and deporting illegal immigrants who pose a threat to our communities and national security,” the statement read, according to a copy provided by Little’s office. “We are proud to welcome President Trump back to the White House, a leader who has consistently put America first,” the statement continued. “His leadership is exactly what our nation needs to restore law and order at the border, and we are eager to work alongside his Administration to tackle the critical challenges facing our nation.” President-elect Donald Trump walks the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday with NYSE President Lynn Martin, center; Melania Trump, right, and trader Peter Giacchi, left. GOP governors ‘stand ready’ to use state law enforcement, National Guard to support Trump’s deportation plans Little’s communications director, Emily Callihan, told the Idaho Capital Sun on Thursday that the statement is a written statement that was issued to the public and the news media, not a signed letter to Trump. “Republican governors remain fully committed to supporting the Trump administration’s efforts to deport dangerous criminals, gang members, and terrorists who are in this country illegally,” the statement continued. “We understand the direct threat these criminal illegal immigrants pose to public safety and our national security, and we will do everything in our power to assist in removing them from our communities.” “Together, we will continue to defend the American people, uphold the rule of law, and ensure our nation remains safe and secure for future generations,” the statement continued. “We stand ready to utilize every tool at our disposal — whether through state law enforcement or the National Guard — to support President Trump in this vital mission.” “The time for action is now,” the statement concluded. “Together, we will make America safe again.” According to a written statement issued by Idaho Gov. Brad Little, the governors signing the statement include the following: Idaho Capital Sun is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Idaho Capital Sun maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Christina Lords for questions: info@idahocapitalsun.com . Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.Share this Story : Mr. Big Shot: Carson Rehkopf cracks Canada lineup a decade after busting a family appliance Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Breadcrumb Trail Links Sports Hockey Junior Hockey World Juniors Mr. Big Shot: Carson Rehkopf cracks Canada lineup a decade after busting a family appliance Author of the article: Don Brennan Published Dec 29, 2024 • Last updated 7 minutes ago • 4 minute read Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here . Or sign-in if you have an account. Canada's Carson Rehkopf (16) fights Czechia's Tomas Galvas (23) for the puck during second period 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship pre-tournament hockey action in Ottawa on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024. Photo by Sean Kilpatrick / THE CANADIAN PRESS Article content Sidney Crosby famously covered his mom’s clothes dryer with hundreds of puck marks. Carson Rehkopf destroyed his family’s washing machine. Article content We apologize, but this video has failed to load. Try refreshing your browser, or tap here to see other videos from our team . Mr. Big Shot: Carson Rehkopf cracks Canada lineup a decade after busting a family appliance Back to video Article content Funny the things kids will do to develop their shots. Unless you’re Mrs. Crosby and Mrs. Rehkopf, of course. “Mom kind of kicked me out of the basement when I was maybe eight or nine ... I broke her washing machine,” Rehkopf, a Team Canada forward from Barrie, Ont. recalled after the morning skate leading into Sunday’s 3-0 victory over Germany and another Carter George shutout. “(Shooting) is always something I loved to do. I was lucky enough to kind of grow up with outdoor rings, so I spent a lot of time on them as well.” Advertisement 2 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Sign In or Create an Account Email Address Continue or View more offers If you are a Home delivery print subscriber, online access is included in your subscription. Activate your Online Access Now Article content Rehkopf clarified he wasn’t intentionally firing at the washing machine. “It was just behind my net,” he said. “I broke the glass once or twice, and she was not too happy.” All the practice has paid off though. Rehkopf has scored 72 goals in 87 games over the last season and a half, playing with the OHL’s Kitchener Rangers and Brampton Steelheads. He was selected in the second round, 50th overall by the Seattle Kraken in the 2023 NHL entry draft, and likely has a promising career ahead of him. Marksmen like Rehkopf are hard to find. “He’s probably got the best shot in the OHL,” said Canada defenceman Sam Dickinson, a London Knights blue liner in his full-time gig. “He’s one of the best just pure goal scorers I’ve ever seen.” And yet it wasn’t until Canada fell to Latvia on Friday, after scoring just twice on 57 shots, that Rehkopf moved from the pressbox to the lineup. Asked why he was a healthy scratch for the first two games, coach Dave Cameron said the feeling was other combinations gave the team its best chance to win. Rehkopf, who had four points in five games for Canada at last year’s WJC and scored a hattrick in an exhibition against the U Sports all-stars during selection camp last week, didn’t take the snub personally. Sports Get the latest sport headlines and breaking news. There was an error, please provide a valid email address. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Thanks for signing up! A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sports will soon be in your inbox. We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again Article content Advertisement 3 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content “You respect their decision,” said the 6-foot-2, 200-pounder. “It’s a very good tournament. The best players in Canada. So you just try to stay humble and wait for an opportunity.” And he didn’t let it damage the confidence that has helped make him a sniper. “I think it can, but I try not to let it,” said Rehkopf. “I kind of focus on myself. I know what I can do. I know I can help the team win. So I’ll just try to show that when I get the chance.” Dickinson said “a hard play style” comes in the package that is Rehkopf. “I think you saw it in the first couple of pre-tournament games,” said Dickinson. “He’s been hard on the forecheck and was a hard guy to play against. I think that’s a big thing he’ll bring for us tonight.” Rehkopf’s obvious impact wasn’t immediate – until he crushed German captain Edwin Tropmann into the offensive end boards late in the second period. It was a hit heard loud and clear way up in the press box. At that point, Canada had the game’s lone goal on a blast from Oliver Bonk set up by London Knights teammate Easton Cowan and Berkly Catton that temporarily took scrutiny off the team’s struggling power play. Advertisement 4 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Another defenceman, Caden Price, helped the capacity crowd of 18,526 breathe easier with an unassisted effort that saw the puck just trickle over the line with 4:58 left in the third. Mathieu Cataford cemented the victory with an empty net goal 2.4 seconds from the final buzzer that was assisted by George, who made 25 saves for the shutout. Winning the game in regulation time was important as the three points back in a Group A first-place tie with the U.S and perfectly set the stage for a New Year’s Eve showdown with the Americans. If that one comes down to special teams play, the Bonk blast did served as a response to Cameron’s directive his players shoot more with a man-advantage. “Sometimes we overpass and we’re looking for something better,” Cameron said before the game. “You’re not going to break PK until you shoot the puck. It’s off shots and rebounds that stuff happens, and so you have to stay with the shot. That’s first and foremost.” Around the same time, Cameron also raved about Rehkopf’s shot. “And he’s not scared to shoot,” said Cameron, who hates nothing more than cutting a player or scratching him from the lineup. “He doesn’t need many chances to score. He’s a primary shooter, that’s the first trait of a good goal scorer.” Advertisement 5 Story continues below This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Article content Don’t be surprised if he gets a big one before this tournament is done. Cowan says Rehkopf “finds a way to score almost every game he plays.” Maybe it will come on against the team Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews — a guy with a shot Rehkopf has studied and tried to copy – was the co-leader of in scoring with Matthew Tkachuk by racking up 11 points when the U.S. won bronze at the 2016 world juniors. “I’ve been watching Matthews shoot since he came into (the NHL),” said Rehkopf. “Obviously you try to mess around, do stuff yourself, and kind of figure out different ways to shoot and whatnot, (but) “(Matthews’) pull and drag is something and I’ve really taken to ... it’s something that he brought in the league and scores a lot with a lot. I think it just messes with the goalie, so it’s something I’ve worked on a lot.” His days of firing pucks in his mother’s basement are over, however. “I’m not allowed to shoot at my house anymore,” said Rehkopf. “I’ve gotta go to the shop, so she has kind of kicked me out of that area of the house.” Article content Share this article in your social network Share this Story : Mr. Big Shot: Carson Rehkopf cracks Canada lineup a decade after busting a family appliance Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Comments You must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments. Create an Account Sign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Trending World juniors: Reinforcements on way as Canada moves forward from devastating loss to Latvia World Juniors 4.1 magnitude earthquake in northwest Quebec felt in Ottawa News Confederation Line service resumes after broken pipe halted trains Local News OPP stop on Hwy 417 yields $28,000 in cash and suspected drugs Local News Canadian military fears maintenance issues will plague equipment sent to Latvia Defence Watch Read Next Latest National Stories Featured Local SavingsCLEVELAND (AP) — Jameis Winston didn't throw a pick-6 on Sunday in Pittsburgh. There's progress. In this lost season for the disappointing and shockingly bad Cleveland Browns, the small victories matter. Winston, who has been entertaining if not always effective in six starts, did have a pair of interceptions. But the Browns were more harmed by Dustin Hopkins missing two more field goals in who haven't lost a regular-season home game to Cleveland since 2003. Coming off a 497-yard passing performance, which included two pick-6's in a loss at Denver last Monday night, Winston played more cautiously against the Steelers (10-3). However, he still made mistakes and couldn't rally the Browns (3-10), who were trying to sweep the season series from their division rival for the first time in 36 years. Now that the Browns have officially and mathematically been eliminated from the AFC playoffs — logically, that happened weeks ago — it's probably time for them to start planning ahead for next season. But that won't include a change at quarterback as coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Winston, who has revived Cleveland's offense since taking over when Deshaun Watson ruptured his Achilles tendon in October, will start this week against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. “Our focus right now is really just trying to find ways to get a win,” Stefanski said. While there's an argument to be made that the Browns should play second-year QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson over the next four weeks to see if he fits into their future, Stefanski is sticking with Winston, who has emerged as a viable option to start for Cleveland next season. Of course, with it being the Browns, all plans are subject to change. So there's a reasonable chance that Thompson-Robinson, who made three starts and played in eight games as a rookie, could get some time before the season ends. Stefanski wouldn't get into any specifics for his decision to ride with Winston, who has thrown for 1,892 yards while going 2-4 as a starter. “We’re just going to continue to do everything we can to play better,” Stefanski said on a Zoom call. “Obviously I think we can play better on offense. Certainly as a team we can play better, but really the focus is making sure that we put our guys in position to find a way to win.” Winston at least gives the Browns a chance to finish with some dignity. At this point, that's all they got. What's working Stefanski has kept his players focused and motivated. The Browns haven't quit, and that's a strong signal that Stefanski still has his player's attention in a season filled with disappointment. It might be more challenging now that the Browns are only playing for pride, but guard Wyatt Teller is confident the team will fight until the end. “It doesn’t matter if you’re in playoff contention or not,” he said. “You’re going to do the best you can to play at a high level and protect your brothers.” What needs help Penalties have been a problem all season (11 in the opener) and continued Sunday as the Browns were called for nine infractions, including a pair of personal fouls in the second half. Cleveland leads the NFL with 53 pre-snap penalties. Stock up Right tackle Jack Conklin. For the second straight game, Conklin, with some help from others, held Steelers star pass rusher T.J. Watt without a sack. Conklin's comeback after undergoing knee reconstruction last season has been a bright spot in an otherwise dark season. Stock down Hopkins. His two misses — a 38-yarder at the end of the first half and a 43-yarder early in the third quarter — were beyond deflating. Two makes and the game would have been tied at 13. So steady while going 33 of 36 and making all eight kicks from over 50 yards a year ago, Hopkins is in a 3 of 9 tailspin. The team's decision to sign him to a three-year, $15.9 million extension this summer appears to be another miss. Still, Stefanski is confident Hopkins will find his kicking swing. “This is something that I know he can get through,” Stefanski said. “We’ll get through it together. He’s a veteran. He’s been through a lot in his career already and this is something we’ll continue to work through.” Injuries CB Greg Newsome II injured the same hamstring Sunday that he had surgery on during the summer. Stefanski said Newsome will “miss time,” but did not say how much. ... DB Mike Ford is in concussion protocol after being hurt in the first half. ... Stefanski ruled out LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah again this week with a neck injury, but didn't provide any updates on his condition. Owusu-Koramoah was eligible to return last week. He got hurt on Oct. 27 while tackling Ravens running back Derrick Henry. Key number 99 1/2 — Career sacks for Myles Garrett, who recorded his 11th this season on Sunday. Garrett has 13 sacks against the Steelers, including six in his past three games. What's next A visit on Sunday from the Chiefs and perhaps pop superstar Taylor Swift, who could celebrate her birthday (Dec. 13) with a weekend in boyfriend Travis Kelce's hometown. ___ AP NFL: Tom Withers, The Associated Press

Takeaways from Biden's Africa trip: Pardon of son Hunter overshadows official business

By Andrew Goudsward WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump asked a Georgia Appeals Court on Wednesday to end the criminal case against him in that state for attempting to overturn his 2020 election loss. Lawyers for Trump argued that his continued prosecution by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who has also charged several of Trump's allies, would violate the U.S. Constitution as he prepares to return to the White House next month. They urged the appeals court to remove Trump from the proceedings and to order a lower court judge to dismiss the case against Trump in its entirety. A spokesperson for Willis did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Federal prosecutors have already dropped two criminal cases against Trump based on a Justice Department policy against prosecuting a sitting president. Trump's sentencing on charges in New York involving hush money paid to a porn star was put on hold indefinitely following Trump's election victory over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump's lawyers renewed their attempts to dismiss that prosecution on Tuesday. In Georgia, Trump and 14 others face racketeering and other charges for allegedly forming a criminal conspiracy to reverse Trump's narrow defeat in the battleground state in the 2020 election. Trump has pleaded not guilty and has argued that the case, and others he has faced, were politically motivated attempts to damage his campaign. Trump as president will not have the authority to end the Georgia case, but his lawyers argued that continuing to prosecute him would undermine his ability to govern. Trump and eight of his co-defendants have asked the appeals court to disqualify Willis from prosecuting the case, arguing that a romantic relationship she had with a former deputy tainted the proceedings. The case has been paused since June because of the appeal. Oral arguments were scheduled for Thursday, but were postponed by the court last month without explanation. Trump's filing applies only to his case. The other co-defendants can continue to press their appeal if Trump is removed from the case. (Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; Editing by Stephen Coates)LUANDA, Angola (AP) — President Joe Biden's long-delayed trip to Africa had many of the hallmarks of a traditional state visit: There was a 12-shot cannon salute. A series of warm handshakes with Angolan President João Lourenço. Celebratory music. Photo opportunities. But another issue overshadowed the visit. When reporters tried to question the president about why he gave his son Hunter a far-reaching pardon after repeatedly saying he would not do so, Biden tried to brush aside the questions. He gestured toward Lourenço and laughed, declaring, “Welcome to America.” Biden saluted Lourenço for his efforts to bolster stronger U.S. relations, declared that Africa and its booming youth population would shape the world's future and even indulged his love of trains by championing a major railway project that his administration says could change the way the entire continent does business. Some takeaways from the president's visit: Biden offered the joke about America before his meeting with Lourenço, and he answered a question on Tuesday about the political situation in South Korea, saying only that he'd not been briefed — something that was rectified moments later when advisers filled him in on what was happening as the motorcade sped away from a site where he'd given a speech. Other than that, Biden went the entire trip, which began Sunday night and included two brief stopovers in Cape Verde in addition to Angola, dodging reporters. He did similar during last month's six-day visit to South America . Since Biden announced his pardon decision shortly before climbing aboard Air Force One bound for Africa, it fell to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre to spend nearly half an hour offering long and awkward answers to uncomfortable questions aboard the aircraft hours later. Biden said in a statement explaining the pardon that, while he believed in the justice system, he also felt that politics had infected the cases against his son and “enough was enough.” Jean-Pierre maintained that he wasn't trying to have it both ways. “I don’t think it’s a contradiction,” she said. “Two things could be true. You can believe in the Department of Justice system, and you could also believe that the process was infected politically.” She also bristled when it was suggested that such complaints about the Department of Justice smacked of President-elect Donald Trump's promises to dismantle the “deep state” of federal bureaucrats that he's said for years are out to unfairly undermine him and fellow top Republicans. During his meeting with Lourenço at the presidential palace, Biden said, “The United States is all in on Africa,” and extolled how strong Angolan relations were with Washington. His administration has invested billions in Angola, with the centerpiece being promoting the Lobito Corridor, a vast project to revitalize supply chains by refurbishing 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) of train lines in Angola, Zambia and Congo. Given where Angola was barely a generation ago, the alliance is in many ways remarkable. An oil-rich nation on Africa's southwest coast, Angola achieved independence from Portugal in 1975, but spent subsequent years embroiled in civil war, which often featured proxy fighting between U.S.-backed forces and those allied with the Soviet Union. Even today, the country's red and black flag features a yellow machete and half-cog, an insignia resembling the Soviet hammer and sickle. But Biden leaves office on Jan. 20, and Lourenço, like many leaders of African nations, has already begun suggesting that he's looking toward a Trump-dominated future. Biden administration officials say they're hopeful Trump and top Republicans will continue a business-friendly approach to investing in Africa that includes continuing to support the Lobito Corridor. Biden lauded Lourenço for helping boost his country's relationship with the United States, and he said the youth of Africa would change the world. He also visited the country’s national slavery museum, stressing how Angola and the United States — which were once linked by the horrors of enslaved human beings, now could increasingly be linked by economic opportunity. But if Biden came to Angola hoping to cement his foreign policy legacy in this country and throughout Africa, it will actually fall to Trump — the man he beat in the 2020 election and spent much of 2024 running against before bowing out of the race in July — to see it through.WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President-elect Donald Trump has nvited Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration next month — extending a diplomatic olive branch even as Trump threatens to levy massive tariffs on Chinese goods. Trump's incoming press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, confirmed on Thursday that Trump invited Xi, but said it was “to be determined” if the leader of the United States' most significant economic and military competitor would attend. In fact it seems unlikely. Xi is likely to see the invitation as too risky to accept, and the gesture from Trump may have little bearing on the increasingly competitive ties between the two nations as the White House changes hands, experts say. Danny Russel, vice president for international security and diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute, said Xi would not allow himself to “be reduced to the status of a mere guest celebrating the triumph of a foreign leader — the U.S. president, no less.” Still, Leavitt saw it as a plus. “This is an example of President Trump creating an open dialogue with leaders of countries that are not just our allies, but our adversaries and our competitors too,” she said in an appearance on Fox News' program ”Fox & Friends." “We saw this in his first term. He got a lot of criticism for it, but it led to peace around this world. He is willing to talk to anyone and he will always put America’s interest first.” CBS News first reported the invitation to Xi. Asked at a Chinese Foreign Ministry briefing on Thursday about Trump's invitation, spokesperson Mao Ning responded: “I have nothing to share at present.” Leavitt said that other foreign leaders have also been invited, but did not provide any details. The move by Trump to invite a leader of an adversarial nation to the American moment that is Inauguration Day is unorthodox. But it also squares with his belief that foreign policy—much like a business negotiation—should be carried out with carrots and sticks to get the United States' opponents to operate closer to his administration's preferred terms. Jim Bendat, a historian and author of “Democracy’s Big Day: The Inauguration of Our President,” said he was not aware of a previous U.S. inauguration attended by a foreign head of state. “It's not necessarily a bad thing to invite foreign leaders to attend,” Bendat said. “But it sure would make more sense to invite an ally before an adversary.” Edward Frantz, a presidential historian at the University of Indianapolis, said the invitation helps Trump burnish his “dealmaker and savvy businessman” brand. “I could see why he might like the optics," Frantz said. “But from the standpoint of American values, it seems shockingly cavalier." White House officials said it was up to Trump to decide whom he invites to the inauguration. “I would just say, without doubt it's the single most consequential bilateral relationship that the United States has in the world,” White House national security spokesman John Kirby said. “It is a relationship both fraught with peril and responsibility.” Trump on Thursday during an appearance at the New York Stock Exchange , where he was ringing the opening bell to open the market, said he’s been “thinking about inviting certain people to the inauguration” without referring to any specific individuals. “And some people said, ‘Wow, that’s a little risky, isn’t it?’” Trump said. “And I said, ‘Maybe it is. We’ll see. We’ll see what happens.’ But we like to take little chances.” Meanwhile, a top aide to Hungarian President Viktor Orban, one of Trump's most vocal supporters on the world stage, said Thursday that Orban isn't slated to attend the inauguration. “There is no such plan, at least for the time being," said Gergely Gulyás, Orban's chief of staff. The nationalist Hungarian leader is embraced by Trump but has faced isolation in Europe as he's sought to undermine the European Union's support for Ukraine, and routinely blocked, delayed or watered down the bloc’s efforts to provide weapons and funding and to sanction Moscow for its invasion. Orban recently met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Every country's chief of mission to the United States will also be invited, according to a Trump Inaugural Committee official who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The Xi invitation comes as Trump has threatened to enact massive tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China to get those countries to do more to reduce illegal immigration and the flow of illegal drugs such as fentanyl into the United States. He has said that, on his first day in office in January, he would impose 25% tariffs on all goods imported from Mexico and Canada and that China could be hit with even higher tariffs. China produces precursor chemicals used in the production of fentanyl, but Beijing has stepped up efforts over the last year to crack down on the export of the chemicals. “We’ve been talking and discussing with President Xi, some things, and others, other world leaders, and I think we’re going to do very well all around,” Trump said in a CNBC interview Thursday. Xi during a meeting with President Joe Biden last month in Peru urged the United States not to start a trade war. “Make the wise choice,” Xi cautioned. “Keep exploring the right way for two major countries to get along well with each other.” Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has also pushed back on Trump's threats, warning such a tariffs move would be perilous for the U.S. economy as well. Trudeau earlier this week said that Americans “are beginning to wake up to the real reality that tariffs on everything from Canada would make life a lot more expensive” and said he will retaliate if Trump goes ahead with them. Trump responded by calling Canada a state and Trudeau the governor. In addition to the tariff dispute, U.S.-China relations are strained over other issues, including what U.S. officials see as Beijing indirectly supporting Russia's war on Ukraine. The Biden administration says China has supported Russia with a surge in sales of dual use components that help keep its military industrial base afloat. U.S. officials also have expressed frustration with Beijing for not doing more to rein in North Korea's support for the Russian war. China accounts for the vast majority of North Korea’s trade. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has dispatched thousands of troops to Russia to help repel Ukrainian forces from the Kursk border region. The North Koreans also have provided Russia with artillery and other munitions, according to U.S. and South Korean intelligence officials. Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration takes place a day after the U.S. deadline for ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of social media giant TikTok, to sell the social media app or face a ban in the United States. — Associated Press writers Didi Tang in Washington and Balint Domotor in Budapest, Hungary, contributed reporting.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Turkey on Thursday for talks focused on a critical aspect of establishing stability in Syria: clashes in the north of the country between U.S.-backed Kurdish forces and Turkey-backed rebels. Blinken met President Tayyip Erdogan at Ankara’s Esenboga Airport after visiting Jordan on his first trip to the region since Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government was ousted on Sunday. Erdogan and Blinken discussed the latest developments in Syria, with Erdogan calling on the international community to work together for the reconstruction of institutions in Syria, the Turkish presidency said in a statement. Erdogan also told Blinken that Turkey would take preventive measures in Syria for its national security against all organisations it deems as terrorists, the statement said, adding that Ankara would not allow any weakness in the fight against Islamic State. Blinken noted the shared interest of the U.S. and Turkey in supporting a Syrian-led political transition to an accountable and inclusive government, U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said in a statement. He emphasised the need to ensure the coalition to defeat Islamic State can continue to execute its critical mission, Miller also said. Blinken will meet Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Friday. NATO allies Washington and Ankara supported Syrian rebels during the 13-year civil war, but their interests notably clashed when it came to one of the rebel factions – the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces. The SDF is the main ally in a U.S. coalition against Islamic State militants. It is spearheaded by the People’s Protection Units (YPG), which Ankara sees as an extension of Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants that it outlaws and who have fought the Turkish state for 40 years. Before arriving in Ankara, Blinken said the PKK is an “enduring threat” to Turkey. “At the same time ... we want to avoid sparking any kinds of additional conflicts inside of Syria at a time when we want to see this transition to an interim government and to a better way forward,” he said. Syria is also expected to top the agenda of Blinken’s talks with Fidan, a Turkish official said on condition of anonymity, adding Ankara is ready to support Syria as a safe and stable place governed by an inclusive government. NORTHERN SYRIA Earlier this week, Turkish-backed forces seized the northern city of Manbij from the U.S.-backed SDF, which then headed east of the Euphrates River. A Syrian opposition source told Reuters the U.S. and Turkey had reached an agreement on the withdrawal. A Turkish defence ministry official said on Thursday the advance on Manbij aimed to “clear terrorism”. The official warned about unspecified efforts to provide cover for the PKK by flagging risks related to Islamic State, adding that Ankara has told Washington that one terrorist group cannot be used to eliminate another. Blinken said on Monday that Islamic State will try to use this period to re-establish capabilities in Syria, but the United States is determined not to let that happen. Some SDF fighters also withdrew from Tel Refaat and parts of Aleppo to the west in the early days of the lightning rebel offensive that swept south across the country. Turkey also directly targeted the YPG in recent days with its intelligence agency destroying 12 trucks loaded with missiles and heavy weapons in northeast Syria.Stock market today: Wall Street gains ground as it notches a winning week and another Dow record

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Zakladatel společnosti Xsolla Shurick Agapitov vydává hru Once Upon Tomorrow Fortnite Island: přelomový pohlcující zážitek, který oživuje románový vesmír

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas (AP) — Jordan Roberts scored 19 points as Texas A&M-Corpus Christi beat Schreiner 103-44 on Sunday. Roberts went 7 of 11 from the field (3 for 4 from 3-point range) for the Islanders (8-6). Dian Wright-Forde scored 14 points while shooting 4 of 7 from the field and 6 for 8 from the line and added three steals. Sheldon Williams shot 5 of 6 from the field and 3 of 6 from the free-throw line to finish with 13 points. The Mountaineers were led by Beau Cervantes, who recorded nine points. Kamden Ross added seven points and three blocks. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep. Jerry Nadler announced Wednesday that he will be stepping down as the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee next year, avoiding an intra-party fight over a prominent position as the party prepares to confront a second Trump presidency. Nadler's decision to relinquish control of the powerful committee came a day after fellow Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin announced his bid for the job and quickly amassed support from colleagues. “I am also proud that, under my leadership, some of our caucus’s most talented rising stars have been given a platform to demonstrate their leadership and their abilities,” Nadler wrote in the letter to Democrats that was obtained by The Associated Press. “That includes Jamie Raskin, who in just a few terms in Congress has already proven himself to be an exceptional leader and spokesperson for our party’s values.” The 77-year-old chose to step aside as the Democratic party undergoes an internal reckoning over their losses in the election, which swept Republicans into a trifecta of power in Washington. Many Democrats are eager for generational change and a new approach as President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House. The decision by Nadler, who is serving his 17th term in Congress, reflects that generational shift. Before he made his decision Wednesday morning, Nadler spent time speaking with staff about what his next step should be. He also made a call to Raskin, which was described as cordial by a person familiar with the conversation who was not authorized to discuss it publicly. “Jerry Nadler is an extraordinary lawyer, patriot and public servant,” Raskin posted on X. “His dogged defense of civil rights and civil liberties is a great inspiration to our people.” He added, “I am honored and humbled to have his support in the battles ahead.” Farnoush Amiri, The Associated Press